Multiple piece reflective angle transformer
View Patent ↗Collection optics are used with one or more light emitting diodes to produce, e.g., collimated light. The collection optics are produced in multiple pieces including a small reflective ring that surrounds the one or more light emitting diodes. The reflective ring may be positioned relative to the LEDs, using a mesa upon which the LEDs are mounted, as a lateral positioning guide. A separate upper reflector uses the reflective ring as a lateral positioning guide during assembly. The reflective ring and the upper reflector include reflective sidewalls that are approximately continuous when the reflective ring and upper reflector are assembled.
1. An apparatus comprising:
at least one light emitting diode;
a reflective ring that surrounds the at least one light emitting diode, the reflective ring having a first set of reflective sidewalls; and
an upper reflector that surrounds the reflective ring, the upper reflector having a second set of reflective sidewalls,
wherein the upper reflector and the reflective ring are separate pieces, the first set of reflective sidewalls and the second set of reflective sidewalls are approximately continuous, and
wherein the upper reflector includes one or more reflective elements, each of the reflective elements being a singular and unitary element that has a first reflective surface and a second surface that is at least a part of a perimeter surrounding the reflective ring, wherein the reflective ring at least partially covers a top surface of the at least one light emitting diode.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reflective sidewalls of the first set of reflective sidewalls have a curved configuration, and the reflective sidewalls of the second set of reflective sidewalls have a curved configuration, wherein the first set of reflective sidewalls and the second set of reflective sidewalls form an approximately continuous curve.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first set of reflective sidewalls have an angled or vertical orientation with respect to a planar surface of the at least one light emitting diode and the second set of reflective sidewalls have an angled or vertical orientation with respect to the planar surface of the at least one light emitting diode.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first set of reflective sidewalls form at least one of a rectangular, oval or circular opening that surrounds the at least one emitting diode.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein there is a plurality of light emitting diodes in an array and the reflective ring surrounds the plurality of light emitting diodes.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light emitting diode is mounted on a surface of a submount, and wherein the reflective ring extends below the surface of the submount.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the submount comprises a mesa that has a top surface and surrounding sidewalls, the surface of the submount on which the at least one light emitting diode is mounted is the top surface of the mesa, wherein a portion of the reflective ring surrounds the sidewalls of the mesa.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the mesa is defined by a groove in the submount.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the upper reflector does not apply a compressive force on the reflective ring towards a heat sink.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light emitting diode is coupled to a submount, wherein a portion of the submount is disposed between the upper reflector and a heat sink, wherein the mounting of the upper reflector to the heat sink applies a compressive force on the submount.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the submount is a first submount, and wherein the at least one light emitting diode is mounted on a second submount that is mounted to the first submount.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reflective ring is not connected to the upper reflector.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper reflector is bonded to a heat sink by one of epoxy and silicone.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper reflector is mechanically coupled to a heat sink by one of bolts and clamps.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a gap disposed between the first set of reflective sidewalls and the second set of reflective sidewalls, wherein the gap is not occupied by a solid material.
16. An apparatus comprising:
at least one light emitting diode;
a submount having a top surface, the at least one light emitting diode being mounted to the top surface of the submount;
a first reflective component mounted to the submount, the first reflective component surrounding the at least one light emitting diode;
a second reflective component that surrounds the first reflective component, the second reflective component having a second set of reflective sidewalls, wherein the first reflective component and the second reflective component are separate pieces, wherein the first set of reflective sidewalls and the second set of reflective sidewalls are approximately continuous;
wherein the second reflective component includes one or more reflective elements, each of the reflective elements being a singular and unitary element that has a first reflective surface and a second surface that is at least a part of a perimeter surrounding the first reflective component, wherein the first reflective component at least partially covers a top surface of the at least one light emitting diode.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the reflective sidewalls of the first set of reflective sidewalls have a curved configuration, and the reflective sidewalls of the second set of reflective sidewalls have a curved configuration, wherein the first set of reflective sidewalls and the second set of reflective sidewalls form an approximately continuous curve.