WO2004099666A2

WO2004099666A2 - Lighting system having a light projector positioned inside a pole

Info

Publication number: WO2004099666A2
Application number: PCT/IB2004/001464
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruno Baiardi; Edoardo Versino
Original assignee: Space Cannon Vh S.P.A.
Priority date: 2003-05-09
Filing date: 2004-05-07
Publication date: 2004-11-18
Also published as: WO2004099666A3; ITTO20030340A1

Abstract

Illumination system (1) comprising: a pole (2) apt to contain at least a light projector (4) inside it, arranged in such a way to have the light generated by a light source (11) converging into a light beam, where said light beam can be directed to a reflecting surface (8) located on one end of said pole (2) and so positioned to diffuse said light beam in the pole (2) surrounding area; characterized in that: said pole (2) is made of transparent material.

Description

LIGHTING SYSTEM HAVING A LIGHT PROJECTOR POSITIONED INSIDE A POLE

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an illumination system comprising a pole apt to contain at least a light projector inside it, arranged in such a way to have the light generated by a light source converging into a light beam, where the light beam can be directed to a reflecting surface located on one end of the pole and so positioned to diffuse the reflected light beam in the pole surrounding area.

At the state of the art, various illumination systems for open air places and/or for illuminating determined areas are known.

Most common systems use light sources located on the upper portion of suitable poles, generally made of steel or cement, wherefrom they irradiate a suitable light for illuminating the surrounding area.

These systems have some drawbacks, which are fundamentally due the fact that such light sources being exposed to adverse weather conditions and scarcely enjoying adequate protection; in addition, since they are generally located on the top of said poles, in order to carry out maintenance operations, they can only be reached by means of procedures in many cases risky, expensive and unpractical.

Other more recent systems have improved said illumination systems with the use of light projectors placed inside suitable poles.

Said light projectors are so arranged to direct the light beam, emitted by the light source which they are equipped with, towards a reflecting surface placed on an upper end of said poles; the reflecting surface, in its turn, is positioned in such a way to reflect the light beam originated by the light projector and diffuse it in the surrounding area of said pole.

These system have a drawback, as the light produced by the light projector positioned inside the pole can only be utilized after having been reflected by the reflecting surface fitted on the pole end; actually, due to the materials used for the poles manufacture (usually iron materials or cement), these systems are not in a position to adequately utilize also the light portion emitted by the light projector flooding through the whole pole length before being reflected by the reflecting surface. Moreover, at the state of the art of the illumination field, the poles are used in such a way to have the light sources positioned at increasingly higher levels, in order to gain advantages from the higher power of the light sources being used, so as to improve illumination of a determined area or for illuminating larger areas. In order to avoid safety problems and be able to illuminate widespread areas, particularly for those areas exposed to vehicle traffic, such as at street intersections, it has been found advantageous to use a minor number of very high poles having a plurality of light sources at their top rather than a large number of smaller poles located quite near to such street intersections and having a minor number of said light sources. Also these systems have drawbacks mainly associated to their poor practicality in replacing and/or maintaining the light sources, which are the elements mostly submitted to wear and, consequently, requiring maintenance at regular time intervals.

Another drawback associated to the use of the illumination systems described above derives from the materials used for their manufacture, which represent a danger for the street safety, as they may form a real proper barrier to those vehicles going to hit the poles with an increased possibility of causing damages both for the vehicles and their relevant drivers.

In this frame, it is the main object of the present invention to provide an illumination system, which ensures a highest utilization of the light generated by the light projector, either by emission or reflection. A further object of the present invention is to provide an illumination system, which can also be used directly near street stretches in view of the materials used for its manufacture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an illumination system, in which the light projector can be adequately protected from the damaging action of the weathering agents and, besides, which also ensures easier maintenance of the elements forming the light projector, in particular those components more subjected to wear, which require maintenance at regular time intervals.

In order to achieve such aims, it is the object of the present invention to provide an illumination system incorporating the features of the annexed claims, which foπn an integral part of the description herein. Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description and annexed drawings, which are supplied by way of non limiting example, wherein: - Fig. 1 shows a side view of an illumination system according to the present invention;

- Fig. 2 shows a front view of an illumination system according to the present invention;

- Figs. 3 A and 3B show different arrangements of a reflecting surface located on one end of a pole for the illumination system according to the present invention; - Fig. 3C shows a detailed view of a possible locking system of the system used for the correct positioning of the supports bearing the reflecting surface pertaining to an illumination system according to the present invention;

- Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a possible further embodiment of an illumination system according to the present invention; - Fig. 5 shows a detailed view of a possible arrangement of a projector in an illumination system according to the present invention.

Going on with the description of the drawings, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a side view and front view of an illumination system according to the present invention, respectively; such an illumination system (1) comprises a pole (2), a light projector (4) positioned inside said pole (2), and a locking system (5) for the rotation of supports (7) of a reflecting surface (8).

According to the present invention, the pole (2) is made of a transparent material; in a preferred embodiment, such a transparent material consists of plastic material, in particular polycarbonate.

Said transparent material allows at least a light projector (4), positioned inside said pole (2), to produce light for irradiation also around the pole (2), thus also in an area, in which the illumination poles known at the state of the art are not usually capable to produce light.

In particular, the light produced in such a way does not generate dazzling phenomena for the road traffic and/or people walking near the illumination system (1) according to the present invention, as such a light is obtained through the use of technologies based on focused light emission, but not using particular sophisticated light reflection systems apt to favour the way of the light beam to a reflecting surface (8); said reflection systems, such as prismatic lenses, besides making the illumination system according to the present invention excessively expensive, would not allow to ensure light irradiation around the pole body (2), with a consequent loss of a portion of the light produced by the light projector (4). Thus, according to the present invention, the light beam flooding through the pole (2) is obtained through a simple parabola reflector with the light source (lamp) positioned in its focal point. Therefore, according to the present invention, the pole (2) can be manufactured in various shapes and sizes, but it has to be manufactured in such a way to ensure a free flooding of the light beam generated by the light projector (4) along the path determined by the length of the pole (2) until it reaches a reflecting surface (8) located on a pole (2) end, and consequently to be irradiated in the surrounding area by said reflecting surface (8). Due to the non extreme focusing of the light beam and unavoidable diffusions of the generated beam, a portion of the generated light goes out from the internal part of the pole (2) and is irradiated to the outside environment.

Consequently, the illumination obtained with the illumination system (1) according to the present invention will be the sum result between the light irradiated around the pole (2) and the light reflected by the reflectmg surface (8).

In order to fasten the pole (2) and retain it always in the same position, said pole (2) may have a base provided with suitable fastening means to the ground, which are not shown in the figures as they are known, or be provided with a base shaped in such a way to end underneath the ground, so as to allow the pole (2) to be locked by the action of the surrounding ground.

However, it should be noticed that the pole (2) according to the present invention being made of plastic materials, in particular polycarbonate, is light and easy to handle compared to the materials used at the state of the art (generally iron materials, cement, etc.), and besides favouring easy displacement to those areas more in need of illumination, it also allows an easy displacement to the plant in order to allow a more thorough maintenance. The pole (2) may eventually consist of several sections to be assembled locally when installing it.

Figures 3A and 3B represent different possible arrangements of a reflecting surface (8) located on a pole (2) end according to the present invention; said different arrangements of the reflecting surface (8) allow the illumination system (1) to illuminate by reflection various surrounding areas by simply changing the positioning of the reflecting surface (8), without having to change the positioning of the whole illumination system (1).

Such different positioning of the reflecting surface (8) can be obtained through a special adjustable fastening system (5) to which the supports (7) of the reflecting surface (8) are associated. Figure 3C is showing a detailed view of an adjustable fastening system (5), wherein a knob (9) is used to lock the supports (7) of the reflecting surface (8) in a desired position on the relevant pin (10). Therefore, in order to change the positioning of said supports (7) and consequently change the position of the reflecting surface (8) for illuminating different portions of the area surrounding the illumination system (1), it is enough to unhook the knob (9) so to allow the free movement of the supports (7) on the pin (10) and consequently move said supports (7) until their desired position is reached.

Obviously, other fastening and positioning systems of said supports (7) can be used in alternative to the one described above, without exiting from the object of the present invention.

With reference to Figure 4, a. possible embodiment of a reflecting surface (8) is shown, which is connected, through its special supports (7), to an upper end of the pole (2) according to the present invention, as well as to a different manufacturing procedure of the light projector (4).

In fact, also the reflecting surface (8) of the illumination system (1) according to the present invention is not limited to the above configurations, but many changes and improvements can be implemented. Actually, it may consists of a plurality of flat surfaces jointed to each other in order to form one sole reflecting surface, or consists of a plurality of hollow or convex surfaces jointed to each other to form one sole reflecting surface, or be divided in two or more portions of different shapes independent from each other, each portion being fitted with its own supports (7), its adjustable fastening systems (5) and its pins (10) apt to make the supports (7) rotating.

In a possible embodiment, the reflecting surface (8) may be structured in such a way to present a lower portion facing the pole (2), being apt to reflect a light beam emitted by a light projector (4), and with an upper portion, not shown for simplicity's sake in the figures, constituted by an electric supply system obtained through the conversion of the solar energy into electric energy, in particular by means of photovoltaic modules.

Said electric energy is appropriately conveyed and stored in an accumulator, in particular a battery positioned inside the pole (2) and adequately connected to said conversion system of the solar energy into electric energy obtained in particular through photovoltaic modules; this embodiment would make the illumination system (1) independent from the electric mains. As it can be noticed from the figures previously described, the pole (2) may also be fitted with a transparent cover (6) on its top, which hinders the soil from entering and blackening the inner walls of said pole (2). Said transparent cover (6) may also consist of a lens; according to its shape and relevant features said lens may be used in said illumination system (1) in order to obtain different purposes and targets.

In a preferred embodiment, a lens can be used that allows to widen the light beam produced by the light projector (4) located inside the pole (2) and to provide a different utilization of the reflecting surface (8), since it would be possible to change the portion of reflecting surface (8) being used and consequently, also the width of the light beam obtained through the reflection of said reflecting surface (8).

Referring to Figure 5, it represents a detailed view of a possible arrangement of a light projector (4) inside the pole (2), so as to direct the light beam produced by it to the reflecting surface (8), positioned on the upper end of said pole (2).

The light projector (4) can be fitted, without distinction, with various types of light sources (11) and use any type of lamp, being of the type known as "SPOT" or "FLOOD" at the state of the art, or LED diodes; Figure 4 is showing a light projector (4) located inside the pole (2), fitted with a light source (11) consisting of a plurality of LED diodes.

In a preferred embodiment, such a plurality of LED diodes consists of Red, Blue and Green LED diodes, in such a way to provide, trough the addition of LED diodes having a different basic colour, preferably Amber, all the different colour tones.

According to this feature of the present invention, the above basic colours of the LED diodes can be combined together and generate the entire colour range detectable by the human eye, with the possibility given by Amber coloured Led diodes to change farther on (in the sense of correcting) said colour range emitted by the light projector (4).

A further possibility given by the combination of the above three primary colours with the addition of the above Amber coloured LED diodes is to ensure one or more corrections of the colour temperature variation, reducing determined degrees of the colour temperature before the ensuing light beam floods out of the light projector (4).

Thus, light beams with a different colour temperature can be obtained for different working conditions, such as open air illumination, interior illumination, and so on.

Moreover, said light projector (4) can emit a substantially white light beam or be fitted with further systems being apt to change the colour of the beam light and emit a coloured light beam; also, it may be fitted with further systems for obtaining different colour temperature degrees, in particular through a closed ring control circuit of the colour temperature. Many can also be the systems used for controlling and changing, if necessary, the operation of said light projector (4); in fact said light projector (4) may be controlled by the transmission of DMX signals, and/or a power line system, and/or transmission of radio signals, and/or any control system known at the state of the art. Moreover, the purpose of locating said light projector (4) inside the pole (2) is to protect it from bad weather conditions, thanks also to the closing of the special door (3) that provides a simpler and easier access to the light projector (4) itself; in Figure 5 it can be noticed that said door can be removed.

As an alternative to a total removal of the above door (3), various techniques known at the state of the art, whose description is omitted, can be adopted for the opening of the door (3) and provide easy access to the light projector (4).

Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, said light projector (4) is positioned at such a height from the ground, that can be easily reached by any individual for easier maintenance operations. From the above description the advantages of the present invention are clear.

In particular, the manufacturing structure of the illumination system (1) according to the present invention provides illumination of the surrounding area through the utilization of indirect light, i.e. combining irradiated light and reflected light, which does not cause any dazzling phenomena, since no direct light is ever used. Another advantage of the illumination system (1) of the present invention derives from its structure ensuring an easy arrangement of it and relevant maintenance operations, with a considerable cost reduction.

Moreover, the use of plastic material, in particular polycarbonate, for the manufacture of the pole (2) allows to absorb the kinetic energy of any vehicle going to hit said pole (2), reducing or even neutralizing the risks deriving from automobile and road incidents in general.

A further advantage of the present invention derives from the use of a conversion system of the solar energy into electric energy, through which the illumination system (1) according to the present invention can be eventually operated independently from the electric mains.

This feature, along with the lightness of the components used for the illumination system (1) according to the present invention, ensures easy displacement of the illumination system (1) and its easy arrangement also in places not reached by electric power.

A further advantage of the present invention derives from the manufacture of the pole (2) in several sections to be assembled locally when installing it, which makes transportation of the whole illumination system (1) to the installing place considerably simpler and easier.

As it can be easily understood, the present invention is not limited to the illumination system previously described according to its various components, but many changes, improvements, replacement of equivalent parts and elements are possible, without departing from the inventive idea, as better detailed in the following claims.

Among the many possible changes, it is cited that of providing the illumination system (1) with an automatic equipment (also a closed ring one), being apt to provide automatic activation and deactivation of the light projector (4) positioned inside the pole (2), according to the quantity of light in the environment. In this case, for instance, the illumination system (1) can be provided with a suitable sensor for automatic activation of the light projector (4) at night fall and automatic deactivation at day light.

Claims

1. Illumination system (1) comprising: a pole (2) apt to contain at least a light projector (4) inside it, arranged in such a way to have the light generated by a light source (11) converging into a light beam, where said light beam can be directed to a reflecting surface (8) located on one end of said pole (2) and being so positioned to diffuse said light beam in the pole (2) surrounding area, characterized in that: said pole (2) is made of transparent material.

2. Illumination system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said transparent material consists of plastic material.

3. Illumination system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said plastic material is polycarbonate.

4. Illumination system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said pole (2) consists of several sections to be assembled locally when installing it.

5. Illumination system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said light projector (4) is positioned at such a height from the ground that can be easily reached by any individual for maintenance purposes.

6. Illumination system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said light projector (4) can use different types of lamp as a light source (11).

7. Illumination system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said light projector (4) uses LED diodes as a light source (11).

8. Illumination system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said light projector (4) comprises a light source (11) being apt to emit a substantially white light beam.

9. Illumination system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said light projector (4) comprises a light source (11) being apt to emit a coloured light beam.

10. Illumination system (1) according to claims from 1 to 9, characterized in that said light projector (4) is fitted with a device being apt to obtain different colour temperature degrees.

11. Illumination system (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that said light projector (4) is fitted with an automatic equipment, which comprises a closed ring control circuit being apt to change the colour temperature of the light beam.

12. Illumination system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said light projector (4) is associated to control means being apt for remote actuation.

13. Illumination system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said light projector (4) is fitted with an automatic equipment being apt to activate and deactivate it automatically according to the quantity of light present in the surrounding environment.

14. Illumination system (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said pole (2) is provided with a door (3) for allowing access to said light projector (4) and/or to other inner elements of said pole (2).

15. Illumination system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said pole (2) is provided with a transparent cover (6), which hinders the soil from entering and blackening the inner walls of said pole (2).

16. Illumination system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said transparent cover (6) consists of a lens that allows to modify the photometry of the light beam coming from the light projector (4) positioned inside the pole (2).

17. Illumination system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said reflecting surface (8) consists of a plurality of single reflecting surfaces, either jointed together or separated from each other.

18. Illumination system (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that said reflecting surfaces (8) may have different shapes and/or materials.

19. Illumination system ( 1 ) comprising : a pole (2) apt to contain at least a light projector (4) inside it, arranged in such a way to have the light generated by a light source (11) converging into a light beam, where said light beam can be directed to a reflecting surface (8) located on one end of said pole (2) and being so positioned to direct the reflected light beam to the area to be illuminated, characterized in that: said reflecting surface (8) can be structured in such a way to present a first portion apt to reflect a light beam coming from said light projector (4) and a second portion constituted by an electric supply system obtained through the conversion of the solar energy into electric energy.

20. Illumination system (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that said conversion system of the solar energy into electric energy comprises photovoltaic modules.

21. Illumination system (1) according to claims 16 and 17, characterized in that said conversion system of the solar energy into electric energy is connected to an accumulator positioned inside said pole (2)

22. Illumination system (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that said accumulator located inside the pole (2) is a battery.