Artificial Skylight Stray Light Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing artificial skylights that mimic a sun-sky appearance suffer from stray light disturbances, which affect the overall lighting luminance and create an unrealistic view, as they allow light to exit in unwanted directions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an optical element made from a visible light absorbing material, positioned at the junction of the diffuser frame and light exit panel, to block or absorb stray light and create a defined transition, enhancing the realism of the artificial sun-sky or skylight appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a diffuser frame and light emitting sources are used to create a sun-sky appearance, then a realistic window illusion is achieved, but stray light exits in unwanted directions creating visible disturbances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distributionVSAvoidstray light disturbances

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The optical element is extracted as a separate component from the main lighting fixture structure. It is positioned at the junction between the diffuser frame and light exit panel to specifically address stray light without interfering with the primary light distribution function of the sun-sky appearance system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical element acts as an intermediary component between the diffuser frame and light exit panel. It mediates the light paths by blocking stray light while allowing the intended sun-sky light distribution to pass through, thus resolving the contradiction between realistic appearance and stray light control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If light emitting sources are positioned to provide wide dynamic light scenes, then an immersive light experience is created, but light artefacts become visible under certain observation angles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic light scenesVSAvoidlight artefact visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The optical element is positioned specifically at the junction area where stray light originates, rather than uniformly across the entire fixture. This localized approach maintains the versatility of dynamic light scenes while precisely targeting and eliminating visible light artefacts at critical observation angles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Shape

If the light exit panel is mounted on diffuser frame side walls, then a recessed window structure is formed, but light leaks through the junction creating disturbances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecessed window structureVSAvoidlight leakage at junction

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The optical element converts the harmful light leakage at the junction into a controlled optical function. By positioning the optical element at the junction, it transforms the problematic light path into a defined optical boundary that maintains the recessed window shape while preventing unwanted light escape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 effectively reduces light artefacts, providing a more realistic and immersive experience by ensuring light only exits through intended paths, thus improving the overall luminance and perception of the artificial sun-sky or skylight.

Implementation Method 1

the artificial skylight further comprises at least one optical element configured, during operation of the artificial skylight, to limit first light emitted by the at least one sun-appearance imitating lighting fixture from exiting via the recessed light exit panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a diffuser frame made from a visible light diffusing material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

a light exit panel being made from a visible light transmissive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS12146636B2Artificial skylight

Publication Date: 2024.11.19 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

An artificial skylight structured to emit light for imitating a sun-sky appearance, the artificial skylight comprising a sun-appearance imitating lighting fixture comprising a diffuser frame of visible light diffusing material, the diffuser frame forming side walls of a recessed window and a first light emitting source for emitting first light through the diffuser frame, as well as a sky-appearance imitating lighting fixture comprising 5a light exit panel being of visible light transmissive material and a further light emitting source for emitting second light through the light exit panel; wherein the light exit panel is mounted on the side walls of the recessed window of the diffuser frame of the sun-appearance imitating lighting fixture, and wherein the artificial skylight further comprises an optical element configured to limit first light emitted by the sun-appearance imitating lighting 10 fixture from exiting via the recessed light exit panel of the sky-appearance imitating lighting fixture.