Spherical lighting device

Abstract

A lighting device including: a source emitting a light cone; an electronic control circuit; a wall defining an enclosure including a first area through which the light cone passes, and a second area complementary to the first area; and a diffuser directing part of the light by backscattering towards the second area. The diffuser includes a first part oriented perpendicular to the axis of revolution of the light cone and forming a first divergent lens, and a second part forming a second divergent lens having a shape of a flared truncated cone with its axis of revolution parallel to the axis of revolution of the light cone, in which a larger diameter end is closest to the light source and a smaller diameter end is adjacent to the first part and surrounds the first part.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising: a light source configured to emit light as a light cone; an electronic circuit to control the light source; a wall with a shape that defines an enclosure surrounding the light source and the electronic circuit, the wall including at least a first area corresponding to an intersection with the light cone, and a second area complementary to the first area; a diffuser comprising a material diffusing light arranged inside the enclosure between the light source and the first area, the diffuser configured to direct part of the light by backscattering towards the second area; wherein the electronic circuit is placed in a first part of the enclosure as an upper part, the light cone being emitted from the light source to a second part of the enclosure as a lower part; and wherein the diffuser comprises a first part oriented perpendicular to the axis of revolution of the light cone and forming a first divergent lens, and a second part forming a second divergent lens, the second part having a shape of a flared truncated cone with its axis of revolution parallel to the axis of revolution of the light cone, wherein a larger diameter end is closest to the light source and a smaller diameter end is adjacent to the first part and surrounds the first part.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the diffuser comprises a material that is transparent or translucent to light emitted by the light source.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the diffuser comprises a material with a reduced diffusion coefficient between 10 and 100 cm.sup.−1.

4. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the diffuser comprises a material with a reduced diffusion coefficient between 40 cm.sup.−1 and 90 cm.sup.−1.

5. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature of the second divergent lens is less than the radius of curvature of the first divergent lens.

6. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the diffuser further comprises a third part forming a third convergent lens, the third part being in a form of a flared truncated cone of which the axis of revolution is parallel to the axis of revolution of the light cone and a larger diameter end is adjacent to the second part.

7. The lighting device according to claim 5, wherein the diffuser further comprises a fourth part surrounding the control circuit and providing mechanical support for the control circuit.

8. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the diffuser is configured such that light emitted by the light source is directed toward the first part and the second part of the diffuser.

9. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is fixed to the light source.

10. The Lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit comprises at least one battery and an inductively coupled charging system for the at least one battery.

11. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is located at a height lower than the median plane of the cone.

12. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the wall foiining the enclosure comprises a transparent or translucent material.

13. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the wall forming the enclosure comprises low density polyethylene or glass.

14. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the wall forming the enclosure is between 100 μm and 1 cm thick.

15. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the diffuser comprises polyvinyl chloride.

16. A lighting system comprising a set of lighting devices according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a sectional and perspective view diagrammatically showing a lighting device.

(2) FIG. 2 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1, diagrammatically illustrating the light cone emitted by the light source and the critical areas of the globe to be illuminated.

(3) FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing a diffuser for use in the lighting device in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 shows an emission diagram of a light emitting diode.

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates the role of different parts of the diffuser in FIG. 3.

(6) FIG. 6 illustrates the results of modelling the distribution of light energy in the lighting device in FIG. 1.

(7) FIGS. 7A and 7B are photographs illustrating the performances of the lighting device in FIG. 1, without and with the diffuser in FIG. 3 respectively.

DETAILED PRESENTATION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

(8) FIG. 1 is a sectional and perspective view diagrammatically showing a lighting device.

(9) The lighting device comprises a wall 1 forming an enclosure surrounding the light source and the electronic control circuit.

(10) The shape of the enclosure may be spherical, and may form a globe inside which the light source is located. The invention is not limited to a globe-shaped enclosure, since its shape can be cubic, ovoid, or drop-shaped. An approximately spherical shape is preferred.

(11) The light source defines a 1.sup.st part, herein referred to the upper part of the enclosure containing the electronic circuit, and a 2.sup.nd part, herein referred to as the lower part of the enclosure containing the emission cone. In particular, the electronic circuit is arranged between the light source and the wall of the enclosure, opposite the light emission cone.

