Electrically controlled zoom sheet and luminaire

Abstract

This application provides an electrically controlled zoom lens and a lamp, belonging to the field of lighting technology. The electrically controlled zoom lens includes a substrate and an electrically controlled grating film. The electrically controlled grating film is disposed on the substrate and includes multiple light-transmitting areas arranged sequentially from the center of the substrate outwards. Each light-transmitting area of ​​the electrically controlled grating film is configured to receive a control voltage and adjust its transmittance according to the control voltage, thereby adjusting the beam angle of the light beam passing through the electrically controlled zoom lens by changing the transmittance of each light-transmitting area. By controlling the transmittance of different light-transmitting areas with voltage, the effective light-emitting area and light emission angle are changed. Electric adjustment of the beam angle can be achieved without any mechanical moving parts, offering advantages such as compact structure, fast response speed, no wear, long service life, and touchless operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of lighting technology, and more specifically, relates to an electronically controlled zoom lens and a lamp. Background Technology

[0002] LED downlights, with their compact structure, soft light, and concealed installation, are widely used in lighting scenarios such as homes, commercial spaces, offices, and exhibition halls. Beam angle adjustment, as a core function for switching between floodlighting and accent lighting, is crucial for meeting the needs of different spot sizes and illumination ranges in various scenarios.

[0003] However, most zoom downlights on the market today are manually operated. This involves rotating, pushing, or pulling the lamp head, or using an adjustment lever to move the lens assembly or reflector along the optical axis to change the beam angle. This mechanical adjustment process is cumbersome and inconvenient, especially when the light fixture is installed high on the ceiling, requiring users to climb and creating serious safety hazards. Furthermore, frequent mechanical movements can easily lead to loosening of the lamp body and damage to the sealing structure, resulting in the failure of dustproof and waterproof performance and shortening the equipment's lifespan. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide an electronically controlled zoom lens and lamp to solve the technical problems of complex structure and cumbersome operation of zoom downlights in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the first aspect of this application provides an electronically controlled zoom lens, comprising: Matrix; An electrically controlled grating film is disposed on the substrate, the electrically controlled grating film comprising multiple light-transmitting areas, the multiple light-transmitting areas being arranged sequentially from the center of the substrate outwards; In this embodiment, each of the light-transmitting regions of the electronically controlled grating film is configured to receive a control voltage and adjust the light transmittance according to the control voltage, so as to adjust the beam angle of the light beam passing through the electronically controlled zoom lens by changing the light transmittance of each of the light-transmitting regions.

[0006] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the electro-optic grating film has a plurality of protruding rings on the side opposite to the substrate, and the plurality of protruding rings are arranged sequentially and spaced outward from the center of the electro-optic grating film, with a groove formed between each pair of adjacent protruding rings. The light-transmitting area is formed in portions of each of the convex rings and each of the grooves in the electro-optic grating film.

[0007] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the central axes of the plurality of said convex rings are arranged coaxially.

[0008] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the widths of the convex rings are equal; and / or the widths of the grooves are equal; and / or the widths of the convex rings and the grooves are equal; and / or the width of the convex rings is 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm; and / or the protrusion height of the convex rings is 50 μm to 100 μm.

[0009] A second aspect of this application provides a lighting fixture, comprising: The outer casing has a mounting cavity and a light-emitting cavity opening that connects the mounting cavity and the external space; A light source is disposed within the mounting cavity and configured to emit a light beam toward the light-emitting cavity opening; the aforementioned electronically controlled zoom lens is disposed between the light source and the light-emitting cavity opening; A drive module is disposed in the housing and configured to apply a control voltage to each of the light-transmitting areas of each of the electronically controlled zoom elements.

[0010] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the luminaire further includes a reflector cup disposed within the mounting cavity. The reflector cup has a reflective cavity, an inlet, and an outlet. The inlet faces the light source, and the outlet faces the electronically controlled zoom lens. The cavity wall of the reflective cavity is configured to reflect the light beam emitted by the light source, such that the reflected light beam is projected onto the electronically controlled zoom lens through the outlet.

[0011] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the light source abuts against the reflector and covers the entrance port; the electronically controlled zoom lens abuts against the other end of the reflector and covers the exit port.

[0012] In some embodiments of the second aspect, a prism array is disposed on the cavity wall of the reflecting cavity, the prism array being configured to diffuse the light beam reflected through the cavity wall.

