Solid-State Lighting Device Shadow Blurring via Curved Diffuser Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting devices with compact designs, such as retrofit bulbs, suffer from visible shadows on the outer bulb due to large electrical components like inductors, which existing light-diffusing solutions often fail to adequately address, being either ineffective or overly complex and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device featuring a substrate with solid-state light sources and a light-transmissive wall curved towards the optical axis, with an edge portion that diffuses light to blur shadows, potentially featuring serrations or varying thickness, arranged around the circumference to reduce shadow effects on the outer envelope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact design with closely mounted electrical components is used, then the device size is reduced, but visible shadows appear on the outer bulb
Solution Approach 1:
A light-transmissive wall with an edge portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the electrical components and the outer bulb envelope. This wall diffuses light in a controlled manner, preventing direct shadow formation while maintaining the compact internal arrangement of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-transmissive wall is positioned specifically at the circumference of the substrate, creating a localized diffusion zone where shadows would otherwise form. This targeted approach addresses the shadow problem without requiring complete redesign of the entire device structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional light-diffusing solutions are added, then shadow reduction is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light-transmissive wall serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural support element, a light-diffusing component, and a shadow-reducing feature. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate diffusing elements that would increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-diffusing function is merged with the existing structural wall component rather than being implemented as a separate layer or element. This integration reduces the total number of components while achieving the desired shadow reduction effect.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a light-transmissive wall with edge portion is added, then shadow blurring is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light-transmissive wall features a curved edge portion that naturally diffuses light through its geometry. This curvature can be formed using standard molding techniques, making the manufacturing process relatively simple despite the functional 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 solution effectively blurs unwanted shadows and light intensity variations on the outer bulb, enhancing luminescence efficiency by diffusing light flux density, particularly in the direction perpendicular to the substrate plane, while maintaining a homogeneous light distribution.
Implementation Method 1
the edge portion is adapted to diffuse light from the at least one solid-state light source such that a shadow on the envelope is blurred
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device (1) comprising: a substrate defining a plane; at least one solid-state light source mounted on the substrate, an outer light-transmissive envelope (2), and a light-transmissive wall which is arranged at a circumference of the substrate and which has an extension along and is curved towards an optical axis (A) of the lighting device (1). The light-transmissive wall comprises an edge portion distal to the substrate, which edge portion is adapted to diffuse light from the at least one solid-state light source such that a shadow on the outer light-transmissive envelope (2) is blurred, the shadow being caused by an electrical component mounted on the substrate and blocking light emitted by the at least one solid-state light source.