Light emitting diode reflector

• US 6,644,841 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Current Lighting Solutions, LLC (f/k/a GE Lighting Solutions, LLC) (American Industrial Partners)
• Original Assignee: Gelcore (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Martineau, Patrick M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Laura K.
• Application Number:
  US10/159,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20030165061A1
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 362/800, 362/545, 362/546, 362/517, 362/518, 362/297, 362/310, 362/346, 362/237, 362/241, 362/238, 362/240
• US Class Current: 362/545
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0055 by screwing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/505 of reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/89 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0083 Array of reflectors for a cluster of light sources, e.g. arrangement of multiple light sources in one plane combination of two or more reflectors F21V7/0025
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/09 with a combination of different curvatures
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/02 for roads, paths or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A reflector for use with light emitting devices. Multiple reflective surfaces redirect light emission components of the light emitting device, for example a light emitting diode, into a desired direction. The different light emission components including a total internal reflection light emission component. Paired light emitting devices share common reflector surfaces creating an oval light pattern. Holes in the reflector accommodate electrical components and enhance heat dissipation. A deflector pattern on non-reflector surfaces minimizes sun phantom effect when the reflector is used, for example, in a traffic signal.

Claims

1. A reflector use for with at least one LED, comprising:

a first reflector surface arranged to reflect a first light ray emitted by the LED through a side wall of the LED into a forward direction, abutting

a second reflector surface arranged to reflect a second light ray emitted by the LED, after refraction by total internal reflection within a housing of the LED, into a forward direction, abutting

a third reflector surface arranged to reflect a third light ray emitted by the LED through the side wall of the LED into a forward direction.

2. The reflector of claim 1, wherein:

the first reflector surface has a parabolic shape.

3. The reflector of claim 1, wherein:

the forward direction is generally parallel to a vertical axis of the housing of the LED.

4. The reflector of claim 1, wherein:

the forward direction is a generally spreading conical pattern about a vertical axis of the housing of the LED.

5. The reflector of claim 1, wherein:

the reflector is a plastic material with a reflective coating thereon.

6. The reflector of claim 1, wherein:

the reflector is metal with one of a reflective coating and a reflective finish.

7. The reflector of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one LED is two LEDs;

the LED'"'"'s each having a separate first reflector surface;

the LED'"'"'s sharing the second and the third reflector surfaces in common.

8. The reflector of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one LED is two LEDs;

the LED'"'"'s each having a separate first and second reflector surface;

the LED'"'"'s sharing third reflector surface in common.

9. The reflector of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one LED is a plurality of LEDs;

an area between reflector surfaces having a deflector pattern.

10. The reflector of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one LED is a plurality of LEDs;

the LED'"'"'s aligned in a matrix of paired reflectors,

the matrix of paired reflectors, having a separate first reflective surface for each of the plurality of LEDs,

the LED'"'"'s sharing the second and third reflective surfaces in common.

11. The reflector of claim 10, wherein:

a deflector surface is formed on a non reflector area between the paired reflectors and on a non-reflector area between LEDs in each paired reflector.

12. The reflector of claim 1, wherein:

a plurality of the reflectors are formed as a single assembly.

13. The reflector of claim 1, further including:

at least one support leg.

14. The reflector of claim 12, wherein:

the assembly has at least one aperture arranged to accommodate electrical components other than the at least one LED.

15. An LED signal, comprising:

at least one LED,

a reflector having

a first reflector surface arranged to reflect a first light ray emitted by the at least one LED through a side wall of the LED into a forward direction, abutting

a second reflector surface arranged to reflect a second light ray emitted by the at least one LED, after refraction by total internal reflection within a housing of the at least one LED, into a forward direction, abutting

a third reflector surface arranged to reflect a third light ray emitted by the at least one LED through the side wall of the LED into a forward direction;

the reflector and the at least one LED attached to

a pcb mounted in an internal area of

a housing, the housing closed by

a distribution cover.

16. The signal of claim 15, further including:

an optical element located between the reflector and the distribution cover.

17. The signal of claim 15, further including:

a power supply circuit located on a side of the PCB facing the distribution cover.

18. The signal of claim 17, further including:

an aperture formed in the reflector to accommodate an electrical component of the power supply circuit.

19. The signal of claim 15, further including:

a deflector pattern on a non reflector surface of the reflector.

20. The signal of claim 15, wherein:

the reflector is metal.