Optical Device Radial Segmentation for Glare Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Focusing lenses, such as Fresnel lenses, suffer from decreased light collecting efficiency as they move away from the optical axis, limiting the increase in beam profile and intensity, and existing solutions like dish-shaped molds and parabolic reflectors do not effectively address glare issues in light emission systems.

Innovation Solution

An optical device with a radially inner beam forming portion and a radially outer portion that acts as a transparent exit window for reflected light while scattering or attenuating direct light, preventing glare and enhancing beam intensity by redirecting or splitting direct light into multiple directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a focusing lens is used to improve beam intensity and profile, then light collecting efficiency decreases away from the optical axis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam intensityVSAvoidlight collecting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical device is divided into two functional segments: a radially inner beam forming portion (focusing lens) and a radially outer portion (transparent exit window with scattering/attenuating properties). This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally - the inner portion focuses light for high intensity while the outer portion manages direct light to prevent glare, resolving the contradiction between beam intensity and light collecting efficiency across the entire aperture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different radial zones of the optical device are assigned different optical properties. The radially inner portion has focusing properties to enhance beam intensity, while the radially outer portion has scattering/attenuating properties to manage direct light. This local differentiation of optical quality allows the device to achieve high beam intensity without sacrificing light collecting efficiency, as each zone optimizes for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If a dish-shaped mold or parabolic reflector is used to improve light collection, then glare issues are not effectively addressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight collectionVSAvoidglare
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful direct light that causes glare into a beneficial function. The radially outer portion is designed to scatter and attenuate this direct light, transforming the glare-inducing direct radiation into a controlled feature that prevents unwanted reflections and improves overall optical performance. This resolves the contradiction by addressing the harmful glare effect while maintaining light collection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Quantity of substance

If the exit aperture is enlarged to collect more light, then the lens cannot effectively focus light into the desired beam profile

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight quantityVSAvoidbeam profile control
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The optical device segments the aperture into two functional zones: the radially inner beam forming portion that maintains precise beam profile control through focusing, and the radially outer portion that handles additional light quantity through scattering and attenuation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high light quantity and precise beam profile control, resolving the contradiction between light quantity and beam profile precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 improves light collection and beam intensity by transmitting reflected light without redirection while reducing glare, making it suitable for applications requiring high intensity without secondary light rings.

Implementation Method 1

a reflector arranged to reflect, in a first direction towards the radially outer portion, light emitted by a light source, such that a first optical path is formed from the light source to the radially outer portion via the reflector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The radially outer portion is transparent such that incident light reaching the radially outer portion along the first optical path exits the radially outer portion in a direction parallel to the first direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

at least one of scattering and attenuating for light reaching the radially outer portion along a second optical path extending directly between the light source and the radially outer portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP2959214B1An arrangement comprising an optical device and a reflector
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP2959214B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2959214B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2959214B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

According to an embodiment of the present inventive concept there is provided an arrangement 4 comprising: an optical device 8 including a radially inner beam forming portion 10 and a radially outer portion 12, at least partly enclosing the radially inner portion 10. The arrangement 4 further comprises a reflector 6 arranged to reflect, in a first direction towards the radially outer portion 12, light emitted by a light source 2 such that a first optical path is formed from the light source 2 to the radially outer portion 12, via the reflector 6. The radially outer portion 12 is transparent such that incident light reaching the radially outer portion 12 along the first optical path exits the radially outer portion 12 in a direction parallel to the first direction, and at least one of scattering and attenuating for light reaching the radially outer portion 12 along a second optical path extending directly between the light source 2 and the radially outer portion 12. The radially outer portion 12 may thus act as a clear exit window for reflected light R, contributing to the intensity of a central beam F formed by the radially inner beam forming portion 10, while preventing transmission of direct light D which otherwise could produce glare.