Glare Control via Dynamic Beam Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems often cause glare issues due to the direct illumination of light sources, which can be bothersome when objects are near or within the field of view, especially in environments where high-angle light is involved, leading to reduced visibility and increased contrast.
Innovation Solution
A range-activated dimming light fixture system that includes a dimmable light source and a rangefinder to determine the distance and height of objects within its field of view, allowing the controller to adjust the light intensity based on thresholds, thereby reducing glare by dimming the light when objects approach a certain height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If light fixtures direct light into a wide-angle to illuminate larger areas, then illumination coverage is improved, but glare is presented to observers at a distance
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system dynamically adjusts the beam angle of the light fixture based on the detected position and height of objects or observers. When an observer is detected at a distance, the system widens the beam angle to illuminate larger areas. When an observer is detected nearby or at elevated positions, the system narrows the beam angle to redirect light away from the observer's line of sight, thereby reducing glare while maintaining illumination coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the angular parameter of light distribution by adjusting the beam angle between wide-angle and narrow-angle modes. This parameter change allows the light fixture to adapt its illumination pattern: wide-angle for maximum coverage when no observers are present, and narrow-angle to eliminate glare when observers are detected in the illumination path.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high-angle light is directed downwardly to avoid glare, then glare control is improved, but only small areas are illuminated
Solution Approach 1:
The light fixture dynamically adjusts its beam angle based on real-time detection of object positions. When no objects or observers are detected in the illumination path, the system uses high-angle downward light to achieve excellent glare control. When objects are detected, the system dynamically widens the beam angle to illuminate larger areas including the detected objects, thereby maintaining both glare control and adequate illumination coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the angular parameter of light distribution dynamically. In the absence of detected objects, the light is directed at high angles downwardly for optimal glare control. When objects are detected, the beam angle parameter is adjusted to widen the illumination area, ensuring both glare control and sufficient coverage of the activity volume.
3Illumination intensity
If light intensity is increased to improve visibility, then visibility is improved, but glare and contrast increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system applies local quality by providing different illumination intensities to different spatial zones. When an object or observer is detected, the system increases light intensity specifically in the direction away from the observer's line of sight while maintaining or reducing intensity in the observer's field of view. This creates locally optimized illumination: high intensity for visibility where needed, low intensity to avoid glare where observers are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the light intensity parameter based on the detected position of objects and observers. When no observers are present, high intensity illuminates the entire activity volume for maximum visibility. When observers are detected, the system adjusts intensity parameters to reduce light in the observer's field of view while maintaining sufficient illumination elsewhere, thereby improving visibility without creating glare or excessive contrast.
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 system effectively minimizes glare by dynamically adjusting light intensity in response to object height, maintaining visibility while reducing unwanted light reflections and shadows, thus enhancing the viewing experience without compromising overall illumination.
Implementation Method 1
a rangefinder, operatively coupled with the first dimmable light source, for determining a distance between the first dimmable light source and a top of an object within the activity volume
Data Source
AI summary
A light fixture includes a dimmable light source that emits light downwardly, and a downward-looking rangefinder proximate and operatively coupled with the light source. When the rangefinder detects an object at a measured height that exceeds a first threshold, the light source dims according to the measured height. A light fixture that provides illumination for a lighted area includes one or more first light sources that emit high-angle light, and one or more dimmable second light sources that emit low-angle light, into the lighted area. The system also includes a camera that captures images of the lighted area, and an controller that is (a) operable to identify one or more activity locations within the lighted area from the images, and (b) operatively coupled to dim one or more of the light sources that illuminate the one or more activity locations.