JP2020181679A - Wall panel and bathroom unit - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a wall panel, etc. of which a whole front surface can be uniformly brightened even if a facility such as a mirror or a counter, etc. is installed without increasing the size of a bathroom unit.SOLUTION: A wall panel 1 for emitting light frontward comprises a first light guide layer 10, a second light guide layer 20, and a light source (second light source 40) for emitting light to be made incident on the second light guide layer 20. The first light guide layer 10 comprises a first principal surface 11 (front surface 11a) for emitting light frontward. The second light guide layer 20 comprises a second principal surface 21 (front surface 21a) for emitting light frontward, and a second end surface 22 (upper surface 22a) on which light from the light source is incident. Light emitted from the second light guide layer 20 is incident on the first light guide layer 10. The first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are different in light diffusibility.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a wall panel and a bathroom unit using the same.

There are known wall panels and bathroom units that can illuminate a relatively large area of a wall such as a bathroom wall (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Patent Document 1 discloses a wall panel for a unit bathroom including a translucent intermediate member and a lighting device arranged above the intermediate member. The conventional wall panel disclosed in Patent Document 1 is installed facing a washing place, and has a structure capable of emitting light from the entire front surface of the wall panel by the light of a lighting device.

Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a bathroom unit including a translucent wall panel provided on the main body of the bathroom unit and a plurality of lighting fixtures provided on the back side (back side) of the wall panel. In the conventional bathroom unit disclosed in Patent Document 2, the entire front surface of the wall panel is emitted by applying the light of a plurality of lighting fixtures to the translucent wall panel and diffusely reflecting the light.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-108005 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-325803

However, in the conventional wall panel disclosed in Patent Document 1, when equipment such as a mirror, a counter, or a window is installed on the front surface of a large-area wall panel, the lower part of these equipment is separated from other parts. There is a problem that it feels darker than that.

Further, in the conventional bathroom unit disclosed in Patent Document 2, since the lighting fixture is installed on the back side of the wall panel, a space for installing the lighting fixture is required, and the size of the bathroom unit is increased. There are challenges.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the entire front surface can be uniformly illuminated even when equipment such as a mirror or a counter is installed without increasing the size of the bathroom unit. The purpose is to provide wall panels and the like.

One aspect of the wall panel according to the present invention is a wall panel that emits light toward the front, and emits light incident on the first light guide layer, the second light guide layer, and the second light guide layer. The first light guide layer includes a light source that emits light, the first light guide layer has a first main surface that emits light toward the front, and the second light guide layer emits light toward the front. It has a main surface and a second end surface on which light from the light source is incident, and the light emitted from the second light guide layer is incident on the first light guide layer, and the light emitted from the second light guide layer is incident on the first light guide layer. The light diffusivity is different from that of the second light guide layer.

One aspect of the bathroom unit according to the present invention includes the wall panel described above.

It is possible to realize a wall panel or the like that can uniformly illuminate the entire front surface without increasing the size of the bathroom unit and even when a mirror or a counter or the like is installed.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the bathroom unit which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the wall panel which concerns on Embodiment 1 when viewed from the front side. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the wall panel which concerns on Embodiment 1 when viewed from the rear side. It is sectional drawing when the wall panel which concerns on Embodiment 1 is cut in the XZ plane. It is sectional drawing when the wall panel which concerns on Embodiment 1 is cut in the XY plane. It is a figure which shows the optical action of the wall panel which concerns on Embodiment 1 in the state which the bathroom equipment is installed. It is sectional drawing when the wall panel which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 1 is cut in the XY plane. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the wall panel which concerns on Embodiment 2. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the wall panel which concerns on modification 1. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the wall panel which concerns on modification 2.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, all the embodiments described below show a specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions of the components, connection forms, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims are described as arbitrary components.

Each figure is a schematic view and is not necessarily exactly illustrated. Further, in each figure, substantially the same configuration may be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description may be omitted or simplified. Further, in the following embodiment, the expression such as "abbreviation" also means that a manufacturing error, a dimensional tolerance, or the like is included.

Further, in the present specification and drawings, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis represent the three axes of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. Therefore, the X-axis and the Y-axis are orthogonal to each other and both are orthogonal to the Z-axis. Specifically, the Z-axis direction is set to the vertical direction.

(Embodiment 1)
First, the wall panel 1 and the bathroom unit 2 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a bathroom unit 2 according to the first embodiment. 2 and 3 are views showing the internal structure of the wall panel 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view when the wall panel 1 is viewed from the front side, and FIG. 3 is a view when the wall panel 1 is viewed from the rear side. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the wall panel 1 cut in the XZ plane. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wall panel 1 cut in the XY plane. In addition, in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front plate 60 and the housing 70 are omitted. Further, FIG. 4 shows a cross section when cut in a plane passing through the first light guide layer 10. Further, FIGS. 4 and 5 show a state when the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 are made to emit light and are irradiated toward the front of the wall panel 1. In the present embodiment, the "forward" means the positive direction of the X-axis.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bathroom unit 2 includes a wall panel 1. The wall panel 1 constitutes the bathroom wall of the bathroom unit 2, and the front surface of the wall panel 1 is the wall surface of the bathroom of the bathroom unit 2. The bathroom unit 2 further includes a bathtub 3, a faucet 4, a shower 5, a mirror 6, and a counter 7.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the wall panel 1 includes a first light guide layer 10, a second light guide layer 20, a first light source 30 that emits light incident on the first light guide layer 10, and a first light source 30. 2 A second light source 40 that emits light incident on the light guide layer 20 is provided. In the present embodiment, the wall panel 1 further includes a control unit 50, a front plate 60, and a housing 70.

