This Application claims priority to German Application No. 10 2023 135 286.5, filed Dec. 15, 2023, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a segment for a visual signaler.
The prior art has disclosed signalers, for example in the form of signaling columns, which are attached to or on machines (for example production machines, for instance machine tools or the like). They signal an operating state of the machine using visual signals, e.g. a green segment for the regular operating state, orange for a more critical state that needs checking (e.g. should material need refilling soon, should a tool need replacing soon or the like) and red for a fault. Typically, such signaling columns are composed of individual segments that are arranged or stacked over one another. As a rule, the signaling columns have a cylindrical basic shape. In turn, the interior thereof contains a light source, e.g. a light-emitting diode or an arrangement of light-emitting diodes. A fundamental problem on account of the light source being arranged locally at one point in the interior of the diffuser and having only a small emission surface in relation to the area of the viewing window is that when the light source is switched on a bright light spot can be seen where the light source is situated or over the extent of the emission cone, while the surroundings thereof are illuminated but with ever decreasing brightness at distances further out. This is very pronounced in conventional segments from the prior art, with a local luminous spot being all that is visible in the case of some domes with a width of a few centimeters. For this reason, some segments have regular fluting structures on the inner or outer side of the dome or on the outside of the diffuser. However, the described effect is only rectified insufficiently thereby. A problem therewith is that the signal to be emitted by the signaler is sometimes immediately conspicuous or not so clearly recognizable.
A problem addressed by the present disclosure is that of providing a segment which enables particularly clear and pronounced signaling.
Using a segment and a signaler of the aforementioned type as a starting point, the problem is solved by examples discussed herein.
Advantageous embodiments and developments of the present disclosure are possible by way of the example measures discussed herein.
The segment according to one example is a component for a visual signaler. A segment capable of emitting visual signals can usually comprise a transparent dome as a viewing window or housing part, the surface of which usually has a smooth embodiment. However, a diffuser can be used in the interior of the dome. It is also conceivable that dome and diffuser are designed as a common component or as a single component. For example, the diffuser might have a cylindrical basic shape, the lateral face of which consists of material that is transparent in the visible spectral range. In principle, the diffuser need not have an exactly cylindrical design. For example, a conical frustum-shaped basic shape is also conceivable. The dome can likewise have e.g. a cylindrical or conical frustum-shaped design.
As a rule, the transparent region of the diffuser covers a 360° range. However, it is also conceivable that a smaller angular range is encompassed, for example even only 180°.
Furthermore, the segment comprises a reference plane. Typically, a printed circuit board on which the electronics or at least some of the electronics of the visual signaling element, including the light source, are arranged is arranged perpendicular to the base of the diffuser or segment. Hence, such a printed circuit board can extend in the reference plane or parallel therewith, e.g. at a slight offset. The longitudinal axis of the segment which is also perpendicular to the base and arranged in the middle or center thereof can be located in the reference plane.
The visual signaling element can emit from the reference plane. Hence the reference plane divides the space into two sides, with one of the signaling elements being situated on one of the two sides. Overall, the signaling elements can be attached to both sides. The visual signaling element often has its own specific emission angle.
Within the scope of the present disclosure, it was recognized that the side regions adjoining the reference plane generally are illuminated to the least extent because they are located outside of the emission angle and are also only illuminated indirectly, with even this leading to a significantly weaker illumination.
The present disclosure therefore solves the problem of improving signaling so that a more homogeneous overall illumination can be provided. Although fluting on the inner side of the diffuser lateral face can ensure indirect illumination of regions in the diffuser interior, an approximately homogeneous overall illumination in the diffuser interior is only ensured to an insufficient extent thereby. According to the present disclosure, this disadvantage is remedied by virtue of the structure on the inside of the diffuser lateral face being formed inhomogeneously, to be precise such that the hardly illuminated regions are subject to stronger indirect illumination.
The reference plane intersects the lateral face at two opposite points; thus, it comprises a number of secants through the lateral face. If consideration is given to the perpendiculars to the reference plane which each run through the center of the secants, then these separate two illumination regions.
