NL2018439B1

NL2018439B1 - Panel for cladding a building and display information

Info

Publication number: NL2018439B1
Application number: NL2018439A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Fouraux Alain-Geoffrey
Original assignee: Clfx N V
Priority date: 2017-02-28
Filing date: 2017-02-28
Publication date: 2018-09-19
Also published as: CN207409225U; WO2018160061A1

Abstract

A panel comprises two plates parallel to one another, provided in a frame. Between the plates, a grid of individually oriented light sources is provided. The light sources are arranged to emit light towards a first of the panels, which is translucent. Preferably, the light sources are provided such that a small, preferably as small as possible, amount of light is directed towards a second of the panels. In at least one side of the frame, a casing is provided for housing electronics for powering and controlling the light sources. The casing is an integral part of the frame. This provides a simple, robust and rigid structure. The casing may provided part of a rabbet for the second of the panels; the first panel preferably has about the same size as the outer dimensions of the frame to provide an area as large as possible for display of information.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The various aspects and embodiments thereof relate to a panel for cladding of a building that is arranged to display information.

BACKGROUND

WO 2006/123335 A2 discloses a panel comprising two glass panels for providing a curtain wall of a building; a barrier between inside of a building and the outside.

Between the glass panels, clusters of LEDs are provided at suitable intervals. The control and power supply for the LEDs are provided at a central place of a building; multiple panels are controlled from a central control unit and cables are provided from that unit to each cluster of LEDs. By controlling the operation of the LEDs, an image may be displayed on a building.

The panel acts as a barrier. This means that if the panel needs to be serviced, it cannot be taken off easily; this would require a floor to be evacuated.

SUMMARY

It is preferred to provide an improved panel for display of information on a building.

A first aspect provides a panel for cladding a building, the panel being arranged for display of image data. The panel comprises a frame comprising a casing ranging from an edge of the frame inwardly towards a centre of the frame. The panel comprises an inner plate is provided and a translucent outer plate, provided substantially parallel to the first plate, the outer plate having substantially the same dimensions as the frame. Between the inner plate and the outer plate, a grid of individually controllable light sources provided such to emit light towards the outer plate. The casing houses control electronics for controlling individual light sources comprised by the grid; and power supply electronics for providing electrical energy to the light sources and the control electronics.

Such panel is provided as a nearly autonomous unit with respect to power supply and control. With components provided within one frame, in which frame the plates, for example glass plates, as well as the light sources, power electronics and control electronics, the panel provides a modular component may be handled in a convenient way. The panel can be mounted in front of a glass curtain wall, which allows servicing without disturbing inhabitants of a building.

Providing the plates as well as the electronics in one frame provides stability of the panel. And with the outer panel extending beyond the casing, a full transparent outside look is provided, allowing the light sources to provide images over almost all or even all of the outer surface of the panel.

As control electronics and power electronics are provided in the casing, only power and data have to be provided to the panel. For each entity, a connector may be provided.

In an embodiment, the frame comprises an inner rabbet for holding an inner plate, the inner rabbet being at one side at least partially provided by the casing. Such embodiment allows for the back plate and the front plate to be provided very close to one another, while still providing a decent space for control and power electronics in the casing. Furthermore, less plate material is required in this way for the inner plate.

In a further embodiment, the casing ranges from a head of the frame to a sill of the frame. This embodiment improves rigidity of the panel.

In another embodiment, the casing comprises a first casing part providing a part of the first rabbet; and a second casing part releasably connected to the first casing part. This embodiment enables convenient maintenance of the electronics.

In a further embodiment, the panel further comprises a first connector comprising at least two channels for receiving energy and/or data from a first further device according to this claim; and a second connector comprising at least two channels for providing energy and/or data to a second further device according to this claim. Such connectors allow the frame to be connected to another frame adjacent to the applicable frame.

In yet another embodiment, in which the light sources are light emitting diodes, the outer plate is in contact with the light emitting diodes. This reduces or even prevents reflection of light back to the inside of the building. Such reflections may be inconvenient for people inside the building.