(12) A light source 3 for emitting light as a light cone, is located inside the globe-shaped enclosure 1 in the example illustrated. The light source 3 may for example be a light emitting diode (LED), for example an RGBW (red, green, blue, white) type power LED.

(13) A control circuit 5 of the light source 3 is also located inside the globe 1.

(14) The control circuit 5 includes for example electronic boards. In the example shown in FIG. 1, an electronic board designated reference 6 acts as a support for the light source 3. The electronic board 6 also contains components for implementing the main functions of the control circuit. For example, the electronic board 6 comprises a radiofrequency module and/or a LED driver and/or an accelerometer and/or a microcontroller. Another electronic board designated reference 7 includes, for example, a ceramic antenna.

(15) The control circuit 5 enables remote control of the intensity and colour of light emitted by the light source 3. In particular, the control circuit 5 may include a microprocessor storing a lighting sequence of the light source. The term lighting sequence means a time period during which the intensity of the source is modulated automatically.

(16) Advantageously, the control circuit 5 also includes at least one battery 8 for operation of the electronic boards and to store energy so as to obtain a self-contained wireless lighting device. As shown in FIG. 1, the batteries 8 are large in comparison with other components of the control circuit 5 inside the globe 1.

(17) As an example of the order of magnitude of the dimensions, the diameter of the globe 1 may be about 80 mm. The control circuit 5 may be cylindrical in shape, and for example its diameter may be about 36 mm and its height about 40 mm. This represents a volume of about 41 cm.sup.3 for the control circuit 5 and about 260 cm.sup.3 for the volume delimited by the enclosure 1. Thus, in general, the electronic circuit can occupy at least one-tenth of the internal volume of the enclosure. The enclosure is then divided into an upper part comprising the electronic circuit, and a lower part comprising the emission cone emitted by the light source 3.

(18) The light source 3 is for example centred in the globe 1.

(19) In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the circuit board 6 acting as support for the light source 3 is for example arranged perpendicular to the z axis. The z axis may for example be a vertical axis.

(20) In this description, the terms “upper/lower”, “up/down” and “above/below” should be understood as relating to the orientation and direction of the z axis and with respect to a plane of symmetry of the globe perpendicular to the z axis (or median plane).

(21) The light source 3 could possible be positioned at a height lower than the plane o symmetry of the globe perpendicular to the z axis.

(22) In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the circuit board 6 is positioned in the globe 1 such that the light source 3 emits light downwards. Light emitted by the light source 3 is directed towards the bottom of the globe 1. The control circuit 5 is located above the light source 3, outside the light cone emitted by the light source.

(23) The inventor discloses how a diffuser can be placed inside the globe, particularly in the emission cone of the light source, so as to obtain a globe that provides uniform illumination when the light source emits light. The function of this diffuser made from a diffusing material is to back scatter part of the light emitted by the source in the emission cone, towards parts of the enclosure not directly illuminated by the source.

(24) The term backscatter means that at least 20% of light emitted by the source in the light cone is reflected.

(25) Furthermore, the term light cone means the volume in which the light intensity emitted by the source at a given distance from the source is greater than 20% of the maximum intensity.

(26) Uniform lighting of the globe means lighting with uniform light intensity. A “material diffusing” light means a material with a low diffusion coefficient, for example between 10 and 100 cm.sup.−1, and preferably between 40 and 90 cm.sup.−1. When this diffusion coefficient is too low, and particularly lower than the lower limits specified above, the diffuser does not enable sufficient backscattering. When the diffusion coefficient is too high, and particularly higher than the upper limits specified above, backscattering is excessive.

(27) The material using for the globe 1 that diffuses light can be chosen to be a material that diffuses light, for example a thermoplastic polymer, for example a low density polyethylene (LDPE). A globe made of such a material can also be sufficiently opaque while being partially transparent to light emitted by the light source 3.

(28) According to one alternative, the globe 1 may be translucent or transparent, for example comprising glass.

