JP2022124544A - Planar lighting panel, planar lighting device using the same, and manufacturing method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a planar lighting panel which prevents members, such as a reflector plate and a diffuser plate, from being separated from a light guide plate to integrate the members with the light guide plate and form a desired outer shape even if the members, such as the reflector plate and the diffuser plate, which form gaps with the light guide plate are provided.SOLUTION: A planar lighting panel includes: a translucent light guide plate 1 in which light from a light source enters from an end surface facing the light source; a plate or film-like first member 2 which has substantially the same shape as an outer shape of the light guide plate 1 and is fastened to an outer edge of one surface of the light guide plate 1; and a plate or film-like second member 3 which has substantially the same shape as the outer shape of the light guide plate 1 and is fastened to an outer edge of the other surface of the light guide plate 1. At least one of the first member 2 and the second member 3 has translucency. Air gaps are respectively formed at areas other than fastened portions between the light guide plate 1 and the first member 2 and between the light guide plate 1 and the second member 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a planar illumination device including a light source such as an LED lamp and a light guide plate.

Conventionally, light emitted from a light source such as a fluorescent lamp or an LED lamp is irradiated to the side surface of a light guide plate, and the light is diffused from the front and back surfaces, which have a larger area than the side surface of the light guide plate. Illumination panels and illumination devices used for display and the like are known.

For example, Patent Literature 1 describes an LED as a light source, a light guide plate that is illuminated from the side by light emitted from the LED, and a character that is arranged substantially parallel to one surface of the light guide plate via an air layer and allows light to pass through. A plate, a diffuse reflector arranged substantially parallel to the other surface of the light guide plate with an air layer interposed therebetween, and a casing in which the LED, the light guide plate, the dial plate, the diffuse reflector, etc. are installed. is disclosed to be used as an instrument that allows the light of the dial to be visually recognized from the dial through the light guide plate.

JP 2014-238975

However, in the lighting device of Patent Document 1, it is disclosed that an air layer is secured between the light guide plate and the diffuse reflection plate to widen the diffuse reflection range of the light on the diffuse reflection plate. The diffuse reflector and the dial are not fixed to the light guide plate itself, but the diffuse reflector is indirectly fixed to the casing via the circuit board, and the dial is directly fixed to the casing. For this reason, the outer shape of the device inevitably depends on the shape of the casing, and a lighting device having a desired shape of the lighting panel, which is composed of a light guide plate, a diffuse reflection plate, a dial plate, and the like and whose light emission is visually recognized from the outside, is required. There was a problem that it could not be produced.

Therefore, in the present invention, regardless of the presence or absence of a casing that covers the light guide plate, etc., members such as a reflector plate and a diffuser plate having a gap between the light guide plate and the light guide plate in order to irradiate the light from the light source approximately evenly over the entire surface. It is an object of the present invention to provide a planar lighting panel in which members such as a reflecting plate and a diffusing plate are not separated from a light guide plate even if a . Another object of the present invention is to provide a planar lighting device having the planar lighting panel and a manufacturing method of the planar lighting panel.

[1] Namely, a translucent light guide plate (1) in which light from a light source (L) is incident from an end surface (1a) facing the light source (L), and an outer shape of the light guide plate (1) A plate-like or film-like first member (2) having the same shape and fixed to the outer edge of one surface of the light guide plate (1), and having substantially the same shape as the outer shape of the light guide plate (1). , a plate-like or film-like second member (3) fixed to the outer edge of the other surface of the light guide plate (1), and at least one of the first member (2) and the second member (3) is transparent. Having light properties, the light guide plate (1) and the first member (2) and the light guide plate (1) and the second member (3) have gaps (S) except where they are fixed. A planar lighting panel (P) characterized by comprising:

[2] The first member (2) is thermally welded to the outer edge of one surface of the light guide plate (1), and the second member (3) is attached to the light guide plate (1). The planar lighting panel (P) according to the above [1], which is thermally welded to the outer edge of the surface of the planar lighting panel (P).

[3] The above [1] or, characterized in that an identification mark (41) is provided on at least one of the first member (2) or the second member (3) having translucency. The planar lighting panel (P) according to [2] above.