[0013] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the luminaire further includes a lens disposed at the light-emitting cavity opening and configured to refract the light beam emitted through the electronically controlled zoom lens.

[0014] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the luminaire further includes a control switch electrically connected to the drive module and configured to receive control commands input by a user; the drive module is further configured to adjust the control voltage applied to each of the light-transmitting areas according to the control commands.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the electrically controlled zoom lens and lamp provided in this application are as follows: Compared with the prior art, the substrate of the electrically controlled zoom lens of this application includes multiple light-transmitting areas arranged sequentially from the center to the outside. Each light-transmitting area independently adjusts its own light transmittance by receiving a control voltage, thereby changing the beam angle after the light beam passes through the electrically controlled zoom lens. Since the beam angle adjustment is achieved by controlling the light transmittance of the light-transmitting areas through voltage, no mechanical moving parts are required, resulting in advantages such as compact structure, fast response speed, no wear, long service life, and touchless operation. At the same time, the light transmittance of different light-transmitting areas can be independently controlled with high adjustment precision, enabling stepless smooth adjustment of the beam angle. It can also be linked with smart home systems and centralized control systems to meet the needs of intelligent lighting. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the lamp in the embodiments of this application; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the lamp in the embodiment of this application; Figure 3 These are cross-sectional and partial views of the electronically controlled zoom lens in the embodiments of this application; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the reflector cup in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the light distribution curve of the electronically controlled zoom film in the first working mode in the embodiments of this application; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the light distribution curve of the electronically controlled zoom film in the second working mode in the embodiments of this application; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the light distribution curve of the electronically controlled zoom film in the third working mode in the embodiments of this application.

[0018] The following are the labeling elements in the figure: 10-Outer shell; 11-Mounting cavity; 12-Light emission cavity opening; 20 - Light source; 30 - Electronically controlled zoom element; 31 - Substrate; 32 - Electronically controlled grating film; 321 - Convex ring; 322 - Groove; 40 - Reflector cup; 41 - Reflective cavity; 42 - Inlet; 43 - Outlet; 44 - Prism array; 50-lens. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects to be solved by this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0020] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component.

[0021] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0022] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0023] This application provides a lighting fixture, which can be an embedded downlight or other lighting fixtures that require beam angle adjustment.

[0024] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The lamp includes a housing 10, a light source 20, and an electronically controlled zoom lens 30.

[0025] The housing 10 has a mounting cavity 11 and a light-emitting cavity 12 connecting the mounting cavity 11 and the external space. The housing 10 is used to house the various optical and electrical components of the lamp, and the light-emitting cavity 12 is used to allow light to be emitted into the external space. The housing 10 can be cylindrical to fit the circular light-emitting cavity of the downlight; or, the housing 10 can be rectangular or other shapes suitable for installation.

[0026] The light source 20 is disposed within the mounting cavity 11 and configured to emit a light beam toward the light emission cavity 12. The light source 20 may be an LED light source board with at least one LED chip disposed thereon. The LED chip may be in COB (Chip on Board) or SMD (Surface Mount Device) package form. Optionally, the light beam emitted by the light source 20 may have high color rendering, for example, a color rendering index (CRI) greater than or equal to 95, a special color rendering index (R9) greater than or equal to 90, and a blue light hazard level of RG0.

[0027] An electronically controlled zoom lens 30 is disposed between the light source 20 and the light outlet 12 to adjust the beam emitted by the light source 20, thereby changing the beam angle of the emitted beam.

[0028] Reference Figure 3 The electronically controlled zoom lens 30 includes a substrate 31 and an electronically controlled grating film 32. The electronically controlled grating film 32 is disposed on one side of the substrate 31 and includes multiple light-transmitting areas arranged sequentially from the center of the electronically controlled grating film 32 outwards. Each light-transmitting area of ​​the electronically controlled grating film 32 is configured to receive a control voltage and adjust its transmittance according to the control voltage, so as to adjust the beam angle of the light beam passing through the electronically controlled zoom lens 30 by changing the transmittance of each light-transmitting area.

[0029] The substrate 31 is the main structure of the electronically controlled zoom lens 30. The substrate 31 can be made of glass, polymer film, or resin material. The substrate 31 can be a single-layer structure with the functional layer formed directly on it; or, the substrate 31 can be made of multiple layers of composite materials to provide both mechanical strength and electrical control functions. The overall shape of the substrate 31 can be a circular sheet to fit the circular light outlet of the downlight; or, it can be other shapes such as rectangular or elliptical.

