UV Light Panel with Integrated Beam Reflector and Scattering Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light panels face challenges in achieving uniform light intensity and reducing form factor, particularly for ultraviolet light panels, which experience significant light loss due to scattering and absorption, affecting both image quality and device longevity.
Innovation Solution
A light panel design incorporating a lightguide with a beam reflector, mirror, and light scattering features to steer and scatter light uniformly, minimizing absorption and scattering, and optimizing the structure to reduce thickness while maintaining area efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple components (lightguide, prism sheet, diffuser) are stacked to convert point light sources into areal light sources, then light uniformity is improved, but light loss increases due to absorption by multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light redirecting function (prism sheet) and light diffusing function (diffuser) into a single integrated light panel component. This merging eliminates the interfaces between multiple components, reducing absorption losses while maintaining the ability to convert point light sources into uniform areal light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The light panel is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a light guide to distribute light across the panel area and a diffuser to achieve uniform light intensity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing light loss through multiple interfaces.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple components are stacked to achieve light conversion, then light uniformity is improved, but the form factor (thickness) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple optical functions (light guiding, light redirecting, and light diffusing) into a single light panel component, eliminating the need for stacked components. This integration significantly reduces the overall thickness and form factor while maintaining light uniformity performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses surface relief structures (prism patterns and diffuser patterns) on the light panel to achieve light redistribution in the lateral dimension rather than requiring multiple layers stacked in the vertical dimension. This approach maintains thin form factor while achieving uniform light output.
3Adaptability or versatility
If UV light is used for germicidal applications, then sterilization capability is achieved, but light loss increases due to stronger scattering and absorption at shorter wavelengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines light guiding and diffusing functions into a single UV-transparent light panel, eliminating multiple interfaces that would cause scattering and absorption losses. This is particularly important for UV wavelengths which are more prone to scattering and absorption, thereby improving UV light transmission efficiency while maintaining sterilization capability.
4Length of stationary object
If light sources are disposed on one side of the lightguide to reduce thickness, then form factor is improved, but area efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses surface relief structures (prism patterns and diffuser patterns) to redirect and distribute light in the lateral dimension, enabling efficient light distribution from side-mounted light sources across the entire panel area. This approach maintains thin form factor while achieving good area efficiency through optical path manipulation.
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 enhances light uniformity and reduces form factor, minimizing light loss and extending device lifespan by effectively redirecting and scattering light across the panel surface.
Implementation Method 1
a beam reflector disposed on a top surface of the lightguide facing against the input port, the beam reflector reflects a greater portion of the light and transmit a smaller portion of the light; whereas the beam reflector steers the direction of most of the light beams from the input port by about 90 degrees
Implementation Method 2
a mirror disposed on the bottom surface of the lightguide, the mirror reflects a portion of the light toward the top surface
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of light scattering features disposed on the bottom surface of the lightguide, the plurality of light scattering features reflects a portion of the light toward the top surface, whereas the scattering features extract portions of the steered light beams out of the lightguide into a direction substantially perpendicular to the lightguide top surface
Implementation Method 4
the mirror and the top surface of the lightguide provide guided modes for the steered light beams
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a light device that generates uniform light beam over a panel. A light device includes a light source and a light panel. The light panel includes: a lightguide that has an input port for receiving light from the light source, the input port is formed on a bottom surface of the lightguide; a beam reflector disposed on a top surface of the lightguide, the beam reflector reflects a portion of the light; a mirror disposed on the bottom surface of the lightguide, the mirror reflects a portion of the light toward the top surface; and a plurality of light scattering features disposed on the bottom surface of the lightguide, the plurality of light scattering features reflects a portion of the light toward the top surface.