Optical cells for modular luminaires

A kit of parts for use in forming one or more optical cells for use in forming a luminaire, the kit comprising:

• (i) at least one light collector element,
• (ii) at least one cover element for attachment to the or a respective light collector element, and
• (iii) at least one transmission element for mounting between the or the respective light collector element and cover element;
• wherein:
• (iv) the or each respective light collector element comprises a body including:
• an input for receiving and collecting light from at least one light source,
• an output for propagating collected light towards the or the respective transmission element,
• at least one wall defining one or more portions of the body between its input and output and configured for collecting light entering the body via its input and conveying or directing said light towards its output, and
• attachment means for mechanically attaching the or the respective light collector element to the or the respective cover element and securing the or the respective transmission element between the or the respective light collector element and cover element;
• (v) the or each respective cover element comprises:
• an input opening facing towards the or the respective transmission element and for receiving light transmitted by the or the respective transmission element,
• an output opening via which light is outputted from the optical cell, and
• at least one internal surface defining a cavity within the cover element between its input and output openings, the cavity's internal surface(s) being configured for allowing or effecting passage of light, or a portion of the light, through the cavity from the cover element's input opening towards its output opening;
• and
• (vi) the or each respective transmission element comprises:
• one or more planar optical elements,
• wherein the or each optical element includes a first surface facing towards the output of the or the respective light collector element and a second surface facing towards the input opening of the or the respective cover element,
• and the or each optical element exhibits a predetermined optical activity or function in its transmission of light incident thereon which has exited the output of the or the respective light collector element and is transmitted by the transmission element towards the input opening of the or the respective cover element,
• and wherein the transmission element comprises at least one optically active transmission optical element in the form of a generally flat or planar foil, film, sheet, web, plate, layer or other thin body of optical material exhibiting a desired optical function which effects or facilitates a desired distribution and/or one or more output characteristics of light emanating from the optical cell, by modifying or modulating one or more optical properties of the light emitted by the light source(s) as determined by the optical function of the optically active transmission element of the optical cell,
• wherein the transmission element comprises a said first surface, which is a first major face thereof, and a said second surface, which is a second major face thereof, and at least one of said first and second surfaces, or each of said first and second surfaces, comprises or is formed with optical functional nano-relief or micro-relief which displays either diffractive or refractive behaviour or a combination of diffractive and refractive behaviour.

A kit of parts for use in forming a luminaire, the kit comprising:

• one or more, or any plurality of, optical cells each including:
• (i) at least one light collector element,
• (ii) at least one cover element for attachment to the or a respective light collector element, and
• (iii) at least one transmission element for mounting between the or the respective light collector element and cover element;
• wherein:
• (iv) the or each respective light collector element comprises:
• an input for receiving and collecting light from at least one light source,
• an output for propagating collected light towards the or the respective transmission element,
• at least one wall defining one or more portions of the body between its input and output and configured for collecting light entering the body via its input and conveying or directing said light towards its output, and
• attachment means for mechanically attaching the light collector element to the or the respective cover element and securing the or the respective transmission element between the or the respective light collector element and cover element;
• (v) the or each respective cover element comprises:
• an input opening facing towards the or the respective transmission element and for receiving light transmitted by the or the respective transmission element,
• an output opening via which light is outputted from the optical cell, and
• at least one internal surface defining a cavity within the cover element between its input and output openings, the cavity's internal surface(s) being configured for allowing or effecting passage of light, or a portion of the light, through the cavity from the cover element's input opening towards its output opening;
• and
• (vi) the or each respective transmission element comprises:
• one or more planar optical elements,
• wherein the or each optical element includes a first surface facing towards the output of the or the respective light collector element and a second surface facing towards the input opening of the or the respective cover element,
• and the or each optical element exhibits a predetermined optical activity or function in its transmission of light incident thereon which has exited the output of the or the respective light collector element and is transmitted by the transmission element towards the input opening of the or the respective cover element,
• and wherein the transmission element comprises at least one optically active transmission optical element in the form of a generally flat or planar foil, film, sheet, web, plate, layer or other thin body of optical material exhibiting a desired optical function which effects or facilitates a desired distribution and/or one or more output characteristics of light emanating from the optical cell, by modifying or modulating one or more optical properties of the light emitted by the light source(s) as determined by the optical function of the optically active transmission element of the optical cell,
• wherein the transmission element comprises a said first surface, which is a first major face thereof, and a said second surface, which is a second major face thereof, and at least one of said first and second surfaces, or each of said first and second surfaces, comprises or is formed with optical functional nano-relief or micro-relief which displays either diffractive or refractive behaviour or a combination of diffractive and refractive behaviour;
• optionally together with one or more of the following:
• a body or frame for containing the said optical cell(s) and any other components of the luminaire;
• or
• at least one, or a plurality of, said light source(s) for mounting or positioning in or on or adjacent the or each respective said light collector element of the or each respective optical cell;
• or
• a configuring element for accommodating the one or more optical cells in a predefined relative configuration or pattern in the luminaire, wherein the configuring element comprises a sheet or plate or film of material having one or more apertures therein in the said predefined relative configuration or pattern, each aperture being for receiving therein a respective one of the said optical cells.