Rotatable Optical Elements for Adjustable Beam Aspect Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting fixtures lack the ability to adjust the beam aspect ratio, limiting their flexibility in directing light effectively for specific applications that require non-round, elongated beams.
Innovation Solution
A lighting fixture design featuring an array of light sources in one plane and corresponding optical elements in another, allowing the optical elements to be rotatable relative to the light sources, thereby adjusting the beam aspect ratio from round to elongated by varying the rotation of the optical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fixed beam shape optics are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different lighting applications is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the optical element rotatable relative to the light source array, enabling the beam aspect ratio to be dynamically adjusted from round to elongated shapes. This rotation mechanism allows the same optical hardware to adapt to different lighting applications without requiring multiple custom-designed optics, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and adaptability.
2Manufacturing precision
If custom optics are designed for specific beam widths, then beam shape precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of designing multiple custom optics for different beam widths, the patent uses a single optical element that can be rotated to achieve different beam aspect ratios. This dynamic adjustment approach maintains manufacturing precision for beam shape while avoiding the complexity of multiple custom optical designs and their associated alignment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the optical element universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions - producing both round and elongated beams - through simple rotation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized optics, thereby maintaining beam shape precision while reducing overall device complexity.
3Device complexity
If round beam optics are used, then optical design is simplified, but applicability to non-round lighting scenarios is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent starts with a simplified round beam optical design and adds a rotation capability to the optical element. This allows the system to maintain the simplicity of round beam optics while gaining the versatility to produce elongated beams when needed, effectively resolving the contradiction between optical design simplicity and beam shape variety.
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
Enables the production of light beams with adjustable aspect ratios, enhancing flexibility and optimization for various lighting applications by allowing the beam to be adjusted from round to elongated, improving directional lighting capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system including one or more reflective or refractive optics to collimate, shape, and mix the light output
Implementation Method 2
an optical system including one or more reflective or refractive optics to collimate, shape, and mix the light output
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting fixture includes an array of light sources arranged in a first plane. A corresponding array of optical elements is arranged in a second plane parallel to the first plane. The array of optical elements is further configured to be rotatable relative to the array of light sources along an axis of rotation, while also enabling each optical element to remain in the second plane. As a result the light fixture produces an output beam with an aspect ratio determined by an amount of rotation of the array of optical elements, such that the output beam can range from round, to oval, to elliptical.