JP2021144912A - Light guide member, light guide member unit, lighting device and display device - Google Patents

Abstract

To miniaturize a light guide member that can emit parallel light in a wide range.SOLUTION: A light guide member (100) includes: partial total reflection surfaces (121-123) for totally reflecting light; and an emission surface (130) for emitting light totally reflected by the partial total reflection surfaces. The partial total reflection surfaces have a shape to totally reflect incident light from an incident position of an incidence surface (110) so as to be emitted in a vertical direction relative to the emission surface. In the emission surface, areas of light reflected by the partial total reflection surfaces are adjacent to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a light guide member that guides incident light and emits it as parallel light, and a light guide member unit, a lighting device, and a display device provided with the light guide member.

Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle lamp unit that irradiates light along a predetermined optical axis. The vehicle lamp unit has an incident surface that allows light emitted from a light source to enter the light guide body, an exit surface and a first reflection surface formed on the front surface, and a second reflection surface formed on the rear surface. .. The vehicle lighting unit unit internally reflects the light incident on the light guide body from the incident surface to the rear on the first reflecting surface, and then internally reflects the light to the emitting surface while making it parallel light to the front on the second reflecting surface.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-243521

However, in the vehicle lamp unit disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to emit parallel light over a wide range, it is necessary to increase the size of the second reflecting surface. When the second reflecting surface is enlarged in the vehicle lamp unit, there is a problem that the size of the entire light guide body, particularly the size of the emitted light in the optical axis direction is increased.

One aspect of the present invention is to reduce the size of a light guide member or the like capable of emitting parallel light over a wide range.

In order to solve the above problems, the light guide member according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of incident surfaces in which light from a light source is incident from a predetermined incident position and a plurality of light sources that totally reflect the light incident from the incident surface. A light guide member including a partial total reflection surface and an emission surface for emitting the light totally reflected by the partial total reflection surface, wherein the partial total reflection surface is the light incident from the incident position. However, the shape is such that the light is totally reflected so as to be emitted from the exit surface, and among the partial total reflection surfaces, the inner partial total reflection surface provided inside the light guide member is the guide. It is formed by the surface of the hollow portion provided inside the translucent material constituting the optical member, and the surface of the hollow portion other than the partial total reflection surface is (i) separated from the light source of the partial total reflection surface. It exists only in the region on the exit surface side of the surface including the end portion of the partial total reflection surface adjacent to the lower side on the exit surface side and (ii) the light source, and each of the emission surfaces The regions of light reflected by the partial total reflection surface are adjacent to each other.

According to the above configuration, the light incident from the incident surface is totally reflected by the partial total reflection surface including the inner partial total reflection surface formed by the surface of the hollow portion, and is emitted from the exit surface. Therefore, it is possible to emit light having the same emission direction according to the shape of the emission surface.

Further, for example, when trying to emit light as described above with one total reflection surface, it is necessary to increase the total reflection surface in order to emit light from a wide area of the emission surface, and accordingly, the incident surface and the incident surface It becomes necessary to increase the distance from the exit surface. In this case, the size of the light guide member is increased. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, since a plurality of partial total reflection surfaces for totally reflecting the incident light are provided, each of the partial total reflection surfaces is a plurality of regions between the incident surface and the exit surface. It is possible to disperse and arrange them in places. Therefore, the distance between the entrance surface and the exit surface can be reduced, and the light guide member can be miniaturized.

Further, even if the total reflection surface is divided into a plurality of parts in this way, since the regions of light reflected by each partial total reflection surface are adjacent to each other on the emission surface, the light is reflected by each partial total reflection surface. It is possible to realize uniform light emission without creating a dark region between the light regions.

When the direction parallel to the entrance surface, the emission surface, and the partial total reflection surface is the thickness direction, the light reflected by each of the partial total reflection surfaces in the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the thickness direction. Regions are adjacent to each other on the exit surface.

Further, in the light guide member according to one aspect of the present invention, when the emission surface is a flat surface and the direction parallel to the entrance surface, the emission surface, and the partial total reflection surface is the thickness direction, the thickness is the thickness. In the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the direction, each of the partial total reflection surfaces is a parabolic line.

According to the above configuration, by arranging the light source at the focal position of the parabola, it is possible to provide a light guide member capable of emitting parallel light from an exit surface.

Further, in the light guide member according to one aspect of the present invention, when the emission surface is a flat surface and the direction parallel to the entrance surface, the emission surface, and the partial total reflection surface is the thickness direction, the thickness is the thickness. In the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the direction, each of the partial total reflection surfaces is one of the bicurves.

According to the above configuration, by arranging the light source at the focal position of the hyperbola, it is possible to provide a light guide member capable of emitting parallel light from an emission surface.

Further, in the light guide member according to one aspect of the present invention, when the exit surface is a curved surface and the direction parallel to the entrance surface, the emission surface, and the partial total reflection surface is the thickness direction, the thickness is the thickness. In the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the direction, each of the partial total reflection surfaces reflects the light so that the light incident from the incident position is emitted from the emission surface in the direction perpendicular to the emission surface. It has become.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a light guide member capable of emitting light from a curved emission surface in a direction perpendicular to the emission surface. In this case, when the emitted light is bent in a direction parallel to the thickness direction and guided, the guided light can be converted into parallel light.

Further, in the light guide member according to one aspect of the present invention, when the direction parallel to the entrance surface, the emission surface, and the partial total reflection surface is the thickness direction, the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the thickness direction The angle range of the light incident from the incident surface in the traveling direction is divided into a plurality of partial angle ranges adjacent to each other, and one partial total reflection surface is provided within each of the partial angle ranges. ing.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a light guide member in which regions of light reflected by each of the partial total reflection surfaces are adjacent to each other on the emission surface.

