Waveguide Luminaire with Dynamic Light Extraction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting assemblies with waveguides have static illuminance distribution patterns, making them ineffective in responding to changes in the lighting environment, as they require external adjustments which are time-consuming and lack real-time adaptability.

Innovation Solution

The development of luminaires with waveguides and dynamic light extraction components, including reversibly moveable surfaces that can be mechanically, electrically, or magnetically adjusted to alter illuminance distribution patterns, allowing for real-time changes in azimuthal and longitudinal components of light distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If waveguide shape and extraction feature characteristics are fixed, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but illuminance distribution pattern adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidilluminance distribution pattern adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces movable and adjustable components within the waveguide system, specifically extraction features that can be repositioned or reconfigured. This allows the illuminance distribution pattern to be dynamically changed without altering the fundamental waveguide structure, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The waveguide is divided into multiple sections with independently controllable extraction features. Each section can be adjusted separately to create different illuminance patterns, allowing the system to achieve versatility through modular components rather than redesigning the entire waveguide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If external means are used to adjust illuminance distribution pattern, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveilluminance distribution pattern adaptabilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The waveguide system incorporates self-contained adjustment mechanisms where the extraction features are integrated directly into the waveguide structure. This eliminates the need for external adjustment devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to change illuminance patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment functionality is merged with the waveguide body itself, combining the structural component with the adjustment mechanism. This integration reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall device architecture while enabling pattern changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment is required for illuminance distribution, then adaptability is improved, but productivity and real-time response deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveilluminance distribution pattern change capabilityVSAvoidadjustment speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with automated control mechanisms, such as motorized actuators or electronically controllable extraction features. This substitution enables rapid, real-time changes in illuminance patterns without requiring manual intervention, thereby improving productivity and response time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables rapid switching between different illuminance patterns through periodic or on-demand activation of different extraction features. This allows the lighting system to adapt quickly to changing requirements, achieving real-time responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 luminaires to dynamically adjust illuminance distribution patterns in response to changing lighting conditions, providing flexible and adaptive lighting solutions for various environments without the need for external modifications.

Implementation Method 1

An optical waveguide mixes and directs light emitted by one or more light sources

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

forces can be applied mechanically, electrically and/or magnetically to reversibly movable surfaces of the light extraction component(s)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical actuation: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

forces can be applied mechanically, electrically and/or magnetically to reversibly movable surfaces of the light extraction component(s)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical actuation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11372156B2Waveguide-based light sources with dynamic beam shaping

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 LED-IP MANAGEMENT LLC

AI summary

Luminaires are described herein employing waveguides and associated architectures for dynamic alteration of illuminance distribution patterns. The waveguide includes a light extraction component. The waveguide transmits light from a light source to the light extraction component by total internal reflection (TIR). The light extraction component includes one or more reversibly moveable surfaces for altering illuminance distribution patterns of the luminaire in response to one or more forces applied to the light extraction component by a force application assembly of the luminaire.