TIR Lens Ring Reflector Glare Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical arrangements with TIR lenses for light sources suffer from undesirable glare due to significant light emission in angular ranges between 40° and 90°, which can lead to user blinding in applications like standard office lighting.
Innovation Solution
An optical arrangement featuring a TIR lens with a ring-shaped reflector that reduces light emission above 65° and between 40° and 65°, utilizing a reflector with convex segments and a highly glossy surface, arranged adjacent to the TIR lens to enhance lighting efficiency and homogeneity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a TIR lens is used to focus light, then light focusing capability is improved, but glare is increased due to significant light emission in angular ranges between 40° and 90°
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is divided into multiple segments with different surface orientations. Each segment is angled to redirect light from specific angular ranges (40°-90°) away from the optical axis, thereby reducing glare while preserving the TIR lens's focusing capability for beneficial angles
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the reflector are assigned different local properties (surface angles) to selectively control light reflection. The segments closer to the optical axis have different orientations than those farther away, creating a gradient that progressively redirects light from harmful angular ranges
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 solution effectively reduces glare risk, providing a more uniform and intense light distribution suitable for work surfaces, achieving a low unified glare rating and high lumen output while maintaining a sharp illuminated area shape.
Implementation Method 1
The TIR lens 200 has a light entry area 300 for light generated by the LED light source 100 entering the TIR lens 200, and a light exit area 400 for light exiting the TIR lens 200. Between the light entry surface 300 and the light exit surface 400 there is a lateral or side surface 210. This is shaped in such a way that - as indicated by an exemplary light ray S - those light rays that have entered the TIR lens 200 via the light entry surface 300 and meet the lateral surface 210 undergo total internal reflection there.
Implementation Method 2
An optical arrangement featuring a TIR lens with a ring-shaped reflector that reduces light emission above 65° and between 40° and 65°, utilizing a reflector with convex segments and a highly glossy surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The present invention relates to an optical arrangement for a light source (1), having a TIR lens (2) with a light entry surface (3) for entry of light produced by the light source (1) into the TIR lens (2) and with a light emergence surface (4) for emergence of the light from the TIR lens (2), wherein a reflector (5) is provided for influencing the light that has emerged from the TIR lens (2) via the light emergence surface (4), wherein the reflector (5) forms a light entry region (6) for entry of the light that has emerged from the TIR lens (2) into an inner region (7) of the reflector (5), wherein the light entry region (6), in terms of its form, corresponds to the form of the light emergence surface (4) of the TIR lens (2), at least to a first approximation.