Light Guide with Hollow Diffusing Surface for Wide LED Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
LED lamps with conventional light guide columns suffer from narrow light distribution angles due to the directivity of LEDs, leading to reduced luminaire efficiency as scattered light is absorbed by the light emitting module, limiting the effective use of emitted light.
Innovation Solution
A lighting apparatus with a light guide member that includes an incident plane, a total reflection surface, and a hollow part with a first light diffusing surface parallel to the axis, which efficiently directs and diffuses light to achieve a wider distribution angle without significant absorption, using a configuration that minimizes light return to the light emitting module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a scattering member is used to increase light distribution angle, then light spreads in an improved manner, but luminaire efficiency deteriorates due to light absorption by the light emitting module
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful function (light scattering causing absorption) by removing the scattering member from the light guide column. Instead of using a separate scattering member, the light guide column itself is designed with an integrated light diffusing surface that performs the diffusion function without causing light to return to and be absorbed by the light emitting module, thus resolving the contradiction between wide light distribution and high luminaire efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by creating a specific light diffusing surface with particular optical properties at a defined position within the light guide column. This localized diffusion structure has different optical characteristics from the rest of the light guide column, enabling it to diffuse light effectively while preventing light return to the source, thereby achieving both wide distribution angle and high efficiency
2Illumination intensity
If light scattering occurs multiple times to achieve wide distribution, then light spreads over a wide range, but light is absorbed at a greater ratio by the light emitting module and scattering member
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the scattering member that causes multiple scattering events and subsequent light absorption. The light guide column is redesigned with an integrated light diffusing surface that achieves light diffusion in a single interaction, eliminating the need for multiple scattering events and preventing light from returning to be absorbed by the light emitting module, thus maintaining high effective light utilization while achieving wide distribution
3Ease of operation
If a conventional light guide column is used, then light can be guided from the LED, but the light distribution angle remains narrow due to LED directivity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the light guiding function and light diffusing function into a single integrated light guide column structure. The light guide column includes an incident plane for receiving LED light, a light transmission path, and an integrated light diffusing surface at the end opposite the incident plane. This integration eliminates the need for separate scattering members and achieves wide light distribution while maintaining effective light guidance from the LED source
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 achieves a wide light distribution angle of up to 300 degrees while maintaining high luminaire efficiency, effectively utilizing the light emitted from LEDs and mimicking the light distribution of incandescent bulbs.
Implementation Method 1
an outer circumferential surface configured to protrude in a direction extending away from the light source so as to surround the axis from an outer peripheral edge of the incident plane and so as to totally reflect light from the light source
Implementation Method 2
a first light diffusing surface parallel to an axis along which the light totally reflected on the outer circumferential surface is led
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a lighting apparatus includes a light source which includes a light emitting surface, and a light guide provided to be coaxial with an axis which extends along a direction perpendicular to the light emitting surface. The light guide includes: an incident plane facing the light emitting surface; an outer circumferential surface configured to protrude in a direction extending away from the light source so as to surround the axis from an outer periphery of the incident surface and so as to totally reflect light from the light source which is made to enter the light guide from the incident surface; and a hollow part provided at a position distant in the axis direction from the incident surface. The hollow part includes a first light diffusing surface parallel to an axis along which the light totally reflected on the outer circumferential surface is led.