In a segment according to one example, the inner side of the lateral face is shaped in such a way in relation to its surface that it has a fluting structure with a sequence of at least two notches in each of the first and second illumination regions, wherein the sequence of troughs and peaks alternates along the line of curvature of the lateral face while the troughs and/or peaks are arranged in a straight line parallel to the lateral face and/or substantially perpendicular, preferably completely perpendicular to the line of curvature along the inner side of the lateral face.
The line of curvature runs along a normal section, i.e. a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis which in turn is perpendicular to the base of the geometric body, i.e. the cylinder or conical frustum.
However, a segment according to one example is moreover distinguished in that at least two of the notches in one of the illumination regions have geometrically different designs. This achieves an anisotropic, angle-dependent reflection of the rays incident on the inner side, with the result that not only is the region located e.g. centrally in the emission angle range of the signaling elements apparently illuminated but also the peripheral region is supplied with sufficient light by reflection such that the diffuser in the interior appears uniformly illuminated. It is particularly advantageous for all notches to have geometrically different designs such that a uniform transition of the adapted overall illumination arises between individual regions within the diffuser, i.e. no steps in brightness with regard to the overall illumination are visible from the outside.
Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment is distinguished in that the inner side of the lateral face is shaped in such a way in relation to its surface that for at least some of the light from the signaling element or elements a light beam which consists of parallel light rays emitted from a specific angle and which runs through the first illumination region until the lateral face is reached is reflected at least in part into the first illumination region and at least in part into the second illumination region.
A light beam consisting of a plurality of parallel light rays has a certain width. In this case, consideration is given to e.g. light beams with a width of at least 10 μm, preferably at least 50 μm and particularly preferably at least 100 μm. The measure according to one example results in the light being distributed so broadly within the two illumination regions that the overall illumination can be significantly improved. This is due to the fact that portions of the light capture both illumination regions.
The light beam consisting of parallel rays has a certain width. The inner side of the lateral face on which the light from the beam is incident is aligned such that, as a rule, one portion of a light beam is incident on the differently aligned profile of the surface with a slightly different angle of incidence to another portion which is incident on the profile slightly thereto. One portion of the light beam is reflected into a different illumination region than the other portion.
Advantageously, this is rendered possible for both single-row and multi-row arrangements of signaling elements. For example, one or more signaling elements can be arranged in the middle between the lateral walls. Furthermore, signaling elements can also be arranged, in particular symmetrically arranged, between the lateral surfaces in the reference plane on both sides of the middle. The different rows are then e.g. respectively arranged in different illumination regions.
The inner side of the lateral face can also have edges and hence abrupt transitions between the differently aligned partial regions in this case. In such an embodiment, the changes between differently aligned surfaces can occur more frequently and with a greater density than in the case of smooth transitions between the surfaces. Moreover, manufacture is generally simpler, i.e. the production costs might also be lower.
When a ray emanating from the center or from the longitudinal axis of the diffuser is incident on a smooth, cylindrical lateral surface, it would be incident on the surface at right angles and would ideally be retroreflected. Should the diffuser have a conical frustum shape, the beam would only experience deflection in or counter to the direction of inclination. In the case of an angle of incidence with a greater absolute value, the beam experiences a stronger deflection laterally within the cross-sectional area of the diffuser in order to improve the overall illumination.
The inner side of the lateral face has a step structure in a development of one example. Each step is composed of an edge with a respective limb extending along its sides. The edges extend substantially parallel to the lateral face or perpendicular to the line of curvature of the lateral face. In the case of a cylindrical shape of the lateral face, they extend parallel to the longitudinal axis. If the area of incidence of a light beam includes the edge, then the said light beam can thus be reflected into one spatial direction, i.e. into one of the two illumination regions, off the one limb and into a different illumination region off the other limb. This can improve the overall illumination.
As already stated, the edge can also be rounded off. As a result, the light rays can be deflected over a continuous angular range at the transition, and this can also make a contribution to a more homogeneous overall illumination.
The limbs have different embodiments in a particularly preferred embodiment variant. They can have different lengths and/or be inclined at different angles. As a rule, the length of the limbs influences the proportion of light reflected in a specific direction. The different inclinations influence the light distribution in space.
If the limbs become monotonically longer to one side of the substantially parallel edges, then an ever increasing light proportion is deflected into the region in the direction of which the limbs are also becoming ever longer. For example, if the assumption is made that there is a smaller overall illumination in the peripheral regions directly adjacent to the reference plane purely as a result of the emission from the signaling elements, then a greater proportion of the reflected light can reach this region for the purpose of a more homogeneous overall illumination.
Accordingly, the surface alignments, i.e. their angular positions in relation to the respective incident rays, can also vary, and so the angle of incidence in particular increases or decreases in one direction along the lateral surface. In one exemplary embodiment, the steps can be designed such that the rays are deflected differently depending on whether they are incident on the one side or the other side of the edge of a step on the lateral surface. The alignments of the limb surfaces can be chosen such that some of the rays reach the respective other illumination region from which they do not originate approximately perpendicularly or within a certain angular range around the perpendicular to the reference plane, with the result that intense beams can also reach the hardly illuminated peripheral regions. This improves the homogeneity of the overall illumination. To prevent a significantly brighter spot arising in the region of the main emission angle, the central rays that extend substantially perpendicular to the reference plane in particular should be deflected more strongly than those rays running through the peripheral regions in any case.
The respective illumination regions of the inner sides of the lateral face can have a mirror symmetric embodiment in relation to the perpendicular bisector. This configuration is advantageous in particular if the emission region of the signaling elements on both sides of the perpendicular bisector also has a mirror symmetric design.
If a step is situated exactly in the transition region between the two illumination regions, this step can be formed axis symmetrically with limbs of equal length and equal orientation, wherein the perpendicular bisectors correspond to the axis of symmetry thereof.
In principle, the symmetry of these exemplary embodiments serves to provide more uniform overall illumination within the segment.
The illumination regions in which the inner sides of the lateral face have a particular design as a result of a corresponding profile, for instance the arrangement of steps for a more uniform overall illumination of the interior volume of the segment, can cover different angular ranges depending on the embodiment, in particular depending on emission angles of the signaling element or signaling elements, in particular angular ranges of at least 60°, preferably at least 80° and particularly preferably at least 90°, with the angular dimension specified last meaning that the entire region of the inner side is covered with a profile in each case. Should the emission angle of the signaling element or of the signaling elements be large enough, the angular range in which the inner side has the profile, or the steps can also be adapted accordingly.
Advantageously, the optical medium or the diffuser can be manufactured from plastics. This enables cost-effective and precise mass production using an injection molding method. The plastic can then be transparent in the visible wavelength range so that the light is perceivable as a visual signal. Moreover, plastic is a relatively light material, and so the signaling equipment does not cause problems on account of excessive weight.
The lateral face or its inner side can be subdivided into portions. In the case of a reference plane, for example two portions or illumination regions can be arranged on each side of the reference plane, with the illumination regions being separated from one another in each case by the perpendicular bisector. Thus, four portions or illumination regions are distributed over the diffuser in this case, and each one covers 90° at most. In relation to the reference surface, these illumination regions can in turn have a mirror symmetric embodiment. This embodiment is recommended especially if signaling elements which emit in the same or similar fashion are in each case arranged on both sides of the reference plane; this is because the optical appearance or the overall illumination on both sides of the reference plane is similar or the same as a result thereof.
Consideration should be given to the fact that the segment can usually be observed from in principle any direction, i.e. it is advantageous if the visual appearance of the segment (in the luminous and non-luminous state) is virtually angle independent.
A monotonically increasing behavior is present if a quantity, for instance in a manner dependent on its position or angular position, becomes ever larger in one direction or at least remains the same from one position within a sequence to the next. In the case of a strictly monotonically increasing behavior, the quantity becomes larger every time and does not remain at a constant value even once in between. The converse is true in the case of a (strictly) monotonically decreasing behavior.
