JP2013232336A - Planar light-emitting plate unit and planar light-emitting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a planar light-emitting plate unit in order to obtain a planar light-emitting device capable of easily carrying out size change at low cost, easily being installed, and further, endowed with superb waterproof properties.SOLUTION: In a planar light-emitting plate unit, light from a light source entering from a first end face of a light guide plate 21 is to reflect inside the light guide plate 21 and to be emitted from a front surface as well as second to fourth end faces 212, 213, 214 of the light guide plate 21, where, the light guide plate 21, a light-reflecting sheet, and a back plate are integrated at a center position with a screw 241, and at four peripheral positions with a through-hole and screws 242 so as a structure related to the screws 241, 242 to make up a waterproof mechanism for preventing water from infiltrating between the light guide plate 21 and the light-reflecting sheet as well as between the light-reflecting sheet and the back plate.

Description

  The present invention relates to a surface light emitting plate unit and a surface light emitting device that are mainly used as a signboard or the like.

  As a conventional internally illuminated signboard, a direct type surface light emitting device is generally used, but in recent years, an edge light type surface light emitting device has been widely used. The edge light type surface light emitting device generally includes at least a light source, a light guide plate for surface emitting light incident from the light source, and a housing surrounding and supporting the light source and the light guide plate.

JP 11-219139 A JP 2010-177077 A JP-A-6-186433 JP 2006-185724 A

  By the way, signs of various sizes are required depending on the type of business and application. However, in the conventional signboard, since it is necessary to change the size of the light guide plate in order to change the size, there is a problem that it takes cost and labor, and if the size is increased, installation is difficult. .

  Moreover, since the signboard is mainly used outdoors, it may be exposed to rain. However, when rainwater enters the inside of the apparatus, it may cause trouble in light emission. Therefore, the surface light emitting device used for the signboard is desired to have waterproofness.

  The present invention provides a surface light emitting device and a surface light emitting device that can be easily and inexpensively changed in size, can be easily installed, and have good waterproof properties. An object of the present invention is to provide a surface light emitting plate unit.

  1st invention of this application consists of a light-guide plate part of a planar view rectangle, and the light source part attached to the one end part of the said light-guide plate part, The said light-guide plate part has a 1st thru | or 4th end surface. A light guide plate; a light reflection sheet provided on a back surface of the light guide plate; and a back plate provided on a back surface of the light reflection sheet. The light source unit includes the first light guide plate. A plurality of light sources disposed along the end surface and facing the first end surface; and a housing that supports the light source, and the light from the light source is transmitted from the first end surface of the light guide plate. The light is incident, reflected within the light guide plate, and emitted from the surface of the light guide plate and the second to fourth end faces. The light guide plate, the light reflecting sheet, and the back plate are connected to the light guide plate. Integrated by screwing into a screw hole at at least one location on the surface of the light plate Furthermore, it is integrated by being screwed to the through hole at a plurality of locations on the surface of the light guide plate, and the structure of the screw stop in the screw hole is the relationship between the light guide plate and the light reflecting sheet. And a first waterproofing mechanism for preventing water from entering between the light reflecting sheet and the back plate, and the structure of the screw stopper in the through hole is at least A surface light emitting plate unit having a second waterproof mechanism for preventing water from entering between the light guide plate and the light reflecting sheet.

  The surface light emitting plate unit of the first invention preferably further employs the following configurations (a) to (f).

(A) The first waterproof mechanism is disposed so as to surround the screw between a first resin washer sandwiched between a screw head and the light guide plate, and the light reflecting sheet and the back plate. A waterproof double-sided tape and a sealing material that seals the tip of the screw protruding from the back surface of the back plate, and the second waterproof mechanism includes a screw head and the guide. A second resin washer sandwiched between the optical plate, an O-ring arranged to surround the screw in the through hole of the back plate, and the screw of the screw so as to close the through hole of the back plate. A nut attached to the tip, and a sealing material that seals the tip of the screw protruding from the nut.

(B) The housing has a rear surface portion that covers the light source facing the first end surface from behind, and the rear surface portion is connected to an end of the light guide plate portion via a waterproof first double-sided tape. The light source unit further includes a protective cover that covers the light source facing the first end surface from the front, and the protective cover is a waterproof second surface. It is affixed on the surface of the edge part of the said light-guide plate part, and the front part of the said housing via the tape.

(C) In (b), the second double-sided tape is white.
(D) In (b), the support surface portion of the housing that supports a plurality of light sources opposed to the first end surface, the first end surface of the light guide plate portion, the rear surface portion of the housing, A space surrounded by the protective cover is sealed with a sealing material outside the light sources located at both ends of the plurality of light sources.
(E) A transparent sheet is attached to the second to fourth end faces of the light guide plate.
(F) The back plate has a metal fitting for hooking to an external support on the back surface.

  A second invention of the present application is configured by arranging a plurality of the surface light emitting plate units of (f), and the adjacent surface light emitting plate units are mutually connected to the second to fourth end surfaces of the light guide plate. In contact with each other and by being hooked on the lateral frame of the external support by the hooking metal fittings, respectively.

