Input edge coupler having taper region
First Claim
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1. A web, comprising:
- a flexible substrate having a flexible substrate thickness and opposing first and second major surfaces, the flexible substrate having a ratio of downweb dimension to crossweb dimension of at least 10;
1; and
a flexible extraction layer having a flexible extraction layer thickness and opposing first and second major surfaces, wherein the first major surface of the flexible substrate is in physical contact with the second major surface of the flexible extraction layer, and wherein the flexible extraction layer further comprises;
a plurality of spaced apart light guide regions, each light guide region comprising;
a plurality of discrete light extractors capable of extracting light propagating in the flexible substrate such that light is extracted in a pre-determined extraction pattern over the light guide region of the flexible extraction layer; and
a plurality of spaced apart input edge couplers, each input edge coupler, comprising;
a plateau region disposed along an edge of a corresponding light guide region, characterized by a plateau thickness; and
a taper region adjacent the plateau region;
wherein the web may be converted to result in a plurality of light guides.
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Abstract
A light guide includes a substrate having opposing first and second major surfaces and an input edge coupler disposed along an edge of the substrate. The ratio of a light guide input edge thickness to a light guide thickness is greater than 2:1.
33 Citations
2 Claims
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1. A web, comprising:
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a flexible substrate having a flexible substrate thickness and opposing first and second major surfaces, the flexible substrate having a ratio of downweb dimension to crossweb dimension of at least 10;
1; anda flexible extraction layer having a flexible extraction layer thickness and opposing first and second major surfaces, wherein the first major surface of the flexible substrate is in physical contact with the second major surface of the flexible extraction layer, and wherein the flexible extraction layer further comprises; a plurality of spaced apart light guide regions, each light guide region comprising; a plurality of discrete light extractors capable of extracting light propagating in the flexible substrate such that light is extracted in a pre-determined extraction pattern over the light guide region of the flexible extraction layer; and a plurality of spaced apart input edge couplers, each input edge coupler, comprising; a plateau region disposed along an edge of a corresponding light guide region, characterized by a plateau thickness; and a taper region adjacent the plateau region; wherein the web may be converted to result in a plurality of light guides. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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Specification
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Current Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
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Original Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
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InventorsKinder, Brian A.
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Primary Examiner(s)MAY, ROBERT J
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Application NumberUS13/130,528Publication NumberTime in Patent Office1,814 DaysField of Search362/23.16, 362/23.17, 362608-610, 362621-622, 362615-616, 362/628, 349/62, 349/64, 349/65US Class Current362/628CPC Class CodesG02B 6/0028 Light guide, e.g. taperG02B 6/0036 2-D arrangement of prisms, ...
