Integrating light source module

• US 7,717,599 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2007
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Grace, Jennifer L., Phillips, William E. III, Destain, Patrick R.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dunwiddie; Meghan K
• Application Number:
  US11/831,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20080037271A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 362/237, 362/241, 362/245, 362/318, 362/349, 362/551, 362/555
• US Class Current: 362/555
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/06 made of fluids in transparent cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0955 Lenses lenses per se G02B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0994 Fibers, light pipes optical fibers per se G02B6/02
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/0753 the devices being arranged next to each other
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/58 Optical field-shaping elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/60 Reflective elements

Abstract

A light source module is provided comprising an emitter having at least one light emitting surface and an at least partially hollow integrating optic mounted over the emitting surface; where the index of refraction within the hollowed area is less then the index of the subsequent medium along the optical path. The integrating optic has a proximal end facing the emitting surface and a distal end facing away from the emitting surface. The distal end of the integrating optic is flat and has a rectangular aspect ratio which can differ from the aspect ratio of the emitter. One or more optical films and/or an optical component such as a collection lens can be adhered to the distal end of the integrating optic.

Claims

1. A light source module, comprising:

an emitter having at least one light emitting surface; and

an at least partially hollow integrating optic mounted over the emitting surface;

wherein the index of refraction within the hollowed area is less then the index of refraction of the subsequent medium along the optical path; and

wherein the at least partially hollow integrating optic has a proximal end facing the emitting surface and a distal end facing away from the emitting surface, the proximal end of the at least partially hollow integrating optic having a dimensional aspect ratio closely matching a dimensional aspect ratio of the emitter, the distal end of the at least partially hollow integrating optic being flat with a rectangular aspect ratio.

2. The light source module of claim 1, wherein the rectangular aspect ratio of the distal end of the at least partially hollow integrating optic is different than the dimensional aspect ratio of the proximal end of the at least partially hollow integrating optic.

3. The light source module of claim 1, wherein the at least partially hollow integrating optic comprises a tapered rod integrator forming a cavity over the emitting surface, wherein the cavity has a refractive index, n1, less than a refractive index, n2, of the tapered rod integrator.

4. The light source module of claim 3, wherein the cavity of the tapered rod integrator is a spherical cavity.

5. The light source module of claim 3, wherein the cavity of the tapered rod integrator is a truncated pyramidal shaped cavity.

6. The light source module of claim 3, wherein the cavity of the tapered rod integrator is filled with air which has the refractive index n1.

7. The light source module of claim 3, wherein the cavity of the tapered rod integrator is filled with a liquid having the refractive index n1.

8. The light source module of claim 7, wherein the liquid is an encapsulant gel.

9. The light source module of claim 3, and further comprising a collection lens adhered to the tapered rod integrator, the collection lens have a refractive index which is higher than the refractive index, n2, of the tapered rod integrator.

10. The light source module of claim 9, and further comprising at least one optical film positioned between the collection lens and a distal end of the tapered rod integrator.

11. The light source module of claim 3, wherein the tapered rod integrator has a proximal end facing the emitting surface and a distal end facing away from the emitting surface, the light source module further comprising at least one optical film adhered to a distal end of the tapered rod integrator.

12. The light source module of claim 1, wherein the at least partially hollow integrating optic comprises a tunnel integrator mounted over the emitting surface, the light source module further comprising:

a collection lens adhered to the tunnel integrator having an index of refraction, n2, greater than the index of refraction, n1, in the tunnel;

wherein said tunnel integrator has a proximal end facing the emitting surface and a distal end facing away from the emitting surface, the proximal end of the tunnel integrator forming an enclosure over the emitting surface, the distal end of the tunnel integrator being flat with a rectangular aspect ratio, the collection lens being adhered to the distal end of the tunnel integrator.

13. The light source module of claim 12, wherein the tunnel integrator has tapered side walls.

14. The light source module of claim 12, wherein the proximal end of the tunnel integrator has a dimensional aspect ratio closely matching a dimensional aspect ratio of the emitting surface.

15. The light source module of claim 14, wherein the rectangular aspect ratio of the distal end of the tunnel integrator is different than the dimensional aspect ratio of the proximal end of the tunnel integrator.

16. The light source module of claim 12, wherein the tunnel integrator is filled with air which has the refractive index n1.

17. The light source module of claim 12, wherein the tunnel integrator is filled with a liquid having the refractive index n1.

18. The light source module of claim 17, wherein the liquid is an encapsulant gel.

19. The light source module of claim 12, and further comprising at least one optical film positioned between the collection lens and the distal end of the tunnel integrator.

20. The light source module of claim 1, wherein the at least partially hollow integrating optic has mirrored side walls between a proximal end facing the emitting surface and a distal end facing away from the emitting surface.