WO2015049748A1

WO2015049748A1 - Signal display lamp

Info

Publication number: WO2015049748A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/076877
Authority: WO
Inventors: 大輔重松
Original assignee: 株式会社パトライト
Priority date: 2013-10-02
Filing date: 2013-10-02
Publication date: 2015-04-09
Also published as: JPWO2015049748A1; JP6016043B2

Abstract

A signal display lamp (1) including: an LED-mounting substrate (2); and a lens unit (3) having an insertion space (41) for housing at least some of the LED-mounting substrate (2) and having a prescribed length in the axial direction (X). The lens unit (3) is used connected in the axial direction (X) to another lens unit (3) of the same shape. The lens unit (3) includes a pair of insertion space-forming members (40). The pair of insertion space-forming members (40) partition the insertion space (41), between the facing surfaces (40A) thereof. End sections (40B) of the pair of insertion space-forming members (40), in the axial direction (X), are elastically deformable and, as a result of entering between other end sections (40C) of a pair of insertion space-forming members (40) of another lens unit (3) in the axial direction (X), approach each other and sandwich the LED-mounting substrate (2) from the thickness direction (T).

Description

Signal indicator

This invention relates to a signal indicator lamp.

The optical display device proposed in Patent Document 1 below includes a light emitting diode substrate and a case for housing the substrate. A plurality of light source portions made of LEDs are disposed on the substrate. The case includes a bottomed cylindrical base portion and three covers having a translucent cylindrical shape. These covers are stacked and connected to the base portion in three stages. Each cover has a ring-shaped top wall on the inner peripheral side, and the top wall has a pair of protruding portions facing each other. Slits are formed at the tip portions facing each other in the pair of overhang portions. The substrate housed in the case is fitted in the respective slits of the pair of overhang portions inside each cover. The light emitted from each light source part of the substrate is emitted to the outside through a cover around the light source part.

The illumination device proposed in the following Patent Document 2 includes an elongated rectangular plate-like base material extending over almost the entire length of the illumination device, an elongated rectangular substrate supported on one surface of the base material, and a base material And a substantially cylindrical elongated light guide surrounding the substrate. A plurality of LEDs are mounted on the substrate. The light guide has a light incident part that is recessed toward the center of the light guide in the upper part facing the LED. The light emitted from the LED enters the inside of the light guide from the light entering portion, and is emitted outward from the irradiation region on the lower side of the light guide.

Utility Model Registration No. 3169445 JP 2012-253043 A

∙ Since the signal indicator lamp can be used in various environments, it is necessary to assume the use in an environment susceptible to vibration.

In the optical display device of Patent Literature 1 and the illumination device of Patent Literature 2, it cannot be said that the substrate on which the LED is mounted is sufficiently held, and during vibration, the light from the LED is covered with a lens (in the case of Patent Literature 1, a cover is used). In the case of Patent Document 2, it is difficult to stably irradiate the light incident portion of the light guide. More specifically, there is a possibility that the “light blur” occurs in the irradiation axis of the light from the LED depending on whether there is vibration or not, and there is a possibility that the visually perceived light may be uncomfortable.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a signal indicator lamp capable of stably irradiating light even when there is vibration.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that an LED mounting board (2) on which a plurality of sets of LEDs (14) are mounted at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction (L), and at least one of the LED mounting boards. A lens unit (3) having a predetermined length in the axial direction (X) which is the longitudinal direction of the LED mounting substrate at the time of inclusion, and a signal indicator lamp ( 1) The lens unit is used by connecting another lens unit in the same form as that of the lens unit in the axial direction, provided on one end side in the axial direction, and the other end side of the other lens unit to be connected. One end abutting end surface (22E) that abuts with the other end side abutting end surface (22F) that is provided on the other end side in the axial direction and abuts with one end side of another lens unit to be coupled, and in the axial direction A pair of insertion space forming members (40) extending along A pair of insertion space forming members that divide the insertion space between the opposing surfaces (40A), and one end (40B) in the axial direction of the pair of insertion space forming members is elastically deformed. It protrudes outward in the axial direction from the one end side abutting end surface, and enters between the other axial end portions (40C) of the pair of insertion space forming members of the other lens units. One end part approaches and the said LED mounting board is clamped from thickness direction (T), It is a signal indicator lamp characterized by the above-mentioned.

In this section, the alphanumeric characters in parentheses indicate reference numerals of corresponding components in the embodiments described later, but the invention is not intended to be limited by these reference numerals.

According to this configuration, in the signal indicator lamp, a plurality of lens units having the same form are coupled in the axial direction (also the longitudinal direction of the LED mounting substrate), and in the insertion space of each lens unit, the LED mounting substrate At least a part is contained (accommodated).

Further, in each of the lens units adjacent in the axial direction, the one end side contact end surface is in contact with the other end side of the other lens unit to be connected, and the other end side contact end surface is the other lens unit to be connected. It is in contact with one end side. Therefore, adjacent lens units are connected in a state where the relative position is constant.

Also, in each lens unit, the insertion space is partitioned between the opposing surfaces of the pair of insertion space forming members extending along the axial direction. In each lens unit, one end portion in the axial direction of the pair of insertion space forming members enters between the other end portions in the axial direction of the pair of insertion space forming members of the other connected lens units, thereby elastically deforming. And the LED mounting substrate is sandwiched from the thickness direction.

As described above, in this signal indicator lamp, when a plurality of lens units are connected in the axial direction, one end portion of the pair of insertion space forming members sandwiches the LED mounting substrate from the thickness direction in each lens unit. Thereby, the relative position of each lens unit and the LED at the corresponding position (the same position in the longitudinal direction) on the LED mounting substrate is stabilized. As a result, in the signal indicator lamp, even if there is vibration, the light from the LED can be stably guided to the lens unit for irradiation.

The invention according to claim 2 includes a translucent case portion (10) that houses the plurality of lens units connected in the axial direction, and a base portion (60) that supports the case portion, The case part or the part (11) integrated with the case part has a first support part (53) for supporting one end part (2G) in the longitudinal direction of the connected lens unit or the LED mounting substrate. The base part has a second support part (51) for supporting the other end part (2H) in the longitudinal direction of the LED mounting substrate, and the case part is connected to the base part. The signal indicator lamp according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the lens units are fixed to the base portion by the above.

According to this configuration, one end side in the longitudinal direction of the LED mounting substrate (the lens unit on the one end side or one end portion of the LED mounting substrate) is supported by the first support portion on the case portion side, and the length of the LED mounting substrate is The other end in the direction is supported by the second support portion of the base portion. When the case portion is connected to the base portion, the entire plurality of lens units are fixed to the base portion.

As described above, each of the lens unit and the LED mounting substrate can be held in the signal indicator lamp. Therefore, in the signal indicator lamp, even if there is vibration, the light from the LED can be more stably guided to the lens unit for irradiation.

The invention according to claim 3 is the signal indicator lamp according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the first support part or the second support part includes an elastic member.

According to this configuration, the elastic member in the first support portion or the second support portion attaches the entire LED mounting substrate and the plurality of lens units to either the first support portion or the second support portion. Rush. Thereby, the whole LED mounting substrate and the plurality of lens units can be held by the first support portion and the second support portion so that rattling does not occur. Therefore, in the signal indicator lamp, even if there is vibration, the light from the LED can be more stably guided to the lens unit for irradiation.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the lens unit includes a reinforcing portion (42) that reinforces the other axial end of the pair of insertion space forming members. It is a signal indicator lamp of a crab.

According to this configuration, in each lens unit, one axial end portion of the pair of insertion space forming members enters between the other axial end portions of the pair of insertion space forming members of the other connected lens units. In doing so, it enters between the other end portions reinforced by the reinforcing portion. Therefore, the one end portions can be reliably elastically deformed and approached, and the LED mounting substrate can be sandwiched from the thickness direction.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the lens unit includes an engaging portion (32A) which is provided on one end side in the axial direction and engages with the other end side of another lens unit to be connected. A signal indicator lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

According to this configuration, the adjacent lens units can be connected by the engaging portion in a state where the relative position is constant.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the lens unit includes a movement restraining portion (27) for restraining movement of the LED mounting board in each of the short side direction (S) and the thickness direction. Item 6. The signal indicator lamp according to any one of Items 1 to 5.

