Signal generator segment with inner surface for homogeneous illumination

Abstract

A segment (S) for an optical signal generator is proposed, in which the inner surface (3) of the casing (2) is shaped in terms of its surface in such a way that it has a corrugated structure with a sequence of at least two notches (12) in each of the first and second illumination regions (AB1, AB1), wherein the sequence of valleys and peaks alternates along the line of curvature of the casing (2), while the valleys and / or peaks are arranged in a straight line parallel to the casing (2) and / or substantially, preferably completely perpendicular to the line of curvature along the inner surface (3) of the casing (2). For improved signaling, at least two of the notches (12) in one of the illumination regions (AB1, AB2) are geometrically differently designed.

Description

The invention relates to a segment for an optical signal transmitter according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a signal transmitter according to the preamble of claim 19.Signal generators are known from the prior art, for example in the form of signal columns which are mounted on or on machines (such as production machines, for example machine tools or the like). They signal an operating state of the machine by means of optical signals, e.g. a green segment for the regular operating state, orange for a more critical state to be checked (e.g. when material must soon be replenished, a tool must soon be replaced or the like), red for a fault. Such signal columns are typically composed of individual segments arranged one above the other or stacked. As a rule, the signal columns have a cylindrical basic shape. In its interior, a light source is again located, e.g. a light-emitting diode or an arrangement of light-emitting diodes. Since the light source is arranged locally at a location in the interior of the diffuser and has only a small emission surface with respect to the surface of the viewing window, there is the problem in principle that when the light source is switched on, a bright light spot can be seen where the light source is located or to what extent the emission cone extends, while the surroundings thereof are illuminated, but the brightness decreases to an ever greater extent with a greater distance. In conventional segments from the prior art, this is very pronounced; in some domes having a width of a few centimeters, only one local luminous point is seen in some cases. For this reason, some segments have regular corrugation structures on the inner or outer surface of the dome or on the outer side of the diffuser. However, the effect described is only insufficiently corrected as a result. The problem is that the signal to be emitted by the signal transmitter sometimes falls immediately or is not so clearly recognizable.It is an object of the invention to provide a segment which enables particularly clear and pronounced signaling.The object is achieved, starting from a segment or a signal transmitter of the type mentioned at the beginning, by the characterizing features of claims 1 and 19.By means of the measures mentioned in the dependent claims, advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are possible.The segment according to the invention is a component for an optical signal transmitter. A segment which can emit optical signals can usually comprise a transparent spherical cap as a viewing window or housing part, the surface of which is usually smooth. However, a diffuser can be inserted inside the dome. It is also conceivable for the dome and diffuser to be designed as a common or a single component. The diffuser can have a cylindrical basic shape, for example, the jacket of which consists of material that is transparent in the visible spectral range. The diffuser does not have to be exactly cylindrical in principle. A frustoconical basic shape is also conceivable, for example. The dome can likewise be formed, for example, cylindrically or frustoconically.As a rule, the transparent region of the diffuser extends around a 360° region. However, it is also conceivable for a smaller angular range to be included, for example even only 180°.The segment further includes a reference plane. Typically, a printed circuit board is arranged perpendicular to the base surface of the diffuser or of the segment, on which printed circuit board the or at least a part of the electronics, including the light source, of the optical signal element is arranged. Such a circuit board can thus extend parallel in the reference plane or, for example, slightly offset. The longitudinal axis of the segment, which is likewise perpendicular to the base surface and is arranged centrally or centrally thereon, can lie in the reference plane.The optical signal element can radiate out of the reference plane. Thus, the reference plane divides the space into two sides, with one of the signal elements being on one of the two sides. The signal elements can be mounted on both sides overall. Often, the optical signal element has its own radiation angle.In the context of the invention, it was recognized that the side regions which adjoin the reference plane are usually illuminated the most weakly because they are situated outside the radiation angle and are also illuminated only indirectly, and therefore significantly more weakly.The invention therefore achieves the object of improving the signalling so that a more homogeneous illumination can be provided. Although corrugations on the inner surface of the diffuser shell can provide for indirect illumination of regions in the interior of the diffuser, it provides only insufficiently for an approximately homogeneous illumination in the interior of the diffuser. According to the invention, this disadvantage is eliminated in that the structure on the inner side of the diffuser shell is inhomogeneous, namely in such a way that the hardly illuminated regions are illuminated more indirectly.The reference plane intersects the jacket at two opposing locations; it thus comprises a row of silk edges through the jacket. If the perpendiculars on the reference plane, which each extend through the center of the silk edges, are considered, these separate two illumination regions.In a segment according to the invention, the inner surface of the jacket is shaped with respect to its surface in such a way that it has a corrugation structure in each case in the first and second illumination regions with a sequence of at least two notches, wherein the sequence of valleys and peaks alternate along the curvature line of the jacket, while the valleys and / or peaks are arranged in a straight line parallel to the jacket and / or substantially, preferably completely perpendicularly, to the curvature line along the inner surface of the jacket.The line of curvature extends along a normal section, i.e. a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, which in turn is perpendicular to the base surface of the geometric body, i.e. of the cylinder or truncated cone.In addition, however, a segment according to the invention is distinguished in that at least two of the notches in one of the illumination regions are designed to be geometrically different. This achieves the effect that anisotropic, angle-dependent reflection of the rays impinging on the inner surface takes place, so that not only the region appears illuminated, which lies e.g. centrally in the angular radiation range of the signal elements, but also the edge region receives sufficient light by reflections, so that the diffuser appears uniformly illuminated in the interior. It is particularly advantageous if all notches are designed to be geometrically different, so that a uniform transition is produced during the adapted illumination between individual regions within the diffuser, i.e. no brightness levels are visible from the outside with regard to the illumination.Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the invention is distinguished in that the inner surface of the jacket is shaped with respect to its surface in such a way that, in the case of at least some of the light of the signal element or elements, a light beam bundle which consists of parallel light beams emitted at a specific angle and which runs until the jacket is reached in the first illumination region is at least partially reflected into the first illumination region and at least partially reflected into the second illumination region.A beam of light from a plurality of parallel light beams has a certain width. Here, for example, light beams having a width of mind are used. 10 μm, preferably at least 50 μm, particularly preferably at least 100 μm. By means of the measure according to the invention, the light is distributed so widely in the two illumination regions that the illumination can be significantly improved. This is because portions of the light cover both illumination regions.The light beam of parallel rays has a certain width. The inner surface of the jacket on which the light of the bundle impinges is oriented such that, as a rule, a part of a light beam bundle impinges on the differently oriented profile of the surface with a different angle of incidence than another part which impinges easily on the profile for this purpose. A part of the light beam is reflected into a different illumination region than the other part.This is advantageously made possible for both single-row and multi-row arrangements of signal elements. For example, one or more signal elements may be arranged in the middle between the cladding walls. Furthermore, signal elements can also be arranged on both sides of the center on the reference plane between the lateral surfaces, in particular symmetrically. The different rows are then arranged, for example, in different illumination areas.The inner surface of the jacket can also have edges and thus abrupt transitions between the differently oriented partial surfaces. In such an embodiment, the alternations between differently oriented surfaces can take place more frequently and with a higher density than in the case of smooth transitions between the surfaces. In addition, the production is generally simpler, i.e. the production costs can also be lower.If a beam emanating from the center or from the longitudinal axis of the diffuser falls onto a smooth, cylindrical lateral surface, it would strike the surface perpendicularly and ideally be reflected back into it. If the diffuser is of frustoconical configuration, the beam would only be deflected in or counter to the direction of inclination. At a larger angle of incidence, the beam is deflected more strongly laterally within the cross-sectional area of the diffuser in order to improve the illumination.In a further development of the invention, the inner surface of the jacket has a stepped structure. Each step is composed of an edge, to the sides of which a leg extends. The edges extend substantially parallel to the jacket or perpendicular to the curvature line of the jacket. In the case of a cylindrical shape of the jacket, they run parallel to the longitudinal axis. In this way, a light beam bundle, if it encloses the edge upon incidence, can be reflected via the one leg in a spatial direction, i.e. for example in one of the two illumination regions, and via the other leg in another illumination region. In this way, the illumination can be improved.As already shown, the edge can also be rounded. As a result, the light beams can be deflected in a continuous angular range in the transition, which can likewise contribute to a more homogeneous illumination.In a particularly preferred embodiment variant, the legs are designed differently. They can be of different lengths and / or inclined at different angles. The length of the legs generally influences which light component is reflected in a specific direction. The different inclination influences the light distribution in space.If the legs become monotonically longer toward one side of the essentially parallel edges, an ever increasing light component is deflected into the region in the direction of which the legs also become ever longer. If, for example, it is assumed that a lower illumination prevails in the edge regions which directly adjoin the reference plane, solely as a result of the emission of the signal elements, then a greater proportion of the reflected light can pass into this region for more homogeneous illumination.Accordingly, the surface alignments, i.e. their angular positions with respect to the respective incident beams, can also vary, so that in particular the angle of incidence increases or decreases in a direction along the lateral surface. The steps may be formed in one embodiment such that the beams are deflected differently depending on whether they strike the surface of the jacket at a step to one side or the other of the edge. The alignments of the leg surfaces can be selected such that a part of the beams, which are approximately perpendicular or in a specific angle range around the perpendicular to the reference plane, can enter the respective other illumination area from which they do not come, so that intense beams can also enter the edge areas that are more hardly illuminated. In this way, the homogeneity of the illumination is improved. Above all, such central rays which run approximately perpendicular to the reference plane should be deflected to a greater extent than those rays which in any case pass through the edge regions, so that a much brighter spot does not arise in the region of the skin radiation angle.The inner surfaces of the jacket in the respective illumination regions can be designed mirror-symmetrically with respect to the perpendicular bisector. This configuration is advantageous in particular if the emission region of the signal elements is also designed mirror-symmetrically on both sides of the perpendicular bisector.If a step is located exactly in the transition region between the two illumination regions, this can be designed to be axially symmetrical with legs of equal length and of equal orientation, the perpendicular bisector coinciding with their axis of symmetry.In principle, the symmetry in these exemplary embodiments serves to ensure that the illumination takes place more uniformly within the segment.The illumination areas in which the inner surface of the jacket is specially designed by a corresponding profiling, for example the arrangement of steps for more uniformly illuminating the inner volume of the segment, can cover different angle ranges, in particular at least 60°, preferably at least 80°, particularly preferably at least 90°, depending on the embodiment, in particular depending on the radiation angle of the signal element or the signal elements, wherein the last-mentioned angle dimension means that the entire inner surface area is covered in each case by a profiling. If the radiation angle of the signal element or elements is large enough, the angle range in which the inner surface has the profile or steps can also be adjusted accordingly.The optical medium or the diffuser can / can be manufactured in an advantageous manner from plastic. This enables cost-effective and precise mass production in an injection molding process. The plastic can then be transparent in the visible wavelength range so that the light can be perceived as an optical signal. In addition, plastic is a relatively light material, so that the signal device does not cause problems due to excessive weight.The jacket or its inner surface can be divided into sections. In the case of a reference plane, for example, two sections or illumination regions can be arranged on each side of the reference plane, which sections or illumination regions are respectively separated from one another by the mean perpendicular. In this case, four sections or illumination regions are thus distributed over the diffuser, each covering a maximum of 90°. These illumination regions can in turn be designed mirror-symmetrically with respect to the reference surface. This embodiment is especially recommended if signal elements are arranged on both sides of the reference plane, which emit identically or in a similar manner; this makes it possible to achieve a similar optical appearance or illumination on both sides of the reference plane.It should be noted that the segment can mostly be viewed from a direction which is basically arbitrary, i.e. it is advantageous if the optical appearance of the segment (in the illuminated and non-illuminated state) is approximately angle-independent.A montonic rising behavior is present when a variable, for example depending on its position or angular position, becomes increasingly greater in one direction or remains the same at least in a sequence from one location to the next. With strictly monotonically increasing behavior, this becomes increasingly greater from time to time and does not remain at a constant value in between. Conversely, it is in the case of (strictly) monotone falling behavior.In one embodiment variant of the invention, the height of the steps can also become monotonously, in particular strictly monotonously lower. As a result, the steps can be formed with a more constant obtuse angle. Beams are thus deflected more strongly in one region than in the adjoining regions which more and more approach a smooth course of the inner surface.On the outer side of the jacket, the profiling can be designed such that the radiation takes place as widely as possible, so that the segment radiates all the more uniformly and appears uniformly luminous towards the outside. Since radiation towards the outside is actually desired in all spatial directions, the structure can also have surfaces on the outside that are aligned in all 3 spatial directions. In order to achieve an approximately uniform radiation, honeycomb structures, in particular with depressions and / or elevations, can be used, for example. These structures can be attached to the outer side of the diffuser, but also to the inner side of the dome. In a development of the invention, the segment is designed as a beacon and functions, for example, as a terminating element. The diffuser comprises a roof which is seated on the jacket and can be shaped, for example, in the manner of a arch. Here too, such structures diffusing the emitted light can be embossed in the outer surface of the roof.The reference plane may not only be a mathematical plane per se, but a carrier, in particular a printed circuit board, on which the signal element or the signal elements are arranged, may be arranged in the reference plane. This geometric arrangement also once again shows the need to divide the diffuser into sections or illumination regions. The circuit board itself optically represents a substantially opaque region, i.e. an optical barrier which divides the segment into two halves. The circuit board can fundamentally extend from one edge of the diffuser to the other, but it can still leave a gap open on one or on both sides. If a gap is left open, the radiated light can also be conducted from one side of the reference plane to the other side of the reference plane. If the blank reaches as far as the jacket of the diffuser, the shading by the blank is generally clearly visible from the outside at this point, for which reason a gap is advantageously still present.As already shown, it is to be assumed that the signal elements radiate away from the reference plane or board in a specific radiation angle range. In order to achieve a more homogeneous illumination in the interior of the diffuser, it is therefore fundamentally advantageous to deflect the beams running more perpendicularly to the reference plane than in edge regions in which less light is directly radiated in any case and into which light beams more have to be directed.The legs facing the circuit board as a result of the steps can therefore be shorter and shorter, and the legs facing away can be longer and longer, wherein the height of the steps advantageously decreases more and more, so that the rays which reach the edge regions are also reflected back more and more strongly without wide scattering in space.Furthermore, a signal transmitter according to the invention with homogeneous illumination or radiation is distinguished in that a segment according to the invention or an exemplary embodiment of the invention is used in order to distribute the radiated light more uniformly. Such a signal transmitter can take advantage of the advantages of the invention that the proposed segment brings with it.Exemplary EmbodimentsExemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail below with the specification of further details and advantages. In detail, the following show: FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a diffuser for a segment according to the invention, FIGS. 3 and 4 show the corresponding views of the diffuser from FIGS. 1 and 2 as a sectional illustration in FIG. 3 and from below in FIG. 4, FIG. 5 : the view from FIG. 3, but with the printed circuit board drawn, signal elements arranged thereon and a schematically illustrated beam path, FIG. 6 shows an enlarged illustration of the steps on the inner surface of the casing, and FIG. 7 : a perspective view of a diffuser for a signal termination element (beacon).FIGS. 1 and 2 show a diffuser 1 as part of a segment S of an optical signal transmitter. The diffuser 1 is configured as a single-piece plastic injection-molded part. The plastic forms the optical medium: it is designed to be transparent. In this case, the diffuser 1 is substantially cylindrical. It comprises a jacket 2, the envelope or its basic shape of which is likewise cylindrical, having an inner surface 3 and an outer surface 4.As can be seen in FIG. 1, the diffuser 1 terminates on one side with a terminating surface 5 interrupted in the middle. This end surface 5 can be used for mounting, e.g. circuit boards, for making contact from segment to segment, for mechanically connecting two adjacent segments, for optical insulation between two segments, so that as little or no light as possible is transmitted from one segment to the next, or the like. The diffuser 1 terminates with a base 6 which is fitted as a cylindrical body of smaller diameter. The end face 5 is located on this base 6.The jacket 2 has an outer surface 4 with a honeycomb pattern formed of depressions. This generally radiates the light more uniformly. The inner jacket surface 3 is provided with a step-shaped profile. It can be seen more clearly in FIG. 2, which shows an oblique view from below. The edges between the steps run parallel to the inner surface 3 of the jacket or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical segment 1.FIG. 3 shows a sectional illustration through the jacket 2. The inner surface 3 of the jacket has a step-shaped or saw-tooth-like profile. Two axes R and M are drawn in. One axis identifies the reference plane R, the other axis M runs as a perpendicular bisector M between the two intersection points at which the axis R meets the inner surface 3 of the casing. The quadrant in FIG. 1, which is to the left of the mean perpendiculars M, is designated as the first illumination area AB 1, while the right, adjacent