Multi-Color Light Guide Plate Illumination Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illumination systems using fluorescent lamp tubes or cold cathode fluorescence lamps are heavy, have short lifetimes, and limited design flexibility, and pose environmental pollution risks due to mercury content, while single-color LED systems lack aesthetic versatility.
Innovation Solution
An illumination apparatus comprising multiple light guide plates with integrated micro structure patterns and color light sources, allowing orthogonal emission of light from distinct regions, enhancing design flexibility and enabling multi-color illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If fluorescent lamp tubes or cold cathode fluorescence lamps are used as illumination light sources, then illumination function is achieved, but weight is large and lifetime is short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the light source by transitioning from fluorescent lamps to LED arrays with light guide plates. This parameter change enables simultaneous achievement of long lifetime (50,000+ hours) and low weight (reducing lamp tube weight by 70-80%), as LEDs consume less material and have no mercury content requiring heavy recycling infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the harmful mercury-containing lamp tubes from the system, replacing them with mercury-free LED light sources. This extraction removes the environmental pollution problem while simultaneously reducing weight and extending lifetime, as LEDs contain no toxic substances requiring special handling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mono-color LED illumination is used, then energy efficiency is improved, but design flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination system into multiple independent light guide plates, each capable of emitting different colors. This segmentation allows each plate to be controlled independently, providing diverse color options (red, green, blue, yellow, etc.) without requiring a single complex multi-color light source, thus maintaining simplicity while enhancing design flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plates are designed with universal functionality, where each plate can serve both illumination and decoration purposes. By using the same basic light guide plate structure for multiple colors and applications, the system achieves multi-functionality without increasing device complexity, as the same components serve multiple roles.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional illumination systems are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but environmental pollution occurs due to mercury content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of complex manufacturing into benefit by using standardized LED modules and light guide plates that, while requiring precise assembly, eliminate the need for mercury recycling processes. The manufacturing complexity is offset by the elimination of hazardous material handling, making the overall process more beneficial despite increased precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters from mercury-containing phosphors to LED-based light sources, fundamentally altering the manufacturing process to eliminate toxic substances. This parameter change requires more precise LED assembly but removes the need for mercury recycling infrastructure, transforming environmental harm into benefit while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
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 apparatus achieves improved design flexibility and environmental sustainability by embedding color light sources within light guide plates, allowing for varied color emissions from different regions, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
light emitted by the first color light source enters the first light guide plate and being induced by the first micro structure pattern to orthogonally emit from a first region of the first light-emitting surface
Implementation Method 2
light emitted by the first color light source enters the first light guide plate and being induced by the first micro structure pattern to orthogonally emit from a first region of the first light-emitting surface
Implementation Method 3
at least one first color light source disposed on the first side surface and electrically connected to the first circuit layer
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination apparatus includes a first light-guide plate, a second light-guide plate and a base. Each of the first and second light-guide plates and the second light-guide plate includes a light-emitting surface, a side surface connecting the corresponding light-emitting surface, a micro-structure pattern, a circuit layer integrated with the corresponding side surface, and a color light source disposed on the corresponding side surface and electrically connecting the corresponding circuit layer. The region where the light from the color light source of first light-guide plate orthogonally emitting from is different from the region of where the light from the color light source of second light-guide plate orthogonally emitting from. The base includes a cavity for accommodating the side surfaces of the first and second light-guide plates and electrically connecting the corresponding circuit layers.