According to this configuration, the relative position between each lens unit and the LED at the corresponding position on the LED mounting substrate can be further stabilized by the movement restraining unit. Therefore, in the signal indicator lamp, even if there is vibration, the light from the LED can be more stably guided to the lens unit for irradiation.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first connection guide portion (32A) provided on one end side of the lens unit in the axial direction and another connected and connected to the other end side of the lens unit in the axial direction. A second connection guide part (90) for preventing rotation of the lens unit about a rotation axis along an axial direction by engaging with the first connection guide part of the lens unit. The signal indicator lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

According to this configuration, by suppressing the rotation of the lens unit (twisting of adjacent lens units) by the engagement between the first connection guide portion and the second connection guide portion (of another lens unit to be connected), It can suppress that the load by the said twist is applied with respect to the LED mounting board included in the insertion space of each lens unit.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a signal indicator lamp 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side center longitudinal sectional view of the signal indicator lamp 1 in the posture of FIG. FIG. 3A is a front view of individual components constituting the signal indicator lamp 1. FIG. 3B is a front view of individual parts (parts not shown in FIG. 3A) constituting the signal indicator lamp 1. FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of the signal indicator lamp 1. FIG. 4B is an exploded perspective view of the signal indicator lamp 1 and shows parts not shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of the signal indicator lamp 1 when viewed from a direction different from FIG. 4A. FIG. 5B is an exploded perspective view of the signal indicator lamp 1 and shows parts not shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lens unit 3 constituting the signal indicator lamp 1. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the lens unit 3. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the lens unit 3. FIG. 9 is a left side view of the lens unit 3. FIG. 10 is a rear view of the lens unit 3. FIG. 11 is an AA arrow view of FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a main part of the lens unit 3 partially shown in cross section. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a main part of the lens unit 3 partially shown in cross section. FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view of two lens units 3 to be connected. FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view of the three lens units 3 connected to each other. FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of two lens units 3 to be connected in the first modification. FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of three lens units 3 connected to each other with respect to the first modification. FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view of two lens units 3 to be connected in the second modification. FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the three lens units 3 connected to each other regarding the second modification. FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view of two lens units 3 to be connected in the third modification. FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view of the three lens units 3 connected to each other with respect to the third modification. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the lens unit 3 in the fourth modification. FIG. 19 is a plan view of the lens unit 3 in the fourth modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a signal indicator lamp 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side center longitudinal sectional view of the signal indicator lamp 1 in the posture of FIG. 3A and 3B are front views of individual components constituting the signal indicator lamp 1. 4A and 4B are exploded perspective views of the signal indicator lamp 1. FIG. 5A and 5B are exploded perspective views of the signal indicator lamp 1 when viewed from a direction different from that in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

1 and 2, a signal indicator lamp 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is used at a factory manufacturing site or the like, and has an elongated cylindrical shape. The posture of the signal indicator lamp 1 at the time of use can be arbitrarily set according to use conditions. However, in the following, for the sake of convenience, the description will be made with reference to the signal display lamp 1 when it is arranged vertically so that the vertical direction of the paper surface in each of FIGS. 1 to 5B coincides with the longitudinal direction of the signal display lamp 1. . Specifically, in each of FIGS. 1 to 5B, description will be made with the upper side of the paper as the upper side of the signal indicator lamp 1 and the lower side of the paper as the lower side of the signal indicator lamp 1.

3A to 5B, the signal indicator lamp 1 includes an LED mounting board 2, a lens unit 3, a body 4, a plate 5, a bracket 6, a waterproof ring 7, a waterproof sheet 8, and a waterproofing. A ring 9, an outer lens 10 (case part), an outer top 11, a waterproof cap 12, and a head cover 13 are included. Below, each component is demonstrated separately.

4B and 5B, the LED mounting substrate 2 has a substantially rectangular thin plate shape that is long in the vertical direction. A symbol L is attached to the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the LED mounting substrate 2, a symbol S is attached to the short direction of the LED mounting substrate 2, and a symbol T is attached to the thickness direction of the LED mounting substrate 2. The dimension of the LED mounting board 2 in the longitudinal direction L is slightly smaller than the longitudinal dimension of the signal indicator lamp 1 (see FIG. 2). The LED mounting substrate 2 has a front surface 2A and a back surface 2B forming both side surfaces in the thickness direction T. For convenience, the most visible surface in FIG. 4B is the front surface 2A, and the most visible surface in FIG. 5B is the back surface 2B. The longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction S are orthogonal to each other on the same plane parallel to the front surface 2A and the back surface 2B. The thickness direction T is orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction L and the short direction S. The thickness direction T is also the depth direction F of the signal indicator lamp 1 (see FIG. 2), and the short direction S is also the left-right direction G of the signal indicator lamp 1 (see FIG. 1).

In each of the front surface 2A and the back surface 2B, an LED (light emitting diode) 14 is mounted at a position deviated from the center position 2C in the short direction S toward the one end 2D. The LED 14 mounted on the front surface 2A and the LED 14 mounted on the back surface 2B are in the same position in the short-side direction S (a position slightly on the center position 2C side from the edge 2E in the end 2D) (FIG. 4B and FIG. 5B).

A plurality of LEDs 14 are mounted in a line along the longitudinal direction L on each of the front surface 2A and the back surface 2B. Specifically, four LEDs 14 arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction L form one set 15, and five sets 15 are arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction L. That is, on the LED mounting substrate 2, a plurality of sets of LEDs 14 are mounted in the longitudinal direction L at a predetermined interval. In addition, the space | interval K1 of LED14 adjacent in each group 15 is narrower than the space | interval K2 of adjacent groups 15 (refer FIG. 4B). Each LED 14 has a small piece shape. In each set 15, the LED 14 on the front surface 2 A and the LED 14 on the back surface 2 B are arranged one by one at the same position in the longitudinal direction L.

The five sets 15 are arranged in approximately three-quarters of one side (upper side) in the longitudinal direction L on each of the front surface 2A and the back surface 2B. In each of the front surface 2A and the back surface 2B, when the five groups 15 are distinguished in order from the top, such as the first group 15A, the second group 15B, the third group 15C, the fourth group 15D, and the fifth group 15E, One set 15A is arranged at the upper end of the front surface 2A and the back surface 2B.

In the front surface 2A and the back surface 2B, the LED 14 is not disposed in the substantially quarter region on the other side (lower side) in the longitudinal direction L, and the terminal 16 is mounted in the region of the front surface 2A. Yes. The terminal 16 is connected with a cable 17 for supplying control signals and power. The terminal 16 and each LED 14 are electrically connected. Each LED 14 emits light when a control signal or power is supplied from the cable 17 via the terminal 16.

Next, the lens unit 3 will be described. In the description of the lens unit 3, the posture of the lens unit 3 when assembled to the signal indicator lamp 1 in each of FIGS.

Referring to FIG. 2, the lens units 3 are provided in the same number (that is, five) as the sets 15 of LEDs 14 described above, and the form (shape and size) of each lens unit 3 is the same. These five lens units 3 are used by being connected in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction L of the LED mounting substrate 2). That is, each lens unit 3 is used by connecting another lens unit 3 having the same form as itself in the longitudinal direction L. In the signal indicator lamp 1, a plurality of (5) lens units 3 are provided. It is connected continuously. The five lens units 3 may be distinguished in order from the top, such as a first lens unit 3A, a second lens unit 3B, a third lens unit 3C, a fourth lens unit 3D, and a fifth lens unit 3E. Each lens unit 3 has the same form, but may be colored with a different color. For example, the first lens unit 3A may be red, the second lens unit 3B may be orange, the third lens unit 3C may be green, the fourth lens unit 3D may be blue, and the fifth lens unit 3E may be white. Alternatively, each lens unit 3 may have the same color, and the emission color of the LED 14 that emits light toward each lens unit 3 may be different for each lens unit 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lens unit 3. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the lens unit 3. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the lens unit 3. FIG. 9 is a left side view of the lens unit 3. FIG. 10 is a rear view of the lens unit 3. FIG. 11 is an AA arrow view of FIG. 12 and 13 are perspective views of the main part of the lens unit 3 partially shown in cross section.

