ES2570808B1 - Enhanced Convex Flat Lens Projector - Google Patents

Abstract

Improved convex flat lens projector. # This designation describes a lighting projector characterized by allowing the illumination field to be adjusted continuously from a few degrees to more than 100º aperture, similar in operation to a Fresnel lens projector or convex flat lens . # Said device has a light source that moves in relation to a transparent surface, called the exit window, interposing between both elements a transparent material medium and high refractive index that has as its fundamental characteristic that it is penetrable and that we call projection body The light source moves through the projection body to vary the light output aperture. # This device includes transparent elements such as the separation chamber, low refractive index, and the transmission window. The projection body, the transmission window and the exit window form an element equivalent to a flat convex lens.

Description

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

DESCRIPTION

Improved convex flat lens projector.

Background

The invention described below is framed in the lighting and lighting sector, and has been created with the purpose of improving the characteristics and performance of projectors called PC and Fresnel currently in use

In the illumination, from its origins it has resorted to devices that had a lamp to which a flat convex lens is placed in order to concentrate the light on the devices to be illuminated, such devices are commonly known as PC, for containing a lens Convex plane. From these devices, an improved variant, called a Fresnel lens, has been developed in which the flat convex lens has been built in a staggered way, achieving lighter and more compact devices, while enabling the fabrication of lenses with less focal length and with greater power to collect light.

Nowadays, PC-type and Fresnel-type projectors are still used regularly, since they allow the light beam to be molded in a very flexible way, in addition to being extremely simple devices, both in manufacturing and in use.

From the beginning in the use of this type of devices, there have been no advances of great relevance, the designs remain very similar and retain characteristics and operation similar to the original devices of this type. The most significant advances have been marked by the use of new sources of light and materials with improved properties.

The principle of operation of this type of devices is extremely simple, a light source, traditionally an incandescent lamp, is placed in front of a lens, responsible for the collimation of the light, so that when the lamp approaches the position From the focus of the lens, the light reaches its maximum degree of collimation, producing a very intense light beam and, as the light source moves away from the focus approaching towards the lens, the light beam opens.

Usually these devices are characterized by generating a light beam with soft edges that can be adjusted continuously from a few degrees of opening (called the "Spot" position, when the lamp is close to the focus of the lens, where traditionally the opening of the light beam is according to the projector model from 4 ° to 8 °) to relatively large openings (called "Fiood" position with typical openings ranging between 50 and 70 °). They also usually admit light profiling accessories, called visors that allow masking parts of the light beam at will, improving control of the areas and elements to be illuminated.

All this is done in a very simple way, that is, by moving the lamp in the direction of the lens axis of the lens, to zoom it in or out of it. So you have a device that is capable of adapting the opening of the light beam to illuminate objects or spaces both far and near, with a single device. The soft edges of the light beam also make it possible to overlap several light beams coming from several projectors to produce illumination with a high index of

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

homogeneity over the areas to be illuminated, this functionality being a characteristic very well valued in lighting.

From the point of view of performance, these devices are usually not very efficient, and in fact, this is the characteristic that most penalizes the universal use of these devices in lighting outside the scenic spaces. The maximum performance barely exceeds 40% of the luminous flux of the light source, in the maximum opening position, decreasing as the beam collides, reaching a yield that rarely exceeds 15% for concentrated beam positions ( "Spot"). All this despite the fact that these devices incorporate a reflector that recovers the light emitted in the opposite direction to the position of the lens.

The low performance of these devices is due to their low numerical aperture (range of angles for which the system accepts the light). As shown in figures 1 and 2, by moving the lamp away from the lens, the cone in which the device is able to pick up the light is much smaller, Jo which explains the huge difference between the light output between the position " Flood "and the" Spot "position.

Currently, with the arrival of LED light sources, the behavior of these devices has been improved. LED light sources have a maximum emission in one of the directions, this allows an increase in performance, avoiding the need for recovery devices such as spherical reflectors.

In Figures 1 and 2, the operating principle of a conventional PC lens projector is schematized.

