US20120300456A1 - Reflectors optimized for led lighting fixture - Google Patents
Reflectors optimized for led lighting fixture Download PDFInfo
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- US20120300456A1 US20120300456A1 US13/483,045 US201213483045A US2012300456A1 US 20120300456 A1 US20120300456 A1 US 20120300456A1 US 201213483045 A US201213483045 A US 201213483045A US 2012300456 A1 US2012300456 A1 US 2012300456A1
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- Prior art keywords
- led
- reflector
- lens
- light
- lighting apparatus
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- 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
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- F21W2131/00—Use or application of lighting devices or systems not provided for in codes F21W2102/00-F21W2121/00
- F21W2131/10—Outdoor lighting
- F21W2131/103—Outdoor lighting of streets or roads
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- 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]
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L2224/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies and methods related thereto as covered by H01L24/00
- H01L2224/01—Means for bonding being attached to, or being formed on, the surface to be connected, e.g. chip-to-package, die-attach, "first-level" interconnects; Manufacturing methods related thereto
- H01L2224/42—Wire connectors; Manufacturing methods related thereto
- H01L2224/47—Structure, shape, material or disposition of the wire connectors after the connecting process
- H01L2224/48—Structure, shape, material or disposition of the wire connectors after the connecting process of an individual wire connector
- H01L2224/4805—Shape
- H01L2224/4809—Loop shape
- H01L2224/48091—Arched
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L2224/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies and methods related thereto as covered by H01L24/00
- H01L2224/73—Means for bonding being of different types provided for in two or more of groups H01L2224/10, H01L2224/18, H01L2224/26, H01L2224/34, H01L2224/42, H01L2224/50, H01L2224/63, H01L2224/71
- H01L2224/732—Location after the connecting process
- H01L2224/73251—Location after the connecting process on different surfaces
- H01L2224/73265—Layer and wire connectors
Abstract
An LED apparatus and method of operating the apparatus is provided for illumination toward a preferential side in a downward and forward direction. The LED apparatus includes a printed circuit board; a plurality of LED devices arranged in one or more horizontal rows and mounted to the printed circuit board; a secondary lens associated with each of the LED devices and being disposed on the printed circuit board; and a diffuse horizontal reflector disposed between the printed circuit board and the secondary lenses. The horizontal reflector may be made a diffuse reflector by providing a roughened bottom surface of the secondary lenses including flanges, thereby enabling the use of a specularly reflective material on the printed circuit board surface while still obtaining diffuse reflection.
Description
- This application claims benefit from the following provisional applications, all of which have at least one applicant in common, and all of which are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference:
- US Provisional patent application entitled LED LIGHTING APPARATUS WITH REFLECTORS, Attorney's Docket No. ELI-109prv, Application Ser. No. 61/490,265 filed May 26, 2011 by W. E. Phillips;
- US Provisional patent application entitled BACK REFLECTOR OPTIMIZED FOR LED LIGHTING FIXTURE, Attorney's Docket No. ELI-113prv, Application Ser. No. 61/490,278 filed May 26, 2011 by W. E. Phillips; and
- US Provisional patent application entitled LED LIGHTING APPARATUS, OPTICS, AND DESIGN METHODS, Attorney's Docket No. ELI-110,111,112prv, Application Ser. No. 61/511,085 filed Jul. 24, 2011 by W. E. Phillips, et al.
This application relates to other non-provisional Utility patent applications that may be co-pending when all are filed: - US patent application entitled LED LIGHTING APPARATUS WITH REFLECTORS, Attorney's Docket No. ELI-109;
- US patent application entitled EXTENDED LED LIGHT SOURCE WITH OPTIMIZED FREE-FORM OPTICS, Attorney's Docket No. ELI-110;
- US patent application entitled EXTENDED LED LIGHT SOURCE WITH COLOR DISTRIBUTION CORRECTING OPTICS, Attorney's Docket No. ELI-111; and
- US patent application entitled ASPHERICAL INNER SURFACE FOR LED SECONDARY LENS, Attorney's Docket No. ELI-112.
- The present invention relates generally to the field of lighting systems and, more particularly, to apparatus for utilizing LED (light emitting diode) sources for illuminating areas with a predefined pattern of light intensity on a ground plane.
- With a continuing quest for lighting apparatus which is low-cost and energy efficient, LEDs have proven to provide light sources which are inherently energy efficient and with advances in LED technology, continue to increase power efficiency as well as life. Further improvements in overall efficiency are sought by efforts to improve the utilization of light output being directed into a desired lighting area. Being that LEDs used as light sources are typically of a small size, there is an additional cost-efficiency and other benefits because the fixtures can be more compact, thereby, for example, reducing material usage, weight, and wind resistance for LED lighting apparatuses.
- Lighting systems for various uses typically require the prevention of stray light entering areas not intended to be lit. For example, roadway and parking lot lighting systems are designed to have high levels of light distribution over areas which are to be lighted, while neighboring regions are as free of light as possible. For example, outdoor lighting should not emit light “upward” into the sky. That is, there is a need to be able to direct light in a desired downward and lateral direction onto a predetermined section of property while avoiding light distribution onto an adjacent property. Commonly used “predetermined sections of property” may be referenced according to IES standards for “large area” lighting patterns on a planar surface such as the “ground”. Well-known IES standards for “Type II, Type III, Type IV, and Type V” illuminance patterns are particularly relevant, wherein Type V is “straight-down” lighting with a square boundary (e.g., for parking lot lighting), and the other Types II-IV specify generally rectangular area boundaries that are laterally offset in a preferred direction. Satisfying such concerns can be difficult when LEDs are used as a light source because typically many LEDs are used in a fixture, so light output from an extended light source is particularly difficult to direct into a reasonably uniform level of illumination confined within the boundaries of a prescribed illuminance pattern.
- It would be desirable to have an improved efficiency LED light fixture with directional features that improve the illuminance (lighting level) uniformity within a predetermined “large area” lighting pattern. It is further desirable to maximize the amount of light that is directed into the predetermined lighting pattern while minimizing light falling outside the boundaries of the pattern, most particularly for patterns that are offset in a preferential direction from the LED light fixture.
- An LED lighting apparatus and method of operating the apparatus is disclosed for illumination toward a preferential side in a downward and forward direction. The LED apparatus includes a printed circuit board; a plurality of LED devices arranged in one or more horizontal rows and mounted to the printed circuit board; a secondary lens associated with each of the LED devices and being disposed on the printed circuit board; and a diffuse horizontal reflector disposed between the printed circuit board and the secondary lenses. The horizontal reflector may be made a diffuse reflector by providing a roughened bottom surface of the secondary lenses including flanges, thereby enabling the use of a specularly reflective material on the printed circuit board surface while still obtaining diffuse reflection off it for light rays passing to and from it through the roughened, and therefor diffusing bottom surface of the secondary lens.
- According to an embodiment, an LED apparatus is provided for illumination toward a preferential side in a downward and forward direction. The LED apparatus includes: a printed circuit board; a plurality of LED devices arranged in one or more horizontal rows and mounted to the printed circuit board; a secondary lens associated with each of the LED devices and being disposed on the printed circuit board; and a horizontal reflector disposed between the printed circuit board and the secondary lenses.
- According to another embodiment, a method of directing illumination from an LED apparatus toward a preferential side in a downward and forward direction is provided. The method includes: mounting one or more horizontal rows of LED devices on a printed circuit board; associating a secondary lens with each LED device; and disposing a horizontal diffuse reflector between the printed circuit board and the secondary lenses.
- Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in light of the following description thereof.
- Reference will be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures. The figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these preferred embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
- Certain elements in selected ones of the drawings may be illustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The cross-sectional views, if any, presented herein may be in the form of “slices”, or “near-sighted” cross-sectional views, omitting certain background lines which would otherwise be visible in a true cross-sectional view, for illustrative clarity.
- Elements of the figures can be numbered such that similar (including identical) elements may be referred to with similar numbers in a single drawing. For example, each of a plurality of elements collectively referred to as 199 may be separately referenced as 199a, 199b, 199c, etc. Or, related but modified elements may have the same number but are distinguished by primes. For example, 109, 109′, and 109″ are three different versions of an element 109 which are similar or related in some way but are separately referenced for the purpose of describing various modifications/embodiments of the parent element (109). Such relationships, if any, between similar elements in the same or different figures will become apparent throughout the specification, including, if applicable, in the claims and abstract.
- The structure, operation, and advantages of the present preferred embodiment of the invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
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FIG. 1 is a three dimensional view of an LED lighting apparatus shown in the context of being mounted on a pole for lighting an area on the ground below; -
FIG. 2 is an exploded three dimensional view of the LED lighting apparatus with reflectors, according to the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a three dimensional view of the housing for the LED lighting apparatus with reflectors with the control cover and the light cover removed, according to the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is an exploded three dimensional view of the LED module assembly of the LED lighting apparatus with reflectors, according to the present invention; -
FIG. 5 is a three dimensional top view of the assembled LED module assembly of the LED lighting apparatus with reflectors, according to the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a three dimensional view of the LED module ofFIG. 5 without the vertical reflector and without two of the secondary lenses of the LED lighting apparatus with reflectors, according to the present invention; -
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional, front side view along the line 7-7 ofFIG. 9 of the LED lighting apparatus with reflectors, according to the present invention; -
FIG. 7A is a magnified view of the circled portion ofFIG. 7 showing the secondary lens mounted over the primary lens of an LED in the LED module of the LED lighting apparatus with reflectors, according to the present invention; -
FIG. 7B is a bottom view of the secondary lens viewed in the direction indicated by arrows on theline 7B-7B ofFIG. 7A , according to the present invention; -
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional lateral side view along the line 8-8 ofFIG. 9 of the LED lighting apparatus with reflectors, according to the present invention; -
FIG. 9 is a three dimensional top front view of the LED module assembly mounted under the light cover portion of the LED lighting apparatus with reflectors, according to the present invention; -
FIG. 10A is a magnified view of the circled portion ofFIG. 8 marked 10A, showing exemplary rays of light emitted from an LED, passing through a secondary lens, and some rays reflecting from the vertical reflector behind the secondary lens of the LED lighting apparatus with reflectors, according to the present invention; -
FIG. 10B is a view like that ofFIG. 10A but taken along theline 10B-10B ofFIG. 9 , showing exemplary rays of light emitted from an LED, passing through a secondary lens, and some rays reflecting from the vertical reflector behind the secondary lens while some other rays reflect from the back light shield of the LED lighting apparatus with reflectors, according to the present invention; and -
FIG. 10C is a perspective view of two superimposed portions of LED modules having two different secondary lens types, showing potential differences in reflector setback SB1 between the two, according to the present invention. - Note that some of the following references may not be used in the present application but will be used (illustrated and further described) in others of a set of co-pending related applications. The potentially unused references are included herein for consistency and overall understanding, and also because the series of related applications share significant portions of the detailed description and drawings.
