EP1853786A2

EP1853786A2 - Planar or substantially planar luminous structure

Info

Publication number: EP1853786A2
Application number: EP06726193A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Xavier Fanton; Thomas Bertin Mourot; Guillaume Auday; Jingwei Zhang
Original assignee: Saint Gobain Glass France SAS; Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA
Current assignee: Saint Gobain Glass France SAS; Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA
Priority date: 2005-02-22
Filing date: 2006-02-22
Publication date: 2007-11-14
Also published as: CA2598211A1; CN101189407A; US20080158855A1; US8169130B2; TW200703413A; FR2882423B1; KR20070108873A; FR2882423A1; JP2008532211A; WO2006090085A2; CN101189407B; WO2006090085A3

Abstract

The invention concerns a luminous structure and more precisely a planar or substantially planar luminous structure (1000) comprising two walls (2, 3) having main facing surfaces (21 to 32) and delimiting an inner space (10), a light source (6) arranged in the inner space and an electric power supply for said source, the structure having at least one substantially transparent portion or a largely transparent portion to form at least one light shaft, the structure being capable of illuminating via at least one luminous zone of at least one of said main surfaces (21 to 32), an element (100) having a reflecting surface (109) in the visible range arranged opposite at least one portion of the luminous zone. The invention is characterized in that said element is switchable, said reflecting surface being capable of turning into a substantially or largely transparent surface over at least one area and vice versa.

Description

LUMINOUS STRUCTURE PLANE OR SIGNIFICANTLY PLANE

The present invention relates to a light structure, and more specifically to a light structure comprising two walls having facing main faces and delimiting an internal space, a light source disposed in the internal space and a power supply of said source, the structure having at least one substantially transparent portion or a generally transparent portion to form at least one light well, the structure being capable of illuminating by at least one light zone of at least one of said main faces, an element having a reflective surface in the visible disposed facing at least a portion of the light area.

Among the known light structures are flat lamps generally used for the manufacture of backlit devices. These flat lamps may consist of two sheets of glass held at a small distance from each other, generally less than a few millimeters, and hermetically sealed so as to enclose a gas under reduced pressure in which an electric discharge occurs. a radiation generally in the ultraviolet range which excites a photoluminescent material, of the type commonly known as phosphors, which then emits visible light.

In a current structure, a first sheet of glass carries on the same face two serigraphed coatings, in particular silver, in the form of interpenetrating combs constituting a cathode and an anode. This so-called internal face is turned towards the space containing the plasma gas. A second sheet of glass is kept at a distance from the first by means of point spacers and possibly a peripheral frame. There occurs between the anode and the cathode a coplanar discharge, that is to say in a direction along the main surface of the glass substrate, discharge that excites the surrounding plasma gas. The electrodes are protected by a dielectric coating intended by capacitive limitation of the current to prevent a loss of material of the electrodes by ion bombardment in the vicinity of the glass substrate. The inner face of the second glass sheet carries a coating of photoluminescent material. In addition, there is an increased demand for so-called "intelligent" glazing which can be modulated some of the properties at will.

The document US6679617 discloses a plane lamp that can be used as a window, that is to say capable of transmitting visible light in the off state (Off state), and of illuminating in the energized state (on state). for example a room and / or outside.

To do this, the coating of photoluminescent material is present only in certain areas of the inner face of the second glass sheet, thus defining light areas - for example in the form of strips - whose mutual spacing increases in one direction.

In addition, in order to increase the lighting of the room, the second sheet of glass comprises on its outer face reflecting strips facing the light strips. Improved lighting of the room is therefore achieved at the expense of light transmission. The invention relates to a light structure - flat, substantially flat or more widely elongated - capable of providing optimum illumination while maintaining a satisfactory light transmission.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a light structure comprising:

two walls having opposite main faces and delimiting an internal space,

a source of light disposed in the internal space and a power supply of said source, the structure having at least a substantially transparent or globally transparent part forming a skylight and the structure being able to illuminate by at least one light zone; at least one of said main faces,

an element having a reflective surface in the visible disposed facing at least a part of the light zone, said element being switchable, said reflecting surface being capable of becoming a substantially transparent surface or generally transparent on at least one area and vice -versa.

Thus, the switchable element associated with the light structure makes it possible to obtain the desired performances in terms of light transmission and lighting. In general, the structure can be fitted to any building window or means of locomotion (train window, boat cabin or aircraft portholes, roof windows, industrial vehicle side windows or even portions of rear window or windows). -broken). One can also think of equipping the structure according to the invention, the glazing, the internal partitions between the rooms in a building, especially in offices, or between two zones / compartments of means of locomotion terrestrial, air or sea, or for equip showcases or any type of container. In addition, the light structure can be an integral part of a double glazing to replace one of the double glazed windows or associated, for example incorporated, double glazing.