[4] Then, the planar lighting panel (P) according to any one of [1] to [3] above, and the planar lighting panel (P ), and a light source (L) disposed on the support portion (4) and facing an end face of the planar lighting panel (P). be.

[5] A first member, at least one of which is translucent, so as to sandwich a translucent light guide plate (1) into which light from the light source (L) is incident from the end face facing the light source (L). (2) and a second member (3) are assembled with a gap (S) between them and the light guide plate (1); 2) and the second member (3) are cut into a desired shape, and the cut portions of the light guide plate (1), the first member (2) and the second member (3) are welded by laser heat. A manufacturing method of a planar lighting panel (P), characterized by comprising a cutting and welding process for cutting and welding.

According to the planar lighting panel of the present invention, even if a member such as a reflector or a diffuser having a gap between the light guide plate and the light guide plate is provided in order to irradiate the light from the light source almost evenly from the entire surface, the reflection Members such as a plate and a diffusion plate are integrated with the light guide plate without being separated, so that a desired external shape can be produced. Further, according to the planar lighting device having the planar lighting panel of the present invention, the lighting device can make use of the external shape of the planar lighting panel without relying on a casing that covers the light guide plate and the like. Furthermore, according to the manufacturing method of the said planar lighting panel of this invention, the said planar lighting panel can be manufactured simply.

1 is an overall perspective view of a planar lighting panel and planar lighting of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of α part in FIG. 2; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of a planar lighting panel, a planar lighting device, and a method for manufacturing a planar lighting panel according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples for carrying out the present invention, and thus are subject to various technical limitations. It is not intended to be limited to this form unless explicitly stated.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the planar lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention mainly includes a planar lighting panel P having a light guide plate 1 and the like, and a support portion 5 for supporting the planar lighting panel P. , a light source L disposed on the support portion 5 and facing the end surface of the planar lighting panel P, and the like. Thus, the planar illumination device emits light emitted from the light source L from one surface or another surface of the light guide plate 1 different from the end surface.

The planar lighting panel P has a translucent light guide plate 1 into which light from the light source L is incident from an end surface 1a facing the light source L, and a shape substantially the same as the outer shape of the light guide plate 1. A plate-like or film-like first member 2 fixed to the outer edge of the front surface 1b, which is one surface, and the outer edge of the back surface 1c, which is the other surface of the light guide plate 1, having substantially the same shape as the outer shape of the light guide plate 1. It has a plate-shaped or film-shaped second member 3 or the like that adheres to. At least one of the first member 2 and the second member 3 has translucency. Furthermore, the light guide plate 1 and the first member 2 have a gap S in the portions other than the portions where they are fixed. have.

The light guide plate 1 is a plate-shaped member having a front surface 1b and a rear surface 1c, which are main surfaces having a large area, and an end surface 1a having a narrower area than the front surface 1b and the rear surface 1c. It is a member having transparency. It is preferable that the light guide plate 1 is blended as a main component with high translucency polymer materials such as polyacrylate and polycarbonate, and inorganic materials such as silicon dioxide.

As will be described later, the outer shape of the light guide plate 1 can be formed by assembling a member having a specified shape such as a rectangular shape with members such as a reflector plate and a diffuser plate and then cutting it into a desired shape. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the outer shape of the light guide plate 1 is formed like a beverage container such as a PET bottle. The external shape of the light guide plate 1 may be prepared as a member cut into a desired shape in advance before assembly. In this embodiment, one light guide plate 1 is used, but in other embodiments, two or more light guide plates 1 can be used by laminating them in the thickness direction. It is preferable to provide a gap S having a thickness that allows the passage of light from the light source L between the plurality of light guide plates 1 .

