HYBRID OPTICAL SYSTEMS INCLUDING FLEXIBLE OPTICAL SYSTEMS AND LIGHT CONTROL FILMS
A hybrid optical system, and lighting devices including the same, are provided. The hybrid optical system includes a cellular optical element a light control film. The cellular optical element includes a first opening, a second opening, and a space defined therebetween. The light control film includes a single layer of light transparent material having a first side and a second side, and a plurality of first microstructures formed on the first side. The light control film is located within the space of the cellular optical element. The light control film may include a plurality of second microstructures formed on the second side to reduce glare. The hybrid optical system may include a plurality of interconnected cellular optical elements.
1 . A hybrid optical system, comprising:
a cellular optical element, comprising a first opening, a second opening, and a space defined therebetween; and
a light control film, comprising a single layer of light transparent material comprising a first side and a second side, and a plurality of first microstructures formed on the first side;
wherein the light control film is located within the space of the cellular optical element.
2 . The hybrid optical system of claim 1 , wherein the cellular optical element comprises one of a pyramid shape, a volcano-like shape, a frustum shape, and a stepped pyramid shape.
3 . (canceled)
4 . (canceled)
5 . (canceled)
6 . The hybrid optical system of claim 2 , wherein the cellular optical element comprises the stepped pyramid shape, and wherein the stepped pyramid shaped cellular optical element comprises a base including the first opening and a plurality of steps from the base to the second opening.
7 . The hybrid optical system of claim 6 , wherein the light control film is placed across a step in the plurality of steps of the stepped pyramid shaped cellular optical element.
8 . The hybrid optical system of claim 7 , wherein a second light control film is placed across a second step in the plurality of steps of the stepped pyramid shaped cellular optical element.
9 . (canceled)
10 . The hybrid optical system of claim 7 , wherein the cellular optical element further comprises an insert placed on the light control film, wherein the insert has a stepped pyramid shape, corresponding to the stepped pyramid shape of the cellular optical element and comprising a set of steps that extends from the light control film to the second opening.
11 . The hybrid optical system of claim 10 , wherein the insert is coupled to the cellular optical element so as to hold the light control film on the step within the cellular optical element.
12 . The hybrid optical system of claim 6 , wherein the cellular optical element comprises a lower section including the base and configured to receive an insert, and an insert including the second opening.
13 . The hybrid optical system of claim 12 , wherein the lower section includes a first set of steps, and wherein the insert includes a second set of steps.
14 . The hybrid optical system of claim 13 , wherein the light control film is placed in the lower section across a first step in the first set of the plurality of steps that is immediately above the base, such that the first set of steps of the lower section is equal to the second set of steps of the insert.
15 . The hybrid optical system of claim 14 , wherein the light control film is placed in the lower section at a number of steps above the first step, and the second set of steps of the insert is equal to the first set of steps less the number of steps.
16 . The hybrid optical system of claim 2 , wherein the cellular optical element comprises the stepped pyramid shape, wherein the stepped pyramid shape includes a single step, and wherein the light control film is placed across the single step of the stepped pyramid shape.
17 . (canceled)
18 . The hybrid optical system of claim 1 , wherein the cellular optical element comprises a receiving portion and a corresponding insert, wherein the light control film is placed within the receiving portion and is held in place by the corresponding insert.
19 . The hybrid optical system of claim 2 , wherein the cellular optical element comprises the stepped pyramid shape, wherein the cellular optical element comprises a lower section comprising a base including the first opening, wherein the lower section is configured to receive an insert, and an insert including the second opening.
20 . The hybrid optical system of claim 19 , wherein the lower section and the insert together comprise a plurality of steps, wherein at least one step of the lower section overlaps with at least one step of the insert.
21 . The hybrid optical system of claim 19 , wherein the insert is correspondingly shaped to the lower section.
22 . The hybrid optical system of claim 1 , wherein the first opening is configured to receive a light source and the second opening is configured to emit light exiting the hybrid optical system.
23 . The hybrid optical system of claim 22 , wherein cellular optical element extends in an outward direction from the first opening to the second opening.
