WO2013140337A1 - Mélange de lumière le long d'un trajet annulaire - Google Patents

Mélange de lumière le long d'un trajet annulaire Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013140337A1
WO2013140337A1 PCT/IB2013/052175 IB2013052175W WO2013140337A1 WO 2013140337 A1 WO2013140337 A1 WO 2013140337A1 IB 2013052175 W IB2013052175 W IB 2013052175W WO 2013140337 A1 WO2013140337 A1 WO 2013140337A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
light guide
optical element
coupling
coupling structures
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2013/052175
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Teunis Willem Tukker
Willem Lubertus Ijzerman
Sebastianus Adrianus GOORDEN
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips N.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Koninklijke Philips N.V. filed Critical Koninklijke Philips N.V.
Publication of WO2013140337A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013140337A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0013—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide
    • G02B6/0015—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it
    • G02B6/0018—Redirecting means on the surface of the light guide
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V5/00—Refractors for light sources
    • F21V5/04—Refractors for light sources of lens shape
    • F21V5/046—Refractors for light sources of lens shape the lens having a rotationally symmetrical shape about an axis for transmitting light in a direction mainly perpendicular to this axis, e.g. ring or annular lens with light source disposed inside the ring
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2103/00—Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
    • F21Y2103/30—Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes curved
    • F21Y2103/33—Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes curved annular
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
    • F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0013—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide
    • G02B6/0015—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it
    • G02B6/002—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it by shaping at least a portion of the light guide, e.g. with collimating, focussing or diverging surfaces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0013—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide
    • G02B6/0023—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed between the light guide and the light source, or around the light source
    • G02B6/0031—Reflecting element, sheet or layer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0033—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide
    • G02B6/0035—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it
    • G02B6/0036—2-D arrangement of prisms, protrusions, indentations or roughened surfaces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0066—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form characterised by the light source being coupled to the light guide
    • G02B6/0068—Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of lighting, and to the field of mixing light from several individual light sources into a desired pattern or into a homogenous beam. More specifically, the present invention relates to an optical element for guiding light from light sources, which optical element may be integrated in light systems or a light fixture. The present invention also relates to a method for guiding light.
  • the mixing of the light from the different light sources may also be designed to affect the perceived light quality and consistency as well as the level of light that will leave the light fixture and that will be directed at a desirable task.
  • each light source may be arranged in a respective concave reflective surface in order to reflect and mix the light.
  • EP 1826474 describes a an optical projector comprising a plurality of LED light sources which are coupled with concave reflective surfaces such that the light beams emitted by the LEDs are reflected by the concave reflective surfaces to obtain reflected light beams leaving the projector in a parallel configuration in relation to the projector.
  • this solution does not enable adequate mixing of the light which e.g. leads to poor light consistency, poor far field intensity and poor color distribution.
  • An object of the present invention is to at least alleviate the problems discussed above.
  • an object is to provide an improved optical element for guiding light, and an improved method for guiding light.
  • the present invention relates to an optical element for guiding light from light sources, comprising a light guide comprising an annular pathway for guiding light inside the light guide at least partially around a center axis of the light guide, which light guide comprises a top surface at least partially facing in a forward axial direction and a bottom surface.
  • the optical element further comprises a plurality of in- coupling structures for coupling light into the light guide, and a plurality of out-coupling structures for coupling light out of the light guide, wherein each in-coupling structure is arranged to redirect incoming light inside the light guide in a direction having a tangential component such that light redirected by the in-coupling structures enters the annular pathway, and wherein each out-coupling structure is arranged to redirect light in a direction having a component parallel with the forward axial direction such that light redirected by the out-coupling structures exits the light guide.
  • the present invention is based on the insight that an improved and more compact optical element for guiding and mixing light from several light sources may be provided by redirecting and bending the light from light sources into a annular pathway inside a light guide.
  • the light which may be considered be formed of a plurality of different light rays, will mix in slightly different directions while travelling in a circular motion determined by the light guide and the annular pathway. Thereafter, after completing one or several laps around the annular pathway, the light will again be redirected and bent in an outgoing forward direction and exit, or leave, the guide member in a forward direction with an improved pattern and light content such that an improved light beam or light beams is/are provided.
  • light entering the device is advantageously coupled by a plurality of in- coupling structures into an annular pathway of the guide member which is arranged to mix the light, wherein mixed light is emitted from the guide member by being coupled outwardly by a plurality of out-coupling structures.
