Shell Integrator Light Guide for Real-Time Color Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light engines struggle to achieve uniformity in color and intensity of light output, particularly in tunable systems, where real-time adjustments and detection of failed or changed light-source components are necessary without compromising efficiency or color mixing.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a solid dielectric light-guide into the shell mixer optic, which directs light via total internal reflection or a back-surface mirror, and integrating a sensor or array of sensors at the base to enable real-time color and luminance measurements and corrections, maintaining high optical efficiency and luminance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a shell integrator is used to homogenize light from multiple LEDs, then color and luminance uniformity is improved, but the ability to perform real-time measurements and corrections is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide is introduced as an intermediary element that extracts a portion of light from the LED array through the shell integrator and directs it to a sensor. This mediator allows simultaneous homogenization of light output and real-time measurement of color and luminance characteristics without interfering with the primary lighting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the shell integrator for homogenization, the light guide for light extraction and transport, and the sensor for measurement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together as an integrated system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LEDs of different colors are combined to produce white light, then color versatility is improved, but intensity balancing and homogenization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple LEDs of different colors are merged within a single shell integrator structure. The shell integrator combines the light from all LEDs and homogenizes it into a uniform output, eliminating the need for separate control and homogenization systems for each LED color.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor monitors the actual color and luminance output of the combined LED array in real-time, and this feedback information is used to adjust the intensity of individual LEDs to maintain desired color temperature and uniformity, simplifying the control complexity.
3Measurement precision
If feedback features are added to enable real-time measurements, then measurement and correction capability is improved, but optical efficiency and luminance may be degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide extracts only a small portion of the total light generated by the LED array for measurement purposes, while the majority of light continues through the shell integrator to provide the primary luminous output. This partial action enables measurement without significantly impacting overall optical 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 solution allows for compact, versatile, and efficient light engine designs that achieve high optical efficiency and real-time color/flux tuning, ensuring consistent light output and detecting component failures, while maintaining excellent color mixing and luminance.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective feature at the zenith directs light into the light-guide
Implementation Method 2
The reflective feature operates preferably by total internal reflection (TIR) or optionally a back-surface mirror
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
A shell integrator has a hollow transparent body with inner and outer surfaces formed as arrays of lenslets. Each lenslet of the inner surface images a common source region in the middle of the hollow body onto a respective lenslet of the outer surface. Each lenslet of the outer surface forms a virtual image of the respective lenslet of the inner surface at the common source region. One integrator has a light-guide following the surface of the hollow body from an inlet end at a central region of the surface to an outlet end at a rim of the hollow body. The light-guide inlet end is shaped to receive light from the common source region and direct such light along the light-guide. Another integrator is generally elongated, and may be semicylindrical. Any of these integrators may have a stepped surface forming a Fresnel lens.