Abstract: A lighting device is disclosed that comprises a glass tube (10); a solid state lighting assembly in said glass tube, said assembly comprising an electrically insulating optical film (20) comprising at least one arcuate portion lining a part (12) of the inner surface of the glass tube, wherein the glass tube further comprises a further part (14) defining a light exit portion; and a plurality of solid state lighting elements (32) on a carrier (30), said carrier contacting said optical film; a thermally conductive member (40, 42) in between at least a part of the solid state lighting assembly and the glass tube for thermally coupling the solid state lighting elements to the glass tube; and a transparent or translucent electrically insulating cover (50, 60) contacting the electrically insulating optical film and covering the solid state lighting elements. A luminaire including such a lighting device and a lighting device assembly method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lighting device including a glass tube; a solid state lighting assembly in said glass tube, said assembly having an electrically insulating optical film having at least one arcuate portion lining a part of the inner surface of the glass tube, wherein the glass tube further has a further part defining a light exit portion; and a plurality of solid state lighting elements on a carrier, said carrier contacting said optical film; a thermally conductive member in between at least a part of the solid state lighting assembly and the glass tube for thermally coupling the solid state lighting elements to the glass tube; and a transparent or translucent electrically insulating cover contacting the electrically insulating optical film and covering the solid state lighting elements. A luminaire including such a lighting device and a lighting device assembly method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a light guide plate (52), a light source (51), a reflecting sheet (53), a diffusion sheet (54), and a reflective polarizing beam splitter (57). The light guide plate includes a light input surface (521), a light output surface (522) adjacent to the light input surface, a reflecting surface (523) opposite the light output surface, and a number of microstructures (524) located on the reflecting surface. In the light guide plate, stress-induced birefringence is introduced to achieve a polarization state conversion, thereby facilitating efficient use of the light generated by the light source.

Abstract: A system for designing a free form reflector includes a user input interface (1), a free form reflector design unit (2), and a free form reflector output unit (3). The user input interface is configured for receiving various data associated with a desired free form reflector, via an input device. The free form reflector design unit is installed in a computer and configured for generating an optimum free form surface according to the input data by performing a non-uniform rational basis splines (NURBS) algorithm, a merit evaluation function, and a differential evolution (DE) algorithm. The free form reflector output module is configured for generating a free form reflector according to the optimum free form surface and outputting the free form reflector, in the form of a computer-aided design (CAD) drawing, to a display and/or a printer. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A light guide device (52) includes a light guide substrate (520) and a sub-wavelength grating (527). The light guide substrate has a light input surface (521), a light output surface (522) adjacent to the light input surface (521), a bottom surface (523) opposite to the light output surface (522). In the light guide plate, stress-induced birefringence is introduced to achieve the polarization state conversion. The SWG 527 located on the light output surface includes a top layer (525) and a bottom layer (526). The SWG 527 is configured to work as a reflective polarizing beam splitter, consistent with the principle of rigorous coupled-wave theory.

Abstract: A backlight module (70) includes a light guide plate (72), a light source (74), a micro reflector array (723), and a reflector (76). The light guide plate includes a light input surface (722) facing the light source, a light output surface (724) adjacent to the light input surface, and a reflective surface (726) opposite to the light output surface. The light source and an emitting surface (744) thereof both face the light input surface. The micro reflector array and the reflector are configured for cooperatively coupling a first portion of the light beams into the light input surface via any corresponding microgap and reflecting a second portion of the light beams into the light guide plate at a location distant from the light source.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a light guide plate having an incident surface, an emitting surface adjacent to the incident surface, and a reflective surface opposite to the emitting surface. At least one light source is disposed adjacent the incident surface. The light source has a luminescent surface; and at least one reflecting device is disposed adjacent the light source. The reflecting device has a reflective surface facing the incident surface. At least one semi-transmissive and semi-reflective film disposed on the incident surface of the light guide plate. The semi-transmissive and semi-reflective film and the reflecting device together are disposed for cooperatively reflecting some (i.e., a fraction) of the light beams emitted from the light source and redirecting the fraction of the light beams into the light guide plate through the incident surface, distant from the light source.

