Light distribution controlling apparatus, luminous flux density controlling apparatus and partitioning method

• US 6,542,303 B1
• Filed: 12/29/2000
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha S.T.I. Japan
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha S.T.I. Japan
• Inventors: Oyama, Nobuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Adams, Russell
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cruz, Magda
• Application Number:
  US09/720,738
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 359/591, 359/592, 359/593
• US Class Current: 359/591
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2417 Light path control; means to control reflection
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/24 Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blindsoperating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 11/00 Non-electric lighting devices or systems using daylight roofs with sky-light opening E04D13/03; sun blinds for windows with means for redirecting light onto ceiling of a room E06B9/00; hybrid lighting devices combining artificial and natural light F21S19/00; solar heat collectors F24S; solar cells or solar cell modules H01L31/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0215 the surface having a regular structure
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0221 the surface having an irregular structure G02B5/0226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0278 used in transmission

Abstract

An area or a part which is shaded or does not receive a sufficient amount of light due to a structure or other objects is irradiated by light distribution control or luminous flux density control with diffusion, refraction, division and the like of light. Sunbeams are diffused by a transparent body disposed above two buildings, and the diffused light reaches an area or a part that has conventionally been shaded.

Claims

1. A light distribution controlling apparatus comprising:

a source of light;

a building, said building having an area, said area having a part which is shaded by an obstacle from said source of light;

a transparent body suspended above said building having a first surface and a second surface;

said light being incident on said first surface;

said light being output from said second surface onto said part;

said transparent body performing an operation selected from the group consisting of;

diffusion,

refraction,

division, and

a combination of diffusion and refraction.

2. A light distribution controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first surface of said transparent body comprises a form selected from the group consisting of:

a flat plate form, and

a film form.

3. A light distribution controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transparent body comprises a form selected from the group consisting of:

a bundle of multiple mono-filaments;

bar-shaped bodies,

an array of multiple mono-filaments or bar-shaped bodies, and

a textile into which multiple mono-filaments or bar-shaped bodies are woven.

4. A light distribution controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second surface of said transparent body has a form selected from the group consisting of:

a flat plate form, and

a film form.

5. A light distribution controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first surface comprises further protrusions, said protrusions being formed in parallel with each other.

6. A light distribution controlling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said protrusions have a cross section selected from the group consisting of:

an arc form,

an angle form, and

a wave form.

7. A light distribution controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second surface comprises further protrusions, said protrusions being formed in parallel with each other.

8. A light distribution controlling appartus according to claim 7, wherein said protrusions have a cross section selected from the group consisting of:

an arc form,

an angle form, and

a wave form.

9. A light distribution controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a second transparent body is disposed between said obstacle and said building.

10. A light distribution controlling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said obstacle is a second building.

11. A luminous flux density controlling apparatus comprising:

light;

a first area;

a first portion of said light being incident on said first area;

a second area;

a second portion of said light being incident on said second area;

a transparent body interposed between said light and said first area;

wherein said transparent body increases said second portion of light incident on said second area and reduces said first portion of light incident on said first area by performing on the first portion an operation selected from the group consisting of;

diffusion,

refraction,

division, and

complex of diffusion and refraction.

12. A luminous flux density controlling apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said transparent body comprises further a surface;

and

wherein said surface has a form selected from the group consisting of;

a flat plate form, and

a film form.

13. A luminous flux density controlling apparatus according to claim 11, said transparent body comprises a form selected from the group consisting of:

a bundle of multiple mono-filaments;

bar-shaped bodies,

an array of multiple mono-filaments or bar-shaped bodies, and

a textile into which multiple mono-filaments or bar-shaped bodies are woven.

14. A luminous flux density controlling apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said surface comprises further protrusions, said protrusions being formed in parallel with each other.

15. A luminous flux density controlling apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said protrusions have a cross section selected from the group consisting of:

an arc form,

an angle form, and

a wave form.

16. A partitioning method comprising the steps of:

partitioning a space into a first part and a second part with a partition, wherein a view from said first part of an object in said second part is obstructed by said partition;

conducting daylight to said first part of said space;

diffusing said daylight using a transparent body; and

transmitting said daylight to said second part.

17. A partitioning method according to claim 16, wherein said transparent body comprises a form selected from the group consisting of:

a flat plate form, and

a film form.

18. A partitioning method according to claim 16, wherein said transparent body comprises a form selected from the group consisting of:

a bundle of multiple mono-filaments,

bar-shaped bodies,

an array of multiple mono-filaments and bar-shaped bodies, and

a textile into which multiple mono-filaments and bar-shaped bodies are woven.

19. A partitioning method according to claim 16, wherein said transparent body comprises further a surface, said surface having multiple protrusions are formed in parallel with each other.

20. A partitioning method according to claim 19, wherein said protrusions have a cross section selected from the group consisting of:

an arc form,

an angle form, and

a wave form.

21. A partitioning method comprising the steps of:

partitioning a space into a first part and a second part;

conducting daylight to said first part;

refracting said daylight using a transparent body; and

transmitting said daylight to said second part.

22. A partitioning method according to claim 21, wherein said transparent body comprises a form selected from the group consisting of:

a flat plate form, and

a film form.