Spotlight Optical System with Adjustable Lens and Diffuser

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spotlight optical systems lack simplicity and versatility in adjusting light emission characteristics, particularly in simultaneously modifying the beam angle and edge softness of the light cone with a single adjustment movement.

Innovation Solution

An optical system comprising a first optical element, such as a Fresnel lens, and a second optical element, like a diffuser screen, arranged along a light emission axis with an adjustable mechanism that allows the optical elements to move between spaced and adjacent positions, enabling joint movement and adjustment, thereby controlling beam angle and edge softness independently or simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple optical elements are used to adjust beam angle and edge softness, then light emission characteristics can be modified, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emission characteristics adjustmentVSAvoidoptical system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple optical elements (first optical element for beam angle control and second optical element for edge softness control) into a single integrated optical system with a unified adjustment mechanism, allowing both functions to be achieved through one cohesive structure rather than separate independent mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical system is designed so that the same adjustment mechanism can perform multiple functions: controlling beam angle through the first optical element and controlling edge softness through the second optical element, making the system multi-functional and adaptable to different lighting requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate adjustment mechanisms are used for beam angle and edge softness, then independent control is achieved, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent control capabilityVSAvoidadjustment operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control of beam angle and edge softness into a single adjustment mechanism that operates both optical elements simultaneously, allowing users to adjust both parameters with one simple motion rather than requiring separate adjustment operations for each parameter

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If optical elements are fixed in position, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability for different light emission characteristics is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical element arrangementVSAvoidlight emission characteristic variation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an adjustment mechanism that enables the optical elements to move relative to each other along the optical axis, transforming the fixed arrangement into a dynamic configuration that can adapt to different lighting requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution allows for easy operation and increased variability in light emission characteristics, enabling the adjustment of beam angle and edge softness with a single adjustment movement, enhancing the flexibility and usability of spotlight systems.

Implementation Method 1

a first optical element (3), in particular a Fresnel lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

a second optical element (4), in particular a diffusing screen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP3742047B1Optical system for spotlight
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP3742047B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3742047B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3742047B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The optical system (2) for a spotlight (S) comprising a first optical element (3) and a second optical element (4) which are arranged optically one behind the other along a light emission axis (A), and an adjustment mechanism (5) which is coupled to the first optical element (3) and the second optical element (4) in such a way as to move the optical elements (3, 4) along the light emission axis (A) such that the optical elements (3, 4) are movable relative to each other between a spaced-apart position in which the optical elements (3, 4) are spaced apart from each other along the light emission axis (A) and an adjacent position in which the optical elements (3, 4) are arranged closer together compared to the spaced-apart position, and wherein the adjustment mechanism (5) is further coupled to the first optical element (3) and the second optical element (4) in such a way as to move the optical elements (3, 4) when they are in the adjacent position,The components can be moved together while maintaining their adjacent positions along the light emission axis (A). Furthermore, the invention relates to a lighting system (1) comprising a spotlight (S) and the optical system (2) according to the invention, as well as to a method for adjusting the light emission characteristic of a spotlight (S) of the lighting system (1).