Optical Device Conical Surface Ridges Light Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical devices for modifying light distribution from light sources, such as LEDs, fail to adequately illuminate fringe areas, leading to insufficient lighting in areas like corners when mounted on ceilings.
Innovation Solution
An optical device comprising a center section with a lens portion and a peripheral section with a conical surface featuring ridges for total internal reflection and surface penetration, allowing the device to act as both a reflective and refractive surface to enhance light distribution to fringe areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the cone angle of the conical surface is increased to spread the light distribution pattern, then the illumination in fringe areas is improved, but the light distribution pattern expands beyond desired limits
Solution Approach 1:
The conical surface is divided into different zones with distinct functions: an upper zone with a larger cone angle for reflecting light toward fringe areas, and a lower zone with a smaller cone angle for maintaining the overall distribution pattern within desired limits. This local differentiation allows simultaneous improvement of fringe area illumination while controlling the total pattern area.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical device is segmented into a center section with a lens portion and a peripheral section with the conical surface. The conical surface itself is further segmented into upper and lower zones with different cone angles. This segmentation enables independent optimization of different functional regions to resolve the contradiction between spreading light and maintaining pattern boundaries.
2Illumination intensity
If the lens portion is shaped to be less collimating to spread light distribution, then the illumination in fringe areas is improved, but the overall light distribution control is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The optical device separates the light modification functions into distinct segments: the lens portion in the center section handles collimation and initial light shaping, while the conical surface in the peripheral section handles light redirection to fringe areas. This functional segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific purpose without compromising overall control.
3Device complexity
If a conventional optical device with a single conical surface is used, then the device structure is simple, but the light distribution to fringe areas is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The conical surface incorporates local quality variations through the upper zone/lower zone distinction, where each zone has a different cone angle optimized for its specific function. This allows the device to achieve superior light distribution performance while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure that combines multiple functional zones.
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 optical device effectively directs more light to fringe areas, improving illumination in previously underlit regions without expanding the light distribution pattern beyond desired limits.
Implementation Method 1
The conical surface comprises ridges in which total internal reflection "TIR" takes place when a light beam arrives from the light source at one of side surfaces of each ridge
Implementation Method 2
surface penetration takes place when the reflected light beam arrives at the other one of the side surfaces of the ridge under consideration
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 2d
AI summary
An optical device (201 ) comprises a center section (202) having a lens portion for modifying distribution of a first part of light emitted by a light source, and a peripheral section (203) surrounding the center section and comprising a conical surface (205) for modifying distribution of a second part of the light emitted by the light source. The conical surface comprises ridges (206) where total internal reflection takes place when a light beam arrives from the light source at one of side surfaces of each ridge, and surface penetration takes place when the reflected light beam arrives at the other side surface of the ridge under consideration. Thus, the conical surface acts both as a reflective surface and as a refractive surface for achieving a desired light distribution pattern.