JP2004221042A - Spot illumination device using power led - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illumination device remarkably suitable for growing plants or the like, which has a simple structure and can condense lights in a spot shape while taking advantage of an LED light source. <P>SOLUTION: The device comprises an LED support body 2; a plurality of power LEDs 3 mounted on the LED support body 2 so as to face the light emitting surfaces in a prescribed axis L direction; a plurality of lenses 4 mounted on light emitting surface sides of the respective power LEDs 3, respectively; a lens holding body 5 for integrally holding the lenses 4; an advance/retreat mechanism 6 interposed between the lens holding body 5 and the LED support body 2, supporting the lens holding body 5 to the LED support body 2 rotatably around the axis L as a center and moving the lens holding body 5 forward and backward along the axis L direction accompanying its forward and backward rotating operations; and a rotation restraining mechanism 7 restraining the rotating operations of the lens holding body 5 into a plurality of angles respectively in which optical axes LR of the respective lenses 4 approximately match with optical axes LL of the respective power LEDs 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lighting device that can be suitably used as an artificial light source in a flower shop, a plant factory, or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, so-called plant factories have been established in various places to artificially create the best environment for growing vegetables, etc. within the factory, and scientifically manage and produce taste, nutritional value, hygiene, etc., and production has already been started on a commercial basis. Shipping has also begun.
[0003]
In such plant factories, the optimal environment is created by controlling the photoperiod, temperature, carbon dioxide, nutrient solution concentration, etc. In particular, artificial light sources include a fluorescent lamp and a halogen lamp. As such, LEDs are also used.
It is a well-known fact that florists and the like also use artificial light sources for purposes such as growing plants and displaying plants.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2003-59
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, conventionally, this kind of artificial light source illuminates not only plants but also the surroundings as well as ordinary lighting, and is extremely wasteful. Of course, it is also possible to irradiate only plants like a spotlight, as long as it emits light close to point emission such as a halogen lamp, but heat is generated on the irradiated surface, which is preferable for growing plants. In addition, there is a problem that the halogen lamp consumes a large amount of power with respect to the generated light amount. For example, when a halogen lamp is used in a flower shop or the like, the fact is that it is extremely inefficient to use the reflected light by once irradiating the wall with light due to the problem of the radiant heat.
[0006]
On the other hand, LEDs are preferable as artificial light sources in that they have high energy efficiency and hardly cause a problem of radiant heat. However, since the amount of light per LED is small, many LEDs are used to obtain a sufficient amount of light for growing plants. Must be spread. As a result, it is inevitable to use the light source as a surface emitting light source, and it is difficult to collect light in a spot. Of course, light can be condensed to some extent by laying out LEDs on a partially concave spherical surface, but the device becomes complicated, and the size of the plant changes according to its type and growth degree. The irradiation area cannot be adjusted.
[0007]
Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device which is capable of focusing light in a spot with a simple structure while utilizing the advantages of the LED light source, and which is very preferable for growing plants and displays. To do.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
That is, the present invention provides an LED support, a plurality of power LEDs mounted on the LED support with a light-emitting surface facing in a predetermined axial direction, a plurality of lenses provided on the light-emitting surface side of each power LED, and the lenses And a lens holder, which is interposed between the lens holder and the LED support, supports the lens holder rotatably around the axis, and rotates the lens holder in the forward and reverse directions. An advancing / retracting mechanism for advancing and retreating along the axial direction; and a rotation stopping mechanism for stopping the rotation of the lens holder at a plurality of angles at which the optical axis of each lens substantially coincides with the optical axis of each power LED. A spot lighting device using a power LED.
[0009]
With such a configuration, the optical axis of each lens and the optical axis of each power LED can be made to substantially match only by rotating the lens holder and stopping at a predetermined angle at which the rotation stopping mechanism operates. The light condensing function of these lenses enables spot illumination. Further, if the lens holder is rotated to the next predetermined angle, the distance between the lens and the power LED changes, so that the condensing angle of the lens changes and the irradiation area can be changed. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a spot illumination that can control an irradiation area, that is, directivity, with a simple structure, while taking advantage of an LED light source that has high energy efficiency and hardly causes a problem of heat. In addition, since a power LED having a large light quantity per one is used, the number of LEDs can be reduced as much as possible, and the size can be reduced.
