Hollow Light Guide Module Involving Mini Light-Emitting Diodes for Asymmetric Luminous Planar Illuminators

Zhi Ting Ye, Chin Lung Chen, Lung-Chien Chen, Ching Ho Tien, Hong Thai Nguyen and Hsiang-Chen Wang
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Zhi Ting Ye: Department of Electro-Optical Engineering, National United University, 2, Lienda, Miaoli 26063, Taiwan
Chin Lung Chen: Materials and Chemical Engineering, National United University, 2, Lienda, Miaoli 26063, Taiwan
Lung-Chien Chen: Department of Electro-Optical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, No. 1, Sec. 3, Chung-Hsiao E. Rd., Taipei 10608, Taiwan
Ching Ho Tien: Department of Electro-Optical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, No. 1, Sec. 3, Chung-Hsiao E. Rd., Taipei 10608, Taiwan
Hong Thai Nguyen: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Advanced Institute of Manufacturing with High-Tech Innovations, National Chung Cheng University, 168, University Rd., Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi 62102, Taiwan
Hsiang-Chen Wang: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Advanced Institute of Manufacturing with High-Tech Innovations, National Chung Cheng University, 168, University Rd., Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi 62102, Taiwan

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 14, 1-12

Abstract: Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have numerous advantages. However, LEDs only offer a point light source. Therefore, transforming LEDs into planar light sources is a new objective in general lighting applications. Solid light guides have strong uniformity but are marred by their material absorption characteristics and weight. Hollow light guides constitute a solution to the weight problem but exhibit poor uniformity and necessitate sacrificing efficiency to enhance uniformity. To resolve the uniformity, weight, and efficiency problems simultaneously, we propose a hollow light guide architecture involving mini-LEDs with asymmetric luminous intensity. To develop this guide module, we first optimized the aspect ratio of the cavity and then modulated the light path by using varied angles of the reflection surface on the end wall of the module. We then designed a beveled reflection surface near the mini-LEDs to further enhance uniformity. An archetype of the proposed architecture for planar light source modules had a width and depth of 51.5 and 9.95 mm, respectively. Experimental results revealed a total efficiency of 83.9% and uniformity of 92.3%. The module weight was determined to be 215 g, which was 40% lighter than that of similarly sized solid light guide modules.

Keywords: planar illuminators; diffuse reflection cavity; asymmetric; mini-LED (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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