JPH0729408A - Indirect illumination device for space inside working room - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain an indirect illumination device for the space in a workroom, capable of adjusting easily an illumination distribution, and simultaneously excellent in illumination efficiency. CONSTITUTION: This device is composed of one or more mirror members 4 having catadioptric surfaces 5, and the catadioptric surfaces 5 of the mirror members 4 are installed slantingly at a prescribed angle against the horizontal surface of a ceiling 2 for dividing the space in a workroom, so that a light beam irradiated from an indirect illumination source 3 collides at a prescribed angle of incidence with the catadioptric surfaces 5 of the mirror members 4 and is retro-reflected from the surface 5. Preferably, in addition, a reflecting member 7 or a lens member 9, for directing the light beam irradiated from the indirect illumination source 3 to the catadioptric surfaces 5 of the mirror members 4, is installed on the upper part of the indirect illumination source 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an indirect illuminator for a working room space, and more particularly to an indirect illuminator using a catadioptric surface adapted to impinge at least one light ray.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, there has been an increasing demand for solving the problem of properly illuminating a working space including a work station equipped with a video terminal and a display device.

That is, in order to properly illuminate the working room, the following two factors must be taken into consideration.

One factor relates to the difference in illuminance between the display screen and the work surface. The optimal lighting distribution is always a very important parameter in lighting engineering, but especially in the working room space as described above, the lighting of the working space (for example, the document and the human positional relationship of the operator). Etc.) and lighting for reading information on the display. The optimum reading of information on the display is due to the contrast of the characters, but its sharpness tends to fade as the illuminance of the illumination increases. Therefore, the lighting required when working with video screens is typically less than 300 lux. On the other hand, the illumination required to read a printed document or the like is generally 500 lux. However, if the difference between the illumination degrees of the two is too large, there is a problem that the eyes of an operator who alternately sees the video screen and the document on the work surface are tired. Therefore, when performing such work, it is necessary to avoid an excessive difference in illuminance between the two. Therefore, it is desired to provide an illuminator that illuminates a specific area in a controllable manner so as to provide an appropriate illumination distribution.

Another factor is that, because the display screen becomes a mirror surface, a bright surface or light source having a high degree of illumination reflects on the screen to form a light spot, which hinders reading of information. Is to do. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the arrangement of such a bright surface and light source and the distribution of light irradiation, and to arrange the screen so that the light rays do not hit directly. Conventionally, reflection on the display screen has been suppressed by using an indirect lighting device. In this regard, indirect lighting devices are known to increase the uniformity of lighting. However, the indirect lighting device has a drawback that the lighting efficiency is relatively low. However, the problem of the reduction in illumination efficiency can be corrected by using a light source having higher illumination ability. Therefore, at present, the main cause of reflection on the display screen is high and uncontrolled diffuse reflection on the white ceiling wall member 12 and the side wall surface as shown in FIG. Therefore, it is desired to provide an illuminating device that illuminates a room in a controlled state without causing irregular reflection.

In order to solve the above problems, US Pat. No. 4,701,831 discloses an indirect lighting device for a working room space using a catadioptric surface. In this device, a catadioptric surface is formed on the ceiling surface that defines the working room space, and a ray of light is directed to the catadioptric surface so that the ray of light is retroreflected in a controlled manner. ing.

The catadioptric surface is made of catadioptric material. Here, the "catadioptric" material refers to a material having a property of causing a light ray from a light source to be reflected by a surface and returning substantially in the direction of the light source, that is, a material having so-called retroreflectivity.
Such materials are often commercially available as catadioptric paints or films used in pavement markings. For example, a catadioptric paint or film on a road marking acts to reflect light rays emitted from the headlights of an automobile back to the direction of the automobile, causing the driver to clearly recognize the light. An example of such a catadioptric material is "Scotchlite Refl" from 3M.
Some of them are commercially available under the trade name of "Active Film".