Further, in the light guide member according to one aspect of the present invention, the plurality of partial total reflection surfaces are arranged in a direction parallel to the emission surface.

According to the above configuration, the light guide member can be miniaturized in the direction in which light is emitted.

Further, in the light guide member according to one aspect of the present invention, the ends of the plurality of partial total reflection surfaces are formed so as to have a predetermined first curvature in a cross section perpendicular to the thickness direction of the light guide member. ing.

According to the above configuration, the life of the mold for manufacturing the light guide member can be extended.

Further, in the light guide member according to one aspect of the present invention, the incident position is formed so as to have a predetermined second curvature in a cross section perpendicular to the thickness direction of the light guide member.

According to the above configuration, the spread of the light incident on the light guide member can be adjusted by the second curvature.

Further, the light guide member unit according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of the light guide members described above, and is arranged such that the emission surfaces of the light guide members are on the same surface and adjacent to each other.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a light guide member unit capable of emitting parallel light in a wide range without increasing the distance between the incident surface and the exit surface of each light guide member. Therefore, the light guide member unit capable of emitting parallel light in a certain range can be miniaturized.

Further, the lighting device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the above-mentioned light guide member unit and a plurality of light sources.

According to the above configuration, by reducing the size of the light guide member, it is possible to provide a similarly miniaturized lighting device.

Further, in the lighting device according to one aspect of the present invention, the light source is arranged so that the optical axis of the light faces the direction of the farthest from the light source among the plurality of partial total reflection surfaces.

According to the above configuration, the optical axis having the highest light intensity faces the direction of the farthest, that is, the widest area of the total internal reflection surface. Therefore, the overall brightness of the light emitted from the exit surface can be made uniform.

Further, the display device according to one aspect of the present invention guides the above-mentioned lighting device and the light incident from the lighting device, reflects it by an optical path changing portion formed at a predetermined position, and emits the light from the light emitting surface. It is provided with a light guide plate to be used.

According to the above configuration, by reducing the size of the lighting device, it is possible to provide a similarly miniaturized display device.

Further, in the display device according to one aspect of the present invention, the light guide plate forms an image in a space other than the light guide plate by the light emitted from the light emitting surface.

According to the above configuration, a stereoscopic image can be displayed by the display device.

Further, in the display device according to one aspect of the present invention, the light guide plate displays a flat image inside the light guide plate by light emitted from the light emitting surface.

According to the above configuration, a flat image can be displayed by the display device.

Further, in the display device according to one aspect of the present invention, the light guide plate is integrally formed with the light guide member unit.

According to the above configuration, the number of parts of the display device can be reduced.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a light guide member or the like capable of emitting parallel light over a wide range can be miniaturized.

It is a front view of the lighting apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view of the display device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view of the light guide member unit provided in the lighting apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the region of the light emitted from the light emitting surface, and the angle range of the light traveling direction in a light guide member. It is a figure which shows the state which applied the display device which concerns on this embodiment to the tail lamp of a vehicle. It is a figure which shows the state which applied the display device which concerns on this embodiment to the input part of an elevator. It is a figure which shows the state which applied the display device which concerns on this embodiment to the input part of the warm water toilet seat washing machine. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the gaming machine to which the display device which concerns on this embodiment is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the light guide member unit which concerns on this embodiment. It is a front view which shows another modification of the light guide member unit which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the application example of the lighting apparatus which comprises another modification of the light guide member unit which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the display device which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the modification of the display device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the modification of the display device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the optical path change part provided in the modification of the display device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the arrangement of the optical path change part. It is a perspective view which shows the image formation method of the stereoscopic image by the modification of the display device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the modification of the display device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the modification of the incident position where the light from a light source is incident on a light guide member. It is a figure which shows the modification of the light guide member unit. It is a figure which shows the modification of the light guide member unit.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to one aspect of the present invention (hereinafter, also referred to as “the present embodiment”) will be described with reference to the drawings.

§1 Application example FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the display device 10 according to the present embodiment. The display device 10 forms a stereoscopic image visually recognized by the user in a space without a screen. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the display device 10 displays a stereoscopic image I, more specifically, a button-shaped stereoscopic image I on which the characters “ON” are displayed. As shown in FIG. 2, the display device 10 includes a light guide plate 11 and a lighting device 12.

The light guide plate 11 guides the light incident from the lighting device 12 and reflects it by the optical path changing portions 13a, 13b and 13c (described later) formed at predetermined positions to emit the light from the exit surface 11a (described later). The light guide plate 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is formed of a resin material having transparency and a relatively high refractive index. The material forming the light guide plate 11 may be, for example, a polycarbonate resin, a polymethyl methacrylate resin, glass, or the like. The light guide plate 11 has an exit surface 11a (light emission surface) that emits light, a back surface 11b on the opposite side of the emission surface 11a, and end faces 11c, end faces 11d, end faces 11e, and end faces 11f that are four end faces. I have. The end surface 11c is an incident surface on which the light projected from the lighting device 12 is incident on the light guide plate 11. The end surface 11d is a surface opposite to the end surface 11c. The end surface 11e is a surface opposite to the end surface 11f.

A plurality of optical path changing portions including an optical path changing portion 13a, an optical path changing portion 13b, and an optical path changing portion 13c are formed on the back surface 11b of the light guide plate 11. The optical path changing portion is formed substantially continuously along a predetermined direction. In other words, the plurality of optical path changing portions are formed along predetermined lines in a plane parallel to the exit surface 11a.

