CN112020624A

CN112020624A - Apparatus and method for protecting an optical system of a luminaire

Info

Publication number: CN112020624A
Application number: CN201980006509.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈庆丰; 赵安民
Original assignee: Shawn & Son Co ltd
Current assignee: Shawn & Son Co ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-29
Filing date: 2019-03-29
Publication date: 2020-12-01
Also published as: CA3076110A1; SG11202002474PA; WO2020204878A1; JP2021513718A; JP6951564B2; CA3076110C; EP3737887A1; EP3737887B1; EP3737887A4

Abstract

An apparatus and a method are provided for covering the optical system of a moving head light fixture with a filter or diffuser when the light fixture is switched off. A filter or diffuser is positioned in the light path between the illumination element and the lens. During normal operation, the retracting means is energized to retract the filter or diffuser from the light path. Upon removal of power to the light fixture, the filter mechanism automatically returns the filter or diffuser to its position in the light path. In this way, the optical system of the luminaire can be protected from damage caused by incident intense light and/or daylight when the luminaire is no longer in use.

Description

Apparatus and method for protecting an optical system of a luminaire

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for automatically covering the optical system of a moving head light fixture (moving head light fixture) with a filter (light filter) or diffuser (diffuser) to block incident light including daylight when the fixture is not powered.

Background

A moving head light fixture or "moving head" is one such fixture: the light fixture is capable of rotating and tilting the entire head via electronic control signals in order to change the direction of the output light without physically repositioning the light fixture. The moving head light fixture comprises, inter alia, an optical system comprising a light source (e.g. a lamp or LED) arranged behind one or more lenses. Some of these fixtures are IP (Ingress Protection) compatible with outdoor use. During outdoor production, the lighting fixture head is often pointed upward when the device is powered off, or when the fixture is powered on but not outputting light for a period of time. For example, as shown in fig. 1, the moving head light 10 is pointed in a vertical position when power is off. However, a daylight beam in the direction of the lamp lens will shine through the lens and damage the optical system and/or the light source of the lamp. More specifically, the front lens 20 may focus and concentrate light from the sun 30 in the same manner as a magnifying glass. Thus, glare passing through the lens 20 into the body of the fixture 10 can cause internal damage to the fixture. Currently, it is recommended that the light fixture user not direct the light fixture 10 directly at the sun 30 or other glare. To prevent damage from sunlight or other intense light sources, users often cover the lights with trash bags and other objects.

In addition, there are currently moving head light fixtures: the moving head light fixture includes a motorized diffuser or homogenizing filter (e.g., Frost filter) to convert the dense light beam into a milder, softer tinted light for different applications. In these light fixtures, a motor is used to move the filter into and out of the optical path between the optical system of the light fixture and the lens. More specifically, once the filter is invoked (i.e., as part of the stored program) either by a signal manually input on the user input of the light fixture, or by a wired DMX, sACN, ArtNet or wireless WDMX signal, an internal motor is used to move the filter into the optical path between the outer lens of the light fixture and the light source. Then, when the filter is no longer requested, the filter is moved out of the optical path using a motor. When the light is powered down, the filter stays in its last physical position (moving the filter into the light path if it is being used or out of the light path if it is not being used at power down). In some prior art light fixtures, the filter is normally biased out of the light path so that the filter will retract out of the light path when the light fixture is powered down.

There is a need in the art for a new and improved apparatus and method in which the optical system and light source of a light fixture are protected from damage from direct sunlight or other intense light amplified by a lens. Any such system, apparatus and method should protect the lamp optics and light source at low cost without enlarging the lamp or adding weight to the lamp, and automatically enable (engage) when the lamp is powered down, or if the lamp is powered but pointed upward and does not output light for a predetermined period of time.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is particularly suited to overcome those problems still present in the art in a manner not previously known or contemplated. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for protecting the optical system and light source of a luminaire from damage caused by glare light entering and magnified by a lens. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the filter or diffuser is normally biased to extend into the light path of the luminaire between the outer lens and the rest of the optical system when the luminaire is powered off. In this particular embodiment, a motor is provided to retract the optical filter from between the outer lens and other components of the optical system when the light fixture is powered and when operation of the light fixture does not specifically invoke use of the optical filter. In another particular embodiment of the invention, the filter or diffuser is normally biased to extend into the light path of the luminaire between the outer lens and the rest of the optical system when the luminaire is powered with the lens pointing up for a predetermined time.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an apparatus and method for mechanically covering the optical system of a light fixture with a filter or diffuser, it is not intended to be limited to moving head light fixtures or the details shown, since it can be used with other types of light fixtures and various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a simplified illustration showing a prior art IP fitting with a moving head light fixture in an external environment;