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NUM. ELEMENT 10 LED lighting apparatus (fixture, luminaire) Major Parts of LED Lighting Apparatus 1012 housing (in general) 16 upper portion of housing 12 (faces sky, i.e., upward direction 146) 18 lower portion of housing 12 (faces ground, i.e., downward direction 148) 20 controls cover part of lower housing 1820a, b a = front edge, b = back end (20b is also back of 10) 21 back hinges (a, b) 22 light cover part of lower housing 1822a, b a = front end, b = back edge (22a is also front of 10) 22c aperture/opening/hole in light cover where cover lens is mounted and light emitted 24 front hinges (a, b) 26 cover lens (for vandal and environmental protection) a.k.a. outer lens, cover glass, drop lens 26a convex section of a dome shaped cover lens 26b center point of cover lens (peak/apex of dome shape) 26c diameter line of cover lens = thru center point 26b. For types II-IV lighting, thediameter line shown is parallel to backlight shield 30, tovertical reflector 72, and co-planar with centerline A-A of single row 53 of secondary lenses 56 (and LEDs 54)28 ring shield, uplight shield, or “baffle” - 28a = for types II-IV lighting; b = for type V 30 backlight shield (external on cover lens 26) Parts 30a-f except d form a vertical wall =secant across ring shield near center. (30d = generally horizontal portion of backlight shield that covers part of the ring shield opening) 30a center (short) portion of the vertical wall 30b, c end (tall) portions of the vertical wall 30d back covering (roughly horizontal part of backlight shield) = opaque covering over cover lens in back of the vertical wall parts a, b, c of the backlight shield 3030e reflective surface on front of vertical wall of 30. May be specular or diffuse. 30f, g top edge (30f) and bottom edge (30g) of vertical wall of 30 32 gasket for cover lens 33 clamp to hold cover lens against gasket and light cover of lower housing 34 control chamber (houses electrical/electronic controls for LEDs) 36 light chamber (sealed chamber for LED module) 37 enclosing wall of light chamber (gasketed) 38 inside floor 40 upstanding wall 44 module mounting platform 46 heat sink fins (on upper housing 16) 48 rear box in light chamber = interface between control chamber and LED module 49 top of rear box 48 - painted white as a diffuse reflector. 50 front box in light chamber 51 top of front box 50 - painted white as a diffuse reflector. LED Module Assembly (52) 52 LED module (assembly) 52a, b a = module with single row of LEDs (and vertical reflector) for types II-IV; b = module with 3 × 3 array of LEDs for type V 53 single row (of LEDs and secondary lenses). The centerline of this row's elements may be marked “A-A”. Used for types II-IV. {54} & 54 = LED device, or “LED” (an assembly including primary lens 55, etc., purchased as55 a unitary item for attachment to traces on the PCB 60) 55 = Primary Lens { LED parts {56} secondary lens {Sec. Lens parts 63-66, 81-84: see combined listing after 78 below} 58 module cover (58a = for types II-IV sec lenses; b = for type V) 59 recess in back of mod cover to receive sec lens flanges 6460 printed circuit board (PCB) 61 traces on PCB = circuit wiring (a = active for single row = types II-IV, b = active for 3 × 3 array = type V) 62 opening for sec lens in mod cover (a = for types II-IV; b = for type V) 67 through-holes in PCB reflector 68 for levelingbosses 6568 PCB reflector: Horizontal reflector on PCB 60 under sec lens 56 (incl. flanges). Anykind of reflective surface works because made diffuse by 66. 68a, b 68a = for types II-IV sec lenses; b = for type V 68r reflective surface (specular or diffuse) 69 square LED holes in PCB reflector 68 (a = for types II-IV; b = for type V) 70 horizontal flat reflector (diffuse) on top of mod cover 58 e.g., sheet of white plasticwith rough surface. Same ref no. used for reflector and its reflective surface. 70a, b, c a = for types II-IV, b = for type V, c = variant reflector shape that covers whole module top for types II-IV (a is shown as covering only the most significant part) 71 opening for sec lens in horizontal top reflector 70 (a = for types II-IV; b = for type V) 72 vertical reflector 72a, b end sections (wrapped around) 72c, d vertical edges of ends 72e reflective surface on front (specular) e.g., polished aluminum 72f top/upper edge (a vertically convex curve is illustrated) 72g bracket to position and attach reflector 72 ontomodule 52.74 recesses into mod mounting platform 44 to accommodatemodule fasteners 7676 module assembly fasteners, e.g., nuts, machine screws, and through holes that are used to hold the LED module 52 together in an assembledunit 78 mounting fasteners: screws, through holes, and threaded holes for mounting the assembled LED module 52 to the mounting platform 44{80} {See LED parts after 84 below} Secondary Lens (56) 56 secondary lens (a, b, c, d for types II-V) 63 body of sec lens 56, especially its refracting outer surface/shape (a, b, c, d for types II-V){Note: also see Secondary Lens Surface Features after 91 below} 63bh, 63bh is the back half of secondary lens body . . . for types II-IV the rays (e.g., 91) 63fh emitted from this half are folded forward by the vertical reflector 72, thus overlayingthe rays (e.g., 90) from the front half 63fh of the secondary lens body 64 flange of sec lens 56 (a, b, c, d for types II-V) 65 leveling bosses (typically four) on underside of sec reflector flanges. They pass through holes 67 inPCB reflector 68 to sit on the PCB.66 underside of sec lens - is roughened to diffuse light passing through it and reflecting off PCB reflector 6881 base plane of sec lens (body and inner surface cavity) which is aligned (by way of 65) to be co-planar with the LED's emitter surface 86 (which also = hemisphere base of primary lens 55). Thus 81 is the local “horizontal” x-y plane at z = 0 for the LED lighting system source, i.e., the LED module assembly 52 including PCB, LEDemitter, all lenses and reflectors. The base plane 81 also may be roughly coplanar with the vertical interface between recesses 82 cavity/inner surface of sec. lens 56, fits overprimary lens 55 of theLED 83 recess in sec lens to receive LED substrate 8583a straight side of recess to align with edge of substrate 85, however alignment to LEDalignment pegs 80 may be preferred. 84 alignment recess in sec lens (fits around four LED alignment pegs 80, if present). May be stepped inward from recess 83 as shown (FIG. 7B). May be combined with 83 tomake a single recess for substrate alignment. 84a straight side of recess to align with two LED alignment pegs 80. {Note} {also see Secondary Lens Surface Features after 91 below} LED Device/Assembly (54) 54 LED device, or just “LED” (an assembly, purchased as a unitary item for attachment to traces on the PCB 60) 55 primary lens of LED (hemispherical) 80 alignment pegs of LED, raised at 4 corners around LED primary lens (also aligned with corners of square LED emitter surface and LED substrate.) 81, x-y base plane of LED's emitter surface 86 (which also = hemisphere base of primary base lens 55). Thus 81 is the local “horizontal” x-y plane at z = 0 for the LED device 54. Weplane align the secondary lens and reflectors to this, making 81 the base plane of the lighting system source, i.e., the LED module assembly 52.85 LED substrate (thin square ceramic board. The LED device parts are all mounted on it, and metal contacts on bottom are for soldering to PCB traces) 86 LED emitting surface, “emitter”. Is square area “extended light source” (3 mm × 3 mm = 3 mm square). The base plane 81 of secondary lens is made to be co-planar with 86. 86a, b . . . points on the emitter surface 86 (FIGS. 13E-F) 87 LED “die” = chip with LED junctions/emitting surface covering most of it 88 phosphor to convert blue LED output to “white” light = yellowish coating on top of 86 89 corners of LED emitter 86Folded/Reflected Light Rays for Offset Light Pattern (FIGS. 10A-10B) 90 light ray emitted from LED and secondary lens in “forward” direction 149 (toward front/street side 136) 91 light ray emitted from LED and secondary lens in “rearward” direction 147 (toward vertical reflector 72 on back/house side 138).90a..i, individual rays at sequential elevation angles (as measured at sec lens surface), labeled 91a..i starting with “a” at the lowest elevation angle AB downward angle of unblocked “back” lighting = angle between straight downward direction 148 and farthest extent of backlit area (as limited by vertical minor 72 andbacklight shield 30 in types II-IV fixtures)A(e) downward angle of ray leaving fixture through shield ring 28. The letter “e” inparentheses is example of letter identifying the particular ray (90e or 91e). Angle is with respect to straight downward direction. Secondary Lens Surface (63) Features A, B, inflection types and/or locations on sec lens outside surface, where slope has abrupt C, G, J change = very tight curve or discontinuity = very high or infinite rate of slope change at a point surrounded by gentler curves. NOTE: the letter may indicate the location of that type of inflection even if the actual inflection is absent or not readily visible. A~, B~ inverted version of Inflections A, B, etc. (FIGS. 13G-H) This happens when etc. inflection lines cross over the J-inflection line 98. 95-99 line of same-type inflections A-J. The line passes through a series of adjacent same- type inflection points, and is orthogonal to the direction of the inflections. Inflection lines are radial or rotational. radial radius changes along the line, but azimuth angle stays constant. Inflections on it are line of horizontal/azimuthal/rotational slope changes where z-value/elevation angle doesn't inflec. change., i.e., a 2D curve in a horizontal plane. The radial lines are 95, 96, 97, and 99. rotational (non-radial) = line w/constantly changing azimuth angle. Inflections (J) on it are line vertical or elevational slope changes where azimuth angle stays constant, i.e., a 2D of infl. curve in a vertical plane. Line 98 of J inflections is only example in disclosure. 96, A “primary” radial line feature of the secondary lens' outside surface 63 (= a “ridge” that establishes “corners” for the lens) = radial line of A type inflections. Usually this is the only inflection type used on type V lenses. 97, B “secondary” radial line feature (The “triangle” or “wedge” feature is formed between this and primary line 96) = a radial line of B type inflections. If present, it only occurs on the longer lens side (as measured between corners A). 98, J oval top ridge feature (for color correction/blending) = rotational line of J type inflections. Most significant use is on high aspect ratio type II lighting. 99, C subtle mid-side radial line feature (usually like a groove) = radial line of C type inflections. Occurs on the lens side that determines pattern width W. 95, G subtle mid-side radial line feature (usually like a groove) = radial line of G type inflections. Occurs on the lens side that determines pattern length L. 100 top facet of a secondary lens adapted for color mixing by use of a ring 98 of J type inflections. Top facet is bounded inside the inflection ring 98. 102 side (or bottom) facet of secondary lens = outside of ring 98 of J type inflections. 106 apex of radial profile for a secondary lens' outside surface 63.(e.g., a ring-like top edge of “volcano” shape) Global Directions, Environment, Dimensions, Symbols, Etc. X, Y, Z 3D orthogonal (rectangular) coordinates = Global frame of reference - Relative to ground plane and location of LED lighting apparatus 10. The groundsurface, idealized as planar, is the horizontal X-Y plane on which the lighting pattern 150 is specified. By convention herein, the lengthwise direction L of the pattern is made the X-axis direction, so that the widthwise pattern direction W is the Y-axis. The Z-axis is normal to the ground plane and therefor equivalent to the “straight up” or “straight down” directions (146 and 148 respectively). x, y, z 3D orthogonal (rectangular) coordinates = Local frame of reference - Relative to LED device, including its primary lens. The LED emitter surface = base plane 81 of primary lens = x-y plane at z = 0. The z axis is vertical through the center (origin x = y = 0) of emitter 86 andLED device 54 as a whole. Is a rotational/center/vertical axis of primary lens 55.By convention in this disclosure the x-axis is defined to be parallel to the line (row) 53 of LEDs. Also the 4 sides of the square emitter 86 are aligned with the x and y axes.When relating the illuminance pattern 150 created by the LED lighting apparatus onthe ground, the x, y, and z-axes of the LED's local frame are considered to be aligned with the corresponding X, Y, and Z-axes of the global frame (unless stated otherwise). r, θ polar (2D) coordinates = Local frame of reference (relative to LED) r = radial distance within horizontal r-θ plane centered at origin x = y = 0 θ (theta) = azimuth angle of rotation about origin, typically increasing in CCW direction from 0 degrees usually assigned to the (positive) x-axis or “3 o'clock”. cylindrical 3D coordinates add z coordinate for height of r-θ plane on center z-axis ρ, θ, φ spherical (3D) coordinates = Local frame of reference (relative to LED) Rho (ρ) = radius in any 3D direction from origin at x = y = z = 0, Theta (θ) = azimuth angle, Phi (φ) = elevation angle upward from zero at base plane/equator 81. 