WO2006065049A1

WO2006065049A1 - Luminous window/door apparatus using light guide panel

Info

Publication number: WO2006065049A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/004254
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bumyoung Myoung
Original assignee: Hunatech Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-12-14
Filing date: 2005-12-13
Publication date: 2006-06-22
Also published as: KR100536841B1

Abstract

Disclosed is a luminous door device using a light guide panel. A desired letter or pattern is formed as micro depressions on one surface of a light guide panel made of a transparent acrylic plate material. A light source section is disposed in one lateral side or both facing lateral sides of the light guide panel so as to abut a lamp such that the light of the lamp is incident inwards of the light guide panel. The light source section is composed of one or plural light source modules linearly connected. The light source module includes at least one lamp and a lamp drive section for supplying power to the lamp, which are mounted in a lamp housing to form a single module. A combination set of the light guide panel and the light source section closely disposed to the lateral side thereof is mounted and fixed to a door frame. The lamp light incident inside the light guide panel is totally reflected on a region not having a depression and scattered or diffusion- reflected on a region having the depression of desired pattern such that the latter region of the desired pattern shines more brightly than the former region.

Description

LUMINOUS WINDOW/DOOR APPARATUS USING LIGHT

GUIDE PANEL

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a luminous door or window of new concept, in which an intended pattern or expression shines bright. More specifically, the invention relates to a set for luminous doors and windows, in which an intended pattern of light scattering elements is engraved in a light guide panel, and a light is incident from the lateral side of the light guide panel such that the intended pattern only can be brightened, and also to technologies for fabricating luminous doors and windows using the set. Background Art

[2] A conventional window or door is constructed typically of a window frame or a door frame and a glass pane fixed thereto. The glass pane is transparent or translucent with the same tone over the whole area, or may have a depressed pattern or a raised pattern provided through surface treatment techniques. In both types of glass panes, the glass pane of the conventional window or door has only a passive function of transmitting or blocking external light, not voluntarily emitting light.

[3] Light can be used to upgrade the appearance or grade of an object into a luxurious or classy form so as to draw people's gaze and attentions. In addition, usually windows or entrance doors are installed in the places catching people's eyes. Therefore, it is considered that windows or doors can be actively utilized as an advertising means or a display means.

[4] On the other hand, a light guide panel is known as a major component for an LCD panel or the backlight unit of an advertising film, and has been limitedly used for those purposes only. In the case where the light guide panel is used for the above purposes, the light guide panel is disposed behind an object such as the LCD panel or the advertising film such that the light can be directed only towards the object. Therefore, the light guide panel is structured in such a way that a light-scattering and reflecting element such as an ink dot pattern, a V-cut, a depressed pattern or a raised pattern is formed on the surface thereof and a reflective plate is attached to the surface. Furthermore, one more importantly function than anything else is to have a high and uniform luminance over the entire surface of the light guide panel. The light scattering and reflecting element must be formed in a pattern to enable to achieve an optimally uniform luminance. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[5] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems in the prior art. It is an object of the invention to provide a luminous door device, in which a letter and/or a pattern is engraved in a light guide panel, a light source section is combined in the lateral side of the light guide panel, and then the light guide panel is installed in the frame of a window or an entrance door such that the letter and/or the pattern can be expressed through light, thereby providing a luxurious and classy appearance and thus attracting people's gaze.

[6] Another object of the invention is to provide a luminous door device, in which the light source section can be simply detached from the door frame without disassembling the light guide panel, thereby enabling to easily replace a defective light source section. Technical Solution

[7] In order to accomplish the above objects, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a luminous door device capable of being additionally installed in a window frame or a door having a glass pane. The door device comprises: a light guide panel closely disposed in one side of the glass pane in such a way to be attached in parallel, the light guide panel being formed of a transparent plate member, a number of depressions being formed in part of one face of the plate member so as to express a desired letter, a pattern or a combination thereof in cooperation with the remaining portion not having a depression, the depressions having a fine size to the extent to be invisible to a naked eye; a light source section disposed between at least one lateral side of the light guide panel and at least one inner face of the window frame or the door frame facing the lateral side, the light source section including one or more lamps installed so as to project light toward inside of the light guide panel through the lateral side thereof and a power supply for providing an electric power to light the lamp; and a fixing means for fixing the light guide panel and the light source section to at least one of the glass pane and the door frame; wherein, when the lamp is lit, the lamp light incident inside the light guide panel through the lateral side thereof is totally reflected on a first region not having the depression and scattered or diffusion-reflected on a second region having the depression such that the second region shines more brightly than the first region, thereby clearing expressing the letter, the pattern or the combination thereof.

[8] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a luminous door device. The door device comprises: a light guide formed of a transparent plate member, a number of depressions being formed in part of one face of the plate member so as to express a desired letter, a pattern or a combination thereof in cooperation with the remaining portion not having a depression, the depressions having a fine size to the extent to be invisible to a naked eye; a light source section disposed adjacently along at least one lateral side of the light guide panel, the light source section including one or more lamps installed so as to project light toward inside of the light guide panel through the lateral side thereof and a power supply for providing an electric power to light the lamp; and a door frame for holding and supporting the light guide panel combined with the light source section, wherein, when the lamp is lit, the lamp light incident inside the light guide panel through the lateral side thereof is totally reflected on a first region not having the depression and scattered or diffusion-reflected on a second region having the depression such that the second region shines more brightly than the first region, thereby clearing expressing the letter, the pattern or the combination thereof.

[9] The light source section includes one or more light source modules, each of which is constructed in a single modular form where a desired number of lamps and a power supply for supplying electric power to the lamp are mounted in an integrated lamp housing. In addition, the light source section is fixed to the door frame using a removable adhesive such that, when necessary, the adhesive can be removed to detach the light source section from the light guide panel and the door frame. In this way, the light source section is modularized. Thus, when the lamp or the power supply section need to be repaired, the light source module can be simply detached to replace the defective lamp or power supply section, without disassembling other parts, thereby enabling easy maintenance.

