Transparent Layered Element Textured Interfaces for Diffuse Reflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Standard transparent glazing reflects radiation in a specular manner, causing sharp reflections and glare, while translucent glazing reduces visibility, and existing solutions for Head-Up Displays suffer from double image issues due to laminated structures.

Innovation Solution

A transparent layered element with two outer layers of dielectric materials having the same refractive index and a central layer of different refractive index or metallic material, where contact surfaces between layers are textured to promote diffuse reflection and maintain specular transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If standard transparent glazing is used, then clear vision through the glazing is achieved, but sharp reflections and glare are generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility through glazingVSAvoidsharp reflections and glare
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different surface qualities to different locations within the glazing structure. The external surfaces remain smooth for clear vision, while the internal contact surfaces between layers are textured to create diffuse reflection. This local differentiation allows the glazing to simultaneously provide clear transmission and reduce harmful reflections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite layered structure combining dielectric materials with different refractive indices. The multi-layer composition with specific refractive index differences creates optical interference effects that enhance diffuse reflection at internal interfaces while maintaining overall transparency and clear vision through the glazing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If translucent glazing is used, then sharp reflections and glare are reduced, but clear view through the glazing is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesharp reflections and glareVSAvoidvisibility through glazing
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a distinction between local diffuse reflection at internal textured interfaces and overall clear transmission. The textured contact surfaces scatter light locally to eliminate sharp reflections, while the smooth external surfaces and optimized layer structure maintain global transparency for clear viewing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls the refractive index differences between layers and the texture parameters of internal surfaces to optimize the balance between diffuse reflection and clear transmission. By adjusting these parameters, the glazing achieves reduced glare while preserving visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If laminated structures are used for Head-Up Displays, then diffuse reflection is enhanced, but double image issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediffuse reflection enhancementVSAvoiddouble image quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent concentrates the diffusing function specifically at the internal contact surfaces between layers, while keeping the external surfaces smooth. This localized texturing enhances diffuse reflection for Head-Up Display visibility without creating the multiple reflected images that plague conventional laminated structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a single optimized reflective interface rather than multiple laminated layers. By using a streamlined multi-layer structure with textured contact surfaces, it replicates the diffuse reflection function of complex laminates while eliminating the double-image problem through simplified optical path design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 achieves clear vision through specular transmission while minimizing sharp reflections and glare, and enhances Head-Up Displays by reducing double image issues, allowing for effective diffuse reflection without making the glazing translucent.

Implementation Method 1

Reflection by a glazing is said to be diffuse when radiation incident on the glazing with a given angle of incidence is reflected by the glazing in a plurality of directions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffuse reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

transmission through a glazing is said to be specular when radiation incident on the glazing with a given angle of incidence is transmitted by the glazing with a transmission angle equal to the angle of incidence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpecular transmission: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP2670594B1Transparent element with diffuse reflection
Publication Date: 2020.05.20 SAINT GOBAIN VITRAGE SA
  • EP2670594B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2670594B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2670594B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

This transparent element (1) made in layers has two smooth external main surfaces (2A, 4A) and comprises: - two external layers (2, 4) each of which forms one of the two external main surfaces (2A, 4A) of the element (1) and which are made of dielectric materials having substantially the same refractive index (n2, n4), and - a central layer (3) interposed between the two external layers, this central layer (3) being formed either of a single layer which is a dielectric layer with a different refractive index from that of the external layers or a metallic layer, or of a stack of layers comprising at least one dielectric layer with a refractive index different from that of the external layers or a metallic layer. Each surface (S0, S1) of contact between two adjacent layers of the element (1), one of which layers is dielectric and the other metallic, or both of which are dielectric layers with different refractive indexes, is textured and parallel to the other textured contact surfaces.