Slim Luminaire With Replaceable LED Modules And Light Redirecting Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Slim luminaires, particularly those with LED lighting, face challenges in achieving uniformity and low glare, and the inability to replace broken light sources leads to increased costs due to the integration of LEDs within the luminaire design.
Innovation Solution
A luminaire design featuring a light source carrier with a central opening, a lens structure for light diffusion, and reflecting side walls that allow for replaceable light sources without increasing the luminaire's depth, enabling uniform light distribution and reducing glare through total internal reflection and mirror reflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If LED light sources are integrated within the luminaire design, then the luminaire structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the light sources become non-replaceable leading to increased costs when broken
Solution Approach 1:
The luminaire is divided into separate functional modules: a replaceable light source module (containing the LED array mounted on a circuit board) and a luminaire housing. This segmentation allows the light sources to be independently replaced without replacing the entire luminaire, resolving the contradiction between integrated manufacturing and repairability.
2Length of stationary object
If slim luminaire design is implemented, then the luminaire height is reduced for better aesthetic appearance and recessed fitting, but achieving good uniformity and low glare becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light redirecting element positioned between the LED light sources and the luminaire opening, which redirects light at oblique angles (e.g., 45 degrees) rather than directly forward. This dimensional change in light propagation direction enables effective light distribution and glare control within the constrained slim profile of the luminaire.
3Illumination intensity
If traditional deep reflector design is used, then good control of light output beam angle is achieved, but the luminaire height increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a deep axial reflector, the patent employs a light redirecting element that redirects light at oblique angles (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the luminaire's longitudinal axis. This approach achieves effective beam angle control and light distribution without requiring significant luminaire height, thus resolving the contradiction between beam control and slim profile.
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 design achieves a slim, efficient, and replaceable luminaire with improved light uniformity and reduced glare, eliminating the need for additional diffusers and allowing for easy replacement of light sources, thus reducing costs and enhancing optical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector cover over the light source carrier and extending across the central opening, adapted to reflect light to a range of light output directions through the central opening
Implementation Method 2
a lens structure formed over the set of light sources, comprising: a light diffusing output area which faces partly inwardly towards a center of the central opening
Implementation Method 3
reflecting side walls extending between the set of light sources and the light diffusing output area
Implementation Method 4
a second, mirror reflective, side wall extending between the set of light sources and a second edge of the light diffusing output area
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A luminaire has a light source carrier around a central light output window, with light sources facing a first, at least partially upward, direction. An upper reflector cover reflects light to a range of light output directions, at least partially downwardly, through the central window opening. A lens structure is formed over the set of light sources having a light diffusing output area and reflecting side walls extending between the light sources and the light diffusing output area. This design enables the luminaire to be very slim. The design may also avoid the need for a light diffusing output window.