Skylight Sunlight Pivot Prism Geometry for Illuminance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Skylights face challenges in controlling illuminance within buildings due to varying sunlight incident angles throughout the day and seasons, leading to reduced irradiance at low angles and undesirable 'hot spots' from high-angle sunlight.
Innovation Solution
A skylight design featuring a sunlight pivot with a light channel and prisms that redirect light, including first and second prisms with different cross-sections to manage light entry, ensuring optimal illuminance by increasing light passage during low-angle sunlight and decreasing it during high-angle sunlight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the skylight structure is simple without light redirecting elements, then the device complexity is reduced, but the illuminance control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the cross-sectional geometry of prisms within the sunlight pivot. The prisms have different cross-sections (e.g., triangular, rectangular, or asymmetric shapes) that are strategically positioned to refract sunlight at different angles. This geometric parameter variation enables the pivot to dynamically redirect sunlight based on incident angle, achieving effective illuminance control throughout the day without requiring complex mechanical or electronic systems.
2Illumination intensity
If the skylight allows maximum sunlight entry, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the harmful effects of hot spots increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sunlight pivot implements local quality by positioning prisms with specific cross-sectional geometries at different locations within the pivot structure. Prisms closer to the center may have different cross-sections than those at the periphery, creating localized light redirecting zones. This spatial variation in prism geometry ensures that sunlight is distributed more uniformly across the interior space, preventing concentrated hot spots while maintaining overall high illumination levels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the skylight structure is simple, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability to varying sunlight angles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sunlight pivot is segmented into multiple discrete prisms, each with a specific cross-sectional geometry. These individual prismatic elements can be manufactured separately using standard fabrication techniques and then assembled into the complete pivot structure. This segmentation approach enables the complex light redirecting function to be achieved through modular components, balancing manufacturing ease with adaptability to varying sunlight angles throughout the day and across seasons.
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 effectively regulates sunlight entry, enhancing illuminance consistency and reducing 'hot spots' by strategically refracting light to match changing sunlight angles, thus improving visual comfort and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light transmitting body having first and second refracting prisms
Data Source
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AI summary
A skylight with a sunlight pivot is provided. The skylight includes an external cover, a light channel, and a sunlight pivot disposed between the cover and the light channel. The sunlight pivot may include a periphery, a plurality of struts, and first and second prisms connected to at least two of these struts. The first and second prisms may define a void between them. The first prism has a cross-section configured to redirect light incident upon the exterior of the pivot to increase the amount of light passing into the light channel. The second prism is configured with a cross-section configured to redirect light incident upon the exterior of the pivot to decrease the amount of light passing through the periphery.