EP0751340A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Light emitting panel assemblies
Assignee: Lumitex Inc
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Filing: 1996-06-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2016-06-25
Abstract
Abstract Light emitting panel assemblies include light emitting panel members and one or more light sources positioned/embedded in a light transition area, which increases the efficiency of light entering the panel members along the light input area to be emitted from one or more light emitting surfaces along the length of the panel members. Light may be reflected or refracted by a surface which changes the path of a portion of light such that it enters the input area of the panel member at a more acceptable angle. A uniform light output distribution may be produced by utilizing a pattern of light extracting deformities.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffery R. Parker
- 👤 Mark D. Miller
- 👤 Daniel N. Kelsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:21
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0011; G02B6/0013; G02B6/0015; G02B6/002; G02B6/0021; G02B6/0018; G02B6/0033; G02B6/0035; G02B6/0036; G02B6/0038; G02B6/0066; G02B6/0068; A; A61; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/30; A61B2090/309; G02B6/0023; G02B6/0028; G02B6/0031; G02B6/004; G02B6/0043; H; H01; H01H; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/054; H01H2219/062; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/07; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
A light emitting panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having a light emitting surface, a light transition area, and a light source embedded, potted or bonded in said light transition area so as to eliminate any air interface between said light source and said light transition area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
The assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one reflective surface on said light transition area in close proximity to said light source for causing internal reflection of a portion of the light emitted from said light source back through said light transition area and into said panel member at an acceptable angle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said panel member has a light input surface at one end for receiving light from said light transition area, and said light transition area has a reflective surface shaped to cause internal reflection of a portion of the light emitted from said light source and redirect the internally reflected light into said one end of said panel member to produce a more uniform density of light across substantially the entire cross sectional area of said light input surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said light source is mounted in a recess, slot or cavity in said light transition area, said recess, slot or cavity being filled with a transparent medium to eliminate any air interface between said light source and said light transition area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said light source is insert molded or cast within said light transition area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said panel member includes a structural support for an LCD.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
138 words
A light emitting panel assembly comprising a relatively thin, flat light emitting panel member having opposite ends and sides and top and bottom surfaces, a light transition area containing a light source, said panel member having a light input surface area at one end for receiving light from said light transition area, said light transition area having at least one reflective surface in close proximity to said light source shaped to redirect a portion of the light emitted from said light source at a relatively low ray angle distribution, whereby said panel member may be made thinner and longer than would otherwise be possible and still obtain a substantially uniform light output distribution from one of said sides of said panel member over substantially the entire surface of said panel member when illuminated from said one end only.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The assembly of claim 7 wherein said light transition area includes a slot or recess in which said light source is received, said light source and said light transition area including mating surfaces for locating and retaining said light source in said slot or recess.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The assembly of claim 7 wherein said light source comprises multiple colored lights, the light from said multiple colored lights being mixed within said light transition area to produce a desired color of light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assembly of claim 7 wherein said panel member provides light for an LCD and/or switch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
138 words
A light emitting panel assembly comprising a relatively thin, flat light emitting panel member having opposite ends and sides and top and bottom surfaces, a light transition area at one end of said panel member, said light transition area containing a light source, said light transition area having at least one reflective surface in close proximity to said light source for causing a portion of the light emitted from said light source to be internally reflected to produce a more uniform density of light across substantially the entire cross sectional area of said one end of said panel member, and a coating of a pattern of light extracting deformities on said panel member, said light extracting deformities having a density concentration for causing a substantially uniform light output distribution from one of said surfaces of said panel member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assembly of claim 11 wherein said coating of light extracting deformities varies in density along the length and/or width of one of said panel member surfaces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
102 words
A light emitting panel assembly comprising a relatively thin, flat light emitting panel member having opposite ends and sides and top and bottom surfaces, a light transition area at one of said ends, a light source contained in said light transition area, said light source comprising multiple colored lights, the light from said multiple colored lights being mixed within said light transition area to produce substantially white light which is conducted into said one end of said panel member, and a pattern of light extracting deformities on said panel member for providing a desired light output distribution from one of said surfaces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
The assembly of claim 13 further comprising at least one reflective surface on said light transition area in close proximity to said light source for causing a portion of the light emitted from said light source to be internally reflected to produce a more uniform density of light across substantially the entire cross sectional area of said one end of said panel member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 13 wherein said light source comprises two or more colored LEDs or a single LED with multiple colored chips.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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