WO2001018776A2

WO2001018776A2 - Economical and self-powered electronic luminous display device

Info

Publication number: WO2001018776A2
Application number: PCT/FR2000/002372
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mireille Georges; Claude Noerdinger
Original assignee: Mireille Georges; Claude Noerdinger
Priority date: 1999-09-03
Filing date: 2000-08-25
Publication date: 2001-03-15
Also published as: WO2001018776A3; AU7016400A; FR2798214A1

Abstract

The invention concerns an economical and self-powered electronic luminous display or signalling device, using the properties of an optical part and light sources (LED, micro-lamps), with low consumption of energy and high light output thereby providing self-sufficient power supply through wind or solar energy. The device consists of a section (1), containing an insulating casing (2), wherein are arranged light sources (4), whereof the point light is spread by an optical part (13) before penetrating through the field (f) of a translucent plate (c). The photoelectric cell (12) controls the opening and closure of power supply (9) whereof the low-voltage electrical power is self-produced by an air turbine (11) or solar collectors (14) through an alternator (7) and a voltage regulator (8). A remote-control (19) antenna (18) provides all remote control functions. The inventive device is designed for signalling or displaying, especially where for economic reasons a device self-sufficient in electrical power is required.

Description

ENERGY-SAVING AND SELF-CONTAINED ELECTRONIC LIGHT DISPLAY DEVICE

The present invention relates to an electronic energy-saving and autonomous electronic light display or signaling device, powered by wind or solar energy, or simply energy-efficient, powered by the electrical sector and using the properties of LEDs, light-emitting diodes, micro-lamps or luminous tubes, with low energy consumption and high luminous efficiency, whose punctual light spread by an optical part, penetrating by the polished field (s) of one (or more) transparent plate, allows the 'luminous display of information seen through transparency.

This type of plate is usually made with materials of the acrylic glass type (Altuglas ^R , Plexiglas ^R , Perspex ^R ...) having a refractive index identical to or close to that of glass,

The illumination by its field of this type of transparent plate intended for the luminous display, contrasted or not on an opaque background, was traditionally obtained by means of fluorescent lamps or of cold cathode tubes of neon type, affixed in parallel, against or above the polished field of the transparent plate (s), the portion of light channeled into this sort of optical fiber, being reflectorized before or after having crossed the opposite field through which the light escapes.

The relatively large consumption of this type of lamps (4W to 56W depending on the formats to be lit), powered mainly by 220 volts, their relatively short lifespan (7000 to 15000 hours), their relatively large heat release with their ballast of power supply (50 to 70 °), the impossibility of making them blink (safety or road information, etc.), their pulsed whitish lighting (colored glass), and their size, limited their use to a wired power supply by the electric sector without autonomous power supply.

These assemblies therefore most often consist of a metal profile containing the light source and pinching the transparent plate or plates serving as support for the display or the signaling.

In this state of the art, the process could not benefit from electronic technologies and its various principles of use (flashing, lighting of various geometric shapes ...), as well as the low energy consumption making it possible to supply autonomous.

The purpose of the invention was therefore to resolve the technical problems associated with the use of an autonomous electronic power supply with electrical energy with that of light sources such as light-emitting diodes, micro-lamps or light tubes with low energy consumption (10 to 40 Mil-amps) and high light output (3 to 15 Candelas per lamp) and a lifetime up to 200,000 hours

1 °) Ensure by an optical device the equal penetration of the light coming from several diodes or micro-lamps with punctual light distributed according to a step of 1 to several centimeters, according to their light output (3 to 15 Candelas)

2 °) Design a simple electronic connection of these LEDs, light-emitting diodes, micro-lamps or light tubes around the fields of transparent display plates lit by this means

3 °) Determine the sources of usable natural energies, selected for a sufficient accumulative food, knowing that the night lighting time is 14 hours on average during the winter period

4 °) Design an electronic device for autonomous supply of electrical energy, comprising the natural energy collection system (solar collector, wind turbine), the generator, the filtered voltage regulator, the accumulator, the day control cell -night and the light source constituted by the row of LEDs, light-emitting diodes, micro-lamps or light tubes

5 °) Establish this device in an infrastructure compatible in size and aesthetics, with the marketing of a concept intended mainly for the communication and display sectors, based on the technique of lighting by the edge of plates transparent

6 °) Distribute the rays of point and directional light coming from light-emitting diodes or micro-lamps, to obtain a homogeneous light, diffused and distributed as uniformly as possible on the range of illumination intended to receive the display

7 °) In the case of illumination by a single field of the transparent plate (s), reflect the light at the best angle before it escapes by the field opposite to its penetration

Once the above problems have been resolved, the most remarkable advantages of the device are

- its low energy consumption and its high light output, - its energy autonomy allowing it to be used outside any proximity to the electricity network.

