Spherical Lighting Device with Waveguide Beam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices with adjustable beams are often mechanically complex, difficult to assemble, and do not produce a well-defined beam with uniform light intensity, making them unsuitable for illuminating specific targets like work desks or performers. Additionally, they can be dazzle-inducing and suffer from reduced energy efficiency when using Lambertian reflectors for even illumination.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device featuring a translucent spherical light emitter with integral reflectors, allowing for rotation with two degrees of freedom, and a solid refractive optical waveguide that conducts light via total internal reflection, providing a well-defined beam with adjustable focus and reduced glare through random ray mixing or specific ray path management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a Lambertian reflector is used to provide even illumination, then uniform light distribution is improved, but light output and energy efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is divided into multiple segments with different optical properties. Some segments are highly reflective to maximize light output, while other segments are designed to scatter light for uniform distribution. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high energy efficiency and uniform illumination by directing different portions of light through different optical paths.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical moving parts are added to direct the beam, then beam directionality is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of assembly are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical beam-directing mechanisms with an optical waveguide system. The waveguide uses total internal reflection and controlled light scattering to direct the beam without requiring moving parts. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical assemblies while maintaining precise beam directionality and reducing maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting device incorporates adjustable components that allow dynamic control of beam direction and focus. The waveguide geometry and optical properties can be modified to change beam characteristics, providing operational flexibility without mechanical moving parts in the traditional sense.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a point light source is used, then energy efficiency is improved, but direct viewing causes dazzle and retinal images
Solution Approach 1:
The optical waveguide acts as an intermediary between the point light source and the viewer. It transports light from the efficient point source to the target area through total internal reflection, preventing direct line-of-sight to the source. The waveguide effectively mediates the light delivery, maintaining energy efficiency while eliminating the harmful direct viewing effect.
4Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical adjustment parts are incorporated, then beam adjustability is improved, but ease of cleaning and maintenance are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an integrated optical design where beam direction and focus are controlled by the waveguide's optical properties rather than mechanical moving parts. This eliminates crevices and complex joints that are difficult to clean, while maintaining full adjustability through optical means.
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 device achieves a well-defined, uniformly intense beam with adjustable focus and reduced glare, enhancing its suitability for targeted illumination while maintaining energy efficiency and simplicity in design and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a solid refractive optical waveguide that conducts light via total internal reflection
Implementation Method 2
The first reflector is arranged to reflect light emitted from the light conductor to exit the light emitter as a beam of light
Implementation Method 3
a translucent body including at least a first emitter portion which is shaped to define a first emitter lens
Data Source
Figure 1A~3
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Figure 7~9
AI summary
A lighting device comprises a light emitter (100) with a spherical translucent body (101) containing at least one reflector (102) and defining large, combined incident (109) and emission (105) lenses. The light emitter reflects and focuses light from a waveguide (40) to project a beam onto a target surface. The light emitter is preferably slidably mounted for rotation on a support element (20) which may comprise a circular aperture (22) in a plate, and may be configured as a desk or stage lamp, a wall light, or a downlighter suspended beneath a ceiling. The waveguide or light emitter may provide ambient or uplighting in addition to the beam.