Asymmetric Light Guide for Movable Barrier Operator Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
LED light sources, being directional, face challenges in projecting light efficiently towards mounting surfaces without causing reflective losses and halo effects, as they do not emit light in a backward direction, unlike incandescent sources, making it difficult to provide sufficient visibility for maintenance while avoiding excessive light reflection.
Innovation Solution
The use of a light guide with an optic body and a distal end surface configured to project light asymmetrically, allowing more light to be directed away from walls or ceilings while still illuminating mounting surfaces, achieved through specific shapes and configurations of the light guide that distribute light unequally across parallel and perpendicular projection planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If LED light sources are used, then energy efficiency and longevity are improved, but directionality control and backward light emission are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the LED light source and the surrounding environment. The light guide receives light from the LED and redistributes it asymmetrically, allowing controlled emission in multiple directions including backward directions, while maintaining the energy efficiency of the LED source.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide is designed with asymmetric geometry featuring a first end surface and a second end surface with different configurations. This asymmetric structure enables the light guide to distribute light unevenly across different angles and directions, providing directional control and backward emission capability while preserving the LED's energy efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If light is directed towards mounting surfaces, then visibility for maintenance is improved, but reflective losses and halo effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide incorporates different surface configurations at its ends, with the first end surface and second end surface having distinct optical properties. This local differentiation allows the light guide to direct light toward mounting surfaces for maintenance visibility while controlling the overall light distribution to minimize reflective losses and halo effects through optimized local light emission characteristics.
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
This solution enables efficient light distribution that reduces reflective losses and halo effects, providing better illumination throughout a room while allowing sufficient light to be directed towards mounting surfaces for visibility, thus enhancing the aesthetic and functional performance of LED-based lighting fixtures.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide can be configured to project light with respect to a first parallel projection plane and a second parallel projection plane... the light guide distributes light asymmetrically such that more light projects onto the first projection plane as compared to the second projection plane
Data Source
AI summary
A movable barrier operator mounts to a ceiling or a wall of a garage. The movable barrier operator includes an operator housing with a motor configured to open and close a movable barrier. The movable barrier operator also includes an LED light source mounted to the housing, a light cover, and a light distributing element. The light cover has several side surfaces that surround or covers the light source. The light distributing element mounts relative to the light source and is configured to scatter light projected by the LED light source so that some of the scattered light is directed toward one or more of the side surfaces of the light cover.