JP2016004719A - Optical element and surface light source device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical element and a surface light source device which can achieve uniform surface emission while keeping a short distance in emission direction in a system where a light source is provided just below the optical element.SOLUTION: An optical element 30 comprises at least one prism group formed by a plurality of prism apexes 32 spirally extending from a central axis 31 toward the outer edge, on the surface of a flat plate.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical element having a prism group on a surface and a surface light source device.

  For example, an elevator is provided with an illuminated push button switch that illuminates the destination floor so that the destination floor can be input. In recent years, it has been desired that the illuminated push button switch emit light uniformly.

  As a structure for causing the conventional illuminated pushbutton switch to emit light uniformly, three types of control methods are generally known as shown in FIGS. 10 (a), 10 (b), and 10 (c). Among them, a method of controlling the directivity by arranging the convex lens 102 directly above the light source 101 shown in FIG. 10A, or the light from the light source 111 shown in FIG. The so-called direct light source method such as the light guide control method that emits light through the light source has a problem that the distance in the emission direction becomes large. Compared to this, as shown in FIG. 10C, in the surface light emission control method, the light guide plate 121 is used, so the distance in the emission direction can be reduced. However, when the light guide plate 121 is used, since the light source 122 is generally disposed on the side surface of the light guide plate 121, there is a problem that the width in the in-plane direction is increased. Further, the use of the light guide plate 121 increases the cost.

  Therefore, in order to manufacture the surface light source device at a low cost, it is preferable to realize uniform surface light emission by reducing the distance in the emission direction in the direct light source method.

  By the way, in the luminance distribution of the surface light source device of the direct light source type, when an optical element such as a microlens array does not exist, as shown by a broken line in FIG. It is too dark in the vicinity. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable when an LED is used as the light source. Therefore, in the surface light source device of the type directly under the light source, in order to achieve the luminance distribution of the target value indicated by the solid line in FIG. Need to be brighter. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 11B, in an optical element such as a microlens array (MLA), reflection is strengthened immediately above the LED light source, while deflection by refraction or the like is performed in the periphery. It needs to be strong.

  Conventionally, for example, LED light emitters disclosed in Patent Document 1 and direct-type point light source backlight devices disclosed in Patent Document 2 are known as surface light source devices including optical elements for such purposes.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the LED luminous body 200 disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a reflective layer 201, a light emitting diode (LED) 202, and a structured surface 203 as an optical element. The structured surface 203 has a plurality of prism structures in which prism apexes are linearly arranged with respect to a central axis on the same axis as the light emitting axis of the light emitting diode (LED) 202.

  Further, a direct type point light source backlight device 300 disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a point LED light source 302 mounted on an LED substrate 301 and an upper surface of the LED substrate 301 as shown in FIG. And a light diffusing plate 310 provided above the LED substrate 301. As shown in FIG. 12B, the light diffusing plate 310 has a plurality of concave portions 311 on the surface, and the concave portions 311 have a substantially inverted polygonal pyramid shape or a substantially inverted polygonal truncated cone shape.

Special table 2009-521784 (announced on June 4, 2009) JP 2010-117707 A (published May 27, 2010)

  However, the conventional optical element and the surface light source device have the following problems.

  First, in the LED luminous body 200 disclosed in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 14, the luminance distribution near the center of the structured surface 203 is lowered by increasing the reflection directly above the light emitting diode (LED) 202. Can be made. However, there is a problem in that there is no increase in luminance at the periphery, and as a result, sufficiently uniform surface light emission cannot be realized.

  Further, in the direct type point light source backlight device 300 disclosed in Patent Document 2, the light directly above the point LED light source 302 is reflected by the surface of the light diffusion plate 310 and returned as shown in FIG. However, part of the light around the light diffusing plate 310 is refracted on the surface of the light diffusing plate 310 and gathers in the center above the light diffusing plate 310. As a result, the luminance at the center of the light diffusing plate 310 is not lowered so much that there is a problem that sufficiently uniform surface light emission cannot be realized.

