Curtain wall

Abstract

This suppresses the decrease in power generation efficiency of solar panels placed in the space between the outdoor and indoor panels of a curtain wall. [Solution] The curtain wall 1 comprises an outdoor panel 2A, an indoor panel 2C positioned at a distance from the outdoor panel 2A towards the indoor side, and a space 7 formed between the outdoor panel 2A and the indoor panel 2C. The curtain wall 1 is equipped with a solar cell panel 9 positioned only in the lower part of the space 7 to receive sunlight transmitted through the outdoor panel 2A.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a curtain wall provided with a solar panel disposed in a space between an outdoor panel and an indoor panel.

Background Art

[0002] In order to promote the use of renewable energy, it may be required to install solar panels on the curtain walls of buildings. The solar panel generates electricity by receiving sunlight in the curtain wall. Conventionally, as a structure for providing a solar panel on a building, there is known a window structure provided with a solar panel in a space between an outer glass and an inner glass and having a ventilation structure for allowing air to flow between the space between the outer glass and the inner glass and the outside of the building (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the conventional window structure described in Patent Document 1, the solar panel is provided over the entire vertical direction of the space between the outer glass and the inner glass and is arranged along the outer glass. Also, in the space between the outer glass and the inner glass, air is heated by sunlight and rises due to buoyancy, and air flows between the building exterior through the ventilation structure. However, in the conventional window structure, in the space between the outer glass and the inner glass, there is a possibility that the temperature of the solar panel may increase when the heated and rising air contacts the solar panel. As a result, the power generation efficiency of the solar panel may be affected, and depending on the temperature of the solar panel, there is also concern that the power generation efficiency of the solar panel may decrease.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its purpose is to suppress the decrease in power generation efficiency of solar panels placed in the space between the outdoor and indoor panels of a curtain wall. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention A curtain wall comprising an outdoor panel, an indoor panel positioned at a distance from the outdoor panel toward the indoor side, and a space formed between the outdoor panel and the indoor panel, This curtain wall is equipped with solar panels that are positioned only in the lower portion of the aforementioned space and receive sunlight that has passed through the outdoor side panel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the decrease in power generation efficiency of solar panels placed in the space between the outdoor and indoor panels of a curtain wall. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing the curtain wall of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing the curtain wall of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a curtain wall of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a front view showing a curtain wall unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing a curtain wall unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing the adjacent portions of the two left and right curtain wall units in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the adjacent portions of the upper and lower curtain wall units of the first embodiment. [Figure 8]This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the adjacent portions of the two upper and lower curtain wall units in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment of the curtain wall of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The curtain wall in this embodiment is a wall structure used for the exterior wall of a building. The curtain wall is an exterior wall of a building, installed between the interior and exterior of the building, and forms the exterior wall of the building. Two embodiments of the curtain wall will be described in order below.

[0010] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 is a front view of the curtain wall 1 of the first embodiment, showing the curtain wall 1 installed on building 10 as viewed from the outside. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the curtain wall 1 of the first embodiment, showing the curtain wall 1 cut by a plane including the left-right direction S and the indoor-outdoor direction T. Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the curtain wall 1 of the first embodiment, showing the curtain wall 1 and a part of building 10 cut by a plane including the up-down direction R and the indoor-outdoor direction T.

[0011] When viewing the curtain wall 1 installed on building 10 from the front, the up-and-down direction is the up-and-down direction R, and the left-and-right direction is the left-and-right direction S. In Figure 1, the up-and-down direction R is the vertical direction, and the left-and-right direction S is the horizontal direction. The indoor-outdoor direction T is the indoor-outdoor direction (indoor-outdoor direction) of the curtain wall 1 installed on building 10. Furthermore, the indoor-outdoor direction T is the front-and-back direction (depth direction) and the thickness direction of the curtain wall 1 when viewing the curtain wall 1 installed on building 10 from the front, and in Figure 2, it is the horizontal direction perpendicular to the left-and-right direction S. Thus, the direction related to the curtain wall 1 is specified by the direction when it is installed on building 10. Also, the indoor side and outdoor side of the curtain wall 1 refer to the indoor side and outdoor side when it is installed on building 10.

[0012] As shown in the figure, the curtain wall 1 comprises a plurality of curtain wall units 2 installed side by side on the building 10. The curtain wall units 2 are panel units that make up the curtain wall 1 and are pre-assembled before being installed on the building 10. The curtain wall 1 and the curtain wall units 2 are installed on the exterior wall 11 of the building 10 and constitute the exterior wall 11 of the building 10. The curtain wall units 2 are installed side by side in the vertical direction R and the horizontal direction S, and are adjacent to each other. The curtain wall 1 and the curtain wall units 2 are located on the outdoor side of the building frame 12 of the building 10 and are attached to the building frame 12 of the building 10.

