Planar Light Guide with Grooves for Dual-Surface Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern high-efficiency lighting fixtures, such as those using LED technology, often fail to adequately illuminate the ceiling above the fixture, leading to dark or shadowed areas, which can be unsettling and complicate design, increasing manufacturing costs, reducing reliability, and increasing energy requirements when separate light sources are used for ceiling illumination.
Innovation Solution
A luminaire design that includes a light source, a mounting member, and a light directing member, such as a planar light guide with grooves, to direct light both toward and away from a mounting surface, optimizing light distribution and reducing the need for additional light sources by using a light blocking member to redirect light downward.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a single light source is used in modern lighting fixtures, then energy consumption is reduced and efficiency is improved, but the ceiling above the fixture remains dark and shadowed
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is segmented into multiple zones with different groove configurations. The first zone has grooves that redirect light upward toward the ceiling, while the second zone has grooves that redirect light downward toward the mounting surface. This segmentation allows a single light source to simultaneously illuminate both the ceiling and the area below, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and illumination coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light guide are given different local qualities through varying groove patterns. The first region has grooves oriented to reflect light upward, while the second region has grooves oriented to reflect light downward. This local differentiation enables the single light source to provide directed illumination in multiple directions, eliminating dark ceiling areas without requiring additional light sources.
2Illumination intensity
If a separate light source is added to illuminate the ceiling, then ceiling illumination is improved, but manufacturing costs increase and design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide structure is designed to perform multiple functions using a single light source. By incorporating different groove configurations in different zones, the same light guide that normally only illuminates the area below the fixture is modified to also illuminate the ceiling. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate ceiling light source, reducing design complexity and manufacturing costs while achieving comprehensive illumination.
3Illumination intensity
If a separate light source is added to illuminate the ceiling, then ceiling illumination is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ceiling illumination function with the existing light source and light guide structure. By integrating different groove patterns into the same light guide component, the design combines what would traditionally require two separate light sources into a single integrated unit. This merging approach reduces the number of parts, simplifies assembly, and lowers manufacturing costs while achieving the desired ceiling illumination.
4Illumination intensity
If a separate light source is added to illuminate the ceiling, then ceiling illumination is improved, but energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide incorporates dynamic light redirection through strategically positioned grooves that channel light in different directions based on the light's path through the structure. The first zone's grooves dynamically redirect upward-traveling light toward the ceiling, while the second zone's grooves redirect downward-traveling light toward the mounting surface. This dynamic light management allows a single light source to serve multiple illumination needs, reducing total energy requirements compared to using separate light sources for ceiling and floor illumination.
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 luminaire effectively illuminates both the floor and ceiling with a single light source, enhancing user comfort, reducing claustrophobia, and improving the aesthetic appearance while minimizing manufacturing costs and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
each groove adapted to internally reflect light propagating through the light guide from the light emitter in a direction toward the second opposing surface
Data Source
AI summary
Luminaires that simultaneously illuminate a support surface (for example, a floor) and the surface to which the luminaires are mounted (for example, a ceiling) and methods for manufacturing the same are disclosed. Embodiments include luminaires that divide the light from a single light emitter (which may include one or more light sources such as LEDs) into a portion directed toward the luminaire's mounting surface and a portion directed toward the support surface. Some embodiments utilize a planar light guide with the light emitter mounted adjacent one edge, which in some embodiments is the internal edge of an aperture formed in the planar light guide. In some embodiments, one surface of the light guide includes grooves that internally reflect light toward the support surface while allowing a smaller amount of light to exit the light guide toward the mounting surface, and may be grouped according to the distance separating adjacent grooves.