Wrap-around Window Lighting Module Edge Irradiance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting modules with solid-state light emitters face challenges in achieving uniform irradiance across large surfaces, particularly near edges and junctions, due to their Lambertian emission patterns, leading to non-uniform curing processes.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a wrap-around window structure with transparent sidewalls and an edge-weighted linear array of light-emitting elements, where the window sidewalls extend rearward from the edges of the window front face, allowing light to be emitted through both the front face and sidewalls, and a controller adjusts drive currents to optimize irradiance uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a flat front window is used with an array of light-emitting elements, then the lighting module structure is simple, but irradiance uniformity is poor near edges and junctions
Solution Approach 1:
The window structure is extended from a two-dimensional flat front face to a three-dimensional wrap-around configuration by adding sidewalls that extend rearward. This dimensional extension allows light to be emitted through additional surfaces (sidewalls), thereby improving irradiance uniformity at edges without significantly increasing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The window is segmented into multiple functional surfaces: a front face for central light emission and sidewalls for edge light emission. This segmentation allows each surface to contribute to irradiance in different regions, improving overall uniformity while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure
2Area of stationary object
If multiple lighting modules are combined to cover large surfaces, then irradiance coverage area increases, but junction uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By extending the window into the rearward dimension with sidewalls, the lighting module can be positioned closer to the workpiece surface. This reduces the gap between adjacent modules at junctions, improving irradiance continuity and uniformity across large coverage areas without requiring excessive overlap or complex alignment
3Device complexity
If light-emitting elements are positioned only at the front plane, then the device structure is simple, but edge irradiance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The light emission geometry is extended from a single front plane to multiple surfaces including sidewalls that reach toward the edges. This allows light-emitting elements to illuminate edge regions directly through the sidewall window portions, improving edge irradiance without requiring complex multi-layer positioning structures
Solution Approach 2:
The window structure provides different emission characteristics at different locations: the front face serves central regions while the sidewalls serve edge regions. This local differentiation of light emission paths ensures adequate irradiance across the entire illuminated area with a relatively simple overall structure
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
This configuration enhances irradiance uniformity across the edges and surfaces of lighting modules, improving the efficiency and consistency of curing processes by ensuring uniform light distribution.
Implementation Method 1
an array of light-emitting elements positioned within the housing to emit light through the window front face and through the first and second window sidewalls
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting module may comprise a housing, a window frame mounted at a front side of the housing, a window mounted at a front plane of the window frame, the window comprising a window front face spanning a front plane length and first and second window sidewalls extending rearwards from first and second edges of the window front face, and an array of light-emitting elements within the housing, the array aligned with and emitting light through a window front plane and through the first and second window sidewalls.