The wall panel 1 functions as a building structure constituting the wall of the bathroom unit 2 and also functions as a lighting device that emits light toward the front. Specifically, the wall panel 1 irradiates light toward the bathroom space of the bathroom unit 2.

The first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 have a function of guiding light. In the present embodiment, the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are plate-shaped light guide plates having a rectangular shape in a plan view. The first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are made of a translucent material having translucency. The first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are made of a translucent resin material such as an acrylic resin or a polycarbonate resin. Further, the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are preferably made of a transparent resin material having a high transmittance so that the other side can be seen through. In the present embodiment, the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are made of a transparent plate made of acrylic resin. The first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are not limited to a transparent resin plate made of a resin material, and may be a glass plate made of transparent glass.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the first light guide layer 10 has a first main surface 11 and a first end surface 12. In the present embodiment, the first main surface 11 and the first end surface 12 are provided in pairs.

The pair of first main surfaces 11 are parallel and each is a plane orthogonal to the X-axis. One of the pair of first main surfaces 11 is the front surface 11a on the front side (bathroom side), and the other of the pair of first main surfaces 11 is the back surface 11b on the rear side.

On the other hand, the front surface 11a, which is the first main surface 11, is a light emitting surface that emits light toward the front, and is a pseudo light emitting surface that shines when the light that guides the inside of the first light guide layer 10 is emitted to the outside. It becomes. In the present embodiment, the front surface 11a is a main light emitting surface where most of the light guiding the inside of the first light guide layer 10 goes out to the outside.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of prisms 13 are provided on the back surface 11b, which is the other first main surface 11. Each of the plurality of prisms 13 is a reflecting prism having a reflecting surface that reflects light traveling in the first light guide layer 10 toward the front surface 11a. The light incident on the first light guide layer 10 from the first light source 30 is reflected by the plurality of prisms 13, so that the entire front surface 11a of the first light guide layer 10 is pseudo-emitted in a plane shape. Each of the plurality of prisms 13 is, for example, a fine recess processed into a predetermined shape. As an example, the plurality of prisms 13 are recesses having a triangular cross section. Each of the plurality of prisms 13 is not limited to the concave portion, and may be a convex portion. Further, the plurality of prisms 13 are arranged so as to be uniformly scattered in dots at the same pitch over the entire back surface 11b, but the arrangement of the prisms 13 is not limited to this.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the pair of first end faces 12 are provided so as to face each other in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). One of the pair of first end faces 12 is the upper surface 12a located on the upper side in the vertical direction, and the other of the pair of first end faces 12 is the lower surface 12b located on the lower side in the vertical direction.

The upper surface 12a, which is the first end surface 12, is a light incident surface on which the light from the first light source 30 is incident. The upper surface 12a may be a plane orthogonal to the Z axis, but is not limited to this. For example, the upper surface 12a may be a curved surface curved in a concave shape so that the light from the first light source 30 can be efficiently incident on the first light guide layer 10.

The lower surface 12b, which is the other first end surface 12, is an end surface opposite to the upper surface 12a. The lower surface 12b may be a plane orthogonal to the Z axis, but is not limited to this. The light incident on the first light guide layer 10 from the first light source 30 may also be emitted from the lower surface 12b.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the second light guide layer 20 has a second main surface 21 and a second end surface 22 like the first light guide layer 10. Similar to the first light guide layer 10, the second light guide layer 20 is also provided with a pair of the second main surface 21 and the second end surface 22.

The pair of second main surfaces 21 are parallel and each is a plane orthogonal to the X-axis. One of the pair of second main surfaces 21 is the front surface 21a on the front side (bathroom side), and the other of the pair of second main surfaces 21 is the rear surface 21b on the rear side. In the present embodiment, the front surface 21a of the second light guide layer 20 is flush with the front surface 11a of the first light guide layer 10, and the back surface 21b of the second light guide layer 20 is the first light guide layer. It is flush with the back surface 11b of 10.

