Smart Window Diffuser Control for Glare-Free Daylight

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional smart window systems fail to effectively control direct solar radiation while maximizing diffused light admission, leading to inefficient energy consumption in buildings for lighting and heating/cooling.

Innovation Solution

A solar-powered smart window system with a light diffuser that converts direct solar radiation to diffusive light, using a motor-driven mechanism and control unit to adjust its position based on solar panel output power, blocking direct radiation and maximizing diffused light entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a light diffuser is positioned at a predetermined opened position to admit daylight, then illumination intensity is improved, but direct solar radiation causes glare and increases cooling energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedaylight admissionVSAvoiddirect solar radiation and glare

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light diffuser converts harmful direct solar radiation into beneficial diffusive light. When direct sunlight strikes the diffuser material, it scatters the light in multiple directions, transforming the glare-causing direct beam into pleasant ambient illumination while blocking the harmful concentrated solar radiation from entering the interior directly

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The light diffuser acts as an intermediary element between the exterior environment and interior space. It mediates the interaction between direct solar radiation and interior lighting by intercepting, scattering, and redistributing sunlight, thereby providing illumination without allowing direct solar beams to enter the room

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a conventional louver system is used to block direct solar radiation, then glare is reduced, but the system prevents independent adjustment of transmitted daylight and requires complicated integrated systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglare blockingVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the glare-blocking function from complex integrated systems and implements it through a standalone light diffuser element. This simple, self-contained component performs both glare reduction and daylight diffusion without requiring connection to lighting systems or complex control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The light diffuser is implemented as a simple, inexpensive, replaceable component rather than part of a complex permanent system. It can be easily installed and removed without requiring professional installation or integration with building infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Illumination intensity

If brightness regulating systems are used to control interior brightness, then visual comfort is improved, but they do not block direct solar radiation which causes glare

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrightness controlVSAvoiddirect solar radiation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

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

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

Reduces energy consumption for lighting by admitting brighter diffusive light while blocking direct solar radiation, and optionally reduces cooling energy costs through IR reflection in hot climates.

Implementation Method 1

a light diffuser configured to convert an incident direct solar radiation to a diffusive light toward interior direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

a solar panel placed at a proximity of the window

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11834901B2Smart window diffuser device

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 IMAM ABDULRAHMAN BIN FAISAL UNIV

AI summary

A solar powered smart window includes a light diffuser configured to convert an incident direct solar radiation to a diffusive light toward interior direction, a light diffuser positioner, a driving mechanism, a solar panel, and a control unit. The control unit moved the light diffuser from a predetermined opened position to a closed position and to hold the light diffuser at the closed position with latch mechanism, when the output power of the solar panel exceeds a threshold for over a duration time. The controller releases the latch mechanism and to cause the light diffuser to return to the predetermined opened position when the output power lowers below threshold for over the duration time. A method includes storing a predetermined condition, monitoring the output power, comparing the output power with the predetermined conditions, making decision whether a positional transition is necessary, and causing the transitional transition or maintaining current position.