LED Light Bulb with Colored Light Pipe for Warm Illumination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current energy-efficient light bulbs, such as LEDs and fluorescent bulbs, often fail to replicate the brightness and warm color temperature of traditional filament bulbs, and may not provide both ambient and focused lighting from a single source, requiring multiple bulbs and expensive installations for retrofitting in existing fixtures, which are also aesthetically unsatisfactory.

Innovation Solution

A light bulb design featuring an extruded transparent light pipe with colored lines embedded within, acting as a light conduit and diffuser, combined with an LED light source, allowing for both focused and ambient lighting from a single bulb, compatible with existing fixtures and customizable for aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If fluorescent or LED bulbs are used to replace traditional filament bulbs, then energy efficiency is improved, but brightness and warm color temperature are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidbrightness and warm color temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The light bulb divides lighting into two separate functions: an LED light source for energy-efficient ambient lighting and a light pipe with colored lines for focused warm light delivery, allowing each component to optimize its specific function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light pipe acts as an intermediary component that receives light from the LED source and transforms it into focused beams with warm color temperature, mediating between the efficient but cold LED light and the desired warm focused illumination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple bulbs are used to provide both ambient and focused lighting, then lighting functionality is improved, but device complexity and installation cost are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting functionalityVSAvoidnumber of bulbs and installation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges ambient lighting and focused lighting functions into a single bulb by combining an LED light source with a light pipe, eliminating the need for multiple separate bulbs and simplifying installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single bulb design provides multiple lighting functions (ambient and focused) simultaneously, making it a universal solution that replaces multiple specialized bulbs with one multi-functional unit

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

3Illumination intensity

If halogen or LED bulbs are designed for specific fittings, then lighting performance is improved, but adaptability to existing fixtures is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting performanceVSAvoidcompatibility with existing fixtures
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bulb is designed with universal adaptability by incorporating standard screw or bayonet fittings, allowing it to function in various existing fixture types while maintaining its dual lighting performance capabilities

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

4Use of energy by moving object

If fluorescent bulbs are used for energy saving, then energy consumption is reduced, but aesthetic appeal and immediate brightness are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidimmediate brightness and aesthetic appeal
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The bulb segments the light output into immediate ambient light from the LED source and focused warm light from the light pipe, ensuring both energy efficiency and immediate aesthetic appeal are satisfied simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 energy-efficient, long-lasting lighting with a warm color temperature, offering both focused and ambient illumination from a single bulb, reducing energy consumption and allowing for easy retrofitting into existing installations while enhancing aesthetic appeal.

Implementation Method 1

a light pipe mounted to the light source; wherein the light pipe is an extruded transparent bar or tube having coloured lines extending along and within it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight conduction: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

a portion of the light from the light source is conveyed along the light pipe and out its distal end, while a portion of the light from the light source escapes through the sides of the light pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

the coloured lines are embedded in the light pipe, wherein each of said coloured lines extends substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis of the light pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption and re emission: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

the light pipe is extruded with a coloured material and the lines are co-extruded with the light pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP3265720B1Light bulb
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 BUSTER & PUNCH LTD
  • EP3265720B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3265720B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3265720B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application describes herein a light bulb, in particular one which comprises a light pipe in the form of a bar or tube, mounted to a light source, wherein the light pipe has coloured lines extending along and within it. When illuminated by the light source, the light pipe acts as a means for dissipating light, providing the desirable effect of a traditional filament or incandescent bulb without the high temperatures and low energy efficiency associated with such a light source. Such a light bulb may also include a screw or bayonet fitting, allowing it to be retrofitted into existing lighting units, providing backwards compatibility with existing lighting installations.