Building block comprising light transmitting fibres and a method for producing the same

(54) NAME Building blocks comprising light-permeable fibers and method of making the same (56) PUBLICATIONS QUOTED: - - (57) SUMMARY:

The present invention relates to building blocks (2) comprising embedded light-transmitting fibers (6) embedded in a molding material, wherein the fibers are arranged in the molding material from a first side surface (8) of the building block to an opposite second side surface (10) thereof, one end of the fiber is arranged to open at a respective position (12) on the first side surface (8) and the other end of the fiber is arranged to open at a respective position (14) on the second side surface; the respective fiber (6) permitting the transport of light through the building block emitted from a light source located behind either of the side surfaces (8, 10), that the casting material (4) and embedded fibers (6) constitute a building block (2) of homogeneous structure which can be load and further that a plurality of fibers (6) are evenly distributed over substantially the entire respective side surface (8,10) whereby light can be emitted from the evenly distributed fiber ends in positions (12,14) over substantially the entire side surface. The present invention also relates to a method of making a building block comprising embedded light-permeable fibers.

<img file="SE522171C2_D0001.tif" />

The numbers in brackets indicate international identification code, INID code. Letters within clamps indicate international document code.

• * · ·

522 171

Summary

The present invention relates to building blocks (2) comprising embedded light-permeable fibers (6) embedded in a casting material, wherein the fibers are arranged in the casting material from a first side surface (8) of the building block to an opposite second side surface (10) thereof, one end of the fiber is arranged to open at a respective position (12) on the first side surface (8) and the other end of the fiber is arranged to open at a respective position (14) on the second side surface; the respective fiber (6) permitting the transport of light through the building block emitted from a light source located behind either of the side surfaces (8, 10), that the casting material (4) and embedded fibers (6) constitute a building block (2) of homogeneous structure which can be take up load and further that a plurality of fibers (6) are evenly distributed over substantially the entire respective side surface (8,10) whereby light can be emitted from the evenly distributed fiber ends at positions (12,14) over substantially the entire side surface. The present invention also relates to a method of making a building block comprising embedded light-permeable fibers.

522 171

The present comprising a casting material fiber. The present invention provides a building block of light-permeable fibers.

Technical field of the invention relates to a building block embedded light transmissible also relates to a method for including embedded

Background

For practical and decorative purposes, it is common for a building element such as a wall, floor or ceiling surface to be illuminated with one or more free-standing light sources, e.g.

with so-called spotlights, aimed at the surface in question. It is now also popular to install lamps in the building element so that they are recessed and / or level with the surface, which gives some illumination of the surface and some information in adjoining rooms adjacent to the surface.

By GB 1561142 it is known to provide in the drilled through holes between two opposite sides of a building element light-conducting rods comprising bundles of optical fibers. Light from a light source illuminating a back side of the element is passed through the fiber bundles of the rods to the opposite side.

: 25 However, as mentioned above, it is impractical, time-consuming and costly to install • · • J · light sources or optical cables to carry light through the finished building elements or in erected walls, ceilings and floors.

building element. Especially if small point-light sources should^:,,, 30 is mounted in the building element. If a significant part of a surface is to emit light, it will be readily apparent that the work becomes cumbersome as a large number of holes must be made. In addition, only a limited number of light sources in the building element can be fitted with these

522 171 known methods if the strength of the element is not to be affected. If a light-emitting and / or illuminating effect is desired to be achieved over a significant portion of a surface, since a free-standing light source may or may not be used, it is practically only possible by mounting relatively widespread light sources in the surface layer of the building element to avoid its strength. affected. The design of the lighting degree and the decorative effect is thus limited.

Disclosure of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages associated with the prior art. A further object is to provide prefabricated loadable building elements of traditional base material, such as e.g. concrete, and which at the same time can, to a certain extent, transmit light over the main part of two of its opposite surfaces, while at the same time allowing for an uncomplicated and cost-effective manufacture.

This object is achieved with a building block comprising, in a cast material, embedded light transmissible fibers, such as optical fibers or the like, according to the present invention as defined in claim 1, wherein the fibers are arranged in a casting material from a first side surface of the building block to an opposite second side surface thereof. wherein one end of the fiber is arranged to open at a respective position on the first side surface and the other end of the fiber is arranged to open at a respective position on the second side surface, the building block emitted from a light source located behind either of the side surfaces, that measurement of the number and thickness of embedded fibers constitutes a building block with a homogeneous structure that can absorb load and further that a variety of fibers are evenly distributed over substantially the entire respective side surface where light can be emitted

522 171 from the evenly spaced fiber ends in positions over substantially the entire side surface.

An advantage of this solution according to the present invention is that a prefabricated light-permeable building block is provided. Thus, by means of the fiber ends which open at the side surface of the present invention, it is possible to provide spot-light sources evenly scattered over substantially the entire side surface, giving an experience that the entire side surface is illuminated, or alternatively emits light. A further advantage is that the light-permeable fibers are fully integrated with the casting material, whereby the strength of the building block is negatively affected. The building block of the present invention exhibits a homogeneous structure capable of bearing high loads.

