Segmented Compound Parabolic Reflector for Uniform Exterior Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exterior area lighting solutions, particularly for automobile dealerships, are inefficient in providing uniform rectangular illumination to the front and sides of luminaires, leading to energy wastage and potential violations of governmental regulations due to light trespass, while also being less effective in marketing products.
Innovation Solution
A luminaire design featuring a vertically oriented lamp and a compound parabolic reflector with segmented portions that direct light efficiently to specific target zones, minimizing energy consumption and light spillage, and utilizing a light shield to further reduce unwanted light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a horizontally mounted lamp is used to produce a rectangular lighting effect, then the illumination pattern is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is divided into multiple segmented portions, each with specific orientations to direct light to different target zones. This segmentation allows the vertically mounted lamp to achieve rectangular illumination patterns by directing light through different reflector segments, eliminating the need for horizontal mounting while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the reflector are designed with different orientations and shapes to serve specific local functions. The first, second, and third portions have distinct orientations that direct light to different areas, creating a rectangular pattern overall while maintaining vertical lamp orientation for energy efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional luminaires are used for exterior area lighting, then installation is simple, but light trespass increases causing energy waste
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is designed with different portions having specific orientations to direct light precisely to intended target zones. The first portion directs light to a first target zone, the second portion to a second target zone, and the third portion to a third target zone, minimizing light trespass to adjacent areas while maintaining ease of installation as a complete luminaire unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The light shield acts as an intermediary element that blocks and redirects light to prevent trespass. It works in conjunction with the segmented reflector portions to control light distribution, preventing energy waste from light trespass while maintaining the simplicity of the overall luminaire installation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If vertically oriented lamps are used to improve energy efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but rectangular illumination pattern is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is divided into multiple segmented portions, each with specific orientations to direct light to different target zones. This segmentation allows the vertically mounted lamp to achieve rectangular illumination patterns by directing light through different reflector segments, eliminating the need for horizontal mounting while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from changing the lamp orientation (one dimension) to changing the reflector geometry (another dimension). By orienting reflector portions at different angles and shapes, the system achieves rectangular illumination patterns without altering the vertical orientation of the lamp, thus maintaining energy efficiency.
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 luminaire provides bright, uniform illumination to the target area with reduced energy consumption and minimized light trespass, adhering to energy regulations and enhancing product visibility while controlling costs.
Implementation Method 1
a compound parabolic reflector in the housing. The housing includes walls defining a bottom opening through which light exits the housing.
Data Source
AI summary
Luminaires for illuminating a target zone having target zone subregions in front of and to the sides of the luminaire. The luminaire includes a housing, a lamp holder in the housing positioned to support an electric lamp in a generally vertical orientation, and a compound parabolic reflector in the housing partially surrounding a lamp light-emitting segment location having plural regions. Preferred forms of the compound parabolic reflector include segmented center and side portions. The preferred segmented center portion has a first plurality of two-dimensional parabolic segments each of which has a focal point in a different one of the plural light-emitting segment location regions. The preferred segmented side portions are each provided with a second plurality of two-dimensional parabolic segments having focal points along the light-emitting segment location. The parabolic segments are effective to direct a preponderance of light toward the plural target zone subregions.