Lighting Device Sensor Integrated with Optical Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting devices with sensors, such as PIR sensors, often compromise aesthetics and require additional optics, increasing costs and efforts, as they are typically visible and need specialized optics for effective motion detection.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a sensor within a lighting device that utilizes an existing optical element to direct both light from the source and environmental light to the sensor, positioning the sensor outside the light path to avoid visibility and unnecessary optics, allowing for unobtrusive and cost-effective monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a sensor is mounted on the lighting device to monitor the environment, then motion detection and control capabilities are improved, but the sensor becomes visible and compromises the aesthetics of the lighting device
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is merged with the optical element, where the optical element serves dual purposes: directing light from the light source and guiding light from the environment to the sensor. This integration eliminates the need for separate sensor housings and additional optics, making the sensor invisible while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both an illumination optic for the light source and an imaging optic for the sensor. This multi-functionality allows the sensor to be obscured by the same optical element that directs illumination light, thereby maintaining aesthetics while enabling motion detection.
2Reliability
If additional optics are added to guide light to the sensor for effective motion detection, then sensor functionality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element combines the functions of illumination direction and sensor light guidance into a single component. By integrating these functions, the patent eliminates the need for separate lenses, windows, or other optical components that would otherwise be required to guide light to the sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element is designed as a universal component that serves both illumination and sensing functions. It directs light from the light source for illumination while simultaneously guiding light from the environment to the sensor, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned in the light path to capture environmental light, then imaging capability is improved, but the sensor interferes with light emission from the light source
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is segmented into different functional zones: one region directs light from the light source for illumination, while another region guides light from the environment to the sensor. This segmentation allows both functions to occur simultaneously without interference, maintaining both imaging capability and light emission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element acts as an intermediary that separates and directs different light paths. It mediates between the light source and the sensor, ensuring that illumination light and environmental light are directed along different paths, thereby preventing interference while maintaining imaging capability.
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 approach enables efficient and aesthetically pleasing sensor operation without additional optics, enhancing the sensor's field of view and allowing for motion detection and image capture without affecting the lighting device's emission or requiring extra components.
Implementation Method 1
an optical element configured to direct, by refraction and/or reflection and/or diffraction, light of a light source for illumination
Implementation Method 2
an optical element configured to direct, by refraction and/or reflection and/or diffraction, light of a light source for illumination
Implementation Method 3
an optical element configured to direct, by refraction and/or reflection and/or diffraction, light of a light source for illumination
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a lighting device comprising a light source (2), a sensor (6) configured to monitor an environment of the lighting device, an optical element (3, 16) configured to direct, by refraction and/or reflection, light of the light source (2) for illumination, wherein the sensor (5, 7) is positioned and directed to at least a part (14, 15, 20) of the optical element (3, 16) that directs the light of the light source (2) for illumination and directs light arriving from the environment to the sensor (6) to image the environment.