Yet a further embodiment comprises a photovoltaic panel for receiving solar power and providing solar power to the device. Such device requires on average less power to be supplied. And if provided with rechargeable batteries, it may require less peak power or even no power to be supplied from outside. In such case, no power cables need to be provided.

A second aspect provides a building comprising at least three the devices according to the first aspect connected to an outer wall of the building, further comprising power lines for connecting the connectors of adjacent panels.

In an embodiment of the second aspect the frame comprises a first protrusion protruding outward from a first jamb and a second protrusion protruding outward from a second jamb, the protrusions being substantially parallel to the plates and provided at the lower halves of the jambs and the building comprises a first support member having a first opening for receiving the first protrusion and a second support member having a second opening for receiving the second protrusion. In this building, the openings are arranged such that the first support member and the second support member are supporting a weight of the panel when the first protrusion is received by the first opening and the second protrusion is received by the second opening.

In a further embodiment, the panels are provided at a distance from the outer wall of the building. This embodiment allows air to flow between an outer wall of the building, either provided in glass, concrete, bricks, steel or other, and panels according to the first aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects and embodiments thereof will now be discussed in further detail in conjunction with drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1:	shows a building with an image displayed on it;
Figure 2:	a front view of a panel for display of information;
Figure 3:	an exploded view of a panel for display of

information;

Figure 4 A:	a cross-section of the panel, through the casing;
Figure 4 B:	another cross-section of the panel, through the

casing;

Figure 4 C:	an isometric view of a panel clip;
Figure 5 A:	a schematic view of a panel to be connected to a

mullion of a building;

Figure 5 B:	a cross-section of two panels and the mullion;
Figure 5 C:	an isometric view of a frame of a building, the

panel and an insulated glass structure;

Figure 5 D:

an isometric view of a deadweight support for

the panel;

Figure 5 E:

an isometric view of a wind load fixing clip for

fixing the panel to the building; and

Figure 6:

a cross-section of the building with an airflow

and photovoltaic panels provided between the panels and the insulated glass structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a building 100 having a faqade 110 that is clad with display panels 200 for showing an image 150.

Figure 2 shows the panel 200 in further detail. The panel 200 comprises a frame 210 in which a grid 290 of light emitting diodes - LEDs 296 as individually controllable light sources are provided. The LEDs 296 are preferably grouped in groups having LEDs of multiple colours, preferably red, green and blue. Each of the LEDs in a group can be individually controlled. This allows a multi-colour image to be displayed.

The LEDs 296 are provides on horizontal busses 294, which are in turn connected to a vertical bus 292. The vertical bus 292 is connected to a signal control card for controlling each of the LEDs 296. Each horizontal bus 294 may comprise conductive tracks to directly control each of the individual LEDs.

Alternatively or additionally, a horizontal bus 294 comprises a limited amount of conductive tracks and with each group of LEDs or with each individual LED, a bus encoder is provided, with a unique address. This allows the horizontal busses to be provided in a relatively simple way. The horizontal bus 292 may implemented in similar ways, with simple conductive tracks for each individual LED 296, with conductive tracks for each of the horizontal bus 294 or with a bus comprising a limited amount of conductive tracks through which each horizontal bus may be addressed.

The vertical bus 292 is connected to the electrical circuitry 280 for receiving instruction data and electrical power. The electrical circuitry 280 is provided in a casing 230 that is preferably part of the frame 210.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the panel 200. Within the frame 210, a rabbet 212 is provided for receiving an inner plate 250. The inner plate 250 faces the building 100 (Figure 1), when mounted to the building 100 (Figure 1). In Figure 3, the building 100 is not shown; the building 100 is behind the exploded view shown by Figure 3. In this embodiment, the inner plate 250 is shown as being transparent, but may alternatively not transmit any significant portion of light at all. The panel 200 also comprises an outer plate 260 that faces outwardly from the building 100, when the panel 200 is mounted to the building 100. The outer plate 260 may be transparent or translucent.

