System for shielding sunlight through a fixture

Abstract

A system for shielding sunlight through a fixture (1) comprises a first transparent panel (21) with a selective coating (5), having a higher transmission index in visible light with respect to infrared. The first panel (21) has a chromatic distortion such that, in a first test, a white support (200), when facing the inner surface (23) of the first panel (21), illuminated and observed from the outer side of the first panel (21) appears with a first non-neutral colour. A sunlight shielding device (3), facing the first panel (21), has on the outer surface (31) a second non-neutral colour such that, in a second test in which the shielding device (3) is illuminated and observed from the outer side of the first panel (21), it appears with a third colour closer to neutral with respect to the first colour.

Description

[0001] Title: “System for shielding sunlight through a fixture”

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention is developed in the technical field of building fixtures and devices for shielding sunlight through the same, for example curtains.

[0005] In particular, the invention relates to colour distortion through glass or other transparent panels.

[0006] Background of the invention

[0007] In buildings with largely glazed facades, there is a need to limit the heat transmitted through glass or transparent panels in other materials.

[0008] A widespread measure to limit the transmission of heat is to apply a reflective or infrared-absorbing coating on the panels, so that the heat transmitted in these wavelengths remains outside the building.

[0009] At the same time, the panel must be substantially transparent in the spectrum of visible light, to allow outward vision. Therefore, the coatings used are selective, i.e. they transmit more in visible light than in infrared.

[0010] Nevertheless, a certain amount of visible light is in any case reflected or absorbed, especially for those colours that are closer to the infrared spectrum, in particular the colour red. This results in a chromatic distortion whereby objects observed through the transparent panels with selective coatings tend to assume distorted colours towards the yellow-green range.

[0011] Another expedient to reduce colour transmission is to place curtains or other opaque bodies facing the panels. The curtains are usually movable to free the view at will. The curtains can be placed more inside than the panels, or outside, or inside a gap between several panels, as in the case of sealed glazing, closed but unsealed gaps, or ventilated gaps.

[0012] In architecture, increasing importance is given to the appearance of a facade perceived from the outside. Neutral colours are usually preferred, in the grey range. However, applying such a colour to the curtains does not result in the desired appearance from the outside. In fact, the colour perceived from the outside is the result of sunlight passing through the outer panels a first time, being reflected by the curtain, and passing through the outer panels a second time. This double transmission through the panels with the selective coating accentuates the colour deviation towards the yellow-green range, resulting in an appearance of the curtains hardly appreciated from the outside.

[0013] In order to compensate for the chromatic distortion of the selective coating, a number of possible solutions are known in the art.

[0014] One of these solutions consists of using laminated glasses, which include one or more transparent but coloured films between the different layers, usually in PVB (polyvinyl butyral) material or other similar materials known to those skilled in the art. The colours of these layers are chosen to rebalance the chromatic distortion induced by the selective coating.

[0015] However, laminated glass has a higher cost than monolithic glass. Moreover, it is not easy to obtain an exact compensation of the chromatic distortion, for which it may also be required to have more than two layers.

[0016] Another solution that has been explored is to use dark-coloured curtains, in combination with low-distortion glass. This combination is not free from chromatic distortion, but it makes it less visible from the outside. However, little distorting glass allows a significant amount of light and heat to pass through, and dark curtains absorb a lot of light, causing an unwanted increase in temperature in the hot seasons, inside the building, and therefore worsening energy performance. This also leads to a faster deterioration of the curtain.

[0017] Yet another solution is to place the curtains on the outside of the panels. The curtains are thus not subject to any chromatic distortion. This solution however results in an even worse deterioration of the curtains.

[0018] Summary of the invention

[0019] The object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art, and particularly to obtain a pleasing appearance from the outside, despite the selective coating, without increasing costs or exposing a curtain to deterioration.

[0020] These and other objects are achieved by a system for shielding sunlight through a fixture according to any of the combined claims.

[0021] The invention provides for maintaining a curtain or other shielding device on the inner side relative to one or more outer transparent panels with the selective coating. The shielding device has a non-neutral colour, such as to compensate at least in part for the chromatic distortion determined by the panels with the selective coating. In particular, the colour of the shielding device is selected so that the appearance of the shielding device, seen from the outside of the building, converges towards a neutral colour, with respect to the appearance of a neutral white or grey support, always from the outside of the building.

