LED Light Module Homogeneous Illumination via Segmented Optical Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED lighting modules often produce uneven light distribution due to individual lens elements for each LED, resulting in separate light bundles that do not fully merge, leading to inhomogeneous illumination.

Innovation Solution

An LED lighting module design featuring a combination of first LEDs with a bundling optical element and second LEDs with a diffusing optical element, arranged in a specific configuration to create a homogeneous illumination by blending the light bundles, with the second LEDs positioned to cover shadows and enhance diffuse light output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If each LED is assigned exactly one lens element to focus light, then light emission efficiency is improved, but uneven light appearance and inhomogeneous illumination occur on the illuminated surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emission efficiencyVSAvoiduniformity of illumination
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination system is segmented into two functional groups: first LEDs with lens elements for focused light emission, and second LEDs without lens elements for diffuse light emission. This segmentation allows each group to perform its specialized function while collectively achieving uniform illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the illumination device are assigned different qualities: the central region uses first LEDs with lens elements for focused emission, while the outer region uses second LEDs for diffuse emission. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific purpose.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If multiple lens elements are used to focus light from individual LEDs, then light directionality is improved, but multiple shadows and inhomogeneous illumination are created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight directionalityVSAvoidhomogeneity of light distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two different light emission approaches (focused and diffuse) into a single illumination system. The first LEDs with lens elements provide directional light, while the second LEDs provide diffuse light, and their combination eliminates multiple shadows to achieve homogeneous illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The second LEDs act as an intermediary element that fills in the shadow regions created by the first LEDs with lens elements. By positioning second LEDs in outer regions and having them emit diffuse light, they mediate the light distribution to achieve uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If second LEDs are added to generate diffuse light for covering shadows, then illumination homogeneity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of illuminationVSAvoidnumber of LED types and optical elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Both first and second LEDs use the same basic LED structure and can be mounted using the same methodology, but they serve different functions within the same system. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to achieve uniform illumination without requiring fundamentally different components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different roles to different spatial regions: first LEDs with lens elements in central regions for focused emission, and second LEDs in outer regions for diffuse emission. This localized differentiation achieves uniform illumination while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

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

The solution achieves a homogeneous illumination by blending light bundles, suppressing multiple shadows and providing a diverse and glare-free light output, while allowing for independent control of LEDs and efficient heat dissipation through a metal plate.

Implementation Method 1

a first optical element (3) for optically influencing the first light, with the first optical element (3) being designed to optically influence the first light in such a way that it is bundled by the LED lighting module (1) in the direction R

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight focusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 2

a second optical element (5) for optically influencing the second light, with the second optical element (5) being designed to optically influence the second light in such a way that it diffuses from the LED lighting module (1) in the direction R

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP2976570B1LED light module and lighting device with at least one LED light module
Publication Date: 2017.08.23 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP2976570B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2976570B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2976570B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An LED lighting module (1) comprises a plurality of first LEDs (2) for generating a first light, a first optical element (3) for influencing the first light, wherein the first optical element (3) is designed to influence the first light such that it is emitted in a concentrated manner by the LED lighting module (1) in a direction (R), at least one second LED (4) for generating a second light and a second optical element (5) for influencing the second light, wherein the second optical element (5) is designed to influence the second light such that it is emitted diffusely by the LED lighting module (1) in the direction (R).