fig. 2A is a simplified illustration of an IP fitted with a moving head light fixture in a vertically pointing position according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a simplified illustration of an IP compatible with a moving head light fixture in a horizontally pointing position with the filter retracted from between the optical system and the lens of the light fixture, according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2C is a simplified illustration of the moving head light fixture of FIG. 2B, wherein the filter part is moved between the optical system and the lens of the light fixture, according to one particular embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2D is a simplified illustration of the moving head light fixture of FIG. 2B, with the filter moved completely between the optical system and the lens of the light fixture, according to one particular embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a simplified cross-sectional illustration and schematic view of a moving head light fixture according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a simplified schematic illustration of a moving head light fixture filter engagement mechanism according to another particular embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a simplified schematic illustration of a moving head light fixture filter engagement mechanism according to yet another particular embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart that may be used to understand a method of using a filter engagement mechanism in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic illustration of a moving head light fixture filter engagement mechanism according to another particular embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart that may be used to understand a method for using a filter engagement mechanism in accordance with another particular embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for mechanically covering the optical system of a lighting fixture with a filter or diffuser when the fixture is turned off or pointed upwards for a predetermined period of time. In this way, the optical system of the luminaire can be protected from damage by intense light and/or daylight when the luminaire is no longer in use.

Referring now to fig. 2A to 3, showing a particular embodiment of the moving head light fixture 100, the moving head light fixture 100 comprises a normally biased (normal-biased) filter mechanism. More specifically, the moving head light fixture 100 comprises a moving head 110 attached to a base 120 via a yoke 130. The moving head 110 and the yoke 130 move relative to the base. See, for example, U.S. patent application publication No.2015/0003099, which discloses one such exemplary moving head light fixture and its components, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The moving head 110 comprises, among other things, an illumination element 112 arranged behind a lens 114, which illumination element 112 is part of an optical system 160. In one particular embodiment, the illumination element 112 is formed by a plurality of LEDs configured as part of the optical system 160. The controller 140 is housed in the base and is in data communication with an input source 150, which input source 150 may be a user interface 155 on the body of the luminaire 100, or may be a source that receives wired or wireless control signals (e.g., DMX, sACN, ArtNet, or WDMX signals) from a source external to the luminaire 100 via the interface. In addition, the controller 140 may receive control signals from the memory 145 to cause the light fixture 110 to perform pre-programmed lighting effects. The controller 140 provides, among other things, control signals to the optical system 160 in the head 110 in order to perform certain desired lighting effects. For purposes of this specification, the terms "control data" and "control signals" are used interchangeably herein. Additionally, the terms "lamp," "light fixture," and "fixture" (singular or plural) are used interchangeably herein, except where indicated to the contrary. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the luminaire is used for providing stage lighting and/or theatre lighting effects. In addition, the terms "diffuser," "diffusive filter," and "filter" are used interchangeably herein to mean a filter that reduces light, or some wavelengths of light, that passes through the filter itself. In addition, the terms "power off," "power down," "powered down," and "power down condition" are used interchangeably herein to refer to a state in which: the power to the fixture has been cut off or the controller of the fixture has received a control signal requesting the fixture to shut down (i.e., power down).

In addition, the luminaire 100 includes one or more movable diffusers or filters inside the moving head 110 to perform certain desired lighting effects. In this particular embodiment, at least one filter 116 is movably positioned at least between the illumination element 112 of the optical system 160 and the outermost lens 114 of the moving head 110. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the filter 116 is a diffusive filter arranged in the moving head 110 for diffusing the light beam passing through the moving head 110. In another embodiment of the present invention, the filter 116 is a Frost filter housed in the head 110.

In prior art light fixtures having one or more filters (e.g., filter 116) in the head, the filter is intentionally moved into and out of the optical path between the optical system and the lens as needed. For example, when needed, a motor is used to move the filter into the optical path between the lens and the optical system until the filter is no longer needed. The motor is then used again to move the filter out of the optical path. In some prior art light fixtures, the filter will stay in the last physical location of the filter when the fixture is powered down. If the filter is out of the optical path at power down, the filter will stay there. In other prior art light fixtures, the filter is normally biased out of the light path so that if the filter were in the light path when the fixture was de-energized, the filter would retract out of the light path when de-energized.