The objective of this patent is to be able to produce a device similar in use to that of PC and Fresnel lens projectors, but which achieves such a high performance that it can compete with other types of projectors currently in use. In this way, not only could its employment be replaced in stage lighting and assimilated, but it could also be considered as a serious alternative for the lighting of all types of spaces. Furthermore, due to the nature of the development, it is possible to achieve that the light beam openings are significantly extended, reaching light beam openings above 100 °, opening the use in lighting of large spaces.

For this reason, the name of "improved PC lens projector" has been chosen as the name of this invention, although although it does not incorporate a flat-convex lens itself, the behavior and the way of using it are typical of PC lens projectors. .

Explanation of the invention

This document includes figures that serve to illustrate the invention, when reference is made to any of the details shown in the figures, said reference appears in parentheses, for example (8), see in this case the detail shown with the number 8 in the corresponding figure.

Under the name of an improved PC lens projector, it is a question of encompassing a new generation of devices that provide as an essential feature the increase in the dynamic range of use and a notable improvement in light performance throughout the

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

field of application, making it comparable to other lighting devices currently in use.

On the other hand, it is also about taking advantage of all the advantages offered by LED light sources, although it is possible to apply the principles of use described in this patent to other types of light sources, obtaining similar results

Starting from a compact light source (12), such as a flat geometry LED lamp, we are going to create a small separation chamber (13) between the surface of the low LED refractive index (normally air, vacuum or any medium material that assimilates to these), which we will call in this document as a separation chamber, and that describes the space between the light source and the next element in this device. Next, a transparent element is interposed, which we will call in this document as a transmission window (15), and with a relatively higher refractive index than the separation chamber used to introduce the light emitted by the light source into the body of projection. The thickness of this separation chamber can range from microns to any dimension that requires the design of the final product. (See Figures 3 and 4).

Next to the transmission window there is an element that we will call in this document with the name of projection body (10), which will be composed of a transparent substance easily penetrable, normally a liquid or a transparent gel and whose refractive index is comparatively larger than the index of refraction of the separation chamber. This element is used to drive the light emitted by the light source to the outside of the device. In addition to liquids or gels, solid elements, mixtures of elements, or any substance having the characteristics of transparency and easy penetrability can be used.

The projection body will be limited to the outside of the device by a transparent surface with a curved outer shape, imitating the outer shape that it has or a convex lens, and that serves to transmit the light to the outside of the device, which we will name in this document as an exit window (11).

The assembly formed by the transmission window, the projection body and the exit window, have a behavior similar to that of a flat convex lens, and only the light that enters this set of elements will be transmitted in a usable way to the outside Of the device.

The space between the light source and the transmission window will be limited by an element, which we will call this document as the recovery ring (14). This recovery ring has a double mission, on the one hand, separating the projection body from the transmission window preventing the liquid or gel that forms it from entering the separation chamber as well! maintain the relationship of refractive indices between both elements, and on the other hand, recover a portion of the light that is lost by reflections, or because the inclination of the light rays prevents them from affecting the transmission window, reintroducing it into the window of transmission. Ace! You can recover a part of the light that would be lost if this element does not exist.

Finally, we will allow the light source (the LED lamp, for example), to move towards the exit window or separate from it following the axis of symmetry of the device, as is done in a conventional PC projector.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

Note that from the optical point of view, when moving the light source towards the exit window, the thick lens that forms the transmission window, the projection body and the exit window, becomes increasingly thin, since that the light source penetrates into the projection body. This approach of the light source produces an effective thinning of the lens, really varying the optical curvature of the system.

A system configured as described in the previous paragraphs, allows us to create a lighting device similar to a convex flat-lens projector, increasing its performance and improving the power of curved light. The following explains how to obtain the improvement in the characteristics.

Consider that the flat and compact light source (12) has a "lambertian" behavior, that is, it has a constant luminance along the surface and with the angle of vision of the source. Thus, the light intensity of the light source, according to the cosine of the viewing angle, emitting a hemispheric light beam, which means that the light emanates from the light source with a maximum inclination of 90 ° in reference to normal to the light emitting surface.