On the other hand, the front surface 21a, which is the second main surface 21, is a light emitting surface that emits light toward the front, and is a pseudo light emitting surface that shines when the light that guides the inside of the second light guide layer 20 is emitted to the outside. It becomes. In the present embodiment, the front surface 21a is a main light emitting surface where most of the light guiding the inside of the second light guide layer 20 goes out to the outside.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of prisms 23 are provided on the back surface 21b, which is the other second main surface 21. Each of the plurality of prisms 23 is a reflecting prism having a reflecting surface that reflects light traveling in the second light guide layer 20 toward the front surface 21a. The light incident on the second light guide layer 20 from the second light source 40 is reflected by the plurality of prisms 23, so that the entire front surface 21a of the second light guide layer 20 is simulated in a planar manner. Each of the plurality of prisms 23 is, for example, a fine recess processed into a predetermined shape. The prism 23 of the second light guide layer 20 has the same size and shape as the prism 13 of the first light guide layer 10, but is not limited to this. As an example, the plurality of prisms 23 are recesses having a triangular cross section. Each of the plurality of prisms 23 is not limited to the concave portion, and may be a convex portion.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the pair of second end faces 22 are provided so as to face each other in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). One of the pair of second end faces 22 is the upper surface 22a located on the upper side in the vertical direction, and the other of the pair of second end faces 22 is the lower surface 22b located on the lower side in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the upper surface 22a of the second light guide layer 20 is flush with the upper surface 12a of the first light guide layer 10, and the lower surface 22b of the second light guide layer 20 is the first light guide layer. It is flush with the lower surface 12b of 10.

The upper surface 22a, which is the second end surface 22, is a light incident surface on which the light from the second light source 40 is incident. The upper surface 22a may be a plane orthogonal to the Z axis, but is not limited to this. For example, the upper surface 22a may be a curved surface curved in a concave shape so that the light from the second light source 40 is efficiently incident on the second light guide layer 20.

The lower surface 22b, which is the other second end surface 22, is an end surface opposite to the upper surface 22a. The lower surface 22b may be a plane orthogonal to the Z axis, but is not limited to this. The light incident on the second light guide layer 20 from the second light source 40 may also be emitted from the lower surface 22b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the density distributions of the plurality of prisms 13 provided in the first light guide layer 10 and the plurality of prisms 23 provided in the second light guide layer 20 are different. That is, the arrangement density of the prism 23 of the second light guide layer 20 and the arrangement density of the prism 13 of the first light guide layer 10 are different. As a result, the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 have different light diffusivity. That is, the light guide efficiency differs between the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20.

In the present embodiment, the light diffusivity of the second light guide layer 20 is lower than the light diffusivity of the first light guide layer 10. That is, when the same amount of light is incident on the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20, the second light guide layer 20 is incident as compared with the first light guide layer 10. The rate of diffusing light is small. Specifically, when the intensity of the light emitted by the first light source 30 and the intensity of the light emitted by the second light source 40 are substantially the same, when the light of the first light source 30 is incident on the first light guide layer 10. The straight light at a position at a predetermined distance from the upper surface 12a toward the lower surface 12b (the other first end surface 12) from the upper surface 12a (one first end surface 12) of the first light source layer 10 is the second guide. When the light of the second light source 40 is incident on the light layer 20, the upper surface 22a of the second light guide layer 20 is directed from the upper surface 22a (one second end surface 22) to the lower surface 22b (the other second end surface 22). Is less than the straight light at the same distance as the predetermined distance.

In the present embodiment, the arrangement density of the prism 13 of the first light guide layer 10 and the arrangement density of the prism 23 of the second light guide layer 20 are made different so that the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer are different. The light diffusivity is different from that of 20. Specifically, the arrangement density of the prism 23 of the second light guide layer 20 is lower than the arrangement density of the prism 13 of the first light guide layer 10. In other words, the arrangement density of the prism 13 of the first light guide layer 10 is higher than the arrangement density of the prism 23 of the second light guide layer 20. As a result, the light diffusivity of the second light guide layer 20 can be made lower than the light diffusivity of the first light guide layer 10.

The second light guide layer 20 is located on the side of the first light guide layer 10. Specifically, the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are arranged adjacent to each other. In the present embodiment, the second light guide layer 20 is arranged on each side of the first light guide layer 10. That is, the first light guide layer 10 is sandwiched between the two second light guide layers 20. Therefore, the first end surface 12 of the first light guide layer 10 and the second end surface 22 of the second light guide layer 20 are located in a direction intersecting the alignment direction of the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20. Will be done.

Since the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are adjacent to each other in this way, the light emitted from the first light guide layer 10 is incident on the second light guide layer 20. Specifically, a part of the light that guides the inside of the first light guide layer 10 is emitted from the side surface of the first light guide layer 10 and is emitted from the side surface of the second light guide layer 20 to the second light guide layer 20. Incident.

Further, since the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are adjacent to each other, the light emitted from the second light guide layer 20 is incident on the first light guide layer 10. Specifically, a part of the light that guides the inside of the second light guide layer 20 is emitted from the side surface of the first light guide layer 10 and is emitted from the side surface of the second light guide layer 20 to the second light guide layer 20. Incident.

In this case, in the vertical direction, the second light guide layer 20 has a relatively large amount of straight light in the same plane as the first light guide layer 10. Therefore, the second light guide layer 20 to the first light guide layer 20 to the first in the vertical direction. The ratio of the light incident on the light guide layer 10 is larger than the ratio of the light incident on the second light guide layer 20 from the first light guide layer 10.

Further, the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are made of different members. Specifically, the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are separate bodies, and are composed of different parts having different shapes. As a result, the processing of the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 having different light diffusivity can be simplified.

