Polygonal Beam Reflector with Constrictions for Uniform Illumination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rectangular reflectors suffer from low efficiency due to multiple reflections at corners, leading to reduced light intensity in corner areas of the beam.

Innovation Solution

A calyx-shaped reflector with channel-shaped shell segments and constrictions eliminates corners by using convex, inwardly projecting constrictions, ensuring direct and indirect rays have the same break-off angles, reducing multiple reflections and enhancing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If conventional rectangular reflectors are used to generate a polygonal beam, then the desired rectangular or square light distribution is achieved, but multiple reflections occur at the corners leading to low efficiency and reduced light intensity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolygonal beam cross-sectionVSAvoidlight intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The reflector is divided into multiple channel-shaped shell segments that are arranged adjacently to form the complete reflector. Each segment is independently contoured and optimized, with constrictions at the boundaries preventing corner multiple reflections. This segmentation allows the reflector to achieve polygonal beam shaping while avoiding the efficiency losses associated with conventional corner designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If rectangular reflectors with parallel flanks are used, then a rectangular beam is produced, but corner areas experience multiple reflections that reduce efficiency and light intensity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight output efficiencyVSAvoidcorner area illumination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The reflector shell segments feature asymmetric contoured surfaces with constrictions at the boundaries. These constrictions create an asymmetric geometry that prevents light rays from undergoing multiple reflections in the corner areas, thereby improving overall efficiency and maintaining high light intensity in corner regions of the beam.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Shape

If conventional reflector designs are used, then polygonal radiation break is achieved, but uniform light distribution is compromised due to light/dark rings and non-uniform illumination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolygonal radiation breakVSAvoiduniformity of light distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the reflector shell segments are given different local qualities through their contoured surfaces. The constrictions at segment boundaries and the specific curvature profiles of each segment are locally optimized to control light reflection patterns, ensuring that direct and indirect rays achieve the same break-off angles and producing uniform light distribution without visible light/dark rings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design achieves a uniform, high-efficiency light distribution with a polygonal beam, such as rectangular or square, without light/dark rings, ensuring even illumination across the irradiated area.

Implementation Method 1

a reflector which captures the light emitted by the light source and emits a beam of rays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3051204B1Lamp with polygonal radiance outline
Publication Date: 2017.10.04 BARTENBACH HLDG
  • EP3051204B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3051204B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP3051204B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a luminaire with at least one light source and a reflector that captures light emitted by the light source and emits a beam of light with a polygonal cross-section, in particular approximately rectangular. The invention further relates to a luminaire system with a plurality of such luminaires, and a reflector for such a luminaire. According to the invention, the reflector has a chalice-shaped reflector body with several constrictions, between which concave, arcuately contoured reflector shell segments are provided, wherein the reflector body and its reflector shell segments are contoured such that the indirect rays reflected by the reflector body and the direct rays emitted directly past the reflector by the light source have essentially the same angles of incidence.