Abstract
The façade, as an interface between the interior and the exterior environment, performs multiple tasks. On one hand it has to ensure the highest possible comfort for building occupants, on the other hand it should contribute to minimizing the energy demand of the building. The detailed requirements on a façade depend on its orientation, local climatic conditions and the building use. Since surrounding conditions vary, an invariant façade system cannot react properly to this variability. In order to overcome this limitation, the authors are developing a switchable glazing unit with adjustable light and energy transmission properties. The functional principle is based on the use of liquid crystal materials. The main component of the switchable glazing is a thin switchable cell which is embedded in an insulating glazing unit. The cell area can be substructured into independently tintable pixels. This ensures maximum utility of the glazing. Currently, a prototype glazing is investigated under real conditions. A floor-to-ceiling glazing is assembled using small sized cells (310 mm \(\times \) 286 mm) arranged in nine rows and six columns. The cell size is currently limited by the restrictions of the available production capabilities. However, cell integration in other insulating glazing units is possible as well. An effective daylight and shading control can be provided within these glazing units. In order to enhance the effectiveness of the system, the authors are developing different control strategies. The switchable glazing system and its simulation-based performance analysis will be presented in the paper.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chen, R.H.: Liquid Crystal Displays: Fundamental Physics and Technology. Wiley, New York (2011)
Fehringer, A.: Vergleichende Analyse unterschiedlicher Regelungsstrategien schaltbarer Verglasungen unter besonderer Berücksichtigng der Einflussparameter Strahlung und Temperatur. Bachelor thesis at ILEK. University of Stuttgart (2016)
Fuste Massanas, S.: Life cycle assessment of the production phase of switchable glass. Diploma thesis at ILEK. Universität Stuttgart (2009)
Haase, W.: Adaptive Strahlungstransmission von Verglasungen mit Flüssigkristallen. Dissertation. University of Stuttgart (2004)
Haase, W., Husser, M.: Schaltbare Verglasung auf der Basis von lyotropen und nematischen Flüssigkristallen. Final Report, Stuttgart (2014)
Haase, W., Prskalo, M., Królak, M., Sobek, W., Kurz, E., Rau, L., Frühauf, N.: Switchable glazing for architectural applications based on liquid crystal technology. In: Glass Performance Days, Tampere (2011)
Haase, W., Husser, M., Sobek, W., Kurz, E., Rau, L., Frühauf, N.: Flüssigkristall-basierte Verglasung zur Regelung des Licht- und Energieeintrags in Gebäude. In: Weller, B., Tasche, S. (eds.) Glasbau, pp. 337–347. Ernst & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin (2014)
Haase, W., Husser, M., Sobek, W.: Potentiale strukturierter, schaltbarer Verglasungen. In: Weller, B.T. (ed.) Glasbau. Ernst & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin (2016)
Hoß, P.: Simulation des Einflusses verschiedener klimatischer Randbedingungen auf die Regelungsstrategie schaltbarer Verglasungen und den Gebäudeenergiebedarf. Bachelor Thesis at ILEK. Stuttgart (2015)
Husser, M., Haase, W., Hoß, P., & Sobek, W.: New possibilities of sun and glare protection with a structured switchable glazing. In: Challenging Glass, vol. 5. Ghent (2016a)
Husser, M., Haase, W., Sobek, W., Kurz, E., Rau, L., & Frühauf, N.: Structured sun protection glazing. In: Engineered transparency. International Conference at glasstec, Düsseldorf (2016b)
Lichtmeß, M.: Aktivierung von Blend- und Sonnenschutzsystemen. Universität Wuppertal, Wuppertal (2008)
Reinhart, C.: Daysim, advanced daylight simulation software. Retrieved from http://daysim.ning.com/. 24 Nov 2015
The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System.: TRNSYS. Retrieved Nov 24, 2015, from Official Website—University of Wisconsin-Madison. http://sel.me.wisc.edu/trnsys/ (2013)
U.S. Department of Energy: Weather data. Retrieved from http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energyplus/-weatherdata_about.cfm(2013)
Wienold, J.: Dynamic daylight glare evaluation. Build. Simul. 2009, 944–951 (2009)
Wienold, J., & Christofferen, J.: Evaluation methods and development of a new glare prediction model for daylight environments with the use of CCD cameras. Energy and buildings 38 (Nr.7, Special Issue on Daylighting Buildings), pp. 743–757 (2006)
Acknowledgements
The work described herein was carried out in the framework of the following research projects: “Adaptive glazing systems” (research project 1) and “TN technology for architectural applications” (research project 2), founded by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development within the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning, as well as “\(\mathrm{i}^{3}\): intelligent, interactive, integrative solar control glazing” (research project 3), financed by the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung GmbH. The construction of the façade test facility was supported by numerous industrial companies, above all by Rubner Haus AG - S.p.A., Toshiba Klimasysteme Beijer Ref Deutschland GmbH, TWL-Technologie GmbH, Nimbus Group GmbH, Alcoa GmbH, Paul Bauder GmbH & Co. KG, Okalux GmbH. The companies BMG MIS GmbH and Okalux GmbH supported the manufacturing of the described prototypes. The authors wish to express their gratitude for this support.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Husser, M., Haase, W. & Sobek, W. Subdivided switchable sun protection glazing. Glass Struct Eng 4, 185–197 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40940-018-0087-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40940-018-0087-4