Light Assembly with Movable Deflector for Fixed Lens Zoom

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light assemblies face challenges in achieving a variable spread angle without moving major optical components, which can disrupt air flow and lead to dirt accumulation, especially in moving head fixtures where the center of mass changes during operation.

Innovation Solution

A light assembly with a movable light deflecting means that concentrates or distributes the light beam over a fixed front lens with varying optical properties, allowing for a wide-angle or narrow-angle beam without moving the front lens, and using additional optic components like diffusion lenses or fresnel lenses to adjust the beam angle efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the front lens, lamp or reflector are moved to achieve a zoom effect, then the beam spread angle can be adjusted, but the center of mass changes during operation and air flow is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam spread angle adjustmentVSAvoidcenter of mass stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The light assembly is segmented into multiple functional components: a fixed front lens, a movable light deflecting means (such as a rotating mirror or prism), and fixed reflector and lamp. By segmenting the system so that only the light deflecting means moves while major components remain fixed, the patent achieves beam angle adjustment without significant center of mass change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A light deflecting means is introduced as an intermediary component between the fixed light source/reflector system and the fixed front lens. This intermediary element can be moved or rotated to change the beam spread angle, serving as a mediator that enables zoom functionality without requiring movement of the heavy fixed components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the front lens is moved to adjust the light beam, then the beam spread angle changes, but dirt accumulation on optical surfaces increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam spread angle adjustmentVSAvoiddirt accumulation on optical surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the moving function from the front lens and assigns it to a separate light deflecting means. By taking out the movement requirement from the critical optical surface of the front lens, the front lens can remain fixed and enclosed, protecting it from dirt accumulation while still achieving beam angle adjustment through the deflecting means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The light deflecting means serves as an intermediary that handles the movement and adjustment functions, allowing the front lens to remain stationary and protected. The mediator absorbs the mechanical movement that would otherwise expose the front lens to contaminants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If major optical components are moved to achieve variable spread angle, then the zoom effect is achieved, but the device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariable spread angle capabilityVSAvoidmechanical complexity of moving components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented so that only a small, lightweight light deflecting means requires mechanical movement mechanisms, while the heavy front lens, reflector, and lamp remain fixed. This segmentation reduces the overall mechanical complexity and weight of the moving parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by making only the specific light deflecting means movable while keeping all other major optical components fixed. This localized movement approach minimizes the complexity and weight of moving parts compared to moving entire assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 allows for a soft change in the light beam, reduces dirt accumulation, maintains controlled air flow, and enables a lightweight, cost-effective zoom system with minimal movement of the light assembly's mass center, suitable for both moving head fixtures and floodlights.

Implementation Method 1

a light deflecting means for changing the angular and spatial distribution of the light hitting the front lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a light deflecting means for changing the angular and spatial distribution of the light hitting the front lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

the front lens has a central part with optical properties which differ from those of the surrounding parts of the front lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 4

additional optic components like diffusion lenses or fresnel lenses to adjust the beam angle efficiently

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFresnel lens effect: Fresnel Lens

Implementation Method 5

additional optic components like diffusion lenses or fresnel lenses to adjust the beam angle efficiently

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP1945999B1Improvements in or relating to light assemblies
Publication Date: 2016.07.27 MARTIN PROFESSIONAL
  • EP1945999B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1945999B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1945999B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for forming a light beam, and to a light assembly comprising at least one light source placed in conjunction with a fixed reflector, which reflector forms a beam of light into light forming means, which light assembly comprises a front lens, where the light forming means at least comprise a light deflecting means for changing the light angle of the light beam after passing through the front lens. The object of the invention is to achieve a light assembly, where major optical components are mechanically fixed in relation to a housing for achieving a light assembly, the mass centre of which changes only slightly during operation. This can be achieved, if the front lens has a central part that differs from the surrounding parts of the front lens, and where the light deflecting means in a first position concentrates the light beam into the central part of the front lens to generate a wide-angle light beam, and where the light deflecting means in a second position distributes the light beam over the entire front lens to generate a narrow-angle light beam, because of the internal light deflecting means, the front lens does not have to be movable with respect to the housing.