WO2008156324A2

WO2008156324A2 - Laser irradiation apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2008156324A2
Application number: PCT/KR2008/003495
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jai Iek Cho
Original assignee: Jai Iek Cho
Priority date: 2007-06-19
Filing date: 2008-06-19
Publication date: 2008-12-24
Also published as: WO2008156324A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laser irradiation apparatus that allows a plurality of laser beams to illuminate a lane on a road or an exterior wall of a building so as to create a predetermined pattern or guide sign by easily and finely adjusting points that will be irradiated by the laser beams such as exterior walls of a building. The laser irradiation apparatus includes a light-emitting unit irradiating light onto a road surface or an exterior wall of a building so as to indicate a pattern or figure, a power supply unit supplying power to the light-emitting unit, and a support unit supporting the light-emitting unit so as to easily adjust the direction of the light irradiated by the light-emitting unit. The laser irradiation apparatus can finely adjust the irradiation point of laser with directionality and can fix the position of the set laser irradiation point, thereby allowing easy indication of a road lane or a specific pattern on an exterior wall of a building.

Description

LASER IRRADIATION APPARATUS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a laser irradiation apparatus, and more particularly, to a laser irradiation apparatus that allows a plurality of laser beams to illuminate a lane on a road or an exterior wall of a building so as to create a predetermined pattern or guide sign by easily and finely adjusting points that will be irradiated by the laser beams such as exterior walls of a building. Background Art

[2] Laser light is monochromatic and directional. Thus, a laser beam suffers no color change as it changes the light path due to refraction. A laser beam also travels so far in a straight line without being scattered.

[3] Due to these characteristics, a laser is suitable to point a specific location. For example, laser pointers are often used as a pointing device to point at visual materials during presentation.

[4] Since laser light is highly monochromatic and directional, it is irradiated on a specific point at night time to form a specific pattern or indication, thereby providing highly visible illumination.

[5] Thus, when a plurality of lasers irradiates a guide sign for guiding the direction of vehicles driving during nighttime or road lane at a place where a street lamp is difficult to install or where careful driving is needed, drivers are able to easily recognize this indication and drive more carefully.

[6] Further, when a plurality of lasers illuminate a specific location on a building or a separate screen at nighttime, a plurality of laser points are combined to form a specific pattern. Creating a pattern or phrase using a laser pointer can achieve higher advertising effect with lower cost than using a advertisement signboard or LED electronic display board.

[7] However, if a plurality of laser light emitting modules are located away from an area to be irradiated, it is difficult to finely adjust the position to be irradiated by the plurality of laser light emitting modules and form a desired shape or pattern.

[8] Accordingly, there is a need for a laser irradiation apparatus which can finely adjust a point to be irradiated with laser light emitted by a laser light-emitting module. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] To solve the above problems, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a laser irradiation apparatus which can finely adjust a point on a road, building or other areas to be irradiated with laser light emitted by a laser light emitting module. Technical Solution

[10] To accomplish the above object of the present invention, there is provided a laser irradiation apparatus including: a light-emitting unit irradiating light onto a road surface or an exterior wall of a building so as to indicate a pattern or figure; a power supply unit supplying power to the light-emitting unit; and a support unit supporting the light- emitting unit so as to easily adjust the direction of the light irradiated by the light- emitting unit.

[11] Preferably, the support unit includes an engaging portion mounted to one of a structure in close proximity to a point that will be irradiated with the light and a case providing a mounting surface and a plurality of deformed portions which extends from the engaging portion, is fixedly fitted with the light-emitting unit, and is individually plastically deformed so as to optionally adjust the propagation direction of the light emitted from the light-emitting unit.

[12] In addition, the support unit may comprise a stationary member that is mounted to one of a structure in close proximity to a point that will be irradiated with the light and a case providing a mounting surface and has a plurality of hemispherical rotary grooves spaced apart at regular intervals, a rotary member including a spherical portion rotatably fitted into the rotary groove and an extending portion extending upward from the spherical portion by a predetermined length and fixedly fitted with the light- emitting unit, and a fastening member fixing the rotary member to the stationary member so that the light-emitting unit irradiates the light onto a target point.

[13] The light-emitting unit may be a laser light-emitting module irradiating laser light, and the support unit may further include a rotating member rotating the tilting member about a second rotary axis extending along the Z-axis direction.

[14] The titling member may include a clamping portion for holding the light-emitting unit, a rotary member fitted with the clamping portion so that the clamping portion can rotate, and a first driving portion rotating the clamping portion 121 about the first rotary axis. The rotating member may include a support body affixed to a base plate or case and fitted with the rotary member so that the rotary member can rotate about the second rotary axis extending in a longitudinal direction and a second driving portion that is mounted to the support body and rotates the rotary member.

