Device for emitting a light beam intended to be installed in a lighting device with a view to generating light effects

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1, 1') for emitting a light beam intended to be used in a lighting device (E, E'), allowing light effects to be created, said device comprising a laser source (10) and means for transmitting at least one laser beam emitted by the laser source (10) to an optical device (5) of the lighting device (E, E'). The invention consists in that the transmitting means comprise an optical fibre (2), one end of which is connected to the laser source (10) and the other end of which is intended to be connected to the optical device (5) of said lighting device (E, E'), the device further comprising means for protecting at least one portion of the optical fibre (2) extending between its two ends.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Device for emitting a light beam intended to be installed in a lighting device to generate light effects.

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for emitting a light beam intended to be installed in a lighting or illumination device making it possible to create light effects such as a laser scanning lighting projector. The field of the invention is more particularly that of stage lighting, in particular in the architectural field and that of entertainment, for example in discos, performance halls for concerts, parades, theatrical performances, live shows, dance, for public and private events, television broadcasts, etc.

[0002] A lighting device of this type has been described in document FR-A-3 006 454 and comprises: at least one light source arranged to emit a light beam, an optical device arranged to send each light beam from a central area in several possible directions contained in a light cone whose apex is located in the central area, so that each light beam propagates in its light cone, preferably an enclosed space (containing suspended elements arranged to diffuse the light of each light beam, and a reflector system arranged to receive each light beam propagating in its light cone or plane and to reflect in a space (preferably in the optional enclosed space above) each received light beam,said reflector system preferably being arranged to move between several positions so that a change of position modifies the trajectory of a light beam reflected by the reflector system. Such a lighting device allows the conversion of a light beam into a light surface.,

[0003] Each source preferably comprises a laser or a light-emitting diode or any other suitable light source. The optical device comprises a reflective surface mounted for rotation in the central area of ​​the lighting device around an axis.

[0004] This reflective surface is preferably arranged to reflect each light beam so that after reflection by the reflective surface, each beam light propagates in its light cone or in a plane in a direction which depends, preferably, on an angular position of the reflecting surface around its axis.

[0005] The optical device therefore comprises a reflecting surface as well as a support for this reflecting surface and control means arranged to control a rotation of the reflecting surface around its axis.

[0006] Beyond a rotation speed co of the optical device around its axis, retinal persistence will give the viewer the impression of seeing a luminous surface whose shape will vary depending on the times at which each of the sources emits its beam; the shape of the luminous surface, initially contained in the light cone of this beam, is modified by reflection on the reflector system which takes this beam and therefore this "luminous surface" outside the light cone of this beam. In this case the optical system converts each light beam into a first part of "light surface" along its light cone inside the enclosed space, then this light surface is deployed inside the enclosed space in a second part outside the light cone of this beam after having been reflected by the reflector system.

[0007] An optical device of this type has been described in particular in FR-A-3 101 439 in the form of an optical module which can be integrated into a lighting device to create light effects. Such a module is thus more compact and allows for easier integration into the lighting device as well as easier maintenance.

[0008] In such a lighting device, the laser source used as the emitting source of the light beam is constrained to a position close to the reflector system in order to limit the complexity of the optical path linked to the use of too many mirrors to guide the laser beam between the source and said optical device. In addition, the optical path of the laser beam must be safe to meet safety issues for maintenance.

[0009] When you want to use a laser source of the RGB (red, green, blue) type, also known by the English acronym RGB (red green blue), which is generally composed of several different colored diodes, all with different characteristics, it is then necessary to superimpose them using complex sets of mirrors and lenses, requiring complicated, slow and expensive alignment procedures.

[0010] Furthermore, the result of this alignment is rarely perfect in terms of repeatability, and unstable over time. In addition, it is necessary to have precise characteristics of laser beams at the source output to be able to comply with safety standards.

[0011] This has the consequence of creating a difficulty in being able to offer a lighting device which is as compact as possible whilst presenting correct operating characteristics.

[0012] Optical fibers are also known as means for transmitting a light beam from a laser source. US-A-202000348 discloses a device for emitting a white light beam obtained by laser sources and which comprises an optical fiber for transporting the light beam emitted from the laser sources to an optical device, this optical fiber being housed in a flexible tube. Such a device is relatively bulky and difficult to handle.

