Optical System Lens Reflector Light Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting systems, particularly those using reflector grids or TIR lenses, often cause abrupt increases in brightness when transitioning from a non-illuminated area to an illuminated area, leading to unpleasant visual effects due to strong differences in light emission directionality, making it difficult for observers to recognize the lamp's switched-on state from various viewing angles.

Innovation Solution

An optical system comprising a pot-like reflector with a diffusely reflective inner wall and a lens that directs a portion of light in a preferred direction while scattering a second portion laterally onto the reflector's inner wall, creating a diffused glow effect that makes the lamp recognizable from multiple angles, even when not directly illuminated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a lens directs light in a preferred direction with high directionality, then light emission efficiency in the desired area is improved, but abrupt brightness changes occur when transitioning from non-illuminated to illuminated areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emission efficiencyVSAvoidabrupt brightness changes
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light output is segmented into two distinct portions: a first portion directed in a preferred direction for efficient illumination, and a second portion scattered laterally to illuminate the reflector's inner wall. This segmentation allows each portion to serve a different function, resolving the contradiction between directionality and abrupt brightness changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the light output are given different qualities: the first portion maintains high directionality for efficient light emission in the desired area, while the second portion is scattered to create a diffused glow effect on the reflector wall. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying different optical properties to different parts of the light output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If light is directed strongly in a specific direction, then illumination precision in the target area is improved, but the lamp becomes difficult to recognize from viewing angles outside the illuminated area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination precisionVSAvoidlamp recognizability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The reflector's inner wall acts as an intermediary element that is illuminated by the scattered second portion of light. This intermediary surface creates a diffused glow effect that makes the lamp recognizable from multiple viewing angles without compromising the precision of the primary light direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the diffused glow effect on the reflector wall to create a visible indication of the lamp's switched-on state. This glow provides visual feedback that enhances lamp recognizability from various angles while maintaining the precision of the directed light beam.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of operation

If additional optical elements are added to direct light precisely, then light direction control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight direction controlVSAvoidoptical system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single lens performs multiple functions: it directs the first portion of light in a preferred direction for precise illumination and simultaneously scatters the second portion laterally to illuminate the reflector wall. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate optical elements, thereby controlling device complexity while maintaining excellent light direction control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution allows for efficient light emission in a desired area while minimizing abrupt brightness changes, enabling observers to recognize the lamp's switched-on state from various viewing directions, thus reducing glare and allowing for smoother adaptation to illuminated areas.

Implementation Method 1

The lens is configured to emit a first portion of light emitted by the light source via a light exit aperture of the reflector in a preferred direction defined by the lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

a lens that directs a portion of light in a preferred direction while scattering a second portion laterally onto the reflector's inner wall, creating a diffused glow effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffuse reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3408587B1Optical system for influencing the light output of a light source
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP3408587B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3408587B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3408587B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to an optical system for influencing the light output of a light source comprising a cup-like reflector (20), which has a light outlet opening (21), and comprising a lens (10), which is designed to radiate a first proportion of the light via the light outlet opening (21) of the reflector (20) in a preferred direction defined by the lens (10), wherein the lens (10, 60) is also configured to emit a second proportion of the light laterally in such a way that said proportion falls onto the reflector inner wall.