LED Luminaire Inverting Light Direction to Eliminate Glare

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LED luminaire designs often create glare due to the strong contrast between the bright luminaire head and darker pole, which is not optimal for many lighting applications.

Innovation Solution

An elongate supporting post with an outwardly flaring upper head section and a cap containing LED lighting units that direct light inwardly onto the post, using optical elements to reflect light and minimize outward emission, along with multicolored LEDs and a controller for color adjustment, and an aluminum post with various finishes for enhanced illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If LED lighting units are mounted on the luminaire head to provide illumination, then lighting function is achieved, but glare is created due to strong contrast between bright luminaire head and darker pole

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting outputVSAvoidglare

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of directing light outward from the luminaire head as in conventional designs, this patent inverts the lighting direction by mounting LED lighting units on the cap to illuminate the supporting post inwardly. The shield blocks outwardly directed light, reversing the traditional light emission pattern to eliminate glare while maintaining illumination effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful glare effect into a beneficial aesthetic illumination by directing light onto the supporting post surface. The light that would otherwise create harsh contrast and glare is redirected to create a unified, aesthetically pleasing glow on the post, transforming a harmful visual effect into a desirable design feature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Area of stationary object

If light is directed outwardly from LED lighting units, then illumination coverage is maximized, but aesthetic unity is lost due to bright vs. dark contrast

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination coverageVSAvoidaesthetic unity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional lighting approach by directing light inward onto the supporting post rather than outward into the environment. This reversal creates a unified visual appearance where the illuminated post blends harmoniously with the luminaire structure, eliminating the harsh bright-vs-dark contrast while maintaining effective illumination coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the luminaire head and supporting post into a unified visual entity by illuminating the post with LEDs mounted on the cap. The shield directs light to wrap around and illuminate the post, creating a seamless integration between the lighting fixture and support structure, making them appear as a cohesive design rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a shield is used to block outwardly directed light, then glare is reduced, but light distribution efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglare reductionVSAvoidlight distribution efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The shield, which would normally be seen as a light-blocking obstacle reducing efficiency, is actually utilized to redirect light onto the supporting post. Rather than wasting blocked light, the shield converts potentially harmful outwardly directed glare into beneficial inward illumination, improving both glare reduction and light utilization efficiency simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The shield acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the LED lighting units and the supporting post. It intercepts outwardly directed light and redirects it onto the post surface, serving as a light redirecting mediator that eliminates glare while maintaining efficient light distribution to the intended target area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 a unified, aesthetic lighting effect by directing most light intensity onto the support post, reducing glare and creating a diffuse, Lambertian light distribution that is aesthetically pleasing and functional.

Implementation Method 1

at least one optical element positioned so as to reflect light emitted from the plurality of LED lighting units toward the support post

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10386040B2LED luminaire

Publication Date: 2019.08.20 DELTA INTELLIGENT BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES (USA) LLC

AI summary

A luminaire includes an elongate supporting post including an upper head section that flares outwardly, and a cap positioned on top of the head of the supporting post, the cap including a plurality of LED lighting units arranged circumferentially, and a shield adapted to block a substantial amount of outwardly directed light emitted from the plurality of LED lighting units, such that the light emitted from the LED lighting units is directed substantially onto the supporting post. A method of fabrication is provided.