JP2003257205A - Light-emitting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light-emitting device which is superior in decoration effect or stage effect and can realize especially a colorful light-emission mode and a light-emitting device which is reduced in cost and does not require a complicated assembly work such as the conventional art. <P>SOLUTION: A first light source is arranged facing one end of a rod-shape or a plate-shape light guide body and a second light source is arranged facing the other end. And the light of the first light source and the light of the second light source are introduced in the light guide body in a mutually different introduction state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light emitting device. Specifically, the present invention relates to a light emitting device that can obtain linear or planar light.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be suitably used for decoration (electric decoration) of game machines such as pachinko machines. The present invention can also be used as, for example, decoration of a signboard installed outdoors, interior decoration of a vehicle (automobile, train), or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a gaming machine typified by a pachinko machine, various lights are used for the purpose of enhancing the decoration and effectively displaying the state of the gaming machine (for example, the so-called jackpot state in the pachinko machine). ing. For example, on the outer frame of a pachinko machine, a lamp is installed to inform that the center accessory is in a reach state or a big hit state, while on the game board, a lamp that flashes and emits light in a unique manner when the reach state or the big hit state is reached, etc. , A lamp is installed to notify that a ball has entered a specific winning opening.
In such a lamp, a bulb (bulb) is generally used as a light source.
Are used, and the bulbs are arranged in a linear or matrix form to decorate with a linear light or a planar light.
Further, a cover which is colored and transparent and whose surface has been subjected to a cutting treatment is provided on the bulb in order to color and diffuse the light of the bulb to enhance its design.

[0003]

In the conventional lamp described above, the light emission mode can be changed by blinking the bulbs according to a predetermined rule or turning on only some of the bulbs. However, the change in the light emission mode obtained by such a method is relatively simple and monotonous, and the effect of the production is poor. On the other hand, since a large number of valves are used, the manufacturing cost is high, and further, it is necessary to arrange a large number of valves in a predetermined manner, which makes the assembling work complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting device having an excellent decorative effect or effect. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a light emitting device that can realize various light emitting modes. It is another object of the present invention to provide a light emitting device which can reduce the manufacturing cost and does not require a complicated assembling work as in the conventional case.

[0005]

The present invention provides the following configurations in order to solve at least one of the above objects.
That is, a rod-shaped or plate-shaped light guide having at least two end faces (first end face, second end face) and a side surface or a side peripheral surface serving as a light emitting surface, and the first end face on the light guide body. A first light source arranged so that light can be introduced therethrough, and a second light arranged so that light can be introduced into the light guide body through the second end face.
A light source; and a control means for controlling the state of light of each of the light sources introduced into the light guide body, wherein the control means introduces the light of the first light source into the light guide body in the first state. In addition, the light from the second light source is introduced into the light guide in a second state different from the first state.

According to the above construction, the light from the first light source and the second light source
Since the light from the light source is introduced into the light guide in a state different from that of the light source, different kinds of light interfere or mix with each other in the light guide. In a light emission mode in which light is emitted, a light emission mode in which a large number of colors are emitted at the same time, a light emission mode in which light travels, or a light emission mode in which the color of light is observed to change gradually, and a gradation light emission It is possible to perform a wide variety of effects with high decorativeness, such as a light emitting mode in which a highlighted portion (light emission with high brightness) changes with time. Moreover, the first light source and the second
By a simple method such as controlling the light introduction state of the light source, it is possible to create a light emitting mode that is rich in changes such as a light emitting mode in which the traveling speed of light changes with time. Further, when a plurality of bulbs are arranged in a straight line or the like to obtain linear light as in the conventional case, the boundary between the adjacent bulbs is observed and the design is deteriorated. Such a boundary is not observed, and a light emitting mode having excellent design is obtained. In addition, if it is attempted to obtain different light emission modes (for example, different light emission colors) in the conventional configuration,
Although it was necessary to replace the light source or the cover, in the above configuration, the light emission mode can be freely changed by changing the light introduction state of the first light source and the second light source. On the other hand, since the light from the light source is once introduced into the light guide and then converted into linear light or planar light, the number of light sources used is small and the cost can be reduced. Also,
Since each light source may be arranged with the end face of the light guide as a reference, it is not necessary to adjust the position between the light sources. Therefore, the light source can be easily arranged and assembled.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION As a light guide, a rod-shaped or plate-shaped one whose side surface or side peripheral surface serves as a light emitting surface is used. Here, the rod shape includes not only a linear shape (including a substantially linear shape) in a plan view but also a shape in which part or all is bent, bent, or curved. still,
The entire center axis of the light guide need not be coplanar. Further, the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the light guide is not particularly limited. For example, a light guide having a cross-sectional shape of a circle, a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, a trapezoid, or another polygon can be used. Note that the cross-sectional shape and its size do not have to be constant throughout the length of the light guide.

