Optical devices
By using transparent materials and shaped grooves on the sidewalls of the optical device, the glare problem of existing light sources is solved, achieving uniform lighting for the floor and ceiling, and enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of the luminaire.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- LEDIL
- Filing Date
- 2022-01-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-04
AI Technical Summary
The light distribution design of existing light sources results in glare, limiting the aesthetic and functional use of luminaires, especially in office environments where it is difficult to effectively illuminate both the floor and ceiling simultaneously.
The optical device, made of transparent material, includes a front wall and side walls. The side wall surfaces are grooved to refract light and control its distribution, so that most of the light shines downward to illuminate the floor and a small portion shines upward to illuminate the ceiling, while reducing unwanted glare.
It effectively controls light distribution, reduces glare, and achieves uniform lighting for the floor and ceiling, enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of the luminaire.
Smart Images
Figure CN116981878B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure generally relates to lighting engineering. More specifically, this disclosure relates to an optical device for modifying the distribution of light produced by a light source, which may include, for example, but is not necessarily, one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Furthermore, this disclosure relates to a light-emitting device and a light-emitting system. Background Technology
[0002] In some applications, the distribution of light produced by a light source can be important, or even critical. This light source can include, but is not necessarily, one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), one or more incandescent lamps, or one or more gas discharge lamps. In many office environments, it is desirable for light to be directed not only to the floor but also to the ceiling. A common solution is to use linear pendant light fixtures with open ceiling sides. Linear pendant light fixtures can include, for example, a fluorescent tube or two LED strips facing upwards and downwards, since LEDs are not omnidirectional.
[0003] One known solution to avoid the need for two LED light strips is to use luminaires in which light is also emitted through a side surface. However, with many existing luminaires in which light is emitted through a side surface, a portion of the light is emitted downwards in a direction that may cause undesirable glare. These existing solutions are often simple diffusers for aesthetic reasons. Because emission through a side surface can cause glare, there are many limitations regarding the positioning of such luminaires in lighting systems used to illuminate offices. Therefore, there is a need for optical devices to modify the distribution of light emitted by, for example, LED light strips or other light sources, in which the distribution of light is modified so that most of the light is directed downwards towards the floor, a smaller portion towards the ceiling, and light emitted in unwanted directions and potentially causing glare can be kept at a sufficiently low level. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The following is a simplified summary of the invention to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of various embodiments of the invention. This summary is not a broad overview of the invention. It is neither intended to identify the main or key elements of the invention nor to define the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention.
[0005] In this document, when used as a prefix, the word "geometry" refers to a geometric concept that is not necessarily part of any physical object. This geometric concept can be, for example, a geometric point, a straight or curved geometric line, a geometric plane, a non-planar geometric surface, a geometric space, or any other geometric entity that is zero-dimensional, one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional.
[0006] According to the present invention, a novel optical device is provided for modifying the distribution of light generated by a light source.
[0007] The optical device according to the invention is made of a transparent material, and the optical device comprises:
[0008] - Front wall, which forms the front portion;
[0009] - A connecting part, which is configured to be mechanically connected to the light source system; and
[0010] - Sidewall, the sidewall being located between the connecting portion and the front portion.
[0011] The front wall is configured to allow a first portion of the light emitted by the light source to pass through, and the sidewalls are configured to allow a second portion of the light to pass through. The surfaces of the sidewalls are shaped to have grooves to refract at least 80% of the second portion of the light in a rearwardly oblique direction relative to a first direction from the geometric center point of the connection to the geometric center point of the front portion. In typical use of the optical device, the first direction is downward. Because a large portion of the second portion of the light is refracted rearwardly relative to the aforementioned first direction, the optical device can be used to illuminate both the floor and the ceiling, allowing light emitted in unwanted directions and potentially causing glare to be kept at a sufficiently low level.
