JP2001111112A - Light emitter - Google Patents

Light emitter

Info

Publication number
JP2001111112A
JP2001111112A JP28444699A JP28444699A JP2001111112A JP 2001111112 A JP2001111112 A JP 2001111112A JP 28444699 A JP28444699 A JP 28444699A JP 28444699 A JP28444699 A JP 28444699A JP 2001111112 A JP2001111112 A JP 2001111112A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
light emitting
light
front surface
optical medium
optical
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
JP28444699A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JP3300778B2 (en
Inventor
Satoshi Tamaoki
智 玉置
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LAB Sphere Corp
Original Assignee
LAB Sphere Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to JP28444699A priority Critical patent/JP3300778B2/en
Application filed by LAB Sphere Corp filed Critical LAB Sphere Corp
Priority to KR1020027001105A priority patent/KR100682563B1/en
Priority to EP00949912A priority patent/EP1213773B1/en
Priority to CA2380356A priority patent/CA2380356C/en
Priority to PCT/JP2000/004994 priority patent/WO2001008228A1/en
Priority to US10/048,373 priority patent/US6961190B1/en
Priority to CNB008133697A priority patent/CN100426050C/en
Priority to EP09170879A priority patent/EP2131404A3/en
Priority to DE60043546T priority patent/DE60043546D1/en
Publication of JP2001111112A publication Critical patent/JP2001111112A/en
Priority to NO20020396A priority patent/NO20020396L/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of JP3300778B2 publication Critical patent/JP3300778B2/en
Priority to US11/090,810 priority patent/US7283313B2/en
Priority to US11/764,386 priority patent/US7554752B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V5/00—Refractors for light sources

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Led Devices (AREA)
  • Led Device Packages (AREA)

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical medium and a light emitter which can provide a desired brightness, without using many semiconductor light emitting devices such as LEDs. SOLUTION: The emitter comprises an optical medium 14 having at least a front face to be a light emitting plane, a rear face opposite to the front face, a light transmitting part connecting the front face to the rear face and a recess formed extending from a part of the rear face into the light emitting part toward the front face, a semiconductor light emitting device 12 housed in the recess, and a backside mirror 31 disposed on the rear face of the medium 14. The backside mirror 31 extends to a part of the side face of the light transmitting part, and the semiconductor light emitting element 12 is sealed LED composed of at least a LED chip 24 fixed to as first pin 21 with the backside exposed, a resin mold 23 covering the LED chip 24 and a second pin 22 paired with the first pin 21.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

【０００１】[0001]

【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は、発光ダイオード
（ＬＥＤ）等の半導体発光素子の応用技術に係り、特に
この半導体発光素子を用いた発光体に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an application technique of a semiconductor light emitting device such as a light emitting diode (LED), and more particularly to a light emitting device using the semiconductor light emitting device.

【０００２】[0002]

【従来の技術】最近ハロゲンランプを用いた細身の懐中
電灯が市販されるに至っているが、この種の懐中電灯の
電池の寿命は連続点灯では３時間程度であり、また、ハ
ロゲンランプ自身の寿命も短いという欠点を有してい
る。2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a thin flashlight using a halogen lamp has been marketed, but the battery life of this type of flashlight is about 3 hours in continuous lighting, and the life of the halogen lamp itself is small. Also has the disadvantage of being short.

【０００３】一方、パーソナルコンピュータ、ワードプ
ロセッサ、小型携帯テレビ、車載テレビ等には、液晶表
示装置が多用されている。このような液晶表示基板の照
明（バックライト）は蛍光放電管（蛍光灯）が用いられ
ている。このバックライト用蛍光灯は、携帯テレビや携
帯用パーソナルコンピュータを落下した際には破損した
り、特性が劣化し易いという問題がある。また、冬季寒
冷地等の低温度環境下で使用する場合、管内の水銀蒸気
圧が低下して発光効率が低くなり、充分な輝度を得るこ
とができなくなる。さらに、長時間動作に対する安定性
や信頼性が不十分である。また、最も重要な問題は消費
電力が大きいことである。携帯用パーソナルコンピュー
タを例にすれば、マイクロプロッセッサやメモリで消費
される電力よりも液晶表示部の消費電力が圧倒的に大き
い。このため、蛍光灯をバックライトとして用いた場合
は、長時間にわたり電池で携帯テレビや携帯用パーソナ
ルコンピュータを動作させるのは困難である。また、蛍
光灯は、電源の周波数に対応したパルス的な発光である
ので、そのちらつき感から、目の疲労の問題が生じる。
即ち、バックライトのような直接照明に近い使用方法の
場合、長時間、蛍光灯からの光を直視することによる目
の疲労、あるいは、目の疲労からくる人体への影響など
の問題もある。On the other hand, liquid crystal display devices are frequently used in personal computers, word processors, small portable televisions, in-vehicle televisions and the like. For the illumination (backlight) of such a liquid crystal display substrate, a fluorescent discharge tube (fluorescent lamp) is used. This fluorescent lamp for backlight has a problem that it is easily broken or its characteristics are deteriorated when a portable television or a portable personal computer is dropped. Further, when the device is used in a low temperature environment such as a cold region in winter, the mercury vapor pressure in the tube is reduced, the luminous efficiency is reduced, and sufficient luminance cannot be obtained. Furthermore, stability and reliability for long-time operation are insufficient. The most important problem is that the power consumption is large. Taking a portable personal computer as an example, the power consumption of the liquid crystal display unit is overwhelmingly greater than the power consumed by the microprocessor and the memory. Therefore, when a fluorescent lamp is used as a backlight, it is difficult to operate a portable television or a portable personal computer with a battery for a long time. In addition, since the fluorescent lamp emits light in a pulsed manner corresponding to the frequency of the power supply, the problem of eye fatigue arises from the flickering feeling.
That is, in the case of a use method close to direct illumination such as a backlight, there are problems such as eye fatigue due to directly viewing the light from the fluorescent lamp for a long time, or an effect on the human body caused by eye fatigue.

【０００４】発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）等の半導体発光
素子は電気エネルギーを直接光エネルギーに変換するた
め、ハロゲンランプ等の白熱球や蛍光灯に比し、高効率
で、しかも発光に際して発熱を伴わない特徴を有する。
白熱球においては、電気エネルギーを一旦熱エネルギー
に変換し、その発熱に伴う輻射を利用しているのであ
り、その変換効率は原理的に低く、その光への変換効率
が１％を越えることはない。蛍光灯においては電気エネ
ルギーは、放電エネルギーに変換されており、こちらも
同様に、その変換効率は低い。一方、ＬＥＤにおいて
は、変換効率が２０％以上程度が可能で、白熱球や蛍光
灯に比し約１００倍以上の変換効率が容易に達成出来
る。さらに、ＬＥＤ等の半導体発光素子は半永久的とも
考え得る長寿命で、かつ蛍光灯の光のようにちらつきの
問題もないので、目や人体に悪影響を及ぼさない−人に
やさしい光−ということが言える。Semiconductor light-emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) convert electric energy directly into light energy, so that they are more efficient than incandescent lamps such as halogen lamps and fluorescent lamps, and do not generate heat when emitting light. Having.
In an incandescent sphere, electrical energy is temporarily converted to heat energy and the radiation accompanying the heat generation is used. The conversion efficiency is low in principle, and the conversion efficiency to light cannot exceed 1%. Absent. In a fluorescent lamp, electric energy is converted to discharge energy, and the conversion efficiency is similarly low. On the other hand, in the LED, the conversion efficiency can be about 20% or more, and the conversion efficiency of about 100 times or more as compared with the incandescent bulb or the fluorescent lamp can be easily achieved. Further, since a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED has a long life which can be considered semi-permanent and does not have a flickering problem like the light of a fluorescent lamp, it does not adversely affect eyes and human body-light which is kind to humans. I can say.

【０００５】かかる優れた特徴をＬＥＤは有するもの
の、ＬＥＤの応用は各種機器のコントロールパネルの表
示ランプや、電光掲示板等の表示装置等の極く限られた
範囲に限定されており、ＬＥＤが照明装置に使用された
例は少ない。最近、鍵穴の照明用のＬＥＤ応用製品も一
部において知られているが、小さな面積しか照明できな
いものである。このような特殊な例を除けば、一般に、
ＬＥＤが照明用に使用されることはない。Although the LED has such excellent features, the application of the LED is limited to a very limited range such as a display lamp of a control panel of various devices and a display device such as an electric bulletin board. Few examples have been used in equipment. Recently, some LED application products for keyhole illumination are known, but they can only illuminate a small area. Apart from these special cases, in general,
LEDs are not used for lighting.

【０００６】これはＬＥＤの輝度は極めて高いにもかか
わらず、ＬＥＤ１個の光の発光面積が１ｍｍ２程度の小
さな面積であるため、照明器具としての十分な光束が得
られないことに起因している。[0006] This LED brightness despite very high, because the light emitting area of the LED1 pieces of light is small area of about 1 mm 2, due to a sufficient light flux as a luminaire can not be obtained I have.

【０００７】図１２は、従来技術において、レンズ１０
１を用いて、ＬＥＤ１２からの光を平行光線とする場合
の光路を示す模式的な断面図である。単純に考えると、
図１２に示すような光学系を用いれば、ＬＥＤからの光
を所定のビーム径にして平行光線とすことが可能なよう
に思われる。しかし、現実には、小さなＬＥＤチップ２
４の像の影響が出るため、明るく且つ太いビームにする
のは困難である。つまり、ビームを拡大しても、照度は
その分小さくなり、照明器具としての実用には適さな
い。FIG. 12 shows a conventional lens 10.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an optical path when light from an LED 12 is converted into a parallel light beam by using No. 1; Simply speaking,
If the optical system shown in FIG. 12 is used, it seems that the light from the LED can be converted into a parallel light beam with a predetermined beam diameter. However, in reality, the small LED chip 2
Because of the influence of the image No. 4, it is difficult to form a bright and thick beam. That is, even if the beam is expanded, the illuminance is reduced by that amount, which is not suitable for practical use as a lighting fixture.

【０００８】このように、従来の光学系を用いたので
は、１個のＬＥＤの発光では、照明の対象となる面上の
照度が、所望の照度に達しない。つまり、光により照ら
された面上の単位面積当たりの光束が足りないのであ
る。As described above, when the conventional optical system is used, the illuminance on the surface to be illuminated does not reach a desired illuminance with the light emission of one LED. That is, the light flux per unit area on the surface illuminated by the light is insufficient.

【０００９】[0009]

【発明が解決しようとする課題】単純には、ＬＥＤを多
数マトリクス状に配列した照明器具を構成すれば、一定
の照度は得られるであろう。しかし、現在のところＬＥ
Ｄの主材料は、高価な化合物半導体が用いられており、
なおかつ、エピタキシャル成長や不純物拡散等の高度の
製造技術が要求されるため、ＬＥＤの製造単価（コス
ト）の低減には一定の限界がある。さらに、青色ＬＥＤ
の材料である窒化ガリウム（ＧａＮ）のエピタキシャル
成長の基板には、高価なサファイア基板が用いられてい
る等各半導体材料特有の事情もある。Simply, if a luminaire in which a large number of LEDs are arranged in a matrix is constructed, a certain illuminance will be obtained. However, at the moment LE
The main material of D is an expensive compound semiconductor,
In addition, since advanced manufacturing techniques such as epitaxial growth and impurity diffusion are required, there is a certain limit in reducing the unit production cost (cost) of an LED. In addition, blue LED
As a substrate for epitaxial growth of gallium nitride (GaN), which is a material of the above, there are circumstances specific to each semiconductor material such as an expensive sapphire substrate being used.

【００１０】従って、所望の照度を得るために、比較的
高価なＬＥＤを多数配列する等の方法により照明装置
（照明器具）を組み立てたのでは、あまりにも高価にな
りすぎるため、現実的ではない。また、シリコン（Ｓ
ｉ）では直径現在３００ｍｍのウェハが使用され始めて
いるが、ＬＥＤの材料である化合物半導体のエピタキシ
ャル成長用基板としては、このような大口径ウェハは現
状では入手出来ない。さらに、エピタキシャル成長の均
一性等の製造技術上の問題もあり、基本的に大面積の発
光領域を有したＬＥＤを製造するのは困難である。Therefore, it is not practical to assemble a lighting device (lighting apparatus) by a method of arranging a number of relatively expensive LEDs in order to obtain a desired illuminance, because it is too expensive. . In addition, silicon (S
In the case of i), a wafer having a diameter of 300 mm has begun to be used at present, but such a large-diameter wafer is not currently available as a substrate for epitaxial growth of a compound semiconductor, which is a material for LEDs. Furthermore, there are also problems in manufacturing technology such as uniformity of epitaxial growth, and it is basically difficult to manufacture an LED having a large-area light emitting region.

【００１１】本発明は上記課題を解決するためになされ
たものである。従って、本発明の目的は、ＬＥＤ等の市
販されている半導体発光素子を用いることが可能で、且
つその数を多数必要とすることなく、所望の照度を得る
ことが可能な発光体を提供することである。なお、本発
明においては、「半導体発光素子」とは、ＬＥＤや半導
体レーザ等の半導体中の光学的遷移を用いて発光する素
子をいう。The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting body that can use a commercially available semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED and can obtain a desired illuminance without requiring a large number of the light emitting elements. That is. In the present invention, the “semiconductor light-emitting element” refers to an element such as an LED or a semiconductor laser that emits light using optical transition in a semiconductor.

