WO1999057484A1

WO1999057484A1 - Device for guiding light

Info

Publication number: WO1999057484A1
Application number: PCT/CH1999/000185
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rudolf Signer
Original assignee: Signer Ingenieurunternehmen Ag
Priority date: 1998-05-04
Filing date: 1999-05-04
Publication date: 1999-11-11

Abstract

The invention relates to a device comprising a collector (1) for sunlight and a light guiding device (2) which is configured in such a way that it can guide and distribute light collected by the collector. The collector (1) is configured in such a way that the quantity of light delivered to the light guiding device (2) remains approximately unchanged regardless of the position of the sun during a day.

Description

Facility for light control

The present invention relates to a device for directing light, with a collector for sunlight and with a light guiding device which is designed so that it can guide and distribute the light collected by ^" the collector.

Facilities of this type are already known. As a rule, they have a light collector which can receive the maximum of light from only one direction. So that such a collector can emit the maximum amount of light to the light guide device throughout the day, the collector can be moved so that it tracks the position of the sun during the day. Such a collector must be mounted so that it can move, with the aid of a drive device. These moving parts of such a device are not only in need of maintenance but also prone to failure and they also increase the cost of these devices.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantage mentioned and other disadvantages of the prior art.

This object is achieved according to the invention as defined in the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

Embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

βEStoU GSKQPIt 1 is a perspective and schematic of a first embodiment of the present device,

2 in a vertical section and schematically a section of the device according to FIG. 1, this section showing, among other things, a light collector, FIG. 3 enlarges the light collector from FIG. 2, FIG. 4 greatly enlarges a section from the light collector according to FIG . 3,

5 shows a top view of a first embodiment of one of the reflectors of the device according to FIG. 3

6 is a top view of a second embodiment of the reflector of the device according to FIG. 3

7 shows a side view of an application example for the device according to FIG. 3,

8 shows a building in which the present device is used, and

Fig. 9 is a perspective and schematic of a second embodiment of the present device.

The present device serves to capture light, in particular sunlight, and to direct the captured light, in particular in buildings, tunis and the like. The device shown in Fig. 1 has a device 2 for guiding light, which has a practically vertical main axis A. This device 2, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a transition element 3 and a device 5 for coupling light out of this device. The transition element 3 goes through the roof 6 or one through the other wall of the building. The transition element 3 has a base body 31, which has the shape of a truncated cone. The larger base area 17 of the transition element 3 lies outside and the smaller base area 18 of the transition element 3 lies within the building. The decoupling device 5 is connected to the smaller base area 18 of the transition element 3.

If there is a distance between the transition device 3 and the decoupling device 5, a light channel 4 can be interposed between these components 3 and 5 of the present device. The shape and dimensions of the cross section of the light channel 4 are adapted to the shape and dimensions of the transition device 3 and the coupling device 5. The light channel 4 can be connected to the smaller base area 18 of the transition device 3 with the aid of a flange 7. The larger base area 17 of the transition element 3 is provided with a plate, this plate also bearing the reference number 17. An opening 16 is made in the central region of this cover plate 17.

The base body 31 of the transition element 3 shown in FIG. 2 is designed as a truncated pyramid, so that its base surfaces 17 and 18 have a square outline. The base body 31 of such a transition element 3 further comprises side walls, of which only three side walls 312, 313 and 314 can be seen in FIG. 2. In such a base body, the cover plate 17 also has a square outline, wherein it is composed of two sections or partial plates 171 and 172. These partial plates 171 and 172 are at a distance from one another and this distance represents the opening 16 already mentioned. The outer edge of the respective section 171 or 172 of the cover plate 17 is assigned to that edge of the mutually opposite side walls 312 and 313 of the base body 31 , which lies in the area of the larger base area 17. A source 25 of artificial light is accommodated in the interior of the respective corner region of the transition element 3, which is limited only by the relevant edge section 171 or 172 of the plate 17 and by the associated edge part of the side wall 312 or 313.

A light collector 1 (FIGS. 2 and 3) is assigned to the larger base area 17 of the transition element 3 lying outside or above the building. This collector 1 is designed as a stationary device. In addition, this collector 1 is also designed such that the amount of light emitted by the collector 1 to the device remains approximately the same during a day, regardless of the position of the sun.

The base body 15 of the collector 1 has the shape of a section of a hollow body. In the case shown, the base body 15 of the collector 1 has the shape of a section of the jacket of a cylinder. Such a section 15 of the cylinder jacket has longitudinal edges 151 and 152 which run parallel to one another and parallel to the central axis B of the cylinder. The central angle of the cylinder jacket section 15 is 180 degrees or this central angle has a smaller value. The base body 15 of the collector 1 is embedded in the larger base area 17 of the transition element 3. In the illustrated case, the collector 1 is embedded in the cover plate 17, specifically in such a way that the longitudinal edges 151 and 152 of the base body 15 of the collector 1 adjoin the inner edges of the plate sections 171 and 172. The convex side 153 of the cylinder section 15 faces the light guiding device 2.

The collector base body 15 is made of a transparent material, e.g. made of glass or a transparent plastic. The axis B of the cylinder or the direction of the longitudinal edges 151 and 152 of the collector base body 15 coincides with the north-south direction. In addition, the collector 1 is arranged such that the axis B of the cylinder and thus also the longitudinal edges 151 and 152 mentioned are inclined with respect to a horizontal plane in such a way that the end part of the collector 1 facing the south is lower than the end part thereof facing the north (not shown). A vertical plane E, in which the axis A also lies, intersects the collector base body 15 in two halves 155 and 156, this main plane E being perpendicular to the plane of the drawing sheet.

The collector 1 has means 20 for deflecting light, which are designed such that the amount of light emitted by the collector 1 to the other components of this device is independent of the position of the sun during a day remains about the same size. The light deflection means 20 are assigned to the concave surface 154 of the collector base body 15 facing away from the transition element 3 or they protrude from this surface 154. In the case shown, these light deflecting means 20 are divided into two sections 21 and 22, each section 21 and 22 of which lies to one of the sides of the vertical main plane E. The deflection sections 21 and 22 can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the main plane E mentioned. The deflection sections 21 and 22 are at a distance from one another, so that that region 23 of the collector base body 15 which is located between these deflection sections 21 and 22 has a smooth surface.

The respective deflection section 21 or 22 includes light-reflecting surfaces which extend parallel to one another and parallel to the longitudinal axis B of the collector base body 15, of which only two of these surfaces 221 and 222 are shown in FIG. 3 in order to explain the mode of operation of the collector 1. The respective deflection section 21 or 22, which includes the deflection surfaces 221, 222 etc., as a whole thus also extends parallel to the longitudinal axis B of the cylinder and therefore also parallel to the surface lines of the collector base body 15.

The inclination of the individual reflecting surfaces 221, 222 etc. relative to the main plane E is selected within the respective deflection section 21 or 22 such that the reflecting surfaces 221, 222 etc. of the deflection section 21 or 22 lying on one side of the main plane E. those rays into the Defle nere of the device, which fall from the opposite side of the main plane E on the relevant deflection section 21 or 22. Furthermore, the inclination of the deflecting surfaces 221, 222, etc. can also be selected such that the light rays deflected by them inside the device run as parallel as possible to one another. In this case, the inclination of the deflecting surfaces 221, 222 etc. within the respective deflecting section 21 or 22 relative to the main plane E from the deflecting surface 221 to the deflecting surface 222 can be different. The angle beta, which extends between the main plane E and the reflecting surface 221 or 222, can be 30 to 70 degrees, advantageously 45 degrees.

To explain the mode of operation of collector 1, it is assumed that east 0 is to the left of main plane E and west W is to the right of it. To demonstrate the mode of operation, the path is observed by only two beams. The path of these rays is only shown very schematically in the drawing.

In the morning, when the sun is only slightly above the horizon, the sun rays S11 and S12 fall on the surfaces 221 and 222 of the second section 22 of the deflecting means 20. These surfaces 221 and 222 reflect the rays in such a way that they follow the surfaces 221 and 222 propagate in the device as rays S21 and S22 running practically parallel to the main axis A. As the height of the sun rises above the horizon, more and more light rays reach the interior of the device through the transparent base body 15 of the collector 1. 8th

When the sun is at the zenith, most of the light enters the interior of the device through the middle part 23 of the collector 1, which has a smooth surface. When the sun sets in the afternoon, the light rays fall more and more onto the corresponding reflecting surfaces in the first deflection section 21, by means of which these light rays are deflected into the interior of the device in an analogous manner.

The deflection sections 21 and 22 have groups of ribs 30 which extend parallel to one another and in the direction of the surface lines or the edges 151 and 152 of the base body 15 of the collector 1 at intervals from one another. These ribs 30 protrude from the concave inner surface 154 of the collector base body 15 and they are expediently in one piece with the main part of the collector base body 15.

4 one of these ribs 30 is shown enlarged. The rib 30 has a triangular cross section, so that it has two flanks 32 and 33. The free ends of these flanks 32 and 33 end at the main part 23 of the collector base body 15. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the reflecting surface 222 is assigned to that flank 33 of the rib 30 which faces the interior of the device. Such a deflecting surface 222 can be embodied as a reflective layer applied to the rib flank 33 or the surface itself of the flank 33 can under certain circumstances serve as such a reflective surface 222. It is also possible that from the inside of the Device to use flank surface 32 facing away from rib 30 as reflecting surface 222. In such a case, this flank surface 32 can also be provided with a reflective layer (not shown).

In the room to be illuminated there is at least one device 5 for decoupling light from the present device. Such a device 5 is shown in FIG. 1 and in FIGS. 5 to 7. This decoupling device 5 is connected to the end of the transition element 3 located inside the building. According to FIGS. 1 and 5, this decoupling device or light emitter 5 comprises two reflectors 35 and 36, which are practically rotationally symmetrical. These reflectors 35 and 36 lie on a common axis of rotation and they are arranged at a distance from one another.

The first reflector 35 has a concave base body or casing 37, which in the case shown is composed of individual plates 38 with a trapezoidal outline. These plates 38 are firmly connected to one another via their converging edges. In the central area of the main body 37, an opening 39 is made, which is assigned to the outlet opening of the transition piece or member 3 in such a way that light can pass from the transition piece 3 into the light emitter 5. The shape of the outline and the dimensions of this outline of the opening 39 in the light emitter 5 should correspond to the shape and the dimensions of the outlet opening in the transition piece 3. The cavity in the concave reflector 35 is against the 1 0

Tende surface 29 directed.

The second reflector 36 of the light emitter 5 according to FIGS. 1 and 5 has the shape of a cone or a multi-sided pyramid. The jacket of this reflector 36 can consist of triangular plates which are firmly connected to one another via their abutting legs. The apex of this second reflector 36 faces the first reflector 35 and is directed approximately towards the center of the inlet opening 39 in the first reflector 35. The diameter of the base of the convex reflector 36 is smaller than the diameter of the base of the concave reflector 35.

Light rays which enter the light emitter through the entry opening 39 in the first reflector 35 reach the second reflector 36. The light rays are thereby thrown against the inner surface of the first reflector 35, from which they are reflected so that they form a light cone 28 which, for example, forms the illuminated surface 29 already mentioned on a floor 27.

FIG. 6 shows a light emitter 5 which has the concave reflector 35 described above. Under certain circumstances you can get by with this reflector 35 alone. Or you can assign a matt and translucent plate to the lower mouth or the lower, larger base of this conical or pyramid-shaped and concave reflector 35, which diffuses the light that passes through the inlet opening 39 in the reflector 11

35 arrives in this light emitter 5.

7 shows a further embodiment of the present device, which comprises two light emitters 5 for illuminating a larger room, for example a hall. The light emitters 5 are at a distance from one another and they are also at the same height above the floor 27. The distance between the light emitters 5 is selected such that the light cones 28 generated by the emitters 5 are in the vicinity of the surfaces 29 to be illuminated partially overlap.

8 shows a section of a building which is equipped with the present device. In the present case, a light-guiding device 4 is flanged to the transition element 3, which guides the light captured by the collector 1 downward through the building. Inside the building, in the case shown in the area of the ground floor EG, there is a light emitter 40 which is fastened under the ceiling of the interior. This light emitter 40 is connected at one end to the light guide device 4, the light being coupled out into the light emitter 40 with the aid of an inclined mirror 43 in the end part of the light guide device 4.

The light emitter 40 is designed as a light guide channel, the base body 41 of which has a square cross section. At one end, this channel 41 is connected to the light guide device 4. The cross section of the channel 41 increases with the 1 2

distance from the light guiding device 4. This can be achieved, for example, in such a way that the size of at least one of the transverse dimensions of the light guide channel 41 decreases with the increasing distance from the light guide device 4. In the case shown, this effect is achieved in such a way that the height of the channel 41 decreases, the bottom 42 of the channel 41 lying practically in a horizontal plane. At least the bottom 42 of this channel 41 is made of a transparent material, so that light can pass through the wall or through the walls of this wedge-shaped channel 41 into the interior of the room in question.

