| JP07302053 | READABLE DISPLAYING STRUCTURE IN SUNLIGHT |
| JP08314395 | CHIP TYPE LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE |
| JP2000221910 | SCROLL TYPE DISPLAY DEVICE |
SHISHOV, Alexander, Valerievich (ul. Verkhnlaya, 20 Bykovo, 14016, RU)
McGARRAH, Patrick (29 Library Lane South, Sturbridge, MA, 01566, US)
ABRAMOV, Vladimir, Semenovich (ul 26 Bakinskih Komissarov, 10-2-95 Moscow, 6, 11952, RU)
SHISHOV, Alexander, Valerievich (ul. Verkhnlaya, 20 Bykovo, 14016, RU)
McGARRAH, Patrick (29 Library Lane South, Sturbridge, MA, 01566, US)
CLAIMS
What is claimed is :
1) Light source systems comprised of a plurality of modules mechanically and electrically coupled with a receiving plane interface, each of said modules comprising: . • ' a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements disposed about a substrate in an array, each light emitting element producing a beam having a shape independent of the . beam shape of other elements, the light emitting elements arranged whereby the sum of all beams mix to form a compound beam; a beam axis substantially normal with respect to a substrate surface, the compound beam being symmetric about said beam axis; an orientation axis aligned with a direction of highest divergence with respect to the compound beam; and said receiving plane interface comprising: a substantially planar surface with a plurality of receiving spaces distributed thereabout, each receiving space being arranged to receive therein a module. '
2) Light source systems of claim 1, at least one module having a compound beam of asymmetric divergence, a divergence greater in one direction than another direction, thus forming a distinct orientation axis.
3) Light source systems of claim 2, each of said modules being arranged side-by-side in a coplanar system with each other module, such that each has a beam output beam substantially parallel with all other modules and in a direction normal with respect to the receiving plane interface.
4) Light source systems of claim 3, at least one of said modules having an orientation axis which is anti-parallel with another module's orientation axis. 5) Light source systems of claim 1, said module further comprises a peripheral edge in a shape which when set side-by-side with other tiles forms a substantially complete paving of a prescribed area without appreciable gaps therebetween.
6) Light source systems of claim 5, said peripheral edge is four sided and rectangular.
7) Light source systems of claim 6, said module periphery is square whereby the tile will fit into the same seat after having been rotated by either of: 90°, 180°, or 270°.
8) Light source systems of claim 5, said peripheral edge is hexagon to allow module rotations between either of 6 positions .
9) Light source systems of claim 1, a first module has a different arrangement of LEDs than another module.
' 10) Light source systems of claim 9, said first module has a divergence asymmetry greater than said second module.
11) Light source systems of claim 1, said modules further comprising an electrically conductive circuit interconnecting LEDs whereby • ■
12) Light source systems of claim of 11, said circuit further comprises electrical components including resistors to provide for various voltages with respect to any of included LEDs.
13) Light source systems of claim 1, said receiving plane interface further comprising an electrical power supply and circuitry. 14) Light source systems of claim 13, said receiving plane interface electronic control circuitry operable for controlling power distribution to any of said receiving spaces.
15) Light source systems of claim 1, said module and receiving plane interface further comprises cooperating connector pairs whereby when a module seated in a receiving space causes an electrical connection between to be established.
16) Light source systems of claim 15, said receiving plane interface further has a connector system which couples with a module no matter the orientation into which it is inserted in the receiving space.
17) Light source systems of claim 1, said modules and receiving plane interface both further comprise a mechanical coupling whereby when a module is pushed into a receiving space the two are held fast with respect to the other.
