JPH07230709A - Light source structure of signal indication lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To secure good visibility even in case a signal indication lamp is installed at a level significantly different from the level of human eyes. CONSTITUTION:A signal indication lamp includes a light source structure which uses a combination of LED and reflection surface. The reflected beams of LED light by the reflection surfaces are indicated as signal light having different colors to indicate the situation of a machine, etc., concerned. The light source structure of this signal indication lamp is such that the part with a plurality of slant reflecting surfaces 21a, 22a, 23a to reflect signal beams 11a, 12a, 13a to down the signal indication lamp aslant and the part with a plurality of lateral reflecting surfaces 21b, 22b, 23b to reflect signal beams 11b, 12b, 13b to beside the signal indication lamp are arranged within the effective angle of visibility of the LED 1. This allows a person to perceive reflected beams of light of LED light in a number equal to the number of reflection surfaces from the specified light projecting direction and the slant down projecting direction.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic machine, a robot,
The present invention relates to a light source structure of a signal indicator lamp installed in a production line, a parking lot, a dangerous place, or the like, for signaling various states such as lack of material, jammed work, full vehicle, and danger.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art This type of signal indicator lamp emits light of each color as signal light to notify the signal, thereby maintaining the safety of workers on the production line, automatic machinery, etc. It is installed to be used for maintenance. FIG. 8 shows an example in which an LED is adopted as a conventional signal indicator lamp. (Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-93392)
In this case, a plurality of LEDs 71c are connected to form a rod-shaped light source 71, and the rod-shaped light source 71 is erected in a circumferential shape to form the display unit 7. The display unit 7 is placed on the mount 73, and the periphery is covered with the filter case 72. The lighting drive of the LED is performed by the built-in drive circuit 74. In the example of this figure, 96 LEDs are arrayed toward the surroundings to emit signal light to the surroundings. With this configuration, LE
The light generated from D71c passes through the filter case 72 and is emitted to the surroundings. When the signal indicator lamp is viewed from any surrounding direction, the LEDs 71c of one or a plurality of rod-shaped light sources 81 are visually recognized as dots in any direction.

FIG. 9 shows that LED light is not emitted directly to the surroundings,
This is an example in which a signal indicator lamp is configured by reflecting in the circumferential direction using a reflector. (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-108806) As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of LEDs 81 are vertically erected so as to face each other vertically, and reflective surfaces 82, 82 bulging near the center of a hollow cylindrical column are vertically arranged. The LEDs are provided so as to face each other, and the periphery thereof is covered with a globe 83 having a diffusive lens to form a signal indicator lamp. With this configuration, the light generated from the LED 81 is reflected in the circumferential direction by the reflecting surface 82, passes through the globe 83, and is emitted to the surroundings. When the signal indicator lamp is viewed from an arbitrary direction around the light source, a substantially planar light source corresponding to the reflecting surfaces 82, 82 is visually recognized from any direction.

Another example of the same type is a large number of LEDs.
Actual Kaihei 3 with a structure in which wiring boards in which are planted are arranged in layers
No. 124519, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-66, in which a wiring board in which a large number of LEDs are planted is combined in a polygonal column shape
No. 75 publication is known.

However, in these conventional light source structures for signal indicating lamps, the LED light is directly emitted to the surroundings or simply reflected and emitted. Therefore, many LEs
In order to see D, many LEDs as shown in Fig. 8
Need to be used. However, in this structure, the light source was visually recognized as a dot shape, which was not good-looking. Also,
In the configuration of FIG. 9 as well, the light source becomes a horizontally long, substantially planar visual state by diffusing the LED light with the globe, and the visibility is improved, but in terms of visibility, the LED light is reflected and emitted directly. There was no difference due to the difference in the composition of lighting.

Further, the signal indicator lamp adopting the above LED consumes less power and requires no maintenance due to disconnection due to vibration or burnout like an incandescent lamp. However, the LED itself cannot be practically used unless a large number of LEDs are used because of insufficient brightness. Therefore, as the number of LEDs increases, power consumption and heat generation increase, which is a problem. There is a problem that the indicator light becomes expensive.

With respect to this problem, there is an invention according to the applicant's patent application 1993 No. 353877. The present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This signal indicator light
The LED 110 as a light source, the reflection member 120 that reflects and emits the LED light, the control board 142, and the like are built in 0.
Diffusion filter 15 that diffuses signal light into the opening on the front of the case
1 is fitted therein.

