Segmented Reflector Pairs for LED Light Collection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination devices using LEDs face challenges in achieving high light output and efficiency, particularly when collecting light through an optical gate for projecting systems, due to light loss and inefficiencies in combining light from multiple sources, which results in low lumen output per power unit and color artifacts.
Innovation Solution
A light beam collector system with a first and second reflector, divided into reflector pairs with adjustable surface parts, optimizes light output by reflecting source light beams along the optical axis, allowing for uniform and efficient light distribution and color mixing, using TIR lenses and additional light sources to enhance the common light beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a cone or pyramid reflector is used to reflect light from multiple LEDs along the optical axis, then the light can be directed towards the target surface, but there is high light loss as the top part of light beams passes the narrow top/tip of the reflector rather than being reflected
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is divided into multiple reflective surfaces (first reflector surface, second reflector surface, third reflector surface) with different orientations. Each surface reflects light from specific LED groups in different directions, ensuring comprehensive light collection and redirection along the optical axis without light loss at the top.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector uses asymmetric surface configurations where the first, second, and third reflector surfaces have different orientations and positions relative to the optical axis. This asymmetric design optimizes light reflection from multiple LED sources positioned at different locations, ensuring all light beams are effectively directed along the optical axis.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple LEDs are used to achieve high light output, then the illumination intensity increases, but the efficiency (lumen per Watt) decreases due to light loss in the optical system
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system segments light collection and reflection into multiple dedicated surfaces, each optimized for specific LED groups. This segmentation ensures efficient light collection from each LED without cross-interference, maximizing overall system efficiency while maintaining high light output.
Solution Approach 2:
Each reflector surface is locally optimized for its specific function: the first surface reflects light from first LED groups, the second surface from second LED groups, and the third surface from third LED groups. This local optimization ensures maximum light efficiency for each LED while maintaining high overall illumination intensity.
3Productivity
If the light from multiple LEDs is combined into a common light beam, then the illumination can be directed through an optical gate, but color artifacts occur due to non-uniform color distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments color mixing by assigning specific LED groups to specific reflector surfaces. The first, second, and third LED groups emit different colors that are reflected by corresponding surfaces and combined in the common light beam, ensuring uniform color distribution and eliminating color artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
Each LED group is locally optimized to emit specific colors that are reflected by dedicated reflector surfaces. This local color optimization ensures that when all light beams are combined, the colors are uniformly distributed throughout the common light beam, preventing color artifacts.
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 significantly increases light output to an optical gate while maintaining uniform color distribution and improving the color rendering index, achieving a high efficiency in light projection systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first reflector adapted to reflect said sources light beams towards a second reflector and where a second reflector is adapted to reflect the source light beams in a direction along the optical axis
Implementation Method 2
using TIR lenses to enhance the common light beam
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a light collector for an illumination device collecting light from a plurality of light sources and combing the collected light into a common light beam, where the common light beam is coupled through an optical gate. The light sources are distributed offset and around an optical axis and the light beam collector comprises a first reflector surrounding the optical axis and a second reflector surrounding the optical axis, where the first reflector reflects the sources light beams towards the second reflector and where the second reflector reflects the source light beams in a direction along the optical axis. The light beam collectors is divided into a number of reflector pairs, where each reflector pair comprises a first surface part of the first reflector and a second surface part of the second reflector, where the second surface part receives light from the corresponding first surface part of the reflector pair.