Moveable Double-Skin Facade with Pivoted Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current building systems for reducing energy consumption are ineffective in both winter and summer, with double-skin systems failing in summer and sunshade systems being useless in winter, leading to inefficient energy use and ventilation issues.

Innovation Solution

A single façade system with moveable surfaces that functions as a double skin in winter to retain heat and as a sunshade in summer to reduce solar heating, comprising pivoted panels with contoured strips and a crank mechanism for adjustable positioning of sunshade slats and panes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a double-skin system is used to reduce energy consumption in winter, then heat retention is improved, but the system becomes ineffective or deleterious in summer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat retentionVSAvoidseasonal effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the facade system movable rather than fixed. The panels can be adjusted between different positions - closed to form a double-skin facade in winter for heat retention, and open to allow ventilation and shading in summer. This dynamic adjustment enables the same system to adapt to different seasonal requirements, resolving the contradiction between winter heat retention and summer effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Temperature

If moveable sunshade slats are used to reduce energy consumption in summer, then shading is improved, but the system becomes useless in winter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolar heating reductionVSAvoidseasonal effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the universality principle by designing a single facade system that performs multiple functions throughout the year. The same movable panels serve as sunshades in summer to reduce solar heating, and as double-skin facade elements in winter to retain heat. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate systems for different seasons, resolving the contradiction between summer shading effectiveness and winter usability.

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

3Temperature

If fixed double-skin systems are used, then heat retention in winter is improved, but natural ventilation is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat retentionVSAvoidnatural ventilation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling the facade panels to move between closed and open positions. When open, the system allows natural ventilation and air circulation, improving ease of operation. When closed, it forms an airtight double-skin facade for heat retention. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between winter heat retention and summer natural ventilation.

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

This integrated system achieves significant energy savings throughout the year by optimizing heat retention in winter and shading in summer, improving living conditions and allowing natural ventilation, with installation costs amortized within a few years.

Implementation Method 1

shading the facade of the building from the sun during the hot season

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolar radiation reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

provide a double skin for the building on which it is installed during the cold season

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP1920120B1Double-skin and moveable- sunshade facade system
Publication Date: 2011.10.19 LILLI LORENZO
  • EP1920120B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1920120B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1920120B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system with moveable surfaces for building facades comprises means that, in combination, are capable of providing a "double-skin" for said facades during the cold season and of shading the facades from the sun during the hot season. Said system comprises a plurality of sunshade slats and of panes in which the sunshade slats and the panes are moveable.