Adjustable LED Wayside Signal Lens System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wayside LED signals require a large number of LEDs and a substantial printed circuit board, leading to high costs and undesirable axial length, while also needing to provide sufficient light output for various viewing angles and a compact design.
Innovation Solution
An optical system comprising multiple LEDs and sequentially arranged optical lenses, including converging and diverging lenses, which allow for adjustable angular light distribution by varying the position of specific lenses, optimizing light output and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a large number of LEDs (88-96 LEDs) are used in the wayside signal, then sufficient light output for different viewing angles is achieved, but the cost increases and the axial length becomes undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple LEDs are optically combined through a series of lenses (first lens, second lens, third lens) to merge their light outputs into a unified beam with controlled angular distribution. This allows a smaller number of LEDs to achieve the same effective light output as a larger number of LEDs would provide individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the light distribution control from a numerical approach (using more LEDs) to an optical approach (using lens systems to control angular distribution). By manipulating light in the angular dimension through adjustable lenses, the system achieves sufficient illumination intensity without increasing the axial length.
2Illumination intensity
If a large number of LEDs are used in the wayside signal, then sufficient light output for different viewing angles is achieved, but the cost increases due to large printed circuit board requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system merges the output of multiple LEDs through a compact lens arrangement, reducing the need for a large printed circuit board to accommodate numerous LEDs. The lenses are positioned in sequence along the optical axis, creating a compact configuration that minimizes the overall device footprint and complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the axial position of optical lenses is altered to adjust final angular light distribution, then adaptability for different applications is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system incorporates adjustable lenses that can be positioned at different axial locations to dynamically change the angular light distribution. This dynamic adjustability allows the same hardware configuration to serve multiple applications with different viewing angle requirements, improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves efficient light distribution with a compact design, providing uniform visibility across different angles and distances, reducing the axial length and maintaining visibility even with failed LEDs, while being cost-effective and adaptable for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of optical lenses for diverging and collimating light generated by the plurality of LEDs
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system (100) for a light emitting diode (LED) signal includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (12, 14), a plurality of optical lenses (20, 40, 60, 80) for diverging and collimating light generated by the plurality of LEDs (12, 14), wherein the plurality of LEDs (12, 14) and the plurality of optical lenses (20, 40, 60, 80) are sequentially arranged in an axial direction, and wherein the plurality of optical lenses (20, 40, 60, 80) are configured such that by altering an axial position of one of the optical lenses (20, 40, 60, 80) from a first defined axial position to a second defined axial position, a final angular light distribution of the optical system (100) is variable.