This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0099540, filed on Oct. 12, 2010, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
1. Field
One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to light transmittance adjustment layers and light transmittance adjustment glasses for windows, and glasses for windows.
2. Description of Related Art
In general, windows transmit sunlight incident from the outside indoors using a transparent material, such as glass, and block heat indoors from flowing to the outside. As such, windows provide a heating effect using sunlight. Furthermore, an outflow of heat from the inside to the outside may be prevented or reduced, thereby increasing the heating effect.
One or more embodiments of the present invention include light transmittance adjustment layers for windows for adjusting light transmittance according to solar altitude, light transmittance adjustment glass, and glass for windows.
One or more embodiments of the present invention include light transmittance adjustment layers for windows for adjusting light transmittance according the season, a light transmittance adjustment glass, and a glass for windows.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a light transmittance adjustment layer configured to be coupled to a glass substrate for windows includes a plurality of light blocking layers therein, the plurality of light blocking layers spaced apart from and substantially parallel to one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the light transmittance adjustment layer, wherein intervals between the plurality of light blocking layers and heights of the plurality of light blocking layers are arranged such that (90°−latitude−23.5°)<(interval/height)<(90°−latitude+23.5°), and wherein the latitude corresponds to a region in which the light transmittance adjustment layer is installed.
The intervals between the plurality of light blocking layers and the heights of the plurality of light blocking layers may be arranged such that (90°−latitude)<(interval/height)<(90°−latitude+23.5°−15°).
The intervals between the plurality of light blocking layers and the heights of the plurality of light blocking layers may be arranged such that (90°−latitude−23.5°)<(interval/height)<(90°−latitude+23.5°−15°).
Respective thicknesses of the plurality of light blocking layers may be equal to or less than 20 μm. The intervals between adjacent ones of the plurality of light blocking layers may be equal to or greater than 100 μm and equal to or less than 300 μm. Respective heights of the plurality of light blocking layers may be equal to or less than 300 μm.
The light transmittance adjustment layer may include at least one of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), triacetyl cellulose (TAC), acryl, or a silicon oxide.
The plurality of light blocking layers may include a mixture of a block colorant and a binder. The black colorant may include carbon black. The binder may include at least one of an acryl binder or a transparent resin.
The light transmittance adjustment layer may further include a reflection layer on each of the plurality of light blocking layers.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light transmittance adjustment layer may be coupled to a glass substrate to form a glass for a window.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a light transmittance adjustment glass includes: a glass substrate; and a plurality of light blocking layers in the glass substrate and spaced apart from and substantially parallel to one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the glass substrate, wherein intervals between the plurality of light blocking layers and heights of the plurality of light blocking layers are arranged such that (90°−latitude−23.5°)<(interval/height)<(90°−latitude+23.5°−15°), and wherein the latitude corresponds to a region in which the light transmittance adjustment glass is installed.
These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the present embodiments may have different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments are merely described below, in reference to the figures, to explain aspects of the present description.
The description below and the attached drawings are provided to gain understanding of operations according to embodiments of the present invention. Description of elements or operations which may be easily implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art may be omitted.
The invention should not be limited to the provided description and/or drawings.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.
The glass 100 includes a glass substrate 110 and a light transmittance adjustment layer 120a.
The glass substrate 110 may be any glass that is substantially transparent and substantially flat, and the material, thickness, size, and shape of the glass substrate 110 may be selected according to purpose or application. The glass substrate 110 is, for example, a window glass.
The light transmittance adjustment layer 120a is coupled to the glass substrate 110 in a stack. The light transmittance adjustment layer 120a may be stacked on the glass substrate 110 so as to form a single unit. Alternatively, the light transmittance adjustment layer 120a may be an adhesive film. The light transmittance adjustment layer 120a includes a plurality of light blocking layers 130 and a medium filling in spaces between the light blocking layers 130. The medium may include at least one of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), triacetyl cellulose (TAC), acryl, and a silicon oxide, or a mixture of these.
In detail, the light transmittance adjustment layer 120a includes the light blocking layers 130 that are spaced apart from and substantially parallel to one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the light transmittance adjustment layer 120a. The plurality of light blocking layers 130 of the light transmittance adjustment layer 120a may be equally spaced apart from one another. The plurality of light blocking layers 130 may be formed of a material having either light-absorbing or light-blocking properties. The plurality of light blocking layers 130 may include a mixture of a black colorant and a binder. The black colorant may be, for example, carbon black. The binder may be, for example, at least one of an acrylic binder or a transparent resin, or a mixture of these.
The light transmittance adjustment glass 200a is formed of a glass substrate into which a plurality of light blocking layers 130 are inserted. Thus, there is no need to additionally couple the light blocking layers 130 separately to a glass substrate (e.g., as seen in
As illustrated in
At lower solar altitudes B and C, a rate or amount of incident light blocked by the plurality of light blocking layers 130 is lowered, and a ratio of light being transmitted through the medium and into the room is increased, thereby increasing the light transmittance. Therefore, generally, the lower the solar altitude, the higher the light transmittance. Generally, the lower the solar altitude, the smaller the amount of solar energy that reaches the ground surface, which reduces the temperature of the incident light. Accordingly, it may be advantageous or helpful to transmit more sunlight for heating under these conditions. According to the current embodiment of the present invention, the lower the solar altitude, the higher the light transmittance, thereby increasing the heating effect using the sunlight.
In general, the solar altitude is higher in summer than in winter. Thus, in summer, the amount of solar energy reaching the ground surface is greater than in winter, and thus the temperature is higher and the cooling effect becomes more of a factor. According to the current embodiment of the present invention, in summer when the solar altitude is high, light transmittance is reduced and a light blocking rate is increased, thereby increasing an indoor cooling effect. Meanwhile, in winter, the solar altitude is lower and the amount of solar energy that reaches the ground surface is smaller than in the summer, and thus the temperature is lower and the heating effect becomes more of a factor. According to the current embodiment of the present invention, in winter when the solar altitude is lower, light transmittance is increased and thus an indoor heating effect is increased.
