Light emitting panel assemblies

• US 20050094418A1
• Filed: 12/16/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1995
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Solid State Opto Limited (Global Lighting Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Solid State Opto Limited (Global Lighting Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Parker, Jeffery R.
• Application Number:
  US11/013,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20050094418A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/556
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 using white LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/02 for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/063 comprising light transmitting means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0621 Hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice treatment
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/10 comprising photoluminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0018 Redirecting means on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/002 by shaping at least a portion of the light guide, e.g. with collimating, focussing or diverging surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0028 Light guide, e.g. taper
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0031 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0036 2-D arrangement of prisms, protrusions, indentations or roughened surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0043 provided on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/006 to produce indicia, symbols, texts or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0061 to provide homogeneous light output intensity
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 : Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/804 : Surgical or dental spotlight

Abstract

Light emitting panel assemblies include a light emitting panel member made of a light extracting material. A pattern of light extracting deformities on or in at least one surface of the panel member adjusts for light output variances of the light output distribution of the panel member due to the light extracting material.

Claims

1. A light emitting panel assembly comprising at least one light source, a light emitting panel member for receiving light from the light source, the panel member being made of a light extracting material, the panel member having at least one surface that emits a light output distribution, and at least one surface having a pattern of light extracting deformities to adjust for light output variances of the light output distribution due to the light extracting material.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities are used to improve the uniformity of the light output distribution.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities are used to improve the efficiency of the panel assembly.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities are used to control the percent of light emitted from any area of the panel member.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities are random in one of the following characteristics:

size, shape, position, placement, orientation, angle, pattern.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities are prismatic or lenticular elements extending across substantially the entire width of the panel member.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities are prismatic or lenticular elements extending across substantially the entire length of the panel member.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the pattern of light extracting deformities is chosen to reduce moire or other interference effects.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities are individual optical elements that are quite small in relation to the length and width of the panel member.

10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities vary along the width of the panel member.

11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities vary along the length of the panel member.

12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities vary along the length and width of the panel member.

13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel member varies in index of refraction.

14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel member is flat.

15. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel member is tapered.

16. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel member is curved.

17. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a sheet or film overlying the light emitting surface of the panel member, the sheet or film having deformities used to control the output ray angle distribution of the emitted light to suit a particular application.

18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the deformities on the sheet or film are prismatic or lenticular elements extending across substantially the entire width of the sheet or film.

19. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the deformities on the sheet or film are prismatic or lenticular elements extending across substantially the entire length of the sheet or film.

20. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the deformities on the sheet or film are individual optical elements that are small compared to the length and width of the sheet or film.

21. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the deformities are on the side of the sheet or film nearest to the panel member.

22. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the deformities are on the side of the sheet or film farthest from the panel member.

23. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the deformities are on both sides of the sheet or film.