Working Light Glare Reduction via Dual Reflector Optical System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Working lights mounted high above ground level cause glare issues for individuals on the ground, affecting work safety and ergonomics in various environments, as existing solutions from the automotive industry are not applicable due to differences in light distribution and mounting configurations.

Innovation Solution

A working light design featuring a primary reflector element with a lower edge and secondary reflector elements that ensure light distribution remains below the horizontal axis, preventing glare by directing most light below the horizontal axis and minimizing direct emission above it, with optical axes intersecting perpendicularly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If working lights are mounted high above ground level, then the effective working area is covered, but glare is caused to persons on the ground level

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffective working area coverageVSAvoidglare to persons on ground
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The reflector system is divided into a primary reflector and a secondary reflector, each performing a specific function in the light redistribution process. The primary reflector handles initial light collection and redirection, while the secondary reflector performs final light distribution control, enabling precise glare reduction while maintaining working area illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the light distribution from a conventional omnidirectional pattern to a controlled horizontal spread pattern by using the secondary reflector. This dimensional change in light distribution ensures that light remains below the horizontal axis, eliminating glare while maintaining effective working area coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the main light beam is directed below the horizontal axis to avoid glare, then glare is reduced, but luminating efficiency may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglare reductionVSAvoidluminating efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of high mounting position (which causes glare) into a benefit by using the elevated position to advantageously position the light source relative to the reflectors. The high mounting location enables the optical system to achieve the desired light distribution pattern more effectively, reducing glare while maintaining efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes critical parameters including the positions of the light source relative to the reflector focal points, the geometric shapes of the reflectors, and the material reflectivity. These parameter changes enable the system to achieve high luminating efficiency while directing light below the horizontal axis to reduce glare.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If optical arrangements are used to control light distribution, then glare is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglare controlVSAvoidoptical system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and addresses the glare control function specifically through the secondary reflector, which is added to the conventional single-reflector design. This extracted component is dedicated to horizontal light spread control, separating the glare reduction function from the general illumination function and enabling targeted optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs curved reflector surfaces with specific geometric profiles designed to achieve precise light redistribution. The curved geometry of the primary and secondary reflectors enables controlled light path manipulation, directing light below the horizontal axis while maintaining system simplicity through well-defined geometric shapes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 reduces glare without tilting the light, ensuring high luminating efficiency and safe working conditions by maintaining light distribution below the horizontal axis, even when mounted high, thus addressing the unique challenges of working light installations.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one primary reflector element is arranged to reflect light beams emitting from the at least one light source via the second focus to the at least one secondary reflector element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

at least one secondary reflector element is arranged to form a horizontally spreading light distribution for the light beams so that the most of the light remains below the horizontal axis x

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection and distribution: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3695162B1Working light
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 NORDIC LIGHTS LTD
  • EP3695162B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3695162B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3695162B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The invention relates to a working light with glare reduction. The working light comprising at least one light source (12), at least one primary reflector element (10), which further comprises a lower edge (103), a first focus (101) on the optical vertical axis y (13) above a horizontal axis x (14) and a second focus (102) on a optical vertical axis y (13) below the horizontal axis x (14). Further, the working light according to the invention comprises at least one secondary reflector element (11) further comprising a secondary focus (111).