Plate-Shaped Lamp Optic With Deflection Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional table lamps are cumbersome, prone to wear due to flexible linkages, can cause glare, and have an undesirable appearance, especially in open-plan offices, while existing solutions with asymmetric light distribution still suffer from glare and require horizontal alignment.

Innovation Solution

A plate-shaped optic with a deflection structure that redirects light from one side edge to the front side, allowing for efficient, uniform illumination with a main emission angle between 10° to 70°, eliminating the need for flexible linkages and enabling oblique downwards emission, thereby reducing glare and improving aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a flexible adjustable stem is used to position the light source directly above the work area, then optimal illumination is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and prone to wear due to moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework area illuminationVSAvoidstem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the light source from the complex flexible stem structure and integrates it directly into the optic plate. The light source is positioned at the rear of the optic plate, eliminating the need for separate adjustable stems and joints, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining illumination effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the light source, positioning mechanism, and illumination function into a single integrated optic plate assembly. The light source is combined with the rear surface of the optic plate, and the deflection structure is integrated within the plate itself, eliminating separate components and reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Illumination intensity

If the light source is positioned directly above the work area for optimal illumination, then illumination efficiency is improved, but glare is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework area illuminationVSAvoidglare
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses asymmetric deflection structures within the optic plate to redirect light at specific angles (10° to 70°) away from direct overhead positioning. The light is deflected obliquely downwards and to the side, creating asymmetric illumination that maintains work area brightness while reducing glare in the user's direct line of sight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The deflection structure creates locally optimized light distribution with different emission characteristics in different directions. The front surface of the optic plate emits light with controlled angular distribution, providing high illumination intensity to the work area while directing less intense light away from the user's eyes, thus creating local quality differences in the light field

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If a frame structure with moving parts is used for adjustment, then positioning flexibility is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to wear and tear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition adjustmentVSAvoidcomponent durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the illumination function from the positioning function by using fixed optic plates with predetermined light distribution characteristics. Each optic plate is designed with specific deflection structures for particular illumination requirements, eliminating the need for continuous mechanical adjustment while maintaining adaptability through selection of different plate configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a movable light source within a frame, the invention inverts the approach by using a fixed light source integrated into the optic plate and achieving positioning flexibility through the optical design itself. The deflection structure within the fixed plate provides the adaptability that previously required mechanical movement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Area of stationary object

If light is emitted vertically downwards from a overhead position, then illumination coverage is improved, but shadow formation is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination coverageVSAvoidshadow formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the light emission from a single vertical dimension to a two-dimensional angular distribution. The deflection structure redirects light into multiple directions (oblique downwards and to the side) rather than purely vertically, creating a conical or扇形 illumination pattern that covers the work area while reducing shadow formation through multi-directional lighting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 provides efficient, uniform, and complete illumination of workspaces without dazzling users, reduces shadow formation, and allows for a more robust and aesthetically pleasing table lamp design that can be placed in a corner or offset from the user, enhancing workspace illumination.

Implementation Method 1

a deflection structure (15, 11), in particular a prismatic deflection structure, which is designed to redirect light incident through one of the side edges (14) so that it is emitted through the front surface (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction and reflection: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3650742A1Optics and table light
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 REGENT BELEUCHTUNGSKORPER
  • EP3650742A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3650742A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3650742A1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

An optic (1) for a table lamp (2) is essentially plate-shaped with a front (12), a back (13), side edges (14) connecting the front (12) and the back (13), and a deflection structure (15). The deflection structure (15) is configured to redirect light incident through one of the side edges (14) so ​​that it is emitted through the front (12). The deflection structure (15) is further configured such that the light emitted through the front (12) has a main emission direction (41) that describes a emission angle (17) to the front (12) which is in a range of about 10° to about 70°, preferably in a range of about 20° to about 60°, and particularly in a range of about 30° to about 50°, or which is about 45°.