.
`
`United States Patent [19]
`Pristash et a1.
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,005,108
`Apr. 2, 1991
`
`[54] THIN PANEL ILLUMINATOR
`_
`i
`,
`[75] Inventors: Dmd J. Pnstlsh, Brecksvllle;
`Jeffery R- Parker, Concord, both of
`Ohio
`.
`.
`.
`[73] Asslgnee: Lunutex, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio
`[211 App}. NOJ 309,424
`
`4,519,017 5/1985 Daniel .
`362/32
`4,677,531 6/1987 Szeles ..
`.. 362/31
`4,729,067 3/1988 011C
`362/32
`4,761,047 8/1988 Mori .......... ..
`4,763,984 8/1988 Awai et a1. ......................... .. 362/32
`4,765,701 8/1988 Cheslak .
`4,302,066 l/1989 Mori .................................... .. 362/31
`4,825,341 4/1989 Awai ................................... .. 362/32
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Feb. 10, 1989
`
`[51] Int. c1.5 .............................................. .. F21V 7/04
`[52] us. c1. ...................................... .. 362/31; 362/32;
`362/26
`[58] Field Of Search ...................... .. 362/26, 27, 31, 32
`[56]
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,480,178 8/1949 Zinberg .......................... .. 350/96.l0
`3,043,947 7/1962 Amingel,y Jr
`“ " 362/32
`3,721,815 3/1973 Wall ............... ..
`362/32
`3,760,179 9/1973 Addington, Jr.
`40/546
`
`,
`
`,
`
`4,257,084 3/1981 Reynolds
`
`gammy - ' . - - - . ' - - v -
`
`OWC . . . . . - .
`
`- - - - -
`
`. . . ..
`
`362/27
`
`Primary Examiner-Stephen F. Husar
`Assistant Examiner-Sue Hagarman
`.
`.
`Mame)” Age“ 0' F"'"_Re““°” Om’ Bmssene 8‘
`Sklar
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`Thin panel illuminator includes a solid transparent panel
`member having one or more deformed output regions
`“'hlch Cause hght Fmermg the panel along a“ mput edge
`thereof 80 be emitted along the length Of the [131161.
`Llght may be transmltted to one or more panel Input
`edges from one or more light sources utilizing transition
`devices which convert easily focused light generally to
`the shape of the panel mput Surfaces‘
`
`‘
`
`4,323,951 4/1982 Pasco . . . . . . .
`
`. . . .. 362/31
`
`4,373,282 2/ 1983 Wragg ............................... .. 350/126
`
`76 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
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`6| \
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`7|
`2
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`62
`'/
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`__
`
`If
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`-—-
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`=
`
`g5
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`66
`
`VIZIO EX. 1007
`
`K.J. Pretech Ex. 1007
`
`Pretech_000467
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 2, 1991
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`5,005,108
`
`Pretech_000468
`
`

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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 2, 1991
`
`0
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`Sheet 2 of 6
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`5,005,108
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`\
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`54 52
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`\
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`TT ,/6"/5:'
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`Pretech_000469
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`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 2, 1991
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`5,005,108
`
`Pretech_000470
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 2, 1991
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`5,005,108
`
`Pretech_000471
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 2, 1991
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`5,005,108
`
`Pretech_000472
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 2, 1991
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`5,005,108
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`m“
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`I58
`I53
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`5 ; W
`
`\ \N
`
`I58
`
`FIG. 22
`
`Pretech_000473
`
`

`
`1
`
`THIN PANEL ILLUMINATOR
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates generally, as indicated, to a
`thin panel illuminator including a solid transparent
`panel member for conducting light and extractor means
`for causing light conducted by the panel member to be
`emitted along the length thereof.
`Light panel illuminators are generally known. How
`ever, the present invention relates to several different
`panel illuminator con?gurations which are less expen
`sive to make and/or provide for better control over the
`light output from the panel. Also, the present invention
`provides for more efficient transmission of light from a
`light source to the light emitting panel.
