JP2004184197A - Illumination apparatus and electronic device using the same - Google Patents

Illumination apparatus and electronic device using the same Download PDF

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Publication number
JP2004184197A
JP2004184197A JP2002350651A JP2002350651A JP2004184197A JP 2004184197 A JP2004184197 A JP 2004184197A JP 2002350651 A JP2002350651 A JP 2002350651A JP 2002350651 A JP2002350651 A JP 2002350651A JP 2004184197 A JP2004184197 A JP 2004184197A
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Japan
Prior art keywords
light
light emitting
region
light guide
ultraviolet
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Abandoned
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JP2002350651A
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Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Shunji Minami
俊二 南
Masao Amano
正男 天野
Michio Marukawa
道雄 丸川
Katsuya Kobayashi
克弥 小林
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Casio Computer Co Ltd
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Casio Computer Co Ltd
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Application filed by Casio Computer Co Ltd filed Critical Casio Computer Co Ltd
Priority to JP2002350651A priority Critical patent/JP2004184197A/en
Priority to KR1020030086177A priority patent/KR100580238B1/en
Priority to TW092133782A priority patent/TWI250390B/en
Priority to CNB2003101170764A priority patent/CN1285930C/en
Publication of JP2004184197A publication Critical patent/JP2004184197A/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • G04B19/30—Illumination of dials or hands
    • G04B19/32—Illumination of dials or hands by luminescent substances
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • G04B19/30—Illumination of dials or hands
    • G04B19/305—Illumination of dials or hands the hands carrying the light source

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Details Of Measuring Devices (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To finely radiate a light from a light emission element to a display member through a frame member and improve functionality and design of the frame member without restriction of the display member. <P>SOLUTION: An illumination apparatus is provided with a parting member 13 comprising a light guide 15 made of a transmissive resin frame and a light shield 16 made of a non-transmissive resin frame and dichroically molded and integrally formed and the light emission element 14 disposed at a location corresponding to a predetermined location of the light guide 15. When the light from the light emission element 14 is radiated to the light guide 15, it is guided by the light guide 15, emitted into the parting member 13 and finely radiated to an hour plate 10 and an indicating needle 11. Since the parting member 13 has a structure integrally formed by the light guide 15 and the light shield 16 dichroically molded, the functionality and the design of the parting member 13 can be improved without restriction of the display member such as the hour plate 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、腕時計、携帯電話機、自動車の計器類などの各種の機器に適用して有用な照明装置およびそれを用いた電子機器に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
例えば、腕時計においては、腕時計ケース内の所定個所に、人間の目に見える可視光線領域の光を発光する発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）などのランプを設け、暗い所でランプを点灯させて文字板や指針などの表示部材を照明することにより、暗い所でも時刻を知ることができるようしたものがある（例えば、特許文献１参照。）。
【０００３】
【特許文献１】
特開２００２−０２２８４９
【０００４】
この種の腕時計は、文字板の１２時と６時の位置に飾り部材を設け、この飾り部材の裏面にＬＥＤをそれぞれ配置すると共に、文字板と一体に設けられた導光板の裏面に文字板面で波状の装飾を呈する複数の凸部を設けることにより、この導光板の複数の凸部によってＬＥＤからの光が文字板の正面に照射される面積を拡大し、照明による視認性を高めている。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、このような腕時計では、文字板の飾り部材の裏面側にＬＥＤを設けているので、腕時計全体が厚くなるばかりか、文字板に飾り部材を設けたり、文字板に導光板を設けたりしなければならず、このため文字板が制約され、自由なデザインのものを得ることができないという問題がある。また、この腕時計では、時計ガラスの外周部と文字板の外周部との間に配置された見切り部材が時計ガラスを通して文字板が見える範囲を規制する見切り機能の役割しか果たしておらず、このため見切り部材の機能性およびデザイン性に欠けるという問題もある。
【０００６】
この発明の課題は、見切り部材などの枠状部材を介して発光素子の光を文字板などの表示部材に良好に照射でき、且つ表示部材を制約せずに枠状部材の機能性およびデザイン性を向上させることである。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
この発明は、上記課題を解決するために、次のような構成要素を備えている。
なお、各構成要素には、後述する各実施形態の項で説明される各要素に付されている図面の参照番号などを括弧と共に付す。
請求項１に記載の発明は、図１〜図２３に示すように、光透過性樹脂からなる枠状の導光部（１５）と非透過性樹脂からなる枠状の遮光部（１６）とを２色成形によって一体に形成した枠状部材（見切り部材１３）と、この枠状部材の前記導光部の外周側における所定個所に対応して配置された発光素子（発光素子１４、紫外線発光素子２０）とを備えたことを特徴とする照明装置（６）である。
【０００８】
この発明によれば、発光素子を発光させると、その光が枠状部材の導光部に照射され、この照射された光が導光部で導かれながら枠状部材で囲われた領域内に向けて放出されるので、発光素子の光を枠状部材で囲われた領域内の表示部材に良好に照射することができ、このため、例えば発光素子が可視光線領域の光を発光すれば、暗い所でも表示部材を良好に照明することができ、また枠状部材が光透過性樹脂からなる枠状の導光部と非透過性樹脂からなる枠状の遮光部とを２色成形によって一体に形成した構造であるから、表示部材を制約せずに枠状部材を任意の自由な形状に形成することができ、これにより枠状部材の機能性およびデザイン性の向上を図ることができる。
【０００９】
請求項２に記載の発明は、図５〜図７に示すように、前記発光素子が紫外線発光素子（２０）で構成され、前記枠状部材（見切り部材２０）で囲われる領域内には表示部材（文字板１０および指針１１）が配置され、この表示部材には紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光する発光部（２１）が設けられていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の照明装置である。
この発明によれば、発光素子が紫外線発光素子で構成されているから、人間の目に見えない紫外線領域の光を発光するが、この紫外線領域の光が導光部に照射されると、この照射された光が導光部で導かれながら枠状部材で囲われた領域内に向けて放出され、この放出された紫外線領域の光が表示部材に照射されるので、表示部材に設けられた発光部が紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光し、この発光した可視光線領域の光で表示部材を照明することができる。
【００１０】
請求項３に記載の発明は、図８〜図１３に示すように、前記発光素子が紫外線発光素子（２０）で構成され、前記導光部（１５）には紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光する発光層（２３、２４、２６）が設けられていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の照明装置である。
この発明によれば、発光素子が紫外線発光素子で構成されているから、人間の目に見えない紫外線領域の光を発光するが、この紫外線領域の光が導光部に照射されると、この紫外線領域の光が導光部で導かれると共に、導光部に設けられた発光層が紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光するので、この発光した可視光線領域の光で表示部材を照明することができる。
【００１１】
請求項４に記載の発明は、図１４〜図１６に示すように、前記発光素子が紫外線発光素子（２０）で構成され、前記導光部（１５）中には紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光する発光材（３０）が混入されていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の照明装置である。
この発明によれば、発光素子が紫外線発光素子で構成されているから、人間の目に見えない紫外線領域の光を発光するが、この紫外線領域の光が導光部内に入射すると、この導光部で導かれながら導光部中に混入された発光材が紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光するので、この発光した可視光線領域の光で表示部材を照明することができる。
【００１２】
請求項５に記載の発明は、図１７〜図１９に示すように、前記導光部（１５）に、前記発光素子（発光素子１４、紫外線発光素子２０）からの光が入射する光入射部（３６）、およびこの光入射部から入射した光を前記枠状部材（見切り部材１３）の内側に向けて放出する光放出部（３７）を除いて、反射面（３５）が全域に亘って設けられていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の照明装置である。
この発明によれば、発光素子を発光させると、その光が導光部の光入射部から導光部内に入射し、この入射した光が導光部で導かれるときに、反射面で反射を繰り返して導かれ、この導かれた光が導光部の光放出部から枠状部材で囲われた領域内に向けて放出されるので、導光部に入射した光を損失することなく光放出部から放出させることができ、これにより発光素子の光を表示部材にその外周側から効率良く照射することができる。
【００１３】
請求項６に記載の発明は、図１〜図２３に示すように、請求項１に記載の照明装置（６）を収納する機器ケース（腕時計ケース１、機器ケース５０）を備え、この機器ケースには窓部（時計ガラス２、保護ガラス５３）が設けられ、この窓に対応して前記照明装置の前記枠状部材（見切り部材２０）で囲われる領域内に配置された表示部材（文字板１０および指針１１、または液晶表示素子４１）が配置されていることを特徴とする電子機器である。
この発明によれば、請求項１に記載の発明と同様、照明装置によって表示部材に発光素子の光を良好に照射することができると共に、枠状部材が光透過性樹脂からなる枠状の導光部と非透過性樹脂からなる枠状の遮光部とを２色成形によって一体に形成した構造であるから、表示部材を制約せずに枠状部材を任意の自由な形状に形成することができ、これにより枠状部材の機能性およびデザイン性の構造を図ることができる。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
［第１実施形態］
以下、図１〜図４を参照して、この発明を指針式の腕時計に適用した第１実施形態について説明する。
図１はこの発明の指針式の腕時計を示した要部の拡大断面図、図２はその時計モジュールを示した正面図である。この指針式の腕時計は、図１に示すように、腕時計ケース１を備えている。この腕時計ケース１の上部中央には、時計ガラス２が装着されており、この腕時計ケース１の内部には、時計モジュール３が収納されている。また、この腕時計ケース１の下部には、裏蓋４が防水リング５を介して取り付けられている。
【００１５】
時計モジュール３は、アナログ機能とデジタル機能のうち、少なくともアナログ機能を備えているほか、照明装置６をも備えており、図１に示すように、ハウジング７に設けられたアナログムーブメント８の指針軸９が文字板１０の貫通孔１０ａを通してその上方に突出し、この突出した指針軸９の上端部に時針、分針、秒針などの指針１１が取り付けられ、この指針１１が文字板１０の上方を運針するように構成されている。この場合、文字板１０および指針１１が時刻を表示する表示部材を構成している。また、この文字板１０の上面には、時字１２が周縁部に沿って所定間隔で設けられている。
【００１６】
また、時計モジュール３の照明装置６は、図１および図２に示すように、時計ガラス３とハウジング７との間に位置する腕時計ケース１の内周面に沿って配置された見切り部材１３と、この見切り部材１３の１２時と６時とに位置する下側に配置された発光素子１４とを備えている。見切り部材１３は、図１に示すように、時計ガラス２を通して文字板１０が見える範囲を規制するためのものであり、図３および図４に示すように、ほぼ円形のリング状をなす枠状部材で、光透過性樹脂からなる枠状の導光部１５と非透過性樹脂からなる枠状の遮光部１６とを２色成形によって一体に形成した構造になっている。
【００１７】
この場合、導光部１５は、全体がほぼ円形のリング状に形成され、その所定個所つまり時字１２に対応する個所に長方形の突起片１５ａがそれぞれ放射状に形成され、これら突起片１５ａの各上面が図４に示すように傾斜面に形成された構成になっている。また、遮光部１６も、ほぼ円形のリング状に形成され、導光部１５の内周部および各突起片１５ａを露出させた状態で、図３および図４に示すように、導光部１５の上部外周に配置され、且つその所定個所に導光部１５の突起片１５ａの両側および外周側を囲む飾り部１６ａがそれぞれ形成された構成になっている。また、発光素子１４は、白色光などの可視光線領域の光を発光する発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）または白色ランプなどで構成され、図１に示すように、見切り部材１３の導光部１５の外周側における下面に対応した状態でハウジング７上に設けられている。
【００１８】
このような指針式の腕時計によれば、発光素子１４を発光させると、人間の目に見える可視光線領域の光が見切り部材１３の導光部１５に照射され、この照射された可視光線領域の光が導光部１５で見切り部材１３に沿って導かれながら見切り部材１３で囲われた領域内に向けて放出されるので、この放出された可視光線領域の光によって文字板１０および指針１１を照明することができ、これにより暗い所でも時刻を知ることができる。この場合、導光部１５は、図２および図３に示すように、全体がほぼリング状に形成され、この導光部１５の上部外周に遮光部１６が導光部１５の内周部を露出させた状態で配置されているので、文字板１０をその全外周側から照明することができる。
【００１９】
このときには、図３および図４に示すように、導光部１５の所定個所つまり時字１２に対応する個所に長方形の突起片１５ａがそれぞれ放射状に形成され、これら突起片１５ａの上面が傾斜面に形成されているので、導光部１５で導かれた光を各突起片１５ａから集中させて放出することができ、これにより時字１２に対応する個所をその周辺部分よりも明るく照明することができ、このため鮮明に時刻を知ることができる。また、見切り部材１３は光透過性樹脂からなる枠状の導光部１５と非透過性樹脂からなる枠状の遮光部１６とを２色成形によって一体に形成した構成であるから、文字板１０および指針１１を制約せずに見切り部材１３を任意の自由な形状に形成することができ、これにより見切り部材１３の機能性およびデザイン性の向上を図ることができる。
【００２０】
［第２実施形態］
次に、図５〜図７を参照して、この発明を指針式の腕時計に適用した第２実施形態について説明する。なお、図１〜図４に示された第１実施形態と同一部分には同一符号を付して説明する。
この指針式の腕時計は、発光素子として紫外線発光素子２０を用い、文字板１０および指針１１に発光部２１をそれぞれ設けた構造で、これ以外は第１実施形態とほぼ同じ構造になっている。
【００２１】
すなわち、紫外線発光素子２０は、波長が３６５〜３８５ｎｍ（ナノメートル：ナノメートルは１０億分の１メートル）の紫外線領域の光を発光する紫外線発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）または紫外線灯などの発光素子で構成され、図５に示すように、ハウジング７上における外周部の所定個所、例えば１２時と６時との個所における見切り部材１３の導光部１５の下側に対応して設けられている。発光部２１は、紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光するものであり、図６および図７に示すように、文字板１０の時字１２および指針１１の先端部分にそれぞれ設けられている。
【００２２】
このような指針式の腕時計によれば、紫外線発光素子２０を発光させると、人間の目に見えない紫外線領域の光が見切り部材１３の導光部１５に照射され、この照射された紫外線領域の光が導光部１５で見切り部材１３に沿って導かれながら見切り部材１４で囲われた領域内に向けて放出され、この放出された紫外線領域の光が文字板１０および指針１１に照射される。このため、文字板１０の時字１２および指針１１の先端部分にそれぞれ設けられた発光部２１が紫外線領域の光に反応して人間の目に見える可視光線領域の光を発光し、これら発光部２１で発光した可視光線領域の光によって文字板１０および指針１１を視認することができ、これにより暗い所でも時刻を知ることができる。
【００２３】
この場合にも、導光部１５の所定個所つまり時字１２に対応する個所に長方形の突起片１５ａがそれぞれ形成され、これら突起片１５ａの各上面が傾斜面に形成されているので、各時字１２に対応する個所に紫外線領域の光を集中させて照射することができ、このため各時字１２の発光部２１および指針１１の発光部２１を十分に発光させることができ、これにより鮮明に時刻を知ることができる。また、見切り部材１３が枠状の導光部１５と枠状の遮光部１６とを２色成形によって一体に形成した構成であるから、第１実施形態と同様、文字板１０および指針１１を制約することがなく、見切り部材１３を任意の自由な形状に形成することができ、これにより見切り部材１３の機能性およびデザイン性の向上を図ることができる。
【００２４】
［第３実施形態］
次に、図８〜図１１を参照して、この発明を指針式の腕時計に適用した第３実施形態について説明する。この場合には、図５〜図７に示された第２実施形態と同一部分に同一符号を付して説明する。
この指針式の腕時計は、見切り部材１３の導光部１５の所定個所に発光層２３を設けた構造で、これ以外は第２実施形態とほぼ同じ構造になっている。すなわち、発光層２３は、第２実施形態の発光部２１と同様、紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光するものであり、文字板１０の時字１２に対応する導光部１５の各突起片１５ａの上面にそれぞれ設けられている。この場合、導光部１５の各突起片１５ａは、図１１に示すように、その上面がそれぞれ傾斜面に形成され、これら傾斜面に凹部１５ｂがそれぞれ設けられ、これら凹部１５ｂ内に発光層２３がそれぞれ設けられた構成になっている。
【００２５】
このような指針式の腕時計によれば、第２実施形態と同様、紫外線発光素子２０を発光させると、人間の目に見えない紫外線領域の光が見切り部材１３の導光部１５に照射され、この照射された紫外線領域の光が導光部１５で見切り部材１３に沿って導かれながら見切り部材１４で囲われた領域内に向けて放出されると共に、文字板１０の時字１２に対応する導光部１５の各突起片１５ａにそれぞれ設けられた各発光層２３に、導光部１５で導かれた紫外線領域の光が照射され、これにより各発光層２３がそれぞれ紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光する。このため、見切り部材１３の導光部１５からは、紫外線領域の光と各発光層２３で発光した可視光線領域の光との両方が放出される。
【００２６】
このため、文字板１０および指針１１は、紫外線領域の光と可視光線領域の光との両方が照射され、これにより可視光線領域の光で文字板１０および指針１１が照明されると共に、文字板１０の時字１２および指針１１にそれぞれ設けられた発光部２１が紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光するので、文字板１０および指針１１を第２実施形態のものよりも明るく照明することができる。この場合にも、見切り部材１３が枠状の導光部１５と枠状の遮光部１６とを２色成形によって一体に形成した構成であるから、第１実施形態と同様、文字板１０および指針１１を制約することがなく、見切り部材１３を任意の自由な形状に形成することができ、これにより見切り部材１３の機能性およびデザイン性の向上を図ることができる。
【００２７】
なお、上記第３実施形態では、導光部１５の各突起片１５ａの上面に発光層２３を設けた場合について述べたが、これに限らず、例えば、図１２または図１３に示すように構成しても良い。すなわち、図１２に示された第１変形例は、リング状の導光部１５の上面全体、つまり導光部１５の各突起片１５ａを含むすべての上面に発光層２４を設けた構成になっている。この場合には、紫外線発光素子２０からの紫外線領域の光が導光部１５に照射されると、紫外線領域の光が導光部１５で導かれて導光部１５の上面全体に設けられたすべて発光層２４に照射され、これにより発光層２４が可視光線領域の光を発光して、文字板１０および指針１１をその全外周側から照明するので、文字板１０および指針１１に発光部２１を設けなくても、第１実施形態と同様、文字板１０および指針１１を明るく照明することができる。
【００２８】
また、図１３に示された第２変形例は、導光部１５の上面に記号や図形あるいは模様などの装飾層２５を設けると共に、この導光部１５の上面全体に装飾層２５を覆って発光層２６を設けた構成になっている。このような構成では、導光部１５に照射されて導かれた紫外線領域の光が装飾部２５を通して発光層２６に照射され、これにより発光層２６が装飾部２５の記号や図形あるいは模様などの装飾に応じて可視光線領域の光を発光するので、文字板１０および指針１１に発光部２１を設けなくても、文字板１０および指針１１をその全外周側から明るく照明することができると共に、装飾層２５によって装飾性の高いものを得ることができる。
【００２９】
さらに、上記第３実施形態およびその各変形例では、導光部１５の上面に発光層２３、２４、２６を設けたが、必ずしも導光部１５の上面に発光層２３、２４、２６を設ける必要はなく、導光部１５の下面に発光層２３、２４、２６を設けた構造でも良い。この場合、導光部１５の下面に設けられた発光層２３、２４、２６のうち、第１、第２変形例の発光層２４、２６は、紫外線発光素子２０に対応する個所を除いて、導光部１５の下面に設けられていることが望ましい。このような構造でも、第３実施形態およびその各変形例とほぼ同様の作用効果がある。
【００３０】
［第４実施形態］
次に、図１４〜図１６を参照して、この発明を指針式の腕時計に適用した第４実施形態について説明する。この場合には、図５〜図７に示された第２実施形態と同一部分に同一符号を付して説明する。
この指針式の腕時計は、導光部１５中に発光材３０を混入した構造で、これ以外は第２実施形態とほぼ同じ構造になっている。すなわち、この発光材３０は、第２実施形態の発光部２１と同様、紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光する物質からなっている。また、この発光材３０は、導光部１５中に混入される密度が紫外線発光素子２０の近傍で低く、紫外線発光素子２０から遠くなるに従って次第に高くなり、且つ突起片１５ａの密度が導光部１５のリング状の部分よりも高くなるように構成されていることが望ましい。なお、この場合には文字板１０および指針１１に発光部２１を設ける必要はない。
【００３１】
このような指針式の腕時計によれば、第２実施形態と同様、紫外線発光素子２０を発光させると、人間の目に見えない紫外線領域の光が見切り部材１３の導光部１５に照射され、この照射された紫外線領域の光が導光部１５で見切り部材１３に沿って導かれるときに、導光部１５中に混入された発光材３０が紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光するので、この発光した可視光線領域の光が見切り部材１４で囲われた領域内に向けて放出され、この放出された可視光線領域の光で文字板１０および指針１１を照明することができ、このため暗い所でも時刻を知ることができる。
【００３２】
この場合には、導光部１５中に混入された発光材３０の密度が、紫外線発光素子２０の近傍で低く、紫外線発光素子２０から遠くなるに従って次第に高くなっているので、導光部１５の内周面からほぼ均一な輝度で可視光線領域の光を放出することができ、これにより文字板１０および指針１１をほぼ均一な明るさで照明することができる。また、導光部１５の各突起片１５ａの密度が導光部１５のリング状の部分よりも高くなっているので、導光部１５の各突起片１５ａの輝度をその周辺部分よりも高くすることができ、これにより文字板１０の各時字１２に対応する部分を明るく照明することができる。この場合にも、見切り部材１３が枠状の導光部１５と枠状の遮光部１６とを２色成形によって一体に形成した構成であるから、第１実施形態と同様、文字板１０を制約することがなく、見切り部材１３を任意の自由な形状に形成することができ、これにより見切り部材１３の機能性およびデザイン性の向上を図ることができる。
【００３３】
［第５実施形態］
次に、図１７〜図１９を参照して、この発明を指針式の腕時計に適用した第５実施形態について説明する。この場合には、図１〜図４に示された第１実施形態と同一部分に同一符号を付して説明する。
この指針式の腕時計は、見切り部材１３の導光部１５に反射面３５をほぼ全域に亘って設けた構造で、これ以外は第１実施形態とほぼ同じ構造になっている。すなわち、この照明装置６は、見切り部材１３における１２時と６時とに位置する下側に可視光線領域の光を発光する発光ダイオードなどの発光素子１４を配置した構成になっている。
【００３４】
また、見切り部材１３の導光部１５には、図１９に示すように、発光素子１４からの光が入射する光入射部３６、およびこの光入射部３６から入射した光を見切り部材１３の内側に向けて放出する光放出部３７を除いて、反射面３５が全域に亘って蒸着やめっきによって設けられている。この場合、光入射部３６は、導光部１５の外周側の下面における所定個所、つまり発光素子１４と対応する１２時と６時とに位置する個所に設けられている。光放出部３７は、導光部１５の内側に位置する先端側の内周面の全域に亘って設けられている。
【００３５】
このような指針式の腕時計によれば、発光素子１４を発光させると、人間の目に見える可視光線領域の光が見切り部材１３の導光部１５の光入射部３６から入射し、この入射した可視光線領域の光が導光部１５で見切り部材１３に沿って導かれるときに、導光部１５の反射面３５で反射を繰り返しながら導かれ、この導かれた可視光線領域の光が導光部１５の先端側の内周面の全域に亘って設けられた光放出部３７から放出されるので、この放出された可視光線領域の光によって文字板１０および指針１１をその外周側から照明することができ、これにより暗い所でも時刻を知ることができる。
【００３６】
このときには、導光部１５の光入射部３６および光放出部３７を除いて、導光部１５の全域に亘って反射面３５が設けられているので、導光部１５に入射した光を反射面３５で反射を繰り返して導くことができ、これにより導光部１５に入射した光を損失することなく効率良く導くことができる。このため、導光部１５の先端側の内周面の全域に亘って設けられた光放出部３７から集中させて可視光線領域の光を放出することができ、これにより文字板１０をその全周側から明るく照明することができる。
【００３７】
この場合、見切り部材１３は、予め導光部１５を形成して、その表面に光入射部３６および光放出部３７を除いて反射面３５を蒸着やめっきなどにより形成し、この反射面３５が形成された導光部１５と遮光部１６とを一体に成形することにより、第１実施形態と同様、文字板１０および指針１１を制約することがなく、見切り部材１３を任意の自由な形状に形成することができ、これにより見切り部材１３の機能性およびデザイン性の向上を図ることができる。
【００３８】
なお、上記第５実施形態では、発光素子として、可視光線領域の光を発光する発光素子１４を用いたが、これに限らず、例えば第２実施形態と同様、発光素子として、紫外線発光素子２０を用い、文字板１０の時字１２および指針１１の先端部分に、紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光する発光部２１をそれぞれ設けた構成でも良い。このように構成すれば、紫外線発光素子２０で発光した人間の目に見えない紫外線領域の光が導光部１５の光入射部３６から入射してこの導光部１５で導かれるときに、第５実施形態と同様、導光部１５の反射面３５で反射を繰り返しながら導かれ、この導かれた紫外線領域の光が導光部１５の光放出部３７から放出されて文字板１０および指針１１に照射されるので、第２実施形態と同様、文字板１０の時字１２および指針１１に設けられた発光部２１が紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光し、この発光した可視光線領域の光によって文字板１０および指針１１を照明することができる。
【００３９】
また、これに限らず、例えば、第４実施形態と同様に、発光素子として紫外線発光素子２０を用い、且つ見切り部材１３の導光部１５中に、紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光する発光材３０を混入させた構造でも良い。この場合には、文字板１０および指針１１に発光部２１を設ける必要はない。このような構造では、紫外線発光素子２０で発光した紫外線領域の光が導光部１５の光入射部３６から入射すると、この入射した紫外線領域の光が導光部１５の反射面３５で反射を繰り返して導かれながら導光部１５中の発光材３０に照射されるので、この導光部１５中の発光材３０が紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光し、この発光した可視光線領域の光が導光部１５の反射面３５で反射を繰り返しながら導かれて導光部１５の光放出部３７から放出され、これにより文字板１０および指針１１を明るく照明することができる。
【００４０】
［第６実施形態］
次に、図２０および図２１を参照して、この発明をデジタル式の腕時計に適用した第６実施形態について説明する。この場合にも、図１〜図４に示された第１実施形態と同一部分に同一符号を付して説明する。
このデジタル式の腕時計は、腕時計ケース１内に収納された時計モジュール４０がデジタル機能を備えた構造で、これ以外は第１実施形態とほぼ同じ構造になっている。すなわち、この時計モジュール４０は、文字板１０および指針１１の表示部材に代えて、液晶表示素子４１をハウジング４２上に設けた構造になっている。
【００４１】
この液晶表示素子４１は、図２０に示すように、上下一対の透明な電極基板４３、４４間に液晶（図示せず）を封入し、上側の電極基板４３の上面と下側の電極基板４４の下面とにそれぞれ偏光板４５、４６を設け、下側の偏光板４６の下面に反射板４７を設け、上側の電極基板４３の両端部分をハウジング４２内に設けられた回路基板（図示せず）に電気的に接続した状態で支持し、この状態で一対の電極基板４３、４４間に選択的に電圧を印加することにより、時刻などの情報を電気光学的に表示するように構成されている。
【００４２】
この場合にも、時計モジュール４０は照明装置６を備えている。この照明装置６は、第１実施形態と同様、時計ガラス３とハウジング４２との間に位置する腕時計ケース１の内周面に沿って配置された見切り部材１３と、この見切り部材１３の１２時と６時とに位置する下側に配置された発光素子１４とを備えている。見切り部材１３は、第１実施形態と同様、ほぼ円形のリング状をなす枠状部材であり、光透過性樹脂からなる枠状の導光部１５と非透過性樹脂からなる枠状の遮光部１６とを２色成形によって一体に形成した構造になっている。また、発光素子１４は、白色光などの可視光線領域の光を発光する発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）または白色ランプなどで構成され、図２０に示すように、見切り部材１３の導光部１５の外周側における１２時と６時とに位置する下面に対応した状態でハウジング４２上に設けられている。
【００４３】
このようなデジタル式の腕時計によれば、第１実施形態と同様、発光素子１４を発光させると、人間の目に見える可視光線領域の光が見切り部材１３の導光部１５に照射され、この照射された可視光線領域の光が導光部１５で見切り部材１３に沿って導かれながら見切り部材１３で囲われた領域内に向けて放出されるので、液晶表示素子４１を照明することができ、これにより暗い所でも時刻などの情報を視認することができる。この場合にも、導光部１５は全体がほぼ円形のリング状に形成され、この導光部１５の上部外周に遮光部１６が導光部１５の内周部を露出させた状態で配置されているので、液晶表示素子４１をその全外周側から照明することができる。また、見切り部材１３が枠状の導光部１５と枠状の遮光部１６とを２色成形によって一体に形成した構成であるから、液晶表示素子４１を制約することがなく、見切り部材１３を任意の自由な形状に形成することができ、これにより見切り部材１３の機能性およびデザイン性の向上を図ることができる。
【００４４】
［第７実施形態］
次に、図２２および図２３を参照して、この発明を携帯電話機に適用した第７実施形態について説明する。この場合には、図２０および図２１に示された第６実施形態と同一部分に同一符号を付して説明する。
この携帯電話機は、図２２に示すように、合成樹脂製の機器ケース５０を備えている。この機器ケース５０は、上ケース５１と下ケース５２とを接合した構造になっている。この場合、上ケース５１の上面における上部側にはほぼ円形状の開口部が設けられ、この開口部には窓部に相当するほぼ円形の透明な保護ガラス５３が装着されており、この上ケース５１の上面における下部側には、電話機能に必要な各種のキー釦５４が設けられている。また、この機器ケース５０の上端面には、アンテナ５５が出没可能に取り付けられている。
【００４５】
この機器ケース５０の内部には、図２３に示すように、携帯電話機用のモジュール５６が収納されている。この携帯電話機用のモジュール５６は、携帯電話機能に必要な各種の部品を備えたものであり、ハウジング５７に電話に必要な情報を表示する液晶表示素子４１が保護ガラス５３に対応して設けられていると共に、保護ガラス５３の外周部に対応して照明装置６が設けられた構成になっている。この場合、液晶表示素子４１は、第６実施形態と同じ構造になっている。また、照明装置６は、第１実施形態と同様、保護ガラス５３の外周部とハウジング５７との間に配置された見切り部材１３と、この見切り部材１３の３時と９時とに位置する下側に配置された発光素子１４とを備えている。
【００４６】
見切り部材１３は、第１実施形態と同様、全体がほぼ円形のリング状をなす枠状部材であり、光透過性樹脂からなる枠状の導光部１５と非透過性樹脂からなる枠状の遮光部１６とを２色成形によって一体に形成した構造になっている。また、発光素子１４は、白色光などの可視光線領域の光を発光する発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）または白色ランプなどで構成され、図２３に示すように、見切り部材１３の導光部１５の外周側における３時と９時とに位置する下面に対応した状態でハウジング５７上に設けられている。
【００４７】
このような携帯電話機によれば、第６実施形態と同様、発光素子１４を発光させると、人間の目に見える可視光線領域の光が見切り部材１３の導光部１５に照射され、この照射された可視光線領域の光が導光部１５で見切り部材１３に沿って導かれながら見切り部材１３で囲われた領域内に向けて放出されるので、液晶表示素子４１を照明することができ、これにより暗い所でも液晶表示素子４１に表示された情報を視認することができる。この場合にも、導光部１５は全体がほぼ円形のリング状に形成され、この導光部１５の上部外周に遮光部１６が導光部１５の内周部を露出させた状態で配置されているので、液晶表示素子４１をその全外周側から照明することができる。また、見切り部材１３が枠状の導光部１５と枠状の遮光部１６とを２色成形によって一体に形成した構成であるから、液晶表示素子４１を制約することがなく、見切り部材１３を任意の自由な形状に形成することができ、これにより見切り部材１３の機能性およびデザイン性の向上を図ることができる。
【００４８】
なお、上記第６実施形態のデジタル式の腕時計、および第７実施形態の携帯電話機では、発光素子として、可視光線領域の光を発光する発光素子１４を用いたが、これに限らず、例えば第２実施形態と同様、発光素子として、紫外線発光素子２０を用い、液晶表示素子４１の上面には、紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光する発光部２１を表示領域を除いて設けた構成でも良い。この場合、発光部２１は、紫外線領域の光が照射されないときに、透明な状態を呈するものであることが望ましい。このように構成すれば、紫外線発光素子２０で発光した人間の目に見えない紫外線領域の光が導光部１５で見切り部材１３に沿って導かれながら見切り部材１３で囲われた領域内に向けて放出され、この放出された紫外線領域の光が液晶表示素子４１に照射されるので、この照射された紫外線領域の光に発光部２１が反応して可視光線領域の光を発光し、これにより液晶表示素子４１に表示された情報を視認することができる。
【００４９】
また、これに限らず、例えば、第３実施形態およびその第１、第２変形例と同様、発光素子として紫外線発光素子２０を用い、且つ見切り部材１３の導光部１５の所定個所、つまり導光部１５の突起片１５ａの上面のみに紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光する発光層２３を設けた構造でも良く、また導光部１５の上面全体に、紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光する発光層２４、２６を設けた構造でも良い。なお、導光部１５の上面全体に発光層２４、２６を設けた場合には、液晶表示素子４１の上面に発光部２１を設ける必要はない。
【００５０】
このような構造では、紫外線発光素子２０で発光した紫外線領域の光が導光部１５で導かれながら発光層２３、２４、２６に照射され、この発光層２３、２４、２６が紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光し、この発光した可視光線領域の光が見切り部材１３で囲われた領域内に向けて放出されるので、この放出された可視光線領域の光で液晶表示素子４１を照明することができ、これにより暗い所でも液晶表示素子４１に表示された情報を視認することができる。
【００５１】
また、これに限らず、例えば、第４実施形態と同様、発光素子として紫外線発光素子２０を用い、且つ見切り部材１３の導光部１５中に、紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光する発光材３０を混入させた構造でも良い。この場合にも、液晶表示素子４１の上面に発光部２１を設ける必要はない。このような構造では、紫外線発光素子２０で発光した紫外線領域の光が導光部１５に入射すると、この入射した紫外線領域の光が導光部１５で導かれながら、導光部１５中の発光材３０が紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光し、この発光した可視光線領域の光が見切り部材１３で囲われた領域内に向けて放出されるので、この放出された可視光線領域の光で液晶表示素子４１を照明することができ、これにより暗い所でも液晶表示素子４１に表示された情報を視認することができる。
【００５２】
さらに、これに限らず、例えば、第５実施形態と同様、導光部１５に反射面３５を光入射部３６および光放出部３７を除く全域に亘って蒸着やめっきによって設けた構造でも良い。このような構造では、発光素子１４で発光した可視光線領域の光が導光部１５の光入射部３６から入射し、この入射した可視光線領域の光が導光部１５で導かれるときに、導光部１５の反射面３５で反射を繰り返しながら導かれるので、導光部１５に入射した光を損失することなく効率良く導くことができ、このため導光部１５の光放出部３７から集中させて放出することができ、これにより液晶表示素子４１を明るく照明することができる。
【００５３】
なおまた、上記第１〜第７実施形態およびその各変形例では、見切り部材１３がほぼ円形のリング状に形成され、これに伴って導光部１５もほぼ円形のリング状に形成されている場合について述べたが、これに限らず、例えば四角形や五角形などの多角形のリング状に形成しても良く、また楕円形のリング状に形成しても良い。
また、上記第１〜第７実施形態およびその各変形例では、見切り部材１３の１２時と６時、または３時と９時との２か所に発光素子１４または紫外線発光素子２０を設けたが、必ずしも２か所に設ける必要はなく、１か所であっても良く、また３か所以上に設けていも良い。
【００５４】
さらに、上記第１〜第７実施形態およびその各変形例では、文字板１０および指針１１または液晶表示素子４１などの表示部材を囲む部材として、見切り部材１３を用いたが、必ずしも見切り部材１３である必要はなく、表示部材を囲む部材であれば枠状部材であっても良い。
また、上記第１〜第７実施形態およびその各変形例では、腕時計または携帯電話機に適用した場合について述べたが、これに限らず、例えば電子手帳、電子辞書、携帯端末機、パーソナルコンピュータ、印刷機などの各種の電子機器、または自動車の計器類などの各種機器、あるいはそれらの各部品に広く適用することができる。
【００５５】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、この発明によれば、光透過性樹脂からなる枠状の導光部と非透過性樹脂からなる枠状の遮光部とを２色成形によって一体に形成した枠状部材と、この枠状部材の前記導光部の外周側における所定個所に対応して配置された発光素子とを備えたことにより、発光素子で発光した光が枠状部材の導光部に照射されると、この照射された光が導光部で導かれながら枠状部材で囲われた領域内に向けて放出されるので、発光素子の光を枠状部材で囲われた領域内の表示部材に良好に照射することができ、このため発光素子が可視光線領域の光を発光すれば、暗い所でも表示部材を良好に照明することができ、また枠状部材が枠状の導光部と枠状の遮光部とを２色成形によって一体に形成した構造であるから、表示部材を制約せずに枠状部材を任意の自由な形状に形成することができ、これにより枠状部材の機能性およびデザイン性の向上を図ることができる。
【００５６】
この場合、発光素子が紫外線発光素子で構成され、枠状部材で囲われた領域内に表示部材が配置され、この表示部材に紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光する発光部が設けられていることにより、紫外線発光素子が人間の目に見えない紫外線領域の光を発光するが、この紫外線領域の光が導光部に照射されると、この照射された光が導光部で導かれながら枠状部材で囲われた領域内に向けて放出され、この放出された紫外線領域の光が表示部材に照射されるので、表示部材に設けられた発光部が紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光し、この発光した可視光線領域の光で表示部材を照明することができる。
【００５７】
また、発光素子が紫外線発光素子で構成され、導光部には紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光する発光層が設けられていることにより、紫外線発光素子が人間の目に見えない紫外線領域の光を発光するが、この紫外線領域の光が導光部に照射されると、この紫外線領域の光が導光部で導かれると共に、導光部に設けられた発光層が紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光するので、この発光した可視光線領域の光で表示部材を照明することができる。
【００５８】
また、発光素子が紫外線発光素子で構成され、導光部中には紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光する発光材が混入されていることにより、紫外線発光素子が人間の目に見えない紫外線領域の光を発光するが、この紫外線領域の光が導光部内に入射すると、この導光部で導かれながら導光部中に混入された発光材が紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光するので、この発光した可視光線領域の光で表示部材を照明することができる。
【００５９】
さらに、導光部には、発光素子からの光が入射する光入射部、およびこの光入射部から入射した光を枠状部材で囲われた領域の内側に向けて放出する光放出部を除いて、反射面が全域に亘って設けられていることにより、発光素子を発光させると、その光が導光部の光入射部から導光部内に入射し、この入射した光が導光部で導かれるときに、反射面で反射を繰り返して導かれ、この導かれた光が導光部の光放出部から枠状部材で囲われた領域内に向けて放出されるので、導光部に入射した光を損失することなく光放出部から放出させることができ、これにより発光素子の光を表示部材に効率良く照射することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この発明を指針式の腕時計に適用した第１実施形態を示した要部の拡大断面図。
【図２】図１の時計モジュールを示した正面図。
【図３】図２の見切り部材の発光状態を示した正面図。
【図４】図３の見切り部材のＡ−Ａ矢視における拡大断面図。
【図５】この発明を指針式の腕時計に適用した第２実施形態を示した要部の拡大断面図。
【図６】図５の時計モジュールを示した正面図。
【図７】図６の各指針をそれぞれ示した図。
【図８】この発明を指針式の腕時計に適用した第３実施形態を示した要部の拡大断面図。
【図９】図８の時計モジュールを示した正面図。
【図１０】図９の見切り部材の発光状態を示した正面図。
【図１１】図１０の見切り部材のＢ−Ｂ矢視における拡大断面図。
【図１２】見切り部材の導光部に設けられた発光層の第１変形例を示した要部の拡大断面図。
【図１３】見切り部材の導光部に設けられた発光層の第２変形例を示した要部の拡大断面図。
【図１４】この発明を指針式の腕時計に適用した第４実施形態を示した要部の拡大断面図。
【図１５】図１４の時計モジュールを示した正面図。
【図１６】図１４の見切り部材の要部を拡大した断面図。
【図１７】この発明を指針式の腕時計に適用した第５実施形態を示した要部の拡大断面図。
【図１８】図１７の時計モジュールを示した正面図。
【図１９】図１７の見切り部材の要部を拡大した断面図。
【図２０】この発明をデジタル式の腕時計に適用した第６実施形態を示した要部の拡大断面図。
【図２１】図２０の時計モジュールを示した正面図。
【図２２】この発明を携帯電話機に適用した第７実施形態を示した斜視図。
【図２３】図２２のＣ−Ｃ矢視における拡大断面図。
【符号の説明】
１ 腕時計ケース
２ 時計ガラス
３、４０ 時計モジュール
６ 照明装置
１０ 文字板
１１ 指針
１３ 見切り部材
１４ 発光素子
１５ 導光部
１６ 遮光部
２０ 紫外線発光素子
２１ 発光部
２３、２４、２６ 発光層
３０ 発光材
３５ 反射面
３６ 光入射部
３７ 光放出部
４１ 液晶表示素子
５０ 機器ケース
５３ 保護ガラス
５６ モジュール[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lighting device which is useful when applied to various devices such as a wristwatch, a mobile phone, and an instrument of an automobile, and an electronic device using the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in a wristwatch, a lamp such as a light-emitting diode (LED) that emits light in a visible light region visible to human eyes is provided at a predetermined position in a wristwatch case, and the lamp is turned on in a dark place to make a dial or a pointer. In some cases, the time can be known even in a dark place by illuminating a display member such as (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-022849
[0004]
In this type of wristwatch, a decorative member is provided at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock on a dial, LEDs are arranged on the back of the decorative member, and a dial is provided on the back of a light guide plate provided integrally with the dial. By providing a plurality of convex portions exhibiting a wavy decoration on the surface, the plurality of convex portions of the light guide plate increases the area where light from the LED is irradiated on the front of the dial, and enhances visibility by illumination. I have.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a wristwatch, since the LED is provided on the back side of the decorative member of the dial, not only the entire wristwatch becomes thick, but also the decorative member is provided on the dial, or the light guide plate is provided on the dial. Therefore, there is a problem that the dial is restricted, and a free design cannot be obtained. Further, in this wristwatch, the parting member arranged between the outer peripheral portion of the watch glass and the outer peripheral portion of the dial only plays a role of a parting function for regulating a range in which the dial can be seen through the watch glass. There is also a problem that the functionality and design of the member are lacking.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide a display member such as a dial that can be illuminated with light from a light emitting element through a frame member such as a parting member, and the functionality and design of the frame member without restricting the display member. It is to improve.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has the following components in order to solve the above problems.
In addition, to each component, reference numerals and the like of the drawings attached to each element described in the section of each embodiment described later are added together with parentheses.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 23, a frame-shaped light guide portion (15) made of a light-transmitting resin and a frame-shaped light shielding portion (16) made of a non-transparent resin are provided. (Parting member 13) formed integrally by two-color molding, and a light emitting element (light emitting element 14, ultraviolet light emission) arranged corresponding to a predetermined position on the outer peripheral side of the light guide section of the frame member. (20) An illumination device (6) comprising:
[0008]
According to the present invention, when the light-emitting element emits light, the light is applied to the light guide portion of the frame member, and the irradiated light is guided by the light guide portion into an area surrounded by the frame member. Since the light is emitted toward the display member in the region surrounded by the frame member, the light of the light emitting element can be satisfactorily irradiated.For example, if the light emitting element emits light in the visible light region, The display member can be satisfactorily illuminated even in a dark place, and the frame-shaped light guide portion made of a light-transmitting resin and the frame-shaped light-shielding portion made of a non-transparent resin are integrated by two-color molding. With this structure, the frame-shaped member can be formed into an arbitrary free shape without restricting the display member, whereby the functionality and design of the frame-shaped member can be improved.
[0009]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the light emitting element is constituted by an ultraviolet light emitting element (20), and a display is provided in an area surrounded by the frame-shaped member (partition member 20). A member (a dial 10 and a pointer 11) is arranged, and the display member is provided with a light emitting portion (21) that emits light in a visible light region in response to light in an ultraviolet region. Item 2. The lighting device according to item 1.
According to the present invention, since the light emitting element is constituted by the ultraviolet light emitting element, the light in the ultraviolet region invisible to human eyes is emitted. The emitted light is emitted toward the region surrounded by the frame member while being guided by the light guide portion, and the emitted light in the ultraviolet region is emitted to the display member. The light emitting section emits light in the visible light region in response to light in the ultraviolet region, and the emitted light in the visible light region can illuminate the display member.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 13, the light emitting element is constituted by an ultraviolet light emitting element (20), and the light guide section (15) reacts to light in an ultraviolet region. The lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising a light emitting layer (23, 24, 26) that emits light in a visible light region.
According to the present invention, since the light emitting element is constituted by the ultraviolet light emitting element, the light in the ultraviolet region invisible to human eyes is emitted. The light in the ultraviolet region is guided by the light guide portion, and the light emitting layer provided in the light guide portion emits light in the visible light region in response to the light in the ultraviolet region. The display member can be illuminated.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 14 to FIG. 16, the light emitting element is constituted by an ultraviolet light emitting element (20), and the light guide section (15) reacts with light in the ultraviolet region. 2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a luminous material (30) that emits light in a visible light region is mixed. 3.
According to the present invention, since the light emitting element is constituted by the ultraviolet light emitting element, it emits light in the ultraviolet region which is invisible to human eyes. The light-emitting material mixed into the light guide portion while being guided by the portion emits light in the visible light region in response to the light in the ultraviolet region, so that the display member can be illuminated with the emitted light in the visible light region. it can.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 5 is, as shown in FIG. 17 to FIG. 19, a light incident part in which light from the light emitting element (light emitting element 14, ultraviolet light emitting element 20) enters the light guide part (15). Except for (36) and the light emitting portion (37) that emits the light incident from the light incident portion toward the inside of the frame-shaped member (partition member 13), the reflecting surface (35) covers the entire area. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device is provided.
According to the present invention, when the light emitting element emits light, the light enters the light guide from the light incident portion of the light guide, and when the incident light is guided by the light guide, the light is reflected by the reflection surface. The light is repeatedly guided, and the guided light is emitted from the light emitting portion of the light guide portion toward the region surrounded by the frame member, so that the light incident on the light guide portion is emitted without loss. The light from the light emitting element can be efficiently radiated to the display member from the outer peripheral side thereof.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 6 includes, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 23, an equipment case (watch case 1, equipment case 50) that houses the lighting device (6) according to claim 1, and this equipment case. Is provided with a window (watch glass 2, protective glass 53), and a display member (a dial plate) disposed in an area surrounded by the frame-shaped member (partition member 20) of the lighting device corresponding to the window. The electronic device is characterized in that the device 10 and the pointer 11 or the liquid crystal display element 41) are arranged.
According to the present invention, similarly to the first aspect of the present invention, the display device can be favorably irradiated with the light of the light emitting element by the illuminating device, and the frame-shaped member is made of a light-transmitting resin. Since the light portion and the frame-shaped light-shielding portion made of a non-transmissive resin are integrally formed by two-color molding, the frame-shaped member can be formed into any arbitrary shape without restricting the display member. Thus, the functionality and design of the frame-shaped member can be improved.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pointer-type wristwatch will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a wristwatch of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing the timepiece module. This pointer-type wristwatch includes a wristwatch case 1 as shown in FIG. A watch glass 2 is mounted in the upper center of the watch case 1, and a watch module 3 is housed inside the watch case 1. A back cover 4 is attached to a lower portion of the watch case 1 via a waterproof ring 5.
[0015]
The timepiece module 3 has at least an analog function of an analog function and a digital function, and also has a lighting device 6. As shown in FIG. 1, a pointer shaft of an analog movement 8 provided in a housing 7. Reference numeral 9 protrudes upward through the through-hole 10a of the dial 10, and a pointer 11 such as an hour hand, a minute hand, or a second hand is attached to the upper end of the projected pointer shaft 9, and the pointer 11 moves above the dial 10. It is configured as follows. In this case, the dial 10 and the hands 11 constitute a display member for displaying time. Further, on the upper surface of the dial 10, hour characters 12 are provided at predetermined intervals along the peripheral edge.
[0016]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lighting device 6 of the watch module 3 includes a parting member 13 disposed along the inner peripheral surface of the watch case 1 located between the watch glass 3 and the housing 7. And a light emitting element 14 disposed below the parting member 13 at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. As shown in FIG. 1, the parting-off member 13 regulates a range in which the dial 10 can be seen through the timepiece glass 2. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the parting member 13 has a substantially circular ring shape. As a member, a frame-shaped light guide 15 made of a light-transmitting resin and a frame-shaped light-shielding part 16 made of a non-transmissive resin are integrally formed by two-color molding.
[0017]
In this case, the light guide portion 15 is formed in a substantially circular ring shape as a whole, and rectangular projections 15a are radially formed at predetermined positions, that is, at positions corresponding to the hour character 12, and each of the projections 15a is formed. The upper surface is formed as an inclined surface as shown in FIG. Further, the light-shielding portion 16 is also formed in a substantially circular ring shape, and with the inner peripheral portion of the light-guiding portion 15 and each projection piece 15a exposed, as shown in FIGS. And decorative portions 16a surrounding both sides and the outer peripheral side of the projecting piece 15a of the light guide portion 15 are formed at predetermined locations. In addition, the light emitting element 14 is configured by a light emitting diode (LED) or a white lamp that emits light in a visible light region such as white light, and as shown in FIG. Are provided on the housing 7 in a state corresponding to the lower surface of.
[0018]
According to such a wristwatch of the pointer type, when the light-emitting element 14 emits light, light in the visible light region visible to human eyes is radiated to the light guide portion 15 of the parting member 13, and the illuminated visible light region Since the light is emitted toward the area surrounded by the parting member 13 while being guided along the parting member 13 by the light guide part 15, the dial 10 and the pointer 11 are moved by the emitted light in the visible light region. It can be illuminated so that the time can be known even in dark places. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the entire light guide 15 is formed in a substantially ring shape, and a light shielding portion 16 is provided on the outer periphery of the upper portion of the light guide 15 so as to cover the inner periphery of the light guide 15. Since the dial 10 is arranged in an exposed state, the dial 10 can be illuminated from the entire outer peripheral side.
[0019]
At this time, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, rectangular projections 15a are formed radially at predetermined positions of the light guide portion 15, that is, at positions corresponding to the hour character 12, and the upper surfaces of these projections 15a are inclined. , The light guided by the light guide 15 can be concentrated and emitted from each of the projections 15a, thereby illuminating a portion corresponding to the hour character 12 brighter than its peripheral portion. And the time can be known clearly. The parting member 13 has a configuration in which a frame-shaped light guide 15 made of a light-transmitting resin and a frame-shaped light-shielding portion 16 made of a non-transmissive resin are integrally formed by two-color molding. In addition, the parting member 13 can be formed into an arbitrary free shape without restricting the hands 11, whereby the functionality and design of the parting member 13 can be improved.
[0020]
[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pointer-type wristwatch will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS.
This pointer-type wristwatch has a structure in which an ultraviolet light-emitting element 20 is used as a light-emitting element and a dial 10 and a pointer 11 are provided with a light-emitting portion 21, respectively, and other structures are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0021]
That is, the ultraviolet light emitting element 20 is configured by a light emitting element such as an ultraviolet light emitting diode (LED) or an ultraviolet lamp that emits light in an ultraviolet region having a wavelength of 365 to 385 nm (nanometer: nanometer is one billionth of a meter). Then, as shown in FIG. 5, it is provided corresponding to a lower part of the light guide part 15 of the parting member 13 at a predetermined location on the outer peripheral portion on the housing 7, for example, at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. The light-emitting unit 21 emits light in the visible light region in response to light in the ultraviolet region, and as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. Is provided.
[0022]
According to such a wristwatch of the pointer type, when the ultraviolet light emitting element 20 emits light, light in the ultraviolet region invisible to the human eye is irradiated on the light guide portion 15 of the parting member 13, and the light in the irradiated ultraviolet region is irradiated. The light is emitted toward the region surrounded by the parting member 14 while being guided along the parting member 13 by the light guide part 15, and the emitted light in the ultraviolet region is irradiated on the dial 10 and the pointer 11. . For this reason, the light emitting portions 21 provided on the hour character 12 of the dial 10 and the tip portion of the pointer 11 respectively emit light in the visible light region visible to the human eye in response to light in the ultraviolet region. The dial 10 and the hands 11 can be visually recognized by the light in the visible light region emitted at 21, so that the time can be known even in a dark place.
[0023]
Also in this case, rectangular projections 15a are formed at predetermined locations of the light guide section 15, that is, at locations corresponding to the hour character 12, and the upper surfaces of these projections 15a are formed on inclined surfaces. Light in the ultraviolet region can be concentrated and applied to the portion corresponding to the character 12, so that the light-emitting portion 21 of the character 12 and the light-emitting portion 21 of the pointer 11 can be sufficiently illuminated. You can know the time. Further, since the parting member 13 has a configuration in which the frame-shaped light guide portion 15 and the frame-shaped light shielding portion 16 are integrally formed by two-color molding, the dial 10 and the hands 11 are restricted as in the first embodiment. Without this, the parting member 13 can be formed into an arbitrary free shape, whereby the functionality and design of the parting member 13 can be improved.
[0024]
[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pointer-type wristwatch will be described with reference to FIGS. In this case, the same parts as those of the second embodiment shown in FIGS.
This pointer-type wristwatch has a structure in which a light-emitting layer 23 is provided at a predetermined position of a light guide portion 15 of a parting member 13, and is otherwise substantially the same as the second embodiment. In other words, the light emitting layer 23 emits light in the visible light region in response to light in the ultraviolet region, similarly to the light emitting unit 21 of the second embodiment, and the light guide corresponding to the hour character 12 of the dial 10. It is provided on the upper surface of each protruding piece 15 a of the portion 15. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, each projection piece 15a of the light guide section 15 has an upper surface formed on an inclined surface, and a concave portion 15b is provided on each of the inclined surfaces. Are provided respectively.
[0025]
According to such a wristwatch of the pointer type, similarly to the second embodiment, when the ultraviolet light emitting element 20 emits light, light in the ultraviolet region invisible to human eyes is irradiated on the light guide portion 15 of the parting member 13, The irradiated light in the ultraviolet region is guided by the light guide 15 along the parting member 13 and is emitted toward the region surrounded by the parting member 14 and corresponds to the hour character 12 of the dial 10. Each of the light emitting layers 23 provided on each of the projections 15a of the light guide section 15 is irradiated with light in the ultraviolet region guided by the light guide portion 15, whereby each light emitting layer 23 reacts to light in the ultraviolet region. And emits light in the visible light range. For this reason, both the light in the ultraviolet region and the light in the visible light region emitted from each light emitting layer 23 are emitted from the light guide portion 15 of the parting member 13.
[0026]
Therefore, the dial 10 and the hands 11 are irradiated with both light in the ultraviolet region and light in the visible light region, whereby the dial 10 and the hands 11 are illuminated with light in the visible light region, and Since the light emitting portion 21 provided on the hour character 12 and the pointer 11 respectively emits light in the visible light region in response to the light in the ultraviolet region, the dial 10 and the hand 11 are set to be smaller than those in the second embodiment. It can be brightly illuminated. Also in this case, since the parting member 13 has a configuration in which the frame-shaped light guide portion 15 and the frame-shaped light shielding portion 16 are integrally formed by two-color molding, the dial 10 and the hands are similar to the first embodiment. The parting member 13 can be formed in an arbitrary free shape without restricting 11, thereby improving the functionality and design of the parting member 13.
[0027]
In the third embodiment, the case where the light emitting layer 23 is provided on the upper surface of each of the projections 15a of the light guide 15 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the structure shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. You may. That is, the first modification shown in FIG. 12 has a configuration in which the light emitting layer 24 is provided on the entire upper surface of the ring-shaped light guide 15, that is, on all the upper surfaces including the respective protrusions 15 a of the light guide 15. ing. In this case, when the light in the ultraviolet region from the ultraviolet light emitting element 20 is applied to the light guide 15, the light in the ultraviolet region is guided by the light guide 15 and provided on the entire upper surface of the light guide 15. Since the light emitting layer 24 emits light in the visible light range and illuminates the dial 10 and the hands 11 from the entire outer peripheral side, the light emitting layer 24 is provided on the dial 10 and the hands 11. The dial 10 and the hands 11 can be brightly illuminated without providing the same as in the first embodiment.
[0028]
In the second modification shown in FIG. 13, a decoration layer 25 such as a symbol, a figure, or a pattern is provided on the upper surface of the light guide 15, and the decoration layer 25 is covered on the entire upper surface of the light guide 15. The light emitting layer 26 is provided. In such a configuration, the light in the ultraviolet region guided by the light guide 15 is irradiated to the light emitting layer 26 through the decorative part 25, whereby the light emitting layer 26 is provided with the symbol, figure, pattern, or the like of the decorative part 25. Since the light in the visible light region is emitted according to the decoration, the dial 10 and the pointer 11 can be brightly illuminated from the entire outer peripheral side thereof without providing the light emitting portion 21 on the dial 10 and the pointer 11. With the decorative layer 25, a highly decorative one can be obtained.
[0029]
Furthermore, in the third embodiment and its modifications, the light emitting layers 23, 24, and 26 are provided on the upper surface of the light guide 15, but the light emitting layers 23, 24, and 26 are not necessarily provided on the upper surface of the light guide 15. It is not necessary, and a structure in which the light emitting layers 23, 24, and 26 are provided on the lower surface of the light guide section 15 may be used. In this case, of the light emitting layers 23, 24, 26 provided on the lower surface of the light guide section 15, the light emitting layers 24, 26 of the first and second modifications are the same except for the portion corresponding to the ultraviolet light emitting element 20. It is desirable to be provided on the lower surface of the light guide 15. Even such a structure has substantially the same operation and effects as those of the third embodiment and its modifications.
[0030]
[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pointer-type wristwatch will be described with reference to FIGS. In this case, the same parts as those of the second embodiment shown in FIGS.
This pointer-type wristwatch has a structure in which a light-emitting material 30 is mixed in a light guide portion 15, and has almost the same structure as that of the second embodiment except for this. That is, like the light emitting portion 21 of the second embodiment, the light emitting material 30 is made of a substance that emits light in the visible light region in response to light in the ultraviolet region. The density of the light-emitting material 30 mixed into the light guide 15 is low near the ultraviolet light-emitting element 20, gradually increases as the distance from the ultraviolet light-emitting element 20 increases, and the density of the projecting pieces 15 a increases. It is desirable to be configured to be higher than the fifteen ring-shaped parts. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the light emitting portion 21 on the dial 10 and the hands 11.
[0031]
According to such a wristwatch of the pointer type, similarly to the second embodiment, when the ultraviolet light emitting element 20 emits light, light in the ultraviolet region invisible to human eyes is irradiated on the light guide portion 15 of the parting member 13, When the irradiated light in the ultraviolet region is guided along the parting member 13 by the light guide portion 15, the luminescent material 30 mixed in the light guide portion 15 reacts with the light in the ultraviolet region to emit light in the visible light region. Since light is emitted, the emitted light in the visible light region is emitted toward the region surrounded by the parting member 14, and the dial 10 and the pointer 11 are illuminated with the emitted light in the visible light region. You can see the time even in dark places.
[0032]
In this case, the density of the light emitting material 30 mixed in the light guide 15 is low near the ultraviolet light emitting element 20 and gradually increases as the distance from the ultraviolet light emitting element 20 increases. Light in the visible light region can be emitted from the inner peripheral surface with substantially uniform brightness, whereby the dial 10 and the pointer 11 can be illuminated with substantially uniform brightness. In addition, since the density of each protrusion 15a of the light guide 15 is higher than that of the ring-shaped portion of the light guide 15, the brightness of each protrusion 15a of the light guide 15 is higher than that of the peripheral portion. Thus, a portion of the dial 10 corresponding to each hourly character 12 can be brightly illuminated. Also in this case, since the parting member 13 has a configuration in which the frame-shaped light guide portion 15 and the frame-shaped light shielding portion 16 are integrally formed by two-color molding, the dial 10 is restricted as in the first embodiment. Without this, the parting member 13 can be formed into an arbitrary free shape, whereby the functionality and design of the parting member 13 can be improved.
[0033]
[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pointer-type wristwatch will be described with reference to FIGS. In this case, the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS.
This pointer-type wristwatch has a structure in which the light guide portion 15 of the parting member 13 is provided with the reflecting surface 35 over substantially the entire area, and has almost the same structure as that of the first embodiment except for this. That is, the illuminating device 6 has a configuration in which a light emitting element 14 such as a light emitting diode that emits light in the visible light region is disposed below the parting member 13 at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 19, the light guide 15 of the parting member 13 has a light incident part 36 into which light from the light emitting element 14 is incident, and a light incident from the light incident part 36 inside the parting member 13. The reflection surface 35 is provided by vapor deposition or plating over the entire area, except for the light emitting portion 37 that emits light toward. In this case, the light incident portion 36 is provided at a predetermined position on the lower surface on the outer peripheral side of the light guide 15, that is, at a position corresponding to the light emitting element 14 at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. The light emitting section 37 is provided over the entire inner peripheral surface on the distal end side located inside the light guide section 15.
[0035]
According to such a pointer-type wristwatch, when the light emitting element 14 emits light, light in the visible light region visible to human eyes enters from the light incident portion 36 of the light guide portion 15 of the parting member 13 and is incident. When the light in the visible light region is guided along the parting member 13 by the light guide 15, the light is guided while repeating reflection on the reflection surface 35 of the light guide 15, and the light in the visible light region is guided by the light guide. Since the light is emitted from the light emitting portion 37 provided over the entire inner peripheral surface on the distal end side of the portion 15, the dial 10 and the pointer 11 are illuminated from the outer peripheral side by the emitted light in the visible light region. This makes it possible to know the time even in dark places.
[0036]
At this time, since the reflection surface 35 is provided over the entire area of the light guide section 15 except for the light incident section 36 and the light emission section 37 of the light guide section 15, light incident on the light guide section 15 is reflected. The light can be guided repeatedly by the surface 35, and the light incident on the light guide 15 can be efficiently guided without loss. For this reason, light in the visible light region can be concentrated and emitted from the light emitting portion 37 provided over the entire inner peripheral surface on the distal end side of the light guide portion 15, whereby the dial 10 can be fully illuminated. It can be brightly illuminated from the peripheral side.
[0037]
In this case, the parting member 13 forms the light guide portion 15 in advance, and forms a reflection surface 35 on the surface thereof by vapor deposition or plating except for the light incidence portion 36 and the light emission portion 37. By integrally molding the formed light guide portion 15 and light shielding portion 16, the dial member 13 and the pointer 11 are not restricted and the parting member 13 can be formed into an arbitrary free shape as in the first embodiment. Thus, the functionality and design of the parting member 13 can be improved.
