Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
  • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
  • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
  • G09F13/04—Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
  • G09F13/0418—Constructional details
  • G09F13/049—Edge illuminated signs, boards or panels
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
  • H01Q1/36—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith
  • H01Q1/38—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
  • G09F13/04—Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
  • G09F13/0418—Constructional details
  • G09F2013/05—Constructional details indicating exit way or orientation

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an apparatus comprising a planar antenna system designed to receive and transmit electromagnetic waves at a range of working frequencies comprised between 400 MHz and 110 GHz, in general and, more specifically, to an enhanced apparatus to build a radiating illuminating sign such as an exit sign, an fire distinguisher sign, a first aid sign, a building signage, a shop signage or alike and/or to indicate the operational status of the apparatus.
• a radiating illuminating sign such as an exit sign, an fire distinguisher sign, a first aid sign, a building signage, a shop signage or alike and/or to indicate the operational status of the apparatus.
• the invention concerns multiple domains where an apparatus comprising a planar antenna system is used.
• US 5,322,143 describes a planar antenna having three conductive layers: a patch network, a ground and feeding network.
• the planar antenna can be integrated into a facade of a building using the glass panel as a carrier.
• the issue with such planar antennas, because integrated into the facade, is that at least the electrical connection, the installation and the maintenance is complicated and impossible to manage once the fapade is on the building.
• performance parameters of the planar antenna is limited by thicknesses of the components of the fapade, such as glass panels, spacers,...
• WO2022101498 describes a planar antenna which is transparent and can be installed indoors, for instance on the wall or in front of the window, and I or outdoors, for instance in front of a window of the building, with a minimum aesthetical impact on the surrounding environment.
• W02022101507 describes a system to install a planar antenna in front of a window.
• planar antennas are not able to indicate their operational status or any other functionalities as a signage.
• the present invention relates, in a first aspect, to an apparatus comprising a planar antenna system designed to receive and transmit electromagnetic waves at a range of working frequencies comprised between 400 MHz and 110 GHz.
• the solution as defined in the first aspect of the present invention is based on that the apparatus comprises a first lighting system.
• the first lighting system comprises a lighting substrate comprising a first face, facing the planar antenna system, a second face and at least a lateral face forming a prismatic or cylindrical shape.
• the first face is at a non-zero distance, Dal, from the planar antenna system creating a space to let air circulating into the space.
• the first face is substantially parallel to the planar antenna system.
• the first lighting system further comprises a light source, preferably LEDs, that is arranged to emit light into the lighting substrate from at least a portion of the at least a lateral face.
• the solution as defined in the first aspect of the present invention is also based on that the lighting substrate is designed to deflect the light out of the first and I or the second face of first lighting substrate to provide a diffused light output.
• the invention permits to an architect or a building owner, the city authorities or anyone to integrate other functionalities into planar antennas, for example, to display the operational status of the planar antenna using a light indicator or to use a planar antenna as a signage.
• the present invention relates, in a second aspect, to an use of first lighting system to indicate the operational status of an apparatus comprising a planar antenna system designed to receive and transmit electromagnetic waves at a range of working frequencies comprised between 400 MHz and 110 GHz;
• the first lighting system comprises a lighting substrate comprising a first face, facing the planar antenna system, a second face and at least a lateral face forming a prismatic or cylindrical shape;
• the first face is at a non-zero distance, Dal, from the planar antenna system creating a space to let air circulating into the space;
• the first face is substantially parallel to the planar antenna system;
• the first lighting system further comprises LEDs that are arranged to emit light into the lighting substrate from at least a portion of the at least a lateral face; the lighting substrate being designed to deflect the light out of the first and I or the second face of the lighting substrate to provide a diffused light output.
• the present invention relates, in a second aspect, to an use of an apparatus to build a radiating illuminating sign, the apparatus comprising a planar antenna system designed to receive and transmit electromagnetic waves at a range of working frequencies comprised between 400 MHz and 110 GHz and a first lighting system;
• the first lighting system comprises a lighting substrate comprising a first face, facing the planar antenna system, a second face and at least a lateral face forming a prismatic or cylindrical shape;
• the first face is at a non-zero distance, Dal, from the planar antenna system creating a space to let air circulating into the space;
• the first face is substantially parallel to the planar antenna system;
• the first lighting system further comprises LEDs that are arranged to emit light into the lighting substrate from at least a portion of the at least a lateral face; the lighting substrate being designed to deflect the light out of the first and I or the second face of the lighting substrate to provide a diffused light output.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a 3D schematic view of an apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG.7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11 are a schematic sectional view of an apparatus according to some embodiments of the invention.