Also, the catadioptric surface is shown in FIG.
It can also be formed as an optical unit, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the catadioptric surface 20
Embedded in the adhesive layer 23 has an adhesive layer 23 of an appropriate resin applied onto a substrate 24 of a self-fixing film such as, but not limited to, polyethylene. Thin hemispherical cup of aluminum 2
2 and a plurality of small spheres 2 partially surrounded by the cup 22
It consists of 1.

In the drawings, reference numeral “I” indicates a light ray incident on the catadioptric surface 20, and reference numeral “R” indicates a light ray reflected from the catadioptric surface 20. In this case, the incident light ray “I” and the reflected light ray “R” are angularly offset by 2 to 10 ° (indicated by “α” in the drawing).

As shown in FIG. 7, when light rays are emitted from all or some of the light sources 25, the light rays are reflected by the ceiling member 26 constituting the catadioptric surface and returned to a specific area in the room. Be done. Therefore, it is possible to illuminate the interior of the room in a controlled state and to create an illumination distribution in the interior.

[0011]

However, it is known that in the above-described catadioptric material, the reflection efficiency changes depending on the incident angle of the light ray on the catadioptric surface. That is, a ray that strikes the catadioptric surface at a right angle can obtain the best reflection efficiency. On the other hand, the smaller the angle of incidence on the catadioptric surface, the lower the reflection efficiency of the catadioptric surface. The reflection efficiency of the catadioptric surface according to the incident angle of the light ray is as follows.

Incident angle Reflection efficiency 90 ° 70% 60 ° 60% 45 ° 45% 30 ° 20% Therefore, in the conventional structure as shown in FIG. 7, the reflection efficiency of the light rays B, C and D with respect to the ceiling wall surface. It is inferior to that of ray A that strikes at a right angle. In the indirect lighting device, since the light source 25 is installed at a ceiling wall surface, that is, at a position generally 20 to 100 cm away from the catadioptric surface 26, the reflected ray of the ray A having the most effective reflection efficiency is It is blocked by the light source 25 or the cover member 27 of the light source without returning to a predetermined area,
As a result, there is a problem that the illumination efficiency is reduced.
In other words, the light rays incident on the catadioptric surface are reflected at a slight angular deviation from their incident angle (shown as angle α in FIG. 7), but the light source 25 and the catadioptric surface of the ceiling member are reflected. Since the distance h from the light source 26 is very narrow, the reflected light ray A is blocked by the light source 25 or the light source cover member 27. On the other hand, the reflected light beams B, C, and D are not blocked by the light source 25 or the cover member 27 of the light source and return to a specific area in the room.
Since the reflection efficiencies of C and D are lower than that of the reflected ray A, there is a problem that a specific area in the room cannot be efficiently illuminated. Therefore, it is desired to provide an indirect lighting device that can efficiently reflect light rays to a specific area in a room.

Furthermore, in the conventional apparatus, since the catadioptric surface is directly formed on the ceiling member, it is difficult to accurately adjust the illumination distribution according to the surrounding environmental conditions.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an indirect lighting device for a working room space in which the above-mentioned problems of the conventional device are solved and the lighting efficiency is improved.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an indirect lighting device capable of easily and accurately adjusting the illumination distribution by changing the position or arrangement of the catadioptric surface.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, an indirect lighting device for a working room space according to the present invention comprises:
Comprising at least one mirror member having a catadioptric surface, such that rays emitted from an indirect illumination source are incident on the catadioptric surface of said mirror member at a predetermined angle of incidence and are retroreflected from said surface. In addition, the catadioptric surface of the mirror member is installed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the ceiling that defines the working room space.

Preferably, further means are provided above the indirect illumination source for directing light rays emitted from the indirect illumination source to the catadioptric surface of the mirror member.

The means for directing light rays to the catadioptric surface of the mirror member in this way comprises a reflecting member having a reflecting surface, and the reflecting surface of the reflecting member is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the ceiling. Set up. Also,
A lens member may be installed instead of the reflecting member.