In the following description, a predetermined direction in which the optical path changing portion is formed substantially continuously is referred to as a Z-axis direction. Further, the direction perpendicular to the exit surface 11a is referred to as the X-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction is referred to as the Y-axis direction.

Light projected from the lighting device 12 and guided by the light guide plate 11 is incident on each position of the optical path changing portion in the Z-axis direction. The optical path changing unit substantially converges the light incident on each position of the optical path changing unit to a fixed point corresponding to each optical path changing unit. In FIG. 2, the optical path changing section 13a, the optical path changing section 13b, and the optical path changing section 13c are particularly shown as a part of the optical path changing section, and each of the optical path changing section 13a, the optical path changing section 13b, and the optical path changing section 13c is shown. In the above, a state in which a plurality of lights emitted from each of the optical path changing unit 13a, the optical path changing unit 13b, and the optical path changing unit 13c converge is shown.

Specifically, the optical path changing unit 13a corresponds to the fixed point PA of the stereoscopic image I. That is, the light from each position of the optical path changing unit 13a converges on the fixed point PA. Therefore, the wavefront of the light from the optical path changing portion 13a becomes the wavefront of the light emitted from the fixed point PA. Similarly, the optical path changing units 13b and 13c correspond to the fixed points PB and PC on the stereoscopic image I, respectively. That is, the light from each position of the optical path changing portions 13b and 13c converges on the fixed point PB and the PC, respectively. In this way, the light from each position of the arbitrary optical path changing unit 13 substantially converges to the fixed point corresponding to each optical path changing unit 13. As a result, it is possible to provide a wavefront of light such that light is emitted from a corresponding fixed point by an arbitrary optical path changing unit 13. The fixed points corresponding to each optical path changing unit 13 are different from each other, and the user is placed on the space (more specifically, on the space on the exit surface 11a side from the light guide plate 11) by a collection of a plurality of fixed points corresponding to the optical path changing units 13. The stereoscopic image I recognized by is imaged.

As shown in FIG. 2, the optical path changing section 13a, the optical path changing section 13b, and the optical path changing section 13c are formed along the line La, the line Lb, and the line Lc, respectively. Here, the line La, the line Lb, and the line Lc are straight lines substantially parallel to the Z-axis direction. The arbitrary optical path changing portion 13 is formed substantially continuously along a straight line parallel to the Z-axis direction.

With the above configuration, the light guide plate 11 forms a stereoscopic image I in a space other than the light guide plate 11 by the light emitted from the light emitting surface 11a. As a result, the display device 10 can display an image in space. However, the light guide plate 11 may display a flat image inside the light guide plate 11 by the light emitted from the light emitting surface 11a. In this case, the display device 10 can display a flat image.

The lighting device 12 causes light to enter the light guide plate 11. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the lighting device 12 is provided at the end portion of the back surface 11b along the end surface 11c. The lighting device 12 causes parallel light collimated in a direction perpendicular to the back surface 11b on a plane parallel to the end surface 11c of the light guide plate 11 to enter the light guide plate 11 from the back surface 11b. A specific configuration example of the lighting device 12 will be described below.

§2 Configuration example FIG. 1 is a front view of the lighting device 12 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the light guide member unit 21 included in the lighting device 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting device 12 includes a light guide member unit 21 and a plurality of light sources 22.

The light guide member unit 21 includes a plurality of light guide members 100. More specifically, in the light guide member unit 21, a plurality of light guide members 100 are continuously formed on a resin material (translucent material) having a rectangular parallelepiped shape and having transparency and a relatively high refractive index. Has a configuration that

The light source 22 is a light source that causes light to enter the light guide member unit 21. The light source 22 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting diode) light source.

The light guide member 100 includes an incident surface 110, a plurality of partially totally reflecting surfaces 121, 122 and 123, and an exit surface 130. The incident surface 110 is a surface on which the light from the light source 22 is incident from a predetermined incident position P. The predetermined incident position P will be described later. The exit surface 130 is a surface that emits the light that is totally reflected by each of the partially totally reflected surfaces 121 to 123. As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the exit surface 130 is a rectangular plane.

The partially totally reflecting surfaces 121 to 123 totally reflect the light incident from the incident surface 110. More specifically, the partial total reflection surfaces 121 to 123 have a shape that totally reflects the light so that the light incident from the predetermined incident position is emitted from the emission surface 130 in the direction perpendicular to the emission surface 130. It has become. Therefore, the light incident from the incident surface 110 is totally reflected by any of the partially totally reflecting surfaces 121 to 123, and is emitted from the emitting surface 130 in the direction perpendicular to the emitting surface 130. Therefore, it is possible to emit light having the same emission direction according to the shape of the emission surface 130. Further, the number of the total internal reflection surfaces included in the light guide member 100 is not limited to 3, and may be 2 or 4 or more.

In the present embodiment, when the direction parallel to the incident surface 110, the exit surface 130, and the partial total reflection surfaces 121 to 123 is the thickness direction, the partial total reflection surfaces 121 to 123 have a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the thickness direction. Each is a parabola. Further, the light source 22 is arranged at the focal point of the parabola. In other words, the predetermined incident position P on the incident surface 110 where the light from the light source 22 is incident is the position where the light from the light source 22 arranged at the focal point of the parabolic shape of the partially total internal reflection surfaces 121 to 123 is incident. be. Therefore, the light guide member 100 can emit parallel light from the exit surface 130 by reflecting the light incident on the light guide member 100 from the light source 22 on the partially total reflection surfaces 121 to 123.

