JP2002358035A - Led illuminator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an LED illuminator which is fixed on the surface of a wall of a building or the like, light emits desired characters and graphic shapes for a signboard by the light beams of light sources, makes electric and mechanical installation work easy and provides uniform light emission. SOLUTION: The illuminator is provided with a belt shaped base substrate (102) and light emitting diodes (103) which are arranged on the substrate with practically equal intervals. At both tip sections of the substrate, connecting sections (101 and 111) are provided to link and to operate with other belt shaped substrates.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an illuminating device which is fixed to a wall of a building or the like and emits light of a desired character or graphic such as a signboard by light from a light source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A signboard (hereinafter, also referred to as a sign lighting) which is fixed to a side wall of a building and has a light source for displaying desired characters and figures is widely used for its advertising effect. The sign lighting is usually configured in a shape representing a trademark of a company or a product, and a light source such as a neon tube or a light bulb is arranged inside or on the surface thereof to improve visibility even at night or the like. More specifically, a neon tube or the like is arranged along a signboard on a signboard having characters or the like having a desired shape. The neon tube placed along the signboard etc. is waterproof, and the power from a high-voltage power source such as a transformer is supplied to the electrodes provided at both ends of the neon tube, so that characters and figures in a desired shape are formed. And so on. In such a neon tube, the gas sealed inside is selected as neon gas or argon gas. Alternatively, by attaching a fluorescent substance inside the tube, desired light such as red, yellow, green or white can be emitted relatively easily, so that it is widely used in general.

However, a neon tube needs to supply high-voltage power to the electrodes on both sides of the tube and is formed using a glass tube. The length of one neon tube is about 1 m50 cm. Normal. Therefore, it is difficult to increase or decrease the size. Also,
The neon tubes must be individually formed by bending individual neon tubes according to the shape of the sign or the like to be illuminated. for that reason,
When a neon tube is used for sign lighting, there is a problem that not only is the inconvenience in handling and installation but also the degree of freedom in design is small.

On the other hand, recently, instead of a light source such as a light bulb, it has been considered to use an LED (hereinafter also referred to as a light emitting diode) or an LD (laser diode) which is a semiconductor light emitting element. Light emitting diodes and the like can be driven in low power, emit bright colors and have a long life, and are used in various fields. An LED lighting device as shown in FIG. 6 is conceivable as a device utilizing this semiconductor light emitting element for sign lighting. The LED lighting device is composed of a band-shaped base (602) formed by extrusion molding of aluminum or the like. The strip-shaped substrate is formed in a groove shape, and a printed circuit board on which a plurality of light emitting diodes (603) are arranged at regular intervals is fixed. A connector cable (605) for supplying power to the light emitting diode (603) is provided at both ends of the band-shaped base. By connecting a plurality of such band-shaped substrates and disposing them in a desired sign illumination shape and connecting the connectors to supply electric power, it can be used as an LED lighting device. Such an LED lighting device has advantages such as design flexibility and easy handling that are not found in sign lighting using a neon tube. In particular, since the LED lighting device can be combined with a plurality of LED lighting devices to form an arbitrary sign illumination, the degree of design freedom is high.

[0005]

However, there is a problem that it is difficult to emit light uniformly because a plurality of LED lighting devices are combined. The present invention has been developed to solve such a problem. One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide an LED lighting device that is a sign lighting using an LED that can use a cheap light emitting diode, prolongs the life of the light source, is easy to electrically and mechanically perform, and can uniformly emit light. Is to provide.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a belt-like substrate (10).
2) and an LED lighting device having light-emitting diodes (103) substantially equidistantly arranged on the strip-shaped base, wherein both ends of the strip-shaped base are connected to and movable with another strip-shaped base. (101, 111). With this, the LE has dramatically improved installability.
It can be a D lighting device.

