Light Fixture with Photosensor-Activated Adjustable Louver Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Skylights in buildings often lack controlled light levels, relying on manual shutters or louvers, which are inefficient and do not account for daylight intensity and color temperature, leading to unbalanced lighting and potential light pollution.
Innovation Solution
A light fixture with movable louver blades, a dimmable artificial light source, and a control unit that adjusts the position of the louvers and brightness/color temperature based on light sensor data to balance natural and artificial light, ensuring optimal lighting conditions and minimizing light pollution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual shutters or louvers are used to control light levels, then light entry can be controlled, but the system lacks automation and does not account for daylight intensity and color temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses light sensors to automatically detect daylight intensity and color temperature, and the control unit automatically adjusts louver positions and artificial light output without manual intervention. The system serves itself by using environmental light data to make real-time adjustments, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining optimal lighting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it processes light sensor data, controls louver blade positions, and adjusts artificial light source intensity and color temperature. By integrating these functions into a single control system, the patent achieves automation without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If no light control is used, then the system is simple, but light levels are unbalanced and light pollution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors daylight intensity and color temperature using light sensors, and the control unit uses this feedback to dynamically adjust louver positions and artificial light output. This closed-loop control ensures balanced light levels in the illuminated space while preventing light pollution by reducing artificial light when sufficient natural light is available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes multiple parameters including louver blade position angle, artificial light intensity, and artificial light color temperature. By adjusting these parameters based on real-time environmental conditions, the system achieves balanced illumination without requiring complex mechanical structures.
3Illumination intensity
If artificial light is used to supplement natural light, then lighting balance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses artificial light only to the extent necessary to achieve the desired illumination balance. The control unit calculates the exact amount of artificial light needed based on sensor data and adjusts the light source intensity accordingly, avoiding excessive energy consumption while maintaining adequate lighting levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the color temperature parameter of artificial light to match the dominant wavelength of available natural light. By adjusting color temperature rather than just intensity, the system achieves better lighting balance with lower energy consumption, as it works with the spectral characteristics of natural light rather than opposing them.
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 effectively balances lighting levels during daylight hours, controls daylight entry, and adjusts artificial light to match natural light color temperature, providing energy-efficient and comfortable lighting while reducing light pollution.
Implementation Method 1
a light sensor that detects light illuminating the space and provides one or more signals in response thereto. The light sensor detects both intensity information and chromaticity information of the light illuminating the space
Data Source
AI summary
A light fixture includes a housing with a skylight aperture, and one or more louver blades spanning the skylight aperture. When open, the one or more movable louver blades block little of the light passing through the skylight aperture; in intermediate positions, the louver blades block a portion of the light; when closed, the louver blades block most light from passing through the skylight aperture. The light fixture also includes: a dimmable artificial light source configured to project artificial light toward the illuminated space; a light sensor that detects light illuminating the space; and a control unit that is integrated with the housing and communicates with the light sensor. The light sensor detects intensity and chromaticity information of the light illuminating the space. The control unit controls position of the louver blades and brightness and chromaticity of the dimmable artificial light source, in response to the light sensor.