LED Lighting Element with Diffuser for Uniform Filament Emulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Decorative LED light strings exhibit non-uniform light emission patterns due to the preferential direction of light emission, leading to inconsistent perceived light intensity, which is not emulated by traditional glass-bulb filament lights.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a diffuser with a substantially constant absorption coefficient between the LED and a transparent lens to scatter light, reducing the intensity in the preferential direction while maintaining color consistency and enhancing omnidirectional light projection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a diffuser is used to scatter LED light, then light intensity uniformity is improved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to frosted look
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into three distinct functional layers: LED light source, diffuser layer for scattering, and transparent lens layer for focusing and aesthetic appearance. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently - the diffuser provides uniformity while the transparent lens restores aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent lens is introduced as an intermediary element between the diffuser and the external environment. The lens receives scattered light from the diffuser and refracts it to create a focused, aesthetically pleasing appearance while maintaining the uniformity benefits of the diffuser layer.
2Use of energy by moving object
If LED is used instead of glass-bulb filament light, then energy efficiency is improved, but light emission uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical parameters of the light path are changed through the introduction of a diffuser with specific scattering properties and a transparent lens with controlled refraction characteristics. These parameter changes transform the directional LED emission into a uniform omnidirectional pattern while maintaining energy efficiency.
3Illumination intensity
If diffuser with high scattering is used, then light uniformity is improved, but light transmission is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the optical system have different functional qualities: the diffuser layer provides localized scattering for uniformity, while the transparent lens provides localized focusing for appearance. Each layer is optimized for its specific function, with the diffuser having high scattering properties and the lens having high transmission properties.
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 achieves substantially omnidirectional brightness uniformity, mimicking the appearance of glass-bulb filament lights by reducing light intensity in the preferential direction and increasing it in non-preferential directions, thus providing a more uniform and aesthetically consistent lighting effect.
Implementation Method 1
a diffuser coupled to the LED and configured receive the light emitted according to the emission pattern and to scatter the received light according to a diffusion pattern
Implementation Method 2
a transparent lens coupled to the diffuser so as to receive the light scattered by the diffuser and to transmit the received light therethrough
Implementation Method 3
The diffuser has an absorption coefficient that is substantially constant throughout the emission spectrum so as not to substantially change the predetermined color of the emitted light as it is scattered by the diffuser
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods relate to an LED-based lighting element configured to emulate a glass-bulb filament light. The lighting element has a diffuser between an LED and a transparent lens. The LED emits light of a predetermined color in an emission pattern having a preferential direction of emission. The diffuser receives the light emitted according to the emission pattern and scatters the received light according to a diffusion pattern, thereby reducing the light projected in the preferential direction. The diffuser has an absorption coefficient that is substantially constant throughout the visible spectrum so as not to substantially change the predetermined color of the emitted light as it is scattered by the diffuser. The transparent lens is configured to receive the light scattered by the diffuser and to transmit the received light therethrough.