JP6054182B2 - Lighting device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an illuminating device that condenses and emits light from a light source at a desired beam angle.

  There are known illumination devices such as a spotlight and a downlight that collect light from a lamp using a mirror or a lens and irradiate a part of an object in a concentrated manner. In these spot illuminations, it is required that light from the lamp can be efficiently irradiated in a desired area. In this regard, the following proposals have been made.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, in order to reduce the thickness of the lamp and suppress the decrease in the amount of light in the periphery, “a plurality of paraboloidal column reflecting mirrors having a lamp emitting surface divided into strips and having focal lines along the long side direction; The light source disposed in the vicinity of each focal line of the paraboloidal column reflector and the Fresnel lens covering the light emitting surface focus on the virtual image of the light source reflected by the paraboloidal column reflector. A vehicle signal lamp comprising a linear Fresnel cut having a concentric circle and a Fresnel cut focused on the light source is disclosed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, in order to effectively use light emitted from directions other than the front of the LED lamp, “a lens for reflecting the side light of the LED lamp forward and the reflecting surface is a parabolic surface or The reflector body has an approximated curve, and a concave portion into which the LED lamp is placed is formed in the central portion of the reflecting surface of the reflector body. An LED lamp reflector is disclosed. . Further, in this reflector for an LED lamp, “a lens for correcting the traveling direction of light emitted forward from the LED lamp is provided in the concave portion and in front of the LED lamp. It has a configuration.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-144801 JP 2003-281909 A

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a general structure of a conventional spot illumination device. The light generated from the light source 11 is reflected by a parabolic reflecting mirror 19, condensed into illumination light having a desired light distribution characteristic, and irradiated onto the object. In the case of a spotlight, the desired light distribution characteristic is defined by an angle width (hereinafter referred to as a beam angle) at which the light intensity of the outgoing light (outgoing beam) is halved (10 deg, 20 deg, 30 deg (all The value of full-width 2θ) is designated. In the illumination device having such a reflection mirror 19, a light beam 21 (shown by a broken line, hereinafter referred to as reflected light) reflected by the reflection mirror 19 is emitted within a beam angle.

  On the other hand, there is a light beam 20 (shown by a solid line, hereinafter referred to as direct light) that is emitted from the light source 11 and does not strike the reflection mirror 19 and is directly emitted from the opening of the mirror 19. With respect to the direct light 20, the light is emitted to the full extent determined by the size of the opening of the mirror 19, and therefore there is light that leaks outside a predetermined beam angle. As a result, the ratio of the luminous flux emitted within the beam angle out of the total luminous flux generated from the light source (beam light utilization efficiency, or simply referred to as beam efficiency) is reduced, and it is difficult to achieve a desired light distribution characteristic. Become. In this case, if the lens barrel of the mirror 19 is lengthened, the leakage light is reduced, but the apparatus becomes large and cannot be said to be a practical solution.

  In Patent Document 1, the focal position of the Fresnel lens is switched between the central portion and the peripheral portion of the lens, so that the direct light from the light source is mainly at the central portion and the reflected light from the reflecting mirror (that is, the light source) at the peripheral portion. Radiated light from the virtual image). As a result, the direct light is attenuated at the periphery of the lens with the reflected light to improve the utilization efficiency of the light beam. However, Patent Document 1 does not consider the influence of direct light from a light source that passes through the peripheral part of the Fresnel lens, that is, direct light that passes through the peripheral part leaks outside the beam angle. I can't expect it.

  In Patent Document 2, a reflecting surface is provided around the LED lamp, and the light emitted from the side surface of the lamp is condensed forward to effectively use the side light of the lamp. In addition, by correcting the traveling direction of light emitted in front of the lamp by a lens provided in front of the LED lamp, the brightness in front of the lamp is increased. However, in Patent Document 2, since the front lens is provided in the concave portion and the size (diameter) is the same as that of the lamp, the light emitted from the side surface of the lamp does not pass through the front lens and is also on the reflection surface. There is direct light that does not hit. For this reason, there is direct light that leaks outside the beam angle, reducing beam efficiency.

  In FIG. 9, it is conceivable to provide a converging lens over the entire mirror opening in order to allow the direct light emitted from the light source without hitting the reflection mirror to fall within the beam angle. In Patent Document 2, it is conceivable to replace with such a lens. In that case, however, the reflected light from the reflecting mirror also passes through this lens, and at that time, excessive refraction occurs, and the reflected light passing through the lens periphery may leak out of the beam angle. is there. That is, with the conventional structure, it is extremely difficult to collect and emit both the reflected light from the reflecting mirror and the direct light from the light source within a predetermined beam angle.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an illuminating device with high light utilization efficiency that condenses and emits both reflected light and direct light within a beam angle.