Between the inner plate 250 and the outer plate 260, the grid 290 of LEDs 296 is provided. In Figure 3, the LEDs 296 are indicated by the dashed lines. At the right side of the frame 210, the casing 230 is provided. The casing 230 is open at the back and may be closed and preferably sealed by means of a casing lid 232. At the outer side of the casing 230, facing towards the outer plate 260, openings are provided for connecting the electrical circuitry 280 in the casing 230 to the vertical bus 292.

The inner rabbet 212 for the inner plate 250 is provided in the inner perimeter of the frame 210. As the casing 230 is incorporated in the frame, the inner rabbet 212 is in this embodiment partially provided by the case 230. Hence, the inner plate 250 is smaller than the frame 210. If the inner rabbet 212 is not delimited by the casing 230, which is an option, the inner plate 250 may have a size substantially the same as the outer perimeter of the frame 210. Alternatively, the inner plate 250 is slightly smaller and provided in a rabbet extending beyond the casing 230. This is not preferred, as it limits access to the electronics provided in the casing 230. Alternatively, electronics are to be accessed from the bottom and top of the casing 230 and the side of the frame 210.

The outer plate 260 has preferably the same dimensions as the frame 210. The frame 210 may comprise a an outer rabbet for accommodating the outer plate 260. In such embodiment, the outer dimensions of the frame 210 is slightly larger than the dimensions of the outer plate 260. Alternatively, the outer plate 260 is glued or otherwise connected to the outer side of the frame 210, for example by means of clamps. In such embodiment, the grid 290 preferably has substantially the same dimensions as the outer plate 260. Yet, it may be slightly larger or preferably smaller.

To the electrical circuitry 280, a first cord 310 is provided, with a first plug 312. The first cord 310 comprises at least two conductors for providing another panel with electrical energy or for obtaining electrical energy from another panel, situated adjacent to or above the panel as shown. The first cord 310 may comprise further conductors for transmission of data. Alternatively, data is transferred over the power conductors. In yet another embodiment, a further cord is provided through a hole at the top or the side of the frame for transmission of data. When not in use, the first cord 310 may be housed in the casing 230. Also the first plug 312 may be housed in the casing.

To the electrical circuitry 280, also a second cord 320 is provided, with a first socket 322. The second cord 320 comprises at least two conductors for providing another panel with electrical energy or for obtaining electrical energy from another panel, situated adjacent to or below the panel as shown. The second cord 320 may comprise further conductors for transmission of data. Alternatively, data is transferred over the power conductors. In yet another embodiment, a further cord is provided through a hole at the bottom or side of the frame for transmission of data. When not in use, the second cord 320 may be housed in the casing 230. Also the first socket 322 may be housed in the casing. In another embodiment, the first socket 322 is provided at the top and the first plug 312 at the bottom.

In another embodiment, a casing is provided on both sides of the frame 210, preferably ranging from the sill to the head of the frame, providing the function of a jamb. In such embodiments, the inner rabbet 212 is at the sides provided by both casings. In yet another embodiment, one or two of the casings are provided in the sill of the frame 210, the head of the frame, or both. In such latter embodiment, the buses provided over the inner plate are preferably arranged vertically instead of horizontally. Whereas panels in accordance with the embodiment shown by Figure 3 are preferably connected to panels above and below for distribution of data and power, panels having horizontally oriented casings are preferably connected to other panels at the left and/or the right.

Figure 4 A shows a cross-section of the casing 230. Figure 4 A shows the casing 230 comprising the casing housing 234 and the casing lid 232. The casing housing 234 and the casing lid 232 are connected through a first casing connector 236 and a second casing connector 238. The casing connectors may be connected to the frame 210 by means of screws, nuts and bolts, other types of pins, snap-fit connectors, other, or a combination thereof. Additionally, sealing may be provided between the casing housing 234 and the casing lid 232. Such sealing may comprise a silicon rubber lining provided along the interface between the casing housing and the casing lid 232. With such sealing and the casing being provided in aluminium, the inner space of the casing is preferably IP67 waterproof.

