Single LED Lens Assembly Eliminating Central Hot Spot Glare
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting assemblies with a single light source, such as incandescent lamps, often create a central 'hot spot' of intensity that can be distracting and unsafe, particularly in applications like semi-trailer tail lights, and are inefficient in terms of durability and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A lighting assembly utilizing a single LED light source with a specially designed lens that directs a smaller amount of light to the center and a larger amount to the perimeter, reducing the central 'hot spot' while maintaining required intensity levels, thereby creating a unique and aesthetically pleasing output pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light source is used, then device complexity is reduced, but a central hot spot is created that causes glare and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is designed with different optical properties in different regions: the central region has a first refractive index or curvature that directs light away from the optical axis, while the peripheral region has different properties that allow light to pass through more directly. This local differentiation eliminates the hot spot while maintaining overall device simplicity with a single light source.
Solution Approach 2:
A specially designed lens is introduced as an intermediary element between the single light source and the external environment. The lens modifies the light distribution pattern by refracting or reflecting light at different angles depending on the incident location, thereby eliminating the hot spot without requiring multiple light sources.
2Ease of manufacture
If incandescent light sources are used, then initial cost is reduced, but durability and power efficiency are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the light source from incandescent to LED technology. LEDs offer superior durability, longer operating life, and better power efficiency while maintaining cost-effectiveness through the simplified single-source design combined with the optical lens solution.
3Illumination intensity
If high-powered incandescent sources are used to meet minimum intensity requirements, then regulatory compliance is achieved, but a hot spot is created that is visually distracting
Solution Approach 1:
The lens creates different light transmission characteristics in different zones: the central zone redirects light away from the optical axis to eliminate the hot spot, while the peripheral zones transmit light more directly. This local differentiation allows the system to meet overall intensity requirements without creating the visually distracting hot spot associated with high-powered incandescent sources.
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 effectively eliminates the central 'hot spot' glare, enhances safety, and provides a durable, power-efficient, and cost-effective lighting solution that meets regulatory requirements, offering a distinctive appearance and improved visual experience.
Implementation Method 1
A lighting assembly utilizing a single LED light source with a specially designed lens that directs a smaller amount of light to the center and a larger amount to the perimeter
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for producing a light output pattern from a single LED source through a lens that diverges light at or around the center of the lens from a single source but converges light at concentric areas around the center area. The assembly can avoid a central hot spot of intensity in the light output pattern and create one or more concentric rings of higher apparent intensity.