Lens and wall washer

Abstract

This invention discloses a lens and a wall washer light. The optical axis of the lens is parallel to the optical axis of the light source. The lens has a mounting surface for installation, and a light source groove for placing the light source is formed on the mounting surface. The peripheral wall and bottom surface of the light source groove form the incident surface of the lens. The lens is characterized by having an irregularly shaped structure located at the far end of the direction of light emission. This irregularly shaped structure has an exit surface for light to exit. The irregularly shaped structure is configured to allow light entering through the incident surface to undergo total internal reflection and direct reflection before exiting through the exit surface. By designing a lens with an irregularly shaped structure, this invention allows light initially directed away from the wall to undergo total internal reflection before exiting through the exit surface, along with light directly impacting the exit surface, and then directed towards the far end of the wall. This achieves convergence of light with a large incident angle, resulting in more light exiting the first exit surface and greater illumination brightness. This achieves uniform illumination of the wall surface by the emitted light, relying solely on its own structure without depending on a lampshade.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of lighting fixtures, and more specifically to a lens and a wall washer light. Background Technology

[0002] A current drawback of wall washer lights on the market is uneven light distribution during illumination. For example, some areas of the wall may be bright while others are dark, failing to achieve the ideal effect of uniformly illuminating the entire wall. This unevenness affects the overall aesthetic appeal of the lighting. In venues with high lighting requirements, such as the corridors of upscale hotels, uneven illumination from wall washer lights can disrupt the hotel's luxurious atmosphere. Similarly, in art exhibitions, uneven lighting may negatively impact the viewer's experience of appreciating the artwork.

[0003] Uneven illumination can be addressed to some extent by using blocking methods, but this approach reduces luminous efficacy. Low luminous efficacy means that the light emitted by the lamp cannot be used effectively, potentially requiring more energy to achieve a certain level of brightness. Furthermore, the overall lighting effect will be affected, resulting in shadows and insufficient light intensity.

[0004] Chinese invention patent application CN107524980A discloses an LED wall washer light and lighting system with a lens strip, which improves the uniformity of the wall washer light illumination by designing a lens with a special beam-splitting structure.

[0005] However, the aforementioned invention patent application CN107524980A has shortcomings: it requires the reflection of emitted light by the lampshade to achieve this, and cannot rely solely on its own structure to evenly illuminate the wall surface. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a lens that can uniformly illuminate the wall surface without relying on a lampshade, but solely on its own structure, in light of the above-mentioned prior art.

[0007] The second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a wall washer light that uses the above-mentioned lens, in contrast to the prior art.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the first technical problem is as follows: a lens, the optical axis of which is parallel to the optical axis of a light source, the lens having a mounting surface for mounting, a light source groove for placing the light source being formed on the mounting surface, the peripheral wall and bottom surface of the light source groove forming the incident surface of the lens, characterized in that the lens has an irregularly shaped structure located at the far end of the emission direction of the light source, the irregularly shaped structure having an exit surface for light to be emitted; wherein, the irregularly shaped structure is configured to cooperate with the light entering through the incident surface to complete total internal reflection and direct reflection within it, and then be emitted through the exit surface.

[0009] Specifically, the lens is divided along its optical axis into the irregular structure on the first side and other structures on the second side. The first side of the lens has a first total internal reflection surface, which is used to totally internally reflect light rays incident on it. The first side of the lens, opposite the mounting surface, has a first exit surface. Light rays exiting the first exit surface include light rays reflected by the first total internal reflection surface and light rays that pass directly onto the first exit surface after entering through the lens's incident surface. The second side of the lens has a second exit surface, which is used to allow light rays that pass directly onto the second exit surface after entering through the incident surface to exit outwards. The light rays exiting the second exit surface illuminate the entire wall surface to be illuminated. Similar to existing technologies, these rays have a weaker illuminating effect on the wall portions farther from the light source. The light rays exiting the first exit surface illuminate the wall portions farther from the light source, serving as supplementary lighting.