Within the housing, the electrical circuitry 280 is provided. The electrical circuitry 280 comprises control electronics 282 for controlling the LEDs 296 and power electronics 284 for providing electrical energy to the control electronics 282 and the LEDs 296. The electrical circuitry 280 is provided in an inner space of the housing 230. In the side of the casing 230 facing the vertical bus 292, preferably through holes are provided for connecting the electrical circuitry 280 to the vertical bus 292. Outside the casing 230, the vertical bus is connected to the horizontal busses 294.

Figure 4 A also shows the inner plate 250 provided in the inner rabbet 210. The boundary between the casing 230 and the inner plate 250 is provided by an inner plate seal 252. The inner plate seal 252 may comprise natural rubber, silicon rubber, other silicon material including glue, another glue, other, or a combination thereof. The horizontal busses 294 are connected to the inner plate 250. Preferably, the horizontal busses 294 are glued to the inner plate 250. The LEDs 296 provided on the horizontal busses 294 are with their front side, their light emitting side, provided towards the outer plate 260 and preferably in contact or very close proximity with the outer plate 260. A reason for this is to prevent backward reflections that may pass through the inner plate 250.

The outer plate is in this embodiment provided up to the side of the frame 210. At the edge of the frame 210, an outer plate seal 262 is provided. The outer plate seal 262 may comprise natural rubber, silicon rubber, other silicon material like glue, another glue, other, or a combination thereof. With panels having a size of about one square meter and a thickness of about six millimetres, the panels may be relatively heavy.

In some cases, providing only the outer plate seal 262 for attaching the outer plate 262 to the frame 210 (missing in Fig 4b)may not be sufficient, either from a practical point of view or in view of regulations in force. In such case, outer plate clamps 410 are provided as shows by Figure 4 B. The outer plate clamp 410 is connected to the frame 210 by means of screws 412, other connecting elements or a combination thereof. If the frame 210 comprises an outer rabbet for accommodating the outer plate 260, the outer plate clamp 410 may not be required.

Figure 4 C (Note line thickness in Fig 4c seems to thin) provides an isometric view of the outer plate clamp 410 that is connected to the frame 210 by means of the screws 412. Additionally, Figure 4 C shows a panel liner and a gasket in particular comprising an outer liner or gasket 422 and an inner liner 424 provided around the outer plate 260. The panel liner or gasket is provided for protection of the outer plate. This is particularly advantageous for protection of the edges of the outer plate 260.

For use of the panel 200 as depicted by Figure 1, the panel 200 has to be connected to the building 100. Figure 5 A shows a first mullion 124 of the building 100. To the mullion 124, a deadweight support 520 is mounted as a support member. The deadweight support 520 comprises a connector member for connecting the deadweight support 520 to the mullion

124 and a plate member comprising two first hook shaped openings 522. The hook shaped openings 522 function as receptacles and are as such arranged to receive a first protrusion 524 and a second protrusion 526 provided at a lower side of the frame 210. The protrusions extend substantially horizontally and are substantially parallel to the plates provided in the panel 200. The upper hook shaped opening 522 is arranged to engage with an in particular to mate with the first protrusion 524 by receiving the first protrusion 524. The lower hook shaped opening 522 is arranged to engage with an in particular to mate with the second protrusion 526 by receiving the second protrusion 526.

Figure 5 B shows a top view of the first mullion 124 the panel 200 and a further panel 200 held by the deadweight support 520. The first protrusion 524 is received by the upper hook shaped opening 522 and the second protrusion is received by the lower hook shaped opening. In this embodiment, the second protrusion extend from the panel 200 to the further panel 200'. Figure 5 B also shows a first insulated glass structure 130 and a second insulated glass structure 130'. The insulated glass structures are part of the building 100 and form the faqade 110 of the building 100 (Figure 1).

Figure 5 C shows the first mullion 124 and a second mullion 122. Between the first mullion 124 and the second mullion 122, a first crossconnection transom 126 and a second cross-connection transom 128 are provided. To the frame provided by the first mullion 124, the second mullion 122, the first cross-connection transom 126 and the second cross-connection transom 128, the insulated glass structure 130 is provided. The panel 200 has substantially the same size as the insulated glass structure 130. This allows both panels in a preferred embodiment to be mounted to the frame of the building 100 (Figure 1). For the fixation, also wind load retaining clips 540 are connected to the first mullion 124 and the second mullion 122 as side panel connectors. The wind load retaining clips 540 fix the panel 200 and the insulated glass structure 130 to the building 100.