The light guide body has at least two end faces (first end face and second end face). For example, in the case of a rod-shaped light guide, both end faces in the length direction can be the first end face and the second end face. A first light source is arranged on one of the two end faces so that the light can be introduced into the light guide, and a second light source is similarly arranged on the other. Here, a light guide body that further includes an end face (third end face) for introducing light from a light source (a third light source different from the first and second light sources) can be adopted.
For example, using a rod-shaped light guide having a rectangular cross section,
Surfaces at both ends in the length direction are a first end surface and a second end surface, one of the four side surfaces is a light emitting surface, and one of two side surfaces continuous with the light emitting surface is a third end surface. By providing the third end face in this way and introducing light through it,
This light interferes with or mixes with the light of the first light source and the light of the second light source to create a more versatile light emission mode.

In addition to the third end face, an end face (fourth light source) for introducing light from a light source (fourth light source different from the first and second light sources)
It is possible to employ a light guide body further including an end face). For example, using a plate-shaped light guide, the left and right end faces toward the one side face that is the light emitting surface are the first end face and the second end face,
The upper and lower end faces are the third end face and the fourth end face. In the case where the fourth end face is provided in this way, light is introduced into the light guide from four locations (four directions), so that it is possible to create more various light emission modes. Note that the number of end faces for introducing light is not limited to the above four, that is, a light guide body having five or more end faces can be adopted.

It is preferable to provide a reflecting surface on the light guide surface other than the light emitting surface and the end surface for introducing light. This is because light is efficiently emitted from the light emitting surface of the light guide to improve the decoration effect.

The material of the light guide is not particularly limited as long as it is transparent to the light of the light source. Preferably transparent (colorless transparent,
The light guide body is made of a material (including colored and transparent). Further, it is preferable that the light guide body is made of a material that is easily processed and has excellent durability. As the material of the light guide body, for example, a light transmissive resin such as polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, or glass can be used. The light guide can also be formed by combining two or more different materials. Bubbles can be included in a part or all of the light guide. Further, a case formed by enclosing a liquid (water, oil, etc.) in a case formed of a light transmissive resin or the like can be used as a light guide. Also in this case, bubbles may be contained in the case such as the light-transmissive resin or the liquid to be enclosed. The light emitting surface of the light guide may be processed into a concave shape or a convex shape to have a lens effect. Also,
By coloring the light guide, color conversion of light can also be performed in the light guide.

As a specific example of the light guide member, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-33.
The linear luminous body disclosed in 8330 can be mentioned. This linear luminous body includes a tubular clad and a core having a refractive index higher than that of the tubular clad, and has a strip-shaped reflective layer made of a reflective / diffusing material extending in the longitudinal direction between the tubular clad and the core. However, the content of the reflection / diffusion material in the reflection layer material is 10 to 40% by weight. For details, refer to the official gazette.

A light-emitting body can be contained in the light guide body, or a layer containing the light-emitting body can be formed on the surface of the light guide body (for example, a side surface or a side peripheral surface which is a light emitting surface). The luminescent material here is a substance that emits phosphorescence or fluorescence (phosphor),
Luminescent material, reflective material (eg Al, A with high reflection efficiency)
g, metals such as stainless steel, metal-like films, etc.) are included. For example, the light of the light source introduced into the light guide can be color-converted by using a phosphor. The type of phosphor that can be used is not particularly limited. Further, it is possible to adopt both organic and inorganic types. There is no particular limitation on the fluorescent color, for example, red, which is the three primary colors of light,
In addition to a fluorescent substance having a green or blue fluorescent color, a fluorescent substance that emits an intermediate color between them can be used. A plurality of phosphors may be used in combination, and for example, a red phosphor, a green phosphor, and a blue phosphor may be mixed and used. On the other hand, when a light-reflecting material is contained in the light guide body, it is possible to obtain a light-emitting mode which is rich in changes such that a part of the light-emitting surface is observed to shine with high brightness.

