JP2004109391A - Reflector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reflector which can uniformly emit light for a long range or a wide range with a small number of light sources. <P>SOLUTION: The reflector is composed of a transparent acrylic prismatic body (10) with a prescribed length in which an optical path (15) is secured in an axial direction. Light of an LED lamp is made incident from both end parts (11 and 17) of the prismatic body. A plurality of notches (3 and 3) formed of slants whose side shapes show almost sawtooth shapes are formed along the axial direction at a part (11) of a circumferential surface of the prismatic body (10) in a direction crossing incident light. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, the light incident on the end of the transparent rod or the side of the transparent plate is uniformly dispersed over a predetermined length in the axial direction or over a predetermined area, and It relates to a reflector adapted to exit the body. The present invention relates to, but not limited to, a reflector particularly suitable for applying a light emitting diode to a light source.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As is well known, a light source is generally used for a display or a reflector. A light emitting diode, that is, an LED lamp is also applied to the light source. Some LED lamps emit various colors such as red, blue, and yellow. Since these are provided at relatively low cost, these LED lamps are appropriately selected and, for example, directly attached to a personal computer. Accordingly, it is displayed that the personal computer is being activated or suspended. In addition, by applying an optical fiber, the image is displayed even at a position distant from the light source. Further, a light source is arranged on the other side of the frosted glass where light is irregularly reflected or dispersed, and the light is dispersed or irregularly reflected by the polished glass to illuminate a relatively wide range.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, it is possible to directly display by an LED lamp by the conventional display method, or to display at a relatively distant place by applying an optical path such as an optical fiber. In particular, by arranging a plurality of LED lamps at predetermined intervals, or by applying frosted glass, display can be performed over a relatively long or wide range.
However, when a plurality of light sources are used, the arrangement layout of the light sources is restricted, and there is a disadvantage that the cost is increased. Also, as the number of light sources increases, management becomes troublesome. On the other hand, when displaying with frosted glass, the advantage of reducing the number of light sources is recognized, and the management problem is small since the number of light sources is small. However, there is a disadvantage that the brightness is uneven between a portion close to the light source and a portion far from the light source, and that the light is absorbed by the frosted glass and the brightness is reduced.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to provide a display or a reflector which has solved the above-mentioned conventional problems or disadvantages. Specifically, the present invention aims to uniformly emit light over a long or wide range with a small number of light sources. It is an object of the present invention to provide a reflector capable of performing the following. Another object of the present invention is to provide a reflector that can be manufactured at low cost in addition to the above objects.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention employs a transparent body having a predetermined length of optical path for achieving the above object, that is, for uniformly illuminating incident light over a wide range. The light beam or light incident on this optical path reaches far away. In addition, it is configured to catch a light beam that is going to reach a distant point on the way and guide it to the outside of the transparent body. That is, a jagged portion including a plurality of slopes is formed in a part of the transparent body in a direction crossing the incident light beam.
[0006]
Hereinafter, the means adopted by the present invention will be described in more detail. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 30 denotes a columnar transparent body of a predetermined length made of a transparent acrylic resin or glass, and for example, a directional characteristic from the end 31 of the transparent body 30 is 15 °, 30 ° or 45 °. When a light beam or light emitted from the LED lamp of .degree. Is incident, the light travels through the transparent body 30 in the direction indicated by the arrow. At this time, since the refractive index of the transparent body 30 with respect to air is greater than 1, total reflection occurs at the boundary surface between the transparent body 30 and air. Thus, the incident light does not go out of the transparent body 30 to the outside. Therefore, the light in the transparent body 30 cannot be seen from the outer peripheral portion. Thus, the incident light reaches far away.
[0007]
By the way, as shown in FIG. 2, if a slope 43 substantially perpendicular to the traveling direction of light is formed on the surface of the prism-shaped transparent body 40, for example, the light randomly travels through the transparent body 40. The light H of the portion enters the slope 43 at an incident angle i at a point P. Then, the light is reflected at the reflection angle r and reaches the other surface 44 facing the inclined surface 43. Since the angle of incidence of the reflected light with respect to the other surface 44 is large, the light exits the other surface 44 without being totally reflected. Accordingly, light can be seen from the other surface 44 facing the slope 43. When a large number of such inclined surfaces 43 are formed in the axial direction, the other surface 44 looks "shining or shining" over the entire length in the axial direction. That is, the other surface 44 becomes a bright surface.
[0008]
As can be understood from the above description, the light incident on the transparent body 40 is reflected by the inclined surface 43, so that the other surface 44 appears to shine. Go outside 40. In order to prevent “leakage” due to this refraction, the slope 43 can be vapor-deposited with aluminum or the like as necessary.
