Peripheral optical element for redirecting light from an LED
First Claim
1. A peripheral optical element for redirecting dispersed light into a predetermined viewing angle relative to an optical axis, the peripheral optical element comprising:
- a pair of coplanar base surfaces each having an inside and an outside edge, perpendicular to the optical axis, offset from the optical axis;
a pair of refracting surfaces, each refracting surface adjacent to the inside edge of each base surface and at a first acute angle to the optical axis;
a pair of reflecting surfaces, each reflecting surface adjacent to the outside edge of each base surface, and at a second acute angle to the optical axis wherein the second acute angle is greater than the first acute angle; and
a pair of exiting surfaces adjacent to the reflecting and refracting surfaces.
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Abstract
A peripheral optical element efficiently collects light emitted by a light emitting diode (LED) to produce a high luminous intensity of emitted light within a limited viewing angle relative to an optical axis. An LED is positioned in the center of the peripheral optical element, the element comprising a base, a refractive and reflective surface, and an exiting surface. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral optical element is radially symmetric to form a ring element. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention an array of multiple peripheral optical elements is mounted in a frame to accommodate multiple LEDs, forming a light panel for power signaling applications.
92 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A peripheral optical element for redirecting dispersed light into a predetermined viewing angle relative to an optical axis, the peripheral optical element comprising:
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a pair of coplanar base surfaces each having an inside and an outside edge, perpendicular to the optical axis, offset from the optical axis; a pair of refracting surfaces, each refracting surface adjacent to the inside edge of each base surface and at a first acute angle to the optical axis; a pair of reflecting surfaces, each reflecting surface adjacent to the outside edge of each base surface, and at a second acute angle to the optical axis wherein the second acute angle is greater than the first acute angle; and a pair of exiting surfaces adjacent to the reflecting and refracting surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A light source producing a cone of luminous intensity centered about an optical axis, comprising:
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a radially symmetric peripheral optical element defined by; a pair of conic surfaces disposed about the optical axis, the first conic surface of the pair at a first acute angle to the optical axis, the second conic surface of the pair at a second acute angle to the optical axis greater than the first acute angle, an annular base surface formed by truncating the cones in a first plane perpendicular to the optical axis; and an annular exit surface formed by truncating the cones in a second plane perpendicular to the optical axis; and a light emitting diode centered within the annular base surface. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An array of peripheral optical elements for directing light within a predetermined viewing angle relative to an optical axis, comprising:
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multiple peripheral optical elements, in cross-section each peripheral optical element including; a pair of coplanar base surfaces each having an inside and an outside edge, perpendicular to the optical axis, offset from the optical axis, a pair of refracting surfaces, each refracting surface adjacent to the inside edge of each base surface and at a first acute angle to the optical axis, a pair of reflecting surfaces, each reflecting surface adjacent to the outside edge of each base surface, and at a second acute angle to the optical axis wherein the second acute angle is greater than the first acute angle, a pair of coplanar exiting surfaces, each exiting surface perpendicular to the optical axis, adjacent to the reflecting and refracting surfaces; and a frame, continuous with the multiple peripheral optical elements. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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Specification