JPH11232915A - Light energy carrying method and its carrying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently receive light energy of sunlight, carry light energy efficiently using a flexible and branchable light guide path, and utilize the carried light energy as lighting suitable for the various purpose lighting, such as spot-like lighting or diffused light indoors. SOLUTION: Revolving sunlight S is converged as following its irradiation direction, the converged sunlight S is incident on a light guide path 4 such as optical fiber 3 or the like, the sunlight S is carried to a required position via the light guide path 4, the carried sunlight 4 is irradiated on a required object M so as to utilize as illumination. Based on the rotation velocity of the earth and the tilt of the earth against the revolution orbit face, the sunlight is converged as following the irradiating direction of the sunlight.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for receiving sunlight outdoors and transporting the received sunlight to a desired position indoors through a light guide path such as an optical fiber to illuminate an indoor vegetable garden or indoor work place. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transporting light energy which can be used for drying or heating by infrared rays, and sterilization and tanning effects by ultraviolet rays.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, as a daylighting method for taking sunlight into a room during the daytime, there has generally been a method of transmitting sunlight through a glass window. In the room facing the north side, the glass window of the room alone is not enough, so there was a method of taking in sunlight through a skylight provided on the roof. However, such a lighting method has difficulty in lighting a room on the first floor of a two-story house. On the other hand, even in a room where the sunlight can be directly taken in from the glass window of the room facing the south side, the sunlight may not reach the interior of the room sufficiently.

Recently, a solar lighting system as shown in FIG. 25 has been proposed. This solar lighting system sends sunlight S to a basement room 51, a north side room 52, a sun room 53, an atrium space 54, and the like.
1 is a system for sending. In addition, since the sunlight S moves with time due to the operation of the sun, the sunlight S cannot be constantly reflected by the fixed reflecting mirror. Then, as shown in FIG. 26, the lighting unit 61 rotates the reflecting mirror 62 about the vertical axis 63 and the horizontal axis 64 as a rotation center in order to direct the reflecting mirror 62 in the irradiation direction of the sunlight S. In conjunction with a sensor (not shown) so as to follow S, the position of the reflecting mirror 62 can be changed so that the reflected light can be applied to the position to be always irradiated to the maximum. .

On the other hand, optical fibers have long been used for optical communication for a long time, but there have been few cases where such optical fibers have been used for the purpose of transporting sunlight energy. In addition, for the purpose of transporting normal lighting light, there have been some cases where the light is used for illumination of a gastroscope. As described above, when an optical fiber is used for illumination, a bundle optical fiber in which many optical fibers are bundled is often used. In addition, the bundled optical fiber may be used not only for illumination but also for transmitting an image itself.

[0005]

As described above, the direction of arrival of sunlight includes a daily change due to the rotation of the earth and a year change due to the revolution of the earth. There is a method for collecting sunlight accurately by condensing sunlight with a parabolic reflector such as a parabolic antenna and formed in a substantially bowl-like shape, and making the sunlight incident on an optical fiber with a condenser lens. Since the irradiation direction of sunlight changes with time, it was necessary to make the direction of the parabolic reflector follow the irradiation direction of sunlight. However, the device for making the parabolic reflector follow the direction of irradiation of sunlight has a problem that its structure is complicated and its cost is high, so that it is not practical.

Further, the conventional daylighting system is a method of reflecting the sunlight S received by the reflector 62 of the daylighting unit 61 to a desired indoor position as it is.
Is always mounted near the glass window and can be easily lit when the sun is high. However, in the early morning or evening, the north side room 52 cannot be lit,
There was a problem that it was not possible to efficiently reflect the collected sunlight indoors.

Furthermore, there has been no method or apparatus for transporting sunlight and irradiating a desired position indoors with an optical fiber, which has been used only for illumination of a gastroscope camera in the past. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and efficiently receives light energy of sunlight, and efficiently converts light energy using a light guide path that can be easily bent and branched. A method and apparatus for transporting light energy that can be used for various purposes such as spotlighting and diffused light illumination indoors while transporting the transported light energy. It is the purpose.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a method for transporting light energy according to the present invention condenses running sunlight while following the irradiation direction of the light. Is incident on a light guide path, transports sunlight to a desired position through the light guide path, and irradiates the transported sunlight to a desired object.

[0010] In addition, sunlight is condensed while following the irradiation direction of sunlight based on the rotation speed of the earth and the inclination of the earth with respect to the orbit of the orbit.

According to the above-described method for transporting light energy, the running sun can be accurately and efficiently condensed while following the irradiation direction. The collected sunlight enters the light guide path and can be easily transported to a desired position, and the sunlight can be illuminated on a desired object in an appropriate illumination range such as a narrow range to a wide range. . In particular, since sunlight is transmitted through the light guide path and transported, not only visible light but also specific wavelengths such as infrared rays and ultraviolet rays can be selectively emitted using a prism or the like to irradiate an object. It is possible.

The light energy transport device according to the present invention comprises:
A light energy transport device comprising: a light collecting means for collecting the running sunlight; a light guide path for transporting the sunlight from the light collecting means; and an irradiation means for irradiating the transported sunlight to a desired object. The condensing means condenses the sunlight at the focal position of the reflector and controls the movement while following the irradiation direction of the sunlight. The light guide path is condensed by the condensing means. The incident light is transmitted and the sunlight is transported, and the irradiating means illuminates an object that has emitted the sunlight from the end of the light guide path. is there.

The condensing means controls the parabolic reflector by a rotating mechanism / control unit so as to follow the irradiation direction of sunlight based on numerical values relating to the rotation speed of the earth and the inclination of the earth with respect to the orbit of the earth. The horizontal angle and the elevation angle can be configured to be movable. Further, the light guide path is an optical fiber or a metal pipe formed of a core and a clad surrounding the core and filled with a translucent material serving as a core material, and further provided with a branch portion in the light guide path. Can be.

According to the above-mentioned light energy transport device, the light condensing means irradiates the sunlight which travels by the change in the day due to the rotation speed of the earth and the year due to the inclination with respect to the orbital plane of the earth in the irradiation direction. Light can be collected accurately and efficiently while following light. Therefore, no matter where the optical energy transport device is installed on the earth, it is possible to efficiently collect sunlight regardless of the installation location and changes in the four seasons. In addition, since the light guide path made of an optical fiber or the like can be bent as appropriate, the sunlight condensed by the light condensing means can be incident, and can be arranged at a desired position, and can be arranged at the desired position. The sunlight can be easily transported. Further, by providing the branching part in the middle of the light guide path, it is possible to connect a plurality of illumination means to one condensing means and illuminate a plurality of places at the same time.

The visible light of sunlight transported in this manner is used to illuminate an indoor vegetable garden or indoor workplace, the infrared light is used for drying or heating, or the ultraviolet light is used for desired light energy such as sterilization and tanning effects. can do.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a method and apparatus for transporting light energy according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an overall configuration of a light energy transport method according to the present invention. In the method for transporting light energy according to the present invention, first, sunlight S falling from the sun is received and condensed by condensing means 2 such as a parabolic reflector 1, and is incident on a light guide path 4 such as an optical fiber 3.
Next, the incident sunlight S is propagated through the light guide path 4 and transported to a desired position.
It is a method of irradiating the light. The condensing means 2 composed of the parabolic reflector 1 is usually installed on the roof of a house, but may be installed on the roof of a building or a garden if desired.

This method of transporting light energy is based on the rotation speed of the earth and the inclination of the orbital plane of the earth as shown in FIG. 3 (for example, the inclination of 23 ° 27 ′ with respect to the rotation axis PP ′). This is characterized in that the irradiation direction of the sunlight S is accurately detected, and a high amount of sunlight S enters the light guide path 4 and is transported. That is, in the present invention, the irradiation direction of the sunlight S is changed from the “sunrise” time of the sun to the “sunset” time and the summer solstice as shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG.
A computer calculates in advance based on numerical data such as the inclination of the sun such as the winter solstice, and from this calculation result, both the horizontal angle and the elevation angle of the parabolic reflector 1 are movably controlled. Since the change in the inclination of the earth relative to the orbital plane is small, the incident lens system of the light condensing means 2 is devised as described later without performing the orbital movable control.
It is also possible to configure so that the angle of the parabolic reflector 1 can be movably controlled only with respect to the rotation speed of the earth.

On the other hand, as a method of controlling the angle of the parabolic reflector 1, a part of the light incident on the light guide path 4 is monitored,
There is also a method of controlling the angle of the parabolic reflector 1 so that the amount of incident light becomes maximum. That is, the amount of light incident on the light guide path 4 from the parabolic reflector 1 is monitored by the optical fiber propagation light monitor 6, and when the amount of light is always the maximum value, the parabolic reflector 1 Means that the irradiation direction is properly followed. However, when the light amount value decreases, it means that the parabolic reflector 1 has deviated from an appropriate direction.
There is also a method of movably controlling the rotation mechanism / control unit 7 so as to perform movably control to an angle at which the light amount becomes a maximum value.

As shown in FIG. 2, the irradiating means 5 illuminates the room with an illuminator 9 installed at an arbitrary place in the building, such as a basement room 51, a room 52 on the north side, or a solarium 53 of a house. . Further, by using the irradiator 9 having various structures, it is possible to irradiate the transported sunlight S to a desired object M to an appropriate illumination area such as a narrow range to a wide range.
In particular, since the present invention is a method of transmitting and transmitting sunlight S through the light guide path 4, not only visible light but also sunlight or infrared rays such as infrared rays or ultraviolet rays by using a prism (not shown) or the like. Can be selectively emitted from the irradiator 9 to irradiate the object M.

FIG. 5 shows the overall configuration of the light energy transport device according to the present invention. The condensing means 2 constituting the light energy transport device according to the present invention has a parabolic reflecting mirror 1 having a substantially bowl shape fixed on an upper portion of a support shaft 10, and a lower portion of the support shaft 10 is provided with a rotating mechanism and control. It is connected to the unit 7. The condensing means 2 receives and condenses the sunlight S with the parabolic reflector 1, and impinges the sunlight S on the light guide path 4 such as the optical fiber 3. This incident light propagates through the light guide path 4 and is transported. The transported sunlight S is used for illuminating the room by the irradiating means 5 such as the irradiator 9.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the structure of a rotating mechanism and control section for controlling the angle of a parabolic reflector constituting the light condensing means. The parabolic reflector 1, as shown in FIG. 6, is directed to the direction of irradiation of the sunlight S of the operating sun, from the "sunrise" time of the sun to the "sunset" time and the inclination of the sun such as summer solstice and winter solstice. Is calculated in advance by a computer, and based on the calculation result, both the horizontal angle (in the direction of arrow AA ′) and the elevation angle (in the direction of arrow BB ′) of the parabolic reflector 1 are calculated. The angle is controlled by the rotation mechanism / control section 7 as shown in FIG. The earth rotation motor 11 in the rotation mechanism / control unit 7 rotates the support shaft 10 of the parabolic reflector 1 at a horizontal angle (in the direction of the arrow AA ') from sunrise time to daytime and sunset time. It is to let. The earth rotation motor 11 rotates the support shaft 10 of the parabolic reflector 1 by means of a gear via an earth rotation shaft 12. At the same time, the rotation axis 12 for the earth rotation is rotated together with the motor 11 for the earth rotation by the motor 14 for the earth rotation via the rotation axis 13 for the revolution and the elevation angle of the parabolic reflector 1 (arrow B).
-B 'direction) is controlled so as to match the inclination of the orbital surface.

The sunlight S incident on the optical fiber 3
Can be monitored by the optical fiber propagation light monitor unit 6 and both the earth rotation motor 11 and the earth revolution motor 14 are controlled so that the amount of incident light becomes maximum. When the optical fiber propagation light monitoring unit 6 monitors that the light amount value has decreased, the earth rotation motor 11 or the earth revolution motor 14 or both are driven in order to correct the movement of the parabolic reflector 1 in an appropriate direction. By controlling, the parabolic reflector 1 is controlled so as to be directed to an appropriate irradiation direction of the sunlight S.

Since the change in the angle of arrival of the sunlight S due to the revolution of the earth is smaller than that caused by the rotation of the earth, the rotation mechanism is not automatically controlled with respect to the revolution. It can also be controlled manually. Furthermore,
As shown in FIG. 7, a structure in which the rotation speed of the parabolic reflector 1 with respect to the rotation speed is performed by a general timepiece by removing the rotation mechanism for the revolution is also possible. Such a structure has a drawback that the amount of incident sunlight S is reduced, but has a feature that the structure is simple and economical.

FIG. 8 to FIG. 10 show a parabolic reflector constituting the light condensing means. As shown in FIG. 8, the condensing means 2 receives the sunlight S arriving on the earth as a parallel light beam by the parabolic reflector 1, reflects it, concentrates it at one point at the focal point C, and focuses it on the incident lens 15. It is configured so that the light beam is again converted into a parallel light beam and then enters the optical fiber 3. The parabolic reflector 1 accurately captures the irradiation direction of sunlight S, which changes depending on the rotation speed of the earth and the inclination of the orbital surface, together with the incident lens 15 and the optical fiber 3 by the rotation mechanism / controller 7 described above. The direction is movably controlled.

In particular, as the incident lens 15, as shown in FIG. 9, a spherical lens 16 in which the incident end face 3a of the optical fiber 3 is processed into a lens shape is used. Can be configured. With such a configuration, there is a feature that the configuration of the optical system is simplified, economical, and reliability is improved. Also in the embodiment of the present invention, since the optical fiber 3 is arranged in front of the parabolic reflector 1, it can be easily moved with the rotation of the parabolic reflector 1.

In order to protect the moving portion of the optical fiber 3 and improve the appearance, as shown in FIG.
The condensing means 2 may be configured so that the sunlight S reflected by the parabolic reflector 1 is reflected again by the second reflector 17 and enters the spherical fiber 16. By passing the spherical fiber 16 through the support shaft 10 of the parabolic reflector 1, the fiber 16 can be directly taken into the rotation mechanism / control unit 7, so that the configuration of the entire optical system can be simplified and the appearance can be improved. There are features.

As shown in FIG. 5, the power of the entire control system such as the rotation mechanism / control section 7 can use the solar power generated by the solar panel 18. For example, the rotation mechanism / control unit 7 of the parabolic reflector 1 can be driven by the electric energy generated by the solar power generation panel 18. Similarly, it is needless to say that the power can be used for the power of the optical fiber propagation light monitor 6. In this way, the entire light energy transport device can be driven only by the energy of sunlight, so that it becomes an extremely clean energy source.

FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b) to 14 (a),
(B) shows a light guide path for transporting sunlight. In general, optical fibers for optical communication are required to have low loss and broadband, so quartz glass is used as the material, and a single mode optical fiber that propagates only one transmission mode is used. . On the other hand, the light guide path 4 according to the present invention
Since the optical fiber 3 is intended to propagate light energy for transporting the sunlight S, an optical fiber having a large incident angle is optimal because a large number of modes may be propagated. Therefore, the optical fiber 3 according to the present invention
As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, it is desirable that the refractive index difference between the core 19 through which light propagates and the cladding 20 surrounding the core 19 is as large as possible. Is required. Further, considering the easiness of laying indoors and the workability of the end portion of the optical fiber 3, the plastic optical fiber 3 is optimal. The plastic optical fiber 3 has a wavelength of 1.5 μm for optical communication.
In the case of m, the loss was large and was unsuitable, but in the case of 0.3 to 0.7 μm, which is the wavelength of sunlight, an experimental result was obtained that the loss was small enough to withstand practical use.

FIG. 12 shows an optical fiber 3 according to the present invention.
As shown in (a) and (b), a plastic optical fiber 3 using a foamed plastic 22 for a clad 21 can be used. The foam plastic 22
Since the relative refractive index can be made close to 1, and the relative refractive index with the core 19 can be made extremely large, the angle of incidence on the optical fiber 3 can be increased, and the requirement for the low loss property of the cladding 21 is relaxed. There is a feature that can be. Furthermore, since the foamed plastic 22 is excellent in flexibility, the core diameter can be increased, and great benefits can be obtained in terms of the accuracy of the rotation mechanism / control unit 7 of the parabolic reflector 1 and the propagable light energy. .

When an incident angle larger than that of the foamed plastic optical fiber 3 is required, as shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b), the outer periphery of a plastic core 19 is directly coated with a metal 23 to form a metal. Clad 23
May be used.

As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, a metal pipe 24 whose inner surface is mirror-finished is introduced without using a plastic core 19 like a plastic optical fiber 3. It is also possible to use it as the optical path 4. In the case where the metal pipe 24 is the light guide path 4, the sunlight S propagates in the air, so that all the wavelengths from infrared to ultraviolet can be conducted. Therefore, it has extremely excellent characteristics as a medium for transmitting the sunlight S.

FIGS. 15 to 18 show an irradiating means for irradiating the object with the transported sunlight. The irradiating means 5 according to the present invention comprises an emission end face 3 of an optical fiber 3 serving as a light guide path 4.
The lens 25 and the like are configured in b. The simplest method of irradiating the target object M with the sunlight S propagating through the optical fiber 3 is, as shown in FIG.
Is to directly irradiate the radiation light emitted from the emission end face 3b. In that case, in order to irradiate the spot,
The spot diameter can also be adjusted by processing the emission end face 3b of the optical fiber 3 into a lens shape. In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the spot diameter may be arbitrarily adjusted by passing the light emitted from the emission end face 3b of the optical fiber 3 through the lens 25.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17, when it is desired to irradiate not a strong spot-like light but a softer light,
There is also a means for etching the emission end face 3b of the optical fiber 3 into a frosted glass shape, or for diffusing light directly through the frosted glass 26.

In addition to the method of directly emitting light from the output end face 3b of the optical fiber 3, as shown in FIG. 18, the output end face 3b is cut obliquely, and a light reflecting film 27 is attached to the cut face to connect the optical fiber 3. There is also a method in which the transmitted sunlight S is reflected by the emission end face 3b and emitted from the side face of the core 19. This method has a feature that the core 19 itself can be used as a lens, and the emission angle can be largely changed by adjusting the angle of the emission end face 3b.

FIG. 19 shows the overall configuration of a light energy transport device provided with a branch portion in the light guide path. When it is desired to irradiate not only one place but also a plurality of places with the propagation light from the optical fiber 3, the optical fiber 3 is provided with a branch portion 28. As shown in FIG. 20, the branch portion 28 is formed of an optical fiber 3 made of foamed plastic, a light guide path 3 such as a metal pipe 24, or the like.
In most cases, the half mirror 29 is inserted into the core 19 in a state of being inclined with respect to the axial direction and branched.

As shown in FIG. 21, there is also a means for adhering a substance 30 larger than the refractive index of the clad 20 and smaller than the refractive index of the core 19 to the outer periphery of the core 19 and taking out the substance 30 to the outside. As shown in FIG. 22, the optical fiber 3 is
There is also a branching unit utilizing the characteristic that light propagating through the bent core 19 is emitted to the outside. That is, the solar light S can be emitted from the clad 20 outside the bent optical fiber 3. Further, as shown in FIG. 23, the end face of the core 19 is directly processed to form the branch fiber 31.
There is also a means for attaching the branch fiber 31 and pulling the branch fiber 31 to a target place. In the case of the light guide path 4 composed of the metal pipe 24, as shown in FIG. 24, the sunlight S can be emitted to the outside simply by opening the through hole 32 in the pipe portion.

The method and apparatus for transporting light energy according to the present invention are described as an embodiment of the present invention incorporated in a dwelling and used simply as visible light for indoor lighting. Since the sunlight S is transmitted through the light guide path 4, not only this visible light but also a specific wavelength such as infrared light or ultraviolet light is selectively emitted from the irradiator 9 using a prism or the like, and the object is emitted. It is also possible to irradiate M. Of course, infrared light can be used selectively for drying or heating, and ultraviolet light can be used selectively for desired light energy such as sterilization and tanning effects.

[0038]

The method for transporting light energy according to the present invention is configured as described above, so that the operating sun can be accurately and efficiently condensed while following its irradiation direction. In addition to being able to enter the light guide path and be easily transported to a desired position, the sunlight can be illuminated on a desired object in an appropriate illumination range such as a narrow range to a wide range.

According to the light energy transport device,
The light condensing means can accurately and efficiently converge the running sunlight by following the irradiation direction by changing the day due to the rotation speed of the earth and changing the year due to the inclination of the orbit of the earth. Therefore, no matter where the optical energy transport device is installed on the earth, the solar energy can be efficiently condensed regardless of the installation location and changes in the four seasons. In addition, since the light guide path can be bent as appropriate, the sunlight can be provided to a desired position, and the sunlight can be easily transported to that location. Further, by providing the branching part in the middle of the light guide path, it is possible to connect to a plurality of lighting means by one light collecting means and illuminate a plurality of places at the same time.

The visible light of the transported sunlight is used to illuminate the indoor vegetable garden or indoor workplace, and the infrared light is used for drying or heating.
Alternatively, the effect obtained by the present invention is extremely large, for example, ultraviolet light can easily and selectively utilize desired light energy such as sterilization and tanning effects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a light energy transport method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a house in which the method for transporting light energy according to the present invention is performed.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the revolution of the earth and the sun.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a parabolic reflector constituting a light collecting means follows the operation of the sun.

FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a light energy transport device according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory plan view showing a rotation mechanism / control unit for movably controlling the angle of the parabolic reflector based on the rotation and revolution of the earth.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory plan view showing a rotation mechanism / control unit for movably controlling the angle of the parabolic reflector based on only the rotation of the earth.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the light collecting means used in the light energy transport device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory sectional view showing another embodiment of the light condensing means used in the light energy transport device.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory sectional view showing another embodiment of the light condensing means used in the light energy transport device.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are an enlarged transverse sectional view (a) and an enlarged side sectional view (b) showing an embodiment of the optical fiber invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view (a) and an enlarged side cross-sectional view (b) showing another embodiment of the optical fiber made of foamed plastic.

13A and 13B are an enlarged transverse sectional view (a) and an enlarged side sectional view (b) showing an embodiment of the invention of an optical fiber made of a metal clad material.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view (a) and an enlarged side cross-sectional view (b) showing an embodiment of the invention of a light guide path made of a metal pipe.
It is.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory enlarged sectional view showing an embodiment of the invention of the irradiation means.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory enlarged sectional view showing another embodiment of the irradiation means in which a lens is attached to an emission end face of an optical fiber.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory enlarged cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the irradiation means in which frosted glass is attached to the emission end face of the optical fiber.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory enlarged cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the irradiating means in which a light reflecting film is attached to a cut surface obtained by diagonally cutting an optical fiber.

FIG. 19 is an overall configuration diagram of a light energy transport device showing a state where illuminators are arranged at two places in a house using branching portions in a light guide path.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory enlarged cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the invention of a branch portion using an inclined half mirror.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged enlarged cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the branch portion in which a substance larger than the refractive index of the clad and smaller than the refractive index of the core is attached to the outer periphery of the core of the optical fiber.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged explanatory sectional view showing another embodiment of the invention in which the branch portion is formed by bending an optical fiber.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the invention in which a branch fiber is attached to an end face of a core.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the invention in which a branch portion having a through hole opened in a pipe portion of a light guide path made of a metal pipe.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of a conventional solar lighting system.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a lighting unit used in a conventional sunlight lighting system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Parabolic reflector 2 Condensing means 3 Optical fiber 3a Incident end face 3b Outgoing end face 4 Light guide path 5 Irradiation means 7 Rotation mechanism / control unit 9 Irradiator 10 Support shaft 11 Earth rotation motor 14 Earth revolution motor 19 Core 20 Clad 24 Metal pipe 28 Branch 29 Half mirror 31 Branch fiber S Sunlight M Object

Claims (7)

[Claims] The present invention condenses running sunlight while following its irradiation direction, enters the collected sunlight into a light guide path, and transports the sunlight to a desired position via the light guide path. A method for transporting light energy, comprising irradiating the transported sunlight to a desired object. 2. The light energy transport method according to claim 1, wherein the light is condensed while following the irradiation direction of sunlight based on the rotation speed of the earth and the inclination of the earth with respect to the orbit of the earth. 3. A condensing means for condensing the running sunlight,
A light energy transport device comprising: a light guide path for transporting sunlight from the light condensing means; and an irradiating means for irradiating the transported sunlight to a desired object, wherein the light condensing means has a focal position of a reflecting mirror. While concentrating the sunlight, and movably controlling while following the irradiation direction of the sunlight. The light guide path receives the sunlight condensed by the condensing means, and An apparatus for transporting light energy, wherein the irradiating means emits sunlight from an end of the light guide path to illuminate an object. 4. A rotating mechanism / control unit for controlling the parabolic reflector so that the condensing means follows the direction of irradiation of sunlight based on numerical values relating to the rotation speed of the earth and the inclination of the earth with respect to the orbit of the earth. 4. The light energy transport device according to claim 3, wherein the horizontal direction angle and the elevation angle are movably controlled by the control unit. 5. The optical energy transport device according to claim 1, wherein said light guide path is an optical fiber comprising a core and a clad surrounding said core. 6. The light guide path according to claim 1, wherein a light transmitting material is filled in a metal pipe.
A device for transporting 2, 3 or 4 light energies. 7. The optical energy transport device according to claim 1, wherein a branch portion is provided in the light guide path.