U.S. patent application number 13/201255 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-26 for device for directing light beams, illustration device, method for producing a device and an illustration device.
This patent application is currently assigned to LUXEXCEL HOLDING BV. Invention is credited to Kurt Blessing, Ursula Blessing.
Application Number | 20120019936 13/201255 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42110101 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120019936 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blessing; Ursula ; et
al. |
January 26, 2012 |
DEVICE FOR DIRECTING LIGHT BEAMS, ILLUSTRATION DEVICE, METHOD FOR
PRODUCING A DEVICE AND AN ILLUSTRATION DEVICE
Abstract
A device for directing light beams is proposed, comprising a
translucent substrate, and a light-directing structure on at least
a portion of the substrate, wherein the light-directing structure
comprises a substantially transparent material, which is arranged
in a pattern on the substrate in such a way that the
light-directing structure comprises at least one optical prism.
Inventors: |
Blessing; Ursula;
(Luedenscheid, DE) ; Blessing; Kurt;
(Luedenscheid, DE) |
Assignee: |
LUXEXCEL HOLDING BV
Wolphaartsdijk
NL
|
Family ID: |
42110101 |
Appl. No.: |
13/201255 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
February 15, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2010/000916 |
371 Date: |
October 6, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
359/742 ;
427/162 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C09D 11/101 20130101;
G02B 1/12 20130101; F21S 11/007 20130101; G02B 3/0037 20130101;
B29D 11/00278 20130101; G02B 3/08 20130101; G02B 5/045 20130101;
G02B 3/0012 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
359/742 ;
427/162 |
International
Class: |
G02B 3/08 20060101
G02B003/08; B05D 5/06 20060101 B05D005/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 14, 2009 |
DE |
10 2009 008 997.7 |
Claims
1. Device (100) for directing light beams, comprising a translucent
substrate (1), and a light-directing structure (101) on at least a
portion of the substrate (1), characterised in that the
light-directing structure (101) comprises a substantially
transparent material, which is arranged in a pattern on the
substrate (1) in such a way that the light-directing structure
(101) comprises at least one optical prism (106).
2. Device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the
light-directing structure (101) is printed onto the substrate (1)
in such a way that the light-directing structure (101) comprises at
least one optical prism (106).
3. Device (100) according to one of the claim 1 or 2, characterised
in that the light-directing structure (101) comprises an optical
lens, and in particular a Fresnel structure, which is formed from
the at least one optical prism (106), and in particular from
multiple optical prisms (106).
4. Device (100) according to claims 1 to 3, characterised in that
the light-directing structure (101) comprises multiple applications
(102) which are printed onto the substrate (1), and which consist
of the transparent material.
5. Device (100) according to claim 4, characterised in that the
applications (102) are preferably arranged side by side or one
above the other in a plane parallel to the plane of principal
extension (105) of the substrate (1).
6. Device (100) according to either claim 4 or claim 5,
characterised in that the applications (102) comprise particles of
the transparent material, droplets (2) of the transparent material
and/or linearly formed strips of the transparent material, the
applications (102) preferably including droplets (2) of the
transparent material which are cured by ultraviolet radiation.
7. Device (100) according to claims 4 to 6, characterised in that
the multiple applications (102) have different and/or substantially
identical radii (104), in particular the optical prism being formed
of a plurality of applications (102) of different radii (104) or
from a plurality of applications (102) of identical radii
(104).
8. Device (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
characterised in that the applications (102) are placed on a planar
periphery of the substrate (1), the applications (102) preferably
each having an approximately hemispherical curvature, which
projects from the substrate (1).
9. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that the optical prism (106) has at least one
functional face (108) which is inclined relative to the substrate
(1), and which in particular is formed on a side of the optical
prism (106) facing away from the substrate (1) perpendicularly to
the plane of principal extension (105), two adjacent optical prisms
(106) preferably having different angles (109) between the
respective functional face (108) and the plane of principal
extension (105).
10. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
characterised in that the light-directing structure (101) consists
of multiple elements (103), each element consisting of multiple
optical prisms (106) and/or applications (102).
11. Device (100) according to claim 10, characterised in that each
element (103) forms a partial prism, a partial lens and/or another
specific optical system, the elements (103) preferably being
deposited or printed side by side or in each other on the substrate
(1), in such a way that the elements (103) together form the
light-directing structure (101) in the form of the Fresnel
structure, optical prism and/or optical lens.
12. Device (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 11,
characterised in that the applications (102) are sufficiently small
that they would provide at least about 1200 to 2000 droplets per
each 25.4 mm in length of a line and/or that the applications (102)
have a resolution of 1200 to 2000 dpi, corresponding to an
arrangement of preferably 1200 to 2000 droplets (2) on a 25.4 mm
long line, and/or a number of 50 to 80 droplets (2) per millimetre
of length, the applications (102) more preferably having a
resolution of 1600 dpi.
13. Device (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 12,
characterised in that the applications (102) are formed from an
amount of material of 0.1 to 32 picolitres.
14. Device (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 13,
characterised in that the light-directing structure (101) and/or at
least one element (103) comprises a distribution of applications
(102) arranged circularly in concentric rings, the radii (104) of
the applications (102) of a radially outer ring being greater than
the radii (104) of the applications (102) of a radially inner ring,
in such a way that a divergent lens-like light-directing structure
(115) is formed.
15. Device (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 14,
characterised in that the light-directing structure (101) and/or at
least one element (103) comprises a distribution of applications
(102) arranged circularly in concentric rings, the radii (104) of
the applications (102) of a radially outer ring being smaller than
the radii (104) of the applications (102) of a radially inner ring,
in such a way that a convergent lens-like light-directing structure
(113) is formed.
16. Device (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 15,
characterised in that the light-directing structure (101) and/or at
least one element (103) comprises a plurality of rows (112) of
applications (102) arranged in parallel, the radii (104) of the
applications (102) along a row (112) being substantially equal or
unequal and the radii (104) of the applications (102) of different
rows being substantially unequal or equal, in such a way that a
prism-like light-directing structure (101) is formed.
17. Device (100) according to claim 16, characterised in that the
applications (102) of two adjacent rows (112) are mutually offset
in the longitudinal direction.
18. Device (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 17,
characterised in that the light-directing structure (101) and/or at
least one element (103) have rows (112) or circular rings of
applications (102) of different diameters (104) in such a way that
a Fresnel-like light-directing structure (101) is formed.
19. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
characterised in that the transparent material is a transparent
polymer and/or a transparent printing ink of the inkjet printing
ink type, which is preferably colourless, coloured and/or mixed
with functional and in particular filter particles.
20. Device (100) according to claim 19, characterised in that the
transparent printing ink is a UV-curing ink.
21. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 20,
characterised in that the light-directing structure (101) and/or at
least one element (103) is covered with a clear lacquer and/or a
finisher (7), a substantially planar surface of the light-directing
structure (101) and/or the element (103) preferably being
formed.
22. Device (100) according to claim 21, characterised in that the
clear lacquer and/or the finisher (7) comprises a high-viscosity
material, which comprises in particular a material which wets the
applications (102), the clear lacquer and/or the finisher (7)
preferably being mixed with functional particles, and more
preferably with filter particles.
23. Device (100) according to either claim 21 or claim 22,
characterised in that the clear lacquer and/or the finisher (7)
consist of the same transparent material as the applications
(102).
24. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 23,
characterised in that the substrate (1) is a sheet of clear
material, glass or artificial glass and/or the substrate (1) is a
transparent film of plastics material.
25. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 24,
characterised in that the device (100) comprises a specimen device
produced in a "rapid prototyping" process.
26. Illustration element (200) comprising a device (100) according
to any one of claims 1 to 25, characterised in that the
illustration element (200) comprises a substrate element which is
provided with a printed image, and which is joined to the device
(100) in such a way that the substrate element, and in particular
the printed image, are at least partly covered by the device
(100).
27. Illustration element (200) comprising a device (100) according
to any one of claims 1 to 25, characterised in that the
illustration element (200) comprises a printed image which is
printed on the substrate (2), and which is preferably arranged
between the substrate (2) and the light-directing structure (101)
or on a side of the substrate (2) facing away from the
light-directing structure (1).
28. Illustration element (200) according to either claim 26 or
claim 27, characterised in that the illustration element (200)
comprises a billboard, a poster, a decorative surface, a cladding
element, a facade cladding, a brochure or periodical page, a cover
sheet, a picture, a packaging, a label, a house number, a window
image, a screen, a lampshade, a diffusing screen, an adhesive
label, a plate, a computer screen and/or similar.
29. Method for producing a device (100) according to any one of
claims 1 to 25, characterised in that, in a first production step,
the substrate (1) is prepared and in that, in a second production
step, a substantially transparent material is arranged on the
substrate (1), and preferably printed onto the substrate (1) by a
printing method, in such a way that the light-directing structure
(101) is produced in the form of the at least one optical prism
(106).
30. Method according to claim 29, characterised in that, in the
second production step, an optical lens, and in particular a
Fresnel structure, are produced from a plurality of optical prisms
(106).
31. Method according to either claim 29 or claim 30, characterised
in that, in a first substep of the second production step, a
plurality of applications (102) are printed onto the substrate (1),
the applications (102) being cured in a second substep of the
second production step, further applications (102) being printed
onto the substrate (1) in a third substep of the second production
step and the further applications (102) being cured in a fourth
substep of the second production step, in particular the first,
second, third and/or fourth substep being repeated multiple times
to produce the light-directing structure (101).
32. Method according to claim 31, characterised in that the third
and/or the fourth substep are carried out by irradiation of
ultraviolet radiation, which is preferably focussed onto the
applications (102) to be cured and/or further applications
(102).
33. Method according to either claim 31 or claim 32, characterised
in that, in the third substep, the further applications (102) are
arranged parallel to the plane of principal extension (105) of the
substrate (1) beside the applications (102) and/or perpendicularly
to the plane of principal extension of the substrate (1) on the
applications (102).
34. Method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, characterised
in that the second production step, and in particular the first
and/or third substep, are carried out by a printing method,
preferably an inkjet printing method.
35. Method according to claim 34, characterised in that the
applications (102) and/or further applications (102) are placed on
the substrate (1) in the first and/or third substep by means of a
print head, the print head being moved automatically, and in
particular under software control, over the substrate (1).
36. Method according to claim 35, characterised in that the surface
of the substrate (1) is divided into a virtual matrix, the desired
positions of the individual applications (102) and/or further
applications (102) on the substrate (1) being converted into matrix
co-ordinates of the virtual matrix, and the print head being moved
over the substrate (1) in such a way that the applications (102)
and/or further applications (102) are printed onto the substrate
(1) as a function of the current matrix co-ordinates
37. Method according to claim 36, characterised in that the radii
(104) of the applications (102) and/or further applications (102)
are adjusted as a function of the matrix co-ordinates, in
particular the quantity of the transparent material to be applied
at a desired position on the substrate (1) being adjusted as a
function of application parameters, the application parameters
being linked with the matrix co-ordinates.
38. Method according to any one of claims 29 to 37, characterised
in that the method for producing a specimen device is carried out,
in particular, in a "rapid prototyping" process, the matrix
co-ordinates and/or the application parameters preferably being
determined automatically from optical, CAD and/or image data.
39. Method according to any one of claims 29 to 38, characterised
in that optical parameters of a light-directing structure (1) to be
produced are prepared in particular with software support, the
required matrix co-ordinates and/or application parameters for
producing such a light-directing structure (1) being determined
automatically from the optical parameters, optical parameters
preferably comprising the focal length, lens diameter, spherical
parameters, refractive indices and/or lens thickness of a Fresnel
lens.
40. Method according to any one of claims 35 to 39, characterised
in that the print head is moved over the substrate (1) in such a
way, as a function of the matrix co-ordinates and/or application
parameters, that the travelled distance and/or the deposition
duration to apply the transparent materials are minimised.
41. Method according to any one of claims 31 to 40, characterised
in that in the second production step, and in particular in the
first and/or third substep, applications (102) and/or further
applications (102) in the form of droplets, particles and/or strips
of transparent material are arranged on the substrate (1), the
transparent material preferably being a transparent printing ink of
an inkjet printing ink type, which more preferably is colourless or
coloured, and/or which more preferably comprises a UV-curing
ink.
42. Method according to any one of claims 31 to 41, characterised
in that, in the first and/or third substep, applications (102)
and/or further applications (102) with different diameters (104)
are arranged on the substrate (1), the radius (104) in each case
preferably being set by the quantity of applied printing ink.
43. Method according to any one of claims 31 to 42, characterised
in that applications (102) and/or further applications (102) of
different diameter are formed by application of printing ink in a
quantity of 0.1 to 30 picolitres.
44. Method according to any one of claims 31 to 43, characterised
in that, to enlarge an application (102) which was arranged on the
substrate (1) in the first substep, in the third substep a further
application (102) is arranged on the application (102), the second
substep selectively being carried out or omitted between the first
and third substeps.
45. Method according to any one of claims 31 to 44, characterised
in that the applications (102) are deposited on the substrate (1)
sufficiently small that they would provide at least about 1200 to
2000 droplets per each 25.4 mm in length of a line and/or that the
applications (102) are deposited at a resolution of 1200 to 2000
dpi on the substrate (1), side by side in mutual contact and in
particular overlapping each other perpendicularly to the plane of
principal extension (105) of the substrate (1).
46. Method according to any one of claims 31 to 45, characterised
in that in the second production step, an element (103) which is
formed from multiple applications (102) and further applications
(102) is generated.
47. Method according to claim 46, characterised in that in the
second production step, multiple elements (103) are applied side by
side, and together form the light-directing structure (101).
48. Method according to any one of claims 31 to 47, characterised
in that the applications (102) to generate the light-directing
structure (101) and/or at least one element (103) are deposited in
substantially circular concentric rings, in such a way that the
radii (104) of the applications (102) of a radially outer ring are
greater than the radii (104) of the applications (102) of a
radially inner ring, and a divergent-lens-like light-directing
structure (113) is formed.
49. Method according to any one of claims 31 to 48, characterised
in that the applications (102) to generate the light-directing
structure (101) and/or at least one element (103) are deposited in
substantially circular concentric rings, in such a way that the
radii (104) of the applications (102) of a radially outer ring are
smaller than the radii (104) of the applications (102) of a
radially inner ring, and a convergent-lens-like light-directing
structure (115) is formed.
50. Method according to any one of claims 31 to 49, characterised
in that in the second production step, the applications (102) to
generate the light-directing structure (101) and/or at least one
element (103) are deposited in multiple rows (112) which are
arranged parallel to each other, in such a way that the radii (104)
of the applications (102) along a row are substantially equal or
unequal, and the radii (104) of the applications (102) of different
rows (112) are substantially unequal or equal, and a prism-like
light-directing structure (101) is formed.
51. Method according to any one of claims 31 to 50, characterised
in that in the second production step, the applications (102) to
generate the light-directing structure (101) and/or at least one
element (103) are deposited in rows (112) or circles with different
diameters (104) alternately, in such a way that a Fresnel-like
light-directing structure (101) is formed.
52. Method according to any one of claims 31 to 51, characterised
in that in a third production step a finisher (7) and/or a clear
lacquer is applied to the light-directing structure (101) and/or to
at least one element (103), the surface of the light-directing
structure (101) and/or of the at least one element (103) being
preferably made planar, and in particular smoothed.
53. Method according to any one of claims 29 to 52, characterised
in that the device (100) is put together from the light-directing
structure (101) and a non-light-directing structure.
54. Method of producing an illustration element (200) according to
any one of claims 26 to 28, characterised in that a method of
producing a device (100) according to any one of claims 29 to 53 is
carried out, wherein in a fourth production step, which in
particular is carried out in time before the first production step
and/or during the second production step, a printed image is
printed onto the substrate (1), at least partly opaque and/or
coloured printing inks being used to produce the printed image.
55. Method of producing an illustration element (200) according to
any one of claims 26 to 28, characterised in that a method of
producing a device (100) according to any one of claims 29 to 53 is
carried out, wherein in a fifth production step a printed image is
printed onto a substrate element, and in a sixth production step
the substrate element is joined to the device (100) in such a way
that the substrate element, and in particular the printed image,
are at least partly covered by the device (100).
56. Method according to either 54 or claim 55, characterised in
that a billboard, a poster, a decorative surface, a cladding
element, a facade cladding, a brochure or periodical page, a cover
sheet, a picture, a package, a label, a house number, a window
image, a screen, a lampshade, a diffusing screen, an adhesive
label, a plate, a computer screen and/or similar are produced.
Description
PRIOR ART
[0001] The invention relates to a device for directing light beams,
consisting of a translucent substrate, on one or both sides of
which light-directing structures are formed.
[0002] A device of this kind is known, for example, from published
specification US 2006/0 279 036 A1, which among other things
describes a production method for optical films, wherein a first
liquid material is arranged on an optical film, and wherein a
second liquid material is arranged in interstices of the first
liquid material. Disadvantageously, with this production method no
asymmetrical structures can be produced, so that production of
optical prisms, and in particular of Fresnel structures, is
impossible.
[0003] Also, from published specification DE 10 2006 003 310 A1, a
method of producing a lenticular image, and a lenticular image, are
known, lens material being applied in layers to a substrate. No
method of producing optical prisms is given in this published
specification.
[0004] Also, for example, in the prior art, window images which are
produced in decorative form from glass or plastic or gel are known.
Such window images are transparent and fully or partially coloured.
They have a function as spectral filters. They have no optical
function.
[0005] Window panes and cladding panels containing internal or
external lamellar structures which act as sun protection are also
known. For balconies, terraces and conservatories, panel materials
structured in many different ways are also used for visual privacy
and protection from glare. Roller blinds in different versions for
protection from sun are also known. They are partly coloured and
also used as filters.
[0006] Skylights in the upper part of a window or room light the
interior of the room, and linear wedge-shaped prisms can also be
added to them, so that they direct daylight deep into the interior
of the room.
[0007] Films of which the surfaces are equipped on one side with
even or uneven optically acting structures are also known. These
are used for directing light and reducing glare, and can also
generate enlarging or holographic effects. However, such structures
are partly designed with equal, repeating patterns.
[0008] Also, lenses of all kinds, in concave, convex, spherical or
aspherical form, are known. Also, lenses, for example spectacle
lenses, partial areas of which have a different light-refracting
effect, are known. Also, free-form lenses produced by the injection
moulding method, with arbitrary light deflection, are known. Also,
so-called Fresnel lenses in film form, which emulate a lens or
prism in miniaturised circular or linear structures to save space,
are known.
[0009] From DE 10 2005 039 113 A1, attaching cylindrical lenses to
a substrate by printing methods is known. Generating microlenses on
substrates by microjet printing methods is also known.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Starting from this prior art, the invention is based on the
object of creating a device for directing light beams, it being
possible to form said device by simple means on a substrate, and to
use said device in many ways to direct light in different ways.
[0011] To achieve this object, a device for directing light beams
is proposed, comprising a translucent substrate, and a
light-directing structure on at least a portion of the substrate,
wherein the light-directing structure comprises a substantially
transparent material, which is arranged in a pattern on the
substrate in such a way that the light-directing structure
comprises at least one optical prism.
[0012] The device according to the invention has the advantage,
compared with the prior art, that on the one hand it can be
produced in a comparatively inexpensive, quick and flexibly
modifiable way by a printing method, and on the other hand, by
means of the optical prism, multiple different optical effects,
which are impossible with the simple lenses named in the prior art,
can be achieved. Production of an optical prism has, for example,
the advantage, compared with simple lenses which are used only to
collect or scatter light beams, that a light beam which passes
through the optical prism is refracted depending on wavelength, and
thus, in addition to the enlarging or reducing effect which is
caused by the light-directing structure, a special colour and/or
brightness effect can also be achieved with the light-directing
structure. For example, a light beam which passes through the
light-directing structure of the device according to the invention
is expanded into its spectrum. It is also possible to achieve a
very wide variety of optical effects in a comparatively simple way,
by a particular arrangement and/or form of multiple optical prisms.
In particular, only the characteristic optical parameters, the
position and the alignment of the individual optical prisms must be
chosen correspondingly. For example, it is provided that the
light-directing structure comprises an optical lens, and in
particular a Fresnel structure, which is formed from the at least
one optical prism, and in particular from multiple optical prisms.
Thus, advantageously, by arranging multiple optical prisms in the
form of a Fresnel structure, it is possible to achieve an optical
lens which compared with the prior art is of a substantially
smaller height perpendicularly to a plane of principal extension of
the substrate. A Fresnel structure in the sense of the present
invention preferably comprises a set of concentric sections (e.g.,
annular sections), wherein each section includes or consists of a
different prism. For each of these zones, the overal thickness of
the lens is decreased, effectively chopping the continuous surface
of a conventional lens into a set of surfaces of the same
curvatures with discontinuities between them, for instance. A
Fresnel structure enables the construction of lenses of large
aperture and short focal length without the weight and volume of
material that would be required in conventional lens design.
Consequently, a Fresnel lens is much thinner and thus passing more
light compared to conventional lenses. The light-directing
structure is preferably arranged on one or both sides of the
substrate. The substrate can be in any form, for example in the
form of a glass and/or plastic sheet or in the form of a film. A
substantially transparent material in the sense of the present
inventions preferably comprises a material allowing light to pass
at least partly through the material. In particular, the
substantially transparent material consists of an optical
transparent material which allows much of the light that falls on
them to be transmitted, with little being deflected. At least light
waves with wavelengths in the range of the visible spectrum (e.g.
wavelengths between 380 and 750 nanometers) particularly pass the
transparent material with average transmittance rates higher than
80%, preferably higher than 90% and particularly preferably higher
than 95%. The material could also be a translucence material only
allowing light to pass through diffusely, for instance.
[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the light-directing structure
comprises multiple applications which are printed on the substrate,
and which include or consist of the transparent material.
Advantageously, the light-directing structure, and in particular
the at least one optical prism, are built up by individual
applications, which in particular are printed simultaneously or
sequentially onto the substrate. In particular, the applications
are applied to the substrate individually or in spots. Thus
advantageously, comparatively complex light-directing structures
can easily be built up, it being necessary to specify only the
sizes and positions of the individual applications on the
substrate. This can be done, for instance, by a computer or other
processor (which may be part of the systems herein) programmed
and/or programmable with a predetermined set of printing
instructions. The production cost is considerably reduced in this
way. The applications are preferably arranged adjacently or one
above the other in a parallel plane to the plane of principal
extension of the substrate. In this way, from the applications, any
desired three-dimensional structures, which have specified optical
properties, can be built up on the substrate. The applications
preferably overlap. At least partial stacking of the applications
perpendicularly to the plane of principal extension makes it
possible to build up a light-directing structure which is higher
than the diameter of the individual applications. The individual
applications either remain within the light-directing structure as
discrete applications or are joined to adjacent applications,
according to choice.
[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the applications comprise particles
of the transparent material, droplets of the transparent material
and/or linearly formed strips of the transparent material, the
applications preferably comprising droplets of the transparent
material which may be cured by ultraviolet radiation. Forming the
application as droplets makes possible, for example, comparatively
fine and precise buildup of the light-directing structure, whereas
forming the applications as strips, for example, makes possible
comparatively fast, inexpensive production of a larger
light-directing structure. In general, any of the individual
particles, droplets, and/or strips may be substantially microscopic
in size (e.g., they have a diameter or other largest dimension that
is smaller than about 0.10 mm, and more preferably smaller than
about 0.05 mm, or even smaller than about 0.03 mm).
[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the multiple applications have
different and/or substantially equal radii, in particular the
optical prism being formed of multiple applications of different
radii or from multiple applications of equal radii. Advantageously,
for example, a wedge-shaped prism is built up of multiple
applications, in particular droplets, which all have the same
radius. At the broad end of the prism, multiple applications are
stacked one above the other, whereas, no applications stacked one
above the other are arranged at the narrow end of the prism. The
number of applications stacked one above the other preferably falls
successively from the broad end of the prism to the narrow end of
the prism, so that a functional face which is inclined relative to
the substrate results. Advantageously, with this buildup, no
applications of different diameters have to be printed on.
Alternatively, it is conceivable that a wedge-shaped prism is built
up with applications, in particular droplets, of different radii.
In this case the broad end of the prism is formed by one
application of greater radius, and the narrower end of the prism is
formed by one application of smaller radius. The radius of the
applications preferably falls successively from the broad end of
the prism to the narrow end of the prism. Advantageously, with this
buildup, the prism can be produced comparatively quickly, since an
application does not have to be placed several times at the same
location.
[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the applications are placed on a
planar periphery of the substrate, the applications preferably each
having an approximately hemispherical curvature, which projects
from the substrate. The planar periphery comprises, in particular,
a surface of the substrate. The radius of curvature may be
generally constant across the application, varying, or a
combination.
[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the optical prism has at least one
functional face (which is e.g. a face that performs the function of
breaking light waves in dependency of the wave lengths of the light
waves) which is inclined relative to the substrate, and which in
particular is formed on a side of the optical prism facing away
from the substrate perpendicularly to the plane of principal
extension, two adjacent optical prisms preferably having different
angles between the respective functional face and the substrate.
The optical prism is preferably wedge-shaped, the surface which
faces away from the substrate and is slightly inclined relative to
the substrate being provided as a functional face to refract the
light beams. The light-directing structure comprises, in
particular, multiple optical prisms, and the angles between the
functional faces of the multiple optical prisms and the substrate
vary. In this way, from the multiple optical prisms, preferably
Fresnel structures are generated.
[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the light-directing structure
consists of multiple elements, each element consisting of multiple
optical prisms and/or applications. Preferably, each element forms
a partial prism, a partial lens and/or another specified optical
system, the elements preferably being deposited or printed next to
each other or in each other on the substrate, in such a way that
the elements together form the light-directing structure in the
form of the Fresnel structure, optical prism and/or optical
lens.
[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the multiple elements are deposited
next to each other on the substrate in such a way that together
they form a common light-directing structure in the form of a
prism, a lens or a Fresnel structure. In particular, on the surface
of the substrate, the miniaturised transparent, or if required
coloured and translucent, light-directing structures are arranged,
these light-directing structures consisting of multiple preferably
miniaturised elements, each element consisting of multiple
droplets, which are deposited on the substrate with a planar
periphery, and the approximately hemispherical curvature of which
projects from the substrate, the droplets having different or equal
radii, so that each element, with the multiple droplets, forms a
miniaturised partial prism or a partial lens or another specified
optical system, and so that the droplets consist of a translucent
or transparent material.
[0020] Preferably, the miniaturised transparent or coloured and
translucent structures are arranged on the surface of the
substrate, these structures including or consisting of multiple
miniaturised elements (e.g., miniaturised elements that may be in
adjoining contact with each other as depicted herein). Each of
these elements in turn consists of multiple droplets of different
diameter, so that the result is a three-dimensional geometrical
shape which has a light-refracting effect. The totality of the
elements preferably forms the structure which causes a
corresponding light direction. Because these elements and thus the
whole structure are entirely or partly coloured and translucent, a
recognisable overall motif can be formed for example. For example,
the microstructures in the form of droplets of different sizes
result in plano-convex optical elements, which in turn are combined
into complex microstructures. In this case the punctiform
structures, in particular, are an elementary part of the light
direction. Thus surfaces which have a partially different, but in
combination a combined effect on light can be built up. The
geometrical arrangement figure on the substrate can be combined
into circles, ovals, curves, straight lines or other linear forms.
The result of a corresponding arrangement and formation is a
combined optical effect, which for example on the one hand collects
light and on the other hand deflects the light completely in one
direction, depending on the form of the elements. By a
corresponding arrangement, therefore, an image is not projected x
times corresponding to the number of elements, but all elements
together preferably result in only one projection.
[0021] Though other processing techniques are also possible,in a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that
the light-directing structure or optical prism is printed onto the
substrate in a matrix printing method, and in particular an inkjet
printing method. In particular, a DOD inkjet printer ("Drop on
Demand" inkjet printer) is used, i.e. the inkjet printer places
individual applications on the substrate in the form of droplets.
In particular, the ink is pressed through a printer nozzle by means
of piezo elements.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the
light-directing structures or optical microstructures have a
glare-reducing effect, in that they deflect incident daylight or
light from another light source in such a way that the observer
does not look into the beam path.
[0023] The light-directing and in particular glare-reducing effect
can be supplemented by a motif which represents, for example, the
picture of a landscape, an object or similar. Logos or alphanumeric
symbols, which can be used for advertising or information purposes,
are also possible as motifs. These symbols can be made detectable
either by the optical structure or by corresponding colouring. A
light-directing and glare-reducing device can be especially
advantageously implemented so that the lower light-directing
elements direct incident light strongly upward in a bundled form,
whereas the upper light-directing elements direct incident light
into the depth of the room in a flatly bundled form, so that an
even distribution of scattered light in the room is generated.
Targeted projection of a coloured logo, symbol or writing is also
possible. This formation can then be provided, for example, on a
corresponding window pane or similar.
[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the applications (namely the
particles, droplets and/or strips) are sufficiently small that they
would provide at least about 1200 to 2000 droplets per each 25.4 mm
in length of a line. Furthermore, it is provided that the
applications have a resolution of 1200 to 2000 dpi, corresponding
to an arrangement of preferably 1200 to 2000 droplets or other
application deposits on a 25.4 mm long line, and/or a number of 50
to 80 droplets per millimetre of length. More preferably, the
applications have a resolution of 1,600 dpi. Also, it is preferably
provided that the applications are formed from a material quantity
of 0.1 to 32 picolitres, and in particular 2 to 32 picolitres.
[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the light-directing structure and/or
at least one element has a distribution of particles, droplets
and/or strips which are arranged in a series of repeating patterns
that progressively radiate from a common central region; for
example, the pattern may progressively radiate circularly in
concentric rings, the radially outermost of said droplets having
the greatest diameter and the central ones having the smallest
diameter, to form a structure of a divergent lens type, or the
radially outermost of said particles, droplets and/or strips having
the smallest diameter and the central ones having the greatest
diameter, to form a structure of a convergent lens type. A
combination of the above may also be employed.
[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the light-directing structure and/or
at least one element have multiple rows of particles, droplets
and/or strips which are arranged parallel to each other, and the
radius or thickness of which in a row are equal or unequal and in a
column are unequal or equal, to form a prism-like structure, the
particles, droplets and/or strips of a row of particles, droplets
and/or strips following the adjacent row preferably being
positioned on a gap or offset relative to the preceding row.
[0027] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that each element has rows or rings of
particles, droplets and/or strips of different sizes, alternately
if appropriate, so that a Fresnel-like structure is formed.
[0028] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the material which forms the
particles, droplets and/or strips is a printing ink of an inkjet
printing ink type, which is preferably colourless, coloured and/or
mixed with functional and in particular filter material (e.g.,
particles). Because of the admixture of functional material such as
filter or polarisation particles, the light-directing structure
comprises, as well as the light-directing function, a
light-modifying function, by which, for example, the light beams
are filtered and/or polarised. Preferably, the particles, droplets
and/or strips are made of a material that can be or is liquefied or
substantially "atomized" for depositing through a printhead, and
thereafter be dried, hardened and/or cured to a substantially
hardened state that assumes and retains the desired shape of the
particles, droplets and/or strips. Desirably the material and the
processing conditions are selected so that each successive deposit
bonds to the substrate and to an adjoining deposit, while still
preserving the desired size and shape intended. For this purpose,
it has been found that a transparent printing ink may be employed,
such as a UV-curing ink, a solid ink and/or a gel ink.
Advantageously, the printing ink can be cured by means of UV
radiation. According to choice, each droplet is cured individually
by UV radiation directly after printing, or multiple particles,
droplets and/or strips are printed on first, and are then cured
together by UV radiation. This has the advantage that the various
particles, droplets and/or strips can be joined to each other
before curing.
[0029] What is also achieved by the corresponding printing ink is
that corresponding particles, droplets and/or strips can easily be
deposited in a corresponding quantity on the substrate, in which
case fast drying of the droplets is achieved, in particular if gel
ink is used, so that exact and permanent formation of the
corresponding elements and structures is ensured. Such solid inks
or gel inks are known in the prior art. It can also be provided
that the printing ink is colourless, or fully or partly
translucently coloured.
[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the light-directing structure and/or
at least one element is covered with a clear lacquer and/or
finisher, which preferably forms a substantially planar surface of
the light-directing structure and/or element. Such a finisher or
clear lacquer homogenises the surface of the individual
light-directing structures, which are formed of droplets, without
changing the character of the generated structures, so that
undesired light refractions are minimised. The clear lacquer and/or
finisher preferably comprises a highly viscous material, which in
particular comprises a material which wets the applications, the
clear lacquer and/or finisher preferably being mixed with
functional particles, and more preferably with filter particles. In
particular, the clear lacquer and/or finisher consists of the same
transparent material as the applications.
[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the substrate is a sheet of a
preferably clear material, for example glass or artificial glass.
It can also be provided that the substrate is an at least
partially, if not entirely, transparent plastic body (e.g., a
film). The plastic may include a polymer, such as a thermoplastic
polymer, that is substantially entirely amorphous. By way of
example, it may include one or more of an acrylic, a polycarbonate,
a polyester (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate), polyamide, a
polyolefin, a silicon containing polymer or any combination
thereof. Such a body (e.g., a film) can, for example, be
implemented in self-adhesive form, and thus be attached to any
transparent surfaces. Such a film can also be made in non-adhesive
form, e.g. in the form of a roller blind which can be rolled up, or
used as a film for visual privacy and protection from glare. The
size of the whole light-directing and/or glare-reducing device can
vary according to where it is used, depending on whether, for
example, a small sub-pane or a large display window is equipped
with the corresponding version.
[0032] Alternatively, corresponding devices can also be provided as
part of a publication, or they can be part of a visual aid.
[0033] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the device comprises a specimen
device produced in a "rapid prototyping" process. Advantageously, a
specimen device which can be produced easily and inexpensively, and
on the basis of which specified optical properties can be checked,
is provided. For example, it is conceivable that a specimen device
is produced depending on a set of theoretically calculated optical
parameters to characterise a Fresnel structure. The set of
theoretically calculated optical parameters can then be checked or
optimised on the basis of actually measured optical measurement
data of the actual specimen device. This is done by corresponding
measurement of the specimen device, so that fast, inexpensive
iterative optimisation of the optical parameters is made
possible.
[0034] The present invention also relates to an illustration
element, which has a device according to the invention, the
illustration element having a substrate element which is provided
with a printed image, and which is joined to the device in such a
way that the substrate element, and in particular the printed
image, are at least partly covered by the device. The printed image
comprises, in particular, a motif, specified optical effects being
generated by the device when the motif is observed. In particular,
the device is adjusted to the motif in such a way that only the
optical appearance of partial areas of the motif is correspondingly
modified by the device. The motif can be produced by means of
transparent or non-transparent printing ink according to
choice.
[0035] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the illustration element comprises a
printed image which is printed on the substrate, and which is
preferably arranged between the substrate and the light-directing
structure or on a side of the substrate facing away from the
light-directing structure. More preferably, it is provided that the
printed image is produced simultaneously with the printing of the
light-directing structure. The production process of the
illustration element is thus made considerably faster.
[0036] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the illustration element comprises a
billboard, a poster, a decorative surface, a cladding element, a
facade cladding, a brochure or periodical page, a cover sheet, a
picture, a packaging (e.g. a food packaging), a label, a house
number, a window image, a screen, a lampshade, a diffusing screen,
an adhesive label, a plate, a computer screen and/or similar.
[0037] The present invention also relates to a method of producing
a device according to the invention, wherein in a first production
step the substrate is prepared, and in a second production step a
transparent material is arranged on the subject, and preferably
printed onto the substrate by a printing method, in such a way that
the light-directing structure is generated in the form of the at
least one optical prism. Advantageously, the method according to
the invention makes possible particularly inexpensive, fast
production of the device for directing light beams. This is
achieved by the light-directing structure being generated in a
printing process by the at least one optical prism which is printed
on the substrate, or by multiple optical prisms which are printed
on the substrate. The substrate is, in particular, translucent
and/or transparent, the light-directing structure preferably being
printed on one or both sides of the substrate. In the second
production step, preferably an optical lens and in particular a
Fresnel structure are produced from multiple optical prisms, which
are formed by simultaneous or sequential printing of the multiple
optical prisms onto the substrate. Alternatively to the described
printing method, also a layer of the transparent material could be
deposited on the substrate and then etched or otherwise treated to
remove material in the layer of the transparent material in order
to generate the light-directing structure in the form of the at
least one optical prism.
[0038] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that in a first substep of the second
production step, multiple applications are printed onto the
substrate, in a second substep of the second production step the
applications are cured, in a third substep of the second production
step further applications are printed onto the substrate, and in a
fourth substep of the second production step the further
applications are cured, and to generate the light-directing
structure in particular the first, second, third and/or fourth
substeps are repeated several times. The light-directing structures
are thus formed by multiple applications, which are printed
simultaneously or sequentially onto the substrate, and then cured.
The curing process is carried out in the third and/or fourth
substep by irradiation with electromagnetic radiation, in
particular ultraviolet radiation, the radiation preferably being
focused on the applications to be cured and/or further
applications. The further applications are arranged in the third
substep parallel to the plane of principal extension of the
substrate next to the applications, and/or perpendicularly to the
plane of principal extension of the substrate on the applications,
so that any three-dimensional structures can be built from the
applications and further applications.
[0039] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the second production step, and in
particular the first and/or third substep, are carried out by a
printing method, preferably an inkjet printing method, so that
production of the device is particularly inexpensive. More
advantageously, to carry out the first and/or third substep,
standard inkjet printing methods are used. Preferably, the
applications and/or further applications are placed on the
substrate in the first and/or third substep by means of a print
head, which is moved automatically, and in particular under
software control, over the substrate. Thus the device to be
produced can be designed in a way which is particularly precise and
user-friendly and can be stored by means of corresponding software,
and in particular the optical properties of the light-directing
structure to be achieved can be selected by means of the software.
The surface of the substrate is preferably divided into a virtual
matrix, the desired positions of the individual applications and/or
further applications on the substrate being converted into matrix
co-ordinates of the virtual matrix, and the print head being moved
over the substrate in such a way that the applications and/or
further applications are printed onto the substrate depending on
the current matrix co-ordinates. The radii of the applications
and/or further applications are more preferably set depending on
the matrix co-ordinates, in particular the quantity of the
transparent material to be applied at a desired position on the
substrate being set depending on the application parameters. The
application parameters are, for example, linked to the matrix
co-ordinates in such a way that to produce a device with a
specified optical property, only the matrix co-ordinates and the
application parameters must be set correspondingly. This is done
using the software, so that the production information can easily
be modified, stored and replaced. The production information can
also conceivably be dispatched, so that the device can be designed
and produced in different places.
[0040] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the method of producing a specimen
device is carried out, in particular, as part of a "rapid
prototyping" process, the matrix co-ordinates and/or application
parameters preferably being determined automatically from optical,
CAD and/or image data. In this connection, it is conceivable that
to produce a device with specified optical properties, the matrix
co-ordinates and application parameters are modified alternately on
the computer, and then a specimen device is produced for assessment
of the modifications carried out on the computer. In this way, an
iterative optimisation method for optimising the optical properties
of the device can be carried out.
