LED Luminaire Collimation and Homogenization System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED luminaires face challenges in achieving uniform color mixing and beam homogenization due to physical separation and differing optical properties of colored LEDs, leading to color fringing and inadequate beam collimation, which limits zoom range and introduces aberrations.

Innovation Solution

An optical system comprising a collimating and mixing optic with curved sides and a light integrator using total internal reflection, which aligns LED dies with the optic's sides for improved light mixing, followed by a lens system for adjustable beam angle control, ensuring uniform color mixing and beam collimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If physical separation between different colored LED dies is used, then individual color beam control is improved, but color mixing homogeneity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor beam control precisionVSAvoidcolor mixing homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A light integrator is introduced as an intermediary component between the physically separated LED dies and the output beam. This light integrator mixes the light from different colored LEDs before output, ensuring homogeneous color mixing while maintaining the physical separation needed for individual color control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a collimation zone with individual optics for each LED die to control color beams, and a mixing zone with a light integrator to homogenize the combined light. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of both color control and mixing homogeneity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If different optical devices are used for each LED package, then individual beam shape control is improved, but chromatic aberration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam shape control precisionVSAvoidchromatic aberration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The optical system applies different optical properties to different spatial locations: collimation optics with color-corrected surfaces are positioned close to each LED die for localized beam control, while the light integrator provides uniform mixing. This local optimization reduces chromatic aberration while maintaining beam shape control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If conventional optical systems are used, then basic beam production is achieved, but zoom range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam production efficiencyVSAvoidzoom range
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates movable optical elements that can be dynamically adjusted along the optical axis to change the beam angle. This dynamic adjustment capability provides a wide zoom range while maintaining efficient beam production through the optimized light path design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhanced color homogenization, improved beam collimation, and a wider zoom range with minimal chromatic aberration, resulting in a uniformly colored output beam with adjustable angle control.

Implementation Method 1

a light integrator using total internal reflection, which aligns LED dies with the optic's sides for improved light mixing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3227601B1Collimation and homogenization system for an LED luminaire
Publication Date: 2021.12.15 ROBE LIGHTING SRO
  • EP3227601B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3227601B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3227601B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed is an LED light source (60) automated luminaire with a multi sided elongated light integrator (102) with receiving lens (130) and output lens (132) both with spill shields (131,133) and where the receiving spill shield (131) is nesting in the output spill shield (133). The elongated integrator (102) has a square input cross-section (106) and a hexagon or octagon output cross section (108) and is tapered so that the input cross section (106) is smaller than the output cross section (108).