Projector comprising at least a first and a second prism device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a projector adapted to direct at least one light beam, comprising a light source and optical elements for directing the light beam produced by said light source towards an output of the projector, said projector comprising in the optical axis respectively a light source, a focus device, a zoom device and an output lens for directing the light beam, in which the device comprises in the optical axis respectively a first prism device, comprising at least one prism, and a second prism device, comprising at least one prism, for directing the light beam either using said first prism device, or using said second prism device or using said first and second prism devices, characterized in that,the first prism device is positioned between the light source and the zoom device and wherein the second prism device is positioned between the zoom device and the output lens. Figure 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Projector comprising at least a first and a second prism device Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of lighting devices and, more specifically, to a projector adapted to direct at least one light beam, comprising a light source and optical elements in an optical axis to orient the light beam produced by said light source towards an output of the projector, said projector comprising in the optical axis respectively the light source, a focus device, a zoom device and an output lens to orient the light beam. State of the art

[0002] Nowadays, it is known to use lighting devices comprising a projector provided with at least one light source, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) and a base for fixing said lighting device to a support. The projector is connected to the base by means of an arm, a first and a second fixing element. Thus, the arm is, at a first end, connected to the base using the first fixing element to allow the arm to be movable in rotation relative to the base about a first axis of rotation. The projector is connected to the arm using the second fixing element, the projector being movable in rotation relative to the arm about a second axis of rotation. The base makes it possible to fix said lighting device to a support, such as a wall or a supporting structure on which several lighting devices are fixed next to each other.The base is connected, on the one hand, to a source of electrical energy making it possible to convey said electrical energy towards the light source of the projector and, on the other hand, to a control system adapted to generate commands concerning the management of the use of the lighting device.

[0003] In the field of entertainment, and more particularly in theatrical performances or musical shows, lighting devices represent a significant part of the decor. Indeed, lighting devices are used in order to complete the visual image offered to spectators by generating particular lighting effects. During normal use of lighting devices, it is possible to materialize the light beams obtained thanks to the light source, using a smoke of the “fog” type. This fog forms the support onto which the different light beams are projected and made visible to the spectators.

[0004] Users of light devices arrange a determined number of such devices positive lighting in order to create a structure that allows for innovative visual effects. Thus, the lighting devices must be easily juxtaposable and adjustable in order to assemble without difficulty whatever the final structure to be obtained. However, existing lighting devices do not allow such freedom of assembly given the intrinsic size of a lighting device linked to the space required for the rotation of the projector. Thus, the current size of such structures is relatively large.

[0005] In view of the above observations, in the field of entertainment, there is a constant need to improve already existing systems and to give more freedom to users to manipulate projectors in order to create innovative visual effects.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is to present a projector comprising optical elements for producing light beams in a new way. Subject of the invention

[0007] According to a first aspect, the object of the invention is to propose a projector adapted to direct at least one light beam, comprising a light source and optical elements in an optical axis for orienting the light beam produced by said light source towards an output of the projector, said projector comprising in the optical axis respectively the light source, a focus device, a zoom device and an output lens for orienting the light beam, in which the device comprises in the optical axis respectively a first prism device, comprising at least one prism, and a second prism device, comprising at least one prism, for orienting the light beam either using said first prism device, or using said second prism device, or using said first and second prism devices,wherein the first prism device is positioned between the light source and the zoom device and wherein the second prism device is positioned between the zoom device and the output lens.

[0008] Thus, the light device according to the present invention comprises a light source, a focus device and a zoom device for directing at least one light beam towards an output lens. In addition, the device according to the invention comprises the assembly formed by a first prism device, comprising at least one prism, and a second prism device, comprising at least one prism, for directing the light beam either using said first prism device, or using said second prism device or using said first and second prism devices.

[0009] According to the present invention, the light beam can be directed using the first and second prism devices positioned in specific locations in the optical axis to obtain spectacular and novel lighting effects.

[0010] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the first and second prism devices are positioned relative to the optical axis in a removably manner between an inactive position, in which the prism device is not present in the optical axis, and an active position, in which the prism device is present in the optical axis.