Abstract: An exemplary light guide plate (500) includes: a light incident portion (51) for receiving a light; a light reflecting portion (52) for reflecting the light input through the light incident portion; and a light emitting portion (53) opposite to the light reflecting portion, for outputting the reflected light. The light incident portion includes a first diffractive optical element (512) located thereat. The first diffractive optical element includes a plurality of protrusions (512a) each having a curved surface, with the protrusions being arranged symmetrically opposite to each other across a central axis of symmetry of the first diffractive optical element. The light emitting portion may include a second diffractive optical element (532) located thereat. The second diffractive optical element includes a plurality of elongate protrusions, with the protrusions being arranged symmetrically opposite to each other across a central axis of symmetry of the second diffractive optical element.

Abstract: A light guiding plate (120) includes a light incident surface (121), a light emitting surface (122) adjacent to the light incident surface, and a bottom surface (123) opposite to the light emitting surface. The light incident surface includes at least one row of first grooves (1211) and at least one row of second grooves (1212). The first grooves is configured for increasing a range of incident angles in which light beams enter the light guiding plate via the light incident surface and thereby improving a brightness of the light guiding plate, and the second grooves is configured for complementing the functions of the first grooves thereby improving a uniformity of light output by the light guiding plate.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a light guide plate, a light source, and a reflector. The light guide plate includes an incident surface and a corner adjacent the incident surface. The light source is disposed adjacent the incident surface and the corner of the light guide plate. The light source has an emitting surface. The reflector is disposed substantially facing the incident surface. The reflector has a curved reflective surface facing the emitting surface, the surface being shaped and positioned for uniformly reflecting light beams emitted from the light source into the light guide plate through the incident surface. An angle of inclination of the emitting surface with respect to the incident surface is chosen to be in the range from above about 0 to about 180 degrees. The backlight module can effectively eliminate shadow formation adjacent the incident surface of the light guide plate.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes an incident surface, an emission surface, and a bottom surface. The emission surface intersects with the incident surface and is substantially perpendicular to the incident surface. The bottom surface intersects with the incident surface and is opposite to the emission surface. The light guide plate further includes at least one light diffusing portion protruding from the incident surface. The light diffusing portion has a reflective hole located at (i.e., extending from) the bottom surface, the reflective hole protruding less than a thickness of the light guide plate. A backlight module, adopting the above-described light guide plate, further includes at least one corresponding light source positioned beside the incident surface of the light guide plate. The light source includes a luminescent surface facing a corresponding light diffusing portion of the light guide plate.

Abstract: A system for designing a free form reflector includes a user input interface (1), a free form reflector design unit (2), and a free form reflector output unit (3). The user input interface is configured for receiving various data associated with a desired free form reflector, via an input device. The free form reflector design unit is installed in a computer and configured for generating an optimum free form surface according to the input data by performing a non-uniform rational basis splines (NURBS) algorithm, a merit evaluation function, and a differential evolution (DE) algorithm. The free form reflector output module is configured for generating a free form reflector according to the optimum free form surface and outputting the free form reflector, in the form of a computer-aided design (CAD) drawing, to a display and/or a printer. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A light guiding plate (120) includes a light incident surface (121), a light emitting surface (122) adjacent to the light incident surface, and a bottom surface (123) opposite to the light emitting surface. The light incident surface includes at least one row of first grooves (1211) and at least one row of second grooves (1212). The first grooves is configured for increasing a range of incident angles in which light beams enter the light guiding plate via the light incident surface and thereby improving a brightness of the light guiding plate, and the second grooves is configured for complementing the functions of the first grooves thereby improving a uniformity of light output by the light guiding plate.

