JP2010062108A - Illumination cooling system, and refrigerator used for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illumination cooling system for efficiently cooling a semiconductor laser used as an excitation light source, and to provide a refrigerator used for such an illumination cooling system. <P>SOLUTION: The illumination cooling system includes a vessel 3 incorporating a semiconductor laser that is an excitation light source for emitting the exciting light, a wavelength conversion section 10 that absorbs at least a part of the exciting light emitted from the excitation light source to emit the light with different wavelengths, and fiber optics 8, 9 each of which is connected with the wavelength conversion section 10 at one end to guide the exciting light from the excitation light source to the wavelength conversion section 10. The vessel 3 is mounted at a chiller 2A within a refrigerator 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination cooling system and a refrigerator used in the illumination cooling system, and more particularly to an illumination cooling system using a semiconductor laser as an excitation light source and a refrigerator capable of cooling the excitation light source.

It is said that lighting equipment consumes about 16% of the power consumed by ordinary households.
It is very effective to reduce energy consumption as a countermeasure against environmental problems, especially global warming. Therefore, in recent years, solid-state illumination using LEDs (light emitting diodes) and organic ELs has begun to attract attention. Solid-state lighting has low power consumption and long life, so it can greatly reduce energy consumption, and it is compact, resource-saving, mercury-free, and the emitted light does not contain infrared or ultraviolet rays. And is promising as a lighting fixture.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a light distribution unit, a lighting unit, and a lighting system using semiconductor light emitting elements such as LEDs.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-71870

  The luminous efficiency of white LEDs as a light source for solid state lighting fixtures is improving year by year. At present, there is a report that 150 lm / W, which exceeds the luminous efficiency (80 to 100 lm / W) of the fluorescent lamp, has been achieved, and the energy saving effect is greatly expected.

  However, although the light emitted from the white LED does not include infrared rays, which are heat rays, there is a problem that the LED element itself generates a large amount of heat, which causes the LED element itself, which is an excitation light source, to decrease in internal quantum efficiency. Cause a lifespan. For this reason, solid-state lighting using LEDs is said to have a high frequency of replacement of luminaires because the intensity of light obtained as illumination light will be reduced or the life of the light source will be shortened unless sufficient cooling is performed. The problem is known.

  As described above, the LED illumination is expected to have a large energy saving effect. However, in order to obtain a large luminous flux while exhibiting its performance, the LED element must be sufficiently cooled. Since a large luminous flux is generally required for lighting applications, it is indispensable to provide a compulsory cooling device that requires a power source for each lighting fixture in consideration of replacing lighting fixtures in ordinary homes with LED lighting. By adopting such a configuration, the long life, which is the original feature of solid-state lighting, can be utilized.

  However, if a cooling device is installed for each LED lighting fixture used in each place, the total power consumed by each cooling device becomes large, and the problem of weakening the energy-saving effect of the corner Arise.

  Moreover, when it is set as the structure which does not provide the forced cooling device which requires a power supply for every LED lighting fixture, the subject that the heat | fever which a lighting fixture emits warms a room | chamber interior will also have the subject that the cooling effect will fall.

  Therefore, the present invention overcomes these problems, uses a semiconductor laser as an excitation light source for solid-state lighting, and further uses it in an illumination cooling system capable of efficiently cooling it in one place, and the illumination cooling system. Another object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device that can reduce the size of the apparatus and that does not generate heat from the light emitting unit.

  An illumination cooling system according to an aspect of the present invention includes an excitation light source for emitting excitation light, and a wavelength conversion unit for absorbing at least part of the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source and emitting light of different wavelengths One end of which is connected to the wavelength converter, a light guide for guiding the excitation light from the excitation light source to the wavelength converter, and a cooling mechanism for cooling the excitation light source. The excitation light source is a semiconductor laser. In addition, the cooling mechanism is a refrigerator for cooling the stored items.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes a container for incorporating the semiconductor laser, and the container is detachable from the refrigerator, and is connected to the other end of the light guide unit when installed in the refrigerator.

  Preferably, the container further includes a lens for guiding the excitation light emitted from the semiconductor laser to the light guide unit.

  Preferably, the refrigerator further includes an optical connection part for connecting to the light guide part, and the container further includes a window part for guiding the excitation light emitted from the semiconductor laser to the light guide part, and the optical connection part Is characterized by having a lens that faces the window and guides the excitation light transmitted from the window to the light guide.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes control means for controlling light emission of the semiconductor laser and power supply means for supplying electric power to the semiconductor laser, and the refrigerator is electrically connected to the power supply means for connecting the container. Includes container connection.

  Preferably, the container connecting portion includes a terminal electrically connected to the power supply means, and the container includes an electric circuit electrically connected to the semiconductor laser, and an insertion portion for inserting the terminal. When the terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion port, the terminal and the electric circuit are electrically connected.

  Preferably, the container connection unit includes an installation unit for installing the container, the installation unit has a first electrode electrically connected to the power supply means, and the container is electrically connected to the semiconductor laser. And a second electrode that is electrically connected to the electric circuit and that is connected to the first electrode when the container is placed on the placement portion.

Preferably, the container connecting portion is provided in a refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator.
Preferably, the container connecting portion is provided in a freezer compartment of the refrigerator.

Preferably, the container connecting portion is provided in a chilled room of the refrigerator.
Preferably, the power supply means also serves as a power supply for the drive system of the refrigerator, and the power supply means has conversion means for converting alternating current into direct current.

  Preferably, the inside of the container is filled with dry air having a dew point temperature of −25 ° C. or lower.

