JP6951564B2 - Devices and methods for protecting the optical system of luminaires - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device and method for automatically covering the optical system of a movable head luminaire with an optical filter or diffuser in order to block collision light such as sunlight when the luminaire is not supplied with power.

Description of Related Technology A movable head luminaire or "movable head" is a luminaire that can rotate and tilt the entire head with an electronically controlled signal to change the direction of the output light without physically repositioning the fixture. It is an instrument. In particular, movable head luminaires include an optical system that includes a light source such as a lamp or LED located behind one or more lenses. Some of these luminaires have an IP (waterproof and dustproof) rating for outdoor use. During outdoor production, the luminaire head often points upwards when the device is turned off or when the fixture is turned on, but does not output light for some time. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the movable head 10 is oriented in an upright position when the power is turned off. However, sunlight in the direction of the luminaire lens can penetrate through the lens and damage the luminaire's optics and / or light source. More specifically, the front lens 20 can focus and concentrate the light from the sun 30 in the same way as a magnifying glass. Therefore, strong light passing through the lens 20 and entering the main body of the luminaire 10 may cause internal damage to the luminaire. Currently, luminaire users are advised not to leave the luminaire 10 directly at the sun 30 or other intense light. And users often cover the lights with garbage bags and other objects to prevent damage from sunlight and other strong light sources.

In addition, there are now movable head luminaires that include a homogenizing filter such as an electric diffuser or frost filter that transforms a tight light beam into a softer, more subdued washlight for a variety of applications. In such an instrument, a motor is used to move the filter in and out of the optical path between the instrument's optics and the lens. More specifically, the filter is required by a signal manually input to the user input of the instrument, or by a wired DMX, sACN, ArtNet or wireless WDMX signal, i.e. as part of a stored program. And an internal motor is used to insert the filter into the light path between the outer lens of the luminaire and the light source. The motor is then used to move the filter out of the optical path when the filter is no longer required. When the instrument is powered off, the filter remains in its last physical position and is moved into the optical path if it was in use at power off and out of the optical path if it was not in use. In some prior art instruments, the filter is constantly biased out of the optical path, so that when the device is powered off, the filter exits the optical path.

There is a need for new and improved devices and methods in the art that protect the optics and light sources of luminaires from damage from direct sunlight magnified through the lens or other strong rays. Such systems, devices, and methods should protect the luminaire's optics and light sources at low cost without making the luminaire large or heavy, and when the luminaire is turned off, or If the luminaire is powered on, but is facing up and there is no light for a given amount of time, it should activate automatically.

The present invention is particularly suitable for overcoming these remaining problems in the art in previously unknown or unanticipated ways. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for protecting the optical system and light source of a luminaire from damage caused by strong light incident on a lens and magnified. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the filter or diffuser is constantly biased to enter the optical path between the outer lens of the luminaire and the rest of the optical system when the luminaire is powered off. .. In this particular embodiment, a filter is applied between the outer lens and other components of the optical system when the luminaire is powered and when the operation of the luminaire does not specifically require its use. A motor is provided to evacuate. In another particular embodiment of the invention, the filter or diffuser is an outer lens of the luminaire and the rest of the optical system when the luminaire is powered for a predetermined period of time with the lens facing up. It is always biased to enter the optical path between them.

The present invention has been shown and described herein as embodied in a device and method for mechanically covering the optics of a luminaire with a filter or diffuser. The details are not limited. The present invention can be used in combination with other types of luminaires, and various modifications and structural changes can be made within the scope of claims without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Is.

However, the structure and method of operation of the present invention are best understood, along with its additional objectives and advantages, when the following description of a particular embodiment is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. In the attached drawings, similar reference numbers indicate similar parts throughout some of the drawings.

It is a simplified diagram which shows the conventional IP-rated movable head luminaire in an external environment. FIG. 3 is a simplified view of an IP rated movable head luminaire in an upward position according to one particular embodiment of the present invention. It is a simplified view of an IP rated movable head luminaire in a lateral position according to one particular embodiment of the present invention, in which the filter is retracted between the optical system and the lens of the fixture. A filter, which is a simplified view of the movable head luminaire of FIG. 2B according to one particular embodiment of the present invention, is partially inserted between the optical system and the lens of the fixture. The filter, which is a simplified view of the movable head luminaire of FIG. 2B according to one particular embodiment of the invention, is completely inserted between the optical system and the lens of the fixture. FIG. 3 is a simplified cross-sectional view and a schematic view of a movable head luminaire according to one particular embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a simplified schematic view of a filter engaging (insertion) mechanism of a movable head luminaire according to another particular embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a simplified schematic diagram of a filter engaging (insertion) mechanism of a movable head luminaire according to a further specific embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flow chart useful for understanding how to use the filter engaging (insertion) mechanism according to one particular embodiment of the present invention. It is a simplified schematic diagram of the filter engagement (insertion) mechanism of the movable head luminaire according to another specific embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flow chart useful for understanding how to use the filter engagement mechanism according to another particular embodiment of the present invention.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for mechanically covering the optical system of a luminaire with a filter or a diffuser when the luminaire is turned off or turned upward for a predetermined period of time. be. This will prevent the instrument's optical system from being damaged by strong light and / or sunlight when the instrument is not in use.

Here, with reference to FIGS. 2A-3, one particular embodiment of the movable head luminaire 100 including a constantly biased filter mechanism is shown. More specifically, the movable head luminaire 100 includes a movable head 110 attached to the base 120 via a yoke 130. The movable head 110 and the yoke 130 move with respect to the base. See, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0030099, which discloses such a typical movable head luminaire and its components. This patent application is incorporated herein by reference.

In particular, the movable head 110 includes an illuminating element 112 that is located behind the lens 114 and is part of the optical system 160. In one particular embodiment, the illumination element 112 is formed by a plurality of LEDs configured as part of the optical system 160. The controller 140 is included in the base 120 for data communication with the input source 150. The input source 150 can be a user interface 155 on the body of the appliance 100, or a wired or wireless control signal from an external source of the appliance 100 via the interface, such as a DMX, sACN, ArtNet, or WDMX signal. , Can be the source to receive. Further, the controller 140 can receive a control signal from the memory 145 to cause the fixture 110 to perform a pre-programmed lighting effect. In particular, the controller 140 provides a control signal to the optical system 160 in the head 110 to perform a particular desired lighting effect. For this purposes, the terms "control data" and "control signal" are used interchangeably herein. Moreover, the terms singular or plural "light", "lighting fixture", and "lighting fixture" are used interchangeably herein, except to indicate the opposite. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the luminaire is used to provide stage lighting and / or theater lighting effects. In addition, the terms "diffuser," "diffusing filter," and "filter" are used interchangeably herein to mean light passing through or a filter that reduces some wavelengths of light. In addition, the terms "powered off", "powered down", "powered down", and "powered down state" are used interchangeably herein to cut off power to the luminaire. A state in which the luminaire controller receives a control signal requesting that the luminaire be turned off (that is, turned down).

In addition, the luminaire 100 includes one or more movable diffusers or filters inside the movable head 110 to perform a particular desired lighting effect. In this particular embodiment, at least one filter 116 is movably arranged between the illumination element 112 of the optical system 160 and the outermost lens 114 of the movable head 110. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the filter 116 is a diffusing filter provided within the movable head 110 to diffuse the passing light beam. In another embodiment of the invention, the filter 116 is a frost filter housed in a head 110.

In conventional instruments that have one or more filters, such as filters 116, in the head, the filters are deliberately moved in and out of the optical path between the optical system and the lens, as needed. For example, when needed, the filter is moved by a motor to the optical path between the lens and the optical system until it is no longer needed. The filter is then moved out of the optical path again by the motor. In some conventional appliances, the filter remains in its last physical position when the appliance is powered down. If the filter is out of the optical path when the power is down, the filter remains as it is. In other conventional appliances, the filter is always biased out of the optical path, so if the filter is in the optical path when the appliance is turned off, the filter exits the optical path when the power is off.

In contrast, the present invention provides a luminaire that includes a device configured to insert a filter into the optical path between the optical system and the outermost lens when the luminaire is powered down. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the luminaire is such that at least one filter 116 is constantly biased by the eccentric mechanism 170 to the optical path OP between at least a portion of the optical system 160 including the illuminating element 112 and the lens 114. Includes a mechanism that does not require power to hold the filter 116 there. In another particular embodiment of the invention, upon receiving a signal to power down a luminaire, the controller delays the power down of the fixture until the controller activates a motor to move the filter into the optical path. Can be done.

