US5542017A
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Light scattering light guide and applied optical apparatuses
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-09-25
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Granted: 1996-07-30
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Expires: 2012-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A light scattering light guide, which is capable of converting a light flux of a relatively small cross-sectional area into a light flux of a relatively large area with high efficiency and uniformity, manufacturing method thereof, and applied optical apparatuses such as backlight light source apparatuses and light branching/mixing devices which make effective use of the characteristics of said light scattering light guide. Such light scattering light guide is obtained by utilizing various structures with irregular refraction indexes generated in the process of polymerization of organic materials. The values of scattering power (effective scattering irradiation parameter E, etc.) are selected according to applications. The mechanism for forming the structures with irregular refraction indexes by the polymerization process of organic materials is based on, for example, the difference in compatibility, reactivity, density, etc. among the organic materials.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasuhiro Koike
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 01:14
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0011; G02B6/0033; G02B6/0035; G02B6/004; G02B6/0041; G02B1/00; G02B1/04; G02B1/045; G02B5/00; G02B5/02; G02B5/0205; G02B5/0236; G02B5/0247; G02B5/0257; G02B5/0263; G02B5/0268; G02B5/0273; G02B5/0284; G02B6/0005; G02B6/001; G02B6/0065; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2808; G02B6/0045; G02B6/0046; G02B6/02; G02B6/02033; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S385/00; Y10S385/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A light guide comprising: a light source; and a polymer material in visual communication with the light source, the polymer material comprising: a first polymer; and aggregated chains of a second polymer uniformly disbursed within the first polymer so that the correlation distance "a" lies in the range of 0.07 μm≦a≦50 μm and the effective scattering irradiation parameter E lies in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦80 cm -1 .
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A light guide comprising: a light source; and a polymer material in visual communication with the light source, the polymer material comprising: a first polymer; and aggregated chains of a second polymer uniformly disbursed within the first polymer so that the correlation distance "a" lies in the range of 0.07 μm≦a≦50 μm and the effective scattering irradiation parameter E lies in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦80 cm -1 .
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A light guide according to claim 1, wherein the effective scattering irradiation parameter E is in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦50 cm -1 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A light guide according to claim 1, wherein the effective scattering irradiation parameter E is in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E ≦2.30 cm -1 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
143 words
A light scattering light guide comprising a polymer material produced by the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing first and second organic substances, the first organic substance being a monomer and the second organic substance being a polymer, a polymer of the fast organic substance having a different refractive index and a different compatibility than those of the second organic substance; (b) preparing a mixture by substantially completely dissolving the second organic substance in the first organic substance; and (c) allowing the first organic substance in the mixture to polymerize so that as polymerization proceeds, compatibility with the second organic substance decreases causing the second organic substance to coagulate, the polymer material having a correlation distance "a" in the range of 0.07 μm≦a≦50 μm and an effective scattering irradiation parameter E in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦80 cm -1 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
143 words
A light scattering light guide comprising a polymer material produced by the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing first and second organic substances, the first organic substance being a monomer and the second organic substance being a polymer, a polymer of the fast organic substance having a different refractive index and a different compatibility than those of the second organic substance; (b) preparing a mixture by substantially completely dissolving the second organic substance in the first organic substance; and (c) allowing the first organic substance in the mixture to polymerize so that as polymerization proceeds, compatibility with the second organic substance decreases causing the second organic substance to coagulate, the polymer material having a correlation distance "a" in the range of 0.07 μm≦a≦50 μm and an effective scattering irradiation parameter E in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦80 cm -1 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A light guide according to claim 4, wherein the effective scattering irradiation parameter E is in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦50 cm -1 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A light guide according to claim 4, wherein the effective scattering irradiation parameter E is in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦2.30 cm -1 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
119 words
A light scattering light guide comprising a polymer material produced by the process comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a monomer mixture by combining first and second monomers, the first monomer being more reactive than the second monomer, the respective polymers of the first and second monomers having different refractive indices; and (b) allowing the monomer mixture to polymerize so that initially the first monomer polymerizes preferentially causing the second monomer to coagulate, and subsequently, as the first monomer is consumed, the second monomer polymerizes preferentially, the polymer material having a correlation distance "a" in the range of 0.07 μm≦a≦50 μm and an effective scattering irradiation parameter E in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦80 cm -1 .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
A light scattering light guide comprising a polymer material produced by the process comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a monomer mixture by combining first and second monomers, the first monomer being more reactive than the second monomer, the respective polymers of the first and second monomers having different refractive indices; and (b) allowing the monomer mixture to polymerize so that initially the first monomer polymerizes preferentially causing the second monomer to coagulate, and subsequently, as the first monomer is consumed, the second monomer polymerizes preferentially, the polymer material having a correlation distance "a" in the range of 0.07 μm≦a≦50 μm and an effective scattering irradiation parameter E in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦80 cm -1 .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A light guide according to claim 7, wherein the effective scattering irradiation parameter E is in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦50 cm -1 .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
A light scattering light guide comprising a plate-shaped polymer material produced by the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing first and second organic substances, the first organic substance being a monomer and the second organic substance being a polymer, a polymer of the first organic substance having a different refractive index and a different compatibility than those of the second organic substance; (b) preparing a mixture by substantially completely dissolving the second organic substance in the first organic substance; and (c) allowing the first organic substance in the mixture to polymerize so that as polymerization proceeds, compatibility with the second organic substance decreases causing the second organic substance to coagulate, the plate-shaped polymer material having a correlation distance "a" in the range of 0.07 μm≦a≦50 μm and an effective scattering irradiation parameter E in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦80 cm -1 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
