Wide Angle LED Optical System with Reflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED light systems face inefficiencies in distributing light over a wide angle, often resulting in undesirable bright spots and limited coverage, especially when using high-output LEDs in compact arrays for warning and signaling applications.
Innovation Solution
An optical system combining an optical element and a reflector to redirect light from a plurality of LEDs, creating a wide angle beam with enhanced surface area by re-directing specific portions of light emitted trajectories, thereby expanding the illuminated area without leaving desirable components undisturbed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high-output LEDs are used in compact arrays to increase luminous flux, then light output is improved, but light distribution becomes concentrated creating bright spots with limited coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system segments the light distribution function by using multiple discrete optical elements, each associated with specific LEDs, to redirect light in different directions. This segmentation allows the concentrated light from high-output LEDs to be distributed across a wider area through coordinated action of individual optical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent redirects light trajectories from a primarily forward-directed pattern to include significant lateral and upward/downward components. By modifying the angular distribution of light in multiple dimensions rather than just increasing forward intensity, the system expands the illuminated area while maintaining high luminous flux output.
2Illumination intensity
If LEDs are arranged in compact arrays to meet photometric requirements, then light output is improved, but cooling requirements increase to prevent heat accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is implemented as separate optical elements for different LED groups, allowing thermal management to be addressed in discrete zones. This segmentation enables targeted cooling approaches for different regions of the LED array while maintaining overall light output requirements.
3Speed
If collimating lenses are used to organize light into collimated beams, then light directionality is improved, but the light fixture appears with bright spots against unlit background
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the optical system perform different functions: some optical elements collimate light for directional control while others redirect light to specific zones to ensure uniform coverage. This local differentiation of optical properties eliminates the bright spot problem by ensuring each region of the light fixture has the appropriate optical characteristics for its function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system redirects light not only in the horizontal plane but also in vertical and lateral dimensions. By distributing light across multiple spatial dimensions rather than concentrating it in a single forward direction, the system achieves uniform illumination across the entire fixture area while maintaining effective light directionality.
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 optical system effectively generates a wide angle beam that enhances visibility and coverage, meeting industry standards for emergency vehicle lighting by combining warning and area illumination functions into a single unit, reducing costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The optical element is defined by light entry surfaces and light emission surfaces configured to cooperate to re-direct light generated by the array of LEDs
Implementation Method 2
The reflector is configured to surround the periphery of the optical element and re-direct light emitted from the peripheral light emissions surfaces
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical system includes a lens and reflector configured to form a wide angle beam from light emitted from an array of LEDs by modifying only the component of emitted light that diverges from a reference plane. A central portion of the lens collimates emitted LED light relative to the reference plane containing the optical axes of the LEDs. A peripheral portion of the lens re-directs emitted LED light into an orientation perpendicular to the reference plane. The reflector surrounds the periphery of the lens and re-directs light from the peripheral portion of the lens into a direction parallel with the reference plane. The linear array of LEDs may include sub arrays projecting away from a support plane to enhance visibility of a resulting light signal from vantage points close to or aligned with the support plane.