Optical system for a luminaire
By controlling the movement of lens arrays and linear lenses, the problem of the inflexible adjustment of beam angle in existing lamps is solved, realizing the switching between beam collimation and divergence, and supporting remote and local control of beam angle adjustment.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ROBE LIGHTING SRO
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-05
Smart Images
Figure CN122148924A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Cross-reference to related applications
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 727,484, entitled “Optical System for Luminaires,” filed December 3, 2024, by Petr Nemec et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to luminaires, and more specifically to optical systems for automated luminaires. Background Technology
[0003] Some luminaires in the entertainment and architectural lighting market include automated and remotely controllable functions. These luminaires are suitable for theaters, television studios, concerts, theme parks, nightclubs, and other venues. The luminaires offer control over translation and tilt functions, allowing operators to control the direction the luminaire is pointing, thereby controlling the position of the beam on the stage or in the studio. This positional control can be achieved by controlling the luminaire's position on two orthogonal axes of rotation; this is known as translation and tilt. Some luminaires offer control over other parameters such as intensity, color, focus, beam size, beam shape, and / or beam pattern. When such luminaires are remotely controllable, they are referred to as automated luminaires. These luminaires can emit continuous light or strobe light in the form of short pulses. Users need the ability to change the beam angle of the emitted beam. Summary of the Invention
[0004] A luminaire includes a first array light engine, a second array light engine, and a control system. The first array light engine includes: a plurality of light emitters configured to emit a first plurality of collimated beams; and a first lens array and a second lens array, each lens array including a plurality of microlenses. The first lens array is fixed relative to the plurality of light emitters, and the second lens array is configured to move relative to the first lens array along the optical axis of the first array light engine. The first lens array is configured to receive the first plurality of collimated beams and emit a second plurality of beams, and the second lens array is configured to receive the second plurality of beams and emit a third plurality of beams. When the second lens array is at maximum separation from the first lens array, the light rays of the third plurality of beams are collimated, and the light rays of the third plurality of beams become increasingly divergent as the second lens array moves closer to the first lens array. The second array light engine includes: a linear array of light emitters configured to emit a divergent first linear beam; and a linear lens configured to receive the divergent first linear beam and emit a second linear beam. The long axis of the linear array of light emitters is parallel to the long axis of the linear lens. A linear lens is configured to move relative to the linear array of the light emitter along the optical axis of the second array light engine. When the linear lens is at its maximum separation from the linear array of the light emitter, the light rays of the second linear beam are collimated, and the light rays of the second linear beam become increasingly divergent as the linear lens moves closer to the linear array of the light emitter. The control system is configured to (i) control the beam angle of the third plurality of beams by moving the second lens array relative to the first lens array along the optical axis of the first array light engine, and (ii) control the beam angle of the second linear beam by moving the linear lens relative to the linear array of the light emitter along the optical axis of the second array light engine. Attached Figure Description
[0005] To gain a more complete understanding of this disclosure, the following brief description will now be given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals denote the same features.
[0006] Figure 1 A view of a luminaire according to this disclosure is shown; Figure 2 Showing Figure 1 A view of the optical components of the luminaire; Figure 3 Showing Figure 1 A partially exploded view of the array light engine of the lighting fixtures; Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4C Showing Figure 3 A schematic diagram of ray tracing using an array of optical engines with different beam angles; Figure 5Showing Figure 1 A view of the third array light engine of the lighting fixtures; Figure 6 Showing Figure 5 A partial exploded view of the third array light engine; Figure 7A , Figure 7B and Figure 7C Showing Figure 5 A schematic diagram of ray tracing using an array of optical engines with different beam angle configurations; and Figure 8 Showing Figure 1 The rear view of the light fixture, in which the head cover has been removed. Detailed Implementation
[0007] Preferred embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, with the same reference numerals indicating the same and corresponding parts in the various drawings.
[0008] Figure 1 A front view of a luminaire 100 according to this disclosure is shown. The luminaire 100 includes a head 102 configured to rotate within a yoke 106 about a tilt axis 120. The yoke 106 is configured to rotate relative to a fixed housing 104 (e.g., a base 104) about a translation axis 122. The tilt axis 120 and the translation axis 122 are orthogonal to each other. Both translational and tilt movements can be mechanically coupled to a manually operated manual control system, or can be connected to a motor, linear actuator, or other electromechanically controlled mechanism for movement. Such electromechanical mechanisms can be under the control of a microcontroller or other programmable control system included in the luminaire. In some embodiments, the control system can be locally controlled via a user interface included in the luminaire. In other embodiments, the control system can communicate wired or wirelessly with a remote console via a data link, using the console to command the control system to move the head 102 to a position specified by the operator in the command. In such embodiments, the operator can guide the light output from the automated luminaire in a desired direction by moving the head 102 along the translation axis 122 and the tilt axis 120. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the luminaire 100 also includes array light output lenses 108a and 108b and a linear output lens 110.