Further, on the front surface 1b of the light guide plate 1, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of fine dome-shaped diffusion processed portions 11 are formed over the entire surface. The light from the light source L incident from the end surface 1a of the light guide plate 1 is irregularly reflected by the diffusion processed portion 11, so that when viewed from the front surface 1b side of the light guide plate 1, the entire surface of the front surface 1b of the light guide plate 1 is It looks like it's glowing. In another embodiment, the surface on which the diffusion processed portion 11 is formed may be the rear surface 1c of the light guide plate 1, and the shape of the diffusion processed portion 11 may be the same as the above-described effect. It can also be recessed from the front face 1b of, a parallel groove shape, or a grid-like groove shape. Furthermore, the dome-shaped diffusion processed portion 11 is provided over the entire front surface 1b of the light guide plate 1 in this embodiment, but in other embodiments, it occupies a certain range of the front surface 1b of the light guide plate 1. It may be provided in a part of a square shape, a circular shape, etc. At this time, when viewed from the front face 1b side of the light guide plate 1, the square shape, circular shape, etc. in the front face 1b of the light guide plate 1 is a part. appears to glow.

The first member 2 is a plate-like or film-like member that has substantially the same shape as the outer shape of the light guide plate 1 and is fixed to the outer edge of the front surface 1 b that is one surface of the light guide plate 1 . In the present embodiment, since one surface of the light guide plate 1 is the front surface 1b, the first member 2 has translucency. The first member 2 in this embodiment is preferably a diffuser plate that uniformly disperses the light from the light guide plate 1 so that the entire planar lighting panel P looks equally illuminated. Note that in other embodiments, the first member 2 can be formed in a film shape that is thinner than the plate shape.

Further, when the first member 2 has substantially the same shape as the outer shape of the light guide plate 1, the outer shape of the light guide plate 1, the first member 2, etc. becomes the outer shape of the planar lighting panel P itself, and the planar lighting panel P is a casing. It can be made into a free shape without being stored in a box. It should be noted that the term “substantially the same shape” means that the light guide plate 1 and the first member 2 need not have exactly the same size as long as the outer shapes of the light guide plate 1 and the first member 2 are visually the same size.

Further, the first member 2 is preferably fixed over the entire outer edge of the light guide plate 1 where it is fixed to the outer edge of the front surface 1 b that is one surface of the light guide plate 1 . If the first member 2 is fixed over the entire outer edge of the light guide plate 1, it can be cut by laser processing as described later and fixed by heat from the laser. The number of processes can be reduced, and the planar lighting panel P can be manufactured easily. Furthermore, with regard to the adhesion between the first member 2 and the light guide plate 1, the light passing through the light guide plate 1 is diffused at a location where the first member 2 and the light guide plate 1 are in close contact with each other, causing unevenness in the light. In order to minimize the portion where the member 2 and the light guide plate 1 are fixed, the first member 2 is preferably welded by heat generated by laser processing or the like.

The first member 2 has a gap S between the light guide plate 1 and the portion other than the portion fixed to the outer edge of the light guide plate 1, and is filled with gas such as air. formed. When the light from the light source L is incident from the end surface 1a of the light guide plate 1, the space S becomes a passage for part of the light emitted from the front surface 1b of the light guide plate 1, and covers a large area of the first member 2. As the light reaches, the entire planar lighting panel P shines brighter. In this manner, the space S should have a thickness that allows the light from the light source L to pass through.

The material of the first member 2 is preferably polymeric material such as polycarbonate, polyester, polyacrylate. Since the first member 2 is made of a polymeric material, the first member 2 can be melted and welded to the light guide plate 1 by applying heat to the first member 2 .

The second member 3 is a plate-like or film-like member that has substantially the same shape as the outer shape of the light guide plate 1 and is fixed to the outer edge of the back surface 1 c that is the other surface of the light guide plate 1 . In this embodiment, the other surface of the light guide plate 1 is the back surface 1c, and the second member 3 does not have translucency. The second member 3 in the present embodiment reflects the light from the light guide plate 1 so that the entire planar lighting panel P can be seen shining from the front side, that is, from the front surface 1b side of the light guide plate 1. A reflector is preferred. More specifically, any member that has a color such as white or silver that does not easily absorb light, has a smooth surface, and does not easily attenuate light is suitable for use as a reflector. In other embodiments, the second member 3 can be made into a film shape that is thinner than a plate shape. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the second member 3 can also be a translucent member so that it can be seen to shine from both the front side and the back side of the planar lighting panel P.