The types of light sources used for the first light source and the second light source are not particularly limited. For example, an LED, a light bulb (bulb), a fluorescent lamp, a cold cathode tube, or the like can be used. Above all, it is preferable to use the LED. Since the LED is small, the space for the light source is small, and the light emitting device can be downsized and thinned. Further, since the LED consumes less power, it meets the demand for energy saving. Further, since the LED has a small amount of heat generation and has little influence on surrounding members, the light emitting device can be designed compactly and the flexibility of mounting the light emitting device can be increased. In addition, since the LED has a long life, it is advantageous in terms of maintenance.
Furthermore, since LEDs are strong against vibration and shock, there is also an advantage that a highly reliable light emitting device can be constructed. On the other hand, the LED has an advantage that the response speed is fast. Therefore, direct control by IC can be performed. Therefore, switching between lighting and non-lighting, adjustment of brightness, and change of emission color (when using an LED capable of emitting two or more colors) can be performed easily and instantaneously. Various light emitting modes can be created by utilizing such characteristics of the LED. The type of LED is not particularly limited, and various types such as a bullet type and a chip type can be adopted.

The emission colors of the first light source and the second light source are not particularly limited, and colors such as red, green, blue, and intermediate colors thereof, or white can be adopted. As the first light source and / or the second light source, a light source capable of emitting two or more colors can be adopted. By doing so, a light emitting device capable of emitting more colors and realizing a variety of light emitting modes is configured. As a specific example, the first light source and the second light source may be multi-color or full-color, respectively.
Those that use LEDs are mentioned. In particular, if full-color LEDs are used as both light sources, it is possible to configure a light-emitting device capable of emitting not only primary colors such as red, blue, and green but also intermediate colors thereof by controlling the emission color of each light source. Examples of multi-color LEDs include two light-emitting elements with different emission colors (for example, red light-emitting element and blue light-emitting element), and full-color LEDs include red light-emitting element, green light-emitting element, and The thing which incorporates a blue light emitting element can be illustrated.

A plurality of light sources (LED, bulb, fluorescent lamp,
The first light source and / or the second light source may be configured using a cold cathode tube or the like). In this case, the first light source and / or the second light source may be configured by combining light sources of different types (for example, LEDs and bulbs) or light sources of different emission colors (for example, red LEDs and blue LEDs). The number of light sources to be used can be determined by comprehensively considering the size of the light guide, the required light emission brightness, and the like.

The first light source and the second light source are arranged at positions where light can be introduced into the light guide. In detail, the first light source is arranged so that light can be introduced into the light guide through the first end face, and the second light source is similarly arranged so that light can be introduced into the light guide through the second end face. Will be placed. In order to improve the light introduction efficiency, it is preferable to dispose the first light source and the second light source close to the first end face and the second end face, respectively. Further, it is preferable that the first light source is arranged so that its optical axis is substantially parallel to the light emitting surface of the light guide. Similarly, it is preferable to arrange the second light source so that its optical axis is substantially parallel to the light emitting surface of the light guide. If such an arrangement mode is adopted, the light from the first light source and the light from the second light source satisfactorily guide through the light guide body.

When a colored light emission color (which is a color other than white) is used as the first light source and a white light emission color is used as the second light source, so-called pastel light emission is achieved by mixing the two lights. Can be obtained. And
The saturation can be changed by adjusting the light amount of each light source.

The control means controls the light state of each light source (first light source and second light source) introduced into the light guide. That is, the control means introduces the light of the first light source into the light guide in a predetermined state (first state), and guides the light of the second light source in a state different from the predetermined state (second state). Introduce into the light body.

