JP2003308704A - Lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting system for preventing creation of glare or uncom fortable feeling by light distribution of probeams without degrading an illuminance value in the vicinity of a light source part. <P>SOLUTION: This lighting system is provided with the light source part 1, a hollow light guide part 3 having an opening 2, and a light distribution control panel 4 mounted to the opening 2. Prism surfaces 7 and 8 having a function for emitting light entered from the light source part 1 nearly vertically to the longitudinal direction of the guide part 3 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the control panel 4. Thereby, the light distribution of the opening 2 of the guide part 3 can be controlled nearly vertically to the longitudinal axis 9 of the light guide, and an irradiation surface by the length of the guide part 3 can efficiently be irradiated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting device equipped with a light guide used for road light tubes and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 9, a conventional light guide illuminating device comprises a light source section 50 and a hollow light guide section 51. The light source unit 50 includes a lamp 52 and a reflecting plate 53, and is provided at one or both ends of the hollow light guide unit 51. In this case, light is incident on the hollow light guide portion 51 from the light source portion 50, and emitted light (probeam) C ′ is emitted from the opening 54 provided in the hollow light guide portion 51 (Japanese Patent No. 2830693).

[0003]

In the conventional light guide illuminator described above, the light distribution in the cross section of the hollow light guide portion 51 in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) becomes a pro beam. Therefore, when the illumination device is installed on the ceiling, the illuminance distribution directly below the floor surface has a lower illuminance value in the vicinity of the light source section 50.

Further, when the light source section 50 is installed on the railing part of the road so as to be able to illuminate in the traveling direction of the vehicle, the light distribution is a pro beam (especially in the vicinity of the light source section 50, the brightness is high). The reflection on the rearview mirror and side mirrors is dazzling and gives the driver an unpleasant feeling.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an illuminating device which can prevent the dazzling and the discomfort caused by the light distribution of the professional beam without lowering the illuminance value near the light source section.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a lighting apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a light source section, a hollow light guide section having an opening, and a light distribution provided in the opening. A control panel, wherein the light distribution control panel is provided with prism surfaces on an inner surface and an outer surface having a function of emitting light incident from the light source section substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the hollow light guide section. It was

As described above, since the light distribution control panel is provided with the prism surfaces on the inner surface and the outer surface, the prism surfaces have a function of allowing the light incident from the light source section to be emitted substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hollow light guide section. The light distribution in the opening of the hollow light guide section can be controlled in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the light guide, and the irradiation surface corresponding to the length of the hollow light guide section can be efficiently irradiated. . Also, when used as a road lighting device, when the light source is installed on the rear side with respect to the vehicle traveling direction, there is no reflection in the rearview mirror of the car, and the light source is installed on the front side with respect to the vehicle traveling direction. When this is done, the driver is not dazzled or uncomfortable.

The illumination device according to claim 2 is the illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light distribution control panel has a plurality of prisms forming prism surfaces with respect to a light guide axis in the longitudinal direction of the hollow light guide portion. The angle between the light guide axis and the light advancing side of the prism on the inner surface side is α1, the pitch is P1, the light advancing side surface of the prism on the outer surface side and the light guide axis are arranged in the right angle direction. The angle of α
2, pitch is P2, 0 ° ≦ α1 ≦ 5 °, 60 ° ≦ α
The shape is such that 2 ≦ 85 °, P2 = 1 mm or more, and P2 <P1, and the incident angle of light on the inner surface side of the light distribution control panel is θ1, and 5 ° ≦ θ1 ≦ 45 ° is set.