  Preferably, a plurality of wavelength conversion units and light guide units are provided, respectively, and the plurality of wavelength conversion units are irradiated with excitation light using at least one semiconductor laser.

  Preferably, a pair of connectors for making the light guide part separable is further provided, and the light guide part is optically connected by the connector.

Preferably, a cord reel for winding the light guide unit is further provided.
Preferably, an illumination switch for instructing on / off of light emission of the wavelength conversion unit is further provided in the vicinity of the place where the wavelength conversion unit is installed, and the illumination switch instructs the emission of the semiconductor laser in the refrigerator wirelessly It is characterized by doing.

  A refrigerator according to another aspect of the present invention is a refrigerator used in an illumination cooling system, wherein a container connecting portion for connecting a container containing a semiconductor laser as an excitation light source, and excitation light emitted from the semiconductor laser An optical connection unit for connecting to a light guide unit for guiding to the outside, a control unit for controlling light emission of the semiconductor laser, and a power source unit for supplying power to the semiconductor laser, The power supply means also has a conversion means for converting an alternating current into a direct current, and the container connecting portion is electrically connected to the power supply means.

  According to the present invention, a refrigerator is used as a cooling mechanism for a semiconductor laser used as an excitation light source. Refrigerators are widely used in general households, and by using them, it is possible to cool the semiconductor laser efficiently without providing another mechanism for cooling the semiconductor laser.

  As a result, the energy consumption of the lighting device can be reduced. Further, it is possible to reduce the size of the lighting device and extend the life of the excitation light source.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

  The illumination cooling system according to the present embodiment efficiently cools the excitation light source by installing the excitation light source constituting the illumination device in the refrigerator, and is emitted from the excitation light source installed in the refrigerator. Illumination light is obtained by irradiating the wavelength conversion unit with excitation light via an optical fiber.

Below, the illumination cooling system which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated in detail.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an illumination cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the side plate of the refrigerator 1 and the side wall of each storage room with which the refrigerator 1 is provided shall be removed.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the illumination cooling system of the present embodiment includes a refrigerator 1 having at least a refrigerator compartment 2A, a container 3 having an excitation light source 28 described later, an excitation light source power supply unit 7, a plug 12, and a wavelength conversion unit 10. , Optical fibers 8 and 9 as light guide parts, connector part 14, remote control signal receiving part (antenna) 15, wireless illumination switch 16, control unit 5, wirings 4, 6 and 13.

  Refrigerator 1 represents an electric product for storing stored items such as food and drink at a low temperature. The refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator compartment 2A, a vegetable compartment 2B, and a freezer compartment 2C. The refrigerator compartment 2A is a storage room in which the room temperature is controlled to be 3 ° C. or higher and lower than 6 ° C. in the refrigerator 1. The freezing room 2C is a storage room in which the room temperature is controlled to be −1 ° C. or lower in the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator 1 may further include a chilled chamber (not shown). The chilled room refers to a storage room in the refrigerator 1 whose room temperature is controlled to be -1 ° C or higher and lower than 3 ° C.

A container 3 can be attached to and detached from the refrigerator compartment 2A of the refrigerator 1.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 </ b> A of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerating room 2A is provided with a rail 23 for fitting the container 3 on the rear surface W1, the optical fiber connection portion 22 and the terminal 24, and the lower surface W2. The terminal 24 and the rail 23 function as a container connecting portion for connecting the container 3. In addition, although the rail for enabling fitting of the container 3 was used here, if the container 3 can be installed, it will not be limited to a rail.

  FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the container 3. 4 is a perspective view of the container 3 including a cross section taken along line IV-IV in FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the container 3 has a groove portion 27 for fitting into the rail 23, a terminal insertion port 25 for inserting the terminal 24, an excitation light source 28, a lens 26, and an electric circuit 29. The excitation light source 28 is a semiconductor laser, for example, a GaN semiconductor laser. Its emission wavelength is 405 nm.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the excitation light source 28 is installed in the container 3. Therefore, when exchanging the excitation light source 28 as necessary due to a failure or the like, it is not necessary to directly touch the excitation light source 28 with a hand or the like, and the cap glass serving as the optical path of the excitation light 30 emitted from the excitation light source 28 is stained. It is possible to prevent the light output from being lowered and to effectively use the excitation light 30. Further, when the container 3 containing the excitation light source 28 is installed in the refrigerator 1, the stored item is not directly in contact with the excited excitation light source 28, so that the stored item is not damaged. Further, since the container 3 is detachable, the excitation light source 28 can be replaced with the container 3 as necessary.

The internal structure of the container 3 will be described in detail later.
Here, in the present embodiment, the “illumination device” represents a wavelength converter 10, an excitation light source 28, and a configuration necessary for guiding light from the excitation light source 28 to the wavelength converter 10. . Further, “lighting fixture” to be described later represents a configuration when the lighting device is in a final product form in which the lighting device is actually used. For example, in addition to the configuration of the lighting device, the wavelength conversion unit 10 has a cover such as a ceiling light. The one with the attached is called a lighting fixture.

  The refrigerator compartment 2A of the refrigerator 1 has a plurality (for example, four) of containers 3, and an excitation light source 28 included in each container 3 is an electric circuit 29 and a terminal provided on the back surface W1 of the refrigerator compartment 2A. 24, the wiring 4 connected to the terminal 24, the control unit 5 connected to the wiring 4, and the wiring 6 connected to the control unit 5 are electrically connected to the power supply unit 7 installed in the refrigerator 1 It is connected to the. Excitation light 30 emitted from the excitation light source 28 is transmitted through the optical fibers 8 and 9 to the wavelength conversion unit 10 to which one end of the optical fiber 9 is connected.