[0022] Specifically, in terms of colour space, the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) has defined a set of colour coordinates Lab, where a coordinate "L" represents brightness, the coordinate "a" the colour content between the extremes of red (positive) and green (negative), and the coordinate "b" the colour content between the extremes of yellow (positive) and blue (negative). In this space, the neutral colours (shades of grey) are those characterized by coordinates a and b null or close to zero.

[0023] Therefore, a colour is chosen for the shielding device that, although not itself neutral, seen from the outside, has a combination of coordinates a and b closer to zero than what a white curtain would look like in the same position.

[0024] Although not all glasses with selective coatings determine the same chromatic distortion, the Applicant has noted that the suitable colour is approximately in the purple range.

[0025] Advantageously, the shielding device can remain protected inside, and prevent deterioration. If relatively dark shielding devices are used, the desired neutral colour is obtained without necessarily using low distorting glass, but high performance selective glass can also be used, and the shielding device will be protected from overheating by the selective coating of the glass itself. The invention also allows achieving the perception of neutrality in a previously unattainable condition, i.e. with a relatively light shielding device colour and glasses with selective distorting coatings.

[0026] Furthermore, with the colour compensation of the invention, one can choose to use an inexpensive monolithic glass instead of adopting a laminated glass containing coloured PVBs in order to cancel out colour distortion. However, even where a laminated glass is used for other reasons, the invention makes it possible to reduce various design constraints on the laminated glass, such as the number and shade of the PVB layers to compensate for chromatic distortion, as such compensation can instead be left to the colour of the shielding device.

[0027] In the preferred embodiments, the shielding device may be two-colour, so as to point the colour in the purple range only outward, so that it is seen as a neutral colour, while any other colour desired for viewing from the inside, for example a neutral colour, may be exhibited on the other side.

[0028] Further features and advantages of the invention will be recognisable by a person skilled in the art from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0029] Brief Description of the figures

[0030] For a better understanding of the following detailed description, some embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0031] - Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a system for shielding sunlight through a fixture according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0032] - Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a system for shielding sunlight through a fixture according to another embodiment of the invention,

[0033] - Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a system for shielding sunlight through a fixture according to a further embodiment of the invention, and

[0034] - Figures 4a and 4b conceptually show two different chromatic distortion test conditions on a system for shielding sunlight through a fixture.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The invention relates to a system for shielding sunlight through a fixture 1.

[0037] The system 1 comprises a first panel assembly 2, which comprises at least one transparent panel 21, made for example of glass or polymeric materials such as polymethylmethacrylate.

[0038] The first panel assembly 2 is configured for placement in a compartment of a fixture. For example, the first panel assembly 2 may be fixed along its perimeter to a frame 100 of a fixture.

[0039] The fixture is generally made in an outer wall of a building. The first panel assembly 2 has an outer surface 22 configured to face the outside of the building and an inner surface 23 configured to face the inside of the building.

[0040] The first panel assembly 2 is in fact arranged transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to a thickness direction extending from the outside towards the inside of the building.

[0041] In various embodiments, the first panel assembly 2 may comprise a single panel 21, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or more panels 21 spaced apart in the thickness direction, as shown in Figure 3, and / or a plurality of panels 21 spaced apart perpendicularly to the thickness direction, as in the case of doors or windows in which the frame 100 has inner dividers, as casement-type fixtures.

[0042] The system 1 then comprises a shielding device 3, opaque, facing the first panel assembly 2 from the side of the inner surface 23. In this specification, the term opaque is to be construed as non-transparent, while the shielding device may be indifferently glossy or non-glossy.

[0043] The shielding device 3 described herein below is arranged in a particular position of use with respect to the first panel assembly 2, without thereby wanting to exclude that the shielding device 3 can be movable in other positions with respect to the first panel assembly 2.

[0044] The shielding device 3 has an outer surface 31 facing the first panel assembly 2, in particular towards the inner surface 23 of the first panel assembly 2. Furthermore, the shielding device 3 has an inner surface 32 facing away from the first panel assembly 2, i.e. towards the inner of the building. The shielding device 3 is also arranged transversely to the thickness direction, so as to shield sunlight passing through the first panel assembly 2.

