HELIOS
Introduction
Helios's technical name is Sun Controlled Hexagonal Facade(SCHF). It is an intelligent modular facade which regulates the amoung sunlight entering through the window.
Mentor - Mr. S Sundar Assistant Professor SRM University
Funding - SRM Institute of Science and Technology
Initiation - April 2017
Completion - Sepember 2017
Duration - 6 Months
Acknowledgment - Kanishka Mall (Teammate), Lexus - Softmac
Objective
The objective of this project was to save electricity in the office building having a centralized air conditioning system. The aim of this project was to make a modular intelligent facade that regulates the amount of sunlight entering the building providing aesthetic, dynamic and sustainable value to it.
The question that arises is Why kinetic and not static?
​
Advantages of Static Facade
Acts as filter for the sunlight, preventing heating of the building.
Disadvantages of Static Facade
Fixed facade obstruct the view from the window and defy the very purpose of it.
Prior planning is required before implementation.
It makes the structure unattractive and boring.
Concept Development & Sketching
Blueprint
Manufacturing
The manufacturing of this project was mainly done using Conventional Lathe Machine, CNC machine, Wire EDM, Drilling machine and tapping machine. A company called Lexus SoftMac allowed us to use its facility to manufacture parts of Helios.
Wire EDM machine was used to cut the flaps of Helios.
Proper job cards were made to manufacture each component of Helios. After the components were ready they were assembled to produce sub-assemblies
The required components were assembled to make one flap assembly of Helios. In total 6 sub-assembly will make a complete hexagon.
12 bevel gears of 60 degree were made in order to connect all 6 sub assemblies to form a perfect hexagon
.jpg)
A gear ration of 1:16 was calculated in order to increase motor torque by 16 times and reduce the RPM by a factor of 16
Electronics
Helios had stepper motor NEMA 17 to open and close the flaps, Lux sensor for detecting the sunlight intensity, potentiometer for feedback mechanism and an Arduino mega 250 board to program all its components. Arduino IDE was used to programmed the Arduino mega 250 board.
Experiment and Result
In order to prove that Helios actually regulates temperature, an experiment test was set up. The experiment had an enclosed box with Helios mounted on one side. Two temperature sensor were used, one inside the box and another outside. The experiment was conducted for 24 hours and temperature readings were measured every 5 minutes.
The phone was mounted to take a time-lapse video of Helios
Enclosed box with the heat sensor inside and one side with Helios
TEMPERATUR
E
TIME
Average Temperature difference = 5 degree Celsius
Peak Temperature difference = 9 degree Celsius