[0010] To achieve even more precise light distribution, optionally, the first total reflection surface can be partially recessed to form a second total reflection surface, which is used to perform total internal reflection of the light rays incident on it. Furthermore, the first total reflection surface can be designed in more regional sections, dividing it into different areas such as a third total reflection surface and a fourth total reflection surface with different illumination angles, allowing more light to precisely illuminate the working surface.

[0011] Preferably, the second emitting surface is a converging arc surface, which can converge the incident light rays so that they concentrate the light onto the wall surface to be illuminated.

[0012] Specifically, the lens includes a catadioptric TIR lens portion on the first side and a concave-convex lens portion on the second side. The catadioptric TIR lens portion has the aforementioned irregular structure, with the first total internal reflection surface and the first exit surface both located on the catadioptric TIR lens portion, and the second exit surface located on the concave-convex lens portion. Light passing through the catadioptric TIR lens portion is used to uniformly illuminate the distant wall surface, while light passing through the concave-convex lens portion is used to illuminate the entire wall surface to be illuminated.

[0013] Furthermore, the light flux ratio between the concave-convex lens portion and the catadioptric TIR lens portion is in the range of (1:1, 1:4), which makes the light flux of the catadioptric TIR lens portion larger and the supplementary lighting effect on the far wall surface better.

[0014] Specifically, the beam angle range of the concave-convex lens portion is (100°, 130°).

[0015] Specifically, the beam angle range of the catadioptric TIR lens portion is (30°, 50°).

[0016] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the second technical problem is: a wall washer light, characterized in that it uses a lens as described in any one of the above-mentioned claims.

[0017] To ensure that more light emitted from the catadioptric TIR lens illuminates the wall surface to be illuminated, the optical axis of the lens is deflected towards the wall surface. Preferably, the deflection angle between the optical axis of the lens and the wall surface is in the range of 10° < deflection angle < 45°.

[0018] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are as follows: This invention, through the design of a lens with an irregular structure, performs total internal reflection on light rays originally directed away from the wall, allowing them to exit through the exit surface. This, along with light rays directly hitting the exit surface, propagates the light rays towards the far end of the wall, thus converging light rays with larger incident angles. This results in more light rays exiting the first exit surface, leading to greater illumination brightness. By utilizing more light to compensate for light loss during propagation, the final illumination brightness of the wall surface farther from the light source is similar to that of the wall surface closer to the light source, achieving uniform wall brightness. This invention, through its specially designed lens beam-splitting structure, effectively balances the uniformity of illumination at both the far and near ends, while also ensuring high luminous efficiency, and eliminates the need for additional structures such as lampshades. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the lens structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the lens from another angle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the lens according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the beam-splitting effect of the lens in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged schematic diagram of region I;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a wall washer light according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the irradiation effect according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0027] like Figures 1-6 The image shows a preferred embodiment of a lens and wall washer light according to the present invention.

[0028] The wall washer light in this embodiment is as follows: Figure 6As shown, it can be installed and adjusted via a track system, allowing the light to be evenly irradiated on the wall to achieve a wall-washing effect. It has adjustable angles and directions, enabling flexible lighting arrangements as needed.

[0029] The wall washer light of this embodiment is equipped with multiple lenses 100 of this embodiment. Each lens 100 has a mounting surface 102 for installation, and the mounting surface 102 has a light source recess 101 for placing a light source. The peripheral wall and bottom surface of the light source recess 101 serve as the incident surface of the lens 100. After placing a light source such as an LED in the light source recess 101, the light passes through the incident surface and enters the lens 100. Please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 1 and Figure 2 .

[0030] The optical axis 103 of lens 100 is parallel to or coincides with the optical axis of the light source. Lens 100 can be divided into a first side and a second side along its optical axis 103, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the first side is a catadioptric TIR lens portion 110, and the second side is a concave-convex lens portion 120. The light source groove 101 is also divided into two parts, referred to as the first groove portion 111 and the second groove portion 121, respectively. The first groove portion 111 is located in the catadioptric TIR lens portion 110, and the second groove portion 121 is located in the concave-convex lens portion 120. The first groove portion 111 and the second groove portion 121 together form the complete light source groove 101.

