JP2024059129A - Light source board and lighting fixture - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a light source substrate and a lighting device that can be processed to be not only shorter than the length at the time of manufacture, but also longer, and that can be easily adjusted in length. [Solution] A first light source substrate FL1 has a light source group 225 consisting of one or more light sources arranged at regular intervals on its upper surface and can be connected to a second light source substrate FL2, the second light source substrate FL2 has a power supply electrode 213 at one end in the longitudinal direction that is electrically connected to the light source group 211 and for supplying power to the light source group 211, the first light source substrate FL1 has a power supply electrode 213 at at least one end in the longitudinal direction that is electrically connected to the light source group 225 and for supplying power to the light source group 225, and a connection electrode 221 at the other end in the longitudinal direction that is connected to the second light source substrate FL2 and for supplying power to the light source group of the other first light source substrate, and the lower surface of one end of the first light source substrate FL1 is superimposed on the upper surface of the other end of the second light source substrate FL2. [Selected Figure] Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a flexible light type lighting device equipped with a strip-shaped light source substrate and a light source substrate.

In recent years, progress has been made in the development of bendable flexible lights that use an easily bendable band-shaped FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) circuit board and an array of multiple LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). Patent Document 1 discloses a flexible light that can be cut to the desired length by cutting the electrode sections provided at specified intervals.

JP 2013-179050 A

With regard to flexible lights, manufacturers may manufacture lights of a specific length (hereinafter referred to as the "manufactured length"), such as 10 m or 20 m, which lighting equipment sales companies may purchase and process to the desired length and sell as lighting equipment. With the flexible light of Patent Document 1 above, although it is possible to cut and shorten a light of a specific length, there is a problem in that it is not possible to manufacture lights longer than the specific length.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide a light source substrate and light source device whose length can be easily adjusted so that they can be processed to be longer than the length at the time of manufacture.

In order to solve the above problem, the light source substrate according to the present invention is a first light source substrate on which a light source group consisting of one or more light sources is arranged at regular intervals on the upper surface and which can be connected to a second light source substrate, and the second light source substrate is provided with a power supply electrode at one end in the longitudinal direction, which is electrically connected to the light source group and supplies power to the light source group, and the first light source substrate is provided with a power supply electrode at at least one end in the longitudinal direction, which is electrically connected to the light source group and supplies power to the light source group, and a connecting electrode at the other end in the longitudinal direction, which is connected to the second light source substrate and supplies power to the light source group of the other first light source substrate, and the lower surface of the one end of the first light source substrate is overlapped with the upper surface of the other end of the second light source substrate, or the upper surface of the one end of the first light source substrate is overlapped with the lower surface of the other end of the second light source substrate, thereby electrically connecting the connecting electrode of the first substrate and the power supply electrode of the second substrate.

The above-mentioned configuration allows the light source substrate of the present invention to be manufactured to a length that is easily adjustable.

(a) is a top view of a flexible light according to an embodiment of the present invention; (b) is a side view of the same. (a) is a top view of a light source substrate tape including a light source substrate used in a flexible light; (b) is a diagram showing the vicinity of a cuttable position in the light source substrate tape; (c) is a diagram showing an end of a unit cut at the cuttable position; (d) is a diagram showing an end of a unit having a connecting electrode. FIG. 2A is a schematic top view showing the vicinity of a connection portion when two light source boards are connected, FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the connection portion, and FIG. 2C is a schematic side view of the vicinity of the connection portion. FIG. 1A is a circuit diagram showing a schematic circuit configuration of a light source substrate tape; FIG. 1B is a circuit diagram showing a schematic electrical connection when two light source substrates are connected together; A diagram showing chromaticity coordinates for explaining the chromaticity of an LED. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the vicinity of a connecting portion when two light source boards are connected, as viewed from the side, according to one modified example of the present invention;

1. First embodiment
<1.1. Configuration>
A flexible light 1 according to an embodiment of a lighting device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The flexible light 1 is a lighting device having flexibility. The flexible light is also called a tape light.

Figure 1(a) is a top view of a flexible light 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 1(b) is a side view of the same. As shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the flexible light 1 is configured with a connector section 3 and a connector section 4 connected to both ends of a main body section 2.

The main body 2 is configured so that the light source substrate 21, which has a plurality of light source groups 211 arranged at regular intervals on the upper surface of a flat, tape-like flexible substrate 210, is covered with a silicon tube 25. The thickness T of the flexible substrate 210 is, for example, 0.3 mm (see FIG. 3(c)). Each light source group 211 is a set of light sources of a predetermined number of colors (three colors, for example). The silicon tube 25 does not necessarily have to be made of silicon, but may be made of a flexible resin or the like. For example, it may be made of soft acrylic or the like.

Connector portion 3 and connector portion 4 are connectors for electrically connecting flexible light 1 to other flexible lights, or for electrically connecting flexible light 1 to a power supply device (not shown) or the like in order to receive power from the outside.