【００１２】本発明の他の目的は、特に、両面発光構造
の半導体発光素子を用いた場合において、裏面側への発
光成分を含めて、すべての迷光成分が、有効に照明に寄
与出来る発光体を提供することである。そして、その数
を多数必要とすることなく、所望の照度を得ることが可
能な発光体を提供することである。Another object of the present invention is to provide a light-emitting element in which all stray light components, including light-emitting components on the back surface side, can effectively contribute to illumination, particularly when a semiconductor light-emitting element having a double-sided light-emitting structure is used. It is to provide. It is another object of the present invention to provide a luminous body capable of obtaining a desired illuminance without requiring a large number of the luminous bodies.

【００１３】本発明の更に他の目的は、光軸の中心近傍
に関して所望の照度分布を有した照明が可能な発光体を
提供することである。Still another object of the present invention is to provide a luminous body capable of illuminating with a desired illuminance distribution around the center of the optical axis.

【００１４】本発明の更に他の目的は、光強度やビーム
径を自由に変更できる発光体を提供することである。Still another object of the present invention is to provide a luminous body whose light intensity and beam diameter can be freely changed.

【００１５】本発明の更に他の目的は、装飾的な照明等
に適用可能な、指向性が弱く、発光体そのもの視認が容
易な発光体を提供することである。Still another object of the present invention is to provide a luminous body which is applicable to decorative lighting or the like, has low directivity, and is easily visible.

【００１６】本発明の更に他の目的は、所定の表示パタ
ーンを簡単に表示可能な発光体を提供することである。Still another object of the present invention is to provide a luminous body capable of easily displaying a predetermined display pattern.

【００１７】[0017]

【課題を解決するための手段】本発明の第１の特徴は、
発光面となる前面と、前面に対向した後面と、前面と後
面とを接続する光伝送部と、後面の一部から前面方向に
沿って光伝送部の内部に形成された凹部とを少なくとも
有する光学媒体と、凹部に収納された半導体発光素子
と、光学媒体の後面に配置された背面鏡とからなる発光
体であることである。「光伝送部」を構成する光学材料
としては、透明ガラス材料、透明プラスチック材料等の
半導体発光素子の発光波長に対して透明の物質が使用可
能である。あるいは、半導体単結晶、多結晶、アモルフ
ァス等の結晶性材料を用いてもかまわない。背面鏡は、
光学媒体の側面の一部又は全部にまで延長形成してもか
まわない。背面鏡は、金属を研削加工もしくはプレス加
工し、その表面を研磨して構成すればよい。更に、これ
らの表面に反射率の高い薄膜を形成してもよい。簡便な
方法としては、反射率の高い金属薄膜を光学媒体の後面
に接着した構造でもかまわない。或いは、光学媒体の後
面に反射率の高い金属薄膜や誘電体多層膜を真空蒸着や
スパッタリングで堆積した構造でもかまわない。A first feature of the present invention is as follows.
A front surface serving as a light emitting surface, a rear surface facing the front surface, an optical transmission unit connecting the front surface and the rear surface, and at least a concave portion formed inside the optical transmission unit along a front direction from a part of the rear surface. It is a light-emitting body including an optical medium, a semiconductor light-emitting element housed in a concave portion, and a rear mirror disposed on a rear surface of the optical medium. As the optical material constituting the “light transmission section”, a transparent substance such as a transparent glass material and a transparent plastic material with respect to the emission wavelength of the semiconductor light emitting element can be used. Alternatively, a crystalline material such as a semiconductor single crystal, polycrystal, or amorphous may be used. The rear mirror is
The optical medium may be extended to part or all of the side surface. The rear mirror may be formed by grinding or pressing metal and polishing the surface. Further, a thin film having high reflectance may be formed on these surfaces. As a simple method, a structure in which a metal thin film having high reflectance is adhered to the rear surface of the optical medium may be used. Alternatively, a structure in which a metal thin film or a dielectric multilayer film having high reflectance is deposited on the rear surface of the optical medium by vacuum evaporation or sputtering may be used.

【００１８】本発明の第１の特徴に係る発光体において
は、基板の表面方向と共に裏面方向からの発光が伴う構
造の半導体発光素子において、特に有効にその光を利用
することが可能である。一般の封止ＬＥＤ等の半導体発
光素子においては、半導体発光素子の前面（頂部）以外
の所から出るいわゆる迷光成分となり、照明には寄与し
ない発光成分が多く含まれている。本発明の第１の特徴
に係る発光体においては、半導体発光素子が光学媒体の
凹部にほぼ完全に閉じこめられ、光学媒体の後面には、
背面鏡が配置されているので、これらの迷光成分がすべ
て最終的には発光面となる前面から出力可能である。従
って、すべての迷光成分が、有効に照明に寄与出来るよ
うになる。底部以外の凹部の内壁部も、有効な光の入射
部として機能し、内壁部を透過した迷光成分は、背面鏡
で反射され、最終的には発光面側から出力可能である。
また、半導体発光素子と凹部との間にはそれぞれの界面
で反射した光の成分が、種々の方向に多重反射し、迷光
成分となっている。これらの迷光成分も、本発明の第１
の特徴に係る発光体においては、凹部の内部に閉じこめ
られ、背面鏡により反射し、発光面となる前面側に導か
れる。この結果、これらの迷光成分がすべて最終的には
発光面から出力される。このように、本発明の第１の特
徴に係る発光体によれば、市販されている半導体発光素
子をそのまま用いることが可能で、且つその数を多数必
要とすることなく、所望の照度を簡単に得ることが出来
る。この照度は従来公知のレンズ等の光学系では達成不
可能な照度である。即ち、従来の技術常識では予測でき
ない照度を実現出来るものである。例えば、半導体発光
素子には内部量子効率と外部量子効率があるが、通常外
部量子効率は内部量子効率よりも低い。本発明の第１の
特徴に係る発光体により、半導体発光素子を凹部の内部
に収納することにより、内部量子効率とほぼ等しい効率
で、潜在的な半導体発光素子の光エネルギーをほぼ完全
に近く、有効に取り出すことが可能となる。In the light emitting device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the light can be used particularly effectively in a semiconductor light emitting device having a structure in which light is emitted from both the front surface direction and the back surface direction of the substrate. In a general semiconductor light emitting element such as a sealed LED, a so-called stray light component emitted from a portion other than the front surface (top) of the semiconductor light emitting element is included, and a large amount of a light emitting component that does not contribute to illumination is included. In the light emitting body according to the first aspect of the present invention, the semiconductor light emitting element is almost completely confined in the concave portion of the optical medium, and the rear surface of the optical medium has
Since the rear mirror is arranged, all of these stray light components can be output from the front surface which eventually becomes the light emitting surface. Therefore, all stray light components can effectively contribute to illumination. The inner wall portion of the concave portion other than the bottom portion also functions as an effective light incident portion, and the stray light component transmitted through the inner wall portion is reflected by the rear mirror, and can be finally output from the light emitting surface side.
Further, between the semiconductor light emitting element and the concave portion, light components reflected at respective interfaces are multiple-reflected in various directions and become stray light components. These stray light components are also the first of the present invention.
In the luminous body according to the above feature, the luminous body is confined inside the concave portion, reflected by the rear mirror, and guided to the front side, which is the luminous surface. As a result, all of these stray light components are finally output from the light emitting surface. As described above, according to the illuminant according to the first aspect of the present invention, a commercially available semiconductor light-emitting element can be used as it is, and a desired illuminance can be easily obtained without requiring a large number of semiconductor light-emitting elements. Can be obtained. This illuminance is an illuminance that cannot be achieved by a conventionally known optical system such as a lens. That is, it is possible to realize an illuminance that cannot be predicted by the conventional technical common sense. For example, a semiconductor light emitting device has an internal quantum efficiency and an external quantum efficiency, but usually the external quantum efficiency is lower than the internal quantum efficiency. According to the luminous body according to the first aspect of the present invention, the semiconductor light emitting device is housed inside the recess, so that the light energy of the potential semiconductor light emitting device is almost completely at an efficiency almost equal to the internal quantum efficiency, It becomes possible to take out effectively.

【００１９】なお、ＬＥＤや半導体レーザ等の、半導体
発光素子は、発光に際して、顕著な発熱作用を伴わない
ので、本発明の第１の特徴に係る発光体の光学媒体の凹
部の内部に、これらの半導体発光素子を収納しても、そ
の発熱作用によって、光学媒体に熱的影響を与えること
がない。Since a semiconductor light-emitting element such as an LED or a semiconductor laser does not have a remarkable heat-generating effect when emitting light, the light-emitting element according to the first feature of the present invention has a light-emitting element inside the concave portion of the optical medium. Even if the semiconductor light-emitting element is stored, the heat effect does not affect the optical medium thermally.

【００２０】本発明の第１の特徴に係る発光体において
は、発光面となる前面、この前面に対向した後面及び凹
部の底面のそれぞれの湾曲面のいずれか一方は、曲率半
径無限大、若しくは無限大に近い平坦な面を含みうるこ
とに留意すべきである。前面、後面及び凹部の底面の湾
曲面のいずれか一方が、無限大ではない所定の（有限
の）曲率半径を有していれば、光の収束、発散が制御可
能であるからである。また、「所定の発散角」は０°、
即ち平行光線をも含み得るということに留意すべきであ
る。また、発散角が９０°であっても、凹部が半導体発
光素子をほぼ完全に光学的に覆っているため、有効にそ
の光を集光することが可能である。これは、従来のレン
ズ等の光学系では不可能な作用である。In the luminous body according to the first aspect of the present invention, one of the curved surface of the front surface serving as the light emitting surface, the rear surface facing the front surface, and the bottom surface of the concave portion has an infinite radius of curvature or It should be noted that it may include a near infinite flat surface. This is because if one of the front surface, the rear surface, and the curved surface of the bottom surface of the concave portion has a predetermined (finite) radius of curvature that is not infinite, convergence and divergence of light can be controlled. The “predetermined divergence angle” is 0 °,
It should be noted that parallel rays can be included. Even when the divergence angle is 90 °, the light can be effectively condensed because the recess almost completely covers the semiconductor light emitting element optically. This is an operation that is impossible with a conventional optical system such as a lens.

【００２１】本発明の第２の特徴は、発光面となる前面
と、前面に対向した後面と、前面と後面とを接続する第
１屈折率を有する光伝送部と、後面の一部から前面方向
に沿って光伝送部の内部に形成された凹部と、前面と凹
部との間の光伝送部の内部に形成された第１屈折率とは
異なる第２屈折率を有する光路変更部とを少なくとも有
する光学媒体と、凹部に収納された半導体発光素子とか
らなる発光体であることである。ここで、光路変更部
は、少なくともその一部が、前面と凹部との間の光伝送
部の内部に形成されていれば良く、場合によっては、一
部が光学媒体の表面からはみ出した構造でもかまわな
い。もちろん、光路変更部の全部が、前面と凹部との間
の光伝送部の内部に形成されていてもよい。A second feature of the present invention is that a front surface serving as a light emitting surface, a rear surface facing the front surface, an optical transmission unit having a first refractive index connecting the front surface and the rear surface, and a part of the rear surface facing the front surface. A concave portion formed inside the optical transmission portion along the direction, and an optical path changing portion having a second refractive index different from the first refractive index formed inside the optical transmission portion between the front surface and the concave portion. It is a luminous body composed of at least an optical medium and a semiconductor light-emitting element housed in a concave portion. Here, the optical path changing portion may be formed at least partially in the optical transmission portion between the front surface and the concave portion, and in some cases, may have a structure in which a portion protrudes from the surface of the optical medium. I don't care. Of course, the entire optical path changing unit may be formed inside the optical transmission unit between the front surface and the concave portion.

【００２２】本発明の第２の特徴に係る発光体において
は、前面と凹部との間の光伝送部の内部に第２屈折率を
有する光路変更部を配置することにより、凹部の底部よ
り入射した半導体発光素子からの光は、光路変更部によ
りその進行方向を変えられる。第１屈折率と第２屈折率
の相対的な大きさにも依存するが、光路変更部の存在に
より、発光面の中央近傍の光束密度を調整し、光軸の中
心近傍の照度を変更し、光強度分布の調整が可能とな
る。In the luminous body according to the second aspect of the present invention, the light path changing portion having the second refractive index is disposed inside the light transmitting portion between the front surface and the concave portion, so that the light enters from the bottom of the concave portion. The traveling direction of the light from the semiconductor light emitting element is changed by the optical path changing unit. Although depending on the relative sizes of the first refractive index and the second refractive index, the presence of the optical path changing portion adjusts the luminous flux density near the center of the light emitting surface and changes the illuminance near the center of the optical axis. The light intensity distribution can be adjusted.

【００２３】本発明の第２の特徴に係る発光体において
は、第１の特徴と同様に、発熱作用が少ない半導体発光
素子を用いているので、光学媒体に熱的影響を与えるこ
とがなく、長期動作においても、信頼性と安定性を維持
出来る。さらに、少ない数の半導体発光素子で、所望の
照度及び光強度分布を簡単に調整することが出来る。In the luminous body according to the second aspect of the present invention, similar to the first aspect, since a semiconductor light emitting element having a small heat generation effect is used, the luminous body does not thermally affect the optical medium. Reliability and stability can be maintained even during long-term operation. Furthermore, desired illuminance and light intensity distribution can be easily adjusted with a small number of semiconductor light emitting elements.