  On the other hand, in the field of optics, a Fresnel lens is known in which the surface portion of one lens is finely disassembled and arranged on a plane. The Fresnel lens has an advantage that the thickness of the lens is reduced and the weight can be reduced. If this Fresnel lens is appropriately designed with an aspherical surface, for example, light can be collected around the lens with a small amount of light by deflection due to refraction or the like, and the brightness of the periphery can be increased.

  However, in the Fresnel lens in which the surface of one lens is finely disassembled and arranged concentrically on a plane, a part of the light refracted on the surface of the light diffusing plate 310 is diffused as shown in FIG. Collect in the center above the plate 310. Due to this phenomenon, there is a drawback that the central luminance cannot be lowered sufficiently.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical element and a surface light source device capable of realizing uniform surface light emission while keeping the distance in the emission direction small in the direct light source method. It is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the optical element of the present invention includes at least one prism group formed on the surface of the flat plate in which a plurality of prism tops spirally extend from the central axis toward the outer periphery. It is characterized by. In addition, each prism top formed to extend in a spiral shape is not necessarily continuous but may be discontinuous.

  According to the above-described invention, in a portion far from the center axis of the optical element to the outer periphery, a state in which a plurality of prism apexes are provided concentrically as in the case of a Fresnel lens appropriately designed as an aspherical surface. Therefore, the light from the light source can be refracted so as to be collected in the dark part of the outer periphery with a small amount of light away from the central axis of the optical element. Here, in the present invention, on the outer periphery of the optical element, the tops of the plurality of prisms are each formed in a spiral shape and are not concentric. For this reason, a part of the light travels in the direction of the central axis of the optical element, but is not concentrated on one point on the central axis but is dispersed. As a result, it is possible to suppress the collection of light on the central axis.

  On the other hand, in the vicinity of the central axis, a plurality of prism apexes formed so as to extend in a spiral shape are arranged in a linear radial shape. As a result, in the vicinity of the central axis, the light from the light source is reflected so that the light from the light source is not transmitted.

  As a result, a large amount of light is transmitted in the portion away from the central axis to the outer periphery, and light is not transmitted in the vicinity of the central axis. Therefore, in the direct light source system in which the light source is provided directly under the optical element, the optical element Uniform light is emitted on the entire surface.

  Therefore, it is possible to provide an optical element capable of realizing uniform surface light emission while keeping the distance in the emission direction small in the direct light source method.

  In the present invention, a plurality of central axes may exist in the flat plate. Thereby, it becomes possible to arrange light sources on the extensions of the respective central axes, and even in an optical element having a wide substrate, uniform light can be emitted on the entire surface of the optical element.

  In the optical element according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that each prism top portion of the prism group is formed to linearly extend radially toward the outer periphery from the central axis to a first radial distance.

  Thereby, since the shape of each prism top of the prism group in the vicinity of the central axis in the optical element is a radial prism, the light from the light source is reliably reflected in the vicinity of the central axis in the optical element. The light from the light source is not transmitted.

  In the optical element of the present invention, each prism top of the prism group may be formed to continuously extend from the central axis toward the outer periphery.

  Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the local nonuniformity of transmitted light can be prevented.

  In the optical element of the present invention, each of the prism apexes may have an inverted V-shaped cross section.

  Thereby, the light from the light source is uniformly reflected at the top of each prism having an inverted V-shaped cross section. Therefore, the light from the light source can be refracted uniformly at the outer periphery away from the central axis of the optical element. Even in the vicinity of the central axis, the light from the light source can be uniformly reflected so that the light from the light source is not transmitted.

  Moreover, processing becomes easy by making it a cross-section reverse V shape. As a result, an easily manufactured optical element can be provided.

  In the optical element of the present invention, the prism group may be provided on the back surface of the flat plate.

  That is, by providing the prism group of the present invention also on the back surface of the flat plate, the incident angle from the light source to the back surface of the optical element can be controlled according to the top of each prism. As a result, the direction of the light emitted from the front surface of the flat plate can be adjusted by the cross-sectional shape of the prism tops in the prism group on the back surface and front surface of the flat plate, thereby increasing the degree of freedom of deformation of the cross-sectional shape of each prism top. be able to.