In contrast, the present invention provides a luminaire comprising: means configured to insert a filter into an optical path between the optical system and an outermost lens when the light fixture is powered down. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the light fixture includes a mechanism wherein at least one filter 116 is normally biased by a biasing mechanism 170 into an optical path OP between at least a portion of an optical system 160 comprising illumination element 112 and lens 114, and no power is required to hold the at least one filter 116 there. In another particular embodiment of the invention, upon receiving a signal to power down the light fixture, the controller may delay power down of the light fixture until after the controller has actuated the motor to move the filter into the light path.

Referring back to fig. 2A-3, in one particular embodiment of the invention, power is required to bias filter 116 out of the optical path. In this manner, when the luminaire 100 is not powered (i.e., the luminaire 100 is powered down), the filter 116 may be fully engaged between a portion of the optical system 160 and the lens 114 in order to block or diffuse sunlight or other intense light entering through the lens 114 and protect the optical system 160 from damage.

In the particular embodiment shown in fig. 3, the retracting device 180 is powered to oppose the normal bias applied by the biasing mechanism 170 to move the filter into the optical path OP between the optical system 160 and the lens 114. For example, in one particular embodiment of the invention, the biasing mechanism comprises a spring that normally spring biases the optical filter 116 into the optical path OP. In one embodiment, retracting device 180 is a motor that is activated by controller 140 to counter the spring bias on filter 116 and move filter 116 away from optical path OP between optical system 160 and lens 114.

It is to be noted that the invention is not intended to be limited to the use of springs and motors as described above. Rather, other biasing mechanisms 170 and antagonistic retraction devices 180 are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, the biasing mechanism 170 may also be selected from biasing mechanisms including (but not limited to) springs, relays, magnets, and the like. Accordingly, the counteracting retraction means 180 may be a motor, relay or other electromechanical device, electromagnet, etc. that counteracts the normal bias applied to the filter 116.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, a system 400 is shown in which filter 116 is normally biased into the optical path of the moving head, according to one particular embodiment. More specifically, one end of the filter 116 is mounted to a roller 410 located at one side of the optical system 160. The roller 410 is driven by a motor 420. At the other end of filter 116, filter 116 is connected to a spring-biased roller 430 located on the opposite side of optical system 160 from roller 410. The spring-biased roller 430 is configured to operate like a window roller shade. In other words, the roller 430 is biased by the coil spring 435, and when the motorized roller 410 is not applying a force to the filter, the coil spring 435 draws the filter 116 into the optical path between the optical system 160 and the lens. More specifically, the filter 116 is attached to the spring-biased roller 430 by a band 116a, the band 116a being attached to a leading edge of the filter 116 and disposed outside of the optical path.

When power is applied to the light fixture and filter 116 is not being invoked, controller 140 provides a control signal to energize motor 420 (energize) to wind filter 116 onto motor driven roller 410 and out of the optical path. The unwinding of filter 116 from spring-biased roller 430 applies a torsional force to spring 435 that is maintained as long as motor 420 is operating. The motor 420 is operated to maintain tension on the roller 410 until the controller instructs the motor to do so (i.e., due to invoking the filter 116 as part of the program or in response to an input signal) or until power to the light is cut off. Once the motor 420 stops driving the roller 410 and releases the tension on the roller 410, the stored torsional energy in the spring 435 is released and the spring-biased roller 430 rotates, drawing the filter 116 over the optical system 160 and the lighting element 112 to shield the optical system 160 and the lighting element 112 from light entering the moving head via the lens. Once power to the light is restored, the controller 140 again energizes the motor 420 to wind the filter 116 onto the roller 410 and out between the lighting element 112 and the lens until the filter 116 is recalled or until the light is again de-energized.

Referring now to fig. 3 and 4B, in another embodiment of the present invention, where the filter 116 of the system 440 may be disposed on a pivoting frame or plate 470, the pivoting frame or plate 470 is normally disposed in the optical path between the lens and the optical system 160 that includes the illumination element 112 (i.e., perpendicular to the direction of the light beam from the illumination element 112). Biasing mechanism 170 (e.g., spring 460, or a magnet or another biasing mechanism that does not require power) maintains filter 116 in front of the lighting elements. When power is applied to the light fixture, controller 140 energizes retraction device 180 (e.g., relay or electromagnet 450), and retraction device 180 operates to pivot the frame about pivot point 470a and move it away from in front of lighting element 112 and out of the optical path between lighting element 112 and the lens. When power is removed from the light (or in response to a control signal by the controller 140), the relay or electromagnet 450 is de-energized and the frame 470 is pivoted back into the light path by the biasing mechanism 460.

