LED Optical System with Integrated Reflector for Lateral Light Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED optical systems face challenges in efficiently directing light emitted by LEDs in a desired lateral direction, as they often require turning mirrors or specialized side-emitting LEDs to achieve this, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The proposed LED optical system employs two or more optics with a first optical stage featuring a total internal reflector and a second optical stage with a petal-shaped upper reflector, which are coupled together to form an upper reflector that emulates a point light source, allowing for the generation of a substantially lateral light pattern without the need for mirrors or specialized assembly, using materials like aluminum, silver, and gold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional LED optical systems use collimation or focusing optics to direct light, then light can be gathered and directed in a desired direction, but the system becomes complex and requires additional optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reflector and lens into a single integrated optical component. The reflector is formed as an integral part of the lens structure, eliminating the need for separate collimation optics and reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to direct light in desired directions
2Ease of operation
If turning mirrors or specialized side-emitting LEDs are employed to direct light laterally, then lateral light direction is achieved, but the system becomes cumbersome and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the turning mirror function directly into the lens structure through the integrated reflector. The reflector is positioned and shaped within the lens to redirect light laterally, eliminating the need for separate turning mirrors or specialized side-emitting LEDs and simplifying the assembly
3Productivity
If multiple separate optical components are used to achieve lateral light pattern, then light can be directed laterally, but the assembly becomes complex and requires specialized mounting procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical functions (collimation, focusing, and lateral light redirection) into a single integrated lens-reflector assembly. This eliminates the need for specialized mounting procedures and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining efficient light distribution in lateral directions
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 effectively directs light from LEDs in a lateral pattern, mimicking a point light source, thereby eliminating the need for additional mirrors or complex mounting procedures, and can handle various LED emission patterns, including Lambertian radiation.
Implementation Method 1
A first optical stage may include a total internal reflector
Implementation Method 2
a second optical stage including an upper reflector formed by coupling together a plurality of petal shaped upper reflector portions
Data Source
AI summary
A light emitting diode (LED) optical system. Implementations disclosed in this document may include two or more LEDs coupled with a circuit board and two or more optics. The two or more optics may each include a first end and a second end where the second end opposes the first end and a first optical stage including the first end. A second optical stage may be included that includes the second end. The first optical stage may include a total internal reflector and the second optical stage may include an upper reflector portion located at the second end. The two or more optics may be coupled over the two or more LEDs at their first ends and the two or more optics may be coupled to each other along a portion of their first optical stages and at their second optical stages.