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(11) | EP 2 213 828 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A sun shading device |
| (57) A sun shading device (1;10) of the kind comprising a head rail (2), a plurality of
elongated horizontal or vertical slats (4) suspended from the head rail (2), the slats
(4) have a leading edge (8) facing the sun light (S), a trailing edge (9) for sun
light passing between the slats (4), a top surface (7) and a bottom surface (11),
and a tilting mechanism for tilting the plurality of slats (4). The slats (4) have
at an elongated area (6) of the top surface (7) extending from the leading edge (8)
of a slat (4) and/or at an elongated area (6) of the bottom surface (11) extending
from the trailing edge (9) of a slat (4) a color that is different from the remaining
slat (4) which color is selected to reflects light of at least one preselected wavelength.
The inventive sun shading device (1;10) filters and softens incoming light in a novel
an elegant way. The sun shading device (1;10) is not only easy to manufacture according
to individual needs but is also easy to operate with improved light control.
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[0001] The present invention relates to a sun shading device of the kind comprising a head rail, a plurality of elongated horizontal or vertical slats suspended from the head rail, the slats have a leading edge facing the sun light, a trailing edge for sun light exiting between the slats, a top surface and a bottom surface, and a tilting mechanism for tilting the plurality of slats.
[0002] The retina of the eye contains a plurality of photoreceptors, cones and rods, respectively, responsible for detecting light and color and provide a combined nerve impulse to the brain via the optic nerve. There are three types of color receptor cells, socalled cones. Short-wavelength cones are most responsive to light that we perceive as violet, with wavelengths around 420 nm, middle-wavelength cones are most sensitive to light perceived as green, with wavelengths around 534 nm, and long-wavelength cones are most sensitive to light we perceive as yellowish-green, with wavelengths around 564 nm. For each location in the visual field the three types of cones yield three signals, tristimulus values, based on the extent to which each type of cones is stimulated. Thus because the cones are responsible for central vision and color vision light, no matter how complex the composition of wavelengths is, the light is reduced to three color components by the eye.
[0003] If the light is bright enough to strongly stimulate the cones, the other type of cell, the rods, play substantially no role in vision at all. However the number of cones decreases with the distance from the focus point on the retina, and the rods, which do not have color receptors and only can see black and white, supplement the cones to arrive to a color perception. Thus the rod response and a weak cone response can together result in color discriminations not accounted for by cone responses alone.
[0004] Light adaption is the term for the adjustment of the eye from dark to light. Dark adaption is the term for the adjustment of the eye from light to dark, which is a long process and often creates problems for our ability to see and perceive situations when subjected to sudden changes from light to dark. Dark adaption occurs in 2 stages, and with a major adaption it can take about 30 minutes before adaption is complete. The first stage however takes from 1 to 4 minutes. The adapting time becomes significantly longer as we become older, especially for the first stage. Due to these adaption difficulties light is one of the strongest influence in changing the chronobiological system of the human, i.e. the human diurnal, monthly and annual rhythms. The control system is largely hereditary but is also influenced by our external environment. The hormone melatonin controls the diurnal rhythm and indirectly our annual rhythm of humans and variations in the duration of melatonin production creates many of our annual cycles. Lack of light can lead to an overproduction of melatonin, which leads to everyday tiredness.
[0005] Various means have been used to control light admittance through an opening, such as a window or a door opening, including conventional Venetian blinds, awnings, shutters, or window film. Only the window film may alter the color of incoming light. The main disadvantage is that the color is permanently altered once the film is applied to the surface of the window. The colored window film serves as a filter preventing almost all colors of the visible spectrum to pass through without adjusting possibilities.
[0006] Many people perceive strong light levels as unpleasant. In particular when light intensity suddenly changes many people have difficulties in fast adapting to the new circumstances due to the slow readjustment of the retina. If the light comes as pulses, as when passing between the slats of an open or partly open Venetian blind, or slips through a closed Venetian blind, this is perceived as irritating, annoying or very disturbing, often as flicker. These are processes and situations everybody experience in the everyday work, and may result in the production of the stress hormone cortisol.
