JP2012185969A - Light guide body, light source for illumination, and lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrain irregular light scattering from occurring at edges a light guide body has on its side face, as light is incident from end faces and emitted from the side face.SOLUTION: The lighting system is provided with a light source for illumination 11. The light source for illumination 11 is equipped with an LED module 20 each at either end in a length direction having at least one LED 21 mounted on a board, and is further equipped with a longitudinally long light guide body 30 formed in a plate shape and curved in a length direction. The light guide body 30 is provided with an end face 31 at one end in a length direction, an end face 32 at the other end in a length direction, and a side face 33 with edges 34 extended in a length direction. An area away from the edges 34 by a given distance is to be a diffusion area 35 on the side face 33. The light guide body 30 has light emitted by the LEDs 21 incident from the end faces 31, 32, and has it diffused with a diffusion pattern 36 formed at the diffusion area 35. Then, light diffused with the diffusion pattern 36 is made emitted from an emission area 37.

Description

  The present invention relates to a light guide, an illumination light source, and an illumination device.

  Conventionally, in a flat illumination device in which light from an LED is incident on an end face of a rectangular plate-shaped light guide plate, light that has entered the light guide plate from the end face is reflected by a plurality of light reflecting portions provided on the surface portion of the light guide plate. The light reflected from the back surface of the light guide plate is totally reflected, and the light emitted from the back surface is reflected by the light reflecting sheet provided opposite to the back surface, enters the light guide plate again from the back surface, and exits from the front surface. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-113709 A

  In the conventional flat illumination device, the occupation ratio of the light reflecting portion with respect to the front surface portion is along the traveling direction of the light from the LED so that the reflected light beam emitted from the back surface portion has uniform brightness over the entire back surface portion. Is set to gradually increase. However, since the region where the light reflecting portion is provided extends to the edge portion of the light guide plate, when the lighting device is used with the edge portion exposed, light scattering at the edge portion becomes irregular, and the emitted light There was a problem that uniformity was impaired. Moreover, the unevenness | corrugation of the edge part was conspicuous and the subject that the designability was impaired occurred.

  An object of the present invention is to suppress irregular light scattering that occurs at a corner when the light is incident from the end face and emitted from the side face in a light guide having a corner (edge) on the side, for example. And

The light guide according to one aspect of the present invention is:
A longitudinal light guide used in an illumination light source that emits light from a light emitting element,
An end face that is at the longitudinal end of the light guide, and receives light from the light emitting element;
A diffusion pattern that extends in the longitudinal direction of the light guide and has a corner portion, a diffusion pattern that diffuses light incident from the end surface is formed in a region that is a predetermined distance or more away from the corner portion, and the corner And a side surface that emits light diffused by the diffusion pattern from at least a part of the region including the portion.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, in a light guide having a corner portion on a side surface, irregular light scattering that occurs at the corner portion can be suppressed when light enters from the end surface and exits from the side surface. It becomes.

(A) The perspective view of the illuminating device which concerns on Embodiment 1, (b) The perspective view of the illuminating device which concerns on the modification 1 of Embodiment 1, (c) The illuminating device which concerns on the modification 2 of Embodiment 1 The perspective view of the illuminating device which concerns on the modified example 3 of Embodiment 1 (d) Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the lighting device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an LED power source according to Embodiment 1. (A) The perspective view of the illumination light source which concerns on Embodiment 1, (b) The perspective view of the illumination light source which concerns on the modification 4 of Embodiment 1, (c) The illumination which concerns on the modification 5 of Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. (A) Partial perspective view of an illumination light source according to Modification 6 of Embodiment 1, (b) Partial perspective view of an illumination light source according to Modification 7 of Embodiment 1, (c) FIG. Sectional drawing of the light guide which concerns on the modification 8, (d) Sectional drawing of the light guide which concerns on the modification 9 of Embodiment 1, (e) Section of the light guide which concerns on the modification 10 of Embodiment 1 (F) Sectional drawing of the light guide which concerns on the modification 11 of Embodiment 1. FIG. (A) The partial side view of the illumination light source which concerns on Embodiment 1, (b) The partial side view of the illumination light source which concerns on the modification 12 of Embodiment 1. FIG. (A) The partial side view of the illumination light source which concerns on the modification 13 of Embodiment 1, (b) The partial side view of the illumination light source which concerns on the modification 14 of Embodiment 1. FIG. (A) The fragmentary perspective view of the illumination light source which concerns on the modification 15 of Embodiment 1, (b) The fragmentary perspective view of the illumination light source which concerns on the modification 16 of Embodiment 1. FIG. (A) The perspective view of the light source for illumination which concerns on Embodiment 2, (b) The perspective view of the light source for illumination which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of an illumination light source according to Embodiment 3. (A) The partial side view of the illumination light source which concerns on Embodiment 3, (b) The partial side view of the illumination light source which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 3. FIG. (A) The bottom view of the light source for illumination which concerns on Embodiment 4, (b) The bottom view of the state which removed the sleeve of the light source for illumination which concerns on Embodiment 4. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of each embodiment, directions such as “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “front”, and “rear” are shown as such for convenience of explanation. The arrangement and orientation of the devices, instruments, parts, etc. are not limited.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
Fig.1 (a) is a perspective view of the illuminating device 10 which concerns on this Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the lighting device 10.

