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.

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.