Hereinafter, the individual lens units 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 13 other than FIG. 7, the LED mounting substrate 2 is not shown for convenience.

The lens unit 3 has a substantially cylindrical shape. A direction extending through a central axis (not shown) passing through the circle center of the lens unit 3 is referred to as an axial direction X of the lens unit 3. The lens unit 3 has a predetermined length in the axial direction X. As shown in FIG. 7, the outer contour 3R of the lens unit 3 when viewed from the axial direction X is substantially circular. Below, it demonstrates using the circumferential direction P and the radial direction R of the lens unit 3. FIG.

The entire lens unit 3 is made of a transparent resin (including translucent and colored transparent, the same shall apply hereinafter) as a material, and is molded using a mold by injection molding or the like. Each part (to be described) in the lens unit 3 is integrated. An acrylic resin is mentioned as resin here.

The lens unit 3 mainly includes a light guide radiation unit 20, an auxiliary lens unit 21, and a support unit 22 (see a portion filled with dots in FIG. 7).

The light guide radiation unit 20 has a cylindrical shape (in detail, a substantially cylindrical shape) that forms most of the outer contour 3R of the lens unit 3. Therefore, the circumferential direction of the light guide radiation part 20 is the same as the circumferential direction P described above, and the radial direction of the light guide radiation part 20 is the same as the radial direction R described above. A slit portion 23 is formed at one place on the circumference of the light guide radiation portion 20. The slit part 23 cuts out the light guide radiation part 20 in the axial direction X, and cuts one place on the circumference of the light guide radiation part 20 along the axial direction X. Therefore, strictly speaking, the cross section of the light guide radiation portion 20 when cut by a cut surface orthogonal to the axial direction X has a substantially C-shape that is interrupted at the slit portion 23. The light guide radiation part 20 is formed with a pair of opposed end faces that divide the slit part 23, and these opposed end faces will be referred to as incident surfaces 24. Of the pair of incident surfaces 24, one (right side in FIG. 7) is referred to as an incident surface 24A, and the other (left side in FIG. 7) is referred to as an incident surface 24B. These incident surfaces 24 are opposed to each other with the slit portion 23 interposed therebetween. These incident surfaces 24 may be flat surfaces extending in parallel, or may swell in a substantially arc shape in a direction approaching each other as shown in FIG.

In the light guide / radiation section 20, each incident surface 24 A side portion (referred to as the incident section 28) is located on the inner side (on the circle center side of the lens unit 3) than the outer contour 3 R of the lens unit 3. 3R is not configured. In the outer peripheral surface 20A of the light guide radiation part 20, the region other than each incident part 28 constitutes most of the outer contour 3R.

A plurality of convex portions 25 are integrally provided on the inner peripheral surface 20B of the light guide radiation portion 20. These convex portions 25 are linearly extending along the axial direction X while projecting toward the center of the circle of the lens unit 3 (inside in the radial direction R). The cross-sectional shape of each convex portion 25 when cut by a cut surface orthogonal to the axial direction X differs depending on the position in the circumferential direction P on the inner peripheral surface 20B. Specifically, in the light guide radiation part 20, a position shifted by 180 degrees from the slit part 23 in the circumferential direction P is referred to as an opposite position 20C, and an area from each incident surface 24 to the opposite position 20C is from the order close to the incident surface 24. The first area 20D, the second area 20E, and the third area 20F are divided into three. The cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 25 in the first region 20D is substantially triangular. The cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 25 in the third region 20F is a substantially semicircular shape. The cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 25 in the second region 20E is similar to both the convex portion 25 in the first region 20D and the convex portion 25 in the third region 20F.

The auxiliary lens portion 21 is provided so as to cover the slit portion 23 from the outside in the radial direction R. The auxiliary lens portion 21 is flat in the radial direction R and extends in a strip shape in the axial direction X (see FIG. 10). The dimension of the auxiliary lens part 21 in the axial direction X is slightly smaller than the dimension of the light guide radiation part 20 in the axial direction X (see FIGS. 9 and 10). In the auxiliary lens portion 21, the outer side surface 21A in the radial direction R and the inner side surface 21B in the radial direction R bulge in an arc shape in directions away from each other. For this reason, the cross section of the auxiliary lens portion 21 when cut by a cutting plane orthogonal to the axial direction X is gradually reduced in thickness in the radial direction R toward both outer sides in the circumferential direction P. The end surfaces 21C on both sides in the circumferential direction P in the auxiliary lens portion 21 are flat surfaces extending along the axial direction X while intersecting the outer surface 21A and the inner surface 21B. The outer side surface 21 A constitutes a part of the outer contour 3 R of the lens unit 3.

In the inner surface 21B, a pair of rail portions 26 extending in parallel along the axial direction X are integrally provided at the center in the circumferential direction P. The dimension of each rail part 26 in the axial direction X is smaller than the dimension of the inner surface 21B in the axial direction X (see FIG. 11). The distance between the pair of rail portions 26 is substantially the same as the thickness (dimension in the thickness direction T) of the LED mounting substrate 2. Between the pair of rail portions 26, a movement restraining portion 27 (first movement restraining portion) is provided. The movement restraining portion 27 has a groove shape opened to the inside in the radial direction R on the inner side surface 21 B of the auxiliary lens portion 21, and extends in the axial direction X.

The lens unit 3 includes a connecting portion 29 that connects the light guide radiation portion 20 and the auxiliary lens portion 21. The connection part 29 is thin plate shape in the axial direction X (refer FIG. 9). The connecting portion 29 is disposed at a position slightly deviated upward from the center of the light guide / radiating portion 20 in the axial direction X (also the center of the entire lens unit 3) (see FIGS. 9 and 10). In the lens unit 3, the position of the connecting portion 29 in the axial direction X is an alignment position (boundary) Y between the two molds when the lens unit 3 is molded in two molds (illustrated) ( (See FIG. 10). Since the alignment position Y is deviated from the center of the lens unit 3, when the two molds are separated after the lens unit 3 is molded, the lens unit 3 is always located in one of the determined molds. This is convenient in terms of handling the lens unit 3 after molding.

The connection part 29 is seen from the axial direction X, on both outer sides of the slit part 23 and the movement restraining part 27 in the circumferential direction P, the outer peripheral surface 20A of the light guide radiation part 20, the inner side face 21B and the end face of the auxiliary lens part 21. It is erected between each of 21C. The outer peripheral surface 29A of the connecting portion 29 in the radial direction R constitutes a part of the outer contour 3R of the lens unit 3, and the outer peripheral surface 20A of the light guide radiation portion 20 and the outer surface 21A of the auxiliary lens portion 21. It is connected smoothly.

The support part 22 is accommodated inside the light guide radiation part 20. The support part 22 is cylindrical. Strictly speaking, the support portion 22 has a substantially cylindrical shape having a smaller diameter than the light guide / radiation portion 20, and its central axis extends along the axial direction X. Further, the central axis (circular center) of the support portion 22 does not coincide with the central axis of the light guide radiation portion 20 (strictly speaking, the outer contour 3R of the lens unit 3), and the center of the light guide radiation portion 20 It is slightly shifted from the shaft to the opposite position 20C. The dimension of the support part 22 in the axial direction X is larger than the dimension of the light guide radiation part 20 in the axial direction X. Therefore, one end portion (upper end portion) 22C of the support portion 22 in the axial direction X protrudes outside (upper side) from the light guide radiation portion 20, and the other end portion (lower end portion) of the support portion 22 in the axial direction X. 22D protrudes to the outer side (lower side) of the light guide radiation unit 20 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). The upper end surface of the support portion 22 is referred to as one end side contact end surface 22E provided on one end side in the axial direction X in the lens unit 3, and the lower end surface of the support portion 22 is the other end side in the axial direction X in the lens unit 3. It is referred to as the other end side contact end face 22 F provided in (see FIGS. 9 and 10). Both the one end side contact end surface 22E and the other end side contact end surface 22F are flat along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction X.

