Lighting Device Minimizing Internal Losses with Segmented Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices suffer from significant internal light losses due to non-homogeneous refractive indices in lenses, chromatic aberration, and inefficient light projection, leading to reduced light output and visibility of the light source.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device comprising a collimator, at least two biconvex lenses, and a biconcave lens, where the collimator forms a parallel light beam that is focused by the biconvex lenses and diverged by the biconcave lens, minimizing internal losses and allowing precise light projection through a small aperture, with a Fresnel lens for additional focusing and color mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a first lens is used to receive light from the light source, then light can be projected onto a second lens, but some light is reflected on the first lens and lost, and substantial light is emitted next to the first lens causing additional losses
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device divides the light projection function into multiple segments: a first lens for initial light reception and projection, a second lens for further focusing, and a third lens for final projection through the aperture. This segmentation ensures that each lens is optimally positioned and sized to capture and direct light efficiently, minimizing losses at each stage of the light path.
Solution Approach 2:
Each lens in the system is assigned specific local qualities: the first lens has a diameter larger than the light source to capture all emitted light, the second lens is positioned at a specific distance to receive the projected light, and the third lens is sized to match the light beam diameter. These localized optimizations ensure maximum light transmission through each component.
2Measurement precision
If the refractive index of the lenses is non-homogeneous, then chromatic aberration occurs, but making the refractive index homogeneous increases manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the lenses have a homogeneous refractive index throughout their structure. This homogeneity eliminates chromatic aberration and ensures uniform light projection, improving the precision and quality of the illuminated output without requiring complex gradient index designs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the first lens is movable to change the angle of the light beam, then the angle can be adjusted, but the light source is no longer necessarily positioned in the focal point resulting in more light losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the first lens movable relative to the light source, allowing dynamic adjustment of the light beam angle. The lens can be positioned at various distances from the light source along the optical axis, enabling flexible beam direction control while maintaining proper focal relationships to minimize light losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable first lens introduces an additional degree of freedom in the optical system. By allowing the lens to move along the optical axis (adding a positional dimension), the system achieves angular adjustment capability without compromising the focal point positioning, thus maintaining light projection efficiency.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a small aperture is used to make the origin of light invisible, then the light source becomes hidden, but more light is absorbed by the plate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric optical design where the aperture diameter is smaller than the diameters of all lenses in the system. This asymmetry allows the aperture to effectively hide the light source while the larger lenses ensure sufficient light is gathered and directed through the small aperture, compensating for the increased absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the aperture size parameter relative to the lens parameters. By carefully selecting the aperture diameter to be smaller than the lenses but not excessively small, and by positioning the third lens to match the light beam diameter at that point, the system achieves a balance between hiding the light source and minimizing light absorption losses.
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 achieves minimal internal losses and high light output for the same power input, making the light source invisible and preventing glare, while ensuring precise illumination with adjustable angular aperture and color adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
The collimator is suitable for forming a parallel light beam from light emitted by the light source. The collimator does not reflect light to the light source
Implementation Method 2
The first biconvex lens focuses the incident light to its focal point. The second biconvex lens focuses the incident light to its focal point
Implementation Method 3
The biconcave lens diverges the light beam
Implementation Method 4
A Fresnel lens with a microstructure is placed between the aperture and the second biconvex lens. The Fresnel lens provides additional focusing of the light to the aperture and the microstructure contributes to good colour mixing of the emitted light
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a lighting device for the complete and precise projection of a light beam comprising a light source, a plate and a light focusing system, the plate comprising an aperture, the light source and the light focusing system being on a first side of the plate, the light source and the light focusing system being configured for projection of a light beam from the aperture, the light focusing system comprising a collimator, two biconvex and one biconcave lenses. The invention also relates to a method for completely and precisely illuminating an object or space through an aperture.