Asymmetric Light Distribution Plate for Workspace Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional floor lamps inadequately illuminate workspaces, particularly distant areas, and often direct light to unintended regions, reducing efficiency and uniformity of illumination.

Innovation Solution

A floor lamp arrangement featuring a luminous element with a light distribution plate and obliquely aligned deflection structure, where illuminants are positioned along edge surfaces to redirect light asymmetrically, ensuring more focused and uniform illumination across a workspace.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional floor lamps use a simple light source and light distribution plate arrangement, then the device complexity is low, but the illumination uniformity and completeness of the workspace is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination uniformityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light distribution plate is divided into multiple regions with different deflection structures (first deflection structure for upward light, second deflection structure for downward light). This segmentation allows each region to independently control light direction, achieving uniform illumination across the workspace without requiring a completely complex device design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the light distribution plate are assigned different optical properties and deflection structures. The first region has structures optimized for upward light redirection while the second region has structures for downward light redirection. This local differentiation enables precise control of illumination uniformity in different workspace areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If conventional floor lamps redirect light vertically to illuminate workspaces, then the illumination of nearby areas is improved, but distant areas of the workspace remain insufficiently illuminated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination completenessVSAvoidlight distribution effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from conventional single-direction (vertical) light redirection to multi-directional light distribution by incorporating both upward and downward deflection structures. This dimensional expansion of light distribution enables comprehensive illumination of the entire workspace, including distant areas that would otherwise remain in shadow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Use of energy by moving object

If conventional floor lamps emit light in multiple directions including indirect light to ceiling, then the overall light output is high, but light is wasted on areas not used for intended lighting reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting efficiencyVSAvoidlight energy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and separates the upward-directed indirect light component from the overall light distribution using the first deflection structure. By isolating this component and redirecting it through specific optical paths, the system ensures that previously wasted light energy contributing to ceiling illumination is now effectively utilized for workspace illumination, thereby improving lighting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts what was previously harmful waste (light lost to ceiling and non-work areas) into a beneficial resource by using the first deflection structure to redirect upward-emitted light back onto the workspace. This transforms energy waste into useful illumination, directly improving lighting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional floor lamps use a single light distribution plate configuration, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different workspace illumination requirements is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distribution adaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light distribution plate is designed with multi-functional deflection structures that can simultaneously perform multiple functions: the first deflection structure handles upward light redirection while the second deflection structure handles downward light redirection. This multi-functionality within a single integrated component provides adaptability to different workspace illumination requirements without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 achieves efficient, uniform, and complete illumination of workspaces by redirecting light asymmetrically, minimizing illumination of non-essential areas and adhering to normative lighting standards.

Implementation Method 1

The light distribution plate comprises a deflection structure with which the light emitted by the first illuminant and radiated into the light distribution plate through the first edge surface can be redirected so that it is emitted through the surface or the lower surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

The deflection structure of the light distribution plate is aligned obliquely to a first main emission direction of the first illuminant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3187773B1Luminous body and floor lamp assembly
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 REGENT BELEUCHTUNGSKORPER
  • EP3187773B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3187773B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3187773B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A luminaire (1) comprises a first light source (31) and a light distribution plate (2). The light distribution plate (2) has a surface (21), a base surface (24), and edge surfaces (22) connecting the surface (21) to the base surface (24). The first light source (31) is associated with one of the edge surfaces (22) such that light emitted by the first light source (31) can be directed through the first edge surface (22) into the light distribution plate (2). The light distribution plate (2) comprises a deflection structure (23) by which the light emitted by the first light source (31) and directed through the first edge surface (22) into the light distribution plate (2) can be redirected so that it is emitted through the surface (21) or the base surface (24) of the light distribution plate (2). The deflection structure (23) is oriented obliquely to a first main emission direction (313) of the first light source (31).According to the invention, this achieves the effect that the light is emitted asymmetrically from the luminaire (1).