JPH1139916A - Portable lighting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily radiate light with a small stress on an eye when giving a light stimulation of high illuminance needed to the biorhythm adjustment, and with good portability and to trouble some or unpleasant feeling in use, for a biorhythm adjustment, etc. SOLUTION: The neighborhood of an eyeball is irradiated with the light from a light source 2 as diffusion light from a plane form diffusion light emission plane 3. A light diffusion material 12 that forms the diffusion light emission plane 3, and a reflector 11 facing backward of this light diffusion material 12 through a space, and a diffused reflection section 13 arranged on the side of the light diffusion material 12 of the reflection board 11 are provided. The light source 2 supplies light to the space between the light diffusion material 12 and the reflector 11. The luminance distribution difference inside the plane is small by the existence of the reflector 11 and the diffused reflection section 13 besides providing the diffused light emission plane of plane form. Moreover, reduction of weight can be attained compared to the one used the light guide board.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable light irradiating apparatus used for giving light stimulation to an eyeball for adjusting a biological rhythm and increasing an arousal level.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art High-intensity light therapy in which high-intensity light is irradiated for several hours is known as a therapy for coping with abnormalities in biological rhythms (biological clocks) and abnormalities in sleep-wake rhythms. This high-intensity light therapy can be used for pathological abnormalities such as seasonal affective disorder, endogenous depression, sleep-wake rhythm disorder, and biological rhythm disorder accompanied by abnormal behavior often seen in dementia patients, as well as jet lag and fatigue associated with shift work. It is also effective for non-pathological abnormalities.

Here, the high illuminance light therapy is performed by applying a high illuminance light stimulus to an eye of a patient as an artificial light source at a timing corresponding to the abnormality of the rhythm. Since the required illuminance is high, many devices are large. However, for pathological abnormalities, those that can be used in daily life with a mild level, such as mild seasonal emotional disorders and sleep-wake rhythm disorders, and non-pathological abnormalities, must be spent in front of the light irradiation device. Rather than being unable to do daily life,
Using a portable light irradiating device that illuminates the vicinity of the eyeball brightly as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6 and so on, it is possible to receive phototherapy while performing daily life by wearing the device on the body. It is preferable to keep

[0004]

However, the conventional portable light irradiation device uses a high-intensity light source consisting of a point light source or a linear light source as a light source, and the light source is disposed on an eaves portion of a visor, for example, so that the light source can emit light. In this case, the vicinity of the eyeball is illuminated with the direct light or the reflected light from the reflecting surface, and therefore, a high-luminance light source or a virtual image thereof is present in the visual field, and is extremely dazzling. In this case, for the patient, the burden on the eyes is large and the amount of received light is reduced due to the narrowing of the eyes, so that an effective phototherapy cannot be received.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a light stimulus to the eyes with a high illuminance required for adjusting the biological rhythm. An object of the present invention is to provide a portable light irradiation device that can easily perform light irradiation for adjusting a biological rhythm without any discomfort.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a portable light irradiation device for emitting light from a light source as diffused light from a planar diffused light exit surface to irradiate the vicinity of an eyeball. The light source, comprising: a light diffusing material forming an emission surface; a reflecting plate facing the light diffusing material behind the light diffusing material via a space; and a diffusely reflecting portion disposed on a surface of the reflecting plate on the light diffusing material side. Is characterized in that it supplies light to the space between the light diffusing material and the reflector. Because the difference in luminance distribution in the plane due to the presence of the reflector and the irregular reflection portion is small in addition to having a planar diffused light exit surface, the subject is dazzling even when the high illuminance required for phototherapy is secured. It is possible to reduce the burden on the eyes without feeling, and it is possible to reduce the weight as compared with the case using the light guide plate.

