MX2008004217A - Optical device for led light sources - Google Patents

Abstract

Optical device and optical component part for the targeted reproduction of light emitted by LED light sources (6). The optical device comprises at least two component parts, a first optical component part (10) in the form of a solid waveguide and another component part for connection to the LED light source (6). In a system of Cartesian co-ordinates, the first optical component part (10) has a length in the y direction shorter than or equal to its length in the z direction and shorter than or equal to its length in the x direction. An envelope of the first optical component part (10) projected in an x-y plane formsessentially a rectangle. Proceeding from an x-y plane, the optical component part (10, 10') tapers in the z direction to maximum¼of the largest width measured along y (By, max), with any design of the y-z flanks of the optical component part (10, 10').

Description

OPTICAL DEVICE FOR LED LUMINOUS SOURCES Field of the Invention The LED light sources emit light at a very wide solid angle. Consequently, they can be used sparingly in practice for lighting tasks and decoration tasks without optical elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Different optical elements are known for LED light sources, their purpose being to focus the LED light widely dissipated, or to divert light to specific solid angles. An example of this is given in US 5,349,504, in which a solid waveguide is placed in a housing that uses a specific beam path to allow the light of two LED light sources, arranged in parallel, to be deflected towards two surfaces of light output, separated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is an optical device according to the aspects of the preamble of claim 1.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an optical device for LED light sources that generates focused light, having, at an average angle of at most 60 ° around a defined principal axis, a distribution curve of intensity clearly defined; being possible to define several main axes.

This object is achieved by an optical device according to the aspects of claim 1. Said optical device comprises two or more individual parts; serving an individual part for the purpose of connecting with the LED light source, and being able to connect with at least a first individual optical part. The at least one individual optical part is a waveguide whose longitudinal extension in the "y" direction is smaller than in the "z" direction; the longitudinal extension of the body in the "z" direction being less than or equal to the longitudinal extension in the "x" direction; and an envelope, projected towards the "xy" plane, which essentially produces a rectangle that comes from the xy plane, tapering the body in the "z" direction up to a maximum of 1/4 of the maximum width in the "y" direction (By, max), with any desired style of the flanks and z of the body. The optical device serves the purpose of focusing the light of the LED sources by means of a body having essentially a rectangular plane. This is advantageous, among other aspects, because a large proportion of the luminaires currently used are rectangular.

The first individual optical part - and, therefore, also the optical device comprising in its optically active part at least said individual optical part - has a refractive index that deviates from 1 to at least ± 0.1. The first individual optical part, as well as the optical device, has / have a flank xy and a flank (-x) - (- y), a flank xz and a flank (-x) - (- z), as well as a flank yz and a flank (-y) - (- z), with the flank (-x) - (-y) and, in some circumstances also flank y-z or flank (-y) - (- z) serving as the main output surfaces for light. It is thus possible to define, for lighting purposes, for example, only a single main axis (output surface on the flank (-x) - (- y) of the first individual optical part or the optical device), and the light will ideally have a distribution as rectangular as possible within an average angle of 4 or 40 °; the objective being a maximum amplitude with an intensity of more than 80 percent of the light coming from the optical elements, as well as flanks that are as inclined as possible, and a minimum as small as possible, with less than 10 percent of the light coming out of the optical elements out of the desired angle around the main axis. For decorative purposes, in contrast, a number of principal axes of the light output are often desired, which are located on the xy side of the optical device, due to the style of the beam path in the device or the first optical part individual, or even on the flank (-x) - (- y) and the flank yz or the flank (-y) - (- z) thereof; then forming all these flanks the main output surfaces for light.

Both the first individual optical part and the optical device are joined by several external surfaces which, preferably, respectively execute an optical function, for example, as reflectors and / or as lenses and / or as beam splitters, etc.

In a specific modality, a cavity or several cavities of any desired shape, in at least one individual optical part; and in that way, also in the optical device. Each cavity has boundary cavity surfaces which limit the cavity and act as mirrors and / or as lenses and / or as beam splitters within the individual part or within the optical device. The specific style and arrangement of the cavity or cavities allows the beam path to be adapted to the respective requirements. The cavities preferably extend parallel to the direction "y" in their longitudinal extension, being formed particularly as continuous cavities from the flank x-z to the flank (-x) - (-z). The latter allows a particularly simple production of the cavities.

