Artificial Skylight Lighting Device with Collimating Optical Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems that simulate natural sunlight require a very compact and extremely bright light source, which is costly and difficult to implement effectively.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a linear design and a cavity system that uses a combination of light emitting elements and an optical module to achieve a convincing sunlight beam effect without the need for a very compact and extremely bright light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a compact and extremely bright light source is used to create a sharply defined beam of artificial sunlight, then the sunlight beam effect is convincing, but the cost is very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lighting system into multiple segments: a light source unit, a beam generating unit with optical elements, and a scattering particle unit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, using standard LED technology rather than requiring a single extremely bright and expensive compact source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary optical elements (lenses, reflectors) and scattering particles as mediators between the light source and the final beam output. These intermediaries transform the light from a standard LED into a convincing sunlight beam without requiring the LED itself to be extremely bright or compact.
2Manufacturing precision
If a light source much smaller than the exit window is used to create a sharply defined beam, then the beam definition is sharp, but the light source must produce very high flux which is costly
Solution Approach 1:
Optical elements such as lenses and reflectors serve as intermediaries that shape and define the beam without requiring the light source itself to be small or high-flux. The scattering particles further mediate the light to create the appearance of a well-defined beam through the exit window.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes optical parameters (collimation, scattering angle, particle distribution) rather than relying on the physical size or flux of the light source. By adjusting these optical parameters, sharp beam definition is achieved using standard power LEDs.
3Illumination intensity
If a very compact and extremely bright light source is used, then the sunlight beam effect is achieved, but the device complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into separate functional units (light source, optical elements, scattering particles), the patent reduces installation complexity. Each unit can be independently positioned and adjusted, eliminating the need for a single compact high-intensity source and reducing false ceiling requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses standard LED technology and common optical elements that are widely available and easy to install. The system can be adapted to different installation locations (ceiling, wall, corner) without requiring specialized compact high-intensity sources, increasing versatility and reducing installation complexity.
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 lighting device effectively simulates a natural window or skylight appearance while maintaining a compact installation and reducing the need for a false ceiling or wall, thereby achieving a cost-effective solution.
Implementation Method 1
The optical module is configured to collimate the first light, in a transverse plane... The optical module is configured to produce collimated light, in the transverse plane, so as to increase the degree of collimation of light transmitted from the optical module
Implementation Method 2
The cavity is defined by an interior surface configured to reflect light impinging upon the interior surface of the cavity
Implementation Method 3
The optical module is configured to transmit light impinging upon a surface of the optical module through the optical module. The light transmitted through the optical module is emitted from the lighting device
Data Source
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AI summary
A lighting device (1) is provided. The lighting device (1) comprises a cavity (10). The cavity (10) is extending along a longitudinal axis (L) of the lighting device (1). Further, the cavity (10) is defined by an interior surface (11) configured to reflect light impinging upon the interior surface (11) of the cavity (10). The cavity (10) has an opening (12) permitting light inside the cavity (10) to exit the cavity (10). The lighting device (1) further comprises an optical module (20). The optical module (20) is arranged in or at the opening (12) of the cavity (10), and is configured to transmit light impinging upon a surface (21) of the optical module (20) through the optical module (20). The light transmitted through the optical module (20) is emitted from the lighting device (1). The lighting device (1) further comprises a plurality of light emitting elements (31). The light emitting elements (31) are arranged in a succession along the longitudinal axis (L) of the lighting device (1) and arranged in the cavity (10), and are configured to emit first light (41). The first light (41) is impinging on the surface (21) of the optical module (20) without having first impinged on the interior surface (11) of the cavity (10). The light emitting elements (31) are further configured to emit second light (42). The second light (42) is impinging on the interior surface (11) of the cavity (10). The optical module (20) is configured to collimate the first light (41) in a transverse plane. The transverse plane is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the lighting device (1). The optical module (20) is further configured to produce collimated light so as to increase the degree of collimation of light, in the transverse plane, transmitted from the optical module (20) as compared to the first light (41) prior to transmission through the optical module. At least one of the interior surface (11) of the cavity (10), the plurality of light-emitting elements (31) and the optical module (20) is or are configured such that the second light (42), reflected by the interior surface (11) of the cavity (10) and subsequently having impinged upon the surface (21) of the optical module (20) and transmitted from the optical module (20), is light for which at least 3% of the total luminous flux is in the wavelength range 400-470 nm.