[0045] Optionally, the system 1 also comprises a second panel assembly 4, arranged on the opposite side of the shielding device 3 with respect to the first panel assembly 2. The second panel assembly 4 is shown in figures 1 and 2, while it is absent in the embodiment of figure 3.

[0046] Like the first panel assembly 2, the second panel assembly 4 comprises at least one transparent panel 41, for example a single panel 41, several panels 41 spaced apart from each other in the thickness direction, or several panels spaced apart from each other perpendicularly to the thickness direction.

[0047] The second panel assembly 4 faces the inner surface of the shielding device 3. Therefore, in this description, the first panel assembly 2 is considered to be the assembly of all the panels 21 that are located more towards the outside of the building than the shielding device 3, and the second panel assembly 4 is considered to be the assembly of all the panels 41 that are located more towards the inside of the building than the shielding device 3.

[0048] Preferably, the second panel assembly 4 is fixed to the first panel assembly 2, for example to the frame 100 of the same fixture. Furthermore, the second panel assembly 4 is spaced from the first panel assembly 2 in the thickness direction so as to delimit a gap therebetween.

[0049] In these embodiments, the shielding device 3 is arranged in such a gap between the first and the second panel assembly 2, 4, which may be a sealed gap, or a closed but unsealed gap, or a ventilated gap.

[0050] The shielding device 3 may be a curtain, but also other types of devices, such as a grid (perforated or stretched), or a screenprint applied on the inner surface 23 of the first panel assembly 2 or on an outer surface of the second panel assembly 4.

[0051] Among the curtain shielding devices 3, Venetian blinds (as in figure 2), curtains comprising fabric sheets, for example roller (as in figures 1 and 3) or pleated blinds, or curtains comprising non-woven sheets or polymeric and non-polymeric films are preferred.

[0052] In different cases, the inner 32 and outer 31 surfaces of the shielding device 3 are identified by the assembly of the blades of a Venetian blind, or by the fabric or non-woven fabric, or by the grid.

[0053] The shielding device 3 can also be secured to the frame 100 of the fixture.

[0054] At least one panel 21 of the first panel assembly 2 has applied a selective coating 5 thereon. Preferably, the selective coating 5 is applied on the inner surface 23, that is towards the gap (as in figures 1 and 2) or directly towards the inner environment of the building (as in figure 3). However, embodiments with other placements of the selective coating 5 are not excluded, for example between different layers of a layered panel.

[0055] The selective coating 5 can be applied or not on all the panels 21 of the first panel assembly 2. For example, if the first panel assembly 2 comprises several panels 21 spaced apart in the thickness direction, the selective coating 5 could be applied on only one of them. Instead, the second panel assembly 4 generally does not need selective coating 5.

[0056] The selective coating 5 is configured to have an infrared reflection and / or absorption index (in particular the sum of the reflection and absorption indices) greater than a reflection and / or absorption index thereof in visible light. The reflection or absorption index can be for example close to 100% in a good part of the infrared spectrum, while in most of the visible spectrum the selective coating 5 is more transparent even if a residual reflection or absorption component remains. Then, the transmission index of the selective coating 5 is greater in visible light than in infrared.

[0057] Therefore, the first panel assembly 2 transmits a percentage of incident visible light greater than it transmits a percentage of heat transported by incident sunlight.

[0058] Due to the presence of the selective coating 5, however, there is a phenomenon of non-uniform reflection and / or partial absorption even within the visible light spectrum. Typically, the colour that is most reflected and / or absorbed, and therefore minimally transmitted, is in the red range.

[0059] The first panel assembly 2 therefore determines a chromatic distortion phenomenon, both of the light it reflects and of the light it transmits.

[0060] To describe this phenomenon, reference will be made in the following to chromatic coordinates in a Lab colour space, in particular the CIELAB (1976) colour space. This space is a set of colours identified by three coordinates indicated with the letters L, a and b, which respectively identify the brightness, the amount of colour on a scale between the extremes of green (negative) and red (positive), and the amount of colour on a scale between the extremes of blue (negative) and yellow (positive).