Further, in the above cross-sectional shape, each of the partial total reflection surfaces 121 to 123 may be one of the hyperbolas. Also in this case, by arranging the light source 22 at the focal position of the hyperbola, parallel light can be emitted from the emission surface 130.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the light guide member 100 is provided with hollow portions 141 and 142 and a notch portion 143. The hollow portions 141 and 142 are cavities provided inside the resin material constituting the light guide member 100. Further, the notch portion 143 is a notch portion formed by notching the resin material constituting the light guide member 100 from the side of the incident surface 110. The hollow portions 141 and 142 are formed by using a mold having a shape in which the hollow portions 141 and 142 are formed, for example, when the light guide member unit 21 is formed by injection molding. Alternatively, the hollow portions 141 and 142 are formed by, for example, manufacturing the light guide member unit 21 in which the hollow portions 141 and 142 are not formed, and then hollowing out the light guide member unit 21.

Like the hollow portions 141 and 142, the notch portion 143 may be formed by using a mold having a shape in which the notch portion 143 is formed, and the light guide member unit having a shape in which the notch portion 143 does not exist. It may be formed by cutting out the light guide member unit 21 after manufacturing the 21.

In the present embodiment, of the partial total reflection surfaces 121 to 123, the partial total reflection surfaces 121 and 122 (inner partial total reflection surfaces) provided inside the light guide member 100 are formed by the surfaces of the hollow portions 141 and 142, respectively. Will be done. Further, the partial total reflection surface 123 whose one end is in contact with the incident surface 110 is formed by the surface of the notch portion 143. Therefore, the light guide member 100 can be easily manufactured as compared with a method such as forming the partially total internal reflection surfaces 121 to 123 by embedding another material in the resin material, for example.

The surface of the hollow portion 141 other than the partial total reflection surface 121 is a region on the exit surface 130 side of the surface including (i) the end portion of the partial total reflection surface 122 on the exit surface 130 side and (ii) the light source 22. Only exists in. Therefore, the light to be incident on the partial total reflection surface 122 is not blocked by the surface of the hollow portion 141 other than the partial total reflection surface 121.

As an example, the surface 1411, which is one of the surfaces of the hollow portion 141, passes through an end portion of the partial total reflection surface 122 that is perpendicular to the exit surface 130 and is separated from the exit surface 130. As another example, the surface 1411 exists in a region on the light source 22 side of the region through which the light reflected by the partially totally reflected surface 122 passes.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a region of the emitted light from the emitting surface 130 and an angular range of the light traveling direction in the light guide member 100. In FIG. 4, the light directed from the light source 22 toward both ends of the partially total reflection surfaces 121 to 123 and the light reflected at both ends are indicated by broken line arrows. As shown in FIG. 4, the regions of the light emitted from the exit surface 130 are the region R1 of the light totally reflected by the partially totally reflected surface 121, the region R2 of the light totally reflected by the partially totally reflected surface 122, and the region R2 of the light. It is divided into the region R3 of the light totally reflected by the partially totally reflecting surface 123. Here, on the exit surface 130, the regions R1 to R3 of the light reflected by the respective partial total reflection surfaces 121 to 123 are adjacent to each other. Therefore, uniform light emission can be realized without a dark region being generated between the regions R1 to R3 of the light reflected by the respective partial total reflection surfaces 121 to 123.

If it is intended to emit light having the same emission direction on a single total reflection surface, it is necessary to increase the total reflection surface in order to emit light from a wide area of the emission surface 130, and the light is incident accordingly. It becomes necessary to increase the distance between the surface 110 and the exit surface 130. In this case, the size of the light guide member 100 is increased.

On the other hand, in the light guide member 100, a plurality of partially totally reflecting surfaces 121, 122 and 123 are provided. Therefore, in order to emit light from a wide area of the exit surface 130, the number of partially total reflection surfaces may be increased, so that it is not necessary to increase the distance between the incident surface 110 and the exit surface 130. Therefore, the light guide member 100 that emits light from a wide area of the exit surface 130 can be miniaturized.

When the direction parallel to the incident surface 110, the exit surface 130, and the partial total reflection surfaces 121 to 123 is the thickness direction, reflection is performed by the respective partial total reflection surfaces 121 to 123 in the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the thickness direction. The light regions are adjacent to each other on the exit surface 130.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4, in the light guide member 100, the angle range of the light incident from the incident surface 110 in the traveling direction is divided into a plurality of partial angle ranges α, β, and γ adjacent to each other. Within each of the partial angle ranges α, β, and γ, one partial total reflection surface 121 to 123 is provided. More specifically, the partial angle range α is provided with the partial total reflection surface 121, the partial angle range β is provided with the partial total reflection surface 122, and the partial angle range γ is provided with the partial total reflection surface 123. There is. Therefore, on the exit surface 130 of the light guide member 100, the regions of light reflected by the respective partial total reflection surfaces 121 to 123 are adjacent to each other.

Further, in the light guide member unit 21, the exit surfaces 130 included in each light guide member 100 are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other on the same surface. Specifically, the exit surface 130 of each light guide member 100 is a portion of a common surface that is different from each other. Therefore, the light guide member unit 21 can emit parallel light over a wide range without increasing the distance between the incident surface 110 and the exit surface 130 of each light guide member 100. Therefore, the size of the light guide member unit 21 capable of emitting parallel light in a certain range can be reduced.

Further, as described above, the lighting device 12 includes a light guide member unit 21 and a plurality of light sources 22. Therefore, as the light guide member 100 included in the light guide member unit 21 is miniaturized, the lighting device 12 can also be miniaturized. Further, as described above, the display device 10 includes a lighting device 12 and a light guide plate 11. Therefore, as the lighting device 12 becomes smaller, the display device 10 can also be made smaller.

Further, the partial total reflection surfaces 121 to 123 are preferably arranged in a direction parallel to the exit surface 130. By arranging the partially total reflection surfaces 121 to 123 in this way, the light guide member 100 can be miniaturized in the direction in which light is emitted from the emission surface 130.

Further, the ends of the partially total reflection surfaces 121 to 123 have a predetermined first curvature in a cross section perpendicular to the thickness direction of the light guide member 100. The first curvature is preferably about 0.2 to 0.5 ° / m. Since the ends of the partially total reflection surfaces 121 to 123 have such a curvature, the mold for manufacturing the light guide member 100 can have a long life.

Further, it is preferable that the optical axis of the light source 22 faces the direction of the partial total reflection surface 123 of the partial total reflection surfaces 121 to 123, which is the farthest from the light source 22. Here, it is assumed that the intensity of the light emitted from the light source is the highest in the optical axis and decreases as the distance from the optical axis increases.

As shown in FIG. 4, of the partial total reflection surfaces 121 to 123, the partial total reflection surface 123 farthest from the light source 22 is formed to be larger in size than the partial total reflection surfaces 121 and 122. Therefore, when the direction of the optical axis having the highest intensity faces the partially total reflection surface 123, the overall brightness of the light emitted from the exit surface 130 can be made uniform.

§3 Operation example FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the display device 10 is applied to the tail lamp of the vehicle C. The display device 10 can be applied to the tail lamp 1A of the vehicle C, for example, as shown by reference numeral 5001 in FIG. In this case, the display device 10 includes a light guide plate 11A and a lighting device 12, as shown by reference numeral 5002 in FIG. The light guide plate 11A is different from the light guide plate 11 in that it has a curved shape that matches the shape of the vehicle C. The stereoscopic image I is displayed by changing the optical path of the light incident from the lighting device 12 by the optical path changing unit 13 formed in the light guide plate 11A. Further, the display device 10 may be applied to a vehicle lamp or a vehicle display device other than the tail lamp.

Further, the display device 10 can be applied to an input unit such as an aerial switch. In this case, the aerial switch may include a display device 10 and a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object at the position of the image displayed by the display device 10. The aerial switch receives a user's input operation on an image displayed in space by the display device 10 by a sensor.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the display device 10 is applied to the input unit of the elevator. As shown by reference numeral 6001 in FIG. 6, the display device 10 can be applied to, for example, the input unit 200 of an elevator. Specifically, the input unit 200 displays the stereoscopic images I1 to I12 by the display device 10. The stereoscopic images I1 to I12 are displays that accept user input for designating the destination (floor number) of the elevator (stereoscopic images I1 to I10) or displays that accept instructions for opening and closing the elevator doors (stereoscopic images I11 and I12). It is an imaged stereoscopic image. When the input unit 200 receives a user's input for any of the stereoscopic images I, the input unit 200 changes the imaging state of the stereoscopic image I (for example, changes the color of the stereoscopic image I) and responds to the input. Is output to the control unit of the elevator. The stereoscopic image I may be displayed by the input unit 200 only when a person approaches the input unit 200. Further, the input unit 200 may be arranged inside the wall of the elevator.

In the elevator input unit 200, for example, when there are many people in the elevator, a part of the user's body is located at the image formation position of the stereoscopic image I, and the input unit 200 inputs an input not intended by the user. There is a risk of accepting it. Therefore, in the input unit 200, the display device 10 may display a stereoscopic image I that prompts the user to perform a rotation operation, for example, as shown by reference numeral 6002 in FIG. In this case, the input unit 200 may accept the user's input only when the rotation operation is received for the stereoscopic image I by, for example, the motion sensor. Since the rotation operation is an operation that is not normally performed unless the user intends to do so, it is possible to prevent the input unit 200 from accepting an input not intended by the user. Further, as shown by reference numeral 6003 in FIG. 6, the stereoscopic image I may be displayed in a recess provided in the inner wall of the elevator. As a result, since the input to the stereoscopic image I is performed only when the user's finger or the like is inserted into the recess, it is possible to prevent the input unit 200 from accepting the input not intended by the user.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the display device 10 is applied to the input unit of the warm water toilet seat washer. As shown in FIG. 7, the display device 10 can be applied to, for example, the input unit 300 (operation panel unit) of the warm water toilet seat washer. Specifically, the input unit 300 displays the stereoscopic images I1 to I4 by the display device 10. The stereoscopic images I1 to I4 are stereoscopic images in which a display for receiving an instruction to drive / stop the cleaning function of the warm water toilet seat washer is formed. When the input unit 300 receives a user's input for any of the stereoscopic images I, the input unit 300 changes the imaging state of the stereoscopic image I (for example, changes the color of the stereoscopic image I) and responds to the input. The instruction to be used is output to the control unit of the hot water toilet seat washer. Many users do not like direct contact with the operation panel of the warm water toilet seat washer for hygiene reasons. On the other hand, in the input unit 300, the user can operate without directly touching (physically touching) the input unit 300. Therefore, the user can operate without worrying about hygiene. The input device of the present invention can also be applied to other devices for which direct contact is not preferable in terms of hygiene. For example, the input device of the present invention is suitable for application to a reference number ticketing machine installed in a hospital, an operation unit of a moving door touched by an unspecified person, and the like. Further, when there are a plurality of options such as surgery and internal medicine in the reference number ticketing machine installed in the hospital, the stereoscopic image I corresponding to each option can be displayed, which is preferable. Further, the input device of the present invention is suitable for application to a cash register or a meal ticket vending machine installed in a restaurant.