The light source substrate 21 is cut from a light source substrate tape 20 (hereinafter, the light source substrate before division is referred to as the "light source substrate tape" and is distinguished from the light source substrate after division) that can be divided into multiple light source substrates 21 by cutting at one or more cuttable positions. Typically, a lighting fixture manufacturer that produces a flexible light 1 purchases the light source substrate tape 20 from a substrate manufacturer, cuts out light source substrates 21 of the desired length from the purchased light source substrate tape 20, and uses them as a lighting fixture (flexible light 1).

Figure 2(a) is a top view showing the light source substrate tape 20.

<Light Source Substrate Tape 20>
The light source substrate tape 20 includes a plurality of units (such as unit U1, unit U2, and unit UE in FIG. 2( a) ) each having a predetermined number of light sources (36, for example) on the upper surface. The light source substrate tape 20 is configured to be cuttable at cuttable positions between the units, and can be divided into a plurality of light source substrates 21 by being cut at the cuttable positions. Each light source substrate 21 includes one or more units. When the light source substrate tape 20 is cut at the cuttable positions, the two light source substrates 21 that constitute the light source substrate tape after the cut both include power supply electrodes and are operable to light up the light sources.

The light source substrate tape 20 is configured to be connectable to other light source substrate tapes and other light source substrates 21 having the same configuration as the light source substrate tape 20 as connection targets. Furthermore, the light source substrate 21 is configured to be connectable to other light source substrates 21 and other light source substrate tapes 20 including the light source unit UE. In this way, since it can be divided and connected, the light source substrate 21 can be used as a light source substrate that is shorter than the length of the light source substrate tape 20 at the time of manufacture, and the light source substrate tape 20 and the light source substrate 21 can be connected to other light source substrates and light source substrate tapes to form a light source substrate that is longer than the length at the time of manufacture.

For ease of explanation, the left side of FIG. 2(a) will be referred to as the front side of the light source substrate tape 20, and the right side as viewed from the front side of the light source substrate tape 20. Thus, unit U1 is the unit at the front end of the light source substrate tape 20, unit U2 is the second unit from the front end of the light source substrate tape 20, and unit UE is the unit at the rear end of the light source substrate tape 20, with a certain number of units included between unit U2 and unit UE. The rear side of the light source substrate tape 20 and light source substrate 21 will also be referred to as one side, and the front side as the other side.

<Units U1, U2, ..., UE>
Each of the units U1, U2, ..., UE includes a predetermined number of light source groups 211 (12 groups, for example) each including a predetermined number of light sources for a predetermined number of colors (three colors, for example), and includes power supply electrodes 213a, 213b, 213c, and 213d (hereinafter collectively referred to as "power supply electrodes 213") at the front end (first end) of each unit. The power supply electrodes 213a, 213b, 213c, and 213d are electrically connected to the light source group 211 through wiring and are used to supply power to the light source group 211. Of the longitudinal ends of each light source substrate tape, light source substrate, and unit, the front end is referred to as the first end, and the rear end is referred to as the second end.

In addition, when describing the common configuration of units U1, U2, ..., UE, any one of units U1, U2, ..., UE may be referred to as unit Un (n = 1, 2, ...) as a representative.

Figure 2(b) is an enlarged view of cuttable portion B, which is located near the cuttable position between unit U1 and unit U2 in the light source substrate tape 20 in Figure 2(a). Cuttable portion B includes rear end portion B1, which is the rear end portion of unit U1, and front end portion B2, which is the front end portion of unit U2.

At the cuttable positions on the top surface of the light source substrate tape 20, the word "CUT" and an inverted triangle mark 216 are written to indicate to the user that these are cuttable positions, and a cuttable position indication line 215 is written to indicate the cuttable position. The user can cut the light source substrate tape 20 along the cuttable position indication line 215. The mark 216 and the cuttable position indication line 215 are located between the units on the light source substrate tape 20, at the rear end portion C (see FIG. 2(d)), which is the rear end portion of the unit UE.

Below, cutting of the light source substrate tape 20 will be explained using units U1 and U2 as examples, but unless otherwise specified, the other units will have the same configuration.

The cutting position indication line 215 is located adjacent to the front end of the power supply electrodes 213a, 213b, 213c, and 213d of the front end portion B2. In other words, when the light source board 21 is cut, it is not cut on the power supply electrodes 213a to 213d, but is cut at a position that avoids the power supply electrodes 213a to 213d. This makes it easier to divide the light source board tape 20 into multiple light source boards 21 because there is no need to cut on the metal electrodes when cutting the light source board tape 20. Hereinafter, the front side of the light source board tape 20 when cut along the cutting position indication line 215 is referred to as the "cut front light source board" and the rear side is referred to as the "cut rear light source board". In this example, the cut front light source board is made up of unit U1, and the cut rear light source board is made up of units U2 to UE.

Figure 2(b) is an enlarged view of the cut portion of the light source tape 20 before cutting, with the portion near the rear end of the front light source board being shown as rear end portion B1, and the portion near the front end of the rear light source board being shown as front end portion B2.

Figure 2(c) is a diagram showing the configuration of the front end portion B2 of the cut light source substrate and the front end portion A of the light source substrate tape 20. The front end portion B2 includes a power supply electrode 213 and a light source group 211. The light source group 211 includes three light sources 211a, 211b, and 211c.

As shown in FIG. 2(c), the front end portion B2 of the cut rear light source substrate has an overlapping end presenting line 217 arranged parallel to the short side of the light source substrate tape 20, except for the power supply electrode 213 within the longitudinal range in which the power supply electrode 213, which is an electrode for supplying power to the light source group 211, is arranged.

Figure 2(d) is a diagram showing the configuration of rear end portion C, which is the rear end portion of unit UE.

The unit UE has, at its rear end portion C, connecting electrodes 221a, 221b, 221c, and 221d, which are electrodes for connecting to other light source boards and supplying power to the light source groups of the other light source boards. The connecting electrodes 221a to 221d are electrodes used for electrically connecting to other light source boards and light source board tapes when connecting to those light source boards and light source board tapes. The connecting electrodes 221a to 221d are electrically connected to the light source group 211 through wiring.

The connecting electrode 221a is provided with a through hole 222a. The connecting electrode 221a is formed of a metal coated on the upper and lower surfaces of the flexible substrate 210 and the inner surface of the through hole 222a. In other words, the connecting electrode 221a is configured so that the metal film formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the flexible substrate 210 is electrically connected by the metal film coated on the inner surface of the through hole 222a. Note that in the connecting electrode 221a, the metal film on the lower surface of the flexible substrate 210 may be omitted.

In addition, the connecting electrodes 221b, 221c, and 221d are also provided with through holes 222b, 222c, and 222d, similar to the connecting electrode 221a.

As described below, the through holes 222a to 222d are provided so that the solder applied to the connecting electrodes 221a to 221d of the light source board 21 seeps out below the light source board 21, strengthening the solder joint with the other light source boards. Note that the through holes 222a to 222d are not essential components. If the through holes 222a to 222d are not provided, the joint may be strengthened by soldering the lower surfaces of the connecting electrodes 221a to 221d to the upper surfaces of the power supply electrodes 213a to 213d provided on the other light source boards.

The cut front light source board (unit U1 in this example) does not have a connecting electrode for connecting the light source board to the rear end. On the other hand, the cut rear light source board (units U2 to UE in this example), which is the remainder of the cut front light source board cut out from the light source board tape 20, has a power supply electrode at the front end and a connecting electrode at the rear end, so it can be connected to other light source boards of a similar configuration.

<Connection of the Light Source Board 21>
The connection of the two light source substrates 21 will be described below with reference to Fig. 3(a) to Fig. 3(c). The front light source substrate 21 (referred to as the first light source substrate FL1) may be either the light source substrate tape 20 having the connecting electrode 222 or a cut rear light source substrate. The rear light source substrate 21 (referred to as the second light source substrate FL2) does not necessarily need to have a connecting electrode and may be either the light source substrate tape, a cut front light source substrate, or a cut rear light source substrate.

The following describes the connection of two light source boards 21 (for ease of explanation and to distinguish between them, one light source board 21 will be referred to as "light source board FL1" and the other light source board 21 will be referred to as "light source board FL2"), but the same applies if one of them is a light source board tape 20, and also when connecting light source board tapes 20 together.

Light source substrates FL1 and FL2 are light source substrates 21 cut out from the light source substrate tape 20 so as to include one or more units, and have the same configuration as the light source substrate 21 already described. However, light source substrate FL1 includes the rear end of the light source substrate tape 20 and has the configuration of part C described above.

Figure 3(a) is a schematic diagram showing the vicinity of the connection when two light source boards FL1 and FL2 are connected.

In FIG. 3(a), the light source substrate FL1 includes a light source group 225 including light sources 225a, 225b, and 225c, and the light source substrate FL2 includes a light source group 211 including light sources 211a, 211b, and 211c, and a light source group 231 including light sources 231a, 231b, and 231c. However, the light source groups 225, 211, and 231 are similar to the light source group 211 described above, and are merely given different reference numerals for the sake of convenience.

In the entire light source substrate tape 20, adjacent light source groups are arranged at a constant interval L2, and as shown in FIG. 3(a), the mounted light source groups (211, 231, 225, etc.) are also arranged at an interval L2 on the light source substrates FL1 and FL2. As an example, the arrangement interval L2 of two light source groups (e.g., 211 and 231) is defined as the shortest distance between the rear end of the front light source group 211 and the front end of the rear light source group 231, but it is not limited to this and it is sufficient if the distance can be defined according to a certain rule. For example, the arrangement interval L2 may be defined as the distance between the center position of the middle light source 211b of the front light source group 211 and the center position of the middle light source 231b of the rear light source group 231.

Here, in the connected light source substrates FL1 and FL2, the arrangement distance L1 between the light source group 225 provided on the rear end side of the light source substrate FL1 and the light source group 211 provided on the front end side of the light source substrate FL2 is configured to be the same as L2.

With this configuration, when multiple light source boards are connected, the spacing between the light source groups at the joints is the same as the spacing between the light source groups arranged in non-joint areas, and when turned on, the light source groups light up at regular intervals, making it possible to configure the device so that the user is not aware of the joints.

<Method of connecting light source boards>
Figure 3(b) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the connection when the two light source substrates FL1 and FL2 shown in Figure 3(a) are connected, and Figure 3(c) is a schematic view of the vicinity of the connection when viewed from the side.

