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US006974229B2
(12) United States Patent (io) Patent No.: US 6,974,229 B2
West et al. (45) Date of Patent: Dec. 13,2005
-10
(54) DEVICES FOR CREATING BRIGHTNESS PROFILES
(75) Inventors: Robert S. West, Morgan Hill, CA (US);
Yourii Martynov, Eindhoven (NL);
Huub Konijn, Huizen (NL); Nicola
Pfeffer, Eindhoven (NL); Simon J. M.
Kuppens, Geldrop (NL)
(73) Assignee: Lumileds Lighting U.S., LLC, San
Jose, CA (US)
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
(21) Appl. No.: 10/442,346
(22) Filed: May 21, 2003
(65) Prior Publication Data
US 2004/0233665 Al Nov. 25, 2004
(51) Int. CI. 1-2IS 2 00
(52) U.S. CI 362/227; 362/555; 362/560;
362/561; 362/511; 362/231; 362/240; 362/241; 362/243; 362/296; 362/800; 362/330; 362/343
(58) Field of Search 362/227, 31, 555,
362/558, 560, 561, 511, 545, 228, 231, 240, 362/241, 243, 296, 341, 800, 330, 343
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,550,657 A * 8/1996 Tanaka et al 349/62
5,816,677 A * 10/1998 Kurematsu et al 362/31
6,007,209 A 12/1999 Pelka
A mixing chamber includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. At least two light emitting diodes are disposed along the first surface. At least a portion of the first surface is reflective, and the second surface includes a reflective region and a plurality of openings formed in the reflective region. In some embodiments, the first surface and the second surface are separated by at least one side surface. Light emitted from the light emitting diodes is reflected off the first surface, reflective region of the second surface, and side surfaces of the mixing chamber until it is emitted from the openings of the second surface.
18 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
