High aspect ratio light fixture and film for use therein

• US 4,984,144 A
• Filed: 04/14/1988
• Issued: 01/08/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Inventors: Cobb, Sanford Jr., Dreyer, John F. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cox, D. M.
• Application Number:
  US07/181,652
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 362/336, 362/337, 362/308, 362/309, 362/330, 362/339, 362/328, 362/329, 362/326, 362/327, 362/31, 350/167, 350/286, 428/167
• US Class Current: 362/339
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/40 characterised by the combination of reflectors and refractors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/04 the elements being reflectors and refractors for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/00 Reflectors for light sources characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/505
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/122 cube corner, trihedral or triple reflector type

Abstract

A high aspect ratio light fixture has an optical window with a light extraction film therein. The light extraction film has a plurality of linear prisms facing the interior of the light fixture. In one embodiment of the invention the prisms are triangular in shape while in another they are four sided.

Claims

1. A high aspect ratio light fixture comprising an enclosure having an optical window, said light fixture comprising:

transparent light extraction film in said optical window, said light extraction film having a base layer defining a plane and having a structured surface facing the interior of said enclosure, said surface having linear prisms thereon, each of said prisms having two sides adjacent to said plane, the projections of which meet at a relatively narrow angle and two sides more distant from said plane which meet at a relatively wide angle; and

a light source at one end of said enclosure for emitting light such that said light will enter said prisms, be totally internally reflected and emerge through said second surface.

2. The light fixture of claim 1 wherein the interior of said enclosure is reflectorized.

3. A high aspect ratio light fixture comprising an enclosure having an optical window, said light fixture comprising:

transparent light extraction film having a first edge and lying in said optical window, said light extraction film having a structured surface facing the interior of said enclosure, and a second surface facing the exterior of said enclosure, said structured surface having a plurality of linear prisms thereon, each of said prisms having first and second sides, said first and second sides making an angle in the range of 59 to 79 degrees with one another; and

a light source at one end of said enclosure and adjacent said first edge of said film for emitting light such that said light will enter said prisms, be totally internally reflected and emerge through said second surface.

4. The light fixture of claim 3 wherein the interior of said enclosure is specularly reflective.

5. The light fixture of claim 3 wherein each of said prisms has a major axis and a cross-section perpendicular to said major axis, said cross-section having two sides extending away from a plane defined by said second surface.

6. The light fixture of claim 5 wherein said first and second sides make an angle of approximately 69 degrees with one another.

7. The light fixture of claim 6 wherein the interior of said enclosure is specularly reflective.

8. A light extraction film of a transparent material, said film having a base layer defining a plane and having a structured surface, said surface having linear prisms thereon, each of said prisms having only four planar sides extending from said plane, two of said sides being adjacent said plane, the projections of which meet at a relatively narrow angle and two of said sides being more distant from said plane which meet at a relatively wide angle.

9. The film of claim 8 wherein adjacent prisms of said linear prisms are separated by a flat surface of said film.