In this case, it is desirable that the average luminance value of the diffused light exit surface is 2,000 to 4,000 cd / m ² and the maximum luminance value is less than 8,000 cd / m ^2. The maximum / minimum ratio of the luminance in the region excluding the peripheral portion is less than 5, and the luminance difference between two points at a distance of 2 mm is 2,500 cd /
Desirably less than m ² . Even if the average luminance value is 3,
Even if the light diffusing unit is designed to obtain the required illuminance at 000 cd / m ² , the maximum luminance value is 9,000 cd / m when a high-luminance light source or its virtual image exists in the visual field.
^2. The maximum / minimum ratio of luminance in the region excluding the peripheral edge of the diffused light exit surface is 14, and the luminance difference between two points at a distance of 2 mm is 5,000 cd / m ² in the region, and the glare Is increased. Accordingly, in order to obtain a small, high-illumination, non-dazzling light, it is necessary to design such that the light source is shifted from the diffused light exit surface to the end so that no high-luminance light source is present in the field of view. is important.

The irregular reflection portion may be formed directly on the surface of the reflection plate. Further, it is advantageous for the irregular reflection portion to increase the amount of irregular reflection light as the distance from the light source increases, in order to reduce luminance unevenness. It is preferable that the surface of the reflecting plate on the side of the light diffusing material is white from the viewpoint of improving luminance and preventing luminance unevenness.

It is advantageous from the viewpoint of heat radiation that the reflector surrounding the light source and regulating the light supply direction is made of metal. It is also effective to reduce the brightness unevenness that the distance between the light diffusing material and the reflecting plate becomes narrower as the distance from the light source increases, or that a light reflecting portion is provided on the inner surface of the light diffusing material on the light source side.

[0010] Further, it is advantageous to increase the amount of emitted light by laminating a prism sheet on the light diffusing material, and to avoid the influence of harmful light by laminating a filter for blocking harmful light on the light diffusing material. Can be. It is also preferable that one side of the outer edge has an arc shape with a concave center, or the diffused light emission surface has a curved surface.

[0011]

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show an embodiment of the present invention. This is a light irradiation device 1 mounted on the lower surface of the eaves 5 part of the sun visor mounted on the human head.
The light irradiation device 1 which is formed in a flat plate shape and whose upper edge portion is rotatably connected to the eaves 5 portion, emits light from a light source 2 built in the upper portion thereof to a sun visor. The light is emitted as diffused light from one side facing the wearer, that is, the diffused light exit surface 3 which is a surface located near the eyeball of the wearer.

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section of the light irradiation device 1. The light irradiation device 1 formed as a flat hollow body has a reflector 10 at the upper part and a reflector 11 at the back, bottom and side surfaces.
The front surface is formed of the light diffusing material 12 and has a diameter of 2 to 2.
A light source 2 comprising a very thin cold-cathode tube of 3 mm is arranged in the upper part. The reflecting plates 10 and 11 are made of a synthetic resin plate or a metal plate, and have at least an inner surface having a high reflectance by white painting or mirror finishing. The reflector 10 surrounding the light source 2 is desirably made of mirror-finished metal from the viewpoint of heat radiation. In addition, it is preferable that the reflection plate 11 be one coated with white paint or one whose material itself is white from the viewpoint of increasing the reflectance and reducing the uneven luminance described below. On the inner surface of the reflection plate 11, a diffuse reflection portion 13 formed by printing a dot pattern on a polyethylene film or an acrylic thin plate with acrylic ink is provided. The light diffusing material 12 facing the rear-side reflection plate 11 at a predetermined interval is formed of a synthetic resin milky white plate, a milky white sheet, or a translucent sheet (film) subjected to mat processing. . The reflectors 10 and 11 and the light diffusing material 12 are assembled by adhesive bonding which is advantageous in terms of weight reduction. However, in terms of strength, even if they are assembled using a fixed frame surrounding the periphery. Good. In addition, the diffused light exit surface 3 is provided so as to be able to simultaneously apply light stimulation to both eyes.
It should have an area of 15 cm ² or more.