Referring again to FIGS. 2A-3, in one particular embodiment of the invention, power is required to deflect the filter 116 out of the optical path. Then, when power is not supplied to the instrument 100 (that is, when the instrument 100 is powered off), the filter 116 is completely engaged (inserted) between a part of the optical system 160 and the lens 114. It can block or diffuse sunlight or other strong light entering through the lens 114, and can protect the optical system 160 from damage.

In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 3, power is applied to the exit device 180 to cancel the constant deviation applied by the deviation mechanism 170 in order to move the filter into the optical path OP between the optical system 160 and the lens 114. Is supplied. For example, in one particular embodiment of the invention, the deflection mechanism includes a spring that constantly urges the filter 116 into the optical path OP. In one embodiment, the exit device 180 is a motor that is activated by the controller 140 to counter spring deviation of the filter 116 and exit the filter 116 from the optical path OP between the optical system 160 and the lens 114.

It should be noted that, as mentioned above, the present invention is not intended to be limited solely to the use of springs and motors. Rather, other deviation mechanisms 170 and counter-exit devices 180 are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the deviation mechanism 170 can be selected from, for example, deviation mechanisms such as springs, relays, and magnets, but is not limited thereto. Correspondingly, the counter-exit device 180 can be a motor, relay, or other electromechanical device, electromagnet device that counteracts the constant deviation applied to the filter 116.

Here, with reference to FIG. 4A, a system 400 according to one particular embodiment is shown, in which the filter 116 is constantly biased across the optical path of the movable head. More specifically, one end of the filter 116 is attached to a roller 410 arranged on one side of the optical system 160. The roller 410 is driven by the motor 420. The other end of the filter 116 is connected to a spring-biased roller 430 located on the side of the optical system 160 opposite the roller 410. The spring-biased roller 430 is configured to behave like a window roller shade. In other words, the roller 430 is biased by the coil spring 435 to pull the filter 116 across the optical path between the optical system 160 and the lens when no force is applied to the filter by the motorized roller 410. More specifically, the filter 116 is attached to the spring eccentric roller 430 by a strap 116a attached to the leading edge of the filter 116 and located outside the optical path.

While the appliance is powered and the filter 116 is not needed, the controller 140 supplies a control signal to urge the motor 420 to wind the filter 116 around the motor drive roller 410 and out of the optical path. The unwinding of the filter 116 from the spring eccentric roller 430 applies a torsional force to the spring 435, which is maintained as long as the motor 420 is operating. The motor 420 continues until the controller instructs the motor to do so (ie, as part of a program or because the filter 116 is required in response to an input signal), or until power to the appliance is cut off. , Operates to maintain tension on the roller 410. When the motor 420 stops driving the roller 410 and releases its tension, the strain energy stored in the spring 435 is released, the spring-biased roller 430 rotates, and a filter is placed on the optical system 160 and the illuminating element 112. Pull out 116 and shield them from light entering the movable head through the lens. When the power to the appliance is restored, the controller 140 again urges the motor 420 to wind the filter 116 around the roller 410 until the filter 116 is needed or until power is removed from the appliance again. The filter 116 is retracted from between the illuminating element 112 and the lens.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4B, in another embodiment of the invention, the filter 116 of the system 440 is in the optical path between the lens and the optical system including the illumination element 112 (ie, from the illumination element 112). It can be provided on a swivel frame or plate 470 that is always placed (perpendicular to the beam direction of). A deviating mechanism 170, such as a spring 460 or a magnet, or another deviating mechanism that does not require power, keeps the filter 116 in front of the illuminating element. When power is supplied to the appliance, the controller 140 activates an exit device 180, such as a relay or electromagnet 450, to pivot the frame around a pivot point 470a and place it in front of the illuminating element 112 and with the illuminating element 112. It works to remove it from the optical path to and from the lens. When power is removed from the appliance (or by the controller 140 in response to a control signal), the relay or electromagnet 450 is defeated and the frame 470 is swiveled back into the optical path by the eccentric mechanism 460.

Note that other mechanisms can be used to deflect the frame 470 in and out of the optical path. For example, the relay 450 can be provided as both the deflection mechanism 170 and the powered exit device 180. In such an embodiment, when the relay 450 is urged, the frame 470 exits the optical path, and in the constantly extinguished state, the relay arm can push the frame 470 back into the optical path as a deviation mechanism 170 without the spring 460. ..

