Technical field
[0001] The invention relates to active safety clothing equipment or a means of line irradiation
comprising a light source connectable to a source of electrical energy.
Background art
[0002] In order to ensure the visibility of people under low-level light conditions, especially
road users or people who move under dangerous conditions of reduced visibility, it
is passive retro-reflective elements and/or actively light-emitting elements positioned
on the outer side of the clothing that are used most often. The actively light-emitting
elements are typically based on battery-powered groups of lighting units, particularly
LEDs, which are mounted onto the surface of a carrier means. The advantage of the
passive retro-reflective elements is their zero energy consumption and high mechanical
resistance. The advantage of the actively light-emitting elements is their functionality
even without external irradiation which is possible due to internal power supply.
[0003] The greatest drawback of the use of the passive retro-reflective elements is the
fact that their functionality is limited only to situations when the element is irradiated
by an external source of light (e.g. car lights, etc.). This is unfavourable especially
in situations, such as when a person moving along the road or in its vicinity is not
irradiated by the headlights of a car until at a certain moment, and is therefore
seen by the driver later than could have been seen, which applies especially to bends
and other less clear sections of the road.
[0004] The greatest disadvantage of actively radiating elements is the necessity of ensuring
their power supply, usually by using batteries, whereby for highlighting a larger
area it is necessary to use a plurality of light-emitting elements (units), e.g. LEDs,
which then consume a greater amount of energy. Moreover, this arrangement occupies
a relatively vast area and is therefore hardly suitable for clothing, also because
it is bulky and inflexible or, in other words, has limited flexibility, and, last
but not least, each of the illuminating elements is dependent on power supply delivered
directly into it, which is from the technical point of view considerably demanding,
especially when trying to achieve a high quality and durability.
[0005] For line lighting it is usually a line source of light that is used (fluorescent
tubes), or a row of point sources of light arranged behind one another (bulbs, LEDs).
This relates especially to the illumination within corridors or hallways, creating
light direction indicators or the light marking of obstacles in a path, the light
marking of outlines of objects, the highlighting of edges, such as stairs, emergency
exits, etc.
[0006] So far solely the above mentioned actively light-emitting means have been used for
these purposes. However, due to their energy efficiency they require a higher power
input, are more susceptible to failures of components and there are abrupt changes
in light intensity.
[0007] The disadvantage of bulbs, whether conventional (vacuum) or the so-called energy-saving
discharge lamps, fluorescent tubes, etc., is namely low energy efficiency and the
resulting high consumption of electrical energy. In addition, in the case of bulbs
there is a problem of uneven light distribution in space. The drawback of fluorescent
tubes is their low mechanical resistance and rigidity.
[0008] Although at first sight groups of LEDs arranged in a band seem to be more advantageous
than bulbs, discharge lamps and fluorescent tubes, LEDs exhibit a high light intensity,
which often even dazzles and must be attenuated by various filters, which makes their
use more expensive. Another shortcoming is the fact that the construction of a band
of a group of LEDs leads to formation of a longitudinal element with a relatively
limited flexibility.
[0009] Furthermore, a common disadvantage of bulbs, LEDs, discharge lamps and fluorescent
tubes is the necessity to secure corresponding power supply for each elementary light
source. Another drawback is their limited applicability in regions with no power supply,
especially during power outages, since their relatively high energy consumption puts
high demands on securing alternative sources of electrical energy. Generally speaking,
a common problem of point light sources is local over-illumination which causes illumination
of only a relatively limited space around the light source.
[0010] As an alternative to the above-mentioned means of line illumination it is possible
to use e.g. fluorescent illuminating elements, e.g. in the form of sticks containing
two separate substances, which are mixed (after breaking the inner glass ampoule with
the first substance), whereupon a chemical reaction occurs, generating light. However,
this can only be done for a limited period of time, when the chemical reaction is
taking place. Moreover, the intensity of the light generated drops considerably over
time and the means can be applied only once.
[0011] The aim of the invention is to remove or at least minimize the drawbacks of the background
art.
Principle of the invention
[0012] The goal of the invention is achieved by active safety clothing equipment, whose
principle consists in that it comprises a side-emitting light guide connected to a
light source with a portable source of electrical energy and enclosed in a textile
sheath provided on at least part of the length of the light guide at least with one
fastening means for attachment to a carrier element or garment.
