Secondary Optical Element Free-Form Surface Glare Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED illumination systems suffer from uneven illumination and high glare due to Lambertian emission patterns, leading to discomfort and low light extraction efficiency in glare reduction techniques like side-lit panels and grille lamps.
Innovation Solution
A secondary optical element with a curved first light incidence surface, a free-form second light emitting surface, and a connecting surface, designed to control light emission patterns and enhance uniformity, is integrated into a light source module to reduce glare and improve illumination uniformity while maintaining high light extraction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional LED illumination with Lambertian emission pattern is used, then the structure is simple, but the illumination uniformity is poor and glare is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved surfaces including a recessed first light incidence surface and a free-form second light emitting surface to control light propagation paths. The curvature of these surfaces redirects light to achieve uniform illumination distribution while reducing glare, transforming the simple planar LED structure into an optimized optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies geometric parameters of the optical element including the radius of curvature of the first light incidence surface, the shape of the free-form second light emitting surface, and the included angle of the connecting surface. These parameter optimizations enable the system to achieve high illumination uniformity (90% or above) while controlling glare.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If side-lit panel light or traditional grille lamp is used to reduce glare, then glare is reduced, but light extraction efficiency becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secondary optical element as an intermediary component between the LED light source and the target illumination plane. This optical element with specifically designed curved surfaces acts as a mediator that simultaneously achieves glare reduction and maintains high light extraction efficiency by controlling light distribution without the losses associated with traditional grille lamps or side-lit panels.
Solution Approach 2:
By optimizing geometric parameters including the radius of curvature of the first light incidence surface and the shape of the free-form second light emitting surface, the patent achieves a balance between glare reduction and light extraction efficiency, overcoming the trade-off present in conventional solutions.
3Area of stationary object
If the second light emitting surface diameter is increased beyond the second light incidence surface diameter, then illumination coverage is improved, but the optical path control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a free-form curved surface design for the second light emitting surface that extends beyond the second light incidence surface. This curved geometry naturally guides light rays to achieve broader illumination coverage while the specific surface profile maintains controlled light paths, avoiding the need for complex additional optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar optical element to a three-dimensional free-form surface structure. The free-form second light emitting surface utilizes dimensional complexity to achieve both expanded coverage area and controlled light paths through its spatial geometry, rather than requiring additional optical elements.
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 effectively reduces glare and enhances illumination uniformity while achieving high light extraction efficiency, outperforming traditional methods by controlling light emission patterns and utilizing a free-form surface design in direct illumination type light source modules.
Implementation Method 1
a first light incidence surface, which is a curved surface recessed toward the light emitting surface
Implementation Method 2
the included angle between the connecting surface and the second light incidence surface in the secondary optical element is within a range of 125 degrees to 145 degrees
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary optical element including a light incidence surface, a light emitting surface, and a connecting surface is provided. The light incidence surface includes a first and a second light incidence surfaces. The first light incidence surface is a curved surface recessed toward the light emitting surface. The light emitting surface is opposite to the light incidence surface and includes a first and a second light emitting surfaces. The first light emitting surface is a free-form surface recessed toward the light incidence surface or a flat surface. The second light emitting surface is a free-form surface. A diameter of the second light emitting surface is larger than a diameter of the second light incidence surface, and the connecting surface is connected between the second light incidence surface and the second light emitting surface. A light source module is also provided.