Window Assembly with Transparent Light Guiding Panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Skylights and roof windows on flat or slightly sloped roofs face challenges with water, snow, and debris accumulation, and require supplementary lighting that is difficult and costly to implement, especially in designs that integrate light sources between glass layers.

Innovation Solution

A window assembly with a double-glazed window pane and a transparent light emitting panel placed between the window pane and the window covering device, featuring light sources along the edge of a transparent light guiding panel with diffuser elements to direct light inward, connected to the window covering device for optimal lighting and heat management, and equipped with a temperature sensor to control light emission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a light source is integrated between the glass layers of a double glazed dome, then the lighting effect is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting effectVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light source is extracted from the space between the glass layers and placed in the space between the window pane and the window covering device. This extraction simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the lighting function, as the light source no longer needs to be integrated into the complex multi-layer glass structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A transparent light guiding panel is introduced as an intermediary element between the light source and the window pane. This panel facilitates light transmission while simplifying the overall structure, allowing the light source to be positioned externally rather than embedded within the glass layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the light source is placed between the window pane and the window covering device, then the ease of installation is improved, but the protection from impacts is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidimpact protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The window assembly is segmented into distinct functional layers: the window pane for primary protection, the light guiding panel for light transmission, and the window covering device for additional protection. This segmentation allows the light source to be easily installed in the intermediate space while maintaining protection through the layered structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly uses a composite structure combining transparent materials (window pane, light guiding panel, window covering device) that work together to provide both protection and light transmission. The composite nature of this multi-layer structure protects the light source from impacts while allowing easy installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Use of energy by moving object

If the light panel is made transparent, then the natural daylight transmission is improved, but the light emission efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenatural daylight transmissionVSAvoidlight emission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The light guiding panel has different optical properties in different regions: it is transparent to allow natural daylight transmission when not illuminated, and acts as a light guide when activated by the light source. This local quality variation enables the panel to fulfill both functions of natural light transmission and artificial light emission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent light guiding panel serves multiple functions: it transmits natural daylight when the light source is off, guides and distributes artificial light when the light source is on, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between transparency and light emission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 cost-effective and efficient lighting system that enhances indoor lighting while protecting the light panel from impacts, maintaining natural daylight visibility, and ensuring effective heat dissipation, reducing the risk of light source damage from high temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

the transparent light emitting panel comprises a transparent light guiding panel with light sources arranged along an edge of the light guiding panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight guiding: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 2

the transparent light guiding panel is provided with diffuser elements arranged to direct a majority of light emitted from the light sources in a direction of the window

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight diffusion and direction: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

by making the light panel transparent, the inflow of natural daylight through the window assembly will only be reduced a little

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3346071B1A window assembly
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 VKR HOLDING AS
  • EP3346071B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3346071B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3346071B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a window assembly (1) for being mounted in a roof (3) or a celling of a building. The window assembly (1) comprises a window (5) including a window frame (2) arranged to be fixed to the roof (3) or the celling of the building. The window frame (2) is arranged to suspend a window pane (4), wherein the window pane (4) comprises an outside surface (6) arranged to face away from the building and an inside surface (7) arranged to face the internal of the building. The window assembly (1) further comprises an at least partly transparent window covering device (8) arranged to cover the outside surface, wherein the window covering device (8) comprises an outside surface (9) arranged to face away from the window (5) and an inside surface (10) arranged to face towards the window (5). The window assembly (1) is characterized in that the window assembly (1) comprises at least one at least partly transparent light emitting panel (11) arranged between the outside surface (6) of the window pane (4) and the inside surface (10) of the window covering device (8).