Transparent Skylight Panel with Integrated Metal Reinforcing Net
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transparent roofing panels lack sufficient impact strength and safety features, requiring additional metal nets for reinforcement, which complicates and prolongs the installation process due to the need for manual handling and ad-hoc fastening to the roofing structure.
Innovation Solution
A panel design featuring a transparent material with a reinforcing layer, such as a metal net, adhered to the surface of the transparent material, forming a sandwich structure that is easy to install and provides enhanced impact resistance and safety by constraining the reinforcing layer to the panel's surface and constraining means, ensuring effective body restraint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If transparent panels made of light material (polycarbonate, polyester, Plexiglas) are used for skylights, then the panels are very light and relatively cheap to realize, but they lack sufficient breaking strength and impact strength against bodies or objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining transparent panels (polycarbonate, polyester, or Plexiglas) with a metal reinforcing net to create a hybrid structure. The transparent panel provides light transmission and basic structural function, while the integrated metal net provides impact strength and body restraint capability. This composite approach allows the skylight to maintain light weight and low cost while achieving sufficient breaking strength and impact resistance.
2Reliability
If a metal net is installed at the opening of the roofing structure before installing transparent panels, then the metal net can hold and restrain bodies or objects, but the installation process becomes complicated and time-consuming requiring manual handling and ad-hoc fastening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transparent panel and metal reinforcing net into a single integrated unit. The metal net is pre-attached to the transparent panel during manufacturing, creating a combined assembly that functions as one component. This eliminates the need for separate installation steps where workers must manually handle and fasten the metal net to the roofing structure, significantly reducing installation time and complexity while maintaining full body restraint capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal reinforcing net is pre-installed and secured to the transparent panel during the panel manufacturing process, before the panel reaches the construction site. This preliminary action ensures the net is properly positioned and attached with consistent quality, eliminating the need for on-site manual handling and ad-hoc fastening operations, thereby reducing installation time and improving reliability.
3Reliability
If a metal net is installed and constrained to the roofing structure, then it provides safety by preventing bodies from passing, but the installation entails many risks and is complicated requiring operator experience and case-by-case adaptation
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the transparent panel and metal net into a single integrated unit with pre-attached constraint elements, the patent eliminates the complex on-site installation process. The integrated panel arrives at the construction site ready to be installed as one component, removing the need for operators to manually handle, position, and fasten the metal net to the roofing structure. This significantly improves ease of operation while maintaining the safety function.
Solution Approach 2:
The constraint elements (such as folding portions and attachment points) are pre-formed and integrated into the panel structure during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for operators to perform complex fastening operations on-site, reducing installation complexity and risks while ensuring consistent, reliable attachment to the roofing structure.
4Strength
If the metal net is constrained to the roofing structure at regular intervals, then it provides effective resistance against impact, but the installation becomes more complex requiring identification of suitable zones on sheet-metal panels, purlins, and rafters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the metal net with the transparent panel into an integrated unit where the net is permanently attached at regularly spaced intervals during manufacturing. The constraint elements are pre-positioned on the panel, eliminating the need for on-site identification and adaptation to roofing structure zones. This maintains effective impact resistance through regular spacing while dramatically simplifying installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal net and its constraint elements are pre-installed and positioned at optimal regular intervals during panel manufacturing, before the panel reaches the construction site. This preliminary action ensures proper spacing and positioning without requiring operators to identify and adapt to specific zones on sheet-metal panels, purlins, or rafters, reducing installation complexity while maintaining impact resistance.
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 simplifies the installation of skylights by integrating the reinforcing layer directly onto the transparent panel, enhancing safety and impact resistance while reducing installation time and risks, as the reinforcing layer is securely fastened to the panel and roofing structure, ensuring effective body restraint and load distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The panel comprises an adhesive layer constraining the reinforcing layer to the transparent panel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
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AI summary
A panel (1) is disclosed for forming skylights in roofing structures, comprising at least one first layer (2) of transparent material and at least one reinforcing layer (3) comprising at least one net, preferably a metal net, constrained to the surface (2a) of the layer of transparent material. The panel further comprises constraining means (15) for the constraint to the roofing structure. The reinforcing layer (3) is constrained in contact with the surface (2a) of the at least one first layer (2) of transparent material, preferably by means of an adhesive. It is also described a method for the production of the panel (1), comprising the step of constraining at least one reinforcing layer (3) to the surface of at least one first layer (2) of transparent material.