JP2023083598A - Illumination unit - Google Patents

Abstract

To easily correspond to changes in a number of LED or an electrically connection relationship.SOLUTION: An illumination unit U is equipped with a supporting member 1 that has conductivity and is long in one direction, and an LED 2 with a plurality of leads respectively supported at plural positions in a longitudinal direction of the supporting member 1. At the position supporting each LED 2 of the supporting member 1, holes 10 and 11 are formed, in which the lead of the LED 2 can be inserted. A lead 2c on a cathode side of each LED 2 is fixed so as to energize to the supporting member 1 while being inserted in the holes 10 and 11 at a supporting position. On the other hand, leads 2a on an anode side are physically and electrically separated from the supporting member 1 and are respectively connected to individual lead wires 4. Each lead wire 4 is electrically connected to a conductive line for an anode of a control device at outside the unit U, and the supporting member 1 is electrically connected is connected through a lead wire 5 or directly to a conductive line for a cathode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to lighting units containing a plurality of LEDs.

A typical lighting device using a plurality of LEDs as a light source has a structure in which each LED is mounted on a substrate on which a wiring pattern is formed, and each LED is energized by connecting this substrate to an external power supply. there is For example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, LEDs that emit different colored light are provided in each region of a strip-shaped substrate divided into a plurality of regions in the longitudinal direction, and the substrate is covered with a translucent cover. A lighting device configured to be housed in a cover and erected together with its cover is disclosed.

Further, in Patent Document 3, a strip-shaped substrate having a configuration in which a plurality of LED groups are provided at a constant pitch and a drive control circuit including a shift register and a latch circuit is mounted as one illumination unit, and a plurality of units are used as a predetermined lighting unit. A decorative lighting device is disclosed that enables various light emission patterns to flow in the direction in which the units are arranged by arranging them in a shape and connecting them in series to a system controller.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-101903 JP 2014-112564 A Japanese Patent No. 4083277

In a lighting device of the type in which LEDs are connected to a wiring pattern formed in advance on a substrate, as exemplified in each patent document, in order to increase the number of LEDs or change the electrical connection relationship between each LED, However, it is also necessary to change the configuration of the substrate, and it is difficult to increase the types of lighting devices.

For decorative lighting, a large number of LEDs are arranged two-dimensionally on a substrate, and by using a lighting device with a configuration in which the lighting operation of each LED can be individually controlled, the type of light emission pattern and the direction and speed of change can be controlled. can be freely changed to enhance interest. However, this illumination device can present only the pattern of surface emission, and the direction in which the emission pattern can be visually recognized is limited.

In view of these problems, the present invention can easily respond to changes in the number of LEDs and electrical connection relationships, can stably support the LEDs, and can visually recognize various light emission patterns from various directions. An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting unit capable of A further object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device that can present a wide variety of light emission patterns by forming light emitters of various forms using this lighting unit.

A lighting unit according to the present invention includes a conductive support member elongated in one direction, and a plurality of LEDs with leads supported at a plurality of positions along the length of the support member. Either one of the anode and the cathode is associated with the support member, and holes of a size enabling insertion of the leads of the LEDs are formed at respective positions of the support member at which the plurality of LEDs are supported. be done. The electrode leads corresponding to the support member of each LED are energized and fixed to the support member while being inserted into holes of the support member at positions where the LEDs are supported. On the other hand, the leads of the electrodes that do not correspond to the support member of each LED are physically and electrically separated from the support member and connected to individual wires.

According to the above configuration, the conductive support member elongated in one direction is connected to the external electrode to which the voltage for the electrode corresponding to the support member is applied, and the direction separated from the support member of each LED is connected. Each LED can be energized to emit light by connecting a plurality of wires individually connected to the leads of the LEDs to energized external electrodes for the corresponding electrodes.

The above lighting unit comprises at least one first conductive line energized for electrodes corresponding to the support members, a plurality of second conductive lines energized for electrodes not corresponding to the support members, and the latter It can be electrically connected to a controller provided with a controller for switching the conduction and non-conduction of each second conductive line with respect to the voltage for each second conductive line.

In the control device described above, by electrically connecting the wires connected to the leads of the electrodes that do not correspond to the supporting members of the LEDs to the second conductive lines different from each other, the lighting and extinguishing operations of the LEDs are individually controlled for each LED. becomes possible. On the other hand, it is also possible to divide each electric wire into a plurality of groups smaller than the number of LEDs and electrically connect each group to a different second conductive line. In this case, the ON/OFF operation can be switched on a group-by-group basis, but the breakdown of the LEDs to be put into each group can be freely selected.