[0013] Document CN206496309 proposes a lighting device emitting a multi-colored tracking light beam. This device is thus made up of a housing containing the laser sources, and an optical device, the light fluxes passing from the laser source to the optical device by optical fibers, wound around a column contained within the housing. Such a device is therefore a tracking projector, each element of which is contained in a single housing.

[0014] In order to overcome these drawbacks, according to a first aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a device for emitting a light beam intended to be installed in a lighting device to generate light effects, and which can in particular be positioned at a distance from the optical device of said lighting device.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the invention, the invention aims to propose a lighting device in which the laser source can be offset relative to the optical device integrated in said lighting device, thus allowing greater modularity and / or compactness for said lighting device.

[0016] To this end, the invention relates to a device for emitting a light beam intended to be used in a lighting device, making it possible to create light effects, said device comprising: a laser source and means for transmitting at least one laser beam emitted by the laser source to an optical device of the lighting device, characterized in that the transmission means comprise an optical fiber, one end of which is connected to the laser source and the other end of which is intended to be connected to the optical device of said lighting device, the device further comprising means for protecting at least part of the optical fiber extending between its two ends.

[0017] Thus, advantageously, the light beam or flux is transported from the laser source to the lighting device using an optical fiber, generally having a minimum length, preferably 1 m, which allows the mixing of the different modes / wavelengths of the laser source, the transmission of the light beam being guaranteed between the two ends of the optical fiber by said protection means. Indeed, these protection means make it possible to avoid deformation or deterioration of the optical fiber, in particular during installation in the lighting device, which could cause degradation of the transmitted light beam.

[0018] An optical fiber is a wire whose core, made of glass or plastic, has the property of conducting light, thus making it possible in the present invention to conduct the laser beam emitted from the laser diode(s) to the optical device of the lighting device in a simple and safe manner.

[0019] The optical fiber is therefore a waveguide which exploits the refractive properties of light, the core of which, which is surrounded by a protective sheath, has a slightly higher refractive index (difference of a few thousandths) than that of the sheath and can therefore confine the light which is entirely reflected multiple times at the interface between the two materials (due to the phenomenon of total internal reflection).

[0020] When a light ray enters an optical fiber at one end at a suitable angle, it undergoes multiple total internal reflections. This ray then propagates to the other end of the optical fiber without loss, following a zigzag path. Light propagation in the fiber can occur with very little loss even when the fiber is bent.

[0021] An optical fiber is characterized in particular by both its core diameter and its numerical aperture. The numerical aperture of the fiber is concretely the sine of the maximum angle of entry of light into the fiber so that the light can be guided without loss, measured relative to the axis of the fiber. The optical fiber used in a device according to the invention is an optical fiber such as can be found in the trade.

[0022] The laser source consists of at least one laser diode and, preferably, several laser diodes of different colors, such as RGB diodes. The light fluxes of the laser diodes are focused at the source output into the optical fiber. In the case of RGB laser diodes, a minimum length of optical fiber is necessary in order to properly mix the colors or light fluxes emitted by each laser diode, to obtain the most homogeneous and whitest beam possible at the optical fiber output, for example.

[0023] It is thus the propagation of the beams emitted in the optical fiber that mixes and superimposes the colors. Advantageously, with a device according to the invention, the complex alignment procedures in the source, linked to the said diodes, are eliminated. In addition, the beam at the fiber output is circular and perfectly repeatable.

[0024] The device according to the invention comprising an optical fiber of a certain length, in particular to allow the mixing of colors, said length can be used to define a freer positioning of the laser source, relative to that of the optical device of said lighting device, allowing an arrangement in which the laser source can be either within the lighting device or even outside of it.

[0025] Thus, the device according to the invention makes it possible to emit a luminous flux which can be guided to the optical device of a lighting or illumination device without the need to position this device and in particular the laser source, close to said optical device, unlike an optical path made up of lenses and mirrors.

[0026] Thus, advantageously, the device according to the invention comprising an optical fiber for conveying the light beam, said lighting device no longer needs to comprise a complex optical path between the laser source and the optical device.

