JPH08146152A - Lighting system and timepiece having the system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To brighten even the external periphery of a light emitting device by diffusing the light emitted by the light emitting device to the periphery of the light emitting device. CONSTITUTION: The light generated by a light emitting device 6 where a hand shaft 4 is arranged on the hand shaft 4 side of an analog movement 3 by being inserted into a through hole 6a, is applied to the area of printing 15b of a large number of stripes applied to an under surface of a transparent dial plate 15 through a diffusing plate 14 arranged above it. The irradiating light of its part passes between the printed parts 15b, and is made incident on the transparent dial plate 15, and the other irradiating light is reflected to the diffusing plate 14 by the printed parts 15b. This reflected light is diffused to the more outside inside than a position corresponding to the light emitting device 6 of the diffusing plate 14, and is made incident on the transparent dial plate 15. Therefore, since even the external periphery of the light emitting device 6 can be brightened needless to say the position corresponding to the light emitting device 6, not only the central vicinity of the transparent dial plate 15 but also the whole transparent dial plate 15 can be brightened, so that time can be reliably read even in a dark place.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting device and a timepiece including the lighting device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are clocks such as clocks in which the entire dial is illuminated by a lighting device so that the time can be read even in a dark place. As an illumination device for such a timepiece, an EL element (electroluminescence element) in which a light emitting layer emits light by applying a voltage between both electrodes with a light emitting layer interposed between a transparent front electrode and a back electrode is used. Many are used. In this illuminating device, since an EL element having substantially the same size as the dial is used to illuminate the entire dial with the EL element, the cost is high. Therefore, the EL element is usually arranged near the center of the dial. are doing.

[0003]

However, in such an illuminating device, since the EL element is arranged only near the center of the dial, the light is concentrated near the center of the dial, and thus the dial is closed. Since it is possible to illuminate only near the center of the dial and the entire dial plate does not become bright, there is a problem that it is difficult to read the time. An object of the present invention is to provide an illuminating device and a timepiece including the illuminating device that can diffuse the light emitted from the light emitting device to the periphery of the light emitting device to brighten the outside periphery of the light emitting device.