A plurality of the above lighting units can also be connected to the control device. The relationship between each lighting unit and the control device is the same as when they are connected singly, but it is necessary to associate the same kind of electrodes with the supporting member of each lighting unit. The second conductive line that connects the electric wire from each LED can be freely selected, and depending on how it is connected, it is possible to vary the mode of light emitting operation, such as the combination of LEDs that can be lit at the same time.

Furthermore, the number of LEDs in each lighting unit is unified, and the control device is provided with first conductive lines equal to or more than the number of lighting units and second conductive lines equal to or more than the number of LEDs included in one lighting unit, The supporting member of each lighting unit is connected to a different first conductive line, and the wires connected to each LED are divided into a plurality of groups by combining one by one from each different lighting unit. may be connected to different second conductive lines. In the controller having this configuration, the voltage for the electrode corresponding to the support member and the voltage for the electrode not corresponding to the support member are individually switched between conduction and non-conduction of the first conductive line and the second conductive line for each conductive line. By setting functions, it becomes possible to control the turning on/off of individual LEDs in more detail.

If the support member is a rod-shaped member having no hollow portion, the hole is formed so as to pass through the thickness of the support member, the lead is inserted into the entire length of the hole, and the lead is inserted into the hole. A conductive adhesive material (such as solder, conductive paste, etc.) may be applied to the inner or outer edge of at least one of the ends to secure the lead to the support member.

On the other hand, in the case where the supporting member is a rod-shaped body having a hollow interior, a pair of hollow holes each having a size enabling insertion of the lead of the LED is formed at each position of the supporting member at which each LED is supported. Between the pair of holes, the lead of the terminal corresponding to the support member of the LED is bridged, and the conductive adhesive is applied to at least one of the inner edge or the outer edge of the pair of holes. A material may be applied to secure the lead to the support member.

When a multicolor LED is introduced into the lighting unit, an electrode corresponding to a common terminal of a plurality of light emitting elements incorporated in the LED is associated with the supporting member, and the lead of the electrode is inserted into the hole. It is energized and fixed to the supporting member in the inserted state. On the other hand, the leads of the terminals other than the common terminal of each light emitting element are physically and electrically separated from the support member and connected to individual wires. In this configuration, it is necessary to connect wires connected to different leads of the same LED to different second conductive lines, but the connection relationship of each LED to the second conductive lines is freely selected. be able to.

The lighting unit of the present invention can include a case for protecting the support member and the LEDs supported by the support member. The case has translucency over at least the entire circumference of the range where each LED is supported, and has an opening for drawing out the electric wire connected to each LED to the outside. The opening may be provided in the wall of the case, or may be provided in one end surface of the case.

One end of one electric wire is also connected to the support member that supports each LED, and the electric wire is led out of the case through the opening to electrically connect the support member to the first conductive line. can. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one end of the support member may protrude from the one end surface of the case, and the protruding portion may be electrically connected to the first conductive line.

In the lighting unit of the present invention, the support member that supports the plurality of LEDs with leads arranged in a line along one direction is provided with a function as an electrode for relaying the anode or the cathode, and the electrode corresponding to the support member Only one lead is fixed to the supporting member so that it can be electrically connected to an external conductive line via the supporting member, and the other lead is also electrically connectable to an external conductive line via an individual wire. You can freely select the mutual connection relationship, such as electrically connecting all lead wires to individual conductive lines, or dividing the conductive lines that electrically connect multiple wires in groups, and control the mode of lighting and extinguishing of each LED. can be changed. Therefore, a lighting unit having the same configuration can be used to manufacture a plurality of types of lighting devices having different modes of lighting and turning off, thereby increasing the variety of lighting devices. Further, by fixing one lead of the LED to the support member while inserting one lead of the LED into the hole formed in the support member, the support state of the LED in the support member can be stabilized.

In addition, if the number of conductive patterns incorporated in the control device is given a certain margin, it is possible to combine a plurality of types of lighting units with different numbers of LEDs with the control device having the same configuration, thereby increasing the number of lighting units. Even when you want to, it becomes possible to respond without changing the configuration of the control device. Since the lighting units can be arranged in any desired direction, various types of light emitters can be formed by combining a plurality of lighting units.