The invention also aims at producing illuminating architectural and decorative elements and / or with a display function, such as especially planar luminaires, luminous walls in particular suspended, luminous slabs ...

In the present invention, the portion of the light well structure (respectively a surface of the switchable element) is described as substantially transparent (part of the surface). In the present invention, the portion of the light well structure (respectively a surface of the switchable element) of a material which is capable of absorbing or reflecting a substantial fraction of the light radiation but which is distributed with respect to a certain surface of the structure (respectively of the switchable element) in a pattern such that visible light is sufficiently transmitted.

Such a material may be arranged in a grid or in an array of geometric patterns. This arrangement can be obtained from a coating deposited by any means known to those skilled in the art such as liquid deposits, vacuum deposits (magnetron sputtering, evaporation), by pyrolysis (powder or gas route) or by serigraphy. It is possible to use masking systems to obtain directly the desired distribution, or to burn a uniform coating by laser ablation, by chemical or mechanical etching. This material may also be a functional material, for example an opaque photoluminescent material of the light source or the reflective material of the switchable element and / or a decorative material.

Preferably, at least in the skylight, the transmission factor - or the overall transmittance in the presence of relatively absorbent and / or reflective material - around 550 nm is greater than or equal to 10%, preferably greater than or equal to at 30%, even more preferably greater than or equal to 50%, and even greater than or equal to 70%.

More preferably still, the light transmission (overall, where appropriate) is greater than or equal to 10%, preferably greater than or equal to 30%, even more preferably greater than or equal to 50%, and even greater than or equal to 70%.

In addition, it may be advantageous to incorporate in the light structure according to the invention a coating having a given functionality. It may be a coating with blocking function of infrared wavelength radiation (for example using one or more silver layers surrounded by dielectric layers, or nitride layers such as TiN or ZrN or of metal oxides or of steel or Ni-Cr alloy), with a low-emissive function (for example doped metal oxide such as SnO ₂ : F or tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) or one or more silver layers), anti-fog (using a hydrophilic layer), antifouling (photocatalytic coating comprising at least partially crystallized TiO ₂ in anatase form), or an antireflection stack of the type for example Si ₃ N ₄ ZSiO ₂ ZSi ₃ N ₄ ZSiO ₂ .

The light structure may be semi-transparent in the sense that one or more areas may be globally or substantially transparent (for example in the central area of a window) and one or more areas may be opaque or semi-opaque (for example one or window borders).

An opaque or generally transparent or substantially transparent area may include a decorative or display light pattern such as a logo or a mark.

An opaque zone can play a role of occultation, to preserve the intimacy.

The light structure may comprise one or two light faces, the lighting may be uniform on one or each face, or be linked to one or more areas. It is possible to create on one and the same surface one or more intense light zones and one or more sifted light zones.

The light structure can be of any size depending on the desired application. The walls may be of any shape: a contour may be polygonal, concave or convex, in particular square or rectangular, or curved, of constant or variable radius of curvature, in particular round or oval.

The walls may be flat or curved, and are preferably maintained at a constant distance for example by spacers such as glass beads.

The walls may preferably be glass substrates, optical effect, including colored, decorated, structured, diffusing ....

The structure may be sealed by a mineral route with a glass frit for example. The switchable element is preferably of the same shape as the walls, for example planar.

The structure may comprise a single switchable element serving for one or all the light areas of a given face or may comprise a plurality of switchable elements dedicated to predefined light areas of a given face or both faces.

In an advantageous embodiment, the reflecting surface is disposed outside the internal space.

Preferably, a portion or the entire switchable member may be disposed outside the inner space. In this way, it is for example possible to easily associate a conventional light structure with the switchable element.

The switchable element with the reflecting surface may have an external reflection factor of less than or equal to 30% around 550 nm, preferably less than or equal to 20%, even more preferably less than or equal to 10%.

Preferably, the switchable element with the reflective surface may furthermore have an external luminous reflection Ru measured at normal incidence which is less than or equal to 30% (averaged over the wavelength range of the visible), preferably less than or equal to 20%. This makes it possible to control the level of reflection of the light structure, for example to comply with the anti-glare standards in force for the facades of buildings.

Preferably, the switchable element with the reflective surface may have an internal light reflection Rι2 of greater than or equal to 50%, preferably greater than or equal to 60%, and still 70% more preferably, for a better efficiency.

The switchable element with the substantially transparent surface may have, in said area, a light transmission T _L greater than or equal to 10%, preferably greater than or equal to 25%, even more preferably greater than or equal to 50%.

