WO2014038312A1

WO2014038312A1 - Light source module, lighting module and lighting device

Info

Publication number: WO2014038312A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/070546
Authority: WO
Inventors: 翔太井上; 花野　雅昭; 栗本　英治; 和也生田; 卓也石坂; 秀明名倉
Original assignee: シャープ株式会社
Priority date: 2012-09-04
Filing date: 2013-07-30
Publication date: 2014-03-13
Also published as: JP2014067688A

Abstract

This light source module (1A) has a light arrival end (13) on the side on which light that has entered from a light incident end (11) of a light guide plate (10) arrives with respect to the light guidance direction, said light arrival end (13) having: an exit section (13b) where light that has arrived at the light arrival end (13) breaks the total reflection condition, exits outside of the light guide plate (10), and arrives at a diffusion cover (7A); and a light-blocking section (13a) where the light that has reached the light arrival end (13) is blocked from exiting outside of the light guide plate (10). The exit section (13b) is positioned between a light exit surface (12) and the light-blocking section (13a).

Description

Light source module, lighting module, and lighting device

The present invention relates to a light source module, a lighting module including a plurality of the light source modules, and a lighting device including the light source module or the lighting module, and more specifically, in a light source module including a side edge type light guide plate. The present invention relates to prevention of luminance unevenness on the upper surface of a light source arrangement position, and further prevention of luminance unevenness between light source modules when a plurality of light source modules having side edge type light guide plates are arranged.

Conventionally, in a lighting device such as a liquid crystal display device used in a ceiling light or a liquid crystal TV, a side edge (side light or edge light) that emits light incident on a side surface from a light source into a planar shape is realized in order to realize a reduction in thickness. An optical system including a light guide plate of a type is often used. Further, the side-edge type light guide plate is also used for a backlight which is a light source module of a liquid crystal display device, thereby realizing a thin liquid crystal display device.

In such a side-edge type light guide plate, a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is disposed so as to face an end face of the light guide plate (hereinafter also referred to as “incident end face”). Light enters from each incident end face. The incident light propagates while reflecting inside the light guide plate and is emitted from the light exit surface of the light guide plate. In a general configuration, the light emission range is limited to the light emission surface of the light guide plate, and no light is emitted from the upper surface of the light source. For this reason, the upper surface of the light source arrangement position becomes dark.

In addition, when using a liquid crystal display device that employs a side edge light guide plate, if the display area is larger than the light guide plate size, the upper surface of the light source is darkened. There arises a problem that luminance unevenness including

Here, for example, a surface light source device as a light source module disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as a configuration in which a dark portion on the upper surface of a light source arrangement position does not occur. As shown in FIG. 26, the surface light source device 100 disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a light guide plate 110 that is thicker than the light incident surface 111 from the light source 101, and the arrangement position of the light source 101 on the end surface of the light guide plate 110. An inclined surface 112 is provided on the upper surface, and a reflective film 102 is disposed on the inclined surface 112. As a result, light is emitted to the upper surface where the light source 101 is disposed. The diffusion plate 103 provided on the upper surface side of the light guide plate 110 has a plate shape without a curved surface and an inclined surface.

In addition, for example, in the lighting device 200 disclosed in Patent Document 2, as illustrated in FIG. 27, the light exit surface 202 a in the light guide 202 that enters the light from the LED 201 and exits from the light exit surface 202 a on the upper surface is illustrated. A reflection structure 203 having a reflection surface that refracts or reflects light is formed on the opposite surface 202b on the opposite side. The vertical height of the light emitting surface of the LED 201 is set higher than the vertical height of the light incident surface 202 c of the light guide 202. Furthermore, a light guide inclined surface 202d is formed above the light incident surface 202c of the light guide 202.

Thus, the illumination device 200 having high luminance and no luminance unevenness can be provided without using a prism sheet.

Further, for example, in the display device 300 disclosed in Patent Document 3, as shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B, in the display device 300 that displays information using illumination light from the backlight device, a plurality of display devices 300 are provided. Each light emitting region includes a light emitting diode 301, a light incident surface 311 into which light from the light emitting diode 301 is incident, and a light emitting surface 312 that emits light incident from the light incident surface 311 to a corresponding display region. A light guide plate 310 is provided, and light incident from the light incident surface 311 is emitted to the light guide plate 310 to the

side surfaces

313, 314, and 315 on the boundary side with adjacent light emitting regions. A light shielding frame 302 that shields the light is provided.

Thereby, even when a plurality of light emitting regions are provided, the display device 300 having excellent display quality that can prevent the light emitting quality of illumination light from each light emitting region from being lowered is provided. .

Japanese Patent Publication “Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-179132 (released on July 12, 1996)” Japanese Patent Publication “Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-47490 (published February 28, 2008)” Japanese Patent Publication “Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-276789 (published on Dec. 9, 2010)”

However, in the surface light source device 100 disclosed in the above-described conventional Patent Document 1, it is necessary to cut two surfaces on one end surface of the light guide plate 110 and provide the reflective film 102 on the inclined surface 112 of the light guide plate 110. Since this is necessary, there is a problem that the cost increases.

In addition, in the case of a light source module employing a general side edge type light guide plate, the upper surface of the light source arrangement position becomes dark, and therefore, when a plurality of light source modules are arranged side by side, luminance unevenness including dark lines is caused between the light source modules. And the light source module cannot be optically seamlessly connected.

In addition, the light guide body 202 of Patent Document 2 is formed with a light guide body inclined surface 202d. The light guide body inclined surface 202d emits light emitted from the light output surface 202a of the light guide body 202. For focusing on a virtual focal point in front of. Therefore, no consideration is given to the prevention of luminance unevenness in the vicinity of the light source location.

Further, the light shielding frame 302 of the display device 300 disclosed in Patent Document 3 emits light from the side surface of the light guide plate 310 that is not covered by the light shielding frame 302, so that the boundary between two adjacent light emitting regions is a dark line. It is a thing which prevents becoming. Therefore, it can be said that the display device 300 disclosed in Patent Document 3 is a technique for reducing uneven luminance of a joint when a plurality of light guide plates are arranged without assuming a cover member. In addition, the backlight in the display device 300 disclosed in Patent Document 3 is not configured to emit light from the side surface, so that even if a plurality of backlights are arranged adjacent to each other, uneven luminance of the backlight seam is reduced. I can't do it.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to at least brightness of an end portion on the side opposite to a light source arrangement position in a light source module including a side edge type light guide member. An object of the present invention is to provide a light source module, an illumination module, and an illumination device that can prevent unevenness and, in turn, prevent uneven brightness between light source modules when a plurality of light source modules having side edge type light guide members are arranged.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a light source module of one embodiment of the present invention is configured to emit a light source and light emitted from the light source from a light incident side end that is an end of at least one side where the light source is disposed. A light source module comprising a light guide member that enters and guides light and exits from a light output surface on the surface to the outside, and a light-transmitting cover member that covers the light guide member. The light arrival side end that is the light arrival side with respect to the light guide direction of the light incident from the light incident side end and that faces the light incident side end reaches the light arrival side end. The emitted light breaks the total reflection condition and is emitted to the outside of the light guide member to reach the cover member, and the light reaching the light arrival side end is emitted to the outside of the light guide member. A light-shielding portion that shields the light-emitting surface, and the light-emitting portion includes the light-emitting surface and the light-shielding surface. It is characterized in that it is arranged between the.

The illumination module of one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of the light source modules described above are arranged adjacent to each other.

The lighting device of one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of the light source modules described above are arranged adjacent to each other.

According to the light source module, the lighting module, and the lighting device of one embodiment of the present invention, luminance unevenness at least on the side opposite to the light source arrangement position in the light source module including the side edge type light guide member is prevented. As a result, it is possible to provide a light source module, an illumination module, and an illumination device that can prevent luminance unevenness between the light source modules when a plurality of light source modules having side edge type light guide members are arranged.

1 shows a light source module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a light source module. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the said light source module. (A) is a plan view showing the configuration of the light source module, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ in (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB ′ in (a). is there. The light source module which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention is shown, Comprising: It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a light source module. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the output optical path in case the output part of a light-guide plate is a perpendicular | vertical output part, (b) is the output light in case the output part of a light-guide plate is an inclination output part. It is sectional drawing which shows a path | route. The light source module which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention is shown, Comprising: It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a light source module. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the said light source module. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the light emission path | route of the light from a cover perpendicular | vertical surface in the light source module provided with the diffusion cover which does not have a curved cover surface, when an inclined surface does not exist in a light-guide plate, (b) It is sectional drawing which shows the light emission path | route of the light from a cover curved surface in the light source module provided with the diffusion cover which has a cover curved surface, when an inclined surface does not exist in a light-guide plate, (c) is an inclined surface in a light-guide plate. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an emission optical path of light from a cover vertical surface in a light source module including a diffusion cover that does not have a curved cover surface, and (d) is a case where an inclined surface is present in the light guide plate. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical path of light emitted from a curved cover surface in a light source module including a diffusion cover having a curved cover surface. The light source module which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention is shown, Comprising: It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a light source module. (A) is a plan view showing the configuration of the light source module, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ in (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB ′ in (a). is there. It is a sectional view showing the light source module concerning Embodiment 5 of the present invention, and showing the composition of the light source module. The light source module which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention is shown, Comprising: It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a light source module. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the said light source module. (A) is a plan view showing the configuration of the light source module, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ in (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB ′ in (a). is there. The modification of the said light source module is shown, Comprising: It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the structure of a light source module. It is a sectional view showing the light source module concerning Embodiment 7 of the present invention, and showing the composition of the light source module. (A) shows a light source module according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention, which is a plan view showing the configuration of the light source module, and (b) is a cross-sectional view along the line AA ′ in (a). , (C) is a sectional view taken along line BB ′ of (a). It is a sectional view showing the light source module concerning Embodiment 9 of the present invention, and showing the composition of the light source module. (A) is a plan view showing the configuration of the light source module, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ in (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB ′ in (a). is there. (A) is a side view which shows the structure of the fixing jig of the said light source module, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the light-guide plate rubbed with the said fixing jig. (A) is a top view which shows the luminance distribution of the light-guide plate in the said light source module, (b) is a distribution map which shows the luminance distribution of a light-guide plate. (A) shows the illumination module provided with the light source module which concerns on Embodiment 10 in this invention, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the structure of the illumination module which arranged the light source module in multiple numbers, (b) is (a) 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC ′ in FIG. (A) is a plan view showing a configuration of an illumination module in which a plurality of light source modules are arranged, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC ′ of (a). (C) is a cross-sectional view along the line DD ′ in (a). (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the structure and luminance distribution of the conventional illumination module with which the thickness and light source width of a light-guide plate are the same, and also a light guide plate does not have an inclined surface and a cover member does not have a curved surface. And (b) shows the light source module of the present embodiment in which the thickness of the light guide plate is made larger than the light source width to have an emission part, the light guide plate has no inclined surface, and the cover member has no curved cover surface. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure and brightness | luminance distribution of the combined illumination module, (c) makes the thickness of a light-guide plate larger than a light source width | variety, has an output part, and there is no inclined surface in a light-guide plate, and a cover member It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure and luminance distribution of the illumination module which combined the light source module of this Embodiment in which a cover curved surface exists, and (d) makes the thickness of a light-guide plate larger than a light source width, and is an inclination light emission part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure and luminance distribution of the illumination module which combined the light source module of this Embodiment which has the light-emission plate which has an inclined emission part which consists of an inclined surface, and does not have a cover curved surface in a cover member, e) The light source of the present embodiment in which the thickness of the light guide plate is made larger than the light source width to have the inclined light emitting portion, the light emitting plate has an inclined light emitting portion made of an inclined surface, and the cover member has a curved cover surface. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure and luminance distribution of the illumination module which combined the module. (A) is a graph showing the luminance distribution in the horizontal axis direction in the various embodiments shown in (a) to (e) of FIG. 24, and (b) is an enlarged view of the main part of (a). It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the conventional light source module. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the other conventional light source module. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the conventional further another light source module.

