JP4418922B1 - Lighting device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to ensure the width and brightness of a light-emitting body in a light guide so as to give an impression that the brightness fluctuates as a whole.
A light guide body 252 has a cylindrical shape, and yellow LEDs 261 each having an inclined optical axis direction are provided in a hollow portion. On the outer periphery of the light guide 252, a triangular cross-section ridge that protrudes in a triangular shape in the cross-sectional shape and extends along the length direction of the light guide 252 is formed. Furthermore, irregular fine irregularities having an average diameter of about 5 to 10 μm and a depth of about 10 μm are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the light guide 252. While some of the plurality of LEDs 261 periodically blink, the other part blinks randomly based on detection of vibration or the like by the piezoelectric sensor, and these lights are reflected inside the light guide 252. By combining and diffusing, as a whole, the brightness changes in the longitudinal direction and circumferential direction of the light guide 252 to an irregular feeling.
[Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an illuminating device used for producing a light imitating a candle, for example.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, lighting devices that have fluctuations in brightness are known in order to reduce the monotonousness of lighting having a certain brightness. Further, for example, a technique is known that enhances the effect of production by imitating the light of a candle by detecting the presence or absence of wind or the like to change the brightness (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). .)

  When controlling the brightness as described above, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) that is relatively easy to drive can be used as the light source. However, when a light emitter close to a point light source such as an LED is used, sharp light tends to be obtained.

On the other hand, a technique using a light guide is known in order to illuminate a range having a certain extent such as a planar shape or a linear shape using light from a small light source. Specifically, for example, fine irregularities and the like are formed on a part of the peripheral surface of a rod-shaped light guide or an acrylic resin fiber, and light from the light source is incident from the end face of the light guide or the like. There is something that was made. According to this, the light guided inside the light guide or the like is reflected by the portion where the fine unevenness or the like on the peripheral surface is formed, and from the portion facing the unevenness (the portion where the unevenness is not formed) or the like Illumination light is emitted (see, for example, Patent Documents 3 and 4).
JP-A-8-167481 JP 2007-194176 A JP 2001-291403 A JP 2004-226624 A

  However, it is not easy to emit light over the entire circumference and the entire length of the light guide even if a light guide having fine irregularities formed on a part of the peripheral surface as described above is used. . For this reason, it is difficult to ensure a wide range of brightness and brightness and to give an impression that the brightness fluctuates as a whole.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points. For example, the width and brightness of a light-guiding body in a light-guiding body are ensured so that an overall impression that the brightness fluctuates can be given. It is an object.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an illumination device according to an example of the present invention includes:
A lighting device having a housing and a light emitting device provided in the housing,
The light emitting device
A cylindrical light guide that is provided with the central axis direction standing upright and forms a circular cavity whose inner peripheral surface extends in the central axis direction;
A plurality of light emitters having directivity disposed in the hollow portion of the light guide body along the central axis direction;
A piezoelectric sensor for detecting the vibration of the housing;
A control circuit for controlling to drive a part of the plurality of light emitters with a random drive signal according to a detection signal of the piezoelectric sensor;
With
On the outer peripheral surface of the light guide, a plurality of triangular protrusions extending in the central axis direction are formed continuously along the entire circumference, and fine irregularities are formed on the surface of each protrusion. Has been
In the plurality of light emitters, the optical axis direction of each of the light emitters is inclined with respect to the central axis direction of the cavity portion, and the optical axis direction with respect to the central axis direction is along the central axis direction of the cavity portion. Arranged so that the slopes are staggered in opposite directions
It is characterized by that.

Thereby, for example, the light emitted from the light emitter disposed along the central axis direction in the hollow portion of the light guide is totally reflected at the interface of the light guide, but does not satisfy the total reflection condition. At the part that becomes, it emits to the outside. That is, the light of the light emitter is guided in the longitudinal direction while being reflected inside the light guide, and is scattered around the light guide by the protrusions and fine irregularities having a triangular cross section . Therefore, by combining the property of being guided by reflection inside the light guide and the property of easily concentrating light on edges and scratches, the light is dispersed and diffused over the entire length of the light guide. The visible range can be greatly widened easily. In addition, it is possible to cause uneven brightness. Furthermore, it becomes easy to enlarge the lighting device.
In addition, the effect of dispersing and diffusing light as described above is that the inclination of the optical axis direction of the plurality of light emitters with respect to the central axis direction of the cavity portion of the light guide body is along the central axis direction of the cavity portion. Therefore, it is possible to obtain more remarkably by arranging them so as to be inclined in opposite directions.

In addition, a part of the plurality of light emitters blinks randomly according to the detection signal of the piezoelectric sensor , and the light is combined and diffused while being reflected inside the light guide, so that the light guide as a whole. Brightness changes irregularly in the longitudinal and circumferential directions of the body, giving an impression of fantastic light emission with natural fluctuation dimming.

  The illumination device of the example of the present invention is also configured so that the inclination of the light emitter provided in the vicinity of the end portion of the light guide and the arrangement pitch thereof are different from those in the vicinity of the central portion. It may be larger than the inclination near the portion or the pitch may be shortened.

  Thereby, for example, the brightness near the end can be ensured, or conversely, the gradation near the center of the light guide can be brightened.

  According to the present invention, for example, it is possible to ensure the width and brightness of a light-emitting body in a light guide, and to give an impression that the brightness fluctuates as a whole.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The illumination device according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 by providing a light emitting device 201 inside a housing 101. The casing 101 is formed by, for example, Japanese paper 101b stretched on a frame 101a that forms a portion substantially corresponding to a cuboid ridge.

  As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the light emitting device 201 is configured such that a light emitting unit 251 is erected on a base 211. The base 211 has a flange 212a around the casing 212 sandwiched between a bottom plate 213 and a restraining plate 214, and a circuit board 221 of a control circuit, which will be described in detail later, and a storage battery 222 are formed in the space formed. It is paid. Further, for example, the solar cell panel 231 attached to the upper part of the housing 101 and the piezoelectric sensor 232 provided on the back surface thereof are connected to the circuit board 221 via the cord 233. As described later, the brightness of the light emitting unit 251 changes according to the vibration detected by the piezoelectric sensor 232 and the distortion of the housing, and the light of the candle appears to fluctuate.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the light emitting unit 251 includes a colorless and transparent acrylic resin light guide 252 and a colorless and transparent cover pipe 253 that are the second highest in translucency after glass, and is held by a holding member 254 at the upper and lower ends. Configured. The lower end holding member 254 is fitted into the boss 212 b of the casing 212. The holding member 254 at the upper end is covered with a cap 255 so that the inside is kept waterproof.

  The light guide 252 has a cylindrical shape, and, for example, yellow LEDs 261 each having an inclined optical axis direction (the direction with the highest light emission intensity) are provided in the cavity 252a. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a triangular cross-section ridge 252 b is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the light guide 252 so as to protrude in a triangular shape with a sharp tip in the cross-sectional shape and along the length direction of the light guide 252. Has been. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, irregular fine irregularities 252 c having an average diameter of 5 to 10 μm and a depth of about 10 μm are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the light guide 252. Such fine irregularities 252c can be formed by, for example, sandblasting.

  Since the light guide 252 has the above shape and surface properties, the light emitted from the LED 261 is totally reflected at the interface of the light guide 252 as schematically shown in FIGS. The light is emitted to the outside at a portion where the incident angle does not satisfy the conditions of total reflection.

  Next, a control circuit for driving the LED 261 will be described. This control circuit is configured as shown in FIG.

  The LED lighting carrier frequency generator 311 generates a carrier triangular wave of 200 to 300 Hz that can prevent flickering of the LED 261 for generating a PWM (pulse width modulation) signal for driving the LED 261, for example. More specifically, the CR oscillator generates a rectangular wave as shown in FIG. 9, and based on this, the triangular wave generator generates a carrier triangular wave as shown in FIG. 10 by charging and discharging the capacitor according to the time constant. . This carrier triangular wave is input to the comparator 313 and the comparator 320, and is used to generate two types of PWM signals as will be described later.

  The LED dimming cycle generator 312 is a circuit similar to the LED lighting carrier frequency generator 311, but generates a dimming cycle triangular wave having an oscillation cycle of 5 to 10 seconds for periodically blinking the LED 261. It is like that. That is, the CR oscillator generates a rectangular wave as shown in FIG. 11, and the triangular wave generator generates a dimming period triangular wave as shown in FIG.

  Therefore, when the level of the carrier triangular wave output from the LED lighting carrier frequency generator 311 is higher than the level of the dimming period triangular wave output from the LED dimming period generator 312 as shown in FIG. The PWM signal which becomes “H” (high) level is output. That is, the pulse width changes between 0 and 100%, and a signal having a wider pulse width is output as the level of the dimming period triangular wave is lower.

  The vibration detector 314 outputs a signal that becomes “H” level each time the piezoelectric sensor 232 detects a vibration of a predetermined strength or more and a distortion of the housing. More specifically, the signal detected by the piezoelectric sensor 232 is amplified by an AC amplifier circuit, compared with a predetermined reference level by a comparator, and an “H” level signal is output when the signal is higher than the reference level. It has become. Therefore, when the vibration or the like is very weak, the output signal is maintained at the “L” (low) level, and a wider pulse is output as the vibration or the like is stronger. Here, the diode provided between the + input of the operational amplifier in the above amplifier and the power source and the ground protects the operational amplifier by bypassing an excessive detection voltage. A resistor provided between the + input and the ground is for setting the input impedance. The amplification factor of the amplifier circuit is set by a resistor provided between the −input and the ground of the operational amplifier and between the −input and the output. A capacitor provided between the − input and the output of the operational amplifier is a Miller effect capacitor for making a rapid voltage rise or a small floating voltage into a slow voltage fluctuation.

  Although two sets of vibration detectors 314 are shown, one set may be used, or three or more sets may be provided to enable more various detections.

  The pulse generator 315 outputs a signal for making the light appear to fluctuate even when the vibration detector 314 does not detect vibration or distortion of the housing. In this example, random pulse signals are output by synthesizing one-shot pulses with different periods and pulse widths generated by three pulse generators 315. Specifically, for example, the CR oscillator of each pulse generator 315 oscillates at a period of 10 seconds, 13 seconds, or 17 seconds, respectively. The monostable multivibrator is triggered by the rising edge of the pulse output from the CR oscillator, and outputs a pulse having a width determined by the time constant of the capacitor and the resistor. These pulse signals are synthesized by an OR circuit 316, whereby a random pulse signal is obtained.

  Note that the pulse signal is not a strict random signal, but in order to make the brightness of the LED 261 appear to fluctuate, a pseudo period that seems to appear random at first glance, such as a sufficiently long repetition period of the same pattern. A random pulse signal may be used. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above, and it is possible to synthesize more periodic signals so as to make the randomness look higher, or to apply a 1 / f filter to such signals, periodic signals, random noise, etc. You may make it act.

  Signals output from the plurality of vibration detectors 314 and the pulse generator 315 are combined by the OR circuit 316 and the OR circuit 317 and input to the charge charging circuit 318. The charge charging circuit 318 charges the capacitor in the charge charging circuit 318 while the output of the OR circuit 317 is at “H” level.

  When the output level of the charge charging circuit 318 is high, the charge of the capacitor of the integrating circuit 319 is recharged while the output level of the charge charging circuit 318 is low. Is discharged. Therefore, the integrating circuit 319 outputs a triangular wave that is discrete or continuous as shown in FIG. 14 according to the frequency of pulses output from the vibration detector 314 and the pulse generator 315.

  Similarly to the comparator 313, the comparator 320 displays “H” when the level of the carrier triangular wave output from the LED lighting carrier frequency generator 311 is higher than the level of the triangular wave output from the integrating circuit 319 as shown in FIG. The PWM signal which becomes "level" is output.

  When the PWM signals output from the comparator 313 and the comparator 320 respectively become “H” level, the storage battery 222 is sufficiently charged as described later, and sunset (the surrounding has become dark) is detected. Then, an “H” level drive signal is output from the illumination control circuit 321. The drive signal is inverted and amplified by the current amplifier 322, and is input to the cathode of the LED 261 via the current limiting resistor 323, and each LED 261 is lit with brightness according to the pulse width. In this embodiment, the output of the CR oscillator of the LED lighting carrier frequency generator 311 is, for example, “H” in order to ensure the minimum light amount even when the pulse width of the PWM signal output from the comparator 313 or the comparator 320 is narrow. Even in the case of the level, this is inverted and amplified by the current amplifier 324 and input to the cathode of the LED 261 via the backflow prevention diode 326 and the resistor 325, and the LED 261 is turned on by the bypass current. The level of the minimum light amount is not particularly limited, and may be set variously including cases where it is not particularly ensured, and various methods may be applied as the method for ensuring the minimum light amount depending on the level of the minimum light amount. . Further, different minimum light amounts may be secured according to the arrangement positions of the LEDs 261 and the like.

  In addition, the control circuit according to the present embodiment charges the storage battery 222 with the solar battery panel 231 and detects that the surrounding has become dark and starts light emission as described above.

  The power supply circuit 331 is configured to supply stable circuit driving power to each unit regardless of day or night based on the power supplied from the solar cell panel 231 and the storage battery 222.

