EP0362993A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nonimaging light source
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1989-08-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-08-09
Abstract
Abstract The principles of non-imaging optics, rather than imaging optics, are used to provide a high power LED (3) illumination lamp (1) that has a specified limited viewing angle (ϑ r ). A compound parabolic flux extractor (5) extracts and concentrates light emitted by an LED chip (3) and a light pipe (21) continues the concentration into the specified viewing angle (ϑ r ). A lens (41,91,101) or a diffusant (113,115) may be used to modify the light output of the lamp (1). A light constructed as an array of the lamps (1) is suitable for use an an automobile external light such as a center high mounted stop light.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Gardner
- 👤 David E. Silverglate
- 👤 Greg Perry Smestad
- 👤 John F. Snyder
- 👤 George Edward Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:04
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/02; G02B5/0205; G02B5/021; G02B5/0221; F; F21; F21S; F21S43/00; F21S43/10; F21S43/13; F21S43/14; F21S43/15; F21S43/20; F21S43/235; F21S43/251; F21S43/30; F21V; F21V7/00; F21V7/04; F21V7/09; G02B5/0231; G02B5/0236; G02B5/0242; G02B5/0273; G02B5/0278; H; H10; H10H; H10H20/00; H10H20/80; H10H20/85; H10H20/8506; H10H20/855; H10H20/856; H10H20/857; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
338 words
A flux extractor cup (5) for supporting a light source (3) centered on an optical axis (25) within a virtual positioning envelope (53) and for directing light emitted by the source within a solid cup angle (ϑ₁) of the optical axis, the cup being rotationally symmetric about the optical axis and comprising in cross-section: a flat section (61) located at the bottom of the cup and normal to the optical axis, for attachment of the light source, the flat section having a diameter equal to a diameter of the positioning envelope; a circular section (63) extending from the flat section (61) to a lower point (73) located at an intersection with a projection of the cup angle (ϑ₁) through a nearest edge point (55) of a top surface (59) of the positioning envelope the circular section having a constant radius and a center at the nearest edge point; a lower parabolic section (65), extending from the lower point (73) to an upper point (75) located at an intersection with a projection of the top surface (59) of the positioning envelope (53), the lower parabolic section (65) having a vertex at the lower point (73), an axis projecting through the nearest edge point (55) and the lower point (73), and a focus at the nearest edge point (55); and an upper parabolic section (67), extending from the upper point (75) to a top point (77) located at an intersection with a projection of the cup angle (ϑ₁) through a farthest edge point (57) of the top surface (59) of the positioning envelope, the upper parabolic section having a vertex at the top point (77), an axis extending through the farthest edge point (57) and parallel to the axis of the lower parabolic section (65), and a focus located at the farthest edge point (57); wherein the cup has an interior surface (49) that is specularly reflective such that a substantial portion of the light emitted by the light source in any direction is directed within the solid cup angle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
338 words
A flux extractor cup (5) for supporting a light source (3) centered on an optical axis (25) within a virtual positioning envelope (53) and for directing light emitted by the source within a solid cup angle (ϑ₁) of the optical axis, the cup being rotationally symmetric about the optical axis and comprising in cross-section: a flat section (61) located at the bottom of the cup and normal to the optical axis, for attachment of the light source, the flat section having a diameter equal to a diameter of the positioning envelope; a circular section (63) extending from the flat section (61) to a lower point (73) located at an intersection with a projection of the cup angle (ϑ₁) through a nearest edge point (55) of a top surface (59) of the positioning envelope the circular section having a constant radius and a center at the nearest edge point; a lower parabolic section (65), extending from the lower point (73) to an upper point (75) located at an intersection with a projection of the top surface (59) of the positioning envelope (53), the lower parabolic section (65) having a vertex at the lower point (73), an axis projecting through the nearest edge point (55) and the lower point (73), and a focus at the nearest edge point (55); and an upper parabolic section (67), extending from the upper point (75) to a top point (77) located at an intersection with a projection of the cup angle (ϑ₁) through a farthest edge point (57) of the top surface (59) of the positioning envelope, the upper parabolic section having a vertex at the top point (77), an axis extending through the farthest edge point (57) and parallel to the axis of the lower parabolic section (65), and a focus located at the farthest edge point (57); wherein the cup has an interior surface (49) that is specularly reflective such that a substantial portion of the light emitted by the light source in any direction is directed within the solid cup angle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cup according to claim 1, wherein the cup angle (ϑ₁) is between ± 45° and ± 90°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cup according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light source (3) is a LED.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cup according to any of claims 1 to 3 when fabricated within a metallic lead frame (7).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A cup according to any of claims 1 to 4 having an interior surface (49) that is coated with a layer of silver.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
