Lighting, correctly selected and installed, creates not only comfortable conditions for our eyes, but can also add value to the interior. new look, zone the space. Today, LED lamps are gaining popularity, because such lighting gives the interior a special style.
Function and principle of operation of the diffuser
LED strip consists of diodes, giving very bright and unpleasant to the eyes lighting with a cold tint. A diffuser solves this problem LED strip, which makes the lighting whiter comfortable and warm. The essence of the diffuser's work is to refract light and increase the angle of light propagation. It consists of a light-refracting material, a scattering film, and when light passes through it, it is evenly distributed throughout the room.
Application of LED lighting with diffuser
This lighting has wide range of applications, starting from apartments, offices and all kinds of public institutions and right up to any street. But this includes not only the lighting of the premises themselves, but LEDs are also used as lighting for cabinets, shelves, display cases and even aquariums. On the street it can be any decor or advertising. Such diversity in the use of LEDs provides the ability to select and change any colors and shades.
Profile types
To install the LED strip, you need a profile. It has the function of protecting against various damages and also cools the tape. In addition, the profile is equipped with a diffuser, due to which the ability to dissipate heat and light is achieved, making it less bright and comfortable for our eyes. A variety of profiles for LED strips with diffusers allows you to match them to any interior. There are several ways to attach a profile. Main profile types:
The shape of the profile is“U-shaped”, “L-shaped”, “C-shaped” and other types. A variety of profile shapes allows you to choose any location for installing a diode lamp. Nowadays it is often used plastic profile for LED strip, and a flexible overlay profile made of silicone is also very popular. It is made in the form of a tube, inside of which an LED strip is inserted.
The LED strip profile with a diffuser can be successfully replaced with other building profiles, which will help save cash. However, it is the special profile that ensures the safety of the LED strip, dissipates heat and light and, therefore, this design will last a long time. In stores you can now find a profile not only by type, size and method of fastening, but also for any interior by color and material.
Diffuser materials
To date The diffuser for LED strip can be made from various materials:
It is worth noting that such an indicator as aging resistance, is an important factor when choosing a diffuser. Since diode lamps have a very long operating period. Diffusing film can extend the life of LEDs.
When choosing a transparent or matte surface for a lamp, you need to remember that the matte one will create soft light and a relaxed atmosphere, while the transparent one will provide bright lighting. What type of lighting is suitable for certain purposes is better to decide on this issue before installation. To choose a diffuser for LEDs, you first need to choose the place where the tape will be attached. And determine what the dimensions of the tape will be. And think over the conditions for placing the tape, including weather conditions.
Fastening
Attaching an LED strip is not difficult; almost anyone can cope with the task. For this purpose they use liquid nails, self-tapping screws, double-sided tape. Alternatively, you can attach special brackets to the surface and secure the lamp in them. The tape can also be embedded into the surface. To do this, you need to prepare a groove in the wall in advance. For arches or other curved surfaces, a flexible profile is ideal.
DIY LED diffuser
To make a light diffuser with your own hands, you will need plexiglass, polycarbonate or diffuser film and a profile. You can take, for example, plastic box, used for laying wires. There are two ways to ensure a matte surface of the diffuser:
- It is necessary to carefully and evenly apply a special paste that destroys the crystalline structure. But the method is harmful, since the paste is toxic.
- Treat the surface with an abrasive material, for example.
The conclusion that can be drawn is this: a diffuser for LED lamps has an important function. Without it, LED lighting will simply become unpleasant for our eyes and will not be able to satisfy a wide variety of needs. And many options for shapes, colors, and fastening methods allow you to realize any design ideas and create a unique style for any room or object.
This design is everything that a super-bright LED needs to full-fledged work as a lamp.
Not long ago I discovered super-bright LEDs at very affordable price. They look like this:
They have a lot of advantages: high brightness, relatively low power consumption, long service life, small dimensions, resistance to repeated switching on, etc. Available in power from one watt and above, they have three different shades of white light.
