Downlight with Segmented Reflector for General and Accent Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing downlight designs lack the flexibility to create both high-quality general lighting and attractive accent lighting simultaneously, as they typically rely on a single light source and limited lighting distribution options.

Innovation Solution

A downlight with a housing and reflector that separates the light exit area into a main and secondary area, using a first light source for predominant emission over the main area and a further light source for the secondary area, with a transparent pane to influence light radiation, allowing for both general and accent lighting capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single light source is used in conventional downlights, then the device complexity is low, but the lighting design flexibility and ability to create both general and accent lighting is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting design flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light exit area is segmented into a main light exit area and a secondary light exit area, with different light sources directing light to each area. The reflector is positioned to divide the light exit area, creating distinct zones for general lighting and accent lighting respectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The luminaire is designed to perform multiple lighting functions simultaneously - it can provide general downlighting through the main light exit area and accent lighting through the secondary light exit area, making it a multi-functional lighting solution.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If light sources are arranged to emit light in different directions, then the lighting distribution versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional optical elements and arrangement complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting distribution versatilityVSAvoidarrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light sources are arranged in different spatial dimensions - one light source is positioned above the reflector to illuminate the main light exit area, while another light source is positioned to the side to illuminate the secondary light exit area, utilizing vertical and horizontal spatial separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the light exit area are assigned different lighting qualities - the main light exit area receives direct downward light for general illumination, while the secondary light exit area receives light directed at specific angles for accent lighting effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If a transparent pane is added to cover the secondary light exit area, then the ability to influence light radiation and create accent lighting is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight radiation controlVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent pane can be designed with different optical properties including frosting, perforations, or color treatments to control and influence the light radiation from the secondary light exit area, enabling various accent lighting effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent pane acts as an intermediary element between the light source and the external environment, mediating the light radiation by controlling its distribution, intensity, and visual appearance while protecting the internal components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 both high-quality general lighting and attractive accent lighting by overlapping light paths from different sources, with adjustable light distribution through the transparent pane, enhancing lighting design possibilities.

Implementation Method 1

a reflector accommodated by the housing; the light exit area which is divided by the reflector into a main light exit area and an adjoining secondary light exit area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2250433B1Luminaire, particularly a down-light
Publication Date: 2013.07.31 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP2250433B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2250433B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2250433B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a luminaire, particularly a down-light, having a housing (2) and a reflector (10) accommodated by the housing (2), wherein the luminaire has a light emitting region (12) that is subdivided by the reflector (10) into a main light emitting region (14) and an auxiliary light emitting region (16) connecting to the same. The luminaire further comprises a first illumination means (4) that is disposed in the housing (2) such that light emitted from the first illumination means (4) is predominantly emitted via the main light emitting region (14), and a further illumination means (6) that is disposed in the housing such that light emitted by the further illumination means (4) is predominantly emitted via the auxiliary light emitting region (16). Thus, the optical path taken by the light of the first illumination means (4) can therefore overlap the optical path of the further illumination means (6) in such a luminaire. For this purpose, the luminaire is suitable both for particularly attractive accent lighting and for generating high-quality general lighting.