Dual-Source Luminaire with Planar Light Guide and Directed Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing luminaires struggle to combine large-area light emission with highly directed light emission, resulting in a homogeneous appearance that is pleasing to observers, as current lighting concepts either emit diffuse light over a large area or focused light in a smaller area, but not both simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A light-emitting arrangement that combines a plate-shaped light-guiding element with first illuminants for large-area emission and second illuminants with an optical system for directed emission, using fiber optic technology and additional optical systems like reflectors or lenses to achieve uniform brightness across a larger surface while maintaining directed light output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a luminaire uses diffuse light emission over a large area, then the appearance is homogeneous and pleasant, but the light cannot be concentrated to provide higher luminance levels in specific areas
Solution Approach 1:
The luminaire is divided into two separate light-emitting systems: a first light source (edge-lit) that provides large-area diffuse emission for homogeneous appearance, and a second light source (downlight) that provides focused directed emission for high luminance in specific areas. Each system operates independently to fulfill different functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two different lighting concepts (edge-lit diffuse emission and downlight focused emission) into a single luminaire unit. The housing integrates both light sources and their respective optical systems, allowing the luminaire to simultaneously achieve homogeneous appearance and directed high-intensity light output.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a luminaire uses optical systems to concentrate light into a specific angular range, then directed light output is achieved, but the light-emitting area becomes smaller and the appearance differs significantly from large-area luminaires
Solution Approach 1:
The luminaire separates the light-emitting functions into distinct modules: the first light source with its large-area emission surface provides the homogeneous appearance, while the second light source with its optical concentration system provides adaptable directed emission. This segmentation allows each system to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The luminaire housing serves multiple functions: it provides the structural framework, houses the light-guiding element for diffuse emission, accommodates the downlight with its optical system for directed emission, and presents a uniform external appearance. This multi-functionality allows the single luminaire to achieve both large-area appearance and adaptable light emission characteristics.
3Productivity
If a luminaire is designed to emit highly directed light, then specific areas can be illuminated with higher luminance, but the overall light distribution becomes non-uniform and the appearance is less pleasant
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting function is segmented into two independent systems with different emission characteristics. The first light source optimized for uniform diffuse emission covers the overall area, while the second light source optimized for directed emission illuminates specific target areas. This segmentation allows each system to maximize its respective efficiency without compromising uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the luminaire emit light with different characteristics tailored to local requirements. The edge-lit portion provides uniform diffuse light for general illumination, while the downlight portion provides concentrated directed light for specific areas requiring higher luminance. This local differentiation optimizes both overall efficiency and uniformity.
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 allows for a luminaire to emit light uniformly across a large area while achieving highly directed light in specific areas, enhancing its appearance and adaptability to different applications without noticeable differences in light distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a plate-shaped light-guiding element made of a transparent material... configured to distribute the light from these first illuminating means and to emit at least a portion of the light over the light-emitting side
Implementation Method 2
specially designed optical systems designed to concentrate or focus the light emitted by the lamps into a specific angular range
Implementation Method 3
the light emitted by the second illuminating means and the associated optical system passes through the light-guiding element and leaves it at the light-emitting surface without being significantly influenced by the light-guiding element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly for light emission (100), comprising: - a planar light guide element (50), which has two flat sides (51, 52) that are substantially mutually parallel, one of the two flat sides (51, 52) forming a light emission side of the light guide element (50); - first illuminants (20), which are disposed on a long side (53) of the light guide element (50) and are designed to radiate light into the light guide element (50) via said long side (53), the light guide element (50) being designed to distribute the light of the first illuminants (20) and to emit at least part of the light via the light emission side (51); and - second illuminants (30) and an optical system assigned to the second illuminants (30), which second illuminants and optical system are disposed on the flat side (52) of the light guide element (50) opposite the light emission side (51) and are designed to emit light with a directed light distribution through the light guide element (50).