WO2015090625A1

WO2015090625A1 - Textile arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2015090625A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/052219
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rainer Gössl
Original assignee: K & R Sax Gmbh
Priority date: 2013-12-20
Filing date: 2014-02-05
Publication date: 2015-06-25

Abstract

The invention relates to a textile arrangement having a fabric sheet made of a plurality of textile fibres and/or textile threads, said fabric sheet having at least one optical waveguide for emitting light and having at least one bending component for forming at least one light-emitting bend of the optical waveguide.

Description

Textile arrangement

The invention relates to a textile arrangement with a textile fabric having a multiplicity of textile fibers and / or textile threads. Moreover, the present invention relates to a multi-layer structure with a textile arrangement of the aforementioned type, the use of the multilayer structure and an illumination system with an arrangement and / or a multi-layer structure respectively of the aforementioned type. Here, under a textile fabric according to the present invention, for example, a fabric , Knitted, knitted, woven, knitted, non-woven or felt.

Such fabrics may be formed to be able to emit light. For a light emission, phosphorescent constituents can be introduced into the textile fabric. However, the phosphorescence can not be controlled. Furthermore, the luminosity decreases with time and the possibilities of colored design of the lighting are severely limited. Alternatively, electroluminescent filaments that emit light upon application of electrical voltage may be incorporated into the textile. However, this has the disadvantage that it can lead to short circuits in the textile due to the passage of electricity through the textile. In addition, textile fabrics with electroluminescent filaments are expensive to produce and therefore expensive.

Furthermore, it is possible to incorporate a plurality of individual light sources, for example LED elements, in a textile. But even with this solution, the production cost is high and there is the fundamental disadvantage of having to conduct electricity through the textile.

The object of the present invention is to provide a textile arrangement with a textile fabric having a multiplicity of textile fibers and / or textile threads, which makes it possible to emit light over the textile fabric in a simple and cost-effective manner with a simple possibility of emitting light to control and achieve a uniform light output across the fabric allows. The above object is achieved by a textile arrangement having the features of claim 1. The features of the dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments. According to the invention, in a textile arrangement with a textile fabric comprising a multiplicity of textile fibers and / or textile threads, at least one optical waveguide for emitting light and at least one bending component for bending the optical waveguide are provided such that in the region of at least one bend, in particular at many turns of the waveguide Fiber optic cable, a light exit from the optical fiber into the environment takes place. Here, the optical waveguide is bent in the textile arrangement around the bending component.

The optical waveguide is able to transport a luminous flux, which is coupled into the optical waveguide, through the textile fabric. For the purpose of coupling in light, the optical waveguide can be connected to a light source in a manner known from the prior art. The optical waveguide then makes it possible to transport the luminous flux through the textile fabric from the light source to the location where it is to be dispensed from the textile arrangement. If an optical waveguide is deflected strongly enough and has a sufficiently small bending radius in the region of a bend, light can leave the optical waveguide in the region of the bend over its lateral surface. The transport of the luminous flux in an optical waveguide is based on the fact that the light waves transported in the optical waveguide are reflected at an interface between an optically denser medium in the optical waveguide and an optically thinner medium. The optically denser medium may, for example in the case of a simple glass fiber, be the optical waveguide itself, which is surrounded by the ambient air as a visually thinner medium. The optically denser medium may also be a core of the optical waveguide, which is surrounded by a visually thinner jacket. If the light waves hit the interface at an angle that is below the limit angle required for total reflection to the solder at the interface, the light waves are not reflected at the interface, but leave the optically denser medium. If the optical waveguide is bent hard enough, in the region of the bend light waves strike the interface at an angle which is smaller than the critical angle for total reflection is what causes at least some of the lightwaves to leave the optical waveguide.

Due to the low bending stiffness or lability of textile fibers and / or textile threads, however, it is not possible or only to a limited extent possible to bend the optical waveguide on textile fibers and / or textile threads. This is due, on the one hand, to the high modulus of elasticity (modulus of elasticity) of the optical waveguide and, on the other hand, to the high bending stiffness of the optical waveguide resulting from the modulus of elasticity and the diameter of the optical waveguide. Although the bending stiffness of the optical waveguide can be reduced by reducing its diameter, however, the optical waveguide can then absorb and emit only a small luminous flux due to the reduced diameter.

By using bending components in the textile arrangement, it is possible in accordance with the invention to bend the optical waveguide so that when light is coupled into the optical waveguide, an at least partial light emission is effected via the lateral surface of the optical waveguide in the region of the bend. In this case, the optical waveguide is preferably bent several times, so that an at least partial light emission in the region of the bends is effected. However, it does not have to come at all turns of the optical fiber to a light leak. Preferably, a predominant part of the coupled-in light leaves the optical waveguide on a certain outside of the textile arrangement, so that predominantly or substantially only this outside is illuminated.

The deflection of the optical waveguide is chosen so that damage to the optical waveguide is excluded due to excessive bending. In this context, it is particularly advantageous if the bending radius is chosen to be at least so large that it is ensured that no damage to the optical waveguide due to excessive bending occurs when the textile arrangement is used as intended. In this case, damage to the optical waveguide is to be understood as meaning, in particular, the formation of microscopic cracks, in particular on the surface of the optical waveguide. Such cracks can sustainably weaken the structure of the optical waveguide and thus reduce its service life. In connection with the life of the optical waveguide, it is advantageous and preferably provided that the surface of the optical waveguide is not mechanically or chemically roughened or otherwise disturbed in its homogeneity. This also includes, for example, the selective breaking of the surface on the lateral surface of the optical waveguide, in particular by a laser, which indeed promotes a light emission through the lateral surface of the optical waveguide, but this structurally weakens. A significant advantage of the present invention is to allow a sufficient light leakage through the jacket without such structurally weakening measures. This also allows a cost-effective production of the textile arrangement according to the invention.

Small diameter optical fibers have a low flexural rigidity, which is advantageous for use in a textile arrangement. Therefore, the diameter of the optical waveguide is preferably at most 2 mm. Particularly advantageously, the diameter is at most 1 mm. In contrast, optical fibers with a larger diameter have the advantage that more light can be coupled into the optical waveguide and emitted by the optical waveguide. Therefore, it is also advantageous if the diameter of the optical waveguide is at least 0.05 mm, preferably at least 0.1 mm, particularly preferably at least 0.5 mm.

The properties of the optical waveguide, in particular the bending properties of the optical waveguide, continue to depend on the material of the optical waveguide. Particular preference is given to using an optical waveguide made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC). Alternatively, however, other plastics can also be used as material for the optical waveguide. The use of glass fibers as optical fibers is possible. The aforementioned material specifications relate in particular to the material of the core of the optical waveguide, if it is an optical waveguide with a core-shell structure.

The flexure component may be one or more fibers and / or threads. The fibers or threads can be processed in a simple way weaving. In particular, the bending component is a monofilament, which allows a simple weaving technical introduction of the bending component in the textile arrangement. Here, the bending component can be processed both as a chain and as a shot. A fiber or a filament may also have a coating or sheath or wise consist of different materials that form a physically coherent fibrous structure.

In particular, depending on the intended use of the textile arrangement, it may be advantageous if the bending stiffness of the bending component and / or the modulus of elasticity (E-modulus) of the bending component is greater than the bending stiffness of the optical waveguide and / or the modulus of elasticity of the optical waveguide. When bending the optical waveguide on the bending component so a small bending radius of the optical waveguide can be achieved with less deflection of the Biegungskom- component.

It has further been found in connection with the invention that it is advantageous if the bending stiffness of the bending component and / or the modulus of elasticity of the bending component on the one hand and the bending stiffness of the optical waveguide and / or the modulus of elasticity of the optical fiber to the other maximum differ by a factor of 10 or one order of magnitude. This allows a strong bending of the optical waveguide by the bending component and at the same time achieve sufficient flexibility of the textile arrangement according to the invention.

For example, the flexure component may consist of polyethersulfone (PES) and / or preferably have substantially PES. This material has an elastic elongation of about 50% and an E-module, which is on the order of typical E-modules of optical fibers.

For example, the flexure component may consist of polyethersulfone (PES) and / or have PES. This material has very good mechanical properties and can be easily processed by weaving technology. Furthermore, the bending stiffness of the bending component and / or the modulus of elasticity of the bending component can be greater than the bending stiffness and / or the modulus of elasticity of the fibers and / or threads of the textile fabric. Thus, the fibers or threads of the textile fabric can ensure a textile-typical flexibility of the textile arrangement, while the bending component allows the desired bending of the optical waveguide. The textile fabric may be a particularly elastic fabric. Typical of a fabric is the processing of fibers and / or threads with a machine weaving process, whereby the threads or fibers can be processed in either warp or weft direction. Crossing points of warp and weft threads or fibers are also referred to as setting in the context of the present invention. A binding designates a binding point at which the warp and weft of the fabric cross in a tissue-like manner.

An advantage of the formation of the textile fabric as a fabric is in particular that the optical waveguide can be tied off by at least one weaving technique or, in other words, woven into the fabric. The optical waveguide can cross a bending component and / or a textile thread in the textile fabric in a tissue-like manner. The setting can be done by means of bending components and / or fibers or threads of the textile fabric already in the web technical production of the fabric. By setting of the optical waveguide several bends of the optical waveguide are then generated, of which at least at certain bends a light exit from the optical waveguide is achieved. The optical waveguide can be introduced into the tissue in the warp and / or weft direction. The bending component can likewise be introduced into the fabric in the warp and / or weft direction and, preferably, processed as a warp or weft thread. For example, the optical waveguide in the weft direction and the bending component and / or the fiber or the thread in the warp direction can be arranged and woven together. Alternatively, it is of course also possible to process the optical waveguide as a warp and the bending component and / or the thread or the fiber as a weft. An essential advantage of a fabric-like textile arrangement with optical waveguides and bending components processed in the warp and weft directions is simple production on preferably automated weaving machines.

The optical waveguide can extend at least in sections on a surface of the textile fabric and be guided into at least one bending component into the fabric and / or through the fabric. It is also possible to lead an optical waveguide, which extends within the textile fabric, out of the fabric at a bending component. A preferred structure of the textile arrangement may provide that the optical waveguide is bent in each case between two bending components immediately adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide and thereby crosses both bending components. The adjacent bending components are in this case on different longitudinal sides of the optical waveguide against the optical waveguide in order to produce a bend, in particular a light-emitting turn, of the optical waveguide. In the region between the two adjacent bending components, the optical waveguide is guided from a surface of the textile fabric into the textile fabric and, preferably, through the textile fabric to the other side of the textile fabric. In the course between the immediately adjacent bending components, the optical waveguide then changes the direction of curvature.

The optical waveguide can also be bent at two spaced apart and on a same longitudinal side of the optical waveguide against the optical waveguide bending components, wherein the optical waveguide at both bends formed by a same outside of the textile arrangement into the fabric in and / or passed. Here, at both bends formed in this way, a light emission may occur via the outer surface of the optical waveguide.

In this context, it is preferably provided that the optical waveguide in the region between two mutually spaced and on a same longitudinal side of the optical waveguide against the optical waveguide bending components extends on a same outer side of the textile arrangement and forms an optical waveguide section. At the ends of the optical waveguide section or at the two, the optical waveguide section bounding bends, it may then come to a light exit from the optical waveguide. In many applications, a light emission is desired only on an outer side of the textile arrangement. This is the case, for example, when the textile arrangement is used as a car roof lining. However, there are also other similar applications in which one side of the textile fabric is not visible or hidden, conceivable. In these cases, it is advantageous if the optical waveguide is arranged and in particular bent such that at least 70%, in particular 80%, more particularly 90%, of the light emission takes place only on an outer side of the textile arrangement. At least one further bending component crossing the optical waveguide may be provided in the region of an optical waveguide section formed between two bending elements which are spaced apart from one another and which bear against the optical waveguide on a same longitudinal side of the optical waveguide. The further bending component preferably runs at least substantially parallel to the two spaced-apart bending components. The three bending components lie on different sides of the optical waveguide against the optical waveguide. The further bending component prevents in particular arcing of the optical waveguide in the region between the two spaced-apart bending components. The further bending component presses the optical waveguide in the region between the spaced-apart bending components against the flat side of the textile arrangement or the textile fabric, thus preventing the formation of arcs. This allows a greater deflection of the optical waveguide at the two ends of a Lichtwellenleiterab- section.

Preferably, the assembly comprises a plurality of flexure components. Of these, a first group of bending components abut against the optical waveguide on a first side of the optical waveguide. A second group of bending components may rest against the optical waveguide against the optical waveguide on a second side of the optical waveguide facing away from the first side of the optical waveguide. It is understood that all bending components intersect the optical fiber. In particular, all the bending components are arranged in a direction transverse to the optical waveguide. It is now advantageous if the two aforementioned groups of bending components are arranged in spatially separate planes. The optical fiber runs between the planes. By arranging the bending components in different planes, a smaller bending radius of the optical waveguide is made possible at the turning points.

To place the flexure components in different planes, an additional structural component may be present. As a structural component, a bending component can also be used. The structural component in the textile arrangement runs in the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide, that is to say in the direction in which the optical waveguide extends through the textile arrangement in its surface area. It is understood that structural component and optical waveguide due to deformations of the textile arrangement in use will regularly have no exactly parallel course. Decisive in this context is that the structural component and optical waveguide have the same main extension direction.

The structural component can be processed in a fabric as a weft or warp. It is particularly advantageous if the structural component is incorporated as a separating weft or at least in the manner of a separating weft in the textile fabric. In this case, the structural component can run in such a way adjacent to the optical waveguide, that the structural component at regular intervals - at least pointwise - rests on the optical waveguide. In this context, it is particularly advantageous if structural components are provided on both sides of the optical waveguide with a view toward the optical waveguide and these in particular rest against the optical waveguide on both sides-at least pointwise. It is particularly preferred if in each case two structural components and two bending components intersect and form an intersection region, wherein the optical waveguide, starting from a surface of the textile fabric on an outer side of the textile arrangement, enters the textile fabric through the intersection region and through the fabric the other side of the textile arrangement is guided. The optical waveguide is then preferably in the crossing region against both structural components and both bending components. Such an arrangement of optical waveguide, structural component (s) and bending component (s) can produce an advantageous stabilization of the structure formed by the aforementioned components in the textile arrangement. In order to achieve a certain light distribution over the surface, a plurality of optical waveguide sections may be provided on at least one outer side of the textile arrangement according to the invention. In this context, an optical waveguide section is, as described above, a region of the optical waveguide which is delimited by two bending components resting on a longitudinal side of the optical waveguide and running along the surface of the web on one side of the textile web. At the bending components of the optical waveguide is bent so that it comes to a light emission in each case. In this case, the length of the optical waveguide sections preferably decreases with increasing distance from the light source, so that a uniform illumination of the textile fabric is possible. For a planar illumination, a plurality of parallel optical waveguides is preferably provided. In this case, it is meaningful with regard to the most uniform possible distribution of the light emission if optical waveguide sections of at least two optical waveguides running parallel to one another do not lie one behind the other transversely to the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguides but are arranged offset relative to one another. This means that optical waveguide sections of different optical waveguides can be arranged in a specific pattern, which is formed by optical waveguide sections arranged one or more times offset from one another.

An alternative and / or supplementary possibility to specifically influence the distribution of the amount of light emitted per unit area is to vary the radius of curvature of the individual turns in a targeted manner. A smaller radius of curvature leads to a larger light flow emerging in the region of a bend. Preferably, this also serves to equalize the amount of light emitted per unit area over the total area. In this case, the radius of curvature is made smaller the farther the respective bend of the optical waveguide is away from the light source. Accordingly, the number of light-emitting curvatures or bends of the optical waveguide provided per unit area can also be varied. Preferably, this means that the distances of the light-emitting bends in the direction away from the light source increase in order to achieve a homogenization of the light output over the surface of the arrangement.

With an arrangement according to the invention, a lighting system can be formed. For this purpose, the optical waveguide is connected in a manner known from the prior art with a light source, so that at least part of the light emitted by the light source is coupled into the optical waveguide. In particular, the use of an LED light source is advantageous. This is characterized by a long life and a high degree of robustness, furthermore it can be operated with low voltage. This is particularly advantageous when the light source is integrated into the arrangement. A possible field of application for such a lighting system is the use as a luminous area, for example for an awning, a light-emitting wallpaper, a cover of the ceiling of car interiors (illuminated "car sky") or partitions. Such an awning makes it possible, for example wise to illuminate the area covered by the awning - for example a terrace. This allows a homogeneous illumination of the spanned surface and / or the targeted use of - for example, colored - achieve lighting effects. Colored luminous effects can be easily realized, in particular, with the abovementioned LED luminous bodies. Such effects are particularly advantageous if the lighting effects a certain mood - for example, a party atmosphere at a terrace celebration - to be generated. The use of an inventive arrangement in car interiors, especially as an illuminated car sky, is advantageous because a uniform deffuses light can be radiated to illuminate controls and fittings sufficient, a punctual or star-like lighting that could distract the driver, however can be avoided with a suitable design of the textile arrangement. The invention further relates to a multi-layer structure having at least one luminous textile arrangement of the type described above as the first textile layer, preferably formed as a fabric layer, and with at least one further a plurality of textile fibers and / or textile threads having textile fabrics as further textile layer, preferably formed as a further fabric layer, the textile layers being connected to one another, in particular via at least one textile fiber and / or one textile thread. The multilayer structure according to the invention can be used in particular for a luminous awning, a light-emitting wallpaper or a light-emitting partition wall, wherein at least one optical waveguide for light emission and at least one of the textile arrangement comprising a textile fabric comprising a plurality of textile fibers and / or textile threads a bending component for forming at least one light-emitting bend of the optical waveguide, a luminous surface is formed. It is understood that the multi-layer structure according to the invention can also be used for other applications when it comes to illuminate fabrics. Preferably, the textile layers are formed as fabric layers, wherein the textile layers can be connected by weaving technology. As a result, a simple and cost-effective production of the multilayer structure is possible. The further textile layer preferably has only textile fibers and / or textile threads. The further textile layer thus preferably fulfills a pure textile function and has no optical waveguide. The first textile layer, on the other hand, is intended for lighting. When using the multilayer structure, the first Textile layer on the objects to be illuminated or to be illuminated surface to be aligned, while the further textile layer forms an outer surface, which may have advantageous properties of conventional textile materials. In the case of a luminous awning, the further textile layer, for example, by a low fading in sunlight and a certain water impermeability in the rain, as they usually have used for awnings textile materials, distinguished. This can also be achieved by equipping the multilayer structure according to the invention with at least one subsequent coating. Incidentally, the multi-layer structure is preferably structured in such a way that concerns faade systems and bending components as well as optical waveguides that the multilayer structure can be rolled up. This is usually required for awning materials, for example.

It is understood that the multilayer structure according to the invention can be part of an illumination system, wherein optical fibers of the textile arrangement which forms a first textile layer of the multilayer structure are connected to a light source as described above, so that at least part of the light emitted by the light source can be used to ensure the lighting function of the multilayer structure is coupled into the optical waveguide of the textile arrangement. Again, the use of LED light sources is advantageous.

Further features, advantages and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures and from the figures themselves. All described and / or illustrated features alone and / or in any combination form the subject of advantageous embodiments of the present invention, regardless of their inclusion in the claims or their dependency. Insofar as limits of value ranges are mentioned in the preceding and / or the following description, the limits of the value ranges are representative of all individual values lying within the respective value range. Therefore, all individual values and ranges of values in the respective value range are to be regarded as disclosed. a schematic representation of an exemplary textile arrangement according to the invention with a plurality of mutually offset optical waveguides, a schematic representation of the beam paths of light in an optical waveguide, a schematic representation of exemplary bending of an optical waveguide to a plurality of bending components in an inventive arrangement, a schematic representation of exemplary bends of an optical waveguide around a plurality of flexure components, wherein another flexure component crosses the optical waveguide to prevent arcing, is a schematic representation of exemplary turns of an optical fiber around two sets of flexure components in an inventive arrangement wherein the flexure components of the two groups are different from each other by a structural component arranged separate planes, a schematic representation of a light wave nleiters in an inventive arrangement, wherein the optical waveguide is tied off via a textile thread weaving, a schematic representation of a multi-layer structure according to the invention using the example of a light awning formed from an upper and a lower fabric, the upper fabric a pure textile function and the lower fabric fulfills a lighting function and a system concept for illuminating a textile arrangement having at least one optical waveguide and / or for illuminating a multi-layer structure having such a textile arrangement. FIG. 1 shows a textile arrangement 1 with a textile fabric 2 having a multiplicity of textile fibers and / or textile threads 2 a. In order to provide a light output via the textile fabric 2 in a simple and cost-effective manner with a simple possibility to control the light output and to allow a uniform light output via the fabric 2, the textile arrangement 1 has a plurality of optical waveguides 3, via which a light emission takes place.

2, the optical waveguide in an optical waveguide 3 is shown schematically. Starting from a light source 4, which may be punctiform according to FIG. 2, light waves 5 propagate within the optical waveguide 3. In principle, the light source 4 can also be arranged at a specific distance from the optical waveguide 3, as long as it is possible to couple in light waves 5 into the optical waveguide 3.

Light waves 5, which impinge on an inner boundary surface 6 of the optical waveguide 3 at a certain angle, which is greater than the limit angle for total reflection of the light waves 5 formed to the solder at an interface 6, are reflected by the interface 6 and forwarded in the optical waveguide 3 , Light waves 7 which strike the interface 6 at an angle which is less than the critical angle necessary for total reflection to the solder at the interface 6 are not reflected at the interface 6, but leave the optical waveguide 3 via an outer jacket surface 8 2, the optical waveguide 3 consists of a core 9 and a jacket 10, wherein the core 9 consists of an optically denser medium and the jacket 10 of an optically thinner medium and wherein between the core 9 and the shell 10, the interface 6 is formed , If the optical waveguide 3 is deflected strongly enough, then in the region of a deflection 1 1 light waves 7 impinge on the boundary surface 6 at an angle to the perpendicular, which is smaller than the critical angle for the total reflection, which results in at least a partial flow of the in the light waveguide 3 transported light from the optical waveguide 3 in the region of the bend 1 1 exits. In the textile arrangement 1 shown in FIG. 1 bending components 12 are now provided on which the optical waveguide 3 is bent in order to achieve at least on a part of the bends 1 1 a light exit via the lateral surface 8 of the optical waveguide 3. In the case of the textile arrangement 1, the optical waveguide 3 is bent several times such that a light exit at a plurality of bends 11 is achieved. This will be discussed in detail below.

The optical waveguide 3 is, in particular, a polymeric optical fiber with a core 9 made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and a thin cladding 10. In order to permit light guidance through the effect of total reflection in the core 9, the cladding, which is usually very thin, exists 10 of fluorinated PMMA, which has a lower refractive index. The core diameter can be between 0.06 mm and 1 mm. Alternatively, glass fibers can be used as light waveguide 3.

The textile fabric 2 of the textile arrangement 1 shown in FIG. 1 can be designed, in particular, as a fabric, which makes it possible to weave optical waveguides 3 and bending components 12 into the fabric or to weave them by weaving. By this setting a multiple bending of the optical waveguide 3 is achieved by the bending components 12. In particular, optical fibers 3 and / or bending components 12 can be introduced in the warp and / or weft direction into the tissue during tissue production. It is then so that optical waveguide 3 and bending components 12 intersect in the textile arrangement 1 in a tissue-like manner. This is shown schematically in FIGS. 3 to 6. The preferred method of processing the optical waveguides 3 and / or the bending components 12 as warp or weft threads depends inter alia on the preferred bending or rolling direction of the fabric or textile surface arrangement 2 and, as far as the optical waveguides 3 are concerned, of the type thereof contacting.

On the other hand, the comparatively stiff optical waveguides 3 can not or insufficiently bend on the textile fibers or threads 2a in order to achieve a desired lighting effect of the textile arrangement 1. In order to bend a fiber optic cable 3 in the required form, a textile thread 2a can not be used as a rule because it is relatively less rigid and can also be compressed. An optical waveguide 3 will deform this relatively elliptically as an ellipse and is so stiff that the textile yarn 2a simply overlays the optical waveguide 3 without deforming it. With it a turn However, it is such that the flexural rigidity of the bending component 12 is greater than the bending stiffness of the fibers and / or filaments 2a of the textile 2. As a result, a bending of the optical waveguide 3 to the bending components 12 is possible such that it comes at least at certain bends 1 1 of the optical waveguide 3 to a light exit. Elastic monofilaments of polyethersulfone (PES) are preferably used as bending components 12.

FIGS. 3 to 6 show schematic possible bends 1 1 of an optical waveguide 3 at a plurality of bending components 12. The optical waveguide 3 is in each case guided via the bending components 12 such that it has a required bending radius, depending on the diameter of the bending components 12 and the length of the binding r1 so that the fed light is radiated at least on the surface 13 (Fig. 1) of the textile fabric 2, but the optical waveguide 3 is not permanently damaged. It is not shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 that the optical waveguide 3 and the bending components 12 can be woven into a textile fabric 2.

According to FIG. 3, the optical waveguide 3 is respectively bent between two bending components 12 immediately adjacent in the longitudinal direction X of the optical waveguide 3, which bending elements are arranged on different longitudinal sides 17, 18 of the optical waveguide 3. The optical waveguide 3 crosses both bending components 12 and is guided by the two immediately adjacent bending components 12 from one outer side 15 of the textile arrangement 1 to the other side of the textile arrangement 1. In this case, the optical waveguide 3 changes the direction of curvature in the region between two turns 11. The course of the central longitudinal axis of the optical waveguide 3 in the region between two bends 1 1 is shown schematically in FIG. 3 by the line 14.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the optical waveguide 3 extends in sections on the first outer side 15 of the textile arrangement 1, for example according to FIG. 3, on the upper side, and in sections on the opposite second outer side 16 of the textile arrangement 1. In principle, it can also be provided that the optical waveguide 3 extends in sections within the textile fabric 2. In order to prepare the optical waveguide 3 for bending from the first outer side 15 in the direction of the second outer side 16, are in Distance D1 two bending components 12 are arranged, which bear against the optical waveguide 3 on the second outer side 16 facing longitudinal side 17 of the optical waveguide 3 (according to FIG. 3 from below). In the area between these two bending components 12, which lie against the optical waveguide 3 from below, the optical waveguide 3 is guided on the surface 13 of the planar structure 2 and forms an optical waveguide section 19. The bending components resting against the optical waveguide 3 from below 12, the optical waveguide 3 is bent, so that in the region of these bends 1 1 of the optical waveguide 3, a portion of the guided in the optical waveguide 3 luminous flux is emitted as light waves 7 on the surface 13. This is shown schematically in FIG. In principle, a partial light emission can also occur in the remaining region of the optical waveguide section 19 as a function of the course of the optical waveguide 3 in this region. In order to achieve a correspondingly small bending radius of the bends 1 1 on the surface 13 of the textile fabric 2, further bending components 12 are provided on the first longitudinal side 17 opposite the second longitudinal side 18, that is, as shown in FIG. 3 from above, against the optical waveguide 3 present. The optical waveguide 3 is bent as a result at each between two in the longitudinal direction X of the optical waveguide 3 immediately adjacent bending components 12 which abut on different longitudinal sides 17, 18 against the optical waveguide 3, that is, for example, top side and bottom side with respect to the fabric 2. Hier the optical waveguide 3 crosses these immediately adjacent bending components 12.

On the second outer side 16 of the textile arrangement, as shown in FIG. 3 of the underside, the optical waveguide 3 is again guided in sections over the surface of the textile fabric 2 along sections. In this case, two bending components 12 are provided at a distance D2 which abut against the first outer side 15 of the textile arrangement 1 facing the second longitudinal side 18 of the optical waveguide 3 (according to FIG. 3 from above) and the optical waveguide 3 for bending in the direction of the first outer side 15th or prepare in accordance with FIG. 3 upwards. In this area, the optical waveguide 3 forms a lower optical waveguide section 20. Basically, however, it is also possible that the bend takes place on both sides upward on only one bending component 12, as a rule, the length of the upper optical waveguide section 19 through which the optical waveguide 3 at the Surface 13 of the textile fabric 2 is performed, is significantly larger than that Optical waveguide section 20, via which the optical waveguide 3 is guided on the underside of the textile fabric 2.

Over the distance D1 of the upper optical waveguide section 19 shown in FIG. 3, the optical waveguide 3 is visible on the surface 13 of the textile fabric 2. The diameter of the bending components 12 and the distances D1 and D2 are to be optimized so that a maximum emission of light takes place on the surface 13, without permanently damaging the optical waveguides 3. In order to prevent the formation of arcs in the region between two bending components 12 which are spaced apart from each other and rest on a same longitudinal side 17, 18 of the optical waveguide 3 against the optical waveguide 3, at least one further bending component 21 crossing the optical waveguide 3 can be provided, the two bending components 12 and the further bending component 21 rest against the optical waveguide 3 on different longitudinal sides 17, 18 of the optical waveguide 3. According to FIG. 4, a further bending component 21 abuts against the optical waveguide section 19 on the second longitudinal side 18 of the optical waveguide 3 from above in order to form a circular arc of the optical waveguide 3 in the optical waveguide section 19 between the two adjacent longitudinal sides 17 of FIG to prevent bending components 12 applied below.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3, all the bending components 12 are arranged in a same textile plane E1. In order to increase the emission of light on the surface 13 of the textile arrangement 1, a plurality of bending components 12 according to FIG. 5 can be arranged in two or more planes E1, E2 separated from each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction X of the optical waveguide 3 be. According to FIG. 5, accordingly, the bending components 12 resting against the first longitudinal side 17 or from below against the optical waveguide 3 in the region of the optical waveguide sections 20 on the one hand and the other bending components resting against the optical waveguide 3 against the second longitudinal side 18 of the optical waveguide 3 from above 12 on the other hand transversely to the longitudinal direction X of the optical waveguide 3 from each other, so that the path length of the optical waveguide 3 between an upper-side bend 1 1 and a lower-side bend 1 1 by the distance D3 relative to the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 is increased. In order to achieve a spacing of the bending components 12 from one another, at least one structural component 22 extending in the longitudinal direction X of the optical waveguide 3 can be provided between the bending components 12 arranged in different planes E1, E2. The structural component 22 is preferably a further bending component 12 can act. The structural component 22 may again be an elastic monofilament, in particular polyethersulfone. The structural component 22 may also be a similarly stiff thread. The structural component 22 is introduced or woven in as an additional separation thread with a high thread tension. It is understood that in the textile arrangement 1 in the warp direction or in the weft direction, a plurality of structural components 22 may be provided in order to achieve a desired stronger bending of the optical waveguide 3. The structural component 22 extends substantially parallel to the optical waveguide 3. Further preferably, structural components 22 can be provided on the textile arrangement 1 according to FIG. 1 on both sides or on both transverse sides of the optical waveguide 3 and transversely to the bending components 12 two levels E1, E2 of the bending components 12 to be separated from each other. The optical waveguide 3 can then be guided through the textile fabric 2 between intersecting structural components 22 and bending components 12.

In principle, it may already be sufficient if the optical waveguide 3 is bound or bent on its exit from the textile fabric 2 merely via a bending component 12 in order to achieve a light output in the region of a bend 1 1 formed on the bending component 12. In Fig. 6, the binding is shown schematically over two bending components 12 at the exit of the optical waveguide 3 from the fabric 2, wherein a sufficient light output for a deflection 1 1 of the optical waveguide 3 is achieved. After a certain distance, the optical waveguide 3 then re-enters the textile fabric 2, for example via a textile thread 2a. By a correspondingly smaller turn 1 1 of the optical waveguide 3 on the second outer side 16, according to FIG. 6 of the underside, the textile arrangement 1 is a light emission substantially on the first outer side 15, as shown in FIG. 6 of the top, the textile arrangement 1 reached. The setting via two bending components 12 in each case and the entry via a textile thread 5 into the fabric after a certain distance of the optical waveguide 3 on the surface of the textile fabric 2 is in particular for large areas of light in which the light is possible to the end of the optical waveguide 3 should be directed, see. Of course, a binding over a textile thread 2a can also take place if only one bending component 12 is provided. Of course, a binding over a textile thread 2a can also take place if only one bending component 12 is provided, on which the optical waveguide 3 is bent on exiting the textile fabric 2.

As is further apparent from Fig. 1, a plurality of each formed between two bends 1 1 optical waveguide sections 19 may be provided on a same outer side 15 of the textile assembly 1, according to FIG. 1, the length of the optical waveguide sections 19 with increasing Distance from the light source 4 decreases and wherein optical waveguide sections 19 are arranged offset in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction X of the optical waveguide 3 to each other. Accordingly, the distance from adjacent light emitting bends 1 1 in the direction away from the light source 4 can decrease. Alternatively or additionally, the radius of curvature of the bends 1 1 with increasing distance from the light source 4 decrease in order to achieve a higher light emission at the farther from the light source 4 bends 1 1. In addition, bends 1 1 can be provided over the surface 13 of the fabric 2 offset from each other so that the radiation points of the optical waveguide 3 are not all in a row, but are regularly distributed over the surface. Since the luminous flux in the optical waveguide 3 decreases due to the desired light emission at the bends 1 1 with increasing length of the optical waveguide 3, bends 1 1 can be provided in the vicinity of the light source 4 or bonds can be made, the comparatively less light leak sen, and It can be provided with increasing distance from the light source 4 more bends 1 1 or bonds per unit area to generate sufficient light emission. The distance of the light-emitting bends 1 1 from each other and / or the radius of curvature of the bends 1 1 can thus be provided such that the most uniform possible light distribution is obtained.

Finally, FIG. 1 shows three binding regions 23, 24, 25, each having the same length of optical waveguide sections 19. Each optical waveguide section 19 is formed between two bindings or bends 11. The binding points or the bends 1 1 are arranged in the longitudinal direction X of the optical waveguide 3 and also offset transversely thereto, wherein a multiple offset can be used to ensure a uniform light distribution. FIG. 7 shows a multilayer structure 26 with a first textile layer 27 and with a second textile layer 28. The first textile layer 27 has a textile fabric formed by a plurality of textile fibers and / or textile threads (2a) with at least one optical waveguide 3 for emitting light and a plurality of bending components 12 for forming light-emitting bend 11 of the optical waveguide 3. The second textile layer 28 likewise has a textile fabric formed by a multiplicity of textile fibers and / or textile threads 2a. The illustrated multilayer structure 26 can be used, for example, in a luminous awning. The two textile layers 27, 28 may be formed as fabric layers, wherein FIG. 7 shows the basic structure of the multi-layer structure 26 at a section in the weft direction.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first textile layer 27 represents a lower fabric, which fulfills a luminous function of the multilayer structure 26. In contrast, the second textile layer 28 forms an upper fabric, which may be, for example, a known awning fabric, with various patterns and colors. In the aforementioned example, the upper fabric forms a plane of the awning, while the lower fabric forms a luminous plane of the multilayer structure 26. The two planes are connected by at least one binding weft thread 29, which joins the two textile layers 27, 28 at preferably regular intervals. This is shown only schematically in FIG.

The second textile layer 28, which forms the upper fabric may advantageously be produced in warp and weft, for example, from conventional spun-fiber-dyed acrylic, which is often used for awning fabric due to its advantageous properties. In principle, other textile materials can also be used as the upper fabric.

The first textile layer 27, which forms the lower fabric of the multi-layer structure 26 shown in FIG. 7 and performs the function of light emission, can have two weft systems which alternate in the repeat; namely on the one hand a binding weft 29, the warp threads 2a of the lower fabric in a textile binding (usually canvas) together and at the same time still connects to the upper fabric to warp threads 30 of the upper textile layer 28 and the two levels together. The binding weft yarn 29 is again preferably made of acrylic. On the other hand, the optical waveguide 3 is introduced as a weft thread in order to achieve a controlled light emission, at least on the lower side of the multilayer structure 26 shown in FIG. 7. The optical waveguide 3 is deflected as a weft thread in the chain guided bending components 12, which may be monofilaments of polyethersulfone (PES), in order to bend it specifically for a light emission. If desired, further flexure components 31 may be provided adjacent the flexure components 12 that may be routed in the chain to better deflect or deflect the optical fiber weft. The further bending components 31 may in turn be monofilaments, in particular polyethersulfone (PES). It is understood that the multilayer structure 26 shown can also be present in an inverted manner, wherein the bending components 12, 31 are supplied as weft threads and the optical waveguide 3 is supplied as a warp thread.

The advantage of the shown construction of the multilayer structure 26 with two separate textile layers as shown is that the upper fabric is a conventional textile fabric, for example an awning fabric, with desired textile properties and that the light function is fulfilled only by the underlying fabric part. For example, in the case of illuminated awnings, the usually required awning properties, such as a slight fading in the case of solar radiation and a certain water impermeability in the event of rain, can be guaranteed by the upper fabric. It may also be provided a subsequent coating with a material and / or a material arrangement, which leads to a slight fading in sunlight and / or to a certain water impermeability in rain.

Incidentally, the thread systems and bending components 12, 31 and the optical waveguide system can be dimensioned and structured in such a way that the multilayer structure 26 can be rolled up in a simple manner in addition to good functionality, without leading to breakage of structural components of the multilayer structure 26, in particular of the optical waveguide 3 , comes. This is particularly advantageous when the multilayer structure 26 is used as sheet material for a luminous awning.

FIG. 8 schematically shows an illumination system 32 for a textile arrangement 1 described above, comprising a textile fabric 2 comprising a multiplicity of textile fibers and / or textile threads 2a, at least one light waveguide 3 for emitting light and at least one bending component 12 for forming at least one light-emitting turn 1 1 of the optical waveguide. 3 and / or for a multilayer structure 26 described above with at least one such textile arrangement 1. The illumination system 32 has a plurality of light sources 4, wherein the light sources 4 are LED light sources and wherein in each case 4 LED light sources are connected in blocks. Each LED block 33 has an associated power supply unit 34, which is supplied via a common power supply unit 35 with 24 V DC. The central power supply unit 35 receives either 230 V AC from a power grid 36 or from a power storage 37, which is powered by a charge controller 38 from a solar module 39. The central power supply unit 35 is preferably a power supply unit. In addition, a controller 40 may be provided to turn any or all of the LED blocks 33 on or off as needed. The control device 40 can also be provided for color and / or brightness control.

The illumination system 32 shown in FIG. 8 can be provided in particular for a light-emitting awning which has the multilayer structure 26 shown in FIG. 7 as a planar material. In the open and clamped state of the sheet material of the light awning, it is possible to store solar energy with suitable photovoltaic, which is arranged above the light awning. In addition, thin-film solar cells enable the attachment of a solar module directly on the surface material of the illuminated awning.

A preferred combination of the illumination system 32 with a textile arrangement 1 and / or a multi-layer structure 26 can provide that in each case eight optical waveguides 3 are bundled in a sleeve with, for example, 1.5 mm inner diameter. Due to the mechanical structure, this can result in an optical opening angle of about 24 °. Each fiber optic bundle is then irradiated with an LED light source to couple light. For example, Osram LEDs from the Oslon SSL series can be used, which can implement a power loss of approx. 1 W at the selected operating point. When operating at maximum power, the power loss may increase to approximately 2.4W.

Depending on the parameters of the weaving process (spacing of the optical waveguides 3 in the textile arrangement 1 and / or in the multilayer structure 26) and the resulting structure, taking into account the characteristic values of the LED power supply components, a maximum power consumption of the illumination system 32 of FIG about 10 to 30 W / m, in particular about 20 W / m, based to the width of the textile arrangement 1 and / or the multi-layer structure 26. It is understood that the above information is to be understood by way of example, but relate to a particularly preferred embodiment, in particular when using the illumination system 32 with a multi-layer structure 26 for a luminous awning.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 textile arrangement 26 multilayer structure

2 textile fabric 27 Textile layer

2a thread 28 textile layer

3 optical fibers 29 binding thread

4 light source 30 warp thread

5 light wave 31 bending component

6 interface 32 lighting system

7 light wave 33 LED block

8 lateral surface 34 power supply unit

9 core 35 power supply unit

10 sheath 36 power supply

1 1 Turn 37 Power storage

12 Bend component 38 Charge controller

13 Surface 39 Solar module

14 line 40 control device

15 outside

16 outside

17 long side

18 long side

19 optical waveguide section

20 optical fiber section

21 bending component

22 structural component

23 binding area

24 binding area

25 binding area

Claims

claims:

Textile arrangement (1) with a textile fabric (2) having a multiplicity of textile fibers and / or textile threads (2a), with at least one optical waveguide (3) for light emission and with at least one bending component (12) for forming at least one light-emitting turn (1 1) of the optical waveguide (3).

Arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical waveguide (3) is bent several times and that upon coupling of light into the optical waveguide (3) an at least partial light emission over a lateral surface (8) of the optical waveguide (3) in the range of at least one turn (1 1) takes place.

Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter of the optical waveguide (3) at least 0.05 mm, preferably at least 0.1 mm, more preferably at least 0.5 mm, and / or at most 2 mm, preferably not more than 1 mm.

Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical waveguide (3) is a polymer optical waveguide, in particular based on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC), or a glass fiber.

Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bending component (12) consists of one or more fibers and / or threads and / or one or more fibers and / or threads, wherein, preferably, the bending component (12 ) is a monofilament and / or has a monofilament.

Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bending stiffness of the bending component (12) is greater than the bending stiffness of the optical waveguide (3) and / or that the modulus of elasticity of the bending component (12) is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the optical waveguide ( 3).

7. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexural rigidity of the bending component (12) and the bending stiffness of the optical waveguide (3) differ by a maximum of a factor of 10 from each other and / or that the modulus of elasticity of the bending component (12) and the modulus of elasticity of the optical waveguide (3) differ by a maximum of a factor of 10 from one another

8. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bending component (12) consists at least substantially of polyethersulfone (PES) and / or that the bending component (12) comprises polyethersulfone (PES).

9. Arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bending stiffness of the bending component (12) is greater than bending stiffness of the fibers and / or threads (2a) of the textile fabric (2) and / or that the modulus of elasticity of the bending component (12) is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the fibers and / or threads (2a) of the textile fabric (2).

10. Arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the textile fabric (2) is a, in particular elastic, fabric and that the optical waveguide (3) is bent by at least one weaving technique.

1 1. Arrangement (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the setting of the optical waveguide (3) via at least one textile fiber and / or a textile thread (2a) of the textile fabric (2) and / or via at least one bending component (12) ,

12. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical waveguide (3) between two in the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide (3) immediately adjacent bending components (12) is bent and both bending components (12) crosses, wherein the adjacent bending components (12) on different longitudinal sides (17, 18) of the optical waveguide (3) abut against the optical waveguide (3) and wherein the optical waveguide (3) in the course between the immediately adjacent bending components (12) changes the direction of curvature.

13. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical waveguide (3) at two spaced apart and on a same longitudinal side (17, 18) of the optical waveguide (3) against the optical waveguide (3) adjacent bending components (12 ) is bent, wherein the optical waveguide (3) at both formed bends (1 1) from a same outer side (15, 16) of the textile assembly (1) in the fabric (2) in and / or passed.

14. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical waveguide (3) in the region between two spaced apart and on a same longitudinal side (17, 18) of the optical waveguide (3) against the optical waveguide (3) adjacent bending components (12) extends on a same outer side (15, 16) of the textile arrangement (1) and forms an optical waveguide section (19, 20).

15. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical waveguide (3) is bent several times such that at least 70%, in particular at least 80%, more particularly at least 90%, of the light exit on a same outer side (15 , 16) of the textile arrangement (1).

16. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical waveguide (3) in the region between two spaced apart and on a same longitudinal side (17, 18) of the optical waveguide (3) against the optical waveguide (3) adjacent bending components (12) is bent such that upon coupling of light into the optical waveguide (3) an at least partial light emission via a lateral surface (8) of the optical waveguide (3) in the region of both bends (1 1) is effected.

17. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the region between two spaced apart and on a same longitudinal side (17, 18) of the optical waveguide (3) against the optical waveguide (3) adjacent bending components (12) at least one the further bending component (21) crossing the optical waveguide (3) is provided, wherein the two distanced bending components (12) and the further bending component (21) abut against the optical waveguide (3) on different longitudinal sides (17, 18) of the optical waveguide (3).

18. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of bending components (12) lie in at least two in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide (3) separated planes.

19. Arrangement (1) according to claim 18, wherein at least one structural component extending in the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide (3), in particular a further bending component (12), is arranged between the bending components (12) lying in different planes.

20. Arrangement (1) according to claim 19, characterized in that structure components (22) in the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide (3) bear against the optical waveguide (3) on both sides.

21. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on at least one outer side (16, 17) of the textile arrangement (1) a plurality of each between two bends (1 1) formed optical waveguide sections (19, 20) is provided, wherein the optical waveguide (3) in the region of each optical waveguide section (19, 20) on the same outer side (16, 17) of the textile assembly (1) and wherein the length of the optical waveguide sections (19, 20) with increasing distance from the light source (4 ) and / or wherein optical waveguide sections (19, 20) are arranged offset in relation to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide (3).

22. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance of light-emitting bends (1 1) and / or the radius of curvature of light-emitting bends (1 1) is selected such that a uniform light distribution over an outside (16, 17) of the textile arrangement (1) is achieved.

23. Multi-layer structure (26) with at least one textile arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims as a first textile layer (27), preferably formed as a fabric layer, and with at least one further a plurality of textile fibers and / or textile threads (2a) textile fabric (2) as a further textile layer (28), preferably formed as a further fabric layer, wherein the textile layers (27, 28) connected to each other are, in particular via at least one textile fiber and / or a textile thread (2a).

24. Multi-layer structure (26) according to claim 23, characterized in that the textile layers (27, 28) are connected by weaving technology.

25. Multi-layer structure (26) according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the further textile layer (28) comprises only textile fibers and / or textile threads.

26. Use of a textile arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 22 and / or a multilayer structure (26) according to one of the preceding claims 23 to 25 for a luminous awning, a light-emitting wallpaper, a light-emitting partition or in car interiors, as an illuminated car sky, wherein of the textile arrangement (1) a

Luminous surface is formed.

27. Lighting system (32) with an arrangement (1) and / or a multilayer structure (26) in each case according to one of the preceding claims and with a light source (4), in particular an LED light source, wherein at least one

Part of a light emitted from the light source (4) luminous flux in the optical waveguide (3) can be coupled.