- its lighting life (150,000 to 200,000 hours).

- its diversity of applications through its electronic-based operation combined with the property of LEDs or light-emitting diodes (flashing, remote control, multiple colors with the same lamp).

The purpose of the invention is to provide solutions to the specifications thus constituted from the first to the seventh point described above. The invention therefore relates to an electronic energy-saving and autonomous electronic light display or signaling device, powered by solar energy, wind power and any other natural energy source (or only energy-efficient, powered by the electrical network). and using the properties of LEDs, light-emitting diodes, micro-lamps or light tubes, with low energy consumption and high light output, whose point light spread and distributed through an optical part, penetrating by the field polished with one (or more) transparent plate, allows the luminous display of information seen by transparency.

This light thus penetrating through the field (s) of one (or more) transparent plate, allows the luminous display of inscriptions on the transparent or opacified background, opposite to the reading.

Penetrating by a single field the light is reflectorized before escaping through the opposite field.

By using LEDs or light-emitting diodes as light sources, the average consumption for an average light output of 200 lumens recorded on the surface reserved for the display is 4 W maximum per M ² , the lifespan of these LEDs being from 150,000 to 200,000 hours or 20 years without changing the lamps.

The invention comprises, according to a first characteristic, (FIG. 1), an aluminum profile (1), metallic or made of reinforced rigid plastic material, closed by two plugs (21), itself containing an insulating housing (2), made of plastic material. fireproof (PVC or polycarbonate) in which the following elements are arranged.

A rigid printed circuit (3), on which is installed the light source (s) (4), (LED ramp, light-emitting diodes, micro-lamps, or light tubes), whose positive and negative power output is connected by male-female plug (15) at the output of the photocell (12), itself connected to the upper printed circuit (5), the two circuits being separated by a plate of insulating material (6).

This upper circuit (5) receives the electronic components intended for the capture, regulation and accumulation of natural energy intended to supply the one or more light sources (4), the point and directional light of which is distributed by an optical part (13), transparent, opal, or transparent colored, machined or molded in step with the spacing of the light sources (4) variable from 1 to several centimeters depending on their light output (3 to 15 Candelas), in a spherical or conical concave shape (figure 9), rounded or triangular concave shape (figure 10), or flat and inclined (figure 1 1), determined according to the radius , the angle of illumination and the light power of these light sources (4).

This optical part can in some cases be omitted (FIG. 8), the machining and molding then being carried out directly on the field (s) (f, g, h or i) of the transparent plate (s) (c ) according to the shapes of Figures 9, 10, and 1 1.

On this upper printed circuit (5) (Figure 1), are soldered or connected, from right to left, the alternator (7) supporting the air turbine or a wind propeller (1 1) of reduced dimensions, whose positioning above the profile (1) allows the attachment of the device on a mast or in flag on any existing support. At the output of the alternator (7) is connected a voltage regulator (8) and its filter stage (10), the whole intended to transform the variable current coming from the alternator (7), into 6, 9, 12 , or 24 Volts depending on the voltage required by the accumulator (9), and cut off the flow of current when the accumulator (9) is fully charged.

At the output of the accumulator (9) is connected a photoelectric cell (12), adjusted to open the power supply of the diode array (4) at nightfall and cut it off at daybreak, the optical part of the cell is fixed on the upper part of the aluminum profile (1).

The aluminum profile (1) encloses by its lower part one (or more) transparent plate (c), with polished fields, illuminated by the light source (s) (4), through the optical part (13), positioned in the axis of the transparent plate (s) (c).

As described by FIGS. 1 and 12, this (or these) transparent plate (c), of a variable thickness from 3 to 20 mm depending on its size, receives on its internal face (d), opposite to the reading, inscriptions, advertising messages or signs, permanent or mobile, applied upside down by printing, masking or screen printing. This internal face (d) is either left transparent or coated with an opaque background, in the latter case and when the light penetrates by a single field (f), the light is then reflected by means of either "incisions" k) advantageously made at a distance (x) from the field (h), opposite to the penetration of light and containing white reflective or mirror blades, either of a machining or groove filled with white paint, on the internal face (d) , with a depth of - + or - 1.5 mm less than the thickness of the plate (c).

