Concentrators, emitters and solar lighting systems

Abstract

To simplify a structure and improve the functionality.SOLUTION: In a sunlight illumination system including a light collecting device S which collects sunlight from the outside of a building and a light emitting device which emits the light collected by the light collecting device S to the inside of the building to perform illumination, the light collecting device S comprises: a light reception body 10 which is formed into the transparent hollow spherical shape and receives sunlight; and a fiber assembly 11 which is made by bundling a large number of optical fibers F having end surfaces exposed to the inside of a space e of the light reception body 10 and transmitting the light taken into the light reception body 10. A large number of chips 13 formed by shredding the transparent optical fiber Fa are filled in the space e of the light reception body 10. An assembly end surface 12 of the fiber assembly 11 is formed on a continuous surface on which the end surfaces of the respective optical fibers F continue and the space e of the light reception body 10 is made to be vacuous.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a light collecting device that collects sunlight, a light emitting device that emits light, and a sunlight illumination system that uses these. [Background technology]

[0002] A known conventional sunlight illumination system is, for example, that disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-94301 (Patent Document 1). This sunlight illumination system includes a collector that collects sunlight from outside a building and a light emitting device that emits the light collected by the collector into the building. The collector is configured to include a light receiver that is provided outside the building and receives sunlight, and an optical fiber that transmits the light taken into the light receiver. The light emitting device is configured to include a light emitter that is provided inside the building and emits light, and an optical fiber that supplies the transmitted light to the light emitter, and the optical fiber of the collector and the optical fiber of the light emitting device are connected together.

[0003] The light receiving body of the light collecting device is equipped with a concave reflector and a focusing lens that focuses the light reflected by the reflector, and the reflector is moved to follow the movement of the sun. On the other hand, the light emitting body of the light emitting device is composed of a light emitting terminal fused to the end of the optical fiber and a hollow globe that receives light from the light emitting terminal and emits it to the outside.

[0004] However, the photoreceptor of this conventional light collecting device has a problem of being complicated in structure because it is equipped with a collecting lens that collects light reflected by a reflector and is moved to follow the movement of the sun. Therefore, to solve this problem, it has been considered to use a photoconcentrator such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-304632 (Patent Document 2). This photoconcentrator is configured with a photoreceptor formed in a transparent, hollow sphere that receives sunlight, and an optical fiber whose end face is exposed within the space of the photoreceptor and transmits the light taken into the photoreceptor. By making the photoreceptor a transparent sphere, light can be collected without having to be moved to follow the movement of the sun. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 59-94301 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-304632 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, while the conventional light collecting device with a transparent, hollow, spherical light receiving body has a simple structure, it has the problem of poor light collecting efficiency and poor functionality due to the small number of optical fibers used for transmission. On the other hand, the conventional light emitting device also has the problem of a complex structure due to the light emitting terminal fused to the end of the optical fiber. This results in a complex structure for the solar lighting system. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a light collecting device, a light emitting device and a sunlight illumination system which have a simplified structure and improved functionality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the light collecting device of the present invention comprises a light receiving body formed in a transparent hollow sphere for receiving sunlight, and a fiber assembly formed by bundling a number of optical fibers whose end faces are exposed in the space of the light receiving body and which transmit the light taken into the light receiving body, and a number of thinly sliced ​​chips of transparent optical fibers are filled in the space of the light receiving body. The entire space is filled with many chips. The structure is as follows.

[0008] As a result, when sunlight is irradiated onto the photoreceptor, the sunlight enters the photoreceptor, is incident on the end face of each optical fiber in the fiber assembly, and is transmitted. In this case, since the photoreceptor is formed in a spherical shape, sunlight can be collected in all directions. In addition, since the fiber assembly is composed of a large number of optical fibers bundled together, the light collection efficiency is improved accordingly. Furthermore, since the photoreceptor is filled with chips made from thinly sliced ​​transparent optical fibers, light is diffusely reflected as it passes through, which also improves the light collection efficiency and functionality. In addition, since the chips are filled into the photoreceptor and the fiber assembly is wired, the structure can be simplified.

[0009] In this configuration, The tip has a diameter D of 0.5 mm to 3 mm and a length L of 0.5 mm to 3 mm. It is formed in a cylindrical shape It can improve the light transmission and reflection functions.

