Optical assembly for a spotlight and spotlight comprising such an optical assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical assembly for a spotlight comprising: an optical element equipped with a set of lenses adapted to cooperate with a first group of light sources (e.g. LEDs) of the spotlight, wherein the lenses are adapted to generate a primary light beam and are spaced apart from each other using inter-lens spaces, a grid for filling at least a portion of the inter-lens spaces of the set of lenses adapted to cooperate with a second group of light sources (e.g. LEDs) of the spotlight, wherein the grid is adapted to generate a secondary light effect, and a support element adapted to support the set of lenses in the inter-lens spaces, wherein the grid and the support element are adapted to be superimposed due to enclosing the optical element between an inner surface of the grid and an upper surface of the support element, thereby fixing the set of lenses so as to form the optical assembly.

Description

Invention Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical assembly intended for use in a spotlight, the optical assembly comprising an optical element equipped with an array of lenses adapted to cooperate with a first set of light sources (e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs)) of the spotlight, the lenses being adapted to generate a primary beam and spaced apart from each other by an inter-lens space, the assembly further comprising a grille such that at least a portion of the inter-lens space of the lens array can be bridged, and the grille being adapted to cooperate with a second set of light sources of the spotlight, such as LEDs, wherein the grille is adapted to generate a secondary beam. Existing technology

[0002] The optical components designed for spotlights according to the present invention are particularly suitable for spotlights that include a set of light sources (e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs)) adapted to generate a main beam using said light sources, and the optical components also include a lens assembly.

[0003] A master beam with user-specified characteristics can be obtained either by the shape of the lens or by the distance between the lens and the light source.

[0004] As a general rule, and to ensure optimal operation of the assembly consisting of a light source and lenses, the lenses in a lens set are spaced apart relative to other lenses by inter-lens spaces. Lenses can be individually fixed in the support structure or connected to each other to form a "monobloc" lens set.

[0005] When a spotlight as described above is used, the beam of light produced by the spotlight is visible. However, the inter-lens space is generally not used for the purpose of generating specific optical effects.

[0006] In the prior art, spotlights with a surface covered by a number of individual lenses are known. The relatively large inter-lens space of the spotlight allows for the use of a secondary light source to obtain diffused light. The term "signage" is used to refer to this type of light effect.

[0007] One of the main drawbacks of existing spotlights is that a relatively large space is required to accommodate the secondary light source within the inter-lens space. This results in the inter-lens space occupying a relatively large area relative to the space occupied by the lens assembly.

[0008] In view of the above observations, the object of the present invention is to provide an optical assembly for a spotlight, wherein the optical elements of the optical assembly are used in conjunction with a lens assembly, the lenses being spaced apart from each other via an inter-lens space, and wherein the surface area required for the inter-lens space is finite relative to the surface area required for the lenses.

[0009] Compared to spotlights disclosed in the prior art, this makes it possible to obtain a more favorable ratio between the surface area occupied by the lens and the surface area occupied by the inter-lens space.

[0010] Purpose of the invention

[0011] The present invention relates to an optical assembly for a spotlight, the optical assembly comprising:

[0012] An optical element equipped with a lens assembly adapted to cooperate with a first set of light sources (e.g., LEDs) of the spotlight, wherein the lenses are adapted to generate a main beam and are spaced apart from each other by inter-lens spaces.

[0013] A grille, used to fill at least a portion of the inter-lens space of the lens assembly, is adapted to cooperate with a second set of light sources (e.g., LEDs) of the spotlight, wherein the grille is adapted to generate secondary light effects, and

[0014] Support element, adapted to support the lens assembly in the inter-lens space.

[0015] The grating and support element are adapted to be stacked between the inner surface of the grating and the upper surface of the support element to fix the lens assembly in order to form an optical component.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the invention, the grid is adapted to surround each lens in the lens assembly.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the grille comprises a transparent plastic material.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the invention, the grating includes a built-in diffuse texture on the surface facing the second set of light sources, making it possible to obtain fragmented secondary beams.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the invention, the lenses are shaped such that they together form a disk.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the optical element includes at least two modules, each module including at least one lens.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the invention, the support element comprises an opaque material, preferably a black material, and includes a hole adapted to accommodate a light source in the second set of light sources, thereby forming a mask for the light source.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a spotlight comprising: a first set of light sources, such as LEDs, adapted to cooperate with a lens assembly to generate a main beam, the spotlight lenses being spaced apart from each other using inter-lens spaces; and a second set of light sources, such as LEDs, adapted to cooperate with a grid present in the inter-lens spaces to generate a secondary light effect, the spotlight comprising optical components according to the invention. Brief description of the attached diagram

[0023] The objectives, features, and characteristics of this invention will become more apparent from the following description, which is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of an optical assembly according to the invention is shown, including a grid and support elements for the optical assembly.

