Curved Light Pipe for Compact Color Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light-mixing systems require increased height to achieve effective light mixing, which is not suitable for applications needing both efficient mixing and a shorter system height.
Innovation Solution
A light-mixing system comprising a light pipe with an input surface, a light-mixing segment, and an output surface, where the input and output surfaces are oriented at non-zero angles relative to the light-mixing segment, and may include reflective surfaces, microlenses, and surface texturing for efficient light redirection, allowing for effective light mixing while maintaining a compact height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the length of the mixing rod is increased to improve light mixing effectiveness, then the light mixing performance is improved, but the system height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional linear light-mixing rod to a curved light-guiding waveguide that extends in a different spatial dimension. The waveguide follows a curved path (e.g., U-shaped, serpentine, or hemispherical) allowing light to travel a longer distance through the mixing medium while the overall system height remains compact. This dimensional reconfiguration enables effective light mixing without increasing the vertical profile of the system.
2Reliability
If conventional light-mixing systems are used to achieve effective light mixing, then light mixing performance is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated curved light-guiding waveguide structure. The waveguide simultaneously serves as the light transmission path, the light-mixing medium container, and the optical guide. This merging eliminates the need for separate components such as conventional rods, lenses, and reflectors that would be required in traditional systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective light mixing performance.
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 system achieves efficient light mixing with a significantly shorter height compared to conventional systems, providing excellent light mixing performance while minimizing system height.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective surface that is optically coupled to the input surface and the light-mixing segment of the light pipe for directing at least a portion of the light received via the input surface to the light-mixing segment
Implementation Method 2
In other embodiments, the reflective surface can reflect the light incident thereon via total internal reflection
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a light pipe is disclosed. In some embodiments, the light pipe comprises an input section including a waveguide having a circular cross section; and an output section having a polygonal cross section, wherein the input section has an input surface for receiving light from one or more light sources and an output surface through which light exits the input section, and the output section has an input surface optically coupled to the output surface of the input section to receive at least a portion of the light exiting the input section, and an output surface through which light exits the light pipe.