Collimating and controlling light produced by light emitting diodes

• US 20050259424A1
• Filed: 08/18/2004
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Integrated Illumination Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Integrated Illumination Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Zampini, Mark A., Zampini, Thomas L., Zampini, Thomas L. II
• Application Number:
  US10/920,347
• Publication Number:
  US 20050259424A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/294
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00663 Production of light guides
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/60 Optical arrangements integrated in the light source, e.g. for improving the colour rendering index or the light extraction

Abstract

A light source channel is described. The light source channel includes an extrusion forming a channel having an open length and a light source positioned within the channel. A light transfer medium is positioned above the light source and covers the open length of the channel. The light transfer medium has a cross section. A method embodiment according to the present invention produces a light source channel by installing a light engine within a channel of an extrusion and covering the channel length with a light transfer medium above the light engine. The light transfer medium has a cross-section.

Claims

1. A light source channel, comprising:

an extrusion forming a channel having an open length;

a light engine positioned within the extrusion channel;

a light transfer medium positioned above the light engine and covering the open length of the extrusion channel, the light transfer medium having a cross section.

2. The light source channel of claim 1, wherein the light engine includes one of a light emitting diode, an organic light emitting diode, and a light emitting polymer.

3. The light source channel of claim 1, wherein the light transfer medium in cross-section is at least one of a half round and a corner angle.

4. The light source channel of claim 1, wherein the light transfer medium is at least one of a solid acrylic, polycarbonate, and clear plastic composite.

5. The light source channel of claim 1, wherein the light transfer medium cross section is at least one of a flat window, convex lens, round lens, and triangular lens.

6. The light source channel of claim 1, wherein the light transfer medium cross section is adapted to diffuse light emitted from the light engine.

7. The light source channel of claim 1, wherein the light transfer medium cross section is adapted to refract light emitted from the light engine.

8. The light source channel of claim 1, wherein the light transfer medium cross section is adapted to evenly collimate light emitted from the light engine.

9. The light source channel of claim 1, wherein the light transfer medium is adapted to internally reflect a portion of light emitted from the light engine.

10. The light source channel of claim 9, wherein light transfer medium transfers a light mixture comprising light emitted from light engine and internally reflected light emitted from the light engine.

11. The light source channel of claim 10, wherein light mixture transferred by light transfer medium minimizes color temperature variations in light emitted from light engine.

12. The light source channel of claim 1, further comprising:

a pair of inserts closing opposite ends of the extrusion channel.

13. The light source channel of claim 12, wherein the light transfer medium is waterproof sealed to the extrusion channel.

14. The light source channel of claim 1, wherein the extrusion includes a pair of opposing grooves on the inner portion of the channel for receiving the light transfer medium.

15. The light source channel of claim 14, wherein the pair of opposing grooves extend the length of the extrusion.

16. The light source channel of claim 1, wherein the light engine includes a reflective surface.

17. The light source channel of claim 1, the extrusion further comprising one or more attachment ears for mounting the light source channel.

18. The light source channel of claim 1, further comprising a thermally conductive medium positioned between the light engine and the extrusion.

19. A method for producing a light source channel, comprising the steps of:

installing a light engine within a channel of an extrusion; and

covering the channel length with a light transfer medium above the light engine, the light transfer medium having a cross section.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

plugging opposite ends of the extrusion channel.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of:

sealing the light transfer medium in position in a waterproof manner.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the sealing the light transfer medium step further includes:

applying a waterproof sealant to the connection of the light transfer medium and the extrusion channel.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the light engine includes one of a light emitting diode, an organic light emitting diode, and a light emitting polymer.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the covering step comprises inserting the light transfer medium into a pair of opposing grooves on opposite sides of the extrusion channel.

25. A light source channel, comprising:

light emitting means for emitting light;

extrusion means for receiving the light emitting means within a channel along an open length of the extrusion;

a light transfer medium positioned above the light engine and covering the open length of the extrusion channel, the light transfer medium having a cross section.

26. The light source channel of claim 25, wherein the light emitting means includes one of a light emitting diode, an organic light emitting diode, and a light emitting polymer.

27. The light source channel of claim 25, wherein the light transfer medium in cross-section is at least one of a half-round and a corner angle.

28. The light source channel of claim 25, wherein the light transfer medium is at least one of a solid acrylic, polycarbonate, and clear plastic composite.

29. The light source channel of claim 25, wherein the light transfer medium cross section is at least one of a flat window, convex lens, round lens, and triangular lens.

30. The light source channel of claim 25, wherein the light transfer medium cross section is adapted to diffuse light emitted from the light emitting means.

31. The light source channel of claim 25, wherein the light transfer medium cross section is adapted to refract light emitted from the light emitting means.

32. The light source channel of claim 25, wherein the light transfer medium cross section is adapted to evenly collimate light emitted from the light emitting means.

33. The light source channel of claim 25, further comprising:

one or more closing means for closing one or more open ends of the extrusion means.

34. The light source channel of claim 33, wherein the light transfer medium is waterproof-sealed to the extrusion means.

35. The light source channel of claim 25, the extrusion means comprising light transfer medium receiving means on the inner portion of the extrusion channel for receiving the light transfer medium.

36. The light source channel of claim 35, wherein the light transfer medium extends the length of the extrusion means.

37. The light source channel of claim 25, the light emitting means comprising light reflecting means for reflecting light.

38. The light source channel of claim 25, the extrusion means comprising one or more attachment means for mounting the light source channel.

39. The light source channel of claim 25, comprising thermal conducting means positioned between the light emitting means and the extrusion means for conducting thermal energy from the light emitting means to the extrusion means.

40. The light source channel of claim 25, wherein the light transfer medium is adapted to internally reflect a portion of light emitted from the light light emitting means.

41. The light source channel of claim 40, wherein light transfer medium transfers a light mixture comprising light emitted from light emitting means and internally reflected light emitted from the light emitting means.

42. The light source channel of claim 41, wherein light mixture transferred by light transfer medium minimizes color temperature variations in light emitted from light emitting means.