Daylight Louvers with Dual Reflective Surfaces for Glare Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing daylight systems for buildings often cause glare and block the view through windows, especially when the sun is high, while trying to utilize daylight for interior lighting.
Innovation Solution
A daylight system with multiple slats, each having two types of reflection surfaces angled to direct light above the horizontal, allowing an almost unobstructed view and preventing glare by reflecting intense solar radiation to the ceiling, while absorbing or reflecting excess light to prevent overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light deflection systems with reflector elements are used to redirect daylight into the interior, then interior illumination is improved, but glare is caused and the view through the window is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The window surface is divided into multiple vertically arranged louver elements with different functions: upper louvers redirect high-angle sunlight away from the interior to prevent glare, while lower louvers allow direct view and light entry. This segmentation enables different parts of the window to perform different functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the window are assigned different optical properties: the upper region has reflective surfaces angled to redirect high-angle sunlight, while the lower region has transparent or transmissive characteristics for unobstructed view. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between glare prevention and view preservation.
2Illumination intensity
If reflector elements are stacked to direct light into the interior by single or double reflection, then light distribution is improved, but the view through the window is completely blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The window system is segmented into multiple functional zones: upper zones with reflective elements for light redirection, and lower zones with viewing openings. This allows simultaneous achievement of light distribution and view preservation through spatial separation of functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a two-dimensional plane to a three-dimensional structured system with vertical layering. Light reflection occurs in the upper dimensional zone while viewing access is provided in the lower zone, utilizing vertical space to resolve the contradiction.
3Loss of information
If louvers are arranged to allow direct visibility from inside to outside, then view is preserved, but glare from high sun angles enters the interior
Solution Approach 1:
The upper portion of the window system is equipped with reflective louvers that selectively redirect high-angle sunlight while maintaining view capability at lower angles. The lower portion maintains full transparency for unobstructed viewing. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between view preservation and glare prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-angle sunlight that would normally cause glare is converted into a beneficial resource by redirecting it onto the ceiling for indirect illumination. The reflective surfaces in the upper zone transform harmful direct glare into useful ambient light, improving interior illumination without compromising the view.
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 system provides glare-free, efficient daylighting with an unobstructed view by directing light above the horizontal and managing excessive solar radiation, maintaining a comfortable interior environment.
Implementation Method 1
The louvers are equipped with two types of reflective surfaces that work together to direct light from a defined solid angle, extending only above the horizontal, into the interior. After the second reflection, the light is emitted into the interior only within a solid angle above the horizontal.
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a daylight system for installation in the area of a window surface, in which louvers with horizontal longitudinal extension are arranged in a first sub-area of the window surface, wherein the louver shape and the distance of adjacent louvers in the first sub-area are selected such that a direct view between the louvers from inside to outside is possible at least in a limited angular range, wherein the louvers in the first sub-area each have two reflective surfaces, wherein the first of the two reflective surfaces of each louver reflects light incident from the outside from a defined solid angle range above the horizontal, which corresponds to an angle of 0°, at least partially onto the second reflective surface of the louver above, and the second reflective surface reflects this light into the interior, and the reflection at the second reflective surface into the interior only occurs at angles above the horizontal.