(12) United States Patent
`Parker
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,300,194 B2
`*Nov. 27, 2007
`
`US007300194B2
`
`(54) LIGHT EMITTING PANEL ASSEMBLIES
`
`(75) Inventor: Je?ery R. Parker, Rich?eld, OH (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Solid State Opto Limited (VG)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U-S-C- 154(1)) by 125 days-
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`clalmer.
`
`(21) Appl. N0.: 11/245,408
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 6, 2005
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2006/0028843 A1
`Feb. 9, 2006
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`7/1962 Albinger, Jr.
`3,043,947 A
`3/1966 Viret et a1.
`3,241,256 A
`6/1967 Balchllnas
`3,328,570 A
`3/1973 Wall
`3,721,815 A
`8/1973 Baker et a1~
`3,752,974 A
`9/1973 Addington, Jr.
`3,760,179 A
`$363’
`i
`5/l976 T es
`3’958’l13 A
`ermohlen
`,
`,
`8/1977 Eberhardt et a1.
`4,043,636 A
`4,128,332 A 12/1978 R
`4,257,084 A
`3/1981 Rggolds
`4,277,817 A
`7/1981 Hehr
`4,323,951 A
`4/1982 Pasco
`4,373,282 A
`2/1983 Wragg
`4,446,508 A
`5/1984 KinZie
`4,519,017 A
`5/1985 Daniel
`4,573,766 A
`3/1986 Bournay, Jr. et a1.
`4,630,895 A 120986 Aid?la, Jr et al
`4,648,690 A
`31987 O c
`
`d
`C t'
`( on mue )
`
`(60) Division of application No. 10/784,527, ?led on Feb.
`23, 2004, noW Pat. NO. 7,160,015, and a division Of
`application NO‘ 09/256 275 ?led on Feb‘ 23 1999
`noW Pat. No. 6,712,481, Which is a continuation-in-
`part of application No. 08/778,089, ?led on Jan. 2,
`1997, noW Pat. No. 6,079,838, Which is a division of
`383132055105 £183/479551’176’ ?led on Jun' 27’ 1995’
`'
`'
`’
`’
`'
`(51) Int CL
`F2 1V 7/04
`362/619 362/612
`(52) U 5 Cl
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search ....... .. 362/60(%625
`See a lication ?le for Com lete Search histo
`pp
`p
`1y‘
`References Cited
`
`(200601)
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2,480,178 A
`
`8/1949 Zinberg
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Z”mi‘ryziimmwrf?jgigjfea
`.
`S” a” “mm”
`.
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FzrmiRenner, Otto, Bo1sselle &
`Sklar’ LLP
`57
`(
`)
`Light emitting assemblies include at least one light source
`and at least one ?lm, sheet, plate or substrate having optical
`elements or deformities of Well de?ned shape on at least one
`surface that have re?ective or refractive surfaces for con
`trolling the light output ray angle distribution of the emitted
`light‘ The .?lm’ Shée?’ plate or Substrate. may be? Positioned
`near the llght emlttmg surface of a llght emlttmg panel
`member With an air gap therebetWeen or over a cavity or
`recess in a tray through Which light from a light source in the
`cavity or recess is emitted.
`
`31 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`Mercedes-Benz Ex. 1001
`
`MBI_000001
`
`

`
`US 7,300,194 B2
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6/1987 Szeles
`4677531 A
`4,714,983 A 12/1987 Lang
`4,729,067 A
`3/1988 0119
`4,729,068 A
`3/1988 0116
`4,729,185 A
`3/1988 Baba
`4,751,615 A
`6/1988 Abrams
`4,761,047 A
`8/1988 M9r1_
`4763984 A
`8/1988 AWaI er 91-
`4765701 A
`8/1988 Cheslak
`4,791,540 A 12/1988 Dreyer, Jr. et a1.
`4,802,066 A
`1/1989 Mon
`4,811,507 A
`3/1989 Blanchet
`4,825,341 A
`4/1989 AWai
`4,890,201 A 12/1989 To?
`4,909,604 A
`3/1990 Kobayashi et 91-
`4,914,553 A
`4/1990 Hamada eta1~
`4,929,062 A
`5/1990 Guzik et 91
`4,974,122 A 11/1990 Shaw
`4,975,808 A 12/1990 B°I_1d eta1~
`4978952 A 12/1990 IrW‘n.
`4,985,809 A
`1/1991 Matsu1etal.
