Internal Collecting Reflector Optics For LEDs

• US 20110116284A1
• Filed: 11/18/2010
• Published: 05/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC (Rambus Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC (Rambus Inc.)
• Inventors: Richardson, Brian Edward
• Granted Patent: US 8,733,982 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/555
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/02 characterised by the provision of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/04 the elements being reflectors and refractors for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/02 of prismatic shape F21V5/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/04 Optical design
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/06 with parabolic curvature
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/08 with elliptical curvature
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0028 refractive and reflective surfaces, e.g. non-imaging catadioptric systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0061 the light source comprising a LED semiconductor devices with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier specially adapted for light emission H01L33/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/58 Optical field-shaping elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/60 Reflective elements

Abstract

An optical system is disclosed that uses an LED light source. The light output is coupled to an optic element formed from a material with a high refractive index. The coupling of the light to the high index material significantly reduces the cone angle of the light. The system is very efficient in that nearly all the light generated by the LED is directed to the intended subject.

Claims

1. An optical system with a directed output, the optical system comprising:

at least one LED that provides a light source;

an optic element that reduces the cone angle of a light output of the light source; and

a reflective surface, wherein the light output is reflected from the reflective surface at an acute angle, the reflected light forming an output light beam.

2. The optical system of claim 1, wherein an angle between a centerline of light directed to the reflective surface and a centerline of light reflected from the reflective surface is 60 degrees or less.

3. The optical system of claim 1, wherein a light pipe optically couples the light source to the optic element.

4. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface has a parabolic profile.

5. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface has an elliptical profile.

6. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface has an aspheric profile.

7. The optical system of claim 1, wherein an index of refraction of the optic element is 1.3 or greater.

8. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the light source is formed from a plurality of LED dies.

9. A lighting system with a directed output, the lighting system comprising:

an array of optical systems, each of the optical systems including;

at least one LED that provides a light source;

an optic element that reduces the cone angle of a light output of the light source; and

a reflective surface, wherein light from the light source is reflected from the reflective surface at an acute angle, the reflected light forming an output light beam, and wherein the output light beams of the optical systems are combined to form a lighting system output beam.

10. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein an angle between a centerline of light directed to the reflective surface and a centerline of light reflected from the reflective surface is 60 degrees or less.

11. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein a light pipe optically couples the light source to the optic element.

12. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the reflective surface has a parabolic profile.

13. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the reflective surface has an elliptical profile.

14. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the reflective surface has an aspheric profile.

15. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein an index of refraction of the optic element is 1.3 or greater.

16. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the light source is formed from a plurality of LED dies.

17. An optical system with a directed output, the optical system comprising:

at least one LED that provides a light source;

an optic element that reduces the cone angle of a light output of the light source; and

a reflective surface, wherein the light output is reflected from the reflective surface at an acute angle, the reflected light forming an output light beam, and wherein the light source is located in an output light path.

18. The optical system of claim 17, wherein an angle between a centerline of light directed to the reflective surface and a centerline of light reflected from the reflective surface is zero degrees.

19. The optical system of claim 18, wherein the reflective surface has a parabolic profile.

20. The optical system of claim 18, wherein the reflective surface has an elliptical profile.

21. The optical system of claim 18, wherein the reflective surface has an aspheric profile.

22. The optical system of claim 18, wherein an index of refraction of the optic element is 1.3 or greater.

23. The optical system of claim 18, wherein the light source is formed from a plurality of LED dies.