LED symbol signal

• US 6,955,449 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2003
• Issued: 10/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): T, B Q
• Application Number:
  US10/388,123
• Publication Number:
  US 20030174501A1
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 362/246, 362/247, 362/240, 362/244, 362/248, 362/812, 362/800, 362/331, 362/333, 362/326, 362/308, 362/355, 362/498, 362/540, 362/545, 362/544, 362/543
• US Class Current: 362/246
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/09 with a combination of different curvatures
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0409 Arrangements for homogeneous illumination of the display surface, e.g. using a layer having a non-uniform transparency arrangements of reflectors G09F13/14
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0413 Frames or casing structures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/06 using individual cut-out symbols or cut-out silhouettes, e.g. perforated signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/008 Sun shades, shades, hoods or louvres on electronic displays to minimise the effect of direct sun light on the display
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/3023 Segmented electronic displays
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/18 Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components H05K1/0201, H05K1/023, H05K1/0243, and H05K1/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/0052 Depaneling, i.e. dividing a panel into circuit boards; Working of the edges of circuit boards

Abstract

A LED symbol signal with LEDs arrayed to correspond to a desired symbol. A mask defines the desired symbol. A diffusion surface on the cover diffuses the display aspect, obscuring the individual LEDs. The mask is spaced a distance from the diffusing surface. The more aggressive the diffusion pattern the closer the mask is spaced to the diffusion pattern. Preferably, the ratio of the pitch of the optical elements to the width of the symbol at the diffusion surface is less than 1:2, preferably less than 1:4, more preferably less than 1:6 and most preferably approximately 1:10.

Claims

1. A LED Symbol signal, comprising:

at least one Led, mounted on

a printed circuit board, arranged in

a housing with an open end;

the open end covered by

a mask with at least one hole defining the symbol and a cover, with a plurality of optical elements substantially covering an inner face of the cover, wherein;

said optical elements have a pitch, and

a ratio of the pitch to a width of the symbol at the inner surface is less than 1;

2.

2. The signal of claim 1, wherein the ratio is less than 1:

4.

3. The signal of claim 1, wherein the ratio is less than 1:

4.

4. A LED symbol signal, comprising:

at least on LED, mounted on

a printed circuit bard, arranged in

a housing with an open end, the open end covered by

a mask with at least one hole defining the symbol, and

a cover having an inner face with a diffusion surface, the cover sealing the open end of the housing, wherein a light distribution pattern is symmetrical.

5. A LED symbol signal, comprising:

at least on LED, mounted on

a printed circuit bard, arranged in

a housing with an open end, the open end covered by

a mask with at least one hole defining the symbol, and a cover having an inner face with a diffusion surface, the cover sealing the open end of the housing, wherein a light distribution pattern is asymmetrical about either the horizontal or the vertical axis.

6. A LED symbol signal, comprising:

at least on LED, mounted on

a printed circuit bard, arranged in

a housing with an open end, the open end covered by

a mask with at least one hole defining the symbol, and a cover having an inner face with a diffusion surface, the cover sealing the open end of the housing, wherein;

said optical elements have a pitch and

a ratio of the pitch and a width of the symbol at the diffusion surface is less than 1;

2.

7. The signal of claim 6, wherein the ratio is less than 1:

4.

8. The signal of claim 6, wherein the ratio is approximately 1:

10.