[15] The first driving portion may include a first cylindrical member rotatably fitted with the rotary member so as to rotate the clamping portion, a first worm wheel fitted with one side of the first cylindrical member, and a first worm rotatably mounted to the rotary member so as to mate with the first worm wheel, and the second driving portion may include a second cylindrical member rotatably mounted to the support body so as to rotate the rotary member about the second rotary axis, a second worm wheel fitted with one side of the second cylindrical member, and a second worm rotatably mounted to the support body so as to mate with the second worm wheel.

[16] The support unit may comprise a first support plate supporting the light-emitting unit and having three through holes penetrating top and bottom surfaces thereof, a second support plate disposed below the first support plate and having three spaced-apart fastening grooves corresponding to the three through holes, each having a screw thread formed on an inner circumference thereof, a plurality of fastening members inserted downward from a top surface of the fist support plate through the three through holes and screw-coupled to the fastening grooves, each including a screw having an outer diameter less than that of the through hole and a head attached to a top of the screw and having an outer diameter greater than that of the through hole, wherein the distance between the first and second support plates is adjusted by varying a length by which the screw is inserted into the fastening groove, and elastic members disposed between the first and second support plates so as to enclose the screws and elastically biasing the first support plate upward with respect to the second support plate.

Advantageous Effects

[17] The laser irradiation apparatus according to the present invention can finely adjust the irradiation point of laser with directionality and can fix the position of the set laser irradiation point, thereby allowing easy indication of a road lane or a specific pattern on an exterior wall of a building.

Brief Description of the Drawings [18] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a laser irradiation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has been used; [19] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the laser irradiation apparatus illustrated in

FIG. 1;

[20] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the light-emitting unit shown in FIG. 1 ;

[21] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of the laser irradiation apparatus of FIG. 1; [22] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a laser irradiation apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention has been used; [23] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the light-emitting unit shown in FIG. 5;

[24] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the laser irradiation apparatus of FIG. 5;

[25] FIG. 8 is a partially truncated perspective view illustrating a support unit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[26] FIG. 9 is a partially truncated perspective view of the support unit of FIG. 8;

[27] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a laser irradiation apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[28] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the laser irradiation apparatus of FIG. 10;

[29] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating another example in which a laser irradiation apparatus according to the present invention has been used; and

[30] FIG. 13 is a partially truncated perspective view of a support unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[31] Hereinafter, laser irradiation apparatuses according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The present invention is not restricted to the following embodiments, and many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The embodiments of the present invention are provided in order to more completely explain the present invention to anyone skilled in the art.

[32] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, a laser irradiation apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a case 13 fitted to a supporter 11, a light- emitting unit 20 housed within the case 13 and irradiating light towards a road, a power supply unit 30 supplying power to the light-emitting unit 20, and a control unit 34controlling the power supplied to the light-emitting unit 20.

[33] The supporter 11 is fixed to the ground and has a cylindrical shape that extends upward from the ground by a predetermined length. The supporter 11 has an upward installation groove 12 accommodating the case 13. The installation groove 12 may be spaced apart 80 to 100 cm upward from a road surface being irradiated with a laser beam so as to prevent light emitted by the light-emitting unit 20 from being irradiated directly onto a driver through a car window and hindering driving performance.

[34] While in the present embodiment, the supporter 11 has a cylindrical shape, it may be formed in a polyprismatic shape. The supporter 11 may have a sign or art work at the top thereof, thereby providing an improved aesthetic functionality.

[35] The case 13 is fitted into the installation groove 12 and has an interior space for accommodating the light-emitting unit 20. The case 13 has semi-circular top and bottom surfaces and has a predetermined height. The case 13 also has a transparent window 14 at a semicircular periphery, through which light emitted by the light-emitting unit 20 is transmitted. The transparent window 14 prevents external foreign materials from entering the interior of the case 13 and small stones being flied up from colliding with the light-emitting unit 20, thereby avoiding the failure or breakage of the light-emitting unit 20. Although the case 13 is supportably fitted to the supporter 11 in the present invention, it may be installed at a point on an existing structure such as a highway median strip, which is spaced a predetermined height upward from the ground. [36] The light-emitting unit 20 is housed within the case 13 and radiates a plurality of directional beams onto a lane of a road so that a vehicle driver can easily identify a direction in which the road lane extends. The light-emitting unit 20 includes a support unit 21 disposed in the case 13 along a circular arc and a plurality of light-emitting modules 27 supported by the support unit 21.

