High Reflectance Reflector Segmentation for HID Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sports lighting systems face challenges in reducing energy consumption, minimizing glare and spill light, and optimizing the number of fixtures needed to meet lighting specifications, while balancing costs and performance.
Innovation Solution
The development of high-intensity lighting fixtures with altered metal halide lamps and high reflectance materials, along with optimized reflecting surfaces and lens designs, to increase the efficiency of light delivery and reduce energy usage, combined with energy-efficient ballast circuits and smart lamp circuits to manage energy distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional aluminum bowl-shaped reflectors are used with spinning process, then manufacturing cost is reduced and corrosion resistance is improved, but light beam control precision and energy efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is divided into multiple zones with different geometric configurations (parabolic, hyperbolic, elliptical sections) to control light beams in different directions. This segmentation allows precise control of light distribution patterns while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized modular sections.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the reflector are given different geometric properties and surface characteristics tailored to specific lighting requirements. For example, upper portions may use parabolic shapes for wide distribution while lower portions use hyperbolic shapes for concentrated beams, optimizing light control locally rather than uniformly across the entire reflector.
2Manufacturing precision
If larger reflectors are used to control light better, then light control precision is improved, but wind load increases and structural cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing reflector size in two dimensions, the invention uses complex three-dimensional geometric configurations (combining parabolic, hyperbolic, and elliptical surfaces) to achieve superior light control with a more compact overall structure, thereby reducing wind load while maintaining or improving light control precision.
3Illumination intensity
If more light fixtures are installed to meet lighting specifications, then illumination intensity is improved, but energy consumption increases and capital cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts what would normally be wasted light (stray light, spill light, glare) into useful illumination by using strategically positioned reflective surfaces to redirect these rays onto the target area. This approach increases effective light utilization and reduces the number of fixtures needed, thereby lowering energy consumption while maintaining required illumination levels.
4Use of energy by moving object
If conventional lamps are used without altered chemistry, then lamp life is maintained at standard levels, but light output per energy unit decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The lamp's chemical composition is modified by altering the metal halide salt pool chemistry and removing conventional white oxide coatings from the arc tube. These parameter changes in the lamp's internal chemistry increase luminous efficiency (light output per energy unit) while the patent addresses life concerns through improved heat management and protective measures in the lighting fixture design.
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 approach results in reduced energy consumption, increased usable light at the target area, longer lamp life, lower capital and operating costs, and minimized glare and spill light, allowing for fewer fixtures and less expensive infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
reflecting surfaces for controlling light from the lamp comprise very high reflectance material mounted to a framework in a form to create a controlled, concentrated beam
Implementation Method 2
An increased metal halide salt pool is added to the chemistry of the arc tube of the lamp. The conventional white oxide coatings at opposite ends of conventional arc tubes are removed.
Data Source
AI summary
A high intensity discharge (HID) light fixture includes a reflector frame which supports an independent high reflectivity reflecting surface. The reflector frame supports a glass lens with anti-reflective coatings on its surfaces and a visor or extension that also supports an independent high reflectivity reflecting surface. The high reflectivity reflecting surface has various sections that adjust portions of the beam created by the fixture to better place light on a target area. The reflector frame is attachable to a lamp cone. An adjustable knuckle attaches between to a cross arm on a pole and the lamp cone. An HID lamp, when mounted in the lamp cone, has its arc tube substantially surrounded by the high reflectivity reflecting surfaces of the reflector frame and visor. A lamp positioning mechanism automatically adjusts orientation of the arc lamp over a range of pivot angles for the lamp cone relative the knuckle. The HID lamp has an increased metal halide salt pool and does not include white oxide coatings at opposite ends. The lamp and the lamp positioning mechanism are configured to position the arc tube of the lamp horizontal over the normal range of aiming angles for the fixture. The modified HID lamp, its operating position, the high reflectivity reflecting surfaces, and other aspects of the fixture produce more light from the fixture than without these features for the same amount of energy to operate. Optionally, a ballast circuit can save energy over operating life of the lamp.