Building Element Shading via Lamella Geometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building elements for generating heat from solar radiation using transparent thermal insulation are complex to assemble and lack flexibility in adapting to different facade dimensions, leading to inefficient heating and cooling in various seasons.

Innovation Solution

A modular building element with a flat lamellar shading element that can be attached horizontally or at an angle to the absorber layer and transparent thermal insulation, allowing for adjustable shading and simplified assembly, eliminating the need for a metallic reflector layer and enabling easy adaptation to various facade dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a metallic reflector layer is used to set the critical angle for solar radiation, then the shading angle can be precisely controlled, but the construction becomes complicated and assembly flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshading angle precisionVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the metallic reflector layer from the construction, extracting the complex component while maintaining the essential shading function through the geometric arrangement of the absorber layer and transparent thermal insulation alone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the approach from using a reflective surface to define the critical angle to using the geometric parameters of the absorber layer height and insulation overhang to define the same critical angle, transforming a material-based solution into a geometry-based solution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If building elements are designed with fixed dimensions for standard facades, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different facade dimensions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidfacade dimension adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the building element into modular segments (absorber layer, transparent thermal insulation, lamellar element) that can be independently sized and configured, allowing the same basic construction to be adapted to different facade dimensions through modular multiplication rather than custom manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal building element design that can serve multiple facade configurations through the modular arrangement of components, where the same basic element type can be scaled and arranged to fit various building dimensions and orientations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the absorber layer is fully exposed to solar radiation, then heating efficiency is maximized, but overheating occurs in summer months

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolar energy absorptionVSAvoidabsorber layer temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic shading system where the lamellar element's position and angle can be adjusted based on seasonal requirements, allowing the absorber layer to transition between fully exposed (winter heating) and shaded (summer cooling) states, making the system responsive to changing environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 provides a simplified and adaptable building element that optimizes heating in winter and shading in summer, reducing heating and cooling costs while ensuring efficient heat conduction and material usage, with easy assembly and adjustment capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a flat absorber layer (6), which is attached to the outside of the support element (5), for absorbing incident solar radiation (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolar radiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a flat and transparent thermal insulation (7) that completely covers the absorber layer (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGreenhouse effect: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

the flat lamellar element (9) serving as a shading element... protrudes horizontally beyond the absorber layer (6) to provide shading

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolar radiation blocking: Shadow

Data Source

PatentEP3722548B1Building element with a climatic element by means of transparent thermal insulation for obtaining heat from solar radiation energy and element of lamella
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 AFFENTRANGER BAU AG
  • EP3722548B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3722548B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a building element (3) for cladding a vertical facade (1) in a tile-like manner and for generating heat from solar radiation energy by means of transparent thermal insulation (7). It comprises a climate element (4) with a flat support element (5) for surface mounting on a facade (1), a flat absorber layer (6) attached to the outside of the support element (5) with a vertical height (b) for absorbing incident solar radiation (2), and a flat, transparent thermal insulation (7) completely covering the absorber layer (6). It also comprises a flat louvered element (9) as a shading element, which can be horizontally mounted at the lower or upper edge of the climate element (4) and is located next to the absorber layer (6) and next to the transparent thermal insulation (7), projecting horizontally over the absorber layer (6) on an overhang (a) to shade an absorber layer (6) arranged below it during use.By adjusting the ratio of the overhang (a) to the height (b) of the absorber layer (6), a critical angle (β) can be set below which incident solar radiation (2) can at least partially hit the absorber layer (6) and above which the absorber layer (6) is completely shaded.