The slit part 30 is formed in one place on the periphery of the support part 22. The slit portion 30 cuts out the support portion 22 in the axial direction X, and cuts one place on the circumference of the support portion 22 along the axial direction X. Therefore, strictly speaking, the cross section of the support portion 22 when cut by a cutting plane orthogonal to the axial direction X has a substantially C-shape that is broken at the slit portion 30. In the circumferential direction P, the slit part 30 and the slit part 23 of the light guide radiation part 20 are at the same position. Therefore, the slit part 30 and the slit part 23 are located on the same straight line (specifically, a straight line along a flat surface M described later) extending in the radial direction R.

The support portion 22 has an outer peripheral surface 22A and an inner peripheral surface 22B.

The outer peripheral surface 22A is light-shielded over the entire circumference. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface 22A is provided with streak-like convex portions 31 extending along the axial direction X, and the outer peripheral surface is arranged such that a large number of convex portions 31 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface 22A. It is arranged over the entire circumferential direction of 22A. The cross section of each convex part 31 when it cut | disconnects by the cut surface orthogonal to the axial direction X has comprised the substantially triangular shape which sharpens toward the outer side. In addition, as another example of the light shielding process on the outer peripheral surface 22A, the outer peripheral surface 22A may be embossed.

A plurality (four in this case) of positioning ribs 32 are provided on the inner peripheral surface 22B. The four positioning ribs 32 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 22B. The nearest positioning rib 32 with respect to the slit portion 30 is located at a position away from the slit portion 30 by about 45 degrees in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 22B. Each positioning rib 32 is a rectangular column extending in the axial direction X, and its tip end portion 32A (engagement portion, first connection guide portion) is one end side of the lens unit 3 in the axial direction X (the one end side contact described above). Strictly speaking, it is provided on the contact end face 22E) and protrudes outward (upper side) from the one end side contact end face 22E (see FIG. 6).

Note that the above-described light shielding treatment may be performed not on the outer peripheral surface 22A but on the inner peripheral surface 22B, or may be performed on both the outer peripheral surface 22A and the inner peripheral surface 22B.

The lens unit 3 includes a connecting portion 33 that connects the light guide radiation portion 20 and the support portion 22. The connecting portion 33 is a thin plate having the same thickness as the connecting portion 29 described above, and is in the same position as the connecting portion 29 in the axial direction X. The connecting portion 33 has a substantially U shape opened to the slit portion 23 side of the light guide radiation portion 20 when viewed from the axial direction X. Such a connecting portion 33 includes an inner peripheral surface 20B of the light guide / radiating portion 20 (strictly speaking, an inner peripheral surface 20B in the second region 20E and the third region 20F described above), and an outer peripheral surface 22A of the support portion 22. It is constructed between the inner peripheral surface 20B and the outer peripheral surface 22A so as to close the gap. Since the connecting portion 33 is not connected to the inner peripheral surface 20B in the first region 20D, the gap 34 is formed between the connecting portion 33 and the inner peripheral surface 20B in the first region 20D when viewed from the axial direction X. Is partitioned. The gap 34 is exposed to the outside from both sides of the lens unit 3 in the axial direction X (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

Further, the inner peripheral surface 22B of the support portion 22 is provided with a substantially circular blocking portion 35 that closes most of the region in the hollow portion of the support portion 22 when viewed from the axial direction X. The blocking portion 35 is a thin plate having the same thickness as each of the connecting portion 29 and the connecting portion 33, and is in the same position as each of the connecting portion 29 and the connecting portion 33 in the axial direction X. The base portion of each positioning rib 32 (the lower end portion opposite to the tip portion 32A) is connected to the upper surface of the blocking portion 35 (see FIGS. 12 and 13).

In the closing portion 35, a notch groove 36 extending linearly along the radial direction of the support portion 22 is formed continuously from the slit portion 30 of the support portion 22. The cutout groove 36 penetrates the closing portion 35 in the thickness direction, and is located farther from the slit portion 30 than the circle center of the closing portion 35 (on the opposite side of the slit portion 30 with respect to the circle center of the closing portion 35). To the position). Of the portions defining the notch groove 36 in the closing portion 35, the portion farthest from the slit portion 23 (groove bottom of the notch groove 36) is referred to as a bottom surface 36A (second movement restraining portion). A direction in which the cutout groove 36 extends from the slit portion 30 toward the bottom surface 36A when viewed from the axial direction X is referred to as a depth direction D, and a direction orthogonal to the depth direction D is referred to as a width direction W. The bottom surface 36A is flat along the width direction W. The bottom surface 36A is provided on the side opposite to the auxiliary lens unit 21 in the depth direction D (on the side opposite to the position 20C of the light guide radiation unit 20). The slit portion 23, the slit portion 30, and the cutout groove 36 are located on the same straight line (a straight line along the flat surface M) described above.

12 and 13, the lens unit 3 includes a pair of insertion space forming members 40 in the closing portion 35. In FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, for the sake of convenience, portions corresponding to the cross section and the end face (not the cross section) are filled with dots.

The pair of insertion space forming members 40 has a lever shape extending along the axial direction X, and a substantially central portion in each axial direction X is connected to the closing portion 35.

Referring to FIG. 7, the pair of insertion space forming members 40 sandwich a portion on the bottom surface 36 A side of the notch groove 36 (strictly, the circle center of the closing portion 35) from the width direction W when viewed from the axial direction X. As described above, they are arranged to face each other in the width direction W. The pair of insertion space forming members 40 are arranged to face each other in a non-contact state. The closing portion 35 and the connecting portion 33 (including the portion connected to the closing portion 35 and the connecting portion 33 in the support portion 22) connect the pair of insertion space forming members 40 and the light guide radiation portion 20 (FIG. 11). Each insertion space forming member 40 when viewed from the axial direction X has a rectangular shape that is long in the depth direction D (flat in the width direction W).

The pair of insertion space forming members 40 divide a gap called the insertion space 41 between the opposing surfaces 40A. The insertion space 41 is exposed to the outside from both sides of the lens unit 3 in the axial direction X (see FIGS. 7 and 8). When viewed from the axial direction X, the insertion space 41 is formed inside the support portion 22. The cross section of the insertion space 41 when cut along a cutting plane orthogonal to the axial direction X is flat in the width direction W.

With reference to FIGS. 9 to 11, the one end portion 40B (upper end portion) in the axial direction X of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 is more in the axial direction X than the one end side contact end surface 22E that is the upper surface of the support portion 22. Projects outward (upward). The other end portion 40C (lower end portion) in the axial direction X of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 is slightly more outward (lower side) in the axial direction X than the other end side contact end surface 22F which is the lower surface of the support portion 22. It protrudes. That is, the one end portion 40B protrudes outside the support portion 22 from the other end portion 40C.

Referring to FIG. 11, an inclined surface 40 D that extends so as to incline in the axial direction X and chamfers the end portion is formed on the end portion on the other end portion 40 C side in the facing surface 40 A of each insertion space forming member 40. Has been. A flat surface 40E along the axial direction X is formed at the end on the one end 40B side of the facing surface 40A of each insertion space forming member 40. At the upper end of the flat surface 40E, a convex portion 40F that slightly protrudes toward the mating insertion space forming member 40 is provided. The dimension in the width direction W of the insertion space 41 is substantially the same as the dimension in the thickness direction T of the LED mounting substrate 2 (see FIG. 7). However, strictly speaking, the dimension in the width direction W of the insertion space 41 in a state in which the lens unit 3 exists as a single unit (a state in which the lens unit 3 is not connected to another lens unit 3) is in the thickness direction T of the LED mounting substrate 2. Slightly larger than the dimensions. Further, the dimension in the width direction W of the insertion space 41 is narrower on the one end 40B side than on the other end 40C side. On the outer surface (the surface on the side opposite to the facing surface 40A) of the one end portion 40B of each insertion space forming member 40, a recess 40G is formed that narrows the one end portion 40B (the portion on the convex portion 40F side) stepwise. .