  The charging control circuit 332 includes a charging circuit 332a, an overcharge detection circuit 332b, and a sunset detection circuit 332c. The surroundings are bright enough that the solar battery panel 231 can supply sufficient power, and the storage battery 222 is overcharged. If not, the charging control transistor of the charging circuit 332a is turned on so that the storage battery 222 is charged with a current supplied from the solar cell panel 231 via the backflow prevention diode and limited in size by the current limiting resistor. It has become. On the other hand, the overcharge detection circuit 332b outputs an "L" level signal when charging of the storage battery 222 is completed and the generated voltage becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value. This signal is inverted and amplified by a current amplifier via an AND circuit. The charging control transistor of the charging circuit 332a is turned off to stop charging by the charging circuit 332a.

  Further, the sunset detection circuit 332c outputs an “L” level signal when the generated voltage of the solar battery panel 231 is equal to or lower than a predetermined level, that is, when the surroundings are dark, so that the charging by the charging circuit 332a is also stopped. It has become. Even when the charge control transistor is OFF, a small amount of charging current flows through a resistor connected in parallel so that replenishment transmission for the self-discharge of the storage battery 222 is performed.

  The sunset detection circuit 332 c controls the presence or absence of light emission of the LED 261 together with the battery end voltage detection circuit 333. That is, when the surroundings are bright, the sunset detection circuit 332c outputs an “H” level signal, is inverted by the inverter, and is input to the illumination control circuit 321. On the other hand, when the voltage of the storage battery 222 becomes lower than a predetermined value, the battery end voltage detection circuit 333 outputs an “L” level signal and inputs it to the illumination control circuit 321. In the illumination control circuit 321, when the surroundings are bright as described above, and when the voltage of the storage battery 222 is low, the pulse signals output from the CR oscillator of the comparator 313, the comparator 320, and the LED lighting carrier frequency generator 311 are output. It is masked and the light emission of LED261 is suppressed.

  In the example of the overcharge detection circuit 332b, the sunset detection circuit 332c, and the battery end voltage detection circuit 333, the input terminal of the operational amplifier is provided with a noise reduction capacitor and an excessive input suppression diode. In addition, a resistor is provided to prevent the output from being frequently inverted by providing hysteresis.

  As described above, the triangular cross-section ridge 252b is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the light guide body 252, the fine unevenness 252c is formed, and the plurality of LEDs 261 are obliquely provided in the hollow portion 252a. Is reflected in the longitudinal direction while being reflected inside the light guide 252 and is scattered around the light guide 252 by the triangular cross-section ridges 252b and the fine irregularities 252c. Therefore, by combining the property of being guided by reflection inside the light guide 252 and the property of easily concentrating light on edges and scratches, the light is dispersed and diffused over the entire length of the light guide 252. In this way, the visible range can be greatly increased. In addition, it is possible to cause uneven brightness. Furthermore, it becomes easy to enlarge the lighting device.

  In addition, some of the plurality of LEDs 261 periodically blink, while the other part blinks randomly, and these lights are combined and diffused while being reflected inside the light guide 252. As a whole, the brightness of the light guide body 252 changes in an irregular manner in the longitudinal direction and the circumferential direction, and an impression of fantastic light emission can be given by natural fluctuation light control.

  In the above embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, each LED 261 is provided with the optical axis direction alternately inclined in the opposite direction in the same plane. It may be tilted in a three-dimensional direction, such as tilting in a direction along the spiral, or may be mixed in a radial direction (a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the light guide 252), or in opposite directions. It may be provided in pairs.

  Further, the inclination and pitch of the LEDs 261 are not limited to be uniform over the entire length of the light guide 252. For example, the pitch is reduced near the end or the angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the light guide 252 is increased. The brightness of the vicinity may be ensured, or conversely, the vicinity of the central portion of the light guide 252 may be brightened to have a gradation.

  In addition, although the example in which the yellow LED 261, the colorless and transparent light guide 252 and the cover pipe 253 are used is shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a combination of orange, white, red, etc. is used. Colored light bodies 252 or the like may be used, or a separate colored film may be used in combination.

  Moreover, although the example in which the light emitting device 201 is provided in the housing 101 using the Japanese paper 101b is shown, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the housing 101 may be provided in various materials and forms.

  Moreover, although the piezoelectric sensor 232 showed the example provided in the back surface etc. of the solar cell panel 231, it is not restricted to this, You may provide independently in the housing | casing 101 etc. Furthermore, it adjoins, for example, the Japanese paper 101b. It may be provided. A plurality of piezoelectric sensors 232 may be provided so that various random signals can be detected.

