Rippled Light Mixing Lens for Uniform Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light-mixing systems face challenges in producing uniformly mixed light, especially when dealing with light sources of different colors, due to limited efficiency and sub-par illumination characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A lens with a rippled light input interface that utilizes periodic surface oscillations to refract and redirect light, creating a substantially collimated beam through total internal reflection or specular reflection, enhancing light mixing and uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional light-mixing systems use textured surfaces to spread light, then light distribution is achieved, but light mixing uniformity deteriorates and illumination characteristics become sub-par
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by using a rippled surface with periodic oscillations instead of conventional flat or simply textured surfaces. The curved, oscillating surface profile refracts light in a controlled manner to achieve uniform mixing while maintaining good illumination characteristics. The periodic curvature variations create consistent light redistribution patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface geometry parameters by introducing periodic oscillations with specific amplitudes and frequencies. By controlling the ripple amplitude (10 micrometers to 1 millimeter) and frequency (5/π to 180/π radian⁻¹), the system optimizes both light distribution and mixing uniformity simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional systems attempt to mix light from multiple sources, then light mixing capability is provided, but efficiency deteriorates and chromaticity uniformity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The rippled surface optic serves multiple functions: it mixes light from single or multiple sources, collimates light beams, and maintains chromaticity uniformity. This universal design allows the same optical element to handle various light source configurations efficiently, improving both adaptability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved rippled surface efficiently redirects light rays from multiple sources through refraction and total internal reflection, achieving uniform mixing in a compact configuration. The periodic curvature variations create multiple light paths that converge to produce uniform output, improving mixing efficiency for multi-source applications.
3Manufacturing precision
If light is redirected through the lens body to achieve mixing, then light uniformity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines light mixing, collimation, and uniformity control functions into a single integrated rippled surface optic. By merging these functions into one component rather than using separate elements, the system achieves improved light uniformity while actually reducing overall device complexity compared to multi-component systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic curvature of the rippled surface naturally guides light through the lens body in a controlled manner, achieving uniform distribution without requiring complex internal structures or multiple optical elements. The geometric design alone provides the necessary light redirection and mixing functionality.
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 achieves improved light uniformity and reduced chromaticity variations, allowing for efficient mixing of light from single or multiple sources, including LEDs, resulting in a more uniform far-field and near-field light intensity profile.
Implementation Method 1
A lens with a rippled light input interface that utilizes periodic surface oscillations to refract and redirect light
Implementation Method 2
the peripheral surface of the lens body is configured to redirect the light it receives via the rippled surface of the input interface by total internal reflection (TIR)
Implementation Method 3
the peripheral surface of the lens body is configured to redirect such received light by specular reflection (e.g., via reflection from a thin metallic layer disposed on that surface)
Data Source
AI summary
In some aspects, an optic is disclosed that includes a light input interface having a rippled surface that can mix the light incident thereon as the light propagates within the optic from the rippled surface to a peripheral surface of the optic, which is configured to redirect the light incident thereon to an output surface through which the light exits the optic.