LED Lamp Refracting Optic Element for Natural Dimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED lighting systems struggle to replicate the warm, natural light distribution and color temperature changes of incandescent bulbs when dimmed, often resulting in an unnatural color shift.
Innovation Solution
The LED lamp design incorporates multiple LEDs with different spectral outputs and a unique optic element with refracting surfaces that refract light with a tangential component, combined with a driver circuit that disproportionately dims cooler and warmer LEDs to maintain a natural color temperature similar to incandescent bulbs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional LED lighting systems are used, then energy efficiency is improved, but natural color temperature changes when dimmed are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The LED lighting system is segmented into multiple LED types with different color temperatures (e.g., warm white LEDs at 2000K and cool white LEDs at 6504K). Each LED type is independently controllable, allowing the system to simulate incandescent dimming behavior by adjusting the ratio of warm to cool LEDs rather than uniformly reducing intensity. This segmentation enables energy efficiency while maintaining natural color temperature transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the relative intensity of multiple LED types based on the desired dimming level. At full brightness, both warm and cool LEDs operate at high intensity to provide efficient illumination. As dimming progresses, the system increases the proportion of warm white LEDs while reducing cool white LEDs, dynamically simulating the natural color shift of incandescent bulbs without sacrificing overall energy efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LEDs with different spectral outputs are used, then color temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple LEDs with different spectral outputs are combined within a single lighting module or bulb housing. The warm white and cool white LEDs are positioned in close proximity and share common optical elements and control circuitry. This merging approach enables sophisticated color temperature control while minimizing the increase in device complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple LED types serve multiple functions: they collectively provide high-efficiency illumination while simultaneously enabling dynamic color temperature adjustment. The shared power supply, control circuitry, and optical housing perform multiple roles, reducing overall system complexity despite the presence of multiple LED types. The system achieves both energy efficiency and natural dimming behavior through this multi-functional integration.
3Illumination intensity
If refracting optic element is added, then light distribution is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refracting optic element employs curved or spherical surface geometries that are well-suited to conventional molding and manufacturing processes. These curved surfaces naturally redirect light rays to achieve uniform distribution patterns while being manufacturable using standard plastic injection molding or glass blowing techniques. The curvature-based design improves light distribution without requiring complex multi-element optical assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The refracting optic element is designed to work intrinsically with the LED array it covers, using the LEDs' own emitted light to create the desired distribution pattern. The optic element's refractive surfaces are configured to automatically redirect light from multiple LED sources into a uniform output pattern without requiring additional active components or complex alignment mechanisms. This self-service approach improves manufacturing ease by eliminating the need for precision adjustment mechanisms.
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 a more natural light distribution and color temperature change when dimming, closely mimicking the appearance and functionality of traditional incandescent bulbs, providing improved luminous intensity and color rendering.
Implementation Method 1
An optic element comprises a refracting entry surface disposed to receive the light from the at least two LEDs where the refracting entry surface refracts the light with a tangential component
Data Source
AI summary
A LED lamp has at least two LEDs to provide light of at least two different spectral outputs. An optic element has an entry surface disposed to receive the light from the LEDs. The entry surface includes refracting surfaces that refract the light tangentially. The refracting surfaces may extend radially relative to a center of the entry surface. The refracting surfaces may be continuously curved in cross-section where the refracting surfaces may include convex refracting surfaces and concave refracting surfaces.