The wavelength conversion unit 10 includes a phosphor that receives the excitation light 30 emitted from the excitation light source 28 and emits converted light having a longer wavelength. As the phosphor, for example, CaAlSiN ₃ : Eu ²⁺ and Caα-SiAlON can be used. Further, the illumination light 11 output from the wavelength conversion unit 10 becomes white light by the light emitted from the phosphor that has received the excitation light 30 emitted from the excitation light source 28.

  Thus, the excitation light source 28 built in the container 3 is in the refrigerator compartment 2A and operates in an environment of 3 ° C. or more and less than 6 ° C. Thereby, adhesion of frost to the excitation light source 28 can be prevented, and the extraction efficiency of the excitation light 30 is not lowered. Therefore, the intensity of the excitation light 30 transmitted to the wavelength conversion unit 10 via the optical fibers 8 and 9 does not decrease, and a bright illumination device with reduced energy consumption can be realized.

  The wiring 13 having the plug 12 is attached to electrically connect the AC power supplied from the power company and the excitation light source power supply unit 7. The excitation light source power supply unit 7 is connected to the inside of the control unit 5 by the wiring 6. The drive control circuit 100 (FIG. 9) is electrically connected.

  The excitation light source power supply unit 7 is a device that converts alternating current into direct current and supplies the direct current to the excitation light source 28, and is also a power supply device for operating the refrigerator 1. The excitation light source power supply unit 7 receives AC power via a plug 12 and a wiring 13 from a power line to which AC power is supplied from an electric power company. In this way, by sharing one power source between the excitation light source 28 and the refrigerator 1, the number of parts in manufacturing can be reduced.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the connector portion 14 shown in FIG. The connector unit 14 is composed of two connectors 141 and 142. The connector 141 holds one end of the optical fiber 9 (the end opposite to the wavelength conversion unit 10), and the connector 142 holds one end of the optical fiber 8 (the end opposite to the container 3). Further, the connector 141 and the connector 142 optically connect the optical fiber 9 and the optical fiber 8. Here, the connector 141 and the connector 142 are detachable from each other. By doing in this way, a set of wavelength conversion part 10, optical fiber 9, and connector 141 are made into an illumination module so that it can be removed from connector 142, and it becomes possible to exchange easily. Therefore, since the illumination module 110 can be easily replaced, the illumination module 110 can be replaced with an illumination module having an optical fiber 9 having a different length in order to change the installation location of the wavelength conversion unit 10, or illumination with a different emission color or color temperature. When you want to replace the lighting module that can generate light, you can easily replace it. As a result, the degree of freedom of the installation location of the wavelength conversion unit 10 is increased, and the range of options for illumination light and lighting fixtures is expanded.

  The remote control signal receiver 15 is a device for receiving an instruction signal from the wireless illumination switch 16 and is connected to the control unit 5.

Here, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the internal structure of the container 3 is demonstrated in detail.
The lens 26 condenses the excitation light 30 emitted from the excitation light source 28 on the end face of the optical fiber 8 held by the optical fiber connection portion 22. Thus, by using the lens 26 when guiding the pumping light 30 to the end face of the optical fiber 8, the coupling loss between the pumping light source 28 and the optical fiber 8 can be reduced, and the pumping light emitted from the pumping light source 28. 30 utilization efficiency can be raised.

  Further, in order to increase the utilization efficiency of the excitation light 30, the sealed space 31 is provided by bringing the ridge of the lens 26 into close contact with the inner wall of the container 3. Dry air having a dew point temperature of about −25 ° C. is sealed in the sealed space 31, and the excitation light source 28 is attached in the sealed space 31. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a decrease in light output due to adhesion of dew, frost, dust or the like in the optical path of the excitation light 30 emitted from the excitation light source 28 in the sealed space 31. As a result, the utilization efficiency of the excitation light 30 can be further increased.

  Here, the reason for setting the dew point temperature to −25 ° C. is as follows. That is, when the container 3 is installed in the refrigerator compartment 2 having a temperature of 3 ° C. or more and less than 6 ° C., the dew point temperature is refrigerated in order to prevent dew and frost from forming on the optical path of the excitation light 30 in the sealed space 31. This is because the dew point temperature has been given a sufficient margin in consideration of the necessity of the dry air that is below the temperature range taken by the chamber 2. In a normal household refrigerator, even when the container 3 is installed in the freezer compartment 2C that is the lowest temperature (for example, −18 ° C. to −20 ° C.), dry air with a dew point temperature of −25 ° C. can be enclosed. In this case, dew and frost can be prevented from adhering.

  In this way, by filling and sealing the inside of the container 3 with dry air having a dew point temperature of −25 ° C. or less, the excitation light source 28 can be held in the sealed space 31, and a cap glass or lens serving as an optical path of excitation light No dirt such as dust adheres to the surface on which the excitation light 30 is incident. Furthermore, condensation does not occur even at a low temperature in the refrigerator 1, and a decrease in light output can be prevented.

  In addition, in order to assist the heat radiation of the excitation light source 28, it is preferable to use, for example, aluminum coated with an insulating paint for the container 3 as a material having high thermal conductivity.

