JPH10241431A - Illumination device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illumination device of an edge emitting light, capable of being thinned, controlling light from light sources, when used, in a fixed direction for emission and emitting light on both sides of one light guide plate. SOLUTION: An illumination device has a light guide plate 1 formed of light transmissive material to inject light from light sources 2 onto the end face and emit light from the planes. The light sources 2 are formed in a linear shape and arranged almost in parallel to the end face of the light guide plate 1. On at least one plane of the light guide plate 1, plural reflecting grooves 3 in approximately V- or trapezoidal-shape are formed almost in parallel to the light sources 2. Both planes opposing each other are finished into mirror surfaces. The light sources 2 and the reflecting grooves 3 in parallel to the light sources 2 are provided at least in two sets.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an illuminating device, and more particularly, to an illuminating device in which a light source is disposed at an end of a light guide plate. It relates to a lighting device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, an edge-light type illuminating device as disclosed in JP-A-3-6525 has been used. In this lighting device, as shown in FIG. 21, a dot pattern 13 is formed on one flat surface of the light guide plate 1 by screen printing or the like, and a light source 2 is provided on an end surface of the light guide plate 1. Light is incident from the end face.

In such an illuminating device, the light emitted from the light source 2 incident from the end face of the light guide plate 1 travels inside the light guide plate 1 by repeating total reflection, and is diffusely reflected when hitting the dot pattern 13 to travel. Light having an angle that does not exceed the total reflection angle is transmitted and emitted from a plane portion of the light guide plate 1 opposite to the side on which the dot pattern 13 is formed.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, light is diffused and reflected by the dot pattern 13 so that light not exceeding the total reflection angle is emitted. The radiation of light by the light is poorly directional. In addition, the emission of light due to such diffuse reflection occurs without directivity with respect to incident light. Therefore, it is difficult to control the light to be emitted in a certain direction. In particular, when a plurality of light sources 2 are provided, it is difficult to efficiently control the direction of the emitted light with respect to each light source 2. Has become.

Further, since it is difficult to emit light from the flat portion on which the dot pattern 13 is formed, it is necessary to use two light guide plates 1 in order to emit light to both sides. It was difficult to do.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to use a plurality of light sources and control the light emitted from each light source in a certain direction to emit the light. Another object of the present invention is to provide an edge-light type illuminating device that can emit light to both surfaces of one light guide plate and can be made thin.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light guide plate 1 made of a light-transmitting material, which receives light from a light source 2 from an end face and emits the light from a flat portion. A light source 2 formed in a linear shape and disposed substantially parallel to an end face of the light guide plate 1, wherein at least one flat portion of the light guide plate 1 has a substantially V-shaped or substantially base A plurality of reflecting grooves 3 having a shape are formed substantially parallel to the light source 2, and both opposing flat portions are finished to mirror surfaces.
And two or more sets of reflection grooves 3 parallel to the reflection groove 3 are provided.

In the lighting device thus configured, the light emitted from the light source 2 incident from the end face of the light guide plate 1 travels inside the light guide plate 1 by repeating total reflection, and the reflection grooves 3 parallel to the respective light sources 2 are formed. When the light strikes the mirror, the light travels at an angle that does not exceed the total reflection angle with respect to the surface in this plane by changing its traveling angle by specular reflection and reaches the opposing plane, and is radiated from this plane. You. In the case of the specular reflection as described above, unlike the irregular reflection, the regular reflection component determined according to the shape of the reflection groove 3 increases, and the direction of the light emitted from the plane portion is controlled in a certain direction. Radiated.

The light radiated as described above corresponds to the light from the light source 2 disposed in parallel to the reflection groove 3, and the light from the other direction is radiated as it approaches the orthogonal direction. It is hard to be done. Therefore, the light from the light source 2 is selected by the reflection groove 3 parallel to the light source 2,
Can be radiated.

A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the present invention, the reflection groove 3 is formed only on one flat portion.

In the lighting device thus configured, light is radiated only from the other flat portion where the reflection groove 3 is not formed, and the respective light sources 2 are turned on and off, and one or both of the light sources 2 are turned off. Light can be emitted, and the amount of emitted light can be increased or decreased.

A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the present invention, the reflecting grooves 3 are formed on both flat portions, respectively.

In the illuminating device thus configured, each light source 2 can be turned on / off to emit light from one or both flat portions.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of light guide plates 1 are provided in an overlapping manner, and each light guide plate 1 is formed with a reflection groove 3. I have.

