Lighting Module Reflector Design for Uniform Road Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current road lighting assemblies face issues with light dispersion and energy wastage due to the use of plastic TIR lenses, which degrade over time and cause refraction losses, leading to inefficient light distribution and non-uniform illumination.
Innovation Solution
A lighting module with a reflector and multiple point light sources, including LEDs, is designed to optimize illumination by minimizing reflections and using reflective surfaces made of materials like aluminum, which maintains light intensity and avoids color decomposition, with adjustable orientations to direct light effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If TIR lenses made of plastic material are used to direct light from each LED, then flexibility in directing light flow is improved, but the lenses suffer from material decay including yellowing and matting over time which heavily affects apparatus performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the plastic TIR lenses from the optical system entirely. Instead of using lenses to direct light, the invention employs a combination of reflectors and precisely positioned LED modules that achieve light direction through reflection and geometric arrangement, thereby eliminating the reliability issues associated with plastic material decay, yellowing, and matting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical-mechanical lens system with a reflective-mechanical system. Rather than using refractive plastic lenses to control light direction, the invention uses reflectors with specific geometric configurations and positioned LED modules to achieve the same light direction function through reflection, substituting the problematic plastic optical component with a durable reflective system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If TIR lenses are used to divert light in desired directions, then light distribution flexibility is improved, but accurate direction control to avoid light dispersion in areas close to the illuminated area becomes very difficult, damaging energy saving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning individual LED modules at specific locations and orientations relative to reflectors, where each LED's light contribution is locally optimized to reach the target illuminated area. This precise local positioning and angular orientation of each LED-reflector pair ensures that light is directed exactly where needed, preventing dispersion into areas close to but not requiring illumination, thereby maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment capabilities through independently adjustable LED modules that can be oriented at different angles and positions. This allows the system to dynamically optimize light direction for different illumination scenarios, ensuring accurate light placement on the target area while minimizing energy wastage in surrounding areas, thus resolving the contradiction between distribution flexibility and energy conservation.
3Shape
If light radiation passes through plastic material interfaces (air-plastic-air), then light can be directed and shaped, but decay in intensity and quality occurs and white light may decompose into coloured components due to refraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the plastic material interfaces from the optical path entirely. By eliminating the plastic TIR lenses and using a reflector-based system with air-only interfaces, the invention prevents refraction-induced light decomposition and intensity decay, maintaining pure white light quality and maximum intensity throughout the optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of multiple air-plastic-air interfaces causing refraction and light quality degradation into a benefit by using air-only interfaces with reflectors. The reflective system achieves light direction and shaping without introducing refraction effects, thereby preserving light intensity and preventing color decomposition, turning the absence of plastic materials into a performance advantage.
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
This solution provides a cost-effective and efficient light distribution that minimizes energy wastage and maintains light quality, achieving a more uniform and intense illumination profile without the limitations of plastic lenses.
Implementation Method 1
a lighting module equipped with at least one reflector and at least three point light sources
Implementation Method 2
when a light radiation passes from a material to another (as in the passages between air and plastics and then between plastics and air), a decay in intensity and quality of the emitted light beam occurs
Data Source
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AI summary
A lighting module comprising: a reflector, comprising in turn a central part (10) and two tilted wings (11, 12) with respect to said central part (10), at least two light sources (13a, 13b), or light source assemblies (13a, 13b), arranged about the ends of said central part (10).