Film Light Input Coupler with Folded Lightguides
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current light emitting devices are not thin, lightweight, and cost-effective enough, and they lack scalability to larger sizes.
Innovation Solution
A light emitting device design featuring a light input coupler and a lightguide with coupling lightguides that receive light from a source and direct it through total internal reflection, allowing for efficient light mixing and extraction, enabling a thinner, lighter, and more scalable solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional light emitting devices are used, then they can provide illumination, but they are thick, heavy, and not cost-effective
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: light sources are positioned at edges rather than distributed throughout, with lightguides channeling illumination to specific areas. This segmentation allows for reduced overall device thickness and weight while maintaining effective illumination coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional planar or volumetric light source arrangements to edge-based illumination, utilizing the perimeter dimension of the device. Lightguides extend from edge sources into the device interior, distributing light along dimensional paths that reduce the need for thick active illumination layers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional light emitting devices are used, then they can provide illumination, but they are not scalable to larger sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The edge-mounted light source configuration with lightguide distribution serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides primary illumination, enables modular scaling, and allows for various lightguide routing patterns to accommodate different device sizes and shapes without requiring fundamentally different designs.
Solution Approach 2:
Lightguides are pre-positioned and integrated into the device structure before final assembly, with light sources mounted at edges in predetermined locations. This preliminary arrangement of optical pathways enables straightforward scaling to larger dimensions while maintaining structural simplicity and optical efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If edge-coupled lightguides are used, then light can be efficiently directed through total internal reflection, but manufacturing precision is required
Solution Approach 1:
The light source mounting structure is merged with the lightguide coupling interface, creating an integrated assembly where light sources are directly positioned at edge locations that serve as both mechanical mounting points and optical coupling zones. This merging reduces the number of separate alignment operations required.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge-coupled lightguide configuration utilizes the natural geometry of device edges to establish alignment references. Light sources are mounted directly on edge surfaces, and lightguides are coupled at these same edge locations, allowing the device structure itself to provide alignment guidance without requiring additional external fixtures or complex positioning mechanisms.
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 results in a more efficient and cost-effective light emitting device that can be scaled to larger sizes while maintaining high optical efficiency and uniformity.
Implementation Method 1
coupling lightguides that receive light from a light source and direct it through total internal reflection
Data Source
AI summary
In embodiments of this invention, light emitting devices comprise film-based lightguides comprising at least one light input coupler and an array of coupling lightguides that are folded or bent and disposed substantially above one another. The edges of the coupling lightguides may form part of a light input surface. The light emitting device may comprise more than one light input coupler and the film may be less than 500 microns in thickness. In embodiments of this invention, methods of manufacturing lightguides and light input couplers comprise steps that translate linear fold regions of the coupling lightguides relative to each other such that the coupling lightguides are bent or folded above each other. In other embodiments of this invention, an electroluminescent sign, light fixture, frontlight for a reflective display, or a backlight for a transmissive display comprises a lightguide and light input coupler comprising coupling lightguides.