CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Number 62/005,339 filed May 30, 2014 in the name of Jose Antonio Laso, Adam Foy, and Scott David Wegner and entitled "Managed Illumination Lightguide," the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the technology relate generally to a lighting apparatus that includes a lightguide, and more particularly a panel-shaped lightguide having an edge and an optic that is attached to or formed in the edge.

BACKGROUND

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) offer substantial potential benefit for illumination applications associated with energy efficiency, light quality, and compact size. However, to realize the full potential of the benefits offered by light emitting diodes, new technologies are needed. For example, when one or more light emitting diodes are coupled to a lightguide in connection with distributing or managing light for illumination, the light can emerge from the lightguide unevenly or with hotspots.

Accordingly, there are needs in the art for technology to manage light produced by one or more light emitting diodes. Need exists for a technology to avoid hot spots or uneven distribution when light is coupled into and carried by a lightguide in connection with illumination. Need further exists for a technology to improve the distribution of illumination from a lightguide. A capability addressing one or more such needs, or some other related deficiency in the art, would support improved illumination systems and more widespread utilization of light emitting diodes and/or lightguides in lighting applications. SUMMARY

A light source can be positioned adjacent an edge of a lightguide, so that the light source couples light into the lightguide via the edge. The lightguide can have a shape of a panel, a slab, a plate, or other structure comprising two major faces. The light can propagate in the lightguide via internal reflection from the two major faces, traveling from the light-source edge towards an opposing edge. Illumination light can escape from the lightguide through the major faces and the opposing edge. An optic can be mounted or integrated to the opposing edge to soften, diffuse, spread, concentrate, scatter, or otherwise manage light emitted from that edge.

The foregoing discussion is for illustrative purposes only. Various aspects of the present technology may be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following text and by reference to the associated drawings and the claims that follow. Other aspects, systems, methods, features, advantages, and objects of the present technology will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and text. It is intended that all such aspects, systems, methods, features, advantages, and objects are to be included within this description and covered by this application and by the appended claims of the application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1A, IB, 1C, and ID (collectively Figure 1) illustrate an example luminaire comprising an example frame that supports an example lightguide and an associated example optic according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D (collectively Figure 2) illustrate an example luminaire that comprises an example frame that supports an example lightguide and another example optic according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C (collectively Figure 3) illustrate an example luminaire that comprises an example frame that supports an example lightguide and another example optic according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Figures 4 A, 4B, and 4C (collectively Figure 4) illustrate an example luminaire that comprises an example frame that supports an example lightguide and another example optic according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C (collectively Figure 5) illustrate an example optic that is attached to a light emitting edge of a lightguide according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

Figures 6 A, 6B, and 6C (collectively Figure 6) illustrate another example optic that can be attached to a light emitting edge of a lightguide according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Figures 7 A, 7B, and 7C (collectively Figure 7) illustrate another example optic attached to a light emitting edge of a lightguide according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

Figures 8A, 8B, and 8C (collectively Figure 8) illustrate another example optic that is attached to a light emitting edge of a lightguide according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

Figures 9A and 9B (collectively Figure 9) illustrate another example optic that is formed into a light emitting edge of a lightguide according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

Figure 10 illustrates another example optic formed into a light emitting edge of a lightguide, where the light emitting edge is flared outward and the optic comprises features formed in the lightguide edge according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

The drawings illustrate only example embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the embodiments described, as other equally effective embodiments are within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating principles of the embodiments. Additionally, certain dimensions or positionings may be exaggerated to help visually convey certain principles. In the drawings, similar reference numerals among different figures designate like or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

A lightguide can have a panel, slab, plate, or related form that comprises two major faces that are internally reflective. Light can be introduced into the lightguide from a first edge of the lightguide, so that the major faces guide the light towards a second edge. The major faces can provide a controlled release of a portion of the guided light to illuminate an area. Another portion of the light can travel through the lightguide all the way from the first edge to the second edge. An optic disposed at the second edge can control the light that is incident upon the second edge. The optic can be attached to the edge or integrated into the edge and may diffuse or otherwise manage the light.

Some representative embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter with example reference to the accompanying drawings that illustrate embodiments of the technology. The technology may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the technology to those appropriately skilled in the art.

As further discussed below, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 illustrate four representative embodiments of a luminaire incorporating an edgelit panel or lightguide with associated optics for managing light emitting from an edge of the lightguide. Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 illustrate some additional example embodiments of optics for managing light emitting from a lightguide edge.

Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 will now be briefly described individually, and then discussed in further detail.

