KR20200104090A - Plastic optical fiber for illumination - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plastic optical fiber for illumination, wherein a clad is formed in a core with a hollow, and a light scattering agent is contained in the clad to provide a side diverging optical fiber through a scattering action by the hollow and light scattering agent, and a protective outer cover may be further formed. In another embodiment of the present invention, a metal wire having a reflective layer formed at the center of the core is inserted and formed and the clad is formed on the outer surface of the core, so that the light of the core is reflected by a reflective layer to increase a light scattering effect and is able to be maintained in a shape formed by the metal wire. In another embodiment of the present invention, the metal wire is placed in parallel next to the plastic optical fiber to be integrated into a coating layer, so that the plastic optical fiber can be maintained in a shape formed by the metal wire.

Description

Plastic optical fiber for illumination

The present invention relates to a plastic optical fiber for lighting for use in decorative lighting by divergent light emission.

Optical fibers include a core layer and a cladding layer, and are widely known as optical signal cables that transmit optical signals incident on the core layer. In such an optical fiber, the component of the cladding layer is adjusted so that the light incident on the core layer is emitted through the cladding layer, so that it is also used for decorative lighting using soft light.

As a method of increasing the side emission luminance of an omni-directional side-emitting plastic optical fiber, the side emission luminance and the decay rate of this side emission luminance are decreased by adding a small amount of titanium oxide to the clad and changing the content of titanium oxide. A method of controlling is known (see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3384396 published on March 10, 2003).

As another method of increasing the side emission luminance of an omnidirectional side-emitting plastic optical fiber, a method of adjusting the side emission luminance by adding a light scattering agent to the core and changing the content of the light scattering agent is known. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-131529 published on May 12, 2000).

In addition, as another method of increasing the side emission luminance of the non-directional side-emitting plastic optical fiber, a method in which a light scattering agent is added to the core and the clad layer, and the light transmittance of the clad layer is increased. It is known (for example, Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2011-0009694. 2011.01.28).

Japanese Patent No. 3384396 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-131529 Korean Patent Publication 10-2011-0009694. 2011.01.28

The present invention is to provide a plastic optical fiber for lighting with improved side divergence effect.

Plastic optical fiber for lighting for achieving the object of the present invention,

A core formed with a hollow;

It provides a plastic optical fiber formed to surround the circumference of the core and including a clad containing a second light scattering agent.

In addition, the present invention may be configured by filling the hollow with an inert gas that scatters light and sealing both ends.

In addition, the core may be a core containing no light scattering agent, but may be a core containing the first light scattering agent.

In addition, a transparent cover portion surrounding the outer surface of the clad may be further formed, and the cover portion may be formed of a clad containing a third light scattering agent.

Further, the clad may be configured by further containing a fluorescent material together with the second light scattering agent.

A plastic optical fiber for lighting according to another embodiment,

A metal wire capable of forming a shape by an external force;

A reflective layer formed around the outer surface of the metal wire;

A core formed to surround the outer surface of the reflective layer;

It characterized in that it comprises a cladding surrounding the outer surface of the core.

In addition, the clad is characterized in that the second light scattering agent is contained.

In addition, the core may contain a first scattering agent, and the clad may contain a second scattering agent.

In addition, it may further include a cover made of a transparent material formed by surrounding the clad.

In addition, a third scattering agent may be contained in the cover part, and a fluorescent material may be further contained.

In addition, the reflective layer is characterized in that it contains a fluorescent material.

A plastic optical fiber for lighting according to another embodiment,

A metal wire capable of forming a shape by an external force;

A plastic optical fiber positioned parallel to the metal wire;

It characterized in that it comprises a clad formed to surround the outer surface of the metal wire and the plastic optical fiber together.

In the plastic optical fiber using a core having a hollow according to an embodiment of the present invention, since light is scattered by refraction at the time of emission and incidence of light at the interface between the hollow and the core, side scattering even if it does not contain a light scattering agent Plastic optical fibers can be obtained. In addition, the scattering effect can be improved by containing a light scattering agent in either or both of the core and the clad. In addition, since the cover part is further formed and the cover part contains a light scattering agent or a fluorescent material, light scattering is evenly generated due to complex multi-stage light scattering, thereby improving the quality of lateral emission of light. In addition, when the inert gas is filled in the hollow, the light scattering effect of the inert gas can be obtained.

On the other hand, in the plastic optical fiber using the core provided with a metal wire according to another embodiment of the present invention, a reflective layer is formed on the outer surface of the metal wire to reflect light from the core, thereby obtaining a light scattering effect. There is an effect that can be maintained in a shape formed by a metal wire.

An optical fiber for illumination having a structure in which a metal wire is located parallel to a plastic optical fiber according to another embodiment of the present invention has an effect that, when the shape is formed, it can be maintained in a shape formed by the metal wire.

1 is a block diagram showing a cross section of a plastic optical fiber for lighting according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing a cross section of a plastic optical fiber for lighting according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing a cross section of a plastic optical fiber for lighting according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a block diagram showing a cross section of a plastic optical fiber for lighting according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a block diagram showing a cross-section of a plastic optical fiber for lighting according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
6A to 6C are configuration diagrams showing a cross section of an applied embodiment of a plastic optical fiber for lighting according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a plastic optical fiber for lighting according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this process, thicknesses of lines or sizes of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of description.

In addition, terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention and may vary according to the intention or custom of users or operators. Therefore, definitions of these terms should be made based on the contents throughout the present specification.

In addition, in describing the present invention, there are many prior art for materials such as core, clad, cover, reflective layer, metal wire, etc., and manufacturing methods using these materials are also well known. Since it can be manufactured in combination, a detailed description is omitted. Since the present invention is characterized by structural differences, only these structural features will be described.

1 is a block diagram showing a cross-section of a plastic optical fiber for lighting according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the plastic optical fiber for lighting according to the present invention includes a core 10 having a hollow 11 formed thereon, and a cladding 20 formed to surround the core 10 and containing a second light scattering agent. Include. Here, the clad 20 is preferably used as a material capable of transmitting 50% to 90% of light in a specific wavelength range and minimizing light loss.

When light generated using a laser, LED, etc. is incident on the core 10 and the hollow 11, the wavelength of light in the hollow 11 is transmitted toward the core 10, and the light of the core 10 is transmitted to the hollow 11 As it is transmitted, light is refracted at the interface of the hollow 11 to generate scattering. In this way, even if the clad 20 for transmitting a part of light is formed in the core 10 provided with the hollow 11, light is scattered due to the light transmission refractive index between the core 10 and the hollow 11, Light may be emitted to the side of the optical fiber through the clad 20 that transmits part of the light.

However, in order to more effectively improve the lateral emission of light, in the present invention, a second light scattering agent may be included in the clad 20. In addition, the core 10 may also contain a first light scattering agent. For convenience, the light scattering agent contained in the core 10 is referred to as a first light scattering agent, and the light scattering agent contained in the clad 20 is referred to as a second light scattering agent. The first light scattering agent and the second light scattering agent may be the same, but may be different light scattering agents.

As the light scattering agent, silicon that allows side light emission by diffusely reflecting light may be used. Zinc oxide may be used together with silicon as the light scattering agent. Zinc oxide can make light appear white, thus improving luminance. Therefore, by mixing silicon, which has an opaque property, which enables diffuse reflection of light, and zinc oxide, which improves brightness, through a light scattering agent, it is possible to achieve an improvement in brightness along with diffuse reflection of light.

Therefore, since it is scattered while passing through the hollow 11 and is scattered by the light scattering agent contained in the core 10 and the clad 20, the side divergence effect is improved.

In addition, the present invention may be configured to open the hollow 11 to maintain a general atmospheric state, or may be configured by being filled with an inert gas that scatters light and sealing both ends. When light is incident in the hollow 11 filled with an inert gas, a further improved light scattering effect may be obtained by light scattering of the inert gas.

2 is a block diagram showing a cross section of a plastic optical fiber for illumination according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 2,

A transparent cover part 30 surrounding the outer surface of the clad 20 may be further formed, and the cover part 30 may be formed of a clad containing a third light scattering agent.

This, as the plastic optical fiber composed of the core 10 and the clad 20 can further form a transparent cover 30 as an outer shell, and can be utilized as a protective cover. In addition, the cover portion 30 may be formed of a second clad containing a third light scattering agent. By forming the cladding in two stages, the light emitted from the side can be evenly emitted by more effective light scattering. However, it is preferable to use a material that can effectively increase light transmittance and increase luminance.

In addition, the clad 20 or the cover 30 may be configured by further containing a fluorescent material together with a light scattering agent. Depending on the characteristics of the fluorescent material, the color of light can be changed, or it can be illuminated by a fluorescence reaction to external lighting.

3 is a block diagram showing a cross-section of a plastic optical fiber for lighting according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, the plastic optical fiber for lighting according to another embodiment of the present invention,

A metal wire 40 capable of forming a shape by an external force, a core 10 formed to surround the outer surface of the metal wire 40, and a cladding 20 surrounding the outer surface of the core 10 It is characterized by being configured to include.

Here, a reflective layer 50 coated with a reflective object name may be further included at an interface between the metal wire 40 and the core 10.

The reflective layer 50 does not have to be a material different from that of the core 10 and the interface between the metal wire 40 and the core 10 itself may form the reflective layer 50.

In the third embodiment of FIG. 3, a metal wire 40 is inserted by forming a hollow in the center of the core 10, and a reflective layer 50 is formed on the surface of the metal wire 40 to form a core 10 on the outside thereof. ) Is formed. Here, the reflective layer 50 may not be inserted as a separate layer and may be an interface between the surface of the metal wire and the core.

The light of the core 10 is reflected by the reflective layer 50, passes through the core 10, is transmitted to the clad 20, and is scattered by a change in refraction at each interface, so that side emission can be achieved. In particular, by inserting and installing the metal wire 50 inside, it is possible to maintain the foamed state of the optical fiber itself when it is formed into an arbitrary shape by the characteristics of the metal wire 40.

In general, plastic optical fibers can be bent in a round shape because the core 10 is made of a flexible material, but the bent state cannot be maintained without a peripheral support means. Therefore, in order to maintain the optical fiber-formed shape when installing by lighting using a conventional plastic optical fiber, a supporting means is absolutely necessary.

As shown in the third embodiment of FIG. 3, the plastic optical fiber including the metal wire 40 can maintain a formed shape without a support means due to the characteristics of the metal wire 40. Therefore, only light source devices such as laser LEDs can be fixedly installed, and plastic optical fibers can be maintained in a foamed state to implement decorative lighting.

4 is a block diagram showing a cross section of a plastic optical fiber for lighting according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown, in the third embodiment of FIG. 3, the cover part 30 is formed for the outer skin.

As described above, in the third embodiment of FIG. 3 and the fourth embodiment of FIG. 4, a metal wire 40 having a reflective layer 50 disposed inside the core 10 is formed, and the metal wire 40 is Soft iron or the like capable of maintaining the formed shape may be used, and a light scattering agent and a fluorescent material may be included in the core 10, the clad 20, and the cover part 30.

In the fifth embodiment of FIG. 5, the plastic optical fiber 60 and the metal wire 40 are integrated by placing the metal wire 40 in parallel next to the plastic optical fiber 60 and forming a coating layer 70 on the surface thereof. Structure. The plastic optical fiber 60 has a configuration in which the cladding layer 20 for light transmission is wrapped around the core 10, or the cladding layer 20 is coated on the core 10 in which the hollow 11 as shown in FIG. 1 or 2 is formed. It can be a configuration. The covering layer 70 integrated with the metal wire 40 may be the same material as the cover part 30 for the skin of FIG. 2 or 4, or may be a completely different material. However, the covering layer 70 should be a transparent or translucent material so that light scattered from the surface of the plastic optical fiber 60 can be smoothly transmitted to the outside. The main function of the metal wire 40 of FIG. 5 is to maintain the formed shape.

In addition, Figure 6 (A to (C) is to arrange the plastic optical fiber 60 and the metal wire 40 adjacent to each other, and surround them to configure the plastic coating layer 70 in various shapes such as a circle or oval or dumbbell shape. I can.

The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but these are only exemplary, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments are possible therefrom. . Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the following claims.

10: core 11: hollow
20: clad 30: cover
40: metal wire 50: reflective layer
60: plastic optical fiber 70: coating layer

Claims (6)

In the plastic optical fiber for lighting,
A metal wire capable of forming a shape by an external force;
A reflective layer formed around the outer surface of the metal wire;
A core formed to surround the outer surface of the reflective layer;
Plastic optical fiber for lighting comprising a clad surrounding an outer surface of the core.
The method according to claim 1,
The plastic optical fiber for lighting, characterized in that the clad contains a second light scattering agent.
The method according to claim 1,
A plastic optical fiber for lighting, characterized in that a first scattering agent is contained in the core and a second scattering agent is contained in the clad.
The method according to claim 1,
A plastic optical fiber for lighting, characterized in that it further comprises a cover made of a transparent material formed by surrounding the clad.
The method of claim 4,
A plastic optical fiber for lighting, characterized in that the cover part also contains a third scattering agent to form a second clad.
The method of claim 5,
A plastic optical fiber for lighting, characterized in that a fluorescent material is further contained in the clad or the reflective layer.

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