Illumination apparatus

• US 20090129115A1
• Filed: 06/07/2006
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oree Advanced Illumination Solutions Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Oree, Advanced Illumination Solutions Inc.
• Inventors: Meir, Noam, Fine, Eran
• Granted Patent: US 8,128,272 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/606
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/08 the elements being filters or photoluminescent elements and reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/06 for filtering out ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/08 for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/32 characterised by the arrangement of the photoluminescent material
• 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 6/0041 provided in the bulk of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0061 to provide homogeneous light output intensity

Abstract

An illumination apparatus, comprising at least one light emitting source embedded in a waveguide material is disclosed. The waveguide material is capable of propagating light generated by light emitting source(s), such that at least a portion of the light is diffused within the waveguide material and exits through at least a portion of its surface.

Claims

1. An illumination apparatus, comprising at least one light emitting source embedded in a waveguide material having a first surface and a second surface, said waveguide material being capable of propagating light generated by said at least one light emitting source, such that at least a portion of said light is diffused within said waveguide material and exits through at least a portion of said first surface.

3. A liquid crystal display device, comprising a liquid crystal panel and a backlight unit, wherein said backlight unit comprises the apparatus of claim 1.

4. A portable computer system comprising the liquid crystal display device of claim 3.

5. A computer monitor comprising the liquid crystal display device of claim 3.

6. A personal digital assistant system comprising the liquid crystal display device of claim 3.

7. A cellular communication system comprising the liquid crystal display device of claim 3.

8. A television system comprising the liquid crystal display device of claim 3.

9. A signage panel for producing a signage under electronic control, comprising a power source connected to the apparatus of claim 1.

10. The apparatus, method or device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said waveguide material is flexible.

11. The apparatus, method or device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said at least one light emitting source comprises at least one bare die and electrical contacts connected thereto.

12. The apparatus, method or device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said at least one light emitting source is encapsulated by a transparent thermal isolating encapsulation.

13. The apparatus, method or device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said at least one light emitting source is embedded near said second surface of said waveguide material.

14. The apparatus, method or device of claim 13, wherein said at least one light emitting source is embedded near said second surface in a manner such that electrical contacts of said at least one light emitting source remain outside said waveguide material at said second surface.

15. The apparatus, method or device of claim 14, wherein the illumination apparatus further comprises a printed circuit board electrically connected to said electrical contacts.

16. The apparatus, method or device of claim 15, wherein said printed circuit board is capable of evacuating heat away from said at least one light emitting source.

17. The apparatus, method or device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said at least one light emitting source is embedded in the bulk of said waveguide material.

18. The apparatus, method or device of claim 17, wherein the illumination apparatus further comprises an arrangement of electrical lines extending from said at least one light emitting source to at least one end of said waveguide material.

19. The apparatus, method or device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said at least one light emitting source comprises at least one source configured to emit light at a first color, and at least one source configured to emit light at a second color.

20. The device of claim 3, wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises an arrangement of color filters operating at a plurality of distinct colors, and said at least one light emitting source comprises, for each color of said plurality of distinct colors, at least one source configured to emit light at said color.

21. The apparatus or device of claim 1 or 3, wherein the illumination apparatus further comprises a reflecting surface embedded in or attached to said waveguide material in a manner such that emission of light through said second surface is prevented and emission of light through said first surface is enhanced.

22. The apparatus or device of claim 1 or 3, wherein the illumination apparatus further comprises at least one photoluminescent layer coating at least said portion of said first surface.

23. The apparatus or device of claim 22, wherein said at least one photoluminescent layer and said at least one light emitting source are selected such the illumination apparatus provides substantially white light.

24. The device of claim 22, wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises an arrangement of color filters operating at a plurality of distinct colors, wherein said at least one photoluminescent layer and said at least one light emitting source are selected such the illumination apparatus provides light at least at said a plurality of distinct colors.

25. The apparatus or device of claim 23, wherein said at least one photoluminescent layer comprises a plurality of photoluminescent layers, each being characterized by a different absorption spectrum, and said at least one light emitting source comprises, for each absorption spectrum, at least one light emitting source characterized by an emission spectrum overlapping said absorption spectrum.

30. The apparatus, method or device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said waveguide material comprises a polymeric material.

31. The apparatus, method or device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said waveguide material comprises a rubbery material.

32. The apparatus, method or device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said waveguide material is formed by dip-molding in a dipping medium.

33. The apparatus, method or device of claim 32, wherein said dipping medium comprises a hydrocarbon solvent in which a rubbery material is dissolved or dispersed.

34. The apparatus or device of claim 32 or 33, wherein said dipping medium comprises additives selected from the group consisting of cure accelerators, sensitizers, activators, emulsifying agents, cross-linking agents, plasticizers, antioxidants and reinforcing agents

35. The apparatus, method or device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said waveguide material comprises a dielectric material, and wherein a reflection coefficient of said dielectric material is selected so as to allow propagation of polarized light through said waveguide material and emission of said polarized light through said first surface.

36. The apparatus, method or device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said waveguide material comprises a metallic material, and wherein a reflection coefficient of said metallic material is selected so as to allow propagation of polarized light through said waveguide material and emission of said polarized light through said first surface.

37. The apparatus, method or device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said waveguide material is a multilayered material.

38. The apparatus, method or device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said waveguide material comprises a first layer having a first refractive index, and a second layer being in contact with said first layer and having a second refractive index being larger that said first refractive index.

39. The apparatus, method or device of claim 38, wherein said second layer comprises polyisoprene.

40. The apparatus, method or device of claim 38, wherein said first layer comprises silicone.

41. The apparatus, method or device of claim 38, wherein said waveguide material further comprises a third layer being in contact with said second layer and having a third refractive index being smaller than said second refractive index.

42. The apparatus, method or device of claim 41, wherein said third refractive index equals said first refractive index.

43. The apparatus, method or device of claim 37, wherein at least one layer of waveguide material comprises at least one additional component designed and configured such as to allow said emission of the light through said at least a portion of said surface.

44. The apparatus, method or device of claim 43, wherein said at least one additional component is capable of producing different optical responses to different spectra of said light.

45. The apparatus, method or device of claim 44, wherein said different optical responses comprise different emission angles.

46. The apparatus, method or device of claim 45, wherein said different optical responses comprise different emission spectra.

47. The apparatus, method or device of claim 43, wherein said at least one additional component comprises at least one impurity capable of emitting at least said portion of said light through said first surface.

48. The apparatus, method or device of claim 47, wherein said at least one impurity comprises a plurality of particles capable of scattering said light.

49. The apparatus, method or device of claim 48, wherein a size of said plurality of particles is selected so as to selectively scatter a predetermined spectrum of said light.

2. A method of providing illumination, comprising applying forward bias on at least one light emitting source embedded in a waveguide material having a first surface and a second surface to effect emission of light from said at least one light emitting source, wherein said waveguide material is capable of propagating said light such that at least a portion of said light is diffused within said waveguide material and exits through at least a portion of said first surface, thereby providing the illumination.

26. The apparatus or device of claim I or 3, wherein the illumination apparatus further comprises a structured film deposited on or embedded in said waveguide material.

27. The apparatus or device of claim I or 3, wherein the illumination apparatus further comprises at least one optical element embedded in said waveguide material for enhancing diffusion of light within said waveguide material.

28. The apparatus or device of claim 27, wherein said at least one optical element is embedded in said waveguide material near said first surface and configured to reflect light striking said at least one optical element at a predetermined range of angles, and transmit light striking said at least one optical element at other angles.

29. The apparatus or device of claim 27, wherein said at least one optical element comprises at least one microlens.