[0013] Figure 4 is a front view showing the curtain wall unit 2 of the first embodiment, and shows one curtain wall unit 2 extracted from the curtain wall 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the curtain wall unit 2 of the first embodiment, and shows one curtain wall unit 2 extracted from the curtain wall 1 shown in Figure 2.

[0014] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the curtain wall unit 2 comprises panels 2A, 2B, and 2C (outdoor panel 2A, indoor panels 2B and 2C) and a frame 3 surrounding the panels 2A, 2B, and 2C. The panels 2A, 2B, and 2C are positioned in a rectangular opening 3A of the frame 3, held by the frame 3, and closing the opening 3A of the frame 3. The frame 3 is a rectangular opening frame that forms the opening 3A, and is positioned on the outdoor side of the building structure 12 of the building 10 and attached to the building structure 12 of the building 10.

[0015] The frame 3 has four frames 4-6 (upper frame 4, lower frame 5, and a pair of vertical frames 6) that are combined with each other, and the frames 4-6 form a rectangular opening 3A. The frames 4-6 of the frame 3 are the frame materials (frame components) that make up the frame 3, and each is made of a metal (for example, made of aluminum alloy) profile formed by extrusion molding. The longitudinal direction of the frames 4-6 is the direction in which the frames 4-6 extend (extension direction). The longitudinal direction of the upper frame 4 and the lower frame 5 is the left-right direction S, and the longitudinal direction of the vertical frames 6 is the up-down direction R.

[0016] The upper frame 4 and the lower frame 5 are upper and lower horizontal frames (upper horizontal frame, lower horizontal frame) located at the upper and lower parts of the frame body 3, and extend in the horizontal direction (left - right direction S). The pair of vertical frames 6 are side frames located at the left and right side parts of the frame body 3, and extend in the vertical direction (up - down direction R). The ends of the upper frame 4, the lower frame 5, and the left and right vertical frames 6 are connected to each other, and the frames 4 - 6 are framed. The panels 2A, 2B, 2C are held by the frames 4 - 6 of the frame body 3 and are attached to the frame body 3.

[0017] The curtain wall 1 is a double - skin curtain wall having a double - skin structure, and the curtain wall unit 2 is a double - skin curtain wall unit having a double - skin structure. The outdoor - side panel 2A is an outer skin (outer panel) arranged on the outdoor side at the opening 3A of the frame body 3, is provided over the entire opening 3A of the frame body 3, and is arranged on the outdoor side of the indoor - side panels 2B, 2C. The indoor - side panels 2B, 2C are arranged at a distance from the outdoor - side panel 2A on the indoor side.

[0018] The indoor - side panels 2B, 2C (the first indoor - side panel 2B, the second indoor - side panel 2C) are inner skins (inner panels) arranged on the indoor side at the opening 3A of the frame body 3, are arranged on the indoor side of the outdoor - side panel 2A, and are adjacent to each other in the up - down direction R. Also, the first indoor - side panel 2B is an upper indoor - side panel located above the second indoor - side panel 2C, and the second indoor - side panel 2C is a lower indoor - side panel located below the first indoor - side panel 2B. The lower end part of the first indoor - side panel 2B and the upper end part of the second indoor - side panel 2C are held by the joint 2D. The joint 2D extends horizontally between the upper frame 4 and the lower frame 5 of the frame body 3 and is installed on the left and right vertical frames 6.

[0019] The outdoor panel 2A and the second indoor panel 2C are transparent panels (light-transmitting panels) that allow sunlight to pass through. The outdoor panel 2A and the first indoor panel 2B are fixed panels, fixed to the opening 3A of the frame 3. The outdoor panel 2A is a transparent glass panel, while the first indoor panel 2B is a non-glass panel (e.g., a fire-resistant panel). The second indoor panel 2C is an openable / closable panel with a transparent glass panel, openably connected to the frame 3, and opens towards the indoor side (see Figure 2).

[0020] The curtain wall unit 2 comprises a space 7 formed between the outdoor panel 2A and the indoor panels 2B and 2C, and a blind 8 and a solar panel 9 installed within the space 7. The space 7 is a hollow section (void) formed inside the frame 3, and is formed in the opening 3A of the frame 3. In the vertical direction R, the space 7 is located between the upper frame 4 and the lower frame 5, and in the horizontal direction S, it is located between the left and right vertical frames 6. The outdoor panel 2A and the indoor panels 2B and 2C are arranged spaced apart from each other in the indoor-outdoor direction T, with the space 7 in between them.

