Light emitting panel assemblies

• US 8,308,334 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2011
• Issued: 11/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC (Rambus Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rambus International Ltd (Rambus Inc.)
• Inventors: Parker, Jeffery R.
• Primary Examiner(s): SEMBER, THOMAS M
• Application Number:
  US13/314,751
• Publication Number:
  US 20120081919A1
• Time in Patent Office: 341 Days
• Field of Search: 362606-608, 362/612, 362/613, 362617-619, 362/231, 362/621
• US Class Current: 362/606
• 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

A light emitting assembly comprises a plurality of light sources and a solid light emitting panel member having a light input edge and a transition area between the light sources and the light input edge. Light from the light sources enters the transition area and mixes within the transition area prior to entering the panel member. Refractive surfaces on the transition area redirect the light into the panel member. A film is maintained in spaced relation from the panel member by spacers at a perimeter of the film to form a hollow layer between the panel member and the film. Deformities on or in the panel member cause light to be extracted from the panel member and pass through the hollow layer and out through the film.

Claims

1. A light emitting assembly comprising:

a plurality of light sources,

a solid light emitting panel member having a light input edge and a transition area between the light sources and the light input edge, whereby light from the light sources enters the transition area and mixes within the transition area prior to entering the panel member through the light input edge and propagating within the panel member by total internal reflection, the transition area having refractive surfaces for redirecting the light into the panel member,

a film maintained in spaced relation from the panel member by spacers at least at a perimeter of the film to form a hollow layer between the panel member and the film, and

deformities on or in the panel member that cause light to be extracted from the panel member and pass through the hollow layer and out through the film which redirects the extracted light in desired directions to produce a desired output distribution or effect.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the light sources are selectively operable to produce a desired effect.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the light sources are selectively operable in a sequenced or predetermined pattern.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the panel member is modular.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the light sources comprise LEDs.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the light sources emit light of different colors that mixes within the transition area.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the light from the different color light sources is mixed within the transient area to produce a desired color of light.

8. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the different colors are red, green and blue.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the different color light sources are selectively operable to produce any desired color of light, including white light.

10. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a tray in which the panel member is received.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the tray has end edge reflectors or side edge reflectors.