JP2024081279A - lighting equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a lighting fixture by which variation in light performance can be increased.SOLUTION: A lighting fixture includes: a first light emitting element 21a, a second light emitting element 22a, and a third light emitting element 23a disposed between the first light emitting element 21a and the second light emitting element 22a each of which emits light forward; a first light guide plate 160; a second light guide plate 170; and a lens part 180. The first light guide plate 160 has a first incident part 161 into which light is incident from the first light emitting element 21a, and ejects forward the light incident from the first incident part 161. The second light guide plate 170 has a second incident part 171 into which light is incident from the second light emitting element 22a, and ejects forward the light incident from the second incident part 171. The lens part 180 is disposed in front of the third light emitting element 23a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a lighting fixture.

Patent Document 1 discloses a flat lighting device in which multiple light guide plates are arranged in a plane. In this flat lighting device, two adjacent light guide plates are arranged so that their end faces face each other, with a minute gap between these end faces. A light source is provided on the outside of each of the two light guide plates arranged in this way.

JP 2010-251021 A

In the conventional planar lighting device described above, multiple light guide plates are arranged side by side, making it possible to provide a relatively large, flat light-emitting surface. However, in recent years, lighting fixtures that are used to illuminate residential spaces, for example, have come to require multiple variations in light presentation (size and position of the light-emitting surface, range of light irradiation, or light emission intensity (brightness), or combinations of these, etc.). In this regard, it is not easy to meet these demands with the configuration of the conventional planar lighting device described above.

The present invention was made by the inventors with a new focus on the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a lighting device that can increase the variety of light effects.

A lighting device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first light-emitting element, a second light-emitting element, and a third light-emitting element disposed between the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element, each of which emits light forward; a first light-guiding plate having a first entrance portion into which light from the first light-emitting element is incident and which emits the light incident from the first entrance portion toward the front; a second light-guiding plate having a second entrance portion into which light from the second light-emitting element is incident and which emits the light incident from the second entrance portion toward the front; and a lens portion disposed in front of the third light-emitting element.

The present invention provides a lighting fixture that can increase the variety of lighting effects.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a lighting fixture according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lighting fixture according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the light emitting module according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the optical member according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a part of an optical member according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a lighting device according to an embodiment. FIG. 7A is a plan view showing a state in which only the first light source unit emits light in the lighting device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7B is a plan view showing a state in which only the second light source unit is made to emit light in the lighting device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7C is a plan view showing a state in which only the third light source unit is made to emit light in the lighting device according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a part of a lighting device according to the first modification of the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a lighting fixture according to the second modification of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a portion of a lighting device according to the second modification of the embodiment.

The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that each embodiment described below shows a specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, components, the arrangement and connection of the components, the steps and the order of the steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims that show the highest concept of the present invention will be described as optional components.

Each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration. In each figure, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configuration, and duplicate explanations are omitted or simplified. In each figure, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis represent the three axes of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and in this embodiment, the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis (parallel to the XY plane) is the horizontal direction. Depending on the mode of use, the Z-axis direction may not be the vertical direction, but for ease of explanation, the following description will be given assuming that the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction.

In the following explanation, for example, the positive X-axis direction refers to the direction of the X-axis arrow, and the negative X-axis direction refers to the opposite direction to the positive X-axis direction. The same applies to the Y-axis and Z-axis directions. When simply referring to the "X-axis direction," it means either or both directions parallel to the X-axis. The same applies to terms related to the Y-axis and Z-axis.

Expressions indicating relative directions or attitudes, such as parallel and perpendicular, also include cases where the direction or attitude is not strictly that. For example, saying that two directions are perpendicular does not only mean that the two directions are completely perpendicular, but also means that the directions are substantially perpendicular, i.e., there is a difference of, for example, about a few percent.

(Embodiment)
1. Overall configuration of lighting fixture 100
First, the overall configuration of a lighting fixture 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the lighting fixture 100 according to the embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lighting fixture 100 according to the embodiment. The downward direction (Z-axis minus direction) in Figs. 1 and 2 corresponds to the direction of the ceiling (not shown) on which the lighting fixture 100 is installed. That is, the lighting fixture 100 in Figs. 1 and 2 is illustrated upside down from the position during normal use. This is the same for Figs. 5, 6, 8, and 10 described later. Fig. 3 is a view (plan view) of the light-emitting module 10 according to the embodiment as viewed from the Z-axis plus direction (hereinafter also referred to as "front").

As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting fixture 100 of this embodiment is, for example, a ceiling light attached to the ceiling of a building. The lighting fixture 100 of this embodiment includes a fixture body 110, and a light-emitting module 10 and an optical member 150 attached to the fixture body 110.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the light-emitting module 10 has a substrate 11 and a first light source unit 21, a second light source unit 22, and a third light source unit 23 arranged on the main surface 11a of the substrate 11. The light emitted forward from the first light source unit 21, the second light source unit 22, and the third light source unit 23 is used as light (illumination light) emitted from the lighting device 100.

The first light source unit 21 has a plurality of first light-emitting elements 21a arranged in a ring shape on the main surface 11a of the substrate 11. The second light source unit 22 has a plurality of second light-emitting elements 22a arranged in a ring shape on the main surface 11a of the substrate 11. The third light source unit 23 has a plurality of third light-emitting elements 23a arranged in a ring shape on the main surface 11a of the substrate 11. In other words, when viewed from the front, the first light source unit 21, the second light source unit 22, and the third light source unit 23 are each formed in a ring shape. In this embodiment, when the light-emitting module 10 is viewed from the front, the second light source unit 22, the third light source unit 23, and the first light source unit 21 are concentrically arranged in this order from the center to the outside. In other words, the third light source unit 23 is located between the first light source unit 21 and the second light source unit 22.

In this embodiment, the first light-emitting element 21a, the second light-emitting element 22a, and the third light-emitting element 23a are individually packaged SMD (Surface Mount Device) type LED elements (LED light sources). That is, the first light-emitting element 21a, the second light-emitting element 22a, and the third light-emitting element 23a each include a white resin or ceramic container (package), an LED chip (bare chip) disposed in the container, and a sealing member that seals the LED chip.

The substrate 11 is a mounting substrate for mounting light-emitting elements such as the first light-emitting element 21a. In this embodiment, the substrate 11 is formed in a circular ring shape when viewed from the front. The thickness of the substrate 11 is, for example, 1.0 mm. The substrate 11 is, for example, a printed wiring board (printed circuit board) on which metal wiring is formed in a predetermined pattern. In addition, a resist made of an insulating resin material may be formed on the surface of the substrate 11 so as to cover the wiring in order to protect the wiring and ensure the dielectric strength voltage. The substrate 11 may be a single-sided wiring substrate on which wiring is formed only on the main surface 11a on which the light-emitting element is mounted, or a double-sided wiring substrate on which wiring is formed on both sides. The substrate 11 may be formed by connecting multiple substrates in the circumferential direction. The substrate 11 may include a first substrate on which the first light source unit 21 is arranged, a second substrate on which the second light source unit 22 is arranged, and a third substrate on which the third light source unit 23 is arranged. In other words, the substrate 11 of the light-emitting module 10 may be realized by arranging multiple substrates that are separate from each other side by side.

The fixture body 110 has a cylindrical first body part 110a and a second body part 110b that closes the opening of the first body part 110a in the negative Z-axis direction (hereinafter also referred to as "rear"). The first body part 110a has a flange part 111 that protrudes inward at the front end. An opening part 112 is formed on the inside of the flange part 111 (see FIG. 2). The light-emitting module 10 is fixed to the first body part 110a or the second body part 110b by a predetermined means such as a screw (not shown). As a result, the first light source part 21, the second light source part 22, and the third light source part 23 are exposed forward from the opening part 112 of the first body part 110a.

