STATUS INDICATOR LENS AND LIGHT PIPE STRUCTURE FOR A DIMMER SWITCH

• US 20080001549A1
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Mace, Eric, Altonen, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 7,670,039 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/250
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/023 Light-emitting indicators for multi-layer switches H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 15/102 comprising cam devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2013/026 with two or more independent lighting elements located inside the push button switch that illuminate separate zones of push buttons
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/0213 Combined operation of electric switch and variable impedance, e.g. resistor, capacitor H01H9/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/044 continuously H05B39/042 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps

Abstract

A light pipe structure for a dimmer switch comprises a continuous status indicator lens and a plurality of light pipes, which are operable to conduct the light from a plurality of discrete sources to the lens. The light conducted from one of the discrete sources through a light pipe generates a pinpoint of light on the front surface of the lens. The pinpoint of light is surrounded by a diffusion of light across the front surface of the lens, which produces an aesthetically-pleasing effect by increasing the uniformity of the illumination across the front surface of the status indicator lens. The light pipes are coupled to the lens via a plurality of rounds, which provide for diffusion of light around the pinpoint of light on the lens. The light pipes may comprise light-refracting structures, which the amount of light emitted from adjacent discrete sources from reaching the front surface of the lens.

Claims

1. A light pipe structure for conducting light from a plurality of discrete sources, the light pipe structure comprising:

a plurality of light pipes, each having a first end adapted to be located adjacent one of the plurality of discrete sources and a second end, each of the light pipes operable to conduct the light of one of the discrete sources from the first end to the second end; and

a continuous lens having a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface of the lens coupled to the second end of each of the light pipes, such that the light conducted from one of the discrete sources through one of the light pipes generates a pinpoint of light on the front surface of the lens adjacent the second end of the one of the light pipes, the pinpoint of light surrounded by a diffusion of light across the front surface of the lens.

2. The light pipe structure of claim 1, further comprising:

a light-refracting structure formed in one of the light pipes, the light-refracting structure adapted to minimize the amount of light that is emitted from the discrete sources that are not located adjacent the first end of the light pipe from reaching the front surface of the lens.

3. The light pipe structure of claim 2, wherein the light-refracting structure comprises a light-refracting surface adapted to be substantially perpendicular to the light emitted from the discrete sources that are not located adjacent the first end of the light pipe.

4. The light pipe structure of claim 2, further comprising:

a plurality of light-refracting structures formed in each of the light pipes, each of the light-refracting structures adapted to minimize the light emitted from the discrete sources that are not located adjacent the first end of the light pipe from reaching the front surface of the lens.

5. The light pipe structure of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of rounds coupling the second ends of the light pipes to the rear surface of the lens to provide for the diffusion of light around the pinpoint of light on the front surface of the lens.

6. The light pipe structure of claim 5, further comprising:

a light-refracting structure formed in one of the light pipes, the light-refracting structure adapted to minimize the amount of light that is emitted from the discrete sources that are not located adjacent the first end of the light pipe from reaching the front surface of the lens.

7. The light pipe structure of claim 1, wherein the lens is curved.

8. The light pipe structure of claim 1, wherein the continuous lens comprises a status indicator lens, and the light pipes are received in a control actuator of a load control device such that the status indicator lens is provided at a front surface of the control actuator.

9. A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, the load control device comprising:

a control actuator adapted to be provided in an opening of a faceplate; and

a status indicator lens provided at a front surface of the actuator, the status indicator lens operable to display a representation of the amount of power being delivered to the electrical load by illuminating a point on the status indicator lens, the point surrounded by a diffusion of light across the status indicator lens.

10. The load control device of claim 9, wherein the visual display comprises a linear array of status indicators.

11. The load control device of claim 10, further comprising:

a plurality of light sources mounted inside the load control device; and

a plurality of light pipes received within the control actuator, the light pipes operable to conduct the light from each of the plurality of light sources to the front surface of the actuator.

12. The load control device of claim 11, wherein each of the light pipes has a first end adapted to be located adjacent one of the plurality of discrete sources and a second end, each of the light pipes operable to conduct the light of one of the discrete sources from the first end to the second end, the status indicator lens having a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface of the lens coupled to the second end of each of the light pipes.

13. The load control device of claim 12, wherein the second ends of the light pipes are coupled to the rear surface of the status indicator lens via a plurality of rounds, the rounds providing for the diffusion of light around the pinpoint of light on the front surface of the status indicator lens.

14. The load control device of claim 13, wherein said light pipes each comprise a light-refracting structure adapted to minimize the light emitted from the discrete sources that are not located adjacent the first end of the light pipe from reaching the front surface of the lens.

15. The load control device of claim 14, wherein the light-refracting structure comprises a light-refracting surface adapted to be substantially perpendicular to the light emitted from the discrete sources that are not located adjacent the first end of the light pipe.

16. The load control device of claim 14, further comprising:

a controllably conductive device operable to be coupled in series electrical connection between the AC power source and the electrical load, the controllably conductive device having a control input for controlling the controllably conductive device between a non-conductive state and a conductive state; and

a controller operatively coupled to the control input of the controllably conductive device for controlling the controllably conductive device between the non-conductive state and the conductive state, the controller is operable to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load in response to an actuation of the control actuator.

17. A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, said load control device comprising:

an actuator having a front surface and adapted to be provided in an opening of a faceplate; and

a status indicator lens provided at a front surface of the actuator, the status indicator lens operable to display a representation of the amount of power being delivered to the electrical load by illuminating a point on the status indicator lens, the point surrounded by a diffusion of light across the status indicator lens.

18. An illumination display for indicating the location of which of a plurality of spaced discrete radiation sources is turned on;

said illumination display comprising;

a plurality of spaced elongated radiation conductors each having first and second end locations;

a continuous lens for producing a visual display when illuminated by radiation from said radiation sources;

a first end of each of said radiation conductors being dispersed adjacent a respective one of said radiation sources;

a second end of each of said radiation conductors being disposed at a given lateral location along the length of said continuous lens whereby said continuous lens produces a visible point of light at a lateral position related to the position of any of the given discrete radiation sources when said any of the given radiation sources is turned on.

19. The illumination display of claim 18, wherein said first ends of adjacent ones of said radiation sources are within a zone of transmission of radiation from any adjacent radiation source whereby radiation is diffused across at least a portion of the length of said continuous lens and surrounds the point of light at the location corresponding to the second end of said radiation conductor adjacent a turned-on radiation source.