Angled Reflector Zones for Uniform Parking Garage Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light fixtures using fluorescent lamps in architectural spaces, such as parking garages and warehouses, suffer from uneven lighting distribution, with higher illuminance directly below the fixture and reduced lighting at areas farther away, necessitating the use of more fixtures and higher energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A light fixture design incorporating a reflector element that redirects radially emitted light at specific angles to distribute light more uniformly, including a housing with elongated reflector portions and lamps oriented horizontally, where the reflector elements are angled to reflect light away from nadir towards laterally remote areas, enhancing light distribution beyond the immediate area below the fixture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional fluorescent lamp fixtures are used with radial light distribution, then the lighting coverage area is wide, but the illuminance becomes uneven with significantly higher light directly below the fixture and reduced light at lateral areas
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is divided into multiple zones (first reflector zone, second reflector zone, third reflector zone) with different angular orientations. Each zone redirects light from specific portions of the lamp to different target areas, creating locally optimized light distribution patterns that collectively achieve uniform overall illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention redirects light distribution from a primarily vertical pattern (directly below fixture) to include significant horizontal and lateral components. By using angled reflector surfaces, light is redistributed across multiple spatial dimensions, achieving uniform illumination across the entire target area rather than concentrating it vertically below the fixture.
2Area of stationary object
If more light fixtures are installed to cover lateral areas, then the lighting coverage is improved, but the energy consumption and fixture costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector angles and geometries are precisely engineered to redirect light from a single fixture to cover lateral areas that would otherwise require additional fixtures. By changing the angular parameters of the reflector surfaces, the system achieves extended light throw and broader area coverage from the same energy input.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional reflector designs are used, then the fixture structure is simple, but the light is not effectively redirected to lateral areas
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is segmented into multiple distinct zones with different angular orientations rather than using a single simple reflective surface. This segmentation allows each zone to independently control light redirection to specific target areas, achieving complex light distribution patterns while maintaining modular manufacturability.
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 provides a more uniform lighting pattern with fewer fixtures and reduced energy consumption by directing light emitted by the lamps at higher angles, increasing illumination in areas laterally remote from the fixture, thus improving lighting efficiency and reducing the number of fixtures required.
Implementation Method 1
the reflector element is configured to receive a portion of the light that is emitted in a first horizontal direction at an emitted angle from a vertical direction, and to reflect the portion of light in an opposite second horizontal direction, away from the light fixture, and at a reflected angle from vertical that is greater than the emitted angle
Data Source
AI summary
A light fixture useful in the lighting of parking garages, including a base, a reflector element and at least one light-emitting lamp. The reflector element includes a reflector portion that extends vertical from the base to a distal edge that extends beyond the lamp. The extending reflector portions include a plurality of planer panels positioned in a plane at an angle that faces toward the lamp. A portion of the emitted light is reflected by the extending reflector portion in the opposed horizontal direction away from the fixture at a reflected angle from nadir that is greater than the emitted angle. The light fixture provides a uniform lighting pattern that allows for using fewer of the light fixtures, by projecting or reflecting emitted light horizontally at very high angles from nadir, and delivering more light to areas laterally remote from the fixture, and potentially using less energy.