[0011] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the first prism device comprises a first prism and a second prism different from the first prism, wherein the first prism device is removable between an inactive position, in which the first and second prisms are not present in the optical axis, a first active position, in which the first prism is present in the optical axis and a second active position in which the second prism is present in the optical axis.

[0012] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the second prism device comprises a first prism and a second prism different from the first prism, wherein the second prism device is removable between an inactive position, in which the first and second prisms are not present in the optical axis, a first active position, in which the first prism is present in the optical axis and a second active position in which the second prism is present in the optical axis.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a third prism device positioned between the focus device and the zoom device.

[0014] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the third prism device comprises a first prism and a second prism different from the first prism, wherein the third prism device is removable between an inactive position, in which the first and second prisms are not present in the optical axis, a first active position, in which the first prism is present in the optical axis and a second active position in which the second prism is present in the optical axis.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the first prism device and / or the third prism device comprises a Frost type filter.

[0016] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, one of the first and third prism devices comprises a Heavy Frost type filter and wherein one of the first and third prism devices comprises a Light Frost type filter.

[0017] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, at least one prism device comprises at least one prism positioned in said at least one prism device in a rotatable manner to allow said at least one prism to rotate around the central axis of the prism.

[0018] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the light source comprises a laser.

[0019] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a lighting device, comprising the projector according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] The aim, object and characteristics of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given with reference to the figures in which: - [Fig.l] shows a schematic sectional view of the projector according to the invention, - [Fig.2] shows a top view of a first prism device according to the invention, and - [Fig.3] shows a top view of a third prism device according to the invention.

[0021] The present invention relates to a projector and a lighting device comprising said projector, wherein said lighting device is particularly suitable for use within a lighting assembly of several lighting devices, said lighting devices being positioned next to each other.

[0022] [Fig.l] schematically shows the interior of a projector 100 according to the invention 1. The projector 100 is particularly suitable for use in a lighting device (not shown in the figures) in which the projector 100 is rotatably or rotatably connected to a lyre, the lyre being rotatably or rotatably connected to a base.

[0023] The lighting device described above is known in the prior art, and in particular in document FR3034499B1.

[0024] Users of lighting devices are increasingly demanding regarding the lighting effects that can be achieved with lighting devices of the type indicated above.

[0025] The projector 100 according to [Fig.l] comprises an optical axis 90 which extends through the light source 1 of the projector towards an output lens or front lens 40 of the light device 100. This output lens 40 forms the output of the light beams generated inside the light device 100.

[0026] It should be noted that the light source can have the shape of any suitable light source. To obtain exceptional light effects, according to one embodiment of the invention, the light source 1 comprises a laser.

[0027] The projector 100 is adapted to direct at least one light beam through the output lens 40 from the light source 1. Downstream of said light source 1 in the direction of the output lens 40, the projector 100 comprises in its optical axis 90 respectively optical elements such as one or more color wheels 2 and one or more Gobo wheels 3.

[0028] Downstream of said optical elements 2, 3 the projector comprises a focus device 4 or focusing device. Such a focus device is known in the prior art and its operation is not described in detail in this description.

[0029] According to the invention, the projector 100 comprises, downstream of the focus device 4, a first prism device 5. An embodiment of such a prism device 5 is shown in [Fig.2].

[0030] As shown in [Fig.2], the first prism device 5 comprises a set of four prisms, all different from each other. The operation of the first prism device 5 is described below.

[0031] Following the optical axis 90, downstream of the first prism device 5, in the direction of the output lens 40, the projector 100 comprises a third prism device 6. An embodiment of such a prism device 6 is shown in [Fig.3].

[0032] Downstream of the third prism device 6, in the direction of the output lens 40, the projector 100 comprises a zoom device 7 or enlargement device. Such a zoom device 7 is known in the prior art and its operation is not described in detail in this description.

[0033] Between said zoom device 7 and the output lens 40 there is a second prism device 8. The second prism device 8 may have the shape of the first 5 or the third 6 prism device.

[0034] The operation of the projector 100 is as follows: using the light source 1 a light beam is produced. Optical elements such as the color wheel 2 and the Gobo wheel are used to give a desired color and / or light effect to the light beam.

[0035] Then, the focusing device 4 is used to obtain a light beam with specific characteristics, selected by the user.

