Transparent Light-Guide Curtain Wall for Day-Night Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing constructions with integrated lighting devices compromise exterior design and visibility when used for both daytime visibility and nighttime illumination.
Innovation Solution
A construction design incorporating a framework with transparent panels that include a light guide plate and light sources, allowing light to be guided and emitted to maintain visibility and function as a lighting device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a lighting device with a lens is provided on a curtain wall to control light in a specific direction, then the lighting device can stage various kinds of illumination, but the exterior design of the construction is compromised and visibility is obstructed during daytime
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate changes its optical properties from opaque to transparent based on lighting conditions. During daytime, it appears transparent to maintain exterior design and visibility. During nighttime, it becomes opaque and emits light to provide illumination. This dynamic optical property change resolves the contradiction between illumination capability and exterior design.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting device transitions from a static component to a dynamic one that adapts its optical properties according to ambient light conditions. The light guide plate's ability to change between transparent and opaque states allows the system to optimize both exterior design during daytime and illumination capability during nighttime.
2Illumination intensity
If a lighting device is applied to a construction, then the interior can be lit during nighttime, but the interior and exterior visibility is obstructed during daytime
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate's optical transparency changes with ambient light conditions. During daytime, it remains transparent to allow visibility between interior and exterior. During nighttime, it becomes opaque to effectively emit light for illumination, thus resolving the visibility obstruction issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plate serves multiple functions: it acts as a transparent panel during daytime to maintain visibility and as an opaque light-emitting surface during nighttime to provide illumination. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and resolves the contradiction between illumination and visibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a lighting device with directional lens is used, then light can be controlled in a specific direction, but the device cannot function as a general light source for entire indoor space
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate transforms the directional LED light into omnidirectional illumination by guiding light through its entire surface. During nighttime, the entire panel emits light uniformly, enabling it to function as a general light source for the entire indoor space, thus achieving versatility in lighting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plate acts as an intermediary that converts directional light from LEDs into diffuse omnidirectional light. It receives directional light input and transforms it into uniform illumination output across the entire panel surface, enabling the system to illuminate the entire indoor space effectively.
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 construction maintains high design aesthetics while ensuring good visibility from both inside and outside during the day and functions as a lighting source at night, without obstructing views.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide plate configured to guide light emitted from the light source
Data Source
AI summary
A construction according to the invention is a construction including a framework formed by first framework members and second framework members, and panels held by the framework. One or more of the panels can transmit visible light. One or more of the panels that can transmit visible light is a lighting device. The lighting device includes a light source, and a light guide that can transmit visible light and includes a light guide plate to guide light emitted from the light source. The light guide plate includes a light incident surface facing the light source and into which the light emitted from the light source enters, a first principal surface on the interior of the construction and from which the light guided in the light guide plate exits, and a second principal surface on the exterior of the construction and opposing the first principal surface.