Flat Light Guide with Segmented Direct Indirect Emission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface lights using plate-shaped light-guiding elements lack flexibility in designing direct and indirect light output, requiring separate lamp arrangements for homogeneous emission and limiting design options.

Innovation Solution

A lamp design featuring a plate-shaped light-guiding element with two distinct lighting groups, where the first group's light is coupled into the element for direct emission and the second group's light is deflected for indirect emission using optical elements, with lens-like projections and reflectors for optimized light distribution, allowing separate control of both components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If light sources are arranged along the light coupling side of the light guide element, then the installation height can be reduced, but the flexibility in designing direct and indirect light output is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation heightVSAvoidflexibility in designing direct and indirect light output
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The light sources are divided into two distinct groups: a first group arranged along the light coupling side for direct light emission through the light guide element, and a second group arranged on the rear side for indirect light emission through the reflector. This segmentation allows each group to serve a specific lighting function while maintaining a compact overall structure with low installation height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the luminaire are assigned different light emission characteristics: the front region with the first light source group provides direct illumination through the light guide element, while the rear region with the second light source group provides indirect illumination through the reflector. This local differentiation enables flexible design of direct and indirect light output ratios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If separate lamp arrangements are used for homogeneous emission, then light distribution can be optimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehomogeneous light emissionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The luminaire combines two separate lighting functions (direct and indirect emission) into a single integrated device. The first light source group couples light into the light guide element for homogeneous direct emission, while the second light source group uses the reflector for indirect emission. Both functions are merged into one luminaire structure, reducing the need for separate lamp arrangements while maintaining homogeneous light distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide element serves multiple functions: it guides light from the first light source group for direct emission, provides structural support, and works in conjunction with the reflector to achieve both direct and indirect lighting from a single device. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate homogeneous emission arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables flexible control of direct and indirect light emissions, achieving homogeneous light distribution over a large area with a compact, low-height design, and allows for individual adjustment of color and color temperature.

Implementation Method 1

a plate-shaped light-guiding element into which light is coupled laterally. The light-guiding element serves to distribute the laterally coupled light uniformly and to emit it via a flat surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

light is coupled laterally into the flat light guide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLateral light coupling: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 3

The light guide element has light coupling structures on its light coupling side, each associated with a specific group of light sources. These light coupling structures are formed by laterally projecting, lens-like projections.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 4

The light from the second group of light sources, on the other hand, is deflected and emitted by means of optical elements in a direction opposite to the direction of light emission from the luminaire.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3869093B1Flat light with direct and indirect light emission
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP3869093B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3869093B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3869093B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A luminaire (100) has a plate-shaped light guide element (10) configured to emit light coupled into it via one side of the light guide element (10) through a flat surface (11) oriented substantially perpendicular to the light coupling side (12) in a light emission direction of the luminaire (100). Furthermore, light sources are provided which are arranged along and directed towards the light coupling side (12) of the light guide element (10), wherein the light sources comprise a first and a second light source group (31a, 31b), the light from the first light source group (31a) being coupled into the light guide element (10) and emitted through it in the light emission direction, and the light from the second light source group (31b) being deflected and emitted by means of optical elements in a direction opposite to the light emission direction of the luminaire (100).