[0013] The advantage of this arrangement is the fact that it enables to create an actively
light-emitting clothing equipment or a means of line irradiation with minimum energy
consumption, which is easily usable on different garments, is easily wearable and
is also widely configurable in terms of the arrangement of irradiated parts, etc.
Other advantages include the absence of local over-illumination or glare, long life,
low energy consumption, resistance to damage of the light guide, color variability,
easy replacement, etc. Moreover, it is possible to create the light marking of shapes
of objects and spaces (preferably temporary or emergency marking). Examples include
carpet edges, bath sets, outdoor rugs and doormats, escape routes and exits, marking
of the shape of stairways, lifts or hospital beds, road barriers, premises for the
police, firefighters, rescue services or construction sites or landing and parking
areas for air and land means of transportation, wherein due to high uniformity of
illumination there is no local over-illumination and the light source is not dazzling.
Another advantage is the possibility of highlighting parts of objects which have their
own electrical system, such as ships, cars, motorcycles. Other uses include, for example,
highlighting canvas of lorries or trucks, opened doors, local illumination of the
interior, etc. Other possible applications relate to illumination to ensure greater
safety in conditions of reduced visibility, e.g. illumination of bicycles, baby carriages,
wheelchairs and carts, canes and crutches, warning signs including warning triangles,
etc. Another field of application is illumination for advertising purposes and in
industrial processes.
Description of drawings
[0014] In the enclosed drawings Fig. 1 shows the first embodiment of a side-emitting light
guide for active safety clothing equipment, Fig. 2 shows the second embodiment of
a side-emitting light guide for the active safety clothing equipment, Fig. 3a is a
cross-section of the side-emitting light guide for active safety clothing equipment
according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3a is a cross-section of the side-emitting light guide for
active safety clothing equipment according to Fig. 1 with attachment means in the
form of laces, Fig. 3b represents a cross-section of the side-emitting light guide
for active safety clothing equipment according to Fig. 1 with an attachment means
in the form of an adhesive layer, Fig. 3c is a cross-sectional view of the side-emitting
light guide for active safety clothing equipment according to Fig. 1 with attachment
means in the form of Velcros, Fig. 4 is a front view of the clothing for the upper
part of the body (a jacket) with the attached active safety clothing equipment in
the form of illuminating braces or suspenders, Fig. 5 is a rear view of the clothing
for the upper part of the body (a jacket) with the attached active safety clothing
equipment in the form of illuminating braces or suspenders, Fig. 6 is a front view
of the clothing for the lower part of the body (trousers) the attached active safety
clothing equipment in the form of a stripe on trousers, Fig. 7 shows an exemplary
embodiment of a means of line irradiation with a side-emitting light guide with one
textile stripe, Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of a means of line irradiation with a side-emitting
light guide having a pair of textile stripes, Fig. 9 shows a means of line irradiation
with a textile sheath, a light guide, a light source and a reflective means, Fig.
10 represents a means of line irradiation with a textile sheath, a light guide, a
light source and a reflective means, Fig. 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of
a light source.
Examples of embodiment
[0015] Active safety clothing equipment or a means of line irradiation according to the
present invention contains at least one active side-emitting light guide
1, e.g. according to
WO 2014/071898, which is enclosed in a textile sheath
2, which protects the light guide
1 and at the same time serves to attach the light guide
1 to the clothing, on which it constitutes active safety clothing equipment or a means
of line irradiation together with the hereinafter described light source and a control
unit. The light emitted by the light source
3 is side emitted by the light guide
1 to the environment through the textile sheath
2 and due to diffuse scattering appears to be more intense and more uniform, as has
been experimentally confirmed.
[0016] The side-emitting light guide
1 is at least with one of its ends detachably or fixedly connected to the light source
3, which is used for introducing light into the light guide
1, whereby this light is side emitted by the light guide
1 to the environment through the textile sheath
2 and due to diffuse scattering appears to be more intense and more uniform than the
light radiated by the light guide without a textile sheath, as has been experimentally
confirmed.