  The present invention is an illumination device that collects and irradiates light emitted from a light source within a predetermined angle, and has a curved shape that surrounds the light source and reflects light emitted from the light source in an irradiation direction. And an exit lens that converges and emits both the light reflected by the reflection mirror (hereinafter referred to as reflected light) and the light emitted from the light source and not reflected by the reflection mirror (hereinafter referred to as direct light). The reflecting mirror forms a virtual image light source for the light source, the reflected light is equivalent to light emitted from the virtual image light source, and the exit lens causes the reflected light and the direct light to fall within substantially the same angle. It was set as the structure which converges and radiate | emits.

  Preferably, the reflecting mirror has a hyperboloid shape or an approximate curved surface shape thereof, and the exit lens is disposed at an opening of the reflecting mirror and has a convex shape having a diameter substantially equal to the size of the opening. Further, the light source is arranged at a substantially focal position of the hyperboloid shape of the reflecting mirror or an approximate curved surface shape thereof.

  According to the present invention, since most of the light emitted from the light source can be collected within a predetermined beam angle, it is possible to provide an illumination device with high beam light utilization efficiency.

The whole block diagram which shows the Example of the illuminating device which concerns on this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an illumination unit according to the first embodiment. The figure explaining the analysis of the optical system of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an illumination unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an illumination unit according to a third embodiment. FIG. 3 is a ray diagram in Example 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a light distribution in Example 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a light distribution in a modification of the first embodiment. The figure which shows the general structure of the conventional illuminating device. The figure which shows the light distribution by the conventional optical system.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a lighting device according to the present invention. Here, a spotlight device using an LED light source is shown as an example.

  The illumination unit 1 collects light emitted from the light source (LED light source) 11 with an optical system (mirror, lens) and irradiates the object. The constant voltage DC power source 2 converts the AC power source into a predetermined DC voltage for driving the light source, and the switching circuit 3 converts the DC voltage into a rectangular wave (driving signal) having a predetermined duty ratio and supplies it to the light source 11. The lighting control circuit 4 controls the DC voltage of the constant voltage DC power supply 2 and the duty ratio of the switching circuit 3 to control the light emission intensity of the light source 11, that is, the illuminance of the illumination unit 1. Here, the drive circuit suitable for the LED light source 11 has been described, but it goes without saying that if the type of the light source changes, a drive circuit suitable for that is used. Hereinafter, the structure of the illumination part 1 is divided into Examples 1-3 and demonstrated.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of the illumination unit according to the first embodiment. The illumination unit 1 includes a light source 11, a reflection mirror 12, and an exit lens 13. Although an LED is used as the light emitting element of the light source 11, an incandescent light bulb, a halogen lamp, a fluorescent lamp, a discharge tube, and the like are also applicable. The reflection mirror 12 is disposed so as to surround the light source 11, and reflects the light emitted from the light source in the irradiation direction. As the reflection surface, a metal surface such as silver or aluminum, a reflection surface on which a metal thin film or a dielectric thin film is formed, a reflection surface that reflects only a specific wavelength such as a dichroic mirror, or the like is used. The exit lens 13 is processed into a predetermined convex shape so as to converge and emit incident light, and a transparent material such as glass or plastic is used. The exit lens 13 is disposed in the opening of the reflection mirror 12 and has a diameter substantially equal to the size of the opening.

  Although light is emitted from the light source 11 in various directions, a light beam 21 (reflected light shown by a broken line) reflected by the reflection mirror 12 and a light beam 20 (solid line) that is not reflected by the reflection mirror 12 and goes directly to the emission lens 13. Or direct light). The reflected light 21 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 12 and then passes through the exit lens 13. That is, there is no light beam that is not reflected by the reflection mirror 12 and does not pass through the exit lens 13.

