Decentered Lens Array Illumination Device for Uniform Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination devices with multiple light emitting portions struggle to illuminate a wider area due to limitations in the light collection optical system and exhibit reduced illuminance at the connection points of multiple substrates.
Innovation Solution
The use of a lens array with decentered lenses and varying lens orientations to refract light from light emitting portions, ensuring even illumination across a broader area and maintaining consistent illuminance at substrate connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a light collection optical system is used to illuminate a wider area, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the irradiation area based on a single light emitting substrate is restricted to be narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device is divided into multiple light emitting substrates, each with multiple light emitting portions. This segmentation allows each substrate to be optimized for its local illumination while collectively covering a wider area, resolving the contradiction between single-substrate area limitations and overall illumination coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-substrate two-dimensional arrangement to a multi-substrate three-dimensional arrangement. By stacking multiple substrates and using decentered lenses to redirect light at different angles, the system expands illumination coverage in the vertical dimension while maintaining uniformity across horizontal connection areas.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple light emitting substrates are arranged to widen the irradiation area, then the coverage is improved, but the illuminance of the connection portion area is drastically lower than other areas
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the optical system are designed with different properties: decentered lenses are positioned at specific locations to redirect light toward connection portions, while centered lenses maintain normal illumination in other areas. This local differentiation ensures uniform illuminance across the entire illumination surface including connection regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The decentered lens configuration is replicated across multiple light emitting substrates. Each substrate contains lenses with the same decentering pattern, creating consistent light redistribution behavior throughout the array. This copying approach ensures uniform illuminance enhancement at all connection portions while maintaining overall illumination efficiency.
3Area of stationary object
If a decentered lens is used to refract light outward for wider area illumination, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the optical center is different from the geometric center
Solution Approach 1:
The patent intentionally introduces asymmetry through decentered lenses where the optical center does not coincide with the geometric center. This asymmetric configuration enables light to be refracted at angles that direct illumination toward connection portions and expand coverage area. The asymmetric lens design is systematically applied across the substrate array to achieve uniform illuminance distribution.
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 configuration allows for wider area illumination and uniform illuminance, preventing drastic reductions in light intensity at substrate connections, thereby enhancing the overall illumination efficiency and coverage.
Implementation Method 1
a lens array that has a plurality of lenses each of which is opposed to each of the plurality of light emitting portions and through which passes the light emitted from the opposed light emitting portions
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination device includes a light emitting element chip and a plurality of lens array units. The light emitting element chip has a plurality of light emitting elements. Each light emitting element is a first light emitting portion provided in the light emitting element chip, or is a second light emitting portion provided at a position closer to the end portion of the light emitting element chip than the first light emitting portion. The lens array unit has a plurality of micro lenses each of which is opposed to each of the plurality of light emitting elements. Each micro lens is a first lens opposed to the first light emitting portion, or a second lens opposed to the second light emitting portion. The optical center of the first lens coincides with the geometric center thereof, and the optical center of the second lens is different from the geometric center thereof.