JP4259160B2 - Linear light emitter - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a linear light emitter. The linear light emitter of the present invention is used, for example, for interior decoration.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Linear decorative bodies are used for the purpose of interior decoration and outdoor information display. For example, as such a decorative body, there is a decorative body (linear light emitter) that emits linear light with a configuration including a tubular clad and a core having a higher refractive index than that and a reflective layer provided between them. It has been proposed (JP 2000-338330 A). In such a linear light emitter, high-luminance light passing through the core is reflected as highly directional light by the reflecting surface, and high-luminance linear light is obtained. However, since such a linear light emitter is composed only of a light guide and a reflecting surface, its strength is low and it cannot be used for applications requiring a certain level of strength.
On the other hand, a decorative body using a color-coated wire, a wire coated with a colored resin, or the like is known. Since such a decorative body is excellent in strength, it is used, for example, as a partition in a showroom or a restaurant, or for decorating a handrail. However, if effective decoration is performed using such a decorative body, it is necessary to separately illuminate from the outside, that is, an external light source must be installed. Therefore, the application is naturally limited. Further, the decorative effect is not high because it is only due to the color developed by receiving light from an external light source.
In addition, as a linear decorative body, a linearly arranged light emitting diode (LED) sealed with a transparent resin such as silicone has been proposed, but in such a configuration, light is observed in the form of dots, It was poor in design or decoration. In addition, the strength is low, and the applications that can be used are limited.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a linear light-emitting body having high decorative properties and excellent strength.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following configuration. That is,
A linear core made of metal, alloy or synthetic fiber;
A light guide covering the side peripheral surface of the linear core;
A light source for introducing light into the light guide from its end surface;
It is a linear light-emitting body provided with.
[0005]
According to this configuration, since the core made of a metal or the like is provided in the light guide body, it is possible to impart sufficient strength. On the other hand, by providing a light source for introducing light into the light guide, it is possible to decorate with light emitted from the side peripheral surface of the light guide. That is, the decoration by the light (direct light) emitted from the linear light-emitting body itself which is a decoration member can be performed, and the outstanding decorative effect is acquired.
Hereinafter, each member (each element) of the present invention will be described.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(Linear core)
The linear core is formed of a metal, an alloy, or a synthetic fiber (synthetic fiber). For example, iron, copper, silver, stainless steel, or brass can be used as the metal or alloy here. As synthetic fibers, for example, nylon, vinylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, aromatic polyamide fiber, aramid fiber, or carbon fiber can be used.
As the material for the linear core, it is preferable to employ a material having excellent strength and durability. From this viewpoint, examples of suitable materials include stainless steel and nylon.
[0007]
The material for the linear core can also be selected in consideration of design properties. That is, in the linear light emitter of the present invention, typically, the linear core is observed from the outside through the light guide when not emitting light, and the surface of the linear core receives light even in the light emitting state. Observed in the unique design. Therefore, the design of the linear core constitutes a part of the decorative property of the linear light emitter of the present invention. In other words, the design of the linear light emitter is changed by changing the design of the linear core itself. Specifically, if a metal or an alloy is selected as the material for the linear core, the surface of the linear core is observed in a metallic tone, and as a result, a linear luminous body in which a part is observed in a metallic tone is configured. In addition, a half mirror process etc. can be given to the surface of a light guide, and when it is not a light emission state, it can also be set as the structure by which an internal structure (namely, surface of a linear core) is not observed. In such a case, basically, the surface of the linear core does not affect the decorativeness of the linear luminous body.
In order to obtain higher strength, it is preferable that the linear core has a multi-core structure. That is, it is preferable that the linear core is formed by a rope-like structure in which a plurality of wire-like members are twisted together.
[0008]
The surface of the linear core may be colored or plated, or may be coated with vinyl chloride. When the linear core is rope-shaped as described above, such coloring or the like may be performed on the surface of the wire-like member constituting the linear core.
