Patent Application
20230280014
The present technology relates to light fixtures, and more particularly to optics for light fixtures that include total internal reflection refractors to control the directionality of light emitted from the light fixtures.
Outdoor light fixtures are used in residential and commercial locations and may be used for various illumination purposes including illuminating streets, sidewalks, and parking lots. Outdoor light fixtures are often desirable because they provide illumination at night to thereby increase visibility and safety.
Light sources in the outdoor light fixtures may generate and transmit light in multiple directions, some of which are undesirable. For example, light fixtures intended to light a sidewalk and/or street may also emit light towards residences located behind the light fixtures, which can be a nuisance to the inhabitants. This also leads to inefficiencies as all of the light from the light fixture is not being directed towards its intended target.
Large external reflectors positioned adjacent the light fixtures, or the light sources in the light fixtures, have been used to redirect emitted light in the desired direction. Moreover, small internal reflectors have been positioned within the primary optic. Both of these solutions lower the overall optical efficiency of the fixture and increase cost and installation time. Accordingly, there is a need to better and more accurately control the direction of light emitted by the light fixtures without increasing the cost of such fixtures.
The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.
Some embodiments are directed to an optic having a first optic portion located on a first side of the optic and a second optic portion formed integrally with the first optic portion and located on a second side of the optic. A first cavity is defined by a first cavity inner surface in the first optic portion, the first optic portion being configured to refract light rays emitted by at least one light source. The second optic portion includes at least one total internal reflection surface and a second cavity defined at least partially by a second cavity rear surface that extends at an angle between 20 and 60, inclusive, relative to an axis defining the height of the optic. The second cavity rear surface is configured to refract other light rays toward the at least one total internal reflection surface, and the at least one internal reflection surface is configured to reflect the light rays toward the first side of the optic.
The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:
Throughout this description for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the many aspects and embodiments disclosed herein. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the many aspects and embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown in diagram or schematic form to avoid obscuring the underlying principles of the described aspects and embodiments.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an optic having incorporated within and formed integrally with it a total internal reflection refractor to redirect the light emitted in an undesirable direction toward a desirable direction.
In some embodiments, the first optic portion 102 is a refractor and the second optic portion 104 is a total internal reflection (“TIR”) refractor. In use, the optic 100 is positioned over one or more light sources provided within a light fixture 101 (such as shown in
The first optic portion 102 is formed of a solid optical body defined by a first optic portion outer surface 106 and a first optic portion base surface 108. A first cavity 110 is defined in the underside of the first optic portion 102 by a first cavity inner surface 112. In some embodiments, the first cavity 110 can assume a semi-spherical shape or can have other curved shapes such as, but not limited to, a parabolic shape. In use, the optic 100 is positioned over one or more light sources such that the light sources are received within, and/or emit light into, the first cavity 110. While the first optic portion 102 of the optic 100 is illustrated as having a substantially smooth, curved outer shape defined by the first optic portion outer surface 106, the first optic portion 102 may include any desirable cross-sectional outer shape, including, but not limited to, a square shape, a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, a circular shape, and the like.
In some embodiments, the first optic portion 102 acts as a refractor to receive light emitted from the light source(s) in a first direction and emit light from the first optic portion 102 in a second direction that is the same or similar to the first direction. More specifically, at least some of the light rays emitted from the light source(s) impinge on, and are bent at a first bending angle by, the first cavity inner surface 112, pass through the first optic portion 102, and are further bent at a second bending angle by, and exit through, the first optic portion outer surface 106. For purposes of this application, “bending angle” refers to the angle between the paths of a light ray entering and exiting an optic surface. The first and second bending angles can be the same or different. In some embodiments, the light rays received by the first optic portion 102 may include light rays originally emitted in a desirable direction DD. In some embodiments, such light rays are refracted and exit the first optic portion 102 also in the desirable direction DD.
The second optic portion 104 is a solid optical body defined by a second optic portion base surface 114, opposing second optic portion outer side surfaces 116a, 116b, a second optic portion outer front surface (or surfaces) 118 and a second optic portion outer rear surface 120. “Front” and “rear” are intended to reference proximity to the first optic portion 102, such that a second optic portion outer front surface 118 is more proximate the first optic portion 102 than the second optic portion outer rear surface 120. In some embodiments, first and second optic base surfaces 108, 114 are co-planar; however, such may not always be the case. Moreover, in some embodiments, the second optic portion outer front surface 118 extends substantially perpendicular relative to one or both of the first and second optic base surfaces 108, 114. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the second optic portion side surfaces 116a, 116b extend substantially parallel to each other and/or substantially perpendicular to the second optic portion outer front surface 118 and/or substantially perpendicular to one or both of the first and second optic base surfaces 108, 114. The second optic portion outer rear surface 120 curves concavely relative to one or more light source(s) emitting light into the optic 100. One of skill in the art will understand that the outer shape of the second optic portion 104 may deviate from what is illustrated.