In the light irradiation device 1 thus formed, when the light source 2 is turned on, all light is directed toward the light diffusing material 12 due to the reflection by the reflectors 10 and 11 and the irregular reflection by the irregular reflection portion 13. The light is emitted as diffused light from the diffused light exit surface 3 which is the surface of the diffuser 12. The diffused light has a low luminance on the diffused light exit surface 3 and a small luminance difference between the respective parts, so that the diffused light does not feel dazzling, but provides sufficient light stimulation to the eyeball of the sun visor wearer. Can be given. From the viewpoint of adjusting the biological rhythm, the illuminance near the eyeball is 2,000 lux or more, preferably 3,000 lux.
Lux or higher is desired, and it is preferable that the illuminance near the eyeball can be changed because the sensitivity to light and brightness varies from person to person. The one that is rotatably attached to the sun visor is advantageous in that the illuminance near the eyeball can be changed by the rotation, and the change in the angle is effective in maintaining the field of view.

[0014] Here, light without glare (glitter) is preferable for phototherapy.
It is preferable that the difference in luminance of diffused light from the entire surface of No. 2 is small (the luminance unevenness is small). Regarding the point of reducing the luminance difference, a light guide plate generally formed of a transparent acrylic plate is used, and a reflection portion and a diffuse reflection portion are provided on the back side of the light guide plate, and a light diffusion portion is provided on the front side, and the light guide plate is provided. It is more advantageous to be able to transmit light from a light source incident from the end face of the light source to a place far from the light source by using total reflection inside the light guide plate. If only air is interposed without having a light guide plate, the above-mentioned total reflection cannot be used, and the luminance near the light source 2 is slightly higher than the luminance far from the light source 2.

Therefore, the light irradiation device 1 is inherently disadvantageous in terms of phototherapy. Actually, the light irradiation device A uses a light guide plate and has a small difference in luminance, and the light irradiation device 1 does not use a light guide plate. When B, which has a slight difference, is viewed 30 cm away from the eyeball as shown in FIG. 4, the degree of glare is smaller in A. However, when the light irradiating device 1 is arranged near the eyeball, the device A has a large degree of glare as shown in FIG. 2, whereas the device B has a small degree of glare. It has been confirmed by experiments that the difference in the degree of glare between A and B is almost the same, and that there is no difference between them. The presence or absence of the light plate does not cause a functional difference, but rather is preferable in that the number of parts of the component B without the light guide plate can be reduced, the weight can be reduced, and the like. .

The light irradiation device 1 can reduce the weight to 6 g if the diffused light exit surface 3 has an area of 30 cm ^2. However, the light irradiation device 1 does not use a light guide plate made of a transparent acrylic plate. The weight was 18 g when the area of the light exit surface 3 was the same. Further, if the average luminance value of the diffused light exit surface 3 is 2,000 to 4,000 cd / m ² , even if the diffused light exit surface 3 is located in the vicinity of the eyeball, there is little possibility that the user will feel glare. Even if the luminance is partially high, the burden on the eyes is reduced by setting the maximum luminance value to less than 8,000 cd / m ² . In addition, glare depends not only on the level of luminance but also on the variation in luminance. There are also variations in luminance as a whole of the diffused light exit surface 3 and local variations. In the former case, when the light source is arranged near the eyeball as described above, the maximum / minimum ratio of luminance should be less than 5. In the latter case, the user does not feel a sense of incongruity due to the bias of the luminance distribution. For the latter, by setting the luminance difference between two points at a distance of 2 mm to less than 2,500 cd / m ² ,
Even if the change in luminance becomes gentle and the ratio of the luminance of the maximum part to the minimum part of the luminance is the maximum within the above conditions, the burden on the eyes can be reduced. However, even if the brightness is considerably low in the peripheral region of the irradiation unit 2 and at the end of the visual field, the luminance is not significantly affected, so that it can be always captured in the region excluding the peripheral region, that is, the visual field. It is sufficient that the difference in the luminance distribution in the region is within the above condition.

FIG. 5 shows a structure using a groove-shaped transparent member as the irregular reflection portion 13, and FIG. 6 shows a structure using the transparent member having irregular projections as the irregular reflection portion 13. Further, the irregular reflection section 13 includes a reflection plate 11 as shown in FIG.
May be formed by directly printing an irregular reflection pattern on the surface of the reflector 11, or by forming grooves or prism-like irregularities on the surface of the reflector 11 as shown in FIGS.