【００２４】本発明の第３の特徴は、発光面となる前面
と、前面に対向した後面と、前面と後面とを接続する光
伝送部と、後面の一部から前面方向に沿って光伝送部の
内部に形成された凹部と、前面と凹部の間において光伝
送部の内部に形成された透過率変更手段とを少なくとも
有する光学媒体と、凹部に収納された半導体発光素子と
からなる発光体であることである。透過率変更手段とし
ては機械的なシャッター、絞りでも良く、液晶等の電気
的な手段でもかまわない。A third feature of the present invention is that a front surface serving as a light emitting surface, a rear surface facing the front surface, an optical transmission portion connecting the front surface and the rear surface, and an optical transmission portion extending from a part of the rear surface to the front direction. A luminous body comprising an optical medium having at least a concave portion formed inside the portion, a transmittance changing means formed inside the optical transmission portion between the front surface and the concave portion, and a semiconductor light emitting element housed in the concave portion It is to be. The transmittance changing means may be a mechanical shutter, an aperture, or an electric means such as a liquid crystal.

【００２５】本発明の第３の特徴に係る発光体によれ
ば、光強度やビーム径を自由に変更できる発光体を提供
することが出来る。According to the luminous body according to the third feature of the present invention, it is possible to provide a luminous body whose light intensity and beam diameter can be freely changed.

【００２６】本発明の第４の特徴は、発光面となる前面
と、前面に対向した後面と、前面と後面とを接続する光
伝送部と、後面の一部から前面方向に沿って光伝送部の
内部に形成された凹部と、前面と凹部との間の光伝送部
の内部に形成された複数個の散乱体とを少なくとも有す
る光学媒体と、凹部に収納された半導体発光素子とから
なる発光体であることである。散乱体としては、例え
ば、アルミニウム（Ａｌ）、金（Ａｕ）、タングステン
（Ｗ）、チタン（Ｔｉ）、モリブデン（Ｍｏ）等の金属
の粉末を透明プラスチック材料、ガラス材料等からなる
光学媒体に混在させればよい。A fourth feature of the present invention is that a front surface serving as a light emitting surface, a rear surface facing the front surface, an optical transmission unit connecting the front surface and the rear surface, and an optical transmission unit extending from a part of the rear surface to the front surface. An optical medium having at least a concave portion formed inside the portion, a plurality of scatterers formed inside the optical transmission portion between the front surface and the concave portion, and a semiconductor light emitting element housed in the concave portion. It is a luminous body. As the scatterer, for example, a metal powder such as aluminum (Al), gold (Au), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), molybdenum (Mo) is mixed in an optical medium made of a transparent plastic material, a glass material, or the like. It should be done.

【００２７】本発明の第４の特徴に係る発光体は、光学
媒体中の散乱体により、半導体発光素子からの光が散乱
するため、指向性が弱くなる。そして、発光体そのもの
の全体が微光を放つ特徴を有する。従って、非常灯、ベ
ットサイドの照明器具或いは装飾的照明器具等に好適で
ある。In the luminous body according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the light from the semiconductor light-emitting element is scattered by the scatterer in the optical medium, so that the directivity is weakened. Then, the entire luminous body itself has a feature of emitting low light. Therefore, it is suitable for emergency lights, bedside lighting equipment, decorative lighting equipment, and the like.

【００２８】本発明の第５の特徴は、発光面となる前面
と、前面に対向した後面と、前面と後面とを接続する光
伝送部と、後面の一部から前面方向に沿って光伝送部の
内部に形成された凹部と、前面の一部から凹部方向に沿
って光伝送部の内部に形成された溝部とを少なくとも有
する光学媒体と、凹部に収納された半導体発光素子とか
らなる発光体であることである。溝部は、Ｖ字型、Ｕ字
型、Ｗ字型等種々の断面形状が可能で、溝の形成方向や
形成位置も表示する情報の内容に応じて選択可能であ
る。表示する情報の内容に応じ、光学媒体の前面の全部
を削除するような大きな溝も、本発明の第５の特徴に係
る発光体においては含みうることに留意すべきである。A fifth feature of the present invention is that a front surface serving as a light emitting surface, a rear surface facing the front surface, an optical transmission unit connecting the front surface and the rear surface, and an optical transmission unit extending from a part of the rear surface to the front direction. An optical medium having at least a concave portion formed inside the portion, a groove portion formed inside the optical transmission portion along a direction of the concave portion from a part of the front surface, and a semiconductor light emitting element housed in the concave portion. Being a body. The groove portion can have various cross-sectional shapes such as a V-shape, a U-shape, and a W-shape, and the forming direction and the forming position of the groove can be selected according to the content of the displayed information. It should be noted that a large groove for deleting the entire front surface of the optical medium may be included in the illuminant according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, depending on the content of the information to be displayed.

【００２９】光学媒体の表面に溝部を設ければ、この部
分で光路の変更や光強度の変更が発生するので、溝部の
位置や構造を設計することにより、所定の情報を表示可
能である。If a groove is provided on the surface of the optical medium, a change in the optical path or light intensity occurs at this portion, so that predetermined information can be displayed by designing the position and structure of the groove.

【００３０】[0030]

【発明の実施の形態】次に、図面を参照して、本発明の
基礎技術に係る発光体を説明し、続いて本発明の第１乃
至第５の実施の形態に係る発光体を説明する。以下の図
面の記載において、同一又は類似の部分には同一又は類
似の符号を付している。ただし、図面は模式的なもので
あり、厚みと平面寸法との関係、各層の厚みの比率等は
現実のものとは異なることに留意すべきである。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, with reference to the drawings, a luminous body according to the basic technology of the present invention will be described, and then luminous bodies according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention will be described. . In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and the plane dimension, the ratio of the thickness of each layer, and the like are different from actual ones.

【００３１】（本発明の基礎技術）図１３に示すよう
に、本発明の基礎技術に係る発光体は、発光面となる前
面と、前面に対向した後面と、前面と後面とを接続する
光伝送部と、後面の一部から前面方向に沿って光伝送部
の内部に形成された凹部とを少なくとも有する光学媒体
１１６と、凹部に収納された半導体発光素子１２とから
構成されている。(Basic Technology of the Present Invention) As shown in FIG. 13, a luminous body according to the basic technology of the present invention has a front surface serving as a light emitting surface, a rear surface facing the front surface, and a light connecting the front surface and the rear surface. It comprises an optical medium 116 having at least a transmitting portion, a concave portion formed inside the optical transmitting portion along a part of the rear surface along the front direction, and the semiconductor light emitting element 12 housed in the concave portion.

【００３２】図１３の半導体発光素子１は、第１のピン
２１に接続された少なくとも一部に透明部を有する基台
の上に配置されたＬＥＤチップ２４と、このＬＥＤチッ
プ２４を被覆する樹脂モールド２３と、第１のピン２１
と対をなす第２のピン２２とから少なくとも構成された
封止ＬＥＤ１２である。この封止ＬＥＤ１２の頂部は、
図１３に示すように、凸形状の湾曲面を有しており、Ｌ
ＥＤチップ２４からの光は、所定の発散角で図１３の左
方向に出力する。The semiconductor light emitting device 1 shown in FIG. 13 has an LED chip 24 disposed on a base having a transparent portion at least partially connected to a first pin 21, and a resin covering the LED chip 24. Mold 23 and first pin 21
And a second pin 22 forming a pair with the sealing LED 12. The top of this sealed LED 12
As shown in FIG. 13, it has a convex curved surface, and L
The light from the ED chip 24 is output at a predetermined divergence angle to the left in FIG.

【００３３】一般には、樹脂モールド２３の凸形状の湾
曲面以外の所から出る光は、いわゆる迷光成分となり、
照明には寄与しない。しかし、本発明の基礎技術に係る
発光体においては、封止ＬＥＤ１２が光学媒体１１６の
凹部にほぼ完全に閉じこめられているので、これらの迷
光成分が有効に照明に寄与出来るようになる。即ち、湾
曲面からなる底部以外の凹部の内壁部も、有効な光の入
射部として機能しうるのである。また、封止ＬＥＤ１２
と光学媒体１１６の凹部との間にはそれぞれの界面で反
射した光の成分が多重反射し、迷光成分となっている。
従来公知のレンズ等の光学系では、これらの迷光成分
は、照明に寄与できるように取り出すことは出来ない。
しかし、これらの迷光成分も、本発明の基礎技術におい
ては、凹部の内部に閉じこめられているので、最終的に
は、照明に寄与できる成分となりうる。In general, light emitted from portions other than the convex curved surface of the resin mold 23 becomes a so-called stray light component,
Does not contribute to lighting. However, in the light emitter according to the basic technology of the present invention, since the sealing LED 12 is almost completely confined in the concave portion of the optical medium 116, these stray light components can effectively contribute to illumination. That is, the inner wall portion of the concave portion other than the bottom portion having the curved surface can also function as an effective light incident portion. In addition, the sealing LED 12
The light component reflected at each interface between the light emitting device and the concave portion of the optical medium 116 is multiple-reflected and becomes a stray light component.
In a conventionally known optical system such as a lens, these stray light components cannot be extracted so as to contribute to illumination.
However, in the basic technology of the present invention, these stray light components are also confined inside the concave portions, and may eventually be components that can contribute to illumination.

【００３４】ここで、従来の光学系として示した図１２
と図１３とを比較してみる。図１３と図１２において、
光軸方向は同一の距離であるが、図１３に示す本発明の
基礎技術に係る光学媒体１１６の方が遙かに、光のビー
ム径を広く出来ることが分かる。また、図１２に示した
従来の光学系では、図示した器具以外に、レンズホルダ
等や駆動装置等の付加的な器具が必要で、調整が煩雑で
あるが、図１３に示す本発明の基礎技術に係る光学媒体
１１６では、簡単な構成で光路の拡大、収束等が実現で
きる。FIG. 12 shows a conventional optical system.
And FIG. 13. 13 and 12,
Although the optical axis direction is the same distance, it can be seen that the optical medium 116 according to the basic technology of the present invention shown in FIG. In addition, the conventional optical system shown in FIG. 12 requires additional equipment such as a lens holder and a driving device in addition to the equipment shown in FIG. With the optical medium 116 according to the technology, enlargement and convergence of the optical path can be realized with a simple configuration.

【００３５】（第１の実施の形態）ところで、青色ＬＥ
Ｄの材料として周知のＧａＮのエピタキシャル成長基板
として絶縁性の高いサファイア基板が用いられている。
このため、通常はＧａＮ青色ＬＥＤのアノード電極及び
カソード電極はともにＧａＮエピタキシャル成長層の表
面側から取り出される。このサファイア基板は青色ＬＥ
Ｄの波長に対して透明であるため、青色ＬＥＤのパッケ
ージの構造によっては、青色ＬＥＤからの発光は基板の
裏面方向（図１３において右方向）からも取り出すこと
が可能である。しかし、図１３に示した本発明の基礎技
術に係る発光体においては、基板の裏面方向（右方向）
からの発光を積極的に利用する構造の配慮がない。(First Embodiment) By the way, the blue LE
A sapphire substrate having a high insulating property is used as a well-known GaN epitaxial growth substrate as a material of D.
Therefore, usually, both the anode electrode and the cathode electrode of the GaN blue LED are taken out from the surface side of the GaN epitaxial growth layer. This sapphire substrate is blue LE
Since it is transparent to the wavelength D, depending on the structure of the package of the blue LED, light emitted from the blue LED can be extracted also from the back side of the substrate (rightward in FIG. 13). However, in the luminous body according to the basic technology of the present invention shown in FIG.
There is no consideration for a structure that actively uses light emitted from the light source.