1A and 1B are a perspective view schematically showing a first configuration example of an illumination unit and a cross-sectional view of a main part of the illumination unit; FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a second configuration example of the lighting unit, and a cross-sectional view of main parts of the lighting unit; FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a third configuration example of the lighting unit and a cross-sectional view of the main part of the lighting unit; FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a fourth configuration example of the lighting unit, and a cross-sectional view of the main part of the lighting unit; It is a figure which shows the 1st example which arranged several lighting units. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example which arranged several lighting units. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third example in which a plurality of lighting units are arranged; It is a figure which shows the example which arranged several lighting units along the wall surface of a column. It is a figure which shows the example which arranged so that several lighting units might continue in series. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a first example of the electrical configuration of the control device and the electrical connection relationship between the lighting unit and the control device; FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a second example of the electrical configuration of the control device and the electrical connection relationship between the lighting unit and the control device; FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a third example of the electrical configuration of the control device and the electrical connection relationship between the lighting unit and the control device; 13 is a table showing the relationship between the potential of each conductive line shown in FIG. 12 and the ON/OFF state of the LED of each lighting unit; FIG. 2A is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of an illumination unit using LEDs having two light emitting elements, and a cross-sectional view of a main portion of the illumination unit;

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view (A) and a cross-sectional view (B) of a main portion of a configuration example of a lighting unit U to which the present invention is applied. The lighting unit U includes a support member 1 made of copper or brass pipe material having a diameter of 2 to 3 mm, a plurality of LEDs 2 supported at a plurality of positions in the length direction of the support member 1, and surrounding them. A cylindrical case 3 is provided. The case 3 is made of transparent resin or glass, and is open at the lower end face in the figure, and a cap member (not shown) having a built-in control device S, which will be described later, is attached to the end on the open side. . The diameter of the lighting unit U as a whole including the case 3 is about 2 cm.

In the following description, the standing posture is assumed to be the standard posture, the length direction of the lighting unit U is the height direction, and the positional relationship within the unit U is expressed by the terms "upper" and "lower."
The LED 2 used in the illumination unit U of this embodiment is a cannonball-shaped LED (single-color light emitting type) provided with two leads 2a and 2c. A pair of holes 10 and 11 facing each other across the cavity are formed at positions (three places) where each LED 2 is supported on the support member 1, and a cathode side lead of the LED 2 is connected to the combination of the holes 10 and 11. 2c is bridged over the support member 1 with its tip protruding outside. Solder 12 is applied to the outer edge of the hole 11 through which the tip of the lead 2c protrudes. The diameters of the holes 10 and 11 are approximately 1 mm. Also, the tip portion of the lead 2c protruding outside the solder 12 may be cut off after soldering.

A lead 2a on the anode side of the LED 2 is separated from the support member 1 and is floating in the air, but a lead wire 4 is connected to this lead 2a via solder 13. - 特許庁A single lead wire 5 is also connected to the lower end of the support member 1 via solder 14 . These lead wires 4 and 5 are pulled out from the open end face of the case 3 and electrically connected to the controller S. As shown in FIG.

2 to 4 show other configuration examples of the lighting unit U with a schematic perspective view ((A) in each figure) and a cross-sectional view of the main part ((B) in each figure) similar to FIG. It is. To avoid complication, the components corresponding to FIG. 1 are represented by the same reference numerals as in FIG.

2 to 4, only the lead 2c on the cathode side is fixed to the support member 1, and the lead 2a on the anode side is suspended in the air, and the lead wire 4 is connected. A lead wire 5 is also connected to the support member 1, and each lead wire 4, 5 is pulled out from the open end face of the case 3 and electrically connected to the control device S. As shown in FIG.
Hereinafter, points of each embodiment different from the first embodiment will be described.

The support member 1 in the embodiment of FIG. 2 is a columnar rod-like body without a hollow portion, and has a hole 15 (diameter of about 1 mm) having a length capable of inserting and supporting the lead 2c at a plurality of height positions. The cathode-side lead 2c of the LED 2 is inserted over the entire length of these holes 15. As shown in FIG. The inserted lead 2c is electrically fixed to the supporting member 1 by the solder 12 applied to the outer edge of the hole 15. As shown in FIG.

