Planar Light Guide with Spring-Loaded Profile for LED Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light emission technologies using plate-shaped light-guiding elements face challenges in achieving efficient and uniform light distribution while maintaining a flat design, requiring complex structures and assembly processes due to the need for precise alignment and positioning of LEDs relative to the light-guiding element.
Innovation Solution
An elongated profile element is used to hold and align the LED board, providing a spring force attachment to the light-guiding element and a clamping mechanism for secure positioning, simplifying the assembly and ensuring efficient light coupling, which allows for a simpler and more stable light engine design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If distributed LED arrangement with translucent cover is used, then light emission area is increased, but minimum height is required and design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional distributed LED arrangement requiring vertical space to a planar light guide element that distributes light across a two-dimensional surface. The light guide element with area of 100 cm² enables large-area illumination while maintaining minimal height by coupling LEDs to the light guide element's surface, allowing light to be emitted through the entire surface area rather than requiring vertical stacking or distance.
2Length of moving object
If plate-shaped light guide element is used for flat design, then height is reduced, but precise alignment and positioning of LEDs becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide element serves multiple functions: it acts as the mounting substrate for LEDs, provides the light distribution medium, defines the emission surface, and enables precise positioning through its structured design. The patent integrates these functions into a single component that simplifies assembly while maintaining the flat design advantage.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide element is pre-structured with specific geometric features including corner regions and edge configurations that facilitate precise LED positioning before assembly. The patent describes corner regions with specific dimensions and orientations that guide LED placement, ensuring correct alignment is achieved during assembly without requiring complex alignment procedures.
3Device complexity
If simple profile element is used to hold LED board, then assembly is simplified, but precise positioning and alignment may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The profile element is designed with self-aligning features including recesses, protrusions, and geometric constraints that automatically position the LED board correctly during assembly. The patent describes corner regions and edge configurations that guide the LED board into precise alignment without requiring external alignment tools or complex adjustment procedures, enabling simple assembly while maintaining manufacturing precision.
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 enables high-quality, uniform light output over a larger area with simplified assembly and reduced complexity, as the profile element ensures correct LED placement and supports the light-guiding element, facilitating easy integration into lamp housings.
Implementation Method 1
The profile part is attached to the light guide element by means of a clamping element which extends from the profile part to a side of the light guide element opposite to the longitudinal side on which the LED board is arranged and is fastened on one side to the profile part and on the other side to a region of the light guide element opposite the profile part.
Implementation Method 2
The light emitted by the LEDs is then coupled into the light guide element and distributed by means of multiple reflections.
Data Source
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AI summary
An arrangement for emitting light (100) has a planar light-guiding element (50) and at least one elongate LED circuit board (60) arranged at a longitudinal side (52) of the light-guiding element (50). Furthermore, an elongate profile element (10) for mounting the LED circuit board (60) is provided, wherein the profile element (10) furthermore also serves for mounting an edge region of the light-guiding element (50) and is secured thereto by means of spring force. The profile element (10) is secured to the light-guiding element (50) with the aid of a tensioning element (80), which extends from the profile element (10) to an opposite side of the light-guiding element (50) and is fixed firstly to the profile element (10) and secondly to a region of the light-guiding element (50) that is situated opposite the profile element (10).