As LED technology has evolved, the approach to fixture and optical design has not evolved to take full advantage of the properties of LED sources.
Hyperbola: A New Approach for a Directional Source
Traditional light sources produce light in all directions. To redirect the light down and out of a fixture, a parabolic
reflector is most efficient. However, due to the directional nature of LED sources, utilizing parabolic reflectors has
proven difficult in terms of minimizing glare and achieving a uniform beam spread.
Prompted by demand for low-glare, high efficiency LED luminaires, Indy engineers discovered that a hyperbolic
surface provides superior light distribution control for LED sources. The hyperbolic shape reflects and spreads light
similar to a convex lens, as opposed to focusing the light. And the geometry of the hyperbolic curve eliminates
source image in the reflector as any reflected light is directed down toward the work plane. By eliminating the need
to diffuse the light with a lens and redirecting it toward the work plane, the efficacy can increase up to 35% over
parabolic reflectors.
In addition, the hyperbolic surface blocks the light that would be incident on the lower portion of the reflector,
casting a shadow that dramatically reduces the aperture brightness. The hyperbolic reflector shape also reduces
the amount of light-source regression required for glare control by increasing the shielding angle, thereby
reducing the profile of the downlight housing.