Diffusing Foam Optical Element for Uniform Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination devices with concave shaped reflectors are complex and expensive, with substantial thickness and weight, making them difficult to transport and install, and they often exhibit high light intensity contrast leading to an unpleasant lighting experience.
Innovation Solution
An illumination device featuring a support structure with an array of spatially separated solid state lighting elements and an optical element made of light transmissive, diffusing foam material with a pattern of concaves, which functions as both a light reflector and diffuser, reducing complexity and cost while providing uniform light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple concave shaped reflectors are used to achieve good lighting quality, then lighting performance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate concave reflectors into a single integrated optical element made of light-diffusing material. This single element performs the functions of multiple reflectors while simplifying the overall structure and reducing the number of components, directly addressing the complexity issue while maintaining lighting quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material technology by employing an optical element made of light-diffusing material that combines reflective and diffusing properties in one component. This eliminates the need for separate reflector parts and reduces device complexity while achieving the desired lighting distribution
2Illumination intensity
If multiple concave shaped reflectors are used to achieve good lighting quality, then lighting performance is improved, but weight and transportation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple reflector functions into a single integrated optical element, significantly reducing the overall weight of the device. This makes the illumination device much easier to transport and install while maintaining the lighting quality that would otherwise require multiple separate reflectors
3Illumination intensity
If concave shaped reflectors are used to concentrate light, then light intensity in certain areas is improved, but light distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a light-diffusing optical element that has varying optical properties in different regions. The element maintains the concave shape to concentrate light in specific areas while simultaneously diffusing light to create a uniform overall distribution, achieving both localized intensity and global uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The use of light-diffusing material in the optical element creates a composite structure that combines reflective concentration with diffusive scattering. This allows the element to produce both bright light spots and uniform overall distribution simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between intensity concentration and distribution uniformity
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 proposed solution results in a less complex and cost-effective illumination device with improved light distribution, reduced glare, and a more uniform lighting experience, achieved through the use of a solid foam optical element with a concave pattern that diffuses light effectively.
Implementation Method 1
an optical element made of a solid, light transmissive, light diffusing, foam material
Implementation Method 2
the recessed portions functioning as reflectors
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
An illumination device (100) provided with a support structure (10), an array of a plurality of spatially separated solid state lighting elements (11) mounted on a first side of the support structure (10), as well as an optical element (12) made from a light diffusing material for diffusing light emitted by the array of the plurality of spatially separated solid state lighting elements (11), the optical element (12) being mounted on the first side of the support structure and provided with a pattern formed of an array of a plurality of recessed portions (120) and an array of a plurality of elevated portions (122).