  In the surface light source device of the present invention, in order to solve the above problems, a diffusion plate, the optical element described above, and a point light source provided on an extension line of the central axis of the optical element are arranged in this order. It is characterized by being.

  According to the above invention, it is possible to provide a surface light source device including an optical element capable of realizing uniform surface light emission while keeping the distance in the emission direction small in the direct light source system.

  In particular, in the present invention, a diffusion plate is disposed on the side of the optical element opposite to the point light source. As a result, the light emitted from the optical element is blurred by the diffusion plate. Therefore, the light emitted from the diffusion plate can realize more uniform surface light emission.

  In the surface light source device of the present invention, the prism group may be provided on a surface of the optical element that is at least opposite to the point light source.

  That is, it is more effective to realize uniform surface light emission when the prism group is provided on the surface opposite to the point light source than on the same side of the optical element as the point light source.

  Therefore, by providing the prism group on the surface of the optical element that is at least opposite to the point light source, the optical element includes an optical element that can realize uniform surface light emission while keeping the distance in the emission direction small in the direct light source method. A surface light source device can be provided.

  According to the optical element and the surface light source device of the present invention, there is an effect of providing an optical element and a surface light source device capable of realizing uniform surface light emission while keeping the distance in the emission direction small in the direct light source system.

It is a perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the optical element in this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the illumination type pushbutton switch carrying the surface light source device provided with the said optical element. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the said illumination type pushbutton switch. FIG. 3 shows a configuration of the illuminated push button switch, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the surface light source device mounted in the said illumination type pushbutton switch. It is a top view which shows the structure of the said optical element. (A) is an optical path diagram showing how the light travels on the outer periphery of the optical element, and (b) is an optical path diagram showing how the light travels in the vicinity of the central axis of the optical element. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the center point of the prism top part in the said optical element, (b) is a top view which shows the spiral angle of a prism top part. (A) is a top view which shows the structure of various micro lens arrays, (b) is a graph which shows the relationship between light emission area / thickness and uniformity. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the directivity control system as a structural example of the conventional surface light source device, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the light guide control system as a structural example of the conventional surface light source device, (C) is sectional drawing which shows the surface light emission control system as a structural example of the conventional surface light source device. (A) is a figure which shows the luminance distribution in the surface light source device of the conventional direct light source system, (b) is a schematic cross section which shows the optical path for implement | achieving uniform surface light emission in the surface light source device of a light source direct system It is. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the surface light source device of the conventional direct light source system, and an optical element. (A) is sectional drawing which shows an example of the other surface light source device of the conventional direct light source system, (b) is a perspective view which shows the structure of the optical element used for the surface light source device. It is a schematic cross section which shows the optical path characteristic in the surface light source device of the conventional direct light source system shown in FIG. It is a schematic cross section which shows the optical path characteristic in the other surface light source device of the conventional direct light source system shown to Fig.13 (a) (b).

  One embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to FIGS.

  The optical element and the surface light source device of the present embodiment are, for example, an upward or downward indicating switch provided on an elevator operation panel attached to a wall surface of an elevator hall, or an open door that is installed in the elevator. An example of application to an illuminated pushbutton switch used for closing a door and indicating a floor number will be described. The optical element and the surface light source device of the present invention can be applied not only to the illumination type push button switch but also to other fields of use.

  The structure of the illumination type pushbutton switch 1 provided with the optical element and surface light source device of embodiment of this invention is demonstrated based on FIGS. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the illuminated push button switch of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the configuration of the illuminated pushbutton switch, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the illuminated pushbutton switch 1 of the present embodiment has a printed circuit board 2 attached to the lower surface of the base member 3, and a spring 4, a link mechanism 5, The movable cover 6, the plunger 7, and the operation button 8 are accommodated in this order.

