Apparatus and method for using emitting diodes (LED) in a side-emitting device

摘要

An LED having a predetermined direction of radiation is combined with a first and second reflector. The first reflector opposes the LED and has a predetermined direction of reflection. The direction of reflection of the first reflector opposes the direction of radiation of the LED. The second reflector has a predetermined azimuthal direction of reflection. The second reflector positioned relative to the first reflector to receive light from the first reflector and redirect the light into the azimuthal direction of reflection. The LED, first and second reflectors collectively comprise an illumination unit. A plurality of illumination units are axially stacked. In one embodiment of the stack, at least one illumination unit comprises an LED and second reflector of one illumination unit and a first reflector of an adjacent illumination unit in the stack of illumination units.