Downwardly directing spatial lighting system

Abstract

A luminaire that includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), a light diffuser having a planar surface facing the LEDs, and a reflector that surrounds a cavity formed between the light diffuser and the LEDs. Also disclosed is a light distribution system having a first plurality of lenses configured to convert incident light into a light distribution pattern and a second plurality of lenses configured to convert incident light into a different light distribution pattern. Further disclosed is a method of distributing light that involves emitting light towards a light diffuser, scattering a first portion of the light with the light diffuser, reflecting a second portion of the light with the light diffuser, reflecting the second portion of the light with a first reflective surface back towards the light diffuser, and scattering the second portion of the light with the light diffuser.

Claims

1. A light distribution system comprising: a first plurality of lenses disposed on a mount surface, each of the first plurality of lenses having a central surface and an outer surface adjacent to the central surface to convert incident light into a first light distribution pattern; a second plurality of lenses disposed on the mount surface and arranged around a periphery of the first plurality of lenses, each of the second plurality of lenses having a central surface, a first outer surface adjacent to the central surface, and a second outer surface adjacent to the first outer surface to convert incident light into a second light distribution pattern different from the first light distribution pattern; a light diffuser spaced apart from the first and second pluralities of lenses and having a planar surface facing the first and second pluralities of lenses; and a reflector surrounding a cavity formed between the light diffuser and the second plurality of lenses, the first and second light distribution patterns configured to include light emitted directly to the planar surface of the light diffuser, whereat a first portion of the light in the first and second light distribution patterns transmits through the light diffuser and a second portion of the light reflects to the reflector.

2. The light distribution system of claim 1, the first light distribution pattern having a peak of light intensity along a conical plane centered about a central axis of a respective one of the first plurality of lenses.

3. The light distribution system of claim 2, the second light distribution pattern having: (i) a first peak of light intensity along a first conical plane centered about a central axis of a respective one of the second plurality of lenses; and (ii) a second peak of light intensity along a second conical plane centered about the central axis of the respective one of the second plurality of lenses.

4. The light distribution system of claim 3, the second light distribution pattern having a third peak of light intensity disposed radially between the first and second peaks of light intensity, the third peak of light intensity being less than the first peak of light intensity and less than the second peak of light intensity.

5. The light distribution system of claim 4, the central axis of the respective one of the first plurality of lenses and the central axis of the respective one of the second plurality of lenses being parallel to each other.

6. The light distribution system of claim 3, comprising a plurality of light sources mounted on a base, each of the plurality of light sources being configured to emit light through a respective one of the first plurality of lenses or the second plurality of lenses.

7. The light distribution system of claim 6, each of the plurality of light sources including a light emitting diode (LED).

8. A method of distributing light, the method comprising: emitting light from a first light source towards a planar surface of a light diffuser in a first light distribution pattern such that the emitted light is directly incident upon the planar surface; emitting light from a second light source towards the planar surface of the light diffuser in a second light distribution pattern different than the first light distribution pattern such that the emitted light is directly incident upon the planar surface; scattering a first portion of the light from the first light source and the second light source with the light diffuser, and reflecting a second portion of the light from the first light source and the second light source with the light diffuser; reflecting the second portion of the light from the first light source and the second light source with a first reflective surface back towards the light diffuser; and scattering the second portion of the light from the first light source and the second light source with the light diffuser.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the planar surface faces the first and second light sources.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is perspective view of one embodiment of a luminaire of the present disclosure;

(2) FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the luminaire of FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the luminaire of FIG. 1 with the light diffuser removed;

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one of the plurality of secondary lenses associated with the inner cluster of LEDs;

(5) FIG. 5 is a polar distribution graph of the light distribution pattern created by the secondary lens of FIG. 4;

(6) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one of the plurality of secondary lenses associated with the outer cluster of LEDs;

(7) FIG. 7 is a polar distribution of the light distribution pattern created by the secondary lens of FIG. 6;

(8) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of one side of the luminaire of FIG. 1 with one of the LEDs of the inner cluster turned ON; and

