LED symbol signal
View Patent ↗A LED symbol signal with LEDs arrayed to correspond to a desired symbol. Light from the LEDs is directed onto corresponding optical segments of a multiple collimating zone element and directed into a forward direction/distribution. A mask defines the desired symbol. The optical segments and or a diffusion surface on the cover or multiple collimating zone element(s) diffuses the display aspect, obscuring the individual LEDs. A diameter of the optical features of the diffusion surface is smaller than a diameter of the optical segments. The LED symbol signal may be configured for retrofitting into an incandescent lamp signal housing.
1. A LED symbol signal, comprising:
at least one LED mounted on
a printed circuit board arranged in
a housing with an open end; the open end covered by
a collimating element with at least one optical segment,
a mask with at least one hole defining the symbol, and
a cover.
2. The signal of claim 1 , wherein:
a power supply circuit is located on the printed circuit board.
3. The signal of claim 1 , wherein:
the mask has a thickness which substantially fills a space between the collimating element and the cover.
4. The signal of claim 1 , wherein:
an inner face of the cover has a diffusion surface having optical features.
5. The signal of claim 1 , wherein:
an outer face of the cover has a diffusion surface having optical features.
6. The signal of claim 1 , wherein:
an outer face of the collimating element has a diffusion surface having optical features.
7. The signal of claim 1 , wherein:
an inner face of the collimating element has a diffusion surface having optical features.
8. The signal of claim 1 , wherein:
the collimating element is one or more of the optical segment(s) that are attachable to at least one hole in the mask.
9. The signal of claim 1 , wherein:
the collimating element, the mask, and the cover are integrated into a single component.
10. The signal of claim 1 , wherein:
a front surface of the cover is angled with respect to a back plane of the housing.
11. The signal of claim 1 , wherein:
the printed circuit board is shaped to support electrical circuitry and an LED configuration generally corresponding to the symbol but is otherwise cut-away.
12. The signal of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one LED, the collimating element and the cover are arranged and configured to direct a light output from the at least one LED in a substantially equal angle about a central axis of the housing.
13. The signal of claim 1 , wherein:
the symbol is an arrow.
14. The signal of claim 1 , wherein:
the optical segments are hexagonal in shape.
15. The signal of claim 1 , wherein:
the signal is arranged for placement into an incandescent signal housing upon removal of an incandescent lamp and a lens.
16. The signal of claim 15 , wherein:
the signal connects to an incandescent lamp socket with an incandescent socket power connector.
17. The signal of claim 1 , further including:
at least one reflector mounted on the printed circuit board.
18. The signal of claim 17 , wherein:
the at least one reflector is arranged to redirect light emitted through a side wall of the at east one LED into a forward direction.
19. The signal of claim 4 , wherein:
the diffusion surface is only in an area corresponding with the at least one hole in the mask.
20. The signal of claim 4 , wherein:
a diameter of the optical features is less than a diameter of the at least one optical segment.
21. The signal of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one LED and the optical segment(s) are aligned so that a majority of light emitted by the at least one LED is directed onto the at least one optical segment.
22. The signal of claim 21 , wherein:
the at least one LED is a plurality of LEDs, and the at least one optical segment is a plurality of optical segments, each of the LEDs having only one of the plurality of optical segments associated with it the LED.
23. The signal of claim 22 , wherein:
more than one of the LEDs are clustered together and are associated with only one of the plurality of optical segments.
24. The signal of claim 5 , wherein:
a diameter of the optical features is less than a diameter of the at least one optical segment.
25. The signal of claim 6 , wherein:
a diameter of the optical features is less than a diameter of the at least one optical segment.
26. The signal of claim 7 , wherein:
a diameter of the optical features is less than a diameter of the at least one optical segment.
27. A LED symbol signal, comprising:
at least one LED mounted in at least one reflector, on
a printed circuit board having power supply components thereon, arranged in
a housing with an open end, the open end covered by
a collimating element with a plurality of optical segments,
a mask having at least one hole defining the symbol, and
a cover having a diffusion surface in areas corresponding to the at least one hole, which closes the housing.
28. A LED symbol signal, comprising:
at least one LED mounted on
a printed circuit board arranged in
a housing with an open end, the open end covered by
a collimating element with at least one optical segment arranged to direct a light output from the at least one LED,
a mask with at least one hole defining the symbol, and
a cover having an inner face with a diffusion surface, the cover sealing the open end of the housing; and
the mask has a thickness which substantially fills a space between the collimating element and the cover.
29. A LED symbol signal, comprising:
at least one LED mounted on
a printed circuit board arranged in
a housing with an open end, the open end covered by
a cover comprising a plurality of optical segments on an LED side and a mask on the opposite side; said, mask corresponding to the symbol.
30. The LED symbol signal of claim 29 , wherein:
the optical segments are generally hexagonal.
31. The LED symbol signal of claim 30 , wherein:
the cover has a diffusion surface with optical features having a diameter that is less than a diameter of the optical segments.
32. The LED symbol signal of claim 29 , wherein:
a power supply circuit is located on the printed circuit board.