In the illuminating device thus configured, light can be emitted from each light guide plate 1 in a direction opposite to the reflection groove 3. In other words, the corresponding light source 2 can be selected and turned on and off, and light can be emitted from the light guide plate 1 as desired.

[0016] The invention according to claim 5 provides the invention according to claims 1 to 4.
In the invention described in any one of the above, the pitch of the reflecting grooves 3 is formed to be denser as the distance from the light source 2 increases.

In the illuminating device thus configured, since the pitch of the reflection grooves 3 is increased, the light amount specularly reflected by the reflection grooves 3 increases as the distance from the light source 2 increases, and the light radiated from the light guide plate 1 increases. Light amount increases. Therefore, the amount of light traveling in the light guide plate 1, which decreases as the distance from the light source 2 decreases, is compensated and emitted, and uniform brightness is obtained over the entire surface of the light guide plate 1.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 4.
In the invention described in any one of the above, the depth of the reflecting groove 3 is formed so as to be farther from the light source 2.

In the illuminating device thus configured, as the reflection groove 3 becomes deeper, as the distance from the light source 2 increases, the amount of light reflected specularly by the reflection groove 3 increases.
The amount of light radiated from is increased. Therefore, the amount of light traveling in the light guide plate 1, which decreases as the distance from the light source 2 decreases, is compensated and emitted, and uniform brightness is obtained over the entire surface of the light guide plate 1.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claims 1 to 4.
In the invention described in any one of the above, the pitch of the reflection groove 3 is formed denser as the distance from the light source 2 increases, and the depth of the reflection groove 3 is formed deeper as the distance from the light source 2 increases. ing.

In the illuminating device thus configured, the light source 2 can be more reliably formed by the combination of the dense pitch of the reflecting grooves 3 and the deepening of the reflecting grooves 3.
The light that travels inside the light guide plate 1, which decreases as the distance from the light guide plate 1 increases, is compensated and emitted, and uniform brightness is obtained over the entire surface of the light guide plate 1.

[0022] The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claims 1 to 4.
In the invention described in any one of (1) and (2), the shape of the reflection groove 3 is matched between the respective light sources 2.

In the illuminating device thus configured, the light from each light source 2 can be controlled in the same direction and emitted from the light guide plate 1.

The ninth aspect of the present invention is the first to fourth aspects.
In the invention described in any one of the above, the shape of the reflection groove 3 is different between the respective light sources 2.

In the illuminating device thus configured, the light from each light source 2 can be controlled in different directions and emitted from the light guide plate 1.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the shape of the reflection groove 3 formed in each light guide plate 1 is made different.

In the illuminating device thus configured, the light from each light source 2 is controlled to a different state, and each light guide plate 1 is controlled.
More radiation.

[0028] The invention described in claim 11 is the first to fourth aspects of the present invention.
In the invention described in any one of the above, the light source 2 having a different color temperature is used.

In the illuminating device thus configured, the color temperature of the light emitted from each light source 2 is different, and the color of the illumination light corresponding to each light source 2 can be changed.

[0030] The invention described in claim 12 is the invention according to claims 1 to 4.
The light source 2 and the light source 2
And a colored transparent material is provided between the light guide plate 1 and the end of the light guide plate 1.

In the lighting device thus configured, colored light can be radiated by the colored transparent material.

[0032] The invention described in claim 13 is the invention according to claims 1 to 4.
The light source 2 and the light source 2
And a filter 6 for transmitting light of a specific wavelength is provided between the light guide plate 1 and the end of the light guide plate 1.

In the lighting device configured as described above, colored light can be emitted by the filter.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light guide plate 1 made of a light-transmitting material, which receives light from a light source 2 from an end face and emits the light from a flat portion, and the light source 2 is formed linearly. A plurality of substantially V-shaped or substantially trapezoidal reflecting grooves 3 are formed on at least one flat portion of the light guide plate 1 substantially parallel to the end face of the light guide plate 1. In a lighting device in which both flat portions facing each other are mirror-finished, the reflecting groove 3 is provided in a character or graphic shape.

In the illuminating device configured as described above, characters or figures can be displayed by illuminating the surface of the light guide plate 1.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourteenth aspect, two or more sets of the light source 2 and the reflecting groove 3 parallel to the light source 2 are provided so that the shape of the character or the figure differs for each light source 2 It is characterized by the following.

In the illuminating device configured as described above, characters or figures different for each light source 2 can be displayed by illuminating the surface of the light guide plate 1.

