Thermochromic Window Dopant Gradient

Solution Overview

Problem

Thermochromic windows with high phase transition temperatures are difficult to implement in practical applications due to their inefficiency in reducing energy loss through windows, as they require high temperatures to activate the phase change, and existing doping methods result in decreased visible light transmittance and phase transition efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A thermochromic window with a dopant concentration gradient in the thermochromic thin film, where the dopant concentration decreases from the surface to the substrate, and a barrier film is used to prevent ion diffusion, allowing for high visible light transmittance and phase change efficiency while maintaining a low phase transition temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a thermochromic thin film is doped with a dopant to lower the phase transition temperature, then the phase transition temperature is reduced, but the visible light transmittance and phase transition efficiency decrease due to uniform dopant distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase transition temperatureVSAvoidvisible light transmittance

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform dopant concentration distribution within the thermochromic thin film. The dopant concentration varies through the film thickness, with higher concentration at certain regions and lower concentration at other regions. This localized variation allows different parts of the film to have optimized properties: regions with appropriate dopant concentration achieve low phase transition temperature, while regions with lower dopant concentration maintain high visible light transmittance and phase transition efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If a thermochromic thin film is doped with a dopant to lower the phase transition temperature, then the phase transition temperature is reduced, but the phase transition efficiency decreases due to uniform dopant distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase transition temperatureVSAvoidphase transition efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform dopant concentration distribution within the thermochromic thin film. The dopant concentration varies through the film thickness, with higher concentration at certain regions and lower concentration at other regions. This localized variation allows different parts of the film to have optimized properties: regions with appropriate dopant concentration achieve low phase transition temperature, while regions with lower dopant concentration maintain high visible light transmittance and phase transition efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of energy

If low-e glass is coated with metal or metal oxide to block infrared radiation, then infrared radiation is blocked, but sunlight transmittance is not adjusted according to season and temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrared radiation blockingVSAvoidsunlight transmittance adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by using a thermochromic material as the base layer, which dynamically changes its optical properties in response to temperature changes. The thermochromic thin film transitions between different phases based on temperature, automatically adjusting its infrared radiation blocking and visible light transmittance characteristics. This dynamic behavior allows the window to adapt to seasonal and temperature variations without manual intervention, combining energy blocking capability with environmental adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables a thermochromic window with high visible light transmittance and efficient phase change performance at lower temperatures, effectively reducing energy loss and improving energy efficiency in buildings.

Implementation Method 1

when the glass arrives at a predetermined temperature or higher, thereby preventing room temperature from rising

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

a thermochromic window which are provided by coating a glass with a thermochromic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermochromism: Thermochromism

Implementation Method 3

a thermochromic thin film made of a thermochromic material is doped with a dopant in order to lower the phase transition temperature of the thermochromic thin film

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDoping: Dopants

Data Source

PatentEP2679555B1Thermochromic window doped with dopant and method of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2019.03.27 SAMSUNG CORNING PRECISION MATERIALS CO LTD

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AI summary

A thermochromic window doped with a dopant and a method of manufacturing the same. The thermochromic window includes a substrate and a thermochromic thin film formed on the substrate. The thermochromic thin film has a thermochromic material doped with a dopant, the concentration of the dopant gradually decreasing in a depth direction from one surface of the upper surface and the undersurface of the thermochromic thin film. The thermochromic window has a high level of visible light transmittance and high phase change efficiency while having a low phase transition temperature.