  The printed circuit board 2 has, for example, a long plate shape. On the upper surface of the printed circuit board 2, the switch body 10 is mounted at the tip, and the LED 20 as a chip-shaped point light source that is an illumination light source is mounted at the center. The connector 2a is mounted on the base end. The switch body 10 includes a push button 11 on an upper surface, and a cushion rubber 12 that covers the entire switch body 10 is provided thereon.

  The base member 3 has openings 3a and 3b in which regions where the switch body 10 and the LEDs 20 of the printed circuit board 2 are disposed are opened. As a result, the switch body 10 passes through the opening 3 a and comes into contact with the movable cover 6 and the cushion rubber 12. Further, the light from the LED 20 is irradiated upward through the opening 3b. In addition, the base member 3 has a large number of engaging pieces 3c that are engaged with various members protruding upward.

  The link mechanism 5 is a frame-shaped structure composed of two lever bodies, and the distal end portion 5a and the base end portion 5b are moved in conjunction with each other in the vertical direction. Further, the two springs 4 are disposed between the base end portion 5 b of the link mechanism 5 and the base member 3.

  The movable cover 6 is a plate-like member that covers the link mechanism 5, and the distal end portion 6 a and the proximal end portion 6 b are engaged with the distal end portion 5 a and the proximal end portion 5 b of the link mechanism 5, respectively. Thereby, the movable cover 6 can move in the vertical direction together with the distal end portion 5a and the proximal end portion 5b of the link mechanism 5. The movable cover 6 has a circular opening 6c at the center, and four locking pieces 6d for locking with the plunger 7 and the operation button 8 project inward from the opening 6c. Yes.

  The plunger 7 has an upper peripheral wall portion 7a formed upward from the periphery of the upper surface of the optical element 30, and a lower peripheral wall portion 7b formed slightly downward from the inner periphery of the lower surface periphery. The lower peripheral wall portion 7 b has a structure that fits with the locking piece 6 d of the movable cover 6, and a part of the lower peripheral wall portion 7 b extends downward to engage with the engaging piece 3 c of the base member 3. As a result, the movement of the plunger 7 is restricted in the vertical direction.

  The operation button 8 has a peripheral wall portion 8b formed downward from the periphery of the transmission plate 8a, and the lower peripheral wall portion 7b of the plunger 7 is fitted inside the peripheral wall portion 8b. Thereby, the movement of the operation button 8 is restricted in the vertical direction (pressing direction). Further, four locking pieces 8c for locking to the movable cover 6 protrude outward from the tip of the peripheral wall portion 8b. The upper surface of the transmission plate 8a serves as an operation surface operated by the user.

  The plunger 7 and the operation button 8 are made of a transmissive material such as polycarbonate or acrylic. Further, the plunger 7 is preferably one having a high light transmittance. On the other hand, the light transmittance of the operation button 8 is appropriately selected from the viewpoint of space design by illumination.

  An operation method of the illuminated pushbutton switch 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  In the illumination type push button switch 1, when the user presses the operation button 8 with a finger or the like, the operation button 8 and the movable cover 6 are moved downward by the plunger 7 and the link mechanism 5. Then, when the movable cover 6 presses the push button 11 of the switch body 10 via the cushion rubber 12, the switch body 10 executes a switch operation such as switch-on.

  Further, when electric power is supplied to the mounting component of the printed circuit board 2 from the outside via the connector 2a, the LED 20 emits light based on the switch operation of the switch body 10 or an instruction from the outside. At this time, the light from the LED 20 passes through the opening 3 b of the base member 3, the opening 6 c of the movable cover 6, and the plunger 7 to illuminate the operation button 8.

  Then, when the user removes a finger or the like from the operation button 8, the link mechanism 5 moves upward by the restoring force of the spring 4, whereby the movable cover 6, the plunger 7, and the operation button 8 move upward. To return to the original position.

  By the way, in the illumination type pushbutton switch 1 of this Embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, this surface light source device 40 provided with LED20, the optical element 30, and the permeation | transmission board 8a which functions as a diffusion plate is this. In order from the bottom.

