Technical field

The invention relates to an adjustable assembly for an optical element, the assembly comprising a spherical housing with a housing wall defining a compartment for containing the optical element.

Background

Such an assembly for holding an outdoor lamp is known from registered designs NL 87004-01 and 87096-01. The known lamps use a combination of a spherical housing and a housing projection in which a light emitting element, such as a LED, is accommodated. A lower half of the spherical housing is supported on a mounting cylinder which allows adjustment of the spherical housing by rotation in the cylinder and orienting the projection for lighting objects at the desired angle.

CN 103075690 A describes a hemispherical housing for a light emitting element, the housing clamped between a front mounting bracket and a rear mounting bracket. Only by applying pressure to the hemispherical housing, the clamping force between the brackets may be overcome and the housing rotated to a different irradiation direction.

DE8608554U1 describes a ceiling or wall steel pole that can be inserted in a ceiling or wall opening for the adjustable attachment of a radiator housing that is at least partially designed in the shape of a sphere and held together by a locking ring. It is an object of the invention to provide a robust and adjustable assembly for an optical element that can be easily installed and that provides a wide range of positions that can be accurately adjusted and maintained. It is a further object of the invention to provide an adjustable assembly for an optical element that has a relatively small volume. It is a further objective of the invention to provide an assembly comprising a light-emitting element and having an improved control of the lighting direction.

Summary of the Invention Hereto in a first aspect of the invention, an adjustable assembly for an optical element comprises:

A spherical housing with a housing wall defining a compartment,

- A lower ring-shaped connector member of which an inner circumference fits against a first circumference of the spherical housing, the lower-ring shaped connector member comprising lower clamping openings,

- An upper ring-shaped connector member of which an inner circumference fits against a second circumference of the spherical housing, the upper ring-shaped connector member comprising upper clamping openings that can be aligned with the lower clamping openings,

- Clamping members extending through the upper clamping openings and engaging with the lower clamping openings, the lower and upper ring-shaped connectors members securing the spherical housing in a fixed spatial orientation when the clamping members are engaged with the lower clamping openings, via the upper clamping openings.

The assembly can be easily installed by connecting the lower connector member to a support surface, having a receiving chamber for accommodating the rear part of the spherical housing. The spherical housing can be rotated into the desired angular position relative to the lower connector member such that an accurate positioning of the optical element is achieved. When at the required position, the housing is securely clamped between the upper and lower members so that a stable and fixed connection of the housing to the connector members results. The assembly provides a robust and impact- resistant protection for the optical element that can maintain its alignment over an extended period of time under harsh conditions.

The optical element may be a sensor of a camera, such as a CCD-sensor or may be a light emitting element, such as a LED light.

When a light emitting element is used and the housing is formed of opaque material, no dispersion occurs and a selective light emission is achieved. The assembly according to the invention can be fitted in exposed positions such as for instance a lower bridge surface or on mooring posts or walls of a waterway. The lighting direction of a light emitting element may be adjusted to be directed to the bridge surface or may be directed onto the water surface for indirect lighting of the surroundings. The assembly can also be mounted on buildings, in floors or in walls, in road surfaces or in the ground in parks or gardens.

A compression spring member may be placed between the upper and lower ring-shaped connector members. By use of the spring member, the clamping force that is exerted on the projections can be gradually increased to the desired value, allowing positional adjustments of the housing during the fixing step.

The clamping members in the upper ring may comprise holes extending through the height of the ring, the lower clamping members comprising threaded holes, bolts extending through the upper ring into the lower ring.

The lower ring may comprise holes for attachment to a support surface with elongate fastening members of a predetermined diameter, the upper ring comprising matching holes having a diameter larger than the diameter of the fastening members, which can freely rotate in the upper holes to be engaged with the support surface.

When installing the assembly, the housing may first be clamped in the desired position between the upper and lower ring-shaped connector members, where after the lower ring is attached to the support via the holes in the upper ring.

The housing may comprise a tubular section that is offset from a center line of the housing, the optical element being placed in the tubular section. The tubular section can be oriented in a direction that is perpendicular to the plane of the ring-shaped connector members or can be positioned substantially parallel to the plane of the ring-shaped connector members.

Preferably, the optical element in the housing comprises a LED light that is mounted in an armature.