[10] The lamp housing of the light source module includes: a light reflector pocket forming an open curvature surface of a "c" shape or similar shapes which is opened with a certain width along its longitudinal direction to accommodate the lamp and emit light in one direction; a tube member extended over approximately the same length as the light reflector pocket and forming an integrated piece therewith while sharing part of each other to thereby receive the power supply; a first plug and a second plug for closing both opposite openings of the tube member, a first groove and a second groove being formed inwards of the tube member in an appropriate position of the body; and an electrode terminal section including electrode terminals, which are installed in a way as to be protruded towards the groove entrance or embedded inside the groove bottom from the bottom of the first and second grooves of the first and second plugs to provide for electrical connection from outside and electrical connection with the power supply module, wherein the elements of the light source module are assembled into an integrated modular structure such that the lamp is lit when an electric power is applied to the electrode terminal from outside. The light source section includes a connection jack closely parallel-connecting a plurality of light source modules in a linear fashion. Furthermore, in case where the light source section is disposed in both facing lateral sides of the light guide panel, the light source section may further include a cable-type connection jack parallel-connecting two sets of light modules linearly connected in both lateral sides.

[11] Preferably, the power supply further includes an electrode heating section that rapidly heats each electrode of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp to increase ambient temperature of the electrode of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp before the lamp drive section supplies a starting power to the cold cathode fluorescent lamp, thereby facilitating a smooth lighting of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp.

[12] In addition, an opaque tape is adhered along the edge of the light guide panel where the light source section is contacted, so that the light from the light source section is not totally reflected on the edge of the light guide panel, thereby preventing leakage of the light. A transparent protective glass pane or a transparent film is attached to one or both surfaces of the light guide panel, to thereby protect the light guide panel from scratches or the like, which may causes leakage of light.

[13] The depression expressing a desired letter, a pattern or a combination thereof is formed through a sandblasting process, in which fine particles are blasted on the light guide panel on the surface of which a film is attached. The film has the same size of the light guide panel and the desired letter, the pattern or the combination thereof is cut out from the film. The depressions are formed in such a pattern that the density or the density and average size is gradually increased as departing away from the lateral face of the light guide panel where the light source section abuts, thereby improving uniformity of luminance.

Advantageous Effects

[14] The luminous door device of the present invention can be applied to windows or entrance doors, in which letters or patterns can be expressed using light to thereby provide a luxurious and classy appearance to the windows and the entrance doors. Thus, the luminous door device of the invention can be used as an advertising means. In particular, light of a lamp is emitted through a certain area of a light guide panel where a depressed pattern is engraved, and thus light efficiency is significantly improved in the light emitting area.

[15] The light guide panel and the light source section can be installed in a door frame through a simple process of applying a silicon bond, or the like and then the installation can be completed by plugging the electric plug into the light source section and closing the cover. Therefore, even a beginner can install the device on site in an easy and fast way. In addition, a plurality of light source modules can be linearly connected using a connection jack without any separate wiring work to thereby achieve any desired length of light source section. That is, the present invention has flexibility capable of being applied to any size of door or window. The light source section itself forms a single compact module, thereby providing convenience in installation of the luminous door device. In addition, where the lamp needs to be repair, the silicon bond can only be removed to simply replace the light source section only, thereby providing for a convenient installation and maintenance.

[16] Besides, the light source section is rapidly heated and then started and thus the lamp can be lighted without particularly increasing the starting voltage at low temperature. Therefore, the life- shortening due to high-voltage starting can be prevented. In addition, the tube member of the lamp housing is designed to prevent moisture permeation from the outside, thereby enabling a wide range of indoor and outdoor applications. Brief Description of the Drawings

[17] Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[18] Fig. 1 shows an assembled luminous door device using a light guide panel according to an embodiment of the invention;

[19] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the luminous door illustrated in Fig. 1;

[20] Fig. 3 is an illustrative sectional view taken along the line A-A in Fig. 1 ;

[21] Figs. 4 and 5 are another illustrative sectional views taken along the line A-A in

Fig. 1;

[22] Fig. 6 illustrates a sectional view taken along the line A-A in Fig. 1 ;

[23] Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a luminous window device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[24] Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a luminous door device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[25] Figs. 11 and 12 shows a formation of depressed patterns on a light guide panel using a sandblasting machine;

[26] Fig. 13 shows a block diagram of a modularized light source device that can be applied to the luminous door/window device of the invention;

[27] Figs. 14 and 15 show the construction of heater for heating the electrode of a lamp;

[28] Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a light source module used in the luminous door/window device of the invention;

[29] Fig. 17 shows a method of connecting two light source modules of Fig. 16 in a linear fashion;

[30] Figs. 18 and 19 show the connection between a connection jack and an electrode terminal designed to have a waterproof function;

[31] Fig. 20 illustrates a luminous door device according to an embodiment of the invention where the door frame partially wraps around the lateral side of the light guide panel;

[32] Fig. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in Fig. 20;

[33] Fig. 22 illustrates a luminous door according to an embodiment of the invention where the invention is applied to a conventional entrance door in such a way that the door frame partially wraps around the lateral side of the glass pane; and

[34] Fig. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C in Fig. 22.

Mode for the Invention

[35] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be hereafter described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[36] A light-emitting device, which is constructed by combining a light guide panel and a light source set, is categorized into a direct-type and an edge-type, depending upon a position where the light source set is disposed in the light guide panel. That is, in the direct-type, a lamp is disposed under the rear face of the light guide panel to provide a direct illumination. In the case of the edge-type, the lamp is disposed in the lateral side of the light guide panel and light is laterally incident on the light guide panel to be indirectly emitted towards the front face of the light guide panel. The present invention relates to an edge-type device. A window or door according to the invention (hereinafter, referred to as a luminous door device ) is composed generally of a light guide panel, a light source section disposed in one or more lateral sides of the light guide panel, and a door frame for receiving and supporting the light guide panel and the light source section.