[0007] It is a main aspect of the present invention to control light exposure to make everyday life easier.
[0008] It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide a sun shading device which can be used for improving human perception of incident light.
[0009] It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide a sun shading device which can be adjusted and/or designed according to individual needs to control sun light exposure.
[0010] It is a fourth aspect of the present invention to provide a sun shading device for modulating the color of the light passing through the device.
[0011] It is a sixth aspect of the present invention to provide a sun shading device the use of which does not induce stress and tiredness.
[0012] The novel and unique whereby this is achieved according to the present invention consist in that an elongated area of the top surface extending from the leading edge or trailing edge of the at least one of the plurality of slats and/or an elongated area of the bottom surface extending from the leading edge or trailing edge of the at least one of the plurality of slats has a color that is different from the color of the remaining slat which color is selected to reflects light of at least one preselected wavelength.
[0013] Light irradiated by the sun appears to be shining white when perceived by a normal human eye and various sun shading devices of the kind mentioned above are often used to control admittance of light relieving the person behind the sun shading device of the incoming sharp and irritating light. To that aspect conventional sun shading devices are normally completely shut, the room is very dark and artificial light must be used for lighting.
[0014] Incident light intensity and flicker have both psychological and physiological impact on human well-being as discussed above. The sun shading device according to the present invention needs not be completely shut to avoid most flicker, because the colored elongated area "filters" incident sun light and stops at least a part of the incident light having a non-pleasant wavelength to the human eye, the remaining part of the incident light, if not all incident light, hits the elongated areas having a color selected to reflect unpleasant light.
[0015] The retina of the eye needs not readjust constantly to be either light- or dark adapted if the wavelengths of light hitting the retina can be controlled, thereby also controlling the stress level of the human. Controlling is advantageously achieved if the at least one preselected wavelength is between 565 nm - 740 nm, and preferably between 590 nm - 625 nm. In this wavelength interval the light reflected from the colored elongated area will have a soft yellow to red, preferably orange relaxing luster. If preferred some white light may still pass between the slats which are kept more or less tilted according to the individual degree of desired and acceptable reflection and tolerated admittance of multicolored light.
[0016] If the slats of the sun shading device are arranged with a distance between each other that is smaller than the width of a slat the shut sun shading device can still keep all light effectively from passing between the slats.
[0017] In the preferred embodiment the sun shading device is designed so that the slats when tilted overlap each other with a distance corresponding substantially to the width of the colored elongated area, in which case the elongated colored area is hidden behind the adjacent slat. Thus the colored elongated area cannot be experienced as a striped surface by somebody looking at the shut sun shading device, i.e. when the slats are tilted so much that the leading edge of one slat touches the trailing edge of an adjacent slat. When the slats of the sun shading device only are partly shut, i.e. the slat do not touch each other, the elongated colored area may still reflect some incident light in the open or tilted position of the slats. This is particular true when the slats have a curved cross-section. The degree of curvature may vary and no curvature may also be within the scope of the present invention. Curved parallel slats may better prevent light entrance than substantially flat slats.
[0018] In one preferred embodiment according to the present invention the sun shading device may be a horizontal blind, shutter or louver further comprising lift cords for lifting and lowering the slats to fit into an opening, adjustment cords for tilting the slats suspended in at least two ladder cords to control light intensity and color, which ladder cords are secured to the head rail and a bottom rail.
[0019] In another embodiment according to the present invention the sun shading device is a vertical blind, shutter or louver further comprising pulling cords for spacing the slats vertically apart to the size of an opening and for pulling the slats together for clearing the opening, and adjustment cords for tilting the slats to control light intensity and color.
[0020] Thus both vertical and horizontal arrangements are within the scope of the present invention.
[0021] The elongated area may be provided with its color by applying a pigment to the slat. Application may take place by simple known techniques such as, but not limited to, directly painting, coating, or electrodepositing the slat, or the colored area may be improvised by adhering a colored tape to the relevant area of the slat.
