Interior Luminaire Emulating Natural Daylight via Segmented Light Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many individuals lack access to natural sunlight, particularly in indoor settings or during winter months, which can lead to health issues such as Seasonal Affective Disorder, necessitating a solution to emulate natural daylight effectively.
Innovation Solution
An interior luminaire system utilizing an array of light sources paired with lenses to generate collimated beams of light, combined with color-tunable LEDs and PDLC films to mimic the solar spectrum and atmospheric scattering, creating a realistic simulation of natural daylight and skylight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional light sources are used to illuminate indoor spaces, then basic lighting requirements are met, but the light lacks the spectral characteristics and directional properties of natural sunlight
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the sunlight emulation into two distinct functional components: collimated light sources (LEDs with TIR lenses) to simulate direct sunlight, and diffuse light sources (LEDs with diffusers) to simulate skylight. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively achieving realistic daylight reproduction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the luminaire emit light with different properties: some areas produce collimated beams with specific color temperatures to mimic sunlight directionality, while other areas produce omnidirectional diffuse light to mimic skylight. This local quality variation creates a spatially differentiated light environment that accurately reproduces natural daylight characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single light source is used to provide illumination, then the system is simple, but it cannot simultaneously produce both collimated sunlight and diffuse skylight
Solution Approach 1:
The luminaire is divided into separate collimated light sources and diffuse light sources, each with dedicated optical elements (TIR lenses for collimation, diffusers for diffusion). This segmentation enables independent control and optimization of each light type while maintaining overall system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The luminaire is designed as a multi-functional device that can simultaneously provide collimated sunlight simulation, diffuse skylight simulation, and various intermediate lighting conditions. The system can adjust the ratio and intensity of different light sources to adapt to different times of day, weather conditions, and user requirements.
3Measurement precision
If color-tunable LEDs are used to mimic the solar spectrum, then spectral accuracy is improved, but the system requires multiple light sources and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses color-tunable LEDs that can dynamically adjust their emission spectrum and color temperature to match the solar spectrum at different times of day and atmospheric conditions. By changing the spectral parameters of the LED light sources, the system achieves high spectral accuracy without requiring multiple fixed-color light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The luminaire employs composite optical elements including TIR (total internal reflection) lenses, diffusers, and PDLC (polymer-dispersed liquid crystal) films combined with color-tunable LEDs. These composite materials and structures work together to shape, direct, and spectrally tune the light output, achieving realistic sunlight and skylight simulation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If PDLC films are used to control light scattering, then the ability to switch between collimated and diffuse light is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The luminaire incorporates PDLC films that can dynamically change their light scattering properties in response to electrical signals. The films can switch between a dispersed state (allowing collimated light transmission) and a droplet state (creating diffuse light scattering), enabling real-time adaptation of the light output characteristics without mechanical moving parts.
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 system provides a convincing and adjustable simulation of natural daylight, including shadows and color changes, improving health and wellness by mimicking the natural light environment, with the ability to emulate both collimated sunlight and diffuse skylight.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the one or more first light sources comprises a color-tunable LED and a total internal reflection (TIR) lens
Implementation Method 2
one or more PDLC films, each of the one or more PDLC films operable to scatter light from the one or more second light sources
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, the disclosure provides an interior luminaire system for emulating natural daylight. The system may include an artificial sunlight system and an artificial skylight system. The artificial sunlight system may include one or more first light sources and one or more first movable lenses paired with the first light sources, respectively. Each first light source may be configured to direct light only at the respective paired lens. Each first light source-lens pair may be operable to generate a set of substantially parallel rays of light. The artificial sunlight system may be operable to generate a movable substantially collimated beam of light comprising the sets of substantially parallel rays of light. The artificial skylight system may include one or more second light sources. Each second light source may be operable to generate omnidirectional rays of light. The artificial skylight system may be operable to generate diffuse illumination.