[0009]
As described above, part of the light incident on the transparent body 40 is sequentially guided to the outside by the slopes 43, 43,..., But the remaining light reaches the other end 42. If the other end 42 is a reflecting surface, the reflected light travels in the transparent body 40 in the opposite direction. Therefore, by continuously forming a plurality or a large number of the other slopes 43 ', 43',... Inclined in the opposite direction similar to the slopes 43, 43,. In the present invention, preferably, the light source is also arranged on the other end 42 side. Therefore, the other inclined surfaces 43 ', 43', ... in the opposite direction are also formed.
[0010]
At the point P, a part of the light incident on the inclined surface 43 at the incident angle i is partially refracted as shown by a dotted line and exits from the transparent body 40 to the outside. Then, the light enters the other slope 43 'again at the point P'. At point P ', a portion reflects into the air. Since the amount of light emitted to the outside in this manner is small, the light shines thinly. The remaining light is refracted and enters the transparent body 40 again. Then, as described above, the light randomly advances through the transparent body 40 and is guided to the outside from the other surface of the transparent body 40, that is, the bright surface 44.
[0011]
As is clear from the above description, the incident light is guided to the outside by the slopes 43, 43,... As it travels through the transparent body 40, so that the amount of light is gradually reduced, and the density of the light in the transparent body 40 is reduced. Becomes smaller. Therefore, in the present invention, in order to keep the light density constant, the cross-sectional area of the transparent body 40 is configured to decrease as the distance from the light source increases. In addition, since the light density is reduced, the slope 43 is increased so that the amount of light guided to the outside is constant.
[0012]
The reflector according to the present invention is desirably formed of a transparent acrylic resin. This is because the acrylic resin has an advantage that it is easy to perform a pressing process with jagged edges. Moreover, the acrylic resin is relatively inexpensive, lightweight, and convenient to handle. However, it can also be formed from other resin materials, such as transparent polycarbonate (PC), as well as transparent vinyl chloride resin (PVC). In addition, it can be made of glass, although the cost is somewhat inferior. At this time, it is manufactured by the same manufacturing method as a glass plate having a large number of irregularities formed on one surface.
[0013]
Thus, in order to achieve the object of the present invention, the invention according to claim 1 is made of a transparent rod having a predetermined length and an optical path secured in the axial direction, and a light beam is emitted from the end of the rod. A reflector that is adapted to be incident, and a plurality of jagged portions formed of a slope having a substantially saw-tooth shape are incident on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped body in an axial direction. It is formed in a direction crossing the light beam.
The invention according to claim 2 comprises a square rod-like body having four transparent surfaces of a predetermined length and having an optical path secured in the axial direction, and a light beam is incident from an end thereof. A plurality of knurls, each of which is a reflector and is formed on a surface of the outer periphery of the square rod-shaped body and formed of a slope having a side surface shape substantially in the shape of a sawtooth, are formed in a direction crossing an incident light beam in the axial direction. .
The invention according to claim 3 comprises a rectangular rod-shaped body having five or more transparent surfaces having a predetermined length and having an optical path secured in the axial direction, and a light beam is incident from an end thereof. A plurality of jagged surfaces having a substantially saw-toothed side surface formed on a predetermined surface of the outer periphery of the rectangular rod-shaped body in a direction crossing an incident light beam in an axial direction. Have been. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the rod-shaped body according to any one of the first to third aspects is configured so as to be gradually reduced or thinned as it goes away from the end where the light beam enters. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the knurls formed in the rod-shaped body according to any one of the first to fourth aspects are gradually deepened as the distance from the end where the light beam is incident increases. The invention according to claim 6 is made of a transparent plate-like body having a predetermined thickness in which an optical path is secured in the thickness direction, and is formed from two side portions spaced apart by about 90 ° in the circumferential direction. A reflector on which light rays are incident, and on one surface of the plate-like body, a plurality of jagged surfaces each having a slope having a substantially saw-tooth shape are provided. It is formed in the transverse direction. The invention according to claim 7 is made of a transparent disk-shaped body having a predetermined thickness in which an optical path is secured in the thickness direction, and is formed from two side portions spaced apart by about 90 ° in the circumferential direction. A reflector on which light rays are incident, and on one surface of the plate-like body, a plurality of jagged surfaces each having a slope having a substantially saw-tooth shape are provided. It is formed in the transverse direction. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a side surface of the reflector according to the sixth or seventh aspect has a reflection surface formed or covered with a reflection material except for a portion where a light beam is incident. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the reflector according to any one of the first to eighth aspects is made of a transparent acrylic resin, and the knurls are formed by pressing. According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the light emitted from the light emitting diode is incident on the reflector according to any one of the first to ninth aspects.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. According to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the reflector 1 is formed of a substantially transparent acrylic resin into a cylindrical shape having a predetermined diameter. A plurality of slopes 2, 2 ',... Or a plurality of jagged edges 3, 3,... Are formed so as to be substantially perpendicular to the traveling direction of light. .. Are not formed with the optical path 4. An LED lamp is arranged at one end 5 of the reflector 1 configured as described above, and the other end is formed with a reflection surface 5 '. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the light incident on the optical path 4 from the LED lamp exits from the remaining outer peripheral portion 6 where the jagged portions 3, 3,... Are not formed, and the outer peripheral portion 6 It appears to glow uniformly over the entire axial length.