122 pole supporting a lighting fixture/apparatus/luminaire 10 (e.g., a utility pole) 124 mounting arm for holding fixture 10 mounted on apole 122PH pole height (to base plane 81 of LED module 52 infixture 10 mounted on a pole 122)136 front, preferential side (“street side”) = location relative to center of LEDs in type II-IV LED lighting apparatus 10. Sometimes stated as if it is relative to thepole 122, but thisignores the length of the mounting arm 124, and should be understood to mostaccurately mean “in front of the LED light source center”. In two dimensions on the ground, the line through the “center” is the nearest lengthwise edge of a lighting pattern (see 150) 138 back, non preferred side (“house side”) = relative location, opposite of front 136146-9 Orthogonal directions away from LED light source using a 3D global frame of reference relative to the ground plane of the illuminance pattern 150 which containsthe pattern's X and Y coordinates. The global vertical axis Z, is usually assumed to be positioned to pass through the center of the line of LEDs mounted in a fixture 10 that'smounted on pole 122.By convention, when a single direction is given, that references the most meaningful component of a 3D vector. The context of the reference determines the remaining vector components. Example: reference to a “forward directed ray” may be a reference to a ray directed forward as opposed to backward. In addition the ray is probably also headed downward. It will also have a sideways directional component (longitudinally along the street) but whether to right or left doesn't matter when the illumination pattern is symmetric to left and right of fixture. 146 Direction upward (uplight, none allowed) 147 Direction backward (backlight, limited to a specified small amount of light output) 148 Direction downward (generally assumed to be included when referring to light rays directed “forward” or “backward”). “Straight Downward 148” means purely vertical, i.e., normal to ground plane of light pattern. Also, according to our designs, is parallel to z-axis and normal to the LED base plane 81 in LED module local frame of reference. 149 Direction forward, laterally/widthwise across the street (NOTE: NOT “OUTWARD” because that term is used more generically to mean generally “away” from the LED(s) or module, or center of an LED or lens, or out from the outer lens of the fixture) 150 Illuminance Pattern, Target Area, Intensity/Light Distribution (pattern), and similar. = Intended illuminated area on the ground (idealized as planar and rectangular). Unless stated otherwise, for Type II-IV patterns it means the street side (forward) area, ignoring backlight area on house side. Specified boundaries = length L by width W. 151 front, forward-most, or widthwise far corners of pattern 150 (a “corner” is where a side having length L meets side having width W, idealized as a right angle). The line 151-151 between them is the lengthwise pattern boundary on the far side of the “street” 152 back, backward-most, or near corners of pattern 150. The line 152-152 between themis the lengthwise pattern boundary on the near side of the “street” and is usually considered the dividing line between street/ front side 136 and house/backside 138.L length of light distribution/pattern, longitudinally/lengthwise along street W width of light distribution/pattern, laterally across street L1, W1 length and width of secondary lens that corresponds to L, W respectively. Note that this means that a row of LEDs/lenses extends lengthwise relative to dimensions of the lens, even though the individual lenses may be “wider” than they are “long”. L2, W2 length and width of sec lens body 63 as measured between corners at outermost pointof A-inflection lines 96 (FIG. 12F) Lf, Wf length, width of sec lens flanges 64 that correspond to L, L1 and W, W1 respectively.For types II-IV lenses the flanges are standardized to a single overall size. The flanges all have a “width” Wf greater than its “length” Lf (which is along length of row 53). S LED (and sec. lens) spacing (types II-IV = 25 mm ideal) This set a maximum value for flange length Lf Sf small space between flanges = tolerance allowance to assure lenses are positioned by LED, not adjacent lenses. (spacing isn't as important as lens-to-LED alignment) A-A line along centers of LEDs (and sec. lenses) in single row 53 for types II-IVB-B In FIG. 10C, line along outside edges of type II secondary lenses. Marks extent of lens width W for type II lens, which is the most narrow of the types II-IV lenses. C-C In FIG. 10C, line along outside edges of type IV secondary lenses. Marks extent of lens width W for type IV lens, which is widest of the types II-IV lenses. Thus it is used to determine width of module cover 58lens openings 62.D-D line along reflective surface 72e parallel to top surface of module (or D′-D′ with adifferent sec. lens) SB1 setback of 72e from centerline 53 of sec lenses (SB1′ with different sec lenses)SB2 setback of 30e from 72e (FIG. 10B) D5 difference of SB1 vs. SB1′ D6 distance between lines B-B and C-C = half difference between lens widths W1 of 56 vs. 56′. Is related to D5 and may be approximately equal, depending upon shape of lens side. d separation between side of lens and inside surface of reflector 72e - In the detailed description that follows, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations of these specific details are possible while still achieving the results of the present invention. Well-known processing steps are generally not described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obfuscating the description of the present invention.
- In the description that follows, exemplary dimensions may be presented for an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The dimensions should not be interpreted as limiting. They are included to provide a sense of proportion. Generally speaking, it is the relationship between various elements, where they are located, their contrasting compositions, and sometimes their relative sizes that is of significance.
- In the drawings accompanying the description that follows, both reference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) may be used to identify elements. If legends are provided, they are intended merely as an aid to the reader, and should not in any way be interpreted as limiting.
- The present disclosure most generally concerns an LED lighting apparatus designed for improved efficiency in illuminating large areas (e.g., streets and parking lots) with predefined patterns of light intensity such as the IES defined Types II, III, IV, and V illumination. The operative definition of efficiency herein includes utilization of total light energy output by the LED light source within the lighting apparatus. Utilization is reported as a percentage of the total output that falls within the predefined boundaries of the relevant type of lighting pattern, wherein any portion of the light that does not fall within the boundaries is counted as not utilized, i.e., is “wasted”.
- More specifically, the present invention is directed to an LED lighting apparatus with reflectors for illuminating areas with a predefined pattern of light intensity toward a preferential side of the apparatus, particularly when it is mounted on a utility pole and positioned to point a light emitting portion (light source) generally downward toward the ground. The present invention is particularly concerned with IES Types II, III, and IV lighting, e.g., street lighting for streets having different widths to be illuminated by an apparatus located at one side of the street.
- As referenced herein, the LED lighting apparatus comprises an assembly of an LED light source within a housing, which may also be known as a fixture or luminaire. In accordance with common practice, the entire LED lighting apparatus may also be referred to as the “fixture” or the “luminaire”, meaning the housing, with or without the LED light source, as can be determined from context.
- The LED apparatus of an embodiment designed to produce Types II-
IV illuminance patterns 150 incorporates a single row of LEDs, each covered by a secondary lens, all assembled as a module. A vertical reflector is disposed adjacent to the row of LEDs so that the front surface of the vertical reflector acts to help direct the light from the LEDs in the direction downward away from the LEDs and forward from the front surface of the vertical reflector. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , there is illustrated an LED lighting apparatus with reflectors (e.g.,apparatus 10 of the present disclosure) mounted on autility pole 122 at a pole height PH for illumination toward a “front” preferential side (“street side”) 136 in adownward direction 148 and a forward direction 149 (laterally across the width of the street). Especially for (IES) types II, III, and IV lighting (types II-IV), a common application is street lighting as illustrated inFIG. 1 . Thus thepreferential side 136 is the “street side” of thepole 122, and the LED lighting apparatus (fixture) (e.g., fixture 10) is mounted on the preferential side and oriented such that illumination in theforward direction 149 is directed laterally across the longitudinally extending street. A non-preferred, or “back”side 138 of thefixture 10 andpole 122 is also known as the “house side”, and the amount of “back illumination” is preferably minimized to avoid wasting light output relative to street lighting (type II-IV). More than a specified range and amount of backlight may be considered “nuisance” light. The hereindisclosed LED lighting apparatus (fixture) 10 allows only a bare minimum amount of back illumination and substantially no “up light” (in the upward or skyward direction 146). Although not illustrated in this Figure, it will be known by one of ordinary skill in the related arts that type V illumination is for other types of lighting applications wherein the desired illuminance pattern extends in substantially all lateral and longitudinal directions on the ground under the lighting apparatus, i.e., without a “preferential side”. -
FIG. 2 is an exploded plus an assembled three dimensional front and “bottom” view of the (inverted) LED lighting apparatus withreflectors 10, according to the present invention, wherein a back portion is not exploded, but remains closed by a controls cover 20 extending from aback end 20 b to afront edge 20 a thereof. In the front, alight cover 22 extends from afront end 22 a to aback edge 22 b which laps with thefront edge 20 a of the controls cover 20 when theapparatus 10 is fully assembled and closed. - Even though this is actually an inverted or upside-down view (
downward direction 148 is shown as an upward pointing arrow), the majority of this disclosure will be related to similar views because most of the elements being discussed are best seen this way. In effect, the disclosure will use a local coordinate system that is inverted from the global coordinates shown inFIG. 1 , and is somewhat centered on the LED light source (e.g., LED module 52) in thefixture 10. The correlation between coordinate systems should be apparent in light of the following guidelines. The global “downward”direction 148 is the direction that light emitted by the LED light sources takes as it proceeds away from the light source and out through acover lens 26 of thefixture 10. Thus any view apparently looking “down” at the LEDs and/or thecover lens 26 and/or the bottom orlower portion 18 of thefixture 10 will use the local coordinates wherein the “downward”direction 148 equates to terms such as “up”, above, away, out of, and the like. Finally, theforward direction 149 will mean toward the “front” orfront end 22 a of theLED lighting apparatus 10, and correspondingly, the back orbackward direction 147 will mean toward theback end 20 b of thefixture 10. Similarly, relative locations such as “in front of” and “behind” are correspondingly associated with theforward direction 149 and thebackward direction 147, respectively. - As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3 , theLED lighting apparatus 10 includes ahousing 12 withexternal cooling fins 46 provided on an external surface of anupper portion 16 of thehousing 12. Alower portion 18 of theLED lighting apparatus 10 includes acontrol cover 20 that covers electronics used to supply power to the LEDs and components for connection to thepole 122 to which theLED lighting apparatus 10 is attached (FIG. 1 ). The control cover 20 may be hingedly mounted to thehousing 12 by hinges (not shown) at theback end 20 b to provide easy access to the power electronics and on-site installation mechanical and electrical connections. - The
lower portion 18 of theLED lighting apparatus 10 includes a hingedlight cover 22 that is secured at a front side (or end) 22 a to thehousing 12 byhinges edge 22 b of the hingedlight cover 22 is aligned with and abuts thefront edge 20 a of thecontrol cover 20. - Referring again to