  The groove portion 27 is provided so as to be fitted into the rail 23 when the container 3 is attached to the refrigerating chamber 2 </ b> A, and the container 3 is detachable from the rail 23. This is because when the excitation light source 28 is replaced because the life of the excitation light source 28 has expired, the entire container 3 can be replaced. At this time, since the replacement operator does not directly touch the excitation light source 28, there is no possibility of destroying the excitation light source 28 due to static electricity. Furthermore, since the container 3 can be accurately attached to a predetermined position of the refrigerator compartment 2 by the groove 27 and the rail 23, the excitation light 30 emitted from the excitation light source 28 can be efficiently guided to the end face of the optical fiber 8. it can. Further, when the container 3 is attached to or detached from the rail 23 of the refrigerator compartment 2A, the terminal 24 is not bent even if an extra force is applied.

  Here, as described above, the excitation light 30 emitted from the excitation light source 28 is condensed on the end face of the optical fiber 8 by the lens 26 and then transmitted to the wavelength conversion unit 10 via the optical fibers 8 and 9. . Here, as the optical fibers 8 and 9, silica-based optical fibers having a small transmission loss with respect to light having an emission wavelength of 405 nm of the excitation light source 28 are used, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  In the present embodiment, only one groove portion 27 is provided, but a plurality of groove portions 27 may be provided. In that case, a plurality of rails 23 in FIG. 2 are also provided corresponding to the number of grooves 27 provided in the container 3.

  When the groove 27 is fitted into the rail 23, the terminal 24 is inserted into the terminal insertion port 25, and the excitation light source power supply unit 7 and the excitation light source via the wiring 4, the control unit 5, and the wiring 6 shown in FIG. 28 is electrically connected. As a result, a voltage is applied to the excitation light source 28, a current flows, and the excitation light 30 is emitted from the excitation light source 28.

  In this way, since the terminal 24 is inserted into the terminal insertion port 25 so that a current flows through the excitation light source 28, the electric circuit 29 is not directly touched by a person. It will not be destroyed. Moreover, since the excitation light source 28 and the power supply part 7 are electrically connected only when the terminal 24 in the refrigerator 1 is inserted into the terminal insertion port 25 of the container 3, the container 3 is erroneously excited during replacement. The excitation light 30 emitted from the light source 28 is not directly irradiated to the human eye. Further, by adopting a structure in which the terminal 24 is inserted into the terminal insertion port 25, the container 3 is helped when being attached to a predetermined position of the refrigerator compartment 2A with high accuracy, and the workability of replacing the container 3 is improved. No skill is required to replace 3

  In addition, the arrangement position of the terminal insertion port 25, the lens 26, and the groove part 27 is not necessarily restricted to the position shown by FIG.

Next, the wireless illumination switch 16 will be described.
The wireless illumination switch 16 is a detachable illumination switch for turning on / off the light emission of the excitation light source 28, and is provided in the vicinity of a location where the wavelength conversion unit 10 is installed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the wireless illumination switch 16 can be placed on a desired wall surface location by allowing it to be placed on a switch holder 18 attached to the wall 17. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, a nail 19 provided on the wall 17 may be hooked on a recess 20 provided on the back surface of the wireless illumination switch 16. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the second hook-and-loop fastener 21 </ b> B provided on the back surface of the wireless lighting switch 16 may be attached to the first hook-and-loop fastener 21 </ b> A attached to the wall 17. Or it is good also as installing in a desired wall surface place with a magnet (not shown) etc.

  From the wireless illumination switch 16, in addition to the illumination on / off signal, instructions such as light amount adjustment, turn-off time, and turn-on time are given. As a radio signal, in addition to radio waves, infrared rays or the like can be used within a desired range from a receiving unit installed in the refrigerator 1.

  The signal output from the wireless lighting switch 16 is transmitted to the drive control circuit 100 provided inside the refrigerator 1 via the remote control signal receiver 15, and the drive control circuit 100 determines the excitation light source according to the received signal. Control the lighting state.

  As described above, since the detachable wireless illumination switch 16 is provided, the installation location of the wavelength conversion unit 10 can be freely changed. Moreover, the lighting switch 16 can be attached to a favorite place.

  Next, an example of a circuit configuration of the illumination cooling system in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of the illumination cooling system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 9, the four excitation light sources 28 are shown as excitation light sources 28a, 28b, 28c, and 28d, respectively. Further, a to d are attached to the components electrically connected to each of the excitation light sources 28a, 28b, 28c, and 28d, and the signs of the illumination switch 16 for exciting each of the components.

  For example, the container 3 containing the excitation light source 28a, the electric circuit 29a, and the lens 26a is referred to as a container 3A, and the illumination module 110 including the wavelength conversion unit 10a, the optical fiber 9a, and the connector 141a is referred to as an illumination module 110a. For example, the container 3 containing the excitation light source 28b, the electric circuit 29b, and the lens 26b is referred to as a container 3B, and the illumination module 110 including the wavelength conversion unit 10b, the optical fiber 9b, and the connector 141b is referred to as an illumination module 110b. Other sets are also shown.

  Referring to FIG. 9, the control unit 5 of the illumination cooling system includes a drive control circuit 100 for controlling each part, a non-volatile memory 102 for storing programs and data, and a remote control signal receiver 15. And a wireless unit 104 for performing wireless communication with each switch 16. The drive control circuit 100 is configured by a processor such as a CPU, for example.

  The control unit 5 further includes changeover switches 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d connected to the excitation light sources 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, respectively. Each changeover switch 106 is connected to an AC / DC converter 70 included in the power supply unit 7. The drive control circuit 100 controls conduction / non-conduction of the corresponding changeover switch 106 in accordance with a command signal from the illumination switch 16.

  The AC / DC converter 70 converts an alternating current obtained from the plug 12 and the wiring 13 into a direct current. The converted direct current is supplied to the terminal 24 (for electrically connecting to the excitation light source 28) via the wiring 6 and the changeover switch 106.