The separation chamber (13) allows the light to exit the light source with a maximum inclination of 90 ° in reference to its normal; The transmission window (15), which inclines the light rays according to Snell's law of refraction, is already in the light, which means that the inclination of the light rays decreases in reference to the surface according to the relation:

_ n2

Sen a = - • - sen a '

n1

Being at the angle of incidence.

Being at 'the angle of exit of the light in the transmission window.

Being n ° 1 the index of refraction of the separation chamber.

The refractive index of the transmission window being n ° 2.

For a normal relationship of material media, with separation chamber composed of air, and transmission window made of glass, plastic or optical silicone, we have that the ratio between refractive indices can be approximately 1.5, which means that for angles of incidence in the transmission window of close to 90 ° the angle of the transmitted light is limited to no more than 42 ° Asl, therefore, the light that passes through the transmission window will have a maximum inclination of less than 42 °.

Thus, if we manufacture the body of the projection (10) with a transparent substance of optical qualities similar to the transmission window, we will be able to limit the angle of the light beam to no more than 42 ° of maximum divergence. The reduction of the divergence angle allows an increase in the amount of light that reaches the exit window (11). It can be pointed out that, owning both the transmission window and the body

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

of similar projection Refractive indexes, the reflections of the light in this interface are reduced.

In addition, the fact of manufacturing the projection body with a penetrable substance will allow both the light source and the transmission window to be approximated to the exit window as much as desired. As the light source approaches the exit window, the light rays will undergo a minor change in their direction due to refraction effects, and as it is possible to get very close, very high light divergences can easily be achieved , far superior to those that can be achieved in a conventional PC projector, since in this case we are literally putting the light source inside the lens.

It can be inferred from the above, that a lighting device manufactured as described in this document, reaches a dynamic projection range greater than a conventional convex flat-lens projector, increasing the performance in reference to it.

The increase in performance is related to the reduction of the transmission angle that is achieved in the projection body by having a refractive index significantly higher than the separation chamber.

Brief explanation of the drawings

As an illustration of this patent, 7 figures named Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3 ...

Figure 1

Figure 1 is a side section of a conventional projector with a flat convex lens adjusted in its "Spot" work position (Light source close to the focus of the flat convex lens). Reference is made in numerical characters to the constituent elements and in alphabetic characters to the main rays emanating from the light source.

Figure 2

Figure 2 is a side section of a conventional projector with a flat convex lens set in its "Flood" working position (Light source close to the flat surface of the flat convex lens). Reference is made in alphabetic characters to the main rays emanating from the light source.

Figure 3

Figure 3 is a side section of a projector according to the invention. Reference is made in numerical characters to the constituent elements and with the letter "Z" to an element whose detail is enlarged in Figure 4.

Figure 4

Figure 4 is an enlarged section of the area indicated by the letter (Z) in Figure 3 of a projector according to the invention, and which serves to see in greater detail the elements constituting the invention.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

Figure 5

Figure 5 is a side section of a projector according to the invention adjusted in its "Spot" work position (Light source close to the focus of the lens). Reference is made in alphabetic characters to the main rays emanating from the light source.

Figure 6

Figure 6 is a side section of a projector according to the invention adjusted in its "Flood" work position (Light source next to the exit window). Reference is made in alphabetic characters to the main rays emanating from the light source.

Figure 7

Figure 7 is a side section of a projector according to the invention that serves to explain a device model that can incorporate the invention.

Having described the figures that accompany this document, one can now better understand the differences between a conventional projector such as those currently manufactured and a projector according to the invention described herein. An in-depth analysis of each of the devices is explained below, explaining its operation, its differences and the advantages of the design according to this patent.

While in a conventional flat convex lens projector, the light starts from the light source with divergences of up to 90 °, and the projector is only able to take advantage of the light that falls on the lens. Therefore, all the light emanating from the light source with an angle greater than that formed by the edge of the lens in reference to the light source, is lost (see Figures 1 and 2, which illustrate this behavior).