If the device 450 is an electromagnet, the frame 470 may include a ferromagnetic element, so that when the controller 140 urges the electromagnet, the frame is swiveled and the filter 116 is removed from the front of the illumination element 112. When the electromagnet is depleted, a deviating mechanism such as a spring 460 or a normal magnet can swivel the frame 470 and return the filter 116 to the front of the illuminating element 112.

It is clear that this does not mean a limitation. For example, other mechanisms can be used that move the frame out of the optical path and bias the frame back into the optical path in the unpowered state. For example, a motor located on the frame 470 and associated gear mechanisms are used to drive the frame 470 out of the optical path, and a spring 460 or other deviating mechanism 170 is used to swivel the frame into the optical path when the motor is depleted. Can be returned.

Here, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, a specific embodiment of a method 500 of moving the filter 116 into and out of the light path of a luminaire to protect the luminaire's optical system from damage by collision light. explain. More specifically, there is provided a movable head luminaire 100 having a filter 116 that is constantly biased to cover at least a portion of the optical system 160 of the luminaire 100 when in a non-powered state. When the luminaire 100 is powered on (step 510), the controller automatically operates the exit device 180 to exit the filter 116 from between at least a portion of the optical system 160, including the illuminating element 112, and the lens 114. Is programmed in (step 520). Unless the instrument 100 is powered on (step 530a) and the controller receives a signal to enter the filter 116 into the optical path (step 540a), the exit device 180 drives the filter 116 out of the optical path between the illuminating element 112 and the lens 114. Is urged to maintain (step 520). However, when the appliance 100 is powered off (step 530b), the exit device 180 is destroyed and the filter 116 is under the influence of the bias mechanism 170 until power is restored to the luminaire 100 (step 510). Then, it returns to the normal position in the optical path between at least a part of the optical system 160 including the illumination element 112 and the lens 114 (step 550). Similarly, when the controller 140 receives a control signal requesting the use of the filter 116 from the input source 150 or a program from the memory 145 (step 540b), the controller responds to the receive control signal by the exit device 180. Is re-energized to exit (step 520), the exit device 180 is defeated and the filter 116 is returned to the constantly eccentric position in the optical path (step 550).

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, another embodiment of the present invention is shown, in which the luminaire 600 is specially configured by software stored in a non-transitional memory 145 and is a controller. To include 610, the controller 610, upon receiving a signal to power down the instrument 600, perform method 700 to move the filter 116 into the optical path between the optical system 160 and the outermost lens 114. It is configured. More specifically, while the luminaire 600 is powered on, the controller 610 moves the filter 116 into or out of the optical path between the optical system 160 and the outermost lens 114, as needed, in the usual way. The motor 620 is controlled so as to move to (step 710). However, upon receiving a signal to power down the luminaire 600 (step 720), the controller 610 first applies the filter 116 to at least one of the optics 160 of the luminaire 600 before powering off the luminaire 600. The operation of the motor 620 is controlled for insertion into the optical path between the portion and the outermost lens 114 (step 730). Gearing, such as rack and pinion gear systems, can be provided to move the filter 116 in and out of the optical path in known ways. In order to reduce the intensity of light passing through the lens 114, the luminaire 600 is powered down after the motor 620 places the filter 116 in the optical path between the optical system 160 and the outermost lens 114 (step 740). ..

In another particular embodiment of the invention, the system is in the optical path between the optical system 160 and the outermost lens 114 when the luminaire is powered for a predetermined period of time with the lens facing up. It is configured to place a filter. More specifically, if necessary, the controller 140 according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 has an exit mechanism 180 even when the instrument 100 is turned on when the lens is facing upward for a predetermined time. The tension applied by the lens can be released so that the constant deviation filter 116 can return to the optical path at all times. Similarly, if necessary, the controller 610 of the embodiment of FIG. 6 also has the lighting fixture 600 turned on and the power down signal not received when the lens is facing upward for a predetermined time. However, the motor 620 can be operated to move the filter 116 into the optical path between the optical system 160 and the outermost lens 114. Such predetermined times can be programmed into controllers 140, 610 at the factory or using the input source 150.

Further, in a further embodiment (not shown), if necessary, the filter or diffuser is constantly biased into the optical path as described above and exits the optical path by an exit device when powering the appliance as described above. , Can be replaced with an opaque shutter or opaque member.

Although the present invention is illustrated and described herein as being embodied in a device and method of mechanically covering the optical system of a lighting fixture with a filter or diffuser, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the details illustrated and described, as various modifications and structural changes are possible within the scope of the claims.