FIG. 2 , the hingedlight cover 22 has an outer, or cover lens 26 (a.k.a. “drop lens” or “cover glass”) constructed of any suitable transparent or translucent material such as glass or plastic. In the illustrated embodiment, thecover lens 26 has an outward extending convex dome shape with a centered apex (26 b, seeFIG. 8 ), and is clamped 33 under anaperture portion 22 c (opening) of thelight cover 22 and provided with agasket 32 to create a watertight seal. Aring shield 28, or “uplight shield” is mounted to thelight cover 22 by suitable means such as screws (not shown). A backlight shield 30 is mounted over thecover lens 26 and avertical portion ring shield 28. As best seen inFIG. 9 , acenter section 30 a of backlight shield 30 has a concave shape and is sized so that thecenter section 30 a can rest upon aconvex section 26 a of thecover lens 26. Twoend sections light shield 30 extend from thecenter section 30 a to thering shield 28. As shown inFIG. 8 the backlight shield 30 is also aligned with avertical reflector 72 and with arow 53 of LEDs withlenses 56, both of which are on anLED module 52 that is mounted inside thehousing 12. It will be seen that the backlight shield 30 works with thevertical reflector 72 to direct the LED light forward (direction 149) from themodule 52 disposed under (inside) thecover lens 26 and between thebacklight shield 30 and a forward section of thering shield 28 which is closer to thehinges 24 at thefront end 22 a of thelight cover 22. Aback covering portion 30 d of thebacklight shield 30 provides an opaque light blocking member over the area between the vertical portions of thebacklight shield ring shield 28 which is closer to theback edge 22 b of thelight cover 22. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , there is illustrated a three dimensional view inside of the (inverted)upper portion 16 of thehousing 12 with the hingedlight cover 22 removed to reveal thelight chamber 36 disposed on theinside floor surface 38 of thehousing 12. Anupstanding wall 40 is formed about the perimeter of thefloor surface 38 and provides an outside wall with support for the hingedcontrol cover 20 and the hingedlight cover 22. Thecontrol chamber 34 is a separate chamber under thecontrol cover 20. Alight chamber wall 37 surrounds thelight chamber 36 and extends high enough to seal against the hingedlight cover 22. A weathertight seal may be provided by positioning a gasket in a groove (not shown) around the top of thelight chamber wall 37. - Within the light chamber 36 a
module mounting platform 44 is disposed on the floor surface 38 (e.g., 38 and 44 molded or cast as a unitary object that also includes external heat sink fins 46). Adjacent either long side of the mountingplatform 44 is disposed arear box 48 and aforward box 50, which have covers withtop surfaces - The LED module 52 (see
FIGS. 2 and 5 ) is mounted to themodule mounting platform 44 between therear box 48 and theforward box 50 usingfasteners 78 that screw into threadedholes 78 in theplatform 44. As shown inFIG. 8 , thesefasteners 78 accurately position theLED module 52 such that thevertical minor 72 is properly aligned and positioned relative to thebacklight shield 30, and also position the line ofLEDs 53 directly under thecover lens apex 26 b thereby centering the LED light with thecover lens 26. Since the externalheat sink fins 46 are integrated with theplatform 44, they work together to conduct heat away from theLED module 52 and disperse it outside. - Referring to
FIGS. 4 , 5 and 6, a plurality of LED devices 54 (LEDs) are aligned in asingle row 53 across the length of theLED module 52. TheLEDs 54 are mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 60 which is disposed under amodule cover 58. Each of theLEDs 54 is covered by asecondary lens 56 that projects outward through anopening 62 in themodule cover 58. APCB reflector 68 provides areflective surface 68 r disposed between the printedcircuit board 60 and thesecondary lenses 56, and has a plurality ofopenings 69, each of which is sized and positioned to fit around each of theLEDs 54. Thereflective surface 68 r is preferably a diffuse reflector, but can be specular given another aspect of the module described further hereinbelow. (In an embodiment, thePCB reflector 68 is a thin plastic sheet that is made relatively inexpensive by using material that reflects specularly.) Aflange 64 extending around the bottom of each of thesecondary lenses 56 is overlapped by themodule cover 58 to secure thesecondary lenses 56 between the printedcircuit board 60 and themodule cover 58, by pressing theflanges 64 against thePCB 60, thereby holding eachsecondary lens 56 in position over a one of theLEDs 54. - A
horizontal reflector 70 is disposed across at least a portion of the top of themodule 52, preferably over all of the top that is exposed to light that can be reflected out of theapparatus 10 in which it is mounted. One ormore openings 71 in thehorizontal reflector 70 allow thesecondary lenses 56 to protrude up through thereflector 70. InFIG. 4 an embodiment of thereflector 70 is shown having a single, slot-like opening 71, andFIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment having a plurality ofopenings 71, one perLED 54. - Referring also to
FIGS. 5 , 7 and 8, module assembly fasteners 76 (e.g., machine screw and nut in a through-hole) are spaced around themodule 52 and used to hold all of the layers and parts together in a single unit, i.e., anLED module assembly 52. When avertical reflector 72 is included, it is attached as shown inFIG. 5 wherein a bracket (mounting tab) 72 g that extends at a right angle from thereflector 72 is held in place by one of themodule assembly fasteners 76. - When the assembled
LED module 52 is mounted on the mountingplatform 44 in thefixture housing 12, recessedareas 76 accommodate thefasteners 76 where they protrude below. Themodule 52 is removably affixed to theplatform 44 by a set of mountingfasteners 78 in through-holes 78 spaced around themodule 52. Referring especially to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 8 , thefasteners 78 are screws that pass through “keyholes” to screw into threadedholes 78 in the mountingplatform 44. Use of keyhole-shaped throughholes 78 allows installation/removal of themodule 52 by loosening thescrews 78 without needing to remove them. - Referring particularly to
FIGS. 6 and 7A , component parts of theLED device 54, such as Model SST-90 from Luminous Devices Inc. (Billerica, Mass.), are illustrated in a detailed view of one that is mounted in an assembled LED module. In a vertical cross-section view passing through the center of theLED 54, an embodiment of theLED 54 is shown as a pre-assembled device that includes a squareceramic substrate 85 as the structural base of the assembly. A square LED “die” 87 is affixed on thesubstrate 85 and is mostly covered by an “extended area” (3 mm square) emitter (LED emitting surface) 86. For “white light” LEDs theemitter surface 86 is coated with aphosphor layer 88 that converts blue LED emissions to “white” light as it passes through thephosphor 88. Finally the phosphor coated LED die is embedded in a hemispherical “primary lens” 55 that is formed on thesubstrate 85. The illustrated embodiment of theLED 54 also provides raised round “alignment pegs” 80 around theprimary lens 55 to define four “corners” 89 for theLED package 54. The alignment pegs 80 are positioned on corner-to-corner diagonal lines equidistant from the center of the LED, where the corners (89, not shown) are the aligned physical corners of theemitter surface 86 and of thesubstrate 85. In other words, moving radially outward from the origin/center of theLED emitter 86, the four corners of thesquare emitter 86 are aligned with the four alignment pegs 80 (if present), and with the four corners of thesquare substrate 85, thereby nesting them all around a common center point at the x-y-z zero point (the origin), with parallel sides of the squares. - For reference in drawings such as
FIGS. 7A , 10A and 10B, a (local) rectangular coordinate system framework is established as shown inFIG. 7A . This coordinate system is relative to an LED, generally in the context shown wherein the LED is mounted in an assembledLED module 52. The x-y plane is defined as being co-planar with the surface of theLED emitter 86 and is also designated as the LED base plane 81. The x-y origin is defined to be in the base plane 81 at the geometric center of theemitter 86 and therefor is also the center of the elements of the LED device, including theprimary lens 55 which is a hemisphere with its equatorial plane (base) co-planar with the base plane 81. As a result, any light ray emitted from the center of theLED emitter 86 will be a radius line of theprimary lens 55, therefor impinging on the surface of theprimary lens 55 at a 90 degree angle of incidence, and therefor will not be refracted away from radial as it passes through the surface. The vertical z-axis is orthogonal to x and y, and therefor is perpendicular to the base plane 81 and has its zero value at the x-y-z origin at the center of theLED emitter 86. By convention in this disclosure, as shown inFIG. 7A the x-axis is defined as being parallel to theline 53 that forms the lengthwise centerline of the straight row ofLEDs 54 mounted on thePCB 60. This convention further links coordinate systems in that therow 53 of LEDs (and thus the x-axis) is aligned with the “lengthwise” direction (shown by length dimension line L) of thelighting pattern 150 emitted by theLED module 52 and established on the ground plane as shown inFIG. 1 for a properly positionedLED lighting apparatus 10 that contains themodule 52 mounted therein as shown inFIG. 7 . So dimensions associated with the x-axis are called “length”, and correspondingly, dimensions associated with the y-axis (not illustrated but understood to be orthogonal) are called “width”. Furthermore, the straightdownward direction 148 is generally assumed to be parallel to the z-axis, and distances in that direction increase from z equals zero at the origin (or LED base plane 81). Given this, then y value increases (positive values) for distance from the origin in theforward direction 149, and decreases from zero (negative values) in thebackward direction 147. - Referring to
FIGS. 7A and 7B , details of theLED module 52 as it is assembled around anLED 54 are illustrated. The LED substrate 85 (affixed to the PCB 60) is surrounded by thePCB reflector 68 which has a square opening 69 (labeled inFIG. 4 ) that closely fits around thesubstrate 85 and lies on top of thePCB 60, loosely held there by theunderside 66 of thesecondary lens 56, which is raised above the PCB surface by levelingbosses 65 which preferably pass throughholes 67 in thePCB reflector 68 as shown to allow direct contact of the levelingbosses 65 with the surface of thePCB 60, thereby providing the most accurate leveling. The levelingbosses 65 are thus used to align a center axis of symmetry for thesecondary lens 56 with the center z-axis of the LEDprimary lens 55, thereby also establishing a perpendicular base plane for thesecondary lens 56 that is parallel to the LED base plane 81. In addition the levelingbosses 65 position all of thesecondary lenses 56 at a consistent level/height relative to thePCB 60, and thus relative to theLED emitter surface 86, thereby making the base planes of thesecondary lenses 56 co-planar with the LED base plane 81. - The
secondary lens 56 has aflange portion 64 and abody portion 63 distinguished by the optically designed shape/contour of its surface (also referenced as 63). Theflange 64 is held down against thePCB 60 by themodule cover 58 which has anopening 62 sized to accommodate the width and length of the secondary lens 56 (further discussed with reference toFIG. 10C ). The ends offlanges 64 for adjacent lenses are partially shown to the right and left of the view. It may be noted that the length of the flange (measured side to side along the x-axis) is determined by theLED 54 spacing along therow 53, which in turn is dictated by the optical design for thesecondary lenses 56. Since eachsecondary lens 56 is individually positioned by its associatedLED 55, the side-to-side length of theflanges 64 must be less than the nominal LED spacing in order to avoid having alens 56 interfere with the alignment of anadjacent lens 56. Thehorizontal reflector 70 also has anopening 71 for thesecondary lens 56, and theopening 71 may be sized and shaped differently than theopening 62 as described elsewhere herein. - The
LED module 52 is designed to flexibly accommodate both types II-IV and type V lighting. First we will discuss designs for the forward-directed lighting patterns of types II-IV (offset to a preferential side). - For example, the assembled