[0030] The electro-optic grating film 32 can be an organic polymer electro-scattering flexible film. For example, the electro-optic grating film may include two flexible conductive substrates and a polymer composite layer disposed between the two flexible conductive substrates. The flexible conductive substrate may be a high-transmittance, heat-resistant PET composite transparent conductive film. The polymer composite layer may be made of organic polymer materials such as polar acrylate copolymers and polyionic compounds. The molecular arrangement of the polymer composite layer will change with the applied control voltage, thereby causing a corresponding change in the transmittance of the electro-optic grating film. For example, in a static state without power and without an external electric field, the polymer chains in the polymer composite layer freely curl and entangle, spontaneously forming a large number of micro-nano phase regions with sizes matching the wavelength of visible light. There is a significant difference in refractive index between different phase regions, and multiple diffuse scattering occurs when light passes through, exhibiting a diffused and shielded state. After applying a low-voltage DC electric field to the polymer composite layer, the polar polymer chains are pulled by the electric field force and stretch out and arrange themselves in an orderly manner along the direction of the electric field. The originally disordered micro-nano phase regions gradually merge and disappear, the refractive index inside the film tends to be uniform, and light passes through in a straight line with almost no scattering, presenting a transparent and straight-out state.

[0031] The electro-optic grating film 32 includes multiple light-transmitting regions, which are portions of the electro-optic grating film 32 that allow light to pass through. The light-transmitting regions can be annular, with multiple annular light-transmitting regions nested sequentially from the center outwards, thus forming a layered structure extending outwards from the center. For example, the light-transmitting regions can be configured as a series of concentric annular regions arranged sequentially from the center of the electro-optic grating film 32 outwards; or, the light-transmitting regions can be configured as a series of fan-shaped regions arranged radially outwards from the center.

[0032] Each light-transmitting region of the electro-optic grating film 32 can independently receive a control voltage and adjust the transmittance of each region according to the applied control voltage, thereby adjusting the beam angle after the light beam passes through the electro-optic grating film 32. For example, when the transmittance of the central region is high and the transmittance of the outer region is low, the light beam will mainly pass through the central region, forming a smaller beam angle; conversely, when the transmittance of the outer region gradually increases, more light will pass through the outer region, thus causing the light beam to diverge and forming a larger beam angle.

[0033] Optionally, the drive module can apply a gradient voltage to each light-transmitting area to form a haze distribution that changes continuously from the center to the edge, thereby achieving stepless smooth adjustment of the beam angle.

[0034] Reference Figure 3In some embodiments, the electro-optic grating film 32 has a plurality of protruding rings 321 protruding from the side facing away from the substrate 31. The plurality of protruding rings 321 are arranged sequentially and spaced outward from the center of the electro-optic grating film 32, and a groove 322 is formed between each pair of adjacent protruding rings 321. The electro-optic grating film 32 forms light-transmitting areas in each protruding ring 321 and each groove 322.

[0035] The convex ring is a ring structure with its cross-sectional profile protruding outwards. The center of multiple convex rings coincides with the center of the electro-controlled grating film 32 and is coaxially arranged. Each convex ring independently corresponds to an independently controllable light-transmitting area. The groove between two adjacent convex rings also corresponds to an independently controllable light-transmitting area, thereby dividing the entire electro-controlled grating film 32 into multiple ring-shaped light-transmitting areas arranged in sequence.

[0036] Reference Figure 3 In some embodiments, the central axes of the multiple convex rings 321 are coaxially arranged, that is, each convex ring 321 is arranged in a concentric ring with the center of the electronically controlled zoom lens 30 as the center. By coaxial arrangement, the light beam can pass through each light-transmitting area in a highly consistent manner, ensuring the accuracy and stability of the beam angle adjustment, and the output beam can maintain circular symmetry, which is beneficial to obtaining a uniform light spot effect.

[0037] The widths of the convex rings 321 can be equal, allowing the concentric ring structure to be evenly distributed in the radial direction. This facilitates uniform beam partitioning and simplifies the control logic during voltage adjustment. Similarly, the widths of the grooves 322 can be equal, ensuring a consistent ratio between the convex rings 321 and grooves 322 in each light-transmitting region, which helps maintain uniform optical properties across the region. When the widths of the convex rings 321 and grooves 322 are equal, the entire concave-convex microstructure exhibits a periodically arranged, equally spaced pattern, which helps simplify the manufacturing process and improve the consistency of optical adjustment.