quadrant on the other side of the mean perpendiculars M is designated as the second illumination area AB 2.Around the center point, two beams run from the reference plane R, which include an angle range 7. In this region, a signal element is arranged in the reference plane R, which signal element emits into the angular range 7.Where the perpendicular bisector M meets the inner surface 3, there is a step with two legs to the right and to the left of the perpendicular bisector M. This step is formed symmetrically with respect to the perpendicular bisector Mal's axis. If, for example, the inner surface 3 is followed to the left in the first illumination region AB 1, the right-hand legs become longer and shallower from stage to stage, while the left-hand legs become shorter and steeper. Likewise, the heights of the steps decrease more and more in the direction of the reference plane R. In the region of the reference plane R, the inner surface 3 appears to have a virtually smooth edge.However, it is also conceivable that the length of the legs changes from step to step only on one side (e.g. only to the right or only to the left of the respective edge) and remains the same on the other side.In FIG. 4, only a view of the diffuser 1 from below can be seen, i.e. the circumferential jacket 2 and the view from below onto the end surface 5 can be seen.FIG. 5 basically shows the same view as FIG. 3 In the reference plane R, a printed circuit board P with two signal elements (LEDs) 8 a, 8 bis illustrated, that is to say in a double-row form. The signal elements 8 a, 8 btransmit light at a specific radiation angle. By way of example, individual light beams 9 a, 9 bof the respective signal element 8 a, 8 bare picked out here. Although the beams 9a are almost perpendicular to the reference plane R, they are reflected very far into the area 10 at the lateral edge of the board P by the step structure of the inner surface 3. The region in the vicinity of the perpendicular bisector M is expected to be illuminated very brightly on account of the arrangement of the signal elements 8 a, 8 band the radiation angle, since a high radiation density prevails there. If many rays are reflected in the direction of the edge regions 10, 11 precisely from this region, the illumination thereof increases all the more. The illumination in the regions 10, 11 can thus achieve similar brightnesses. This achieves a more homogeneous illumination in the interior of the diffuser 1FIG. 6 shows an enlargement of the inner surface 3 of the optical medium or of the cladding 2. Here, a section of the stepped structure or profiling is seen. The steps 12 have an edge 13 and two legs 14, 15. the right leg 14 is clearly longer than the left leg 15, which however has a steeper angle of attack than the leg 14 in the course of the jacket 2. A broader bundle of light rays that impinges around the edge 13 can thus pass into two illumination regions AB 1, AB 2.FIG. 7 shows a development in the form of a beacon. Only the diffuser 1 is shown; this is used as a terminating element on a signal column and also radiates upward. Therefore, not only the outer surface 4 of the jacket 2 is provided with a honeycomb structure, but also the dome-shaped roof 20. However, since as a rule the printed circuit boards with the lighting elements are perpendicular to the base surface and the roof 20 lies only in the lateral region of the lighting element. Therefore, the inner surface in the region of the roof 20 is formed smooth.List of reference numbers:1 Diffuser 2 Jacket / optical medium 3 Inner surface 4 Outer surface 5 End surface 6 Base 7 Radiation angle 8 aSignal element 8 bSignal element 9 aLight rays 9 bLight rays 10 Edge region 11 Edge region 12 Step 13 Edge 14 Limb 15 Limb 20 Roof AB 1 Illumination region AB 2 Illumination region M Perpendicular P Circuit board R Reference plane S Segment

Claims

Segment (S) for an optical signal transmitter • having a diffuser (1) for transmitting visible light and for homogenizing the light distribution in the volume bounded by the diffuser (1), wherein the diffuser (1) has a jacket (2) made of an optical medium which is transparent in the visible range and encloses a cylindrical or frustoconical volume, • having a reference plane (R) in which at least one optical signal element (8a, 8b) for emitting light towards the optical medium is arranged, wherein the reference plane (R) runs in a perpendicular manner to the base surface of the cylindrical or frustoconical volume, • wherein the perpendicular bisector (M) of the silk edges through the jacket (2) within the reference plane (R) divides the volume on at least one side of the reference plane (R) into a first and a second illumination area (AB1, AB2), • wherein the inner surface (3) of the jacket (2) is shaped with respect to its surface such that it has in each case in the first and second illumination area (AB1, AB1) a corrugation structure with a sequence of at least two indentations (12), wherein the sequence of valleys and peaks alternate along the curvature line of the jacket (2), while the valleys and / or peaks are arranged linearly parallel to the jacket (2) and / or substantially, preferably completely perpendicular to the curvature line along the inner surface (3) of the jacket (2), •Da characterized in that at least two of the notches (12) in one of the illumination regions (AB1, AB2) are formed to be geometrically different, wherein in particular all the notches (12) in one of the illumination regions (AB1, AB2) are formed to be geometrically different.Segment (S) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the inner surface (3) of the cladding (2) is shaped with respect to its surface in such a way that, in the case of at least some of the light of the signal element or elements (8a, 