[0022] Depending on the use of the sun shading device the width of the slats may vary, and the width of the elongated area may vary accordingly. The width may e.g. be between at least 1/8 of the width of the slat, preferably at least 1/7 of the width of the slat and more preferred 1/6 of the width of the slat. In offices where people do not move much around a larger width may be selected than for buildings where people are not at same location for longer periods. The width and color of the elongated area may within the scope of the present invention be individualized and tailored to specific uses and demands. Thus depending on the situation and under the conditions which the sun shading device are to be installed the color of the elongated area might be many degrees of orange, yellow and red.
[0023] Use of wavelength in the blue part of the spectrum is another option to create a more "cooling" atmosphere in a room, which may be preferred in e.g. rooms having windows facing south or south west.
[0024] A customized sun shading device may even have an elongated area that is divided in at least two elongated sub areas reflecting lights of different preselected wavelengths or the at least two sub areas may reflect light of increasing or decreasing wavelength across the width of the elongated area of the slat . Any combination of softening color stripes is foreseen.
[0025] The softening color stripes may also be combined with at least one sub area reflecting or absorbing heat to further improve indoor climate and assist in controlling indoor temperature.
[0026] Depending on how the sun shading is tilted the elongated colored area of either the top surface or the bottom surface of the slats is exposed to the incident light.
[0027] The inventive sun shading device filters, softens and/or cools incoming light in a novel, simple an elegant way. The sun shading device is not only easy to manufacture according to individual needs but is also easy to operate to obtain improved incident light control. Within the scope of the present invention the colored elongated area may also be iridescence to alter aesthetic appearance upon tilting of slats and in dependency of the incidence angle of the light. Iridescence may be achieved by special iridescence paint.
[0028] The invention will be described below with reference to the inventive Venetian blind disclosed in co-pending European patent application filed at the same date and entitled "A reajustable Venetian blind, a method of configuring the blind and a method of suspending the blind". It should however be understood that the inventive concept of providing a colored line or area at the edge or on a part of a surface of a sun shading slat can be implemented in any kind of sun shading device, but especially sun shading devices that include tiltable slats. The subsequent figures are therefore only to be taken as exemplary embodiments.
Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a Venetian blind according to the present invention, where the blind is provided with colored elongated areas on the leading edge of the slats, and
fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a Venetian blind according to the present invention, without a bottom rail and where the blind is provided with colored elongated areas on the trailing edge of the slats.
[0029] In the following the sun shading device is illustrated by way of example using a Venetian blind, however it will be understood by the person skilled in the art that the invention relates to all kinds of sun shading devices structured of slats.
[0030] The first embodiment of a Venetian blind 1 shown in fig. 1 has a head rail 2, a bottom rail 3, and a plurality of slats 4 suspended inbetween by means of ladder cords 5a,5b. Each slats 4 has an elongated colored area 6 (indicated as shaded) at a top surface 7, i.e. the surface facing the head rail 2. Incoming sun light, as indicated with the arrows S, incidents the slats 4 including the colored area 6 to a degree depending on the tilting, curvature and color of the slats 4. The colored area 6 reflects a part of the incident light S as light having a wavelength corresponding to said color thereby smoothing the combined amount of light passing between the slats 4 in any tilted configuration. In the embodiment of the Venetian blind 1 shown in fig. 1 light is reflected from the colored area 6 at the leading edge 8a and not from the trailing edge 8b, instantaneously when the light S hits the slats 4, when the blind 1 is not shut or the slats 4 are only partly tilted.
[0031] In contrast to this, in the second embodiment for a Venetian blind 10 shown in fig. 2, light S is reflected from the elongated colored area 6 at the leading edge 8, when the incoming light S leaves the slats 4 if the blind 1 is not shut or the slats 4 are only partly tilted. Thus fig. 2 shows substantially the same as fig. 1 but where the colored area 6 is applied to the bottom surface 11 of the slats 6, i.e. the surface facing the bottom rail 3.