The surface light-emitting device of the second invention preferably employs the following configurations (A) and / or (B).
(A) A light diffusing plate is provided on the surface of the light guide plate of all the surface light emitting plate units.
(B) A display sheet is provided on the surface of the light guide plate of all the surface light emitting plate units.

According to the surface light emitting plate unit of the first invention, the following effects can be exhibited.
(1) Since the light from the light source is emitted from the surface of the light guide plate, it can be used alone as a surface light emitting device.
(2) By sticking a display sheet on which characters or patterns are drawn on the surface of the light guide plate, it can be used alone as an internally illuminated signboard.
(3) A large surface light-emitting device can be obtained by using a plurality of surface light-emitting plate units and bringing the second to fourth end surfaces into contact with each other.

(4) Since the screw-fixed part of the light guide plate part has a waterproof mechanism, even if it is exposed to water from the front side or water from the rear side, it is between the light guide plate and the reflection sheet, and It is possible to prevent water from entering between the reflection sheet and the back plate. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light emission from being hindered by the invading water.
(5) Since the screw fastened to the screw hole becomes the starting point of expansion of the light guide plate, the expansion of the light guide plate can be released. Therefore, the light guide plate and the back plate can be firmly integrated, and warpage of the light guide plate can be prevented.
(6) Since the screw is fixed to the through hole, the light guide plate, the reflection sheet, and the back plate can be independently expanded and contracted. Therefore, the light guide plate, the reflection sheet, and the back plate are hardly wrinkled or warped even when the expansion / contraction behavior is different due to the difference in expansion coefficient.

  According to said structure (a), the waterproof function of a surface emitting plate unit can be exhibited reliably.

  According to the said structure (b), it can prevent that water penetrate | invades in a light source part from the front side or a rear side, Therefore, it can prevent that water contacts a light source.

  According to the said structure (c), it can prevent that the part by which a double-sided tape is arrange | positioned, and its peripheral part become dark.

  According to the configuration (d), it is possible to prevent water from entering the light source section from the side, and thus it is possible to prevent water from coming into contact with the light source.

According to the configuration (e), the following effects can be exhibited.
(1) The second to fourth end faces can be protected from external influences.
(2) Since the transparent sheet has a performance capable of transmitting light with almost no loss, light emission from the second to fourth end faces is not hindered. Therefore, in the large surface light emitting device, the light passes between the contact portions of the end faces, and therefore the boundary between the contact portions becomes inconspicuous. Therefore, according to the large surface emitting device, a large light emitting surface in which a plurality of light emitting surfaces are integrated can be obtained.

  According to the configuration (f), since a plurality of surface light emitting plate units can be combined only by attaching the hooking metal fitting to the external support, a large surface light emitting device can be obtained inexpensively and easily. .

According to the surface light emitting device of the second invention, the following effects can be exhibited.
(I) Since it can be obtained simply by combining the same surface light emitting plate unit, it can be obtained inexpensively and easily.
(Ii) At each contact portion of the second to fourth end faces, light passes between each other, and therefore the boundary between the contact portions becomes inconspicuous. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a large light emitting surface in which a plurality of light emitting surfaces are integrated.
(Iii) In order to change the size, it is only necessary to increase or decrease the number of surface emitting plate units to be combined. Therefore, the size change can be performed inexpensively and easily.
(Iv) Since it can be configured simply by attaching the surface light emitting plate unit to the external support using the hook metal fitting, the installation can be performed easily.

  According to the said structure (A), the uniformity of the surface emission in a light emission surface can be improved.

  According to the said structure (B), the internally illuminated signboard which can exhibit the effect of said (i)-(iv) can be obtained.

It is a front perspective view of the surface emitting plate unit of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear perspective view of the unit of FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. It is an expansion perspective view of a hook metal fitting. It is VV sectional drawing of FIG.1 and FIG.4. It is a back perspective fragmentary figure which shows the use condition of a hook metal fitting. It is an expansion front perspective view of a light source part. It is an expansion rear perspective view of the light source part of FIG. It is a front upper perspective view of the housing which supports a light source. FIG. 10 is a view on arrow X in FIG. 9. It is an expansion front upper perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows a light source part. It is an expansion front upper perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows a light source part. It is an expansion front upper perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows a light source part. It is a XIV arrow directional view of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the A section of FIG. It is XVI-XVI sectional drawing of FIG. It is a front perspective view of the surface emitting device of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of the surface light emitting device of FIG. 17. It is a front perspective view of an external support tool.

  FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a surface light emitting plate unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is also a rear perspective view. The surface light emitting plate unit 1 includes a light guide plate portion 2 having a rectangular shape in plan view, and a light source portion 3 attached to one end portion of the light guide plate portion 2.