Further, when the second member 3 has substantially the same shape as the outer shape of the light guide plate 1, the outer shape of the light guide plate 1, the second member 3, etc. becomes the outer shape of the planar lighting panel P, as in the case of the first member 2. , the planar lighting panel P can be freely shaped without being housed in a casing. It should be noted that the term “substantially the same shape” means that the light guide plate 1 and the second member 32 need not have exactly the same size as long as the external shapes of the light guide plate 1 and the second member 32 are visually the same size.

Further, the second member 3 is preferably fixed over the entire outer edge of the light guide plate 1 where it is fixed to the outer edge of the back surface 1 c that is the other surface of the light guide plate 1 . If the second member 2 is fixed over the entire outer edge of the light guide plate 1, it can be cut by laser processing as described later and fixed by heat from the laser. The number of processes can be reduced, and the planar lighting panel P can be manufactured easily. Furthermore, with regard to the adhesion between the second member 3 and the light guide plate 1, the light passing through the light guide plate 1 is diffused at a portion where the second member 3 and the light guide plate 1 are in close contact with each other, causing unevenness in the light. In order to minimize the portion where the member 3 and the light guide plate 1 are fixed, the first member 2 is preferably welded by heat generated by laser processing or the like.

The second member 3 has a gap S between it and the light guide plate 1 except for the portion fixed to the outer edge of the light guide plate 1, filled with gas such as air, and has a gas layer such as an air layer. formed. When the light from the light source L is incident from the end surface 1a of the light guide plate 1, the space S becomes a passage for part of the light emitted from the back surface 1c of the light guide plate 1, and covers a large area of the second member 3. The light reaches and is reflected to the first member 2 side through the light guide plate 1, so that the entire planar lighting panel P shines brighter. As described above, the gap S may have a thickness that allows the passage of light from the light source L, like the first member 2 .

The material of the second member 3 is preferably polymeric material such as polycarbonate, polyester, polyacrylate. Since the second member 3 is made of a polymeric material, the second member 3 can be melted and welded to the light guide plate 1 by applying heat to the second member 3 .

In another embodiment, when the second member 3 is a translucent member, the identification display sheet 4 having the identification display 41 is attached to the second member 3 in the same manner as the first member 2. For example, the identification display 41 can be provided on the second member 3 .

The identification display 41 is preferably provided on at least one of the translucent first member 2 and the second member 3 . In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the identification display sheet 4 having the identification display 41 is formed on the surface of the translucent first member 2 opposite to the surface facing the light guide plate 1, i.e. , is adhered to the outer surface of the planar lighting panel P. The identification display 41 is preferably a character such as a company name or product name, a design or symbol representing a company or product, a picture such as a character or landscape, or a combination thereof. In this way, by providing the identification display 41 on the light-transmitting member, the planar lighting panel P can have a desired outer shape. can. Note that in other embodiments, the identification display 41 may be provided by being printed or transferred directly on the first member 2 or the second member 3 .

The support portion 5 is a member that supports the planar lighting panel P by inserting the end face side of the planar lighting panel P, that is, the end portion 1a side of the light guide plate 1 . In this embodiment, the support portion 5 is provided with an insertion hole 51 for inserting the planar lighting panel P in the central portion thereof, and the outer periphery of the insertion hole 51 prevents the planar lighting panel P from falling down. In order to prevent this, a pair of long and short plate-like support walls 52 are provided.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the supporting portion 5 is provided in the insertion hole 51 so as to abut on both ends of the lower end of the planar lighting panel P and to have a narrower interval than the width of the planar lighting panel P in the longitudinal direction. and a pair of abutting portions 53 provided on the . The contact portion 53 allows the planar lighting panel P to be positioned in the middle of the insertion hole 51 in the vertical direction so as not to contact the light source L below.

Further, in the support portion 5, the light source L is positioned below the insertion hole 51 and further below the portion where the contact portion 53 contacts the lower end of the planar lighting panel P. are arranged so as to face the In this embodiment, the light sources L are LEDs, and a plurality of light sources L are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the insertion hole 51 . Light from the light source L is emitted from the end face side of the planar lighting panel P, that is, from the end portion 1 a side of the light guide plate 1 , and enters the light guide plate 1 . In other embodiments, the light source L can be a member that emits other light, such as a fluorescent lamp. A substrate 54 for applying a voltage to the light source L is accommodated inside the support portion 5 and below the light source L, and electricity is supplied to the light source L by an external power source (not shown).

