LED light collection and uniform transmission system

• US 6,827,475 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2003
• Issued: 12/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Russell E. Sibell, Steven Robert Vetorino
• Original Assignee: Russell E. Sibell, Steven Robert Vetorino
• Inventors: Vetorino, Steven Robert, Sibell, Russell E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sawhney, Hargobind S.
• Application Number:
  US10/365,241
• Publication Number:
  US 20040046489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 362/800, 362/335, 362/326, 362/551, 362/555, 362/328, 362/545, 362/244, 362/309, 362/332, 359/708, 359/710, 359/711, 359/726, 313/113, 313/512
• US Class Current: 362/545
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/04 the elements being reflectors and refractors for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/045 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0028 refractive and reflective surfaces, e.g. non-imaging catadioptric systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0061 the light source comprising a LED semiconductor devices with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier specially adapted for light emission H01L33/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

Apparatus for collecting light from an LED and transmitting it in a near-uniform column incudes a conical reflector about the base of the LED for collecting light emitted to the sides of the LED, and a lens specially designed to focus the collected light into a near-collimated beam. The lens has opposite, substantially elliptical surfaces to collect and collimate the rapidly diverging light from the LED and the reflector, and each lens surface includes a flat spot to prevent shadows from forming, thereby producing a more uniform beam.

Claims

1. Apparatus for collecting and transmitting light in a near-uniform column from an LED of the type having a base, a light element and a domed transparent plastic housing attached to the base and covering the light element, the apparatus comprising:

a conical reflector disposed about the base of the LED for collecting sideband light from the LED light element and transmitting it forward;

a lens disposed opposite and apart from the housing of the LED for focusing the direct and reflected light from the LED, wherein the distance between the center of the lens and the center of the domed housing on the LED is (d);

wherein the lens is bounded by two opposite, substantially elliptical surfaces, where (a) is the half thickness of the lens and (b) is the half diameter of the lens and wherein each surface includes a flat spot having diameter (s).

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein flat spot diameter (s) is between about 5% and 10% of separation distance (d).

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conical reflector forms a cone angle of about 70°

.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conical reflector is formed of metal.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conical reflector is formed of metal coated plastic.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conical reflector intersects the LED at an offset distance (c) of about 0.4 inches from the center of the domed housing on the LED toward the base.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the half diameter (b) of the lens is greater than or equal to about 70% of separation distance (d).

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the half thickness of the lens (a) is approximately equal to the spot diameter (s).

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lens is formed of plastic, and thickness of the lens at an edge (e) is about one third thickness of the lens at the center.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein (d) is approximately 1 inch, half thickness (a) is about 0.24 inches, half diameter (b) is about 0.70 inches, and edge thickness (e) of the lens is about 0.16 inches.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conical reflector intersects the LED at an offset (c) of about 0.4 inches from the center of the domed plastic housing toward the base.

11. Apparatus for collecting and transmitting light in a near-uniform column from an LED of the type having a base, a light element and a domed transparent plastic housing attached to the base and covering the light element, the apparatus comprising:

a conical reflector disposed about the base of the LED for collecting sideband light from the LED light element and transmitting it forward;

a lens disposed opposite and apart from the housing of the LED for focusing the direct and reflected light from the LED, wherein the distance between the center of the lens and the center of the domed housing on the LED is (d);

wherein the lens is bounded by two opposite, substantially elliptical surfaces, where (a) is the half thickness of the lens and (b) is the half diameter of the lens and wherein each surface includes a flat spot having diameter (s); and

wherein flat spot diameter (s) is between about 5% and 10% of separation distance (d).

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the conical reflector forms a cone angle of about 70°

.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the half diameter (b) of the lens is greater than or equal to about 70% of separation distance (d).

15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the half thickness of the lens (a) is approximately equal to the spot diameter (s).

17. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the conical reflector forms a cone angle of about 70°

.

16. Apparatus for collecting and transmitting light in a near-uniform column from an LED of the type having a base, a light element and a domed transparent plastic housing attached to the base and covering the light element, the apparatus comprising:

a conical reflector disposed about the base of the LED for collecting sideband light from the LED light element and transmitting it forward;

a lens disposed opposite and apart from the housing of the LED for focusing the direct and reflected light from the LED, wherein the distance between the center of the lens and the center of the domed housing of the LED is (d);

wherein the lens is bounded by two opposite, substantially elliptical surfaces, where (a) is the half thickness of the lens and (b) is the half diameter of the lens and wherein each surface includes a flat spot having diameter (s);

wherein flat spot diameter (s) is between about 5% and 10% of separation distance (d); and

wherein the half diameter (b) of the lens is greater than or equal to about 70% of separation distance (d).

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the half thickness of the lens (a) is approximately equal to the spot diameter (s).