  The feature of the present embodiment is that the reflecting surface of the reflecting mirror 12 has a hyperboloid shape (or its approximate curved surface shape), and the light source 11 is disposed at the focal position F thereof. The hyperboloidal mirror 12 reflects light emitted from one focal position F to form a virtual image at the other focal position F ′, and forms a mirror image as if the light source 11 ′ is present at that position F ′. There is a nature. Therefore, if the optical system is configured using the hyperboloid mirror 12, it is equivalent to the presence of two light sources, an actual light source 11 and a virtual image light source 11 '. Hereinafter, the actual light source 11 is also referred to as an actual light source. Note that when the shape of the reflecting mirror 12 is a shape other than a hyperboloid, for example, a paraboloid shape or an elliptical shape, the virtual image light source 11 ′ is not formed at a desired position, and thus the operation of the present embodiment cannot be realized.

  Further, in the exit lens 13, the exit lights 20 and 21 from the two light sources 11 and 11 ′ pass, but the lens shape is set so that both converge within the same exit angle. As will be described later, the focal length f of the exit lens 13 is set to be larger than the distance s2 from the lens 13 to the real light source 11 and smaller than the distance s1 from the lens 13 to the virtual image light source 11 '. Thereby, the direct light 20 from the real light source 11 can be brought close to the optical axis direction, and the reflected light 21 from the virtual image light source 11 ′ can be advanced toward the optical axis center direction.

  In this way, by combining the hyperboloid reflecting mirror 12 from which the virtual image light source 11 ′ is obtained and the exit lens 13 having a predetermined convergence function, both the direct light 20 and the reflected light 21 have a desired exit angle (beam angle). An illuminating device that emits light can be realized.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the analysis of the optical system of FIG. The equation of the hyperboloid of the reflecting mirror 12 is as follows.
(X / a) ² − (y / b) ² = 1 (1)
Where a and b are constants of a hyperboloid shape. The distance 2c between the focal points F and F ′ of the hyperboloid is
2c = 2 (a ² + b ² ) ^(1/2) (2)
Given in.

  The focal length of the exit lens 13 is f, and the focal position is represented by E. The distance from the exit lens 13 to the real light source 11 is s2, and the distance from the virtual image light source 11 'is s1. The real image position of the virtual image light source 11 ′ by the exit lens 13 is G, and the virtual image position of the real light source 11 by the exit lens 13 is G ′. The real image position G and the virtual image position G ′ are generated on opposite sides of the exit lens 13.

The height of the opening of the reflecting mirror 12 (that is, the radius of the exit lens 13) is h, and the exit angles (beam angles) of the direct light 20 and the reflected light 21 from the exit lens 13 are the same angle ± θ in the vertical direction. To do. Therefore, the distance L from the exit lens 13 to the real image position G of the reflected light 21 and the distance L from the exit lens 13 to the virtual image position G ′ of the direct light 20 are equal.
L = h / tan θ (3)
It is represented by

Since a real image of the reflected light 21 is formed at the position G at the distance L across the emission lens 13 (focal length f), and the virtual image light source 11 ′ is formed at the distance s1,
(1 / L) + (1 / s1) = 1 / f (4)
Satisfy the relationship. Further, on the incident side of the exit lens 13 (focal length f), a virtual image of the direct light 20 is formed at the position G ′ at the distance L, and the real light source 11 is disposed at the distance s2.
-(1 / L) + (1 / s2) = 1 / f (5)
Satisfy the relationship.

From the condition for the positions (distances s2, s1) of the real light source 11 and the virtual image light source 11 ′ to coincide with the two focal points F, F ′ (inter-focal distance 2c) of the reflection mirror 12,
s1-s2 = 2c (6)
A hyperboloid shape 2c such that

  That is, when the conditions of the emission angle θ and the opening radius h are given, the dimension parameters s1, s2 are set so as to satisfy the expressions (4), (5), (6) using L determined by the expression (3). , C, and f can be determined to realize an illumination device having a desired light distribution characteristic (beam angle).

Here, specific numerical examples based on the above analysis will be shown. As conditions for the spotlight device, a beam angle (full angle) 2θ = 20 deg and a lens passing height h = 6 mm are given. Each parameter when the focal length f of the exit lens 12 is 10 mm is as follows:
L = 34.03 mm,
s1 = 14.16 mm,
s2 = 7.73 mm,
c = 3.22 mm,
a = 2.80 mm,
b = 1.59 mm,
Thus, desired characteristics can be obtained. Hereinafter, the effect of the present embodiment will be shown as a specific example.

