Illumination Device With Larger Incidence and Smaller Exit Plane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illumination devices with light-emitting diodes disposed on the lower surface of the housing restrict design freedom of the lower surface, limiting aesthetic and functional possibilities.
Innovation Solution
An illumination device with a housing containing a light source and an optical member that has an incidence plane larger than the exit plane, allowing light to enter and exit through areas of different sizes, enhancing design freedom and reducing the visibility of the exit plane while maintaining a larger light quantity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the light-emitting diode is disposed on the lower surface of the body, then the illumination function is achieved, but the design freedom of the lower surface is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional planar LED arrangement on the lower surface to a three-dimensional optical system where light enters through an incidence plane, passes through an optical member, and exits through an exit plane. This dimensional transformation allows the light source to be positioned inside the housing rather than on the exterior surface, freeing the lower surface for aesthetic and functional design purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical member as an intermediary component between the light source and the exterior environment. This optical member with incidence and exit planes mediates the light transmission, allowing the LED to be concealed within the housing while still achieving the illumination effect, thus resolving the conflict between illumination function and design freedom.
2Ease of manufacture
If the exit plane area is made smaller than the incidence plane area, then the exit plane becomes less noticeable and design freedom increases, but the light quantity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the optical parameters of the optical member to compensate for the reduced exit plane area. By adjusting the refractive index, curvature, and geometry of the optical member, the system maintains sufficient light quantity despite the smaller exit aperture, allowing the exit plane to be less noticeable while preserving illumination effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent concentrates the light transmission function in the optical member with high optical efficiency in the region of the exit plane. The optical member is designed with varying optical properties - the incidence plane has larger area for light entry, while the exit plane has smaller area for aesthetic purposes, with the optical member optimizing light distribution locally to maintain overall illumination performance.
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 configuration improves design freedom by making the exit plane less noticeable while securing a larger light quantity, enabling effective illumination and functional enhancements such as guiding light along the housing's surface and illuminating operation buttons.
Implementation Method 1
an optical member (9) provided in the housing (2) and having an incidence plane (911) via which light output from the light source (80) enters the optical member (9)
Data Source
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AI summary
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an illumination device which enables the degree of design freedom of a housing to be increased. An illumination device includes: a housing (2); a light source (80) provided in the housing (2); and an optical member (9) having an incidence plane (911) via which light output from the light source (80) enters the optical member (9). The housing (2) or the optical member (9) includes an exit plane (94) from which light passing through the optical member (9) goes out of the housing (2). The exit plane (94) has an area (S2) smaller than an area (S1) of the incidence surface (911).