[0017] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the textile sheath
2 is at least on part of the length of the light guide provided with at least one textile
stripe
20 (see Figs. 1 to 3), whereby the textile stripe
20 acts as an attachment or a mounting means for the textile sheath
2 with the light guide
1 to attach it to a carrier or to mount it on the carrier. The width of the textile
stripe is usually in the range of 2 cm to 5 cm. Nevertheless, in general, it is possible
to create a textile sheath
2 with a light guide
1 without a textile stripe
20.
[0018] Covering the light guide
1 by the textile sheath
2 and creating textile stripes
20 is performed by any of several known methods of weaving, knitting and interlacing
in different patterns, using a wide range of textile materials on machines which enable
to produce textile stripes with firm edges, as well as tubular and Jacquard weaves.
Moreover, the textile sheath
2 of the light guide
1 enables to create various color effects while maintaining sufficient luminous intensity.
In another exemplary embodiment, the textile sheath
2 of the light guide
1 is provided with means, e.g. fibers, etc., which respond to the light emitted by
the light guide
1, so that having been irradiated, they themselves "radiate" (fluorescent effect), thereby
enhancing the light impression of the means of line light exposure. The textile sheath
2 can also be provided with transverse and/or longitudinal stripes differing in color
or in the content of a fluorescent compound, etc.
[0019] Attaching the textile sheath
2 with the light guide
1 to a carrier element, which is the wearer's clothes and/or garment and/or the floor,
a carpet, a wall of a building or another part of the building, a window, a tree,
placing it between a pair of poles, etc., is carried out by using any of the known
methods, e.g., by a sewing joint, by gluing with the aid of at least one adhesive
layer
22, by at least one velcro
23, by at least one bundling or gluing stripe and/or lace
21 and/or the connection is formed by a combination of two or more methods and/or simply
by placing the textile sheath
2 with the light guide
1 on the carrrrier element. The textile sheath
2 of the light guide
1 is thus attachable either directly to the clothes of the wearer, or it is attachable
to another carrier means, which the wearer puts on or attaches it to his or her clothes,
thereby creating active safety clothing equipment on the clothes, or the textile sheath
2 with the light guide
1 is attachable directly to the illuminated construction, etc.
[0020] If the textile sheath
2 with the light guide
1 is designed without a textile stripe
20, the fastening means is formed on the carrier to which the textile sheath
2 with the light guide
1 is attached, e.g., by lacing it through loops, which are attached to the carrier
or by incorporating the textile sheath
2 with the light guide
1 directly to the carrier, e.g. by interweaving it into a carpet, a mat, etc., by incorporating
it into a reflective stripe, etc.
[0021] In one exemplary embodiment, the carrier means is provided with a system of other
attachment means, to which it is possible to attach easily the attachment means on
the textile sheath
2 with the light guide
1, whereby this is most realizable on specialized carrier means, e.g. clothing for rescue
workers, policemen, on work clothing, on means of transport, on emergency signalling
devices, etc. In another exemplary embodiment, the textile sheath
2 with the light guide
1 is attached to a separate carrier means, e.g. to a system of specially constructed
belts with clasps or buckles, which together constitute, e.g. braces, which the wearer
puts on the outer layer of clothing, as is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In yet another
exemplary embodiment, e.g. in Fig. 6, the textile sheath
2 with the light guide
1 is formed as an enclosed structure (e.g. shaped as a circle), which the wearer places
loosely on a suitable part of a garment, e.g., puts it on a hat, puts it around the
leg above the calf (just below the knee) and the thus shaped (circle-shaped) textile
sheath
2 with the light guide
1 cannot fall off the wearer due to gravity. However, also in this case, it is possible
to attach the textile sheath
2 with the light guide
1 to the wearer's clothes additionally by an appropriately formed attachment means.
[0022] In another exemplary embodiment, which is considered more of an emergency alternative
of application, the textile sheath
2 is provided with an adhesive layer, which the wearer simply glues on a piece of clothes
in any place, of any rounded shape, in any direction and in this manner creates instantaneous
active safety clothing equipment for immediate use.
[0023] In addition, with the aid of the above-mentioned attachment means the textile sheath
2 with the light guide
1 can be also attached to other carrier elements, e.g., to means of transport, such
as bicycles, baby carriages, scooters, motorcycles, cars, flying means, ships and
vessels, also to rucksacks and other components of people's gear and equipment, etc.
