Transparent optical component for light emitting/receiving elements

• US 7,244,924 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2006
• Issued: 07/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Inventors: Yasuda, Naru, Hosokawa, Hayami, Kiyomoto, Hironobu, Homma, Kenji, Terakawa, Yukari
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu; Thanh X.
• Application Number:
  US11/348,974
• Publication Number:
  US 20060124835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 250/239, 250/216, 362326-340, 362/347, 362/310, 362516-522, 257/98, 359856-861, 359726-731
• US Class Current: 250/216
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/559 illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0091 using total internal reflection
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• 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: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48247 connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00012 Relevant to the scope of the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/181 Encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/1815 Shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/54 having a particular shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/58 Optical field-shaping elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/60 Reflective elements

Abstract

This invention improves the use efficiency of light emitted by a solid light emitter such as a light emitting diode, and realizes a desired directional pattern. On a front boundary surface of a mold resin 13 sealing a light emitter 12, there are formed a direct emission region 18 for emitting the light from the light emitter 12 and a total reflection region 19 for totally reflecting the light from the light emitter 12. The direct emission region 18 is convex lens-shaped. A light reflecting portion 20 having a concave mirror shape is disposed on a rear wall of the mold resin 13. A part of light emitted from the light emitter 12 is emitted forward by receiving an optical lens action when it passes through the direct emission region 18. Another part of the light emitted by from the light emitter 12 is totally reflected by the total reflection region 19, and is reflected by the light reflecting portion 20, and emitted forward from the total reflection region 19.

Claims

1. An optical component comprising:

a transparent body having a direct emission region, a total reflection region disposed around said direct emission region, and a curved reflective surface which faces said direct emission region and said total reflection region; and

a recess provided on said curved reflective surface,

wherein the thickness of said transparent body is smaller than a diameter of an outer edge of said curved reflective surface,

wherein a part of said total reflection region in proximity of said direct emission region is inclined to a plane of the other parts of said total reflection region,

wherein said curved reflective surface is covered with high reflective material,

wherein said direct emission region passes incident light directly passing through said recess, and

wherein said curved reflective surface indirectly receives light passing through said recess, and said total reflection region reflects incident light directly passing through said recess and passes the light reflected by said curved reflective surface through said total reflection region.

2. An optical component comprising:

a circuit board;

a transparent body disposed on said circuit board, wherein a front portion of the transparent body comprises a direct emission region and a total reflection region disposed around said direct emission region;

a curved light reflecting portion having a recess at a center of said curved light reflecting portion and disposed on said circuit board to face said front portion; and

a light-emitting element mounted on said circuit board to face said direct emission region through said recess such that light from said light-emitting element is indirectly incident on said curved light reflecting portion,

wherein the size and shape of said curved light reflecting portion is selected such that a mirror focus of said light-emitting element with respect to a plane including said total reflection region is defined as a focal point of said light reflecting portion,

wherein a part of said total reflection region in proximity of said direct emission region is inclined to a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of said light-emitting element,

wherein said direct emission region passes incident light directly passing through said recess, and

wherein said curved light reflecting portion indirectly receives light passing through said recess, and said total reflection region reflects incident light directly passing through said opening and passes the light reflected by said curved light reflecting portion through said total reflection region.