Diffusive Layer for Uniform UV Light Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light emitting devices using discrete sources struggle to achieve uniform and high-luminance continuous lines of light due to limitations in length and luminance, as well as the inability to easily configure light guides end-to-end, which restricts their application in sterilization and other lighting purposes.
Innovation Solution
A diffusive layer composed of a laminate of transparent films with diffusive elements at concentrations below the percolation threshold, which can be diffusively reflective or transmitting, and may include fibers, grains, or fluorescent particles, is used in conjunction with radiation sources to enhance light emission and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If total internal reflection light guides are used to create a line of light from point sources, then the light can be directed along an axis, but the length of the line is limited by mold constraints and cannot be easily configured end-to-end
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the light guiding system into multiple discrete light guides that can be independently manufactured and then connected end-to-end. Each light guide contains light-emitting elements at its ends, allowing multiple segments to be joined to create arbitrarily long continuous lines of light, overcoming the mold length constraints of single-piece light guides.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces reflective surfaces and optical coupling mechanisms as intermediaries to connect multiple light guide segments. These intermediaries enable efficient light transfer between adjacent light guides, allowing end-to-end configuration while maintaining uniform light emission along the entire assembled length.
2Illumination intensity
If a limited number of light sources are used in light guides, then the device complexity is reduced, but the luminance and perceived visual brightness are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the light source distribution by placing multiple light-emitting elements at the ends of each light guide segment. When multiple segments are connected, this creates a distributed array of light sources along the entire length, significantly increasing total luminance without requiring a proportional increase in complexity at any single location.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple light guide segments with light-emitting elements into a single continuous light line. The combined effect of multiple light sources from different segments produces high overall luminance while the modular structure keeps individual component complexity low.
3Illumination intensity
If light guides are used to direct point sources into lines, then light distribution is achieved, but the luminance is limited and long light guiding layers are expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the light guiding function into multiple shorter, inexpensive light guide pieces that can be manufactured cost-effectively and then assembled. This avoids the need for single long light guiding layers, reducing material costs while achieving the same total length and luminance through distributed light emission from multiple segments.
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 diffusive layer effectively diffuses and distributes radiation, achieving a uniform and high-luminance light emission over longer lengths, enabling improved sterilization and lighting applications while reducing costs associated with long light guiding layers.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of diffusive elements are optical elements that diffuse light that is impinging on such element
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of particles that are fluorescent when exposed to the radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A diffusive layer including a laminate of a plurality of transparent films is provided. At least one of the plurality of transparent films includes a plurality of diffusive elements with a concentration that is less than a percolation threshold. The plurality of diffusive elements are optical elements that diffuse light that is impinging on such element. The plurality of diffusive elements can be diffusively reflective, diffusively transmitting or combination of both. The plurality of diffusive elements can include fibers, grains, domains, and/or the like. The at least one film can also include a powder material for improving the diffusive emission of radiation and a plurality of particles that are fluorescent when exposed to radiation.