Optical Module Air Gap Reflecting Structure Light Ratio

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lamps that adjust the ratio of downward to upward emitted light using metal films on transparent plates are costly and result in significant optical loss, making them inefficient and costly to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

An optical module with a reflecting structure adjacent to one light-emitting surface of a light guide plate, featuring transparent sheets separated by air gaps, which adjusts the light-emitting ratio by reflecting light back into the plate and emitting it from the opposite side, reducing optical loss and manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a metal film is deposited on a transparent plate surface by evaporation to adjust light-emitting ratio, then the light-emitting quantity ratio between upward and downward light can be adjusted, but the manufacture cost increases and optical loss increases by at least 10%

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight-emitting quantity ratio adjustmentVSAvoidoptical loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an air gap as an intermediary layer between the light guide plate and the transparent plate. This air gap acts as a reflective interface that redirects light without requiring metal film deposition, thereby avoiding the 10%+ optical loss associated with metal films while still achieving light-emitting ratio adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the expensive metal film deposition process with a simple air gap structure and transparent plate assembly. This substitution uses inexpensive materials and a simpler manufacturing process, reducing both material costs and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the light-emitting ratio adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Adaptability or versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight-emitting quantity ratio adjustmentVSAvoidmanufacture cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The air gap serves as a mediator that enables light-emitting ratio adjustment without requiring costly metal film deposition equipment and processes. The transparent plate and air gap structure can be manufactured using conventional, lower-cost techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention substitutes expensive metal films and deposition processes with inexpensive transparent plates and air gap structures, significantly reducing material costs and manufacturing complexity while preserving the functional capability of adjusting light-emitting ratios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a metal film is deposited on a transparent plate surface by evaporation, then the light-emitting quantity ratio can be adjusted, but at least 10% of light flux is absorbed resulting in optical loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight-emitting quantity ratio adjustmentVSAvoidoptical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The air gap acts as an intermediary reflective interface that redirects light flux without the absorption losses inherent in metal films. This mediator approach maintains higher optical efficiency while achieving the same light-emitting ratio adjustment function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Replacing metal films with transparent plates and air gaps eliminates the 10%+ light flux absorption, thereby improving optical efficiency and productivity without sacrificing the ability to adjust light-emitting ratios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 effectively adjusts the light-emitting ratio between the two surfaces of a double-sided lamp while maintaining optical efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs, with minimal optical loss, as demonstrated by varying the number of air gaps and sheets, achieving ratios such as 35:65 and 77:23 in different configurations.

Implementation Method 1

at least one light beam emitted from the first light-emitting surface is reflected back to the light guide plate and is emitted out from the second light-emitting surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9140847B2Optical module and lamp

Publication Date: 2015.09.22 RADIANT OPTO ELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

A lamp includes a frame, a light guide plate, a light source and a reflecting structure. The light guide plate is disposed on the frame and includes a light-incident surface, a first light-emitting surface and a second light-emitting surface. The second light-emitting surface is opposite to the first light-emitting surface, in which the light-incident surface connects the first light-emitting surface and the second light-emitting surface. The light source is adjacent to the light-incident surface and the light source is disposed in the frame. The reflecting structure is adjacent to the first light-emitting surface and includes at least two transparent sheets. The two transparent sheets are separated by an air gap, such that at least one light beam emitted from the first light-emitting surface is reflected back to the light guide plate and is emitted out from the second light-emitting surface.