Linear Light Source With Segmented Light-Blocking Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Side-emitting light guides lack directional control and visual design flexibility, with their appearance in the off state being predetermined and not easily customizable.
Innovation Solution
A linear light source featuring a light guide with a light-blocking coating on its lateral surface, where the coating is partially or fully light-transmissive to allow controlled light emission, incorporating scattering elements and reflective coatings to enhance luminance and design options, and can be designed to mimic metal strips or other aesthetic elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light-blocking coating is applied on the lateral surface of the light guide, then the visibility of the light guide in the off state is reduced and light emission directionality is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral surface of the light guide is divided into multiple segments: light-transmissive portions for light emission and light-blocking portions for directional control and aesthetic appearance. This segmentation allows different functional zones on the same surface, resolving the contradiction between light emission and directional control.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lateral surface are assigned different optical properties (transmissive vs. blocking). The light-transmissive portions allow light to escape while the light-blocking portions prevent light leakage and improve directional emission. This local differentiation of properties enables both light emission and directional control simultaneously.
2Illumination intensity
If the light guide is made fully light-transmissive to maximize light emission, then the luminance increases, but the aesthetic design flexibility and control over light emission direction are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral surface is segmented into light-transmissive and light-blocking portions, allowing the light guide to maintain high luminance through transmissive areas while achieving aesthetic design flexibility through blocking areas that can be configured in various patterns and shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local regions of the light guide surface have different optical qualities (transmissive vs. blocking), enabling both high luminance emission from transmissive zones and aesthetic design control from blocking zones, thus resolving the contradiction between luminance and design flexibility.
3Illumination intensity
If scattering elements are added to the light guide core to enable side emission, then light can escape through the lateral surface, but the light emission becomes non-directional and control over emission patterns is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The combination of scattering elements in the core with segmented light-transmissive and light-blocking portions on the lateral surface allows side emission capability while maintaining directional control. The scattering elements enable light to reach the lateral surface, while the segmented coating structure controls the emission patterns and directionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-blocking coating is applied locally in specific patterns on the lateral surface, creating defined emission zones. This local quality differentiation allows light to escape through transmissive portions while blocking other areas, thus providing control over emission patterns even with scattering elements present in the core.
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 allows for better control over light emission directionality, increased luminance in the emission direction, and enhanced visual design options, making the light source more aesthetically appealing and capable of blending seamlessly into its surroundings, while also reducing the visibility of the light guide in its off state.
Implementation Method 1
light from at least one light source and injected on at least one end of the light guide is guided along the longitudinal extension of the light guide by total reflection
Implementation Method 2
the core includes at least one scattering element that changes the propagation direction of the light guided in the core
Data Source
AI summary
A linear light source is provided that includes a light-emitting element and a light guide, which has a core with an end and a longitudinal extension. In the operating state, light from the light emitting element is injected on the end and is guided along the longitudinal extension. The core includes at least one scattering element that changes a propagation direction of the light guided in the core. The light guide having a lateral surface with a light-blocking coating at least partially or in portions thereof. The light-blocking coating being structured so that the light guide has a light-transmissive portion extending along the longitudinal extension and so that the light scattered on the at least one scattering element and striking the light-transmissive portion is able to escape from the light guide, at least partially. The coating having a light transmittance that is lower than a light transmittance of the light-transmissive portion.