Referring to FIG. 8, the lens unit 3 includes a reinforcing portion 42 in association with each insertion space forming member 40. One reinforcing portion 42 is provided for each insertion space forming member 40. Each reinforcing portion 42 is a thin plate shape in the longitudinal direction (depth direction D) of the insertion space forming member 40 when viewed from the axial direction X, and extends in the axial direction X (see FIG. 5A). For convenience, there is a diagram in which the illustration of the reinforcing portion 42 is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 11, each reinforcing portion 42 is provided at the other end portion 40 C of the corresponding insertion space forming member 40 (strictly, in the center in the depth direction D in the portion on the other end portion 40 C side from the closing portion 35. It is a position and has a triangular shape connected to both the closed portion 35 and the closed portion 35 (see FIG. 8). The other end portion 40 C in the axial direction X of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 is reinforced by the reinforcing portion 42. Therefore, the other end portion 40 C of each insertion space forming member 40 is less likely to be bent (is less likely to swing) around a connection position (sometimes referred to as a fulcrum position Q) with the closing portion 35. On the other hand, since the one end portion 40B in the axial direction X of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 is not reinforced, it can be elastically deformed so as to swing around the fulcrum position Q (connection position with the closing portion 35). .

The lens unit 3 as described above has a flat surface M passing through the slit portion 23, the slit portion 30, the notch groove 36, and the circle center of the lens unit 3 when viewed from the axial direction X as shown in FIGS. It has a symmetrical shape with respect to.

When the lens unit 3 is assembled, a plurality of (here, five) lens units 3 are arranged along the vertical direction with their respective axial directions X being parallel (FIGS. 3A, 4A and FIG. 5A).

The connection of adjacent lens units 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B.

In two adjacent lens units 3 as shown in FIG. 14A, as an example, the other end side contact end face 22E of the support portion 22 of the lower second lens unit 3B in FIG. 14A is on the upper side in FIG. 14A. The lens unit 3 (first lens unit 3A) faces the other end side contact end surface 22F of the support portion 22 from the axial direction X. From this state, as indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 14A, the second lens unit 3B is moved closer to the first lens unit 3A. Conversely, the first lens unit 3A may be brought closer to the second lens unit 3B.

In any case, as the first lens unit 3A and the second lens unit 3B approach each other, as shown in FIG. 14B, the one end portion 40B of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 in the second lens unit 3B is replaced by the first lens. It enters between the other end portions 40C in the axial direction X of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 in the unit 3A. Thereby, the said one end parts 40B approach. 14B, the one end side contact end surface 22E of the support portion 22 of the second lens unit 3B contacts the other end side (the other end side contact end surface 22F of the support portion 22) of the first lens unit 3A. When (surface contact) is made, the connection between these lens units 3 is completed. At this time, the distal end portion 32A of each positioning rib 32 inside the support portion 22 of the second lens unit 3B is engaged with the other end side (the inner peripheral surface 22B of the support portion 22) of the first lens unit 3A to be connected. is doing. Similarly, when the second lens unit 3B and the third lens unit C are coupled, as shown in FIG. 14B, the second lens unit 3B is brought into contact with the third lens unit 3C (other coupled surfaces). The lens unit 3) comes into contact (surface contact) with one end side (one end side contact end surface 22E). In addition, the tip 32A of each positioning rib 32 of the third lens unit 3C is engaged with the other end of the second lens unit 3B. Therefore, the adjacent lens units 3 can be connected by the tip end portion 32 A of the positioning rib 32 in a state where the relative position is constant. Further, the flat one end side contact end surface 22E and the other end side contact end surface 22F are the support portions 22 of the mating lens unit 3 (the corresponding one of the one end side contact end surface 22E and the other end side contact end surface 22F). Abut. Accordingly, the support portion 22 of each lens unit 3 supports (positions) the other lens unit 3 to be connected from the axial direction X. In other words, the support unit 22 can stabilize the relative positions of the lens units 3 connected adjacent to each other. At this time, the adjacent lens units 3 are coaxial and parallel.

Finally, the adjacent lens units 3 in the first lens unit 3A to the fifth lens unit 3E are connected in the same procedure, and the five lens units 3 are integrated in a daisy chain as shown in FIG. To do. In the integrated five lens units 3, insertion spaces 41 (five exist according to the five lens units 3) partitioned between the pair of insertion space forming members 40 extend in the axial direction X. They are aligned on the same straight line.

In this state, the LED mounting substrate 2 is inserted into the insertion space 41 of each lens unit 3 in a state where the longitudinal direction L thereof coincides with the axial direction X (a state in which the LED mounting substrate 2 is parallel). The part is included (accommodated) in the insertion space 41 of each lens unit 3. When the relative position between the LED mounting substrate 2 and each lens unit 3 is appropriate (when finally determined), the LED mounting substrate 2 is in an attitude along the flat surface M as shown in FIG. The slit portion 23, the slit portion 30, and the cutout groove 36 are inserted. At this time, not only the longitudinal direction L and the axial direction X coincide, but also the short direction S of the LED mounting board 2 included in each lens unit 3 and the depth direction D described above coincide. Thus, the thickness direction T of the LED mounting substrate 2 matches the width direction W described above.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 2, in the longitudinal direction L, the first set 15A of the LEDs 14 and the first lens unit 3A are at the same position. Further, in the longitudinal direction L, the second set 15B of the LED 14 and the second lens unit 3B are at the same position, the third set 15C and the third lens unit 3C are at the same position, and the fourth set 15D and the fourth set 15D. The lens unit 3D is at the same position, and the fifth group 15E and the fifth lens unit 3E are at the same position.

As shown in FIG. 7, all the LEDs 14 in each set 15 are arranged in the slit portion 23 of the light guide radiation portion 20 in the corresponding lens unit 3 (in the same position in the longitudinal direction L). In the LED mounting substrate 2, each LED 14 on the front surface 2 A is disposed to face one of the pair of incident surfaces 24 described above (here, the incident surface 24 A) with a gap, and each LED 14 on the rear surface 2 B is a pair. Is opposed to the other of the incident surface 24 (here, the incident surface 24B) with a gap therebetween.

In this state, the end 2D (in the lateral direction S) on the LED mounting substrate 2 on the side where the LED 14 is located protrudes from the support portion 22 and the light guide radiation portion 20 in each lens unit 3, and the auxiliary lens. It is fitted into the movement restraining portion 27 (groove between the pair of rail portions 26) of the portion 21 and is sandwiched between the pair of rail portions 26. In addition, the end 2 D is in contact with the auxiliary lens unit 21 from the short direction S in the movement suppressing unit 27. Thereby, the movement of the LED mounting substrate 2 in the short direction S (strictly, on the auxiliary lens portion 21 side) and the thickness direction T is suppressed. Thereby, the relative position of each lens unit 3 and LED14 in the position corresponding in the LED mounting board | substrate 2 can be stabilized.

On the other hand, the end portion 2F opposite to the end portion 2D in the short side direction S in the LED mounting substrate 2 is in contact with the bottom surface 36A of the notch groove 36 in the closing portion 35 of the lens unit 3 from the short side direction S. It touches. Thereby, the movement of the LED mounting substrate 2 in the short direction S (strictly speaking, the side opposite to the auxiliary lens unit 21 side) is suppressed. Therefore, the relative position of each lens unit 3 and the LED 14 at the corresponding position on the LED mounting substrate 2 can be further stabilized. Note that, in the LED mounting substrate 2, a portion on the end 2 F side with respect to the end 2 D in the short direction S is included in the support portion 22.

When each LED 14 on the LED mounting substrate 2 emits light, light emitted from each LED 14 (LED radiated light) enters the light guide radiation portion 20 of the lens unit 3 from the incident surface 24 arranged to face the LED 14. Specifically, in the LED mounting substrate 2, light from each LED 14 on the front surface 2A is incident into the light guide radiation unit 20 from the incident surface 24A, and light from each LED 14 on the back surface 2B is guided from the incident surface 24B. It enters the light emitting unit 20. The light that has entered the light guide radiation part 20 from each incident surface 24 travels in the light guide radiation part 20 along the circumferential direction P. At this time, the light is guided in the entire region of the light guide radiation part 20 in the circumferential direction P. The light is emitted from the light emitting unit 20 outward (outside in the radial direction R). That is, the light incident from the incident surface 24 into the light guide / radiation unit 20 is guided by the light guide / radiation unit 20 and is emitted outward in the entire circumferential direction of the light guide / radiation unit 20 (the entire region in the circumferential direction P). The

Describing in detail the movement of the light within the light guide and radiating section 20, the light is radiated relatively outward in the first region 20D by the convex portion 25 of the first region 20D. In the second region 20E, a part of the light may be radiated to the inside of the light guide radiation unit 20, but the part of the light is irregularly reflected by the convex portion 25 of the third region 20F, and finally Radiated outward.