`
`10
`
`5,005,108
`2
`In another form of the invention, the transition device
`is made from a solid transparent material, and is pro
`vided with single or multiple input and output ends of a
`desired shape. Also, the input and/ or output ends of the
`transition device may be lens shaped to spread the light
`evenly across such surfaces, and such surfaces may be
`coated to absorb or re?ect certain frequencies of radia
`tion. Moreover, more than one transition device may be
`used to transmit light from more than one light source
`to a single panel, and the panel may have one or more
`light output regions of various shapes to produce a
`desired light output distribution.
`To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related
`ends, the invention, then, comprises the features herein
`after fully described and particularly pointed out in the
`claims, the following description and the annexed draw
`ings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodi
`ments of the invention, these being indicative, however,
`of but several of the various ways in which the princi
`ples of the invention may be employed.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In one form of the invention disclosed herein, the
`panel illuminator includes a light emitting panel mem
`ber made of a thin light conducting ribbon or ?lm bent,
`cast or formed into a predetermined pattern to cause
`light conducted thereby to be emitted along the length
`thereof. The effective radius of the bends, the number of
`bends per unit length, the panel thickness, the index of
`refraction ratio, and the internal ray distribution may be
`controlled to control the panel light output and cf?
`ciency.
`In another form of the invention, the panel member
`comprises a solid transparent wave guide having a pris
`matic surface on one side to cause the light rays entering
`the wave guide through an input surface (end edge) to
`exceed the internal critical angle and be emitted. The
`size, shape and depth of the surface deformities may be
`varied along the length of the panel to produce a de
`sired light output distribution. Also, a back re?ector
`may be used to redirect emitted light back through the
`panel. Moreover, a second prismatic ?lm may be placed
`in closely spaced relation to the panel prismatic surface
`to redirect the emitted light rays toward a particular
`application.
`In still another form of the invention, the panel mem
`ber comprises a prismatic ?lm having prism ridges run
`ning generally parallel to each other, with deformities
`along the tops of the prism ridges to cause light to be
`emitted. Also, diffuser surfaces, which may vary in
`depth and/ or width, may be formed along the length of
`the prismatic surfaces.
`In each instance, the panels may be shaped to ?t a
`particular application. Also, different light sources may
`be used to supply the panels with different types of
`radiation and reduce or eliminate others.
`Further in accordance with the invention, the panel
`input surfaces may be lens shaped or tapered to alter the
`input light ray distribution. Also, such panel input sur
`faces may be coated with an antire?ective or other
`coating.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
`transition device is provided for converting easily fo
`60
`cused light received from a light source to the shape of
`the panel input surface. In one form of the invention, the
`transition device includes an optical ?ber transition
`member having a round or other shaped connector at
`one end to permit a source of light to be easily focused
`thereon, and a rectangular or other shaped connector at
`the other end corresponding in shape to the panel input
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`In the annexed drawings:
`FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of one form of
`thin panel illuminator in accordance with this invention;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic fragmentary perspective view
`of a solid transparent light emitting ribbon panel in
`accordance with this invention;
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view
`of the ribbon panel of FIG. 2 schematically showing
`how light rays are transmitted through and emitted
`from such panel;
`FIGS. 4-6 are perspective views of various other
`solid transparent light emitting panels in accordance
`with this invention;
`FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of another form of
`solid transparent light emitting panel in accordance
`with this invention schematically showing light rays
`entering opposite ends of the panel and being emitted
`therefrom;
`FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevation view of another
`form of thin panel illuminator in accordance with this
`invention;
`FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the thin panel illuminator
`of FIG. 8;
`FIG. 10 is a top plan view of still another form of thin
`panel illuminator in accordance with this invention;
`FIGS. 11-14 are schematic longitudinal sections of
`several forms of solid transparent light emitting panels
`in accordance with this invention;
`FIG. 15 is a top plan view of one form of transition
`device in accordance with this invention for converting
`an easily focused cross-sectional shape of light to the
`shape of a panel input surface;
`FIGS. 16-19 are schematic perspective views of vari
`ous other forms of transition devices in accordance with
`this invention; and
`FIGS. 20-22 are schematic perspective views of sev
`eral different shapes of panels constructed in accor
`dance with this invention.
`
`40
`
`45
`
`55
`
`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 thin
`panel illuminator in accordance with this invention
`including a solid transparent light emitting panel 2 and
`a light source 3 which generates and focuses light, in a
`
`65
`
`surface.
