Edgelit LED Blade Fixture Waveguide Light Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bladed light fixtures with opaque blades reduce light output efficiency, leading to increased costs due to the need for more light sources and higher manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
An edgelit LED blade fixture design featuring a frame with reflective interior surfaces, a heat sink assembly, and a waveguide that directs light emitted from LEDs through the blade, enhancing light output efficiency by using a clear or translucent waveguide and reflectors to distribute light effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an opaque blade is used in conventional bladed light fixtures, then the light source is hidden from view, but light output efficiency decreases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is changed from opaque to clear or translucent material, allowing light to pass through while maintaining aesthetic appearance. This transparency change enables the same light source to produce higher effective illumination output, eliminating the need for additional light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
A waveguide is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the blade. The waveguide captures light from the LED and redirects it through the clear blade, maximizing light output efficiency without requiring multiple light sources.
2Illumination intensity
If more light sources are used to compensate for opaque blade, then illumination is maintained, but manufacturing and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Changing the blade material from opaque to clear/translucent allows the same number of light sources to produce higher effective illumination, reducing manufacturing costs associated with installing and maintaining multiple light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide acts as a light distribution intermediary that enhances the output of existing light sources, providing cost-effective illumination improvement without the need to replace or add multiple expensive light source components.
3Illumination intensity
If an opaque blade is used, then the fixture structure is simple, but light transmission is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The blade material is changed from opaque to clear or translucent, enabling light transmission while maintaining structural simplicity. This single material change allows light to pass through without requiring complex additional structural components.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide is introduced as a relatively simple intermediary component that guides light through the clear blade. This adds minimal structural complexity while significantly improving light transmission efficiency.
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 edgelit LED blade fixture improves light output efficiency by allowing light to be emitted through the blade, reducing the need for additional light sources and lowering manufacturing and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide that directs light emitted from LEDs through the blade
Implementation Method 2
reflectors to distribute light effectively
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting fixture that includes a frame, a heat sink assembly, an LED assembly, and a reflector. The frame includes a first end plate and a second end plate, each end plate including a slot formed therein. The slot extends from a top edge of the end plates towards a bottom edge of the end plates. The heat sink assembly includes one or more LEDs and a lightguide having a first longitudinal edge that receives light emitted from the LEDs. A first edge and a second edge of the lightguide are slidably inserted into respective slots. The heat sink assembly includes a heat sink base and a heat sink cap coupled thereto which forms a first cavity for housing the LEDs and a second cavity adjacent the first cavity for housing a portion of the lightguide. The reflector is coupled to the end plates.