[Embodiment 1]
One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. However, the configuration described in the present embodiment is merely an illustrative example, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to that unless otherwise specified.

In this embodiment, a liquid crystal display device such as a liquid crystal TV or a ceiling light can be cited as an example of lighting equipment, and a backlight of the liquid crystal display device can be cited as a light source module. However, the illumination device and the light source module are not limited to this. Also, a lighting module is provided by arranging a plurality of light source modules.

[Configuration of light source module]
Initially, the structure of the light source module in this Embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG.1, FIG2 and FIG.3 (a) (b) (c). FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a light source module in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the light source module. 3A is a plan view showing the configuration of the light source module, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG. 3A, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB ′ in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light source module 1 A of the present embodiment includes a chassis 2, an LED board 3, LED (Light Emitting Diode) group 4 as a light source, a reflector 5 as a reflection member, and a reflection. A sheet 6, a diffusion cover 7A as a cover member, and a light guide plate 10 as a light guide member are provided.

In the light source module 1A, the chassis 2, the reflection sheet 6, the light guide plate 10, and the diffusion cover 7A are disposed in order from the bottom, and an air layer is provided between the light guide plate 10 and the diffusion cover 7A. It has been. Here, in the light source module 1A of the present embodiment, the light emitting surface side of the light guide plate 10 is described as the upper side. However, when the light source module 1A is used in a lighting device such as a ceiling light, the lower side is the light guide plate 10. The light emitting surface side.

An LED substrate 3 and an LED group 4 are provided on one end face of the light guide plate 10 of the light source module 1A in the present embodiment, and a reflector is provided above the LED group 4 (the light emitting surface side in the light guide plate thickness direction). 5 is provided.

In the present embodiment, when the light guide plate 10 is rectangular, a configuration in which light is incident from the end surfaces of the two opposite sides or all sides of the light guide plate 10 may be employed. In addition, the form which arrange | positions LED group 4 as a light source in the some edge | side of the light-guide plate 10 is mentioned later.

As a result, the light source module 1A of the present embodiment is a light source module 1A including a side edge (also referred to as side light or edge light) type light guide plate that emits light incident on a side surface from a light source in a planar shape. ing. That is, the light incident on the side surface of the light guide plate 10 from the LED group 4 is repeatedly reflected by total reflection between the light exit surface 12 that is the surface of the light guide plate 10 and the back surface opposite to the light exit surface 12. While being guided through the light guide plate 10 toward the opposite light arrival side end 13 facing the incident side end 11, a part of the light is emitted from the light exit surface 12 while breaking the total reflection condition during the light guide. The Here, the light emitting surface 12 is a main surface of the substantially parallel light guide plate 10 formed so as to satisfy the total reflection condition with respect to the light incident direction from the LED group 4 to the light guide plate 10, that is, the light guide direction. . Since the light exit surface 12 satisfies the total reflection condition for the light guided through the light guide plate 10, the light exit surface 12 is generally guided to the back surface opposite to the light exit surface 12 of the light guide plate 10 or to the light guide. A reflection sheet 6 is provided as a means for reflecting the light so that a part of the light guided through the light plate 10 breaks the total reflection condition at the light emitting surface 12 and is emitted to the outside of the light guide plate 10. The light emitted from the light emitting surface 12 of the light guide plate 10 is further scattered by the transparent diffusion cover 7A covering the light guide plate 10 and then emitted from the light source module 1A in a planar shape.

Here, in the light source module 1A of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, the light source module 1A has an AA ′ direction on the end surface of one side of the light guide plate 10. The LED substrate 3 and the LED group 4 are disposed so as to face each other. On the other hand, the light arrival side end 13 on the side opposite to the light incident side end 11 on the side where the LED substrate 3 is disposed in the light guide plate 10 is a flat surface with respect to the light exit surface 12. The light guide plate 10 has a light-shielding portion 13a that shields light that guides the light guide plate 10 from being emitted outside the light guide plate 10 on the plane of the light arrival side end 13 opposite to the LED group 4 in the light guide plate 10. A light emitting portion 13b is formed that emits light guided through the light guide plate 10 to the outside of the light guide plate 10 by breaking the total reflection condition.

Here, the emitting portion 13b means the surface of the light guide plate 10 configured so as not to satisfy the total reflection condition for the light guided through the light guide plate 10. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting portion 13b to the outside of the light guide plate 10 reaches the end of the diffusion cover 7A without being shielded on the way, and is scattered at the end of the diffusion cover 7A. The light is emitted to the outside of the light source module 1A.

The light shielding portion 13a may have any form as long as it has a function of preventing light reaching the end of the light guide plate 10 from reaching the diffusion cover 7A. Examples include a light-absorbing shielding plate disposed opposite to the end face of the light plate 10, a light-reflecting reflecting plate, or a light-absorbing material or a light-reflecting material applied to the end face of the light guide plate 10. .

The light from the LED group 4 reaches the end of the light guide plate 10 on the side opposite to the side on which the LED substrate 3 is disposed in the direction AA ′. For this reason, the light is blocked by the light shielding portion 13a made of, for example, a shielding plate so that the light reaching the end portion on the opposite side does not excessively leak to the outside. On the other hand, a light emitting portion 13b having no shielding structure is formed in a portion of the end plane opposite to the LED group 4 excluding the light shielding portion 13a. As a result, the emission part 13 b is arranged between the light shielding part 13 a and the light emission surface 12 in the light guide plate 10. Here, in the present embodiment, the emission part 13 b is a vertical emission part 13 b ₁ that hangs perpendicularly to the light emission surface 12.

Since the emission part 13b has an angle that breaks the total reflection condition with respect to the light guide direction, the light that has reached the emission part 13b at the end opposite to the LED group 4 is emitted to the outside. It has become. It is desirable that the area ratio between the light shielding portion 13a and the light emitting portion 13b be a light emission amount that increases the uniformity of luminance. With the above structure, it is possible to improve the uniformity of luminance at the end opposite to the LED group 4.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, in the BB ′ direction of the light guide plate 10, the side surface of the end portion of the light guide plate 10 stands vertically with respect to the light emitting surface 12. It does not have a light shielding structure. The light reaching the end portion of the light guide plate 10 in the BB ′ direction has a light amount far smaller than the light reaching the end portion of the light guide plate 10 opposite to the LED group 4 in the AA ′ direction. . This is because the LED group 4 is not arranged in the BB ′ direction of the light guide plate 10, and the light in the AA ′ direction on the light guide plate 10 is guided with a spread in the BB ′ direction. This is because a very small amount of light is limited to reach the end in the BB ′ direction. Therefore, in the B-B ′ direction of the light guide plate 10, the luminance of the end portion does not become excessively high even without the shielding structure. The light that has reached the end portion in the B-B ′ direction of the light guide plate 10 is emitted from the end surface, and contributes to the improvement in luminance uniformity at the end portion of the light guide plate 10 in the B-B ′ direction.

Hereinafter, each component will be described in the light source module 1A.

(Chassis)
The chassis 2 is a housing and a support member that protect the light source module 1A, and is provided so as to cover the light guide plate 10 and the LED group 4 from the side opposite to the surface that emits light, as shown in FIG. The chassis 2 has a heat sink function.

(LED board, LED group)
The LED substrate 3 includes an LED group 4 including a plurality of LEDs. The LEDs included in the LED group 4 are respectively arranged on the LED substrate 3 at intervals. Moreover, the LED board 3 is arrange | positioned facing the light-incidence side edge part 11 which the light-guide plate 10 has, as shown in FIG.

The light emitted from the LED group 4 mounted on the LED substrate 3 is incident on the light incident surface 11 a of the light incident side end portion 11 of the light guide plate 10.

The LED board 3 is fixed to the chassis 2 with an adhesive member having high heat conduction. However, fixing with screws may be employed.

In the present embodiment, the case where the LED group 4 is used as a light source will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the LED group 4 such as a fluorescent tube is used as the light source. You may employ | adopt the structure using light sources other than.

(Reflector)
The reflector 5 is disposed on the upper side of the LED substrate 3 (the light emitting surface side in the light guide plate thickness direction). A reflective sheet 6 is disposed below the LED substrate 3 (on the chassis 2 side in the light guide plate thickness direction), and between the LED group 4 and the light incident surface 11 a of the light incident side end portion 11 of the light guide plate 10. The space to be formed is sandwiched between the reflector 5 and the reflection sheet 6.

The reflector 5 reflects light emitted from the LED group 4 in a direction away from the light incident surface 11a of the light incident side end 11 of the light guide plate 10 toward the light incident surface 11a. Thus, the light emitted from the LED group 4 functions so as to improve the incidence rate to the light guide plate 10.

As a result, by arranging the reflector 5, the light from the LED group 4 can be efficiently incident on the light incident surface 11 a of the light incident side end portion 11 of the light guide plate 10, and effects such as improvement in luminance can be obtained. . Moreover, it also has a function of preventing direct light from the LED group 4 from being visually recognized. If light leakage occurs in the vicinity of the light incident surface 11a, an absorbing member may be disposed instead of the reflector 5.

Thus, it is preferable that the reflector 5 is provided on the light emitting surface 12 side of the light guide plate 10 in the LED group 4. Thereby, since the light from LED group 4 injects into the light-guide plate 10 efficiently, the light source module 1A with high incident efficiency can be provided.

In the present embodiment, the case where a reflective sheet made of resin is used as the reflector 5 is described as an example. However, this invention is not limited to this, For example, you may employ | adopt the structure using metal materials, such as plastic materials, such as a highly reflective polycarbonate, and aluminum tape or aluminum.

(Reflective sheet)
The reflection sheet 6 is disposed to face the surface opposite to the light exit surface 12 of the light guide plate 10, and the light exit surface 12 can effectively use the light absorbed on the chassis 2 side. The amount of light emitted from the emission surface 12 can be increased. Thereby, the reflection sheet 6 can improve the brightness | luminance of 1 A of light source modules.

The reflection sheet 6 is made of, for example, polyester represented by foamed PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) and has light reflection characteristics. The reflection sheet 6 has a function of reflecting light leaking from the back surface of the light guide plate 10 and transmitting the light through the light guide plate 10 to reflect the light toward the light exit surface 12.

The reflection sheet 6 may be a sheet that regularly reflects incident light, but it is more preferable to use a sheet that irregularly reflects light. The reflection sheet 6 can reflect light including a reflection component having an angle different from the incident angle by using a sheet on which incident light is irregularly reflected.

(Light guide plate)
The light guide plate 10 receives light emitted from the LED group 4 mounted on the LED substrate 3 at the light incident surface 11 a of the light incident side end portion 11, and receives the received light from the light emitting surface 12 and the light guide plate 10. The light is propagated inside the light guide plate 10 while being totally reflected between the back surface and both side surfaces parallel to the light guide direction, and is mainly emitted from the light emitting surface 12. For this reason, the light guide plate 10 is made of a transparent material having high light transmittance, and is made of, for example, PMMA (acrylic), PC (polycarbonate), PS (polystyrene), or the like.

In the present embodiment, the light guide plate 10 has a plate shape and the light emission surface 12 has a quadrangular shape. However, in the present invention, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the light emitting surface 12 of the light guide plate 10 may have a polygonal shape such as a triangle or a pentagon.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of light extraction patterns 14 that are light diffusion portions are formed on the back surface of the light guide plate 10 at intervals. The light extraction pattern 14 can also be disposed on the light emitting surface 12 side of the light guide plate 10.

The light extraction pattern 14 is formed, for example, by dispersing light scattering fine particles in a polymer and then printing the polymer on the back surface of the light guide plate 10. For example, a phosphor may be used as the light scattering particle, but the present invention is not limited to this.

Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the light extraction pattern 14 is formed by printing on the back surface of the light guide plate 10 as the light diffusion portion has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, you may employ | adopt the method of forming a light-diffusion part by forming fine uneven | corrugated shapes, such as a prism, in the back surface of the light-guide plate 10. FIG. Or you may employ | adopt the method of forming a light-diffusion part by giving a laser processing or a blast process etc. to the back surface of the light-guide plate 10, or the method of mixing a diffusing material in the light-guide plate 10. FIG.

