Transparent Display Integration in Electrochromic Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrochromic windows, despite their potential for energy savings and control of light transmission, have not fully realized their commercial potential due to limitations in integrating advanced technologies that enhance their functionality and user interaction.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a transparent display with electrochromic windows, enabled by a controller that manages both the electrochromic device and the display, allowing for adjustable optical states, user input, and environmental sensing, creating a smart window system that can control light, display information, and monitor environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a transparent display is integrated with an electrochromic window, then the functionality and user interaction are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a transparent display device with an electrochromic window into a single integrated assembly. The display and electrochromic layers are positioned on opposite sides of a spacer, creating a unified structure that functions as both a window and a display device, thereby enhancing functionality while managing complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated window-display assembly serves multiple functions: it provides natural light transmission when the display is inactive, displays information or images when activated, and maintains electrochromic tinting capabilities. This multi-functionality addresses the versatility improvement while the shared structural components help manage the overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a controller manages both the electrochromic device and transparent display, then user interaction is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to manage multiple functions through a single device: it controls both the transparent display (switching it on/off, adjusting brightness) and the electrochromic window (adjusting tint levels). This multi-functional control approach improves ease of operation by providing unified control while managing complexity through consolidation rather than separate control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives user input through various interfaces (touchscreen, buttons, wireless communication) and adjusts both the display and electrochromic layers accordingly. The system monitors the state of both components and makes coordinated adjustments, providing responsive user interaction while managing complexity through centralized control logic.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the window includes environmental sensors and communication capabilities, then the smart window system functionality is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The window system integrates multiple functional components into a single smart window unit: environmental sensors (light, temperature, humidity detection), communication capabilities (wireless connectivity for remote control and data exchange), display functionality, and electrochromic control. This consolidation of multiple functions into one integrated system enhances versatility while managing complexity through unified architecture and shared control infrastructure.
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
This integration enhances the functionality of electrochromic windows by enabling dynamic control of light transmission, providing a user-friendly interface for control and information display, and improving energy efficiency while offering advanced features like environmental monitoring and communication.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochromism is a phenomenon in which a material exhibits a reversible electrochemically-mediated change in an optical property when placed in a different electronic state, typically by being subjected to a voltage change.
Implementation Method 2
In some embodiments, the transparent display is an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display.
Implementation Method 3
In some embodiments, the transparent display is an electrowetting display having a plurality of pixels where each pixel has at least one cell that can be oscillated between a transparent state and an opaque state.
Data Source
AI summary
A tintable window is described having a tintable coating, e.g., an electrochromic device coating, for regulating light transmitted through the window. In some embodiments, the window has a transparent display in the window's viewable region. Transparent displays may be substantially transparent when not in use, or when the window is viewed in a direction facing away from the transparent display. Windows may have sensors for receiving user commands and/or for monitoring environmental conditions. Transparent displays can display graphical user interfaces to, e.g., control window functions. Windows, as described herein, offer an alternative display to conventional projectors, TVs, and monitors. Windows may also be configured to receive, transmit, or block wireless communications from passing through the window. A window control system may share computational resources between controllers (e.g., at different windows). In some cases, the computational resources of the window control system are utilized by other building systems and devices.