`.
`5,005,108 A
`4/1991 Pnstash et a1.
`6/1991 Schoniger et a1
`5027 258 A
`5,055,978 A 10/1991 Rogoff
`5,070,431 A 12/1991 Kitazawa et a1.
`5,093,765 A
`3/ 1992 Kashima et a1.
`
`7/1992 Yokoyama
`5,134,549 A
`8/1992 Pristash et a1.
`5,136,480 A
`8/1992 Schoniger et a1.
`5,136,483 A
`3/1993 Miller et a1.
`5,190,370 A
`5/1993 Murase et a1.
`5,207,493 A
`9/1993 Whitehead
`5,243,506 A
`5,262,928 A 11/1993 Kashima et a1.
`5,283,673 A
`2/1994 Murase et a1.
`5,339,179 A
`8/1994 Rudisill et a1.
`5,349,503 A
`9/1994 Blonder et a1.
`5,375,043 A 12/1994 Tokunaga
`5,377,084 A 12/1994 Kojima et a1‘
`5,390,085 A
`2/1995 Mari-Roca et a1.
`5,390,436 A
`2/1995 AS11311
`5,394,308 A
`2/1995 Watanabe et a1.
`5,467,208 A 11/1995 Kokawa et a1.
`5,467,417 A 11/1995 Nakamura et 211.
`5,477,423 A 12/1995 Fredriksz et 211.
`5,479,275 A 12/1995 Abileah
`5,485,291 A
`1/1996 Qiao et a1.
`5,600,455 A
`2/1997 Ishikawa et al.
`5,719,649 A
`2/1998 Shono et a1.
`5,947,578 A
`9/1999 Ayres
`5’999’685 A 12/1999 Got‘) et 31'
`2006/0274555 A1 12/2006 Parker ...................... .. 362/619
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`MBI_000002
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 27, 2007
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`Sheet 1 of4
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`US 7,300,194 B2
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`MBI_000003
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 27, 2007
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`Sheet 2 0f 4
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`US 7,300,194 B2
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`FIGS
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`MBI_000004
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 27, 2007
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`Sheet 3 0f 4
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`US 7,300,194 B2
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`53
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`54
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`5| ?o 52
`3
`57
`\ / 1/
`7/0 53
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`I
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`/ Q \ mg
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`'62"
`
`65
`
`r70
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`FIG. H066
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`FIG. l2
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`MBI_000005
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 27, 2007
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`Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 7,300,194 B2
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`73
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`6
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`7'
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`’/70
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`FIG. 13
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`72
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`77
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`MB|_OOOOO6
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`MBI_000006
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`US 7,300,194 B2
`
`1
`LIGHT EMITTING PANEL ASSEMBLIES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a division of US. patent application
`Ser. No. 10/784,527, ?led Feb. 23, 2004 now US. Pat. No.
`7,160,015, Which is a division ofU.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 09/256,275, ?led Feb. 23, 1999, now US. Pat. No.
`6,712,481, dated Mar. 30, 2004, Which is a continuation-in
`part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/778,089, ?led Jan.
`2, 1997, now US. Pat. No. 6,079,838, dated Jun. 27, 2000,
`Which is a division of US. patent application Ser. No.
`08/495,176, ?led Jun. 27, 1995, now US. Pat. No. 5,613,
`751, dated Mar. 25, 1997.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally, as indicated, to light
`emitting panel assemblies each including a transparent panel
`member for e?iciently conducting light, and controlling the
`light conducted by the panel member to be emitted from one
`or more light output areas along the length thereof.
`Light emitting panel assemblies are generally knoWn.
`HoWever, the present invention relates to several different
`light emitting panel assembly con?gurations Which provide
`for better control of the light output from the panel assem
`blies and for more ef?cient utiliZation of light, Which results
`in greater light output from the panel assemblies.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance With one aspect of the invention, the light
`emitting panel assemblies include a light emitting panel
`member having a light transition area in Which at least one
`light source is suitably mounted for transmission of light to
`the light input surface of the panel member.
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, the
`light source is desirably embedded, potted or bonded to the
`light transition area to eliminate any air gaps, decrease
`surface re?ections and/or eliminate any lens effect betWeen
`the light source and light transition area, thereby reducing
`light loss and increasing the light output from the panel
`assembly.