[0015]
The reflector 1 according to the present embodiment is not shown in the figure, but is composed of a lower mold having a gutter-shaped cross section and a crest and a valley having a gutter-shaped cross-section and continuous with the inner peripheral surface thereof. It is molded from an acrylic resin by pressing using an upper mold having a knurl.
[0016]
FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The same elements as those of the reflector 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals or the same reference numerals with a dash “′” and will not be described repeatedly, but according to the present embodiment, substantially the same reference numerals are used. The transparent rod-shaped body, that is, the reflector 7 is sequentially reduced in diameter from one end to the other end. In other words, as the distance from the LED lamp disposed at one end 5 having a large cross-sectional area increases, the diameter of the LED lamp is gradually reduced. .., Or a plurality of jagged surfaces 3 ′, 3 ′,.. Is inserted. As described above, according to the present embodiment, since light is incident only from one end 5, only one slope becomes the reflection surface 2, 2,..., And the other slope 2 ′, 2 ′,. Does not contribute to reflection. According to the present embodiment, the light source is arranged only at one end, and no reflector is provided at the other end. However, since the optical path 4 'is gradually reduced, the slopes 2, 2,. As a result, the amount of light guided to the outside is substantially equal in the axial direction and shines uniformly.
[0017]
FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the first and second embodiments, the reflectors 1 and 7 are formed in a columnar shape. However, the reflector 10 according to the present embodiment has a quadrangular prism composed of the first to fourth surfaces 11 to 14. It is composed of a transparent body. A portion surrounded by the first to fourth surfaces 11 to 14 is an optical path 15. Then, a plurality of knurls 3, 3,... Exhibiting a substantially sawtooth shape composed of a large number of peaks and valleys as described above are formed on the first surface 11, and the third surface 13 becomes a shining surface that looks shining. ing. According to the present embodiment, one end 16 is an incident end and the other end 17 is a reflective surface, but it is clear that a light source can be arranged at the other end 17 as well.
[0018]
FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment in which the reflector 20 has a disk shape with a predetermined thickness. According to the present embodiment, the first light source, that is, the first LED, and the second LED ′ are arranged at 90 ° intervals in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the jagged portion 25 formed on the back surface 21 of the reflector 20 and having a substantially sawtooth side shape is incident from the second LED 'and a jagged edge substantially perpendicular to the light incident from the first LED. It has a shape that intersects with the jagged light that is almost perpendicular to the light. The circumferential portion of the reflector 20 is covered with a reflective material so that light does not escape to the outside. Alternatively, a reflection surface is formed. According to the fourth embodiment, the plurality of jagged portions 25 are formed on the back surface 21 of the reflector 20, so that the entire front surface 23 looks bright. It is clear that the reflector 20 according to the fourth embodiment is also formed from an acrylic resin by pressing as described above.
[0019]
The present invention can be implemented in various forms without being limited to the above embodiments. For example, according to the second embodiment, as the reflector 7 moves away from the light source, the reflector 7 is successively contracted so that the amount of light per unit area is kept constant, and the light guided to the outside becomes uniform in the axial direction. However, it is also possible to implement the method so that the jagged portions are sequentially deepened so that the light guided to the outside becomes uniform in the axial direction.
[0020]
Further, according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the jagged portions 3, 3,... Are formed only on the first surface 11, but the jagged portions 3, 3,. Can also be formed. When implemented in this manner, the fourth surface 14 also looks bright. Further, the reflector can be made of a transparent material having a polygonal prism shape of five or more prisms. In the case of a multi-sided injection, jagged portions are formed on one or two or three surfaces. The opposite side of the jagged surface becomes shining. Since the facing surface looks shining in this way, it is desirable to use a polygonal prism reflector having an even number of surfaces.
[0021]
According to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, as can be understood from the fact that the thick portion of the reflector 20 is the optical path 24, if there is a thickness that ensures the optical path, It is obvious that the same operation can be performed with a polygonal flat plate-shaped transparent body instead of the disk-shaped transparent body.
