Light Emitting Panel Cutouts for Illumination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing edge lighting technologies face challenges in optically controlling light rays within light emitting panels (LEPs) to achieve desired illumination characteristics, such as intensity and pattern, due to the unpredictable paths of light rays entering through a narrow side and emitting from a broad side.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of cutout areas creating air gaps through opposite sides of the LEP, which can be configured as collimating or diverging cutouts, and the use of protrusions with curved sides to manipulate light rays, allowing for controlled light emission patterns by collimating or diverging light rays within the panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light enters the LEP through a narrow side without optical control structures, then the LEP structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the illumination characteristics (intensity and pattern) cannot be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The LEP is segmented by introducing cutout areas that create air gaps within the panel structure. These segmented regions act as independent optical control zones that can manipulate light rays locally while maintaining the overall simplicity of the LEP design.
Solution Approach 2:
Air gaps are introduced as intermediary elements between the light source and the LEP material. These air gaps serve as optical mediators that refract and direct light rays without requiring complex internal structures, thereby controlling illumination characteristics while keeping the design relatively simple.
2Illumination intensity
If cutout areas creating air gaps are introduced to control light rays, then illumination characteristics can be precisely controlled, but the LEP manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutout areas are designed with curved sides that dynamically guide light rays through refraction. The curved geometry allows for flexible light control without requiring precise mechanical adjustments or complex assembly processes, balancing manufacturing ease with optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical parameters of the LEP are changed by introducing air gaps with specific geometries (curved sides). By controlling the shape and position of these air gaps, the refraction and reflection characteristics of light are modified, enabling precise illumination control through material and geometric parameter optimization rather than complex manufacturing.
3Ease of operation
If protrusions with curved sides are added to collimate or diverge light, then light ray direction control is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Protrusions with curved sides are integrated into the LEP structure to collimate or diverge light rays. The curved geometry naturally refracts light in desired patterns without requiring moving parts or complex adjustment mechanisms, achieving ease of operation through geometric design rather than mechanical complexity.
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 solution enables precise control over illumination characteristics, enhancing luminous intensity and distribution by directing light rays effectively through the use of air gaps and protrusions, resulting in improved lighting fixtures with customizable illumination patterns.
Implementation Method 1
The cutout area provides an air gap in the LEP through the first LEP side and the second LEP side... The light receiving side is configured to pass light through towards the cutout area
Implementation Method 2
The protrusion has a light receiving side... The light receiving side of the protrusion is configured to pass light through towards the cutout area, and the protrusion is configured to collimate the light
Data Source
AI summary
Optic entrance features may be used to optically control light transfer from a light source to a light emitting panel (LEP). In a particular embodiment, an LEP includes a first LEP side configured to emit light. The LEP also includes a second LEP side. The first LEP side and the second LEP side are opposite sides of the LEP. The LEP further includes a cutout area providing an air gap in the LEP through the first LEP side and the second LEP side. The LEP also includes a light receiving side. The cutout area is proximal to the light receiving side, and the light receiving side is configured to pass light through towards the cutout area.