Glass Light Guide Plate with Molded Protrusions for Uniform Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art diffusion glass light guide plates suffer from poor light guiding and low production efficiency due to the need for manual creation of protuberances, leading to non-uniform light transmission and energy loss.
Innovation Solution
A glass light guide plate with a light incident surface, a reflective surface featuring protruding elements, and a light emitting surface, where the light is directed from an LED strip around the perimeter, reflected upwards, and diffusely reflected back through the plate to achieve uniform ambient light transmission, combined with a lamp housing that protects and reflects light effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual creation of protuberances is used on diffusion glass light guide plates, then light scattering function is achieved, but production efficiency is low and manufacturing precision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing method from manual protuberance creation to injection molding process, transforming the physical state and formation method of the light guide plate structure. The mold cavity design with protrusions directly forms the required features during injection molding, achieving consistent dimensions and uniform light transmission without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual process of creating protuberances with an automated injection molding system. The molding process uses hydraulic or mechanical injection pressure to form the light guide plate with integrated protrusions, eliminating manual labor and improving both production efficiency and dimensional consistency.
2Loss of energy
If light is continuously reflected inside the glass light guide plate, then light guiding function is maintained, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface properties to different regions of the light guide plate. The bottom surface has protrusions that create diffuse reflection to scatter light uniformly, while the side surfaces have high reflectivity coatings to minimize energy loss. This localized differentiation optimizes both light distribution and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful continuous reflection that causes energy loss into a beneficial diffuse reflection pattern. By designing protrusions on the bottom surface, the light undergoes multiple internal reflections that are converted into uniform light scattering, transforming energy loss into useful light distribution.
3Productivity
If protuberances are created manually on light guide plates, then light scattering is achieved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates the protrusion features directly into the mold cavity before the injection molding process. The mold is pre-designed with protrusions that will form the corresponding features on the light guide plate during a single injection cycle, eliminating the need for subsequent manual protuberance creation and significantly reducing production time.
4Manufacturing precision
If manual processing is used for light guide plates, then customization is possible, but manufacturing precision and consistency are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual processing with automated injection molding technology. The mold cavity is precisely engineered with the required dimensional tolerances, and the injection molding process automatically reproduces these dimensions across all produced parts, ensuring consistent dimensional accuracy and eliminating variability associated with manual processing.
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 enhances light guiding efficiency, reduces energy loss, and simplifies production by using a mold for fabrication, resulting in more uniform light distribution and improved manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A light reflective surface extending across the upper surface of the glass light guide plate body to reflect the light directed upwards through the glass light guide plate body downwards back through the glass light guide plate body towards a light-emitting surface. The light reflective surface is provided with a reflective layer.
Implementation Method 2
The light incident surface is adapted to direct light from an LED strip disposed about a perimeter surface of the light incident surface into the glass light guide plate body.
Implementation Method 3
A glass light guide plate with a light incident surface, a reflective surface featuring protruding elements, and a light emitting surface, where the light is directed from an LED strip around the perimeter, reflected upwards, and diffusely reflected back through the plate to achieve uniform ambient light transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A glass light guide plate body has a light incident surface, a light reflecting surface and a light emitting surface. The light incident surface is adapted to direct light from an LED strip disposed about a perimeter surface of the light incident surface into the glass light guide plate body. A light reflective surface extending across the upper surface of the glass light guide plate body reflects the light directed upwards through the glass light guide plate body downwards back through the glass light guide plate body towards a light-emitting surface. The light reflective surface is provided with a reflective layer.