LED Optical System Central and Peripheral Light Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high brightness LED optical solutions are inefficient in collecting and redirecting LED radiated energy, resulting in discomfort and distraction due to uncontrolled bright light sources, with beam efficiency typically less than 50-70%.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising an LED light source, a reflector, and a lens that demarcate and redirect the central and peripheral forward solid angles of light into a composite beam, achieving high beam efficiency by focusing all radiated energy into a controlled and definable pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a forward mounted reflector is used to redirect light, then some light is reflected back along the centerline, but beam efficiency remains less than 50% because peripheral light is largely ignored or directed out peripherally
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a central reflector for on-axis light and a lens for peripheral light. The lens is positioned to receive light at angles greater than the half-angle of the LED beam, separating the collection of peripheral light from the central reflection path. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without interfering with the other, achieving over 80% beam efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the LED light source is made high brightness, then more light energy is available, but viewers in close proximity are discomforted or temporarily blinded
Solution Approach 1:
The system redirects light from the high brightness LED source into a different spatial dimension - specifically, into a predetermined radial pattern that is then reflected back along the centerline. This dimensional transformation of light paths ensures that the intense light energy is distributed in a controlled manner, eliminating direct visibility of the bright source while maintaining high light output utility.
3Loss of energy
If a reflex reflector is used to improve light collection, then beam efficiency increases to less than 70%, but system aperture is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The lens acts as an intermediary element between the LED source and the final beam output. It specifically captures peripheral light that would otherwise be lost, converting it into a useful radial pattern that the reflector can then redirect. This intermediary lens expands the effective aperture of the system without requiring a larger reflector, achieving over 80% beam efficiency while maintaining a compact form factor.
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 achieves approximately 80% beam efficiency, allowing for a high collection and redirection of LED light energy into a controlled beam pattern, reducing discomfort and improving usability in various lighting applications.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector positioned to reflect light from the LED light source which is radiated from the LED light source in a forward solid angle
Implementation Method 2
a lens disposed azimuthally horizontal accepting the peripheral forward solid angle of light from the source of the LED, the two objects reflector and lens focusing light into a predetermined radial pattern
Implementation Method 3
The package comprises a package lens for minimizing refraction of light radiated from the LED emitter by the package
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is described that includes a light source, a first reflector, a lens and a second reflector. The first reflector is positioned to reflect a first portion of light from the light source, wherein the first portion of light is radiated from the light source in a central forward solid angle as defined by an outer edge of the first reflector. The lens is disposed azimuthally horizontal to the light source for accepting a second portion of light from the light source emitted in a peripheral forward solid angle. The second reflector reflects the first portion of light after reflectance from the first reflector and the second portion of light after passing through the lens in a composite beam, wherein the first reflector and the lens are configured such that the first and second portions of light behave as though they were emitted from a point source at the focus of the second reflector.