Patent ID: 6238076
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: G02B,H02J

Abstract:
A compact light diffusing and mixing structure for uniformly dispersing at an exit surface light from a light source, said light diffusing structure comprising:a light entrance surface and a light exit surface located on the light diffusing and mixing structure;a light dispersing assembly in the light diffusing and mixing structure between the entrance and exit surfaces, which breaks up light into a plurality of sub-beams having different directions;a light spreading reflective surface located in the light diffusing and mixing structure adjacent to the light dispersing assembly;the light diffusing structure works such that light from the light source on entering the entrance surface strikes the light dispersing assembly and a first portion is guided directly towards the exit surface and a second portion is guided towards the light spreading reflective surface which in turn spreads the light towards the exit surface and thereby evenly spreads the light across the exit surface; andwherein a proportion of light in said sub-beams is substantially independent of a precise alignment of the light source with respect to the entrance surface, and the exit surface is substantially larger than the entrance surface.