[0036] Then, the set of prism devices 5, 6 is used to divide the light beam into a quantity of selected beams.

[0037] Referring to [Fig.2], it should be noted that the first prism device 5 comprises a support 50 on which are fixed a first prism 51, a second prism 52, a third prism 53 and a fourth prism 54. In addition, the first prism device 5 comprises a Heavy Frost type filter 55.

[0038] In the example of [Fig.2], the first prism 51 is an eight-faceted circular prism. The second prism 52 is a six-faceted circular prism. The third prism 53 is a six-faceted linear prism. The fourth prism 54 is a four-faceted linear prism.

[0039] The prisms 51, 52, 53, 54 and the filter 55 are positioned on the support 50 which is provided with a rotation axis 56. The first prism device 5 is fixed inside the projector 100 using said rotation axis 56.

[0040] In [Fig. 2], the optical axis of the projector 100 is indicated with the reference number 90. In [Fig. 2], the first prism device 5 is shown in its inactive position. This means that none of the prisms 51, 52, 53, 54 or the filter 55 is positioned in the optical axis 90.

[0041] The first prism device 5, according to [Fig.2], can rotate around its rotation axis 56 to thereby bring one of the prisms 51, 52, 53, 54 or the filter 55 into the optical axis 90, one by one.

[0042] If the prism 51 of the first prism device 5 is located in the optical axis 90, the incoming light beam is divided into eight outgoing light beams. If the prism 52 of the first prism device 5 is located in the optical axis 90, the incoming light beam is divided into six outgoing light beams. If the prism 53 of the first prism device 5 is located in the optical axis 90, the incoming light beam is divided into six outgoing light beams. If the prism 54 of the first prism device 5 is located in the optical axis 90, the incoming light beam is divided into four outgoing light beams.

[0043] In [Fig.2], it is shown that each of the prisms 51, 52, 53, 54 are positioned in the first prism device 5 in a rotatable manner, i.e. in a rotatable manner. This means that each prism 51, 52, 53, 54 can, with the aid of an electric motor, rotate around its respective central axis. It is clear that the effect on the incoming light beam with the aid of a rotating prism is even more exceptional than in the absence of said rotation.

[0044] If the filter 55 of the first prism device 5 is located in the optical axis 90, the presence of said filter 55 provides a diffusion effect on said incoming light beam. A Heavy Frost filter, such as the filter 55 in the example of [Fig.2] typically provides a significant diffusion effect. A Light Frost filter, such as the filter 65 in the example of [Fig.3] below typically provides a light diffusion effect.

[0045] Referring to [Fig. 3], it should be noted that the third prism device 6 comprises a support 60 on which are fixed a first prism 61, a second prism 62, a third prism 63 and a fourth prism 64. In addition, the third prism device 6 comprises a filter of the Light Frost type 65.

[0046] In the example of [Fig.3], the first prism 61 is a sixteen-faceted circular prism. The second prism 62 is a six-faceted circular prism. The third prism 63 is a six-faceted linear prism. The fourth prism 64 is a four-faceted linear prism.

[0047] The prisms 61, 62, 63, 64 and the filter 65 are positioned on the support 60 which is provided with a rotation axis 66. The third prism device 6 is fixed inside the projector 100 using said rotation axis 66.

[0048] In [Fig. 3], the optical axis of the projector 100 is indicated with the reference number 90. In [Fig. 3], the third prism device 6 is shown in its inactive position. This means that none of the prisms 61, 62, 63, 64 or the filter 65 is positioned in the optical axis 90.

[0049] The third prism device 6, according to [Fig. 3], can rotate around its rotation axis 66 to thereby bring one of the prisms 61, 62, 63, 64 or the filter 65 into the optical axis 90, one by one.

[0050] If the prism 61 of the third prism device 6 is in the optical axis 90, the incoming light beam or beams will each be divided into sixteen outgoing light beams. If the prism 62 of the third prism device 6 is in the optical axis 90, the incoming light beam or beams will each be divided into 6 outgoing light beams. If the prism 63 of the second prism device 6 is in the optical axis 90, the incoming light beam is divided into six outgoing light beams. If the prism 64 of the second prism device 6 is in the optical axis 90, the incoming light beam is divided into four outgoing light beams.