[0007] In the LED lighting device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the pitch A between the light emitting diodes arranged on the strip-shaped base, the connected adjacent ones when the connected LED lighting devices are arranged in a straight line. The pitch B of the light-emitting diodes at the end of the matching LED lighting device, and the pitch C of the light-emitting diodes at the end of the adjacent LED lighting device when the connected LED lighting devices are arranged substantially vertically, are A <B, A> C. It is an LED lighting device satisfying the relationship. The above configuration has the following features. That is, although it is relatively easy to form an LED lighting device into an arbitrary shape due to its configuration, the directional characteristics of each light emitting diode are strong, and the pitch between the light emitting diodes greatly affects uniform light emission. Therefore, simply arranging a certain band-shaped LED lighting device may not make the light emission characteristics constant. for that reason,
Apart from arranging the connected LED lighting devices in a non-linear manner in a plane, light emission can be made more uniform by arranging the light emitting diodes between the LED lighting devices in a specific arrangement.

An LED lighting device according to a third aspect of the present invention is an LED lighting device in which light emitting diodes in the LED lighting device are connected in series and a constant current circuit is built in.

As a result, it is possible to reduce the variation in light emission luminance within the same character.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below exemplifies one embodiment of the present invention, and the LE of the present invention is used.
It goes without saying that the D lighting device is not limited to this.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a schematic example of an LED lighting device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows one unit of the LED lighting device of the present invention, in which a bullet-shaped light emitting diode 103 is fixedly arranged on a glass epoxy substrate 104. A copper foil pattern is formed on the back surface of the glass epoxy substrate 104, and the respective light emitting diodes are electrically connected in series via the copper foil using a flow solder or the like. The LE shown in FIG.
D driver is connected. Note that this one unit of L
When a plurality of ED lighting devices are connected, they are electrically connected in parallel by a connecting connector cable 105 extending from the LED lighting.

[0012] The LED lighting device is formed of a plastic molded product that forms a concave casing 102. A glass epoxy substrate 104 on which the above-mentioned light emitting diode 103 is disposed is fixed in the recess by screws. The housing 102 itself constitutes a strip-shaped base, and the connecting portions 101, 1
11 is provided. One of the connecting portions 111 has a convex protrusion, and has an end portion with a connecting portion through hole corresponding to the other end 101 of the band-shaped base. The structure is such that one convex protrusion of the LED lighting device and a through hole of another LED lighting device are fitted together so as to be movable. Also, L
The end of the ED illuminator has a shape in which the end is cut off when viewed from the emission observation surface side.
The ED lighting device can be rotated. The light emitting diodes 103 arranged on the strip-shaped base of the LED lighting device are arranged at a pitch A of about 20 mm.

Next, FIG. 3 (A) shows a diagram in which the LED lighting devices are connected linearly, and FIG. 3 (B) shows a case in which the LED lighting devices are operated vertically around the connecting portion. The pitch B of the light emitting diodes at the ends of the connected adjacent LED lighting devices when arranged on a straight line in FIG.
Connected LED Lighting Devices When the connected LED lighting devices are arranged substantially vertically, the pitch C of the light emitting diodes at the ends of the adjacent LED lighting devices is 17 mm.

As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of LED lighting devices 100 are all connected or partially connected to form one figure, for example, the letter I of the alphabet.
Each LED lighting device can be mechanically connected and movable by a connecting portion 101. A box-shaped housing 401 shaped like the letter I of the alphabet is formed on the side wall of the building. Such a casing is preferably lightweight and robust because it is formed on the side wall of a building. In addition, LED arranged inside
The lighting device is fixable, and when used outdoors, if the LED lighting device itself does not have waterproofness, the housing itself needs to have waterproofness. In order to make the light emission from the LED of the LED lighting device more uniform, it is preferable to cover the surface of the housing with a light-transmitting and diffusing filter. As a specific material used for such a housing, a stainless steel plate, a metal plate having a plated surface, or a plastic can be used. By processing these materials, the housing can be formed relatively easily. In order to effectively use light from the LED display device inside the housing, it is preferable that the inner surface be in a state of good light reflectivity. A reflective layer can be formed on the inner surface of the housing to improve reflectivity. Stainless steel can be used as a reflective layer without performing metal plating on the surface. Similarly, metal-plated reflective layers include iron plates, copper plates,
A chrome-plated one such as a brass plate is preferably used.

