JPH04248203A - Variable color lighting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make any required mixed color lighting possible with a simple, small sized apparatus by employing color mixing filters of a plural number of colors arranged in a certain repeated pattern and a light shading mask with openings at positions corresponding to the filters, and making them capable of moving in planes parallel to each other. CONSTITUTION:Light beams entering the top surface of a light conductor 40 exit together with those totally reflected by the side surfaces from the bottom surface 42, and strike the openings 12 of a light shading mask 10 to augment lighting. When a color mixing filter 20 is irradiated from the openings 20, the light beams pass through light transmission sections 32-36 to be colored light beams corresponding to areas of transmitting color portions R, G and B. Since each of light points is very small, those colors are seen with human eyes as a uniformly mixed color. Color of lighting can be changed as required by changing the area ratio of the color transmitting portions 32-36 of the filter 20 facing the openings 12 by moving the mask 10.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] This invention relates to a variable color lighting device, and more specifically, it is used as a stage spotlight, indoor mood lighting, etc., and is capable of producing different colors of illumination light with a single lighting device. This invention relates to a color lighting device.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventionally, there is a variable color illumination device in which a color film is placed in front of a light source, and the light transmission characteristics of this color film allow illumination light of different colors to be irradiated. . In this case, to change the color of the illumination light, prepare a number of color films with different transmitted colors, and replace the color films as necessary.
The desired illumination light is obtained. Furthermore, by using a plurality of color filters with different transmitted colors in a stacked manner, it is possible to obtain illumination light with a mixture of colors that cannot be obtained with a single color film.

Another structure of the variable color illumination device is to provide illumination light of the three primary colors of red, blue, and green by simultaneously illuminating with three types of light sources and adjusting the output of each light source.
There is also a device that can provide illumination light of any color tone by mixing light of three primary colors.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, among the conventional variable color illumination devices described above, devices that replace color films cannot obtain only monochromatic illumination light with one color film; The color film must be replaced every time, which is extremely time-consuming. In order to obtain complex colors that cannot be obtained with a single sheet of color film, it is necessary to layer multiple sheets of color film.
Combining color films is difficult and it is not possible to easily obtain any color. Another disadvantage is that when color films are overlapped, the amount of light decreases and the intensity of illumination decreases.

Furthermore, devices that use three primary color light sources require three times the light source and a power supply mechanism for the light source as compared to monochromatic lighting, and also require a dimming device for each light source. The disadvantage is that the structure becomes very large-scale, the equipment becomes larger, the power consumption increases, and the cost increases. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a variable color illumination device that can easily provide mixed color illumination of any desired color, and can also be equipped with simple and compact equipment.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A variable color illumination device according to the present invention which solves the above problems has a light shielding mask and a color mixing filter placed in front of a light source, and a color mixing filter having different transmitted colors. A plurality of sets of light transmitting parts of a plurality of colors are arranged in a certain repeating pattern, and the light shielding mask is provided with an opening at a position corresponding to a position where the light transmitting parts of the color mixing filter are adjacent to each other. and the color mixing filter are relatively movable in planes parallel to each other.

[0007] The light source consists of a lamp, a reflector, power supply wiring, etc. similar to a normal light source for illumination. The illumination light from the light source does not need to be colored, and can be ordinary white light. The color mixing filter is arranged in front of the light source and on a plane through which illumination light passes. The color mixing filter is provided with a plurality of light transmitting parts that transmit different colors. The transmitted color refers to the color of illumination light that comes out of the light transmitting section when the light transmitting section is illuminated with light from a light source. The material of the light transmitting part is glass or transparent synthetic resin surface.
Thin filter layers made of metal or metal compounds formed by vapor deposition or other means, translucently colored by printing or painting, or synthetic resin plates whose material itself is semitransparently colored. It is made of the same material as conventional monochromatic color filters.

[0008] It is preferable to have three types of light transmitting parts corresponding to the three primary colors of red, blue, and green light because all the colors can be easily adjusted. For example, two or more types of light transmitting parts having arbitrary transmitting colors may be combined according to the color required for the illumination light. For example, by combining a yellow light transmitting portion in addition to the three primary colors described above, more complex color tones can be easily created.

[0009] The light transmitting portion of each color has an arbitrary shape such as a rectangle, a regular hexagon, other polygons, or a circle. A rectangular or regular hexagonal light transmitting portion is preferable in that a plurality of light transmitting portions can be arranged vertically and horizontally without gaps. The dimensions of the light transmitting part affect the size of the light spot of the dot-shaped illumination light described later, so it is preferable to make it as small as possible because it allows uniform color mixed illumination to be obtained. However, the manufacturing accuracy and processing of the light transmitting part It should be decided by considering the conditions.