[0061] To describe the chromatic distortions of interest and their compensations, reference will also be made below to some particular test conditions, which could involve disassembling the system 1, to verify the chromatic result deriving from a combination of particular illuminations, particular observation points, and intrinsic characteristics of the materials used, in particular of the panel 21, of the selective coating 5, and of the colour of the shielding device 3. In an embodiment tested by the Applicant, it has been verified that the first panel assembly 2 appears, with reference to a reflection test with a black background, with a colour having a set of chromatic coordinates of L=44, a =-4.5, b=-10. This is then a medium-dark colour (Low Brightness indicates a low amount of reflection), tending towards green and blue.

[0062] The reflection test is carried out with a black support behind the first panel assembly 2. Under these conditions, the first panel assembly 2 was illuminated by the standard illuminant CIE D65 which represents natural sunlight, incident on the outer surface 22, and was always observed from the side of the outer surface 22.

[0063] It should be noted that the black support eliminates the light components due to transparency, and therefore as a final effect of the test, the only component of light reflected from the first panel assembly 2 is isolated. The result is relatively dark because, as usual, glass or other transparent materials transmit more light than they reflect. The result, however, remains clearer than the appearance of the black support (L=0) seen directly, without the interposition of the first panel assembly 2.

[0064] It should also be noted that the brightness result L=44 obtained in the reflection test is connected to the specific first panel assembly 2 used, while the choice of other materials with different reflection and absorption characteristics could give different results, for example with L equal to 30.

[0065] The same panel assembly 2 used for the reflection test, in a simple transmission test appears instead with chromatic coordinates L=86, a=-4, b=5. The colour is therefore light (High Brightness indicates a high amount of transmission), tending to yellow and green. The simple transmission test is considered illuminating the first panel assembly 2 with sunlight on one side, for example the side of the outer surface 22, and observing from the opposite side, therefore the side of the inner surface 23, in the absence of obstacles between the light source, the first panel assembly 2 and the observation point.

[0066] The reflection and simple transmission tests however by themselves are not well representative of the colour that appears from outside the building when a curtain or other shielding device 3 is positioned behind the first panel assembly 2.

[0067] The invention provides that the outer surface 31 of the shielding device 3 has a colour such as to improve the appearance from the outside with respect to a particular comparison situation described below, or a colour such as to approach the colour perceived from the outside to a condition of neutrality with respect to the comparison situation. It is therefore possible to neutralise the chromatic distortion without resorting to complex laminated glass or dark-coloured curtains.

[0068] The comparison situation is identified by a first test condition, in which a white support 200 (coordinates L>90, a =0, b=0, opaque) faces the inner surface 23 of the first panel assembly 2. The first test condition is schematically illustrated in figure 4a, although a greyscale has been used, and therefore the characteristic chromatic condition of the first test condition is not recognizable in the figure.

[0069] The white support 200 is generally not provided as a part of the system 1 of the invention, but as a support for carrying out a test useful for verifying whether the invention is reproduced or not.

[0070] The white support 200 may for example itself be a curtain or a hard panel. The white support 200 may be placed between the first panel assembly 2 and the shielding device 3, or the test may be performed in the absence of the shielding device 3. In any case, the white support 200 is directly facing the first panel assembly 2, so that there are no visual obstacles between them.

[0071] Furthermore, in the first test conditions, the white support 200 is illuminated with sunlight (for example a CIE D65 illuminating standard) coming from the side of the outer surface 23 of the first panel assembly 2 (arrows of figure 4a), and is observed through the first panel assembly 2, therefore always from the side of the outer surface 23.

[0072] Due to the chromatic distortion caused by the first panel assembly 2, in the first test condition the white support 200, observed from the already specified point of view, appears with a colour having a first set of non-neutral chromatic coordinates. In general, in this description it will be understood that a set of chromatic coordinates are non-neutral if at least one of its coordinates a and b results in a modulus greater than 1, preferably greater than 2, more preferably greater than 3.

[0073] In the implementation example tested by the Applicant, the first set of chromatic coordinates has coordinates L=67.3, a=-9.7, and b=4.2. It is then again a light colour, tending towards yellow and green.

[0074] Note that these coordinates are the result of the relatively complex chromatic combination of a number of optical phenomena. The colour perceived with these first test conditions in fact results from the superposition of a light component distorted by specular reflection from the first panel assembly 2, and a light component that undergoes three alterations, by transmission through the first panel assembly 2, then by reflection diffused by the white support 200 (being white, this distortion is minimal and mostly concerns the intensity of the light), and then again by transmission through the first panel assembly 2. Between these two light components, the component that has crossed the first panel assembly 2 twice with respect to the one directly reflected usually prevails (while the specular reflection component can dominate if a dark support is placed behind the first panel assembly 2, as in the reflection test).