  FIG. 6 shows a ray diagram in the present embodiment. Direct light 20 is emitted from the emission lens 13 without hitting the reflection mirror 12 from the light source 11, and reflected light 21 is emitted from the emission lens 13 after being reflected by the reflection mirror 12. Of the emitted light, it can be seen that light rays (marginal rays) passing through the outer peripheral portion of the outgoing lens 13 are emitted by the direct light 20 and the reflected light 21 at the same angle ± θ in the vertical direction with respect to the optical axis direction. The reflected light 21 then crosses at the real image position G in FIG. 3 and then diffuses at an angle ± θ and travels in the same direction as the direct light 20.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a light distribution in the present embodiment. The distribution of the outgoing light intensity with respect to the outgoing angle is obtained by calculation. The parameters of the optical system were constant a = 2.8, b = 1.59 of the reflecting mirror 12, and focal length f = 10 of the exit lens 13. The size of the light source 11 was a circle of 1.8φ, and the total luminous flux emitted from the light source 11 was calculated as 400 lumens (lm). As a result, the maximum intensity of the emitted light was 2404 candela (cd), and the half-value beam angle 2θ (full angle) at which the emitted intensity was halved was 25.7 deg. The luminous flux within the beam angle was 313 lumens, and the ratio (beam efficiency) to the total luminous flux was 78%, which was a very high value.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a light distribution in a modification of the first embodiment. Of the parameters of the optical system, the light distribution is obtained when the hyperbolic constant b of the reflecting mirror 12 is changed from 1.59 to 1.5. By shifting the position of the virtual image light source 11 'from the focal position F', the distribution of the direct light 20 and the reflected light 21 changes, and the combined light distribution is substantially flat within the beam angle. In this case, the maximum intensity was 2213 candela, the half-value beam angle was 26.4 deg, and the beam efficiency was improved to 83%. As described above, there is a margin in the parameter setting of the optical system, and if the relationship between the real light source and the virtual image light source is substantially satisfied, a desired light distribution can be obtained without strictly locating the light source. be able to.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a light distribution by a conventional optical system for comparison. The optical system was only a parabolic mirror 19 as shown in FIG. 9, and the light source 11 was calculated under the same conditions as in FIGS. As a result, the maximum intensity is 1732 candela and the half-value beam angle is 22.7 deg. Even though the beam angle is narrow, the maximum intensity is reduced. This is because there is much leakage of direct light to the outside of the beam angle, which deteriorates the light distribution. As a result, the luminous flux within the beam angle is 154 lumens, the beam efficiency is 38%, and the efficiency is reduced to about half compared to the case of the examples (FIGS. 7 and 8).

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the direct light 20 leaking outside the beam angle in the conventional structure can also be emitted inside the beam angle, and the light utilization efficiency at the time of spot illumination Will improve. As a result, it contributes to energy saving of the lighting device.

  In the above description, an ideal shape dimension of the optical system is obtained using an analytical expression. The optical system of the present embodiment has substantially the same characteristics as long as the margin of size and shape is wide and the deviation from the ideal value is within about 20%. For example, the shape of the reflecting mirror is not a strict hyperboloid shape, but may be an approximate curved surface shape thereof. Further, even if the real image position G and the virtual image position G ′ are shifted from the position of the equidistance L with respect to the emission lens 13 by the allowable value, desired light distribution characteristics can be obtained as a spotlight.

  In the first embodiment, the reflecting mirror 12 and the exit lens 13 are independent. In this case, a large light source such as a halogen lamp or a discharge tube can be used. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the reflecting mirror 12 and the exit lens 13 are integrated. This configuration is particularly suitable when a small light source such as an LED is used.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an illumination unit according to the second embodiment. The integrated lens 14 is formed by integrating the reflecting mirror 12 and the exit lens 13 in FIG. 3 with a transparent dielectric material such as plastic or glass. The lens back surface 14a of the integrated lens 14 corresponds to the reflecting mirror 12 in FIG. 3, and the lens front surface 14b corresponds to the output lens 13 in FIG. And the recessed part is formed in the center part of the lens back surface 14a, and the light source 11 is inserted.

  The lens back surface 14a functions as the reflecting mirror 12 without providing a reflective film such as metal by utilizing total reflection generated by the difference between the refractive index of the transparent dielectric material and the refractive index of air. In addition, the lens front surface 14b has a predetermined curved surface shape, thereby functioning as the exit lens 13.

