Method and a device for illumination

• US 6,988,820 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2001
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mauri Drufva
• Original Assignee: Mauri Drufva
• Inventors: Drufva, Mauri
• Primary Examiner(s): Cariaso, Alan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zeade, Bertrand
• Application Number:
  US10/451,257
• Publication Number:
  US 20040027669A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,496 Days
• Field of Search: 362/277, 362/290, 362/292, 362/317, 362/354, 362/342, 362/555, 362/234, 362/235, 362/236, 362/237, 362/244, 362/246, 362/311, 362/559, 362/565, 359/558, 359566-576, 40560-562, 404/42, 404/63, 405/47
• US Class Current: 362/559
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/023 by selectively switching fixed light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/043 by selectively switching fixed light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/00 Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/508
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/406 for theatres, stages or film studios
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/004 simulating flames

Abstract

The invention relates to an illumination device for producing an illumination pattern (6) with a variable shape and luminous intensity to a target (5). The illumination device comprises at least partly translucent and light-reflecting optical piece (1), several light sources (3) producing a conical light pattern, fixed in such a manner that the position and angle of the same can be adjusted in relation to each other and/or to the optical piece (1), and an electronic control unit (4) that is electrically coupled to each light source (3) in such a manner that the intensity of the light produced by each light source (3) can be adjusted under the control of the control unit (4). The optical piece (1) is attached in such a manner that the light beams produced by the light sources (3) are arranged to propagate at least partly via the optical piece (1) to the target (5) to be illuminated. The light beams produced by each light source (3) are arranged to form a part of the illumination pattern (6) produced by means of the illumination device, the form of said illumination pattern being substantially independent of the external form of the optical piece. The invention also relates to a method for producing an illumination pattern (6) with a variable shape and luminous intensity to a target. In the method, conical light patterns are produced by means of several light sources (3), of which light patterns at least some are directed via the optical piece (1) to the target (5) to be illuminated. The shape of the illumination pattern (6) produced by means of the method is substantially independent of the external shape of the optical piece.

Claims

1. An illumination device for producing an illumination pattern with a variable shape and luminous intensity to a target, which device comprises:

an optical piece that is at least partly translucent and light refracting;

several light sources each producing a conical light pattern directed to the optical piece and at least partially propagating at least partially via the optical piece to the target, a position and angle of the light sources being adjustable in relation to at least one of each other and the optical piece, the light beam produced by each light source forming only a part of the illumination pattern produced by the illumination device, the shape of the illumination pattern is independent of the external shape of any optical piece to which the light sources are directed such that the illumination pattern does not resemble the external shape of the optical piece; and

an electronic control unit that is electrically coupled to each light source in such a manner that the intensity of the light produced by each light source can be adjusted under the control of the control unit, the control unit comprising a control program operative to control the intensity of the light produced by each light source and to make the produced illumination pattern vivid with respect to time.

2. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein it is fixedly coupled as a part of a generally known illuminator.

3. The illumination device according to claim 2, wherein a structural part separating the illumination part is coupled to the device.

4. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light sources are LED components.

5. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit is implemented by microprocessor technology or digital circuit technology and wherein pulse width modulation is arranged to be used in the control of the luminous intensity of the light sources.

6. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the optical piece is made of glass or plastic, and it is intentionally shaped into an irregular form, deviating substantially from a rectangular prism or ball segment or rotation paraboloid or another corresponding regular geometric piece.

7. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein there are several optical pieces located successively and/or next to each other.

8. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the light-producing light sources is replaced with a combination of a light source and an optical fiber in such a manner that the first end of the optical fiber is optically connected to a light-producing light source wherein the second end of the optical fiber is arranged to produce a light beam directed to the optical piece.

9. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the target surface is a fixed part of the device.

10. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said structural parts are arranged to be coupled in such a manner that the position of the same in relation to the rest of the device is arranged to be changed during the function of the device.

11. A method for forming an illumination pattern with a variable shape and luminous intensity to a target, the method comprising:

producing conical light patterns with a plurality of several light sources;

directing at least a portion of the light patterns to an at least partly translucent and light-refracting optical piece;

propagating the at least a portion of the light patterns at least partly via the optical piece to the target to be illuminated, the light beam produced by each light source propagates via the same optical piece, the light beam produced by each light source forming only a part of the illumination pattern produced by means of the illumination device, the shape of the illumination pattern being independent of the external shape of any optical piece to which the light sources are directed such that the illumination pattern does not resemble the external shape of the optical piece; and

controlling the intensity of the light produced by each light source with a control program to make the illumination pattern vivid as a function of time.