[0025] Figure 2 A perspective view showing the upper surfaces of the two modules of an optical element.

[0026] Figure 3 It shows that according to Figure 2 A perspective view of the lower surfaces of the two modules of the optical element.

[0027] Figure 4 The overall optical components are shown.

[0028] Figure 5 A perspective view showing the supporting elements.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the upper surface of the grille.

[0030] Figure 7 This represents a perspective view of the lower surface of the grille.

[0031] Figure 8 A close-up view showing a portion of the lower surface of the grille, and

[0032] Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of a portion of a spotlight including optical components according to the invention is shown.

[0033] Figure 1 A portion of an optical assembly 100 according to the present invention is shown. For clarity, portions of the optical assembly 100 are not visible in order to show the various constituent parts of the optical assembly 100 more clearly.

[0034] First, the optical assembly 100 includes an optical element 10 equipped with an array of lenses 20 (see...). Figure 4 ).like Figure 1As shown, the optical assembly 100 has 37 lenses 20 distributed around a central lens 20, which is surrounded by three concentric circles of 6, 12, and 18 lenses 20, respectively. Figure 1 In the example, the optical elements include a first module 11 and a second module 12. Module 11 includes a total of seven lenses 20, including a central lens 20, a first lens in a first circle, two lenses in a second circle, and three lenses in a third circle. Module 12 includes six lenses 20, including a first lens in a first circle, two lenses in a second circle, and three lenses in a third circle. Four other modules 13, 14, 15, and 16 similar to module 12 are required (in... Figure 1 (Invisible in the middle) to complete the optical element 10 and finally obtain the above-mentioned 37 lenses 20. In Figure 2 and Figure 3 The two modules, 11 and 12, are described in more detail. Modules 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 are described in... Figure 4 It is represented as a whole.

[0035] Each lens 20 of the optical element 10 is adapted to cooperate with a light source that is part of a first group of light sources. Power light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are particularly suitable light sources for use in the optical assembly 100 according to the invention. The intensity and color produced by the LEDs can be managed electronically. The combination of LEDs and lenses makes it possible to obtain a beam of light from a spotlight using the optical assembly 100.

[0036] Using a component consisting of a light-emitting diode (LED) and a lens 20 to obtain a beam of light is known in the prior art and is not described in detail here.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the lenses 20 of the optical element 10 are spaced apart from each other using inter-lens spaces, said spaces being... Figure 4 Clearly visible. According to the invention, the inter-lens spaces, or at least a portion thereof, are bridged using a grid 30, which in... Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The details are shown below. The grating 30 is made of a transparent material, such as a transparent plastic material, like transparent polycarbonate. The grating 30 is adapted to surround each lens 20 in the optical element 10. The width of the grating element 30 surrounding the lens 20 is approximately 5 mm. Figure 1 As shown, the height of the grid element 30 surrounding the lens 20 varies in order to best bridge the space between the lenses.

[0038] This specification relates to a spotlight equipped with 37 lenses 20, which are combined to form a cylindrical spotlight. It should be noted that completely different numbers of lenses 20 can be used to produce a given shape. For example, the lens assembly can form a rectangle, a square, or any other suitable shape. The shape of the lenses 20 can be adapted to the overall shape of the spotlight. To obtain, for example, a square, the lenses 20 can be square.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the optical assembly 100 also includes a support element 40 adapted to support the lens assembly 20 in the inter-lens space. (As shown from...) Figure 1 As can be seen, the grille 30 and the support element 40 are adapted such that the branches constituting the grille 30 and the support element 40, respectively, are located in the interlens space of the lens 20.

[0040] The shapes of the grating 30 and the support element 40 allow the lens assembly 20 to be used to generate a main beam whose light source is located in a spotlight, although the presence of the grating 30 and the support element 40 does not impede the flow of light generated using the first set of light sources. Functionally, the grating 30 and the support element 40 are adapted to be fitted onto the opposing surfaces of the optical element 10, thereby securing the lens assembly 20 between the grating 30 and the support element 40, thus obtaining the optical assembly 100 according to the invention.

[0041] For reference Figure 9 To explain in more detail, the main objective of the present invention is to utilize the exit surface of the spotlight, which is occupied by the inter-lens space of the optical assembly 100, so as to generate a secondary light effect using the second set of light sources 61 present in the grid 30 and the spotlight, supplementing the main beam generated by the lens 20. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are particularly suitable light sources for forming this second set of light sources 61. For this purpose, the second set of light sources 61 is positioned in the spotlight such that each light source in the second set of light sources 61 is located within an aperture 46 provided for this purpose within the support element 40. The respective apertures 46 provided to accommodate each light source are... Figure 5 The light generated by the second set of light sources 61 is emitted along the direction of the grating 30 and diffused in the form of secondary light effects, supplementing the main beam emitted by the lens 20.

[0042] In this specification, the term "secondary light effect" is used to refer to the second set of light sources 61, but also to the light effect produced by using light source 61, which is preferably in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED). The second light effect is diffuse light emitted from the surface of the grating 30.

[0043] A spotlight allows for the acquisition of both a main beam and diffused light as described above. The spotlight provides the possibility of obtaining light effects from a spotlight equipped with an optical component 100 according to the invention, effects that cannot be obtained using spotlights in the prior art.

[0044] Initially, the combination of the first set of light sources and lens 20 allows the user to use the optical assembly 100 to obtain a main beam. To supplement or replace this main beam, the user can use a second set of light sources 61 in conjunction with the grid 30 to generate diffused light on all or part of the surface of the optical assembly 100. The combination of the second set of light sources 61 and the grid 30 makes it possible to generate static light effects when the light sources on a portion of the optical assembly 100 are switched on or off. Alternatively, the light sources in the second set of light sources 61 can be switched on sequentially, making it possible to generate dynamic light effects that can form spiral, circular, or complex shapes on the upper surface of the grid 30.

[0045] It should be understood that users can gradually modify the intensity or color of the light source, or both, if they wish. Due to this management of the light source, a "liquid" light effect can be achieved, meaning that transitions and changes generated in this light effect are smooth and gradual.

[0046] It is impossible to use the same printed circuit to fix the first group of light sources and the second group of light sources. The second printed circuit has the same shape as the grid 30.

[0047] It should be noted that, for suitable light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), users can modify not only the intensity of the light generated by the light source, but also its color. Considering the possibilities of controlling the activation of various light sources and the intensity and color obtained from each, users have a wide range of possibilities for generating new and specific light effects.

[0048] Figure 2 The first module 11 and the second module 12 of the optical element 10 are shown in more detail. Figure 2 In the middle, we can clearly distinguish the first module 11, which includes the formation Figure 1 The module 12 comprises six lenses 20, each a portion of a lens circle, and a central lens 20 of the optical element 10. In itself, the module 12 includes six lenses 20. According to... Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, each of the two modules is equipped with a lug fastener 17. The lug fastener 17 is optional and can therefore be used, for example, to secure modules 11 and 12 to the support by means of screws.

[0049] Figure 3The diagram shows a perspective view of the lower surfaces of modules 11 and 12, each including a protrusion in the form of a longitudinal light guide 18. The longitudinal light guide 18 is located in the inter-lens space present on the upper surfaces of modules 11 and 12. It should be noted that the longitudinal light guide 18 plays a major role in guiding light generated by the light source in the second group of light sources in the spotlight to the outlet of the spotlight. In the direction of the light source in the second group of light sources, the longitudinal light guide 18 is equipped with a converging profile adapted to direct the useful light generated by the light source in the second group of light sources to the surface of the inter-lens optical element. Figure 9 This operation is shown in more detail.

[0050] Preferably, it should be noted that the light source used for the second set of light sources is equipped with a very small light-emitting diode (LED). As mentioned above, the LED can be controlled individually. This makes it possible to limit the space required to accommodate the light source. Furthermore, this type (i.e., very small) of light-emitting diode (LED) can generate a light effect with a very smooth transition.

[0051] Figure 4 The optical element 10 of the optical assembly 100 is shown as a whole. Figure 4 This illustrates that after assembling various modules, a single optical element 10 is obtained, which is equipped with the aforementioned... Figure 4 A total of 37 lenses and inter-lens spaces are visible in the image.

[0052] It should be noted that, according to one embodiment, the optical element 10 can be made entirely of one piece, for example, by making it a single piece of transparent plastic, such as transparent polycarbonate. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The example shown uses various modules 11 and 12 to limit the size of the mold used to manufacture the module. Alternatively, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other options exist, such as using two halves to obtain the final optical element 10.

[0053] Figure 5 Indicates that it is suitable for support on its lower surface, such as Figure 4 The optical element 10 shown has a support element 40. The support element 40 generally includes four concentric rings 41, 42, 43, and 44, which are interconnected by radial branches 45.

[0054] As described above, the support element 40 is equipped with a plurality of holes 46 distributed on the surface of the support element 40 and present in the four rings 41, 42, 43, 44 and the intermediate branch 45. According to the invention, each hole 46 is adapted to accommodate one of the second set of light sources present in the spotlight. Figure 9The structural aspects of the assembly consisting of the light source and support element 40 are clearly shown. Figure 5 The individual components of the support element 40 are shown to be gutter-shaped on its upper surface. These gutters are adapted to receive [something] together. Figure 3 A set of longitudinal light guides 18 are visible. First, this provides the possibility of correctly positioning and securing the lower surface of the optical element 10 to the upper surface of the support element 40. If the optical element 10 is correctly positioned on the support element 40, and due to the presence of the longitudinal light guides 18 and the groove formed on the support element 40, the support element 40 and the optical element 10 can no longer move relative to each other. The presence of the groove on the upper surface of the support element 40 provides another advantage, by which the wall forming the groove acts as an optical shutter. This prevents the light emitted by the second set of light sources from reaching the interior of the lens 20. Figure 9 This aspect is explained in more detail.

[0055] Figure 6 This refers to the overall shape of the grille 30. The basic shape of the grille 30 is similar to that of the support element 40. The grille 30 includes four concentric circles 31, 32, 33, and 34 interconnected by branches 35. Figure 7 As shown, the grille 30 is substantially flat on its lower surface. Figure 6 As shown, on the upper surface of the grille 30, the grille 30 has a wavy shape, which allows for better coverage of... Figure 1 The lens is shown in the inter-lens space. For reasons of detail, it should be noted that the grid 30 is equipped with a circular element 31, which allows it to cover the outside of the lens 20 located in the largest circle. This means that the circular element 31 is not used to bridge the inter-lens space, but rather to bridge the space around the outermost lens on the optical assembly 100 of the present invention.

[0056] Figure 7 This refers to the lower surface of the grille 30. At a certain distance, such as... Figure 7 The lower surface 30 shown appears to be substantially flat. According to... Figure 7 Shown in Figure 8 In a specific embodiment shown in more detail, it can be observed that the lower surface of the grating 30 exhibits a built-in diffuse texture. The purpose of this built-in diffuse texture is to diffuse as much as possible the light emitted from the exit surface of the inter-lens space of the optical element 10 once light penetrates the grating 30 via its lower surface. Figure 7 As shown, and in Figure 8As can be seen more clearly, the diffusion achieved due to the diffuse texture is a greater diffusion of light generated by the light source within the second set of light sources of the spotlight. In other words, on the upper surface of the grille 30, light is not diffused as individual beams, but rather diffused to achieve a more global lighting effect. In fact, as... Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, a built-in diffuse texture can be used to prevent light from concentrating on a few points on the upper surface of the grille 30. The resulting light effect is that more diffuse light is obtained, rather than so-called "hot spots" of concentrated light, thus improving the light effect.

[0057] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view showing the various components in a spotlight equipped with optical components 100.

[0058] first, Figure 9 This indicates printed circuit 60. A first printed circuit can be used (in...) Figure 9 (Invisible in the middle) to fix the first group of light sources, such as power light-emitting diodes (LEDs) suitable for lens 20 (in the middle) Figure 9 (Not visible in the middle), and uses a second printed circuit to fix the second group of light sources 61, such as a sign light-emitting diode (LED) suitable for housing within the hole 46 of the support element 40. It is not possible to use the same printed circuit to fix both the first and second groups of light sources. The second printed circuit has the same shape as the grille 30. According to Figure 9 In the example shown, the second set of light sources 61 is equipped with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 61 in the form of SMC light-emitting diodes (surface mount component LEDs). More specifically, marker light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can be used. It should be noted that it is difficult to integrate a large number of LEDs and a control system on a small surface located on the second printed circuit (which has the same shape as the grille 30).

