Segmented Reflector for Dynamic Lighting Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional lighting devices primarily provide general illumination without creating visual interest or conveying dynamic functionality, as they lack the ability to produce observable patterns of light reflection that can differentiate between light sources with varying spectral characteristics or intensities.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a reflector with distinct features that reflect light from multiple groups of controllable light emitters in different manners, allowing a controller to independently manage the emission of light with different spectral characteristics or intensities, creating observable patterns visible on the reflector while maintaining uniform illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple light emitters with different spectral characteristics are combined to produce white light for general illumination, then the illumination function is improved, but the ability to create visual interest and convey dynamic functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device segments the light emitters into multiple groups (e.g., first group emitting at first color temperature, second group emitting at second color temperature) and segments the reflector into multiple features (e.g., first feature, second feature) that independently reflect light from different groups. This segmentation allows each segment to contribute differently to the overall illumination while maintaining the ability to create distinguishable reflected light patterns, thus resolving the contradiction between providing uniform illumination and creating visual interest.
Solution Approach 2:
Different features of the reflector are designed with different local qualities - each feature is adapted to reflect light in a specific manner characteristic of its associated light emitter group. For example, the first feature may be optimized to reflect light at the first color temperature while the second feature reflects light at the second color temperature. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain uniform overall illumination while creating visually distinguishable patterns that convey dynamic functionality.
2Illumination intensity
If a reflector is used to combine light from multiple different colors of light emitters to produce white light, then the illumination quality is improved, but the visibility of different lighting characteristics deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is segmented into multiple distinct features, where each feature is associated with a specific group of light emitters and reflects their light in a characteristic manner. This segmentation prevents the complete mixing of different spectral characteristics, allowing observers to detect and distinguish the different lighting characteristics (e.g., different color temperatures) as separate reflected light patterns while still achieving combined white light illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
Each feature of the reflector has optimized local reflective properties tailored to its associated light emitter group. This local optimization ensures that light from different emitter groups maintains its characteristic properties when reflected, making the different lighting characteristics visible and distinguishable to observers while the overall system provides high-quality white light illumination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If light emitters are controlled to emit light with different spectral characteristics, then the tunable functionality is improved, but the uniformity of illumination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments light emitters into multiple controllable groups, where each group can be independently controlled to emit light with different spectral characteristics (e.g., different color temperatures). This segmentation enables tunable functionality by allowing different groups to be activated or adjusted independently, while the segmented reflector features help maintain uniform overall illumination by directing each group's light through characteristic reflection patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
Each reflector feature is designed with local reflective properties optimized for its associated light emitter group, ensuring that even when different spectral characteristics are emitted, the overall illumination remains uniform. The local quality of each feature compensates for spectral differences by creating characteristic reflection patterns that contribute to uniform visual output while preserving the tunable functionality of different light groups.
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
This solution enhances lighting devices by providing both functional white light illumination and visual interest, allowing observers to perceive dynamic or tunable functionality through distinguishable light patterns, without disrupting the primary illumination function.
Implementation Method 1
The interior surface of the reflective cavity includes at least one first feature adapted to reflect light in a first manner, and at least one second feature adapted to reflect light in a second manner different from the first manner
Data Source
AI summary
Lighting devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. One lighting device includes a reflector, first and second groups of light emitters, and a controller. The reflector defines a reflective cavity having an opening and an interior surface including first and second features adapted to reflect light in different manners. The first and second groups of light emitters are positioned to emit light through the reflective cavity toward the first and second features, respectively. The controller is coupled to the first and second groups of light emitters, and is configured to control the first group of emitters to emit light having a first value of a characteristic of emitted light, and control the second group of emitters to emit light having a second value of the characteristic of emitted light different from the first value.