24 . The hybrid optical system of claim 1 , wherein the second opening is configured to receive a light source and the first opening is configured to emit light exiting the hybrid optical system.
25 . The hybrid optical system of claim 1 , wherein the cellular optical element comprises a plurality of cellular optical elements, each comprising a first opening, a second opening, and a space defined therebetween.
26 . The hybrid optical system of claim 25 , wherein the plurality of cellular optical elements are interconnected so as to occupy a plane.
27 . The hybrid optical system of claim 1 , wherein a vertical cross-section of the cellular optical element includes a portion of the first opening, a portion of the second opening, and two walls, wherein each wall has an acute angle relative to the first opening.
28 . The hybrid optical system of claim 27 , wherein the acute angle of each wall is chosen so as to achieve a particular light distribution from a light source located at the first opening of the cellular optical element, independent of any optical effects of the light control film.
29 . The hybrid optical system of claim 1 , wherein the cellular optical element has a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein the lower portion includes the first opening and the upper portion includes the second opening.
30 . The hybrid optical system of claim 29 , wherein the first opening is configured to receive a light source, and wherein light emitted by a light source located at the first opening in the lower portion of the cellular optical element exits the hybrid optical system by first passing through the light control film and then passing through the second opening in the upper portion of the cellular optical element.
31 . (canceled)
32 . The hybrid optical system of claim 29 , wherein the second opening is configured to receive a light source, and wherein light emitted by a light source located at the second opening in the upper portion of the cellular optical element exits the hybrid optical system by first passing through the light control film and then passing through the first opening in the lower portion of the cellular optical element.
33 . (canceled)
34 . The hybrid optical system of claim 25 , wherein each cellular optical element in the plurality of cellular optical elements has a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein the lower portions are joined together to interconnect the plurality of cellular optical elements.
35 . The hybrid optical system of claim 34 , wherein the lower portions are joined together by a material, wherein the material is a same material used to construct the plurality of cellular optical elements, and wherein the material has a substantially planar shape where interconnecting the plurality of cellular optical elements.
36 . (canceled)
37 . (canceled)
38 . (canceled)
39 . The hybrid optical system of claim 25 , wherein the plurality of interconnected cellular optical elements comprise a flexible optical system, wherein the flexible optical system is capable of entering a set of states, wherein the set of states comprises a substantially flat state and a substantially flexed state.
40 . (canceled)
41 . The hybrid optical system of claim 1 , wherein the cellular optical element reflects light from a light source located at least partially within the cellular optical element.
42 . The hybrid optical system of claim 41 , wherein the cellular optical element reflects light from a light source located at least partially within the cellular optical element prior to the light passing through the light control film and after the light passes through the light control film.
43 . The hybrid optical system of claim 1 , wherein the light control film is configured to receive incident light on the first side and to produce an off-axis light distribution in a light field downstream of the second side, and wherein the light control film further comprises a plurality of second microstructures on the second side, the second microstructures configured to reduce glare in the off axis light distribution.
44 . A lighting device, comprising:
one or more solid state light sources;
a hybrid optical system, comprising:
a plurality of interconnected cellular optical elements, each cellular optical element comprising a first opening, a second opening, and a space defined therebetween, wherein a corresponding one of the solid state light sources is located within either the first opening or the second opening of each cellular optical element; and
one or more light control films, each comprising a single layer of light transparent material comprising a first side and a second side, and a plurality of first microstructures formed on the first side;
wherein the one or more light control films are located within the space of the plurality of interconnected cellular optical elements;
wherein the one or more solid state light sources are coupled to the hybrid optical system so as to form the lighting device.
45 . (canceled)
46 . The lighting device of claim 44 , wherein the lighting device is located within a space defined by a ceiling tile.
47 . (canceled)
48 . The lighting device of claim 44 , wherein the one or more light control films are configured to receive incident light on the first side and to produce an off-axis light distribution in a light field downstream of the second side, and wherein the one or more light control films further comprise a plurality of second microstructures on the second side, the second microstructures configured to reduce glare in the off axis light distribution.