`
`I
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`.
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`Pretech_000474
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`

`
`5,005,108
`4
`3
`tion ratio, and the internal ray distribution determining
`predetermined pattern, either directly on a panel input
`the light output and efficiency of the panel.
`edge 4 or on a transition device 5 which is used to make
`When the wave guide 25 is bent, certain light rays
`the transition from the light source 3 target shape to the
`that were previously internally reflected will be emitted
`light emitting panel input edge 4 shape as shown. The
`if the bends are below a critical radius. The critical
`light that is transmitted from the light source 3 to the
`radius is the radius of curvature at which these light
`light emitting panel 2 may be emitted along the length
`rays ?rst start to be emitted. By making the bends 26
`of the panel as desired to produce a desired light output
`more or less pronouced, the percentage of light emitted
`distribution to ?t a particular application.
`can be controlled for a given input ray distribution.
`A light source of any suitable type may be used,
`As schematically shown in FIG. 3, as certain light
`including, for example, any of the types disclosed in
`rays strike a bend surface 26 of panel 24, they exceed the
`copending application Ser. No. 125,323, ?led Nov. 24,
`internal critical angle and are emitted. If desired, one
`1987, now US. Pat. No. 4,897,771, granted Jan. 30,
`side of panel 24 may be provided with a back re?ector
`1990, and assigned to the same assignee as the present
`27 that re?ects the light emitted from that side back
`application, which is incorporated herein by reference.
`through the panel towards an application as schemati
`l5
`Light source 3 includes a radiation source 8 such as an
`cally shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3. Moreover,
`arc lamp, an incandescent bulb, a lens end bulb, an LED
`selected light emitting areas 28 of the panel 24 may be
`or a ?uorescent tube or the like, and may have a collec
`coated with a transparent coating 29 having a different
`tor 9 which collects the light emitted by the radiation
`refractive index than the light conducting ribbon or ?lm
`source 8 and uniformly focuses the light on the input
`25 to cause changes in the attenuation of light being
`end 10 of the transition device 5 with predetermined ray
`emitted from the panel 24 as further schematically
`angles to ?t a particular application. For the thin panel
`shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3.
`illuminator l of the present invention to operate effi
`FIG. 4 shows another form of light emitting panel 30
`ciently, the light source 3, transition device 5 and light
`in accordance with this invention including a solid
`emitting panel 2 must be designed to ?t each other as
`transparent wave guide 31 similar to the wave guide 15
`well as the particular application. However, it should be
`of FIG. 1 but having a prismatic surface 32 on a side 33
`understood that the light source 3, transition device 5
`which is covered by a back re?ector 34. Accordingly,
`and light emitting panel 2 may also be used separately if
`when the prismatic surface 32 is struck by light rays
`desired.
`entering an input end edge 35 of the wave guide 31,
`Light emitting panel 2 comprises a solid transparent
`causing the light rays to exceed the internal critical
`or translucent wave guide 15 made of glass, plastic or
`angle and be emitted, the emitted light rays will be
`other suitable transparent or translucent material, with
`re?ected back through the panel by the back re?ector
`disruptions 16 on at least one side 17 formed as by cut
`34 and out the other side 36 of the panel as schemati
`ting, molding, coating, forming or otherwise causing
`cally shown in FIG. 4. The angles and/or depth of these
`mechanical, chemical or other deformations in the exte
`prismatic surfaces 32 may be varied along the length of
`rior surface 18 thereof. When these disruptions 16 are
`the panel 30 to produce uniform or other desired light
`struck by the light rays entering the panel input edge 4,
`output from the other side 36 of the panel.
`they cause some of the light rays to exceed the internal
`In FIG. 4, the light rays are shown entering the panel
`critical angle and be emitted from the panel. The
`30 through an end edge 35 generally perpendicular to
`amount of light emitted from the panel will depend on
`the prism edges 37. Also, an end re?ector 38 is shown
`the type, shape, depth and frequency of the disruptions
`on the end edge 39 of the panel opposite the input end
`16. For example, if the exterior surface 18 is mechani
`edge 35. However, if desired, light rays may be caused
`cally deformed at decreasingly spaced intervals as the
`to enter the panel 30 from both end edges 35, 39, in
`distance from the light source 3 increases, there will be
`which event the end re?ector 38 would be eliminated.