[37] The light guide panel is transparent and formed of a flat, bent or curved plate member. On one surface of the light guide panel is formed a light scattering element to express a desired pattern. Preferably, the light guide panel is made of acrylic resin (PMMA), which has a good light transmittance and thus is widely used as a light guide panel for a LCD backlight unit. The contents expressed through the light scattering element is not particularly limited, for example, may include a service mark using letters, advertising phrase or message, symbols, diagrams, various patterns, figures, photographs, and the like. This light scattering element can be selected from well- known ones, such as ink dots, V-cuts, hologram patterns, micro depressions, raised patterns or likes. The area on the light guide panel where the light-scattering element formed constitutes a light emitting region. In addition, the light- scattering element is means for displaying letters or patterns to be expressed. Thus, a micro depression is preferable and suitable for the light scattering element to thereby enable a sophisticated expression. The micro depression has preferably a small size to the extent not to be visible to the naked eye.

[38] The formation of depressions on a light guide panel may be performed through a sandblasting process, an injection molding process, an extrusion process, or the like. Among them, the sandblasting process is efficient in terms of its flexible adjustment to the size of a light guide panel. The sandblast formation of depressions on a light guide panel is disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2003-0020636 entitled Light guide panel having micro depressions formed through sandblast process and backlight unit using same , which has been filed by the present applicant and the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. What is not disclosed in the above application and intended to describe in the present invention is the formation of desired letters and patterns in a light guide panel 10 using a protective film 70.

[39] Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate the formation of micro depressions using a sandblasting process. Fig. 11 shows the formation of micro depressions using a spray tube device 80 where two opposing lateral faces of a light guide panel 10 form a light incident face. Fig. 12 shows the formation of micro depressions using a spray nozzle device 90 where one lateral face of a light guide panel 10 forms a light incident face. When sandblasting, preferably the blasting amount of fine particles is maintained constant in order to obtain a desired depressed pattern. The constant blasting rate of the fine particles can be achieved by providing a free falling course to the travelling path of fine particles leading to the spray tube 82 and the spray nozzle 92.

[40] In order to provide a desired letter or pattern on the light guide panel, first, a protective film 70 is to be prepared. For this purpose, after deciding the letter or pattern to be engraved in the light guide panel, the letter or pattern is cut out from the protective film 70, which has a resistance to damage due to blasting particles. In the figures, the protective film 70 is configured such that letters HNT hunateck and an area below the curved boundary line are intended to be formed as a depressed pattern 12. The above-configured protective film 70 covers a transparent acrylic resin panel 10. Then, only the letter or pattern regions are exposed on the surface of the panel 10. Fine particles such as emery powder are blasted with a high speed on the surface of the acrylic resin panel, which is covered with the protective film. As the result, enormous fine depressions are formed in the exposed area of the panel surface by the protective film, but not the area covered by the protective film.

[41] With the above-configured transparent acrylic panel 10, i.e., the light guide panel

10, when light is not incident through the lateral side of the light guide panel 10, the region 12 with a depressed pattern formed is not luminous. Since the depressed pattern has a micro size enough not to be visible to the naked eye, it can remain transparent to the extent not to obstruct the opposite side view. However, when light is incident on the lateral side of the light guide panel 10, the depressed pattern region 12 alone is brightly luminous. That is, the light incident to the inside of the light guide panel 10 performs a total reflection on the region without a depressed pattern, through which the light does not pass. Thus, the region not having the depressed pattern remains transparent. The region 12 formed with the depressed pattern causes scattering and reflection of the light and thus becomes an opaque area emitting a bright milky light. Here, in order for the depressed pattern region 12 to have a uniform luminance, the micro depressions are formed in such a manner that the density thereof or the density and size thereof gradually increases as departing away from the light- incident lateral face. With the illustrated spray tube device 80 and the spray nozzle device 90, the number and impact of the particles, being blasted on the surface of the light guide panel, gradually increases as departing away from the light incident face, while maintaining constant the amount of fine particles sprayed per unit hour. In this way, the density and average size or depth of the micro depressions increases gradually as departing away from the light-incident lateral face, thereby achieving the intended depressed pattern described above.

[42] Figs. 1 and 2 show the construction of a luminous door device according to an embodiment of the invention where a micro pattern is employed as the light scattering element. Either surface of the light guide panel 10 is provided with micro depressed patterns 12 that are formed on part of the surface to express a letter or pattern. The other surface thereof remains at unprocessed state of the smooth surface. In the illustrated light- guide panel 10, the letters HNT hunatech and an area below the curved boundary line correspond to a depressed pattern 12. Among the lateral sides of the light guide panel 10, those except for the lateral sides contacting a light source section 200 is attached with a light-reflective tape 18 to prevent the light from leaking through those lateral sides. In the case of conventional backlight units, light needs to be emitted only towards the front side of the light guide panel, a reflective film (not shown) is attached on the rear face of the light guide panel where a light scattering element. In the present invention, however, the light guide panel 10, as an alternative to a glass or together with a glass, needs to be viewed from any directions of the front and rear sides thereof in the same manner as a glass pane. Thus, a reflective film is not attached to the light guide panel 10.

[43] In one lateral side or both lateral sides of the light guide panel 10 is disposed a light source section 20. In the figures, the light source section 20 is illustrated as three light source modules 20-1, 20-2 and 20-3 linearly connected. The number of the light source modules constituting the light source section 20 can be chosen appropriately, depending upon the size of the light guide panel and its desired brightness. One light source module 20-1 includes at least one lamp 130 and a lamp drive section 110 for supplying electric power to the lamp 130, which are mounted in an integrated lamp housing to form a single module. The light source module 20 is disposed in a way that the lamp 130 abuts the light-incident lateral side of the light guide panel 10. Thus, the light from a lit lamp 130 is uniformly introduced into the inside of the light guide panel 10 through the light- incident lateral side thereof.

[44] A preferred embodiment of the light source module 20-1 is shown in Figs. 13 to 19.

The light source module 20-1 includes one or more lamps 130, a lamp drive section 110 for supplying electric power for starting and lighting the lamps. The light source module 20-1 is modularized such that all the constitutional elements are integrally formed through a lamp housing 150, considering convenient installation, lengthwise expandability, water-proof, and so on.