[0021] The space 7 is located on the indoor side of the outdoor panel 2A and on the outdoor side of the indoor panels 2B and 2C, and is enclosed and partitioned by the frame 3 (upper frame 4, lower frame 5, vertical frame 6). The outdoor panel 2A is located on the outdoor side of the space 7 and is in contact with the outside air. The outdoor panel 2A is also located between the space 7 and the outdoor space 13 and faces both the space 7 and the outdoor space 13. The indoor panels 2B and 2C are located on the indoor side of the space 7 and are also located between the space 7 and the indoor space 14 and face both the space 7 and the indoor space 14.

[0022] The outdoor space 13 is the outdoor space of the building 10 (the space on the outdoor side of the curtain wall 1), and the indoor space 14 is the indoor space of the building 10 (the space on the indoor side of the curtain wall 1). The outdoor panel 2A receives sunlight and transmits it to the indoor space 7. The second indoor panel 2C transmits the sunlight that has passed through space 7 to the indoor space 14.

[0023] The frame 3 of the curtain wall unit 2 has an air intake port 3B (see Figures 4 and 5) that supplies air to the space 7 and an exhaust port 3C (see Figures 3 and 4) that exhausts air from the space 7. The air intake port 3B and the exhaust port 3C are vents that allow air to pass through, and the space 7 is in communication with the outdoor space 13 via the air intake port 3B and the exhaust port 3C. The air intake port 3B is located between the outdoor space 13 and the space 7 and supplies air (outside air) from the outdoor space 13 towards the space 7 above the lower frame 5. The exhaust port 3C is located between the space 7 and the outdoor space 13 and discharges air (exhausts) from the space 7 towards the outdoor space 13.

[0024] The air intake 3B and exhaust 3C are openings for ventilating the space 7, and are open to the outdoor space 13 and the space 7, respectively. The air intake 3B is formed in the lower frame 5, and the exhaust 3C is formed at the top of each of the left and right vertical frames 6. The lower part of the space 7 communicates with the outdoor space 13 through the air intake 3B, and the upper part of the space 7 communicates with the outdoor space 13 through the exhaust 3C. The space 7 is ventilated by the outside air from the outdoor space 13.

[0025] Air is supplied from the outdoor space 13 towards the lower part of the space 7 through the air intake 3B and is supplied to the lower part of the space 7. When the air in the space 7 is warmed by sunlight, outside temperature, etc., and the air temperature rises, the density of the air in the space 7 becomes less than the density of the outside air, and the air rises within the space 7. As a result, the air moves from bottom to top within the space 7. The air also moves to the top of the space 7 and flows out through the exhaust port 3C. Air is discharged from the top of the space 7 towards the outdoor space 13 through the exhaust port 3C and is exhausted from the top of the space 7. In this way, air flows from bottom to top within the space 7, and the space 7 is ventilated through the air intake 3B and the exhaust port 3C.

[0026] The blind 8 is either an electrically operated blind (electric blind) or a manually operated blind (manual blind), and has multiple slats 8A. The blind 8 is located between the outdoor panel 2A and the indoor panels 2B and 2C, and extends into the space 7. The multiple slats 8A each extend in the left-right direction S and are arranged in parallel with each other. The blind 8 blocks sunlight directed toward the indoor panels 2B and 2C and the indoor space 14 by its multiple slats 8A.

[0027] The solar cell panel 9 is a power generation device (photovoltaic power generation panel) that generates electricity by receiving sunlight, converting solar energy into electrical energy. The solar cell panel 9 is a solar panel, for example, a plate-shaped solar cell panel or a sheet-shaped solar cell panel (such as a perovskite solar cell panel). Within the space 7, the solar cell panel 9 is positioned between the outdoor panel 2A and the indoor panels 2B and 2C (in this case, the second indoor panel 2C), and is arranged facing the outdoors. In the indoor-outdoor direction T, the solar cell panel 9 is positioned away from the outdoor panel 2A, the second indoor panel 2C, and the blind 8.

[0028] The solar cell panel 9 is located on the indoor side of the outdoor panel 2A and on the outdoor side of the second indoor panel 2C, and is positioned opposite the outdoor panel 2A. The solar cell panel 9 extends in the left-right direction S along the outdoor panel 2A and is positioned between the left and right vertical frames 6, from one vertical frame 6 to the other. The solar cell panel 9 is not positioned in the upper part of the space 7, but only in the lower part of the space 7.