But I encountered some difficulties when using them. Firstly, they get very hot. If you use them at even half power, they will need a heatsink. Secondly, these LEDs have a large dispersion angle. That is, if we make them into the simplest table lamp, then it will shine in the eyes the same way as on the table. Therefore, the light flux must be focused in the desired direction. The following design helped solve both of these problems.
A little school physics. You can focus the light flux, or direct it parallel, using a parabolic mirror if you place a point light source at the focus of the parabola. Making a parabolic mirror at home is an impossible task. But it is possible to make a lamp that would simultaneously partially focus the light flux and remove heat.
The green line in the figure is a parabolic mirror, the black rectangle at the bottom is a super-bright LED, the yellow dot is the LED crystal and at the same time the focus of the parabola. And the remaining black lines are the body of the future reflector. It is clear that the body follows the shape of a parabola very approximately, but it will focus a certain percentage of the light. Dimensions, of course, are indicated in millimeters.
The reflector scan will look like this:
You can make a lamp from 0.5-1mm thick aluminum, copper, or even tin from tin can. IN in this case 1mm thick aluminum was used.
In addition, for the lamp you will need a piece of one-sided foil PCB measuring 15x20mm, onto which the LED itself will be soldered.
To begin with, the reflector and textolite are cut out, then holes are drilled into them, 4 pieces with a diameter of 1 mm, two more holes with a diameter of 3 mm are drilled in the lampshade, and two holes of 1 mm each are drilled in the textolite for connecting wires. Then the reflector and the textolite are twisted together with two pieces of wire. You can also glue them together. The reflector is bent, the result is the following:
You need to bend the reflector carefully so as not to deform the seat for the LED, otherwise the LED will overheat. If the reflector is made of copper or tin, then its petals can and should be soldered together. After the reflector is bent, its edges can be processed with a file or sandpaper if necessary.
The final step is installing the LED. Before this, you need to apply a little thermal paste to the installation site to improve thermal transfer. The LED leads will have to be bent a little to fit into the holes. After this, the leads are unbent to their original state, the LED is pressed against the reflector and soldered. You need to make sure that none of the LED contacts touch the reflector to prevent a short circuit between the terminals as much as possible.
We all know that artificial lighting has great importance in our life. In addition to creating comfort for the eyes, it also performs the functions of zoning the room, which is important, and implementing interesting design solutions. That is why it is now very important to use LED strips with a diffuser. After all, well-chosen lighting helps give the room style and special individuality.
Purpose
The LED strip is structurally composed of individual LEDs with high brightness, so the diffuser is designed to evenly distribute the light flux. Its use is important not only from the point of view of aesthetics and beautiful appearance your lighting system, but also to create soft light in the room.
The figure shows a profile for an LED strip with a diffuser
Principle of operation
The principle of operation of the diffuser for LED strip is to increase the angle of light distribution due to a special design made of light-refracting material. Its own geometry and location relative to the light source is designed in such a way that the luminous flux falling on it is effectively distributed over its entire area and passing through the body of the diffuser, ensuring uniform illumination of the entire room.
The photo shows the LED diffuser disassembled and assembled.
Kinds
Structurally, it consists of a metal or plastic profile of various shapes and, directly, a removable diffuser made of polycarbonate, polystyrene or methacrylate. This is advisable, since these materials are quite strong, but do not weigh down the structure much. The main profile shapes that are used are:
- corner;
- U-shaped;
- c-shaped.
The profile shape is selected depending on the planned installation location. A tape is attached to the profile, and the diffuser cover itself is snapped on top. It comes in two types:
- matte;
- transparent.
The photo shows a matte, plastic, corner aluminum profile
Before you make a purchase, you need to think about what your lighting goals are. If we're talking about about shop window lighting trading floor, then most likely a diffuser with a transparent surface will suit you better. If you want to give a casual atmosphere to a cafe-bar, then you should give preference to matte.
Flexible
There is also a flexible profile of LED diffusers. It is fundamentally different from the designs described above. This type component products is silicone tube, in which the LED strip is placed.