Abstract: A light guide device (60) and a backlight module using the same. The light guide device includes: an incident surface (61); an emitting surface (64) adjacent to the incident surface; a reflecting surface (62) opposited to the emitting surface; a plurality of first V-shaped structures (644) formed on the emitting surface; and a plurality of second V-shaped structures (622) formed on the reflecting surface and perpendicular to the first V-shaped structures, wherein respective heigths of the second V-shaped structures increase with increasing distance from the incident surface and respective distances between adjacent second V-shaped structures decrease with increasing distance from the incident surface. The light guide device of the present invention does not need optical elements, and thus has a simple structure. A backlight module using the same light guide plate is also provided.

Abstract: A light guide device (52) includes a light guide substrate (520) and a sub-wavelength grating (527). The light guide substrate has a light input surface (521), a light output surface (522) adjacent to the light input surface (521), a bottom surface (523) opposite to the light output surface (522). In the light guide plate, stress-induced birefringence is introduced to achieve the polarization state conversion. The SWG 527 located on the light output surface includes a top layer (525) and a bottom layer (526). The SWG 527 is configured to work as a reflective polarizing beam splitter, consistent with the principle of rigorous coupled-wave theory.

Abstract: backlight module includes a light guide plate (52), a light source (51), a reflecting sheet (53), a diffusion sheet (54), and a reflective polarizing beam splitter (57). The light guide plate includes a light input surface (521), a light output surface (522) adjacent to the light input surface, a reflecting surface (523) opposite the light output surface, and a number of microstructures (524) located on the reflecting surface. In the light guide plate, stress-induced birefringence is introduced to achieve a polarization state conversion, thereby facilitating efficient use of the light generated by the light source.

Abstract: A backlight system includes a light guide plate and a light source. The light guide plate includes a light incident surface, a reflective surface adjoining the light incident surface, and a light-emitting surface opposite to the reflective surface. The light guide plate further includes an upper layer and a lower layer under the upper layer. The upper layer includes a substrate portion, a light-emitting surface, a second surface, and a number of projections. The projections extend from the second surface. Each projection has a top extremity adjoining the substrate portion and a bottom face distal from the substrate portion. The lower layer includes a light incident surface, a top surface adjoining the light incident surface, and a reflective surface opposite to the top surface. The top surface of the lower layer abuts the bottom face of the projections.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a light guide plate having an incident surface, an emitting surface adjacent to the incident surface, and a reflective surface opposite to the emitting surface. At least one light source is disposed adjacent the incident surface. The light source has a luminescent surface; and at least one reflecting device is disposed adjacent the light source. The reflecting device has a reflective surface facing the incident surface. At least one semi-transmissive and semi-reflective film disposed on the incident surface of the light guide plate. The semi-transmissive and semi-reflective film and the reflecting device together are disposed for cooperatively reflecting some (i.e., a fraction) of the light beams emitted from the light source and redirecting the fraction of the light beams into the light guide plate through the incident surface, distant from the light source.

Abstract: A backlight module (70) includes a light guide plate (72), a light source (74), a micro reflector array (723), and a reflector (76). The light guide plate includes a light input surface (722) facing the light source, a light output surface (724) adjacent to the light input surface, and a reflective surface (726) opposite to the light output surface. The light source and an emitting surface (744) thereof both face the light input surface. The micro reflector array and the reflector are configured for cooperatively coupling a first portion of the light beams into the light input surface via any corresponding microgap and reflecting a second portion of the light beams into the light guide plate at a location distant from the light source.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes an incident surface, an emission surface, and a bottom surface. The emission surface intersects with the incident surface and is substantially perpendicular to the incident surface. The bottom surface intersects with the incident surface and is opposite to the emission surface. The light guide plate is birefringent and has internal stresses/strains therein, causing the light guide plate to exhibit a light-polarizing phase delay. An angle between a direction of one of the main stresses/strains and the light incident surface is bigger than 0 degree and smaller than 90 degrees. A plurality of sub-wavelength gratings can be further formed on the emission surface of the light guide plate. A backlight module, adopting the above-mentioned light guide plate, further includes a corresponding light source positioned beside the incident surface of the light guide plate.