Switchable Light Emission Structure for Directional Privacy Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light emitting devices lack the ability to effectively control or change the direction of light, particularly in applications where privacy or safety considerations require directed light emission, such as in vehicles to prevent driver distraction.

Innovation Solution

A light emitting device with a switchable light controller that can adjust the light direction by using a combination of switchable diffusers and light shielding elements, allowing the device to be collimated or diffused based on control signals, thereby controlling the light output direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If light emitting devices emit light in all directions, then the light coverage area is maximized, but privacy and safety are compromised due to unauthorized viewing and driver distraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy and safetyVSAvoidlight direction control

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic light direction control by switching between a first light controller (collimated state) and a second light controller (diffused state). The first light controller directs light in a specific direction to enhance privacy and safety, while the second light controller diffuses light for general illumination. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by making the light emission pattern adaptable rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the light emitting device by switching between different light controller states. In the collimated state, light rays are concentrated and directed; in the diffused state, light rays are scattered. This parameter change allows the device to adjust its light emission characteristics to balance privacy/safety requirements with general usability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If light direction control features are added to ensure privacy and safety, then the device structure becomes more complex, but the patent aims for a simplified structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight interference with driversVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light direction control function directly into the light emitting device structure by integrating the first and second light controllers within the device. This combination eliminates the need for separate external control systems, achieving light direction control while maintaining a relatively simplified integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light controllers serve multiple functions: they control light direction for privacy and safety, and they also manage overall light emission patterns. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while achieving the desired light interference prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Illumination intensity

If traditional light emitting structures are used, then the device achieves sufficient light output, but the device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight outputVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin-film light controller structures that can modulate light direction and intensity without adding significant thickness to the device. These thin-film controllers achieve effective light management while maintaining a compact, thin device profile, resolving the contradiction between light output and device thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 enhanced privacy and safety by controlling light direction, reducing the risk of light interference with drivers or unauthorized viewers, while also offering a thinner and more simplified structure compared to traditional devices.

Implementation Method 1

The optical element is configured to guide the emitting lights generating from the light emitting elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight guidance: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCollimation: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS12247720B2Light emitting device

Publication Date: 2025.03.11 INNOLUX CORP

AI summary

A light emitting device is switchable in a first state and a second state. The light emitting device includes a plurality of light emitting elements for emitting lights and an optical element. The optical element is configured to guide the emitting lights generating from the light emitting elements. In the first state, the light emitting device has an output light, a first intensity of the output lights is measured at a viewing angle of 0°, a second intensity of the output lights is measured at a viewing angle of θ2 and an azimuth angle of Φ2, and a ratio of the second intensity to the first intensity is less than or equal to 0.1, wherein θ2 ranges from 35° to 55°, and Φ2 ranges from 0° to 28° or from 152° to 180°.