The light extraction pattern 14 is formed in a dot shape, for example. The dot diameter of the light extraction pattern 14 is formed so as to increase from the light incident side end portion 11 side toward the central portion of the light guide plate 10. The light extraction pattern 14 is disposed so as to be symmetric with respect to a virtual axis that passes through the center of the light guide plate 10 in the short direction and extends in the light guide direction of the light guide plate 10.

The dot diameter of the light extraction pattern 14 is preferably 0.2 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, for example. In the present embodiment, the case where the light extraction pattern 14 is formed in a dot shape has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the light extraction pattern 14 may be formed in a linear shape, an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape, or the like. That is, the light extraction pattern 14 has only to be formed so as to have a function of diffusing light and to adjust the amount of diffused light depending on the size (length).

By forming the light extraction pattern 14 on the back surface of the light guide plate 10 as described above, the optical path of light propagating through the light guide plate 10 can be changed. Specifically, the light extraction pattern 14 diffuses the incident light when light propagating through the light guide plate 10 is incident on the light extraction pattern 14 formed on the back surface of the light guide plate 10. Change the direction of light travel. As a result, at least part of the light diffused by the light extraction pattern 14 is emitted from the light emitting surface 12 to the outside without being totally reflected by the light emitting surface 12. Thereby, the light guide plate 10 can emit light from the light emitting surface 12 without uneven brightness.

(Diffusion cover)
The diffusion cover 7A has a function of suppressing unevenness in the amount of light emitted from the light guide plate 10, that is, unevenness in luminance. Further, in the present embodiment, the diffusion cover 7A has a vertical cover vertical surface 7a so as to face the emitting portion 13b of the light guide plate 10 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the diffusion cover 7A has a function of suppressing unevenness in luminance that is emitted from the light source module 1A by refracting and diffusing light incident on the curved surface of the cover vertical surface 7a.

In the present embodiment, an air layer (space) is provided between the light guide plate 10 and the diffusion cover 7A. Thereby, since the light radiate | emitted from the light-guide plate 10 mixes in an air layer and injects into the cover 7A for spreading | diffusion, a brightness nonuniformity can be made hard to produce. For example, when dust or dirt adheres to the light guide plate 10 or a scratch occurs on the light guide plate 10, light is taken out from the attached matter or the damaged portion, resulting in luminance unevenness. However, by providing an air layer between the light emitting surface 12 of the light guide plate 10 and the diffusing cover 7A, the luminance unevenness becomes difficult to be visually recognized.

Therefore, it is possible to provide the light source module 1A having a high quality and a highly reliable structure.

In the present embodiment, the diffusion cover 7A is described by taking a diffusion plate having a thickness of 2 mm as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the diffusion cover 7A has functions of transparency and diffusibility, and it is only necessary to suppress luminance unevenness. For example, a film or cloth having a thickness of 2 mm or less may be employed. In addition, for example, PMMA (acrylic), PC (polycarbonate), and PS (polystyrene) can be used without limitation.

[Embodiment 2]
The following will describe still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. The configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted.

The configuration of the light source module 1B of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the light source module 1B of the present embodiment.

In the light source module 1 A of the first embodiment, the light emitting portion 13 b in the light guide plate 10 is formed as a vertical light emitting portion 13 b ₁ composed of a surface perpendicular to the light emitting surface 12 at the light arrival side end portion 13.

In contrast, in the light source module 1B of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the exit part 13b of the light arrival side end portion 13 of the light guide plate 10 is formed as an inclined exit portion 13b ₂ formed of inclined surfaces Is different.

That is, the emission part 13 b of the present embodiment is an inclined emission part 13 b ₂ constituted by an inclined surface inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the light emission surface 12 of the light guide plate 10. In FIG. 4, but illustrates a mode inclined exit portion 13b ₂ constituting the emission portion 13b in the inclined surface is a plane, not necessarily limited thereto, be in the form of a curved surface instead of a plane Is also possible. Light can be emitted to the outside of the light guide plate 10 at a wide emission angle by forming the emission part 13b in the shape of the inclined emission part 13b _{2 formed} of an inclined surface or a curved surface. As a result, the uniformity of the luminance distribution can be improved.

Thus, a description will be given of a function and effect for brightness uniformity in the case where the emission part 13b of the light guide plate 10 and the inclined exit portion 13b ₂ in (a) (b) of FIG. (A) of FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the emission light path when emitting portion 13b of the light guide plate 10 is in the vertical emission portion 13b _1, the exit part 13b of (b) indicates a light guide plate 10 in FIG. 5 There is a cross-sectional view showing the emission light path of the case where an inclined exit portion 13b _2.

First, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the light exiting portion 13 b of the light guide plate 10 is a vertical light emitting portion 13 b ₁ , the light incident from the light incident side end portion 11 of the light guide plate 10. The light guide plate 10 guides the light guide plate 10 while repeating total reflection on the front and back surfaces of the light guide plate 10 due to the light confinement effect of the light guide plate 10, and the light on the side opposite to the light incident side end 11 of the light guide plate 10. Of the light reaching the arrival side end portion 13, the light incident on the emission portion 13 b is emitted to the outside of the light guide plate 10. For this reason, the light radiate | emitted from the light emission part 13b to the exterior of the light-guide plate 10 has an angle distribution as shown by a black line in (a) of FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5A, in the form in which the exit portion 13b of the light guide plate 10 does not have an inclined surface, the light emitted from the light guide plate 10 is perpendicular to the light exit surface 12. Since the light is emitted from a steep surface, it does not receive an effect that the emission angle is widened by refraction at the time of emission. As a result, the light emitted to the outside from the light guide plate 10 is emitted to the outside of the light guide plate 10 at a narrow emission angle. At this time, the emission portions are concentrated in one place, so that the luminance distribution is lowered.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the case where the light emitting portion 13b of the light guide plate 10 is an inclined light emitting portion 13b ₂ , the light emitted from the light guide plate 10 is a light emitting surface. Since the light is emitted from the inclined light emitting portion 13b ₂ inclined with respect to 12, it is subjected to an effect that the oblique angle is widened by refraction at the time of emission. For this reason, the light emitted to the outside from the light guide plate 10 is emitted to the outside of the light guide plate 10 at a wide emission angle, and the emission part is not concentrated in one place, so that the luminance distribution is improved. Therefore, dark portion just above inclined exit portion 13b ₂ is eliminated.

As a result, luminance unevenness is improved as compared with the light source module 1A of the first embodiment. However, when there is a light source module 1B adjacent to the light source module 1B, the vicinity of the

light source modules

1B and 1B becomes slightly brighter due to reflection by the diffusion cover 7A of the adjacent light source module 1B.

[Embodiment 3]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. The configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 are given the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted.

The configuration of the light source module 1C according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the light source module 1C of the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the light source module 1C.

In the light source module 1 A of the first embodiment, the end portion of the diffusion cover 7 A as a cover member that covers the light guide plate 10 is the light incident side end portion 11 and the light arrival side end portion 13 of the light guide plate 10. The cover vertical surface 7a hangs vertically from the edge of the flat plate.

On the other hand, in the light source module 1C of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the portion facing the light arrival side end 13 of the light guide plate 10 is curved. Yes.

That is, in the light source module 1A shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 of the first embodiment, the diffusing cover 7A as the cover member is disposed on the light guide plate 10 with respect to the plane portion covering the light emitting surface 12 of the light guide plate 10. The portion that covers the light arrival side end 13 of the light was a vertical cover surface 7a that stood up vertically.

However, in the shape of the diffusion cover 7A, the boundary between the portion that covers the light emitting surface 12 that is the planar portion of the surface of the light guide plate 10 and the portion that covers the light arrival side end portion 13 of the light guide plate 10 in the diffusion cover 7A. In this portion, there is a discontinuous portion in the curvature of the diffusion cover 7A, and there is a problem in that the luminance uniformity of the light source module 1A is slightly reduced at the boundary portion. In particular, when the side surface of the light arrival side end portion 13 of the light guide plate 10 is formed by the cover vertical surface 7a perpendicular to the light emitting surface 12, the component of light reflected by the portion of the cover vertical surface 7a When observed from the light exit surface 12 side, an excessively high luminance portion is formed on the cover vertical surface 7a, and the luminance uniformity of the light source module 1A is lowered.

Therefore, in the light source module 1C of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the diffusion cover 7B as the cover member has a cover curved surface 7b in the vicinity of the light arrival side end 13 of the light guide plate 10. ing.

Thereby, since the diffusion cover 7B has a structure in which the light arrival side end portion 13 of the light guide plate 10 is covered with the cover curved surface 7b, the above problem can be reduced and the luminance uniformity of the light source module 1B is improved. be able to.

The effect of improving the luminance uniformity of the diffusing cover 7B having the cover curved surface 7b in the light source module 1C of the present embodiment will be described based on (a), (b), (c), and (d) of FIG. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing the light emission path of light from the cover vertical surface 7a in the light source module 1A having the diffusion cover 7A that does not have the cover curved surface 7b when there is no inclined surface on the light guide plate. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view showing the light emission path of light from the cover curved surface 7b in the light source module 1C having the diffusing cover 7B having the cover curved surface 7b when there is no inclined surface on the light guide plate. (C) of FIG. 8 is the light emission path of the light from the cover vertical surface 7a in the light source module 1B provided with the diffusion cover 7A that does not have the cover curved surface 7b when the light guide plate has an inclined surface. FIG. 8D shows a light source module 1D described later provided with a diffusion cover 7B having a cover curved surface 7b when the light guide plate has an inclined surface. Kicking is a cross-sectional view showing the emission light path of the light from the cover curved 7b.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8C, when the diffusion cover 7A does not have the cover curved surface 7b but is provided with a cover vertical surface 7a that stands vertically to the light emitting surface 12, The light emitted from the optical plate 10 is projected onto the cover vertical surface 7a, scattered by the cover vertical surface 7a, and emitted to the outside of the

light source modules

1A and 1D. In this case, when observed from the exit surface side of the

light source modules

1A and 1D, the scattering portion of the diffusing cover 7A is concentrated in a narrow area when observed from the exit side of the cover vertical surface 7a. The luminance becomes too high, and the uniformity of the luminance decreases.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8D, when the diffusion cover 7B has the cover curved surface 7b, the light emitted from the light guide plate 10 is gently inclined with respect to the emission surface. The light is projected onto the curved surface 7b, scattered by the cover curved surface 7b, and emitted to the outside of the

light source modules

1C and 1E. In this case, when observed from the exit surface side of the

light source modules

1C and 1E, the scattering portion of the cover curved surface 7b is dispersed in a portion having a large area when observed from the exit side of the cover curved surface 7b. Can be made.

Here, in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D, the degree of the effect of improving the luminance distribution by the combination of the inclined structure of the light guide plate 10 and the curved surface structure of the cover member is illustrated. The combination of both the inclined structure of the light guide plate 10 and the curved surface structure of the cover member has the highest luminance uniformity and the high quality of the light source module. That is, the luminance uniformity is high in the order of (a) in FIG. 8, (b) (c) in FIG. 8, and (d) in FIG.

In the above description, the diffusion cover 7B has been described as having a structure in which the light arrival side end portion 13 of the light guide plate 10 is covered with the cover curved surface 7b. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of 7b, as shown in FIG. 15, which will be described later, a cover inclined surface 7c may be used. That is, the cover inclined surface 7 c is not a curved surface but is a flat surface that is inclined and hangs toward the extended surface on the back surface of the light guide plate 10.

Thus, even with the structure in which the edge portion of the diffusion cover 7B is the cover inclined surface 7c, it is possible to improve the uniformity of luminance as compared with the configuration of the diffusion cover 7A in the light source module 1A of the first embodiment.

[Embodiment 4]
The following will describe still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. The configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of Embodiments 1 to 3 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

The configuration of the light source module 1D of the present embodiment will be described based on FIGS. 9 and 10 (a) and 10 (b). FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the light source module 1D of the present embodiment. 10A is a plan view showing the configuration of the light source module 1D, FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view in the AA ′ direction of FIG. 10A, and FIG. ) Is a cross-sectional view in the BB ′ direction of FIG.

