Light Assembly for Providing Substantially Uniform Illumination

• US 20160329004A1
• Filed: 07/21/2016
• Published: 11/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ultravision Technologies, LLC (Ultravision International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ultravision Technologies, LLC (Ultravision International Inc.)
• Inventors: Auyeung, David Siucheong, Hall, William Y., Magarill, Simon
• Granted Patent: US 9,659,511 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/60 Optical arrangements integrated in the light source, e.g. for improving the colour rendering index or the light extraction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 6/006 for direct lighting only, e.g. task lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/003 Fastening of light source holders, e.g. of circuit boards or substrates holding light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/26 Pivoted arms
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/002 Arrangements of cables or conductors inside a lighting device, e.g. means for guiding along parts of the housing or in a pivoting arm
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/00 Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting fixtures combined with outlets for air-treatment systems F24F13/078
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/15 Thermal insulation
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/503 of light sources cooling arrangements structurally associated with gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps H01J61/52; cooling arrangements structurally associated with electric incandescent lamps H01K1/58; cooling arrangements structurally associated with light-emitting diodes H01L33/64
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/745 the fins or blades being planar and inclined with respect to the joining surface from which the fins or blades extend
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/76 with essentially identical parallel planar fins or blades, e.g. with comb-like cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/763 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/89 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/00 Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/005 Sealing arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/00 Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/007 Array of lenses or refractors for a cluster of light sources, e.g. for arrangement of multiple light sources in one plane combination of two or more refractors F21V5/008
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/10 Outdoor lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/40 : Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 : comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/12 : characterised by the geometrical disposition of the light-generating elements, e.g. arranging light-generating elements in differing patterns or densities
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/16 : square or rectangular, e.g. for light panels
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 : Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0014 : at least one surface having optical power
• 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: G02B 19/0066 : in the form of an LED array
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/02 : Signs, boards, or panels, illuminated by artificial light sources positioned in front of the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 : electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/00 : Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0037 : supported by a post
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/005 : for orientation or public information
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/222 : with LEDs

Abstract

A lighting assembly includes a circuit board and a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) overlying the circuit board. An optical element is proximate each LED. Each optical element is separate from other optical elements and each optical element includes a first element and a second element that intersects with the first element in a region between the first element and the second element. The first element and the second element are shaped so that surface normals of the first element intersect with surface normals of the second element and the first and second elements are configured so that light from the associated LED exits the associated optical element through the first and the second elements. A third element extends beyond the region between the first element and the second element in a direction away from the associated LED.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a lighting assembly for illumination of an area, the lighting assembly comprising:

a circuit board;

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) overlying the circuit board; and

a plurality of optical elements, wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements is proximate an associated LED of the plurality of LEDs, wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements is separate from other optical elements of the plurality of optical elements, and wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements includes;

a first element;

a second element that intersects with the first element in a region between the first element and the second element, wherein the first element and the second element are shaped so that surface normals of the first element intersect with surface normals of the second element and wherein the first and second elements are configured so that light from the associated LED exits the associated optical element through the first and the second elements; and

a third element extending beyond the region between the first element and the second element in a direction away from the associated LED.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a heat sink comprising a plurality of fins thermally coupled to the plurality of LEDs.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the LEDs are arranged in two rows that extend along a longitudinal axis of the circuit board.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a heat sink thermally coupled to a lower surface of the circuit board so that the circuit board is between the LEDs and the heat sink, wherein the heat sink comprises a first section substantially parallel to the lower surface of the circuit board and a plurality of fins extending away from the first section and substantially perpendicular thereto, a longitudinal axis of each fin being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the circuit board.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the LEDs are arranged in only the two rows.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a billboard comprising the area, wherein the lighting assembly is located adjacent the billboard to evenly illuminate the area.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a billboard comprising the area, wherein the lighting assembly is located adjacent the billboard to evenly illuminate the area when a subset of the LEDs is not generating any light.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements is associated with only one LED of the plurality of LEDs and is configured to direct light from that one LED toward the area such that the light from each optical element of the plurality of optical elements is directed across all of the area, wherein light intensity from each optical element of the plurality of optical elements is substantially even across all of the area.

