Light emitting panel assemblies

• US 6,079,838 A
• Filed: 01/02/1997
• Issued: 06/27/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Innovative Display Technologies LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lumitex Incorporated
• Inventors: Parker, Jeffery R., Miller, Mark D., Kelsch, Daniel N.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, Y MY QUACH
• Application Number:
  US08/778,089
• Time in Patent Office: 1,272 Days
• Field of Search: 362/26, 362/31, 362/27, 362/329, 362/330
• US Class Current: 362/617
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 using white LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0018 Redirecting means on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0028 Light guide, e.g. taper
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0031 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0036 2-D arrangement of prisms, protrusions, indentations or roughened surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0043 provided on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

Light emitting panel assemblies include light emitting panel members and one or more light sources positioned/embedded in a light transition area, which increases the efficiency of light entering the panel members along the light input area to be emitted from one or more light emitting surfaces along the length of the panel members. Light may be reflected or refracted by a surface which changes the path of a portion of light such that it enters the input area of the panel member at a more acceptable angle. A uniform light output distribution may be produced by utilizing a pattern of light extracting deformities.

Claims

1. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having a greater width than thickness and opposite ends and sides and top and bottom surfaces, a light transition area located at one of said ends, and at least one light source mounted to said light transition area, said panel member having a light input surface at said one end for receiving light from said light transition area, said light input surface having a cross sectional area extending the entire width and thickness of said panel member at said one end, and said light transition area having a light output surface of the same width and thickness as said light input surface at said one end and a reflective surface in close proximity to said light source shaped to cause internal reflection of a portion of the light emitted from said light source and redirect the internally reflected light into said light input surface at said one end to produce a uniform density of light across substantially the entire cross sectional area of said light input surface at said one end, said reflective surface extending around and behind said light source.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said panel member is substantially thin and flat and said reflective surface on said light transition area is shaped to redirect a portion of the light emitted from said light source into said light input surface at said one end of said panel member at a substantially low angle to permit said panel member to be made thinner and longer than would otherwise be possible and still obtain a substantially uniform light output from one of said top and bottom surfaces of said panel member when illuminated from said one end only.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said panel member is no more than 0.125 inch thick.

4. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a pattern of light extracting deformities on said panel member, said light extracting deformities having a density concentration for causing a substantially uniform light output from one of said top and bottom surfaces of said panel member.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said light extracting deformities are formed by applying a coating on said panel member.

6. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said light extracting deformities vary in density along a length of said panel member between said opposite ends.

7. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said light extracting deformities vary in size.

8. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said light extracting deformities vary in percent of coverage along a length of said panel member between said opposite ends.

9. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said light extracting deformities are shaped with no specific angles.

10. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said light extracting deformities are printed on said panel member.

11. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said light extracting deformities vary in shape.

12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said light transition area includes a slot, cavity or opening in which said light source is snapped in place.

13. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having a greater width than thickness and opposite ends and sides and top and bottom surfaces, a light transition area located at one of said ends, and a plurality of light sources mounted to said light transition area, said panel member having a light input surface at said one end for receiving light from said light transition area, said light input surface having a cross sectional area extending the entire width and thickness of said panel member at said one end, and said light transition area having a light output surface of the same width and thickness as said light input surface at said one end and a reflective surface in close proximity to each of said light sources shaped to cause internal reflection of a portion of the light emitted from said light sources and redirect the internally reflected light into said light input surface at said one end to produce a uniform density of light across substantially the entire cross sectional area of said light input surface.

14. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having a greater width than thickness and opposite ends and sides and top and bottom surfaces, a light transition area located at one of said ends, and at least one light source mounted to said light transition area, said panel member having a light input surface at said one end for receiving light from said light transition area, said light input surface having a cross sectional area extending the entire width and thickness of said panel member at said one end, and said light transition area having a light output surface of the same width and thickness as said light input surface at said one end and a reflective surface in close proximity to said light source shaped to cause internal reflection of a portion of the light emitted from said light source and redirect the internally reflected light into said light input surface at said one end to produce a uniform density of light across substantially the entire cross sectional area of said light input surface, and a pattern of light extracting deformities on said panel member, said light extracting deformities having a density concentration for causing a substantially uniform light output from a light emitting surface on one of said top and bottom surfaces of said panel member, said pattern of light extracting deformities varying to compensate for a diffuser used with said panel member.

15. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having a greater width than thickness and opposite ends and sides and top and bottom surfaces, a light transition area located at one of said ends, and at least one light source mounted to said light transition area, said panel member having a light input surface at said one end for receiving light from said light transition area, said light input surface having a cross sectional area extending the entire width and thickness of said panel member at said one end, and said light transition area having a light output surface of the same width and thickness as said light input surface at said one end and a reflective surface in close proximity to said light source shaped to cause internal reflection of a portion of the light emitted from said light source and redirect the internally reflected light into said light input surface at said one end to produce a uniform density of light across substantially the entire cross sectional area of said light input surface, and a pattern of light extracting deformities in contact with said panel member, said light extracting deformities having a density concentration for causing a substantially uniform light output from a light emitting surface on one of said top and bottom surfaces of said panel member, said pattern of light extracting deformities being on a film.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein said film is molded to said panel member.

17. The assembly of claim 15 wherein said film is attached to said panel member.

18. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having a greater width than thickness and opposite ends and sides and top and bottom surfaces, a light transition area located at one of said ends, and at least one light source mounted to said light transition area, said panel member having a light input surface at said one end for receiving light from said light transition area, said light input surface having a cross sectional area extending the entire width and thickness of said panel member at said one end, and said light transition area having a light output surface of the same width and thickness as said light input surface at said one end and a reflective surface in close proximity to said light source shaped to cause internal reflection of a portion of the light emitted from said light source and redirect the internally reflected light into said light input surface at said one end of said panel member to produce a uniform density of light across substantially the entire cross sectional area of said light input surface, and a pattern of light extracting deformities on said panel member, said light extracting deformities having a density concentration for causing a substantially uniform light output from a light emitting surface on one of said top and bottom surfaces of said panel member, said light extracting deformities varying in color to provide different colored light output areas on said panel member.

19. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having a greater width than thickness and opposite ends and sides and top and bottom surfaces, a light transition area located at one of said ends, and at least one light source mounted to said light transition area, said panel member having a light input surface at said one end for receiving light from said light transition area, said light input surface having a cross sectional area extending the entire width and thickness of said panel member at said one end, and said light transition area having a light output surface of the same width and thickness as said light input surface at said one end and a reflective surface in close proximity to said light source shaped to cause internal reflection of a portion of the light emitted from said light source and redirect the internally reflected light into said light input surface at said one end to produce a uniform density of light across substantially the entire cross sectional area of said light input surface, and a pattern of light extracting deformities on said panel member, said light extracting deformities having a density concentration for causing a substantially uniform light output from a light emitting surface on one of said to p and bottom surfaces of said panel member, said light extracting deformities varying in index of refraction.

20. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having a greater width than thickness and opposite ends and sides and top and bottom surfaces, a light transition area located at one of said ends, and at least one light source mounted to said light transition area, said panel member having a light input surface at said one end for receiving light from said light transition area, said light input surface having a cross sectional area extending the entire width and thickness of said panel member at said one end, and said light transition area having a light output surface of the same width and thickness as said light input surface at said one end and a reflective surface in close proximity to said light source shaped to cause internal reflection of a portion of the light emitted from said light source and redirect the internally reflected light into said light input surface at said one end to produce a uniform density of light across substantially the entire cross sectional area of said light input surface, and multiple layers of light extracting deformities on one of said surface s of said panel member, said light extracting deformities having a density concentration for causing a substantially uniform light output from a light emitting surface on one of said surfaces of said panel member.

21. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having a greater width than thickness and opposite ends and sides and top and bottom surfaces, a light transition area located at one of said ends, and at least one light source mounted to said light transition area, said panel member having a light input surface at said one end for receiving light from said light transition area, said light input surface having a cross sectional area extending the entire width and thickness of said panel member at said one end, and said light transition area having a light output surface of the same width and thickness as said light input surface at said one end and a reflective surface in close proximity to said light source shaped to cause internal reflection of a portion of the light emitted from said light source and redirect the internally reflected light into said light input surface at said one end to produce a uniform density of light across substantially the entire cross sectional area of said light input surface, and a pattern of light extracting deformities on said panel member, said light extracting deformities having a density concentration for causing a substantially uniform light output from a light emitting surface on one of said top and bottom surfaces of said panel member, said light extracting deformities being printed on said panel member using strochastic print pattern techniques.

22. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having a greater width than thickness and opposite ends and sides and top and bottom surfaces, a light transition area located at one of said ends, and at least one light source mounted to said light transition area, said panel member having a light input surface at said one end for receiving light from said light transition area, said light input surface having a cross sectional area extending the entire width and thickness of said panel member at said one end, and said light transition area having a light output surface of the same width and thickness as said light input surface at said one end and a reflective surface in close proximity to said light source shaped to cause internal reflection of a portion of the light emitted from said light source and redirect the internally reflected light into said light input surface at said one end to produce a uniform density of light across substantially the entire cross sectional area of said light input surface, and a pattern of light extracting deformities on said panel member, said light extracting deformities having a density concentration for causing a substantially uniform light output from a light emitting surface on one of said top and bottom surfaces of said panel member, said light extracting deformities being printed on said panel member using frequency modulated half tone patterns.

23. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having a greater width than thickness and opposite ends and sides and top and bottom surfaces, a light transition area located at one of said ends, and at least one light source mounted to said light transition area, said panel member having a light input surface at said one end for receiving light from said light transition area, said light input surface having a cross sectional area extending the entire width and thickness of said panel member at said one end, and said light transition area having a light output surface of the same width and thickness as said light input surface at said one end and a reflective surface in close proximity to said light source shaped to cause internal reflection of a portion of the light emitted from said light source and redirect the internally reflected light into said light input surface at said one end to produce a uniform density of light across substantially the entire cross sectional area of said light input surface, and a pattern of light extracting deformities on said panel member, said light extracting deformities having a density concentration for causing a substantially uniform light output from a light emitting surface on one of said top and bottom surfaces of said panel member, said light extracting deformities being printed on said panel member using dot half tones.

24. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having a greater width than thickness and opposite ends and sides and top and bottom surfaces, a light transition area located at one of said ends, and at least one light source mounted to said light transition area, said panel member having a light input surface at said one end for receiving light from said light transition area, said light input surface having a cross sectional area extending the entire width and thickness of said panel member at said one end, and said light transition area having a light output surface of the same width and thickness as said light input surface at said one end and a reflective surface in close proximity to said light source shaped to cause internal reflection of a portion of the light emitted from said light source and redirect the internally reflected light into said light input surface at said one end to produce a uniform density of light across substantially the entire cross sectional area of said light input surface, and a pattern of light extracting deformities on said panel member, said light extracting deformities having a density concentration for causing a substantially uniform light output from a light emitting surface on one of said top and bottom surfaces of said panel member, said light extracting deformities varying in density across the width of said panel member.

25. A light emitting panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having a greater width than thickness and opposite ends and sides and top and bottom surfaces, a light transition area located at one of said ends, and at least one light source mounted to said light transition area, said panel member having a light input surface at said one end for receiving light from said light transition area, said light input surface having a cross sectional area extending the entire width and thickness of said panel member at said one end, and said light transition area having a light output surface of the same width and thickness as said light input surface at said one end and a reflective surface in close proximity to said light source shaped to cause internal reflection of a portion of the light emitted from said light source and redirect the internally reflected light into said light input surface at said one end of said panel member to produce a uniform density of light across substantially the entire cross sectional area of said light input surface, and a pattern of light extracting deformities on said panel member, said light extracting deformities having a density concentration for causing a substantially uniform light output from a light emitting surface on one of said top and bottom surfaces of said panel member, said light extracting deformities varying in percent of coverage across the width of said panel member.