Optical beam shaping device and spot light using the same

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Standard total inner reflection Fresnel (TIRF) lenses are optimized for point-like light sources and fail to efficiently utilize extended light sources, leading to light leakage and reduced beam intensity due to inability to control all light effectively.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a peripheral element that reflects internally reflected light back towards the optical direction, enhancing the collimation efficiency of the optical device, which includes a Fresnel portion with teeth and a central portion, allowing for a more compact design that can handle extended light sources without significant loss of light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If standard TIRF lenses are used with extended light sources, then the device can accommodate larger light sources, but light leakage occurs and beam intensity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight source compatibilityVSAvoidlight leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The lens is divided into distinct functional zones: a central region for primary light collection and a peripheral region with reflective elements for light redirection. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its function - the central region handles direct collimation while the peripheral region recovers leaked light, resolving the contradiction between accommodating extended sources and preventing light loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral reflective elements capture light that would otherwise be lost through leakage and redirect it back into the collimated beam path. By converting the harmful effect of light leakage into a beneficial light recovery mechanism, the system maintains high beam intensity while supporting extended light sources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If TIRF lens design is modified to handle extended light sources, then light control improves, but lens thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight control efficiencyVSAvoidlens thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The collimating function and light redirection function are merged into a single integrated lens structure. The peripheral reflective elements are incorporated directly into the lens body, eliminating the need for separate thick optical components while maintaining effective light control across the extended source area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing thickness in the axial dimension to improve light control, the solution uses radial dimensionality by adding peripheral reflective elements at the lens edge. This allows enhanced light management functionality without compromising the compact axial profile of the lens

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

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 optical device achieves a higher intensity collimated output beam by redirecting previously lost light, resulting in a more efficient and robust lighting solution suitable for a wider range of applications with extended light sources.

Implementation Method 1

The Fresnel portion includes at least one tooth for deflecting light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

light internally reflected by total inner reflection at the forward surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 3

reflect light internally reflected by total inner reflection at the forward surface towards the optical direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3278012B1Optical beam shaping device and spot light using the same
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP3278012B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3278012B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3278012B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An optical device that allows the usage of an extended light source in a more compact device is provided. The optical device may be configured to collimate light of a light source (270) along an optical direction. The optical device (200) may comprise a source surface (215), a forward surface (210), a lens body (250) and a peripheral element (240). The source surface is arranged to receive light and may comprise a central portion (220) and a Fresnel portion (230). The Fresnel portion includes at least one tooth (233n) for deflecting light. The forward surface is arranged to output, along the optical direction, at least the deflected light into a collimated light. The source surface and the forward surface delimit the lens body. The peripheral element may be arranged to reflect light internally reflected at the forward surface by total inner reflection towards the optical direction to contribute to the collimated light.