The supporting member 1 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 is of a square tubular shape, and is provided with a pair of holes 10 and 11 similar to those of the first embodiment at three locations. , the lead 2c is bridged over the support member 1 in such a state that the tip thereof protrudes from the support member 1. As shown in FIG. The bridged lead 2c is electrically fixed to the supporting member 1 by solder 12 applied to the outer edge of the hole 11 on the tip side.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, each hole 15 has a length that passes through the support member 1, and the leading end of the lead 2c protrudes from the support member 1 as in the example of FIG. It may be fixed to the support member 1 in a state in which it is inserted up to the very edge of the opening on the side opposite to the light emitting portion 15 . If the support member 1 in FIG. 3 is a square column without a hollow portion and a hole that does not penetrate through the support member 1 is provided, the LED 2 can be fixed by the same method as shown in FIG.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the lead 2c on the cathode side of the LED 2 is wound around the periphery of the support member 1 having a prism shape. The lead 2c has a tip portion aligned with one corner portion of the support member 1 and bent at right angles at each corner portion, and the tip portion is fixed to the support member 1 via solder 12. As shown in FIG. Although it is possible to wind the lead 2c around the supporting member 1 and fix it with the columnar supporting member 1 shown in FIG. Since it is easy to align, the LED 2 can be supported more stably.

In the illumination unit U shown in the above four embodiments, the lead 2c on the cathode side is fixed to the support member 1, but the lead 2a on the anode side may be fixed to the support member 1 without being limited to this. However, in the same lighting unit U, it is necessary to unify the types of leads to be supported by the support member 1. leads must be fixed to the support member 1.

In the examples of FIGS. 1 to 4 and subsequent examples of use, all the LEDs 2 are arranged in the same direction, but this is not always necessary, and the directions of the LEDs 2 are changed by a predetermined angle along the length direction. good too. However, as shown in (B) of each of FIGS. 1 to 4, the light-emitting portion of the LED 2 is sufficiently larger than the support member 1, so even if the direction of the LED 2 is constant, the support member 1 is sandwiched between them. The light emitted from the light emitting section can be visually recognized from the side opposite to the light emitting section. Of course, there is no problem in viewing from other directions, and the light can be viewed from all directions.
It should be noted that the LED 2 is not limited to the bullet type, and a rectangular LED 2 with a lead may be used.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 3, the solder 12 for fixing the lead 2c is not limited to the hole 11 on the side where the tip of the lead 2c protrudes, but is applied to the outer edge of the hole 10 on the side of the light emitting portion (second configuration). The same place as the example) may be applied. Alternatively, solder 12 may be applied to both holes 10 and 11 to strengthen fixation. The solder 12 may be applied not only to the outer edge of the hole 11 or 10 but also to the inner edge. Similarly in the embodiment of FIG. 2, solder 12 can be applied to both the outer and inner edges of hole 15 or only to the inner edge.

Furthermore, in any of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4, the leads 2c can be fixed to the support member 1 by using a conductive paste or a tape having a conductive adhesive layer instead of the solder 12, or by welding. Furthermore, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the lead 2c can be fixed to the support member 1 by crimping the tip portion of the lead 2c wound around the support member 1. FIG.

The support member 1 and the case 3 that protects the LEDs 2 do not need to be entirely transparent. Further, the case 3 may be translucent, or may partially include patterns or characters, as long as sufficient translucency can be ensured.

The case 3 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may have a square tube shape or other shape. However, by forming the case 3 into a cylindrical shape, the case 3 can have the function of a lens, and the spread range of the light from the LED 2 can be increased. If there is no need to set the lighting unit U in the standing posture, or if there is a means for supporting the lighting unit U in the standing posture, the support member 1 may be made of a flexible material, and the support member 1 supporting the LED 2 may be used. is housed in a flexible tubular case, it becomes possible to arrange the illumination unit U in a curved shape.

The opening for drawing out the lead wires 4 and 5 connected to each LED 2 and the support member 1 is not limited to the end face of the case 3, and may be provided in the lower part of the wall of the case 3. FIG. These lead wires 4 and 5 are wires covered with an insulating material such as vinyl chloride, but if it is possible to prevent the wires from coming into contact with each other, the lead wires 4 and 5 may be insulated. You can use wires that don't have

Regarding the connection of the support member 1 to the control device S, the lower end surface of the support member 1 may be directly connected to the conductive line of the control device S instead of the connection by the lead wire 5 . Also, means for connecting the lead 2a on the anode side of the LED 2 to the controller S need not be limited to an electric wire such as the lead wire 4. FIG. For example, a band-shaped substrate having a copper foil pattern corresponding to the number of LEDs 2 formed thereon and a connector connected to each copper foil pattern at one end thereof is arranged opposite to the support member 1, and leads of the LEDs 2 are attached to each copper foil pattern. 2a may be connected one by one and connected to the control device S via a connector.

