Compact Collimating Apparatus for Artificial Skylights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial skylights face constraints in size due to the depth of their collimating optics, which limits their installation in smaller ceiling spaces, and they often result in non-uniform light intensity profiles.
Innovation Solution
A collimating apparatus comprising a light source, a tapered waveguide, a light steering optic, and a collimating optic, where the waveguide reduces light divergence, and the light steering optic steers light towards the collimating optic, allowing for a compact design and uniform light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional in-line collimating optics (lens or reflector) are used, then light collimation is achieved, but the depth of the apparatus increases, limiting installation in small ceiling spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional linear light path to a folded optical path using a non-planar light steering optic. The light steering optic redirects light at angles greater than 90 degrees, effectively folding the optical path into a compact three-dimensional configuration. This allows the collimating optic to be positioned closer to the light source while maintaining adequate optical path length, thereby reducing the overall apparatus depth without compromising collimation quality
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide is positioned within the focal length of the collimating optic, nesting the light guiding function within the collimation structure. This nested arrangement allows the waveguide to deliver light to the collimating optic in a space-efficient manner, further reducing the required apparatus depth while maintaining effective collimation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the apparatus depth is reduced for compact installation, then installation flexibility improves, but light uniformity and collimation quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts key optical parameters including the waveguide position (placed within the focal length of the collimating optic), the light steering optic geometry (designed to redirect light at specific angles), and the relative positioning of optical components. These parameter optimizations ensure that even in a compact configuration, the collimated light maintains uniform intensity distribution and high collimation quality
Solution Approach 2:
The light steering optic acts as an intermediary between the waveguide and the collimating optic. It receives light from the waveguide, redirects it through a folded path, and delivers it to the collimating optic with controlled angular distribution. This intermediary function ensures uniform light delivery to the collimating optic, maintaining light uniformity despite the reduced apparatus depth
3Quantity of substance
If a larger aperture collimating optic is used, then light gathering capability improves, but the apparatus depth and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
By folding the optical path using the light steering optic, the patent decouples the aperture size of the collimating optic from the apparatus depth. A large-aperture collimating optic can be positioned closer to the light source because the folded optical path provides sufficient effective optical length, allowing the optic to gather more light without increasing the overall depth of the apparatus
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
Enables the creation of a compact artificial skylight with a realistic sky simulation and improved light uniformity, suitable for smaller spaces and reducing the depth required for installation, while maintaining efficient light collimation.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide adjacent to the light source and configured to receive light from the light source
Implementation Method 2
a light steering optic configured to receive light from the waveguide
Implementation Method 3
the light steering optic is configured to steer the light received from the waveguide towards the collimating optic
Implementation Method 4
a collimating optic configured to collimate light received from the light steering optic
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes a collimating apparatus 10. The collimating apparatus 10 comprises a light source 12, a waveguide 14 adjacent to the light source 12 and configured to receive light from the light source 12, a light steering optic 16 configured to receive light 30 from the waveguide 14, and a collimating optic 18 configured to collimate light received from the light steering optic 16. The wave guide 14 and the collimating optic 18 are both physically located on a first side of the light steering optic 16. The light steering optic 16 is configured to steer the light 30 received from the waveguide 14 towards the collimating optic 18.