Sunlight Collector With Collimators For Sun-Like Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing daylight-based illumination systems face challenges in providing a sun-like appearance and maintaining energy efficiency, especially under varying natural light conditions such as cloudy days and different times of day, as they rely heavily on collected natural light and suffer from losses due to interfaces and absorption within fiber systems.
Innovation Solution
A sunlight-based projector system that combines a collector system with optical fibers and optical collimator units to create a sun-like collimated light beam, supplemented by artificial light sources controlled by chromaticity sensors to maintain desired illumination conditions independently of natural light availability, using a chromaticity-based control system to adjust the artificial light for intensity and spectrum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If daylight-based illumination systems use fiber-based light distribution to guide collected natural light to indoor luminaires, then energy efficiency is improved and natural visible spectrum illumination is achieved, but light losses occur due to interfaces creating back scattering and Fresnel losses as well as light absorption within the fiber
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the light distribution into multiple fiber bundles, each with controlled interfaces. By dividing the overall light transmission into separate channels, the system manages interface losses through optimized coupling and positioning, reducing cumulative losses while maintaining distribution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs optical coupling mechanisms that equalize the light transmission potential across different fiber interfaces. By ensuring uniform coupling conditions and minimizing refractive index mismatches at interfaces, the system reduces Fresnel losses and back scattering, achieving more equipotential light distribution throughout the fiber network.
2Device complexity
If passive emitter configurations are used to directly emit natural light from fiber ends with optional diffusion, then system complexity is reduced, but illumination is only provided when adequate natural light is collected by the collector optics
Solution Approach 1:
The luminaire is designed with universal functionality to operate in multiple modes: it can emit collected natural light through passive emitters during daytime, switch to artificial light sources during nighttime or cloudy conditions, and provide hybrid operation combining both light sources. This multi-functionality ensures continuous illumination adaptability regardless of natural light availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic operation where the emitter configuration adapts its mode based on real-time natural light conditions. Sensors detect ambient light levels and automatically adjust between passive natural light emission, active artificial light emission, or hybrid operation, making the illumination system dynamically responsive to environmental changes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hybrid luminaires are used to emit both collected natural light and artificially generated light, then illumination independence from natural light conditions is achieved, but system complexity increases due to additional artificial light sources and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges passive natural light emitters and active artificial light sources into a single integrated luminaire structure. By combining these different light emission mechanisms in one unified device with shared optical components and control systems, the system achieves illumination independence while managing complexity through integration rather than separate standalone systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid luminaire incorporates self-service control mechanisms where sensors automatically detect natural light levels and trigger appropriate artificial light activation without external control. The system serves itself by autonomously adjusting its operation mode based on environmental conditions, reducing the need for complex external control systems.
4Loss of energy
If the number of fiber interfaces is minimized and fiber length is kept in the range of 10m to 15m, then light transmission efficiency is improved, but the distribution distance and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from linear fiber extension to a distributed network architecture where multiple shorter fiber bundles radiate from a central collection point to various luminaire locations. By changing from a single long-fiber dimension to a multi-dimensional network of shorter fibers, the system reduces interface losses while achieving broader spatial distribution flexibility.
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 system achieves energy-efficient, sun-like illumination with infinite depth perception, maintaining consistent indoor lighting conditions throughout the day and under varying weather conditions by integrating artificial light to compensate for natural light variations, ensuring a stable and natural illumination experience.
Implementation Method 1
Each optical collimator unit is associated with a respective fiber output channel to receive the respective fiber output light and comprises at least one optical collimator for reducing the angular distribution width of the received divergent fiber output light
Implementation Method 2
The light distribution system is usually based on fiber bundles receiving and guiding the collected light essentially without losses over significant distances
Implementation Method 3
The collector optics is, for example, a parabolic reflector-based system using a parabolic primary mirror arrangement to focus the sunlight into a plurality of fibers
Implementation Method 4
Alternative embodiments use a plurality of lenses to collect the sunlight and to focus it into respective fibers
Implementation Method 5
a plurality of such spotlight mountings may be positioned behind a common diffuser plate to achieve an areal light source
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A sunlight-based projector system (3) is disclosed for providing a direct light beam (5). The projector system (3) comprises a sunlight receiving unit (9) with a collector system (13), a plurality of optical fibers (15), and a plurality of fiber output channels (44). The collector system (13) collects natural outdoor light, and couples the collected light into the plurality of optical fibers (15). The projector system (3) comprises further a sunlight forming unit (11) with a plurality of optical collimator units (47) arranged in a two-dimensional array, wherein each optical collimator unit (47) receives the respective fiber output light (45) and comprises at least one optical collimator (49) for reducing the angular distribution width of the received divergent fiber output light (45). Output areas of the plurality of optical collimator units (47) form essentially a continuously extending large light- emitting face (53) of the sunlight forming unit (11) for emitting an essentially collimated light beam (5). The generated direct light beam (5) may be used together with diffused light generating areal units to provide a sun-sky imitating lighting system with a sun-like appearance.