Skylight Fixture Emulating Natural Light via LED Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
In many buildings, especially lower floors, it is impractical or impossible to install traditional skylights due to structural or mechanical constraints, limiting access to natural light which is essential for mood enhancement, productivity, and ambiance.
Innovation Solution
A lighting fixture designed to emulate a skylight, featuring a sky-resembling assembly and multiple sun-resembling assemblies with specific optical and LED light sources, configured to mimic the appearance and effect of natural light, including varying color points and angles to simulate daylight and sunlight, controlled by modules to replicate the appearance and ambiance of a traditional skylight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional skylights are installed in lower floors or buildings with structural constraints, then natural light can be provided to interior spaces, but structural or mechanical components prevent installation or make it too expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simulated skylight fixture that copies the visual appearance and lighting effects of a traditional skylight using LED assemblies and optical diffusers. The fixture emulates the sky and sunlight effects without requiring actual roof penetration, providing the same aesthetic and lighting benefits in locations where traditional skylights cannot be installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical structure of a traditional skylight (glass pane, framing, roof penetration) with an electrical lighting system consisting of LED assemblies, optical diffusers, and control modules. This substitution eliminates the need for structural modifications while achieving the same lighting objectives through electrical rather than mechanical means.
2Illumination intensity
If traditional skylights are installed in spaces with structural constraints, then natural light can reach interior spaces, but the installation becomes too expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs LED assemblies which are relatively inexpensive, energy-efficient, and have long operational lifetimes. The use of standard LED components and modular construction reduces material costs and simplifies installation, making the solution more cost-effective than traditional skylights that require expensive structural modifications and specialized installation procedures.
3Illumination intensity
If a lighting fixture emulates skylight appearance with multiple assemblies and control modules, then natural light-like ambiance is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the skylight emulation function into separate modular assemblies: sky-resembling LED assemblies, sun-resembling LED assemblies, and control modules. Each assembly performs a specific function (emulating sky light or sunlight), and the modules can be independently configured and maintained. This segmentation manages complexity by creating discrete, manageable components rather than a monolithic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control modules are designed to perform multiple functions: they independently control the intensity and color temperature of different LED assemblies, emulate various sky conditions (clear sky, overcast, twilight), and can operate in different modes (daylight simulation, ambient lighting, accent lighting). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems while managing complexity through integrated control.
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 skylight-emulating lighting fixture provides a cost-effective solution to bring natural light-like ambiance and benefits to spaces where traditional skylights cannot be installed, enhancing mood, productivity, and ambiance while offering adjustable color and intensity to simulate different times of day.
Implementation Method 1
one or both of the sky-specific light source and the sun-specific light source comprise first LEDs that emit light having a third color point, second LEDs that emit light having a fourth color point, and third LEDs that emit light having a fifth color point
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A lighting fixture appears as a skylight and is referred to as a skylight fixture. The skylight fixture (10) has a sky-resembling light assembly (14) and a plurality of sun-resembling light assemblies (16). The sky- resembling light assembly (14) has a sky-resembling optical assembly and a sky-specific light source, wherein light from the sky-specific light source exits a planar interior surface of the optical assembly as skylight light. The plurality of sun-resembling light assemblies (16) are arranged adjacent one another and extend downward from a periphery of the sky- resembling light assembly (14). Each of the plurality of sun-resembling light assemblies has a sun-resembling optical assembly and a sun- specific light source, wherein light from the sun-specific light source exits a planar interior surface of the sun-resembling optical assembly as sunlight light.