In addition, the display device 10 includes, for example, an input unit of an ATM (Automated teller machine), an input unit of a credit card reader, an input unit for unlocking a safe, and a door that is unlocked by a personal identification number. It can be applied to the input section and the like. Here, in the conventional personal identification number input device, input is performed by physically touching the input unit with a finger. In such a case, a fingerprint or a temperature history remains in the input unit. Therefore, there is a risk that the password will be known to others. On the other hand, when the display device 10 is used as an input unit, fingerprints and temperature histories do not remain, so that it is possible to prevent the personal identification number from being known to others. As another example, the input device 1 can be applied to a ticket vending machine installed at a station or the like.

Further, the display device 10 is a vanity lighting switch, a faucet operation switch, a range hood operation switch, a dishwasher operation switch, a refrigerator operation switch, a microwave operation switch, and an IH (Induction Heating) cooking heater operation switch. It can also be applied to switches, operation switches for electrolyzed water generators, operation switches for interphones, lighting switches in corridors, or operation switches for compact stereo systems. By applying the display device 10 to these switches, (i) the switch is smooth and easy to clean, (ii) the stereoscopic image can be displayed only when necessary, and the design is improved. (Iii) Contact with the switch There are advantages that it is hygienic because there is no need to do it, and (iv) it is hard to break because there are no moving parts.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of a gaming machine to which the display device 10 is applied. In FIG. 8, the display device 10 is not shown. As shown in FIG. 8, the display device 10 can also be applied to an input device of a gaming machine. Similar to the above-mentioned aerial switch, the input device in this case may also include a display device 10 and a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an object at the position of the image displayed by the display device 10.

As shown by reference numeral 8001 in FIG. 8, in the operation panel operated by the user with respect to the gaming machine M1, the stereoscopic image I is imaged by the display device 10 as at least one of the plurality of switches operated by the user. You may let me. Further, as shown by reference numeral 8002 in FIG. 8, a display device displays a stereoscopic image I as a switch that is formed so as to be superimposed on a screen on which an effect image for the user is displayed on the gaming machine M2 and is an operation target of the user. The image may be formed by 10. In this case, the display device 10 may display the stereoscopic image I only when it is necessary for the effect.

§4 Modifications Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the above description is merely an example of the present invention in all respects. Needless to say, various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the following changes can be made. In the following, the same reference numerals will be used for the same components as those in the above embodiment, and the same points as in the above embodiment will be omitted as appropriate. The following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

<4.1>
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a light guide member unit 23 according to a modified example of the light guide member unit 21. As shown in FIG. 9, the light guide member unit 23 is different from the light guide member unit 21 in that the exit surface 130 is not rectangular. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the exit surface 130 has a shape in which the long sides of the rectangle are changed into arcs that are convex in the same direction. Similar to the light guide member unit 21, such a light guide member unit 23 can also emit parallel light from the emission surface 130.

<4.2>
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the light guide member unit 24 according to the modified example of the light guide member unit 21. As shown in FIG. 10, the light guide member unit 24 differs from the light guide member unit 21 in that the exit surface 130 of each light guide member 100 is a curved surface.

In the light guide member 100 included in the light guide member unit 24, when the direction parallel to the incident surface 110, the exit surface 130, and the partially totally reflecting surfaces 121 to 123 is the thickness direction, the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the thickness direction Each of the partially totally reflecting surfaces 121 to 123 has a shape that totally reflects the light so that the light incident from the incident position is emitted from the emitting surface 130 in the direction perpendicular to the emitting surface 130. Therefore, the light guide member 100 included in the light guide member unit 24 can emit light from the curved exit surface 130 in a direction perpendicular to the emission surface 130. In this case, when the emitted light is bent in a direction parallel to the thickness direction and guided, the guided light can be converted into parallel light.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an application example of the lighting device 12 including the light guide member unit 24. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the light emitted from the lighting device 12 is incident on the light guide plate 30 and is bent in the light guide plate 30 in a direction parallel to the thickness direction of the light guide member unit 24. At this time, the light guided through the light guide plate 30 becomes parallel light as shown by the broken line in FIG.

<4.3>
The display device 10A as a modification of the display device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 17.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the display device 10A. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the display device 10A. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the configuration of the display device 10A. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the optical path changing unit 16 included in the display device 10A.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the display device 10A includes a lighting device 12 and a light guide plate 15 (first light guide plate).

The light guide plate 15 is a member that guides the light (incident light) incident from the lighting device 12. The light guide plate 15 is made of a transparent resin material having a relatively high refractive index. As the material for forming the light guide plate 15, for example, a polycarbonate resin, a polymethyl methacrylate resin, or the like can be used. In this modification, the light guide plate 15 is formed of a polymethylmethacrylate resin. As shown in FIG. 13, the light guide plate 15 includes an emitting surface 15a (light emitting surface), a back surface 15b, and an incident surface 15c.

The exit surface 15a is a surface that guides the inside of the light guide plate 15 and emits light whose optical path has been changed by the optical path changing unit 16 described later. The exit surface 15a constitutes the front surface of the light guide plate 15. The back surface 15b is a surface parallel to the exit surface 15a, and is a surface on which the optical path changing portion 16 described later is arranged. The incident surface 15c is a surface on which the light emitted from the illuminating device 12 is incident inside the light guide plate 15.

