Illumination device in which source light injection is non-parallel to device`s optical axis

Abstract

An illumination device includes a light source configured to emit, during operation, light with a prevalent direction of propagation different from a direction of an optical axis of the illumination device; and an optical coupler including a transparent material, the optical coupler having an input aperture, an exit aperture and a first side surface and a second side surface arranged between the input aperture and the exit aperture, the exit aperture being centered on the optical axis of the illumination device. The optical coupler receives the emitted light through the input aperture from the light source. Further, the first side surface and the second side surface redirect the received light via total internal reflection (TIR) to the exit aperture. Additionally, the redirected light is issued through the exit aperture.

1 . An illumination device comprising:
 a light source configured to emit, during operation, light in an emission angular range, wherein a prevalent direction of propagation of the emitted light in the emission angular range is different from a direction of an optical axis of the illumination device; and   an optical coupler comprising a transparent material, the optical coupler having an input aperture, an exit aperture and a first side surface and a second side surface arranged between the input aperture and the exit aperture, the exit aperture being centered on the optical axis of the illumination device,   wherein the optical coupler receives, through the input aperture from the light source, the light emitted in the emission angular range,   wherein the first side surface and the second side surface redirect the received light via total internal reflection (TIR) to the exit aperture, and   wherein the redirected light is issued through the exit aperture in a redirected angular range.   
     
     
         2 - 35 . (canceled)