Pixelated Solid-State Luminaire with Electro-Optic Tunable Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional lighting fixtures rely on mechanical adjustments for beam direction and distribution, which are costly, complex, and pose safety concerns due to the need for manual operation and maintenance, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
Innovation Solution
A luminaire with solid-state lamps mounted on a housing, featuring electro-optic tunable lenses and heat sinks for thermal management, and a controller for electronic control of light output, allowing for pixelated control over beam direction, angle, and distribution without mechanical movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical adjustment components (lenses, track heads, gimbal mounts) are used to adjust beam direction and distribution, then lighting flexibility and adjustability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The luminaire is divided into multiple independently controllable solid-state lamp units arranged in a grid pattern, where each lamp can be controlled individually to create different lighting patterns and distributions, eliminating the need for complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment systems (actuators, motors, movable lenses) with an electronic control system that uses solid-state lamps with electro-optic tunable lenses, allowing beam direction and distribution to be adjusted electronically without mechanical movement
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical adjustment components are used for beam control, then lighting direction adjustability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to manual adjustment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an electronic control system that can be programmed or remotely controlled, allowing beam direction and distribution to be changed without physical intervention in hard-to-reach areas
Solution Approach 2:
The solid-state lamps with electro-optic tunable lenses can be controlled automatically through electronic signals, enabling the system to adjust lighting patterns without requiring manual operation or maintenance
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional mechanical lighting fixtures are used, then beam control capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to mechanical wear and maintenance needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical components subject to wear (actuators, motors, movable parts) with solid-state electronic components and fixed optical elements, eliminating mechanical wear and significantly improving system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using movable mechanical parts to achieve beam control, the patent uses fixed solid-state lamps with electro-optic tunable lenses that can change optical properties electronically, inverting the traditional approach of mechanical movement
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 provides a flexible, cost-effective, and safe lighting system with adjustable light output, reducing the need for mechanical components and enabling easy installation and operation, suitable for various lighting applications with customizable beam patterns and distributions.
Implementation Method 1
an electro-optic tunable lens optically coupled with the one or more LEDs
Implementation Method 2
one or more heat sinks arranged on an exterior surface of the housing and coupled with the plurality of solid-state lamps through a wall of the housing
Implementation Method 3
one or more heat sinks arranged on an exterior surface of the housing and coupled with the plurality of solid-state lamps through a wall of the housing
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
A luminaire having an electronically adjustable light beam distribution is disclosed. In some embodiments, the disclosed luminaire includes a plurality of solid-state lamps mounted on one or more surfaces of a housing. The lamps can be electronically controlled individually and/or in conjunction with one another, for example, to provide highly adjustable light emissions from the luminaire (e.g., pixelated control over light distribution). In some cases, a given solid-state lamp may include tunable electro-optic componentry to provide it with its own electronically adjustable light beam. One or more heat sinks optionally may be mounted on the housing to assist with heat dissipation for the solid-state lamps. The luminaire can be configured to be mounted or as a free-standing lighting device, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the aperture through which the lamps provide illumination is smaller than the distribution area of the solid-state lamps of the luminaire.