At present, cavities can be produced in a particularly economical manner by laser cutting; and preferably the laser acts in the plane normal to the x-z plane or to the plane - (- x) - (- y). In a specific embodiment, the boundary mirror-smooth surfaces of the cavities act in such a way that light is transmitted virtually without deflection, or is reflected virtually in its entirety.

Various individual parts can be assembled with particular ease when they are formed in such a way that several of those individual parts can be forcefully closed or can be connected to each other. The individual parts that adjust mutually, complement each other in their optical functionalities in such a way that a final result sought in the form is obtained of a precisely described and planned distribution of the results of the emission, in terms of location, direction and intensity. Additionally, the parts mechanically complement each other in such a way that, when they are assembled, they produce a global image, planned by the engineer / designer, which represents a single part as far as visual printing is concerned.

Many variations can be achieved in the formation of the optical device, when several individual parts are combined to form said optical device and, in the process, the individual parts are assembled, in particular, in a mutually rotated manner; in such a way, that its axes "x", "and", "z" seem to be exchanged in the final optical device. For decorative purposes or special solutions, for example, this also results in "beam divider luminaires" having several main emission axes, around which light is emitted in a defined intensity curve, within a specific angle. In the case of such requirements, there are limiting angles out of which light is not desired. However, since zero emission is physically impossible, it is restricted to the feasible minimum. The technology described here allows in particular pronounced flat optical elements, as well as optical elements of very complex shape in the three dimensions; for example, as a snowflake, or as imitation quartz, or as any other form of crystal desired, as well as other forms (shape of hedgehog, starfish, tree, leaf shape, etc.), adapted in each case to the small size of the light source.

The optical device has an individual part that serves the purpose of connecting it to the LED. This is preferably formed so that the individual part can be simply screwed into the printed circuit board with the LEDs, or it can be connected in some other way to the printed circuit board in a way that fits by shape or that closes by force. Additionally, the individual part is preferably formed in such a way that the optically active part or parts of the optical device can be connected to the individual part simply by being pressed on it., for example, In another specific embodiment, the individual part serving for the purpose of connecting to the LED light source, is formed as an individual optical part and can be integrated into the optical device so that the beam path can also be be guided through that individual part.

The individual part that serves the purpose of connecting with the LED light source is formed in such a way that it fixes the light source accurately at the point contemplated for that purpose, so that it can be moved only within the given tolerances; that is, on the scale, for example, from 5/100 to 1/10 of a mm; and in this way ensure that the light is emitted in a manner totally directed to the target, towards the optical device, and in such a manner, it is emitted in a desired manner to the surroundings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other embodiments of the optical invention and of the individual optical parts are described in additional dependent claims.

The invention is explained by way of example in what follows, with the help of the figures. In the figures the identical objects are indicated in principle with identical reference symbols. In a purely schematic way: Figure 1 shows a first individual optical part of the invention on a side visa, looking towards the side x-z.

Figure 2 shows a second individual optical part, in side view, facing the flank y-z.

Figure 3 shows an optical device of the invention, assembled from three individual optical parts of the invention, mounted on a printed circuit board, with a LED light source, in side view, facing the flank y-x; Y Figure 4 shows the optical device of Figure 3, in a perspective view.

Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 shows a first individual optical part 10 of the invention, on a side visa, facing the side xz which, in this case, has an external surface 14 substantially flat, which remains in a plane xz of a system of Cartesian coordinates. This surface flat exterior 14 is perforated in the xz plane by openings leading to cavities 1, 2, which extend in the "y" direction, and which are formed such that they are continuous from the flank xz to the flank (-x) - (- z) The flank (-x) - (- z) of the individual part 10 has the same dimensions as the flank xz and is likewise formed as a substantially flat outer surface, which extends in a plane xz, with the corresponding openings that they lead to the cavities 1, 2. The first individual optical part 10 has a longitudinal extension, in the "y" direction, which is smaller than its longitudinal extension in the "z" direction; being its longitudinal extension, in the "z" direction, less than or equal to, its longitudinal extension in the "x" direction. In the case of the optical elements illustrated here, the length proportions, for example, are: "x" = 35 mm; "y" = 17.8 mm; "z" = 27 mm. However, a modality in which the external dimensions produce a cube would also be conceivable, whose proportions of length, in this case, would be: x: y: z = 1: 1: 1.

In the example shown here, the first individual optical part 10 is formed of PMMA, and the cavities 1, 2 are produced by laser cutting; the laser having acted on the surface normal to the x-z plane, in order to produce the cavities 1, 2.

