WO1998022747A1

WO1998022747A1 - Optical system for environmental lighting

Info

Publication number: WO1998022747A1
Application number: PCT/EP1997/006673
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giuseppe Mestrangelo
Original assignee: Light Studio Di Giuseppe Mestrangelo
Priority date: 1996-11-22
Filing date: 1997-11-21
Publication date: 1998-05-28
Also published as: ITMI960764V0; IT241021Y1; ITMI960764U1; AU6205398A

Abstract

An optical system (10) for environmental lighting, in particular for trade fairs, museums, exhibitions, department stores, stadia, sports fields and the like, comprising a light radiation source (11) contained within an enclosure (14) arranged to upwardly direct the light beam, which is further directed in various directions by means of a plurality of reflecting elements (12) positioned on a support surface (13) of absorbent, semi-absorbent or totally reflecting type, which is located above the radiation source (11). By means of such an optical system (10) a light beam can be suitably controlled to light an environment, even of considerable dimenions, as desired, by using a plurality of reflection points and a single source (11).

Description

OPTICAL SYSTEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LIGHTING

This invention relates to an optical system for environmental lighting. Currently, in particular at the opening of trade fairs, sports fields, stadia, museums, new shops or department stores, and at the inauguration of exhibitions, conventions and similar manifestations, the lights and their positions have to be planned with considerable care, arranging them with ability and rationality, with a view both to their operability and their appearance.

In particular, if the volumetric dimensions of the environment or environments to be lit are considerable, a series of lamps or other light sources has to be positioned at various points in such a manner as to obtain high intensity and efficiency, while at the same time achieving an attractive appearance for the user. However, such results can be achieved only by knowledgeable, lengthy and costly planning in locating fixed light sources, the positioning and orientation of which are usually difficult to control once the installation has been implemented.

Furthermore, generally in such environments a large number of lamps or other light sources are used which it would be desirable to reduce, so as to reduce the electrical energy requirement and hence the constructional and operating costs of the lighting system for equal results achieved, in terms of efficiency and appearance. An object of this invention is therefore to obviate the aforesaid drawbacks by providing an optical system for environmental lighting, in particular for interiors, dwellings, offices, trade fairs, museums, exhibitions, industrial buildings, urban arrangements, shops, department stores and the like, by which a plurality of light beams can be directed and/or controlled within the entire environment to be lit, with substantial energy saving over the known art, for equal results achieved in terms of intensity, efficiency and appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide an optical system for environmental lighting which is able to illuminate more points while at the same time modifying the form, colour and intensity of the light radiation, to prevent heat being transferred to the illuminated points.

A further object of the invention is to provide an optical system enabling the lighting of an environment to be varied, both with regard to the shape of the light beam and with regard to the amount of space receiving the radiated light, in a simple and rapid manner by inserting interchangeable modular accessories. A further object of the invention is to provide an optical system for environmental lighting, which is versatile and reliable for every type of environment, even of considerable volumetric dimensions, by which the emitted light beam can be regulated and lateral edge overlap be avoided.

A further object of the invention is to achieve an optical system for environmental lighting in a simple and economical manner, without the need to use costly materials or complicated constructional techniques.

These objects are effectively attained by an optical system for environmental lighting in accordance with claim 1, to which reference should be made for brevity.

Advantageously, by means of the optical system of this invention, a light beam can be controlled in such a manner as to direct it, enlarge it, contract it, filter it and shape it by the intervention of a plurality of reflecting elements, in particular deviator mirrors, while using a single light radiation source. The reflecting elements are rotated and/or translationally moved in various directions and can also be made concave or convex in predetermined positions by the use of linear or articulated spacers, which are adjustable manually, mechanically, electrically or by remote control .

The light beam is projected upwards and is directed towards those regions to be lit (walls, platforms, spaces) by means of various reflecting elements suitably located a suitable distance above the light radiation source, on a surface of a material which absorbs, semi-absorbs or totally reflects the light radiation, according to the lighting requirements of the underlying and surrounding space. The absorbent, semi-absorbent or totally reflecting material surface is further connected to an enclosure containing the light radiation source, to create a single lighting structure which can - A - be used as a ceiling light, a suspended element, or a fixed structure applied to walls, to a pedestal or to a post. Further advantages and characteristics of the present invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description of a particular embodiment of the optical system for environmental lighting, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying figures, on which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an optical system for environmental lighting, according to the invention; Figure 2 is a partly sectional view of the optical system of Figure 1, according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a reflecting element mounted in the optical system of the invention, in which an articulated spacer is used; Figure 4 is a side elevation of a further embodiment of the spacer of Figure 3, according to the invention.

In the said figures the reference numeral 10 indicates overall an optical system for environmental lighting, according to the invention, and 11 schematically indicates a light radiation source contained within an enclosure 14, which is preferably of inverted cap shape.

The enclosure 14 is connected by a support element 15, of aluminium, treated aluminium or similar construction, to a support structure 13, which could be applied by fixing means 16 to the ceiling of the environment to be lit. The support surface 13 preferably consists of a flat disc of 80 centimetres diameter, constructed of a material which totally or partially absorbs, or totally reflects, the light radiation emitted by the source 11. In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the enclosure 14 containing the source 11 comprises a mechanical or automatic device, such as a diaphragm, usable to totally or partially open the containing compartment 17. This device, not shown on the accompanying figures, is normally located on the edge of the enclosure 14, in order to suitably regulate the light beam emitted by the source 11 towards a plurality of reflecting elements 12, and prevent excessive lateral edge overlap. The enclosure 14 can also contain an optical transmission system arranged to suitably convey and focus the light radiation onto the reflecting elements 12.

The light radiation source 11 consists preferably of an incandescent, metal iodide or halogen lamp, the reflecting elements 12 preferably consisting of simple, coloured or suitably treated mirrors, or formed of flexible plastic materials, metals, treated aluminium, mirror glass or plate glass.. The reflecting elements 12 are connected to the surface 13 via articulated spacers 18 or linear spacers 19 enabling them to be rotated and/or translational ly moved. The spacers 18, 19 preferably have a length of about 10 centimetres, are fixed at one end to the surface 13, and by means of three tie bars 20 support a frame 21 which supports each reflecting element 12, and of which the geometrical shape is usually circular with a diameter of about 20 centimetres.

The shape and dimensions of the reflecting element 12 and frame 21 can obviously vary according to the specific reflection requi re ents.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the frame 21 is fixed to a ball joint 22 of the spacer 18 or to the spacer 19 by the supporting tie bars 20. Again in a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the supporting surface 13 is located at a distance of about 50 centimetres from the light radiation source 11, considered punctiform for simplicity of description. The spacer 18, shown in detail in Figure 3, comprises the ball joint 22 enabling the mirror 12 to be orientated in the desired directions, taking account of the angles of incidence and reflection formed at the reflecting surfaces 12 by the light beam emitted by the source 11. An alternative form of spacer is shown in Figure 4. This is a linear spacer 19, which is connected to the reflecting element 12 and serves, if required, to apply a slight pressure to the element 12 by a mechanical or automatic screwing or unscrewing movement, in order to make the reflecting surface 12 slightly convex or concave and enable the light beam to undergo a variation in angular opening and hence an enlargement or contraction.

In this case the surface of the radiation element 12 must be made of flexible material, in order to be able to modify the curvature of the mirror and vary the aperture of the light beam. In contrast to this, a rigid reflecting surface allows only fixed light beam reflection.

By means of the aforedescribed optical system it is possible to control various reflection points, consisting of the reflecting elements or deviators 12, in order to direct, enlarge, contract, filter or shape a light beam within an environment which can also be of considerable size, by using a single light radiation source 11. The light radiation projected upwards from the source 11 is reflected downwards or towards lateral surfaces such as walls, platforms or spaces within the environment, by means of the reflecting elements 12 of the surface 13, these being suitably located above the source 11 and suitably directed by the user. Considering that the upwardly projected light beam undergoes considerable reflection, given the distance between the source 11 and the reflecting surfaces 12 but which in all cases is less than 2 metres, for reasons of bulk and the possible incurring of additional costs a support disc 13 must be installed, this being of dark or chromatic material depending on the lighting requirements of the surrounding and underlying space. The optical system 10 of the invention is therefore able to light several points using the light reflection of the reflecting or mirrored materials forming the elements 12, starting from a single light radiation source 11.

Moreover, the reflection can be manipulated and controlled by various interchangeable modular accessories, not shown on the accompanying drawings but designed to be fixed to the frame 21 in front of the reflecting elements 12 towards the source 11, in order to modify the shape, intensity, colour, temperature, direction and sense of the light radiation reflected and conveyed. The accessories in question are applied by screw, bayonet or similar fixing systems and comprise diaphragms, shapers and filters.

For example, diaphragms can be used positioned in front of the frames 21 of the reflecting elements 12 for the purpose of varying the dimensions of the reflected light, as can guillotines for shaping on four or more sides the light reflected by a mirror, shaper carriers for manually shaping the reflected light by reproducing the contour of the shape to be lit, and filter carriers to colour and/or shadow the reflected light radiation, by appropriate filters or gelatin.

The characteristics of the optical system for environmental lighting according to the invention are clear from the description, as are its resultant advantages. Finally, it is apparent that numerous further modifications can be made to the optical system of the invention but without leaving the novel principles of the inventive idea, it further being apparent that in the practical implementation of the invention the materials, shapes and dimensions of the illustrated part can be chosen at will according to requirements, and that these can be replaced by others technically equivalent.

Claims

1. An optical system (10) for environmental lighting, in particular for the architecture of interiors, urban arrangements, civil buildings, offices, trade fairs, museums, exhibitions, stadia, sports fields, shops and department stores, characterised by comprising a light radiation source (11) arranged to emit a light beam in a determined direction, said light beam being further reflected in a plurality of directions by at least one reflecting element (12) fixed on a support surface (13) of a type which absorbs, semi-absorbs or totally reflects light radiation, and which is situated at a distance from the radiation source

(11).

2. An optical system (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said light radiation source is contained within an enclosure (14) connected by a support element (15) to said support surface (13), so as to create a single lighting structure which can be used as a ceiling light, a suspended element, or a fixed structure applied to walls, to a pedestal or to a post.

3. An optical system (10) as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said support element (15) is constructed of aluminium.

4. An optical system (10) as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said enclosure (14) is shaped in the form of an inverted cap.

5. An optical system (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said support surface (13) consists of a flat disc of 80 centimetres diameter, constructed of a material which totally or partially absorbs or totally reflects the radiation emitted by said source (11).

6. An optical system (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said enclosure (14) containing said light radiation source (11) comprises at least one mechanical or automatic device for partly or totally opening a compartment (17) of said enclosure (14), or comprises at least one optical transmission system for the light radiation, arranged to focus and/or to convey said radiation onto said reflecting elements (12).

7. An optical system (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said light radiation source (11) consists of an incandescent lamp, a metal iodide lamp or a halogen lamp.

8. An optical system (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said reflecting element (12) consists of a simple, coloured or treated mirror, or is formed of flexible plastic material or treated aluminium or mirror glass or plate glass.

9. An optical system (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said reflecting element (12) is connected to said support surface (13) by at least one spacer means (18, 19) enabling it to be rotated or translationally moved.

10. An optical system (10) as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that said spacer (18, 19) is fixed to the support surface (13) and supports by means of at least one tie bar (20) a support frame (21) for each reflecting element (12).

11. An optical system (10) as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that said spacer (18) comprises at least one ball joint (22) to which said tie bars (20) are fixed.

12. An optical system (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said support surface (13) is located at a distance from said source (11) of between 20 centimetres and 5 metres (end values included).

13. An optical system (10) as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that said spacer (19) is connected to said reflecting element (12) and serves, if required, to apply a pressure to said reflecting element (12) by a mechanical or automatic screwing or unscrewing movement, in order to make the surface of the reflecting element (12) slightly convex or concave.

14. An optical system (10) as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that at least one interchangeable modular accessory element, used to modify the shape, the intensity, the colour, the direction and the sense of said reflected and conveyed light radiation, is fixed by screw or bayonet fixing means to said frarre (21) in front of said reflecting element (12), towards said light radiation source (11).

15. An optical system (10) as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that said accessory element consists of a diaphragm or a shaper or a filter or a guillotine.