Since the light guide plate is not used, the luminance unevenness in which the luminance on the side closer to the light source 2 on the diffused light exit surface 3 (light diffusing material 12) is higher than the luminance on the side farther from the light source 2 is shown in FIG. As described above, the light source 2 on the back surface of the light diffusing material 12
11A to prevent the direct light from the light source 2 from being emitted from the diffused light exit surface 3, or as shown in FIGS. The distance between the front and back of the reflector 12 may be reduced as the distance from the light source 2 increases, or as shown in FIG.
It can be suppressed by forming a curved surface from the back side to the bottom side.

As shown in FIG. 13, on the side close to the light source 2, the irregular reflection portion 13 is not provided on the surface of the reflection plate 11,
As shown in FIGS. 14 (a), 14 (b) and 14 (c), it is of course possible to use the irregular reflection portion 13 formed with a dot pattern or groove-like processing so that the amount of irregular reflection increases as the distance from the light source 2 increases. Further, the light source 2 may be built in the lower part.

Further, as shown in FIG.
It is also preferable to arrange the prism sheet 16 on the back side or the front side of the prism sheet. The prism sheet 16 having a prism angle on the film surface condenses the irregularly reflected light from the irregularly reflecting portion 13 and increases the amount of light emitted from the diffused light exit surface 3 in order to increase the amount of light in the direction perpendicular to the light diffusion plate 13. An improvement can be obtained. As shown in FIG. 16, a filter 17 for blocking light harmful to the eyes, such as an ultraviolet cut filter, may be provided.

The light irradiation device 1 need not be a flat rectangular plate. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the lower edge side may be formed in an arc shape, and as shown in FIGS. 18 (a) and 18 (b), the diffused light exit surface 3 is a curved surface that follows the curve of the face. In this case, it is possible to arrange the lens closer to the eyeball or to increase the amount of light traveling toward the eyeball.

Although the light irradiating device 1 is attached to the sun visor to arrange the diffused light exit surface 3 near the eyeball, the configuration for realizing the above arrangement is not limited to the illustrated example. Also, even with the above arrangement, the light irradiation device 1 may be embedded in the eaves 5 or may constitute the eaves 5 itself. In this case, FIG.
7 and the shape shown in FIG. 18 can be particularly preferably used. Further, although the light source 2 is arranged on the upper end side which is the eave 5 side in the illustrated example, it may be located on the lower end side, or a plurality of light sources 2 may be provided.

[0023]

As described above, the invention according to the first aspect of the present invention is directed to a portable light irradiation device that emits light from a light source from a planar diffused light exit surface as diffused light and irradiates the vicinity of an eyeball. A light diffusing material forming a diffused light exit surface, a reflecting plate behind the light diffusing material via a space, and a diffusely reflecting portion disposed on the light diffusing material side surface of the reflecting plate. And a light source for supplying light to the space between the light diffusing material and the reflecting plate. Because the difference in luminance distribution is small, the subject does not feel dazzling even when securing the high illuminance required for phototherapy, and can reduce the burden on the eyes, Because the patient can receive long-term light stimulation without stress , In which it is possible to obtain a high therapeutic effect on a biological rhythm adjustment. Moreover, the weight can be reduced as compared with the case where the light guide plate is used between the light diffusing material and the reflection plate, so that the diffused light exit surface can be easily positioned near the eyeball, and the weight can be reduced. The patient can be comfortably used for a long time without receiving the stress due to a temporary load.

In this case, by setting the average luminance value of the diffused light exit surface to 2,000 to 4,000 cd / m ² and the maximum luminance value to less than 8,000 cd / m ² , the illuminance required for phototherapy It is possible to eliminate glare caused by high-luminance light while ensuring that the maximum-minimum ratio of luminance in a region excluding the peripheral edge of the diffused light exit surface is less than 5,
When the luminance difference between two points at a distance of 2 mm is less than 2,500 cd / m ² in the above-mentioned region, glare caused by the variation in luminance on the planar light exit surface is eliminated, and the burden on the eyes is greatly reduced. It is desirable in that it can be reduced to a small size.