[45] The lamp 130 can employ a lamp capable of generating visible light, for example, the straight tube-type cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), or a linear arrangement of plural light-emitting diode lamps. The CCFL requires an operating voltage of 600~800volts and the starting voltage thereof is much higher than that. Thus, in order to generate such a rated operating power, the lamp drive section 110 includes a boost converter 114 for boosting a first direct voltage of a desired level and an inverter 115 for converting the boosted second direct voltage into an alternating voltage of high frequency and supplying an operating power to the lamp 130. The first direct voltage provided to the boost converter 114 may be supplied from an external means such as a DC adapter (not illustrated). Alternatively, as illustrated in the figures, the lamp drive section 110 may be provided with a bridge circuitry 113 capable of converting an externally- supplied commercial AC power into a DC power. Furthermore, preferably an input filter 112 may be further provided for preventing noise or excess current from being introduced from outside. More preferably, the boost converter 114 may be further provided with a power factor correction (PFC) circuit.

[46] The performance of CCFL is, by nature, degraded if the ambient temperature is excessively high or low. In particular, special measures are needed in order for the CCFL to be smoothly operated even at a very low temperature, such as when the CCFL is operated outdoors in wintertime. At a low temperature, the sealed gas (Ar, Ne) and mercury of the CCFL have a decreased activity and thus result in uneven gas distribution. In particular, the mercury molecules exist in an agglomerated state. Accordingly, in order to light the CCFL at a low temperature, a relatively high starting voltage is required. Consequently, a relatively high amount of tungsten may be evaporated from the lamp electrode to accelerate blackening phenomenon, thereby causing a problem of shortening the service life of the lamp. In order to mitigate the blackening and facilitate the formation of high frequency energy, the present invention proposes a solution where the lamp electrode is rapidly heated before an operating voltage is applied to the lamp. For this purpose, preferably, the light source module 20-1 may be further provided with an electrode heating section 120 for facilitating turn-on of the lamp 130. Before applying a starting voltage to the lamp 130, the electrode heating section 120 heats either one or both of the lamp electrodes 134-1 and 134-2 for a certain period of time to elevate the ambient temperature of the lamp electrode. Specifically, the electrode heating section 120 includes a heater 124a, 124b for directly heating the lamp electrodes and a heater power supply 122 for supplying electric power to the heaters.

[47] As illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15, a single heater 24a includes a heating material plate 124a- 1 and an electrode plate 124a-2, 124a-3 tightly contacted with both faces of the heating material plate 24a- 1 respectively. The heating material plate 124a- 1 is directly contacted with the lead wires 132-1 and 132-2 of the lamp electrodes 134-1 and 134-2, thereby allowing efficient heat conduction between them. For this purpose, formed on the heating material plate 124a- 1 are insert holes 124a-4 and 124a-5, through which the lead wires 132-1 and 132-2 are inserted to be connected thereto. Suitable materials for the heating material plate 124a- 1 include fine ceramic materials. When a voltage (for example, DC 400V) is applied between two electrode plates 124a-2 and 124a- 3, the fine ceramic material is inherently rapidly heated within a few seconds up to a target temperature (for example, 100⁰C, and, thereafter, no more power consumption occurs and the temperature is no longer increased. According to one exemplary fine ceramic heater 124a, 124b, it has been found that the fine ceramic heater can be rapidly heated up to about 12O⁰C within one second and the lamp electrodes 134-1 and 134-2 can be heated up to about 6O⁰C within a few seconds. In this way, if the lamp electrodes 134-1 and 134-2 are heated, activity of the mercury around the lamp electrodes is increased and, at this state, lighting of the lamp can be smoothly performed even at a low starting voltage. In particular, the light source device 120-1 of the invention can be lighted with a low starting voltage even outdoor at a low temperature of wintertime. Thus, the life shortening due to a high voltage starting can be significantly lessened.

[48] When an electric power is applied to the lamp drive section 110, the heaters 124a and 124b are heated up for a few second to increase the temperature of the lamp electrodes 134-1 and 134-2, in advance of applying a starting voltage for the lamp. In order for these procedures to be carried out, a separate control circuit (not shown) is needed. This control circuit is configured to control the device in such a way that, when an electric power is introduced into the lamp drive section 110, it is provided to the heater power supply 122 only, and then supplied only to the lamp drive section 110 when no power consumption is detected from the heaters 124a and 124b or a certain time period (for example, five seconds) elapses. The control circuit may be constructed, for example, using a comparator circuit, a switching element, and the like, and may be constituted as part of the lamp drive section 110 or the heater power supply 122. It is preferable that the lamp drive section 110 and the heater power supply 122 are implemented on a single printed circuit board 116 to form a power supply module 119. In addition, the input terminal 117a and the output terminal 117b of the power supply module 119 is preferred to be formed as a connector for easy connection with an external electrical terminal and easy disconnection therefrom.

[49] Each element constituting the above light source module 20- 1 is mounted in a lamp housing 150 so as to form a single integrated module. Fig. 16 shows an exploded perspective view of the light source module 20-1. The lamp housing 150 is structured such that a light reflector pocket 152 and a tube member 154 are integrally combined. One or more lamps 130 are mounted inside the light reflector pocket 152 and the power supply module 119 is housed inside the tube member 154. Preferably, the light reflector pocket 152 and the tube member 154 are attached to each other while sharing part of them, thereby forming a bar-type structure having the same extension.

[50] The light reflector pocket 152 is designed to have a structure which is opened with a certain width along its longitudinal direction to accommodate the lamp and emit light in one direction, for example, an opened curvatured structure such as a "c" shape or other similar shapes. The light reflector pocket 152 has approximately the same height of the outermost face of the lamp 130a, 130b or further protrudes such that the lamp is embedded inside thereof. In order to improve light-reflection efficiency, a light reflective layer or film (not shown) may be further provided in the inner wall of the light reflector pocket 152. The tube member 154 needs to be opened at least at one end thereof in order to receive the power supply module 119. In the figures, the tube member 154 is illustrated as being opened at both ends thereof. Two openings 156a and 156b are closed with a first plug 160a and a second plug 160b after the power supply module 119 is received inside the tube member. An electrode terminal is provided in an appropriate position of the lamp housing 150 to supply an electric power required for the power supply module 119. In the case of a long light guide panel 10, a plurality of light source modules 20-1 need to be connected to achieve a desired length. Thus, considering this, preferably, the electrode terminals 164a and 164b are installed respectively in two plugs 160a and 160b positioned in both opposing ends of the tube member 154. Figs. 16, 18 and 19 illustrate an exemplary structure of the two plugs 160a and 160b. In the illustrated first and second plugs 160a and 160b, a first groove 166a and a second groove 166b are formed inwardly of the tube member 154 in appropriate positions of the bodies 162a and 162b. The electrode terminals 164a and 164b are protruded towards the entrance of the grooves from the bottom of the first groove 166a and the second groove 166b. Of course, the electrode terminals 164a and 164b may be formed in such a way to be embedded inside the bottom of the grooves. The electrode terminals 164a and 164b are extended inside the tube member 154, and its end portions thereof is formed as connectors 168a and 168b to be connected with connectors 117a and 117b of the power supply module 119. In addition, spaces 167a and 167b are provided for placing protrusions 144a and 144b and lead wires 32a and 32b of the lamp holders 142a and 142b.

