WO2007116364A2

WO2007116364A2 - Uv lamp reflector, and tanning lamp and apparatus incorporating such reflector

Info

Publication number: WO2007116364A2
Application number: PCT/IB2007/051254
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lino Zonta
Original assignee: I.So Italia S.P.A
Priority date: 2006-04-07
Filing date: 2007-04-06
Publication date: 2007-10-18
Also published as: WO2007116364A3; ITVI20060105A1

Abstract

A UV lamp reflector, comprising a concave body (2) with an inner reflective surface (3) composed of a plurality of adjacent reflective sectors (6). The reflective sectors (6) have different surface areas and have such positions as to reflect the beam emitted from the light source (4) onto a geometric plane (πi), which is substantially perpendicular to a central longitudinal plane (πL) over an approximately square area (Q), said beams having a substantially uniform distribution, when said geometric plane (πi) is positioned from a predetermined minimum distance (d1) from said peripheral edge (5). A tanning lamp and apparatus incorporates such reflector.

Description

UV LAMP REFLECTOR, AND TANNING LAMP AND APPARATUS INCORPORATING SUCH REFLECTOR

Field of the invention

The present invention is generally applicable to the field of devices for cosmetic and/or therapeutic treatment of the human body and particularly relates to a UV lamp reflector as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

The invention further relates to a UV tanning lamp and apparatus incorporating such reflector.

Background of the invention

Tanning apparatus are known to contain internally thereof a plurality of UV radiation emitting lamps which are arranged in aligned relationship within flops or shells placed on the front or also on the back of a user.

The number and geometry of each lamp are selected according to the type of apparatus, lamps being arranged either in a single array or in multiple parallel arrays, like in the so-called "tanning beds" or "solariums".

A known lamp comprises a reflector formed from metal, glass, crystal or similar materials, substantially having the shape of an elliptical paraboloid and thus commonly known as "parabola", which lamp contains internally thereof a gas or metal vapor radiation source of the high pressure or high intensity discharge type for generating UVA radiation.

The light beam generated by the lamp is directed to the reflector which has a highly polished inner surface to reflect the beam towards the user, with distribution and intensity of irradiation depending on the reflector's geometry. One drawback of this known solution consists in that the parabola projects the light beam outwards in a non homogeneous manner, thereby forming beam energy concentration areas.

Furthermore, the geometry of the parabola does not allow the beam to be directed to only cover the areas to be subjected to tanning treatment. As a result, considerable light beam and radiant energy leakage occurs, with important losses in terms of reflector efficiency and performance of the whole tanning apparatus, due to higher energy consumption.

In an attempt to obviate the above drawbacks, several solutions have been proposed, in which light beam direction is controlled for reduced loss.

US 6,837,900 discloses a tanning module which comprises a reflector having the shape of an elliptical paraboloid with a faceted inner reflective surface formed of a plurality of sectors of identical surface areas.

While this solution provides improved distribution of the reflected beam, it still does not prevent beam leakage outside the area to be subjected to the tanning treatment.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to obviate the above drawbacks, by providing a UV lamp reflector that is highly efficient and relatively cost-effective.

A particular object is to provide a UV lamp reflector ensuring a uniform distribution of the radiation beam over the areas to subjected to the treatment.

A further object is to provide a reflector that allows to concentrate the beam into a limited area, facing the reflector, to reduce radiating beam leakage. Another object is to provide a UV lamp that ensures high performance and low energy consumption.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tanning apparatus whose components are protected from thermal shocks, while providing high safety for both users and operators.

These and other objects, as better explained hereinafter, are fulfilled by a UV lamp reflector which, according to claim 1 , comprises a concave body with an inner reflective surface for reflecting a light beam emitted from a light source located along a longitudinal optical axis, said inner reflective surface having a three- dimensional configuration substantially symmetrical with respect to a central longitudinal plane passing through said optical axis and a substantially quadrangular peripheral edge, said inner reflective surface being further formed of a plurality of adjacent reflective sectors, means being provided on said concave body for attachment of a light source along said optical axis.

The reflector is characterized in that the reflective sectors have differentiated surface areas and have such positions as to reflect the beam emitted from the light source onto a geometrical plane, which is substantially perpendicular to said central longitudinal plane over an approximately square area, said beam having a substantially uniform distribution, with said geometric plane spaced apart from the peripheral edge by at least a predetermined minimum distance from a predetermined minimum distance from the peripheral edge.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a lamp for a tanning apparatus and the like, which comprises a support enclosure to be accommodated within a tanning apparatus, the enclosure having a substantially concave shape with an open front wall, a reflector held therein, at least one light source attached to the reflector to emit a light beam at least partly outwardly reflected by the reflector and at least one protective plate for closing the open wall of the enclosure. The lamp is characterized in that the reflector is in accordance with any claim from

1 to 13.

Thanks to this feature of the invention, the UV lamp will enhance performance and reduce energy consumption of the apparatus in which it is incorporated.

In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a tanning apparatus comprising a first support structure which is designed to at least partly support a user and a second substantially elongate support structure for bearing a plurality of tanning lamps, wherein the lamps are as described in any claim from 14 to 16 and are evenly spaced with center-to-center distances of 30 cm to 40 cm to emit a substantially uniform beam, having a substantially constant transverse size along the whole longitudinal extension of said second support structure.

Thanks to this further aspect of the invention, the tanning apparatus provides a uniform distribution of the irradiated beam towards the user, thereby preventing any radiation leakage to areas outside the user or energy concentrations, while protecting the various parts from thermal shock damages.

Brief description of drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a UV lamp reflector and a tanning lamp and an apparatus according to the invention, which are described as a non-limiting example with the help of the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a UV lamp reflector according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the reflector of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a first side view of the reflector of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a second side view of the reflector of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 shows a detail of the reflector of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 6 is a front view of a lamp according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the lamp of FIG. 6 as taken along the plane N of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tanning apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows an irradiation distribution isocurve diagram for a reflector according to the invention;

FIG. 11 shows an irradiation distribution diagram for an apparatus of the invention as compared with the irradiation distribution of a prior art apparatus;

FIG. 12 shows an irradiation distribution diagram for a tanning apparatus of the invention as the distance of the geometric plane from the reflector edge;

FIG. 13 shows an irradiation distribution isocurve diagram in a tanning apparatus of the invention.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

With reference to the above figures, the reflector according to the invention, overall designated by numeral 1 , may be particularly fit for high pressure or high intensity discharge gas UV-lamps, mercury vapor or metal halide UV lamps and the like within tanning apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the UV lamp reflector comprises a concave body 2 with an inner reflective surface 3 for reflecting a light beam emitted from a light source 4 disposed along a longitudinal optical axis X.

The inner reflective surface 3 has a three-dimensional configuration that is substantially symmetrical with respect to a central longitudinal plane πι_ passing through the optical axis X and a substantially quadrangular peripheral edge 5, and is also formed of a plurality of adjacent reflective sectors, generally designated by numeral 6. Means 7 for attachment of a light source 4 along the optical axis X are provided on the concave body 2.

A peculiar feature of the invention is that the reflective sectors 6 have different surface areas and have such positions as to reflect the beam emitted from the light source 4 onto an ideal plane %_\, which is substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane πι_ over a substantially square area, indicated by a dashed line Q in FIG. 10, with a substantially uniform distribution with the geometric plane πι spaced apart from the peripheral edge 5 by at least a predetermined minimum distance d-i, as schematically shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reflector 1 may preferably have a substantially square plan shape with a peripheral portion 8 external to the concave body 2 and integral therewith to allow stable accommodation of the reflector 1 within a lamp.

The edge 5 of the concave body 2 is defined by a pair of opposed longitudinal sides 9', 9", which are curved and symmetrical with respect to the central longitudinal plane πι_, and are joined together by a pair of substantially straight opposed transverse sides 10', 10".

Preferably, the light source 4 has an elongate shape and its electrodes 11', 11" can engage into respective seats 12', 12", located at a corresponding transverse side 10', 10" of the concave body 2.

Furthermore, the inner reflective surface 3 may be formed from a material selected from the group comprising aluminum and aluminum alloys or other highly polished metal materials to ensure nearly total reflection of the beam emitted from the light source 4.

Particularly, the whole reflector 1 may be formed of one piece from the same material selected from the above group. As particularly shown by the side views of FIG. 3 and FiG. 4, the three- dimensional configuration of the reflective surface 3 is substantially symmetrical with respect to a central transverse plane m perpendicular to the optical axis X and defines respective longitudinal 13 and transverse 14 sections by intersecting the central longitudinal πι and transverse πr planes.

Particularly, the longitudinal section 13 has a substantially paraboloidic shape, whereas the transverse section 14 has an approximately semicircular shape, with the exception of a substantially convex central portion 15 in proximity of the central longitudinal plane πι_.

Advantageously, the central portion 15 is defined by a pair of substantially symmetrical parabolic arcs 16', 16" having respective inwardly facing concavities to define a cusp 17 at the central longitudinal plane τη_.

Thanks to this particular configuration the beam reflected from the reflective surface 3 can be deflected at such central portion 15, and still be prevented from being reflected back to the light source 4, thereby increasing the efficiency of the reflector 1 and protecting the light source 4 from overheating.

According to a preferred, non exclusive embodiment of the present reflector 1 , the reflective sectors 6 have a substantially rectangular plan shape resulting from the intersection of the inner reflective surface 3 with a first array of planes, generally designated by π , substantially parallel to the central longitudinal plane πι_ and a second array of planes, generally designated by π", substantially parallel to the central transverse plane πγ.

Furthermore, the planes π' of the first array may be substantially evenly spaced at a predetermined average distance 6₂ between successive planes π .

The planes π" of the second array may be staggered at respective gradually and symmetrically increasing distances dsfrom the central transverse plane π-r-

Thus, the reflective sectors 6 are divided into a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal rows, generally designated by numeral 18, and a plurality of substantially parallel transverse rows, generally designated by numeral 19.

Also, the reflective sectors 6 of one longitudinal row 18 have respective longitudinal sizes U increasing in the direction from the central area of the inner reflective surface 3 to each of the transverse sides 10', 10", whereas the respective transverse sizes b may be substantially constant.

Furthermore, the reflective sectors 6 have an inwardly facing convexity 20 having a predetermined maximum rise f, e.g. of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, as particularly shown in FIG. 5.

Thus, the direction of reflection of the beam emitted from the light source 4 facing towards the reflective source 3 may be controlled to project the reflective beam onto a predetermined useful area Q which substantially corresponds to the user area of the tanning apparatus incorporating the reflector 1.

The minimum distance di of the ideal plane πι from the peripheral edge 5, at which the distribution of the reflected beam is measured, is of 30 to 50 cm, preferably of about 35 cm.

FIG. 10 shows an isocurve diagram for an inventive reflector, which represents the irradiation distribution at an geometric plane π; which is situated at a distance di of 35 cm from the lignt source 4 and at a distance d₄ of 46 mm from the bottom of the inner reflective surface 3.

It was experimentally found that the area Q within which the reflected beam is distributed over the ideal plane πι has a substantially square shape, with a side of 25 to 35 cm, preferably of about 30 cm. FIG. 6 schematically shows a lamp 21 for a tanning apparatus and the like according to the invention, which comprises a support casing 22 to be accommodated within a tanning apparatus and having a substantially concave shape with an open front wall 23, a reflector 1 as described above held in the support casing 22 and at least one light source 4 attached to the reflector 1 to emit a light beam at least partly outwardly reflected by such reflector 1.

The casing 22 is further closed by at least one protective plate 24, preferably made of glass or a similar material with suitable mechanical and heat insulating properties, to ensure the required safety conditions for users and operators of the apparatus to be fitted with the lamp 21.

Particularly, the light source 4 may be a UV source selected from the group comprising high pressure gas, high discharge intensity, metal halide, mercury vapor light sources.

Furthermore, the lamp 21 may comprise a UVA filter 25 interposed between the reflector 1 and the protective plate 24, which consists of an additional plate of translucent glass or similar material or one or more membranes or films capable of filtering UVA radiation and the like.

FIG. 8 shows a tanning apparatus 26 comprising a first support structure 27 for at least partly supporting a user and a second substantially elongate support structure 28 for holding a plurality of tanning lamps 21 as described hereinbefore.

The lamps 21 are located in the apparatus in such a manner as to be evenly spaced with center-to-center distances of 30 cm to 40 cm, to emit a substantially uniform beam, having a substantially constant transverse size along the whole longitudinal extension Y of the second support structure 28.

Thanks to the particular arrangement of the lamps 21 in the apparatus 26 the distribution of the reflected beam will be characterized by a higher uniformity as compared with prior art apparatus.

FIG. 11 compares the irradiation distribution graph Ri, as measured in W/cm² over a cross section taken along one of the central planes TIL and %-χ of the reflector 1 , aligned with the longitudinal axis Y of the second support structure 28, and the distribution diagram R₀ of an apparatus equipped with a prior art reflector. Both measurements were made with the geometric planes πι at a distance of 35 cm from the peripheral edges of the respective reflectors 1 and with the light source 4 at a distance of 30 mm from the bottom of the respective reflective surfaces 3.

This comparison shows that, within a distance of about 20 cm from the central plane, the reflector 1 of the invention provides about 20-50% higher irradiated power as compared with lamps having prior art reflectors, as well as a lower transverse leakage.

Using the reflector 1 of the invention, the beam emitted from the plurality of light sources provided for each lamp 21 and reflected by each reflector 1 has a highly uniform overall distribution.

Lower power light sources 4 or a smaller number of lamps 21 may thus be employed, and considerable increases of performance and energy savings may be thereby achieved.

An apparatus 26 according to the invention may be, for instance, of the "bed" type, having a plurality of flaps or banks 29 as shown in FIG. 9, containing a predetermined number of lamps 21 , which are placed both above and behind the user for total body tanning.

Here, one or more banks 29 may be employed, each containing six 620 W lamps 21 , or five 1000 W lamps, to afford in either case considerable power savings as compared with prior art solutions. In a second configuration, not shown, the apparatus 26 may include a first support structure 27, such as a chair, an armchair or the like, having a second support structure 28, as shown in FIG. 9, attached thereto and situated in front of the user.

FIG. 12 shows a diagram of the irradiation distribution as measured in W/cm², as a function of the distance di of the ideal plane πι from the edge 5 of each reflector 1 , in an apparatus 26 of the invention having five 1000W lamps 21 with a center-to- center distance i of 37.5 cm.

Particularly, the first continuous curve Wi at the top represents the irradiation distribution at a distance di of 31.5 cm, the second curve W₂ represents such distribution at a distance di of 35 cm, and the third curve W₃ is related to a distance di of 49 cm.

In the same graph, the dashed curves represent the irradiation distribution for a single reflector 1 at the same sequence of distances as the five reflector case.

FIG. 13 finally shows the irradiation distribution isocurve diagram for a tanning apparatus 26 of the invention comprising five reflectors 1 having a center-to-center distance of 37 cm, with an ideal plane π_\ at 35 cm from the corresponding edge 5. The combination of the irradiation areas of the lamps 21 provides a total irradiation area having an approximately rectangular elongate shape with waved edges, which is concentrated in the lying user area, with much lower radiation losses than in prior art apparatus.

From the foregoing disclosure it is apparent that the invention fulfills the intended objects and particularly meets the requirement of providing a UV lamp reflector that provides a reflected beam having a highly uniform distribution and minimal loss of energy.

Thanks to the particular reflector configuration, tanning apparatus may employ lower power UV lamps or a smaller number of UV lamps, while enhancing performance and achieving considerable energy savings.

The reflector, lamp and tanning apparatus of this invention are susceptible of a number of changes and variants, within the inventive concept disclosed in the appended claims. All the details thereof may be replaced by other technically equivalent parts, and the materials may vary depending on different needs, without departure from the scope of the invention.

While the reflector, lamp and tanning apparatus has been described with particular reference to the accompanying figures, the numerals referred to in the disclosure and claims are only used for the sake of a better intelligibility of the invention and shall not be intended to limit the claimed scope in any manner.