But in the device object of this patent, the light will reach a maximum divergence (depending on the relationship between the refractive index of the separation chamber and the projection body) less than 42 °. Since the projector will only be able to take advantage of the light that falls on the exit window, and all the light that is transmitted by the projection body at an angle lower than that formed by the edge of the exit window in reference to The light source is used by the projector, while the rest is wasted. You can see this in Figures 5 and 6.

It should be noted that the projector will reach maximum performance once the angle formed by the edge of the exit window in reference to the light source is less than 42 °. This position is where virtually all the light that is transmitted within the projection body is captured by the exit window, experiencing losses only because of reflections between media (which will be greatly reduced if the transmission window, the projection body and the exit window, have similar indexes of refraction), by the dispersion of the light in the means of transmission, and by the attenuation of the light within each one of the means (fundamentally in the projection body).

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

The difference of both devices can be better understood if the comparison of Figures 1 and 2 that reflect the behavior of a conventional PC lens projector with Figures 5 and 6 reflecting the behavior of a projector according to this invention is seen.

Figure 1 shows a typical arrangement of a traditional flat-lens ("PC") projector, such as those that have been used during the last decades. In this projector we distinguish the following main elements:

(1) Mechanism that allows the variation of the distance of the light source in reference to the flat convex lens. This mechanism allows the lamp, reflector and support assembly to move horizontally from right to left as it has been drawn, maintaining the relative position of the elements in reference to the axis of optical symmetry (of the convex flat lens).

(2) Reflector and lamp support, said device serves to keep the lamp and reflector in position with respect to each other, and allows the assembly to be moved through a distance variation mechanism (1).

(3) Reflector, generally spherically, its mission is to recover a part of the light emanating from the lamp to redirect it towards the PC lens, it is manufactured in a material with high reflectance and high heat resistance, since this type of systems work with high power light sources.

(4) Lamp or light source, traditionally incandescent lamps of halogen type are used, due to their compact size, ease of dimming and high color fidelity, nowadays high intensity discharge lamps and LED sources are also used.

(5) External housing, serves to confine and support the optical system and provides other facilities for mounting, and coupling of external accessories, usually made of aluminum, due to its lightness and good thermal qualities, since it allows evacuating effectively the heat produced by the light source.

(6) Convex flat lens, generally glass body lens, and convexly on its outer surface and flat on its inner surface to allow light to be concentrated.

In addition to the aforementioned constituent elements, the light rays, useful for better understanding the behavior of the system, have been identified with the letters A, B and C. In Figure 1, the conventional flat-convex lens projector is shown in its working configuration called "Spot", in which the lamp is located near the position of the lens focus, and is seen as the ray brush delimited by the ray (B), leave almost parallel after passing through the lens.

In figure 2, the same device has been drawn in its working configuration called "Flood", in which the lamp is located close to the internal surface of the flat convex lens. In this case, the brush of light rays coming out of the lamp has a greater inclination, and when passing through the lens they incline less, resulting in a brush of very divergent rays, but less divergent than the rays that affect the lens .

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

In both cases, the performance of the projector is limited by the amount of light that reaches the lens in relation to the amount of light that starts from the lamp. From the drawings it can be seen that all the light that comes out at an angle greater than the ray (B), does not affect the lens and is lost.

In the "Spot" position (figure number 1), the extreme light rays (A) have been indicated, which corresponds to the maximum inclination beam emanating from the light source, which can be seen in the part with approximately 90 ° of inclination in reference to the axis of symmetry of the projector. The marginal light beam (B) marks the maximum inclination of the rays accepted by the flat convex lens. Any ray with greater inclination is not intercepted by the optical system, and is lost. In the case of the figure, said ray has an approximate inclination of 30 °. Also represented is the axial light beam, (C), which is the one that follows the axis of symmetry of the projector, and which does not deflect when passing through the lens.

In the "Spot" position, the luminous efficiency of conventional PC projectors (and Fresnel type projectors as well) is very small since most of the light emanating from the light source does not reach the lens and is lost .

In the "Flood" position (figure number 2), the extreme (A '), marginal (B'), and axial (C) light rays have been indicated. These rays correspond to the luminous rays of maximum inclination, marginal ray or maximum inclination that is accepted by the lens, and ray according to the axis of symmetry respectively.

