LIGHT ASSEMBLY

• US 20160047521A1
• Filed: 10/29/2015
• Published: 02/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Eckhardt, Stephen K., Carpenter, Barry S., Ender, David A., Lundin, David J., Napierala, Mark E., Sahlin, Jennifer J., Slama, David F., Vick, Karl A., Wheatley, John A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,816,679 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/235 Light guides
• 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: F21S 43/30 characterised by reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/40 characterised by the combination of reflectors and refractors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/124 plural reflecting elements forming part of a unitary plate or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/001 the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre

Abstract

Light assembly having reflector, light source, an outer light cover, and a curved transflective surface. Embodiments of light assemblies described herein are useful, for example, as signs, backlights, displays, task lighting, luminaire, and vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) components. Vehicle comprising light assemblies include those where the light assembly is a vehicle tail light assembly

Claims

1. A lighting assembly comprising:

a transflective surface having a reflectivity greater than dictated by Fresnel equation at normal incidence;

2. The lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the transflective surface has higher transmission toward normal and lower transmission at oblique angles.

3. The lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the transflective surface has higher transmission at oblique angles and lower transmission toward normal.

4. The lighting assembly of claim 1 further comprising an outer light cover, the transflective surface disposed between the outer light cover and the reflector.

5. The lighting assembly of claim 4, wherein the outer light cover defines another optical cavity between the outer light cover and the transflective surface.

6. The lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the transflective surface is smooth.

7. The lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the transflective surface is structured.

8. The lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the transflective surface includes a first region with a first group of structures and a second region with a different second group of structures.

9. The lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises first and second areas of reflectivity, the first area of reflectivity being more reflective at a first wavelength than the second area of reflectivity, the second area of reflectivity more reflective at a different second wavelength than the first area of reflectivity.

10. The light assembly of claim 1 having a length to depth ratio greater than 5:

1.

11. The light assembly of claim 1 in the form of a vehicle tail light assembly.

12. An article comprising:

a transflective surface having a reflectivity greater than dictated by Fresnel equation at normal incidence;