The lower ring may be connected to a cylinder. The cylinder can be placed in the support structure, (e.g. wall, ground, floor, mooring posts near bridges) and can contain the power supply and electrical wires connecting to the optical element. According to another aspect of the invention an adjustable assembly for an optical element according to the invention the assembly comprises:

- a housing wall having at its surface two projections situated on a diametrical line through the housing center,

- a lower ring-shaped connector member with a guiding support surface for slidingly engaging with the projections, and having lower clamping openings,

- an upper ring-shaped connector member having a guiding support surface for slidingly engaging with the projections and upper clamping openings that can be aligned with the lower clamping openings,

- clamping members extending through the upper clamping openings and engaging with the lower clamping openings, the upper and lower connector members clamping the projections between the support surfaces at a fixed position when the clamping members are engaged with the lower clamping openings, via the upper clamping openings.

The projections of the housing can be rotated into the desired angular position relative to the connector members and the housing can be tilted around the axis extending through the projections, such that an accurate positioning of the optical element is achieved. The housing may further comprise an opening that is offset from a center line of the housing, increasing the possibilities of adjustment of the irradiation direction. When at the required position, the projections are securely clamped between the upper and lower members so that a stable and fixed connection of the housing to the connector members results. The assembly provides a robust and impact-resistant protection for the optical element that can maintain its alignment over an extended period of time under harsh conditions.

The ring-shaped connector members form a close fitting protection around the spherical housing, and the projections can freely slide through an angle of 360° over the support surface, providing a wide angular range of positions. In an embodiment, the connector members may have a diameter that substantially corresponds with a diameter of the housing, the clamping openings being spaced radially outwardly from the support surface.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective side view of an adjustable assembly for an optical element on a support surface (XOY) according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2A shows a perspective side view of a spherical housing of the adjustable assembly according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2B shows a perspective side view of a spherical housing of the adjustable assembly according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 33 shows a perspective top view of a spherical housing of the adjustable assembly according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 4A shows a top view of a lower ring-shaped connector member of the adjustable assembly according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 4B shows a top view of a lower ring-shaped connector member of the adjustable assembly according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 5A shows a top view of an upper ring-shaped connector member of the adjustable assembly according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 5B shows a top view of an upper ring-shaped connector member of the adjustable assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, Figure 6A shows a cross-sectional view along a plane parallel to support surface (XOY) above the lower ring of the adjustable assembly for an optical element according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 6B shows a cross-sectional view along a plane parallel to support surface (XOY) above the lower ring of the adjustable assembly for an optical element according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 7A shows a cross-section view along a plane orthogonal to support surface (XOY) of the adjustable assembly according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 7B shows a cross-section view along a plane orthogonal to support surface (XOY) of the adjustable assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 shows a perspective side view of a cylinder for mounting a lower ring-shaped connector member of the adjustable assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

Description

Figure 1 shows a perspective side view of an adjustable assembly 1 for an optical element 13 according to an embodiment of the invention. The adjustable assembly 1 is positioned on a support surface (XOY) defining a plane of Cartesian coordinate system (XYZ) of center O. The adjustable assembly 1 comprises a spherical housing 2, and a pair of upper 15 and lower 10 ring-shaped connector members. The adjustable assembly may further comprise a tubular section 50. The spherical housing 2 that is shown forms in this example a compartment for the optical element, enclosed by the walls of a sphere of center 5 and radius R . The upper and lower 15, 10 ring-shaped connector members are rings surrounding the spherical housing in a vicinity of a center of the sphere 5 and defining along vertical axis Z of (XYZ) an upper portion 3 and a lower portion 4 of the spherical housing 2. The lower and upper ring-shaped connector members 10, 15 each comprise one or more lower, respectively upper, clamping openings 20, 21 across their circumference . The lower and upper clamping openings 20, 21 are designed to receive part of a clamping member 22 so as to clamp the connector members together. The lower ring-shaped connector member 10 is in use directly in contact with the support surface (XOY) on which it lies and is fixed to. The support surface (XOY) may be one of, but not limited to, the surface of a vertical or horizontal wall, for instance the wall of a bridge construction. It defines on one side along (Z) a volume to be illuminated or sensed by the optical element, and on another side of the support surface along (Z) a receiving chamber 40. The housing 2 is in use at least partly positioned within the receiving chamber 40, that may merely be an available cavity, extending for instance in the bulk of a wall.