A color mixing filter is constructed by arranging a plurality of sets of light transmitting parts of a plurality of colors in a fixed pattern vertically and horizontally. At this time, adjacent light transmitting parts of different colors in each set, or light transmitting parts of different colors adjacent to each other at the boundary between different sets, are arranged so that a plurality of adjacent parts are created around a certain point. Deploy. For example, if two rectangular light transmitting parts are arranged side by side and one side of the other light transmitting part is shifted by half in the middle of the light transmitting part, three rectangular light transmitting parts can be arranged. The shaped light transmitting parts are arranged adjacent to each other at one point. Furthermore, if the regular hexagonal light transmitting portions are arranged vertically and horizontally, three light transmitting portions will be arranged adjacent to each other at each vertex.

[0011] There are a large number of adjacent locations of the light transmitting portions as described above, corresponding to the number of sets of light transmitting portions installed. It is most preferable if all of the light transmitting parts of the plurality of colors used are adjacent to each other with one point at the center, but it is best to have a combination of some of the plurality of colors with one point at the center. A light transmitting part consisting of gathers and centers on another point,
Light transmitting portions made of a combination of some other colors may be gathered together.

[0012] Light-shielding masks are conventionally used as light-shielding materials for various purposes, such as metal plates, synthetic resin plates, or glass substrates coated with black paint to provide light-shielding properties. The same materials are used. The entire light-shielding mask has a light-shielding property, and at the same time, a portion thereof is provided with an opening through which light passes. The openings may be formed through holes or grooves by machining a light shielding mask, or by forming the coating film on the glass substrate in a pattern, or by peeling off a part of the coating film formed on the entire surface. It can also be formed by

[0013] The openings are arranged so that when the light-shielding mask and the color mixing filter are overlapped, the openings of the light-shielding mask face positions corresponding to adjacent portions of the light transmitting portions of the plurality of colors in the color-mixing filter. I'll keep it. It is preferable that the opening have the same shape and dimensions as the individual light transmitting parts described above, since illumination light corresponding to the monochromatic light transmitting part can be obtained. However, the shape and dimensions of the opening can be changed depending on conditions such as the arrangement shape of the light transmitting portions of multiple colors in the color mixing filter and the range of color tones in which illumination light is desired to be changed. Since the dimensions and spacing of the openings determine the size and spacing of dot-like light spots, which will be described later, it is preferable to provide the openings so small that they cannot be distinguished by the human eye. However, it is also possible to use an optical means such as a lens to mix and homogenize the mixed color light irradiated in dots with the size of the opening so that individual light spots cannot be seen.

[0014] The light-shielding mask and the color mixing filter are arranged so as to overlap each other, and the light emitted from the light source is
After passing through the opening of the light shielding mask and the light transmitting part of the color mixing filter, the light is used as illumination light. A light blocking mask may be placed on the side closer to the light source, or a color mixing filter may be placed on the side closer to the light source. When the light-shielding mask is placed on the light source side, if a light guide is provided on the surface of the light-shielding mask near the light source to collect light into the opening, the irradiated light from the light source can be used effectively. The light guide is made of a material that allows light to pass through, such as glass or transparent resin. The light guide has a tapered or frustum shape, with one end adjacent to the light-shielding mask having approximately the same shape as the opening of the light-shielding mask, and the other end closer to the light source having a larger area than the one end. There is. The inner surface of the light guide is designed to reflect light. Specifically, a reflective film made of metal or the like may be formed on the outer surface of the light guide, or a reflective film made of metal or the like may be formed so that light is reflected due to the difference in refractive index between the material of the light guide and the outside air. It may be . Light that enters from the light source into one end surface that is wider than the aperture of the light guide is reflected by the inner surface of the light guide and travels from the other end of the light guide to the aperture. It is possible to take in light from a wider area than the area, and the light from the light source can be used effectively. A similar function can be achieved by using a lens, a reflector, or other optical means instead of the light guide.

