Illumination system employing an array of multi-faceted microprisms
US6129439A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 26, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 10, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/133607
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optical illumination system comprising a waveguide that accepts light generated by a light source and transmits the light via total internal reflection. Attached on one face of the waveguide is an array of microprisms, with each microprism having an light input surface, a light output surface and at least one sidewall which is tilted at an angle from the direction normal to the surface of the waveguide and further comprising at least two planar faces such that light escapes from the waveguide, reflects off the tilted sidewalls and emerges from the microprism as a spatially directed light source. An array of microlenses may be positioned to accept the output of the microprisms so that the light exiting from the microlenses is a substantially collimated light source. The optical illumination system is advantageous for any application that requires a non diffuse or substantially collimated light source that is both energy efficient and contained in a low profile assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.