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WO2004106804A2 - Dispositif pouvant etre eclaire - Google Patents

Dispositif pouvant etre eclaire Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2004106804A2
WO2004106804A2 PCT/GB2004/002328 GB2004002328W WO2004106804A2 WO 2004106804 A2 WO2004106804 A2 WO 2004106804A2 GB 2004002328 W GB2004002328 W GB 2004002328W WO 2004106804 A2 WO2004106804 A2 WO 2004106804A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
light emitting
illuminatable device
illuminatable
cable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2004/002328
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2004106804A3 (fr
Inventor
Abraham Sawitz
Gary Stuart Morris
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of WO2004106804A2 publication Critical patent/WO2004106804A2/fr
Publication of WO2004106804A3 publication Critical patent/WO2004106804A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
    • G09F13/20—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising with luminescent surfaces or parts
    • G09F13/22—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising with luminescent surfaces or parts electroluminescent
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
    • G09F13/04—Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
    • G09F13/14—Arrangements of reflectors therein
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
    • G09F13/20—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising with luminescent surfaces or parts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F27/00—Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
    • G09F27/007—Displays with power supply provided by solar cells or photocells
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F9/00—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
    • G09F9/30—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements
    • G09F9/305—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements being the ends of optical fibres

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an illuminatable device and particularly but not exclusively to an illuminatable sign or display.
  • illuminatable sign Various types are known. It is an object of the present invention to produce a low cost illuminatable sign. It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to produce an automatic self-powered illuminatable sign. It is an object of embodiments of this invention to produce an illuminatable sign with a very low power consumption. It is an object of the embodiments of this invention to produce an illuminatable sign operational outdoors or indoors from behind a pane of glass.
  • an illuminatable device comprising a light source in association with a light emitting media having a surface, the light emitting media being arranged to emit light from the light source from all or part of its surface, and being configurable to emit light to form a desired image.
  • the illuminatable device may be a sign or display or some other object including the light emitting media.
  • a light emitting cable is incorporated into a textile.
  • Some form of light guide which might include an optic fibre and/or a lens may be employed to conduct light from the light source to light emitting media.
  • the device may include means to enable it to be attached to a surface, particularly a window pane, such that the device may be viewed through a window to which it is attached.
  • the attachment means may comprise any suitable means, for example one or more suctions cups and/or one or more adhesive pads and/or one or more magnets.
  • the light emitting media may be flexible, to enable it to be arranged in a desired configuration by a user.
  • the light emitting media is arranged as desired to produce one or more letters, numbers or other insignia.
  • the device may comprise a support means on which the light emitting media may be arranged in a desired manner.
  • the device may include a stiffening member operative to retain the light emitting media in a desired configuration. This may comprise a surface from which a plurality of projections extend, between which the illuminatable media can be placed. Preferably there is a regular array of projections, or means for receiving projections, such as apertures.
  • the light emitting media is a fiber optic cable arranged to emit light along its length.
  • the source of light preferably comprises one or more light emitting diodes, (LEDs).
  • LEDs light emitting diodes
  • the light emitting cable is illuminated by an LED having an output intensity greater than lOcd when drawing a current of about 20mA at a voltage at least 2V.
  • the LED is preferably disposed at one end of the light emitting cable, and reflective material at the opposite end arranged to reflect light transmitted along the cable back along the cable towards the LED. This serves to increase the overall proportion of light transmitted along the cable by the LED that is emitted along the length of the cable.
  • an LED could be disposed at each end of the fiber optic cable.
  • the light emitting media is a sheet, for example acrylic or plastic, arranged to emit light from its surface.
  • the source of light preferably comprises one or more light emitting diodes, (LEDs).
  • LEDs light emitting diodes
  • the light emitting sheet is illuminated by an LED having an output intensity greater than lOcd when drawing a current of about 20mA at a voltage at least 2V.
  • the LED is preferably disposed at one edge of the light emitting sheet, and reflective material around the remaining edges of the sheet to reflect light transmitted along the sheet back into the sheet in order to increase the amount of light emitted from the surface of the sheet, rather than its edges.
  • several LEDs could be disposed at one or more edges of the sheet.
  • a light emitting or blocking mask is placed on to at least part of the surface of the sheet for illumination to produce a desired image.
  • the mask may be changed in order to enable the displayed image to be changed.
  • the LED may emit light in the visible area of the electromagnetic spectrum as a single or multi-colour source.
  • the LED may emit UV light, in which case the light emitting media itself may be selected to fluoresce when exposed to the UV source. This may be achieved using a standard light emitting media, by adding UV sensitive pigments to the light emitting media during manufacture or/or by coating the light emitting media with UV sensitive pigments/ paint, during/post manufacture.
  • the UV pigments may be selected and arranged in a manner to produce a multi-colour output.
  • the device preferably includes a power supply for powering the means for emitting light.
  • the power supply preferably comprises a single cell rechargeable battery associated with a solar cell or cells arranged to recharge the battery.
  • a nominal 1.2 volt battery having a capacity of about 20mAh is associated with a solar cell having a maximum output of about 6 volts at 50mA. This combination enables the battery to be recharged by the solar cell even under low light conditions and behind double glazed windows.
  • the solar cell or cells may be arranged as a flat panel or alternatively be formed as a flexible substrate along the length or over all or part of the surface of the light emitting media. In the latter case an electronic circuit may also be embedded as part of the flexible substrate.
  • Flow of power from the power supply to the means for emitting light is preferably controlled by way of a light operable switch, such as a transistor light level switch.
  • the switch is preferably arranged to switch on the means for emitting light when the ambient light level falls below a predetermined threshold level.
  • the solar cell itself may be used to detect the light level.
  • Electrical power is preferably supplied to the means for emitting light by way of DC to DC Voltage step-up converter.
  • a step-up converter capable of converting a 1.2 volt input to a 2.5 volt output is employed. This enables an LED requiring a minimum of 2 volts to operate to be powered by a 1.2 volt battery. With such an arrangement the LED can typically continue to operate when the battery voltage falls as low as 0.85 volts enabling most of the energy stored by the battery to be used to illuminate the LED enhancing the time over which the LED may be illuminated.
  • the device preferably further comprises an oscillator for controlling the supply of electrical power to the means for emitting light.
  • the oscillator is preferably arranged to produce a generally square wave output having an on to off ratio of 1 to at least 50.
  • an on time of a few milliseconds alternating with an off time of around 100 milliseconds is found to produce an adequate output of light whilst considerably reducing power consumption by the LED, thus prolonging the illumination time.
  • the light emitting media is preferably mounted on the solar cell. Any battery and/or control circuit for the device may also be mounted on the solar cell. In an alternative embodiment various components of the device are mounted on a substrate.
  • the substrate may be flexible and may be formed along the length of the light emitting media. The device could be switched on and off by way of a magnetic switch.
  • Figure 1 is a front view of a sign according to the invention using a light emitting cable
  • Figure 2 is a side view of the sign of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a front view of a sign according to the invention using a light emitting sheet
  • Figure 4 is a side view of the sign of Figure 3;
  • Figure 5 is a front view of a sign according to the invention using a grid of posts to hold a light emitting cable in place;
  • Figure 6 is a side view of the sign of Figure 5;
  • Figure 7 is a schematic circuit diagram of the signs of Figures 1, 3 and 5;
  • Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the optic fiber of the signs of Figures 1 and 5;
  • Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative optic fiber for the signs of Figures 1 and 5;
  • Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative optic fiber for the signs of Figures 1 and 5;
  • Figure 11 is a voltage against time graph of the output of the circuit of Figure
  • Figure 12 is a side, schematic, view of sign according to the invention attached to a window.
  • Figure 13 is another side, schematic, view of sign according to the invention attached to a window.
  • a sign comprises a substantially rectangular flat panel solar cell 1. Mounted on a surface of the solar cell 1 is a flexible optic fiber 2 extending between a light emitting diode 3 and a reflector 4.
  • the optic fiber 2 is of a type which when light travels along the fiber some of the light is emitted along its length, and is bent into a desired shape, in this case the letter S.
  • a desired shape in this case the letter S.
  • other shapes are of course possible including two and three dimensional shapes.
  • the LED 3 illuminates the fiber 2.
  • the reflector 4 reflects light transmitted by the fiber from the LED 3 back along the length of the fiber 2. This increases the proportion of light transmitted into the fiber that is usefully emitted along its length, to provide an illuminated letter or such like.
  • the reflector 4 may be replaced with a second LED 3 a, as shown in Figure 9.
  • Figures 8 and 9 both show fibers 2 associated with LEDs 3, 3a designed for through panel mounting. In other embodiments one or two LED dies are used and directly bonded to the end of the fibre.
  • Figure 10 shows such an embodiment with an LED die 3b bonded to one end and a reflector 4 at the opposite end of the fibre 2. It will be appreciated that the reflector 4 could be replaced with either a through panel LED or and LED die.
  • An electrical circuit 5 for supplying power to the LED 3 is mounted on an opposite face of the solar cell 1 to the optic fiber 2.
  • the circuit comprises a rechargeable battery 6 of capacity about 20mAh at 1.2 volts.
  • the battery 6 together with a charge regulator 6a is connected in parallel with the solar cell 2 which has a maximum output of about 50mA at 6V. This pairing allows the solar cell to recharge the battery even in low light levels behind double glazed windows.
  • the solar cell is arranged to charge the battery whenever it produces a sufficient output to do so.
  • the solar cell 1 and battery 6 combination is connected via a transistor light level switch 7 to a direct current (DC) to direct current of step-up voltage converter 8.
  • the step-up voltage converter 8 is arranged to supply an output to operate the LED 3.
  • the LED is of a high intensity type producing an output of at least lOcd at 20mA and requires a minimum voltage of 2 volts to operate. It is therefore necessary for the battery voltage to be stepped up and the step-up converter 8 is capable of stepping a DC Voltage of 1.2 volts to one of 2.5 volts or greater.
  • An advantage of this arrangement is that the LED can continue to operate even when the battery voltage falls as low as 0.85 volts, allowing a significant proportion of energy stored by the battery to be usefully used.
  • the light level switch 7 is arranged to allow current to flow between the battery 6 and the solar cell 2 combination to the step-up converter 8 when the ambient light level falls below a predetermined threshold.
  • the solar cell itself being can used as a light detector for the transistor switch.
  • the output of the step-up converter 8 to the LED 3 is controlled by an oscillator 9.
  • the oscillator 9 causes the step-up converter 8 to output a generally square wave signal, shown in Figure 7, having an on period of the order of a few milliseconds and an off period of about 100 milliseconds.
  • Figures 3 to 6 show alternative embodiments of the invention.
  • an LED 3 is arranged to transmit light into an edge of an acrylic sheet 10, arranged to emit light received from the LED 3 from its surface 11.
  • a mask 12 bearing a design 13 is disposed over the surface 11 of the sheet 10 so that it is illuminated by the LED 3.
  • a solar cell 1 and electronic circuit 5 of the type shown in Figure 7 are mounted under the acrylic sheet 10.
  • Figures 5 and 6 show a modification to the sign of Figures 1 and 2.
  • a plurality of pegs 13 extend in a regular grid pattern from the surface of the solar cell 1 (or other substrate) and a transparent cover 14 extends over the pegs 13.
  • the light emitting fibre 2 extends between the pegs 13, which hold the fibre 2 in a desired configuration and enable the configuration of the fibre 2 to be charged by a user as desired by removing the cover and repositioning the fibre 2 relative to the pegs 13.
  • Figures 12 and 13 both show how a sign according to the invention may be attached to a window pane 15.
  • the sign includes suctions cups 16 used to attach the sign to the window pane 15.
  • the sign is attached to the window pane by way of a see-through adhesive. In each case the sign is visible from the opposite side of the window pane 15 to which it is attached.
  • the solar cell recharges the rechargeable battery and the LED is switched off.
  • the light level switch switches on the LED illuminating the sign.
  • the battery alone supplies power to the LED.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Blinds (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif pouvant être éclairé comprenant une source lumineuse (3) en association avec un support émetteur de lumière, ledit support étant disposé de manière à émettre la lumière de la source lumineuse sur sa longueur. Ledit dispositif peut comprendre une pile solaire (1) fournissant de l'énergie pour la source lumineuse (3) et peut également comprendre une batterie rechargeable. Ledit dispositif peut comprendre des moyens permettant de fixer le dispositif sur une vitre, de sorte que le dispositif peut être visible à travers la vitre, à laquelle il est fixé.
PCT/GB2004/002328 2003-05-29 2004-06-01 Dispositif pouvant etre eclaire Ceased WO2004106804A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0312297A GB0312297D0 (en) 2003-05-29 2003-05-29 Illuminatable sign
GB0312297.5 2003-05-29

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004106804A2 true WO2004106804A2 (fr) 2004-12-09
WO2004106804A3 WO2004106804A3 (fr) 2005-02-17

Family

ID=9958936

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2004/002328 Ceased WO2004106804A2 (fr) 2003-05-29 2004-06-01 Dispositif pouvant etre eclaire

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB0312297D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2004106804A2 (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102006061164A1 (de) * 2006-12-22 2008-06-26 Osram Opto Semiconductors Gmbh Lichtemittierende Vorrichtung
CN103148355A (zh) * 2011-12-07 2013-06-12 宏碁股份有限公司 发光装置
US8864362B2 (en) 2009-10-30 2014-10-21 3M Innovative Properties Company Illumination device having remotely powered lightguide
WO2016191487A1 (fr) * 2015-05-26 2016-12-01 Optoglo Inc. Unité d'affichage de fenêtre éclairée
RU184527U1 (ru) * 2018-05-08 2018-10-30 Федеральное государственное бюджетное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Юго-Западный государственный университет" (ЮЗГУ) Осветительное устройство
RU2680253C2 (ru) * 2014-11-24 2019-02-19 Томсон Лайсенсинг Структура излучения света и устройство со структурой излучения света
DE102006029203B4 (de) 2006-06-26 2023-03-16 OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Lichtemittierende Vorrichtung

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3803246A1 (de) * 1988-02-04 1989-08-17 Fraunhofer Ges Forschung Hinweisschild
US5461548A (en) * 1994-04-11 1995-10-24 Esslinger; James T. Fiber optic backlight illumination panel for graphics/logos on a moving vehicle
JPH11282389A (ja) * 1998-03-31 1999-10-15 Mitsubishi Electric Corp 表示装置
US6234656B1 (en) * 1998-08-20 2001-05-22 Physical Optics Corporation Fiber optic luminaire
DE19853106A1 (de) * 1998-11-18 2000-05-31 Bayer Ag Fluoreszierende, strukturierte Formkörper
JP2002328633A (ja) * 2001-05-02 2002-11-15 Okaya Electric Ind Co Ltd 光点式表示器

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102006029203B4 (de) 2006-06-26 2023-03-16 OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Lichtemittierende Vorrichtung
DE102006029203B9 (de) 2006-06-26 2023-06-22 OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Lichtemittierende Vorrichtung
DE102006061164A1 (de) * 2006-12-22 2008-06-26 Osram Opto Semiconductors Gmbh Lichtemittierende Vorrichtung
US8475025B2 (en) 2006-12-22 2013-07-02 Osram Opto Semiconductors Gmbh Light-emitting device
DE102006061164B4 (de) 2006-12-22 2018-12-27 Osram Opto Semiconductors Gmbh Lichtemittierende Vorrichtung
US8864362B2 (en) 2009-10-30 2014-10-21 3M Innovative Properties Company Illumination device having remotely powered lightguide
WO2011053804A3 (fr) * 2009-10-30 2015-11-05 3M Innovative Properties Company Dispositif d'éclairage pourvu d'un guide de lumière alimenté à distance
US9476637B2 (en) 2009-10-30 2016-10-25 3M Innovative Properties Company Illumination device having remotely powered lightguide
CN103148355A (zh) * 2011-12-07 2013-06-12 宏碁股份有限公司 发光装置
RU2680253C2 (ru) * 2014-11-24 2019-02-19 Томсон Лайсенсинг Структура излучения света и устройство со структурой излучения света
WO2016191487A1 (fr) * 2015-05-26 2016-12-01 Optoglo Inc. Unité d'affichage de fenêtre éclairée
RU184527U1 (ru) * 2018-05-08 2018-10-30 Федеральное государственное бюджетное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Юго-Западный государственный университет" (ЮЗГУ) Осветительное устройство

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0312297D0 (en) 2003-07-02
WO2004106804A3 (fr) 2005-02-17

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