[51] In order for the lamp 130 to be installed in the light reflector pocket 152 in a stable manner, the lamp 130 is mounted in the light reflector pocket 152 through lamp holders 140a and 140b. Preferably, the lamp holder is formed of a material such as rubber having flexibility and resistance to high temperature. As an embodiment, the lamp holder 140a, 140b is composed of the body 142a, 142b structured to be tightly inserted between both ends of the light reflector pocket 152 and the protrusion 144a, 144b extended perpendicularly from the end portion of the body 142a, 142b. Inside of the body and protrusion is provided with a perpendicularly bent through-hole. Both ends of the lamps 130a and 130b are inserted respectively into the through-hole of the bodies 142a and 142b. The lead wires 132a, 132a' and 132b, 132b' connected to the lamp electrode are pulled out of the through-hole of the protrusions 144a and 144b while being bent at about 90 degrees and extended to inside of the tube member 154. The number of the through-hole corresponds to that of the lamps. The bodies 142a and 142b of the lamp holders 140a and 140b, which are combined with the lamps 130a and 130b in the above-described manner, are inserted into both ends of the light reflector pocket 152, respectively. The lead wires 132a, 132a' and 132b, 132b' connected to the lamp electrodes are coupled to the output terminal of the lamp drive section 110 housed in the tube member 154 through electric wires 118a, 118a' and 118b, 118b' Similarly, the electrode plate of the heater 124a, 124b is coupled to the output terminal of the heater power supply section 122 through electric wires 126a, 126a' and 126b, 126b'. The body 162a, 162b of the plug 160a, 160b is provided with an opening 167 a, 167b to which the protrusion 144a, 144b of the lamp holder 140a, 140b can be inserted to completely close the opening 156a, 156b of the tube member 154.

[52] The lamp housing 150 is formed of a metallic material, such as aluminum or its alloys, having a good heat conduction property and a mechanical strength enough to hold and support a light guide panel or a glass pane. When the lamps are being lit, the heat of high temperature in the lamp electrode 134-1, 134-2 is rapidly transferred to the entire lamp housing 150 through the lead wire 132a, 132b and the heater 124a, 124b, and through the air. The absorbed heat is rapidly distributed and dissipated over the entire lamp housing 150.

[53] In the light source module 20-1 having the above-described structure, the lamp housing 150 has a high heat dissipation capability, so that the temperature of the lamp 130 is uniformly maintained over the entire area, with the temperature fluctuation of less than 5⁰C. This means that the light source module 20-1 operates at the most efficient temperature range in terms of the luminance and service life of the lamp. In addition, the glass tube of the lamp and the lead wire of the lamp electrode have different heat expansion coefficients and thus a high temperature fluctuation may lead to degradation in the lamp vacuum. The light source module 20-1 of the invention has a relatively low temperature near the lamp electrode, as compared with the conventional ones, thereby enabling to avoid shortening of the service life, which may be caused by vacuum degradation.

[54] As described above, the light source module 20-1 of the invention may be implemented to linearly connect a plurality of light sources to thereby achieve a desired length. Fig. 17 illustrates a method of linearly connecting two light source modules 20-1 and 20-2. A connection jack 510 is used to linearly connect two light source modules 20-1 and 20-2. As shown in Figs. 18 and 19, the connection jack 510 is composed of a body 512 made of an insulation material and a connection terminal 514 disposed inside of the body. The half of the body 512 is inserted into a groove formed in one plug 16Ob-I of the first light source module 20-1 and the remaining half thereof is inserted into a groove 166a-2 formed in one plug 160a-2 of the second light source module 20-2. In this way, electrical terminals of the first and second light source modules 20- 1 and 20-2 are electrically connected to each other through connection with the connection terminal 514 of the connection jack. When the two light source modules 20-1 and 20-2 are connected, the connection jack 510 is preferred to be completely embedded in both grooves so as not to be viewed from the outside, thereby minimizing the spacing between both lamps. In case where the light source devices are to be disposed in two facing lateral sides respectively of a light guide panel 10, a cable- type connection jack 510-1 is used to connect the light source devices. The cable-type connection jack 510-1 is constructed in such a way that a connection jack having approximately a half size of the connection jack 510 is attached to both ends of a cable having an appropriate length.

[55] The light source modules are connected in parallel through the connection jack 510 and/or the cable-type connection jack 510-1. In addition, power supply to these light source modules is carried out through an electric power cable 522. The electric power cable 522 is also provided at its terminal with a connection jack 520 having approximately half size of the connection jack 510. As described above, the light source module 20-1 does not require a complicated electric wiring work when installed, but the connection jacks 510, 510-1 and 520 can be appropriately plugged into the light source module 20-1, 20-2, 20-3, etc., so that even a beginner can install the device on site in an easy and convenient way. [56] In the structure of the light source module 20-1, the connection area of the connection jack 510, 510-1, 520 and the groove 166 of the plug 160 (where the electrode terminal 164 is provided) is permeable to moisture. Figs. 18 and 19 show the connection between the connection jack 510 and the electrode terminal 164, which is designed to provide a waterproof function. Fig. 18 is a sectional view of assembled state and Fig. 19 is a sectional view of disassembled state of the connection jack and the electrode terminal. In order to provide a waterproof function, the body 512 of the connection jack 510 is formed preferably of a material having a slight cushion, and has a size fitting in the groove 166 of the plug 160. The connection terminal 514 is formed in a tube shape, to which the rod- type electrode terminal 164 mounted in the plug 160 can be inserted to make a connection. In order to improve the waterproof function, the plug 160 is further provided at the bottom of the groove 166 with a cylindrical protrusion 169 surrounding the electrode terminal 164. Corresponding to this, the connection jack 510 is further provided with an insert groove 516 into which the cylindrical protrusion 169 is snugly inserted. The groove 166 and the body 512 are tightly contacted and furthermore the insert groove 516 and the cylindrical protrusion 169 are tightly contacted, so that liquid such as water can be prevented from permeating towards the electrode terminal 164 and the connection terminal 514. In addition, for a further improved waterproof, the connection regions of both end-plugs 160a and 160b, the lamp holders 142a and 142b, and the lamp housing 150 are sealed using a sealing material.