  In such a direct light source type surface light source device 40 in which the LED 20 as the light source is provided below the optical element 30, when the optical element 30 is composed of, for example, a simple convex lens, FIG. As indicated by the broken line in 11 (a), the LED 20 has a problem that the portion directly above the LED 20 becomes too bright and the surrounding area is too dark.

  Therefore, in the surface light source device of the type directly under the light source, in order to achieve the luminance distribution of the target value indicated by the solid line in FIG. Need to be brighter. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 11B, in an optical element such as a microlens array (MLA), reflection is strengthened immediately above the LED light source, while deflection by refraction or the like is performed in the periphery. It needs to be strong.

  Therefore, the optical element 30 of the present embodiment has a shape that can solve this problem.

  The structure of the optical element 30 of this Embodiment is demonstrated based on FIG.1, FIG6 and FIG.7. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an optical element 30 in the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the configuration of the optical element 30. FIGS. 7A and 7B are optical path diagrams showing how the light of the optical element 30 travels.

  First, conventionally, in the field of optics, a Fresnel lens is known in which a surface portion of one lens is finely disassembled and arranged on a plane. The Fresnel lens has an advantage that the thickness of the lens is reduced and the weight can be reduced. If this Fresnel lens is appropriately designed with an aspherical surface, for example, light can be collected around the lens with a small amount of light by deflection due to refraction or the like, and the brightness of the periphery can be increased.

  However, in the Fresnel lens in which the surface of one lens is finely disassembled and arranged concentrically on a plane, light refracted on the surface of the light diffusing plate 310 is the same as shown in FIG. Part of the light gathers in the center above the light diffusion plate 310. Due to this phenomenon, there is a drawback that the central luminance cannot be lowered sufficiently. For this reason, in the Fresnel lens arranged in a concentric circle, light in the vicinity of the optical axis becomes too strong, and surface emission cannot be performed uniformly.

  Therefore, in the optical element 30 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, a plurality of prism apexes 32 extend in a multiple spiral shape from the central axis 31 toward the outer periphery on the surface of the flat plate. At least one formed prism group is provided.

  And as shown to (a) and (b) of FIG. 7, LED20 as a point light source is provided on the extension line | wire of the central axis 31 of the optical element 30. As shown in FIG.

  As a result, the portion of the optical element 30 that is away from the outer periphery from the central axis 31 approaches a state in which a plurality of prism apexes 32 are provided concentrically as in the Fresnel lens appropriately designed as an aspherical surface. In other words, the curvature of the prism apex portion 32 approaches infinity at a portion away from the central axis 31 of the optical element 30 to the outer periphery.

  Therefore, similarly to the Fresnel lens appropriately designed on the aspherical surface, as shown in FIG. 7A, a dark portion on the outer periphery with a small amount of light away from the central axis 31 of the optical element 30 is irradiated from the LED 20. It can be refracted to collect light.

  Here, in the present embodiment, on the outer periphery of the optical element 30, the plurality of prism apexes 32 are each formed in a spiral shape and are not concentric. For this reason, a part of the light travels in the direction of the central axis 31 of the optical element 30, but is not concentrated on one point on the central axis 31 but is dispersed. As a result, it is possible to suppress light from being collected on the central axis 31.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, in the vicinity of the central axis 31, a plurality of prism top portions 32 formed so as to extend in a spiral shape are linearly arranged. Specifically, each prism top portion 32 of the prism group is formed to extend linearly and radially toward the outer periphery from the central axis 31 to the first radial distance. Here, the first distance in the radial direction from the central axis 31 is, for example, about 5 mm.

  Thus, from the central axis 31 in the vicinity of the central axis 31 in the optical element 30 to the first radial distance, the shape of each prism top 32 of the prism group is as shown in FIG. It has the same shape as a plurality of prism structures arranged in a linear radial pattern. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, the light from the LED 20 is reliably reflected in the vicinity of the central axis of the optical element 30, and the light from the LED 20 is not transmitted.

