Animal Shelter Peripheral Wall Solar Reflection Opacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal shelters for farm animals, such as calf hutches, face challenges in providing effective protection against solar radiation while maintaining thermal comfort and being cost-effective and simple to manufacture, as current materials either allow excessive solar gain leading to high temperatures or require precise sun orientation.
Innovation Solution
A thermoplastic polymer material-based shelter with a peripheral wall having two distinct thicknesses, one for solar reflection and the other for solar opacity, where the outer thickness is made to reflect solar radiation and the inner thickness is opaque to block it, using different pigments and colors to achieve these properties, manufactured using rotational molding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a thermoplastic polymer material with a single uniform thickness is used for the peripheral wall, then the manufacturing process is simple and cost-effective, but the solar radiation protection is insufficient due to excessive solar gain leading to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral wall is designed with two distinct thicknesses: an outer thickness optimized for solar reflection and an inner thickness optimized for solar opacity. This local differentiation allows each region of the wall to perform its specific function effectively, with the outer layer reflecting solar radiation and the inner layer blocking transmitted radiation, thereby controlling temperature without compromising manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral wall functions as a composite structure combining two different thicknesses of thermoplastic polymer material with distinct optical properties. The outer thickness incorporates pigments for high solar reflectance, while the inner thickness uses pigments for high solar opacity, creating a composite system that provides both thermal protection and manufacturing efficiency.
2Temperature
If a polyester resin reinforced with fiberglass and a smooth gel layer is used, then solar protection is effective through reflection and opacity, but the manufacturing process becomes expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameters by using a single thermoplastic polymer material instead of composite polyester-resin-fiberglass structures. By adjusting the thickness and pigment composition of different layers within this simpler material system, the patent achieves equivalent or superior solar protection while dramatically simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a cost-effective thermoplastic polymer material that can be manufactured through simple rotational molding, replacing expensive fiberglass-reinforced polyester resins. This approach uses more economical materials and processes while maintaining effective solar protection functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If a thermoplastic polymer material with pigment is used for low cost and simple manufacture, then manufacturing is economical, but the material remains relatively transparent allowing significant solar radiation passage
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral wall implements local quality differentiation with an outer thickness containing pigments for solar reflection and an inner thickness containing pigments for solar opacity. This localized functional differentiation ensures that each layer addresses specific aspects of solar radiation protection, effectively blocking harmful radiation while maintaining overall manufacturing economy.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution creates a composite wall structure using two different pigment formulations within the same thermoplastic polymer material. The outer layer uses reflective pigments to bounce back solar radiation, while the inner layer uses opaque pigments to block transmitted radiation, together forming a cost-effective composite system that eliminates excessive solar gain.
4Temperature
If a corrugated roof structure with alternating reflective and light-transmitting zones is used, then light passage and heat limitation are achieved, but precise orientation with respect to the sun is required
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral wall achieves universal solar protection functionality that works effectively regardless of the shelter's orientation or position. By combining reflective and opaque properties within the same wall structure, the invention provides multi-functional protection that does not depend on precise sun alignment, making it adaptable to any location and orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the approach from geometric orientation-dependent protection to material property-based protection. By modifying the optical parameters (reflectivity and opacity) of the wall material itself rather than relying on structural geometry and orientation, the system achieves temperature control that is independent of the shelter's position relative to the sun.
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 limits solar radiation entry and temperature rise within the shelter, providing both thermal and light comfort for animals while being easy to produce and resistant to weather conditions, thus addressing the need for a cost-effective and efficient solar protection system.
Implementation Method 1
an outer thickness delimited by said outer surface and having characteristics of solar reflection to ensure a reflection of at least part of the solar radiation at the level of said outer thickness
Implementation Method 2
an inner thickness delimited by said inner surface and having characteristics of solar opacity to ensure an opacity at the level of said inner thickness preventing the passage of at least a part of the solar radiation transmitted through said outer thickness
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The shelter has a peripheral wall composed of a monoblock part (7) comprising an interior surface (8) and an opposed external surface (9). The part comprises an external thickness (12) and an interior thickness (11) defined by the respective surfaces. The thicknesses show characteristics of solar reflection and solar opacity, which are different from one another to ensure a reflection of a part of solar radiations (R) on level of the external thickness and an opacity on level of the interior thickness to prevent passage of the part of the radiations transmitted through the external thickness. The wall defines a receiving space (5) for an animal. The part is realized in a thermoplastic polymeric material. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a part by rotational molding.