[0027] Consequently, not only is a homogeneous light beam guaranteed due to the minimal length of the optical fiber which allows for a good mixture of the modes and wavelengths of the beams coming from the laser source, but the length of said optical fiber allows for a freer positioning of the light source, in particular away from the optical device of the lighting device, the length of the optical fiber being able to be furthermore chosen as a function of this position more or less discarded.

[0028] The device according to the invention also comprises means for cooling the laser source, electronic means for controlling said laser source and optical means to which the end of the optical fiber opposite its end linked to the laser source is connected, said optical means allowing the transformation of the light beam at the output of the optical fiber and its emission towards the optical device of a lighting device.

[0029] These optical means advantageously make it possible to transform and correct the light beam coming from said optical fiber and to direct it towards the optical device of the lighting device. Thus, these optical means consist of means making it possible to correct, for example, the divergence of said beam coming from the optical fiber, the width of the beam. These optical means consist, for example, of a collimator of appropriate focal length. These optical means are connectable to the optical device of the lighting device.

[0030] Optical means such as the collimator thus make it possible to reduce the opening angle of the divergent beam which leaves the optical fiber, which is generally too large, in order to form a beam of divergence and diameter more suited to the optical device of the lighting device such as a laser scanning lighting projector.

[0031] The device according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination: - The means of protecting the optical fiber consist of a housing in which the optical fiber is housed, said housing comprising means for holding the optical fiber in a wound form with a minimum radius of curvature. - The holding means are provided on the bottom of the housing, the peripheral wall of the housing and / or the end of said peripheral wall. - The holding means are constituted by the wall(s) of the housing against which the wound optical fiber generally rests when it is placed wound in said housing. In fact, the wound fiber tends to want to "unwind" and is therefore forced to remain in wound form by said walls. - The holding means consist of tabs provided projecting from the bottom, the peripheral wall and / or the end of said peripheral wall of the housing, to form a receiving space between a tab and the bottom, the peripheral wall and / or the end of said peripheral wall, receiving space in which the optical fiber is housed and maintained. - The holding means such as the tabs are preferably distributed on the face of the peripheral wall of the housing so as to form a helical winding of the optical fiber, along the wall. - The peripheral wall of the housing has at its end a collar on which the optical fiber is positioned wound, held by the holding means provided on said collar. - Optical means such as a collimator to which one end of the optical fiber is fixed are housed in the housing. The collimator consists in particular of a converging lens whose focal length allows the diverging rays of the output beam to be brought parallel to the optical axis and to each other, allowing their emission towards the optical device of the lighting device. - The bottom of the housing comprises a tubular element projecting towards the outside of the housing in which are housed the optical means such as a collimator on which one end of the optical fiber is fixed. - The housing comprises a base and a peripheral wall defining a peripheral contour of curved shape, such as a circular, ovoid shape, or having linear parts connected by curved parts, the peripheral contour defining the winding of the optical fiber. - The housing comprises a base and peripheral walls defining a parallelepiped shape to the housing, the holding means such as the walls themselves, tabs defining the winding. -The case can remain open (without closing cover) or have a closing cover.

[0032] Thus, the housing, called a reel, in which the optical fiber is housed wound in a maintained manner, guarantees the preservation of the optical fiber and therefore its proper functioning, by ensuring a minimal bending radius, which limits optical losses in the optical fiber.

[0033] This minimum bending radius corresponds to an operation of the optical fiber ensuring good quality transmission of the light beam inside the optical fiber. Indeed, if this minimum bending radius is not respected, the reflection of the light beam can be degraded and therefore also its propagation between the two ends of the optical fiber. In addition, a winding of the optical fiber without respecting this minimum bending radius can cause deterioration of the optical fiber itself. This minimum bending radius can therefore be determined based on the characteristics of the optical fiber used and the characteristics of the light beam desired at the output of said fiber.

[0034] The light beam emission device according to the invention allows controlled and repeatable positioning and winding of the optical fiber to guarantee the repeatability of the optical characteristics at the output of the source, which is necessary for compliance with standards.