When a spherical halogen lamp is used as an indirect illumination source, the mirror members are arranged in a grid pattern so as to surround the halogen lamp, and the reflecting member has an inverted reflecting side surface having a plurality of inclined reflecting side surfaces. It is preferably formed in a pyramid shape. By doing so, each reflecting side surface of the reflecting member can reflect the light rays emitted from the halogen lamp in four directions, and can be effectively directed to the catadioptric surface of the lattice-like mirror member.

Instead of installing the mirror member having the catadioptric surface, a part of the ceiling member may be formed on the catadioptric surface. In this case, by providing the reflection member or the lens member as described above, and directing the light beam emitted upward from the indirect illumination source toward the catadioptric surface of the ceiling wall material, the light beam has a predetermined distance on the catadioptric surface. It must be incident on and retroreflected from it.

[0021]

In the indirect lighting device of the present invention constructed as described above, the light rays emitted from the light source impinge on the catadioptric surface at a predetermined incident angle, so that the light rays enter the room from the catadioptric surface. It is efficiently reflected in a specific area in a controlled manner.

By changing the position or arrangement of the catadioptric surface, the illumination distribution on the video screen or work surface can be adjusted easily and accurately.

By installing the reflecting member or the lens member, the light rays emitted upward from the light source are directed toward the catadioptric surface, so the light rays emitted upward from the light source are directed to the light source main body and its cover member. Efficiently retroreflects to specific areas in the room without being blocked.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an indirect illumination device for a working room space according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view schematically showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cover member 6 is provided in a room 1 which is a working room space in which a work station having a video terminal (not shown) is installed.
A plurality of indirect illumination sources 3 such as halogen lamps or fluorescent lamps with a lamp are installed at a position generally separated from the ceiling by about 20 to 100 cm. Further, a plurality of mirror members 4 having a substantially V-shaped cross section are attached to the ceiling member 2 that partitions the working room space 1 by appropriate attachment means such as screws and adhesives. The side surface of each mirror member 4 is installed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the ceiling member 2. Also, a catadioptric paint, a catadioptric film, or a catadioptric optical unit as shown in FIG. And a layer (surface) 5 of such a catadioptric material is formed.

As mentioned above, the light rays reflected from the catadioptric surface 5 return angularly offset by typically 2 to 10 ° with respect to the angle of incidence on the catadioptric surface. Therefore, in order to allow the light rays reflected from the mirror member 4 to return to a specific area of the room 1 without being blocked by the light source body 3 or the cover member 6 thereof, the mirror member 4 is moved horizontally from the light source 3 and And / or must be vertically spaced for a predetermined period.

With this configuration, the light source 3
The light rays emitted from the light impinge on the catadioptric surface 5 of the mirror member 4 at a predetermined incident angle, preferably in the range of 60 ° to 90 °, and also come close to the light source 3 in the room 1. Efficiently retroreflects to a specific area.

The number and positions of the mirror members can be changed according to desired illumination conditions such as desired illumination distribution, the number or position of light sources, and other necessary environmental conditions. Further, the shape of the mirror member can be changed according to the desired illumination condition and the type of indirect illumination source. For example, in FIG. 1, the mirror members are arranged in a lattice shape, but in the case of a fluorescent tube having a long light source, a plurality of long rib-shaped mirror members may be arranged in parallel.

In FIG. 2, the catadioptric surface 5 is tilted by an angle β of 45 ° with respect to the horizontal plane of the ceiling 2, but the positional relationship between the light source and the catadioptric surface, and other environmental conditions. Accordingly, the inclination angle of the catadioptric surface can be changed. In particular, in order to obtain the most effective lighting efficiency, the inclination angle of the catadioptric surface must be determined so that the light rays emitted from the light source strike the catadioptric surface at a right angle or at an angle close thereto. . When the ceiling surface is not flat like an arched ceiling, the catadioptric surface is provided so as to be inclined with respect to a virtual horizontal plane parallel to the floor of the room 1.

