Segmented Light-Guide Illumination for Uniform Multi-Element Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing illumination devices struggle to provide uniform and efficient illumination with desired chromaticity and intensity distributions for various lighting applications, lacking the flexibility to adapt to specific lighting needs.

Innovation Solution

The luminaire system incorporates optical couplers, a light guide, and an optical extractor to redirect and guide light from light-emitting elements, utilizing reflective surfaces and secondary reflectors to achieve tailored illumination patterns and chromaticity, allowing for customizable intensity distributions and reduced glare.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If multiple light emitting elements are used to provide sufficient illumination, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the uniformity of illumination deteriorates due to visible seams and gaps between elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination intensityVSAvoiduniformity of illumination
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination device divides the light guide into multiple segments, each coupled to a separate light emitting element. This segmentation allows each element to independently illuminate its designated region, achieving both sufficient overall intensity and uniform distribution without visible seams between elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A reflector is introduced as an intermediary component between the light emitting elements and the light guide. The reflector redirects light from multiple elements into the light guide segments, ensuring uniform illumination distribution and eliminating visible gaps while maintaining high illumination intensity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a complex optical system with multiple reflectors and light guides is used to achieve uniform illumination, then the uniformity of illumination is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of illuminationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into modular components (light emitting elements, light guide segments, and reflectors) that can be independently designed and assembled. This modular approach achieves uniform illumination while keeping each component relatively simple and the overall system manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide segments serve multiple functions: they guide light from specific elements, provide structural support, and define the illumination pattern. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining uniform illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If light emitting elements are arranged in a grid pattern to cover large areas, then the area of illumination is improved, but the visibility of seams between elements increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearea of illuminationVSAvoidvisibility of seams
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide is divided into multiple segments that correspond to individual light emitting elements. This segmentation allows for precise control of light distribution in each region, enabling large area coverage while maintaining uniform appearance and minimizing visible seams between elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Reflectors are positioned between adjacent light emitting elements to redirect and blend light from multiple elements into the light guide segments. This intermediary component effectively masks the boundaries between elements, reducing the visibility of seams while expanding the illuminated area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system provides highly uniform illumination with adjustable chromaticity and intensity distributions, enhancing aesthetic appeal and efficiency in various lighting applications, including office, task, and cabinet lighting.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide section (230) arranged to project from the housing section (110), outputting, from a branched outgoing surface (232), the light of the light source section (210) entered from an incident surface (231)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

one or more optical couplers (e.g., parabolic reflectors) that redirect illumination from the LEEs to a reflector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3406966B1Illumination devices including multiple light emitting elements
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 QUARKSTAR LLC
  • EP3406966B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3406966B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3406966B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2G

AI summary

A variety of illumination devices are disclosed that are configured to manipulate light provided by one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs). hi general, embodiments of the illumination devices feature one or more optical couplers that redirect illumination from the LEEs to a reflector which then directs the light into a range of angles, hi some embodiments, the illumination device includes a second reflector that reflects at least some of the light from the first reflector, hi certain embodiments, the illumination device includes a light guide that guides light from the collector to the first reflector. The components of the illumination device can be configured to provide illumination devices that can provide a variety of intensity distributions. Such illumination devices can be configured to provide light for particular lighting applications, including office lighting, task lighting, cabinetlighting, garage lighting, wall wash, stack lighting, and downlighting.