Adaptable Skylight Electrochromic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current skylights lack control over light intensity, leading to unpleasant environments for pilots, passengers, and crew due to unregulated light transmission, which can cause discomfort and glare.
Innovation Solution
An adaptable skylight system featuring a variable pane with opacity control, an artificial light source, and a controller that adjusts light transmission based on light sensors and user preferences, providing a consistent and pleasant interior lighting experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a mechanical shade is used to control light transmission, then the area of light transmission is reduced, but the light intensity remains high causing discomfort and glare
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using an electrochromic pane that can dynamically change its light transmission properties. Instead of reducing the area of light transmission with a mechanical shade, the system maintains full area transmission while controlling light intensity through electrochromic modulation, allowing the entire pane surface to transmit variable amounts of light uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical shade system with an electrochromic control system. Instead of using moving mechanical parts to block light, the system uses electrical control to change the optical properties of the pane itself, eliminating the need for mechanical shades while achieving better light intensity control across the entire transmission area.
2Device complexity
If no control mechanism is used, then the skylight structure is simple, but light transmission cannot be regulated causing unpleasant environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by integrating multiple functions into a single system. The electrochromic pane serves both as the structural window element and the light control mechanism, while the controller provides both automatic sensor-based control and manual user control capabilities, making the system adaptable to various lighting conditions and user preferences without requiring separate control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service through the automatic control mode where light sensors detect external and internal light levels, and the controller automatically adjusts the electrochromic pane's transmission properties without user intervention. This allows the system to autonomously maintain optimal lighting conditions, reducing the need for manual operation while providing adaptability.
3Illumination intensity
If light transmission is controlled by reducing area, then light intensity per unit area increases, but overall comfort decreases due to glare
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes through electrochromic technology to uniformly modulate light transmission across the entire pane surface. This approach controls light intensity by changing the optical properties of the material itself rather than blocking light with shades, ensuring even distribution of transmitted light and eliminating concentrated glare areas that occur with mechanical shading methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adaptable skylight system effectively regulates light intensity, offering variable light transmission and artificial illumination to maintain a comfortable environment by automatically adjusting light levels according to external and internal conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the variable pane including an electrochromic pane
Implementation Method 2
a light sensor for measuring an intensity of light
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptable skylight includes a frame facing an interior of an enclosure having an opening for allowing light to pass. An opacity-control pane adjacent the opening allows a variable amount of light to pass, and an artificial light source illuminates the frame. An aircraft skylight assembly includes a variable pane, an artificial light source for illuminating portions of the skylight assembly, and a controller configured for adjusting an amount of external light transmission through the variable pane and an amount of artificial light illumination. An internal ambiance lighting system includes the adaptable skylight having a dimmable pane for providing transmission of a variable amount of external light into an enclosure, the artificial light illuminates the frame surrounding the adaptable skylight, and the controller automatically adjusts external light transmission through the adaptable skylight and illumination of the frame based on a lighting preference.