[0029] Between the outdoor panel 2A and the indoor panels 2B and 2C, the upper portion of the space 7 is the part above the center position in the vertical direction R of the space 7, and the lower portion of the space 7 is the part below the center position in the vertical direction R of the space 7. Here, the upper portion of the space 7 is the part between the upper end and the center position in the vertical direction R of the space 7, and the lower portion of the space 7 is the part between the lower end and the center position in the vertical direction R of the space 7. The solar cell panel 9 is arranged from the lower end of the space 7 toward the center position to a position below the center position.

[0030] The blind 8 is installed in the upper and lower parts of the space 7. In the lower part of the space 7, it is located on the indoor side of the solar panel 9 (on the side of the second indoor panel 2C) and is positioned between the second indoor panel 2C and the solar panel 9. In the lower part of the space 7, the solar panel 9 is located on the outdoor side of the blind 8 (on the side of the outdoor panel 2A) and is positioned between the outdoor panel 2A and the blind 8. The solar panel 9 is positioned facing the outdoor panel 2A and generates electricity by receiving sunlight that passes through the outdoor panel 2A.

[0031] The air intake vent 3B (see Figure 5) is located in the lower part of the space 7, as well as on the indoor side of the solar cell panel 9, on the outdoor side of the second indoor panel 2C, and between the solar cell panel 9 and the second indoor panel 2C. Air is supplied from the outdoor space 13 to the lower part of the space 7 and the area between the solar cell panel 9 and the second indoor panel 2C through the air intake vent 3B, and is supplied to the lower part of the space 7 and the area between the solar cell panel 9 and the second indoor panel 2C. The exhaust vent 3C (see Figure 3) is located in the upper part of the space 7. Air is discharged from the upper part of the space 7 towards the outdoor space 13 through the exhaust vent 3C, and is exhausted from the upper part of the space 7.

[0032] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing adjacent portions of the left and right curtain wall units 2 in the first embodiment, showing the portions of the left and right curtain wall units 2 on the vertical frame 6 side. Figure 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing adjacent portions of the upper and lower curtain wall units 2 in the first embodiment, showing the portion of the upper curtain wall unit 2 on the lower frame 5 side and the portion of the lower curtain wall unit 2 on the upper frame 4 side.

[0033] As shown in the figure, the curtain wall 1 comprises the components of the curtain wall unit 2, including an outdoor panel 2A, indoor panels 2B and 2C, a frame 3, an air intake 3B, an exhaust 3C, a space 7, a blind 8, and a solar panel 9, each of which is provided on the curtain wall unit 2. The outdoor panel 2A is a transparent single-pane glass panel (single-pane glass panel) without a coating on its surface. The coating is a coating that reduces the transmittance of sunlight. The surface of the outdoor panel 2A without a coating faces the outdoor space 13 and the space 7.

[0034] The surface of the outdoor panel 2A is not coated, and the glass surface of the single pane of glass is the surface of the outdoor panel 2A. The single pane of glass is a single sheet of glass that transmits sunlight. The coating is, for example, a Low-E coating, which blocks the transmission of some of the sunlight. The second indoor panel 2C has double-glazed glass (Low-E double-glazed glass) with a Low-E coating and is positioned opposite the outdoor panel 2A, separated from it.

[0035] The vertical frame 6 of the frame body 3 has a projection 6A positioned from the outdoor side panel 2A toward the indoor side, a vertical support member 6B fixed to the projection 6A, and a vertical trim 6C detachably attached to the vertical support member 6B (see Figure 6). The projection 6A is positioned along the projection direction (indoor / outdoor direction T) of the vertical frame 6 and faces the space 7. The left and right sides of the space 7 are demarcated by the projection 6A of the left and right vertical frames 6. The vertical support member 6B and the vertical trim 6C extend in the longitudinal direction of the vertical frame 6, are positioned in the space 7, and are located on the indoor side of the outdoor side panel 2A. The vertical trim 6C is attached to the vertical support member 6B by locking into it, and can be removed from the vertical support member 6B toward the indoor side when the locking to the vertical support member 6B is released.

[0036] The left and right vertical edges 9A of the solar cell panel 9 are edges that extend vertically along the left and right sides of the solar cell panel 9, and are positioned between the vertical support member 6B and the vertical trim 6C in the indoor / outdoor direction T, and are held between the vertical support member 6B and the vertical trim 6C. The vertical support member 6B holds the vertical edges 9A of the solar cell panel 9 on the outdoor side of the solar cell panel 9, and the vertical trim 6C holds the vertical edges 9A of the solar cell panel 9 on the indoor side of the solar cell panel 9.

