Differential Ultraviolet curing using external optical elements

摘要

A lighting module has an array of solid state light emitters, a package in which the array of solid state light emitters resides, the package having a window and an external optical element arranged adjacent the window, the external optical element having a coating, the coating forming an optical pattern when illuminated by light from the array of solid state light emitters.

主权项

1. An ink curing system, comprising:
at least one array of solid state light emitters in a package having a window; a patterned external optical element arranged adjacent to the window, the patterned external optical element forming an optical pattern on a print substrate when illuminated by light from the solid state light emitters; said optical pattern comprising a first gradient in a process direction, wherein the process direction is parallel to a direction in which the print substrate moves relative to the at least one array of solid state light emitters, and a second gradient perpendicular to the process direction; a printer arranged to deposit ink onto the print substrate, the ink being curable by optically patterned light, the array of solid state light emitters arranged adjacent to the print substrate such that the optically patterned light from the array contacts the ink, the patterned external optical element arranged between the at least one array of solid state light emitters and the print substrate to allow for variability of curing; and the patterned external optical element comprising a patterned external optical element directly adjacent to the window, said patterned external optical element comprising a patterned film on the window.