Tubular Light Diffuser for Uniform Scanner Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scanners using LEDs face challenges with thermal stability and non-uniform light profiles due to the inherent nature of small LED chips, which affect scan image quality and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A thermally stable lighting device featuring a tubular structure with a plurality of light sources mounted on its inner surface, where the light is diffused through a reflective coating and an opening, providing a substantially uniform light output and heat dissipation via thermally conductive materials and fins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high powered LEDs are used as illumination source, then output intensity is improved, but thermal stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A reflective tubular structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the LED light source and the document being scanned. This structure serves as a heat sink to dissipate thermal energy while simultaneously acting as a light diffuser to provide uniform illumination, thus resolving the contradiction between high intensity light output and thermal stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and arrangement parameters of the light source system by transitioning from direct LED emission to reflected light within a tubular structure. This parameter change enables better thermal management while maintaining high illumination intensity through the reflective properties of the tubular structure
2Ease of manufacture
If limited number of LEDs are used to save cost, then device cost is reduced, but light uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective tubular structure acts as a light mixing intermediary that receives light from a limited number of LEDs and redistributes it uniformly across the scanning area. This allows cost reduction through fewer LEDs while maintaining uniform illumination through the light diffusion and reflection mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from direct planar LED arrangement to a three-dimensional tubular reflective structure. This dimensional change allows light from multiple points to converge and diffuse uniformly across the scanning surface, achieving uniformity with fewer light sources
3Volume of moving object
If small LED chip is used, then device compactness is improved, but light profile uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular reflective structure serves as a light diffusion intermediary that compensates for the non-uniform light profile of small LED chips. By introducing this intermediate structure, the patent maintains compactness while achieving uniform light distribution through multiple reflections and light path length equalization
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 ensures a thermally stable and uniformly distributed light output, enhancing scan image quality and reducing costs by efficiently dissipating heat and minimizing direct light emission.
Implementation Method 1
light emitted from the plurality of light sources is reflected from the inner surface before exiting the tubular structure through the opening as diffused light
Implementation Method 2
The tubular structure includes plurality of heat dissipating fins extending from an outer surface of the tubular structure
Implementation Method 3
the tubular structure is made up of a thermally conductive material
Data Source
AI summary
A tubular structure with an opening defined thereon and having an inner surface and an outer surface. The tubular structure being substantially circular in shape and is made of a highly thermal conductive material. A plurality of light sources mounted on the inner surface of the tubular structure. The inner surface is coated with a diffused white coating. Light emitted from the plurality of light sources is reflected from the inner surface before exiting the tubular structure from the opening. This structure ensures emitting a uniform diffused light and prevents non-uniform illumination when disposed in an imaging forming device.