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, the
`panel assemblies may include re?ective or refractive sur
`faces for changing the path of a portion of the light, emitted
`from the light source, that Would not normally enter the
`panel members at an acceptable angle that alloWs the light
`to remain in the panel members for a longer period of time
`and/or increase the ef?ciency of the panel members.
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, the
`light emitting panel members include a pattern of light
`extracting deformities or disruptions Which provide a
`desired light output distribution from the panel members by
`changing the angle of refraction of a portion of the light from
`one or more light output areas of the panel members.
`In accordance With still another aspect of the invention,
`the light source may include multiple colored light sources
`for supplying light to one or more light output areas, and for
`providing a colored or White light output distribution.
`In accordance With yet another aspect of the invention, the
`panel assemblies include a transition area for mixing the
`multiple colored lights, prior to the light entering the panel
`members, in order to effect a desired colored or White light
`output distribution.
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`The various light emitting panel assemblies of the present
`invention are very ef?cient panel assemblies that may be
`used to produce increased uniformity and higher light output
`from the panel members With loWer poWer requirements,
`and alloW the panel members to be made thinner and/or
`longer, and/or of various shapes and siZes.
`To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends,
`the invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully
`described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the
`folloWing description and the annexed draWings setting forth
`in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention,
`these being indicative, hoWever, of but several of the various
`Ways in Which the principles of the invention may be
`employed.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the annexed draWings:
`FIGS. 1 through 3 are schematic perspective vieWs of
`three different forms of light emitting panel assemblies in
`accordance With this invention;
`FIG. 4a is an enlarged plan vieW of a portion of a light
`output area of a panel assembly shoWing one form of pattern
`of light extracting deformities on the light output area;
`FIGS. 4b, 0 and d are enlarged schematic perspective
`vieWs of a portion of a light output area of a panel assembly
`shoWing other forms of light extracting deformities formed
`in or on the light output area;
`FIG. 5 is an enlarged transverse section through the light
`emitting panel assembly of FIG. 3 taken generally on the
`plane of the line 5-5 thereof;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective vieW of another form of
`light emitting panel assembly in accordance With this inven
`tion;
`FIG. 7 is a schematic top plan vieW of another form of
`light emitting panel assembly in accordance With this inven
`tion;
`FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective vieW of another form of
`light emitting panel assembly in accordance With this inven
`tion;
`FIG. 9 is a schematic top plan vieW of another form of
`light emitting panel assembly in accordance With this inven
`tion;
`FIG. 10 is a schematic top plan vieW of still another form
`of light emitting panel assembly in accordance With this
`invention;
`FIG. 11 is a side elevation vieW of the light emitting panel
`assembly of FIG. 10;
`FIG. 11a is a fragmentary side elevation vieW shoWing a
`tapered or rounded end on the panel member in place of the
`prismatic surface shoWn in FIGS. 10 and 11;
`FIG. 12 is a schematic top plan vieW of another form of
`light emitting panel assembly in accordance With this inven
`tion;
`FIG. 13 is a schematic side elevation vieW of the light
`emitting panel assembly of FIG. 12; and
`FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic perspective vieWs of still
`other forms of light emitting panel assemblies in accordance
`With this invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring noW in detail to the draWings, and initially to
`FIG. 1, there is schematically shoWn one form of light
`emitting panel assembly 1 in accordance With this invention
`including a transparent light emitting panel 2 and one or
`
`MBI_000007
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`

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`US 7,300,194 B2
`
`3
`more light sources 3 Which emit light in a predetermined
`pattern in a light transition member or area 4 used to make
`the transition from the light source 3 to the light emitting
`panel 2, as Well knoWn in the art. The light that is transmitted
`by the light transition area 4 to the transparent light emitting
`panel 2 may be emitted along the entire length of the panel
`or from one or more light output areas along the length of the
`panel as desired to produce a desired light output distribu
`tion to ?t a particular application.
`In FIG. 1 the light transition area 4 is shoWn as an integral
`extension of one end of the light emitting panel 2 and as
`being generally rectangular in shape. However, the light
`transition area may be of other shapes suitable for embed
`ding, potting, bonding or otherWise mounting the light
`source. Also, re?ective or refractive surfaces may be pro
`vided to increase e?iciency. Moreover, the light transition
`area 4 may be a separate piece suitably attached to the light
`input surface 13 of the panel member if desired. Also, the
`sides of the light transition area may be curved to more
`e?iciently re?ect or refract a portion of the light emitted
`from the light source through the light emitting panel at an
`acceptable angle.
