Principle and application of fiber optic illumination

I. Overview

In lighting technology, fiber optic lighting is a unique lighting technology. Because it has flexible transmission of light, it is safe and reliable. Therefore, it is widely used in industrial, scientific research, medical and landscape design, and has formed various products in the domestic and foreign markets. This article focuses on fiber optic lighting technology and products and applications in landscape design with limited knowledge in personal learning and practice to seek peer experts.

Second, the principle of fiber optic lighting

The fiber optic illumination system consists of a light source, a mirror, a color filter, and an optical fiber, as shown in Figure 1.

When the light source passes through the mirror, a bundle of approximately parallel light is formed. The light beam is turned into colored light due to the action of the color filter. When the beam enters the fiber, the colored light is sent to the intended location along the path of the fiber.

The light source is generally strong due to the loss of light on the way. Commonly used light sources are around 150~250W. And in order to obtain an approximately parallel beam, the point of illumination should be as small as possible, similar to a point source.

Mirrors are an important factor in the ability to obtain approximately parallel beams. Therefore, aspherical mirrors are generally used.

A color filter is a part that changes the color of a beam. According to the need, the corresponding color light source is obtained by changing the filters of different colors.

Optical fiber is the main body in a fiber-optic lighting system. The function of the fiber is to transmit or transmit light to a predetermined place. The optical fiber is divided into two types: end light emission and body light emission. The former is that after the beam is transmitted to the end point, it is illuminated by the tail light, and the latter itself is the illuminator, forming a flexible beam.

For fiber optic materials, it must be in the visible range, the loss of light energy should be minimized to ensure the quality of the illumination. However, it is practically impossible to have no loss, so the optical fiber transmission distance is about 30 m.

The optical fiber has three types: single-strand, multi-strand and mesh. For a single-strand fiber, its diameter is Ф6～Ф20mm. At the same time, it can be divided into body light and end light. For multi-strand fiber, it is end-emitting. The diameter of multi-strand fiber is generally Ф0. 5 ~ Ф 3mm, and the number of shares is usually several to hundreds.

The mesh fiber is composed of a thin-diameter bulk light-emitting fiber. It can be composed of a flexible light band.

In theory, light is transmitted in a straight line. However, in practical applications, people want to change the direction of light propagation. After hundreds of years of unremitting efforts by scientists, optical elements such as lenses and mirrors are used to change the direction of propagation infinitely. The emergence of fiber optic illumination is based on the finite number of changes in the direction of light propagation, achieving the flexible propagation of light. Just as the arc is divided into straight lines after numerous divisions, the fiber illumination is reflected in an infinite number of times. Flexible propagation is achieved with the transmission of the fiber. However, the flexible propagation of fiber illumination does not change the classical theory of linear propagation of light.

Third, the characteristics of fiber optic lighting

1, flexible transmission of light

In theory, light is transmitted in a straight line. However, due to the diversity of practical applications, it is always desirable to be able to easily change the direction of light propagation. Fiber optic lighting meets this requirement. This is one of the characteristics of fiber optic lighting.

2, separation of light and electricity

In traditional lighting, light is directly converted from light energy into light energy, and light and electricity are inseparable. However, electricity has certain dangers, so many occasions want to separate light from electricity, eliminate various hidden dangers, and ensure the safety of lighting. Therefore, the separation of light and electricity is the second characteristic of fiber optic lighting.

Fourth, the composition of the fiber optic lighting system

Most of the fiber optic lighting systems have been commercialized through long-term application and improvement.

Fiber optic lighting systems generally consist of a power controller, fiber optics and taillights.

1, the power controller

The power controller consists of four parts: a light source, a mirror, a color filter, and a fan.

The common power of the light source is 150w ~ 250w, the brand of the product has several sources of Osram, GE and Sikes.

The mirror is a high temperature resistant silver plated glass, commonly used as an aspherical mirror.

The change of the color of the beam is realized by changing the color filters of different colors, and generally has several colors such as red, yellow, green and blue. The color film is fixed on a rotatable color wheel, and then the color of the beam is transformed by a stepping motor.

Since the light source emits a large amount of heat energy, a fan must be used for cooling to ensure the normal operation of the controller.

In order to make fiber optic lighting more colorful and adapt to a wider range of needs, the intelligent controller replaces the ordinary power controller. It can change the intensity of light and the color of light continuously or flicker. In the music fountain, it can also change with the rhythm of its music.