18) Light source systems of claim 17, said mechanical coupling is operable whereby it may be released and reset via tactile pressure, whereby modules are removable, replaceable and rotatable. |
Title: Tiling of Asymmetric Light Source Elements
BACKGROUND QF THE INVENTIONS Field
The following invention disclosure is generally concerned with illumination systems and specifically concerned with modular divergence control in LED lighting systems. Prior Art
In lighting systems comprised of many individual elements, one is sometimes concerned with the output intensity pattern. To manipulate the intensity pattern, it is possible to use additional light source elements in certain spaces, for example around the edges, to increase output intensity in those corresponding parts of an output illumination field. The spatial dependence of intensity is sometimes controlled by an inverted distribution density of light sources. In example, more light elements are placed to 'fill- in' the darker areas. It is easy to manipulate the spatial dependence of intensity this way and one finds many examples in the arts to illustrate such. In modern high performance systems, semiconductor light emitting elements may be grouped together to produce arrays having very large numbers of separate light sources. Typically, these individual elements are identical with very high uniformity from element to element. The output beam of the entire system is characterized in unique way because it is formed from many smaller beams and therefore it is quite unlike those beams formed from a single source; the beam is a compound beam having properties which depend upon the nature of the sum of all elements.
1
COMFiRMATION COPY
•The art is well populated with systems arranged to mix independent elements of different colors to form a single output beam of a preferred color characteristic. Sometimes lights of red, blue, yellow are arranged in a group distributed about a planar surface such that their output beams emanate in a direction normal from the common plane whereby the color beams mix together to form a white output in the far field.
Accordingly, the art includes color control via distribution of a plurality of elements each having a different color output.
Beam Divergence Control of beam divergence presents difficult problems for lighting designers.
Most generally, beam divergence is controlled via primary and secondary optical systems. Primary optics are integrated with LED packages and usually include a single convex lens which forms an output beam with a substantially circular cross section. When a lighting project specification does not match a standard divergence of available LEDs optics, a secondary optic or lens which further operates to shape the output beam may be added to the system. A secondary optic is used to 'correct' the beam shape so that output approximates a desired divergence characteristics.
In other systems, one combines light source elements with reflectors. A cars' headlights are one example. An omni- directional source emits light from a 'point' at the focus of a parabolic reflector. Light from the source is reflected into a beam having a low divergence. Other lighting systems use source aiming to illuminate specified areas. One constructs fixtures which permit rotation adjustment. A source may be pointed toward a space which requires an increase in illumination. The massive lights which illuminate a football field include individual light sources which may be pointed to improve even illumination intensity on the field.
Another alternative is yet even more unattractive. Given a specific divergence specification, a lighting designer may attempt to redefine the individual LED package to support that particular specification. A new lens can be redesigned to create a desired beam divergence properties. But this approach suggests a fundamental redesign at the primary package level for each new lighting project. This is a prohibitively expensive ■ approach. It is desirable to configure various beam divergence specifications for new
lighting projects using standard and readily available packages without changing manufacturing lines.
While systems and inventions of the art are designed to achieve particular goals and objectives, some of those being no less than remarkable, inventions of the art have limitations which prevent their use in new ways now possible. Inventions of the art are not used and cannot be used to realize the advantages ' and objectives of inventions taught herefollowing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS Comes now, Vladimir Semenovich Abramov; Alexander Valerievich Shishov; and Patrick McGarrah with inventions of lighting systems comprising tiling of light source elements. It is a primary function of these light systems to provide improvements in divergence control It is a contrast to prior art methods and devices that presently known systems do not account for modularity to provide system- to- system adjustment of output beam divergence. A fundamental difference between these inventions and those of the art can be found when considering its use of standardized components to achieve various beam divergence profiles in accordance with a particular system specification Lighting systems of these inventions include modules designed for a mix-and- match strategy for achieving a desired divergence pattern. In some versions, a standard interface is provided which can receive modules in various orientations. When specific modules are selected for their divergence properties and mixed or matched with other similar modules, one forms a system having a optical illumination pattern of desirable characteristic; namely, a beam having a preferred divergence pattern.