[0037] A sealant 20 is placed between the vertical support member 6B and the vertical edge 9A of the solar panel 9, and a sealant 21 is placed between the vertical trim 6C and the vertical edge 9A of the solar panel 9. The sealant 20 seals the area between the vertical support member 6B and the vertical edge 9A of the solar panel 9, and the sealant 21 seals the area between the vertical trim 6C and the vertical edge 9A of the solar panel 9. In addition, on the indoor side of the outdoor panel 2A, a sealant 22 is placed between the outdoor panel 2A and the vertical frame 6. The sealant 22 seals the area between the outdoor panel 2A and the vertical frame 6.

[0038] The lower frame 5 of the frame 3 has a lower groove 5A located on the indoor side of the outdoor panel 2A, a projection 5B positioned inward from the lower groove 5A, and an air intake 3B (see Figure 7). The air intake 3B is located on the indoor side of the lower groove 5A, penetrates the lower frame 5 in the vertical direction R, and opens toward the upper space 7. The lower groove 5A is a recess extending in the longitudinal direction of the lower frame 5, located between the outdoor panel 2A and the air intake 3B, and opens toward upward. The projection 5B is positioned along the projection direction (indoor / outdoor direction T) of the lower frame 5 and faces the space 7. The lower end of the space 7 is demarcated by the projection 5B of the lower frame 5.

[0039] The lower edge 9B of the solar cell panel 9 is the edge that extends laterally at the lower end of the solar cell panel 9, and is positioned in the lower groove 5A of the lower frame 5 and held in place by the lower groove 5A. Sealing materials 23 and 24 are sandwiched between the lower frame 5 (lower groove 5A) and the lower edge 9B of the solar cell panel 9. The sealing materials 23 and 24 seal the area between the lower frame 5 and the lower edge 9B of the solar cell panel 9. A terminal box 30 is connected to the lower edge 9B of the solar cell panel 9, and a wiring pipe 31 is provided inside the lower frame 5. A cable 32 is also connected to the terminal box 30.

[0040] The terminal box 30 protrudes downward from the lower edge 9B of the solar panel 9 and is housed in the lower groove 5A of the lower frame 5. The wiring pipe 31 is arranged from the inside of the lower groove 5A, through the inside of the lower frame 5, to the indoor side of the lower frame 5. The cable 32 is the wiring that carries the electricity generated by the solar panel 9, and extends from the terminal box 30 through the inside of the wiring pipe 31 to the wiring pipe 31 and the indoor side of the lower frame 5. By passing the cable 32 through the wiring pipe 31, wiring work and replacement work of the cable 32 can be performed smoothly.

[0041] The upper edge 9C of the solar cell panel 9 is the upper end of the solar cell panel 9, extending laterally, and is held by the upper support member 40. The upper support member 40 has an upper groove 41, is located above the lower frame 5, and extends laterally. The left and right ends of the upper support member 40 are attached to the projection 6A of the vertical frame 6, and the upper support member 40 is installed on the left and right vertical frames 6. The upper support member 40 is located on the indoor side of the outdoor panel 2A and is positioned in the space 7. The upper groove 41 is a recess that extends in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction S) of the upper support member 40 and is open downwards.

[0042] The upper edge 9C of the solar cell panel 9 is positioned in the upper groove 41 of the upper retaining member 40 and is held in place by the upper groove 41. Sealing materials 25 and 26 are sandwiched between the upper retaining member 40 (upper groove 41) and the upper edge 9C of the solar cell panel 9, and sealing material 27 is sandwiched between the upper retaining member 40 and the outdoor side panel 2A. The sealing materials 25 and 26 seal the area between the upper retaining member 40 and the upper edge 9C of the solar cell panel 9, and the sealing material 27 seals the area between the upper retaining member 40 and the outdoor side panel 2A. In addition, on the indoor side of the outdoor side panel 2A, sealing material 28 is sandwiched between the outdoor side panel 2A and the lower frame 5. The sealing material 28 seals the area between the outdoor side panel 2A and the lower frame 5.

[0043] A sealed space 42 is formed between the outdoor panel 2A and the solar cell panel 9. The sealed space 42 is partitioned by the outdoor panel 2A and the solar cell panel 9 in the lower part of the space 7 and is sealed by sealing materials 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, and 28. The sealed space 42 does not communicate with the other spaces in the space 7 and is separated from the other spaces in the space 7. The other spaces in the space 7 are ventilated spaces where air flows from bottom to top for ventilation. In contrast, the sealed space 42 is a non-ventilated space. The inflow of air from the ventilated spaces of the space 7 into the sealed space 42 is prevented, and air is sealed in the sealed space 42.