  3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. The light guide plate unit 2 includes a rectangular light guide plate 21, a light reflection sheet 22 provided on the back surface (reflection surface) 21 </ b> X of the light guide plate 21, a back plate 23 provided on the back surface of the light reflection sheet 22, have. The back plate 23 is made of a light metal such as aluminum. On the back surface of the back plate 23, as shown in FIG. 2, hooks 25 for hooking to an external support tool (FIG. 19) are provided at two locations, upper and lower. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the hook metal fitting 25. FIG. 5 is a VV cross-sectional view of FIGS. 1 and 4.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the light guide plate 21, the light reflection sheet 22, and the back plate 23 are at least one place on the surface of the light guide plate 21, preferably at one place in the center when the light guide plate 21 is viewed from the front. Further, it is integrated by being screwed into the screw holes, and preferably at a plurality of locations on the surface of the light guide plate 21, preferably around a plurality (four in this case) when the light guide plate 21 is viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 5, the parts are integrated by screwing into the through holes 231. Here, the diameter of the screw hole is set substantially equal to the shaft portion 2412 of the screw 241, and the diameter of the through hole 231 is set larger than the shaft portion 2422 of the screw 242. Thus, the light guide plate 21, the light reflection sheet 22, and the back plate 23 are preferably screwed to the screw holes at one central position when the light guide plate 21 is viewed from the front. Even if the optical plate 21 expands and contracts, almost no wrinkles or warpage occurs. Further, as will be described later, it is preferable to place a double-sided tape 92 at a screwed portion at the center position between the light reflecting sheet 22 and the back plate 23, thereby exhibiting waterproof performance described later. In addition, it is possible to suppress the light guide plate 21 from rotating about the screw stop at the center position. The through holes 231 are preferably distributed evenly.

  And the structure of the screw stop in the center position by the screw 241 prevents water from entering between the light guide plate 21 and the light reflecting sheet 22 and between the light reflecting sheet 22 and the back plate 23. For this purpose, the first waterproof mechanism is provided. Further, the screw fixing structure in the peripheral portion by the screw 242 is such that water enters at least between the light guide plate 21 and the light reflecting sheet 22, preferably between the light reflecting sheet 22 and the back plate 23. It has the 2nd waterproofing mechanism for preventing.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first waterproof mechanism includes a first resin washer 91, a waterproof double-sided tape 92, and a sealing material 93. The first resin washer 91 is sandwiched between the head 2411 of the screw 241 and the light guide plate 21. The double-sided tape 92 is disposed so as to surround the shaft portion 2412 of the screw 241 between the light reflecting sheet 22 and the back plate 23. The sealing material 93 is, for example, a silicone resin, and seals the tip 2413 of the screw 241 protruding from the back surface of the back plate 23.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second waterproof mechanism includes at least a second resin washer 95, an O-ring 96, and a nut 97, and preferably further includes a sealing material 98. The second resin washer 95 is sandwiched between the head portion 2421 of the screw 242 and the light guide plate 21. The O-ring 96 is disposed so as to surround the shaft portion 2422 of the screw 242 in the through hole 231 of the back plate 23. The nut 97 is attached to the tip 2423 of the screw 242 so as to close the through hole 231 of the back plate 23. The sealing material 98 is, for example, a silicone resin, and seals the tip end portion 2423 of the screw 242 protruding from the nut 97.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the hook metal fitting 25 is formed by processing one plate so that a concave portion 251 is formed in the central portion, or two or more plates are formed so that a concave portion 251 is formed in the central portion. It is formed in combination. Therefore, the hook metal fitting 25 has hook portions 252 and 253 on both sides of the recess 251. The hook metal fitting 25 is disposed on the back surface of the back plate 23 with the recess 251 extending in the lateral direction. The nut 97 presses the recess 251 against the back plate 23. Therefore, when the hook metal fitting 25 is attached to the back surface of the back plate 23, gaps 254 and 255 are formed between the hook portions 252 and 253 and the back plate 23. As a method of attaching the hook metal fitting 25 to the back surface of the back plate 23, for example, welding can be employed. As shown in FIG. 6, the surface light emitting plate unit 1 is slidable with respect to the horizontal frame 53 by inserting the upper vertical portion 531 of the horizontal frame 53 of the external support 5 into the lower gap 255. It is to be installed. Note that the surface light emitting plate unit 1 may not have the hook metal fitting 25. In that case, the surface emitting plate unit 1 is attached to an external support by using another jig.

  The light guide plate 21 is a rectangular plate in plan view, and has a first end surface 211 (FIG. 11), a second end surface 212, a third end surface 213, and a fourth end surface 214. The light guide plate 21 is made of resin as a main component. As the resin, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of (meth) acrylic resin, polystyrene resin, polyolefin resin, polycarbonate resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, and (meth) acrylic acid ester-styrene resin is preferable, Particularly preferred is a (meth) acrylic resin. These resins may be used as a mixture of two or more, or may be used so as to laminate two or more. The thickness of the light guide plate 21 is usually 1 to 10 mm, preferably 1.5 to 8 mm, and more preferably 2 to 5 mm. If the light guide plate 21 is too thin, the light from the light source may be difficult to enter. If the light guide plate 21 is too thick, the light emission efficiency may be insufficient. Since the weight increases, it is not preferable that the thickness is too thin or too thick.

