Patent Publication Number: US-2015085482-A1

Title: Remote beam shaping

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to the field of lighting. Specifically, the present invention relates to a lighting system capable of modifying a portion of a light field emitted by a light-emitting module providing a light field having a predefined uniformity of directionality. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is possible to provide light having a uniform light field with respect to directionality of light rays of the light field in a location such as a room using an appropriate light source or appropriate light sources. Such light may be useful in several applications including, for example, office or retail lighting. However, in some circumstances in such applications, such a light field may be too uniformly directional for certain tasks to be performed conveniently and/or efficiently. This may be alleviated by modification of the light source or by providing additional light sources. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In some cases, the uniformly directional light field may have a relatively small cross-section, for example such as the beam of light emitted by a spot light. In such cases, the light field may be desired to be scattered or spread out, in effect creating a diverging light field. 
     In view of the above discussion, a concern of the present invention is to provide a lighting system that has an increased adaptability with regards to operation under different requirements and/or in different applications compared to known lighting systems. 
     A further concern of the present invention is to provide a lighting system comprising a light-emitting module adapted to emit a light field having a predefined uniformity of directionality, which lighting system may alleviate or eliminate the problem of light field emitted by the light-emitting module being too uniform in directionality for certain tasks to be performed conveniently and/or efficiently. 
     To address at least one of these concerns and other concerns, a lighting system in accordance with the independent claim is provided. Preferred embodiments are defined by the dependent claims. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting system comprising a light-emitting module and an optical element. The light-emitting module is adapted to emit a light field having a predefined uniformity of directionality. The optical element is arranged so as to receive a portion of the light field emitted by the light-emitting module and configured to output a modified light field based on the received light field. The optical element is separately arranged with respect to the light-emitting module and configured to modify the light field input into the optical element, such that light field output from the optical element has a changed uniformity of directionality with respect to the light field emitted by the light-emitting module. 
     By the optical element being separately arranged with respect to the light-emitting module and being configured to modify the light field input into the optical element such that light field output from the optical element has a changed uniformity of directionality with respect to the light field emitted by the light-emitting module, the light field emitted by the light-emitting module may for example be focused or converged and/or redirected so as to produce a desired illumination pattern, e.g. so as to produce a spot light effect. 
     Hence, even in a case where a light-emitting module providing a light field having a substantially or completely uniform directionality is used, light field provided by the light-emitting module may for example be focused or converged and/or redirected by the optical element so as to produce a desired illumination pattern, e.g., so as to comply with an user and/or application requirement. 
     By the optical element being separately arranged with respect to the light-emitting module, modification of the portion of the light field emitted by the light-emitting module to change uniformity of directionality of the light field emitted by the light-emitting module for subsequent illumination of a scene or location may be done without need for modifying the light-emitting module itself. In the following, principles of operation of the lighting system according to one example are described. 
     By the optical element being arranged so as to receive a portion of the light field emitted by the light-emitting module, the optical element may intercept a portion of the light field emitted by the light-emitting module. Thereby, a shadowed region or area may be produced on a surface being illuminated by the lighting system. However, by the optical element being configured to modify the light field input into the optical element, most, some, or even all of the light field input into the optical element may then be, e.g., focused or redirected into a portion of the shadowed region. For example, by means of the lighting system a surface to be illuminated may be uniformly illuminated except where the optical element has its “effect”, where according to one example a dark annulus surrounding a brighter spot may be produced on the illuminated surface. Hence, the illumination intensity may be redistributed on the illuminated surface by means of the optical element. Such an effect may be useful for example in spot lighting in retail lighting applications. With reference to the above example, the dark annulus may make the spot appear relatively brighter by increasing the contrast, which would bring more visual attention to the spotlighted object or region. 
     The optical element may be a passive device, i.e. non-powered. According to one example, the optical element is substantially smaller in size compared to the light-emitting module. 
     In the context of the present application, by the optical element being separately arranged from the light-emitting module it is meant that the optical element is not mechanically coupled to the light-emitting module, i.e. that there is a spatial separation between the optical element and the light-emitting module. 
     The lighting system may comprise more than one optical element. 
     In some applications, the lighting system may comprise a plurality of optical elements, where each optical element is arranged so as to receive a portion of the light field emitted by the light-emitting module and configured to output a modified light field based on the received light field. 
     The portion of the light field emitted by the light-emitting module that is received by the optical element may for example be smaller than about half of the light field emitted by the light-emitting module. 
