Direct and Indirect Illumination Device with Independent Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current illumination devices lack the ability to efficiently provide both direct and indirect illumination with independent control over intensity distribution, leading to glare and inadequate lighting uniformity.
Innovation Solution
The development of an illumination device with direct and indirect light-emitting elements and optics, allowing for interdependent or independent control of direct and indirect illumination, featuring a mount with elongated surfaces, light guides, redirecting surfaces, and secondary reflectors to manage light distribution and reduce glare.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional illumination devices are used, then simple structure is maintained, but glare and inadequate lighting uniformity occur due to lack of independent control over direct and indirect illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device is divided into separate direct illumination portions (with direct LEEs and direct optics) and indirect illumination portions (with indirect LEEs and indirect optics), allowing independent control of each portion to achieve uniform lighting while maintaining manageable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination device integrates multiple functions into a single unit, providing both direct illumination (for task lighting) and indirect illumination (for ambient lighting) through independently controllable portions, eliminating the need for separate lighting fixtures
2Illumination intensity
If direct illumination is increased to improve task lighting, then illumination intensity on work surfaces improves, but glare increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating direct and indirect illumination into independently controllable portions, the system can optimize direct illumination for task lighting while simultaneously using indirect illumination to reduce glare, achieving both high work surface illumination and comfortable visual conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The direct optics are configured to redirect light into specific angular ranges with controlled divergence, changing the directional parameters of light output to maximize task illumination while minimizing glare-causing angles
3Object-affected harmful factors
If indirect illumination is increased to reduce glare, then ambient lighting improves, but illumination on work surfaces becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The independent control of direct and indirect illumination portions allows the system to provide sufficient indirect illumination for glare reduction and ambient lighting while simultaneously maintaining adequate direct illumination for task lighting on work surfaces
4Illumination intensity
If multiple light-emitting elements are added to improve illumination distribution, then lighting uniformity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light-emitting elements are integrated into organized arrays with corresponding optics on separate direct and indirect portions, combining multiple components into a unified illumination system that achieves good distribution without excessive complexity
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
Enables precise control over lighting intensity and distribution, reducing glare and achieving uniform illumination by directing light into specific angular ranges, enhancing both direct and indirect illumination.
Implementation Method 1
The direct portion of the illumination device comprises multiple direct light-emitting elements (LEEs) operatively disposed along the first surface of the mount
Implementation Method 2
the direct LEEs emit, during operation, light in a first direct angular range with respect to a normal to the first surface of the mount
Implementation Method 3
direct optics arranged in an elongated configuration along the longitudinal dimension of the first surface and optically coupled with the direct LEEs, the direct optics configured to redirect light received from the direct LEEs
Implementation Method 4
a light guide, a redirecting surface and one or more direct secondary reflectors, such that the light guide guides light emitted by the direct LEEs
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D~1E
AI summary
A variety of illumination devices are disclosed that are configured and arranged to output a direct intensity distribution onto work surfaces and an indirect intensity distribution towards background regions. The illumination devices include direct and indirect optical components configured to provide direct and indirect illumination. The illumination devices can be configured to allow interdependent as well as independent control of the direct and indirect illumination, e.g., by a user or by pre-programmed internal or external control circuitry.