Light unit with light output pattern synthesized from multiple light sources

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an LED based light unit that produces an output lighting pattern that meets desired lighting characteristics using a reduced number of LED elements. The present disclosure provides a number of point sources that are directed into a desired direction such that, when combined with other point sources, a synthesized light output is provided that minimizes the LED headcount.

1 .- 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A light assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of mounting surfaces comprising surfaces having a plurality of corresponding angles relative to a first plane that is parallel to a surface that is to be illuminated by the light assembly,   the plurality of mounting surfaces comprising at least a first set of mounting surfaces and a second set of mounting surfaces, wherein the first set of mounting surfaces have smaller angles, on average, relative to a second plane than the second set of mounting surfaces, wherein the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane; and   wherein at least a subset of the first and second sets of mounting surfaces comprises one or more solid state light elements and wherein an angular intensity of light output associated with at least a subset of each of the first and second sets of mounting surfaces is determined based on an angle of the associated mounting surface relative to the first plane, the second plane, the surface that is to be illuminated by the light assembly, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         36 . The light assembly of  claim 35 , wherein one or more of the mounting surfaces includes at least one solid state light element comprising one light emitting diode. 
     
     
         37 . The light assembly of  claim 36 , wherein at least one of the mounting surfaces comprises a single optical component. 
     
     
         38 . The light assembly of  claim 37 , wherein the optical component is a reflector. 
     
     
         39 . The light assembly of  claim 37 , wherein the optical component includes one or more of:
 a single beam spreading optic that spreads the light output by one or more of the respective solid state light elements on the mounting surface to beam angles of 160° or less, or   a single beam steering optic that redirects the light output by one or more of the respective solid state light element into asymmetrical light patterns.   
     
     
         40 . The light assembly of  claim 37 , wherein an angular intensity of the light produced by at least one mounting surface is related to an angle of the associated mounting surface relative to the first plane only, the second plane only, or a combination of the first plane and second plane. 
     
     
         41 . The light assembly of  claim 35 , wherein one or more of the mounting surfaces includes at least one solid state light element comprising one or more light emitting diode arrays. 
     
     
         42 . The light assembly of  claim 41 , wherein at least one of the mounting surfaces comprises a single optical component. 
     
     
         43 . The light assembly of  claim 42 , wherein the optical component is a reflector. 
     
     
         44 . The light assembly of  claim 42 , wherein the optical component includes one or more of:
 a single beam spreading optic that spreads the light output by one or more of the respective solid state light elements on the mounting surface to beam angles of 160° or less; and/or   a single beam steering optic that redirects the light output by one or more of the respective solid state light element into asymmetrical light patterns.   
     
     
         45 . The light assembly of  claim 42 , wherein an angular intensity of the light produced by at least one mounting surface is related to an angle of the associated mounting surface relative to the first plane only, the second plane only, or a combination of the first plane and second plane. 
     
     
         46 . The light assembly of  claim 35 , wherein at least one of the solid state light elements comprises an optical component. 
     
     
         47 . The light assembly of  claim 46 , wherein the optical component is a reflector. 
     
     
         48 . The light assembly of  claim 46 , wherein the optical component includes one or more of:
 a beam spreading optic that spreads the light output by the respective solid state light element to beam angles of 160° or less; and/or   a beam steering optic that redirects the light output by the respective solid state light element into asymmetrical light patterns.   
     
     
         49 . The light assembly of  claim 46 , wherein an angular intensity of the light produced by at least one solid state light element is related to an angle of the associated mounting surface relative to the first plane only, the second plane only, or a combination of the first plane and second plane. 
     
     
         50 . The light assembly of  claim 35 , wherein an optical component is not required in order to generate the desired illumination pattern. 
     
     
         51 . The light assembly of  claim 35 , wherein light provided by one or more solid state light elements is collimated to provide an angular intensity that is equivalent to an angular intensity of other of the plurality of solid state light elements. 
     
     
         52 . The light assembly of  claim 35 , wherein solid state lighting elements mounted on the first set of mounting surfaces provide a first illumination pattern, and solid state lighting elements mounted on the second set of mounting surfaces provide a second illumination pattern. 
     
     
         53 . The light assembly of  claim 53 , wherein:
 the first illumination pattern is larger than the second illumination pattern;   the first illumination pattern is smaller than the second illumination pattern;   the first illumination pattern is offset from the second illumination pattern; or   the first illumination pattern is the same as the second illumination pattern.   
     
     
         54 . The light assembly of  claim 35 , wherein an output of all of the solid state lighting elements combines to form a desired illumination pattern that is asymmetrical relative to a plane that contains a center-line of the light assembly.