Diurnal Solar Simulation Apparatus with Movable Light Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solar simulation apparatuses fail to accurately simulate the characteristics of diurnal sunlight from sunrise to sunset, making it difficult to assess the aging effects of sunlight on materials reliably.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid super precision diurnal solar simulation apparatus that includes a cylindrical lamp emitting light in a 360° direction, movable light shielding parts, a control system, and a reflection member to ensure uniform light distribution and irradiation per unit area, mimicking natural sunlight by combining direct, reflected, and scattered light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional solar simulation apparatus is used, then it can perform solar aging tests, but it fails to accurately simulate the characteristics of diurnal sunlight from sunrise to sunset

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of sunlight simulationVSAvoidcapability to simulate diurnal sunlight characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements movable light shielding parts that can dynamically adjust their positions to control the amount of light reaching the test object. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the apparatus to simulate the changing irradiation levels throughout the day, from sunrise to sunset, thereby accurately reproducing diurnal sunlight characteristics while maintaining simulation precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the irradiation parameter by adjusting the position of light shielding parts to control the amount of light. This parameter adjustment enables the simulation of different times of day with varying sunlight intensities, allowing the apparatus to accurately represent diurnal variations while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If light shielding parts are used to control irradiation amount, then diurnal sunlight simulation is possible, but light distribution uniformity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to simulate diurnal sunlightVSAvoidlight distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reflection member as an intermediary element that reflects and redistributes light to compensate for the non-uniform distribution caused by movable light shielding parts. This reflection member acts as a mediator between the light source and the test object, ensuring uniform light distribution while allowing the light shielding parts to maintain their function of controlling irradiation amounts for diurnal simulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflection member is strategically positioned to provide localized light reflection to specific areas that would otherwise receive insufficient light due to the presence of light shielding parts. This local quality adjustment ensures that each area of the test object receives appropriate and uniform illumination while the overall system maintains the ability to simulate diurnal variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If direct light from the lamp is used for simulation, then simple apparatus design is achieved, but accurate diurnal sunlight simulation cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus design simplicityVSAvoidaccuracy of diurnal sunlight simulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines direct light from the lamp with reflected light from the reflection member to create a composite illumination system. This merging of light paths allows the apparatus to maintain relatively simple design while achieving accurate diurnal sunlight simulation through the synergistic effect of direct and reflected light components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 apparatus effectively simulates changes in sunlight irradiation per unit area throughout the day, enhancing the reliability of solar aging tests by maintaining consistent light distribution and irradiation levels, independent of the amount of light shielded.

Implementation Method 1

a reflection member adapted to reflect a portion of the light emitted from the lamp part to the solar aging test object on the open area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3872392B1Hybrid super precision diurnal solar simulation apparatus and diurnal solar simulation method using same
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 VISOL
  • EP3872392B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3872392B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3872392B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a hybrid super precision diurnal solar simulation apparatus (100) for simulating an amount of light irradiation per unit area according to diurnal time of sunlight, including: a housing part (110) having an open area (11) formed on one surface thereof, lamp installation openings (113) formed on at least one or more surfaces thereof, and covers (115) adapted to cover the lamp installation openings; a lamp part (120) having a shape of a cylinder in such a manner as to be insertedly located inside the housing part through the lamp installation openings to emit light in a direction of 360°; lamp light shielding parts (130-1, 130-2) moving in a longitudinal direction of the lamp part in such a manner as to shield the entire light emitted from the lamp part or a portion of the light emitted from the lamp part; a driving part (140) adapted to provide a driving force allowing the lamp light shielding parts to move; and a control part adapted to control the driving part under predetermined conditions to allow moving distances, speeds or directions of the lamp light shielding parts and output of the lamp part to be controlled.