LED Collimating Optic with Transverse Slots for Uniform Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED light systems produce undesirable bright spots due to collimated light from high-output LEDs, which can lead to inefficient illumination patterns and aesthetic mismatches with housing geometries, as they redirect all light parallel to the optical axis without effectively spreading it to fill the fixture.
Innovation Solution
The beam forming optic system, featuring a first and second light entry surface cooperating with internal reflecting surfaces and light emission surfaces, redirects divergent light into a substantially parallel trajectory with the optical axis, using a polygonal periphery and voids defined by channels and gaps to prevent light from contacting the periphery, ensuring efficient collimation and filling of the desired emission pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-output LEDs with internally reflecting collimating lenses are used to produce greater luminous flux, then light output efficiency is improved, but the illumination pattern creates undesirable bright spots against an unlit background
Solution Approach 1:
The collimating lens is segmented with transverse slots that divide the light path into multiple sections. This segmentation allows different portions of the light to be redirected at different angles, creating a more uniform illumination pattern that fills the housing while maintaining high luminous flux output from the high-output LED.
2Ease of operation
If collimating lenses organize light into a collimated beam centered on the LED optical axis, then light directionality is improved, but the circular beam pattern creates an aesthetic mismatch with elongated and rectangular housing geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse slots in the collimating lens are positioned asymmetrically to redirect light in specific directions that match elongated and rectangular housing geometries. This asymmetric slot configuration transforms the naturally circular collimated beam into an elongated rectangular pattern that aesthetically matches the housing while maintaining effective light directionality.
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
This solution provides a modular and flexible configuration that efficiently redirects light into a substantially collimated beam, filling the entire area with light and eliminating dark spots, thus enhancing both the optical performance and aesthetics by aligning with housing geometries.
Implementation Method 1
The light entry surface is configured to cooperate with an internal reflecting surface to redirect light emitted by the LED at angles greater than 35° from the optical axis into a direction substantially parallel with the optical axis
Implementation Method 2
The internally reflecting (TIR) collimating lens. The collimating lens organizes light from the LED into a collimated beam centered on the LED optical axis
Data Source
AI summary
A beam forming optic for use with an LED having an optical axis. The beam forming optic includes a first light entry surface cooperating with a first light emission surface and a second light entry surface cooperating with an internal reflecting surface and a second light emission surface to redirect a portion of the light emitted by the LED divergent from the optical axis into a direction substantially parallel with the optical axis. A polygonal periphery extends from the internal reflecting surface to the second light emission surface. A void is defined by a lateral channel and a longitudinal gap extending from the second light emission surface towards the first light emission surface. A portion of the light emitted from the LED passes through the void.