Rotationally Symmetric Collimating Lens for SSL Color Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid state lighting (SSL) elements produce directional luminous outputs with limited angular range, leading to incomplete mixing of light from multiple sources with different spectral compositions, resulting in color separation in lighting devices, particularly in accent lighting applications where uniform spectral composition is desired.
Innovation Solution
A rotationally symmetric collimating lens with a monolithic body design featuring recesses for light sources, where part of each luminous output enters a second body portion for mixing, and the remaining part is reflected onto an inner surface for further mixing, ensuring a homogeneous spectral composition, with faceted surfaces for enhanced efficiency and flexibility in light source arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If SSL elements are used to produce directional luminous outputs, then energy efficiency is improved, but complete mixing of light from multiple sources is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is divided into multiple distinct optical paths that guide light from different SSL elements through separate routes before combining them. This segmentation allows each light source to be individually controlled while ensuring proper mixing of their spectral compositions in the final output.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical element are designed with different optical properties and functions. Specifically, each optical path is optimized for its designated light source, with local variations in refractive indices, surface geometries, and material compositions that enable effective light mixing while maintaining directional output characteristics.
2Shape
If optical elements are designed to shape luminous output, then beam angle control is improved, but light mixing between multiple sources is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is divided into multiple distinct optical paths that guide light from different SSL elements through separate routes before combining them. This segmentation allows each light source to be individually controlled while ensuring proper mixing of their spectral compositions in the final output.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element acts as an intermediary structure that receives directional light from multiple SSL elements, processes each light beam through dedicated optical paths, and combines them into a unified output with homogeneous spectral composition while maintaining the desired beam angle characteristics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources with different spectral compositions are coupled into optical element, then spectral versatility is improved, but color separation in output is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is divided into multiple distinct optical paths that guide light from different SSL elements through separate routes before combining them. This segmentation allows each light source to be individually controlled while ensuring proper mixing of their spectral compositions in the final output.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical element are designed with different optical properties and functions. Specifically, each optical path is optimized for its designated light source, with local variations in refractive indices, surface geometries, and material compositions that enable effective light mixing while maintaining directional output characteristics.
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 collimating lens effectively mixes luminous outputs from SSL elements with different spectral compositions, producing a highly uniform spectral composition, improving luminous efficiency and allowing for tunable lighting solutions in applications like accent lighting.
Implementation Method 1
A rotationally symmetric collimating lens with a monolithic body design featuring recesses for light sources, where part of each luminous output enters a second body portion for mixing, and the remaining part is reflected onto an inner surface for further mixing
Implementation Method 2
the remaining part is reflected onto an inner surface for further mixing
Implementation Method 3
a collimating lens may be used to reduce the beam angle of the luminous output produced by such SSL elements
Data Source
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AI summary
A collimating lens (10) is disclosed that is rotationally symmetric around an axis (15). The lens comprises a first body portion (100) comprising an outer surface (110) having at least one recess (140) arranged to receive a plurality of light sources (5, 5') and an inner surface (120) opposing the outer surface, said inner surface delimiting a cavity (125) and tapering inwardly into the first body portion; and a second body portion (200) extending from the first body portion opposite said cavity and terminating in a light exit window (220), said second body portion having a further outer surface (210) extending between the outer surface of the first body portion and the light exit window and expanding away from the first body portion. Also disclosed is a lighting device that comprises such a collimating lens.