module 52 illustrated at the bottom ofFIG. 4 is a type II-IV variety ofmodule 52 a which includes avertical reflector 72 that reflects LED light forward (direction 149) rather than allowing light to pass back behind it. Therefor, thehorizontal reflector 70 need only cover the portion of themodule 52 that is forward 149 from thevertical reflector 72. Thehorizontal reflector 70 is a diffuse reflector, and can be of any suitable material such as a reflective adhesive tape, a sheet of reflective material (e.g., textured aluminum foil), a white plastic sheet with a rough surface, a painted module cover surface, or any other suitable diffusely reflective material. A sheet of material may be used for best efficiency because it can overlap parts of the module that aren't covered by themodule cover 58. For example,FIGS. 4 and 5 show ahorizontal reflector 70 that abuts sides of thesecondary lens 56 for a close fit, whileFIG. 10C shows why auniversal module cover 58 may not be able to cover all of theflange 64 for some types oflenses 56. It is simpler and less expensive to stock asingle module cover 58 plus a plurality ofhorizontal reflectors 70 to enable manufacture of all types II-IV module assemblies 52. - An example of a suitable material for the
horizontal reflector 70 is used in an embodiment wherein a PET plastic sheet having a “micro cellular” structure makes a good diffuse reflector due to open cells that create many pores in the white surface, which is thus roughened. -
FIGS. 3 and 9 show that thefront box 50 in thelight chamber 36 is also exposed to light that can be reflected back inward by thecover lens 26, therefore it is also given a diffuselyreflective surface 51. For example, a suitable paint (e.g., matte white) may be used to form thehorizontal surface reflector 51. - Furthermore, for
LED lighting apparatuses 10 that may not have a shield (e.g., backlight shield 30) covering part of thecover lens 26, or if avertical reflector 72 is not being used, then additional reflective surfaces may be desirable according to the presently disclosed design principles. For example, a type VLED lighting apparatus 10 will not have a vertical minor 72 or abacklight shield 30, so that the entire light cover opening 22 c will be used. In such a fixture, then, thehorizontal reflector 70 covers the entire top of theLED module 52, and the rear box 48 (seeFIG. 3 ) is given a diffusely reflective top 49 like that of the top 51 offront box 50. - In general, all of the
horizontal reflectors cover lens 26 or secondary lens 56), or possibly reflection from various inside surfaces of thelight chamber 36. Most likely such reflected light “rays” will be directed at a low angle toward enclosed side portions of thelight chamber 36 or under themodule cover 58, so specular reflection off of a horizontal reflector would lead to trapping such light rays, thereby wasting their light. A diffuse reflection, however, will redirect the light rays to a variety of directions that are much less affected by the incident angle, resulting in a much higher percentage of the reflected light being passed back out through thecover lens 26 in theopening 22 c of thelight chamber 36. - Referring to
FIGS. 5 and 7 , there is illustrated an elongatedvertical reflector 72 which is disposed adjacent and parallel to the line 53 (marked A-A) of secondary lenses 56 (on LEDs 54) and has anupper edge 72 f contoured to the shape of thecover lens 26 as shown inFIG. 7 . In the embodiment having acover lens 26 with a concave inner shape, theupper edge 72 f of thereflector 72 has a corresponding convex shape that follows the inside surface of thecover lens 26. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 10A , thevertical reflector 72 may be spaced a distance “d” of between 0 to 6 mm, and preferably between 0.25 mm to 1.0 mm from the closest surface of thesecondary lenses 56. Thevertical reflector 72 can be constructed of any rigid, heat resistant material such as for example, steel, aluminum, copper, plastic, etc., which is provided with a specular reflectivefront surface 72 e facing theline 53 ofsecondary lenses 56. For example, a high reflectance polished aluminum “mirror” may be used.End sections reflector 72 are curved towards theline 53 ofsecondary lenses 56 at each end of therow 53 and wrap around the row-end lenses 56 to avertical end edge row 53 ofsecondary lenses 56 andLEDs 54. - The reflective
front surface 72 e of thevertical reflector 72 is disposed adjacent to therow 53 ofLEDs 54 to reflect backlight from the LEDs towards the forward 149 and downward 148 directions away from the LEDs, i.e., downward 148 towards thecover lens 26 and forward 149 from thefront surface 72 e of thevertical reflector 72. Furthermore, it can be seen that thecurved end sections line 53 ofLEDs 54. The action of thevertical reflector 72 will be discussed in detail hereinbelow with particular reference toFIGS. 10A and 10B . - Some light from the
LEDs 54 may be refracted and/or reflected back toward the LED module 52 (e.g., Fresnel reflection by the cover lens 26), therefor the horizontal flat diffusereflector 70 across the top of themodule cover 58 works in combination with thevertical reflector 72 to direct as much as possible of the light from theLEDs 54 into the desireddownward direction 148 away from theLEDs 54 andhorizontal reflector 70, and into theforward direction 149 away from thefront surface 72 e of the vertical reflector, i.e., toward the preferred side (front 136) of theLED apparatus 10. - As seen in
FIGS. 6 and 7A , the printed circuit board (PCB) 60 is disposed under the module cover 58 (e.g., within a surrounding sidewall, not detailed). Arow 53 of a plurality ofopenings 62 are formed throughmodule cover 58 to receivesecondary lenses 56. Theflange 64 extending around the bottom of each of thesecondary lenses 56 is overlapped by themodule cover 58 beyond theopening 62 and thereby secured in place. Thehorizontal reflector 70 has a corresponding plurality ofopenings 71 that may match the dimensions of the openings 62 (as inFIG. 6 ), or may be sized to closely surround the sides of eachsecondary lens 56 as shown and described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 4 . - A
horizontal PCB reflector 68 is placed between thesecondary lenses 56 and thePCB 60 to reflect any light that bounces downward (e.g., by Fresnel reflections in theprimary lens 55 and/or the secondary lens 56). ThePCB reflector 68 should be a diffuse reflector, but a non-diffuse reflective material may be thinner and less expensive, therefore theunderside surface 66 of thesecondary lens 56 is roughened (seeFIG. 7B ) so that light passing through theunderside 66 to and from thereflector 68 will be diffused. Atextured bottom surface 66 may be achieved, for example, by etching it; or for example, by bead blasting a mold insert used to mold thelens 56. As an example of an inexpensive material for use in the PCB reflector 68 a polyester reflective film may be used. - Referring again to
FIG. 7 , there is illustrated a cross sectional view along line 7-7 ofFIG. 9 . Therow 53 ofLEDs 54 is shown mounted to the printedcircuit board 60 and covered by asecondary lens 56. As shown inFIG. 7A , eachsecondary lens 56 is held in place by themodule cover 58 to make an assembled LED module 52 (seeFIG. 4 ) which is held together byfasteners 76. Then theLED module 52 is mounted to themodule mounting platform 44 usingscrews 78 into threadedholes 78 in theplatform 44 as shown inFIG. 8 . The mountingplatform 44 conducts heat from theLED module 52 to theheat sink fins 46 which, for optimal thermal conductivity are positioned immediately above corresponding ones of theLEDs 54. (Note: the word “above” in the present context refers to the globalupward direction 146, which is illustrated here in afixture 10 that is shown inverted.) -
FIG. 7 also shows thevertical reflector 72 as being disposed behind therow 53 ofLEDs 54 with itsupper edge 72 f disposed under thecover lens 26 and having a shape that follows the inner curve of thelens 26 and is spaced equidistant therefrom, preferably as close as possible given normal manufacturing tolerances, plus allowance for thermal expansion. For example it is within the terms of the present embodiment to space theupper edge 72 f of the vertical reflector a distance of between 0 mm to about 3 mm and preferably about 1 mm to about 2 mm from the surface of the inner curve of thecover lens 26. In another embodiment, the height of thevertical reflector 72 is a large fraction of the space between the mounted module (e.g., surface of horizontal reflector 70) and the inner curve of thelens 26, for example 96 to 99%, preferably about 97 to 98%. - Referring to FIGS. 8 and 10A-10B, the
vertical reflector 72 is disposed in parallel alignment with thebacklight shield 30, and either directly under it or preferably forward of it a distance labeled shield setback SB2. With this structural arrangement, most light from therow 53 ofLEDs 54 is directed downward 148 and forward 149 (toward thefront end 22 a,street side 136 of the LED apparatus 10). Except for a limited portion of the emitted light that passes over atop edge 30 f of thebacklight shield 30, the backward-directed light 91 from theLEDs 54 is re-directed forward 149 (and downward 148) by areflective surface 72 e of thevertical reflector 72 inside thecover lens 26, and by areflective surface 30 e of thebacklight shield 30 outside of thecover lens 26. - As shown in
FIGS. 8 and 9 , anextra covering 30 d, preferably opaque to prevent any stray light from theLEDs 54 from going in thebackward direction 147, is disposed over thecover lens 26 to block theopening 22 c of thelight cover 22 behind (147) thebacklight shield 30. For convenience in assembly, theextra covering 30 d may be integral with the vertical parts (30 a, 30 b, and 30 c) of thebacklight shield 30, and most preferably also integral with the ring/uplight shield 28. - Referring to
FIGS. 10A and 10B , there is illustrated a variety of light “rays” 90, 91 emitted by theemitter 86 of theLED 54, then passing through thecolor correction phosphor 88, theprimary lens 55 and thesecondary lens 56 to itssurface 63 where the ray is refracted according to the shape of thesecondary lens surface 63.FIG. 10A is a cross-section view taken along the line 10A shown inFIGS. 7 and 9 , and shows thevertical reflector 72 behind theLED 54 at the reflector's greatest height (totop edge 72 f) as allowed by thecover lens 26.FIG. 10B is a similar view taken along theline 10B inFIGS. 7 and 9 , and shows thevertical reflector 72 at its lowest height, again as allowed by thecover lens 26. BothFIGS. 10A and 10B are essentially a magnified portion of the fully assembledLED lighting apparatus 10 as indicated by the dashed-line circle inFIG. 8 (platform 44 andscrew 76 details omitted). - The light beams/rays 90, 91 are individually referenced using lower case letter suffixes, starting at “a” (90 a, 91 a) for the lowest elevation angle and increasing with elevation angle to “j” (90 j, 91 j being emitted at close to a 90 degree elevation angle). The rays 90 which are emitted in the
forward direction 149 are refracted at the “front half”surface 63 fh of thesecondary lens 56 but generally continue in theforward direction 149. The rays 91 which are emitted in thebackward direction 147 are refracted at the “back half”surface 63 bh of thesecondary lens 56 and continue toward thevertical reflector 72, where most of the rays 91 reflect off of thereflective surface 72 e (a specular reflection) to be re-directed in theforward direction 149. - Because of the geometry, including a limited overall height to the top 30 f of the backlight shield and a setback distance SB1+SB2 (for the
top edge 30 f), plus areflector 72 height totop edge 72 f that is limited by thecover lens 26, some of the backward directed light rays 91 escape without reflection. First considering thevertical reflector 72,FIG. 10A shows thatray 91 g just passes over thetop edge 72 f in thebackward direction 147 where light is to be minimized. Ideally thevertical reflector 72 is adjusted to an optimum setback distance SB1 which is determined by tracing the path of aray 91 a which emerges from thesecondary lens 56 just above theopenings horizontal reflector 70 and themodule cover 58, respectively. Thereflector 72 is moved toward thelens 56 and stopped just before the reflected portion of theray 91 a would be intercepted by thelens 56. At this point thereflector 72 can be locked in place (e.g., by tightening the screws 76). The separation “d” between thereflector surface 72 e and the side of thesecondary lens 56 can also be used to define the reflector setback distance. Although this measurement is more intuitive, it is more difficult to accurately determine due to the curved shape of the lens. Using a reflector setback distance SB1 determined as described should maximize the amount of light that will be reflected in a forward direction 149 (for a given reflector height). For example,ray 91 g which just barely passes over thetop edge 72 f is at a relatively high elevation angle, and it can be seen that moving thereflector 72 to the left (increasing the setback SB1) will allow progressively more light at lower elevation angles to escape, thereby lowering the efficiency of lighting the forward-located (preferential side 136)lighting pattern 150 by effectively “losing” more light to the back-light which falls on thehouse side 138 of thelight source 10. - It can be seen that, like increasing setback distance SB1, reducing the height (to 72 f) of the