  1A and 2, the illumination device 10 includes at least one illumination light source 11 including an LED module 20 and a light guide 30. 2 illustrates an example in which the lighting device 10 includes a plurality of sets (specifically, two sets) of light sources 11 for lighting, but FIG. 1A illustrates the lighting device 10 for simplicity. Shows an example in which only one set of illumination light source 11 is provided. Here, the set of illumination light sources 11 means a combination of one or a plurality of illumination light sources 11 to form a substantially circular lamp in plan view as a whole. A detailed configuration of the illumination light source 11 will be described later.

  In addition to the illumination light source 11, the illumination device 10 includes a main body 12, a holder 13, an LED power supply 14 (power supply device), a wiring 15, a drawstring 16, a reflective cover 17 (sade), and a fixture 18.

  The illumination light source 11 is detachable. When the illumination light source 11 is attached to the illumination device 10, the illumination light source 11 is fixed by a holder 13 extending downward from the main body 12. The LED power supply 14 is also detachable, and is housed inside the main body 12 when attached to the lighting device 10. The LED module 20 of the illumination light source 11 and the LED power source 14 are connected by a wiring 15. The LED power supply 14 supplies power to the LED module 20 via the wiring 15. The LED power source 14 is connected to the LED module 20 via the wiring 15 when the pull string 16 is pulled or when a predetermined signal is transmitted from a volume dial, a switch, a remote controller (wireless), or the like (not shown). Various signals such as a lighting control signal and a dimming control signal are transmitted. When the LED module 20 is turned on, the light emitted from the LED module 20 is diffused by the light guide 30 of the illumination light source 11 and emitted (irradiated) to the surroundings. At this time, the light emitted upward or laterally is reflected downward by the reflection cover 17 that covers the illumination light source 11 from above, so that the instrument efficiency is increased. The lighting device 10 is installed on a ceiling surface, for example, and is fixed by a fixture 18.

  Of the components constituting the illumination device 10, components other than the illumination light source 11 and the LED power source 14 may be, for example, conventional round tube fluorescent lamp components. Therefore, by attaching the illumination light source 11 and the LED power source 14 according to the present embodiment to a lighting fixture using a conventional round tube fluorescent lamp, the life of the light source can be extended and energy saving can be achieved. For example, if the outer diameter (vertical width and horizontal width in plan view) of the light source 30 of the illumination light source 11 is about 205 mm (millimeters), and the vertical and horizontal widths of the cross section are about 29 mm, the illumination light source 11 can be used. The 20-shaped round tube fluorescent lamp can be replaced. Similarly, if the outer diameter of the light guide 30 is about 225 mm and the vertical and horizontal widths of the cross section are about 29 mm, the conventional 30-shaped round tube fluorescent lamp can be replaced.

  Note that the reflective cover 17 shown in FIG. 2 is not essential for realizing the illumination device 10, and the illumination device 10 may have a configuration in which the entire illumination light source 11 is exposed depending on the application.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the LED power supply 14.

  In FIG. 3, the LED power source 14 is connected to a commercial power source 40 by an electric wire passing through the inside of the fixture 18. Further, as described above, the LED power supply 14 is connected to the LED module 20 of the illumination light source 11 by the wiring 15.

  The LED power source 14 includes an AC-DC conversion circuit 41, a light control unit 42, and a control unit 43. Here, as will be described later, the illumination light source 11 includes at least one LED module 20, and the LED power source 14 includes a dimming unit 42 for each LED module 20.

  The AC-DC conversion circuit 41 supplies light source power to the dimming unit 42 by converting an alternating current input from the commercial power supply 40 into a direct current and inputting it to the dimming unit 42. The light control unit 42 has a function of turning on / off the LED module 20. The dimming unit 42 also controls the forward current control (control to adjust the brightness of the light source by adjusting the current value) and duty control (flash the light source at high speed and turn on the LED module 20 with respect to the lighting time). For controlling the brightness of the light source by adjusting the light intensity). The control unit 43 has a function of receiving an input for adjusting the individual LED module 20 or the illumination light source 11 to a desired light emission intensity from the outside. Further, the control unit 43 has a function of giving a signal according to the input to the dimming unit 42. As described above, as described above, the pull string 16, the volume dial, the switch, the remote controller, or the like can be used.

  FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the illumination light source 11.

  In FIG. 4A, the illumination light source 11 includes LED modules 20 each having at least one LED 21 mounted on a substrate, one at each end in the longitudinal direction. The illumination light source 11 includes a longitudinal light guide 30 (light guide plate) that is formed in a plate shape and is curved in the longitudinal direction. Although not shown, the LED module 20 and the light guide 30 are connected by a frame material, for example. FIG. 4A shows an example in which three LEDs 21 are linearly arranged on the substrate of each LED module 20, but the number and arrangement of the LEDs 21 are not limited to this. For example, two or less or four or more LEDs 21 may be arranged in a straight line, or a plurality of LEDs 21 may be arranged in a ring shape, a radial shape, a plurality of rows of straight lines, or randomly. As shown in FIG. 1A, the entire light guide 30 is curved in a substantially arc shape, and the entire illumination light source 11 including the LED module 20 has a substantially quarter circle shape in plan view. Is formed. That is, the light guide 30 has a substantially quarter circle. Therefore, by connecting the end portions of the four illumination light sources 11 in order (the position may be fixed so that they are close to each other), one set of the illumination light sources 11 is formed and is substantially circular in plan view as a whole. The lamp can be shaped.

