Lightpipe and lightpipe array for redirecting light from a surface mount led

Abstract

A lightpipe or lightpipe array is utilized for redirecting light from a surface mounted LED. The lightpipe includes a first surface portion which is aligned with a surface mounted LED on a circuit board when the lightpipe is mounted on the circuit board, a first passageway comprising a plurality of first reflecting surfaces for redirecting light received at the first surface portion in a first direction, a second passageway extending from the first passageway comprising a plurality of second reflecting surfaces for redirecting the light received from the first passageway in a second direction which is different from the first direction, and a light radiating surface portion through which the light received from the second passageway exits so as to provide a visual indicator. Utilization of a plurality of lightpipes in a lightpipe array permits the array in the form of a single molded part to collect light from multiple LEDs and to redirect light to different locations without a perceptible mixture of light between adjacent LEDs.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.