You can see from the drawing. that now the inclination of the marginal light rays (B), or of maximum inclination that are intercepted by the lens, reach an inclination close to 60 °, so that the performance of the projector, as seen in Figure 2 , increases significantly in reference to the "Spot" position. It can be inferred from both figures that the performance of this type of projectors is progressively increasing as the lamp moves from the "Spot" position to the "Flood" position. Similarly, the angle of light output increases.

Once the behavior of a conventional convex flat lens projector is known, the same study can be carried out on an improved flat convex lens projector, for which figures 4 and 5 can be observed that are analogous to what was studied in the previous paragraphs, but applied to the invention.

Figure 3 shows a projector scheme according to the invention similar to that shown for the conventional convex flat lens projector in Figure 1. Figure 4 shows the enlarged detail of the central area (Z) of the same projector, as described below. The main elements of this system.

(7) Mechanism that allows the variation of the distance of the light source (12) in reference to the output window of the projector (11). This mechanism allows the assembly shown in detail '' Z "to move horizontally from right to left as it has been drawn in Figures 5 and 6, maintaining the relative position of the elements in reference to the axis of symmetry of the optical system

(8) External housing, it is used to confine and support the optical system and to contain without leakage of the liquid or gel of the projection body (10), the composition of said housing may vary according to the design and application of the device. As in the

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

conventional projectors, this housing will allow the coupling of external accessories.

(9) Support of the light source and annex system, for LED light sources, also has the mission of providing an effective system for evacuating the heat produced at the LED junction, in order to keep it within the recommended limits of use, will support the light source (12) and allow its displacement by a mechanism of variation of the distance from the light source (7).

(10) Projection body, formed by a light-transparent material substance, with a relatively high refraction index compared to the separation chamber (13) and with optical characteristics preferably close to those of the exit window (15) and the transmission window (11). Said projection body is composed of a transparent substance, which is easily penetrable, among the possible components of the projection body are among other liquids and gels. Said substance completely surrounds the light source and fills the space between the exit window (10) and the light source (12). The light rays coming from the light source pass through this element.

(11) Exit window, will be composed of a substance of high transparency, in order to let most of the light that falls on it. It will have a lenticular shape and will be manufactured in a preferably rigid substance, capable of keeping the projection body (10) in its position inside the projector. Its refractive index is indistinct, although the best result is achieved when it is similar to the refractive index of the projection body (10).

(12) Light source, or device that produces light from an electric current. Any type of light source is applicable, although in current times an LED light source is the alternative that offers better performance and features. The optimal results will be achieved when the light source is as punctual and flat as possible.

(13) Separation chamber, one of the distinctive and defining elements of this invention, is a space between the light source and the transmission window, whose fundamental characteristic is its comparatively low refractive index in relation to the body projection (10).

(14) Recovery ring, is an optional element in terms of one of the functions performed, the recovery of part of the luminous flux of the lamp that does not affect or is reflected by the transmission window. It will be manufactured in a material that has a high reflection index. In addition to this function, it is used to keep the projection body (10) separate from the separation chamber (13).

(15) Transmission window is characterized by being transparent, and its refractive index can be any, although the best results are obtained when its refractive index is close to the projection body. It is used as an interface to couple the light in the projection body (10) and prevent it from invading the separation chamber (13).

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

Having defined the constituent elements of an improved convex lens projector according to the invention, its behavior is now going to be analyzed by reference to what has already been stated in relation to conventional convex lens lenses. To this end, figures 5 and 6 can be observed, where the main rays of the system for two working positions similar to those shown in figures 1 and 2 have been represented.

The extreme light rays (A) are represented, which correspond to the maximum inclination ray emanating from the light source, which can be seen in the figure that starts with a 42 ° inclination in reference to the axis of symmetry of the projector. Marginal light beam (B), which is the maximum inclination that is intercepted by the exit window. Any ray with greater inclination is not intercepted by the optical system, and for the case of the figure, said ray has an approximate inclination of 30 °. Axial luminous ray (C), which is the one that follows the axis of symmetry of the projector, and that does not deviate when passing through the lens.

