Segmented Electrochromic Glazing with Printed Invisible Touch Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional glazings lack the ability to independently modify transparency, color, and functionality across different areas, limiting their versatility and user interaction in vehicles and buildings.
Innovation Solution
A partially transparent glazing with perpendicular partial surfaces that can be obscured, opacified, or illuminated independently, featuring invisible touch controls identified by printed designs, utilizing materials like polyvinyl butyral, thermoplastic polyurethane, and electrochromic systems, along with digital and screen printing for identification and functionality activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional glazings are used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the ability to independently modify transparency, color, and functionality across different areas is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The glazing is divided into multiple independent partial surfaces (first partial surface, second partial surface, etc.) that can be controlled separately. Each partial surface can be obscured, opacified, colored, or illuminated independently through separate control systems, enabling versatile functionality while maintaining a unified glazing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the glazing are assigned different functional properties. The first partial surface may have electrochromic properties for transparency control, the second partial surface may have light-emitting properties, and the third partial surface may have scattering properties. This local differentiation enables independent modification of transparency, color, and functionality across different areas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple functional films and control systems are integrated, then functionality and versatility are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional films (electrochromic films, light-emitting films, scattering films) are integrated into a single laminated glazing structure with a common substrate and adhesive layer system. The control systems are merged into a unified control unit that can manage all partial surfaces through a single interface, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining high functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The glazing system is designed as a multi-functional platform where a single structure can perform multiple functions simultaneously or independently. The same adhesive layer and substrate system support different functional films, and the control system can switch between different functional modes, reducing the need for separate manufacturing processes for each function.
3Ease of operation
If invisible touch controls with printed identification designs are implemented, then user interaction and HMI are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is replicated through printed identification designs on the glazing surface that correspond to physical touch control areas. When a user touches a printed design, it activates the corresponding functional partial surface. This copying approach provides intuitive visual feedback and guidance without requiring complex display screens or additional interface components.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch control system provides tactile feedback and visual identification through the printed designs themselves, eliminating the need for separate display screens or indicators. The system serves its own interface needs by using the glazing surface and printed patterns as both the control mechanism and the feedback mechanism, reducing overall system complexity.
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
Enables user-friendly, aesthetically versatile, and energy-efficient glazing solutions for vehicles and buildings, allowing for customizable transparency, color, and functionality through electrically switchable films and touch controls.
Implementation Method 1
the glazing comprises a first partial surface (42) which can be obscured, opacified, colored and/or illuminated independently of the other partial surfaces by means of an electrochromic system
Implementation Method 2
Functional films based on liquid crystals dispersed in a polymer matrix are known by the abbreviation PDLCs. Liquid crystals dispersed in a polymer matrix are a category of heterogeneous materials consisting of a dispersion of microdroplets of liquid crystals in a solid and more or less flexible polymer matrix. These materials exhibit electrooptical properties. They can in fact switch between a highly diffusive opaque state (OFF state) and a transparent state (ON state) following the application of an electric field.
Implementation Method 3
a scattering enamel capable of extracting light from a light-emitting diode (LED) positioned on the edge of the glazing
Data Source
AI summary
A glazing, at least partially transparent, the main surface of which is divided into partial surfaces capable of being concealed, opacified, colored and/or illuminated independently of each other, in whole, in part and/or in accordance with designs, the partial surfaces being associated with invisible touch controls identified by prints, an identification design on the one hand, an offset design for identification and tracking of invisible offset touch controls on the other hand, being associated with at least one of the partial surfaces.