As a specific example of the control mode, the light of the first light source and the light of the second light source are introduced into the light guide at different timings (for example, the first light source and the second light source blink at different speeds, respectively). Changing the amount of light of the first light source introduced into the light guide and the amount of light of the second light source introduced into the light guide with time (by changing only one light amount). The color of the light of the first light source introduced into the light guide and the color of the light of the second light source introduced into the light guide are changed with time (only the color of one light source is changed). May be mentioned). By using these controls individually or by combining two or more appropriately, a light emission mode in which light travels from one end side to the other end side of the light guide, and a color of light is directed from one end side to the other end side. It is possible to realize various light emitting modes such as a light emitting mode having a gradation effect that can be gradually changed and a light emitting mode in which light travels in the light guide body. The control of the light introduction state as described above can be performed by controlling the lighting states of the first light source and the second light source, respectively. Further, the introduction state of light can be controlled by using an optical filter, a slit, or the like installed between the light source and the light guide. Furthermore, the light introduction state can be changed by changing the distance between the light source and the end surface of the light guide body into which the light is introduced, or by changing the light emission direction by rotating the light source or the like. . The above control methods can be used alone or in combination of two or more selected arbitrarily.

According to the light emitting device of the present invention, it is possible to decorate with linear light or planar light. Therefore, the present invention can be widely applied to objects in which such decoration is required, and the application object is not particularly limited. If a suitable example is given, it can be used for decoration of a game machine, such as a pachinko machine. Specifically, install it on the game board of the pachinko machine,
It can be used by installing it on the outer frame of a pachinko machine.

A display device can be formed by using a plurality of light emitting devices of the present invention. Specifically, for example, a plurality of the same light-emitting devices including rod-shaped light guides are prepared, and the display devices are configured so that the light-emitting surfaces of the light-emitting devices are adjacent to each other in the substantially same direction. . In such a display device, the light emitting surface of each light emitting device is connected to form a display surface, and by controlling the light emitting mode of each light emitting surface, the light emitting mode (display mode) of the display surface is simultaneously controlled. Here, since various modes of light emission can be obtained by controlling the light introduction state of the light source on the light emitting surface of each light emitting device as described above, various modes of light emission, that is, display (characters) are also displayed on the display surface. Information, graphic information, etc.) can be displayed. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a light emitting device 1 which is an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. The light emitting device 1 is a light emitting device used for lighting a pachinko machine, and as shown in FIG.
The outer frame upper part 71 and the game board 72 are installed and used almost in the center.

The light emitting device 1 includes a light guide 10 and a light emitting unit 2.
0, a light emitting unit 30, and a controller (not shown). The light guide 10 is made of a cylindrical polycarbonate resin. A reflective layer 11 made of a white material is formed on a part of the surface of the light guide body 10 (see FIG. 2). In FIG. 2, reference numeral 12 represents a light emitting surface. The light emitting unit 20 and the light emitting unit 30 have the same structure, and have bullet-shaped LEDs 21 and 31 built therein, respectively. L
The EDs 21 and 31 are full-color LEDs each incorporating one red light emitting element, one green light emitting element, and one blue light emitting element. As shown in FIG. 1, the LED 21 is positioned so as to face one end surface (first end surface) 14 of the light guide body 10, and the LED 2
The light emitted from the light guide 1 is transmitted through the end face 14 of the light guide body 10.
Will be introduced in. On the other hand, the LED 31 is located opposite to the other end surface (second end surface) 15 of the light guide body 10, and the light emitted from the LED 31 is introduced into the light guide body 10 via the end surface 15. Both the LED 21 and the LED 31 are arranged so that their optical axes coincide with the central axis of the light guide 10.

FIG. 4 shows a circuit configuration of the light emitting device 1. As shown in the figure, each light emitting element (21r, 21g, 21b, 31r, 31g, 31b) forming the LEDs 21, 31
Is connected to the power supply 40 via the controller 45. This controller 45 is used as the light emitting unit 20 or 30.
It may be built in. In the light emitting device 1 having the above configuration, the LED 21 and the LED 21
The lights of 31 are respectively introduced, and the introduced lights are emitted from the light emitting surface 12 by interfering or mixing with each other.

