LED Illumination System Lightguide Reflector Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reduction-optics type scanners using CCFL bulbs face challenges with slow warm-up time and light output stability, while LED illumination systems struggle to match CCFL light output levels effectively and efficiently, often resulting in wasted light due to design compromises.
Innovation Solution
A high output reflector system is developed for LED illumination systems in reduction optics scanners, which captures and redirects wasted light to the target area, utilizing a lightguide with a target-oriented surface and a positioned reflector to increase light usage efficiency and minimize image noise, achieving illumination levels comparable to or exceeding CCFL systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If CCFL bulbs are used for illumination, then high illumination level is achieved, but warm-up time is long and output stability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from CCFL bulb illumination to LED illumination, changing the fundamental light source parameters. LEDs provide instant-on functionality with consistent output levels, eliminating the warm-up time and stability issues of CCFL bulbs while maintaining high illumination levels through proper thermal design
2Reliability
If LED illumination is used, then instant-on functionality and consistent output are achieved, but light output level is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflective optical element that redirects light paths in additional spatial dimensions. The reflector captures light that would otherwise be wasted and redirects it to the target area, substantially increasing the effective light output level while maintaining LED consistency advantages
3Illumination intensity
If design compromises are made to achieve adequate illumination, then illumination level is sufficient, but light usage efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers light that would otherwise be discarded or wasted by the LED illumination system. The reflective optical element captures stray light and redirects it to the target area, improving overall light usage efficiency while maintaining adequate illumination levels without design compromises
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 significantly increases light usage efficiency, achieving up to 50% gain in illumination output, providing consistent and cost-effective LED illumination that matches or surpasses CCFL systems, enabling instant-on scanning with improved image quality and reduced power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a lightguide configured to redirect light from the LED source toward a target zone
Implementation Method 2
a reflector positioned to capture light reflected from the lightguide and redirect the light back to the target zone
Data Source
AI summary
An optical scanner having a scanner glass with a bottom surface includes an LED illumination source and a reflector, disposed below the glass. The illumination source has a target-oriented surface oriented to direct light toward the glass at a non-perpendicular angle. The reflector is oriented to direct light reflected off of the bottom surface toward the target-oriented surface.