Edge-Lit LED Panel Light Reflector Redirects Output
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED lighting fixtures often waste light by emitting it at the same location as the panels, limiting flexibility in light distribution and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a lighting fixture with panels and LEDs positioned adjacent to their edges, utilizing a light reflector to redirect light emitted from the panels to a different location, such as a gap between the panels, allowing light to exit the fixture at a location other than the panels themselves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LEDs are positioned adjacent to panel edges to illuminate the panels, then light distribution flexibility is improved, but light energy is wasted by emitting at the same location as the panels
Solution Approach 1:
A light reflector is introduced as an intermediary component between the LED light sources and the target illumination area. The reflector captures light emitted from the panel edges and redirects it to desired locations, preventing light waste while maintaining distribution flexibility. This mediator enables the system to achieve both adaptability and energy efficiency by controlling light pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by positioning LEDs adjacent to panel edges rather than flat surfaces, and employs angled reflectors to redirect light in different directions. This dimensional approach allows light to be distributed flexibly across multiple areas while capturing and redirecting photons that would otherwise be wasted, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and energy efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If light is redirected to a different location than the panels, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The light reflector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it redirects light to improve energy efficiency, defines the optical pathway for flexible distribution, and integrates with the existing panel and LED structure. By making the reflector a multi-functional component, the patent achieves energy efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same structure performs several optical functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the light reflector with the fixture housing or panel structure, merging multiple components into an integrated assembly. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies installation while maintaining the light redirecting function, thereby achieving energy efficiency without excessive complexity increase.
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 configuration repurposes light emitted from the panels, enhancing energy efficiency and flexibility in light distribution by redirecting it to a desired location, such as the gap between the panels, thereby improving the fixture's overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
The lighting fixture can include a light reflector positioned to reflect light emitted from at least one of the first panel and the second panel
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting fixture defines a lateral direction, a transverse direction, and a vertical direction. The light fixture includes a frame and a first panel supported by the frame. The first panel includes a first edge extending between a front surface of the first panel and a rear surface of the first panel. The lighting fixture includes a second panel supported by the frame. The second panel includes a second edge extending between a front surface of the second panel and a rear surface of the second panel. The lighting fixture includes at least one light source configured to illuminate the first panel and the second panel. The lighting fixture includes a light reflector extending adjacent to the rear surface of the first panel and the rear surface of the second panel. The light reflector reflects light emitted from at least one of the first panel and the second panel.