JP2594362Y2 - Fiber optic lighting equipment - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting device using an optical fiber, and more particularly, to a mechanism for changing the lighting range.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, an illumination device using an optical fiber has been known. That is, in this illuminating device, light emitted from a light source is condensed by a condenser lens, the light is transmitted from an input end of an optical fiber, transmitted, and emitted from an output end of the optical fiber for illumination. In such an illuminating device, as a means for changing the illumination range, it has been considered to change the illumination range by changing the direction of the emission end of the optical fiber or masking a part of the emission end.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, a shielding plate is required to mask a part of the emission end, and such a shielding plate has a complicated structure for replacement. In addition, there is a problem that the illumination range cannot be changed continuously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. In an illumination device using an optical fiber, an optical fiber illumination device capable of continuously changing an illumination range and having a simple configuration. It is intended to provide a device.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made to solve the above described problems is the optical fiber illumination apparatus using an optical fiber, light source, and I plurality of bundles of optical fibers
The first collector bundled so that the incident end side has a substantially circular cross section.
An optical fiber bundle surrounding the bundle group and the outer periphery of the first convergent group.
Optical fiber convergence including a second convergence group in which a plurality of fibers are arranged
Comprising a body, a light condensed by the condenser lens, and incident on the incident end of the optical fiber converging member, with emitted from the emission end of the optical fiber converging member, the first and second yield
An optical transmission means in which the output directions of the bundles are set in different directions,
Light passing through the condenser lens is incident on the first converging group.
Or both the first and second convergent groups
As is incident on the upper Symbol source, one of the entrance end of the condenser lens or an optical fiber converging member, substantially fiber yield
Lighting range changing means which relatively moves along the optical axis of the bundle . Claim 2
2. An optical fiber illuminating apparatus using an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the illumination range changing means includes a support member for supporting the condenser lens, a guide rail for guiding the support member, and the condensing light along the guide rail. And a driving unit for driving the lens and the support member.

[0006]

In the optical fiber illuminating device according to the present invention, light emitted from the light source enters the entrance end of the optical fiber converging body including the first converging group or the second converging group, and is emitted from each of the exiting ends. Get out and used for lighting. In addition, the present invention includes an illumination range changing unit. The illuminating range changing means transmits the light collected by the condenser lens to the first converging group, or
Alternatively , one of the light source, the condenser lens, and the incident end of the optical fiber converging body is driven so that the light is incident on both the first and second focusing groups . Here, the first convergence group and the second convergence group
The light emitting directions are set differently. Now, when the irradiation range of the light through the condenser lens is a whole at the entrance end of the first and second convergence group, first and second convergence
Emitted from the output end of the group, and the irradiation range is the first convergence
When there is only a group, light is emitted only from the first converging group, and no light is emitted from the second converging group. Therefore, the illumination range can be changed by changing the illumination range at the incident end by the illumination range changing means. The illumination range changing means can be suitably realized by supporting the condenser lens by a support member and guiding the condensing lens along the guide rail in the optical axis direction by the driving means.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In order to further clarify the structure and operation of the present invention described above, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view showing an optical fiber lighting device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, an optical fiber illumination device 1 includes a light source device 20 and a condenser lens 3.
0, an optical fiber converging body 40, and a moving mechanism 50, and further includes an illumination unit 70 for illuminating light emitted from the optical fiber converging body 40.

The light source device 20 includes a light source 21 composed of a high-intensity discharge lamp such as a metahalide lamp,
A power supply 23 for supplying power to the
Parabolic reflector 27 that regulates the radiation direction of light from 1
And

The condensing lens 30 is disposed at a position where the light emitted from the light source 21 is focused to enter the incident end 40A of the optical fiber converging body 40. The optical fiber converging body 40 is
It is a bundle of a plurality of optical fibers made of methacrylic resin, one end of which is fixed by a base 45, and the other end of which is arranged and fixed to a peripheral illumination unit 70 such as a mirror. As shown in FIG. 2, the optical fiber converging body 40 includes a first converging group 41 and a second converging group 42 in which a plurality of single optical fibers are bundled. The first convergence group 41 is arranged on the inner periphery, and the second convergence group 42 is arranged on the outer periphery. The first converging group 41 and the second converging group 42 have the same arrangement at the entrance end 40A and the exit end 40B. The first converging group 41 is arranged so as to illuminate the optical axis direction in a spot shape at the emission end 40B, while the second converging group 42 is arranged in the emission direction from the optical axis at the emission end 40B. The emission end face is subjected to the following processing so as to spread and illuminate.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the output end of a single wire of each optical fiber constituting the second converging group 42 is clockwise with respect to the length direction of the optical fiber (x direction in the figure).
It is cut at an angle of 0 degrees. This cut surface is in a relatively rough state that does not lead to optical polishing. The light that has traveled inside the core C1 to the end of the optical fiber is reflected by the cut surface, and the angle of incidence from the core C1 to the boundary between the core C1 and the clad C2 becomes less than the critical angle, and leaks out of the core C1. When the light traveling in the core C1 of the optical fiber is viewed macroscopically, this light may be assumed to be one light that travels straight in the length direction of the optical fiber as shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure. This light can escape from the core C1 in a direction at an angle of 60 degrees to the length direction. This indicates that the light emitted from the optical fiber cut at an angle of 30 degrees is the strongest in the direction at an angle of 60 degrees with respect to the length direction. That is, the optical fiber cut at an angle of 30 degrees emits light in a direction that is centered on a direction at an angle of 60 degrees with respect to the length direction and spreads from that direction.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the results of experimentally measuring the brightness of light emitted from the cut surface at an angle of 30 degrees. In the graph shown in the figure, the length direction of the optical fiber is set to an angle of 0 degree, the clockwise direction is set to a positive angle direction (the cut surface is at an angle of 30 degrees), and the direction showing the strongest brightness is 100%. It is drawn as brightness. As can be seen from the figure, the brightness of the outgoing light is the strongest of 100 [%] in the direction of 60 degrees, and is approximately 15 to 9%.
It shows a brightness of 50% or more over 0 degrees. That is, the second convergence group 42 having such a cut surface at an angle of 30 degrees.
Is experimentally proved to irradiate light in a direction extending from 15 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to the length direction of the optical fiber. Therefore, the light emitted from such second convergence unit 4 2 typically be in the range spread from the spot-like one point, applying illumination unit 70 in a wide range.

