Light Guide Assembly With Reflective Sections to Reduce Light Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light capturing devices suffer from low light collecting efficiency and significant light leakage due to the design of light collecting elements, which are not optimized for efficient light guidance and extraction.

Innovation Solution

A light guide assembly comprising a light entrance section with arrayed light collecting elements and a light guiding section, featuring reflective surfaces and alternating continuous and non-continuous sections to minimize light leakage, optimized for solar path variations and angles, and incorporating surface treatments for wide-angle light input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If light collecting elements are designed to collect plenty of light, then light collection amount is improved, but light leakage increases when light reverses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight collection amountVSAvoidlight leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide is divided into multiple light guiding sections arranged in series, with each section having a specific function. The first light guiding section guides light from the light collecting element, while the second light guiding section guides light from the opposite direction. This segmentation allows light to be guided efficiently without reversing, thereby reducing light leakage while maintaining high light collection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allowing light to reverse within a single light collecting element, the invention inverts the approach by providing separate light guiding sections for light coming from different directions. Light from the light collecting element is guided through the first light guiding section, while light from the opposite direction is guided through the second light guiding section, preventing light reversal and leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If light guiding structure is simplified, then device complexity is reduced, but light extraction efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight guiding structure complexityVSAvoidlight extraction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide is segmented into multiple functional sections (first light guiding section, second light guiding section, light extracting section) that work together in a coordinated manner. This segmentation provides a systematic approach to light guidance that maintains high extraction efficiency while keeping each individual section relatively simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention addresses light guidance in multiple spatial dimensions by providing light guiding sections that extend in different directions and light extracting sections positioned at specific locations. This multi-dimensional approach ensures efficient light extraction while maintaining structural simplicity through systematic arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enhances light collection efficiency and minimizes light leakage, ensuring high extraction efficiency across varying solar conditions, thereby improving the overall performance of sunlight utilization systems.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide assembly comprising a light entrance section with arrayed light collecting elements and a light guiding section, featuring reflective surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

guiding the light from the light entrance surface to the light exit surface so that the light is output from the light exit surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20260029097A1Light guide and light guide assembly

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A light guide includes: a light entrance section which has a light entrance surface to which light is input, reflective surfaces and a light transmitting section, the reflective surfaces reflecting a part of the light input, and the light transmitting section transmitting another part of the light input and reflected light reflected by the reflective surfaces; a light guiding section which has a light exit surface, and guides the reflected light so that it is output from the light exit surface; and a continuous section and a non-continuous section. A large part of the light collected by the light entrance section can be output from the light exit surface, by a part of the light input being reflected by the reflective surfaces and the reflected light entering the light guiding section from the light transmitting section via the continuous section to be guided within the light guiding section.