vertical reflector 72 has the same effect in terms of decreasing the portion of LED light output that is reflected. Since thecover lens 26 is curved, the height of thereflector 72 f behind anLED 54 is necessarily lower for LEDs that are located further from the center of theline 53 of LEDs. Our design compensates for this by adding a second vertical reflector (reflective surface 30 e of backlight shield 30) above thecover lens 26 and shaping it to effectively maintain a constant reflector height (to 30 f) for all of theLEDs 54. Referring toFIG. 7 , thevertical wall portions 30 a-30 c of thebacklight shield 30 are shown asportion 30 a near the center where it is the shortest height to itstop edge 30 f; and the tall portions on either side are 30 a and 30 b.FIG. 10A shows that theshort portion 30 a adds a little bit to the combined reflector height up to 30 f, so that it catches and reflects rays like 91 g that pass over thevertical reflector top 72 f. Because it's not much higher, theray 91 h that just barely passes over theshield top 30 f is only slightly higher angled. Since theedge 30 f is at a constant height the back angle AB ofray 91 h is the angle for all of the light that escapes thefixture 10 as “backlight”. - It should be noted that generally speaking, a backlight shield on a street lighting fixture is not a new concept. They may be given a diffusely reflecting, or even a non-reflecting surface, because the main concern is to shield the back,
house side 138 from excessive light levels. Especially in fixtures having a large spread-out light source such as an HID lamp, a specular reflection outside the fixture should be avoided due to glare and hot spots that would occur in many different directions depending upon a light beam's source location (the large source is not controlled by close-in lenses, so it comes out at many different angles). - In our new design the backlight shield concept has been adapted to take advantage of the better-controlled light source (the light hitting our
shield 30 is all coming from a very narrow line at a known angle predetermined by the lens design.) Thus glare is much less of a concern for our design. The scope of our invention includes both diffuse and specularreflective surfaces 30 e on the vertical wall portions of thebacklight shield 30. A specular reflection is illustrated and described herein, however it can be seen that a diffusereflector 30 e would produce similar effects but would spread out the reflected rays somewhat, thereby diffusing (defocusing) their contributions to different spots in thelighting pattern 150. Notably, the diffusely reflected rays will not significantly go outside of the pattern boundaries because they are still limited by thetop edge 30 f of thebacklight shield 30 and of the shield ring 28 (which also may have a specular or diffusely reflective surface). -
FIG. 10B (a cross-section taken on theline 10B inFIG. 7 ) illustrates our compensation method applied to light emitted by one of theLEDs 54 located at theend portion 72 b of the vertical reflector where it is at its shortest height to 72 f. The corresponding backlightshield end portion 30 b is at its tallest height to 30 f (the shield vertical height being measured between the fixed height, straighttop edge 30 f and the curved lowest edge 30 g located at the top of the cover lens 26). We see that theray 91 f, which reflected off thereflector 72 inFIG. 10A , now passes over thetop edge 72 f and must be reflected instead by thebacklight shield 30, which has been positioned to catch that ray at its bottom edge 30 g. As inFIG. 10A , we still seeray 91 g being reflected near thetop edge 30 f while 91 h is the first ray to pass over it. All rays at a lower elevation angle than 91 f are reflected from thereflector 72 same as anywhere else along theline 53 of LEDs. - It can also be seen that, unlike
ray 91 f inFIG. 10B , theray 91 g, which inFIG. 10A also just passes the top 72 f ofreflector 72, does not hit the bottom corner 30 g ofshield 30. This is becauseray 91 g is at a higher elevation angle thanray 91 f. If theshield 30 was moved to the right (decreasing the shield setback distance SB2) enough to causeray 91 g to hit the bottom corner 30 g of theshield 30, thenray 91 f would dive underneath thecover portion 30 d of the backlight shield and be completely lost, trapped in the covered part of the fixture. That would also happen for all light rays 91 that have elevation angles between those of 91 f and 91 g. This is why the optimum shield setback distance SB2 is determined where thereflector 72 is at its lowest height as inFIG. 10B . - As a practical matter, the shield setback SB2 may be set to approximate the ideal by using a single distance for all lens variations II-IV, for example using an average value or the maximum value.
- With this structural arrangement, most light from the
row 53 ofLEDs 54 is directed downward 148 and forward 149 (toward thefront end 22 a,street side 136 of the LED apparatus 10). The light that remains backward directed is “backlight” within a back angle AB, the amount of which is controlled by the combined height ofreflector 72 andbacklight shield 30 to the shield'stop edge 30 f. The back angle AB is thus controlled to restrict the area of backlighting to be within the pattern boundaries of the designed-for illumination type (II, III, or IV). -
FIG. 10C uses superimposed views of modules with two differentsecondary lens 56 types to illustrate the point that, if the reflector setback SB1 is determined by the method described above (minimizing the distance d from the side of the secondary lens 56), then SB1 will vary in accordance with thesecondary lens 56 being used. Otherwise, theLED module 52 is the same for all types II-IV. For example thelens 56 on left side ofFIG. 10C extends laterally to a line C-C which is much farther out than the line B-B established by the lateral extent oflenses 56′. Using the optimum setback for each lens will therefor place theleft reflector 72 at the setback distance SB1 from centerline A-A (row 53) to thereflector surface 72 e at the line D-D; whereas the right-hand reflector 72′ is at the setback distance SB1′ from centerline A-A (row 53) to thereflector surface 72 e′ at the line D′-D′. They are at locations spaced a distance D5 apart, which is probably close to equal the difference D6 between the lens sides. - In addition, since the backlight shield setback SB2 is relative to the
reflector 72 position at a setback SB1, there may be correspondingly different backlight shields 30 used. - Although the reflector setback SB1 optimum distance may be different for
different lenses 56, thevertical reflector 72 can be given a single fixed location SB1 for the sake of manufacturing convenience and efficiency (e.g., by locating a through-hole instead of an adjustment slot in thebracket 72 g which is held by module assembly fastener 76 (compareFIG. 4 toFIG. 5 ). This would mean that, aside from changing thesecondary lenses 56, only one set of parts, includingvertical reflector 72 andbacklight shield 30, and only one part positioning setting, could be used for any of the type II-IV LED lighting apparatus' 10 (although it may be desirable to use differenthorizontal reflectors 70 as described hereinabove). - For example, to accomplish this, the fixed reflector setback SB1 may be an average of the setback SB1 values determined for a range of lens types; and there may be a
single shield 30 which has been optimized to provide the most benefit to the most-usedsecondary lens 56 types. - Other criteria may be used for determining the setback distances SB1 and SB2. For example, the
vertical reflector 72 may be positioned/shaped/angled to produce a particular pattern oflight intensity 150 on the ground plane below. - Type II-IV distributions require most of the light to be projected on the
front side 136 of theLED lighting apparatus 10 on apole 122. The present design uses a back reflector to reflect nearly half of the emitted LED light forward. As detailed above, the position of our back reflector (72 and 30) is optimized to maximize reflection of near vertical rays (e.g., 91 a-91 g) but not too close as to have rays reflect back into the secondary lens (e.g.,ray 91 a which just meets this criterion). - By adding a vertical back reflector 72 (and 30) to an LED and secondary lens, we are able to make the present LED
lighting apparatus embodiment 10, which produces a desired asymmetriclight distribution pattern 150, while using symmetrical freeform secondary lens shapes 63 which are much less complicated than asymmetric freeform lenses. In particular, thelens 63 has two-axis orthogonal symmetry, meaning that any quadrant is perpendicularly reflected across the x-z and also the y-z planes of the orthogonal x-y-z coordinate system. (This kind of symmetry is a subset of 180 degree rotational symmetry about the z-axis.) As a result of this symmetry, which is matched by the symmetry of the (square) extended area LED light source, our lens shape is repeated in every x-y quadrant and therefor the entire secondary lens is designed by copying the design process performed for all of the light from the source that passes through just one quarter (one quadrant) of the lens'surface 63. (Every quadrant is repeated in an adjacent quadrant by being reflected across the x-z plane or y-z plane that lies between them. This also means that diagonally-opposed quadrants are “repeated” by simply rotating 180 degrees around the z-axis.) - Prior art typically uses an array of asymmetrical lenses to direct most of the light forward, and/or may add a short shield or reflector behind or around each LED to assist. It must be short to avoid blocking light from other LEDs in their array. Our back (vertical)
reflector 72 is much taller so that it can re-direct light forward by reflection instead of by asymmetric refraction. An asymmetrical distribution could also be formed with multiple rows of LEDs with symmetrical lenses, but the tall mirror (back reflector) from one row would block light from an adjacent row unless the rows were widely spaced apart, yielding a larger fixture. - Referring again to
FIG. 10A , we can see how this is accomplished. - The center z-axis of the LED 54 (and secondary lens 56) is shown in the center of the drawing, and as described hereinabove (see
FIG. 7A and description) we have defined the local rectangular coordinate system such that the base plane at z=0 is coplanar with theLED emitter 86 and the origin (0, 0, 0) is at the center of it. The x-axis (not labeled in this figure) is co-linear (describes the same line) with theline 53 of LEDs which is defined to be parallel to the vertically extending planes of thereflective surfaces downward direction 148, then it will equate to an orthogonal Z-axis of the ground plane of theilluminance pattern 150, wherein we define the X-axis in the ground plane (or pattern 150) as extending lengthwise of the pattern and the Y-axis thereof as extending widthwise of the pattern. Finally, by convention we align the LED x-axis with the pattern X-axis, and the LED y-axis with the pattern Y-axis. This means that the y-axis is parallel to the (widthwise) backward-forward line 147-149, and we define the y distances from the origin in the LED to increase positively in theforward direction 149, and decrease negatively in thebackward direction 147. - The forward directed rays 90 a-90 f proceed from the front half surface 63 fh in various elevation angle directions as determined by the shape (surface contour) of the
secondary lens body 63 and will strike the ground plane at the same angles to form anilluminance pattern 150 determined by the density of rays 90 striking each unit area. The pattern along a single widthwise line is illustrated on the two 147-149 widthwise lines where the density in one dimension shows as relative spacing of the points where the rays intersect the lines.Ray 90 a intersects the lower line atpoint 90 a indicated by a circle. The ray 90 b intersection is a square, 90 c a triangle, and 90 d a diamond. On the upper line rays 90 e and 90 f intersect at a filled diamond and a filled square, respectively. The horizontal spacing of these intersection points as illustrated is non-uniform and therefore represents a non-uniform distribution of light intensity (illuminance, brightness) in the pattern along that line. (This pattern of intensity distribution is according to thearbitrary lens shape 63 used in the drawing to illustrate general concepts. A properly shapedsecondary lens 56 will most likely produce a uniform distribution.) - The rearward directed rays 91 a-91 f proceed from the back half lens surface 63 bh in various elevation angle directions as determined by the shape (surface contour) of the
