Corrugated Light-Guiding Element for LED Glare Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern LED-based lighting fixtures often suffer from glare and an undesirable aesthetic due to the linear arrangement of LEDs, which can create a dazzling effect and make individual LEDs visible as point light sources.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a light-guiding element with a corrugated structure on its entry and exit surfaces, which scatters light to create a uniform and flat light source impression, reducing glare and enhancing aesthetics by masking individual LEDs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If light-emitting diodes are arranged in a row to achieve compact design and design diversity, then energy efficiency and design flexibility are improved, but glare effect and visibility of individual LEDs worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidglare effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a linear one-dimensional LED arrangement to a two-dimensional planar light-emitting surface. Multiple LEDs are distributed across a plane rather than arranged in a single row, which maintains energy efficiency while reducing glare by spreading light sources across a broader area, preventing concentrated light paths that cause dazzling effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The light-emitting surface is divided into multiple discrete LED sources distributed across the plane. This segmentation allows each LED to emit light independently while the overall distribution pattern creates a uniform illumination effect, reducing the visibility of individual point sources and minimizing glare through spatial separation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If light-emitting diodes are arranged in a row to achieve compact design, then design flexibility is improved, but aesthetic appearance worsens due to visible point light sources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign diversityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention expands the LED arrangement from one-dimensional linear configuration to two-dimensional planar distribution. This dimensional transition enables diverse design patterns (e.g., grids, curves, geometric shapes) while creating a uniform light-emitting surface that eliminates the aesthetic drawback of visible point sources, as the human eye perceives a continuous glow rather than discrete dots

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the planar light-emitting surface can have different LED densities, patterns, or color temperatures. This allows local customization of light characteristics while maintaining overall uniformity, enabling diverse aesthetic designs without compromising the elimination of visible point sources in any given area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Use of energy by moving object

If individual light-emitting diodes are activated to provide lighting, then energy efficiency is improved, but uniformity of light distribution worsens due to recognizable point sources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiduniformity of light distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The light-emitting surface is segmented into multiple independently controllable LED sources distributed across a plane. By activating multiple segmented LEDs simultaneously rather than a single linear row, the system maintains energy efficiency through selective activation while achieving uniform light distribution, as the segmented arrangement prevents concentrated light paths and creates a diffuse illumination pattern

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Transitioning from one-dimensional linear LED arrangement to two-dimensional planar distribution enables simultaneous activation of multiple LEDs across the plane. This spatial expansion ensures that even when individual LEDs are activated, their distributed positions create a uniform overall appearance, preventing the formation of visible point sources and maintaining stable, even light distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This design significantly reduces glare and improves the aesthetic appeal of LED lighting fixtures by creating a uniform light distribution, making them more visually appealing and functional.

Implementation Method 1

the corrugated structure increases the aesthetics of the interior or exterior light, since in this way the light coupled out of the light guide element, in particular via the light exit surface, is scattered in such a way that the light-emitting diode arranged behind the light guide element can no longer be recognized as such

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

The wave structure according to the invention changes the beam path of the light emitted by the light-emitting diodes in such a way that the impression is created that the interior or exterior light would have a flat light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBeam path modification: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3401588B1Internal or external light with a low glare light emitting surface
Publication Date: 2020.07.01 OCCHIO
  • EP3401588B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3401588B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3401588B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to an indoor or outdoor luminaire, in particular a ceiling or pendant luminaire, with a luminaire housing (20) having at least one longitudinal groove (21) in which several light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in series and a light-guiding element (10) extending over the LEDs (22) are received, wherein the light-guiding element (10) has a light-intake surface (11) facing the LEDs (22) and a light-emission surface (12). The invention is characterized in that the light-intake surface (11) and/or the light-emission surface (12) comprises a wave structure (13) with regularly arranged waves (13a) that extend parallel to each other and orthogonally to the longitudinal groove (21).