Deformed Polymer Light Guide with Nanoparticle Crazes for Decorative LED Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED-based lighting solutions lack design flexibility and aesthetic appeal when replacing incandescent bulbs, as they often require uniform light distribution and lack the decorative appearance of traditional filament bulbs.
Innovation Solution
A light guide made of transparent polymer with nanoparticles that can be deformed to create localized light out-coupling portions, allowing for customizable light scattering and distribution, which can be shaped to mimic traditional filament bulbs and enhance decorative effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If uniform light distribution is used in LED-based lighting solutions, then the lighting function is reliable, but the design flexibility and aesthetic appeal are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide structure incorporates localized light out-coupling portions with different optical properties in specific regions, while maintaining uniform light guidance in other areas. This allows different sections of the light guide to have tailored light distribution characteristics, enabling diverse design options and aesthetic effects without compromising the overall lighting function
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide is divided into multiple functional sections: light in-coupling portions, light guidance portions, and light out-coupling portions. Each section performs a specific function, allowing independent optimization of light distribution characteristics in different regions while maintaining system reliability
2Illumination intensity
If light scattering particles are uniformly distributed throughout the optical fiber, then light scattering is achieved, but the transparency and light guiding capability in certain sections is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Light scattering particles are concentrated specifically in the light out-coupling portions of the light guide, while the light guidance portions remain free of such particles. This localized distribution ensures strong light scattering where needed for decorative effects while maintaining high transparency and light guiding efficiency in the sections where light needs to be transmitted
Solution Approach 2:
The light scattering function is extracted from the light guidance function by creating separate light out-coupling portions with high particle concentration. This separation allows the light guide to perform both light guidance and light scattering functions effectively in different regions without compromising either function
3Adaptability or versatility
If the light guide is deformed to create local light out-coupling portions, then design options are increased, but the manufacturing precision required is higher
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is pre-formed with specific geometric features and material properties that enable controlled deformation. The polymer composition and internal structure are prepared in advance to respond predictably to deformation forces, allowing local light out-coupling portions to be created through controlled deformation without requiring extremely high manufacturing precision
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide (1) is presented. The light guide (1) comprises a body (2) made of a transparent polymer with nanoparticles (3) arranged therein, said body (2) comprising at least one locally deformed section (4) forming a local light out-coupling portion (6) of the light guide (1), wherein the local light out-coupling portion (6) comprises crazes (5) at, or in vicinity of, at least a portion of the nanoparticles (3) arranged in the at least one portion of the light guide (1), the crazes (5) are acting as light scatterers. Also a method for introducing a local light out-coupling portion (6) in a light guide (1) is presented.