Hemispherical LED Mount for Reflector Utilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current headlamp designs face inefficiencies in light collection and distribution due to the fixed size and shape of reflectors, particularly when using hemispherical LED illumination sources, which limits the ability to achieve specific lighting distributions and reduces the overall efficiency of the lamp.

Innovation Solution

The use of multiple hemispherical LED illumination sources mounted at angles to a parabolic reflector, with one source directing light to the center and another to the shadowed area, allows for the full utilization of the reflector surface, increasing light collection and efficiency by redirecting light from the entire hemisphere.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single hemispherical LED illumination source is mounted on a reflector, then the structure is simple, but the light collection efficiency is limited and the reflector surface cannot be fully utilized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidlight collection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination system is segmented into multiple hemispherical LED sources (first, second, and third sources) positioned at different locations and orientations. Each source illuminates a specific portion of the reflector surface, collectively achieving complete coverage of the reflector and maximizing light collection efficiency while maintaining modular simplicity in each individual component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If multiple LED sources are added to utilize the full reflector surface, then light collection efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight collection efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of illumination sources
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple hemispherical LED sources are merged into a single integrated illumination system where each source serves a specific function: the first and second sources illuminate opposite sides of the reflector, while the third source fills in shadowed areas. This combining approach maximizes reflector utilization and light collection efficiency while the sources can be controlled as a unified system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the reflector size and shape are fixed, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ability to achieve specific lighting distributions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereflector manufacturingVSAvoidlighting distribution flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves lighting distribution flexibility through local quality variations by positioning LED sources at specific locations (first source at first location, second source at second location, third source at third location) with specific orientations. Each source creates a localized illumination pattern on specific portions of the fixed reflector surface, and the combination of these localized patterns achieves the desired overall lighting distribution while maintaining a simple fixed reflector geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration enhances the collection and distribution of light, improving the lamp's efficiency by utilizing both halves of the reflector and increasing the amount of usable lumens in the desired light pattern.

Implementation Method 1

a reflector (12) having an optical axis (16) intersecting a focus (14) and a vertex (20) of the reflector (12), wherein said reflector (12) comprises a shape around the vertex (20) at a center part of said reflector (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2518551B1Mount for an illumination source
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 GROTE IND INC
  • EP2518551B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2518551B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2518551B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Certain disclosed embodiments use two substantially hemispherical illumination sources, mounted on a mount that allows the illumination sources to illuminate both sides of the reflector, allowing both halves of the reflector, with 2 pi rotation, to be used for generating the lighting distribution. This system and method both increases the amount of light collected and increases the efficiency of the illumination source.