[0009] Figure 2 A view of the optical components 200 of the luminaire 100 is shown. Specifically, this view shows the first array light engine 216 and the second array light engine 218 located within the head 102. (As will be...) Figure 3As seen in more detail, each array of light engines 216 and 218 includes lens arrays 210 and 212, each lens array including a plurality of microlenses 220. In some embodiments, lens arrays 210 and 212 and their microlenses 220 are identical. In other embodiments, lens arrays 210 and 212 include different numbers and / or shapes of microlenses 220. The microlenses 220 within each lens array 210 and 212 can be arranged relative to each other in any configuration, and the lens arrays themselves can have shapes other than rectangular. The microlenses 220 are convex-convex microlenses, but in other embodiments they can have other shapes, such as plano-convex, concave-convex, or opposite combinations thereof, to produce the desired light output. A plurality of light emitters are mounted on a circuit board 214 and equipped with corresponding plurality of master collimating optics 206 to provide a beam containing collimated rays (collimated beams) into the first lens array 212. Each microlens of the first lens array 212 is configured to receive a beam of light less than the fully collimated beam emitted from the master collimating optics 206, and each master collimating optics 206 is configured to emit light toward a plurality of microlenses 220 of the first lens array 212.
[0010] The light emitter may include a single light-emitting diode (LED), an LED array, a single laser, a laser array, or other types of light sources capable of emitting colored light, white light, or a combination of both. The light emitter may include a total internal reflection (TIR) lens, a dual condenser, or a reflector configured to collimate the light beam emitted by the light emitter. For light sources containing emitters of multiple colors, a light mixing element may be incorporated to ensure uniform color mixing. The light mixing element may include a fly-eye lens, a light diffuser, a mixing bar, a mixing cavity, or a combination of these elements. In some embodiments, the light emitter includes a TIR lens configured to collimate and mix the colors of the light from the light emitter. A heat sink 208 and a cooling fan (such as...) can be used to... Figure 8 (As shown) to achieve cooling of the light emitter.
[0011] The first lens array 212 is fixed relative to the light emitter, while the second lens array 210 is configured to move along the optical axis of the light source. When the first lens array 212 and the second lens array 210 approach each other, the array light engine is configured to generate a wide-angle output beam. As the second lens array 210 moves away from the first lens array 212, the angle of the output beam narrows, tending towards a collimated configuration. By controlling the separation of the first and second lens arrays, the user can select the desired output angle for the beam.
[0012] exist Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the second lens array 210 moves on an axis within a linear bearing 204 and along an optical axis by means of a motor 202 that drives a linear motion lead screw. In some embodiments, the motor 202 is a stepper motor. Other embodiments may utilize other mechanisms to move the second lens array 210, including gears, belts, or other mechanical systems.
[0013] Figure 3 Showing Figure 1 A partially exploded view of the array light engine 216 of the luminaire 100. Light emitted by light emitters 302 mounted on circuit board 214 enters the first lens array 212 through the main collimating optics 206, and then enters the second lens array 210. In some embodiments, at least some of the light emitters 302 are LED arrays including red LEDs, green LEDs, blue LEDs, and white LEDs.
[0014] Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4C Showing Figure 3 The diagram illustrates ray tracing of the array optical engine 216 under different beam angle configurations in the emitted beam. Note that, for clarity, Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4C Only a portion of the array light engine 216 is shown, and only three microlenses 220 are shown. Figure 4A In the middle, from the light emitter 302 and the main collimating optics 206 ( Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4C A first plurality of collimated beams 402 (not shown) are received by a first lens array 212, which includes microlenses 414. The first lens array 212 emits a second plurality of beams 418. These second plurality of beams 418 are received by a second lens array 210, which includes microlenses 416. The second lens array 210 emits a third plurality of beams 404a. Figure 4A In the configuration shown, the second lens array 210 is located at its maximum separation from the first lens array 212, and the emitted beam 404a is located at its narrowest angle and is substantially collimated. Figure 4B In the middle, the distance between the second lens array 210 and the first lens array 212 is at Figure 4A and Figure 4C In the configuration, at the midpoint of the corresponding distance, the emitted beam 404b is a diverging beam with a midpoint beam angle, which is greater than... Figure 4A The width of the middle but larger than Figure 4C Narrow in the middle. In Figure 4CIn this configuration, the second lens array 210 is located at the closest distance to the first lens array 212, and the emitted beam 404c is a divergent beam with the maximum divergence angle. Therefore, the array optical engine 216 is configured to convert the collimated beam into a collimated beam or a divergent beam, depending on the position of the second lens array 210 relative to the first lens array 212. The multiple beams 404b and 404c include divergent rays and can be referred to as divergent beams.
