JP2008292658A - Illuminating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illuminating device capable of forming a columnar light (image), and also, having high utilization efficiency in terms of light emitted from a light source. <P>SOLUTION: The illuminating device includes: a light guide member formed of a transparent or translucent material; the light source for emitting the light to be made incident on the light guide member; a plurality of individual reflection surfaces formed on the light guide member, for reflecting the light emitted from the light source and made incident on the light guide member. The plurality of individual reflecting surfaces extend in a direction nearly perpendicular to the optical axis of the light source, and arranged in a direction inclined by a prescribed angle related to the optical axis of the light source so as to reflect the light emitted from the light source and made incident on the light guide member, then, the columnar light is generated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an illuminating device, and more particularly to an illuminating device that can form rod-shaped light (image) and has high utilization efficiency of light emitted from a light source.

Conventionally, a light-transmitting prism plate in which a plurality of prisms connected in an annular shape are formed periodically on one side surface, and a wedge-shaped shape extending in a divergent shape obliquely rearward at different positions for each light source Has been proposed (Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-35770 A

  However, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since a plurality of prisms are connected in an annular shape, rod-shaped light (image) cannot be formed. In addition, since the space between the light source and the prism is a space, the light emitted from the light source diffuses before reaching the prism, and there is a problem that the light use efficiency is not good.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an illuminating device that can form rod-shaped light (image) and has high utilization efficiency of light emitted from a light source. And

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a light guide member formed of a transparent or translucent material, a light source that emits light incident on the light guide member, and the light guide. A plurality of individual reflecting surfaces that are formed on the optical member and reflect light incident on the light guide member from the light source, and the plurality of individual reflecting surfaces with respect to the optical axis of the light source. It extends in a substantially orthogonal direction and is arranged in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis of the light source, and reflects light incident on the light guide member from the light source to thereby produce a rod-shaped light. It is made to appear.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, the light incident on the light guide member from the light source is reflected by the plurality of individual reflecting surfaces arranged in a direction inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis of the light source, thereby Light (real image) can appear.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the light emitted from the light source enters the light guide member, passes through the light guide member, reaches each individual reflection surface, and is reflected by each individual reflection surface. Thereby, rod-shaped light appears. That is, since the amount of light diffused while reaching each individual reflecting surface is reduced as compared with the conventional case, the light utilization efficiency can be improved.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, further comprising a reflecting surface that reflects the appearing rod-shaped light and creates a virtual image of the rod-shaped light.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the reflecting surface is provided, a plurality of rod-shaped lights can be visually recognized even if there is only one light source. That is, the light utilization efficiency can be further improved. Thereby, light source reduction and cost reduction are possible.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the light guide member includes a first plane on which at least light emitted from the light source is incident and a second plane orthogonal to the first plane. It is a substantially triangular prism shape defined by a plane and an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the second plane, and the plurality of individual reflecting surfaces are formed on the inclined surface, It arrange | positions in the state inclined by the predetermined angle with respect to the said inclined surface, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the rod-like light (real image) is reflected by the reflecting surface disposed in a state inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the inclined surface. It is possible to create a virtual image of rod-like light (real image) that is visually recognized. The virtual image of the rod-shaped light (real image) is visually recognized as being inclined in the opposite direction to the rod-shaped light (real image). That is, according to the third aspect of the invention, it is possible to create a new illumination (image) having a sense of depth so that the rod-shaped light (real image) and the rod-shaped light (virtual image) are visually recognized as three-dimensionally intersecting. It becomes possible.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a cross section of the plurality of individual inclined surfaces is any of a straight line, a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon. It is characterized by that.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, for example, by adopting an individual inclined surface having a straight section, it becomes possible to make bar-shaped light having emission intensity in a specific direction appear. In addition, for example, by adopting an individual inclined surface having a circular cross section, it becomes possible to make a bar-shaped light having a substantially uniform light emission intensity appear in a predetermined range.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a cross section of the reflecting surface is any one of a straight line, a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon. And

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, for example, by adopting a reflective surface having a straight section, it becomes possible to create a rod-shaped light (virtual image) having substantially the same shape as the rod-shaped light (real image). Further, for example, by adopting a convex reflection surface having a circular cross section, it becomes possible to create a rod-shaped light (virtual image) having a thicker shape than a rod-shaped light (real image). Further, for example, by adopting a concave reflecting surface having a circular cross section, it becomes possible to create a rod-like light (virtual image) having a shape narrower than the rod-like light (real image).