(9) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of one side of the luminaire of FIG. 1 with one of the LEDs of the outer cluster turned ON.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a luminaire 10 including a housing 12 enclosing a plurality of light sources, which in the present embodiment are configured as light emitting diodes (LEDs) 14. Other embodiments may use different types of light sources including, but not limited to, incandescent, fluorescent, and/or high-intensity discharge bulbs. The LEDs are arranged in an array 16 that is mounted to the interior of the housing 12. Each of the LEDs 14 is packaged with an integral primary optic or lens (not shown) that provides a lambertian light distribution. The array 16 includes a plurality of secondary optics or lenses 18a, 18b, each of which covers a respective one of the LEDs 14 and distributes light in a batwing-shaped distribution pattern. The LEDs 14 are divided into an inner cluster 20 and an outer cluster 22, with the outer cluster 22 being arranged around the periphery of the inner cluster 20. The secondary lenses 18a, which are aligned with the inner cluster 20 of the LEDs 14, create a light distribution pattern that differs from the secondary lenses 18b, which are aligned with the outer cluster 22 of the LEDs 14. After passing through the secondary lenses 18, the light rays emitted by the LEDs 14 strike a tertiary optic or lens, which in the present embodiment is configured as a light diffuser 24, which covers an open end of the housing 12. The light diffuser 24 includes a substantially planar upper surface that reflects a portion of the incident light back into the housing 12 and transmits a portion of the incident light downward toward the ground. The transmitted portion of the light is scattered or spread out by the light diffuser 24 and thereby results in the emission of relatively soft light. The reflected portion of the light bounces off a reflector 28 arranged inside the housing 12 and thereafter strikes the light diffuser 24 at a more optimal angle, causing the light to exit the luminaire 10 in a more focused and intended direction.

(11) So configured, the luminaire 10 of the present disclosure advantageously provides sufficient illumination at the ground level while creating the effect of minimal light at the luminaire 10. The luminaire 10 thus minimizes the glare perceived by an individual looking at the luminaire 10. Additionally, the generally planar upper surface of the light diffuser 24 helps evenly distribute the light and thus reduces the effects of pixilation. In addition, the reflector 28 redirects high angle light rays at a more optimal angle so that the light rays exit the luminaire 10 in a generally downward direction. Accordingly, the luminaire 10 prevents the emission of upwardly directed light rays, which tend to cause light pollution, and also prevents light rays from exiting the sides of the luminaire 10 and illuminating objects outside an intended zone of illumination.

(12) Each of the foregoing components of the luminaire 10 and the methods of operating the luminaire 10 will now be described in more detail.

(13) The luminaire 10 is suitable for outdoor use, for example, as a parking lot lamp and/or a street lamp. The housing 12 may be constructed from a durable plastic and/or metal capable of withstanding weather elements such as rain, snow, ice, etc. An arm-like structure 30, which extends from the side of the housing 12, may be used to cantilever the housing from the top of a light pole (not shown). In one embodiment, the housing 12 is arranged approximately (e.g., 10%) 15-30 feet above the ground. The housing 12 may be pivotally attached to the arm-like structure 30 so that the housing 12 can be easily opened to replace the LEDs 14 or to perform other maintenance-related tasks. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the housing 12 possesses a hollow interior 31 containing the LEDs 14, the reflector 28, mounting structures (not shown), a power source interface (not shown), and control electronics (also not shown). The light diffuser 24 extends across the open end of the housing 12 so that all light exiting the luminaire 10 passes through the light diffuser 24.

(14) FIG. 3 depicts a bottom view of the luminaire 10 with the light diffuser 24 removed so that the array 16 of the LEDs 14 is visible. The array 16 shown in FIG. 3 includes 52 individual LEDs 14 arranged in a generally hexagonal pattern. Other embodiments can be arranged differently, for example, with a different number of LEDs arranged in circular pattern. In one preferred form, the luminaire 10 can have 96 LEDs. The outer cluster 22 of the LEDs 14 shown in FIG. 3 is formed by the radially outermost row of the LEDs. In other embodiments, the outer cluster 22 may be formed, for example, by several (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.) outer rows of the LEDs 14. The array 16 carrying the LEDs 14 is removably attached to a planar downwardly facing reflective surface 32 of the reflector 28 by screws 35 (FIGS. 8 and 9) or other suitable fasteners. The array 16 has a smaller diameter than the downwardly facing reflecting surface 32 of the reflector 28 so that a portion of the downwardly facing reflecting surface 32 of the reflector 28 is not covered by the array 16.

