Separate optical device for directing light from an LED
First Claim
1. A separate optical device operable to couple to a separate LED, the separate optical device comprising:
- an entrance surface to receive light from a separate LED when the separate optical device is coupled to the separate LED;
an exit surface opposite from and within 10% of a minimum distance from the entrance surface so that all light rays having a direct transmission path from the entrance surface to the exit surface will be incident on the exit surface at less than or equal to a critical angle at the entrance surface, wherein the exit surface has an area that is within 10% of a minimum area necessary to fully conserve radiance for a desired half-angle of light projected from the separate optical device;
a set of sidewalls, wherein each sidewall has a plurality of sections, each section based on a different curve and adapted to reflect light having a straight transmission path to that section in a corresponding angular sub-tense to the exit surface so that the light is incident on the exit surface at less than or equal to the critical angle at the exit surface and wherein the separate optical device is shaped to emit in a uniform distribution pattern from the exit surface at least 70% of the light entering the separate optical device through the entrance surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide separate optical devices operable to couple to a separate LED, the separate optical device comprising an entrance surface to receive light from a separate LED when the separate optical device is coupled to the separate LED, an exit surface opposite from and a distance from the entrance surface and a set of sidewalls. The exit surface has at least a minimum area necessary to conserve brightness for a desired half-angle of light projected from the separate optical device. Furthermore, each sidewall is positioned and shaped so that at least a majority of rays having a straight transmission path from the entrance surface to that sidewall reflect to the exit surface with an angle of incidence at the exit surface at less than or equal to a critical angle at the exit surface.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A separate optical device operable to couple to a separate LED, the separate optical device comprising:
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an entrance surface to receive light from a separate LED when the separate optical device is coupled to the separate LED; an exit surface opposite from and within 10% of a minimum distance from the entrance surface so that all light rays having a direct transmission path from the entrance surface to the exit surface will be incident on the exit surface at less than or equal to a critical angle at the entrance surface, wherein the exit surface has an area that is within 10% of a minimum area necessary to fully conserve radiance for a desired half-angle of light projected from the separate optical device; a set of sidewalls, wherein each sidewall has a plurality of sections, each section based on a different curve and adapted to reflect light having a straight transmission path to that section in a corresponding angular sub-tense to the exit surface so that the light is incident on the exit surface at less than or equal to the critical angle at the exit surface and wherein the separate optical device is shaped to emit in a uniform distribution pattern from the exit surface at least 70% of the light entering the separate optical device through the entrance surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A separate optical device operable to couple to a separate LED, the separate optical device comprising:
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an entrance surface to receive light from a layer of a separate LED when the separate optical device is coupled to the separate LED; an exit surface opposite from and a within 10% of a minimum distance from the entrance surface so that all light rays having a direct transmission path from the entrance surface to the exit surface will be incident on the exit surface at less than or equal to a critical angle at the entrance surface, wherein the exit surface has an area within 10% of a minimum area necessary to fully conserve radiance for a desired half-angle of light projected from the separate optical device; a set of sidewalls, wherein each sidewall has a plurality of sections, each section based on a different curve and adapted to reflect light having a straight transmission path to that section in a corresponding angular sub-tense to the exit surface so that the light is incident on the exit surface at less than or equal to the critical angle at the exit surface and; wherein the separate optical device is shaped to project at least 70% of the light entering the entrance surface of the separate optical device from the exit surface with a half angle of between 10 to 60 degrees a desired intensity profile. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A separate optical device configured to couple to a separate LED, the separate optical device comprising:
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an entrance surface to receive light from a layer of a separate LED when the separate optical device is coupled to the separate LED; an exit surface opposite from and a distance from the entrance surface; wherein the exit surface has an area at least equal to and within 10% of a minimum area defined by
wherein Φ
1 is the light flux entering the entrance surface, Φ
2 is the light flux exiting exit surface,Ω
1 is the effective solid angle whereby light enters the entrance surface, Ω
2 is the effective solid angle whereby light leaves exit surface;
A1 is the area of the entrance surface, n1 is the refractive index of material of the separate optical device and n2 is the refractive index of the substance external to the separate optical device;wherein the distance is selected to be at least equal to and within 10% of a minimum distance so that all rays with a straight transmission path from the entrance surface to the exit surface have an angle of incidence that is less than or equal to a critical angle at the exit surface; a set of sidewalls, wherein each sidewall has a plurality of sections, each section based on a different curve and adapted to reflect light having a straight transmission path to that section in a corresponding angular sub-tense to the exit surface so that the light is incident on the exit surface at less than or equal to the critical angle at the exit surface; and wherein the separate optical device is shaped to project at least 60% of light entering the entrance surface of the separate optical device from the exit surface with a half angle of between 10 to 60 degrees a desired intensity profile. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. An optical system comprising:
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an LED having an emitting surface; and a separate optical device coupled to the LED, the separate optical device comprising an entrance surface, an exit surface and a set of sidewalls running from edges of the entrance surface to edges of the exit surface, wherein; the entrance surface is positioned to receive light from the emitting surface of the LED; the exit surface is opposite from and within 10% of a minimum distance from the entrance surface so that all light rays having a direct transmission path from the entrance surface to the exit surface will be incident on the exit surface at less than or equal to a critical angle at the entrance surface, wherein the exit surface has an area that is within 10% of a minimum area necessary to fully conserve radiance for a desired half-angle of light projected from the separate optical device; each sidewall has a plurality of sections, each section based on a different curve and adapted to reflect light having a straight transmission path to that section in a corresponding angular sub-tense to the exit surface so that the light is incident on the exit surface at less than or equal to the critical angle at the exit surface; and the separate optical device is shaped to emit in a uniform distribution pattern from the exit surface at least 70% of the light entering the separate optical device through the entrance surface. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification