Optical Element with Wing-Shaped Contour for Light Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing luminaires, such as street lights, face challenges in achieving precise control over light distribution patterns, particularly in redirecting light away from undesired areas and ensuring efficient lighting across streets, with current optical elements offering limited accuracy and increased complexity in production.
Innovation Solution
An optical element featuring a transparent piece with a reflection surface having an arcuate and wing-shaped contour, allowing for total internal reflection and precise control of light distribution, comprising a first and second cavity separated by a wall, enabling efficient redirection of light beams and simplified production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional optical elements with linear cavities and simple TIR surfaces are used, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the light reflection accuracy and control precision are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing conventional linear cavity layouts with arcuate contours and by introducing wing-shaped contours with convex and concave sections. The reflection surface features an arcuate contour in one sectional view and a wing-shaped contour in another sectional view, creating a three-dimensional curved geometry that enables precise control of total internal reflection paths for backlight redirection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional linear cavity designs to three-dimensional curved surfaces by combining arcuate contours (in vertical section) with wing-shaped contours (in horizontal section). This dimensional enhancement allows the reflection surface to control light paths in multiple directions simultaneously, achieving fine control over light distribution patterns
2Productivity
If conventional optical elements with simple contours are used, then the production is simplified, but the ability to redirect backlight efficiently is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate and wing-shaped curved contours are integrated into a single monolithic optical element that can be manufactured using injection molding or similar processes. The curved geometries enable efficient backlight redirection through total internal reflection while maintaining compatibility with conventional manufacturing methods for transparent plastics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functional features (arcuate contour for vertical light control, wing-shaped contour for horizontal light control, and integrated cavity structure) into a single unified optical element. This merging of functions into one component achieves efficient light distribution control while avoiding the need for multiple separate optical elements
3Area of stationary object
If more light flux is emitted to cover wide areas, then the lighting coverage is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts what would normally be wasted backlight (light emitted in undesired directions) into useful illumination by using total internal reflection at the specially designed curved surfaces. The arcuate and wing-shaped contours redirect backlight that would otherwise be lost into the street area, transforming energy that would be wasted into beneficial lighting coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the optical element (arcuate radius, wing-shaped contour dimensions, cavity geometry) to optimize the redirection of light beams. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves wide area coverage through efficient light distribution patterns without requiring increased light flux emission
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 element provides enhanced accuracy in light reflection, allowing for energy-efficient light distribution with reduced flux requirements, enabling precise control of light patterns across wide or narrow areas, and improved lighting efficiency, particularly in outdoor installations.
Implementation Method 1
The reflection surface has an arcuate contour in a sectional view with a sectional plane being perpendicular to the first and second geometric planes and when viewed parallel to the first and second geometric planes. The reflection surface has a wing shaped contour in a sectional view with a sectional plane parallel to the second geometric plane and when viewed orthogonally to the second geometric plane, so that a total internal reflection takes place at the reflection surface when the at least part of the second light beams arrive, from inside the transparent piece, at the reflection surface.
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(B)
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention is directed to an optical element (1) for controlling a light distribution pattern of a light source (101) radiating first light beams (L1) to a first geometric quarter-space (Q1) and second light beams (L2) to a second geometric quarter-space (Q2), the first and second geometric quarter-spaces (Q1, Q2) being defined by mutually perpendicular first and second geometric planes (P1, P2) so that the first geometric plane (Pi) constitutes a boundary between the first and second geometric quarter-spaces (Q1, Q2). The optical element (1) is made of a transparent piece (2). The optical element (1) comprises a first cavity (3) for receiving the light source (101), a second cavity (4) being delimited by a reflection surface (5) of the transparent piece (2) towards the first cavity (3) for controlling at least part of the second light beams (L2) by reflecting the at least part of the second light beams (L2) to the first geometric quarter-space (Q1), and a lens-section (30) of the transparent piece (2) at least partially bordering the first cavity (3) for acting as a lens for controlling a light distribution pattern of the first light beams (L1). The reflection surface (5), in a sectional view with a sectional plane being perpendicular to the first and second geometric planes (P1, P2) and when viewed parallel to the first and second geometric planes (P1, P2), has an arcuate contour (50), and in a sectional view with a sectional plane parallel to the second geometric plane (P2) and when viewed orthogonally to the second geometric plane (P2), has a wing shaped contour (51) with a central convex section (52) protruding towards the first cavity (3) or the first geometric plane (Pi), and at each side of the central convex section (52) along the first.geometric plane (Pi), a concave section (53, 54) bulged away from the first cavity (3) or the first geometric plane (P1), so that a total internal reflection takes place at the reflection surface (5) when the at least part of the second light beams (L2) arrive, from inside the transparent piece (2), at the reflection surface (5).