Light Guide with Angled Surfaces for Complex Beam Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light emitting devices struggle to produce complex light shapes, distributions, and color distributions, particularly in applications like automotive lighting, where specific angular and intensity requirements are needed, such as white light for forward visibility, yellowish light for oncoming drivers, and bluish light for road marks, in a simple and cost-effective manner.
Innovation Solution
A light emitting device comprising multiple solid state light sources and a light guide with angled input and exit surfaces, combined with optical elements that shape light from different surfaces to achieve desired light outputs, allowing for high intensity and complex light distributions by utilizing total internal reflection and wavelength conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a simple light emitting device with basic light sources is used, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to produce complex light shapes, distributions, and color distributions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is divided into multiple extraction surfaces (first extraction surface, second extraction surface, third extraction surface) with different functions. Each surface extracts light with specific characteristics to achieve different parts of the complex light distribution pattern, allowing the system to produce complex light shapes without requiring a single complex optical element
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light guide are assigned different extraction functions. The first extraction surface extracts light for one color distribution, the second extraction surface extracts light for another color distribution, and the third extraction surface extracts light for a third color distribution. This local differentiation enables complex overall light distribution while maintaining simple individual components
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple optical elements are added to achieve complex light distributions, then the light shape and color distribution control is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light extraction functions are merged into a single integrated light guide structure. The light guide simultaneously performs light guidance, wavelength conversion, and multi-directional light extraction with different color distributions, eliminating the need for separate optical elements for each function and simplifying the overall device
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide serves multiple functions: it guides light from the LED source, performs wavelength conversion at different regions, extracts light in multiple directions, and produces different color distributions simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while achieving precise light distribution control
3Illumination intensity
If conventional light sources and simple light guides are used, then the device is simple and cost-effective, but the light intensity and beam quality are insufficient for complex lighting applications
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide utilizes changes in refractive index parameters through wavelength conversion materials to control light extraction. By selecting appropriate phosphor materials with different emission wavelengths and absorption characteristics, the system achieves high light intensity and controlled beam quality without complex optical components
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 solution enables the creation of light beams with precise light shapes, distributions, and color distributions, enhancing visibility and safety in complex lighting applications while maintaining simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
By providing a light guide being adapted for receiving light emitted by a plurality of solid state light sources, a light guide is provided with which a particularly large amount of the light will stay in the light guide
Implementation Method 2
short wavelength light is converted to longer wavelengths in a highly transparent luminescent material
Data Source
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Figure 6~7
AI summary
A light emitting device (1) is provided comprising a plurality of first solid state light sources (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 211) adapted for, in operation, emitting first light (13) with a first spectral distribution, and a first light guide (3) comprising a first light input surface (31), a first end surface (32) extending in an angle different from zero with respect to each other and at least one first further surface (33, 34, 35, 36) extending parallel to the first light input surface (31), the plurality of first solid state light sources (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 211) being arranged at the first light input surface (31). The first light guide (3) is adapted for receiving the first light (13) with the first spectral distribution at the first light input surface (31), and guiding at least a part of the first light (13) with the first spectral distribution to the first end surface (32). The light emitting device further comprises at least one first optical element (91), which is adapted for shaping light that is coupled out of the first light guide (3) through at least a part of the at least one first further surface (33, 34, 35, 36) such as to provide a first shaped light (81), and at least one second optical element (92) arranged at or on the first end surface (32).