DE29504472U1 - Directed light source automatically tracked - Google Patents

Description

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Description

Light source that is movable using motors (4), beams in a bundled manner and whose intensity can be wirelessly controlled remotely.

It is known to move light sources in two angular coordinates using motor drives and also to change their intensity distribution. Wireless remote control of the intensity of light sources is also known. Both can also be done using a memory-programmable control that processes additional signals. However, the problem of tracking the directed light beam with a randomly moving person or object cannot be solved without another operator. Furthermore, setting the light beam to a stationary or moving target location by the person working there, for example, is also difficult, since this requires them to control the radiation characteristics in such a way that at least four movement signals must be visually observed in their effect on the change in direction of the light beam. This represents a high degree of distraction, especially when the person changes locations, which means that the person loses the intended activity.

The invention specified enables the optimal illumination of one or several locations alternately by means of a light source without any operator intervention being required.

This problem is solved by using the radiation from one or more remote control transmitters (1) and locating these transmitters using a sensor (2) attached to the light source.

The resulting advantages are that

- light tracking is achieved without operating personnel - for example on a stage - and without restricting hands or attention - for example at a workstation

- significant energy savings can be achieved by not having to illuminate the entire potential working or operating area

- with the same or lower energy consumption, a higher effective lighting intensity and thus greater comfort and better workplace quality can be achieved

- an improved quality of life is achieved in the living area through targeted lighting, as lighting effects can be individually changed or other people who are resting in the same room, for example, are significantly less disturbed by light.

The invention can be designed either in the direction of the consumer living area, whereby the simplest variant consists in directing the remote control transmitter towards it by pressing a button and using this transmitter to switch the light on and off using a second button. A one-button operation based on the principle of the known remote control dimmer is also conceivable, in which case the control signal is decided by means of different durations of button operation.

Another area of application is the working environment, especially when partially increased light intensities are required and these locations are moving - such as on a construction site or an assembly line. Examples of implementation come into consideration here in which no extra command for tracking needs to be given, but instead a constant position correction of the point of impact of the light beam is carried towards a transmitter, for example carried by a person or attached to a work tool.

Finally, the application in the stage/show business is useful, for example, to avoid having to employ an additional lighting technician for solo performers, since it is possible to automatically adjust the light by wearing a remote control transmitter and a spot light source according to the invention.

An embodiment is explained below using Fig. 1 to 3:
Show it:

Fig. 1 an overall arrangement of the invention

Fig. 2 the structure of the sensor 2 in two-sided representation

Fig. 3 shows the block diagram of the electronic assembly 3

The motors 4 are attached to pivotable joints 8 that cannot rotate about their own axis. A directed light source 6 is also attached in this way. The motors 4 move the light source via spindles and movably mounted spindle nuts 9. The sensor 2 is attached to the light source. The light source, the sensor and the motors are connected to the electronic assembly 3 by means of flexible cables 7.

The remote control 1, for example, emits infrared radiation 5 modulated at a predetermined frequency into a larger solid angle; part of this is received by the sensor 2. In this case, each of the four photo receivers 12 of the sensor 2 with the connecting wires 10 receives an amount of radiation from the remote control transmitter 1 that corresponds to its position relative to the transmitter. This is achieved by means of partition walls 11.

The electrical signals of the 4-quadrant receiver 13 thus formed are fed to a sum and difference amplifier 14. After passing through the demodulator 15, the motor drivers 16 and the motors 4 are controlled. Furthermore, the light source 18 is controlled by a lamp driver 17.

Claims (3)

Protection claims 1. Light source movable by means of motors (4), beams in a bundled manner and whose intensity can be wirelessly remotely controlled characterized, that an automatic alignment of the bundled light radiation in the direction of a remote control transmitter (1) takes place in that a sensor (2) locates the radiation of a remote control transmitter and transmits position corrections to the motors (4) by means of an electronic assembly (3). 2. Light source according to claim 1 characterized, that the intensity and/or the intensity distribution of the bundled light radiation can be changed simultaneously by means of the remote control transmitter (1), in that this changeability is brought about either by a manual control or a measuring device in the remote control transmitter or by a time-programmed control sequence or by a combination of these signals. 3. Light source according to claims 1 and 2 characterized, that the attitude control cannot be activated continuously, but only in response to a signal acting selectively in any manner on one or more similar remote control transmitters (1).