The light emitted from the lighting device 12 and incident on the light guide plate 15 from the incident surface 15c is totally reflected by the exit surface 15a or the back surface 15b, and is guided through the light guide plate 15.

As shown in FIG. 13, the optical path changing portion 16 is formed on the back surface 15b inside the light guide plate 15 to change the optical path of the light guided in the light guide plate 15 and emit it from the exit surface 15a. It is a member. A plurality of optical path changing portions 16 are provided on the back surface 15b of the light guide plate 15.

As shown in FIG. 14, the optical path changing portion 16 is provided along the direction parallel to the incident surface 15c. As shown in FIG. 15, the optical path changing portion 16 has a triangular pyramid shape and includes a reflecting surface 16a that reflects (totally reflected) the incident light. The optical path changing portion 16 may be, for example, a recess formed in the back surface 15b of the light guide plate 15. Further, the optical path changing portion 16 is not limited to the triangular pyramid shape. As shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of optical path changing unit groups 17a, 17b, 17c ... Consisting of a plurality of optical path changing units 16 are formed on the back surface 15b of the light guide plate 15.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the optical path changing portions 16. As shown in FIG. 16, in each of the optical path changing portions 17a, 17b, 17c ..., The reflecting surfaces 16a of the plurality of optical path changing portions 16 are arranged on the back surface 15b of the light guide plate 15 so that the angles with respect to the incident direction of the light are different from each other. Has been done. As a result, each of the optical path changing unit groups 17a, 17b, 17c ... Changes the optical path of the incident light and emits the incident light from the emitting surface 15a in various directions.

Next, a method of forming a stereoscopic image I by the display device 10A will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a case will be described in which a stereoscopic image I as a surface image is formed on the stereoscopic image forming surface P which is a plane perpendicular to the exit surface 15a of the light guide plate 15 by the light whose optical path is changed by the optical path changing unit 16. ..

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a method of forming a stereoscopic image I by the display device 10A. Here, it will be described that a ring mark with diagonal lines is formed as a stereoscopic image I on the stereoscopic image forming surface P.

In the display device 10A, as shown in FIG. 17, for example, the light whose optical path is changed by each optical path changing unit 16 of the optical path changing unit group 17a intersects the stereoscopic image imaging surface P at the line La1 and the line La2. As a result, the line image LI, which is a part of the stereoscopic image I, is formed on the stereoscopic image forming surface P. The line image LI is a line image parallel to the YZ plane. In this way, the line image LI of the line La1 and the line La2 is formed by the light from a large number of optical path changing units 16 belonging to the optical path changing unit group 17a. The light for forming the images of the line La1 and the line La2 may be provided by at least two optical path changing units 16 in the optical path changing unit group 17a.

Similarly, the light whose optical path is changed by each optical path changing unit 16 of the optical path changing unit group 17b intersects the stereoscopic image imaging surface P at the line Lb1, the line Lb2, and the line Lb3. As a result, the line image LI, which is a part of the stereoscopic image I, is formed on the stereoscopic image forming surface P.

Further, the light whose optical path is changed by each optical path changing unit 16 of the optical path changing unit group 17c intersects the stereoscopic image imaging surface P at the line Lc1 and the line Lc2. As a result, the line image LI, which is a part of the stereoscopic image I, is formed on the stereoscopic image forming surface P.

The positions of the line images LI formed by the optical path changing unit groups 17a, 17b, 17c ... In the X-axis direction are different from each other. In the display device 10A, by reducing the distance between the optical path changing unit groups 17a, 17b, 17c ..., the distance in the X-axis direction of the line image LI imaged by the optical path changing unit groups 17a, 17b, 17c ... It can be made smaller. As a result, in the display device 10A, by accumulating a plurality of line image LIs imaged by the light whose optical path has been changed by each of the optical path changing units 16 of the optical path changing units 17a, 17b, 17c ... A stereoscopic image I, which is a surface image, is formed on the stereoscopic image forming surface P.

The stereoscopic image forming surface P may be a plane perpendicular to the X-axis, a plane perpendicular to the Y-axis, or a plane perpendicular to the Z-axis. Further, the stereoscopic image forming surface P may be a plane that is not perpendicular to the X-axis, the Y-axis, or the Z-axis. Further, the stereoscopic image forming surface P may be a curved surface instead of a flat surface. That is, the display device 10A can form a stereoscopic image I on an arbitrary surface (plane and curved surface) in space by the optical path changing unit 16. In addition, a three-dimensional image can be formed by combining a plurality of surface images.

<4.4>
In the input device 1, the display device 10 may separately image images for a plurality of viewpoints. For example, the display device 10 may include a display pattern for the right eye that forms an image for the right eye and a display pattern for the left eye that forms an image for the left eye. In this case, the display device 10 can form an image having a stereoscopic effect. Further, the display device 10 may separately form images for three or more viewpoints.

<4.5>
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a configuration of a display device 10B as a modification of the display device 10. In the display device 10, the light guide member 100 of the lighting device 12 and the light guide plate 11 are separate bodies. The light emitted from the exit surface 130 of the light guide member 100 is incident from the end surface 11c of the light guide plate 11, the optical path is changed by the optical path changing unit 13, and the light is emitted from the emission surface 11a of the light guide plate 11.