[0075] The specific coordinates obtained, even under the same first test conditions applied by the Applicant, may be different if a first panel assembly 2 with a different composition is tested, especially with regard to the selective coating 5, or a different number of layers or colours of film 212. It is however foreseeable that with the common types of first panel assemblies 2 and selective coatings 5, the first set of chromatic coordinates generally has a coordinate a less than 0, preferably less than -3, for example less than -5, and a coordinate b greater than 0.

[0076] It should be noted that, for the interposition of the shielding device 3 between the first and the second panel assembly 2, 4, the second panel assembly 4 is substantially irrelevant to the appearance from the outside of the white support 200 and / or the shielding device 3, which is instead determined by the chromatic distortion of the first panel assembly 2 with the selective coating 5. The second panel assembly 4 may also be free of selective coating 5.

[0077] The colour of the outer surface 31 of the shielding device 3 is chosen with a particular second set of non-neutral chromatic coordinates. This colour can be obtained by colouring the outer surface 31 of the shielding device 3, or by directly making the shielding device 3 in a material with such a colour.

[0078] The second set of chromatic coordinates is such that, in a second test condition, the shielding device 3 appears with a colour having a third set of chromatic coordinates, closer to neutral with respect to the first set of chromatic coordinates.

[0079] The second test condition is substantially similar to the first test condition, where, however, the shielding device 3 is replaced with the white support 200. In particular, in the second test condition the system 1 is assembled, and therefore the shielding device 3 is directly facing the first panel assembly 2, so that there are no visual obstacles between them. The second test condition is schematically illustrated in figure 4b, although a greyscale has been used, and therefore the characteristic chromatic condition of the second test condition is not recognizable in the figure.

[0080] In the second test condition, the shielding device 3 is again illuminated with sunlight (arrows in figure 4b representing for example a CIE standard illuminant D65) coming from the side of the outer surface 22 of the first panel assembly 2, and is observed through the first panel assembly 2, then always from the side of the outer surface 22.

[0081] The optical phenomena involved are therefore the same as the first test condition, where, however, the diffuse reflection of the screen device 3 replaces the diffuse reflection of the white support 200. This different reflection introduces a distortion intended to compensate for the distortions of the other optical phenomena described. In particular, it is preferable that the second set of chromatic coordinates, i.e. the real colour of the shielding device 3, is selected to compensate for the chromatic distortion due to the double transmission through the first panel assembly 2, and not also the distortion due to the direct specular reflection of the first panel assembly 2 (this reflection is in fact specular, and not diffusive, and therefore maintains the shape of the reflected images, the colour of which is of less interest than the colour perceived for the rear shielding device 3).

[0082] In the embodiment tested by the Applicant, the outer surface 31 of the shielding device 3 was coloured with a second set of chromatic coordinates having coordinates L=70, a =3, b=-9, thus a colour in the purple range. The resulting third set of chromatic coordinates, i.e. the appearance of the shielding device from the outside, has coordinates L=63, a=0.5, b=-0.5.

[0083] Therefore, in the embodiment tested, the third set is substantially neutral, i.e. with coordinates a and b both in modulus less than 1. However, embodiments are also allowed in which there is a significant approach towards the condition of neutrality, with respect to the first set of coordinates, without necessarily reducing both coordinates a and b under a module equal to 1. For example, the result could be considered sufficiently neutral even with coordinates a and b of the third set of coordinates each having a modulus not exceeding 3, preferably not exceeding 2. Indicatively, it is preferable that the third set of chromatic coordinates be in a range of grey colours, although colours that tend slightly from grey for example to blue or other colours, that do not significantly alter neutrality, are not excluded.

[0084] To evaluate whether the required approach has occurred, a geometric distance of each coordinate set from the condition of perfect neutrality can be considered, i.e. a=0, b=0. The geometric distance from the neutrality condition (with vahie-^ / Ca2+ b2)) must therefore be, for the third set of coordinates, less than the first set of coordinates, preferably at least less than half of the first set of coordinates.