Modules of these inventions are characterized by their orientation axis and output beam divergence asymmetry. In best versions, a single module is comprised of several individual light source elements. These elements are permanently affixed in predetermined arrangement to realize a standardized module, or sometimes herein 'tile', which can be used with other similar tiles to pave a large area thus forming a lighting system.. Because modules are easily selected from a store of various module configurations, one can assemble combinations which produce beams having preferred
006/000827
output characteristics. In this way, one gains great control over the ability to configure lighting systems for various divergence specifications.
Each module has a particular beam profile and orientation associated therewith. By arranging various tiles and tile groups in accordance with predetermined schemes, one gains complete control of the total output beam divergence. Use of these systems permits one to avoid reflectors, secondary optics, and redesign of primary optics. It is possible to form particular application specific illumination fields with specified divergence properties. By combining modules of various beam characteristics, a very large number of different compound beams are available in one system. A primary unit is a lighting module with at least one individual source thereon
Modules of these inventions include a substrate having a peripheral boundary, a direction normal to the plane, and an orientation direction. Coupled to one side of the substrate plane is at least one LED light source with an output beam having an asymmetric divergence. For purposes of this disclosure, the direction of greatest divergence defines the reference axis of any particular module.
Objectives of these Inventions
It is a primary object of these inventions to provide lighting systems comprised of tile modules which permit control of overall output divergence. It is an object of these inventions to provide systems of standardized elements which are configurable without redesign at the fundamental level.
A better understanding can be had with reference to detailed description of preferred embodiments and with reference to appended drawings. Embodiments presented are particular ways to realize these inventions and are not inclusive of all ways possible. Therefore, there may exist embodiments that do not deviate from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as set forth by appended claims, but do not appear here as specific examples. It will be appreciated that a great plurality of alternative versions are possible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates the divergence of an asymmetric light source; Figures 2 A and 2B are diagrams which illustrate a tile and its irradiation pattern- in the far field; ' .
Figures 3 is a diagram for another tile with a slight difference in a repeat pattern;
Figures 4A and 4B illustrate use of a plurality of tiles in conjunction with one another to result in a combination irradiation pattern; •
Figures 5A and 5B also show an irradiance pattern which results from a plurality of tiles;
Figures 6A and 6B show a special shaped tile which cooperates well with large area paving schemes; Figures 7A and 7B. suggest an interface relationship between various tiles and receiving space distributed about a plane; and
Figure ' 8 illustrates an electrical connection scheme between a receiving interface and tiles of various orientation.
GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS
Throughout this disclosure, reference is made to some terms which may or may not be exactly defined in popular dictionaries as they are defined here. To provide a more precise disclosure, the following terms are presented with a view to clarity so that the true breadth and scope may be more readily appreciated. Although every attempt is " made to be precise and thorough, it is a necessary condition that not all meanings associated with each term can be completely set forth. Accordingly, each term is intended to also include its common meaning which may be derived from general usage within the pertinent arts or by dictionary meaning. Where the presented definition is in conflict with a dictionary, or arts definition, one must use the context of use and liberal discretion to arrive at an intended meaning. One will be well advised to error on the side
6 000827
of attaching broader meanings to terms used in order to fully appreciate the depth of the teaching and to understand all the intended variations.
Tile - a tile is a repeat element consisting of a group of emitters spatially removed and distributed about a plane, each arranged to emit light along an axes in a direction parallel with other emitters.
Module -a module includes a tile and any interface support which permits the tile to couple with a supporting framework to enable the tile to cooperate as part of a larger lighting system
Near field - near field refers to the space near an emitter or group of emitters where the irradiance pattern has appreciable dependence on the spatial distribution of independent elements.
