Replaceable LED Lamp Optics for Ground Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional street lighting technologies, such as high pressure sodium and metal halide fixtures, are inefficient and produce excessive light pollution, whereas LED street lighting, although more energy-efficient and durable, often fails to effectively direct light to minimize upward emission and maximize ground illumination.
Innovation Solution
A replaceable light unit (RLU) with a LED package and optical elements that redirect light to concentrate at least 50% of the optical distribution within a 50-degree angle from the axis, using a reflector to distribute light efficiently towards the ground while minimizing upward emission, thereby reducing light pollution and conserving energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional street lighting (high pressure sodium, metal halide) is used, then illumination intensity is sufficient, but energy efficiency is poor and light pollution is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The LED package is divided into multiple individual LEDs arranged in a specific pattern around the first axis. This segmentation allows each LED to be independently positioned and oriented, enabling precise control over light emission directions and optimizing both energy efficiency and reduction of light pollution through targeted illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical system have specialized functions: the first optical element focuses on concentrating light within a specific angular distribution, while the second optical element (reflector) specifically addresses upward light emission. This local optimization of optical properties at different spatial locations resolves the contradiction between achieving sufficient ground illumination and minimizing skyward light pollution.
2Use of energy by moving object
If LED street lighting is used, then energy efficiency improves, but light direction control is insufficient leading to excessive upward emission
Solution Approach 1:
The second optical element (reflector) acts as an intermediary component positioned between the LED package and the external environment. It intercepts light that would otherwise emit upward and redirects it toward the ground, thereby mediating between the LED's inherent omnidirectional emission pattern and the requirement to minimize upward light pollution while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls and modifies the angular distribution parameter of light emission through the combination of LED arrangement and optical elements. By adjusting the angular distribution to concentrate at least 50% of light within a 50-degree angle from the first optical axis, the system changes the emission parameters to reduce upward light while maintaining ground illumination effectiveness.
3Productivity
If light is concentrated within a narrow angle, then ground illumination efficiency improves, but light distribution coverage may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-axis vertical mounting configuration to a three-dimensional light distribution pattern. The LED package is arranged in multiple dimensions around the first axis, and the optical elements create both concentrated beams (within 50 degrees) and broader distributions (at least 50% greater than 50 degrees from axis), effectively utilizing angular dimensions to achieve both high efficiency and wide coverage simultaneously.
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 RLU achieves efficient energy use and reduced light pollution by directing at least 50% of the light within a 50-degree angle towards the ground, ensuring effective street illumination while minimizing skyward light emission.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical element to generate a first optical distribution along a first optical axis in a first direction
Implementation Method 2
concentrate at least 50% of the first optical distribution within fifty degrees from the first optical axis
Implementation Method 3
a second optical element to reflect light from the first optical distribution to generate a second optical distribution
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods relate to an energy efficient and pollution reducing post top lamp. In an illustrative example, a replaceable light unit (RLU) includes a LED package distributed about a first axis of the RLU. The LED package, for example, may emit a light being redirected by a first optical element to generate a first optical distribution along a first optical axis in a first direction, the first optical axis being substantially parallel to the first axis. The first optical distribution may be, for example, reflected by a second optical element such that at least a portion of the light in the first optical distribution may be reflected into a second optical distribution. For example, at least fifty percent of the light in the second optical distribution may be greater than fifty degrees from the first optical axis. Various embodiments may advantageously conserve energy and/or reduce light pollution.