Nov. 29, 2023
Silicon lens is an optical lens that is made from optical silicone material instead of traditional glass, PC or PMMA. It is designed to achieve reflection and refraction of light. Unlike encapsulated silicone material, the silicone used in silicon lenses is injection molded liquid optical silicone. These lenses are commonly used in various applications such as industrial lighting, indoor and outdoor LED lighting, automotive headlights, and LED screen displays.
The properties of silicon lens can be summarized as follows:
1. Light transmittance: Silicon lens has a light transmittance of 94%, which is higher than that of plastic optical lenses.
2. Temperature resistance: It can withstand temperatures ranging from -40 to 200℃, making it suitable for use in LED applications. For TVs, the general use temperature is around 80 degrees Celsius, while for headlights, it can go up to 150 degrees Celsius.
3. Good resistance to yellowing: After undergoing a 3000-hour double 85 ageing test, the silicon lens shows no signs of yellowing or discoloration.
4. UV resistance: Unlike PMMA (plastic), silicon lens is resistant to UV light and does not crack or degrade when exposed to it.
5. Self-sealing and waterproof design: Silicon lens can be designed with a waterproof silicone ring, allowing for integral waterproofing of the lens.
6. Low density: The optical silicone used in the lens has a density of around 1.05 to 1.08, which is lower than that of PMMA and glass. This lightweight design helps reduce energy consumption.
7. Explosion-proof and shock-resistant: Silicon lens is flexible and soft, making it resistant to explosions and shocks.
8. High fluidity: Silicone has better molding fluidity compared to plastic. It flows faster under the same pressure and temperature, allowing for the creation of sharp corners, angles, and other angular designs in optical lenses. Also, it can be over-molded to achieve lightweight design.
There are various types of silicon lenses that can be used for LED lighting. One common type is the silicone TIR lens, which stands for Total Internal Reflection. This type of lens is designed to direct light in a specific direction, making it ideal for applications where precise light control is required. Another type of silicon lens is the silicone collimating lens, which is used to focus light into a narrow beam. This type of lens is often used in applications where long-range illumination is required, such as in outdoor lighting or security systems. Additionally, there are also silicone diffuser lenses that are used to scatter light and create a softer, more even glow. These lenses are often used in applications such as indoor lighting or automotive lighting.
The TIR lens is a type of lens that utilizes the principle of total reflection to collect and process light. Its design allows for the collection and reflection of all side light in front of the lens in a penetrating way, resulting in a perfect light utilization and a beautiful spot effect. With an efficiency of over 90%, the silicon TIR lens has the advantages of high light energy utilization, low light loss, small light collection area, and good uniformity. Overall, TIR lenses are a great way to improve efficiency and light output by redirecting light rays that would otherwise be lost.
Silicon micro lens arrays, also known as silicon fly-eye lenses or compound-eye lenses, are arrangements of multiple small lenses that evenly distribute transmitted light. To achieve uniform illumination, improving the uniformity and brightness of the double-row arrangement is key. These lenses are essential components of reflective equipment and useful in lighting systems for generating uniform irradiance distribution. They are particularly effective in controlling the directionality and uniformity of light emitted by LEDs.
Light guide silicon lenses, also known as silicon matrix lenses, are utilized in automotive headlights. These lenses play a crucial role in adaptive optics, a method that automatically adjusts the focus of light when it deviates from the focal point. The requirements of the ADB module indicate that common optical materials like glass or thermoplastic materials (such as PC or PMMA) cannot be used for the inner lens of the ADB. Only silicone lenses meet all the necessary technical requirements. Silicone optical components have a well-established history of application in various fields. However, there are still some technical challenges to be addressed specifically in the field of ADB for vehicle lights.
HUD Silicone Backlight Lens is a type of lens that is used in Heads-Up Display (HUD) systems. It is made of silicone material and is designed to enhance the backlighting of the display. By using optical liquid silicone overmolded with PCB, the light loss has been decreased a lot. This lens helps to improve the visibility and clarity of information projected onto the windshield or other surfaces in the HUD system. It allows for better readability of important data such as speed, navigation instructions, and other relevant information while driving. The silicon material used in the lens ensures durability and resistance to environmental factors, making it suitable for automotive applications.
Each type of lens has its own unique characteristics and benefits, and the choice of lens will depend on the specific application and desired lighting effect.
After reading the article, it can be concluded that silicon lenses are a new and innovative alternative to traditional glass, PC or PMMA lenses. They have numerous advantages such as high light transmittance, excellent temperature resistance, good resistance to yellowing, UV resistance, self-sealing and waterproof design, low density, explosion-proof and shock-resistant, and high fluidity.
Overall, silicon lenses are commonly used in various applications such as industrial lighting, indoor and outdoor LED lighting, automotive headlights, and LED screen displays. With their superior properties and innovative design, they offer an excellent alternative to traditional lenses and are expected to play an increasingly important role in the field of optics.
