Linear LED Optical Assembly for Collimated Warning Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
LEDs in warning and signaling lights have limited light output, requiring multiple devices and posing challenges in designing efficient illumination patterns and heat management due to their directional emission patterns.
Innovation Solution
An optical assembly with a linear array of LEDs, a concave reflective trough, and an elongated lens that redirects wide and narrow angle light to produce a partially collimated light emission pattern, maximizing light utilization and reducing heat management issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple discrete LEDs are used to meet photometric requirements, then light output is sufficient, but device complexity and heat management become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple LED light sources into a single integrated LED device with a common substrate. This merging approach maintains sufficient light output while reducing the number of discrete components, simplifying the overall device structure and reducing heat management complexity compared to using multiple separate LEDs.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated LED device performs multiple functions: it generates sufficient light output while simultaneously simplifying the device structure and reducing heat management requirements. The single device structure serves as both the light source and the structural element, eliminating the need for separate mounting and heat sinking components for each individual LED.
2Volume of moving object
If LEDs are arranged in compact arrays, then space is efficient, but cooling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple LED functions into a single integrated device with a shared substrate, the patent reduces the overall device volume while consolidating heat generation into a single managed location. This approach maintains compact dimensions while simplifying thermal management compared to densely packed arrays of discrete LEDs.
3Use of energy by moving object
If directional emission pattern is used, then light efficiency is improved, but illumination coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs different reflector configurations for different spatial zones: a first reflector for upward-directed light and a second reflector for sideways-directed light. This local differentiation allows the device to maintain directional emission efficiency while expanding illumination coverage to multiple directions, addressing both the efficiency and coverage requirements.
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 optical assembly enhances light emission efficiency by redirecting wide angle light into desirable patterns, maximizing light output and reducing heat management challenges in compact arrays.
Implementation Method 1
The elongated lens is configured to redirect light emitted from the array of LEDs (and not incident upon the reflecting trough) from its emitted trajectory into imaginary planes parallel with the first plane
Implementation Method 2
The reflective trough redirects wide angle light (light not passing through the elongated lens) from its emitted trajectory into imaginary planes parallel with the first plane
Data Source
AI summary
An LED optical assembly includes a linear array of LEDs, longitudinal reflecting surfaces along each side of the array and medial reflecting surfaces between the LEDs. The medial reflecting surfaces are configured to redirect light oriented along the linear array into directions that will contribute to a light emission pattern from a warning, signaling or illumination light employing the LED optical assembly. The medial reflecting surfaces cooperate with other reflectors and/or lenses to integrate the redirected light into an intended light emission pattern.