Figure 5 D shows an isometric view of the deadweight support 520 connected to the first mullion 124. The first protrusion 524 is received by the upper hook shaped opening 522 and the second protrusion 526 is received by the lower hook shaped opening 522. The second protrusion 526 comprises at its end a threaded part, drawn with a bolt around it. In one embodiment, the threaded end of the second protrusion 526 is connected to the further panel 200', thus connecting the panel 200 to the further panel 200’.

Figure 5 E shows an isometric view of the wind load fixing retaining clips 540 connected to the first mullion 124. The wind load retaining clips 540 comprises a connecting member 548 comprising two holes for connecting the wind load fixing clips 540 to the first mullion 124. To the connecting member 548, a distal end of an extension member 546 is connected. At a proximal end of the extension member 546, a clip member 542 is connected by means of a bolt 544 as a connector element.

With the various connector modules for connecting the panel 200 and the insulated glass structure 130 to the building 100, the panel 200 is firstly provided to the building 100 by setting the protrusions in the openings of the deadweight support 520. Subsequently, the clip members 542 of the wind load retaining clips 540 are swivelled from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation. In the horizontal orientation, the clip members extends beyond the edges of the frame 210 of the panel 200. Preferably, the ends of the clip member 542 are accommodated in a groove provided in the frame 210 of the panel 200.

Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the building 100 over a plane perpendicular to the facade 110 as shown by Figure 1. Figure 6 shows floor elements 140 having a ridge part 142 at their ends. The insulated glass structures 130 preferably have the same size as the distance between the floor elements. Alternatively, the insulated glass structures 130 have a size half the distance between the floor elements 140 and the middle of the floor elements 140 in particular. The panels 200 are provided parallel to the insulated glass structures 130, with substantially the same vertical dimension.

The panels 200 are connected by means of wire connectors 540. Provided between each of the panels 200 for transfer of data and electrical energy, the wire connectors 620 comprise at least two conductors. The set of two conductors are arranged for transferring electrical energy, for example DC or 50Hz or 60Hz AC, together with data that is transmitted at a higher frequency. The power signal and the data signal may be separated by means of a filter. Additionally, two conductors are provided for the electrical energy and two or more additional conductors are provided for transmission of data.

With the building 100 being inhabited, either for commercial, residential or utility purposes, it is preferred the insulated glass structures 130 and the inner plate 250 (Figure 3) and the outer plate 260 (Figure 3) of the panel 200 are transparent - or at least translucent. However, for the part of the panel 200 that overlaps with the ridge part 142, this is not required. Therefore, at the part of the panel 200 that coincides with the ridge part 142, a photovoltaic panel 620 is provided. The photovoltaic panel 620 may be provided as a separate unit, as shown by Figure 6. Alternatively, the photovoltaic panel 620 is incorporated in the panel 200 and in the inner plate 250 in particular.

It is noted that the panel 200 may also be connected to building in which no people reside or in which at least no windows are provided. In such case, the inner plate 250 (Figure 3) does not have to be transparent or translucent and the full inner plate 250 (Figure 3) may be provided with photovoltaic panels 620. The electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic panels 620 may be fed to the electrical circuitry 280. Optionally, the electrical circuitry 280 (Figure 3) may be provided with one or more battery units for storing the electrical energy generated by the electrical circuitry 280 (Figure 3).

Figure 6 furthermore discloses a ventilator 610 as an air displacement unit or forced air supply. The ventilator blows air an preferably chilled air upward or downward in a space provided between the insulated glass structures 130 and the panels 200. It is noted that the LEDs 296 (Figure 3) dissipate heat and that for maintaining a proper life expectancy of the LEDs 296, it is preferred they are cooled. In this embodiment, the cooling is provided by means of the forced air supply 610 that forces air in the space between the insulated glass structures 130 and the panel 200. In this embodiment, is preferred the LEDs are connected to the inner plate 250 (Figure 3) by means of a glue or other substance that has a relatively high heat conducting coefficient in order to transfer thermal energy generated by the LEDs 296 (Figure 3) to the inner plate 250 (Figure 3).

