Illuminable Pane Reflective Structure for Edge-Free Light Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in achieving efficient planar homogeneous illumination for panes where lateral light coupling at the edge surface is not possible or is inefficient, such as in panes glued into a frame or with circular grinding.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement features an illuminable pane configured as a planar light guide with an illuminating means that couples light into the pane at one main surface, allowing it to pass through without total reflection, and a reflective structure on the opposing surface to reflect light back into the pane for total internal reflection, enabling homogeneous illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light is coupled into the pane at the edge surface, then homogeneous illumination over the entire surface is achieved, but light coupling is not possible when the pane is glued into a frame or has circular grinding at the edge surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from edge-surface light coupling (one-dimensional approach) to main-surface light coupling (changing the dimension of light entry). By coupling light at the main surface and using a light deflecting element to redirect it, the system enables illumination for panes with treated edges that would be incompatible with traditional edge coupling methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The light deflecting element acts as an intermediary between the light source and the pane interior. It receives light from the light source and redirects it into the pane at appropriate angles to achieve total internal reflection and homogeneous illumination, enabling the system to work with panes that have edge treatments preventing direct edge coupling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a light deflecting element is arranged on the main surface to redirect light, then light can be coupled into panes with treated edges, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light deflecting element is implemented as a thin film structure that can be applied to the main surface of the pane. This film-based approach adds minimal complexity compared to bulk optical components, as it can be integrated into the existing pane structure or applied as a coating layer.
3Adaptability or versatility
If light is injected via one of the main surfaces, then edge surface conditions do not matter, but efficient homogeneous illumination over the entire surface becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The light deflecting element creates local variations in light direction at different positions on the pane surface. By strategically positioning and designing the deflecting structure, light is redirected at different angles across different regions of the pane, ensuring uniform distribution and homogeneous illumination throughout the entire surface area.
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 allows for efficient and homogeneous illumination of panes without the need for light coupling at the edge surface, even in cases where edge access is limited, such as panes with circular grinding.
Implementation Method 1
The pane is configured as a planar light guide and is suitable for guiding light by means of total reflection in the pane
Implementation Method 2
a reflective structure on the opposing surface to reflect light back into the pane for total internal reflection
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement, includes an illuminable pane having a first main surface and an opposite second main surface, an illuminating device for generating light, the illuminating device being configured such that at least part of the light generated by the illuminating device is incident on the first main surface in such a manner that it can pass the illuminable pane and leave the illuminable pane at the second main surface, a reflective structure arranged at the second main surface, provided with a plurality of reflective surfaces for the reflection of light, the reflective surfaces being in the form of inclined surfaces that are coated with a reflective layer, the reflective surfaces being configured such that at least part of the light leaving the second main surface can be reflected into the illuminable pane at such an angle that total reflection of the reflected light takes place in the illuminable pane.