  In the optical element 30 according to the present embodiment, the optical element 30 is formed to extend linearly and radially from the central axis 31 in the vicinity of the central axis 31 to the first radial distance. Yes. However, in the present invention, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and it does not have to be formed radially extending linearly from the center axis 31 to the first radial distance toward the outer periphery. In other words, if the plurality of prism top portions 32 are each formed in a spiral shape from the central axis 31 toward the outer circumference, the optical element 30 inevitably has a radial direction from the central axis 31 in the vicinity of the central axis 31. Up to one distance, it becomes close to a state in which it is linearly extended toward the outer periphery. Therefore, in the present embodiment, if the plurality of prism apexes 32 are each formed in a spiral shape from the central axis 31 toward the outer periphery, the light from the LED 20 is reflected in the vicinity of the central axis in the optical element 30. Thus, the effect that the light from the LED 20 is not transmitted is obtained.

  Here, the spiral angle of the prism top portion 32 of the optical element 30 will be described more specifically based on FIGS. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing the center point 32a of the prism top 32, and FIG. 8B is a plan view showing the spiral angle of the prism top 32. As shown in FIG.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, a center point 32 a is defined in the cross section of the prism apex portion 32 in the optical element 30. As the center point 32a, for example, the apex of the prism apex 32 or the center of gravity of the prism apex 32 can be used. Thus, when the center point 32a of the prism apex 32 is defined, as shown in FIG. 8B, a straight line connecting the center point 32a and the center axis 31 of the optical element 30, and a center The angle formed by the tangent line on the center point 32a in the locus of the prism apex 32 formed by the point 32a is defined as the spiral angle θ.

  When such a spiral angle θ is defined, the spiral angle θ of the prism top portion 32 of the optical element 30 of the present embodiment is preferably the spiral angle θ <60 ° from the central axis 31 to the first distance in the radial direction. The spiral angle θ <30 ° is more preferable, and the spiral angle θ <10 ° is most preferable.

  In addition, the spiral angle θ is preferably increased with distance from the central axis 31, but may be partially constant. At a minimum, the spiral angle θ is composed of two or more values. The spiral angle θ satisfies 0 ° ≦ θ ≦ 90 °.

  With the optical element 30 having the above-described configuration, in the present embodiment, a large amount of light is transmitted in a portion away from the central axis 31 to the outer periphery, and light is not transmitted in the vicinity of the central axis 31. As a result, uniform light is emitted from the entire surface of the optical element 30 in the direct light source system in which the LEDs 20 are provided directly below the optical element 30.

  Therefore, it is possible to provide the optical element 30 capable of realizing uniform surface light emission while keeping the distance in the emission direction small in the method directly under the light source.

  Here, the applicant has conventionally developed various microlens arrays as shown in FIG. Among them, it can be seen that the optical element 30 of the present embodiment developed this time has the most excellent relationship between the light emitting area / thickness and uniformity, as shown in FIG. 9B. That is, for example, in order to obtain a uniformity of 75%, it can be seen that the distance in the emission direction of the optical element 30 of the present embodiment is the smallest as compared with the conventional microlens array. In FIG. 9B, the uniformity means the minimum luminance / maximum luminance expressed in (%).

  By the way, in the present embodiment, at least one prism group in which a plurality of prism top portions 32 are spirally formed from the central axis 31 toward the outer periphery is provided on the surface of the flat plate. This means that a plurality of central axes 31 may exist in the flat plate. That is, a plurality of prism groups formed so as to extend in a spiral shape may be provided.

  As described above, the configuration in which a plurality of central axes 31 exist in the flat plate of the optical element 30 makes it possible to arrange the LEDs 20 on the extensions of the central axes 31. For this reason, even in the optical element 30 having a wide substrate, uniform light can be emitted on the entire surface of the optical element 30. That is, the area of the optical element 30 can be increased.

