Facade Daylighting Panel With Mirrored Channel for Deep Interior Lighting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing daylighting systems in buildings struggle to provide sufficient light intensity in deep areas, especially in multistory office buildings, as vertical light tubes are inefficient and protruding devices disrupt the facade and thermal shielding.
Innovation Solution
A mirrored light transportation channel is mounted horizontally under the ceiling, sealed to the facade, with openings and luminaires, using a mirror-lined duct to transport daylight deep into the building without disrupting the facade's integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If vertical light tubes are used to transport daylight from the roof to upper floors, then the building envelope remains intact, but the light intensity is insufficient at large distances due to long transport paths
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from vertical light transport (roof to floor) to horizontal light transport (facade to building interior). By mounting the light tube horizontally under the ceiling with the front end sealed to the facade and the rear end extending into the building interior, the system achieves much shorter transport distances (e.g., 12-18 meters) while maintaining intact building envelopes, thereby delivering sufficient light intensity to deep plan areas.
2Illumination intensity
If protruding devices are used to collect sunlight and guide it into horizontal light tubes, then light can be transported deep into the building, but the facade aesthetics are disrupted and thermal shielding is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the light collection function from protruding facade elements and integrates it directly into the facade surface itself. The transparent facade element serves dual purposes: maintaining architectural integrity and collecting sunlight. The horizontal light tube is mounted behind the facade plane, eliminating the need for protruding collection devices while preserving both aesthetics and thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent facade element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the building envelope for thermal shielding, maintains aesthetic appearance, and functions as a light collector for the daylighting system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate protruding collection devices that would compromise facade integrity.
3Illumination intensity
If the light tube height is increased to improve light intensity at large distances, then more light reaches deep areas, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the light tube dimensions locally rather than uniformly increasing size throughout. By positioning the light tube horizontally under the ceiling and sealing it to the facade, the system achieves efficient light transport with moderate dimensions (e.g., 12-18 meter lengths) that are space-efficient while delivering sufficient light intensity to deep plan areas.
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
This system achieves high light intensity at large distances from the facade, maintaining the building's envelope and thermal properties while providing efficient daylight illumination.
Implementation Method 1
Daylight illumination systems based on mirror lined duct light transport elements are well known in the form of vertical light tubes for light transport from the roof to the upper floors of a building
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A daylighting panel for integration into a building or larger vehicle comprises a translucent facade element (800) containing a glass sheet and a light transport channel (801) for guiding light about horizontally into an interior of the building, the light transport channel comprising one opening attached to the interior side of said facade element and at least one opening towards the interior of the building equipped with a luminaire (807), characterised in that the inner walls including the rear end are covered by a reflecting layer (808).