[0031] Please continue to refer to this. Figures 1-3 The lens 100 has a first total internal reflection surface 112 on its first side, which is used to perform total internal reflection on light rays incident on it. The side of the lens 100 opposite to the mounting surface 102 has a first exit surface 113. Light rays exiting through the first exit surface 113 include light rays reflected by the first total internal reflection surface 112 and then incident on the first exit surface 113, as well as light rays incident from the incident surface and then directly incident on the first exit surface 113. The lens 100 has a second exit surface 122 on its second side, which is used to allow light rays incident from the incident surface and then directly incident on the second exit surface 122 to exit.

[0032] To achieve even more precise light distribution, the first total reflection surface 112 is partially recessed to form a second total reflection surface 114. The second total reflection surface 114 is used to perform total internal reflection of the light rays incident on it. Furthermore, the first total reflection surface 112 can be designed in more regional sections, dividing it into different areas such as a third total reflection surface and a fourth total reflection surface with different illumination angles, allowing more light to precisely illuminate the work surface. In this embodiment, the second exit surface 122 is designed as a converging arc surface, capable of converging the incident light rays and focusing them onto the wall surface 200 to be illuminated.

[0033] To ensure that more light emitted from the catadioptric TIR lens section 110 illuminates the wall surface 200 to be illuminated, the lens optical axis 103 in this embodiment is deflected toward the wall surface 200 to be illuminated, with reference to... Figure 4 and Figure 5 This reduces the amount of light rays directed away from the wall surface 200 to be illuminated, thus achieving efficient light utilization. Preferably, the angle θ between the lens optical axis 103 and the wall surface 200 to be illuminated is in the range of (10°, 45°).

[0034] The first recess 111, the first total reflection surface 112, the second total reflection surface 114, and the first exit surface 113 are all located in the catadioptric TIR lens portion 110, while the second recess 121 and the second exit surface 122 are located in the concave-convex lens portion 120. The light emitted from the second exit surface 122 of the concave-convex lens is directed towards the entire wall surface 200 to be illuminated. Similar to existing technologies, this light provides stronger illumination to the wall surface closer to the light source and weaker illumination to the wall surface farther from the light source. The light emitted from the first exit surface 113 of the catadioptric TIR lens is directed towards the wall surface farther from the light source, serving to uniformly supplement the illumination of the distant wall surface.

[0035] The light emitted from the first exiting surface 113 includes both light rays that directly strike the first exiting surface 113 after incident on the incident surface, and light rays that strike the first exiting surface 113 after reflection by the first total internal reflection surface 112. The first total internal reflection surface 112 converges light rays with larger incident angles, resulting in more light rays emanating from the first exiting surface 113 and greater illumination brightness. This utilizes more light to compensate for light loss during propagation, ensuring that the final illumination brightness of the wall surface farther from the light source is similar to that of the wall surface closer to the light source, thus achieving uniform wall brightness.

[0036] More specifically, the light flux ratio range (1:1, 1:4) allocated to the concave-convex lens portion 120 and the catadioptric TIR lens portion 110 in this embodiment results in a larger light flux for the catadioptric TIR lens portion 110, leading to better supplementary lighting for distant walls. The beam angle range of the concave-convex lens portion 120 is (100°, 130°); the beam angle range of the TIR lens portion is (30°, <50°).

[0037] Next, combine Figures 5-6 The light propagation path in this embodiment can be further explained, and can be roughly divided into three categories.

[0038] The first type of light ray, A, enters the lens 100 through the incident surface of the light source groove 101 and undergoes a first refraction. It then travels to the second exit surface 122, where it undergoes a second refraction. After being converged by the second exit surface 122, it finally reaches the wall surface 200 to be illuminated. Figure 5In the example, light ray A illuminates the near end of the wall 200 to be illuminated. This is just one example of this type of propagation path light. In reality, this type of light will eventually illuminate the entire wall 200 to be illuminated, including both the near and far ends. However, in general, this type of light is more effective at illuminating the near end of the wall than the far end.