Similarly, the switchable element with the substantially transparent surface may have in said area a light transmission T _L greater than or equal to 10%, preferably greater than or equal to 25%, even more preferably greater than or equal to 50%.

The switchable element with the reflective surface, may further have, in said area, a light transmission T _L less than or equal to 10%, preferably less than or equal to 1%; still more preferably greater than or equal to 0.1%. Preferably, the structure may comprise means for adjusting the reflection level of the reflecting surface.

It is thus possible to choose to place said surface in an intermediate state, for example to obtain an internal light reflection R 1 2 of the order of 50% and a light transmission T _L of the order of 30%, in order mainly to redirect the light towards one side, for example the interior of a room, while leaving a portion of the light illuminate the other side, for example the outside, to provide ambient lighting.

Thus, first and second light areas being respectively associated with said faces, the lighting is asymmetrical. For example, one can choose a lighting distribution 80% -20%.

Furthermore, the switchable element and the light source may be capable of operating independently.

It is thus possible to multiply the functionalities by decoupling the operations. Leaving the reflective surface when the light source is energized, one promotes lighting on one side (unidirectional lighting). Leaving the reflective surface when the light source is not powered, we obtain mirror functions and / or occultation. By leaving the transparent surface when the light source is energized, bidirectional lighting can be achieved. By leaving the transparent surface, when the light source is not powered, the light transmission is optimized.

The light structure may include one or more opaque areas (light or not) and one or more areas of transparency (bright or not). The structure may comprise an area at least generally opaque periphery, preferably bright and associated with the surface being reflective or transparent.

This opaque zone may be a continuous background or form a logo, a commercial name, a drawing, or for example be in the form of a network of opaque geometric patterns (square, round etc.) for example in gradient, the size of the pattern going decreasing towards the center of the structure, keeping for example a constant spacing between each row of pattern (s).

The light zone can substantially cover said main face, and preferably provide uniform illumination. According to one characteristic, the intensity I may be greater than or equal to

100 Cd / m ² , preferably greater than or equal to 500 Cd / m ² .

Moreover, the light flow L may be greater than or equal to 300 Lumen, preferably greater than or equal to 500 Lumen for a surface area of 0.4 m ² .

The element with the reflective surface allows a gain in intensity greater than or equal to 20%.

The lighting of several light zones - distributed on the same wall or on both walls - can be differentiated.

In a configuration of the invention, the structure comprising a plurality of light zones associated with one of said faces, the coverage rate of the light areas is preferably greater than or equal to 10%, preferably greater than or equal to 50%.

The boundaries of the light zone may be sharp or fuzzy. In an advantageous embodiment, the switchable element comprises a reversible electrochemical mirror. Such an electrochemical mirror (REM in English) is for example disclosed in the article entitled "Reversible Electrochemical Mirror (REM) Smart Window", DMTench et al., Proceedings 203rd Meeting of the Electrochemical Society, April 27-May 2, 2003; p. 1294. The reversible electrochemical mirror may comprise successively: a first substrate, first nucleation sites, an electrolyte, second nucleation sites, a second substrate, and between the first and second nucleation sites of the atoms of a metallic material. the first nucleation sites being sufficiently distant for the metallic material to form said transparent surface by electrodeposition, the second nucleation sites being sufficiently close together for the metallic material to form said reflective surface by electrodeposition.

The metallic material may be silver, copper, bismuth; and glass-type substrates. To provide the current can be used two transparent electroconductive layers associated with the substrates. The switchable element may also comprise a stack comprising an active layer based on metal hydride or rare earth hydride for example based on gadolinium hydride and magnesium, yttrium, or lanthanum or else an alloy comprising nickel and magnesium, the active layer having the reflective surface capable of being transparent by means of a gas reserve or by means of electrochromic operation by monovalent ion migration, such as H +, Li +, K + - ("all solid").

A first type of switchable element with gas reserve is for example disclosed in the article entitled "Mg-Ni-H films as selective coatings; tunable reflectance by layered hydrogenation ", J.L.M van Michelen et al., Applied Physics Letters, Vol 84, number 18, pp 3651-3653, 27, 2004.

A second type of switchable element "all solid" is for example disclosed in the article entitled "Solid state gadolinium-magnesium optical switch", R Armitage et al., Applied Physics Letters, Vol 75, number 13, pp 1863- 1865,27, September 1999. In an all-solid type operation, this stack may comprise successively: the active layer based on metal hydride or rare earths, a layer of palladium, - an electrolyte layer, such as Ta ₂ O ₅ or ZrO ₂ , a layer of tungsten oxide.

