Omnidirectional LED Lens with Refractive and Reflective Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for omnidirectional LED lighting lack a cost-effective and simple method to achieve uniform light distribution using a lens design, as they either rely on complex shapes or secondary optical components that are difficult to manufacture and control.

Innovation Solution

A rotationally symmetrical lens with multiple refractive and reflective surfaces is designed to redistribute light, featuring a light incident surface, first and third refractive surfaces for forward and backward illumination, and a second refractive surface with a reflective surface for supplementary backward illumination, ensuring omnidirectional light distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a complex lens shape is designed to achieve omnidirectional illumination, then light distribution uniformity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distribution uniformityVSAvoidlens shape complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lens is divided into multiple functional surfaces: a light incident surface, a first refractive surface, a first reflective surface, a second refractive surface, and a third refractive surface. Each surface is responsible for handling specific portions of light in different directions, breaking down the complex omnidirectional illumination task into manageable segments that can be designed and manufactured separately while working together as a unified system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the lens are assigned different optical functions and properties. The central region uses refraction through the first refractive surface for forward illumination, while the edge region employs reflection at the first reflective surface for backward illumination. The side surfaces use the second and third refractive surfaces for supplementary illumination. This local differentiation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function, achieving overall uniformity without requiring the entire lens to have a uniformly complex shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If multiple optical surfaces are used to redistribute light, then omnidirectional illumination is achieved, but manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveomnidirectional light distributionVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lens integrates multiple optical functions into a single monolithic component. The light incident surface, first refractive surface, first reflective surface, second refractive surface, and third refractive surface are all formed as part of one unified lens structure, eliminating the need for separate optical components and their associated alignment and assembly processes. This merging reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the omnidirectional illumination capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single lens component performs multiple optical functions simultaneously: refraction for forward illumination, reflection for backward illumination, and supplementary refraction for side illumination. This multi-functionality consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate optical elements into one universal component, simplifying the manufacturing process while achieving comprehensive omnidirectional light redistribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Illumination intensity

If traditional LED arrays or reflectors are used for light redistribution, then omnidirectional illumination can be achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight redistribution capabilityVSAvoidoptical component quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of multiple separate optical components (lens elements, reflectors, light guides) into a single integrated lens. Instead of using an array of LEDs with individual optics or a separate reflector system, all light redistribution functions are embedded within one lens structure containing multiple surfaces, dramatically reducing device complexity and component count.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single lens serves as a universal optical component that replaces multiple specialized components. It simultaneously performs the functions of refractive lenses, reflective mirrors, and light guides through its different surfaces, providing a simplified alternative to traditional multi-component optical systems while achieving the same omnidirectional illumination效果.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 lens achieves uniform light distribution across a 140° range with low manufacturing costs and a simple process, providing both forward and backward illumination effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a first portion of light which passed through the light incident surface is refracted by the first refractive surface to produce first emergent light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

a second portion of the light which passed through the light incident surface is reflected by the first reflective surface to the second refractive surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a second portion of the light which passed through the light incident surface is reflected by the first reflective surface to the second refractive surface, and then is refracted by the second refractive surface to produce second emergent light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 4

a third portion of light which passed through the light incident surface is refracted by the third light refractive surface to produce third emergent light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP2809986B1Lens and omnidirectional illumination device comprising the lens
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 LEDVANCE GMBH
  • EP2809986B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2809986B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2809986B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Lens (10) for omnidirectional illumination being rotationally symmetrical and comprising a light incident surface (1), a first refractive surface (2), a first reflective surface (3), a second refractive surface (4) and a third refractive surface (5), wherein a first portion (Al) of light which passed through the light incident surface (1) is refracted by the first refractive surface (2) to produce first emergent light (Bl), a second portion (A2) of the light which passed through the light incident surface (1) is reflected by the first reflective surface (3) to the second refractive surface (4), and then is refracted by the second refractive surface (4) to produce second emergent light (B2), and a third portion (A3) of the light which passed through the light incident surface (1) is refracted by the third light refractive surface (5) to produce third emergent light (B3).