[0039] The second type of propagation path can be referenced to ray B. Ray B enters the lens 100 through the incident surface of the light source groove 101 and undergoes the first refraction. Then it is shot towards the first exit surface 113 and undergoes the second refraction when it exits. After exiting, ray B finally shoots towards the far end of the wall surface 200 to be illuminated.

[0040] The third type of ray, referred to as ray C, enters the lens 100 through the incident surface of the light source groove 101 and undergoes a first refraction. Ray C continues to propagate and undergoes total internal reflection at the second total internal reflection surface 114 (or the first total internal reflection surface 112 or other total internal reflection surfaces). It then travels towards the first exit surface 113, where it undergoes a second refraction and finally reaches the far end of the wall surface 200 to be illuminated. The third type of ray, together with the second type of ray, provides supplementary lighting to the far end of the wall surface 200 to be illuminated.

[0041] This invention, through a specially designed lens beam-splitting structure, effectively balances uniform illumination at both the near and far ends while ensuring high luminous efficacy. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for additional structures such as lampshades. The illuminated wall surface (200mm) exhibits a rectangular light effect with uniform illumination and outstanding wall-washing performance. Figure 7 As shown.

Claims

1. A lens whose optical axis (103) is parallel to the optical axis of a light source, the lens (100) having a mounting surface (102) for mounting, the mounting surface (102) having a light source groove (101) for placing the light source, the peripheral wall of the light source groove (101) and the bottom surface forming the incident surface of the lens (100), characterized in that, The lens (100) has an irregular structure located at the far end of the direction of emission from the light source, and the irregular structure has an exit surface for light to be emitted; wherein the irregular structure is configured to cooperate with the light entering through the incident surface to complete total internal reflection and direct reflection within it, and then be emitted through the exit surface.

2. The lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lens (100) is divided along its own optical axis (103) into the irregular structure on the first side and other structures on the second side. The first side of the lens (100) has a first total reflection surface (112), which is used to reflect light rays incident on the first total reflection surface (112). The first side of the lens (100) and the position opposite to the mounting surface (102) has a first exit surface (113). The light rays emitted through the first exit surface (113) include light rays reflected by the first total reflection surface (112) and then incident on the first exit surface (113) and light rays incident on the first exit surface (113) directly after entering through the incident surface of the lens (100). The second side of the lens has a second exit surface (122), which is used to allow light rays incident on the second exit surface (122) after entering through the incident surface to be emitted outward.

3. The lens according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first total reflection surface (112) is partially recessed to form a second total reflection surface (114), which is used to perform total reflection of light rays incident on the second total reflection surface (114).

4. The lens according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second exit surface (122) is a converging arc surface.

5. The lens according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The lens (100) includes a catadioptric TIR lens portion (110) located on the first side and a concave-convex lens portion (120) located on the second side. The catadioptric TIR lens portion (110) has the irregular structure. The first total reflection surface (112) and the first exit surface (113) are both located in the catadioptric TIR lens portion (110), and the second exit surface (122) is located in the concave-convex lens portion (120).

6. The lens according to claim 5, characterized in that, The light flux ratio range allocated to the concave-convex lens portion (120) and the catadioptric TIR lens portion (110) is (1:1, 1:4).

7. The lens according to claim 6, characterized in that, The beam angle range of the concave-convex lens portion (120) is (100°, 130°).

8. The lens according to claim 7, characterized in that, The beam angle range of the catadioptric TIR lens section (110) is (30°, 50°).

9. A wall washer light, characterized in that, The application uses the lens (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. The wall washer light according to claim 9, characterized in that, The optical axis (103) of the lens (100) is deflected toward the wall surface (200) to be illuminated in the installed state, with a deflection angle range of (10°, 45°).

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