In one embodiment variant, the height of the steps can also become monotonically lower, in particular strictly monotonically lower. As a result, the steps can have a continuously more obtuse-angled design. Thus, rays are deflected more strongly in one region than in the adjoining regions that approximate a smooth extension of the inner side to an ever-greater extent.
The outside of the lateral face can have a profile with a design such that the emission is implemented as broadly as possible, with the result that the segment emits ever more uniformly and appears to shine uniformly from the outside. Since an emission to the outside in all spatial directions is actually desirable, the structure can also have faces on the outside that are aligned in all 3 spatial directions. To achieve approximately uniform emission, use can be made of for example honeycomb-like structures, especially with troughs and/or peaks. These structures can be arranged on the outside of the diffuser, but for example also on the inside of the dome. In a development, the segment is embodied as a beacon and acts as a termination element, for example. The diffuser comprises a roof, which can be e.g. arched, seated on the lateral face. In this case, too, such structures that diffusely distribute the emitted light can be impressed into the outside of the roof.
Optionally, the reference plane is not only a mathematical plane per se; specifically, a carrier, in particular a printed circuit board, on which the signaling element or the signaling elements are arranged can instead be arranged in the reference plane. This geometric arrangement once again amplifies the necessity to divide the diffuser into portions or illumination regions. The printed circuit board itself represents a visually substantially opaque region, i.e. an optical barrier that divides the segment into two halves. In principle, the printed circuit board can extend from one periphery of the diffuser to the other, but it can also leave a respective gap open on one side or on both sides. Should a gap be left open, the emitted light can also be guided from one side of the reference plane to the other side of the reference plane. Should the printed circuit board reach the lateral face of the diffuser, the shadow due to the printed circuit board at this point is generally clearly visible from the outside; therefore, a gap is still advantageously present.
As already stated, the assumption can be made that the signaling elements emit away from the reference plane or printed circuit board within a certain emission angle range. Thus, so as to achieve a more homogeneous overall illumination in the diffuser interior, it is advantageous as a matter of principle to deflect the beams tending to run perpendicular to the reference plane to a greater extent than in peripheral regions, into which less light tends to be radiated in any case and into which light rays tend to have to be steered.
Thus, the limbs that face the printed circuit board in the sequence of steps can therefore become ever shorter, and the limbs that face away can become ever longer, wherein advantageously the height of the steps reduces ever more, and so the beams that reach the peripheral regions are also reflected back to an ever-greater extent without broad scattering in space.
Furthermore, a signaler according to one example with a homogeneous overall illumination or emission is distinguished in that use is made of a segment according to one example, in order to distribute the emitted light more uniformly. Such a signaler can use the advantages of the present disclosure that accompany the proposed segment.
As evident from
The lateral face 2 has an outer side 4 with a honeycomb pattern formed of troughs. In general, light is emitted more uniformly as a result. The lateral face inner side 3 is provided with a step-shaped profile. It can be seen more clearly in
Around the central point, two rays including an angular range 7 extend away from the reference plane R. Within this region, a signaling element emitting into the angular range 7 is arranged in the reference plane R.
A step with two limbs to the right and left of the perpendicular bisector M is situated at the point where the perpendicular bisector M intersects the inner side 3. This step has a symmetric embodiment with respect to the perpendicular bisector M as an axis. For example, if the inner side 3 is followed to the left in the first illumination region AB1, the right limbs become ever longer and are arranged ever flatter from step to step, whereas the left limbs become ever shorter and steeper. Likewise, the heights of the steps become ever lower in the direction of the reference plane R. The inner side 3 appears to have a virtually smooth periphery in the region of the reference plane R.
However, it is also conceivable that the length of the limbs only changes on one side (e.g. only to the right or only to the left of the respective edge) from step to step and remains the same on the other side.
In principle,
Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
102023135286.5 | Dec 2023 | DE | national |