Line-Shaped LED Lighting Module With Convex Resin Exit Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting technologies, particularly those using light emitting diodes (LEDs), face challenges in achieving a line-shaped surface light source with improved luminosity and design flexibility while minimizing light loss and ensuring uniform light distribution.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device is designed with a substrate, a plurality of light sources disposed on the substrate, a resin layer covering the light sources, and reflective layers on either side of the resin layer. The resin layer's exit surface features convex portions aligned with the light sources, optimizing light emission and distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple light sources are arranged to form a line-shaped light source, then the light emitting area is increased, but the light uniformity along the exit direction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emitting areaVSAvoidlight uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by forming convex portions on the exit surface of the resin layer. These convex portions have curved surfaces that refract light in specific directions, transforming the light distribution pattern from non-uniform to uniform along the exit direction. The curved geometry of the convex portions is specifically designed to redirect light from multiple LED sources to achieve uniform illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by creating convex portions at specific locations on the resin layer's exit surface. Each convex portion is positioned to correspond to a specific light source, and its curvature is optimized to control the light emission pattern from that particular location. This localized structural modification allows different regions of the light guide to emit light in optimized directions, achieving overall uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Length of stationary object

If the resin layer thickness is reduced to achieve a thin lighting device, then the design freedom is improved, but the light extraction efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresin layer thicknessVSAvoidlight extraction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The convex portions with curved surfaces act as built-in light extraction structures that enhance light coupling efficiency. The curved geometry increases the optical path length and creates multiple internal reflections, improving light extraction from the resin layer even when the layer is thin. This curvature-based design allows the thin structure to maintain high light extraction efficiency without requiring additional complex components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Illumination intensity

If convex portions are added to the resin layer exit surface, then the light uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight uniformityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light diffusion function and the light extraction function into a single integrated structure - the convex portions on the resin layer exit surface. Instead of using separate components for light distribution and extraction, the curved surfaces of the convex portions perform both functions simultaneously. This integration reduces the number of discrete parts and simplifies the overall device structure while achieving uniform light emission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration enhances light efficiency by reducing light loss and improves light uniformity along the exit direction, allowing for a thin, long line-shaped light source with increased design freedom and application versatility.

Implementation Method 1

a first reflective layer disposed on the resin layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the exit surface of the resin layer includes a plurality of convex portions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3933253B1Lighting module and lighting apparatus comprising same
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 LG INNOTEK CO LTD
  • EP3933253B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3933253B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3933253B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A lighting device disclosed in an embodiment of the invention includes a substrate; a plurality of light sources disposed on the substrate; and a resin layer disposed on the substrate and the plurality of light sources, and a first reflective layer disposed on the resin layer, wherein the resin layer includes an exit surface facing the light sources, the exit surface of the resin layer includes a plurality of convex portions, the plurality of light sources are disposed on a virtual curve, wherein a straight line passing through centers of the first and second light sources adjacent to each other and the centers of each convex portion may be disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to a straight line connecting the adjacent first and second light sources.