Lighting device with efficient light-spreading lens system

• US 11,125,412 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2015
• Issued: 09/21/2021
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Current Lighting Solutions, LLC (f/k/a GE Lighting Solutions, LLC) (American Industrial Partners)
• Original Assignee: Current Lighting Solutions, LLC (f/k/a GE Lighting Solutions, LLC) (American Industrial Partners)
• Inventors: Dubuc, Eden, Spahnie, Brian Morgan
• Primary Examiner(s): Troy, Daniel J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ayres, Timothy M
• Application Number:
  US14/697,691
• Publication Number:
  US 20160153705A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,338 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/001 Devices for lighting, humidifying, heating, ventilation
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/0404 Cases or cabinets of the closed type A47F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/04 the elements being reflectors and refractors for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0044 Household appliances, e.g. washing machines or vacuum cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/007 Array of lenses or refractors for a cluster of light sources, e.g. for arrangement of multiple light sources in one plane combination of two or more refractors F21V5/008
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/046 the lens having a rotationally symmetrical shape about an axis for transmitting light in a direction mainly perpendicular to this axis, e.g. ring or annular lens with light source disposed inside the ring
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0091 using total internal reflection
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/305 for refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/403 for machines
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/028 Details
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/065 Details
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 25/02 by shelves
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 27/00 Lighting arrangements in general F21

Abstract

A lighting device includes a light emitting diode (LED) that has a main axis of light emission. The lighting device also includes a lens element positioned adjacent the LED. The lens element has a geometry defined by at least partial revolution of a cross-sectional profile around an axis of revolution. The lens element is positioned relative to the LED such that the axis of revolution crosses the main axis of light emission of the LED. The lens element is operative to apply total internal reflection to at least some light rays emitted from the LED.

Claims

1. A lighting device, comprising:

a light emitting diode (LED) having a main axis of light emission; and

a lens element positioned adjacent the LED, the lens element having a geometry defined by at least partial revolution of a cross-sectional profile around an axis of revolution;

the lens element positioned relative to the LED such that said axis of revolution crosses the main axis of light emission of the LED at a point which is below the LED, the lens element operative to refract at least some light rays emitted from the LED without having been reflected, and operative to refract at least some rays emitted by the LED after having been internally reflected by the lens element;

said geometry configured such that light from said LED is directed to regions to sides of the main axis of light emission;

said lens element forming a peak at a location on said main axis of light emission.

2. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein said axis of revolution is perpendicular to the main axis of light emission of the LED.

3. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising:

an elongate support member on which the LED and the lens element are mounted.

4. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein:

the LED is a first LED; and

the lens element is a first lens element;

the lighting device further comprising;

a plurality of lens elements mounted on the elongate support member in addition to the first lens element, all of said lens elements substantially identical to each other; and

a plurality of LEDs mounted on the elongate support member in addition to the first LED, each of said plurality of LEDs located within a footprint of a respective one of the plurality of lens elements.

5. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the lens element is formed such that its said geometry is defined by a substantially 180°

revolution of said cross- sectional profile around said axis of revolution.