The adjustable assembly is designed for the spherical housing 2 and optionally also the tubular section 50 if present on the housing, to be accurately positioned by the possible rotation along 360 degrees of the spherical housing around a diameter of the spherical housing. Hence a direction of illumination or a sensing by the optical element in space can be accurately controlled. A wall of the spherical housing can be 0-25% transparent to light, preferably < 10%, and is most preferably fully opaque so that any light may only be emitted out of the adjustable assembly at well-defined openings on the housing surface and/or light transparent areas. The wall of the spherical housing may comprise, but is not limited to, at least one of a black coating and a metallic coating. The lower and upper ring shaped connector members 10, 15 may comprise at least one of Teflon and aluminum materials.

The upper ring-shaped connector member 15 at least partially overlaps the lower-ring shaped connector along axis (Z) and is fixed to it. Each connector member may be as well made of at least two or more rings (not shown). The upper ring-shaped connector member may further be fixed to the support surface together with the lower connector member. The optional tubular section 50 is arranged in a light transparent housing opening 6 in a wall of the spherical housing 2 above plane (XOY). The light transparent opening 6 may be a circular opening of radius R1 , with R1 < R. The tubular section 50 extends from the housing opening 6 at one end 51 , substantially along orthogonal axis (Z) to an open end 52, at least the open end 52, most preferably both ends 51 , 52 being transparent to light. We note transparency to light exceeds 80%, preferably 90%, most preferably equals 100% at the open end 52 or at the housing opening 6 when the tubular section 50 is absent.

The optical element 13 (not shown) may be for instance one of a LED light or a CCD sensor for but not limited thereto. The optical element 13 may further optionally be provided with an armature and/or electrical cabling. The optical element 13 may be secured within any of the housing 2 and/or the tubular section 50, if present, with the armature. An additional armature member (not shown) may be provided inside the housing 2 and/or tubular member 50 for holding the optical element in place. The optical element 13 and optional elements is/are received in at least one of the spherical housing 2 and the tubular section 50 so that it is in a vicinity of at least one of the housing light transparent opening 6 and the tubular section open end 52.

The lower portion 4 of the spherical housing in the cavity is open and may comprise a closing portion 7 which allows the spherical housing to stand on a flat surface and/or to be at least partially closed. The closing portion 7 is a wall portion with a surface area larger than a surface area of the optical element (excluding optional elements) and acting as a closure to the cavity. This way the most of the optical element is held within the spherical housing at all times.

Figure 2A shows a perspective side view of the spherical housing 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the surface of the spherical housing 2 is a continuous wall surface around center 5 of the housing, comprising a housing opening 6 of radius R1 to receive the light element 13 as mentioned above. The spherical housing 2 of radius R (or diameter D) can be fitted in a ring-shaped connector member of an internal radius Ri that equals R.

Figure 2B shows a perspective side view of the spherical housing 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the surface of the spherical housing 2 comprises at least two projections 8, 9 located on a diametrical axis (D) passing through the center 5 of the sphere. The projections 8, 9 extend outwards from respective notches (not shown) diametrically opposed and formed in the wall surface of the spherical housing 2. The two projections 8, 9 are separated by a distance equivalent to the diameter of the spherical housing, 2xR. The projections may have a substantially circular cross-section along their width in order to ease rotation around their longitudinal axis.

Figure 3 shows a top view of the spherical housing 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. The housing opening 6 is shown to be shaped as a circle of radius R1 to fit and receive the tubular housing 50 along its length. The tubular housing 50 comprising at least a portion of the optical element 13 will allow for enhanced control of the illumination or sensing by the optical element in space. Projections and notches are not shown on this figure.

Figure 4A shows a top view of a lower ring-shaped connector member 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The lower ring-shaped connector member is shaped as a ring having an internal radius Ri| ₀ equal to the spherical housing radius R so as to be capable to host and surround the spherical housing 2 of Fig. 1 -2A. This is in order to obtain a tight fit of the housing within the lower ring-shaped connector member.The ring surface 11 of width A| ₀ > 0 extends circularly and comprises one or more upper clamping openings 20 across its circumference. The lower clamping openings 20 extend through the height of the lower connector member and designed to receive part of a clamping member 22. They may be threaded holes receiving a bolt as clamping member 22 (see Fig. 7A). The ring surface 11 also comprises one or more lower holes 30, for attachment of the lower ring-shaped connector member 10 to the support surface (XOY), by receiving elongate fastening members 32 (see Fig 7A).