If the light guide is provided on the side opposite to the light source of the overlapped light-shielding mask and color mixing filter, the dot-shaped mixed color light obtained in the area corresponding to the opening can be enlarged and irradiated.
The boundaries between individual light spots can be made less noticeable. Further, it is also possible to eliminate the boundary between the transmitted light of each light transmitting portion and to uniformly mix the transmitted light. Even if a lens, a reflector, or the like is provided in place of the light guide, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

The light shielding mask and the color mixing filter are relatively movable in planes parallel to each other. Either one of the light blocking mask and the color mixing filter can be moved,
Both may move. The direction of movement may be a linear movement in either the up, down, left or right direction, or a diagonal movement that combines both up and down and left and right movements. The relative moving distance is set according to the size of a set of light transmitting parts of multiple colors or the size of each light transmitting part. That is, a moving distance is set that is sufficient to change within a necessary range the ratio of the light transmitting portions of each color to the entire light transmitting portions of multiple colors that face the opening of the light shielding mask. The smaller the size of each light transmitting portion or aperture, the shorter the moving distance can be.

As the actuation means for moving the light shielding mask or the color mixing filter, actuators driven by servo motors may be provided in both the X and Y directions, or a cylinder mechanism, a rack and pinion mechanism, or other various actuation mechanisms may be provided. Bye. The variable color lighting device according to the present invention can be applied to stage spotlights, indoor mood lighting, illumination of architectural structures, and any other applications that require a variety of mixed color lighting.

[0018]

[Operation] When light from a light source is irradiated with the color mixing filter and the light-shielding mask placed one on top of the other, the light will pass through the color-mixing filter only in the area corresponding to the opening of the light-shielding mask. In the color mixing filter, multiple sets of light transmitting parts of multiple colors are arranged in a certain repeating pattern, and the light transmitting parts of multiple colors are arranged at positions corresponding to adjacent locations.
Since the light-shielding mask has an opening, light passes through adjacent portions of the light-transmitting portions of the plural colors. As a result, light having each transmitted color is extracted in accordance with the area ratio of the light transmitting portion of each color to the light passage area.

[0019] If the area of the aperture and each light transmitting part is small, the transmitted light of different colors from each light transmitting part will be recognized as a dot-shaped light spot harmoniously integrated throughout the aperture. Become. The color of light perceived by the human eye is a mixture of the transmitted colors of each light transmitting portion according to the area ratio occupied by each light transmitting portion. If a large number of sets of apertures and light transmitting parts of multiple colors as described above are arranged at narrow intervals, a substantially planar mixed color illumination light in which light spots of mixed colors as described above are gathered can be obtained. can get.

[0020] The degree to which the light passing through the light-shielding mask and the color mixing filter is recognized as being separated for each light transmitted through each light-transmitting part, or as a dot-shaped light spot corresponding to the size of each opening. However, if the obtained light is mixed using an optical means such as a lens, it is possible to obtain uniform planar mixed color illumination light. As is clear from the above description of the effect, the color of the mixed color illumination light is determined by the area ratio of each light transmitting portion of the color mixing filter facing the opening of the light shielding mask. Therefore, if the light shielding mask and color mixing filter are moved relatively in planes parallel to each other, the area ratio of each light transmitting part facing the opening will also change, and as a result, the color of the mixed color illumination light obtained will also change. It is.

[0021]

Embodiments Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show the overall structure of a variable color lighting device. Although not shown, a light source is arranged on the upper side of FIG. A light shielding mask 10 and a color mixing filter 20 are arranged on top of each other.

FIG. 3 shows the detailed structure of the color mixing filter 20. A large number of light transmitting parts 32, 34, and 36 are arranged at the center of the rectangular outer peripheral frame part 22. The light transmitting parts 32 to 36 have a small square shape, and include a red light transmitting part 32 that emits transmitted light of red R, a green light transmitting part 34 that emits transmitted light of green G, and a blue light transmitting part that emits transmitted light of blue B. Transparent part 36
are sequentially arranged in the left and right direction to form one stage, and a plurality of such stages of light transmitting parts 32 to 36 are arranged vertically. In the upper and lower stages, the light transmitting parts 32 to 36 are arranged so as to be shifted left and right by half the width of each of the light transmitting parts 32 to 36. Therefore, one light transmitting part 32 to 3 in another stage is placed above and below two adjacent light transmitting parts 32 to 36 in the same stage.
6 are adjacent, and any three adjacent light transmitting parts 32 to 36
If you take it out, it will definitely consist of light transmitting parts 32 to 36 of three colors. The materials and manufacturing means of each of the light transmitting parts 32 to 36 are the same as those of a normal color filter.

