Lighting systems including asymmetric lens modules for selectable light distribution

• US 9,651,216 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2015
• Issued: 05/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Korrus Incorporated (MKD Electric, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: EcoSense Lighting Inc.
• Inventors: Rodgers, Elizabeth, Fletcher, Robert, Peifer, Don, Petluri, Raghuram L. V., Pickard, Paul, Adams, Edward R
• Primary Examiner(s): Bowman, Mary Ellen
• Application Number:
  US14/702,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20160258593A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/002 with provision for interchangeability, i.e. component parts being especially adapted to be replaced by another part with the same or a different function F21V17/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/004 using microlenses
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/005 using microprisms
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/008 Combination of two or more successive refractors along an optical axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/10 comprising photoluminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

Lighting system including: lighting module having semiconductor light-emitting device; first lens module; and asymmetric second lens module. Second lens module includes diverging lens configured for causing divergence of converged light emissions away from lens axis. Second lens module includes: lens body having light output surface spaced apart along light transmission axis from light input surface, lens body having longitudinal axis and lateral axis, the longitudinal and lateral axes being transverse to light transmission axis; light output surface having asymmetric curvilinear contour formed by convex region overlapping in directions along lateral axis with concave region, the asymmetric curvilinear contour uniformly extending in directions along the longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. A lighting system, comprising:

a lighting module including a semiconductor light-emitting device configured for emitting light emissions along a central light emission axis;

a first lens module including a first converging lens, the first converging lens being configured for causing convergence of some of the light emissions of the semiconductor light-emitting device to form converged light emissions along the central light emission axis having a first half-width-half-maximum (HWHM), the first converging lens having a first light output surface being spaced apart along a first lens axis from a first light input surface, the first converging lens further having a first total internal reflection side surface being spaced apart around the first lens axis and having a first frusto-conical shape extending between the first light input and output surfaces of the first converging lens;

a second lens module including a second converging lens, the second converging lens being configured for causing convergence of some of the light emissions of the semiconductor light-emitting device to form converged light emissions along the central light emission axis having a second HWHM being different than the first HWHM, the second converging lens having a second light output surface being spaced apart along a second lens axis from a second light input surface, the second converging lens further having a second total internal reflection side surface being spaced apart around the second lens axis and having a second frusto-conical shape extending between the second light input and output surfaces of the second converging lens; and

a third lens module including a first diverging lens having a third lens axis, the first diverging lens being configured for causing divergence of some of the converged light emissions away from the third lens axis, the third lens module including;

a lens body having a light output surface spaced apart along a light transmission axis from a light input surface, the lens body having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, the longitudinal and lateral axes being transverse to the light transmission axis;

the light output surface having an asymmetric curvilinear contour being formed by a convex region overlapping in directions along the lateral axis with a concave region, the asymmetric curvilinear contour uniformly extending in directions along the longitudinal axis;

wherein the lighting system is configured for detachably installing the first lens module or the second lens module in the lighting module between the semiconductor light-emitting device and the third lens module; and

wherein the lighting system is configured for aligning the first or second lens axis with the central light emission axis and the third lens axis.

2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the light input surface of the third lens module includes an array of diverging lenses being configured for causing divergence of light away from the light transmission axis in directions along the longitudinal axis of the lens body.

3. The lighting system of claim 1, further including:

a second lighting module including a second semiconductor light-emitting device configured for emitting further light emissions along a second central light emission axis;

a fourth lens module including a third converging lens, the third converging lens being configured for causing convergence of some of the light emissions of the second semiconductor light-emitting device to form further converged light emissions along the second central light emission axis having a fourth HWHM, the third converging lens having a fourth light output surface being spaced apart along a fourth lens axis from a fourth light input surface, the third converging lens further having a third total internal reflection side surface being spaced apart around the fourth lens axis and having a third frusto-conical shape extending between the fourth light input and output surfaces of the third converging lens;

a fifth lens module including a fourth converging lens, the fourth converging lens being configured for causing convergence of some of the light emissions of the second semiconductor light-emitting device to form further converged light emissions along the second central light emission axis having a fifth HWHM being different than the fourth HWHM, the fourth converging lens having a fifth light output surface being spaced apart along a fifth lens axis from a fifth light input surface, the fourth converging lens further having a fourth total internal reflection side surface being spaced apart around the fifth lens axis and having a fourth frusto-conical shape extending between the fifth light input and output surfaces of the fourth converging lens; and

a sixth lens module including a second diverging lens having a sixth lens axis, the second diverging lens being configured for causing divergence of some of the converged light emissions away from the sixth lens axis, the sixth lens module including;

another lens body having another light output surface spaced apart along another light transmission axis from another light input surface, the another lens body having another longitudinal axis and another lateral axis, the another longitudinal and lateral axes being transverse to the another light transmission axis;

the another light output surface having another asymmetric curvilinear contour being formed by another convex region overlapping in directions along the another lateral axis with another concave region, the another asymmetric curvilinear contour uniformly extending in directions along the another longitudinal axis;

wherein the lighting system is configured for detachably installing the fourth lens module or the fifth lens module in the second lighting module between the second semiconductor light-emitting device and the sixth lens module; and

wherein the lighting system is configured for aligning the fourth or fifth lens axis with the second central light emission axis and the sixth lens axis.

4. The lighting system of claim 3, wherein the another light input surface of the sixth lens module includes another array of diverging lenses being configured for causing divergence of light away from the another light transmission axis in directions along the another longitudinal axis of the another lens body.

5. The lighting system of claim 2, wherein the light input surface of the third lens module has the array of diverging lenses as including a lens screen having lenticular or microprismatic features.

6. The lighting system of claim 5, wherein the light input surface of the third lens module has the lens screen as including an array of lenticular toroidal lenses.

7. The lighting system of claim 6, wherein the light input surface of the third lens module has the array of lenticular toroidal lenses as including a plurality of convex regions being interposed between a plurality of concave regions, each of the pluralities of the convex regions and of the concave regions extending in directions along the lateral axis.

8. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the light output surface of the third lens module includes a first end being spaced apart along the lateral axis from a second end;

and wherein the asymmetric curvilinear contour extends from the first end to the second end.

9. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the convex region of the asymmetric curvilinear contour of the third lens module extends from the first end of the light output surface towards the light transmission axis.

10. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the concave region of the asymmetric curvilinear contour of the third lens module extends from the second end of the light output surface towards the light transmission axis.

11. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the light output surface of the third lens module has a ridge extending in directions along the longitudinal axis and being located at a greatest distance, in directions along the light transmission axis, of the light output surface away from the light input surface.

12. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the ridge of the third lens module is at a location, in directions along the lateral axis, being between the light transmission axis and the first end of the light output surface.

13. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein a portion of the light output surface of the third lens module extends for a distance in directions along the lateral axis from the first end to the light transmission axis, and wherein the ridge is on the portion of the light output surface at a location being at within a range of between about 30% and about 70% along the distance extending from the first end to the light transmission axis.

14. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein a portion of the light output surface of the third lens module extends for a distance in directions along the lateral axis from the first end to the light transmission axis, and wherein the ridge is on the portion of the light output surface at a location being at within a range of between about 40% and about 60% along the distance extending from the first end to the light transmission axis.

15. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the convex region of the asymmetric curvilinear contour of the third lens module has an angle of elevation at the first end of the light output surface from the lateral axis to the ridge, and wherein the angle of elevation is within a range of between about 30 degrees and about 40 degrees.

16. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the convex region of the asymmetric curvilinear contour of the third lens module has an angle of elevation at the first end of the light output surface from the lateral axis to the ridge, and wherein the angle of elevation is within a range of between about 33 degrees and about 37 degrees.

17. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the convex region of the asymmetric curvilinear contour of the third lens module has an angle of elevation at the first end of the light output surface from the lateral axis to the ridge, and wherein the angle of elevation is about 35 degrees.

18. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the asymmetric curvilinear contour of the light output surface of the third lens module has an inflection point between the convex region and the concave region.

19. The lighting system of claim 18, wherein the light output surface of the third lens module extends for a distance in directions along the lateral axis from the first end to the second end, and wherein the inflection point is on the light output surface at a location being at within a range of between about 40% and about 60% along the distance extending from the first end to the second end.

20. The lighting system of claim 1, being configured for emitting light having a full width half maximum beam width being within a range of between about 7 degrees and about 30 degrees.

21. The lighting system of claim 1, being configured for emitting light having a full width half maximum beam width being within a range of between about 10 degrees and about 20 degrees.

22. The lighting system of claim 1, being configured for emitting light as being distributed on a planar surface.

23. The lighting system of claim 22, being configured for causing a luminance of light reflected by the planar surface to have a ratio of maximum luminance divided by minimum luminance being about 4 or less.

24. The lighting system of claim 22, being configured for causing a luminance of light reflected by the planar surface to have a ratio of maximum luminance divided by minimum luminance being within a range of between about 4.0 and about 1.8.

25. The lighting system of claim 22, being configured for causing a luminance of light reflected by the planar surface to have a ratio of average luminance divided by minimum luminance being about 2 or less.

26. The lighting system of claim 22, being configured for causing a luminance of light reflected by the planar surface to have a ratio of average luminance divided by minimum luminance being within a range of between about 2.1 and about 1.2.

45. The lighting system of claim 4, wherein the another light input surface of the sixth lens module has the another array of diverging lenses as including a lens screen having lenticular or microprismatic features.

46. The lighting system of claim 3, wherein the another light output surface of the sixth lens module includes a first end being spaced apart along the another lateral axis from a second end;

and wherein the another asymmetric curvilinear contour extends from the first end to the second end of the another light output surface.

47. The lighting system of claim 46, wherein the another convex region of the another asymmetric curvilinear contour of the sixth lens module extends from the first end of the another light output surface towards the another light transmission axis.

48. The lighting system of claim 47, wherein the another concave region of the another asymmetric curvilinear contour of the sixth lens module extends from the second end of the another light output surface towards the another light transmission axis.

49. The lighting system of claim 46, wherein the another light output surface of the sixth lens module has another ridge extending in directions along the another longitudinal axis and being located at a greatest distance, in directions along the another light transmission axis, of the another light output surface away from the another light input surface.

50. The lighting system of claim 49, wherein the another ridge of the sixth lens module is at a location, in directions along the another lateral axis, being between the another light transmission axis and the first end of the another light output surface.

51. The lighting system of claim 49, wherein a portion of the another light output surface of the sixth lens module extends for a distance in directions along the another lateral axis from the first end to the another light transmission axis, and wherein the another ridge is on the portion of the another light output surface at a location being at within a range of between about 30% and about 70% along the distance extending from the first end to the another light transmission axis.

52. The lighting system of claim 49, wherein the another convex region of the another asymmetric curvilinear contour of the sixth lens module has another angle of elevation at the first end of the another light output surface from the another lateral axis to the another ridge, and wherein the another angle of elevation is within a range of between about 30 degrees and about 40 degrees.

53. The lighting system of claim 46, wherein the another light output surface of the sixth lens module extends for a distance in directions along the another lateral axis from the first end to the second end, and wherein the another asymmetric curvilinear contour of the another light output surface of the sixth lens module has an inflection point on the another light output surface between the another convex region and the another concave region at a location being at within a range of between about 40% and about 60% along the distance extending from the first end to the second end of the another lateral axis.

54. The lighting system of claim 1, having another lens module including another diverging lens having another lens axis, the another diverging lens being configured for causing divergence of some of the converged light emissions away from the another lens axis, the another lens module including:

another lens body having another light output surface spaced apart along another light transmission axis from another light input surface, the another lens body having another longitudinal axis and another lateral axis, the another longitudinal and lateral axes being transverse to the another light transmission axis;

the another light output surface having another asymmetric curvilinear contour being formed by another convex region overlapping in directions along the another lateral axis with another concave region, the another asymmetric curvilinear contour uniformly extending in directions along the another longitudinal axis;

wherein the lighting system is configured for detachably installing the first lens module or the second lens module in the lighting module between the semiconductor light-emitting device and the another lens module; and

wherein the lighting system is configured for aligning the first or second lens axis with the central light emission axis and the another lens axis.

55. The lighting system of claim 54, wherein the lighting system is configured for interchangeably installing either the first lens module or the second lens module in the lighting module between the semiconductor light-emitting device and either the third lens module or the additional lens module.

56. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein:

the first converging lens is configured for causing convergence of some of the light emissions of the semiconductor light-emitting device to form the converged light emissions as having the first HWHM as being about 3.5 degrees or about 7.5 degrees; and

the first light input surface of the first converging lens includes a central cavity being shaped as a portion of a spheroid; and

the first light output surface of the first converging lens includes a bowl-shaped cavity surrounding a central mound shaped as a portion of a spheroid.

57. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein:

the first converging lens is configured for causing convergence of some of the light emissions of the semiconductor light-emitting device to form the converged light emissions as having the first HWHM as being about 12.5 degrees; and

the first light input surface of the first converging lens includes a central disk-shaped cavity; and

the first light output surface of the first converging lens includes a bowl-shaped cavity surrounding a central mound shaped as a portion of a spheroid.

58. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein:

the first converging lens is configured for causing convergence of some of the light emissions of the semiconductor light-emitting device to form the converged light emissions as having the first HWHM as being about 20 degrees; and

the first light input surface of the first converging lens includes a central compound parabolic concentrator; and

the first light output surface of the first converging lens includes a bowl-shaped cavity surrounding a central flat region.

59. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the first diverging lens is configured for causing divergence of some of the converged light emissions away from the third lens axis by a third HWHM being:

about 4 degrees, or about 10 degrees, or about 15 degrees, or about 25 degrees, or about 30 degrees.

60. The lighting system of claim 3, wherein:

the third converging lens is configured for causing convergence of some of the light emissions of the second semiconductor light-emitting device to form the further converged light emissions as having the fourth HWHM as being about 3.5 degrees or about 7.5 degrees; and

the fourth light input surface of the third converging lens includes a central cavity being shaped as a portion of a spheroid; and

the fourth light output surface of the third converging lens includes a bowl-shaped cavity surrounding a central mound shaped as a portion of a spheroid.

61. The lighting system of claim 3, wherein:

the third converging lens is configured for causing convergence of some of the light emissions of the second semiconductor light-emitting device to form the further converged light emissions as having the fourth HWHM as being about 12.5 degrees; and

the fourth light input surface of the third converging lens includes a central disk-shaped cavity; and

the fourth light output surface of the third converging lens includes a bowl-shaped cavity surrounding a central mound shaped as a portion of a spheroid.

62. The lighting system of claim 3, wherein:

the third converging lens is configured for causing convergence of some of the light emissions of the second semiconductor light-emitting device to form the further converged light emissions as having the fourth HWHM as being about 20 degrees; and

the fourth light input surface of the third converging lens includes a central compound parabolic concentrator; and

the fourth light output surface of the third converging lens includes a bowl-shaped cavity surrounding a second central flat region.

63. The lighting system of claim 3, further including a housing, wherein:

the housing is configured for positioning the lighting module for emission of the light emissions from the semiconductor light-emitting device along the central light emission axis; and

the housing is configured for positioning the second lighting module for emission of the further light emissions from the second semiconductor light-emitting device along the second central light emission axis.

64. The lighting system of claim 63 further including a carrier, wherein:

the carrier is configured for positioning the first or second lens module in the housing with the first or second lens axis being aligned with the central light emission axis; and

the carrier is configured for positioning the fourth or fifth lens module in the housing with the fourth or fifth lens axis being aligned with the second central light emission axis.

65. The lighting system of claim 64, further including a primary visible light reflector, wherein:

the primary visible light reflector is configured for being positioned between the housing and the carrier; and

the primary visible light reflector is configured for redirecting some of the light emissions of the semiconductor light-emitting device along the central light emission axis; and

the primary visible light reflector is configured for redirecting some of the further light emissions of the second semiconductor light-emitting device along the second central light emission axis.

66. The lighting system of claim 4, wherein the lighting system is configured for interchangeably installing either:

the first lens module in the lighting module and the fourth lens module in the second lighting module;

or the second lens module in the lighting module and the fifth lens module in the second lighting module.

67. The lighting system of claim 66, wherein:

the first lens module is integral with the fourth lens module; and

the second lens module is integral with the fifth lens module.

68. The lighting system of claim 3, having a seventh lens module including a third diverging lens having a seventh lens axis, the third diverging lens being configured for causing divergence of some of the converged light emissions away from the seventh lens axis, the seventh lens module including:

a further lens body having a further light output surface spaced apart along a further light transmission axis from a further light input surface, the further lens body having a further longitudinal axis and a further lateral axis, the further longitudinal and lateral axes being transverse to the further light transmission axis;

the further light output surface having a further asymmetric curvilinear contour being formed by a further convex region overlapping in directions along the further lateral axis with a further concave region, the further asymmetric curvilinear contour uniformly extending in directions along the further longitudinal axis;

wherein the lighting system is configured for detachably installing the first lens module or the second lens module in the lighting module between the semiconductor light-emitting device and the further lens module; and

wherein the lighting system is configured for aligning the first or second lens axis with the central light emission axis and the further lens axis.

69. The lighting system of claim 68, having an eighth lens module including a fourth diverging lens having an eighth lens axis, the fourth diverging lens being configured for causing divergence of some of the further converged light emissions away from the eighth lens axis, the eighth lens module including:

an additional lens body having an additional light output surface spaced apart along an additional light transmission axis from an additional light input surface, the additional lens body having an additional longitudinal axis and an additional lateral axis, the additional longitudinal and lateral axes being transverse to the additional light transmission axis;

the additional light output surface having an additional asymmetric curvilinear contour being formed by an additional convex region overlapping in directions along the additional lateral axis with an additional concave region, the additional asymmetric curvilinear contour uniformly extending in directions along the additional longitudinal axis;

wherein the lighting system is configured for detachably installing the fourth lens module or the fifth lens module in the second lighting module between the second semiconductor light-emitting device and the additional lens module; and

wherein the lighting system is configured for aligning the fourth or fifth lens axis with the second central light emission axis and the additional lens axis.

70. The lighting system of claim 69, wherein the lighting system is configured for interchangeably installing either:

the third lens module in the lighting module and the sixth lens module in the second lighting module;

or the seventh lens module in the lighting module and the eighth lens module in the second lighting module.

71. The lighting system of claim 70, wherein:

the third lens module is integral with the sixth lens module; and

the seventh lens module is integral with the eighth lens module.

27. A lens device, comprising:

a lens body having a light output surface spaced apart along a light transmission axis from a light input surface, the lens body having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, the longitudinal and lateral axes being transverse to the light transmission axis;

the light input surface including an array of diverging lenses being configured for causing divergence of light away from the light transmission axis in directions along the longitudinal axis of the lens body;

the light output surface having an asymmetric curvilinear contour being formed by a convex region overlapping in directions along the lateral axis with a concave region, the asymmetric curvilinear contour uniformly extending in directions along the longitudinal axis.

