Luminaire Waveguide for Shadow Reduction and Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional direct/indirect luminaires face issues with high-intensity light sources causing discomfort, inefficient heat dissipation, and aesthetic challenges due to concentrated light distributions and shadow creation, as well as difficulties in maintaining a compact size and efficient light output.
Innovation Solution
The luminaire design incorporates a waveguide made of optical material with opposing planar faces and edge faces, where second light sources emit light into the waveguide to scatter it upwardly, reducing intensity and enhancing light distribution, while also using a compact housing and flexible PCBs to manage heat and reduce shadow creation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional direct/indirect luminaires use high-intensity light sources, then light output efficiency is improved, but viewing comfort deteriorates due to concentrated light distribution and shadow creation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light distribution into multiple directions using separate optical systems. A first optical system directs light downward for task illumination, while a second optical system directs light upward for ambient illumination. This segmentation allows each light source to operate at high intensity efficiently, while the overall system provides comfortable viewing by distributing light across different zones rather than concentrating it in one direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different illumination characteristics in different spatial zones. The downward-directed light provides high-intensity task lighting where needed, while the upward-directed light provides softer ambient lighting to reduce contrast and shadows. This local differentiation of light quality resolves the contradiction by allowing high efficiency in task areas while maintaining comfort in viewing areas.
2Volume of moving object
If conventional luminaires use compact housing, then aesthetic appearance and space efficiency are improved, but heat dissipation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses heat dissipation in compact housing by utilizing vertical dimension for thermal management. The housing includes a vertically extending fin structure that increases surface area for heat dissipation in the vertical dimension without increasing the horizontal footprint. This allows the luminaire to maintain a compact aesthetic appearance while effectively dissipating heat from the light sources through enhanced surface area in another dimension.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional luminaires use separate direct and indirect light sources, then lighting flexibility is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated components to reduce complexity. The housing structure integrates mounting features for both optical systems, thermal management features for both light sources, and structural support elements. The fin structure serves both aesthetic purposes and heat dissipation functions. This merging of functions maintains lighting flexibility while reducing the number of separate components and simplifying assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing components that perform multiple functions. The housing serves as structural support, thermal management interface, and mounting platform. The fin structure provides both aesthetic appearance and heat dissipation. The optical systems can operate independently or together, providing versatile lighting modes. This multi-functionality maintains lighting flexibility while reducing overall system complexity.
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 design provides a more comfortable viewing experience by spreading the apparent light source, reducing shadows, improving heat dissipation, and maintaining a compact and aesthetically pleasing form while increasing the efficiency of light output.
Implementation Method 1
The waveguide is configured to emit at least a portion of the second light upwardly from an upper one of the planar faces
Data Source
AI summary
A luminaire includes a housing, a downlight that includes one or more first light sources configured to emit a first light downwardly from the housing, a waveguide, and one or more second light sources. The waveguide is formed of a portion of an optical material and characterized by opposing planar faces joined by one or more edge faces about a periphery of the optical material. The waveguide forms at least a portion of an uppermost optical surface of the luminaire. The one or more second light sources are coupled with the housing and configured to emit a second light into the optical material through at least one of the one or more edge faces. The waveguide is configured to emit at least a portion of the second light upwardly from an upper one of the planar faces.