`more uniform emission of light from the surface 18
`FIG. 5 shows another form of light emitting panel 40
`when viewed from a distance. Also, such disruptions 16
`in accordance with this invention comprising a solid
`may vary in depth and shape along the length of the
`transparent prismatic ?lm 41 having deformities 42 cut,
`panel 2 to produce a desired light output distribution.
`molded or otherwise formed along the top of the prism
`A back re?ector 20 may be provided on the side 21 of
`edges 43. Although the deformities 42 are shown as
`the panel 2 opposite the side 17 with the disruptions 16
`being of a generally triangular shape, they may be of
`50
`therein. In like manner, an end re?ector 22 may be
`any desired shape that causes light to be emitted, and
`provided on the end edge 23 opposite the input edge 4
`may vary in depth and shape along the length of the
`to minimize the amount of light escaping from these
`prism edges 43 to produce a desired light output distri
`surfaces.
`bution. In this embodiment, light rays are caused to
`Another light emitting panel 24 in accordance with
`enter the panel 40 from one or both side edges 44, 45 in
`this invention is schematically shown in FIG. 2 and
`a direction generally parallel to the prism edges 43.
`comprises a thin light conducting ribbon or ?lm 25 bent
`Alternatively, diffuser surfaces 46 may be formed
`into a wave form of predetermined pattern. Although
`along the top edges 47 of the prismatic surfaces 48'0f a
`prismatic ?lm light emitting panel 49 as schematically
`the dimensions of the panel 24 may vary, as an example,
`the panel 24 may be approximately 0.020 inch thick and
`shown in FIG. 6. These diffuser surfaces 46 may vary in
`have an overall height of approximately 0.040 inch, and
`depth and/or width along the length of the panel 49,
`be of any desired width or length depending on the
`and may comprise a roughened surface, a lenticular
`particular application. Such a panel 24 may be made in
`surface, or a prismatic surface or the like that consists of
`multiple surface deformities. A roughened surface, for
`any suitable manner, for example, by vacuum forming
`or injection molding. During the forming operation, the
`example, may be produced by grinding, sanding, laser
`cutting or milling. Also, both of the light emitting pan
`ribbon or ?lm 25 is bent in a predetermined pattern,
`with the number of bends 26 per unit length, the effec
`els 40 and 49 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may have pris
`tive bend radius, the panel thickness, the index of refrac
`matic surfaces on both the top and bottom surfaces
`
`40
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`Pretech_000475
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`

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`20
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`5
`rather than on just one surface as shown, and one or the
`other of the top or bottom surface may be provided
`with a back re?ector similar to the back re?ector 34
`shown in FIG. 4 to redirect emitted light back through
`the panel toward a particular application.
`FIG. 7 schematically shows another form of light
`emitting panel 50 in accordance with this invention
`which also comprises a solid transparent prismatic ?lm
`51 having a prismatic surface 52 on one side and a back
`re?ector 53 on the other side, similar to the light emit
`ting panel 2 shown in FIG. 1. Light rays may be caused
`to enter the panel 50 perpendicular to the wave guide
`prism edges 54 from one or both end edges 55, 56 of the
`panel, and are internally re?ected until they strike a
`deformity (in this case an edge 54 of the panel prismatic
`surfaces 52) which causes the light rays to be emitted.
`The size, shape and depth of the wave guide deformities
`52 may be varied along the length of the panel to pro
`duce a desired light output distribution. Also, a back
`re?ector 53 may be provided on the bottom side of the
`panel 50 to redirect light back through the panel.
`In addition, the panel 50 includes a second prismatic
`film 60 disposed in close proximity to the panel pris
`matic surface 52 to shift the angular emission of light
`toward a particular application. The second prismatic
`?lm 60 may be separated from the ?rst prismatic ?lm or
`wave guide 51 by air or an epoxy filled gap 61. If the
`wave guide 51 and second prismatic film 60 are epoxied
`together, the epoxy 61 must be transparent and have a
`suitable index of refraction. Also, multiple prismatic
`30
`films may be used in place of the single prismatic ?lm
`60, or the prismatic film 60 may be replaced by a dif
`fuser or lenticular lens or the like.
