Light-emitting device with light guide for two way illumination

• US 10,429,034 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2017
• Issued: 10/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
• Original Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
• Inventors: Uebbing, John J., Haitz, Roland H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US15/693,241
• Publication Number:
  US 20180209610A1
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/64 using wavelength conversion means distinct or spaced from the light-generating element, e.g. a remote phosphor layer
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/66 Details of globes or covers forming part of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/04 the elements being reflectors and refractors for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0028 refractive and reflective surfaces, e.g. non-imaging catadioptric systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0061 the light source comprising a LED semiconductor devices with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier specially adapted for light emission H01L33/00

Abstract

A variety of light-emitting devices are disclosed that are configured to manipulate light provided by one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs). In general, a light-emitting device includes one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs) disposed on a base surface that are configured to emit light, a first optical element having a first surface spaced apart from the LEEs and positioned to receive light from the LEEs, a transparent second optical coupled to the first optical element, and a reflector element adjacent the second optical element arranged to reflect a portion of light output from the second optical element.

Claims

1. A light-emitting device, comprising:

a base substrate having a base surface;

one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs) configured to emit light, the LEEs being disposed on the base surface;

a scattering element having a first surface spaced apart from the LEEs and positioned to receive light from the LEEs, the scattering element comprising scattering centers arranged to scatter light from the LEEs;

an extractor element having an exit surface, the extractor element being transparent and in contact with the scattering element, there being an optical interface between the scattering element and the extractor element at the place of contact, the optical interface being opposite the first surface of the scattering element, the extractor element being arranged to receive light from the scattering element through the optical interface, wherein

a medium adjacent to the first surface of the scattering element has a refractive index n₀, and

the scattering element has a first refractive index n₁, where n₀<

n₁; and

a reflector element adjacent the extractor element, the reflector element having first and second surfaces extending away from the exit surface, the reflector element being arranged to reflect a first portion of light from the extractor element.

2. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the exit surface of the extractor element is shaped such that an angle of incidence on the exit surface of the light provided by the scattering element that directly impinges on the exit surface is less than a critical angle for total internal reflection.

3. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the exit surface of the extractor element is concentric with the optical interface and has a radius R₁ which satisfies the Brewster condition,

4. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the extractor element has a refractive index n₂, where n₀<

n₂.

5. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the base surface of the base substrate is reflective.

6. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the first surface of the reflector element is reflective and facing the LEEs, the first surface of the reflector element being arranged to reflect the first portion of light.

7. The light-emitting device of claim 6, wherein the second surface of the reflector element is reflective and opposite the first surface of the reflector element, the second surface of the reflector element being arranged to reflect a second portion of light from the extractor element.

8. The light-emitting device of claim 6, wherein the second surface of the reflector element is opposite the first surface of the reflector element and configured to absorb a second portion of light from the extractor element.

9. The light-emitting device of claim 1, further comprising a heat sink coupled to the base substrate, the heat sink being configured to remove heat from the light-emitting element.