JP3283923B2 - Method for manufacturing light guide for edge light - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plate-like body made of a transparent or translucent optical medium, in which a diffuse reflection portion is formed on at least one of the front and back surfaces to allow light from a light source to pass through the plate-like body. The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a light guide for an edge light, wherein a light guide surface to be introduced into the light guide is formed on an end face of a plate-like body.

FIG. 1 shows an example of an edge light.
An ultra-thin light box is shown. In the ultra-thin light box, the upper surface side of the casing P is configured as an illuminating surface. For example, a positive image photograph (positive film) such as a slide photograph is arranged on the illuminating surface, so that the positive image photograph is transmitted light. It is configured so that it can be observed. Inside the casing P, there are provided a plate-like body A as a light guide for edge light, and two light sources L facing the light guide surface 2 formed on the end face of the plate-like body A. I have. The irregular reflection portion 9 is formed on the lower surface 8 side of the plate-like body A.

FIG. 2 shows the principle of the edge light. The edge light includes light b1, b2, b from the light source L.
The light source L and the plate-shaped member A are arranged in a state where the light sources 3 and b4 are introduced into the plate-shaped member A from the light guide surface 2 of the plate-shaped member A, and are formed on the lower surface 8 side of the plate-shaped member A. The light b1 or b2 is irregularly reflected at the irregularly reflected portion 9a or 9b, so that the irregularly reflected light b1 or b2 is emitted to the outside of the plate-shaped body A. The irregular reflection portion 9a,
The light that does not hit 9b, for example, light b3 and b4, includes the incident angle when introduced from the light guide surface 2, the thickness of the plate A, the refractive index of the optical medium constituting the plate A, and the like. From the relationship, the incident angle θ when reaching the upper or lower surface of the plate-like body A
Is within the critical angle θ _c , is totally reflected, and is not emitted to the outside of the plate-like body A until the plate-like body A reaches the irregular reflection portion.
Is configured to continue propagating inside.

The amount of light emitted from the illuminating surface of the ultra-thin light box per unit area (that is, the illuminance) is determined by the irregular reflection portion 9 per unit area on the surface 8 where the irregular reflection portion 9 is formed. The size of the area can be adjusted. Therefore, the irregular reflection portion 9 in this type of light guide for edge light is used to adjust the illuminance on the illuminated surface of the edge light to be uniform, or to increase or decrease the illuminance at a specific portion of the illuminated surface. In many cases, for example, a set of dots, a set of lines, a triangle, or a figure pattern such as a comb shape is often formed in a dispersed state. In addition, these graphic patterns must be formed very finely and ultra-precisely on the surface of the plate-shaped body A in order to eliminate unevenness in illuminance on the illuminated surface.

[0005]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of method for manufacturing a light guide for an edge light, the irregularly-reflected portion formed on the plate-like body is made of a light-density white ink to which an irregularly-reflective material such as glass beads is added. Or a milky white paint or the like is applied on the surface of the plate-like body by a printing technique such as printing by silk screening.

[0006]

According to the above-mentioned prior art, it is possible to easily and quickly form a very fine and ultra-precise figure pattern of an irregular reflection portion on a plate-like body. However, in the light guide for edge light manufactured by the above-described conventional technique, since some reflection occurs at the interface between the plate-like body and the ink, a part of the light propagating through the plate-like body and entering the irregularly-reflected portion is generated. The part was returned to the inner side of the plate-like body again by reflection at the interface and could not reach the ink or paint, and the light irregularly reflected by the irregular reflection portion was reduced, or the ink reached the ink or paint and was irregularly reflected. Light is also attenuated by repeated irregular reflection within the thickness of the ink or paint, or when it is re-emitted to the outside of the ink or paint, pigments and particles for irregular reflection on the optical path form shadows. As a result, irregular reflection light is interrupted, and the overall irregular reflection efficiency of the edge light light guide deteriorates, thereby reducing the illuminance of the edge light and forming a bright edge light. There is an inconvenience that can not.

On the other hand, in order to solve the above-mentioned inconvenience,
It is desirable to form the surface of the plate-like body directly into a rough surface without using ink or paint when forming the irregular reflection portion. However, a very fine and ultra-precise pattern pattern of the irregular reflection portion is desired. It is almost impossible to form a rough surface by, for example, cutting or sandblasting.

Incidentally, it is possible to form the irregularly-reflected portion in a rough surface by molding such as injection molding or solven casting. However, in this method, the medium material constituting the plate-like material is optically formed. In order to form isotropically and homogeneously, the pressure injection and curing process of the medium substance must be performed gradually and statically for a very long time, and the production efficiency and production cost are significantly deteriorated. Therefore, it could not be applied to modern mass production type industrial production processes.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned conventional disadvantages.

