Optical Element Deflection Surfaces for Uniform LED Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical elements for directing light from LEDs result in non-ideal light distribution, often causing glare and visible streaky structures or color fringes, which disrupt the lighting impression.
Innovation Solution
The optical element features diamond-shaped recesses between light source accommodations on its rear side, with deflection surfaces that direct light into both first and second deflection areas for uniform distribution, and includes stepped surfaces for total reflection, ensuring light is evenly distributed across the exit surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional optical elements are used to direct light from LEDs, then light can be deflected out of the central area, but streaky structures and color fringes appear that disturb the lighting impression
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is divided into multiple recesses (first, second, third recesses) with intermediate wall sections between them. Each recess receives light from specific LED groups and directs it to different exit surfaces. This segmentation allows independent optimization of light paths from different LED groups, preventing the formation of streaky structures and color fringes while maintaining uniform light distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical element are designed with different optical properties. The intermediate wall sections have specific deflection surfaces oriented at particular angles to redirect light from longitudinal LED emission. The first, second, and third recesses are tailored to handle light from different LED groups and direct it to appropriate exit surfaces, creating locally optimized light distribution that achieves overall uniformity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If light is deflected out of the central area to reduce glare, then glare is reduced, but light distribution becomes non-ideal with visible irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element segments light from different LED groups into separate paths. Light from LEDs in the first group is directed to the first exit surface, light from the second LED group is directed to the second exit surface, and light from the third LED group is directed to the third exit surface. This segmentation ensures that light is distributed uniformly across multiple exit surfaces while deflecting it away from the central area to reduce glare.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention distributes light across multiple spatial dimensions by creating separate exit surfaces (first, second, and third exit surfaces) arranged in specific orientations. Instead of concentrating light deflection in a single direction, the intermediate wall sections and recesses distribute light across multiple dimensional pathways, achieving uniform illumination while reducing glare through multi-directional light distribution.
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 design enhances light uniformity by deflecting light components from the first deflection area to the second, reducing irregularities and color fringes, resulting in a more uniform and glare-free lighting effect.
Implementation Method 1
the intermediate wall sections of the recesses arranged on the rear side of the optical element each have at least one deflection surface on the side facing away from the interior of the respective recess for deflecting the light emitted in the longitudinal direction into the first deflection region on the rear side of the optical element
Implementation Method 2
a second, in particular stepped, deflection area on its rear side to provide a plurality of spaced deflection surfaces for deflecting light in the direction of a light exit surface on the front side of the optical element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an optical element (1) for deflecting light emitted by lighting means (100), such as LEDs, arranged in a row, comprising a rear face (R) facing the lighting means; a front face (V) facing away from the lighting means; recesses (30) on the rear face (R), each recess being delimited by longitudinal lateral wall sections, intermediate wall sections, and a base section for receiving a lighting means (one or more LEDs) and/or for providing a light inlet region (L) where light enters the optical element; a first deflection region (UI) on the rear face (R), comprising at least one deflection surface for deflecting light in the direction of a depression (E), in particular a V-shaped depression (E), which is arranged on the front face (V) of the optical element; and a second deflection region (U2), in particular a stepped deflection region, on the rear face (R) for providing a plurality of spaced deflection surfaces for deflecting light in the direction of a light outlet surface (20a, 20b) on the front face (V) of the optical element, wherein light is deflected onto the second deflection region (U2) on the rear face (R) of the optical element by a delimiting surface of the depression (E) arranged on the front face (V) of the optical element. An intermediate wall section of a recess (30) has at least one deflection surface (U1, U2), which acts in particular as a total reflection surface, on the face facing away from the recess in order to deflect the light emitted in the longitudinal direction into the first deflection region (UI) on the rear face (R) of the optical element.