• constituent element e.g., a first constituent element
• another constituent element e.g., a second constituent element
• the constituent element may be directly connected to the another constituent element or may be connected to the another constituent element through another constituent element (e.g., a third constituent element).
• the object of the first aspect of the present invention is to build an apparatus that can be used as a radiating illuminating sign such as an exit sign, an fire distinguisher sign, a first aid sign, a building signage, a shop signage or alike and/or that can be used to indicate the operational status of the apparatus.
• a radiating illuminating sign such as an exit sign, an fire distinguisher sign, a first aid sign, a building signage, a shop signage or alike and/or that can be used to indicate the operational status of the apparatus.
• the invention relates to an apparatus (1) comprising a planar antenna system (2) designed to receive and transmit electromagnetic waves at a range of working frequencies comprised between 400 MHz and 110 GHz.
• the planar antenna system has typically a width and / or a length comprised between 20 mm to 900 mm for example a rectangular shape of 210 mm x 250 mm, a rectangular shape of 150 mm x 160 mm or rectangular shape of 255 mm x 500 mm depending of the operating frequencies, the number of elements comprised in the planar antenna system and I or the transparency design.
• the planar antenna system works for 4G and I or for 5G, meaning wavelengths with frequencies from 690 MHz to 110 GHz, and/or for Wi-Fi, meaning wavelengths with frequencies from 2.4 GHz to 7.2 GHz.
• the apparatus (1) comprises a first lighting system (3).
• the first lighting system comprises a lighting substrate (5) and a light source (4).
• the light source is preferably LEDs (4).
• the lighting substrate comprises a first face, a second face and at least a lateral face.
• the first, second and the at least a lateral faces are forming a prismatic or cylindrical shape.
• the shape of the prismatic or cylindrical shape depends to the shape of the first and second faces. It is understood that the first and the second faces have the same shape.
• sizes of the surface of the first face and second face can be different; meaning that the angle between adjacent lateral face and the first or the second face is different than 90°.
• the prismatic shape been based on the shape of the first and second faces, said first and second faces can have a rectangular shape to form a rectangular parallelepiped, a polygonal shape, a hex-like shape, or alike depending on the specific application and desired design.
• the lighting substrate comprises several lateral faces.
• the first face is facing the planar antenna system meaning that the planar antenna system is placed in front of the first lighting system.
• the first face is substantially parallel to the planar antenna system.
• the term “in front of” denotes that a part of the lighting system is facing the planar antenna system, thus the planar antenna system is facing at least a part of the lighting system especially the first face is facing the planar antenna system.
• the first lighting system further comprises a light source, preferably LEDs, that is arranged to emit light into the lighting substrate from at least a portion of the at least a lateral face.
• a light source preferably LEDs
• LEDs can be arranged on a portion of the at least a lateral face meaning that LEDs emit light into the lighting substrate from a part of the at least a lateral face.
• LEDs can be arranged to emit from the whole or a part of a lateral face especially in embodiments in which the lighting substrate comprises several lateral faces.
• LEDs when switched on, switched off and/or in operation emit an electromagnetic field that can disturb the operation of a planar antenna system placed near said LEDs by changing the performances and/or parameters of the planar antenna system.
• the first face is at a non-zero distance, Dal, from the planar antenna system creating a space to let air circulating into the space.
• the invention allows for a better dissipation of heat generated by the light source(s) and the planar antenna system and then allows to embed in the apparatus higher densities of light sources and/or higher power light source(s).
• temperature in the environment around the light sources shall be controlled to be inferior to a temperature threshold (above which the light source intensity or efficiency starts to decrease).
• Most of the light sources generate heat when functioning due to their electric powering.
• the higher the electrical power supplied to the light source the more heat is generated.
• the higher the density of light sources in an environment the more heat is generated in that environment.
• preliminary tests have shown that, in such glass lighting panel where the light sources are LEDs, the ambient temperature of the LEDs can be up to 60°C, which greatly reduces their lifetime.