A left graph 400 shows light transmittance of a light blocking unit according to solar altitude, according to the current embodiment of the present invention. The graph 400 of
In the light blocking structure according to the current embodiment of the present invention, light transmittance may vary according to intervals between the plurality of light blocking layers 130. As illustrated in
In the light blocking structure according to the current embodiment of the present invention, light transmittance may vary according to the heights or lengths of the plurality of light blocking layers 130. As illustrated in
As described above, light transmittance in the light blocking structure varies as the interval and height of the light blocking layers varies. Tables 1 and 2 below show light transmittance according to intervals and heights of the light blocking layers 130, in reference with latitude and solar altitude.
As shown in Tables 1 and 2, in low latitude regions, solar altitude is relatively high, and thus light transmittance is relatively lower, whereas in high latitude regions, solar altitude is relatively low, and thus light transmittance is relatively higher. Accordingly, in low latitude regions, for example, in warmer or more tropical climates, relatively greater cooling effect may be achieved through the light blocking effect, while in high latitude regions, for example in colder climates, relatively greater heating effect through sunlight may be achieved with the increased light transmittance.
In addition, as shown in Tables 1 and 2, light transmittance may be adjusted by adjusting the intervals and the heights of the light blocking layers. The light blocking structure according to the current embodiment of the present invention may be applicable to windows, and to prevent or reduce blocking views through the windows, the thickness of the plurality of the light blocking layers 130 may, for example, be greater than 0 μm and equal to or less than 20 μm. The intervals between the plurality of light blocking layers 130 may be 100 μm or greater in order to maintain at least 30% of light transmittance in lower solar altitudes such as 10 to 20 degrees, and 300 μm or less to retain some light blocking effects. The height of the light blocking layers 130 according to the current embodiment of the present invention may be, for example, 300 μm or less.
As illustrated in
According to the current embodiments of the present invention, the atan value (interval/height) may be adjusted to vary light transmittance according to the seasons of the year. The meridian altitude of the sun varies according to latitudes and seasons. The meridian altitude of the sun can generally be determined in each solar term as follows.
The Meridian Altitude of the Sun:
Spring equinox, autumnal equinox: 90°−latitude
Summer solstice: 90°−latitude+23.5°
Winter solstice: 90°−latitude−23.5°
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an atan value (interval/height) may be determined to satisfy the following inequality.
(90°−latitude−23.5°)<atan value (interval/height)<(90°−latitude+23.5°) (1)
According to the current embodiment, the atan value (interval/height) is set to be less than the meridian altitude of the summer solstice, which is the highest altitude of the year, thereby reducing light transmittance in warmer seasons when the solar altitude approaches the meridian altitude of the summer solstice. Furthermore, according to the current embodiment, the atan value (interval/height) is set to be higher than the meridian altitude of the winter solstice, which is the lowest altitude of the year, thereby increasing light transmittance in colder seasons when the meridian altitude of the sun is generally lower.
Alternatively, the atan value (interval/height) may be determined to satisfy the following inequality.
(90°−latitude)<atan value (interval/height)<(90°−latitude+23.5°−15°) (2)
Alternatively, the atan value (interval/height) may be set to be less than a value obtained by subtracting 15° from the meridian altitude of the summer solstice. The sun moves by approximately 15° an hour, and the highest temperature of a day usually occurs one or two hours after the sun has passed the meridian altitude. According to the current embodiment, the atan value (interval/height) may be set to be less than the value obtained by subtracting 15° from the meridian altitude of the summer solstice so that light transmittance is maintained to be less than 5% in an approximate time range during which the most intense heat at the summer solstice, and just before and after the summer solstice, in warmer seasons occurs. In addition, according to the current embodiment, by adjusting the atan value (interval/height) to be greater than the meridian altitude of the spring equinox or the autumnal equinox, an excessive reduction in light transmittance (e.g., to 2% or less) may be prevented or reduced until approximately the spring equinox or the autumnal equinox, when temperatures become warmer and cooling effects become more important.
Alternatively, the atan values (interval/height) may be determined to satisfy the following inequality.
(90°−latitude−23.5°)<atan value (interval/height)<(90°−latitude+23.5°−15°) (3)
According to the current embodiment, the atan value (interval/height) is set to be less than the value obtained by subtracting 15° from the meridian altitude of the summer solstice so that light transmittance is maintained to be less than 5% in an approximate time range during the most intense heat at the summer solstice, and just before and after the summer solstice, in warmer seasons. Furthermore, according to the current embodiment, the atan value (interval/height) is set to be higher than that at the meridian altitude of the winter solstice, which is the lowest altitude of the year, thereby increasing the light transmittance in colder seasons when the meridian altitude of the sun is lower.
According to this embodiment of the present invention, a reflection layer 910 is stacked on each of the light blocking layers 130. The reflection layer 910 may be formed using a metal having high reflectivity. According to the current embodiment, the reflection layer 910 is formed on the light blocking layer 130, thereby further increasing light transmittance, compared to a structure not including the reflection layer 910.
According to embodiments of the present invention, light transmittance is adjusted according to solar altitude, thereby increasing cooling and/or heating efficiency accordingly.
In addition, according to embodiments of the present invention, light transmittance is adjusted according to the season, thereby providing appropriate light transmittance for each season of the year.
While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The exemplary embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by the detailed description of the invention but by the appended claims, while any differences within this scope should still be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10-2010-0099540 | Oct 2010 | KR | national |