Solar-Powered Damper for Tubular Skylight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light dampers for tubular skylights are complex, expensive to manufacture and install, prone to failure, and require electrical expertise, making them unreliable and costly to operate.
Innovation Solution
A solar-powered light damper unit with a motor assembly and cam mechanism, supported by an axle within the light-conveying structure, allowing for remote operation and integration with existing or new skylight installations, featuring a damper with panels that rotate to control light transmission, and solar cells housed within the skylight assembly for power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motor assembly with cam mechanism is used to rotate the damper, then the light transmission control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar cell mounted on the damper panel provides self-powered operation, eliminating the need for external electrical wiring and complex power supply systems. The damper system generates its own power through the solar cell, achieving self-service operation while maintaining motor-driven precise control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The motor assembly and cam mechanism are extracted as a separate, integrated unit that can be independently manufactured and installed. This modular extraction allows the complex control mechanism to be handled as a single assembly, simplifying both manufacturing and installation processes while maintaining full control functionality
2Use of energy by moving object
If solar cells are mounted on the damper or inside the light tube, then power supply is improved, but the solar cells are exposed to environmental damage
Solution Approach 1:
The solar cell is nested within the protective structure of the skylight assembly, specifically mounted either on the damper panel itself or on the interior surface of the light tube. This nesting approach allows the solar cell to be positioned optimally for power generation while being sheltered from direct environmental exposure by the surrounding structural elements
Solution Approach 2:
The damper panel or light tube interior surface serves as an intermediary substrate between the solar cell and the external environment. This intermediary structure provides mechanical support for the solar cell while acting as a protective barrier against environmental factors such as moisture, temperature extremes, and physical damage
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a butterfly valve with two semicircular elements is used, then light blocking is improved, but manufacturing and installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper is segmented into a first panel and a second panel connected by a shoulder, allowing each panel to be independently optimized for light blocking functionality. This segmentation enables effective light control while using simpler, more cost-effective panel structures compared to complex butterfly valve designs
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a traditional butterfly valve design that requires complex wiring and multiple parts, the invention inverts the approach by using a solar-powered motor assembly with a cam mechanism that drives the damper panels. This inversion eliminates the need for external electrical wiring and reduces the number of parts, thereby reducing manufacturing and installation costs
4Ease of operation
If multiple parts are used in the light damper system, then light control functionality is improved, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor assembly, cam mechanism, and damper panels are merged into a single integrated unit that functions as a complete light control system. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and connections required, thereby improving reliability while maintaining full light control functionality through the coordinated operation of the integrated components
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 provides a reliable, easy-to-install, and cost-effective means to control light transmission in tubular skylights, reducing operational costs and enhancing user control over light levels without the need for electrical wiring, while protecting solar cells from environmental damage.
Implementation Method 1
at least one solar cell carried by the system... The solar cell may be attached to one of the light damper and the interior surface of a light-conveying structure
Implementation Method 2
a cam in mechanical communication with the motor, connected to the axle and configured to rotate the damper to a fully open position, a fully closed position, or any intermediate position therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A tubular skylight is provided with a solar-powered light damper unit that includes a damper supported by an axle within a light-conveying tube, a solar cell, and a motor powered by the solar cell. The motor includes a cam that connects to the axle and that rotates the damper between a fully open position and a fully closed position. The solar cell is housed protectively within the skylight assembly, and may be attached to one of the damper itself or an interior surface of the light-conveying structure. The damper unit may be operated by remote control. The unit may be provided with new skylight installations or may be sold separately for retro-fitting existing installations.