Remote Light Guide Assembly for Shadow-Free Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light assemblies, such as searchlights, suffer from shadows and weak spots in the light pattern due to the light source being positioned within the reflective volume, leading to reduced efficiency and the need for larger reflectors to compensate, which can generate heat and further reduce efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A light assembly design where the light source is positioned outside the reflective volume, with a light guide directing the light beam to the focal point of the reflector, minimizing shadows and using an optically-transparent material for total internal reflection and a tapered tip to ensure all light is reflected, eliminating the need for large reflectors and reducing heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the light source is positioned within the reflective volume of the reflector, then the light assembly can achieve compact design, but shadows and weak spots are created in the light pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is extracted from the reflective volume and repositioned externally. A light guide is introduced to transport light from the external source to the focal point of the reflector. This extraction eliminates the shadow-casting problem while maintaining compact design through the light guide's efficient light transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
A light guide acts as an intermediary component between the external light source and the reflector's focal point. The light guide transmits light through total internal reflection, enabling the light source to be positioned outside the reflective volume while still achieving effective illumination at the focal point.
2Illumination intensity
If large reflectors are used to compensate for shadows and weak spots, then light pattern uniformity is improved, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the light source from the reflective volume and using a light guide to deliver light precisely to the focal point, the reflector size can be reduced. This eliminates the need for large reflectors that generate excessive heat, while still achieving uniform light patterns through precise light delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial parameter of the light source position from inside to outside the reflective volume. This parameter change enables the use of smaller reflectors with reduced heat generation, while the light guide ensures adequate light delivery to maintain pattern uniformity.
3Illumination intensity
If the light source is positioned outside the reflective volume, then shadows and heat generation are reduced, but light delivery to the focal point becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide serves as an intermediary that simplifies the overall system by enabling external light source positioning. While the light guide itself is an additional component, it provides a clean and efficient solution for light transmission, avoiding the complexity of trying to position the source internally without shadows.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the direct mechanical positioning of the light source within the reflective volume with an optical transmission system (light guide). This substitution allows the light source to be positioned externally while maintaining effective light delivery through optical principles of total internal reflection.
4Ease of manufacture
If wiring and frame are disposed within the light emission envelope, then electrical connection and mounting are simplified, but additional shadows and weak spots are produced
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the light source and its associated wiring and mounting structures from the light emission envelope, the invention eliminates the shadows and weak spots caused by these components. The light guide enables electrical connection and mounting to occur outside the critical light path area.
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 enhances light assembly efficiency by eliminating shadows and weak spots, ensuring all light is reflected, and reduces heat generation, resulting in a more focused and efficient light output.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide may be configured to direct the light beam(s) from the input end to the output end through total internal reflection
Implementation Method 2
A typical searchlight includes an arc lamp that outputs light that is reflected by conic mirrors
Data Source
AI summary
A light assembly may include a reflector having a reflective surface that defines an internal volume. A focal point is within the internal volume. A light source may be positioned outside of the internal volume of the reflector. The light source is configured to generate at least one light beam. A light guide may include an input end proximate to the light source and an output end proximate to the reflective surface. The light guide is configured to receive the light beam(s) at the input end and direct the light beam(s) out of the output end toward the reflective surface.