A shadowy space changes its atmosphere dramatically when it is suddenly
illuminated by natural sunlight. Who has experienced this effect will never
forget the impression. In the past years architects have applied complex
daylighting-sytems to counteract the lack of light in the lower floores
of large buildings. Still a cheap and efficient device that brings sunlight
to individual living and working areas does not exist. The principal idea
of the helioflex-concept was to create an automatic device, that could be
inserted to the existing architecture and that would permanently reflect
direct sunlight to a chosen point. The device has to be cheap enough for
the people living in dark homes to afford it. It has to be of a simple and
enduring construction, individually applicable and supplying its own power.
The presented prototype is provided by a light-sensitive sensor to trace
the position of the sun. A simple mechanism transmitts the movement of the
sensor and simultaneously adjusts the mirror-position just the right angle
to keep the reflecting sunlight on the spot once selected. The construction
and the set-up of the device´s support is equal to that of individual
satellite-dishes used around the world. As a mass product, the sunlight-reflector
can be sold at a fairly low price. Undoubtebly there is a need for the device.
If you take the city of Berlin alone, cautiously estimated 150 000 potential
customers are waiting in their dark homes for the sun to rise.
Specifications of the Prototype
Mirror size: 85cm Ø
Mirror material: Plexiglass-mirror with mirrored backings
Construction: Satellite-dish 85cm Ø
Wind resistance: 120 km/h (frame)
Motor: DC satellite-rotor (max. 20 W)
Tracking-system: Transistor-switch,patented helioflex-tracking-system
Power-supply: 20 V solar-panel (30x30 cm)