[0015] Figure 5 A view showing a portion of the optical assembly 200 within the head 102 of the luminaire 100 is displayed, illustrating the third array light engine 510. (As shown) Figure 6 As will be shown in more detail, the array light engine 510 includes a linear lens 506. The linear lens 506 has a long axis and a short axis. Along its short axis, the linear lens 506 has a concave-convex cross-section. In other embodiments, the linear lens 506 may have other cross-sections, such as plano-convex, concave-convex, convex-convex, or opposite combinations thereof, to produce the desired light output. Multiple light emitters are mounted in a linear array on a circuit board 508 to emit a first linear beam to the linear lens 506, which emits a second linear beam. In embodiments where the light emitters emit beams of different colors, a light mixing element may be incorporated to ensure uniform color mixing. Such a light mixing element may include a fly-eye lens, a light diffuser, a mixing rod, a mixing cavity, or a combination of optical elements.
[0016] Linear lens 506 is configured to move along the optical axis of array optical engine 510. When linear lens 506 approaches the light emitter, the optical system is configured to emit a wide-angle linear output beam. As linear lens 506 moves away from the light emitter, the angle of the emitted linear beam narrows, tending towards a configuration where the emitted linear beam is at its narrowest angle. In this configuration, linear lens 506 has maximum separation from the linear array of the light emitter. By controlling the separation of linear lens 506 from the light emitter, the user can select the desired output angle for the emitted linear beam.
[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, the linear lens 506 is mounted on a shaft within a linear bearing 504 and moved along the optical axis by means of a motor 502 that drives a linear motion screw. In other embodiments, other mechanisms may be used to move the linear lens 506, including gears, belts, or other mechanical systems.
[0018] Figure 6 Showing Figure 5A partially exploded view of the array light engine 510. Multiple light emitters 602 are mounted in a linear array on a circuit board 508 and configured to emit diverging linear beams into a linear lens 506. The long axis of the linear array of light emitters 602 is parallel to the long axis of the linear lens 506. The light emitters 602 include one or more of the following: a single LED, an LED array, a single laser, a laser array, or other types of light sources capable of emitting colored light, white light, or a combination of both. In some embodiments, the light emitter 602 is a plurality of individual LEDs configured in a linear array.
[0019] Figure 7A , Figure 7B and Figure 7C Showing Figure 5 The diagram illustrates ray tracing using the array-based optical engine 510 to generate different beam angle configurations within the emitted linear beam. Note that, for clarity, Figure 7A , Figure 7B and Figure 7C The cross-section of the linear lens 506 and the diverging linear beam 702 emitted by the linear array of the light emitter 602 are shown. Figure 7A In this process, a diverging linear beam 702 from the light emitter 602 enters a linear lens 506, which is located at its furthest point of separation from the light emitter 602. Figure 7A In the configuration shown, the emitted linear beam 704a is at its narrowest angle and is essentially collimated. Figure 7B In the middle, the linear lens 506 is positioned such that its separation from the light emitter 602 is in the middle Figure 7A and Figure 7C In the configuration, the corresponding separation size is in the middle, and the emitted linear beam 704b is a diverging beam with a middle angle, which is greater than... Figure 7A The beam is wider but smaller than Figure 7C The beam of light is narrow. Figure 7C In the middle, the linear lens 506 is located at its closest separation point from the light emitter 602, and the emitted linear beam 704c diverges at its maximum angle.
[0020] As described above, the electromechanical mechanisms of the luminaire 100 (e.g., motors 202 and 502) may be under the control of a microcontroller or other programmable control system included in the luminaire 100. This control system can be controlled via a user interface included in the luminaire 100. In some embodiments, the control system may additionally or alternatively communicate wired or wirelessly via a data link with a remote console, which the operator uses to indicate the desired configuration of one or more array light engines 216, 218, and / or 510. In such embodiments, the operator can send commands to the control system specifying one or more configurations of the array light engines 216, 218, and / or 510, as well as the brightness and color of the light emitters 302 and / or 602. In response, the control system is configured to provide individual and independent control to position the array light engines 216, 218, and / or 510 in the configuration specified in the command, and / or to cause the light emitters 302 and / or 602 to emit light of the brightness and / or color specified in the command.