It is noted that other mechanisms for biasing the frame 470 into and out of the optical path may be used. For example, a relay 450 may be provided as both the biasing mechanism 170 and the electrical retraction device 180. In such embodiments, energizing the relay 450 will retract the frame 470 from the optical path, while in the normal de-energized state of the relay 450, the relay arm may act as the biasing mechanism 170 to push the frame 470 back into the optical path without the need for the spring 460.

Where the device 450 is an electromagnet, the frame 470 may be provided with a ferromagnetic element such that when the controller 140 energizes the electromagnet, the frame pivots and moves the filter 116 away from in front of the lighting element 112. When the electromagnet is de-energized, a biasing mechanism (e.g., spring 460 or a conventional magnet, etc.) may be used to pivot the frame 470 and return the filter 116 to the front of the lighting element 112.

It will be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting. For example, other mechanisms for moving the frame out of the optical path and biasing the frame back into the optical path in an unpowered state may be used. For example, a motor and associated gear mechanism disposed on the frame 470 may additionally be used to drive the frame 470 out of the optical path, while a spring 460 or other biasing mechanism 170 may be used to pivot the frame back into the optical path when the motor is de-energized.

Referring now to fig. 3 and 5, one particular embodiment of a method 500 of moving the filter 116 in and out of the optical path of the lighting fixture to protect the optical system of the fixture from damage caused by incident light will be described. More specifically, a moving head light fixture 100 is provided, the moving head light fixture 100 having a filter 116, the filter 116 normally biased to cover at least a part of the optical system 160 of the light fixture 100 when in an unpowered state. When light fixture 100 is powered (step 510), the controller is programmed to automatically operate retracting device 180 to withdraw filter 116 from between at least a portion of optical system 160 including illumination element 112 and lens 114. Step 520. As long as light fixture 100 is powered on (step 530a) and the controller does not receive a signal to provide filter 116 into the light path (step 540a), retraction device 180 is enabled to maintain filter 116 out of the light path between lighting element 112 and lens 114 (step 520). However, if the luminaire 100 is powered down (step 530b), the retracting device 180 is powered down and the filter 116 returns to its normal position in the optical path between the lens 114 and at least a portion of the optical system 160 including the lighting element 112 under the influence of the biasing mechanism 170 (step 550) until power is restored to the luminaire 100 (step 510). Similarly, if controller 140 receives a control signal from input source 150 or a program from memory 145 that invokes use of filter 116 (step 540b), controller disables retracting device 180 to return filter 116 to the normal biased position of filter 116 in the optical path (step 550) until controller re-energizes retracting device 180 to retract the filter in response to the received control signal (step 520).

Referring now to fig. 6 and 7, another embodiment of the present invention is shown in which light fixture 600 includes a controller 610, the controller 610 being specifically configured by software stored in non-transitory memory 145 to perform a method 700 of moving filter 116 into the optical path between optical system 160 and outermost lens 114 when controller 610 receives a signal to power down light fixture 600. More specifically, when light fixture 600 is powered on, controller 610 controls motor 620 as needed to move filter 116 into (or out of) the optical path between optical system 160 and outermost lens 114 in the normal manner. Step 710. However, upon receiving a signal to power down light fixture 600 (step 720), controller 610 first controls operation of motor 620 to insert filter 116 into the optical path between at least a portion of optical system 160 of light fixture 600 and outermost lens 114 before removing power to light fixture 600. Step 730. A gear mechanism (e.g., a rack and pinion system) may be provided to move the filter 116 into and out of the optical path in a known manner. After motor 620 positions filter 116 in the optical path between optical system 160 and outermost lens 114, light fixture 600 is powered down in order to reduce the intensity of any light passing through lens 114. Step 740.

In another particular embodiment of the invention, the system is configured to: when the fixture is powered and the lenses are pointed up for a predetermined length of time, the filter is positioned into the light path between the optical system 160 and the outermost lens 114. More specifically, if desired, the controller 140 of the embodiment of fig. 3 may be configured to: even when light fixture 100 is powered on, if the lens has been pointed up for a predetermined length of time, the tension applied by retraction mechanism 180 is released and the normally biased filter 116 is permitted to move back into the light path. Similarly, if desired, the controller 610 of the embodiment of fig. 6 may be configured to: if the lens has been pointed up for a predetermined length of time, motor 620 is operated to move filter 116 into the optical path between optical system 160 and outermost lens 114 even when light fixture 600 is powered on and no power down signal is received. Such a predetermined length of time may be programmed into the controller 140, 610 at the factory or using the input source 150.