Claims

1. A UV lamp reflector comprising a concave body (2) with an inner reflective surface (3) for reflecting a light beam emitted from a light source (4) located along a longitudinal optical axis (X), said inner reflective surface (3) having a three- dimensional configuration substantially symmetrical with respect to a central longitudinal plane (πι_) passing through said optical axis (X) and a substantially quadrangular peripheral edge (5), said inner reflective surface (3) being further formed of a plurality of adjacent reflective sectors (6), said concave body (2) being provided with means (7) for attachment of a light source (4) along said optical axis

(X). characterized in that said reflective sectors (6) have different surface areas and have such positions as to reflect the beam emitted from the light source (4) onto a geometric plane (πθ, which is substantially perpendicular to said central longitudinal plane (πθ over an approximately square area (Q), said beam having a substantially uniform distribution with said geometric plane (πi) spaced apart from said peripheral edge (5) by at least a predetermined minimum distance (di).

2. Reflector as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said three-dimensional configuration of said reflective surface (3) is substantially symmetrical with respect to a central transverse plane (πγ) perpendicular to said optical axis (X) and defines respective longitudinal (13) and transverse (14) sections by intersecting the central longitudinal (πι_) and transverse (π-r) planes.

3. Reflector as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said longitudinal section (13) has a substantially parabolic shape, and said transverse section (14) has an approximately semicircular shape, with the exception of a substantially convex central portion (15) in the proximity of said central longitudinal plane (πι_).

4. Reflector as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said central convex portion (15) is defined by a pair of substantially symmetrical parabolic arcs (16',

16") having respective inwardly facing concavities to define a cusp (17) at said central longitudinal plane (πι_).

5. Reflector as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said peripheral edge (5) is defined by a pair of opposed longitudinal sides (9', 9"), which are curved and symmetrical with respect to said central longitudinal plane (πι_), and are joined together by a pair of substantially straight opposed transverse sides (10', 10").

6. Reflector as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that said reflective sectors (6) have a substantially rectangular plan shape resulting from the intersection of said inner reflective surface (3) with a first array of planes (π¹), substantially parallel to said central longitudinal plane (π_L) and a second array of planes (π"), substantially parallel to said central transverse plane (πj).

7. Reflector as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the planes (π¹) of said first array are substantially evenly spaced at a predetermined average distance (d₂) from each other.

8. Reflector as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the planes (π¹) of said second array are staggered at gradually and symmetrically increasing distances (d₃) from said central transverse plane (πγ).

9. Reflector as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that each of said reflective sectors (6) has an inwardly facing convexity (20) with a predetermined maximum rise (f).

10. Reflector as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said predetermined minimum distance (d-i) of said ideal plane (πi) from said peripheral edge (5) is of 30 to 50 cm and is preferably of about 35 cm.

11. Reflector as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said substantially square shape has a side of 25 to 35 cm and preferably of about 30 cm.

12. Reflector as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said reflective surface (3) is formed from a material selected from the group comprising aluminum and aluminum alloys.

13. Reflector as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said attachment means (7) include a pair of seats (12', 12") for housing corresponding electrodes (11', 11") of a light source (4), each seat (12', 12") of said pair being located at a respective one of the opposed transverse sides (10', 10") of said concave body (2).

14. A lamp for tanning apparatus and the like, comprising: a support casing (22) to be accommodated within a tanning apparatus (26), said casing (22) having a substantially concave shape with an open front wall (23); a reflector (1) held in said support casing (22); at least one light source (4) attached to said reflector (1) to emit a light beam at least partly outwardly reflected by said reflector (1 ); at least one protective plate (24) for closing said open wall (23) of said casing (22), wherein the reflector (1) is in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. Lamp as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that said at least one light source (4) is a UV source selected from the group comprising high pressure gas, high discharge intensity, metal halide, mercury vapor light sources.

16. Lamp as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that it comprises at least one UVA filter (25) interposed between said reflector (1) and said at least one protective plate (24).

17. A tanning apparatus comprising a first support structure (7) for at least partly supporting a user and a second substantially elongate support structure (28) for housing a plurality of tanning lamps (21), characterized in that said lamps (21) are in accordance with any one of claims 14 to 16 and are evenly spaced with center-to-center distances (i) of 30 cm to 40 cm to emit a substantially uniform beam, having a substantially constant transverse size along the whole longitudinal extension (Y) of said second support structure (29).

18. A reflector, a lamp and an apparatus as specifically described and illustrated.