[0010] If necessary, the end face of the fiber assembly may be formed into a continuous surface by connecting the end faces of the optical fibers, thereby improving the light collection efficiency.

[0011] In this case, it is effective to form the end face of the fiber assembly into an arcuate surface. The arcuate surface may be either concave or convex. This increases the light-collecting area of ​​the fiber assembly, further improving the light-collecting efficiency.

[0012] Furthermore, if necessary, the space inside the photoreceptor can be made vacuum. The photoreceptor is heated by sunlight, but the vacuum inside the photoreceptor makes it difficult for heat to be conducted, preventing the adverse effects of heat.

[0013] Furthermore, if necessary, a transparent, hollow, spherical outer shell may be provided to house the photoreceptor, and a vacuum may be created between the outer surface of the photoreceptor and the inner surface of the outer shell. This creates a vacuum insulation layer between the outer surface of the photoreceptor and the inner surface of the outer shell, making it difficult for heat to be conducted, and reliably preventing the adverse effects of heat.

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, the light emitting device of the present invention includes a light emitting body formed in a transparent hollow spherical shape that emits light, and a fiber assembly formed by bundling a large number of optical fibers whose end faces are exposed in the space of the light emitting body and that supply the transmitted light into the space, and the space of the light emitting body is filled with a large number of thinly sliced ​​chips of transparent optical fiber. The entire space is filled with many chips. The structure is as follows.

[0015] As a result, when light is supplied from the fiber assembly into the light emitter, the light is emitted from the light emitter. In this case, since the light emitter is formed in a spherical shape, the light can be emitted radially. Furthermore, since the fiber assembly is composed of a large number of optical fibers bundled together, the light emission efficiency is improved accordingly. Furthermore, since the light emitter is filled with chips made from thinly sliced ​​transparent optical fibers, the light is diffusely reflected while passing through, which also improves the light emission efficiency and functionality. Furthermore, since the light emitter is filled with chips and the fiber assembly is wired, the structure can be simplified.

[0016] In this configuration, The tip has a diameter D of 0.5 mm to 3 mm and a length L of 0.5 mm to 3 mm. It is formed in a cylindrical shape It can improve the light transmission and reflection functions.

[0017] If necessary, the end face of the fiber assembly may be formed into a continuous surface by connecting the end faces of the optical fibers, thereby improving light radiation efficiency.

[0018] In this case, it is effective to form the end face of the fiber assembly into an arcuate surface. The arcuate surface may be either concave or convex. This increases the light emitting area of ​​the fiber assembly, further improving the light emitting efficiency.

[0019] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the sunlight illumination system of the present invention is a sunlight illumination system including a light collecting device that collects sunlight from outside a building, and a light emitting device that emits the light collected by the light collecting device into the inside of the building for illumination, Using the above-mentioned light collecting device, a light receiving body of the light collecting device is provided outside the building, Using the above-mentioned light emitting device, a light emitting body of the light emitting device is installed inside the building, The fiber assembly of the light collecting device and the fiber assembly of the light emitting device are connected in series.

[0020] As a result, when sunlight is irradiated onto the light receiver of the light collecting device, the sunlight enters the light receiver, is incident on the end face of the optical fiber of the fiber assembly, is transmitted by the fiber assembly, is supplied to the light emitter of the light emitter, and the light is emitted from the light emitter. In this case, as described above, the light collecting efficiency of the light collecting device is improved, and the light emitting efficiency of the light emitting device is improved, so the functionality of the entire system can be improved. In addition, the system structure can be simplified. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a light collecting device, a light emitting device, and a sunlight illumination system that have a simple structure and improved functionality. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a solar illumination system with a light collecting device and a light emitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a light collecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a light emitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a light collecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a light collecting device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a light emitting device according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] A light collecting device, a light emitting device, and a sunlight irradiation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 3 show a sunlight illumination system T according to an embodiment of the present invention. This sunlight illumination system T is configured to include a light collecting device S according to an embodiment of the present invention that collects sunlight from outside a building 1, and a light emitting device H according to an embodiment of the present invention that emits the light collected by the light collecting device S into the interior of the building 1 for illumination.

[0024] 2, the light collecting device S according to the embodiment includes a photoreceptor 10 formed in a transparent, hollow sphere that receives sunlight, and a fiber assembly 11 formed by bundling a large number of optical fibers F whose end faces are exposed within the space e of the photoreceptor 10 and that transmit light taken into the photoreceptor 10. The photoreceptor 10 is made of, for example, resin or glass. The space e of the photoreceptor 10 is evacuated.

[0025] In the fiber assembly 11, well-known optical fibers F can be used. The assembly end face 12 of the fiber assembly 11 is formed as a continuous surface by joining the end faces of the optical fibers F. In the embodiment, it is formed as a flat surface. The diameter of the fiber assembly 11 is smaller than the diameter of the photoreceptor 10, and the fiber assembly 11 is provided so as to penetrate the photoreceptor 10. The boundaries between the optical fibers F and between the fiber assembly 11 and the photoreceptor 10 are sealed so as to maintain the vacuum of the photoreceptor 10.

[0026] The space e of the photoreceptor 10 is filled with a large number of chips 13 made by cutting transparent optical fibers Fa. The entire space e is filled with a large number of chips 13.The transparent optical fiber Fa is, for example, a plastic optical fiber in which a fluorine-based polymer with a low refractive index is used for the cladding material and a methacrylic resin with a high refractive index is used for the core material. The materials of the cladding material and the core material are not limited to these. The tip 13 has a diameter D of 0.5 mm to 3 mm and a length L of 0.5 mm to 3 mm. It is formed in a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the chip 13 is formed by using transparent optical fibers Fa having diameters D of D=1 mm and D=2 mm, each of which is cut into strips having lengths L of L=1 mm to 2 mm.

[0027] Furthermore, the light collecting device S includes a support 14 for supporting and installing the photoreceptor 10 at a required location on the building 1. In this embodiment, the support 14 has through-holes 15 through which the fiber assembly 11 passes, and is formed in a block shape that supports the surface of the photoreceptor 10 on the side where the fiber assembly 11 is located, and is fixed to a mounting portion 2 such as the roof or balcony of the building 1 by mounting means such as screws (not shown).

[0028] 3, the light emitting device H according to the embodiment is formed in substantially the same manner as the light collecting device S described above, and is configured to include a light emitting body 20 formed in a transparent hollow spherical shape that emits light, and a fiber assembly 21 formed by bundling a large number of optical fibers F whose end faces are exposed within the space e of the light emitting body 20 and that supplies transmitted light into this space e. The light emitting body 20 is formed, for example, from resin or glass, and the same material as that used for the light collecting device S is used. The space e of the light emitting body 20 may be evacuated as described above, or it does not have to be evacuated.

[0029] In the fiber assembly 21, well-known optical fibers F can be used, and the same optical fibers as those in the light collecting device S are used. The assembly end face 22 of the fiber assembly 21 is formed as a continuous surface by connecting the end faces of the optical fibers F. In the embodiment, it is formed as a flat surface. The diameter of the fiber assembly 21 is smaller than the diameter of the light emitter 20, and the fiber assembly 21 is provided so as to penetrate the light emitter 20. The boundaries between the optical fibers F and between the fiber assembly 21 and the light emitter 20 are sealed so that the vacuum of the light emitter 20 can be maintained when the light emitter 20 is evacuated. It is desirable to seal even when the light emitter 20 is not evacuated.

[0030] The space e of the light emitter 20 is filled with a large number of chips 23 made by cutting transparent optical fibers Fa. The entire space e is filled with a large number of chips 13. The transparent optical fiber Fa is, for example, a plastic optical fiber that uses a fluorine-based polymer with a low refractive index for the cladding material and a methacrylic resin with a high refractive index for the core material. The materials of the cladding material and the core material are not limited to these. The tip 23 has a diameter D of 0.5 mm to 3 mm and a length L of 0.5 mm to 3 mm. It is formed in a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the chip 23 used in the light-emitting device H is constructed of the same material as the chip 13 used in the light-collecting device S described above, and the transparent optical fibers Fa used are those with diameters D of D=1 mm and D=2 mm, each of which is cut into strips with lengths L of L=1 mm to 2 mm.

[0031] Furthermore, the light emitting device H includes a holder 24 for holding and installing the light emitting body 20 inside the building 1. In the embodiment, the holder 24 has a through-hole 25 through which the fiber aggregate 21 passes, and is formed in a block shape that holds the surface of the light emitting body 20 on the side where the fiber aggregate 21 is located, and is fixed to a mounting portion 2 made of, for example, a ceiling or wall of the building 1 by a mounting means such as a screw (not shown).

[0032] The sunlight lighting system T according to the embodiment is mainly used for dark places inside a building 1 or as supplementary lighting for electric lights. As shown in FIG. 1 , for example, a plurality of light receivers 10 (three in the figure) of the light collector S are used and installed in appropriate locations such as on a roof or a balcony. Meanwhile, a plurality of light emitters 20 (four in the figure) of the light emitter H are also used and installed appropriately on the ceiling of a room in the building 1. The fiber assembly 11 of the light collector S and the fiber assembly 21 of the light emitter H are appropriately connected. The connection can be achieved by using an integrated fiber assembly, or they can be connected using a well-known connector. Furthermore, the fiber assembly 11 can be divided and wired from one light collector S to multiple light emitters H, or the fiber assembly 21 can be divided and wired from multiple light collectors S to one light emitter H. The light collector S and the light emitter H can be installed appropriately depending on the conditions of the building 1, etc.

[0033] Therefore, in the sunlight illumination system T according to the embodiment, when sunlight is irradiated onto the light receiver 10 of the light collecting device S, the sunlight enters the light receiver 10, is incident on the assembly end face 12 of the fiber assembly 11, is transmitted by the fiber assemblies 11 and 21, is supplied to the light emitter 20 from the assembly end face 22 of the fiber assembly 21 of the light emitter H, and light is emitted from the light emitter 20, thereby providing illumination. At this time, when sunlight is irradiated onto the light receiver 10, since the light receiver 10 is formed in a spherical shape, it can capture sunlight in all directions. Furthermore, since the fiber assembly 11 is formed by bundling a large number of optical fibers F, the light collection efficiency can be improved accordingly. In particular, since the assembly end face 12 of the fiber assembly 11 is formed as a continuous surface connecting the end faces of the optical fibers F, the light collection efficiency can be further improved.

[0034] Furthermore, since chips 13 made from chopped transparent optical fibers Fa are filled inside the photoreceptor 10, light is diffusely reflected as it passes through, which also improves the light collection efficiency and functionality. Also, since the photoreceptor 10 is configured to be filled with chips 13 and the fiber assembly 11 is wired, the structure can be simplified.

[0035] Furthermore, although the photoreceptor 10 is heated by sunlight, the inside of the photoreceptor 10 is a vacuum, which makes it difficult for heat to be conducted, thereby preventing the adverse effects of heat.

[0036] On the other hand, when light from the light collector S is supplied into the light emitter 20 through the fiber assembly 21, the light is emitted from the light emitter 20. In this case, since the light emitter 20 is formed in a spherical shape, the light can be emitted radially. Furthermore, since the fiber assembly 21 is formed by bundling a large number of optical fibers F, the light emission efficiency can be improved accordingly. In particular, since the assembly end face 22 of the fiber assembly 21 is formed as a continuous surface that connects the end faces of the optical fibers F, the light emission efficiency can be further improved.

[0037] Furthermore, since chips 23 made from chopped transparent optical fibers Fa are filled inside the light emitter 20, light is diffusely reflected while passing through, which also improves the light emission efficiency and functionality. Also, since the light emitter 20 is configured to be filled with chips 23 and the fiber assembly 21 is wired, the structure can be simplified.

[0038] As described above, in the sunlight illumination system T according to the embodiment, the light collecting device S has improved light collecting efficiency, and the light emitting device H has improved light emitting efficiency, so that the functionality of the entire system can be improved and the structure can be simplified.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a light collecting device S according to another embodiment of the present invention. This device has the same configuration as the above, but differs from the above in that the end face 12 of the fiber assembly 11 is formed into an arcuate surface. The arcuate surface may be either concave or convex. The figure shows a convex surface. This allows the light collecting area of ​​the fiber assembly 11 to be widened, further improving the light collecting efficiency. Other functions and effects are the same as those described above.

