Optical Sheet Light Direction Control via Off-Axis Aperture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting apparatuses face limitations in controlling light direction due to the constraints of manufacturing costs and efficiency, making it difficult to achieve highly directive light with precise alignment and broad design freedom.
Innovation Solution
A lighting apparatus with an optical sheet that includes a lens structure for aligning light output and a reflector with strategically positioned light transmitting openings, allowing for adjustable light direction by changing the position of these openings, and a method for manufacturing this optical sheet using a light focusing element and reflective films to enhance directivity and design flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a prism sheet is formed by molding to control light direction, then the manufacturing process is standardized, but changing optical characteristics requires expensive mold changes and reduces manufacturing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sheet is divided into two independent functional layers: a reflector layer with light-reflecting particles and a lens structure layer. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized and manufactured separately, enabling flexible combination of different optical characteristics without requiring complete mold redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sheet uses a composite structure combining a reflector layer (with titanium oxide or other light-reflecting particles) and a lens structure layer. This composite approach enables independent optimization of reflection and refraction properties, providing design freedom while maintaining efficient manufacturing through standardized base materials.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the light transmitting opening is placed on the optical axis of the lens structure, then the manufacturing alignment is simplified, but the light direction control freedom is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector layer acts as an intermediary between the light source and the lens structure, enabling flexible positioning of the light transmitting opening. The reflector redirects light from off-axis openings through the lens structure, allowing the opening to be positioned away from the optical axis while maintaining proper light alignment and control freedom.
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 enables accurate control of light direction, increasing the directivity and flexibility of light output, allowing for improved performance in applications such as liquid crystal displays and other display apparatuses, while reducing manufacturing complexities and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a lens structure that is placed at a light exit side and aligns an output direction of incident light from the light source
Implementation Method 2
a reflector that is placed at a light incident side and reflects light emitted by the light source
Data Source
AI summary
The lighting apparatus includes a light source, a housing that contains the light source inside and has an exit port for outputting light from the light source, and an optical sheet that is placed in the exit port. The optical sheet includes a lens structure that is placed at a light exit side and aligns an output direction of incident light from the light source, a reflector that is placed at a light incident side and reflects light emitted by the light source, and a light transmitting opening that exists in the reflector and transmits incident light from the light source. The light transmitting opening is placed in a position deviated from an optical axis of the lens structure. The display apparatus includes the lighting apparatus.