Internal collecting reflector optics for LEDs
First Claim
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1. An optical system with a directed output, the optical system comprising:
- an entirely solid light-transmissive optic element comprising a light output surface and, opposite the light output surface, a reflective surface shaped to create an internal reflection effect, the solid optic element further comprising a side wall spacing apart the light output surface and the reflective surface;
a light pipe extending from the solid optic element adjacent an edge of the light output surface, the light pipe having a proximal end optically coupled to the solid optic element and a distal end remote from the solid optic element; and
an LED light source at and mounted in optical contact with the distal end of the light pipe, the light source and the light pipe directing the light output surface to direct light into the solid optic element towards the reflective surface, wherein the light from the light source is reflected by the reflective surface to form an output light beam that exits the solid optic element through the light output surface,wherein a length of the light pipe is shorter than a distance between the light output surface and the reflective surface.
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Abstract
An optical system is disclosed that uses an LED light source. The light output is coupled to an optic element formed from a material with a high refractive index. The coupling of the light to the high index material significantly reduces the cone angle of the light. The system is very efficient in that nearly all the light generated by the LED is directed to the intended subject.
101 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An optical system with a directed output, the optical system comprising:
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an entirely solid light-transmissive optic element comprising a light output surface and, opposite the light output surface, a reflective surface shaped to create an internal reflection effect, the solid optic element further comprising a side wall spacing apart the light output surface and the reflective surface; a light pipe extending from the solid optic element adjacent an edge of the light output surface, the light pipe having a proximal end optically coupled to the solid optic element and a distal end remote from the solid optic element; and an LED light source at and mounted in optical contact with the distal end of the light pipe, the light source and the light pipe directing the light output surface to direct light into the solid optic element towards the reflective surface, wherein the light from the light source is reflected by the reflective surface to form an output light beam that exits the solid optic element through the light output surface, wherein a length of the light pipe is shorter than a distance between the light output surface and the reflective surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification