Lightguide with Directional Extractors for Glare-Free Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lightguides used in linear lighting devices often fail to provide both functional illumination and an aesthetically pleasing appearance, especially when used in applications like step-assist lighting for trucks and large SUVs, as traditional extraction features can be invisible or create glare, and diffusive strips produce unattractive fluorescent-like appearances.
Innovation Solution
The development of elongated lightguides with pluralities of first and second light extractors that form distinct patterns along their length, allowing light to be extracted in different directions with varying brightness levels, enabling functional illumination and accent lighting while minimizing glare and providing an appealing appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional lightguides use traditional extraction features, then light can be extracted from the lightguide, but the extraction features are invisible or create glare and produce unattractive fluorescent-like appearances
Solution Approach 1:
The lightguide is segmented into multiple extraction regions along its length, with different types of extractors (first and second light extractors) positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows different portions of the lightguide to serve different functions - some for primary illumination and others for accent lighting - thereby resolving the contradiction between light extraction efficiency and aesthetic appearance by distributing extraction functions across multiple segments rather than using a single uniform extraction method throughout
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lightguide are given different optical properties through the use of first and second light extractors with distinct characteristics. The first light extractors provide one type of light extraction while the second light extractors provide another type, allowing each local region to be optimized for its specific function. This local differentiation enables certain regions to minimize glare and others to provide accent lighting, resolving the contradiction between effective light extraction and aesthetic appearance
2Illumination intensity
If light is extracted uniformly along the lightguide, then functional illumination is provided, but aesthetically pleasing accent lighting and pattern visibility are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The light extraction function is segmented into different types of extractors positioned at different locations along the lightguide. First light extractors and second light extractors are distributed along the length, creating distinct extraction zones. This segmentation allows the lightguide to provide both uniform functional illumination through the distributed extractors and aesthetic accent lighting through specific extractors that form visible patterns, thereby resolving the contradiction between functional illumination and pattern visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The lightguide system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously through its different extractors. The first light extractors provide functional illumination while the second light extractors provide accent lighting and form visible patterns. This multi-functionality allows the same lightguide structure to satisfy both the requirement for uniform functional illumination and the requirement for aesthetically pleasing pattern visibility, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing needs
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 allows for functional illumination and aesthetically pleasing light distribution, with the first light extractors providing indirect lighting and second light extractors offering accent lighting, minimizing glare and creating a visually appealing appearance.
Implementation Method 1
light that would otherwise be confined and propagate within the lightguide along the length of the lightguide primarily by total internal reflection
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of lightguides and illumination systems that include lightguides are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a lightguide can include first and second light extractors (330,340) that extract light that would otherwise be confined and propagate within the lightguide along the length of the lightguide primarily by total internal reflection. The first and second light extractors can form respective first and second patterns along a length of the lightguide. Light extracted by the first light extractors can exit the lightguide primarily along a first direction (306). Light extracted by the second light extractors can exit the lightguide primarily along a second direction (308) different from the first direction. A brightness of the total light extracted by the first light extractors can be larger than a brightness of the total light extracted by the second light extractors.