Lightguide as luminaire

Abstract

A lightguide functioning as a luminaire. The luminaire includes at least one solid state light source, such as an LED, and a lightguide configured to receive light from the solid state light source. Light from the light source is coupled into the lightguide and transported within it by total internal reflection until the light exits the lightguide. A shape of the lightguide causes and directs extraction of the light, and can also be used to create a particular pattern of the extracted light. Such shapes include linear wedges and twisted wedges. Optical films can be included on the light input and output surfaces of the lightguide.

1 . A luminaire, comprising:
 at least one solid state light source;   a lightguide configured to receive light from the at least one solid state light source, the lightguide having an input surface and having one or more output surfaces; and   an optical film adjacent the input surface,   wherein the light from the at least one solid state light source is coupled into the lightguide at the input surface and transported within the lightguide by total internal reflection until the light exits the lightguide at the one or more output surfaces,   wherein a shape of the lightguide causes extraction of the light from the lightguide and the shape directs the extracted light from the lightguide;   wherein the cross section of the light guide increases along a length of the lightguide and wherein at least one output surface extends along the length of the lightguide.   
     
     
         2 . The luminaire of  claim 1 , wherein the optical film comprises a collimation controlling film. 
     
     
         3 . The luminaire of  claim 1 , wherein the optical film comprises a light spreading film. 
     
     
         4 . The luminaire of  claim 1 , wherein the light exits the lightguide in an exiting light pattern determined by the shape of the lightguide. 
     
     
         5 . The luminaire of  claim 4 , wherein the lightguide has a bend, and wherein the exiting light pattern is at least partially controlled by bend in the lightguide. 
     
     
         6 . The luminaire of  claim 4 , wherein the exiting light pattern is at least partially controlled by features on a surface of the lightguide. 
     
     
         7 . A luminaire, comprising:
 at least one solid state light source;   a lightguide configured to receive light from the at least one solid state light source, the lightguide having an input surface and having one or more output surfaces; and   an optical film adjacent the input surface,   wherein the light from the at least one solid state light source is coupled into the lightguide at the input surface and transported within the lightguide by total internal reflection until the light exits the lightguide at the one or more output surfaces,   wherein a shape of the lightguide causes extraction of the light from the lightguide and the shape directs the extracted light from the lightguide;   wherein the cross section of the light guide decreases along a length of the lightguide and wherein at least one output surface extends along the length of the lightguide.   
     
     
         8 . A luminaire, comprising:
 at least one solid state light source;   a lightguide configured to receive light from the at least one solid state light source, the lightguide having an input surface and having one or more output surfaces; and   structured features on the input surface,   wherein the light from the at least one solid state light source is coupled into the lightguide at the input surface and transported within the lightguide by total internal reflection until the light exits the lightguide at the one or more output surfaces,   wherein a shape of the lightguide causes extraction of the light from the lightguide and the shape directs the extracted light from the lightguide;   wherein the cross section of the light guide either decreases or increases along a length of the lightguide and wherein at least one output surface extends along the length of the lightguide.   
     
     
         9 . The luminaire of  claim 8 , wherein the structured features comprise prisms. 
     
     
         10 . A luminaire, comprising:
 at least one solid state light source;   a lightguide configured to receive light from the at least one solid state light source, the lightguide having an input surface and having one or more output surfaces; and   an optical film adjacent at least one of the output surfaces,   wherein the light from the at least one solid state light source is coupled into the lightguide at the input surface and transported within the lightguide by total internal reflection until the light exits the lightguide at the one or more output surfaces,   wherein a shape of the lightguide causes extraction of the light from the lightguide and the shape directs the extracted light from the lightguide;   wherein the cross section of the light guide either decreases or increases along a length of the lightguide and wherein at least one output surface extends along the length of the lightguide.   
     
     
         11 . The luminaire of  claim 10 , wherein the optical film comprises a light redirecting film. 
     
     
         12 . The luminaire of  claim 10 , wherein the light exits the lightguide in an exiting light pattern determined by the shape of the lightguide. 
     
     
         13 . The luminaire of  claim 12 , wherein the lightguide has a bend, and wherein the exiting light pattern is at least partially controlled by bend in the lightguide. 
     
     
         14 . The luminaire of  claim 12 , wherein the exiting light pattern is at least partially controlled by features on a surface of the lightguide.