FR2861973A1 - Optical device, has shutter that is suspended by suspension system and moves relative to system to bring ambient light that simulates external light from window behind shutter, where shutter includes optical fibers - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a shutter comprising optical fibers (6), each transmitting light. A light source (14) introduces light into the fibers. The shutter suspended by a suspension system (3) moves relative to the system to bring an ambient light that simulates an external light from a window behind the shutter. The system has a carriage that carries the light source.

Description

The present invention relates to light furnishing articles

  having fibers capable of transporting and emitting light.

  International application WO 02/12785 describes fabrics comprising light fibers illuminated by a light-emitting diode, used in the manufacture of clothing articles, accessories, household articles or safety articles.

  There is a need to create new lighting effects, for example to simulate the presence of daylight in an interior.

  The present invention aims in particular to satisfy this need by proposing, according to a first of its aspects, an optical device comprising: a curtain comprising optical fibers, at least several of them being arranged to emit light between their ends, - A suspension system which is suspended so that the curtain can be moved relative thereto, and - at least one light source arranged to introduce light into the fibers.

  The fibers are arranged vertically when the curtain is suspended from the suspension system.

  Such a device makes it possible to create new optical effects, and for example to simulate the lighting of daylight in a room, after sunset or in case of natural lighting too low, or for example in a room without window.

  The suspension system may for example be arranged to allow attachment to the ceiling, to the right of the window recess.

  The mobility of the curtain with respect to the suspension system makes it possible to move the curtain without difficulty, such as a conventional curtain, to open it particularly during the day for example and to close it at night or in case of insufficient external lighting. The curtain thus makes it possible to benefit from both natural lighting if it exists, and additional lighting creating a particular luminous atmosphere.

  The curtain may advantageously not be totally opaque and be used as a curtain to sift the light in the day.

  The device may include at least one movable light source within the suspension system.

  The suspension system may comprise at least one carriage capable of sliding on a rod, and the carriage may carry a light source. Preferably, the suspension system comprises several carriages and associated light sources.

  A curtain of 160 cm x 250 cm dimension may for example be associated with twelve diodes, placed in twelve sliding carriages.

  The curtain may also include a bundle of son and fibers connected to each carriage.

  The vertical son and optical fibers can be arranged vertically in a regular arrangement within the curtain, including an alternating arrangement. In this case, the optical fibers can be woven with the vertical wires, a vertical wire replacing, for example, one or two optical fibers. The vertical son alternating with the optical fibers may be polyester son, preferably transparent or white, of diameter for example between 0.2 and 0.5 mm, for example about 0.3 mm in diameter.

  The light sources may for example be electroluminescent diodes, in particular of white color.

  A light intensity sensor and a control device can be used to influence the intensity of the light delivered by at least one light source as a function of a signal from the light intensity sensor.

  Such a sensor may for example be fixed on a housing inside which the upper end of the curtain is engaged, this housing being open downwards.

  Such a housing may include in particular two longitudinal strips and the light intensity sensor may be attached to one of these strips, it may be positioned for example on the side of a window or on the side of the interior of the room. The device may in particular be arranged to increase the intensity of the light delivered by the light source or sources in a manner inversely proportional to the intensity of the light detected by the light intensity sensor.

  The control device may in particular be arranged to, for example, cause the automatic switching on of the light source (s) when the ambient light intensity falls below a predetermined threshold.

  The light source (s) can be supplied by a continuous electric current or, alternatively, by an alternating electric current, for example at a frequency greater than or equal to 100 Hz, which can make it possible to save electrical energy.

  The device may comprise a rod for laterally displacing the curtain and this rod may be arranged to serve as a control member of the light source or sources.

  The rod may in particular be provided with an electric switch or a potentiometer, or be electrically conductive and be connected to an electrical mass detection device for detecting a contact of the user with the rod. The latter can also be connected to a switch whose tilting is controlled by a fraction of rotation of the rod. The rod may in particular be aluminum, with a diameter of about 1.5 cm, and a length of 120 cm when the dimensions of the curtain are 250 cm × 160 cm.

  The device may further comprise a dimmer for controlling the intensity of the light illuminating the fibers. The drive can in particular be controlled by a touch button present on the aforementioned rod.

  The device may also include a detector allowing, for example, to allow the supply of the light source (s) only when the curtain is in an expanded state.

  The device can alternatively be operated by a remote control, capable of controlling the ignition of the curtain, or able to extinguish it.

