Tunable Beam Angle Illumination Optical System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting systems require changing the entire lamp or diffuser to adjust beam angles, which is inconvenient and costly, especially when the diffuser is glued to the reflector, limiting flexibility and increasing expenses.
Innovation Solution
An illumination optical system with a movable reflector along a post, where the position of the reflector determines the beam angle, allowing for tunable beam angles without changing any parts, compatible with various light sources including LEDs, OLEDs, and other solid state light sources, using a combination of reflective surfaces and diffusers for efficient light mixing and beam control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional lighting system uses a fixed diffuser attached to the reflector, then the beam angle is determined at manufacturing time, but the system loses flexibility and requires replacing the entire lamp or diffuser to change beam angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the reflector movable along the post rather than fixed. The reflector can be repositioned to different locations along the optical axis (post) to dynamically change the beam angle. This allows the system to adapt to different lighting requirements without replacing components, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity by introducing controlled movement where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the lighting system into independent functional components: the light source, the post, the movable reflector, and the diffuser. By separating the reflector from the diffuser and making the reflector independently movable, the system allows beam angle adjustment without affecting other components. This segmentation enables flexible reconfiguration while maintaining overall system simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the diffuser is glued to the reflector to maintain structural integrity, then manufacturing is simplified, but the system cannot allow independent adjustment of beam angle without replacing the entire assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the previously integrated diffuser-reflector assembly into separate components. The diffuser remains attached to the reflector at manufacturing time (maintaining ease of manufacture), but the reflector is designed to be movable along the post independently of the diffuser. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from both simplified manufacturing and convenient operational adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic capability to the reflector, allowing it to be repositioned along the post after assembly. This dynamic feature enables beam angle adjustment without requiring disassembly or replacement of the diffuser-reflector assembly, thus maintaining ease of operation while preserving manufacturing simplicity.
3Measurement precision
If a focusing system similar to a camera is provided to achieve different beam angles, then beam angle control is precise, but the system becomes expensive to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves beam angle control by changing the position parameter of the reflector along the optical axis (post). By varying the reflector's location parameter, the system precisely controls beam angle without requiring complex focusing mechanisms. This parameter-based approach provides precise control at lower cost compared to camera-like focusing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the beam angle control function from complex optical systems and implements it through a simple movable reflector mechanism. By removing unnecessary complexity and focusing only on the essential element (reflector position), the system achieves precise beam angle control cost-effectively.
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
Enables adjustable beam angles without replacing any components, reducing costs and enhancing flexibility in lighting applications, while maintaining color tunability and efficient light mixing, suitable for a wide range of lighting devices and systems.
Implementation Method 1
an internal area of the post having a reflective surface
Implementation Method 2
a diffuser disposed across the distal end of the post
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination optical system with a tunable beam angle (IOSTBA) is presented to achieve different beam angles without changing parts. The IOSTBA includes a light source and a post having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end in optical communication with the light source, an internal area of the post having a reflective surface. Also shown is a diffuser disposed across the end of the post, the diffuser in optical communication with the post and a reflector surrounding a portion of the post, the reflector movable along a length of the post. A position of the reflector along the post determines a beam angle of a resulting light beam exiting the IOSTBA. The system features a simple and cost effective optical design which works with a variety of light sources, including color mixing and champing strategies.