Light-Emitting Device with Remote Scattering Element and Total Internal Reflection Extractor Element

• US 20170038511A1
• Filed: 03/21/2016
• Published: 02/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
• Original Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
• Inventors: Stormberg, Hans Peter, Gardner, Robert C., Magel, Gregory A., Schinagl, Ferdinand, Haitz, Roland H.
• Granted Patent: US 10,088,618 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 9/68 Details of reflectors forming part of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/00 Lighting devices intended for fixed installation F21S9/00, F21S10/00 take precedence; using a string or strip of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/12 Combinations of only three kinds of elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0066 specially adapted to cooperate with point like light sources; specially adapted to cooperate with light sources the shape of which is unspecified F21V7/16 - F21V7/30 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0091 using total internal reflection
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/09 with a combination of different curvatures
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/32 characterised by the arrangement of the photoluminescent material
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0236 the diffusion taking place within the volume of the element
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0278 used in transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0003 the light guides being doped with fluorescent agents
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0018 Redirecting means on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0025 Diffusing sheet or layer; Prismatic sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0031 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0043 provided on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0055 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0085 : Means for removing heat created by the light source from the package heat extraction or cooling elements for semiconductor light sources in general H01L33/64
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2933/0091 : Scattering means in or on the semiconductor body or semiconductor body package H01L33/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/507 : the elements being in intimate contact with parts other than the semiconductor body or integrated with parts other than the semiconductor body

Abstract

A variety of light-emitting devices are disclosed that are configured to output light provided by a light-emitting element (LEE). In general, embodiments of the light-emitting devices feature a light-emitting element, a scattering element that is spaced apart from the light-emitting element and an extractor element coupled to the scattering element, where the extractor element includes, at least in part, a total internal reflection surface. Luminaires incorporating light-emitting devices of this type are also disclosed.

Claims

1-26. -26. (canceled)

27. A light-emitting device comprising:

a light-emitting element (LEE);

a scattering element spaced apart from the LEE, configured to scatter received light and arranged to receive light from the LEE;

an extractor arranged to form an optical interface with the scattering element through which the extractor receives light, the extractor including a side surface and an exit surface, the extractor being configured to emit light through the exit surface to an ambient environment; and

a reflective surface arranged between the optical interface and the side surface of the extractor, the reflective surface being arranged and configured to reflect light from the optical interface back into the extractor,

wherein the side surface is shaped such that an angle of incidence of light received directly from the optical interface is reflected via total internal reflection.

28. The light-emitting device of claim 27, wherein the scattering element is a shell.

29. The light-emitting device of claim 28, wherein the shell is shaped as a hemisphere.

30. The light-emitting device of claim 27, wherein the extractor further comprises a light guide, the light guide extending the side surface and comprising the exit surface.

31. The light-emitting device of claim 27, wherein the exit surface is non-planar.

32. The light-emitting device of claim 31, wherein the exit surface comprises multiple differently shaped portions.

33. The light-emitting device of claim 27, wherein the exit surface is positioned and shaped such that an angle of incidence on the exit surface of the scattered light passing through the optical interface that directly impinges on the exit surface is less than a critical angle for total internal reflection.

34. The light-emitting device of claim 27, wherein the exit surface is positioned and shaped such that an angle of incidence on the exit surface of the scattered light passing through the optical interface, that directly impinges on the exit surface or impinges on the exit surface after TIR off the side surface, is less than a critical angle for total internal reflection.

35. The light-emitting device of claim 27 further comprising a secondary reflector adjacent the extractor, the secondary reflector configured to redirect light output from the extractor.

36. The light-emitting device of claim 35, wherein the secondary reflector has an input aperture disposed proximate the exit surface.

37. The light-emitting device of claim 27, wherein the scattering element comprises phosphor.

38. The light-emitting device of claim 37, wherein

the phosphor comprises inelastic centers and elastic scattering centers,

the inelastic scattering centers are configured to inelastically scatter at least some of the light received from the LEE, and

the elastic scattering centers are configured to elastically scatter at least some of the light received from the LEE.

39. The light-emitting device of claim 27, wherein the scattered light is isotropically scattered light.

40. The light-emitting device of claim 27 wherein the scattering element forms an enclosure into which the LEE emits light.

41. The light-emitting device of claim 27 wherein the reflective surface extends beyond the optical interface to the LEE, and forms an enclosure with the scattering element into which the LEE emits light.

42. The light-emitting device of claim 41, wherein the enclosure comprises a medium having a refractive index n₀ smaller than each of a refractive index n₁ of the scattering element and a refractive index n₂ of the extractor.

43. The light-emitting device of claim 42, wherein where n₁≦

n₂.

44. A luminaire, comprising:

a housing; and

the light-emitting device of claim 27 supported by the housing.

45. The luminaire of claim 44, further comprising an optical element supported by the housing and configured to receive light from the light-emitting device, wherein the light emitted from the light-emitting device is further directed and shaped by the optical element.

46. The luminaire of claim 45, wherein the optical element is a reflector.

47. The luminaire of claim 45, wherein the optical element is a lens.