The flank y-z and the flank (-y) - (- z) of the individual part 10 are configured in a mutually symmetrical manner, as outer surfaces 7 curved in an essentially convex manner. Its radius of convex curvature it decreases from the flank x-y to the flank (-x) - (- y), and finally joins on a flat surface, without warping. In the first third of these flanks, facing the flank xy, in each case, there is a projection 5 extending all the way in the "y" direction and with the help of which the individual part 10 can be connected to another individual part 10"by means of a" jump "mechanism of action, as shown in figures 3 and 4. However, this connection could certainly also be implemented by another type of jump action or another type of insurance connection, by means of a threaded connection or when it is not necessary for the connection to be releasable, also by means of a glued connection. Depending on the formation of the cavities 1, 2 and the formation of the remaining geometry of the first individual optical part 10, the portions of the outer surfaces 7 extending in the direction (-x) - (- y) can serve as output surfaces desired for light. However, if this is not the case, only a minimum fraction of the scattered light then exits through the entire outer surface 7.

The flank (-x) - (- y) is formed as a substantially flat outer surface 16, which extends in the x-y plane. It has slot-like openings 18, which extend in the "y" direction and through which the cavities 2 open in the flank direction (-x) - (- y). Taking into account a virtual outer surface (hereinafter referred to as a shell) comprising the outer virtual surface 16 with its openings 18; this envelope produces a rectangle when it is projected towards a plane xy, as can also be easily recognized from figure 4. The edge xy, opposite the flank (-x) - (- y), has a surface (20) whose envelope produces in the same way a rectangle when projecting towards the xy plane. According to the curvature of the outer surfaces 7, the extension of this rectangle in the xy direction, however, is smaller than that of the outer surface 16. The outer surface 20 is slightly convex and has a cut-out 22 in the middle. holding a second individual optical part 10 'and / or a LED light source 6. A LED light source is shown here by way of example. The cutout 22 extends approximately in two thirds of the first individual optical part 10, in the "z" direction and throughout the "y" extension of the first individual optical part 10. It has a bottom 3 and side walls 23 that they are formed according to the requirements for optical refraction, reflection and optical diffraction. In this example, the side walls 23 are removed from the middle portion in such a way that the cutout 22 dilate outwardly from the outer surface 20 towards the inside of the body of the first individual optical part. In this example, the bottom 3 is configured in a curved manner as if it were a barrel, towards the cutout 22.

Illustrated by way of example on the right side of Figure 1, there are a few light beams 8, with their beam path emanating from the LED light source 6. As can be recognized from here, the cavities with their bordering surfaces and the opening with its side walls 23 and the bottom 3, act on the light beams 8 in a way that is partially transmitting, refractive, diffracting or totally reflective. However, it is also possible to produce mixtures of these same effects in these boundary surfaces, in such a way that partial transmission and partial reflection occurs. The light beams 81 and 82, for example, for the most part, are transmitted in the bottom 3, so that they leave the outer surface 16 as the directed light beams 81 82, virtually parallel. A reflected fraction, which occurs in accordance with the laws of optics, of the beams 81, 82, enters the body of the first individual optical part 10, through the side wall 23. The light beam 8 finally transirradia the cavity 1 and leaves the body of the first individual optical part 10 as dissipated light 81 'in the projection 5. Said dissipated beams can be eliminated, if necessary, by means of specific and known coatings (optical coating). In the example shown here, the dissipation of light is desired and used in a programmed manner. The light beam 82 is reflected on the boundary surfaces of the cavity 2 and exits through the outer surface 16, in a manner approximately parallel to the beams 81, 82. The light beams 83, 84 enter the body of the first part individual optics 10 directly, through the side wall 23, a light beam 8 being reflected, from the inside in the side wall 23 and in the boundary surface of the cavity 2, so that it finally comes out from the outer surface 16 as a directed beam 8, in a manner virtually parallel to beams 81, 82, 82 '. After entering the body of the first individual optical part 10, the light beam 84 is reflected on the boundary surface of the cavity 1, and emerges in the same manner from the outer surface 16, in a shape approximately parallel to 8 r r 82, 82 ', 83. This shows that the cavities 1, 2, with their bordering surfaces, the opening 22 with its bottom 3, and the side walls 23, and all the outer surfaces 16, 7, 20, perform an optical function and, given proper formation, can act in a form that is both reflective as transmitter, as well as both refractive and / or diffracting.

Figure 2 shows a second individual part 10 'of the invention, in a side view, facing its side y-z. In principle, the second individual optical part 10 'has the same construction as the first individual optical part 10. Its longitudinal extension in the "z" direction is smaller than its longitudinal extension in the "y" direction; and its longitudinal extension in the "y" direction is less than or equal to its longitudinal extension in the "x" direction. For example, the length for the individual part 10 'in the example shown is: "x" = 27 mm; "y" = 10.9 mm; "z" = 8.9 mm. Its flank (-y) - (- z) and its flank yz are configured as substantially flat outer surfaces 14, which are located in a plane yz of a Cartesian coordinate system, and are pierced by openings of continuous cavities 2, which are they extend in the "x" direction, and by cutouts 22. The cavities 2 are open, in turn, towards the flank (-x) - (- y) by means of slot-like openings 18. Cavities 1 are not provided, which are open only towards the flank (-x) - (- z) and / or the flank x-z.

If a virtual envelope of a flank is projected (-x) - (- y) 16 of the second individual optical part 10 'towards a plane x-y, in turn, a rectangle is produced. This maintains for the opposite flank x-y and its envelope, the rectangle that results from it, having, in turn, a smaller extension in the "y" direction. The formation or style of the flank x-y and the flank (-x) - (- y) 16 is, moreover, adapted to the requirements for the optical functions; in this case, the flank (-x) - (- y) 16, which is formed in the middle essentially in an outwardly warped manner, to the shape of a barrel.

The outer surfaces 7 of the flanks (-y) - (- z) and yz are formed again in a mutually symmetrical manner, specifically in such a way that the body of the second individual optical part 10 'tapers from the flank (-x) ) - (- y) in the "z" direction, up to the xy edge. Even if the taper is much smaller in the example shown here, it is certainly conceivable to form the body of an individual part of the invention so as to produce, starting from a flank (-x) - (- y), a taper in the direction "z" to the flank xy, to a maximum of one quarter of the maximum width (B?, ma?), measured along x. The flank (-x) - (- y), in turn, has a cutout 22 for retaining a LED light source 6. The cutout 22 extends, in this case, in the direction (-z); but only about a quarter of the extension in the body of the second individual optical part 10 '. The bottom 3 is configured, in turn, in a curved manner, towards the cutout 22 in the shape of a barrel. The side walls 23 first constrict the cut 22 and then widen it to the bottom 3 again. The geometry of the cutout 22 or the formation or style of its side walls 23 and its bottom 3 are selected in accordance with the requirements for the optical functions.

Figures 3 and 4 show an optical device 30 of the invention comprising two individual optical parts: a first optical part 10 and a second optical part 10 '. The individual parts 10, 10 'are configured in a manner similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 2. The individual optical parts 10, 10' are placed one inside the other in a forced closing manner; the axes "x", "y" and "z" of the second individual part being rotated with respect to the axes "x", "y" and "z" of the individual optical part 10, so that the z-axes are identically aligned, but the "x" and "y" axes of the two individual parts 10, 10 'are rotated perpendicularly with respect to each other, by 90 °. However, the first individual optical part 10, connected by means of its projections 5 by means of a rapid action mechanism, to another individual part 10"which is formed essentially in the shape of a C. As the two individual optical parts 10, 10 ', the individual part 10"in the form of C is an individual optical part made of PMMA. With its two free ends 31, the other individual C-shaped part covers the first individual optical part 10 and is gripped in the projections 5 behind it, with the help of the protuberances 32 arranged in the end region of the free ends 31. Since the free ends 31 interact in a slightly elastic manner with the protuberances 32, together with the similar slightly elastic projections 5, form a quick action or blow closure, by means of which the individual part 10 can be easily connected to the individual part 10 'inserted in it, to the individual part 10", but it can also be returned to separate from the latter.