(15) Referring back to FIG. 2, the reflector 28 includes a circumferential reflective surface 34 that surrounds a gap or cavity 33 formed between the LEDs 16 and the light diffuser 24. The circumferential reflective surface 34 is flat (in a cross-sectional view) and intersects the downwardly facing reflective surface 32 at a relatively abrupt angle. In other embodiments, the circumferential reflective surface 34 gradually bends into the downwardly facing reflective surface 32 such that the surfaces form a continuous parabolic or hemispherical shape, or some other curved shape. The circumferential reflective surface 34 and the downwardly facing reflective surface 32 are preferably made from metal, plastic or other material having reflective properties.

(16) Still referring to FIG. 2, the light diffuser 24 includes an upwardly facing surface 36 spaced apart from and facing the LEDs 14. In one embodiment, the upwardly facing surface 36 is offset from the LEDs 14 by a distance of approximately (e.g., 10%) 2-3 inches, or lesser or greater. The present embodiment of the upwardly facing surface 36 is generally planar and orthogonal to a central axis A1 of the luminaire 10. The planar aspect of the upwardly facing surface 36, coupled with the gap separating the upwardly facing surface 36 and the LEDs 14, helps prevent pixilation of the light passing through the light diffuser 24.

(17) Many of the light rays emitted from the LEDs 14 strike the upwardly facing surface 36 of the light diffuser 24 at a substantial angle. As a result, the upwardly facing surface 36 reflects a portion of the light rays back up into the luminaire 10. In some cases, the upwardly facing surface 36 reflects approximately (e.g., 10%) 20% of the incident light and transmits about (e.g., 10%) 80% of the incident light. While there may be some energy losses associated with the reflection, it is generally desirable to reflect the light back up into the luminaire so that the reflector 28 can re-direct the light rays at a more optimal angle, and in a different location, so as to minimize pixilation. The reflection of high angle light rays also helps control the size of the illuminated ground area by limiting the number of light rays that exit the luminaire 10 in the horizontal, or substantially horizontal, direction.

(18) The upwardly facing surface 36 of the light diffuser 24 can be made from a variety of semi-transparent and/or semi-reflective surfaces such as plastic (e.g., acrylic or polycarbonate) or glass. Additionally, the upwardly facing surface 36 may be coated with a material that increases its reflectivity. In some embodiments, the light diffuser 24 is made of material that does not polarize the light.

(19) A downwardly facing surface 38 of the light diffuser 24 is textured so that it scatters the light rays exiting the light diffuser 24. The texture can be formed by a mold having a mild acid etch that is used in an injection molding process to create the light diffuser 24. The scattering effect of the downwardly facing surface 38 substantially reduces glare, and also, creates the effect of a uniformly luminous surface, which is generally considered more aesthetically pleasing than the distinct points of light created by the LEDs 14.

(20) The angle at which the light rays initially strike the upwardly facing surface 36 of the light diffuser 24 is controlled by the shape of the secondary lenses 18a, 18b. As mentioned above, each of the secondary lenses 18a, 18b transforms the light emitted from one of the LEDs 14 into a batwing-shaped light distribution pattern. Generally speaking, a batwing-shaped light distribution pattern possesses at least one peak of light intensity arranged along a conical plane centered about a central axis of the lens. For reasons described below, the secondary lenses 18a associated with the inner cluster 20 of LEDs create a batwing-shaped light distribution pattern that differs from the one created by the secondary lenses 18b associated with the outer cluster 20 of LEDs.

(21) FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one example of how the secondary lenses 18a associated with one of the LEDs 14 of the inner cluster 20 could be structured. The center of the secondary lens 18a includes a cone-shaped cutout having a central surface 40. A bundle of light rays 42 emitted from the LED 14 are internally reflected by the central surface 40 and thereafter strike and refract through an outer surface 44 of the secondary lens 18a. Each of the light rays 42 exits the secondary lens 18a at an angle relative to a central axis A2 of the secondary lens 18a measuring approximately (e.g., 10%) 45-75 degrees, and within the range of 55-65 degrees. For the sake of simplicity, FIG. 4 depicts an angle 1 which represents an average angle of the light rays 42 emitted from the secondary lens 18a. The lens depicted in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and other lenses can be used to create a similar light distribution.