On the other hand, the light leaking from the slit portion 23 of the light guide radiation portion 20 is delivered to the auxiliary lens portion 21 and is emitted outward by the auxiliary lens portion 21. Moreover, the light which was not incident on the light guide radiation | emission part 20 via the incident surface 24 among the direct irradiation lights of LED14 is irradiated to the auxiliary lens part 21 and its internal peripheral surface 21B. The auxiliary lens unit 21 and the inner peripheral surface 21B reflect the direct irradiation light from the LED 14 so as to be incident on the light guide radiation unit 20 from the outer peripheral surface 20A. Further, the auxiliary lens portion 21 and the inner peripheral surface 21B radiate the direct radiated light from the LED 14 from its own outer surface 21A and end surface 21C. Thereby, in each lens unit 3, it is possible to perform signal notification in which the visibility in the circumferential direction P hardly changes over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction P.

As a result of the above, each lens unit 3 emits light almost uniformly in the entire region in the circumferential direction P.

Incidentally, light from outside may enter each lens unit 3. When the light passes through the light guide radiation part 20 and travels to the inside of the light guide radiation part 20, this light is irregularly reflected by the outer peripheral surface 22 A (convex part 31) subjected to the light shielding process in the support part 22. Thereby, the light from the outside is weakened. In addition, the light leaking inside the light guide radiation part 20 is transmitted through the support part 22 and then incident on the light guide radiation part 20, thereby adversely affecting the light emission characteristics of the light guide radiation part 20. Occurrence can also be prevented by the convex portion 31. As a result, the light radiated from the light guide radiation unit 20 to the outside can be made to stand out. In addition, the support part 22 by which the light shielding process was performed to 22 A of outer peripheral surfaces can also function as a blindfold with respect to the LED mounting board | substrate 2 inside it. Similarly, the auxiliary lens portion 21 also plays a role of blinding a portion (end portion 2D) exposed from the slit portion 23 of the light guide radiation portion 20 in the LED mounting substrate 2.

14B, in each lens unit 3 other than the first lens unit 3A, as described above, the one end portions 40B of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 are connected to each other in the other lens unit 3. The pair of insertion space forming members 40 are approaching each other by entering between the other end portions 40C. The dimension (in the width direction W) of the insertion space 41 between the one end portions 40B is smaller than the dimension in the thickness direction T of the LED mounting substrate 2. Therefore, the one end portion 40B (in particular, the flat surface 40E and the convex portion 40F described above, refer to FIG. 11) is configured such that the LED mounting substrates 2 (the portion on the end portion 2F side avoiding the LED 14) are pressed at a predetermined pressure or more. And sandwiched from the thickness direction T (see also FIG. 7).

That is, in this signal indicator lamp 1, when a plurality of lens units 3 are connected in the axial direction X, in each lens unit 3, one end portion 40B of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 connects the LED mounting substrate 2 in the thickness direction. Hold firmly from T. Thereby, the relative position of each lens unit 3 and the LED 14 in the corresponding position (the same position in the longitudinal direction L) on the LED mounting substrate 2 is stabilized. Further, the relative positions of the lens units 3 and the LEDs 14 at the corresponding positions on the LED mounting substrate 2 are further stabilized by the movement restraining portion 27 and the bottom surface 36A of the notch groove 36 shown in FIG. Therefore, as a result, the signal indicator lamp 1 can stably guide and irradiate the light from the LED 14 to the lens unit 3 even when there is vibration.

Further, as described above, in each lens unit 3, the LED 14 mounted at a position biased toward the end 2 D side in the short direction S of the LED mounting substrate 2 is disposed in the slit portion 23 of the light guide radiation unit 20. The A pair of opposed end surfaces of the slit portion 23 in the light guide radiation portion 20 is an incident surface 24, and light incident from the incident surface 24 into the lens unit 3 is guided by the light guide radiation portion 20, and its circumferential direction Radiated outward throughout. If it is such a structure, in the signal indicator lamp 1, the LED mounting board | substrate 2 and the lens unit 3 can be collectively put together compactly so that it may mutually approach as much as possible. That is, it is possible to provide a signal indicator lamp 1 having a new structure that leads to miniaturization and simplification.

In the following, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 14B, a plurality of (finally five) connected lens units 3 and one end portion 40B of a pair of insertion space forming members 40 of each lens unit 3 are sandwiched. The obtained LED mounting board 2 is referred to as an assembly 100. In the assembly procedure of the assembly 100 described above, the LED mounting substrate 2 is inserted into the insertion space 41 of each lens unit 3 after the lens unit 3 is connected first. Instead of this procedure, the assembly 100 is assembled by connecting the adjacent lens units 3 after inserting the LED mounting substrate 2 into the insertion space 41 of the plurality of lens units 3 arranged in a disconnected state in advance. Also good.

Next, configurations other than the LED mounting substrate 2 and the lens unit 3 will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 3B, 4B, and 5B, the body 4 has a hollow cylindrical shape that accommodates a lower portion of the LED mounting board 2 where the LEDs 14 are not mounted, and its central axis extends in the vertical direction. ing. The hollow portion of the body 4 is exposed from both above and below. A plurality (two in this case) of boss portions 50 extending vertically are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the body 4. These boss portions 50 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the body 4. Each boss portion 50 is formed with a screw hole 50A extending vertically (see FIGS. 4B and 5B).

The plate 5 has a substantially disk shape that is thin in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 4B, the plate 5 has a concave cut that penetrates the plate 5 in the thickness direction while being recessed toward the center of the circle of the plate 5. A notch 5A is formed. A plurality of (here, two) through holes 5B are formed at positions where the notch 5A is avoided in the plate 5. These through holes 5 B are round holes that penetrate the plate 5 in the thickness direction, and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the plate 5. On the upper surface of the plate 5, a support part 51 (second support part) is attached to a circular center position of the plate 5. The support portion 51 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped block shape. In the support part 51, at least one part contains elastic members, such as rubber | gum and sponge, and the support part 51 is elastically deformable. The plate 5 is accommodated from below in the body 4 in a state where the plate 5 itself is horizontal and the support portion 51 faces upward. Screws (not shown) are inserted into the through holes 5B of the support portion 51 from below, and are assembled into screw holes 50A (see FIG. 5B) of the corresponding boss portions 50 in the body 4. Thereby, the plate 5 is fixed to the body 4.

The bracket 6 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and its central axis extends in the vertical direction. A disc-shaped bottom wall 6A is integrally provided at the lower end of the bracket 6, and the hollow portion of the bracket 6 is closed from below by the bottom wall 6A. A plurality of (here, three) through holes 6B are formed in the bottom wall 6A. These through-holes 6B are round holes that penetrate the bottom wall 6A in the thickness direction, and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the bottom wall 6A. One nut 52 is fixed to a portion of the upper surface of the bottom wall 6A that overlaps each through hole 6B. The hollow part (part in which the screw is formed) of the nut 52 and the through hole 6B below the hole 52 communicate with each other. A through hole 6C that penetrates the bottom wall 6A in the thickness direction is formed at a position in the bottom wall 6A that avoids the through hole 6B. The through hole 6C has a substantially rectangular shape larger than the through hole 6B (see FIG. 5B). The bracket 6 is fixed to the body 4 by fitting the upper portion of the bracket 6 into the body 4 from below. When fixing the signal indicator lamp 1 to a pedestal (not shown) or the like, if the screw (not shown) on the pedestal side is passed through each through hole 6B and assembled to the nut 52, the entire signal indicator lamp 1 is attached to the pedestal. Fixed.

The waterproof ring 7 is a rubber packing formed in a ring shape, and is fitted on the upper end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the bracket 6. Strictly speaking, an annular groove 6D extending along the outer peripheral surface is formed at the upper end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the bracket 6, and the waterproof ring 7 is set in the annular groove 6D. The waterproof ring 7 seals between the upper end of the bracket 6 and the lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the body 4 (see FIG. 2). This prevents water from entering the bracket 6 and the body 4 through the space between the upper end of the bracket 6 and the inner peripheral surface of the body 4.