In the present embodiment, the first light guide layer 10 is the leading light layer, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the area of the first main surface 11 of the first light guide layer 10 is the second light guide. It is larger than the area of the second main surface 21 of the layer 20. That is, the areas of the front surface 11a and the back surface 11b of the first light guide layer 10 are larger than the areas of the front surface 21a and the back surface 21b of the second light guide layer 20. Specifically, in the alignment direction of the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 (Y-axis direction in the present embodiment), the length of the first light guide layer 10 is the second light guide layer. It is longer than the length of 20, and in the direction orthogonal to the alignment direction of the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 (Z-axis direction in the present embodiment), the first light guide is provided. The lengths of the layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are substantially the same.

Further, in the present embodiment, the second light guide layer 20 is a long member extending in the vertical direction. Specifically, the second light guide layer 20 is a rod-shaped member. More specifically, the second light guide layer 20 is a plate member made of a bar-shaped rectangular parallelepiped. The second light guide layer 20 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped, and may be a cylinder. That is, the second light guide layer 20 may be a long cylindrical light guide rod. In this case, the second main surface 21 of the second light guide layer 20 is a curved surface.

The first light source 30 is a light emitting device that emits light incident on the first light guide layer 10. Similarly, the second light source 40 is a light emitting device that emits light incident on the second light guide layer 20.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the first light source 30 is arranged above the upper surface 12a (one first end surface 12) of the first light guide layer 10. Specifically, the first light source 30 is arranged so as to face the upper surface 12a of the first light guide layer 10. That is, the first light source 30 and the first light guide layer 10 have an edge light structure. Specifically, the light emitting surface of the first light source 30 and the upper surface 12a of the first light guide layer 10 face each other.

Similarly, the second light source 40 is arranged above the upper surface 22a (one second end surface 22) of the second light guide layer 20. Specifically, the second light source 40 is arranged so as to face the upper surface 22a of the second light guide layer 20. That is, the second light source 40 and the second light guide layer 20 have an edge light structure. Specifically, the light emitting surface of the second light source 40 and the upper surface 22a of the second light guide layer 20 face each other.

Each of the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 is an LED light source composed of LEDs. In the present embodiment, the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 are white LED light sources that emit white light. The white light emitted from the first light source 30 is incident on the first light guide layer 10 from the upper surface 12a of the first light guide layer 10. Further, the white light emitted from the second light source 40 is incident on the second light guide layer 20 from the upper surface 22a of the second light guide layer 20.

The first light source 30 has a substrate 31 and one or more light emitting elements 32 mounted on the substrate 31. In the present embodiment, a plurality of light emitting elements 32 are mounted in a straight line on one long substrate 31. As an example, five light emitting elements 32 are mounted, but the number of light emitting elements 32 mounted is not limited to this.

Further, the second light source 40 has a substrate 41 and one or a plurality of light emitting elements 42 mounted on the substrate 41. In this embodiment, one light emitting element 42 is mounted on the substrate 41.

The boards 31 and 41 are, for example, wiring boards in which wiring is patterned. As the substrates 31 and 41, a resin substrate, a ceramic substrate, a metal substrate with an insulating coating, or the like can be used.

The light emitting elements 32 and 42 are LED elements composed of LEDs. In the present embodiment, the light emitting elements 32 and 42 are individually packaged surface mount (SMD: Surface Mount Device) type LED elements, and are arranged in a container (package) made of resin or the like and in the container. The LED chip (bare chip) and a sealing member for sealing the LED chip are provided. Specifically, the light emitting elements 32 and 42 are SMD type white LED elements that emit white light. In this case, a blue LED chip that emits blue light when energized is used as the LED chip, and a silicone resin containing a yellow phosphor (fluorescent material-containing resin) is used as the sealing member to be filled in the container. Can be used.

The light emitting elements 32 and 42 themselves may be LED elements that are LED chips (bare chips). In this case, the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 have a COB (Chip On Board) structure in which LED chips (light emitting elements 32 and 42) are directly mounted on the substrates 31 and 41. For example, by mounting one or a plurality of LED chips on the substrates 31 and 42, an LED module having a COB structure can be configured as the first light source 30 and the second light source 40. When an LED module having a COB structure that emits white light is used, for example, a blue LED chip is used as the LED chip (light emitting elements 32 and 42), and the blue LED chip is used as a silicone resin containing a yellow phosphor. It may be sealed with a sealing member made of. In this case, when there are a plurality of blue LED chips, the sealing member may individually seal the plurality of blue LED chips, or the sealing members are formed linearly so that all the blue LED chips are one. It may be collectively sealed with the sealing member of.

The first light source 30 and the second light source 40 emit light by the electric power supplied from the power source. The power supply is composed of, for example, a circuit board on which a plurality of circuit components are mounted, receives commercial AC power, converts it into predetermined power (for example, DC power), and converts the power into the first light source 30 and the second light source 30 and the second. It is supplied to the light source 40. As a result, the light emitting element 32 of the first light source 30 and the light emitting element 42 of the second light source 40 emit light. In the present embodiment, predetermined electric power is supplied to the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 so that the intensity of the light emitted by the first light source 30 and the intensity of the light emitted by the second light source 40 are substantially equal to each other. ing. The power supply may be integrally configured with the control unit 50 or may be a separate body.