  The invention according to claim 6 is a light guide member made of a transparent or semi-transparent material that makes bar-like light appear by reflecting light incident from the light source, and a plurality of light reflecting the light incident from the light source. A plurality of individual reflecting surfaces extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the light source and arranged in a direction inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis of the light source; It is characterized by being.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the light incident on the light guide member from the light source is reflected by the plurality of individual reflecting surfaces arranged in the direction inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis of the light source, thereby Light (real image) can appear.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the light emitted from the light source enters the light guide member, passes through the light guide member, reaches each individual reflection surface, and is reflected by each individual reflection surface. Thereby, rod-shaped light appears. That is, since the amount of light diffused while reaching each individual reflecting surface is reduced as compared with the conventional case, the light utilization efficiency can be improved.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to provide the illuminating device which can form rod-shaped light (image) and has high utilization efficiency of the light which the light source emitted.

  Hereinafter, an illumination device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view for explaining the appearance of the illumination device of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of the illumination device shown in FIG.

  The illuminating device 100 is an illuminating device provided in various devices 200 such as a general illumination lamp, a vehicle backlight illuminating device, and a gaming machine. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a transparent or translucent synthetic resin or the like is used. A light guide member 10 made of a material, a light source 20 that emits light incident on the light guide member 10 (for example, a monochromatic or RGB three-color LED or an incandescent light bulb), a reflector 30 formed of a metal plate or the like. And a cover 40 formed of a material such as transparent or translucent synthetic resin.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the light guide member 10. FIG. 4 is a side view of the light guide member 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the light guide member 10 includes a first plane 11, a second plane 12 orthogonal to the first plane 11, and an inclination inclined by a predetermined angle a with respect to the second plane 12. It is formed in a substantially triangular prism shape having a substantially right-angled cross section defined by the surface 13.

  A light source 20 is disposed on the first plane 11 side, and light emitted from the light source 20 enters the light guide member 10 through the first plane. A plurality of individual reflecting surfaces 13a are formed on the inclined surface 13, for example, by cutting the inclined surface 13 at a predetermined pitch (for example, a constant interval of 0.2 mm). In addition, you may form the separate reflective surface 13a by cutting at a discontinuous space | interval.

  The individual reflecting surface 13a is a reflecting surface for causing bar-like light to appear by reflecting light incident on the light guide member 10 from the light source 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the individual reflecting surface 13 a extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis of the light source 20 (the width direction of the light guide member 10), and extends along the optical axis of the light source 20. It is arranged in a direction inclined by a predetermined angle a (0 to 90 degrees). The individual reflecting surface 13a is, for example, an inclined plane inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis of the light source 20. An individual plane 13b that is substantially parallel to the optical axis of the light source 20 is formed between the individual reflection surface 13a and the individual reflection surface 13a.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the light incident on the light guide member 10 from the light source 20 passes through the light guide member 10, reaches each individual reflection surface 13a, and is reflected by each individual reflection surface 13a. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, rod-shaped light L1 (real image) appears. When the point of view is placed on the second plane 12 side, the rod-shaped light L1 (real image) has a predetermined angle (with the optical axis of the light source 20 (or the second plane 12) as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B). The angle A) according to the angle a with the inclined surface 13 is visually recognized as being inclined. The inclination angle A of the rod-shaped light L1 (real image) can be adjusted by changing the angle a (see FIG. 2) between the optical axis (or the second plane 12) of the light source 20 and the inclined surface 13. .

