Lateral Edge-Lit Light Guide Optics for Uniform LED Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED luminaires suffer from glare and spottiness due to high peak luminance, necessitating improved designs for controllable light distribution without relying on expensive secondary optics.
Innovation Solution
A luminaire design incorporating a light guide plate with a partially transmissive side reflector attached to a printed circuit board, which directs vertically emitted light from LEDs into the edge of the light guide plate, enabling uniform illumination and adjustable light distribution patterns without secondary optics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional LED luminaires use multiple visible LEDs for area lighting, then the lighting coverage is sufficient, but glare and spottiness occur due to high peak luminance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light emission by using multiple discrete LEDs positioned along the light guide plate, where each LED acts as an independent light source. This segmentation allows the light to be distributed across multiple zones, reducing the peak luminance at any single point and thereby minimizing glare and spottiness while maintaining adequate coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plate serves as an intermediary element between the LEDs and the final illumination field. It captures light from the LEDs and redistributes it through its structure, transforming the concentrated light sources into a more uniform illumination pattern that reduces glare while maintaining coverage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If expensive secondary optics are used to control light distribution patterns, then glare and spottiness are minimized, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light distribution control function from expensive secondary optics and integrates it directly into the light guide plate structure. By incorporating reflective surfaces, diffusing elements, or specific geometric features into the light guide plate itself, the system achieves controlled light distribution without requiring separate optical components, thereby reducing cost while maintaining performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the light guiding function and the light distribution control function into a single integrated component. The light guide plate simultaneously performs light transport and light pattern control, eliminating the need for separate secondary optics and reducing overall system cost while achieving the desired illumination uniformity.
3Illumination intensity
If secondary optics are used to achieve controllable light distribution patterns, then illumination uniformity is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: light capture, light transport, light distribution, and pattern control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate optical components, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve controllable light distribution patterns and minimize glare.
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 minimized glare and spottiness, achieving uniform illumination and adjustable light distribution patterns, enhancing optical efficiency and reducing the need for costly secondary optics.
Implementation Method 1
A reflector is attached to extend between the top of the edge and the printed circuit board to direct vertically emitted light from the at least one LED into the edge of the light guide plate
Implementation Method 2
Lateral edge-lit light-guide optics for LED lighting
Data Source
AI summary
A LED lighting system includes a power supply, a LED controller, and a light guide plate having a top, a bottom, and an edge. A printed circuit board connected to the power supply is positioned at least partially under the bottom of the light guide plate. At least one surface-emitting LED is positioned on the printed circuit board adjacent to the light guide plate and directed to emit light vertically. A partially transmissive reflector is attached to extend between the top of the edge of the light guide plate and the printed circuit board to direct vertically emitted light from the at least one surface-emitting LED into the edge of the light guide plate.