[0012] According to the present invention, a novel light-emitting device is also provided, comprising a light source and an optical device according to the present invention for modifying the distribution of light emitted by the light source. The light source may include, for example: one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), such as LED light strips; one or more incandescent lamps; or one or more gas discharge lamps.
[0013] According to the present invention, a novel light-emitting system is also provided, the light-emitting system comprising a floor and a ceiling to be illuminated and at least one light-emitting device according to the present invention between the floor and the ceiling, wherein the front wall of the optical device of the light-emitting device points toward the floor.
[0014] The optical device according to the invention can be manufactured, for example, by die casting. According to the invention, a novel mold is also provided, the mold having the form of a single piece of transparent material (e.g., plastic) suitable for die casting to produce an optical device having the shape according to the invention.
[0015] In an exemplary case where the optical device according to the invention is elongated and suitable for modifying the distribution of light emitted by an elongated light source (e.g., an LED strip), the optical device can be manufactured, for example, by extrusion.
[0016] Various exemplary and non-limiting embodiments are described in the appended dependent claims.
[0017] Exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of both construction and operation methods, together with their additional objects and advantages, will be best understood from the following description of specific exemplary embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0018] The verbs “comprising” and “including” are used in this document as open-ended restrictions, neither excluding nor requiring features that are present or not described. Features described in dependent claims are freely combinable with each other unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that the use of “a” or “an”, i.e., the singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality. Attached Figure Description
[0019] The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments and their advantages are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0020] Figure 1a and Figure 1b A light-emitting device is shown, which includes optical means for modifying light distribution according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment;
[0021] Figure 2 A light-emitting system including a light-emitting device according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment is shown;
[0022] Figure 3 An optical device for modifying light distribution is shown according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment; and
[0023] Figure 4a and Figure 4b A light-emitting device is shown, which includes an optical device for modifying light distribution according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment. Detailed Implementation
[0024] The specific examples provided in the following description should not be construed as limiting the scope and / or applicability of the appended claims. The list and groups of examples provided in the following description are not exhaustive unless expressly stated otherwise.
[0025] Figure 1a The diagram shows an isometric view of a light-emitting device 100, which includes a light source 114 and an optical device 101 for modifying the distribution of light emitted by the light source 114, according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment. In this exemplary case, the optical device 101 is elongated such that its length L is at least twice its width W. The light source 114 may be, for example, an LED strip or another suitable elongated light source. Figure 1b This shows an end view of the light-emitting device 100. Figure 1a and Figure 1bThe relevant observation direction is shown in coordinate system 199. The optical device 101 is made of a transparent material with a refractive index greater than one. This transparent material can be, for example, acrylic plastic, polycarbonate, optical silicone, or glass. The optical device 101 can be manufactured by, for example, molding or extrusion.
[0026] Optical device 101 includes a front wall 102 that forms the front portion 103 of optical device 101. Optical device 101 includes a connecting portion 104 configured to mechanically connect to a light source system 150 including a light source 114. Optical device 101 includes side walls 105 and 106 located between the connecting portion 104 and the front portion 103, such that side walls 105 and 106 are connected to the edge of the front wall 102. The front wall 102 is configured to allow a first portion of the light emitted by the light source 114 to pass through, and the side walls 105 and 106 are configured to allow a second portion of the light to pass through. The surfaces of the side walls 105 and 106 are formed with grooves 107 parallel to the longitudinal direction of optical device 101, i.e., parallel to the x-axis of coordinate system 199. These grooves are shaped such that sidewalls 105 and 106 refract at least 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% of the second portion of light at a rearward tilt relative to a first direction d, which extends from the geometric center of the connecting portion 104 to the geometric center of the front portion 103. Figure 1a and Figure 1b In this example, direction d is the negative z-direction of coordinate system 199. In this exemplary case, the profile of the optical device 101 is symmetrical about a geometric line parallel to direction d. Figure 1b In the diagram, the exemplary beam of light belonging to the second part of the light is depicted with a dashed arrow, and the exemplary beam of light belonging to the first part of the light is depicted with a dotted-dash arrow. In typical use of the light-emitting device 100, the aforementioned direction d is downward. Because most of the second part of the light is refracted backward with respect to direction d, the light-emitting device 100 can be used to illuminate both the floor and the ceiling, so that light emitted in unwanted directions and potentially causing glare can be kept at a sufficiently low level.