[0010]
In order to be able to finely adjust the distance between the lens and the power LED in more steps, it is preferable that the power LEDs are arranged at equal intervals on a circumference around the axis. In such a case, by rotating by an angle between adjacent power LEDs, the optical axis of each lens and the optical axis of each power LED can be substantially matched. Of course, the power LEDs may be arranged in different modes, but in that case, from a predetermined angle at which the optical axis of each lens substantially coincides with the optical axis of each power LED, to a predetermined angle at which they next coincide, for example, Since it is necessary to rotate the lens holder by 360 degrees, it is difficult to finely adjust the distance between the lens and the power LED.
[0011]
As a specific embodiment for realizing the present invention with a simple structure, the advance / retreat mechanism uses a screw feed mechanism, and the rotation stopping mechanism is provided on one of the lens holder or the LED support. Alternatively, there may be mentioned one provided with a plurality of recesses and an elastic projection provided on the other side and fitted into the recess at the predetermined angle.
[0012]
In order to enable the illumination target to be illuminated from the surroundings, the illumination device further includes a reflector attached to the LED support, and the reflector is provided to face the power LED mounting area. And a primary reflection surface that reflects light emitted from the power LEDs and travels to the peripheral side, and is provided around the primary reflection surface, and reflects light reflected by the primary reflection surface toward the illumination direction. It is desirable to have a secondary reflection surface.
[0013]
More preferably, the reflector is configured to be detachable from the LED support.
[0014]
In a plant factory, shelves are stacked in layers, and lettuce and other plants are grown on the shelves. Therefore, the distance between the plant and the light source is very short. Specifically, a separation distance of only about 30 cm to 40 cm can be taken. Under such circumstances, in order to uniformly irradiate the light from the plant, that is, from above and from the surroundings, the maximum effective diameter of the secondary reflection surface is set to be substantially the same as or larger than the irradiation target. In addition, it is preferable that the light reflected by the secondary reflection surface is irradiated so as to cover the illumination target object from above and from the surroundings.
[0015]
Specifically, the maximum effective diameter of the secondary reflecting surface is set to be the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of the illumination target, and the light reflected by the secondary reflecting surface has a diameter substantially the same or What is necessary is just to set it so that it may irradiate an illumination object, making it small.
In order to adjust the overall color tone of the illumination light, it is desirable that only the light color of the power LED arranged on the axis be different from those of the other power LEDs. In that case, it is more preferable that the light emitted from the power LED on the axis covers substantially the entire illumination area.
[0016]
The advancing / retracting mechanism may be a mechanism that supports the lens holder so as to be able to advance and retreat along the axis while keeping the optical axis of each lens substantially coincident with the optical axis of each power LED. It is preferable to provide an advance / retreat stopping mechanism for stopping the advance / retreat operation of the holder at a desired position.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
1 to 3 are overall views showing the internal structure of the spot lighting device 1 according to the present embodiment.
[0019]
The spot lighting device 1 includes an LED support 2, a plurality of power LEDs 3 mounted on the LED support 2 via a wiring board 9, a plurality of lenses 4 provided on the light emitting surface side of each power LED 3, A lens holder 5 for integrally holding the lenses 4, a lens holder 5 interposed between the lens holder 5 and the LED support 2, and the lens holder 5 rotatable about the axis L of the LED support 2. An advancing / retracting mechanism 6 for supporting and advancing / retreating in the direction of the axis L in accordance with the forward / reverse rotation thereof; and the optical axis LR of each lens 4 for the rotation of the lens holder 5 to the optical axis LL of each power LED 3. And a rotation stopping mechanism 7 for stopping at a plurality of angles corresponding to the above.
[0020]
Each part will be described in detail.
[0021]
The LED support 2 is made of a columnar metal and has fins 21 for heat radiation formed on the outer periphery. In addition, a bottomed hole 22 having a circular cross section opened at one end surface is formed, and a wiring board 9 for mounting the power LED 3 can be attached to the bottom surface of the bottomed hole 22.