• the planar antenna system can be an antenna system placed on a PCB material.
• the planar antenna system is not transparent, meaning opaque.
• transparent denotes a property illustrating the average TL (light transmission) of visible light transmitted through a material in the visible spectrum of at least 1 %.
• transparent relates to a TL property of at least 10%. More preferably, transparent denotes a TL of at least 50%. Ideally, transparent denotes a TL of at least 70%.
• a transparent planar antenna system can be made of layers of dielectric material, such as glass, polymer-based, air gap or alike and conductive elements forming an planar antenna system.
• a dielectric panel is a panel that is not electrically conductive.
• a transparent planar antenna system is an antenna as described in the international publication WO2022101498.
• the apparatus can comprise a second lighting system.
• the second lighting system comprises a lighting substrate, the lighting substrate comprises a first face, facing the planar antenna system, a second face and at least a lateral face forming a prismatic or cylindrical shape; the first face is at a non-zero distance, Dal2, from the planar antenna system and is substantially parallel to the planar antenna system; the second lighting system further comprises a light source, preferably LEDs, that is arranged to emit light into the lighting substrate from at least a portion of the at least a lateral face.
• the means can permits to attach the apparatus to a wall, partition, ceiling, window or alike of a stationary object, such as a building, or of a mobile object, such a car, a vehicle, a train, a boat,...
• the means can maintain corners, the top lateral face, or any other part of the apparatus.
• the means can permits to hide cables of the planar antenna system and the light source.
• the means is preferably made from PMMA material in order to have the same GTE at least for the part in contact with the lighting system.
• the lighting substrate 5 has a generic shape of a rectangular parallelepiped extending along a plane, P, defined by a longitudinal axis, X, and a vertical axis, Z; having a width, Xp, measured along the longitudinal axis, X, a thickness Wp measured along the Y-axis and a height, Zp, measured along the vertical axis, Z.
• the lighting substrate has then four lateral faces 53, 54, 55, 56.
• the light source 4 has a generic shape of a rectangular parallelepiped extending along a plane, P, defined by a longitudinal axis, X, and a vertical axis, Z; having a width, Wl, measured along the longitudinal axis, X, a thickness Yl measured along the Y-axis and a height, Zl, measured along the vertical axis, Z.
• the light source is a linear array of punctual LEDs.
• the height of the planar antenna system can be smaller than the height of the lighting substrate (Wa ⁇ Wp) to hide the planar antenna system while having a good illumination.
• the height of the planar antenna system is substantially equals to the height of the lighting substrate (Wa s Wp) to have an easy handling and depending on the specific application, preferably the difference between the height of the height of the planar antenna system and the heigh of the lighting substrate is less than 5 % and more preferably the difference between the height of the height of the planar antenna system and the heigh of the lighting substrate is less than 1 %.
• the first face 51 is parallel to plane P and substantially parallel to the planar antenna system 2.
• the first face 51 is at a non-zero distance, Dal, from the planar antenna system 2 creating a space to let air circulating into the space.
• the light source 4 are arranged to emit light into the lighting substrate from at least a portion of the lateral face 54.
• lateral faces 54, 55, 56 are covered by an reflective strip designed to reflect light back into the lighting substrate.
• the planar antenna system can emit in any direction, through the lighting panel, on the other side or on both sides, depending on the specific application.
• the planar antenna system can be transparent, partially transparent or opaque depending on the desired application and depending on sizes and emission direction of the lighting system.
• the lighting substrate 5 can be designed to deflect the light out of at least the first face of the lighting substrate to provide a diffused light output.
• the light is passing through the planar antenna system.
• the planar antenna system is a transparent planar antenna system.
• the diffused light is not scattered by the material of the transparent planar antenna system.
• the material of conductors of the antenna can be realized by screen-printing, inkjet printing, deposition, glued wire, copper foil, copper mesh, or alike.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment where the apparatus 101 comprises a second lighting system 103 comprising a lighting substrate 105, having a first face 1051 and a second face 1052, and a light source 104, preferably LEDs.
• a second lighting system 103 comprising a lighting substrate 105, having a first face 1051 and a second face 1052, and a light source 104, preferably LEDs.
• the lighting substrate 105 of the second lighting system has a generic shape of a rectangular parallelepiped extending along a plane, P, defined by a longitudinal axis, X, and a vertical axis, Z; having a width, Wp2, measured along the longitudinal axis, Xp2, a thickness Ta measured along the Y-axis and a height, Hp2, measured along the vertical axis, Z.
• the lighting substrate has then four lateral faces 1053, 1054, 1055, 1056.
• the first face 1051 of the second lighting system is parallel to plane P and substantially parallel to the planar antenna system 2.
• the first face 1051 of the second lighting system is at a non-zero distance, Dal2, from the planar antenna system 2 creating a space to let air circulating into the space.
• the first face is the one facing the planar antenna system.
• the light sources 4, 104 are arranged to emit light into the lighting substrate respectively 5, 105 from at least a portion of the lateral face 54, 1054.
• lateral faces 54, 55, 56, 1054, 1055, 1056 are covered by an reflective strip designed to reflect light back into the lighting substrate.
• the planar antenna system can be transparent, partially transparent or opaque depending on the desired application and depending on sizes and emission direction of the lighting systems because lights are emitting on both sides of the planar antenna system.
• Such embodiments can also create specific colour effects depending on the desired application and I or can give clear indications to an user.
• the lighting substrates can have different surface treatment to diffuse different texts, logo, or alike to give a user the working state of the antenna, the specific sign or alike.
• FIG. 4 illustrates some embodiments where a second lighting system 103 is present and facing the same side of the planar antenna system as the lighting system 3.
• the width of the lighting substrate and/or material of the lighting substrate and/or the distance between the lighting substrate and the installation medium can be designed to act as an interface layer to compensate the radio-frequency attenuation of the installation medium and to maintain the gain of the antenna system at a desired level and/or as a polarizer and/or as a beam shaping element.
• the lighting substrate can further comprise dielectric and conductive layers.
• FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate some embodiments where the apparatus 1 comprises a means 70 to attach the apparatus on a wall 70 via a fixing element 72.
• the means comprises a separating element 71 that is designed to separate the lighting system 3 from the planar antenna system 2 to keep the non-zero distance, Dal between the first face 51 and the planar antenna system.
• the means can also comprises a rotating element 73 designed to orientate the lighting system and the planar antenna system in a specific direction to emit in this specific direction.
• the planar antenna system is partially transparent or transparent and emits mainly in the opposite direction from the lighting substrate.
• the lighting substrate can be designed, for instance by adding a metallic coating on the second face or by attaching a metallic layer onto the second face, such that the lighting substrate reflects or absorbs the radiation of the planar antenna system toward the lighting system to optimize the radiation in the direction opposite to the wall.
• FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 illustrate some embodiments where the apparatus 1 comprises a means 80 to attach the apparatus on a ceiling 85 via a fixing element 82.
• the planar antenna system can be opaque, partially transparent or transparent and emits mainly through the lighting substrate and/or on the other side.
• the means comprises a separating element 71 that is designed to separate the lighting system 3 from the planar antenna system 2 to keep the non-zero distance, Dal between the first face 51 and the planar antenna system.
• Windows are usually multi-glazed windows to increase thermal performances of the window.
• the multi-glazed window can be at least partially transparent to visible waves for visibility, and natural or artificial light.
• the multi-glazed window is made of multiple panels separated by at least one interlayer, forming multiple interfaces. The panels therefore can be separated by a space filled with gas and / or by a polymeric interlayer.
• the multi-glazed window can comprise at least two glass panels separated by a spacer allowing to create a space filled by a gas like Argon to improve the thermal isolation of the multi-glazed window, creating an insulating multi-glazed window.
• the invention is not limited to apparatus for use on multiglazed window having two panels.
• the apparatus and method of the present invention are suitable for any multi-glazed window such as double, triple glazed windows.
• Said panels of the multi-glazed window can be made of glass, polycarbonate, PVC or any other material used for a window mounted on a stationary object or on a mobile object.
• the material of the panels of multi-glazed window is, for example, soda-lime silica glass, borosilicate glass, aluminosilicate glass or other materials such as thermoplastic polymers or polycarbonates which are especially known for automotive applications. References to glass throughout this application should not be regarded as limiting.
• the multi-glazed window can be manufactured by a known manufacturing method such as a float method, a fusion method, a redraw method, a press molding method, or a pulling method.
