Device and apparatus for efficient collection and re-direction of emitted radiation

• US 8,388,198 B2
• Filed: 09/01/2010
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Illumination Management Solutions Incorporated (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Holder, Ronald Garrison
• Primary Examiner(s): BRUCE, DAVID VERNON
• Application Number:
  US12/873,884
• Publication Number:
  US 20120051063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 362/147, 362/297, 362/298, 362/299, 362/311.02, 362/346, 362/350
• US Class Current: 362/397
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/60 Optical arrangements integrated in the light source, e.g. for improving the colour rendering index or the light extraction
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/04 the elements being reflectors and refractors for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/04 Optical design
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0028 refractive and reflective surfaces, e.g. non-imaging catadioptric systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0061 the light source comprising a LED semiconductor devices with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier specially adapted for light emission H01L33/00

Abstract

An apparatus is described, including a light source, a lens and two reflectors. A first reflector is positioned to reflect a first portion of light from the light source, wherein the first portion of light is radiated from the light source in a central forward solid angle as defined by an outer edge of the first reflector. The lens is azimuthally horizontal to the light source for accepting a second portion of light from the light source emitted in a peripheral forward solid angle. A second reflector reflects the first portion of light after reflectance from the first reflector and the second portion of light after passing through the lens in a composite beam, wherein the first reflector and the lens are configured such that the first and second portions of light behave as though they were emitted from a point source at the second reflector focus.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a light source;

a first reflector positioned to reflect a first portion of light from the light source, wherein the first portion of light is radiated from the light source in a central forward solid angle as defined by an outer edge of the first reflector;

a lens disposed azimuthally horizontal to the light source for accepting a second portion of light from the light source emitted in a peripheral forward solid angle;

a second reflector for reflecting the first portion of light after reflectance from the first reflector and the second portion of light after passing through the lens in a composite beam, wherein the first reflector and the lens are configured such that the first and second portions of light behave as though they were emitted from a point source at the focus of the second reflector.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the composite beam exits the second reflector in a direction that is approximately parallel to an optical axis of the light source.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the light and the second portion of the light are demarcated from each other at approximately 45 degrees from the optical axis of the light source.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode (LED).

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first reflector is disposed facing the light source.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a housing to include the light source, first reflector, lens and second reflector, wherein the first reflector is connected to the housing via at least one leg or a bezel.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first reflector is a conical reflector.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second reflector is a parabolic reflector.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the center and peripheral forward solid angles are approximately 45 degrees.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lens has a toroidal shape.

11. A method for controlling light from a light source comprising:

emitting light from the light source over an approximately hemispherical area;

reflecting by a first reflector a first portion of the emitted light in a first section of the hemispherical area;

accepting at a lens a second portion of light from the light source emitted in a remaining section of the hemispherical area; and

reflecting by a second reflector the first portion of light after reflectance from the first reflector and the second portion of light after passing through the lens in a composite beam, wherein the first reflector and the lens are configured such that the first and second portions of light behave as though they were emitted from a point source at the focus of the second reflector.

12. The method according to claim 11 further comprising blocking the light source from direct view by an observer in the path of the composite beam.

13. An apparatus comprising:

a light source;

a first interface positioned to cause reflection of a first portion of light from the light source, wherein the first portion of light is radiated from the light source in a central forward solid angle as defined by an outer edge of the first reflector;

a lens disposed azimuthally horizontal to the light source for accepting a second portion of light from the light source emitted in a peripheral forward solid angle, wherein the lens is embedded within a first material;

a second interface formed at the intersection of the first material and air and positioned to cause reflection by total internal reflection of the first portion of light after reflectance from the first interface and the second portion of light after passing through the lens in a composite beam, wherein the first interface and the lens are configured such that the first and second portions of light behave as though they were emitted from a point source at the focus of the second interface.

14. The apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein the composite beam exits the second interface in a direction approximately parallel to an optical axis of the light source.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first portion of light and the second portion of light are demarcated from each other at approximately 45 degrees from the optical axis of the light source.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode (LED).

17. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first interface is formed at the intersection of the first material and a second material and positioned to cause reflection by total internal reflection.

18. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a housing to include the light source, first interface, lens and second interface.

19. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first interface is conically shaped.

20. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the second interface is parabolically shaped.

21. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each of the center and peripheral forward solid angles are approximately 45 degrees.

22. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the lens has a toroidal shape.

23. An apparatus comprising:

a light source;

a first lens positioned to accept a first portion of light from the light source, wherein the first portion of light is radiated approximately along the optical axis of the light source;

a first reflector positioned to reflect a second portion of light from the light source, wherein the second portion of light is radiated from the light source in an approximately central forward solid angle as defined by an outer edge of the first reflector and an outer edge of the first lens;

a second lens disposed azimuthally horizontal to the light source for accepting a third portion of light from the light source emitted in a peripheral forward solid angle;

a second reflector for reflecting the first portion of light after reflectance from the first reflector and the second portion of light after passing through the lens in a composite beam, wherein the first reflector and the first lens are configured such that the first and second portions of light behave as though they were emitted from a point source at the focus of the second reflector.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the composite beam exits the second reflector in a direction that is approximately parallel to an optical axis of the light source.

25. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the first portion of light and the second portion of light are demarcated from each other at approximately 45 degrees from the optical axis of the light source.

26. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode (LED).

27. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the first reflector is disposed facing the light source.

28. The apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising a housing to include the light source, first lens, first reflector, second lens and second reflector, wherein the first reflector is connected to the housing via at least one leg or a bezel.

29. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the first reflector is a conical reflector.

30. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the second reflector is a parabolic reflector.

31. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the first lens has a toroidal shape.