The waterproof sheet 8 has a disk shape formed of an elastic sheet such as rubber. The waterproof sheet 8 is formed with a through hole 8A and a through hole 8B that penetrate the waterproof sheet 8 in the thickness direction. The through hole 8B has a substantially semicircular shape and is larger than the through hole 8A. The waterproof sheet 8 is attached to the lower surface of the bottom wall 6 A of the bracket 6. Strictly speaking, a recess 6E is formed in the lower surface of the bottom wall 6A so as to surround each through-hole 6B and the through-hole 6C and is shallowly recessed upward (see FIG. 5B). While being accommodated in 6E, at least the lower end portion protrudes downward from the recess 6E (see FIGS. 1 and 2). One through hole 6B in the bottom wall 6A of the bracket 6 is exposed downward from the through hole 8A, and the remaining two through

holes

6B and 6C are exposed downward from the through hole 8B (see FIG. 5B). . The waterproof sheet 8 serves to seal between the pedestal (not shown) and the bottom wall 6 A of the bracket 6. This prevents water from entering the bracket 6 between the pedestal and the bottom wall 6A.

The waterproof ring 9 is a ring-shaped packing made of rubber or the like, and is fitted on the upper end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the body 4. Strictly speaking, an annular groove 4A extending along the outer peripheral surface is formed at the upper end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the body 4, and the waterproof ring 9 is engaged with the annular groove 4A while the upper end of the body 4 is being engaged. The edge is trimmed over the entire circumference (see FIG. 2).

The body 4, the plate 5, the bracket 6, the waterproof ring 7, the waterproof sheet 8, and the waterproof ring 9 described above constitute a base portion 60.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the outer lens 10 has a hollow cylindrical shape that accommodates five connected lens units 3, and its central axis extends in the vertical direction. The outer lens 10 is formed of a transparent resin (for example, polycarbonate) having impact resistance and translucency. The hollow part of the outer lens 10 is exposed from both the upper and lower sides. By fitting the upper end of the body 4 into the outer lens 10 from below (see FIG. 5B), the body 4 is fixed to the outer lens 10 (see FIG. 2). Thereby, the outer lens 10 is supported by the body 4 (that is, the base portion 60 described above). The waterproof ring 9 described above seals between the upper end portion of the body 4 and the lower end portion of the outer lens 10 (see FIG. 2). This prevents water from entering the body 4 and the outer lens 10 through the body 4 and the outer lens 10.

The outer top 11 has a disk shape, and a flange portion 11A projecting downward is integrally provided in the entire outer peripheral edge. The flange portion 11 A has a ring shape that borders the outer peripheral edge of the outer top 11. A pair of sandwiching protrusions 53 (first support portions) projecting downward are provided at substantially circular center positions on the lower surface of the outer top 11. The pair of clamping protrusions 53 has substantially the same configuration as the other end portion 40 C of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 in each lens unit 3. The outer top 11 is provided with a reinforcing portion 54. The reinforcing part 54 has the same configuration as the reinforcing part 42 described above, and is provided for each holding protrusion 53 to reinforce the corresponding holding protrusion 53. The outer top 11 is assembled to the upper end portion of the outer lens 10 such that the flange portion 11 A is fitted to the upper end portion of the outer lens 10. As a result, the outer top 11 is integrated with the outer lens 10, and the hollow portion of the outer lens 10 is closed from above by the outer top 11 (see FIG. 2). In the outer top 11 in this state, the pair of clamping protrusions 53 have advanced into the hollow portion of the outer lens 10 from above (see FIG. 2).

The waterproof cap 12 is a ring-shaped packing made of rubber or the like, and seals between the flange portion 11 A of the outer top 11 and the upper end portion of the outer lens 10. This prevents water from entering the outer lens 10 and the outer top 11 through the space between the outer top 11 and the upper end of the outer lens 10 (see FIG. 2).

The head cover 13 has a circular cap shape and is assembled to the outer top 11 from above so as to cover the upper surface of the outer top 11.

The assembly of the body 4 and the bracket 6, the assembly of the body 4 and the outer lens 10, the assembly of the outer lens 10 and the outer top 11, and the assembly of the outer top 11 and the head cover 13 are each performed by press fitting. Or assembly by screw connection. In this embodiment, screw coupling is employed, and one of the two parts to be combined is formed with a convex rib 70 extending in the circumferential direction of the signal indicator lamp 1 (same as the circumferential direction P described above). A groove 71 for receiving the rib 70 is formed on the other of the two parts (see FIGS. 3A to 5B).

Referring to FIG. 2, the assembly 100 (the five lens units 3 connected in the axial direction X and the LED mounting board 2) is housed in the outer lens 10. In the uppermost first lens unit 3 A, the one end portions 40 B of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 approach each other by entering between the pair of sandwiching protrusions 53 on the outer top 11, and the upper end portion of the LED mounting substrate 2. (One end portion in the longitudinal direction) 2G is sandwiched from the thickness direction T. At this time, the pair of sandwiching protrusions 53 directly or indirectly connect the first lens unit 3A (connected to the other lens unit 3) or the upper end 2G of the LED mounting substrate 2 via the one end 40B. I support it.

The lower portion of the LED mounting substrate 2 where the LEDs 14 are not mounted is accommodated in the body 4 as described above, and is in contact with the support portion 51 on the upper surface of the plate 5 in the body 4 from above. . Since the support portion 51 is elastically deformable as described above, the support portion 51 supports the lower end portion 2H (the other end portion in the longitudinal direction L) of the LED mounting substrate 2 so as to urge upward. Accordingly, the five lens units 3 and the LED mounting substrate 2 (that is, the entire assembly 100) are pressed against the sandwiching protrusion 53 of the outer top 11 from below. Therefore, the entire LED mounting substrate 2 and the plurality of lens units 3 can be held by the sandwiching protrusions 53 and the support portions 51 so that rattling does not occur. Therefore, the signal indicator lamp 1 can guide and irradiate the light from the LED 14 to the lens unit 3 more stably even when there is vibration.

As described above, one end side in the longitudinal direction L of the LED mounting substrate 2 (the lens unit 3 on the one end side or one end portion (upper end portion 2G) of the LED mounting substrate 2) is supported by the clamping protrusion 53 on the outer lens 10 side. Then, the other end portion (lower end portion 2H) in the longitudinal direction L of the LED mounting substrate 2 is supported by the support portion 51 of the base portion 60. Then, by connecting the outer lens 10 to the base portion 60, the entire five lens units 3 are fixed to both the outer lens 10 and the base portion 60. Thereby, each of the lens unit 3 and the LED mounting substrate 2 can be held in the signal indicator lamp 1. Therefore, the signal indicator lamp 1 can guide and irradiate the light from the LED 14 to the lens unit 3 more stably even when there is vibration. Incidentally, the light emitted from each lens unit 3 passes through the outer lens 10 and is irradiated to the outside from the entire circumferential direction of the signal indicator lamp 1.

It should be noted that the waterproof ring 9 at the upper end of the body 4 may contribute to supporting the assembly 100 by abutting the lowest fifth lens unit 3E from below.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the cable 17 connected to the terminal 16 of the LED mounting board 2 passes through the notch 5A of the plate 5, the through hole 6C of the bracket 6, and the through hole 8B of the waterproof sheet 8. 1 is pulled out and connected to an external power source.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

For example, referring to FIG. 14B, in the connected two lens units 3 (see the second lens unit 3B and the third lens unit 3C), each positioning rib in one lens unit 3 (the third lens unit 3C). The front end portion 32A of 32 is engaged with the other end side (the inner peripheral surface 22B on the other end side contact end surface 22F side) of the support portion 22 in the other lens unit 3 (second lens unit 3B). Here, on the other end side in the axial direction X of the other lens unit 3, the same number of recesses 90 (second connection guide portions) that receive the end portions 32 A of the positioning ribs 32 as the positioning ribs 32 (here, four) are provided. It is good to be (refer FIG. 13). Each of the lens units 3 (each of the two connected lens units 3) centering on a rotation axis (not shown) along the axial direction X is obtained by engaging the tip portions 32 A one by one with each recess 90. Rotation (twisting adjacent lens units 3) can be suppressed. Thereby, it can suppress that the load by the said twist with respect to the LED mounting substrate 2 included in the insertion space 41 of each lens unit 3 is applied.

