Irregular Diffuser Shapes for Uniform Illuminance Without Diffraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diffusers that diffuse light emitted by a light source face challenges in achieving uniform intensity while maintaining a smooth shape and simple design and manufacturing processes, as convex or concave shapes arranged at regular intervals can lead to diffraction and non-uniform intensity on illuminated surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A diffuser with shapes defined by smooth functions g(x, y) and -g(x, y) on a rectangular lattice, where the shape is represented by z=f(x, y) and includes combinations of identical shapes arranged at lattice points, with irregularly changed intervals and heights to reduce diffraction and enhance uniformity, ensuring intensity is greater than a predetermined value within a maximum angle of diffusion and zero beyond it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If convex or concave shapes are arranged at regular intervals to diffuse light, then light diffusion function is improved, but diffraction occurs causing non-uniform intensity on illuminated surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the shapes irregular rather than using regular convex or concave shapes at uniform intervals. The shapes have varying sizes, positions, and forms, which breaks the periodic structure that causes diffraction. This asymmetric arrangement maintains light diffusion functionality while eliminating the harmful diffraction effect that creates non-uniform intensity patterns on illuminated surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each shape to have different characteristics (size, form, position) rather than using identical repeating elements. This local variation in shape properties ensures that light is diffused uniformly across different regions without creating periodic interference patterns, thereby achieving uniform intensity distribution while preventing diffraction.
2Illumination intensity
If irregular shapes are used to reduce diffraction, then uniformity of light intensity is improved, but design and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the diffuser into multiple discrete irregular shapes distributed across the surface. Each shape can be independently designed and manufactured, allowing for simplified production processes. The segmented approach enables the use of irregular shapes to reduce diffraction while maintaining manageable design and manufacturing complexity through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying key parameters of the shapes (size, position, form factor) within defined ranges rather than using fixed identical shapes. This controlled variation in parameters achieves uniform light intensity distribution while keeping the design systematic and manufacturable, balancing the need for irregularity with practical design and manufacturing considerations.
3Ease of manufacture
If regular intervals between shapes are used, then manufacturing process is simplified, but diffraction causes non-uniform intensity distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by abandoning regular intervals between shapes in favor of irregular spacing. This asymmetric distribution of shapes at non-uniform intervals eliminates the periodic structure that causes diffraction, thereby achieving uniform light intensity distribution. The manufacturing process is adapted to accommodate these irregular intervals, prioritizing optical performance over manufacturing simplicity.
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 achieves a more uniform distribution of illuminance on illuminated surfaces without generating diffraction, allowing for easier machining of the diffuser mold and maintaining a smooth, simple design and manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
A diffuser provided with plural shapes obtained by translation on an xy plane of at least one of z=g(x, y) and z=−g(x, y)... making intensity of light diffused by the diffuser greater than a predetermined value and uniform if the absolute value of angle of diffusion in a predetermined direction is equal to or less than the maximum value
Implementation Method 2
making intensity of light diffused by the diffuser greater than a predetermined value and uniform if the absolute value of angle of diffusion in a predetermined direction is equal to or less than the maximum value of the absolute value of angle of diffusion and of making the intensity zero if the absolute value of angle of diffusion in the predetermined direction is greater than the maximum value
Data Source
AI summary
A diffuser provided with plural shapes obtained by translation on an xy plane of at least one of z=g(x, y) and z=−g(x, y), z=g(x, y) being a smooth function within a rectangle having sides of length of s in x direction and sides of length of t in y direction, the origin being the center of the rectangle, wherein on the sides of the rectangle,g(x,y)=0,∂g(x,y)∂x=0,∂g(x,y)∂y=0,∂2g(x,y)∂x2=0,and∂2g(x,y)∂y2=0,and wherein z=g(x, y) has a single vertex at(xv,yv)g(x,y)=h1(x)·h2(y),first derivative ofz=h1(x)is continuous in(-s2,s2),second derivative ofz=h1(x)has a single point of discontinuity in(-s2,xv)and(xv,s2),first derivative ofz=h2(y)is continuous in(-t2,t2),and second derivative ofz=h2(y)has a single point of discontinuity in(-t2,yv)and(yv,t2).