Far field - far field refers to the space far from an emitter or group of emitters where the irradiance pattern does not have appreciable dependence on the spatial distribution of independent elements.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THESE INVENTIONS
In accordance with each ofpreferred embodiments of these inventions, modular lighting apparatus comprising a plurality of modules which impart a specified divergence characteristic on a compound output beam are provided. It will be appreciated that each of the embodiments described include an apparatus and that the apparatus of one preferred embodiment may be different than the apparatus of another embodiment. As mentioned above, some lighting systems account for color and intensity manipulation via multi- element schema, however divergence manipulation is not accounted for in those systems. In certain applications, it is important to control divergence. In a first concrete example, one might consider a tennis court. If a lighting ■ designer were to arrange a lighting system to enable night-time play it would be desirable to illuminate the entire tennis court evenly. Still further, it is desirable that this be done without having to illuminate all the areas about the tennis court periphery which are not part of the play area. Since the area of play is well defined and the practical limits of the standard (pole) height to which a light system may be affixed is well set, one must choose
lights with appropriate beam characteristics to arrive at a good irradiance pattern at the play court.
When designing to such constraints, the divergence of the light sources becomes considerably important. Should it not be well chosen, one might spill significant amounts of light all about the surrounding areas thus consuming too much energy for the application. On the other hand, narrow beam systems might tend to leave dark spots on the area of play which are not desirable.
Tennis is not the only application where divergence of the source is necessarily configurable to achieve best results. Indeed, most lighting systems would at least benefit somewhat from control with respect to beam divergence. With such control, one can put light into the space where it is needed most.
Systems having a compound beam control with configurable divergence are available to lighting designers in consideration of the inventions presented here. Namely, a modular system is provided such that a large area is paved with a plurality of tile elements. Modules each having a certain divergence characteristic are laid in groups to pave a large area. The mixing of these tile elements each having predefined divergence characteristic, results in a system divergence which can be tailored and tuned to meet an overall goal. One uses only standard module elements from a readily available set to avoid redesign of the primary optics. However, from project-to-project, one can easily achieve a nearly infinite number, or at least a very large number, of divergence configurations; each of which cast light into an area of different description merely by a different choice of module set and module orientation
When tiles are arranged together, their orientation dictates how a compound beam produced by the system will be characterized. It is a primary function of these systems to constructively mix module orientations such that an overall beam is formed with a preferred divergence characteristic. Thus in one example, one might arrange several tiles perpendicular to another, to achieve one desired system output beam having a divergence which results from the individual modules.
These lighting systems are formed of two major subsystems: 1) a collection of modules, and 2) a receiving plane interface. A receiving plane interface is arranged to receive modules and to provide support such as power and mechanical fixture. A module
comprises at least one light source, for example an LED, and frequently at least one LED having an asymmetric beam. When several tiles are arranged together, their outputs mix in the far field to produce a compound beam which depends upon the nature of the individual beams. In particular, the divergence of the entire system will depend upon the nature of the divergence of each tile. Thus it is important to consider the divergence characteristics of a single tile.
Modules
A module is comprised of a substrate having thereon one surface, light emitters arranged in a fashion which forms a reference direction to promote the notion of tile orientation A module further includes a mechanical interface and electrical interface. An electrical interface includes both connectors and circuitry which provides electrical interconnect between individual LED elements.