The invention according to claim 16 is the invention according to claim 14, wherein a plurality of light guide plates 1 are provided in an overlapping manner.
A reflection groove 3 is formed in each light guide plate 1 to make the shape of a character or a figure different for each light guide plate 1, and a plane portion on one side of the light guide plate 1 on the other side is overlapped with the other light guide plate 1. The reflection groove 3 is provided on each of the flat surface portion on the opposite side and the opposite side.

In the illuminating device thus configured, characters or figures corresponding to the respective light sources 2 can be displayed on the outer surface side of the one light guide plate 1 that is superimposed.

A seventeenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the invention of the sixteenth aspect, each of the light guide plates 1 is provided with a reflecting groove 3 in a plane portion on the side where the light guide plates 1 overlap.

In the lighting device configured as described above, characters or figures corresponding to each light source 2 can be displayed on the outer surface side of each light guide plate 1.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, a plane portion on which the reflection groove 3 is formed is attached to the boundary 7 of the space by arranging it inside the space. The feature is constituted.

In the illuminating device thus configured, when the light source 2 is turned on, the surface of the light guide plate 1 outside the space illuminates, so that it is difficult to see the inside from the outside of the space.

A nineteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the third aspect of the invention, it is attached to the boundary 7 of the space.

In the lighting device thus configured, light is emitted to the outside or inside of the space, thereby making it hard to see from inside to outside or from inside to outside of the space, respectively.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the nineteenth aspect, a shielding switch for individually turning on and off the light source 2 for emitting light inside or outside the boundary 7 of the space is provided. The feature is constituted.

In the lighting device configured as described above, by operating the shielding switch, it is possible to shield the inside of the space from the inside or the inside from the inside so as to be hard to see.

The boundary 7 of the space described in claims 18 to 20 means a window of a building, an entrance or exit of a room or a partition or a screen.

[0049]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing one illuminating device according to this embodiment, in which (A) is a perspective view, (B) is a plan view, and (C) is an AA in (B). The sectional views are respectively shown.

As shown in this figure, this lighting device has a substantially rectangular light guide plate 1 and a light source 2 such as a cold-cathode tube or a fluorescent tube, which is arranged on each of orthogonal end faces of the light guide plate 1. It is made. The light source 2 is provided with a reflector 4 having a substantially U-shaped cross section so that the light emitted from the light source 2 is incident on the light guide plate 1 without waste. The reflector 4 covers the light source 2.

The light guide plate 1 is a transparent light transmissive substrate such as a glass plate or an acrylic resin plate.
From the end face and radiate from the flat part. A plurality of substantially V-shaped or substantially trapezoidal reflecting grooves 3 are formed on at least one flat portion of the light guide plate 1 substantially in parallel with the light source 2, and both upper and lower flat portions facing each other are reflected. Optically mirror-finished, including the groove 3, the light source 2 and two sets of reflection grooves 3 parallel to the light source 2 are provided.

In the lighting device thus configured,
The light emitted from the light source 2 incident from the end face of the light guide plate 1 repeats the total reflection and travels inside the light guide plate 1, and when it hits the reflection grooves 3 parallel to the respective light sources 2, the traveling angle is changed by specular reflection. The light reaches the opposing flat surface, and reaches the surface of the flat surface at an angle not exceeding the total reflection angle, and is transmitted and emitted from the flat surface. The specular reflection as described above differs from diffuse reflection in that the regular reflection component is increased, so that the amount of emitted light can be increased in a certain direction determined by the shape of the reflection groove 3.

The light radiated as described above corresponds to the light from the light source 2 disposed parallel to the reflection groove 3, and the light from other directions is hardly radiated. , The light from the parallel light source 2 can be selected and controlled by the reflection groove 3 parallel to the light source 2. Therefore,
The light from each of the plurality of light sources 2 is transmitted to the corresponding reflection groove 3.
Thus, an edge-light-type illuminating device that can be controlled so as to radiate in a certain direction and efficiently use it as illumination light is obtained.

Further, in the lighting device shown in FIG.
Reflection grooves 3 are formed on both upper and lower plane portions, respectively.
Each light source 2 is turned on and off so that light can be emitted from one or both flat portions. When irradiating light from both sides, only one light guide plate 1 is used, and it is easy to reduce the thickness of the lighting device.

In the above-described lighting device, two light sources 2
However, a similar light source 2 may be provided on the opposite end face to increase the illuminance.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are explanatory views schematically showing an illumination device different from the above-described one in this embodiment. FIG. 2A is a perspective view, FIG. 2B is a plan view, and FIG. FIG. 2 shows an AA cross-sectional view.

