Optical Sheetform with Lens Array and Reflective Core
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems fail to efficiently collect and concentrate external light over a large surface area while maintaining effective light confinement and distribution to remote emission ports, particularly in environments where moisture can compromise internal reflection methods.
Innovation Solution
A sheetform optical apparatus with a web of optical material featuring a distributed array of lens collectors, superficial light-confining measures such as metal coatings or refractive-index gradients, and reflective elements to deflect and propagate light to emission ports, ensuring light confinement and efficient delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If internal reflection methods are used for light confinement, then light distribution efficiency is improved, but reliability deteriorates in environments with moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the light-confining interface from relying on total internal reflection (which requires dry conditions) to using a metallic reflective coating. This parameter change allows the system to maintain high light distribution efficiency while achieving reliable light confinement in humid environments, as the metallic coating is not affected by moisture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an alternative light confinement mechanism by using metallic reflective surfaces that replicate the function of internal reflection without its limitations. The metallic coating serves as a substitute that provides similar light redirecting functionality while being environmentally robust against moisture
2Power
If a large surface area is used for light collection, then light concentration capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large light-collecting surface into multiple discrete lens elements arranged in an array. Each lens element independently collects and directs light to the core, enabling the system to achieve high light concentration capability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design and standardized components
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 apparatus effectively collects and concentrates external light, maintaining high efficiency even in non-dry environments by using reliable light-confining methods, and distributes it to emission ports for various applications, including enhanced illumination and energy transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a distributed array of lens collectors adapted for collecting and introducing incident light into the lenses and unimpeded by the superficial light-confining measures
Implementation Method 2
reflective elements disposed at a focal point or near focal point for the lenses and arranged for deflecting the focused light onto transmission paths through the core or material
Implementation Method 3
The light is propagated by refraction and/or reflection within the core material, with the light-confining work being done by the surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A laterally- and longitudinally-elongated sheetform of optical material has a core and spaced broad surfaces provided with superficial light-confining measures flanking the core. At least one broad surface has an array of converging lenses, each adapted for collecting and introducing incident light rays into the core unimpeded by the superficial light-confining measures, and converging the rays onto focal points within the web. A counterpart array of reflective elements are embedded in the web at the focal points, and arranged to deflect the collected, converged rays onto transmission paths through the web generally intermediate the broad surfaces. A light-emission port provided in or by the web which is also rendered substantially free of impedance by the superficial light-confining measures. That way, collected light is generally confined between the broad surfaces, except for emissions out the emission port.