Bifurcated Light Guide for Uniform Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bifurcated linear light source apparatuses face challenges in achieving uniform light intensity distribution and miniaturization, with insufficient light intensity from a single light guiding member and peak illuminance shifting during installation, leading to dark spots in the irradiated field.
Innovation Solution
A light source apparatus featuring a transparent rod-shaped light guiding member with intersecting first and second light direction changing faces and a groove between them, where the side faces are formed to reflect light perpendicularly to the light direction changing faces, enhancing light emission efficiency and maintaining a flat cross-sectional intensity distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If two light source apparatuses are arranged to face each other with light guiding members, then uniform illumination intensity is achieved, but the lighting unit becomes large in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two light guiding members into a single integrated structure with a bifurcated configuration. The light guiding member is divided into two branches (first and second light guiding portions) that extend in opposite directions, allowing light to be emitted in two directions simultaneously from a single apparatus rather than requiring two separate apparatuses facing each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guiding member is segmented into two distinct branches (first and second light guiding portions) with different light direction changing faces. This segmentation allows each branch to independently control light direction while maintaining a compact single-unit structure, resolving the contradiction between achieving uniform illumination and minimizing size.
2Volume of moving object
If a single light source apparatus is used, then the lighting unit is miniaturized, but light intensity becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate light guiding members into a single bifurcated light guiding member. By integrating two light guiding portions with different light direction changing faces into one structure, the apparatus achieves both miniaturization (single unit) and sufficient light intensity (two emission directions with optimized light extraction).
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the light guiding member are assigned different light direction changing faces (first and second light direction changing faces) with specific orientations. This local differentiation optimizes light extraction efficiency in each direction, ensuring sufficient light intensity is achieved in both emission directions while maintaining a compact single-unit structure.
3Illumination intensity
If light direction changing faces are formed with prisms, then light emission efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent forms the light direction changing faces as curved surfaces rather than traditional prism structures. This curvature simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for precise angular cuts and assembly of multiple prism components, while still achieving effective light direction control through the curved geometry that guides light extraction.
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 increases optical output by 20% and extends the high illuminance area, providing a larger tolerance range for accurate installation and efficient light distribution, ensuring consistent illumination without dark spots.
Implementation Method 1
light that enters the one end face of the light guiding member from the LED is led in a longitudinal direction inside the light guiding member by reflection
Implementation Method 2
the light reflected on the light direction changing face, which is formed of a prism face, is emitted from a light emitting face
Data Source
AI summary
A light source apparatus includes first and second light direction changing faces that extend in a longitudinal direction, a light guiding member having first and second light emitting faces that are formed to respectively face the first and second light direction changing faces and a light source that is arranged on one end face of the light guiding member. A first vertical plane extending in a longitudinal direction with respect to the first light direction changing face and a second vertical plane extending in a longitudinal direction with respect to the second light direction changing face intersect. A groove which extends in a longitudinal direction of the light guiding member is formed between the first and second light direction changing faces. A surface forming the groove may be parabolic in a cross section.