As shown in this figure, in this lighting device,
The reflecting groove 3 in the lighting device shown in FIG. 1 is formed only on one flat portion, and light is emitted only from the other flat portion. In this case, a reflection sheet 5 is provided on the surface of the light guide plate 1 on which the reflection grooves 3 are formed.

In such an illuminating device, the illuminance can be adjusted by turning on and off the respective light sources 2. For example, assuming that the light sources 2 have the same brightness, the illuminance can be adjusted in two stages for either one or both. In addition, one can be made twice as bright as the other, and the illuminance can be adjusted in three stages.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a light guide plate 1 having a different shape in the lighting apparatus according to this embodiment.

As shown in this figure, in this lighting device,
A light guide plate 1 having a substantially regular hexagonal shape is used, and light sources 2 are arranged on two sides forming one corner of the light guide plate 1. As described above, the shape of the light guide plate 1 is not limited to a rectangle, but may be formed in an arbitrary polygon or a fan shape, and the reflection groove 3 may be arranged in parallel with the light source 2. is there. That is, a circular light source may be provided, and a large number of light sources 2 or annular light sources 2 may be provided outside the circular shape, and the reflection groove 3 may be formed in a concentric shape.

Further, the light traveling in the light guide plate 1 does not cause mirror reflection as radiated from the flat portion of the light guide plate 1 to the reflection groove 3 parallel to the direction of the light, and And 90
The maximum amount of light is radiated from the flat portion to the reflection groove 3 having a certain degree. In the case of the hexagonal light guide plate 1, in addition to the reflection groove 3 parallel to the light source 2, there is a reflection groove 3 having an angle of 60 degrees, and the reflection groove 3 is slightly affected. However, it can be used practically without any problem.

As shown in FIG. 4, a sectional view of the above-mentioned reflection groove 3 is formed in a V-shape as shown in FIG. 4A or a trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG. Processed and finished.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the light guide plate 1 in the lighting apparatus of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. Although formed as a continuous groove, an intermittent groove as shown in FIG.

FIGS. 6A and 6B schematically show still another illumination device of this embodiment, wherein FIG. 6A is a plan view, FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. Is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

As shown in these figures, in this lighting device, a plurality of light guide plates 1 are provided in an overlapping manner, and each light guide plate 1 is provided.
The light source 2 is provided orthogonally to each light guide plate 1. In particular, in this lighting device, two light guide plates 1 are used, and one plane portion of each light guide plate 1
The reflection grooves 3 are provided on the respective light guide plates 1 so as to be orthogonal to each other.

More specifically, in the lighting device shown in the cross-sectional view of (B), the flat portion on the lower surface of the light guide plate 1 disposed above and the flat portion on the lower surface of the light guide plate 1 disposed below are respectively provided. Reflection groove 3
The light guide plate 1 is formed so that light is irradiated above these two light guide plates 1.

In the illuminating device shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 9C, the reflecting grooves 3 are provided in the two superposed plane portions, respectively, and the upper and lower portions of the two light guiding plates 1 are respectively provided. The light source 2 emits light.

That is, in the lighting device of (C), the light guide plate 1 below the lighting device of (B) is used upside down. A lighting device can be configured for use. In addition, by turning on and off the switches of the two light sources 2, it is possible to select and use one of the one-side illumination or the two-side illumination.

FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the light guide plate 1 used in each of the above-described lighting devices.
Can be formed as shown in (A) to (C).

That is, in the light guide plate 1 of (A), the pitch of the reflecting grooves 3 is formed denser as the distance from the light source 2 increases, and as the distance from the light source 2 increases, the amount of light reflected specularly by the reflecting grooves 3 increases. The light guide plate 1 is configured to increase the amount of light radiated. That is, the amount of light traveling in the light guide plate 1 that decreases as the distance from the light source 2 increases is compensated and emitted, and uniform brightness can be obtained over the entire surface of the light guide plate 1.

Further, in the light guide plate 1 of (B), the depth of the reflecting groove 3 is formed to be deeper as the distance from the light source 2 is increased.
As the distance from the light source 2 increases, the amount of light specularly reflected by the reflection groove 3 increases, so that uniform brightness can be obtained over the entire surface of the light guide plate 1.

