Asymmetrical LED Lens via Segmented Symmetric Outer Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED streetlights face challenges in achieving asymmetrical light distribution due to the difficulty in fabricating and the increased costs associated with aspheric, asymmetrical lenses, which are necessary for focused or uniform illumination.
Innovation Solution
An optical lens design featuring a symmetrical outer surface and an asymmetrical cavity with bilaterally symmetrical inner side faces, accommodating an LED light source unit, allows for adjustable light distribution angles by positioning the LED source within the cavity, reducing fabrication complexity and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an aspheric, asymmetrical lens is used to achieve asymmetrical light distribution characteristics, then the light distribution requirement is satisfied, but the difficulty in fabricating the mold increases and fabrication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into two distinct parts: a symmetrical outer surface and an asymmetrical cavity. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured using different approaches - the outer surface can be made with standard symmetrical molding while the cavity receives the LED source asymmetrically positioned, achieving the overall asymmetrical light distribution without requiring a completely asymmetrical mold
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire lens asymmetrical to achieve asymmetrical light distribution, the invention inverts the approach by making the outer surface symmetrical and using the internal cavity configuration (asymmetrical positioning of LED within the cavity) to produce the desired asymmetrical light pattern. This reverses the conventional thinking that asymmetrical output requires asymmetrical input structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If an aspheric, asymmetrical lens is used to achieve asymmetrical light distribution characteristics, then the light distribution requirement is satisfied, but fabrication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the lens into symmetrical outer surface and asymmetrical cavity components, the manufacturing process can utilize standard symmetrical molding techniques for the outer surface while only requiring modified positioning for the cavity, thereby reducing overall fabrication costs compared to producing a completely asymmetrical lens
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of symmetry from the outer surface to the internal cavity configuration. This parameter change allows the use of cost-effective symmetrical molding for the outer surface while achieving asymmetrical light distribution through the cavity's asymmetrical LED positioning, thus reducing fabrication costs
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 optical lens effectively achieves asymmetrical light distribution characteristics, reducing fabrication difficulties and costs, and allows for adjustable light distribution angles, making it suitable for streetlight applications.
Implementation Method 1
A general lighting apparatus using an LED light source largely uses a rotation symmetrical lens. Such a type of lens is not favorably applied to a streetlight that requires a particular light distribution
Data Source
AI summary
An optical lens includes: a lens body having an outer surface extending in a longitudinal direction (a first direction) and formed to be symmetrical in a lateral direction (a second direction); and a cavity formed at a lower portion of the lens body and having inner side faces asymmetrical in the longitudinal direction.