The reflecting member 120 has a plurality of reflecting surfaces 121, 122, 123, 124 for reflecting the signal lights 111, 112, 113, 114 to the front surface of the signal display lamp, an LED holding portion 125, and a locking portion 126 ,. Locking portions consisting of 127, 128 and locking holes 131, 132, 133 are integrally formed. These reflecting surfaces are a first reflecting surface 121 that reflects the signal light 111, a second reflecting surface 122 that reflects the signal light 112, and a third reflecting surface 1 that reflects the signal light 113.
23 and a fourth reflecting surface 124 for reflecting the signal light 114, which is a smooth surface. The reflection angle is determined so as to reflect the signal light toward the front surface of the signal indicator light. The power line 143 to this signal indicator light is wired to the control board 142. A control circuit, a power supply circuit, and the like are included in the control board 142, and a circuit to the LED 110 is included in the LED board 141.

With the above structure, the LED light is displayed in red, yellow, orange, for displaying various statuses such as mechanical failure.
The light is emitted in a predetermined direction to be visually recognized as signal light such as green and blue.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in this prior art, since the signal light is emitted only in the lateral direction of the signal indicator lamp, the visibility is poor when the signal indicator lamp is mounted above or below the human eye. was there. In particular, many automatic machines, robots and the like are large in size, and it has been desired to emit light obliquely downward when a signal indicator lamp is mounted at a high position.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned technical problems and to use a small number of LEDs as a light source to improve visibility when a signal indicator lamp is mounted above or below human eyes. It is to provide a light source structure for obtaining a good signal indicating lamp.

[0012]

A light source structure for a signal indicator lamp according to claim 1 for achieving the above object comprises an LED and a plurality of reflecting surfaces for reflecting the LED light in a predetermined light projecting direction. Is provided, and the respective reflecting surfaces are appropriately separated from each other, and the reflecting surfaces are composed of an oblique reflecting surface and a side reflecting surface and are arranged within the effective emission angle of the LED.

According to the above arrangement, the reflected light emission of the same number of LED lights as the number of the reflecting surfaces can be visually recognized from the predetermined light emitting direction and the predetermined obliquely downward direction of the light emitting.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light source structure for signal display or the like in which a plurality of the LEDs are arranged in a straight line and a plurality of reflecting surfaces are formed in a stepwise shape to cover a predetermined light projecting direction. It is characterized in that the signal light is projected through.

With this structure, the reflected light emission of the same number of LED lights as the number of the reflection surfaces can be visually recognized in a predetermined projection direction and a predetermined oblique downward direction of the projection.

Next, in a light source structure of a signal indicator lamp according to a third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the LEDs are arranged in a circular shape, a plurality of reflecting surfaces are formed in a stepwise shape, and a signal is passed through a diffusion filter covering the periphery. It is characterized in that it is configured to project light. Moreover, the light source structure of the signal indicator lamp according to claim 4 is the LE as described above.
A plurality of D are arranged in a polygonal shape, and a plurality of corresponding reflecting surfaces are arranged in a polygonal shape and are formed in a step shape, and the signal light is projected through a diffusion filter covering the periphery. To do.

With these configurations, the same number of reflected and emitted LED lights as the number of reflecting surfaces can be visually recognized from the periphery and obliquely downward.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of a light source structure for a signal indicator lamp according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view. This signal indicator lamp has a plurality of LEDs 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d ...
A reflective member 2 for reflecting and emitting LED light, and a control board 4
2 and the like are built in, and a diffusion filter 5 for diffusing signal light is fitted in an opening on the front surface of the case.

The reflecting member 2 is a member for reflecting the LED light in a predetermined light projecting direction. An injection molded product, a metal plate such as aluminum, or the like is used as the reflecting member, and it is usual to perform a vapor deposition treatment of aluminum or the like in order to improve the reflection efficiency. The reflection member 2 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of oblique reflection surfaces 21a, 22a, 23a for reflecting the signal lights 11a, 12a, 13a in the diagonally downward direction of the signal indicator light, and the signal light 11b in the lateral direction of the signal indicator light. A plurality of side reflection surfaces 21b, 22b, 23b that reflect 12b, 13b, an LED holding portion 25, and a portion to be locked to the case 3 are integrally formed, and the surface is subjected to the above vapor deposition treatment. These reflection surfaces are first reflection surfaces 21a and 21b that reflect the signal lights 11a and 11b.
And the second reflecting surface 22 that reflects the signal lights 12a and 12b.
a and 22b, and third reflecting surfaces 23a and 23b that reflect the signal lights 13a and 13b, and the respective reflecting surfaces are smooth surfaces.

