Light Deflecting Device with Inverted Microstructure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light deflecting devices for improving interior lighting face challenges in durability, transparency, and economical installation, particularly when using microstructured surfaces that require protection from dirt and damage, and often necessitate replacing or adding additional light guides.

Innovation Solution

A light deflecting device comprising a flat, transparent light guide with a transparent cover layer applied partially, featuring a microstructure of circular cylindrical elevations for efficient light outcoupling, where the microstructure is protected by being on the side facing the light guide, eliminating the need for an additional protective layer and allowing retrofitting of existing light guides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a microstructured surface is provided on the light guide for light outcoupling, then light outcoupling efficiency is improved, but the microstructure is vulnerable to dirt and damage requiring additional protective layers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight outcoupling efficiencyVSAvoidmicrostructure durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the microstructure on the outer surface of the light guide where it would be exposed to environmental damage, the invention inverts the arrangement by placing the microstructure on the inner surface facing the light source. This allows the microstructure to perform its light outcoupling function while being protected by the light guide itself from external dirt and damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide serves as an intermediary protective layer between the microstructure and the external environment. The microstructure is embedded in or on the inner surface of the light guide, using the light guide material itself as protection, thereby eliminating the need for additional fragile protective layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If existing light guides are modified with microstructures, then light deflecting functionality is improved, but existing light guides must be replaced or additional light guides added

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight deflecting functionalityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the light guide function from the light deflecting function. The microstructured element is designed as a separate component that can be applied to or integrated with existing light guides, allowing the light guide itself to remain unchanged and reusable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The microstructured cover layer is designed to be universally applicable to existing light guides without requiring modification of the light guide itself. This single microstructured component can be applied to various light guide configurations, providing versatile light deflecting functionality while maintaining compatibility with existing installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a protective layer is added to protect the microstructure, then microstructure durability is improved, but device complexity and installation effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrostructure protectionVSAvoidnumber of layers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the protective function with the existing light guide structure. The light guide itself serves as the protective element for the microstructure, eliminating the need for a separate protective layer. This reduces the total number of layers from three (light guide + protective layer + microstructure) to two (light guide with integrated protection).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 provides a durable, transparent, and economically installed light deflecting device that effectively directs and deflects light, enabling efficient daylight supplementation and indirect wide-area lighting, while protecting the microstructure from external influences.

Implementation Method 1

a microstructure is formed between the light guide and the cover layer for outcoupling light coupled into the light guide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

light can be incoupled via the edge of a flat, transparent light guide, which can be, for example, a window pane or a part thereof, and then outcoupled again in a planar manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11808967B2Light deflecting device, lighting device and use

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 TEMICON GMBH

AI summary

A light deflecting device including a flat, transparent light guide, and a transparent cover layer which is applied to the light guide at least partially in a flat manner. A microstructure for outcoupling light coupled into the light guide is formed between the light guide and the cover layer and the microstructure has a plurality of structural elements which are formed as substantially circular cylindrical elevations. A lighting device and the use of the light deflecting device or lighting device are also disclosed.