초록 ▼

Optical assembly includes a generally planar light output surface located on a first major plane, and a generally planar second surface located on a second major plane approximately parallel to the first major plane and superimposed thereon. Both the light output surface and the second surface have

Optical assembly includes a generally planar light output surface located on a first major plane, and a generally planar second surface located on a second major plane approximately parallel to the first major plane and superimposed thereon. Both the light output surface and the second surface have respective first and second patterns of well defined optical elements that are quite small in relation to the length and width of the optical assembly. The optical elements of the first pattern have an apex angle formed by a first sloped surface that is larger in an area closer to at least one light input edge of the optical assembly and smaller in another area further away from the light input edge.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An optical assembly comprising: at least one light input edge;at least one light source positioned adjacent to the at least one light input edge;a generally planar light output surface located on a first major plane and having a first pattern of well defined optical elements that are projections

1. An optical assembly comprising: at least one light input edge;at least one light source positioned adjacent to the at least one light input edge;a generally planar light output surface located on a first major plane and having a first pattern of well defined optical elements that are projections or depressions on or in the light output surface, each optical element of the first pattern being quite small in relation to a length and width of the optical assembly, each optical element of the first pattern having at least a first sloped surface, with an apex angle being formed by said at least first sloped surface;wherein the apex angle varies at various locations of the optical assembly such that the apex angle is larger in an area closer to the light input edge and smaller in another area further away from the light input edge;a generally planar second surface located on a second major plane and having a second pattern of well defined optical elements that are projections or depressions on or in the second surface, each optical element of the second pattern being quite small in relation to the length and width of the optical assembly, the second major plane being approximately parallel to the first major plane and superimposed thereon; anda reflector layer in close proximity to the second surface. 2. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is a light emitting diode. 3. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein at least some of the optical elements of the first pattern intersect other optical elements of the first pattern. 4. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein at least some of the optical elements of the second pattern intersect other optical elements of the second pattern. 5. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the optical elements of the first pattern have an area density that increases as distance away from the at least one light source increases. 6. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the optical elements of the second pattern have an area density that increases as distance away from the at least one light source increases. 7. The optical assembly of claim 1, comprising a light guide substrate and an optical sheet or film, wherein the light guide substrate includes the at least one light input edge and the second surface and the optical sheet or film includes the light output surface. 8. The optical assembly of claim 1, comprising a light guide substrate that includes the at least one light input edge. 9. The optical assembly of claim 8, wherein the light guide substrate includes a transition region that is in close proximity to the at least one light input edge and configured to spread the light from the at least one light source. 10. The optical assembly of claim 8, wherein the light guide substrate includes the light output surface. 11. The optical assembly of claim 8, wherein the light guide substrate includes the second surface. 12. The optical assembly of claim 8, wherein the light guide substrate includes the reflector layer. 13. The optical assembly of claim 8, wherein the light guide substrate is a multi-layer structure including the light output surface and the second surface. 14. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source has a total width that is quite small in relation to the length and width of the optical assembly. 15. The optical assembly of claim 14, wherein the at least one light source is configured to generate light having an output distribution defined by a greater width component than height component. 16. The optical assembly of claim 14, wherein at least some of the optical elements of the first pattern additionally have a second sloped surface, the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface form the apex angle, the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface form a ridge, the ridges of at least some of the optical elements being arranged in generally radial patterns that are pointed towards the at least one light source. 17. The optical assembly of claim 14, wherein at least some of the optical elements of the first pattern additionally have a second sloped surface, the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface form the apex angle, the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface form a non-linear ridge, the non-linear ridges of at least some of the optical elements being curved towards the at least one light source. 18. The optical assembly of claim 14, wherein at least some of the optical elements of the first pattern additionally have a second sloped surface, the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface of at least some of the optical elements of the first pattern form a non-linear ridge, the non-linear ridges of at least some of the optical elements being curved away from the at least one light source. 19. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein at least some of the optical elements of the first pattern additionally have a second sloped surface, and the first and second sloped surfaces form the apex angle. 20. The optical assembly of claim 19, wherein the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface of at least some of the optical elements of the first pattern form a ridge, the ridge of at least some of the optical elements being approximately parallel to the length direction of at least some of the optical elements. 21. The optical assembly of claim 19, wherein the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface of at least some of the optical elements of the first pattern form a ridge, the ridge of at least some of the optical elements being arranged in approximately the same direction. 22. The optical assembly of claim 21, wherein the direction of the ridge of at least some of the optical elements is approximately parallel to the at least one light input edge.