Transparent Photovoltaic Electrochromic Device Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-optic devices face challenges in reducing material and processing costs, improving aesthetics, and enhancing functionality, particularly in integrating transparent photovoltaic materials with electrochromic cells to achieve uniform coloring and eliminate the need for additional substrates and external power supplies.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a transparent photovoltaic medium directly into the structure of an electrochromic device, which eliminates the need for additional substrates and external wiring, and allows the photovoltaic medium to charge an energy storage device for powering the electrochromic device when sunlight is not available, while maintaining the device in a darkened state through varying transmission levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a transparent photovoltaic medium is integrated directly into the electrochromic device structure, then material costs are reduced and aesthetic uniformity is enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to the integration of multiple functional layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the photovoltaic medium and electrochromic medium into a single integrated device structure, eliminating the need for separate substrates and external wiring. The photovoltaic medium is positioned in direct contact with the electrochromic medium, allowing the photovoltaic layer to generate electrical energy that directly powers the electrochromic switching operation, thereby reducing material costs and simplifying manufacturing while enhancing aesthetic uniformity.
2Quantity of substance
If the transparent photovoltaic medium is positioned in direct contact with the electrochromic medium, then the number of substrates is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper layer alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the number of substrates by integrating the photovoltaic medium directly with the electrochromic medium in a unified structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate substrate assemblies and external connections, thereby reducing the total quantity of substrate materials required while establishing a streamlined manufacturing process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the photovoltaic medium charges an energy storage device for powering the electrochromic device when sunlight is not available, then the device functionality is enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to the addition of energy storage components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an energy storage device that is charged in advance by the photovoltaic medium during periods when sunlight is available. This preliminary charging action ensures that the electrochromic device can maintain its operational functionality during periods when sunlight is not available, thereby enhancing adaptability and versatility. The energy storage component is integrated into the existing structure, minimizing additional 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
This configuration reduces material costs, enhances aesthetic uniformity, and improves functionality by allowing the electro-optic device to operate between clear and darkened states with efficient energy management, maintaining the darkened state even in low light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The transparent photovoltaic medium converts and maintains the electro-optic device to the darkened state
Implementation Method 2
an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity on the third surface of the second substantially transparent substrate, the electro-optic medium being variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states
Data Source
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AI summary
A transparent photovoltaic (TPV) integrated directly into the structure of an electrochromic (EC) device is beneficial in that it can eliminate at least one substrate and provide more uniform coloring. Integration of a transparent photovoltaic with an electrochromic device may also reduce or eliminate the need for an electrical bus on a substrate. In some embodiments, positioning the TPV internally with the EC cell may eliminate the need for additional substrate layers or a conductive layer on one side of the TPV cell. Integrating a PV cell into the EC device can additionally reduce the need for external wiring and an external power supply. Alternatively, the TPV can assist in charging a battery where the battery can be used to power the EC device when there is no sunlight available.