Laser-Machined Anti-Reflective Light Guide End Region
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Solution Overview
Problem
Light guides used in lighting devices experience increased light emission intensity at the end region due to total reflection exceeding critical angles, leading to uneven light distribution and visibility issues when trying to prevent light emission.
Innovation Solution
Laser machining is used to create an anti-reflection area within the light guide material, specifically in the end region, to absorb incoming light and prevent excessive light reflection, eliminating the need for additional components or coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an end face is provided in the end region to allow light transmission, then light can be emitted from the end region, but light emission intensity becomes higher than desired due to exceeding total reflection angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specifically modified end face region with different optical properties from the main light guide body. The end face is designed with specific angular ranges (e.g., 45-60 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis) to control light reflection and emission characteristics locally, ensuring uniform light distribution while preventing excessive intensity at the end region.
2Illumination intensity
If a cover component is added to the end region to prevent light emission, then light emission intensity is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cover function directly into the light guide structure by providing a cover element that is integrated with or forms part of the light guide body. This integration eliminates the need for separate, externally attached cover components, thereby reducing device complexity while still achieving the desired light emission control at the end region.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide structure is designed to be self-sufficient by incorporating the cover function within the light guide itself. The end face geometry and material properties are configured to automatically control light emission without requiring additional external components, allowing the light guide to serve both as the light transmission medium and as its own protective cover.
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 anti-reflection area formed by laser machining effectively reduces light emission intensity in the end region, ensuring consistent light distribution and eliminating the need for external cover components, while maintaining the light guide's functionality and appearance.
Implementation Method 1
Laser machining of the light guide can cause optical density of the light guide material, through which incoming light is absorbed in the machined area
Implementation Method 2
optical density of the light guide material, through which incoming light is absorbed in the machined area so that it does not reflect
Implementation Method 3
The continuation of the light along the light guide is made by way of total reflection at the interfaces of the light guide
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide for a lighting device, wherein the light guide extends along a longitudinal axis and has a coupling-out area which runs over the longitudinal axis and from which light can be emitted along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the light guide has, in its longitudinal extent, an end region which is provided with a cover in order to suppress high-intensity light emission in the end region. The cover is formed by laser-machining the light guide material in the end region of the light guide. The invention further relates to a method for forming a cover in the end region of the light guide.