In preferred versions, a module is arranged with at least one light emitting diode semiconductor light source, haying an optical output in the visible spectrum. A plurality of such light emitters are displaced spatially to form an array each having an output beam which is substantially aligned with other emitters to emit in a direction normal from the plane in which they are arranged. These LEDs may have individual primary optic elements (lenses) or several semiconductors may be grouped together under a single lens. At some distance from the plane, the output of each individual light source is mixed with the others to form a combined output beam, or compound beam. The light emitters may be selected from those of various colors, sizes, optical strength, et cetera. LEDs may be arranged in sets of similar LEDs. For example, a module may be comprised of three LEDs of a first beam shape and three LEDs of a second and different beam shape. Alternatively, a single module may be comprised of six LEDs of identical beam shape. Light emitters are affixed to modules in a permanent fashion; they may be assembled with relatively non-removable methods such as soldering. Thus, the orientation of individual light emitters with respect to a module is well settled at design time and is not changed later by end application lighting system designers. Beam characterization is of great importance here; it is of particular regard that we consider beam divergence. Specifically, special attention is directed to asymmetry of
beam divergence. An optical beam is generally has a cross section size which increases ' along the direction of propagation. In some optical source systems, the cross section is not circular and the divergence is different orthogonal directions. In example, a beam might have a divergence of 30° in one direction and 120° in a perpendicular direction. We refer to this as "asymmetric divergence". The degree of asymmetry may be specified as an 'aspect ratio' of the beam at an arbitrary point along the axis of propagation; generally considered in the far field. In some versions, the beam produced by a single light source may have a high aspect ratio, being much wider in one direction than an orthogonal direction In others, the aspect ratio may be equal to one (1) where the divergence is the same in all directions. In these lighting systems, asymmetric divergence plays an important part of overall light control. Modules arranged with a plurality of LEDs are generally arranged with some divergence asymmetry. The combination of beams from individual sources of one module can result in a module beam having some degree of asymmetric divergence. For example, one module may be comprised of three LEDs having an asymmetric divergence of high aspect ratio and three additional devices having a divergence of low aspect ratio. Alternatively, another single module may be comprised of six devices all having high aspect ratio beam divergence. As such, it is not only the single individual light sources which have a beam divergence asymmetry, but also any module beam formed from a plurality of sources associated with the module.
Orientation refers to the arbitrary reference direction associated with a module element. It will be adopted by convention that a reference direction corresponds to the direction of greatest divergence. Each module has its own orientation reference and the orientation reference of one module may be different that the orientation reference of another nearby module.
A mechanical interface is provided such that a module can be coupled and affixed to a receiving plane interface. Sometimes this includes indexing or alignment means which causes a module to be well seated and aligned with a system schematic. The mechanical interface may also include affixing means such as screw coupling, mechanical interlocking couples, traditional fasteners, or other means of holding a module fast at a receiving space. Modules jmay be made easily removable and
replaceable or even re-alignable. In some versions, modules removed, rotated and replaced, result is a change to the overall system beam output. Thus, these systems are to be considered highly recϋnfϊgurable and easily manipulated witho ut special tools or knowledge. The system is highly reconfigurable via modules which can be switched/altered at the receiving plane interface.
A module may include at its substrate electrical means such as connectors and interconnect circuitry. That is, a substrate may be prepared with metallic interconnects to couple semiconductor elements with others and further with an electric power supply and control. Still further, electronic component such as resistors may be included in the interconnect circuitry of these modules. Leads from an LED may be joined (solder for example) to traces lying on a substrate surface, the traces leading from one light source position to another to form an electrical circuit suitable for conduction of appropriate currents to properly stimulate the group of LEDs.
The module further may be prepared with connectors which cooperate and couple to similarly arranged connectors when a module is inserted into an operating position of the receiving plane interface. When a module is 'snapped-in' to a proper seat at the receiving plane interface, the connector is engaged and completes a circuit whereby the module receives appropriate power.
Receiving Plane Interface
A receiving plane interface includes a planar area into which modules may be inserted. In some cases, a receiving plane interface includes mechanical support for modules. For example means to affix and hold a module to the plane. Also, these interface systems might include alignment support. A module brought into contact with a receiving plane interface is encouraged to seat in a prescribed position via mechanical indexing. In some preferred versions, this is a simple lip or ridge formed at the interface which complements the edges of a module. When brought together, an alignment relationship is realized.
Advanced versions might include mechanism whereby the module can be removed and reset or replaced, or inserted in an alternate orientation. A flexible catch
system can be operated by tactile pressure to release a module and allow it to be replaced by another or re- aligned for example.
In some cases, a receiving plane interface includes electrical support for modules. A module having a connector integrated therewith is coupled to the receiving plane interface can have a cooperating connector used to provide appropriate power to the module. The receiving space could be arranged such that connectors couple electrically with modules, no matter the orientation in which they are placed in the receiving space. A receiving plane interface may have a single main power source line which is divided into a plurality of sub power buses each to provide power to a corresponding module. Other control circuitry, such as switching, monitoring, et cetera, integrated with a receiving plane interface is anticipated.
