JP2002251903A - Led luminaire - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an LED luminaire eliminating defects of existing LED lighting device and lighting an object without decreasing the quantity of light from a light source to the utmost. SOLUTION: This luminaire has LEDs as light source, and a plurality of LEDs or a plurality of lighting devices formed by combining the LED with a light guide body are installed within a housing having a light projecting part formed with an opening 2 or a translucent cover, and light from the LED is directed to the outside from the light projecting part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting apparatus using an LED as a light source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Many light sources emitting light using electric power have been developed and put into practical use. However, since light from a light source generally has a narrow irradiation range, some reflection or light diffusion means, such as reflection light, is used. Effective illuminance in a desired range is obtained by using a plate or a condensing or diffusing lens in combination. LEDs, which are semiconductor light-emitting elements, are used for displaying something by turning on the LEDs themselves, such as indicators and pilot lamps, and recognizing their meaning. However, due to their characteristics, light is diffused. It is not suitable for the purpose of illuminating an object by illuminating it with light because it shines at a spot (point).

Several proposals have been made for the purpose of improving the ineligibility of the LED as a light source for illumination. For example, in published patent WO98 / 13709,
A plurality of point light sources are arranged in opposition to the end surface of a flat light-transmitting plate having a large number of protrusions on the surface, and light emitted from the point light source to the inside of the light-transmitting plate is refracted by the protrusions. A lighting device configured to radiate to the outside is described.

[0004]

However, in the method disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, in which light is refracted and diffused through a light-transmitting body, an LE having a small light amount is used.
Since the light amount from the light source such as D is further reduced, it is difficult to illuminate the irradiation target with sufficient illuminance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional illuminating device and to improve the LE so that the object can be illuminated without reducing the amount of light from the light source as much as possible.
D lighting fixtures.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light-emitting device having a plurality of LEDs as a light-emitting source and a power supply device for driving the LEDs, the light-emitting device being provided in a housing. Light emitted from the device is characterized in that a part of the housing is opened and the light is directed to the outside through a formed light projecting portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a reflecting surface for reflecting light from the light emitting device is provided inside the light projecting section, and the light from the light emitting device is reflected by the reflecting surface to project the light. It is characterized in that it is configured to be directed to the outside through the light unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical sensor for detecting the illuminance around the housing, wherein the power is supplied from the power source to the light emitting device when the detected illuminance is equal to or less than a predetermined value. It is characterized by comprising.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the light emitting device includes at least one or more rod-shaped light guides, and irradiates the light guide with light at one or both end surfaces of the light guides. A plurality of grooves having a rectangular cross section, which are arranged at appropriate intervals along the axial direction on the peripheral surface thereof. It is characterized by having.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting unit having a light-transmitting cover constituting a light projecting portion on a front surface, and a plurality of the light-emitting devices arranged inside the cover in parallel with each other. Then, the lighting unit is attached to a column to form a street light. The invention according to claim 6 is configured such that a solar cell panel attached to the support and a storage battery for storing power from the solar cell panel are provided, and an output current of the storage battery is supplied to the light emitting device. It is characterized by the following.

[0010] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a wind power generator attached to the support and a storage battery for storing power from the wind power generator are provided, and the output current of the storage battery is supplied to the light emitting device. It is characterized by having comprised in.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the lighting unit has a form of a signboard, and includes a storage battery for supplying power to the light emitting device, and a solar cell panel for supplying power to the storage battery. It is characterized by.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light-receiving element, wherein the lighting unit has a form of a front light, and supplies power to the light-emitting device when the surrounding illuminance becomes a predetermined value or less. It is characterized by including a switch that operates.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the lighting unit has a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped case, a front surface of the case is a light-transmitting cover, and a solar cell panel is mounted on an upper surface of the case. A light-emitting device, a storage battery for storing power from the solar cell panel, and a power supply for driving the light-emitting device.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the housing includes a cylindrical light-transmitting cover, and a cylindrical reflecting plate disposed concentrically inside the cover, and the cover and the light-reflecting member. A plurality of the light emitting devices are arranged in parallel with each other along a cylindrical surface having a common axis with the axis of the reflector.

[0015]

Next, a specific example of an embodiment of an LED lighting device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2, the box-shaped housing denoted by reference numeral 1 has an opening 2 in its front wall, and inside the opening 2,
A space surrounded by the bottom wall 3, the top wall 4, the back wall 5, and a pair of opposed side walls 6 is formed.

