Curved Prism Panel Surface for Uniform Light Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transparent covers for lighting sources, such as lamps and LEDs, fail to effectively suppress glare while maintaining a uniform light distribution and are not easily manufacturable.
Innovation Solution
A transparent cover with a surface structure featuring regularly repeating structural elements, including curved base lines oriented in multiple directions, which refract light by creating a large number of differently oriented partial surface areas, reducing glare and enhancing uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If straight, parallel V-shaped grooves are used on the plate surface, then light refraction is achieved, but the light emerging from the plate has a small number of preferred directions determined by the groove course and cross section
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces straight V-shaped grooves with curved base lines that follow arcs or circles. This curvature transformation causes light to be refracted in continuously varying directions rather than discrete preferred directions, achieving uniform light distribution while maintaining the refraction function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses base lines with different curvature radii and orientations arranged in asymmetric patterns. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that light is distributed uniformly in all directions without creating concentrated beams or preferred emission angles
2Shape
If conical recesses with base circles touching one another are used, then light refraction is achieved, but flat surface areas remain between the recesses reducing manufacturing flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the surface into multiple groups of structural elements with base lines oriented in different directions (at least five different directions). This segmentation allows the surface to be divided into manufacturable zones while eliminating flat areas between elements, as the curved base lines can be continuously formed
Solution Approach 2:
By using curved base lines instead of circular cross-sections, the patent eliminates the flat surface areas that would exist between touching circles. The curved arcs can be continuously formed and overlap or touch without leaving planar gaps, improving manufacturing flexibility
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pyramid-shaped structural elements with hexagonal or triangular bases are used, then glare reduction is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the same basic structural element design (curved base line with flank surfaces) throughout the surface, but varies the orientation and curvature radius locally. This maintains uniform glare reduction performance across the entire surface while using a single manufacturable element type, reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite surface structure by combining multiple structural elements with different base line curvatures and orientations in a regular pattern. This composite arrangement achieves uniform glare reduction in all directions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through repetition
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 solution effectively reduces glare by refracting light in various directions, providing a uniform light distribution and simplifying manufacturing through a repetitive surface structure, making it suitable for various lighting sources.
Implementation Method 1
A transparent cover with a surface structure featuring regularly repeating structural elements, including curved base lines oriented in multiple directions, which refract light by creating a large number of differently oriented partial surface areas
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The cover has a surface comprising a surface structure that is arranged on a partial area of the cover. The surface structure comprises structural elements (1), which follow respective base lines (2) and comprise flank surfaces (4, 5) that enclose an angle. The base lines run parallel to the surface and partially curved in a tangent plane to the surface and/or the base lines are oriented in the surface in five different directions. The structural elements comprise a constant cross-section in a sectional plane perpendicular to the base lines. The base lines are formed as closed lines e.g. ellipse lines or circular lines. An independent claim is also included for a lamp.