• a manufacturing method of the multi-glazed window from the viewpoint of productivity and cost, it is preferable to use the float method.
• Each panel can be independently processed and I or colored, ... and I or have different thickness in order to improve the aesthetic, thermal insulation performances, safety,...
• the thickness of the multi-glazed window is set according to requirements of applications.
• the multi-glazed window can be any known window used in situ.
• the multi-glazed window can be processed, ie annealed, tempered,... to respect the specifications of security and anti-thief requirements.
• the window can independently be a clear glass or a colored glass, tinted with a specific composition of the glass or by applying an additional coating or a plastic layer for example.
• the window can have any shape to fit to the opening such as a rectangular shape, in a plan view by using a known cutting method.
• a method of cutting the multi-glazed window for example, a method in which laser light is irradiated on the surface of the multi-glazed window to cut the multi-glazed window, or a method in which a cutter wheel is mechanically cutting can be used.
• the multi-glazed window can have any shape in order to fit with the application, for example a windshield, a sidelite, a sunroof of an automotive, a lateral glazing of a train, a window of a building,...
• the shape of the multi-glazed window in a plan view is usually a rectangle.
• the shape is not limited to a rectangle and may be a trapeze, especially for a windshield or a backlite of a vehicle, a triangle, especially for a sidelight of a vehicle, a circle or the like.
• the multi-glazed window can be assembled within a frame or be mounted in a double skin fapade, in a carbody or any other means able to maintain a multiglazed window.
• Some plastics elements can be fixed on the multi-glazed window to ensure the tightness to gas and I or liquid, to ensure the fixation of the multi-glazed window or to add external element to the multi-glazed window.
• a masking element such as an enamel layer, can be added on part of the periphery of the multi-glazed window.
• a coating system can be present on one interface of the multi-glazed window.
• This coating system generally uses a metal-based layer and infrared light is highly refracted by this type of layer.
• Such coating system is typically used to achieve a to a low-energy multiglazed window.
• the coating system can be a heatable coating applied on the multi-glazed window to add a defrosting and / or a demisting function for example and I or to reduce the accumulation of heat in the interior of a building or vehicle or to keep the heat inside during cold periods for example.
• coating system are thin and mainly transparent to eyes.
• the coating system may comprise a metal based low emissive coating system.
• Such coating systems typically are a system of thin layers comprising one or more, for example two, three or four, functional layers based on an infrared radiation reflecting material and at least two dielectric coatings, wherein each functional layer is surrounded by dielectric coatings.
• the coating system of the present invention may in particular have an emissivity of at least 0.010.
• the functional layers are generally layers of silver with a thickness of some nanometers, mostly about 5 to 20nm.
• the dielectric layers are generally transparent and made from one or more layers of metal oxides and I or nitrides.
• each functional layer is deposited, for example, by means of vacuum deposition techniques such as magnetic field- assisted cathodic sputtering, more commonly referred to as “magnetron sputtering".
• each functional layer may be protected by barrier layers or improved by deposition on a wetting layer.
• a decoated portion can be made in front of the antenna to alleviate attenuation due to the coating system.
• the apparatus is a radiation illumination sign, such as an exit sign, an fire distinguisher sign, a first aid sign, a building signage, a shop signage or alike and/or to indicate the operational status of the apparatus.
• the first and/or the second face is partially etched with a specific design and the light source emits the light in a defined color to illuminate the etched portion with the desired color.
• the light source permits to illuminate and diffuse the light through the partial etching in a single output color.
• the apparatus illuminates with a single color of light. It is understood that the color can be change by changing the color of the light source.
• the operational status with a specific signage such as an exit signage.
• a light color can be used when the planar antenna system is not in use and a bright color can be used when the planar antenna system is in use that permits to a user to see the signage even if the antenna system is not in use mode.
• another color can be used to indicate operational status of the planar antenna system.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
• Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
• Support Of Aerials (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=82446383

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 2023
  • 2023-05-24 EP EP23729356.8A patent/EP4533591A1/de active Pending
  • 2023-05-24 JP JP2024570567A patent/JP2025519379A/ja active Pending
  • 2023-05-24 WO PCT/EP2023/063885 patent/WO2023232578A1/en not_active Ceased

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