Reflective Optical Component for LED Color Mixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
LED-based lighting fixtures struggle with inefficient color mixing, leading to chromatic aberration, especially when using multiple colored LEDs and effects like gobos, which are not adequately addressed by miniature LED and Chip-on-Board arrays.
Innovation Solution
An LED-based lighting unit with an optical component featuring a reflective surface, such as a conical or pyramidal structure, positioned between LEDs and a light output opening, which directs and mixes the light output to minimize chromatic aberration, utilizing a horn-type reflector and LED PCBs with interior reflective surfaces to achieve efficient color mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple colored LEDs are used to replicate incandescent light output, then the lighting unit can provide full-spectrum lighting and color-changing effects, but chromatic aberration and color separation occur in the far field image
Solution Approach 1:
A reflective optical component is introduced as an intermediary between the multiple colored LEDs and the light output. This component receives light from different LED sources and reflects it in a controlled manner to achieve proper mixing, preventing chromatic aberration while maintaining full-spectrum capability
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective optical component utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement and angular reflection to mix colors from multiple LEDs. By reflecting light at different angles and paths, the system achieves uniform color mixing in the far field while preserving the full-spectrum lighting capability
2Volume of moving object
If miniature LED and Chip-on-Board arrays are used, then the device size is reduced, but color mixing efficiency remains insufficient and chromatic aberration persists
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective optical component serves as a compact intermediary that enables efficient color mixing within a small volume. It receives light from miniature LED arrays and through reflective geometry achieves proper color integration, maintaining compact size while improving color mixing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective optical component employs curved or conical reflective surfaces that efficiently collect and redirect light from miniature LED arrays. The curved geometry provides multiple reflection paths within a compact volume, achieving uniform color mixing without requiring large device dimensions
3Adaptability or versatility
If gobos or other effects are utilized, then lighting effects are enhanced, but chromatic aberration and color separation are exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective optical component performs preliminary color mixing before light reaches the gobo or effect elements. By pre-mixing the colors from multiple LEDs, the system ensures that subsequent effect applications do not exacerbate chromatic aberration, maintaining color uniformity throughout the optical path
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 effectively mixes the light output from multiple LEDs, reducing chromatic aberration and providing a more uniform and efficient lighting effect, suitable for applications like theatrical and entertainment lighting.
Implementation Method 1
At least one reflective surface is interposed between at least some of the LEDs and the lighting unit axis. The reflective surface is positioned such that a plurality of the light output central axis are directly incident thereon and is configured such that a plurality of the light output central axis directly incident thereon are directed through the light output opening.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Methods and apparatus related to an LED-based lighting unit (10, 110) having an optical component for mixing light output from a plurality of LEDs (34, 134). In some embodiments the optical component may include at least one reflective surface interiorly thereof and the LEDs (34, 134) may be vertically arranged about the reflective surface. At least some of the LEDs (34, 34) may generate a light output generally directed toward the reflective surface. The reflective surface may be configured to direct at least some of the light output directly incident thereon through a light output opening (25, 125) of the optical component.