The oblique reflection surfaces 21a, 22a and 23a are formed by bending the side reflection surfaces 21b, 22b and 23b downward by a predetermined angle. Also, the oblique reflection surface 21a,
The reflection surface angles of 22a and 23a are determined so as to reflect the signal light obliquely downward from the front surface of the signal indicating lamp.
The reflection surface angles of 1b, 22b, and 23b are determined so as to reflect the signal light in the lateral direction of the front surface of the signal indicating lamp. In FIG. 1, the angle of reflection of the signal light by the oblique reflection surface is approximately 40 ° below the horizontal plane. Generally, it is appropriately determined within a range of 10 ° to 80 ° obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal plane, depending on the height of the mounting position of the signal indicating lamp and the position of the operator. The plurality of reflecting surfaces are arranged in a stepwise manner within the effective emission angle 15 of the LED 1 while being appropriately separated and sequentially changing in angle. The effective emission angle varies depending on the LED, but in the case of a wide viewing angle LED, it is 20 degrees to 4 degrees.
A 0 degree LED is generally supplied.

Each of the reflecting surfaces may be a paraboloidal surface, but the reflecting surfaces 21a, 21b, 22a and 22 may be formed.
If b, 23a, and 23b are formed of paraboloids, the visibility becomes extremely poor at angles other than the predetermined light projection direction. If the reflecting surface is composed of a smooth surface, it is possible to see the reflected light projected from the reflecting surface of each stage even if the reflecting surface is slightly shifted up and down with respect to a predetermined light projecting direction. In a normal signal indicator lamp other than the use in which the light projection range is limited, it is desirable that the reflecting surface be a smooth surface as in this embodiment.

Locking holes 31, 32 and 33 for locking the reflecting member 2 are provided on the upper surface and the lower surface of the case 3. The engaging portion 27 at the upper edge of the reflecting member 2 is in the upper engaging hole 31 of the case 3, the engaging portion 26 at the lower edge of the reflective member 2 is in the lower engaging hole 32 of the case 3, and the LED of the reflecting member 2 is held. Part 2
The lower engaging portions 28 of the fifth part 5 are fitted and retained in the lower surface engaging holes 33 of the case 3, respectively. In order to set the reflection member 2 in the case 3, the reflection member 2 may be bent and inserted into the case, and each locking portion may be fitted in a predetermined locking hole.

The power supply line to this signal indicator lamp is the control board 42.
Is wired to. A control circuit, a power supply circuit, etc. are included in the control board 42, and the plurality of LEDs 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d are included.
.. is included in the LED substrate 41.

With the above construction, the LED light is displayed in red, yellow, orange, for displaying various statuses such as machine failure.
The light is emitted in a predetermined lateral direction to be visually recognized as signal light of green, blue, etc., and is also emitted obliquely downward.
The signal light may be colored by LED light, by a colored diffusion filter, or by a combination of the two, and is selected according to the usage situation.

In FIG. 1, the diffusion filter 5 is a lens-shaped transparent body or a translucent body for diffusing the signal light. A large number of vertical diffusion ribs 51 are provided on the inner surface of the diffusion filter 5 to diffuse the signal light in the horizontal direction.
At this time, the signal light is three strip light sources in the vertical direction,
And, it will be visually recognized as three strip-shaped light sources in the obliquely downward direction.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the light source structure of the signal indicator lamp showing the second embodiment, FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the signal indicator lamp, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the diffusion filter 5. The signal indicator lamp of this embodiment has a structure that employs a cylindrical light source structure and a cylindrical diffusion filter.

In FIG. 3, 1 is an LED, 2 is a reflecting member, and 5 is a diffusion filter. A plurality of LEDs 1 are arranged upright in a circumferential shape, a plurality of reflecting surfaces are laminated stepwise within an effective viewing angle above, and a vertical lens-shaped diffusion rib 5 is formed.
A diffuser filter 5 having a large number of 1s arranged on the inner peripheral surface covers the outer circumferences thereof to form a light source structure of a signal indicating lamp, and the signal light is emitted to the entire circumference.