When connecting the light source substrates FL1 and FL2, the ends of both light source substrates are overlapped as shown in FIG. 3(c). At this time, of the light source substrates FL1 and FL2, the one with the connecting electrodes 221a to 221d arranged at the rear end (light source substrate FL1 in FIG. 3(c)) is on the upper side, and the one with the power supply electrodes 213a to 213d arranged at the front end (light source substrate FL2 in FIG. 3(c)) is on the lower side, and the lower surface of the light source substrate FL1 and the upper surface of the light source substrate FL2 are overlapped. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the connecting electrodes 221a to 221d are provided with through holes 222a to 222d. Note that the overlapping may be reversed, with the light source substrate FL2 on the lower side and the light source substrate FL2 on the upper side, and the upper surface of the light source substrate FL2 and the lower surface of the light source substrate FL2 overlapped. In that case, it is preferable to provide a through hole in the power supply electrode 213.

Here, when the light source substrate FL1 and the light source substrate FL2 are overlapped, they are overlapped so that the rear end edge C1t of the light source substrate FL1 overlaps the overlap end presenting line 217 provided on the light source substrate FL2.

By overlapping in this manner, the overlap end presentation line 217 is positioned so that the distance L1 between the light source group 225 and the light source group 211 is the same as the arrangement distance L2 between the other light source groups.

For ease of explanation, a dashed line is shown as the overlap end indication line 217 in FIG. 3(c), but this indicates the distance of the overlap end indication line 217 from the front edge B2t of the light source substrate FL2. In reality, the overlap end indication line 217 is displayed by printing or the like on the front or back surface of the light source substrate FL2.

In the above-described overlapping state, the connecting electrode 221c of the light source substrate FL1 and the power supply electrode 213c of the light source substrate FL2 are overlapped as shown in Fig. 3(b) and Fig. 3(c). In this state, solder 241c is poured onto the connecting electrode 221c and the power supply electrode 213c so as to electrically connect the connecting electrode 221c and the power supply electrode 213c, and the connecting electrode 221c and the power supply electrode 213c are joined. The solder 241c penetrates into the through hole 222c of the connecting electrode 221c and reaches the power supply electrode 213c, and the connecting electrode 221c and the power supply electrode 213c are firmly fixed and joined.
As in the case of the connecting electrode 221c, the connecting electrodes 221a, 221b, and 221d are each placed over the power supply electrodes 213a, 213b, and 213d, respectively, as shown in Fig. 2B, and then soldered in the same manner as the connecting electrode 221c and the power supply electrode 213c. By this soldering, the light source substrates FL1 and FL2 are firmly fixed and connected to each other.

<Details of Light Source 211>
As an example, the light sources 211a to 211c are configured with LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), the light source 211a is a red LED "R", the light source 211b is a yellow-white LED "Yw", and the light source 211c is a bluish-white LED "Bw". Note that Yw is a color close to yellow on the chromaticity diagram, but when the other LEDs Bw and R are turned on at the same time, it appears to be a color close to green. Figure 5 shows chromaticity coordinates for explaining the chromaticity of these LEDs, and for reference, the line connecting the chromaticity of the blackbody radiation at each color temperature is shown with a dotted line.

The blue-white LED Bw emits light with a chromaticity in the range enclosed by (0.336, 0.24), (0.352, 0.44), (0.15, 0.2), and (0.2, 0.1) in the CIE 1931 chromaticity coordinates in Figure 5, and one example is (0.23, 0.26).

The red LED R emits light with a chromaticity in the range enclosed by the chromaticity boundary line E, namely (0.66, 0.23), (0.423, 0.355), and (0.5, 0.5) in the chromaticity coordinates of Figure 5, and is (0.60.0.38) as an example. Please note that this is not the same as the general definition of red.

The yellow-white LED Yw emits light with a chromaticity in the range surrounded by (0.5, 0.5), (0.423, 0.355), (0.342, 0.312), (0.352, 0.44), (0.37, 0.63) and the chromaticity boundary line E in the chromaticity coordinates in FIG. 5, and is, for example, (0.44, 0.47). To widen the color reproduction range, it may be three primary colors, red (R), blue (B), and green (G), which are close to the chromaticity boundary line.

This makes it possible to reproduce a wide range of colors in the practical range, such as colors along the blackbody radiation, for example, 1800K to 12000K, and colors in the blue sky and sunset. Furthermore, by using three colors including the two non-primary color LEDs R, Bw, and Gw, it has the advantage of being able to achieve a relatively good power-to-luminous flux conversion efficiency (lm/W) compared to using the three primary colors RGB, which are close to the chromaticity boundary line.

<Circuit configuration of light source substrate tape 20>
The circuit configuration of the light source substrate tape 20 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

Figure 4(a) is a diagram that shows a schematic diagram of the circuit configuration of the light source substrate tape 20, and Figure 4(b) is a diagram that shows a schematic diagram of the electrical connection when two light source substrates FL1 and FL2 are connected.

In the light source substrate tape 20, the circuit configuration of each unit is the same, so here we will explain the circuit configuration of unit U2 as a representative of the other units.

As shown in FIG. 4(a), unit U2 includes power supply electrodes 213a-213d, a group of 12 light sources 211, and current control units 251a, 251b, and 251c.

Twelve light sources 211a included in the light source group 211 are connected in series to form the red light source group 211R. A current control unit 251a is connected to the rear end of the red light source group 211R.

The current control unit 251a has a function of controlling the current flowing through the red light source group 211R. The current control unit 251a is configured with an LED driver that combines an integrated circuit (IC) and a resistor, but is not limited to this and may be configured with a resistor, a constant voltage regulator, a constant current diode, etc.

Twelve light sources 211b included in the light source group 211 are connected in series to form the yellow-white light source group 211Yw. A current control unit 251b is connected to the rear end of the yellow-white light source group 211Yw.

Twelve light sources 211a included in the light source group 211 are connected in series to form the blue-white light source group 211Bw. A current control unit 251c is connected to the rear end of the blue-white light source group 211Bw.

Current control unit 251b and current control unit 251c have the same configuration and function as current control unit 251a.

The power supply electrode 213d is connected to a power line 261d, which is a wire for supplying power to drive the light source group 211. The other end of the power line 261d, which is not connected to the power supply electrode 213d, is connected to the power supply electrode 257d of the unit U3.

The power supply electrode 213c is connected to a ground line (hereinafter referred to as the "red ground line") 261c that is common to the light source 211a, which is a light source that emits red light, among the light source group 211. The other end of the red ground line 261c, which is not connected to the power supply electrode 213c, is connected to the power supply electrode 257c of the adjacent unit U3.

The power supply electrode 213b is connected to a ground line (hereinafter referred to as the "yellow-white ground line") 261b that is common to the light source 211b, which is a light source that emits yellow-white light among the light source group 211.

The other end of the yellow/white ground line 261b, which is not connected to the power supply electrode 213b, is connected to the power supply electrode 257b of unit U3.

The power supply electrode 213a is connected to a ground line (hereinafter referred to as the "blue-white ground line") 261a that is common to the light source 211c, which is a light source that emits blue-white light among the light source group 211. The other end of the blue-white ground line 261a, which is not connected to the power supply electrode 213a, is connected to the power supply electrode 257a of the unit U3.

Unit U1, unit U3, ..., unit UE have the same configuration as unit U2. However, unit UE, which is the last unit, has connecting electrodes 221a to 221d after current control units 255a to 255c.

As shown in FIG. 4B, by connecting the light source substrates FL1 and FL2, the connecting electrode 221a and the power supply electrode 213a, the connecting electrode 221b and the power supply electrode 213b, the connecting electrode 221b and the power supply electrode 213b, and the connecting electrode 221b and the power supply electrode 213b are electrically connected to each other. As a result, the light source 225a of the unit FL1, which is a light source that emits light of the same color, and the light source 211a of the unit FL2 are electrically connected to each other, the light source 225b of the unit FL1, which is a light source that emits light of the same color, and the light source 225c of the unit FL1, which is a light source that emits light of the same color, and the light source 211c of the unit FL2 are electrically connected to each other.

Then, by supplying power to the power supply electrode (213a) of the leading light source unit among the connected light source units, power is supplied to all electrically connected light sources (211a, 225a) of the same color, and all light sources (211a, 225a) of the same color emit light.

Similarly, by supplying power to the power supply electrode (213b) of the leading light source unit among the connected light source units, power is supplied to the electrically connected light sources (211b, 225b) of the same color, and all of the light sources (211b, 225b) of the same color emit light.
By supplying power to the power supply electrode (213c), power is supplied to the electrically connected light sources (211c, 225c) of the same color, and all of the light sources (211c, 225c) of the same color emit light.

<About the length of the light source board and light source board tape>
The light source substrate tape 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention is often manufactured with a length of 10 m, 20 m, etc., and in this embodiment, the length is about 10 m, for example, 10533 mm. The length of each unit (unit U1, U2, ...) included in the light source substrate tape 20 is 175.5 mm. Note that the length of a unit (unit UE, etc.) that includes a connecting electrode is longer by the length of the connecting electrode (about 3 mm), and is 178.5 mm. In this case, one light source substrate tape 20 includes 60 units.

The width of the light source group, for example the length from the front end of light source 211a to the rear end of light source 211c in light source group 211, is 9.20 mm. And the arrangement distance L2 between the light source groups is, for example, 14.54 mm.

Here, by connecting another light source substrate tape (20) to the back of the light source substrate tape 20, a light source substrate tape of about 20 m can be formed, and by connecting three light source substrate tapes 20, a length of about 30 m can be made, and by connecting further tapes, it is also possible to make it even longer.

The light source board 21 can also be configured as one unit (length 175.5 mm), two units (length 361.0 mm), or a longer configuration.

For example, if a light source substrate tape of about 12 m in length is required, a light source substrate tape of about 12 m can be constructed by connecting a light source substrate 21 (length 1930.5 mm) including 11 units to the back of the light source substrate tape 20 (length 10,530 mm). The order of connection is not limited to connecting the light source substrate tape 20 to the front, and the light source substrate tape 20 (length 10,530 mm) may be connected to the back of the light source substrate 21 (length 1933.5 mm) including 11 units (particularly unit UE).

For example, by connecting a light source board 21 including three units with a light source board 21 including four units, a light source board 21 with a length equivalent to seven units can be formed.

As described above, by adjusting the length of the light source substrate 21 and the light source substrate tape 20 according to the required length, it is possible to obtain a light source substrate 21 and a light source substrate tape 20 of the desired length.

Note that the length parameters described above, such as the lengths of the light source substrate tape 20, the unit, the light source substrate 21, the light source group 211, and the arrangement distance L2 between the light source groups, are merely examples and are not limited to these, and may be changed as appropriate depending on the size and specifications of the light source.

2. Modified Examples
Although the embodiment of the flexible light according to the present invention has been described above, the description of the above embodiment should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the above embodiment. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. The exemplified flexible light can be modified as follows, and the present invention is of course not limited to the flexible light as shown in the above embodiment.

(1) In the first embodiment, an example was given in which a light source using LEDs emitting three colors was used as the light source group 211, but LEDs emitting two colors, one with a high color temperature and one with a low color temperature, or only a single color may be used. The fewer the emitting colors, the lower the cost can be achieved.

When changing the number of light sources that make up the light source group 211, the number of power supply electrodes at the ends of the light source substrate can be changed accordingly.

In addition, although an example has been described in which the light source uses three colors, red, yellow-white, and blue-white, as its emission colors, this is not limiting and any color appropriate for lighting will suffice. For example, the three colors red, blue, and green that are commonly used when emitting white light overall may be used.

(2) In the first embodiment, an LED is used as the light source, but this is not limited to an LED. Any light-emitting device that emits light, such as an organic electroluminescent (organic LED), a device in which the phosphor and the excitation light source are separated, a device that uses discharge, or a device that is excited by an electron beam, can be used.

(3) In the first embodiment, an example in which two light source boards FL1 and FL2 are connected is described, but the number of light source boards to be connected is not limited to two, and three or more light source boards may be connected.

(4) Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of the vicinity of a connection portion when two light source boards FL1 and FL2 are connected in one modified example of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(c), the flexible substrate 210 in the light source substrate FL1 and the flexible substrate 210 in the light source substrate FL2 are flat, and a step occurs at the overlapping portion of the light source substrate FL1 and the light source substrate FL2. Since the flexible substrate 210 is thin at 0.3 mm, the step does not pose any particular problem, but in this modified example, inclined portions 281 and 282 are provided near the connection portions of the light source substrates FL1 and FL2, respectively. This reduces the step at the connection portion of the light source substrates FL1 and FL2, making the connection portion closer to flat.

The above-mentioned inclined portion 281 and inclined portion 282 do not necessarily need to be inclined, and it is sufficient if they are configured to reduce the step at the connection portion of the light source substrates FL1 and FL2. For example, the inclined portion 281 and inclined portion 282 may be configured as a step rather than as an incline.

(5) In the first embodiment, when connecting the light source substrates FL1 and FL2, each of the connecting electrodes 221a to 221d of the light source substrate FL1 and each of the power supply electrodes 213a to 213d of the light source substrate FL2 are joined by applying solder. However, this is not limited to this, and it is sufficient if the power supply electrodes and the connecting electrodes can be joined to each other and electrically connected, and they may be made of other materials such as a conductive adhesive.

(6) Although the light source substrate and the light source substrate tape have been described as flexible substrates, that is, substrates that have flexibility, they may be used in a non-flexible state, for example, by using a thick substrate or by attaching a heat sink to the back surface of the substrate. However, it is preferable for the substrate to be flexible, because, for example, the step at the connection part shown in FIG. 3(c) is eliminated at a location a little away from the connection part.

(7) Although the power supply electrode and the connecting electrode have been described as being provided on the upper surface of the light source substrate, they may also be provided on the lower surface, or on both the upper and lower surfaces.

(8) The terms "top" and "bottom" refer simply to the surface that is visible in the illustration and are not related to up and down in the direction of gravity. Rather, in the case of lighting fixtures, for example, it is common for them to be installed on the ceiling with the "top" facing downward or sideways in the direction of gravity.

(9) The above-described embodiments and variations may be partially combined.

3. Extraction of inventions
The configuration of a lighting fixture according to one embodiment of the present invention, as well as modifications and effects thereof, will be described below.

(1) The first light source substrate of the present invention is a first light source substrate on which a light source group consisting of one or more light sources is arranged at regular intervals on the upper surface and which can be connected to a second light source substrate, and the second light source substrate is provided with a power supply electrode at one end in the longitudinal direction, which is electrically connected to the light source group and supplies power to the light source group, and the first light source substrate is provided with a power supply electrode at at least one end in the longitudinal direction, which is electrically connected to the light source group and supplies power to the light source group, and a connecting electrode at the other end in the longitudinal direction, which is connected to the second light source substrate and supplies power to the light source group of the other first light source substrate, and the lower surface of the one end of the first light source substrate is overlapped with the upper surface of the other end of the second light source substrate, or the upper surface of the one end of the first light source substrate is overlapped with the lower surface of the other end of the second light source substrate, thereby electrically connecting the connecting electrode of the first substrate and the power supply electrode of the second substrate.

