Staggered Layer Optical Component for Angular Light Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light sources, such as luminaires and lamp shades, lack aesthetically pleasing visual effects despite using cost-effective 3-D printing techniques, which are not effectively utilized to manipulate luminous outputs for dynamic light effects.
Innovation Solution
An optical component comprising staggered layers with transmissive and lower transmissivity regions, allowing for angularly-dependent light effects by partially overlapping transmissive portions, enabling dynamic light effects through 3-D printing techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If light affecting elements are formed using 3-D printing, then manufacturing cost and time are reduced, but the aesthetic visual effect is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The optical component is divided into multiple layers with different transmissivity characteristics (first regions with lower transmissivity, second/third regions with higher transmissivity). This segmentation allows each layer to manipulate light differently, creating complex angularly-dependent visual effects that are aesthetically pleasing while maintaining 3-D printed construction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional planar or simple 3-D printed light diffusers to multi-layered structures with staggered transmissive portions. By adding the dimensional complexity of layered stacking with horizontal offsets, the system creates passage regions that enable dynamic light effects varying with viewing angle, thus improving aesthetic visual effect while maintaining manufacturability through 3-D printing
2Device complexity
If conventional light sources are used, then simplicity is maintained, but dynamic light effects are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The optical component creates dynamic light effects by utilizing the interaction between light sources and the multi-layered structure. The staggered arrangement of transmissive portions causes the light pattern to change dynamically with viewing angle, providing adaptability and versatility in lighting effects without requiring complex active control systems or multiple 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 optical component provides aesthetically pleasing, angularly-dependent light effects by manipulating luminous outputs, achievable through cost-effective 3-D printing, offering both functional and dynamic lighting effects.
Implementation Method 1
each layer comprises a first region, a second region and a third region, wherein each first region has a transmissivity that is lower than that of each of the adjacent second and third regions
Implementation Method 2
The first regions are used to manipulate incident light such as to create a visible difference between the first regions and the transmissive passages
Data Source
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Figure 2A
AI summary
An optical component (100) is disclosed comprising a plurality of layers (130), each layer comprising a first region in between a second region and a third region, the first region having a lower transmissivity than the second and third regions, wherein the layers are staggered such that the optical component comprises at least one passage defined by partially overlapping regions of higher transmissivity. A luminaire including such an optical component and a 3-D printing method for manufacturing such a component are also disclosed.