Further, a plurality of LEDs 7 are arranged in a row on the bottom wall 3 along a line parallel to the lower edge of the opening 2.
Each LED 7 is connected to an appropriate power supply device (not shown) provided in the housing 1 by an appropriate wiring so as to emit light when supplied with electric power therefrom. The light from the LED 7 is oriented so as to be directed to the top wall 4 and the back wall 5.

Further, on the front surface of the housing 1, an optical sensor which detects external illuminance and operates to supply a driving current to the LED 7 via an internal control circuit when the illuminance falls below a predetermined value. 8 are provided. In such a configuration, when the surroundings become dark, L is automatically set.
Since the ED 7 is turned on, when the LED lighting device is applied to the lighting in a street light or a refrigerator, it can be automatically turned on and off. If a manual switch is provided instead of the optical sensor 8, the LED 7 can be configured to blink manually.

When the LED lighting apparatus of the present invention is installed outdoors, the opening 2 is provided with a light-transmitting plate such as glass to prevent water droplets and dust from entering the housing 1. It is desirable to keep it closed. As the LED 7, a gallium-phosphorus GaP-based green or red LED,
Gallium-arsenic-phosphorus GaAs _x P1 _-x red LED
The LED 7 used in this embodiment is an ultra-bright white LED having a diameter of 5 mm.

The LED lighting apparatus thus configured is
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, on a substantially vertical outer wall 9 of the building,
The opening 2 is fixed in an arrangement facing the front. In this state, when it is detected from the output signal of the optical sensor 8 that the external illuminance has become equal to or less than a predetermined value, a control circuit (not shown) operates to supply power from the power supply device to the LED 7,
ED7 lights up. When the LED 7 lights up, each LED 7
Is reflected by the surfaces of the bottom wall 3, the top wall 4, the back wall 5, and the pair of side walls 6 constituting the reflection surface, and is a light projecting unit as a light beam that is diffused in a predetermined angle range. Opening 2
To the outside. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the top wall 4 is inclined such that the front end is high and the rear end is low, and the back wall 5 is inclined such that the upper end is located forward of the lower end. ing. Therefore, the light from the LED 7 is irradiated within a range centered on the boundary between the top wall 4 and the back wall 5, reflected on the surface thereof, and directed forward from the opening 2.

In the LED lighting apparatus of the present invention, since the light source is the LED 7, it does not generate heat at the time of lighting, and is therefore most suitable as a light source in a refrigerator or a freezer. Moreover, compared to other light sources, for example, incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, etc., they consume very little power and have a long life, so that they are used as lighting such as a sign lamp that needs to be constantly turned on. be able to. The LED 7 changes its emission color depending on the type of element or compound constituting the semiconductor, but has a very narrow emission wavelength and does not emit light having a wavelength of about 400 nm or less, which is the lower limit of human visible wavelength.

FIG. 3 shows a graph of the visible wavelength range for humans and insects. As is clear from this graph, LEDs that emit light only in the human visible wavelength range are invisible to insects. Therefore, even if the light is always emitted outdoors, the inconvenience of collecting insects does not occur.

Light from various light sources is visually recognized by insects,
As a result, the following data has been published on the attractant property indicating the degree to which insects are induced. Light source Insect attractant (assuming incandescent lamp as 100) low-pressure sodium lamp 4 pure yellow fluorescent lamp 8 high-pressure sodium lamp 35 insect repellent lamp 49 incandescent lamp 100 white fluorescent lamp 113 metal halide lamp 135 white natural fluorescent lamp 158 high-pressure mercury lamp 260 insect trap Fluorescent lamp for use 1300 Unlike ordinary light sources as described above, since the insect attracting property of the LED is almost zero, even if it is constantly lit outdoors, insects are not attracted and used outdoors. It is suitable as a lighting fixture.

In the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
However, it is also possible to use an LED light source with an increased light emitting area by using a light guide together with the light from the light source being reflected off the reflection surface as it is.

More specifically, referring to FIG.
D7 is provided at both ends of the cylindrical light guide 20.
It is mounted in such a way that it directs light inside. The light guide 20 has a cylindrical shape formed of a synthetic resin having good translucency, for example, a hard acrylic resin, and has a peripheral surface having an appropriate length from one end surface. , A number of grooves 21 are formed. Also, LE
The end face facing D7 is desirably finished as smooth as possible in order to prevent irregular reflection or refraction of light on this face.