145 words
A light scattering light guide comprising a plate-shaped polymer material produced by the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing first and second organic substances, the first organic substance being a monomer and the second organic substance being a polymer, a polymer of the first organic substance having a different refractive index and a different compatibility than those of the second organic substance; (b) preparing a mixture by substantially completely dissolving the second organic substance in the first organic substance; and (c) allowing the first organic substance in the mixture to polymerize so that as polymerization proceeds, compatibility with the second organic substance decreases causing the second organic substance to coagulate, the plate-shaped polymer material having a correlation distance "a" in the range of 0.07 μm≦a≦50 μm and an effective scattering irradiation parameter E in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦80 cm -1 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A light guide according to claim 9, wherein the effective scattering irradiation parameter E is in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦50 cm -1 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A light guide according to claim 9, wherein the effective scattering irradiation parameter E is in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦2.30 cm -1 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
121 words
A light scattering light guide comprising a plate-shaped polymer material produced by the process comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a monomer mixture by combining first and second monomers, the first monomer being more reactive than the second monomer, the respective polymers of the first and second monomers having different refractive indices; and (b) allowing the monomer mixture to polymerize so that initially the first monomer polymerizes preferentially causing the second monomer to coagulate, and subsequently, as the first monomer is consumed, the second monomer polymerizes preferentially, the plate-shaped polymer material having a correlation distance "a" in the range of 0.07 μm≦a≦50 μm and an effective scattering irradiation parameter E in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦80 cm -1 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
121 words
A light scattering light guide comprising a plate-shaped polymer material produced by the process comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a monomer mixture by combining first and second monomers, the first monomer being more reactive than the second monomer, the respective polymers of the first and second monomers having different refractive indices; and (b) allowing the monomer mixture to polymerize so that initially the first monomer polymerizes preferentially causing the second monomer to coagulate, and subsequently, as the first monomer is consumed, the second monomer polymerizes preferentially, the plate-shaped polymer material having a correlation distance "a" in the range of 0.07 μm≦a≦50 μm and an effective scattering irradiation parameter E in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦80 cm -1 .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A light guide according to claim 12, wherein the effective scattering irradiation parameter E is in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦50 cm -1 .
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
156 words
A light scattering light guide comprising a curved, plate-shaped, rod-shaped, linear, cone-shaped or spherical polymer material produced by the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing first and second organic substances, the first organic substance being a monomer and the second organic substance being a polymer, a polymer of the first organic substance having a different refractive index and a different compatibility than those of the second organic substance; (b) preparing a mixture by substantially completely dissolving the second organic substance in the first organic substance; and (c) allowing the first organic substance in the mixture to polymerize so that as polymerization proceeds, compatibility with the second organic substance decreases causing the second organic substance to coagulate, the curved, plate-shaped, rod-shaped, cone-shaped or spherical polymer material having a correlation distance "a" in the range of 0.07 μm≦a≦50 μm and an effective scattering irradiation parameter E in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦80 cm -1 .
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
156 words
A light scattering light guide comprising a curved, plate-shaped, rod-shaped, linear, cone-shaped or spherical polymer material produced by the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing first and second organic substances, the first organic substance being a monomer and the second organic substance being a polymer, a polymer of the first organic substance having a different refractive index and a different compatibility than those of the second organic substance; (b) preparing a mixture by substantially completely dissolving the second organic substance in the first organic substance; and (c) allowing the first organic substance in the mixture to polymerize so that as polymerization proceeds, compatibility with the second organic substance decreases causing the second organic substance to coagulate, the curved, plate-shaped, rod-shaped, cone-shaped or spherical polymer material having a correlation distance "a" in the range of 0.07 μm≦a≦50 μm and an effective scattering irradiation parameter E in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦80 cm -1 .
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A light guide according to claim 14, wherein the effective scattering irradiation parameter E is in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦50 cm -1 .
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A light guide according to claim 14, wherein the effective scattering irradiation parameter B is in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦2.30 cm -1 .
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
131 words
A light scattering light guide comprising a curved, plate-shaped, rod-shaped, cone-shaped or spherical polymer material produced by the process comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a monomer mixture by combining first and second monomers, the first monomer being more reactive than the second monomer, the respective polymers of the first and second monomers having different refractive indices; and (b) allowing the monomer mixture to polymerize so that initially the first monomer polymerizes preferentially causing the second monomer to coagulate, and subsequently, as the first monomer is consumed, the second monomer polymerizes preferentially, the curved, plate-shaped, rod-shaped, cone-shaped or spherical polymer material having a correlation distance "a" in the range of 0.07 μm≦a≦50 μm and an effective scattering irradiation parameter E in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦80 cm -1 .
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
131 words
A light scattering light guide comprising a curved, plate-shaped, rod-shaped, cone-shaped or spherical polymer material produced by the process comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a monomer mixture by combining first and second monomers, the first monomer being more reactive than the second monomer, the respective polymers of the first and second monomers having different refractive indices; and (b) allowing the monomer mixture to polymerize so that initially the first monomer polymerizes preferentially causing the second monomer to coagulate, and subsequently, as the first monomer is consumed, the second monomer polymerizes preferentially, the curved, plate-shaped, rod-shaped, cone-shaped or spherical polymer material having a correlation distance "a" in the range of 0.07 μm≦a≦50 μm and an effective scattering irradiation parameter E in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦80 cm -1 .
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A light guide according to claim 17, wherein the effective scattering irradiation parameter E is in the range of 0.45 cm -1 ≦E≦50 cm -1 .
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-30 | 2000-01-29 | 2000-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-30 | 2004-01-29 | 2004-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-30 | 2008-01-29 | 2008-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |