초록 ▼

An optical instrument for the gathering and distribution of light comprises a cylindrical and a planar body formed of transparent material and optically coupled together. The cylindrical body has an elliptic and circular outer surface covered with inwardly reflecting material and a light source arra

An optical instrument for the gathering and distribution of light comprises a cylindrical and a planar body formed of transparent material and optically coupled together. The cylindrical body has an elliptic and circular outer surface covered with inwardly reflecting material and a light source arranged along one focal line for the elliptic surface portion. Light gathered by the cylindrical body is transmitted to the planar body and is diffused thereby over one major surface. The instrument is advantageously applied to the illumination of passive information displays such as found in liquid crystal display timepieces where efficient energy use is extremely important.

대표청구항 ▼

Optical instrument for the gathering and distribution of light comprising a first body portion of transparent material in the form of an elongated cylinder the outer cylindrical surface of which is at least partially elliptic and partially circular and covered over a major portion thereof with inwar

Optical instrument for the gathering and distribution of light comprising a first body portion of transparent material in the form of an elongated cylinder the outer cylindrical surface of which is at least partially elliptic and partially circular and covered over a major portion thereof with inwardly reflecting material, a second body portion of transparent material having at least one inwardly directed light reflecting surface and a planar diffusing light transmitting surface, a light source substantially linear in form and placed along a line constituting a first focus area of the elliptic surface whose periphery provides a portion of the profile of said cylindrical surface, and light coupling means between said first and said second body portions for gathering light reflected from said elliptic surface to a second focus area thereof and coupling said light to said second body portion.