Dynamic Sparkling Lighting Device with Light Mixing Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices struggle to create a dynamic sparkling effect that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional, as they often require separate components for decorative and functional lighting, and the use of lead glass crystals is expensive and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a light mixing chamber featuring a back panel with spatially distributed light sources and a front panel with light transmissive regions, where the controller adjusts the luminous output of light sources over time to create a time-dependent anisotropic luminance effect, enhancing the sparkling effect for both stationary and moving observers while maintaining constant overall luminous output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If lead glass crystals are used to achieve sparkling effect, then the sparkling effect is enhanced, but the cost and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses light-reflecting particles (glitter) as a lightweight substitute for heavy lead glass crystals. These particles are applied to the light diffusing surface and reflect light to create the sparkling effect, achieving the same visual impact without the weight and cost of glass crystals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive light-reflecting particles instead of expensive lead glass crystals. These particles can be easily applied and replaced, providing a cost-effective solution that maintains the desired sparkling effect while significantly reducing material cost.
2Illumination intensity
If lead glass crystals are used to achieve sparkling effect, then the sparkling effect is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex lead glass crystal mounting with a simple particle application process. The light-reflecting particles are applied directly to the light diffusing surface, eliminating the need for precise mounting procedures required for glass crystals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid lead glass crystals to flexible light-reflecting particles. This allows for easier application and integration with the light diffusing surface, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the sparkling effect.
3Illumination intensity
If separate components are used for decorative and functional lighting, then the sparkling effect is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines decorative sparkling effect and functional lighting into a single integrated unit. The light-reflecting particles are applied directly to the light diffusing surface of the functional luminaire, merging both functions into one device that provides both illumination and aesthetic effect simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional lighting device that serves both as a functional luminaire and a decorative sparkling effect generator. The same light diffusing surface with applied particles performs dual functions: distributing light for illumination and creating sparkling reflections for aesthetic effect.
4Device complexity
If light sources are visible through apertures, then the structure is simple, but the true sparkling effect is not created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light sources from direct visibility through apertures by covering them with an opaque or translucent panel. The light-reflecting particles are then applied to this panel surface, allowing the sparkling effect to be created through particle reflection rather than direct light source visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light diffusing surface as an intermediary between the light sources and the observer. This surface diffuses the light and provides a substrate for light-reflecting particles, creating the sparkling effect through particle reflection while hiding the actual light sources.
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 provides an aesthetically enriched sparkling effect that is both dynamic and functional, enhancing the lighting experience by creating a sense of twinkling or twinkling lights for observers, even when stationary, without the need for separate decorative units and using lead glass crystals.
Implementation Method 1
a lighting device comprising a light mixing chamber at least partially delimited by a first surface of a back panel carrying a plurality of light sources spatially distributed across said first surface and by a second surface of a front panel arranged to be illuminated by said light sources
Implementation Method 2
said second surface comprising light transmissive regions delimiting light exit areas having a higher light transmissivity than the light transmissive regions, said light transmissive regions exhibiting isotropic luminance and light exit areas exhibiting anisotropic luminance when illuminated by said light sources
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device (10) is disclosed that comprises a light mixing chamber (14) at least partially delimited by a first surface (30) carrying a plurality of light sources (28) spatially distributed across said first surface and a second surface (31) arranged to be illuminated by said light sources, said second surface comprising light transmissive regions (33) delimiting light exit areas (32) having a higher light transmissivity than the light transmissive regions, said light transmissive regions exhibiting isotropic luminance and light exit areas exhibiting anisotropic luminance when illuminated by said light sources. The lighting device (10) further comprises a controller (40) adapted to individually control said light sources and having a mode of operation in which the controller is adapted to vary the luminous output of a selection of said light sources as a function of time such that the isotropic luminance of the light transmissive regions is time-independent and the anisotropic luminance of at least some of the light exit areas is time-dependent during said mode of operation.