9. A method of illuminating a portion of a billboard using an apparatus comprising a light assembly that includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a plurality of optical elements, each optical element associated with one of the plurality of LEDs and each LED associated with one of the optical elements, the method comprising:

directing light from the plurality of LEDs toward the portion, wherein directing the light comprises directing the light from each LED of the plurality of LEDs through the associated optical element such that light exiting from each optical element of the plurality of optical elements is directed across all of the portion of the billboard; and

wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements includes;

a first element;

a second element that intersects with the first element in a region between the first element and the second element, wherein the first element and the second element are shaped so that surface normals of the first element intersect with surface normals of the second element and wherein the first and the second elements are configured so that the light from the associated LED exits the associated optical element through the first and the second elements; and

a third element extending beyond the region between the first element and the second element in a direction away from the associated LED.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein directing the light from the plurality of LEDs comprises illuminating a display surface of the billboard, the display surface being between outer edges of the billboard.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the billboard is 48 feet wide between outer edges of the billboard;

a display surface of the billboard displays media content;

the apparatus further comprises a second light assembly, wherein directing the light from the plurality of LEDs comprises illuminating a first portion of the display surface of the billboard;

the method further comprises directing light from the second light assembly to illuminate a second portion of the display surface of the billboard; and

the light assembly and the second light assembly illuminate the display surface of the billboard between the outer edges of the billboard so the media content is visible using only the first and second lighting assemblies.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein directing the light from the plurality of LEDs toward the portion of the billboard further comprises spacing each LED of the plurality of LEDs from adjacent LEDs of the plurality of LEDs so that overlapping light from the adjacent LEDs does not create interference patterns or result in dead spots on the portion of the billboard.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein areas adjacent outer edges of the billboard receive no illumination from the plurality of LEDs.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein areas adjacent outer edges of the billboard receive a minimal amount of illumination from the plurality of LEDs.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein if some of the plurality of LEDs fail to operate during directing the light from the plurality of LEDs, the method further comprises directing the light from operative ones of the plurality of LEDs toward the portion of the billboard such that the light from each operative LED is directed across all of the portion of the billboard.

16. An apparatus comprising a lighting assembly for illumination of an area, the lighting assembly comprising:

a circuit board;

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) overlying the circuit board; and

a plurality of optical elements, wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements is proximate a respective LED of the plurality of LEDs, wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements is separate from other optical elements of the plurality of optical elements, and wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements includes;

a first outer boundary, a second outer boundary opposite the first outer boundary, a third outer boundary connecting the first outer boundary and the second outer boundary, a fourth outer boundary opposite the third outer boundary, and a central region halfway between the first outer boundary and the second outer boundary;

a first element with an outer surface extending from the first outer boundary toward the central region and having a first peak located between the central region and the first outer boundary, the first peak being spaced from the central region, and the first peak being vertically spaced from the circuit board on which the respective LED is arranged by a first distance;

a second element with an outer surface extending from the second outer boundary toward the central region and having a second peak located between the central region and the second outer boundary, the second peak being spaced from the central region, and the second peak being vertically spaced from the circuit board on which the respective LED is arranged by the first distance, wherein the first element intersects with the second element at a region between the first element and the second element, and wherein the first element and the second element are shaped so that surface normals of the first element intersect with surface normals of the second element; and

a third element disposed between the first outer boundary and the second outer boundary and having a third peak located between the third outer boundary and a region halfway between the third outer boundary and the fourth outer boundary, the third peak spaced from the region halfway between the third outer boundary and the fourth outer boundary, the third peak being vertically spaced from the circuit board on which the respective LED is arranged by a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the LEDs are arranged in two rows that extend along a longitudinal axis of the circuit board.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a heat sink thermally coupled to a lower surface of the circuit board so that the circuit board is between the LEDs and the heat sink, wherein the heat sink comprises a first section substantially parallel to the lower surface of the circuit board and a plurality of fins extending away from the first section and substantially perpendicular thereto, a longitudinal axis of each fin being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the circuit board.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the LEDs are arranged in only the two rows.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a billboard comprising the area, wherein the lighting assembly is located adjacent the billboard to illuminate the area.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a billboard comprising the area, wherein the lighting assembly is located adjacent the billboard to evenly illuminate the area when a subset of the LEDs is not generating any light.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements is associated with only one LED of the plurality of LEDs and is configured to direct light from that one LED toward the area such that the light from each optical element of the plurality of optical elements is directed across all of the area, wherein light intensity from each optical element of the plurality of optical elements is substantially even across all of the area.