Lighting Arrangement Uniform Longitudinal Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED lighting arrangements face inefficiencies and complexity in achieving uniform light distribution, especially for non-circular shapes, due to light loss and the need for additional optical elements, which results in uneven brightness and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A lighting arrangement featuring a light source, a reflective receptacle, and a spreading element with two distinct lobes that laterally spreads light uniformly, combined with a light redirecting element to collect and emit light uniformly over a longitudinal planar emission face, eliminating the need for additional reflecting or collecting elements and minimizing light loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If several LED light sources are arranged over an area to provide necessary luminous flux, then the overall brightness is improved, but the impression of a single light source is lost due to distinct bright points separated by darker zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light distribution function by using multiple LED chips arranged in a specific pattern (e.g., triangular lattice) and assigns each LED a specific spatial position and emission direction. The segmentation is combined with optical elements like microlenses or light guides that redirect light from multiple discrete sources to create a unified apparent light source, resolving the contradiction between needing multiple LEDs for brightness and maintaining a single light source appearance.
2Device complexity
If diffusers or dedicated lenses are used to collect and re-combine light from multiple LEDs, then the impression of a single light source is achieved, but light loss increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical optical elements (diffusers, large lenses) with micro-scale optical structures such as microlenses, light guides, or photonic crystals integrated directly with the LED package. These micro-structures manipulate light at the source level with minimal loss, substituting bulky mechanical optical systems with compact integrated optical elements that achieve uniform light distribution without significant light loss.
3Shape
If collectors, reflectors or light guides are used to manipulate light for non-round light source shapes, then the desired light distribution is achieved, but the arrangement becomes complicated, bulky and expensive with reduced light output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests optical elements (microlenses, light guides, reflectors) directly within or integrated with the LED package structure itself. The optical components are embedded in the LED housing or mounting substrate, creating a compact nested arrangement where multiple functional elements occupy overlapping or adjacent spaces. This eliminates the need for separate bulky optical systems while achieving complex light distribution patterns for non-round light source shapes.
4Area of stationary object
If an encapsulating dome or diffusing cover is used to make the light source appear larger, then the light source size is increased, but light loss occurs and overall brightness is diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional light spreading (using flat diffusers or domes) to three-dimensional light management using volumetric light guides, layered micro-lens arrays, or photonic crystal structures. By utilizing the third dimension (depth/volume) for light manipulation, the system can expand the apparent light source area through light redirection and scattering in multiple dimensions without the light loss associated with traditional planar diffusers.
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 compact, efficient, and uniform longitudinal light source with even brightness distribution, suitable for various applications, including automotive and display lighting, without significant light loss, and can be used with a single LED chip to achieve the appearance of a long, narrow light source.
Implementation Method 1
a receptacle containing the light source and comprising a reflective surface
Implementation Method 2
The spreading element is realised to laterally spread the generated light in a spreading plane
Implementation Method 3
The light redirecting element is realised to refract the collected light into an emission plane
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Lighting arrangement (1, 1') comprising a light source (2) for generating light; a spreading element (3) realised to laterally spread the generated light in a spreading plane (S), defined by an optical axis (AO) of the light source (2) and a longitudinal axis (L) of the spreading element (3), to give an essentially uniform quantity of light per unit area at an emission face (41, 51) orthogonal to the spreading plane (S) and parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the spreading element (3) and a light redirecting element (4, 5) arranged to collect the spread light, which comprises a longitudinal planar emission face (41, 51), and is realised to collect the laterally spread light and to emit the collected light essentially uniformly from the emission face (41, 51).