[0024] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the active safety clothing equipment comprises
one belt strap
6 intended for wear around the waist and two shoulder straps
7 attached to it perpendicularly on both sides which are intended for clothes around
the shoulders, whereby both ends of the belt strap
6 are connected by means of a clasping member
8 in a known repeatedly detachable manner. The shoulder straps
7, and, if needed, also the belt strap
6, preferably contain adjusting elements
9 to adapt the length of the straps
6 and/or
7 to the size of the wearer. A light source
3 with a switching device
5 is attached in a known manner to the belt strap
6 in the rear portion. At the end and on the pointed elements of the light guide are
located reflective means
4 of light. The light guides
1 themselves are attached to the belt strap
6 and the shoulder straps
7 by means of the textile sheath
2, whereby two light guides are led from the light source
3 over the belt strap
6 to the front portion, where they are by means of reflective means
4 attached to the front portion of the shoulder straps
7. Other two light guides are led within the rear portion from the light source
3 directly to the rear portions of the shoulder straps
7. All light guides are terminated by means of reflective means
4. This exemplary embodiment of active safety clothing equipment is favourable, since
it provides simple highlighting of the silhouette of, e.g., people.
[0025] The textile sheath
2 of the light guide
1 enables to create various color effects while maintaining sufficient luminous intensity.
In an exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. 7 to 10, the textile sheath
2 of the light guide
1 is provided with highlighting means
24 formed, e.g., by woven in or otherwise inserted fibers responding to the light irradiated
by the light guide
1, so that after having been exposed to light, these means
24 themselves "radiate" (fluorescent effect) and may form various other (usually more
simple) patterns, such as arrows, crosses and the like, thereby further increasing
the visual effect of the means of line irradiation according to the present invention.
The textile sheath
2 can be also provided with transverse and/or longitudinal stripes differing in color
or in the content of a fluorescent substance, etc., thereby enabling to create even
more complicated patterns and shapes.
[0026] Active safety clothing equipment according to the invention uses a light guide
1 formed on the basis of side-emitting polymeric optical fibers (POF). The diameter
of the light guide
1 is preferably in the range from 0.25 to 20 mm, ideally from 0.5 mm to 16 mm. The
length of the light guide
1 depends on the output intensity of the used light source
3 and the quality of the light guide
1, which determines a decrease in light intensity in the direction of the length of
the light guide
1. So as to reduce the consequences of the decrease in light intensity in the direction
of the length of the light guide
1, the other end of the light guide
1 which is remote from the light source is preferably equipped with a detachably or
fixedly mounted reflective means
4 of light reflecting a corresponding amount of light back into the light guide. Preferably,
the reflective means
4 of light comprises a spherical or planar surface area of light. In an alternative
embodiment without the reflective means
4, the remote end of the light guide
1 is closed by a simple stopper. Also the pointed elements of the light guide
1 may be provided with a reflective means
4 of light, e.g. perpendicular connections or curvatures. In an unillustrated example
of embodiment, also the other end of the light guide
1 is connected to the light source
3.
[0027] The light source
3 includes a light source having a high ratio of radiated power to the energy consumed,
e.g., it contains at least one unillustrated LED or a laser diode, etc. The light
source
3 emits visible light, whereby it radiates white light, or it emits light in the narrow
region of the spectrum of visible light, whereby it radiates color light. Therefore,
in combination with the color of the radiated light the light guide
1 can be preferably color adapted to the desired outcome, i.e. it is either colorless
and it is white or color light that is used, or it is color and it is white or color
light that is used.
[0028] In a preferable embodiment of the invention, in order to increase the intensity of
radiation, the light source emits light in the invisible light region (e.g. UV) and
the light guide
1 has been treated with a fluorescent substance (fluorophore of any color), whereby
this fluorescent substance converts the energy of radiation in the invisible light
region into visible light. In addition, due to diffuse scattering, the textile sheath
2 of the light guide
1 evenly illuminates its surroundings with intensified visible light. Preferably, so
as to enhance the warning effect along the length of the light guide
1, the colors of the fluorescent substance can alternate in any manner. In another
variant of embodiment, the light source comprises a combination of light sources emitting
light both in the visible and invisible regions of the spectrum and the fluorescent
substance is sensitive both to visible and invisible radiation. Another possible option
is the variant when the light source only provides light in the visible region and
the fluorescent substance only intensifies it.
[0029] The light source
3 is connected to an unillustrated portable source of electrical energy. The light
source
3 further comprises at least one switching device
5, which serves to control switching on or off the light source. In a preferable variant
of embodiment, the light source comprises more units of LEDs or laser diodes emitting
light of different wavelengths, whereby by a combination of various lights it is possible
to obtain a different range of color tones and shades. In a preferable embodiment,
the light source also comprises more switching devices
5.
[0030] In another unillustrated exemplary embodiment, the light source
3 comprises a control circuit for controlling the time course of the illumination by
the source of light, e.g. permanent illumination, interrupted illumination (different
types of blinking with a set mode of alternating illumination and non-illumination),
etc.
[0031] The light source/sources as well as the reflective means can be designed as simple
molded plastic parts or plastic injection moldings, etc., which comprise the required
elements for attachment to the light guide
1 with the textile sheath
2, whereby the light source further comprises an electrical connection with a switching
device/devices and space for inserting a battery and whereby these elements are located
on a larger clamping mechanism (e.g. specific gear, braces), which can be detachably
attached to or placed on the body or another carrier means.
[0032] According to another preferable embodiment, the means of line irradiation comprises
a pair of parallel light guides
1 in a textile sheath
2, which are connected by one stripe
20. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the means of line irradiation comprises substantially
any number of light guides
1, which are parallel to each other or non-parallel, e.g., to create the "arrow" effect,
etc.
[0033] A means of line irradiation according to the invention can be made either in predefined
lengths, or it can be made as a long strip wound onto a bobbin and the user afterwards
simply separates the desired length of the light guide
1 in the textile sheath
2 and with a stripe
20 e.g., by cutting it off from this bobbin, this section of the means of line irradiation
thus obtained is simply joined to an external light source
3 at one end, and, if appropriate, to a reflective means
4 at the other end. This is favourable due to fast formation of the means of line irradiation
of any required length.
[0034] In an unillustrated example of embodiment, the control electronics of the means of
line irradiation is provided with means for remote wireless control using a technology
for radio communication, e.g. Bluetooth, WiFi, GSM, LTE, etc., and so it is possible
to control the individual means centrally remotely, switch them only at a specific
moment, etc.
[0035] Fig. 10 and others show an example of creating a light source
3 for the use in this invention.
[0036] The light source
3 comprises an LED
30 with the maximum radiating angle of 50 degrees (FWHM), which maximizes light transmission
from the LED
30 to the aligned inlet end of the light guide
1, whereby the radiation output of the LED
30 ranges according to the type of application from 10 to 500 Im (lumen). As has been
mentioned above, the light guide
1 is made of a polymer material, preferably PMMA, PVDF, polycarbonate, etc. So as to
improve heat dissipation from the LED
30, the LED is connected by point connection to the aluminium board
31 of the printed circuit of the electronics
32 of the light source
3. The LED
30 is together with the aluminium board
31 of the printed circuit of the electronics
32 mounted in a housing
33, preferably in a flat housing, which in order to ensure sufficient dissipation of
heat from the elements of the light source
30 is made either of metal or of plastics with an admixture of metal or carbon particles
or it is made of a thermally sufficiently conductive material. The light guide
1 itself enters with its inlet end
10 through the orifice
330 the inner space of the housing
33, and is held there in the desired stable position in relation to the LED
30 at least by one centering means, e.g. a centering ring, which results in achieving
accurate mutual setting of the optical axis of the light guide
1 and the optical axis of the LED
30. Ideally, the housing
33 is designed as two-part or multi-part, allowing good mounting and at the same time
filling up the inner space of the housing
33, which contains the inserted elements of the light source
3, and the end of the light guide
1 with an insulation material (a sealing compound), which not only fills up the cavities
in the housing
33, but enables to connect firmly the individual parts of the housing
33 and ensure watertightness of the waterproof housing
33, and so the light source
3 does not have to be removed when the clothing is washed or cleaned, during rain,
etc.
