Peripheral Light-Emitting Fixture for Skylight-Like Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED-based lighting fixtures often provide inferior performance and aesthetics, particularly in integrating with architectural features in a cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing manner, and the installation of skylights or windows is impractical or impossible in many spaces.
Innovation Solution
A lighting fixture with peripheral light emission features, including a light-transmissive panel and waveguides, is designed to mimic the appearance of a skylight or window, using control circuitry to adjust light intensity and color temperature dynamically, and may include peripheral reflectors for indirect illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional LED-based lighting fixtures are used, then energy efficiency and lighting quality are improved, but integration with architectural features is difficult and aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting fixture is divided into distinct functional modules: a light-transmissive panel for natural light simulation, peripheral waveguides for edge illumination, and separate reflector components. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates integration with various architectural features while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture replicates the appearance and light distribution characteristics of traditional skylights and windows using artificial LED components. The light-transmissive panel copies the function of glass panes, while peripheral waveguides simulate the edge lighting effects, creating a visually similar product without requiring actual architectural openings.
2Illumination intensity
If skylights are installed to provide natural light, then illumination quality and ambiance are improved, but installation is impractical or impossible in many spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture creates a visual and functional copy of a skylight using LED technology. The light-transmissive panel combined with peripheral waveguides reproduces the appearance and light distribution of a real skylight, providing the same illumination benefits without requiring actual roof penetrations or architectural openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical installation of physical skylights (requiring roof access, structural support, and sealing) with an LED-based lighting system that can be installed in ceiling openings or recesses. This substitution eliminates the complex mechanical installation requirements while achieving the same lighting function.
3Illumination intensity
If ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures are used, then illumination is provided, but light distribution is hard and uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system segments light emission into multiple controlled zones: central light-transmissive panel area and peripheral waveguide areas. Each zone can be independently controlled to optimize light distribution, eliminating harsh shadows and creating uniform illumination across the space.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture incorporates dynamic control capabilities that allow adjustment of light intensity and color temperature in different zones. This dynamic adjustment enables optimization of light distribution patterns to achieve uniform illumination while adapting to different spatial requirements and architectural contexts.
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 lighting fixture effectively simulates natural light conditions, enhancing the perceived ambiance and functionality of interior spaces without the need for actual skylights or windows, offering cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing illumination.
Implementation Method 1
a light-transmissive panel configured to be recessed, at least one waveguide positioned along a perimeter of the light-transmissive panel
Implementation Method 2
at least one waveguide positioned along a perimeter of the light-transmissive panel and transverse to the light-transmissive panel
Implementation Method 3
separate light sources configured to illuminate the light-transmissive panel and the at least one waveguide
Implementation Method 4
peripheral reflectors for indirect illumination
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting fixture incorporates a peripheral light emission feature, such as a peripheral waveguide and/or a peripheral reflector region. A peripheral light emission feature may at least partially surround a non-peripheral feature that may include a light-transmissive panel. At least one first light source may illuminate a peripheral light emission feature, and at least one second light source may illuminate a light transmissive panel. Control circuitry is configured to selectively adjust intensity and/or color temperature of the light sources to cause aggregate emissions of the lighting fixture (or a lighting system with multiple lighting fixtures) to dynamically change over time (e.g., with different intensities and color temperature), so as resemble a skylight or window. A viewer may thereby perceive at least portions of a space as being naturally illuminated.