[0010]

According to a first feature of the method of manufacturing a light guide for an edge light according to the present invention, the surface of the plate-like body on which the irregular reflection portion is formed is formed by forming the irregular reflection portion. to form a uniform or substantially uniform roughened surface shape throughout its entire or almost, then, a part of the surface formed on the rough surface shape, a transparent ink that limits the irregular reflection amount,
Make sure that diffuse reflections due to the rough surface
To form the low diffuse reflection part
The point is that it adheres by printing by printing .

[0011] The second characterizing feature of the production method of the present invention by edge-light light guide body is intended to identify specific preferred configuration when implementing the first feature structure, the second feature structure, The printing by the silk screening
Silkscreen message left on the surface of the transparent ink
After forming a rough surface that causes diffuse reflection,
That is, the low diffuse reflection portion is constituted .

[0012] The third feature configuration is the first or second feature configuration.
It specifies the preferred specific configuration for implementing the configuration .
The third characteristic configuration is that the rough surface is formed by sandblasting.
The point is to do .

[0013]

According to the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, the surface of the plate-like body where the irregular reflection portion is formed is uniformly or almost uniformly roughened to form the irregular reflection portion. Therefore, in the process of forming a rough surface, it is not necessary to form a very fine and super-precise figure pattern of the irregular reflection portion. Then, a part of the formed surface to rough surface, transparent ink that limits the irregular reflection amount
In a state where diffuse reflection by the underlying rough surface remains
To form a low diffuse reflection area
Since the ink is attached by printing , the irregularly-reflected portion can be formed by the portion where the transparent ink has not been attached.
The amount of diffuse reflection on the rough surface by the same effect as
Can be restricted and the rough surface
Irregular reflection can be left. In addition, the above transparent
Ink adhesion can be controlled by printing using silk screening.
Very fine and ultra-precise diffuse reflection
Shape patterns can be formed easier and faster
You.

According to the second feature, the silk screen
If transparent ink is applied by printing
The surface of the attached transparent ink is a mirror mold or mirror roller.
It does not look like a smooth surface formed by
The surface of the transparent ink is the fine mesh of the screen
Rough surface that will be left on the surface and cause some diffuse reflection
And a low diffuse reflection portion is formed.

According to the third feature configuration, the rough surface is formed.
Because sandblasting is performed, random
Uniform or almost all over the surface forming the
Can easily and quickly form a roughly uniform rough surface.
Can be

[0016]

According to the first characteristic configuration, it is necessary to form a very fine and ultra-precise figure pattern of the irregular reflection portion in the process of forming the irregular reflection portion while forming the irregular reflection portion in a rough surface shape. Therefore, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing a light guide for an edge light, which can easily and quickly produce a light guide for an edge light that can form a bright edge light with good diffuse reflection efficiency. it can.

Further, the portion where the transparent ink is adhered is
After the transparent ink is deposited, in the state where the diffused reflection rough surface which is a base is remained to some extent, since so as to constitute a low irregular reflection portion, of the transparent ink is adhered
It is possible to control the illuminance of the edge light according to the ratio of the distribution of the irregular reflection part which is not covered and the low diffuse reflection part with the transparent ink attached. It is possible to provide a method of manufacturing a light guide for an edge light, which can produce a light guide for a bright edge light that has been made bright. Ma
Also, printing by silk screening, very
Is it easy to make fine and ultra-precise figure patterns in diffused parts?
Can be formed quickly, so that
Easy and quick adjustment of the adjusted edge light guide
How to produce light guides for edge lights that can be produced
Law can be provided. In addition, silk screen
Low diffuse reflection area easily formed by printing
Can increase the overall amount of diffuse reflection.
Light guides for edge light can be easily produced.
To provide a method for manufacturing a light guide for edge light
Can be.

According to the second feature, the transparent ink is applied.
Even after being worn, irregular reflection due to the rough surface
The low diffuse reflection part
In both cases, the silk screen left on the surface of the transparent ink
Diffuse reflection to some extent after the mesh
To form a low diffuse reflection area, so that transparent ink
The irregular reflection area that is not attached and the low
The illuminance of the edge light according to the distribution ratio with the irregular reflection part
Brightness while increasing the overall amount of diffuse reflection while adjusting
Easy to produce light guide for edge light
To provide a method of manufacturing a light guide for an edge light.
it can.

According to the third feature configuration, the plate-like body
Uniform or nearly uniform over the entire surface forming the irregular reflection part
Easy and quick formation of uniformly formed rough surfaces
Because it is possible, the unevenness of the reflected light emitted from the plate
Easy and fast production of light guides for edge lights
A method for manufacturing a light guide for an edge light.
Can be offered.

[0020]

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an ultra-thin light box provided with a plate A as an edge light light guide manufactured by the method for manufacturing an edge light light guide according to the present invention. In the ultra-thin light box, the upper surface side of the casing P is formed as an illuminating surface. For example, a positive image photograph (positive film) such as a slide photograph is arranged on the illuminating surface, so that the positive image photograph is transmitted light. It is configured so that it can be observed. A milky white and translucent acrylic plate 1 is provided on the illuminating surface of the casing P, and the color temperature of the illuminating light emitted from the illuminating surface is, for example, 50.
At 00 degrees, it is configured to be adjusted.

An acrylic plate A as a plate made of a transparent or translucent optical medium is provided inside the casing P.
And two fluorescent tubes L as light sources provided in a state where light is introduced into the acrylic plate A from the light guide surface 2 formed on the end surface of the acrylic plate A, and to cause the fluorescent tubes L to emit light. Circuit device 3 is provided.

The fluorescent tube L is a cold cathode type or hot cathode type fluorescent tube. A battery 5 is connected to the outside of the casing P via a pin jack 4 so that power is supplied to the fluorescent tube L.
If an A / C adapter is connected via the pin jack 4, power can be supplied from a home AC power supply.

A reflecting mirror 6 is attached to the fluorescent tube L.
The light emitted from the fluorescent tube L is entirely the light guide surface 2 of the acrylic plate A.
It is configured to be introduced into. A reflecting plate 7 having a mirror surface on the upper surface side is provided below the acrylic plate A, and is configured to reflect light emitted from the lower surface side of the acrylic plate A toward the upper surface side.

An irregular reflection portion 9 is formed on the lower surface 8 of the acrylic plate A as one of the front and back surfaces. FIG. 3 shows the acrylic plate A in a state where the lower surface 8 side is visible. The irregular reflection portion 9 is formed in a dispersed state in which a plurality of hull-shaped patterns are arranged. The hull-shaped pattern has an acrylic plate A with its longitudinal direction oriented in the direction in which the fluorescent tubes L are arranged, and along the longitudinal direction of the fluorescent tubes L.
Are formed in a row over substantially the entire lower surface 8. That is, the irregular reflection portion 9 is a portion 8 farther from the light guide surface 2 than a portion 8 a of the acrylic plate A closer to the light guide surface 2.
It is formed in a state where b increases. by the way,
As shown in FIG. 2, light b radiated per unit area of the irregular reflection portion 9b formed at a portion far from the light guide surface 2
The amount of 2 is that the distance from the light source L is long and the irradiation area per the same light source area is wide, and the optical path length propagating inside the plate-like body A is long and the attenuation is increasing. Therefore, the amount of light b1 emitted per unit area of the irregular reflection portion 9a formed near the light guide surface 2 is smaller than that of the diffuse reflection portion 9a. The amount is also decreasing. Therefore, the graphic pattern of the irregular reflection portion 9 shown in FIG. 3 is configured to adjust the amount of irregular reflection of the irregular reflection portion 9 on the acrylic plate A so that the illuminance on the illumination surface of the ultra-thin light box becomes uniform. I have.

In FIG. 3, the hull pattern constituting the irregular reflection portion 9 is drawn considerably larger than the entire size of the ultra-thin light box for clarity of explanation. However, in actuality, it is very thin, has a large number of wires, and is formed with ultra precision.

The irregular reflection portion 9 is formed on the lower surface 8 of the acrylic plate A as follows. A plate-shaped acrylic plate A (a commercially available and easily available acrylic plate of this kind) composed of a smooth surface on which almost no irregular reflection can be expected is formed into a desired size, and a light source is formed on the end surface. A light guide surface 2 having a smooth surface capable of introducing light from the light guide is formed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4A, the lower surface 8 side of the acrylic plate A is formed into a uniform or almost uniform rough surface by sandblasting. The roughness of the rough surface formed by sandblasting can be adjusted by the size of the abrasive used for sandblasting, the blowing strength, the blowing time, and the like. Also, a diffusion plate or a diffusion sheet having such a rough surface formed in advance is commercially available, and these products may be used.

Next, an acrylic transparent ink 10 as an adherent for limiting the amount of diffuse reflection is printed on the acrylic plate A having a rough surface by printing by silk screening, as shown in FIG. It is applied on the lower surface 8. The transparent ink 10 is applied to the margins in accordance with the graphic pattern as shown in FIG. 3 while leaving the boat-shaped pattern. The application of the transparent ink 10 is not limited to the printing by the silk screening, but may be performed by other printing techniques such as, for example, raising and coating a photoresist polymer with a photoresist.

The transparent ink 10 reduces the amount of irregular reflection on the rough surface by the same effect as when water is applied to ground glass. Diffuse reflection can also be eliminated.