In FIG. 2, the mirror member 4 is directly attached to the ceiling surface 2, but in order to arrange the mirror member at an appropriate position with respect to the light source so that the light rays are efficiently reflected from the mirror member. In addition, the mirror member may be installed so as to be suspended from the ceiling by a suitable supporting member.

Further, if necessary, the whole or a part of the ceiling surface 2 may be formed as a catadioptric surface.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment according to the present invention. The second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 except that a reflecting member 7 is further provided above the light source 3.

The reflecting member 7 has reflecting surfaces 8 on both sides thereof. The reflecting surface 8 is installed at a predetermined angle γ with respect to the horizontal plane of the ceiling 2 and directs a light beam emitted upward from the light source 3 to the catadioptric surface 5 of the mirror member 4. That is, in the indirect lighting device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the light beam emitted upward from the light source 3 strikes the ceiling surface 2 without irradiating the catadioptric surface 5 of the mirror member 4. Distributed. On the other hand, in the indirect lighting device according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the light beam emitted upward from the light source 3 is first directed toward the catadioptric surface 5 of the mirror member 4 by the reflecting member 7. After being reflected, the light rays are retroreflected by the catadioptric surface 5 of the mirror member 4 and are returned in a controlled manner to a specific area of the room 1. Therefore, in addition to the rays emitted directly towards the catadioptric surface 5, the rays emitted upwards from the light source 3 are also reflected by the catadioptric surface 5, so that their illumination efficiency is considerably improved.

The inclination angle γ of the reflecting surface 8 of the reflecting member 7 can be changed based on the relative positional relationship between the light source, the mirror member and the reflecting member and other environmental conditions. However, in order to obtain the most effective illumination efficiency, the inclination angle γ of the reflecting surface 8 must be determined so that the light ray reflected by the reflecting surface 8 strikes the catadioptric surface 5 of the mirror member 4 at a right angle. It will be easy to understand what must be done.

The reflecting member 7 is preferably made of an aluminum material. However, the reflective member 7 may be made of other materials having good reflective properties.

The reflecting member 7 shown in FIG. 3 has a V-shaped cross section. However, when a spherical halogen lamp is used as the light source 3, the mirror member 4 is formed in a lattice shape so as to surround the halogen lamp, and the reflecting member 7 has a plurality of inclined reflecting side surfaces 8. It is preferably formed in a pyramid shape. By doing so, the light beam emitted upward from the light source 3 is reflected by the reflecting member 7.
From the plurality of reflecting side surfaces 8 of the mirror to be directed to the mirror members 4 arranged in a lattice, and then the light rays are retroreflected by the catadioptric surface 5 of the lattice-shaped mirror members 4 and the interior 1 The light can be efficiently returned to a specific area close to the light source, and the room 1 can be illuminated in a controlled state.

When a long fluorescent tube is used as the light source 3, it is desirable that the length of the reflecting member 7 be determined according to the length of the fluorescent tube.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, instead of the reflecting member 7 of FIG. 3, an inverted Fresnel lens (inverted Fresnel lens) is used.
A lens member made of glass or plastic such as lens) may be used. That is, this lens member is installed above the light source 3 and acts to refract the light beam from the light source 3 and direct it toward the catadioptric surface 5 of the mirror member 4.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a third embodiment of the indirect lighting device according to the present invention. In this third embodiment, at least a part of the ceiling 2'is formed on the catadioptric surface 5'made of catadioptric material, and above the light source 3 the same structure as shown in FIG. The reflecting member 7 having the above is installed.

In the third embodiment, the reflecting member 7 causes the light rays reflected by the reflecting surface 8 of the reflecting member 7 to strike the catadioptric surface 5'at a right angle or at an angle close thereto, and thereafter. , The light source body 3 and its cover member 6
The light rays emitted upward from the light source 3 are reflected toward a specific area of the catadioptric surface 5'of the ceiling 2'so that they are retroreflected to a specific area of the room 1 without being blocked by. That is, the light rays retroreflected from the catadioptric surface 5 ′ of the ceiling 2 ′ are the light source body 3
Alternatively, in order to return to a specific area of the room 1 without being blocked by the cover member 6, the inclination angle of the reflecting surface 8 of the reflecting member 7, the light source 3, the reflecting member 7, and the catadioptric surface 5 ′. It suffices to adjust the relative positional relationship with. In order to obtain the best lighting efficiency,
The light rays retroreflected from the catadioptric surface 5 ′ return to a specific area of the room 1 without being blocked by the light source body 3 or the cover member 6 thereof, so that the light rays are directed to the catadioptric surface 5 ′. It will be easily understood that the contact must be made at an angle close to a right angle.

