Ceiling Lighting Groove Total Internal Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling and wall lights have a separate, noticeable ring-shaped element on the light exit surface that directs light, which appears as a dark element and is structurally complex to implement, failing to provide a uniform appearance and efficient brightening of the area around the lamp.
Innovation Solution
A ceiling or wall lamp with a transparent cover featuring a groove along its peripheral edge, where one side surface of the groove has an angle of inclination for total reflection, directing light towards the peripheral edge to brighten the surrounding area, thus eliminating the need for separate light directing means and enhancing aesthetic uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a separate ring-shaped light directing element is provided on the light exit surface, then light can be directed towards the ceiling to brighten the area, but the element is noticeable as a separate component and appears as a dark element in the light exit opening
Solution Approach 1:
The groove structure is integrated directly into the cover as a single piece, eliminating the need for separate ring-shaped light directing elements. The groove is formed by removing material from the cover to create side surfaces that perform the light directing function, merging the light directing functionality with the cover structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding a separate ring-shaped element, the invention extracts light directing functionality by creating grooves within the existing cover material. The groove side surfaces are formed by removing material from the cover, allowing light to be directed without requiring additional separate components.
2Illumination intensity
If a separate ring-shaped light directing element is provided, then light can be directed towards the ceiling, but the element is perceived as a dark element in the light exit opening
Solution Approach 1:
The light directing function is merged with the cover structure through integrated grooves. Since the groove is formed within the transparent cover material itself rather than being a separate element, the cover maintains its uniform transparent appearance without dark ring-shaped elements visible from the outside.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure is positioned specifically in the peripheral area of the cover where it can effectively direct light without interfering with the central light transmission. The local modification of the cover geometry allows light directing functionality while preserving the overall aesthetic uniformity of the light exit opening.
3Illumination intensity
If a groove with total reflection surface is provided in the cover, then light is deflected towards the peripheral edge to brighten the area around the luminaire, but the groove must be precisely dimensioned to ensure total reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The groove angle is designed to fall within a specific range (21° to 72°) that ensures total internal reflection occurs. By providing this angular parameter range rather than requiring an exact single value, the invention accommodates manufacturing tolerances while still achieving the desired light directing effect. The critical parameter is that the angle must be sufficient to cause total reflection, not that it must be precisely a specific value.
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 a structurally simpler and aesthetically uniform light distribution, effectively brightening the area around the lamp without visible separate light directing components, using the cover's material properties to control light reflection and direction.
Implementation Method 1
one of the side surfaces has an angle of inclination in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the groove relative to the surface of the cover facing the illuminant, which is dimensioned in this way that this leg surface reflects light, which occurs from the illuminant through the surface of the cover facing the illuminant onto the leg surface, and in the direction of the peripheral edge of the cover to brighten the environment of the luminaire in which the luminaire is installed, the light radiation leaving the cover directly through the peripheral edge after total reflection
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3a~4f
Figure 5a~6b
AI summary
The light has a lighting unit and a transparent cover (4), which is arranged in the region of a light exit opening of the light. A peripheral edge (8) partially defines a lateral boundary of a light-emitting surface. A groove (6) is provided on a side of the cover. The groove is provided at a distance from the peripheral edge. The groove fixes two leg surfaces in the material of the cover. The groove forms a triangle, particularly has a rounded tip.