[0004]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A light emitting device that emits light and a number of dots or stripes that are arranged above the light emitting device and that are larger than the surface area of the light emitting device and that correspond to the light emitting device on the upper surface are printed. It is characterized by comprising a transparent plate for diffusing light from the light emitting device to the inside inside outside of the position corresponding to the light emitting device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a light-emitting device that emits light and a large number of light-emitting devices that are arranged above the light-emitting device and reflect light from the light-emitting device on an upper surface or a lower surface corresponding to the light-emitting device. A transparent plate on which dots or stripes are printed, and a light emitting device that is disposed between the light emitting device and the transparent plate, is larger than the surface area of the light emitting device, and is reflected by printing a large number of dots or stripes on the transparent plate. And a diffusion plate for diffusing the light from the inside into the inside outside the position corresponding to the light emitting device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is formed an analog timepiece section having a pointer shaft to which a pointer is attached, and a through hole which is provided on the pointer shaft side of the analog timepiece section and into which the pointer shaft is inserted. A light emitting device that emits light, a through hole that is disposed above the light emitting device, is larger than the surface area of the light emitting device, and into which the pointer shaft of the analog clock is inserted, and that corresponds to the light emitting device on the upper surface. Is printed with a large number of dots or stripes, and this printing comprises a transparent plate that diffuses the light from the light emitting device to the inside inside outside the position corresponding to the light emitting device.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is formed an analog timepiece portion having a pointer shaft to which a pointer is attached, and a through hole which is provided on the pointer shaft side of the analog timepiece portion and into which the pointer shaft is inserted. A light emitting device that emits light and a through hole that is arranged above the light emitting device and into which a pointer shaft is inserted are formed. A large number of light emitting devices that reflect light from the light emitting device are formed on the upper surface or the lower surface at a position corresponding to the light emitting device. A transparent plate on which dots or stripes are printed, is disposed between the light emitting device and the transparent plate, and has a through-hole that is larger than the surface area of the light emitting device and into which the pointer shaft of the analog timepiece part is inserted. And a diffusion plate for diffusing light from the light emitting device, which is reflected by printing a large number of dots or stripes on the transparent plate, to the inside outside the position corresponding to the light emitting device.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the light emitted from the light emitting device is applied to the printing area of a large number of dots or stripes formed on the upper surface of the transparent plate above the light emitting device, and , Some of the irradiation light is emitted upward through the printing of many dots or stripes, and other irradiation light is printed inside the outside of the position corresponding to the light emitting device of the transparent plate by the printing of many dots or stripes. Will be spread. Therefore, not only the position corresponding to the light emitting device, but also the outside of the light emitting device can be brightened.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the light generated from the light emitting device is applied to the printed area of a large number of dots or stripes formed on the upper surface or the lower surface of the transparent plate through the diffusion plate above the light emitting device, and this irradiation is performed. Of the emitted light, a part of the irradiation light enters the transparent plate through the printing of many dots or stripes, and the other irradiation light is reflected by the diffusion plate by the printing of many dots or stripes. The light is diffused to the inside of the diffuser plate outside the position corresponding to the light emitting device and enters the transparent plate. Therefore, not only the position corresponding to the light emitting device, but also the outside of the light emitting device can be brightened.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the light emitted from the light emitting device provided with the pointer shaft inserted into the through hole on the pointer shaft side of the analog timepiece is applied to the upper surface of the transparent plate above it. A large number of dots or stripes that have been printed are irradiated, and some of this irradiation light is emitted upwards between the printing of many dots or stripes, and other irradiation lights are many. By printing the dots or stripes, the light is diffused inside the transparent plate outside the position corresponding to the light emitting device. Therefore, not only the position corresponding to the light emitting device, but also the outside periphery of the light emitting device can be brightened, so that not only near the center of the pointer, for example, near the center of the dial, but also the entire dial. Therefore, the time can be read reliably even in a dark place.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the light emitted from the light emitting device provided by inserting the pointer shaft into the through hole on the pointer shaft side of the analog timepiece portion passes through the diffusion plate above the transparent plate and is emitted from the transparent plate. A lot of dots or stripes printed on the upper surface or the bottom surface are irradiated with a printing area, and among the irradiated light, a part of the irradiation light enters the transparent plate through the printing of a large number of dots or stripes. The other irradiation light is reflected by the diffuser plate by printing a large number of dots or stripes, and this reflected light is diffused inside the outside of the position corresponding to the light emitting device of the diffuser plate and enters the transparent plate.
Therefore, not only the position corresponding to the light emitting device, but also the outside periphery of the light emitting device can be brightened, so that not only near the center of the pointer, for example, near the center of the dial, but also the entire dial. Therefore, the time can be read reliably even in a dark place.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a timepiece having an illumination device to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 show a table clock. In these figures, 1 is a watch case. This watch case 1
A recess 2 is formed on the front surface of the. As shown in FIG. 2, an analog movement (analog timepiece part) 3 is provided in the timepiece case 1 corresponding to the recess 2. In the analog movement 3, the pointer shaft 4 is inserted into the through hole 2a formed in the center of the recess 2 and protrudes into the recess 2. The protruding tip has an hour hand 5a, a minute hand 5b and a second hand 5c.
A pointer 5 such as the above is attached, and when the pointer 5 is moved, the time is indicated and displayed.

Near the center of the recess 2 of the watch case 1,
A light emitting device 6 is arranged. As shown in FIG. 3, the light emitting device 6 includes, in order from the top, a film 7 made of a transparent synthetic resin, a surface electrode 8 made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO, a light emitting layer 9 made of a phosphor such as ZnS, and BaTiO 3. An EL element in which an interlayer insulating layer 10 made of a high dielectric material such as _{3 and the} like, a back electrode 11 made of a conductive material such as carbon, and an insulating layer 12 are laminated, and a voltage is applied between the surface electrode 8 and the back electrode 11. Then, the light emitting layer 9 is structured to emit light. The light emitting device 6 is formed into a disc shape as a whole,
A through hole 6a through which the pointer shaft 4 is inserted is formed at the center thereof. The front surface electrode 8 and the back surface electrode 11 of the light emitting device 6 are respectively provided in the watch case 1 by two lead wires 6b that are inserted through insertion holes 2b formed in the bottom of the recess 2 as shown in FIG. It is electrically connected to a circuit board (not shown).

