Display Stand Light Guide Design to Eliminate LED Spots and Halos

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lighting systems for product displays using multiple LEDs in a line create unsightly luminous spots or halos, detracting from the aesthetic presentation of products.

Innovation Solution

A lighting system with a translucent light guide extending from a base, featuring a single or dual LEDs at its ends, where the guide is made of optical-grade materials like polycarbonate or glass, and is rigid or flexible, with a section shape that secures to an upper level using clips, diffusing light to create a homogeneous illuminated area without visible spots or halos.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If multiple LEDs are used in a line to illuminate products, then the light intensity reaching products is sufficient, but light spots or halos are created that detract from aesthetics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight intensity reaching productsVSAvoidlight spots or halos
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A light guide element is introduced as an intermediary between the LED light source and the product display surface. The light guide receives intense light from LEDs and redistributes it through total internal reflection and controlled extraction, converting discrete LED beams into a uniform diffuse illumination pattern that eliminates spots and halos while maintaining high light intensity at the display surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide utilizes optical properties and material characteristics to transform the spatial distribution of light. By controlling the extraction of light at different positions along the light guide, the system achieves uniform illumination intensity across the display surface, effectively converting the non-uniform LED output into a homogeneous light pattern that eliminates visual defects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Illumination intensity

If multiple LEDs are used to provide adequate illumination, then light intensity is sufficient, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight intensity reaching productsVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple LED light sources are merged into a single integrated light guide structure. Instead of operating multiple LEDs independently, their light output is combined and redistributed through the light guide, achieving uniform illumination with fewer active light sources. This reduces total energy consumption while maintaining sufficient light intensity across the entire product display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical system of multiple independent LED drivers with an optical system based on total internal reflection and light extraction principles. The light guide passively distributes light without requiring additional active components or control systems, reducing energy consumption while achieving uniform illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If a light guide is used to distribute light uniformly, then aesthetic presentation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic presentationVSAvoidlighting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a light distribution medium, a structural element defining the display geometry, and an aesthetic component providing uniform illumination. By integrating these functions into a single element, the system achieves improved aesthetic presentation without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide utilizes changes in optical parameters (refractive index, extraction efficiency, light propagation angle) along its length to achieve uniform illumination. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system distributes light evenly across the display surface without requiring complex mechanical or electronic control systems, thus improving aesthetics while limiting complexity increases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides a visually appealing, smooth illumination that enhances product presentation while reducing energy consumption by using fewer LEDs, resulting in significant energy savings and a reduced environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

a guide 26 made of translucent material extending from the base along a line L... the guide 26 is located opposite the light-emitting diode 30 along the line L to collect and conduct a light L1 emitted by the light-emitting diode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight conduction: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

the guide 26 is configured to form the illuminated area 20 on the lower level 14 from the light L1... the illuminated area 20 is free from a plurality of spots and a plurality of halos distinct from each other to the naked eye

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

a guide 26 made of translucent material extending from the base along a line L... made of optical-grade materials like polycarbonate or glass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3922141B1Display unit for sale or for testing with light guide
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 DIAM INT
  • EP3922141B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3922141B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3922141B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Sales or testing display stand, comprising, in the assembled state, a lower level (14) for receiving products, a lighting system (16), and an upper level on which the lighting system is fixed, the lighting system comprising: - a base (24), - a printed circuit board (22) having a light-emitting diode adapted to emit light (L1), and - a guide (26) of translucent material extending along a line (L), and located opposite the light-emitting diode to conduct said light, the guide (26) comprising: - an upper surface for reflecting at least part of the light (L1) downwards and forming a reflected light, and - a lower surface for allowing at least part of the reflected light to pass through and forming a diffused light (L3), the guide being configured to form an illuminated area (20) on the lower level.