VCC's LCV Series Litepipe^® is designed to provide a method of transmitting the light from a circuit board mounted LED to a display panel and, with the use of a lens, produce 180° viewing angle.

 

Present methods of transmitting the light of a PCB-mounted LED to a front panel are less than acceptable aesthetically and physically. The output surface of a lightpipe, whether it is flat, concave or convex, projects little or no sidelight. Standard PCB-mounted LEDs have been used in conjunction with panel lenses; however, unless the LED is fully inserted into the lens, sidelight and viewing angle are seriously reduced. A similar problem occurs with a PCB-mounted LED is not fully inserted directly through a hole in the display panel.

 

VCC's LCV Series Litepipe^® is designed for use with surface mount LEDs as well as standard 3mm and 5mm size PCB, thru-hole vertical or horizontal mounted LEDs. The Litepipes^® are molded from an optical grade acrylic plastic for clarity. The Litepipe^® tooling is highly polished providing a smooth, scratch-free surface to the finished Litepipe^®. This finish allows for maximum light refraction and ultimate transmission.

 

The Litepipe^® is tubular in shape with an annular ring which, when engaged into the annular groove of a Litepipe^® panel lens, affords a secure mounting to the display panel. This leaves the circuit board free from a mechanical interface with the display panel allowing for easy board insertion or removal. Panel lens and Litepipe^® retaining rings are available for added stability in unusual shock and vibration conditions. Selected lengths of Litepipes^® span a wide range of distances between the display panel and circuit board.  The Fresnel rings of the Litepipe® lens mounts fully disperse the light over the entire surface of the lens while providing up to 180° of viewing angle.