Further, in the recess 2 of the watch case 1, as shown in FIG.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a shield plate 13, a diffusion plate 14, and a transparent dial 15 are arranged in order. Shield plate 13
Is a sheet-like material such as a paper or a film that does not transmit light, and is entirely formed in a shape corresponding to the bottom of the recess 2. A circular opening 13 a that substantially corresponds to the light emitting device 6 is formed in the center of the shield plate 13. That is, in the shielding plate 13, the diameter of the opening 13 a is equal to that of the light emitting device 6.
The diameter of the opening 13a is slightly smaller than the diameter of the light emitting device 6, and the rim of the opening 13a overlaps the peripheral portion of the light emitting device 6 to block excess light from the peripheral portion of the light emitting device 6.

The transparent dial plate 15 is a flat plate made of a transparent material such as glass or synthetic resin, and like the shield plate 13, the entire transparent dial plate 15 is substantially the same as the bottom of the recess 2 which is considerably larger than the surface area of the light emitting device 6. The through hole 15a is formed in the size of the shape, the through hole 15a through which the pointer shaft 4 is inserted is formed, the pointer 5 is attached to the tip of the pointer shaft 4 through the through hole 15a, and the hour character ( (Not shown) has a printed structure. Near the center of the transparent dial 15, that is, on the lower surface (rear surface) of the portion corresponding to the light emitting device 6, a large number of stripes 15b for reflecting the light from the light emitting device 6 are printed.
Is given. The print 15b is preferably white in order to reflect light well.

Like the transparent dial 15, the diffuser plate 14 is a flat plate made of a transparent material such as glass or synthetic resin, and is almost the same as the bottom of the recess 2 which is much larger than the surface area of the light emitting device 6 in its entirety. It is formed to the size of the shape. A through hole 14a through which the pointer shaft 4 is inserted is formed at the center of the diffusion plate 14, and a stripe printing 15 of the transparent dial 15 is provided on the transparent dial 15 side of the through hole 14a.
A "mortar" shaped inclined portion 14b corresponding to the outer peripheral edge of b is formed. In addition, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, fine irregularities for irregularly reflecting light are formed by embossing in the regions 14c and 14d excluding the "mortar" -shaped inclined portion 14b and the corresponding portion.

A front case (watch glass) 16 made of transparent synthetic resin is fitted to the front part (upper part in FIG. 2) of the recess 2 of the watch case 1. A push button switch 17 for lighting the light emitting device 6 is provided on the upper surface of the watch case 1.

In such a table clock, the push button switch 1
When 7 is pressed and the light emitting device 6 is turned on, of the light generated from the light emitting device 6, excess light at the peripheral portion is shielded by the shield plate 13, and the light passing through the opening 13 a of the shield plate 13 is diffused. The light enters the vicinity of the center of the plate 14, that is, the portion corresponding to the "mortar" -shaped inclined portion 14b of the diffusion plate 14. Of the incident light, a part of the light is reflected by the inclined portion 14b of the diffusion plate 14 and travels inside the diffusion plate 14 toward the outside, and most of the other light is refracted by the inclined portion 14b of the diffusion plate 14. The area of the printing 15b on the lower surface of the transparent dial 15 (hereinafter,
It is irradiated to the print area). Of the emitted light, a part of the emitted light passes through the plurality of stripe prints 15b of the transparent dial 15 and is incident on the transparent dial 15 to illuminate the vicinity of the center of the transparent dial 15. The light is reflected by the printing 15b of a large number of stripes on the transparent dial plate 15, and the reflected light is reflected from the inclined portion 14b of the diffuser plate 14 again.
And enters the diffusion plate 14 toward the outside.