  In addition, the power supply part 7 shall supply electric power also to the refrigerator drive system 130 (for example, a compressor etc.) as mentioned above. An AC current is supplied to the refrigerator driving system 130 via the plug 12 and the wiring 13.

  Thus, since the excitation light source 28 can be driven by the power supply unit 7 provided in the refrigerator 1, the configuration of the system is simplified and the cost can be reduced. Further, as compared with a case where a power source for the excitation light source 28 is newly provided outside the refrigerator 1, extra wiring and the like can be eliminated. Moreover, the excitation light source 28 can be turned on using an alternating current.

  FIG. 10 is a hardware block diagram of the wireless lighting switch 16 used in the lighting cooling system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Each lighting switch 16 includes a control unit 200 for controlling each unit, a non-volatile memory 202 for storing programs and data, an operation unit 204 for receiving instructions from the user, and a command to the control unit 5. A communication I / F 206 for transmitting signals and a power supply unit 208 are provided. Power supply unit 208 includes, for example, dry battery 209.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of use of the illumination cooling system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, the lighting cooling system of this embodiment is used as kitchen lighting, entrance lighting, indirect lighting in the living room, and mood lighting beside the television. In addition, it is preferable to adjust light output so that it may become suitable brightness using the wavelength conversion part 10 which adjusted the kind and mixing | blending ratio of fluorescent substance so that it might become a suitable color for each place. Specifically, in the kitchen lighting, it is preferable to select a phosphor to be used so that the illumination light is rich in color rendering and the hand can be illuminated brightly. In entrance lighting, it is preferable to install a wavelength converter that emits warm light rich in color rendering in a position where the face of the visitor is not hidden. For indirect lighting in the living room, it is preferable to use a wavelength converter that has a low color temperature and can produce a relaxing space. Furthermore, it is preferable that the mood lighting on the side of the television can be adjusted so as to obtain brightness according to the image.

  Now, as environmental problems become serious, white LEDs that are expected to greatly save energy in the future are attracting attention as light sources for illumination. Conventional fluorescent and incandescent lamps did not require a special cooling mechanism. However, on the contrary, the light emitted from the white LED does not include infrared rays, which are heat rays, so that there is a problem that the LED element itself generates a large amount of heat. In order to reduce the quantum efficiency and shorten the lifetime, when an LED element is used as the light source of a lighting fixture, the intensity of light obtained as illumination light is reduced or the life of the light source is shortened. is necessary.

  Comparing the volume of fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps, LED elements used as light sources for lighting fixtures, and the volume of each general light source itself, LED elements are overwhelmingly smaller than the other two. Therefore, the volume of the LED lighting fixture becomes large when viewed as a lighting fixture in total. In addition, if the cooling is sufficiently performed, the cooling mechanism is further increased in size, and as a result, the LED lighting apparatus is also increased in size. Thus, the breakdown of the volume of the LED lighting apparatus has a structure in which the ratio of the volume of the cooling mechanism is much larger than the ratio of the volume of the LED element that is the light source. Therefore, the LED lighting apparatus largely depends on the volume of the cooling mechanism, and cannot fully utilize the merit of the LED element as a solid element light source that is ultra-compact.

  When this LED luminaire is intended to be used in each place and room, since the LED luminaire is enlarged to provide a cooling mechanism for each, the degree of freedom in design is reduced and the cost of the fixture is high. It becomes. Furthermore, when an active cooling mechanism is provided, there is a demerit that power consumption increases. This life, equipment cost, design, and power consumption are in a trade-off relationship, and if any one is emphasized, the rest will deteriorate. Also, from the viewpoint of installing the lighting fixtures, the size of the cooling mechanism can be limited, and it has not always been possible to drive the LED under optimum conditions.

  On the other hand, according to this embodiment using a semiconductor laser and an optical fiber, the wavelength conversion unit 10 that emits the illumination light 11 and the excitation light source 28 made of the semiconductor laser are provided via the optical fibers 8 and 9. It can be spatially separated. Since the laser has better connectivity with the optical fiber than the LED, the light emitted from the element can be used more effectively. Since one or more excitation light sources 28 separated in this way are cooled together in one place of the refrigerator, a cooling mechanism that is necessary for each part and each part that emits illumination light in each room The light emitting part installed in each place and each room can be reduced in size and weight. Therefore, it is possible to realize an ultra-compact light-emitting part that takes advantage of the original ultra-compact light source of the solid-state light-emitting element, increasing the degree of freedom in designing the light-emitting part, realizing an unprecedented lighting fixture, and the cost of the illumination device Can also be lowered. In addition, since the space for installing the refrigerator is originally secured when designing the house, unlike the cooling mechanism that exists only for cooling the excitation light source, the cooling mechanism for the refrigerator, that is, the excitation light source of the present embodiment. There is no problem of securing the installation location. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a new space design is possible, and since a refrigerator is used as a cooling mechanism, a compromise between the size / cooling capacity of the cooling mechanism and the optimum temperature condition for driving the semiconductor laser. You don't have to search for

  Here, although one semiconductor laser generates heat to some extent, if a plurality of semiconductor lasers are combined in one place, the amount of generated heat becomes larger. If the semiconductor laser does not have a sufficiently large cooling capacity as a cooling mechanism, it is a semiconductor. The laser cannot be cooled satisfactorily. In general households, refrigerators have high cooling capacity and are electric appliances that operate for 24 hours, and are convenient for a cooling mechanism of a semiconductor laser, that is, an excitation light source 28, that cannot be used for how many hours. Therefore, since the excitation light source 28 can be driven at any time under the optimum temperature condition, there is an advantage that not only the life of the excitation light source 28 is lengthened but also the power consumption of the excitation light source 28 is reduced. In addition, since the semiconductor laser itself is very small, it does not take a place even if it is installed in the refrigerator 1, so that it is a semiconductor laser without hindering the original purpose of the refrigerator 1 of storing food and drink at a low temperature. The excitation light source 28 can be cooled.