Claims (22)

A filter device for luminaires that includes a controller-controlled lens and luminaire.
An optical filter that is movable in the optical path between the illumination element and the lens under the control of the controller during use and execution of the illumination program so as to diffuse the optical beam passing through the optical filter. Is configured with an optical filter ,
It is configured to automatically move the optical filter from a position outside the optical path to a position inside the optical path when the power of the luminaire is turned down.
Filter device. The controller is configured to move the optical filter into the optical path in response to receiving a signal to power down the luminaire before powering down the luminaire. The filter device according to. A motor operated by the controller to move the optical filter into the optical path after the controller receives a signal to power down the luminaire and before the luminaire is powered down. The filter device according to claim 2, further comprising. The filter device further comprises an exit device configured to exit the optical filter from the optical path when activated.
The optical filter is constantly biased in the optical path between the luminaire and the lens, and the controller supplies power to the luminaire when the luminaire does not require the optical filter. The filter device according to claim 1, wherein the exit device is activated at that time. The filter device according to claim 4, wherein the optical filter is a frost filter. The filter device according to claim 4, further comprising a biasing mechanism that constantly biases the optical filter. The filter device according to claim 6, wherein the deviation mechanism includes a spring. The filter device according to claim 7, wherein the deviation mechanism includes a spring deviation roller arranged on one side of the illumination element, and at least a part of the filter is attached to the spring deviation roller. The exit device includes a motor and a roller driven by the motor, the roller is arranged on the other side of the illumination element on the side opposite to the spring bias roller, and a second portion of the filter is said. The filter device according to claim 8, which is attached to a motor drive roller, and a part of the filter is wound around the motor drive roller by the operation of the motor to apply a twisting force to the spring. The filter device according to claim 4, wherein the exit device includes a relay. The filter device according to claim 4, wherein the exit device includes an electromagnet. The filter device according to claim 6, wherein the luminaire includes a movable head, and the filter, the deviation mechanism, and the exit device are all arranged in the movable head. Movable head lighting fixture
With a movable head that includes a lens and a lighting element,
A controller configured to control the movable head and the lighting element,
With at least one optical filter arranged in the movable head,
With
The at least one optical filter is movable between a first position in the optical path between the illuminating element and the lens and a second position outside the optical path between the illuminating element and the lens. It is also configured to diffuse the light beam that passes through the optical filter.
The controller is configured to move the at least one optical filter between the first position and the second position in response to a control signal as part of a lighting program.
The at least one optical filter is automatically moved from the second position to the first position when the luminaire is powered down.
Movable head luminaire. 13. The controller is configured to move the optical filter into the optical path in response to receiving a signal to power down the luminaire before powering down the luminaire. Movable head luminaire as described in. A motor operated by the controller to move the optical filter into the optical path after the controller receives a signal to power down the luminaire and before the luminaire is powered down. The movable head luminaire according to claim 14, further comprising. The at least one optical filter is always biased to the first position.
An exit device is provided in the movable head, and when activated, the exit device is configured to move the at least one optical filter from the first position to the second position outside the optical path. The movable head lighting device according to claim 13. The movable head luminaire according to claim 16, wherein the controller is further configured to activate the exit device when power is supplied to the movable head luminaire. The movable head luminaire according to claim 16, wherein the at least one optical filter is spring-loaded to the first position in a non-powered state. The movable head luminaire according to claim 16, wherein the exit device includes a motor. One end of the at least one optical filter is connected to a spring bias roller, the other end is connected to a motor drive roller, and a part of the filter is wound around the motor drive roller by starting the motor. The at least one optical filter is moved to the second position, the tension of the motor drive roller is released by the demise of the motor, and the spring bias roller pulls the at least one filter back to the first position. The movable head luminaire according to claim 19. A method of using a luminaire that includes a lens and a luminaire controlled by a controller.
At least one optical filter that is movable between a first position in the optical path between the illuminating element and the lens and a second position outside the optical path between the illuminating element and the lens. A step of providing at least one optical filter configured to diffuse the light beam passing through the optical filter.
A step of automatically moving the at least one filter from the second position to the first position in response to a power down state of the luminaire.
Including methods. 21. The controller is configured to move the at least one optical filter from the first position to the second position when power is first supplied to the luminaire. Method.

Images