In Figure 5, the same configuration that was used in Figure 1 is schematized, but in this case to illustrate the invention "Improved Convex Lens Projector" in the "Spot" working position or minimum inclination of the output rays .

Figure 6 shows the "improved flat-convex lens projector" in its "Flood" position, or where the output light rays have the maximum inclination. In this configuration, the extreme (A '), marginal (B'), and axial (C ') light rays have been indicated. These rays correspond to the luminous rays of maximum inclination, of maximum inclination that is accepted by the lens, and ray according to the axis of symmetry respectively.

The comparison between Figures 1 and 5, fundamentally shows that the light lost in the case of the invention is markedly lower than that lost in the conventional projector, since the range of light rays lost in the system only goes from 30 ° at 42 °, while as shown in Figure 1, the loss of light extends to rays that have an inclination between 30 and 90 °. With this it is expected that in this adjustment position the gain in light efficiency is considerable for the device of the invention.

If we now compare the figures 2 and 6, we see two differential elements. The first is that we have been able to bring the light source closer to the outside vertice of the projector. The second is that all the light that starts from the light source is captured by the transmission window. This has two implications, the first is that the light output is increased, since no light is lost. The second is that the inclination of the output rays through the transmission window is much greater than in the conventional design.

Ace! an increase in the luminous efficiency for any adjustment position is achieved in the same design, and also an improved dynamic range of light output. While in a conventional projector it is possible to adjust the light between 4 ° and 70 °, now in the design based on this invention, it is possible to adjust the light between 4 ° and beyond 100 °.

Also in the design according to the invention, there is a position from which, all the light that is captured in the transmission window, the exit window arrives,

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

reaching from that position and up to the "Fiood" position the maximum possible performance.

This design can be improved in performance if an antireflective treatment is also performed on the surfaces of the transmission window (15). If the projection body and the transmission window have similar refractive indices, this antireflective treatment only needs to be applied on the face that is in contact with the separation chamber (13). In this way, the losses due to reflection on the only surface that present an appreciable change in refractive index can be attenuated, and which therefore may present losses due to reflection.

Likewise, the performance of the device can be increased, if the exit window (11) carries an antireflective treatment to avoid losses due to reflection. The treatment can be carried out on only one of the faces: inside, if the refractive index of the exit window is low, or on the outer face, if its refractive index is high compared to the separation chamber.

Similarly, if a liquid projection body (10) is used, it will be in full contact, both with the transmission window (15) and with the exit window (11). If it is possible to match the index of refraction of the three elements, in addition to eliminating the reflections of the light in the separation interfaces, the surfaces in contact with the projection body can be allowed to present both irregularities and rough terminations, since the Projection body fluid is responsible for limiting all imperfections. In this way, it is possible to carry out manufacturing processes of the components of the invention with a higher tolerance index and therefore more economically.

Although, the option to match the Refractive Index between the transmission window, the projection body and the exit window, seems a logical alternative in the system, it is possible that both the transmission window and the exit window have any Index of refraction compared to the projection body, the system will continue to operate according to the principles described in this invention. the only existing condition is that the ratio of refractive indices between the separation chamber and the projection body are comparatively high (refractive index of the projection body will be at least 1.2 times greater than the refractive index of the separation).

If a liquid is used as a projection body, it is normal to have to take measures to contain the liquid inside the projector and prevent it from leaking outside. These same measures will be effective in preventing the penetration of liquids inside the projector, so that the design will have an "IP" protection index greater than 65, and will make it suitable for outdoor use.

In addition to the above, in addition to conventional designs that take advantage of this invention, alternative designs can be proposed to achieve similar results, as well! instead of using a flat transmission window (15), it is possible to use designs in which the transmission window is curved in order to change the direction of the light rays, or increase the light-collecting capacity.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

A degree of freedom can also be granted in the design of the exit window (11) and, in addition to manufacturing a continuous curved surface, it is possible to provide this exit window with an irregular shape. In this way, a certain degree of diffusion of the light could be favored, which allows to have a softened light profile that improves the visual appearance of the light beam, especially in collimated beam configurations ("Spot" position), in which The projector forms an image of the light source.