As shown in FIG. 2, the light shielding mask 10 has a rectangular shape as a whole, and has square openings 1 here and there.
2 is formed through the hole. The material of the light-shielding mask 10 and the means for manufacturing the openings 12 are the same as those for light-shielding members in ordinary lighting devices and optical devices. The shape and dimensions of the opening 12 are the same as those of the light transmitting portion 32 of the color mixing filter 20 described above.
It is almost the same as 36. The openings 12 are spaced apart by two light transmitting parts 32 to 36 in the horizontal direction of the figure, and by one light transmitting part 32 to 36 in the vertical direction. A large number of openings 12 are arranged in a staggered manner vertically and horizontally. The outer shape of the light-shielding mask 10 is set to be large enough that the light-transmitting parts 32 to 36 of the color-mixing filter 20 do not protrude from the light-shielding mask 10 even at both ends of the relative movement range between the light-shielding mask 10 and the color-mixing filter 20. .

When the color mixing filter 20 and the light-shielding mask 10 are overlapped, a portion of all the three color light transmitting parts 32 to 36 of the color-mixing filter 20 can be seen from above the opening 12 of the light-shielding mask 10. There is. That is, the opening 12 is
The light transmitting portions 32 to 36 of the three colors are arranged adjacent to each other. In each opening 12, each color of light transmitting portion 32~
The area ratio occupied by 36 is the same for all openings 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, a light guide 40 made of transparent resin or the like is attached to the side of the light-shielding mask 10 that is closer to the light source. The lower end surface 42 of the light guide 40 has substantially the same shape and area as the opening 12 of the light shielding mask 10, and the upper end surface 44 of the light guide 40 is larger than the lower end surface 42. Therefore, the side surface 46 of the light guide 40 is a tapered surface that widens from the lower end surface 42 toward the upper end surface 44.

The light shielding mask 10 and the light guide 40 are integrally movable in a plane parallel to the color mixing filter 20. Although not shown, the light shielding mask 10
An actuation mechanism such as an actuator driven by a servo motor is attached to the . The operation of the lighting device having the above structure will be explained.

In FIG. 1, when the upper end surface 44 of the light guide 40 is irradiated with light from a light source, the light passes through the inside of the light guide 40. As shown in FIG. When light hits the inside of the side surface 44 of the light guide 40, which narrows downward, the light is reflected toward the center of the light guide 40 due to the difference in refractive index between the light guide 40 and the outside air. Ru. As a result, all the light that has entered the upper end surface 44 of the light guide 40 exits from the lower end surface 42 and is irradiated onto the opening 12 of the light shielding mask 10. Therefore, the opening 12 takes in light from a wider range than its own area, and the intensity or amount of illumination light finally obtained can be increased.

The light irradiated onto the color mixing filter 20 from the opening 12 of the light shielding mask 10 passes through each of the light transmitting parts 32 to 36 and is irradiated downward, thereby obtaining the desired illumination light. The light passing through each of the light transmitting parts 32 to 36 is colored transmitted light having the respective transmitted colors R, G, and B, and the amount of transmitted light of each color is determined by the amount of transmitted light of each color occupying the area of the opening 12. It is determined by the area ratio of the parts 32 to 36.

Strictly speaking, the obtained illumination light is a dot-shaped light spot corresponding to the shape of the opening 12 of the light-shielding mask 10, and each light spot has a color of each transmitted color R, G, B. It is divided into two parts. However, if each light spot is small enough, the human eye perceives the divided transmitted light of multiple colors as a harmonious whole, and the transmitted light of multiple colors is perceived as mixed light. . Moreover, if many small light spots are lined up at narrow intervals, it will be recognized as substantially planar illumination light.