The assembly is for example deposited by magnetron sputtering on a substrate, the assembly can be laminated with one or two susbtrats or be assembled with a gas strip in a double glazed type structure. To provide an electric current, it is possible to use as electrodes two transparent electroconductive layers (ITO, SnO ₂ : F ...).

In the embodiment with an active layer based on rare earth metal hydride or alloy, the reflective surface may be disposed outside the internal space and preferably be closest to the internal space .

In this way, the reflective surface is closest to the light source and furthermore the switchable element has an external controlled light reflection Rn.

The light source may comprise a photoluminescent material and preferably at least one of the walls has an inner surface coated at least partially with said photoluminescent material.

Such a material is activatable under the action of uv radiation excitation.

It is also possible to envisage an electroluminescent material or a plasmagene gas emitting in the visible or more generally any phosphor material activatable by electron beam, X-rays or gamma radiation.

All or part of the inner face of at least one of the two walls may be coated (directly or indirectly) with photoluminescent material.

In the case of an activation by a plasmagene gas, a differentiated distribution of the photoluminescent in certain zones of the internal face makes it possible to convert the energy of the plasma into visible radiations only in the zones in question, in order to constitute zones of light ( themselves opaque or transparent depending on the nature of the photoluminescent) and permanently transparent areas juxtaposed (forming the skylight). The photoluminescent material may advantageously be selected or adapted to determine the color of the illumination in a wide range of colors.

The light zone can be located at the edge. The light zone can also form a network of geometric patterns (lines, studs, circles, squares or any other shape) and the spacings between patterns and / or the pattern sizes can be variable (uni or two-dimensional network, entanglement of several subnetworks ). The patterns can be any luminescent material.

Preferably, in order to preserve a satisfactory light transmission, when the photoluminescent material is relatively opaque, its width is limited, for example to a few tens of mm. Nevertheless, a luminous efficacy is preserved.

A red color is obtained for example with (Y, Gd) BO ₃ : Eu, the green color with LaPO ₄ : Ce, Tb and the blue color with BaMgAI ₁₀ Oi ₇ : Eu. Advantageously, the luminescent material may be substantially transparent and preferably comprises phosphor particles dispersed in a matrix.

A red color is obtained with YVO ₄ : Eu or Y ₂ O ₃ : Eu, the green color with LaPO ₄ : Ce, Tb. The matrix is, for example, inorganic and comprises, in a particularly preferred manner, lithium silicate. Alternatively, the matrix comprises a polymerization / polycondensation product of silicon alkoxide such as tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), tetramethoxysilane (TMOS), methyltriethoxysilane (MTEOS) and the like. These precursors of the matrix offer excellent conditions of compatibility with many phosphor particles among those mentioned above.

The structure may incorporate a flat lamp with various electrode configurations: coplanar external or internal electrodes as described in US2004 / 0155571 A1 and US006034470, two electrodes respectively associated with both walls and outside the internal space, as described in WO2004 / 015739A2, an electrode on each inner face of the walls, as described in Kwak et al., IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Vol 31, No. 1, 2003, p. 176-179, a hybrid structure, an electrode being on an inner face, the other on an outer face.

The switchable element can be used to improve the lighting to the outside or that of a room.

The power supply may preferably comprise two electrodes outside the internal space and respectively associated with the chosen walls of the glass type.

One or the electrodes may for example be in the form of a conductive grid, preferably allowing the light to pass through by the nature of the conductor and / or by the fineness and pitch of the gate, for example integrated in a glass substrate ( reinforced glass) or in a plastic film, such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or other, optionally inserted between two sheets of plastic.

The electrodes may also be in the form of layers that can cover all or part of the external or internal faces. It is possible to provide only certain areas of the face of one or walls to create on the same surface predefined light areas.

For example, in plane-plane technology (non-coplanar electrodes), these layers may be in the form of a network of parallel bands, with a bandwidth of between 0.1 and 15 mm, and a non-conductive space between two adjacent bands. , wider than the width of the bands. These layers can then be shifted by 180 ° so as to avoid facing each other between two opposite conductive strips of the two walls. This advantageously makes it possible to reduce the effective capacity of the glass substrates, favoring the supply of the lamp and its efficiency in lumen / W.

These layers may consist of any conductive material capable of being formed into a plane element which allows light to pass, in particular which can be deposited in a thin layer on glass or on a film of plastics material such as PET. It is preferred to form a transparent coating, especially from a conductive metal oxide or having electronic gaps, such as fluorine-doped tin oxide or mixed indium oxide and tin, ITO type.

The structure may comprise at least one transparent element covering one of the electrodes and chosen from a glass substrate and / or a plastic film.

The transparent element may be coated on its outer face with a low emissive or solar control layer.

More generally, the structure may comprise a low emissivity or solar control layer.

The space between the walls can be kept constant and preferably the structure is flat. For gain in thickness and integration, the structure may be further hybrid in the sense that at least one element is common between the part including the light source and the switchable element.

The invention further provides a set or kit ready for use, which comprises at least one light structure, and / or its constituent elements to combine as described above.

The invention also proposes the use of the light structure as previously described as glazing of a vehicle, as a building window.

The invention finally proposes a double glazing incorporating at least one light structure as described above.

The invention will be detailed below by way of nonlimiting examples illustrated by the following figures: FIG. 1: cross-sectional view of a plane luminous structure with switchable element in a first embodiment of the invention ; FIG. 2: front view of a first arrangement of the photoluminescent material of the light structure in a first variant of the first embodiment of the invention; o Figure 3: front view of a second arrangement of the photoluminescent material of the light structure in a second variant of the first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4: front view of a third arrangement of the photoluminescent material of the light structure in a third variant of the first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5: front view of a fourth arrangement of the photoluminescent material of the light structure in a fourth variant of the first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a plane luminous structure with a switchable element in a second embodiment of the invention; o Figure 7: Arrangement of the photoluminescent material of the light structure in a variant of the second embodiment of the invention; o Figures 8 and 9: front views of systems incorporating one to more switchable element light structures according to the invention; o figure 10: side view of an illuminating double glazing according to the invention

It is specified that for the sake of clarity the various elements of the objects represented are not necessarily reproduced on the scale.

EXAMPLE 1

This refers to the glazing shown schematically in Figure 1 (without respecting the scales between the various materials shown to facilitate reading).

FIG. 1 shows a structure 1000 comprising: - a plane lamp 1 consisting mainly of two substrates made of first and second glass sheets 2, 3 delimiting an internal space 10 having an outer face 21, 31, - a switchable element 100 having a reflective surface or substantially transparent in the visible, arranged opposite the outer face 31.

The inner face 22, 32 of the first and second glass sheets 2, 3 carries a coating of transparent photoluminescent material 6, 7 emitting for example a white light.

On the outer faces 21, 31 are directly deposited conductive and continuous conductive coatings 4, 5 constituting first and second electrodes, preferably transparent, for example SnO ₂ : F or ITO.

The electrodes 4, 5 are connected to a power source high frequency by soft foils 1 1 a, 1 1 b.

The switchable element 100 also comprises electrodes 102, 106 preferably in the form of transparent layers, for example fluorinated doped SnO ₂ . A potential difference of typically between-1 V and + 1 V is applied.

On the side of the outer face 21 is placed a transparent plastic film of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) type, 14 which serves as laminating interlayer with a glass sheet 16. It is also possible to use an adhesive resin.

As a variant of non-coplanar electrode structures, the plastic film 14 may incorporate the electrode 4 - in the form of a metal grid - such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) - or the electrode 4 may also be on the inner face of the glass sheet 16 or in the glass sheet 16 (reinforced glass).

This glass sheet 16 is preferably coated on its outer face with a layer (monolayer or multilayer) transparent 17 low emissive or solar control.

It is also possible, in another variant, to place a flexible or rigid transparent plastic film 14 - PET, ionomer resin, etc. - which can serve as a protective substrate for the first electrode 4. It is also possible, in a new variant, to provide a plastic sheet. transparent such as a polycarbonate and a spacer such as polyurethane.

On the side of the outer face 31 is placed a transparent plastic film 15, for example EVA, or a suitable resin which serves as a lamination interlayer with a glass substrate 101 forming part of the switchable element 100. As a variant, the film plastic 15 may incorporate the electrode 5 - in the form of a grid - or comprise on its internal face the electrode 5. The electrode may also be on the glass substrate 101.

It is also possible to use any type of adhesive capable of adhering the sheets of glass 3, 101 to one another. The sheets 2, 3 are associated with facing their second faces 22, 32 carrying the transparent photoluminescent material 6, 7 and are assembled for example by means of a sealing frit 8, the spacing between the glass sheets being imposed (at a value generally less than 5 mm) by spacers 9 glass arranged between the sheets. Here, the gap is on the order of 0.3 to 5 mm, for example 0.4 to 2 mm.

The spacers 9 may have a spherical shape. The spacers may be coated, at least on their side surface exposed to the plasma gas atmosphere, of the same or different from the transparent photoluminescent material 6, 7.

In the space 10 between the glass sheets 2, 3 there is a reduced pressure, generally of the order of one-tenth of an atmosphere, of rare gas such as xenon, optionally mixed with neon or helium.

A glass sheet 2 has, close to the periphery, a hole 12 pierced in its thickness, the external orifice of which is obstructed by a sealing pellet 13, in particular made of copper welded to the outer face of the sheet carrying the electrode 4.

The manufacturing method of part 1 with the light source is described in WO2004 / 015739 A2. The switchable element 100 is a reversible electrochemical mirror successively comprising:

the glass substrate 101, or alternatively a transparent plastic substrate, such as a PET-based material or any composite substrate,

the first electrode 102, the first nucleation sites 103, for example platinum,

an electrolyte 104, for example a mixture of AgI and LiBr in a gamma-butyrolactone solvent,

second nucleation sites 105, for example platinum,

the second electrode 106, a transparent substrate, preferably a glass sheet 107, or alternatively a transparent plastic substrate or any composite, flexible or rigid substrate,

- Optionally a low emissive or solar control layer 108. The first nucleation sites 103 are close to each other while the second nucleation sites 105 are distant from each other. M + atoms of a metallic material, preferably silver, are capable of forming by electroplating a reflective surface 109 or semi-reflective (intermediate state) on the first sites 103, or a surface substantially transparent (not shown), in the form of conductive islands, on the second sites 105.

Means (not shown) for adjusting the reflection level of the reflective surface are provided by adjusting the voltage, measuring the amount of current, or by electrical resistance measurements.

The switchable element 100 and the plane lamp 1 are capable of operating independently. The structure 1000 has a light transmission T _L greater than or equal to 30%.

Preferably, the structure 1000 is used as illuminating glazing. For example, the side of the structure is oriented with the switchable element towards the outside of a building or a vehicle. We promote the lighting of the enclosed space.

With the reflecting surface 109, the intensity I of the lighting on the side of the face 31 is at least 500 Cd / m ² , an estimated gain of about 30% compared to a conventional light structure. The light flux L is at least 500 Lumen for an area of 0.4 m ² , an estimated gain of about 30%.

The reflecting surface 109 further has the solar control property.

By leaving the reflecting surface, when the plane lamp is off, we obtain mirror functions and / or occultation. Leaving the surface transparent when the lamp is turned on provides bidirectional lighting. By leaving the transparent surface, when the lamp is off, a conventional window is produced with a maximum light transmission T _L.

In a variant of this mode, the reflecting surface covers an area smaller than that of the outer face, for example by arranging a smaller element or by limiting the first and second nucleation sites to one or more zones.

The transparent photoluminescent materials 6 completely covering the internal faces, the lighting is uniformly distributed.

In a first variant, shown in FIG. 2, the photoluminescent materials 6 uniformly cover a central zone of the internal faces and then form frames that are regularly spaced apart (constant distance) and of decreasing width towards the edges of the structure. The percentage of bright areas is 50%. The T _L light transmission in the central zone is 30%

In a second variant, shown in FIG. Photoluminescents 6 are opaque and arranged in a network of square geometric patterns. The percentage of light areas is, for example, 75%. The overall light transmission T _L is 20%.

In a third variant, shown in FIG. 4, the photoluminescent materials 6 are arranged to form a large central light zone with fuzzy boundaries.

In a fourth variant, shown in FIG. 5, the photoluminescent materials 6 form a luminous logo.

Each light zone may be of different material to provide for example a multicolored illumination.

EXAMPLE 2

This refers to the glazing shown schematically in Figure 6 (without respecting the scales between the various materials shown to facilitate reading).

FIG. 6 shows a structure 2000 comprising: - a plane lamp 1 'consisting mainly of two substrates made of first and second glass sheets 2, 3 delimiting an internal space 10 filled with a plasmagenic gas and having an outer face 21, 31 a switchable element 200 having a reflective surface or substantially transparent in the visible, disposed opposite the outer face 31.

The inner face 22, 32 of the first and second glass sheets 2, 3 carries a coating of opaque photoluminescent material 6 ', T. The material 6', T is disposed peripherally to clear a zone of maximum transparency.

On the outer face 21 is directly deposited a continuous conductive coating and homogeneous 4 constituting a first electrode, preferably transparent, for example fluorinated doped SnO ₂ .

A second electrode 5 is associated with the outer face 31. The electrodes 4, 5 are connected to a high frequency power source by flexible foils 11 a, 1 1 b.

The switchable element 200 also comprises electrodes 202, 206 preferably in the form of transparent layers of fluorinated doped SnO ₂ or ITO, one to ground and the other to an adjustable continuous potential difference. typically between -3 V and + 3 V.