Finally, the projector according to this invention may incorporate an accessory holder, which allows additional manipulations with light. So this accessory holder can incorporate profiling visors, to cut light at will on some area of the space, will be able to admit color filters, in order to color the light emitted by the projector, filters and diffuser media, which make the edges of the light be softer or more open, or simply mask the projection of the light source in the "Spot" work mode, and you can even add lenses to modify the light output profile, to make it asymmetrical and adapt it to Other lighting applications.

Explanation of a device model that can incorporate the invention.

This section briefly explains a lighting device model that can incorporate this invention.

In Figure 7, such a device is schematized.

Said device will have a cylindrical outer shell (26), manufactured in an aluminum profile to achieve a better heat dissipation. In the back part a circular piece of the same material (17) will be added, coupled to the cylinder by means of a watertight gasket, this piece will have holes that allow cylindrical rods

(16) to those that are externally coupled to an operation control, all properly sealed to avoid leaks in the internal liquid. Said outer shell will be provided with a frame for coupling accessories (20) such as color filters, diffusion filters, visors or extra lenses. A hole for the passage of a power cable will also be incorporated in the back.

To the cylinder, on the opposite side, an outlet window (22) made of transparent material, and connected by seals to the outer housing, is attached.

The projection body (23) will be composed of a transparent liquid with a high refractive index (optical oils or optical silicones are candidates to build the projection body). This projection body will be enabled a certain space that allows at least to compensate for dilations and changes so that they can occur during the operation of the projector.

As a light source we will use a compact LED source (27), coupled to a piece of aluminum (18) as a radiator, allowing the projection body to come into contact with said piece, thus constituting a cooling system of the agil LED and efficient. This piece will also connect the outer rod that will have spiral notches, to force the movement of the light source from "Spot" to "Flood" with the rotation and displacement of the rod actuated by means of a knob. In addition to this rod, a gtia system will be built inside that forces the movement of the light source in the axial direction, maintaining the position of the light source in reference to the axis of the projector.

Finally, we will mount the recovery ring (19) and the transmission window (24), so that a small separation space is constructed between the transmission window and the light source, and it is sealed at the entrance of the liquid from the projection body, thus generating a separation chamber (25), between the lamp and the transmission window 5.

Thus, we will have built an improved convex-lens projector model according to the invention described in this document.

10 This device has a manufacturing procedure similar to that of a flat-convex lens projector, with the proviso that the aforementioned elements are constructed and designed to be a leak-proof device for liquids. Taking advantage of this feature, the device will be designed to have an IP protection index greater than 65, to facilitate its use in weather conditions.

fifteen

As an improvement to the characteristics of the projector, the transmission window (24) equals the face oriented towards the light source (27) with an antireflective coating, since this is the only interface of a device like the one mentioned that may have lost by reflection, thus increasing the performance of the projector. The

20 materials for the creation of the transmission window, the projection body and the output window, will be chosen in such a way that they have a similar index of refraction to reduce to the maximum the losses by reflection in the interfaces of each one of the mentioned ones elements, and minimizing light scattering

