Indirect Light Wall Pack Glare Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Typical wall pack light fixtures cause glare and discomfort due to direct visibility of light sources, as they use direct light sources with reflectors and refractors, leading to asymmetrical lighting distribution and inefficient illumination.

Innovation Solution

A light fixture design featuring light emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned within a housing with a reflector that directs light away from the supporting structure, using a curved reflector to distribute light asymmetrically or symmetrically, and a window with a diffuser to scatter light, ensuring the light source is not directly visible and efficiently illuminates the desired area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If direct light sources are used with reflectors and refractors, then light can be directed and distributed, but glare and discomfort occur due to direct visibility of light sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distributionVSAvoidglare

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by positioning the light source away from the window and using a reflector to bounce light toward the window, rather than directing light directly outward. This reversal hides the light source from view while still achieving effective illumination through the window, eliminating glare caused by direct visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflector acts as an intermediary element between the light source and the window. By introducing this intermediate component, the light path is redirected so that the light source remains hidden while the window still receives and transmits the necessary light, resolving the contradiction between illumination and glare.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If light sources are positioned to illuminate the desired area, then effective lighting is achieved, but light waste occurs when light hits the supporting structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination efficiencyVSAvoidlight waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the light source and reflector geometry to direct light preferentially toward the desired illuminated area while avoiding the supporting structure. The reflector is shaped and positioned to create an asymmetric light distribution pattern that maximizes useful illumination and minimizes waste on adjacent surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of operation

If light sources are directly visible through the transparent barrier, then the lighting function is simple and direct, but discomfort and glare are caused to passers-by

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting simplicityVSAvoiddiscomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional direct lighting approach by positioning the light source behind the window and using a reflector to bounce light toward the window. This reversal maintains lighting effectiveness while hiding the light source from direct view, eliminating discomfort and glare for passers-by.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 solution prevents glare by hiding the light source from view and optimizes light distribution, reducing waste by directing light away from the supporting structure, resulting in a more efficient and aesthetically pleasing illumination.

Implementation Method 1

a reflector towards which the light sources are directed, the reflector extending from the plurality of light sources to a second edge of the window opposite the first edge, the reflector extending along a first axis perpendicular to the first edge of the window, the reflector curved around the first axis to reflect light from the plurality of light sources

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The window may include a textured surface to scatter light from the plurality of light sources. The window may include a volumetric diffuser to scatter light from the plurality of light sources.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

The light fixture further may include a heat sink connected to the plurality of light sources.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11175012B1Indirect light wall pack

Publication Date: 2021.11.16 ABL IP HLDG LLC

AI summary

A light fixture for lighting a surface includes a housing, a plurality of light sources, and a reflector for directing light out of a window of the housing. The plurality of light sources are directed away from the window of the housing and are then not directly viewable from the exterior of the housing while providing light reflected against the reflector through the window of the housing. The light sources are connected to a substrate through which power is supplied to the light sources and through which heat energy is removed from the light sources during operation. The substrate may form a portion of the housing of the light fixture.