As described above, in the light distribution control panel, the plurality of prisms forming the prism surface are arranged at right angles to the light guide axis in the longitudinal direction of the hollow light guide portion,
The angle between the light advancing side of the prism on the inner surface side and the light guide axis is α1, the pitch is P1, the angle between the light advancing side of the prism on the outer surface side and the light guide axis is α2,
Pitch is P2, 0 ° ≦ α1 ≦ 5 °, 60 ° ≦ α2 ≦
The hollow light guide has a shape of 85 °, P2 = 1 mm or more, and P2 <P1, and the incident angle of light on the inner surface side of the light distribution control panel is θ1 and 5 ° ≦ θ1 ≦ 45 °. The emission angle of light from the opening of the section is approximately 90 ° with respect to the light guide axis.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the illumination device according to the second aspect, the angle between the light guide axis and the inclined surface of the prism on the outer surface side of the light distribution control panel opposite to the light traveling is α3. It has a shape such that 45 ° ≦ α3 ≦ 70 °. In this way, the angle between the light guide axis and the inclined surface on the opposite side of the light traveling of the prism on the outer surface side of the light distribution control panel is α
3 and has a shape of 45 ° ≦ α3 ≦ 70 °, it is possible to further realize a configuration in which the emission angle of the light distribution control panel is approximately 90 °.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the illumination apparatus according to the second or third aspect, the light distribution control panel has a prism whose cross-sectional shape is a curve or a trapezoid.
In this way, the light distribution control panel has a shape in which the prism has a curved or trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. Therefore, by forming the vertices or valleys of the triangle into a curved or trapezoidal shape, it is possible to form a mold or product. It will be easier. Further, along with this, the plate thickness of the light distribution control panel can be reduced.

An illumination device according to a fifth aspect is the illumination device according to the second or third aspect.
Alternatively, in the lighting device according to 4, the light distribution control panel is
The cross section substantially orthogonal to the light guide axis has a curved surface portion.
As described above, in the light distribution control panel, since the cross section that is substantially orthogonal to the light guide axis has the curved surface portion, the light distribution in cross section of the hollow light guide portion becomes the light distribution at the included angle. For this reason, when it is used for road lighting or the like, it becomes possible to efficiently irradiate only necessary portions such as lane portions.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A is a partially cutaway front view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a bottom view, FIG. 1C is a side view, and FIG. 2 is a light distribution control used in the embodiment of the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view of a panel.

As shown in FIG. 1, this illuminating device comprises a light source unit 1, a hollow light guide unit 3 having an opening 2, and a light distribution control panel 4 provided in the opening 2. The light source unit 1 includes a lamp 5 and a reflection plate 6, and is provided at one end or both ends of the hollow light guide unit 3. The hollow light guide portion 3 has a substantially cylindrical shape, the outer portion of which is a plastic (acrylic resin or polycarbonate) pipe or aluminum extruded material, and the inner surface is a mirror surface material or SOLF (3M).
Company) is used. The opening 2 is formed by opening a part of the outer portion of the hollow light guide portion 3 over the entire length.

The light distribution control panel 4 has prism surfaces 7 and 8 on its inner and outer surfaces, each of which has a function of emitting the light C incident from the light source section 1 substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the hollow light guide section 3. It is provided. A plurality of linear prisms 7a and 8a forming the prism surfaces 7 and 8 are arranged adjacent to each other in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal light guide axis 9 of the hollow light guide portion 3. The light distribution control panel 4 is made of a transparent acrylic resin, polycarbonate, PET.
It may be a resin type or a glass type.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the angle between the light guide shaft 9 and the slope of the prism 7a on the inner surface side on the traveling side of the light C is α1, the pitch is P1, and the light traveling on the prism 8a on the outer surface side is propagated. The angle between the side slope and the light guide shaft 9 is α2,
Pitch is P2, 0 ° ≦ α1 ≦ 5 °, 60 ° ≦ α2 ≦
It has a shape of 85 °, P2 = 1 mm or more and P2 <P1. In addition to this condition, the angle between the light guide shaft 9 and the slope of the prism 8a on the outer surface side of the light distribution control panel 4 opposite to the traveling of the light C is α3, and 45 ° ≦ α3 ≦ 70 °
It has a shape that Further, the incident angle of the light C on the inner surface side of the light distribution control panel 4 is set to θ1, and 5 ° ≦ θ1 ≦ 45 ° is set. As a result, the emission angle θ2 of the light C from the opening 2 of the hollow light guide portion 3 is approximately 90 ° with respect to the light guide axis 9.

