LED lens
AssigneeiLumisys, Inc.
InventorsDavid L. Simon, John Ivey, Gordon R. Lavering
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A light modifier for an LED producing light about a central axis is provided. The light modifier includes a lens defining an indentation. The indentation is angled relative to the central axis by an amount less than a complementary angle of a critical angle of the lens along the indentation. The lens can reduce the appearance of a bright spot created by the LED.
Claims22
A light modifier for an LED producing light about a central axis, the light modifier comprising:
- a lens defining an indentation to produce total internal reflection (TIR), the indentation angled relative to the central axis by an amount less than a complementary angle of a critical angle of the lens along the indentation such that light produced by the LED is at least substantially internally reflected by the indentation to pass through a light transmitting portion of the lens directly bordering an outer edge of the indentation to form a line of light, wherein:
- the indentation is angled between approximately 15 and 25 degrees relative to the central axis such that two lines of light are formed along a length of the indentation when the LED produces the light and the light is reflected to pass through the light transmitting portion of the lens;
- and
- the indentation includes two sidewalls forming a V-shape, each sidewall having one of the two lines of light formed along its outer edge.
A replacement light for a fluorescent tube usable in a fluorescent fixture comprising:
- a support structure having a longitudinal axis;
- at least one LED connected to the support structure, the LED producing light about respective central axes;
- at least one lens positioned along the central axis of the at least one LED to produce total internal reflection (TIR), the lens defining an indentation angled relative to the central axis less than a complementary angle of a critical angle of the lens along the indentation such that light produced by the at least one LED is at least substantially internally reflected by the indentation to pass through a light transmitting portion of the lens directly bordering an outer edge of the indentation to form a line of light, wherein:
- the indentation is angled between approximately 15 and 25 degrees relative to the central axis such that two lines of light are formed along a length of the indentation when the at least one LED produces the light and the light is reflected to pass through the light transmitting portion of the lens;
- and
- the indentation includes two sidewalls forming a V-shape, each sidewall having one of the two lines of light formed along its outer edge;
- and
- at least one electrical connector at a longitudinal end of the support structure in electrical communication with the at least one LED.
A method of forming a lens for an LED producing light about a central axis, the lens defining an indentation to produce total internal reflection (ITR) angled relative to the central axis less than a complementary angle of a critical angle of the lens along the indentation such that light produced by the LED is at least substantially internally reflected by the indentation to pass through a light transmitting portion of the lens directly bordering an outer edge of the indentation to form a line of light, wherein the indentation is angled between approximately 15 and 25 degrees relative to the central axis such that two lines of light are formed along a length of the indentation when the LED produces the light and the light is reflected to pass through the light transmitting portion of the lens and whereinthe indentation includes two sidewalls forming a V-shape, each sidewall having one of the two lines of light formed along its outer edge, the method comprising:
- extruding material in an extrusion direction to form a sheet of greater width than the lens, the sheet having a same profile as the lens;
- and
- sectioning the sheet to form the lens.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.