[37] The support unit 21 includes an engaging portion 22 engaged with the case 13 and a plurality of deformed portions 25 at positions spaced at regular intervals along a direction in which the engaging portion 22 extends. The engaging portion 22 extends along a circular arc of the case 13 and has fixed holes spaced at regular intervals. The engaging portion 22 is provided with a plurality of clamping members 23, each penetrating a corresponding fixed hole and being screw-coupled to the case 13, so that the engaging portion 22 is engaged with the case 13. The deformed portion 25 extends upward from the top of the engaging portion 22 and has an installation hole 26 formed in the top thereof for inserting the light-emitting module 27. The deformed portion 25 is made of a metal plate having a thickness of 0.5 to 0.8 mm. In particular, the deformed portion 25 may be formed of a material that is plastically deformed upon bending toward a direction in which light will be irradiated after insertion of the light- emitting module 27 into the installation hole 26, so that it is easy to adjust and maintain the direction in which light is radiated from the light-emitting module 27.

[38] Since the support unit 21 extends along a circular arc of the case 13, the plurality of the light-emitting modules 27 are also arranged along the circular arc. The operator may adjust the irradiation direction of a laser beam by appropriately bending the deformed portion 25 so that the light-emitting unit 20 can simultaneously irradiate a plurality of points with the laser beam.

[39] In the present embodiment, each light-emitting module 27 receives power from the power supply unit 30 and emits directional laser light. A laser beam can propagate far away without little change in diameter. Light emitted by the light-emitting module 27 has to be irradiated on a wide area ranging from a point far away from the supporter 11 and a point close thereto along the direction in which a road lane extends. That is, the light-emitting module 27 may emit laser light so that the light can reach the wide area regardless of distance.

[40] Alternatively, the light-emitting module 27 may emit other types of light as long as the light is irradiated on a road surface so that a vehicle driver can easily identify the direction in which a road lane extends.

[41] A number of light-emitting modules 27 may be disposed corresponding to a selected number of deformed portions 25. That is, the number of light-emitting modules 27 may be increased or reduced as needed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the supporter 11 may have a plurality of stacked cases 13 with the light-emitting units 20 so as to emit a plurality of laser beams.

[42] The light-emitting modules 27 may be designed to emit laser beams of different colors depending on the type of a road lane so that a light-emitting pattern 1. For example, one of the light-emitting modules 27 may emit a yellow laser beam to indicate a halfway line while the other light-emitting modules 27 may create a red light-emitting pattern to indicate the other lanes, thereby making it easy to distinguish the halfway line from the driving lanes.

[43] The power supply unit 30 includes a solar cell array 31 and a battery 32 charging electricity generated by the solar cell array 31. The solar cell array 31 is mounted on a support pillar 37 extending upward to a predetermined height and being adjacent to the supporter 11 and uses sunlight to generate electricity.

[44] The battery 32 is housed within a battery box 33 attached to one side of the support pillar 37. An electric wire extends from the battery 32 to the light-emitting unit 20 through the interior space of the support pillar 37 and the ground.

[45] The laser irradiation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment further includes the control unit 34 controlling the power supplied from the battery 32 to the light-emitting module 27.

[46] The control unit 34includes a light intensity sensor 35 that is attached to one side of the solar cell array 31 and measures the light intensity and a controller 36 that is electrically connected with the light intensity sensor 35 and disposed within the battery box 33 and controls the power supplied by the battery 32. More specifically, upon determining that light intensity is insufficient based on information delivered from the light intensity sensor 35, that is, when solar radiation is insufficient (e.g., the whether is cloudy or the sun has set), the controller 36 supplies electricity charged to the battery 32 and creates the light-emitting pattern 1 on a road lane. Conversely, when the amount of solar radiation is high (e.g., the weather is clearing up or the sun rises) or light intensity measured by the light intensity sensor 35 is above a predetermined threshold, the controller 36 blocks the power supplied from the battery 32 to the light- emitting module 27, thereby reducing power dissipation. The controller 24 automatically controls the power supplied to the light-emitting module27 according to the light intensity. Thus, it is easy to manage the laser irradiation apparatus 10.

[47] While in the present invention, the controller 36 controls the power according to a value measured by the light-intensity sensor 35, it may also automatically supply or block the power according to the set time. The laser irradiation apparatus 10 having the above-mentioned structure according to the present embodiment and methods for installing and operating the laser irradiation apparatus 10 will now be described in detail.

[48] An operator selects a point that he/she deems important for identifying a lane for safe driving, fixes the supporter 11 to a point adjacent to a road, and inserts a plurality of stacked cases 13 with the light-emitting units 20 into the installation groove 12 in the supporter 11. The operator plastically deforms the deformed portion 25 so that each light-emitting module 27 can irradiate a laser beam on the designated point.

[49] After installing the support pillar 37 equipped with the solar cell array 31, the battery

32, and the control unit 34 adjacent to the supporter 11, the battery 32 is electrically connected with the light-emitting unit 20, thereby completing the installation of the laser irradiation apparatus 10.

[50] At the daytime, electricity is generated from sunlight incident from the solar cell array 31 and is then stored in the battery 31. If the sun sets so a value obtained from the solar cell array 31 is less than a preset value, the controller 36 supplies power from the battery 32 to the light-emitting module 27 so as to form the light-emitting patterns 1 that are spaced at regular intervals along a lane on a road surface. Thus, a driver can see the light-emitting patterns 1 to drive his/her vehicle safely along a lane.

[51] If the sun rises so a value obtained from the solar cell array 31 is greater than the preset value, the controller 36 intercepts the power being supplied to the light-emitting module 27 while the solar cell array 31 generates electricity and recharges the battery 32.

[52] FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate a laser irradiation apparatus 40 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, the laser irradiation apparatus 40 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a support structure 41 for installing a driving guide sign 42 on a highway or national road. The driving guide sign 42 is typically constructed from the support structure 41 extending upward from an edge of a road in order to inform vehicle drivers of a distance to a specific point or direction of a route to a specific region. The laser irradiation apparatus 40 according to the present embodiment is disposed at a position on the support structure 41 and irradiates a laser beam downward to form light-emitting patterns 1 that indicate the direction of a lane ahead of a vehicle as the vehicle travels.

[53] The laser irradiation apparatus 40 includes a case 43 having semi-cylindrical interior space, a light-emitting unit 20 housed within the case 43, a power supply unit 30 disposed on one side of the support structure 41, and a control unit 34.

[54] The case 43 has fixed brackets 44 screw-coupled to the support structure 41 on a rear surface thereof opposing a semicircular side extending along a circular arc. Since the light-emitting unit 20 housed within the case 43, the power supply unit 30 including the solar cell array 31 and the battery 32, and the control unit 34 have substantially the same shapes and functions as their counterparts in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, they are designated by identical reference numbers. A detailed description thereof will not be given. [55] The case 43 is fastened to the support structure 41 so that the rear surface thereof having the fixed brackets attached thereto may face a rear surface of the driving guide sign 42. Thus, upon irradiating a laser beam emitted by the light-emitting module 27 onto a road surface, the laser irradiation apparatus 40 creates the light-emitting pattern 1 across sections along the direction in which a lane extends, toward the rear of the support structure 41, i.e., ahead of a vehicle passing through the support structure 41.

[56] In the laser irradiation apparatus 10 in which the light-emitting module 27 is separated 0.8 to 1 m from a road surface, when a vehicle travels past a point adjacent to the supporter 11, light emitted from the light-emitting module 27 is intercepted by the vehicle so that the light-emitting pattern 1 is invisible during passage of the vehicle. However, in the laser irradiation apparatus 40 installed on the support structure 41 and irradiating a laser beam for creating the light-emitting pattern 1 directly onto a road, it is possible to minimize the number of sections that are made invisible by a vehicle. Further, with low vehicle or human accessibility, the laser irradiation apparatus 40 is slightly susceptible to failure and breakage due to vehicle collision or operation by a non-related party.

[57] Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the laser irradiation apparatus 40 may be disposed so as to indicate the light-emitting pattern onto the driving guide sign 42.

[58] Typically, the driving guide sign 42 is designed to reflect light emitted by a vehicle headlamp highly efficiently that a driver can easily identify the details indicated thereon at nighttime. However, a driver of a vehicle with a headlamp that does not work due to a failure or has a low intensity may not easily recognize the details on the driving guide sign 42.

[59] Referring to FIG. 7, the case 46 accommodating the light-emitting unit 20 is fastened to an end of an extension member 45 affixed to the support structure 41 for installing the driving guide sign 42 so that the light-emitting unit 20 irradiates a laser beam on the driving guide sign 42 to indicate a plurality of light-emitting patterns 1. This configuration enables a driver to recognize the details on the driving guide sign 42 without an external light source and drive his/her vehicle according to the guide details.

[60] In another embodiment, the laser irradiation apparatus 40 may be installed to indicate intersections, crosswalks, or highway entrances and exits.

[61] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a support unit 50 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[62] The support unit 50 includes a stationary member 51 disposed within the case 13 and extending along a circular arc and a plurality of rotary members 53 rotatably fitted with the stationary member 51. A plurality of light-emitting modules 56 are affixed to the rotary members 53.

[63] The stationary member 51 is fixed to the case 13 and has a plurality of hemispherical rotary grooves 51a downwardly indented in a top surface thereof and spaced at regular intervals. The stationary member 51 also has a plurality of screw fixing holes 52 that are formed in one side thereof opposite the transparent window 14, corresponding to the plurality of rotary grooves 51a, penetrate from an outer circumference toward the plurality of rotary grooves 51a, and have a screw thread formed on an inner circumference thereof.

[64] Each rotary member 53 includes a spherical portion 53 rotatably fitted into a corresponding rotary groove 51a and an extending portion 55 extending upward from the spherical portion 54 by a predetermined length. The spherical portion 54 is fitted into the rotary groove 51a rotatably in all directions and fixed to the stationary member 51 by a fixing bolt 57 being inserted into an outer surface of the stationary member 51, thereby preventing rotation and separation.

[65] Thus, after rotating the spherical portion 54 to set a point that will be irradiated with a laser beam, the spherical portion 54 is engaged with a fixed bolt 57 so that a laser beam continues to be irradiated on the set point.

[66] The light-emitting module 56 is affixed to a top end of the extending portion 55 and irradiates a laser beam through the transparent window 14.

[67] After setting the direction in which the light-emitting module 56 irradiates a laser beam by rotating the rotary member 53 with respect to the rotary grooves 51a of the stationary member 51 so that the light-emitting module 56 illuminates the set point on a road, the fixing bolt 57 is used to fixedly connect the stationary member 51 with the rotary member 53. That is, the fixing bolt 57 prevents each rotary member 53 from rotating with respect to or being separated from the stationary member 51.

[68] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a support unit 110 supporting a light-emitting element 111 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[69] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a tilting member 120 and a rotating member 150 constructing the support unit 110 cause the light-emitting element 111 to rotate about first and second rotary axes 128 and 154, thereby adjusting a point at which the light- emitting module 111 irradiates a laser beam.

[70] The tilting member 120 includes a clamping portion 121 for holding the light- emitting element 111, a rotary member 131, and a first driving portion 141 for rotating the clamping portion 121.

[71] The clamping portion 121 includes a first grip member 122 having a grip groove 123 formed so as to encompass one side of the light-emitting element 111 and a second grip member 124 combined with the first grip member 122 to hold the light-emitting element 111 together. The first and second grip members 122 and 124 are screw coupled to each other. Thus, when the light-emitting element 111 is broken or runs out to cease to function, the first and second grip members 122 and 124 can be dis- assembled from each other to easily replace the light-emitting element 111. The first and second grip members 122 and 124 in the clamping portion 121 may be formed integrally to each other so as to mount the light-emitting element 111 therein. Alternatively, the first and second grip members 122 and 124 may be formed to grip the light-emitting element 111 such that one ends of the first and second grip members 122 and 124 are rotatably hinged to the clamping portion 121 while the other ends are fixedly coupled to the clamping portion 121, and the clamping portion 121 is rotated about the hinged ends of the first and second grip members 122 and 124.

[72] The first grip member 122 has a first axle protrusion 125 projecting along a direction of the first rotary axis 128 extending in a horizontal plane parallel to the ground in a direction perpendicular to the irradiation direction of a laser beam emitted by the light- emitting element 111. The first axle protrusion 125 has a screw fixing recess 126 indented in an end by a predetermined length and having a screw thread formed on an inner circumference thereof. The first grip member 122 also has a first embossed pattern formed at one side from which the first axle protrusion 125 extends so as to surround the first axle protrusion 125 along its circumference.

[73] The rotary member 131 is rotatably mounted to a support body 151 of the rotating member 150 and has a first rotary hole 132 penetrating an upper part along the first rotary axis 128, a second axle protrusion 133 formed at one side of a lower part so as to project downward, and a third embossed pattern (not shown) formed along an upper circumference of the second axle protrusion 133. The rotary member 131 also has a first installation groove 135 formed at the other side of the lower part at which the second axle protrusion 133 is not formed so that a first worm 147 of the first driving portion 141 can be rotatably mounted therein.

[74] The first driving portion 141 is fitted to the rotary member 131 and rotates the clamping portion 121 about the first rotary axis 128. The first driving portion 141 includes a first cylindrical member 142 inserted into the first rotary hole 132, a first worm wheel 146 fitted with the first cylindrical member 142, and a first worm 147 mounted in the first installation groove 135 so as to mate with the first worm wheel 146.

[75] The first cylindrical member 142 with an outer diameter corresponding to a diameter of the first rotary axis 132 has a first hollow 143 penetrating along the first rotary axis 132. The first hollow 143 has an inner diameter corresponding to a diameter of the first axle protrusion 125. Upon inserting the first cylindrical member 142 into the first rotary hole 132, the first axle protrusion 125 is fitted into the first hollow 143 through one side of the first cylindrical member 142.

[76] Upon inserting the first axle protrusion 125 into the first cylindrical member 142, a first engaging member 145 is fitted into the first hollow 143 through the other side of the cylindrical member 142 and then screw-coupled to the screw fixing recess 126 in the first axle protrusion 125. A head of the first engaging member 121 is supported by the other end of the first cylindrical member 142 so that the first cylindrical member 142 is fitted with the clamping portion 121 while being inserted into the first rotary hole 132. The first cylindrical member 142 has a second embossed pattern 144 formed at one end that comes in contact with the first grip member 122 and fitted with the first embossed pattern 127. When the first cylindrical member 142 is engaged with the first grip member 122 so that the first and second embossed patterns 127 and 144 mate with each other, the clamping portion 121 rotates as the first cylindrical member 142 rotates.

[77] The first worm wheel 146 is fitted with the first cylindrical member 142 and has a screw thread of a predetermined pitch at its outer circumference. While in the present embodiment, the first worm wheel 146 is formed of a circular section corresponding to a predetermined angle at which the light-emitting module 111 rotates about the first rotary axis 128 so that it is screw coupled to the first worm 147, it may have a screw thread screw-coupled to the first worm 147 along the entire circumference.

[78] The first worm wheel 146 may be formed integrally with the first cylindrical member

142 so that the rotating force of the first worm wheel 146 is entirely transmitted to the clamping portion 121 through the first cylindrical member 142. However, the worm wheel 146 may be detachably fitted with the first cylindrical member 142.

[79] The first worm 147 is rotatably mounted in the first installation groove 135 and mates with the first worm wheel 146. The first worm 147 has a hexagonal wrench indentation 148 formed in one end. When the first worm 147 rotates, the first worm wheel 146 mating with the first worm 147 rotates about the first rotary axis 128.

[80] Upon rotating the first worm 147 in one direction using a hexagonal wrench, the first worm wheel 146 mating with the first worm 146 rotates along one side. The rotating force of the first worm wheel 146 is then transmitted to the clamping portion 121 through the first cylindrical member 142, thereby causing the clamping portion 121 to rotate in the same direction as the first worm wheel 146. As the first worm 147 rotates in the opposite direction, the clamping portion 121 rotates in the same direction as the first worm 147. Thus, by rotating the first worm 147 and the clamping portion 121 around the first rotary axis 128, it is possible to adjust a point at which a laser beam emitted by the light-emitting module 111 will be irradiated.

[81] The rotating member 150 includes a support body 151 combined with the rotary member 131 and a second driving portion 155 that is mounted to the support body 151 and rotates the rotary member 131 around the second rotary axis 154 extending in a longitudinal direction that is perpendicular to the first rotary axis 128.

[82] The support body 151 is affixed to a case 2 and has a second rotary hole 152 penetrating in a longitudinal direction and a second installation groove 153 formed in one side of a bottom for mounting a second worm 162 therein.

[83] The second driving portion 155 includes a second cylindrical member 156 extending upward from the bottom of the support body 151 so as to penetrate the second rotary hole 152, a second worm wheel 161 fitted with the second cylindrical member 156, and a second worm 162 mounted in the second installation groove 153 so as to mate with the second worm wheel 161.

[84] The second cylindrical member 156 has a second hollow 157 into which the second axle protrusion 133 formed on the rotary member 131 will be inserted. By screw coupling a second engaging member 159 to a screw-fixing recess in the second axle protrusion 133, the second cylindrical member 156 engages with the rotary member 131. The second cylindrical member 156 has a fourth embossed pattern 158 formed at a top end and fitted with the third embossed pattern.

[85] The second worm wheel 161 connects with the second cylindrical member 156 and mates with the second worm 162 mounted in the second installation groove 153. Like the first worm 147, the second worm 162 has a hexagonal wrench indentation 148 formed in one end. Upon rotating the second worm 162 using a hexagonal wrench, the second worm wheel 161 rotates and then the rotary member 131 rotates around the second rotary axis 154.

[86] While the clamping portion 121 and the rotary member 131 rotate in different directions and their central rotary axes extend in different directions, the first and second worms 147 and 162 for rotating the clamping portion 121 and the rotary member 131 extend in the same direction and the wrench indentations 148 are formed in the same direction. Thus, it is easy to rotate the clamping portion 121 and the rotary member 131 by using a hexagonal wrench.

[87] By rotating the first worm 147 to rotate the clamping portion 121 about the first rotary axis 128, a distance between the support body 151 and laser beam irradiation point can be adjusted. By rotating the second worm 162 to rotate the rotary member 131 about the second rotary axis 154, laser beam irradiation point can be adjusted horizontally with respect to the support body 151.

[88] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating another example in which a laser irradiation apparatus 100 according to the present invention has been used.

[89] The laser irradiation apparatuses 10 and 40 shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 through 7 are installed at the side of a road and irradiate a laser beam at points spaced apart by a predetermined distance, thereby allowing drivers to easily recognize a traveling direction of their vehicles at nighttime.

[90] Referring to FIG. 12, the laser irradiation apparatus 100 irradiates a plurality of laser beams onto an exterior wall of a building 5 to indicate a specific pattern 6. The pattern may be a logo or trademark of an enterprise or public office. Alternatively, the pattern may represent an advertising catch phrase or campaign slogan. Enterprises or public offices usually install sign boards or LED displays on their buildings for outsiders to easily recognize their catch phrases or logs. However, sign boards or LED displays are complicated and expensive to install and difficult to promptly change such catch phrases or patterns displayed thereon and maintain.

[91] Unlike signboards or LED displays, a plurality of laser irradiation apparatuses 100 according to the present invention are mounted on street lamps or electric poles so as to irradiate a laser beam onto an exterior wall of the building 5. Then, the laser irradiation apparatus 100 uses a support unit mounted therein to adjust a laser beam irradiation point, thereby creating the pattern 6.

[92] With recent development of blue and green laser light-emitting modules, laser beams of different colors can be irradiated to induce different color patterns. Furthermore, the laser irradiation apparatus 100 can only change the irradiation direction of a laser beam to change a phrase or pattern indicated on the exterior wall of the building 5.

[93] In this way, upon irradiating a laser beam onto a road or exterior wall of a building to form a specific pattern so that outsiders can easily recognize the pattern, the laser irradiation apparatus 100 according to the present invention can easily and finely adjust the irradiation direction of a laser beam so that the laser beam can accurately illuminate a target point.

[94] FIG. 13 is a partially truncated perspective view of a support unit 160 supporting a light-emitting unit 161 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[95] The support unit 160 is mounted within a case (not shown) and includes a support bar 168 fixed to the case and extending in a longitudinal direction, a second support plate 165 fixedly attached to the top of the support bar 168, a first support plate 162 that is separated upward from the second support plate 165 by a predetermined distance, a plurality of fastening members 170 engaging the first and second support plates 162 and 165 that are separated from each other, and elastic members 175 disposed between the first and second support plates 162 and 165 so as to enclose the fastening members 170.

[96] The second support plate 165 has three spaced- apart fastening grooves 167, each being downwardly indented in a top surface by a predetermined depth and having a screw thread formed on an inner circumference thereof. The second support plate 165 also has second separation preventing members 166 at the top surface, extending upward to a predetermined height so as to surround the fastening grooves 167. Each of the second separation preventing members 166 opens upward and has an inner diameter greater than a diameter of the fastening groove 167 and corresponding to an outer diameter of the elastic member 175 [97] The first support plate 162 is separated from the second support plate 165 by the fastening members 170 and the elastic members 175 and has three through holes 163 corresponding to the fastening grooves 167, which penetrate top and bottom surfaces thereof. The first support plate 162 also has a first separation preventing member 164 at the bottom surface, which extends downward so as to surround a corresponding through hole 163 and opens downward. The first separation preventing member 164 has an inner diameter equal to an inner diameter of the second separation preventing member 166.

[98] Each fastening member 170 engages the first support plate 162 with the second support plate 165 and includes a head 171 and a screw 172.

[99] The screw 172 has an outer diameter that is less than the diameter of the through hole

163 and is threaded on its outer circumference for screw coupling to the fastening groove 167.

[100] The head 171 is attached on a top end of the screw 172 and has an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the through hole 163. Thus, upon inserting the fastening member 170 downward from the top of the first support plate 162 through the through hole 163, the screw 172 passes through the through hole 163 into the fastening groove 167 while the head 171 is not escaped from the top surface of the first support plate 162. While in the present embodiment, the head 171 has a wrench indentation 173 into which a hexagonal wrench is inserted to rotate the fastening member 170, the head 171 may be designed to rotate the fastening member 170 using other tools such as drivers or spanners.