A light reflective layer (light reflective layer) may be formed on the side peripheral surface of the linear core. In such a configuration, a light reflection layer is interposed between the linear core and the light guide, and light can be efficiently reflected on the surface of the linear core. As a result, the content of the light scattering material or the like contained in the light guide covering the linear core can be reduced or omitted in some cases. On the other hand, if the light reflection layer is formed so as to reflect a linear core shape (for example, a twisted spiral shape or a bundle shape in which fibers are bundled in parallel), the resulting reflected light becomes a linear core shape. Therefore, light emission excellent in design can be obtained. Furthermore, since a good light guiding effect is obtained by efficient light reflection by the light reflecting layer, it becomes possible to reach the light of the light source further away, and light is emitted from the side peripheral surface of the light guide. The brightness of light is made more uniform. The light reflective layer can be formed by, for example, white coating, vapor deposition of a metal having high reflectivity such as aluminum or silver.
[0009]
The diameter of the linear core is not particularly limited, but is, for example, about 0.1 mm to about 30 mm, preferably about 0.5 mm to about 20 mm, particularly preferably about 1 mm to about 10 mm. If the diameter of the linear core is too small, sufficient strength may not be obtained. On the other hand, if the diameter is too large, the decorativeness may be impaired depending on the intended use. In setting the diameter of the linear core, the material used, the required strength, and / or the application of the present invention can be considered.
[0010]
Although the arrangement | positioning aspect of the linear core in the linear light-emitting body of this invention is not specifically limited, For example, it can arrange | position so that a linear core may comprise the central axis of a linear light-emitting body. According to such an arrangement mode, an axially symmetric linear light emitter having a linear core as a symmetric axis can be configured, which is particularly suitable for general-purpose use.
It can also be set as the structure provided with a some linear core. With such a configuration, the strength can be further increased. Further, as described above, the linear core can contribute to the decorativeness of the linear light emitter of the present invention, and thus such a configuration can also be adopted to realize different decorative properties.
[0011]
(Light guide)
The light guide is provided so as to cover the side peripheral surface of the linear core. It is preferable that the light guide is in close contact with the side peripheral surface of the linear core, but a gap may be provided between them partially or entirely. Moreover, the area | region which a light guide does not coat | cover may exist in the side peripheral surface of a linear core.
The material of the light guide is not particularly limited as long as it is transparent to the light from the light source. The light guide is preferably made of a transparent material (including colorless and transparent, and colored and transparent). Moreover, it is preferable to comprise a light guide with the material which is easy to process and excellent in durability. For example, a light transmissive resin such as a silicone resin, a urethane resin, a polycarbonate resin, or an acrylic resin, glass, or the like can be used as the material of the light guide. Two or more different materials can be combined to form the light guide.
A concave portion or a convex portion can be formed on the surface of the light guide, and the light emission mode from the surface can be changed. For example, a part of the surface of the light guide can be formed as a convex lens, and light can be collected by the lens effect.
[0012]
It is preferable to include a light scattering agent in the light guide. This is to promote diffusion of light in the light guide and to obtain light emission with more uniform brightness from the surface of the light guide. As the light scattering agent, for example, glass having a predetermined particle size, a metal such as aluminum, a resin having a refractive index different from that of the light guide, silica, or the like can be used. The content of the light diffusing agent can be determined in consideration of the size (length) of the light guide, the target light emission mode, and the like, for example, about 0.01% to about 0.5 with respect to the light guide. % (W / W), preferably about 0.01% to about 0.1% (W / W).
A colorant such as a pigment may be contained in the light guide. If it does in this way, the decorative effect by the light guide being colored and observed will be acquired, and the decorativeness in the state where the light of a light source is not especially introduced will improve.
[0013]
A light emitter can be contained in the light guide, or a layer containing the light emitter can be formed on the surface of the light guide. The phosphors here include phosphorescent or fluorescent substances (phosphors), phosphorescent materials, reflective materials (for example, metals such as Al, Ag, and stainless steel with high reflection efficiency, metallic films, etc.), etc. . For example, the light of the light source introduced into the light guide can be color-converted by using a phosphor. The type of phosphor that can be used is not particularly limited. Moreover, it can employ | adopt regardless of an organic type and an inorganic type. There is no particular limitation on the fluorescent color, and for example, a phosphor having a fluorescent color of red, green, or blue that is the three primary colors of light, or a phosphor that fluoresces an intermediate color thereof can be used. A plurality of phosphors can be used in combination. For example, a red phosphor, a green phosphor, and a blue phosphor can be mixed and used.