[0038] Optionally, the width of the convex ring 321 can be 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. Optionally, the protrusion height of the convex ring 321 can be 50 μm to 100 μm.

[0039] The electronically controlled zoom lens 30 can exhibit different operating modes under different voltage control conditions. (Refer to...) Figure 5 In the first operating mode, all convex rings 321 and grooves 322 are in a fully transparent state, and the light beam passes directly through the substrate 31, corresponding to a small beam angle, suitable for focused lighting. (Refer to...) Figure 6 In the second operating mode, each convex ring 321 is fully transparent, and each groove 322 is matte, resulting in a moderate degree of angular expansion of the emitted beam, corresponding to a moderate beam angle. (Refer to...) Figure 7 In the third working mode, each convex ring 321 and each groove 322 is in a frosted state, and the beam is scattered as a whole, corresponding to a large beam angle, which is suitable for wide-area lighting.

[0040] It should be noted that, in addition to the three working modes mentioned above, by applying different gradient voltages to each light-transmitting area, any intermediate state between the above modes can be achieved, thereby realizing stepless smooth adjustment of the beam angle.

[0041] In some embodiments, the luminaire may further include a drive module disposed in the housing 10 and configured to apply control voltages to each light-transmitting area of ​​the electronically controlled zoom lens 30. The drive module may include a microcontroller (MCU), a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and a voltage regulation circuit. The microcontroller calculates the target voltage value required for each light-transmitting area according to control instructions, converts it into an analog voltage signal by the DAC, and then applies it to each light-transmitting area via the voltage regulation circuit.

[0042] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the luminaire further includes a reflector 40. The reflector 40 is disposed within the mounting cavity 11 and has a reflecting cavity 41, an entrance 42, and an exit 43. The entrance 42 faces the light source 20, and the exit 43 faces the electronically controlled zoom lens 30. The cavity wall of the reflecting cavity 41 is configured to reflect the light beam emitted by the light source 20, such that the reflected light beam is projected onto the electronically controlled zoom lens 30 through the exit 43.

[0043] The reflector 40 can adopt various geometric shapes. For example, the reflecting cavity 41 can be parabolic, capable of reflecting light emitted from a light source located at its focal point into an approximately parallel beam. Alternatively, the reflecting cavity 41 can be ellipsoidal, capable of converging light from one focal point to another, achieving high light energy collection efficiency. Or, the reflecting cavity 41 can be spherical or freeform, to shape the beam according to specific light distribution requirements. The reflector 40 can be made of materials such as metal, plastic, or glass, with its inner surface treated with high reflectivity, such as being coated with a metal film or dielectric film, to maximize the collection and reflection of light.

[0044] In some embodiments, the light source 20 abuts against the reflector 40 and covers the entrance port 42, while the electronically controlled zoom lens 30 abuts against the other end of the reflector 40 and covers the exit port 43. The light source 20 and the reflector 40, as well as the electronically controlled zoom lens 30 and the reflector 40, can be tightly fitted together using mechanical snap-fitting, adhesives, or clamping mechanisms. This abutment method creates a compact and continuous optical path between the light source 20, the reflector 40, and the electronically controlled zoom lens 30, minimizing light scattering and loss in the gaps between components, simplifying the assembly process, and enhancing the sealing and protective performance of the luminaire.

[0045] In some embodiments, a prism array 44 is disposed on the cavity wall of the reflecting cavity 41. The prism array 44 is configured to diffuse the light beam reflected through the cavity wall. The prism array 44 is composed of multiple micro prism units arranged regularly or irregularly. It can be formed directly on the cavity wall surface by molding, injection molding, engraving, or etching, or it can be a pre-formed prism film bonded to the cavity wall. When the beam angle is adjusted from a smaller angle to a larger angle, more light reaches the cavity wall of the reflector cup 40. The prism array 44 can diffuse this light, making the distribution of the beam emitted at large angles more uniform and softer, and achieving dynamic optimization of anti-glare performance during zooming. Optionally, the uniform glare value (UGR) of the luminaire during zooming can be controlled to be less than or equal to 16.

[0046] In some embodiments, the luminaire further includes a lens 50 disposed at the light exit cavity 12 and configured to refract the light beam emitted through the electronically controlled zoom lens 30. The lens 50 is an optical element before the light beam leaves the luminaire, used for final precise adjustment and sufficient light mixing of the beam. For example, the lens 50 can be a convex lens for focusing the light beam; or, the lens 50 can be a Fresnel lens, achieving focusing while reducing the thickness and weight of the lens 50; or, the lens 50 can be an aspherical lens or a freeform lens for correcting beam aberrations and further improving the light spot quality. The material of the lens 50 can be optical glass, PMMA, polycarbonate, or silicone, etc.

[0047] In some embodiments, the luminaire further includes a control switch electrically connected to the drive module and configured to receive control commands input by the user. The drive module is also configured to adjust the control voltage applied to each light-transmitting area according to the control commands. The control switch serves as a human-machine interface and can be implemented in various forms. For example, the control switch can be one or more physical buttons, providing control input through pressing or long-pressing operations; alternatively, the control switch can be a touch-sensitive panel, enabling finer adjustments through swiping or clicking gestures; or, the control switch can be a rotary encoder, providing continuous incremental or decremental signals. Furthermore, the control switch can also integrate a voice recognition module to perform operations by parsing the user's voice commands.

[0048] The electrical connection between the control switch and the drive module can be achieved in several ways. For example, they can be connected via wires to ensure signal transmission stability and anti-interference capabilities; or they can be connected wirelessly, such as through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Zigbee modules, allowing users to remotely control the lighting fixtures within a certain range and providing greater installation flexibility. When using a wireless connection, the lighting fixtures can be easily integrated into smart home systems or centralized control platforms to achieve functions such as remote control, scene linkage, and centralized management.

[0049] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An electronically controlled zoom lens, characterized in that, include: Matrix; An electrically controlled grating film is disposed on the substrate, the electrically controlled grating film comprising multiple light-transmitting areas, the multiple light-transmitting areas being arranged sequentially from the center of the substrate outwards; In this embodiment, each of the light-transmitting regions of the electronically controlled grating film is configured to receive a control voltage and adjust the light transmittance according to the control voltage, so as to adjust the beam angle of the light beam passing through the electronically controlled zoom lens by changing the light transmittance of each of the light-transmitting regions.

2. The electronically controlled zoom lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electro-optic grating film has a plurality of protruding rings on the side facing away from the substrate. The plurality of protruding rings are arranged sequentially and spaced outward from the center of the electro-optic grating film, and a groove is formed between each pair of adjacent protruding rings. The light-transmitting area is formed in portions of each of the convex rings and each of the grooves in the electro-optic grating film.

3. The electronically controlled zoom lens according to claim 2, characterized in that, The central axes of the plurality of convex rings are arranged coaxially.

4. The electronically controlled zoom lens according to claim 3, characterized in that, The widths of all the convex rings are equal; And / or, the width of each of the grooves is equal; And / or, the width of the convex ring is equal to the width of the groove; And / or, the width of the convex ring is 0.1mm~0.5mm; And / or, the protrusion height of the convex ring is 50μm~100μm.

5. A lamp, characterized in that, include: The outer casing has a mounting cavity and a light-emitting cavity opening that connects the mounting cavity and the external space; A light source is disposed within the mounting cavity and configured to emit a light beam toward the light outlet cavity. The electronically controlled zoom lens as described in any one of claims 1-4 is disposed between the light source and the light-emitting cavity. A drive module is disposed in the housing and configured to apply a control voltage to each of the light-transmitting areas of each of the electronically controlled zoom elements.

6. The lamp according to claim 5, characterized in that, The lamp also includes a reflector cup disposed within the mounting cavity. The reflector cup has a reflective cavity, an inlet, and an outlet. The inlet faces the light source, and the outlet faces the electronically controlled zoom lens. The cavity wall of the reflective cavity is configured to reflect the light beam emitted by the light source, so that the reflected light beam is projected onto the electronically controlled zoom lens through the outlet.

7. The lamp according to claim 6, characterized in that, The light source abuts against the reflector and covers the entrance port; the electronically controlled zoom lens abuts against the other end of the reflector and covers the exit port.

8. The lamp according to claim 6, characterized in that, A prism array is disposed on the cavity wall of the reflective cavity, and the prism array is configured to diffuse the light beam reflected through the cavity wall.

9. The lamp according to claim 5, characterized in that, The lamp also includes a lens disposed at the light outlet and configured to refract the light beam emitted through the electronically controlled zoom lens.

10. The lamp according to claim 5, characterized in that, The luminaire also includes a control switch electrically connected to the drive module and configured to receive control commands input by a user; the drive module is further configured to adjust the control voltage applied to each of the light-transmitting areas according to the control commands.

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