Telescopic Reflector for Adjustable LED Beam Configuration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting solutions, particularly LED lighting sources, lack flexibility in modifying the light beam configuration without requiring the replacement of reflectors, especially when used in arrays, leading to increased costs and reduced user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A reflector design comprising a cup-shaped base portion and a telescopically coupled annular portion that can be adjusted along a common axis, allowing for the modification of the light beam without changing the reflector, using a screw coupling or slider guide surfaces, enabling simultaneous adjustment of multiple reflectors in an array.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If reflectors are made as single-piece molded plastic members with telescopic coupling, then mechanical rigidity and positioning accuracy are maintained, but device complexity increases due to the telescopic mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is divided into two separate telescopic portions (first and second portions) that can move relative to each other along the optical axis. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each portion to achieve desired beam configurations while maintaining manufacturing precision through molded plastic construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second telescopic portions are nested within each other, with one portion movable relative to the other along the optical axis. This nested telescopic structure enables compact design while maintaining mechanical rigidity and positioning accuracy through precise molded plastic construction.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple reflectors are adjusted individually, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but loss of time increases due to manual adjustment of each reflector separately
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple reflectors are combined into a single integrated assembly where all telescopic portions can be adjusted simultaneously by moving a single component. This merging allows uniform reconfiguration of entire arrays of light sources (e.g., LED arrays) without adjusting each reflector individually, significantly reducing adjustment time while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic mechanism is designed with universal applicability across multiple reflectors in an array. A single adjustment action can simultaneously reconfigure multiple reflectors to different beam configurations (spot, flood, or intermediate patterns), making the system multi-functional and efficient for various lighting applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If reflectors are replaced to change beam configuration, then beam configuration flexibility is achieved, but loss of substance increases due to disposal of old reflectors
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector incorporates telescopic portions that can dynamically adjust their relative positions along the optical axis to change beam configuration from spot to flood or intermediate patterns. This dynamic adjustment capability eliminates the need to replace reflectors, allowing continuous reconfiguration while preserving the reflector material.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam configuration is changed by varying the relative position parameter of the telescopic portions rather than replacing the entire reflector. By adjusting the extension or retraction of telescopic portions, the effective reflector geometry changes, enabling different beam patterns while maintaining the same physical reflector components.
4Ease of manufacture
If telescopic portions are made from molded plastic, then ease of manufacture is improved, but strength may be reduced compared to metal materials
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic portions are constructed from molded plastic materials that combine structural integrity with manufacturing efficiency. The plastic construction allows for integrated molding of complex telescopic geometries while maintaining sufficient strength for the application, and enables cost-effective mass production of reflector assemblies.
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 design enhances user flexibility and reduces costs by allowing beam adjustments without replacing reflectors, maintaining mechanical rigidity and positioning accuracy, and enabling simultaneous operation across all light sources in an array.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector (10) for a source of light radiation (L), said reflector (10) being capable of modifying a beam of radiation from the source of light radiation (L)
Data Source
Figure 1~2(c)
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A reflector (10) for light radiation sources (L), the reflector taking the form of a cup centered around a main axis (X10) with a bottom opening (12a) for a source of light radiation (L), characterized in that the reflector includes: - a cup-shaped base portion (12) extending from said bottom opening (12a) to an outer rim (12b), and - an annular portion (14) surrounding said outer rim (12b), said annular portion (14) being telescopically coupled to said base portion (12) and moveable with respect to said base portion (12) along said main axis (X10) in order to vary the length over which said annular portion (14) extends along said main axis (X10) with respect to said outer rim (12b) of said base portion (12).