`FIG. 2 shoWs another form of light emitting panel assem
`bly 5 in accordance With this invention including a panel
`light transition area 6 at one end of the light emitting panel
`7 With sides 8, 9 around and behind the light source 3 shaped
`to more efficiently re?ect and/or refract and focus the light
`emitted from the light source 3 that impinges on these
`surfaces back through the light transition area 6 at an
`acceptable angle for entering the light input surface 18 at one
`end of the light emitting panel 7. Also, a suitable re?ective
`material or coating 10 may be provided on the portions of
`the sides of the light transition areas of the panel assemblies
`of FIGS. 1 and 2 on Which a portion of the light impinges
`for maximizing the amount of light or otherWise changing
`the light that is re?ected back through the light transition
`areas and into the light emitting panels.
`The panel assemblies shoWn in FIGS. 1 and 2 include a
`single light source 3, Whereas FIG. 3 shoWs another light
`emitting panel assembly 11 in accordance With this inven
`tion including tWo light sources 3. Of course, it Will be
`appreciated that the panel assemblies of the present inven
`tion may be provided With any number of light sources as
`desired, depending on the particular application.
`The panel assembly 11 of FIG. 3 includes a light transition
`area 12 at one end of the light emitting panel 14 having
`re?ective and/or refractive surfaces 15 around and behind
`each light source 3. These surfaces 15 may be appropriately
`shaped including for example curved, straight and/or faceted
`surfaces, and if desired, suitable re?ective materials or
`coatings may be provided on portions of these surfaces to
`more e?iciently re?ect and/or refract and focus a portion of
`the light emitted for example from an incandescent light
`source Which emits light in a 360° pattern through the light
`transition areas 12 into the light input surface 19 of the light
`emitting panel 14.
`The light sources 3 may be mechanically held in any
`suitable manner in slots, cavities or openings 16 machined,
`molded or otherWise formed in the light transition areas of
`the panel assemblies. HoWever, preferably the light sources
`3 are embedded, potted or bonded in the light transition
`areas in order to eliminate any air gaps or air interface
`surfaces betWeen the light sources and surrounding light
`transition areas, thereby reducing light loss and increasing
`the light output emitted by the light emitting panels. Such
`mounting of the light sources may be accomplished, for
`example, by bonding the light sources 3 in the slots, cavities
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`or openings 16 in the light transition areas using a su?icient
`quantity of a suitable embedding, potting or bonding mate
`rial 17. The slots, cavities or openings 16 may be on the top,
`bottom, sides or back of the light transition areas. Bonding
`can also be accomplished by a variety of methods that do not
`incorporate extra material, for example, thermal bonding,
`heat staking, ultrasonic or plastic Welding or the like. Other
`methods of bonding include insert molding and casting
`around the light source(s).
`A transparent light emitting material of any suitable type,
`for example acrylic or polycarbonate, may be used for the
`light emitting panels. Also, the panels may be substantially
`?at, or curved, may be a single layer or multi-layers, and
`may have different thicknesses and shapes. Moreover, the
`panels may be ?exible, or rigid, and may be made out of a
`variety of compounds. Further, the panels may be holloW,
`?lled With liquid, air, or be solid, and may have holes or
`ridges in the panels.
`Each light source 3 may also be of any suitable type
`including, for example, any of the types disclosed in Us.
`Pat. Nos. 4,897,771 and 5,005,108, assigned to the same
`assignee as the present application, the entire disclosures of
`Which are incorporated herein by reference. In particular, the
`light sources 3 may be an arc lamp, an incandescent bulb
`Which also may be colored, ?ltered or painted, a lens end
`bulb, a line light, a halogen lamp, a light emitting diode
`(LED), a chip from an LED, a neon bulb, a ?uorescent tube,
`a ?ber optic light pipe transmitting from a remote source, a
`laser or laser diode, or any other suitable light source.
`Additionally, the light sources 3 may be a multiple colored
`LED, or a combination of multiple colored radiation sources
`in order to provide a desired colored or White light output
`distribution. For example, a plurality of colored lights such
`as LEDs of different colors (red, blue, green) or a single
`LED With multiple colored chips may be employed to create
`White light or any other colored light output distribution by
`varying the intensities of each individual colored light.