9 shows another embodiment of the present device. In this device, the collector 10 is immovably placed on a building, hill, etc. This collector 10 is designed as a type of mirror. Specifically, the front of this first mirror 10 is essentially structured as set out in connection with the collector 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 4. This collector 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 4 has some features of the so-called Fressnel lens. By contrast, since the collector 10 according to FIG. 9 is a mirror, the reflecting surfaces of the mirror structured in this way have different angular positions than the reflecting surfaces 221, 222 etc. of the lens 1.

9 forms from the rays received by the sun a bundle 13 in which the individual 1 3

Rays run practically parallel next to each other. This beam of rays 13 passes from the collector 10 to a second mirror 12, which is expediently placed on the roof 6 or similar to a building. In the case shown, the light channel 4 passes through the roof 6 and its end part above the roof 6 carries the second mirror 12. This mirror 12 can be a conventional plane mirror, the inclination of which is set in relation to the colletor 10 such that the beam 13 passes through the light channel 4 runs as parallel as possible to its inner walls. This largely prevents light reflections on the inside of the light channel 4.

It is possible to design the reflecting surfaces on the collectors 1 and 10 in such a way that the beam 13 is even somewhat conical, in such a way that the diameter of the light beam 13 decreases with the increasing distance from the collectors 1 and 10. One of the consequences of this is that the diameter of a spot on a horizontal surface which is illuminated by the beam 13 in this target area has a smaller diameter than the collector 1 or 10, but has a greater brightness.

Claims

1 4Patent claims

1. Device for light control, with a collector (1) for sunlight and with a light guide device (2), which is designed so that it can guide and distribute the light collected by the collector, characterized in that the collector (1) so is carried out so that the amount of light emitted to the light guide device (2) remains approximately the same during a day regardless of the position of the sun.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base body (15) of the collector (1) is designed as a section of a hollow body, that the collector (19 is assigned to one of the end parts of the light guiding device (2) and that the collector (1 ) Has means (21, 22) which are designed such that the amount of light emitted to the light guiding device (2) remains approximately the same during a day, regardless of the position of the sun.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the base body (15) of the collector is designed as a section (23) of the jacket of a cylinder, that the convex side surface (153) of this cylinder section (23) faces the light guiding device (2) that the collector base body (15) is advantageously oriented such that the axis (B) of the cylinder section (23) coincides with the north-south direction and that the said axis (B) is aligned with a horizon 1 5

Valley level is inclined so that the end portion of the collector (1) facing south is lower than the end portion of the collector facing north.

4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the facing away from the light guide device (2), concave surface (154) of the collector base body (15) with mutually parallel and parallel to the longitudinal axis (B) of the cylinder section (23) extending, light reflecting or light-deflecting surfaces (221, 222) is provided such that these surfaces form two groups (21, 22), that each of these surface groups (21, 22) lies to one side of the longitudinal axis (B) of the cylinder section (23), that the inclination of the reflecting surfaces Surfaces in the respective group (21, 22) is selected such that the surfaces (221, 222) of the respective group (21, -22) deflect those rays (S1, S2) into the interior of the light-guiding device (2) that are opposite the opposite one Side of the cylinder axis (B) fall onto the surfaces.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the light-reflecting surfaces (221,222) are components of ribs (30), that these ribs protrude from the concave surface (154) of the collector base body (15) and that the cross section of these ribs (30) is practically triangular.

6. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one device (5,40) is provided for emitting light. 1 6

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the light emitter (5) comprises a practically rotationally symmetrical, concave reflector (35) and a likewise practically rotationally symmetrical convex reflector (36) that these reflectors (35,36) lie on a common axis of rotation and are at a distance from each other that the diameter of the base of the convex reflector (36) is smaller than the diameter of the base of the concave reflector (35), that the apex of the convex reflector (36) faces the concave reflector (35) and that the inner surface of the concave reflector (35) is directed towards the surface (29) to be illuminated.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the base body of the concave reflector (35) consists of substantially trapezoidal sectors (38) and that the side edges of these sectors (38) are firmly connected to one another.

9. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the light emitter (40) is designed as a light guide channel (41), that this channel is connected to the light distribution device (2) at one end and that the size of at least one of the transverse dimensions of the light guide channel (41) decreases with increasing distance from the light guide device (2).

10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in 1 7

that the collector (10) is designed as a stationary mirror, which is designed such that it can bundle received light beams, and that this first mirror (10) is directed towards a receiver (12) of the beam (13), which the Beam of light (13) leads into the rooms to be illuminated.