A second cavity 122 is formed in the underside of the second optic portion 104 and connects and is in communication with the first cavity 110. As best seen in
The second cavity 122 is defined by a second cavity front surface (or surfaces) 124, opposing second cavity side surfaces 126a, 126b, and a second cavity rear surface 128 that extends between the second cavity side surfaces 126a, 126b. In some embodiments, the second cavity front surface 124 extends substantially perpendicular relative to one or both of the first and second optic base surfaces 108, 114. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the second cavity side surfaces 126a, 126b extend substantially parallel to each other and/or substantially perpendicular to the second cavity front surface 124 and/or substantially perpendicular to one or both of the first and second optic base surfaces 108, 114. In some embodiments, the second cavity rear surface 128 extends from the second optic base surface 114 toward and/or to the second cavity front surface 124. In some embodiments, the second cavity rear surface 128 extends at an angle θ relative to axis z (the axis along which height H is measured). In some embodiments, axis z is parallel to nadir. In some embodiments, axis z is perpendicular to one or both of first optic portion base surface 108 and second optic base surface 114. In some embodiments, angle β is between 10°-70°, inclusive; between 20°-60°, inclusive; between 30°-50°, inclusive; between 25°-45°, inclusive; between 25°-35°, inclusive; and/or between 20°-30°, inclusive. In some embodiments, angle β is constant along all or substantially all of the height of the second cavity rear surface 128 (i.e., the second cavity rear surface 128 is flat/planar or substantially flat/planar). Some or all of the surfaces described herein can be smooth or can be provided with surface enhancements depending on the desired light output.
The second optic portion 104 includes a refractor base 130 from which extends a first TIR refractor portion 132 and a second TIR refractor portion 134 (more distal the first optic portion 102 than the first TIR refractor portion 132). The first TIR refractor portion 132 include a first TIR refractor portion exit surface 136 and a first TIR refractor portion rear surface 138 having an internal reflection surface 139. The second TIR refractor portion 134 includes a second TIR refractor portion front surface 140 and a second TIR refractor portion exit surface 142. The second optic portion outer rear surface 120 defines the rear of the second TIR refractor portion 134 and has an internal reflection surface 121. The first TIR refractor portion rear surface 138 and the second TIR refractor portion front surface 140 are illustrated as extending substantially parallel to each other and as being connected by a connecting surface 144 such that a trough is essentially formed between the first and second TIR refractor portions 132, 134. Moreover, the first TIR refractor portion top surface 136 is illustrated as being flat and extending at a constant angle upwardly from the first optic portion 102, and the second TIR refractor portion exit surface 142 is illustrated as curving concavely into the optic 100. However, one of skill in the art will understand that the geometry of the second optic portion 104 may be modified and customized as desired. By way only of example, the second optic portion 104 may only have a single TIR refractor portion or may have more than two TIR refractor portions. Moreover, the angulation and/or curvature of the surfaces may be modified to achieve a particular light output. Thus, in no way should the geometry of the second option portion 104 (or the first optic portion 102) shown in the figures be limiting on embodiments of the present invention.
In use and as seen in
In use, a light source 150 generates emitted light that passes through the optic 100. In some embodiments, the first optic portion 102 acts as a refractor and the second optic portion 104 acts as a TIR refractor to redirect and reflect some of the light that is emitted in an undesirable direction UD back in a desirable direction DD.
As best seen in
The first set of refracted second light rays 156a are reflected as a first set of reflected second light rays 156a′ by the internal reflection surface 121 in a direction towards the second TIR refractor portion exit surface 142. The first set of reflected second light rays 156a′ are then refracted by the second TIR refractor portion exit surface 142 and exit the optic 100 in a direction toward the desirable direction DD. Similarly, the second set of refracted second light rays 156b are reflected as a second set of reflected second light rays 156b′ by the internal reflection surface 139 in a direction towards the first TIR refractor portion exit surface 136. The second set of reflected second light rays 156b′ are then refracted by the first TIR refractor portion exit surface 136 and exit the optic 100 in a direction toward the desirable direction DD. Another way to state this is that the first option portion 102 is on a first side of the optic 100 and the second optic portion 104 is on a second side of the optic 100, and the second optic portion 104 is designed to redirect light emitted toward the second side of the optic 100 toward the first side of the optic 100.
In some embodiments, a series of optics 100 may be provided on a lens 500 for use in a light fixture, as seen in
The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the described embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. In particular, it should be appreciated that the various elements of concepts from
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, or gradients thereof, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. The invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, and certain shown exemplary embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. Variations of those preferred embodiments, within the spirit of the present invention, may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.