  The diameter of the optical fibers may be substantially between 0.3 and 0.8 mm, and preferably about 0.5 mm. The optical fibers may constitute, possibly with vertical son placed between them, the frame of the curtain.

  In the case where only fibers constitute the weft of the curtain, the latter may for example comprise about 9 fibers every 10 mm. It may include a light source every 14 cm, and when the curtain is about 160 cm wide, 12 light sources in total about. The height of the curtain can in this case be about 250 cm, for example.

  In the case where the fibers are placed alternately with vertical son, the curtain may comprise for example about 5 to 6 fibers and 5 to 6 son every 10 mm.

  Preferably, the curtain is woven in an airy manner and the fairly loose mesh allows the easy passage of light through the curtain. The openings formed between the threads and the fibers may be for example of a width, measured horizontally, between 0.45 and 0.65 mm, in particular between 0.50 and 0.62 mm.

  In the case where the fibers are arranged alternately with vertical son, this gives the curtain greater flexibility and improved strength. Indeed, the vertical son can be more flexible than the fibers, and supporting a portion of the weight of the curtain, prevent excessive tension is applied to the optical fibers.

  The optical fibers and possibly the vertical son forming the weft can be woven with horizontal threads, also called warp yarns, made of thermoplastic material, in particular polyester, the diameter of the warp threads being, for example, less than 0.3 mm in diameter. about. The threads can subsequently be glued so as not to slide on the optical fibers.

  The use of weft and warp yarns of thermoplastic material can in particular allow the formation of welded strips on the lateral and inferior sides of the curtain, the yarns being heat-welded with the optical fibers.

  Each optical fiber may be able to carry light and let it diffuse at least one point of its length between its ends. The fibers may in particular comprise a core and a sheath having different refractive indices. The sheath may have undergone removal of material in unmasked regions by the warp yarns.

  These material removal can be obtained for example by subjecting the curtain once woven to a mechanical treatment such as brushing or sanding or chemical or thermal treatment, in particular by means of a laser.

  The device may comprise flexible electrical conductors for electrically powering the light source (s), in particular helical electrical cords, or very thin electrical wires.

  Such cords may for example unfold when the spacing between two consecutive carriages increases. The carriages may comprise rollers, for example of nylon, and in particular at least one caster resting against a horizontal return of the rod, and lateral guide rollers resting on the lateral wings of the rod.

  The supply of the source (s) light (s) can be performed for example by connecting to the electrical network of a dwelling, for example through a connection to the power supply of an electric shutter. The power supply can also be performed for example by means of batteries or electric batteries. The device may comprise a voltage-reducing device, for example a transformer.

  The intensity of the light emitted by the plurality of fibers may decrease when moving away from the suspension system to which the curtain is suspended. Such a gradient in the luminous intensity makes it possible to better imitate the daylight produced by a zenith sun and crossing a window.

  At least two warp threads may be of different colors, in particular choosing a darker color for the lower thread.

  The warp threads may become darker in color as you move down the curtain. In particular, during the weaving of the optical fibers, warp yarns having different colors may be used, the color of a yarn being obtainable for example by incorporation of a coloring filler. If necessary, the curtain can undergo after being woven with son may be the same color treatment to make it progressively darker as one moves away from an edge of the curtain. This treatment comprises, for example, the deposition of a coloring coating, for example by a printing technique or by spraying.

  A darker downward appearance can also be achieved by alternating white warp yarns with an increasing number of gray color warp yarns and / or darker gray color warp yarns. , for example three different gray.

  The decrease in the intensity of the emitted light can also be obtained by using, in order to weave the curtain, fibers capable of emitting light in a variable manner along their length, and more particularly towards their end attached to the suspension system. only towards their lower end.

  The invention further relates, independently or in combination with the foregoing, according to another of its aspects, an optical device comprising: a curtain comprising optical fibers, at least a portion of the optical fibers being arranged to emit the light between their ends, a suspension system to which the curtain is suspended, and at least one light source arranged to introduce light into the fibers, said at least one light source being movable relative to the suspension system.

  The invention further relates, independently or in combination with the foregoing, according to another of its aspects, an optical device comprising: a curtain comprising optical fibers woven with non-totally opaque wires, at least a portion of the fibers optics being arranged to emit light between their ends, - at least one light source arranged to introduce light into the fibers.

  The invention further relates, independently or in combination with the foregoing, according to another of its aspects, a method of manufacturing a woven comprising the following step: - weave optical fibers with son of varying opacity .

  The method may further include a step of processing optical fibers to enable them to emit light at at least several points along their length.