[0027] exist Figure 1a and Figure 1b In the exemplary optical device 101 shown, each groove of the sidewalls 105 and 106 has a first side and a second side. Figure 1b In the drawing, one of the first sides of the groove is indicated by reference numeral 108, and one of the second sides of the groove is indicated by reference numeral 109. The second side forms an angle with respect to direction d, such that the angle between the geometric normal of the second side and direction d is larger in the first groove closer to the connecting portion 104 than in the second groove closer to the front portion 103. Two examples of the above angle are indicated by α1 and α2. Figure 1bAs shown, the angle α1 associated with the groove closer to the connecting portion 104 is greater than the angle α2 associated with another groove closer to the front portion 103. Therefore, these grooves form a Fresnel-type lens surface corresponding to the convex lens surface.
[0028] exist Figure 1a and Figure 1b In the exemplary optical device 101 shown, the grooves are on the outer surfaces of the sidewalls 105 and 106. However, it is also possible to have grooves on the inner surfaces of the sidewalls, or to have grooves on both the outer and inner surfaces of the sidewalls.
[0029] In an optical device according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, the sidewalls are angled relative to each other such that the angle between the sidewalls opens toward the front wall. The angle can be, for example, in the range of 5 degrees to 75 degrees. Figure 1a and Figure 1b In the exemplary optical device 101 shown, the angle β between the sidewall 105 and the sidewall 106 is approximately 30 degrees.
[0030] exist Figure 1a and Figure 1b The exemplary optical device 101 shown includes auxiliary sidewalls 110 and 111, which are located between sidewalls 104 and 106 and connected to the connecting portion 104. Auxiliary sidewalls 110 and 111 point towards the front portion 103 and are shaped to have grooves 112 or other deviations from the planar shape to modify the distribution of light falling on the inner surfaces of sidewalls 104 and 106. Auxiliary sidewalls 110 and 111 can be designed, for example, to smooth the distribution of light falling on the inner surfaces of sidewalls 104 and 106. Figure 1a and Figure 1b In the exemplary optical device 101 shown, the auxiliary sidewalls 110 and 111 are parallel to each other, but it is also possible for the auxiliary sidewalls to be at an angle relative to each other. However, it is also possible that the optical device according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment does not include the auxiliary sidewalls, but instead, the light source directly illuminates the inner surface of the sidewalls.
[0031] exist Figure 1a and 1b In the exemplary optical device 101 shown, the surface of the front wall 102 has a pattern of microprisms to smooth the distribution of light passing through the front wall 102. Figure 1a and Figure 1b In the figure, one of the microprisms is indicated by reference numeral 113.
[0032] Figure 2A light-emitting system is shown, comprising a floor 215, a ceiling 216, and light-emitting devices 200, 220, and 221 between the floor and the ceiling. Each light-emitting device 200, 220, and 221 includes an optical device according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, such as... Figure 1a and Figure 1b The optical device 101 is shown in the diagram. The front wall of the optical device of each light-emitting device points towards the floor 215 to guide a first portion of the light emitted by the light-emitting device to the floor 215 and to obliquely guide a second portion of the light to the ceiling 216. The light distribution patterns produced by the light-emitting devices 200, 220, and 221 are depicted with dashed lines. Figure 2 As shown, the light-emitting devices 200, 220 and 221 do not emit light in directions S1 and S2 where the light will cause harmful glare.