[0085] Preferably, each of the coordinates a and b is in modulus, in the third set of coordinates, less than in the first set of coordinates. More preferably, the third set of chromatic coordinates has coordinates a and b with a modulus lower than half, respectively, of the moduli of coordinates a and b of the first set of coordinates. Here and below, the module is considered as for the two coordinates a and b it will be possible to have positive and negative values, and it could happen that one or both coordinates change sign between the first set of coordinates and the third set of coordinates.

[0086] However, note that provided there is an overall approach to neutrality, it is not strictly necessary for both coordinates a and b to approach zero in modulus.

[0087] In fact, depending on the properties of the first panel assembly 2 and the selective coating 5, there may be cases in which the first set of chromatic coordinates has a parameter a high in modulus, but a parameter b already close to zero. Then, by selecting an appropriate colour for the outer surface 31 of the shielding device 3, a sensitive approach to neutrality can be obtained, with a resulting third set of coordinates having parameter a in modulus less than the first set of coordinates, preferably at least half less than the first set of coordinates, but parameter b which, while remaining close to 0, could also be greater in modulus in the third set of coordinates than the first set of coordinates.

[0088] In general, considering the properties of the first panel assemblies 2 and the common selective coatings, it is expected that the approach to neutrality is obtained by choosing a second set of coordinates with a coordinate a greater than 0 and coordinate b less than 0, preferably less than -3, for example less than -5.

[0089] As for the coordinate L, you can have two relatively different situations. In some embodiments, at least the second set of chromatic coordinates is light or in any case not particularly dark, for example with a coordinate L not less than 45. Advantageously, the colour of the outer surface 31 of the shielding member 3 is not such as to absorb much heat, and thus does not overheat. The overall effect from the outside, despite the selective coating, may be a light neutral, which was not obtainable in the prior art when selective coatings were used, or a medium-dark neutral, when the first panel assembly 2 has high selectivity performance. In other embodiments, the second set of chromatic coordinates may also be darker (L<45), and preferably this is combined with a particularly selective first panel assembly 2 to prevent the absorption of heat from the shielding device 3. In any case, the second set of chromatic coordinates is such as to compensate towards neutrality the distortion determined by the first panel assembly 3.

[0090] Note that in this description the advantages of correcting the colour perceived from the outside have been presented by means of an appropriate choice of the colour of the outer surface 31 of the shielding device 3, instead of using coloured transparent films 212 inside the first panel assembly 2, of a layered type.

[0091] In fact, with an appropriate choice of the colour of the outer surface 31 of the shielding device 3, it is possible to adopt a first panel assembly 2 in which each panel 21 is monolithic (as in figures 2 and 3), i.e. not layered.

[0092] However, embodiments are not excluded in which the solution of the described advantageous choice of the colour of the outer surface 31 of the shielding device 3 is combined with a first panel assembly 2 in which one or more panels 21 are layered (as in figure 1), with a plurality of panel layers 211 and one or more layers of a transparent or coloured film 212 interposed between the panel layers.

[0093] This is particularly advantageous when the layered panel solution is adopted for various possible reasons, for example due to its particular modes of breakage in the event of impact, whereby no sharp fragments are dispersed, but without providing layers of panel 211 and film 212 in number and with colour such as to compensate, on their own, for the chromatic distortion induced by the selective coating. Thus, a person skilled in the art will be able to identify from time to time the most suitable colour for the outer surface 31 of the shielding device, compensating for the overall colour distortion induced by selective coating 5, panel layers 211 and film layers 212.

[0094] By choosing the colour of the outer surface 31 of the shielding device 3 as described above, in the preferred embodiment the inner surface 31 of the shielding device 3 can have a colour with a fourth set of chromatic coordinates, different from the second set of chromatic coordinates. In other words, the two sides of the shielding device 3 can have different colours from each other (when observed directly, without interposing transparent panels with chromatic distortions).

[0095] In particular, different colours may be applied on the two surfaces 31, 32 of the shielding device 3, or the shielding device 3 may be made of a material with a first colour, which is visible on one of the surfaces 31, 32, while a colour is applied on the other surface 31, 32.

[0096] In particular, it is preferred that the colour of the outer surface 31, which as commented above is not neutral and therefore may not be pleasant when observed directly, is not also used on the inner surface 32, where it would be observed without distortion from inside the building. Thus, the fourth set of chromatic coordinates is preferably closer to neutral with respect to the second set of chromatic coordinates. However, colours can also be chosen for the inner surface 32, far from neutral conditions, based on the tastes of the building occupants and the combinations with the colours of the inner walls of the building and the furnishings.