In the light emitting device 1, the light guide 10 other than the light emitting surface 12 is operated by the action of the reflection layer 11 formed on the surface of the light guide.
Light is prevented from leaking from the surface, and light of high brightness is emitted from the light emitting surface 12. Further, since light is diffusely reflected on the reflecting surface 11 to promote diffusion of the light in the light guide body 10, the light emission brightness is made uniform over the entire light emitting surface 12.

Here, on the light emitting surface 12, light emission mainly reflecting the light introduction state of the LED 21 is obtained from the region near the end face 14 of the light guide 10, and the light emission of the LED 31 is introduced from the region near the other end face 15. Light emission that reflects the state can be obtained. For example, let the LED 21 emit red light and
When the ED31 emits blue light, red light is emitted from a region near the end face 14, and the emission color gradually changes from red to a bluish color as the distance from the end face 14 increases. . That is, from the end face 14 to the end face 15, the emission color changes from red to purple through red purple, and then blue through blue purple. In this way, the light emission has a gradation effect. If the light amount of the LED 31 is reduced in this state, the light of the LED 21, that is, the red light becomes dominant, and the region that emits red light expands, and each region that emits red purple or the like has a color closer to red. Emits light. As a result, it is observed that the region emitting light of each color shifts (moves) toward the end face 15. Then, if the light quantity of the LED 31 is further reduced, a similar light shift occurs, and if such a change is continuously performed, it is possible to create a light emitting state in which light flows.

The lighting state of the LEDs 21 and 31 as described above is controlled by the controller 45. The controller 45 individually controls the lighting timing and the extinguishing timing of the LEDs 21 and 31, the lighting holding time, the light emission color, and the light emission amount (specifically, the light emitting elements (21r, 21g, 21b, 31r, which constitute the LEDs 21 and 31, 31g, and 31b) the lighting timing, the extinguishing timing, the amount of light emission, etc. are controlled.), And the LEDs 21 and 31 are set to their unique lighting states. By the control by this controller, as described above, the light emitting mode in which the color of light gradually changes from one end side to the other end side and the light emitting mode in which the light moves (runs) It is also possible to change the emission color of the entire light emitting surface instantaneously or to emit pastel-like light. LED21 and LED3
As the control of the lighting state of No. 1, pulse-based PWM control can be used in addition to on / off switching.
By using PWM control, it is possible to control the lighting state more finely. LED21 and LED31
It is also possible to obtain gradation-like light emission by utilizing the afterglow effect by synchronizing and flashing while changing the emission color.

Utilizing the light emission control by the controller 45 as described above, different decoration can be performed depending on the state of the pachinko machine in which the light emitting device 1 is installed. To give an example, first, in a normal state (neither a reach state nor a jackpot state), light is emitted in a pastel color, and the light emission color is changed after a certain period of time. Light is emitted so that light of a predetermined color (for example, red) flows from left to right. In the reach state (so-called super reach state) in which the probability of a big hit is high, light of a plurality of colors (for example, three or more colors) is emitted so as to obtain a gradation effect, and is blinked at regular intervals. Then, in the big hit state, the blinking is performed while changing the emission color.

Specific examples of the method for controlling the lighting of the LEDs 21 and 31 are shown in the tables of FIGS. In each table, the total elapsed time, the section time, the lighting state of the LED 21, and the lighting state of the LED 31 are shown in order from the leftmost column. Further, in each table, R represents a red light emitting element (21r or 31r), G represents a green light emitting element (21g or 31g), B represents a blue light emitting element (21b or 31b) LED, and ON and OFF are in a lighting state and a non-lighting state. Respectively.

In the example of FIG. 5, lighting control is performed every 0.04 seconds. First, red (21r is lit) → purple (21r and 21b are lit) → blue (21b is lit) in order under the condition that the lighting time of each color of the LED 21 is 0.12 seconds and the interval between each color (light-off state) is 0.04 seconds. → Blue-green (21g and 21
b is lit → green (21g is lit) → red-green (21r and 21g are lit) → white (21r, 21g and 21b are lit) → (hereinafter, repeated). On the other hand, LED31 has a time lag with LED21.
The same lighting control as that of the LED 21 is performed for 0.08 seconds. That is, when 0.08 seconds have passed since the start of lighting of the LED 21, L
Starting to turn on the ED31, red (31r is lit) → purple (31r and 31b are lit) → blue (31b) in order of 0.12 seconds for each color and 0.04 seconds for the interval (off state) between each color. Lights up) → blue green (31g and 31
The lighting control is performed so that (b is lit) → green (31g is lit) → red-green (31r and 31g are lit) → white (31r, 31g and 31b are lit) → (hereinafter, repeated).
By the lighting control as described above, it is possible to obtain a light emitting mode in which the gradation light flows from one end side to the other end side of the light guide 10.

