Optical Arrangement for Uniform Spot Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing optical components for spot lighting effects is challenging, especially with medium power LEDs, which often result in color distribution artifacts due to non-uniform light output over angle and position, making it difficult to achieve desired beam angles and color consistency.
Innovation Solution
An optical arrangement featuring a first and second optical element that are moveable along an axis, with the second optical element having arrays of convex lenses on opposite faces, allowing for variable light output beams with controlled spread angles, effectively integrating and homogenizing light to eliminate color artifacts and adapt to different beam angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If medium power LEDs are used for spot lighting, then light output is achieved, but color distribution artifacts occur due to non-uniform light output over angle and position
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is divided into multiple zones with different optical properties. Each zone has specific refractive indices designed to correct color distribution artifacts in different angular regions, transforming a uniform optical element into a segmented structure with spatially varying characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical element are assigned different refractive indices to address local color distribution issues. The refractive index varies as a function of emission angle and position, allowing each local region to correct specific artifacts while maintaining overall beam quality
2Adaptability or versatility
If different beam angle luminaires are provided, then specific beam angles (24° and 36°) are achieved, but device complexity increases with dedicated optics for each angle
Solution Approach 1:
A single optical element is designed to provide multiple beam angles (both 24° and 36°) simultaneously through its spatially varying refractive index distribution. This universal optical component replaces the need for separate dedicated optics for different beam angles, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive index of the optical element varies dynamically as a function of emission angle and position from the LED source. This continuous variation in optical properties allows the same physical element to adapt its beam shaping characteristics across different angular ranges
3Adaptability or versatility
If clustered LEDs are used to create standardized light source, then LED type can be changed without altering source significantly, but dark regions appear in between LEDs causing bright and dark variations
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element extracts and redistributes light from the clustered LED arrangement, taking the non-uniform output with dark regions and transforming it into a uniform beam. The varying refractive index acts to fill in the dark regions between LEDs and smooth out intensity variations across the beam profile
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 solution allows for a universal optic to be used across various lighting applications, enabling selection of beam angles during assembly and effectively removing color artifacts, while preserving the desired beam shape and allowing for a broad range of light sources to be used without changing optics.
Implementation Method 1
the first optical element for collimating light from a light source to generate collimated light
Implementation Method 2
the second optical element for receiving collimated light from the first optical element, an array of convex lenses located on a first face of the second optical element is associated with an array of convex lenses located on a second face of the second optical element opposite the first face
Implementation Method 3
each lens on the second face is designed to focus on the associated lens on the first face, and each lens on the first face is designed to focus on the associated lens on the second face
Data Source
Figure 1~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~5A
Figure 5B~6
AI summary
An optical arrangement, comprises first and second optical elements. The first optical plate is for collimating light from a light source to generate collimated light, which is provided to the second optical element. The second optical element acts an optical integrator homogenizing the light. The second optical element further generates a light output beam which has a spread of output angles which is dependent on the position. This means that the output spread of output angles can be controlled by controlling the light reaching the second optical plate and thus by controlling the illuminated area on the second optical plate. This can be achieved by selection of the relative positions of the source and the optical plates.