The irregular reflection portion may be formed directly on the surface of the reflection plate. The number of parts can be reduced and the weight can be reduced. Further, it is advantageous for the irregular reflection portion to increase the amount of irregular reflection light as the distance from the light source increases, in order to reduce luminance unevenness. When the surface of the reflection plate on the light diffusing material side is white, it is possible to obtain an improvement in luminance, and at the same time, it is possible to reduce luminance unevenness on the diffused light exit surface because the diffuse reflection component increases.

By making the reflector surrounding the light source and regulating the light supply direction made of metal, it is advantageous not only in protection of the light source but also in heat dissipation. It is also effective to reduce the brightness unevenness that the distance between the light diffusing material and the reflecting plate becomes narrower as the distance from the light source increases, or that a light reflecting portion is provided on the inner surface of the light diffusing material on the light source side.

When a prism sheet is laminated on the light diffusing material, light in the direction perpendicular to the diffused light exit surface increases, which is advantageous in terms of light stimulation to the eyeball. By stacking the filters for use, it is possible to avoid unwanted irritation caused by harmful light to the eyes. If one side of the outer edge has an arc shape with a concave center, the diffused light exit surface can be brought closer to the eyeball without being disturbed by the face, so that an effective result can be obtained with light of low luminance. .

Further, even if the diffused light exit surface is a curved surface, the distance from the eyeball can be shortened, and at the same time, the amount of light directed toward the eyeball can be increased. This is advantageous.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the same.

FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a distance between an eyeball and a diffused light exit surface and a feeling of glare, where A is a light guide plate;
Denotes a case without a light guide plate.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of another example of the above.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of still another example of the above.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of another example of the above.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of still another example of the above.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a different example of the above.

FIG. 10 is a partial vertical sectional view of another example of the above.

FIG. 11 shows still another example of the above, and (a) and (b) are both longitudinal sectional views.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of another example of the above.

FIG. 13 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of still another example of the above.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a plurality of examples of the irregular reflection portion according to the embodiment;
(b) and (c) are front views, respectively.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of a different example of the above.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of another example of the above.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another example of the above.

FIG. 18 shows still another example of the above, and (a) and (b) are horizontal sectional views, respectively.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 light irradiation device 2 light source 3 diffused light exit surface 10 reflector 11 reflector 12 light diffusing material 13 diffuse reflection part

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A portable light irradiation device that emits light from a light source as diffused light from a planar diffused light exit surface and irradiates the vicinity of an eyeball, comprising: a light diffusing material forming a diffused light exit surface; A reflecting plate facing the light diffusing material via a space behind the light diffusing material, and a diffusely reflecting portion arranged on a surface of the reflecting plate on the light diffusing material side,
The portable light irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the light source supplies light to a space between the light diffusing material and the reflection plate. 2. The luminance average value of the diffused light exit surface is 2,000.
~ 4,000 cd / m ^TwoAnd the maximum luminance value
8,000 cd / m^TwoLess than
The portable light irradiation device according to claim 1. 3. A maximum-minimum ratio of luminance in a region excluding a peripheral portion of the diffused light exit surface is less than 5, and a luminance difference between two points at a distance of 2 mm is 2,500 in the region.
The portable light irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the light irradiation intensity is less than cd / m ² . 4. The portable light irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the irregular reflection portion is formed directly on a surface of the reflection plate. 5. The portable light irradiating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the irregular reflection section increases the amount of irregular reflection light as the distance from the light source increases. 6. The portable light irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the reflection plate on the light diffusing material side is white. 7. The portable light irradiating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a metal reflector surrounding the light source to regulate a light supply direction. 8. The portable light irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the light diffusing material and the reflection plate decreases as the distance from the light source increases. 9. The portable light irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein a light reflecting portion is provided on a portion of the inner surface of the light diffusing material on the light source side. 10. The portable light irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein a prism sheet is laminated on the light diffusing material. 11. The portable light irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein a harmful light blocking filter is laminated on the light diffusing material. 12. The portable light irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein one side of the outer edge has an arc shape with a concave center. 13. The portable light irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the diffused light exit surface is a curved surface.