Parallel Light Illumination Module with Counter-Oriented LED and Reflector

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lighting modules for emitting parallel light are hindered by the spatial extent of gas discharge lamps, leading to non-negligible divergence and large dimensions, making it difficult to create compact, flat luminaires, while existing LED-based solutions suffer from inhomogeneous light distribution and non-linear emission.

Innovation Solution

An LED lighting module with the LED light source oriented counter to the main emission direction, utilizing a reflector to direct light in parallel, and a connecting web that thermally and electrically connects the LED to a heat sink, allowing precise placement of the LED near the focal point for collimated light emission, and optionally using a remote phosphor element for enhanced light distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If gas discharge lamps are used in conventional spotlights, then high light intensity can be achieved, but the spatial dimensions become large and divergence increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight intensityVSAvoidspatial dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the light-generating function from the bulky gas discharge lamp and concentrates it into a compact LED light source positioned precisely at the focal point of the reflector. This extraction allows achieving high light intensity while minimizing spatial dimensions and eliminating the divergence problem associated with extended light sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the light source from gas discharge lamp to LED, which has inherently smaller dimensions and can be positioned exactly at the focal point. This parameter change enables the reflector to collimate the light effectively, producing parallel beams with minimal divergence while maintaining high intensity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of stationary object

If LED light sources are used, then compact dimensions can be achieved, but light distribution becomes inhomogeneous and non-linear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial dimensionsVSAvoidlight distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a reflector with a specific curved (parabolic) surface geometry that is mathematically designed to receive diverging light from the LED at the focal point and transform it into parallel collimated beams. This curved surface compensates for the inhomogeneous emission pattern of the LED, creating uniform parallel light output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflector acts as an intermediary optical element between the LED light source and the target. It mediates the transformation of the LED's diverging, inhomogeneous light into homogeneous parallel beams, solving the light distribution uniformity problem while preserving the compact LED-based design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If LED light source is positioned at focal point for parallel light emission, then precise collimation is achieved, but heat dissipation becomes critical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight collimation precisionVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the LED mounting structure with the heat sink into an integrated assembly, where the LED is thermally coupled to the heat sink through the mounting structure. This combination ensures efficient heat dissipation while maintaining the LED's precise position at the focal point for optimal collimation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the LED, ensures precise positioning at the focal point for collimation, and acts as a thermal pathway to conduct heat from the LED to the heat sink. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between precision positioning and heat dissipation.

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

Enables the creation of compact, high-intensity parallel light sources suitable for various applications, including film and photography, with narrow beams and homogeneous light distribution, allowing for precise control of light characteristics and efficient heat dissipation.

Implementation Method 1

a reflector with a focal point located on its front, at least one LED light source arranged substantially at the focal point of the reflector for irradiating light into the reflector, wherein the reflector is configured to direct the light emitted into the reflector by the at least one LED light source parallel and to emit it in the direction of the main direction of emission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the at least one connecting bridge is arranged for heat conduction from the at least one LED light source to the heat sink, and the at least one connecting bridge, which preferably consists at least partially of metal, thermally contacts the at least one LED light source and the heat sink

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3685098B1Illumination module for emitting light directed in parallel
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 LITESTUDIO OG
  • EP3685098B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3685098B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3685098B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an illumination module (1) for emitting light directed in parallel in a main emission direction (x), comprising a reflector (2) with a focus (F) lying on the front side thereof, at least one LED light source (3) arranged substantially at the focus (F) of the reflector (2) for radiating light into the reflector (2), and a heatsink arranged on the rear side of the reflector (2), wherein the LED light source (3) is oriented counter to the main emission direction (x), wherein the reflector (2) is configured to direct the light radiated into the reflector (2) by the at least one LED light source (3) in parallel and emit said light in the direction of the main emission direction (x), wherein the at least one LED light source (3) is held by means of at least one connecting web (5) extending from the heatsink (4) to the LED light source (3).