[0038]
In the fifth embodiment, the light emitting element 14 that emits light in the visible light region is used as the light emitting element. However, the light emitting element is not limited to this. For example, as in the second embodiment, the ultraviolet light emitting element 20 is used as the light emitting element. And a light emitting unit 21 that emits light in the visible light region in response to light in the ultraviolet region may be provided at the end of the hour character 12 and the pointer 11 of the dial 10. With this configuration, when light in the ultraviolet region that is invisible to human eyes and emitted by the ultraviolet light emitting element 20 enters from the light incident portion 36 of the light guide portion 15 and is guided by the light guide portion 15, As in the fifth embodiment, the light is guided while being repeatedly reflected on the reflection surface 35 of the light guide portion 15, and the guided light in the ultraviolet region is emitted from the light emission portion 37 of the light guide portion 15, and the dial 10 and the hands 11. As in the second embodiment, the hour character 12 of the dial 10 and the light emitting portion 21 provided on the pointer 11 emit light in the visible light region in response to light in the ultraviolet region, as in the second embodiment. The dial 10 and the pointer 11 can be illuminated by the light in the visible light region.
[0039]
The present invention is not limited to this. For example, similarly to the fourth embodiment, the ultraviolet light emitting element 20 is used as the light emitting element, and the visible light region in the light guide portion 15 of the parting member 13 reacts with the light in the ultraviolet region. A structure in which a light-emitting material 30 that emits light of this type is mixed may be used. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the light emitting portion 21 on the dial 10 and the hands 11. In such a structure, when light in the ultraviolet region emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element 20 enters from the light incident portion 36 of the light guide portion 15, the incident light in the ultraviolet region is reflected by the reflection surface 35 of the light guide portion 15. Since the light-emitting material 30 in the light-guiding unit 15 is irradiated while being repeatedly guided, the light-emitting material 30 in the light-guiding unit 15 emits light in the visible light region in response to light in the ultraviolet region. The light in the visible light region is guided while being repeatedly reflected on the reflection surface 35 of the light guide portion 15 and emitted from the light emission portion 37 of the light guide portion 15, whereby the dial 10 and the hands 11 can be brightly illuminated. it can.
[0040]
[Sixth embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a digital wristwatch will be described with reference to FIGS. Also in this case, the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS.
This digital wristwatch has a structure in which a clock module 40 housed in a watch case 1 has a digital function, and has almost the same structure as that of the first embodiment except for this. That is, the timepiece module 40 has a structure in which a liquid crystal display element 41 is provided on a housing 42 instead of the display members of the dial 10 and the hands 11.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 20, the liquid crystal display element 41 has liquid crystal (not shown) sealed between a pair of upper and lower transparent electrode substrates 43 and 44, and the upper surface of the upper electrode substrate 43 and the lower electrode substrate 44. Polarizing plates 45 and 46 are respectively provided on the lower surface of the upper electrode substrate 43, a reflecting plate 47 is provided on the lower surface of the lower polarizing plate 46, and both ends of the upper electrode substrate 43 are provided in the housing 42 in a circuit board (not shown). ) Are electrically connected to each other, and by selectively applying a voltage between the pair of electrode substrates 43 and 44 in this state, information such as time is electro-optically displayed. I have.
[0042]
Also in this case, the timepiece module 40 includes the lighting device 6. As in the first embodiment, the lighting device 6 includes a parting member 13 arranged along the inner peripheral surface of the watch case 1 located between the watch glass 3 and the housing 42, and a 12 o'clock position of the parting member 13. And a light emitting element 14 disposed at a lower side located at 6 o'clock. As in the first embodiment, the parting member 13 is a substantially circular ring-shaped frame member, and includes a frame-shaped light guide portion 15 made of a light-transmitting resin and a frame-shaped light shielding portion made of a non-transmissive resin. 16 are integrally formed by two-color molding. The light emitting element 14 is configured by a light emitting diode (LED) or a white lamp that emits light in the visible light region such as white light, and as shown in FIG. Are provided on the housing 42 in a state corresponding to the lower surfaces located at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock.
[0043]
According to such a digital wristwatch, as in the first embodiment, when the light-emitting element 14 emits light, light in the visible light region visible to human eyes is irradiated on the light guide 15 of the parting member 13. The illuminated light in the visible light region is emitted toward the region surrounded by the parting member 13 while being guided along the parting member 13 by the light guide part 15, so that the liquid crystal display element 41 can be illuminated. Thus, information such as the time can be visually recognized even in a dark place. Also in this case, the light guide section 15 is formed in a substantially circular ring shape as a whole, and the light shielding section 16 is arranged on the outer periphery of the upper part of the light guide section 15 with the inner periphery of the light guide section 15 exposed. Therefore, the liquid crystal display element 41 can be illuminated from the entire outer peripheral side. Further, since the parting member 13 has a configuration in which the frame-shaped light guide part 15 and the frame-shaped light shielding part 16 are integrally formed by two-color molding, the liquid crystal display element 41 is not restricted and the parting member 13 can be formed. The parting member 13 can be formed in any arbitrary shape, and thereby the functionality and design of the parting member 13 can be improved.
[0044]
[Seventh embodiment]
Next, a seventh embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a mobile phone will be described with reference to FIGS. In this case, the same parts as those in the sixth embodiment shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 22, the mobile phone includes a device case 50 made of synthetic resin. The device case 50 has a structure in which an upper case 51 and a lower case 52 are joined. In this case, a substantially circular opening is provided on the upper side of the upper surface of the upper case 51, and a substantially circular transparent protective glass 53 corresponding to a window is attached to the opening. Various key buttons 54 necessary for the telephone function are provided on the lower side of the upper surface of the 51. An antenna 55 is mounted on the upper end surface of the device case 50 so as to be able to protrude and retract.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 23, a module 56 for a mobile phone is housed inside the device case 50. The mobile phone module 56 includes various components necessary for the mobile phone function, and the liquid crystal display element 41 for displaying information necessary for the phone is provided in the housing 57 in correspondence with the protective glass 53. In addition, the lighting device 6 is provided so as to correspond to the outer peripheral portion of the protective glass 53. In this case, the liquid crystal display element 41 has the same structure as in the sixth embodiment. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the lighting device 6 includes a parting member 13 disposed between the outer peripheral portion of the protective glass 53 and the housing 57, and a lower part located at three o'clock and nine o'clock of the parting member 13. And a light emitting element 14 arranged on the side.
[0046]
As in the first embodiment, the parting member 13 is a frame-like member having a substantially circular ring shape as a whole, and includes a frame-shaped light guide portion 15 made of a light-transmitting resin and a frame-shaped light guiding portion 15 made of a non-transmissive resin. The light-shielding part 16 and the light-shielding part 16 are integrally formed by two-color molding. In addition, the light emitting element 14 is configured by a light emitting diode (LED) or a white lamp that emits light in a visible light range such as white light, and as shown in FIG. Are provided on the housing 57 in a state corresponding to the lower surface located at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock.
[0047]
According to such a mobile phone, as in the sixth embodiment, when the light emitting element 14 emits light, light in the visible light region visible to human eyes is irradiated on the light guide 15 of the parting member 13, and the light is emitted. Since the light in the visible light region is guided toward the region surrounded by the parting member 13 while being guided along the parting member 13 by the light guide portion 15, the liquid crystal display element 41 can be illuminated. Thereby, the information displayed on the liquid crystal display element 41 can be visually recognized even in a dark place. Also in this case, the light guide section 15 is formed in a substantially circular ring shape as a whole, and the light shielding section 16 is arranged on the outer periphery of the upper part of the light guide section 15 with the inner periphery of the light guide section 15 exposed. Therefore, the liquid crystal display element 41 can be illuminated from the entire outer peripheral side. Further, since the parting member 13 has a configuration in which the frame-shaped light guide part 15 and the frame-shaped light shielding part 16 are integrally formed by two-color molding, the liquid crystal display element 41 is not restricted and the parting member 13 can be formed. The parting member 13 can be formed in any arbitrary shape, and thereby the functionality and design of the parting member 13 can be improved.
[0048]
In the digital wristwatch according to the sixth embodiment and the mobile phone according to the seventh embodiment, the light-emitting element 14 that emits light in the visible light region is used as the light-emitting element. As in the second embodiment, an ultraviolet light emitting element 20 is used as the light emitting element, and a light emitting unit 21 that emits light in the visible light region in response to light in the ultraviolet light region is provided on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display element 41 except for the display region. Alternatively, a configuration may be used. In this case, it is desirable that the light emitting unit 21 be in a transparent state when the light in the ultraviolet region is not irradiated. With this configuration, the light in the ultraviolet region which is invisible to human eyes and emitted by the ultraviolet light emitting element 20 is guided along the parting member 13 by the light guide part 15 and directed toward the region surrounded by the parting member 13. The emitted light in the ultraviolet region is irradiated on the liquid crystal display element 41, and the light emitting unit 21 responds to the irradiated light in the ultraviolet region to emit light in the visible light region. The information displayed on the liquid crystal display element 41 can be visually recognized.
[0049]
Further, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, similarly to the third embodiment and the first and second modifications thereof, the ultraviolet light emitting element 20 is used as the light emitting element, and a predetermined portion of the light guide portion 15 of the parting member 13, that is, A structure in which a light-emitting layer 23 that emits light in the visible light region in response to light in the ultraviolet region may be provided only on the upper surface of the projecting piece 15a of the light portion 15 may be provided. A structure in which light emitting layers 24 and 26 that emit light in the visible light region in response to light may be provided. When the light emitting layers 24 and 26 are provided on the entire upper surface of the light guide section 15, it is not necessary to provide the light emitting section 21 on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display element 41.
[0050]
In such a structure, the light in the ultraviolet region emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element 20 is irradiated to the light emitting layers 23, 24, and 26 while being guided by the light guide portion 15, and the light emitting layers 23, 24, and 26 emit light in the ultraviolet region. And emits light in the visible light region in response to the light, and the emitted light in the visible light region is emitted toward the region surrounded by the parting member 13. The display element 41 can be illuminated, so that the information displayed on the liquid crystal display element 41 can be visually recognized even in a dark place.
[0051]
The present invention is not limited to this. For example, similarly to the fourth embodiment, an ultraviolet light emitting element 20 is used as a light emitting element, and the light guide section 15 of the parting member 13 reacts to light in the ultraviolet light area to emit light in the visible light area. A structure in which a light emitting material 30 that emits light is mixed may be used. Also in this case, it is not necessary to provide the light emitting section 21 on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display element 41. In such a structure, when the light in the ultraviolet region emitted by the ultraviolet light emitting element 20 enters the light guide 15, the light in the ultraviolet region is guided by the light guide 15, and the light in the light guide 15 is emitted. The material 30 emits light in the visible light region in response to the light in the ultraviolet region, and the emitted light in the visible light region is emitted toward the region surrounded by the parting member 13, so that the emitted light is emitted. The liquid crystal display element 41 can be illuminated with light in the visible light range, so that information displayed on the liquid crystal display element 41 can be visually recognized even in a dark place.
[0052]
Further, the structure is not limited to this. For example, as in the fifth embodiment, a structure in which the reflection surface 35 is provided on the light guide 15 over the entire area except for the light incident part 36 and the light emitting part 37 by vapor deposition or plating may be used. In such a structure, when light in the visible light region emitted from the light emitting element 14 enters from the light incident portion 36 of the light guide portion 15 and the incident light in the visible light region is guided by the light guide portion 15, Since the light is guided while being repeatedly reflected on the reflection surface 35 of the light guide section 15, the light incident on the light guide section 15 can be efficiently guided without loss, so that the light is concentrated from the light emitting section 37 of the light guide section 15. The liquid crystal display element 41 can be brightly illuminated.
[0053]
In the first to seventh embodiments and the modifications thereof, the parting member 13 is formed in a substantially circular ring shape, and accordingly, the light guide portion 15 is also formed in a substantially circular ring shape. Although the case has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be formed in a polygonal ring shape such as a square or a pentagon, or may be formed in an elliptical ring shape.
In the first to seventh embodiments and the respective modifications, the light emitting element 14 or the ultraviolet light emitting element 20 is provided at two places of the parting member 13 at 12:00 and 6:00, or at 3:00 and 9:00. However, it is not always necessary to provide them at two places, and they may be provided at one place or at three or more places.
[0054]
Furthermore, in the above-described first to seventh embodiments and the respective modifications, the parting member 13 is used as a member surrounding the display member such as the dial 10 and the hands 11 or the liquid crystal display element 41, but the parting member 13 is not necessarily used. There is no need to provide a frame member, as long as the member surrounds the display member.
Further, in the first to seventh embodiments and the respective modifications thereof, the case where the present invention is applied to a wristwatch or a mobile phone has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an electronic notebook, an electronic dictionary, a mobile terminal, a personal computer, printing The present invention can be widely applied to various electronic devices such as a machine, various devices such as an instrument of an automobile, and respective components thereof.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a frame-shaped member in which a frame-shaped light guide portion made of a light-transmitting resin and a frame-shaped light-shielding portion made of a non-transmissive resin are integrally formed by two-color molding. A light emitting element disposed corresponding to a predetermined location on the outer peripheral side of the light guide section of the frame-shaped member, so that light emitted from the light-emitting element is applied to the light guide section of the frame-shaped member. This emitted light is emitted toward the region surrounded by the frame member while being guided by the light guide portion, so that the light of the light emitting element is transmitted to the display member in the region surrounded by the frame member. When the light emitting element emits light in the visible light region, the display member can be illuminated well even in a dark place, and the frame-shaped member can be illuminated with a light guide part and a frame. The light-shielding portion is formed integrally by two-color molding, so that the display member is not restricted. The frame member may be formed into any desired shape, thereby making it possible to improve the functionality and design of the frame member.
[0056]
In this case, the light emitting element is constituted by an ultraviolet light emitting element, and a display member is disposed in a region surrounded by the frame-shaped member, and the display member emits light in the visible light region in response to light in the ultraviolet region. The ultraviolet light emitting element emits light in an ultraviolet region that is invisible to human eyes due to the provision of the light guide portion. When the light in the ultraviolet region is irradiated on the light guide portion, the irradiated light is guided. The light is emitted toward the region surrounded by the frame member while being guided by the light portion, and the emitted light in the ultraviolet region is irradiated on the display member. Light in the visible light region is emitted in response to the light, and the display member can be illuminated with the emitted light in the visible light region.
[0057]
In addition, the light emitting element is constituted by an ultraviolet light emitting element, and the light guide section is provided with a light emitting layer that emits light in the visible light region in response to light in the ultraviolet light region, so that the ultraviolet light emitting element is a human eye. When the light in the ultraviolet region is irradiated on the light guide portion, the light in the ultraviolet region is guided by the light guide portion and the light emitting layer provided in the light guide portion is invisible. Emits light in the visible light region in response to light in the ultraviolet region, so that the display member can be illuminated with the emitted light in the visible light region.
[0058]
Further, the light emitting element is constituted by an ultraviolet light emitting element, and a light emitting material that emits light in the visible light region in response to light in the ultraviolet light region is mixed in the light guide portion, so that the ultraviolet light emitting element is a human light. It emits light in the invisible ultraviolet region, but when the light in the ultraviolet region enters the light guide, the light-emitting material mixed into the light guide while being guided by the light guide is converted into light in the ultraviolet region. Since the light reacts and emits light in the visible light region, the display member can be illuminated with the emitted light in the visible light region.
[0059]
Further, the light guide portion excludes a light incident portion where light from the light emitting element is incident, and a light emitting portion which emits the light incident from the light incident portion toward the inside of the region surrounded by the frame member. When the light emitting element emits light because the reflection surface is provided over the entire area, the light enters the light guide from the light incident portion of the light guide, and the incident light is reflected by the light guide. When guided, the light is repeatedly reflected on the reflecting surface and guided, and the guided light is emitted from the light emitting portion of the light guiding portion toward the region surrounded by the frame-shaped member. The incident light can be emitted from the light emitting portion without loss, so that the light of the light emitting element can be efficiently applied to the display member.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pointer-type wristwatch.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing the timepiece module of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a light emitting state of the parting member of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the parting member shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a second embodiment in which the invention is applied to a pointer-type wristwatch.
FIG. 6 is a front view showing the timepiece module of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a view showing each of the hands in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a third embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pointer-type wristwatch.
FIG. 9 is an exemplary front view showing the timepiece module of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a front view showing a light emitting state of the parting member of FIG. 9;
11 is an enlarged sectional view of the parting member shown in FIG.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a first modification of the light emitting layer provided in the light guide part of the parting member.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a second modified example of the light emitting layer provided in the light guide part of the parting member.
FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a fourth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wristwatch of a pointer type.
FIG. 15 is a front view showing the timepiece module of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the parting member of FIG. 14;
FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a fifth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pointer-type wristwatch.
FIG. 18 is a front view showing the timepiece module of FIG. 17;
19 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the parting member of FIG. 17;
FIG. 20 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a sixth embodiment in which the invention is applied to a digital wristwatch.
FIG. 21 is an exemplary front view showing the timepiece module of FIG. 20;
FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a seventh embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a mobile phone.
FIG. 23 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 22;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Watch case
2 Clock glass
3,40 clock module
6 Lighting equipment
10 Dial
11 Guidelines
13 Parting-off members
14 Light-emitting element
15 Light guide
16 Shading part
20 Ultraviolet light emitting element
21 Light emitting unit
23, 24, 26 light emitting layer
30 Luminescent material
35 Reflective surface
36 Light incidence part
37 Light emitting part
41 LCD device
50 Equipment case
53 Protective glass
56 modules

Claims (6)

光透過性樹脂からなる枠状の導光部と非透過性樹脂からなる枠状の遮光部とを２色成形によって一体に形成した枠状部材と、
この枠状部材の前記導光部の外周側における所定個所に対応して配置された発光素子と
を備えたことを特徴とする照明装置。A frame-shaped member in which a frame-shaped light guide portion made of a light-transmitting resin and a frame-shaped light-shielding portion made of a non-transmissive resin are integrally formed by two-color molding;
A light-emitting element arranged corresponding to a predetermined position on the outer peripheral side of the light guide section of the frame-shaped member. 前記発光素子は紫外線発光素子で構成され、前記枠状部材で囲われる領域内には表示部材が配置され、この表示部材には紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光する発光部が設けられていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の照明装置。The light emitting element is constituted by an ultraviolet light emitting element, and a display member is disposed in a region surrounded by the frame-shaped member. The display member emits light in a visible light region in response to light in the ultraviolet region. The lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising a unit. 前記発光素子は紫外線発光素子で構成され、前記導光部には紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光する発光層が設けられていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の照明装置。2. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting device includes an ultraviolet light emitting device, and the light guide includes a light emitting layer that emits light in a visible light region in response to light in an ultraviolet light region. Lighting equipment. 前記発光素子は紫外線発光素子で構成され、前記導光部中には紫外線領域の光に反応して可視光線領域の光を発光する発光材が混入されていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の照明装置。2. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting device comprises an ultraviolet light emitting device, and a light emitting material which emits light in a visible light region in response to light in an ultraviolet light region is mixed in the light guide. The lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims. 前記導光部には、前記発光素子からの光が入射する光入射部、およびこの光入射部から入射した光を前記枠状部材の内側に向けて放出する光放出部を除いて、反射面が全域に亘って設けられていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の照明装置。The light guide portion has a light incident portion on which light from the light emitting element is incident, and a light emitting portion that emits light incident from the light incident portion toward the inside of the frame member, except for a reflection surface. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device is provided over the entire area. 請求項１に記載の照明装置を収納する機器ケースを備え、この機器ケースには窓部が設けられ、この窓部に対応して前記照明装置の前記枠状部材で囲われる領域内に配置された表示部材が配置されていることを特徴とする電子機器。An illumination device according to claim 1, further comprising a device case, wherein the device case is provided with a window, and is disposed in an area of the lighting device corresponding to the window in a region surrounded by the frame-shaped member. An electronic device, wherein a display member is disposed.
JP2002350651A 2002-12-03 2002-12-03 Illumination apparatus and electronic device using the same Abandoned JP2004184197A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2002350651A JP2004184197A (en) 2002-12-03 2002-12-03 Illumination apparatus and electronic device using the same
KR1020030086177A KR100580238B1 (en) 2002-12-03 2003-12-01 Lighting equipment and electronic apparatus using the same
TW092133782A TWI250390B (en) 2002-12-03 2003-12-02 Lighting device and electronic machine use the same
CNB2003101170764A CN1285930C (en) 2002-12-03 2003-12-03 Illumination device and electronic equipment using the same

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2002350651A JP2004184197A (en) 2002-12-03 2002-12-03 Illumination apparatus and electronic device using the same

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2007085983A (en) * 2005-09-26 2007-04-05 Yazaki Corp Measuring instrument
CN104252064A (en) * 2013-06-25 2014-12-31 株式会社电装 Vehicular display apparatus
US11556091B2 (en) 2019-02-25 2023-01-17 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Timepiece

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP6094025B2 (en) * 2011-09-30 2017-03-15 カシオ計算機株式会社 Pointer illumination device
JP6563981B2 (en) * 2017-06-29 2019-08-21 矢崎総業株式会社 Vehicle display device

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2007085983A (en) * 2005-09-26 2007-04-05 Yazaki Corp Measuring instrument
CN104252064A (en) * 2013-06-25 2014-12-31 株式会社电装 Vehicular display apparatus
CN104252064B (en) * 2013-06-25 2017-11-07 株式会社电装 Vehicular display device
US11556091B2 (en) 2019-02-25 2023-01-17 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Timepiece

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR100580238B1 (en) 2006-05-16
TWI250390B (en) 2006-03-01
CN1504779A (en) 2004-06-16
KR20040048823A (en) 2004-06-10
TW200424576A (en) 2004-11-16
CN1285930C (en) 2006-11-22

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