Laminated Glass Lighting Panel Diffuser

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Laminated glass lighting panels with point source LEDs often suffer from glare issues due to non-uniform light distribution and direct illumination, which can lead to discomfort and reduced visibility.

Innovation Solution

The use of a partially light diffusive plastic interlayer between two glass substrates, combined with a reflective barrier, to deflect and distribute light more evenly across the surface, reducing glare and enhancing uniformity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If point source LEDs are used for lighting in laminated glass panels, then the lighting intensity is sufficient, but the light distribution becomes non-uniform causing glare and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting intensityVSAvoidglare and non-uniform distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A diffusive interlayer is introduced between the glass substrates and LED light sources to mediate light transmission. This intermediary layer scatters direct light from point sources, converting harsh direct illumination into soft, uniform diffused light while maintaining adequate lighting intensity and eliminating glare effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical parameters of the interlayer are specifically designed to alter light propagation characteristics. By controlling the diffusion properties and thickness of the interlayer, the light distribution pattern is transformed from concentrated point-source patterns to uniform area illumination, resolving the glare problem while preserving lighting intensity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a diffusive interlayer is used to scatter light, then glare is reduced and uniformity is improved, but light transmission efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglare reductionVSAvoidlight transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The diffusion parameters of the interlayer are optimized to achieve the right balance between glare reduction and light transmission. By carefully controlling the diffusion coefficient, thickness, and material composition, sufficient light scattering is achieved to eliminate glare while minimizing energy loss and maintaining adequate light transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides improved uniformity in surface lighting and reduces glare effects by diffusing light emitted from the interlayer, creating a more even illumination pattern across the panel.

Implementation Method 1

The plastic interlayer is arranged to be at least partially light diffusive such that light emitted by the at least one light source is deflected out of the plane of the panel and through the surface of at least one of the glass substrates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP2401639B1Laminated glass diffused lighting panel and method of manufacturing it
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 AGC GLASS EUROPE SA
  • EP2401639B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2401639B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2401639B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A laminated glass lighting panel has a first glass substrate (2) and a second glass substrate (4), laminated together via a plastic interlayer (3), and a light source (5) arranged to emit light into the panel along a plane of the panel. The plastic interlayer is arranged to deflect the light out of the plane of the panel and through at least one of the glass substrates to provide a diffused light output. By having the light deflected by the plastic interlayer, it can be spread or diffused more widely to reduce problems caused by m ore direct illumination from point sources.