Single Light Source Illumination for Rotating Substrate via Total Internal Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotating devices, such as vehicle wheels, require multiple light sources for illumination, leading to increased energy consumption, frequent battery changes, and maintenance costs, while also affecting the balance and aesthetics of the device.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a single light source, such as an LED, integrated with a clear substrate element that allows for even illumination through total internal reflection, where the light source is affixed to a stationary part and emits light at a predetermined angle into a clear substrate, such as polycarbonate or acrylic, ensuring efficient light distribution across the rotating element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple light bulbs are used to illuminate the entire wheel, then illumination coverage is improved, but energy consumption and maintenance frequency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel is segmented into multiple clear substrate elements (spokes, rim sections) that each act as independent light transmission paths. A single light source positioned at the wheel center illuminates each segment sequentially during rotation, achieving full wheel coverage without requiring multiple simultaneous light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system utilizes the periodic rotation of the wheel to bring different clear substrate elements into the light path sequentially. Each element receives illumination during its passage through the light source, and the rotating motion ensures all elements are illuminated in turn, creating continuous full-wheel illumination with a single light source.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light bulbs are used within the rotating device, then illumination coverage is improved, but battery replacement frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is extracted from the rotating components and positioned in the stationary hub assembly. This separation eliminates the need to mount batteries within the rotating hardware, allowing the battery to remain stationary and accessible for easy replacement without disassembling rotating parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The clear substrate elements act as intermediaries that transmit light from the stationary source to illuminate the entire wheel. These optical mediators enable the decoupling of the light source from the rotating components, allowing the battery to remain stationary while still achieving full wheel illumination.
3Power
If the battery is mounted within the rotating hardware, then power supply is achieved, but the balance of the rotating hardware is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The battery and light source are extracted from the rotating hardware and relocated to the stationary hub assembly. This removal eliminates the weight imbalance caused by batteries mounted on rotating components, while the hub's central position ensures optimal light distribution to all wheel elements during rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination function is copied from a multi-bulb rotating system to a single stationary source system. The clear substrate elements serve as optical copies or extensions of traditional light bulbs, transmitting light from the stationary source to achieve the same illumination effect without the balancing problems of mounted batteries.
4Use of energy by moving object
If a single light source is used, then energy consumption and maintenance costs are reduced, but illumination coverage may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system transitions from a static multi-point light distribution to a dynamic single-point illumination that exploits the temporal dimension of rotation. The single light source illuminates different spatial locations sequentially over time as the wheel rotates, achieving full 3D coverage through 4D (3D space + time) illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of light source quantity from multiple to single, while compensating for coverage by changing the parameter of illumination duration for each element. Each clear substrate element receives longer illumination exposure during its rotation through the light path, compensating for the reduced number of simultaneous light sources.
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 reduces energy consumption and maintenance costs by using a single light source for even illumination, enhancing visibility and safety while maintaining the balance and aesthetic appeal of the rotating device.
Implementation Method 1
A system utilizing a single light source, such as an LED, integrated with a clear substrate element that allows for even illumination through total internal reflection
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for illuminating a rotating element of the apparatus with as few as a single light source and a method for assembling such apparatus are disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a center, a clear substrate element that may rotate about the center, and a light source for evenly illuminating the clear substrate element. The light source is configured to emit light toward the clear substrate element at an angle, which is predetermined based on one or more attributes of the clear substrate element, such as the geometry and the index of refraction.