Pebble-plate Louvre Cells for Slim Downlight Beam Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Slim downlights face challenges in beam shaping due to the size of optic elements relative to light sources, leading to increased height or reduced diameter, and existing louvre designs often result in unappealing regular patterns that require extensive design and engineering efforts to achieve a randomized look.
Innovation Solution
A louvre unit comprising a plurality of unique louvre cells arranged in a tessellated pattern with differing cross-sections, allowing for a randomized appearance while maintaining design simplicity and effective beam shaping, achieved by duplicating a rotational symmetric optic into multiple individual reflectors and adjusting their shapes to reduce dark areas and enhance optical efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple small light sources with individual optics are used to achieve proper beam shaping in slim downlights, then beam shaping quality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase due to alignment requirements and thermal expansion effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lighting system into multiple independent modules, each comprising a small light source and its own optic element. This segmentation allows each module to be designed and manufactured independently, simplifying the overall system while maintaining effective beam shaping through multiple small optics rather than one large optic
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal mounting structure and common platform that can accommodate multiple different optic types and configurations. This universal design allows the system to handle thermal expansion and alignment variations through a standardized interface that works across all modules, reducing manufacturing complexity
2Shape
If a randomized pattern of louvre cells is created to achieve aesthetic appearance, then visual appeal is improved, but design and engineering work increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric and irregularly shaped louvre cells arranged in non-repeating patterns to create an aesthetically pleasing randomized appearance. The cells vary in shape, size, and orientation while maintaining functional performance, achieving visual appeal without requiring completely unique designs for each cell
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different louvre cell shapes and configurations to specific local areas based on functional requirements and aesthetic goals. Rather than designing every cell uniquely, local variations are introduced strategically to achieve the desired randomized look while maintaining manufacturing efficiency
3Ease of manufacture
If classic louvre layouts are used for ease of design, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but artefact patterns are created in the beam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately introduces asymmetric and irregular louvre cell patterns to break up the regular geometric patterns that cause artefacts in the light beam. By varying cell shapes, sizes, and arrangements, the design maintains manufacturing simplicity while eliminating the hexagonal or grid patterns that create unwanted visual artefacts
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 a slim, aesthetically pleasing lighting unit with improved beam control and glare properties, allowing for efficient passive and active cooling, and can be integrated into various spaces with tunable spectral distribution and intensity control.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light sources configured to provide light source light; a light exit unit configured for escape of at least part of said lighting unit light from the lighting unit, wherein the light exit unit comprises a louvre unit comprising a plurality of louvre cells for beam shaping the lighting unit light
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C(I)~1C(II)
Figure 2A
AI summary
The invention provides a lighting unit (1000) comprising (i) a plurality of light sources (10) for generation of lighting unit light (1001), and (ii) a light exit unit (200) for escape of at least part of said lighting unit light (1001) from the lighting unit (1000), wherein the light exit unit (200) comprises a louvre unit (1200) comprising a plurality of louvre cells (210) for beam shaping the lighting unit light (1001), wherein the plurality of louvre cells (210) comprises a plurality of n subsets each comprising a respective plurality of m louvre cells (210), wherein the louvre cells (210) of each subset are configured as domain of adjoining louvre cells (210), wherein a respective plurality of k louvre cells (210) within each domain have mutually differing louvre cell cross-sections, wherein 3≤n≤100000, wherein 5≤m≤21, and wherein 5≤k≤m.