Light Guide Element With Low Refractive Index Coating for Water Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light guides for anti-biofouling systems face issues such as uneven light distribution, material deterioration, and insufficient strength when used in water environments, leading to inefficiencies and increased production complexity.
Innovation Solution
A light guide element with a layer having a refractive index lower than water, applied to control the outcoupling of UV radiation and enhance distribution, combined with additional layers for mechanical strength and adhesion, using materials like silicone and fluoropolymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a light guide is used in water environment for anti-biofouling, then UV radiation can be distributed to prevent biofouling, but the light guide material deteriorates and loses strength due to water exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide system is divided into multiple functional layers: a UV-transmissive light guide layer for radiation distribution, a protective outer layer for mechanical strength and chemical resistance, and potentially intermediate layers for adhesion or optical coupling. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in one function, preventing material deterioration while maintaining UV transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures where a UV-transmissive polymer (such as polyurethane or acrylic) is combined with reinforcing materials or coated with protective layers (such as fluoropolymers or silane-based coatings). This composite approach maintains UV transparency while providing resistance to water-induced deterioration and mechanical strength.
2Reliability
If a light guide is used in water environment, then UV radiation can escape to prevent biofouling, but light distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide structure incorporates regions with different optical properties - such as varying refractive indices, thicknesses, or internal scattering elements - to control UV radiation escape at different locations. This allows optimization of light distribution uniformity across the entire light guide surface while maintaining effective UV delivery for anti-biofouling.
3Strength
If additional layers are added to the light guide for strength and adhesion, then mechanical properties improve, but production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional layers are combined into an integrated multi-layer structure where adhesion layers, protective layers, and optical layers are bonded together through co-extrusion, lamination, or chemical bonding. This merging approach maintains mechanical strength and adhesion properties while streamlining production through unified manufacturing processes rather than separate assembly steps.
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 provides homogeneous light distribution, improved mechanical strength, and enhanced chemical stability, reducing biofouling effectively while minimizing material degradation and production complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the optical layer has a first index of refraction (n1) which is in specific embodiments smaller than 1.36 at 280 nm
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D~1F
Figure 1G~1H
AI summary
The invention provides a light guide element (1300) comprising a light guide (300) and a layer element (30), wherein the light guide (300) comprises a light guide face (301) and wherein the layer element (30) comprises an optical layer (310), wherein said optical layer (310) is in contact with at least part of the light guide face (301), wherein the optical layer (310) has a first index of refraction (n1) smaller than 1.36 at 280 nm, wherein the light guide (300) comprises a UV radiation transmissive light guide material (305).