As an opposite configuration, a concave portion 90 is provided in place of the tip end portion 32A of each positioning rib 32 in the one lens unit 3, and the tip end portion 32A of each positioning rib 32 is provided on the other end side of the other lens unit 3. It may be provided.

Further, in each lens unit 3 other than the first lens unit 3A, as described above, the pair of insertion space forming members 40 in the other lens unit 3 in which the one end portions 40B of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 are connected to each other. It approaches by elastic deformation by approaching between the other end parts 40C. In the case of FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B, the said other end part 40C is reinforced by the reinforcement part 42, and it is hard to bend. In this case, the one end portion 40B is reinforced by the reinforcing portion 42 when entering between the other end portions 40C in the axial direction X of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 of the other lens units 3 to be connected. Enter between the end portions 40C. Therefore, the one end portions 40B can be reliably elastically deformed and approach each other, and the LED mounting substrate 2 can be sandwiched from the thickness direction T (see FIG. 14B).

However, if the other end portion 40C itself has sufficient rigidity, the reinforcing portion 42 can be omitted as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, in each lens unit 3, the light guide radiating section 20 may also serve as the support section 22. In this case, the support portion 22 (see FIG. 14A and the like) that existed separately from the light guide radiation portion 20 can be omitted. Further, the lens units 3 to be coupled are stably supported by the light guide radiation portions 20 being in direct contact with each other.

Further, the fulcrum position (the swing center of the one end 40B) Q when the one end 40B of each insertion space forming member 40 is elastically deformed is substantially the center of the lens unit 3 in the axial direction X (strictly from the center to the upper side). The position is slightly deviated, and may not be the same as shown in FIG. 14A. The fulcrum position Q can be set to an arbitrary position in the axial direction X in order to set the clamping force of the LED mounting substrate 2 by the one end portion 40B of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 to a desired magnitude.

Further, the fulcrum position Q may not be a connection portion between the insertion space forming member 40 and the closing portion 35 but a connection portion between the closing portion 35 and the support portion 22 as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B. In this case, each insertion space forming member 40 is connected to the closing portion 35 at the other end portion 40 C and can swing with the closing portion 35.

Alternatively, the auxiliary lens portion 21 (see FIG. 4A) may be omitted from each lens unit 3 and the outer lens 10 may be provided with the auxiliary lens portion 21.

In the embodiment described above, with reference to FIG. 2, the support portion 51 on the upper surface of the plate 5 includes the elastic member. Instead, at least a part of the holding protrusion 53 of the outer top 11 includes the elastic member. May be.

Further, the outer top 11 may be integrated as a part of the outer lens 10. In that case, the pinching protrusion 53 of the outer top 11 is provided on the outer lens 10.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the lens unit 3 in the fourth modification. FIG. 19 is a plan view of the lens unit 3 in the fourth modification.

The lens unit 3 of the fourth modified example shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 has an inner irradiation unit on the inner side of the light guide radiation unit 20 and on the outer side of the support unit 22 (that is, between the light guide radiation unit 20 and the support unit 22). 80 is included. A pair of the inner irradiation parts 80 is provided so as to be arranged on both sides of the support part 22 in the width direction W described above. Each inner irradiation unit 80 is arranged at a position shifted by about +90 degrees or about −90 degrees from the slit part 23 in the circumferential direction P. Each inner irradiation part 80 has a columnar shape extending along the axial direction X from the connecting part 33. The cross section of each inner irradiation unit 80 when cut along a plane orthogonal to the axial direction X has a substantially triangular shape that narrows toward the opposite position 20C of the light guide radiation unit 20. Therefore, the end surface 80A on the slit portion 23 side in each inner irradiation unit 80 is a flat surface along both the width direction W and the axial direction X. In addition, although each inner side irradiation part 80 is constructed between the light guide radiation | emission part 20 and the support part 22 (refer FIG. 19), not only this but both the light guide radiation | emission part 20 and the support part 22 or It does not have to be connected to one side.

When light leaks to the inside of the light guide / radiation unit 20 due to the light emission of the LED 14, a part of this light is transmitted from the end surface 80 A to the slit portion 23 side (strictly, the light guide / radiation unit 20 of the light guide / radiation unit 20 Irradiation is performed on the first region 20D side and in the case of FIG. 19, the region directly above the end face 80A. Of the light thus irradiated, the light that has reached the first region 20D is radiated outward from the light guide radiation unit 20 in the first region 20D. The light that has been irradiated by the inner irradiation unit 80 and has reached the slit unit 23 side is radiated outward by the auxiliary lens unit 21 of the slit unit 23. Thereby, in the signal indicator lamp 1, the light quantity of the light radiated | emitted outward from the light guide radiation | emission part 20 can be equalized in the circumferential direction P.

In the embodiment described above, the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 25 on the inner peripheral surface 20B of the light guide radiation portion 20 is different in the first region 20D, the second region 20E, and the third region 20F (FIGS. 6 to 6). 8), as in the fourth modification, the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 25 may be the same throughout the first region 20D to the third region 20F. In this case, the cross-sectional shape of each convex portion 25 is similar to the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 25 (see FIGS. 6 to 8) in the initial second region 20E. Therefore, the basic cross-sectional form of each convex part 25 when it cut | disconnects by the cut surface orthogonal to the axial direction X is the same regardless of the position of the circumferential direction P in the internal peripheral surface 20B.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Signal indicator lamp 2 ... LED mounting board 2G ... Upper end part 2H ... Lower end part 3 ... Lens unit 10 ... Outer lens 11 ... Outer top 14 ... LED
22E: One end side abutting end surface 22F: Other end side abutting end surface 27 ... Movement restricting portion 32A ... Tip portion 40 ... Insertion space forming member 40A ... Opposing surface 40B ... One end portion 40C ... Other end portion 41 ... Insertion space 42 ... Reinforcement Part 51: Supporting part 53 ... Clamping protrusion 60 ... Base part 90 ... Recessed part L ... Longitudinal direction S ... Short direction T ... Thickness direction X ... Axial direction

Claims

An LED mounting board on which a plurality of sets of LEDs are mounted at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction;
A lens unit having an insertion space in which at least a part of the LED mounting substrate is included, and having a predetermined length in an axial direction that is a longitudinal direction of the LED mounting substrate at the time of the inclusion;
Including signal indicator lights,
The lens unit is
Used in combination with other lens units in the same form as the self,
One end side abutting end surface provided on one end side in the axial direction and abutting with the other end side of the other lens unit to be coupled;
The other end side contact end surface which is provided on the other end side in the axial direction and contacts the one end side of another lens unit to be coupled;
A pair of insertion space forming members extending along the axial direction, and a pair of insertion space forming members partitioning the insertion space between the opposing surfaces;
Including
One end portion in the axial direction of the pair of insertion space forming members is elastically deformable, protrudes outward in the axial direction from the one end side contact end surface, and the shaft in the pair of insertion space forming members of the other lens units. By entering between the other end portions in the direction, the one end portions approach each other, and the LED mounting substrate is sandwiched from the thickness direction.
A translucent case that houses a plurality of the lens units connected in the axial direction;
A base portion supporting the case portion;
Including
In the case part or the part integrated with the case part, there is a first support part that supports one end part in the longitudinal direction of the connected lens unit or the LED mounting substrate,
The base part has a second support part for supporting the other end part in the longitudinal direction of the LED mounting substrate,
The signal indicator lamp according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of lens units are fixed to the base portion by connecting the case portion to the base portion.
The signal indicator lamp according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the first support portion or the second support portion includes an elastic member.
4. The signal indicator lamp according to claim 1, wherein the lens unit includes a reinforcing portion that reinforces the other axial end portion of the pair of insertion space forming members.
5. The lens unit according to claim 1, further comprising an engaging portion that is provided on one end side in the axial direction and engages with the other end side of another lens unit to be coupled. Signal indicator light.
The signal indicator lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lens unit includes a movement restraining unit that restrains movement of the LED mounting substrate in each of a short direction and a thickness direction.
A first connection guide portion provided on one end side of the lens unit in the axial direction;
Rotation of the lens unit around the rotation axis along the axial direction by engaging with the first connection guide portion of another lens unit that is provided and connected to the other end side of the lens unit in the axial direction A second connection guide part for inhibiting
The signal indicator lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: