Power-free optical light guidance and coupling system for transparent media

Abstract

Power-free optical light guidance and extraction system for transparent media, consisting of a transparent base medium that absorbs light, guides it within the medium and extracts it via defined structures, without electrical energy input.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a passive optical system for light absorption, light guidance and defined light extraction in transparent or translucent media, in particular in planar layers of glass, plastic, films or composite materials, without electrical energy supply. State of the art

[0002] Known examples include light guide systems, light guide plates (LGP), diffuser films, microprism structures, and electrically operated lighting or display elements.

[0003] Furthermore, structured surfaces are known that scatter or deflect light, but usually require an active light source or electrical energy.

[0004] A purely passive, current-free system that captures ambient light or existing extraneous light laterally or over a surface, guides it within a transparent medium, and selectively extracts it via defined structures is not known. Object of the invention

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a universally applicable optical system that absorbs light without electricity, electronics or active components, distributes it in the material and couples it out visibly or functionally via defined structures. Solution to the task

[0006] The task is solved by a current-free optical light guidance and extraction system, consisting of a transparent base medium with integrated light-guiding properties and defined extraction structures. The system uses only existing ambient or extraneous light and operates without an electrical power supply. Designs

[0007] The system can be executed as: • transparent plate • Slide • Composite layer • Display edge or surface element • Glass or plastic element

[0008] The coupling structures can be designed as: • Microstructures • Nanostructures • Prisms • Microdots • Grid or pattern • laser-structured surface areas Operating principle

[0009] Light enters the transparent medium laterally or horizontally and is guided within the medium by total internal reflection or scattering.

[0010] In defined structured areas, light is selectively extracted in the form of surface lights, patterns, indicators, glow properties or ambient effects. Advantages • No energy input required • No electronics, no battery, no LED • High robustness • Cost-effective to manufacture • Universally integrable • material and geometry neutral • New application and product classes possible Summary

[0011] The invention describes a currentless optical light guidance and coupling system that collects light, guides it within transparent media and makes it visible via defined structures.

[0012] The system is universally applicable and technologically well-protected.

Claims

[1] A power-free optical light guidance and extraction system for transparent media, consisting of a transparent base medium that receives light, guides it within the medium and extracts it via defined structures, without electrical energy input. [2] System according to claim 1, wherein the extraction is carried out by micro- or nanostructures [3] System according to claim 1, wherein the light is coupled laterally or planarly into the base medium. [4] System according to claim 1, wherein the output structures are designed as laser-structured surface areas. [5] System according to claim 1, applicable in displays, display bezels, windows, films, glass composites or transparent products. [6] System according to claim 1, wherein the output generates geometric patterns, area lights or indicators. [7] System according to claim 1, suitable for generating glow, diffusion, ambient or privacy effects.