Further, in the light guide plate 1 of FIG.
By combining the configurations of (C) and (C), the pitch of the reflection groove 3 is formed denser as the distance from the light source 2 increases, and the depth of the reflection groove 3 is formed deeper as the distance from the light source 2 increases. In this case, when either the depth or the pitch of the reflection groove 1 is not sufficiently uniform in brightness, by adopting such a configuration, the distance is more surely reduced as the distance from the light source 2 increases. The amount of light traveling inside the light guide plate 1 is compensated and emitted, and uniform brightness can be obtained over the entire surface of the light guide plate 1.

FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 schematically shows still another illuminating device of this embodiment, wherein (A) is a plan view and (B)
3A is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3C is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.

Each of these lighting devices has a reflecting groove 3 orthogonal to one flat surface of one light guide plate 1.

In particular, in the illuminating device shown in FIG. 8, the angles θ _a and θ _b of the reflecting groove 3 and the depth and pitch of the light sources 2 are the same. Therefore, in this illuminating device, the light of each light source 2 can be controlled in the same state and emitted from the light guide plate 1.

That is, when the light sources 2 having the same light amount are used for the front and back sides, the illuminance is equal on the front and back sides, and light is emitted in a fixed direction determined by the shape of the reflection groove 1 so that the illuminance distribution is constant. In addition, lighting can be performed. Also,
When the light sources 2 having different light amounts are used, illumination can be performed at different illuminances.

Further, in the lighting device shown in FIG. 9, since the angle of the reflecting groove 3 is made different between the light sources 2, the light of each light source 2 is controlled in a different direction to radiate from the light guide plate 1. It is something that can be done. In addition, by making the depth, pitch, and the like different, even when the light sources 2 having the same light amount are used for the front and back, illumination with different illuminances or distributions on the front and back can be performed.

FIGS. 10A and 10B schematically show still another illumination device of this embodiment, wherein FIG. 10A is a plan view, FIG. 10B is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 10A, and FIG. Is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

The lighting device shown in these figures has substantially the same configuration as that shown in FIG.
Are provided on top of each other, a reflection groove 3 is formed in each light guide plate 1, and the light sources 2 are arranged orthogonally to each light guide plate 1. In particular, in this lighting device, two light guide plates 1
Are different in that the angles of the reflection grooves 3 provided in the light guide plates 1 are different from each other, and the light guide plates 1 are controlled so that the light of each light source 2 is irradiated in different directions. 1 can be emitted.

Further, as shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 11, a different illuminating device, between the light source 2 and the end of the light guide plate 1 on which the light source 2 is disposed, is a colored transparent material or a light of a specific wavelength. A configuration in which a filter 6 that transmits light is provided to emit colored light is also one of the preferred embodiments. Alternatively, even if the light sources 2 having different color temperatures are used, similarly colored light can be emitted.

By dimming the emitted light and irradiating it in the same direction at the same time, the illumination light can be adjusted. , FIGS. 12-14 schematically illustrate three different types of lighting devices of this embodiment, respectively.
(A) is a plan view, and (B) is a sectional view taken along the line AA in (A).

In the three types of lighting devices shown in these figures, the reflection groove 3 provided on the light guide plate 1 is provided in the shape of a character or a figure, and when the light source 2 is turned on, the character or figure is turned on. It is formed so that it can be displayed by illuminating the surface of the device. In particular, these three types of lighting devices are formed to display the same characters or graphics on one side.

That is, in the configuration shown in FIG.
A reflection groove 3 is formed on one side of the A in a shape of A, and a light source 2 is provided at an end parallel to the reflection groove 3.

In the structure shown in FIG. 13, a reflection groove 3 orthogonal to one surface of the light guide plate 1 is formed in the same letter A shape, and the light source 2 is provided at an end parallel to the reflection groove 3. Each is provided.

In FIG. 14, two light guide plates 1 are provided so as to overlap each other, and a plane portion on one overlapped side of one light guide plate 1 and a side opposite to the overlapped side of the other light guide plate 1. The reflection grooves 3 are provided orthogonally to the flat surface portion of each. The character shapes of A formed by the reflection grooves 3 are formed so as to overlap each other.

In any of the above illuminating devices, a reflection sheet 5 is provided on a surface from which light is not emitted, so that light from the light source 2 can be used effectively.

FIGS. 15 and 16 schematically show two different types of illumination devices of this embodiment, respectively, wherein (A) is a plan view and (B) is a sectional view taken along line AA in (A). .

The two types of lighting devices shown in these figures correspond to the above-mentioned figures.
Different from those in FIGS. 12 to 14, two or four light guide plates 1 are formed so as to display the same characters or figures on the front and back sides thereof.