The LED lighting device of the present invention is fixed in such a housing. Since the LED lighting device of the present invention has connecting portions that can be connected and driven to each other, a number of LED lighting devices that can be arranged inside the housing are connected in advance. The connected LED lighting device is fixed in the housing with a screw or an adhesive. The connector of each fixed LED lighting device is electrically connected. Finally, if desired, a colored translucent color panel is arranged and fixed on the upper portion of the housing, so that sign lighting with a desired character shape can be configured.

For the sake of simplicity, in the above example, the LED illuminating device is arranged inside the housing. However, it is not limited to a box-shaped housing but simply to the shape of the character or figure to be displayed. The LED lighting device may be connected and fixed on the plate. In this case, the configuration becomes simpler, and installation and maintenance become easier. On the other hand, when installed outdoors, since the LED lighting device is directly exposed to the outdoors, it is necessary to cover the lead electrode portion and the circuit of the light emitting diode with a silicone resin or the like and to make an electrical connection using a waterproof connector. is there. As shown in FIG. 5, a light emitting diode is connected in series and a constant current circuit is connected to the LED lighting device. Hereinafter, the specific constitution of the present invention will be described in more detail. (Connecting portions 101 and 111 provided on band-shaped base) The connecting portions 101 and 111 provided on the band-shaped base 102 of the LED lighting device 100 of the present invention connect the LED lighting devices and adjust the arrangement angle between the LED lighting devices. It can be changed. With such a structure that can be mechanically connected and movable, the LED lighting device itself can be freely arranged. For example, one end is provided with a projection whose both ends are convex, and the other is provided with a plate having a through hole. The connection can be made by fitting one convex protrusion of the LED lighting device with a through hole of another LED lighting device. If the end of the LED lighting device is formed to have a narrow shape, the LED lighting device can be rotated around the connecting portion.

The installation of the LED lighting device may be performed on a wall surface, so that fixing and electrical connection can be performed relatively easily. In addition, since the LED lighting device has a connecting portion, L
Even in the case where a plurality of ED lighting devices are installed, the arrangement of the light emitting diodes can be set at a constant interval.
Therefore, even in a light emitting diode having directivity, it can be arranged without variation, and the convenience of installation can be remarkably improved.

Further, the pitch A between the light emitting diodes arranged in the LED lighting device, the pitch B of the light emitting diodes at the ends of the connected adjacent LED lighting devices when the connected LED lighting devices are arranged in a straight line. , Concatenated L
LEs adjacent to each other when ED lighting devices are arranged almost vertically
D The pitch C of the light emitting diodes at the end of the lighting device is A <B,
When the relationship of A> C is satisfied, the difference between the pitch A of the light emitting diodes disposed therein and the pitches B and C is minimized, regardless of the angle of the connected LED lighting devices. Therefore, even if a light emitting diode with high directivity is used, uneven light emission can be reduced. (Band-shaped substrate 102) The band-shaped substrate 102 of the present invention is a member on which the light emitting diode 103 can be arranged, and has a connecting portion that can be connected between the band-shaped substrates. In the belt-shaped substrate, the connecting portion may be integrally formed, or may be separately formed and then combined. The strip-shaped substrate does not necessarily have to be straight, but may be curved. Similarly, band-shaped substrates having different lengths may be used. The material of the belt-shaped substrate may be made of a metal or an alloy, or may be made of a resin molded product. In addition, the band-shaped substrate may be formed to have a concave cross section in order to effectively use light from the light emitting diode, or may be a simple flat plate. In the case of a simple flat plate, a printed circuit board made of glass epoxy or the like to which copper for mounting the light emitting diode is attached may be used. In addition, in order to effectively use the light of the light emitting diode, the surface to which the light from the light emitting diode is irradiated is coated with a highly light-reflective metal or alloy such as gold, silver, copper or aluminum, It is preferable to apply a metal plate, and further apply a paint containing a highly reflective substance such as silicon oxide or barium titanate.