28. The lens device of claim 27, wherein the light output surface includes a first end being spaced apart along the lateral axis from a second end;

and wherein the asymmetric curvilinear contour extends from the first end to the second end.

29. The lens device of claim 28, wherein the convex region of the asymmetric curvilinear contour extends from the first end of the light output surface towards the light transmission axis.

30. The lens device of claim 29, wherein the concave region of the asymmetric curvilinear contour extends from the second end of the light output surface towards the light transmission axis.

31. The lens device of claim 28, wherein the light output surface has a ridge extending in directions along the longitudinal axis and being located at a greatest distance, in directions along the light transmission axis, of the light output surface away from the light input surface.

32. The lens device of claim 31, wherein the ridge is at a location, in directions along the lateral axis, being between the light transmission axis and the first end of the light output surface.

33. The lens device of claim 31, wherein a portion of the light output surface extends for a distance in directions along the lateral axis from the first end to the light transmission axis, and wherein the ridge is on the portion of the light output surface at a location being at within a range of between about 30% and about 70% along the distance extending from the first end to the light transmission axis.

34. The lens device of claim 31, wherein a portion of the light output surface extends for a distance in directions along the lateral axis from the first end to the light transmission axis, and wherein the ridge is on the portion of the light output surface at a location being at within a range of between about 40% and about 60% along the distance extending from the first end to the light transmission axis.

35. The lens device of claim 31, wherein the convex region of the asymmetric curvilinear contour has an angle of elevation at the first end of the light output surface from the lateral axis to the ridge, and wherein the angle of elevation is within a range of between about 30 degrees and about 40 degrees.

36. The lens device of claim 31, wherein the convex region of the asymmetric curvilinear contour has an angle of elevation at the first end of the light output surface from the lateral axis to the ridge, and wherein the angle of elevation is within a range of between about 33 degrees and about 37 degrees.

37. The lens device of claim 31, wherein the convex region of the asymmetric curvilinear contour has an angle of elevation at the first end of the light output surface from the lateral axis to the ridge, and wherein the angle of elevation is about 35 degrees.

38. The lens device of claim 28, wherein the asymmetric curvilinear contour of the light output surface has an inflection point between the convex region and the concave region.

39. The lens device of claim 38, wherein the light output surface extends for a distance in directions along the lateral axis from the first end to the second end, and wherein the inflection point is on the light output surface at a location being at within a range of between about 40% and about 60% along the distance extending from the first end to the second end.

40. The lens device of claim 27, being configured for emitting light as being distributed on a planar surface.

41. The lens device of claim 40, being configured for causing a luminance of light reflected by the planar surface to have a ratio of maximum luminance divided by minimum luminance being about 4 or less.

42. The lens device of claim 40, being configured for causing a luminance of light reflected by the planar surface to have a ratio of maximum luminance divided by minimum luminance being within a range of between about 4.0 and about 1.8.

43. The lens device of claim 40, being configured for causing a luminance of light reflected by the planar surface to have a ratio of average luminance divided by minimum luminance being about 2 or less.

44. The lens device of claim 40, being configured for causing a luminance of light reflected by the planar surface to have a ratio of average luminance divided by minimum luminance being within a range of between about 2.1 and about 1.2.

72. The lens device of claim 27, wherein the light input surface has the array of diverging lenses as including a lens screen having lenticular or microprismatic features.

73. The lens device of claim 72, wherein the light input surface has the lens screen as including an array of lenticular toroidal lenses.

74. The lens device of claim 73, wherein the light input surface has the array of lenticular toroidal lenses as including a plurality of convex regions being interposed between a plurality of concave regions, each of the pluralities of the convex regions and of the concave regions extending in directions along the lateral axis.

75. The lens device of claim 27, wherein the lens device is configured for emitting light having a full width half maximum beam width being within a range of between about 7 degrees and about 30 degrees.

76. The lens device of claim 27, wherein the lens device is configured for emitting light having a full width half maximum beam width being within a range of between about 10 degrees and about 20 degrees.