The modules described herein are used in combination. From a standard set of readily available modules, a designer selects combinations to effect a systembeam divergence output of particular design specification. Lighting system designers select from modules which have a prescribed divergence asymmetry and orientation. Then, the lighting system designer decides how the modules will be oriented in the receiving plane interface. Designers mix and match various modules and place those selected modules with preferred orientation to yield an output beam of whatever divergence characteristic is perfect for the application at hand. A more complete understanding is realized in view of the drawings appended hereto with reference to numerals therein. In particular, Figure 1 reminds us that a light source 1 such as a light emitting diode, an LED, has an aperture 2 from which an optical beam is emitted. The package of the LED may be arranged such that the beam has an asymmetric cross section or beam profile. In example, an oval shaped beam 3 is formed in some package configurations. A major axis 4 defines the beam's direction of maximum divergence and a minor axis 5 defines the direction of the beam's minimal divergence. LEDs having asymmetric divergence such as the one illustrated in Figure 1 are particularly useful in systems presented here.
Figure 2, shows a first example of a module 21 comprised of two LEDs, a first LED 22 having a highly asymmetric divergence of large aspect ratio and a second LED 23 having a less pronounced or lower aspect ratio asymmetric divergence. One -will note
the orientation of the respective beams are perpendicular. The direction of highest divergence for each is different. This example is meant to illustrate that combinations of sources having various divergence are fully anticipated in certain module arrangements. The LEDs are mounted on the surface of the module and they are slightly displaced from one another. Their emission apertures are set so that they both emit in a direction normal to the plane in which they lie; the module plane. Only for illustration purposes, the light - sources are represented in the drawing by a shape which suggests their divergence characteristic. The ovals in the tile do not correspond to the shape of the light source device; its shape is arbitrary. The ovals shapes remind us that the beam emitted by that corresponding source is shaped as the oval suggests. This convention is held in the other drawings as well. Their separation distance 'd' 24 may be just a few millimeters. It is said the beam emitted from the module, is the combination of the two beams produced by the separate sources. While very near the plane, the beams are separated in position, the beams mix together to form a single beam as one moves to the far field. Indeed, at some distance from the source, one will find a beam with the radiation pattern looking a bit like the cross of 25. The separation of the individual sources means little or nothing to the beam shape of the far field. A module reference axis 26 is aligned and associated with the direction of greatest divergence. Thus, the orientation of a module may be different that the orientations associated with individual emitters thereon the same module. We use this reference when describing how modules are oriented when discussing groups of modules which are laid about a planar area.
A module may be made from various configurations and combinations of single elements. While the configuration of Figure 2 is useful for making many different systems, it is possible that modules are comprised of other arrangements are desired in the other designs. Tile 31 illustrates a version having one high aspect ratio element 32 separated 'd' from two lower aspect ratio elements 33 and 34. Reference direction 35 suggests the direction of maximum divergence, but one should note that the beam may have greater brightness associated with the lower aspect ratio diverging beams due to the multiple sources contributing to that part of the beam. The figure is presented to illustrate . that various combinations of individual LED sources may be used to form a module. :
Figure 4 is presented to illustrate an important aspect of these inventions. Modules comprised of groups of light sources may be used in conjunction with one another side-by-side to pave a planar area. One module is placed beside another and both produce a beam component which contributes to an overall system output. While the figure illustrates two modules together, this arrangement might be considered the 'repeat unit' of a larger system. A larger system of many modules might be arranged purely of these repeat units. The repeat unit sets the beam divergence property, the addition of more repeat units thereafter merely increases the intensity. So, a system having 100 repeat units has essentially the same beam divergence asymmetry as one repeat unit but is many time brighter. Thus, a designer sets the system divergence in the repeat unit design, and accounts for brightness by adding more repeat units.
