LED Light Guide with Patterned Ink for Variable Light Distribution

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED-based light fixtures lack the ability to produce a wide variety of light distribution patterns without significant modifications, making them inadequate for diverse lighting applications that require specific light emission directions and spreads.

Innovation Solution

A light fixture with a light guide featuring patterned ink, incorporating different types of light extraction elements with varying reflectance, transmittance, size, shape, and distribution density, which can be adjusted to produce various light distribution patterns by altering their spatial arrangement and relative locations, allowing for flexible light emission without major structural changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed light fixture design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot produce multiple light distribution patterns without major modifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distribution pattern varietyVSAvoidfixture structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the light extraction elements adjustable rather than fixed. The patterned ink elements can be repositioned or reconfigured to change light distribution patterns, transforming a static fixture into a dynamic system that adapts to different lighting requirements without structural modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes optical parameters by using patterned ink with varying reflectance, transmittance, size, shape, and distribution density. By adjusting these parameters of the light extraction elements, different light distribution patterns (such as Lambertian and batwing patterns) can be achieved from the same fixture structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If different light distribution patterns are required for different applications, then lighting performance is optimized, but multiple fixtures or major modifications are needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight emission direction controlVSAvoidfixture modification requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the light guide with patterned ink elements that can be adjusted to different patterns. The fixture is manufactured with the capability to produce various patterns built-in, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing modifications when different light distribution requirements arise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If uniform light extraction elements are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the light distribution pattern is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distribution pattern varietyVSAvoidpatterned ink precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using light extraction elements with non-uniform properties - varying reflectance, transmittance, size, shape, and distribution density at different locations on the light guide. This localized variation in element properties enables diverse light distribution patterns while maintaining a relatively simple overall manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables the production of multiple light distribution patterns, such as Lambertian and batwing patterns, with the ability to fine-tune emission directions and spreads, accommodating various lighting applications without requiring extensive modifications to the fixture's structure.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide that is optically coupled to the light source, the light guide including a plurality of first non-fluorescent light extraction elements and a plurality of second non-fluorescent light extraction elements that are printed on the light guide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight extraction: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a light guide that is optically coupled to the light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical coupling: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3551930B1Light emitting diode based light emitting device with light guide

Publication Date: 2022.01.05 LUMILEDS LLC

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4C

AI summary

A light-emitting device comprising: a light source; and a light guide that is optically coupled to the light source, the light guide including a plurality of first non-fluorescent light extraction elements and a plurality of second non-fluorescent light extraction elements that are printed on the light guide, each of the first light extraction elements having a reflectance that is higher than a reflectance of any of the second light extraction elements, each of the first light extraction elements having a light transmittance that is lower than a light transmittance of any the second light extraction elements, each of the first light extraction elements having the same shape and size as any other one of the plurality first light extraction elements, and each of the second light extraction elements having the same shape and size as any other one of the plurality of second light extraction elements.