In the light source module 1D of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the diffusion cover 7B having the cover curved surface 7b in the light source module 1C described in the third embodiment and the second embodiment are described. In the light source module 1B, the light emitting plate 10 is combined with the light emitting portion 13b including the inclined light emitting portion 13b ₂ provided at the light arrival side end portion 13 of the light guide plate 10.

Thus, the diffusion cover 7B having a cover curved 7b explained in Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 3 of the embodiment, as an outgoing portion 13b, the light guide plate 10 having an inclined exit portion 13b ₂ formed of inclined surfaces By combining these, the uniformity of the luminance distribution can be further improved as compared with the effect of each single structure.

In the light source module 1D of the present embodiment, the shape of the light guide plate 10 is the same as that of the LED group 4 of the light guide plate 10 in the AA ′ direction, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a), (b), and (c). At the light arrival side end 13 opposite to the arrangement side, the light guide plate 10 is shaped such that the corners of the light guide plate 10 are deleted. The diffusion cover 7B has a cover curved surface 7b at the end of the light guide plate 10 on the side opposite to the side where the LED group 4 is disposed in the AA ′ direction.

[Embodiment 5]
The following will describe still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. The configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first to fourth embodiments. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of Embodiments 1 to 4 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

The configuration of the light source module 1E of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the light source module 1E of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, the light source module 1 E of the present embodiment includes LED groups 4 as light sources at a light incident side end 11 and a light arrival side end 13 which are a pair of opposite ends of the light guide plate 10. The light emitting plate 13 is also formed with light emitting side end 11 and light arrival side end 13 which are a pair of opposing ends of the light guiding plate 10. The

emission parts

13b and 13b are composed of

inclined emission parts

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ each having an inclined surface.

As a result, in the light source module 1E of the present embodiment, the thickness of the light guide plate 10 is larger than the thickness of the LED substrate 3 as shown in FIG. This is because the light-shielding portion 13a and the light-emitting portion 13b are formed in the light-incident side end portion 11 in the thickness direction of the light-guide plate 10, so that the thickness of the light-guide plate 10 is the thickness of the LED substrate 3 that is the light-shielding portion 13a. This is because it needs to be at least larger than this.

In this embodiment, the cover member employs the diffusion cover 7A. As a result, cover

vertical surfaces

7a and 7a are formed at both ends of the diffusion cover 7A, respectively.

That is, when the LED substrate 3 in the other LED group 4 has a light shielding property with respect to one LED group 4 of the

LED groups

4 and 4 as the light sources facing each other, the light source arrangement portion is set as the light shielding portion. It can be regarded as 13a.

In the light source module 1E having the above-described configuration, light enters the light guide plate 10 from the

LED groups

4 and 4 disposed on both sides of the light guide plate 10 facing each other. Therefore, the

LED groups

4 and 4 face each other. The LED group 4 functions as a light shielding portion 13a.

Further, in this embodiment, between the placement portion and the light emitting surface 12 of the LED group 4, tilted inclined exit portion 13b ₂ are formed respectively as an outgoing portion 13b to the LED group 4 facing. As a result, the arrangement side end portion of one LED group 4 facing each other in the light guide plate 10 becomes the light arrival side end portion 13 with respect to the other LED group 4. For this reason, if the light emission surface 12 does not exist normally, it can improve also about the brightness | luminance uniformity fall of the arrangement | positioning side edge part of the LED group 4 used as a dark part. In the present embodiment, the

exit portions

13b and 13b of the light guide plate 10 are

inclined exit portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ each having an inclined surface. 13b ₁ and 13b ₁ may be used. This can also increase the dark portion luminance of the arrangement end of the LED group 4 a light guide plate 10 extension than when vertical emission portion 13b 1 _· 13b ₁ does not exist.

[Embodiment 6]
The following will describe still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. The configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first to fifth embodiments. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of Embodiments 1 to 5 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

The configuration of the light source module 1F of the present embodiment will be described based on FIGS. 12, 13 and 14A, 14B, and 14C. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the light source module 1F of the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the light source module 1F. 14A is a plan view showing the configuration of the light source module 1F, FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view in the AA ′ direction of FIG. 14A, and FIG. ) Is a cross-sectional view in the BB ′ direction of FIG.

In the light source module 1E of the fifth embodiment, the diffusion cover 7A having the cover

vertical surfaces

7a and 7a is used, whereas in the light source module 1F of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. The difference is that a diffusion cover 7C having cover

curved surfaces

7b and 7b is used.

First, also in the light source module 1F of the present embodiment, the thickness of the light guide plate 10 is larger than the thickness of the LED substrate 3 as in the light source module 1E. This is because the light-shielding portion 13a and the light-emitting portion 13b are formed in the thickness direction of the light guide plate 10 also at the light incident side end portion 11. This is because it needs to be at least larger than the thickness.

In addition, the light source module 1F of the present embodiment has an LED as a light source at a pair of opposite ends of the light guide plate 10 as shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14A, 14B, and 14C. The

groups

4 and 4 are arranged. The exit portion 13b · 13b of the light guide plate 10 is also inclined exit portion _13b 2 · 13b ₂ are formed on both the light incident side end 11 and a light arrival side end portion 13 formed of the inclined surface.

Further, the cover member employs a diffusion cover 7C having cover

curved surfaces

7b and 7b at both ends.

LED groups

With such a configuration, light enters from the

LED groups

4 and 4 disposed on both sides of the light guide plate 10 facing each other, and the

LED groups

4 and 4 shield each other from the LED groups 4 facing each other. It functions as the part 13a. Further, for example, an inclined emission portion 13b ₂ is formed as an emission portion 13b for the opposed LED group 4 between the arrangement portion of the LED group 4 and the light emission surface 12, so that one of the opposed LED groups 4 Since the arrangement side end becomes the light arrival side end 13 with respect to the other LED group 4, the luminance of the arrangement side end of the LED group 4 which is a dark part because there is usually no light emitting surface 12. It can improve also about the uniformity fall.

Details are as follows.

As shown in FIG. 12, the light source module 1F of the present embodiment includes a chassis 2,

LED substrates

3 and 3, LED (Light Emitting Diode)

groups

4 and 4 as light sources, and

reflectors

5 and 4 as reflecting members. 5, a reflection sheet 6, a diffusion cover 7C as an arch-shaped cover member having a curved surface, and a light guide plate 10 as a light guide member.

The light source module 1F will be described in order from the bottom. The chassis 2, the reflection sheet 6, the light guide plate 10, and the diffusion cover 7C are arranged, and an air layer is provided between the light guide plate 10 and the diffusion cover 7C. It has been. Here, in the light source module 1F of the present embodiment, the light emitting surface side of the light guide plate 10 will be described as the upper side. However, when the light source module 1F is used for lighting equipment such as a ceiling light, the lower side is the light guide plate 10. The light emitting surface side.

The

LED substrates

3 and 3 and the

LED groups

4 and 4 are provided on both end surfaces of the light guide plate 10 of the light source module 1F in the present embodiment, and above the LED groups 4 and 4 (light emitting surface in the light guide plate thickness direction).

Reflectors

5 and 5 are respectively provided on the side). However, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and the LED substrate 3, the LED group 4, and the reflector 5 may be provided only on one end face of the light guide plate 10 (see the light source module 1G described later). Alternatively, when the light guide plate 10 is rectangular, a configuration in which light is incident from the end faces of all sides of the light guide plate 10 may be employed. For example, when light is incident from the end surfaces of four sides of the rectangular light guide plate 10, by increasing the area of the light extraction pattern 14 from each of the four end surfaces toward the center of the light guide plate 10, Variations in luminance may be suppressed.

As a result, the light source module 1F of the present embodiment is a light source module 1F including a side edge (also referred to as a side light or edge light) type light guide plate that emits light incident on the side surface from the light source in a planar shape. ing.

Here, in the light source module 1F of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C, the inclined light emitting portion 13b ₂ of the light guide plate 10 in the AA ′ direction of the light source module 1F. 13b ₂ and cover

curved surfaces

7b and 7b of the diffusion cover 7C are provided, the light emitting plate 10 does not have the inclined

emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b _{2 in the} BB ′ direction, and the cover member covers The

curved surfaces

7b and 7b do not exist.

As a result, the

LED groups

4 and 4 are arranged in the direction AA ′, and the upper surface of the

LED groups

4 and 4, that is, the light emitting surface 12 side in the thickness direction of the light guide plate 10 is darkened. In the light source module 1F of the form, the light guide plate 10 is provided with the

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ , and the diffusion cover 7C is provided with the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b.

On the other hand, since the

LED groups

4 and 4 are not arranged in the BB ′ direction of FIG. 14A, the distance between the light guide plates 10 in the light source module 1F can be shortened, and the light source in the BB ′ direction can be reduced. The luminance unevenness at the end of the module 1F is difficult to be visually recognized. Therefore, the

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b _{2 of the} light guide plate 10 and the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b of the diffusion cover 7C are not provided in the BB ′ direction.

That is, when the light source module 1 F is viewed alone, in the light source module 1 F using the light guide plate 10, the central portion of the light guide plate 10 has high luminance because light is emitted from the flat light emission surface 12. However, since the light guide plate 10 cannot normally be extended to the end portion where the

LED groups

4 and 4 are arranged, the light emitting surface 12 is a dark portion.

Therefore, in the light source module 1F of the present embodiment, in order to solve this problem, as shown in (a), (b), and (c) of FIG. The

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ are formed at the end portions of the light emission surface 12. Accordingly, in order to improve the luminance of the end portion of the light guide plate 10 and further improve the luminance distribution of the light emitted obliquely to the

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ of the light guide plate 10, the corresponding of the diffusion cover 7C also forms a cover curved 7b · 7b a position facing portion, i.e. the inclined exit portion _13b ₂ · _13b 2, 2 by the inclined exit portion _13b 2 · 13b ₂ of the light guide plate 10 and the cover curved 7b · 7b for diffusion cover 7C The heavy structure improves the luminance distribution.

Such a structure is a very simple structure in which the corners of the end portion of the light guide plate 10 are cut off to form the

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ as compared with a conventional method in which a reflector or the like is disposed on the light guide plate. It can be realized by combining the brightness distribution which is not good with the inclined

light emitting portions

13b ₂ and 13b _{2 of the} light guide plate 10 together with the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b of the diffusion cover 7C, and the overall cost is extremely low. It is possible to manufacture with an effective structure.

Here, in the light source module 1F of the present embodiment, since both side edge methods are adopted, the light incident surfaces 11a and 11a of the light from the

LED groups

4 and 4 and the inclined

light emitting portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ must be provided on the same end surface of the light guide plate 10. For this reason, the thickness of the light guide plate 10 needs to be larger than the dimension of the

LED groups

4 and 4 in the light guide plate thickness direction. However, increasing the thickness of the light guide plate 10 increases the size, thickness, and weight of the light source module 1F. Therefore, the thicker the light guide plate, the better.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the thickness of the light guide plate 10 is set to 200%, for example, with respect to the dimensions of the

LED groups

4 and 4 in the light guide plate thickness direction. However, the thickness of the light guide plate 10 is preferably 110% to 250% with respect to the dimension of the light source in the light guide plate thickness direction.

In the present embodiment, the positional relationship in the thickness direction of the light incident surfaces 11a and 11a of the

LED substrates

3 and 3 and the light guide plate 10 is adjusted by the chassis 2 described above. In addition, the light guide plate 10 is fixed to the chassis 2 by a fixing jig 15 to be described later, whereby the clearance between the light guide plate 10 and the LED substrate 3 is kept constant.

In the present embodiment, the

LED groups

4 and 4 are arranged to face the light incident surfaces 11a and 11a of the light guide plate 10, and the

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ are guided more than the

LED groups

4 and 4. It is provided on the light exit surface 12 side of the optical plate 10. As described above, when the

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ are arranged on the light emission surface 12 side of the

LED groups

4 and 4, the light emitted from the

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ is covered without being blocked. The light is emitted to the

curved surfaces

7b and 7b. As a result, luminance unevenness is less likely to occur, and light is not absorbed by the

LED substrates

3 and 3, so that the emission efficiency is improved.

Therefore, in order to improve the luminance distribution and the emission efficiency, it is preferable that the

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ are provided on the light emission surface 12 side of the light guide plate 10 rather than the

LED groups

4 and 4. That is, when the diffusion cover 7C side is the upper side and the chassis 2 side is the lower side, the

LED groups

4 and 4 are disposed to face the light incident surfaces 11a and 11a of the light guide plate 10. It is preferable that it is arranged on the lower side (chassis 2 side) than the

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ . Thereby, it is possible to emit light to the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b of the diffusion cover 7C without blocking the light emitted from the inclined

light emitting portions

13b ₂ and 13b _2, and the upper portions of the

LED groups

4 and 4 are bright and high quality. It is possible to provide a light source module 1F with good quality.

In the light guide plate 10 having the above-described configuration, the light emitted from the

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b _{2 of the} light guide plate 10 is adjusted so that the angle of the

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ is an appropriate angle. In combination with 7b, light is emitted to the upper side of the reflector 5 and the back side of the

LED groups

4 and 4, that is, the opposite side of the

LED group

4 and 4 facing the light guide plate 10, and the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b. Can be brightened. Therefore, since it can be brightened to the outside of both end portions of the light guide plate 10, luminance unevenness at the end portions of the light guide plate 10 can be reduced. Here, in the present embodiment, the angle of the

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ is an obtuse angle with respect to the light emission surface 12, and is, for example, 135 °.

Further, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b in the diffusion cover 7C of the present embodiment is a circle having a certain curvature or an elliptical shape and having no extreme value. That is, it is preferably made of a curved surface having no extreme value with a curvature of zero.

In this embodiment, an elliptical shape is adopted as the shape of the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b, the elliptical inner diameter in the light guide plate thickness direction is, for example, 13 mm, and the elliptical inner diameter in the direction orthogonal to the light guide plate thickness direction is 8 mm.

In the above description, the

light emitting portions

13b and 13b of the light guide plate 10 are inclined

light emitting portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ having inclined surfaces. may become a _₁ · 13b _1,
As described above, in the light source module 1F shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the structure of the cover curved surface 7b of the diffusion cover 7B in the third embodiment described in FIG. 6 and the second embodiment described in FIG. It shows a light source module which combines at each end and an inclined surface structure of the exit portion 13b consisting of inclined emitting portion 13b ₂ of the light guide plate 10 in. However, the shape of the cover member and the light guide plate 10 is not limited to the example of this drawing.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the shape of a diffusing cover 7C as a cover member may be a cover inclined surface 7c instead of the cover curved surface 7b. In the cover inclined surface 7c having such a polygonal cross-sectional shape, luminance unevenness is likely to occur at the corner portion C of the cover inclined surface 7c in the diffusion cover 7C. The cover inclined surface 7c having a polygonal cross-sectional shape may be employed.

As described above, in the light source module 1F of the present embodiment, the LED group 4 and the light emitted from the LED group 4 enter the light incident surface 11a which is a part of the side end surface on which the LED group 4 is disposed. A light guide plate 10 that guides the light and emits the light from the light exit surface 12 to the outside, and a diffusion cover 7 C that covers the light guide plate 10 are provided. On the side end face of the light guide plate 10, inclined

light emitting portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ that form an obtuse angle with respect to the light light emitting surface 12 that is a flat surface are formed on the light emitting surface 12 side with respect to the light incident surface 11a. The cover 7C has cover

curved surfaces

7b and 7b that cover the vicinity of the

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ . The vicinity of the

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ in the diffusion cover 7C refers to the irradiation range of the light emitted from the

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ in the diffusion cover 7C. In order to adopt this configuration, it is necessary to make the thickness of the light guide plate 10 larger than the thickness of the light incident surface 11 a in the light guide plate 10.

Therefore, it is possible to provide the light source module 1F capable of preventing uneven brightness in the vicinity of the position where the LED group 4 is disposed in the light source module 1F having the side edge type light guide plate 10.

Further, in the light source module 1F of the present embodiment, the light guide plate 10 has inclined

emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ on at least a pair of side end surfaces facing each other where the

LED groups

4 and 4 are disposed. In addition, the diffusion cover 7C has cover

curved surfaces

7b and 7b that cover the vicinity of the

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ , respectively.

That is, it is the end portion on the side where the

LED groups

4 and 4 are disposed that particularly causes a decrease in luminance at the end portion of the light guide plate 10 in the light source module 1F. In such an end portion of the light guide plate 10 on the side where the

LED groups

4 and 4 are arranged, the light guide plate 10 does not exist in the width of the arrangement position of the

LED groups

4 and 4. This is because the LED does not reach the upper surface where the

LED groups

4 and 4 are disposed, resulting in a decrease in luminance.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the

LED groups

4 and 4 are disposed opposite to each other at least a pair of both end portions of the light guide plate 10,

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ are formed on the side end surfaces thereof, and the diffusion cover 7C is provided. The cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b are formed. With this configuration, there is no blind spot in the luminance distribution due to the arrangement of the

LED groups

4 and 4, and a uniform luminance distribution can be obtained up to the upper surface where the

LED groups

4 and 4 are disposed.

Further, in the light source module 1F of the present embodiment, the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b of the diffusion cover 7C cover the

LED groups

4 and 4.

In this way, the diffusion cover 7C covers up to the

LED groups

4 and 4, and the upper surface of the

LED groups

4 and 4 where the darkest part is likely to be covered is covered with the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b. The improvement effect of is increased.

surfaces

7b and 7b are preferably formed of curved surfaces.

For example, when the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b of the diffusion cover 7C are polygons, uneven brightness occurs at the corners of the polygons. However, when the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b are curved surfaces, there are no corners, so that uneven brightness on the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b hardly occurs.

That is, in order to improve the luminance distribution, the cover member is preferably formed with a curved surface rather than a flat surface.

In the light source module 1F of the present embodiment, it is preferable that the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b are formed of curved surfaces that do not have a point that changes from a positive curvature to a negative curvature.

That is, a gentle curved surface shape is desirable to improve the luminance distribution. For example, when the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b are curved surfaces having points that change from a positive curvature to a negative curvature, light and dark luminance unevenness occurs at the changing points.

However, in the present embodiment, the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b are curved surfaces that do not have a point that changes from a positive curvature to a negative curvature, so that the luminance distribution is uniform without causing bright and dark luminance unevenness. Can be.

In the light source module 1F of the present embodiment, the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b are formed to extend to the end of the diffusion cover 7C. In other words, the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b themselves constitute the side surface of the diffusion cover 7C. As a result, it is possible to more suitably suppress a decrease in luminance distribution at the end of the light source module 1F.

Further, the lighting device of the present embodiment includes the light source module 1F of the present embodiment. As a result, it is possible to provide a lighting device including the light source module 1F that can prevent luminance unevenness in the vicinity of the position where the LED group 4 is disposed in the light source module 1F including the side edge type light guide plate 10.

[Embodiment 7]
The following will describe still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. The configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first to sixth embodiments. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of Embodiments 1 to 6 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

The configuration of the light source module 1G of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the light source module 1G of the present embodiment.

In the light source module 1G of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the LED group 4 as a light source is disposed on one side of a pair of opposed end portions of the light guide plate 10, and the LED group 4 is arranged. The reflecting member 8 is arranged at the end portion on the side not provided.

Further, the diffusing cover 7C as a cover member has cover

curved surfaces

7b and 7b formed on both the light incident side end portion 11 and the light arrival side end portion 13.

According to the light source module 1G of the present embodiment, since the light shielding side 13a of the light arrival side end 13 is formed by the reflecting member 8, the light that has reached the light arrival side end 13 is incident on the light guide plate 10 as light incident. Light is reflected on the side end 11. As a result, it is possible to reduce the light loss in the light shielding portion 13a and improve the luminance efficiency of the light source module 1G.

Further, the light guide plate 10 is reflected by the reflecting member 8 toward the light incident side end portion 11 at a position between the light emitting side end portion 11 and the light emitting surface 12 where the LED group 4 is disposed. The light returned to the group 4 side breaks the total reflection condition and has a light incident side end portion 11 side emitting portion 13 b that is emitted to the outside of the light guide plate 10. The emission part 13b is, for example, an inclined emission part 13b ₂ having an inclined surface.

With such a configuration, even if the LED group 4 is disposed only at one end portion of at least one pair of end portions facing each other, the light emitting surface 12 is not provided, so that the LED becomes a dark portion. A reduction in luminance uniformity at the end of the group 4 on the arrangement side can be improved.

[Embodiment 8]
The following will describe still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. The configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first to seventh embodiments. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of Embodiments 1 to 7 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

The configuration of the light source module 1H according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to (a), (b), and (c) of FIG. FIG. 17A is a plan view showing the configuration of the light source module 1H of the present embodiment, and FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view in the AA ′ direction of FIG. FIG. 17C is a cross-sectional view in the BB ′ direction of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C, the light source module 1H of the present embodiment has a diffusion cover 7D as a cover member on both side portions along the light guide direction of the light guide plate 10. The cover member side curved surfaces 7d and 7d are formed. The cover member side curved surfaces 7d and 7d are not necessarily limited to this, and may be cover member side inclined surfaces formed by inclined surfaces.

That is, in the light source module 1 F of the sixth embodiment described with reference to FIG. 12, the

LED groups

4 and 4 are connected to the light incident side end 11 and the light arrival side end 13 which are a pair of opposite ends of the light guide plate 10. And a diffusion cover 7C in which cover

curved surfaces

7b and 7b are formed on the portion facing the light incident side end 11 and the light arrival side end 13 as a cover member. .

On the other hand, in the light source module 1H of the present embodiment, the diffusion cover 7D has the cover

vertical surfaces

7a and 7a formed on the light guide plate 10 on the side where the LED groups 4 are disposed, and the light guide plate. The cover member side curved surfaces 7d and 7d are formed on the side perpendicular to the side on which the LED group 4 is disposed in 10, that is, the side on which the LED group 4 is not disposed.

In the light source module 1H, a part of the light incident from the LED group 4 is guided with a spread in a direction perpendicular to the incident direction from the LED group 4. Then, the light reaches the end of the side perpendicular to the light incident side end 11 on which the LED group 4 is disposed, and is emitted to the outside of the light guide plate 10.

At this time, when the cover member side curved surfaces 7d and 7d are formed like the diffusion cover 7D of the present embodiment, it is perpendicular to the light incident side end 11 on which the LED group 4 is disposed. Since the light emitted to the outside of the light guide plate 10 from a part of the light reaching the end of the side is made uniform by the cover member side curved surfaces 7d and 7d, the luminance distribution can be improved.

In FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C, the cover member is provided only on the two side portions parallel to the light guide direction from the light incident side end portion 11 to the light arrival side end portion 13. Although the side curved surfaces 7d and 7d are provided, it is sufficient that the cover member side curved surfaces 7d and 7d are provided at least on the side portions on the two sides. In other words, in addition to the two sides, the light arrival side end 13 may be configured by the cover curved surface 7b. Moreover, you may comprise the side part of all four sides by the cover curved surface 7b * 7b and the cover member side part curved surface 7d * 7d. Thereby, the luminance distribution can be further improved.

Furthermore, in (a), (b), and (c) of FIG. 17, as the diffusion cover 7 D, the configuration in which the cover member side curved

surfaces

7 d and 7 d are provided on the side portions on the two sides is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cover member side curved surface 7d may be a cover member side inclined surface instead of the curved surface.

[Embodiment 9]
The following will describe still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. The configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first to eighth embodiments. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of Embodiments 1 to 8 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

In the light source module 1J of the present embodiment, a method for fixing the light guide plate 10 will be described. The light source module 1J according to the present embodiment will be described on the assumption that it is fixed to the ceiling.

The configuration of the light source module 1J according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19A, 19B, and 19C. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the light source module 1J of the present embodiment. 19A is a plan view showing the configuration of the light source module 1J of the present embodiment, and FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional view in the AA ′ direction of FIG. 19A. FIG. 19C is a cross-sectional view in the BB ′ direction of FIG.

The light source module 1J of the present embodiment is arranged so that the thickness direction is the vertical direction as shown in FIGS. 18A, 18B, 19C, and 19C. It is necessary to fix the optical plate 10 so that it does not fall.

For this reason, in the light source module 1J, the diffusion cover 7C and the chassis 2 are bonded, or the diffusion cover 7C and the chassis 2 are fitted to each other to be fixed. The chassis 2 is fixed to the ceiling surface by screwing or bonding. By doing so, the diffusion cover 7C can be prevented from dropping from the ceiling surface.

In addition, the LED board 3 and the reflector 5 are also bonded to the chassis 2 or fixed with double-sided tape or screws.

Here, among the members of the light source module 1J, only the light guide plate 10 has a different fixing method from other members. This is because, when the light guide plate 10 is bonded to the chassis 2 or screwed, luminance unevenness occurs due to the influence. For example, when the light guide plate 10 is screwed to the chassis 2, it is necessary to make a hole in the light guide plate 10, but the periphery of the hole shines unnaturally. Further, when the light guide plate 10 is bonded to the reflection sheet 6, light leaks unnaturally from the bonded portion, and the luminance uniformity is also destroyed. In particular, the light source module 1J of the present embodiment transmits a part of the light reaching the light arrival side end portion 13 opposite to the light incident side end portion 11 where the LED group 4 is disposed from the emission portion 13b. Since the structure emits light to the outside of the light guide plate 10, if a structure for fixing the light guide plate 10 is provided at a portion that shields or scatters the light component, the luminance distribution is significantly reduced.

Therefore, in the light source module 1J in the present embodiment, the light guide plate 10 is fixed to the chassis 2 using the fixing jig 15. The fixing jig 15 is arranged at, for example, four locations on the end face of the light guide plate 10 at the end perpendicular to the light incident side end 11 where the LED group 4 is disposed. With this configuration, the light component that is guided from the light incident side end portion 11 to the opposite light arrival side end portion 13 and emitted from the emission portion 13b is not disturbed.

The configuration of the fixing jig 15 will be described in detail based on (a) and (b) of FIG. 20A is a side view showing the configuration of the fixing jig 15, and FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view showing a fixing state of the fixing jig 15 to the light guide plate 10.

As shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the fixing jig 15 is used to fix the light guide plate fixing portion 15 a which is a hook for fixing the light guide plate 10 and the fixing jig 15 itself to the chassis 2. Chassis fixing portion 15b, and is S-shaped. The chassis fixing portion 15b is provided with a hole (not shown) and screwed to the chassis 2, or the chassis fixing portion 15b and the chassis 2 are bonded to each other, whereby the chassis 2 and the fixing jig 15 can be fixed.

On the other hand, since the light guide plate fixing portion 15a is caught by the light guide plate 10, the light guide plate 10 can be fixed to the chassis 2 as a result. At this time, since the light guide plate 10 itself is not processed such as making a hole, the light guided through the light guide plate 10 is not disturbed.

By the way, the light guide plate fixing portion 15a of the fixing jig 15 has a structure in which a part of the side wall of the side perpendicular to the light incident side end portion 11 where the LED group 4 of the light guide plate 10 is disposed is shielded. . For this reason, in the light source module 1J of the present embodiment, most of the incident light is guided toward the light arrival side end 13 opposite to the light incident side end 11 in the incident direction. On the other hand, a part of the light is guided in a direction perpendicular to the incident direction and spreads in the direction perpendicular to the light incident side end 11 on which the LED group 4 is disposed. A small amount of light is emitted to the outside of the light guide plate 10. For this reason, when the light guide plate fixing portion 15a is not translucent, a slight dark portion is generated in that portion.

Here, the luminance distribution between the case where the light guide plate fixing portion 15a of the fixing jig 15 has translucency and the case where it does not have translucency is based on (a) and (b) of FIG. I will explain. 21A is a plan view showing the luminance distribution of the light guide plate 10, and FIG. 21B is a distribution diagram showing the luminance distribution of the light guide plate 10.

21A, a light guide plate fixing portion 15a having translucency and a light guide plate fixing portion 15a having no translucency are attached to the light guide plate 10. As shown in FIG. The light guide plate fixing portion 15a having translucency uses a transparent fixing member made of, for example, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). On the other hand, the light guide plate fixing portion 15a that does not have translucency uses a white fixing member made of, for example, polycarbonate resin.

As a result, as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the region TY using the light-transmitting light guide plate fixing portion 15a is the region TN using the light-transmitting light guide plate fixing portion 15a. It can be seen that the luminance distribution is uniform as compared with FIG. That is, it can be seen that the uniformity of brightness is further improved by using a fixing member having translucency.

In the above description, the configuration in which the fixing jig 15 is attached to the light source module 1F shown in Embodiment 6 has been described as the light source module 1J. However, the light source module to which the fixing jig 15 is attached is not limited to the light source module 1F. The light source modules 1A to 1E, 1G to 1H, and 1J can be attached.

[Embodiment 10]
The following will describe still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. The configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first to ninth embodiments. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of Embodiments 1 to 9 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

In the present embodiment, an illumination module in which a plurality of light source modules 1F of the sixth embodiment are arranged will be described.

[Configuration of lighting module]
The structure of the illumination module 20 of this Embodiment is demonstrated based on (a) (b) (c) of FIG. FIG. 22A is a plan view showing a configuration of an illumination module in which four light source modules are two-dimensionally arranged, and FIG. 22B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC ′ in FIG. FIG. 22 (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD ′ of FIG. 22 (a).

In the illumination module 20 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 22A, 22B, and 22C, four light source modules 1F are two-dimensionally arranged, that is, arranged in a square shape. As shown in FIG. 22B, the light guide plate 10 is provided with light emitting

portions

13b and 13b having inclined surfaces in the CC ′ direction shown in FIG. 22A, and the diffusion cover 7C. Cover

curved surfaces

7b and 7b are provided. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 22 (c), the light guide plate 10 has no

light emitting portions

13b and 13b in the direction DD ′ shown in FIG. 22 (a), and the diffusion cover 7C has a curved cover surface. 7b and 7b do not exist. That is, the illumination module 20 of the present embodiment is configured such that the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b of the diffusion cover 7C in the

light source modules

1F and 1F are opposed to each other. The gap between the

light source modules

1F and 1F is 0 mm to 1 mm.

In the illumination module 20 of the present embodiment, the case where the four light source modules 1F are arranged in a square shape has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, If necessary, the light source modules 1F may be arranged in a line, or four or more light source modules 1F may be arranged.

In the illumination module 20 of the present embodiment, when the light source modules 1F are arranged side by side, the

LED groups

4 and 4 side in the light source module 1F face each other, that is, the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b of the diffusion cover 7C are mutually connected. The case where they are arranged so as to face each other is described as an example. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the side where the LED group 4 exists in the light source module 1F and the side where the LED group 4 does not exist face each other, that is, the cover curved surface 7b of the diffusion cover 7C. A method may be employed in which the side where the surface is present and the side where the cover curved surface 7b does not exist face each other.

Furthermore, in the illumination module 20 of the present embodiment, a plurality of light source modules 1F are arranged side by side, but this is not necessarily the case, and the

light source modules

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1F, 1H, 1G are not necessarily limited thereto. -A plurality of 1J may be arranged side by side. For example, (a), (b), and (c) of FIG. 23 are the illumination modules 20 in which four light source modules 1G are two-dimensionally arranged, that is, arranged in a square shape.

[Luminance unevenness when modules are arranged side by side]
Next, reduction in luminance unevenness between the light source modules in the illumination module 20 in the present embodiment will be described based on FIGS. 24 (a) to 24 (e) and FIGS. 25 (a) and 25 (b). FIG. 24A shows the configuration and luminance distribution of a conventional illumination module in which the light guide plate has the same thickness and the same light source width, and the light guide plate has no inclined surface and the cover member has no curved cover surface. FIG. 24 (b) is an explanatory diagram in which the thickness of the light guide plate is made larger than the light source width to have an emission part, and the light guide plate has no inclined surface and the cover member has no curved cover surface. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure and luminance distribution of the illumination module which combined the light source module of the form of FIG. 24, (c) of FIG. 24 makes the thickness of a light-guide plate larger than a light source width, has an output part, and is attached to a light-guide plate. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure and luminance distribution of the illumination module which combined the light source module of this Embodiment in which an inclined surface does not exist, and a cover curved surface exists in a cover member, (d) of FIG. 24 is the thickness of a light-guide plate. The The structure and luminance distribution of a lighting module that is combined with a light source module that has an inclined emission part that is larger than the source width, has an inclined emission part made of an inclined surface on the light guide plate, and does not have a curved cover surface on the cover member are shown. FIG. 24 (e) is an explanatory diagram, in which the thickness of the light guide plate is made larger than the light source width to have a tilted light emitting portion, the light guide plate has a tilted light emitting portion made of a slanted surface, and the cover member has a curved cover surface. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure and luminance distribution of the illumination module which combined the light source module which exists. 25A is a graph showing the luminance distribution in the horizontal axis direction in the various embodiments shown in FIGS. 24A to 24E. FIG. 25B is a graph showing the luminance distribution in FIG. It is a principal part enlarged view of (a).

That is, (a) to (e) of FIG. 24 illustrate a configuration diagram and a degree of luminance distribution when a plurality of light source modules of various embodiments are arranged adjacent to each other. Each of FIGS. 24A to 24E is a form in which a light source is arranged on a pair of opposite sides, and two light source modules are arranged so that one side where the light sources are arranged is adjacent to each other. Yes. In (a) to (e) of FIG. 24, the darker portion has a lower luminance as the black tone is stronger, and the brighter portion has a higher luminance as the white tone is stronger.

First, in the conventional light source module shown in FIG. 24A, the thickness of the light guide plate and the light source width are the same, and the light guide plate has no inclined surface and the cover member does not have a curved curved surface. When the light source modules are arranged side by side, the space between the light source modules becomes extremely dark and is visually recognized as uneven brightness.

Specifically, in an illumination module in which conventional light source modules are arranged side by side, there is no inclined surface on the light guide plate and there is no inclined surface on the cover member. Therefore, as shown in FIG. The light angle component in the direction orthogonal to the emission surface is extremely large, and when the light source modules are arranged side by side, the space between the light source modules becomes extremely bright and is visually recognized as luminance unevenness. Further, the diffusion cover has a box shape, and a large amount of light is incident on a surface parallel to the light incident side end portion in the box-shaped diffusion cover parallel to the light emitting surface of the light guide plate. Furthermore, the amount of incident light is small in the portion directly above the reflector of the box-shaped diffusion cover, and the portion directly above the reflector in the box-shaped diffusion cover becomes dark, which is visually recognized as luminance unevenness. Therefore, in the illumination module of the conventional example, bright lines and dark lines are generated between the light source modules and are visually recognized as luminance unevenness.

On the other hand, in the illumination module 20 in which the light source modules of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 24B to 24E are combined, the light emitting plate 10 includes the

inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ and / or. Cover

curved surfaces

7b and 7b exist in the diffusion cover 7C. As a result, the light of the emitted light can be bent, and the angle component of the light incident on the upper surface of the reflector 5, the back surface side of the LED substrate 3, and the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b of the diffusion cover 7C can be increased. Further, since the diffusing cover 7C has the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b, unevenness in luminance is suppressed by utilizing diffusion, refraction, and reflection of light incident on the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b. Therefore, it can be seen that the uniformity of the luminance distribution is high in the light source module of the present embodiment shown in (b) to (e) of FIG. Also, the light source module shown in FIGS. 24C to 24E is different from the light source module shown in FIG. 24B in that the diffusion cover 7C having the cover curved surface 7b and the emission portion 13b in the light guide plate 10 are used. it can be seen that further improves the uniformity of the luminance distribution by combining either or both structures that the inclined exit portion 13b _2.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 25 (a) and 25 (b), when judging from the luminance distribution of the illumination module 20 in which the light source modules shown in FIGS. 24 (a) to 24 (e) are combined, the maximum luminance value is obtained. It can be said that the smaller the difference from the minimum value, the higher the luminance uniformity. In the luminance distribution of the illumination module 20 that combines the light source modules shown in FIGS. 24A to 24E, the illumination module that combines the conventional light source modules shown in FIG. Next, the luminance in the order of the illumination modules in which the light source modules of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 24B, FIG. 24C, FIG. 24D, and FIG. It can be seen that the uniformity is high.

