Light emitting panel assemblies

• US 7,513,672 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2008
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC (Rambus Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Solid State Opto Limited (Global Lighting Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Parker, Jeffrey R.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dunwiddie; Meghan K.
• Application Number:
  US12/164,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20080266899A1
• Time in Patent Office: 281 Days
• Field of Search: 362/26, 362/551, 362/602, 362/606, 362/612, 362/613
• US Class Current: 362/613
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 using white LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0018 Redirecting means on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0028 Light guide, e.g. taper
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0031 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0036 2-D arrangement of prisms, protrusions, indentations or roughened surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0043 provided on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

Light emitting panel assembly includes an optically conductive panel member having at least one input surface and a greater cross-sectional width than thickness, and at least one light transition emitter having a light emitting surface in close proximity to the light input surface. The light emitting surface has an output distribution defined by a greater width component than height component, a thickness equal to or less than the thickness of the panel member and a greater width than thickness in the width direction of the panel member. A reflector extends around the light source and is shaped to reflect and focus the light emitted from the light source at an acceptable angle for entering the light source.

Claims

1. A light emitting panel assembly comprising:

an optically conductive panel member having at least one light input surface at least at one end and having a greater cross-sectional width than thickness; and

at least one light transition emitter having a light emitting surface positioned in close proximity to the light input surface for directing light into the panel member, the light transition emitter comprising;

at least one LED light source,

a reflector having multiple or three-dimensional reflective surfaces that collect light in more than one plane, the reflector extending around the light source and shaped to reflect and focus the light emitted from the light source at an acceptable angle for entering the light input surface, the light source being embedded, potted or bonded to eliminate any air gaps or air interface surfaces between the light source and the surrounding reflective surfaces;

wherein the light transition emitter generates light that is emitted from the light emitting surface into the light input surface, the light emitting surface having an output distribution defined by a greater width component than height component, the light emitting surface having a thickness equal to or less than the thickness of the panel member and a greater width than thickness in the width direction of the panel member; and

wherein the panel member has at least one output region and a predetermined pattern of deformities configured to cause light to be emitted from the light output region.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the reflector has elliptical and parabolic shaped surfaces in different planes for directing light emitted by the light transition emitter into the light input surface at an acceptable angle.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein a transition region between the light transition emitter and the output region is integral with the panel member.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein a portion of the assembly has faceted surfaces in close proximity to the light source for maximizing or otherwise changing the light emitted from the light source.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the output distribution of the light transition emitter allows for thinner and longer panel members.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the light input surface is generally rectangular in shape and has a greater width than thickness.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the light input surface has faceted surfaces or multiple surfaces.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel member gradually decreases in thickness along its length in a direction away from the light input surface.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel member includes a plurality of light input surfaces each configured to receive light from one or more light sources.

10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of LED light sources, and a group of faceted surfaces is associated with each of the light sources for maximizing or otherwise changing the light emitted from the light sources.

11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the light source is in a slot, cavity, opening or hole.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the slot, cavity, opening or hole has reflective or refractive surfaces.

13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the LED light source is an LED chip.

14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the LED chip is mounted to a circuit.

15. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel member has a plurality of light extracting deformities or disruptions on or in one or both sides of the panel member or on or in one or more selected areas on or in one or both sides of the panel member.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the deformities or disruptions are a coating or surface treatment to cause light to be emitted from the panel member.

17. The assembly of claim 1 wherein a coating, paint, ink or epoxy is applied to the panel member to control the light output distribution to suit a particular application.

18. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel member is a multilayer panel.

19. The assembly of claim 18 wherein the multilayer panel has at least one layer that varies in index of refraction.

20. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the light transition emitter is in a slot, cavity, opening or hole in the panel member.