     By the portion of the light field emitted by the light-emitting module that is received by the optical element being smaller than the light field emitted by the light-emitting module, it may be meant that a cross section of the collection or bundle of light rays comprised in the portion of the light field emitted by the light-emitting module that is received by the optical element is smaller than a cross section of the collection or bundle of light rays comprised in the light field emitted by the light-emitting module. For example, the portion of the light field emitted by the light-emitting module that is received by the optical element may have a cross section that is smaller than about half of a cross section of the light field emitted by the light-emitting module. 
     The optical element may be arranged so as to be movable with respect to the light-emitting module. Hence, the optical element may be positioned and repositioned as needed for modifying the light field input into the optical element such that light field output from the optical element has a changed uniformity of directionality with respect to the light field emitted by the light-emitting module, without need for modifying the light-emitting module itself. 
     The optical element may be configurable with respect to capacity and/or capability of modification of the light field input into the optical element. For example, the optical element may be configurable such that different illumination patterns of light field output by the optical element, including for example a spot light pattern, may be achieved. 
     The light-emitting module may comprise a plurality of light sources. 
     The plurality of light sources may for example comprise a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The plurality of light sources may for example be arranged in an array or be arranged so as to form a grid. 
     The light-emitting module and/or the plurality of light sources may for example comprise at least one organic light-emitting diode (OLED). 
     The lighting system may comprise a collimation element adapted to collimate the light field emitted by the light-emitting module. Such a collimation element may for example comprise an optical film or layer. 
     Alternatively or optionally, each light source of the plurality of light sources may comprise a collimation element adapted to collimate the light field emitted by the light source. 
     The collimation element may constrain the directionality of the light field emitted by the respective light source or by the light sources. By such a configuration, the light field modifying effect of the optical element may be enhanced or increased. For example, by increasing collimation of the light field from each light source of the plurality of light sources, the focusing by the optical element may become more precise. An extreme, ideal example is where the plurality of light sources produces a plurality of parallel or substantially parallel light rays. 
     Each light source of the plurality of light sources may comprise an output surface via which a light field is emitted from the light source. 
     The collimation element of each light source may be configured to collimate light emitted by the light source such that a beam of light or light ray leaving the collimation element exhibits an angle in relation to a normal of the output surface that is below 45°, or below 10°, for example an angle in relation to a normal of the output surface that is 8°. 
     Allowing for only a limited degree of collimation to be performed by the collimators may be desirable since the extreme, ideal example where the plurality of light sources produce a plurality of parallel or substantially parallel light rays may enhance any optical defects, spatial displacement errors, dispersion, etc., associated with the light sources. 
     Modeling has indicated that configuring the collimation element of each light source to collimate light emitted by the light source such that a beam of light leaving the collimation element exhibits an angle in relation to a normal of the output surface that is about 8° may be particularly beneficial with regards to enhancement or increase of light field modifying effect of the optical element. 
     The light-emitting module may be adapted to emit a light field such that the light rays comprising the light field each has an angle of directionality that differs with respect to the angles of directionality of the other light rays by less than 45°, or even less than 10°. 
     In other words, the light-emitting module may be adapted to emit a light field having an uniformity of directionality such that an angular difference between the directions of light rays comprising the light field is less than 45°, or less than 10°. 
     The optical element may comprise at least one refractive element. The at least one refractive element may for example comprise a lens, such as a biconvex or planoconvex lens or a Fresnel lens or the like, or a prism or another rectilinear object. 
     The lens may for example be made of or comprise glass, plastic, water included a transparent vessel made of plastic or glass, and/or any similar optical material with an index of refraction exceeding the index of refraction of air and with sufficient transparency so as to not absorb too much of light. Such a lens could have a number of different shapes, e.g., the lens could be round, elliptical, cylindrical, etc., depending on the desired focal pattern. A cylindrical lens may be particularly useful for example in order to provide an oblong focal pattern rather than a circular spot that a round lens would provide. 
     The refractive prism or other rectilinear object may be made of same or similar material or materials as a lens described in the foregoing. 
     The optical element may be configured to modify the light field input into the optical element such that light field output from the optical element has a predefined intensity and/or irradiance distribution. To this end, the optical element may for example comprise a refractive ‘free-shape’ configured to cause a predefined beam shape and intensity and/or irradiance distribution of light field output from the optical element. 
     The optical element may comprise a wavelength-selective element configured to modify the light field that is input into the optical element such that light field output from the optical element is such that the spectral power distribution of the light field is attenuated with respect to wavelength in a predefined manner. Such a wavelength-selective element may be used, e.g., to reduce output of light from the optical element being in the infrared wave-length range. 
     The optical element may comprise an anti-reflective element. Such an anti-reflective element may for example comprise anti-reflective coating applied to a surface of the optical element. Such an anti-reflective element may reduce or eliminate occurrence of specular reflections and/or reduce or eliminate occurrence of undesired reflections, e.g. in undesired directions with respect to the optical element. 
     Alternatively or optionally, the optical element may comprise a reflective surface portion, e.g. a surface portion coated with a reflective coating, or a reflective element. 
     The lighting system may comprise mounting means adapted to releasably mount the optical element at a location or in a position so as to receive the portion of the light field emitted by the light-emitting module. 
     For example, such mounting means may comprise means for suspending the optical element from the ceiling in a room, means for mounting the optical element above the working space of a desk in an office, and/or means for attaching the optical element to a wall in a room. 
     According to another example, the mounting means may be adapted to releasably mount the optical element to the surface, housing, and/or structure of the light-emitting module. 
     The mounting means may exhibit portability and/or reconfigurability functions, e.g. by means of provision of a spring-loading arrangement, similar to a spring-loaded desk lamp arm, that may be capable of controllably positioning and repositioning the optical element to the desired location. 
     The lighting system may comprise an envelope that is removably arrangeable on the optical element so as to at least partially surround the optical element. 
     The envelope may be configured to impede light from reaching the optical element when the envelope is arranged on the optical element. Light may also be impeded from leaving the optical element by the envelope when the envelope is arranged on the optical element. 
     The envelope may for example comprise an opaque or semitransparent film or layer that can be applied to a surface of the optical element. Such an envelope may be beneficial for preventing undesired operation of the optical element for example during handling, installation and/or transportation of the optical element and/or lighting system. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical element adapted to be included in a lighting system according to the present invention. The optical element is arrangeable so as to receive a portion of the light field emitted by the light-emitting module included in the lighting system and output a modified light field based on the received light field. 
     In the context of the present application, by a ‘light field’ it is meant a collection and/or bundle of light rays in space, each of which light rays has a starting point, direction, intensity, and spectral power distribution. 
     In the context of the present application, by uniformity of directionality it is meant a similarity of the directions of the individual light rays in the collection of light rays in the light field. 
     For example, by a light field being uniform in directionality, it is meant a light field comprised by light rays that each has an angle of directionality that differs with respect to the angles of directionality of the other light rays by less than a predefined angle, e.g. less than 45°, or even less than 10°. 
     An extreme example of a light field being uniform in directionality is where the light rays of the light field are parallel or substantially parallel with respect to each other. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention are described in the following by means of exemplifying embodiments. 
     It is noted that the present invention relates to all possible combinations of features recited in the claims. Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description. Those skilled in the art realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplifying embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of a light-emitting module included in a lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar elements throughout the views. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplifying embodiments of the present invention are shown. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, like numbers refer to like or similar elements or components throughout. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a schematic block diagram of a lighting system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lighting system  100  comprises a light-emitting module  101  and an optical element  102 . 
     The light-emitting module  101  is adapted to emit a light field  103  having a predefined uniformity of directionality. The optical element  102  is arranged so as to receive a portion of the light field  103  emitted by the light-emitting module  101 , and is further configured to output a modified light field  104  based on the received light field  103 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , only the portion of the light field  103  emitted by the light-emitting module  101  that is received by the optical element  102  is depicted, and not the entire light field emitted by the light-emitting module  101 . 
     The sizes of block  101  representing the light-emitting module and block  102  representing the optical element in  FIG. 1  are not to scale. The optical element  102  may be substantially smaller than the light-emitting module  101 . 
     The light field  103  and the light field  104  are indicated only schematically in  FIG. 1  by respective arrows  103  and  104 . 
     The optical element  102  is separately arranged with respect to the light-emitting module  101  and configured to modify the light field  103  input into the optical element  102  such that light field  104  output from the optical element  102  has a changed uniformity of directionality with respect to the light field  103  emitted by the light-emitting module  101 , i.e. such that light field  104  output from the optical element  102  has a changed uniformity of directionality compared with the uniformity of directionality of the light field being emitted by the light-emitting module  101 . 
     According to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the optical element  102  is adapted to make the light field  103  more focused or convergent, resulting in light field  104 . 
     According to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the optical element  102  comprises a refractive element  105 , a wavelength-selective element  106  configured to modify the light field  103  input into the optical element  102  such that the spectral power distribution of the light field  103  is attenuated with respect to wavelength in a predefined manner. For example, by the wavelength-selective element  106  the light rays comprising the light field  104  may each have a wavelength being within a predefined wavelength range. The optical element  102  comprises an anti-reflective element  107 . 