Thus, the illumination module 20 of the present embodiment is formed by arranging a plurality of light source modules 1A to 1H, 1J adjacent to each other.

That is, when a plurality of the light source modules 1A to 1H and 1J having the side edge type light guide plate 10 are arranged and arranged side by side, the luminance decreases particularly at the joint portion.

On the other hand, in the illumination module 20 of the present embodiment, the individual light source modules 1A to 1H, 1J are arranged on the side surface of the light guide plate 10 closer to the light exit surface 12 than the light incident surface 11a.

Inclined emission portions

13b ₂ and 13b ₂ are formed at an obtuse angle with respect to the light emission surface 12 formed of a flat surface. For example, the diffusion cover 7C has cover

curved surfaces

7b and 7b covering the vicinity of the

emission portions

13b and 13b. Have.

As a result, since the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b have no corners, uneven brightness on the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b hardly occurs.

Furthermore, since the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b are formed of convex curved surfaces that do not have a point of change from a positive curvature to a negative curvature, luminance unevenness on the cover curved

surfaces

7b and 7b hardly occurs.

Accordingly, a plurality of light source modules 1A to 1H and 1J that can prevent uneven luminance between the light source modules 1A to 1H and 1J when a plurality of light source modules 1A to 1H and 1J having the side edge type light guide plate 10 are arranged are provided. A lighting module 20 can be provided.

Further, the lighting device of the present embodiment includes the lighting module 20 of the present embodiment. As a result, there is provided an illuminating device including an illumination module 20 that can prevent uneven luminance between the light source modules 1A to 1H and 1J when a plurality of the light source modules 1A to 1H and 1J including the side edge type light guide plate 10 are arranged. can do.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and the technical means disclosed in different embodiments can be appropriately combined. Such embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

(Summary)
In order to solve the above-described problems, the

light source modules

1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D of one embodiment of the present invention are configured to use a light source (LED group 4) and light emitted from the light source (LED group 4) as the light source (LED A light guide member (light guide plate 10) that enters and guides light from the light incident side end portion 11 which is an end portion of at least one side where the group 4) is disposed, and exits from the light exit surface 12 on the surface to the outside. And

light source modules

1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D including light-transmitting cover members (diffusion covers 7A and 7B) that cover the light guide member (light guide plate 10). 10), the light arrival side end 13 which is the light arrival side with respect to the light guide direction of the light incident from the light incident side end 11 in FIG. The light reaching the light arrival side end 13 breaks the total reflection condition and the light guide member The light exiting portion 13b that is emitted to the outside of the light guide plate 10) and reaches the cover member (diffusion covers 7A and 7B) and the light that has reached the light arrival side end portion 13 of the light guide member (light guide plate 10). A light-shielding portion 13a that shields the light from being emitted to the outside is formed, and the light-emitting portion 13b is disposed between the light-emitting surface 12 and the light-shielding portion 13a.

A light source module using a conventional light guide member has high luminance because light is emitted from a flat emission surface at the center of the light source module, while an end portion of the light guide member, particularly a light source is provided. At the end opposite to the end on the other side, there is a problem that a dark portion having no light exit surface is formed.

On the other hand, the

light source modules

1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D according to an aspect of the present invention reach the light in the light guide direction of the light incident from the light incident side end 11 in the light guide member (light guide plate 10). In the light arrival side end 13 which is the end opposite to the light incident side end 11, the light reaching the light arrival side end 13 breaks the total reflection condition and the light guide member ( The light exiting portion 13b that is emitted to the outside of the light guide plate 10) and reaches the cover member (diffusion covers 7A and 7B) and the light that has reached the light arrival side end portion 13 of the light guide member (light guide plate 10). A light shielding portion 13a that blocks the light from being emitted to the outside is formed, and the light emitting portion 13b is disposed between the light emitting surface 12 and the light shielding portion 13a.

For this reason, the side where the light source (LED group 4) is disposed without being consumed by the emission from the light exit surface 12 among the light incident on the light guide member (light guide plate 10) from the light source (LED group 4). A part of the light component that has reached the opposite light arrival side end 13 is emitted to the outside from an emission part 13 b provided at the light arrival side end 13. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of said dark part is eliminated. Further, the light arrival is achieved by shielding a part of the light reaching the light arrival side end 13 opposite to the side where the light source (LED group 4) is arranged with the light shielding portion 13a so as not to be emitted to the outside. The

light source modules

1A and 1B are prevented by preventing excessive increase in luminance at the side end portion 13 and diffusing the light emitted from the light arrival side end portion 13 by the cover members (diffusion covers 7A and 7B).・ Is emitted to the outside of 1C and 1D. As a result, the luminance uniformity of the

light source modules

1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D can be improved.

Therefore, the

light source modules

1A and 1B that can prevent luminance unevenness in the vicinity of the arrangement position of the light sources (LED group 4) in the

light source modules

1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D including the side edge type light guide member (light guide plate 10).・ 1C ・ 1D can be provided.

(Differences from Patent Document 3)
In the

light source modules

1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D of the present invention, the structure in which the light shielding portion 13a and the light emitting portion 13b are provided at the light arrival side end portion 13 of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) at first glance is the structure of Patent Document 3. Is similar but with the following differences.

Patent Document 3 illuminates the back surface of a liquid crystal display device by illuminating the back surface of the liquid crystal panel by arranging a plurality of units each including a light guide plate and a light source for each of a plurality of light emitting regions. The object is to prevent the boundary portion between two adjacent light emitting regions from becoming a dark line by emitting light from the side surface not covered with the frame. That is, Patent Document 3 can be said to be a technique for reducing uneven brightness of a seam when a plurality of light guide plates are arranged without assuming a cover member. Further, since Patent Document 3 assumes a liquid crystal display device, the cover member as in the present invention is not assumed, and the upper surface of the light guide plate is covered with a liquid crystal panel instead of the cover member. Further, the liquid crystal display device only has to emit light only to the liquid crystal panel side, which is the upper surface of the backlight, and the side surface of the backlight is generally covered with a frame that does not have light transmittance. Therefore, since the backlight of Patent Document 3 is not configured to emit light from the side surface, even if a plurality of backlights are arranged adjacent to each other, the luminance unevenness of the backlight joint cannot be reduced. As a result, the size when used as a lighting device is limited to the size of the backlight covered with a frame.

In contrast, in the

light source modules

1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D of the present invention, the light guide member (light guide plate 10) is covered with a transparent cover member (diffusion covers 7A and 7B). The light emitted from the emitting portion 13b of the light arrival side end 13 of the member (light guide plate 10) is scattered at the end of the cover member (diffusion covers 7A, 7B) through the

light source modules

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D is emitted to the outside. Here, the end portions of the cover member (diffusion covers 7A and 7B) have translucency, and this configuration can reduce a decrease in luminance at the end portions of the cover member (diffusion covers 7A and 7B). . In the present invention, a plurality of

light source modules

1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are mainly arranged so that ends of cover members (diffusion covers 7A and 7B) of the

light source modules

1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are adjacent to each other. The size when used as a lighting device is not limited to the size covered with a cover member (diffusion covers 7A and 7B), and a plurality of

light source modules

1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are adjacent to each other. By arranging them, the joint can be used as a large illuminating device in which a plurality of

light source modules

1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are combined without conspicuous seams.

The

light source modules

1C, 1D, and 1F according to one aspect of the present invention have an end portion of the light arrival side end portion 13 of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) in the cover member (diffusion covers 7B and 7C). A cover member light arrival side inclined surface (cover inclined surface 7c) or a cover member light arrival side curved surface (cover curved surface 7b) extending to the side of the light arrival side end 13 of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) is formed. Preferably it is.

A general cover member has a shape in which a portion covering the side surface of the end portion of the light guide member stands vertically with respect to a flat portion covering the light emitting surface of the light guide member. For this reason, a portion where the curvature of the cover member is discontinuous occurs at the boundary portion between the portion covering the planar portion of the light guide member and the portion covering the side surface of the light guide plate in the cover member, and the luminance of the light source module is generated at the boundary portion. There is a problem that uniformity is slightly lowered. In particular, when the side surface of the light arrival side end portion of the light guide member is formed as a vertical surface perpendicular to the light emitting surface, when the light is reflected from the portion of the vertical surface, when observed from the light emitting surface side A portion with excessively high luminance is formed on the vertical surface portion, and the luminance uniformity of the light source module is lowered.

On the other hand, the

light source modules

1C, 1D, and 1F according to an aspect of the present invention are provided at the light arrival side end 13 of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) in the cover member (diffusion covers 7B and 7C). Is formed with a cover member light arrival side inclined surface (cover inclined surface 7c) or a cover member light arrival side curved surface (cover curved surface 7b) extending to the side of the light arrival side end 13 of the light guide member (light guide plate 10). Has been.

Therefore, the vicinity of the light arrival side end portion 13 of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) covers the cover member light arrival side inclined surface (cover inclined surface 7c) or the cover member light arrival side of the cover member (diffusion covers 7B and 7C). Since the structure is covered with a curved surface (cover curved surface 7b), the above problems can be reduced, and the luminance uniformity of the

light source modules

1C, 1D, and 1F can be improved.

The

light source modules

1C, 1D, and 1F according to an aspect of the present invention include a cover member light arrival side inclined surface (cover inclined surface 7c) or a cover member light arrival side curved surface (cover curved surface) of the cover member (diffusion covers 7B and 7C). 7b) is preferably formed to extend to the extended surface of the back surface of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) on the side opposite to the light exit surface 12 of the light guide member (light guide plate 10).

Thus, the side surface portion of the light arrival side end portion 13 of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) is covered with the cover member light arrival side inclined surface (cover inclined surface 7c) or the cover member light of the cover member (diffusion covers 7B and 7C). The structure is covered with a reaching-side curved surface (cover curved surface 7b). That is, the cover member from the boundary with the flat portion of the cover member (diffusion covers 7B and 7C) covering the light emitting surface 12 of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) to the end of the cover member (diffusion covers 7B and 7C) The entire end is formed by the cover member light arrival side inclined surface (cover inclined surface 7c) or the cover member light arrival side curved surface (cover curved surface 7b). As a result, the effect of improving the luminance uniformity at the side surface portion of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) can be maximized.

In the light source modules 1 B and 1 D of one aspect of the present invention, the light output side end portion 13 b of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) has a light output surface from the light blocking portion 13 a of the light arrival side end portion 13. 12 is preferably chamfered with an inclined surface (inclined emission part 13b ₂ ) or a convex curved surface.

As a result, the light exiting portion 13b of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) emits light at a wide exit angle toward the outside, and improves the reduction in luminance uniformity due to the concentration of the emitted light at one point. Can be increased.

In the present invention, light sources (LED groups 4) are disposed at both of a pair of opposite ends of the light guide member (light guide plate 10), and each light source (LED group) at the light incident side end portions 11 facing each other. 4) functions as a light shielding part 13a with respect to light incident from the opposing light sources (LED group 4). The arrangement part of each light source (LED group 4) functioning as the light shielding part 13a and the above The form in which the emission part 13b is formed between the light emission surfaces 12 may be sufficient.

(Differences from Patent Document 2)
The structure of the light source module 1B described in FIG. 4, which is an explanatory diagram of the second embodiment, is apparently similar to the light guide inclined surface 202d of Patent Document 2 shown in FIG.

However, the light guide body inclined surface 202d of Patent Document 2 is light scattered on the light exit surface side of the light guide body 202 by the reflection structure 203 formed by the uneven portion on the surface opposite to the light exit surface 202a of the light guide body 202. When the light is emitted from the emission surface 202a, the light toward the center of the light guide 202 is refracted by the light guide inclined surface 202d to improve the luminance toward the center of the light guide 202. In general, it is considered that the light exit surface is formed at a shallow angle.