5 to 9 show an example in which a plurality of illumination units U (the number of LEDs 2 is larger than that in FIG. 1) having the same configuration as shown in FIG. 1 are arranged in combination. In these figures, the lead wires 4 and 5 and the solders 12, 13 and 14 are omitted for simplification of illustration.

In the example of FIG. 5, lighting units U each having five LEDs 2 are arranged vertically and horizontally three by three (nine in total). 6 and 7 show lighting units U having 12 LEDs 2 arranged side by side. The lighting units U in the example of FIG. Each lighting unit U in the example is arranged to draw a gentle curve.

5 to 7, the plurality of lighting units U are supported in an upright position on a substrate that constitutes the control device S, and are electrically connected to the control device S via lead wires 4 and 5. be done. The control device S is housed in a protective case (not shown), and the protective case is covered with a cover having support holes corresponding to the number of the lighting units U, and one lighting unit U is erected in each of the support holes. supported by the state.
If the protective case of the control device S is covered with a transparent or translucent cover large enough to accommodate each lighting unit U, the case 3 is necessarily provided for each lighting unit U. No need.

In FIG. 8, a larger number of lighting units U are arranged so as to surround the outer circumference of the cylindrical column 8. FIG. Each lighting unit U is attached to the wall surface of the pillar 8 with an adhesive, metal fittings, or the like. Also, since FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram, all the LEDs 2 of each lighting unit U are directed to the left in the drawing, but in the actual lighting unit U, each LED 3 is mounted on the pillar 8 via the support member 1 at any position. It is arranged so as to face the wall surface of

The connection is also omitted from the drawing, but for example, a cap having a hole large enough to allow the internal lead wires 4 and 5 to pass through is attached to the open end face at the lower end of each lighting unit U, and the leads drawn out from the cap are attached. The lines 4, 5 can be led and connected to a control device S located in place. However, if it is difficult to extend the lead wires 4 and 5, a cap integrated with a connector including terminals for the lead wires 4 and 5 is provided for each lighting unit U, and this connector and the connector are connected. Each lead wire 4, 5 may be connected to the control device S via a connection cable.

The object to which the illumination unit U is attached is not limited to a cylinder, and can be attached to the wall surface of objects of various shapes. In the example of FIG. 8, the lighting units U are arranged at the same height, but they can also be arranged with different heights.

FIG. 9 shows an example in which three lighting units U are arranged in a series and the longitudinal direction is changed in the middle of the series. Such an arrangement can be used not only for the purpose of decoration, but also as a display for route guidance by arranging it along the edge of a passage or a wall.
In the example of FIG. 9, openings for drawing out the lead wires 4 and 5 are provided in the wall portion of the case 3, and the lead wires 4 and 5 drawn out from the opening are led to the control device S which is arranged at an appropriate place. are electrically connected.

10 to 12 show the electrical configuration of the control device S to which the lighting unit U is connected and the electrical connection relationship of the lighting unit U with respect to the control device S. FIG. In any of the examples, the illumination unit U shown in FIG. 1 is to be connected. The illustration is omitted, and it is shown as if they are directly connected.

10 to 12, each LED 2 of the lighting unit is represented by a two-digit number (21, 22, 23, . . . ) combining branch numbers. In the following description, the two-digit code will also be used when referring to specific LEDs 2 .

The control device S of each embodiment is composed of a microcomputer 6 serving as a control body and a wiring board 7 on which it is mounted, and operates by receiving a DC voltage of 5V from a battery (not shown).

The control device S of FIG. 10 has the most basic configuration, and the substrate 7 is provided with one conductive pattern (c1 in the figure) that serves as the first conductive line for the cathode and the second conductive line for the anode. Three conductive patterns (a1, a2 and a3 in the figure) are provided as conductive lines. The microcomputer 6 has output terminals t1, t2 and t3 for the second conductive lines a1, a2 and a3, semiconductor switches w1, w2 and w3 for switching the output potentials of these output terminals t1, t2 and t3, and a CPU (not shown) that controls the switching operations of the semiconductor switches w1, w2, and w3 based on the built-in program. The first conductive line c1 is connected to the ground potential via the current limiting resistor R1, and the support member 1 of the lighting unit U is connected to the first conductive line c1.