This configuration makes it possible to create a light source substrate that can be processed to be longer than when manufactured, and whose length can be easily adjusted.

(2) The first light source substrate may be divisible at one or more cuttable positions, and the power supply electrode may be disposed adjacent to the cuttable positions, avoiding the cuttable positions, and on the other end side of the cuttable positions.

This configuration makes it possible to realize a light source substrate that can be easily adjusted in length, and can be processed not only to be shorter than when manufactured, but also to be longer.

(3) The distance between the closest light source groups of the first light source board and the closest light source groups of the second light source board may be configured to be the constant distance.

This configuration also makes it possible to realize light source boards in which the spacing between the light source groups does not change, even at the joints between the light source boards.

(4) In addition, an overlapping edge presenting line may be provided on one end of the second light source substrate so that the edge of the first light source substrate coincides with the overlapping edge presenting line, and the edge of the one end of the first light source substrate may be overlapped so that the edge coincides with the overlapping edge presenting line.

With this configuration, the distance between the closest light source groups of the light source board and the light source groups of the other light source board can be easily made constant by simply overlapping the other light source board so that the edge of the other light source board coincides with the overlapping edge presenting line.

(5) A through hole may be formed in the connecting electrode.

With this configuration, the connecting electrode and the power supply electrode can be electrically connected by soldering, further strengthening the connection.

(6) The lighting device of the present invention is a lighting device in which a first light source board, on whose upper surface a light source group consisting of one or more light sources is arranged at regular intervals, is connected to a second board, and the second light source board is provided with a second power supply electrode at one end in the longitudinal direction, which is electrically connected to the light source group and supplies power to the light source group, and the first light source board is provided with a first power supply electrode at one end in the longitudinal direction, which is electrically connected to the light source group and supplies power to the light source group, and a first connecting electrode at the other end in the longitudinal direction, which is connected to the second light source board and supplies power to the light source group of the second light source board, and the lower surface of the one end of the first light source board is overlapped with the upper surface of the other end of the second light source board, or the upper surface of the one end of the first light source board is overlapped with the lower surface of the other end of the second light source board, thereby electrically connecting the connecting electrode of the first board to the power supply electrode of the second board.

This configuration makes it possible to create a light source substrate that can be processed to be longer than when manufactured, and whose length can be easily adjusted.

(7) The distance between the closest light source groups of the first light source board and the closest light source groups of the second light source board may be configured to be the constant distance.

This configuration also makes it possible to realize a lighting fixture with constant spacing between light source groups, using light source boards where the spacing between the light source groups does not change even at the joints between the light source boards.

(8) In addition, an overlapping edge presenting line may be provided on one end of the second light source substrate so that the edge of the first light source substrate coincides with the overlapping edge presenting line, and the edge of the one end of the first light source substrate may be overlapped so that the edge coincides with the overlapping edge presenting line.

With this configuration, the distance between the closest light source groups of the light source board and the light source groups of the other light source board can be easily made constant by simply overlapping the other light source board so that the edge of the other light source board coincides with the overlapping edge presenting line.

(9) A through hole may be formed in the connecting electrode.

With this configuration, the connecting electrode and the power supply electrode can be electrically connected by soldering, further strengthening the connection.

1 Flexible light 2 Main body 3, 4 Connector 20 Light source board tape 21 Light source board 25 Silicon tube 210 Flexible board 211, 231, 225 Light source group 211a, 211b, 211c, 231a, 231b, 231c, 225a, 225b, 225c Light source 211Yw Yellow-white light source group 211Bw Blue-white light source group 211R Red light source group 213, 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 257a, 257b, 257c, 257d Power supply electrode 215 Cutting position indication line 216 Mark 217 Overlapping end indication line 221a, 221b, 221c, 221d Connecting electrode 222a, 222b, 222c Through hole 251a, 251b, 251c Current control unit 241c Solder 261a Blue and white ground line 261b Yellow and white ground line 261c Red ground line 261d Power line B1 Rear end portion B2 Front end portion B2t Front end edge C Rear end portion C1t Rear end edges FL1, FL2 Light source substrates L1, L2 Arrangement intervals U1, U2, U3, UE Unit

In order to solve the above problems, the light source substrate of the present invention is a first light source substrate having a light source group consisting of one or more light sources arranged at regular intervals on an upper surface thereof, and connectable to a second light source substrate, wherein the second light source substrate is provided with a second power supply electrode, at one end in a longitudinal direction, which is electrically connected to the light source group and for supplying power to the light source group, and the first light source substrate is provided with a first power supply electrode, at at least one end in a longitudinal direction, which is electrically connected to the light source group and for supplying power to the light source group, and a first connecting electrode, at the other end in a longitudinal direction, which is connected to the second light source substrate and for supplying power to the light source group of another first light source substrate, and wherein a lower surface of the one end of the first light source substrate is overlapped with an upper surface of the other end of the second light source substrate, or an upper surface of the one end of the first light source substrate is overlapped with a lower surface of the other end of the second light source substrate, thereby electrically connecting the first connecting electrode and the second power supply electrode.

