Luminaire Lightguide for Compact Glare-Free Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting systems using light emitting diodes (LEDs) face challenges in providing low-profile, compact, and glare-free illumination, with visible electrical components being unsightly and lacking effective light management solutions, particularly in integrating sensors like smoke or occupancy detectors.
Innovation Solution
A luminaire design incorporating an array of LEDs with a thick film circuit housed under a cover, utilizing narrow lightguides that transmit light from the LEDs to the exterior while also serving as a light reflector and electronics cover, with features like occupancy or fire sensors integrated into the circuitry, and micro-optical features for directional control of light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional LED mounting approaches are used, then electrical components can be easily mounted, but the electrical system becomes visible and unsightly
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical circuit board is extracted from the visible luminaire housing and mounted on the rear side of the translucent cover. This separates the functional electrical components from the aesthetic light-emitting surface, eliminating the unsightly appearance while maintaining ease of mounting through standardized circuit board attachment methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board is nested on the rear surface of the translucent cover, utilizing the cover's thickness to hide electronic components. The LED array is then mounted on the circuit board, creating a nested arrangement where the light-emitting elements are positioned to interface with the cover's light guides while the circuitry remains concealed behind the translucent surface.
2Volume of moving object
If a low-profile enclosure is used, then the luminaire becomes compact, but light management and diffusion become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide structure extends in the vertical dimension through the thickness of the translucent cover, transforming the light propagation path from a planar to a three-dimensional configuration. This allows effective light diffusion and management within a compact low-profile enclosure by utilizing the cover's thickness as an optical pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The translucent cover serves as an intermediary element between the LED array and the external environment. It receives light from the LEDs mounted on its rear side and diffuses it through its translucent material, providing effective light management and diffusion while maintaining a compact low-profile form factor.
3Length of moving object
If narrow lightguides are used, then the luminaire profile is reduced, but light conveyance efficiency must be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide structure incorporates localized optical features such as refractive index variations, surface textures, or micro-structures at specific positions along the light path. These local modifications optimize light extraction and distribution efficiency within the narrow profile, ensuring effective light conveyance despite the reduced overall dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical parameters of the light guide material and structure are optimized for the narrow profile configuration, including adjusting refractive index, surface roughness, or geometric characteristics to maximize light conveyance efficiency within the constrained dimensions of the low-profile luminaire.
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 enables compact, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing illumination with diffuse light distribution, effectively hiding electrical components and integrating sensors, enhancing the utilization of LEDs in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
The lightguide can comprise a light-receiving edge that is disposed adjacent the array of light emitting diodes under the cover. The lightguide can further comprise a light-emitting edge that is opposite from the light-receiving edge.
Implementation Method 2
the cover can further comprise a concave exterior surface for diffusely reflecting (or otherwise managing) the light emitted by the lightguide
Data Source
AI summary
A luminaire can comprise a lightguide, a substrate to which an array of light emitting diodes is mounted, and a cover that extends over the substrate. A light-receiving edge of the lightguide can be positioned adjacent the array of light emitting diodes so that emitted light couples into the lightguide via that edge. The lightguide can guide the coupled light from the light-receiving edge to an opposing, light-emitting edge that emits the coupled light to provide illumination. The cover can comprise an aperture through which the lightguide extends, so that the cover may enclose the light-receiving edge while the light emitting edge may protrude through the aperture.