Skylight Window Cover Leg Design for Light and Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skylight windows face challenges in providing adequate light influx, thermal insulation, and cost-effective manufacturing due to their design, which often results in a rough appearance and high material costs.
Innovation Solution
The skylight window design incorporates a cover leg on the frame side member that extends inwardly to cover the peripheral side of the Insulating Glazing Unit (IGU) and the sash side member, enhancing light influx and thermal insulation by providing a uniform surface and reducing air flow and heat conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a standard box structure sash is used to provide structural strength and thermal insulation, then the structural strength and thermal insulation are improved, but the appearance becomes rough and the view is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sash is divided into multiple legs (first leg, second leg, third leg, fourth leg) that are positioned at the corners and extend along the peripheral sides of the IGU. This segmentation allows each leg to provide localized structural support while maintaining a sleek, minimalistic appearance without requiring a bulky box structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential supporting elements (the four legs) from the traditional box structure, removing the unnecessary hollow spacings and complex framework. This extraction maintains the required structural strength and thermal insulation while achieving a smooth, aesthetically pleasing appearance that does not limit the view.
2Illumination intensity
If the sash structure is simplified to improve appearance and light influx, then the appearance and light influx are improved, but the thermal insulation and structural strength are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each leg is designed with specific local qualities: they extend along the peripheral sides of the IGU where thermal bridges are most critical, and their positioning and dimensions are optimized to provide thermal insulation exactly where needed. This local quality approach ensures adequate thermal insulation while maintaining minimal obstruction to light influx.
Solution Approach 2:
The legs act as intermediary elements between the IGU and the frame, providing both structural support and thermal insulation. By positioning the legs along the peripheral sides and extending them to appropriate lengths, they mediate the thermal transfer while allowing maximum light entry through the center of the window.
3Strength
If the supporting leg extends below the IGU to provide support, then the structural support is improved, but the thermal insulation is reduced due to increased heat conduction path
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting legs extend below the IGU only to the necessary minimum extent required to provide adequate structural support, rather than extending excessively. This partial action approach provides just enough support while minimizing the heat conduction path and reducing thermal losses through the sash structure.
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 design improves light influx by presenting a uniform surface for light reflection and enhances thermal insulation by reducing heat transport and air flow between the IGU and the frame, while also simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
enhances thermal insulation by reducing heat transport and air flow between the IGU and the frame
Implementation Method 2
improves light influx by presenting a uniform surface for light reflection
Implementation Method 3
enhances thermal insulation by reducing heat transport and air flow between the IGU and the frame
Data Source
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AI summary
A skylight window comprising a window frame, an insulating glazing unit (IGU) and a window sash having, the window frame comprising a primary leg, a secondary leg, and a cover leg wherein the primary leg is positioned outwards in relation to a first peripheral side of IGU, the secondary leg extends in an the inward direction below a part the IGU, the cover leg is positioned inwards in relation to the first peripheral side of the IGU opposite to the primary leg, and the cover leg extends from the secondary leg in the height direction towards the interior major surface of the IGU, a most exterior surface of the cover leg being above a most interior surface of an IGU supporting leg of the sash.