Claims (13)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 1. An improved convex lens projector is characterized by containing at least the following elements: A light source (12) that can be moved relative to the exit window. A separation chamber (13) with a low index of refraction in contact with the light source. A transparent transmission window (15). A projection body (10) easily penetrable, transparent and with a high refractive index (at least 1.2 times greater than the refractive index of the separation chamber). An exit window (11). And it has to work according to the following principle The light source emits light towards the separation chamber and passes through it reaching the transmission window, where it undergoes refraction, causing the divergence of the light rays to be dimmed due to the difference in refractive indices between both media, according to the "Snell" laws. Then the light enters the projection body, which contains a transparent and penetrable substance, which allows the light source to pass through it. The projection body can be composed of a liquid, a gel or any other transparent substance that allows the light source to move along it, and with a refractive index that will be comparatively high in relation to the separation chamber , to decrease the divergence of light rays. The projection body will be limited to the outside by the exit window, which will have a bulging shape on its outer face, similar to a lens. This exit window has as its main mission to contain the projection body in its position, and will cause the light rays to suffer inverse refraction: the light will pass from a medium of high refractive index (projection body) to a low zone. refraction (outside area to the exit window). The exterior curve of the exit window will have the same effect as the flat convex lens on a projector. Finally, the projector will be equipped with a mechanism that allows the light source to be approached or removed from the exit window at will, thus allowing the light to be concentrated in a very collimated beam of light (when the source of light is near the position of the focus of the lens that form the transmission window, the projection body and the exit window) and open the light beam, as the light source approaches the window output As the projection body is penetrable, it is possible to place the light source very close to the apex of the exit window, making the light reach high divergences impossible to reach in conventional convex flat-lens projectors (see Figures 5 and 6 , which outline the extreme working positions that can be achieved in a projector according to this invention). The main feature of a projector manufactured according to this revindication is that the light that starts from the light source maintains a limited divergence within the 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty projection body, limiting the angle of exit of the light in the projection body to a maximum angle much lower than that of conventional flat-lens lens projectors. 2. An improved planar convex lens projector as described in the first claim, contains a recovery ring (14), formed by an element that interposes between the edges of the light source and the transmission window. The objective of this ring is the recovery of the light that does not pass through the transmission window, either by a high inclination of the light rays, or by reflection on the surface of the transmission window. This element will have an annular shape for a circular symmetry light source. In the case of non-circular sources, the contour shape of the light source will follow. Said ring also has the purpose of limiting the projection body of the separation chamber. The internal surface of the recovery ring will have a high reflection rate, and may be slightly inclined to favor the re-entry of the light through the transmission window. 3. An improved convex flat lens projector as described in the claim number 1, will be manufactured with the sale of transmission (15), the projection body (10) and the exit window (11) with material means of very similar refractive indexes, in order to minimize the reflection of the rays of light in the separation interfaces. When the device is constructed in this way, the termination of the faces of separation with the projection body, they can be manufactured with very high tolerances of uniformity in their surfaces, since the projection body guarantees that the imperfections of the surfaces in contact with it they are eliminated or limited by the filling capacity offered by the projection body. 4. An improved convex flat lens projector as described in the claim number 1, will have a low refractive index transmission window, and also with a low refractive index output window, provided that the projection body has a high refractive index in relation to the camera separation. 5. An improved flat convex lens projector is characterized in that the projection body (10) maintains a refractive index of factor 1.20 or higher compared to the separation chamber (13). 6. An improved flat convex lens projector is characterized by having a separation chamber (13) of refractive index 1, or close to 1. 7. An improved flat-convex lens projector manufactured according to claim number 1, is characterized by having a transmission window (15) with anti-reflective treatment to increase the performance of the device. If the Refractive Index of the transmission window is similar to the projection body, the antireflective treatment can be performed only on the face in contact with the separation chamber (13), if the Refractive Index is low, it can only be applied on the face of separation with the projection body (10). 8. An improved flat convex lens projector according to claim number 1 is characterized by having an exit window (11) with anti-reflective treatment for Increase device performance. If the refractive index is similar to the projection body, the antireflective treatment can be performed only on the outside face of the exit window, if the refractive index is low, it can be applied only on the face of separation with the body of projection (10). 5 9. An improved convex lens projector according to claim number 1, is characterized by using LED type light sources. 10. An improved planar convex lens projector according to claim number 10 1, is characterized by having a front accessory holder, capable of admitting elements such as shielding visors, filter holders for color filters and diffuser filters and lens holders for additional lenses to the system. 11. An improved flat convex lens projector according to claim number 15 1, is characterized by having a high Protection Index, such that it can be used in outdoor lighting. 12. An improved planar convex lens projector according to claim number 1, is characterized by having a curved transmission window. twenty 13. An improved planar convex lens projector according to claim number 1, is characterized by incorporating an exit window with a free finish on its inner and outer surfaces. The surface finish can range from regular and smooth surfaces to irregular surfaces that make light experience 25 a certain degree of dispersion to soften the edges of the light spot.