[0035] As already mentioned, the light beam emission device according to the invention further comprises means for cooling the laser source, electronic means for controlling said laser source and optical means for transforming the light beam at the output of the optical fiber. All of these elements can be assembled in the form of a module, which can be integrated into a lighting device either aligned with the optical device or offset from it.

[0036] Thus, the device is in the form of an emission module in which cooling means constitute support means for the other elements of the device such as the laser source, the electronic control means and the housing preferably containing only a part of the wound optical fiber.

[0037] According to one variant, the device is in the form of a transmission module in which the housing containing a part of the wound optical fiber, and preferably only the optical fiber, constitutes support means for the other elements of the device such as the laser source, the electronic control means and cooling means.

[0038] The housing may further be independent of the cooling means, the control means and the laser source. The length of the optical fiber between the laser source and the housing may be variable to allow remote positioning. The length of the optical fiber end connectable to the optical means may also be variable to allow remote positioning of the lighting device as well.

[0039] In either of these modules, the optical means mounted at the end of the optical fiber which is outside the housing, can also be carried by the housing and each module can then be integrated into the lighting device so that said optical means and the end of the optical fiber are connected to the optical device of said lighting device with the entire emission module.

[0040] Alternatively, the optical means and the end of the optical fiber are independent of the other elements of the device constituting an emission module, so that said optical means are connectable to the optical device of the lighting device independently of the emission module and can thus be integrated into the lighting device in a manner remote from said optical means.

[0041] The housing in which the optical fiber is kept wound therefore allows the optical fiber to be perfectly positioned, guaranteeing a minimum bending radius, repeatable from one product to another, while limiting the space required for fibers that can be more than 1m long. The device thus produced can be in an integrated form of small dimensions and can be integrated into the smallest possible lighting products.

[0042] The invention also relates to a lighting device for generating light effects from a light beam, characterized in that it comprises a device for emitting the light beam according to the invention.

[0043] The invention relates in particular to a lighting device of the type comprising a device for emitting a light beam, an optical device such as a support mounted to be driven in rotation in which a reflective optical component is mounted, the support comprising at least one sleeve coaxial with the rotation drive axis and having one end defining an inlet orifice for a light beam and comprising in its wall an opening defining an outlet orifice for the light beam reflected on the reflective optical component, and a reflector system, characterized in that it comprises, as a device for emitting the light beam, a device for emitting a light beam according to the invention.

[0044] The optical means such as the collimator, mounted at the end of the optical fiber are installed in the lighting device, aligned with the optical axis of the optical device so as to emit the light beam directly into said optical device. It is also conceivable that these optical means are positioned in the lighting device so as to emit the light beam indirectly towards the optical device.

[0045] The invention will be well understood and other aspects and advantages will appear clearly on reading the following description, given by way of example with reference to the attached drawing plate in which the figures represent:

[0046] [Fig. 1a] a perspective view from above of a first exemplary embodiment of a device for emitting a light beam according to the invention;

[0047] [Fig. 1b] a perspective view from below of the device according to figure 1a;

[0048] [Fig. 2] a sectional view of the device according to figure 1a;

[0049] [Fig. 3] a sectional view of a lighting device comprising a device according to Figure 1a;

[0050] [Fig. 4] a perspective view from above of the lower part of the lighting device of Figure 3;

[0051] [Fig.5] a longitudinal sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of a device for emitting a light beam according to the invention;

[0052] [Fig.6] a perspective view from above of the device according to figure 5;

[0053] [Fig. 7] a perspective view from above of the lower part of the device according to Figure 5;

[0054] [Fig. 8] a longitudinal sectional view of a lighting device E of the device of Figure 5;

[0055] [Fig. 9a] a perspective view of an exemplary housing for a device according to the invention; and

[0056] [Fig. 9b] a bottom view of the housing of Figure 9a.

[0057] The device for emitting a light beam 1 according to the invention comprises a laser source 10 and an optical fiber 2, one end of which is connected to the laser source 10 and the other end is intended to be connected to a lighting device E.

[0058] The laser source 10 consists of one or more laser diodes. The optical fiber 2 is therefore connected by one end to said laser diodes and at its opposite end, connected to the optical device 5 of a lighting device E by means of optical means such as a collimator 4.

