Wave-Profiled Light Shelf for Uniform Indirect Daylighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light shelves are limited in size and arrangement, cause glare, and do not distribute light uniformly, making them less aesthetically pleasing and less effective in providing indirect natural lighting in buildings.
Innovation Solution
A daylighting device featuring a suspension system with a wave-profiled pan that reflects natural light, allowing for flexible installation around obstructions and improving light distribution, while also providing a softer lighting effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current light shelves are positioned on the interior of a building at a window location, then natural sunlight is directed toward the top surface of the light shelf and reflected upward illuminating the ceiling, but the light shelves are limited to sizes and arrangements closely related to glazing layouts and interior obstruction locations
Solution Approach 1:
The light shelf is divided into multiple segments that can be independently positioned and configured. Each segment can be adjusted to accommodate different glazing layouts and interior obstructions, allowing the system to adapt to various building configurations without requiring a completely custom-designed shelf for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The light shelf incorporates adjustable and movable components that allow it to be repositioned and reconfigured as needed. This dynamic capability enables the shelf to adapt to changing building requirements, different obstruction locations, and various glazing arrangements, transforming it from a static fixed structure to a flexible adaptable system.
2Loss of energy
If current light shelves are used to reflect natural light, then less electrical lighting may be used to conserve energy, but the shelves cause glare and reflect harsh light off interior hard surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the light shelf have different surface properties and reflective characteristics. The shelf incorporates surfaces with varying reflectivity, diffusion properties, and angular orientations to control light distribution. This local differentiation allows the shelf to reduce glare and harsh reflections in certain areas while maintaining effective light reflection in others, thereby reducing electrical lighting needs without compromising comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The light shelf incorporates curved and angled surfaces instead of flat rigid surfaces. These curved geometries diffuse light more effectively and reduce direct glare by changing the reflection paths. The curved surfaces also soften the appearance and reduce harsh reflections off interior hard surfaces, while still maintaining sufficient light delivery to reduce electrical lighting consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If current light shelves are used, then natural light can be reflected into interior spaces, but the design and layout are not flexible and fabrication and installation are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The light shelf is manufactured as modular segments that can be independently fabricated using standard processes and then assembled on-site. This segmentation simplifies both fabrication (allowing for standardized production) and installation (enabling easier assembly around obstructions and in different locations), while maintaining design flexibility through various configuration options for the modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The light shelf incorporates universal connection mechanisms and standardized interfaces that allow the same basic components to be used in various configurations and locations. This universality simplifies fabrication by using standardized parts and facilitates installation by enabling the shelf to be adapted to different building types, obstruction patterns, and glazing layouts without requiring custom fabrication for each application.
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 device enhances the aesthetic appeal and effectiveness of natural lighting by distributing light more uniformly and deeply into interior spaces, reducing the need for electrical lighting and accommodating various building obstructions.
Implementation Method 1
The incident surface of the daylighting device may be arranged to receive natural light entering a building and reflect the natural light to provide indirect lighting to the interior space of the building
Implementation Method 2
The wave profile of the pan may soften the incoming natural light as it reflects it and distributes it throughout the interior space
Data Source
AI summary
An indirect daylighting device for a building with an interior space may include a suspension system configured for securing to a building structure and a pan secured to the suspension system and having an incident surface and a cross-sectional profile forming a plurality of waves, wherein the incident surface is arranged to receive natural light entering a building and reflect the natural light to provide indirect lighting to the interior space of the building.