KR20050100688A - Light guide system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a light guide system (1) comprising a hollow light guide (2) and a light source (3) positioned to direct light into the light guide (2) from one end (4), the light guide (2) having light-guiding walls that cause the light to travel in the space within the light guide (2) towards the other end (5) thereof; and, in the space within the light guide (2), at least one light- extracting element (650, 660) having at least one curved surface that functions as a non-transmissive specular or narrow- or wide-scattering reflector, the curved reflecting surface(s) being shaped so that light from the source that is reflected therefrom will inpinge on a light- guiding wall of the light guide (2) at such an angle as to emerge from the light guide (2).

Description

Light guidance system {LIGHT GUIDE SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to a light guide system, and more particularly to a hollow light guide system having a specific extraction mechanism.

The light guidance system is known and comprises a tubular hollow consisting essentially of an internally reflective internal surface (see US Pat. No. 4,260,220). The light entering the hollow light guidance system at the first end is a series of continuous The reflection propagates within the tubular structure and arrives at the other end.

Particularly effective are hollow light guiding systems obtained using an overall reflective film (or TIR film, Total Internal Reflection).

Such TIR films are, for example, trademarked 3M Optical Lighting Films, the properties of TIR films available from 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn., USA, as disclosed in EP 0 225 123, which details their properties. It is. These are in the form of flexible sheets or webs having surfaces having a series of parallel micro-structures of essentially triangular cross-section, referred to as micro-prisms in the following, such films can be formed into tubes, which micro-prisms Axially oriented and facing outward with respect to the tube to produce an effective light guiding system as described, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,805,984.

Suitable elements, referred to as light extractors, can be inserted into or applied to the hollow light guiding system to controllably diffuse some of the light propagating within the light guide so that a portion of the light beam is deflected and emitted from the light guide. At an angle to the wall of the light guide system. Light emitted through the wall of the light guide system can be more uniformly dispersed, ie, the light guide can achieve a relatively uniform overall appearance when irradiated.

For example, WO 02/23084 includes useful surfaces-that is, surfaces facing the emission surface of a light guiding lamp in the use of a light extractor-with some dispersion of this diffusion point and complementary dispersion of reflection points. A light extractor for a light guide lamp is disclosed. The light guide lamp is in particular of rectangular cross section and the extractor is essentially flat adjacent to the wall of the light guide.

EP 1 180 640 discloses a light extractor for a light guide lamp having a diffusing surface and coaxially inserted into the light guide of the light guide lamp, the diffusion surface being at least partially inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, Emitted from the light inlet. The inclination of the extractor with respect to the longitudinal axis follows a log, parabolic, elliptical or circular curve.

U. S. Patent No. 6,285, 814 discloses an extractor element in the form of a diffuse reflective material fixed to an inner surface of an optically irradiating film forming a light guide or in the form of a detachable element extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of the housing for scattering light. Disclosed is a light guide irradiation apparatus that may include. In this document, when the latter type of extractor element is used, the radial dimension (i.e., height) or width of the extractor element is determined by the fact that the light amount inside the light guide varies as a function of the distance along the irradiation mechanism. It is taught that it can vary as a function of distance along the irradiation instrument to produce a properly uniform light output along the length.

U.S. Patent 4,615,579 discloses an irradiating device for a prism light guiding system, which is planar at the end of the irradiating device so as to reach the end of the convex mirror or, more generally, the light reflecting device, and at the same time increase the divergence angle. It teaches that the brightness of the light released along the length of the irradiation mechanism is constant by employing a mirror that is not perpendicular to the axis.

US Pat. No. 4,850,665 relates to a method and apparatus for controlled emission of light from a light guide, the object of which is to select an angular orientation selected for the guide so as to obtain an optimal coefficient of minimum glare for internal irradiation applications and the given surface of the guide. Light leakage from the guide in a selected region (continuously opposed along the length of). U.S. Patent 4,850,665 relates to a light guide system having a planar interior and an outer surface that is "octature", in particular light at an angle of 90 degrees to the interior plane of the guide section through which the leaked light is refracted. A preferred case of leaking out of a guide. U.S. Patent 4,850,665 discloses that (i) some of the light passes undamped for processing in the area along the light guide, and (ii) the remaining light is reflected toward the selected light guide wall section, refracting through the wall. When used, the use of planar light reflecting elements precisely positioned within the light guides is described such that light leaks from the guides in an angular orientation selected for the guides. As described, the light is emitted from the light guide as a virtual collimated beam that produces a relatively local irradiation on the surface to be irradiated.

1 is a perspective view of a unidirectional light guiding system according to the invention.

2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a bidirectional light guiding system according to the present invention.

3 and 4 show two embodiments of a light guidance system according to the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates polar dispersion of light at two different locations along a light guidance system according to the present invention. FIG.

Fig. 6 is a schematic front view showing the extractor of the extraction mechanism for the light guide system according to the present invention.

7 is a side view of the extractor of FIG. 6 taken from the left side of the vertical intermediate plane.

8 is a bottom view of the extractor of FIG.

9 is a front view of the extractor of FIG.

Fig. 10 shows how two curved surfaces of the extractor of Fig. 6 were obtained.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the extractor of FIG. 6 showing how light is thereby reflected. FIG.

12 is a cross-sectional view of the extractor of FIG. 6 showing the area irradiated thereby.

Figure 13 is a rear perspective view of the extractor of Figure 6;

14A-14F show how another extractor of the light extraction mechanism according to the present invention was obtained from the extractor of FIG.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an extraction mechanism according to the present invention.

The light guide has an improved light extraction mechanism and allows for more precise control of the illumination provided by the light guide system and greater light extraction effect.

