Roof Window Screening Bottom Element Solar Panel Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roof window screening arrangements face challenges in minimizing solar panel size while ensuring sufficient energy collection for powering the screening device, particularly in interior installations where space is limited.
Innovation Solution
The screening arrangement features a bottom element with a receiving space for the rolled-up, folded-up, or collapsed screening body, allowing the top casing and bottom element to share volume, optimizing space usage and accommodating solar panels on the exterior side, with adjustable configurations to maximize solar panel area and minimize overall footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If solar panels are placed on the exterior side of the bottom element to maximize energy collection, then energy collection capability is improved, but the screening arrangement occupies more space in the non-screening position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bottom element's structural function with solar panel mounting function. The bottom element serves dual purposes: supporting the screening body and providing a platform for solar panels on its exterior side, thereby integrating energy collection into the existing structure without adding separate components that would increase volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the exterior side surface of the bottom element as an additional dimension for solar panel placement. Instead of expanding the solar panel area in the plane parallel to the window, the solution extends into the depth dimension by mounting panels on the exterior face, effectively using unused spatial dimension.
2Volume of moving object
If the size of solar panels is minimized to reduce space occupation, then space in non-screening position is improved, but energy collection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating solar panel placement specifically on the exterior side of the bottom element, which is a localized area that does not interfere with the interior space or viewing area. This targeted placement optimizes energy collection in the available external surface area without requiring panels to extend into the interior space.
3Volume of moving object
If the screening arrangement is positioned close to the windowpane to minimize space, then space utilization is improved, but the available space for solar panels and components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the screening arrangement into distinct functional zones: the interior side for screening body accommodation and the exterior side for solar panel mounting. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently - the interior space remains compact while the exterior surface provides adequate area for energy collection components.
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 configuration ensures the screening body is compact in the non-screening position, maintains adequate solar panel space, and optimizes energy collection, addressing the conflict between visibility and energy needs.
Implementation Method 1
the back portion being configured to accommodate one or more solar panels on an exterior side, facing the exterior in a mounted condition of the screening arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
In the screening arrangement (10), the screening body (15) is rolled-up, folded-up or collapsed in a non-screening position in a combined space of a top casing (11) and a receiving space (RS) in the bottom element (14). The top casing (11) comprises a front rail (114), a top cover portion (113), and a back cover portion (115). The bottom element (14) is connected to the bottom portion (154) of the screening body (15) and comprises a front (140), an upwards facing surface (145), and a back portion (149). The back portion (149) is configured to accommodate one or more solar panels (27) on an exterior side, facing the exterior in a mounted condition of the screening arrangement (10). The top edge (149a) of the back portion (149) of the bottom element (14) is located at a higher level than the upwards facing surface (145), and the receiving space (RS) is delimited in the longitudinal direction (L) by a first plane (P1) substantially parallel with a plane spanned by the width direction (W) and the depth direction (D), and a second plane (P2) parallel with the first plane (P1) and located at a higher level than the first plane (P1). The first plane (P1) is defined by a lowest point on the upwards facing surface (145), and the second plane (P2) is defined by a top edge (140a) of the front (140) or a top edge (149a) of the back portion (149) of the bottom element (14), whichever is located at the highest level as seen in the longitudinal direction (L), and at least the top portion (151) of the screening body is located to the exterior of and above a bottom edge (114b) of the front rail (114) of the top casing (11) such that a majority of the rolled-up, folded-up or collapsed screening body (15) is accommodated in said receiving space (RS) and the top casing (11) in the non-screening position.