`A pattern of light extracting deformities or disruptions
`may be provided on one or both sides of the panel members
`or on one or more selected areas on one or both sides of the
`panel members, as desired. FIG. 4a schematically shoWs one
`such light surface area 20 on Which a pattern of light
`extracting deformities or disruptions 21 is provided. As used
`herein, the term deformities or disruptions are used inter
`changeably to mean any change in the shape or geometry of
`the panel surface and/or coating or surface treatment that
`causes a portion of the light to be emitted. The pattern of
`light extracting deformities 21 shoWn in FIG. 411 includes a
`variable pattern Which breaks up the light rays such that the
`internal angle of re?ection of a portion of the light rays Will
`be great enough to cause the light rays either to be emitted
`out of the panel through the side or sides on Which the light
`extracting deformities 21 are provided or re?ected back
`through the panel and emitted out the other side.
`These deformities or disruptions 21 can be produced in a
`variety of manners, for example, by providing a painted
`pattern, an etched pattern, a machined pattern, a printed
`pattern, a hot stamped pattern, or a molded pattern or the like
`on selected light output areas of the panel members. An ink
`or printed pattern may be applied for example by pad
`printing, silk screening, ink jet, heat transfer ?lm process or
`the like. The deformities may also be printed on a sheet or
`?lm Which is used to apply the deformities to the panel
`member. This sheet or ?lm may become a permanent part of
`the light panel assembly for example by attaching or other
`Wise positioning the sheet or ?lm against one or both sides
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`MBI_000008
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`US 7,300,194 B2
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`5
`of the panel member similar to the sheet or ?lm 27 shown
`in FIGS. 3 and 5 in order to produce a desired effect.
`By varying the density, opaqueness or translucence,
`shape, depth, color, area, index of refraction, or type of
`deformities 21 on an area or areas of the panels, the light
`output of the panels can be controlled. The deformities or
`disruptions may be used to control the percent of light
`emitted from any area of the panels. For example, less and/or
`smaller siZe deformities 21 may be placed on panel areas
`Where less light output is Wanted. Conversely, a greater
`percentage of and/or larger deformities may be placed on
`areas of the panels Where greater light output is desired.
`Varying the percentages and/or siZe of deformities in
`different areas of the panel is necessary in order to provide
`a uniform light output distribution. For example, the amount
`of light traveling through the panels Will ordinarily be
`greater in areas closer to the light source than in other areas
`further removed from the light source. A pattern of light
`extracting deformities 21 may be used to adjust for the light
`variances Within the panel members, for example, by pro
`viding a denser concentration of light extracting deformities
`With increased distance from the light source 3 thereby
`resulting in a more uniform light output distribution from the
`light emitting panels.
`The deformities 21 may also be used to control the output
`ray angle distribution of the emitted light to suit a particular
`application. For example, if the panel assemblies are used to
`provide a liquid crystal display backlight, the light output
`Will be more e?icient if the deformities 21 cause the light
`rays to emit from the panels at predetermined ray angles
`such that they Will pass through the liquid crystal display
`With loW loss.
`Additionally, the pattern of light extracting deformities
`may be used to adjust for light output variances attributed to
`light extractions of the panel members. The pattern of light
`extracting deformities 21 may be printed on the light output
`areas utiliZing a Wide spectrum of paints, inks, coatings,
`epoxies, or the like, ranging from glossy to opaque or both,
`and may employ half-tone separation techniques to vary the
`deformity 21 coverage. Moreover, the pattern of light
`extracting deformities 21 may be multiple layers or vary in
`index of refraction.
`Print patterns of light extracting deformities 21 may vary
`in shapes such as dots, squares, diamonds, ellipses, stars,
`random shapes, and the like, and are desirably 0.006 square
`inch per deformity/ element or less. Also, print patterns that
`are 60 lines per inch or ?ner are desirably employed, thus
`making the deformities or shapes 21 in the print patterns
`nearly invisible to the human eye in a particular application
`thereby eliminating the detection of gradient or banding
`lines that are common to light extracting patterns utiliZing
`larger elements. Additionally, the deformities may vary in
`shape and/ or siZe along the length and/ or Width of the panel
`members. Also, a random placement pattern of the defor
`mities may be utiliZed throughout the length and/or Width of
`the panel members. The deformities may have shapes or a
`pattern With no speci?c angles to reduce moire or other
`interference effects. Examples of methods to create these
`random patterns are printing a pattern of shapes using
`stochastic print pattern techniques, frequency modulated
`half tone patterns, or random dot half tones. Moreover, the
`deformities may be colored in order to effect color correction
`in the panel members. The color of the deformities may also
`vary throughout the panel members, for example to provide
`different colors for the same or different light output areas.
