Upward-Lighting LED Dome for Obstruction-Free Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting apparatuses for communication and emergency devices are ineffective when light is obscured by vehicles, crowds, or objects, as they rely solely on glowing beacons that fail to provide clear visual awareness of the device's location.
Innovation Solution
A lighting apparatus featuring a transparent dome with an optically unobstructed region aligned with a primary light emitting diode, a secondary light emitting diode, and a focusing lens, which projects a divergent light beam through the dome to ensure effective wall and ceiling illumination, even in the presence of obstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional glowing beacon is used, then the device provides a visual indicator, but the light is obscured by vehicles, crowds, and objects reducing visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal ground-level beacon lighting to vertical upward-directed lighting that projects light beams onto the ceiling and upper walls. This dimensional change allows the light to bypass ground-level obstructions such as vehicles, crowds, and objects, solving the light obstruction problem by operating in a different spatial dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transparent dome as an intermediary structure that houses the light emitting diodes and directs light upward through a defined optical path. The dome with its optically unobstructed region acts as a mediator that protects the light sources while enabling controlled light projection onto the ceiling, bypassing ground-level obstructions.
2Illumination intensity
If a transparent dome with optically unobstructed region is used, then light beam passage is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent dome serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the light emitting diodes and printed circuit board, directs light upward through its geometric shape, provides structural support, and creates the optically unobstructed region for light beam passage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while achieving the desired optical performance.
3Manufacturing precision
If a focusing lens is added to the housing, then light beam focusing is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The focusing lens is integrated directly into the housing structure, merging the lens function with the housing component. This integration eliminates the need for separate lens mounting mechanisms and simplifies assembly, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining precise light beam focusing capability.
4Illumination intensity
If upwardly directed light emitting diodes are used, then ceiling and wall illumination is achieved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs light emitting diodes with optimized parameters for upward light emission, including specific wavelengths and intensities that maximize ceiling illumination efficiency. The use of LED technology inherently provides energy efficiency compared to conventional bulbs, and the upward directionality concentrates light output where needed, reducing overall power consumption while achieving effective ceiling and wall illumination.
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 provides clear and distant visibility of the light beam on walls and ceilings, overcoming the limitations of conventional beacons by ensuring the light is not obstructed, and eliminating the need for additional peripheral lighting equipment.
Implementation Method 1
an upwardly directed primary light emitting diode in electrical communication with the printed circuit board
Implementation Method 2
the focusing lens is a plano-convex lens for focusing light emitted by the primary light emitting diode in a divergent manner
Implementation Method 3
a colored translucent coating provided on one of an inside surface or an outside surface of the transparent dome
Implementation Method 4
a light diffusing coating provided on the other of the inside surface or the outside surface of the transparent dome
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting apparatus including an enclosure, a printed circuit board mounted to the enclosure, and an upwardly directed primary light emitting diode in electrical communication with the printed circuit board. The lighting apparatus additionally includes a power source for supplying electrical power to the printed circuit board. The lighting apparatus further includes a transparent dome situated atop the enclosure and covering the printed circuit board, wherein the transparent dome includes an optically unobstructed region in vertical alignment with the primary light emitting diode for passage of an upwardly directed light beam emitted from the primary light emitting diode when powered.