IP Library Granted Patent US 8,727,580
Granted Patent B2
US 8,727,580 · App. 13/543,027 · Granted May 20, 2014

Illuminating device

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,727,580
App. No.
13/543,027
Granted
May 20, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

An illuminating device has a light source that includes a plurality of light emitting devices and a phosphor; and a lens sheet that stays on an optical axis of the light source, the lens sheet having a plurality of prisms that is symmetrically arranged with respect to the optical axis of the light source. The plurality of prisms is configured at least on a surface of the lens sheet in which to face the light source, and a plurality of light scattering elements is configured at least on a surface of the lens sheet in which not to face the light source.

Claims (40)

1. An illuminating device comprising:

a light source that includes a plurality of light emitting devices and a phosphor; and

a lens sheet that stays on an optical axis of the light source, the lens sheet having a plurality of prisms that is symmetrically arranged with respect to the optical axis of the light source,

wherein the plurality of prisms is configured at least on a surface of the lens sheet in which to face the light source,

a plurality of light scattering elements is configured at least on a surface of the lens sheet in which not to face the light source,

the lens sheet comprises a first lens group arranged next to the optical axis of the light source, and a second lens group arranged so as to surround the first lens group, each of the first and second lens groups including prisms of the plurality of prisms,

the first lens group includes a plurality of refraction prisms, the refraction prisms being configured to have a region in which each output angle thereof continuously increases with distance from the optical axis of the light source, and

the second lens group includes a plurality of reflection prisms, the reflection prisms being configured to have a region in which each output angle thereof randomly changed regardless of the distance from the optical axis of the light source.

2. The illuminating device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light scattering elements of the lens sheet is formed in a region adjacent to the optical axis of the light source.

3. The illuminating device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light scattering elements is formed at an outer edge region on the lens sheet relative to the optical axis of the light source.

4. The illuminating device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light scattering elements each has a configuration that includes a dome shape.

5. The illuminating device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light scattering elements includes a plurality of cylindrical lenses arranged concentrically with respect to the optical axis of the light source.

6. The illuminating device according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of cylindrical lenses includes certain cylindrical lenses having a sectional curvature that is different from other cylindrical lenses adjacent thereto.

7. The illuminating device according to claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical lenses is a convex cylindrical lens.

8. The illuminating device according to claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical lenses is a concave cylindrical lens.

9. The illuminating device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light scattering elements includes a plurality of micro lenses regularly arranged on a surface orthogonal to the optical axis of the light source.

10. The illuminating device according to claim 9 , wherein the plurality of micro lenses is arranged in a houndstooth pattern.

11. The illuminating device according to claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of micro lenses is a convex lens.

12. The illuminating device according to claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of micro lenses is a concave lens.

13. The illuminating device according to claim 1 , wherein the lens sheet comprises: a first lens group; and a second lens group arranged on an outer side of the first lens group with the optical axis of the light source as a center,

wherein the first lens group comprises a plurality of prisms each having an inclined surface, which is inclined so as to direct relative to the optical axis of the light source.

14. The illuminating device according to claim 13 , wherein the plurality of prisms of the first lens group is formed such that an inclination angle of the inclined surface decreases with distance from the optical axis of the light source.

15. The illuminating device according to claim 13 , wherein the second lens group comprises a plurality of reflection prisms.

16. The illuminating device according to claim 15 , wherein the lens sheet further comprises a third lens group arranged between the first lens group and the second lens group, the third lens group including a plurality of prisms each having an inclined surface, which is inclined so as to direct opposite relative to the optical axis of the light source.

17. The illuminating device according to claim 13 , wherein the second lens group comprises a plurality of prisms each having an inclined surface, which is inclined so as to direct opposite relative to the optical axis of the light source.

18. The illuminating device according to claim 13 , wherein the plurality of prisms of each lens group is arranged near the optical axis of the light source in a rotational symmetry.

19. The illuminating device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of light emitting devices is a blue light-emitting diode, and the phosphor converts a wavelength of blue light emitted by the blue light-emitting diode into fluorescent yellow light.

20. An illuminating device comprising:

a light source that includes a plurality of light emitting devices and a phosphor; and

a lens sheet that stays on an optical axis of the light source, the lens sheet having a plurality of prisms that is symmetrically arranged with respect to the optical axis of the light source, wherein

the plurality of prisms is configured at least on a surface of the lens sheet in which to face the light source,

a plurality of light scattering elements is configured at least on a surface of the lens sheet in which not to face the light source,

the plurality of light scattering elements includes a plurality of cylindrical lenses arranged concentrically with respect to the optical axis of the light source, and

the plurality of cylindrical lenses includes certain cylindrical lenses having a sectional curvature that is different from other cylindrical lenses adjacent thereto.

21. A lens sheet that stays on an optical axis of a light source that includes a plurality of light emitting devices and a phosphor, comprising:

a plurality of prisms that is symmetrically arranged with respect to the optical axis of the light source, the plurality of prisms being configured at least on a surface of the lens sheet in which to face the light source;

a plurality of light scattering elements being configured at least on a surface of the lens sheet in which not to face the light source, wherein

the lens sheet comprises a first lens group arranged next to the optical axis of the light source, and a second lens group arranged so as to surround the first lens group, each of the first and second lens groups including prisms of the plurality of prisms,

the first lens group includes a plurality of refraction prisms, the refraction prisms being configured to have a region in which each output angle thereof continuously increases with distance from the optical axis of the light source, and

the second lens group includes a plurality of reflection prisms, the reflection prisms being configured to have a region in which each output angle thereof is randomly changed regardless of the distance from the optical axis of the light source.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 5, 2020
From: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
To: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
Reel/Frame 051803/0293 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 6, 2012
From: TAKAYAMA, RYOHEI; ASAI, MASAKI; SAKAI, KOJI
To: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 028560/0896 →