The photo shows LED strips different colors in flexible silicone profiles
For the right choice diffuser for LED strip, you need to think about the conditions. This includes examining the surface to which you will be attaching the system, dimensions the LED strip itself and the climatic conditions of the room (or outside, which is also possible).
It should be noted that despite the fact that diffusers are often made of fusible materials, there is no need to worry about their toxicity. During operation, the LED emits very a small amount of heat, which practically does not heat the surface of the diffuser.
Fastening
The profile can be attached in an overhead manner to any surface. For this, self-tapping screws, liquid nails or even double-sided tape are used. There are options when special “ears” are attached to the wall, into which both rigid and flexible profiles are subsequently ideally fixed. Built-in installation of the diffuser profile is carried out using a pre-cut groove in chipboard or drywall. In the second case, you can create very sophisticated lighting in furniture. And if you use a flexible profile for an LED strip with a diffuser, then you will not have problems mounting it on curved surfaces, arches, and the like. In any case, all fastening methods are completely simple and are accessible even to a non-professional.
Application
The potential for application is enormous. Backlight bookshelves and kitchen cabinets, display cases and aquariums. At home and in the office, in a store and a cafe - the use of LED strips with diffusers will be appropriate and attractive. And dust and waterproof ones allow you to use such lighting for outdoor advertising and any decoration on the street.
Don't forget about the possibility of using strips with LEDs of different colors and those that can change them. This will give a unique atmosphere of celebration and comfort.
How to make it yourself
I would like to immediately add that there is an alternative to buying a ready-made LED diffuser - this is to make it yourself. What to make a diffuser for an LED strip from? Actually, this is not at all difficult; you can use a regular plastic box as a profile, which is used for laying wires in a groove, and polycarbonate or plexiglass as the diffuser itself.
To obtain a matte surface, you can use mechanical or chemical method. Chemical method consists of applying a special paste to the surface, which will destroy the crystalline structure and give an excellent matte effect, but at the time of application you need to be very careful, since the paste releases toxic substances. Mechanical method much less harmful, since it involves treating the surface with an abrasive material, for example, emery, but it requires great physical effort.
The video shows the fast, easy and cheap way to create a homemade LED strip diffuser.
The photo shows the interior of the room, using LED strip lighting.
To summarize the above, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the diffuser for an LED strip is an important, multifunctional component. Also, you see that the variety of design options will certainly be able to satisfy almost any conditions. Comfortable and original lighting is always a huge plus in creating a stylish, themed interior. It could be classic style or high-tech style, minimalism or kitsch, loft or avant-garde - the use of LED strips with diffusers will always highlight the best design ideas and leave pleasant impression from the time spent in such a room.
Reflectors for LEDs make it possible to obtain the most directional flow while simultaneously increasing the brightness of the devices. Modern manufacturers offer very wide choose similar devices, but if you have free time, available tools and simple materials, you can try to make reflectors with your own hands.
Where can a reflector come in handy?
Reflectors can significantly improve the basic properties of LEDs, so their scope of application is not limited to any specific area of lighting technology.
A reflector is equally useful in the following cases:
- when altering turn signals and other types of automobile lamps;
- when assembling or upgrading flashlights of various ranges;
- when improving home lighting.
The debate over the best automotive optics does not subside, and what is better to use - lenses or refractors - everyone decides for themselves. Both devices help to achieve approximately the same reflectance; the issue here is rather the complexity of controlling the light beam.
For side lights or other light sources with big amount LED reflectors are not only a more economical option, but sometimes the only possible one. Instead of a huge lens, it is much easier to use a refractor or their system.
What and how to make a reflector from?
To make a reflector, it is important to determine not only its dimensions. The number of planes from which the rays will be reflected plays a certain role. The main difficulty is precisely to form them.
The basis can be any moderately pliable, but quite durable material. There are quite functional reflectors made of plastic, laminated plywood or non-woven fabric. How the fixture will be formed depends on the type of housing. Sometimes polyhedral crystals may be required (these can be found in some types of old lamps, and when small sizes reflectors (beads used in the manufacture of jewelry) are suitable to give the refractor the desired properties.
