# US 10,768,352 B2 · Light modules and devices incorporating light modules

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- Number: US 10,768,352 B2
- Document ID: US10768352B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/217,471
- Filed: 2018-12-12
- Published: 2020-06-11
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2018-12-11
- Assignees: Corning Incorporated
- Applicants: Corning Incorporated
- Inventors: Qing Tan; Mario Paniccia; Tim L. Kitchen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10768352B2

## CPC

- G02B 6/0006: {Coupling light into the fibre (in general G02B6/4298)}
- G02B 6/4212: {the intermediate optical element being a coupling medium interposed therebetween, e.g. epoxy resin, refractive index matching material, index grease, matching liquid or gel}
- A61L 2/084: Visible light
- A61L 2/10: Ultraviolet [UV] radiation
- A61L 2/26: Accessories
- G02B 5/0205: {characterised by the diffusing properties}
- G02B 6/001: {the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre}
- G02B 6/02076: {Refractive index modulation gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings}
- G02B 6/0229: {characterised by nanostructures, i.e. structures of size less than 100 nm, e.g. quantum dots}
- G02B 6/036: core or cladding comprising multiple layers {(multicore optical fibres G02B6/02042; microstructured properties G02B6/02295; omniguide fibres G02B6/023)}
- G02B 6/03694: {Multiple layers differing in properties other than the refractive index, e.g. attenuation, diffusion, stress properties}
- H05K 1/0274: {Optical details, e.g. printed circuits comprising integral optical means (H05K1/0269 takes precedence; coupling light guides with opto-electronic components G02B6/42)}
- H10H 20/8316: {Multi-layer electrodes comprising at least one discontinuous layer}
- H10H 20/8506: {Containers}
- H10H 20/851: Wavelength conversion means
- H10H 20/855: Optical field-shaping means, e.g. lenses
- H10H 20/857: Interconnections, e.g. lead-frames, bond wires or solder balls
- H10W 90/00: Package configurations
- A61L 2202/11: Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps
- G02B 6/4202: {for coupling an active element with fibres without intermediate optical elements, e.g. fibres with plane ends, fibres with shaped ends, bundles}
- G02B 6/428: {containing printed circuit boards [PCB]}
- H05K 1/184: associated with components inserted in holes through the PCBs and wherein terminals of the components are connected to printed contacts on the walls of the holes or at the edges thereof or protruding over or into the holes
- H05K 3/3436: {having an array of bottom contacts, e.g. pad grid array or ball grid array components}
- H05K 3/3447: Lead-in-hole components
- H05K 2201/10106: Light emitting diode [LED]
- H05K 2201/10121: Optical component, e.g. opto-electronic component
- H05K 2201/10303: Pin-in-hole mounted pins
- H10H 20/854: characterised by their material, e.g. epoxy or silicone resins
- H10H 20/856: Reflecting means
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H10H: INORGANIC LIGHT-EMITTING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES HAVING POTENTIAL BARRIERS
- H10W: GENERIC PACKAGES, INTERCONNECTIONS, CONNECTORS OR OTHER CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF DEVICES COVERED BY CLASS H10

## Abstract

According to one implementation an assembly is provided that facilitates a coupling of one or more light diffusing optical fibers to one or more light emitting diodes. According to one implementation the assembly includes a light emitting diode positioned inside a cavity of a frame that is equipped with means to directly or indirectly electrically couple the anode and cathode of the light emitting diode to a printed circuit board. A proximal end portion of the light diffusing optical fiber is supported inside a through opening of a lid positioned over a front side of the frame. The light diffusing optical fiber includes a core that is surround by a cladding. According to some implementations the proximal end of the light diffusing optical fiber is butt-coupled to the light emitting diode with there being no gap between the proximal end of the fiber and the light emitting side of the light emitting diode.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus having an external surface susceptible to bacterial contamination, the apparatus comprising:
a housing having an external surface and internal channel, the housing being made of a material that is transparent to bacterial disinfecting ultraviolet light;
a first light emitting diode having an energized state and a de-energized state, in the energized state the first light emitting diode emits bacterial disinfecting ultraviolet light and in the de-energized state the first light emitting diode does not emit light;
a second light emitting diode having an energized state and a de-energized state, in the energized state the second light emitting diode emits visible light and in the de-energized state the first light emitting diode does not emit light;
a light diffusing optical fiber residing in the internal channel and configured to transmit both visible light and bacterial disinfecting ultraviolet light, the light diffusing optical fiber being optically coupled to both the first and second light emitting diodes.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light diffusing optical fiber has a core surrounded by a cladding, the core being butt-coupled to each of the first and second light emitting diodes.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light diffusing optical fiber has a core surrounded by a cladding, the core and cladding being butt-coupled to each of the first and second light emitting diodes.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the first light emitting diode is in the energized state the second light emitting diode is in the energized state.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the visible light emitted by the second light emitting fiber is red light.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the first light emitting diode is in the de-energized state the second light emitting diode is in the energized state.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the visible light emitted by the second light emitting diode is green light.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light diffusing optical fiber has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end being optically coupled to the first and second light emitting diodes.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the light diffusing optical fiber has a core surrounded by a cladding, the core at the first end of the light diffusing optical fiber being butt-coupled to both the first and second light emitting diodes.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light diffusing optical fiber has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end being optically coupled to the first light emitting diode and the second end being optically coupled to the second light emitting diode.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third light emitting diode having an energized state and a de-energized state, in the energized state the third light emitting diode emits visible light and in the de-energized state the third light emitting diode does not emit light.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second light emitting diode emits visible light of a first color, and the third light emitting diode emits light of a second color different than the first color.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first color is red and the second color is green.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when the first light emitting diode is in the energized state the second light emitting diode is in the energized state.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when the first light emitting diode is in the energized state the third light emitting diode is in the de-energized state.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first color is red.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the second color is green.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the light diffusing optical fiber has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end being optically coupled to the first, second and third light emitting diodes.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the light diffusing optical fiber has a core surrounded by a cladding, the core at the first end of the light diffusing optical fiber being butt-coupled to the first, second and third light emitting diodes.

### Claim 20 (depends on 14)

The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein when the first light emitting diode is in the energized state the third light emitting diode is in the de-energized state.