Integrated Mixing Optic for Uniform Light Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing color mixing and shaping systems suffer from poor efficiency and alignment issues, leading to suboptimal near field and far field mixing with hot spots and chromatic aberrations due to separate mixing and shaping components.
Innovation Solution
A mixing and shaping optic system with an integrally formed mixing pipe and reflector body, where the first internal surface acts as both a reflective and exit surface, enhancing mixing and shaping efficiency, and a diffuser component is used to further smooth out the radiation, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate mixing chamber and shaping optic are used, then light mixing and shaping can be achieved, but alignment issues occur leading to poor near field and far field mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mixing chamber and shaping optic into a single integrated optic component. The mixing chamber includes internal reflective surfaces that perform both light mixing and shaping functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate alignment between discrete components. This integration directly resolves the alignment issues that caused poor mixing quality.
2Productivity
If separate mixing chamber and shaping optic are used, then light mixing and shaping can be achieved, but efficiency is poor due to losses and alignment issues
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the mixing and shaping functions into one optic component, the patent eliminates light losses that occur at interfaces between separate components. The unified structure reduces reflective losses and maintains higher light efficiency while simplifying the overall device structure.
3Reliability
If dedicated exit surface is used, then light can exit the optic, but surface area is limited reducing near field and far field mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the first internal reflective surface serve dual functions: it acts as both a reflective surface for light mixing and as an exit surface for light emission. This multi-functionality increases the effective emission surface area and improves both near field and far field mixing performance.
4Ease of manufacture
If integrally formed mixing pipe and reflector body are used, then manufacturing complexity and costs are reduced, but manufacturing precision must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing pipe and reflector body are formed as a single integral component, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly processes. This integration simplifies manufacturing operations and reduces costs while the unified structure inherently maintains the precision needed for optimal light mixing and shaping.
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 system achieves superior near field and far field mixing with no hot spots or chromatic aberrations, utilizing more surface area for emission and mitigating undesirable shaping effects, while reducing manufacturing complexity and costs by integrating the mixing pipe and reflector body as a single article.
Implementation Method 1
a first internal surface configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the one or more radiation sources and reflect or refract the electromagnetic radiation as reflected electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
a second internal surface configured to receive the reflected electromagnetic radiation and reflect or refract the reflected electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 3
configured to mix and shape radiation for superior near field and far field mixing
Implementation Method 4
a diffuser component arranged between the optic and the exit lens of the optical housing... the diffuser component will further diffuse and smooth out the radiation emitted by the optic
Data Source
AI summary
A mixing and shaping system with a mixing and shaping optic is provided. The system can include an optical housing configured to secure the optic along with a diffuser component arranged between the optic and the exit lens of the optical housing. The optic includes an integrally formed mixing pipe and reflector body configured to mix and shape radiation for superior near field and far field mixing. The mixing pipe is optically coupled to one or more radiation sources. The reflector body includes a first internal surface configured to receive the radiation from the one or more radiation sources and reflect or refract the radiation, and a second internal surface configured to receive the reflected radiation and reflect or refract the radiation, wherein at least a portion of the reflected radiation is configured to exit the reflector body through the first internal surface.