[57] On the other hand, the door frame 30 is a structure for holding and supporting a light guide panel and/or a glass pane. The light source section 20 disposed close to the lateral side of the light guide panel 10 is directly fixed to the door frame 30 or attached to the light guide panel or the glass pane. The door frame 30 wraps around part of or the entire periphery of the light guide panel or the like and supports it. The type and form of the door frame are not particularly limited, for example, may include a window frame fixed to a wall, a rotary or pivotable door frame such as the entrance door of a building, or a sliding door frame. In the case where the combined set of a light guide panel 10 and a light source section 20 is approximately rectangular, the door frame 30 is to be made rectangular correspondingly. In the door frame 30, the connection jack 522 of the electric wire 522 for supplying electric power to the light source section 20 is led into a position where the light source section 20 is to be disposed.

[58] If the light guide panel 10 has a defect, such as scratches, on its surface, light leaks through the defect to cause an unnecessary light stain. In order to avoid this problem, it is preferable that a protective glass pane 14, 16 or a protective film is attached to both sides of the light guide panel 10 to protect the surface from damage or defect.

[59] The present invention may be applied to an existing window or door with a glass pane already installed as illustrated in Fig. 3, or to a new configuration of the entire window or door, as illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6.

[60] As shown in Fig. 3, in the case of a window with a glass pane 16 installed in its frame 30, the combined set of a light guide panel 10 and a light source section 20a is attached to one face of the existing glass pane 16. It should be considered a replacement of the light source section 20a, for example, when the life of the lamp 130 comes to an end or the power supply module 119 is out of order. Preferably, the light source section 20a is fixed to the light guide panel 10 and the door frame 30 using a removable adhesive 40 such as a silicon bond. When necessary, the adhesive 40 portion only can be removed to detach the light source section 20a easily from the door frame 30 and the light guide panel 10. A double-sided tape (not shown) can be used to bond the existing glass pane 16 and the light guide panel 10 with enhanced adhesive force. A protective glass pane 14 may be further provided to the other side to the light guide panel, which is the opposite face to the existing glass pane 16. In this case, the light guide panel 10 and the protective glass pane 14 are tighten together by a fastening member 56 at the opposite side of the light source section 20a, or adhered together using a double-sided tape (not shown). In addition, the protective glass pane 14 and the light source section 220a, and the fastening member 56 and the door frame 40 are bonded to each other by means of a silicon bond 40.

[61] Figs. 4 and 5 shows newly constructed luminous door elements including a door frame 30 and a light guide panel 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. In Fig. 4, in order to reduce the width of the light source section 20b, the light reflector pocket 152 and the tube member 154 are slightly modified. That is, the width of the tube member 154 is made narrow so as to receive the power supply module 119 in upright state, and the top face 152a and the bottom face 152b of the tube member 154 is further extended longer than the upper end of the light reflector pocket 152. The light reflector pocket 152 is disposed approximately at the middle between the top face and the bottom face. The light guide panel 10 and the protective glass pane 14, 16 attached to both sides thereof are received between the top face 152a and the bottom face 152b of the tube member 154 in such a way that the top face 152a and the bottom face 152b hold the glass pane 14, 16. In addition, the glass pane 14, 16 and the light guide panel 10 are adhered to each other through an adhesive tape 52a, 52b or tightened together using a fastening member 56, as described above in Fig. 3, thereby strengthening the adhesive force at the opposite side of the light source section 20b. The tube member 154 of the light source section 20b and the glass pane 14, 16 are fixed to the door frame 30, for example, using a silicon bond 40. In Fig. 5, dissimilar to Fig. 4, the lamp housing 150 of the light source section 20c is configured such that the top and bottom faces of the tube member 154 are not protruded or extended. The light guide panel 10 and the protective glass pane 14, 16 disposed at both sides thereof are fastened together by means of a double-sided tape 52a, 52b interposed in-between or using a fastening member 56.

[62] Furthermore, as illustrated above, the light source section 20a, 20b is disposed in such a manner to be exposed to the outside of the door frame 30 while abutting the inner lateral side of the door frame 30. Alternatively, it may be installed in a way such that part of or the entire light source section is housed in the door frame. As shown in Fig. 6, the light source section 2Od may be housed inside the door frame 30-1. The door frame 30- 1 is comprised of a main body 32 and a cover 34. The main body is provided with a space for receiving the light source section 2Od, and the cover 34 is detachable. After the cover 34 is removed from the main body 32, the light source section 2Od is mounted inside the main body. Then, a piece 60 is interposed between the light source section 2Od and the main body to fix the light source section and the cover 34 is installed, thereby completing the installation. On the bottom face of the cover 34 is provided a leg, which presses the light source section 2Od. As a modified structure, it may be structured in such a way that the light source section 2Od is inserted and installed through the right lateral side (in the figure) of the door frame 30-1, instead of the cover 34 structure. As previously described, the light guide panel 10 and the glass pane 14, 16 are boned to each other and fixed to the door frame 30-1, using a double-sided tape 52a~52d, a fastening member 56 and a silicon adhesive 40.