The second body portion 110b forming the rear end of the fixture body 110 preferably has a structure (not shown) that can be fitted with a fixture mounting member (not shown) and is removably attached to the ceiling via the fixture mounting member. In other words, the fixture body 110 may be removably attached to the ceiling via the fixture mounting member.

In this embodiment, a control unit 80 is fixed to the second body unit 110b. The control unit 80 includes a control circuit board that controls the light emission state of each of the first light source unit 21, the second light source unit 22, and the third light source unit 23. The control unit 80 is electrically connected to each of the first light source unit 21, the second light source unit 22, and the third light source unit 23 via cables 90. In FIG. 2, the cables 90 are diagrammatically represented by thick dotted lines.

More specifically, the control unit 80 changes the amount of light emitted by each of the first light source unit 21, the second light source unit 22, and the third light source unit 23 by controlling the current supplied to each of the first light source unit 21, the second light source unit 22, and the third light source unit 23. As a method of control, for example, Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control is adopted. This changes the amount of illumination light emitted by each of the first light source unit 21, the second light source unit 22, and the third light source unit 23. In other words, in this embodiment, the first light source unit 21, the second light source unit 22, and the third light source unit 23 of the light-emitting module 10 can be dimmed (brightness controlled) independently of each other.

More preferably, each of the first light source unit 21, the second light source unit 22, and the third light source unit 23 includes two or more types of light-emitting elements with different emission colors (color temperatures). For example, in this embodiment, the first light source unit 21 includes two or more types of first light-emitting elements 21a with different emission colors (color temperatures). When the multiple first light-emitting elements 21a are divided into a first group and a second group with different emission colors (color temperatures), the control unit 80 can independently control the dimming of one or more first light-emitting elements 21a included in the first group and one or more first light-emitting elements 21a included in the second group. This changes the color of the illumination light emitted by the first light source unit 21. In other words, the control unit 80 can perform color adjustment control (control of the emission color) of the first light source unit 21. This is the same for the second light source unit 22 and the third light source unit 23. In other words, the control unit 80 can perform color adjustment control (control of the emission color) of each of the first light source unit 21, the second light source unit 22, and the third light source unit 23.

In this embodiment, the control unit 80 functions as a power supply unit that converts AC power from an external power source such as a commercial power source into DC power of a predetermined level by rectifying, smoothing, stepping down, etc., and supplies the DC power to each of the first light source unit 21, the second light source unit 22, and the third light source unit 23. In other words, the control unit 80 is supplied with AC power via a power line (such as a VVF cable) not shown.

The optical member 150 is a member that emits light incident from the light emitting module 10. The optical member 150 is formed using a translucent (e.g., transparent) resin material such as a transparent acrylic resin.

In this embodiment, the optical member 150 has a first light guide plate 160, a second light guide plate 170, and a lens section 180. The lens section 180 is disposed between the first light guide plate 160 and the second light guide plate 170. In this embodiment, the optical member 150 integrally includes the first light guide plate 160, the second light guide plate 170, and the lens section 180. In other words, the optical member 150, which is a single component, integrally includes three light-transmitting members (the first light guide plate 160, the second light guide plate 170, and the lens section 180).

The first light guide plate 160 emits light incident from the first light source unit 21 forward. The second light guide plate 170 emits light incident from the second light source unit 22 forward. The lens unit 180 emits light incident from the third light source unit 23 forward. A light-transmitting cover member 190 is disposed in front of the lens unit 180.

The lighting fixture 100 according to this embodiment includes an optical member 150 configured as described above, and three light-emitting elements (first light-emitting element 21a, second light-emitting element 22a, and third light-emitting element 23a) whose light-emitting state can be changed independently of one another. This allows for an increased variety of light effects. Below, the optical member 150 according to this embodiment and its surrounding structure will be described with reference to the above-mentioned Figures 1 to 3, as well as Figures 4 to 7C.