The control unit 50 controls at least one of dimming and toning for at least one of the first light source 30 and the second light source 40. Therefore, the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 are LED light sources that can be not only dimmed but also toned. For example, the control unit 50 is composed of a control circuit such as a dimming circuit and a toning circuit. By controlling the electric power applied to the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 by the control unit 50, the brightness and the light color of each of the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 can be changed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the front plate 60 is a translucent member arranged on the front side of the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20. Specifically, the front plate 60 covers the front surface 11a of the first light guide layer 10 and the front surface 21a of the second light guide layer 20. By arranging the front plate 60, the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 can be protected.

The front plate 60 is made of a transparent material having a high light transmittance so as not to absorb the light emitted from the front surface 11a of the first light guide layer 10 and the light emitted from the front surface 21a of the second light guide layer 20. It is good to be there. Further, since the front plate 60 constitutes the wall surface of the bathroom of the bathroom unit 2, it is preferable that the front plate 60 has high strength, excellent durability, water resistance, and the like. As an example, the front plate 60 is a transparent plate made of an acrylic resin or a glass material.

The housing 70 houses the first light guide layer 10, the second light guide layer 20, the first light source 30, the second light source 40, and the control unit 50. The housing 70 is, for example, a box-shaped member having an opening. The front plate 60 is arranged so as to close the opening of the housing 70. The housing 70 is made of, for example, a metal material or a resin material.

In the wall panel 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the light diffusivity of the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 is different. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, when the light of the first light source 30 is incident on the first light guide layer 10, the straight light at a predetermined distance from the upper surface 12a of the first light guide layer 10 is emitted. It is less than the straight light at a position of the predetermined distance from the upper surface 22a of the second light guide layer 20 when the light of the second light source 40 is incident on the second light guide layer 20. Note that FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the optical action of the wall panel 1 according to the first embodiment in a state where the bathroom equipment of the mirror 6 and the counter 7 is installed.

With this configuration, the second light guide layer 20 is the same as the first light guide layer 10 in the direction away from the upper surface 12a of the first light guide layer 10 and the upper surface 22a of the second light guide layer 20 (vertical direction). Since the amount of straight light is relatively large in the plane, the ratio of the light incident on the second light guide layer 20 to the first light guide layer 10 is reduced from the first light guide layer 10 to the second guide as the distance from the upper surfaces 12a and 22a increases. The proportion of light incident on the light layer 20 is higher.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, even when equipment such as a mirror 6 or a counter 7 is installed on the front side of the first light guide layer 10 of the wall panel 1, the light of the second light guide layer 20 Can be incident on the first light guide layer 10 and spread to a lower portion of equipment such as a mirror 6 or a counter 7. Therefore, in the first light guide layer 10, not only the light from above by the first light source 30 but also the light from the side by the second light guide layer 20 is added, and the light is emitted from the front surface 11a. Therefore, even when equipment such as a mirror 6 or a counter 7 is installed on the front surface of the wall panel 1, the entire front surface of the wall panel 1 can be uniformly illuminated, and the lower part of the equipment is different from other parts. It is possible to suppress feeling darker than that.

Moreover, in the wall panel 1 according to the present embodiment, the light of the first light source 30 is incident on the first light guide layer 10 from the upper surface 12a which is the first end surface 12 of the first light guide layer 10, and the second guide is used. The light of the second light source 40 is incident on the second light guide layer 20 from the upper surface 22a which is the second end surface 22 of the light layer 20. Specifically, in the wall panel 1 according to the present embodiment, the light source is not arranged so as to face the back surface 11b of the first light guide layer 10 and the back surface 21b of the second light guide layer 20, but the first guide. The first light source 30 and the second light source 40 are arranged so as to face the first end surface 12 of the light layer 10 and the second end surface 22 of the second light guide layer 20.

As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the thickness of the wall panel 1 constituting the wall of the bathroom unit 2, and thus it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the bathroom unit 2.

As described above, according to the wall panel 1 according to the present embodiment, the entire front surface can be uniformly illuminated even when a mirror, a counter, or the like is installed without increasing the size of the bathroom unit 2.

Further, since the bathroom unit 2 according to the present embodiment includes the wall panel 1 that illuminates the entire front surface uniformly, it is possible to enhance the effect of the bathroom space. For example, by using this wall panel 1, it is possible to easily produce a bathroom space with a feeling of fantasy as well as a feeling of relaxation. Further, by using the wall panel 1 as a lighting device, the scene of the bathroom space can be switched by a light different from the main lighting provided on the ceiling of the bathroom, so that a more relaxing feeling can be produced. In addition, the comfort of the bathroom is improved by shining the walls of the bathroom on the surface.

Further, the wall panel 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 50 that controls at least one of dimming and toning for at least one of the first light source 30 and the second light source 40.

With this configuration, the spatial effect can be further improved by controlling the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 for dimming control and toning control.

Further, in the wall panel 1 and the bathroom unit 2 according to the present embodiment, the upper surface 12a of the first light guide layer 10 and the upper surface 22a of the second light guide layer 20 are end faces on the upper side in the vertical direction. The first light source 30 is arranged above the upper surface 12a of the first light guide layer 10, and the second light source 40 is arranged above the upper surface 22a of the second light guide layer 20.