secondary lens body 63, are reflected by the specularreflective surface 72 e to the same elevation angle but headed in theforward direction 149, and will strike the ground plane at the same angles with an illuminance pattern determined by the density of rays 91 striking each unit area. The pattern along a single line is illustrated on the two 147-149 widthwise lines where the density shows as relative spacing of the points where the rays intersect the lines.Ray 91 a intersects the lower line atpoint 91 a indicated by a circle. The ray 91 b intersection is a square, 91 c a triangle, and 91 d a diamond. On the upper line rays 91 e and 91 f intersect at a filled diamond and a filled square, respectively. - Since the drawing illustrates rays leaving the center point of the
emitter 86 at the same elevation angles for the front half rays 90 and back half rays 91, and further given that thelens 56 is shown as being orthogonally symmetric (i.e., a minor image) across the central x-z plane, then simple trigonometry dictates that each of the rearward directed rays 91 a-91 f leaving thesurface 63 bh will likewise be minor images of the corresponding forward directed rays 90 a-90 f, until the rays 91 hit thereflector surface 72 e. Furthermore, assuming a perfect specular surface reflection at 72 e, then the rays 91 a-91 f after reflection will be forward-directed and parallel to their corresponding forward-directed rays 90 a-90 f. This fact is illustrated by the horizontal intersection points wherein it can be seen that each 90 ray intersection is the same distance forward from its corresponding reflected 91 ray intersection (distance between circles=distance between squares=distance between triangles=etc. to . . . =distance between filled squares.) The trigonometry also dictates that this constant front ray 90-to-reflected-back-ray 91 horizontal spacing is equal to twice the reflector setback distance SB1. This means that whatever widthwise illuminance pattern is created on the ground plane X-Y by the front rays 90 emanating from the lens front half surface 63 fh, will be replicated by the reflected back rays 91 emanating from the lens backhalf surface 63 bh but shifted widthwise backward (147) on the ground by a distance of two times the reflector setback SB1. Since the magnitude of the setback SB1 is around 20 mm compared to a typical pattern width W of at least 17,500 mm (pole height PH=10 meters), the overlapping shift of the two equal light intensity patterns will be imperceptible, and will even help by slightly smoothing out intensity changes in the combinedlight distribution pattern 150. - It can be seen that the same principles apply to the effect on the
pattern 150 due to row 53 of lengthwise (x) spaced-apart LEDs withsecondary lenses 56. For example, a row of nine lenses spaced 25 mm on center will have one centered pattern extending +/−(L/2) distance from a lengthwise pattern center X=0, overlapped by 4 duplicated patterns in each +/−lengthwise (X) direction, and each overlapping pattern will be shifted 25 mm on the ground relative to the pattern that it overlaps. The cumulative effect is that the overall combinedilluminance pattern 150 will be extended in length by 4×25=100 mm on each lengthwise end to make the pattern length=L+2×100 mm. Given that the Type II-IV patterns are all specified to have 6 PH length, then for a 10 m pole height PH, the overall pattern length will in effect be uniformly stretched from 60,000 mm to 60,200 mm long. Again the effect will not be perceptible other than a small amount of smoothing of light intensity transitions. - Finally, since the back
half body shape 63 bh and fronthalf body shape 63 fh of thesecondary lenses 56 are orthogonally symmetric across the x-z plane (i.e., front to back), then whatever shape thelens front surface 63 fh is given as it wraps around (into the page) from the y-z plane (of the paper), will be mirrored for the lens backsurface 63 bh. Furthermore, since we also make oursecondary lens 56 orthogonally symmetric across the y-z plane (e.g., into, versus out-of the plane of the page) then if we designate the x direction into the page as “to the right”, then the “left” half of thelens surface 63 will be a lengthwise mirror image of the right half. Due to our symmetry then, a “front side” ray 90 having any azimuth angle in the “front” 180 degree range will have a corresponding back-to-front mirrored and forward-reflected “back-side” ray 91 that is parallel and offset widthwise by a fixed distance of twice the reflector setback distance SB1. Since the rays 90 and reflected-91 are parallel, their horizontal separation distance will be constant for any plane normal to the z-axis, regardless of z-value distance (i.e., height above the ground), even though the length L and width W of thepattern 150 on the ground increases as the height increases. In other words, comparingray 90 e toray 90 f we can easily see that they radiate at different forward angles A (noting that the angle A(e) is illustrated and angle A(f) forray 90 f is obviously a smaller angle). This means that the two rays are diverging as can be seen by comparing the separation of their intersections with the lower horizontal line 147-149 versus the separation of their intersections with the upper horizontal line. - Consider a rectangular target portion of a Type II-IV lighting pattern 150 (see
FIG. 1 ), which has a horizontal rectangular target area of width W and length L (measured along an X-axis and a Y-axis, respectively, of the pattern), wherein the target is offset entirely in the positive Y (widthwise) direction from a vertical Z-axis of the pattern that extends in the straight upward direction 146 (straight downward direction 148) from the center of a light source (e.g.,LED 54 with secondary lens 56) in thelighting apparatus 10 mounted on apole 122. For prior art lighting apparatus that does not use a vertical reflector (such as our reflector 72), the LED lens must be orthogonally asymmetric across the x-Z plane at y=zero. For example, if the LED z-axis is directed straight downward 148, then the lensfront half body 63 fh may direct the front rays 90 to desired locations in the offset pattern target area, but the backhalf body 63 bh must be shaped radically different in order to refract even a portion of the LED's back rays 91 to aforward direction 149. Alternatively, the base plane 81 of the LED(s) can be tilted relative to the pattern Z-axis in order to direct its z-axis forward into thetarget area 150. In this case, if a front-back symmetric lens is used, then the distance traveled from LED to the target (rho in polar coordinates) by each forward directed front ray 90 will be greater than that of a corresponding back ray 91. Because of this asymmetric widthwise variation of distances (rho), the front rays 90 will be more spread apart along the target Y direction than their corresponding back rays 91, thereby creating a non-uniform lightintensity distribution pattern 150 wherein the intensity is greatest at the near edge 152-152 (e.g., Y=−W/2), and least at the far edge 151-151 (e.g., Y=+W/2). To correct this, the rear half of the lens must be given adifferent shape 63 bh than for thefront half 63 fh, again making the secondary lens orthogonally asymmetric front to back (across the x-z plane) even though it could be orthogonally symmetric lengthwise (across the y-z plane). - So it can be seen that our LED
light source module 52 which includes avertical back reflector 72 enables us to use a single row of one ormore LEDs 54 covered bysecondary lenses 56, each of which has two-axis (x and y) orthogonal symmetry and a center vertical axis z which is aimed straight downward 148 to the widthwise back edge 152-152 of anilluminance pattern 150; and even though the pattern is specified to be offset to a preferential side (front 136) of the lens covered LED(s) 54 in thelight source module 52, we attain a high degree of uniformity in illuminance (light intensity, brightness) throughout the offset pattern area. - According to the present embodiment, a benefit is achieved from a
single row 53 ofLEDs 54. It is enabled by the unique design of the free form optics of thesecondary lenses 56 to allow tight spacing and the use of the single back reflector 72 (and 30) separate from thelens 56 but still placed relatively close to the lens for efficiently redirecting the backlight forward. - Another benefit of the present embodiment of a single row of
LEDs 54, as compared to LEDs in multiple rows, is that it allows for a morecompact fixture 10 because multiple rows would need to be spaced quite far apart to assure that one row's reflector did not impede the light path of another row. - In an embodiment, the benefit of additional efficiency is provided by extending the vertical plane of the
single back reflector 72 outside of thecover lens 26, using abacklight shield 30 having a reflective verticalfront surface 30 e. The cover lens thickness is compensated for by setting thebacklight shield 30 further back than theback reflector 72. Thus even a simple but strong convexdomed cover lens 26 can be accommodated and still provide a straight-line edge at a fixed back angle AB for a controlled amount of backlight on the ground toward thehouse side 138 offixture 10. As shown inFIG. 7 , thebacklight shield 30 has a concave section which fits over theconvex cover lens 26. Thecenter 30 a of the backlight shield has the least height to thetop edge 30 f and a progressively higher portion insections vertical reflector 72 where the convexupper edge 72 f is the highest at the center and decreases toward theend sections vertical reflector 72 are continued by the correspondinglytaller end portions backlight shield 30. - Type II-IV distributions require most of the light to be projected on the
front side 136 of theLED lighting apparatus 10 on apole 122. The present design uses a back reflector to reflect nearly ½ of the emitted LED light forward. The position of this back reflector is chosen to maximize reflection of near vertical rays, but not too close as to have rays reflect back into the secondary lens (seeray 91 a which just meets this criterion). - By adding a vertical back reflector 72 (and 30) to an LED and secondary lens, we are able to make the present LED
lighting apparatus embodiment 10, which produces a specified offsetlight distribution pattern 150 with a high degree of illuminance uniformity, while using symmetrical freeform secondary lens shapes 63 which are much less complicated than asymmetric freeform lenses. In an optimized embodiment, thelens 63 has two-axis orthogonal symmetry, meaning that any lens quadrant is perpendicularly reflected across both the x-z and the y-z planes of the orthogonal x-y-z coordinate system. As a result, our lens shape is repeated in every x-y quadrant and only needs to be designed for the light passing through one quarter of the lens'surface 63. - Prior art typically uses an array of asymmetrical lenses to direct most of the light forward, and/or may add a short shield or reflector behind or around each individual LED to assist. It must be short to avoid blocking light from other LEDs in their array, whereas our back (vertical)
reflector 72 used withsymmetric lenses 56 can be (and is) much taller so that it can re-direct light forward while minimizing back light and lost light. - There are several papers describing creating free form lenses for LED illumination optics, but they are all based on calculations that treat the LED as a point source and furthermore create generally round (circle or oval) light distributions (illuminance patterns 150). The
present lenses 56 are based on calculations using light emitted from the entire two dimensional emitting surface of a large LED (e.g., 3 mm square), i.e., an “extended source”. Among other advantages, this design method produces more efficient and effective lenses, thereby enabling production of lenses small enough so that only onerow 53 is necessary to create the desired illuminance pattern. - This detailed description is focused on providing support for claims regarding certain aspects of a newly designed LED Lighting Apparatus that incorporates many improvements on the prior art in order to meet the “desires” and objectives stated hereinabove, especially in the Background section. The following table (copied from the Docket ELI-113 provisional application benefiting the present utility application) provides the reader with an overview that summarizes the more notable aspects, i.e., the features presently believed to have the most potential for claims of novel and non-obvious inventions. Although this table is also “incorporated by reference” it is literally presented here as a readily available aid to further clarify the reader's understanding of the present claims to a specific feature, given that individual features function synergistically with other features within the context of the entire newly designed LED Lighting Apparatus. It may be noted that the features being claimed in a particular Docket's application are listed according to the plans in place at the time this table was presented in the provisional application, therefor the utility applications may implement them in differently labeled Dockets. For example, the utility applications for Dockets ELI-109 and 113 are filed with some of the listed features being switched between the Dockets.
