Compact Lens with Curved Total Reflection Surface for LED Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collimator lenses for point sources like LEDs are large due to the need for a recess and an outer expanding face, limiting their miniaturization and efficient light utilization.
Innovation Solution
A lens design featuring a light-incoming face, a light-outgoing face, and a side face with a curved total reflection surface that focuses light within a given angle, eliminating the need for a recess and allowing for downsizing while effectively utilizing light from point sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a recess and an outer expanding face are used in the collimator lens, then light can be effectively collected and reflected, but the lens size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light collection function and light reflection function into a single integrated lens body. The lens simultaneously performs light collection through its front surface and light reflection through its inner reflective surface, eliminating the need for separate recess structures and external expanding faces found in conventional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the internal three-dimensional space of the lens body by forming a reflective surface within the lens material itself. This internal reflection mechanism allows light redirection without requiring external expanding structures, effectively using the depth dimension of the lens to achieve light control functions.
2Ease of operation
If a recess is formed to accommodate the LED, then the LED can be properly positioned, but the vertical size of the lens increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the LED positioning function from the recess structure and implements it through the lens's front surface geometry and internal reflective surface configuration. The LED is positioned at the front surface of the lens rather than within a recess, eliminating the need for depth-consuming recess structures while maintaining proper optical alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the LED inside a recess and having light travel inward, the patent inverts the approach by placing the LED at the front surface with light traveling through the lens body. The reflective surface is positioned internally to redirect light, reversing the conventional sequence of light path and structural arrangement.
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 design achieves a compact lens size while ensuring efficient light collection and emission, focusing light beams within a specific angle to enhance light utilization from LEDs, suitable for applications like mobile phones and cameras.
Implementation Method 1
The side face has a curved total reflection surface that totally reflects light that has entered the light-incoming face
Data Source
AI summary
A lens has a light-incoming face, a light-outgoing face, and a side face. The light-incoming face is disposed near a light source or in contact with the light source. The light-outgoing face is provided opposite to the light-incoming face. The side face has a curved total reflection surface that totally reflects a light beam that has entered the light-incoming face. The total reflection surface is formed so that light beams that have reflected off the total reflection surface focus in a given angle from the light-outgoing face.