Status indicator lens and light pipe structure for a dimmer switch

• US 7,670,039 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Issued: 03/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Mace, Eric Johnathan, Altonen, Gregory S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar; Stephen F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Neils; Peggy A.
• Application Number:
  US11/771,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20080001549A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 362/555, 362/85, 362/95, 362/27, 362/558, 200310-317, 200/330, 200/331
• US Class Current: 362/555
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/023 Light-emitting indicators for multi-layer switches H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 15/102 comprising cam devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2013/026 with two or more independent lighting elements located inside the push button switch that illuminate separate zones of push buttons
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/0213 Combined operation of electric switch and variable impedance, e.g. resistor, capacitor H01H9/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/044 continuously H05B39/042 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps

Abstract

A light pipe structure for a dimmer switch comprises a continuous status indicator lens and a plurality of light pipes, which are operable to conduct the light from a plurality of discrete sources to the lens. The light conducted from one of the discrete sources through a light pipe generates a pinpoint of light on the front surface of the lens. The pinpoint of light is surrounded by a diffusion of light across the front surface of the lens, which produces an aesthetically-pleasing effect by increasing the uniformity of the illumination across the front surface of the status indicator lens. The light pipes are coupled to the lens via a plurality of rounds, which provide for diffusion of light around the pinpoint of light on the lens. The light pipes may comprise light-refracting structures, which the amount of light emitted from adjacent discrete sources from reaching the front surface of the lens.

Claims

1. A light pipe structure for conducting light from a plurality of discrete light sources, the light pipe structure comprising:

first and second light pipes, each having a first end adapted to be located adjacent respective first and second discrete light sources and a second end opposite the first end, each of the light pipes operable to conduct the light of the respective discrete light source from the respective first end to the respective second end;

a continuous lens having a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface of the lens coupled to the second ends of the light pipes, such that the light conducted from the first discrete light source through the first light pipe generates a pinpoint of light on the front surface of the lens adjacent the second end of the first light pipe, the pinpoint of light surrounded by a diffusion of light across the front surface of the lens; and

wherein the second light pipe comprises a light-refracting structure adapted to refract, in a direction away from the second end of the second light pipe, the light emitted from the first discrete light source that enters the second light pipe, so as to minimize the amount of light emitted from the first discrete light source that reaches the second end of the second light pipe.

2. The light pipe structure of claim 1, wherein the light-refracting structure comprises a light-refracting surface arranged substantially perpendicular to the light emitted from the first discrete light source that enters the second light pipe so as to maximize transmission of the light through the light-refracting surface.

3. The light pipe structure of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of rounds coupling the second end of the first light pipe to the rear surface of the lens to provide for the diffusion of light around the pinpoint of light on the front surface of the lens.

4. The light pipe structure of claim 1, wherein the lens is curved.

5. The light pipe structure of claim 1, wherein the continuous lens comprises a status indicator lens, and the light pipes are received in a control actuator of a load control device such that the status indicator lens is provided at a front surface of the control actuator.

12. The light pipe structure of claim 1, wherein the light-refracting structure includes a plurality of light-refracting surfaces arranged substantially perpendicular to the light that is emitted from the first discrete light source and enters the second light pipe at the first end to refract the light through the light-refracting surface.

13. The light pipe structure of claim 1, wherein the first light pipe comprises a light-refracting structure adapted to refract, in a direction away from the second end of the first light pipe, the light emitted from the second discrete light source that enters the first light pipe, so as to minimize the amount of light emitted from the second discrete light source that reaches the second end of the first light pipe.

6. A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, the load control device comprising:

a control actuator adapted to be provided in an opening of a faceplate;

a linear array of discrete light sources mounted inside the load control device;

a status indicator lens provided at a front surface of the actuator, the status indicator lens having a front surface and a rear surface; and

a plurality of light pipes received within the control actuator, the light pipes operable to conduct the light from each of the plurality of discrete light sources to the status indicator lens at the front surface of the actuator, each of the light pipes having a first end adapted to be located adjacent one of the plurality of discrete light sources and a second end, each of the light pipes operable to conduct the light of one of the discrete light sources from the first end to the second end, the rear surface of the lens coupled to the second end of each of the light pipes;

wherein the status indicator lens is operable to display a representation of the amount of power being delivered to the electrical load by illuminating a point on the status indicator lens, the point surrounded by a diffusion of light across the status indicator lens; and

wherein at least one light pipe comprises a light-refracting structure adapted to minimize the amount of the light emitted from the discrete light sources that are not located adjacent the first end of the at least one light pipe from reaching the second end of the at least one light pipe.