Figure 4B shows a top view of a lower ring-shaped connector member 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The lower ring-shaped connector member is shaped as a ring having an internal radius Ri| ₀ substantially equal to the spherical housing radius R so as to be capable to host and surround the spherical housing 2 of Fig. 1 , 2B. By substantially equal it is meant that Ri| ₀ may comprise in addition to R a length corresponding to at least a part of the length of a projection 8,9 extending from the spherical housing. The lower ring-shaped connector member comprises a guiding support surface 12 and an outer surface 11 of which the extent defines an external radius Rei ₀ > Riio- The guiding support surface 12 is designed so as to receive at least a part of the projections 8, 9 extending from the spherical housing. The outer surface 11 extends outwards from the guiding support surface 12. The outer surface 11 may also extend above the guiding surface 12 along (Z). The outer surface 11 of width B| ₀ > 0 extends circularly and comprises one or more upper clamping openings 20 across its circumference. A top view of disk formed by the junction of the guiding support surface 12 and the outer surface 11 has a width A| ₀ > B| ₀ .. The lower clamping openings 20 are thus spaced outwardly from the guiding support surface 12, extend through the height of the lower connector member and designed to receive part of a clamping member 22. They may be threaded holes receiving a bolt as clamping member 22 (see Fig. 7 B). The outer surface 11 also comprises one or more lower holes 30, for attachment of the lower ring- shaped connector member 10 to the support surface (XOY), by receiving elongate fastening members 32 (see Fig 7B).

Fig. 5A shows a top view an upper ring-shaped connector member 15 according to an embodiment of the invention. The upper ring-shaped connector member 15 is shaped as a ring of surface 16 having an internal radius Ri _up equal to a radius of the spherical housing in the upper portion 3 of the housing above center point 5 so as to be capable to host and surround the spherical housing 2 of Fig. 1-2A at a distance along Z. The surface 16 width A _up > 0 comprises one or more upper clamping openings 21 across its circumference. The upper clamping openings 21 extend through the height of the upper connector member and designed to receive part of a clamping member 22. They also may be threaded holes receiving a bolt as clamping member 22 (see Fig. 7A). At least one upper clamping opening 21 matches in size and position with a lower clamping opening 20 in the lower ring-shaped connector member 10 when the upper ring shaped connector member 15 overlaps the lower ring shaped connector member 10 along (Z). The surface 16 also comprises one or more upper holes 31 , for receiving the top end of elongate fastening members 32 along (Z) (see Fig 7A) for attachment of the lower ring-shaped connector member 10 to the support surface (XOY).

Fig. 5B shows a top view an upper ring-shaped connector member 15 according to an embodiment of the invention. The upper ring-shaped connector member 15 is shaped as a ring having an internal radius Ri _up substantially equal to the sphering housing radius R so as to be capable to host and surround the spherical housing 2 of Fig. 1 , 2B at a distance along Z. The upper ring-shaped connector member is further comprising a guiding support surface 17 and an outer surface 16 of which the extent defines an external radius Re _up > Ri _up . The outer surface 16 indeed extends outwards from the guiding support surface 17. The outer surface 16 of width B _up > 0 comprises one or more upper clamping openings 21 across its circumference. A top view of disk formed by the junction of the guiding support surface 17 and the outer surface 16 has a width A _up > B _up . The upper clamping openings 21 are thus spaced outwardly from the guiding support surface 17, extend through the height of the upper connector member and designed to receive part of a clamping member 22. They also may be threaded holes receiving a bolt as clamping member 22 (see Fig. 7B). At least one upper clamping opening 21 matches in size and position with a lower clamping opening 20 in the lower ring-shaped connector member 10 when the upper ring shaped connector member 15 overlaps the lower ring shaped connector member 10 along (Z). The guiding support surface 17 also comprises one or more upper holes 31 , for receiving the top end of elongate fastening members 32 along (Z) (see Fig 7B) for attachment of the lower ring-shaped connector member 10 to the support surface (XOY).

Figure 6A shows a cross-sectional view along a plane parallel to support surface (XOY), of the adjustable assembly for an optical element according to an embodiment of the invention, not showing the upper ring shaped connector member 15. In this embodiment, the spherical housing 2 of the assembly is void of projections. By tight fitting within the lower ring shaped connector member 10 the spherical housing is still rotatable with respect to the connector member by 360 degrees around a diametrical axis and the light direction can be adjusted. An outer surface 11 of the lower ring-shaped connector member 10 extends outwards from the housing wall as described earlier. Lower holes 30 and lower clamping openings 20 shown earlier in Fig. 4A are ignored here.

Figure 6B shows a cross-sectional view along a plane parallel to support surface (XOY), of the adjustable assembly for an optical element according to an embodiment of the invention, not showing the upper ring shaped connector member 15. In this embodiment, the spherical housing 2 of the assembly comprises projections (see Fig. 2B). Projections 8, 9 protruding from the surface of the spherical housing 2 in direction of a diametrical axis (D) of the spherical housing 2 are slidingly received onto the guiding surface 12 of the lower ring-shaped connector member 10 surrounding the spherical housing 2, so as to be slidable along the 360 degrees surface of the guiding surface along the ring. Projections are also rotatable on the guiding surface around their own center axis. By rotation of the projections the spherical housing is rotatable by 360° around a diametrical axis and the light direction can be adjusted. An outer surface 11 of the lower ring-shaped connector member 10 extends outwards from the guiding surface 12 as described earlier. Lower holes 30 and lower clamping openings 20 shown earlier in Fig. 4B are ignored here.

Figure 7A shows a cross-sectional view along a plane orthogonal to support surface (XOY) passing by the center 5 of the spherical housing 2. The upper ring-shaped connector member 15 at least partially overlaps the lower ring-shaped connector member 10 both in a tight fitting configuration around a first lower and second upper circumference of the spherical housing 2. The upper ring-shaped connector member 15 overlaps at least partially with the lower ring-shaped connector member 10 where one or more of the lower and upper clamping openings 20, 21 each extending through the height of each connector member, respectively overlap along (Z) to receive a clamping member 22 so as to clamp and secure both connector members together. At least one of the upper and lower clamping openings receiving a clamping member 22 may be a threaded hole and the respective clamping member a bolt 22. Similarly one or more of the lower and upper holes 30, 31 may overlap along (Z) where each hole at the overlap receives a least a portion of an elongate fastening member 32 so as to secure at least the lower ring-shaped connector member 10 to the bulk of the support surface (XOY) in the receiving chamber 40. The diameter of the upper hole 31 may be larger than a top portion of an elongate fastening member 32 along (Z) in order to receive the top part of the elongate fastening member 32. One or more compression spring members 35 can be inserted between the upper and lower ring-shaped connector members 10, 15 at the clamping openings 20, 21 , around the clamping member 22 in order to provide an incremental control of clamping at the clamping members .

Figure 7B shows a cross-sectional view along a plane orthogonal to support surface (XOY) passing by the center 5 of the spherical housing 2. The upper ring-shaped connector member 15 at least partially overlaps the lower ring-shaped connector member 10. An end of the projection 8, 9 from the spherical housing 2 is received between the guiding support surfaces 12, 17 and is free to slide along the 360 degree track bounded by the guiding surfaces 12, 17 of the upper and lower connector members 10, 15, respectively. The upper ring-shaped connector member 15 overlaps at least partially with the lower ring-shaped connector member 10 where one or more of the lower and upper clamping openings 20, 21 each extending through the height of each connector member, respectively overlap along (Z) to receive a clamping member 22 so as to clamp and secure both connector members together. At least one of the upper and lower clamping openings receiving a clamping member 22 may be a threaded hole and the respective clamping member a bolt 22. Similarly one or more of the lower and upper holes 30, 31 may overlap along (Z) where each hole at the overlap receives a least a portion of an elongate fastening member 32 so as to secure at least the lower ring-shaped connector member 10 to the bulk of the support surface (XOY) in the receiving chamber 40. The diameter of the upper hole 31 may be larger than a top portion of an elongate fastening member 32 along (Z) in order to receive the top part of the elongate fastening member 32.

One or more compression spring members 35 can be inserted between the upper and lower ring-shaped connector members 10, 15 at the clamping openings 20, 21 , around the clamping member 22 in order to provide an incremental control of clamping at the clamping members .

Figure 8 shows a mounting cylinder 60 for the lower ring-shaped connector member 10 according to an embodiment where the assembly 1 is used without a supporting surface (XOY). Instead the assembly requires a self-standing element, a cylinder, onto which the lower ring-shaped cylinder is clamped at one end, for instance thanks to the lower holes 30 in the lower ring shaped connector member 10.