TRANSFLECTIVE ARTICLES AND LIGHT ASSEMBLIES

• US 20120268940A1
• Filed: 12/14/2010
• Published: 10/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Sahlin, Jennifer J., Napierala, Mark E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,581,739 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/290
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/255 Filters
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/26 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0289 used as a transflector
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/045 Prism arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/124 plural reflecting elements forming part of a unitary plate or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133555 Transflectors

Abstract

Transflective articles comprising a first layer having a first, outer major surface having a plurality of apertures therein; and a second layer having a major transflective surface. The transflective articles are useful, for example, in light assemblies.

Claims

1. A transflective article comprising:

a first layer having a major surface having a plurality of apertures therein; and

a second layer having a major transflective surface.

2. The transflective article of claim 1, wherein the major transflective surface faces away from the apertures of the first layer.

3. The transflective article of claim 1, wherein the major transflective surface faces toward the apertures of the first layer.

4. A light assembly comprising:

the transflective article of claim 1;

an outer light cover having an outer major surface;

a reflector having an inner major surface, wherein the transflective article is disposed between the outer major surface of the outer light cover and the inner major surface of the reflector; and

a first light source,

wherein there is an optical cavity between the transflective article and the reflector, wherein the transflective surface face the light source, and wherein the first light source is positioned to introduce light into the optical cavity.

5. A light assembly comprising:

an outer light cover having an outer major surface;

the transflective article of claim 1;

a reflector having a inner major surface, wherein the transflective article is disposed between the outer major surface of the outer light cover and the inner major surface of the reflector; and

a first light source,

wherein there is an optical cavity between the outer light cover and the reflector, and wherein the first light source is positioned to introduce light into the optical cavity, wherein the inner major surface of the reflector is oriented to the transflective surface so that the separation between the two surfaces decreases along a distance away from the light source, and wherein the maximum local ratio of decrease in separation to distance is less than 0.8;

1.

6. A light assembly comprising:

an outer light cover having a first and second generally opposed major surfaces, and a first zone having a first color, and a second zone having a second, at least one of different color or being clear, the second major surface being an inner major surface;

a reflector having an inner major surface that is parallel to at least 30 percent of the inner major surface of the outer light cover;

the transflective article of claim 1 disposed between the outer light cover and the reflector, the inner lens having first and second generally opposed major surfaces; and

a first light source that emits a first color when energized;

wherein there is an optical cavity between inner major surface of the transflective surface and the inner major surface of the reflector, and wherein the first light source is selected and positioned to introduce light into the optical cavity such that, when energized, provides the same color for the first and second zones when viewed from the first major surface of the outer cover.

7. The transflective article of claim 4, wherein the major transflective surface faces away from the apertures of the first layer.

8. The transflective article of claim 4, wherein the major transflective surface faces toward the apertures of the first layer.

9. The transflective article of claim 5, wherein the major transflective surface faces away from the apertures of the first layer.

10. The transflective article of claim 5, wherein the major transflective surface faces toward the apertures of the first layer.

11. The transflective article of claim 6, wherein the major transflective surface faces away from the apertures of the first layer.

12. The transflective article of claim 6, wherein the major transflective surface faces toward the apertures of the first layer.