169 words
A lamp (1) for emitting light within a solid viewing angle (ϑ r ) of an optical axis (25), the lamp comprising: a support frame (7); a flux extractor cup (5) connected to the frame (7) and having an exit contour at an exit aperture, for supporting a light source (3) and for directing light emitted by the light source (3) through the exit aperture within a solid cup angle (ϑ₁) of the optical axis; and a contoured second stage (27), alignable to the optical axis by attachment to the frame (7), for receiving the light from the cup at an entrance aperture and for directing the light within a solid second angle less than the cup angle (ϑ₁) and greater than or equal to the viewing angle (ϑ r ); wherein the second stage (27) entrance aperture is slightly larger than the cup exit aperture such that transition between the cup contour and the second stage (27) contour is smooth and light loss at the transition is small.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
169 words
A lamp (1) for emitting light within a solid viewing angle (ϑ r ) of an optical axis (25), the lamp comprising: a support frame (7); a flux extractor cup (5) connected to the frame (7) and having an exit contour at an exit aperture, for supporting a light source (3) and for directing light emitted by the light source (3) through the exit aperture within a solid cup angle (ϑ₁) of the optical axis; and a contoured second stage (27), alignable to the optical axis by attachment to the frame (7), for receiving the light from the cup at an entrance aperture and for directing the light within a solid second angle less than the cup angle (ϑ₁) and greater than or equal to the viewing angle (ϑ r ); wherein the second stage (27) entrance aperture is slightly larger than the cup exit aperture such that transition between the cup contour and the second stage (27) contour is smooth and light loss at the transition is small.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A lamp according to claim 6, wherein: the light source (3) is an LED; the support frame (7) is a lead frame; and the cup (5) is fabricated within the lead frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A lamp according to claim 7, wherein the second stage (27) includes one or more mounting lugs (31,33) for connection with associated receptors (35,37) in the lead frame such that the lead frame and second stage are thereby attached and the cup and the second stage are thereby aligned along the optical axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A lamp according to any of claims 6 to 8 wherein the exit contour of the cup (5) is parabolic and the contour of the second stage (27) is parabolic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A lamp according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the exit contour of the cup (5) is parabolic and the contour of the second stage (27) is substantially straight and aligned with the exit contour of the cup.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
A lamp according to any of claims 6 to 10, wherein: the cup angle (ϑ₁) is between ± 45° and ± 90°; the second angle is less than the cup angle; and the viewing angle (ϑ r ) is less than or equal to the second angle and less than ± 10°.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A lamp according to any of claims 6 to 11 wherein the second stage (27) is air filled and the lamp further comprises a lens (41) attached to the second stage (27) and aligned with the optical axis (25).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A lamp according to any of claims 6 to 12, further comprising an optically transmissive light pipe (21) within the second stage (27).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A lamp according to claim 13, wherein the light pipe (21) comprises a solid filling the second stage (27) and the cup (5).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lamp according to claim 14, wherein an upper surface of the light pipe (21) is formed into a lens (41) aligned with the optical axis (25).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
A lamp according to any of claims 13 to 15, further comprising diffusant particles located within the light pipe (21) such that light striking a particle is scattered.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
A lamp according to claim 16, wherein the diffusant particles comprise titanium dioxide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lamp according to claim 15, wherein the lens (41) surface is roughened such that the roughened surface (115) scatters light.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A lamp according to claim 15, further including a matte finish (115) on the lens (41) surface such that the matte finish (115) scatters light.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
A lamp according to claim 18, further comprising a prism lens (91) connected to and over the lens (41), such that the viewing angle (ϑ r ) is increased in a first direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
A lamp according to claim 18, further comprising a fly's eye lens (101) connected to and over the lens (41), such that the viewing angle (ϑ r ) is increased in first and second orthogonal directions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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