Optical Waveguide Circular Deflection Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light guides used for backlighting decorative elements appear unaesthetic when unilluminated due to visible light deflection structures, and they often lack sufficient luminance, making them unsuitable for translucent, flat decorative elements.
Innovation Solution
A light guide design featuring light deflection structures with cross sections in a circular or circumferential shape on the visible surface, where the diameter of these structures is between 0 micrometers and 50 micrometers, and their centers are spaced such that the distance between them is greater than the diameter divided by 0.33, ensuring they are barely visible in the unilluminated state while maintaining sufficient luminance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light deflection structures are made larger to improve light coupling efficiency and luminance, then luminance is improved, but visibility of the structures in the unilluminated state increases making them more aesthetic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the diameter of light deflection structures to be between 0.001 mm and 50 µm, and spacing them at distances greater than d/0.33. This parameter optimization allows the structures to remain invisible to the human eye in the unilluminated state while still effectively deflecting light to provide sufficient luminance when illuminated.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If light deflection structures are made smaller to improve aesthetics in the unilluminated state, then visibility is reduced, but luminance on the visible side decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent determines optimal parameter ranges through systematic analysis: diameter d between 0.001 mm and 50 µm, and spacing A > d/0.33. These parameter changes ensure that even at the upper limit of visibility, the structures remain barely visible while maintaining sufficient light deflection capability for adequate luminance output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a dense arrangement of light deflection structures with spacing A > d/0.33, which creates a partial overlap in their light deflection zones. This excessive density ensures that sufficient luminance is achieved across the entire visible surface, compensating for the small individual size of each structure.
3Illumination intensity
If the distance between light deflection structures is reduced to increase their density, then luminance is improved, but the structures become more visible in the unilluminated state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes the critical spacing parameter A > d/0.33, which creates an optimal balance point. At this spacing, the structures are dense enough to provide uniform luminance coverage but sparse enough to remain invisible when unilluminated. This parameter relationship directly resolves the contradiction between density and visibility.
4Illumination intensity
If the diameter of light deflection structures is increased to improve light deflection efficiency, then luminance is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a diameter range of 0.001 mm to 50 µm that balances multiple factors: large enough to provide effective light deflection, small enough to remain invisible, and within achievable tolerances for manufacturing processes. This parameter selection resolves the contradiction between efficiency and manufacturability.
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 design ensures that light deflection structures are hardly visible in the unilluminated state and provide sufficient luminance on the visible side, making the light guide aesthetically pleasing and functional when illuminated.
Implementation Method 1
Light from a lamp is coupled into the light guide via the light coupling surface. The coupled light propagates in the light guide and is redirected by means of the light deflection structures
Data Source
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AI summary
A light guide (1, 1', 1'', 1''', 1''', 1''' '', 1''' '', 1'''' '''', 1'''' '''', 1'''' '''', 1'''' '''', 1""' ""') is provided comprising at least two light deflection structures (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) which have a cross-section arranged in a surface (19), wherein the cross-section of each light deflection structure in the surface (19) is a circle (K, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, K10, K11, K12, K13) or around the cross-section (Q, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6, Q7, Q8, Q9, Q10, Q11, Q12, Q13) of a respective light deflection structure in the area (19) a circumcircle (U, U2, U3, U4, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13) can be defined, wherein light coupled into the light guide via a light coupling surface (14) can be coupled out of the light guide via a viewing surface (18) and the at least two light deflection structures. The diameter d (d2, d3, d4, d5, d6, d7, d8, d9, d10, d11, d12, d13) of the circle orof the circumcircle in the area (19) lies in the range from greater than 0 micrometers to 50 micrometers, wherein the center point (M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9, M10, M11, M12, M13) of the circle or circumcircle in the area (19) of a respective light deflection structure (2) to the center point (M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9, M10, M11, M12, M13) of the circle or circumcircle in the area (19) of all other light deflection structures (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) is a distance A (A23, A24, A25, A26, A27, A28, A29, A210, A211, A212, A213) exhibits, wherein the distance A is greater than the diameter d (d2) of the circle or circumcircle in the area (19) of the respective light deflection structure (2) divided by the value 0.33.