LED Illumination Lens With Variable Transmittance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle illumination apparatuses using LEDs struggle to provide effective indirect illumination, as the boundary between illumination and non-illumination areas appears clear, limiting the desired illumination effect.

Innovation Solution

An illumination apparatus with a lens having particles for light transmittance adjustment, where the lens is formed with varying thickness and surface structures to control light transmittance, ensuring a gradual transition between illumination and non-illumination areas, with higher transmittance near the illuminated object to maintain high illuminance and obscure the boundary between light and dark regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a conventional LED illumination apparatus is used for indirect illumination, then the light source can provide sufficient illuminance, but the boundary between illumination range and non-illumination range appears clearly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveilluminanceVSAvoidillumination effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lens is designed with spatially varying light transmittance properties. The central region has higher light transmittance to maintain high illuminance, while the peripheral regions have lower light transmittance to create gradual transitions. This local differentiation of optical properties resolves the contradiction by allowing both sufficient illuminance and smooth boundary transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the light transmittance parameter of the lens material as a function of position. By incorporating particles for light transmittance adjustment and varying the lens thickness, the optical parameters are modified to achieve different transmittance levels in different regions, thereby creating the desired gradual illumination transition while maintaining overall illuminance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If the light transmittance is increased to maintain high illuminance, then the illumination range is sufficient, but the boundary between light and dark zones becomes more apparent

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveilluminanceVSAvoidboundary clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the lens are assigned different light transmittance qualities. The central region maintains high transmittance for sufficient illuminance, while peripheral regions have reduced transmittance to soften boundaries. This local quality differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of both goals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lens creates a dynamic illumination gradient where the transition from illuminated to non-illuminated areas is gradual rather than abrupt. This dynamic variation in light intensity across the spatial domain achieves both high illuminance in the center and smooth boundary transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Shape

If the lens thickness is increased to control light transmittance, then the boundary transition becomes gradual, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboundary transitionVSAvoidlens structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly increasing lens thickness, the patent applies thickness variations locally where needed. The lens thickness is optimized in different regions to achieve the desired transmittance gradient, minimizing overall complexity while achieving the boundary transition effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lens combines multiple materials or material compositions with different optical properties. By using composite materials with varying particle concentrations or refractive indices, the patent achieves complex light transmittance control without requiring proportionally complex geometric structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 enables a suitable indirect illumination effect by creating a seamless transition between illuminated and non-illuminated areas, maintaining high illuminance in desired regions while blurring the boundary between light and dark zones, thus enhancing the overall illumination experience.

Implementation Method 1

particles for light transmittance adjustment are dispersed in the lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption and scattering: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

particles for light transmittance adjustment are dispersed substantially uniformly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

a light source including an LED and a lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS10144344B2Illumination apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.12.04 TOYODA GOSEI CO LTD

AI summary

An illumination apparatus includes: a light source including an LED and a lens; an illuminated body; and a cover, wherein: the light source is arranged inside the cover; the light from the light source passes between the edge of the cover and the illuminated body; the front edge of the cover defines the illumination range of the light from the light source with respect to the illuminated body; and the light transmittance of such portion of the lens as is near to the illuminated body is higher than that of the remaining portions.