(29) The globe 1 is in the form of a thin spherical wall, for example between about 100 μm and about 1 cm thick.

(30) When the globe is translucent, it preferably comprises a material with a diffusion coefficient of less than 10 cm.sup.−1. A diffuser 9 is placed inside the globe 1, at least around the light source 3. The diffuser 9 will back scatter a part of the light emitted by the light source 3.

(31) In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the diffuser 9 surrounds the light source 3 and the control circuit 5, comprising electronic boards 6 and 7 and batteries 8.

(32) FIG. 2 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1.

(33) A main part of the light cone 11 emitted by the light source 3 is diagrammatically illustrated by a triangle 11. The areas of the globe 1 surrounded by and designated as reference 13 are critical areas of the globe 1 that have to be illuminated to obtain uniform lighting of the globe. These critical areas can include shadowed areas due to the presence of the control circuit 5 located in the upper part of the globe.

(34) The diffuser 9 is intended to deflect part of the light rays in the light cone emitted upwards by the light source 3, above the light source 3, by backscattering so as to light the upper part of the globe 1 and particularly the critical areas 13.

(35) FIG. 3 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing an example of a diffuser 9 that can be used in a lighting device of the type described with reference to FIG. 1.

(36) The diffuser 9 comprises at least one part designated as reference 9a, and optional parts 9b, 9c and 9d. The first part 9a and the possible second part 9b intersect the light cone between the source and the enclosure 1.

(37) The diffuser 9 is intended to surround at least the light source 3 and possibly the control circuit 5.

(38) The diffuser 9 comprises a material that is at least partly transparent to light radiation emitted by the light source 3. The diffuser 9 may for example be made from a thermoplastic polymer, for example polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

(39) A first portion of the diffuser 9, designated as reference 9a, will face the light source 3. The part 9a extends with its surface approximately perpendicular to the axis of revolution of the light cone emitted by the light source 3 (or the main direction of light emission). The part 9a is preferably convex in shape as seen from the inside of the diffuser 9. The part 9a then forms a diverging lens. Alternately, the portion 9a is plane, for example in the shape of a flat disk, however the convex shape is preferred.

(40) A second optional portion of the diffuser 9 is designated as reference 9b and extends as a “flared” truncated cone, preferably convex in shape as seen from inside the diffuser 9, the axis of revolution of which is approximately parallel to the main direction of emitted light. The truncated cone is said to be flared because its surface is not flat. The larger diameter end of the flared truncated cone is the end closest to the light source 3 and the smaller diameter end is adjacent to the first part 9a and surrounds the first part 9a. Part 9b forms a divergent lens like part 9a, but is annular in shape. Alternatively, the portion 9b can be conical, and the side of the cone is not flared.

(41) A third optional part of the diffuser 9, designated as reference 9c, will also surround the light source 3 laterally. The part 9c is in the form of a truncated cone, preferably flared, concave as seen from inside the diffuser 9, the axis of revolution of which is approximately parallel to the principal direction of light emission. The larger diameter end of the flared truncated cone is adjacent to part 9b. The third part 9c does not intersect the emission cone of the source. Part 9c forms an annular-shaped convergent lens.

(42) Preferably, the diffuser 9 is positioned inside the globe 1 such that part of the light emitted by the light source 3 is directed towards the first and second parts 9a, 9b of the diffuser 9. In other words, the light cone intersects said portions 9a and 9b.

(43) In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the diffuser 9 is positioned so that the smaller diameter end of part 9c surrounds the support of the light source 3.

(44) A fourth optional part of the diffuser 9, designated as reference 9d, will surround the control circuit 5. The fourth part 9d of the diffuser 9 mechanically retains the control circuit 5 inside the globe 1.

(45) In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the part 9d is in the form of a cylinder of revolution the axis of revolution of which is oriented approximately parallel to the principal direction of light emission.

(46) The shape and dimensions of the example diffuser shown in FIG. 3 were selected for a lighting device comprising a light source 3 having an emission diagram of the type illustrated in FIG. 4.