With this configuration, the light source 3
The rays of light emitted upward from are retroreflected by the catadioptric surface 5'of the ceiling 2'through the reflecting member 7 and efficiently return to a specific area of the room 1 in a controlled state.

[0043]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

The rays emitted from the light source impinge on the catadioptric surface at a given angle of incidence in the range of 60 ° to 90 ° and are retroreflected in a controlled manner to specific areas of the room, The lighting efficiency can be significantly improved.

Since the shape and arrangement of the catadioptric surface can be easily changed, the illumination distribution on the video screen, work surface, etc. can be adjusted easily and accurately.

By installing a reflecting member or a lens member above the light source, the light beam emitted upward from the light source is directed to the catadioptric surface, so that the light beam emitted upward from the light source is reflected on the catadioptric surface. It is possible to efficiently return to a specific area in the room by being retroreflected and not blocked by the light source or the cover member of the light source.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an indirect lighting device for a working space according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of an indirect lighting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing a second embodiment of the indirect lighting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing a modification of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a third embodiment of the indirect lighting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a catadioptric / optical unit used in the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing a conventional indirect lighting device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view showing a conventional indirect lighting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Indoors 2, 2'ceiling member 3 Light source 4 Mirror member 5, 5'Catadioptric surface 6 Light source cover member 7 Reflecting member 8 Reflecting surface 9 Lens member

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A method comprising at least one mirror member having a catadioptric surface, wherein light rays emitted from an indirect illumination source are incident on the catadioptric surface of the mirror member at a predetermined angle of incidence and from said surface. An indirect lighting device for a working room space, wherein the catadioptric surface of the mirror member is installed so as to be retroreflected so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane of a ceiling defining the working room space. 2. The indirect illumination source is further provided with means for directing light rays emitted from the indirect illumination source toward a catadioptric surface of the mirror member. The indirect lighting device described. 3. The means for directing light rays to a catadioptric surface of a mirror member comprises a reflecting member having a reflecting surface, and the reflecting surface of the reflecting member is tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the ceiling. The indirect lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the indirect lighting device is provided. 4. The mirror members are arranged in a grid shape so as to surround the indirect illumination source, and the reflecting member is formed in an inverted pyramid shape having a plurality of inclined reflecting side surfaces, whereby the reflecting member is formed. 4. The indirect illumination device according to claim 3, wherein each reflective side surface of the member directs a light ray emitted from the indirect illumination source toward a catadioptric surface of the grid mirror member. 5. The indirect illumination device of claim 2, wherein the means for directing the light rays to the catadioptric surface of the mirror member comprises a lens member. 6. Indirect lighting, comprising: a ceiling wall material having a catadioptric surface formed at least in part; and means for directing light rays emitted from an indirect illumination source to the catadioptric surface of the ceiling wall material. An indirect illumination device for a working room space, characterized in that said means for directing light rays emitted from the light source toward the catadioptric surface of the ceiling wall material are provided above said indirect illumination source. 7. The means for directing light rays emitted from an indirect illumination source to a catadioptric surface of a ceiling wall material comprises a reflective member having a reflective surface, the reflective surface of the reflective member being a catadioptric surface of the ceiling wall material. 7. The optical device according to claim 6, wherein the optical device is installed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the optric surface.
Indirect lighting device according to. 8. The indirect illumination device of claim 6, wherein the means for directing light rays emitted from the indirect illumination source to the catadioptric surface of the ceiling wall material comprises a lens member.