  • improved mixing of light is provided by coupling light into and out of the annular light guide which forms a mixing ring for the light.
  • the optical element according to the present invention is further advantageous in that it provides an improved and more compact device for guiding and mixing light from several light sources, such as a plurality of point shaped LEDs, wherein the light leaving the device has improved characteristic such as light consistency, uniformity, color distribution, and/or far field intensity.
  • the design of the optical element enables simplified and more compact construction which enable versatile integration with different types of lighting systems and light fixtures.
  • the optical element may advantageously be used to provide reduced size mixing boxes for light fixtures.
  • the optical element may advantageously be arranged closely above a set of LEDs to improve mixing and reducing the height of the mixing box for LEDs.
  • the light guide is arranged to confine the light in circulating propagation inside the annular pathway of the guide member, wherein the light in the annular pathway has a resulting direction corresponding to the tangential direction of the radial outer surface of the light guide, and wherein the light is arranged to mix by bouncing via reflection and/or refraction on the radial outside surface, the radial inner surface, the top side surface, and/or the bottom side surface, of the light guide.
  • the annular shape of the pathway inside the light guide due to the annular shape of the pathway inside the light guide, light having slightly different directions will bounce and reflect/refract in different pathways inside the guide member which results in advantageous mixing of the light leaving the guide member.
  • the in-coupling structures and out- coupling structures are arranged in a circular configuration around the center axis.
  • suitable coupling of light from several different circumferentially separated light sources is provided, and light may be coupled, e.g. by reflection or refraction, into the pathway in a direction which allows for efficient mixing of light.
  • the in- coupling structures are aimed in the same direction, such as clockwise or counter clockwise in relation to the annular shape of pathway of the light guide. This allows for the incoming light, or light being produced inside the guide member via e.g. integrated light sources, to be coupled into a clockwise or counter clockwise pathway inside the guide member.
  • the coupling structures are arranged to redirect light in the same circular direction and are further arranged in a circumferentially symmetric configuration in relation to each other and in relation to the center axis of the light guide.
  • the in- and out- coupling structures may be arranged at differing radial distances from the center axis of the annular guide member in order achieve desired mixing of the light coupled into the guide member. This allows for light coupled into the guide member with different in-coupling structures to propagate with different internal pathways.
  • the in-coupling structures may also, according to an exemplifying embodiment, be arranged at the same radial distance from the center axis of the annular guide member, for example at a radial distance selected to achieve desired mixing.
  • the plurality of in-coupling structure and out-coupling structures are arranged at least partially inside the light guide. This allows for efficient coupling in and out of the annular pathway in the light guide.
  • the light guide has an annular shape, or ring shape, and comprises a center hole extending through the light guide in the axial direction.
  • the center hole may be designed without, or with reduced, influence on the light guiding capacity of the guide member, wherein the light is guided in the annular pathway in the radially outer portions of the guide member, such that the individual propagation of the rays of light in the annular pathway is not obstructed or influenced by the center hole.
  • the center hole provides for suitable attachment capabilities, for example for integrating and fixating the optical element with lighting systems, light fixture, light source holders, etc.
  • the light guide is arranged for guiding light in the annular pathway by internal total reflection (TIR).
  • the light guide comprises a radially outer side surface arranged to reflect light in the annular pathway around the center axis of the light guide by TIR.
  • the shape of the light guide is arranged for mixing the light during travel inside the guide member.
  • the extension of the light guide in the radial direction may vary in the axial direction.
  • the radial outer surface of the light guide may further, according to various exemplifying embodiments, be concave and/or convex, and/or comprises a one, two, or a plurality of positive or negative apexes.
  • the shape of the light guide is arranged for mixing the light during travel inside the light guide in an improved manner.
  • each pair of in-coupling and out- coupling structures is formed of a reflecting or refracting surface.
  • the coupling structure may be formed by an internal interface surface arranged for coupling and redirecting light based on a refractive index difference at the interface.
  • the internal interface surfaces may be formed of voids and/or material having different refractive index in relation to the light guide and which are arranged inside the light guide.
  • the in-coupling structures and out- coupling structures are formed of reflecting, or semi-reflecting, elements, such as mirror elements, arranged at least partially inside the light guide and in a tilted configuration in relation to the center axis, wherein each reflecting element comprises a reflecting bottom side surface which forms one of the in-coupling structures, and a reflecting top side surface which forms one of the out-coupling structures.
