Illumination device for simulating neon or similar lighting using phosphorescent dye

• US 7,264,366 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2004
• Issued: 09/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: iLight Technologies Incorporated (Luminii, LLC)
• Original Assignee: iLight Technologies Incorporated (Luminii, LLC)
• Inventors: Hulse, George R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Quach-Lee; Y. My
• Application Number:
  US11/025,019
• Publication Number:
  US 20050111236A1
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 362/84, 362/231, 362/245, 362/249, 362/552, 362/558, 362/610, 362/612, 362/615, 362/26, 362/27
• US Class Current: 362/84
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/08 the elements being filters or photoluminescent elements and reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0407 for flashing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/04 Provision of filling media
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/38 Combination of two or more photoluminescent elements of different materials
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0005 the light guides being of the fibre type G02B6/0003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/001 the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre

Abstract

An illumination device simulates neon lighting using a light source for emitting light of a predetermined first hue and a light-transmitting medium having a predetermined density of phosphorescent dye positioned adjacent to the light source. The phosphorescent dye will absorb light emitted by the light source and emit light of a second hue. An observer of the device perceives light that is of a hue that is different from the predetermined first hue. A means for varying the intensity of the light emitted by the light source creates color changing effects in the illumination device. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are a suitable light source. A waveguide having both optical waveguide and light scattering properties is used to diffuse the combined light and simulate the uniform appearance of a neon tube. Alternatively, the waveguide itself can be doped with phosphorescent dye to emit light having the perceived hue.

Claims

1. An illumination device for simulating neon or similar lighting comprising:

a light source for emitting light of a predetermined first hue;

a light-transmitting medium having a predetermined density of phosphorescent dye, said light-transmitting medium positioned adjacent said light source for receiving said light of said first hue, converting a portion of said light of said first hue to a second hue, emitting light of said second hue, and transmitting a portion of said light of said first hue without conversion by said dye; and

an elongated, rod-like waveguide positioned adjacent said light-transmitting medium, said waveguide having a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface, said waveguide having both optical waveguide and light scattering properties, whereby said light of said first hue and light of said second hue are received by said light-receiving surface, mixed to create a perceived hue and a substantially uniform intensity, and emitted at said light-emitting surface to simulate neon lighting.

2. The illumination device of claim 1, and further comprising a means for varying the intensity of the light emitted by said light source, such that the perceived hue varies with a state of the light source.

3. The illumination device of claim 2, wherein said means for varying the intensity of the light emitted by the light source is a control device controlling a waveform of a power signal to said light source, including the shape, duty cycle, amplitude, and frequency of the power signal waveform.

4. The illumination device of claim 3, wherein said waveform of the power signal to said light source is selected from the group consisting of:

square wave and sine wave.

5. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said light source is a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

6. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said light-transmitting medium is composed of a matrix of substantially translucent material doped with said predetermined density of phosphorescent dye.

7. The illumination device of claim 6, wherein a portion of the light emitted by the light source passes around the light-transmitting medium and reaches said waveguide directly, without passing through said light-transmitting medium.

8. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said light-transmitting medium is composed of a matrix of substantially translucent material having a first region that is substantially transparent, a second region that is doped with said predetermined density of a first phosphorescent dye, and a third region that is doped with a predetermined density of a second phosphorescent dye, such that said perceived hue is a combination of:

said first hue from light emitted by said light source passing through said first region;

said second hue from light emitted by said dye from said second region; and

a third hue from light emitted by said dye from said third region.

9. The illumination device of claim 1, and further comprising a housing having a pair of side walls defining a channel, said side walls having internal surfaces, said light source being positioned within said channel, said internal surfaces reflecting light into said light-transmitting medium.

10. An illumination device, comprising:

a plurality of light-emitting diodes emitting light of a predetermined first color; and

a light color conversion system, including;

a light-receiving surface positioned adjacent said light-emitting diodes;

a light-emitting surface; and

phosphorescing dye emitting light of a predetermined hue following absorption of light from said light-emitting diodes, wherein light observed along the light-emitting surface of said light color conversion system is perceived as having a color different than the predetermined first color of light emitted by said light-emitting diodes; and

a substantially rod-like member having a predetermined length, a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface, said rod-like member being composed of a material that has both optical waveguide and light scattering properties, the light-receiving surface of said rod-like member being positioned adjacent the light-emitting surface of said light color conversion system for receiving light from the light-emitting surface of the light color conversion system, the light-emitting surface of the rod-like member for emitting said light with a substantially uniform intensity distribution to simulate neon lighting.

11. The illumination device as recited in claim 10, and further comprising a means for varying the intensity of the light emitted by said plurality of light-emitting diodes, wherein said rod-like member is further for emitting said light with a perceived color that varies with a state of the light-emitting diodes.

12. The illumination device as recited in claim 11, wherein said means for varying the intensity of the light emitted by said plurality of light-emitting diodes is a device for controlling a waveform of a power signal to said light-emitting diodes.

13. An illumination device, comprising:

a light source emitting light of a predetermined first hue;

a substantially rod-like member having a predetermined length and positioned adjacent said light source, said member being composed of a material that has both optical waveguide and light scattering properties so as to preferentially scatter light along the length of said rod-like member; and

a light-transmitting medium generally composed of a matrix of light-transmitting material and a phosphorescing dye, said light-transmitting medium including a light-receiving surface for receiving light emitted from said light source and a light-emitting surface for emitting light into said rod-like member, said phosphorescing dye emitting light of a second hue following absorption of light from said light source, wherein a collective light ultimately emitted from said rod-like member has a substantially uniform intensity along the length of said rod-like member.