That is, in the structure shown in FIG. 15, the reflection groove 3 is formed on the superposed surface of the two light guide plates 1 with the reflection sheet 5 interposed therebetween. The reflection groove 3 is provided on the light guide plate 1.
Are provided so as to be orthogonal to each other, and the shape of the same letter or graphic of the same A is formed so as to overlap each other.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, four light guide plates 1 are provided in an overlapping manner, and the reflection sheet 5 is provided between the second and third sheets.
Is interposed. The lower two light guide plates 1 are provided with reflection grooves 3 on the lower surface thereof so as to be orthogonal to each other, and the lower two light guide plates 1 are provided with the reflection grooves 3 on the upper surface thereof so as to be orthogonal to each other. Is provided. The shape of each character or figure is formed so that the same character shape of A overlaps.

FIGS. 17 and 18 schematically show two different types of illumination devices of this embodiment, respectively, in which (A) or (B) shows the light guide plate 1 which is vertically stacked, and (C) shows the same. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a lighting device configured by stacking light guide plates 1.

The two types of illumination devices shown in these figures are different from those shown in FIGS. 12 to 16 in that different letters or characters are provided on one side or the front and back of a set of two or four light guide plates 1 stacked. It is formed to display figures.

That is, in the configuration shown in FIG. 17, two light guide plates 1 are overlapped, and the plane portion of one light guide plate 1 on the overlapped side is opposite to the overlapped side of the other light guide plate 1. The reflection grooves 3 are provided orthogonally to the flat portions on the sides. Each of the light guide plates 1 is provided with a reflection groove 3 in the shape of a letter A, and the other light guide plate 1 is provided with a reflection groove 3 in a shape of a letter B. Therefore, this lighting device is formed so that any one of the characters A and B can be displayed by turning on the light source 2 of one of the light guide plates 1.

In FIG. 18, the four light guide plates 1 are provided in substantially the same configuration as that shown in FIG.
2A shows the upper two-layer light guide plate 1, and FIG. 2B shows the lower two-layer light guide plate 1. As shown in FIG.

Then, in the case of this lighting device, (A)
Or (B), the upper two sheets are provided with the reflection grooves 3 in the shape of the letter A, and the two lower light guide plates 1 are provided with the reflection grooves 3 in the form of the letter B. I have. Therefore,
In this lighting device, by turning on the light source 2 of the light guide plate 1 in one or both of the upper two sheets,
The letter A is formed so that it can be displayed on the upper surface of the set of four light guide plates 1, and the letter B can be displayed on the lower surface of the set of four light guide plates 1 in the lower direction as well. It is formed so that it can be done. In addition, in this case, the brightness of the characters to be displayed can be adjusted by turning on or off one or both of the light sources 2 in the upper and lower pairs.

The four light guide plates 1 are formed so as to display different characters or figures, and the corresponding light sources 2 are turned on and off to display different characters or figures. It can be configured appropriately.

Further, the lighting device of this embodiment can be mounted as described below to function as a screen.

For example, the cross-sectional view of FIG. 19 shows a state in which the lighting device shown in FIG. The boundary 7 of the space in this case means a window of a building, an entrance or exit of a room, a partition, a partition, or the like.

As shown in this figure, when the light source 2 is turned on, the surface of the light guide plate 1 outside the space, such as a building or a room, becomes illuminated. It can be used as. That is, when the light source 2 is turned on, it is difficult to see from the outside of the space in the direction of arrow A in the figure, but the direction of arrow B viewed from the inside can see through with almost no trouble. Of course, if the light source 2 is turned off, it is transparent in any direction, so that it is possible to see through without any trouble.

In this case, two light sources 2 are provided, and the intensity of shielding can be adjusted by turning on or off one or both of them.

FIG. 20 shows a state in which the illuminating device shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the boundary 7 of the space. In this case, the respective light sources 2 are turned on and off so that the outside of the space or By radiating light to the inside, it is possible to make it difficult to see the inside from the outside of the space or from the inside to the outside, and to shield the space. That is,
The switch of the light source 2 functions as a shielding switch for performing the shielding.

[0103]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the light emitted from the light source, which is incident from the end face of the light guide plate, reaches the opposing plane portion by changing its traveling angle by specular reflection when hitting the reflection groove. Then, the light is radiated from this flat portion at a substantially constant angle. Such specular reflection has an increased regular reflection component unlike diffused reflection, so that it is possible to increase the amount of light radiated at a fixed angle determined by the shape of the reflection groove, and to efficiently contribute to illumination. .

The light radiated as described above corresponds to the light from the light source arranged in parallel to the reflection groove, and the light from other directions is hardly radiated. It is possible to select a light from a suitable light source and control the light to be emitted at a certain angle by a reflecting groove parallel to the light source.

In other words, light from a plurality of light sources can be radiated in a certain direction determined according to the shape of the reflecting groove. It can be controlled to be brightened.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, light can be emitted only from one of the flat portions, and the illuminance can be adjusted by turning on / off each light source. That is, it is possible to adjust so that the illuminance is increased by turning on a large number of light sources at the same time.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, each light source can be turned on / off to emit light from one or both sides, and can be used as a single-sided or double-sided lighting device. In addition, since light can be emitted to both sides of one light guide plate, the light guide plate can be used as a thin double-sided lighting device.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, light can be radiated from the respective light guide plates provided one above the other in the direction opposite to the reflection groove. By providing the reflection groove, light can be emitted from the outside of the two sheets, that is, from both sides. In addition, by providing a reflection groove on a plane portion where only one is overlapped, and providing a reflection groove on the outside plane portion on the other side, light can be emitted only from the outside plane portion of the one light guide plate. In other words, by changing the way of stacking the light guide plates, a single-sided or double-sided lighting device can be configured.

According to the fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, by increasing the pitch of the reflection grooves or increasing the depth of the reflection grooves, the light amount traveling in the light guide plate, which decreases as the distance from the light source increases, is compensated for. Since the amount of light radiated from the light guide plate increases, the illuminance of a portion far from the light source is prevented from lowering.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, by making the pitch of the reflection grooves dense and increasing the depth of the reflection grooves, the light travels more reliably in the light guide plate which decreases as the distance from the light source increases. The amount of light is compensated to prevent a decrease in illuminance at a portion far from the light source.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the light of each light source can be controlled in the same direction and emitted from the light guide plate, for example, the same amount of light is used for the front surface or the back surface. Thus, light can be emitted so that the illuminance is equal on the front and back sides and the light is emitted in a certain direction. In addition, by using light sources having different light amounts, illumination can be performed at different illuminances.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the light from each light source can be controlled in different directions and emitted from the light guide plate, for example, by using the same amount of light for the front and back, each light source can be used. In this way, illumination with different illuminances and radiated directions can be performed.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the light of each light source is controlled in a different direction, arbitrarily selected from the respective light guide plates, and the illumination is performed by changing the illuminance, the radiating direction and the like. be able to.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the color temperature of the light emitted from each light source is different, so that the color of the illumination light corresponding to each light source can be changed.

According to the invention of claim 12 or 13, colored light can be emitted by the colored transparent material or the filter 6, respectively.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, characters or figures are displayed on the surface of the light guide plate by illuminating them, and can be used as a display device such as a guide plate.

According to the fifteenth aspect, by selecting an arbitrary light source and turning it on and off, different characters or figures corresponding to the light source can be displayed.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, characters or graphics corresponding to the respective light sources can be displayed on the outer surface of one of the light guide plates superposed. That is,
By selecting a light source and turning it on and off, characters or graphics corresponding to each light source can be selectively displayed on one surface of the light guide plate superimposed.

According to the seventeenth aspect, characters or figures corresponding to each light source can be displayed on the outer surface side of each light guide plate. In other words, by selecting a light source and turning it on and off, on the front and back of the superposed light guide plate,
Characters or graphics corresponding to each light source can be selected and displayed.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, by turning on the light source, the surface of the light guide plate on the outside of the room is illuminated, so that the room can be hardly seen from the outside and can be shielded. That is,
Although the outside of the room can be seen from the inside of the room, the room can be shielded from the outside so that it is difficult to see the inside of the room. According to the nineteenth aspect, by turning on the corresponding light sources, light can be emitted from the outside or the inside of the room. And, by radiating light to the outside of the room, it shields the room from the outside so that it is hard to see from the outside to the room,
By radiating the light to the indoor side, the light can be shielded from the room so as to be hardly visible from the outside to the outside. Alternatively, blocking can be performed in both directions by turning on both light sources.