  Here, FIGS. 1B to 1D corresponding to FIG. 1A show Modifications 1 to 3 of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, in the first modification of the present embodiment, the light guide 30 is formed so that the entire illumination light source 11 has a substantially semicircular shape in plan view. That is, the light guide 30 is substantially semicircular. In this example, the end portions of the two illumination light sources 11 are connected to each other (or the positions may be fixed so as to be close to each other), thereby forming a set of illumination light sources 11, which are substantially in plan view. It can be a circular lamp.

  As shown in FIG. 1C, in the second modification of the present embodiment, the light guide 30 is formed so that the entire illumination light source 11 has a substantially circular shape in plan view. That is, the light guide 30 is substantially circular. In this example, a set of illumination light sources 11 can be configured by only one illumination light source 11, and the lamp can be a substantially circular lamp as a whole in plan view.

  As shown in FIG. 1D, in the third modification of the present embodiment, the light guide 30 is formed so that the entire illumination light source 11 has a substantially 1/3 circular shape in plan view. That is, the light guide 30 is substantially 1/3 circular. In this example, the end portions of the three illumination light sources 11 are connected in order (it may only be fixed so that they are close to each other), thereby forming a set of illumination light sources 11 and as a whole in plan view. A substantially circular lamp can be obtained.

  As described above, the light guide 30 is formed so that the entire illumination light source 11 has a substantially 1 / N circular shape (N is an integer of 1 or more) in plan view. That is, the light guide 30 is substantially 1 / N circular. When N is 2 or more, by connecting the end portions of the N illumination light sources 11 in order (the position may be fixed so that they are close to each other), a set of illumination light sources 11 is configured, and the whole As a plan view, it can be a substantially circular lamp.

  In addition, the shape of the light guide 30 is not limited to the entire shape curved in a substantially arc shape, and may be, for example, a substantially S shape or a substantially U shape in plan view. Further, as described later, the shape of the light guide 30 may not be curved, and the cross section of the light guide 30 may have a shape other than a rectangular shape.

  In FIG. 4A, the light guide 30 extends in the longitudinal direction, with an end surface 31 (incident surface) at one end in the longitudinal direction, an end surface 32 (other incident surface) at the other end in the longitudinal direction. , And a side surface 33 with corners 34. On the side surface 33, a region separated from the corner 34 by a predetermined distance D or more is a diffusion region 35. In the diffusion region 35, a diffusion pattern 36 for diffusing light is formed. The configuration of the diffusion pattern 36 will be described later. In the side surface 33, at least a part of the region including the corner portion 34 is an emission region 37. The diffusion region 35 and the emission region 37 may overlap.

  In the present embodiment, since the light guide 30 has a quadrangular cross section, the side surface 33 has four corners 34, and the side surface 33 is composed of four surfaces (cross-sectional outlines are four sides). In the side surface 33, a region separated by a distance D or more from the corner portion 34 is a diffusion region 35 on the upper plate surface. Further, the entire four surfaces are the emission region 37.

  The LED 21 installed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the light guide 30 emits light from the surface (light emitting surface) to the end surface 31 of the light guide 30. Similarly, the LED 21 installed at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the light guide 30 emits light from the surface (light emitting surface) to the end surface 32 of the light guide 30. The light guide 30 receives the light emitted from the LEDs 21 at both ends in the longitudinal direction from the end faces 31 and 32, respectively. The light guide 30 diffuses the light incident from the end faces 31 and 32 by the diffusion pattern 36 formed in the diffusion region 35. The light guide 30 emits the light diffused by the diffusion pattern 36 from the emission region 37. In some cases, a part of the light incident from each of the end faces 31 and 32 does not reach the diffusion region 35 and is emitted from the emission region 37 as it is.

  In the present embodiment, the light guide 30 has a corner 34 exposed when the illumination light source 11 is attached to the illumination device 10 (main body 12) (that is, when the illumination light source 11 is used). However, when the LED module 20 (LED 21) is lit, irregular light scattering is unlikely to occur at the corner 34 because the diffusion pattern 36 does not reach the corner 34. That is, according to the present embodiment, in the light guide 30, it is possible to suppress irregular light scattering that occurs at the corner portion 34 when light enters the end faces 31 and 32 and exits from the side face 33. It becomes. In addition, since the corner portion 34 is not uneven, the design is improved.

  As described above, in the side surface 33, the diffusion region 35 is a region that is separated from the corner portion 34 by a distance D or more, and this distance D is preferably about 10 of the width W in the short direction of the light guide 30. % Or less, or 10 mm (millimeters) or less, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more. When the diffusion region 35 is between two adjacent corners 34, the diffusion region 35 is a region separated from both corners 34 by a distance D or more. At this time, if the width of the diffusion region 35 occupies 80% or more of the width W of the light guide 30 in the short direction of the light guide 30, it is considered that sufficiently high light emission efficiency can be achieved. Since the light emission efficiency is improved as the distance D is shorter, the distance D is desirably 10 mm or less when the width W of the light guide 30 is 100 mm or more. It is more preferable if the distance D is even shorter, but it is desirable that the distance D be a length that does not make it difficult to manufacture the light guide 30. As will be described later, the diffusion pattern 36 is formed by dot printing, convex processing, concave processing, or the like. However, when determining the distance D, it is necessary to consider the accuracy of dot printing, convex processing, concave processing, or the like. For example, it is necessary to consider variations in alignment between a male mold and a female mold for molding the light guide 30.

