Ceiling LED Pathway Lighting with Baffles and Collimator Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auditorium lighting technologies fail to effectively illuminate pathways without causing glare or disturbing the view of patrons, as they often result in unwanted lateral light spread and visibility of light sources from the ceiling.
Innovation Solution
A ceiling-based LED lighting apparatus comprising a plurality of LEDs, vertical baffles, apertures, a glare shield, and a collimator lens that focuses light into a narrow beam, positioning the illumination between patrons and a stage or screen while minimizing visible light reflections and lateral spread.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional auditorium lighting is used to illuminate pathways, then pathway illumination is achieved, but glare and lateral light spread occur that disturb patron views
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into multiple discrete LED modules, each with its own baffle and aperture structure. This segmentation allows precise control of light direction from each module, directing illumination only where needed on the pathway while preventing lateral spread toward the screen. Each LED module operates independently to illuminate specific sections of the pathway without creating glare for patrons.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements localized light control through individual baffles and apertures for each LED module. Each module is optimized to provide illumination quality specifically suited for pathway lighting, with light directed only onto the pathway surface. This local quality control ensures that pathway areas receive adequate illumination while screen areas remain dark, eliminating the trade-off between pathway brightness and patron view quality.
2Illumination intensity
If ceiling-mounted lighting is used to illuminate pathways, then pathway visibility is improved, but light sources become visible to patrons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful visible light components from the ceiling-mounted lighting system. Through the use of baffles that block upward and lateral light, and apertures that restrict light to downward pathway illumination only, the system effectively takes out the unwanted visible light that would otherwise be seen by patrons. The result is pathway illumination achieved without the harmful byproduct of visible ceiling light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of ceiling-mounted lights being visible into a benefit by using the ceiling mounting position strategically. The ceiling location, which would normally cause visible light sources, is transformed into an advantage by directing all light downward through precisely controlled apertures. The ceiling mounting provides ideal positioning for downward light projection, and the harmful visibility issue is resolved by ensuring no light travels upward or laterally, turning the ceiling position into the optimal location for invisible pathway illumination.
3Area of stationary object
If wide beam lighting is used to illuminate pathways, then pathway coverage is improved, but light spreads laterally and causes glare
Solution Approach 1:
The patent solves the contradiction between pathway coverage and lateral light spread by transitioning from a two-dimensional horizontal light distribution problem to a three-dimensional controlled distribution. Multiple LED modules are arranged vertically and horizontally to provide comprehensive pathway coverage, while each module's light is constrained in the horizontal dimension by baffles and apertures. This dimensional approach allows full pathway illumination through vertical and modular arrangement while eliminating lateral spread through horizontal light restriction at each module.
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 provides efficient and unobtrusive pathway illumination, ensuring that the light beam remains focused and invisible to patrons, meeting safety and egress illumination standards with adjustable intensity, while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing environment.
Implementation Method 1
a lens is disposed between the second apertures and the LEDs
Implementation Method 2
whose light is focused into a light beam of a width selected to illuminate the pathway
Implementation Method 3
the light fixtures may comprise a plurality of LEDs, a plurality of vertical baffles, and a plurality of first apertures
Implementation Method 4
minimizing visible light reflections
Data Source
AI summary
Auditorium pathways, such as vertical and horizontal aisle ways, are illuminated by light fixtures located above the pathways, the light fixtures comprising a plurality of LEDs whose light is focused into a light beam of a width selected to illuminate the pathway. In one embodiment, the light beam is configured such that it may be disposed between a plurality of patrons and a stage or screen to illuminate a pathway while remaining invisible to the patrons.