The condenser lens 30 is mounted so as to be movable on the optical axis by a moving mechanism 50. Moving mechanism 5
0 is a support member 51 for supporting the condenser lens 30, a guide rail 53 for guiding the support member 51 in the optical axis direction,
And a drive mechanism 57 including a stepping motor for integrally driving the condenser lens 30 and the support member 51 along the guide rail 53. This drive mechanism 57
Is controlled by the control circuit 60. The movement amount and the movement direction are performed in accordance with the operation amount and the operation direction of the adjustment dial 55. The guide rail 53 is provided with stoppers 58A and 58B at both ends thereof for restricting the movement of the condenser lens 30. Further, at a substantially central portion, a limit switch 59 for detecting all illumination positions P described later is provided. Have been.

Next, the operation of the optical fiber lighting device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the optical fiber lighting device 1, power is supplied to the light source 21 from the stabilizing power supply 23 of the light source device 20, and the light source 21 emits light. Light source 2
The light emitted from No. 1 is incident on an input end 40 of an optical fiber
A, exits from the exit end 40B of the illumination unit 70,
The light is used for illumination.

The illumination range of the optical fiber illuminating apparatus 1 is changed by driving the moving mechanism 50 to move the condenser lens 30 on the optical axis. This is performed by changing the irradiation range to the incident end 40A.

Here, for the sake of explanation, the condensing lens 30
The range illuminated at the position of the incident end 40A of the optical fiber converging body 40 is defined as an irradiation range S (see FIG. 4). Now
When the converging lens 30 is moved by driving the moving mechanism 50 such that the irradiation range S indicated by the broken line coincides with the entire area of the incident end 40A of the optical fiber converging body 40, the light from the light source 21 Is the first through the condenser lens 30
The light is transmitted by the converging body 41 and the second converging body 42. Therefore, in all the illumination positions P, in addition to the narrow spot-shaped illumination by the first converging body 41, a wide range of illumination by the second converging body 42 is performed, and the maximum illumination range is obtained by the illumination unit 70. (FIGS. 3A and 4A).

On the other hand, when the adjusting dial 55 of the moving mechanism 50 is operated, the driving mechanism 57 is driven via the control circuit 60. By the driving of the moving mechanism 50, the condenser lens 30 is moved to the partial illumination range R2 away from the incident end 40A of the optical fiber converging body 40, and the narrow range illumination position r2 is set.
, The irradiation range S is smaller than the area of the incident end 40A of the optical fiber converging body 40.
Matches. At this time, the light from the light source 21 is incident only on the central portion of the incident end 40A of the optical fiber converging body 40, that is, only on the first converging group 41. Therefore, illumination in a narrow range is performed by the first convergence group 41 (FIG. 3B).
FIG. 4 (B)).

Therefore, when the condenser lens 30 is at the full illumination position P, the maximum illumination range is obtained. When the condenser mechanism 30 is moved from the full illumination position P to the dimming range r2 by the moving mechanism 50, The illumination range becomes smaller. As described above, according to the optical fiber illuminating device 1, the illumination range can be changed, and further, by continuously moving the condenser lens 30, illumination can be performed in a continuous illumination range.

When the moving mechanism 50 is driven to move the condenser lens 30 to the dimming range R1 in which the converging lens 30 approaches the incident end 40A side of the optical fiber converging body 40, the irradiation range S becomes It is larger than the area of the end 40A.
At this time, the light from the light source 21 is attenuated because only a part of the light is incident on the incident end 40A of the optical fiber converging body 40. The amount of dimming increases as the condenser lens 30 moves closer to the incident end 40A (FIG. 3).
(C), FIG. 4 (C)).