In this way, the light traveling inside the diffusion plate 14 toward the outside, that is, the light reflected by the inclined portion 14b of the diffusion plate 14 traveling toward the outside inside the diffusion plate 14, and the transparent dial 1
The light reflected by the printing 15b of the stripe 5 and re-incident in the diffuser plate 14 and traveling toward the outside is repeatedly irregularly reflected by the unevenness of the regions 14c and 14d on the both sides of the diffuser plate 14 excluding the inclined portions 14b. While advancing inside the diffusion plate 14 toward the outside, it is diffused from the outer peripheral side of the inclined portion 14b of the diffusion plate 14, and the diffused light is incident on the outer peripheral side of the printing area of the transparent dial 15 and is transmitted to the transparent dial 15 Illuminate the outer peripheral side of. As a result, the light passing between the prints 15b of the transparent dial 15 illuminates the vicinity of the center of the transparent dial 15, and the light reflected by the print 15b and the light reflected by the inclined portion of the diffuser 14 are diffused. The outer peripheral side of the transparent dial 15 is illuminated by diffusing from the outer peripheral side of the printing area by advancing the inside toward the outer side. Therefore, the entire transparent dial 15 is illuminated substantially uniformly, and the time can be read reliably even in a dark place.

In the above embodiment, a large number of stripe prints 15b are formed on the lower surface of the transparent dial plate 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the prints 15b may be formed on the upper surface. Not limited to many dots
However, the transparent dial 15 is not limited to the above embodiment, and fine unevenness may be formed on both the front and back surfaces except the area of the printing 15b by embossing. Further, in the above embodiment,
Although the diffusion plate 14 is arranged between the transparent dial 15 and the light emitting device 6, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a large number of dots or stripes printing 15b is formed on the upper surface of the transparent dial 15.
In addition, the transparent dial 15 may have the function of the diffusion plate 14 by forming fine irregularities on the front and back surfaces of the transparent dial 15 excluding the area of the print 15b by embossing. In this way, the diffuser plate 14 is unnecessary and the number of parts can be reduced.

[0021]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the transparent plate having a surface area larger than the surface area of the light emitting device is arranged above the light emitting device which emits light, and light is emitted on the upper surface of the transparent plate. A lot of dots or stripes are printed at the position corresponding to the device, and this printing diffuses the light from the light emitting device to the inside and outside of the position corresponding to the light emitting device. You can

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the transparent plate is arranged above the light emitting device which emits light, and the light from the light emitting device is placed on the upper surface or the lower surface of the transparent plate at a position corresponding to the light emitting device. A large number of reflective dots or stripes are printed, and a diffuser plate larger than the surface area of the light emitting device is arranged between the light emitting device and the transparent plate, and this diffuser plate prints a large number of dots or stripes on the transparent plate. Since the light reflected by the light emitting device is diffused inward from the position corresponding to the light emitting device, the periphery of the light emitting device can be brightened.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a light emitting device which emits light when the pointer shaft is inserted into the through hole is provided on the pointer shaft side of the analog timepiece section having the pointer shaft to which the pointer is attached. A transparent plate, which is larger than the surface area of the light emitting device and in which the pointer shaft of the analog clock is inserted into the through hole, is arranged above the light emitting device, and a large number of dots are arranged on the upper surface of the transparent plate corresponding to the light emitting device. Or, stripes are printed, and the light emitted from the light emitting device is diffused to the outside inside of the position corresponding to the light emitting device by this printing, so that the outside periphery of the light emitting device can be made brighter. For example, not only near the center of the dial, but also the entire dial can be brightened, so that the time can be reliably read even in a dark place.

