Luminaire system

• US 20010030857A1
• Filed: 11/29/2000
• Published: 10/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orafol Americas Inc. (Orafol Europe GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Reflexite
• Inventors: Rowland, William P., Futhey, John A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,612,723 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/31
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/02 Combinations of only two kinds of elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/04 the elements being reflectors and refractors for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/02 of prismatic shape F21V5/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0091 using total internal reflection
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/40 Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0016 Grooves, prisms, gratings, scattering particles or rough surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0023 provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed between the light guide and the light source, or around the light source
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/003 Lens or lenticular sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0031 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0046 Tapered light guide, e.g. wedge-shaped light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0055 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0091 of the light source relative to the light guide G02B6/0021 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0096 the lights guides being of the hollow type

Abstract

A luminaire and method are provided comprising a light source, a plurality of prisms, such as linear prisms, for redirecting light from the light source in a predetermined direction, and a reflector for redirecting light from the light source toward the plurality of prisms. Each of the linear prisms has a longitudinal axis and the light source has a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axes of the linear prisms are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the light source. Each of the plurality of prisms has an included angle, which can vary as a function of the distance from the light source. The angle can vary stepwise or continuously. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of prisms adjacent the light guide has an included angle in the range of between about 35 and 45 degrees. In another embodiment, the included angle is substantially uniform among the prisms. The luminaire optical sheet can be made out of continuous sheet with built in hinge points to provide a complete light redirecting structure.

Claims

1. A luminaire comprising:

a light source;

a plurality of prisms for redirecting light from the light source in a predetermined direction, each of the plurality of prisms having an included angle which varies as a function of the distance from the light source; and

a reflector for redirecting light from the light source toward the plurality of prisms.

2. The luminaire of

claim 1

wherein the plurality of prisms include linear prisms.

3. The luminaire of

claim 2

wherein each of the linear prisms has a longitudinal axis and the light source has a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axes of the linear prisms being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the light source.

4. The luminaire of

claim 1

wherein the light source has a longitudinal axis, wherein the predetermined direction is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

5. The luminaire of

claim 1

wherein the included angle varies stepwise or continuously.

6. The luminaire of

claim 1

wherein the plurality of prisms are substantially horizontal and the reflector is angled with respect to a horizontal plane.

7. A luminaire comprising:

a light source;

a light guide that receives light radiating from the light source;

a plurality of prisms adjacent the light guide for redirecting the light from the light guide substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the light guide; and

a plurality of prisms adjacent the light source that control the spreading of light along the longitudinal axis of the light guide.

8. The luminaire of

claim 7

further comprising a redirecting device adjacent the light source for redirecting light rays into the light guide.

9. The luminaire of

claim 7

wherein the light guide is triangular shaped.

10. The luminaire of

claim 7

wherein the plurality of prisms adjacent the light guide are spaced apart from one another.

11. The luminaire of

claim 10

wherein the plurality of prisms are spaced about 0.51 millimeters apart.

12. The luminaire of

claim 10

wherein the plurality of prisms are spaced apart in the range of between about 0.025 and 3.175 millimeters.

13. The luminaire of

claim 7

wherein each of the plurality of prisms adjacent the light guide has an included angle in the range of between about 35 and 45 degrees.

14. The luminaire of

claim 7

wherein the longitudinal axis is tipped relative to a horizontal plane.

15. The luminaire of

claim 7

wherein the light guide is curved.

16. The luminaire of

claim 15

wherein each of the plurality of prisms has an included angle which is substantially uniform for all the prisms.

17. A luminaire comprising:

a light source;

a light guide that receives light radiating from the light source; and

a plurality of prisms adjacent the light guide for redirecting the light from the light guide substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the light guide, the prisms being formed from a single sheet of material into an integral tube.

18. The luminaire of

claim 17

further comprising a plurality of prisms adjacent the light source that control the spreading of light along the longitudinal axis of the light guide.

19. The luminaire of

claim 17

wherein the sheet of material includes bending grooves for forming a U-shaped tube.

20. The luminaire of

claim 19

wherein the U-shaped tube includes a reflective surface on an inside, end surface.

21. The luminaire of

claim 17

wherein the light guide includes polycarbonate or acrylic.

22. The luminaire of

claim 17

wherein the plurality of prisms are molded, embossed, or cast into the light guide.

23. The luminaire of

claim 17

wherein each of the plurality of prisms has an included angle, wherein the angle varies along the length of the light guide.

24. The luminaire of

claim 23

wherein the angle varies stepwise or continuously.

25. The luminaire of

claim 17

wherein the plurality of prisms are formed on a top surface of the light guide and on a bottom surface of the light guide.

26. The luminaire of

claim 17

wherein the plurality of prisms include linear prisms.

27. The luminaire of

claim 26

wherein the linear prisms are saw-toothed, polygon-shaped, curved, or have curved tips or valleys.

28. The luminaire of

claim 26

wherein the linear prisms include flats.

29. The luminaire of

claim 17

further comprising a redirecting device adjacent the light source for redirecting light rays into the light guide.

30. The luminaire of

claim 17

wherein the tube is U-shaped, rectangular-shaped, polygon-shaped, or triangular-shaped.

31. The luminaire of

claim 17

wherein the light guide includes at least one curved portion.

32. A method of redirecting light comprising:

providing a light source;

redirecting, with a plurality of prisms which have an included angle which varies as a function of a distance from the light source, light from the light source in a predetermined direction; and

redirecting light from the light source toward the plurality of prisms.

33. The method of

claim 32

wherein the prisms include linear prisms, further comprising the step of configuring the linear prisms to form a curve.

34. A luminaire comprising:

a light source;

a light guide that receives light radiating from the light source, the light guide being curved; and

a plurality of prisms adjacent the light guide for redirecting the light from the light guide in a predetermined direction.

35. The luminaire of

claim 34

wherein the plurality of prisms have an included angle which is substantially uniform.

36. The luminaire of

claim 34

wherein the plurality of prisms include linear prisms.

37. The luminaire of

claim 36

wherein the linear prisms are saw-toothed, polygon-shaped, curved, or have curved tips or valleys.

38. The luminaire of

claim 36

wherein the linear prisms include flats.