【００３６】図１に示すように、本発明の第１の実施の
形態に係る発光体は、発光面となる前面と、前面に対向
した後面と、前面と後面とを接続する光伝送部と、後面
の一部から前面方向に沿って光伝送部の内部に形成され
た凹部とを少なくとも有する光学媒体１４と、凹部に収
納された半導体発光素子１２と、光学媒体１４の後面に
配置された背面鏡３１とからなる。背面鏡３１は、光学
媒体１４の側面の一部にまで延長されて形成されてい
る。図１では、背面鏡３１は、光学媒体１４の側面の一
部を被覆しているが、光学媒体１４の側面のほぼ全面を
被覆するように形成してもかまわない。背面鏡３１は、
Ａｌ、真鍮、ステンレス等の金属を図１に示す形状に旋
盤・フライス盤等を用いて研削加工、もしくはプレス加
工機等により成型加工し、その後、その表面を研磨して
構成すればよい。更に、これらの表面にニッケル（Ｎ
ｉ）鍍金や金（Ａｕ）鍍金を施せば反射率が向上するの
で好ましい。安価、且つ簡便な方法としては、Ａｌ薄膜
等の反射率の高い金属薄膜を接着した構造でもかまわな
い。或いは、熱可塑性樹脂を押出成形若しくは射出成形
により図１に示す形状に加工し、この表面にＡｌ箔等の
反射率の高い金属薄膜や誘電体多層膜を真空蒸着やスパ
ッタリングで堆積した構造、若しくは高反射性ポリエス
テル白色フィルム等を接着した構造でもかまわない。更
に、光学媒体１４の後面に反射率の高い金属薄膜や誘電
体多層膜を真空蒸着やスパッタリングで直接堆積した構
造や、反射率の高い金属薄膜を鍍金により形成した構造
やこれらの複合膜でもかまわない。As shown in FIG. 1, the luminous body according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a front surface serving as a light emitting surface, a rear surface facing the front surface, and an optical transmission unit connecting the front surface and the rear surface. An optical medium 14 having at least a concave portion formed inside the optical transmission section along a front direction from a part of the rear surface, a semiconductor light emitting element 12 housed in the concave portion, and a rear surface of the optical medium 14. And a rear mirror 31. The rear mirror 31 is formed to extend to a part of the side surface of the optical medium 14. In FIG. 1, the rear mirror 31 covers a part of the side surface of the optical medium 14, but may be formed so as to cover almost the entire side surface of the optical medium 14. The rear mirror 31
A metal such as Al, brass, stainless steel or the like may be formed into a shape shown in FIG. 1 by grinding using a lathe or milling machine, or by molding with a press machine, and then polishing the surface. In addition, nickel (N
i) Plating or gold (Au) plating is preferable because the reflectance is improved. As an inexpensive and simple method, a structure in which a metal thin film having high reflectivity such as an Al thin film is bonded may be used. Alternatively, a structure in which a thermoplastic resin is processed into a shape shown in FIG. 1 by extrusion molding or injection molding, and a metal thin film or a dielectric multilayer film having a high reflectance such as an Al foil is deposited on the surface by vacuum evaporation or sputtering, or A structure in which a highly reflective polyester white film or the like is adhered may be used. Further, a structure in which a metal thin film having a high reflectivity or a dielectric multilayer film is directly deposited on the rear surface of the optical medium 14 by vacuum evaporation or sputtering, a structure in which a metal thin film having a high reflectivity is formed by plating, or a composite film thereof may be used. Absent.

【００３７】図１の半導体発光素子１２は、第１のピン
２１に接続された支持リングの中空部はめ込まれ、その
端部を固定されて配置されたＬＥＤチップ２４と、この
ＬＥＤチップ２４を被覆する樹脂モールド２３と、第１
のピン２１と対をなす第２のピン２２とから少なくとも
構成された封止ＬＥＤ１２である。背面鏡３１には、第
１のピン２１及び第２のピン２２を貫通させる穴があい
ており、背面鏡３１に第１のピン２１と第２のピン２２
とを電気的に短絡しないように考慮している。第１のピ
ン２１に接続された支持リングの中央部は中空であるた
め、ＬＥＤチップ２４からの発光はＬＥＤチップ２４の
裏面方向（図１において右方向）からも取り出される両
面発光構造をなしている。支持リングは完全に閉じたリ
ングである必要はなく、Ｃ字型、コの字型等の閉じない
リングでもよい。要はＬＥＤチップ２４の端面の一部を
固定できる構造であればよい。この封止ＬＥＤ１２の頂
部は、図１に示すように、凸形状の湾曲面を有してい
る。このように樹脂モールド２３の頂部近傍が凸形状の
湾曲面をなす事により、ＬＥＤチップ２４から左方向
（表方向）に出力する光は、所定の発散角で指向性を有
して出力される。一方、ＬＥＤチップ２４から右方向
（裏方向）に出力する光は、背面鏡３１で反射され、Ｌ
ＥＤチップ２４の表面から左方向に出力される。結局、
ＬＥＤチップ２４の右方向（裏方向）に出力する光も、
頂部近傍が凸形状の湾曲面により所定の発散角が与えら
れる。In the semiconductor light emitting device 12 shown in FIG. 1, the hollow portion of the support ring connected to the first pin 21 is fitted, and the LED chip 24 is fixedly arranged at its end, and covers the LED chip 24. Resin mold 23 to be
The sealing LED 12 is at least composed of the first pin 21 and a second pin 22 forming a pair. The rear mirror 31 has a hole through which the first pin 21 and the second pin 22 penetrate, and the rear mirror 31 has the first pin 21 and the second pin 22.
And are not considered to be electrically short-circuited. Since the central part of the support ring connected to the first pin 21 is hollow, the light emission from the LED chip 24 has a double-sided light emission structure in which the light is also extracted from the rear side of the LED chip 24 (rightward in FIG. 1). I have. The support ring need not be a completely closed ring, but may be a C-shaped, U-shaped, or other non-closed ring. In short, any structure that can fix a part of the end face of the LED chip 24 may be used. The top of the sealing LED 12 has a convex curved surface as shown in FIG. Since the vicinity of the top of the resin mold 23 has a convex curved surface in this manner, light output from the LED chip 24 to the left (front direction) is output with a predetermined divergence angle and directivity. On the other hand, the light output from the LED chip 24 in the right direction (back direction) is reflected by the rear mirror 31 and
It is output from the surface of the ED chip 24 to the left. After all,
The light output to the right (backward) of the LED chip 24 is also
A predetermined divergence angle is given by a curved surface having a convex shape near the top.

【００３８】凸形状の湾曲面部を除けば、封止ＬＥＤ１
２は、例えば、直径（外径）２〜３ｍｍφの円柱形状で
ある。光学媒体１４の凹部の側壁部は、封止ＬＥＤ１２
を収納できるように、直径（内径）２.５〜４ｍｍφの
円筒形状となっている。図１（ｂ）及び図２に示すよう
に、封止ＬＥＤ１２は頭部がカップ形状のＬＥＤホルダ
１６に固定され、ＬＥＤホルダ１６を介して、封止ＬＥ
Ｄ１２と光学媒体１４とが互いに固定されている。ＬＥ
Ｄホルダ１６は電気的に絶縁性が高く、光学的に透明な
材料で構成すればよい。ＬＥＤホルダ１６の封止ＬＥＤ
１２と光学媒体１４の凹部との間に位置するカップ形状
の部分の肉厚は、例えば、０．２５〜０．５ｍｍ程度で
ある。そして、光学媒体１４は、ほぼ封止ＬＥＤ１２と
相似な円柱形状である。この光学媒体１４の円柱形状部
分の直径（外径）は、１０〜３０ｍｍφである。光学媒
体１４の直径（外径）は、本発明の第１の実施の形態に
係る発光体の使用目的に応じて選択できる。従って、１
０ｍｍφ以下でも、３０ｍｍφ以上でもかまわない。Ｌ
ＥＤホルダ１６は、例えば図２に示すように、背面鏡３
１と一体で構成し、この背面鏡一体型ＬＥＤホルダ１６
に封止ＬＥＤ１２を差し込むようにすれば、本発明の第
１の実施の形態に係る発光体の組み立て工程が簡略化可
能である。図２に示す背面鏡一体型ＬＥＤホルダ１６に
おいて、中央部のＬＥＤホルダ１６に、第１のピン２１
及び第２のピン２２を通す２本の貫通孔が設けられてい
る。貫通孔は、前述の背面鏡３１に設けられた貫通孔に
連続している。そして、この２本の貫通孔に、第１のピ
ン２１及び第２のピン２２を差し込むことにより、ＬＥ
Ｄホルダ１６に封止ＬＥＤ１２が固定される。Except for the convex curved surface portion, the sealing LED 1
2 is, for example, a cylindrical shape with a diameter (outside diameter) 2 to 3 mm phi. The side wall of the concave portion of the optical medium 14 is
As it can hold, and has a cylindrical shape with a diameter (inner diameter) 2.5~4mm φ. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 2, the sealing LED 12 has a head fixed to a cup-shaped LED holder 16, and a sealing LE via the LED holder 16.
D12 and the optical medium 14 are fixed to each other. LE
The D holder 16 may be made of an optically transparent material having high electrical insulation. Sealed LED of LED holder 16
The thickness of the cup-shaped portion located between the recess 12 and the concave portion of the optical medium 14 is, for example, about 0.25 to 0.5 mm. The optical medium 14 has a substantially cylindrical shape similar to the sealed LED 12. The diameter of the cylindrical portion of the optical medium 14 (outside diameter) is 10 to 30 mm phi. The diameter (outer diameter) of the optical medium 14 can be selected according to the purpose of use of the light emitter according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, 1
Also in the following 0mm φ, does not matter even more than 30mm φ. L
The ED holder 16 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
1 and the rear-mirror-integrated LED holder 16.
If the sealing LED 12 is inserted into the luminous body, the assembly process of the luminous body according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be simplified. In the rear-mirror-integrated LED holder 16 shown in FIG.
And two through holes through which the second pin 22 passes. The through-hole is continuous with the through-hole provided in the rear mirror 31 described above. Then, by inserting the first pin 21 and the second pin 22 into these two through holes, LE
The sealing LED 12 is fixed to the D holder 16.

【００３９】本発明の第１の実施の形態に係る封止ＬＥ
Ｄ１２は、屈折率ｎ１を有したエポキシ樹脂等の透明材
料でモールドされている。そして、光学媒体１４は、屈
折率ｎ１とは異なる屈折率ｎ０を有する空気を介して封
止ＬＥＤ１２を収納している。空気以外の流体若しくは
流動体を介して封止ＬＥＤ１２を凹部に収納しても良
い。封止ＬＥＤ１２から発せられる光の波長に対して透
明な気体若しくは液体であれば、種々の「流体」が使用
可能である。凹部の封止ＬＥＤ１２と光学媒体１４との
間に、スペーサオイル等の使用も可能である。また、
「流動体」としての種々のゾル状、コロイド状若しくは
ゲル状の透明物質が使用できる。また、光学媒体１４
は、屈折率ｎ０とは異なる屈折率ｎ２を有するようにす
ればよい。屈折率ｎ１、屈折率ｎ０、及び屈折率ｎ
２を、それぞれ最適な値に選定することにより、ＬＥＤ
チップ２４からの光を収束させることも分散させること
も可能である。また、光学媒体１４の光伝送部の有する
屈折率ｎ２を次第に大きく、若しくは、次第に小さくす
るようにして光路設計をしても良い。ＬＥＤホルダ１６
は、封止ＬＥＤ１２の屈折率ｎ１と同じ屈折率を有する
エポキシ樹脂等の透明材料、もしくは光学媒体１４の屈
折率ｎ２と同じ屈折率を有する透明材料等で構成すれば
よい。あるいは、屈折率ｎ１及び屈折率ｎ２のいずれと
も異なる屈折率を有する透明材料で構成してもよい。い
ずれにしても、封止ＬＥＤ１２から発せられる光の波長
に対して透明な光学材料で、ＬＥＤホルダ１６を構成す
ればよい。光学媒体１４としては、透明プラスチック材
料、ガラス材料等が使用可能で、有色の樹脂や蛍光材料
を含んだ樹脂等も使用可能である。この内、アクリル樹
脂やポリ塩化ビニル樹脂等の熱可塑性樹脂は、光学媒体
１４を大量生産するのに好適な材料である。即ち、一度
金型を作り、この金型により押出成形若しくは射出成形
すれば光学媒体１４が簡単に大量生産できる。ガラス材
料としては、石英ガラス、ソーダ石灰ガラス、ホウケイ
酸ガラス、鉛ガラス等の種々のガラス材料が使用可能で
ある。あるいは、酸化亜鉛（ＺｎＯ）、硫化亜鉛（Ｚｎ
Ｓ）、炭化珪素（ＳｉＣ）等の結晶性材料を用いてもか
まわない。The sealing LE according to the first embodiment of the present invention
D12 is molded by transparent material epoxy resin having a refractive index n 1. The optical medium 14, accommodates a sealing LED12 through the air having a different refractive index n 0 is the refractive index n 1. The sealing LED 12 may be housed in the recess through a fluid or a fluid other than air. Various “fluids” can be used as long as the gas or liquid is transparent to the wavelength of light emitted from the sealing LED 12. It is also possible to use spacer oil or the like between the sealing LED 12 and the optical medium 14 in the recess. Also,
Various sol, colloid or gel transparent substances can be used as the "fluid". Also, the optical medium 14
Should have a refractive index n 2 different from the refractive index n 0 . Refractive index n 1 , refractive index n 0 , and refractive index n
2 by selecting the optimal value for each LED
The light from the chip 24 can be converged or dispersed. Also, gradually increasing the refractive index n 2 with the optical transmission of the optical medium 14, or may be an optical path designed to be gradually reduced. LED holder 16
It may be composed of a transparent material having a transparent material or the same refractive index as the refractive index n 2 of the optical medium 14, such as an epoxy resin having the same refractive index as the refractive index n 1 of the sealing LED12 like. Alternatively, it may be constituted by a transparent material having either different refractive index of the refractive index n 1 and the refractive index n 2. In any case, the LED holder 16 may be made of an optical material that is transparent to the wavelength of light emitted from the sealing LED 12. As the optical medium 14, a transparent plastic material, a glass material, or the like can be used, and a colored resin or a resin containing a fluorescent material can also be used. Among them, a thermoplastic resin such as an acrylic resin or a polyvinyl chloride resin is a material suitable for mass-producing the optical medium 14. That is, once a mold is formed and extrusion molding or injection molding is performed using the mold, the optical medium 14 can be easily mass-produced. Various glass materials such as quartz glass, soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass, and lead glass can be used as the glass material. Alternatively, zinc oxide (ZnO), zinc sulfide (ZnO)
S) or a crystalline material such as silicon carbide (SiC) may be used.