  Thus, in this embodiment, in order to obtain a desired light emission efficiency, it is desirable that the area of the diffusion pattern 36 is large, and the interval (distance D) between the corner 34 and the diffusion region 35 is 10 mm or less or the diffusion pattern. It is desirable that the width of the surface to be applied is 36% or less, whichever is smaller. On the other hand, considering the accuracy of dot printing, convex processing, concave processing, etc., it is desirable that the interval between the corner 34 and the diffusion region 35 be 0.5 mm or more, more surely 1 mm or more.

  Here, FIGS. 4B and 4C corresponding to FIG. 4A show Modifications 4 and 5 of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, in the fourth modification of the present embodiment, the light guide 30 has a substantially rectangular shape (prism shape) in plan view. In this example, the light guide 30 is configured in the same manner as that shown in FIG. 4A except that the light guide 30 extends linearly in the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, in the modified example 5 of the present embodiment, the light guide 30 is formed in a plate shape as in the case shown in FIG. It is curved in the longitudinal direction. However, in this example, the bending direction of the light guide 30 is different from that shown in FIG. In FIG. 4A, surfaces other than the plate surface are curved surfaces (inner peripheral surface and outer peripheral surface), but in FIG. 4C, the plate surface is curved surface (inner peripheral surface and outer peripheral surface). It has become. In FIG. 4A, the upper plate surface has a diffusion region 35. In FIG. 4C, the inner peripheral surface has a diffusion region 35. That is, in this example, the diffusion pattern 36 is formed on the side surface 33 in a region that is less likely to get dirty or damaged during use and that is relatively less likely to be cleaned and that is separated from the corner 34 by a distance D or more. Has been. Further, the diffusion pattern 36 is not formed on the outer peripheral surface which is easily soiled or damaged by being directly touched during use, and is relatively frequently cleaned. For this reason, aged deterioration of the diffusion pattern 36 can be suppressed and desired light distribution characteristics can be maintained for a long time.

  4A to 4C, since the light guide 30 has a rectangular cross section, the side surface 33 has four corners 34 at right angles, but the number and shape of the corners 34 are as follows. (Angle) is not limited to this.

  Here, FIGS. 5A and 5B which are partial perspective views of the illumination light source 11 show Modifications 6 and 7 of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, in the sixth modification of the present embodiment, the light guide 30 has a bowl shape (the cross section is a dome shape). In this example, the side surface 33 has two corners 34, and the side surface 33 includes one flat surface and one curved surface. In the side surface 33, on the flat surface, a region separated from the corner 34 by a distance D or more is a diffusion region 35. Further, the entire flat surface and curved surface are the emission region 37. When the flat surface is the upper surface, the light diffuses by the diffusion pattern 36 formed on this surface, and the diffused light is emitted toward a wide range in the directly below and diagonally downward directions, particularly in the curved surface, The illumination light source 11 having excellent diffusibility of emitted light can be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, in the modified example 7 of the present embodiment, the shape of the light guide 30 is the same as that of the modified example 6 shown in FIG. In this example, not only a flat surface but also a curved surface, a region separated from the corner 34 by a distance D or more is a diffusion region 35. For this reason, it becomes possible to irradiate light substantially uniformly with the whole light source 11 for illumination.

  Here, FIG. 5C to FIG. 5F which are cross-sectional views of the light guide 30 show modified examples 8 to 11 of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG.5 (c), in the modification 8 of this Embodiment, the cross section of the light guide 30 is teardrop shape. In this example, the side surface 33 has only one corner portion 34, and the entire side surface 33 or a portion other than the vicinity of the corner portion 34 of the side surface 33 is a curved surface (the cross-sectional outline is a curve). For example, in the side surface 33, when the corner portion 34 is the upper end, the diffusion pattern 36 is formed in a portion excluding the region within the distance D from the corner portion 34 in the upper half (or the whole) region, By setting it as the diffusion region 35, the light guide 30 that efficiently emits the light from the LED 21 particularly downward (including the obliquely downward direction) is obtained.

  As shown in FIG.5 (d), in the modification 9 of this Embodiment, the cross section of the light guide 30 is triangular shape. In this example, there are three corners 34 on the side surface 33, and the side surface 33 is composed of three surfaces (the cross-sectional outline is three sides of a triangle). Although not shown, for example, in the side surface 33, when one surface is an upper surface, between the corner portions 34 of both ends (two adjacent surfaces) of the upper surface (or all three surfaces) and both ends The diffusion pattern 36 is formed in a region separated from the corner 34 by a distance D or more, and the region is used as the diffusion region 35, so that the light from the LED 21 is efficiently emitted particularly downward (including obliquely downward). The light guide 30 is obtained.