[101] The elastic member 175 has top and bottom ends that come in contact with the bottom surface of the first support plate 162 and the top surface of the second support plate 165 and elastically biases the first and second support plates 162 and 165 away from each other. The top and bottom ends of the elastic member 175 are respectively inserted into the first and second separation preventing members 164 and 166, thereby limiting a position at which the first and second support plates 162 and 165 are engaged with each other.

[102] A method for engaging the first and second support plates 162 and 165 will now be described in detail.

[103] First, after longitudinally separating the first and second support plates 162 and 165 by a predetermined distance, the elastic members 175 are inserted into the first and second separation preventing members 164 and 166.

[104] Then, the fastening members 170 are inserted downward from the top surface of the first support plate 162 so as to pass through the through hole 163 and ends of the screws 172 are screw coupled to the fastening grooves 167. As the fastening members 170 rotate more in one direction, the distance between the first and second support plates 162 and 165 decreases. Since the first and second support plates 162 and 165 are engaged with each other by the fastening members 170, the irradiation point of a laser beam emitted from the light-emitting unit 161 can be adjusted by varying a length by which the fastening members 170 are inserted so that the first support plate 162 becomes inclined. In particular, since the through hole 163 has a diameter greater than an outer diameter of the screw 172, it is possible to longitudinally rotate one side of the first support plate 161 even after insertion of the fastening members 170.

Claims

[1] A laser irradiation apparatus comprising: a light-emitting unit irradiating light onto a road surface or an exterior wall of a building so as to indicate a pattern or figure; a power supply unit supplying power to the light-emitting unit; and a support unit supporting the light-emitting unit so as to easily adjust the direction of the light irradiated by the light-emitting unit.

[2] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support unit includes an engaging portion mounted to one of a structure in close proximity to a point that will be irradiated with the light and a case providing a mounting surface and a plurality of deformed portions which extends from the engaging portion, is fixedly combined with the light-emitting unit, and is individually plastically deformed so as to optionally adjust the propagation direction of the light emitted from the light- emitting unit.

[3] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support unit comprises: a stationary member that is mounted to one of a structure in close proximity to a point that will be irradiated with the light and a case providing a mounting surface and has a plurality of hemispherical rotary grooves spaced apart at regular intervals; a rotary member including a spherical portion rotatably fitted into the rotary groove and an extending portion extending upward from the spherical portion by a predetermined length and fixedly combined with the light-emitting unit; and a fastening member fixing the rotary member to the stationary member so that the light-emitting unit irradiates the light onto a target point.

[4] The laser irradiation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support unit comprises a tilting member tilting the light-emitting unit with respect to a first rotary axis extending along the X-axis direction.

[5] The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the light-emitting unit is a laser light-emitting module irradiating laser light, and wherein the support unit further includes a rotating member rotating the tilting member about a second rotary axis extending along the Z-axis direction.

[6] The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the titling member includes a clamping portion for holding the light-emitting unit, a rotary member fitted with the clamping portion so that the clamping portion can rotate, and a first driving portion rotating the clamping portion 121 about the first rotary axis, and wherein the rotating member includes a support body affixed to a base plate or case and fitted with the rotary member so that the rotary member can rotate about the second rotary axis extending in a longitudinal direction and a second driving portion that is mounted to the support body and rotates the rotary member.

[7] The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first driving portion includes a first cylindrical member rotatably fitted with the rotary member so as to rotate the clamping portion, a first worm wheel fitted with one side of the first cylindrical member, and a first worm rotatably mounted to the rotary member so as to mate with the first worm wheel, and wherein the second driving portion includes a second cylindrical member rotatably mounted to the support body so as to rotate the rotary member about the second rotary axis, a second worm wheel fitted with one side of the second cylindrical member, and a second worm rotatably mounted to the support body so as to mate with the second worm wheel.

[8] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support unit comprises a first support plate supporting the light-emitting unit and having three through holes penetrating top and bottom surfaces thereof, a second support plate disposed below the first support plate and having three spaced-apart fastening grooves corresponding to the three through holes, each having a screw thread formed on an inner circumference thereof, a plurality of fastening members inserted downward from a top surface of the fist support plate through the three through holes and screw- coupled to the fastening grooves, each including a screw having an outer diameter less than that of the through hole and a head attached to a top of the screw and having an outer diameter greater than that of the through hole, wherein the distance between the first and second support plates is adjusted by varying a length by which the screw is inserted into the fastening groove, and elastic members disposed between the first and second support plates so as to enclose the screws and elastically biasing the first support plate upward with respect to the second support plate.