In this embodiment, the planar lighting device is of a stand type used by inserting the lower end of the planar lighting panel P into the insertion hole 51 of the support portion 5, but in another embodiment, the insertion hole 51 is horizontal. The support part 5 is installed on the wall surface so as to open in the direction, and the planar lighting panel P is inserted so as to extend in the horizontal direction. etc., and the planar lighting panel P is inserted so as to extend downward for use. Various installation methods are also possible, such as irradiating with the light source L from the above.

A method for manufacturing the planar lighting panel P will be described. First, the first member 2 and the second member 3 are superimposed on each other with a gap S between them and the light guide plate 1 so as to sandwich the translucent light guide plate 1 (assembly process). At this time, at least one of the first member 2 and the second member 3 has translucency. In addition, as described above, the space S only needs to have a thickness that allows the light from the light source L to pass through. The members 3 are assembled by stacking them without being in close contact with each other. In addition, gas such as air exists in the gap S.

Then, the light guide plate 1, the first member 2 and the second member 3 are cut into a desired shape with a laser, and the cut portions of the light guide plate 1, the first member 2 and the second member 3 are welded with heat from the laser ( cutting and welding process). Thus, the first member 2 is thermally welded to the outer edge of the front surface 1b of the light guide plate 1, and the second member 3 is thermally welded to the outer edge of the rear surface 1c of the light guide plate 1. FIG.

By manufacturing the planar lighting panel P in this way, there is no need to cut the light guide plate 1, the first member 2 and the second member 3 into desired shapes in advance, and these members can be formed into general-purpose rectangular shapes. can be laminated and assembled, and can be cut by laser processing and fixed by heat from the laser, so that the number of steps in manufacturing the planar lighting panel P can be reduced, and the planar lighting panel P can be easily manufactured. can be manufactured. As a laser used for laser processing, a YAG laser, a CO2 laser, a fiber laser, a semiconductor laser, or the like is preferable, and a semiconductor laser is more preferable.

Reference Signs List 1 Light guide plate 11 Diffusion processed portion 1a End surface 1b Front surface (one surface)
1c... back surface (other surface)
2 First member 3 Second member 4 Identification display sheet 41 Identification display 5 Support part 51 Insertion hole 52 Support wall 53 Contact Contact portion 54 Base L Light source S Gap P Planar lighting panel

Claims (5)

a translucent light guide plate into which light from a light source is incident from an end face facing the light source;
a plate-like or film-like first member having substantially the same shape as the outer shape of the light guide plate and fixed to the outer edge of one surface of the light guide plate;
a plate-like or film-like second member having substantially the same shape as the outer shape of the light guide plate and fixed to the outer edge of the other surface of the light guide plate;
At least one of the first member and the second member has translucency,
A planar lighting panel, wherein the light guide plate and the first member, and the light guide plate and the second member have gaps except for fixed portions. The first member is thermally welded to the outer edge of one surface of the light guide plate,
2. The planar lighting panel according to claim 1, wherein the second member is thermally welded to the outer edge of the other surface of the light guide plate. 3. The planar lighting panel according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the translucent first member and the second member is provided with an identification mark. a planar lighting panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3;
a support portion into which an end face side of the planar lighting panel is inserted to support the planar lighting panel;
A planar illumination device comprising a light source disposed on the support portion and facing an end surface of the planar illumination panel. A first member and a second member, at least one of which is translucent, are placed between the light guide plate and the light guide plate so that the translucent light guide plate, on which light from the light source is incident from the end face facing the light source, is sandwiched between the first member and the second member. an assembly process of providing and arranging
A cutting and welding step of cutting the light guide plate, the first member and the second member into a desired shape with a laser and welding the cut portions of the light guide plate, the first member and the second member with heat from the laser. A method for manufacturing a planar lighting panel, comprising:

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