Linear Light Guide With Variable Density Reflecting Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear light emitting apparatuses using linear light guide members suffer from uneven light distribution due to reduced light intensity further from the source, leading to non-uniform light emission, which cannot be adequately addressed by enhancing light expanding and reflecting actions alone, especially in longer apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A linear light emitting apparatus with a light source and a linear light guide member featuring a projecting portion with light expanding and reflecting portions extending over its entire width, where the density of these portions increases further from the source to enhance light reflection and distribution uniformly, and a light reflecting layer on the end face to optimize light utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If light expanding and reflecting portions are enhanced in the area distant from the light source, then light take-out efficiency is improved, but the amount of light reaching that area is itself small, so uneven light emission cannot be reduced sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the light expanding and reflecting portions have different densities at different locations along the linear light guide member. Specifically, the density of light expanding and reflecting portions is set to be higher in areas distant from the light source and lower in areas near the light source. This non-uniform distribution compensates for the natural light attenuation along the guide member, ensuring uniform light emission throughout its length.
2Illumination intensity
If light expanding and reflecting portions are widened as they part away from the light source, or if the linear light guide member is narrowed, then light distribution is improved, but the width of the linear light is varied accordingly, making it impossible to obtain uniform width linear light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains uniform width of the linear light by keeping the light expanding and reflecting portions at the same width throughout the linear light guide member. Instead of varying the width, the invention uses varying density (spacing) of these portions along the length of the guide member to achieve uniform light distribution. This ensures both uniform light emission and consistent light width.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of density (spacing) of light expanding and reflecting portions rather than changing their width. By adjusting the density parameter along the length of the linear light guide member while maintaining constant width, the invention achieves uniform light distribution without compromising the uniform width of the emitted linear light.
3Illumination intensity
If the linear light guide member is narrowed as it parts away from the light source, then light distribution is compensated, but manufacturing precision and yield are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent avoids the manufacturing complexity of varying the guide member width by instead applying local quality through the density distribution of light expanding and reflecting portions. This approach maintains a constant cross-section of the linear light guide member throughout its length, simplifying manufacturing while achieving uniform light emission through the strategically distributed reflecting portions.
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 ensures uniform light emission with reduced luminance differences along the length of the apparatus, preventing excessive light emission and achieving high precision in manufacturing and yield, while maintaining a consistent light width.
Implementation Method 1
the light is reflected by the upper surface of the projecting portion of the linear light guide member
Data Source
AI summary
The linear light emitting apparatus includes: a light source; and, a linear light guide member into which the light of the light source is guided from one end side thereof, and also which includes a projecting portion extending continuously along the longitudinal axis of the linear light guide member. In the upper surface of the projecting portion, there are formed light expanding and reflecting portions each extending over the entire width of the upper surface at given intervals.