[0021] Figure 8 Showing Figure 1 The rear view of the luminaire 100 shows the head cover removed. The head 102 of the luminaire 100 includes a cooling fan 802.
[0022] While luminaire 100 includes one array light engine 510 with an associated linear lens 506 and two array light engines 216 and 218 with associated lens arrays 210 and 212, in other embodiments, the luminaire according to this disclosure may include only the array light engine 510 with the associated linear lens 506. In still other embodiments, the luminaire according to this disclosure may include only a single array light engine 216 or 218 with associated lens arrays 210 or 212, and may or may not include the array light engine 510 with the associated linear lens 506. According to this disclosure, other embodiments may include any number and / or arrangement of array light engines with linear output lenses and array light engines with two lens arrays.
[0023] While only some embodiments of this disclosure have been described herein, those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure will understand that other embodiments can be devised without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Although this disclosure has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
Claims
1. A lighting fixture, comprising: A first array optical engine, comprising a plurality of light emitters, a first lens array, and a second lens array, wherein the plurality of light emitters are configured to emit a plurality of collimated beams, and each lens array comprises a plurality of microlenses, wherein: The first lens array is in a fixed position relative to the plurality of light emitters; The second lens array is configured to move relative to the first lens array along the optical axis of the first array optical engine; The first lens array is configured to receive the first plurality of collimated beams and emit the second plurality of beams; The second lens array is configured to receive the second plurality of beams and emit a third plurality of beams; and When the second lens array is at its maximum separation from the first lens array, the light rays of the third plurality of beams are collimated, and the third plurality of beams become increasingly divergent as the second lens array moves closer to the first lens array; and A second array optical engine, comprising a linear array of light emitters and a linear lens, wherein the linear array of light emitters is configured to emit a diverging first linear beam, and the linear lens is configured to receive the diverging first linear beam and emit a second linear beam, wherein: The long axis of the linear array of the light emitter is parallel to the long axis of the linear lens; The linear lens is configured to move relative to the linear array of the light emitter along the optical axis of the second array light engine; When the linear lens is at maximum separation from the linear array of the light emitter, the second linear beam is collimated, and the second linear beam becomes increasingly divergent as the linear lens moves closer to the linear array of the light emitter; and A control system configured to (i) control the beam angle of the third plurality of beams by moving the second lens array relative to the first lens array along the optical axis of the first array optical engine, and (ii) control the beam angle of the second linear beam by moving the linear lens relative to the linear array of the light emitter along the optical axis of the second array optical engine.
2. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of microlenses in the first lens array and the plurality of microlenses in the second lens array are identical.
3. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein the microlenses of the first lens array and the microlenses of the second lens array comprise only convex-convex microlenses.
4. The luminaire according to claim 1, wherein the linear lens has a concave-convex cross-section.
5. The luminaire of claim 1, further comprising a stepper motor configured to move the second lens array.
6. The luminaire of claim 1, further comprising a stepper motor configured to move the linear lens.
7. The luminaire of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of light emitters of the first array light engine comprises a total internal reflection (TIR) lens, the TIR lens being configured to collimate and mix the colors of the light from the light emitter.
8. The luminaire according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter of the plurality of light emitters of the first array light engine comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) array, the light-emitting diode (LED) array comprising red LEDs, green LEDs, blue LEDs and white LEDs.
9. The luminaire according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter of the linear array of the light emitter comprises a white LED.
10. The lighting fixture according to claim 1, further comprising: The head includes a first array optical engine and a second array optical engine, and the head is configured to rotate within a yoke about an inclined axis, wherein the yoke is configured to rotate relative to a fixed housing about a translational axis.
11. The luminaire of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to provide separate and independent control over the position of the second lens array relative to the first lens array and the position of the linear lens relative to the linear array of the light emitter.
12. The luminaire of claim 11, wherein the control system is configured to provide separate and independent control over the brightness and color of the light emitters of the first array light engine and / or the light emitters of the linear array of the light emitters.
13. The luminaire of claim 12, wherein the control system is configured to receive a first command via a data link and, in response to the first command, move one or both of the second lens array and the linear lens to the position specified in the first command.
14. The luminaire of claim 13, wherein the control system is configured to receive a second command via the data link and, in response to the second command, cause the light emitter of the first array light engine and / or the light emitter of the linear array of the light emitters to emit light of the brightness and / or color specified in the second command.