Curving Modular Luminaire Housing with Light Guide Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems lack flexibility and aesthetic appeal, particularly in architectural spaces, as they often require visible wiring and do not allow for seamless integration of light sources into the design, leading to discomfort and shadowing issues due to point source luminance.
Innovation Solution
A modular lighting system with curving or twisting housings and connectors that allow for flexible orientation and connection of luminaire sections, using ribbon cables for mechanical and electrical connectivity, and light guides with extraction features to distribute light uniformly and conceal the light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional lighting systems are used with visible wiring and point source luminance, then installation is straightforward, but aesthetic appeal deteriorates and discomfort/shadowing issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into modular luminaire sections that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each section contains integrated wiring channels and light guides, allowing straightforward installation while achieving complex aesthetic forms through modular composition
Solution Approach 2:
Wiring channels are nested within the luminaire housing structure, and light guides are nested within the wiring channels. This nested arrangement conceals all wiring and light sources within the aesthetic housing form, eliminating visible wiring while maintaining installation simplicity
2Use of energy by moving object
If point source luminance is used, then light emission is efficient, but discomfort and shadowing issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The point source luminance is extracted from the visible space and relocated to the rear of the luminaire housing. Light guides then transport this efficient point source light forward and distribute it through extraction features, maintaining efficiency while eliminating the harmful visual effects of exposed point sources
Solution Approach 2:
Light guides act as intermediary elements between the point source luminance and the external environment. They transmit light efficiently from the compact source while distributing it through extraction features to create uniform illumination, mediating between efficiency and comfort requirements
3Illumination intensity
If light sources are exposed, then light emission is direct and efficient, but aesthetic appeal and visual continuity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure, wiring channels, light guides, and light distribution features are merged into a single integrated luminaire section. This consolidation maintains direct light emission from the point source while presenting a continuous, seamless aesthetic form without visible seams or exposed components
4Ease of manufacture
If rigid linear housings are used, then manufacturing is simple, but flexibility and aesthetic integration worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design enables dynamic reconfiguration of the lighting system. While individual luminaire sections maintain simple linear forms for easy manufacturing, the connectors allow these sections to be assembled in various orientations and configurations, providing flexibility without complicating the basic housing manufacturing
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 provides aesthetically pleasing, flexible lighting solutions that reduce discomfort by distributing light evenly, concealing the light source and minimizing shadowing, while maintaining visual continuity and efficient installation processes.
Implementation Method 1
light guides with extraction features to distribute light uniformly
Data Source
AI summary
A luminaire includes a housing, light-emitting diodes and a light guide. A lateral direction from a top side to a bottom side of the housing is a preferred direction. A front side of the housing forms an aperture. The light guide substantially spans the aperture. In operation, the LEDs emit light toward the preferred direction, which light enters a light coupling surface of the light guide, where it propagates and is substantially retained by total internal reflection. The light guide includes light extraction features to redirect a portion of the light out of total internal reflection, so that some of the light exits the housing through the aperture. The light extraction features redirect some of the light so that more of the light exits the aperture between a normal direction of the light guide and the preferred direction, than between the normal direction and the non-preferred direction.