Light emitting panel assemblies

• US 20060028841A1
• Filed: 10/06/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• 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:
  US11/245,142
• Publication Number:
  US 20060028841A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/602
• 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 assemblies include a light emitting panel member having a pattern of deformities that vary or on in at least one surface of the panel member for causing light from a light source to be emitted from a light emitting surface of the panel member. A light transition area may have at least one shaped surface to direct a portion of the light emitted from the light source through the transition area and into the panel member, and may have a reflective material, coating or film on at least one surface onto which a portion of the light impinges.

Claims

1. A light emitting assembly comprising at least a light emitting panel member having a light emitting surface, a light transition area, and at least one light source, the panel member having a pattern of deformities that vary on or in at least one surface of the panel member for causing light to be emitted from the light emitting surface, the transition area having a reflective material, coating or film attached or positioned on at least a part of at least one surface onto which a portion of the light from the light source impinges for maximizing the amount of light or otherwise changing the light that is reflected back through the transition area and into the panel member.

2. The assembly of claim 1 which includes at least two light sources.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein light from the at least two light sources mixes in the transition area.

4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the at least two light sources are different colored light sources.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one light source is a single LED with multicolored chips.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities vary.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel member has at least one section that is hollow and filled with liquid, gas or air.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel member has multiple layers.

9. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a tray of substrate that holds or positions the panel member or the at least one light source.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the tray is the reflective material.

11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein a film, sheet, plate or substrate with other deformities is positioned near the panel member to redirect the light emitted from the panel member in different directions to produce a desired light output distribution or effect.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the film, sheet, plate or substrate has prismatic or lenticular surfaces.

13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one light source is positioned or otherwise mounted in a shaped slot, cavity, recess, opening or hole on or in the panel member.

14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one light source is embedded, potted, bonded or molded into the panel member.

15. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the reflective material is in the form of a tray or frame that extends around or in close proximity to the panel member or transition area.

16. A light emitting assembly comprising at least a light emitting panel member having a light emitting surface, a light transition area, and at least one light source, the panel member having a pattern of deformities that vary on or in at least one surface of the panel member for causing light to be emitted from the light emitting surface, and the transition area having at least one surface that is curved, straight, faceted or otherwise shaped to direct a portion of the light emitted from the at least one light source through the transition area and into the panel member.

17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein a reflective material, coating or film is on or near portions of the at least one surface of the transition area to more efficiently direct a portion of the light emitted from the at least one light source through the transition area and into the panel member.