Additionally, in another embodiment not shown, if desired, the filter or diffuser may be replaced by an opaque shutter (shutter) or opaque member that is normally biased into the light path as described herein above and is retracted from the light path by the retraction means in the same manner as described herein when the light fixture is energized.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an apparatus and method for mechanically covering the optical system of a luminaire with a filter or diffuser, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

Claims

1. A filter device for a luminaire, the luminaire comprising a lens and a lighting element controlled by a controller, the filter device comprising:

a filter movable, in use, under control of the controller into an optical path between the lighting element and the lens during execution of a lamp program; and

the filter device is configured to move the filter into the light path upon power down of the light fixture.

2. The filter device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to: in response to receiving a signal to power down the light fixture, moving the filter into the optical path before the light fixture is powered down.

3. The filter apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a motor operated by the controller to move the filter into the optical path after the controller receives a signal to power down the light fixture and before the light fixture is powered down.

4. The filter device of claim 1, wherein:

the filter device further comprises a retracting means configured to: retracting the optical filter from the optical path when the retracting means is activated;

the filter is normally biased into the optical path between the illumination element and the lens; and is

The controller is configured to: enabling the retracting means while supplying power to the light fixture in the absence of a request by the light program for the filter.

5. The filter device of claim 4, wherein the filter is a Frost filter.

6. The filter device of claim 4, further comprising: a biasing mechanism that provides a normal bias to the filter.

7. The filter device of claim 6, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a spring.

8. The filter device of claim 7, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises: a spring-biased roller located on one side of the lighting element, at least a portion of the optical filter being attached to the spring-biased roller.

9. The filter device of claim 8, wherein the retracting means comprises: a motor and a roller driven by the motor, the roller being located on the other side of the lighting element opposite the spring-biased roller, a second portion of the optical filter being attached to the motor-driven roller, wherein operation of the motor causes a portion of the optical filter to wrap around the motor-driven roller and apply a torsion force to the spring.

10. A filter device according to claim 4, wherein the retracting means comprises a relay.

11. A filter device according to claim 4, wherein the retracting means comprises an electromagnet.

12. The filter device of claim 6, wherein the light fixture includes a moving head, and the filter, the biasing mechanism, and the retracting means are all located in the moving head.

13. A moving head light fixture, said moving head light fixture comprising:

a moving head comprising a lens and an illumination element;

a controller configured to control the moving head and the lighting element;

at least one optical filter disposed in the moving head, the at least one optical filter being movable between a first position disposed in an optical path between the illumination element and the lens and a second position located outside of the optical path between the illumination element and the lens;

the controller is configured to: moving the at least one filter between the first position and the second position in response to a control signal as part of a lighting program;

the at least one filter is automatically moved to the first position when the light fixture is powered down.

14. Moving head light fixture according to claim 13 wherein said controller is configured to: in response to receiving a signal to power down the light fixture, moving the filter into the optical path before the light fixture is powered down.

15. Moving head light fixture according to claim 14, said moving head light fixture further comprising: a motor operated by the controller to move the filter into the optical path after the controller receives a signal to power down the light fixture and before the light fixture is powered down.

16. Moving head light fixture according to claim 13 wherein:

the at least one filter is normally biased to the first position; and is

A retraction device is provided in the moving head and is configured to: moving the at least one filter from a first position of the at least one filter to a second position of the at least one filter outside of the light path when the retracting means is activated.

17. Moving head light fixture according to claim 16 wherein said controller is further configured to: -activating said retracting means when power is supplied to said moving head light fixture.

18. Moving head light fixture according to claim 16 wherein said at least one filter is spring biased to said first position in an unpowered state.

19. Moving head light fixture according to claim 16 wherein said retracting means comprises a motor.

20. A moving head light fixture according to claim 19 wherein said at least one optical filter is connected at one end to a spring biased roller and at the other opposite end to a motor driven roller, wherein activation of said motor causes a portion of said optical filter to wrap around said motor driven roller thereby moving said at least one optical filter to a second position of said at least one optical filter, and wherein deactivation of said motor releases tension on said motor driven roller and said spring biased roller pulls said at least one optical filter to said first position.

21. A method of using a luminaire comprising a lens and a lighting element controlled by a controller, the method comprising:

providing at least one optical filter movable between a first position disposed in an optical path between the illumination element and the lens and a second position outside of the optical path between the illumination element and the lens; and

automatically moving the at least one filter from the second position to the first position in response to a power down condition of the light fixture.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the controller is configured to: moving the at least one filter from the first position to the second position when power is initially supplied to the light fixture.