Faceted Annular Prism Optical Body for Homogeneous Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optic bodies with annular prisms fail to effectively reduce the perceptibility of a point light source, leading to glare issues, as they do not distribute light homogeneously and maintain the light source's appearance as a bright point.

Innovation Solution

The outer surfaces of the prisms are faceted in a circumferential direction at an acute angle, allowing for three-dimensional light distribution and reducing glare by distributing the light emitted from a point source into multiple partial distributions, which are then superimposed on the illuminated surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the outer surface of the prisms is smooth, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the light distribution is not homogeneous and glare occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidlight distribution homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer surface of the prisms is segmented into multiple flat facets arranged at different angles rather than being smooth. This segmentation divides the light distribution into multiple partial distributions that are superimposed on the illuminated surface, achieving homogeneous illumination while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through mold-based fabrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from a two-dimensional smooth surface to a three-dimensional faceted surface with multiple planes oriented at different angles. This dimensional complexity enables the light to be reflected in multiple directions, creating homogeneous light distribution across the illuminated surface while avoiding glare.

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

2Volume of moving object

If the optic body uses a point light source, then the light source is compact, but the light source remains perceptible as a bright point causing glare

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight source sizeVSAvoidglare
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The faceted outer surface segments the light from the point source into multiple reflected beams at different angles. This segmentation distributes the concentrated point source light across a wider area, preventing the formation of a perceptible bright point and eliminating glare while maintaining the compactness of the point light source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different facets of the outer surface are oriented at different local angles to redirect light from the point source in various directions. This local variation in surface orientation ensures that no single direction receives concentrated light, thereby preventing glare while preserving the compact point source configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design achieves homogeneous illumination, reduces the perceptibility of the light source as a point, and decreases glare, while also simplifying manufacturing and reducing material costs by allowing larger optic body dimensions and improved light distribution efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a rearward, from the optical center of the lens optics facing away outer surface is provided, which is designed in the manner of a total reflection surface for deflecting the light coupled in via the light entry surface in the direction of a light exit surface of the lens optics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a ring-shaped inner surface facing the optical center of the lens optics as a light entry surface... for coupling the light from a light source provided in the optical center of the lens optics into the optic body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3149530B1Optical body with a lens and light module with the optical body
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 LUNUX GMBH
  • EP3149530B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3149530B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3149530B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to an optical body, comprising at least one lens optical system, which has a plurality of annular prisms provided concentrically to an optical center of the lens optical system, an annular inner surface facing the optical center of the lens optical system as a light inlet surface and a rear outer surface facing away from the optical center of the lens optical system being provided on each of the prisms, the outer surface being designed in the manner of a total internal reflection surface in order to deflect the light coupled in via the light inlet surface in the direction of a light outlet surface of the lens optical system, characterized in that the outer surfaces of the prisms are faceted in such a way that a plurality of facets is provided, said facets being distributed in a peripheral direction, the facets being provided at an acute setting angle to the peripheral direction of the prisms.