GB2288903A - Decorative luminaires - Google Patents

Abstract

A luminaire which offers a range of colour changes, comprising a housing, part of which is translucent, a plurality of lamp units 14 - 17 fitted within the housing for generating light of different colours together with electronic control means comprising a system controller 2 and light dimmers 10 - 13 for independently controlling the luminous output of each lamp unit so as to produce a resultant mixture of colours which, when observed from the outside of the housing, changes according to the programming of the electronic control means. The luminaire may include a manual controller so that different programs and functions e.g. control of the luminous output of each bulb, may be selected. The luminaire may also include a microphone so that received sound may control the luminous output of each bulb. <IMAGE>

Description

Luminai res This invention relates to a decorative luminaire which may be used in a free standing or fixed position.

Most decorative luminaires incorporate one or more light bulbs which are either contained within or partly surrounded by a translucent or opaque housing or fitted with a shade.

The shade reduces glare, directs the light in a particular way and is usually decorated in an attractive style. The shade design, colour and materials used together with the lamp fittings and base combine to form a visual effect appropriate to the style intended by the designer.

Further variations include reflectors to concentrate the luminous output in a specific direction and ornamental items such as glass crystals and brass or chrome fittings to enhance the visual appearance and appeal of the luminaire.

To aid versatility and to allow for variation in ambient light levels many types of luminaire may be connected to or incorporate an electronic dimmer control. This variable control enables the user to adjust the voltage fed to the lamp and hence the luminous output.

It is interesting to note that although dimmers allow control over the luminous intensity of lamps there is no equivalent straightforward means whereby the colour of the light emitted can be made to vary by the user. The only way a colour change can be effected is either to replace the bulb with one of a different colour or to change the shade, both options being clumsy and lacking in refinement. It appears that the most fundamental property of light, its' colour, has been somewhat neglected by luminaire designers.

According to the present invention there is provided a luminaire which offers a range of colour changes, comprising a housing, part of which is translucent, a plurality of lamp units within the housing for generating light of different colours together with electronic control means for independently controlling the luminous output of each lamp unit so as to produce a resultant mixture of colours which, when observed from the outside of the housing, changes according to the programming of the electronic control means.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the device; Figure 2 illustrates a practical assembly of the components.

Referring to the block diagram in Figure 1 the device comprises a system controller 2 connected to four light dimmers 10-13 which in turn control associated light bulbs 14-17.

System controller 2 is programmed to independently increase, decrease or maintain at a set level the light output of bulbs 14-17 independently by means of the light dimmers 10-13. The rate of change of said changes in light output together with the time between one change and the next is also set by the system controller.

Manual controller 1 may be used in a variety of ways, including selecting a facility for activation by sound, setting the speed of the changes, selecting a different program within the system controller or to control the light dimmers directly. This controller may either form a part of the luminaire or be incorporated within a separate remote control unit.

It will be appreciated that with standard AC mains operated filament bulbs the dimmers will consist of phase controlled triacs, for low voltage bulbs triacs or switching semiconductors operating in a pulse width modulation mode may be used. For fluorescent tubes more sophisticated triac or thyristor control techniques are required.

This embodiment shows four light bulbs, one coloured red, one yellow, one green and one blue. Depending upon the level of light output from each bulb a resultant colour will be seen through the translucent body part (Fig 2) which, due to internal reflection of the light within the housing and the translucent nature of said body part is a mixture of the individual bulb colours.

For example, with the yellow and green bulbs off and the red and blue bulbs fully lit a purple colour will be seen. In like manner a gradual decrease in light output of the blue bulb and a gradual increase in output of the yellow bulb will cause the resultant colour to changes from purple to orange (the colour orange can be made by mixing red and yellow light in suitable proporticns).

It will be appreciated that the actual number of different coloured bulbs need not be fixed at four, fewer bulbs will result in a reduced range of colour variations, more bulbs will offer a greater range of variation.

Naturally the range of colours available will also depend upon the colours of the individual bulbs.

Programs within the system controller may select different sequences and ranges of colours, for example blues and greens to give a "cool" effect or reds and yellows for a "warm" effect. It will also be appreciated that the speed of the colour changes will also form a part of the overall effect, with slow gradual changes offering a relaxing effect and fast changes a more stimulating effect. These programs may either be accessed automatically as part of a continual sequence of operation or manually by means of the manual controller 1.

Referring to the assembly of components in Fig 2, View A shows the luminaire positioned on its base as viewed from one side. Bulbs 14 - 17 are located in holders mounted on a printed circuit board (both shown dotted) which incorporates the electronics that constitutes the system controller 2, light dimmers 10 - 13 and temperature sensor 3.