  The invention further relates, independently or in combination with the foregoing, according to another of its aspects, an optical device, comprising in combination: a curtain comprising optical fibers, at least a portion of the optical fibers being arranged for emitting light between their ends, - at least one light source arranged to introduce light into the fibers, and - a light intensity sensor.

  The invention further relates, independently or in combination with the foregoing, according to another of its aspects, an optical device, comprising: a curtain comprising optical fibers, at least a portion of the optical fibers being arranged to emit the light between their ends, at least one light source capable of illuminating the fibers, the intensity of the light emitted by the plurality of fibers decreasing as one moves away from a suspension system to which the curtain is suspended.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of a nonlimiting embodiment of the invention, and on examining the appended drawing, in which: FIG. 1 schematically illustrates and in perspective an optical device 5 in accordance with the invention; - FIG. 2 schematically illustrates one of several possibilities of weaving optical fibers, - FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic front views of the device of FIG. 5 is a schematic and partial view of a detail of the device of FIGS. 1 to 4; FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic and partial cross-section of the suspension system of the device. FIG. 7 is a schematic and partial view of the bottom of the curtain of the device 15 of FIG. 1.

  FIG. 1 shows an optical device 1 made according to the invention.

  This device 1 comprises a curtain 2 attached to a horizontal suspension system 3, fixed for example to a wall or a ceiling. In the illustrated example, this suspension system 3 is fixed above a window of a dwelling.

  The curtain 2 comprises a plurality of optical fibers 6 and son 17 of thermoplastic material, generally vertical and placed in weft, woven with son of thermoplastic material 18 generally horizontal and placed in a chain, as seen in Figure 2.

  The optical fibers 6 are not woven over part of their length on the upper side, and freely extend at their upper end, in the example described, over at least ten centimeters, for example about 15 cm.

  The free portions of the optical fibers 6 and the vertical wires 17 are grouped together at the upper part of the curtain in bundles 10, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, in order to allow the curtain 2 to be hooked up and the optical supply to be connected. 6. In the example considered, each bundle 10 comprises, for example, in total between 100 and 140 optical fibers 6 and wires 17, for example about 120 fibers 6 and wires 17. The curtain may comprise as many fibers 6 as wires 17, about 60 fibers 6 and about 60 threads 17 per beam 10.

  Each beam 10 is connected to a carriage 7, for example made of aluminum, which can slide horizontally on a rod 8 of the suspension system 3. Each carriage 7 supports at least one light source 14 such as for example a light-emitting diode, known per se , and which has been shown schematically only in Figure 6, for the sake of clarity of the drawing, the light-emitting diode being optically coupled to the optical fibers 6 so as to introduce light therein.

  In this example, the light-emitting diodes used are white in color and of relatively high power, of the order of one watt, for example.

  It is not beyond the scope of the present invention using different light sources, for example of the laser diode or colored light emitting diode type. Where appropriate, light-emitting diodes capable of selectively producing multiple colors may be used. Incandescent lamps may instead be used instead of light-emitting diodes, or else each carriage 7 may be connected to an optical guide for conveying light from a light source, which would be common to all the optical fibers of the curtain, to each of them. carriages 7, such a source can then be in this case for example a halogen lamp. The light source (s) may still be fluorescent tubes, if any.

  In the example considered, the carriages 7 are interconnected by flexible power supply cords 9 of the light sources, these cords 9 being for example of the helical winding type, so as to wind helically when the carriages 7 are close together, as can be seen in Figure 4.

  Once the curtain is folded, its lateral size can be up to 50 cm, for example.

  In the example considered, the power supply is effected by means of a voltage-reducing device 12 which produces, for example, a low voltage from the 110 or 220 volt AC grid. The power supply can be provided by a battery or a battery. A control device 13 which comprises for example a dimmer makes it possible to vary the intensity of the light sources 14 as a function of an external control and / or of a signal coming from a sensor, for example a brightness sensor 25, as can be seen in Figure 6.

  The suspension system 3 comprises a housing 4 open downwards, comprising two longitudinal strips 5a, 5b made for example of translucent white plexiglass to improve the aesthetics of the device, these strips 5a and 5b being connected to an upper wall which can be used for fixing to the ceiling for example, the casing 4 serving as dressing and housing the rod 8.

  The sensor 25 is for example fixed on the strip 5b which is situated on the side of the window so as to be sensitive to daylight, being connected by a cable 26 to the control device 13. The latter can be arranged for example in in order to vary the light intensity of the sources 14, inversely proportional to the intensity of the daylight.