[0041] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that optical parameters of a
light-directing structure to be produced are prepared in particular
with software support, the required matrix co-ordinates and/or
application parameters for producing such a light-directing
structure being determined automatically from the optical
parameters, which preferably comprise the focal length, lens
diameter, spherical parameters, refractive indices and/or lens
thickness of a Fresnel lens. More advantageously, it is provided
that only the optical parameters to be achieved are specified, and
the matrix co-ordinates and application parameters are
automatically calculated from them. In this way, for example,
special lenses could be produced automatically, only the optical
parameters of the special lens to be produced being previously
entered into a corresponding computer program.
[0042] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the print head is moved over the
substrate in such a way, depending on the matrix co-ordinates
and/or application parameters, that the travelled distance and/or
the deposition duration to apply the transparent materials are
minimised. Thus, advantageously, minimisation of the production
time to produce the device is achieved.
[0043] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that in the second production step, and
in particular in the first and/or third substep, applications
and/or further applications in the form of droplets, particles
and/or strips of transparent material are arranged on the
substrate, the transparent material preferably being a transparent
printing ink such as an inkjet printing ink, which more preferably
is colourless or coloured, and/or which more preferably comprises a
UV-curing ink. Preferably, in the first and/or third substep,
applications and/or further applications with different diameters
are arranged on the substrate, the radius in each case preferably
being set by the quantity of applied printing ink. Alternatively,
it is conceivable that to enlarge an application which was arranged
on the substrate in the first substep, in the third substep a
further application is arranged on the application, the second
substep selectively being carried out or omitted between the first
and third substeps. In this case the further application is
arranged on the application, so that at this place, for example,
either the result is a single droplet with an enlarged diameter
(omission of the second substep) or two droplets are stacked one on
top of the other (the second substep being carried out between the
first and third substeps).
[0044] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that in the second production step, an
element which is formed from multiple applications and further
applications is generated. Preferably, in the second production
step multiple elements, which together form the light-directing
structure, are applied next to each other. Advantageously, in this
way, for example multiple elements, which after completion jointly
form the light-directing structure, are printed on simultaneously.
The printing method can be optimised in this way. In particular, it
is conceivable that for all elements, droplets with constant radius
are printed. For example, first all droplets of a first diameter
are printed on (for all elements), then all droplets of a second
diameter are printed on (again for all elements), and so on.
[0045] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that in a third production step a
finisher and/or a clear lacquer is applied to the light-directing
structure and/or to at least one element, the surface of the
light-directing structure and/or of the at least one element
preferably being made planar, and in particular smoothed. Thus,
advantageously, the surface of the light-directing structure is
protected and made smooth, without the desired optical properties
being affected.
[0046] To be able to apply corresponding light-directing structures
easily to a substrate, it is proposed that transparent or
translucent printing ink in droplet form is applied to the
substrate by inkjet printing, that droplets of equal and/or unequal
size are applied to generate miniaturised light-directing elements,
and that multiple such elements are applied next to each other, and
together form the light-directing structure such as a prism or
lens.
[0047] It can be provided that droplets of different diameter are
applied, the diameter being determined by the applied quantity of
printing ink. It can also be provided that droplets of different
diameter are formed by applying printing ink in a quantity of 0.2
to 32 picolitres, preferably 2 to 32 picolitres. It can also be
provided that the droplets of different diameter are formed by
printing ink for forming a small droplet being applied once, and
for forming a larger droplet being applied several times at the
same place.
[0048] It can also be provided that the droplets are deposited at a
resolution of 1200 to 2000 dpi, and preferably 1200 to 1600 dpi, on
the substrate, next to each other, touching each other if required,
and/or over each other, in particular overlapping each other.
[0049] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is provided that the way the applications or
light-directing pixels (droplets) are formed is that in one
position, transparent printing ink is applied once or more times,
and thus, by different quantities or multiple applications at one
place, different heights of applications on the substrate, or of
transparent particles on the transparent material, are formed. In
this way, for example, virtual mini-prisms or mini-lenses can be
represented, and can deflect the light passing through them
differently. The droplet size for pixel formation must be provided
and adjusted by the calculation programs which are known for
standard inkjet printers. The pixel and the whole plane can be
designed from standard optical calculation programs, which for
example produce a data set as a colour model, corresponding to a
printed image for the different geometries in the plane. Each
plano-convex pixel preferably represents a different optical
effect. By colour settings, for example from the CYM, RGB or CMYK
system, this printed image can be directly exploited by the
software of digital printers, if the printers print transparent ink
instead of the three colours cyan, yellow and magenta (or red green
blue).
[0050] Of course, the known calculation programs can also be
combined so that the direct result is a modified data set. The
known printers can also be modified so that they work with only a
transparent printing ink from a reservoir. It is also possible to
use a combination of the known printing inks and transparent
printing ink, to create printed images with partial optical
systems. So that the transparent ink does not penetrate too deeply
into the surface of the material to be printed on, but as far as
possible remains completely on the surface, it should be fast
drying. Gel-like inks or solid inks are more advantageous for this
purpose. The droplets of different sizes, individually or overlaid,
result in optical elements which have radii or asymmetrical curves,
which in turn can be combined into complex light-refracting
microstructures.
[0051] It can also be preferably provided that the droplets to
generate an element are deposited circularly in concentric rings,
of which the radially outermost are deposited with the greatest
diameter and the central ones are deposited with the smallest
diameter, so that a divergent lens structure is formed, or in the
reverse arrangement, so that a convergent lens structure is
formed.
[0052] Alternatively, it can be preferably provided that the
droplets to generate each element are deposited in multiple
mutually parallel rows, the thickness or diameter of which in a row
is equal or unequal, and in a column is unequal or equal, to form a
prism-like structure.
[0053] It can also be alternatively provided that the droplets to
generate each element are deposited in rows or circles in different
sizes, alternately if appropriate, so that a Fresnel-like structure
is formed.
[0054] It can also be provided that a finisher or clear lacquer is
applied to each element, or to the whole structure formed from many
elements, to smooth the surface. In this way, preferably
homogenisation of the surface is achieved, without changing the
light-directing property of the structures. Only undesired light
refractions are preferably minimised in this way. The surface of
the light-directing structure is also protected from external
environmental influences.
[0055] It can also be provided that the substrate and/or the
printing ink is entirely or partly translucently coloured.
[0056] It can also be provided that parts of the whole structure
are put together from light-directing and non-light-directing
elements. For example, it is conceivable that the
non-light-directing structure comprises a support structure and/or
a screen.
[0057] Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, and
explained in more detail in the following description.
DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0058] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a device according
to a first embodiment of the present invention,
[0059] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an optical prism
of a device according to a second embodiment of the present
invention,
[0060] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of an optical prism of
a device according to a third embodiment of the present
invention,
[0061] FIGS. 4a, 4b are a schematic sectional view and a schematic
plan view of an optical prism of a device according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention,
[0062] FIGS. 5a, 5b are schematic views of a light-directing
structure of a device according to a fifth embodiment of the
present invention,
[0063] FIGS. 6a, 6b are schematic views of a light-directing
structure of a device according to a sixth embodiment of the
present invention,
[0064] FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a light-directing
structure of a device according to a seventh embodiment of the
present invention,
[0065] FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of a device according to an
eighth embodiment of the present invention,
[0066] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a device according to a
ninth embodiment of the present invention,
[0067] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a device according to a
tenth embodiment of the present invention,
[0068] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of different light-directing
structures of a device according to an eleventh embodiment of the
present invention,
[0069] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a light-directing structure
of a device according to a twelfth embodiment of the present
invention,
[0070] FIGS. 13a, 13b are schematic views of devices according to
thirteenth and fourteenth embodiments of the present invention,
[0071] FIGS. 14, 15, 16 are views of light-directing structures of
a device according to fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth
embodiments of the present invention,
[0072] FIGS. 17, 18 are schematic views of devices according to
eighteenth and nineteenth embodiments of the present invention.
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0073] The following applies to the entirety of the teachings
herein. Any numerical values recited herein include all values from
the lower value to the upper value in increments of one unit
provided that there is a separation of at least 2 units between any
lower value and any higher value. As an example, if it is stated
that the amount of a component or a value of a process variable
such as, for example, temperature, pressure, time and the like is,
for example, from 1 to 90, preferably from 20 to 80, more
preferably from 30 to 70, it is intended that values such as 15 to
85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc. are expressly enumerated in
this specification. For values which are less than one, one unit is
considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 as appropriate. These
are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible
combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the
highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly
stated in this application in a similar manner. Unless otherwise
stated, all ranges include both endpoints and all numbers between
the endpoints. The use of "about" or "approximately" in connection
with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, "about 20 to
30" is intended to cover "about 20 to about 30", inclusive of at
least the specified endpoints. The disclosures of all articles and
references, including patent applications and publications, are
incorporated by reference for all purposes. The term "consisting
essentially of to describe a combination shall include the
elements, ingredients, components or steps identified, and such
other elements ingredients, components or steps that do not
materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the
combination. The use of the terms "comprising" or "including" to
describe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or steps
herein also contemplates embodiments that consist of or consist
essentially of the elements, ingredients, components or steps.
Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided
by a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step.
Alternatively, a single integrated element, ingredient, component
or step might be divided into separate plural elements,
ingredients, components or steps. The disclosure of "a" or "one" to
describe an element, ingredient, component or step is not intended
to foreclose additional elements, ingredients, components or steps.
References in the description to applications such as "droplets"
also encompasses particles and/or strips. Unless stated otherwise,
references to first, second, third, etc. Do not foreclose the
presence of additional such items. N
[0074] In the various figures, like parts are invariably provided
with like reference numerals and are therefore generally also named
or mentioned only once in each case.
[0075] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a device 100 for
directing light beams 3 according to a first embodiment of the
present invention. The device 100 comprises a substrate 1, onto
which a light-directing structure 101 is printed by means of an
inkjet printing method. The light-directing structure 101 consists
of a transparent material in the form of a light-permeable,
transparent and colourless printing ink which is arranged on the
substrate 1 by means of a printing head (not shown) and is then
cured on the substrate 1 by irradiation of ultraviolet radiation.
The substrate 1 comprises, for example, a transparent plastic
sheet, a transparent plastic sheet or a sheet of glass. The
transparent material is printed onto the substrate 1 in such a way
that the light-directing structure 101 comprises a plurality of
optical prisms 106. The optical prisms 106 each have a wedge-shaped
cross-section 107. The substrate 1 has a plane of principal
extension 105, the optical prisms 106, of which a total of five are
shown, being arranged in parallel in a plane parallel to the plane
of principal extension 105. The optical prisms 106 each have a
rectilinear configuration in the present example. Alternatively the
optical prisms 106 may each have a curved configuration in the
plane of principal extension 100. Each optical prism 106 has
functional face 108 which is formed on a side of the optical prism
106 facing away from the substrate 1 perpendicularly to the plane
of principal extension 105 and which is inclined to the plane of
principal extension 105 by an angle 109 in each case. Preferably,
the angles 109 of adjacent optical prisms 106 have different
configurations, so as to produce a specific optical lens in the
form of a Fresnel structure. For this purpose, the angle 109 for
example from one side of the light-directing structure 101 to the
other side of the light-directing structure 101 (in a direction
parallel to the plane of principal extension 105 and perpendicular
to the extension of the optical prisms 106) could become
increasingly small or great. The optical prisms 106 are preferably
provided to deflect light beams 3 (not shown in FIG. 1), which pass
through the device 100 perpendicularly to the plane of principal
extension 100, accordingly. The light beams 3 are thus broken as a
function of their wavelengths and therefore spectrally expanded,
for example on the functional face 108. Special optical effects,
for example for advertising and/or illuminating purposes and/or as
aids to vision, can be achieved in this way.
[0076] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an optical prism
106 of a device 100 for directing light beams 3 according to a
second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows, by way of
example, a detail of one of the optical prisms 106 illustrated in
FIG. 1, the optical prism 106 being made up of a plurality of
applications 102. In the present example, the applications 102
comprise individual droplets 2 of the light-permeable, transparent
and colourless printing ink, which have been printed individually
onto the substrate 1 by the inkjet printer. It can be seen that the
droplets 2 have different radii 104. The radii 104 of the droplets
2 are greater on a broad side 110 of the wedge-shaped optical prism
106 than on a narrow side 11 of the optical prism 106, so as to
achieve the desired angle 109 between the functional face 108 and
the plane of principal extension 105. The individual applications
102 are arranged both side by side and one above the other, in
particular so as to overlap, on the substrate 1. The droplets 2 in
this embodiment are arranged, for example, in mutually parallel
rows 112 (see FIG. 4b) of equal droplet diameter 104, the radii 104
of two adjacent rows 112 being different. The droplets 2 in two
adjacent rows 112 are, in particular, offset from one another in
the longitudinal direction of the rows 112. After the arrangement
and curing of the individual droplets 2, the optical prism 106 or
the entire light-directing structure 101 is coated with a finisher
7, in order to level the functional face 108 and protect the
droplets 2 from external environmental influences. The finisher 7
preferably also comprises a light-permeable transparent material
which is preferably identical to the transparent material of the
droplets 2.
[0077] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of an optical prism 106
of a device 100 for directing light beams 3 according to a third
embodiment of the present invention. Similarly to FIG. 2, FIG. 3
shows by way of example a detail of one of the optical prisms 106
illustrated in FIG. 1, but in contrast to FIG. 2, all applications
102 have equal radii 104. In this example, the wide end 110 of the
wedge-shaped optical prism 106 is formed by a plurality of
superimposed droplets 2 of equal diameter 104, whereas only a
single row 112 of droplets 2 is arranged in the region of the
narrow end 111 (without superimposition).
[0078] FIGS. 4a and 4b are a schematic sectional view and a
schematic plan view of an optical prism 106 of a device 1 for
deflecting light beams 3 according to a fourth embodiment of the
present invention, FIGS. 4a and 4b showing an optical prism 106
which is constructed similarly to that in FIG. 2 and is formed by
droplets 2 of different radii 104 arranged in rows. It can be seen
from the plan view in FIG. 4b that the droplets 2 in adjacent rows
112 are offset from one another and each have equal radii 104.
[0079] FIG. 5b, 5b are schematic views of a light-directing
structure 101 of a device 100 for directing light beams 3 according
to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the device 100
according to the fifth embodiment being formed from the optical
prism 106, shown in FIG. 4a, of the device 1 according to the
fourth embodiment, the optical prism 106 in contrast to the fourth
embodiment being arranged, not as a rectilinear structure, but as a
concentrically curved structure in a closed circle. The radii 104
of the droplets 2 each decrease steadily outwards from the centre
of the light-directing structure 101 in a radial direction 114. The
optical prism 106 therefore forms a convergent lens-like
light-directing structure 113 in a plane parallel to the plane of
principal extension 105.
[0080] FIG. 6a, 6b are schematic views of a light-directing
structure 101 of a device 100 for directing light beams 3 according
to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the sixth
embodiment, similarly to the fifth embodiment illustrated in FIGS.
5a and 5b, being constructed from the optical prism 106 shown in
FIG. 4a which, in contrast to the fourth embodiment, is also
arranged not as a rectilinear structure but as a concentrically
curved structure in a closed circle, the radii of the droplets 2,
in contrast to the fifth embodiment, each increasing outwards from
the centre of the light-directing structure 101 in a radial
direction 114. In this way, a divergent light-directing structure
115 is constructed from the optical prism 106.
[0081] FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a light-directing
structure 101 of a device 100 according to a seventh embodiment of
the present invention, the seventh embodiment having the convergent
lens-like light-directing structure 113, illustrated in FIGS. 5a
and 5b, of the device 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the
convergent lens-like light-directing structure 113 additionally
being surrounded by a further optical prism 106'. The further
optical prism 106' extends concentrically round the convergent
lens-like light-directing structure 113 in the plane parallel to
the plane of principal extension 105. A Fresnel structure
comprising a comparatively great optical convergent lens with a
reduced overall height perpendicular to the plane of principal
extension 105 is produced in this way. The angle 109 of the optical
prism 106 and of the further optical prism 106' preferably differ,
to minimise aberrations of the convergent lens. The arcuate lines
116 are merely intended to demonstrate schematically that the
optical prism 106 and the further optical prism 106' are configured
as circles which are closed in on themselves in the plane parallel
to the plane of principal extension 105.
[0082] FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of a device 100 for
directing light beams 3 according to an eighth embodiment of the
present invention, the eighth embodiment being substantially
identical to the sixth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the
convergent lens-like light-directing structure 113 in the present
example being surrounded by multiple further optical prisms 106'
(each indicated schematically by the concentrically hollowed ring
portions 116), so as to produce a comparatively great convergent
lens in the form of a Fresnel structure. The light-directing
structure 101 is further formed merely in partial regions
corresponding to the sequence of letters "Lux" in a plane parallel
to the plane of principal extension 105. No optical prisms 106 are
arranged outside these partial regions. Light beams 3 which now
pass perpendicularly to the plane of principal extension 100
through this device 100 are bundled by the light-directing
structure 101 in the form of the word "Lux". It is therefore
possible, for example, to project the word "Lux" onto a projection
surface (for example an advertising wall), without the need for a
screen. This could be used, for example, for advertising and/or
information purposes. The printing process when printing the
applications 102 can be modified in such a way that the focal
length of the Fresnel structure is optimised to a distance between
the light-directing structure 101 and the projection surface, so
that an image "Lux" which is as well-defined as possible is formed
on the projection surface. The device 100 illustrated in FIG. 8 is
preferably part of an illustration element 200, a motif
additionally being printed onto the substrate 1. In this
embodiment, the motif is preferably printed on a side of the
substrate 1 facing the light-directing structure 101 and preferably
comprises, for example, the word "Lux", which is applied to the
substrate 1 with coloured but transparent ink. The motif and the
light-directing structure 101 are preferably printed onto the
substrate 1 in the same printing process.
[0083] FIGS. 9 to 18 are schematic views of devices 100 for
directing light beams 3 according to ninth to eighteenth
embodiments of the present invention. The devices 100 for directing
light beams 3 each consist of a light-permeable, preferably
transparent planar substrate 1, on one side of which
light-directing structures 101 are formed in the present
embodiments. These light-directing structures 101 consist of
multiple miniaturised elements 103, of the type shown in various
embodiments, for example, in FIGS. 9 and 10 and in FIG. 11, the
light-directing structures 101 each comprising, in particular, at
least one element in the form of an optical prism 106. Each element
103 consists of multiple droplets 2 which are deposited on the
substrate 1 with a planar periphery so that they almost form a
plane-convex element which has a hemispherical shape and projects
from the substrate 1. As shown in particular in FIGS. 9 to 12, 14,
15 and 16, the droplets 2 have different radii 104, so that each
element 103 forms, with the multiple droplets 2, for example a
miniaturised partial prism, as shown in FIG. 9, middle of FIG. 10,
FIG. 12 and FIGS. 14 to 16, or a partial lens, as shown, for
example, on the right of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. The droplets 2
preferably consist of light-permeable or even coloured transparent
or translucent material.
[0084] As shown in particular in FIGS. 13a, 13b and 18, the
multiple elements 103 are preferably deposited side by side on the
substrate 1 in such a way that they together form a common
light-directing structure 101 in the form of a prism, a lens or a
Fresnel structure. This allows, for example in the embodiment
according to FIG. 13b, deflections of the light beams 3 through the
light-directing structures 101, so that they are brought together
to a point corresponding to the beam path 4 in the manner of a
convergent lens. In the embodiment according to FIG. 13a, the
incident light is deflected upwards, for example by prismatic
structures, to the ceiling 5 of the room equipped with the
corresponding window. In the configuration according to FIG. 18,
corresponding light-directing structures 101 are formed only in
part on a substrate 1, free parts 6 not occupied by light-directing
structures 101 being provided so that corresponding graphic
representations can be seen.
[0085] All embodiments according to FIGS. 13a, 13b and 18 have the
common feature that the elements 103 are deposited side by side on
the substrate 1 in such a way that they together form a common
light-directing structure 101 in the form of a prism, a lens or a
Fresnel structure.
[0086] Preferably, the droplets 2 have a resolution of
approximately 1200 to 1600 dpi, corresponding to an arrangement of
about 1200 to 1600 droplets on a one inch long line or a number of
50 to 60 droplets per mm length. The droplets are preferably formed
from a quantity of material of approximately 2 to 32 picolitres.
Each element 103 can have a distribution of circular concentric
rings of droplets 2, of which the radially outer droplet has the
greatest radius 104 and of which the middle one has the smallest
radius 104, so as to form a divergent lens. Alternatively the
radially outer droplets 2 have the smallest radius 104 and the
middle ones have the greatest radius 104, so as to form a
convergent lens-like structure. Other structures 101, for example
prismatic structures or else Fresnel structures, can also be formed
by an arrangement in a different sequence and size. The material
forming the droplets 2 is a printing ink of the inkjet printing ink
type, solid ink or gel ink preferably being used. The printing ink
is preferably colourless or else completely or partially
translucent in colour. As shown in FIG. 11, each miniaturised
element 103 formed from the droplets 2 is covered with clear
lacquer or finisher 7 so as to form a substantially plane surface
of the element 103 or the structure 101, without changing the
nature of the structure. Homogenisation of the surface is thus
achieved, without changing the light-directing effect. Only
divergent light is substantially avoided in the process. The
corresponding clear lacquer or finisher 7 consists of
high-viscosity material, so that the indentations formed by the
droplets 2 are completely filled and a homogeneous surface is
produced. The substrate 1 can be a clear sheet of glass or
artificial glass. It is also possible to provide a transparent film
of plastic as the substrate, as shown in FIG. 18. The corresponding
structures are produced by applying transparent or translucent
printing ink in droplet form to the substrate 1 by inkjet printing,
so that droplets 2 of equal and unequal size are applied for the
production of miniaturised light-directing elements 103. A
plurality of elements 103 of this type are arranged side by side,
optionally passing into one another, and together form the
light-directing structure 101, for example a prism or a lens. The
different radii 104 of the droplets 2 can be determined by
correspondingly different quantities of the respectively applied
printing ink. It is also possible to form the droplets 2 of
different diameters 104 by applying printing ink for forming a
small droplet 2 once and for forming a larger droplet 2 multiple
times at the same position. Preferably, the droplets are each
arranged side by side in mutual contact, as shown in particular in
FIG. 15, although some distance can also be provided between
adjacent droplets 2, as shown in FIG. 14.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 17, the substrate 1 can also be the glass
of an aid to vision, to which the corresponding structures are
applied in the form of the droplets 2, in order to produce a
corresponding aid to vision of a corresponding prescription.
[0088] The invention is not limited to the embodiments, but can be
varied widely in the scope of the disclosure. Any new individual or
combined features disclosed in the description and/or drawings are
deemed to be essential to the invention.
[0089] It is understood that the above description is intended to
be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments as well as
many applications besides the examples provided will be apparent to
those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The
scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with
reference to the above description, but should instead be
determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the
full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The
disclosures of all articles and references, including patent
applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for
all purposes. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of
subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such
subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventors did
not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed
inventive subject matter.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0090] 1 substrate
[0091] 2 droplets
[0092] 3 light beams
[0093] 4 beam path
[0094] 5 ceiling
[0095] 6 free parts
[0096] 7 finisher
[0097] 100 device
[0098] 101 light-directing structure
[0099] 102 applications
[0100] 103 elements
[0101] 104 radius of applications
[0102] 105 plane of principal extension
[0103] 106 optical prism
[0104] 107 cross-section of optical prism
[0105] 108 functional face of optical prism
[0106] 109 angle between functional face and plane of principal
extension
[0107] 110 wide side of optical prism
[0108] 111 narrow side of optical prism
[0109] 112 rows of applications
[0110] 113 convergent lens-like light-directing structure
[0111] 114 radial direction
[0112] 115 divergent lens-like light-directing structure
[0113] 116 ring portions
[0114] 200 illustration element
* * * * *