  • the plurality of in- and out- coupling structures are arranged at, or adjacent, the bottom surface of the light guide.
  • light entering the guide member, or light provided by light sources arranged at the bottom surface of the guide member may be advantageously be redirected into an internal light path inside the guide member.
  • an effective surface area of the in- and out-coupling structures is less than 50 %, or 25%, or 15 %, or 10%, or 5 %>, or 2 %> of the area of the cross-section of the light guiding portion of the annular light guide.
  • the plurality of in- and out- coupling structures are tilted between 20 and 70 degrees, or between 30 and 60 degrees, or about 45 ⁇ 0-5 degrees, in relation to the axial direction.
  • the properties, such as mixing level, and far field intensity and color distribution of the optical element may be adjusted during operation.
  • the present invention relates to an illumination device comprising the optical element according to any one of the embodiments of the present invention, which illumination device comprises a plurality of lights sources which may be point shaped, wherein each light source is aligned with a respective in- and out-coupling structure.
  • illumination device comprises a plurality of lights sources which may be point shaped, wherein each light source is aligned with a respective in- and out-coupling structure.
  • light sources may advantageously be provided directly inside, or adjacent, or in close proximity of the light coupling structure of the optical element such the more light from the light sources may enter an acceptance cone associated with each in- coupling structure, which acceptance cone determine the relative angle of incoming light which may be coupled into the annular pathway of the light guide.
  • each LED or light source comprises a collimator for focusing the light from each source towards the respective reflecting element.
  • the light sources are collimated light sources formed of e.g. LEDs provided with a respective TIR collimator.
  • the mentioned object is achieved by a method for guiding light, comprising providing a light guide having a center axis and top surface facing in a forward axial direction, in-coupling light into the light guide, guiding the light along an annular pathway extending around the center axis, and redirecting light in a direction having component parallel with the forward axial direction such that light is out- coupled out of the light guide.
  • the method is advantageous in similar manners as described in relation to the first aspect of the present invention, and in that it provides improved mixing of light from a plurality of light sources resulting in better light content of the final light beam, as well as improved far field light intensity and color distribution.
  • the method is further advantageous that light may be entered and circumferentially propagated in an annular pathway such that desired mixing of light from several different light sources is achieved inside the light guide before the light is coupled out of the annular pathway of the light guide in the forward axial direction, such that an improved and homogenous light beam may be formed.
  • the step of guiding light at least partially along the annular pathway comprises reflecting the light on an at least a radially outer surface of the light guide by total internal reflection (TIR).
  • TIR total internal reflection
  • Fig. la illustrates a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the optical element according to the present invention.
  • Fig. lb illustrates a bottom view of the optical element in Fig. la.
  • Fig. lc illustrates a cross-sectional view of the optical element in Fig. la
  • Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the optical element according to the present invention, wherein light is guided inside the guide member in a pathway around a center axis z of the guide member.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the optical element according to the present invention, when multiple light rays are coupled into, mixed, and coupled out of a annular guide member of the optical element.
  • Fig. 4a illustrates a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the optical element according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 4b illustrates a bottom view of the optical element in Fig. 4a.
  • Fig. 4c illustrates a cross-sectional view of the optical element in Fig. 4a
  • Fig. 5a illustrates a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the optical element according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 5b illustrates a bottom view of the optical element in Fig. 7a.
  • Fig. 5c illustrates a cross-sectional view of the optical element in Fig. 7a
  • Fig. 6a-c are a schematic representation of the far field intensity distribution of the light coupled via the optical element in Figs, la, 4a, and 5a, respectively.
  • the optical element 1 comprises a light guide 3 formed of a suitable light guiding material, which light guide 3 comprises an internal annular pathway 4 for guiding light at least partially around a center axis z of the light guide.
  • the light guide 3 further comprises a top surface 5 at least partially facing in a forward axial direction coinciding with axis z, wherein the top surface 5 may be defined as the outer surface part of the light guide which has a normal which comprises a component in the forward axial direction.
  • the light guide 3 has an annular shape and comprises center hole 9 extending through the light guide in the axial direction.
  • the light guide may be attached by suitable attachment means which is inserted in the axial hole 9 in order to fixate the optical element 1 in a lighting system or light fixture.