In the light guidance system, the present invention reduces the number of insufficient reflections that light undergoes in the light guide before extraction and produces a desired irradiation pattern at the surface to be irradiated instead of producing uniform illumination of the surface of the light guide. It is based on the realization of a goal that can be achieved by having a light extractor element configured to

The present invention includes a hollow light guide portion and a light source positioned to direct light from one end to the light guide portion, wherein the light guide portion includes a light guide wall for moving the light in the direction of the other end in the space within the light guide portion. Wherein at least one light extraction element in space within the light guide has at least one curved surface that functions as a non-transparent specular or narrow or wide scatter reflecting reflector, from which the curved reflective surface is A light guide system is provided that is shaped such that light from the reflected light source impinges on the light guide wall of the light guide at an angle and emerges from the light guide.

In the light guiding system according to the invention, the shape of the curved light-reflective surface is selected to ensure that incident light thereon is extracted and does not remain in the light guide as far as possible.

Preferably, there is a plurality of light extraction elements located in the space within the light guide and spaced apart from each other along the length of the guide, each light extraction element having at least one functioning as a non-transparent specular or narrow or wide scatter scattering reflector. It has a curved light reflecting surface, and the curved reflecting surface is shaped so that light from the light source reflected therefrom impinges on the light guide wall of the light guide portion at an angle and appears from the light guide portion.

The selection of the number, shape and location of the curved light reflecting surfaces of each light extraction element allows the light guiding system to produce the desired irradiation pattern at the surface to be irradiated. In particular, each light extraction element is irradiated to be placed outside of the "footprint" of the extraction element on the surface (i.e. the projection of the extraction element on the surface along a line lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the light guide). Light may be directed to an area of the surface such that, for example, a series of spaced light extraction elements may provide continuous uniform illumination of the surface along the length of the light guiding system even in the area between the extraction elements.

At least a portion of each curved reflective surface is shaped and / or positioned to receive light directly from the light source.

In addition, the at least one curved reflecting surface is shaped and / or positioned to further receive light following reflection from the wall of the light guide.

In an embodiment, the light extraction elements comprise at least two curved reflective surfaces that are mirror images of one another, and the junction between the two faces lying in the plane comprises the longitudinal axis of the light guide.

Preferably, the light extraction elements are spaced apart non-incrementally in a direction away from the light source from each other along the length of the guide.

Or alternatively, the light extracting element has an unreduced magnitude in a direction away from the light source in the cross section of the light guide.

Preferably said / each curved reflecting surface is asymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the light guide.

The / each curved reflective surface may generally be concave in the direction facing the light source.

The / each curved reflective surface may be part of a three-dimensional surface obtained by rotation of a logarithmus or two-dimensional curve about its axis.

In a preferred embodiment, the / each curved reflective surface is part of a three-dimensional surface obtained by the rotation of a parabola about its axis.

The axis of said / each curved reflecting surface is preferably parallel to the axis of light guide system, spaced towards the surface to be irradiated by the light guide.

In one embodiment, the / each light extraction element comprises a plurality of pairs of light reflecting surfaces, the junction between the pairs lying in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the light guide and parallel to the surface to be irradiated by the light guide Do.

In this case, the axis of the pair of light reflecting surfaces is perpendicular to the surface to be irradiated by the light guide at a distance displaced outwardly from the plane passing through the axis of the light guide and decreasing to the surface to be irradiated, and the axes of the same pair of light reflecting surfaces are planar Are displaced by the same distance on both sides of.

Also, the axes of the pair of light reflecting surfaces are parallel to the surface to be irradiated by the light guides at a distance that is displaced from the plane passing through the axis of the light guides and increases toward the surface to be irradiated, and the axes of the same pair of light reflecting surfaces are said planes. From the same distance from the.

In addition, the focusing length of the pair of light reflecting surfaces decreases towards the surface to be irradiated by the light guide portion.

Each light reflecting surface is taken as the non-centre portion of half of the three-dimensional surface resulting from the rotation of the parabola opposite the surface to be irradiated.

In one embodiment, the / each light extraction element is located on one side thereof adjacent the wall of the light guide and directs light out of the light guide on the other side.

Typically, the light guide wall of the / each light guide comprises a prism film arranged such that the prism extends in the longitudinal direction of the guide.

Also, typically, the light guide system is cylindrical.

Preferably, when a single discontinuous beam has a cross section extending transversely to the length of the guide, light from the light source reflected from the / each light extracting element appears from the light guide.

In particular, the single discontinuous beam is a conical beam having an elliptical cross section, the major axis extending transverse to the length of the light guide.

The light guiding system comprises a surface positioned to be irradiated by light from the light guide, wherein at the surface to be irradiated, the cross section of the beam of light that emerges from the light guide by the / each extraction element is in the longitudinal direction of the light guide Extends a greater distance than each extraction element.

Preferably the cross section of the beam of light extends a greater distance than each extraction element in the direction transverse to the length of the light guide.

The light guide system includes a surface positioned to irradiate with light from the light guide, and the light extraction element can be arranged such that the irradiation of the surface is relatively uniform in the longitudinal direction of the light guide.

The features and advantages of the invention will be described with reference to the embodiments shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a cylindrical light guide 1 according to the invention arranged horizontally to irradiate a plane (irradiation surface) below and under a light guide such as a building, desk, table, work surface, etc. do.

However, it can be seen from the following description that the light guiding system according to the invention can be used vertically arranged to irradiate a plane such as a pair of adjacent walls of a building or a wall of a building. Thus, as with surfaces such as "horizontal midplane", "vertical midplane", etc., the criteria for such horizontal placement are not limited. It will be appreciated from the following description that the present invention is not limited to a cylindrical light guide system, but can be extended to a system employing, for example, a light guide having a rectangular cross section and a light guide along a curved path. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to systems in which the distance between the light guide and the surface to be irradiated is kept constant along the length of the light guide.

The light guiding system 1 of FIG. 1 is a light source assembly 3 and hollow light guiding suitable for directing light into the hollow light guide 2 from a first (or light entry) end, generally and in accordance with known methods. Part 2 is included. The light guide 2 has a tubular and sufficient rigid structure with walls forcing and directing a portion of the light to move in space within the light guide 2 from the light entry end 4 towards the second end 5. Include. In general, a light extraction mechanism, which will be described in more detail below and indicated by 6, is provided in the light guide 2 to controllably increase the amount of light allowed to be emitted along the light guide 2. Thus, the non-directional light guide 1 can transmit light from the first end 4 to the second end 5 while irradiating an outer surface parallel to the light guide 2.

The main advantage of a light guiding system, such as system 1, is that the actual light source and its electrical connections can be located in the assembly 3, and the irradiation can extend several meters or even more than 40 meters. The repair and cooling of the light source assembly 3 is easy, in particular a great advantage for road illumination. In addition, the length of the light guide emitting the cool light may be useful, for example, for works of art and jewelry, and requires a large amount of light with typical irradiation, such as theaters, TV and cinemas, manufacturing lines, and the like. The work located here becomes very hot.

In the case of the bidirectional light guiding system 1a as schematically shown in FIG. 2, two light source assemblies 3, 3a are provided, one at each end 4, 4a of the hollow light guide 2. Each of which is suitable for directing light from each end 4, 4a to the light guide 2. The bidirectional light guiding system 1a comprises two ratios arranged in a mirror manner to guide light from each light source assembly 3, 3a approximately half the length of the light guide 2, shown in FIG. 2. Corresponds effectively to the directional light guiding system 1. Such bidirectional light guides are suitable for irradiation over very long distances.

In particular, the light guide 2 is internally integrated with Total Internal Reflection or TIR film 8 which is a polymer sheet of optically clean material such as acrylic plastic having a soft side and a micro structured side on the opposite side. It is typically made of a rigid tubular material 7 which is coated with, for example, a polycarbonate cylinder. The microstructured surface includes parallel prism arrays or microprisms arranged side by side with a size on the order of micrometers. The micro prisms are typically rectangular prisms and the vertical sides can be at an angle of approximately 45 ° to the tangent of the smooth side of the film.

The TIR film 8 has its smooth side adjoined inwardly of the light guide 2 and its micro-prism is adjacent to the outward of the light guide 2, ie the longitudinal axis A of the light guide 2. Are arranged parallel to. As is known, light from the assembly 3 impinging the inner surface of the light guide 2 can be reflected back to the light guide depending on the angle of incidence or through the film 8 and the tubular material 7. It is possible to escape from the light guide.

Among the known TIR films, a film that is particularly suitable for light guides is that sold by St. Paul 3M Company, Minnesota, USA, under the trade name of 3M Optical Lighting Film 901.

The cover 13 extends around the TIR film 8 at the wall of the light guide 2 and not where light is emitted from the light guide 2 so that the light emitting window 14 (see part 14 in FIG. 1) To qualify. It can be seen from the description below that the cover 13 is not an essential component of the light guiding system and is provided only to reduce or eliminate the leakage of light from the light guiding system. As described below, the light extraction mechanism 6 in the light guide is such that most of the light from the light source assembly 3 leaves the light guide through the area of the light emitting window 14 even in the absence of the cover 13. To ensure.

Although FIG. 1 shows that the light guide 2 extends to a very short length so that the inside of the light guide can be seen, it can be seen that the actual cover 13 extends along the entire length of the light guide 2. have. In some cases, the cover 13 may extend completely around the light guide at intervals along the light guide 2, thereby defining a series of discrete spaced light emitting windows along the length of the guide. .

The cover 13 is typically made of a light reflecting and / or diffusing material, preferably made of a reflective diffusing material, i.e. a material that is not a highly reflective but flat specular reflector, so that the incident line can develop into a broad reflected beam. And a high probability of impinging the light emitting window 14 at an angle that can be reflected and exited therefrom.

In addition, although the cover 13 is shown in FIG. 1 as a separation layer sandwiched between a rigid tubular material or support 7 and the TIR film 8, other embodiments of the cover 13 are conventional in the art, It may be a suitable operation in the present invention, such as a separation layer disposed on the outside of the support 7 or paint or varnish coated on the inside or outside of the support 7. The rigid support 7 itself may be made of reflective and / or diffusing material in the range of the cover 13.

The angular range of the light emitting window 14 can be selected according to the actual light application of the light guiding system 1 and is typically 90 ° to 180 °.

In addition, the orientation of the light emitting window 14 relative to the surface to be irradiated is selected according to the intended actual light application.

For example, in the case of a light guiding system 1 located centrally on a surface to be irradiated, such as a single lane on a road surface, a manufacturing line, or more generally any room in a building, the light emitting window 14 is typically a light It can extend symmetrically with respect to the vertical intermediate plane of the guidance system 1 (see FIG. 3).

Alternatively, if the light guide system 1 is arranged asymmetrically on the surface to be irradiated, the light emitting window 14 may be correspondingly asymmetrically positioned with respect to the vertical intermediate plane of the light guide system 1. have. If an asymmetrically positioned light guide system 1 is used to illuminate the two-lane road surface as shown in FIG. 4, the replacement or repair of the light guide system 1 is a result of the vehicle being directly under the light guide. This provides the advantage of only having to stop on the lane.

The light source assembly 3 comprises a reflective parabola 16 (particularly a reflective surface resulting from the rotation of a parabolic or parabolic surface) and a light source 15 having an axis coaxial with the axis A of the light guide. The light source 15 is located at the focal point of the reflective parabola 16 such that the light source 15 is completely punctual, and the light beam directed onto the parabola 16 is reflected by it and parallel to the longitudinal axis A. Entering the light guide 2, the reflective parabola 16 is sized such that the light source 15 is completely pointed, and is projected directly onto the light guide 2, ie by the reflective parabola 16. Unreflected light rays are incident on the inner surface of the light guide 2 at an angle that is always reflected by the TIR film on the TIR film 8 and does not pass through the light guide.

In the actual case of light source 15 with limited dimensions, the light flux emitted from light source assembly 3 may have polar dispersion as shown by nature by curve 17 in FIG. 6. Curve 17 shows the irradiation as a function of the angle with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the light guide 2 in particular.

In the case of a practically limited light source 15, the position is slightly spaced from what is described above, and the light rays entering the light source 2 at this angle to be refracted by the TIR film are refracted and / or diffused by the cover 13. Or is emitted from the light emitting window 14 to the light guide 2 to contribute to the irradiation.

However, most of the light will continue to enter the light guide 2 at a relatively small angle with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the light guide. This is because most of the light does not exit the light guide 2 adjacent to the light entry end 4 (in the absence of the extraction mechanism 6) in the direction of the second end 5 (or in the bidirectional light guide system ( In the case of 1a) it may be guided along the light guide 2 by total internal reflection of the light guide 2 in the longitudinal center direction thereof. Subsequently, at a predetermined distance from the light entry end 4 along the light guide 2, the light flux can have a reduced absolute value, as in the light entry end 4 (curve 17). It may have the same shape due to the nature of the polar dispersion as shown by curve 18 at 6.

The extraction mechanism 16 allows the controlled reflection of the light to increase in a manner that controls the amount of light impinging on the TIR film 8 in the light emission window 14 at an angle to be refracted to emit from the light guide 2. To contribute to the investigation. The design of the extraction mechanism 6 according to the invention is described in more detail below.

The light extraction mechanism 6 comprises a plurality of light extraction elements or simply extractors arranged along the light guide 2. Each extractor comprises a curved reflecting surface having a recess in the direction of the light entry end 4 of the light guide 2.

The or each curved reflecting surface is made of or coated with a narrow or wide scattering reflecting surface such as a white surface made of molding resin or chromium or aluminum, in contrast to a diffuse reflecting surface as most typical in the art of light extraction instruments It may be a specular reflective surface.

The terms “narrow scattering reflective material”, “broad scattering reflective material” and “diffuse reflective material” mean dispersions between about 0 ° and 15 °, between about 15 ° and 45 °, and between about 45 ° and 60 °, respectively. By means of a material that reflects an incident collimated light beam with an angled extended beam. [See, eg, "Sunlight-European Reference in Architecture" (ISBN No. 1-873936-21-4)] The term "dispersion angle" Denotes the angle between the direction of the maximum intensity I _max of the reflected light and the direction of the intensity having an I _max / 2 value, and is assumed to be the intensity of the reflected light dispersion curve symmetrical with respect to the direction of I _max . If, when the intensity distribution curve of the reflected light is not symmetrical about the direction of I _max, the term "dispersion angle" means the angle between the direction of I _max / 2 strength direction of I _max. The extended reflected beam may or may not exhibit a peak declared in the direction of maximum intensity.

By using the specular reflective surface, the impinging light is reflected with low absorption loss and has a very high reflection coefficient by 92%. As is more important herein, the impinging light beam is reflected at a preset angle (reflection angle equal to the incident angle). In the individual extractors of the light extraction mechanism 6, the direction of the reflected light from the extractor is on the light emitting window 14 of the light guide 2 at an angle refracted by the TIR film 8 and emitted to the light guide. It can be controlled by appropriately designing local curvatures of the reflecting surfaces to reflect light to the surface.

White scattering reflective surfaces have the advantage of being less expensive to manufacture and having high light absorption. It is also more difficult to control the direction of reflected light than specular reflective surfaces and easier than diffuse reflective materials.

For example, the extraction mechanism 6 shown in FIG. 1 comprises two separate extractors 650, 660.

A more typical arrangement is shown in FIG. 2, with seven extractors 610, 610a, 620, 620a, 640, 650, 660, reference to extractors based on FIG. 14 described below) in the direction of light propagation, ie light entry. It is arranged along the light guide 2 from the end 4 to the longitudinal center of the bi-directional light guide system 1a. As pointed out above, each half of the bidirectional light guiding system 1a may be taken as representative of the non-directional light guiding system.

The arrangement shown is suitable for providing a substantially uniform illumination of the outer surface along the entire length of the light guide system. Finally, as can be seen in Figure 2, the various extractors 610, 610a, 620, 620a, 640, 650, 660 reduce the gap between adjacent extractors (although in some cases the extractor may be isotropic). At a predetermined interval along the light propagation direction. Further, adjacent extractors 610, 610a, 620, 620a, 640, 650, 660 along the light propagation direction have the same or increasing (ie, non-reducing) surface range in the radial direction, ie adjacent extractors 610. , 610a, 620, 620a, 640, 650, 660 extend incrementally in and beyond the axial direction of the light guide. Also, as described below with reference to FIG. 17, along the light propagation direction, adjacent extractors 610, 610a, 620, 620a, 640, 650, 660 are inclined directions (ie, about the longitudinal axis of the light guide portion). ) Has an increasing surface range.

An important point to consider when selecting a plurality of extractors is that the radial and / or angular range of each extractor and the position along their light guide 2 are plural and the length and cross section of the light guide system 1 are The type of irradiation required and required, for example whether it is a substantially uniform irradiation of the outer surface along the entire light guide system 1 or not, depends on whether it is a separate irradiation area on the outer surface along the light guidance system 1. In general, as described below, a continuous extractor (proceeding from the light entry end 4 of the light guide) is used to provide uniform illumination of the surface in a separate or continuous area along the length of the guide. Block incremental segmentation of the cross section.

For example, FIG. 3 shows a light guidance system 1 according to the invention used in an open space work room or school classroom (as already described). This light guiding system 1 provides several irradiations along the entire length of the light guiding portion 2 and provides separate areas 25 and 26 of high radiation on each desk below it. As can be seen in the figure, one extractor 610, 620 is described below, in which case each extractor 610, 620 is a cone of light inclined towards the light entry end 4 of the light guide. It is designed to protrude so that it is located above each desk from the light entry end 4 rather than at the center of the desk.

Similar types of irradiation are desirable for manufacturing lines, and high irradiation is required at each work station in a train or airplane where high irradiation is required on each sheet or the like.

As another example, FIG. 4 shows a light guiding system 1 according to the invention used in a road tunnel (as already described). This light guide system 1 should provide as uniform illumination as possible on the road along the entire length of the light guide 2. Thus, some extractors are arranged along them such that the cones of light protruding by two adjacent extractors are adjacent or slightly overlapping in the longitudinal direction. Similar types of irradiation are desirable in long corridors or passageways.

In both examples above, each extractor does not always need to produce the same intensity of irradiation.

If irradiation as uniform as possible along the entire length of the light guide 2 is required, the following important points should be considered.

The first feature is that away from the light entry end 4, the useful irradiation flux increases because the loss of irradiation efficiency is proportional to the ratio L / D of the light guide length to the diameter of the circular cross section, and the second end The number of internal reflections guiding light in the (5) direction increases proportionally to this ratio L / D and some of the light is output along the light guide 1 by itself.

Thus, the extractor from the light entry end 4 should have a larger face to extract the same amount of light when the extractor is adjacent to the light entry end 4.

A second feature is that the useful irradiation flux at a location along the light guidance system 1 must be shared between the light output at that location and the light propagating along the light guidance system 1 to contribute to the downward irradiation. Is the point. In other words, more light is “extracted” by the first extractor in the propagation direction, and less light can be extracted by the second and other extractors in the propagation direction.

The third feature is that the extractor proximate the light entry end 4 allows some light emitted directly by the light source assembly 3 and / or some light reflected by the light guide 2 from the light entry end 4. It must be large enough not to completely mask the adjacent extractor to ensure that the farthest extractor is reached.

The fourth feature is that, as described above, the spacing between adjacent extractors and the shape of the extractors should be such that the cones of light projected by the two adjacent extractors are adjacent or slightly overlapping in the longitudinal direction of the light guide system 1. Is the point.

Other features when designing the actual shape and range of each extractor can be seen by the following description.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, all extractors forming the extraction mechanism 6 are partially removed from the extractor 660 proximate to the second end 5 of the non-directional light guide or from the extractor in the middle of the bidirectional light guide. It can be considered to be obtainable by removing. As a result, at that location, no light needs to be prepared for more propagation, and the feature is reduced to maximize the light that is extracted, ie reflected to be emitted from the light emitting window 14 of the light guide 2. do.

First, referring to Fig. 6 (front perspective view), Fig. 7 (section taken from the left side of the vertical intermediate plane), and Fig. 8 (bottom view), the extractor 660 located farthest from the light entry end 4 is a light guide. It is a spherical shaped rigid element like a disk extending in a plane slightly inclined with respect to the transverse plane of the part 2.

The extractor 660 is intended for attachment to a light guide system 1, such as a pair of T-shaped grooves 27 adjacent to its top, to slidably suspend from the pair of rails 28 shown schematically in FIG. Means; The rail 28 may be part of a structure (not shown) provided for longitudinal bonding to the edge of the TIR film 8 and / or a possible cover 13 for securing the TIR film 8, and a tubular support ( It may be a cover 13 possible for 7).

The front face of the extractor 660, ie the face toward the light entry end 4, consists of three pairs of curved surfaces 31 to 36, adjacent to the curved surfaces 31 and 32, 33 and 34, 35 and 36. The intersection point of the pair extends along two essentially horizontal planes, and the same pair 31 and 32, 33 and 34, 35 and 36 intersect the light guide system [1; And extractor 660, extending along the vertical midplane 29, so that the extractor 660 is mirror symmetric with respect to the vertical midplane 29.

Each curved surface 31 to 36 is most preferably formed as part of a parabolic surface that is part of a surface created by rotation of the parabolic surface about an axis. For simplicity, some of these parabolas are simply referred to as parabolas 31 to 36.

The three pairs of axes of parabolas 31 to 36 are parallel to axis A of the light guide system 1 and below it (if there is a light emitting window 14 at the bottom of the light guide 2). . In particular, the axes A1 to A6 of parabolas 31 to 36 and their ceilings V1 to V6 and their focal points F1 to F6 are [projections and ceilings on the plane of the drawing of the focal points F1 to F6 ( V1 to V6), as best seen in FIGS. 9 and 7, the guiding system 1 at an increased distance (proceeding from the upper pair of parabolas 31 and 32 to the bottom pair of parabolas 35 and 36). Spaced apart from the axis (A).

None of the axes A1 to A6 lie on the vertical intermediate plane 29 of the light guide system 1. In practice, the axes A1 to A6 of the three pairs of parabolas 31 to 36 (proceeding from the bottom pair of parabolas 35 and 36 to the upper pair of parabolas 31 and 32) are from the vertical intermediate plane 29. Displaced incrementally downward, the parabolic axes of the same pair 31 and 32, 33 and 34, 35 and 36 are marked with focal points F1 to F6 and ceilings V1 to V6 and axes A1 to A6. As best shown in FIG. 8, the bottom view of the extractor 660 is displaced the same distance on both sides of the vertical intermediate plane 29.

In other words, the axes A1, A2 of the parabolic 31, 32 of the upper pair are spaced apart and below the axis A at the axis A of the light guide system 1 and parallel to each other and at the shortest distance. The axes A3 and A4 of the intermediate pair of parabolas 33 and 34 are spaced apart at long distances and are parallel to each other and spaced below the axis A at intermediate distances and spaced apart from each other at intermediate distances. Parallel to the axis A, the axes A of the parabolic 35, 36 of the bottom pair are parallel to and parallel to each other of the axis A of the light guiding system 1, with the largest distance A Spaced below and the shortest distance.

In particular, the axes A1 to A6 of each parabolic plane including each parabola 31 to 36 are lowered and offset (left or right) relative to the parabolas 31 to 36 or in other words each Parabolas 31-36 are taken as the non-central portion of the upper half of the paraboloid, as best seen from FIG. 10, and are shown along parabola 37, 38 which are only part of the upper pair of parabolas 31, 32 for simplicity. .

Finally, as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the focal length of the upper pair of parabolas 31, 32 (ie, the distance between the ceiling and the focal point) is the largest, and of the middle pair of parabolas 33, 34. The focal length is medium, and the focal lengths of the parabolas 35 and 36 of the bottom pair are the shortest.

As is known, light rays impinging on parabola parallel to the axis are reflected along the direction passing through the focal plane's focal point. As described above, most of the light traveling along the light guide 2 is parallel or nearly parallel to the axis of the light guide 2 by the features of the TIR film 8 and the configuration of the light source assembly 3. . As a result, most of the light striking the extractor 660 can be reflected to converge or adjoin to the six focal points F1 to F6 of the six parabolas 31 to 36. Downstream of each focus, light concentrated at or adjacent to the focal points F1 to F6 of the parabolas 31 to 36 may again diverge. The light path is schematically shown in FIGS. 7 and 11.

Parabolas 31 to 36 are sized and arranged to impinge the TIR film 8 at an angle at which the reflected light is reflected, thereby leaving the light guide, contributing to the irradiation. In particular, the irradiated area 24 at the surface that is sized or arranged such that the areas irradiated from the six parabolas 31 to 36 are adjacent or partially overlapped so as to lie horizontally under the light guide 2, With an elliptic shape having a major axis perpendicular to the direction of the axis A of the guide, and schematically shown in the plan view of FIG. 12, the area 24 irradiated from the surface is defined as the light entry end of the light guide system 1. In the 4) direction with a minor axis extending from slightly behind the footprint of the extractor 660 to a relatively large distance in front of the footprint.

In the arrangement of the focal points F1 to F6 shown in Figs. 7 to 11, the incoming light beam in this direction so that some small portions of the parabolas 31 to 36 proximate the longitudinal axis A are internally reflected in the TIR film 8. To reflect. The range and presence of some of these smaller portions can be controlled by changing the position of the focal points F1 to F6 of the parabolas 31 to 36, wherein the irradiation areas from the six parabolas 31 to 36 are adjacent or partially. Can satisfy overlapping states. However, the effect of these small parts on the overall performance of the light guide system is not particularly important for the following reasons.

First, as described above, most of the light rays incident on the extractor 660 are parallel to the axis A of the light guide portion, but there are also light rays not parallel to the axis A. Second, as described above, the extractor 660 is capable of some extraction, even if the extraction efficiency of the portions 41, 42, 45, 46, 49, 50 is less than the extraction efficiency at the remainder of the parabolas 31-36. The second end 5 of the light guiding system 1 at a position where all incident light is lost (if no mirror is placed in the position as shown in the prior art) in the absence of any extraction mechanism to occur nonetheless. ) (Or to an intermediate point of the bi-directional light guiding system 1a). Third, as described in more detail below, another extractor of the extraction apparatus according to the present invention is obtained by removing some portions from the extractor 660, the removal portion having a low extraction efficiency small adjacent to the axis A of the light guide portion. It is chosen to minimize the range of parts or to avoid them together. For this purpose, the backside of the extractor 660 preferably comprises a web of optional cutting lines, briefly described with reference to Figure 16 below and generally designated 15. This has the advantage that only one mold can be used to mold all extractors of the extraction mechanism 6 for a given diameter of the light guiding system 1.

The rear face of the extractor 660 adjacent in the direction of the second end 5 of the light guiding system 1 or in the direction of the center of the bidirectional light guiding system 1a may be specular or narrow or wide reflective. It may be made of any material that does not play a major role or plays any role in the control of light in the light guiding system 1.

As shown in FIG. 13, the backside of the extractor 660 preferably further includes a reinforcing edge 52. The reinforcing edge 52 preferably extends along the upper half periphery (as shown) and preferably extends radially at short distances. The reason for producing such a small reinforcing edge 52 is that of a selected portion from the extractor 660 according to the invention, i.e. to produce another extractor arranged close to the light entry end 4 of the light guide 1. To facilitate removal.

The web 51 of the optional cutting line at the rear of the extractor 660 radially radially from the outer periphery of the extractor 660 to the inner concentric circle 53 from a plurality of essentially uniformly spaced concentric circles 53. A plurality of segments 58 to 67 extending from each other and positioned at an angle of about 30 ° to about 120 ° from the top of the extractor 660 on each side of the vertical intermediate plane 29, and the vertical intermediate plane 29; A second segment 68, 69 and an upper radial segment 58, 63 extending tangentially to the second innermost concentric circle 54 at the horizontal intermediate plane and extending to the bottom edge of the extractor 660; Two segments extending from the innermost concentric circle 54 to the intersection of the fourth concentric circle 56 with the vertical intermediate plane 29.

The radii of the concentric circles 53 to 57 are chosen to be essentially uniformly spaced apart.

The number and arrangement of preferred cutting lines may differ from that shown depending on the plurality of extractors required for the particular light guide system 1. The particular web 51 shown in Figure 13 is particularly suitable for light extraction instruments based on extractors having six different shapes and sizes. 14A-14F show extractors 610-660 having six different sizes and shapes, and how the first five can be obtained by removing selected portions from all six extractors 660. FIGS.

With regard to the fifth extractor 650, the removed portion is defined by the innermost concentric circles 53, by the interior of the lowermost radial segments 62, 67 and by the lower part of the vertical segments 68, 69. do. It should be noted that the bottom radial segments 62, 67 are spaced approximately 90 ° apart. Thus, the last one extractor 650 has all the surfaces of the two upper parabolas 31, 32, most of the surface of the two middle parabolas 33, 34, and a small portion of the two lower parabolas 35, 36. Includes only.

The fourth extractor 640 has a light guide 2, an upper portion of the segments 68, 69 and a radius of approximately the second 1/6 of the outer radius of the two lowest radial segments 62, 67. It has a removal portion defined by two concentric circles 54. Thus, the fourth extractor 640 comprises most of the surface of the two upper parabolas 31, 32 and approximately half of the surface of the two middle parabolas 33, 34, and the two lower parabolas 35, 36. Does not include The third extractor 630 is spaced by approximately 120 ° and by the outside of the radial segment 61 and to the third concentric circle 55 having a radius of approximately third 1/6 of the radius of the light guide 2. It has a removal part defined by. Thus, the third extractor 630 comprises most of the surface of the two upper parabolas 31, 32 and approximately half of the surface of the two middle parabolas 33, 34, and the two lower parabolas 35, 36. ) Is not included.

The second extractor 620 has a remover defined by a fourth concentric circle 56 having a radius of approximately the fourth 1/6 of the radius of the light guide 2 and the segments 60, 65 that are radially horizontal. Has outside. The second extractor 620 comprises the surfaces of two upper parabolas 31, 32 as a whole.

The first extractor 610 has a removal defined by a fifth concentric circle having a radius of approximately the fifth 1/6 of the radius of the light guide 2 and the outside of the radial segments 59, 64. The second extractor 610 entirely comprises a portion of the surface of the two upper parabolas 31, 32.

Like the extractor 660, the extractors 610-650 deflect the light to impinge the light emitting window 14 of the light guide 2 at an angle that is refracted by the TIR film 8 and transferred outward. . This is most effectively achieved if the extractors 610-660 are made of specular reflective material, even if a material that achieves narrow or broad scattering reflections as described above is used.

As described in connection with the extractor 660, the irradiation area on the surface located below the light guide 2 provided to the extractors 610-650 is elliptical, and the protrusions of the extractors 610-650 on the surface ( Footprint) (see Figure 12).

Fig. 15 shows another embodiment of the extraction mechanism 6a according to the present invention suitable for the cylindrical light guide (only the portion schematically indicated by the section on the left in the figure). The extraction mechanism 6a includes five extractors shown at equal intervals as in FIG. 13 for illustration only. The extractor on the right side far from the light entry end corresponds to the extractor 660 shown in FIG. The two extractors 670, 670a preceding them are the shape obtained by removing from the extractor 660 the portion defined by the fourth inner circle 56 which is identical to each other and in the shape of an annular ring. The two extractors 680, 680a closest to the light entry end 4 are obtained by removing from the extractor 660 a portion defined by the two outer sources of the fifth inner circle 57 and the vertical segments 68, 69. The shape is the same as each other.

In another embodiment of the extraction mechanism according to the invention (not shown), the extractors are all identical and are closely spaced apart incrementally from each other preceding the light source assembly 3. The extractor may be similar to extractor 610 shown in FIG. 14A.

It is to be understood that the illustrated and described embodiments have been made by way of non-limiting example, and that many changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.

Other modifications to the light extractor can be envisioned as including, for example, a strip extending across the light guide, and having an appropriately shaped light reflecting curved surface directed towards the light entry end of the light guide.

In addition, the extractor need not be mirror symmetric or the curved surface need to be concave at the light entry end of the light guide. In some circumstances, other curvatures may be more appropriate if, for example, the extractor needs to direct light from the light guide away from the light source (without doing).

The plurality of pairs of parabolas differ only in the diameter of the light guiding system 1 and in the number of extractors used in any given number of pairs in the pair.

More generally, as shown in Figures 6-9 and 14, the plurality of separate shaped surfaces on the extractor are not essential and can be replaced with a single continuous curved surface. However, certain forms of the disc shaped extractors of FIGS. 6-9 and 14 have an advantage in light guides having a circular cross section, which facilitate the manufacture and manufacture because the single design allows for the extractor to be used at several different locations. It is economical in terms of cost.

The efficiency of this extractor can be further increased by replacing any small efficiency near the axis A by another form of winter surface which redirects incident light from the light guide in the direction suitable for extraction.

In addition, the various curved surfaces of the extractor need not be part of a rotary parabola, but may be part of a three-dimensional curve obtained through rotation of the curve, such as part of a rotary ellipse, part of a sphere, and a log.

In the case of the bidirectional light guide as shown in Fig. 2, an extractor having curved light reflecting surfaces on both sides may be employed to extract light from both light sources. In this case, light from the light source continues to move past the midpoint of the light guide.

If the light extractor is formed of a material that allows it to be flexible, it can be used to finely control the irradiation provided by the light guides.

The possibility of an extractor used in accordance with the present invention provides an irradiation area where the use of a relatively small extractor slightly overlaps to create a uniform irradiation area (eg road) extending along the length of the light guide, but the "footprint" of the extractor. Allows you to examine areas that extend past them. Alternatively, two parallel irradiation regions (each side of the light guide) can be created through the use of an extractor of appropriate shape.