[0051] If the filter 65 of the third prism device 6 is located in the optical axis 90, the presence of said filter 65 will provide a diffusion effect on said incoming light beam(s). A Light Frost filter, such as the filter 65 in the example of [Fig.3] typically provides a light diffusion effect.

[0052] In [Fig. 3], it is shown that each of the prisms 61, 62, 63, 64 are positioned in the third prism device 6 in a rotatable manner, i.e. in a rotatable manner. This means that each prism 61, 62, 63, 64 can, with the aid of an electric motor, rotate around its respective central axis. It is clear that the effect on the incoming beam with the aid of a rotating prism is even more exceptional than in the absence of said rotation of the prism in question.

[0053] Referring to [Fig.l], the light beam or light beams which respectively pass through the devices 5, 6 enter the zoom device 7. Then, the light beam or light beams pass through the second prism device 8. Said second prism device 8 may be identical or similar to the devices 5, 6 described above.

[0054] With reference to the above description, it should be noted that with the set of prism devices 5, 6, 8 spectacular and novel lighting effects compared to the lighting devices known in the prior art can be obtained.

Claims

Claims

1. Projector (100) adapted to direct at least one light beam, comprising a light source (1) and optical elements in an optical axis (90) for directing the light beam produced by said light source (1) towards an output of the projector (100), said projector (100) comprising in the optical axis (90) respectively the light source (1), a focus device (4), a zoom device (7) and an output lens (40) for directing the light beam, wherein the device (100) comprises in the optical axis (90) respectively a first prism device (5), comprising at least one prism (51, 52, 53, 54), and a second prism device (8), comprising at least one prism, for directing the light beam either with the aid of said first prism device (5), or with the aid of said second prism device (8) or with the aid of said first (5) and second (8) prism devices, characterized in that,the first prism device (5) is positioned between the light source (1) and the zoom device (7) and wherein the second prism device (8) is positioned between the zoom device (7) and the output lens (40).,

2. A projector (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first (5) and second (8) prism devices are positioned relative to the optical axis (90) removably between an inactive position, in which the prism device (5, 8) is not present in the optical axis (90), and an active position, in which the prism device (5, 8) is present in the optical axis (90).

3. Projector (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first prism device (5) comprises a first prism (51) and a second prism (52) different from the first prism (51), wherein the first prism device (5) is removable between an inactive position, in which the first (51) and second (52) prisms are not present in the optical axis (90), and a first active position, in which the first prism (51) is present in the optical axis (90) and a second active position in which the second prism (52) is present in the optical axis (90).

4. A projector (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the second prism device (8) comprises a first prism and a second prism different from the first prism, wherein the second prism device (8) is movable between an inactive position, in in which the first and second prisms are not present in the optical axis (80), and a first active position, in which the first prism is present in the optical axis (90) and a second active position in which the second prism is present in the optical axis (90).

5. Projector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a third prism device (6) positioned between the focus device (7) and the zoom device (4).

6. The projector (100) of claim 5, wherein the third prism device (6) comprises a first (61) and a second (62) prism, different from the first prism (61), wherein the third prism device (6) is movable between an inactive position, in which the first (61) and second (62) prisms are not present in the optical axis (90), and a first active position, in which the first prism (61) is present in the optical axis (90) and a second active position in which the second prism (62) is present in the optical axis (90).

7. Projector (100) according to one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the first prism device (5) and / or the third prism device (6) comprises a Frost type filter (55,65).

8. The projector (100) of claim 7, wherein one of the first (5) and third (6) prism devices comprises a Heavy Frost type filter (55) and wherein one of the first (5) and third (6) prism devices comprises a Light Frost type filter (65).

9. A projector (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one prism device comprises at least one prism (51, 52, 53, 54, 61, 62, 63, 64) positioned rotatably in said at least one prism device to allow said at least one prism (51, 52, 53, 54, 61, 62, 63, 64) to rotate about the central axis of the prism (51, 52, 53, 54, 61, 62, 63, 64).

10. Projector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source (1) comprises a laser.

11. A lighting device, comprising the projector (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

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