The analysis formula of the optical system in this case is basically the same as the formulas (1) to (5) of the first embodiment. However, the refractive index n of the dielectric material constituting the integrated lens 14 is introduced, and the expressions (4) and (5) relating to the distances s1 and s2 of the light sources 11 and 11 ′ are as follows:
(1 / L) + (n / s1) = n / f ′ (4 ′)
− (1 / L) + (n / s2) = n / f ′ (5 ′)
And use it after correcting. Here, f ′ is a focal length in the dielectric of the lens front surface 14b. The parameter h is the height of the outer peripheral portion of the integrated lens 14.

  Also in the second embodiment, the direct light 20 and the reflected light 21 that pass through the outer peripheral portion of the integrated lens 14 are emitted at the same angle ± θ in the vertical direction. That is, since all the light emitted from the light source 11 is emitted within a desired beam angle, the light use efficiency at the time of spot illumination is improved. Further, in the second embodiment, since the reflecting mirror and the exit lens are integrated, there is an effect that the number of optical components is reduced and the assembling work is facilitated.

  In the first embodiment, a convex lens is used as the exit lens 13. On the other hand, the illumination unit 1 of Example 3 is configured using a Fresnel lens as the exit lens 13. This configuration is particularly suitable when a large light source such as a discharge tube is used.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an illumination unit according to the third embodiment. In the opening of the reflection mirror 12, a Fresnel lens 15 is disposed as an exit side lens. The Fresnel lens 15 is obtained by dividing the exit lens (convex lens) 13 of Example 1 into a plurality of concentric regions and reducing the thickness to have a saw-like cross section having the same curvature. Accordingly, the emitted light beams 20 and 21 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and are emitted within a desired beam angle.

  In Example 3, by using the Fresnel lens 15, the thickness of the exit side lens can be reduced. In particular, when a large-diameter discharge tube or the like is used as the light source 11, a normal convex lens corresponding to this has a drawback of becoming thick and heavy. On the other hand, using a Fresnel lens makes the lens thinner and contributes to the weight reduction of the lighting device.

1: Illumination part,
2: Constant voltage DC power supply,
3: Switching circuit,
4: Lighting control circuit,
11: Light source
11 ′: a virtual image (virtual image light source) of the light source 11 by the reflection mirror 12;
12: Reflection mirror (hyperboloid shape),
13: Output lens (convex lens),
14: Integrated lens
15: Fresnel lens
19: reflection mirror (parabolic shape),
20: direct light,
21: reflected light,
F, F ′: the focal position of the reflecting mirror 12,
E: the focal position of the exit lens 13;
G: Real image position of the virtual image light source 11 ′ by the exit lens 13;
G ′: virtual image position of the light source 11 by the exit lens 13,
θ: beam angle,
h: Height of the opening of the mirror 12 (radius of the exit lens 13).

Claims (7)

In an illumination device that collects and emits light emitted from a light source within a predetermined angle,
A curved reflecting mirror that surrounds the light source and reflects light emitted from the light source in an irradiation direction;
An exit lens that converges and emits both the light reflected by the reflection mirror (hereinafter referred to as reflected light) and the light emitted from the light source and not reflected by the reflection mirror (hereinafter referred to as direct light);
The reflecting mirror forms a virtual image light source for the light source, and the reflected light is equivalent to light emitted from the virtual image light source;
The exit lens converges on the optical axis of the exit lens after the reflected light is transmitted through the exit lens after the direct light is converged within a predetermined angle to be emitted, and then exits. The second light flux is formed so that the light at the outer edge portion of the first light flux and the light at the outer edge portion of the second light flux are emitted within a range having substantially the same angle with respect to the optical axis. It is comprised in the lighting apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The lighting device according to claim 1.
The reflecting mirror has a hyperboloid shape or an approximate curved surface shape thereof,
The illuminating device, wherein the exit lens is disposed in an opening of the reflection mirror and has a convex shape having a diameter substantially equal to the size of the opening. The lighting device according to claim 2,
An illumination apparatus, wherein the light source is disposed at a substantially focal position of a hyperboloid shape of the reflection mirror or an approximate curve shape thereof. The lighting device according to claim 2,
The real image of the virtual image light source by the exit lens and the virtual image of the light source by the exit lens exist at substantially the same distance L across the exit lens. The lighting device according to claim 4.
The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance L has a relationship of L = h / tan θ, where h is a radius of the exit lens and θ is an exit angle from the exit lens. In the illuminating device of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5,
An illuminating device, wherein the reflection mirror and the exit lens are integrated with a transparent dielectric material, and total reflection is used on a reflection surface of the reflection mirror. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A lighting device using a Fresnel lens as the exit lens.

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