VCC's LMS Series Litepipe® provides display panel moisture seal and 180° viewing angle. This lens and Litepipe® unit was developed to provide moisture sealing and dust control for display panels when the LED is attached to a circuit board. Currently, the moisture sealing of a lightpipe to a display panel requires the use of RTV-type adhesive. When applying glue for sealing, special precautions must be taken to avoid creating air gaps that would allow sealed joints to leak. Glues are not only difficult to apply but their adhesion to a Litepipe® surface will change the flow of the light pattern. This also causes light leakage resulting in reduction of light emitted by the Litepipe®. In addition, the output surface of a lightpipe alone whether flat, concave, or convex projects little or no sidelight. This gluing method results in serious assembly problems and less than effective panel displays.
VCC's LMS Series Litepipe® and lens unit is designed for use with surface mount LEDs as well as standard thru-hole LEDs, horizontally or vertically circuit board mounted.
The Litepipes® are molded from an optical grade acrylic plastic for clarity and optimum light transmission. The Litepipe® tooling is highly polished providing a smooth, scratch-free surface to the finished Litepipe®. This produces an optimum surface for maximum light refraction and ultimate transmission.
The Litepipe® is tubular in shape attached to a lens. The lens is fitted with a gasket that provides sealing for both moisture and dust. Panel assembly is easily accomplished. Slip the unit through a .281” panel opening and slide the retaining ring (RNG 268) over the Litepipe® barrel. While holding the lens surface tightly against the panel, press the ring on using a 5/16" deep socket. The gasket is compressed as the ring is forced into place against the rear of the panel. This leaves the circuit board free from attachment to the display panel allowing for easy board insertion or removal.
Tests by an independent testing laboratory have shown that the LMS lens unit meets NEMA 3 requirements providing an effective seal against water and dust. In addition to the water tests, the unit and its retaining system have been tested up to 6Gs of shock and from 0 to 2000 Hz of vibration. Tests also included storage and operating temperature ((-40°C to +85°C), solar, ice and UV). The conclusion attained upon completion of these tests was that the LMS Series exceeded all test criteria.
With Fresnel rings, the light is fully dispersed over the entire surface of the low-profile lens while providing up to 180° of viewing angle. These components are available in an array of colors. In addition, the unit's variety of lengths span a wide range of distances for use between the display panel and circuit board mounted LED.