US 12,572,055 B2 · Microlens array with built-in air gap

Abstract

A microlens array comprises an array of microlenses on a flat base. A spacer located along the periphery of the microlens array protrudes away from the plane of the base. The microlens array may be arranged in combination with one or more LEDs or pcLEDs with the spacer positioned between the microlens array and the LEDs or pcLEDs and thus spacing the microlenses away from the LED or pcLEDs. Arranged in this manner, the surface of the microlens array facing the LEDs or pcLEDs and light emitting surfaces of the LEDs or pcLEDs together define an air filled or evacuated gap between the microlens array and the LEDs or pcLEDs, which improves the performance of the microlens array in collimating or partially collimating light emitted by the LEDs or pcLEDs.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A light emitting apparatus comprising:

a light emitting diode device comprising a monolithic array of light emitting diodes and a light emitting surface;
and
an integrally formed microlens array comprising a plurality of microlenses arranged on a planar base and a spacer protruding out of the plane of the base along peripheral portions of the base to be in direct contact with the light emitting surface of the light emitting diode device, the microlens array spaced apart from the light emitting surface of the light emitting diode device by the spacer and configured to collimate or partially collimate light emitted through the light emitting surface of the light emitting diode device, the light emitting surface of the light emitting diode device and a surface of the microlens array together defining an evacuated or air-filled gap between the light emitting surface of the light emitting diode device and the microlens array.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Microlens array with built-in air gap

Life of this patent

Microlens array with built-in air gap

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19