Patent Publication Number: US-2019186713-A1

Title: Lamp with adjustable light pattern

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Taiwan application Serial No. 106143900, filed Dec. 14, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure relates in general to a lamp, and more particularly to a lamp with adjustable light pattern. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The illumination device has become an indispensable and important equipment in our daily lives. The design of lamps used in different occasions is different so as to meet the illumination requirement of each occasion. 
     However, the lamp under one design is usually applicable for only one occasion instead of being flexibly adjusted for different occasions. Further, it may also need to replace the lamp manually. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosure relates to a lamp with adjustable light pattern. 
     According to one embodiment, a lamp with adjustable light pattern is provided. The lamp with adjustable light pattern includes a light source, a first reflective element, a second reflective element and a driving mechanism. The light source is configured to emit a light beam. The first reflective element includes a first reflective surface adapted to reflect the light beam emitted from the light source. The second reflective element includes a second reflective surface adapted to reflect the light beam reflected by the first reflective surface. The driving mechanism is configured to drive at least one of the first reflective element and the second reflective element to move. The first reflective element has a first curved surface and a first another curved surface different from the first curved surface, and the first reflective surface is the first curved surface or the first another curved surface different from the first curved surface; and/or the second reflective element has a second curved surface and a second another curved surface different from the second curved surface, and the second reflective surface is the second curved surface or the second another curved surface different from the second curved surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the lamp with adjustable light pattern according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the lamp with adjustable light pattern according to one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate exemplary diagrams showing how to adjust light pattern of the lamp according to the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary diagram showing how to adjust light pattern of the lamp according to another embodiment. 
         FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate exemplary diagrams showing how to adjust light pattern of the lamp according to an alternative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the light beam emitted from the light source is first reflected by the first reflective surface of the first reflective element, and then reflected by the second reflective surface of the second reflective element to emit out. In addition, at least one of the first reflective element, having a first curved surface and a first another curved surface different from the first curved surface, and the second reflective element, having a second curved surface and a second another curved surface different from the second curved surface, is driven to move by the driving mechanism, such that the first curved surface or the first another curved surface is set as the first reflective surface, and/or the second curved surface or said the second another curved surface is set as the second reflective surface. Thus, the overall light pattern of the lamp can be changed. Therefore, driving at least one of the first reflective element and the second reflective element to move by the driving mechanism may have the lamp emit several different light patterns. 
     In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. Although the present disclosure does not illustrate all possible embodiments, other embodiments not disclosed in the present disclosure are still applicable. Moreover, the dimension scales used in the accompanying drawings are not based on actual proportion of the product. Therefore, the specification and drawings are used for explaining and describing the embodiments only, but not used for limiting the scope of protection of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in the drawings of the embodiments, some elements are omitted so that some features can be clearly illustrated. Designations common to the accompanying drawings and embodiments are used to indicate identical or similar elements. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the lamp  1  with adjustable light pattern according to one embodiment.  FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the lamp  1  with adjustable light pattern according to one embodiment. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lamp  1  includes a light source  10 , a first reflective element  11 , a second reflective element  12  and a driving mechanism  13 . The light source  10  is configured to emit light beams. The light source  10  may be, for example, a Light-Emitting Diode (LED), an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED), a Chip-On-Board (COB) LED, a Surface Mount Device (SMD) type LED, a laser diode, a High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lamp, a fluorescent lamp, a mercury lamp, a halogen lamp, and so on. 
     The second reflective element  12  has an accommodation space  120 . The first reflective element  11  is disposed in the accommodation space  120 . In detail, the light source  10  and the second reflective element  12  may be arranged together. The light emitting surface of the light source  10  is exposed from the second reflective element  12 . The second reflective element  12  extends from the light source  10  thus to form the accommodation space  120 . The first reflective element  11  includes a first reflective surface  111 . The second reflective element  12  includes a second reflective surface  121 . The second reflective surface  121  may be the inner surface of the second reflective element  12  and surround the accommodation space  120 . Herein, the first reflective surface  111  and the second reflective surface  121  may be made of materials capable of reflecting light beams. For example, a metal layer may respectively be plated on the first reflective surface  111  and the second reflective surface  121  so as to reflect light beams. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first reflective surface  111  may be arranged towards the light source  10 , and may reflect the light beams emitted from the light source  10 . In addition, the first reflective element  11  may be spaced from the light source  10  by a suitable distance, so that a majority of the light beams emitted from the light source  10  may be reflected by the first reflective surface  111 . Subsequently, the light beams reflected by the first reflective surface  111  may be reflected by the second reflective surface  121  to emit out so as to present the overall light pattern of the lamp. 
     In one embodiment, the driving mechanism  13  is configured to drive the first reflective element  11  to move. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the driving mechanism  13  may include a shaft  133  and a driving unit  131  coupled with each other. The shaft  133  is connected to the first reflective element  11 . The driving unit  131  may include a motor, such as a stepped motor. The driving unit  131  is configured to drive the shaft  133  to rotate, so that the first reflective element  11  rotates around the shaft  133 . Furthermore, the driving mechanism  13  may further include a positioning unit  132  electrically connected to the driving unit  131 . The positioning unit  132  may be, for example, a cam system, an encoder, sensor, switch and so on that can be reset to zero or sense the position, to implement addressing control. Thus, it may make the rotation control more accurate. Moreover, it is not limited to using the motor to directly rotate the shaft  133  in the present disclosure. In another embodiment, the shaft  133  may be indirectly driven to rotate by a mechanism such as belts, gears, chains, connecting rod and so on. 
     According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the shaft  133  may be arranged to have a specific angle with respect to the light emitting surface of the light source  10 . For example, in one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the shaft  133  is arranged parallel to the light emitting surface of the light source  10 . That is, the plane of rotation of the first reflective element  11  is perpendicular to the light emitting surface of the light source  10 . In another embodiment, the shaft  133  may be arranged perpendicular to the light emitting surface of the light source  10 . That is, the plane of rotation of the first reflective element  11  is parallel to the light emitting surface of the light source  10 . But the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     In one embodiment, a metal layer may be plated on the surface of the shaft  133  so as to enhance the light extraction efficiency of the lamp  1 . Furthermore, in one embodiment, the driving mechanism  13  may rotate the first reflective element  11  by means of, for example, a solenoid valve, a magnetic levitation and so on. In such a condition, the shaft  133  may be omitted. 
       FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate exemplary diagrams showing how to adjust light pattern of the lamp  1  according to the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the first reflective element  11  has a first curved surface  1111 . In this attitude, the first reflective surface  111  is arranged towards the light source  10  with the first curved surface  1111 . In one embodiment, the first curved surface  1111  may have a freeform surface or a variable curvature distribution. Herein, the freeform surface may represent a single reflective mirror having a variable curvature distribution thereon, and the variable curvature distribution may represent a varying curvature distribution composed of several reflective mirrors. For instance, the first curved surface  1111  may have a freeform surface, such as a distribution of aspheric surface, and may be symmetrical to the optical axis A. For example, the first curved surface  1111  may face the light source  10  with a convex contour at the optical axis A, and may face the light source  10  with a concave contour away from the optical axis A. But the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the first curved surface  1111  may be asymmetrical to the optical axis A. 
     On the other hand, the second reflective element  12  has a second curved surface. In this attitude, the second reflective surface  121  is the second curved surface. In one embodiment, the second curved surface may have a constant curvature distribution. For instance, the second curved surface may have a distribution of spherical curvature, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the second curved surface may also have a freeform surface or a variable curvature distribution. For example, the second curved surface may have a variable curvature distribution which may be composed of several reflective mirrors instead of being a smooth curved surface. Furthermore, the second curved surface may be symmetrical or asymmetrical to the optical axis A. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , the light beam L emitted from light source  10  may be reflected by the first reflective surface  111  having the first curved surface  1111  first. Subsequently, the reflected light beam L may further be reflected by the second reflective surface  121  having the second curved surface to emit out, so that the lamp  1  emits a first type of light pattern. In this attitude, for example, the lamp  1  emits light at a large angle. 
     In addition to the first curved surface  1111 , the first reflective element  11  further has a first another curved surface  1112  different from the first curved surface  1111 . To make the lamp  1  emit other types of light pattern, the shaft  133  of the driving mechanism  13  (as designated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) may be driven to rotate. Thus, the first reflective element  11  may rotate accordingly, while the second reflective element  12  is stationary. As shown in  FIG. 3B , herein, the first reflective element  11  rotate around the shaft  133  by about 180 degrees. In this attitude, the first reflective surface  111  is arranged towards the light source  10  with the first another curved surface  1112  which may, for example, have a convex contour facing the light source  10 . In one embodiment, the first another curved surface  1112  may also have a freeform surface or a variable curvature distribution. For instance, the first another curved surface  1112  may have a freeform surface, such as a distribution of aspheric surface, and may be symmetrical to the optical axis A. But the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the first another curved surface  1112  may be asymmetrical to the optical axis A. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3B , the light beam L′ emitted from the light source  10  may be reflected by the first reflective surface  111  having the first another curved surface  1112  different from the first curved surface  1111  first. Subsequently, the reflected light beam L′ may further be reflected by the second reflective surface  121  having the second curved surface to emit out, so that the lamp  1  emits another type of light pattern. In this attitude, for example, the lamp  1  emits light at a small angle. 
     The embodiment of  FIGS. 3A-3B  is described with the case that the first reflective element  11  rotates by about 180 degrees. However, the first reflective element  11  may rotate by different degrees, so that the first reflective surface  111  is arranged towards the light source  10  with a specific curved surface. Thus, the lamp  1  may emit several different types of light patterns. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary diagram showing how to adjust light pattern of the lamp  2  according to another embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 4 , herein, the relative positions among the light source  20 , the first reflective element  21  and the second reflective element  22  are similar to those of the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A-3B , and it will not be described here again. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first reflective element  21  has a first curved surface. In this attitude, the first reflective surface  211  is the first curved surface. In one embodiment, the first curved surface may be arranged to be convex towards the light source  20 , but the first curved surface may also be arranged to be concave towards the light source  20 . Furthermore, the first curved surface may have a constant curvature distribution. For instance, the first curved surface may have a distribution of spherical curvature, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the first curved surface may also have a freeform surface or a variable curvature distribution. For example, the first curved surface may have a variable curvature distribution which may be composed of several reflective mirrors instead of being a smooth curved surface. Furthermore, the first curved surface may be symmetrical or asymmetrical to the optical axis A. 
     On the other hand, the second reflective element  22  has a second curved surface  2211 . In this attitude, the second reflective surface  221  is the second curved surface  2211 . In one embodiment, the second curved surface  2211  may have a constant curvature distribution, such as a distribution of spherical curvature, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the second curved surface  2211  may also have a freeform surface or a variable curvature distribution. For example, the second curved surface  2211  may have a variable curvature distribution which may be composed of several reflective mirrors instead of being a smooth curved surface. Furthermore, the second curved surface  2211  may be symmetrical or asymmetrical to the optical axis A. 
     The difference between the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A-3B  and the present embodiment is that in the present embodiment, the light pattern of the lamp  2  may be changed by driving the second reflective element  22  to move by the driving mechanism. 
     In detail, as shown in the part depicted by solid line in  FIG. 4 , the light beam L emitted from the light source  20  may be reflected by the first reflective surface  211  having the first curved surface first. Subsequently, the reflected light beam L may further be reflected by the second reflective surface  221  having the second curved surface  2211  to emit out, so that the lamp  2  emits a first type of light pattern. In this attitude, for example, the lamp  2  emits light at a small angle. 
     To make the lamp  2  emit other types of light pattern, the driving mechanism may drive the second reflective element  22  to move. Thus, the attitude of the second reflective element  22  may be changed accordingly, while the first reflective element  21  is stationary. In one embodiment, the second reflective element  22  may be made of a flexible material. Therefore, the shape of the second reflective element  22  may be changed by the driving mechanism, so that the second reflective element  22  further has a second another curved surface  2212  different from the second curved surface  2211 . Similarly, the second another curved surface  2212  may also have a freeform surface, a variable curvature distribution or a constant curvature distribution. In addition, the second another curved surface  2212  may be symmetrical or asymmetrical to the optical axis A. 
     As shown in the part depicted by dotted line in  FIG. 4 , the light beam L′ emitted from the light source  20  may be reflected by the first reflective surface  211  having the first curved surface first. Subsequently, the reflected light beam L′ may further be reflected by the second reflective surface  221  having the second another curved surface  2212  different from the second curved surface  2211  to emit out, so that the lamp  2  emits another type of light pattern. In this attitude, for example, the lamp  2  emits light at a large angle. 
     Similarly, the second reflective element  22  may further be transformed into other shapes by the driving mechanism, so that the second reflective surface  221  may reflect the light beam reflected by the first reflective surface  211  with a specific curved surface. Thus, the lamp  2  may emit several different types of light patterns. 
       FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate exemplary diagrams showing how to adjust light pattern of the lamp  3  according to an alternative embodiment. Referring to  FIGS. 5A-5B , herein, the relative positions among the light source  30 , the first reflective element  31  and the second reflective element  32  are similar to those of the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A-3B , and it will not be described here again. 