  In addition, in this Embodiment, although the container 3 was installed in the refrigerator compartment 2A, it is not necessarily restricted to this. If it is a part which becomes below room temperature, it is applicable as an attachment place of the container 3, and the freezing room 2C, a chilled room (not shown), etc. are also possible. Therefore, the refrigerator does not necessarily need to include a refrigerator compartment, and may be a refrigerator having only a freezer compartment.

  For example, when the container 3 is installed in the freezer compartment 2C having a room temperature of −1 ° C. or lower, the excitation light source 28 is driven while being cooled at a lower temperature, so that the life of the excitation light source 28 is further extended. Therefore, the exchange frequency of the container 3 can be reduced and it becomes more economical. That is, it becomes possible to provide an environment-friendly lighting device (and lighting cooling system) that can be used for a longer period of time.

  In addition, when the container 3 is attached to a chilled chamber having a room temperature of 1 ° C. or more and less than 3 ° C., the excitation light source 28 can be cooled, and dew and frost are not formed in the chilled chamber in the above temperature range. The intensity reduction of the excitation light due to dew and frost on the lens 26 surface and the end face of the optical fiber 8 is eliminated. That is, it is possible to realize a bright lighting device (and a lighting cooling system) with good energy use efficiency (reducing energy consumption).

(First modification)
Next, a modified example of the container 3 and the optical fiber connecting portion 22 in the above embodiment will be described as a first modified example of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the container 3i according to the first modification of the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the optical fiber connection portion 22i in the first modification of the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view including a cross section similar to FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 12, a window 32 is attached to the container 3 i instead of the lens 26 as compared with the container 3 of the above-described embodiment. The inside of the container 3 i is sealed by the window 32, and dry air is sealed in the sealed space 31.

The window 32 transmits the peak wavelength of the excitation light 30 emitted from the excitation light source 28.
Referring to FIG. 13, in the first modification, a lens 26 is attached to one end of the optical fiber connection portion 22i, and an optical fiber 8 is attached to the other end of the optical fiber connection portion 22i.

  Excitation light 30 emitted from the excitation light source 28 passes through the window 32 and reaches the lens 26. The light is condensed on the end face of the optical fiber 8 by the lens 26.

  By attaching the lens 26 to the optical fiber connection portion 22i in this way, the following effects can be achieved. That is, in the above embodiment, the expensive lens 26 attached to the container 3 is also exchanged in association with the exchange of the container 3, but in this modification, the expensive lens 26 is replaced even if the container 3i is exchanged. Since it is not necessary to exchange, the replacement cost of the container 3i can be reduced. Furthermore, when the container 3i is manufactured, the alignment of the excitation light source 28 and the lens 26 is not required, so that the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, since the window 32 is provided at a position in contact with the optical fiber connecting portion 22i when the container 3i is installed on the rail 23, the optical fiber connecting portion 22i and the window portion are provided. Therefore, the possibility of dust entering between 32 is reduced. As a result, the possibility that light is scattered by dust is reduced, so that the utilization efficiency of the excitation light 30 can be increased.

  However, when the container 3i is installed on the rail 23, it does not necessarily have to be in contact as long as the window portion 32 is provided at a position facing the optical fiber connection portion 22i. Thus, the possibility that the window part 32 can be damaged can be reduced by making the window part 32 and the optical fiber connection part 22i non-contact. As a result, it is possible to prevent scattering of the excitation light 30 due to scratches formed in the window portion 32.

  From the above, it is preferable to take advantage of both contact and non-contact by providing the window 32 at a position as shown in FIGS. 21 (a) and 21 (b), for example. By adopting such a configuration, it is difficult for dust to enter between the optical fiber connection portion 22 i and the window portion 32, and it is possible to prevent the window portion 32 from being damaged.

(Second modification)
Next, a modified example of the container 3 and the rail 23 in the above embodiment will be described as a second modified example of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 14 is a side view of the container 3ii in the second modification of the present embodiment. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the container 3ii including a cross section taken along line XV-XV in FIG. FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram showing a rail 23i provided in the refrigerator compartment 2A in the second modification example of the present embodiment.

  Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the container 3ii has a lens 26 and a groove 27i. In addition to the structure shown in FIG. 14, the container 3ii has an excitation light source 28 and an electric circuit 29 that is electrically connected to the excitation light source 28. An electrode 33 that is electrically connected to the electric circuit 29 is attached to the groove 27i. Compared with the container 3 in the embodiment, the container 3ii does not include the terminal insertion port 25.

  Here, the width of the groove 27i indicated by the arrow 301 in FIG. 14 is, for example, 5 mm. This is because the finger of the operator who replaces the container 3ii does not touch the electrode 33 shown in FIG. 15, and the excitation light source 28 is not destroyed by static electricity.

  Referring to FIG. 16, the rail 23 i has an electrode 34. The electrode 34 is electrically connected to the power source of the excitation light source 28 via the wiring 6. That is, the terminal 24 is not installed on the back surface W <b> 1 of the refrigerator 1, and the electrode 34 is electrically connected to the AC / DC converter 70 of the power supply unit 7 via the changeover switch 106.