On the side of the outer face 21, a plastic film is placed for example of the EVA or PVB type 14 which serves as a lamination interlayer with a glass substrate, for example a glass sheet 16. Alternatively, the film 14 may incorporate the electrode 4 - in the form of a grid - or comprise on its inner face the electrode 4 or the electrode 4 may be on the glass sheet 16.

This glass sheet 16 is preferably coated on its outer face with a layer (monolayer or multilayer) transparent 17 low emissive or solar control in uses of the structure as a window.

On the side of the outer face 31, a plastic film of EVA type or

PVB 15 which serves as lamination interlayer with a glass substrate 201 forming part of the switchable element 200. The electrode 5 is disposed on the inner face

(inner space side) of this glass substrate 201. Alternatively, the plastic film 15 may incorporate the electrode 5 - in the form of a grid - or comprise on its inner face the electrode 5 or the electrode may be on the outer face 31.

The switchable element 200 comprises a first substrate 201, for example a glass sheet, coated with: the first electrode 202,

an active layer 203 based on metal hydride, this layer giving a reflective or transparent surface as a function of its hydrogen content,

a layer of palladium 204, an electrolyte layer 204 ', for example solid and inorganic, for example based on Ta ₂ O ₅ or ZrO ₂ ,

a layer of tungsten oxide 205 forming the hydrogen reserve,

the second electrode 206.

The switchable element 200 further comprises a transparent protective element preferably composed of:

a lamination interlayer 207, for example a plastic film of the PVB or EVA type, polyurethane, optionally with a PET-type sheet,

a glass sheet 208, - And optionally a low emissive layer or solar control 209.

In a first variant, the protective substrate is a simple flexible or rigid plastic film bonded to the electrode 206. The protective substrate may also be unnecessary, for example if the structure replaces the first of the glass sheets of a double glazing and that the electrode 206 is opposite the second glass sheet of this double glazing.

In a second variant, the substrate coated with the elements 202 to 206 becomes the outermost substrate and in this case, it is the electrode 206 which is in contact with this substrate, then successively the layer 205, the electrolyte 204 ', the layer 204 and the active layer 203. In this configuration, the innermost substrate is used for assembly, it may be a glass or a transparent plastic film.

Means (not shown) for adjusting the reflection level of the reflective surface are provided by adjusting the value of the potential difference.

The switchable element 200 and the flat lamp portion 1 'are able to operate independently.

When the layer 203 is in the reflective state, the switchable element 200 has on the outer side (opposite the space 10) an external light reflection Ru less than 20%.

In the center, the structure 2000 has a light transmission T _L of the order of 20%.

Preferably, the structure 2000 is used as illuminating glazing. For example, the side of the structure is oriented with the switchable element towards the outside of a building or a vehicle. We promote the lighting of the enclosed space.

When the layer 203 is in the reflective state, the intensity I of the edge lighting of the side of the face 31 is at least 500 Cd / m ² , an estimated gain of 30%. The light flux L is at least 500 Lumen for an area of 0.4 m ² , an estimated gain of 30%. The reflective layer 203 further has the solar control property.

In a variant of this second example, the reflecting surface covers an area smaller than that of the outer face, for example by having a switchable element of smaller size or engraving only the electrode or the stack formed by the layers 202 to 206.

In another variant, shown in FIG. 7, the photoluminescent materials 6 form an array of geometric patterns 60, for example rounds, the size of which decreases towards the center of the substrate 2. The switchable element serves to increase the illumination and, in the transparent state, keeps the aesthetics.

Figure 8 is a front view of an illuminating window 3000 incorporating a switchable element light structure according to the invention.

This window has a light structure, for example the light structure 1000 of Figure 1, forming a transom. In the lower part is arranged a conventional insulating glazing 41.

Figure 9 is a front view of a window 4000 incorporating two flat luminous structures switchable element according to the invention.

The window 4000 is a window with, in the upper left and lower right, for example the light structure 2000 of Figure 2. Two conventional insulating glass 51 are arranged in the upper right and the lower left.

Figure 10 is a side view of a double glazing illuminating 5000.

The system 5000 is an illuminating double glazing comprising: a first glass substrate 400,

an air knife 410 or a mixture of gases composed mainly of argon between two sealing elements 420,

a light structure according to the invention, for example the light structure 1000 of FIG. 1, with its switchable element 100 facing the first glass substrate 400.

The light structure 1000 is preferably disposed on the side which it is desired to illuminate the most.

The examples which have just been described in no way limit the invention.

In particular, in the embodiments which have just been described, the electrodes were formed of external coatings and covering the entire surface of the glass sheets, but it is understood that at least one of the glass sheets may carry a group of electrodes formed of several zones each of more or less extensive surface each covered with a continuous coating.