In the case of transparent plates (c) of lengths greater than 1 meter, lit by a single field (f), no embrittling incision is made, the field (h) is here covered either with a white adhesive paint, or with an L or U profile, white or mirror, in lacquered or polished plastic or metallic material.

In some cases, the transparent plate is replaced by a transparent plate of type ELITE ^R (Atohaas ^R ), PRISMEX ^R (ICI ^R ), or similar, whose properties are those of redirecting and diffusing towards the faces, the light penetrating by the slices.

According to a second characteristic of the invention (Figures 2 and 13), the plate (s) (c) is left transparent on the internal face (d), over a distance (x) from the fields (g), (h) , (i), not receiving the light source (s) (4), to receive there a row of solar collectors (14), the connection of which is ensured on the printed supply circuit (5). Fields (g), (h), (i) are bevelled on the front face opposite to face (d), at an angle (m) varying from 10 to 60 degrees relative to the perpendicular of the field, to redirect sunlight or recovering light from the lamps, to the sensors (14) of variable width (x) determined as a function of the surface of the (or the) transparent plate (c) intended for the display.

By virtue of the same characteristic, the sensors can be placed at any location on the plate (s) and on any surface determined according to the layout of the display, in particular when the plate (s) display (c) receives its lighting by several fields, (f, g, h or i), (figure 3).

According to a third characteristic of the invention (FIG. 4), the supply of the light source (s) (4) (LED strip, light-emitting diodes, micro-lamps, or light tubes) is provided by the sector. alternating electric (1 7), through a filtered power supply (16), delivering a direct voltage of 6, 9, or 12 Volts determined according to the characteristics and the number of light sources (4), the photocell (12 ) ensures under the same conditions as in the previous characteristics the opening and breaking of the current.

According to a fourth characteristic of the invention (FIG. 2 and FIG. 4), an antenna (18) is connected to an electronic remote control unit (19), making it possible to remotely control, the lighting, the flashing of the lamps, in particular in the three colors blue, yellow, red, composing white and having for base the same light-emitting diode and various functions and movements which can be controlled remotely.

This characteristic is particularly useful in particular in the case of safety or alert, urban, road, rail, airport signaling or display or in all cases requiring remote control. As can be observed in the four preceding characteristics, the device which is the subject of the invention can be applied to other types of embodiments, on all types of totally transparent or opacified-bottom plates, made of glass, acrylic glass, pvc, polycarbonate or equivalent materials, intended for display, signage, advertising or lighting, with the addition of elements which would then have no relation to any inventive contribution.

As examples of embodiments, the invention is particularly indicated in the design and manufacture of signaling, lighting or advertising or informative display units, urban, road, port, airport, branch companies , natural, animal, forest or activity parks and mainly whenever it is desirable to economically use an autonomous device for electrical supply or economically or technically impossible to create a supply line on the electrical network.

Claims

.L Energy-efficient and autonomous electronic display or signaling device based on electronics (Figure 1), characterized in that the light source (s) (4) consists of one (or more) ramps of LEDs, light-emitting diodes or micro-lamps of very low consumption (10 to 30 MA unit), connected together by a printed circuit (3), according to a variable pitch from 1 to several centimeters according to their light output (3 to 15 Candelas), whose point and directional light beam spread by means of one (or more) optical part (13), transparent, opal, or transparent colored, machined or molded at the spacing of the light sources , according to a concave spherical or conical shape (fig. 9) rounded or triangular concave (fig. 10) or flat and inclined (fig. 1 1), determined according to the diameter, the angle and the lighting power of the light source (s) used, pen then be through the field (s) (f, g, h or i) of the transparent plate (s) intended for display (c), (glass, acrylic glass, pvc, polycarbonate or other plastic materials transparencies), to illuminate the background and the inscriptions applied to the internal face (d) of the plate (c) (figure 12 and 13), the device being able to be powered, either independently by natural wind energy (figure 1) or solar (Figure 5), either by the electrical sector (Figure 4) and remotely controlled.