  The reflecting plate 30 reflects the appearing rod-shaped light L1 (real image) by the reflecting surface 31 to create a virtual image. As shown in FIG. 2, the reflecting plate 30 (reflecting surface 31) is arranged in a state inclined by a predetermined angle b (0 to 90 degrees) with respect to the inclined surface 13. The reflecting plate 30 (reflecting surface 31) is formed, for example, by bending a metal plate so that the rod-shaped light L2 (virtual image) is formed at a position adjacent to the rod-shaped light L1 (real image). FIG. 7 shows that two rod-shaped lights L1 appear by the two light sources 20, and an example in which two reflecting surfaces 31 are arranged to create a virtual image at a position adjacent to each of the rod-shaped lights L1. It is.

  When the rod-shaped light L1 (real image) is reflected by the reflecting surface 31, a rod-shaped light L2 (virtual image) is created at a position adjacent to the rod-shaped light L1 (real image) as shown in FIG. The interval between the rod-shaped light L1 (real image) and the rod-shaped light L2 (virtual image) can be adjusted by changing the bending angle of the metal plate.

  This rod-shaped light L2 (virtual image) is placed at a predetermined angle (an angle b between the inclined surface 13 and the reflecting surface) as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B when the viewpoint is placed on the second plane 12 side. The corresponding angle B) is visually recognized as being inclined. This rod-shaped light L2 (virtual image) is visually recognized as being inclined in the opposite direction to the rod-shaped light L1 (real image).

  That is, when the viewpoint is placed on the second plane 12 side, the rod-shaped light L1 (real image) and the rod-shaped light L2 (virtual image) are visually recognized as two rod-shaped lights having a sense of depth that intersect three-dimensionally (FIG. 6). (See (A) and (B)).

  The inclination angle B of the rod-shaped light L2 (virtual image) can be adjusted by changing the angle b between the inclined surface 13 and the reflecting surface 31. When the inclination angle a and the inclination angle b (see FIG. 2) are matched, the inclination angles A and B of the rod-shaped light L1 (real image) and the rod-shaped light L2 (virtual image) are substantially the same.

  As described above, according to the illuminating device 100 of the present embodiment, the light guide member 10 is moved from the light source 20 to the light guide member 10 by the plurality of individual reflecting surfaces 13 a arranged in a direction inclined by the predetermined angle a with respect to the optical axis of the light source 20. By reflecting the incident light, it becomes possible to make the bar-shaped light L1 (real image) visually recognized as being inclined at an angle A corresponding to the predetermined inclination angle a. That is, according to the illuminating device 100 of this embodiment, it becomes possible to convert the point light emission by the light source 20 into the rod-shaped light L1 (real image) which is line light emission (substantially surface light emission).

  Moreover, according to the illuminating device 100 of this embodiment, the light emitted from the light source 20 enters the light guide member 10, passes through the light guide member 10, reaches each individual reflection surface 13a, and is reflected by each individual reflection surface 13a. . Thereby, rod-shaped light L1 appears. That is, since the amount of light diffused while reaching the individual reflecting surfaces 13a is reduced as compared with the conventional case, the light use efficiency can be improved.

  Moreover, according to the illuminating device 100 of the present embodiment, the individual reflecting surface 13a is an inclined plane (a reflecting surface having a linear cross section) inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis of the light source 20, and therefore emits light in a specific direction. It becomes possible to make the bar-shaped light L1 having an intensity appear.

  Moreover, according to the illuminating device 100 of this embodiment, since the reflective surface 31 is provided, even if there is one light source 20, it becomes possible to visually recognize a plurality of rod-shaped lights L1 and L2. That is, the light utilization efficiency can be further improved. Thereby, light source reduction and cost reduction are possible.

  Moreover, according to the illuminating device 100 of this embodiment, since the rod-shaped light L1 (real image) is reflected by the reflecting surface 31 arranged in a state inclined at a predetermined angle b with respect to the inclined surface 13, this predetermined inclination angle b. Accordingly, it is possible to create a rod-shaped light L2 (virtual image) that is visually recognized as being inclined at an angle B. This rod-shaped light L2 (virtual image) is visually recognized as being inclined in the opposite direction to the rod-shaped light L1 (real image). That is, according to the illuminating device 100 of the present embodiment, a new illumination (image) having a sense of depth is generated so that the rod-shaped light L1 (real image) and the rod-shaped light L2 (virtual image) are visually viewed as three-dimensionally intersecting. It becomes possible.