According to the above embodiment, the moving mechanism 50 moves the condenser lens 30 along the optical axis to change the irradiation range S on the incident end 40A of the optical fiber converging body 40, and The illumination range by the light emitted from the fiber converging body 40 can be changed, and various illuminations can be performed.

Further, in the above embodiment, as in the case of using the shield plate for masking a part of the emission end described in the related art, a complicated structure such as replacement of the shield plate is not required.
Further, if the condenser lens 30 of the moving mechanism 50 is linearly moved, the continuous illumination range can be changed.

Next, another embodiment in which the arrangement of the exit ends of the optical fiber converging body is changed will be described. The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is an example in which a single line of an optical fiber is arranged in a line at an emission end 80B of an optical fiber converging body 80. That is, the first converging group 81 (shown by oblique lines) having an end surface perpendicular to the axial direction is arranged in one row, and the first converging group 81
Are arranged so as to be covered by a second converging group 82 having an end surface inclined with respect to the axial direction (see FIG. 5). Note that, in the drawing, the first convergence group 81 and the second convergence group 82 are shown as regions, and are actually regions composed of a set of single wires of an optical fiber. According to this embodiment, if the light is emitted only from the first converging group 81, illumination in a narrow linear area is performed, while the light is emitted from both the first converging group 81 and the second converging group 82. For example, a wide and wide range of illumination is performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

(1) The moving mechanism 50 is constituted by a motor drive. However, the moving mechanism is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that the mechanism can be a manually operated mechanical mechanism using a worm gear or the like.

(2) In the above embodiment, the condenser lens 30
The light source 21 or the incident end 40 of the optical fiber converging body 40 is a moving means that can adjust the amount of light incident on the incident end 40A of the optical fiber converging body 40.
A or the like may be moved.

(3) The optical fiber lighting device 1 can be applied to various uses by utilizing the characteristics of the lighting. In other words, the light emitted from the optical fiber has a lower temperature than that of an incandescent lamp or the like, and can be applied to a mirror unit such as a mirror base, etc. It can be applied to sinks and bathrooms by taking advantage of the fact that if the device is installed away from the lighting unit, it is easy to take measures against leakage.

(4) In the above embodiment, the second convergence group 42
Is formed on the surface inclined with respect to the optical axis. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the emission end 40B of the second converging group 42 may be fixedly arranged with a base or the like so as to radiate outward from the optical axis.

(5) In the above embodiment, the optical fiber converging body 40 is divided into the first converging group 41 and the second converging group 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this. , The illumination range may be changed into a large number of convergent groups.

[0029]

As described above, according to the optical fiber illuminating device of the present invention, any one of the light source, the condensing lens, and the incident end of the optical fiber is moved along the optical axis by the light amount changing means. Move the light through the condenser lens,
By making the light incident on all or a part of the incident end of the optical fiber convergent body, the illumination range of light emitted from the optical fiber convergent body can be changed with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical fiber lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an arrangement and the like of an optical fiber converging body.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the optical fiber lighting device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the optical fiber lighting device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the brightness of light emitted from an optical fiber having a cut surface at an angle of 30 degrees with respect to the length direction.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an emission direction of the optical fiber of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an end view, a front view, and an end view illustrating an optical fiber converging body 80 according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical fiber illuminating device 20 ... Light source device 21 ... Light source 23 ... Stabilized power supply 27 ... Parabolic reflector 30 ... Condensing lens 40 ... Optical fiber converging body 40A ... Input end 40B ... Output end 41 ... 1st converging group 42 ... Second convergence group 45. Base 50. Moving mechanism 51. Support member 53. Guide rail 55. Adjusting lever 57. Drive mechanism 58A. Convergent body 81 First converging group 82 Second converging group C1 Core C2 Cladding S Irradiation range P Full illumination position R1 Dimming range R1 Partial illumination range r2 Narrow range illumination position

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) F21V 8/00 G02B 6/00 331

Claims (2)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] In the optical fiber lighting device using a method according to claim 1 an optical fiber, light source, a condenser lens for condensing the light from the light source, it plural bundles of optical fibers and the incident end side substantially circular cross
A first convergence group bundled into a shape, and a first convergence group outside the first convergence group.
A second collection of optical fibers arranged around the circumference
A bundle of optical fibers including a bundle, the light collected by the condenser lens is incident on the incident end of the optical fiber convergent body, and emitted from the exit end of the optical fiber convergent body, An optical transmission means in which the emission directions of the first and second converging groups are set in different directions, and light passing through the condensing lens is incident on the first converging group.
Or both the first and second convergent groups
As is incident on the upper Symbol source, one of the entrance end of the condenser lens or an optical fiber converging member, substantially fiber yield
An optical fiber illuminating device comprising: an illumination range changing unit that relatively moves along the optical axis of the bundle . 2. An optical fiber lighting device using an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the illumination range changing means includes: a support member for supporting the condenser lens; a guide rail for guiding the support member; A driving means for driving the condensing lens and the supporting member along the optical fiber illuminating device.