Photovoltaic Composite Pane With Evacuated Aerogel Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photovoltaic components in composite panes for vehicles and buildings tend to increase thermal stress due to heat absorption, affecting thermal comfort and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an evacuated airgel layer as an insulation unit between the panes of a composite pane, which reduces heat input and provides acoustic insulation, while maintaining the photovoltaic component's ability to generate energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If photovoltaic components are embedded in the composite pane, then electrical energy can be generated, but thermal stress increases and thermal comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An aerogel layer is introduced as an intermediary thermal insulation layer between the photovoltaic component and the interior pane. This aerogel layer has extremely low thermal conductivity (0.013-0.020 W/mK) and acts as a thermal mediator that blocks heat transfer from the heated photovoltaic component to the interior space, thereby reducing thermal stress while preserving electrical energy generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite pane structure combining multiple materials: outer pane, photovoltaic component, aerogel layer, and inner pane. The aerogel layer serves as a specialized composite material with unique thermal insulation properties that are superior to conventional insulation materials, enabling the system to generate electricity while maintaining thermal comfort
2Temperature
If the aerogel layer is evacuated to improve thermal insulation, then thermal comfort improves, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the aerogel layer by evacuating it to create a vacuum or near-vacuum state. This parameter change (from atmospheric pressure to vacuum) dramatically reduces thermal conductivity since gas-phase heat transfer is eliminated, achieving superior thermal insulation (U-value < 1.0 W/m²K) while the aerogel matrix provides structural integrity without requiring complex additional support systems
3Temperature
If traditional insulating glazing with gas fill is used, then thermal insulation is provided, but the insulation performance is insufficient compared to evacuated aerogel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes aerogel, a highly porous material with porosity exceeding 90%, as the insulation medium. The porous structure consists of a three-dimensional network of particles with nanoscale pores that trap gas molecules, preventing convection and reducing conduction. When evacuated, the porous aerogel matrix maintains structural integrity while eliminating gas-phase heat transfer, achieving thermal insulation performance superior to traditional gas-filled glazing with significantly reduced energy loss
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively minimizes heat radiation from the photovoltaic component, enhancing thermal comfort and energy efficiency by utilizing the airgel's low thermal conductivity and acoustic damping properties without significantly increasing the pane's weight.
Implementation Method 1
the aerogel layer is evacuated, forming the insulation unit as a type of vacuum insulating glazing
Implementation Method 2
Aerogels are highly porous solids known for their very low thermal conductivity and thermal insulation properties
Implementation Method 3
A photovoltaic component absorbs visible light and/or infrared radiation to convert it into electrical energy
Implementation Method 4
The aerogel layer also has acoustic insulation properties, which is advantageous for shielding disturbing external noise
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a composite disc comprising an outer disc (1) and an inner disc (2) which are bonded together over a planar area, wherein at least one photovoltaic component (4) is embedded in the composite disc between the outer disc (1) and the inner disc (2), and wherein the composite disc has an insulation unit (5) which comprises, in the specified order, an outer disc (5a) facing the outer disc (1), an evacuated aerogel layer (5c), and an inner disc (5b), and wherein (i) the insulation unit (5) is embedded in the composite disc between the outer disc (1) and the inner disc (2) and has a smaller distance to the inner disc (2) than the at least one photovoltaic component (4), or (ii) the inner disc (2) of the composite disc forms the inner disc (5b) of the insulation unit (5).