Wired Glazing UV Degradation and Short Circuit Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Darkly coloured coated wires in laminated glazings undergo physical degradation, leading to exposure of conductive cores, potential short circuits, and visually undesirable reflections, which compromise the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal of the glazing.
Innovation Solution
A laminated glazing with dark-grey or black carbon-containing outer sheaths and an inner insulating sheath to prevent short circuits, combined with a tri-layer sheath structure (graphite outer, insulating inner, and transparent for UV monitoring) to maintain the dark colour and prevent degradation, using conductive materials like silver or copper for the core.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If wires are coated with dark-coloured material to minimise visual appearance, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but physical degradation occurs leading to exposure of conductive cores
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a multi-layer coating structure where an inner dark-coloured coating (aesthetic layer) is nested within an outer clear or light-coloured protective coating. This nested structure allows the dark coating to provide aesthetic appeal while the outer protective layer shields it from UV radiation and environmental degradation, preventing exposure of the conductive core.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite coating materials combining different functional properties: the inner layer provides dark colouration for aesthetic purposes, while the outer layer provides UV resistance and physical protection. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating both aesthetic and protective functions in a single coating system.
2Reliability
If wires are made lustrous to maintain electrical conductivity, then electrical function is improved, but visual distraction and unattractiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive wire core is nested within multiple protective coatings: first a dark-coloured inner coating that absorbs light and prevents lustrous reflections, then an outer protective coating. This nested structure allows the wire to maintain its electrical conductivity while the dark coating eliminates visual distraction from light reflections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a dark-coloured coating (black or dark grey) to the conductive wire core to change its optical properties. This color change absorbs incident light rather than reflecting it, eliminating the lustrous appearance and visual distraction while the wire maintains its electrical conductivity through the coating.
3Ease of manufacture
If single-layer dark coating is applied to wires, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but UV degradation and short circuit risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested multi-layer coating structure where the inner dark layer is protected by an outer UV-resistant layer. This nested approach provides comprehensive protection against UV degradation and short circuit risks while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes using conventional coating and lamination techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite coating materials where the outer layer is specifically selected for its UV resistance properties while the inner layer provides dark colouration. This composite structure protects the wire from UV degradation and prevents short circuits, while the overall manufacturing process remains practical and implementable.
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 ensures the wires remain dark-coloured and functional for a significant portion of the glazing's lifetime, eliminating visual distractions and preventing short circuits, while maintaining electrical conductivity and UV resistance.
Implementation Method 1
The outer sheath is dark-grey or black in colour and the material from which it is made includes carbon
Implementation Method 2
an inner insulating sheath to prevent short circuits
Implementation Method 3
The wires, which are typically made from a lustrous conductive material such as silver or copper
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A laminated glazing (e.g. a vehicle windscreen) comprising two panes of glazing material (e.g. glass) having a ply of laminating interlayer extending between them, and one or more wires between the panes of glazing material, each having a conductive central core and an outer dark-coloured (e.g. black) sheath, which is substantially resistant to colour- and substance-degradation by ultraviolet light. The wires may be in the form of a capacitive sensing plate, an inductive coupling loop, a heating element, an antenna and/or an RFID tag.