Due to the heat generated by filament bulbs a small electric fan may be fitted to circulate outside air through the housing in order to maintain a safe operating temperature.

View A shows such a cooling fan which draws air in through an inlet. The air passes around the bulbs and is expelled through recessed sections in the base as shown in View B.

Alternatively, a modified housing design would enable ventilation by natural convection of air through slots or openings in the lower and upper parts of the housing so eliminating the need for a fan.

As a safety precaution temperature sensor 3 is incorporated so that if the internal temperature exceeds a pre-set level the system controller will turn the lamps off. This will let the housing cool down until the internal temperature falls to a safe level, at which point the controller will resume normal operation.

Front view B (translucent top removed) shows that the layout of the coloured bulbs forms a square A-B-C-D on the printed circuit board. Different layout arrangements may be used but whichever is used an attractive visual effect is produced by the shadows of the bulbs, cast on the inside of the housing.

The result of the shadows is to produce areas of dominance of certain colours, regardless of the more general resultant colour that is seen on other parts of the housing.

It will be appreciated that small objects could be positioned within the housing so as to cast shadows, which due to the different positions of the coloured bulbs would appear as different patterns of differing colours.

A further point concerning the housing is that of its' overall shape. A hemispherical or spherical shape produces a more even internal reflection of light and hence a more uniform mixing of colours than an irregularly shaped housing. Both aspects may be put to good use in the overall design.

It can be seen that in Figure 2 this embodiment employs a mainly hemispherical shape for the upper section of the housing which gives good colour mixing.

A pointed end adds visual interest while giving the overall assembly greater stability with the ability to stand on its side (y) as shown in View B, or its base (z) as shown in Views A and C.

View C shows the luminaire when viewed from its pointed end, which reveals the air inlet for a cooling fan.

Irregular shapes offer less consistent internal reflection of light and, depending upon the colour of the nearest bulb(s) to the irregular section, a corresponding emphasis on those colours is likely to occur such that the irregular section appears tinted with said colours more than others.

Light bulbs 14-17 may be one of several appropriate types, for example ordinary glass incandescent bulbs, tungsten bulbs, reflector bulbs, halogen bulbs, fluorescent tubes, discharge lamps or light emitting diodes.

The bulbs may be coloured in any appropriate manner, for example the bulb may be painted in a coloured lacquer, a coloured sleeve may be placed over the bulb or a coloured filter may be placed in the path of the light emitted from the bulb.

The system controller may additionally incorporate a facility to receive an audio signal such as that produced from a microphone, which would normally be located to pick up sound from the outside of the housing.

When enabled such audible means will cause the system controller to individually activate the bulbs according to one of a number of possible options, such as responding to the intensity and frequency content of the sound or triggering a random or pre-programmed sequence of colour changes.

To add to the versatility of the luminaire differently shaped removable translucent parts of the housing may be fitted. These may take different forms such as a pyramid, flower, star, human or animal face or figure.

Claims (13)

1 A luminaire which offers a range of colour changes, comprising a housing, part of which is translucent, a plurality of lamp units within the housing for generating light of different colours together with electronic control means for independently controlling the luminous output of each lamp unit so as to produce a resultant mixture of colours which, when observed from the outside of the housing, changes according to the programming of the electronic control means.

2....A luminaire as claimed in Claim 1, which further comprises a manual controller to allow the user to select different programs and functions within the electronic control means.

3....A luminaire as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the manual controller allows the user to control the luminous output of each light bulb directly.

4....A luminaire as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein the manual controller forms a part of the luminaire.

5 A luminaire as claimed in Claim 2 or 3 wherein the manual controller is incorporated within a separate remote control unit.

6....A luminaire as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the housing comprises a part spherical translucent portion.

7....A luminaire as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the light bulbs comprise incandescent bulbs.

8....A luminaire as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the light bulbs are coloured by means of a coloured sleeve placed over the bulb.

9....A luminaire as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the electronic control means comprises electronic lamp dimmers.

10....A luminaire as claimed in any preceding Claim, which further comprises a fan to maintain a safe operating temperature within the housing.

ll...A luminaire as claimed in any preceding Claim, which further comprises a microphone with appropriate electronic control means to control the luminous output of each light bulb according to audible sounds received by said microphone.

12...A luminaire as claimed in any preceding Claim which further comprises a removable translucent part of the housing.

13...A luminaire substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.