7. The load control device of claim 6, wherein the second ends of the light pipes are coupled to the rear surface of the status indicator lens via a plurality of rounds, the rounds providing for the diffusion of light around the pinpoint of light on the front surface of the status indicator lens.

8. The load control device of claim 6, wherein the light-refracting structure comprises a light-refracting surface arranged substantially perpendicular to the light emitted from the discrete light sources that are not located adjacent the first end of the at least one light pipe so as to refract the light through the light-refracting surface.

9. The load control device of claim 6, further comprising:

a controllably conductive device operable to be coupled in series electrical connection between the AC power source and the electrical load, the controllably conductive device having a control input for controlling the controllably conductive device between a non-conductive state and a conductive state; and

a controller operatively coupled to the control input of the controllably conductive device for controlling the controllably conductive device between the non-conductive state and the conductive state, the controller is operable to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load in response to an actuation of the control actuator.

14. The load control device of claim 6, wherein the light-refracting structure includes a plurality of light-refracting surfaces arranged substantially perpendicular to the light that is emitted from the discrete light sources that are not located adjacent the first end of the at least one light pipe to refract the light through the light-refracting surfaces.

15. The load control device of claim 6, wherein the light pipes each comprise a light-refracting structure, each of the light-refracting structures adapted to minimize the light emitted from the discrete light sources that are not located adjacent the first end of the respective light pipe from reaching the front surface of the lens.

10. An illumination display for indicating the location of which of a plurality of spaced discrete radiation sources is turned on;

said illumination display comprising;

a plurality of spaced elongated radiation conductors each having first and second end locations;

a continuous lens for producing a visual display when illuminated by radiation from said radiation sources;

a first end of each of said radiation conductors being disposed adjacent a respective one of said radiation sources;

a second end of each of said radiation conductors being disposed at a given lateral location along the length of said continuous lens whereby said continuous lens produces a visible point of light at a lateral location along the lens related to the position of any of the given discrete radiation sources when any of said any of the given discrete radiation sources is turned on,

further wherein at least one radiation conductor comprises a radiation-refracting structure adapted to minimize the amount of radiation emitted from the discrete radiation sources that are not located adjacent the first end location of the at least one radiation conductor from reaching the second end of the at least one radiation conductor.

11. The illumination display of claim 10, wherein said first ends of adjacent ones of said radiation conductors are arranged to receive radiation from respective adjacent illuminated radiation sources whereby radiation is diffused across at least a portion of the length of said continuous lens and surrounds a point of light at a location along the lens corresponding to the second end of said radiation conductor adjacent an illuminated radiation source.

16. A light pipe structure for conducting light from a plurality of discrete light sources, the light pipe structure comprising:

a first elongated light pipe having a first end adapted to be located adjacent a first discrete light source and a second end opposite the first end, the first elongated light pipe adapted to conduct light emitted from the first discrete light source from the first end to the second end; and

a second elongated light pipe arranged alongside the first elongated light pipe, the second elongated light pipe having a first end adapted to be located adjacent a second discrete light source and a second end opposite the first end, the second elongated light pipe adapted to conduct light emitted from the second discrete light source from the first end to the second end;

wherein the first and second elongated light pipes and the first and second discrete light sources are located such that at least some of the light emitted from the first light source illuminates the first end of the second elongated light pipe; and

wherein the second elongated light pipe further comprises a surface located near the first end and arranged substantially perpendicular to the light that is emitted from the first discrete light source and enters the second elongated light pipe at the first end, so as to transmit through the surface, in a direction away from the second end of the second elongated light pipe, the light that is emitted from the first discrete light source and enters the second elongated light pipe at the first end, to thus minimize the amount of light emitted from the first discrete light source that reaches the second end of the second elongated light pipe.

17. The light pipe structure of claim 16, wherein the first elongated light pipe further comprises a surface located near the first end and arranged substantially perpendicular to light that is emitted from the second discrete light source and enters the first elongated light pipe at the first end, so as to transmit through the surface, in a direction away from the second end of the first elongated light pipe, the light that is emitted from the second discrete light source and enters the first elongated light pipe at the first end, to thus minimize the amount of light emitted from the second discrete light source that reaches the second end of the first elongated light pipe.