Lighting Device with Non-Parallel Filaments and Planar Collimator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting devices with LEDs lack cost-effective production methods and homogeneous light distribution, particularly in planar configurations like spots and downlights.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device featuring multiple light-emitting filaments arranged in a planar configuration with non-parallel longitudinal axes, each filament comprising solid-state light sources and a luminescent encapsulant, collimated by a system of sub-collimators to direct light perpendicular to the plane, enhancing homogeneity and reducing production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If LEDs are arranged in a plane and emit light perpendicular to the plane, then the lighting device is suitable for spots and downlights, but production costs are high and light distribution is not homogeneous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidlight distribution homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device is segmented into multiple independent light-emitting filaments, each comprising solid-state light sources mounted on a carrier with luminescent encapsulant. This segmentation allows for standardized mass production of filament units while achieving homogeneous light distribution through the arranged configuration of multiple filaments in the planar structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If light-emitting filaments are arranged in a planar configuration with non-parallel longitudinal axes, then light distribution homogeneity is improved, but device complexity increases due to the collimator system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distribution homogeneityVSAvoidcollimator structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collimator system merges multiple sub-collimators into a single integrated component with a planar configuration. Each sub-collimator is positioned to receive light from corresponding light-emitting filaments, and their combined effect produces homogeneous collimated light output perpendicular to the plane, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining light distribution homogeneity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light-emitting filaments are arranged in a planar configuration (two-dimensional arrangement) with non-parallel longitudinal axes, transitioning from traditional three-dimensional spatial arrangement. This dimensional change enables homogeneous light distribution while simplifying the collimator design to a planar structure with multiple sub-collimators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If solid-state light sources are mounted on carriers with luminescent encapsulant, then production cost is reduced, but light collimation efficiency may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidlight collimation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The luminescent encapsulant acts as an intermediary between the solid-state light sources and the collimator system. It converts light from the LEDs while the carrier positions the encapsulant to optimize light extraction and direction toward the sub-collimators, maintaining collimation efficiency despite the cost-effective solid-state light source configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enables cost-effective production of lighting devices with homogeneous light distribution, improving the efficiency and uniformity of light emission by utilizing a collimator and transparent carriers to ensure well-collimated light output.

Implementation Method 1

an encapsulant comprising a luminescent material, wherein the encapsulant at least partially encloses the light-emitting surfaces of the solid-state light sources and is configured to at least partly convert light emitted by the solid-state light sources to wavelength-converted light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLuminescence: Luminescence

Implementation Method 2

said lighting device further comprising a collimator configured to collimate light emitted by the light-emitting filaments in a direction parallel to said plane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCollimation: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP3894738B1Lighting device with light-emitting filaments
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP3894738B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3894738B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3894738B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A lighting device (5) is disclosed. The lighting device (5) comprises a plurality of light-emitting filaments (10), wherein each of the light-emitting filaments (10) comprises a plurality of solid-state light sources mounted on a carrier along a longitudinal axis of the light-emitting filament (10). The light-emitting filaments (10) are arranged in a planar configuration, and the lighting device (5) has a main direction of illumination (I) perpendicularly away from a plane (P) defined by the planar configuration. The longitudinal axes (L1, L2) of at least two light-emitting filaments (10) are non-parallel to each other. A luminaire comprising the lighting device is also disclosed. The lighting device (5) can be produced in a cost-efficient manner.