【００４０】一般の封止ＬＥＤにおいては、樹脂モール
ド２３の凸形状の湾曲面以外の所から出る光は、いわゆ
る迷光成分となり、照明には寄与しない。しかし、本発
明の第１の実施の形態においては、封止ＬＥＤ１２が光
学媒体１４の凹部にほぼ完全に閉じこめられ、光学媒体
１４の後面には、背面鏡３１が配置されているので、こ
れらの迷光成分がすべて最終的には発光面となる前面か
ら出力可能である。従って、すべての迷光成分が、有効
に照明に寄与出来るようになる。即ち、凹部に着目すれ
ば、底部以外の凹部の内壁部も、有効な光の入射部とし
て機能し、内壁部を透過した迷光成分は、背面鏡３１で
反射され、最終的には発光面側から出力可能である。ま
た、封止ＬＥＤ１２と光学媒体１４の凹部との間にはそ
れぞれの界面で反射した光の成分が、種々の方向に多重
反射し、迷光成分となっている。従来公知のレンズ等の
光学系では、これらの迷光成分は、照明に寄与できるよ
うに取り出すことは出来ない。しかし、これらの迷光成
分も、本発明の第１の実施の形態においては、凹部の内
部に閉じこめられ、背面鏡３１により内部で反射し、発
光面となる前面側に導かれる。この結果、これらの迷光
成分がすべて最終的には発光面から出力される。In a general sealed LED, light emitted from portions other than the convex curved surface of the resin mold 23 becomes a so-called stray light component and does not contribute to illumination. However, in the first embodiment of the present invention, since the sealing LED 12 is almost completely confined in the concave portion of the optical medium 14 and the rear mirror 31 is disposed on the rear surface of the optical medium 14, All of the stray light components can be output from the front surface which eventually becomes the light emitting surface. Therefore, all stray light components can effectively contribute to illumination. That is, focusing on the concave portion, the inner wall portion of the concave portion other than the bottom portion also functions as an effective light incident portion, and the stray light component transmitted through the inner wall portion is reflected by the rear mirror 31 and finally the light emitting surface side Can be output. In addition, between the sealing LED 12 and the concave portion of the optical medium 14, light components reflected at respective interfaces are multiple-reflected in various directions and become stray light components. In a conventionally known optical system such as a lens, these stray light components cannot be extracted so as to contribute to illumination. However, in the first embodiment of the present invention, these stray light components are also confined inside the concave portion, reflected inside by the rear mirror 31, and guided to the front side, which is a light emitting surface. As a result, all of these stray light components are finally output from the light emitting surface.

【００４１】この結果、樹脂モールド２３の形状等の光
の取り出し効率や、光学系相互の反射成分等に依存せ
ず、ほぼ、内部量子効率とほぼ等しい効率で、潜在的な
ＬＥＤチップ２４の光エネルギーを有効に取り出すこと
が可能となる。As a result, regardless of the light extraction efficiency such as the shape of the resin mold 23 and the reflection components between the optical systems, the light emitted from the potential LED chip 24 is substantially equal to the internal quantum efficiency. Energy can be extracted effectively.

【００４２】このようにして、本発明の第１の実施の形
態に係る発光体によれば、封止ＬＥＤ１２の数を多数必
要とすることなく、照明に寄与する光ビームとして所望
の照射面積の光束を確保し、且つ所望の照度を簡単に得
ることが出来る。この照度は従来公知のレンズ等の光学
系では達成不可能な照度である。驚くことに、現在市販
されているハロゲンランプを用いた細身の懐中電灯と同
程度の照度がたった一個のＬＥＤで実現できたのであ
る。このように、本発明の第１の実施の形態に係る発光
体によれば、従来の技術常識では全く予測できない照度
を、図１に示すような簡単な構造で、実現出来る。As described above, according to the luminous body according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a light beam having a desired irradiation area as a light beam contributing to illumination can be obtained without requiring a large number of sealing LEDs 12. It is possible to secure a light beam and easily obtain a desired illuminance. This illuminance is an illuminance that cannot be achieved by a conventionally known optical system such as a lens. Surprisingly, it was possible to achieve this with only one LED having the same illuminance as a slender flashlight using a halogen lamp currently on the market. As described above, according to the illuminant according to the first embodiment of the present invention, illuminance that cannot be predicted at all with the common technical knowledge of the related art can be realized with a simple structure as shown in FIG.

【００４３】なお、本発明の第１の実施の形態に係る発
光体に用いる封止ＬＥＤ１２としては、種々の色（波
長）の両面発光ＬＥＤが使用可能である。但し、懐中電
灯のような照明目的のためには、白色ＬＥＤが人間の目
には自然であるので好ましい。白色ＬＥＤは種々の構造
のものが使用できる。たとえば、赤（Ｒ）、緑（Ｇ）及
び青（Ｂ）の３枚の両面発光型ＬＥＤチップを透明基板
上に縦に積層して構成しても良い。この場合、樹脂モー
ルド２３から、それぞれの色の両面発光型ＬＥＤチップ
に対応し、合計６本のピンが導出されても良く、樹脂モ
ールド２３の内部配線として、６本のピンを２本にまと
め、外部ピンとしては２本設けられた構造としてもかま
わない。また、一方の電極（接地電極又は電源電圧側）
を共通とすれば、外部ピンは４本でよい。図２に示す背
面鏡一体型ＬＥＤホルダ１６の場合は、背面鏡一体型Ｌ
ＥＤホルダ１６に、所定のピン数分の貫通孔を開口して
おき、貫通孔に封止ＬＥＤ１２のそれぞれのピンを差し
込むようにすればよい。As the sealing LED 12 used for the light emitting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, double-sided light emitting LEDs of various colors (wavelengths) can be used. However, for lighting purposes such as flashlights, white LEDs are preferred because they are natural to the human eye. White LEDs having various structures can be used. For example, three double-sided LED chips of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) may be vertically stacked on a transparent substrate. In this case, a total of six pins may be led out of the resin mold 23 corresponding to the double-sided light emitting LED chips of each color, and the six pins are integrated into two as internal wiring of the resin mold 23. Alternatively, two external pins may be provided. One electrode (ground electrode or power supply voltage side)
, The number of external pins may be four. In the case of the rear-mirror-integrated LED holder 16 shown in FIG.
It suffices that a predetermined number of through holes are opened in the ED holder 16 and the respective pins of the sealing LED 12 are inserted into the through holes.

【００４４】そして、この白色ＬＥＤを、図１に示す封
止ＬＥＤ１２として用い、本発明の第１の実施の形態に
係る発光体を構成し、白色封止ＬＥＤ１２に対して所定
電圧が印加出来るように電池ケースとこの電池ケースの
中の電池（例えば単３電池）を収納すれば、ペンタイプ
の細身の懐中電灯（携帯用照明器具）が完成する。この
電池の陽極及び陰極にそれぞれ、白色封止ＬＥＤ１２の
電極を接続する構造とすれば良いのである。この結果、
簡単な構造で、製造単価の低い懐中電灯（携帯用照明器
具）が提供できる。この懐中電灯（携帯用照明器具）
は、長期間に渡る安定性と信頼性に優れ、特に、電力消
費量が少ないため、電池の寿命が長いという従来予測で
きなかった優れた特性を有する。Then, this white LED is used as the sealing LED 12 shown in FIG. 1 to constitute a luminous body according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and a predetermined voltage can be applied to the white sealing LED 12. When a battery case and a battery (for example, AA batteries) in the battery case are housed, a pen-type slender flashlight (portable lighting fixture) is completed. The structure may be such that the electrode of the white sealing LED 12 is connected to the anode and the cathode of this battery, respectively. As a result,
A flashlight (portable lighting device) with a simple structure and low manufacturing cost can be provided. This flashlight (portable lighting equipment)
Has excellent stability and reliability over a long period of time, and in particular, has an unpredictable superior characteristic that the battery life is long because of low power consumption.

【００４５】なお、赤（Ｒ）、緑（Ｇ）及び青（Ｂ）の
３枚のＬＥＤチップを積層した場合には、赤（Ｒ）、緑
（Ｇ）及び青（Ｂ）のそれぞれの発光強度を調整し、混
合することにより、可視光帯スペクトルのすべての色が
発生できる。この場合、実際には、製造工程上のばらつ
きにより、色むらが発生する場合があるが、背面鏡３１
で、赤（Ｒ）、緑（Ｇ）及び青（Ｂ）のＬＥＤチップか
らの光をそれぞれ反射し、混合することにより、各色の
バランスを取り、色むらを解消できる利点を有する。When three LED chips of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) are stacked, the light emission of each of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) is obtained. By adjusting the intensity and mixing, all colors in the visible spectrum can be generated. In this case, color irregularities may actually occur due to variations in the manufacturing process.
Thus, by reflecting and mixing the light from the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) LED chips, respectively, there is an advantage that each color is balanced and color unevenness can be eliminated.

【００４６】さらに、光学媒体（第１の光学媒体）１４
の外側に第２の光学媒体を配置し、更に、第２の光学媒
体の外側に第３の光学媒体，・・・・・を配置すれば、封止
ＬＥＤ１２の光のビーム径を更に広い照射面積となるよ
うに拡大することが可能である。第２の光学媒体は、第
１の光学媒体１４と同様に、光の波長に対して透明の固
体からなり、第１の光学媒体１４を収納するための凹部
と、湾曲面からなる発光面とを具備している。また、第
３の光学媒体は、第２の光学媒体を収納するための凹部
を有するようにしておけばよい。Further, an optical medium (first optical medium) 14
If the second optical medium is arranged outside of the first optical medium and the third optical medium,... Is arranged outside the second optical medium, the beam diameter of the light of the sealing LED 12 is made wider. It is possible to enlarge the area. Similarly to the first optical medium 14, the second optical medium is made of a solid transparent to the wavelength of light, and has a concave portion for accommodating the first optical medium 14, and a light-emitting surface having a curved surface. Is provided. Further, the third optical medium may have a recess for accommodating the second optical medium.

【００４７】図１において、光学媒体１４の前面は、凸
形状の湾曲面からなる発光面を有している。しかし、図
１は例示であり、湾曲面は、目的に応じて、種々の形状
が採用可能であり、凹形状の湾曲面からなる発光面を有
す光学媒体でもよい。凹形状の湾曲面を前面（発光面）
に用いると、光は分散する傾向になるので、種々のバッ
クライト（間接照明系）に好適な均一性を得ることが出
来る。In FIG. 1, the front surface of the optical medium 14 has a light emitting surface composed of a convex curved surface. However, FIG. 1 is merely an example, and the curved surface may have various shapes depending on the purpose, and may be an optical medium having a light emitting surface composed of a concave curved surface. Concave curved surface in front (light emitting surface)
In this case, since light tends to be dispersed, uniformity suitable for various backlights (indirect illumination systems) can be obtained.

【００４８】（第２の実施の形態）図３に示すように、
本発明の第２の実施の形態に係る発光体は、発光面とな
る前面と、前面に対向した後面と、前面と後面とを接続
する第１屈折率ｎ２を有する光伝送部と、後面の一部か
ら前面方向に沿って光伝送部の内部に形成された凹部
と、前面と凹部との間の光伝送部の内部に形成された第
１屈折率ｎ２とは異なる第２屈折率ｎ０を有する光路変
更部３５とを少なくとも有する光学媒体１５と、凹部に
収納された半導体発光素子１２とから構成されている。(Second Embodiment) As shown in FIG.
Luminous body according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a front face serving as a light-emitting surface, a rear surface facing the front surface, and a light transmitting portion having a first refractive index n 2 for connecting the front and rear faces, a rear face the second refractive index different from the first refractive index n 2 which is formed in the optical transmission section between the recess formed in the interior of the optical transmission unit along the front direction from a part, the front and recess It comprises an optical medium 15 having at least an optical path changing portion 35 having n 0 and a semiconductor light emitting element 12 housed in a concave portion.

【００４９】第１屈折率ｎ２を有する光伝送部を構成す
る光学材料としては、本発明の第１の実施の形態に係る
発光体と同様な透明プラスチック材料（熱可塑性樹
脂）、ガラス材料或いは、結晶性材料等が使用可能であ
る。第２屈折率ｎ０を有する光路変更部としては、図３
に示すような屈折率ｎ０の空気の封入された空洞部で
も、他の固体材料からなる領域でもかまわない。いずれ
にせよ、第１屈折率ｎ２とは異なる第２屈折率ｎ０を有
する領域であれば、第１屈折率ｎ２の領域と第２屈折率
ｎ０の領域との界面において光の屈折が生じるので、光
路の進行方向が変更可能である。The optical material constituting the light transmitting portion having the first refractive index n 2 may be the same transparent plastic material (thermoplastic resin), glass material, or the like as the luminous body according to the first embodiment of the present invention. , Crystalline materials and the like can be used. As the optical path changing unit having the second refractive index n 0 , FIG.
The cavity may be a cavity filled with air having a refractive index n 0 as shown in FIG. In any case, if the first refractive index n 2 regions having a different second index of refraction n 0, the refraction of light at the interface between the region of the first refractive index n 2 and a second refractive index n 0 of the area Therefore, the traveling direction of the optical path can be changed.