The present invention also relates to a method of making a building block comprising light-transmissible fibers embedded in a casting material, such as optical fibers or the like, which allow the transport of light from a side surface of the building block to an opposite side surface thereof, including the following steps; supplying in the first stage a casting material in an elongated casting, arranged in a second stage of a layer of fibers in the mold, which layer consists of a plurality of parallel arranged fibers, subjecting the mold to a mechanical pressure and / or vibration in a third stage so allowing the fiber layer to sink into the molding material to the desired depth, repeating steps one to three, or alternatively steps two to three, until the mold is filled with the molding material and a plurality of fiber layers; after which the casting material is allowed to set

and forming a homogeneous body, and dividing the solidified, molded body into building blocks by cutting so that respective ends of the fiber layers open at a respective side surface of the building block.

The light transmittance of the building block works with both

522 171 natural and artificial light. Preferably, light-permeable fibers such as fiberglass, optical fibers, fibers of transparent plastic or the like are used. The fiber thickness can be in the order of from one tenth of a millimeter up to a few millimeters. The light transmittance of the building block depends on the number of fibers but may preferably be about 1/10, i.e. one tenth of the light illuminating one side of the building block is emitted by the fibers to the other side of the block.

The casting material may be concrete, cement, plaster, plastic, metal or the like. Conveniently concrete or cement is used which gives an average density of the completed building block in the range of about 2200 kg / m³ up to about 2400 kg / m³. The number of fibers per building block can range from a hundred to a few thousand. The volume ratio of casting materials and fibers is preferably in the range of from about 1:15 up to about 1: 8. A suitable dimension of a building block manufactured by the method of the present invention is e.g. 2 Omm / 12 Omm / 6 8mm, which has a weight of about 5 kg and a concrete / fiber ratio of 1:13.

Figure Description

The present invention will now be described in more detail in embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, without the invention being construed as limiting thereto, in which Fig. 1A shows, in perspective view, obliquely from above a building block according to the invention; FIG. 1B shows a cross section AA of the building block of FIG.

1A, »

Fig. 1C shows a longitudinal section BB of the building block fig.

Fig. 1A shows, in a partial perspective view, a wall made up of a number of building blocks according to Fig. 1A, and

522 Figs. 2A-C show, in principle, different steps in a manufacturing method of a building block according to the present invention.

Detailed description of embodiments

A building block 2 according to the invention is shown in Figures 1A-C. The building block comprises a casting material 4 and light permeable fibers embedded in the casting material 6. The fibers are arranged in the casting material from a first side surface 8 of the building block to an opposite second side surface 10. One end of a respective fiber 6 is arranged to open at a position 12 on the first side surface. 8 and the other end of the fiber is arranged to open at a position 14 on the second side surface 16. A plurality of fibers 6, preferably about a hundred individual fibers, are arranged parallel in the longitudinal direction of the building block L. The fibers are evenly distributed in the block 2 and the fiber ends thus open at the side surfaces in positions 12, 14 over substantially the entire respective side surface 8, 10. The fibers allow light is transported through the building block emitted from a light source located e.g. behind the second side surface 10, to the first side 8, or vice versa, whereby light is emitted from the evenly distributed fiber ends in positions over substantially the entire side surface.

JI and with fibers are evenly distributed in block 2 and the casting material substantially surrounds the respective fibers as shown: in Figures 1A-C, the building block forms a homogeneous structure with: high strength. Supporting walls of the desired size and extent: can thus be easily constructed with a number of components: building block 2 as shown in Fig. ID.

Figs. 2A-C show a manufacturing method according to the present invention for producing a building block 2 according to the invention as described above. In an elongated mold 20 (see Fig. 2A) of e.g. steel or wood, is added in a first step

522 171

<img file="SE522171C2_D0002.tif" />

a casting material 4. In a second step, a layer 22 of fibers 6 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the mold 20. In a third step, the mold is subjected to mechanical pressure and / or vibration so that the fiber layer is allowed to sink into the molding material to the desired depth. Thereafter, steps one through three are repeated, or alternatively steps two through three, until the mold is filled with the casting material and a plurality of fiber layers. Each layer 22 consists of a plurality of parallel fibers 6, for example, twenty or more fibers per layer. The thickness of the layers and fibers may suitably be about 1 mm and the number of layers may be twenty or more.

The fiber layers 22 are continuously fed into the mold 20 from a fiber roll 24 via a nozzle 26 which provides for an even spread of the fibers along the entire transverse direction of the mold. When casting material 4 solidifies, the solidified, molded body 28 is divided by cutting into individual building blocks 2. for example, with the dimension 250un / 120mm / 68mm. The cutting is performed so that respective ends of the fiber layers 22 open at a respective side surface 8, 10 of the building block 2.

522 171