(1) A first light source substrate of the present invention is a first light source substrate having a light source group consisting of one or more light sources arranged at regular intervals on an upper surface thereof and connectable to a second light source substrate, the second light source substrate having, at one end in a longitudinal direction, a second power supply electrode electrically connected to the light source group and for supplying power to the light source group, the first light source substrate having, at least one end in a longitudinal direction, a first power supply electrode electrically connected to the light source group and for supplying power to the light source group, and a first connecting electrode connected to the second light source substrate and for supplying power to the light source group of another first light source substrate, at the other end in a longitudinal direction, the first connecting electrode and the second power supply electrode being connected to the second light source substrate and for supplying power to the light source group of the other first light source substrate, the lower surface of the one end of the first light source substrate being overlapped with the upper surface of the other end of the second light source substrate, or the upper surface of the one end of the first light source substrate being overlapped with the lower surface of the other end of the second light source substrate, thereby electrically connecting the first connecting electrode and the second power supply electrode.

(2) Furthermore, the first light source substrate may be divisible at one or more cuttable positions, and the first power supply electrode may be arranged adjacent to the cuttable positions, avoiding the cuttable positions, and on the other end side of the cuttable positions.

(5) The first connecting electrode may have a through hole formed therein.

(6) A lighting device of the present invention is a lighting device in which a first light source substrate having a light source group consisting of one or more light sources arranged at regular intervals on an upper surface thereof and a second light source substrate are connected together, wherein the second light source substrate is provided with a second power supply electrode at one end in a longitudinal direction thereof, the second light source substrate being electrically connected to the light source group and supplying power to the light source group, and the first light source substrate is provided with a first power supply electrode at one end in a longitudinal direction thereof, the first power supply electrode being electrically connected to the light source group and supplying power to the light source group, and a first connecting electrode at the other end in a longitudinal direction thereof, the first light source substrate being connected to the second light source substrate and supplying power to the light source group of the second light source substrate, and the first connecting electrode and the second power supply electrode can be electrically connected together by a lower surface of the one end of the first light source substrate being overlapped with an upper surface of the other end of the second light source substrate, or by a upper surface of the one end of the first light source substrate being overlapped with a lower surface of the other end of the second light source substrate.

(9) The first connecting electrode may have a through hole formed therein.

Claims (9)

A first light source substrate having a light source group consisting of one or more light sources arranged at regular intervals on an upper surface thereof and connectable to a second light source substrate,
the second light source substrate includes a power supply electrode at one end in a longitudinal direction, the power supply electrode being electrically connected to the light source group and supplying power to the light source group;
the first light source substrate includes, at least at one end in a longitudinal direction, a power supply electrode electrically connected to the light source group for supplying power to the light source group, and at the other end in a longitudinal direction, a connection electrode connected to the second light source substrate and for supplying power to the light source group of another first light source substrate;
A first light source substrate capable of electrically connecting a connecting electrode of the first substrate and a power supply electrode of the second substrate by overlapping a lower surface of the one end of the first light source substrate with an upper surface of the other end of the second light source substrate, or by overlapping a upper surface of the one end of the first light source substrate with a lower surface of the other end of the second light source substrate. The first light source substrate is divisible at one or more cuttable positions,
The first light source board according to claim 1 , wherein the power supply electrode is further disposed at a position adjacent to the cuttable position and avoiding the cuttable position, on the other end side of the cuttable position. The first light source board according to claim 1 , wherein the distance between the closest light source groups of the first light source board and the closest light source groups of the second light source board is the constant distance. An overlapping edge indicating line is provided on one end of the second light source substrate so that an edge of the first light source substrate coincides with the overlapping edge indicating line,
The first light source substrate according to claim 1 , wherein an edge of the one end of the first light source substrate is overlapped so as to coincide with the overlapping end indicating line. The first light source substrate according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting electrode has a through hole formed therein. A lighting device in which a first light source board and a second board are connected to each other, the first light source board having a light source group consisting of one or more light sources arranged at regular intervals on the upper surface thereof,
The second light source substrate includes:
a second power supply electrode electrically connected to the light source group at one end in the longitudinal direction for supplying power to the light source group;
The first light source substrate includes:
a first power supply electrode electrically connected to the light source group at one end in a longitudinal direction for supplying power to the light source group;
a first connecting electrode for connecting to a second light source substrate at the other end in the longitudinal direction and supplying power to the light source group of the second light source substrate;
A lighting device in which a connecting electrode of the first substrate and a power supply electrode of the second substrate can be electrically connected by overlapping a lower surface of the one end of the first light source substrate with an upper surface of the other end of the second light source substrate, or by overlapping a upper surface of the one end of the first light source substrate with a lower surface of the other end of the second light source substrate. The lighting fixture according to claim 6 , wherein the distance between the closest light source groups of the first light source board and the closest light source groups of the second light source board is set to the constant distance. An overlapping edge indicating line is provided on one end of the second light source substrate so that an edge of the first light source substrate coincides with the overlapping edge indicating line,
The lighting device according to claim 6 , wherein an edge of the one end of the first light source substrate is overlapped so as to coincide with the overlap edge indicating line. The lighting fixture according to claim 6 , wherein the connecting electrode has a through hole formed therein.