DE19722703C2 - Light scattering element, in particular for decorative lighting purposes - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a light scattering element, in particular for decorative lighting purposes.

Light scattering elements are known in a wide variety of forms. For decorative lighting, it is desirable to Refraction and / or reflection effects as interesting as possible Light pattern either on the light scattering element itself or on the right reflecting surfaces, for example on walls or the like chen to generate. Conventional light scattering elements included mostly reflectors, light guides or solid bodies Generation of the desired reflection or refraction effects.

These solids mostly consist of glass, ceramic, plastic or surface-treated metal and exhibit regular geometric shapes or microscopic irregular structure ren on, e.g. B. the shape of regular prisms.

If essentially reflective effects are to be brought about, the solids either consist entirely of an ent speaking reflective material or are made with any of the like material coated.

It also tried to create interesting lighting effects the use of roughened surfaces or through the use of solid envelopes filled with ground glass. To generate refraction effects, these solids must be used of course, consist of transparent material.  

It is also known to be small reflective or refractive To provide particles in a liquid and then to shine through. By moving the particles, for example convection creates light that changes over time effects (EP-0 486 328 A1; US-A-3,995,151, US-A-4,072,855).

From DE-GM 18 79 914 a lampshade is known, the Skin can have a strongly bizarre surface, whereby by different thicknesses of the skin of the screen one under different attenuation of the light shining through the screen is produced. Irregular light can be admitted here create effects, but the light is seriously dim.

Finally, DE 94 03 925 U1 is another lamp screen known, which by a corresponding folding and Plug system easily with any varying geometrical Forms can be produced.  

With such known light scattering elements, however, that is The goal is not to create the most interesting lighting effects or not attainable in a satisfactory manner.

Based on this prior art, the invention lies Task based on a light scattering element, especially for to create decorative lighting purposes, with that on a extremely interesting lighting effects can be achieved in several ways.

The invention solves this problem with the features of the patent claim 1.

By providing macroscopically chaotic or quasi- chaotic refraction and / or reflection levels arise desired interesting lighting effects. The term macroscopically chaotic is ver in the context of this application contrary to the known microscopic irregular moderate structures, such as B. roughened surfaces or very small irregular bodies, like ground glass. Under "qua Si-chaotic "becomes an irregular structure understood, even if this has a certain regularity should point out, but no longer as such by the viewer is recognized.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the light is there scattering element from a with a liquid transparent medium around filled transparent shell, which macroscopically chao is shaped table or quasi-chaotic or one accordingly has an irregular outer surface. Such light scatterers elements are still relatively easy adjustable if these are relatively large.

The use of flexible sleeves has the advantage that at a combination of several such light scattering elements e.g. B. can be placed in a rigid shell and itself  due to the flexibility "interlock" and better adapt to an arbitrarily shaped interior of the cover sen. This results in more compact structures, too create more interesting lighting effects. Can also be flexible Light scattering elements during radiation or illumination be deformed with light and so he effects testify.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the shell consists of a flexible film, the case for example only imperfectly filled with the liquid medium and by the at least partially removing the air (e.g. by suction or pressing) from the remaining volume of the envelope in front of you Closing an irregular deformation of the envelope can be fathered.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the ver shaping the envelope before or after filling and closing it are generated by mechanical action. At for example, with additional heat and at the same time folding, folding or crumpling the cover Deformation can be generated.

So that the shell the desired, preferably irregular Retains shape, the thickness or material of the shell can be so be chosen that despite the internal pressure due to the filling the shape is maintained with liquid. For stabilization The shape of the cover can also be made with a transparent material are coated, for example by pouring trans parent polymers.

An envelope consisting of a film can be replaced by the ver welding two or more, preferably planar foils elements are manufactured. For example, two or several foils layered on top of each other at the edges  are welded together, initially with a filling opening is released for the liquid medium. After loading fill and close the opening if necessary, multilayer bags mechanically deformed to get an element that the desired refraction or reflection effects in a through glow achieved.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a flexible film-formed envelope also by film blowing be made. A form is usually used here, in which a plastic bubble by generating a sufficient high internal pressure is blown into it. Opposite a ver this process offers the welding of several foil elements Advantage that the case has practically no external view has visible seams.

The sheath can also be made of film tubes, for example are provided, with a hose section to each Ends are tightly closed.

According to a further embodiment of the invention is inner half of the shell a strongly deformed, preferably crumpled Foil arranged. This film is usually made transparent det, but can of course also from a right reflective material. But should be interesting Refraction effects are generated, so a transparent Foil can be used, the refractive index of which is different from the refractive index of the liquid in the shell. Because refraction effects only occur when light is transferred from a medium with a first refractive index into a wide one res medium with a second, from the first refractive index ver different refractive index. Of course, with one Such a transition also results in (partial) reflection.  

The light scattering element according to the invention can also consist of one made of one or more flexible materials Full body exist, the outer surface of which is macroscopically chao is table or quasi-chaotic. Suitable for this rubber-like silicones, for example, Temperatures from -50 ° C to + 200 ° C are still flexible stay. Such elements are made by casting or injection molding easy to manufacture. The material can be divided into two be introduced after the partial curing is formed. Due to the flexibility of such light diffusers In turn, the above-mentioned advantages enough.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the Cover an essentially smooth outer surface and that desired interesting refraction and / or reflection effect te are by elements arranged within the envelope enough. This can be a severely deformed front preferably crumpled film and / or one or more Light scattering elements according to one of the preceding embodiments form the invention.

Be more within the essentially smooth shell Light scattering elements arranged with a strongly deformed envelope net, so this shell can also ge with a liquid medium be filled. In this case it is advantageous to do this further Fill light scattering elements with liquid media, the bre index differs from the refractive index of this further Light scattering elements surrounding liquid medium differs. In this way, stronger refractive effects are achieved than in the event that only the refractive index of the Hül len material differs from that of the liquid medium. The same naturally applies to the refractive index of Full body.  

In this embodiment of the invention there is the outer Shell preferably made of a substantially rigid material. In this way, there is the advantage of sufficient Stability against external mechanical influences and against the Internal pressure of the elements or liquids provided therein.

To enhance the lighting effects can be on the outer Another severely deformed film can be provided. This can in turn be transparent or at least partially right be inflected.

In any of the above embodiments, can more transparent or reflective inside the shell Solids are provided, which are within the liquid floating equilibrium.

A light scattering element can also be combined by combining several Light scattering elements according to one or more of the above explained embodiments. Such a thing Combined light scattering element can, for example, by the Gluing or otherwise connecting individual light scatterers elements are generated.

In this way, the most varied of light scatterers elements can be generated from one or more basic modules.

The light scattering element according to the invention can either be so be formed so that it is only light outside the light scattering element arranged light source, for. B. one High-performance light source, is shone through or in the Way that within the shell an active or passive Light source is provided. With an active light source can it is, for example, a low-voltage halogen lamp and a passive light source leading around the end of light Trade fibers.  

An active light source can also be a high power lamp, e.g. B. a high pressure gas discharge lamp han deln.

With a light scattering element, which consists of several individual Light scattering elements combined into a spatial structure such a light source can of course also within the spatial structure, but not within the liquid medium, but between the outer shells of the individual NEN light scattering elements can be arranged.

There is an active light source within one with a liquid-filled envelope, so the liquid speed serve simultaneously as a cooling medium, which so far only unsatisfactorily solved, especially with high-performance lamps problem of heat dissipation is only manageable. In the In this case, the liquid medium should be used for safety reasons have non-conductive properties.

Further embodiments of the invention result from the Subclaims.

The invention is illustrated below with reference to the drawing illustrated embodiments explained in more detail. In the drawing show:

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a light scattering element according to the invention with a flexible, strongly deformed envelope.

Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment according to Figure 1 with additional Lich arranged inside the shell highly deformed film.

Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of a light scattering element with a geometrically shaped shell and highly deformed film located therein and

Fig. 4 shows a third embodiment of a light scattering element according to the invention with a rigid geometrically shaped shell and further light scattering elements arranged therein.

The light diffusing member 1 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a closed flexible envelope 3, which is filled with a FLÜS sigen medium 5, for example with water. The closed envelope 3 has a very irregular shape.

Such a light scattering element 1 can be produced, for example, by film blowing, whereby a flexible, transparent material such as PVC, polyethylene or polypropylene heats it and in the form of a bubble it is brought into a corresponding shape and is inflated by generating sufficient internal pressure until it is inflated Wall of the bladder comes into contact with the inner wall of the mold. After cooling, the flexible structure can be removed from the mold as a result of a correspondingly thin wall and a suitable choice of material. Subsequently, the shell 3 can be completely or partially filled with the liquid medium 5 and the filling opening can be closed.

The highly irregular outer shape of the shell 3 of the lighting control element 1 can, however, also be produced in such a way that first a more or less regular shell is produced by welding a plurality of foil elements, these are only partially filled with the liquid medium 5 and finally the residual gas contained therein (Air) is at least partially sucked off. Due to the negative pressure, the sleeve 3 is irregularly folded or crumpled. After the at least partial suction of the residual gas, the filling opening is again sealed. Instead of sucking off the residual gas, this can of course be removed in any way, e.g. B. by pressing the partially filled envelope.

When choosing the material for the flexible cover and that liquid filling medium meets the requirement of tightness respect, think highly of. For example, commercially available films are suitable made of PVC, PE, PP or polyamide not for filling with Water, as it is not sufficiently watertight and vapor tight action is achievable. Adequate tightness can here by providing barriers on the film surface che, e.g. B. by applying an alkylchlorosilane mixture be achieved.

Higher molecular ones are also suitable as the liquid filling medium Fabrics, e.g. B. oils of all kinds, the molecular size of the pore size of foils exceeds. Then there is no barrier layer required.

Against mechanical damage (in a manner not shown), the light scattering element can additionally be surrounded with a correspondingly stable protective cover. This can be generated by covering the shell 3 with transparent polymers, for example. Preferably such materials are used that remain sufficiently flexible even after hardening.

The light scattering element shown in FIG. 1 could also have the same shape from a solid body made of a preferably flexible material. Suitable for this are, for example, rubber-like silicones, which remain elastic even at temperatures from -50 ° C to + 200 ° C. Because of their good chemical resistance, they can also be used in light-reactive processes for which glass is not suitable, e.g. B. the photodissociation of acids that attack glass.

Such coverless light scattering elements can correspond by de molds are made, even after casting or Injection molding can be done.

The light scattering element 10 shown in FIG. 2 again has a strongly irregularly shaped outer shape 3 , which can be produced in the same way as described above for the light scattering element 1 according to FIG. 1.

The light scattering element 10 is in turn filled with a trans parent liquid medium 5 . In addition, a strongly irregularly shaped, for example crumpled, transparent film 7 is provided within the envelope 3 , which creates additional refraction or reflection effects when light is shone through the light scattering element 10 .

The further embodiment of a light scattering element 20 according to the invention shown in FIG. 3 in turn has a closed shell 3 , which, however, in contrast to the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 and 2, has an essentially smooth, ie non-folded or crumpled outer surface. Such a shell 3 can, for example, in turn be produced by film blowing, a suitably designed shape being used. However, it is also possible to produce such an envelope by welding several individual film elements 3 '.

If a mechanically stable or rigid shell 3 is desired, this can of course also be produced by gluing individual appropriately shaped plates or blown or otherwise shaped material (e.g. plastic, glass) to who.

A highly deformed film 7 is provided inside the shell 3 of the light scattering element 20 , just as in the embodiment according to FIG. 2. This in turn leads to the desired lighting effects when the light scattering element is irradiated with light.

The light scattering element 30 shown in FIG. 4 has a rigid outer shell 3 which, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, can be pyramid-shaped. The rigid shell 3 , which has sufficient stability against external mechanical influences, can for example be made of acrylic glass or any other transparent material and of course have any shape.

A plurality of individual light-scattering elements is arranged within the rigid shell 3 , which in turn can be designed, for example, like the light-scattering elements 1 , 10 or 20 according to FIGS. 1 to 3. In this way, several or a plurality of such light-scattering elements can form a larger light-scattering element can be combined with a certain spatial structure.

Due to the flexibility of the individual light scattering elements these can easily be attached to rigid shells of any shape fit and be packed tightly in the sleeve, which makes the desired interesting lighting effects can be achieved.

Possibly. the individual light scattering elements can also be mecha African pressure and / or to improve flexibility high temperature to be introduced into the rigid shell a better fit to the shape of the rigid shell and one to achieve denser packing of the light scattering elements.

The combination of such individual light scattering elements 1 , 10 or 20 can of course also follow in such a way that they are connected, for example glued, without an outer shell 3 to form a desired structure.

The outer shell 3 of the light scattering element 30 according to FIG. 4 can in turn be filled with a liquid medium 5 . As shown schematically in Fig. 4, an active or passive light source 9 can be provided within the outer closed shell 3 . This can be an active light source, for example a low-voltage halogen lamp, and a passive light source, for example, the ends of light-guiding fibers.

Such a light source can of course be provided not only in the embodiment according to FIG. 4, but in any embodiment of the invention inside the shell 3 of a light scattering element.

If an active light source is to be used for the light source 9 , it must of course be liquid-tight. For example, customary lighting fixtures can be used for underwater lighting. For safety reasons, the liquid medium surrounding such an active light source should be electrically non-conductive in order to avoid the risk to persons handling such a light scattering element in the event of a fault.

When using active light sources within a shell 3 filled with a liquid medium 5 , there is the advantage of an extremely space-saving design, since the liquid medium can simultaneously serve as a cooling medium for dissipating the power loss of the active light source.

To generate the desired lighting effects, the transparent liquid medium 5 can of course also be colored. In any case, the refractive indices of the liquid medium 5 and the crumpled films 7 provided therein should be different from one another, since otherwise the refracting or reflecting effect of the crumpled films is suppressed by the complete immersion. At different refractive indices can be dispensed with at most if the liquid medium or the outer shell 3 of the light scattering element and the crumpled film 7 are colored differently.

The same applies in the event that several or a large number of individual light scattering elements 1 , 10 or 20 according to FIG. 4 are combined to form a larger spatial structure. If this structure is additionally surrounded by a transparent liquid medium 5 , the desired refraction or reflection effects can also be generated in that the liquid medium within the individual light scattering elements 1 , 10 or 20 has a different refractive index than that of the individual Liquid medium surrounding light scattering elements.

Other interesting effects can arise if that Light scattering element not with a homogeneous liquid medium, but with each other, not with each other miscible liquid media can be filled. this leads to pronounced phase boundaries, whereby by the different Refractive indices of the liquid media in turn corresponding Refraction or reflection effects are generated.

Especially with large lighting surfaces, reflection effects on the shell 3 of a single light scattering element 1 , 10 or 20 or on the outer shell 3 of a spatial arrangement of individual light scattering elements 1 , 10 , 20 may be desirable. This applies both to the light from an external light source for the transmission of the light scattering element and to the incident daylight or other extraneous light. Here, each or individual sleeves 3 can be provided in whole or in part with a reflective layer. This can be done for example by sputtering or vapor deposition on the outside or inside of the casings.

There is also the option of using a one-sided cover to provide reflective layer, from the outside on the Light scattering element is reflected and reflected light nevertheless, light from the inside of the envelope to the outside trans can be centered.

Claims (14)

1. Light scattering element, in particular for decorative lighting purposes, characterized in that the light scattering element has a closed, at least partially filled with a liquid transparent medium ( 5 ) transparent shell ( 3 ), which acts as a refractive and / or reflecting surface, macroscopically has irregularly shaped outer surface. 2. Light scattering element according to claim 1, characterized in that that the shell is flexible. 3. Light scattering element according to claim 2, characterized in that the sheath ( 3 ) consists of a flexible film. 4. Light-scattering member according to claim 3, characterized in that the designed as a flexible film casing (3) by incomplete filling with the liquid medium (5) and at least partial removal include the residual gas before Ver the envelope (3) is deformed. 5. Light scattering element according to claim 4, characterized in that the sleeve ( 3 ) designed as a flexible film is deformed by mechanical influences, preferably folds or balls. 6. Light scattering element according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the envelope ( 3 ) formed as a flexible film is produced by welding two or more preferably planar film elements ( 3 '). 7. Light scattering element according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the envelope formed as a flexible film ( 3 ) is produced by film blowing. 8. Light scattering element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a heavily deformed, preferably crumpled film ( 7 ) is arranged within the shell ( 3 ). 9. Light scattering element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that transparent or reflective solid bodies are provided within the shell ( 3 ), which are in floating equilibrium in the liquid. 10. Light scattering element, characterized in that the light Scattering element as a full body from one or more trans parent high-viscosity or flexible materials, the outer surface of the light scattering element being macroscopic is irregularly formed. 11. Light scattering element, characterized in that the light scattering element has a shell ( 3 ) with an essentially smooth outer surface and that within the shell ( 3 ) a strongly deformed, preferably crumpled film ( 7 ), and / or one or more light scattering elements ( 1 , 10 , 20 ) are arranged according to one of claims 1 to 10. 12. Light scattering element according to claim 11, characterized in that the sheath ( 3 ) consists of a substantially rigid material. 13. Light scattering element according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that a light source ( 9 ) is provided within the shell ( 3 ). 14. Light scattering element according to claim 13, characterized in that the shell ( 3 ) is at least partially filled with a liquid medium ( 5 ) which simultaneously serves as a cooling medium for a heat-emitting light source ( 9 ).