Claims

CLAIMS1. System for shielding sunlight through a fixture (1), comprising:- a first panel assembly (2), comprising at least one transparent panel (21), the first panel assembly (2) having an outer surface (22) configured to face the outside of a building and an inner surface (23) configured to face the inside of the building, wherein a selective coating (5) is applied to the panel (21), the selective coating (5) being configured to have a lower transmission index in infrared compared to visible light, wherein the first panel assembly (2) has a chromatic distortion such that, in a first test condition in which a white support (200) faces the inner surface (23) of the first panel assembly (2), and is illuminated with sunlight coming from the side of the outer surface (22) of the first panel assembly (2), the white support (200), observed through the first panel assembly (2), appears with a colour having a first set of non-neutral chromatic coordinates,- an opaque shielding device (3), facing the inner surface (23) of the first panel assembly (2) so as to shield sunlight passing through the first panel assembly (2), the shielding device (3) having an outer surface (31) facing the first panel assembly (2), and an inner surface (32) facing away from the first panel assembly (2), characterized in that:- the outer surface (31) of the shielding device (3) has a colour with a second set of non-neutral chromatic coordinates, such that, in a second test condition in which the shielding device (3) is illuminated with said sunlight coming from the side of the outer surface (22) of the first panel assembly (2), the shielding device (3), observed throughthe first panel assembly (2), appears with a colour having a third set of chromatic coordinates, closer to neutral with respect to the first set of chromatic coordinates.

2. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein, in a CIELAB colour space, the third set of chromatic coordinates has coordinates a and b with a lower modulus, respectively, than moduli of coordinates a and b of the first set of chromatic coordinates, preferably lower than their half.

3. System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in a CIELAB colour space, the third set of chromatic coordinates has coordinates a and b with modulus not exceeding 3, preferably not exceeding 2.

4. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in a CIELAB colour space:- the first set of chromatic coordinates has a coordinate a less than 0, preferably less than -3, and the second set of chromatic coordinates has a coordinate a greater than 0,- preferably, the first set of chromatic coordinates has a coordinate b greater than 0, and the second set of chromatic coordinates has a coordinate b less than 0, in particular less than -3.

5. system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, in a CIELAB colour space, the second set of chromatic coordinates has a coordinate L not less than 45.

6. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first set of chromaticcoordinates is in a range of yellow-green colours, the second set of chromatic coordinates is in a range of purple colours, and the third set of chromatic coordinates is in a range of grey colours.

7. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second set of chromatic coordinates is selected to compensate, by diffusive reflection, a chromatic distortion caused by a double transmission through the first panel assembly (2), without altering a distortion caused by a specular reflection of the first panel assembly (2).

8. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inner surface (32) of the shielding device (3) has a colour with a fourth set of chromatic coordinates, preferably closer to neutral with respect to the second set of chromatic coordinates.

9. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each panel (21) of the first panel assembly (2) is a monolithic panel, in particular a non-layered panel, preferably wherein the first panel assembly (2) comprises a single panel (21).

10. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one panel (21) of the first panel assembly (2) is a layered panel, having a plurality of panel layers (211) and one or more layers of a coloured or neutral transparent film (212) interposed between the panel layers (211).

11. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the shielding device(3) is:- a curtain, preferably movable with respect to the first panel assembly (2), in particular a Venetian blind with slats identifying the inner (32) and outer (31) surface of the shielding device (3), or a curtain comprising a fabric or a non-woven fabric or a film identifying the inner (32) and outer (31) surface of the shielding device (3), or- a grid, in particular a perforated grid or a stretched grid, identifying the inner (32) and outer (31) surface of the shielding device (3), or- a screenprint applied on the inner surface (23) of the first panel assembly (2).

12. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a second panel assembly (4), with at least one transparent panel (41), fixed to the first panel assembly (2) and spaced therefrom, wherein the shielding device (3) is arranged between the first and the second panel assembly (2, 4), preferably the first and the second panel assembly (2, 4) delimiting therebetween a sealed gap or a closed but unsealed gap, or a ventilated gap.

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