Modules may be laid, one beside the other, to cover a large area. The reference axis of each of the tiles may be aligned different from others. A first tile 41 having a reference direction 42 lies beside tile 43 having a reference direction 44 perpendicular to that of the first tile. Light emitters 45 having a low degree of asymmetry provide 4/6 ths of the total beam intensity while asymmetric light emitters 46 provide a highly divergent component to the overall beam. Examination of the compound beam formed by the system somewhere between the near and far fields yields an irradiation pattern approximated by the diagram 47. A large portion of the beam will be of low divergence while a smaller portion will have a highly divergent nature. In this way, one can light a primary area more brightly than a secondary area. One should appreciate the great control over divergence one has when designing lighting systems with these modular systems. Such properties are not available when using lighting components of other systems. Without going to a total redesign of the fundamental element, one cannot otherwise gain good control of lighting systems divergence.
Figure 5 shows a large planar area demarked by dotted line 51. The area is covered by a plurality of module s having various configurations of individual emitters on each. Tile 52 has sixteen symmetric emitters 53 disposed in a 4 by 4 array. The beam produced by such tile will have circular cross section with divergence in all directions the same. Such tiles are mixed with other tiles which do not produce a circular beam but rather produce a beam having a divergence characterized as a high aspect ratio beam.
Tiles 54 each have four emitters 55 which emit a beam having a very high divergence in one direction while having modest divergence in an orthogonal direction. Light from all tiles will mix together to form a single beam in the far field having a divergence between the two extremes. The ratio of tiles, i.e. those producing low divergence symmetric beams and those producing highly asymmetric beams will dictate the overall divergence properties of the final system beam. In the figure, the planar area includes more tiles of high asymmetry than those symmetric tiles. A different solution could have been taken up where the ratio is inverted to produce a more symmetric system beam. By replacing a few of the highly asymmetrical tiles for symmetric tiles one adjusts the nature of the systems' output beam with respect to its divergence properties.
One should note that tiles 54 could accommodate 16 emitters the same as tiles 52. As noted before, the diagram only suggests the beam shape but not the physical space occupied by the emitters. An emitter which produces a high aspect ratio beam consumes no more space that one which produces a symmetric beam. So, it is quite possible that tiles 54 also are arranged with 16 highly asymmetric emitters in a 4 by 4 array.
Of great importance, the reader should acknowledge that to control the divergence of a system beam, one does not need to adjust the built-in lens at the LED package. Rather, one simply selects appropriate tiles from a set of standard tiles readily available from a manufacturer of these systems. In this way, one builds a system having light output appropriate for a tennis court with a first configuration and builds a lighting system appropriate for a roadway tunnel with another configuration without ever performing a redesign at the primary optic level.
Tiles may have shaped peripheries which support various paving strategies. Tiles may be provided as 'standard' tiles in a tile set prescribed by a manufacturer of these lighting systems components. In some versions, the periphery of the tiles are like those shown in Figure 5 where the tile is a square. An appropriate receptacle may be arranged to receive said square tiles in any of four orientations. A tile may be applied to the planar area with either of four different rotational orientations. With respect to the reference direction, the tile might form a 0°, 90°, 180°, 270°, relationship with an arbitrary system reference. Of course, rotating tiles 52 does nothing to change the divergence properties of the beam. However, this is not the case with tiles 54. When some of these tiles are '
rotated by 90 degrees, the final output beam becomes more symmetric until more than half are rotated whereby the system output begins to become asymmetric in the other direction.
In some paving systems, it is preferable to have tiles with a non- square periphery. Tile 61 is bound by an edge which forms a hexagon shape. Inside the bounds of that tile lie highly asymmetric emitters 62, some arranged orthogonally with respect to the others 63. Emitters belonging to a single tile may be arranged in opposition as shown or may all be aligned similarly to cooperate in forming a more asymmetric beam. The set of possible 'standard' tiles is infinite and is left to the manufacturer of these systems to determine the most efficient distribution which can support most common lighting projects devised by architects. In certain lighting systems, it is sometimes useful that the orientation of all tiles is the same. In Figure 6, the system is comprised of the identical tile 65 throughout to pave the entire area 66, that tile having the identical orientation as all others in the array. In this way, the system output beam divergence will be very much the same and closely matched with the individual tile output beam.