  As shown in FIG.5 (e), in the modification 10 of this Embodiment, the cross section of the light guide 30 is pentagonal shape. In this example, the side surface 33 has five corners 34, and the side surface 33 is composed of five surfaces (the cross-sectional outline is a pentagonal side). Although not shown, for example, when one corner 34 is the upper end of the side surface 33, the corners 34 at both ends (two adjacent) of each of the upper two surfaces (or all five surfaces may be used). And a diffusion pattern 36 is formed in a region at a distance D or more from the corners 34 at both ends, and the region is used as a diffusion region 35, so that the light from the LED 21, particularly downward (in the diagonally downward direction) A light guide 30 that efficiently emits light is obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 5F, in the modification 11 of the present embodiment, the light guide 30 has a cross-shaped cross section. In this example, the side surface 33 has twelve corners 34 and the side surface 33 is composed of twelve surfaces. Although not shown in the figure, in this example as well, in the same way as the modified examples 8 to 10 shown in FIGS. The light guide 30 that emits efficiently can be obtained.

  As described above, the light guide 30 is formed so as to have at least one corner 34 in a cross section cut in the short direction. The outline of the cross section may be constituted only by a straight line, may be constituted only by a curve, or may be constituted by a combination of a straight line and a curve. That is, the light guide 30 may have a polygonal column shape, a hook shape, or the like, and the cross section of the light guide 30 may be, for example, a semicircular shape, a trapezoidal shape, or a horseshoe shape other than the example described above. Good.

  FIG. 6A is a partial side view of the illumination light source 11.

  In FIG. 6A, a diffusion pattern 36 is formed in the diffusion region 35 of the light guide 30 by dot printing. Dot printing can be performed with, for example, a white paint. When performing dot printing on the light guide 30, for example, a printing pattern of the same size as the diffusion region 35 is used so that the diffusion pattern 36 does not cover the corner 34 (and the region within the distance D from the corner 34). Or masking a region within a distance D from the corner 34.

  Here, FIGS. 6B, 7A, and 7B corresponding to FIG. 6A show Modifications 12 to 14 of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, in the modified example 12 of the present embodiment, the light guide 30 is separated from the corner portion 34 by a distance D or more not only on the upper flat surface but also on the lower flat surface. The region is a diffusion region 35. In this example, a diffusion pattern 36 is formed by dot printing in the diffusion regions 35 on the upper and lower flat surfaces.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, in the modified example 13 of the present embodiment, the diffusion region 35 has a number of convex processes (specifically, many protrusions having a substantially inverted U-shaped cross section are formed. The diffusion pattern 36 may be formed by a projection having a shape of Although not shown, in this example as well as in the modified example 12 shown in FIG. 6B, the distance from the corner portion 34 is not only the upper flat surface of the light guide 30 but also the lower flat surface. A region separated by D or more may be the diffusion region 35.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, in the modified example 14 of the present embodiment, the diffusion region 35 is formed with a number of recesses (specifically, many grooves having a substantially V-shaped cross section are formed. The diffusion pattern 36 may be formed by a groove having a shape. In this example, similarly to the modified example 12 shown in FIG. 6B, not only the upper flat surface of the light guide 30 but also the lower flat surface has a region separated from the corner 34 by a distance D or more. A diffusion region 35 is formed.

  Convex processing and concave processing can be performed by, for example, mold processing, grinding processing, and sand blasting. When the light guide 30 is manufactured, for example, only a range corresponding to the diffusion region 35 has a convex pattern or a depression so that the diffusion pattern 36 is not applied to the corner 34 (and the region within the distance D from the corner 34). A mold (mold) provided with a pattern is used.

  In FIG. 4A, the light guide 30 is preferably made of a light-transmitting plastic material (transparent resin), but may be made of a glass material. When a plastic material is used, it becomes easy to bend the light guide 30 in the longitudinal direction by bending. Transparent plastic materials include polycarbonate (PC) resin, polyarylate (PAR) resin, polysulfone (PSF) resin, polyetherimide (PEI) resin, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin, acrylic (PMMA) resin, acrylonitrile styrene Any of copolymer (AS) resin, vinyl chloride (PVC) resin, polystyrene (PS) resin, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, and polymethylpentene (PMP) resin can be used.

  When the longitudinal light guide 30 curved in the longitudinal direction is obtained by bending the plastic material, for example, the light guide 30 shown in FIG. It is possible to obtain the light guide 30 shown in FIG. Similarly, the light guide 30 shown in FIG. 4B can be bent to obtain the light guide 30 shown in FIG. 4C. That is, the light guide 30 having a substantially arc shape in plan view can be obtained by bending the light guide 30 in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view in the longitudinal direction. At this time, if the process of diffusing light is performed substantially uniformly inside the light guide 30 before being bent (the light guide 30 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view), Inside the light guide 30 (the substantially arc-shaped light guide 30 in plan view), the process of diffusing light is performed so as to become dense from the outside in the bending direction of the light guide 30 toward the inside. It becomes a state. That is, the diffusion process becomes dense on the inner peripheral side of the light guide 30 bent at an arbitrary curvature and rough on the outer peripheral side. Thereby, the difference in luminance caused by the relative position in the bending direction of the light guide 30 in the entire emission region 37 can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, when a plurality of LEDs 21 are mounted on the substrate of the LED module 20, as described above, the LEDs 21 may be arranged linearly in one or a plurality of rows, or in a ring shape, a radial shape, Or you may arrange | position at random. For example, you may arrange | position LED21 so that it may become dense toward the inner side from the outer side of the bending direction of the light guide 30. FIG. In this case, the difference in luminance caused by the relative position of the light guide 30 in the bending direction in the entire emission region 37 of the light guide 30 can be reduced. Even when the LEDs 21 are arranged uniformly (at equal intervals), the LEDs 21 are dimmed so that the luminous flux decreases from the outside in the bending direction of the light guide 30 toward the inside. The same effect can be obtained.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, when several LED21 is mounted on the board | substrate of the LED module 20, what emits the light of the same color temperature to all LED21 may be used, and it mutually differs as follows A combination of at least two types of LEDs 21 that emit light of color temperature may be used.

  Here, FIGS. 8A and 8B, which are partial perspective views of the illumination light source 11, show modifications 15 and 16 of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, in Modification 15 of the present embodiment, as two types of LEDs 21, an LED 21 having a color temperature of 3000K (Kelvin) and an LED 21a having a color temperature of 6000K are combined. At this time, in addition to the functions described above, the control unit 43 of the LED power supply 14 has a function of accepting an input for adjusting the individual LED module 20 or the illumination light source 11 to a desired color temperature from the outside. And the control part 43 has a function which gives the signal according to the input to the light control part 42. FIG. It is desirable that the dimming unit 42 of the LED power supply 14 is configured to dimm the LED 21 and the LED 21a independently. Thereby, the color temperature of the illumination light source 11 as a whole can be made variable between 3000 and 6000K. Moreover, the color mixing property of light can be improved by arrange | positioning LED21 and LED21a alternately one each or plurality by one (namely, arrange | positioning periodically changing).

  As shown in FIG. 8B, in the modified example 16 of the present embodiment, the LEDs 21 and the LEDs 21a are arranged in a plurality of lines so as not to be adjacent to each other with the same color temperature. Thereby, the color mixing property of light can further be improved.

  Although not shown, for example, the LED 21 and the LED 21a may be radially arranged so that one surrounds the other. Thereby, the color mixing property of light can further be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (a) or (b), when connecting a plurality of illumination light sources 11 or fixing their positions so as to be close to each other, all illumination light sources 11 have the same color temperature. Those that emit light may be used, or at least two types of illumination light sources 11 that emit light having different color temperatures may be used in combination. For example, as the two types of illumination light sources 11, the illumination light source 11 including the LED module 20 having a color temperature of 3000K and the illumination light source 11 including the LED module 20 having a color temperature of 6000K can be combined. In this case, it is possible to provide the lighting device 10 with excellent design by arranging two or more types of illumination light sources 11 one by one or plural alternately, or by arranging the same ones on a diagonal line. Can do.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the light guide 30 extending in the longitudinal direction and having the two end faces 31 and 32 causes light from the LED 21 to enter from the end faces 31 and 32 to diffuse the light from the surface. To emit light. The illumination light source 11 is used in a state where substantially the entire light guide 30 except for the end portion is exposed. The diffusion pattern 36 applied to the surface of the light guide 30 for diffusing light is provided on at least one surface excluding the end faces 31 and 32 and is separated from the edge portion (corner portion 34) of the light guide 30. Yes. When the diffusion pattern 36 is applied to the edge portion, light scattering is performed at the applied portion, but light scattering is not performed at the applied portion, so that the light scattering pattern at the edge portion becomes irregular and the design is impaired. In this embodiment, such irregular scattering can be prevented.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, an annular or curved light emitting surface (emission area 37) is formed by one or a plurality of illumination light sources 11, and a luminaire without glare (glare) can be provided. it can. This not only provides a circular illumination device that takes advantage of the long life and high efficiency of the LED 21, but also replaces the round fluorescent tube used in the circular illumination device with the illumination light source 11 according to the present embodiment (replacement). ) Is possible. Moreover, according to this Embodiment, since it is not necessary to form the board | substrate which arrange | positions LED21 cyclically | annularly, or arrange | positions LED21 cyclically | annularly, the lighting fixture which is easy to manufacture can be provided.

  Similarly, in the modified example 4 shown in FIG. 4B, a linear light emitting surface (emission area 37) is formed by one or a plurality of illumination light sources 11, and there is no glare (glare). Can be provided. As a result, not only a linear illumination device that takes advantage of the long life and high efficiency of the LED 21 is obtained, but also the linear fluorescent tube used in the linear illumination device is illuminated by the illumination light source 11 as shown in FIG. Replacement (replacement) is possible.

  Although not shown, on the end face 31 at one end of the light guide 30, only a certain region located in the optical axis direction of the LED 21 is an incident window for incident light from the LED 21, and a region other than the incident window. In addition, a process of reflecting light inside the light guide 30 may be performed. In this case, since the amount of light leaking from the end face 31 of the light guide 30 can be minimized, higher light emission efficiency can be obtained. The incident window may be provided for each LED 21 at one end of the light guide 30, or one incident window may be provided for a part (two or more) or all of the LEDs 21 at one end of the light guide 30. Good. As the treatment for reflecting light, for example, white coating, white plate pasting, metal coating, or the like can be performed.

  The same effect can be acquired by making the other end side of the light guide 30 into the same structure. That is, on the end face 32 at the other end of the light guide 30, only a certain region located in the optical axis direction of the LED 21 is used as an entrance window for entering light from the LED 21, and the light guide is placed in a region other than the entrance window. You may perform the process which reflects light inside 30. FIG. In this case, since the amount of light leaking from the end face 32 of the light guide 30 can be minimized, higher light emission efficiency can be obtained.

