Sign illumination system

• US 6,964,507 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2003
• Issued: 11/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Everbrite LLC
• Original Assignee: Everbrite LLC
• Inventors: Mohacsi, Ferenc
• Primary Examiner(s): Ward, John Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choi, Jacob Y.
• Application Number:
  US10/424,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20040212998A1
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 362/335, 362/237, 362/240, 362/241, 362/247, 362/251, 362/252, 362/812, 362/545, 362/800
• US Class Current: 362/545
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/04 the elements being reflectors and refractors for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0404 the light source being enclosed in a box forming the character of the sign
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/08 using both translucent and non-translucent layers
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/14 Arrangements of reflectors therein
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/145 curved reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/222 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs

Abstract

A radiation-emitting device comprising a side-emitting optoelectronic device having an upper surface and a heat sink in thermal conductivity with the side-emitting optoelectronic device. A reflector at least partially surrounds the side-emitting optoelectronic device. The reflector is positioned and shaped to reflect the emitted light substantially in an output direction. A reflective, non-transparent layer is disposed adjacent the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.

Claims

1. A light fixture comprising:

a housing;

a translucent output panel connected to the housing;

at least two light-emitters supported by the housing, each of the light-emitters including;

a side-emitting optoelectronic device having an upper surface;

a heat sink in thermal conductivity with the side-emitting optoelectronic device;

a reflector at least partially surrounding the side-emitting optoelectronic device, the reflector positioned and shaped to reflect the emitted light substantially in an output direction; and

a non-transparent layer positioned between the translucent panel and the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device, wherein the side-emitting optoelectronic device further comprises a truncated substantially spherical portion and a frustoconical portion having a concave top, the frustoconical portion disposed adjacent the truncated substantially spherical portion.

2. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the optoelectronic device includes a side-emitting light-emitting diode.

3. The light fixture of claim 1, further comprising a reflector at least partially surrounding the side-emitting optoelectronic device, the reflector positioned and shaped to reflect the emitted light substantially towards the output panel.

4. The light fixture of claim 3, wherein the reflector is polygonal and includes at least one angled side.

5. The light fixture of claim 3, wherein the reflector is substantially parabolic.

6. The light fixture of claim 3, wherein the reflector substantially collimates the emitted light.

7. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the translucent panel is spaced a distance from the side-emitting optoelectronic device, the distance being between about 3 inches and 6 inches.

8. The light fixture of claim 1, further comprising a heat sink positioned in thermal conduction with the side-emitting optoelectronic device.

9. The light fixture of claim 8, wherein the heat sink at least partially supports the side-emitting optoelectronic device.

10. The light fixture of claim 8, wherein the heat sink includes a circuit board having a metallic substrate.

11. The light fixture of claim 10, wherein the metallic substrate includes aluminum.

12. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the non-transparent layer is applied directly to the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.

13. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the optoelectronic device outputs a plurality of wavelengths which comprise white light.

14. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the output panel contains a fluorescent material, and wherein the optoelectronic device outputs ultraviolet radiation that excites the fluorescent material.

15. A light fixture comprising:

a housing;

a translucent output panel connected to the housing;

at least two light-emitters supported by the housing, each of the light-emitters including;

a side-emitting optoelectronic device having an upper surface;

a heat sink in thermal conductivity with the side-emitting optoelectronic device;

a reflector at least partially surrounding the side-emitting optoelectronic device, the reflector positioned and shaped to reflect the emitted light substantially in an output direction; and

a non-transparent layer positioned between the translucent panel and the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device, wherein the non-transparent layer is applied directly to the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device, and wherein the non-transparent layer includes paint applied to the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.

16. A light fixture comprising:

a housing;

a translucent output panel connected to the housing;

at least two light-emitters supported by the housing, each of the light-emitters including;

a side-emitting optoelectronic device having an upper surface;

a heat sink in thermal conductivity with the side-emitting optoelectronic device;

a reflector at least partially surrounding the side-emitting optoelectronic device, the reflector positioned and shaped to reflect the emitted light substantially in an output direction; and

a non-transparent layer positioned between the translucent panel and the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device, wherein the optoelectronic device outputs substantially monochromatic light.

17. A light fixture comprising:

a housing having a base and at least one wall;

a translucent panel coupled to the housing and spaced a distance from the base, the translucent panel and the housing cooperating to define a light space; and

a plurality of light-emitters supported by the housing and positioned to emit light through the translucent panel, each light-emitter including;

a side-emitting optoelectronic device having an upper surface;

a non-transparent layer applied directly to the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device; and

a reflector at least partially surrounding the side-emitting optoelectronic device, the reflector positioned and shaped to reflect the emitted light substantially toward the translucent panel, wherein the non-transparent layer includes paint applied to the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.

18. The light fixture of claim 17, wherein the optoelectronic device includes a side-emitting light-emitting diode.

19. The light fixture of claim 17, wherein the reflector is polygonal and includes at least one angled side.

20. The light fixture of claim 17, wherein the reflector is substantially parabolic.

21. The light fixture of claim 17, wherein the translucent panel is spaced a distance from the side-emitting optoelectronic device, the distance being between about 3 inches and 6 inches.

22. The light fixture of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of heat sinks, each heat sink positioned in thermal conduction with one of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.

23. The light fixture of claim 22, wherein each heat sink at least partially supports the side-emitting optoelectronic device.

24. The light fixture of claim 17, wherein the side-emitting optoelectronic device further comprises a truncated substantially spherical portion and a frustoconical portion having a concave top, the frustoconical portion disposed adjacent the truncated substantially spherical portion.

25. The light fixture of claim 17, wherein the optoelectronic device outputs a plurality of wavelengths which comprise white light.

26. The light fixture of claim 17, wherein at least one of the light-emitters emits light of a different color than the remaining light-emitters.

27. A light fixture comprising:

a housing having a base and at least one wall;

a translucent panel coupled to the housing and spaced a distance from the base, the translucent panel and the housing cooperating to define a light space; and

a plurality of light-emitters supported by the housing and positioned to emit light through the translucent panel, each light-emitter including;

a side-emitting optoelectronic device having an upper surface; and

a reflector at least partially surrounding the side-emitting optoelectronic device, the reflector positioned and shaped to reflect the emitted light substantially toward the translucent panel wherein the translucent panel contains a fluorescent material, and wherein the optoelectronic device outputs ultraviolet radiation that excites the fluorescent material.