The grooves 21 formed in the light guide 20 correspond to FIG.
As shown in (A) and (B), it has a rectangular cross section, and extends along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the light guide 20 over about half of its peripheral surface. . The groove having such a shape can be easily formed by laser processing. The interval between the grooves 21 may be constant in the axial direction of the light guide 20, but is preferably the widest on the end face of the light guide 20, that is, on the side near the LED 7, and gradually becomes narrower as the distance from the LED 7 increases. It is arranged so that it becomes. The length of each groove 21 in the circumferential direction of the light guide 20 is also set to be the longest on the end face of the light guide 20, that is, the side near the LED 7, and to be gradually reduced as the distance from the LED 7 increases.

As shown in FIG. 6, the LED 7 may be arranged only at one end of the light guide 20. In this case, the groove 2 formed on the peripheral surface of the light guide 20
1 is also provided in an appropriate range only from the end on the side where the LED 7 is provided. The LED light source combined with such a light guide 20 has a light emitting area larger than that of a single LED, so that it can be applied to more applications.

Hereinafter, examples in which the LED lighting apparatus of the present invention is configured to be suitable for various usage forms will be described. FIG. 7 shows an LED lighting device of the present invention configured in the form of a street light. In this example, the lighting unit 30 is attached to the top of a column 32 fixed to the base 31. The lighting unit 30 has a slightly curved elongated box shape, and a light transmissive cover 33 is attached to the front surface thereof. The inside of the cover 33 is shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, or FIG. The LED light emitting device 34 in which the LEDs are arranged at one end or both ends of the columnar light guide is accommodated. It is desirable to provide a reflection plate on the back surface of the LED light emitting device 34.

Further, on the back side of the lighting unit 30, a solar cell panel 40 is mounted at an angle such that the light receiving surface thereof receives sunlight. Although not shown,
The output of the solar cell panel 40 charges the storage battery accommodated in the base unit 31 and activates the switch when the lighting switch is turned on at night or when the surroundings are darkened by a light receiving element (not shown). When turned on, the current from the storage battery is supplied to the LED light emitting device 34 of the lighting unit 33 so that the LED emits light.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the LED lighting apparatus shown in FIG.
It has a structure in which a wind power generator 50 is attached to the top.
The output of the wind power generator 50 is configured to charge the storage battery (not shown) accommodated in the base unit 31 together with the output of the solar cell panel 40. LED of this example
In the lighting fixture, even when the solar cell panel 40 does not operate at night, the wind power generator 50 generates power if there is wind, so that the discharge time of the storage battery can be extended. Although not shown, a device having a structure in which the wind power generator 50 is attached as an independent power source is naturally possible.

In the example shown in FIG.
Has the form of a sign 60 of an arbitrary shape having an arbitrary display pattern fixed to a wall surface of a building or the like.
0 and the LED shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 or FIG.
An LED light emitting device (not shown) is accommodated. Also L
The driving of the EDLED light emitting device is covered by electric power stored in a rechargeable battery (not shown) from a solar cell panel 40 arranged at a place suitable for receiving sunlight.

FIG. 10 shows an example in which the LED lighting apparatus of the present invention is applied to the lighting of the entrance of a house. Reference numeral 71
Denotes an entrance door provided with a door knob 72, and a lighting unit 70 in the form of an entrance lamp provided with a nameplate 73 is attached to a wall surface located on the side of the entrance door. As shown in FIG. 11, the lighting unit 70 includes a plurality of LEDs arranged in parallel in a space covered with a kamaboko-shaped light-transmitting cover 74.
It has a structure to which the light emitting device 34 is attached, and can illuminate the lower part of the door 73 and the vicinity of the door knob 72 thereunder. The light receiving element 8 provided on the front surface of the lighting unit 70 senses the surrounding brightness, and when dark, turns on a switch (not shown) to turn on the LED light emitting device 3.
4 is for lighting.

Further, in the LED lighting apparatus of the present invention shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a solar cell panel 40 is mounted on the upper surface of a rectangular parallelepiped case 82 whose front surface is a translucent cover 81, and the LED light emitting device 34 and the , Solar panel 40
And a power storage device (both not shown) for driving the storage battery and the like for driving the storage battery. Further, on the rear surface of the case 82, hooks 83 used for attaching the whole to a wall surface or a user's waist belt are provided as necessary. LE in this example
The D lighting fixture is in a form suitable for temporary installation at an appropriate position according to the situation where lighting is required. The hook 83 can be replaced with an arbitrary connection or fixing device such as a clip or a string.

In the LED lighting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a cylindrical housing 91 having a cylindrical cover 91 made of a light-transmitting material is provided at the center. Is provided with a cylindrical reflector 93 disposed concentrically with the cover 91, and a number of LED light emitting devices 34 are disposed along a concentric circle located between the reflector 93 and the cover 91. Having a structure. In the LED lighting apparatus having this structure, direct light from the LED light emitting device 34 is provided in all directions around the housing 92.
Light reflected from the reflection plate 93 is applied.

