Biconvex TIR Lens for Wide-Field LED Collimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging lenses are unsuitable for LED-based illumination systems that require a wide field of view, as they are large, expensive, and inefficient due to high reflection and scattering losses at high field of view angles.
Innovation Solution
An illumination system utilizing a lens with a biconvex configuration and total internal reflection (TIR) portions to collimate light from an extended light source, allowing for efficient light distribution over a wide field of view by separating central and peripheral light portions via refraction and TIR, respectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional imaging lenses are used to collimate light from LEDs, then the system can provide illumination, but the lens becomes large, expensive, and inefficient due to high reflection and scattering losses at high field of view angles
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into two distinct functional zones: a first zone with a first refractive index and a second zone with a second refractive index. This segmentation allows each zone to handle specific angular ranges of light efficiently, with the first zone managing lower angles and the second zone managing higher angles, thereby reducing overall light loss without requiring a single complex lens design
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lens are assigned different refractive indices tailored to their specific functions. The first zone has refractive properties optimized for central light portions, while the second zone has refractive properties optimized for peripheral light portions. This local optimization minimizes reflection and scattering losses at each region while maintaining overall system efficiency
2Illumination intensity
If conventional imaging lenses are used, then illumination can be provided, but the lens becomes relatively large and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is segmented into multiple zones with different refractive indices, allowing each zone to contribute to light collimation efficiently. This enables the overall lens to achieve wide field of view illumination without requiring excessive size, as each segment is optimized for its specific angular range
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-zone lens structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it collimates central light portions, collimates peripheral light portions, and maintains wide field of view coverage all within a single integrated lens element, reducing the need for multiple separate optical components
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 efficient light collimation and focusing over a wide field of view, reducing losses and improving efficiency compared to traditional imaging lenses, while allowing for dynamic control of light output through individual LED control.
Implementation Method 1
The first convex central portion and the second convex central portion being shaped to substantially collimate the central light portion via refraction at the first convex central portion and refraction at the second convex central portion
Implementation Method 2
The first TIR portion and the second TIR portion being shaped to substantially collimate the peripheral light portion via total internal reflection at the first TIR portion and total internal reflection at the second TIR portion
Data Source
AI summary
In an illumination system, a lens can substantially collimate light that is emitted from a location on a light source. The emitted light can have a central light portion and a peripheral light portion. The lens can have a first surface that faces the light source and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface can include a first convex central portion and a first total internal reflection (TIR) portion. The second surface can include a second convex central portion and a second TIR portion. The first and second convex central portions can substantially collimate the central light portion via refraction at the first convex central portion and refraction at the second convex central portion. The first and second TIR portions can substantially collimate the peripheral light portion via total internal reflection at the first TIR portion and total internal reflection at the second TIR portion.