LED Light Fixture with Optical Light Guide for Uniform Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing use of multiple LEDs in lighting fixtures results in a visible 'funfair' look due to exposed light sources, which customers find unattractive, as the light emits from a larger area and can appear as multiple light dots, especially when color mixing occurs before or after emission, leading to a non-uniform light exit.
Innovation Solution
The illumination device employs a light guide and light collecting means, such as TIR lenses, to collect light from multiple sources and convert it into uniform source light beams, with the light guide internally reflecting and coupling light to create a homogeneous illuminating surface, avoiding the dotted appearance by controlling the light exit through surface roughness and angle adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple LEDs are used to replace a single light source, then the lighting coverage and brightness are improved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible multiple light dots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple LED light sources and their individual light beams into a single unified light beam through optical elements. Multiple LEDs are merged optically so that their light exits through a single aperture, creating the appearance of one light source while maintaining the brightness and coverage benefits of multiple LEDs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical intermediaries (lenses, light guides, or optical fibers) between the multiple LED sources and the exit aperture. These intermediaries collect, transport, and merge the light from multiple LEDs, allowing the light to exit through a single point while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of a single light source.
2Adaptability or versatility
If color mixing is performed before or after light emission from multiple LEDs, then the color variety is improved, but the light distribution uniformity deteriorates creating a non-uniform light exit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs color mixing in advance within the optical system before the light exits the housing. By pre-mixing the colors from multiple LEDs through optical elements, the system achieves color variety while ensuring uniform light distribution at the exit, avoiding the dotted appearance that would result from post-emission mixing.
3Reliability
If the housing design is optimized for technical specifications (optics, mechanics, electronics, cooling), then the functional performance is improved, but the aesthetic design freedom deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical intermediaries to decouple the functional requirements from the aesthetic design. The optical elements serve as mediators that allow the housing to be designed for optimal technical performance while the light output maintains a uniform, aesthetically pleasing appearance through controlled light transport and merging.
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
This solution effectively eliminates the 'funfair' look by producing a uniform, even light exit, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of lighting fixtures and allowing for dynamic light effects and control over light patterns, making them more visually appealing and functional.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide receiving light from at least one of the light sources at an input section and adapting to guide the received light to an output section, which is adapted to emit the received light at an area between at least two of the source light beams
Implementation Method 2
a number of light collecting means arranged in the housing and adapting to collect light from at least one of the light sources and convert the collected light into a number of source light beams
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The present invention relates to an illumination device (201) comprising: • a number of light sources arranged in at least a first group of light sources (203) and in a second group of light sources (205), where said first group of light sources (203) and said second group of light sources (205) are individually controllable; • a number of light collecting means (209), said number of light collecting means (209) collect light from said first group of light sources (203) and convert said collected light into a number of source light beams (211); • at least one light guide (213) comprising an input section (217) and an output section (219), said light guide (213) receives light generated by said second group of light sources (205) at said input section (217) and transfers said received light to said output section (219), said output section (219) being adapted to emit said received light at an area between at least two of said source light beams (211).