Curved Collimator and Light Integrator for LED Homogenization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED luminaires face issues with color homogenization and beam collimation, leading to inadequate mixing of colors and visible aberrations, which result in uneven illumination and color fringing, limiting their zoom range and overall performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a collimator with curved sides and an elongated light integrator, which uses total internal reflection to mix and collimate light from LEDs of multiple colors, directing it to an external focal point and then utilizing independently articulatable optical lenses for beam angle control, thereby achieving improved homogenization and collimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If physical separation between different color LED packages is used, then color mixing is improved, but beam homogenization deteriorates and color fringing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A light integrator is introduced as an intermediary component between the spatially separated LED packages and the output beam. This light integrator receives light from multiple LEDs at different locations and redistributes it to create a homogeneous output, mediating between the separated light sources and the desired uniform beam.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a reflective surface with specific curvature (parabolic or elliptical) to redirect light paths in three-dimensional space. By utilizing spatial reflection and path length variation, the system transforms spatially separated light sources into a homogenized beam through dimensional manipulation of light trajectories.
2Shape
If different optical devices are used for each LED package, then beam shape control is improved, but chromatic aberration and color fringing worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using separate optical devices for each LED package, the patent merges all LED packages into a single common optical system. All LEDs share the same reflective surface and light integrator, eliminating the need for multiple optical elements and thereby preventing chromatic aberration while maintaining beam shape control.
Solution Approach 2:
The single reflective surface and light integrator serve multiple functions: they collimate light from all different color LEDs, homogenize the combined beam, and control the overall beam shape. This universal optical system replaces multiple specialized optical devices, eliminating chromatic aberration while achieving multi-functional control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If zoom range is increased, then beam angle variability is improved, but system complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces movable lenses that can be dynamically adjusted along the optical axis to change beam angle. This dynamic adjustment mechanism provides variable beam angles and zoom capabilities without requiring multiple fixed optical systems, achieving adaptability with moderate complexity.
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 solution ensures well-mixed colors are projected uniformly, allowing for a larger variable beam angle and improved zoom capabilities without chromatic aberration, enhancing the overall light output quality and control in LED luminaires.
Implementation Method 1
The collimator with curved sides and an elongated light integrator, which uses total internal reflection to mix and collimate light from LEDs of multiple colors
Implementation Method 2
utilizing independently articulatable optical lenses for beam angle control, thereby achieving improved homogenization and collimation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Disclosed is an LED light source automated luminaire with a multi curved sided collimator mixer and integrator combination.