Winter Tanning Tent Transparent Shell Solar Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tent structures do not effectively utilize solar energy to create a warm interior space for sunbathing on cool days, as they lack efficient methods to harness and convert sunlight into radiant heat.
Innovation Solution
A winter tanning tent design featuring a transparent shell mounted on a frame with a floor panel, where specific regions of the shell are blacked out to collect and convert solar energy into radiant heat, combined with elastic webbing and commercially available materials like acrylic polymer poles and hook and loop fasteners for assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a transparent shell is used to allow sunlight passage, then the interior space can be warmed by solar energy, but the shell cannot effectively collect and convert solar energy into radiant heat
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is designed with different optical properties in different regions: transparent portions allow sunlight passage to warm the interior space, while blacked out portions absorb and convert solar energy into radiant heat. This local differentiation of material properties enables the shell to simultaneously perform both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell combines transparent material (for sunlight transmission) with blacked out material (for solar energy absorption and conversion). This composite structure allows the single shell component to perform multiple functions: allowing light passage in some areas while absorbing and converting solar energy in other areas.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the shell is made entirely transparent to maximize sunlight passage, then the interior space receives maximum solar energy, but the conversion of solar energy into radiant heat is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the shell have different optical properties. Transparent regions maximize sunlight transmission to the interior space, while blacked out regions maximize solar energy absorption and conversion to radiant heat. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to optimize for its specific function.
3Loss of energy
If the shell is blacked out to collect and convert solar energy, then radiant heat generation is maximized, but sunlight passage to the interior space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is designed with localized blacked out regions rather than being completely blacked out. This allows specific areas to absorb and convert solar energy while other areas remain transparent to maintain interior illumination. The local quality differentiation enables simultaneous optimization of both functions.
4Loss of energy
If a complex solar energy conversion system is added to the tent, then solar energy can be effectively converted into radiant heat, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar energy conversion function is merged into the shell itself through the blacked out portions, rather than being a separate added system. The shell simultaneously performs its structural function and solar energy conversion function, eliminating the need for additional complex conversion devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell's blacked out portions automatically absorb and convert solar energy into radiant heat without requiring external power sources or complex mechanical systems. The conversion process is passive and self-performing, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective solar energy utilization.
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 design effectively warms the interior space using solar energy, providing a comfortable environment for sunbathing on cool days by efficiently harnessing and converting sunlight into heat, while ensuring structural integrity and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The shell is substantially formed from a transparent material such that sunlight will pass through the shell into the interior space formed by the shell thereby heating the interior space
Implementation Method 2
specific regions of the shell are blacked out to collect and convert solar energy into radiant heat
Data Source
AI summary
The winter tanning tent is a structure that comprises a shell, a frame, and a floor panel. The frame is a structure upon which the shell is mounted such that a protected interior space is created. The shell is substantially formed from a transparent material such that sunlight will pass through the shell into the interior space formed by the shell thereby heating the interior space. The frame is mounted on a floor panel such that a person standing within the interior space is protected from the supporting surface upon which the winter tanning tent is placed. The floor panel comprises a plate like structure that is placed on the supporting surface. The purpose of the winter tanning tent is to create a space warmed by solar energy that can be used for sunbathing purposes on uncomfortably cool days.