The cross-sectional shape of the prism 8a may be a triangular shape, a trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG. 3, or a curved shape with rounded corners as shown in FIG. By forming the vertices and valleys of the triangles into curves and trapezoids in this manner, it is possible to facilitate the formation of molds and the molding of products, and to reduce the plate thickness of the light distribution control panel 4.

Next, the luminance measurement values of the illumination device of the present embodiment (product of the present invention) and the conventional product are compared. As shown in FIG. 5, in the conventional product, the light source section 50 is composed of a metal halide lamp 150W, and the hollow light guide section 51 has a total length of 1
The luminance meter 10 has a length of 2 m, a position 0.5 m from the light source unit 50 is a measurement position A, and a position 6 m from the light source unit 50 is a measurement position B.
The measurement was performed with a 5 ° tilt. The present invention product is also measured in the same manner. The measurement results are shown in Table 1. It can be seen from Table 1 that the product of the present invention has lower brightness than the conventional product.

[0019]

[Table 1]

A case where the above lighting device is used as a road lighting device will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention is used for a road. In this case, the light source section 1 is installed at both ends of the hollow light guide section 3. The figure also shows a comparison with the conventional product.

That is, in the conventional product, the light C'is emitted from the opening of the hollow light guide portion in a pro-beam manner. Therefore, for example, when the light source portion is installed at the rear side in the vehicle traveling direction, the vehicle 11 The reflection on the rearview mirror 12 made the driver 13 uncomfortable. Further, when the light source unit is installed on the front side with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle, the direct light C ′ gives the driver 13 glare.

In the lighting device of this embodiment, since the light distribution is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hollow light guide portion 3,
Even if the light source unit 1 is installed on the rear side or the front side with respect to the vehicle traveling direction, there is no glare due to direct irradiation or reflection from the rearview mirror 12, and the driver 13 is not uncomfortable. Here, the term “substantially vertical” means that the light C emitted from the opening 2 of the hollow light guide 3 is reflected by the rearview mirror 12 of the vehicle 11 and the direct light does not affect (discomfort) the driver 13 at an angle of 70 °.
It is 110 °. Further, in this example, by installing the light source units 1 on both sides of the hollow light guide unit 3, if the lamp on one side is turned off and the lamp on the other side is turned on, the entire hollow light guide unit 3 is turned off. There is no. Therefore, even if the lamp on one side is burnt out, the entire hollow light guide portion 3 shines, and the line-of-sight guidance effect for the driver 13 is not impaired.

When the above lighting device is used for passage lighting or the like, for example, when it is installed on the ceiling, the light distribution is substantially right below the ceiling side, so that the floor surface corresponding to the length of the hollow light guide portion 3 can be efficiently used. Can be irradiated. Since the conventional product is a pro-beam type, the illuminance right under the light source portion is lower than that of the product of the present invention, and the product of the present invention is 1.5 times brighter than the conventional product.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the light distribution of the opening 2 of the hollow light guide portion 3 can be controlled in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis 9 in the longitudinal direction of the light guide, and the hollow light can be controlled. The irradiation surface corresponding to the length of the guide portion 3 can be efficiently irradiated. Further, when used as a road lighting device, there is no reflection in the rearview mirror of the car, and the driver is not dazzled or uncomfortable.

7 and 8 show another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the light distribution control panel 4 of the lighting device 15 has a curved surface portion 4 a whose cross section substantially orthogonal to the light guide axis 9. In this case, the curved surface portion 4a has a convex lens shape, and by making the outer surface side convex, the cross-sectional light distribution of the hollow light guide portion 3 becomes a narrow-angle light distribution. The curved surface portion 4a may have an uneven shape on the inner surface side or the outer surface side. As a result, as shown in FIG.
When it is mounted on a vehicle and used for road lighting, it is possible to efficiently irradiate only a necessary portion such as the lane portion 18 without irradiating the road shoulder 17.

