Multifunctional optical assembly

• US 20030223216A1
• Filed: 05/28/2002
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Yang, Jie, Meixner, Larry A., Lamb, David J., Watson, Philip E., Pokorny, Richard J., Whitney, Leland R., Lu, Ying-Yuh, Emmons, Robert M., Liu, Yaoqi J., Moshrefzadeh, Robert S., Rhyner, Steven J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,010,212 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/31
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/045 Prism arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0025 Diffusing sheet or layer; Prismatic sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 385/901 Illuminating or display apparatus

Abstract

An integrated optical assembly including a light management component with an entry surface and a light delivery component having an exit surface attached to the entry surface of the light management component is disclosed The light management component and the light delivery component are attached together in a manner that defines voids between the entry surface of the light management component and the exit surface of the light delivery component. The voids between the light management component and the light delivery component may provide an air interface over substantial portions of the entry surface of the light management component.

Claims

1. An optical assembly comprising:

a light management component comprising an entry surface;

a light delivery component comprising an exit surface facing the entry surface of the light management component;

wherein the exit surface of the light delivery component is attached to the entry surface of the light management component at one or more attachment points, the one or more attachment points defining unfilled voids located between the exit surface and the entry surface;

and wherein one or both of the light management component and the light delivery component exhibit an optical gain of one or more.

2. An optical assembly according to claim 1, wherein, outside of the voids, substantially all of the exit surface of the light delivery component is attached to the entry surface of the light management component within the optical assembly.

3. An optical assembly according to claim 1, wherein the voids are interconnected with each other.

4. An optical assembly according to claim 1, wherein the voids are independent of each other.

5. An optical assembly according to claim 1, wherein the voids contain air.

6. An optical assembly according to claim 1, wherein the voids comprise exit surfaces proximate the light management component, and further wherein the exit surfaces of the voids are flat.

7. An optical assembly according to claim 1, wherein the voids comprise exit surfaces proximate the light management component, and further wherein the exit surfaces of the voids are coincident with the entry surface of the light management component.

8. An optical assembly according to claim 1, wherein the voids comprise entry surfaces proximate the light delivery component, and further wherein the entry surfaces of the voids are coincident with the exit surface of the light delivery component.

9. An optical assembly according to claim 1, further comprising spacers located between the entry surface of the light management component and the exit surface of the light delivery component.

10. An optical assembly according to claim 9, wherein the spacers occupy 10% or less of the entry surface of the light management component.

11. An optical assembly according to claim 9, wherein the spacers occupy 5% or less of the entry surface of the light management component.

12. An optical assembly according to claim 9, wherein the spacers comprise discrete structures dispersed over the entry surface of the light management component.

13. An optical assembly according to claim 9, wherein the spacers comprise a base layer extending between the spacers.

14. An optical assembly according to claim 13, wherein the base layer comprises a polymeric film.

15. An optical assembly according to claim 13, wherein the base layer comprises bulk diffusing particles dispersed therein.

16. An optical assembly according to claim 13, wherein the base layer comprises a surface diffuser.

17. An optical assembly according to claim 9, wherein the spacers comprise adhesive.

18. An optical assembly according to claim 9, wherein the spacers comprise curable adhesive.

19. An optical assembly according to claim 9, wherein the spacers comprise beads.

20. An optical assembly according to claim 9, wherein the spacers comprise reflective surfaces.

21. An optical assembly according to claim 9, wherein the spacers comprise a layer of adhesive.

22. An optical assembly according to claim 9, wherein the spacers comprise a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive and curable material.

23. An optical assembly according to claim 9, wherein the spacers comprise bulk diffusing particles dispersed therein.

24. An optical assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light management component comprises first and second major surfaces, the first major surface comprising the entry surface and the second major surface comprising a prismatic structured surface.

25. An optical assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light delivery component comprises a diffuser.

26. An optical assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light delivery component comprises a light guide.

27. An optical assembly comprising:

a light management component comprising an entry surface, wherein the light management component exhibits an optical gain of one or more for light entering its entry surface;

a release liner facing the entry surface of the light management component;

curable adhesive located between the release liner and the entry surface of the light management component, wherein the curable adhesive is attached to the entry surface and defines voids between the release liner and the entry surface of the light management component.

28. An optical assembly according to claim 27, further comprising pressure sensitive adhesive located between the curable adhesive and the entry surface of the light management component, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is attached to the entry surface of the light management component.