[0034]

As described above, the LED lighting apparatus according to the present invention uses an LED as a light source, and has an LED close to a point light source.
Since the light from the ED is configured to emit light as a surface light source, it is possible to illuminate a wide range. This makes it possible to maximize the advantage that the LED has over other light sources, that is, operates at low voltage and low power. Moreover, since it shows almost no insect repellency, it is extremely advantageous as a lighting device used outdoors.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an LED lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the LED lighting apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing visible wavelength characteristics of humans and insects.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an LED light emitting device applied to the LED lighting device of the present invention.

5 shows a cross section of the light guide of the LED light emitting device shown in FIG. 4, (A) is a cross sectional view, and (B) is a cross sectional view taken along line AA ′ of (A).

FIG. 6 is a side view of an LED light emitting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an LED lighting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an LED lighting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an LED lighting device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing an LED lighting apparatus and a front door illuminated by the LED lighting apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the LED lighting apparatus of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an LED lighting device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the LED lighting apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an LED lighting device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line B-B ′ of FIG. 14;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing 2 Opening 3 Bottom wall 4 Top wall 5 Back wall 6 Side wall 7 LED 8 Optical sensor 9 Outer wall 20 Light guide 21 Groove 30 Lighting unit 31 Base part 32 Support post 33 Cover 34 LED light emitting device 40 Solar cell panel 50 Wind power generator Reference Signs List 60 signboard 61 support rod 70 lighting unit 71 entrance door 72 door knob 73 nameplate 74 translucent cover 80 lighting unit 81 translucent cover 82 case 83 hook 91 cover 92 housing 93 reflector

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) F21V 7/00 F21S 1/00 F 23/04 1/10 33/00 9/02 Q // F21Y 101: 02 F21V 7/02

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of LEs disposed in a housing.
A light-emitting device using D as a light-emitting source; and a power supply device for driving the LED, and directing light emitted from the light-emitting device to the outside through a light-projecting unit formed by opening a part of the housing. LE characterized by being configured to
D lighting equipment. 2. A reflection surface for reflecting light from the light emitting device is provided inside the light emitting unit, and the light from the light emitting device is reflected by the reflection surface and directed to the outside through the light emitting unit. The LED lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the LED lighting device is configured as described above. 3. An optical sensor for detecting illuminance around the housing, wherein power is supplied from the power source to the light emitting device when the detected illuminance is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The LED lighting apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The light-emitting device, wherein at least one or more rod-shaped light guides, and at least one light guide disposed at one or both end faces of the light guides so as to irradiate the light guides with light. The light guide is composed of one or more LEDs,
On its peripheral surface, arranged at appropriate intervals along the axial direction,
4. The LED according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of grooves having a rectangular cross section.
lighting equipment. 5. A lighting unit comprising a light-transmitting cover constituting a light projecting unit on a front surface, and a plurality of said light-emitting devices arranged in parallel with each other inside said cover, and said lighting unit is supported by a support. The LED lighting device according to claim 4, wherein the LED lighting device is mounted in a form of a street light. 6. A solar cell panel mounted on the support, and a storage battery for storing power from the solar cell panel, wherein an output current of the storage battery is supplied to the light emitting device. L according to claim 5,
ED lighting equipment. 7. A wind power generator attached to the support, and a storage battery for storing power from the wind power generator are provided, and an output current of the storage battery is supplied to the light emitting device. 6. The LED according to claim 5,
lighting equipment. 8. The lighting unit has a form of a signboard,
The LED lighting device according to claim 5, further comprising a storage battery that supplies power to the light emitting device, and a solar cell panel that supplies power to the storage battery. 9. The lighting unit has a form of a front light, and includes a switch operated by a light receiving element, which supplies power to the light emitting device when ambient illuminance becomes a predetermined value or less. The LED lighting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: 10. The lighting unit has a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped case, a front surface of the case is a translucent cover, a solar cell panel is mounted on an upper surface of the case, and a light emitting device and the sun are mounted inside the case. The L according to claim 5, further comprising a storage battery for storing power from a battery panel and a power supply device for driving the light emitting device.
ED lighting equipment. 11. The housing, comprising: a cylindrical light-transmitting cover; and a cylindrical reflector arranged concentrically inside the cover, wherein the cover and the reflector are provided between the cover and the reflector. The LED lighting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of light emitting devices are arranged in parallel with each other along a cylindrical surface having a common axis with the axis of the reflector.