Flat Light Guide with Radial Grooves for Latitudinal Collimation
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flat illumination devices face challenges in manipulating light distribution, particularly in the latitudinal direction, without varying the thickness of the light guide, which is essential for maintaining an elegant and thin design while ensuring effective collimation.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of radially arranged grooves on the light guide surfaces allows for collimation in both longitudinal and latitudinal directions without altering the thickness, enabling a flat, thin, and efficiently collimated beam by diverging grooves from the entrance window to the edge window.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If thickness variations are used to collimate light in the latitudinal direction, then collimation performance is improved, but the slim appearance and manufacturing ease deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide surface is segmented into multiple grooves arranged radially. These grooves act as individual light directing elements that collectively achieve latitudinal collimation without requiring thickness variation of the entire light guide body. The grooves are formed as discrete features on the surface, allowing precise control of light distribution while maintaining a uniform, thin overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of varying thickness in the vertical dimension to achieve collimation, the invention uses surface grooves arranged radially on the horizontal plane. This dimensional shift allows collimation to be achieved through angular redirection of light at the groove interfaces rather than through thickness modulation, maintaining a flat, thin profile while improving manufacturing simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If thickness variations are used to collimate light, then collimation is improved, but the thin form factor and elegant appearance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide surface is segmented into multiple grooves arranged radially. These grooves act as individual light directing elements that collectively achieve latitudinal collimation without requiring thickness variation of the entire light guide body. The grooves are formed as discrete features on the surface, allowing precise control of light distribution while maintaining a uniform, thin overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of varying thickness in the vertical dimension to achieve collimation, the invention uses surface grooves arranged radially on the horizontal plane. This dimensional shift allows collimation to be achieved through angular redirection of light at the groove interfaces rather than through thickness modulation, maintaining a flat, thin profile while improving manufacturing simplicity.
3Manufacturing precision
If radially arranged grooves are introduced, then collimation in both directions is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of longitudinal and latitudinal collimation into a single integrated light guide structure with radially arranged grooves. The same groove structure that handles latitudinal collimation also works in conjunction with the light guide's inherent properties to provide longitudinal collimation, eliminating the need for separate collimating elements and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The radially arranged grooves serve multiple functions: they provide latitudinal collimation through angular redirection, work in conjunction with the light guide material properties to achieve longitudinal collimation, and maintain the thin profile of the device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall structure.
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 approach provides a well-collimated beam in both directions, enhancing the collimation properties of flat light guides while maintaining a slim appearance and simplifying manufacturing and installation, as demonstrated by the improved collimation effects in comparative examples.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide is arranged to collimate the light source light
Implementation Method 2
the first light guide surface and the second light guide surface comprise a plurality of radially arranged grooves, and wherein the grooves are arranged to diverge in a direction from the entrance window to the edge window
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The invention provides an illumination device (1) comprising a lighting unit (2). The lighting unit (2) comprises a light source (100) and a substantially flat light guide (200), arranged to collimate light source light (111). The light guide (200) has an entrance window (210), an edge window (220), a first light guide surface (201), a second light guide surface (202), a first side edge (230) and a second side edge (240). One or more of the first light guide surface (201) and the second light guide surface (202) comprise a plurality of grooves (300). In this way, latitudinal collimation is obtained.