In summary, a panel is provided that comprises two plates parallel to one another, provided in a frame. Between the plates, a grid of individually oriented light sources is provided. The light sources are arranged to emit light towards a first of the panels, which is translucent. Preferably, the light sources are provided such that a small, preferably as small as possible, amount of light is directed towards a second of the panels. In at least one side of the frame, a casing is provided for housing electronics for powering and controlling the light sources. The casing is an integral part of the frame. This provides a simple, robust and rigid structure. The casing may provided part of a rabbet for the second of the panels; the first panel preferably has about the same size as the outer dimensions of the frame to provide an area as large as possible for display of information.

In the description above, it will be understood that when an element such as layer, region or substrate is referred to as being “on” or “onto” another element, the element is either directly on the other element, or intervening elements may also be present. Also, it will be understood that the values given in the description above, are given by way of example and that other values may be possible and/or may be strived for.

Furthermore, the invention may also be embodied with less components than provided in the embodiments described here, wherein one component carries out multiple functions. Just as well may the invention be embodied using more elements than depicted in the Figures, wherein functions carried out by one component in the embodiment provided are distributed over multiple components.

It is to be noted that the figures are only schematic representations of embodiments of the invention that are given by way of non-limiting examples. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described. The word ‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other features or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words 'a' and 'an' shall not be construed as limited to 'only one', but instead are used to mean 'at least one', and do not exclude a plurality.

A person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various parameters and values thereof disclosed in the description may be modified and that various embodiments disclosed and/or claimed may be combined without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is stipulated that the reference signs in the claims do not limit the scope of the claims, but are merely inserted to enhance the legibility of the claims.

Claims

Conclusions

A panel for cladding a building, which panel is adapted to display image data and comprising:

A frame comprising a housing extending from an edge of the frame to a center of the frame;

An inner plate;

A light-transmitting outer plate provided substantially parallel to the inner plate, which outer plate has substantially the same dimensions as the frame; and

A grid of individually controllable light sources provided between the inner plate and the outer plate and arranged to send out light to the outer plate;

Where the housing belongs:

Control electronics for controlling the individual light sources included by the grid;

Power supply electronics for supplying electrical energy to the light sources and the control electronics.

The panel of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises an inner rebate for holding the inner plate, which inner rebate is at least partially provided on one side by the housing;

The panel of claim 1, wherein the housing extends from a sill of the frame to a sill of the frame.

The panel of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing comprises:

- A first housing part which provides for a part of the inner rebate; and A second housing part releasably connected to the first housing part. 5. Panel according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the first housing part and the second housing part extends from the top sill of the frame to the bottom sill of the frame. 6. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, in which the outer plate is transparent. 7. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, in which the outer plate is in contact with the light sources. 8. Panel as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the inside are glued to an inside of the inner plate, which inside is directed towards the outside plate. 9. Panel according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a photovoltaic panel for receiving solar energy and for supplying solar power to the panel. 10. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: A first connecting part comprising at least two channels for receiving energy and / or data from a first further device according to this claim; and

A second connecting part comprising at least two channels for supplying energy and / or data to a second further device according to these claims.

A building comprising at least three of the panels of claim 10 connected to an exterior wall of the building, further comprising power lines for connecting the connecting pieces of adjacent panels.

The building of claim 11, wherein:

The frame comprises a first protrusion which protrudes from a first post and a second protrusion which protrudes from a second post, which protrusions are substantially parallel to the plates and provided on an outer half of the posts;

The building comprises a first support part, the first support part comprising a first opening for receiving a first opening for receiving the first protrusion and a second support part comprising a second opening for receiving the second protrusion;

The openings are arranged such that the first support part and the second support part support a weight of the panel when the first protrusion is received by the first opening and the second protrusion is received by the second opening.

A building as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the panels are provided on a state of the outer wall of the building.

The panel of claim 13, further comprising an air displacement unit for generating a current in the space between the exterior wall of the building and the panels.

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