  The first end surface 211 is preferably a mirror surface, and more preferably has an arithmetic average roughness (Ra) of 0.01 to 0.3 μm. When the first end surface 211 is a mirror surface, the light from the light source is prevented from diffusing at the end surface and efficiently enters the light guide plate 21, and the arithmetic average roughness of the end surface is within the predetermined range. In this case, the light enters the light guide plate 21 more efficiently. Even if the arithmetic average roughness is less than 0.01 μm, the same effect as described above can be obtained. However, if the arithmetic average roughness is too small, the processing cost of the end face becomes high, which is not preferable. Here, arithmetic mean roughness can be measured based on JIS B0601-2001, for example.

  The second end surface 212, the third end surface 213, and the fourth end surface 214 are preferably mirror surfaces, and more preferably have an arithmetic average roughness (Ra) of 0.01 to 0.3 μm. When these end faces are mirror surfaces, diffusion of light emitted from these end faces is suppressed on the end faces, and the vicinity of these end faces is suppressed from being locally brightened. When the arithmetic average roughness is within the predetermined range, it is further suppressed that the vicinity of these end faces is locally brightened. Even if the arithmetic average roughness is less than 0.01 μm, the same effect as described above can be obtained. However, if the arithmetic average roughness is too small, the processing cost of the end face becomes high, which is not preferable.

  As the light reflecting sheet 22, for example, a foamed film made of (meth) acrylic resin, a foamed film made of polyester, a film made of glass or plastic and a metal having a high reflectivity deposited thereon can be used. When a film made of (meth) acrylic resin is used as the light reflecting sheet 22, the thickness is preferably 300 μm or more, more preferably 400 μm or more, and even more preferably 500 μm or more. In that case, since the light reflecting sheet 22 has high rigidity, even if a deviation occurs due to the difference in expansion coefficient between the light guide plate 21 and the light reflecting sheet 22, the light reflecting sheet 22 has almost no wrinkles. Can not. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unevenness in light reflection. The thickness is preferably 1 mm or less, and more preferably 800 μm or less. Furthermore, as the resin constituting the light guide plate 21 and the light reflection sheet 22, when both adopt (meth) acrylic resin, the difference in expansion coefficient between the light guide plate 21 and the light reflection sheet 22 becomes substantially equal. A shift is less likely to occur between the light guide plate 21 and the light reflecting sheet 22, and the light reflecting sheet 22 is hardly wrinkled or warped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unevenness in light reflection. The film made of (meth) acrylic resin may not be a foamed film, but is preferably a foamed film. In the case of a foam film, the warpage of the light guide plate 21 can be suppressed by the heat insulating effect from the back plate 23. Moreover, when using the film which consists of a polyethylene terephthalate as the light reflection sheet 22, thickness is preferable 500 micrometers or more. In that case, since the light reflecting sheet 22 has high rigidity, even if a deviation occurs due to the difference in expansion coefficient between the light guide plate 21 and the light reflecting sheet 22, the light reflecting sheet 22 has almost no wrinkles. Can not. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unevenness in light reflection. Specifically, as the light reflecting sheet 22, a product name “RF188” manufactured by Tsujiden Co., Ltd., a product name “Lumirror E60L” manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc., a product name “Lumirror E6SR” manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc., The product name “Lef White RW188” manufactured by Kimoto Co., Ltd., the product name “MCPET” manufactured by Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., and the product name “Diffure” manufactured by Duera Corporation can be used.

  In addition, it is preferable to form an irregular reflection layer between the back surface 21 </ b> X of the light guide plate 21 and the light reflection sheet 22. The irregular reflection layer is formed on the back surface 21X by subjecting the back surface 21X to a dot shape or a stripe shape directly by a laser, screen printing or vapor deposition of ink, or ink jet printing. In particular, a dot shape is preferable. As a form of a dot, for example, a substantially circular shape, a substantially triangular shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially hexagonal shape and the like are preferable. As a method of forming the irregular reflection layer in the form of dots, (1) a method of applying unevenness to the portion corresponding to the dots or attaching ink or the like, and (2) a portion of the ground other than the dots In other words, there is a method of performing uneven processing or attaching ink or the like. The method (1) is referred to as “positive pattern”, and the method (2) is referred to as “negative pattern”. In the case of a positive pattern, the dot distribution is preferably such that the area occupied by dots per unit area gradually increases from the first end surface 211 side to the third end surface 213. In this case, it is preferable that the area occupied by dots per unit area gradually decreases from the first end surface 211 side toward the third end surface 213.