The anode lead 2a of the top LED 21 of the lighting unit U is connected to the second conductive line a1, the anode lead 2a of the middle LED 22 is connected to the second conductive line a2, and the second conductive line The lead 2a on the anode side of the lowermost LED 23 is connected to a3. The potentials of the second conductive lines a1, a2, a3 are switched to positive potential (+5V) or ground potential by corresponding semiconductor switches w1, w2, w3.

With the above connection, the lead 2c on the cathode side of each LED 21, 22, 23 is always connected to the ground potential, the lead 2a on the anode side is switched between the positive potential and the negative potential, and the lead 2a is connected to the positive potential. LED2 connected to lights up.

According to the configuration of FIG. 10, by individually controlling the switching of the semiconductor switches w1, w2, and w3 for the respective second conductive lines a1, a2, and a3, the timing of lighting and extinguishing of the three LEDs 21, 22, and 23 is controlled. can be freely changed for each LED2.

The control device S shown in FIG. 11 also has one first conductive line c1 and three second conductive lines a1, a2, a3. Further, in this embodiment, the microcomputer 6 is provided with a terminal t4 for connection to the cathode first conductive line c1 and a semiconductor switch w4 for switching the output potential from this terminal t4. The CPU of the microcomputer 6 keeps the semiconductor switches w1, w2, and w3 corresponding to the LED2 to be lit up connected to the positive potential, and periodically switches the semiconductor switch w4 for the first conductive line c1 to turn on the LED2. is pulsed. Furthermore, the CPU controls the semiconductor switch w4 to change the ratio of the energized period and the non-energized period per unit time of the LED 2 by changing the connection time to the ground potential in one cycle (pulse width modulation control, hereinafter referred to as " (referred to as "PWM control"). According to this PWM control, the brightness of the LED 2 to be lit can be varied in various ways.

Also in the configuration of FIG. 10, for each of the semiconductor switches w1, w2, and w3 with respect to the second conductive lines a1, a2, and a3, the ratio of the time to connect to the positive potential is changed while periodically switching the connection destination. PWM control can be performed by the method. However, in doing so, it becomes necessary to perform control combining selection of whether or not to light up and setting of the content of PWM control (connection time to positive potential) for each semiconductor switch on the side of the second conductive line. it gets complicated. On the other hand, according to the embodiment of FIG. 11, the semiconductor switch to be controlled for lighting the LED 2 and the semiconductor switch to be PWM-controlled are separate. w3) is kept connected to the positive potential, only the latter semiconductor switch w4 may be controlled to periodically switch the connection destination while appropriately changing the connection ratio to each potential. The program can be simplified, and the control load on the CPU can be reduced.

If the microcomputer 6 is provided with more than four output terminals or semiconductor switches, the number of the first conductive lines and the second conductive lines should be increased to some extent so that the lighting unit Even if the number of U LEDs 2 increases, the same connection method as in FIG. 11 can be applied to each LED 2 . However, even when the number of conductive lines is sufficient, by dividing each LED 2 into several groups and connecting each group to a common second conductive line, the timing of lighting and extinguishing can be controlled for each group. may be controlled to

Even when a plurality of lighting units U are used, for example, the lead wires 4 of the LEDs 2 can be grouped by combining one lead wire for each lighting unit U, and each group can be connected to a different second conductive line. . The lead wires 5 of the support members 1 may all be connected to one first conductive line, but the same number of first conductive lines as the number of the support members 1 are provided, and the lead wires 5 of each support member 1 are respectively connected to different first conductive lines and the semiconductor switches corresponding to them are switched individually, it becomes possible to perform more detailed lighting control in combination with the control for the second conductive lines. An example thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG.

In the example of FIG. 12, three lighting units U1, U2, U3 each having three LEDs 2 are combined, and the LEDs 2 of these lighting units U1, U2, U3 can be turned on one by one.

The control device S has the same configuration as in the previous two examples related to the second conductive lines a1, a2, and a3, but three first conductive lines (c1, c2, and c3, respectively) are provided. . The microcomputer 6 is also provided with terminals t4, t5, t6 and semiconductor switches w4, w5, w6 for the respective first conductive lines c1, c2, c3. Current limiting resistors R1, R2 and R3 are provided between the conductive lines c1, c3 and c3 and the terminals t4, t5 and t6, respectively.