When using a phosphor, for example, a layer containing the phosphor can be provided on the circumferential surface of the light guide. Such a layer containing a phosphor can be formed by printing or applying a phosphor-containing ink or paint, or by attaching a sheet containing the phosphor. Moreover, a fluorescent substance can be contained in the light guide. In such a configuration, fluorescence is generated in the light guide, and this fluorescence is emitted from the side surface of the light guide. When the phosphor is included in the light guide, it is particularly preferable to use an organic phosphor. This is because if an organic phosphor is used, the transparency of the light guide can be maintained, and a clear lighting effect can be obtained.
When a reflective material is contained in the light guide, a light emission mode rich in changes is obtained such that a part of the light guide is observed with high brightness.
[0014]
It is also possible to enhance the weather resistance by adding an ultraviolet absorber (or ultraviolet scattering agent) to the light guide. As the ultraviolet absorber (or ultraviolet scattering agent), organic compounds such as benzophenone, salicylic acid, and benzotriazole, and inorganic compounds such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide can be appropriately selected and used. In addition, in the case where the phosphor is contained in the light guide as described above, the amount of excitation of the phosphor decreases if the ultraviolet absorber is used together. It is preferable to adjust the amount used within a range that does not hinder phosphor excitation.
[0015]
The surface shape of the light guide is not particularly limited, but typically the shape is such that the outer shape of the cross section perpendicular to the central axis is circular. In addition, for example, the outer shape of the cross section may be an ellipse, a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, a trapezoid, a star, or other polygons. The cross-sectional shape and size of the light guide need not be constant throughout the length of the light guide.
[0016]
The light guide may have a multilayer structure. For example, the light guide can have a two-layer structure made of two materials having different light refractive indexes. In this case, a layer having a relatively large refractive index of light is defined as the inside (that is, the linear core side), and a layer having a relatively small refractive index of light is defined as the outside. With such a configuration, a good light guide action in the inner layer is obtained by reflection at the interface between the inner layer and the outer layer, and at the same time, diffusion of light in the inner layer is promoted. As a result, the light can reach a region farther from the light source, and the luminance of the light emitted from the light guide surface can be made uniform.
[0017]
Between the linear core and the light guide, a layer made of a material having a refractive index lower than that of the light guide can be provided. According to such a configuration, the layer functions as a barrier for confining light in the light guide, and a good light guide action in the light guide is obtained. At the same time, the amount of light irradiated onto the surface of the linear core is reduced, so that the generation of reflected light from the surface is reduced, thereby improving the design of the linear light emitter.
[0018]
The linear member which comprises the above linear core and light guide and constitutes the linear light emitter of the present invention is produced by, for example, the following method. First, a linear core is produced in the same manner as a wire or wire rope, and then adjusted so that the linear core is contained in the center using an extruder used for producing a resin tube or the like. After extruding the molten light guide material, the light guide material is cured by a process such as cooling. In addition to such a method, the light guide can be formed by molding.
[0019]
(light source)
The kind of light source used is not particularly limited. For example, an LED, a light bulb (bulb), a fluorescent lamp, a cold cathode tube, or the like can be used. Among them, it is preferable to use an LED. This is because LEDs are small in size and require little space for the light source, and the light emitter can be made compact. In addition, LEDs are in line with the demand for energy saving because of their low power consumption. Furthermore, LEDs have the advantage of having a small amount of heat generation and little influence on surrounding members. In addition, since LEDs have a long life, they are advantageous from the standpoint of maintenance. Furthermore, since LEDs are resistant to vibrations and shocks, they also have the advantage of being able to form highly reliable light emitters.
On the other hand, LEDs also have the advantage of a fast response speed, enabling easy and instantaneous switching between lighting / non-lighting, adjustment of luminance, and change in emission color (when using an LED capable of emitting two or more colors). By utilizing such LED characteristics, various light emission modes such as a variety of light emission modes and unexpected light emission modes can be created. The type of LED is not particularly limited, and various types such as a shell type and a chip type can be adopted.
[0020]
The emission color of the light source is not particularly limited, and colors such as red, green, blue, and intermediate colors thereof, or white can be adopted. A light source capable of emitting two or more colors can be employed. In this way, a light emitter capable of emitting more colors and realizing various light emission modes is configured. Specifically, a light source employing multi-color or full-color LEDs can be given as an example. Examples of multicolor LEDs include two light emitting elements having different emission colors (for example, red light emitting elements and blue light emitting elements), and full color LEDs include red light emitting elements, green light emitting elements, and The thing which incorporates a blue light emitting element can be illustrated.
