A METHOD AND A DEVICE FOR MANUFACTURING LIGHT PANELS

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing light panels, consisting of a plate- or sheet-shaped carrier (7) with light conducting fibres (2) fixed therein according to a given pattern, wherein the ends of fibres (2) taken from a fibre supply (6) are inserted through openings (3) in the bottom of a mould (1), and wherein the mould (1) is filled with a layer of a castable or spoutable and quickly setting material for forming the carrier (7). Subsequently the carrier (7) is released and removed from the mould (1) after having set in such a manner the fibres (2) are retained therein. Before or after removing, the fibres (2) are cut off at the required length, the fibres (2) coming from the supply (6) being pulled through the openings (3) during removal of the carrier. Furthermore a method for manufacturing a casting mould (1) is described, which mould consists of the same material as the object (17) to be formed therein, and the mould (1) thus obtained is provided with a coating (28) not adhering to said material and being fixed to said mould (1) by means of an adhesive layer (26).

Description: A method and a device for manufacturing light panels. The invention relates to a method for manufacturing light panels according to the preamble of claim 1, and to a device for manufacturing such panels. Providing light conducting fibres in light panels for forming a light-emitting representation requires fixing the ends of these fibres in the desired pattern in a piate-shaped panel, in particular made of plastics. The known methods for this purpose are cumbersome, and do not allow to manufacture large numbers of such panels in an economically acceptable manner. It is an object of the invention to provide a method for this purpose, allowing to manufacture such panels in a fast and economic manner in series. The method according to the invention has, to that end, the characteristics of claim 1, and favourable embodiments thereof are defined in the sub- claims 2..15. In claims 16..22 a device for executing this method are defined in more detail. The invention will be elucidated below by reference to a drawing, showing in: Figs. 1..3 simplified diagrammatical representations of consecutive steps in an embodiment of the method of the invention; Figs. 4A and B simplified representations of the panels thus obtained; Fig. 5 a partial section at a larger scale of an other embodiment of the bottom of a forming mould to be used in the method according to the invention; Fig. 6 simplified diagrammatical representations of consecutive steps in an other embodiment of the method according to the invention; and Figs. 7A..L diagrammatical representations of successive steps of a method for manufacturing a forming mould to be used in the method according to the proceeding Figs. In Figs. 1..3 consecutive steps of a preferred embodi¬ ment of the method according to the invention are diagramma- tically shown. The device required thereto comprises an open through- shaped forming mould 1, the bottom of which being provided, in the points where light conducting fibres 2 are to be arranged, with holes 3. Above the mould 1 a casting funnel 4 can be arranged for casting a fast setting plastics into the mould 1. Below the holes 3 fibre guides 5 are present, which serve for guiding the fibres 2 towards these holes, which guides 5 are made sufficiently braking in order to keep said fibres under some tension. These fibres are supplied by spools 6, only one thereof being shown in Fig. 1, and several fibres 2 are being wound on one spool 6, which is favourable for reasons of space economy in the case of large numbers of fibres to be applied. It is. of course possible to use one spool 6 for each fibre, which can be provided with a brake for keeping the fibre tensioned, and then the guides 5 might be left out if required. The plastics cast in the forming mould forms after setting a first panel 7.1, in which the extremities of the fibres 2 are fixed. In order to remove the panel 7.1 from the mould, com- pressed air is introduced first through one or more bottom connections 8 as shown at 9 in Fig. 2A. Thereby the set panel 7.1 is loosened from the forming mould 1, and can be pulled away by a gripper shown schematically at 10 in Fig. 2B, and then the fibres 2 will be unwound further from the spools 6 until the fibres 2 below the panel 7.1 have reached the required length. Thereafter plastics can be cast again by means of the funnel 3 into the mould 1 for forming a subse¬ quent panel 7.2. The fibres 2 are then kept tensioned in such a manner that they will not be sent sidewards by the plastics mass flowing into the mould. Fig. 3 shows a subsequent step after removing the panel 7.2 from the mould 1 after having set in the meantime. The panels 7.1 and 7.2 are being jointly pulled upwards by means of the gripper 10 until the fibres 2 pulled through the mould 1 have reached again the desired length. Thereafter plastics is cast into the mould 1 for forming the next panel 7.3. In the meantime the fibres can be taken together near the upper side of the panel 7.2, as shown at 11, and be glued together in order to form a light intake head 12 which is cut from the underlying fibres. At the upper side of the panel 7.1 the extending fibre extremities are cut or sawed off, as indicated at 13. The cut-off panel has, after removing it from the gripper 10, the form shown in Fig. 4A. The subsequent steps are equal to the preceding step according to Fig. 3. The operation is continuous with a standstill of the panels such as 7.1 and 7.2 during the time which is required for sufficiently setting the plastics for the subsequent panel such as 7.3 in the mould 1. The fibres 1 can be kept sufficiently tensioned in order to ensure a uniformly straight introduction of the fibres into the panel 7. Instead of cutting off the fibre extremities smoothly against the upper surface of a panel as shown at 13 in Fig. 3, it is also possible to cut off the fibres at a small distance of the panel surface, and to embed the extending parts in a cover layer provided on the panel 7, this layer being, in particular, transparant if this layer is thicker than the distance over which the fibres extend. This is schematically shown in Fig. 3 at 14, and Fig. 4B shows a panel obtained in this manner. In particular such a cover layer 14 can be favourable for protecting the panel, and can also be applied on the separate panels 7 afterwards, e.g. by spraying, and then the operation sequence shown in Figs. 1..3 will not be slowed down thereby. It is also possible to use such a cover layer 14 for forming small lenses or the like on the fibre extremi¬ ties, and then the cover layer can consist of a material suitable for this purpose, whereas the panel 7 itself will, then, provide the required strength. When using a coloured cover layer 14, desired colour effects can be obtained. The panel 7 as such can also consist of an opaque material. Furthermore a panel 7 can be arranged behind a screen with transparent portions coloured in the desired manner, and, in particular, corresponding with the fibre ends, or being provided with a corresponding imprint, in order to allow the representation formed thereby to be observed also in incident daylight. It is also possible to insert the fibres 2 not through holes 3 of the mould 1, but by means of a corresponding clamp guided perpendicularly to the mould 1 from below. After setting of the plastics, the inserting clamps are released and retracted, whereafter the fibres are pulled through the holes for being cut off at the desired length. Thereafter the fibres are inserted again by means of the clamps into the holes 3. In Figs. 1..3 holes 3 in the bottom of the mould 1 are schematically indicated, which are sufficiently small for preventing the liquid plastics to flow out. However, as shown in Fig. 5, it may be favourable to form larger holes 3 1 in the bottom of the mould 1, and to insert fitting plugs 15 therein which are provided with a bore 3 into which a fibre 2 fits. These plugs 15 can be replaced in a simple manner if they are worn of soiled. These plugs 15 can also be used for simplifying the introduction of the fibres into the mould 1 according to Fig. 1 for the first time, since it is easy to thread the plugs first on the different fibre ends, and to insert them afterwards into the holes 3 of the fixedly mounted mould 1. It is also possible to make the plugs 15 shiftable in such a manner that an already set panel 7 can be pressed out of the mould 1 in the manner of Fig. 2A, and then a collar 16 of the plug 15 can provide a restriction of the stroke thereof. Using such plugs 15 can, moreover, be favourable when the fibres 2 are to be introduced at an angle. It will be clear that, then, pulling away at least the plate 7.2 as showw in Fig. 3 should be done in a corresponding direction. A device for executing the above-mentioned method can be constructed in many ways. Apart from a suitable mould 1 and means for supporting the fibre spools 6, pulling means 10 guided in the desired manner should be present for moving in a step-wise manner the formed panels 7 as shown in Fig. 3. Of course this can be realised in many ways. Use can be made then of a sequence control means. On the other hand it is also possible to form not only one b t various strings of fibres 2, depending on the inten¬ ded use of the panel. An other manner for removing a first panel 7.1 from the mould 1 is shown in Fig. 6. After sufficiently setting of the plastics introduced into the mould 1, the fibre ends extending above the free surface of the first panel 7.1 are cut off by suitable means just above this surface, if required after having moved upwards the panel 7.1 somewhat in the manner described by reference to Fig. 2A by means of introduction of air, so that the free surface of the panel 7.1 extends above the upper rim of the mould 1 (Fig. 5A) . In particular cutting means are used which develop heat in the fibres, e.g. a laser apparatus 17, the laser beam of which is directed by means of suitable movable elements 19 such as rotatable mirrors towards the individual fibres 2, or by means of a heated ultrasonic vibrating knife (not shown) . Using a laser for cutting off the fibres has as an additional advantage that on the cut-off fibre ends situated near the free surface of the panel 7.1 melting nobs are formed acting as a lense. After removing the cut-off fibre ends, a suction plate 18 is subsequently lowered onto the panel 7.1 which after applying a negative pressure applies itself on the panel 7.1. The suction plate 18 can be moved then upwards and takes along the panel 7.1, as well as the fibres 2 which are, in the meantime attached to the plastics of the panel 7.1. (Fig. 5B) After moving upwards the panel by means of the suction plate until the fibres 2 present below the panel 7.1 have reached the correct length, the mould 1 can be filled again with filling material for forming a second panel 7.2. In the meantime the first panel 7.1 is gripped by a gripper 10, and then the suction by the suction plate 18 can be released. After cutting off the fibres 2 near the free surface of the second panel 7.2, the suction plate 18 can again be lowered for taking along this panel 7.2 thereafter. To that end the suction plate 18 can be moved, after releasing the suction, along a track which is situated outside the trajectory of the gripped panel 7.1 which is moved still further in a vertical direction. It is also possible to move the gripper 10 with the panel 7.1 at first laterally, and to move the suction 18 thereafter vertically downwards for lowering it onto the second panel 7.2. When removing a panel 7 from the mould 1, it can be favourable to move this panel at first obliquely from the mould 1 in order to disrupt the adhesion of this panel on the edges of the mould gradually. This can, for instance, be obtained by means of several bottom connections 8, allowing to introduce air consecutively from an edge of the mould. When using the suction plate 18, this can be pulled upwards at first at one edge in order to loosen the panel 7 at that side. This can, for instance, be obtained by means of pneuma¬ tic or hydraulic cylinders which are consecutively actuated. Applying a releasing agent in the mould is not possible, since it will also adhere to the fibres 2, which would impair the adhesion thereof to the cast plastics. The panels 7 described above preferably consist of polyurethane resin. Then, of course, a forming mould 1 should be used to which the liquid polyurethane casting mass will not adhere. Using a releasing or separating agent is not possible, since it would also cover the fibres 2 pulled through which, then, would not or badly unite with the setting casting mass. For casting polyurethane, usually moulds or forms of teflon will be used which are, however, expensive. Moreover it has appeared that by continually being heated and cooled, structural changes will appear at the casting mould surface, so that, in the course of time, a certain adhesion of the casting mass will take place. Another draw-back is that the holes 3 should be very carefully drilled so as the prevent casting mass leaking away when pulling through the fibres 2. In Fig. 7 successive steps of a method for manufacturing a cheap forming mould for such purposes are diagrammatically represented. In the first step a counter-mould 20 shown in Fig. 7A is used, made of an easily and smoothly workable material such as wood. Its mould surface 21 adapted to the shape of the mould 1 is sprayed with a silicone mist 22, as shown in Fig. 7B, for forming a separating layer 23 not adhering to poly¬ urethane. Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 7C, a polyurethane casting mass 24 is poured into the mould 20 which, as shown in Fig. 7D, sets in the mould 20. As shown in Fig. 7E, the mould body l 1 thus obtained is, then, removed from the mould 20. An adhesive 25 is poured into the forming mould body 1- the surplus themof being removed again, see Figs. 7F and G resp. A thin layer 26 thereof remains on the mould surface which is dried then, see Fig. 7H. Subsequently a silicone mass 27 is poured into the mould l 1 , and the surplus thereof is removed again, see Figs. 7J and K resp. Then a silicone coating 28 remains which is adhered to the forming mould body 1' by means of the adhesive layer 26. The forming mould 1 shown in Fig. 7L is now substantial¬ ly ready for use. Before using such a forming mould for forming a panel of Fig. 2, the holes 3 should be formed therein. This can be done by drilling holes in the bottom thereof. It is also possible to arrange pegs in the counter-mould 20 of Fig. 7A which, during forming the body 1* form the holes 3 in the required points. The silicone layer 28 covers the holes 3 and is pierced when inserting the fibers 2. This has the advanta- ge that the holes 3 are closed by the elastic silicone layer 28, so that leaking away of the casting mass through the holes is prevented, and it is not necessary that these holes fit closely around the fibres 3. Of course this can also be obtained by drilling the holes before providing the layer 28, or to restrict drilling to the bottom only. This silicone layer 28 prevents adhesion of the polyur¬ ethane mass to the mould 1 when using the latter. It will be clear that such a casting mould can also be used for casting other shaped pieces of polyurethane than the present panels, and that the same method can also be used for manufacturing moulds or dies for blow, vacuum or injection moulding etc. In general, in this manner a mould can be obtained which consists of the same material as the material to be formed therewith, this in virtue of the non-adhering coating 28 which is adhered to the similar mould body l 1 by means of an adhesive layer 26.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method for manufacturing light panels, consisting of a plate- or sheet-shaped carrier with light conducting fibres fixed therein according to a given pattern, characterized by: - inserting the ends of fibres (2) taken from a fibre supply (6) through openings (3) in the bottom of a mould (1) , - filling the mould (1) with a layer of a castable or spout- able and quickly setting material for forming the carrier (V), - releasing and subsequently removing the plastics carrier (7) from the mould (1) after having set in such a manner that the fibres (2) are retained therein, and - cutting the fibres (2) at the required length before or after removal, the fibres (2) coming from the supply (6) being pulled through the openings (3) during removal of the carrier (7) . 2. The method of claim 1, characterized in that the fibres after removing the carrier (7) from the mould (1) are cut off above the mould (1) , the portions of the fibres (2) behind a cutting point remaining in the mould (1) for the subsequent operation. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fibres (2) before being cut are taken together to form a narrow bundle (12) . 4. The method of any one of claims 1..3, characterized in that the fibres (2) during applying and setting of the layer (7') are being kept tensioned. 5. The method of any one of claims 1..4, characterized in that releasing the set layer (7) from the mould (1) is done by means of introduction of pressurized gas into this mould. 6. The method of any one of claims 2..5, characterized in that it is performed in three steps, in which, in the first step, the fibres (2) are introduced into the mould (1), whereafter the plastics is introduced into the mould (1) , the set layer (7) is released in the second step, and is pulled upwards over the required distance, the fibres then being kept tensioned, and, in the third step, the fibres (2) , as the case may be after being bundled, are cut off below the layer (7) in question, the second step coinciding with the first step of a subsequent operation with the same mould, the fibres (2) being braked at the fibre supply side of the mould (1) in order to keep the fibres (2) tensioned. 7. The method of any one of claims 1..6, characterized in that the fibres (2) are cut off at a small distance above a set carrier (7) , and in that, subsequently, a cover layer (14) is applied on the carrier (7) covering the extending ends of these fibres. 8. The method of claim 7, characterized in that small lenses are formed in the cover layer (14) around the fibre ends. 9. The method of any one of claims l..8, characterized in that, around the fibres (2) to be introduced into the mould (1) , plugs (15) having a bore (3) adapted to the fibre thickness are arranged, which plugs are inserted into adapted holes (3') of the mould (1). 10. The method of claim 9, characterized in that before releasing the set carrier (7) , the plugs (15) are pressed inwards. 11. The method of claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the plugs (15) are adapted to be inserted into the mould (l) at a desired angle, and in that the means (10) for pulling the set carrier (7) from the mould (1) are adapted to pull the latter away under a corresponding angle. 12. The method of any one of claims 1..11, characteri¬ zed in that cutting off the fibres (2) is performed under heating. 13. The method of claims 8 and 12, characterized in that the fibres (2) are cut off by melting, ' in particular by means of a laser beam, under forming a melting nob acting as a lense. 14. The method of any one of claims 1..13, characteri¬ zed in that the fibres (2) are cut off closely against the upper surface of a formed carrier (7) , this carrier (7) being pulled upwards by means of a suction plate (18) . 15. The method of claim 14, characterized in that it is conducted in three of four steps, wherein, in the first step, the fibres (2) are introduced into the mould (1) , and the plastics is introduced into the mould (1) , in the second step the fibres (2) are cut off above the layer (7) , in the third step the sufficiently set layer (7) is pulled upwards by means of the suction plate (18) over the required distance, the fibres (2) being kept tensioned, which third step coinci¬ des with the first step of a subsequent operation with the same mould (1) , the fibres (2) being braked at the fibre supply side of the mould (1) in order to keep the fibres (2) tensioned, and, in a possible fourth step, the fibres (2) are bundled after pulling upwards the carrier (7) . 16. A device for executing the method of any one of claims 1..15, characterized by a mould (1) provided with bottom openings (3) , means (4) for introducing a liquid plastics into this mould, one or more supply containers (6) for supplying light conducting fibres (2) towards the mould (1) , means (5) for guiding and braking the fibres introduced into the mould (1) , means (10) for pulling a carrier (7) from the mould (1) in which it has been formed, keeping tensioned the fibres pulled along, and means for cutting off the fibres. 17. The device of claim 16, characterized in that the bottom of the forming mould (1) is provided with means (8) for introducing a pressurized gas (9) below a formed layer (7). 18. The device of claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the mould (1) is provided with bottom openings (3') in which possibly shiftable plugs (15) provided with a fibre guiding bore (3) fit. 19. The device of any one of claims 16..18, characteri¬ zed in that the means for cutting the fibres (2) are adapted to soften or melt the fibres. 20. The device of claims 19, characterized in that the cutting means comprise a laser (17) , as well as movable elements (19) for directing the laser beam consecutively towards the different fibres (2) . 21. The device of any one of claims 16..20, characteri¬ zed in that the means for pulling away from the mould (1) the carrier (7) formed by the plastics layer comprise a suction plate (18) which is at least vertically displaceable. 22. The device of any one of claims 16..21, characteri¬ zed in that the means for pulling away the carrier are adapted to pull upwards this carrie at first at one side when removing it from the mould (1) . 23. A method for manufacturing a forming mould for forming objects form a casting mass, in particular a polyur¬ ethane resin, and particularly intended for application in the method according to any one of claims 1..15, characteri¬ zed by the following steps: - making a counter-mould (20) from a suitable material, in particular wood; - applying, on the mould surface (21) of this counter-mould, a separation agent (22) , in particular a silicone liquid, for forming a separation layer (23) ; - pouring into the counter-mould (22) a liquid casting mass (24) of the same material as for which the mould to be formed (1) is intended, and setting this mass (24) to form a mould body (1•); - pouring into this mould body (l 1 ) an adhesive (25), and, after removing the surplus, drying the thin layer (26) thereof remaining on the mould surface; and - pouring into the mould body (I') thus precauted a separa¬ ting material (27) not adhering to the material of the mould body (1*), in particular a silicone material, adhe¬ ring to the adhesive layer (26) , in order to obtain a coating (28) adhered to the mould body (!') not adhering to the same casting mass when pouring the latter into the mould (1) . 24. The method of claim 23, characterized in that holes (3) are formed in the casting mould bottom. 25. Casting mould, obtained by means of the method of claim 23 or 24, characterized by a body (l 1 ) made of a casting mass, in particular a polyurethane resin, on the surface of which a separation coating (28) is adhered by means of an adhesive layer (26) .

Inventors: KILSDONK ROGER LOUIS HENRI, KILSDONK, ROGER, LOUIS, HENRI
Applicants: NOVEM OPTICAL FIBERS BV, NOVEM OPTICAL FIBERS B.V.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B29D11
IPC codes: B29C39, B29C70, B29D11, B29K75, B29K105, B29L11, G02B6, G09F9