【００５０】このように、本発明の第２の実施の形態に
係る発光体においては、前面と凹部との間の光伝送部の
内部に第２屈折率ｎ０を有する光路変更部３５を有する
ので、凹部の底部より入射した半導体発光素子１２から
の光は、光路変更部３５によりその進行方向を変えられ
る。図３に示すように光学媒体１５の中心軸方向に沿っ
て縦長の光路変更部３５の幾何学的形状の場合は、第１
屈折率ｎ２が第２屈折率ｎ０より大きければ、発光面の
中央近傍の光束密度が低くなり、光軸の中心近傍が相対
的に暗い照明が可能となる。同様な、光路変更部３５の
幾何学的形状の場合で、第１屈折率ｎ２が第２屈折率ｎ
０より小さければ、発光面の中央近傍の光束密度が高く
なり、光軸の中心近傍が相対的に明るい照明が可能とな
る。As described above, in the luminous body according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the light path changing portion 35 having the second refractive index n 0 is provided inside the light transmitting portion between the front surface and the concave portion. Therefore, the light traveling from the semiconductor light emitting element 12 from the bottom of the concave portion can be changed by the optical path changing portion 35. As shown in FIG. 3, in the case of the geometric shape of the vertically long optical path changing unit 35 along the central axis direction of the optical medium 15, the first
If the refractive index n 2 is greater than the second refractive index n 0, the light flux density in the vicinity of the center of the light-emitting surface is lowered, the center near the optical axis is possible relatively dark illumination. Similar, in the case of the geometry of the optical path changing unit 35, the first refractive index n 2 is the second refractive index n
If it is smaller than 0 , the luminous flux density in the vicinity of the center of the light emitting surface increases, and illumination relatively bright in the vicinity of the center of the optical axis becomes possible.

【００５１】本発明の第２の実施の形態に係る発光体
は、光学媒体１５の後面に背面鏡が配置されていない点
を除けば、基本的に第１の実施の形態に係る発光体と同
様であるので、重複する説明を省略する。The luminous body according to the second embodiment of the present invention is basically the same as the luminous body according to the first embodiment except that no rear mirror is disposed on the rear surface of the optical medium 15. Since they are the same, duplicate description will be omitted.

【００５２】一方、図４の本発明の第２の実施の形態の
変形例に示すように、光学媒体１６の中心軸方向に沿っ
て横長の幾何学的形状の光路変更部３６が前面と凹部と
の間の光伝送部の内部に配置された場合は逆の光路変更
がなされる。すなわち、第１屈折率ｎ２が第２屈折率ｎ
０より大きければ、発光面の中央近傍の光束密度が高く
なり、光軸の中心近傍が相対的に明るい照明が可能とな
る。同様な、光路変更部３６の幾何学的形状の場合で、
第１屈折率ｎ２が第２屈折率ｎ０より小さければ、発光
面の中央近傍の光束密度が低くなり、光軸の中心近傍が
相対的に暗い照明が可能となる。On the other hand, as shown in a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 4, an optical path changing portion 36 having a laterally elongated geometric shape along the central axis direction of the optical medium 16 has a front surface and a concave portion. In the case where the optical path is disposed inside the optical transmission section between the two, the optical path is reversed. That is, the first refractive index n 2 is equal to the second refractive index n 2
If it is larger than 0 , the luminous flux density in the vicinity of the center of the light emitting surface becomes higher, and illumination relatively bright near the center of the optical axis becomes possible. In the case of a similar geometrical shape of the optical path changing unit 36,
If the first refractive index n 2 is smaller than the second refractive index n 0, the light flux density in the vicinity of the center of the light-emitting surface is lowered, the center near the optical axis is possible relatively dark illumination.

【００５３】図５は、本発明の第２の実施の形態の他の
変形例に係る発光体の構造を示す模式図で、光学媒体１
７の後面に背面鏡３１が配置されている。図５において
は、ＬＥＤチップ２４の裏面からの発光成分や迷光成分
が背面鏡３１により反射され、発光面となる前面側に導
かれる。この結果、これらの迷光成分がすべて最終的に
は発光面から出力される極めて高効率照明が可能である
と共に、照射面における光強度分布の調整が可能であ
る。FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the structure of a luminous body according to another modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.
A rear mirror 31 is arranged on the rear surface of the reference numeral 7. In FIG. 5, the light emitting component and the stray light component from the back surface of the LED chip 24 are reflected by the rear mirror 31 and guided to the front surface side which is the light emitting surface. As a result, extremely high-efficiency illumination in which all of these stray light components are finally output from the light emitting surface is possible, and the light intensity distribution on the irradiation surface can be adjusted.

【００５４】なお、本発明の第２の実施の形態における
光路変更部３５，３６，３７の断面形状は図３，４，５
に示すような両凸形状以外に、平凸形状やメニスカス形
状等他の形状でもかまわないことは勿論である。Incidentally, the sectional shapes of the optical path changing portions 35, 36 and 37 in the second embodiment of the present invention are shown in FIGS.
It goes without saying that other shapes such as a plano-convex shape and a meniscus shape may be used in addition to the biconvex shape shown in FIG.

【００５５】（第３の実施の形態）図６に示すように、
本発明の第３の実施の形態に係る発光体は、発光面とな
る前面と、前面に対向した後面と、前面と後面とを接続
する光伝送部と、後面の一部から前面方向に沿って光伝
送部の内部に形成された凹部と、前面と凹部の間におい
て光伝送部の内部に形成された透過率変更手段４１とを
少なくとも有する光学媒体（１４ａ，１４ｂ）と、凹部
に収納された半導体発光素子１２とから構成されてい
る。(Third Embodiment) As shown in FIG.
The luminous body according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a front surface serving as a light emitting surface, a rear surface facing the front surface, an optical transmission unit connecting the front surface and the rear surface, and a portion extending from the rear surface along the front direction. An optical medium (14a, 14b) having at least a concave portion formed inside the optical transmission portion and a transmittance changing means 41 formed inside the optical transmission portion between the front surface and the concave portion; And a semiconductor light emitting element 12.

【００５６】透過率変更手段４１としては機械的なシャ
ッター、絞りでも良く、液晶等の電気的な透過率変更手
段でもかまわない。図６では、透過率変更手段４１を光
学媒体頂部１４ａと光学媒体本体部１４ｂが挟むような
構成を示しているが、目的によっては、光学媒体の一部
に挿入された構成でもかまわない。本発明の第３の実施
の形態に係る発光体は、透過率変更手段４１を除けば、
基本的に第１の実施の形態に係る発光体と同様であるの
で、重複する説明を省略する。The transmittance changing means 41 may be a mechanical shutter or aperture, or may be an electrical transmittance changing means such as a liquid crystal. FIG. 6 shows a configuration in which the transmittance changing means 41 is sandwiched between the optical medium top portion 14a and the optical medium main body portion 14b. However, a configuration in which the transmittance changing unit 41 is inserted into a part of the optical medium may be used depending on the purpose. The luminous body according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the following features except for the transmittance changing unit 41.
Basically, it is the same as the luminous body according to the first embodiment, and the duplicate description will be omitted.

【００５７】本発明の第３の実施の形態に係る発光体に
よれば、透過率変更手段４１を機械的、若しくは電気的
に駆動することにより、光強度やビーム径を自由に変更
できる発光体を提供することが出来る。透過率変更手段
４１として、液晶を用いる場合は、薄膜トランジスタ
（ＴＦＴ）等からなるアクティブマトリクスを透過率変
更手段４１の内部に構成し、シフトレジスタ等によりア
クティブマトリクスエレメントを駆動するようにしても
よい。透過率変更手段４１として、機械的なシャッタ
ー、絞りを用いる場合は、光学媒体（１４ａ，１４ｂ）
に隣接してマイクロ・モータ等の機械駆動系を配置して
おけばよい。According to the illuminant according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the illuminant whose light intensity and beam diameter can be freely changed by mechanically or electrically driving the transmittance changing means 41. Can be provided. When a liquid crystal is used as the transmittance changing unit 41, an active matrix including a thin film transistor (TFT) may be configured inside the transmittance changing unit 41, and the active matrix element may be driven by a shift register or the like. When a mechanical shutter or a diaphragm is used as the transmittance changing unit 41, the optical medium (14a, 14b)
, A mechanical drive system such as a micromotor may be arranged.

【００５８】また、図６に示す本発明の第３の実施の形
態に係る発光体は、光学媒体１５の後面に背面鏡３１が
配置された構造であるが、図１３のような背面鏡がない
構成において、透過率変更手段４１を設けてもかまわな
い。The luminous body according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 has a structure in which a rear mirror 31 is arranged on the rear surface of the optical medium 15, but the rear mirror shown in FIG. In such a configuration, the transmittance changing means 41 may be provided.

【００５９】（第４の実施の形態）図７に示すように、
本発明の第４の実施の形態に係る発光体は、発光面とな
る前面と、前面に対向した後面と、前面と後面とを接続
する光伝送部と、後面の一部から前面方向に沿って光伝
送部の内部に形成された凹部と、前面と凹部との間の光
伝送部の内部に形成された複数個の散乱体４３とを少な
くとも有する光学媒体１８と、凹部に収納された半導体
発光素子１２とから構成されている。(Fourth Embodiment) As shown in FIG.
The luminous body according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a front surface serving as a light emitting surface, a rear surface facing the front surface, an optical transmission unit connecting the front surface and the rear surface, and a portion extending from the rear surface along the front direction. An optical medium 18 having at least a concave portion formed inside the optical transmission portion and a plurality of scatterers 43 formed inside the optical transmission portion between the front surface and the concave portion, and a semiconductor housed in the concave portion. And a light emitting element 12.

【００６０】散乱体４３としてはＡｌ、Ａｕ、Ｗ、Ｔ
ｉ、Ｍｏ等の金属の粉末を透明プラスチック材料、ガラ
ス材料等の光学媒体１８に混在させればよい。例えばア
クリル樹脂やポリ塩化ビニル樹脂等の熱可塑性樹脂を押
出成形若しくは射出成形する際に、これらの金属粉末を
混入しておけばよい。散乱体４３の大きさは、光の波長
に比して大きければ良く、ミクロン・オーダから数ｍｍ
程度のもの等種々の大きさが可能で、その形状も問わな
い。As the scatterer 43, Al, Au, W, T
A powder of a metal such as i or Mo may be mixed with the optical medium 18 such as a transparent plastic material or a glass material. For example, when extrusion molding or injection molding of a thermoplastic resin such as an acrylic resin or a polyvinyl chloride resin, these metal powders may be mixed. The size of the scatterer 43 may be large as long as it is larger than the wavelength of the light.
Various sizes, such as a size, are possible, and the shape does not matter.

【００６１】本発明の第１の実施の形態に係る発光体
は、懐中電灯等の比較的指向性の強い光ビームが必要な
照明器具に好適であったが、第４の実施の形態に係る発
光体は指向性を弱くし、発光体のほぼ全体が光り、その
美観を感受することが可能な照明器具に好適である。例
えば、非常灯やベットサイドの照明器具等に用いたり、
室内もしくは屋外における装飾的目的で用いたりしても
よい。発光体そのものの全体が微光を放つ特徴を生かす
ためには、光学媒体１８の直径若しくは一辺の長さを５
ｃｍないし３０ｃｍ、或いは１ｍ程度に大きくすること
も可能である。かかる大きな光学媒体をたった１個の半
導体発光素子１２で光らせ、その消費電力は極めて小さ
い。装飾的目的の場合は、図７に示すような単純な形態
ではなく、動物、樹木、建造物等に類似な独特な形態等
を含めた複雑な構造に光学媒体１８を構成することも可
能である。The luminous body according to the first embodiment of the present invention is suitable for a lighting device such as a flashlight which requires a light beam having relatively high directivity, but according to the fourth embodiment. The luminous body is suitable for a lighting device that weakens directivity, makes almost the entire luminous body shine, and allows the user to feel the beauty of the luminous body. For example, used for emergency lights and bedside lighting equipment,
It may be used for decorative purposes indoors or outdoors. In order to take advantage of the feature that the entire luminous body itself emits low light, the diameter or the length of one side of the optical medium 18 must be 5 or less.
It can be as large as about cm to 30 cm, or about 1 m. Such a large optical medium is illuminated by only one semiconductor light emitting element 12, and its power consumption is extremely small. For decorative purposes, the optical medium 18 can be configured in a complex structure including a unique form similar to animals, trees, buildings, etc., instead of the simple form shown in FIG. is there.