2, fiber

Optical fiber has formed a series of products, which have both end-emitting and body-emitting. They also have separate shares, multiple shares and nets (see Figure 2).

The technical parameters of common optical fibers are shown in Table 1:

Serial number

Name

Outer diameter (±mm)

Length ( m )

Appearance color

1

Single-end illumination

Φ6 φ9 φ14 φ18 φ20 φ25

30/60

black

2

Single-strand luminescence

Φ8 φ14 φ20 φ25

30/60

Transparent

3

Multi-strand end illumination (number of shares in the scrape)

Φ3.8(7) φ5.2(14) φ7(25) φ9.4(50) φ10.5(75) φ12(100) φ13(126)

30/60

black

3, taillights

4. In the case of optical fibers that are illuminated at the end, the taillights are generally selected according to the lighting requirements and the artistic effect of the decoration. Common taillights include crystal lamps, pavilions, buried lights, chandeliers, etc.

Fifth, the application of fiber optic lighting

Due to the unique advantages of fiber optic lighting, it has been widely used in various occasions and is constantly being promoted. The current domestic application situation is briefly described as follows:

1, interior decoration

In interior decoration, body light-emitting fibers are used to form the corridor lines. The effect is uniform illumination, color and smoothness. With a halo lighting, it has a more three-dimensional effect.

In the hall, a crystal chandelier on the top simulates the starry sky effect. Blindness and faintness make people have the imagination of infinite space.

On the bar, the crystal chandelier is more gorgeous and chic.

In the cave, a colored light edge is formed around Simmons, adding to the warmth and romance of the new house.

2, water lighting

When the waterscape leaves the lighting, it loses its fascinating scenery. Unsafe lighting poses a dangerous hazard to visitors. Since optical fiber illumination achieves photoelectric separation, it is an absolutely safe green illumination in waterscapes.

In addition to lighting the water body, the fiber optic lighting makes the water color more beautiful, and the fiber optic can be used to form the pool line of the pool. The vertical colored water poses with the horizontal pool outline to create a harmonious line of beauty.

3, swimming pool

The swimming pool is the human body entering the water, and fiber optic lighting should be the preferred lighting device. At the same time, the dividing line of the optical fiber as the lane is both beautiful and clear.

4, urban architecture

In lighting engineering, the use of bulk-emitting fibers to form architectural contours is the most common application. Especially for the image building of a city, the outline of the building is more spectacular in the night with colorful lines. At the same time, in fiber optic lighting, the color of light can be used to make the building change with the seasons.

5, landscaping

In the landscaping, the end-illuminated fiber is used for the pavilion and the underground light, so that the green road has a color change at the same time of illumination. On the landscape road, the star-shaped end-emitting fiber is added, which adds to the fun of the landscape.

6, cave lighting

The cave is a natural landscape, and because it is not exposed to sunlight, it is illuminated by light. The versatile light color and flexible fiber make it more useful for irregular lava and lakeshore, making the cave more attractive. The most important thing is to remove the hidden dangers of tourists.

7. Ancient buildings and cultural relics lighting

Under the general illumination of the light, due to the action of ultraviolet light, the buildings such as books and wooden structures are accelerated and aged. At the same time, there is a danger of fire caused by electricity. With fiber optic lighting, it is safe and achieves the desired artistic effect.

8, flammable and explosive occasions

In dangerous places where fire pits are strictly prohibited in oil depots, mining areas, etc. The application of various other lighting has hidden dangers of open flames. If you are not careful, it will cause a big disaster. From a safety point of view, fiber optics should be an ideal illumination because of the separation of light and electricity.

9, the use of sunlight

In our common solar energy utilization, sunlight is converted into heat or electricity, and optical fibers can directly use sunlight.

People are people under the sun's light, and the comprehensive spectrum of sunlight is difficult for humans to replicate. Therefore, the direct introduction of sunlight into the room not only improves the original room lighting, but also revisits the light in places such as basements and tunnels where sunlight is never seen.

Summary

Fiber optic lighting is a novel lighting technology that will be more widely used as the product matures and new application areas are developed. At the same time, it is constantly improving in the popularization, the cost is continuously reduced, and the products are more mature. Let the fiber optic lighting enter the homes of ordinary people as soon as possible and serve the public.