It is important not only to give the material the required form, but also make it reflect the light that the LEDs provide.
An excellent option for external coating is chrome paint, which is sold in cans. You don’t have to apply a reflective coating, but entrust this procedure to specialists from a specialized workshop.
When designing any optical systems, it is important to maintain a balance between the final cost of assembly and the correct placement of elements. In this case, the following pattern should be taken into account: the higher the efficiency of the element, the greater its sensitivity to the installation site.
The components of the system can be secured not only with glue and adhesive tape, but also with the use of pins and hooks with fuses that pass through the board.
What are modern reflectors like?
Manufacturers are constantly replenishing the lineup, significantly expanding the possibilities of light tuning. Refractors are available for a wide variety of LEDs and their combinations. Now you don’t have to limit yourself to just one shade.
The devices reflect light in the forward and reverse directions, thereby making the distribution of rays more uniform.
Reflectors can be designed for installation with an acrylic rod, and they will help to neatly hide the LEDs for their most effective use in the rear lamps of automobiles.
Refractors can correct and redirect LED illumination. They are designed to operate at right angles to the diode axis. When selecting a reflector, it is important to take into account all the parameters of the light sources. Case types and designs are constantly being replenished, so it’s worth regularly monitoring new items so as not to miss out on the most interesting options optics.
Reflectors significantly improve the properties of the flow produced by LEDs. They are equally needed for tuning car optics and for assembling flashlights and lamps. Simple models You can try to do it yourself, but in some cases it’s simply pointless to compete with manufacturers.
Those who are engaged self-production original headlights or taillights sooner or later faces the problem of which lens to use for LEDs? If earlier there was no need to worry about this, then since 2014, when the large automakers Mercedes, BMW, and Audi announced their next car models, many became interested in their optics. Now the light in them was evenly dispersed, while the optics looked stylish and beautiful. Many people wanted to have lanterns with a similar glow at their disposal.
How to make a diffuser for LEDs with your own hands
This method, in my opinion, is quite effective, since it allows you to make a diffuser for LEDs of any shape, size and light transmittance.-To make it, we will need jewelry epoxy resin PEO-510KE-20/0, since it is crystal clear and does not turn yellow over time.
As a scattering element, we will need Diffusant DF-151 powder. It dissolves perfectly in epoxy resin, giving it that same milky tint and incredibly high-quality dispersing properties when hardened.
Also, for this resin there is a huge number of dyes, any colors, fluorescent and phosphorous.
Well, the mold itself for casting, usually I use silicone for molds or for casting.
Here are a few samples where I experimented with adding Diffusant DF-151; as you can see, the quality of dispersion can be easily adjusted and the desired result can be achieved. Stirring ratio epoxy resin and Diffusant, 100 to 1.
This is exactly the way I created it.
And here is how the “sample” with connected LEDs scatters light. The dispersion is perfect, the dots from the LEDs are not visible from any side or angle.
The experiments turned out to be extremely successful, so I went further and made a full-size diffuser to be installed in the headlight, so it shines at maximum brightness, very brightly and evenly.
Other ways to diffuse light from LEDs
The next method is to use milky acrylic with a thickness of 2 to 5 mm. Mostly 3 mm plexiglass is used. It perfectly scatters light from the LED, but its main disadvantage is that milky plexiglass absorbs light very strongly, which is why the brightness drops by 30-50%.It's also worth remembering that if you don't have milling machine, then independently shaping plexiglass has certain limitations. You can bend it with an industrial hair dryer, but not at all the sides. You can buy it at any advertising agency.
The third way is to use Microprism scattering elements from ceiling lamps. Their main feature is their texture, reminiscent of small pyramids, which perfectly refract light and scatter it accordingly. Approximate technology is used in the headlamps of BMWs, Mercedes, Audis; light guides with notches or texture are used there. But if you have powerful LEDs, then a microprism will not help you; it will not be able to disperse the light properly.
