Optical Element Raster Structure for Daylight Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial daylight light sources are costly and complex, failing to effectively replicate the characteristics of natural daylight, which includes direct sunlight and bluish light at various angles, essential for well-being and productivity.
Innovation Solution
An optical element with a raster structure of light transmitting cells, where a blue wall encloses the channel, collimates light and changes its color distribution to emit white light at small angles and bluish light at large angles, creating a skylight appearance without altering the light source or luminaire.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources with different color distributions and light mixing structures are used, then the daylight appearance is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is segmented into multiple light transmitting cells arranged in a raster structure, where each cell contains a light transmitting channel with specific geometric configuration. This segmentation allows the system to achieve complex optical functions through simple, repeating unit structures rather than requiring a single complex light mixing system.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical element perform different functions: the light transmitting channels provide collimation while the blue-pigmented walls provide spectral filtering. By assigning different local properties to different parts of the structure, the system achieves daylight appearance simulation without requiring multiple light sources with different color distributions.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources and light mixing means are used, then the daylight appearance is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the approach from controlling light source parameters (multiple sources with different color distributions) to controlling optical path parameters (channel geometry, wall pigmentation). This allows the system to achieve the same effect using a single light source with modified optical paths, significantly reducing manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple physical light sources to create different color distributions, the invention uses multiple copies of the same light transmitting channel structure, each with blue-pigmented walls. These replicated structures collectively produce the daylight appearance effect through their combined optical actions.
3Illumination intensity
If light transmitting channels with blue walls are used, then bluish light emission at large angles is achieved, but the light transmission efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The blue pigmentation is applied selectively to the walls of the light transmitting channels rather than to the entire optical element. This localized application ensures that only the necessary portions of light are filtered to produce bluish emission at large angles, while minimizing overall light transmission losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses blue pigmentation in the channel walls to selectively filter the light spectrum, transforming a portion of the transmitted light into bluish light at large emission angles. This color change mechanism achieves the desired spectral distribution while maintaining reasonable transmission efficiency.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, efficient way to simulate daylight by emitting collimated white light at small angles and bluish light at large angles, enhancing well-being and productivity while being easy to manufacture and integrate with existing lighting systems.
Implementation Method 1
The light transmitting channel collimates a part of light emitted by the light source
Implementation Method 2
At least a part of the wall is transmissive in a predefined spectral range to obtain a blue light emission at relatively large light emission angles
Implementation Method 3
The wall is interposed between the light input window and the part of the light exit window
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical element 100 for use in front of a light source 102 for obtaining a skylight appearance, a lighting system and a luminaire are provided. The optical element 100 comprises a light transmitting cell which comprises a light transmitting channel 116, a light input window 106, a light exit window 110 and a wall 108. The light transmitting channel 116 collimates a part of light 104 emitted by the light source 102. The light input window 106 is arranged at a first side of the light transmitting channel 116 and receives light 104 from the light source 102. The light exit window 110 emits light with the skylight appearance. At least a part of the light exit window 110 is arranged at a second side of the light transmitting channel 116 opposite to the first side. The wall 108 is interposed between the light input window 106 and the part of the light exit window 110. The wall 108 encloses the light transmitting channel 116. At least a part of the wall 108 is reflective and/or transmissive in a predefined spectral range to obtain a blue light emission at relatively large light emission angles with respect to a normal to the part of the light exit window 110.