Directional LED Array with Optical Foil Light Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting systems face challenges in producing directional LED arrays with multiple light beam directions, as they become complex when individual LED nodes and optical elements have different orientations, and it is difficult to control lighting properties such as beam direction, shape, spectral distribution, and intensity without mechanical adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A directional lighting system comprising a plurality of LED nodes with identical collimators, where the collimated light is partly or entirely covered by optical foils with varying optical areas or holes, allowing for flexible redirection of light in both theta and phi directions, beam width, and color filtering, enabling easy assembly and late-stage configuration of optical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If individual LED nodes and optical elements have different orientations to achieve multiple light beam directions, then lighting directionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the LED array into multiple independently controllable nodes, where each node can be individually addressed and controlled. This segmentation allows different orientation patterns to be applied to different segments without affecting the entire array, enabling multiple lighting directions while maintaining modular simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of control by enabling independent orientation adjustment of individual LED nodes in addition to the traditional array-level orientation. This dimensional expansion allows complex lighting patterns to be achieved through simple node-level operations rather than complex array-level configurations
2Ease of operation
If conventional lighting systems are used to control lighting properties such as beam direction and shape, then basic lighting functions are achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in controlling properties without mechanical adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with electronic control of individual LED node orientations. Instead of physically moving components to change beam direction and shape, the patent uses electrical signals to dynamically adjust the orientation of each node, eliminating mechanical complexity while improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control where LED node orientations can be changed in real-time without mechanical movement. This dynamic adjustment capability allows lighting properties such as beam direction, shape, and distribution to be modified electronically, providing operational flexibility without mechanical complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If identical collimators are used for all LED nodes to simplify manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability deteriorates when multiple light beam directions are desired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes identical collimators multi-functional by combining them with independently controllable LED nodes. The same collimator design serves multiple purposes by working with nodes that can be individually oriented, allowing a single collimator type to produce multiple beam directions through electronic control rather than requiring different collimator designs
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves different lighting directions by changing the operational parameters (orientation angles) of individual LED nodes rather than changing the physical collimator structures. This parameter-based control allows identical collimators to produce varied beam directions through electronic adjustment of node orientations
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 system allows for easy assembly and flexible control of light direction, shape, spectral distribution, and intensity without mechanical moving parts, enabling dynamic lighting applications with adjustable beam directions and properties.
Implementation Method 1
each light node has an identical collimator, and the collimated light array is partly or entirely covered by one or more optical foils
Implementation Method 2
optical redirect foils or (holographic) diffusing foil
Implementation Method 3
optical element with total internal reflection functionality
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a lighting system (100) comprising: —a plurality of n light sources (10), wherein each of the n light sources (10) is configured to generate light source light (11); —a plurality of n first beam shaping elements (20), wherein each of the n first beam shaping elements (20) is configured downstream of a respective light source (10); —k arrays (300) of optical elements (310), wherein each of the k arrays (300) comprises nk optical elements (310), wherein each of the nk optical elements (310) is configured downstream of a respective first beam shaping element (20) from a subset (250) of the n first beam shaping elements (20); wherein the optical elements (310) are configured to influence one or more of (i) a beam direction of the light source light (11), (ii) a beam shape of the light source light (11), (iii) a spectral distribution of the light source light (11), and (iv) an intensity of the light source light (11); and wherein n≥2, k≥1, and 1≤nk≤n.