Asymmetrical V-Shape Diffuser for LED Color Mixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional light fixtures using non-white LEDs suffer from insufficient color mixing, leading to undesirable light characteristics such as visible color separation, especially when light rays enter the diffuser at high angles, resulting in inefficient light output and unwanted color patterns.
Innovation Solution
An asymmetrical, v-shaped double diffuser apparatus is used in the light fixture, comprising a first and second diffuser panel that light emitted at greater than a predetermined angle must pass through, ensuring sufficient color mixing by doubling the light's exposure to the diffuser panels, thereby minimizing color separation and maximizing light output efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single diffuser panel is used in the light fixture, then the device complexity is reduced, but color mixing is insufficient leading to visible color separation
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser is divided into multiple panels (first diffuser panel and second diffuser panel) arranged in a V-shape configuration. Each panel performs partial diffusion, and the combined effect achieves superior color mixing. This segmentation allows the system to maintain relatively simple individual components while achieving complex optical performance through their arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser panels are arranged in an asymmetrical V-shape configuration rather than a symmetrical parallel arrangement. This asymmetry optimizes the light path geometry to ensure that light rays undergo multiple reflections and transmissions through the panels, enhancing color mixing efficiency while maintaining a compact fixture structure.
2Area of stationary object
If light rays pass through the diffuser at high angles, then the diffuser coverage is improved, but color separation increases and light output efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The V-shaped arrangement of diffuser panels introduces a dimensional aspect to light diffusion by creating multiple transmission paths through the panels. Light rays that would normally pass through a single panel at high angles are redirected to pass through multiple panels in sequence, effectively utilizing the third dimension (depth) to enhance diffusion performance while maintaining angular coverage.
3Manufacturing precision
If a double diffuser system is implemented, then color mixing is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second diffuser panels are merged into a unified V-shaped diffuser assembly that functions as an integrated optical component. This merging approach allows the multiple diffuser elements to work together synergistically, achieving enhanced color mixing while presenting a single, manageable structure for installation and maintenance, thereby reducing operational complexity despite the increased optical performance.
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 double diffuser apparatus effectively reduces color separation and increases light output efficiency, achieving high luminous efficacy and producing soft, clear, or white light from all angles with minimal loss in efficiency, compared to single diffuser systems.
Implementation Method 1
an optical diffuser is sometimes used to spread out, or scatter, light before the light is emitted from the fixture
Implementation Method 2
The cavity includes, a reflective surface, which can be a diffusive reflector
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an optical diffuser apparatus, for use adjacent a light engine in a lighting fixture for producing desired color-mixed light output. The apparatus includes a first diffuser panel and a second diffuser panel connected to the first diffuser panel. The first diffuser panel and the second diffuser panel are configured and arranged so that, when the apparatus is positioned for operation within the fixture, light emitted by the light engine at greater than a pre-determined threshold angle with respect to a centerline of the engine will pass through both the first diffuser panel and the second diffuser panel, thereby mixing colors of the light toward the desired color-mixed light output.