[0022]
The power LED 3 includes one or a plurality of LED elements (not shown) and a transparent exterior member 31 that molds the LED element and refracts light emitted from the LED element to provide directivity that spreads at a predetermined angle. . The power LED 3 is defined as a device capable of passing a current of about 250 mA or more, and can emit a much larger amount of light than a normal LED. In the present embodiment, six power LEDs 3 are provided on one surface of the wiring board 9, and the light emitting surfaces thereof are all directed to the axis L direction. More specifically, one power LED 3 is disposed on the axis L, and the remaining five power LEDs 3 are disposed at equal intervals, that is, every 72 degrees on a circumference around the axis L. are doing. In the present embodiment, only the emission color of the power LED 3 arranged on the axis L is different from the others. For example, the emission color of the power LED 3 on the axis L is blue, and the others are red.
[0023]
The lens 4 is a convex lens formed of a transparent resin or glass, and is integrally held by the lens holder 5 in the same number as the power LEDs 3 in the same arrangement.
[0024]
In the present embodiment, the lens holder 5 is formed integrally with the lens 4 and includes a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 51 and a plate-shaped portion 52 provided orthogonal to the peripheral wall portion 51. The plurality of lenses 4 are integrally formed on the plate-shaped portion 52.
[0025]
The advance / retreat mechanism 6 has a screw feed structure. In the present embodiment, a screw groove 61 provided on the inner periphery of the bottomed hole 22 and a screw groove 62 provided on the outer periphery of the lens holder 5 are formed. It is constituted by combination. By rotating the lens holder 5 forward and backward, the lens 4 is moved between the closest position (shown in FIG. 1) where the lens 4 is closest to the power LED 3 and the farthest position (shown in FIG. 2) where the lens 4 is farthest. It can be advanced and retracted along the axis L direction.
[0026]
The rotation stopping mechanism 7 includes a plurality of concave portions 71 provided on the outer periphery of the lens holder 5 and an elastic protrusion 72 projecting from the inner periphery of the bottomed portion 22 of the LED support 2. The concave portions 71 have a bottomed groove shape, for example, and the same number as the power LEDs 3 arranged on the circumference are formed at equal intervals, that is, every 72 degrees. The elastic protruding portion 72 includes a ball 721 fitted into a through hole 2 a provided on the outer wall of the LED support 2 so as to be orthogonal to the axis L, and a leaf spring for elastically biasing the ball 721 inward from the outside. And the elastic body 722 of FIG. A part of the ball 721 can be fitted into the concave portion 71, and the ball 721 is fitted into each concave portion 71, thereby stopping the rotation of the lens holder 5. At that position, the optical axis LR of each lens 4 is set to coincide with the optical axis LL of each power LED 3. On the other hand, when a torque equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied to the lens holder 5 from the coincident position, the ball 721 comes off the concave portion 71, is pushed by the outer peripheral surface of the lens holder 5, and is buried in the through-hole 2a. Is configured to be able to be rotated.
[0027]
Therefore, in such a case, the optical axis LR of each lens 4 and the optical axis L of each power LED 3 coincide with each other simply by rotating the lens holder 5 and stopping at a predetermined angle at which the rotation stopping mechanism 7 operates. Therefore, spot illumination can be performed by the light condensing function of the lenses 4. Further, if the lens holder 5 is rotated to an angle at which the ball 721 fits into the next concave portion 71, the distance between the lens 4 and the power LED 3 changes. Gender can be changed. In the present embodiment, the illumination light is set so as to spread slightly even at the farthest position where the directivity is strongest.
[0028]
That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a spot illumination that can change the irradiation area with a simple structure, while taking advantage of the advantage of the LED light source that the energy efficiency is high and the problem of radiant heat hardly occurs. When this device 1 is used as an artificial light source for plants, light can be irradiated only to the plants, so that there is no waste. Moreover, the size of the plants changes depending on the type and the degree of growth. Since the irradiation area can be changed in accordance with this, it is very suitable for plant growing, plant display, and the like.
[0029]
Further, since the power LED 3 having a large light quantity per one is used, the number of LEDs can be reduced as much as possible, so that the size and the price can be reduced.
[0030]
Further, in the present embodiment, the power LEDs 3 are arranged at equal intervals on a circumference around the axis L, and the lens holder 5 is rotated by an angle between the adjacent power LEDs 3 so that the lens optical axis is rotated. Since the LR and the optical axis LL of the LED 3 can be matched, the distance between the lens 4 and the power LED 3 can be finely adjusted in multiple steps, and the irradiation area and directivity can be finely controlled.
[0031]
<Second embodiment>
[0032]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The members corresponding to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0033]
The illumination device 1 according to the present embodiment further includes a reflector 8 removably attached to the LED support 2 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in addition to the configuration according to the first embodiment. Things.
[0034]
The reflector 8 includes a primary reflection element 81 provided in front of a mounting area of the power LED 3 and a secondary reflection element 82 provided around the LED support 2. The primary reflecting element 81 has a conical shape with the tip set on the axis facing the power LED 3, and reflects light emitted from each power LED 3 by the primary reflecting surface 8 a set on the outer peripheral surface thereof. To move to the surrounding side. The secondary reflecting element 82 has a shape of a hollow truncated cone that gradually opens toward the illumination direction, and its inner peripheral surface surrounds the primary reflecting surface 8a and is reflected by the primary reflecting surface 8a. It is configured to serve as a secondary reflection surface 8b that reflects light toward the illumination direction. The front end surface of the secondary reflection element 82 on the expanding side is covered with a transparent plate 83 such as a glass plate. The primary reflection element 81 is disposed at the center of the transparent plate 83 so as to extend toward the power LED 3. are doing.
[0035]
On the other hand, with respect to the angles and the sizes of the reflection surfaces 8a and 8b, for example, the light passing through the lens 4 from each of the power LEDs 3 is substantially at an arbitrary position between the closest position and the farthest position. It is set so that all the light is radiated to the primary reflecting surface 8a, and almost all the light reflected by the primary reflecting surface 8a is reflected by the secondary reflecting surface 8b. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the lens 4 is brought to the closest position (as shown in FIG. 4) by setting the angles of the reflecting surfaces 8a and 8b, the light reflected by the secondary reflecting surface 8b is parallel or slightly reflected. When the lens 4 is located at the most distant position (shown in FIG. 5), the light reflected by the secondary reflection surface 8b is configured to travel while narrowing, and the light is emitted from the central LED 3. The reflected light is split at the tip of the first reflection surface 8a and covers substantially the entire illumination area.
[0036]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the reflector 8 enables illumination from a large surface, and illuminates the illumination target object so as to wrap around from the surroundings even when the distance to the illumination target object is short as in a plant factory. be able to. Specifically, for example, when the illumination target is a hemisphere such as a cyclamen seedling, lettuce, or cabbage, the size of the secondary reflecting surface 8b is set to be equal to or slightly larger than the diameter at which the seedling has become the largest. By setting the maximum effective diameter, it becomes possible to change the irradiation area in accordance with the growth of the plant and to effectively illuminate the surrounding area.
[0037]
In addition, since the light emitted from the central LED 3 having a different color extends over substantially the entire illumination area, the overall color tone of the illumination light can be adjusted only by adjusting the emission intensity of the LED. It is also preferable for plant displays, plant growing lighting, and the like.
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
[0038]
For example, the power LEDs need not all be arranged on the same surface, and may be arranged so that their heights differ in the axial direction. In addition, each power LED may have a reflector around its LED element, or a reflector may be arranged around each power LED so that the directivity of light emitted from the power LED is narrowed in advance. It is more preferable in terms of efficiency if almost all light emitted from the power LED is irradiated to the lens from the approach position to the farthest position. Of course, the number, arrangement, and the like of the power LEDs are not limited to the above embodiment, and the color of the illumination light may be variously changed using a power LED having a plurality of LED elements having different colors.
[0039]
Further, the rotation stopping mechanism is not limited to the one using the ball plunger, but may use a magnetic force or a latch mechanism. Further, at the position where the rotation is stopped by the rotation stopping mechanism, the optical axis of each lens does not necessarily need to be set so as to completely coincide with the optical axis of each power LED. By setting the lens closer to or farther away from the power LED, the optical axis of the light emitted from the power LED may be slightly bent by the lens so that the directivity is different.
[0040]
In addition, the advancing / retracting mechanism supports the lens holder so that only the sliding (advancing / retracting) is possible along the axis while keeping the optical axis of each lens substantially coincident with the optical axis of each power LED. But it doesn't matter. In this case, it is preferable to provide a forward / backward stopping mechanism for stopping the forward / backward movement of the lens holder at a desired position.