`Other examples of thin panel illuminators in accor
`dance with this invention are schematically shown in
`FIGS. 8-10. The thin panel illuminator 61 shown in
`FIGS. 8 and 9 includes a light emitting panel 62 and
`transition device 63 for transmitting light from a light
`source 64 focused on its input surface 65 to the panel
`input surface (end edge) 66. In this embodiment, the
`light emitting panel 62 comprises a laminated structure
`including a solid transparent wave guide 67 and extrac
`tor 68 joined together as by means of an adhesive layer
`69 or the like. Light that enters the wave guide 67 from
`the transition device 63 is internally re?ected until it
`strikes the wave guide-extractor interface 70 and is
`emitted from the extractor 68 toward a particular appli
`cation. The index of refraction of the adhesive layer 69
`may be varied relative to the indexes of refraction of the
`wave guide 67 and extractor 68 to produce a desired
`light output. If desired, the extractor 68 may be joined
`to the wave guide 67 by methods other than adhesive
`such as clamping, fastening, heat sealing and solvent
`gluing and the like. Also, the extractor 68 may consist of
`one or more coatings applied directly to selected areas
`of the top or bottom surfaces of the wave guide 67.
`These coatings may vary in frequency, index of refrac
`tion, color, and/or shape along the length of the panel
`62. Re?ectors 71 may also be provided at the end edge
`72 of the wave guide 67 opposite the input edge 66 as
`well as at the side edges to re?ect light back into the
`wave guide. Also, a back re?ector 73 may be provided
`on the bottom surface 74 of the wave guide to re?ect
`light back through the wave guide.
`The thin panel illuminator 75 of FIG. 10 also includes
`65
`a solid transparent light emitting panel 76, but which
`has multiple light output regions 77, 78, 79 of various
`shapes, and multiple transition devices 80, 81 for trans
`
`5,005,108
`6
`mitting light from multiple light sources 82, 83 to differ
`ent panel input edges 84, 85. In the FIG. 10 embodi
`ment, two such transition devices 80, 81 are shown
`connected to two panel input edges 84, 85 which are
`substantially perpendicular to each other. The sides and
`back of the panel 76 may have re?ective coatings 86
`thereon.
`Each output region 77-79 contains deformities 87
`produced, for example, by molding, machining, stamp
`ing, etching, abrading, or laser cutting or the like to
`cause light to be emitted therefrom. The light output
`pattern or uniformity of light output from these output
`regions 77-79 may be controlled by varying the shape,
`depth and frequency of the deformities 87 relative to the
`input light ray distribution. For example, the various
`light output regions 77-79 of the panel 76 may be
`etched, roughened or cut into different shapes and lev
`els of deformities using a laser by varying the power,
`position and cutting speed of the laser.
`FIGS. 11-14 schematically illustrate solid transparent
`light emitting panels having differently shaped light
`output regions. FIG. 11 shows a panel 90 with light
`input at one end edge 91 only and typical light ray
`travel. In this embodiment, panel 90 has a back re?ector
`92 on the bottom surface 93, an end re?ector 94 on the
`end edge 95 opposite the input end edge 91, and a de
`formed light output region 96 whose depth progres
`sively decreases along the length of the panel from the
`input end edge 91 toward the opposite end edge 95.
`FIG. 12 shows a panel 100 with light input at oppo
`site end edges 101 and 102 and a deformed output re
`gion 103 that progressively decreases in depth from
`both input end edges 101, 102 toward the middle of the
`length of the panel. FIG. 13 shows a panel 104 with
`light input at one end edge 105 only and a deformed
`light output region 106 on the bottom surface 107
`whose depth progressively decreases from the input end
`edge 105 toward the opposite end edge 108. Also, a
`back re?ector 109 is shown mounted on the bottom
`surface 107 of the panel 108 to redirect the light that is
`emitted from the light output region 106 back through
`the panel and out the top surface 110. In this embodi
`ment, either an air gap or a transparent fill material 111
`having a suitable index of refraction may separate the
`back re?ector 109 from the panel 104.
