Radial Lighting Device with Funnel Reflectors and Flat Mirrors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices with small light distribution angles require large parabolic mirrors, making them bulky and difficult to integrate into thin form factors, and previous designs with multiple light sources in a plane struggle to achieve both thinness and high light intensity with efficient collimation.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device design featuring radially disposed light source units with funnel-shaped reflectors and mirrors that redirect light perpendicular to the major surface, utilizing a parabolic inner wall and a compact light guide structure to achieve collimated light emission while minimizing device thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a parabolic mirror is used to acquire collimated light, then light collimation is improved, but device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single parabolic mirror into multiple flat mirrors arranged in a specific geometric configuration. Each flat mirror segment reflects light from LED sources to contribute to the overall collimated beam, eliminating the need for a large curved parabolic surface while maintaining collimation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional curved parabolic surface to a three-dimensional arrangement of multiple flat mirrors in space. By positioning mirrors at specific angles and locations around the LED sources, the system achieves collimation through spatial arrangement rather than relying on a single large curved surface extending in one dimension.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are disposed in a plane, then light intensity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple LED light sources and multiple flat mirrors into integrated assemblies where each LED is paired with specific mirrors. This merging approach allows the system to achieve high light intensity through multiple sources while reducing overall complexity by creating modular, coordinated units rather than separate independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric arrangement of LEDs and mirrors, with LEDs positioned at specific locations and mirrors oriented at different angles relative to each other. This asymmetric configuration optimizes light collection and reflection paths, achieving high intensity output while simplifying the structural design compared to symmetric arrangements that would require more components.
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 enables the creation of a thin, high-intensity lighting device with efficient light collimation, reducing light loss and allowing for flexible light spot control and placement, while maintaining a compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality of the light source units including a funnel shaped reflector, which has an opening and a neck, and an LED light source disposed at the neck; a plurality of mirrors being disposed opposing to the plurality of openings of the light source units, in which the mirrors reflect light emitted from the plurality of the light source units to the direction perpendicular to the major surface
Implementation Method 2
at least a part of a cross section of the inner wall along the light axis is parabolic
Data Source
AI summary
The purpose is to realize a lighting device of thin, small light distribution angle and high intensity illumination. The invention is: a lighting device, which emits light in a direction perpendicular to a normal surface, including: light source units, disposed radially with a certain azimuth with respect to a center of the lighting device, each of the light source units, having an optical axis parallel to the major surface, and emitting light toward the center of the lighting device, each of the light source units including a funnel shaped reflector, which has an opening and a neck, and an LED light source disposed at the neck, mirrors disposed opposing to the openings of the light source units, in which the mirrors reflect light emitted from the light source units to the direction perpendicular to the major surface.