[0044] The solar cell panel 9 and the outdoor panel 2A each face a sealed space 42, and are positioned opposite each other with the sealed space 42 in between. The light-receiving surface 9D of the solar cell panel 9 is the outdoor side that receives sunlight, is positioned facing the outdoor panel 2A, and faces the sealed space 42. The light-receiving surface 9D is positioned opposite the outdoor panel 2A with the sealed space 42 in between.

[0045] When replacing or maintaining the solar panel 9, the slats 8A of the blind 8 are raised to position the blind 8 above the solar panel 9. Next, the second indoor panel 2C is opened to open the space 7 toward the indoor space 14 of the building 10. In this state, the vertical trim 6C is removed from the vertical support member 6B, and the solar panel 9 is removed from the lower frame 5 (lower groove 5A) and the upper support member 40 (upper groove 41) using a sliding mechanism. The cable 32 is also removed from the terminal box 30 of the solar panel 9, and the solar panel 9 is moved to the indoor space 14 of the building 10. When replacing the solar panel 9, the new solar panel 9 is installed in the space 7 using the reverse procedure described above, and when maintaining the solar panel 9, the maintained solar panel 9 is installed in the space 7 using the reverse procedure described above.

[0046] In the curtain wall 1 described above, the solar panels 9 are arranged only in the lower part of the space 7. Within the space 7, the solar panels 9 are prevented from coming into contact with the warm, rising air, thereby suppressing the temperature rise of the solar panels 9. As a result, the decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar panels 9 due to the temperature rise can be suppressed. Furthermore, in the area above the solar panels 9, it is possible for people inside the building 10 to visually inspect the outdoor side of the curtain wall 1. Thus, power generation can be efficiently achieved by the solar panels 9 while maintaining a view.

[0047] The space 7 is ventilated by air flowing from bottom to top. Therefore, the temperature rise in the lower part of the space 7 where the solar panels 9 are located can be suppressed, thereby suppressing a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar panels 9. In a curtain wall 1 where the solar panels 9 are located between the outdoor panel 2A and the blind 8, and the blind 8 is located within the space 7, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar panels 9 while ensuring the function of the blind 8.

[0048] Since the outdoor panel 2A is made of single-pane glass, a decrease in the transmittance of sunlight in the outdoor panel 2A can be suppressed. This improves the power generation efficiency of the solar cell panel 9 that receives sunlight transmitted through the outdoor panel 2A. By forming a sealed space 42 between the outdoor panel 2A and the solar cell panel 9, it is possible to prevent substances floating in the air of the space 7 (e.g., dirt, dust) from flowing into the sealed space 42, thereby suppressing the adhesion of dirt to the light-receiving surface 9D of the solar cell panel 9.

[0049] The air intake vent 3B is not limited to the lower frame 5, but may be formed in a part of the curtain wall 1 other than the lower frame 5. Similarly, the exhaust vent 3C is not limited to the vertical frame 6, but may be formed in a part of the curtain wall 1 other than the vertical frame 6. The solar cell panel 9 may be installed in the lower part of the space 7, along the entire left-right direction S, or only in a part of the left-right direction S (for example, one end of the left-right direction S, or the center of the left-right direction S). The terminal box 30 may be connected to a part of the solar cell panel 9 other than the lower edge 9B, and the wiring pipe 31 and cable 32 may be installed in a part of the curtain wall 1 other than the lower frame 5. The cable 32 may be wired without passing through the wiring pipe 31.

[0050] It is not necessary to form a sealed space 42 between the outdoor panel 2A and the solar cell panel 9. In this case, a gap is left between the outdoor panel 2A and the solar cell panel 9 so that the light-receiving surface 9D of the solar cell panel 9 can be cleaned, and the solar cell panel 9 is placed in the space 7. The glass of the outdoor panel 2A may be laminated glass without a coating on its surface, and the glass of the second indoor panel 2C may be single-pane glass. The space 7 between the outdoor panel 2A and the indoor panels 2B and 2C may be sealed without ventilation. Even in this case, the lower part of the space 7 will be at a lower temperature than the upper part, which can suppress a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar cell panel 9.

