Daylighting Structure with Segmented Bars for Glare Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light re-directing structures for exterior glazing have limitations in efficiency and are prone to glare and diffraction issues, which affect the penetration of natural light into interior spaces and contribute to increased use of artificial lighting.
Innovation Solution
A daylighting structure comprising transparent solid polymeric bars with native optical quality surfaces oriented in a vertical plane, separated by gaps, connected by a transparent planar support member with an adhesive that fills optical imperfections, and featuring absorbing coatings or metalized reflective surfaces to enhance light re-direction and reduce glare.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light re-directing structures are used to redirect high-angle light toward the ceiling, then natural light penetration into interior spaces is improved, but glare and diffraction issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous glazing surface into discrete transparent bars separated by gaps. This segmentation allows selective redirection of high-angle light through the bars while the gaps block direct glare paths and reduce diffraction effects, thus improving natural light penetration without the harmful glare and diffraction issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the structure: the transparent bars have high optical quality for light transmission and redirection, while the gaps provide glare blocking and diffraction reduction. This local differentiation of optical properties resolves the contradiction between light penetration and glare prevention.
2Strength
If transparent bars are connected using adhesive material, then structural integrity is improved, but optical imperfections may be introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive material acts as an intermediary between the transparent bars and support members. By carefully selecting adhesives with refractive indices matching the bars and applying them in controlled thin layers, the structural bonding function is achieved while minimizing optical disturbances at the interfaces.
3Productivity
If gaps between adjacent bars are reduced to increase light transmission, then light re-direction efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision and alignment become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the gap width parameter to a specific range that balances light transmission efficiency with manufacturing feasibility. By establishing this optimal parameter range, the system achieves high light redirection efficiency while maintaining practical alignment tolerances during installation and manufacturing.
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 solution significantly increases the efficiency of light re-direction while minimizing glare and diffraction, providing improved natural light penetration and reducing the need for artificial lighting, thereby enhancing work productivity and occupant well-being.
Implementation Method 1
Such light directing structures are well known and rely primarily on total internal reflection (TIR) of light incident at high angles on a planar transparent member
Implementation Method 2
an adhesive material interposed between and connecting the common surfaces of the polymeric bars and the planar support member, in which the adhesive material fills optical imperfections of the first side of the bars
Implementation Method 3
wherein one of the opposing optical surfaces of each bar has an absorbing coating
Data Source
AI summary
A high efficiency daylight directing structure for application on fenestration deploys closely spaced macroscopic bars of transparent resin to eliminate different forms of glare. The spaced apart surfaces provide for efficient reflection of selective incident light, by TIR or metallic surfaces, via the ultra-smooth native surfaces from a mold or casting process. A close spacing is readily obtained in various attachment methods to boost efficiency. The fabrication method allows selective deposition of absorbing layers, such as by of painting/printing between alternating native optical surface to provide one way transparency at high angles of incidence. The bars are supported on at least one common planar surface by transparent support member with an optical quality adhesive material filling any imperfection in the bars common planar surface that form in fabrication.