[0037] For applications with high visibility the coldest possible white light is selected
as the radiation spectrum of the LED
30, i.e. light with a high proportion of blue light. This light, which is propagated
through the light guide
1, primarily does not contribute to the visual effect observed by an observer, but due
to placing a light guide in a protective textile sheath
2 usually in the shape of a braid, which is usually fitted with two stripes
20 in the form of hems, whereby the typical volumetric porosity of the textile sheath
2 ranges from 60 % to 80 %. The textile sheath is generally made from polyester fibers
dyed by fluorescent or luminescent dye of a selected color (yellow, orange, etc.).
The textile material of the textile sheath
2 is according to one example of embodiment supplemented by an optical brightener -
OB (on the basis of phosphorus or standard OB). During the interaction of blue light
which propagates through the light guide
1 with the optical brightener, effective conversion of blue light emitted by the LED
30 occurs on the entire surface of the braid to the region of the spectrum where the
human eye is most sensitive, that is around 550 nm, which is afterwards perceived
by the human eye as an intense bright hue and the means according to the present invention
is very well visible even with a relatively low energy consumption. In other examples
of embodiment for other purposes, the LEDs
30 are selected from different regions of the optical spectrum, e.g. red photodynamic
therapy, blue or ultraviolet, e.g., for industrial purposes (polymerization, hardening)
and for purification of organically polluted water.
[0038] The other end of the light guide
1 is, as mentioned above, either provided with a reflective element or is free, being
left without adjustments, and/or is located in the second light source
3. In an unillustrated example of embodiment, the light source
3 from Fig. 10 is designed as two-sided or multi-sided, i.e. it comprises at least
two LEDs, which are connected to a cooling apparatus and to the power supply and control
electronics, and one end of the light guide
1 is mounted in the housing in relation to each LED. Optionally, one light source
3 can supply power to at least two light guides
1.
[0039] The working length of the light guide depends on the expected application, in terms
of sufficient luminous intensity the maximum length being from 2 to 4 m. The textile
sheath is designed in such a manner that it inhibits the impact of external factors
(UV absorbers in the fibers or on the surface of the textile sheath).
[0040] For applications where high visibility is required, the light source
3 can ensure interrupted blinking of a LED
30 having a suitable frequency, typically in the range from 2 Hz to 8 Hz with a pulse
ratio of 20 - 80 %.
[0041] The control and power supply electronics
32 controls accurately the current passing through the LED
30. At the same time, this electronics
32 also ensures charging and protection from total discharge, overcharge or short circuit
of the secondary electric battery cell of the accumulator
34, which is either mounted in the housing
33 or it is mounted in a separate housing and is connected to the electronics
32, preferably detachably, by means of suitable wires which are conducted in a waterproof
manner to the housing
33, where they are connected to the electronics
32 of the light source. Ideally, the accumulator is that of type Li-ION or Li-POL, whereby
it is also possible to use flexible "textile" cells. The accumulator is provided with
a charging connector of micro USB standard, which is today substantially a universal
standard.
[0042] The advantage of the active safety clothing equipment according to the invention
is apart from uniform line irradiation and absence of local over-illumination, or
dazzling, also long operating life, low energetic consumption, resistance to damaging
the light guide, color variability, easy replacement, etc.
Industrial applicability
[0043] The invention can be used for illuminating interior and exterior spaces of buildings,
swimming pools, escape routes (including those in the means of transport), temporary
demarcated spaces (car parks, entrances, commanded directions of movement, etc.),
for alternative illumination during blackouts or during disasters when it is impossible
to use standard methods of illumination and in places where there is no electrical
energy available. In addition, light guides provided with a braid can be used for
outdoor activities, ensuring actively the safety of pedestrians, sportsmen, as well
as animals (without the necessity of being exposed to external radiation, as is necessary
in the case of retro-reflective materials), making means of transport visible (lorries,
quad bikes, motorcycles, automobiles, hovercraft, helicopters, submarines and airships),
including their parts (doors, wheels, triangular reflectors on sails). Other fields
of using light guides provided with a braid are technical and technological operations
(polymerization, hardening) of a water treatment plant, cultivation of plants, bioengineering,
advertizing, aesthetic and communication purposes, applications for artificial jewelry,
medical applications, protective and rescue clothing and overalls.