COLLIMATING LIGHT ENGINE

• US 20110075398A1
• Filed: 05/15/2009
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Biernath, Rolf W., Wheatley, John A., Meis, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,608,362 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/97.1
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133603 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133605 including specially adapted reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133611 including means for improving the brightness uniformity

Abstract

Collimating light engines, methods of making collimating light engines, and articles incorporating collimating light engines are disclosed. In one aspect, a light source and circuitry can be disposed between a reflector and a reflective baffle to form a collimating light engine. The light source is at least partially obscured from view by the reflective baffle. Light emitted from the light source is partially collimated upon leaving the light engine. Light uniformity of the output surface of a backlight can be proved by disposing an array of the collimating light engines in the backlight

Claims

1. A collimating light engine, comprising:

a reflector having a first surface;

a light source and circuitry affixed proximate the first surface; and

a baffle disposed over the light source and extending over a portion of the reflector, so that the light source is obscured from view at angles less than 50 degrees from the normal to the reflector.

2. The collimating light engine of claim 1, wherein the light source has an optical axis of emission generally parallel to the first surface of the reflector.

4. The collimating light engine of claim 1, wherein the reflector is a specular reflector or a semi-specular reflector.

5. The collimating light engine of claim 1, wherein the reflector is a multilayer interference reflector.

6. The collimating light engine of claim 1, wherein at least one of the reflector and the baffle comprises an optical interference layer.

8. The collimating light engine of claim 1, wherein the light source and circuitry are disposed on a circuitized substrate, and the circuitized substrate is affixed to the reflector.

9. The collimating light engine of claim 8, wherein the circuitized substrate is flexible.

10. The collimating light engine of claim 1, wherein the baffle has a first surface facing the light source and a second surface opposite the first surface, and wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces is reflective to light.

11. The collimating light engine of claim 1, wherein light emitted from the light source is partially collimated to within 30 degrees of a transverse plane parallel to the reflector.

12. The collimating light engine of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises an LED.

15. The collimating light engine of claim 12, wherein the LED is capable of emitting light in an angular spread of less than 360 degrees around a normal to the reflector.

16. The collimating light engine of claim 1, wherein the baffle and the reflector comprise a unitary folded film.

17. The collimating light engine of claim 1, wherein the baffle is affixed over the light source by an adhesive.

18. The collimating light engine of claim 1, further comprising:

a second light source and circuitry affixed proximate the first surface, so that the second light source has an optical axis of emission generally parallel to the first surface of the reflector, and in a direction facing the first light source; and

a baffle disposed over the second light source and extending over a portion of the reflector, so that the second light source is obscured from view at angles less than 50 degrees from the normal to the reflector.

20. A backlight comprising the collimating light engine of claim 1.

21. The backlight of claim 20, wherein a plurality of collimating light engines are disposed on a rigid substrate, along a direction parallel to the optical axis of emission.

22. The backlight of claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of collimating light engines are independently controllable.

23. The backlight of claim 20, further comprising a light sensor in optical communication with the collimating light engine.

24. An illumination device comprising the backlight of claim 20.

25. A luminaire comprising the collimating light engine of claim 1.

3. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

13-14. -14. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

26-37. -37. (canceled)