Of course, it is not necessary that tiles have the same orientation as their neighbors, nor that the emitter arrangement from tile-to-tile be the same as any neighbor. To illustrate, consider Figure 7 A which shows two tiles in two different orientations. A first tile 71 has emitters 72 (eight) which produce a symmetric beam component and emitters 73 (two) which produce a highly asymmetrical beam component. The tile has a reference direction 74, the direction associated with the direction of highest divergence. A second tile 75 having an entirely different arrangement of emitters also has a reference direction 76 aligned with the highest divergence direction However, the tile orientation is 60° counterclockwise with respect to the first tile. Each of these tiles may be placed into the receiving plane interface 77 at the appropriately shaped accommodating spaces 78 provided. The spaces may be arranged with mechanical support to further couple the tiles thereto. This may be a simple lipped edge 79 which grips the periphery of a tile. In other versions, a tile may be provided with a hole and corresponding hole in the receiver ■ such that they are easily screwed together. It is of little use to attempt to suggest all ways of mechanically coupling tiles to these receivers as there are many equally useful mechanical fasteners which will accomplish this function Suffice it to say, a mechanical
coupling is provided whereby the tile may be securely affixed to the receiving plane in a prescribed orientation.
A receiving plane interface of these systems also can be arranged to electrically couple with tiles presented here. A receiving plane can be arranged with an electrical connector system which provides power to the tile properly inserted into the space provided to receive tiles. Figure 8 illustrates one such electrical connector system. Receiving spaces 81 are provided with bipolar electrical connectors 82 which are designed and well matched to couple with corresponding connectors 83 on a tile 84. When the tile is set into the receiving space, the connectors engage and provide power to the tile and emitters thereon via an electrical circuit integrated with the tile. The tile 84 has a particular orientation referenced by the dashed arrow 85. In some of these systems, receiving spaces are arranged whereby they provide electrical coupling no matter the orientation of the tile. When a tile is rotated by 120° and placed again into the receiving space with a new orientation, it still couples with the electrical system, i.e. the connectors. in the receiving plane interface, to receive power. This is more readily appreciated in consideration of tile 86 which has a different, 120° clockwise of tile 84, orientation indicated by dashed arrow 87. When tile 86 is pushed into the receiving space, it forms a mechanical interlock connection and a electrical connection at the same time. One will appreciate that any rotation of the tile by multiples of 60° will result in an allowed . alignment with respect to the receiving interface whereby both mechanical and electrical interface and coupling is accomplished.
While clarity demands the brevity used in drawings presented here, it should be pointed out that it is anticipated that very large numbers of tiles can be used to pave large area systems. Systems having more than 1000 tiles are likely. Since the repeat element ' and repeat nature of these systems is well understood in view of the preceding description, one will fully appreciate how very large area lighting systems can be comprised of a plurality of repeat elements each having a certain prescribed divergence to arrive at an overall system divergence which is different that that of the fundamental element. Tiles, drawn from a standard set available to lighting designers, will make any of a great plurality of output beams each having a different divergence characteristic
suitable for any particular application. This is achieved without having to redesign optics at the primary level.
The examples above are directed to specific embodiments which illustrate preferred versions of devices and methods of these inventions. In the interests of completeness, a more general description of devices and the elements of which they are comprised as well as methods and the steps of which they are comprised is presented herefollowing.
One will now fully appreciate how lighting systems formed of modular components are used to design and control lighting system divergence characteristics. Although the present inventions have been described in considerable detail with clear and concise language and with reference to certain preferred versions thereof including best modes anticipated by the inventors, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited by the description of the preferred versions contained therein, but rather by the claims appended hereto.