Color Mixing Illumination Device Using Reflective PCB Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing color mixing illumination devices face challenges in achieving uniform color mixing over short distances, particularly in compact applications, due to the physical separation of light sources and intensity loss as light travels further from the center.
Innovation Solution
A color mixing illumination device comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) with a reflective surface, a light source with multiple color emitting sites, and a reflector that defines a mixing region to combine light from these sites and direct it to a lens, enhancing color uniformity and intensity in compact designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a large distance is used between light sources to achieve good color uniformity, then color mixing quality is improved, but device size increases and light intensity drops off significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by placing a reflective surface beneath the light sources, creating a third dimension for light propagation. This allows light to travel upward and mix in a controlled volume above the PCB, achieving color uniformity without increasing the horizontal footprint of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective surface acts as an intermediary element that redirects light from the emitting sites. By placing this reflective surface close to the light sources, the patent enables effective light mixing in a compact space, mediating between the need for color uniformity and the constraint of small device size.
2Manufacturing precision
If a large distance is used between light sources to achieve good color uniformity, then color mixing quality is improved, but light intensity drops off significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing the vertical space above the PCB with the reflective surface, the patent creates a compact light mixing region that maintains high light intensity. The reflective surface redirects light upward into this vertical volume, enabling effective mixing without the light traveling long horizontal distances that would cause intensity loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective surface serves as an intermediary that efficiently redirects light from the emitting sites into the mixing region above. This intermediary element ensures that light is effectively utilized for color mixing while maintaining high intensity, avoiding the intensity loss that would occur with long propagation distances.
3Manufacturing precision
If physical separation of light emitting sites is increased to prevent overlap of light cones, then color uniformity is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the complexity issue by moving the light mixing function to the vertical dimension. Instead of requiring complex horizontal arrangements of light sources and optics, the reflective surface beneath the PCB enables vertical light mixing, simplifying the overall device structure while achieving color uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective surface acts as a simple intermediary component that enables color mixing without requiring complex optical systems. This single reflective element provides the necessary light redirection and mixing functionality, reducing device complexity compared to alternative approaches that would require multiple optical components.
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 device effectively mixes colors in smaller applications without significantly impacting light intensity, achieving uniform color mixing and maintaining desirable light output in compact formats.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector having a reflector surface with a first reflective portion, the first reflective portion of the reflector surface faces the reflective portion of the PCB surface to at least partially define a mixing region therebetween, wherein the PCB surface and the reflector surface are configured to mix light from the first color emitting site and the second color emitting site in the mixing region
Data Source
AI summary
A color mixing illumination device and method of using the same. The color mixing illumination device includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB surface with a reflective portion; a multi-color light source attached to the PCB, such as a red-green-blue light emitting diode (RGB LED); and a reflector with a reflector surface. The PCB surface and the reflector surface are configured to mix light from the multi-color light source in a mixing region and then direct mixed light out of the device from an exit region. In one embodiment, the color mixing illumination device is a multi-color indicator lamp for a vehicle.