  • the light guide 3 of the optical element comprises a plurality of in-coupling structures 7 for coupling light which enters, or is formed inside the light guide, into the annular pathway 4, which pathway 4 extends circumferentially inside the light guide 3 in relation to the center axis z.
  • the light guide 3 further comprises a plurality of out- coupling structures 8 for coupling light out from the annular pathway 4 and out from the light guide 3 in order to generate a desired beam of light having desirable pattern, light content and far field intensity.
  • each one of the in-coupling structures 7 is arranged to redirect incoming light inside the light guide in a direction having a tangential component in relation to shape of the annular pathway 4 around the center axis z, such that the redirected light enters the annular pathway 4 in the light guide 3.
  • each out-coupling structure 8 is arranged to redirect light propagating inside the annular pathway 4 in a direction a having component parallel with the forward axial direction, such that light exits the light guide 3.
  • the in- and out-coupling structures 7 and 8 are immersed into the light guide 3.
  • the coupling structure are formed of reflecting elements which extend into the guide member from the bottom surface 6.
  • the coupling structures 7 and 8 may for example be molded into the guide member 3 during manufacturing of the light guide 3, or inserted at a later step.
  • the annular pathway of the guide member 3 is formed of, or comprises, glass, plastic, polymer, semiconductor material or a combination thereof, or any other material having suitable physical structure for guiding electromagnetic waves in the optical spectrum.
  • a bottom view of the optical element 1 is illustrated.
  • point shaped light sources 2 in the form of LEDs are arranged symmetrically on, or adjacent, the bottom surface 6 of the light guide 3, which light sources 2 are essentially directed in the forward axial direction.
  • Each light source 2 is arranged to cooperate with a respective in- coupling structure 7 arranged to redirect the light from the light source 2.
  • each light source 2 is aligned with and arranged behind, in the forward axial direction, a respective in-coupling structure 7, such that essentially, all, or more than 95 %, or 85 %, of the light from each light source 2 is coupled into the annular pathway 4 of the light guide 3.
  • a cross-sectional view of the optical element in Fig. la is shown.
  • the top side surface 5 is facing in the forward axial direction z.
  • the radial extension of the top side surface 5 of the light guide 3 may further be defined by the surface 5 ', which comprises an essentially flat portion and radially outer and inner curved outer surfaces of the light guide.
  • the light guide 3 further comprises a radially inner side surface 10, and radially outer surface 11, both of which may comprises outer portions 12 of the outer surface of the light guide 3, which outer portions 12 have a curved cross-sectional shape.
  • the outer surfaces 5, 6 , 10 and 11 of the light guide 3 together form and define the annular pathway of the light propagating inside the light guide.
  • the dimensions of the light guide correspond to the annular pathway 4 of the light.
  • the annular pathway may also be formed for a portion of the cross-section of the light guide 3.
  • the light guide 3 and the annular pathway 4 are circular with a constant outer and inner radial dimension.
  • the light guide 3 and/or the internal annular pathway 4 may also have a non-circular shape, such as an oval shape, which allows for outputting beams of light having e.g. an oval shape.
  • a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the optical element 1 according to the present invention is shown, wherein a light ray 13 representative of light propagating inside the light guide is guided inside the light guide 3 in the annular pathway 4 around a center axis z of the guide member 3.
  • the light ray 13 is generated at light source 2 with a main propagation direction in the forward axial direction and is coupled into the annular pathway 4 of the light guide 4 at 7' by the in-coupling structure associated with light source 2.
  • the light ray 13 enters and propagates inside the guide member by being reflected on the outer surface of the light guide 3, as e.g. indicated at 14.
  • the light ray 13 is guided by total internal reflection, as e.g.
  • the light ray 13 is coupled out of the light guide 3 at 8' by the out-coupling structure, such that the light ray 13 is directed out of the light guide 3 in the axial forward direction.
  • Guiding light inside the annular pathway 3 of the light guide 3 by total internal reflection of the light travelling inside the light guide 3 may be achieved by arranging the dimension, curvature and refractive index of the light guide 3 such that the light ray 13, having a suitable wavelength, strikes the medium boundary formed at the outer surface of the light guide 3 at an angle larger than a particular critical angle with respect to the normal to the outer surface of the light guide 3, wherein the critical angle is determined according to known principles based on the refractive indexes of the guide member and the medium, e.g. air or a cladding layer, arranged outside the light guide 3.