(47) FIG. 4 illustrates an emission pattern of a LED, showing the relative light intensity as a function of the angle of a light ray in the light cone emitted by the LED (or emission cone). The value of the angle is calculated relative to the axis of revolution of the light cone or the main direction of the light emission. In the case of the lighting device illustrated in FIG. 1, the axis of revolution of the light cone emitted by the LED corresponds to the z axis. This diagram represents the angular distribution of light energy provided by the LED.

(48) The emission diagram in FIG. 4 corresponds to a RGBW LED of the Xlamp mc-e color type marketed by CREE.

(49) The light intensity is maximum for a ray oriented along the axis of revolution of the emission cone and decreases when the angle of inclination of the rays increases relative to the axis of revolution of the emission cone,

(50) A central portion of the emission cone corresponding to rays with an angle of between 0° and 60° (absolute value), corresponds to a relative light intensity between about 100% and 60%.

(51) A peripheral portion of the emission cone corresponding to the rays at an angle of between 60° and about 80° (absolute value), corresponds to a relative light intensity between about 60% and 20%.

(52) Rays with an angle of between about 80° and 85° (absolute value), correspond to a relative light intensity between about 20% and 5% and are not considered to be part of the light cone in the meaning of the invention.

(53) A diffuser of the type shown in FIG. 3 enables a part of the energy of the emission cone to be used to light the upper area of the globe.

(54) FIG. 5 illustrates the role of the different parts of the diffuser in FIG. 3 for a LED with an emission diagram of the type shown in FIG. 4.

(55) Part 9a of the diffuser 9 is designed to intercept a large proportion of the rays in the central portion of the emission cone (angles between about 0° and 60°). The diffuser 9 comprises of a material that is at least partly transparent to light radiation emitted by the light source 3, part of the light energy is diffused by the part 9a to a lower portion of the globe.

(56) Part 9a of the diffuser 9 enables to reduce the light power received directly by the globe, in a first area of the surface of the globe corresponding to the intersection of the light cone and the globe, while backscattering part of the light power to a second area of the surface of the globe complementary to the first area.

(57) Part 9b of the diffuser 9 is designed to intercept rays from the peripheral portion of the emission cone (angles between 60° and about 80°). An upper portion of the part 9b also intercepts a part of the rays at the edge of the emission cone (angles between about 80° and 85°). The shape of the truncated cone of part 9b is such that a peripheral portion of the emission cone is intercepted while maintaining a high light power in the main direction of light emission. Part 9b, forming a diverging lens like part 9a, widens the emission cone by intercepting part of the light rays and deflecting towards said second area of the globe surface.

(58) Part 9b of the diffuser 9 also receives additional light energy from backscattering on the inner surfaces of the diffuser 9, from light rays deviated by the portion 9a. This makes it possible to redirect reflected rays towards the upper part of the globe, above the light source.

(59) Part 9b receives less light energy than part 9a. For this reason, the radius of curvature of part 9b is preferably less than that of part 9a.

(60) Unlike parts 9a and 9b of the diffuser 9 that are designed to backscatter light emitted by the light source, the part 9c of the diffuser 9 forming a converging lens is intended to capture and focus the light rays. Part 9c makes it possible to converge part of the light rays towards the upper area of the globe to illuminate this area of the globe.

(61) The lower portion of part 9c of the diffuser intercepts a negligible part of the emission cone. This part 9c collects essentially radiation backscattered by parts 9a and 9b of the diffuser to make their distribution uniform in the upper part of the globe.

(62) The diffuser 9 enables to direct part of the light cone emitted by the light source to the second area on the surface of the globe (complementary to the first intersection area of the light cone and the globe). The material from which the globe 1 is made makes it possible to create uniform lighting over the entire surface of the globe, in the first and second areas.

(63) Advantageously, the support of the light source can be at least partly covered by a white coating, for example a white varnish. This maximizes the internal reflection of light rays in the diffuser 9, and therefore maximizes the light energy emitted by the lighting device.

