Optical Distributor for Thin Flexible Surface Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface light emitting apparatuses require a large number of LED light sources and a thick, rigid light guide plate, making it difficult to implement flexible and efficient surface lighting solutions for wide-area applications such as signboards and advertisements.
Innovation Solution
A surface light emitting apparatus with an optical distributor, such as a planar optical waveguide or a comb-shaped optical waveguide, that divides and directs light from a single light source into multiple optical signals, allowing for a thin, flexible light guide plate and minimizing the number of light sources needed, while a scattering pattern on the light guide plate emits light uniformly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a large number of LED light sources are arranged on the light guide plate to achieve sufficient light emission, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the light guide plate into multiple regions with different scattering patterns, where each region directs light to specific areas. This segmentation allows a single light source to effectively illuminate the entire surface by redistributing light through optical path division, replacing the need for multiple LED sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The scattering pattern acts as an intermediary optical element that redistributes light from the single LED source across the entire light guide plate surface. By introducing this intermediate scattering mechanism, the system achieves uniform illumination without requiring multiple light sources directly positioned on the plate.
2Strength
If a thick and hard acryl plate is used as the light guide plate to ensure structural strength, then the strength is improved, but the flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a thick rigid acryl plate to a thin flexible film structure. The scattering pattern is formed directly on this flexible film, allowing the entire light guide assembly to be bent and conform to various surfaces while maintaining optical functionality, thus achieving both flexibility and sufficient structural integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the light guide plate is made thin to achieve flexibility, then the flexibility is improved, but the light incident strength from LED light source deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements location-specific scattering patterns on the thin light guide plate, where different regions have optimized scattering characteristics tailored to their positional requirements. This local optimization ensures that even with a thin flexible structure, each area receives adequate light intensity through targeted optical path design.
4Area of stationary object
If the size of the light guide plate is increased to achieve wide-area illumination, then the area is improved, but the number of required light sources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the two-dimensional surface of the light guide plate to create complex optical paths through scattering patterns, rather than relying on adding more light sources in a one-dimensional arrangement. By encoding optical information in the spatial distribution of scattering patterns across the plate surface, a single light source can effectively illuminate large areas through clever optical path design.
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 configuration reduces the number of light sources required and enables the creation of thin, flexible surface lighting solutions with improved strength and applicability to various fields, including signage and decoration.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical distributor configured to divide the optical signal generated in the light source into a plurality of optical signals
Implementation Method 2
a light guide plate configured to confine the plurality of optical signals divided by the optical distributor in an inside thereof and transfer the optical signals
Implementation Method 3
a scattering pattern formed on a surface of the light guide plate and configured to emit a light by the optical signal transferred through the light guide plate
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a surface light emitting apparatus including: a light source bar including a light source for generating an optical signal; at least one optical distributor for dividing the optical signal generated in the light source into a plurality of optical signals; a light guide plate for confining the plurality of optical signals divided by the optical distributor in an inside thereof and transfer the optical signals; and a scattering pattern formed on a surface of the light guide plate and for emitting a light by the optical signal transferred through the light guide plate.