     Each of the refractive element  105 , wavelength-selective element  106  and anti-reflective element  107  is optional. The optical element  102  may comprise one or more of the refractive element  105 , the wavelength-selective element  106  and the anti-reflective element  107 . 
     Alternatively or optionally, the light-emitting module  101  may comprise at least one organic light-emitting diode (OLED). OLEDs may be particularly advantageous because they may emit light from an extended area. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a schematic side view of a light-emitting module  101  included in a lighting system (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The light-emitting module  101  comprises a plurality of light sources  108 . Each of the plurality of light sources  108  comprises a collimation element  109  adapted to collimate the light field emitted by the light source  108 . It is to be understood that the number of light sources  108  shown in  FIG. 2  is according to an example. In principle, the number of light sources  108  included in the light-emitting module  101  may be any positive integer. 
     The plurality of light sources  108  may for example comprise a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which LEDs for example may be arranged in an array. The plurality of LEDs may for example comprise at least one OLED. 
     According to the example depicted in  FIG. 2 , each light source  108  comprises an output surface  110  via which light is emitted from the light source  108 . Only the output surfaces  110  of some light sources  108  are indicated by reference numerals  110  in  FIG. 2 . The collimation element  109  of each light source  108  is configured to collimate light emitted by the light source  108  such that a beam of light leaving the collimation element  109  exhibits an angle in relation to a normal of the output surface  110  that is within a predefined angle range. For example, the predefined angle range may be 6°-45°. 
     It is to be understood that the light-emitting module  101  may comprise components other than those shown in  FIG. 2 , such as wiring, electrical circuitry, housing, etc. However, such components are not shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a schematic block diagram of a lighting system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention, the lighting system  100  comprising a light-emitting module  101  and an optical element  102 . 
     The components  101  and  102  of the lighting system  100  in  FIG. 3  are similar to or the same as the components  101  and  102 , respectively, of the lighting system  100  in  FIG. 1 , and the functions of the components  101  and  102  of the lighting system  100  in  FIG. 3  are similar to or the same as the components  101  and  102 , respectively, of the lighting system  100  in  FIG. 1 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the lighting system  100  comprises mounting means  112  adapted to releasably mount the optical element  102  at a location, e.g. in a desired position in a room, so as to receive the portion of the light field  103  emitted by the light-emitting module  101 , indicated schematically in  FIG. 3  by the single arrow. 
     The mounting means  112  is only schematically shown in  FIG. 3 . The mounting means  112  may for example comprise means for suspending the optical element from the ceiling in the room, means for mounting the optical element above the working space of a desk in the room, and/or means for attaching the optical element to a wall in the room. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 3 , the lighting system  100  comprises an envelope  111  that is removably arrangeable on the optical element  102  so as to at least partially surround the optical element  102 . In  FIG. 3  the situation where the envelope  111  is arranged on the optical element  102  is indicated. When arranged on the optical element  102 , the envelope  111  is configured to impede light from reaching the optical element  102 . 
     Each of the mounting means  112  and envelope  111  is optional. The lighting system  100  may comprise either one or both of the mounting means  112  and envelope  111 . 
     The sizes of block  101  representing the light-emitting module and block  102  representing the optical element in  FIG. 3  are not to scale. The optical element  102  may be substantially smaller than the light-emitting module  101 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a schematic side view of a light-emitting module  101  included in a lighting system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The light-emitting module  101  comprises a plurality of light sources  108 . The lighting system  100  comprises a collimation element  109  adapted to collimate the light field emitted by the light-emitting module  101 . The resulting light field may be such that the light rays comprising the light field each has an angle of directionality that differs with respect to the angles of directionality of the other light rays by less than 45°, or even less than 10°. 
     It is to be understood that the number of light sources  108  shown in  FIG. 4  is according to an example. In principle, the number of light sources  108  included in the light-emitting module  101  may be any positive integer. 
     The lighting system  100  comprises an optical element (not shown in  FIG. 4 ), for example one such as has been described in the foregoing with reference to  FIG. 1  or  3 . 
     In conclusion, a lighting system is disclosed. The lighting system comprises a light-emitting module adapted to emit a light field having a predefined uniformity of directionality and an optical element arranged so as to receive a portion of the light field emitted by the light-emitting module and configured to output a modified light field based on the received light field. The optical element is separately arranged with respect to the light-emitting module and configured to modify the light field input into the optical element such that light field output from the optical element has a changed uniformity of directionality with respect to the light field emitted by the light-emitting module. An optical element adapted to be included in the lighting system is also disclosed. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the appended drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplifying and not restrictive; the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.