`Panel 115 shown in FIG. 14 is similar to panel 104 of
`FIG. 13 except that the back re?ector 116 of FIG. 14 is
`deposited directly on the deformed light output region
`117 and the depth of the panel is substantially uniform
`throughout its length.
`In each instance, the light input surfaces (end or side
`edges) of the light emitting panels may be lens shaped or
`tapered to alter the input light ray distribution. Also,
`such light input surfaces may be coated with an anti
`re?ective coating or a coating that changes the numeri
`cal aperture of the panel. The numerical aperture is the
`sine of the vertex angle of the largest cone of input rays
`that can enter an optical system or element multipled by
`the refractive index of the medium in which the vertex
`of the cone is located. Moreover, the light input sur
`faces, bottom surface and/or top surface of the panels
`may be coated to re?ect or absorb certain frequencies of
`light.
`From the foregoing it will be apparent that the wave
`guide con?nes and directs light in a direction deter
`mined by its boundaries, whereas the extractor causes
`light to be emitted from the wave guide. Examples of
`wave guides that may be utilized in the thin panel illu
`
`40
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`Pretech_000476
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`5,005,108
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`nectors as schematically shown in FIG. 18. Further
`minators of the present invention include glass sheets,
`plastic ?lms, liquid ?lled transparent enclosures, and
`more, ?lters may be placed between the light source
`crystals and the like. Also, examples of extractors that
`and panel or transition device to re?ect or absorb cer
`tain wavelengths of light. Also, a moving or rotating
`may be utilized in the thin panel illuminators include
`prismatic ?lms, diffusers, lenticular lenses, coatings and
`?lter may be used to produce color effects.
`Although the various solid transparent transition
`other systems or materials that cause the internal critical
`devices are shown separate from the light emitting pan
`angle to be exceeded which in turn causes light to be
`els, it will be appreciated that such transition devices
`emitted.
`Referring next to FIGS. 15-19, different forms of
`may be formed as an integral part of the panels. Also, in
`transition devices ‘for use in transmitting light from a
`certain applications the transition devices may be elimi
`remote location to the light emitting panels of the pres
`nated and the light focused directly on the panel input
`ent invention are shown. As previously indicated, the
`surfaces to cut down on system losses.
`purpose of such transition devices is to transmit light
`As will be apparent, the various thin panel illumina
`focused on its input surface or surfaces to a light emit
`tors disclosed herein may be used for a great many
`ting panel by converting a relatively easily focused
`different applications, including for example general
`cross-sectional shape of light to the shape of the panel
`lighting, phototherapy treatment, and radiation curing
`input surface. The transition device 120 shown in FIG.
`of adhesives and epoxies and the like. Typical general
`15 comprises a plurality of optical ?bers 121 having a
`lighting applications include back lighting of liquid
`round or other shaped connector 122 at one end on
`crystal displays or transparencies or the like, task light
`which a source of light is easily focused and a rectangu
`ing, machine vision lighting, safety lighting for both
`lar or other shaped connector 123 at the other end sub
`commercial and industrial as well as automotive appli
`stantially corresponding in shape to the panel input
`cations, explosion-proof lighting, underwater lighting,
`surface. The optic ?bers 121 may be made of glass or a
`display lighting and infrared heating and the like. Pho
`suitable transparent plastic material, and may be formed
`totherapy treatment includes such applications as tan
`into a ribbon-like cable 124 by loosely weaving cross
`ning lights, phototherapy of neonatal hyperbilirubine
`(?ll) threads 125 between the optical ?bers 121 which
`mia, photochemotherapy, photosynthesis of plants, and
`act as a harness without causing the optical ?bers to
`so on. Also, radiation curing of adhesives and epoxies
`bend to the degree necessary to emit light from the
`may be used in a wide variety of applications including
`transition device 120. Preferably, the optical ?ber
`aerospace, dental, circuit board, electronic component,
`strands 121 of both of the connectors 122, 123 are
`and optical component manufacturing, to name a few.
`scrambled to produce a higher uniformity in the transi
`To facilitate use of such thin panel illuminators for
`tion device output. Moreover, the ends of the connec
`phototherapy, the panels may be formed in the shape of
`tors 122, 123 are desirably highly polished to minimize
`a pad, belt, collar, blanket, strap or other suitable shape.