Figures 1A, IB, 1C, and ID illustrate an example luminaire 100 that comprises a frame 175 that supports an example lightguide 125 with an example optic 150 according to some embodiments. Figure 1A illustrates a side view of the luminaire 100 with the end cover 101 of the luminaire 100 removed. Figure IB illustrates a perspective view of the lower, light-emitting side of the luminaire 100. Figure 1C illustrates a detail perspective view in which the end cover 101 of the luminaire 100 is removed to show the lightguide 125 and the optic 150. Figure ID illustrates a cross sectional view showing the optic 150 and a portion of the lightguide 125 to which the optic 150 is attached. Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D illustrate another example luminaire 200 that comprises the frame 175 that supports the example lightguide 125 with another example optic 250 according to some embodiments. In an example embodiment, the luminaire 200 of Figure 2 can be viewed as a variation of the luminaire 100 illustrated in Figure 1 with the optic 250 replacing the optic 150. Figure 2 A illustrates a side view of the luminaire 200 with the end cover 101 removed. Figure 2B illustrates a perspective view of the luminaire 200. Figure 2C illustrates a detail perspective view in which the end cover 101 is removed to show the lightguide 125 and the optic 250. Figure 2D illustrates, in cross section, a computer-generated ray tracing that provides a representative light distribution 251 for the lightguide 125 and the optic 250.

Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate another example luminaire 300 that comprises the frame 175 that supports the example lightguide 125 with another example optic 350 according to some embodiments. In an example embodiment, the luminaire 300 of Figure 3 can be viewed as a variation of the luminaire 100 illustrated in Figure 1 with the optic 350 replacing the optic 150. Figure 3 A illustrates a side view of the luminaire 300 with the end cover 101 removed. Figure 3B illustrates a perspective view of the luminaire 300, taken from below the luminaire 300. Figure 3C illustrates a detail perspective view with the end cover 101 removed to show the lightguide 125 and the optic 350.

Figures 4 A, 4B, and 4C illustrate an example luminaire 400 that comprises the frame 175 that supports the example lightguide 125 with another example optic 450 according to some embodiments. In an example embodiment, the luminaire 400 of Figure 3 can be viewed as a variation of the luminaire 100 illustrated in Figure 1 with the optic 450 replacing the optic 150. Figure 4 A illustrates a side view of the luminaire 400 with the end cover 101 removed. Figure 4B illustrates a perspective view of the luminaire 400. Figure 4C illustrates a detail perspective view with the end cover 101 removed to show the lightguide 125 and the optic 450.

Accordingly, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 illustrate four representative luminaires 100, 200, 300, and 400 that respectively comprise four example embodiments of an optic 150, 250, 350, 450 applied to a common lightguide 125 mounted in a common luminaire frame 175. In each of the luminaires 100, 200, 300, and 400 respectively illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, the luminaire frame 175 supports the lightguide 125 so that the lightguide 125 is positioned in a vertical orientation. (Other embodiments may have other orientations.) An array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 105 is mounted adjacent an edge 102 of the lightguide 125. The light emitting diodes 105 couple light into the lightguide 125 via the edge 102. The major faces 106, 107 of the lightguide 125 guide the coupled light generally towards an opposing edge of the lightguide 125 to which the optic 150, 250, 350, or 450 is attached.

The major faces 106, 107 of the lightguide 125 can be patterned with microlenses that promote controlled release of light internally incident on those faces 106, 107. The microlenses can comprise conical features, truncated cones, convex shapes, or other appropriate features, for example. In some embodiments, the major faces 106, 107 of the lightguide 125 are unpatterned so that, relative to a microlensed embodiment, less light escapes through the faces 106, 107, and thus more light reaches the lower edge 108 and is processed by the optic 150, 250, 350, 450.

Still referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, each luminaire 100, 200, 300, 400 comprises a curved reflector 110 that directs towards an area to be illuminated the light that is emitted from the major faces 106, 107 of the lightguide 125. In some example embodiments, the curved reflector 110 may comprise a diffusely reflective surface or alternatively a specularly reflective surface.

In the illustrated embodiments of Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, each optic 150, 250, 350, 450 comprises an elongated piece of optical material comprising a channel or groove 114. The edge 108 of the lightguide 125 is disposed or seated in the groove 114 of the optic 110, 250, 350, 450, so that the optic 110, 250, 350, 450 captures the lightguide 125 (as will be discussed in further detail below with example reference to Figure ID that illustrates details of a representative embodiment). The optic 110, 250, 350, 450 spreads and/or diffuses the incident light, thereby suppressing or blending any hotspots and enhancing light distribution. In some embodiments, the optic 110, 250, 350, 450 comprises a diffuser. In some example embodiments, the optic 150, 250, 350, 450 comprises embedded particles or materials that scatter light propagating through the optic 150, 250, 350, 450. In some example embodiments, the optic 150, 250, 350, 450 comprises a patterned surface that diffuses light as the light transmits through that surface. In some example embodiments, the optic 150, 250, 350, 450 comprises a refractive surface that spreads, concentrates, focuses, diverges, or otherwise manipulates light.