[63] On the other hand, near the edge area of the light guide panel 10 adjacent to the lamp 130, light emitted from the lamp 130, whose incident angle does not exceed the critical angle, fails to perform a total reflection and instead passes through the surface of the light guide panel 10 to outside. Thus, light loss occurs such that the brightness in the depression area is lowered. As shown in Figs. 3 to 6, therefore, an opaque tape 54 may be attached along both edges near the light incident face of the light guide panel 10 to thereby avoid the light loss through the edge portions of the light guide panel. In Fig. 4, the top face 152a and the bottom face 152b of the tube member 154 can serve as the opaque tape 54, thereby not requiring a separate opaque tape. Instead of attaching the opaque tape 54, the double-sided adhesive tape 52a and 52b may be formed of an opaque material.

[64] Figs. 7 and 8 are photographs of a window device manufactured according to the present invention. According to this window device, the window frame 30 is composed of two sections, where a normal opaque glass pane 75 is installed in the lower section thereof and a light guide 10 and the light source section 20 sandwiched between two glass panes 14 and 16 are installed in the upper section. The light source section 20 is interposed between the light guide panel 10 and the inner face of the upper end of the window frame 30. The photographs of Figs. 7 and 8 are taken with the lamp of the light source section lit, using a digital camera. In the photographs, the bright area 12 corresponds to a depressed pattern, which shines brightly towards both the front and rear sides of the light guide panel 10. The area 14 having no depressed pattern carries out a total reflection to thereby emit no light and thus be seen transparent. In this way, the light, which is incident towards inside of the light guide panel 10 from the light source section 20, performs a total reflection on the area 14 having no depressed pattern, but carries out scattering or defused reflection on the area 12 having a depressed pattern. As the result, an outstanding difference in luminance occurs between the depressed-pattern area 12 and the non-patterned area 13, and thus, due to this contrasting effect, letters, patterns or the like can be expressed.

[65] Figs. 9 and 10 are photographs of a pivotable door device manufactured according to the present invention. The door device of Figs. 9 and 10 is structured such that a light source section 20a and a light guide panel 10a, 10a' are installed respectively in two rectangular door frame 30a made, for example, of stainless steel. In the left-hand door of Fig. 9, the letters and the outer periphery of the light guide panel 10a constitute an area 12a having a depressed pattern. In case of the right-hand door, the letters and the outer peripheral area constitute an area 14a not having a depression and the remaining portion thereof is a depressed pattern area 12a. In either door, the area 12a having a depressed pattern shines brightly and the remaining portion appears dark. For reference, the photos of Figs. 7 and 8 were taken indoors under a lit fluorescent lamp and those of Figs. 9 and 10 were taken outdoors at the nighttime.

[66] Fig. 20 illustrates a luminous door device according to the invention where the door frame partially wraps around the lateral side of the light guide panel. Fig. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in Fig. 20. The door device of Figs. 20 and 21 is formed of an assembly where a light guide panel 10 is bonded to and sandwiched between two transparent protective glass panes 14 and 16. A door frame 30-2 is assembled to the upper and lower sides of the assembly, respectively. The door frame 30-2 and the assembly are pivotable around a pivot shaft 32. A light source section 2Oe is disposed along the pivot shaft 32 of the assembly. In addition, in order for the assembly to remain assembled, a fastening member 59 fastens the edge portions of the light guide panel 10 and the glass panes 14 and 16 while accommodating the light source section 2Oe. On the opposite side, similarly, a fastening member 58 fastens the light guide panel 10 and the glass panes 14 and 16. Fig. 22 illustrates a luminous door according to an embodiment of the invention where the invention is applied to a conventional entrance door in such a way that the door frame partially wraps around the lateral side of the glass pane. Fig. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C in Fig. 22. A light guide panel 10 with a depressed pattern 12 formed and a protective glass pane 16 are bonded by means of a fastening member 56 and then laminated over the glass pane 14 of a conventional entrance door. Other fastening members 58 and 59 are disposed in the light source section 2Of side and in an appropriate position of the opposite side. In both cases, the light generated from the light source section 2Oe, 2Of is emitted mostly through the area 12 having a depressed pattern. Industrial Applicability

[67] As described above, the present invention can be applied to a window or a door having a glass pane in such a way that a letter, a diagram, a pattern or the like shines to thereby provide more luxurious and classy appearance. The device of the invention can be employed as an additional sign tool (advertising tool) to windows or entrance doors.

[68] Although the present invention has been described with reference to several preferred embodiments, the description is illustrative of the invention and not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications and variations may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. For example, the contents to be expressed, the structure of the door frame, the structure of the lamp housing, the fixing of the light guide panel and the light source section to the door frame, the bonding between the light guide panel and the glass pane, or the like may be implemented in various ways according to the principles of the invention.

Claims

[1] A luminous door device capable of being additionally installed in a window frame or a door having a glass pane, the device comprising: a light guide panel closely disposed in one side of the glass pane in such a way to be attached in parallel, the light guide panel being formed of a transparent plate member, a number of depressions being formed in part of one face of the plate member so as to express a desired letter, a pattern or a combination thereof in cooperation with the remaining portion not having a depression, the depressions having a fine size to the extent to be invisible to a naked eye; a light source section disposed between at least one lateral side of the light guide panel and at least one inner face of the window frame or the door frame facing the lateral side, the light source section including one or more lamps installed so as to project light toward inside of the light guide panel through the lateral side thereof and a power supply for providing an electric power to light the lamp; and a fixing means for fixing the light guide panel and the light source section to at least one of the glass pane and the door frame; wherein, when the lamp is lit, the lamp light incident inside the light guide panel through the lateral side thereof is totally reflected on a first region not having the depression and scattered or diffusion-reflected on a second region having the depression such that the second region shines more brightly than the first region, thereby clearing expressing the letter, the pattern or the combination thereof.

[2] A luminous door device comprising: a light guide formed of a transparent plate member, a number of depressions being formed in part of one face of the plate member so as to express a desired letter, a pattern or a combination thereof in cooperation with the remaining portion not having a depression, the depressions having a fine size to the extent to be invisible to a naked eye; a light source section disposed adjacently along at least one lateral side of the light guide panel, the light source section including one or more lamps installed so as to project light toward inside of the light guide panel through the lateral side thereof and a power supply for providing an electric power to light the lamp; and a door frame for holding and supporting the light guide panel combined with the light source section, wherein, when the lamp is lit, the lamp light incident inside the light guide panel through the lateral side thereof is totally reflected on a first region not having the depression and scattered or diffusion-reflected on a second region having the depression such that the second region shines more brightly than the first region, thereby clearing expressing the letter, the pattern or the combination thereof.

