Rod Light Guide with Gradient Diffusing Patterns for Uniform Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing illumination apparatuses with rod-like light guides experience nonuniformity in illumination intensity due to patterns for diffusing light, which becomes noticeable when the light guide and illuminated object approach each other, leading to high microscopic illumination intensity at positions with large intervals between diffusing patterns.
Innovation Solution
The illumination apparatus features a light guide with diffusing patterns whose intervals decrease with distance from the light incident surface, ensuring that the effect of light emission per unit length increases with distance, thereby reducing nonuniformity by adjusting the dimensions and intervals of the diffusing patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the intervals between diffusing patterns are large immediately next to the light incident surface, then the illumination intensity can be increased in that area, but the nonuniformity of illumination intensity becomes noticeable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the intervals between diffusing patterns position-dependent. Specifically, the intervals are set to be smaller in the first area (closer to the light incident surface) and larger in the second area (farther from the light incident surface). This local variation in pattern spacing compensates for the natural light intensity distribution, ensuring uniform overall illumination while maintaining high intensity where needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the light guide and illuminated object approach each other, then the illumination efficiency is improved, but the nonuniformity of illumination intensity is easily noticeable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses this contradiction by implementing position-dependent interval spacing of diffusing patterns. The smaller intervals in the first area (near the light incident surface) prevent noticeable nonuniformity when the light guide approaches the illuminated object, while the larger intervals in the second area maintain overall illumination efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If the intervals between patterns decrease with distance from the light incident surface, then the illumination intensity uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the interval parameter of diffusing patterns based on position. The intervals are designed to decrease with distance from the light incident surface, creating a gradient structure that achieves uniform illumination. This controlled parameter variation follows a predictable pattern that balances uniformity requirements with manufacturing feasibility.
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 configuration prevents or suppresses nonuniformity in illumination intensity, maintaining consistent output even when the distance between the illumination apparatus and the illuminated object changes, ensuring uniform illumination across the entire light diffusing surface.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide formed in a rod shape, wherein an end surface in a longitudinal direction is an incident surface that receives light emitted from the light source, wherein a light emission surface that emits light toward an illuminated object is formed in a long and thin band shape on a side surface
Implementation Method 2
patterns for diffusing the light are formed at predetermined intervals on the opposite side of the light emission surface of the light guide to make the illumination intensity uniform in the longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 3
The light emitted from the light emission surface is reflected by the illuminated object, and part of the reflected light enters inside of the light guide from the light emission surface
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination apparatus includes a light source and a light guide formed in a rod shape. An end surface in a longitudinal direction is an incident surface that receives light emitted from the light source. Diffusing patterns are formed on the light guide, and intervals between the diffusing patterns closer to the incident surface in a first area close to the incident surface are smaller than intervals between the diffusing patterns closer to the incident surface in a second area farther from the incident surface than the first area.