GB1584690A - Device for displaying visual signals - Google Patents

Device for displaying visual signals Download PDF

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Publication number
GB1584690A
GB1584690A GB3833277A GB3833277A GB1584690A GB 1584690 A GB1584690 A GB 1584690A GB 3833277 A GB3833277 A GB 3833277A GB 3833277 A GB3833277 A GB 3833277A GB 1584690 A GB1584690 A GB 1584690A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
light
light conductor
frusto
conical
conductor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
GB3833277A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Carl Zeiss AG
Original Assignee
Carl Zeiss AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Carl Zeiss AG filed Critical Carl Zeiss AG
Publication of GB1584690A publication Critical patent/GB1584690A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4298—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements coupling with non-coherent light sources and/or radiation detectors, e.g. lamps, incandescent bulbs, scintillation chambers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0005—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being of the fibre type
    • G02B6/0008—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being of the fibre type the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2111/00—Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
    • F21W2111/02—Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00 for roads, paths or the like

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)
  • Train Traffic Observation, Control, And Security (AREA)
  • Communication Cables (AREA)

Abstract

A light source (6) is coupled by means of optical fibre waveguides (4) to signal generators (5). So that the exit opening of the signal generator (5) is completely illuminated, the radiance characteristic of the optical waveguides (4) must be extended. This takes place by means of optical waveguide cones (1) which are positioned in front of the end of the optical waveguides (4) and dimensioned in such a way that the angle of aperture of the optical waveguides (4) is matched to the optics of the signal generators. <IMAGE>

Description

(54) DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING VISUAL SIGNALS (71) We, CARL-ZEISS-STIFTUNG trading as JENA-er GLASWERK SCHOTT & GEN, of Hattenbergstrasse 10, 6500 Mainz/Federal German Republic, a German company, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a device for displaying visual signals, principally for a signalling system.
Certain conventional signalling systems include a plurality of lamps, each of which has a very small helical filament, and a plurality of optical signal transmitters (such as lens elements) which determine the area or size of the light signal transmitted from the lamps.
These systems are required for special applications, such as railway signalling systems, to produce light signals with a very small aperture angle.
However, such systems have the disadvantage that each lens element is associated with only one lamp, so that on the one hand it is not possible to produce signals of different colours using a single lens element without providing a mechanical filter changing device, and on the other hand it is not possible to illuminate several lens elements simultaneously by means of a single lamp. It follows therefore that operational safety cannot be guaranteed in the event of lamp failure.
The basic suitability of fibre-optic light conductors for use in systems of the abovedescribed type has heretofore been recognized. However, problems have been encountered in adapting the reflection characteristic or out-going radiation characteristic of the fibre-optic light conductor to existing lens elements. Optical elements of very short focal lengths (e.g. echelon lenses) are generally used in order to keep the constructional dimensions of the signalling system, notably the depth thereof, to a minimum. In view of this, it is necessary to widen the reflection characteristic of the fibre-optic light conductor in such a way that the emergence opening or aperture of the lens element is fully illuminated.
It is an object of the present invention to fulfil this requirement in a simple manner.
According to the present invention, there is provided a device for displaying visual signals, comprising at least one light source, at least one lens element, and fibre-optic light conductor means arranged to transmit light from the light source or light sources to the lens element or lens elements and having a respective end thereof disposed adjacent the or each lens element, the or each said end of the fibre-optic light conductor means having fitted thereto a respective frusto-conical light conductor having planar axial end surfaces, the or each frusto-conical light conductor having its larger diameter axial end surface facing the respective end of the fibreoptic light conductor means and being arranged to increase the angular spread of the light emitted from said end in use.
In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a sectional side view of a frusto-conical light conductor which forms part of a device for displaying visual signals, according to the present invention; Figure 2a is a view illustrating the manner in which light is emitted from one end of a fibre-optic light conductor through a lens element without the provision of the light conductor shown in Figure 1; Figure 2b is a similar view illustrating the manner in which light is emitted from one end of a fibre-optic light conductor through a lens element when the light conductor shown in Figure 1 is provided; and Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c are, respectively, schematic views of three embodiments of a device for displaying visual signals, according to the present invention.
Referring first to Figures 3a, 3b and 3c, each of the devices shown therein comprises generally a multi-branch fibre-optic light conductor 4 which extends between one or more electric lamps 6 and one or more lens elements 5. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3a, the light conductor 4 is arranged to transmit light from each of three lamps 6 to a single lens element 5. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3b, the light conductor 4 is arranged to transmit light from a single lamp 6 to each of three lens elements 5. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3c, the light conductor 4 is arranged to transmit light from each of three lamps 6 to each of three lens elements 5. Coloured filters can be inserted between some of the lamps 6 and the light conductor 4, as indicated at 7 in Figures 3a and 3c, so that a single one of the lens elements 5 can transmit signals of different colours. If the device is to be mounted on a post in use, the light conductor 4 is made of a suitable Icngth to permit maintenance work to be carried out on the lamps 6 at a convenient height on the post.
In each of these embodiments, the or each lens element 5 has a respective end of the light conductor 4 disposed adjacent thereto.
In the embodiments of Figures 3b and 3c, it is an end of a respective branch of the light conductor 4. Optically coupled to the or each end of the conductor 4 is a frusto-conical light conductor 1 having planar axial end surfaces, as is shown in detail in Figure 1. The larger diameter axial end surface of the conductor 1 faces said end of the respective conductor 4. The light conductor 1 comprises an inner frusto-conical body 2 of transparent material which is surrounded and optically insulated by an outer transparent frustoconical shell 3. In practicc, the shell 3 is relatively thin and is not shown to scale in the drawings. The light conductor 1 has the following well-known properties:
where n, is the refractive index of the mcdium surrounding the entr ancc to the frusto-conical light conductor; n2 is the refractive index of the medium surrounding the exit from the frusto-conical light conductor; nk is the refractive index of the transparent material from which the body 2 is made; nm is the refractive index of the sur rounding shell 3; a1 is the angle of incidence of a light ray to the wider end of the con ductor; a2 is the angle at which the same light ray is emitted from the nar rower end of the conductor; amax is the maximum angle at which light rays can emerge from the frusto-conical light conductor; d1 is the diameter of the body 2 at its wider end; d2 is the diameter of the body 2 at its narrower end; and N.A is the numerical aperture of the light conductor, which is dependent on the surrounding medium.
Alternatively, the light conductor 1 can be made up of a large number of individual optically insulated frusto-conical fibres fused together.
The dimensions and parameters of each frusto-conical light conductor 1 are selected so that the angular spread of light emitted therefrom in use is adapted to the optics of the respective lens element 5. As can be seen in Figure 2a, when the light conductor 1 is not provided, the angular spread of the light emitted from the end of the fibre-optic light conductor 4 is relatively small and encompasses only a small proportion of the area of the respective lens element 5. However, the provision of the light conductor 1 increases the spread of light, and a much larger proportion of the area of the respective lens element 5 is encompassed, as can be seen in Figure 2b.
WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A device for displaying visual signals, comprising at least one light source, at least one lens element, and fibre-optic light conductor means arranged to transmit light from the light source or light sources to the lens element or lens elements and having a respective end thereof disposed adjacent the or each lens element, the or each said end of the fibre-optic light conductor means having fitted thereto a respective frusto-conical light conductor having planar axial end surfaces, the or each frusto-conical light conductor having its larger diameter axial end surface facing the respective end of the fibre-optic light conductor means and being arranged to increase the angular spread of the light emitted from said end in use.
2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the or each frusto-conical light conductor comprises an inner frusto-conical body of transparent material surrounded and optically insulated by an outer transparent frusto-conical shell.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. Referring first to Figures 3a, 3b and 3c, each of the devices shown therein comprises generally a multi-branch fibre-optic light conductor 4 which extends between one or more electric lamps 6 and one or more lens elements 5. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3a, the light conductor 4 is arranged to transmit light from each of three lamps 6 to a single lens element 5. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3b, the light conductor 4 is arranged to transmit light from a single lamp 6 to each of three lens elements 5. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3c, the light conductor 4 is arranged to transmit light from each of three lamps 6 to each of three lens elements 5. Coloured filters can be inserted between some of the lamps 6 and the light conductor 4, as indicated at 7 in Figures 3a and 3c, so that a single one of the lens elements 5 can transmit signals of different colours. If the device is to be mounted on a post in use, the light conductor 4 is made of a suitable Icngth to permit maintenance work to be carried out on the lamps 6 at a convenient height on the post. In each of these embodiments, the or each lens element 5 has a respective end of the light conductor 4 disposed adjacent thereto. In the embodiments of Figures 3b and 3c, it is an end of a respective branch of the light conductor 4. Optically coupled to the or each end of the conductor 4 is a frusto-conical light conductor 1 having planar axial end surfaces, as is shown in detail in Figure 1. The larger diameter axial end surface of the conductor 1 faces said end of the respective conductor 4. The light conductor 1 comprises an inner frusto-conical body 2 of transparent material which is surrounded and optically insulated by an outer transparent frustoconical shell 3. In practicc, the shell 3 is relatively thin and is not shown to scale in the drawings. The light conductor 1 has the following well-known properties: where n, is the refractive index of the mcdium surrounding the entr ancc to the frusto-conical light conductor; n2 is the refractive index of the medium surrounding the exit from the frusto-conical light conductor; nk is the refractive index of the transparent material from which the body 2 is made; nm is the refractive index of the sur rounding shell 3; a1 is the angle of incidence of a light ray to the wider end of the con ductor; a2 is the angle at which the same light ray is emitted from the nar rower end of the conductor; amax is the maximum angle at which light rays can emerge from the frusto-conical light conductor; d1 is the diameter of the body 2 at its wider end; d2 is the diameter of the body 2 at its narrower end; and N.A is the numerical aperture of the light conductor, which is dependent on the surrounding medium. Alternatively, the light conductor 1 can be made up of a large number of individual optically insulated frusto-conical fibres fused together. The dimensions and parameters of each frusto-conical light conductor 1 are selected so that the angular spread of light emitted therefrom in use is adapted to the optics of the respective lens element 5. As can be seen in Figure 2a, when the light conductor 1 is not provided, the angular spread of the light emitted from the end of the fibre-optic light conductor 4 is relatively small and encompasses only a small proportion of the area of the respective lens element 5. However, the provision of the light conductor 1 increases the spread of light, and a much larger proportion of the area of the respective lens element 5 is encompassed, as can be seen in Figure 2b. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:
1. A device for displaying visual signals, comprising at least one light source, at least one lens element, and fibre-optic light conductor means arranged to transmit light from the light source or light sources to the lens element or lens elements and having a respective end thereof disposed adjacent the or each lens element, the or each said end of the fibre-optic light conductor means having fitted thereto a respective frusto-conical light conductor having planar axial end surfaces, the or each frusto-conical light conductor having its larger diameter axial end surface facing the respective end of the fibre-optic light conductor means and being arranged to increase the angular spread of the light emitted from said end in use.
2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the or each frusto-conical light conductor comprises an inner frusto-conical body of transparent material surrounded and optically insulated by an outer transparent frusto-conical shell.
3. A device as claimed in Claim 1,
wherein the or each frusto-conical light conductor comprises a plurality of optically insulated frusto-conical fibres fused together.
4. A device as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the or each frusto-conical light conductor is optically coupled to the respective end of the fibre-optic light conductor means.
5. A device as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein a plurality of light sources of different colours are used so that signals of different colours can be transmitted by the or each lens element.
6. A device as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the fibre-optic light conductor means is of a suitable length to permit maintenance work to be carried out on the light source or light sources at a comfortable working height when the device is mounted on a post in use.
7. A device for displaying visual signals, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, 2b and 3a, or Figures 1, 2b and 3b, or Figures 1, 2b and 3c of the accompanying drawings.
GB3833277A 1976-09-28 1977-09-14 Device for displaying visual signals Expired GB1584690A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19767630251 DE7630251U1 (en) 1976-09-28 1976-09-28 FIBER OPTICAL SYSTEM FOR SIGNAL DISPLAY DEVICES

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB1584690A true GB1584690A (en) 1981-02-18

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ID=6669659

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GB3833277A Expired GB1584690A (en) 1976-09-28 1977-09-14 Device for displaying visual signals

Country Status (6)

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CH (1) CH617627A5 (en)
DE (1) DE7630251U1 (en)
DK (1) DK387677A (en)
FR (1) FR2365814A1 (en)
GB (1) GB1584690A (en)
SE (1) SE7709150L (en)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2127949A (en) * 1982-09-28 1984-04-18 American Sterilizer Co Illuminating device
GB2227573A (en) * 1989-01-26 1990-08-01 Kei Mori A solar ray device for illumination
DE3920990A1 (en) * 1989-06-27 1991-01-10 Baco Const Elect ARRANGEMENT FOR SUPPLYING AND SWITCHING A VARIETY OF INDICATOR LIGHTS
EP0721085A1 (en) * 1994-12-12 1996-07-10 Nippondenso Co., Ltd. A headlamp for a vehicle
GB2297629A (en) * 1995-02-02 1996-08-07 Gen Electric Light beam spreader
US5691696A (en) * 1995-09-08 1997-11-25 Federal Signal Corporation System and method for broadcasting colored light for emergency signals
US5877681A (en) * 1995-02-02 1999-03-02 Federal Signal Corporation System and method for broadcasting colored light for emergency signalling
AT405212B (en) * 1997-01-15 1999-06-25 Photonic Optische Geraete Gmbh OPTICAL ELEMENT
DE19834520A1 (en) * 1998-07-31 2000-02-17 Aqua Signal Ag Light-emitting device, in particular lamp or lantern
EP2338732A1 (en) * 2009-12-16 2011-06-29 Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH Motor vehicle lighting device with a light guide and light sources of different colours
WO2014041081A1 (en) * 2012-09-14 2014-03-20 Thales Deutschland Gmbh Optical system for use in a traffic light luminaire

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS57139705A (en) * 1981-02-24 1982-08-28 Takashi Mori Optical radiator
JPS6058443B2 (en) * 1981-07-29 1985-12-20 敬 森 light radiator
DE3207959A1 (en) * 1982-03-05 1983-09-08 Pintsch Bamag Antriebs- Und Verkehrstechnik Gmbh, 4220 Dinslaken Illumination system for a railway semaphore signal
FR2574564B1 (en) * 1984-12-10 1988-02-05 Commissariat Energie Atomique METHOD FOR EXPLOITING LIGHT RADIATION USING FLUORESCENT OPTICAL FIBERS, AND FUNCTIONAL DEVICES AND APPARATUSES USING THE SAME
US4812013A (en) * 1984-12-10 1989-03-14 Claude Aurouet Process for utilizing light radiation with the aid of fluorescent optical fibres and functional devices and apparatus using said process
DE3831233A1 (en) * 1988-09-14 1990-03-22 Ego Elektro Blanc & Fischer RADIATOR
EP0401711B1 (en) * 1989-06-09 1994-11-02 DR.TECHN. JOSEF ZELISKO, FABRIK FÜR ELEKTROTECHNIK UND MASCHINENBAU GESELLSCHAFT m.b.H. Lamp configuration, especially for signal device
DE19916843B4 (en) * 1999-04-14 2008-05-08 Volkswagen Ag vehicle light
DE102011006423A1 (en) * 2011-03-30 2012-06-06 Continental Automotive Gmbh Light control device for motor vehicle, has control unit that performs control-activation of lighting elements of lamps, based on request of emission of signal light and daytime running light

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR991518A (en) * 1948-08-04 1951-10-08 Westinghouse Freins & Signaux Optical system for light signal
GB1491142A (en) * 1974-03-01 1977-11-09 Jenaer Glaswerk Schott & Gen Signal display means

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2127949A (en) * 1982-09-28 1984-04-18 American Sterilizer Co Illuminating device
GB2227573A (en) * 1989-01-26 1990-08-01 Kei Mori A solar ray device for illumination
DE3920990A1 (en) * 1989-06-27 1991-01-10 Baco Const Elect ARRANGEMENT FOR SUPPLYING AND SWITCHING A VARIETY OF INDICATOR LIGHTS
EP0721085A1 (en) * 1994-12-12 1996-07-10 Nippondenso Co., Ltd. A headlamp for a vehicle
GB2297629B (en) * 1995-02-02 1999-09-01 Gen Electric Light beam spreader
US5664863A (en) * 1995-02-02 1997-09-09 General Electric Company Compact uniform beam spreader for a high brightness centralized lighting system
US5877681A (en) * 1995-02-02 1999-03-02 Federal Signal Corporation System and method for broadcasting colored light for emergency signalling
GB2297629A (en) * 1995-02-02 1996-08-07 Gen Electric Light beam spreader
US5691696A (en) * 1995-09-08 1997-11-25 Federal Signal Corporation System and method for broadcasting colored light for emergency signals
AT405212B (en) * 1997-01-15 1999-06-25 Photonic Optische Geraete Gmbh OPTICAL ELEMENT
DE19834520A1 (en) * 1998-07-31 2000-02-17 Aqua Signal Ag Light-emitting device, in particular lamp or lantern
US6111705A (en) * 1998-07-31 2000-08-29 Aqua Signal Aktiengesellschaft Light emitting device, in particular a lamp or lantern
EP2338732A1 (en) * 2009-12-16 2011-06-29 Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH Motor vehicle lighting device with a light guide and light sources of different colours
WO2014041081A1 (en) * 2012-09-14 2014-03-20 Thales Deutschland Gmbh Optical system for use in a traffic light luminaire

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE7709150L (en) 1978-03-29
FR2365814A1 (en) 1978-04-21
DK387677A (en) 1978-03-29
DE7630251U1 (en) 1977-01-20
CH617627A5 (en) 1980-06-13

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