Compact mixing cavity for multiple colors of LEDs
First Claim
1. A light generating system comprising:
- an elongated light mixing tunnel having a reflective inner surface for mixing light, the mixing tunnel having a light output opening at a first end of the mixing tunnel;
the mixing tunnel having a first opening at a first position along a length of the mixing tunnel for receiving light from at least a first light emitting diode (LED) emitting light of a first color;
an angled first dichroic mirror positioned in the mixing tunnel over the first opening that reflects light of the first color in a direction of the first end of the mixing tunnel and passes light from colors other than the first color; and
the mixing tunnel having at least a second opening for receiving light from at least a second LED emitting light of a second color different from the first color such that light of the first color and light of the second color are mixed in the mixing tunnel and output at the light output opening.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
For mixing different light colors from different LEDs or energized phosphors, an elongated mixing tunnel is used having a reflective inner surface. LEDs of different colors are optically coupled along the length of the mixing tunnel and at a first end of the tunnel. Light coupled along the length of the tunnel is reflected by an angled dichroic mirror that selectively reflects the incoming color light towards a single output port of the mixing tunnel. The dichroic mirror passes all other colors of light being transmitted towards the output port of the tunnel. Two, three, or more colors of LEDs can be used. Efficient and compact ways to energize phosphors are also described. Other optical techniques are also described.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A light generating system comprising:
-
an elongated light mixing tunnel having a reflective inner surface for mixing light, the mixing tunnel having a light output opening at a first end of the mixing tunnel; the mixing tunnel having a first opening at a first position along a length of the mixing tunnel for receiving light from at least a first light emitting diode (LED) emitting light of a first color; an angled first dichroic mirror positioned in the mixing tunnel over the first opening that reflects light of the first color in a direction of the first end of the mixing tunnel and passes light from colors other than the first color; and the mixing tunnel having at least a second opening for receiving light from at least a second LED emitting light of a second color different from the first color such that light of the first color and light of the second color are mixed in the mixing tunnel and output at the light output opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A light generating system comprising:
-
an elongated light mixing tunnel having a reflective inner surface for mixing light, the mixing tunnel having a light output opening at a first end of the mixing tunnel; the mixing tunnel having a first opening at a first position along a length of the mixing tunnel for receiving light from at least a first light emitting diode (LED) emitting light of a first color; an angled first dichroic mirror positioned in the mixing tunnel over the first opening that reflects light of the first color in a direction of the first end of the mixing tunnel; the mixing tunnel having a second opening at a second position along the length of the mixing tunnel for receiving light from a second LED emitting light of a second color; an angled second dichroic mirror positioned in the mixing tunnel over the second opening that reflects light of the second color in a direction of the first end of the mixing tunnel; and the mixing tunnel having a third opening at a second end of the mixing tunnel for receiving light from a third LED emitting light of a third color; the first dichroic mirror at least passing light of the third color, the second dichroic mirror at least passing light of the third color and the second color, such that the light from the first LED, second LED, and third LED is all directed towards the light output opening at the first end of the mixing tunnel and mixes in the mixing tunnel to produce a mixed light output.
-
-
25. A method performed by a light generating system comprising:
-
optically coupling light from a first light emitting diode (LED) emitting light of a first color through a first opening in an elongated light mixing tunnel, the light mixing tunnel having a reflective inner surface for mixing light, the mixing tunnel having a light output opening at a first end of the mixing tunnel, the first opening being at a first position along a length of the mixing tunnel; reflecting light from the first LED by an angled first dichroic mirror positioned in the mixing tunnel over the first opening, the light being reflected by the first dichroic mirror in a direction of the first end of the mixing tunnel, the first dichroic mirror passing light from colors other than the first color; and optically coupling light from a second LED emitting light of a second color through a second opening in the mixing tunnel such that light of the first color and light of the second color are mixed in the mixing tunnel and output at the light output opening.
-
Specification