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ITEM DOCKET POTENTIALLY CLAIMABLE (summarized) 1 ELI-109 LED LIGHTING APPARATUS WITH REFLECTORS Single row of LEDs (types II-IV) with close vertical reflector (specular) Also horizontal reflectors (diffuse) in several places. 2 ELI-110 EXTENDED LED LIGHT SOURCE WITH OPTIMIZED FREE- FORM OPTICS Lens designs create rectangular (includes square) distribution optimized for use with an extended LED source 3 ELI-111 EXTENDED LED LIGHT SOURCE WITH COLOR DISTRIBUTION CORRECTING OPTICS Lens design mixes colors to prevent noticeable color gradient in light pattern (from extended LED source) 4 ELI-112 ASPHERICAL INNER SURFACE FOR LED SECONDARY LENS a) Lens design has aspheric inner curve to minimize Fresnel losses (from extended LED source) b) Lens has aspheric inner curve to improve distribution uniformity (from extended LED source) 5 ELI-113 BACK REFLECTOR OPTIMIZED FOR LED LIGHTING FIXTURE Vertical reflector has wrapped ends and arched top edge to maximize forward lighting with a shallow cover lens to create a compact fixture. Backlight shield outside cover lens is aligned to assist. -
Can add ITEM to Optional Additional Concepts (summarized) A ELI- Diffuse reflective top surfaces (“horizontal”) to capture Fresnel reflected (orig 4) 109 light from cover lens (change angle of light) What's New: Deliberate use of diffuse reflected surface on all reasonably achievable surfaces under the cover lens. Diffuse reflection is needed to efficiently redirect the light that has been reflected via Fresnel reflection off the cover lens such that it can escape from the fixture upon redirection. ALSO WHITE PAINT ON ADJACENT BOX COVERS Benefit: Higher efficiency compared to ignoring the Fresnel reflections or trying to redirect using specular reflection. B ELI- Type V LED layout to minimize module surface area while not interfering (orig 5) 110 with each other. COMBINE WITH Item G. What's New: Type V layout was optimized to be as small as possible area without the light from one LED impeding another LED. Benefit: Highest possible efficiency with better uniformity and smallest fixture. C ELI- Uplight and backlight baffles (shields) on main housing (orig 8) 109, What's New: Utilizing the fixture housing as an integral part of the optical system 113 to minimize backlight and prevent uplight. The ring prevents uplight while the “eyelid” reduces backlight. Can be exchanged with type V ring (shorter uplight shield, no backlight shield) Benefit: Designing shields as part of the overall fixture design allows for optimum compactness and eliminates the need to add blockers or baffles as a future add-on to achieve desired uplight and backlight performance. Interchangeability enables us to use a single universal housing for all LED lighting types. D ELI- Using integrated cover lens for environmental and vandal protection (9) 109, What's New: The fixture (including the entire optical system) was designed with 113 an integrated cover lens (attached inside bottom housing with gasket seal). Benefit: Provides maximum protection from the elements. Also, the lens material and thickness can be changed to achieve various levels of vandal protection - without the usual undesirable loss of lumens and high cost associated with an aftermarket vandal shield. Also can exchange for a more shallow lens to use with type V. E ELI- Combination of specular mirror and diffuse secondary lens bottom surface (10) 109 to create a diffuse reflection What's New: A diffuse reflection is desired off the bottom surface of secondary lens to achieve best efficiency and uniformity. Traditional approach is to have smooth/specular lens bottom surface over a diffuse reflector. This limits the options for the reflector material. Our approach used a diffuse/scattering surface (e.g., grit-blasted mold) on the lens bottom along with an inexpensive reflector which can be specular. Benefit: Lower cost while still achieving desired efficiency and distribution. F ELI- Self-centering secondary lens - molded bore on underside of lens aligns with (11) 110 4 lobes on LED package What's New: Molded into the lens is a circular bore that encircles the 4 protruding lobes present in the LED package. This self-centers the lens, reducing component count and assembly cost while ensuring maximum performance. The circular bore is inherently aligned to the lens inner and outer optical surfaces. Optionally make (at least one) sides of bore straight (a secant) to line up two adjacent corner lobes. Preferably add to the recess to also enclose the square LED substrate. Benefit: Lower cost while simultaneously achieving excellent alignment between the LED and the lens. G ELI- Common/universal LED module circuit board (PCB) achieves both II-IV (12) 110 and type V, along with multiple lumen levels, depending on LED placement What's New: A common board design including circuit traces and LED solder pads achieves all distribution and lumen level requirements. Distribution type (II- IV or V) and lumen level (6, 9 or anything in between # of LEDs) is determined by where the LEDs are placed. OPTIMIZED FOR 6 or 9-in-row type II-IV, or 3 × 3 array type V (double spaced LEDs) COMBINE WITH Item B. Benefit: This minimizes board development cost, inventory SKUs, and board set up/run costs. - Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character—it being understood that the embodiments shown and described have been selected as representative examples including presently preferred embodiments plus others indicative of the nature of changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention(s) being disclosed and within the scope of invention(s) as claimed in this and any other applications that incorporate relevant portions of the present disclosure for support of those claims. Undoubtedly, other “variations” based on the teachings set forth herein will occur to one having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention most nearly pertains, and such variations are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure and of any claims to invention supported by said disclosure.
Claims (28)
1. An LED lighting apparatus for illumination toward a preferential side in a vertically downward and horizontally forward direction, comprising:
a horizontal printed circuit board (PCB);
a plurality of LED devices each comprising an LED emitter covered by a primary lens, the plurality of LED devices being arranged in one or more horizontal rows and mounted to the printed circuit board;
a secondary lens associated with each one of the LED devices and being disposed on the printed circuit board;
a PCB reflector being a horizontal reflector disposed between the printed circuit board and the secondary lenses; and
a roughened bottom surface of the secondary lenses for diffusing LED light that passes therethrough, including light reflected by the PCB reflector.
2. (canceled)
3. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the PCB reflector has a plurality of openings that fit closely around each of the plurality of LED devices, thereby allowing the LED devices to protrude through the PCB reflector.
4-6. (canceled)
7. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
each of the secondary lenses has a plurality of leveling bosses extending below the bottom surface; and
the PCB reflector has corresponding through holes to allow direct contact of the leveling bosses with the printed circuit board.
8. (canceled)
9. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the printed circuit board is disposed in a housing and a cover lens is mounted to the housing to cover the LED devices.
10. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 9 wherein:
non-vertical surfaces that are exposed to an underside of the cover lens have a diffusely reflecting surface.
11. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 10 further comprising:
a vertical specular reflector disposed parallel with the one or more horizontal rows of LED devices.
12-13. (canceled)
14. A method of directing illumination from an LED lighting apparatus toward a preferential side in a vertically downward and horizontally forward direction comprising the steps of:
mounting one or more rows of LED devices on a horizontally oriented printed circuit board (PCB);
associating a secondary lens with each LED device;
disposing a horizontal PCB reflector around the LED devices, between the printed circuit board and a bottom surface of each of the secondary lenses; and
diffusing light that reflects off of the PCB reflector by making the bottom surfaces of the secondary lenses to be diffusely translucent.
15-17. (canceled)
18. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of:
aligning the one or more rows of LED devices in a horizontal direction that is orthogonal to the horizontally forward direction; and
disposing a vertical specular reflector parallel with the one or more rows of LED devices.
19-20. (canceled)
21. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of:
providing a diffusely reflective surface on non-vertical surfaces that are exposed to light from the LED devices.
22. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of:
floating the PCB reflector by providing through holes in the PCB reflector and leveling bosses extending therethrough to establish direct contact between the secondary lenses and the printed circuit board.
23. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of:
selecting sheet material for the PCB reflector according to cost, without limiting its reflective surface to being a diffuse reflector.
24. The method of claim 14 further comprising holding the secondary lenses in place on the printed circuit board by the steps of:
providing flanges that extend horizontally from the secondary lenses; and
securing a module cover over the printed circuit board and the flanges; while providing one or more openings that allow the secondary lenses to protrude therethrough.
25. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of:
attaching a diffusely reflecting horizontal module reflector over at least a portion of the module cover that is exposed to light from the LED devices.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein a plurality of differently shaped secondary lens types is used to manufacture a plurality of different LED lighting apparatus types, minimizing manufacturing parts inventory by further method steps of:
using a single version of the module cover for holding any one of a set of the differently shaped secondary lens types; and
using a set of different module reflectors wherein each of the module reflectors has openings that are sized and positioned to closely fit around the secondary lenses of a corresponding secondary lens type.
27. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 10 wherein:
a surface exposed to an underside of the cover lens has a coating of diffusely reflecting paint.
28. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 3 wherein the PCB reflector is constructed of a plastic sheet having a specular reflecting surface.
29. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 28 wherein the PCB reflector is constructed of a polyester sheet material.
30. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
flanges that horizontally extend out from the secondary lenses; and
a module cover secured over the printed circuit board, and having one or more openings sized and positioned such that the secondary lenses protrude therethrough, while the lens flanges are at least partly covered by the module cover around the openings therein.
31. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 30 further comprising:
a diffusely reflecting horizontal module reflector mounted over the module cover.
32. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 31 wherein:
the module reflector covers a portion of the module cover that is exposed to light from the LED devices.
33. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 31 further comprising:
a set of different module reflectors corresponding to a set of differently shaped secondary lens types, wherein each of the module reflectors has openings that are sized and positioned to closely fit around the secondary lenses of a corresponding secondary lens type.
34. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 31 wherein:
the module reflector is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of: reflective adhesive tape, textured foil, PET plastic having a micro cellular structure, and white plastic with a roughened surface.
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13/483,045 US20120300456A1 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2012-05-29 | Reflectors optimized for led lighting fixture |
US13/557,207 US20130135876A1 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2012-07-24 | Extended led light source with color distribution correcting optics |
US13/588,992 US8496360B2 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2012-08-17 | LED lighting apparatus with reflectors |
US14/510,106 US20160102837A1 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2014-10-08 | Extended led light source with optimized free-form optics |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US201161490265P | 2011-05-26 | 2011-05-26 | |
US201161490278P | 2011-05-26 | 2011-05-26 | |
US201161511085P | 2011-07-24 | 2011-07-24 | |
US13/483,045 US20120300456A1 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2012-05-29 | Reflectors optimized for led lighting fixture |
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US13/557,207 Continuation-In-Part US20130135876A1 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2012-07-24 | Extended led light source with color distribution correcting optics |
US13/588,992 Division US8496360B2 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2012-08-17 | LED lighting apparatus with reflectors |
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US20120300456A1 true US20120300456A1 (en) | 2012-11-29 |
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US13/483,045 Abandoned US20120300456A1 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2012-05-29 | Reflectors optimized for led lighting fixture |
US13/588,992 Expired - Fee Related US8496360B2 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2012-08-17 | LED lighting apparatus with reflectors |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/588,992 Expired - Fee Related US8496360B2 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2012-08-17 | LED lighting apparatus with reflectors |
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