A discussion on the design principles of a patented portable direct sunlight light-duty universal heliodon mounted on a camera tripod

Abstract

Heliodons are physical tools developed to study and test the solar performance of physical building models by simulating direct sunlight to impinge onto building models, for various desirable combinations of latitude, day, and time. In the learning process of architecture students and in professional architecture design processes, small and light weight working models are always made first for studying various design objectives including solar performance. The preferred one or two optional designs will then be further developed and formed into physical models of larger size with more details, and developed into computational models, for in-depth and detailed study of various design objectives including solar performance. This paper discusses the design principles of a patented portable direct sunlight light-duty universal heliodon mounted on a camera tripod which is affordable, easily stored up and assembled for use. The patented heliodon is useful for testing the direct sunlight effect of small foam board or card board models of buildings, or building components. The “universal” capability of a heliodon attributes to its adjustment flexibility to test the model for all simulated desirable combinations of latitude, day, and time, for any simulated place in the world where the actual building will be built, from most north places to most south places. The patented heliodon was initially designed for outdoor operation, using “direct sunlight” available at any place, any time in the world, as the light source, to avoid light source error of artificial light. Furthermore, this heliodon can be mounted on a camera tripod commonly used for holding cameras, eliminating the special provision of a heliodon stand which is a key factor affecting the cost and storage space, and hence the portability and affordability of the heliodon.