(22) FIG. 5 depicts a polar distribution graph of the batwing-shaped light distribution pattern 50 created by the light emitted from the secondary lens 18a illustrated in FIG. 4. The batwing-shaped light distribution pattern 50, if viewed in three dimensions, would extend symmetrically around the central axis A2 of the secondary lens 18a. The light distribution pattern 50 has a peak of light intensity 52 arranged along an imaginary conical plane P1 centered about the central axis A2 of the secondary lens 18a. The angle at which the peak of light intensity 52 extends away from the central axis A2 of the secondary lens 18a is generally equal to the angle 1.

(23) FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one example of how the secondary lenses 18b associated with one of the LEDs 14 of the outer cluster 22 could be structured. The center of the secondary lens 18b includes a cone-shaped cutout having a central surface 60. A first bundle of light rays 62 emitted from the LED 14 are internally reflected by the central surface 60 and subsequently strike and refract through a lower outer surface 64 of the secondary lens 18b. A second bundle of light rays 66 emitted from the LED 14 are internally reflected by the central surface 60 and thereafter strike and refract through an upper outer surface 68 of the secondary lens 18b. Each of the light rays 62 exiting the lower outer surface 64 forms an angle with a central axis A3 of the secondary lens 18b of about (e.g., 10%) 15-45 degrees, and within the range of 30-40 degrees. Each of the light rays 66 exiting the upper outer surface 68 forms an angle with the central axis A3 of approximately (e.g., 10%) 65-85 degrees, preferably within the range of 70-80 degrees. As such, an angle between the lower and upper outer surfaces 64, 69 can be in a range of about (e.g., 10%) 100-155 degrees, or less or greater. For the sake of simplicity, FIG. 6 depicts an angle 82 which represents an average angle of the light rays 62 emitted from the lower outer surface 64, and illustrates an angle 83 which represents an average angle of the light rays 66 emitted from the upper outer surface 68. In one embodiment, the central axis A3 of the secondary lens 18b is parallel to the central axis A2 of the secondary lens 18a and/or parallel to the central axis A1 of the luminaire 10. The lens of FIG. 6 is merely an example and other lenses can be used to create a similar distribution.

(24) As seen in FIG. 6, a gap is formed between the first and second bundles of lights rays 62 and 66 as they exit the secondary lens 18b. This results in a double batwing-shaped light distribution pattern 70 shown in the polar distribution graph of FIG. 7 (which if viewed in three dimensions would extend symmetrically around the central axis A3). The light distribution pattern 70 possesses three peaks of light intensity 72, 74, 76, each of which is arranged along a respective imaginary conical plane P2, P3, P4 centered about the central axis A3 of the secondary lens 18b. The angle at which the first peak of light intensity 72 extends away from the central axis A3 is generally equal to the angle 82, and the angle at which the second peak of light intensity 74 extends away from the central axis A3 is generally equal to the angle 83. The third peak of light intensity 76 is less than both the first and second peaks of light intensity 72 and 74, and in some cases, may be equal to, or very close to, zero intensity.

(25) As described below in more detail, the double batwing-shaped light distribution pattern 70 of the secondary lens 18b advantageously directs the high angle light rays (i.e., the light rays 66) directly at the circumferential reflective surface 34 of the reflector 28 instead of at the light diffuser 24. Accordingly, the high angle light rays do not first bounce off the light diffuser 24, and then strike the reflector 28, which tends to cause energy losses. Furthermore, the high angle light rays are prevented from exiting the light diffuser 24 in the horizontal direction which might otherwise occur if these light rays were to strike the outer edge of the light diffuser 24 at a shallow angle and then exit the outer edge of the light diffuser 24 in a scattered manner.

(26) Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the operation of the luminaire 10 will now be described. For the sake of simplicity, FIG. 8 depicts the light emission of a single one of the LEDs 14 included in the inner cluster 20, and FIG. 9 illustrates the light emission of a single one of the LEDs 14 included in the outer cluster 22. In actuality, all of the LEDs 14 would emit light simultaneously during operation of the luminaire 10.

