Light Converging Member with Concave Portion for Narrow Beam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultraviolet light sources, such as LEDs, face challenges in achieving a narrow light distribution angle while being miniaturized, as large lenses are typically required to achieve this, making it difficult to combine both miniaturization and reduced light distribution.
Innovation Solution
A light converging member comprising a concave portion facing the optical element and a lens body, where the concave portion is sized at 0.5 times or more the maximum length of the light emitting region, and the lens body is designed to converge light, allowing for both reduced light distribution angle and miniaturization of the light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a large lens is used to achieve a narrow light distribution angle, then the light distribution angle is reduced, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical component is divided into multiple functional regions: a light emitting region, a light guiding region with a first refractive index, and a light extracting region with a second refractive index. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally, achieving narrow light distribution without requiring a large external lens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the light guiding function and light extracting function into a single integrated optical component structure. The light guiding region and light extracting region are merged into one component, eliminating the need for separate large lenses while achieving the desired light distribution angle.
2Volume of moving object
If the light source is miniaturized, then the device size is reduced, but achieving a narrow light distribution angle becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different refractive indices to different regions of the optical component. The light guiding region has a first refractive index while the light extracting region has a second refractive index, creating local optical property variations that enable precise control of light distribution at miniaturized scales.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes optical parameters (refractive indices) within the optical component to achieve narrow light distribution. By adjusting the refractive indices of the light guiding region and light extracting region, the light distribution angle is controlled without increasing device size.
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 effectively reduces the light distribution angle to 17° or less, while enabling the miniaturization of the light source, with optimal performance achieved through specific sizing and shaping of the concave portion, enhancing illuminance and light extraction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a lens body configured to converge light that has passed through the concave portion
Implementation Method 2
an optical element configured to emit light
Data Source
AI summary
A light converging member (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a recess portion (32) that is used for an optical component (100) with an optical element (14) for emitting light, the recess portion being opposed to the optical element (14) and having a size 0.5 or more times larger than the maximum length of a light emission region in the optical element; and a lens body (30) for converging light having passed through the recess portion (32).