US 6,424,786 B1 · Illumination assembly

Abstract

An optical illumination assembly comprising an array of optical microprisms and microlenses for redirecting light from a light source. Such displays are used in a wide variety of applications such as backlit flat panel displays requiring a directed light source which provides an efficient output of light. The illumination assembly has a light transmitter optically coupled to an input end of array of microprisms through an optional diffuser, and a microlens on the light output end of each microprism. The microprisms have a light input end optically coupled to the light transmitting means and a light output end spaced from the light input end. Two pairs of oppositely positioned sidewalls having one an edge defined by said light input end and another edge defined by said light output end are positioned for reflecting of transmitted light toward the light output end; When light from the light transmitting means enters each microprism through the light input end, the light is directed by said sidewalls through the microprisms to each light output end and then through the microlenses. Optionally a light diffuser is positioned between the light transmitter and the input end of the microprisms.

Claims29

Dependent claims

An illumination assembly comprising:

(a) a light transmitting means;
(b) an array of microprisms wherein each microprism comprises:
(i) a light input end optically coupled to said light transmitting means;
(ii) a light output end spaced from the light input end;
(iii) a pair of oppositely positioned first sidewalls, each first sidewall having an edge defined by said light input end and an edge defined by said light output end;
at least one of said first sidewalls being positioned for effecting reflection of transmitted light toward the light output end;
(iv) a pair of oppositely positioned second sidewalls, each second sidewall having an edge defined by said light input end and an edge defined by said light output end;
at least one of said second sidewalls being positioned for effecting reflection of transmitted light toward the light output end;
and
(c) a microlens on the light output end of each microprism, without an intermediate layer that extends laterally between two adjacent microprisms situated therebetween, such that when light from said light transmitting means enters each microprism through said light input end, the light is directed by said sidewalls through said microprisms and out each light output end.

7 more elements

An illumination assembly comprising:

(a) a light transmitting means;
(b) an array of microprisms wherein each microprism comprises:
(i) a light input end optically coupled to said light transmitting means;
(ii) a light output end spaced from the light input end;
(iii) a pair of oppositely positioned first sidewalls, each first sidewall having an edge defined by said light input end and an edge defined by said light output end;
at least one of said first sidewalls being positioned for effecting reflection of transmitted light toward the light output end;
(iv) a pair of oppositely positioned second sidewalls, each second sidewall having an edge defined by said light input end and an edge defined by said light output end;
at least one of said second sidewalls being positioned for effecting reflection of transmitted light toward the light output end;
(c) a microlens on the light output end of each microprism, such that when light from said light transmitting means enters each microprism through said light input end, the light is directed by said sidewalls through said microprisms and out each light output end;
and
(d) an array of second microprisms attached between the array of microprisms and the microlenses, wherein each second microprism comprises:
(i) a second light input end optically coupled to said light transmitting means;
(ii) a second light output end;
(iii) a second pair of oppositely positioned first sidewalls, each first sidewall having an edge defined by said second light input end and an edge defined by said second light output end;
at least one of said first sidewalls being positioned for effecting reflection of transmitted light toward the second light output end;
(iv) a pair of oppositely positioned second sidewalls, each second sidewall having an edge defined by said second light input end and an edge defined by said second light output end;
at least one of said second sidewalls being positioned for effecting reflection of transmitted light toward the second light output end and the microlenses.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Illumination assembly

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Illumination assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29