`In addition to or in lieu of the patterns of light extracting
`deformities 21 shoWn in FIG. 4a, other light extracting
`
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`deformities including prismatic surfaces, depressions or
`raised surfaces of various shapes using more complex
`shapes in a mold pattern may be molded, etched, stamped,
`therrnoformed, hot stamped or the like into or on one or
`more areas of the panel member. FIGS. 4b and 40 show
`panel areas 22 on Which prismatic surfaces 23 or depressions
`24 are formed in the panel areas, Whereas FIG. 4d shoWs
`prismatic or other re?ective or refractive surfaces 25 formed
`on the exterior of the panel area. The prismatic surfaces,
`depressions or raised surfaces Will cause a portion of the
`light rays contacted thereby to be emitted from the panel
`member. Also, the angles of the prisms, depressions or other
`surfaces may be varied to direct the light in different
`directions to produce a desired light output distribution or
`effect. Moreover, the re?ective or refractive surfaces may
`have shapes or a pattern With no speci?c angles to reduce
`moire or other interference effects.
`As best seen in the cross sectional vieW of FIG. 5, a back
`re?ector (including trans re?ectors) 26 may be attached or
`positioned against one side of the panel member 14 of FIG.
`3 using a suitable adhesive 28 or other method in order to
`improve light output e?iciency of the panel assembly 11 by
`re?ecting the light emitted from that side back through the
`panel for emission through the opposite side. Additionally, a
`pattern of light extracting deformities 21, 23, 24 and/or 25
`may be provided on one or both sides of the panel member
`in order to change the path of the light so that the internal
`critical angle is exceeded and a portion of the light is emitted
`from one or both sides of the panel. Moreover, a transparent
`?lm, sheet or plate 27 may be attached or positioned against
`the side or sides of the panel member from Which light is
`emitted using a suitable adhesive 28 or other method in order
`to produce a desired effect.
`The member 27 may be used to further improve the
`uniformity of the light output distribution. For example, the
`member 27 may be a colored ?lm, a diffuser, or a label or
`display, a portion of Which may be a transparent overlay that
`may be colored and/or have text or an image thereon.
`If adhesive 28 is used to adhere the back re?ector 26
`and/or ?lm 27 to the panel, the adhesive is preferably
`applied only along the side edges of the panel, and if desired
`the end edge opposite the light transition areas 12, but not
`over the entire surface area or areas of the panel because of
`the di?iculty in consistently applying a uniform coating of
`adhesive to the panel. Also, the adhesive changes the inter
`nal critical angle of the light in a less controllable manner
`than the air gaps 30 (see FIG. 5) Which are formed betWeen
`the respective panel surfaces and the back re?ector 26 and/or
`?lm 27 When only adhered along the peripheral edges.
`Additionally, longer panel members are achievable When air
`gaps 30 are used. If adhesive Were to be used over the entire
`surface, the pattern of deformities could be adjusted to
`account for the additional attenuation in the light caused by
`the adhesive.
`Referring further to FIG. 2, the panel assembly 5 shoWn
`therein also includes molded posts 31 at one or more corners
`of the panel 7 (four such posts being shoWn) Which may be
`used to facilitate mounting of the panel assembly and
`providing structural support for other parts or components,
`for example, a display panel such as a liquid crystal display
`panel as desired.
`FIG. 6 shoWs another form of light emitting panel assem
`bly 32 in accordance With this invention including a panel
`member 33, one or more light sources 3, and one or more
`light output areas 34. In addition, the panel assembly 32
`includes a tray 35 having a cavity or recess 36 in Which the
`panel assembly 32 is received. The tray 35 may act as a back
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`MBI_000009
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`US 7,300,194 B2
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`7
`re?ector as Well as end edge and/or side edge re?ectors for
`the panel 33 and side and/or back re?ectors 37 for the light
`sources 3. Additionally, one or more secondary re?ective or
`refractive surfaces 38 may be provided on the panel member
`33 and/ or tray 35 to re?ect a portion of the light around one
`or more corners or curves in a non-rectangular shaped panel
`member 33. These secondary re?ective/refractive surfaces
`38 may be ?at, angled, faceted or curved, and may be used
`to extract a portion of the light aWay from the panel member
`in a predetermined pattern. FIG. 6 also shoWs multiple light
`output areas 34 on the panel member that emit light from one
`or more light sources 3.
`FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of still another form of
`light emitting panel assembly 40 in accordance With this
`invention including a panel member 41 having one or more
`light output areas 42 and one or more light transition areas
`(mixing areas) 43 containing a plurality of light sources 3 at
`one or both ends of the panel. Each transition area mixes the
`light from one or more light sources having different colors
`and/ or intensities. In this particular embodiment, each of the
`light sources 3 desirably employs three colored LEDs (red,
`blue, green) in each transition mixing area 43 so that the
`light from the three LEDs can be mixed to produce a desired
`light output color that Will be emitted from the light output
`area 42. Alternatively, each light source may be a single
`LED having multiple colored chips bonded to the lead ?lm.
`Also, tWo colored LEDs or a single LED having tWo colored
`chips may be used for a particular application. By varying
`the intensities of the individual respective LEDs, virtually
`any colored light output or White light distribution can be
`achieved.
`FIG. 8 shoWs yet another form of light emitting panel
`assembly 45 in accordance With this invention including a
`light emitting panel member 46 and a light source 3 in a light
`transition area 48 integral With one end of the panel member.
`In this particular embodiment, the panel member 46 is
`three-dimensionally curved, for example, such that light rays
`may be emitted in a manner that facilitates aesthetic design
`of a lighted display.
`FIG. 9 schematically shoWs another form of light emitting
`panel assembly 50 in accordance With this invention, includ
`ing a panel member 51 having multiple light output areas 52,
`and mounting posts and/ or mounting tabs 53. This particular
`panel assembly 50 may serve as a structural member to
`support other parts or components as by providing holes or
`cavities 54, 55 in the panel member 51 Which alloW for the
`insertion of modular components or other parts into the
`panel member. Moreover, a separate cavity or recess 56 may
`be provided in the panel member 51 for receipt of a
`correspondingly shaped light transition area 57 having one
`or more light sources 3 embedded, bonded, cast, insert
`molded, epoxied, or otherWise mounted or positioned
`therein and a curved re?ective or refractive surface 58 on the
`transition area 57 and/or Wall of the cavity or recess 56 to
`redirect a portion of the light in a predetermined manner. In
`this Way the light transition area 57 and/or panel member
`may be in the form of a separate insert Which facilitates the
`easy placement of the light source in a modular manner. A
`re?ector 58 may be placed on the re?ective or refractive
`surface of the cavity or recess 56 or insert 57. Where the
`re?ector 58 is placed on the re?ective or refractive surface
`of the cavity or recess 56, the cavity or recess may act as a
`mold permitting transparent material from Which the tran
`sition area 57 is made to be cast around one or more light
`sources 3.
`FIGS. 10 and 11 schematically shoW another form of light
`emitting panel assembly 60 in accordance With this inven
`
`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`tion including a panel member 61 having one or more light
`output areas 62. In this particular embodiment, an olf-axis
`light transition area 63 is provided that is thicker in cross
`section than the panel member to permit use of one or more
`light sources 3 embedded or otherWise mounted in the light
`transition area that are dimensionally thicker than the panel
`member. Also, a three-dimensional re?ective surface 64
`(FIG. 11) may be provided on the transition area 63. More
`over, a prism 65 (FIG. 11) or tapered, rounded, or otherWise
`shaped end 66 (FIG. 1111) may be provided at the end of the
`panel opposite the light sources 3 to perform the function of
`an end re?ector. The light sources 3 may be oriented at
`different angles relative to each other and offset to facilitate
`better mixing of the light rays 67 in the transition area 63 as
`schematically shoWn in FIG. 10 and/or to permit a shorter
`length transition area 63 to be used.
`FIGS. 12 and 13 schematically shoW still another form of
`light emitting panel assembly 70 in accordance With this
`invention Which includes one or more light transition areas
`71 at one or both ends of the panel member 72 each
`containing a single light source 73. The transition area or
`areas 71 shoWn in FIGS. 12 and 13 collect light With
`multiple or three-dimensional surfaces and/or collect light in
`more than one plane. For example each transition area 71
`shoWn in FIGS. 12 and 13 has elliptical and parabolic shape
`surfaces 74 and 75 in different planes for directing the light
`rays 76 into the panel member at a desired angle.
`Providing one or more transition areas at one or both ends
`of the panel member of any desired dimension to accom
`modate one or more light sources, With re?ective and/or
`refract