With this configuration, not only can the size of the bathroom unit 2 of the wall panel 1 be suppressed from becoming large, but also the workability and maintainability of the wall panel 1 can be improved.

Further, in the wall panel 1 according to the present embodiment, the area of the first main surface 11 of the first light guide layer 10 is larger than the area of the second main surface 21 of the second light guide layer 20.

With this configuration, the first light guide layer 10 can be used as the leading light layer, and the second light guide layer 20 can be used as the sub light guide layer. As a result, even if equipment such as a mirror 6 or a counter 7 is installed on the front side of the first light guide layer 10 having a large area and the lower part of the equipment becomes dark, the light guide layer 10 is additionally arranged. The second light guide layer 20 is effectively prevented from darkening the lower portion of the equipment.

Further, in the wall panel 1 according to the present embodiment, the second light guide layer 20 is located on the side of the first light guide layer 10, and the first end surface 12 and the second light guide of the first light guide layer 10 are located. The second end surface 22 of the layer 20 is located in a direction intersecting the alignment direction of the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20.

With this configuration, the second light guide layer 20 having a higher ratio of straight light at a position away from the light incident surface than the first light guide layer 10 is arranged on the side of the first light guide layer 10. The entire front surface of the wall panel 1 can be illuminated more uniformly. Further, by arranging the second light guide layer 20 on the side of the first light guide layer 10, the degree of freedom of attachment when attaching equipment such as a mirror 6 or a counter 7 to the wall panel 1 is increased.

Further, in the wall panel 1 of the present embodiment, the second light guide layers 20 are arranged on both sides of the first light guide layer 10. That is, the first light guide layer 10 is sandwiched between the two second light guide layers 20.

With this configuration, since light can be incident from both sides of the first light guide layer 10, it is possible to effectively eliminate dark spots even when equipment such as a mirror 6 or a counter 7 is installed. Therefore, the entire front surface of the wall panel 1 can be illuminated more uniformly.

Further, in the wall panel 1 according to the present embodiment, the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are arranged adjacent to each other.

With this configuration, it becomes easy for the light that guides the inside of the second light guide layer 20 to enter the first light guide layer 10, so that equipment such as a mirror 6 or a counter 7 is installed on the front side of the first light guide layer 10. When this is done, the light of the second light guide layer 20 can be easily distributed to the lower portion of the equipment. Therefore, even when equipment such as a mirror 6 or a counter 7 is installed, the entire front surface of the wall panel 1 can be illuminated more uniformly. Therefore, it is preferable that the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are close to each other, and further, it is desirable that the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are in close contact with each other. .. In this case, the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are made of a material having the same refractive index so that light is not reflected at the interface between the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20. It is good to have.

Further, in the wall panel 1 according to the present embodiment, in the second light guide layer 20, the amount of light directed from the second light guide layer 20 to the first light guide layer 10 on the lower surface 22b side rather than the upper surface 22a side. Is getting bigger. For example, by adjusting the arrangement and shape of the prism 23 of the second light guide layer 20, the light directed from the second light guide layer 20 toward the first light guide layer 10 is closer to the lower surface 22b side than the upper surface 22a side. The amount of light can be increased.

In the first light guide layer 10, the amount of light emitted from the front surface 11a of the first light guide layer 10 decreases as the distance from the first end surface 12 (upper surface 12a) serving as the light incident surface increases. Therefore, by configuring the second light guide layer 20 so that the amount of light from the second light guide layer 20 toward the first light guide layer 10 is larger on the lower surface 22b side than on the upper surface 22a side, the wall panel The entire front surface of 1 can be illuminated more uniformly. Further, when the counter equipment is installed in the lower part of the wall panel 1, the lower part of the wall panel 1 tends to be darker, but with such a configuration, the lower part of the wall panel 1 becomes darker. It can also be effectively suppressed.

In particular, in the wall panel 1 according to the present embodiment, the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20. The lengths of are almost the same.

With this configuration, the entire front surface of the wall panel 1 can be illuminated more uniformly.

Further, in the wall panel 1 according to the present embodiment, the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 are used, and the light is incident on the first light source layer 10 and the light is applied to the second light source layer 20. It is separated from the light source to be incident.

With this configuration, the amount of light incident on the first light guide layer 10 and the amount of light incident on the second light guide layer 20 can be easily changed.

In this case, in the wall panel 1 according to the present embodiment, the intensity of the light emitted by the first light source 30 and the intensity of the light emitted by the second light source 40 are substantially the same, but for example, the light emitted by the second light source 40. It is preferable that the intensity of the light is greater than the intensity of the light emitted by the first light source 30.

With this configuration, the amount of light incident on the first light guide layer 10 from the second light guide layer 20 is increased. As a result, the portion of the wall panel 1 that is distant from the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 (the lower portion in the vertical direction in the present embodiment) can be easily illuminated, so that the entire front surface of the wall panel 1 can be illuminated. It can be made to shine more evenly.

Further, as in the wall panel 1A shown in FIG. 7, in the second light guide layer 20, light is reflected on at least one surface other than the upper surface 22a which is the light incident surface and the side surface on the first light guide layer 10 side. The layer 80 may be provided. That is, the light reflecting layer 80 may be configured to cover other than the light incident surface and the light emitting surface of the second light guide layer 20.