[0033] Figure 3 An optical device 301 for modifying light distribution is shown according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment. This optical device 301 can function as... Figure 1a and Figure 1b The optical device 101 shown is elongated. However, it is also possible to: Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the optical device is shown, and the optical device is rotationally symmetrical about a geometric line parallel to the z-axis of coordinate system 399. The optical device 301 includes a front wall 302 that forms the front portion 303 of the optical device 301. The optical device 301 includes a connecting portion 304 configured to be mechanically connected to a light source system. The optical device 301 includes sidewalls 305 and 306 between the connecting portion 304 and the front portion 303. The front wall 302 is configured to allow a first portion of the light emitted by the light source to pass through, and the sidewalls 305 and 306 are configured to allow a second portion of the light to pass through. The surfaces of the sidewalls 305 and 306 are formed with grooves 307. These grooves are shaped such that the sidewalls 305 and 306 refract at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of the second portion of light at a rearward tilt relative to a first direction d, which extends from the geometric center of the connecting portion 304 to the geometric center of the front portion 303.
[0034] exist Figure 3 In the exemplary optical device 301 shown, sidewalls 305 and 306 are angled relative to each other, such that an angle β between the sidewalls opens toward the front wall 302. In this exemplary case, angle β is approximately 10 degrees.
[0035] Figure 4aAn isometric view of a light-emitting device 400 is shown, which includes a light source 414 and an optical device 401 for modifying the distribution of light emitted by the light source 414, according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment. In this exemplary case, the optical device 401 is elongated such that the length L of the optical device is at least twice the width W of the optical device. Figure 4b This shows an end view of the light-emitting device 400. Figure 4a and Figure 4b The relevant observation directions are shown in coordinate system 499. The optical device 401 is made of a transparent material with a refractive index greater than one.
[0036] Optical device 401 includes a front wall 402 that forms the front portion 403 of optical device 401. Optical device 401 includes a connecting portion 404 configured to mechanically connect to a light source system 450 including a light source 414. Optical device 401 includes side walls 405 and 406 located between the connecting portion 404 and the front portion 403, such that side walls 405 and 406 are connected to the edge of the front wall 402. The front wall 402 is configured to allow a first portion of the light emitted by the light source 414 to pass through, and the side walls 405 and 406 are configured to allow a second portion of the light to pass through. The surfaces of the side walls 405 and 406 are formed with grooves 407 parallel to the longitudinal direction of optical device 401, i.e., parallel to the x-axis of coordinate system 499. These grooves are shaped such that sidewalls 405 and 406 refract at least 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% of the second portion of light at a rearward tilt relative to a first direction d, which extends from the geometric center of the connecting portion 404 to the geometric center of the front portion 403. Figure 4a and Figure 4b In this context, direction d is the negative z-direction of coordinate system 499. In typical use of the light-emitting device 400, the aforementioned direction d is downward. Since most of the second portion of the light is refracted backward with respect to direction d, the light-emitting device 400 can be used to illuminate both the floor and the ceiling, allowing light emitted in unwanted directions and potentially causing glare to be kept at a sufficiently low level.
[0037] exist Figure 4a and Figure 4b In the exemplary optical device 401 shown, the grooves are on the outer surfaces of sidewalls 405 and 406. However, it is also possible to have grooves on the inner surfaces of the sidewalls, or to have grooves on both the outer and inner surfaces of the sidewalls.
[0038] exist Figure 4a and Figure 4bThe exemplary optical device 401 shown includes auxiliary sidewalls 410 and 411, which are located between sidewalls 404 and 406 and connected to the connecting portion 404. The auxiliary sidewalls 410 and 411 point towards the front portion 403 and are shaped to have grooves 412 or other deviations from the planar shape to modify the distribution of light falling on the inner surfaces of sidewalls 404 and 406. The auxiliary sidewalls 410 and 411 can be designed, for example, to smooth the distribution of light falling on the inner surfaces of sidewalls 404 and 406. Figure 4a and Figure 4b In the exemplary optical device 401 shown, auxiliary sidewalls 410 and 411 are angled relative to each other, such that the angle γ between the auxiliary sidewalls 410 and 411 opens toward the light source 414. The angle γ can be in the range of, for example, 5 degrees to, for example, 20 degrees. It is also possible that the optical device according to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment does not include the auxiliary sidewalls, but instead, the light source directly illuminates the inner surface of the sidewalls.
