Collector for an LED array
First Claim
1. A molded light collector for collimating the light rays emitting from a relatively wide emission light source for coupling to an optical wave guide, the light source being an LED mounted on a substrate, the light collector enclosing the LED and forming a hemispherical cavity around the LED, a portion of the light collector being integrally secured to the substrate, the light collector comprisingan optical wave guide,a lens portion for collimating the light exiting from the light source substantially perpendicular to the substrate, anda reflecting portion attached to the substrate for collimating the light exiting from the light source substantially parallel to the substrate, the hemispherical cavity forming an air pocket between the LED and the light collector wherein the collimated light beams are combined and applied to the optical wave guide.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A light collector for an LED array for efficiently collecting and collimating light emitting from the LEDs and projecting the light into an optical wave guide which directs that light onto a photoreceptor surface. Each LED is centered in a hemispherical cavity in the collector array in order that radiation from the LED enters the collector essentially unrefracted. The collector array provides a convex lens portion and a parabolic reflecting surface portion. Light that exits from the LED that is substantially perpendicular to the substrate supporting the LED is applied to the convex lens and is collimated. Light exiting substantially parallel to the substrate strikes a parabolic reflecting surface at greater than the critical angle and is also collimated. The two concentric collimated beams are combined and applied to the photoreceptor surface via a light pipe or optical wave guide secured to the collector.
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Citations
3 Claims
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1. A molded light collector for collimating the light rays emitting from a relatively wide emission light source for coupling to an optical wave guide, the light source being an LED mounted on a substrate, the light collector enclosing the LED and forming a hemispherical cavity around the LED, a portion of the light collector being integrally secured to the substrate, the light collector comprising
an optical wave guide, a lens portion for collimating the light exiting from the light source substantially perpendicular to the substrate, and a reflecting portion attached to the substrate for collimating the light exiting from the light source substantially parallel to the substrate, the hemispherical cavity forming an air pocket between the LED and the light collector wherein the collimated light beams are combined and applied to the optical wave guide.
Specification