  Further, it is preferable to provide a light diffusion plate on the surface (light exit surface) 21Y side of the light guide plate 21. The light diffusing plate is a plate having a light diffusing function or a light collecting function. The light diffusing plate is a plate made of a resin composition containing a light diffusing agent, a plate made of a resin composition and having an uneven shape on the surface, or a resin composition containing a light diffusing agent on the surface. It is composed of a plate with an uneven shape. As the resin constituting the light diffusion plate, for example, selected from the group consisting of (meth) acrylic resin, polystyrene resin, polyolefin resin, polycarbonate resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyester resin, and (meth) acrylic acid ester-styrene resin At least one kind is preferable, and (meth) acrylic resin is particularly preferable. These resins may be used as a mixture of two or more, or may be used so as to laminate two or more. Examples of the light diffusing agent that can be included in the light diffusing plate include organic fine particles such as acrylic crosslinked beads and methyl (meth) acrylate-styrene copolymer (MS) crosslinked beads, silica, titanium oxide, and sulfuric acid. Inorganic fine particles such as barium can be used, and two or more of these may be used simultaneously. In particular, organic fine particles are preferable. Similar to the light guide plate 21, the light diffusion plate may be a rectangular plate in plan view. The thickness is usually about 0.1 to 5 mm, preferably 0.15 to 4 mm. If the light diffusing plate is too thin, wrinkles are likely to occur in the light diffusing plate itself. If the light diffusing plate is too thick, the weight of the entire surface light emitting device becomes heavy. . In addition, in order to suppress the generation of wrinkles of the light diffusion plate on the light exit surface side of the light diffusion plate, it is installed a clear protection plate (not shown) having a rectangular shape in plan view so as to cover the light diffusion plate. preferable. In addition, as a light diffusing plate, specifically, a product name “Sumipex 032”, a product name “Sumipex 040”, a product name “Sumipex 055”, a product name “Sumipex E032”, or a product manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. The name “SUMIPEX E535” or the like can be used, and the product name “LIGHT-UP GM3”, the product name “LIGHT-UP GM7”, or the product name “LIGHT-UP NSH” manufactured by Kimoto Co., Ltd. can be used.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged front perspective view of the light source unit 3. FIG. 8 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the same. FIG. 9 is a front upper perspective view of the housing that supports the light source. 10 is a view taken in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 11, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13 are enlarged front upper perspective views showing the light source unit 3 in an exploded manner. 14 is a view taken in the direction of arrow XIV in FIG. The light source unit 3 includes a plurality of light sources 31, a housing 32, and a protective cover 33.

  The housing 32 is a molded body of one plate, and includes a front surface portion 321, a support surface portion 322, and a rear surface portion 323. The rear surface portion 323 includes a rear surface lower portion 3231 and a rear surface upper portion 3232 positioned slightly forward of the rear surface lower portion 3231. As shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of light sources 31 are fixed at equal intervals on the substrate 30 fixed on the support surface portion 322, whereby the housing 32 supports the plurality of light sources 31. doing. On the substrate 30, spacers 34 are fixed at both ends and the center. The thickness of the spacer 34 is set to be thicker than the thickness of the light source 31 by a predetermined dimension. The predetermined dimension is preferably 0.1 to 0.8 mm. A wire connector 351 connected to all the light sources 31 is fixed at the center of the lower surface of the support surface portion 322, and a power cord 352 extends downward from the side of the connector 351.

  As the light source 31, an LED, a fluorescent lamp, a cold cathode tube, or the like can be used. In particular, an LED can be preferably used.

  The spacer 34 is a plate made of metal or resin. As the metal, for example, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni, Au, Ag, Al, or an alloy composed of two or more of these can be used. The spacer 34 may be a plate whose surface is plated with the above metal. Examples of the resin include silicone rubber, acrylic rubber, nitrile rubber, urethane rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, chloroprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, fluorine rubber, polyolefin resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polytetrafluoroethylene resin, nylon resin, Polycarbonate resin, epoxy resin, etc. can be used. As a resin constituting the spacer, even when the light guide plate 21 is expanded by heat or moisture absorption, a suitable position of the light guide plate (that is, a suitable distance between the light source and the light guide plate) can be maintained, and illumination can be performed. A resin that can have a certain degree of elasticity is preferred so that no distortion occurs. Moreover, you may give a predetermined process to the surface of a spacer. For example, when the surface of the spacer is processed to impart lubricity, it is possible to prevent rubbing in the parallel direction due to the difference in expansion between the light source and the light guide plate. The spacer is made of a transparent resin having a high light transmittance or a white resin having a high light reflectance in order to efficiently use light emitted from the light source to the light guide plate. Is preferred.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the housing 32 is disposed so that the spacer 34 abuts against the first end surface 211 of the light guide plate 21, and the rear lower portion 3231 is light-transmitted via the first double-sided tape 361. It is affixed on the back surface of the end of the reflection sheet 22. The support surface portion 322 of the housing 32 faces the first end surface 211. Thereby, the plurality of light sources 31 are arranged along the first end surface 211 of the light guide plate 21 and opposed to the first end surface 211. The first double-sided tape 361 is waterproof. Moreover, it is preferable that the 1st double-sided tape 361 is white. The back plate 23 has a lower end surface 235 located slightly behind the main body, and the rear upper surface 3232 of the housing 32 is sandwiched between the lower end surface 235 and the back surface of the light guide plate 21. .