[0021]
The light source may be configured using a plurality of LEDs, bulbs, fluorescent lamps, cold cathode tubes, and the like. In this case, different types (for example, LEDs and bulbs) or different emission colors (for example, red LEDs and blue LEDs) may be combined.
When the light source is composed of multiple LEDs, the LEDs can be arranged so that the distance between each LED and the central axis of the linear core is equal to each other, and the distance between two adjacent LEDs is equal to each other. preferable. This is because the light distribution in the light guide is made uniform, and light with less unevenness in light emission can be emitted from the surface of the light guide.
[0022]
The light source is arranged so that light can be introduced into the light guide through the end face of the light guide. In order to introduce light efficiently, it is preferable to arrange the light source as close to the end face of the light guide as possible. Further, for example, when the linear light emitter of the present invention is configured as a straight line so that the introduced light can be guided well in the light guide, its central axis and the optical axis of the light source are parallel to each other. It is preferable to arrange the light sources so that
Here, when the light amount of the light source is not sufficient, or when a sufficient light guiding effect cannot be obtained, there is a possibility that the light distribution in the light guide is uneven. For example, the amount of light decreases in a region away from the light source, and as a result, illuminance unevenness may occur in the light emitted from the side peripheral surface of the light guide. In such a case, it is preferable to use two or more light sources so that light is introduced from both end faces of the light guide.
[0023]
The light-emitting body of the present invention is linear, but the linear shape here includes a linear shape, a part or all of which is bent, bent or curved. Examples of the linear shape in the present invention include a spiral shape and a regularly bent shape at a constant interval.
The light-emitting body of the present invention can be widely used for indoor or outdoor decoration. In particular, since sufficient strength can be imparted by the linear core, it can be suitably used in applications that require constant strength. For example, if the linear light emitter of the present invention is used as a partition or a handrail for partitioning a space, the space can be produced by light. In addition, the present invention is not limited to use for decoration purposes. For example, when the linear light emitter of the present invention is used instead of a rope at a construction site, attention can be effectively urged by light. The light emitters of the present invention can also be used in a wide variety of applications such as clothes hangers, pool course ropes, automobile antennas and corner poles.
Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in more detail using examples.
[0024]
【Example】
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a linear light emitter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the linear light emitter 1. The linear light emitter 1 is used for a partition, for example.
[0025]
The linear light emitter 1 is generally composed of a wire rope 10, a light guide 20, and a light source unit 30. The wire rope 10 is made by knitting a plurality of stainless steel wires into a rope shape, and has a diameter of about 2 mm and a total length of about 2 m. At the upper end and the lower end of the wire rope 10, hooks 11 used for installing the linear light emitter 1 are formed.
The wire rope 10 is covered with the light guide 20 so as to pass through the center of the light guide 20 except for its upper end and lower end. The light guide 20 is a cylindrical member made of a silicone resin containing silica as a light diffusing agent. Light source units 30 are installed at both ends of the light guide 20. Each light source unit 30 includes four LEDs 31 therein. In the present embodiment, as the LED 31, a full color LED in which each of a red light emitting element, a green light emitting element and a blue light emitting element is incorporated is used. As shown in FIG. 3, the four LEDs 31 in the light source unit 30 are arranged such that the distances from the center of the light source unit 30 are equal to each other, and the lines connecting the LEDs 31 form a virtual square. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the light source unit 30 observed from the light emitting side (that is, the light guide side).
Electric power is supplied to each LED 31 via a wiring pattern and a power line 35 formed on the surface of the substrate 32. The light source unit 30 is connected to a controller (not shown) by a control line (not shown), and its lighting state is controlled. An element (not shown) such as a protective resistor is provided on the substrate 32.
[0026]
The linear light emitter 1 is produced as follows. First, the wire rope 10 made of stainless steel is manufactured by a conventional method, and then the light guide 20 is formed so that the wire rope 10 is included in the center using a silicone resin containing a light diffusing agent by using an extruder. Form. Then, two separately prepared light source units 30 are installed and fixed so as to cover the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the light guide 20, respectively. Finally, the upper end and the lower end of the wire rope 10 are fastened with the holding metal fitting 15 to form the hook 11.