[0059] Associated with this laser source 10 are means for cooling said laser source 10 as well as electronic control means 13 for the laser source 1 and cooling means. Preferably, these control means 13 are intended to be in communication with control means of the lighting device E.

[0060] The cooling means consist, for example, of a Peltier effect cooling system, associated with a temperature sensor such as a thermistor housed in the laser source 10, a heat sink 12 and a fan 14.

[0061] In the example shown in Figures 1a, 1b and 2, the Peltier effect cooling system 12 is integrated into the laser source 10 which is fixed to the heat sink 12 and protected by a protective cover 11. It is also possible that the Peltier effect cooling system is not integrated into the laser source 10 but is, for example, interposed between the laser source 10 and the heat sink 12.

[0062] The laser source 10 comprises one or more laser diodes of one or more colors. Each laser diode is an optoelectronic component based on semiconductor materials emitting coherent monochromatic light, the light from each diode being focused at the output of the laser source 10 into the optical fiber 2.

[0063] This optical fiber 2 therefore makes it possible to transmit the laser beam(s) emitted by the laser diodes and has a minimum length of 100 cm, preferably 120 cm, so that, when diodes of different colors are used, the propagation in the optical fiber 2 of the different beams makes it possible to mix and superimpose the colors at the fiber output.

[0064] This length, necessary for a homogeneous mixture, therefore allows transmission from the laser source 10 to the optical device 5 of the lighting device E, and also allows the laser source 10 to be positioned at a distance from the optical device 5.

[0065] In order to guarantee optimal transmission of the laser beam in the fiber 2, the device 1 comprises means for protecting the optical fiber 2 consisting of a housing 3 in which the optical fiber 2 can be held securely, thus allowing the protection of the optical fiber 2 and, as a result, guaranteeing the quality of the transmitted light beam.

[0066] Such a housing 3 is provided with a bottom 31 and a peripheral wall 32. This peripheral wall 32 has on its inner face, means for holding the optical fiber such as tabs 33 projecting from said face and forming a receiving space in which the optical fiber 2 is housed, kept wound by said tabs. 33. These tabs are L-shaped and define a U-shaped receiving space with the wall 32 of the housing in which the optical fiber 2 is engaged and held by contact. It may be provided that these holding means also have a retaining hook shape or any other suitable shape, allowing holding without “damaging” the optical fiber 2, for example by crushing. The housing

[0067] Due to the limitation in the bending radius of the optical fiber 2 to avoid optical losses in the optical fiber 2, the housing 31 has dimensions such that the optical fiber 2 is wound at least according to its minimum bending radius, i.e. the radius in which neither the quality of the light beam nor the optical fiber 2 itself is impaired. The housing 3 has in the example shown a circular cross-section, the radius of which corresponds, for example, to the minimum bending radius of the optical fiber 2.

[0068] Preferably, the tabs 33 are distributed on the face of the peripheral wall 32 so as to form a spiral for winding the optical fiber 2.

[0069] Optical means such as a collimator 4 are connected to the free end of the optical fiber 2 and thus make it possible to obtain the beam characteristics desired for their entry into the optical device 5 of the lighting device E. They are housed in the housing 3 awaiting assembly as can be seen in figure 1a.

[0070] Optical means such as the collimator 4 make it possible in particular to reduce the opening angle for collimating the beam which comes out of the optical fiber 2, which is generally too large in order to form a beam of divergence and diameter more suitable for directing it towards the optical device 5 of the lighting device E such as a laser scanning lighting projector. In order to reduce chromatism in the case of a multi-color / wavelength laser, the collimator consists of an achromatic doublet, or even an achromatic triplet instead of a simple lens.

[0071] As can be seen in figures 1a, 1b and 2, the device 1 is in the form of a module whose heat sink 12 of the cooling means serve as support means for the other elements such as the laser source 10, the electronic control means 13 and the housing 3 containing the wound optical fiber 2. The collimator 4 is, in figure 1a, positioned in the winding housing 3 awaiting assembly for example, but it can be positioned remotely (see fig. 1b) relative to the emission module ME formed and positioned as desired during integration into a lighting device E.

