Light-emitting device with light guide for two way illumination

• US 9,752,757 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2014
• Issued: 09/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
• Original Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
• Inventors: Uebbing, John J., Haitz, Roland H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F
• Application Number:
  US14/170,222
• Publication Number:
  US 20140146541A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,313 Days
• Field of Search: 349 65, 362602, 362620, 362 971, 362 972, 362 973, 362 974
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/64 using wavelength conversion means distinct or spaced from the light-generating element, e.g. a remote phosphor layer
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/66 Details of globes or covers forming part of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/04 the elements being reflectors and refractors for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• 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

A variety of light-emitting devices are disclosed that are configured to manipulate light provided by one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs). In general, a light-emitting device includes one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs) disposed on a base surface that are configured to emit light, a first optical element having a first surface spaced apart from the LEEs and positioned to receive light from the LEEs, a transparent second optical coupled to the first optical element, and a reflector element adjacent the second optical element arranged to reflect a portion of light output from the second optical element.

Claims

1. A light-emitting device, comprising:

a base substrate having a base surface;

one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs) configured to emit light, the LEEs being disposed on the base surface;

a first optical element having a first surface spaced apart from the LEEs and positioned to receive light from the LEEs, the first optical element comprising scattering centers arranged to scatter light from the LEEs;

a second optical element having an exit surface, the second optical element being transparent and in contact with the first optical element, there being an optical interface between the first and second optical elements at the place of contact, the optical interface being opposite the first surface of the first optical element, the second optical element being arranged to receive light from the first optical element through the optical interface;

wherein;

a medium adjacent to the first surface of the first optical element has a refractive index n₀;

the first optical element comprises a first material having a first refractive index n₁, where n₀<

n₁;

the second optical element comprises a second material having a refractive index n₂, where n₀<

n₂;

the exit surface is shaped such that an angle of incidence on the exit surface of the light provided by the first optical element that directly impinges on the exit surface is less than a critical angle for total internal reflection; and

a reflector element adjacent the second optical element, the reflector element having first and second surfaces extending away from the exit surface, the reflector element being arranged to reflect a first portion of light from the second optical element.

2. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the first surface is reflective and facing the LEEs, the first surface being arranged to reflect the first portion of light.

3. The light-emitting device of claim 2, wherein the second surface is reflective and opposite the first surface, the second surface being arranged to reflect a second portion of light from the second optical element.

4. The light-emitting device of claim 2, wherein the second surface is opposite the first surface and configured to absorb a second portion of light from the second optical element.

5. The light-emitting device of claim 1, further comprising a heat sink coupled to the base substrate, the heat sink being configured to remove heat from the light-emitting element.

6. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the first and second surfaces of the reflector element are arranged to reflect light received from the exit surface of the second optical element.

7. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the first optical element has a dome shape.

8. The light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the first optical element and the base surface form an enclosure surrounding the one or more LEEs.

9. A light-emitting device, comprising:

a base substrate having a base surface;

one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs) configured to emit light, the LEEs being disposed on the base surface;

a first optical element having a first surface spaced apart from the LEEs and positioned to receive light from the LEEs, the first optical element comprising scattering centers arranged to scatter light from the LEEs;

a second optical element having an exit surface, the second optical element being transparent and in contact with the first optical element, there being an optical interface between the first and second optical elements at the place of contact, the optical interface being opposite the first surface of the first optical element, the second optical element being arranged to receive light from the first optical element through the optical interface;

wherein;

a medium adjacent to the first surface of the first optical element has a refractive index n₀;

the first optical element comprises a first material having a first refractive index n₁, where n₀<

n₁;

the second optical element comprises a second material having a refractive index n₂, where n₀<

n₂;

the exit surface is shaped such that an angle of incidence on the exit surface of the light provided by the first optical element that directly impinges on the exit surface is less than a critical angle for total internal reflection; and

a light guide adjacent to the second optical element, the light guide having a reflective first surface on one side of the light guide facing the LEEs and arranged to reflect a first portion of light from the second optical element.

10. The light-emitting device of claim 9, wherein a second surface of the one side of the light guide is configured to reflect a second portion of light from the second optical element, the second surface opposing the first surface.

11. The light-emitting device of claim 9, wherein the first optical element has a dome shape.

12. The light-emitting device of claim 9, wherein the first optical element and the base surface form an enclosure surrounding the one or more LEEs.