  When the container 3 is attached to the refrigerator compartment 2A by fitting the groove 27i of the container 3ii into the rail 23i, the electrode 33 and the electrode 34 are electrically connected.

  As described above, the electrode 34 is provided on the rail 23i and the role of the terminal 24 described in the above embodiment is assigned to the rail 23, so that the terminal 24 does not have to be provided in the refrigerator compartment 2A. As a result, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and there is no possibility of damaging the terminal 24. Furthermore, since it becomes unnecessary to provide the terminal insertion port 25 in the container 3ii, the manufacturing cost of the container 3ii can be reduced.

(Third Modification)
Next, a modification of the wireless lighting switch 16 in the above-described embodiment will be described as a third modification of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a wireless illumination switch 16i in a third modification of the embodiment of the present invention. Instead of the dry battery 209, the wireless lighting switch 16i receives solar light, and includes a solar battery 35 for converting the received light energy into electric energy, and a storage battery 36 for storing electric power from the solar battery 35. Prepare. The lighting switch 16 i includes a liquid crystal display unit 37.

  As described above, the lighting switch 16 i is operated by storing the power generated by the solar battery 35 in the storage battery 36. As a result, it is not necessary to replace the battery of the wireless lighting switch 16, so there is no troublesome replacement of the battery and the cost is low. In addition, it is environmentally friendly because there is no waste of used batteries.

  The liquid crystal display unit 37 displays the operation state of the illumination device such as the current brightness of the illumination light 11, the turn-off time, and the turn-on time, the current time, and the power consumption of the illumination device and the electricity bill for the power consumption It has a function to make it. Thus, by providing the liquid crystal display unit 37, the operating state of the lighting device can be easily grasped. Further, when the turn-off time and the turn-on time are designated by displaying the current time, it is not necessary to bother to look at a clock at another location. Further, the display of the power consumption and the electricity charge of the lighting device eliminates unnecessary lighting of the lighting device, leading to energy saving.

  It is assumed that the lighting switch 16i further includes a clock (not shown) for performing a timing operation.

(Fourth modification)
Next, a modified example of the remote control signal receiving unit 15 in the above-described embodiment will be described as a fourth modified example of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a remote control signal receiver in a fourth modification of the embodiment of the present invention. In order to make it easier to receive an instruction signal from the wireless lighting switch 16, antennas 38 and 39 are bundled in the optical fibers 8 and 9 as a remote control signal receiver.

  One end of the antenna 38 is connected to the connector 141 of the connector unit 14, and the other end is connected to the wavelength conversion unit 10. One end of the antenna 39 is connected to the drive control circuit 100 of the control unit 5, and the other end is connected to the connector 142 of the connector unit 14.

  By making it like this modification, the output of the instruction | indication signal transmitted from the radio | wireless-type illumination switch 16 can be weakened compared with the case where the remote control signal receiving part (antenna) 15 is installed in the refrigerator 1 main body. As a result, the power consumption of the wireless lighting switch 16 can be reduced.

(5th modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the wireless illumination switch 16 is used, but it is not always necessary to be wireless. A case where a wired illumination switch is provided in the illumination cooling system will be described as a fifth modification of the present embodiment.

  In this modification, a wired illumination switch (not shown) is used instead of the wireless illumination switch 16 as an illumination switch for transmitting an illumination lighting state instruction signal to the drive control circuit 100. The wired illumination switch is connected to the drive control circuit 100 by wiring (not shown) made of a conductive wire covered with vinyl, for example.

  The wiring follows the same path as the optical fibers 8 and 9 on the way from the drive control circuit 100 to the wired lighting switch, but follows a different path from the optical fibers 8 and 9. Also good.

  Thereby, the energy consumed by the wireless lighting switch 16 can be reduced.

(Sixth Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the illumination module 110 can be replaced by providing the connector portion 14, but a cord reel for winding the optical fiber 8 may be provided instead of the connector portion 14. Such a configuration will be described as a sixth modification of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a cord reel 40 and a holder 42 in a sixth modification of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 shows a cross section of a portion where the optical fiber 8 is drawn into the refrigerator 1 in the illumination cooling system of the present modification. The illumination cooling system according to this modification has a cord reel 40 shown in FIG.

  In this modification, one end of the optical fiber 8 is held by the optical fiber connection unit 22, and the other end is connected to the wavelength conversion unit 10. And the optical fiber 8 is wound around the cord reel 40 in the middle path | route. Note that the cord reels 40 are preferably arranged in a number corresponding to the number of containers 3 attached in the refrigerator compartment 2A. The cord reel 40 is attached to the wall surface 41 of the refrigerator 1.

  Thus, by winding the optical fiber 8 with the cord reel 40, the length of the optical fiber 8 outside the refrigerator 1 can be adjusted. As a result, the installation location of the wavelength conversion unit 10 can be freely changed without having to bother the entire illumination module 110.