On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 6, lighting control is performed every 0.08 seconds. First, the LED 21 is continuously illuminated in red for 0.16 seconds. After that, for 0.08 seconds, the flashing color is blinking under the condition that the emission color is red, the lighting time is 0.005 seconds, and the interval (extinguishing time) is 0.005 seconds. On the other hand, for LED31
0.08 seconds, blue emission color, one lighting time 0.005 seconds,
Blinks the interval (extinguishing time) for 0.005 seconds, and then continuously lights in blue for 0.16 seconds. By the lighting control as described above, a light emission mode in which a portion emphasized (light emission with high brightness) in gradation light emission moves from one end side to the other end side of the light guide body 10 with time is obtained.

Further, in the example of FIG. 7, lighting control is performed every 0.08 seconds. The LEDs 21 are lit in order of red, purple, blue, blue, blue green, green, red green, white, (hereinafter, repeated), with the lighting time for each color being 0.16 seconds. still,
There is no interval between each color. On the other hand, LED3
For No. 1, the same lighting control as that of the LED 21 is performed with a time lag with the LED 21 of 0.08 seconds. That is, the LED 21
When 0.08 seconds have passed from the start of lighting, the LED 31 starts lighting, and the lighting time for each color is set to 0.16 seconds.
The lighting control is performed so that purple → blue → cyan green → green → red green → white → (hereinafter, repeated). By the above lighting control, a light emitting mode is obtained in which light flows from one end side to the other end side of the light guide body 10 and the color of the light changes with the passage of time. The lighting control method shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 is particularly suitable when the length of the light guide body 10 is about 10 cm to about 20 cm. Light guide 1
If the length of 0 is outside this range, each LED2
A similar light emission mode can be obtained by appropriately adjusting the light emission amount of 1, 31, the lighting time, the interval time, and the like.

FIG. 8 shows a light emitting device 2 which is another embodiment of the present invention. Like the light emitting device 1, the light emitting device 2 is used for lighting a pachinko machine. In the light emitting device 2, the same members as those of the above light emitting device 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The light emitting device 2 includes the light guide 50 and the light emitting unit 2.
0, a light emitting unit 30, and a light emitting unit 60. The light guide 50 has a prismatic shape and has an end face 54.
And 55 are equipped with light emitting units 20 and 30. A light emitting unit 60 is attached to the one side surface 52. The light emitting unit 60 contains a plurality of LEDs 61. The plurality of LEDs 61 are linearly arranged at regular intervals on a substrate installed in the light emitting unit 60. When the light emitting unit 60 is provided on the side surface 52 of the light guide body 50, the LEDs 61 face the side surface 52. Thus, the LEDs 61 are linearly positioned with a constant interval. A reflective layer is formed on the surfaces of the side surfaces 56 and 57 of the light guide body 50. A half mirror layer may be formed on the surface of the side surface 52 of the light guide 50.

The LED 21 in the light emitting unit 20, the LED 31 in the light emitting unit 30, and the LED 61 in the light emitting unit 60 are connected to a power source via a controller (not shown). The controller controls the lighting timing, emission color, etc. of each LED.

In the light emitting device 2 having the above structure, the lights of the light emitting units 20 and 30 are introduced into the light guide through the end faces 54 and 55 of the light guide. Further, the light of the light emitting unit 60 is introduced through the side surface 52 of the light guide. The introduced lights partially interfere with each other, and are emitted to the outside from the light emitting surface 51 of the light guide while being mixed with each other. Here, the light emitting device 2
Then, in addition to the light emitting units 20 and 30, the light emitting unit 6
By providing 0, a wider variety of light emission modes are realized. That is, first, the LEDs 2 in the light emitting units 20 and 30
By controlling the lighting states of 1 and 31, various light emitting modes can be obtained similarly to the light emitting device 1 described above. And
By illuminating a specific LED 61 in the light emitting unit 60, the light emitted from the LED 61 is emitted from the side surface 5 of the light guide 50.
2 is introduced into the light guide body, and by this light, the light emitting surface 53
The mode of the light emitted from is partially changed. For example, L
When the area having a light emitting surface emits red light by the light from the ED 21 and the LED 31 being introduced, if the LED 61 located immediately below the area is turned on in blue, blue light and red light are emitted. The purple light obtained by mixing the colors is emitted from the region. In this way, by turning on the specific LED 61, it is possible to change the emission color of a part of the region of the light emitting surface, and it is possible to create more diverse light emission modes.

The light source units 60 may be mounted on the side surfaces 56 and 57 of the light guide body 50, respectively. In such a configuration, the end faces 54 or 55 are formed on the side faces 56 and 57.
A plurality of LEDs are linearly arranged so as to face each other at the same distance from each other. The LEDs facing the side surface 56 and the LEDs facing the side surface 57 are arranged alternately from the end face 54 to the end face 55. You can also do so. In this case, if reflective surfaces are provided in areas where the LEDs on the side surfaces 56 and 57 do not face each other (a reflective surface is formed in a slit shape on the surface of each side surface), the LEDs facing the side surface 56 The light emitted and introduced into the light guide can be reflected by the reflection surface formed on the surface of the side surface 57. On the other hand, the LED facing the side surface 57
The light emitted from the and introduced into the light guide can be reflected by the reflection surface formed on the surface of the side surface 56. Therefore, the light of each LED can be efficiently emitted from the light emitting surface of the light guide.

As a light guide, the side surface 5 faces the side surface 52.
6 and 57 taper, pentagonal cross section,
A polygon such as a hexagon can also be used. In this case, it is possible to provide a reflecting surface on the surface of any one (or a plurality of) side surfaces and arrange the LEDs so as to face the other side surface and have the above-mentioned reflecting surface in the optical axis direction. it can.

In the above embodiments, the case where the light emitting device 1 and the light emitting device 2 are used as an electric decoration of a pachinko machine has been described as an example, but the object to which the light emitting device 1 and the light emitting device 2 are applied is a pachinko machine. Not limited to machines. For example, it can be used not only for the illumination of other game machines, but also for a wide range of applications such as the decoration of a signboard, the exterior decoration of a store, or the interior decoration.

The present invention is not limited to the above description of the embodiments of the invention. Various modifications are also included in the present invention within a range that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a light emitting device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing how the light emitting device 1 is used.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the light emitting device 1.

FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of a lighting control mode of LEDs 21 and 31. Total elapsed time, section time, LED21 lighting state, LED3 in order from the leftmost column
The lighting state of 1 is shown. R is a red light emitting element (21r or 31r), G is a green light emitting element (21g or 31g),
B represents a blue light emitting element (21b or 31b) LED,
ON and OFF represent a lighting state and a non-lighting state, respectively.

FIG. 6 is a table showing another example of a lighting control mode of the LED 21 and the LED 31. Total elapsed time, section time, LED21 lighting state, LED in order from the leftmost column
The lighting state of 31 is shown. R is a red light emitting element (21r
Or 31r) and G are green light emitting elements (21g or 31r).
g) and B represent blue light emitting element (21b or 31b) LEDs, and ON and OFF represent a lighting state and a non-lighting state, respectively.

FIG. 7 is a table showing still another example of the lighting control mode of the LED 21 and the LED 31. Total elapsed time, section time, lighting state of LED 21, in order from the leftmost column,
The lighting state of the LED 31 is shown. R is a red light emitting element (21r or 31r), G is a green light emitting element (21g or 31g), B is a blue light emitting element (21b or 31b) LE
D represents the ON state and OFF represents the ON state and the OFF state, respectively.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a light emitting device 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 2 light emitting device 10 50 light guide 12 51 Light emitting surface 14 15 Light introduction surface (end surface) 20 30 60 light emitting unit 21 31 61 LED 21r 31r red light emitting element 21g 31g Green light emitting element 21b 31b blue light emitting element 40 power 45 controller 52 Light introduction surface (side surface) 70 Pachinko machine

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 11, 2002 (2002.3.1)
1)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0040

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The present invention is not limited to the above description of the embodiments of the invention. Various modifications are also included in the present invention within a range that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the claims. The following matters will be disclosed below. (2) The control means controls the light of the first light source and the second light source.
The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the light from the light source is introduced into the light guide at different timings. (3) The control means changes the amount of light of the first light source introduced into the light guide and / or the amount of light of the second light source introduced into the light guide with time. , Claim 1
Alternatively, the light emitting device according to (2). (4) The control means changes the color of the light of the first light source introduced into the light guide and / or the color of the light of the second light source introduced into the light guide with time. The light emitting device according to any one of claims 1, (2) and (3). (5) The light emitting device according to any one of claims 1 and (2) to (4), wherein both the first light source and the second light source are LEDs. (6) The first light source and / or the second light source are LEDs capable of emitting two or more colors or a plurality of Ls having different emission colors.
The light-emitting device according to (5), which comprises ED. (7) The first light source and the second light source are arranged such that their optical axes are substantially parallel to the light emitting surface of the light guide body. The light-emitting device according to any one of claims. (8) The light guide further has an end face (third end face),
A light source (third light source) arranged so that light can be introduced from the end face
The light emitting device according to any one of claims 1 and (2) to (7), further comprising: (9) The light guide further has an end face (fourth end face),
A light source (fourth light source) arranged so that light can be introduced from the end face.
The light emitting device according to (8), further comprising: (10) The light-emitting device according to any one of claims 1 and (2) to (9), wherein the light guide body contains a light-emitting body or a phosphor. (11) A display device, comprising a plurality of the light emitting devices according to any one of claims 1 and (2) to (10), wherein the light emitting surfaces of the light emitting devices are adjacent to each other in substantially the same direction.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yuho Ikeuchi             24 Bells, 4 Kawanamachi, Showa-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi             Inside Tech Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2C088 BC22 BC25 DA09                 3K060 AA03 AA06 BD02 BD04 EA01                 5F041 BB06 BB33 DA14 DB01 EE25                       FF12

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. At least two end faces (a first end face and a second end face).
An end surface) and a rod-shaped or plate-shaped light guide whose side surface or side peripheral surface serves as a light emitting surface; and a first light source arranged so that light can be introduced into the light guide through the first end surface. And a second light source arranged so that light can be introduced into the light guide body through the second end surface, and a control unit that controls the state of light of each light source introduced into the light guide body. The control means introduces the light of the first light source into the light guide body in a first state, and the light of the second light source in the second state different from the first state. A light-emitting device, characterized by being introduced into. 2. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit introduces the light of the first light source and the light of the second light source into the light guide body at different timings. 3. The control means controls the amount of light of the first light source introduced into the light guide and / or the amount of light of the second light source introduced into the light guide with time. The light-emitting device according to claim 1, which is changed. 4. The control means changes the color of the light of the first light source introduced into the light guide and / or the color of the light of the second light source introduced into the light guide with time. The light emitting device according to claim 1, which is changed. 5. The first light source and the second light source are both
The light emitting device according to claim 1, comprising an LED. 6. The light emitting device according to claim 5, wherein the first light source and / or the second light source includes LEDs capable of emitting two or more colors or a plurality of LEDs having different emission colors. 7. The first light source and the second light source are arranged such that their optical axes are substantially parallel to the light emitting surface of the light guide. Light emitting device. 8. The light source (third end) which has an end face (third end face) and is arranged so that light can be introduced from the end face.
The light-emitting device according to claim 1, further comprising a light source. 9. The light source (fourth end face), wherein the light guide further has an end face (fourth end face), and light is introduced from the end face.
The light emitting device according to claim 8, further comprising a light source. 10. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the light guide body contains a light emitting body or a fluorescent body. 11. A display device comprising a plurality of the light emitting devices according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting surfaces of the light emitting devices are adjacent to each other in a state in which they are oriented in substantially the same direction.