[0039] The specific examples provided in the above description should not be construed as limiting the scope and / or applicability of the appended claims. The list and groups of examples provided in the above description are not exhaustive unless expressly stated otherwise.
Claims
1. An optical device (101, 301, 401), said optical device (101, 301, 401) being made of a transparent material and comprising: - Front walls (102, 402), said front walls (102, 402) constitute the front portion (103, 403); - Connecting parts (104, 304, 404), said connecting parts (104, 304, 404) being configured to be mechanically connected to the light source system; and - Sidewalls (105, 106, 305, 306, 405, 406), said sidewalls (105, 106, 305, 306, 405, 406) are located between the connecting portion and the front portion. The front wall is configured to allow a first portion of the light emitted by the light source to pass through, and the sidewall is configured to allow a second portion of the light to pass through, and the surface of the sidewall is shaped to have grooves (107, 307, 407) to refract at least 80% of the second portion of the light backwards relative to a first direction (d) from the geometric center point of the connecting portion to the geometric center point of the front portion, characterized in that each groove has a first side (108) and a second side (109), the second side being angled relative to the first direction such that the angle (α1, α2) between the geometric normal of the second side and the first direction is larger in the first groove closer to the connecting portion (104) than in the second groove closer to the front portion (103).
2. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the sidewall (105, 106, 305, 306, 405, 406) having the groove is the outer surface of the sidewall.
3. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the sidewalls (105, 106, 305, 306) are angled relative to each other such that the angle (β) between the sidewalls opens toward the front wall.
4. The optical device according to claim 2, wherein the sidewalls (105, 106, 305, 306) are angled relative to each other such that the angle (β) between the sidewalls opens toward the front wall.
5. The optical device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the angle (β) is in the range of 5 degrees to 75 degrees.
6. The optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the optical device includes auxiliary sidewalls (110, 111, 410, 411), the auxiliary sidewalls (110, 111, 410, 411) being between the sidewalls and connected to the connecting portion, the auxiliary sidewalls pointing towards the front portion and being shaped to have a deviation from the planar shape to modify the distribution of the second portion of the light that penetrates the auxiliary sidewalls and falls on the inner surface of the sidewalls.
7. The optical device according to claim 6, wherein the auxiliary sidewalls (110, 111) are parallel to each other.
8. The optical device according to claim 6, wherein the auxiliary sidewalls (410, 411) are angled relative to each other such that the angle (γ) between the auxiliary sidewalls is open toward the light source.
9. The optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the optical device is elongated such that the length (L) of the optical device is at least twice the width (W) of the optical device, and the groove of the sidewall is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the optical device.
10. The optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the surface of the front wall has a pattern of microprisms (113) to smooth the distribution of the first portion of the light.
11. The optical device according to claim 10, wherein the surface of the front wall (102) having the pattern of the microprism is the outer surface of the front wall.
12. The optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transparent material is one of the following materials: acrylic plastic, polycarbonate, optical silicone, or glass.
13. A light-emitting device comprising a light source system (150, 450) and an optical device (101, 401) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light source system comprises a light source (114, 414) and is located at the connecting portion of the optical device.
14. A light-emitting system comprising a floor (215) and a ceiling (216) to be illuminated, and at least one light-emitting device (200, 220, 221) according to claim 13 between the floor and the ceiling, wherein the front wall of the optical element of the light-emitting device points toward the floor.
15. A mold having a form suitable for manufacturing, by die casting, a transparent element constituting an optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.