Claims (25)

A hollow light guide 2 and a light source 3, 3a positioned to direct light from one end 4 to the light guide 2, wherein the light guide 2 is a light guide. Having a light guide wall for moving light toward the other end 5 in the space in (2), wherein at least one light extracting element (610 to 680) in the space in the light guide (2) is impermeable specular Or at least one curved surface 31 to 36 which functions as a narrow or wide scattering reflector, wherein the curved reflecting surfaces 31 to 36 have a predetermined angle of light from the light source reflected therefrom. A light guide system shaped to impinge on a light guide wall and emerge from the light guide (2). 2. A plurality of light extracting elements 610-680 are provided in the space within the light guide 2 and spaced apart from each other along the length of the guide 2, each light extracting element 610. 680 to 680 have at least one curved light reflecting surface 31 to 36 which function as a non-transparent specular or narrow or wide scattering reflector, wherein the curved reflecting surfaces 31 to 36 are light sources 3, 3a reflected therefrom. Light guide system shaped to impinge on the light guide wall of the light guide (2) at an angle and emerge from the light guide (2). 3. The light guiding system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said / each curved reflective surface (31 to 36) is shaped and / or positioned to receive light directly from a light source (3, 3 a). 4. 4. Light guide system according to claim 3, wherein at least one curved reflecting surface (31 to 36) is shaped and / or positioned to further receive light following reflection from the wall of the light guide (2). The light extracting element (610-680) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the / each light extracting element (610-680) comprises at least two curved reflecting surfaces (31-36) which are mirror images of one another, and in the plane (29). The light guide system in which the junction between the two faces placed comprises the longitudinal axis (A) of the light guide (2). 3. Light guide system according to claim 2, wherein the light extraction elements (610 to 680) are non-incrementally spaced apart from each other along the length of the guide (2) in a direction away from the light source (3, 3a). 3. Light guide system according to claim 2, wherein the light extraction elements (610, 680) have an unreduced magnitude in cross section of the light guide (2) in a direction away from the light source (3, 3a). 8. Light guide system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the / each curved reflective surface (31 to 36) is asymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis (A) of the light guide (2). 9. Light guide system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the / each curved reflective surface (31 to 36) is generally concave in a direction facing the light source (3, 3a). 10. The light guiding system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the / each curved reflecting surface (31 to 36) is part of a three-dimensional surface obtained by rotation of a log or a two-dimensional curve about its axis. The three-dimensional planes (37, 38) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said / each curved reflective surfaces (31-36) are obtained by rotation of a parabola about its axes (A1-A6). Light guidance system, which is part of. Light guide system (1, 1a) according to claim 11, wherein the axes (A1 to A6) of the / each curved reflective surface (31 to 36) are spaced apart toward the surface to be irradiated by the light guide (2). A light guidance system parallel to the axis (A) of the. 12. The light extracting element (610-680) according to claim 11, wherein the / each light extracting elements (610-680) comprise a plurality of pairs of curved reflecting surfaces (31-36), the junction between the pairs lying in a plane of the light guide (2). Light guidance system parallel to the surface to be irradiated by the longitudinal axis (A) and the light guide (2). 14. The axis A1 to A6 of the pair of light reflecting surfaces 31 to 36 is displaced outwardly from the plane 29 passing through the axis A of the light guide 2 and irradiating the surface to be irradiated. Perpendicular to the surface to be irradiated by the light guide 2 at a decreasing distance, the axes A1 to A6 of the same pair of light reflecting surfaces 31 to 36 are equally spaced on both sides of the plane 29. Displaced light guide system. The pair of axes A1 to A6 of the light reflecting surfaces 31 to 36 are displaced from a plane passing through the axis A of the light guide portion 2 and the surface to be irradiated. A light guiding system parallel to the surface to be irradiated by the light guide 2 at increasing distances, the axes A1 to A6 of the same pair of light reflecting surfaces 31 to 36 displaced at the same distance from the plane . 16. The light guiding system according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the focusing length of the pair of light reflecting surfaces (31 to 36) decreases toward the surface to be irradiated by the light guide (2). 17. Each of the light reflecting surfaces 31 to 36 as a non-centre portion of half of the three-dimensional faces 37 and 38 resulting from the rotation of the parabola opposite the surface to be irradiated. Light guidance system taken. 18. The light guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the / each light extraction elements 610-680 are located on one side thereof adjacent the wall of the light guide 2 and guide light on the other side. A light guide system for directing light out of the part (2). The light guide wall according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide wall of the / each light guide portion (2) comprises a prism film (8) arranged such that the prism extends in the longitudinal direction of the guide portion. Guidance system. 20. The light guidance system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guidance system (1, 1a) is cylindrical. 21. The light extracting element (610-680) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the single discrete beam (24) has a cross section extending transversely to the length of the guide (2). The light guide system in which the light from the light source (3, 3a) reflected from the light source appears from the light guide portion (2). 22. The light guiding system according to claim 21, wherein said single discontinuous beam (24) is a conical beam having an elliptical cross section, the major axis of which extends transversely to the length of the light guide (2). 23. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a surface positioned to be irradiated by the light from the light guide 2, by means of said / each extraction elements 610-680 at the surface to be irradiated. A cross section of the beam of light (24) emerging from the light guide (2) extends over a distance greater than each extraction element (610, 680) in the longitudinal direction of the light guide (2). The cross section of the beam of light 24 extends over a distance greater than each extraction element 610-680 in a direction transverse to the length of the light guide 2. Optical guidance system. 3. The light extracting element (610-680) according to claim 2, comprising a surface positioned to be irradiated with light from the light guide (2), wherein the light extraction elements (610 to 680) are irradiated with the surface relatively in the longitudinal direction of the light guide (2). Light guide system arranged to be uniform.