  Further, in the light source unit 3, as shown in FIG. 12, the second double-sided tape 362 is attached across the end surface of the light guide plate 21 and the front surface of the front surface part 321. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the protective cover 33 is attached to the front surface of the second double-sided tape 362. Therefore, the protective cover 33 is attached to the end surface of the light guide plate 21 and the front surface portion 321 of the housing 32 with the light source 31 covered from the front via the double-sided tape 362. The second double-sided tape 362 is waterproof. The second double-sided tape 362 is preferably white. The lower end portion of the protective cover 33 is curved rearward and upward to form a curved portion 331. The curved portion 331 accommodates the lower end portion of the front surface portion 321 and the lower end portion of the second double-sided tape 362 from below. A curved portion 332 is formed at a portion where the connector 351 and the power cord 352 are located. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a protective cap 371 is attached so as to cover the first end surface 211 and the light source 31 from both sides. In the figure, only the protective cap 371 on one side is shown.

  The first double-sided tape 361 and the second double-sided tape 362 are preferably white, which can prevent the portions where the double-sided tapes 361 and 362 are disposed and the peripheral portion thereof from becoming dark. As the first double-sided tape 361 and the second double-sided tape 362, for example, trade names “Butyl Tape 717”, “Butyl Tape 718”, and “Butyl Tape 718W” manufactured by Teraoka Seisakusho Co., Ltd .; Names “Double-sided waterproof and airtight tape W-503”, “Double-sided waterproof and airtight tape W-513”, and “Double-sided waterproof and airtight tape W-523”; trade names “Superbutyl Tape 5000” and “Superbutyl Tape” manufactured by Sliontec Co., Ltd. "5001"; the product name "Zenten Tape No. 690" manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation can be used. Among them, the product name "Butyl Tape 718W" manufactured by Teraoka Seisakusho Co., Ltd. The waterproof and airtight tape W-523 "is preferable because it is white.

  As shown in FIG. 14, a space 200 that holds the light source 31 is configured between the substrate 30 on the support surface portion 322 of the housing 32 and the first end surface 211 of the light guide plate portion 2. Has been. The front side of the space 200 is partitioned by a protective cover 33 via a double-sided tape 362, and the rear side is partitioned by a rear surface portion 323 of the housing 32. That is, the space 200 is surrounded by the support surface portion 322, the first end surface 211, the rear surface portion 323 of the housing 32, and the protective cover 33. Then, the outer part of the light source 31 located at both ends of the space 200, that is, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the space 200 are sealed with a sealing material 201 (FIG. 10) as shown by hatching in FIG. Yes. As the sealing material 201, for example, a silicone resin can be used.

  FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. A transparent sheet 26 is attached to the second end surface 212, the third end surface 213, and the fourth end surface 214 of the light guide plate 21. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the back plate 23 has a size slightly smaller than the light guide plate 21 and the light reflection sheet 22. Therefore, a portion 239 where the back plate 23 does not exist is formed at the peripheral edge portions of the back surfaces of the light guide plate 21 and the light reflection sheet 22. And the transparent sheet 26 is stuck so that the edge part of only the light guide plate 21 and the light reflection sheet 22 may be covered from the front and back, covering the end surface of only the light guide plate 21 and the light reflection sheet 22. The transparent sheet 26 has a performance capable of transmitting the light from the light source 31 with almost no loss. As the transparent sheet 26, for example, a registered trademark “Scotch Kal” film manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Limited can be used.

  In the surface light emitting plate unit 1 having the above-described configuration, the light emitted from the light source 3 enters the light guide plate 21 from the first end surface 211 and is reflected by the light reflecting sheet 22 while being repeatedly reflected in the light guide plate 21. Then, the light exit surface 21Y emits light, and thereby the light exit surface 21Y emits light, and also exits from the second end surface 212, the third end surface 213, and the fourth end surface 214.

  Accordingly, the surface light emitting plate unit 1 can be used alone as a surface light emitting device, and can be used alone as an internally illuminated signboard by pasting a display sheet on which letters, patterns, and the like are drawn on the light emitting surface 21Y. Can also be used.

  Further, since the light guide plate 21, the light reflection sheet 22, and the back plate 23 are screwed by screws 241 at the center position, the screws 241 serve as a starting point for expansion of the light guide plate 21, and escape the expansion of the light guide plate 21. be able to. Therefore, the light guide plate 21, the light reflection sheet 22, and the back plate 23 can be firmly integrated, and the warpage of the light guide plate 21 can be prevented. Moreover, the light guide plate 21, the light reflection sheet 22, and the back plate 23 are screwed at the peripheral portions by screws 242, and the diameter of the through hole 231 in the screwing configuration is the shaft portion 2422 of the screw 242. Therefore, the light guide plate 21, the reflection sheet 22, and the back plate 23 can be independently expanded and contracted. Therefore, the light guide plate 21 and the reflection sheet 22 and the back plate 23 have almost no wrinkles or warpage even when the expansion / contraction behavior is different due to the difference in expansion rate.