8b), a light beam which consists of parallel light beams emitted at a specific angle and which extends until the cladding (2) is reached in the first illumination region (AB1) is at least partially reflected into the first illumination region and at least partially reflected into the second illumination region (AB2).Segment (S) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an angle of incidence which is greater in magnitude and originates from the centre point of one of the silk edges through the jacket (2) within the reference plane (R), in particular a beam which originates from the centre of the volume or a beam which originates from the centre point of a cross-sectional area of the volume, at the point of incidence on the jacket (2) than in the case of tangential alignment of the environment of the point of incidence on the inner jacket surface (3) with respect to the line of curvature along the inner surface (3) of the jacket (2).Segment (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light beam or beams has or have a diameter of at least 10 μm, preferably at least 50 μm, particularly preferably at least 100 μm.Segment (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner surface (2) of the jacket (3) has, as corrugation, a stepped structure with a sequence of at least two steps (12) as notches, each step (12) being bounded by two limbs (14, 15) which each abut one another at an edge (13), the edges (13) being arranged in a rectilinear manner parallel to the jacket (2) and / or substantially, preferably completely perpendicularly, to the line of curvature along the inner surface (3) of the jacket (2).Segment (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner surface (2) of the jacket (3) has a rounded step structure with a sequence of at least two steps, each step being bounded by two limbs which each abut against one another at a rounded edge.Segment (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steps (12) in the respective illumination region (AB1, AB2) are formed in such a way that their legs (14, 15) become monotonically, in particular strictly monotonically, longer or shorter from step (12) to step (12) in the corresponding illumination region to one of the two sides of the edge (13).Segment (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step structure is formed as follows: • The inner surface (2) of the casing (3) is formed in the first illumination region (AB1) with respect to the mean perpendiculars (M) of the silk edges through the casing (2) with respect to the step structure in mirror symmetry with the inner surface of the casing in the second illumination region (AB2). • At least one of the steps (12) lies on the boundary between the first and second illumination regions (AB1, AB2) in such a way that one of the limbs (14, 15) in the first illumination region (AB1) and one of the limbs (14, 14), 15) is located in the second illumination area (AB2). • The inner surfaces (3) of the four illumination areas of the annular jacket (2) are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the reference surface (R).Segment (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the illumination regions (AB1, AB2), in particular all illumination regions (AB1, AB2), covers a shaping of the inner surface (3), in particular a stepped structure over an angle range of at least 60°, in particular at least 80°, preferably 90° in cross section, and / or in that the annular jacket (2) is divided and / or arranged in each case in a section in one of the respectively four illumination regions (AB1, AB2), wherein in particular each illumination region (AB1, AB2) covers 90° in cross section.Segment (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical medium (2) is a plastic which is transparent in the visible wavelength range.Segment (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height of the steps (12) of at least one of the illumination regions (AB1, AB2) becomes monotonously, in particular strictly monotonously, lower from step (12) to step (12), wherein the height of the steps (12) is the radial distance of the respective edge (13) from the envelope of the points of contact of the respectively adjacent steps (12).Segment (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the jacket (2) and / or the optical medium (2) is provided on its outer side (4) with a regular, in particular honeycomb-like structure, which is preferably formed from depressions and / or elevations.Segment (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a printed circuit board (P) on which the signal element or elements (8a, 8b) are arranged is arranged in the reference plane (R), wherein the printed circuit board (P): • separates the first and second illumination regions (AB1, AB2) from the remaining volume and / or • leaves a gap open to the inner surface (3) of the casing (2) at least on one, in particular on at least two, opposite sides, at its edges, and / or • wherein the inner surface (3) of the casing (2) is shaped such that parts of the light beams are directed through the gap by reflection.Segment (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printed circuit board (P) is arranged such that: • the shorter legs (14, 15) face the printed circuit board (P) from stage (12) to stage (12), and / or • the longer legs (14, 15) face away from the printed circuit board (P) from stage (12) to stage (12), and / or • the height of the stages (12) in at least one of the illumination regions (AB1, AB2) becomes monotonously, in particular strictly monotonously lower, from stage (12) to stage (12), the closer the corresponding stage (12) is to the printed circuit board (P).Signal transmitter having a segment (S) according to one of the preceding claims.

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