(64) As an example of the order of magnitude of dimensions for the different parts of the diffuser 9, for an RGBW type power LED with an emission diagram of the type shown in FIG. 4 and a globe 1 diameter of about 80 mm: part 9a corresponding to a divergent lens has a radius of curvature for example of the order of 55 mm; part 9a corresponding to a divergent lens has a radius of curvature for example of the order of 13 mm; and part 9c corresponding to a convergent lens has a radius of curvature for example of the order of 4 mm.

(65) The skilled person will know how to change the shape and dimensions of the diffuser 9 as a function of the chosen light source, such as another type of light emitting diode. In particular, the skilled person will use the emission diagram of the chosen light source.

(66) According to one variant of the diffuser shown in FIG. 3, the diffuser 9 may include parts 9a and 9b, but not parts 9c and 9d.

(67) According to another alternative, the different parts of the diffuser 9 may be facetted to improve redistribution of light rays to different areas of the globe.

(68) The inventor has made models that illustrate the role of the diffuser 9 in alighting device of the type described with reference to FIG. 1.

(69) FIG. 6 shows a calculated distribution of light energy, in a plane of symmetry of the globe parallel to the z axis (corresponding to the sectional plane in FIG. 2).

(70) The calculations were performed for a lighting device comprising a globe 101, a circuit board located inside the globe acting as a support for a LED, and a diffuser 109 of the type illustrated in FIG. 3, surrounding the LED and the electronic board. The main direction of light emission of the LED is along the z axis. The LED emits light downwards.

(71) These results show that high energy light located in the central portion of the emission cone of the LED is directed towards a lower portion of the globe. This light energy is diffracted by part 9a of the diffuser 109.

(72) These results also show that the diffuser 109 widens the emission cone and directs light rays towards the upper part of the globe 101, above the light source. In particular, these results show that the diffuser 109 can illuminate critical areas 13 of the globe highlighted in FIG. 2.

(73) The globe itself, due to the choice of a material that diffuses light, makes lighting of the globe uniform (the material specifically chosen for the globe was not taken into account in the model).

(74) FIGS. 7A and 7B are photographs illustrating the performances of a lighting device of the type illustrated in FIG. 1, without a diffuser and a with a diffuser of the type shown in FIG. 3 respectively.

(75) FIG. 7A (without a diffuser), clearly shows that a lower part of the globe is brightly lit, then the remainder of the globe is only lit dimly. It can also be seen that the light halos generated by the globe are cone-shaped facing downwards.

(76) FIG. 7B (with diffuser and under the same conditions) shows that the globe is almost entirely illuminated. The globe is also illuminated uniformly. We can also see that light halos generated by the globe are approximately spherical in shape and surround the globe.

(77) One advantage of a lighting device of the type described with reference to FIG. 1 lies in the fact that it can provide uniform lighting of the globe.

(78) Another advantage of such a lighting device is related to the fact that the diffuser forms a resonant cage for light rays. This maximizes light energy emitted by the illumination device.

(79) Another advantage of such a lighting device is related to the fact that the diffuser is used to position and hold the components of the control circuit in position in the globe.

(80) Another advantage of such a lighting device lies in the possibility of integrating most electronic components required for the operation of the device inside the globe itself, without these elements being perceived from the outside.

(81) This results in a compact lighting device with an improved visual appearance. This also makes it possible to install electronic components such as batteries inside the globe to make a self-contained lighting device.

(82) In addition, by arranging a battery and a inductively coupled battery charging circuit inside the globe, the battery of the lighting device can be recharged without any wire connection by placing the lighting device close to or in contact with a special purpose support. A wireless lighting device is thus obtained.

(83) Another advantage of a lighting device of the type described with reference to FIG. 1 lies in the fact that the use of a diffuser inside the globe makes it possible to use a single light source. This facilitates control of the light intensity and the lighting colour of the globe.

(84) The inventor also discloses how a lighting system can be made comprising a set of lighting devices (or globes or light spheres) like that described with reference to FIG. 1.

(85) Such a lighting system comprises for example at least 1000 globes or light spheres, for example arranged in a matrix of 32 rows and 32 columns. The light spheres may be connected by wires to a ceiling light.

(86) Such a lighting system makes it possible to control the movement (for example vertical), the light intensity and/or the colour of each light sphere “pixel”) independently of other light spheres.