Partially Reflective Smart Thermostat Cover Without Metal Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart thermostats require user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing designs that allow easy interaction and remote control, while also needing to withstand environmental impacts and maintain functionality without metallic layers that interfere with wireless signals.
Innovation Solution
A smart thermostat with a partially-reflective cover featuring a glass layer, optical coating layers of non-metallic oxide sublayers, and an anti-shatter layer, which allows for wireless signal transparency and enhanced durability, along with a capacitive touch strip for user input and ambient light sensing for display adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a metallic reflective layer is used in the cover, then the aesthetic appearance and light reflection are improved, but wireless signal transmission is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the metallic layer from the cover structure entirely. Instead of using a metallic reflective layer, the invention employs a non-metallic optical coating layer deposited on a transparent or translucent substrate, thereby eliminating the conflict between aesthetic reflection and wireless signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the reflective layer from metallic to non-metallic optical coating. This parameter change allows the cover to maintain light reflection properties through optical interference effects while permitting wireless signals to pass through, resolving the contradiction between appearance and functionality.
2Strength
If the glass layer is made thicker for durability, then impact resistance is improved, but wireless signal transmission is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a transparent or translucent substrate (glass or plastic) combined with a non-metallic optical coating layer. This composite material approach provides the necessary mechanical strength and impact resistance while maintaining wireless signal transmission capability, as neither component blocks the signals.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple optical coating layers are added to control light reflection, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single non-metallic optical coating layer that performs multiple functions: controlling light reflection for aesthetic appearance, maintaining wireless signal transmission, and providing a substrate for touch sensing. This multi-functional approach reduces manufacturing complexity compared to separate layers for each function.
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 provides a user-friendly, aesthetically appealing, and durable smart thermostat that maintains wireless connectivity and functionality while allowing remote control and occupancy-based temperature adjustments, ensuring seamless interaction and robustness.
Implementation Method 1
the optical coating layer reflects light incident on the optical coating layer from the ambient environment through the glass layer at a first plurality of wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
The optical coating layer can include alternating non-metallic oxide layers having different refractive indexes
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of smart devices are determined herein. A smart device can include a housing and an electronic display. The smart device can further include a cover, housed by the housing, through which the electronic display is visible. The cover can include a glass layer, wherein the glass layer is the outermost layer of the cover that is adjacent an ambient environment of the smart home device. The cover can further include an optical coating layer, deposited directly onto a surface of the glass layer, that comprises a plurality of sublayers. The optical coating layer can include alternating non-metallic oxide layers having different refractive indexes. The sublayers can vary in thickness such that the optical coating layer reflects light from the ambient environment through the glass layer.