Truncated Sawtooth Light Guide for Uniform Illumination

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light assemblies with multiple LEDs face high power demands and complex circuitry, and the cost of LEDs is a concern, necessitating a solution to simulate more light sources with fewer LEDs while maintaining uniform illumination and reducing power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A light assembly comprising a light source and a light guide with a truncated sawtooth shape, where the light source side and emitting side have truncated and apex portions, allowing light to be emitted in a manner that creates the appearance of multiple light sources, utilizing a lattice configuration of light guide segments to distribute light effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If multiple light sources are used to achieve desired light distribution, then illumination coverage is improved, but power consumption and circuitry complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distributionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide is segmented into multiple regions with different optical properties, including a first region with a first refractive index and a second region with a second refractive index. This segmentation allows different portions of light from a single source to be redirected at different angles, creating the appearance of multiple light sources while using only one actual LED, thus reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide acts as an intermediary between the single light source and the final light output. It redirects and distributes light from the single source through its segmented structure with varying refractive indices, making the single source appear as multiple sources to the observer, thereby achieving the desired light distribution without multiple LEDs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If multiple light sources are used to achieve desired light distribution, then illumination coverage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distributionVSAvoidcircuitry

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide is segmented into multiple regions with different optical properties, including a first region with a first refractive index and a second region with a second refractive index. This segmentation allows different portions of light from a single source to be redirected at different angles, creating the appearance of multiple light sources while using only one actual LED, thus reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide acts as an intermediary between the single light source and the final light output. It redirects and distributes light from the single source through its segmented structure with varying refractive indices, making the single source appear as multiple sources to the observer, thereby achieving the desired light distribution without multiple LEDs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If fewer light sources are used to reduce power consumption, then power demands are reduced, but light distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidlight distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the light guide are assigned different local optical qualities, specifically different refractive indices. The first region has a first refractive index and the second region has a second refractive index, allowing each region to optimally redirect light in specific directions. This local differentiation ensures uniform light distribution across the output surface while using only a single light source, maintaining illumination uniformity without requiring multiple LEDs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 simulates multiple light sources, reducing power consumption and costs, while maintaining uniform illumination and preventing intensity drop-off, achieving the appearance of five times more light sources with fewer actual LEDs.

Implementation Method 1

a first region with a first refractive index and a second region with a second refractive index

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS10746918B2Light assembly and light guide

Publication Date: 2020.08.18 REBO LIGHTING & ELECTRONICS LLC

AI summary

A light assembly that acts as a light source multiplier. The light assembly includes a light guide having a light source side and an emitting side with a center portion between the light source side and the emitting side. Both the light source side and the emitting side have a truncated sawtooth shape. The light source side has a plurality of truncated portions and a plurality of apex portions between each truncated portion, with one or more of the apex portions ending in the center portion of the light guide. In some implementations, a number of light guide segments are oriented in a lattice configuration.