Rotated TIR Lens Assembly for Directional Light Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens arrangements for directing light are complex to manufacture and do not efficiently focus or bundle light effectively, often requiring multiple lenses and parts.
Innovation Solution
A lens arrangement using two TIR lenses with differing reflection surfaces, arranged rotated relative to each other, allowing for directional light emission by aligning the incoupling and outcoupling areas and surfaces identically, reducing manufacturing complexity and improving light focusing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple different lenses or parts are used to achieve directional light emission, then light directionality is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric TIR lenses with non-rotationally symmetric reflective surfaces that are rotated relative to each other by a specific angle (e.g., 45 degrees). This asymmetric configuration enables directional light extraction while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as only one lens type needs to be produced and then rotated during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses identical TIR lenses that serve multiple functions: light coupling, light reflection, and light direction. By rotating identical lenses relative to each other, the system achieves directional light emission without requiring multiple different lens types, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining functionality.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple different lenses are used to focus light effectively, then light focusing is improved, but manufacturing effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses identical copies of the same TIR lens design, rotated relative to each other. This copying approach ensures consistent optical properties and focusing performance while significantly reducing manufacturing effort, as only one lens template needs to be manufactured with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetric reflective surfaces of the TIR lenses, when rotated relative to each other, create effective light focusing in specific directions. This asymmetric configuration achieves precise light control without requiring multiple different lens types, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If lenses with different reflective surfaces are used, then light directionality is improved, but the number of lens types increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs identical TIR lenses that, when rotated relative to each other, achieve different light directional functions. This universal lens design eliminates the need for multiple different lens types, reducing inventory complexity while maintaining the ability to direct light in specific directions through rotational positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces rotational orientation as an additional degree of freedom to achieve light directionality. Instead of creating different lens types for different directions, the system rotates identical lenses to different angular positions, thereby achieving directional control without increasing the number of lens types.
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 simplifies manufacturing by using only one type of lens, enhances light focusing and bundling, and allows for adjustable light directionality, improving the overall light output and efficiency of the lens assembly.
Implementation Method 1
Each lens has: an input region for coupling light into the lens, first and second reflective surfaces for the internal reflection of at least a portion of the light coupled in via the input region
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a lens arrangement (10) for directing the light emitted by a light source (5), comprising a first and a second lens (L1, L2) for total internal reflection of light, wherein the lenses (L1, L2) each have: an input region (1), first and second reflection surfaces (2, 3), and an output region (4).The lenses (L1, L2) are arranged such that their output coupling areas (4) are opposite each other and the lenses (L1, L2) are arranged rotated relative to each other with respect to a main emission direction such that light which is coupled into the first lens (L1) via the input coupling area (1) and is coupled out of the first lens (L1) via its output coupling area (4) is coupled into the second lens (L2) via its output coupling area (4) and is at least partially coupled out of its input coupling area (1) and at least one of the first and second reflection surfaces (2, 3) of the second lens (L2) in a directed manner.