2. Configuration of the Optical Member 150 and Its Surroundings
FIG. 4 is a diagram (back view) of the optical member 150 according to the embodiment when viewed from the negative direction of the Z axis. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a part of the optical member 150 according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a part including the V-V line cross section (see FIG. 4) of the optical member 150 in a perspective view. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the lighting device 100 according to the embodiment. The position of the cross section in FIG. 6 corresponds to the position of the cross section in FIG. 5. In FIG. 6, the device body 110 is omitted. In FIG. 6, the side surfaces of the first light-emitting element 21a, the second light-emitting element 22a, and the third light-emitting element 23a arranged at the position closest to the cross section of the optical member 150 are illustrated, and the other light-emitting elements arranged further back (in the positive direction of the Y axis) than the cross section are omitted. These supplementary matters regarding FIG. 6 also apply to FIG. 8 and FIG. 10 described later. FIG. 7A is a plan view showing a state in which only the first light source unit 21 is illuminated in the lighting device 100 according to the embodiment. Fig. 7B is a plan view showing a state in which only second light source unit 22 is made to emit light in lighting device 100 according to the embodiment. Fig. 7C is a plan view showing a state in which only third light source unit 23 is made to emit light in lighting device 100 according to the embodiment.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the optical member 150 is a disk-shaped member that has a first light guide plate 160 at its periphery, a second light guide plate 170 at its center, and a lens portion 180 between the first light guide plate 160 and the second light guide plate 170.

In this embodiment, the first light-emitting element 21a, the second light-emitting element 22a, and the third light-emitting element 23a are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction (direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction/direction parallel to the XY plane) on the main surface 11a of the substrate 11. In FIG. 6, the first light-emitting element 21a, the third light-emitting element 23a, and the second light-emitting element 22a are arranged in this order from the negative X-axis direction to the positive X-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the first light guide plate 160 has a first entrance portion 161 into which light from the first light-emitting element 21a is incident. The first light guide plate 160 is provided extending from the first entrance portion 161 to one side in the horizontal direction. The first entrance portion 161 is provided as a groove recessed in the positive Z-axis direction at the radially inner end of the annular first light guide plate 160 (see FIG. 4). The first entrance portion 161 faces the multiple first light-emitting elements 21a of the first light source unit 21 in the Z-axis direction and is provided extending in the arrangement direction of the multiple first light-emitting elements 21a. In other words, the first incident portion 161 is formed in a ring shape along the first light source portion 21.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first light guide plate 160 has a first front portion 164 extending along the horizontal direction, and a first curved portion 165 provided between the first entrance portion 161 and the first front portion 164. When the first light source unit 21 emits light under the control of the control unit 80, light is incident from the first light source unit 21 to the first entrance portion 161. The light incident on the first entrance portion 161 reaches the first front portion 164 while being repeatedly reflected by the first curved portion 165, and is emitted forward from the first front portion 164. As a result, a circular, planar light-emitting surface is formed on the periphery of the lighting device 100, as shown in FIG. 7A.

In addition, in order to efficiently extract light incident on the first front surface portion 164 to the outside, for example, an uneven portion in which minute concave or convex portions are arranged may be formed on the back surface of the first front surface portion 164 (the surface in the negative Z-axis direction). This allows light heading toward the back surface inside the first front surface portion 164 to be scattered by the uneven portion and directed forward. As a result, the efficiency of extracting light forward from the first front surface portion 164 is improved.

As shown in FIG. 6, the second light guide plate 170 has a second entrance portion 171 into which light from the second light emitting element 22a is incident. The second entrance portion 171 is provided as a groove recessed in the positive direction of the Z axis at the radially outer end of the circular second light guide plate 170 (see FIG. 4). The second entrance portion 171 faces the multiple second light emitting elements 22a of the second light source unit 22 in the Z axis direction and extends in the arrangement direction of the multiple second light emitting elements 22a. In other words, the second entrance portion 171 is formed in an annular shape along the second light source unit 22.

