Elongated Light Module With Coupling Ribs For Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lamp modules for visual inspection of vehicle surfaces suffer from low optical efficiency due to a significant portion of coupled light penetrating the lamp inserts without contributing to the pattern, and are complex and material-intensive to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
An elongated lamp module with a light guide featuring distributed light extraction structures and light coupling bars that direct light predominantly towards extraction sections, reducing material usage and allowing for more efficient light distribution, and optionally incorporating movable modules for adjustable illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional luminaire inserts are used with homogeneous cross-sectional area, then manufacturing is simplified, but optical efficiency deteriorates due to light permeating through the insert without contributing to the pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The luminaire insert is segmented into distinct functional zones: light-coupling sections with light-guiding bars for efficient light input, light-extraction sections for pattern generation, and connecting ribs for structural support. This segmentation allows light to be directed predominantly toward extraction sections, preventing it from permeating uselessly through the entire insert while maintaining manufacturability through modular design.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional luminaire inserts are used with uniform structure, then material usage is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases due to the need for precise light coupling structures
Solution Approach 1:
The light-guiding bars are integrally formed with the light-extraction sections and connecting ribs as a single piece structure. This merging of components reduces the total number of parts and material usage while simplifying manufacturing, as the integral design eliminates the need for separate assembly of light-coupling structures and reduces precision requirements for multiple component interfaces.
3Illumination intensity
If more lamps are used to compensate for light loss, then pattern brightness is maintained, but device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The design converts what would be harmful light loss (light permeating through the insert) into beneficial light guidance by implementing light-guiding bars that direct light toward extraction sections. This converts the harmful effect of light transmission through the insert into a useful function, maintaining pattern brightness with fewer lamps by improving the efficiency of light utilization rather than compensating for losses with additional light sources.
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
Enhances optical efficiency, reduces material and weight, and allows for the use of fewer lamps, while maintaining high-contrast patterns for effective visual inspection, even with non-linear test geometries like points or circles.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated light guide extending along a longitudinal axis, a plurality of illuminants arranged distributed along the longitudinal axis for coupling light into the light guide
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of light output structures for coupling light coupled into the light guide out of the light guide
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an elongated lighting module (i) for emitting light, which supports a visual inspection of a test object, for example a surface of a vehicle (200), by generating a pattern on a surface of the test object with the light, wherein the lighting module (1) comprises: an elongated light guide (10) extending along a longitudinal axis (L), several light sources (20) distributed along the longitudinal axis (L) to couple light into the light guide (10), and several light extraction structures (30) for extracting light coupled into the light guide (10) from the light guide (10), wherein the light extraction structures (30) are distributed on the light guide (10) and along the longitudinal axis (L).The light guide (10) comprises: several light extraction sections (13), each of which is provided with one of the light extraction structures (30); a connecting rib (14) that connects at least two of the light extraction sections (13); and several light coupling ribs (15), wherein one or more of the light coupling ribs (15) project from each of the light extraction sections (13) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (L) of the light guide (10). The light sources (20) are arranged to couple light into the light guide (10) via the light coupling ribs (20) in the direction of the light extraction sections (13). The invention further relates to a luminaire with several of the luminaire modules (1), and a light tunnel (100) with one or more of the luminaire modules and/or the luminaires.