【００６２】光学媒体１８の直径若しくは一辺の長さを
５ｃｍないし３０ｃｍ、或いは１ｍ程度に大きくするす
るためには、本発明の第１の実施の形態の最後に述べた
ような多層構造を採用してもよい。すなわち、光学媒体
（第１の光学媒体）１８の外側に第２の光学媒体を配置
し、更に、第２の光学媒体の外側に第３の光学媒体，・・
・・・を配置すれば、封止ＬＥＤ１２の光を有効に広い面
積に導くことが可能である。第２の光学媒体は、第１の
光学媒体１８と同様に、光の波長に対して透明の固体中
に散乱体４３を含み、第１の光学媒体１８を収納するた
めの凹部と、湾曲面からなる発光面とを具備している。
また、第３の光学媒体も、第１の光学媒体１８と同様
に、光の波長に対して透明の固体中に散乱体４３を含
み、第２の光学媒体を収納するための凹部を有するよう
にしておけばよい。散乱体の密度を、第１の光学媒体１
８、第２の光学媒体、第３の光学媒体，・・・・・と外側に
行くに従い高くしてもよい。すなわち、最外殻の光学媒
体の散乱体の密度を最も高くし、全体が有効に微光を放
つようにすることが出来る。このような多層構造にして
おけば、最外殻の光学媒体のデザインを好みに応じて変
更することも容易で、美観の陳腐化も防げる。そして、
このような装飾的目的の発光体は電池で駆動でき、電池
の寿命も長いので、電気配線のない屋外等にも簡単に設
置でき、夜間の美観を楽しむことが可能である。In order to increase the diameter or the length of one side of the optical medium 18 to about 5 cm to 30 cm or about 1 m, a multilayer structure as described at the end of the first embodiment of the present invention is adopted. You may. That is, a second optical medium is arranged outside the optical medium (first optical medium) 18, and a third optical medium is arranged outside the second optical medium.
Are arranged, it is possible to effectively guide the light of the sealing LED 12 to a wide area. The second optical medium, like the first optical medium 18, includes the scatterer 43 in a solid transparent to the wavelength of light, and includes a concave portion for accommodating the first optical medium 18, and a curved surface. And a light-emitting surface comprising:
Also, like the first optical medium 18, the third optical medium also includes the scatterer 43 in a solid that is transparent to the wavelength of light and has a recess for accommodating the second optical medium. It is good to keep it. The density of the scatterer is changed to the first optical medium 1
8, the second optical medium, the third optical medium,... That is, it is possible to maximize the density of the scatterer of the outermost optical medium, and effectively emit the low light. With such a multilayer structure, it is easy to change the design of the outermost optical medium as desired, and obesity can be prevented. And
Such a decorative illuminant can be driven by a battery and has a long battery life, so that it can be easily installed outdoors or the like where there is no electric wiring, and it is possible to enjoy nighttime beauty.

【００６３】（第５の実施の形態）上述した第１の実施
の形態に係る発光体を複数個配列すれば非常に明るい照
明器具や表示装置を構成できる。具体的には、１次元
的、２次元的、或いは３次元的な配列が可能である。例
えば、図８（ａ）に示すように、外囲ケース５１に複数
個の発光体１２１，・・・・・，１３１，・・・・・，１４１，・・
・・・を２次元的に配列すれば、交通信号灯として用いる
ことが可能である。この場合、赤（Ｒ）、緑（Ｇ）及び
青（Ｂ）の３枚の両面発光型ＬＥＤチップを透明基板上
に縦に積層して構成した封止ＬＥＤを収納した複数個の
発光体１２１，・・・・・，１３１，・・・・・，１４１，・・・・・
を用い、所定のタイムスケジュールに基づき、赤
（Ｒ）、緑（Ｇ）及び青（Ｂ）のＬＥＤチップのそれぞ
れの発光強度を調整すれば、同一のランプで、赤
（Ｒ）、黄（Ｙ）及び緑（Ｇ）を表示可能である。(Fifth Embodiment) By arranging a plurality of luminous bodies according to the above-described first embodiment, an extremely bright lighting fixture or display device can be constructed. Specifically, a one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional arrangement is possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, a plurality of luminous bodies 121,..., 131,.
Are two-dimensionally arranged, it is possible to use it as a traffic signal light. In this case, a plurality of luminous bodies 121 accommodating a sealing LED formed by vertically stacking three double-sided LED chips of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) on a transparent substrate. ..., 131, ..., 141, ...
By adjusting the emission intensity of each of the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) LED chips based on a predetermined time schedule, the same lamp can be used for red (R), yellow (Y) ) And green (G).

【００６４】さらに、図８（ｂ）に示すように、２次元
的に配列された複数個の発光体１２１，・・・・・，１３
１，・・・・・，１４１，・・・・のうちの特定の発光体１３
５，１３６，１４４，１４５，１４６，１４７の表面に
溝部を設ければ、この部分で光路の変更や光強度の変更
が発生するので、所定の表示パターン５２を表示可能で
ある。例えば横断歩道の交通信号灯の人間の歩行動作の
像を、２次元配列パターン上に浮き出させることが可能
である。Further, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), a plurality of light emitters 121,.
, A specific luminous body 13 among 141,.
If grooves are provided on the surfaces of 5, 136, 144, 145, 146, and 147, a change in an optical path and a change in light intensity occur at these portions, so that a predetermined display pattern 52 can be displayed. For example, an image of a human walking motion of a traffic light on a pedestrian crossing can be raised on a two-dimensional array pattern.

【００６５】図９は表面に溝部を設けた発光体の一例を
示す断面図である。すなわち、本発明の第５の実施形態
に係る発光体は、発光面となる前面と、前面に対向した
後面と、前面と後面とを接続する光伝送部と、後面の一
部から前面方向に沿って光伝送部の内部に形成された凹
部と、前面の一部から凹部方向に沿って光伝送部の内部
に形成された溝部５５とを少なくとも有する光学媒体１
９と、凹部に収納された半導体発光素子１２とから構成
されている。溝部５５は、図９に示すようなＶ字型であ
る必要はなく、Ｕ字型、Ｗ字型等種々の断面形状が可能
で、溝の形成方向や形成位置も表示する情報の内容に応
じて変形すればよい。場合により、光学媒体１９の前面
（頂部）の全部を削除するような大きな溝も、ここでは
含みうる。光学媒体１９表面に溝部５５を設けた以外
は、基本的に第１の実施の形態に係る発光体と同様であ
るので、重複する説明を省略する。FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an example of a luminous body having a groove on the surface. That is, the luminous body according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a front surface serving as a light-emitting surface, a rear surface facing the front surface, an optical transmission unit connecting the front surface and the rear surface, and a portion extending from the rear surface to the front direction. Optical medium 1 having at least a concave portion formed inside the optical transmission portion along the inside thereof, and a groove portion 55 formed inside the optical transmission portion along the direction of the concave portion from a part of the front surface.
9 and a semiconductor light emitting element 12 housed in the recess. The groove portion 55 does not need to be V-shaped as shown in FIG. 9 and can have various cross-sectional shapes such as a U-shape and a W-shape. It can be deformed. In some cases, a large groove may be included here so as to delete the entire front surface (top) of the optical medium 19. Except that the groove 55 is provided on the surface of the optical medium 19, the light-emitting body according to the first embodiment is basically the same as the light-emitting body according to the first embodiment.

【００６６】図９に示すように、光学媒体１９の表面に
溝部５５を設け、これらの複数個を図８（ｂ）に示すよ
うに２次元配列すれば、溝部５５の配置や形状により、
光路の変更や光強度の変更が発生するので、図８（ｂ）
に示すような所定の表示パターン５２を簡単に表示可能
である。As shown in FIG. 9, when grooves 55 are provided on the surface of the optical medium 19 and a plurality of these grooves are two-dimensionally arranged as shown in FIG. 8B, depending on the arrangement and shape of the grooves 55,
Since a change in the optical path and a change in the light intensity occur, FIG.
A predetermined display pattern 52 as shown in FIG.

【００６７】（その他の実施の形態）上記のように、本
発明は第１乃至第５の実施の形態によって記載したが、
この開示の一部をなす論述及び図面はこの発明を限定す
るものであると理解すべきではない。この開示から当業
者には様々な代替実施の形態、実施例及び運用技術が明
らかとなろう。(Other Embodiments) As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the first to fifth embodiments.
The discussion and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting the invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples, and operation techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

【００６８】例えば、本発明の光学媒体の形状は、図１
に示した繭型類似の形状や図３に示す弾丸型類似の形状
等に限定されるものではなく、図１０に示す先端部に向
かい次第に細くなるように延長された形状でもよい。図
１０に示すように光学媒体６１を細長く延長することに
より、光ファイバと同様に、光束が光学媒体６１の先端
部に導かれ、細く絞られ光強度の大きな光ビームを光学
媒体６１の先端部から得ることが可能となる。For example, the shape of the optical medium of the present invention is shown in FIG.
The shape is not limited to the shape similar to the cocoon shape shown in FIG. 3 or the shape similar to the bullet shape shown in FIG. 3, but may be a shape extended so as to gradually become thinner toward the tip shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, by extending the optical medium 61 in a slender manner, a light beam is guided to the distal end of the optical medium 61, and a light beam that is narrowed down and has a high light intensity is transmitted to the distal end of the optical medium 61, similarly to the optical fiber. It is possible to obtain from.

【００６９】また、発光面となる前面を図１１に示すよ
うに、第１曲面７１と第２曲面７２とで構成してもかま
わない。図１１は、図４の光路変更部３６の一部が、光
学媒体１６の全面からはみ出し、頂部凹部７３を構成し
た構造であると解釈することも可能であり、図４と同様
に、発光面の中央近傍の光束密度が高くなり、光軸の中
心近傍が相対的に明るい照明が可能となる。Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the front surface serving as the light emitting surface may be composed of a first curved surface 71 and a second curved surface 72. FIG. 11 can also be interpreted as a structure in which a part of the optical path changing unit 36 in FIG. 4 protrudes from the entire surface of the optical medium 16 and forms the top concave portion 73. Similarly to FIG. The luminous flux density near the center of the optical axis becomes high, and illumination near the center of the optical axis becomes relatively bright.

【００７０】さらに、光学媒体１４〜１９，６１，６２
等の外側形状は、必ずしも光学的に平坦である必要はな
く、クリスタルグラスのように、細かい凹凸を設けたも
のでもかまわない。細かい凹凸を設ければ、出力光は四
方八方に発散するので、バックライト照明や間接照明の
場合には、好都合である。Further, the optical media 14 to 19, 61, 62
Is not necessarily optically flat, and may have fine irregularities such as crystal glass. If fine irregularities are provided, the output light diverges in all directions, which is advantageous in the case of backlight illumination or indirect illumination.

【００７１】また、図１において、本発明の半導体発光
素子１２として、樹脂モールドされた封止ＬＥＤ１２を
説明したが、必ずしも樹脂モールドされたＬＥＤである
必要はなく、第１のピン２１に接続された支持リングに
はめ込まれたＬＥＤチップ２４と、第１のピン２１と対
をなす第２のピン２２とから少なくとも構成された構造
の裸のチップ状態、若しくは、簡単なパッシベーション
膜で被覆された状態のＬＥＤでもかまわない。更に両面
発光型でなく、表面のみから発光する構造のＬＥＤで
も、ある程度の効果は期待できる。一般には、意図的に
両面発光型としなくても、何らか裏面側への光の漏れが
あるので、本発明の背面鏡はこれらの漏れに対して有効
であるからである。裸のチップ状態や簡単なパッシベー
ション膜で被覆された状態のＬＥＤの場合は、光学媒体
の凹部の内部にこれらの裸のチップ状態や裸のチップ状
態に近い状態のＬＥＤを挿入後、エポキシ系樹脂等の熱
可塑性樹脂で、光学媒体の凹部の内部をモールドすれば
よい。また、ＬＥＤの代わりに半導体レーザを用いても
かまわない。In FIG. 1, the resin-molded LED 12 has been described as the semiconductor light-emitting element 12 of the present invention. However, the LED 12 is not necessarily a resin-molded LED, and is connected to the first pin 21. Bare chip with at least the structure consisting of the LED chip 24 fitted in the support ring and the second pin 22 paired with the first pin 21, or covered with a simple passivation film LED may be used. Further, some effects can be expected even with an LED having a structure that emits light only from the surface, instead of the double-sided emission type. In general, there is some leakage of light to the rear surface side without intentionally using the double-sided emission type, and the rear mirror of the present invention is effective against such leakage. In the case of an LED in a bare chip state or a state covered with a simple passivation film, insert the bare chip state or the LED in a state close to the bare chip state into the concave portion of the optical medium, and then use an epoxy resin. The inside of the concave portion of the optical medium may be molded with a thermoplastic resin such as the above. Further, a semiconductor laser may be used instead of the LED.

【００７２】このように、本発明はここでは記載してい
ない様々な実施の形態等を含むことは勿論である。した
がって、本発明の技術的範囲は上記の説明から妥当な特
許請求の範囲に係る発明特定事項によってのみ定められ
るものである。As described above, the present invention naturally includes various embodiments and the like not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the matters specifying the invention according to the claims that are appropriate from the above description.

【００７３】[0073]

【発明の効果】本発明によれば、両面発光構造の半導体
発光素子を用いた場合において、裏面側への発光成分を
含めて、すべての迷光成分が、有効に照明に寄与出来る
ようにすることを可能とすることが出来る。特に、その
数を多数必要とすることなく、所望の照度を得ることが
可能な発光体を提供することが出来る。According to the present invention, when a semiconductor light emitting device having a double-sided light emitting structure is used, all stray light components including light emitting components on the back surface side can effectively contribute to illumination. Can be made possible. In particular, it is possible to provide a luminous body capable of obtaining a desired illuminance without requiring a large number of the luminous bodies.