`losses, and may be coated to re?ect or absorb certain
`FIG. 20 schematically illustrates a thin panel illumina
`wavelengths of light.
`tor 145 in accordance with this invention being used for
`In lieu of using optical ?bers in the transition device,
`phototherapy treatment of infants including a solid
`the transition device may be made from a solid transpar
`transparent light emitting panel 146 in the shape of a
`ent material such as glass, plastic or the like having an
`pad and a light source 147 designed for example to emit
`input surface at one end of a cross-sectional shape on
`suf?cient radiation in spectral regions that lower plasma
`which a light source is easily focused such as round or
`bilirubin levels. The light source 147 may also be de
`square and having an output surface at the other end in
`signed to reduce output of infrared and ultraviolet radi
`the shape of the panel input surface. FIG. 16 shows one
`ation that may be harmful to the infant. In addition,
`such solid transparent transition device 125 having a
`such light source may be designed to provide suf?cient
`substantially square input surface 126 at one end and a
`illuminance and color rendering for inspection of an
`substantially rectangular output surface 127 at the other
`infant’s skin color. A transition device 148 in accor
`end, whereas FIG. 17 shows another solid transparent
`dance with this invention transmits the light from the
`transition device 130 having a round input surface 131
`light source 147 to the light emitting panel 146 in the
`at one end and a substantially rectangular output surface
`manner previously described.
`132 at the other end. Also, FIG. 18 shows a solid trans
`Although the light emitting panel 146 is shown in
`parent transition device 135 including multiple input (or
`FIG. 20 as being flat, it will be appreciated that the
`output) surfaces 136 at one end and a single output (or
`panel may be curved or otherwise formed to emit light
`input) surface 137 at the other end. FIG. 19 shows an
`in a desired manner or on a particular location. FIG. 21
`other solid transparent transition device 140 with a lens
`schematically shows a light emitting panel 150 bent or
`141 at the input surface 142 shaped to spread the light
`formed to ?t a particular application. Also, FIG. 22
`evenly across its output surface 143. In like manner, the
`shows another light emitting panel 151 in accordance
`output surface of the solid transition devices as well as
`with this invention in the shape of a channel 152 having
`the input surface of the light emitting panels may be lens
`a bottom wall 153, spaced apart side walls 154 and an
`shaped or tapered to alter the input light ray distribu
`open top 155, with deformities 156 along the interior
`tion.
`Although the respective input and output surfaces of
`length of the bottom and side walls 153, 154 to cause
`light to be emitted interiorly. The channel 152 may be
`the various transition devices are shown as square,
`curved or bent at 157 intermediate its length with the
`round or rectangular, they may be elliptical or any
`radius of curvature around which the light travels being
`other shape necessary to ?t a particular application.
`suf?ciently large that light is not emitted. Also, a re?ec
`Moreover, multiple light sources may be used with a
`single panel or multiple panels used with a single light
`tive surface 158 may be applied to the exterior surfaces
`of the panel to redirect light interiorly back through the
`source by providing the transition device with multiple
`panel bottom and side walls 153, 154 toward a particular
`input connectors leading to a single output connector or
`application.
`a single input connector leading to multiple output con
`
`65
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`45
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`35
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`Pretech_000477
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`
`9
`Although the invention has been shown and de
`scribed with respect to certain preferred embodiments,
`it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modi?ca
`tions will occur to others skilled in the art upon the
`reading and understanding of the speci?cation. The
`present invention includes all such equivalent alter
`ations and modi?cations, and is limited only by the
`scope of the claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A panel illuminator comprising a solid transparent
`panel member having a greater cross sectional width
`than thickness and top and bottom surfaces and an input
`edge, transition means for receiving focused light from
`a light source and transmitting the focused light to said
`input edge for conduction by said panel member, and
`means for causing the conducted light to be emitted
`from one of said surfaces along the length of said panel
`member, said transition means including an input sur
`face at one end shaped to permit a light source to be
`easily focused thereon, and an output surface at another
`end having a shape substantially corresponding in shape
`to said input edge of said panel member and connected
`thereto.
`2. The illuminator of claim 1 wherein said panel mem
`ber is formed into a wave form of predetermined pat
`tern having oppositely facing bends extending generally
`transversely acro