In contrast, the inclined surface (inclined emission part 13b ₂ ) of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) in the light source module 1B of the present invention is located on the light arrival side end 13 opposite to the light source (LED group 4). It functions so that the reached light breaks the total reflection and is emitted toward the end with a wide angular distribution.

Therefore, the inclined surface (inclined emission part 13b ₂ ) of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) of the present invention is
Light that has entered the light guide member (light guide plate 10) in the light guide direction, which is an in-plane direction with respect to the light emitting surface 12 of the light guide member (light guide plate 10), breaks the total reflection condition and breaks the light guide member ( It is formed so as to form a deep angle with respect to the light emitting surface 12 so as to be emitted to the outside of the light guide plate 10).

As described above, the inclined surface (inclined emitting portion 13b ₂ ) of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) of the present invention and the light guide inclined surface 202d of Patent Document 2 are greatly different in purpose and function.

In the

light source modules

1E and 1F of one aspect of the present invention, the light incident side end portion 11 of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) in which the light source (LED group 4) is disposed is connected to the light guide member (light guide plate 10). ) Are disposed at at least a pair of opposite end portions, and the light source (LED group 4) arrangement portion of the light incident side end portions 11 facing each other is light incident from the facing light sources (LED group 4). The light-emitting member 13 functions as the light-shielding part 13a, and the light-emitting member 12 and the light-emitting surface 12 are provided with each light source (LED group 4) functioning as the light-shielding part 13a in the light-guide member (light-guide plate 10). It is preferable that the emission part 13b is formed between each of them.

Thereby, light enters from the light sources (LED group 4) disposed on the opposite sides of the light guide member (light guide plate 10), and the respective light sources (LED group 4) are opposed to the light sources (LED group 4). Function as a light shielding portion 13a. Further, by forming an emission portion 13b for the opposed light source (LED group 4) between the arrangement portion of the light source (LED group 4) and the light emission surface 12, one opposing light incident side end portion 11 is formed. Is the light arrival side end portion 13 with respect to the other light source (LED group 4). Can also be improved.

In the light source module 1G of one embodiment of the present invention, the light incident side end portion 11 of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) in which the light sources (LED group 4) are disposed is the light guide member (light guide plate 10). The light-shielding portion 13a of the light arrival side end 13 that is provided only at the end of one side of at least one pair of opposite ends facing each other and that faces the light incident side end 11 is the light arrival side end. It can be said that the reflection member 8 which reflects the light which reached | attained the part 13 on the light-incidence side of the said light guide member (light guide plate 10) is provided.

Thereby, in the form in which the light source (LED group 4) is disposed only on one side of the opposite ends of the light guide member (light guide plate 10), the light shielding portion 13a is arranged on the light arrival side end by the reflecting member 8. Since the light reaching 13 is reflected to the light incident side end portion 11 of the light guide member (light guide plate 10), the light loss in the light shielding portion 13a can be reduced and the luminance efficiency of the light source module 1G can be improved.

As a result, the light source (LED group 4) may be disposed only at the end of one side of at least one pair of ends facing each other.

In the light source module 1G of one embodiment of the present invention, the light emitting member 13 (light guide plate 10) has the light emitting portion 13b of the light source (LED group 4) at the light incident side end 11 of the light guide member (light guide plate 10). The light reflected to the light incident side by the reflecting member 8 at a position between the arrangement portion and the light emitting surface 12 is emitted outside the light guide member (light guide plate 10) while breaking the total reflection condition. It is possible.

Thereby, even if it is a form with which a light source (LED group 4) is arrange | positioned only at the edge part of one side among at least a pair of edge parts which mutually oppose in a light guide member (light guide plate 10), it is a light-projection surface. Since there is no 12, it is possible to improve the reduction in luminance uniformity at the light incident side end portion 11 which is a dark portion.

The light source module 1H according to one aspect of the present invention includes a cover member side inclined surface or a cover on both sides along the light guide direction of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) in the cover member (diffusion cover 7C). The member side curved surface 7d is preferably formed.

In general light source modules, not only the light arrival side end opposite to the light incident side end where the light source is disposed, but also the end of the side perpendicular to the light incident side end where the light source is disposed There is also a problem in that there is a dark part with no light exit surface.

On the other hand, the light source module 1H according to one embodiment of the present invention has a cover member side on both sides along the light guide direction of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) in the cover member (diffusion cover 7C). An inclined surface or a cover member side curved surface 7d is formed.

That is, most of the light components that are not consumed by the emission from the light exit surface 12 out of the light incident on the light guide member (light guide plate 10) from the light source (LED group 4) are light sources (LED group 4). ) From the light incident side end portion 13 opposite to the light incident side end portion 11. In this case, a part of the light is guided with a spread in a direction perpendicular to the incident direction from the light source (LED group 4), and is perpendicular to the end portion where the light source (LED group 4) is disposed. Reach the edge of the side.

As a result, if the cover member side inclined surface or the cover member side curved surface 7d is formed on both sides along the light guide direction of the light guide member (light guide plate 10), the light source (LED group 4) is disposed. The light that is emitted or leaked to the outside of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) from a part of the light that has reached the edge of the side perpendicular to the light incident side edge 11 or the cover member side inclined surface or After being diffused by the cover member side curved surface 7d, the light is emitted to the outside of the light source module 1H.

Therefore, the luminance uniformity of the light source module 1H can be improved at the end other than the light arrival side end 13 opposite to the light incident side end 11 where the light source (LED group 4) is disposed.

The light source module 1J according to one aspect of the present invention includes a housing (chassis 2) that holds the back surface of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) opposite to the light emitting surface 12, and the light guide member (light guide plate 10). And a fixing member (fixing jig 15) for fixing the light source (chassis 2) to the housing (chassis 2). At the end of the side where the LED group 4) is not disposed, a part of the light emitting surface 12 of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) is fixed by being sandwiched on the housing (chassis 2) side. preferable.

Thereby, the fixing member (fixing jig 15) of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) can be provided avoiding the light incident side end portion 11 and the light arrival side end portion 13, and the luminance of the light source (LED group 4). The light guide member (light guide plate 10) can be fixed to the housing (chassis 2) while suppressing the decrease in distribution.

Therefore, even when the light source module 1J is arranged on the ceiling surface or wall surface of the building, the light guide member (light guide plate 10) can be firmly held and high luminance distribution uniformity can be achieved.

In the light source module 1J according to one aspect of the present invention, the fixing member (fixing jig 15) preferably has transparency.

Accordingly, since the fixing member (fixing jig 15) has transparency, it is possible to further suppress a decrease in luminance distribution due to the fixing member (fixing jig 15), and the light source module 1J having high uniformity of luminance distribution. Can be realized.

The illumination module 20 of one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of the light source modules 1A to 1H and 1J described above are arranged adjacent to each other.

As described above, the light source modules 1A to 1H and 1J according to the present invention have high luminance uniformity at the ends of the light source modules 1A to 1H and 1J. Therefore, when a plurality of light source modules 1A to 1H and 1J are arranged adjacent to each other, Even in the joint between 1J, the uniformity of luminance is ensured, and the joint can be used as a large light source device in which the joint is not conspicuous.

Therefore, the luminance unevenness at the end opposite to the position where the light source (LED group 4) is disposed in the light source modules 1A to 1H and 1J including the side edge type light guide member (light guide plate 10) is prevented and extended. In other words, there is provided an illumination module 20 capable of preventing luminance unevenness between the light source modules 1A to 1H and 1J when a plurality of light source modules 1A to 1H and 1J having side edge type light guide members (light guide plate 10) are arranged. be able to.

Therefore, the luminance unevenness at the end opposite to the position where the light source (LED group 4) is disposed in the light source modules 1A to 1H and 1J including the side edge type light guide member (light guide plate 10) is prevented and extended. Thus, it is possible to provide an illumination device that can prevent uneven brightness between the light source modules 1A to 1H and 1J when a plurality of the light source modules 1A to 1H and 1J having a side edge type light guide member (light guide plate 10) are arranged. Can do.

The light source module of the present invention preferably includes a light source module that makes light from a light source incident from a light incident surface of a light guide plate and emits the light from a light exit surface of the light guide plate in a planar shape, and is suitably applied to an illumination module. be able to. In addition, the light source module of the present invention can be suitably applied to lighting equipment such as a ceiling light as a thin flat light source, and can also be used for electronic equipment typified by liquid crystal display devices such as television receivers and monitors. It can be suitably applied to lighting equipment.

1A to 1G Light source module 1J Light source module 2 Chassis (housing)
3 LED board 4 LED group (light source)
5 reflector (reflective member)
7A Diffusion cover (cover member)
7B Diffusion cover (cover member)
7C Diffusion cover (cover member)
7a Cover vertical surface 7b Curved cover surface (cover member inclined surface)
7c Cover inclined surface (cover member inclined surface)
7d Cover member side curved surface 10 Light guide plate (light guide member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Light incident side edge part 11a Light incident surface 12 Light emission surface 13 Light arrival side edge part 13a Light-shielding part 13b Output part 13b ₁ Vertical emission part 13b ₂ Inclined emission part (inclined surface)
15 Fixing jig (fixing member)
20 Lighting module

Claims

The light source and the light emitted from the light source are incident on the light incident side end, which is the end of at least one side where the light source is disposed, and are guided and emitted to the outside from the light emitting surface on the surface. In a light source module comprising a light guide member and a light-transmitting cover member that covers the light guide member,
The light arrival side end of the light guide member, which is the light arrival side with respect to the light guide direction of the light incident from the light incident side end and opposite the light incident side end, The light that reaches the end on the arrival side breaks the total reflection condition and is emitted to the outside of the light guide member to reach the cover member, and the light that reaches the end on the light arrival side of the light guide member A light-shielding part that blocks out to the outside is formed,
The light source module, wherein the light emitting portion is disposed between the light emitting surface and the light shielding portion.
In the cover member, an end portion on the light arrival side end portion side of the light guide member has a cover member light arrival side inclined surface extending to the side of the light arrival side end portion of the light guide member or a cover member light arrival side. The light source module according to claim 1, wherein a curved surface is formed.
The cover member light arrival side inclined surface or the cover member light arrival side curved surface of the cover member is formed to extend to the extended surface of the back surface of the light guide member on the side opposite to the light emitting surface of the light guide member. The light source module according to claim 2.
The light emission side end portion of the light guide member is chamfered with an inclined surface or a convex curved surface from the light shielding portion of the light arrival side end portion toward the light emission surface. Item 4. The light source module according to item 1, 2 or 3.
The light incident side end of the light guide member in which the light source is disposed is provided at at least a pair of opposite ends of the light guide member,
The light source arrangement portions at the light incident side end portions facing each other function as the light shielding portions with respect to the light incident from the light sources facing each other,
5. The light emitting part according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting part is formed between an arrangement part of each light source functioning as the light shielding part in the light guide member and the light emitting surface. 2. A light source module according to item 1.
The light incident side end of the light guide member in which the light source is disposed is provided only at the end of one side of at least a pair of opposite ends of the light guide member,
The light shielding portion at the light arrival side end opposite to the light incident side end includes a reflecting member that reflects the light reaching the light arrival side end to the light incident side of the light guide member. The light source module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
The light exiting portion of the light guide member receives light reflected on the light incident side by the reflecting member at a position between the light emitting surface at the light incident side end of the light guide member and the light exit surface. The light source module according to claim 6, wherein the light source module breaks the total reflection condition and emits light to the outside of the light guide member.
The cover member side inclined surface or the cover member side portion curved surface is formed on both sides of the cover member along the light guide direction of the light guide member. 2. A light source module according to item 1.
A housing that holds the back surface opposite to the light emitting surface of the light guide member, and a fixing member that fixes the light guide member to the housing;
The fixing member is fixed by sandwiching a part of the light emitting surface of the light guide member on the side of the casing at the end of the side where the light source is not provided in the light guide member. The light source module according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
The light source module according to claim 9, wherein the fixing member has transparency.
A lighting module comprising a plurality of light source modules according to any one of claims 1 to 10 arranged adjacent to each other.
An illumination device comprising the light source module according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or the illumination module according to claim 11.