  The device 1 may also include a device for controlling its operation, accessible to the user.

  Such a control device can be reduced for example to a single on-off switch or be more complex and in particular allow the user to act on the light intensity of the sources 14 or on a mode of operation of the control device 13.

  In the example illustrated, the device 1 comprises a rod 16 which makes it possible to move the curtain 2 laterally and this rod may be provided at the end with an on-off switch 15. The rod 16 may be made of metal or plastic.

  In the example considered, the strip 16 is made of aluminum, which could make it possible, if necessary, to use an electric ground detector so as to enable the user to control the operation simply by touching the strip 16.

  Alternatively, the device 1 may comprise a non-illustrated receiver, for example placed on the suspension system 3, and adapted to capture a signal from a remote controlled by the user.

  As can be seen in particular in Figure 6, each carriage 7 may comprise at least one wheel 20a which rests on a horizontal return 8a of the rod 8 and at least two lateral guide rollers 20b and 20c which are applied against the wings 8b and 8c of the rod 8.

  Each carriage 7 may alternatively be simply sliding on the rod 8, without wheels, and comprise for example one or more pads of a low friction material.

  The device 1 can be placed in a dark room, which can for example be the case if the room has no window, if the night has fallen, or if the outside light is insufficient.

  The device 1 makes it possible to provide the room with an ambient light simulating an outside light coming from a window placed behind the curtain.

  The curtain 2 can be manufactured for example in the following manner. After weaving the optical fibers 6 and the son 17, 18 of thermoplastic material, these son of thermoplastic material being polyester son in the example considered, all or part of at least one side of the curtain is treated with a mechanical process for example sandblasting or brushing, or by a chemical or thermal process, in particular by means of a laser, to remove a portion of the sheath fibers to allow the light transported by each fiber to escape. Examples of usable treatments are described in particular in the patent applications FR 2 809 160, WO 01/88431 and FR 2 810 147.

  The son 18 used may have an increasingly darker color as one moves away from the beams 10 to be connected to the light sources. This can further improve the light gradient effect.

  As a variant, it is possible to use translucent wires for part of the curtain and wires having greater opacity for at least the lower part of the curtain.

  Before or after weaving, the yarns 17 and 18 may be glued to prevent them from sliding on the optical fibers 6.

  After weaving, the curtain can be exposed to a heat source on its vertical edges and its lower edge so as to form peripheral strips 27 in which the yarns and / or fibers have fused, these strips being about 5 mm wide for example, as can be seen in Figure 7.

  There is shown a straight lower edge, but the latter could be curved or scalloped without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the example just described.

  For example, synthetic yarns can be replaced by natural or metallic fiber yarns.

  One could still hang the curtains other than on the suspension system described and provide for example a fixed curtain, especially in the case where it is not placed in front of a window.

  The curtain could still be motorized without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  The rod of the suspension system shown in the example described is rectilinear, but it could be, if necessary, curved.

  Throughout the description, including the claims, the expression having one is to be understood as having at least one unless the contrary is specified.

Claims (12)

  An optical device comprising: a curtain (2) having optical fibers (6), at least a plurality of them being arranged to emit light between their ends; - a suspension system (3) to which is suspended the curtain so as to be movable relative thereto, and - at least one light source (14) arranged to introduce light into the fibers.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one light source (14) movable within the suspension system (3).   3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suspension system (3) comprises at least one carriage (7) slidable on a rod (8) and in that the carriage (7) carries a light source (14).   4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the curtain comprises a bundle (10) of son (17) and fibers (6) connected to the carriage.   5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of light sources (14), and in that the son (17) and optical fibers (6) are arranged vertically in a regular arrangement within curtain, including an alternating arrangement.   6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a sensor (25) of light intensity and a control device (13) for acting on the intensity of light delivered by at least one light source (14) as a function of a signal from the sensor (25).   7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a rod (16) for laterally displacing the curtain and in that the rod is arranged to serve as a control member. the light source or sources (14).   8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the optical fibers (6) are woven with son (18) of a thermoplastic material, in particular polyester, the diameter of the son (18) preferably being less than about 0.3 mm in diameter.   9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the optical fibers (6) comprise a core and a sheath, and in that the sheath has undergone removal of material in regions of fibers not masked by the son ( 18).   10. Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that at least two son (18) are of different colors, including a darker color for the wire (18) lower.   11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the curtain (2) is woven aerated.   12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises flexible electrical conductors (9) for electrically power the light source or sources (14), including helical electrical cords.