Multi-Module Illuminator for High-Brightness Collimated Beam Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting systems, such as incandescent and halogen bulbs, are inefficient, costly to operate, and lack precise control mechanisms for adjusting color, intensity, and beam angles, making them unsuitable for modern architectural and entertainment applications.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system comprising multiple light source modules, each equipped with a light source, optical lens, color filter, and collimator lens, which are integrated to produce a single collimated light beam. This system can utilize xenon-based light sources and includes a color wheel assembly for dynamic color control and beam adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional incandescent or halogen bulbs are used, then warm and soft lighting is achieved, but energy consumption is high and heat generation is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lighting system into multiple separate light sources (e.g., multiple LEDs or laser diodes) arranged in an array, each contributing to the overall beam. This segmentation allows for more efficient energy use compared to a single incandescent bulb while maintaining the desired lighting quality through coordinated operation of multiple efficient sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple efficient light sources (LEDs or laser diodes) to produce a unified collimated beam that achieves the warmth and quality of traditional bulbs. By merging the output of multiple efficient sources with optical elements, the system attains both energy efficiency and desirable lighting characteristics.
2Illumination intensity
If traditional xenon bulbs are used for high brightness, then search light intensity is achieved, but device size and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a single heavy xenon bulb with multiple smaller light sources (LEDs or laser diodes) arranged in an array. Each source contributes to the overall beam intensity, and their distributed arrangement reduces the total weight while maintaining or exceeding the brightness of traditional xenon searchlights.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical/optical components associated with traditional xenon bulbs (large reflectors, heavy housing) with a compact array of LED or laser diode sources. This substitution dramatically reduces device weight while achieving equivalent or superior beam intensity through efficient light generation and optical concentration.
3Device complexity
If conventional lighting systems are used, then simple structure is maintained, but control precision for color and intensity adjustment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control capabilities by incorporating individually controllable light sources in the array. Each source can be adjusted independently for intensity and color, enabling precise control of the overall beam characteristics. This dynamic control is achieved through electronic control systems that manage multiple sources without significantly complicating the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the light source array and control system to perform multiple functions: color adjustment, intensity control, beam shaping, and pattern projection. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified system architecture where the same basic components (controllable light sources and optical elements) serve various purposes, reducing the need for separate mechanisms for each function.
4Use of energy by moving object
If multiple light sources are integrated to produce a single beam, then brightness efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses segmented light sources (multiple LEDs or laser diodes) that can be controlled independently or in groups. This segmentation allows for efficient power management where only necessary sources are activated, improving overall energy efficiency while the modular nature of segmentation keeps system complexity manageable through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple light sources and their control functions into a unified system with shared optical elements (lenses, reflectors, color filters). This merging reduces redundancy and simplifies the overall structure compared to having separate systems for each light source, thereby improving power efficiency without proportionally increasing 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
The system achieves a high brightness comparable to xenon lamp products while reducing electrical power needs by up to 15 times, decreasing size and weight by five and ten times respectively, and enabling fast color modulation and beam intensity control.
Implementation Method 1
an optical lens configured to collect and direct the light from the light source and to output the light along an optical path
Implementation Method 2
a color filter configured to transmit selected wavelengths of light and to restrict another wavelengths of light
Implementation Method 3
a collimator lens configured to direct and output the filtered light into a single major collimated output light beam
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminator to provide a collimated beam of light is disclosed. The illuminator includes light source modules. Each of the light source module includes a light source to emit a light, an optical lens to collect and direct the light from the light source and to output the light along a path, a color filter disposed adjacent to the optical lens and in the path of the light, in which the color filter produce a filtered light, and a collimator lens to collect and direct the associated filtered light. The collimator lenses of the light source modules direct and output each of associated filtered lights into a major collimated light beam along a major optical axis.