Optical Waveguide Bodies and Luminaires Utilizing Same

Abstract

A waveguide body comprises a central section, first and second side sections, and a coupling portion located in the central section. Each of said side sections extend away from the central section along opposing first and second directions, respectively. The coupling portion includes an elongate coupling cavity symmetric about a plane extending in a third direction transverse to the first and second directions and configured to receive a light source. The coupling portion includes a control surface configured to collimate a portion of light emitted from the light source into at least one substantially collimated ray group. Light is emitted above and below the waveguide body. A portion of the light is emitted above and below the waveguide body at an angle other than parallel to an optical axis of the light source.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A waveguide body comprising:
 a central section;   first and second side sections, each of said side sections extending away from the central section along opposing first and second directions, respectively; and   a coupling portion located in the central section, wherein the coupling portion includes an elongate coupling cavity symmetric about a plane extending in a third direction transverse to the first and second directions and configured to receive a light source, and wherein the coupling portion includes a control surface configured to collimate a portion of light emitted from the light source into at least one substantially collimated ray group;   wherein a portion of the light is emitted above and below the waveguide body at an angle other than parallel to an optical axis of the light source.   
     
     
         2 . The waveguide body of  claim 1 , wherein the waveguide body includes a plurality of light extraction features that extract light generated by a light source out of the side sections of the waveguide body. 
     
     
         3 . The waveguide body of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of extraction features protrudes outwardly from at least one of the first and second side sections. 
     
     
         4 . The waveguide body of  claim 1 , wherein the waveguide has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and at least one of the first surface and the second surface is textured. 
     
     
         5 . The waveguide body of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a portion of the coupling cavity is concave; and   a V-shaped surface is located opposite the coupling cavity.   
     
     
         6 . The waveguide body of  claim 5 , wherein the V-shaped second surface is coated with a specular surface. 
     
     
         7 . The waveguide body of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one substantially collimated ray group enters one of the first and second side sections at an angle other than orthogonal to the optical axis of the light source. 
     
     
         8 . A luminaire, comprising:
 a waveguide body including a central section and first and second spaced side sections extending away from the central section along opposing first and second directions, respectively, the central section including a control surface opposite the coupling cavity; and   an LED disposed adjacent the coupling cavity and adapted to produce light that is directed into the waveguide body such that the control surface of the central section is configured to collimate a portion of the light into a substantially collimated ray group;   wherein the waveguide body includes a plurality of light extraction features that extract light out of first and second opposing faces of the luminaire.   
     
     
         9 . The luminaire of  claim 8 , wherein the central section includes an elongate coupling cavity symmetric about a plane extending in a third direction transverse to the first and second directions. 
     
     
         10 . The luminaire of  claim 8 , wherein:
 each of the first and second side sections have a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first end proximal to the coupling portion, and a second end distal to the coupling portion, wherein;   the first end has a first thickness;   the second end has a second thickness; and   the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.   
     
     
         11 . The luminaire of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface is textured. 
     
     
         12 . The luminaire of  claim 10 , wherein the first surface includes a plurality of light extraction features. 
     
     
         13 . The luminaire of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of light extraction features is defined by:
 a first surface; and   an intermediate surface extending from the first surface to a second surface.   
     
     
         14 . The luminaire of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the plurality of extraction features is an outwardly extending protrusion. 
     
     
         15 . The luminaire of  claim 14 , wherein the outwardly extending protrusion has a dome shape. 
     
     
         16 . The luminaire of  claim 10 , wherein the first thickness is no greater than about 6 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The luminaire of  claim 10 , wherein the second thickness is no less than about 2 mm. 
     
     
         18 . The luminaire of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the luminaire has a longitudinal axis; and   a plurality of LEDs are disposed along the longitudinal axis adjacent the coupling cavity.   
     
     
         19 . The luminaire of  claim 18 , wherein the second surface is disposed at an angle of about +45° to about −45° relative to an axis lying in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         20 . The luminaire of  claim 19 , wherein the second surface is disposed at an angle of between about 70° and about 90° relative to an axis lying in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         21 . The luminaire of  claim 8 , wherein the light produced from the LED is reflected from a ceiling in a luminance per unit area maximum to minimum ratio of about 3:1. 
     
     
         22 . The luminaire of  claim 8 , wherein the light produced from the LED is reflected from a ceiling in an illuminance maximum to minimum ratio between about 2:1 to 4:1. 
     
     
         23 . The luminaire of  claim 8 , wherein the light produced from the LED is reflected from a ceiling in an illuminance maximum to minimum ratio of no greater than about 3:1. 
     
     
         24 . The luminaire of  claim 8 , wherein the light produced from the LED is reflected from a ceiling in an illuminance maximum to minimum ratio of no less than about 2:1. 
     
     
         25 . A coupling optic for a waveguide body, comprising:
 an input region including a first coupling section and a second coupling section, wherein a light source is disposed adjacent the input region;   a first reflection portion remote from the input region and adapted to collimate light entering the coupling optic through the first coupling section into a first substantially collimated ray group; and   a second reflection portion adjacent to the input region and adapted to collimate light entering the coupling optic through the second coupling section into a second substantially collimated ray group;   wherein the coupling optic is integral with the waveguide body.   
     
     
         26 . The coupling optic of  claim 25 , wherein the first and second reflection portions curve outward from a center of the coupling portion, and wherein the second reflection portion is opposite the first reflection portion. 
     
     
         27 . The coupling optic of  claim 26 , wherein the coupling optic has an end surface distal to the center; and wherein a waveguide is attached to the end surface. 
     
     
         28 . The coupling optic of  claim 27 , wherein the end surface is approximately perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface. 
     
     
         29 . A coupling optic for a waveguide body, comprising:
 a first input surface proximal to at least one LED, the first input surface configured to receive light from the at least one LED;   a first control surface displaced from the first input surface, wherein the first control surface is configured to collimate light emitted from the at least one LED into a substantially collimated ray group; and   an extraction portion proximal the first control surface, wherein the first input surface guides light from the LED toward the first control surface, the first control surface reflects the light into the extraction portion, and light is emitted from the extraction portion above and below the waveguide body.   
     
     
         30 . The waveguide body of  claim 29 , further comprised of:
 a second input surface adjacent the first input surface and proximal to the LED; and   a second control surface opposite the first control surface;   wherein the extraction portion is proximal the first and the second control surfaces.