The first conductive line c1 is connected to the supporting member 1 of the leftmost lighting unit U1 in the drawing, the first conductive line c2 is connected to the supporting member 1 of the central lighting unit U2, and the first conductive line c3 is connected to the supporting member 1 of the central lighting unit U2. The support member 1 of the lighting unit U3 on the right end is connected. Through these connections, the voltage applied to the cathode-side lead 2c of each LED 2 can be controlled for each of the lighting units U1, U2, and U3.

On the other hand, each LED 2 is divided into a first group of LEDs 21, 24, 27 arranged at the top of each lighting unit U1, U2, U3 and a second group of LEDs 22, 25, 28 arranged in the center. , and a third group with LEDs 23, 26, 29 arranged at the bottom. The anode-side leads 2a of the LEDs 21, 24, 27 of the first group are connected to the second conductive line a1, and the anode-side leads 2a of the LEDs 22, 25, 28 of the second group are connected to the second conductive line a2. , the anode-side leads 2a of the LEDs 23, 26, 29 of the third group are connected to the second conductive line a3.

With the above configuration, the combination of the LEDs 2 to be lit can be changed depending on how the first conductive line connected to the ground potential and the second conductive line connected to the positive potential are combined.

FIG. 13 is a table showing the relationship between the potentials of the six conductive lines a1, a2, a3, c1, c2, and c3 shown in FIG. In the columns representing the potentials of the conductive lines, L means ground potential and H means positive potential. In the column representing the lighting state of each LED 2, the character ON means the lighting state, and the character OFF means the extinguishing state. In addition, a column representing the lighting state of the LED 2 and a column of conductive lines in which potentials related to the lighting are set are indicated by thick frames.

As shown in FIG. 13, it is possible to light only one of the nine LEDs 2 by selecting one of the first conductive line connected to ground potential and the second conductive line connected to positive potential. It is possible to change the LED to be lit by switching the conductive line targeted for this selection. Also, by connecting a plurality of first conductive lines to a ground potential and connecting one to a plurality of second conductive lines to a positive potential, a plurality of LEDs 2 can be lit. For example, if the first conductive lines c1, c2 are connected to ground potential and the second conductive lines a1, a2 are connected to positive potential, four LEDs 21, 22, 24, 25 can be lit.

Furthermore, in this embodiment as well, under the condition that the second conductive line to which the lead 2a of the LED 2 to be lit is connected to the positive potential, the semiconductor of the first conductive line to which the support member 1 to which the LED 2 is fixed is connected. By periodically switching the connection of the switch and changing the length of connection time to the ground potential in one cycle, the brightness of the LED 2 to be lit can be changed.

When a large number of LEDs 2 are provided in each lighting unit U, in each lighting unit U, the lead wires 4 connected to each LED 2 are combined into a plurality of groups, and these groups are arranged in the lighting unit U. Groups of lead wires 4 from different lighting units U may be connected to each second conductive line, grouped in between.

As shown in the above examples, the present invention depends on how the lead 4 connected to the LED 2 in the lighting unit U is connected to the second conductive line of the controller S. Since the connection relationship between them can be freely changed, it is possible to express various aspects of illumination patterns with the illumination unit U having the same configuration. In addition, since the number of lighting units U and the pattern of arrangement can be changed variously, it is possible to provide various kinds of lighting devices.

In each embodiment, the lead 2c on the cathode side is fixed to the support member 1 and electrically connected to the control device S through the support member 1, and the lead 2a on the anode side is not fixed to the support member 1 and is connected to the control device S. Although electrical connection is made to the control device S via line 4, if the relationship is reversed, the conductive line of the control device S without the current limiting resistor is the first conductive line and the current limiting resistor is provided. The conductive line that is covered becomes the second conductive line. Therefore, the control device S (similar to FIG. 12 with more conductive lines) has a configuration in which two types of conductive lines are provided in a certain number, and the potential of each conductive line can be switched by a semiconductor switch. ), one type of controller S can be used regardless of whether the lead of the anode or the cathode is connected to the support member 1 .

In the above description, the first conductive lines c1 to c3 and the second conductive lines a1 to a3 are conductive patterns formed on the substrate 7 of the control device S. Strictly speaking, these conductive lines are also connected to the range from the terminals t1 to t6 of the microcomputer 6 to the semiconductor switches w1 to w6. Therefore, when only one lighting unit U is connected to the control device S as in the examples of FIGS. The lead wires 4 connected to the leads 2a of the LEDs 2 are directly connected to the terminals t1, t2, and t3 of the microcomputer 6, so that the leads 2a not connected to the support member 1 are connected to the internal thirds of the microcomputer 6. It may be connected to two conductive lines.

