Segmented LED Reflector Optic for Beacon Light Energy Efficiency

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beacon lights, particularly those using LEDs, face issues with energy efficiency, size, weight, and light pollution, making them unsuitable for solar power usage and requiring additional machinery for installation, and they often fail to provide effective obstruction warnings due to poor light distribution.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates an LED reflector optic with a segmented reflector and strategically positioned LEDs to optimize light distribution, utilizing a conic cross-section for the reflecting surfaces to achieve a 360° angular distribution with reduced size and weight, and improved energy efficiency, allowing for increased use of solar power and reduced light pollution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If traditional beacon light designs are used, then light distribution is achieved, but energy efficiency is poor and device size and weight are large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The beacon light is divided into multiple segments, each containing an LED and an associated reflector. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for energy efficiency while reducing the overall device volume through modular construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reflectors are designed with conic cross-sections (parabolic, elliptical, or hyperbolic curves) that optimize light distribution patterns. These curved surfaces efficiently redirect LED light output to achieve desired illumination patterns while minimizing reflector size and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Use of energy by moving object

If traditional beacon light designs are used, then light distribution is achieved, but device weight is excessive requiring additional machinery for installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The beacon light is divided into multiple segments, each containing an LED and an associated reflector. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for energy efficiency while reducing the overall device volume through modular construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reflectors utilize conic cross-sections (parabolic, elliptical, or hyperbolic curves) that optimize light distribution patterns. These curved surfaces efficiently redirect LED light output to achieve desired illumination patterns while minimizing reflector size and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If traditional beacon light designs are used, then obstruction marking is provided, but light pollution is generated at undesired angles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobstruction warning effectivenessVSAvoidlight pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Each reflector segment is designed with specific conic cross-sections (parabolic, elliptical, or hyperbolic curves) that control light distribution in particular directions. This local optimization ensures light is directed where needed for obstruction warning while preventing illumination at undesired angles above and below the specified plane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The reflectors are designed with conic cross-sections (parabolic, elliptical, or hyperbolic curves) that optimize light distribution patterns. These curved surfaces efficiently redirect LED light output to achieve desired illumination patterns while minimizing reflector size and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 enhances light utilization by 45% compared to traditional designs, reduces device size and weight, and minimizes light pollution, enabling more efficient and sustainable beacon lights with improved obstruction warnings.

Implementation Method 1

a light-reflecting surface that reflects light arriving from inside the light-transmitting element back into the light-transmitting element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInternal reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2024678B1Beacon light with light-transmitting element and light-emitting diodes

Publication Date: 2016.08.24 DIALIGHT CORP

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AI summary

One embodiment of a light-emitting diode (LED) optic comprises a light-transmitting element having a plurality of segments, each segment associated with an optical axis and comprising a linearly projected cross-section. For each segment of the light-transmitting element, the LED optic comprises at least one LED positioned such that a central light-emitting axis of the at least one LED is angled at about 0° relative to the optical axis associated with that segment. In one embodiment, the about 0° has a tolerance of ±10°. Each segment of the light-transmitting element comprises a light-entering surface, a light-exiting surface and a light-reflecting surface. In one embodiment, for each segment the at least one LED comprises a plurality of LEDs.