Refining an optical switch for the Natural Light Guiding System

Abstract

Many recent studies have focused on the use of sunlight to provide indoor lighting and save energy. One approach, the Natural Light Guiding System, uses a static solar concentrator, a fibre optic transmitter and a light emitter to collect sunlight, move it to where it is wanted and distribute it into a room. An important feature of this system is an optical switch that can be used to control and change the direction of the transmitted light. This paper describes the refinement of the optical switch. The refined optical switch uses two lenses to improve light absorption efficiency. The light switch provides light efficiency management controls, such as a switch on and off function and the capability of saving energy in a solar battery.

Panel-integration of natural light and the related system of light guiding and illumination

“…Considered truly green lighting systems that achieve transformation between lights, indoor lighting systems via natural light provide indoor illumination during daytime hours via a series of processes that includes collecting sunlight with a light collector or panel-light-guiding device, transmitting light with a designed optical system, and rearranging light to satisfy a large indoor space [1,2]. This idea emerged during the past decades due to the development of related technology and the increasing demands of personal health and rights, leading to several ideas suggested by professionals [3][4][5] as follows.…”