Passive Optical Lens for Beam Shaping and Steering

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current luminaires either require costly and unreliable electrically controllable beam shaping and steering systems or sacrifice optical efficiency by using mechanical adjustments, and there is no cost-effective solution that combines beam shapeable and steerable luminaire functionality with a display.

Innovation Solution

A passive optical lens system with no moving parts is used, where illumination light sources are selectively turned on or off to achieve beam shaping and steering, integrated with a coplanar lighting and display circuit board, allowing for a low-cost, high-efficiency luminaire that combines general illumination and image display capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electrically controllable beam shaping and steering systems are used, then beam shape and direction can be adjusted, but cost increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam shape adjustmentVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrically controllable optical systems with a passive optical lens system that has no moving parts or electrical components. The beam shaping and steering are achieved through fixed optical elements and selective activation of illumination light sources, eliminating the reliability problems associated with electrically controllable systems while maintaining beam adjustment capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the illumination system into multiple independently controllable light sources arranged in a matrix pattern. By selectively turning on or off specific segments (light sources) within the matrix, different beam shapes and directions are achieved without requiring complex electrical control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical adjustments are used to change output light pattern, then beam angle can be modified, but optical efficiency is sacrificed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam angle adjustmentVSAvoidoptical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical adjustment systems with a passive optical lens system that uses refraction and total internal reflection to change beam angles. This eliminates the need for moving parts that block or scatter light, maintaining high optical efficiency while providing beam angle adjustment capability through selective light source activation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If transparent display is placed over illumination lighting, then combined luminaire and display is achieved, but optical efficiency greatly decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay integrationVSAvoidoptical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the illumination lighting board and display into a single coplanar structure where both functions share the same optical path. The illumination light sources and display elements are positioned on the same plane, allowing light to pass through the display without significant obstruction while maintaining high optical efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a stacked configuration (display over lighting) to a coplanar configuration (lighting and display on the same plane). This dimensional change eliminates the transparency issue by allowing illumination light to pass through the display plane without being blocked by opaque display layers, maintaining high optical efficiency while achieving display integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 provides a reliable, cost-effective, and efficient luminaire that can adjust lighting distribution and display images, maintaining high optical efficiency while avoiding the limitations of existing technologies.

Implementation Method 1

an optical lens, and adjustment of a beam input or output pattern of light passing through the optical lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

The input peripheral portion includes a plurality of input peripheral segments that redirect incident light by total internal reflection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10761335B2Lighting device with optical lens for beam shaping and refractive segments

Publication Date: 2020.09.01 ABL IP HLDG LLC

AI summary

An example lighting device includes a plurality of individually controllable illumination light sources configured to be driven by electrical power to emit light. The lighting device further includes an optical lens positioned over the illumination light sources for beam shaping or steering. The optical lens has a plurality of aspherical, spherical, planar, or freeform surfaces, including an input surface coupled to receive light from the illumination light sources and an output surface. The input surface includes an input peripheral portion and an input central portion. The output surface includes an output lateral portion, an output shoulder portion, and an output body portion. One or both of the input surface or the output surface includes facets.