  In addition, the surface light emitting plate unit 1 having the above configuration can exhibit good waterproof performance, and can prevent water from entering the inside of the apparatus even when exposed to water from the front side, the rear side, and the side. It is possible to prevent the light emission from being hindered.

  Further, according to the surface light emitting plate unit 1 having the above-described configuration, since the protective cover 33 and the protective cap 371 are provided on the light source unit 3, the light source 31 is protected from external influences. In particular, since the protective cover 33 has the curved portion 331, an external factor that tries to enter the light source 31 from below is excluded.

  Moreover, since the transparent sheet 26 is affixed on the 2nd end surface 212, the 3rd end surface 213, and the 4th end surface 214, these end surfaces are protected from the external influence. In addition, since the transparent sheet 26 has a performance capable of transmitting light with almost no loss, light emission from these end faces is not hindered.

  In addition, since the transparent sheet 26 holds the end portions of only the light guide plate 21 and the light reflection sheet 22 and is not attached to the back plate 23, the transparent sheet 26 expands between the light guide plate 21 and the back plate 23. Even if a shift occurs due to the difference in rate, the transparent sheet 26 does not break. Therefore, the function of the transparent sheet 26 can be exhibited stably.

  Moreover, the surface light emitting plate unit 1 can be used as a large surface light emitting device by combining a plurality of surface light emitting plate units 1 as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18.

  FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a large-sized surface light emitting device obtained by combining eight surface light emitting plate units 1. FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of the same. The surface light emitting device 10 includes surface light emitting plate units 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1H. In the surface light emitting device 10, the third end surface 213 of the surface light emitting plate unit 1A is in contact with the third end surface 213 of the surface light emitting plate unit 1B, and the fourth end surface 214 of the surface light emitting plate unit 1A is the surface light emitting plate unit 1C. The second end surface 212 is in contact with the second end surface 212, the second end surface 212 of the surface light emitting plate unit 1B is in contact with the fourth end surface 214 of the surface light emitting plate unit 1D, and the third end surface 213 of the surface light emitting plate unit 1C is surface emitting. The plate unit 1D is in contact with the third end surface 213, the surface light emitting plate unit 1C is in contact with the fourth end surface 214 of the surface light emitting plate unit 1E, and the surface light emitting plate unit 1D is in the second end surface. 212 is in contact with the fourth end surface 214 of the surface light emitting plate unit 1F, and the third end surface 213 of the surface light emitting plate unit 1E is in contact with the third end surface 213 of the surface light emitting plate unit 1F. The first end surface 214 of the first light emitting unit 1E is in contact with the second end surface 212 of the surface light emitting plate unit 1G, and the second end surface 212 of the surface light emitting plate unit 1F is in contact with the fourth end surface 214 of the surface light emitting plate unit 1H. The third end surface 213 of the surface light emitting plate unit 1G is in contact with the third end surface 213 of the surface light emitting plate unit 1H. Further, in order to maintain such a contact state, the surface light emitting plate units 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1H are respectively shown in FIG. The external support 5 is attached. Specifically, the external support 5 has four horizontal frames 53 between the two vertical frames 51 and 52, and each surface light emitting plate unit 1 includes an upper vertical portion 531 of the horizontal frame 53. Is inserted into the gap 255 between the hook portion 253 and the back plate 23, so that it can be slid with respect to the lateral frame 53 and is installed on the external support 5. In addition, the surface emitting plate unit 1 is attached to the external support 5 or another support by using another jig | tool, when it does not have the hook metal fitting 25.

  In the surface light emitting device 10 having the above-described configuration, the light emitting surface 21Y emits light in each of the surface light emitting plate units 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1H, and the light from the light source 31 The light is also emitted from the second end surface 212, the third end surface 213, and the fourth end surface 214. Accordingly, the light passes between the contact portions of the end faces, and therefore the boundary between the contact portions becomes inconspicuous. Therefore, according to the surface light emitting device 10, it is possible to obtain a large light emitting surface in which the eight light emitting surfaces 21Y are integrated. Accordingly, the surface light emitting device 10 can function as a large surface light emitting device.

  Further, if a light diffusing plate is attached to the large light exit surface, the uniformity of light emission can be improved. Moreover, a large internally illuminated signboard can be obtained by attaching a display sheet on which characters, patterns, and the like are attached to the large light exit surface. In these cases, a single sheet of the light diffusing plate or the display sheet can be attached to the front surface of the eight light exit surfaces 21Y.

