Film-Based Lightguide with Adjustable Orientation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light emitting devices with rigid lightguides are thick, inflexible, and limited in design configurations, making it difficult to achieve thin, lightweight, and scalable illumination solutions that can efficiently couple light flux into thinner lightguides, particularly for larger display sizes.
Innovation Solution
A film-based lightguide with a film adjustment mechanism that allows for adjustable orientation and shape of the light emitting region, enabling changes in the angular light output profile by altering the radius of curvature or shape of the light emitting region, thereby improving light distribution and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If rigid lightguides are used to reduce thickness, then device thickness is reduced, but flexibility and design adaptability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid lightguide structures with flexible film-based lightguides that can be bent, folded, or shaped without compromising optical performance. This allows the device to maintain reduced thickness while gaining flexibility and adaptability for various design configurations and mounting surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The lightguide system is designed with adjustable and reconfigurable elements that allow dynamic modification of the light output profile. The film-based lightguide can be manipulated to change its shape and orientation, enabling adaptive illumination patterns without requiring multiple fixed rigid components.
2Reliability
If thick lightguides (2mm and larger) are used, then light flux coupling is improved, but device volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the lightguide film thickness to achieve the minimum required dimension for effective light flux coupling. By precisely controlling the thickness parameter and adjusting other optical parameters such as refractive index matching and surface characteristics, the system achieves reliable light coupling with significantly reduced volume compared to conventional 2mm thick lightguides.
Solution Approach 2:
The film-based lightguide utilizes composite material structures that enhance light coupling efficiency through optimized refractive index profiles and surface treatments. This allows thinner films to achieve the same coupling efficiency as thicker conventional lightguides by incorporating multiple functional layers or surface modifications.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid frames are used to house light fixtures, then structural stability is improved, but device weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates heavy rigid frames by using flexible film-based lightguides that can be directly mounted to surfaces or integrated into lightweight structures. The films provide sufficient structural integrity for their intended application while being significantly lighter and more adaptable than conventional rigid frame assemblies.
4Illumination intensity
If large light sources are used, then light output is improved, but device thickness and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from volume-based light sources to surface-based film lightguides, effectively moving the light generation and distribution function to a two-dimensional plane. This allows high light output to be achieved without increasing device thickness, as the light is distributed across the surface area of the thin film rather than requiring a large volumetric light source.
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 enables the creation of thinner, lighter, and more flexible light emitting devices with enhanced angular light output profiles, allowing for scalable and efficient illumination across various sizes and designs, overcoming the limitations of traditional rigid lightguide systems.
Implementation Method 1
when a light source emits light that travels in a waveguide condition through the film-based lightguide
Implementation Method 2
adjustable orientation and shape of a light emitting region... such that an angular light output profile from the device changes
Data Source
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AI summary
A device includes a film-based lightguide and a film adjustment mechanism configurable to adjust an orientation of a region of the film-based lightguide such that an angular light output profile from the device changes when a light source emits light that travels in a waveguide condition through the film-based lightguide.