[3] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the light source section includes one or more light source modules, each of which is constructed in a single modular form where a desired number of lamps and a power supply for supplying electric power to the lamp are mounted in an integrated lamp housing.

[4] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lamp housing of the light source module includes: a light reflector pocket forming an open curvature surface of a "c" shape or similar shapes which is opened with a certain width along its longitudinal direction to accommodate the lamp and emit light in one direction; a tube member extended over approximately the same length as the light reflector pocket and forming an integrated piece therewith while sharing part of each other to thereby receive the power supply; a first plug and a second plug for closing both opposite openings of the tube member, a first groove and a second groove being formed inwards of the tube member in an appropriate position of the body; and an electrode terminal section including electrode terminals, which are installed in a way as to be protruded towards the groove entrance or embedded inside the groove bottom from the bottom of the first and second grooves of the first and second plugs to provide for electrical connection from outside and electrical connection with the power supply module, wherein the elements of the light source module are assembled into an integrated modular structure such that the lamp is lit when an electric power is applied to the electrode terminal from outside.

[5] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the light source section includes a connection jack closely parallel-connecting a plurality of light source modules in a linear fashion, wherein the connection jack includes a body made of an insulation material and a connection terminal disposed in a desired position of the body, and the body is snugly inserted in halves into two grooves formed in the two facing plugs of two light source modules to be connected such that the connection terminal can be electrically connected with the electrode terminal.

[6] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the light source section includes the plurality of the light source modules abutting both opposing lateral sides of the light guide panel, a connection jack linearly connecting in parallel the light source modules disposed in the respective lateral sides, and a cable-type connection jack parallel-connecting two sets of light modules linearly connected in both lateral sides, wherein the connection jack includes a body made of an insulation material and a connection terminal disposed in a desired position of the body, and the body is snugly inserted in halves into two grooves formed in the two facing plugs of two light source modules to be connected such that the connection terminal can be electrically connected with the electrode terminal; and wherein the cable-type connection jack includes a cable having a length of connecting the two light module sets and a connection jack formed at both ends of the cable, the connection jack includes a body made of an insulation material and a connection terminal disposed in a desired position of the body, and the body is snugly inserted into two grooves formed in the two plugs of two light source modules to be connected such that the connection terminal can be electrically connected with the electrode terminal.

[7] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lamp is a straight tube-type fluorescent lamp, and the light source module includes a first lamp holder and a second lamp holder mounted in both ends of the light reflector pocket respectively such that the lamp is rested on the light reflector pocket, in a state where both ends of the fluorescent lamp are inserted thereto, the lead wire connected to the lamp electrode passes through the through-hole and then is extended to inside of the tube member.

[8] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the lamp includes a light-emitting diode, and the light source section includes a plurality of light- emitting diodes closely arranged in a row.

[9] The luminous door device as clamed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the light source section is fixed to the door frame using a removable adhesive such that, when necessary, the adhesive can be removed to detach the light source section from the light guide panel and the door frame.

[10] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the light source section adopts at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp as the lamp, and the power supply further includes an electrode heating section that rapidly heats each electrode of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp to increase ambient temperature of the electrode of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp before the lamp drive section supplies a starting power to the cold cathode fluorescent lamp, thereby facilitating a smooth lighting of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp.

[11] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the electrode heating section includes: a heater composed of a heating material plate made of fine ceramic and an electrode plate tightly bonded to both side faces of the heating material plate so as to be rapidly heated when an electric power is applied to the electrode plate, the heating material plate being directly contacted with the lead wire of the electrode so as to provide an efficient heat conduction with each other; and a heater power supply for supplying to two electrode plates of the heater an electric power for a desired period of time to heat them before the lamp drive section supplies a starting power to the lamp, when an electric power for lighting the lamp is applied.

[12] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising an opaque tape adhered along the edge of the light guide panel where the light source section is contacted, so that the light from the light source section is not totally reflected on the edge of the light guide panel, thereby preventing leakage of the light.

[13] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a transparent protective glass or a transparent film attached to the surface of the light guide panel, which is not faced with the glass pane, to thereby protect the light guide panel.

[14] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a transparent protective glass or a transparent film attached to one or both surfaces of the light guide panel, to thereby protect the light guide panel.

[15] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 13 or 14, further comprising a fastening member for fastening edge portions of the light guide panel and the protective glass overlapped to each other to thereby prevent separation of them.

[16] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a fastening member for fastening edge portions of the glass pane, the light guide panel and the protective glass overlapped one upon another to thereby prevent separation of them.

[17] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the glass pane, the light guide panel and the protective glass or protective film are adhered to one another using a double-sided tape to thereby enhance adhesive force between them.

[18] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the light guide panel is made of a transparent acrylic resin, and the plate member has a flat form, a bent form or a curved form.

[19] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the door frame is structured so as to wrap around part of or the entire periphery of the light guide panel, and the door frame includes a window frame to be fixed on a wall, a pivotable or rotary door frame, or a sliding door frame.

[20] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the depression expressing a desired letter, a pattern or a combination thereof is formed through a sandblasting process, in which fine particles are blasted on the light guide panel on the surface of which a film is attached, the film having the same size of the light guide panel and the desired letter, the pattern or the combination thereof being cut out from the film.

[21] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the depressions are formed in such a pattern that the density or the density and average size is gradually increased as departing away from the lateral face of the light guide panel where the light source section abuts.

[22] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the light source section is installed in such a way that a) part of or the entire light source section is housed inside the door frame, or b) part of or the entire light source section is interposed between the inner lateral side of the door frame and the lateral side of the light guide panel.

[23] The luminous door device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a light reflective tape attached to remaining lateral sides of the acrylic resin plate material, except for the lateral sides abutting the light source section, so that light incident on the remaining lateral sides is reflected inwards of the light guide panel.