  Further, in FIGS. 1A to 1D, the substrates of the two LED modules 20 arranged back to back may be replaced with one double-sided mounting substrate. In this case, the LEDs 21 of one illumination light source 11 are mounted on the surface of one substrate, and the LEDs 21 of other illumination light sources 11 are mounted on the back surface of the same substrate. In this manner, by mounting the LEDs 21 on both sides of the substrate on which circuits can be formed on both sides, the size of the LED module 20 can be reduced, and the size of the light guide 30 can be increased accordingly. The double-sided mounting board may have some heat radiation means such as a metal plate or heat sink for heat radiation sandwiched in the center.

  In the present embodiment, the illumination light source 11 includes the LED module 20 in which at least one LED 21 is mounted on the substrate. Instead of the LED module 20, a light emitting element other than the LED (for example, organic EL). May include at least one module mounted on the substrate.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the illumination light source 11 according to the present embodiment.

  9A, the illumination light source 11 is different from that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4A in that the LED module 20 in which at least one LED 21 is mounted on the substrate is provided at only one end in the longitudinal direction. Prepare for. FIG. 9A shows an example in which three LEDs 21 are linearly arranged on the substrate of the LED module 20, as in FIG. 4A, but the number and arrangement of the LEDs 21 are not limited thereto. is not.

  The light guide 30 includes an end surface 31 (incident surface) at one end in the longitudinal direction, an end surface 32a (reflective surface) at the other end in the longitudinal direction, and a side surface 33 extending in the longitudinal direction and having a corner 34. Have The end surface 31 and the side surface 33 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The end face 32 a is provided with a reflective coating as a process for reflecting light to the inside of the light guide 30.

  The LED 21 installed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the light guide 30 emits light from the surface (light emitting surface) to the end surface 31 of the light guide 30. The light guide 30 receives light emitted from the LED 21 on one end side in the longitudinal direction from the end face 31. The light guide 30 diffuses the light incident from the end surface 31 by the diffusion pattern 36 formed in the diffusion region 35. At this time, since a part of the light incident from the end surface 31 reaches the opposite end surface 32a, the light guide 30 reflects this light at the end surface 32a and forms the light reflected by the end surface 32a in the diffusion region 35. The diffusion pattern 36 is diffused. The light guide 30 emits the light diffused by the diffusion pattern 36 from the emission region 37. In some cases, a part of the light incident from the end face 31 and the light reflected by the end face 32 a does not reach the diffusion region 35 and is emitted from the emission region 37 as it is.

  Here, FIG. 9B, which corresponds to FIG. 9A, shows a modification of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, in the modification of the present embodiment, the light guide 30 has a substantially rectangular shape (prism shape) in plan view. In this example, except that the light guide 30 extends linearly in the longitudinal direction and the end face 32a is subjected to white coating as a process for reflecting light, FIG. The configuration is the same as that shown in FIG.

  In addition, as a method of performing the process of reflecting light on the end face 32a, a method of covering the end face 32a with a white plate or a reflecting mirror (reflecting plate) can be used in addition to a method of applying a reflective coating or white coating. .

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the illumination light source 11 with high light emission efficiency by reflecting light on the surface of the light guide 30 that does not emit light (end surface 32a).

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of the illumination light source 11 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11A is a partial side view of the illumination light source 11.

  10 and 11A, the illumination light source 11 includes a reflector 38 that covers the diffusion region 35 of the light guide 30. The reflector 38 reflects light leaking from the diffusion region 35.

  Thus, if it is not necessary to emit light from the diffusion region 35, only the other region is set as the emission region 37, and the diffusion region 35 is covered with the reflector 38 to reflect light in an unnecessary direction, The illuminance of light in the required direction can be increased. As the reflector 38, for example, a reflective coating such as aluminum can be applied.

  In FIG. 11A, a diffusion pattern 36 is formed in the diffusion region 35 by the same convex processing as that shown in FIG. 7A. However, FIGS. 6A and 6B and FIG. The diffusion pattern 36 may be formed by dot printing, concave processing, or the like similar to that shown in FIG.

  Here, FIG. 11B, which is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 11A, shows a modification of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11 (b), in the modification of the present embodiment, the diffusion region 35 of the light guide 30 is not covered with the reflector 38, but light is applied to the surface thereof inside the light guide 30. The process which reflects is given. As the treatment for reflecting light, for example, white coating, white plate pasting, metal coating, or the like can be performed.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the illumination light source 11 with high light emission efficiency by reflecting light in the region where the light guide 30 does not emit light (the diffusion region 35).

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 12A is a bottom view of the illumination light source 11 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12B is a bottom view of the illumination light source 11 according to the present embodiment with the sleeve 39 removed.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b), in this embodiment, arcs are formed at both ends of each of the two linear illumination light sources 11 (specifically, substantially quadrilateral in plan view). Are connected one by one (you may just fix the position so that they are close to each other), and furthermore, by connecting both ends (you may just fix the position so that they are close), A set of illumination light sources 11 is configured as a lamp having a substantially elliptical shape or a substantially rounded rectangular shape in plan view as a whole. As the linear illumination light source 11, for example, a light source as shown in FIG. 4B can be used. As the arcuate light source 11 for illumination, for example, the one shown in FIG. 4A can be used. The combination method (number, type, arrangement, etc.) of the linear illumination light source 11 and the arc illumination light source 11 is not limited to that shown here.