[0022]
7 and 8 show examples of using the reflector according to the present embodiment. That is, FIG. 7 shows an example in which the temperature of the bath water is displayed. This display device includes a plurality of reflectors A, B, and C as described above, a control device CON, and a temperature sensor SEN. The control device KON also includes a comparison circuit. Therefore, the temperature of the hot water detected by the temperature sensor SEN is compared with the temperature set in the control device CON by the comparison circuit, and the result is lit on the selected reflectors A, B, and C. Looking at the lit reflector, the approximate temperature of the bath can be known.
[0023]
FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which only characters, figures, and the like are displayed. According to the present embodiment, the shield 27 that cuts out the character, the graphic 26, or the like, or shields the portion other than the character, the graphic 26, or the like, is disposed on the surface 23 of the reflector 20. When the first and second LEDs and LED 'are turned on, the characters and the graphic 26 appear to shine.
[0024]
【Example】
Example 1 A reflector was manufactured from a commercially available acrylic resin. The transparent body at this time was a prism of 5 mm and a length of 90 mm. A large number of continuous jagged portions having a slope of 0.4 mm and an angle of 30 ° were formed on the movable mold. Then, the material was placed on the fixed mold, and the movable mold was pressed with an impact load of 35 tons. There was no springback, and the knurled shape was almost the same as the shape. No optical distortion was observed.
Example 2 Similarly, a reflector was manufactured from a commercially available acrylic resin. At this time, the transparent body was a 5 mm prism having the same length as that of Example 1 and a length of 500 mm. A large number of continuous jagged portions having a slope of 0.4 mm and an angle of 30 ° were formed on the movable mold. Then, the material was placed on the fixed mold, and the movable mold was pressed with an impact load of 35 tons. As in the case of Example 1, there was no springback, and a jagged shape substantially as a model was formed. No optical distortion was observed.
Example 3 The same material as in Examples 1 and 2 was used, and a large number of continuous jagged edges having a slope of 0.5 mm and an angle of 45 ° were formed on the movable mold. Then, the material was placed on the fixed mold, and the movable mold was pressed with an impact load of 35 tons. As in the case of Example 1, there was no springback, and a jagged shape substantially as a model was formed. No optical distortion was observed.
[0025]
Example 4: A disk-shaped reflector 20 shown in FIG. 6 was manufactured from a commercially available acrylic resin. At this time, the material had a diameter of 30 mm and a thickness of 8 mm. A large number of jagged edges each having a slope of 0.4 mm and an angle of 30 ° were continuously formed in the movable direction. Then, the material was placed on the fixed mold, and the movable mold was pressed with an impact load of 35 tons. There was no springback, and the knurled shape was almost the same as the shape. No optical distortion was observed.
Example 5: A movable mold was used in which a plurality of knurls having a slope of 0.5 mm in depth and an angle of 45 ° were continuously formed in each direction directly on the movable mold. A reflector was obtained under the same conditions. The jagged shape of the approximate shape was formed. No optical distortion was observed.
[0026]
Comparative Example 1: The same material as in Example 1 was used, and the movable mold was movable by using a mold having a large number of continuous jagged edges each having a slope of 1 mm and an angle of 30 ° formed by the slope. The mold was pressed at 35 tons. It was found that the reflector was cracked and optically deteriorated visually.
Comparative Example 2: A reflector was manufactured under the same conditions as those of Comparative Example 1 except that a mold having an angle of 45 ° formed by the slope was used. As in Comparative Example 1, it was found that the reflector was cracked and visually degraded visually.
Comparative Example 3: The same material and the same mold as in Example 1 were used, and the movable mold was gradually loaded so as to finally reach 35 tons as in Example 1. The amount of springback was large and the desired jaggedness was not obtained.
[0027]
From the above Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3, cracks were observed in the material when the slope depth was 1 mm even under the same pressing load, but depending on the physical properties of the acrylic resin, the material per unit area or per unit volume was observed. It has been found that the reflector of the desired quality can be obtained by appropriately selecting the pressing load and the depth of the slope, and pressing it by impact. At this time, it was also found that the angle formed by the slope could be set to 30 to 45 ° in consideration of the light reflectance. It is presumed that if the material is heated in advance and cooled before being removed from the mold after pressing, a reflector of desired quality can be obtained.
[0028]
Example 6: The brightness of the reflectors obtained in Examples 1 to 3 was visually examined. At this time, LED lamps having a directivity of 30 ° were arranged at both ends. In each of the reflectors, the third surface 13 opposite to the rugged first surface 11 appeared to shine uniformly in the axial direction. The jagged first surface 11 also appeared to shine thinly. This is considered to be due to light leaked to the outside as shown by a dotted line in FIG. No light was visible from the second surface 12 and the fourth surface 14.