[0026]

According to the illuminating device of the first aspect of the present invention, the light distribution control panel has a function that the light incident from the light source section is emitted substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the hollow light guide section. Since the prism surfaces with are provided on the inner and outer surfaces, the light distribution of the opening of the hollow light guide section can be controlled in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the light guide, and the length of the hollow light guide section can be controlled. The irradiation surface can be efficiently irradiated. Also, when used as a road lighting device, when the light source is installed on the rear side with respect to the vehicle traveling direction, there is no reflection in the rearview mirror of the car, and the light source is installed on the front side with respect to the vehicle traveling direction. When this is done, the driver is not dazzled or uncomfortable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the light distribution control panel, a plurality of prisms forming a prism surface are arranged at right angles to the light guide axis in the longitudinal direction of the hollow light guide section, and the light of the prism on the inner surface side is arranged. The angle between the light guide axis and the inclined surface on the traveling side is α1, the pitch is P1, and the angle between the light inclined surface on the traveling side of the prism of the outer surface and the light guide axis is α.
2, pitch is P2, 0 ° ≦ α1 ≦ 5 °, 60 ° ≦ α
2 ≦ 85 °, P2 = 1 mm or more, P2 <P1, and the incident angle of light on the inner surface side of the light distribution control panel is θ.
Since 1 is set and 5 ° ≦ θ1 ≦ 45 ° is set, the emission angle of the light from the opening of the hollow light guide is approximately 90 ° with respect to the light guide axis.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, since the angle between the light guide axis and the slope on the opposite side of the light traveling of the prism on the outer surface side of the light distribution control panel is α3, it has a shape of 45 ° ≦ α3 ≦ 70 °. Further, it is possible to further realize a configuration in which the emission angle of the light distribution control panel is approximately 90 °.

In the light distribution control panel according to the present invention, since the prism has a curved or trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, the triangular vertexes and troughs are curved or trapezoidal to form a mold or a product. Molding process becomes easy. Also,
Accordingly, the thickness of the light distribution control panel can be reduced.

In the fifth aspect, the light distribution control panel has the curved surface portion in the cross section substantially orthogonal to the light guide axis, so that the light distribution in the cross section of the hollow light guide portion becomes the light distribution at the narrow angle. For this reason, when it is used for road lighting or the like, it becomes possible to efficiently irradiate only necessary portions such as lane portions.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A is a partially cutaway front view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a bottom view, and FIG. 1C is a side view.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a light distribution control panel used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view when a prism of the light distribution control panel has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view when a prism of the light distribution control panel has a curved cross-sectional shape.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of comparing luminance measurement values of the product of the present invention and the conventional product.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which the lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention is used as a road lighting device.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an illumination device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram in which a lighting device according to another embodiment of the present invention is used for road lighting.

FIG. 9A is a sectional front view of a conventional lighting device;
(B) is a side view.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 light source 2 openings 3 Hollow light guide section 4 Light distribution control panel 7,8 Prism surface 7a, 8a prism 9 Light guide shaft

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A light source section, a hollow light guide section having an opening section, and a light distribution control panel provided in the opening section, wherein the light distribution control panel receives the light incident from the light source section. An illuminating device characterized in that prism surfaces having a function of emitting light substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of a hollow light guide portion are provided on an inner surface and an outer surface. 2. A light distribution control panel, wherein a plurality of prisms forming a prism surface are arranged in a direction perpendicular to a light guide axis in a longitudinal direction of a hollow light guide section, and the prism on the inner surface side of a light advancing side. The angle between the slope and the light guide axis is α1, the pitch is P1, the angle between the light guide axis and the slope of the light traveling side of the prism on the outer surface side is α2, and the pitch is P2, and 0 ° ≦ α1 ≦ 5 °, 60 ° ≤ α2 ≤ 8
5 °, P2 = 1 mm or more, P2 <P1, and the incident angle of light to the inner surface side of the light distribution control panel is θ.
The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device is set to 1, and 5 ° ≦ θ1 ≦ 45 ° is set. 3. The angle between the light guide axis and the inclined surface on the opposite side of the light traveling of the prism on the outer surface side of the light distribution control panel is α3.
The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the lighting device has a shape of 45 ° ≦ α3 ≦ 70 °. 4. The light distribution control panel has a prism having a curved or trapezoidal cross section.
Illumination device described. 5. The light distribution control panel has a curved surface portion in a cross section substantially orthogonal to the light guide axis.
Illumination device described.