Light Optimization Device Using Diffuser and Mirror
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional lightbulbs with clear housings produce harsh light, leading to light loss due to reflection off diffusion materials, necessitating more powerful light sources and wasteful energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A device employing a diffuser with a Gaussian profile to split light into multiple beams, which then energize a phosphoric substrate, combined with a mirror to redirect otherwise lost light back to the substrate, optimizing light efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If diffusion material is applied to soften light, then light characteristics are improved, but light loss increases due to reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light path into multiple trajectories by using a diffuser to create multiple beams. This segmentation allows the system to capture light that would otherwise be lost by redirecting multiple beam paths through reflective surfaces back to the phosphor substrate, thereby reducing overall light loss while maintaining softened light quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of light reflection (which causes light loss) into a beneficial effect by using reflective surfaces to redirect the reflected light back onto the phosphor substrate. What was previously wasted light is now reused to generate additional white light, transforming the harmful reflection into a useful light-recycling mechanism.
2Illumination intensity
If more powerful light sources are used to compensate for light loss, then brightness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where light that would normally be lost is captured by reflective surfaces and fed back onto the phosphor substrate. This feedback loop allows the system to reuse existing light energy to generate additional white light, thereby maintaining or improving brightness without requiring additional energy input from the light source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers light that would otherwise be discarded or lost through reflection. By capturing and redirecting this lost light back to the phosphor substrate, the system recovers energy that would have been wasted, thereby maintaining brightness levels without increasing energy consumption from the primary light source.
3Device complexity
If a single beam of light is used to energize phosphor, then device complexity is reduced, but light conversion efficiency decreases due to saturation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments a single beam of light into multiple beams using a diffuser before the light strikes the phosphor substrate. This segmentation prevents saturation of the phosphor material by distributing the light energy across multiple trajectories, thereby improving conversion efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity, as the segmentation is achieved through a single diffuser component.
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
Enhances light output by redirecting previously lost light, reducing the need for more powerful sources and minimizing energy waste, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective lighting solution.
Implementation Method 1
a diffractive optical element positioned between the light source and the luminescent material so that the beam of light is diffracted into multiple beams
Implementation Method 2
a luminescent material positioned between the diffractive optical element and the concave mirror assembly so that the multiple beams of light energize the luminescent material to produce white light
Implementation Method 3
a portion of the light that strikes, and is generated by, the luminescent material is able to contact a reflective surface of the optical diaphragm. The mirrors used in the present invention are positioned to reflect this wasted light back towards the luminescent material
Data Source
AI summary
The apparatus is designed to modify the quality of a beam of light while maximizing the amount of light directed along a desired trajectory. The light optimization device contains an aperture, a diffuser, a modifying substrate, and a mirror. The aperture enables light to travel through the mirror. The diffuser splits a single beam of light traveling towards the modifying substrate into multiple beams of light, which are traveling towards the modifying substrate. The modifying substrate becomes excited when struck by light, and then produces light with desired characteristics. The mirror reflects light that is generated by, or reflected off of, the modifying substrate, and traveling along suboptimal trajectories. As such, the reflected light is redirected towards the modifying substrate.