  In this modification, the wavelength conversion unit 10 is attached to the holder 42. The holder 42 plays a role of optically connecting the optical fiber 8 and the wavelength converter 10. The wavelength conversion unit 10 can be attached to and detached from the holder 42. In this way, when it is desired to generate illumination light having a different emission color or color temperature, only the wavelength conversion unit 10 needs to be replaced, which is more economical.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is the figure which showed typically the illumination cooling system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the inside of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator in the illumination cooling system of embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the container which can be attached or detached to a refrigerator. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a container including a cross section taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. It is a schematic diagram of the connector part in the illumination cooling system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of installation of the illumination switch in the illumination cooling system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of installation of the illumination switch in the illumination cooling system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the further example of installation of the illumination switch in the illumination cooling system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the circuit structure of the illumination cooling system in embodiment of this invention. It is a hardware block diagram of the radio | wireless lighting switch 16 used for the illumination cooling system in embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the usage example of the illumination cooling system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the container in the 1st modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the optical fiber connection part in the 1st modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the container in the 2nd modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the container containing the cross section along the XV-XV line | wire of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the rail provided in the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator in the 2nd modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the wireless illumination switch in the 3rd modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the remote control signal receiver in the 4th modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example from the wavelength conversion part to a container in the 6th modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the cord reel in the 6th modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other structural example of the container in the 1st modification of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator, 2A refrigerator compartment, 2B vegetable room, 2C freezer room, 3,3i, 3ii container, 4,6,13 wiring, 5 control unit, 7 power supply part, 8,9 optical fiber, 10 wavelength conversion part, 11 illumination Light, 12 plug, 14 connector part, 15 remote control signal receiving part, 16, 16i wireless lighting switch, 17 wall, 18 switch holder, 19 nail, 21A, 21B hook-and-loop fastener, 22, 22i optical fiber connection part, 23, 23i Rail, 24 terminal, 25 terminal insertion port, 26 lens, 27, 27i groove, 28 excitation light source (semiconductor laser), 29 electrical circuit, 30 excitation light, 31 sealed space, 32 window, 33, 34 electrode, 35 solar cell 36, battery, 37 liquid crystal display, 38, 39 antenna, 40 cord reel, 41 wall surface, 42 holder, 70 C / DC converter, 100 drive control circuit, 102 memory, 104 wireless unit, 106 changeover switch, 110 lighting module, 130 refrigerator drive system, 141, 142 connector, 200 control unit, 202 memory, 204 operation unit, 206 communication I / F, 208 Power supply unit, 209 Dry cell.

Claims (17)

An excitation light source for emitting excitation light;
A wavelength converter for absorbing at least part of the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source and emitting light of different wavelengths;
One end is connected to the wavelength conversion unit, and a light guide unit for guiding excitation light from the excitation light source to the wavelength conversion unit,
A cooling mechanism for cooling the excitation light source,
The excitation light source is a semiconductor laser;
The illumination cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the cooling mechanism is a refrigerator for cooling stored items. A container for containing the semiconductor laser;
The illumination cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the container is detachable from the refrigerator and is connected to the other end of the light guide unit when installed in the refrigerator.   The illumination cooling system according to claim 2, wherein the container further includes a lens for guiding the excitation light emitted from the semiconductor laser to the light guide unit. The refrigerator further includes an optical connection part for connecting to the light guide part,
The container further includes a window part for guiding the excitation light emitted from the semiconductor laser to the light guide part,
The illumination cooling system according to claim 2, wherein the optical connection unit includes a lens facing the window unit and guiding excitation light transmitted from the window unit to the light guide unit. Control means for controlling light emission of the semiconductor laser;
Power supply means for supplying power to the semiconductor laser,
The illumination cooling system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the refrigerator includes a container connecting portion that is electrically connected to the power supply unit and connects the container. The container connecting portion includes a terminal electrically connected to the power supply means,
The container is
An electrical circuit electrically connected to the semiconductor laser;
Having an insertion part for inserting the terminal,
The illumination cooling system according to claim 2, wherein the terminal and the electric circuit are electrically connected when the terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion portion. The container connection part includes an installation part for installing the container,
The installation part has a first electrode electrically connected to the power supply means,
The container is
An electrical circuit electrically connected to the semiconductor laser;
6. The device according to claim 2, further comprising: a second electrode that is electrically connected to the electric circuit and that is connected to the first electrode when the container is placed on the placement portion. Lighting cooling system as described in.   The illumination cooling system according to claim 5, wherein the container connecting portion is provided in a refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator.   The illumination cooling system according to claim 5, wherein the container connection portion is provided in a freezer compartment of the refrigerator.   The illumination cooling system according to claim 5, wherein the container connection portion is provided in a chilled room of the refrigerator. The power supply means also serves as a power supply for the drive system of the refrigerator,
The illumination cooling system according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the power supply means includes conversion means for converting alternating current into direct current.   The illumination cooling system according to claim 2, wherein the container is filled with dry air having a dew point temperature of −25 ° C. or lower. A plurality of the wavelength conversion unit and the light guide unit are provided,
The illumination cooling system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the semiconductor lasers is used to irradiate a plurality of the wavelength conversion units with excitation light. A pair of connectors for making the light guide part separable;
The illumination cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the light guide unit is optically connected by the connector.   The illumination cooling system according to claim 1, further comprising a cord reel for winding the light guide unit. In the vicinity of the location where the wavelength conversion unit is installed, further comprising an illumination switch for instructing on / off of light emission of the wavelength conversion unit,
The illumination cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the illumination switch instructs to emit the semiconductor laser in the refrigerator wirelessly. A refrigerator used in an illumination cooling system,
A container connecting portion for connecting a container containing a semiconductor laser as an excitation light source;
An optical connection part for connecting to a light guide part for guiding the excitation light emitted from the semiconductor laser to the outside;
Control means for controlling light emission of the semiconductor laser;
Power supply means for supplying power to the semiconductor laser,
The power supply means also serves as a power supply for the drive system of the refrigerator,
The power supply means has conversion means for converting alternating current into direct current,
The container connecting portion is a refrigerator electrically connected to the power supply means.

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