The reflecting member 2 of this light source structure is provided with the signal light 11
a, 12a, 13a, a plurality of oblique reflection surfaces 21a, 22a, 23a that reflect obliquely downward around the signal indicator light, and signal lights 11b, 12b, 13b reflected laterally around the signal indicator light. A plurality of side reflection surfaces 21b, 22b,
It has a hollow, substantially funnel shape in which the portion 23b and the LED holding portion 25 are integrally formed. These reflection surfaces are the signal lights 11a,
First reflection surfaces 21a and 21b that reflect 11b and second reflection surfaces 22a and 22 that reflect the signal lights 12a and 12b.
b and the third reflecting surface 2 that reflects the signal lights 13a and 13b
3a and 23b, each of which has a conical curved surface. Further, the reflection surface angles of the oblique reflection surfaces 21a, 22a, 23a are determined so as to reflect the signal light obliquely downward to the outer periphery of the signal indicator lamp, and the reflection surface angles of the side reflection surfaces 21b, 22b, 23b are the signal It is determined to reflect the signal light in a substantially horizontal direction on the outer periphery of the indicator lamp. The plurality of reflecting surfaces are arranged within the effective emission angle of the LED 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the overall construction of the signal indicator lamp according to the second embodiment is such that the diffusion filters 5 accommodating the light source structure are stacked in three stages and provided on the main body case 62, and the head cover is provided at the upper end. Assembled as a display part, body case 6
2 The pole 63 and the mounting base 64 are assembled to the lower portion to form a mounting portion. By thus stacking the light source structure of the signal indicator lamp of the present invention, it is possible to form a laminated signal indicator lamp. In addition, the first embodiment can also be a laminated type.

As shown in FIG. 5, the diffusion filter 5 assembled to the signal indicator light has a diffusion rib 51 on its inner peripheral surface. Signal light 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b,
Reference numerals 13a and 13b are circumferentially reflected by the respective reflecting surfaces and diffused by the diffusing ribs 51 so as to be six-stage band-shaped light sources corresponding to the respective reflecting surfaces. The light source having a large shape becomes visible and the visibility is greatly improved.

In the above structure, a plurality of LEDs are
For example, the same function and effect can be obtained by arranging in a polygonal shape such as a quadrangle, forming a plurality of reflecting surfaces in a stepwise manner, and projecting the signal light through a diffusion filter covering the periphery. In this case, the diffusion filter, the case, etc. may have a cylindrical shape, but the diffusion state of the signal light is more suitable if it has a polygonal shape similar to the arrangement of the LEDs. The same applies to the combination of the substantially conical reflection member shown in FIG. 3 and the polygonal diffusion filter.

Next, a light distribution diagram of the signal light is shown in FIG. Both of them fall within the scope of the present invention.
(1) is the configuration introduced in the first embodiment. According to this configuration, by erected the LED 1 obliquely, a plurality of corresponding reflecting surfaces 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b,
23a and 23b can be arranged substantially in the vertical direction, and the width of the entire light source structure is narrowed, which contributes to the reduction in the thickness of the product. Moreover, since the vertical width of each reflecting surface can be increased, the viewing angle of the signal light in the vertical direction also increases.

The configuration of FIG. 6B is the configuration introduced in the second embodiment. In this configuration, the LED 1 is installed vertically, and the reflecting surfaces 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b, 23a,
23b were sequentially arranged in a staircase pattern. The vertical direction of the product can be made smaller by narrowing the vertical distance between the respective reflecting surfaces, and the LED is erected upright, which simplifies the manufacturing process.

Further, in the configuration of FIG. 6C, the LED 1 is vertically installed and the reflecting surfaces 21a, 21b, 22a and 22 are provided.
b, 23a, and 23b are arranged in parallel in a stepwise manner. LED
The light passes through the back side of the anti-slopes 21a and 21b and is reflected by the reflection surface 2
2a and 22b, and after passing through the back surfaces of the reflecting surfaces 22a and 22b to reach the reflecting surfaces 23a and 23b, they are reflected in a predetermined light projecting direction. This configuration is also effective as a means for widening the width of the vertical reflecting surface of each step.

Three typical examples of the light distribution have been described above, but the light distribution may be changed according to various usages such as changing the arrangement angle between the LED and the reflecting surface.

FIG. 7 is a radiation characteristic diagram of LED light. The exemplified LEDs are all called wide emission angle LEDs. The emission angle of an LED often refers to a range in which the brightness is half the maximum brightness. 1 with normal LED
0 to 30 degrees, 20 to 4 for wide emission LED
It is said that there is a radiation angle of about 0 degree. However, in recent years L
With the increase in brightness of EDs, it is becoming possible to use for signal display even if the brightness exceeds half the maximum brightness, which is said to be the LED emission angle. The effective emission angle of the signal indicator lamp can be set to be wider than the above-mentioned LED emission angle by 10 to 20 degrees, and various LEDs can be adopted. The horizontal axis of the radiation characteristic diagram shows the angle from the front of the LED, and the vertical axis shows the ratio of the brightness compared with the maximum brightness. Incidentally, the vertical axis position of 0.4 indicates that the angle is 40% of the maximum brightness.