【００７４】本発明によれば、光軸の中心近傍に関して
所望の光強度分布や照度分布を有した照明が可能な発光
体を提供することが出来る。According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a luminous body capable of illuminating with a desired light intensity distribution or illuminance distribution around the center of the optical axis.

【００７５】さらに本発明によれば、光強度やビーム径
を自由に変更できる発光体を提供することが出来る。Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a light emitter whose light intensity and beam diameter can be freely changed.

【００７６】さらに本発明によれば、装飾的な照明等に
適用可能な、指向性が弱く、発光体そのもの視認が容易
な発光体を提供することが出来る。Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a luminous body which is applicable to decorative lighting and the like, has low directivity, and is easily visible.

【００７７】さらに本発明によれば、所定の表示パター
ンを簡単に表示可能な発光体を提供することが出来る。Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a luminous body capable of easily displaying a predetermined display pattern.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of the drawings]

【図１】図１（ａ）は、本発明の第１の実施の形態に係
る発光体を示す模式的な鳥瞰図で、図１（ｂ）は対応す
る断面図である。FIG. 1A is a schematic bird's-eye view showing a luminous body according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a corresponding sectional view.

【図２】本発明の第１の実施の形態に係る発光体の部分
図で、背面鏡を取り外した場合の封止ＬＥＤとＬＥＤホ
ルダを示す鳥瞰図である。FIG. 2 is a partial view of the illuminator according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a bird's-eye view showing a sealed LED and an LED holder when a rear mirror is removed.

【図３】本発明の第２の実施の形態に係る発光体を示す
模式的な断面図である。FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a luminous body according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

【図４】本発明の第２の実施の形態の変形例（変形例
１）に係る発光体を示す模式的な断面図である。FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a light-emitting body according to a modification (Modification 1) of the second embodiment of the present invention.

【図５】本発明の第２の実施の形態の変形例（変形例
２）に係る発光体を示す模式的な断面図である。FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a light-emitting body according to a modification (Modification 2) of the second embodiment of the present invention.

【図６】本発明の第３の実施の形態に係る発光体を示す
模式的な断面図である。FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing a luminous body according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

【図７】本発明の第４の実施の形態に係る発光体を示す
模式的な断面図である。FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing a luminous body according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

【図８】本発明の第５の実施の形態に係る発光体の２次
元配列を示す模式的な鳥瞰図である。FIG. 8 is a schematic bird's-eye view showing a two-dimensional array of light emitters according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

【図９】図８（ｂ）の２次元配列中の一つの発光体の構
造を示す模式的な断面図である。FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of one illuminant in the two-dimensional array of FIG. 8B.

【図１０】本発明の他の実施の形態に係る発光体を示す
模式的な断面図である。FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view showing a luminous body according to another embodiment of the present invention.

【図１１】本発明のさらに他の実施の形態に係る発光体
を示す模式的な断面図である。FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view showing a luminous body according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

【図１２】従来技術において、発光ダイオード（ＬＥ
Ｄ）からの光を集光する場合の模式的な断面図である。FIG. 12 shows a conventional light emitting diode (LE)
It is a typical sectional view at the time of condensing light from D).

【図１３】図１３（ａ）は、本発明の基礎技術に係る発
光体を示す模式的な鳥瞰図で、図１３（ｂ）は対応する
断面図である。FIG. 13 (a) is a schematic bird's-eye view showing a luminous body according to the basic technology of the present invention, and FIG. 13 (b) is a corresponding sectional view.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

１２ 半導体発光素子（封止ＬＥＤ） １４〜１９，６１ 光学媒体 １４ａ 光学媒体頂部 １４ｂ 光学媒体本体部 １６ ＬＥＤホルダ ２１ 第１のピン ２２ 第２のピン ２３ 樹脂モールド ２４ ＬＥＤチップ ３１ 背面鏡 ３５，３６，３７ 光路変更部 ４１ 透過率変更手段 ４３ 散乱体 ５１ 外囲ケース ５２ 表示パターン ５５ 溝部 ７１ 第１曲面 ７２ 第２曲面 ７３ 頂部凹部 １２１，・・・・・，１３１，・・・・・，１３５，１３６，・・・・
・１４１，・・・・・１４４，１４５，１４６，１４７ 発光
体Reference Signs List 12 semiconductor light emitting element (sealed LED) 14 to 19, 61 optical medium 14a optical medium top part 14b optical medium main body part 16 LED holder 21 first pin 22 second pin 23 resin mold 24 LED chip 31 rear mirror 35, 36 , 37 Optical path changing section 41 Transmittance changing means 43 Scattering body 51 Surrounding case 52 Display pattern 55 Groove 71 First curved surface 72 Second curved surface 73 Top recess 121,..., 131,. , 136, ...
· 141, · · · · 144, 145, 146, 147

─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

【手続補正書】[Procedure amendment]

【提出日】平成１２年８月１８日（２０００．８．１
８）[Submission date] August 18, 2000 (2000.8.1)
8)

【手続補正１】[Procedure amendment 1]

【補正対象書類名】明細書[Document name to be amended] Statement

【補正対象項目名】特許請求の範囲[Correction target item name] Claims

【補正方法】変更[Correction method] Change

【補正内容】[Correction contents]

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims]

Claims (5)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項１】 発光面となる前面と、前記前面に対向し
た後面と、前記前面と前記後面とを接続する光伝送部
と、前記後面の一部から前記前面方向に沿って前記光伝
送部の内部に形成された凹部とを少なくとも有する光学
媒体と、 前記凹部に収納された半導体発光素子と、 前記光学媒体の後面に配置された背面鏡とからなること
を特徴とする発光体。1. A front surface serving as a light emitting surface, a rear surface facing the front surface, an optical transmission unit connecting the front surface and the rear surface, and the optical transmission unit extending from a part of the rear surface along the front direction. A light emitting body comprising: an optical medium having at least a concave portion formed inside the optical medium; a semiconductor light emitting element housed in the concave portion; and a rear mirror disposed on a rear surface of the optical medium. 【請求項２】 発光面となる前面と、前記前面に対向し
た後面と、前記前面と前記後面とを接続する第１屈折率
を有する光伝送部と、前記後面の一部から前記前面方向
に沿って前記光伝送部の内部に形成された凹部と、前記
前面と前記凹部との間の前記光伝送部の内部に形成され
た前記第１屈折率とは異なる第２屈折率を有する光路変
更部とを少なくとも有する光学媒体と、 前記凹部に収納された半導体発光素子とからなることを
特徴とする発光体。2. A front surface serving as a light emitting surface, a rear surface facing the front surface, an optical transmission unit having a first refractive index connecting the front surface and the rear surface, and a part of the rear surface in a direction from the front surface to the front surface. An optical path change having a second refractive index different from the first refractive index formed inside the optical transmission portion between the front surface and the concave portion along the concave portion formed inside the optical transmission portion along A light emitting body comprising: an optical medium having at least a portion; and a semiconductor light emitting element housed in the recess. 【請求項３】 発光面となる前面と、前記前面に対向し
た後面と、前記前面と前記後面とを接続する光伝送部
と、前記後面の一部から前記前面方向に沿って前記光伝
送部の内部に形成された凹部と、前記前面と前記凹部の
間において前記光伝送部の内部に形成された透過率変更
手段とを少なくとも有する光学媒体と、 前記凹部に収納された半導体発光素子とからなることを
特徴とする発光体。3. A front surface serving as a light emitting surface, a rear surface facing the front surface, an optical transmission unit connecting the front surface and the rear surface, and the optical transmission unit along a front direction from a part of the rear surface. An optical medium having at least a concave portion formed inside the optical transmission portion between the front surface and the concave portion, and a semiconductor light emitting element housed in the concave portion. A luminous body characterized in that: 【請求項４】 発光面となる前面と、前記前面に対向し
た後面と、前記前面と前記後面とを接続する光伝送部
と、前記後面の一部から前記前面方向に沿って前記光伝
送部の内部に形成された凹部と、前記前面と前記凹部と
の間の前記光伝送部の内部に形成された複数個の散乱体
とを少なくとも有する光学媒体と、 前記凹部に収納された半導体発光素子とからなることを
特徴とする発光体。4. A front surface serving as a light emitting surface, a rear surface facing the front surface, an optical transmission unit connecting the front surface and the rear surface, and the optical transmission unit extending from a part of the rear surface along the front direction. An optical medium having at least a concave portion formed inside the light transmitting portion and a plurality of scatterers formed inside the optical transmission portion between the front surface and the concave portion; and a semiconductor light emitting element housed in the concave portion. A luminous body comprising: 【請求項５】 発光面となる前面と、前記前面に対向し
た後面と、前記前面と前記後面とを接続する光伝送部
と、前記後面の一部から前記前面方向に沿って前記光伝
送部の内部に形成された凹部と、前記前面の一部から前
記凹部方向に沿って前記光伝送部の内部に形成された溝
部とを少なくとも有する光学媒体と、 前記凹部に収納された半導体発光素子とからなることを
特徴とする発光体。5. A front surface serving as a light emitting surface, a rear surface facing the front surface, an optical transmission unit connecting the front surface and the rear surface, and the optical transmission unit extending from a part of the rear surface along the front direction. An optical medium having at least a recess formed in the inside of the light transmission unit along the direction of the recess from a part of the front surface, and a semiconductor light emitting element housed in the recess. A luminous body comprising:
JP28444699A 1999-07-26 1999-10-05 Luminous body Expired - Fee Related JP3300778B2 (en)

Priority Applications (12)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP28444699A JP3300778B2 (en) 1999-10-05 1999-10-05 Luminous body
DE60043546T DE60043546D1 (en) 1999-07-26 2000-07-26 LENS, LIGHT-EMITTING BODY, LIGHTING BODY AND OPTICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM
CA2380356A CA2380356C (en) 1999-07-26 2000-07-26 Bulk-shaped lens, light-emitting unit, lighting equipment and optical information system
PCT/JP2000/004994 WO2001008228A1 (en) 1999-07-26 2000-07-26 Bulk lens, light emitting body, lighting device and optical information system
US10/048,373 US6961190B1 (en) 1999-07-26 2000-07-26 Bulk lens, light emitting body, lighting device and optical information system
CNB008133697A CN100426050C (en) 1999-07-26 2000-07-26 Bulk lens, light emitting body, lighting device and optical information system
KR1020027001105A KR100682563B1 (en) 1999-07-26 2000-07-26 Bulk lens, light emitting body, lighting device and optical information system
EP00949912A EP1213773B1 (en) 1999-07-26 2000-07-26 Bulk lens, light emitting body, lighting device and optical information system
EP09170879A EP2131404A3 (en) 1999-07-26 2000-07-26 Bulk-shaped lens, light-emitting unit, lighting equipment and optical information system
NO20020396A NO20020396L (en) 1999-07-26 2002-01-25 Massive lens, light emission body, light unit and optical information system
US11/090,810 US7283313B2 (en) 1999-07-26 2005-03-25 Bulk-shaped lens, light-emitting unit, and lighting equipment
US11/764,386 US7554752B2 (en) 1999-07-26 2007-06-18 Lighting equipment

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP28444699A JP3300778B2 (en) 1999-10-05 1999-10-05 Luminous body

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JP2001111112A true JP2001111112A (en) 2001-04-20
JP3300778B2 JP3300778B2 (en) 2002-07-08

Family

ID=17678659

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP28444699A Expired - Fee Related JP3300778B2 (en) 1999-07-26 1999-10-05 Luminous body

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP3300778B2 (en)

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US11592166B2 (en) 2020-05-12 2023-02-28 Feit Electric Company, Inc. Light emitting device having improved illumination and manufacturing flexibility
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US10217916B2 (en) 2004-06-03 2019-02-26 The Regents Of The University Of California Transparent light emitting diodes
US10454010B1 (en) 2006-12-11 2019-10-22 The Regents Of The University Of California Transparent light emitting diodes
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US8835959B2 (en) 2006-12-11 2014-09-16 The Regents Of The University Of California Transparent light emitting diodes
US10593854B1 (en) 2006-12-11 2020-03-17 The Regents Of The University Of California Transparent light emitting device with light emitting diodes
JP2010512662A (en) * 2006-12-11 2010-04-22 ザ リージェンツ オブ ザ ユニバーシティ オブ カリフォルニア Transparent light emitting diode
JP2013531367A (en) * 2010-05-04 2013-08-01 州 蔡 LED light source and manufacturing method thereof
KR101780420B1 (en) * 2011-03-24 2017-09-22 삼성디스플레이 주식회사 Back-light unit and 3-dimensional image display device having the same
JP2012204346A (en) * 2011-03-24 2012-10-22 Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Backlight unit and stereoscopic image display device equipped with this
JP2014048547A (en) * 2012-09-01 2014-03-17 Rabo Sufia Kk Bulk type lens, and luminous body and illuminating apparatus using the same
JP2017055106A (en) * 2016-07-13 2017-03-16 元延 深瀬 Decorative led with small projection, cut surface, and such provided on lens part
US11592166B2 (en) 2020-05-12 2023-02-28 Feit Electric Company, Inc. Light emitting device having improved illumination and manufacturing flexibility
US11796163B2 (en) 2020-05-12 2023-10-24 Feit Electric Company, Inc. Light emitting device having improved illumination and manufacturing flexibility
US11876042B2 (en) 2020-08-03 2024-01-16 Feit Electric Company, Inc. Omnidirectional flexible light emitting device

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