Light emitting diode-light guide coupling apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for coupling a light emitting diode (LED) to a light guide and adapted to mount within a base of a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) assembly, the apparatus comprising:
- an LED for emitting light in at least a first direction;
a light guide having a proximal end positioned adjacent the LED for receiving light emitted therefrom, and a distal end remotely spaced from the proximal end from which light exits the light guide; and
a coupler interposed between the LED and the proximal end of the light guide for transferring a high ratio of light from the LED to the light guide, the coupler including one of a parabolic or aspheric inner reflector surface having a narrow first end at least partially encompassing the LED and a wide second end that at least partially encompasses the proximal end of the light guide.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Different arrangements for improving the coupling-in efficiency between an LED assembly and a light guide are disclosed. In a first arrangement, a substantially planar end of a light guide is seated on a perimeter wall of a support that encloses a LED assembly, and a reflecting surface enhances coupling efficiency of a light guide. Alternative arrangements use a separate coupler disposed between the LED assembly and the light guide, which coupler has a paraboloid or aspheroid conformation to develop substantially collimated light that is directed into the light guide. The cavity around the LED assembly and within the coupler, may be air or a material having an index of refraction that closely matches the index of refraction of the light guide material.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for coupling a light emitting diode (LED) to a light guide and adapted to mount within a base of a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) assembly, the apparatus comprising:
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an LED for emitting light in at least a first direction; a light guide having a proximal end positioned adjacent the LED for receiving light emitted therefrom, and a distal end remotely spaced from the proximal end from which light exits the light guide; and a coupler interposed between the LED and the proximal end of the light guide for transferring a high ratio of light from the LED to the light guide, the coupler including one of a parabolic or aspheric inner reflector surface having a narrow first end at least partially encompassing the LED and a wide second end that at least partially encompasses the proximal end of the light guide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for coupling a light emitting diode (LED) to a light guide comprising:
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an LED for emitting light in at least a first direction; a light guide having a proximal end positioned adjacent the LED for receiving light emitted therefrom, and a distal end remotely spaced from the proximal end from which light exits the light guide such that a lateral dimension of the light guide is substantially greater than a lateral dimension of the LED; and a coupler integrally formed in the proximal end of the light guide for transferring a high ratio of light from the LED to the light guide, the coupler including one of a parabolic or aspheric shaped surface having a narrow first end at least partially encompassing the LED and a wide second end that merges into a remainder of the light guide. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for coupling a light emitting diode (LED) to a light guide comprising:
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an LED for emitting light in at least a first direction; a light guide having a proximal substantially planar end positioned adjacent the LED for receiving light emitted therefrom, and a distal end remotely spaced from the proximal end from which light exits the light guide; a support receiving the LED on a central recessed portion of a first surface thereof disposed in facing relation to the proximal planar end of the light guide, the support having a reflector surface for transferring a high ratio of light from the LED to the light guide; and a fixture having a recess dimensioned for closely receiving a limited axial length of a perimeter portion of the light guide. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification