Lighting Arrangement With Single Exit Surface and Flexible Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting arrangements with light-guiding parts require separate exit surfaces for different light emission characteristics, leading to increased installation space, aesthetic issues due to visible optical components, and connection failures due to thermal and mechanical stresses.
Innovation Solution
A lighting arrangement with a flat light-guiding part featuring multiple light coupling sections on end faces, allowing light to exit through a single surface with defined emission characteristics, and using a flexible connection between the light-guiding part and cover element to mitigate thermal expansion and mechanical stresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate light-emitting surfaces are provided for each differently modified light, then each light can have its own emission characteristics, but the installation space increases and multiple surfaces are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple light-emitting surfaces into a single light-emitting surface by using a light guide element with multiple light coupling sections. Different light sources are coupled into different sections of the same light guide, and all lights exit through one common surface, thereby reducing installation space while maintaining versatile emission characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide element is segmented into multiple light coupling sections, each capable of receiving light from different sources. This segmentation allows independent control of different light regions while maintaining a unified exit surface, resolving the contradiction between versatility and space efficiency.
2Area of stationary object
If optical structures are used to redirect light from various emission surfaces onto a single emission surface, then installation space is reduced, but the optical elements become visible and aesthetics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light redirection function from separate optical structures and integrates it into the light guide element itself. The light guide element inherently guides light from multiple coupling sections to a single emission surface without requiring additional visible optical elements, thus maintaining aesthetics while reducing installation space.
3Ease of manufacture
If light guide components are permanently attached to cover elements, then module formation is enabled, but connection points crack due to thermal and mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid permanent attachments with a flexible membrane that spans across the light guide element. This membrane provides a flexible connection that can accommodate thermal expansion and mechanical stresses without cracking, while still enabling module formation and maintaining structural integrity.
4Ease of manufacture
If adhesive bonds are used to attach light guide components to cover elements, then module formation is achieved, but adhesive bonds tear due to thermal expansion differences and aging processes
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane replaces adhesive bonds as the connection medium. The membrane's elasticity allows it to withstand thermal expansion differences and mechanical stresses without tearing, significantly extending the lifespan of the module connection while maintaining ease of manufacture.
5Area of stationary object
If large-area light guide components are used, then installation space efficiency improves, but thermal and mechanical stresses increase causing connection failures
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane connection allows large-area light guide components to be attached to cover elements without suffering from stress-related failures. The membrane's flexibility distributes and accommodates thermal and mechanical stresses across the entire attachment area, maintaining connection stability even as the light guide area increases for better space efficiency.
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 flexible lighting modes with a single exit surface, reduces installation space, improves aesthetics by hiding optical components, and enhances durability by preventing connection failures.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide element (10) made of a light-conducting material
Implementation Method 2
thermal stresses are primarily caused by the differing expansion behavior of the materials of the light guide component and the permanently attached cover when exposed to temperature changes
Implementation Method 3
a flexible connection between the light-guiding part and cover element to mitigate thermal expansion and mechanical stresses
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2e
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a luminaire arrangement (L) comprising a planar light guide section (10) with a first light coupling section (13), a second light coupling section (12) different from the first light coupling section (13), a light coupling side (11) provided on a planar side of the light guide section (10), an optical element (20) which is partially in planar contact with the light coupling side (11), a light emission surface (23) which is provided on a side of the optical element (20) facing away from the light coupling side (11), and light guide structures (3, 14, 15) which are arranged and designed such that they do not optically influence light incident from the outside into the first light coupling section (13).so that the light incident via the first light coupling section (13) exits the light guide section (10) via the light coupling side (11) and further via a first defined area of the light emission surface (23) outwards from the luminaire arrangement (L) according to a first emission characteristic, and optically influences the light incident from the outside into the second light coupling section (12), so that the light incident via the second light coupling section (12) exits the light guide section (10) via the light coupling side (11) and further via a second defined area of the light emission surface (23), which at least partially overlaps with the first defined area, outwards from the luminaire arrangement (L).