  Moreover, since the surface light emitting device 10 can be obtained simply by combining the same surface light emitting plate unit 1, it can be obtained inexpensively and easily. In order to change the size, the surface light emitting plate unit 1 to be combined can be obtained. Since it is only necessary to increase or decrease the number, the size can be changed at low cost and easily. In the surface light emitting device 10 having the above configuration, eight surface light emitting plate units are used. However, the surface light emitting device 10 of the present invention is not limited to eight, and can be configured using two or more surface light emitting plate units. .

  Furthermore, the surface light emitting device 10 can be configured simply by attaching the surface light emitting plate unit 1 to the external support 5 using the hooking metal fitting 25, so that the installation can be easily performed.

  The combined arrangement of the surface light emitting plate units 1 in the surface light emitting device 10 is not limited to the regular arrangement as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 and may be used in an irregular arrangement.

  The surface light-emitting plate unit of the present invention has a great industrial utility value because it can constitute a surface light-emitting device that can be easily and inexpensively changed in size and can be easily installed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Surface light-emitting plate unit 2 Light guide plate part 200 Space 201 Sealing material 21 Light guide plate 211 1st end surface 212 2nd end surface 213 3rd end surface 214 4th end surface 22 Light reflection sheet 23 Back plate 231 Through-hole 241, 242 Screw 2411, 2421 Head 25 Hook 26 Transparent sheet 3 Light source 31 Light source 32 Housing 321 Front 322 Support surface 323 Rear surface 33 Protective cover 361, 362 Double-sided tape 5 External support 53 Horizontal frame 91 First resin washer 92 Double-sided tape
93, 98 Sealing material 95 Second resin washer 96 O-ring 97 Nut 10 Surface light emitting device

Claims (10)

The light guide plate portion having a rectangular shape in plan view, and a light source portion attached to one end portion of the light guide plate portion,
The light guide plate portion includes a light guide plate having first to fourth end faces, a light reflecting sheet provided on the back surface of the light guide plate, and a back plate provided on the back surface of the light reflecting sheet. And
The light source unit includes a plurality of light sources arranged along the first end surface of the light guide plate and facing the first end surface, and a housing that supports the light source,
The light from the light source is incident from the first end surface of the light guide plate, reflected within the light guide plate, and emitted from the surface of the light guide plate and the second to fourth end surfaces,
The light guide plate, the light reflecting sheet, and the back plate are integrated by being screwed into a screw hole at at least one location on the surface of the light guide plate, and further, a plurality of surfaces on the surface of the light guide plate are integrated. It is integrated by being screwed to the through hole at the location,
A screw-fastening configuration in the screw hole is a first for preventing water from entering between the light guide plate and the light reflecting sheet and between the light reflecting sheet and the back plate. Has a waterproof mechanism,
The structure of the screw stopper in the through hole has a second waterproof mechanism for preventing water from entering at least between the light guide plate and the light reflecting sheet,
A surface light emitting plate unit. The first waterproofing mechanism is disposed so as to surround the screw between a first resin washer sandwiched between a screw head and the light guide plate, and the light reflecting sheet and the back plate. A double-sided adhesive tape, and a sealing material that seals the tip of the screw protruding from the back surface of the back plate,
A second resin washer sandwiched between a screw head and the light guide plate; an O-ring arranged to surround the screw in the through hole of the back plate; A nut attached to the tip of the screw so as to close the through hole of the back plate, and a sealing material that seals the tip of the screw protruding from the nut.
The surface emitting plate unit according to claim 1. The housing has a rear surface portion that covers the light source facing the first end surface from the rear,
The rear surface portion is attached to the back surface of the end portion of the light guide plate portion via a waterproof first double-sided tape,
The light source unit further includes a protective cover that covers the light source facing the first end surface from the front,
The protective cover is attached to the surface of the end portion of the light guide plate portion and the front surface portion of the housing via a waterproof second double-sided tape.
The surface emitting plate unit according to claim 1 or 2. The second double-sided tape is white.
The surface emitting plate unit according to claim 3. A space surrounded by a support surface portion of the housing that supports a plurality of light sources opposed to the first end surface, the first end surface of the light guide plate portion, the rear surface portion of the housing, and the protective cover. Is sealed with a sealing material outside the light sources located at both ends of the plurality of the light sources,
The surface emitting plate unit according to claim 3. A transparent sheet is attached to the second to fourth end faces of the light guide plate.
The surface emitting plate unit as described in any one of Claims 1-5. The back plate has a metal fitting for hooking to an external support on the back surface,
The surface emitting plate unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A plurality of the surface emitting plate units according to claim 7 are arranged side by side,
The adjacent surface light emitting plate units are in a state in which the second to fourth end surfaces of the light guide plate are in contact with each other, and are hooked on the lateral frame of the external support by the hooking brackets, respectively. Arranged,
A surface light-emitting device. A light diffusing plate is provided on the surface of the light guide plate of all the surface light emitting plate units,
The surface emitting device according to claim 8. Display sheets are provided on the surfaces of the light guide plates of all the surface emitting plate units,
The surface emitting device according to claim 8 or 9.

Images