At the middle of its rear or rear region 9, the other individual part 10"C-shaped has an opening 34 for containing the housing of the LED light source 6. Additionally, the openings 36 for receiving screws 38 are provided in the rear region 9, in a spaced apart form of opening 34. Said screws can be used to fix the additional individual part 10"on a printed circuit board 40, on which the LED light sources are fastened. On the right side, figure 3 again shows different light beams 8 emanating from the LED light source. As shown by the beam 8a, the individual C-shaped part 10"is also optically active, the beam 8a passes through the other individual part 10" and strikes against the bottom 3 of the first individual optical part 10. It is partially diffracted there and transmitted through the body of the first individual optical part 10, so that it leaves the optical device 30 on its outer surface 16. The other part of the beam 8a is reflected in the bottom 3 of the first individual optical part 10. and, after passing once more through the second individual optical part 10 ', enters the body of the first individual optical part 10 through the side wall 23. It passes through the cavity 1 and leaves again the body of the first individual optical part 10, after which it enters in the other individual part in the form of C, it leaves again, after multiple reflection, through the free end 31 of the other individual part 10"and, finally, emerges in the same way from the optical device 30 through the surface outer 16, after passing additionally through the first individual optical part 10 and its various cavities 1, 2.

As shown with the help of this example for a beam path, it is possible to decrease the losses by scattered light by means of the formation of the individual part 10"C-shaped, as an individual optical part In the example shown here, however, this leads to the fact that the emerging light is no longer directed homogeneously, since the beam 8a 'does not leave the surface 16 in a manner parallel to the other beams.

It is clear that the modalities illustrated in the figures serve the purpose of explaining the invention, in the manner of an example. It is clear to a person with experience in the art that there are other possibilities of putting the invention into practice. The way in which it is possible to combine the elements shown in the various figures, in a rational manner, is clear to a person with experience in the matter; with the result that the examples shown in the figures in no way act in a limiting manner.

Claims (10)

1. - An optical device for the desired reproduction of the light emitted from LED light sources, comprising at least two individual parts, one of which is a first individual optical part (10) in the form of a solid waveguide, and one additional individual part (10") serves the purpose of connecting with the LED light source, characterized in that, in a Cartesian coordinate system, the first individual optical part (10) has a longitudinal extension in the" y "direction that is less than or equal to, its longitudinal extent in the "z" direction, and less than or equal to its longitudinal extent in the "x" direction, and an envelope, projected toward a xy plane, of the first individual optical part (10). ), which essentially produces a rectangle and, proceeding from a plane xy, the first individual optical part (10) tapers in the "z" direction to a maximum of 1/4 of the maximum width, measured along "y" "(By / max).

2. - The optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that a flank (-x) - (- y) and a flank yz or a flank (-y) - (- z) of the first individual optical part (10) are Main output surfaces for light.

3. - The optical device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a second individual optical part (10 '), in the form of a solid waveguide, is arranged in a cutout (22) of the first optical part individual (10); having in the Cartesian coordinate system, the second individual optical part (10 '), a longitudinal extension in the "z" direction that is less than or equal to its longitudinal extent in the "y" direction and less than or equal to its longitudinal extension in the "x" direction; and an envelope, projected towards a plane xy of the second individual optical part (10 ') which essentially produces a rectangle and, proceeding from a plane xy, the second individual optical part (10') tapers in the "z" direction to a maximum of 1 / of the maximum width measured along x

4. - The optical device according to claim 3, further characterized in that the first and / or the second individual optical parts (10, 10 ') are (are) joined by a plurality of external surfaces (7, 14, 16, 20) which execute, respectively, an optical function.

5. - The optical device according to any of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the first and second individual optical parts (10, 10 ') are assembled in a mutually rotated manner, so that their "x" and "y" axes They seem to be interchanged.

6. - The optical device according to any of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the first and second individual optical parts (10, 10 ') are assembled in a mutually rotated manner in such a way that their axes "x", "y" , "z" are at any angle desired one with respect to the others.

7. - The optical device according to any of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the first and second individual optical parts (10, 10 ') can be assembled in the form of forced closing and / or they can be joined together.

8. - The optical device according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the additional individual part (10") that serves the purpose of connecting to the LED light source (6) is also a solid waveguide that is integrated in the optical device (30) as an individual optical part.

9. - The optical device according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that are provided in at least one individual optical part (10, 10 ', 10"), one or more cavities (1, 2) of any desired shape , whose boundary cavity surfaces act as mirrors and / or as lenses and / or as beam splitters, within the individual part (10, 10 ', 10"); the longitudinal extension of the cavities (1, 2) extending parallel to the "y" direction or to the "x" direction, and their cavities being preferably formed as continuous cavities (1, 2) from the flank xz to the flank (- x) - (- z), or from the edge yz to the edge (-y) - (- z).

10. - The optical device in accordance with Any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second individual optical parts (10, 10 ') and the additional individual part (10") have an index that deviates from 1 in at least ± 0.1.