LED Lens Assembly for Even Vertical Merchandise Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluorescent lighting fixtures in retail stores inefficiently direct light to merchandise display shelves, leading to uneven illumination, high maintenance costs, and environmental concerns due to mercury-containing lamps.
Innovation Solution
An LED lighting assembly with a circuit board and integral lens assembly that captures and modifies the beam pattern of LEDs to re-project light evenly across a vertical plane, using adjustable lenses and a thermally efficient design to enhance illuminance and reduce energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If fluorescent lighting fixtures are used to illuminate merchandise display shelves, then illumination coverage is provided, but light distribution is uneven with higher shelves receiving excessive light and lower shelves receiving insufficient light
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent LED modules, each with its own lens assembly. This segmentation allows each module to independently control and direct light to specific zones on the shelves, enabling precise light distribution to different shelf levels without the uniform omnidirectional pattern of traditional fluorescent fixtures.
Solution Approach 2:
Each LED module is equipped with a specific lens (spotlight pattern or oval pattern) that tailors the light distribution to local requirements. The lens type and orientation are optimized for the particular shelf zone it serves, creating locally optimized light quality that addresses the specific needs of different vertical positions on the display.
2Reliability
If fluorescent lamps are used for merchandise illumination, then lighting coverage is achieved, but maintenance costs and environmental impact increase due to lamp replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The LED modules are designed as self-contained units with integrated lenses and circuit boards that require no maintenance or replacement of individual components. The solid-state LED technology inherently provides longer operational life and eliminates the need for periodic lamp replacements, making the system essentially maintenance-free.
3Illumination intensity
If traditional fluorescent fixtures are used, then illumination is provided, but energy consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gas discharge mechanism of fluorescent lamps with solid-state LED technology. This substitution eliminates the need for ballasts, starters, and other auxiliary components, directly reducing energy consumption while maintaining or improving illumination output. The LED drivers efficiently convert electrical power to light with minimal losses.
4Ease of operation
If fluorescent lighting is used, then general illumination is provided, but beam control and light directionality are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Lenses are introduced as intermediary optical elements between the LED sources and the merchandise. These lenses (spotlight pattern and oval pattern) act as mediators that shape and direct the light beams without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, achieving effective beam control through purely optical means.
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 provides more even and efficient illumination, reducing energy use and maintenance needs, while extending LED lifespan and improving product presentation and sales, with lower environmental impact compared to traditional fluorescent fixtures.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of lenses can be placed over a corresponding one of the plurality of LEDs allowing the lenses to capture the light from a respective LED, modify the beam pattern, and re-project the light
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a lighting assembly and method for illuminating a vertical planar area, such as a merchandise display. The lighting assembly can comprise a circuit board having a plurality of LEDs arranged in a substantially straight line and an LED driver circuit, and an integral lens assembly. The integral lens assembly can have a plurality of lenses and each of the plurality of lenses can be placed over a corresponding one of the plurality of LEDs. The lenses capture the light from the respective LED, modify its beam pattern, and re-project the light such that the light emitted from the lighting assembly is distributed substantially evenly in a vertical plane or direction.