On the other hand, in the display device 10B, the light guide plate 11 is formed integrally with the light guide member unit 21. Specifically, in the display device 10B, the exit surface 130 of the light guide member 100 and the end surface 11c of the light guide plate 11 are integrally formed. According to such a display device 10B, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the display device 10.

<4.6>
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing incident positions P1 and P2, which are modified examples of incident positions P in which light from the light source 22 is incident on the light guide member 100. The incident positions P1 and P2 have a predetermined second curvature on a plan surface perpendicular to the thickness direction of the light guide member 100.

In the example shown by reference numeral 1901 in FIG. 19, the incident position P1 has a concave shape having a predetermined curvature with respect to the light source 22. Therefore, the light incident from the incident position P1 is guided in a wider angle range as compared with the case where the light is incident from the incident position P having a planar shape. On the other hand, in the example shown by reference numeral 1902 in FIG. 19, the incident position P2 has a convex shape having a predetermined curvature with respect to the light source 22. Therefore, the light incident from the incident position P2 is guided in a narrow angle range as compared with the case where the light is incident from the incident position P having a planar shape.

In this way, by injecting light from the incident position P1 or P2 instead of the incident position P, the angle range of the light guided in the light guide member 100 can be adjusted. The second curvature may be appropriately determined according to a desired angle range of the light guided through the light guide member 100.

<4.7>
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a modified example of the light guide member unit 21. As shown by the arrows in FIG. 20, the light guide member unit 21 may emit light that is not parallel to the emission surface 130. Such a light guide member unit 21 is also included in the scope of the present invention.

<4.8>
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a modified example of the light guide member unit 21. As shown by the arrows in FIG. 21, the light guide member units 21 may emit light that is not completely parallel to each other and has a slight spread. The slight spread is, for example, a spread of 5 ° or less, preferably 3 ° or less. By providing the light emitted by the light guide member unit 21 with such a spread, it is possible to make the dark lines generated at the ends of the partially total internal reflection surfaces 121 to 123 inconspicuous.

10, 10A, 10B Display device 11 Light guide plate 12 Lighting device 13, 13a, 13b, 13c, 16 Optical path change part 21, 23, 24 Light guide member unit 22 Light source 100 Light guide member 110 Incident surface 121, 122, 123 All parts Reflective surface 130 Exit surface 141, 142 Hollow part

Claims (15)

An incident surface where light from a light source is incident from a predetermined incident position, and
A plurality of partially totally reflecting surfaces that totally reflect the light incident from the incident surface, and
A light guide member including an exit surface that emits the light that is totally reflected by the partial total reflection surface.
The partially total reflection surface has a shape that totally reflects the light so that the light incident from the incident position is emitted from the emission surface.
Of the partial total reflection surfaces, the inner partial total reflection surface provided inside the light guide member is formed by a hollow portion surface provided inside the translucent material constituting the light guide member.
The surface of the hollow portion other than the total internal reflection surface is
(I) The end of the partial total reflection surface adjacent to the light source on the exit surface side, and (ii) the light source.
Exists only in the region on the exit surface side of the surface containing
A light guide member in which regions of light reflected by each of the partial total reflection surfaces are adjacent to each other on the emission surface. The exit surface is flat
When the direction parallel to the entrance surface, the emission surface, and the partial total reflection surface is the thickness direction, each of the partial total reflection surfaces is a parabola in the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the thickness direction. Item 2. The light guide member according to Item 1. The exit surface is flat
When the direction parallel to the entrance surface, the emission surface, and the partial total reflection surface is the thickness direction, each of the partial total reflection surfaces becomes one of the bicurves in the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the thickness direction. The light guide member according to claim 1. The exit surface is a curved surface
When the direction parallel to the incident surface, the exit surface, and the partial total reflection surface is the thickness direction, each of the partial total reflection surfaces is incident from the incident position in the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the thickness direction. The light guide member according to claim 1, which has a shape that totally reflects the light so that the light is emitted from the emission surface in a direction perpendicular to the emission surface. When the direction parallel to the entrance surface, the emission surface, and the partial total reflection surface is the thickness direction, the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the thickness direction
The angle range of the light incident from the incident surface in the traveling direction is divided into a plurality of partial angle ranges adjacent to each other, and
The light guide member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one partial total reflection surface is provided within each of the partial angle ranges. The light guide member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of partially total reflection surfaces are arranged in a direction parallel to the emission surface. The aspect according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the end portion of the plurality of partial total reflection surfaces is formed so as to have a predetermined first curvature in a cross section perpendicular to the thickness direction of the light guide member. Light guide member. The light guide member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the incident position is formed so as to have a predetermined second curvature in a cross section perpendicular to the thickness direction of the light guide member. A plurality of light guide members according to any one of claims 1 to 8 are provided.
A light guide member unit in which the exit surfaces of the light guide members are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other on the same surface. The light guide member unit according to claim 9,
A lighting device with multiple light sources. The lighting device according to claim 10, wherein the light source is arranged so that the optical axis of the light faces the direction of the one farthest from the light source among the plurality of partial total reflection surfaces. The lighting device according to claim 10 or 11.
A display device including a light guide plate that guides light incident from the lighting device, reflects it by an optical path changing portion formed at a predetermined position, and emits it from a light emitting surface. The display device according to claim 12, wherein the light guide plate forms an image in a space other than the light guide plate by light emitted from the light emitting surface. The display device according to claim 12, wherein the light guide plate displays a flat image inside the light guide plate by light emitted from the light emitting surface. The display device according to any one of claims 12 to 13, wherein the light guide plate is integrally formed with the light guide member unit.

Images