According to the invention described in claim 8, a light emitting device which emits light by inserting the pointer shaft into the through hole is provided on the pointer shaft side of the analog timepiece section having the pointer shaft to which the pointer is attached. A transparent plate having a pointer shaft inserted into the through hole is arranged above the light emitting device, and a large number of dots or stripes for reflecting light from the light emitting device are formed on the upper surface or the lower surface of the transparent plate at a position corresponding to the light emitting device. A diffusing plate, which is printed and is larger than the surface area of the light emitting device and in which the pointer shaft of the analog timepiece is inserted into the through hole, is arranged between the light emitting device and the transparent plate. Since the light from the light emitting device reflected by the printing of the dots or stripes of the above is diffused inside the outside of the position corresponding to the light emitting device, it is possible to brighten the outside periphery of the light emitting device as well. Vicinity of the center, not only the vicinity of the center of the example dial, it is possible to lighten the whole dial and therefore can be reliably read the time even in the dark.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of essential parts of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a clock.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part in a state where FIG. 1 is assembled.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the light emitting device of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an AA enlarged cross-sectional view of the diffusion plate of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Analog movement 4 Pointer shaft 5 Pointer 6 Light emitting device 6a Through hole of light emitting device 14 Diffusion plate 14a Through hole of diffusion plate 14b Inclined part 15 Transparent dial 15a Through hole of transparent dial 15b Printing

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A light emitting device which emits light, and a large number of dots or stripes which are arranged above the light emitting device and which are larger than the surface area of the light emitting device and which correspond to the light emitting device on the upper surface. A illuminating device comprising: a transparent plate which is applied and diffuses light from the light emitting device to an inside of an outside of a position corresponding to the light emitting device. 2. A light emitting device which emits light, and a plurality of dots or stripes which are arranged above the light emitting device and which reflect light from the light emitting device on an upper surface or a lower surface of a position corresponding to the light emitting device. A transparent plate provided with the light emitting device, the light emitting device being disposed between the light emitting device and the transparent plate, having a surface area larger than that of the light emitting device and being reflected by printing a large number of dots or stripes on the transparent plate. An illuminating device comprising: a diffuser plate for diffusing light from the inside into the inside outside the position corresponding to the light emitting device. 3. The unevenness for reflecting and diffusing light generated from the light emitting device is formed on at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the transparent plate. Lighting equipment. 4. The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the diffusion plate is formed with an inclined portion at a position corresponding to at least the light emitting device. 5. The unevenness for reflecting and diffusing light generated from the light emitting device is formed on at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the diffusion plate. The lighting device according to claim 1. 6. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting device is electroluminescent. 7. A light emitting device for generating light, which has an analog timepiece part having a pointer shaft to which a pointer is attached, and a through hole which is provided on the pointer shaft side of the analog timepiece part and into which the pointer shaft is inserted. A light emitting device, a through hole that is disposed above the light emitting device, is larger than the surface area of the light emitting device, and into which the pointer shaft of the analog timepiece section is inserted, and is provided on the upper surface at a position corresponding to the light emitting device. And a transparent plate for diffusing the light from the light emitting device to the inside outside the position corresponding to the light emitting device by this printing, and the illuminating device characterized by the following: clock. 8. A light emitting device for generating light, which has an analog timepiece section having a pointer shaft to which a pointer is attached, and a through hole which is provided on the pointer shaft side of the analog timepiece section and into which the pointer shaft is inserted. A device and a through hole formed above the light emitting device and into which the pointer shaft is inserted; and a plurality of dots for reflecting light from the light emitting device on an upper surface or a lower surface at a position corresponding to the light emitting device, or A transparent plate on which a stripe is printed, and a through hole that is arranged between the light emitting device and the transparent plate and is larger than the surface area of the light emitting device and into which the pointer shaft of the analog timepiece part is inserted are formed. And a diffusing plate for diffusing light from the light emitting device reflected by printing of a large number of dots or stripes of the transparent plate to an inside of an outside of a position corresponding to the light emitting device. Timepiece having a lighting device comprising and. 9. The unevenness for reflecting and diffusing light generated from the light emitting device is formed on at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the transparent plate. A clock with a lighting device. 10. A printing area such as a large number of dots or stripes printed on the transparent plate exists only at a position corresponding to the light emitting device.
A timepiece provided with the illumination device according to any one of 9 above. 11. The illumination device according to claim 8, wherein an inclined portion is formed in a through hole of the diffusion plate into which the pointer shaft of the timepiece portion is inserted. A clock. 12. The unevenness for reflecting and diffusing light generated from the light emitting device is formed on at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the diffuser plate. A watch provided with the lighting device according to claim 1. 13. A timepiece provided with the illuminating device according to claim 7, wherein the light emitting device is electroluminescent.