Multilayered Infrared Reflective Structure Using Sol-Gel Oxide Films
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current low-emissivity glass used for energy saving in buildings is costly, complex to fabricate, and environmentally unfriendly due to the need for multiple vacuum-sputtered films and electroplating, which limits its recyclability and increases contamination.
Innovation Solution
A multilayered infrared light reflective structure comprising a transparent substrate with a doped oxide film and an oxide isolated layer, deposited using chemical spraying or atmospheric chemosynthesis, achieving high reflection efficiency with fewer films and simpler processing, thereby reducing costs and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vacuum sputtering equipment and processes are used to fabricate low-emissivity glass with multiple films, then infrared light reflection is highly effective, but manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of infrared reflection from the complex multi-film vacuum sputtering structure and achieves it through a simpler sol-gel derived oxide layer. The invention identifies that the core requirement is infrared reflection, then finds a more straightforward way to achieve this function without the complex fabrication process, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive vacuum sputtering equipment and complex multi-film structures with a simpler, more cost-effective sol-gel process that uses conventional glassworking techniques. The invention demonstrates that high-quality infrared reflection can be achieved through chemical deposition rather than expensive physical vapor deposition, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and process complexity.
2Reliability
If vacuum sputtering equipment and processes are used to fabricate low-emissivity glass with multiple films, then infrared light reflection is highly effective, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive vacuum sputtering equipment and complex multi-film structures with a simpler, more cost-effective sol-gel process that uses conventional glassworking techniques. The invention demonstrates that high-quality infrared reflection can be achieved through chemical deposition rather than expensive physical vapor deposition, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fabrication parameters from vacuum-based physical processes to atmospheric chemical processes. By using sol-gel chemistry and conventional glassworking temperatures rather than vacuum sputtering, the invention achieves the same functional result at a fraction of the cost, making the manufacturing process more economical while maintaining infrared reflection performance.
3Reliability
If electro plating method is used to form the metallic film, then infrared light reflection is achieved, but contamination increases and environmental friendliness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electroplating mechanical/chemical process with a sol-gel chemical deposition process. Instead of using electroplating to deposit metallic films, the invention uses chemical sol-gel reactions to form oxide layers directly on the glass substrate. This substitution eliminates the contamination issues associated with electroplating while achieving the same infrared reflection function through the oxide layer's optical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the deposition method from electroplating to sol-gel chemical deposition. By using chemical processes rather than electrochemical processes, the invention eliminates the contamination problems inherent in electroplating. The sol-gel method allows for cleaner deposition of oxide layers that provide the same infrared reflection functionality without the harmful byproducts and contamination of electroplating.
4Reliability
If low-emissivity glass is fabricated with multiple films, then infrared light reflection is enhanced, but the structure becomes complex and difficult to fabricate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of infrared reflection from the complex multi-film vacuum sputtering structure and achieves it through a simpler sol-gel derived oxide layer. The invention identifies that the core requirement is infrared reflection, then finds a more straightforward way to achieve this function without the complex fabrication process, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate films into a single sol-gel derived oxide layer. Instead of using multiple distinct films deposited by vacuum sputtering, the invention combines the infrared reflection function into one integrated oxide layer formed by sol-gel chemistry. This merging reduces the number of fabrication steps and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the same optical performance.
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 structure provides high reflection efficiency for near-infrared light while maintaining good transmittance for visible light, reducing heat absorption, and simplifying the fabrication process, making it a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy-saving solution for building materials.
Implementation Method 1
a main material of the metallic film comprises Ag, which highly reflects infrared light. Meanwhile, the transparent oxide film mainly comprises SnO2, which also highly reflects infrared light while enhancing transmittance.
Implementation Method 2
the transparent oxide film mainly comprises SnO2, which also highly reflects infrared light while enhancing transmittance
Implementation Method 3
deposited using chemical spraying or atmospheric chemosynthesis
Implementation Method 4
deposited using chemical spraying or atmospheric chemosynthesis
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a multilayered infrared light reflective structure. The multilayered infrared light reflective structure includes a transparent substrate. A doped oxide film is disposed on the transparent substrate. An oxide isolated layer is disposed on the doped oxide film, thereby allowing incident light to be incident from a top surface of the transparent substrate into the multilayered infrared light reflective structure.