14. The illumination device as recited in claim 13, wherein said light source is a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

15. The illumination device as recited in claim 13, and further comprising a means for varying the intensity of the light emitted by said light source.

16. The illumination device as recited in claim 15, wherein said means for varying the intensity of the light emitted by said light source is a device for controlling a waveform of a power signal to said light source.

17. An illumination device, comprising:

a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged in an elongated pattern and emitting light of a predetermined first color; and

a light color conversion system, including;

a substantially rod-like member having a predetermined length, a light-receiving surface along the length of said rod-like member, and a light-emitting surface, the light-receiving surface of said rod-like member being positioned adjacent the light-emitting diodes for receiving light from the light-emitting diodes; and

phosphorescing dye contained in said substantially rod-like member, said phosphorescing dye for emitting light of a predetermined hue following absorption of light from said light-emitting diodes, wherein light observed along the light-emitting surface of said rod-like member is perceived as having a color different than the predetermined first color of light emitted by said light-emitting diodes.

18. The illumination device as recited in claim 17, wherein said substantially rod-like member is composed of a material that has both optical waveguide and light scattering properties, resulting in an elongated and substantially uniform light intensity pattern on the light-emitting surface of said rod-like member along said predetermined length.

19. An illumination device comprising:

a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for emitting light of a predetermined first hue;

a light-transmitting medium composed of a matrix of substantially translucent material doped with a predetermined density of phosphorescent dye, said light-transmitting medium positioned adjacent said plurality of LEDs for receiving said light of said first hue, converting a portion of said light of said first hue to a second hue, and emitting light of said second hue; and

a waveguide positioned adjacent said light-transmitting medium, said waveguide having a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface, said waveguide having both optical waveguide and light scattering properties;

wherein a portion of said light of said first hue passes around the light-transmitting medium and reaches said waveguide directly, without passing through said light-transmitting medium; and

wherein said light of said first hue and light of said second hue are received by the light-receiving surface of said waveguide and mixed to create a perceived hue along the light-emitting surface of said waveguide.

20. An illumination device for simulating neon or similar lighting comprising:

a light source for emitting light of a predetermined first hue;

a light-transmitting medium composed of a matrix of substantially translucent material having a first region that is substantially transparent, a second region that is doped with a predetermined density of a first phosphorescent dye, and a third region that is doped with a predetermined density of a second phosphorescent dye, said light-transmitting medium positioned adjacent said light source for receiving said light of said first hue, and emitting;

light of said first hue passing through said first region;

light of a second hue converted by said first phosphorescent dye from said second region; and

light of a third hue converted by said second phosphorescent dye from said third region; and

an elongated, rod-like waveguide positioned adjacent said light-transmitting medium, said waveguide having a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface, said waveguide having both optical waveguide and light scattering properties, whereby said light of said first hue, light of said second hue, and light of said third hue are received by the light-receiving surface of said waveguide, mixed to create a perceived hue and a substantially uniform intensity, and emitted at the light-emitting surface of said waveguide to simulate neon lighting.

21. An illumination device, comprising:

a plurality of light-emitting diodes emitting light of a predetermined first color; and

a light color conversion system, including;

a light-receiving surface positioned adjacent said light-emitting diodes;

a light-emitting surface; and

phosphorescing dye emitting light of a predetermined hue following absorption of light from said light-emitting diodes, wherein light observed along the light-emitting surface of said light color conversion system is perceived as having a color different than the predetermined first color of light emitted by said light-emitting diodes;

a substantially rod-like member having a predetermined length, a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface, said rod-like member being composed of a material that has both optical waveguide and light scattering properties, the light-receiving surface of said rod-like member being positioned adjacent the light-emitting surface of said light color conversion system for receiving light from the light-emitting surface of the light color conversion system, the light-emitting surface of the rod-like member for emitting said light with a substantially uniform intensity distribution to simulate neon lighting; and

a housing extending substantially the predetermined length of said rod-like member and housing said plurality of light-emitting diodes and associated electrical accessories.

22. The illumination device as recited in claim 21, wherein said housing generally comprises a pair of side walls that define an open-ended channel, said plurality of light-emitting diodes being received and housed in said open-ended channel.

23. An illumination device, comprising:

a light source emitting light of a predetermined first hue;

a substantially rod-like member having a predetermined length and positioned adjacent said light source, said member being composed of a material that has both optical waveguide and light scattering properties so as to preferentially scatter light along the length of said rod-like member;

a light-transmitting medium generally composed of a matrix of light-transmitting material and a phosphorescing dye, said light-transmitting medium including a light-receiving surface for receiving light emitted from said light source and a light-emitting surface for emitting light into said rod-like member, said phosphorescing dye emitting light of a second hue following absorption of light from said light source, wherein a collective light ultimately emitted from said rod-like member has a substantially uniform intensity along the length of said rod-like member; and

a housing extending substantially the predetermined length of said rod-like member and housing said light source and associated electrical accessories.

24. The illumination device as recited in claim 23, wherein said housing generally comprises a pair of side walls that define an open-ended channel, said light source being received and housed in said open-ended channel.

25. The illumination device as recited in claim 24, wherein said side walls further have internal surfaces having light collection surfaces, said light collection surfaces collecting and reflecting light into said light-transmitting medium.