Asymmetrical Lamp Optical Assembly Using Translational Lens and Reflectors

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical arrangements for achieving asymmetrical light emission characteristics, such as those used in emergency escape route lights, either require multiple light sources or result in large designs when using a single source, compromising compactness and optimal photometric properties.

Innovation Solution

A compact optical arrangement featuring a translationally symmetrical lens and two rotationally symmetrical reflectors on either side, with parabolic reflection surfaces, is used to deform light from a single point source into an asymmetrical cone, extending further in one direction than perpendicular to it.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If two light sources are used to achieve asymmetrical light emission, then the light distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distributionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the optical system into distinct functional components: a lens with asymmetric curvature (different radii in orthogonal directions) and reflection surfaces with specific geometric configurations. This segmentation allows each component to contribute to the overall asymmetrical light distribution without requiring multiple light sources, thereby maintaining simple device architecture while achieving the desired illumination pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent directly applies asymmetry by designing the lens with different curvature radii (R1 ≠ R2) in orthogonal directions and configuring reflection surfaces with asymmetric geometries. This intentional asymmetric design enables the single light source to produce asymmetrical light emission patterns, resolving the contradiction by making the optical components asymmetric rather than using multiple symmetric light sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Device complexity

If a rotationally symmetrical lens is used with a single light source, then the device complexity is reduced, but the light emission symmetry cannot be controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidlight emission symmetry
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the rotationally symmetrical lens with an asymmetric lens having different curvature radii (R1, R2) in orthogonal directions. This asymmetric lens design maintains single-source simplicity while enabling precise control over light emission symmetry, directly resolving the contradiction by making the lens asymmetric to match the desired asymmetrical light cone output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different optical properties to different regions of the lens surface through varying curvature radii in orthogonal directions. This allows the lens to selectively direct light differently along different axes, achieving the desired asymmetrical light distribution while maintaining a simple single-source configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Illumination intensity

If reflector half-shells are assembled to deform the light beam, then the asymmetrical light cone is achieved, but the lamp design becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight cone shapeVSAvoidlamp design size
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of the lens and reflectors into a more integrated optical system. The asymmetric lens and reflection surfaces work together in a compact arrangement to produce the asymmetrical light cone, eliminating the need for separate reflector half-shell assemblies and reducing the overall lamp volume while maintaining the desired light distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves compactness by optimizing the spatial arrangement of optical components in three-dimensional space, utilizing different dimensions and angles to fold the optical path efficiently. This allows the asymmetrical light cone to be generated within a smaller volume by clever geometric positioning rather than requiring large linear arrangements of components.

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

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 configuration effectively achieves the desired asymmetrical light distribution in a compact design, optimizing lighting properties for emergency escape route illumination.

Implementation Method 1

optical means have a lens arrangement assigned to the light source, via which the light emitted by the light source is initially deformed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

two reflectors with reflection surfaces, via which the light emitted by the light source is further deformed... The reflection surfaces themselves preferably have a parabolic shape in section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2257734B1Optical assembly for lamp having a point-shaped light source and asymmetric light-emitting characteristic
Publication Date: 2014.09.03 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP2257734B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2257734B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2257734B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7b

AI summary

The invention relates to a lamp (1) having a substantially punctiform light source (2), wherein optical means for influencing the light emitted by the light source (2) are provided such that the extension of the light cone emitted by the lamp (1) is greater in a first direction (I) than in a second direction (II) extending perpendicular to the first direction (I). The optical means have a lens arrangement (10) associated with the light source (2), said arrangement being configured in a translational-symmetrical manner with respect to the second direction (II), and two reflectors (21) that are located on both sides of the lens arrangement (10) - with respect to the second direction (II) - and have reflection surfaces (22), which are configured in a substantially rotation-symmetrical manner with respect to a rotational axis (R).