One or the electrodes can also be in the internal space, as well as the switchable element, for example with a hydride active layer, the wall serving for example as a substrate for stacking the layers 202 to 206 described in Example 2.

The assembly variants of the electrodes may be applied differently to each of the glass sheets 2, 3 of the light structure, a glass sheet may have a first assembly variant while the other glass sheet has another assembly variant.

Similarly, the light source may be the plasma gas.

Claims

1. Light structure (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000) comprising: - two walls (2, 3) having main faces (21 to 32) opposite and delimiting an internal space (10),

a light source (6 to 7 ') disposed in the internal space and a power supply (4, 5) of said source, the structure having at least a substantially transparent portion or a generally transparent portion to form at least one well of light, the structure being capable of illuminating by at least one light zone of at least one of said main faces (21 to 32),

an element (100, 200) having a reflecting surface (109, 203) in the visible disposed facing at least a portion of the light zone, characterized in that said element is switchable, said reflecting surface being capable of becoming a substantially transparent surface (203) or generally transparent on at least one area and vice versa.

2. Light structure (1000 to 5000) according to claim 1 characterized in that the reflecting surface (109, 203) is disposed outside the inner space (10).

3. Light structure (2000) according to one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the switchable element (2000) with the reflecting surface (203) has an external reflection factor less than or equal to 30% around 550 nm and preferably an outside light reflection Ru measured at normal incidence which is less than or equal to 30%.

4. Light structure (1000 to 5000) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises means for adjusting the reflection level of the reflecting surface.

5. Light structure (1000 to 5000) according to claim 4 characterized in that first and second light areas are respectively associated with said faces (21 to 32) and in that the illumination is asymmetrical.

6. Light structure (1000 to 5000) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the switchable element (100, 200) and the light source (6 to 7 ') are capable of operating independently.

7. Light structure (2000) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the structure comprises an area at least generally opaque (60) periphery, preferably bright.

8. Light structure (1000 to 5000) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that at least in the light well portion, the structure has a light transmission T _L greater than or equal to 20%.

9. Light structure (1000) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the light zone substantially covers said face (22, 32), and preferably provides uniform illumination.

10. Light structure (1000) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the switchable element (100) comprises a reversible electrochemical mirror.

1 1. Light structure (1000) according to claim 10 characterized in that the reversible electrochemical mirror (100) comprises successively: a first substrate (107), first nucleation sites (105), an electrolyte (104), second nucleation sites (103), a second substrate (101), and, between the first and second nucleation sites, atoms of a metallic material (M ₊ ), the first nucleation sites being sufficiently distant for the material metal forms said transparent surface by electrodeposition, the second nucleation sites being sufficiently close together for the metallic material to form said reflective surface (109) by electrodeposition.

12. Light structure (2000) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the switchable element (200) comprises a stack comprising an active layer (203) based on metal hydride, rare earth hydride or alloy comprising nickel and magnesium, the active layer having said reflective surface (203) capable of being transparent by means of a gas reserve (205) or by monovalent ion migration.

13. Light structure (2000) according to claim 12 characterized in that the stack can comprise successively: the metal hydride or rare earth active layer (203), a palladium layer (204), an electrolyte layer (204 '), a tungsten oxide layer (205).

14. Light structure (2000) according to one of claims 12 to 13 characterized in that the reflective surface (203) is disposed outside the internal space (10) and is closest to the internal space .

15. Light structure (1000 to 5000) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the light source comprises a photoluminescent material (6 to 7 ').

16. Light structure (1000) according to claim 15 characterized in that the photoluminescent material (6, 7) is substantially transparent and preferably comprises phosphor particles dispersed in a matrix.

17. Light structure (1000 to 5000) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the power supply comprises first and second electrodes (4, 5) outside the internal space (10) and respectively associated with the walls (2, 3) chosen glass type.

18. Light structure (1000 to 5000) according to claim 17, characterized in that the first and second electrodes (4, 5) are substantially transparent electroconductive layers.

19. Light structure (1000 to 5000) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a low emissive or solar control layer (17).

20. Light structure (1000 to 5000) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the space (10) between the walls (2, 3) is kept constant and preferably the structure is flat.

21. Set or kit ready for use, characterized in that it comprises at least one light structure, and / or its constituent elements to combine, according to one of claims 1 to 20.

22. Use of the light structure (1000 to 5000) according to one of claims 1 to 21 as glazing of a vehicle, as a building window.

23. Double glazing (5000) incorporating at least one light structure (1000) according to one of claims 1 to 20.