  Moreover, although the example using the solar cell panel 231 and the storage battery 222 was shown, you may enable it to use a commercial power source.

  The illuminating device according to the present invention is useful as an illuminating device used for producing a light imitating a candle, for example.

It is a front view which shows the external appearance of the illuminating device of embodiment of this invention. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of a light emitting device 201 provided in a housing 101. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a configuration of a light emitting unit 251 in the light emitting device 201. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a light guide 252 in the light emitting unit 251. FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the properties of the surface of the light guide 252. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the example of how the light of the radiation direction in the light guide 252 advances. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the example of how the light of the longitudinal direction in the light guide 252 advances. It is a circuit diagram which shows the example of a control circuit. It is a wave form diagram which shows the output of CR oscillator of LED lighting carrier frequency generator 311. It is a wave form diagram which shows the output of the triangular wave generator of LED lighting carrier frequency generator 311. It is a wave form diagram which shows the output of CR oscillator of LED dimming period generator 312. FIG. It is a wave form diagram which shows the output of the triangular wave generator of LED dimming period generator 312. FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram showing a PWM signal output from a comparator 313. FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram showing an output of an OR circuit 317. FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram showing a PWM signal output from a comparator 320. FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Case 101a Frame 101b Japanese paper 201 Light-emitting device 211 Base part 212 Casing 212a Flange part 212b Boss part 213 Bottom plate 214 Control board 221 Circuit board 222 Storage battery 231 Solar cell panel 232 Piezoelectric sensor 233 Code 251 Light emission part 252a Cavity part 252a Cavity part 252a Triangular section protrusion 252c Fine unevenness 253 Cover pipe 254 Holding member 255 Cap 261 LED
311 LED lighting carrier frequency generator 312 LED dimming period generator 313 comparator 314 vibration detector 315 pulse generator 316 OR circuit 317 OR circuit 318 charge charging circuit 319 integrating circuit 320 comparator 321 lighting control circuit 322 current amplifier 323 resistance 324 current Amplifier 325 Resistor 326 Backflow prevention diode 331 Power supply circuit 332 Charge control circuit 332a Charge circuit 332b Overcharge detection circuit 332c Sunset detection circuit 333 Battery end voltage detection circuit

Claims (6)

  A lighting device having a housing and a light emitting device provided in the housing,
  The light emitting device
  A cylindrical light guide which is provided with the central axis direction upright and forms a circular cavity whose inner peripheral surface extends in the central axis direction;
  A plurality of light emitters having directivity disposed in the hollow portion of the light guide body along the central axis direction;
  A piezoelectric sensor for detecting the vibration of the housing;
  A control circuit for controlling to drive a part of the plurality of light emitters with a random drive signal according to a detection signal of the piezoelectric sensor;
  With
  On the outer peripheral surface of the light guide, a plurality of protrusions having a triangular cross section extending in the central axis direction are formed continuously along the entire circumference, and fine irregularities are formed on the surface of each protrusion. Has been
  In the plurality of light emitters, the optical axis direction of each of the light emitters is inclined with respect to the central axis direction of the cavity portion, and the optical axis direction with respect to the central axis direction is along the central axis direction of the cavity portion. Arranged so that the slopes are staggered in opposite directions
  A lighting device characterized by that. The lighting device of claim 1 ,
The inclination of the optical axis direction with respect to the central axis direction of the light emitter provided in the vicinity of the end portion of the light guide body is more than the inclination of the optical axis direction with respect to the central axis direction of the light emitter body provided near the center of the light guide body. A lighting device characterized by being large. The lighting device of claim 1,
The lighting device, wherein an arrangement pitch of the light emitters in the vicinity of the end portion of the light guide is shorter than an arrangement pitch of the light emitters in the vicinity of the center portion of the light guide . The lighting device of claim 1,
The control circuit drives a part of the plurality of light emitters with a random drive signal according to a detection signal from the piezoelectric sensor, while a part of the remaining light emitters is a drive signal that periodically changes. An illumination device that is controlled to be driven. The lighting device of claim 1,
The housing, the illumination device characterized by being constituted by thin paper affixed to the frame. The lighting device of claim 1,
Furthermore, a solar cell panel attached to the upper part of the housing is provided,
The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the control circuit controls the light emitter to emit light when ambient brightness detected by the solar battery panel becomes a predetermined brightness or less.

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