LED Lighting Device with Retained Color Filter for Custom Shades

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED lighting systems struggle to provide precise custom colors, especially for smaller projects, due to high production costs and limited availability of specific shades, leading to issues with color consistency and washout in applications requiring precise color representation both day and night.

Innovation Solution

An LED lighting device comprising a transparent cover configured to retain a color filter, which modifies the light emitted by the LED, allowing for customizable color output using readily available vinyl or plastic sheets, and the option to use secondary color filters for enhanced color accuracy and consistency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If custom color LED production is used, then precise color output is achieved, but production cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor precisionVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The solution separates the LED light source from the color filtering function. Mass-produced white LEDs provide the light source, while separate color filters (applied to the transparent cover or as standalone elements) provide the custom colors. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - LEDs for efficiency and filters for color precision - resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Color filters serve as intermediary elements between the white LED light source and the final output. These filters (vinyl sheets, plastic films, or gel coatings) convert the readily available white light into precise custom colors without requiring custom LED production, thereby achieving both color precision and cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If RGB LED programming is used, then color variety is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor varietyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces expensive, complex RGB LED systems with simpler, cheaper components: standard white LEDs combined with inexpensive color filters. While RGB LEDs can produce many colors through programming, this solution achieves color variety through physical filters that are far less complex and costly, eliminating the need for control systems while maintaining adaptability for different applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using programmable RGB LEDs to achieve color variety, the system uses physical color filters that passively modify the white light output. Different filters (red, green, blue, custom shades) can be applied to the transparent cover or positioned in the light path to achieve the desired color without any electronic control or programming complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Manufacturing precision

If color filters are applied to LED signage, then color accuracy is improved, but light intensity decreases causing washout

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor accuracyVSAvoidlight intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent cover is designed to retain the color filter in close proximity to the LED light source, ensuring the filter is positioned optimally before the light reaches the signage surface. This preliminary positioning maximizes the efficiency of the filtering action and ensures consistent color accuracy without excessive light loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a transparent cover material that allows light transmission while holding the color filter. The combination of the transparent cover, color filter, and LED creates a composite structure that maintains both color accuracy and sufficient light intensity, preventing the washout effect that occurs with traditional filter applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 cost-effective production and installation of LED lighting with precise custom colors, reducing washout issues and maintaining color accuracy across different lighting conditions, making it suitable for various applications including signage and ambient lighting.

Implementation Method 1

a color filter configured to be retained by the transparent cover, wherein the color filter, when retained by the transparent cover, is functionally disposed in front of the LED such that light leaving the lighting assembly passes through the color filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectColor filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS10488017B2LED lighting device for colored lighting

Publication Date: 2019.11.26 BITRO GRP

AI summary

A light emitting diode (LED) device is provided including an LED, a transparent cover configured for retaining a color filter, and a first color filter configured to be retained by the transparent cover. The color filter, when retained by the transparent cover, is functionally disposed in front of the LED such that light leaving the lighting assembly passes through the color filter.