[0059] Figure 9 A support element 40 is shown, located in the aperture 46, which is capable of generating light using an SMC light-emitting diode (LED) 61, the light flowing through the support element 40 in the direction of the spotlight outlet. Figure 9 (This illustrates the upward movement of light). The support element 40 is equipped with walls 47 and 48 on the side opposite to the aperture 46. Together, walls 47 and 48 form a mask, enabling the guidance of light generated by the SMC light-emitting diode (LED) 61 along the direction of the optical element 10 and preventing light leakage to the lens 20. For clarity, in... Figure 9 Only two parts of lens 20 are shown in the text. For this function, support element 40 is made of an opaque material, preferably a black opaque material, which is opaque to any light not collected by the converging profile 80 of the rib 18 of optical element 10. It should be remembered that walls 47 and 48 together form a groove, as referenced above. Figure 5 As described above. The converging surface 80 is the surface of the SMC light-emitting diode (LED) pointing towards the rib 18, as shown in the reference. Figure 3 As described. Figure 9 As shown, light emitted from the light-emitting diode (LED) 61 is guided and directed to the exit surface of the inter-lens space 81 of the optical element 10 by means of the converging surface 80. The light continues to diffuse in the direction of the exit surface of the inter-lens space 81 and penetrates the interior of the grille 30. For clarity, the grille 30 is... Figure 9 Not shown in the image.

Claims

1. An optical assembly (100) for a spotlight, comprising: An optical element (10) is equipped with a lens assembly, the lenses (20) being adapted to cooperate with a first set of light sources of the spotlight, wherein the lenses (20) are adapted to generate a main beam and are spaced apart from each other using inter-lens spaces. A grating (30), which fills at least a portion of the inter-lens space of the lens assembly, is adapted to cooperate with a second set of light sources (61) of the spotlight, wherein the grating is adapted to generate secondary light effects, and A support element (40) adapted to support the lens assembly in the inter-lens space, wherein the support element (40) includes an aperture (46) located in the inter-lens space, a light source in the second set of light sources (61) is positioned to emit light through the aperture (46), and the aperture (46) guides the light away from the assembly via the grid (30) in the inter-lens space and prevents light leakage through the lens (20); The grating (30) and the support element (40) are adapted to be stacked between the inner surface of the grating (30) and the upper surface of the support element (40) to fix the lens (20) assembly in order to form the optical assembly (100).

2. The optical component according to claim 1, wherein, The first set of light sources is LED.

3. The optical component according to claim 1, wherein, The second set of light sources is LED.

4. The optical component according to claim 1, wherein, The grating (30) is adapted to surround each lens (20) in the set of lenses (20).

5. The optical component according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The grille comprises a transparent plastic material.

6. The optical component according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The grille (30) includes a built-in diffuse texture on the surface facing the second set of light sources (61), enabling the grille to achieve a diffuse light effect.

7. The optical component according to claim 5, wherein, The grille (30) includes a built-in diffuse texture on the surface facing the second set of light sources (61), enabling the grille to achieve a diffuse light effect.

8. The optical component (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and 7, wherein, The lenses (20) are shaped such that they together form a disk.

9. The optical component (100) according to claim 5, wherein, The lenses (20) are shaped such that they together form a disk.

10. The optical component (100) according to claim 6, wherein, The lenses (20) are shaped such that they together form a disk.

11. The optical component (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 7 and 9 to 10, wherein, The optical element (10) includes at least two modules, each module including at least one lens (20).

12. The optical component (100) according to claim 5, wherein, The optical element (10) includes at least two modules, each module including at least one lens (20).

13. The optical component (100) according to claim 6, wherein, The optical element (10) includes at least two modules, each module including at least one lens (20).

14. The optical component (100) according to claim 8, wherein, The optical element (10) includes at least two modules, each module including at least one lens (20).

15. An optical assembly (100) for a spotlight, comprising: An optical element (10) is equipped with an array of lenses (20) adapted to cooperate with a first set of light sources of the spotlight, wherein the lenses (20) are adapted to generate a main beam and are spaced apart from each other using inter-lens spaces. A grating (30), which fills at least a portion of the inter-lens space of the lens (20) assembly, is adapted to cooperate with a second set of light sources (61) of the spotlight, wherein the grating (30) is adapted to generate secondary light effects, and A support element (40) adapted to support the lens (20) assembly in the inter-lens space. The grating (30) and the support element (40) are adapted to be stacked between the inner surface of the grating (30) and the upper surface of the support element (40) to fix the lens (20) assembly in order to form the optical assembly, wherein the support element (40) comprises an opaque material and includes an aperture (46) adapted to receive a light source in the second set of light sources (61), thereby forming a mask for the second set of light sources (61).

16. The optical component (100) according to claim 15, wherein, The opaque material is made of black material.

17. A spotlight, comprising: A first set of light sources is adapted to cooperate with a set of lenses (20) to generate a main beam, the lenses (20) being spaced apart from each other using inter-lens spaces; And a second set of light sources (61) adapted to cooperate with a grid (30) present in the inter-lens space to generate a secondary light effect, wherein the spotlight includes an optical component (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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