[0051] The solar cell panel 9 may be positioned parallel to the outdoor panel 2A, or it may be positioned at an angle to the outdoor panel 2A. Furthermore, the solar cell panel 9 may be tilted relative to the outdoor panel 2A in at least one of the vertical direction R and the horizontal direction S. When tilting the solar cell panel 9 relative to the outdoor panel 2A in the vertical direction R, the solar cell panel 9 is tilted diagonally upward towards the indoor side relative to the outdoor panel 2A, and the solar cell panel 9 (light-receiving surface 9D) is positioned diagonally upward towards the outdoor side, corresponding to the altitude of the sun. This improves the solar power generation efficiency of the solar cell panel 9. In this case, the upper retaining member 40 is provided at a position on the indoor side of the lower groove portion 5A of the lower frame 5, and the upper edge portion 9C of the solar cell panel 9 is positioned on the indoor side of the lower edge portion 9B.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to a curtain wall 1 equipped with a curtain wall unit 2, but can be applied to various curtain walls that form a space between an outdoor panel and an indoor panel. For example, the curtain wall may be a curtain wall equipped with an outdoor frame that holds the outdoor panel and an indoor frame that holds the indoor panel. In this case, the outdoor frame is installed on the outdoor side of the indoor frame, and the outdoor panel and the indoor panel face each other in the indoor-outdoor direction T.

[0053] (Second Embodiment) Next, the curtain wall 1 of the second embodiment will be described. In the curtain wall 1 of the second embodiment, the same matters as those described in the curtain wall 1 of the first embodiment will be omitted, and the differences from the curtain wall 1 of the first embodiment will be mainly described. Furthermore, with respect to the curtain wall 1 of the second embodiment, the same names and reference numerals as those used in the curtain wall 1 of the first embodiment will be used for the components corresponding to the components of the curtain wall 1 of the first embodiment.

[0054] Figure 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the adjacent portions of the two upper and lower curtain wall units 2 of the second embodiment, and, similar to Figure 7, shows the portion of the upper curtain wall unit 2 on the lower frame 5 side and the portion of the lower curtain wall unit 2 on the upper frame 4 side.

[0055] As shown in the figure, the curtain wall 1 of the second embodiment differs from the lower frame 5 of the first embodiment in that the lower frame 5 does not have the lower groove portion 5A of the lower frame 5 of the first embodiment, and the projection portion 5B of the lower frame 5 is positioned from the outdoor side panel 2A toward the indoor side. The lower frame 5 also has a lower retaining member 5C fixed to the projection portion 5B and a lower trim 5D detachably attached to the lower retaining member 5C. The lower retaining member 5C and the lower trim 5D extend in the longitudinal direction of the lower frame 5, are positioned in the space portion 7, and are located on the indoor side of the outdoor side panel 2A. The lower trim 5D is attached to the lower retaining member 5C by locking into it, and can be removed from the lower retaining member 5C toward the indoor side when the locking into the lower retaining member 5C is released.

[0056] The lower edge 9B of the solar cell panel 9 is positioned between the lower retaining member 5C and the lower pressing edge 5D in the indoor-outdoor direction T, and is held between the lower retaining member 5C and the lower pressing edge 5D. The lower retaining member 5C holds the lower edge 9B of the solar cell panel 9 on the outdoor side of the solar cell panel 9, and the lower pressing edge 5D holds the lower edge 9B of the solar cell panel 9 on the indoor side of the solar cell panel 9. A sealing material 23 is sandwiched between the lower retaining member 5C and the lower edge 9B of the solar cell panel 9, and a sealing material 24 is sandwiched between the lower pressing edge 5D and the lower edge 9B of the solar cell panel 9.

[0057] The sealing material 23 seals the area between the lower retaining material 5C and the lower edge 9B of the solar panel 9, and the sealing material 24 seals the area between the lower pressing edge 5D and the lower edge 9B of the solar panel 9. The terminal box 30 is located on the underside of the solar panel 9, between the lower retaining material 5C and the lower pressing edge 5D. The cable 32 extends downward from the terminal box 30 to the wiring pipe 31, with the cable inserted through the insertion hole in the lower retaining material 5C and the insertion hole in the projection 5B.

[0058] As described above, the edges 9A, 9B, and 9C of the solar cell panel 9 can be held by various holding means. In addition, in the curtain wall 1 of the second embodiment, the solar cell panel 9 may be tilted in the left-right direction S with respect to the outdoor side panel 2A. In this case, one end of the longitudinal direction of the lower holding member 5C, the lower pressing edge 5D, and the upper holding member 40 is provided at a position on the indoor side than the other end, and the lower holding member 5C, the lower pressing edge 5D, and the upper holding member 40 are each positioned at an inclination with respect to the left-right direction S and the outdoor side panel 2A. As a result, one end of the left and right ends of the solar cell panel 9 is provided at a position on the indoor side than the other end, and the solar cell panel 9 is positioned at an inclination with respect to the left-right direction S and the outdoor side panel 2A.