To change the color of the mixed color illumination light, the light shielding mask 10 is moved to change the area ratio of the light transmitting portions 32 to 36 of each color of the color mixing filter 20 in the portion facing the opening 12. For example, in the structure of FIG. 2, if the light shielding mask 10 is moved upward, the area ratio of the red R light transmitting portion 32 increases, and mixed color illumination closer to red R can be obtained. If the light shielding mask 10 is moved diagonally to the lower right, the area ratio of the blue B light transmitting portion 36 increases, and mixed color illumination closer to blue B can be obtained. If the areas of the three color light transmitting parts 32 to 36 are exactly the same, white illumination will be obtained. Opening 1
2. By moving the light-shielding mask 10 until only the monochromatic light transmitting parts 32 to 36 face each other, monochromatic illumination light such as red R or green G can be obtained. in this case,
It is necessary to set the area of the opening 12 to be smaller than the area of the monochromatic light transmitting parts 32 to 36.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a light shielding mask 10 and a color mixing filter 20 having a structure different from that of the above embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the color mixing filter 20 has hexagonal light transmitting parts 32 to 36 of three primary colors arranged closely to each other, so that the entire color mixing filter 20 has a honeycomb shape. Therefore, the light transmitting parts 32 to 36 of the three primary colors are gathered at each apex of the hexagon. As shown in FIG. 4, the light shielding mask 10 includes hexagonal openings 12 having the same shape as each of the light transmitting parts 32 to 36.
is provided. In this embodiment, at a position facing the opening 12, the light transmitting portions 32 to 32 of the three primary colors are centered around one point.
36 are arranged evenly, it is easy to set the movement distance of the light-shielding mask 10 for color mixing. However, in this embodiment, since it is not possible to arrange only the light transmitting parts 32 to 36 of two colors at positions facing the opening part 12,
Mixed color illumination consisting only of primary colors cannot be obtained.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the color mixing filter 20 includes circular light transmitting portions 32 to 3 of the three primary colors.
6 is provided, and the light shielding mask 10 is provided with a circular opening 12. This embodiment is easy to manufacture because each of the light transmitting parts 32 to 36 and the opening 12 are circular. However, since there is a gap 37 between the circular light transmitting parts 32 to 36, it is preferable that this gap part 37 be a completely transparent part without coloring.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a color mixing filter 20 similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is provided with a light transmitting section 38 for yellow Y in addition to the three primary colors used in the embodiment. In this embodiment, the light transmitting parts 32 to 38 of the four colors are arranged in a staggered manner in the upper and lower stages, but in the embodiment shown in FIG. , are arranged in a grid pattern vertically and horizontally. Any color can be produced using only the three primary colors, but adding transmitted light of yellow Y makes it easier to create a more subtle color mixture. However, in these embodiments, it is not possible to make the light transmitting parts 32 to 38 of all four colors face the opening part 12 at an arbitrary area ratio, so when the transmitted light of the four colors is mixed, the mixing The proportion will be limited to some extent.

[0034]

Effects of the Invention According to the variable color illumination device according to the present invention as described above, the light-shielding mask and the color mixing filter having the above structure are arranged in front of the light source, and the light of multiple colors of the color mixing filter is disposed in front of the light source. By allowing light to pass through the transmitting portion only in the area facing the opening of the light shielding mask, mixed color illumination in which transmitted light of a plurality of colors transmitted through each light transmitting portion is mixed can be easily obtained.

If the light-shielding mask and the color mixing filter are moved relatively, the area ratio of each light-transmitting part facing the opening of the light-shielding mask changes, and the light quantity ratio of each color of transmitted light changes. The color of the resulting mixed color illumination can be changed arbitrarily by simply moving the light. The relative movement of the light blocking mask and the color mixing filter allows the transmitted light of each color to be changed continuously in any ratio, which cannot be achieved with conventional equipment even if a large number of color filters are prepared. Even extremely subtle differences in color tone can be easily expressed. Further, there is no need to replace color filters of multiple colors one by one, and it is possible to change the color tone of mixed color illumination instantaneously or continuously, which is impossible with the method of replacing color filters.

Next, since a single normal white light source is required as a light source, the structure related to the light source is simpler and more compact than the conventional device using light sources of three primary colors, and it is easier to replace the light source when it wears out. It also requires less maintenance and management effort. In particular, in order to precisely adjust the output of the three primary color light sources, a complicated and special light control device is required, but in this invention, the operating mechanism such as a servo motor used in general mechanical equipment can be used. Since it is only necessary to prepare the equipment, the equipment cost is also reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

[Fig. 1] A sectional view showing an embodiment of a variable color lighting device according to the present invention.

[Figure 2] Plan view from the light-shielding mask side excluding the light guide

[Figure 3] Plan view of color mixing filter

[Figure 4] Overall plan view showing another embodiment

[Figure 5]
Plan view of color mixing filter

[Figure 6] Overall plan view showing another embodiment

[Figure 7]
Plan view of color mixing filter

[Fig. 8] Partial plan view of a color mixing filter showing another embodiment

[Fig. 9] Partial plan view of a color mixing filter showing another embodiment

[Explanation of symbols]

10　Light blocking mask 12 Opening 20 Color mixing filter 32-38 Light transmission part 40 Light guide

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A light-shielding mask and a color-mixing filter are arranged in front of a light source, and the color-mixing filter has a plurality of sets of light-transmitting parts of different colors in a certain repeating pattern. An opening is provided at a position corresponding to a location where the light transmitting portion of the color mixing filter is adjacent to the color mixing filter, and the light shielding mask and the color mixing filter are relatively movable in a plane parallel to each other. A variable color lighting device featuring: