Trapezoidal Electro-Thermal Window Plate with Segmented Film

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electro-thermal windows with trapezoidally shaped transparent conductive films, the uneven distance between bus bars can lead to localized high temperatures and reduced transmission of vertically polarized electromagnetic waves.

Innovation Solution

The transparent conductive film is divided into regions by slits, with varying bus bar distances and widths to distribute electric current evenly and form a frequency selective surface for enhanced electromagnetic wave transmission, preventing local overheating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the transparent conductive film is formed with a trapezoid shape to match the window plate, then the window plate can provide effective coverage and aesthetic integration, but the distance between bus bars becomes uneven causing electric current concentration and local overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrapezoid shapeVSAvoidlocal temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent conductive film is divided into multiple independent heating zones by forming insulating slits that extend from one bus bar to the other. This segmentation prevents electric current concentration in specific areas, distributing the heating more uniformly across the trapezoidal surface while maintaining the overall trapezoid shape for aesthetic integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the transparent conductive film are designed with different widths to compensate for the uneven bus bar spacing. Regions with shorter bus bar distances have greater widths, creating more heating elements in those areas, while regions with longer distances have narrower widths. This local quality adjustment balances the heat distribution across the entire trapezoidal surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a transparent conductive film is formed to enable heating function, then de-misting capability is improved, but transmission of electromagnetic waves becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvede-misting capabilityVSAvoidelectromagnetic wave transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Insulating slits are formed to divide the transparent conductive film into multiple separate heating zones. These slits create gaps that allow electromagnetic waves to pass through while the segmented conductive regions maintain sufficient heating capability for de-misting functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent conductive film is designed with a porous or slit-filled structure that allows electromagnetic waves to penetrate through the material. The slits act as transmission channels for electromagnetic waves while the conductive regions between slits provide the necessary heating function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Temperature

If the transparent conductive film is divided into multiple regions by slits to distribute electric current evenly, then local overheating is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent conductive film is segmented into multiple heating zones by forming insulating slits that extend from one bus bar to the other. This segmentation prevents electric current concentration in specific areas, distributing the heating more uniformly across the trapezoidal surface while maintaining the overall trapezoid shape for aesthetic integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Illumination intensity

If the bus bar distance is reduced to improve electromagnetic wave transmission, then transmittance is improved, but the heating effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic wave transmittanceVSAvoidheating effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the transparent conductive film are designed with different widths to compensate for the uneven bus bar spacing. Regions with shorter bus bar distances have greater widths, creating more heating elements in those areas, while regions with longer distances have narrower widths. This local quality adjustment balances the heat distribution across the entire trapezoidal surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design prevents local overheating and maintains high transmittance of vertically polarized electromagnetic waves, ensuring effective de-misting and communication while minimizing temperature hotspots.

Implementation Method 1

When the transparent conductive film is energized, the transparent conductive film generates heat, so that fog (water droplets) or the like created on the plate for the window can be removed.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The transparent conductive film, by way of the plurality of slits, forms a frequency selective surface through which a vertically polarized electromagnetic wave of a predetermined frequency band is transmitted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency selective transmission: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentEP3141439B1Plate for electro-thermal window
Publication Date: 2021.05.12 AGC INC
  • EP3141439B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3141439B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3141439B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A plate for an electro-thermal window includes a transparent conductive film that can be heated, and multiple bus bars that feed power to the transparent conductive film. The multiple bus bars include a left bus bar connected to a left side edge part of the transparent conductive film and a right bus bar connected to a right side edge part of the transparent conductive film. The transparent conductive film is divided into multiple regions by a slit that is continuously or discontinuously formed from the left bus bar to the right bus bar. The multiple regions include a first region and a second region. A distance between the left bus bar and the right bus bar of the first region is shorter than a distance between the left bus bar and the right bus bar of the second region. A width of the first region in a direction orthogonal to the slit is shorter than a width of the second region in the direction orthogonal to the slit.