[0032] It is preferred that the width d of the colored area 6 is of a size corresponding to at least the size of the overlap of two parallel tilted or pivoted adjacent slats 4, which slats 4 have a width D and are arranged at a mutual distance h, which is smaller than the width D of the slats 4 so that when the slats 4 are tilted to their shut position light is denied passing and the colored area of one slat is covered by the adjacent slat.
[0033] Venetian blinds may also be configured as a combination of the first 1 and second 10 embodiment and even structures without overlap, whether or not the slats are vertical, horizontal, overlapping or not overlapping, may be provided with one or more reflecting colored areas. Since only a part of the slats is provided with the reflecting color the intensity of light and brightness are not compromises as if the entire slat were colored, and by tilting the slats individual levels of brightness, softening, cooling etc. can be obtained. The colored area is in the preferred embodiment made as a solid strip or elongated area, but can also within the scope of the present invention be a pattern of small dots, cross-lines etc.
1. A sun shading device (1;10) of the kind comprising
- a head rail (2),
- a plurality of elongated horizontal or vertical slats (4) suspended from the head rail (2),
- the slats (4) have a leading edge (8) facing the sun light (S), a trailing edge (9) for sun light exiting between the slats (4), a top surface (7) and a bottom surface (11), and
- a tilting mechanism for tilting the plurality of slats (4),
characterized in that- an elongated area (6) of the top surface (7) extending from the leading edge (8) or trailing edge (9) of the at least one of the plurality of slats (4) and/or an elongated area (6) of the bottom surface (11) extending from the leading edge (8) or trailing edge (9) of the at least one of the plurality of slats (4) has a color that is different from the color of the remaining slat (4), which color is selected to reflect light of at least one preselected wavelength.
2. A sun shading device (1;10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one preselected wavelength is between 565 nm - 740 nm, preferably between
590 nm - 625 nm.
3. A sun shading device (1;10) according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjacent slats (4) of the sun shading device (1;10) are arranged with a distance
(h) between each other that is smaller than the width (D) of a slat (4).
4. A sun shading device (1;10) according to any of the preceding claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the sun shading device (1;10) is designed so that the slats (4) when tilted overlap
each other with a distance corresponding substantially to the width (d) of the colored
elongated area (6).
5. A sun shading device (1;10) according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the slats (4) has a curved cross-section.
6. A sun shading device (1;10) according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the sun shading device (1;10) is a horizontal blind, shutter or louver further comprising
lift cords (5a,5b) for lifting and lowering the slats (4), and adjustment cords (5a',5a";5b'5b")
for tilting the horizontal slats (4) suspended in at least two ladder cords, which
ladder cords are secured to the head rail (2) and a bottom rail (3).
7. A sun shading device (1;10) according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the sun shading device (1;10) is a vertical blind, shutter or louver further comprising
pulling cords for spacing vertical slats apart to fit an opening and for pulling the
slats together, and adjustment cords for tilting the slats.
8. A sun shading device (1;10) according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 7, characterized in that the elongated colored area (6) is provided by applying a pigment to at least one
of the plurality of slats (4).
9. A sun shading device (1;10) according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 8, characterized in that the elongated area (6) has a width (d) between at least 1/8 of the width (D) of the
at least one of the plurality of slats (4), preferably at least 1/7 of the width (D)
of the at least one of the plurality of slats (4) and more preferred 1/6 of the width
(D) of the at least one of the plurality of slats (4).
10. A sun shading device according (1;10) to any of the preceding claims 1 - 9, characterized in that the elongated area (6) is divided in at least two elongated sub areas reflecting
lights of different preselected wavelengths.
11. A sun shading device (1;10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least two sub areas reflect light of increasing or decreasing wavelengths
across the width of the elongated area (6) of the slat (4).
12. A sun shading device according (1;10) to any of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that at least one of the subareas reflects or absorbs heat.