2__ Energy-efficient and autonomous electronic display or signaling device based on electronics, according to claim 1 of the invention, (FIG. 8) characterized in that the optical part (s) (13) is eliminated and replaced by machining or direct molding on the field (s) (f, g, h, or i) of the transparent plate (s) (c), at the spacing of the light sources, according to a concave spherical or conical shape (fig. 9), rounded or triangular concave (fig. 10) or flat and inclined (fig. 11), established as a function of the diameter, the angle and the lighting power of the light source (s) used, the material used will therefore be that of the transparent plate (s) itself (c).

3 _,. Energy-saving and autonomous electronic display or signaling device based on electronics, according to the preceding claims of the invention (FIG. 5), characterized in that, given the low energy consumed by the device, its autonomy d power is easily provided by a row of solar collectors (14) inserted and thus protected between the transparent plates, further using the light-capturing and diffraction properties of these transparent plates placed back to back by their internal face serving for display (d), these sensors deliver the low voltage current (6, 9, 12 or 24 Volts), charged in the accumulator (9), through the voltage regulator (8), a twilight switch or cell photoelectric (12) ensures the breaking or opening of the current intended for lighting the light sources (4).

Energy-saving and autonomous electronic display or signaling device based on electronics, according to the preceding claims of the invention (FIG. 13), the plate (s) (c) is left transparent on its internal face (d ), over a distance (x) from the fields (g), (h), or (i), not receiving a light source (4), to receive there a row of solar collectors (14), the connection of which is provided on the power supply circuit (5). Fields (g), (h) or (i) are bevelled on the front face opposite to face (d), at an angle (m) varying from 10 to 60 degrees relative to the perpendicular of the field, to redirect the sunlight, and at night part of the incident light from the light sources (4), towards the sensors (14) of variable width (x) arranged on the surface free of any display,

£ Energy-efficient and autonomous electronic display or light signaling device based on electronics, according to the preceding claims (FIG. 1), characterized in that, given the low energy consumed by the device, its autonomy of supply is easily provided by an air turbine or a wind propeller (1 1), located directly on the housing (1) integral with the alternator (7), (FIGS. 6 and 7), which delivers the low voltage current (6, 9, 12 or 24 Volts), charged in the accumulator (9), through the voltage regulator (8), a twilight switch or photoelectric cell (12) ensures the breaking or opening of the current intended for the lighting sources (4).

6, energy-efficient and autonomous electronic display or light signaling device based on electronics, according to the preceding claims, (FIG. 2), characterized in that given the very low energy consumption of the device, its autonomy of power is supplied by a row of solar collectors (14) and in addition by an air turbine or a wind propeller (1 1) integral with the alternator (7). which deliver the low voltage current (6, 9, 12 or 24 Volts), charged in the accumulator (9), through the voltage regulator (8), a twilight switch or photoelectric cell (12) ensures the breaking or opening of the current intended for the ignition of light sources (4).

Z, Energy-saving, electronic-based light display or signaling device, according to Claims 1 and 2, (Figure 4), characterized in that the supply of the light source or sources (4) can be provided by the alternative electrical sector (1 7), through a filtered power supply (16), delivering a low voltage direct voltage (from 1.5 to 24 volts). f Energy-saving and autonomous electronic display or light signaling device based on electronics, according to the preceding claims (FIG. 2), characterized in that an antenna (18) is connected to an electronic remote control unit ( 19), allowing remote control, lighting or flashing of light sources (4) in their emission colors and various functions or movements related to electronics.

9 _^ Energy-efficient and autonomous electronic display or signaling device based on electronics, according to all the claims (FIG. 1 and 12), characterized in that the internal face (d), of the (or them) transparent plate (c) is coated with an opaque bottom display, in this case and when the light penetrates by a single field (f), the light is then reflectorized by means of a reflective net (k), consisting of discontinuous incisions advantageously made at a distance (x) from the field (h) opposite to the penetration of light and containing white or mirror reflective strips,

10. Energy-efficient and autonomous electronic display or light signaling device based on electronics, according to the preceding claims, (FIG. 3) characterized in that the profiles (1), each containing a light device, enclose by their part lower one (or more) transparent plate (c), illuminated by several of their fields, by the light sources (4), through the transparent optical parts (13), machined and positioned in the axis of the (or them) transparent plate (c) (FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12), of variable thickness from 3 to 20 mm, determined according to its dimensions, provided on the internal face (d), opposite to the reading, inscriptions, advertising messages or permanent or mobile signs, applied upside down by printing, masking or serigraphy, thus seen by transparency on an opacified or transparent background.