Sealed Optical System for Uniform Area Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED illumination systems face challenges in providing uniform and reliable area lighting, especially in varying environments, due to issues with fouling and exposure to water or dust, which can affect their performance and longevity.
Innovation Solution
An optical system comprising a substrate with light sources, a light-shaping panel with integrated optics, and a sealing membrane that provides a seal between the substrate and the light-shaping panel, allowing for efficient light distribution while protecting against environmental factors, meeting IP66 or higher standards for dust and water resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LED illumination systems are used for area lighting, then energy consumption is reduced and lifetime is increased, but the systems are susceptible to fouling and environmental damage
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent sealing membrane is applied over the light-shaping panel to create a protective barrier that prevents dust, water, and other environmental contaminants from reaching the LED light sources and optical components, while maintaining light transmission for effective area lighting
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system is divided into separate functional layers including a substrate with mounted LEDs, a light-shaping panel with optical elements, and a transparent sealing membrane, allowing each component to be optimized and protected independently
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional LED systems are mounted on flat PCBs, then manufacturing is simplified, but uniform light distribution over large areas is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
A light-shaping panel with integrated optical elements acts as an intermediary between the LED light sources and the target area, redistributing light to achieve uniform illumination patterns while maintaining the simple PCB mounting structure
Solution Approach 2:
The light-shaping panel serves multiple functions: it distributes light uniformly across large areas, protects the LED components, and can be configured with various optical patterns for different area lighting applications
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 optical system ensures consistent and uniform light distribution, enhances durability by preventing fouling and water ingress, and maintains performance in diverse environments, including indoor and outdoor applications.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing membrane can include two opposed adhesive surfaces such that one of the adhesive surfaces is in contact with at least a portion of the substrate and the other adhesive surface is in contact with at least a portion of the light-shaping panel so as to provide a seal between the substrate and the light-shaping panel
Implementation Method 2
The optics can be configured to re-direct the received light such that the optics collectively provide a substantially rectangular output light distribution
Data Source
AI summary
Environmentally sealed optical systems, and methods for sealing them, are disclosed. Such optical systems include area lighting panels and other optical systems. For example, in one exemplary aspect of the invention, a sealed optical system includes a substrate having first and second light sources disposed thereon, and a light-shaping panel with first and second optics formed therein that are positioned (e.g., aligned) to receive light from the first and second light sources, respectively. A sealing membrane is disposed between the substrate and the light-shaping panel, with a first adhesive surface contacting the substrate and a second adhesive surface contacting the light-shaping panel. The sealing membrane has first and second openings formed therein that allow light to pass from the first and second light sources to the first and second optics, respectively, while allowing the sealing membrane to independently seal the light sources from one another and from the external environment.