Curved Reflector Redirects LED Light Upward
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ceiling mount light fixtures, especially those using LED light sources, often lack uplight emission, creating an undesirable 'cave effect' in environments with high ceilings due to the directional nature of LEDs, which emit light primarily downwards.
Innovation Solution
A light fixture assembly incorporating a heat sink and reflectors with a substantially curved cross-sectional profile, positioned to redirect light emitted by LEDs from a downward direction towards an upward direction, providing both downlight and uplight without additional LEDs or configuration changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If downward pointing LEDs are used in ceiling mounted fixtures, then lighting efficiency is improved, but uplight is eliminated creating a cave effect
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is designed with a curved surface geometry that redirects downward-pointing LED light upward. The curved profile transforms the directional light output into a distributed pattern that provides both downlight and uplight, eliminating the cave effect while preserving LED efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A reflector is introduced as an intermediary component between the downward-pointing LEDs and the ceiling space. This reflector mediates the light distribution by capturing downward light and redirecting it upward, thereby providing uplight without requiring upward-pointing LEDs.
2Illumination intensity
If traditional fluorescent or HID light sources are used, then uplight is provided, but lighting efficiency is reduced compared to LEDs
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector serves as an intermediary that enables downward-pointing LEDs to produce uplight, combining the efficiency advantage of LEDs with the uplight benefit traditionally provided only by omnidirectional sources like fluorescent or HID lamps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spatial distribution parameter of light output by using a reflector to redirect light, rather than changing the light source itself. This allows maintaining the efficient LED light source while altering the light distribution pattern to include upward illumination.
3Use of energy by moving object
If all LEDs are aimed towards the ground, then lighting efficiency is maximized, but the ceiling and space above becomes dark
Solution Approach 1:
The curved reflector surface redistributes light from downward-pointing LEDs to illuminate the ceiling area. The curvature geometry ensures that light is redirected across a broad area of the ceiling and upper space, preventing dark zones while preserving LED directional efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector introduces a new spatial dimension for light distribution by redirecting light upward into the ceiling space. This creates illumination in a previously unlit dimensional zone without compromising the downward lighting efficiency.
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 addresses the 'cave effect' by redistributing light to create a more evenly illuminated space, enhancing visibility and reducing shadows by utilizing reflectors to redirect light emitted by LEDs, thereby providing both downlight and uplight.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the one or more reflectors is coupled to the heat sink and disposed in the first direction of at least a portion of the plurality LEDs such that light emitted by the portion of the plurality of LEDs in the first direction is reflected by the at least one of the one or more reflectors towards a second direction that is substantially opposite to the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
A light fixture assembly includes a light fixture and one or more reflectors having a curved cross-sectional profile. The light fixture includes a housing that is configured to house one or more electrical components of the light fixture. Further, the light fixture includes a heat sink that is coupled to the housing, and a plurality of light sources coupled to a bottom surface of the heat sink such that they emit light in a first direction. At least one of the one or more reflectors is coupled to the heat sink and disposed in the first direction of at least a portion of the plurality LEDs such that the light emitted by the portion of the plurality of LEDs is reflected by a substantially concave shaped inner surface of the respective reflector towards a second direction that is substantially opposite to the first direction.