[0072] Thus, the device 1 in the form of an emission module ME is attached to a lighting device E, in particular to a lower part E1 of said lighting device E, and the collimator 4 connected to the free end of the optical fiber 2 is then positioned in the lighting device E so as to be centered directly at the level of said optical device 5 to send the emitted light beam towards said optical device while the emission module ME is positioned offset from said optical device 5 as can be seen in Figures 3 and 4.

[0073] This optical device 5 comprises a support mounted on a rotational drive motor and a reflective optical component 51, the support comprising at least one sleeve 52 coaxial with the rotational drive axis. The sleeve 52 has an end defining an inlet orifice and comprising in its wall an opening defining an outlet orifice. In this sleeve 52 is housed the reflective optical component 51 so that a light beam entering through the inlet orifice is reflected by the reflective optical component 51 to exit through the outlet orifice.

[0074] The optical device 5 further comprises a protective cover 53 in which the optical device and the means for controlling said optical device 5 are fixed, which makes it possible to easily mount them in a lighting device E in the form of a unitary assembly, ready for use. The optical device 5 also comprises a fixing base part 54, connected to the protective cover 53.

[0075] The fixing base part 54 comprises a central well 55 allowing the passage of the light beam towards the reflective optical component 51 positioned above this fixing base part 54, connecting means being provided extending between the protective cover 50 and the fixing base part 54 and maintaining a gap between said protective cover 50 and the fixing base part 54, gap in which the optical component 51 projects.

[0076] There is thus an optical device 5 presented integrated in an optical module MO (such as that described in FR-A-3101439 for example) which can be easily installed within the lighting device E, by simply placing said optical module MO, the latter integrating all the elements necessary for implementing the desired visual effects. The collimator 4 is thus positioned in the lighting device E in a manner spaced apart from the emission module ME formed of the other elements of the device 1 so as to be able to be engaged in the central well 55 of the optical module MO. In this way, the light beam emitted by the collimator 4 enters the optical device 5 through the inlet port of the sleeve 52, which is then deflected by the reflective optical component 51.

[0077] As can be seen in Figure 4, the lighting device E also comprises an upper part E2 closing the lower part. This upper part forming a closing cover also comprises a reflector system SR composed of mirrors surrounding the optical device 5 to reflect the laser surface thus created at 360°.

[0078] In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the light beam emission device 1' comprises a laser source 10, cooling means comprising a dissipator 120 and a fan 140, electronic control means 130, a housing 30 in which the optical fiber 2 is kept wound and optical means such as a collimator 40.

[0079] The means for protecting the optical fiber 2 consist of a housing 30 comprising a base 310 and a peripheral wall 320, the end of which comprises, over a major part of the periphery, a collar 321 provided with a rim, and on which the optical fiber 2 is positioned, wound in the form of flat turns, these being held under holding tabs 330 provided on said collar 321.

[0080] The peripheral contour of the housing 30 may have a circular shape or preferably curved parts and more linear parts defining the winding of the optical fiber 2 on said collar 321 while the portion of the peripheral wall 320 not having a collar 321 and therefore not receiving the optical fiber 2, delimits a lateral compartment 322.

[0081] On the open face of the housing 30 are mounted the heat sink 120 and the fan 140 of the cooling means forming a cover for the device 1' while the electronic control means 130 are housed in the lateral compartment 322 and also extend along the cooling means 120, 140.

[0082] The bottom 310 of the housing 30 further comprises a central tubular projection 311 extending towards the outside of the housing 30 and in which the collimator 40 is housed.

[0083] The housing 30 also accommodates the laser source 10 fixed on the bottom 310. The optical fiber 2 thus extends from the upper part of the laser source 10 and is wound flat on the collar 321, and held under the tabs 330. From the laser source 10 also extends means for connecting said laser source 10 with the electronic control means 130.

[0084] These elements constituting the device 1' are arranged in the form of a compact emission module ME' also integrating the collimator 40.

[0085] The device 1' thus formed in the form of an emission module ME' has a compact shape which can be integrated into a lighting device E' which comprises an optical module MO as described previously as well as a receiving compartment 6 in which the emission module ME' can be engaged.