In the illustrated LED of FIG. 7 (1), the half of the maximum luminance, which is the LED emission angle, is near 15 degrees. The brightness of half the maximum brightness can be obtained in the width of 15 degrees from the front of the LED to the left and right, so that the viewing angle of the LED is 30 degrees. The effective radiation angle that can be adopted for the signal indicator lamp is 40 degrees to 5
The range is about 0 degrees. The width of this range varies depending on the maximum brightness and light color of the LED used.

The LED illustrated in FIG. 7 (2) shows the highest brightness in a range in which the LED oscillates to the left and right from the front of the LED by an angle of 10 degrees. The LED viewing angle is about 50 degrees, and the effective radiation angle that can be adopted for the signal indicating lamp is sufficiently up to 60 degrees. The LED having such a radiation characteristic has a wide high-luminance radiation range, and thus is suitable for providing the light source structure of the present invention in combination with a large number of reflecting surfaces.

LEDs having various other radiation characteristics can be effectively used in the light source structure of the present invention in consideration of the conditions such as the correlation position with the reflecting surface, the angle, and the size of the reflecting surface.

The description according to the embodiment of the present invention is as described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above description. For example, even if a plurality of reflecting surfaces are integrally formed, they are provided as separate bodies and connected by the connecting means. It may be integrally formed and connected to the LED holding portion, as long as the relative position between the reflecting surface and the LED is determined. Further, although the example in which the oblique reflection surface and the side reflection surface are in contact with each other is shown, they may be separated from each other. The diffusion filter may have a rib shape that is normally used, such as a horizontal or vertical / horizontal diffusion rib, or an external diffusion rib, and may have a configuration other than the embodiment, such as a film lens. However, the same effect can be obtained. Furthermore, although an example of arranging the reflecting surface above the light source was shown, the reflecting surface is arranged below the light source so that light is emitted diagonally upward when a signal indicator lamp is mounted lower than the human eye. It is also possible to have a configuration. Other various design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention of the present application, and the invention can be applied to products of the same type.

[0041]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, good visual recognition can be obtained even when a signal indicator lamp is mounted higher or lower than human eyes. Further, since the number of LEDs used is greatly reduced as compared with the conventional LED type signal indicator lamp, it contributes to the cost reduction of the signal indicator lamp.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a signal indicator lamp showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view showing a configuration of the signal indicator lamp.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a signal indicator lamp showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view showing a configuration of the signal indicator lamp.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a diffusion filter of the signal indicator lamp.

FIG. 6 is a light distribution diagram showing an embodiment of signal light distribution according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a radiation characteristic diagram showing a radiation characteristic of an LED.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing a conventional signal indicator lamp.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing another conventional signal indicator lamp different from the above.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another conventional signal indicator lamp different from the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 LED 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b
Signal light 15 Effective emission angle 2 Reflecting members 21a, 22a, 23a Oblique reflection surface 21b, 22b, 23b Side reflection surface 25 LED holding part 5 Diffusion filter

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An LED and a plurality of reflecting surfaces for reflecting the LED light in a predetermined light projecting direction are provided, and the reflecting surfaces are appropriately separated from each other, and the reflecting surfaces are oblique reflecting surfaces and side reflecting surfaces. A light source structure for a signal indicator lamp, which is composed of a surface and is arranged within an effective emission angle of the LED. 2. A plurality of the LEDs are linearly arranged, a plurality of reflecting surfaces are formed in a stepwise manner, and the signal light is projected through a diffusion filter covering a predetermined light projecting direction. The light source structure of the signal indicator lamp according to claim 1. 3. A plurality of the LEDs are arranged in a circle, a plurality of reflecting surfaces are formed in a step shape, and a signal light is projected through a diffusion filter covering the periphery. Item 1. A light source structure for a signal indicator lamp according to item 1. 4. A plurality of the LEDs are arranged in a polygonal shape, a plurality of corresponding reflecting surfaces are arranged in a polygonal shape and are formed in a step shape, and signal light is projected through a diffusion filter covering the periphery. The light source structure of the signal indicator lamp according to claim 1, which is configured.