[0041]
Further, the primary reflecting surface and the secondary reflecting surface of the reflector may be not only a conical surface or a conical concave surface but also a partial spherical surface or a partial concave spherical surface, or a plurality of three-dimensional surfaces (for example, hemispherical surfaces) are arranged in parallel in a matrix. It may be something like that.
[0042]
Of course, the present lighting device may be used not only for growing plants in a plant factory, but also in a flower shop or the like, and it is needless to say that the lighting device can be applied to uses other than plants.
[0043]
In addition, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the optical axis of each lens and the optical axis of each power LED substantially coincide with each other simply by rotating the lens holder and stopping at a predetermined angle at which the rotation stopping mechanism operates. Therefore, spot illumination is enabled by the light condensing function of the lenses. Further, if the lens holder is rotated to the next predetermined angle, the distance between the lens and the power LED changes, so that the condensing angle of the lens changes and the irradiation area can be changed. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a spot illumination that can control an irradiation area, that is, directivity, with a simple structure, while taking advantage of an LED light source that has high energy efficiency and hardly causes a problem of heat. Further, since a power LED having a large light quantity per one is used, the number of LEDs can be reduced as much as possible, and the size and the price can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an entire side view of a lighting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is partially broken.
FIG. 2 is an entire side view of the illumination device according to the embodiment, with a part cut away.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an entire side view of a lighting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which is partially broken.
FIG. 5 is an entire side view of the lighting device according to the embodiment, with a part broken away.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Spot lighting device 2 ... LED support 3 ... Power LED
4 Lens 5 Lens Holder 6 Retracting Mechanism 7 Rotation Stopping Mechanism 71 Recess 72 Resilient Protrusion 8 Reflector 8 a Primary Reflective Surface 8b: secondary reflection surface L: axis LR: lens optical axis LL: LED optical axis

Claims (8)

An LED support, a plurality of power LEDs mounted on the LED support with a light emitting surface facing in a predetermined axial direction, a plurality of lenses provided on a light emitting surface side of each power LED, and the lenses are integrally held. A lens holder, interposed between the lens holder and the LED support, supporting the lens holder rotatably about the axis with respect to the LED support, and with the forward / reverse rotation operation thereof. An advancing / retracting mechanism for advancing and retreating along the axial direction, and a rotation stopping mechanism for stopping the rotation of the lens holder at a plurality of angles at which the optical axis of each lens substantially matches the optical axis of each power LED. A spot lighting device using a power LED. The spot lighting device using a power LED according to claim 1, wherein the power LEDs are arranged at equal intervals on a circumference around the axis. The advancing / retracting mechanism forms a screw feed structure, and the rotation stopping mechanism fits at one or a plurality of recesses provided on one of the lens holder or the LED support and the recess provided on the other at the predetermined angle. 3. A spot lighting device using a power LED according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an elastic protruding portion. A reflector mounted on the LED support, wherein the reflector is provided to face the power LED mounting area, reflects light emitted from the power LED, and travels to the side. 4. A primary reflecting surface to be provided, and a secondary reflecting surface provided around the primary reflecting surface and reflecting light reflected by the primary reflecting surface toward an illumination direction. 5. A spot lighting device using the power LED described in the above. The spot lighting device using a power LED according to claim 4, wherein the reflector is configured to be detachable from the LED support. The maximum effective diameter of the secondary reflection surface is set to be substantially the same as or larger than the irradiation object, so that light reflected by the secondary reflection surface wraps around the illumination object from above and around. The spot lighting device using the power LED according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the spot lighting device is configured to irradiate the spot light. 7. The spot lighting device using a power LED according to claim 1, wherein only the emission color of the power LED arranged on the axis is different from those of the other power LEDs. An LED support, a plurality of power LEDs mounted on the LED support with a light emitting surface facing in a predetermined axial direction, a plurality of lenses provided on a light emitting surface side of each power LED, and the lenses are integrally held. The lens holder is disposed between the lens holder and the LED support, and the lens holder is moved along the axis while keeping the optical axis of each lens coincident with the optical axis of each power LED. An advance / retreat mechanism for supporting the lens holder so as to be able to advance and retreat, and an advance / retreat stopping mechanism for stopping the advance / retreat operation of the lens holder at a desired position. A spot lighting device for growing plants using a power LED, characterized in that:

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