  Here, in the optical element 30 of the present embodiment, each prism apex portion 32 of the prism group is formed to continuously extend from the central axis 31 toward the outer periphery. For example, when the prism tops 32 of the prism group are dispersed at various points from the central axis 31 toward the outer periphery, unevenness in light transmission occurs. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, each prism top portion 32 of the prism group is formed so as to continuously extend from the central axis 31 toward the outer periphery, thereby preventing local unevenness of transmitted light. It has become something that can be done.

  The optical element 30 of the present embodiment is not necessarily limited to this, and each prism top 32 of the prism group may be formed to extend discretely from the central axis 31 toward the outer periphery. .

  Further, in the optical element 30 of the present embodiment, each prism apex portion 32 has an inverted V-shaped cross section. Thereby, the light from LED20 is uniformly reflected in each prism top part 32 of cross-section reverse V shape.

  As a result, the light from the LED 20 can be refracted uniformly at the outer periphery away from the central axis 31 of the optical element 30. Even in the vicinity of the central axis 31, the light from the LED 20 can be uniformly reflected so that the light from the LED 20 is not transmitted.

  Moreover, processing becomes easy by making it a cross-section reverse V shape. That is, when producing the optical element 30 of the present embodiment, for example, a groove having a V-shaped cross section is cut on a flat plate. As a result, an easily manufactured optical element 30 can be provided.

  In the present embodiment, the prism apex portion 32 of the optical element 30 has an inverted V-shaped cross section, and has a triangular cross section as a whole. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is not limited to this, but a trapezoid, quadrangle, pentagon, or other polygon. Or a free-form surface such as a semicircle.

  Further, in the surface light source device 40 of the present embodiment, the prism group is provided on the surface of the optical element 30 opposite to the LED 20, that is, on the surface of the optical element 30.

  That is, when the prism group is provided on the surface opposite to the LED 20 in the optical element 30 on the same side as the LED 20, the effect of realizing uniform surface light emission is greater.

  Therefore, by providing the prism group on the surface of the optical element 30 on the side opposite to the LED 20 at least, the optical element 30 that can realize uniform surface light emission while keeping the distance in the emission direction small in the direct light source system is provided. The surface light source device 40 can be provided.

  In the present embodiment, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the prism group may be provided on the back surface of the optical element 30 formed of a flat plate.

  Thus, by providing the prism group also on the back surface of the flat plate, the incident angle from the LED 20 to the back surface of the optical element 30 can be controlled in accordance with each prism top portion 32. As a result, the direction of light emitted from the front surface of the flat plate can be adjusted by the cross-sectional shape of each prism top 32 in the prism group on the back surface and front surface of the flat plate. Can be spread.

  Further, in the surface light source device 40 of the present embodiment, a transmission plate 8a as a diffusion plate is disposed on the side of the optical element 30 opposite to the LED 20. As a result, the dark line and the bright line of the light emitted from the optical element 30 are blurred by the transmission plate 8a. Therefore, the light emitted from the transmission plate 8a can realize more uniform surface light emission. An air layer is preferably present between the optical element 30 and the transmission plate 8a in terms of the effect of realizing uniform surface light emission.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the optical element 30 and the surface light source device 40 including the optical element 30 are mounted on the illumination type push button switch 1. Thereby, the illumination type pushbutton switch 1 with a good illumination function can be provided.

  In the present embodiment, the optical element 30 is integrated with the plunger 7 of the illuminated push button switch 1. Thereby, the number of members can be reduced and the manufacturing cost of the illuminated push button switch 1 can be reduced.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various change is possible within the scope of the present invention.

  For example, it is possible to provide a reflector on the lower surface or side surface of the optical element 30. The lower surface of the optical element 30 refers to the lower side of the LED 20 or the side surface between the LED 20 and the optical element 30. Thereby, when the emitted light from LED20 does not go to the optical element 30 but directly enters the optical element 30, it can be made to enter the optical element 30 through the reflecting plate. Alternatively, the light emitted to the side surface of the optical element 30 or the light returning from the optical element 30 in the direction of the LED 20 is reflected by the reflecting plate and is incident again on the optical element 30, and is incident on the surface side of the optical element 30. It is possible to emit. As a result, the amount of light incident on the optical element 30 can be increased, and the amount of light emitted from the optical element 30 can be increased. In addition, the uniformity can be easily improved.