[0059] The solar cell panels 9 are arranged within the space 7 such that they gradually displace towards the outdoors from one end to the other, and are inclined diagonally from one end to the other with respect to the left-right direction S and the outdoor panel 2A. When the curtain wall 1 is installed facing a direction other than south, the solar cell panels 9 can be tilted relative to the outdoor panel 2A and positioned facing south to improve the solar power generation efficiency of the solar cell panels 9. In this state, the solar cell panels 9 can be positioned diagonally upward towards the outdoors to further improve the power generation efficiency. In this case, the upper support member 40 is provided at a position on the indoor side of the lower support member 5C and the lower trim 5D, and the upper edge 9C of the solar cell panel 9 is positioned on the indoor side of the lower edge 9B.

[0060] As described above, this embodiment discloses the curtain wall described in (1) to (5) below.

[0061] (1) A curtain wall comprising an outdoor panel, an indoor panel positioned at a distance from the outdoor panel toward the indoor side, and a space formed between the outdoor panel and the indoor panel, A curtain wall equipped with solar panels positioned only in the lower portion of the aforementioned space, which receive sunlight transmitted through the outdoor side panel. In the curtain wall described in (1), the decrease in power generation efficiency of the solar panels placed in the space between the outdoor and indoor panels of the curtain wall can be suppressed.

[0062] (2) In the curtain wall described in (1), The aforementioned space is a curtain wall through which air flows from bottom to top for ventilation. In the curtain wall described in (2), the rise in temperature in the lower part of the space where the solar panels are installed can be suppressed, thereby suppressing a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar panels.

[0063] (3) In the curtain wall described in (1) or (2), The space is equipped with a blind, The solar panel is a curtain wall positioned between the outdoor panel and the blind. In the curtain wall described in (3), a curtain wall equipped with blinds in the space can suppress a decrease in the power generation efficiency of solar panels while ensuring the function of the blinds.

[0064] (4) In a curtain wall described in any of (1) to (3), The aforementioned outdoor panel is a curtain wall made of single-pane glass without a surface coating. In the curtain wall described in (4), the power generation efficiency of the solar panels that receive sunlight transmitted through the outdoor panels can be improved.

[0065] (5) In a curtain wall described in any of (1) through (4), A curtain wall in which a sealed space is formed between the outdoor panel and the solar cell panel. (5) The curtain wall described can suppress the adhesion of dirt to the light-receiving surface of the solar panels. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1...Curtain wall, 2...Curtain wall unit, 2A...Outdoor side panel, 2B...First indoor side panel, 2C...Second indoor side panel, 2D...Transom, 3...Frame, 3A...Opening, 3B...Air intake, 3C...Exhaust, 4...Upper frame, 5...Lower frame, 5A...Lower groove, 5B...Filling, 5C...Lower support material, 5D...Lower trim, 6...Vertical frame, 6A...Filling, 6B...Vertical support material, 6C...Vertical trim, 7...Space, 8...Blind, 8A...Slat, 9...Solar panel, 9A...Vertical edge, 9 B...Lower edge, 9C...Upper edge, 9D...Light receiving surface, 10...Building, 11...Exterior wall, 12...Structure, 13...Outdoor space, 14...Indoor space, 20...Sealing material, 21...Sealing material, 22...Sealing material, 23...Sealing material, 24...Sealing material, 25...Sealing material, 26...Sealing material, 27...Sealing material, 28...Sealing material, 30...Terminal box, 31...Wiring pipe, 32...Cable, 40...Upper retaining material, 41...Upper groove, 42...Sealed space, R...Up and down direction, S...Left and right direction, T...Indoor and outdoor direction.

Claims

1. A curtain wall comprising an outdoor panel, an indoor panel positioned at a distance from the outdoor panel toward the indoor side, and a space formed between the outdoor panel and the indoor panel, A curtain wall equipped with solar panels positioned only in the lower portion of the aforementioned space, which receive sunlight transmitted through the outdoor side panel.

2. In the curtain wall described in claim 1, The aforementioned space is a curtain wall through which air flows from bottom to top for ventilation.

3. In the curtain wall described in claim 1 or 2, The space is equipped with a blind, The solar panel is a curtain wall positioned between the outdoor panel and the blind.

4. In the curtain wall described in claim 1 or 2, The aforementioned outdoor panel is a curtain wall made of single-pane glass without a surface coating.

5. In the curtain wall described in claim 1 or 2, A curtain wall in which a sealed space is formed between the outdoor side panel and the solar cell panel.

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