Optical Waveguide for LED Brightness Contrast Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-brightness light sources, such as LEDs, create visual discomfort due to significant brightness contrasts with surrounding unilluminated surfaces, which existing technologies fail to effectively manage without adding additional light sources.
Innovation Solution
An optical system utilizing light waveguides with source light openings and an optically bonded reflective diffuse surface to capture and re-emit light, reducing brightness contrasts by distributing light across surrounding surfaces, with adjustable configurations for cutoff angles and light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If high-brightness light sources such as LEDs are used, then energy efficiency and lumen output are improved, but visual discomfort and brightness contrast with surrounding surfaces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light distribution is segmented into two distinct paths: direct light from the LED source and reflected light from the waveguide surround. This segmentation allows independent control of the bright spot intensity and the surrounding area illumination, resolving the contradiction by directing most light forward while using a controlled portion to illuminate the surround and reduce contrast.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide surround acts as an intermediary element between the high-brightness LED source and the surrounding surfaces. It captures excess light that would otherwise contribute to brightness contrast and redistributes it as reflected light to illuminate the surround area, thereby mediating the harmful brightness contrast effect while preserving the energy efficiency of the LED.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional light sources are added to illuminate surrounding surfaces, then brightness contrast is reduced, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide surround performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the structural housing for the LED, acts as a light capture mechanism through its internal reflective surfaces, and functions as a light redistribution system to illuminate the surround area. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate additional light sources or complex illumination systems, reducing device complexity while effectively managing brightness contrast.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the light already produced by the high-brightness LED source to illuminate the surrounding surfaces. The waveguide surround captures and redirects a portion of the LED's emitted light back onto the surround area, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional energy-consuming light sources or complex control systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If waveguide surround is used to capture and re-emit light, then brightness contrast is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The design allows for parameter changes in the waveguide surround, such as varying the size and shape of the source light opening, to optimize the balance between light capture efficiency and manufacturing precision requirements. By adjusting these parameters, the system can achieve effective brightness contrast reduction while accommodating different manufacturing capabilities and tolerances.
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
Effectively reduces observable brightness contrasts between high-brightness light sources and their surroundings, allowing for customizable light distribution and surface brightness management without additional light sources, enhancing visual comfort and design flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the source light openings presents an internal waveguide surface for capturing a portion of the light emitted by the light sources
Implementation Method 2
The light waveguide or waveguides that form the surround are provided with a light extractor, such as an optically bonded reflective diffuse surface, for extracting the portion of the light captured by the waveguide
Implementation Method 3
a light extractor, such as an optically bonded reflective diffuse surface, for extracting the portion of the light captured by the waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system and method provides at least one, and preferably an array of relatively small, high brightness light sources with a surrounding surface that exhibits brightness, thereby reducing the contrast between the high brightness produced by the light sources and the brightness of their surrounding surfaces. The optical system includes a light waveguide structure that captures a portion of the light from the individual high-brightness light sources, and then re-emits the source light to create brightness in the light sources' surrounding surfaces. The optical system is particularly adapted for use with LEDs, but could be used with other high brightness light sources.