  • the critical angle is determined according to known principles based on the refractive indexes of the guide member and the medium, e.g. air or a cladding layer, arranged outside the light guide 3.
  • FIG. 3 a schematic perspective view of an illumination device comprising an embodiment of the optical element 1 according to the present invention is illustrated.
  • Multiple light rays, from six separate light sources, which have been coupled into the annular pathway, are mixed and coupled out of a annular guide member of the optical element 1 in order to form a combined beam of light focused in the forward axial direction.
  • light is mixed during its circumferential propagation along the annular pathway 4
  • the light in the annular pathway 4 is coupled out of the light guide to form the combined beam.
  • the light guide may be used with varying numbers and colors of LEDs.
  • the point shaped light sources may also be arranged radially outside the light guide 3 and directed radially inward towards the light guide, wherein light is coupled into the annular pathway, mixed during propagation inside the light guide, and exited in the forward axial direction by means of the in- and out-coupling structures.
  • FIGs. 4a-c and 5a-c further embodiments of the optical element 1 according to the present invention are shown. If not stated or illustrated differently, the optical elements 1 in Figs. 4a-c and Figs 5a-c are arranged as described in relation to Figs, la-c, respectively.
  • the optical element 1 is different in that the radial outer surface is shaped in order to improve the mixing of light.
  • the radial extension of the light guide 3 varies in the axial direction.
  • the light guide 3 comprises an axially intermediate light mixing portion l ib having decreased radial extension in relation to a top and a bottom light mixing portion 11a and 1 lb, in order to improve the mixing of the light being reflected on the outer radial surface of the light guide 3 during operation.
  • the optical element 1 is different in that the light guide 3 comprises an axially intermediate light mixing portion l ib having increased radial extension in relation to a top and a bottom light mixing portion 11a and 1 lb in order to improve the mixing of the light being reflected on the outer radial surface of the light guide 3 during operation.
  • the direction of propagation of the light inside the light guide is changed such that desired and/or improved mixing is provided.
  • Figs. 6a-c far field light distributions 60a, 60b, 60c, of an illumination device arranged with a respective optical element 1 as described with reference to Figs la-c, 4a-c, and 5a-c, are shown.
  • the distribution 60a associated with the optical element in Figs la-c reveal 6 distinctive corners each associated with a separate in- and out-coupling structure pair. However, the light for the different light sources have been mixed to form one light beam.
  • the distribution 60b associated with the optical element in Figs 4a-c is more round and the light from the separate LEDs have been mixed to form a more round and uniform light pattern.
  • the distribution 60c associated with the optical element in Figs 5a-c is essentially round and the light from the separate LEDs have been mixed to form a substantially round and uniform light pattern.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Planar Illumination Modules (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un élément optique (1) pour guider la lumière depuis des sources de lumière (2), comprenant un guide de lumière (3) pour guider la lumière le long d'un trajet annulaire (4) au moins partiellement autour d'un axe central du guide de lumière (3). Le guide de lumière (3) comprend plusieurs structures (7) de couplages entrants conçues pour rediriger la lumière entrante dans le guide de lumière (3) dans une direction présentant une composante tangentielle de sorte que la lumière redirigée entre dans le trajet annulaire (4), et plusieurs structures (8) de couplages sortants conçues pour rediriger la lumière dans une direction présentant une composante parallèle à une direction axiale vers l'avant de façon à ce que la lumière sorte du guide de lumière (3). Pendant sa propagation confinée dans l'élément de guidage, la lumière, qui peut être considérée comme étant formée de plusieurs rayons de lumière différents, se mélange dans des directions légèrement différentes tout en voyageant selon un mouvement circulaire déterminé par le guide de lumière (3) et le trajet annulaire (4).
PCT/IB2013/052175 2012-03-22 2013-03-19 Mélange de lumière le long d'un trajet annulaire WO2013140337A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201261614035P 2012-03-22 2012-03-22
US61/614,035 2012-03-22

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WO2013140337A1 true WO2013140337A1 (fr) 2013-09-26

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106609919A (zh) * 2015-10-16 2017-05-03 松下知识产权经营株式会社 照明装置
CN110325787A (zh) * 2017-03-02 2019-10-11 昕诺飞控股有限公司 具有光导的灯具
US11226083B2 (en) 2020-05-18 2022-01-18 Abl Ip Holding Llc Toroidal non-glary luminaire

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