Dispersed LED Array for Uniform Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-coloured luminaires using LED arrays often produce non-homogeneous and non-uniform illumination, particularly around the edges of the light beam, and are not scalable beyond specific module sizes, leading to visible banding and poor colour mixing.
Innovation Solution
The LED elements are dispersed throughout the array without following regular vertical, horizontal, or diagonal patterns, with red elements grouped towards the centre to reduce the corona effect, allowing for scalable and uniform illumination by forming repeatable modules that can be arranged in various configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If LED elements are arranged in regular patterns (lines or columns), then the array structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the illumination becomes non-homogeneous and non-uniform particularly around edges
Solution Approach 1:
The LED array is divided into multiple groups based on colour (red, green, blue, white, amber) and each group is further segmented into multiple zones or regions within the array. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of LED distribution in different areas, enabling uniform illumination across the entire array while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular group organization.
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones within the LED array are assigned different LED densities and colour compositions tailored to their specific requirements. Edge zones receive different LED distributions compared to central zones, with each zone optimized for its local illumination needs. This local quality approach ensures uniform overall illumination while allowing simple regular patterns within each zone.
2Ease of manufacture
If LED elements are arranged in fixed module sizes (3x3 or 4x4), then the module structure is standardized, but the array is not scalable and produces visible banding
Solution Approach 1:
The LED array is organized into multiple independently controllable groups rather than fixed rigid modules. Each group can be independently scaled and configured, allowing the overall array to be expanded or contracted flexibly. This segmentation into functional groups maintains standardized manufacturing processes while enabling scalable array configurations of various sizes and shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED array design uses universal LED elements (red, green, blue, white, amber) that can be distributed and configured in multiple ways to create different array sizes and shapes. The same basic LED types and control methods work across all array configurations, providing universality that enables scalability from small to large arrays without requiring different module designs.
3Device complexity
If coloured LED elements are grouped in triplets or quadruplets, then the colour mixing is simplified, but the illumination becomes non-uniform and produces banding effects
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of grouping LEDs into fixed triplets or quadruplets, the array segments LEDs into multiple smaller groups distributed throughout the array. Each segment contains a mix of colours but operates independently, allowing fine-grained control over colour distribution. This segmentation reduces colour mixing complexity within each segment while achieving uniform illumination across the entire array through coordinated control of all segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional colour mixing (simple RGB or RGBA groups) to a three-dimensional approach by distributing multiple colour groups throughout the array depth and width. This dimensional expansion allows colour mixing to occur across multiple spatial dimensions, simplifying the mixing requirement for each individual group while achieving uniform illumination through the cumulative effect of all groups.
4Device complexity
If regular colour sequences (RGB, RGBW, RGBA) are repeated, then the control logic is simplified, but edge illumination becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the array are assigned different colour sequences and LED densities optimized for their specific location. Edge regions receive different colour distributions compared to central regions, with each region's colour sequence tailored to compensate for its position-specific illumination characteristics. This local quality approach maintains relatively simple control logic within each region while achieving uniform edge illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The colour sequences and LED activation patterns are made dynamic rather than static, allowing the control system to adjust which LEDs are active and their intensity levels based on the desired illumination pattern. This dynamic control enables the same hardware configuration to produce uniform illumination across edges while maintaining simplified control logic through adaptive algorithms.
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 approach eliminates banding, improves visual perception, and enables scalable luminaire designs beyond square profiles, providing homogeneous and uniform illumination with reduced hot spots and improved reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of coloured light-emitting diode elements
Implementation Method 2
The colour of the overall illumination provided by multi-coloured luminaires is produced by mixing the output of the R, G, B LED elements in different relative proportions
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 1d~1e
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
A light array comprising a plurality of coloured light-emitting diode elements, the plurality of coloured light-emitting diode elements being dispersed within the array so as to provide a uniform colour output; wherein the plurality of coloured light-emitting diode elements comprises a plurality of red coloured light-emitting diode elements, a plurality of green coloured light-emitting diode elements, and a plurality of blue coloured light-emitting diode elements; wherein the placement of each coloured light-emitting diode element is such that individual coloured light-emitting diode elements are dispersed over the whole surface of the array not following any regular vertical, horizontal or diagonal patterns.