Optical element for asymmetric light distribution

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical element (2) for collimating light from a light source (3), said optical element (2) having an in-coupling side (5) arranged to receive said light, an out-coupling side (6) arranged to allow for emission of collimated light, and an element body extending from said in-coupling side (5) to said out-coupling side (6), the element bodyhaving a cross-section perpendicular to an optical axis (z) defined by an x-5 axis and a y-axis being perpendicular to each other, wherein said optical element (2) has an x-curvature along said x-axis and a y-curvature along said y-axis, said y-curvature being greater than said x-curvature, thereby enabling for a light distribution of said collimated light emitted from said out-coupling side (6) to have a cross-section of an asymmetric shape (CE) perpendicular to said optical axis (z). The present invention also relates to a lighting system (1) comprising such an optical element (2). An advantage with the present invention is that it may provide asymmetric light distribution with an increased beam-width difference in two perpendicular viewing directions.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to an optical element for collimating a light beam from a light source, the optical element having: an in-coupling side arranged to receive the light beam; an out-coupling side arranged to allow emission of collimated light; and an element body coupled from the in-coupling Extends laterally to the output coupling side. [0002] The invention also relates to an illumination system comprising such an optical element. Background technique [0003] Recently, a great deal of progress has been made in increasing the brightness of light emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs have thus become sufficiently bright and low-cost to be suitable as light sources in, for example, lighting systems (eg color-tunable lamps, direct-view liquid crystal displays (LCDs)) and in front and rear projection displays. By mixing and controlling the intensity of LEDs of different colors, such as red, green and blue LEDs, any number of colors, such as white, can be ge...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, cylindrical lens structures are generally only capable of providing beams with a width 10° to 20° wider in the first viewing direction than in the second perpendicular viewing direction.

Further beam angle differences will result in less efficient lighting systems using such optics

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