Retroreflector Illumination Device for Glare Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting solutions, such as those using fluorescent lamps or 3D halo effect display devices, struggle to effectively capture attention in interior and exterior settings due to limitations in glare reduction and attention-grabbing capabilities, especially in environments with multiple advertisements.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device featuring a light source with a retroreflector having a high retroreflection coefficient and optical elements with a refractive index of at least 1.6, which creates a blurred, structured real image of the light source that can be easily observed from various angles, enhancing attention and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional light sources (fluorescent lamps) are used with specular louvres and reflectors to reduce glare, then glare is reduced, but manufacturing effort and device complexity increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the glare reduction function from complex mechanical components (louvers, reflectors) and implements it through the optical properties of the retroreflector itself. The retroreflector's ability to return light to its source inherently reduces glare without requiring additional shielding components, thus simplifying the device while maintaining glare reduction effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The retroreflector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the primary illumination reflection, reduces glare through its retroreflective properties, and creates the light phenomenon for visual attraction. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate glare reduction components, resolving the contradiction between glare control and device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional lamps with flashing or pulsing are used to attract attention, then attention is captured initially, but passers-by become accustomed and the effect diminishes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses changes in the visual characteristics of the light phenomenon (brightness, spatial distribution, angular visibility) rather than simple on-off pulsing. The retroreflector creates a stable yet visually striking light phenomenon that maintains attention through its unique optical properties rather than repetitive temporal patterns, preventing habituation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from temporal modulation (flashing/pulsing) to spatial and optical dimension modulation. The retroreflector creates a three-dimensional light phenomenon with specific angular characteristics that provides continuous visual interest through its spatial properties rather than temporal repetition, extending the duration of attention effectively.
3Ease of manufacture
If a retroreflector with high retroreflection coefficient and refractive index >=1.6 is used, then attention factor and viewing stability increase significantly, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifies parameter ranges (refractive index >=1.6, retroreflection coefficient >=10 cd/(lx m2)) that balance performance with manufacturability. These parameter thresholds provide clear manufacturing targets while ensuring sufficient optical performance, resolving the contradiction between achieving high attention factor and maintaining reasonable manufacturing precision requirements.
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 significantly increases the attention factor and viewing stability of the light source's image, making it more noticeable and visible from different directions, even in daylight conditions, while providing glare-free illumination.
Implementation Method 1
a retroreflector (2) mechanically connected to the light source (1) and having a retroreflector value of at least 10 cd/(lx m2) at the wavelength
Implementation Method 2
comprises optical elements with a refractive index of at least 1.6 at the wavelength
Data Source
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Figure 7~8
AI summary
The invention relates to an illumination device having a light source (1) for emitting light in a spectral range of the visible light spectrum, and a retroreflector (2) connected mechanically to said light source (1). The retroreflector (2) comprises optical elements (22) with a refractive index of at least 1.6 and has a retroreflection coefficient (RA) of at least 10 cd/(lx m²) in the spectral range.