     In one embodiment, the design of the first reflective element  31  may be similar to that of the first reflective element  11  and the modification thereof in the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A-3B , the design of the second reflective element  32  may be similar to that of the second reflective element  22  and the modification thereof in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , and it will not be described here again. 
     The difference between the embodiments of  FIGS. 3A-3B ,  FIG. 4  and the present embodiment is that in the present embodiment, the light pattern of the lamp  3  may be changed by selectively driving the first reflective element  31  and the second reflective element  32  to move by the driving mechanism. 
     In detail, as shown in  FIG. 5A , the first reflective element  31  has a first curved surface  3111 . First, the first reflective element  31  may be driven to be the attitude as shown in  FIG. 5A  by the driving mechanism. In this attitude, the first reflective surface  311  is arranged towards the light source  30  with the first curved surface  3111 . On the other hand, the second reflective element  32  has a second curved surface  3211 . In this attitude, the second reflective surface  321  is the second curved surface  3211 . 
     As shown in the part depicted by solid line in  FIG. 5A , the light beam L 1  emitted from the light source  30  may be reflected by the first reflective surface  311  having the first curved surface  3111  first. Subsequently, the reflected light beam L 1  may further be reflected by the second reflective surface  321  having the second curved surface  3211  to emit out, so that the lamp  3  emits a first type of light pattern. 
     Subsequently, the driving mechanism may drive the second reflective element  32  to move. Thus, the attitude of the second reflective element  32  may be changed accordingly. As shown in the part depicted by dotted line in  FIG. 5A , the second reflective element  32  has a second another curved surface  3212  different from the second curved surface  3211  through the drive of the driving mechanism. In this attitude, the second reflective surface  321  is the second another curved surface  3212 . The light beam L 2  emitted from the light source  30  may be reflected by the first reflective surface  311  having the first curved surface  3111  first. Subsequently, the reflected light beam L 2  may further be reflected by the second reflective surface  321  having the second another curved surface  3212  different from the second curved surface  3211  to emit out, so that the lamp  3  emits a second type of light pattern. 
     Moreover, in addition to the first curved surface  3111 , the first reflective element  31  further has a first another curved surface  3112 . As shown in  FIG. 5B , the driving mechanism may further drive the first reflective element  31  to rotate, so that the first reflective element  31  rotates around the shaft  333  by about 180 degrees. In this attitude, the first reflective surface  311  is arranged towards the light source  30  with the first another curved surface  3112 . However, the first reflective element  31  may rotate by different degrees, so that the first reflective surface  311  is arranged towards the light source  30  with a specific curved surface. 
     As shown in the part depicted by solid line in  FIG. 5B , the light beam L 3  emitted from the light source  30  may be reflected by the first reflective surface  311  having the first another curved surface  3112  different from the first curved surface  3111  first. Subsequently, the reflected light beam L 3  may further be reflected by the second reflective surface  321  having the second curved surface  3211  to emit out, so that the lamp  3  emits a third type of light pattern. 
     Subsequently, the driving mechanism may drive the second reflective element  32  to move. Thus, the attitude of the second reflective element  32  may be changed accordingly. As shown in the part depicted by dotted line in  FIG. 5B , the second reflective element  32  has the second another curved surface  3212  different from the second curved surface  3211  through the drive of the driving mechanism. In this attitude, the second reflective surface  321  is the second another curved surface  3212 . The light beam L 4  emitted from the light source  30  may be reflected by the first reflective surface  311  having the first another curved surface  3112  different from the first curved surface  3111  first. Subsequently, the reflected light beam L 4  may further be reflected by the second reflective surface  321  having the second another curved surface  3212  different from the second curved surface  3211  to emit out, so that the lamp  3  emits a fourth type of light pattern. 
     Similarly, the driving mechanism may further drive the first reflective element  31  to rotate by different degrees, and/or drive the second reflective element  32  to be transformed into other shapes, so that the first reflective surface  311  is arranged towards the light source  30  with a specific curved surface, and/or the second reflective surface  321  may reflect the light beam reflected by the first reflective surface  311  with a specific curved surface. Thus, the lamp  3  may emit several different types of light patterns. 
     According to several embodiments set above, the light beam emitted from the light source may be reflected twice before emitting out, thereby shortening the optical path. Therefore, the above embodiments may further reduce the overall volume of the lamp, especially shorten the height of the lamp along the optical axis. Further, the lamp with adjustable light pattern provided in the present disclosure may have several different types of light patterns under a reduced volume. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.