Embedded LED assembly with optional beam steering optical element, and associated products, and/or methods

• US 9,696,012 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2012
• Issued: 07/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Guardian Glass LLC (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Guardian Industries Corporation (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Vandal, Robert A., Sol, Jean-Marc, Veerasamy, Vijayen S., Frey, Timothy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Anh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fallahkhair, Arman B
• Application Number:
  US13/644,567
• Publication Number:
  US 20140098553A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,734 Days
• Field of Search: 362297, 36224902, 36224906, 362503, 362504, 362543, 362545, 362237, 362240, 362318, 362627, 362241, 362244, 362511, 362328, 362606, 362607, 362612, 362235, 362626, 362 84, 362330, 362333, 362334
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10036 comprising two outer glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10165 Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10541 comprising a light source or a light guide
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10761 containing vinyl acetal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/14 characterised by the properties of the layers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/268 on windscreens or windows B60Q1/302 takes precedence; lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for windows B60Q3/208
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/19 Attachment of light sources or lamp holders
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/26 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 11/00 Screens not covered by groups F21V1/00, F21V3/00, F21V7/00 or F21V9/00 characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/502
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/2202 Reconstruction geometries or arrangements

Abstract

Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to laminated LED arrays, products including such laminated LED arrays, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, LEDs may be disposed on a flexible sheet and chained together in an array. An optional beam steering optical element may be used to help redirect the light, even when the LED arrays are disposed on a curved surface and/or at an angle that is not parallel to the intended observer'"'"'s line of sight. Doing so advantageously makes it possible to ensure that a substantial portion of the axis of the light produced by embedded LEDs coincides with the front-to-rear axis of a vehicle, while still allowing for different angles of the back light for different implementations. Such techniques advantageously may be used in connection with Center High Mount Stop Lamps (CHMSLs); tail lights for cars, trucks, and other vehicles; and/or the like.

Claims

1. An electronic device for a window of a vehicle, comprising:

first and second glass substrates laminated to one another via a first laminating material forming a vehicle window, the first and second substrates having substantially matching curvatures and being adapted for installation in the vehicle at an angle that is not normal to a first intended viewer'"'"'s line of sight;

a sheet supporting a first set of LEDs; and

a first holographic optical element configured to be interposed between the first set of LEDs and a first intended viewer of the first set of LEDs,

wherein the first set of LEDs and the first optical element are laminated between a cover glass substrate and the first substrate with a second laminating material, wherein the first glass substrate is located between the second glass substrate and the cover glass substrates, and wherein the cover glass substrate is smaller in size than are the first and second glass substrates; and

wherein

the first holographic optical element includes a plurality of optical elements, the optical elements being configured to redirect light output from the LEDs in at least two different directions, so that light emitted from the first set of LEDs is substantially directed in a direction away from a front-to-rear axis of the vehicle, but is redirected by the first holographic optical element so as to be directed substantially parallel to the front-to-rear axis of the vehicle and toward another driver;

wherein the cover glass substrate is thinner than each of the first and second glass substrates; and

wherein the first holographic element is located directly between (a) a laminating material that laminates the first holographic element to the cover glass substrate, and (b) the laminating sheet supporting the first set of LEDs.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising control circuitry configured to individually address and power the first set of LEDs.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second set of LEDs and a second holographic optical element,

wherein the second optical element is interposed between the second set of LEDs and a second intended viewer, wherein the travel direction of at least some light output from the second set of LEDs and having been transmitted through the second optical element is along a second travel direction, different from the first travel direction, that is generally normal to the second intended viewer'"'"'s line of sight.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein

the first substrate is adapted to be adjacent to an interior of the vehicle.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein

the first laminating material comprises PVB, EVA, or PU.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs are provided as a part of a Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL), the CHMSL being controllable by a controller remote from the LEDs.