In addition, although the LEDs 2 in each embodiment are of the monochromatic type, it is also possible to introduce multicolor LEDs having two or three light emitting elements.
As an example, FIGS. 14(1) and 14(2) show the configuration of an illumination unit _UA using an LED 2A having a function of emitting red light and green light. The support member 1 is made of a copper or brass pipe material as in FIG. 1, and has a pair of holes 10 and 11 facing each other across a cavity at a plurality of height positions (three positions).

The two light emitting elements (not shown) of the LED 2A have their cathodes as a common electrode. It is electrically fixed to the support member 1 by solder 12 . The fixing method of this lead 2c is also the same as in the example of FIG.

The anode side lead 2ar. of each light emitting element. 2ag is cut at an intermediate position so as to be shorter than lead 2c and bent outward so as not to come into contact with support member 1, and lead wire 4 is connected to the tip of lead 4 via solder 13. FIG. A lead wire 5 is also connected to the lower end of the support member 1 via solder 14 . The lengths of the leads 2ar and 2ag do not need to be shortened if there is no risk of contact with the supporting member 1 or the case 3.

The lead wires 4 and 5 are led out from the open end face of the lower end of the case 3, the lead wire 5 is electrically connected to the first conductive line of the control device S, and the lead wire 4 is connected to the second conductive line of the control device S. electrically connected. The connection relationship between the lead wires 4 can be freely set. Each lead 4, 4 connected to leads 2ar, 2ag in the same LED 2A should be connected to a different second conductive line.

When using an LED having three light emitting elements, according to the example of FIG. 14, only the lead of the common electrode of each light emitting element is fixed to the support member 1 and the support member 1 is connected to the first conductive line. Then, the leads of the electrodes other than the common electrode are separated from the support member 1 to connect the lead wires 4, and the lead wires 4 connected to the same LED are connected to different second conductive lines, respectively, thereby various It is possible to emit colors.

Lighting units using these multicolor light-emitting LEDs can also be used singly or in combination. Can provide decorative lighting.

U lighting unit S control device 1 support member 2 (21 to 29) LED
3 Cases 4, 5 Lead wire 6 Microcomputer 7 Wiring board 10, 11, 15 Holes 12, 13, 14 Solders c1, c2, c3 First conductive lines a1, a2, a3 Second conductive lines t1 to t6 Terminals w1 to w6 semiconductor switch

Claims (4)

A conductive support member elongated in one direction, and a plurality of leaded LEDs supported at a plurality of positions in the length direction of the support member,
Either one of an anode and a cathode is associated with the support member, and holes are formed at positions where the plurality of LEDs are supported on the support member, and are sized to allow the leads of the LEDs to be inserted thereinto. is,
the lead of the electrode corresponding to the support member of each LED is energized and fixed to the support member in a state of being inserted into a hole of the support member at a position where the LED is supported;
The electrode leads of each LED that do not correspond to the support member are physically and electrically separated from the support member and connected to individual wires, respectively.
A lighting unit characterized by: The support member is a bar-shaped body with a hollow interior, and a pair of hollow holes having a size that allows insertion of the leads of the LEDs into respective positions of the support member at which the plurality of LEDs are supported. Formed with a facing relationship across the part,
The lead of the electrode corresponding to the support member of each LED is bridged between the pair of holes in the support member at the position where the LED is supported, and the inner edges of at least one of the pair of holes or 2. A lighting unit according to claim 1, secured to said support member by a conductive adhesive material applied to an outer edge thereof. The LED is a multicolor light-emitting LED that includes a plurality of light-emitting elements that emit colors different from each other, and a common terminal is provided to the anode or cathode of these light-emitting elements, and the electrode corresponding to the common terminal is the support member. The lead of the electrode is inserted into the hole and is electrically fixed to the support member, while the lead of the terminal other than the common terminal of each light emitting element is physically and from the support member. electrically separated and each connected to a separate wire,
A lighting unit as claimed in claim 1 . The supporting member and the LEDs supported by the supporting member have translucency over at least the entire circumference of the range where each LED is supported, and the case has an opening for drawing out the electric wire connected to each LED. A lighting unit as claimed in any preceding claim, arranged in a .

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