LED Lighting Element Diffuser Transparent Lens Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Decorative light strings using LEDs suffer from non-uniform light emission patterns, leading to varying perceived light intensities based on orientation, which is not aesthetically pleasing and differs from the uniform emission of 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 by less than 80% and maintaining the color consistency, while the transparent lens further refractions the light for omnidirectional uniformity.
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 two functional components: a diffuser element for scattering light and a transparent lens element for shaping and transmitting light. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between light uniformity and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent lens is introduced as an intermediary element between the diffuser and the external environment. The lens receives the scattered light from the diffuser and refracts it to create a uniform omnidirectional emission pattern while maintaining a clear, non-frosted appearance, thus mediating between the diffuser's light scattering function and the aesthetic requirement.
2Illumination intensity
If a diffuser scatters light to reduce preferential direction intensity, then light distribution uniformity is improved, but color consistency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser's optical parameters are specifically designed with a scattering coefficient that is substantially constant across the LED's emission spectrum. This parameter control ensures that the diffuser scatters light uniformly across all wavelengths, maintaining color consistency while achieving light distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser is constructed from a composite material or structure that combines light scattering properties with spectral neutrality. This composite approach allows the diffuser to scatter light effectively across the entire emission spectrum while maintaining the LED's original color characteristics.
3Shape
If traditional glass-bulb filament lights are used, then aesthetic appearance is maintained, but light emission uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting element uses a transparent lens to copy the omnidirectional emission characteristic of traditional glass-bulb filament lights. The lens refracts the LED's light in a manner that replicates the uniform light distribution pattern of incandescent bulbs, thereby copying the aesthetic appearance while using modern LED technology.
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, emulating the appearance of glass-bulb filament lights with LEDs, providing a consistent and aesthetically pleasing light distribution.
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
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.