In addition to the same type of connection of the LED lighting devices, LED lighting devices of different lengths, LED lighting devices in which light emitting diodes capable of emitting light of different colors are arranged, and LED lighting devices having different shapes are respectively provided. They can be connected in combination. Thereby, the degree of freedom of installation can be greatly improved. Note that the band-shaped substrate and the substrate on which the light emitting diodes are arranged may be formed integrally. (Light Emitting Diode 103) In the present invention, the light emitting diode 103 is a shell type light emitting diode, SMD (Surfac).
e Mount Device) type light emitting diode, and even LED
The chip can be used as it is. As such a light emitting diode, a nitride semiconductor (In _x Ga
_y Al _{1−x− y} N, where 0 ≦ X ≦ 1, 0 ≦ Y ≦ 1, 0 ≦
X + Y ≦ 1) is preferably used. Similarly, as a material capable of emitting high brightness from yellow to red, Al
Preferably, GaInP is used.
A light-emitting diode including a fluorescent substance capable of absorbing another emission color by absorbing the emission spectrum from the chip can also be used. When the LED chip has a light emitting layer of InGaN and can emit blue light and the phosphor is YAG: Ce, the light emitting diode can emit white light.

The light emitting diode in the LED lighting device may be arranged with only one kind of light emission color, or may be provided with RGB (red, red,
Light emitting diodes capable of emitting green and blue light) may be arranged. When combining light emitting diodes of RGB and complementary colors, a plurality of LED chips capable of emitting RGB and complementary colors (for example, blue-green and red) can be arranged in one of the bullet-shaped light emitting diodes. . Similarly, an LED lighting device may be configured by arranging light-emitting diodes that emit different emission colors at equal intervals. Each light emitting diode in the LED lighting device can be electrically connected in series and / or in parallel. A driving circuit for driving each light emitting diode based on lighting information from the outside may be provided. By driving each light emitting diode independently based on the information from the driving circuit, it is possible to illuminate variously as an LED lighting device capable of emitting light of multiple colors. Note that a constant current circuit may be built in the LED lighting device to stabilize the current of the light emitting diode.

[0021]

The LED lighting apparatus of the present invention utilizes the characteristics of the LED itself and can be used as a signboard with a long life, low power consumption, and easy maintenance. Excellent LED
It can be a lighting device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of an LED lighting device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic XX sectional view of the LED lighting device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an example in which the LED lighting devices of the present invention are connected and mounted, and FIG. 3 (A) is a diagram in which the LED lighting devices are connected linearly. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view in which a plurality of LED lighting devices are connected.

FIG. 5 shows a circuit diagram of the LED lighting device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an example of an LED lighting device shown for comparison with the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... LED lighting device 101, 111 ... Connecting part 102 ... Strip base 103 ... Light emitting diode 104 ... Printed circuit board electrically connected with a light emitting diode and a constant current drive circuit 105 ... Connector cable 401 ... Housing 602 ... Strip base 603 ... Light emitting diode 605 ... Connector cable

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A band-shaped substrate (102) and light-emitting diodes (103) arranged on the band-shaped substrate at substantially equal intervals.
An LED lighting device comprising: a connecting portion (101, 111) that is connected to and movable with another band-shaped base at both ends of the band-shaped base. 2. The pitch A between the light emitting diodes arranged on the strip-shaped substrate, and the pitch of the light emitting diodes at the ends of the connected adjacent LED lighting devices when the connected LED lighting devices are arranged in a straight line. B, linked LED
2. The LED lighting device according to claim 1, wherein when the lighting devices are arranged substantially vertically, the pitch C of the light emitting diodes at the ends of the adjacent LED lighting devices satisfies the following relationship. 3. A <B, A> C 3. The LED lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting diodes in the LED lighting device are connected in series and have a built-in constant current circuit.