[0086] As can be seen in Figure 8, the tubular projection 311 of the device 10 is engaged in the central well 55 of the optical module MO. The collimator 40 is thus integrated into the optical module MO while being aligned with the optical device 5. In the device of Figure 8, the lighting device comprises a reflector system SR' consisting of a surface extending around the optical device 5 and mounted to move relative to said optical device such as that described in FR-A-3108965.

[0087] Figures 9a and 9b show an example of an embodiment of a housing 300 having a parallelepiped shape defined by the bottom 301 and the peripheral wall 302. The wound optical fiber 2 is housed in this housing 300 and the peripheral wall 302 constitutes the means for holding the optical fiber 2. In fact, the latter is wound in the housing and held in abutment against the peripheral wall 302 which thus holds it in wound form.

[0088] Due to the limitation at the level of the bending radius of the optical fiber 2 to avoid optical losses in the optical fiber 2, the housing 300 has dimensions such that the optical fiber 2 is wound at least according to its minimum bending radius, that is to say the radius in which neither the quality of the light beam nor the optical fiber 2 itself is deteriorated. In this embodiment, the housing 300 may comprise a cover.

[0089] Of course, other means of support such as tabs can also be provided.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (1, 1') for emitting a light beam intended to be used in a lighting device (E, E'), making it possible to create light effects, said device comprising a laser source (10) and means for transmitting at least one laser beam emitted by the laser source (10) to an optical device (5) of the lighting device (E, E')„ characterized in that the transmission means comprise an optical fiber (2) one end of which is connected to the laser source (10) and the other end is intended to be connected to the optical device (5) of said lighting device (E, E'), the device further comprising means for protecting at least a portion of the optical fiber (2) extending between its two ends.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises cooling means (12, 120) for the laser source (10), electronic control means (13, 130) for said laser source (10) and optical means to which the end of the optical fiber opposite its end linked to the laser source (10) is connected, said optical means allowing the transformation of the light beam at the output of the optical fiber (2) and its emission towards the optical device (5) of the lighting device (E, E').

3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the means for protecting the optical fiber (2) consist of a housing (3, 30, 300) in which the optical fiber (2) is housed, said housing (3, 30, 300) comprising means for holding the optical fiber (2) in a wound form with a minimum radius of curvature.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the holding means are constituted by the wall or walls of the housing (3, 30, 300) against which the wound optical fiber (2) rests when it is positioned wound in said housing (3, 30, 300).

5. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the holding means are provided on the bottom (31, 310) of the housing (3, 30), the

6. Device according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that the holding means consist of tabs (33) provided projecting from the bottom (31), the peripheral wall (32) and / or the end of said peripheral wall (320) of the housing (30) to form a receiving space between a tab (33) and the bottom (31), the peripheral wall (32) and / or the end of said peripheral wall (320), receiving space in which the optical fiber (2) is housed and held.

7. Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the peripheral wall (320) of the housing (30) comprises at its end a collar (321) on which the optical fiber (2) is positioned wound, held by the holding means (330) provided on said collar (321).

8. Device according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the housing (3, 30) comprises a bottom (31) and a peripheral wall (32, 320) defining a peripheral contour of curved shape, such as a circular, ovoid shape, or having linear parts connected by curved parts.

9. Device according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the housing (300) comprises a bottom (301) and a peripheral wall (302) defining a parallelepiped shape for the housing (300).

10. Device according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the optical means on which one end of the optical fiber (2) is fixed are housed in the housing (30).

11. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the bottom of the housing (30) comprises a tubular element (311) projecting towards the outside of the housing (30) in which are housed the optical means on which one end of the optical fiber (2) is fixed.

12. Device according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that it is in the form of an emission module (ME) in which the cooling means constitute support means for the other elements of the device such as the laser source (10), the electronic control means (13) and the housing (3) containing a part of the wound optical fiber (2).

13. Device according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that it is in the form of an emission module (ME') in which the housing (30) constitutes support means for the other elements of the device such as the laser source (10), the means of electronic control (130) and cooling means (120).

14. Lighting device (E, E') for generating light effects, from a light beam, characterized in that it comprises a device for emitting the light beam according to one of claims 1 to 11.

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