In some example embodiments, the optic 150, 250, 350, 450 comprises a plastic optical material such as PMMA acrylic, polystyrene, or optical grade polycarbonate, to mention a few representative examples without limitation. In some example embodiments, the optic 150, 250, 350, 450 comprises silicone or another appropriate elastomer. In some example embodiments, such optical materials may be clear. In some example embodiments, such optical materials may comprise scattering additives, fine particles, or a diffusion agent. In some example embodiments, the optic 150, 250, 350, 450 comprises a mixture or blend of multiple polymers, such as 85% acrylic and 15% high impact acrylic, for example. In some example embodiments, such optical materials may comprise colorants or dyes that filter light, for example to produce red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, or some other appropriate color.

In some example embodiments, friction can retain the optic 150, 250, 350, 450 on the lightguide 125. See, for example, the detail view provided by Figure ID. In some embodiments, clamping or squeezing force can retain the optic 150, 250, 350, 450 on the lightguide 125, for example via a friction fit. In some example embodiments, a snap-on fit can retain the optic 150, 250, 350, 450 on the lightguide 125. In some example embodiments, the optic 150, 250, 350, 450 comprises small grooves 111 that extend lengthwise and function or act as grippers for enhanced retention, for example as illustrated in Figure ID. In some example embodiments, the optic 150, 250, 350, 450 can be held on the lightguide 125 via adhesive, glue heat-induced fusion, welding, or other appropriate bonding or fastening technology.

Referring now to the example embodiment of Figure 1, the optic 150 comprises a substantially U-shaped cross section that can widen the light distribution relative to a distribution provided by the lightguide 125 alone. In some embodiments, the optic 150 comprises a scattering agent that is homogenous ly distributed throughout the optic 150. In some embodiments, the optic 150 can be made by co-extrusion of two optical materials, one having more scattering agent than the other. For example, the optic 150 can comprise a main body of clear optical material and one or more strips of diffusing material extending lengthwise, for example along the lowermost portion of the optic 150 and/or along the outer sides of the optic 150. In some embodiments, co-extrusion provides one or more stripes of colored material.

In some embodiments, a lower layer of diffuser material is added by means other than co-extrusion. In some embodiments, an upper layer of diffuser material is added by means other than co-extrusion. For example, one or more diffusion layers can be bonded to a main body utilizing heat, welding, adhesive, or other appropriate bonding or fusion means.

Referring now to the example embodiment of Figure 2, the lowermost portion of the optic 250 comprises a convex refractive surface 252 extending lengthwise along the lightguide 125. Additionally, the sides of the optic 250 have concave recesses 253 that extend lengthwise. As shown in the example ray traces of Figure 2D, the concave recesses 253 and the convex refractive surface 252 can provide a split illumination pattern 251. In the split illumination patterns 251 , one portion of light is concentrated downward by the convex refractive surface 252 and two other portions are spread outward by the concave recesses 253. When fabricated from clear optical material, an example embodiment of the optic 250 can provide an overall distribution that is narrow relative to the embodiment of Figure 1.

Referring now to the example embodiment of Figure 3, the optic 350 comprises a bow- shaped bottom 307 that extends lengthwise along the lightguide 125. The upper surface 308 of the optic 350 is patterned with refractive surface features 309 to promote diffusion. The optic 350 can be made from an optical material loaded with a diffusing agent to further promote diffusion, resulting in a wide distribution of light.

Referring now to the example embodiment of Figure 4, the optic 450 comprises a cross section that is T-shaped. The lower surface 407 of the optic 450 is flat, so that a flat section is substantially perpendicular to the lightguide 125 and extends lengthwise. Opposite the lower surface 407, the upper side of the optic 450 is patterned with refractive surface features 309. The optic 450 can be made from an optical material loaded with a diffusing agent to further promote diffusion, resulting in a wide distribution of light.

Turning now to Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, some more example embodiments will now be discussed with reference to these figures.

Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate an example optic 550 that is attached to the light emitting edge of the lightguide 125 according to some embodiments. Figure 5 A illustrates an exploded perspective view. Figure 5B illustrates an assembled perspective view. Figure 5C illustrates a diagonal cross sectional view of the optic 550.