With this configuration, the light emitted from the second light guide layer 20 to the outside can be taken into the inside of the second light guide layer 20 by the light reflection layer 80, so that the second light guide layer 20 to the first light guide layer More light can be emitted from the front surface 21a, which is the light incident and light emitting surface of the light 10. Therefore, the entire front surface of the wall panel 1 can be illuminated more uniformly.

Specifically, in the wall panel 1A shown in FIG. 7, the light reflecting layer 80 has a side surface and a back surface opposite to the side surface on the first light guide layer 10 side for each of the two second light guide layers 20. It is configured to face the 21b and the lower surface 22b. Further, the light reflecting layer 80 also faces the back surface 11b and the lower surface 12b of the first light guide layer 10. The light reflecting layer 80 is a reflector made of, for example, a resin material or a metal material. Specifically, the light reflecting layer 80 may be a white resin molded product manufactured by using a resin material such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), or a metal film such as aluminum on the inner surface of the resin molded product. May be formed, or may be a metal part formed of a metal material such as aluminum.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, the wall panel 1B according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an internal structure of the wall panel 1B according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a view of the wall panel 1B as viewed from the rear side.

The structure of the first light guide layer and the second light guide layer is different between the wall panel 1B in the present embodiment and the wall panel 1 in the above embodiment 1. Specifically, in the wall panel 1 in the first embodiment, the first light guide layer 10 and the second light guide layer 20 are composed of separate members, whereas the wall in the present embodiment. In the panel 1B, the first light guide layer 10B and the second light guide layer 20B are integrated and configured by one light guide plate 90. That is, the first light guide layer 10B and the second light guide layer 20B serve as a first light guide region and a second light guide region in the light guide plate 90.

As described above, according to the wall panel 1B according to the present embodiment, since it has the same configuration as the wall panel 1 according to the first embodiment, the size of the bathroom unit 2 is not increased and a mirror, a counter, or the like is installed. Even if it is done, the entire front surface can be illuminated uniformly.

Further, in the wall panel 1B of the present embodiment, the first light guide layer 10B and the second light guide layer 20B are composed of one light guide plate 90.

This simplifies the installation of the wall panel 1B. For example, as compared with the first embodiment, the bathroom unit including the wall panel 1B can be easily assembled.

Further, the wall panel 1B in the present embodiment has an inclination in the light guide efficiency from the second light guide layer 20B toward the first light guide layer 10B. Specifically, the degree of light diffusivity gradually increases from the second light guide layer 20B toward the first light guide layer 10B. In other words, the light diffusivity gradually decreases from the first light guide layer 10B toward the second light guide layer 20B. For example, by adjusting the density distribution of the prism 13 of the first light guide layer 10B and the prism 23 of the second light guide layer 20B, the light guide efficiency can be increased from the second light guide layer 20B toward the first light guide layer 10B. It can be tilted.

By inclining the light guide efficiency from the second light guide layer 20B toward the first light guide layer 10B in this way, the entire front surface of the wall panel 1B can be uniformly illuminated with a small light guide loss. Specifically, it is possible to realize the wall panel 1B that shines brighter than that of the first embodiment.

(Modification example)
The wall panel, bathroom unit, and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on the first and second embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments.

For example, in the first and second embodiments, both the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 are arranged, but only the second light source 40 may be arranged. In this case, as in the wall panel 1C shown in FIG. 9, only the second light source 40 may be arranged without arranging the first light source 30. Even in the wall panel 1C having the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the light emitted from the second light source 40 and guiding the inside of the second light guide layer 20 is emitted from the second light guide layer 20 and is first guided. It is incident on the light layer 10. At this time, as in the first embodiment, even in this modified example, the second light guide layer 20 is in the direction away from the upper surface 12a of the first light guide layer 10 and the upper surface 22a of the second light guide layer 20. Since the amount of straight-ahead light is relatively larger than that of the first light guide layer 10, the proportion of light incident on the first light guide layer 10 from the second light guide layer 20 increases as the distance from the upper surfaces 12a and 22a increases.

Therefore, even when the first light source 30 is not arranged as in this modification, the light of the second light guide layer 20 is incident on the first light guide layer 10 to cause the mirror 6 or the counter 7 or the like. It can be distributed to the lower part of the equipment. Therefore, even when equipment such as a mirror 6 or a counter 7 is installed on the front surface of the wall panel 1C, it is possible to prevent the lower portion of the equipment from feeling darker than the other parts. Further, by adjusting the light output of the second light source 40 or the like, it is possible to uniformly illuminate the entire front surface of the wall panel 1C. The modified example can also be applied to the structure of the second embodiment.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 are separate bodies, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 may be integrated as in the wall panel 1D shown in FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the substrate 31 of the first light source 30 and the substrate 41 of the second light source 40 may be configured as one long substrate 100. Then, the light emitting element 32 of the first light source 30 and the light emitting element of the second light source 40 may be mounted on this one substrate 100. The wall panel 1D according to this modification also has the same effect as that of the first embodiment. The modified example can also be applied to the structure of the second embodiment.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 are both arranged on the upper side, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 may both be arranged on the lower side. That is, the first light source 30 is arranged to face the lower surface 12b, which is the first end surface 12 on the lower side of the first light guide layer 10, and the second light source 40 is located on the lower side of the second light guide layer 20. The two end faces 22 may be arranged so as to face the lower surface 22b.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 are both arranged on the same surface on the upper side, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first light source 30 is arranged to face the upper surface 12a which is the first end surface 12 on the upper side of the first light guide layer 10, and the second light source 40 is arranged on the lower second side of the second light guide layer 20. It may be arranged so as to face the lower surface 22b which is the end surface 22. Alternatively, the first light source 30 is arranged so as to face the lower surface 12b, which is the first end surface 12 on the lower side of the first light guide layer 10, and the second light source 40 is placed on the second upper side of the second light guide layer 20. It may be arranged so as to face the upper surface 22a which is the end surface 22.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the mirror 6 and the counter 7 are exemplified as the bathroom equipment installed on the wall panels 1, 1A and 1B, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the wall panels 1, 1A, 1B may be provided with storage shelves, towel racks, handrails, laundry pipes, windows, and the like as bathroom facilities.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the wall panels 1, 1A and 1B are applied to the wall of the bathroom unit, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the wall panels 1, 1A and 1B can be applied to walls other than the bathroom unit. For example, the wall panels 1, 1A and 1B may be applied to a wall or the like in a building.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the light emitting elements 32 and 42 of the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 are composed of LEDs, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the light emitting elements 32 and 42 of the first light source 30 and the second light source 40 may be semiconductor light emitting elements such as a semiconductor laser or a super luminescent diode, or EL elements such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) or an inorganic EL. A solid-state light source other than the LED may be used. As the first light source 30 and the second light source 40, existing lamps such as fluorescent lamps and high-intensity lamps may be used.

In addition, it is realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions in the above-described embodiment within the range obtained by applying various modifications to the above-described embodiment and not deviating from the gist of the present invention. Forms are also included in the present invention.

1, 1A, 1B Wall panel 2 Bathroom unit 10, 10B 1st light guide layer 11 1st main surface 12 1st end surface 12a Upper surface (1st end surface)
12b lower surface (first end surface)
13, 23 Prism 20, 20B 2nd light guide layer 21 2nd main surface 22 2nd end surface 22a Upper surface (2nd end surface)
22b lower surface (second end surface)
30 1st light source 40 2nd light source 50 Control unit 80 Light reflection layer

Claims (17)

A wall panel that emits light toward the front
The first light guide layer and
The second light guide layer and
A light source that emits light incident on the second light guide layer is provided.
The first light guide layer has a first main surface that emits light toward the front.
The second light guide layer has a second main surface that emits light toward the front and a second end surface that receives light from the light source.
Light emitted from the second light guide layer is incident on the first light guide layer, and the light is incident on the first light guide layer.
The first light guide layer and the second light guide layer have different light diffusivity.
Wall panel. The light source that emits light incident on the second light guide layer is used as the second light source.
Further, a first light source that emits light incident on the first light guide layer is provided.
The first light guide layer has a first end surface on which light from the first light source is incident.
The wall panel according to claim 1. The first light source and the second light source are integrated.
The wall panel according to claim 2. When the light of the first light source is incident on the first light guide layer, the straight light at a position at a predetermined distance from the first end surface of the first light guide layer is emitted to the second light guide layer. It is less than the straight light at a position of the predetermined distance from the second end surface in the second light guide layer when the light of the two light sources is incident.
The wall panel according to claim 2 or 3. The first end face and the second end face are upper end faces in the vertical direction.
The first light source is arranged above the first end face.
The second light source is arranged above the second end face.
The wall panel according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The intensity of the light emitted by the first light source and the intensity of the light emitted by the second light source are substantially the same.
The wall panel according to any one of claims 2 to 5. The intensity of the light emitted by the second light source is higher than the intensity of the light emitted by the first light source.
The wall panel according to any one of claims 2 to 6. A control unit that controls at least one of dimming and toning is further provided for at least one of the first light source and the second light source.
The wall panel according to any one of claims 2 to 7. The area of the first main surface is larger than the area of the second main surface.
The wall panel according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The second light guide layer is located on the side of the first light guide layer.
The first end surface and the second end surface are located in a direction intersecting the alignment direction of the first light guide layer and the second light guide layer.
The wall panel according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The first light guide layer and the second light guide layer are made of different members.
The wall panel according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The first light guide layer and the second light guide layer are arranged adjacent to each other.
The wall panel according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The light guide efficiency is inclined from the second light guide layer toward the first light guide layer.
The wall panel according to claim 12. In the second light guide layer, the amount of light from the second light guide layer toward the first light guide layer is larger on the end face side opposite to the second end face than on the second end face side. ,
The wall panel according to claim 12 or 13. The second light guide layer has a light reflecting layer on at least one surface other than the first end surface and the side surface on the first light guide layer side.
The wall panel according to any one of claims 12 to 14. The lengths of the first light guide layer and the second light guide layer are substantially the same in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the first light guide layer and the second light guide layer.
The wall panel according to any one of claims 12 to 15. The wall panel according to any one of claims 1 to 16 is provided.
Bathroom unit.

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