Off-Axial LED Lens for Recessed Lighting Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recessed lighting fixtures using LEDs face limitations in illuminating large areas while maintaining a small size, as they must comply with industry standards that restrict the angle of light emission, leading to the need for more fixtures or larger openings.
Innovation Solution
An improved LED lens design that directs light predominantly in a preferential off-axial direction, utilizing a cylindrical shape with a planar and convex surface configuration to achieve efficient light distribution, allowing 80-95% of emitter light to be used and minimizing losses, thereby widening the illumination area without increasing fixture size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If recessed lighting fixtures use conventional axial light distribution, then the light source can be recessed within the ceiling to conceal it, but the illuminated area size is substantially reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using off-axial light distribution instead of conventional axial distribution. The light source is positioned off the central axis of the fixture, and the lens is specifically designed to direct light preferentially in off-axial directions. This asymmetric configuration allows light to exit at wider angles (greater than 45 degrees from the vertical axis) while maintaining fixture concealment, thereby substantially increasing the illuminated area without requiring larger openings or more fixtures.
2Area of stationary object
If recessed lighting fixtures use conventional axial light distribution, then the fixture structure can be simplified, but the illuminated area size is substantially reduced requiring more fixtures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional axial (one-dimensional symmetric) light distribution to off-axial (multi-dimensional asymmetric) light distribution. By positioning the light source off-center and designing the lens to distribute light preferentially in specific off-axial directions, the system utilizes angular dimensions more effectively. This allows a single fixture to illuminate a broader area by distributing light across wider angles, thereby improving illumination efficiency and reducing the number of fixtures needed.
3Area of stationary object
If recessed lighting fixtures use conventional axial light distribution, then the fixture opening size can be minimized, but the illuminated area is substantially reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the lens with specific regional variations in refractive index or surface geometry that direct light preferentially in off-axial directions. Different portions of the lens are optimized to redirect light from the off-axial LED source toward specific exit angles. This localized optimization of light redirection ensures that light is distributed efficiently across wide angles, maximizing the illuminated area while maintaining a small fixture opening.
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 provides a broader illumination area with minimal light loss, allowing for effective lighting of larger spaces with smaller fixtures, while adhering to industry standards and accommodating various architectural designs.
Implementation Method 1
Lens for directing light from an LED light emitter in a preferential-side off-axial direction with respect to an emitter axis. The lens includes: an emitter-adjacent base end forming a light-receiving opening; an inner surface extending from the base end and forming a void, the inner surface including a surrounding lateral surface of circular cylindrical configuration concentrically formed about the emitter axis, and an end surface having a substantially planar portion angled toward the preferential side and transitioning from near the emitter axis to a convex portion. The light from the emitter exits the lens predominantly toward the preferential side.
Implementation Method 2
JP S61 214485 A describes an LED with a total reflection lens wherein luminous flux radiated from the side surface of the LED is total-reflected to the front surface side by an approximately parabolic curved surface of the lens.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A lens (50) for directing light from a light emitter (49) in a preferential-side off-axial direction with respect to the emitter axis (44). The lens (50) includes an emitter-adjacent base end (52) forming an opening (52A), an inner surface (54) extending from the base end (52) and forming a void (54A), an output-end surface (57) configured to direct light (46) toward the preferential side (35), and an outer lateral surface (57) configured for TIR to direct light toward the output-end surface (57), whereby substantially all light from the emitter (49) exits the output-end surface (57) predominantly toward the preferential side (35). Another aspect of this invention is a recessed lighting fixture (10) utilizing the inventive lens (50).