Waveguide Lighting Fixture Indirect Surface Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Generating ambient light using waveguides is challenging due to their small diameter output, resulting in high intensity beams, which is difficult to convert into aesthetically pleasing ambient lighting while avoiding direct light fixture visibility in residential and commercial settings.

Innovation Solution

A waveguided light fixture that includes an LED light source, a waveguide to guide light, and indirect lighting surfaces that reflect the light at predetermined angles, dispersing it to reduce intensity and increase beam width, creating ambient light with a microlens or prismatic surfaces at the distal end for optimal light distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If waveguide is used to transmit light, then light transmission efficiency is improved, but beam width is reduced and intensity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight transmission efficiencyVSAvoidbeam width

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from direct waveguide output to indirect lighting by reflecting light off surfaces, adding a spatial dimension to light distribution. This allows the concentrated beam to be dispersed across a larger area without losing transmission efficiency through the waveguide itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces indirect lighting surfaces as an intermediary between the waveguide output and the final light distribution. These surfaces receive the high-intensity beam and redistribute it, mediating between the waveguide's efficient transmission and the need for wider beam coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If waveguide output is used directly, then light intensity is maintained, but aesthetic appeal is reduced due to visible fixture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight intensityVSAvoidaesthetic appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The indirect lighting surfaces act as an intermediary that hides the waveguide fixture while maintaining light intensity. The surfaces are positioned to block direct view of the fixture but still receive and reflect the high-intensity light, preserving both aesthetic appeal and illumination quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different properties to different parts of the lighting system: the waveguide maintains high intensity for efficient transmission, while the indirect surfaces provide diffuse reflection for aesthetic appeal. This local differentiation allows each component to optimize its function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Area of moving object

If indirect lighting surfaces are added, then beam width is increased and intensity is reduced, but device complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam widthVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The indirect lighting surfaces serve multiple functions simultaneously: they increase beam width, reduce intensity to acceptable levels, and hide the waveguide fixture from direct view. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively transforms high-intensity light into ambient light with a wider beam, providing aesthetically pleasing illumination while minimizing direct light fixture visibility, thus addressing the challenges of generating ambient light from waveguides.

Implementation Method 1

The wave guide may guide the emitted light through the body of the waveguide to a distal end of the waveguide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The indirect lighting surfaces receive the transmitted light and reflect the transmitted light at predetermined angles, such that the transmitted light is dispersed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

A microlens located on or in at least one surface of the distal end of the waveguide and configured to receive the emitted light rays and transmit the emitted light rays

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS11353646B2Waveguide lighting fixture providing ambient light

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 LUMINII LLC

AI summary

A light fixture for waveguided ambient light is described herein. In one embodiment, the light fixture includes an LED light source for emitting light rays, a waveguide optically coupled to the LED light source to receive and guide the emitted light rays from a proximal end of the waveguide to a distal end of the waveguide, a first indirect lighting surface configured to receive a first portion of the emitted light rays and reflect the first portion at a first distribution to produce a first ambient light source, and a second indirect lighting surface configured to receive a second portion of the emitted light rays and reflect the second portion at a second distribution to produce a second ambient light source.