(27) As illustrated in FIG. 8, the LED 14 of the inner cluster 20 emits light that first passes through a primary optic (not shown) and then passes through the secondary lens 18a to create an incident beam 80. The incident beam 80 includes the bundle of light rays 42 depicted in FIG. 4 and corresponds to the peak of light intensity 52 illustrated in FIG. 5. A portion of the incident beam 80 is reflected by the upwardly facing surface 36 of the light diffuser 28 and becomes reflected beam 82. The remainder of the incident beam 80 is transmitted through the light diffuser 28 and scattered by the texture of the downwardly facing surface 38 as the incident beam 80 exits the light diffuser 28. Meanwhile, the reflected beam 82 bounces off the circumferential reflective surface 34 of the reflector 28 and then reflects off of the downwardly facing reflective surface 32 of the reflector 28. The reflected beam 82 is thus redirected back at the light diffuser 28, and exits the light diffuser 28 in a generally downward direction.

(28) FIG. 9 shows that the LED 14 of the outer cluster 22 emits light that initially passes through a primary optic (not shown) and then passes through the secondary lens 18b to create a first incident beam 90 and a second incident beam 92. The first incident beam 90 includes the first bundle of light rays 62 illustrated in FIG. 6 and corresponds to the first peak of light intensity 72 depicted in FIG. 7. The second incident beam 92 includes the second bundle of rays 66 illustrated in FIG. 6 and corresponds to the second peak of light intensity 74 depicted in FIG. 7. The first incident beam 90 initially strikes the upwardly facing surface 36 of the light diffuser 28, whereas the second incident beam 92 initially strikes the circumferential reflective surface 34 of the reflector 28. Little or no light is emitted from the secondary lens 18b in the region between the first and second incident beams 90 and 92. Accordingly, the LED 14 of the outer cluster 22 is prevented from emitting light rays that would otherwise strike the outer edge of the light diffuser 24 at a shallow angle and potentially exit the light diffuser 24, after being scattered, in a substantially horizontal direction, thereby illuminating an adjoining property.

(29) A portion of the first incident beam 90 is reflected by the upwardly facing surface 36 of the light diffuser 28 and becomes the first reflected beam 96. Relatively speaking, only a small portion of the first incident beam 90 may be reflected by the upwardly facing surface 36 since the first incident beam 90 strikes the upwardly facing surface 36 of the light diffuser 28 at a relatively steep angle (e.g., 82 may be within the range of 30-40 degree). The remainder of the first incident beam 90 is transmitted through the light diffuser 28 and scattered by the texture of the downwardly facing surface 38 as the first incident beam 90 exits the light diffuser 28. The first reflected beam 96 meanwhile bounces off the circumferential reflective surface 34 of the reflector 28 and then reflects off of the downwardly facing reflective surface 32 of the reflector 28. The first reflected beam 96 is thus redirected back at the light diffuser 28, and exits the light diffuser 28 in a generally downward direction.

(30) With regard to the second incident beam 92, this beam initially reflects off the circumferential reflective surface 34 of the reflector 28 in the downward direction, and then passes through downwardly facing surface 38 of the light diffuser 24 which causes scattering of the beam. One benefit of aiming the second incident beam 92 directly at the circumferential reflective surface 34 of the reflector 28 is that the first incident beam 90 experiences a single reflection prior to exiting the luminaire, and thus is more likely to retain its original intensity. This improves the efficiency of the luminaire 10. Also, aiming the second incident beam 92 at the circumferential reflective surface 34 of the reflector 28 prevents the second incident beam 92 from passing through the outer portion of the diffuser 24 at a shallow angle, which helps prevent unintended illumination of an adjoining property next to the intended area of illumination.

(31) While the present embodiment of the luminaire utilizes LEDs as the light sources, as mentioned above, other embodiments of the luminaire can utilize other light sources such as, e.g., incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, high-intensity discharge bulbs, etc.

(32) The luminaire of the present disclosure advantageously reduces glare while providing a significant degree of control over the direction of the emitted light, and also, minimizing pixilation and energy losses due to internal reflections. These aspects of the luminaire make it particularly suitable for lighting outdoor areas such as a parking lot or a street, and anywhere else where light pollution is a concern. Additionally, by reducing the effects of pixilation and glare, the luminaire can sufficiently illuminate an area without impairing an individual's vision.

(33) While the present disclosure has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be understood that variations may be made thereto that are still within the scope of the appended claims.