Monolithic beam shaping light output light device
US6056426A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 2, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF21S41/24
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A monolithic light output device with a unitary construction is coupled to an optical fiber or light pipe to produce an output beam. The light output device has an elongated beam shaping rod connected to a solid lens by a conical transition section. The beam shaping rod modifies the distribution of the light from the optical fiber or light pipe by means of total internal reflection at its peripheral wall. The light passing through the beam shaping rod forms a modified light source at the end of the rod. The solid lens projects the modified light source outward to form the output beam. A controlled beam pattern with sharp beam edges is produced by forming the wall of the conical section at an expansion angle that is equal or larger than the maximum exit angle of the light from the modified light source. Local surface slope variations provided on the peripheral wall of the beam shaping rod redirect the light passing through the beam shaping rod to result in a desired beam distribution.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.