Light Distributor with Internal Laser-Structured Scattering and Guiding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light distributors that use surface structuring methods to deflect light from LEDs suffer from reduced transparency, making them less aesthetically pleasing and less efficient in achieving the desired 'light, floating' design for luminaire applications.
Innovation Solution
The integration of light-scattering and light-guiding structures produced by ultra-short pulse lasers within the transparent base body of the light distributor, allowing for efficient 90° light deflection without surface modifications, thus maintaining high transparency and enabling efficient edge-fed light coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If surface structuring methods are used to deflect light from LEDs, then light deflection is achieved, but transparency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface structuring to three-dimensional volumetric structuring by embedding light-deflecting structures within the interior of the light distributor body. This internal positioning allows the surfaces to remain optically clear while the internal structures perform the light deflection function, resolving the contradiction between achieving light deflection and maintaining transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary medium (the transparent body containing internal structures) that performs the light deflection function without requiring surface modification. The internal structures act as intermediaries that redirect light while the outer surfaces maintain their optical clarity, thus preserving transparency while achieving the desired light deflection.
2Illumination intensity
If mechanical methods are used to create surface depressions, then light deflection is improved, but transparency is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the light-deflecting structures from the surface (2D) to the interior volume (3D) of the light distributor. This dimensional transition allows mechanical or other structuring methods to be applied internally without affecting the optical properties of the external surfaces, thereby maintaining transparency while achieving effective light deflection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the light-deflecting function from the surface and relocates it to internal structures. By separating the light deflection function from the surface, the surface can maintain its transparency while the internal structures perform the optical redirection, resolving the contradiction between light deflection effectiveness and transparency.
3Illumination intensity
If laser surface structuring is used, then light deflection is achieved, but surface transparency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies laser structuring not to the surface but to the interior volume of the light distributor. This allows laser-induced refractive index changes or microstructural modifications to occur internally, enabling light deflection while the external surfaces remain optically clear and transparent.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal laser-structured regions act as intermediaries that perform light deflection through refractive index variations or microstructures embedded within the transparent material. These internal modifications do not compromise the optical clarity of the external surfaces, thus maintaining transparency while achieving the desired light redirection.
Data Source
Figure 1~3(c)
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a light distributor, a system consisting of a light distributor and an LED luminaire, and a method for producing a light distributor. The light distributor according to the invention comprises a transparent main body having a light entrance area and a light exit area, at least one light-scattering structure with a changed refractive index inside the main body for scattering light, and at least one light-guiding structure with a changed refractive index inside the main body for guiding light. The light-scattering structure and the light-guiding structure are produced in this case by means of ultrashort pulse laser processing. The light-scattering structure and the light-guiding structure with a changed refractive index are arranged in the main body in this case in such a manner that light incident through the light entrance area can be initially scattered at the light-scattering structure and can then be guided to the light exit area using the light-guiding structure with a changed refractive index.