LED Lens with Beam Shaping Element for Backlight Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED lenses for backlights suffer from non-uniform luminance and color due to erroneous light emission and require additional components to redirect light, leading to increased system thickness and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An LED lens with a beam shaping element integrated into the lens body, allowing for adjustable light radiation in both vertical and lateral directions, utilizing a combination of refracting, reflecting, and transmitting surfaces to optimize light distribution and eliminate erroneous light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional side radiation-type LED lens is used to radiate light in lateral direction, then light can be directed through refracting surfaces, but erroneous light passes through upper surface without reflection, degrading luminance uniformity and color consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into distinct functional zones: a lower refracting portion for lateral light radiation, an upper reflecting portion for redirecting erroneous light, and a beam shaping element for final light control. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally, preventing erroneous light from degrading luminance uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the lens have different optical properties tailored to their functions. The lower portion has refracting characteristics for lateral radiation, while the upper portion has reflecting characteristics to redirect erroneous light. The beam shaping element adds another layer of localized optical control to ensure uniform light distribution.
2Productivity
If LED lens is designed as point light source configuration, then lateral light radiation is achieved, but light from regions other than focal point passes through upper surface without reflection, creating erroneous light
Solution Approach 1:
The upper reflecting portion converts the harmful erroneous light that would otherwise pass through the upper surface into a beneficial resource by reflecting it downward through the lower refracting portion. This transforms the problem of unwanted light into an opportunity for additional useful light radiation in the lateral direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper reflecting portion acts as an intermediary element between the LED light source and the external environment. It intercepts erroneous light paths and redirects them through the proper optical channels, mediating the light flow to eliminate harmful effects while maintaining productive light radiation.
3Illumination intensity
If most light beams are radiated in lateral direction perpendicular to display plane, then light can be emitted through lens, but medium is required to change light path toward display plane, degrading overall light performance
Solution Approach 1:
The lens integrates multiple functions that would traditionally require separate components: lateral light radiation, erroneous light reflection, and beam shaping for display plane orientation. By combining these functions into a single integrated lens structure with multiple optical portions, the design eliminates the need for additional light path redirection components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens is designed as a multi-functional optical element that simultaneously performs lateral light radiation, erroneous light reflection, and beam shaping for display plane orientation. This universal design consolidates multiple optical functions into one component, reducing system complexity while maintaining high illumination performance.
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 enhances luminance uniformity and color consistency, reduces system thickness, and improves overall performance by effectively utilizing light in both directions, surpassing the limitations of conventional side- and upper-emitting lenses.
Implementation Method 1
light emitted from the LED light source 10 is directly radiated in a lateral direction through the lower refracting surface 22
Implementation Method 2
light oriented in the vertical direction is reflected in a Total Inner Reflection (TIR) fashion by the upper reflecting surface 26
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a Light Emitting Diode (LED) lens for a backlight. The LED lens includes an LED light source, a lens body, and a beam shaping element. The lens body is configured such that the LED light source is accommodated in the lower portion thereof, and light emitted from the LED light source is radiated in vertical and lateral directions of the lens body. The beam shaping element is fastened to the top of the lens body and is configured to adjust light beams radiated through the upper surface of the lens body. Accordingly, the uniformity of luminance and color can be increased and, at the same time, the overall performance of the system can be improved.