The optic 550 can be bonded, fused, glued, mechanically fastened, or otherwise disposed at the light emitting edge 108 of the lightguide 125. In some embodiments, there is an air gap between the edge 108 of the lightguide 125 and the optic 550. In some embodiments, there is no such air gap. The resulting system can be incorporated in the luminaire 100 that is illustrated in Figure 1 and discussed above, for example. The lower surface of the optic 550 comprises a prismatic pattern 521 that creates a relatively narrow distribution of light and that reduces glare at high viewing angles. In the illustrated embodiment, the prismatic pattern 521 has four features 523 across the narrow dimension of the lightguide 125. Other embodiments may have more or fewer features 523, for example. Thus, the features 523 may be smaller or larger than illustrated relative to the lightguide 125.

Figures 6 A, 6B, and 6C illustrate an example optic 650 that can be attached to the light emitting edge 108 of the lightguide 125 (not illustrated in Figure 6) according to some embodiments. Figure 6 A illustrates a first perspective view. Figure 6B illustrates a second perspective view. Figure 6C illustrates a cross sectional view.

The optic 650 can be bonded, fused, glued, mechanically fastened, or otherwise disposed at the light emitting edge 108 of the lightguide 125. The resulting optical system can be incorporated in the luminaire 100 that is illustrated in Figure 1 as discussed above, for example. The lower portion of the optic 650 comprises a patterned surface 651 that creates a relatively narrow distribution of light and may be utilized to reduce glare at high viewing angles. In the illustrated embodiment, the pattern 650 can be viewed as having a female form. In some embodiments, features of Figures 5 and 6 can have positive and negative geometry relative to one another. In other words, the patterned surface 651 of the optic 650 that Figure 6 illustrates can physically fit into the patterned surface 521 of the optic 550 that Figure 5 illustrates.

Figures 7 A, 7B, and 7C illustrate an example optic 750 that is attached to the light emitting edge of the lightguide 125 according to some embodiments. Figure 7 A illustrates an exploded perspective view. Figure 7B illustrates an assembled perspective view. Figure 7C illustrates a cross sectional view of the optic 750.

In the illustrated embodiment, the optic 750 can mechanically fasten onto the light emitting edge 108 of the lightguide 125. For example, the groove 114 of the optic 750 can snap onto the lightguide edge 108 as discussed above with reference to Figure ID. The resulting optical system can be incorporated in the luminaire 100 that is illustrated in Figure 1 and discussed above, for example.

As illustrated by Figure 7, the patterned optical surface 521 has a common geometry to that of Figure 5. In various other embodiments, the patterned optical surface 521 may have the geometry of Figure 6 or some other appropriate form, for example.

Figures 8A, 8B, and 8C illustrate an example optic 850 that is attached to the light emitting edge 108 of the lightguide 125 according to some embodiments. Figure 8 A illustrates an exploded perspective view. Figure 8B illustrates an assembled perspective view. Figure 8C illustrates a cross sectional view.

In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 8, the optic 850 is tapered or flared. In this form, the lens array pattern 831 can be offset from the lightguide 125 to spread light over a greater area (compared to the area of the lightguide edge), further reducing glare at high viewing angles. The optic 850 and the lightguide 125 form an optical system that can be incorporated in the luminaire 100 that is illustrated in Figure 1 and discussed above, for example.

Figures 9 A and 9B illustrate another example optic 950 that is formed into the light emitting edge 108 of the lightguide 900 according to some embodiments. Thus, the lens array pattern 922 can be integrated directly into a lightguide edge 108 to provide a single continuous part that may be seamless or formed from a unitary piece of material, for example.

The lightguide 900 with its integral optic 950 can be fabricated by injection molding in some example embodiments. In some example embodiments, the lightguide 900 with its integral optic 950 can be formed by cutting or ablating the lens array pattern 922 into a flat lightguide edge. In some example embodiments, the lightguide 900 with its integral optic 950 can be formed by fusing or thermally bonding a patterned optical element to a flat lightguide edge.

Figure 10 illustrates an embodiment in which the lightguide 1000 comprises a light emitting edge 108 that is flared outward. Refractive optical features 1008 are formed in the lower edge 108 of the lightguide 1000. The resulting optic 1050 comprises a pattern of refractive optical features 1008 formed in the flared lightguide edge 108.

The lightguide 1000 with its integral optic 1050 can be fabricated by injection molding in some example embodiments. In some example embodiments, the lightguide 1000 with its integral optic 1050 can be formed by cutting or ablating a lightguide having the form of the lightguide 125 illustrated in Figure 1. In some example embodiments, the lightguide 1000 with its integral optic 1050 can be formed by fusing or thermally bonding a patterned, tapered optical element to a flat lightguide edge.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosures set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these disclosures pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosures are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of this application. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.