Light Fixture Lens Section for Glare Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light fixtures that emit light through side surfaces often cause undesired glare due to oblique downward emission, limiting their positioning in lighting systems, and there is a need for fixtures that can direct light both downwards and towards the ceiling while minimizing glare.
Innovation Solution
A light fixture design featuring side wall sections with transparent lenses having a refractive index greater than one, which redirect light via gaps between the walls to minimize glare by directing a portion of light downwards and towards the ceiling, with optional asymmetrical light distribution using dimmed or disconnected sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If light is emitted through side surfaces to illuminate both floor and ceiling, then light distribution coverage is improved, but glare is caused due to oblique downward emission
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent lens section is introduced as an intermediary optical element between the light source and the side wall sections. This lens section refracts and redirects the oblique downward light emitted by the light source, transforming it into light that travels horizontally or upward along the side wall sections, thereby eliminating glare while maintaining illumination coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical parameters of light emission are modified by introducing the lens section with a specific refractive index. The lens changes the direction and distribution parameters of the light, converting oblique downward emission into horizontal or upward emission along the side wall sections, thus resolving the glare issue while preserving coverage.
2Illumination intensity
If light is directed downwards to illuminate floor, then illumination intensity is improved, but glare is caused in unwanted directions
Solution Approach 1:
The light emission is segmented into different directional components using the lens section. The lens divides the light into multiple beams: one directed downwards to illuminate the floor and another directed horizontally or upward along the side wall sections. This segmentation allows floor illumination while preventing glare in unwanted directions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the light emission are given different qualities and directions. The lens section creates localized light paths: downward-directed light for floor illumination and horizontal/upward light along the side walls. This local differentiation ensures that light is directed to appropriate surfaces while avoiding glare in unwanted directions.
3Area of stationary object
If light is directed towards ceiling, then ceiling illumination is improved, but light distribution control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent lens section acts as a mediator that provides controlled light distribution to the ceiling. By refracting the light from the light source, the lens creates a predictable and controllable light path that directs light toward the ceiling in a managed manner, rather than allowing uncontrolled omnidirectional emission.
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 design effectively illuminates both floor and ceiling while reducing glare, allowing flexible positioning and design options for light fixtures.
Implementation Method 1
a lens section made of transparent material having a refractive index greater than one and placed to cover the first light source. The lens section constitutes an optical diverter configured to direct a first part of light emitted by the light source obliquely via a gap between first edges of the first and second side wall sections
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~2a
Figure 2b~3b
AI summary
A light fixture (100) comprises side wall sections (101, 102) having first surfaces facing towards each other, a light source (103, 104) on the first surface of at least one of the side wall sections and positioned so that a maximum intensity direction of a light distribution pattern of the light source is towards the other side wall section, and a lens section (105, 106) that constitutes an optical diverter that directs a first part of light emitted by the light source obliquely via a gap (107) between first edges of the side wall sections and a second part of the light obliquely via a gap (108) between second edges of the side wall sections. Thus, the light fixture can illuminate both a floor and a ceiling so that light emitted to unwanted directions and potentially causing unwanted bright spots and/or glare can be kept at a low level.