  The illumination light sources 11 are connected to each other by a sleeve 39. Each sleeve 39 fixes the substrate of each LED module 20 to the end surfaces 31 and 32 side of the corresponding light guide 30. Each sleeve 39 surrounds a gap between the substrate of each LED module 20 and the corresponding end surfaces 31 and 32 of the light guide 30. For this reason, light leakage can be prevented. In addition, since the portion closest to the light source of the light guide 30 is covered with the sleeve 39, light is not emitted from the portion, dazzling is reduced, and uniformity of the entire emitted light is improved. .

  Although not shown, it is assumed that the inner peripheral surface of each sleeve 39 is subjected to a process of reflecting light. Thereby, since almost all of the light emitted from the LED 21 can be made incident on the end faces 31 and 32 of the light guide 30, high luminous efficiency can be obtained. As the treatment for reflecting light, for example, white coating, white plate pasting, metal coating, or the like can be performed. It is even better if the same processing is applied to the surface of the substrate of the LED module 20.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the illumination light source 11 that is substantially linear in a plan view and a substantially arc shape (for example, a substantially semicircular shape, a substantially quarter-circular shape, or a substantially 1/3 circular shape) in a plan view. A plurality of illumination light sources 11 can be combined to form an illumination device 10 having a free layout.

  In the present embodiment, the substrate on which the LED 21 is mounted is disposed on the end surfaces 31 and 32 of the light guide 30 via the sleeve 39, and the inside of the sleeve 39 is subjected to a process of reflecting light. . Therefore, the light incident from the end surfaces 31 and 32 and directly exiting from the opposite end surfaces 31 and 32 can be reflected and returned to the inside of the light guide 30, so that high luminous efficiency can be obtained.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, you may implement combining 2 or more embodiment among these. Alternatively, one of these embodiments may be partially implemented. Or you may implement combining two or more embodiment among these partially. For example, the sleeve 39 of the fourth embodiment can be used in the first to third embodiments.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Illumination device, 11 Illumination light source, 12 Main body, 13 Holder, 14 LED power supply, 15 Wiring, 16 Drawstring, 17 Reflective cover, 18 Fixing tool, 20 LED module, 21,21a LED, 30 Light guide, 31, 32, 32a End face, 33 Side face, 34 Corner part, 35 Diffusion area, 36 Diffusion pattern, 37 Emission area, 38 Reflector, 39 Sleeve, 40 Commercial power supply, 41 AC-DC conversion circuit, 42 Dimming part, 43 Control part .

Claims (17)

A longitudinal light guide used in an illumination light source that emits light from a light emitting element,
An end face that is at the longitudinal end of the light guide, and receives light from the light emitting element;
A diffusion pattern that extends in the longitudinal direction of the light guide and has a corner portion, a diffusion pattern that diffuses light incident from the end surface is formed in a region that is a predetermined distance or more away from the corner portion, and the corner And a side surface that emits light diffused by the diffusion pattern from at least a part of the region including the portion.   The light guide according to claim 1, wherein the light guide is curved in a longitudinal direction. The side has a plurality of the corners,
The region in which the diffusion pattern is formed is a region between two adjacent corners and at a distance of the predetermined distance or more from the two corners. Light guide.   4. The light guide according to claim 1, wherein the end faces are at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the light guide. 5. The end face is at one end in the longitudinal direction of the light guide,
The said light guide is further provided in the other end of the longitudinal direction of the said light guide, and has the other end surface to which the process which reflects the light which injected from the said end surface is given. The light guide of any one of 3.   The light guide according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the light guide is used in a state in which the corner portion is exposed when the illumination light source is used.   The light guide according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance is approximately 10% or less of a width of the light guide in a short direction.   The light guide according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the predetermined distance is 10 millimeters or less.   The light guide according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the predetermined distance is 0.5 millimeter or more.   The light guide according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the diffusion pattern is formed in a region where the diffusion pattern is formed by concave processing, convex processing, or dot printing. The light guide according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A light source for illumination, comprising: a light emitting element that emits light to an end face of the light guide.   12. The illumination light source according to claim 11, wherein the illumination light source has any one of a substantially circular shape, a substantially semicircular shape, a substantially semicircular shape, and a substantially 1/3 circular shape in plan view.   The illumination light source according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising a reflector that covers a region where the diffusion pattern of the light guide is formed and reflects light leaking from the region. light source. The illumination light source further includes:
A substrate on which the light emitting element is mounted;
A sleeve that fixes the substrate to the end face side of the light guide body and surrounds a gap between the substrate and the end face of the light guide body, and a sleeve on which an inner peripheral surface is subjected to a process of reflecting light The illumination light source according to claim 11, comprising: The illumination light source according to any one of claims 11 to 14,
An illumination device comprising: a power supply device that turns on a light emitting element of the illumination light source.   The illuminating device according to claim 15, wherein one or a plurality of the illuminating light sources according to claim 12 are combined so as to be substantially circular in a plan view.   12. The illumination light source according to claim 11 which is one of a substantially semicircular shape, a substantially quarter circle shape and a substantially 1/3 circle shape in plan view, and the illumination light source of claim 11 which is substantially linear shape in plan view. The lighting device according to claim 15, wherein a plurality of the lighting devices are combined.

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