  In addition, the back surface of the optical element 30 (the surface opposite to the prism group) can be textured. Thereby, the appearance of the optical element 30 can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the cross section of the prism apex portion 32 has an inverted V shape and has a sharp tip. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and may be rounded first. That is, it is unexpectedly difficult to form the sharp V-shaped prism top 32. That is, it is easier and more realistic to form the inverted V-shaped prism top 32 having a rounded tip.

  Furthermore, in the optical element 30 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of prism apexes 32 are respectively formed in a spiral shape from the central axis 31 toward the outer periphery. Therefore, ideally, the central axis 31 is not convex. However, in reality, it is difficult to produce such an ideal shape. Therefore, as a practical manufacturing problem, an uneven shape may exist in the vicinity of the central axis 31.

  In addition, the plurality of prism apexes 32 formed so as to spiral from the central axis 31 to the outer periphery in the optical element 30 of the present embodiment do not necessarily extend uniformly to the outer periphery, and the shape thereof is changed. Also good. For example, you may form so that the prism top part 32 may become so low that it becomes an outer periphery. Thereby, improvement of uniformity and improvement of appearance can be aimed at.

  Furthermore, the optical element 30 of the present embodiment is formed of a transparent resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic. Thereby, the brightness can be improved.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the optical element 30 can be made of milky white resin or resin containing beads. Thereby, although it is somewhat inferior in terms of efficiency, local unevenness of bright lines and dark lines is eliminated, and it is excellent in terms of improvement in uniformity and appearance.

  Further, in the surface light source device 40 of the present embodiment, one LED 20 is provided on the extended line of the central axis 31 of the optical element 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of LEDs 20 may be provided together on an extension line of the central axis 31 of the optical element 30. As a result, it is possible to increase the brightness of the surface light source device 40.

  Further, the optical element 30 of the present embodiment has a circular horizontal cross section. However, the shape of the horizontal cross section of the optical element 30 is not necessarily limited thereto, and for example, there are polygonal shapes such as a triangle, a quadrangle, and a pentagon, an ellipse, a star, an L shape, and some missing portions in a plane. It may be a shape, other shapes, or the like.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and can be obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in the present embodiment. Such embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Uniform surface light emission can be realized by the optical element and the surface light source device of the present invention. Accordingly, the optical element and the surface light source device of the present invention include, for example, an illumination type push button switch installed in an elevator, a flat illumination light source for indoor lighting, a television, a computer monitor, an information terminal (PDA), a mobile phone, etc. It can be used for backlights used in liquid crystal display devices and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Illuminated pushbutton switch 2 Printed circuit board 2a Connector 3 Base member 3a Opening part 3b Opening part 4 Spring 5 Link mechanism 6 Movable cover 6c Opening part 7 Plunger 8 Operation button 8a Transmission board (diffusion board)
8b Peripheral wall part 10 Switch body 11 Push button 12 Cushion rubber 20 LED (point light source)
30 optical element 31 central axis 32 prism apex 32a central point 40 surface light source device θ spiral angle

Claims (7)

  An optical element comprising: at least one prism group formed on a surface of a flat plate, wherein a plurality of prism tops spirally extend from the central axis toward the outer periphery.   2. The optical element according to claim 1, wherein each prism top of the prism group is formed to linearly extend radially toward the outer periphery from the central axis to a first distance in the radial direction.   3. The optical element according to claim 1, wherein each prism top of the prism group is formed to continuously extend from the central axis toward the outer periphery.   4. The optical element according to claim 1, wherein each prism top has an inverted V-shaped cross section.   The optical element according to claim 1, wherein the prism group is also provided on a back surface of the flat plate. A diffusion plate,
The optical element according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A surface light source device, characterized in that point light sources provided on an extension line of the central axis of the optical element are arranged in this order.   The surface light source device according to claim 6, wherein the prism group is provided on a surface of the optical element opposite to the point light source.