Lightguide Plate With Spectral Gradients for Diverse Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light generating systems fail to provide diverse types of light, high intensity, and specific radiant flux distribution, often resulting in complex systems.

Innovation Solution

A light generating system comprising a lightguide body, a first light generating device, and a second light generating device, configured to generate radiation with different spectral power distributions, where radiation is coupled into and out of the lightguide body via side faces and a face, with varying radiant flux ratios, and utilizing distinct light outcoupling structures for efficient output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single light generating system is used, then the system structure is simple, but it cannot provide different types of light with high intensity and specific radiant flux distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to provide different types of lightVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light generating system is segmented into multiple light generating devices (first light generating device with first spectral power distribution, second light generating device with second spectral power distribution) that are spatially separated and coupled to different regions of the lightguide body. This segmentation allows each device to provide different types of light while the lightguide integrates them, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the lightguide body are assigned different functions: some regions couple out first radiation while other regions couple out second radiation. The light outcoupling structures are distributed non-uniformly, with different densities in different regions, enabling local optimization of radiant flux distribution for different light types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If multiple light generating devices are used to provide high intensity and diverse light, then the light output is enhanced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem light intensityVSAvoidnumber of light generating devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple light generating devices with different spectral power distributions are merged into a single integrated system through the lightguide body. The devices are coupled to side faces of the lightguide, and their outputs are combined and distributed through the lightguide's outcoupling structures, achieving high intensity diverse light output while maintaining a unified system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lightguide body acts as an intermediary element that receives radiation from multiple light generating devices through its side faces and distributes the combined radiation through its first face. This intermediary structure enables multiple devices to work together efficiently without direct interaction, simplifying the overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If uniform light distribution is provided across the lightguide face, then general lighting is optimized, but specific radiant flux distribution patterns cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiant flux distribution controlVSAvoidlight distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables dynamic control of radiant flux distribution by independently controlling the intensity of different light generating devices and adjusting the density and characteristics of light outcoupling structures in different regions. This allows the system to adapt between uniform distribution for general lighting and gradient distribution for specific applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The light outcoupling structures are designed with varying parameters (density, size, depth) across different regions of the lightguide body. By changing these parameters spatially, the system can control the radiant flux distribution pattern, transitioning between uniform and gradient distributions as needed for different lighting scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables a spatially even distribution of radiation for general lighting and disinfection, or color effects, with adjustable gradients, in a simplified and efficient manner.

Implementation Method 1

at least part of the incoupled first radiation and second radiation is coupled out from the lightguide body via the first face

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

radiation is coupled into and out of the lightguide body via side faces and a face

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

the lightguide body comprises light outcoupling structures; at least part of the incoupled first radiation and second radiation is coupled out from the lightguide body via the first face

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP4500078B1Lightguide plate with lighting gradient
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP4500078B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4500078B1 patent drawingFigure 2A(I)~3
  • EP4500078B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention provides a light generating system (1000) comprising a lighting arrangement (1100), wherein the lighting arrangement (1100) comprises a lightguide body (250), a first light generating device (110), and a second light generating device (120), wherein: (A) the first light generating device (110) is configured to generate first radiation (111) having a first spectral power distribution having wavelength in one or more of UV and visible; the second light generating device (120) is configured to generate second radiation (121) having a second spectral power distribution having a wavelength in one or more of UV and visible; wherein the first spectral power distribution and the second spectral power distribution differ; (B) the lightguide body (250) comprises a first face (251) and one or more side faces (253) configured under an angle with the first face; wherein the lightguide body (250) comprises light outcoupling structures (260); (C) the first light generating device (110), the second light generating device (120), and the lightguide body (250) are configured such that at least part of the first radiation (111) and the second radiation (121) is coupled into the lightguide body (250) via the one or more side faces (253), and at least part of the incoupled first radiation (111) and second radiation (121) is coupled out from the lightguide body (250) via the first face (251); (D) the first light generating device (110), the second light generating device (120), and the light outcoupling structures (260) are configured such that a ratio of a first radiant flux of the outcoupled first radiation (111) and a second radiant flux of the outcoupled second radiation (121) gradually varies over the first face (251); and (E) the light generating system (1000) is configured to generate system light (1001) comprising one or more of (i) at least part of the outcoupled first radiation (111) and (ii) at least part of the outcoupled second radiation (121).