[0027]
Next, the light emission aspect of the linear light-emitting body 1 is demonstrated. First, the light radiated from each light source unit 30 is introduced into the light guide 20 through the end face of the light guide 20 facing each other. The introduced light is guided through the light guide 20 and finally emitted from the side peripheral surface of the light guide 20. Thereby, the side peripheral surface of the light guide 20 emits light, and linear light is observed. Here, light of various colors can be obtained by controlling the color of light emitted from the light source unit 30. It is also possible to change the color of light continuously or stepwise. On the other hand, by controlling the lighting state of each LED 31, various light emission modes such as intermittent light emission and light emission whose luminance gradually increases or decreases can be created. Thus, in the linear light-emitting body 1, various effects by light can be performed, and a high decorative effect can be obtained. Moreover, it has excellent strength due to the presence of a strong wire rope in the light guide, and can be used for various applications.
[0028]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the linear light emitter 2 of this embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the member similar to the said Example, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.
In the linear light emitter 2, a light reflective layer (light reflective film) 16 is formed on the surface of the wire rope 10. The light reflecting film 16 is formed with a substantially uniform thickness throughout. Therefore, the surface shape reflects the surface shape of the wire rope 10. On the other hand, the light guide 25 is a cylindrical member made of silicone resin. Note that no light diffusing material is added to the light guide 25.
The linear light emitter 2 is manufactured as follows. First, a stainless steel wire rope 10 is produced by a conventional method. Next, the surface of the wire rope 10 is painted with white ink. Subsequently, the light guide 25 is formed by using an extruder with silicone resin as a material so as to enclose the wire rope 10 processed in this way. Then, the hook 11 is formed by fastening the upper end and the lower end of the wire rope 10 with the holding metal fitting 15. Finally, two separately prepared light source units 30 are installed and fixed so as to cover the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the light guide 25, respectively. In addition, the linear light guide 2 and the light source unit 30 in a state before mounting the light source unit 30 may be prepared, and the light source unit may be mounted at the installation site.
[0029]
In the linear light guide 2 configured as described above, the light of each light source unit 30 is reflected by the light reflecting film 16 on the surface of the wire rope 10 in the process of guiding the light through the light guide. Thereby, the diffusion of light in the light guide 25 is promoted, and a good light guide action is obtained. As a result, the side peripheral surface of the light guide 25 emits light with substantially uniform luminance, and linear light is observed.
[0030]
The present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiment of the invention. Various modifications may be included in the present invention as long as those skilled in the art can easily conceive without departing from the description of the scope of claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a linear light emitter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a linear light emitter 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a structure of a light source unit 30 used for the linear light emitter 1;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a linear light emitter 2 which is another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 2 Linear light emitter 10 Wire rope 11 Hook 15 Fastener 16 Light reflecting film 20 25 Light guide 30 Light source unit 31 LED
32 substrates

Claims (7)

A linear core made of metal, alloy or synthetic fiber;
A light guide covering the side peripheral surface of the linear core;
A light source for introducing light into the light guide from its end surface;
Equipped with a,
The linear core is covered with the light guide except for its upper end and lower end and has a multi-core structure,
The linear core is arranged to constitute the central axis of the linear light emitter,
The light guide has a two-layer structure made of a silicone resin containing a light diffusing agent, and the refractive index of the inner layer is larger than the outer layer,
The light source includes a plurality of LEDs , and the plurality of LEDs are arranged such that the distance between each LED and the central axis of the linear core is equal to each other, and the distance between two adjacent LEDs is equal to each other. ,
Linear light emitter. The linear light-emitting body according to claim 1, wherein the light source is arranged so that a central axis of the linear light-emitting body and an optical axis of the light source are parallel to each other . The linear light-emitting body according to claim 1 , wherein a layer made of a material having a refractive index smaller than a material for forming the light guide is provided between the linear core and the light guide . The linear light-emitting body in any one of Claims 1-3 with which a some light source is provided so that light may be introduce | transduced from each end surface of the said light guide . The linear light-emitting body according to claim 1, wherein a light-reflecting layer reflecting the shape of the linear core is formed on a side peripheral surface of the linear core. . The linear light-emitting body according to claim 5 , wherein the light reflective layer is formed by white coating . The linear light-emitting body according to claim 5 , wherein the light reflective layer is made of a metal thin film .

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