In the present embodiment, since the transparent ink 10 is applied by printing by silk screening, the surface of the attached transparent ink 10 is left behind the mesh of the silk screen and has a rough surface having a certain degree of roughness. In addition, irregular reflection does not completely disappear in the portion of the lower surface 8 of the acrylic plate A where the transparent ink 10 is applied, and a moderate amount of Diffuse reflection occurs to form a low diffuse reflection portion.

The rough surface left in the hull pattern is formed as a diffuse reflection portion 9 as it is.

[Other Embodiments] FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are enlarged views of a portion where the transparent ink 10 is adhered. When the transparent ink 10 is attached to the rough surface, the transparent ink 10 may not completely penetrate into the concave portions of the rough surface, and the bubbles 11 may remain as shown in FIG. Transparent ink 10
May be formed by a rough surface 10a having an irregular reflection effect, as shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the transparent ink 10 may be applied thinly in a state where the convex portion of the rough surface is exposed to some extent.

The adhering matter is not limited to the acrylic transparent ink 10 but may be any as long as it limits the amount of irregular reflection on the rough surface.
It can be changed as appropriate. For example, it may be a sheet-like body, or a chemical that dissolves the convex portion of the rough surface to eliminate irregularities.

The transparent ink 10 is not limited to the case where the transparent ink 10 is uniformly applied within the lower surface 8, but a plurality of types having different amounts of diffuse reflection can be obtained by appropriately changing the type of ink, the application method, the application form, and the like. May be simultaneously provided in a dispersed state in the lower surface 8.

The irregular reflection portion 9 is not limited to a boat-shaped pattern.
For example, it may be composed of a triangle, a set of lines, dots, and the like. 8 and 9 show another embodiment of the irregular reflection portion 9 formed of a dot pattern. As shown in FIG.
The irregular reflection portion 9 is formed of a plurality of dots, large and small, and is formed so as to be smaller near the end face 2 and to increase as the distance from the end face 2 increases. The diffuse reflection portion 9 shown in FIG. 9 is formed of a dot pattern in which the transparent ink 10 is applied with a plurality of dots, large and small, and the dots of the transparent ink 10 are larger near the end face 2 and smaller as the distance from the end face 2 increases. It is formed so that it becomes. Therefore, the irregular reflection portion 9 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is formed in a state where the amount of diffuse reflection is greater in the portion 8b farther from the end surface 2 than in the portion 8a closer to the end surface 2 on the lower surface 8.

Further, the irregular reflection portion 9 is not limited to the one for making the illuminance on the illuminating surface of the light box uniform, and may be configured to give intensity to the illuminance at a specific location on the illuminating surface.

The irregular reflection portions 9 may be formed on both front and back sides of the acrylic plate A.

The plate made of a transparent or translucent optical medium is not limited to the acrylic plate A, but can be changed as appropriate. For example, a glass material or various synthetic resins (polyethylene, polyester, epoxy resin, etc.) may be used.

Incidentally, reference numerals are written in the claims for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the attached drawings by the entry.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the entire structure of an ultra-thin light box.

FIG. 2 is an operation diagram showing the principle of edge light.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a plate-like body.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method of forming a diffuse reflection portion.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a portion of a plate-shaped body according to another embodiment to which an attached matter is attached.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a portion of a plate-shaped body according to another embodiment to which an attached matter is attached.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing a portion of a plate-shaped body according to another embodiment to which an attached matter is attached.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the irregular reflection portion.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the irregular reflection portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A plate-like body L light source 2 light-guiding surface 8 surface 9 diffuse reflection part 10 transparent ink (adhered matter)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 6/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] An irregularly reflecting portion (9) is formed on at least one of the front and back surfaces (8) of a plate (A) made of a transparent or translucent optical medium, and light from a light source (L) is formed. The light guide surface (2) for introducing the light into the plate-shaped body (A) is formed on the end face of the plate-shaped body (A). The surface (8) of the plate-like body (A) on which the irregularly-reflected portion (9) is formed is formed as a uniform or almost uniform rough surface over the whole or almost the entire surface. to a part of the rough surface formed in the shape surface (8), transparent in limiting the irregular reflection amount
(10), diffuse reflection due to the rough underlying surface remains.
To form a low diffuse reflection part
A method for producing a light guide for edge light adhered by printing by screening . 2. The printing according to the silk screening.
Therefore, the sill remaining on the surface of the transparent ink (10)
After the screen mesh, rough surfaces that cause diffuse reflection
The method for manufacturing a light guide for an edge light according to claim 1 , wherein the low diffuse reflection portion is formed by forming the light guide. 3. The method of forming a rough surface by sandblasting.
The method for producing a light guide for an edge light according to claim 1 or 2, which is performed .