Artificial Skylight Side Wall Lighting for Daylight Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current artificial skylight systems fail to realistically simulate daylight by causing side walls to appear bluish due to low luminance and incorrect color distribution, diminishing the intended daylight effect.

Innovation Solution

A lighting system with controllable side walls featuring rectangular light emitting areas formed from independently controllable triangular segments, which can emit white or colored light to match the desired illumination effect, enhancing the realism by simulating sunlit boundaries and varying sky colors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a standard passive recess is used to house the light panel, then the structure is simple, but the side walls appear bluish and cold white due to diffuse reflection of blue light, diminishing the realism of the artificial skylight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidside wall luminance and color accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes by introducing active lighting arrangements on the side walls that can dynamically adjust the color temperature and hue of the reflected light. These lighting arrangements emit light with adjustable color characteristics to compensate for the bluish cast caused by diffuse reflection, allowing the side walls to display neutral white or warm white colors that match the desired daylight appearance rather than the inherently bluish passive reflection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining the light panel with integrated side wall lighting arrangements that have different optical properties. The side walls incorporate both reflective surfaces and active light sources with distinct color characteristics, creating a composite structure where the lighting arrangement's optical properties compensate for the unwanted color cast from the passive recess structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If blue light is emitted at angles to enhance sky appearance, then the sky effect is improved, but the side walls appear bluish or cold white due to diffuse reflection, reducing realism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblue light intensity at anglesVSAvoidbluish appearance of side walls
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of blue light diffuse reflection on side walls into a beneficial effect by introducing active lighting arrangements that emit light specifically designed to counteract the bluish cast. The lighting arrangements on side walls emit light with color temperatures and hues that, when reflected, neutralize the unwanted blue appearance while preserving the enhanced sky effect achieved through angled blue light emission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the color temperature and intensity parameters of the side wall lighting arrangements. These parameters are controlled to emit light that compensates for the blue cast at different viewing angles and times, allowing the system to maintain accurate color rendering on side walls while preserving the sky enhancement effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the recess is mounted in the ceiling to emulate a real skylight, then the visual realism is improved, but the side walls still appear artificially bluish, diminishing the overall effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskylight mounting configurationVSAvoidartificial bluish appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes by equipping the side walls of the recessed mounting with active lighting arrangements that can dynamically adjust their color output. These lighting arrangements emit light with adjustable color temperatures and hues that compensate for the bluish cast, allowing the recessed skylight to maintain its realistic appearance while eliminating the artificial bluish tint on the side walls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

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 system effectively replicates the appearance of natural daylight by ensuring side walls appear white or any desired color, enhancing the realism of artificial skylights and providing a more convincing daylight impression.

Implementation Method 1

a light transmitting or light generating area... the light transmitting or light generating area is located at the base of the recess

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

the sides of the recess are by definition located at the edge of the artificial skylight, and they diffusely reflect the light emitted by the skylight under large angles, i.e. blue light for the type of light unit outlined above

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffuse reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3039336B8Lighting system
Publication Date: 2017.06.28 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

A lighting system has a recessed panel (light source or window) and a side wall or a set of side walls around the recess. The side wall (or at least one of the side walls), is provided with a lighting arrangement for controlling the color of illumination and/or shape from which light is emitted from the side wall or side walls. This can be used to replicate the sharp lighting boundaries that arise on the recess walls from sun illumination through a skylight, or else they can be used to provide general illumination around a window.