  Next, a modified example will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the individual reflecting surface 13a is described as an inclined plane (a reflecting surface having a linear cross section) that is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis of the light source 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a reflection surface having an elliptical cross section may be adopted as the individual reflection surface 13a. Alternatively, as the individual reflecting surface 13a, a reflecting surface having a circular cross section or a polygonal shape may be adopted. In this way, it is possible to cause the rod-shaped light L1 having a substantially uniform emission intensity in the predetermined range H to appear.

  In the present embodiment, the reflection surface 31 of the reflection plate 30 has been described as a flat surface (a reflection surface having a linear cross section), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, an elliptical reflecting surface having a concave or convex cross section may be adopted as the reflecting surface 31. Alternatively, although not shown, a reflective surface having a circular or polygonal cross section may be adopted as the reflective surface 31. For example, by adopting a convex reflecting surface having an elliptical cross section as the reflecting surface 31, it becomes possible to create a rod-shaped light L2 (virtual image) that is thicker than the rod-shaped light L1 (real image). It is also possible to adjust the interval between the rod-shaped light L1 (real image) and the rod-shaped light L2 (virtual image). Further, for example, by adopting a concave reflecting surface having an elliptical cross section as the reflecting surface 31, it becomes possible to create a rod-shaped light L2 (virtual image) having a narrower shape than the rod-shaped light L1 (real image). It is also possible to adjust the interval between the rod-shaped light L1 (real image) and the rod-shaped light L2 (virtual image).

  In the present embodiment, the inclined surface 13 has been described as having a plurality of individual reflecting surfaces 13a formed at a constant interval of 0.2 mm. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of individual reflecting surfaces 13a may be formed at a constant interval of 2 mm or 2 cm. In this way, as shown in FIG. 10, it becomes possible to make the dotted line-shaped light L1 appear.

  The above embodiment is merely an example in all respects. The present invention is not construed as being limited to these descriptions. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

It is a top view for demonstrating the external appearance of the illuminating device of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the illuminating device shown in FIG. 1 by AA '. 2 is a perspective view of a light guide member 10. FIG. 3 is a side view of the light guide member 10. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the rod-shaped light L1 (real image) which appeared. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship with the rod-shaped light L1 (real image) and L2 (virtual image) which appeared. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the illuminating device shown in FIG. 1 by BB '. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of the light guide member. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of the reflecting plate. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of the reflecting plate.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Light guide member, 11 ... 1st plane, 12 ... Plane, 13 ... Inclined surface, 13a ... Individual reflective surface, 13b ... Individual plane, 20 ... Light source, 30 ... Reflector plate, 31 ... Reflective surface, 40 ... Cover, 100 ... lighting device, 200 ... various devices

Claims (6)

A light guide member formed of a transparent or translucent material;
A light source that emits light incident on the light guide member;
A plurality of individual reflecting surfaces that are formed on the light guide member and reflect light incident on the light guide member from the light source;
With
The plurality of individual reflecting surfaces extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis of the light source, and are disposed in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis of the light source. An illuminating device characterized by causing bar-shaped light to appear by reflecting light incident on a light guide member.   The illumination device according to claim 1, further comprising a reflection surface that reflects the appearing rod-shaped light to create a virtual image of the rod-shaped light. The light guide member is defined by at least a first plane on which light emitted from the light source is incident, a second plane orthogonal to the first plane, and an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the second plane. The shape of a roughly triangular prism,
The plurality of individual reflecting surfaces are formed on the inclined surface,
The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the reflecting surface is arranged in a state inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the inclined surface.   The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a cross section of each of the plurality of individual inclined surfaces is any one of a straight line, a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon.   5. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a cross section of the reflecting surface is any one of a straight line, a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon. In a light guide member formed of a transparent or translucent material that makes bar-like light appear by reflecting light incident from a light source,
A plurality of individual reflecting surfaces for reflecting light incident from the light source;
The plurality of individual reflecting surfaces extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis of the light source and are arranged in a direction inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis of the light source. A light guide member for forming a rod-shaped light.

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