Solar-Powered Garden Light with Integrated Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar-powered outdoor lights face challenges in achieving a compact design and maximizing efficiency due to separate solar panels and optical light-emitting elements, leading to increased construction volume and loss of radiation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The solar panel is attached to a tubular carrier body with a convex lateral surface covered by a transparent light guide and optical lighting element, where LEDs are arranged within a longitudinal slot, allowing sunlight to be harnessed from any direction and light to be directed evenly through the glass or plastic light guide, minimizing path length and radiation loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the solar panel and optical lighting element are separate components, then the device can be manufactured independently, but the construction volume increases and radiation efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the solar panel and optical lighting element into a single integrated unit. The solar panel is positioned at the front surface of the light guide body, and its light-emitting surface is directly coupled to the light guide, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures and reducing overall construction volume while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar panel is nested within or integrated into the light guide body structure. The light guide body serves as both the structural housing and the optical transmission medium, with the solar panel embedded in its front surface, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes external dimensions.
2Ease of manufacture
If the solar panel and optical lighting element are separate components, then each component can be optimized independently, but radiation loss increases due to longer light paths
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the solar panel with the light guide body and directly coupling their surfaces, the patent eliminates intermediate transmission interfaces and minimizes the light path length. This integration reduces radiation loss while still allowing independent optimization of each component's design and manufacturing.
3Volume of stationary object
If a compact design is implemented, then construction volume is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the structural housing, the optical transmission medium, and the mounting structure for the solar panel. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing while achieving compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integration of the solar panel and light guide body into a single unit reduces the total number of parts and assembly steps. The direct surface coupling eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets, fasteners, and alignment mechanisms, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity despite the compact design.
4Illumination intensity
If the light path length is increased, then light distribution can be improved, but radiation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs surface structures or coatings on specific regions of the light guide body to enhance light distribution. By modifying only the necessary local areas rather than increasing the overall light path length, the system achieves improved illumination while maintaining short light paths and high radiation 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
This design results in a compact, low-maintenance, and efficient outdoor light that can be easily installed as temporary path lights or festive lighting, with even light distribution and reduced construction volume, enhancing both design and radiation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the solar panel is electrically connected to a rechargeable battery, allowing the stored electrical energy generated from daylight
Implementation Method 2
the light generated by the light-emitting diode is indirectly guided to the crystal through the light guide
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an outdoor light, in particular a garden or camping light, comprising a battery (12), a solar panel (11), and a light source that emits light to an optical lighting element via a light guide (10). To create a compact outdoor light with maximum efficiency, the invention proposes that the solar panel (11) be attached to the outside of a support body (14) with a convex surface. The solar panel is covered by a transparent outer layer serving as a light guide (10) and optical lighting element, with at least one end face (101) into which at least one LED, powered by the battery (12) and the solar panel (11), shines.