[0040] FIG. 5 shows a light collecting device S according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this configuration, the photoreceptor 10 shown in FIG. 2 is housed in a transparent, hollow, spherical outer shell 30, and the space k between the outer surface of the photoreceptor 10 and the inner surface of the outer shell 30 is evacuated. A support 14 is formed to support the outer shell 30. In this example, the assembly end surface 12 of the fiber assembly 11 is formed as a flat surface, but it may also be formed as an arc surface as shown in FIG. 4. This forms a vacuum insulating layer in the space k between the outer surface of the photoreceptor 10 and the inner surface of the outer shell 30, making it difficult for heat to be conducted, thereby reliably preventing the adverse effects of heat.

[0041] FIG. 6 shows a light emitting device H according to another embodiment of the present invention. This is configured in the same way as above, but unlike the above, the assembly end surface 22 of the fiber assembly 21 is formed into an arcuate surface. The arcuate surface may be either concave or convex. The figure shows a convex surface. This makes it possible to widen the light emitting area of ​​the fiber assembly 21, further improving the light emitting efficiency. Other functions and effects are the same as above.

[0042] It should be noted that the size and material of each part of the light collecting device S and light emitting device H according to the above embodiment are not limited to those described above and may be modified as appropriate. Also, in the sunlight lighting system T according to the above embodiment, the light receiving body 10 of the light collecting device S is provided in the building 1, but this is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, it may be installed in a garden or the like via a stand, or it may be installed anywhere outside the building 1 and may be modified as appropriate. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, and those skilled in the art will easily make many modifications to these exemplary embodiments without substantially departing from the novel teachings and effects of the present invention, and these many modifications are within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] T Solar irradiation system S Concentrator H Light emitting device 1. Building 2 Mounting part 10 Photoreceptor e space F Optical Fiber 11 Fiber assembly 12 Aggregate end face 13 chips Fa transparent optical fiber 14 Support 15 through holes 20 Emitter 21 Fiber assembly 22 Aggregate end face 23 chips 24 Holding body 25 through holes 30 outer shell k-space

Claims

1. A light collecting device comprising: a photoreceptor formed in a transparent, hollow spherical shape for receiving sunlight; and a fiber assembly formed by bundling together a number of optical fibers whose end faces are exposed within the space of the photoreceptor and which transmit light taken into the photoreceptor; wherein the space of the photoreceptor is filled with a number of chips made by cutting transparent optical fibers, so that the entire space is filled with the number of chips; the chips are formed in a cylindrical shape with a diameter D of 0.5 mm to 3 mm and a length L of 0.5 mm to 3 mm; and the end face of the fiber assembly is formed into a continuous surface that is continuous with the end faces of the optical fibers.

2. 2. The light collecting device according to claim 1, wherein an end face of said fiber assembly is formed into an arcuate surface.

3. 3. The light collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the space inside said photoreceptor is evacuated.

4. 4. The light collecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a transparent, hollow, spherical outer shell for housing the photoreceptor, and a vacuum is created between the outer surface of the photoreceptor and the inner surface of the outer shell.

5. A light-emitting device comprising: a light-emitting body formed in a transparent, hollow spherical shape that emits light; and a fiber assembly formed by bundling together a number of optical fibers whose end faces are exposed within the space of the light-emitting body and which supply the transmitted light into the space; wherein the space of the light-emitting body is filled with a number of chips made by cutting transparent optical fibers, so that the entire space is filled with the number of chips; the chips are formed in a cylindrical shape with a diameter D of 0.5 mm to 3 mm and a length L of 0.5 mm to 3 mm; and the end face of the fiber assembly is formed into a continuous surface that connects the end faces of the optical fibers.

6. 6. The light emitting device according to claim 5, wherein the end face of said fiber assembly is formed into an arcuate surface.

7. A sunlight lighting system including a light collecting device that collects sunlight from outside a building and a light emitting device that emits the light collected by the light collecting device into the interior of the building for illumination, A method for manufacturing a light collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a light receiving body of the light collecting device is provided outside a building, 7. The light emitting device according to claim 5 or 6 is used, and a light emitting body of the light emitting device is provided inside a building, A sunlight illumination system comprising the fiber aggregate of the light collecting device and the fiber aggregate of the light emitting device connected in series.

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