LED Array Halftone Configuration for Glare Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light emitting devices with transparent covers and orthogonally arranged LEDs suffer from glare and pixilation issues, leading to discomfort, and require complex and expensive light guide structures to address these problems.
Innovation Solution
A light emitting device with a two-dimensional array of LEDs arranged in a halftone configuration, where LEDs are positioned on lines extending from a central axis to the perimeter with varying sizes and shapes, reducing glare without the need for light guides, and allowing for customizable light output through gradient arrangements and optical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If orthogonally arranged LEDs are used in a transparent cover, then beam shaping capability is improved, but glare and pixilation causing discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging LEDs in non-orthogonal patterns and using asymmetric LED sizes within the array. This breaks the regular grid structure that causes pixilation and reduces the directional glare associated with orthogonal arrangements, while still achieving beam shaping through the asymmetric configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by varying LED sizes at different positions within the array. LEDs closer to the center may be larger while those at the periphery are smaller, or vice versa, creating localized variations in light intensity that eliminate uniform pixilation patterns and reduce overall glare while maintaining beam shaping capability.
2Illumination intensity
If light guide plate with scattering pattern is used, then uniform light distribution is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the light guide plate component entirely, replacing its light-distributing function with a different approach. By using directly visible LEDs arranged in specific patterns with varying sizes, the patent achieves uniform light distribution without requiring the complex scattering patterns and optical structures of a light guide plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual effect similar to uniform light distribution by using multiple LEDs of varying sizes arranged in specific patterns. This 'copies' the appearance of uniform illumination achieved by light guides but does so through a simpler direct LED arrangement that eliminates the need for complex optical components.
3Ease of manufacture
If regular orthogonal LED arrangement is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but visual discomfort from glare and pixilation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains manufacturing simplicity while eliminating glare by transitioning from symmetric orthogonal arrangements to asymmetric configurations. The asymmetric LED placement and size variations can still be implemented using standard manufacturing processes, but the resulting pattern breaks up glare and pixilation effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality variations in LED sizing and positioning that can be integrated into existing manufacturing processes. By varying LED characteristics at different locations rather than using a uniform arrangement, the patent reduces glare while maintaining compatibility with standard production methods.
Data Source
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AI summary
A light emitting device (3) comprising an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (301-317), said array of LEDs comprising a plurality of LEDs (61-69), a center (31), an perimeter (32) and a first axis (X) extending through the center and transverse to the outer circumferential edge, where each LED of the array of LEDs comprises a size and a shape, where the plurality of LEDs is arranged on a plurality of lines (L) extending in a direction 5 from a point on the first axis (X) towards the outer circumferential edge (32), two or more LEDs of the plurality of LEDs being arranged on each line, and where the two or more LEDs on each line are arranged such that at least one gradient in the size of the LEDs and/or the shape of the LEDs is provided in a direction along said line.