Apparatuses and methods for efficiently directing light toward and away from a mounting surface

Abstract

Luminaires that simultaneously illuminate a support surface (for example, a floor) and the surface to which the luminaires are mounted (for example, a ceiling) and methods for manufacturing the same are disclosed. Embodiments include luminaires that divide the light from a single light emitter (which may include one or more light sources such as LEDs) into a portion directed toward the luminaire's mounting surface and a portion directed toward the support surface. Some embodiments utilize a planar light guide with the light emitter mounted adjacent one edge, which in some embodiments is the internal edge of an aperture formed in the planar light guide. In some embodiments, one surface of the light guide includes grooves that internally reflect light toward the support surface while allowing a smaller amount of light to exit the light guide toward the mounting surface, and may be grouped according to the distance separating adjacent grooves.