According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, by operating the shielding switch, it is possible to selectively shield the inside of the space from the outside or from the inside to the outside so as to be difficult to see.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing one lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing one different lighting device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a different shape of a light guide plate in the lighting device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a reflection groove formed on the light guide plate in the lighting device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a light guide plate in the lighting device of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view schematically showing another different lighting device of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a light guide plate in the lighting device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view schematically showing another different lighting device of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view schematically showing another different lighting device of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view schematically showing another different lighting device of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing another different lighting device of the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view schematically showing another different lighting device of the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing another different lighting device of the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing another different lighting device of the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view schematically showing another different lighting device of the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view schematically showing another different lighting device of the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view schematically showing another different lighting device of the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view schematically showing another different lighting device of the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which one lighting device of the embodiment is attached to a boundary of a space.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which one illumination device according to the above embodiment is attached to a boundary of a space.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 light guide plate 2 light source 3 reflection groove 4 reflection plate 5 reflection sheet 6 filter 7 boundary 13 dot pattern

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 27, 1997

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0073

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Further, in the light guide plate 1 of FIG.
By combining the configurations of ( B ) and ( B ), the pitch of the reflection groove 3 is formed denser as the distance from the light source 2 increases, and the depth of the reflection groove 3 is formed deeper as the distance from the light source 2 increases. In this case, when either the depth or the pitch of the reflection groove 1 is not sufficiently uniform in brightness, by adopting such a configuration, the distance is more surely reduced as the distance from the light source 2 increases. The amount of light traveling inside the light guide plate 1 is compensated and emitted, and uniform brightness can be obtained over the entire surface of the light guide plate 1.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name]

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

By dimming the emitted light and irradiating it in the same direction at the same time, the illumination light can be adjusted . FIGS. 12 to 14 schematically show three different types of lighting devices of this embodiment, respectively.
(A) is a plan view, and (B) is a sectional view taken along the line AA in (A).

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A light guide plate made of a light-transmitting material, which allows light from a light source to enter from an end face and emits light from a flat portion. In a lighting device arranged in parallel, a plurality of substantially V-shaped or substantially trapezoidal reflecting grooves are formed on at least one flat portion of the light guide plate substantially in parallel with the light source, and both opposed flat portions are formed. A mirror surface, and two or more sets of light sources and reflection grooves parallel to the light sources are provided. 2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the reflection groove is formed on only one of the flat portions. 3. The illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein reflection grooves are formed on both of the plane portions. 4. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of light guide plates are provided in an overlapping manner, and a reflection groove is formed in each of the light guide plates. 5. The illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the pitch of the reflecting grooves is formed denser as the distance from the light source increases. 6. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the reflection groove is increased as the distance from the light source increases. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pitch of the reflection grooves is formed denser as the distance from the light source increases, and the depth of the reflection grooves is formed deeper as the distance from the light source increases.
The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 8. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the reflection groove is made identical between the light sources. 9. The light source according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the reflection groove corresponding to each light source is different between each light source.
The lighting device according to any one of the above. 10. The lighting device according to claim 4, wherein the shape of the reflection groove formed in each light guide plate is different. 11. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein light sources having different color temperatures are used. 12. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a colored transparent material is provided between the light source and an end of the light guide plate provided with the light source. 13. The filter according to claim 1, wherein a filter that transmits light of a specific wavelength is provided between the light source and an end of the light guide plate provided with the light source. The lighting device according to the above. 14. A light guide plate made of a light transmissive material, which receives light from a light source from an end face and emits the light from a flat portion, wherein the light source is formed in a linear shape, and is substantially formed on an end face of the light guide plate. Arranged in parallel, a plurality of substantially V-shaped or substantially trapezoidal reflecting grooves are formed on at least one flat portion of the light guide plate substantially in parallel with the light source, and both opposing flat portions are mirror-finished. An illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the reflection groove is provided in a shape of a character or a figure. 15. The illuminating device according to claim 14, wherein two or more sets of a light source and a reflection groove parallel to the light source are provided, and the shape of a character or a figure is made different for each light source. A plurality of light guide plates are provided in an overlapping manner,
A reflection groove is formed in each light guide plate, and the shape of a character or a figure is made different for each light guide plate. 15. The lighting device according to claim 14, wherein the reflection groove is provided in each of the side flat portions. 17. The illuminating device according to claim 16, wherein a reflection groove is provided in a plane portion of each light guide plate on a side where the light guide plate is overlapped. 18. The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein a flat portion provided with a reflection groove is provided at a boundary portion of the space and arranged inside the space. 19. The lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the lighting device is attached to a boundary of a space. 20. The lighting device according to claim 19, further comprising a shielding switch for individually turning on and off a light source that emits light inside or outside the boundary of the space.