[0029]
Example 7: The luminance of the reflector 20 obtained in Examples 4 and 5 was visually tested. At this time, a test was conducted by inserting the reflector 20 into a cylindrical holder made of aluminum in close contact with the holder. The outer peripheral portion of the reflector 20 was covered with a holder made of aluminum to form a reflection surface. The first and second LEDs and LED 'were turned on simultaneously. In each of the reflectors, the surface 23 appeared uniformly bright. Even with the first LED alone, it seemed to shine almost uniformly, but the brightness was considerably reduced. From the above Examples 6 and 7, it was found that a reflector having a desired luminance can be obtained by appropriately selecting the jagged inclination angle, size, number and the like.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a transparent rod-shaped body having a predetermined length in which an optical path is secured in the axial direction, and a reflector configured to receive light rays from its end, On a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped body, a plurality of jagged surfaces each having a slope having a substantially sawtooth shape are formed in the axial direction and in a direction crossing the incident light beam, so that the jagged portions are formed. The effect unique to the present invention is obtained in that the outer peripheral surface which is not formed is uniformly shined over the entire length in the axial direction of the rod by one or two light sources. According to another aspect of the present invention, a transparent plate-like body having a predetermined thickness and having an optical path secured in the thickness direction is provided. A plurality of jagged surfaces having a substantially saw-tooth shape on one surface of the plate-like body, and cross the incident light beam over the entire surface. Since the light sources are formed in the same direction, the effect of uniformly shining the entire surface of the other surface of the plate-like body by the two light sources can be obtained. Further, according to the invention in which the reflector is made of a transparent acrylic resin and the jagged portions are formed by pressing, the effect of inexpensively providing the reflector having the above-described effects unique to the present invention can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a transparent body for describing the state of progress of light in the transparent body.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a transparent body illustrating the principle of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a front view schematically showing a usage example of the reflector according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing another usage example of the reflector according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 7, 10, 20 Reflector 2, 2 ', 22, 22' Slope 3, 25 Jagged 4, 4 ', 15, 24 Optical path

Claims (10)

A reflector formed of a transparent rod having a predetermined length in which an optical path is secured in the axial direction, and a light beam coming from an end thereof,
A part of the outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped body is characterized in that a plurality of jagged surfaces each having a slope having a substantially saw-tooth shape are formed in an axial direction and in a direction crossing an incident light beam. Reflector. A reflector formed of a square rod-shaped body composed of four transparent surfaces having a predetermined length and having a light path secured in the axial direction, and receiving light rays from its ends,
On one surface of the outer periphery of the square rod-shaped body, a plurality of jagged surfaces each having a slope having a substantially saw-tooth shape are formed in a direction crossing an incident light beam in an axial direction. body. A reflector formed of a rectangular rod-shaped body having five or more transparent surfaces having a predetermined length and having an optical path secured in the axial direction, and receiving light rays from its end,
On a predetermined surface of the outer periphery of the square rod-shaped body, a plurality of jagged surfaces each having a slope having a substantially sawtooth shape are formed in the axial direction, in a direction crossing the incident light beam. Reflector. The reflector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rod is gradually reduced in diameter or thinner as it goes away from the end where the light beam enters. 5. A reflector according to claim 1, wherein the jagged portions formed in the rod-shaped body are gradually deepened as the distance from the end where the light beam is incident increases. It is made of a transparent plate having a predetermined thickness and an optical path is secured in the thickness direction, and light beams are incident from two sides of the plate at intervals of about 90 ° in the circumferential direction. Reflector
A reflector having a plurality of jagged surfaces formed on a surface of the plate-like body, each of which is formed with a slope having a substantially saw-tooth side surface, in a direction crossing an incident light beam. It is made of a transparent disk having a predetermined thickness and an optical path is secured in the thickness direction, and light rays are incident from two sides of the circumference at an interval of about 90 ° in the circumferential direction. Reflector
A reflector having a plurality of jagged surfaces formed on a surface of the plate-like body, each of which is formed with a slope having a substantially saw-tooth side surface, in a direction crossing an incident light beam. 8. A reflector according to claim 6, wherein a side surface of the reflector according to claim 6 or 7 has a reflecting surface formed or covered with a reflecting material except for a portion where light rays are incident. The reflector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the reflector is made of a transparent acrylic resin, and the knurls are formed by pressing. The reflector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a light beam emitted by the light emitting diode is incident.

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