Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for increasing light extraction efficiency in a light guide optical system. The light guide optical system may comprise a light emitting source. The light emitting source may be, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED) or plurality of LEDS. The light guide optical system may also comprise a light guide plate (LGP). The LGP may include light extraction features located on surfaces of the LGP. The LGP may also include a shaped injection surface on an input surface of the LGP. The shaped injection surface may be angled to deviate near-parallel light emitted from the LED to enable the near-parallel light emitted from the LED to be extracted from the LGP via the light extraction features. The shaped injection surface may be a split edge (i.e., a V-groove) or a curved edge.

Abstract: A light engine is disclosed in which the light engine contains a core having an opening extending completely therethrough and independently addressable LED segments. The opening defines an inner surface of the core. Each segment has LEDs and is attached to a flexible PCB. The PCB has a flexible body attached to one of an inner or outer surface of the core and to which the segments are mounted, and flexible legs extending from the body, along the core, and traverse and adjacent to the other of the inner or outer surface. A light guide plate (LGP) receives and guides light from the segments so that the light exits to provide illumination. The segments emit light in all directions of a plane created by the LGP. A reflector opposes and covers a top surface of the LGP and the segments and reflects light from the LGP back into the LGP.

Abstract: A light engine system is disclosed in which the light engine system comprises a light engine. The light engine comprises independently addressable LED segments, each LED segment comprising LEDs and a flexible PCB to which the segments are attached. A light guide plate (LGP) is provided into which light from the segments is introduced, in which the light is guided, and from which the light exits to provide illumination. The segments emit light in all directions of a plane created by the LGP. A diffuser opposes a first surface of the LGP over substantially the entirety of the LGP. The diffuser diffuses light exiting the LGP into the environment away from the light engine.

Abstract: A light engine and system using the light engine are disclosed. The light engine includes a core and independently addressable LED segments. Each LED segment has multiple LEDs. A flexible PCB contains a body to which the LED segments are attached and legs. Each leg provides electrical contact for a different LED segment. The body is attached to the core. A light guide plate (LGP) is disposed such that light from the LED segments is introduced thereto, guided, and from which the light exits to provide illumination. The LED segments emit light in all directions of a plane created by the LGP.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed and include a vehicle interior lighting system comprising that includes a light engine with a plurality of independently addressable light emitting diode (LED) segments, each independently addressable LED segment including at least one LED, a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) having a base and plurality of legs extending from the base, each leg supporting an independently addressable LED segment, and a light guide plate configured to provide illumination from the plurality of independently addressable LED segments inside the vehicle. A processor may be configured to receive information from a o vehicle sensing system, a vehicle communication system, or a detection system, and may generate a signal. A controller may be configured to provide one or more light control signals to modify at least one light characteristic of at least one of the plurality of independently addressable LED segments based on the signal.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit board and method of fabrication are disclosed. The flexible printed circuit board has a flexible body with multiple segments. Each segment has multiple body contacts that are electrically isolated from body contacts of each other segment. The flexible printed circuit further has multiple flexible legs in which each leg extends from a different segment and contains multiple leg contacts disposed proximate to a distal end of the leg from the body. Each leg contact is connected with a different body contact of the leg. The flexible printed circuit board is formed from a multilayer structure that includes: a dielectric layer, a metal layer adjacent to the dielectric layer, and a solder mask layer adjacent to the metal layer, the solder mask layer exposing portions of the metal layer to form the body contacts.

Abstract: A light engine is disclosed in which the light engine contains a core comprising an opening extending completely through the core and independently addressable LED segments. The opening defines an inner surface of the core. Each segment has multiple LEDs. A PCB contains a body adjacent to one of an inner or outer surface of the core and to which the LED segments are attached and legs extending from the body and bent to be adjacent and traverse to the other of the inner or outer surface. Each leg is associated with a different LED segment. Control circuitry is connected with the legs of the flexible PCB and independently controls parameters of the LED segments to provide a preset illumination distribution and intensity based on user input.

Abstract: A light engine and system are disclosed in which the light engine contains a core comprising an opening extending through opposing surfaces and a flexible printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB includes a flexible body disposed on an outside of the core and having independently addressable sets of illumination sources mounted thereto, and flexible legs extending from the body and through the opening. The legs are bent such that a terminal portion of each leg is substantially parallel to the opposing surfaces of the core. Independent control of the sets of illumination sources is provided via the legs. The body is separated into segments, each on a different section of the outside and containing body contacts electrically independent of the body contacts of each other segment. Each leg is associated with a different segment, and contains leg contacts on the terminal portion in electrical contact with the associated body contacts.

Abstract: A light engine is disclosed in which the light engine contains a core having an opening extending completely therethrough and independently addressable LED segments. The opening defines an inner surface of the core. Each segment has LEDs and is attached to a flexible PCB. The PCB has a flexible body attached to one of an inner or outer surface of the core and to which the segments are mounted, and flexible legs extending from the body, along the core, and traverse and adjacent to the other of the inner or outer surface. A light guide plate (LGP) receives and guides light from the segments so that the light exits to provide illumination. The segments emit light in all directions of a plane created by the LGP. A reflector opposes and covers a top surface of the LGP and the segments and reflects light from the LGP back into the LGP.

Abstract: A lighting device and method of forming the lighting device are provided. The lighting device includes a light guide, a lighting element having a light emitting diode (LED), and an in-coupling structure. The in-coupling structure includes one or more remote phosphor regions and one or more reflective regions. The in-coupling structure is integrally formed in a single piece. The in-coupling structure is affixed to the light guide and the lighting element, and is positioned between the light guide and the LED. An optional seal may be a part of the integrally formed in-coupling structure.