As shown in FIG. 6, the second light guide plate 170 has a second front portion 174 extending along the horizontal direction, and a second curved portion 175 provided between the second entrance portion 171 and the second front portion 174. When the second light source portion 22 emits light under the control of the control unit 80, light is incident from the second light source portion 22 to the second entrance portion 171. The light incident on the second entrance portion 171 reaches the second front portion 174 while being repeatedly reflected by the second curved portion 175, and is emitted forward from the second front portion 174. As a result, a circular, planar light-emitting surface is formed in the center of the lighting device 100, as shown in FIG. 7B.

In addition, in order to efficiently extract light incident on the second front surface portion 174 to the outside, for example, an uneven portion in which minute concave or convex portions are arranged may be formed on the back surface of the second front surface portion 174 (the surface in the negative Z-axis direction). This allows light heading toward the back surface inside the second front surface portion 174 to be scattered by the uneven portion and directed forward. As a result, the efficiency of extracting light forward from the second front surface portion 174 is improved.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lens unit 180 has a lens 181 at a position facing the third light-emitting element 23a. More specifically, the lens unit 180 has a plurality of lenses 181 that correspond one-to-one to the plurality of third light-emitting elements 23a of the third light source unit 23. The lens unit 180 is disposed between the first light guide plate 160 and the second light guide plate 170 as an annular portion that includes a plurality of lenses 181 arranged in a ring shape.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the lens 181 has a recess 181a that houses the third light-emitting element 23a. The light emitted by the third light-emitting element 23a enters the lens 181 from the recess 181a and is emitted forward. In this embodiment, the lens 181 is a collecting lens, and light with a relatively small light distribution angle is emitted forward from the lens 181.

When the third light source unit 23 emits light under the control of the control unit 80, light is incident from the third light source unit 23 to the lens unit 180. The light incident on the lens unit 180 is emitted further forward through the cover member 190 in front of it. As a result, an annular light-emitting surface is formed at the radial midpoint of the lighting device 100, as shown in FIG. 7C.

In this embodiment, a cover member 190 that covers the lens portion 180 is disposed in front of the lens portion 180. The cover member 190 is a member formed of a translucent resin material such as acrylic resin. In this way, the lens portion 180, which is a portion of the optical member 150 that is recessed in the negative Z-axis direction, is covered with the flat cover member 190, so that the front surface of the optical member 150 has an overall appearance that is nearly flat.

The cover member 190 may be manufactured by injection molding a resin material in which light diffusion particles are dispersed. In this case, the cover member 190 can diffuse the light emitted from each of the multiple lenses 181 and emit it forward. The cover member 190 may have a light diffusion function by forming a milky white light diffusion layer, or multiple light diffusion dots or fine unevenness (grain) on the inner or outer surface. In either case, the cover member 190 has a light diffusion function, so that the light from each lens 181 becomes less noticeable as point-like light (bright spots). It is not essential that the cover member 190 has a light diffusion function, and it may be a light-transmitting member that is generally recognized as transparent. The cover member 190 may have unevenness or the like for controlling the light distribution angle of the light emitted from the lens section 180 in addition to or instead of the above-mentioned configuration for light diffusion (light diffusion particles or grain, etc.).

The cover member 190 is formed in a size and shape to cover the first curved portion 165 of the first light guide plate 160 and the second curved portion 175 of the second light guide plate 170. Specifically, the cover member 190 has a first cover end 196 located in front of the first curved portion 165 and a second cover end 197 located in front of the second curved portion 175. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of light that leaks from the gap between the cover member 190 and the first and second light guide plates 160 and 170 and that travels directly downward (in the positive direction of the Z axis) when the lighting fixture 100 is installed on a ceiling. In other words, the possibility that the gap will be noticeable as a line of light is reduced.

As described above, in this embodiment, the lighting device 100 includes three translucent members (first light guide plate 160, second light guide plate 170, and lens section 180) that differ from each other in terms of their positioning and shapes. The lighting device 100 further includes three light source sections (first light source section 21, second light source section 22, and third light source section 23) that correspond respectively to the three translucent members. This allows for an increased variety of light effects.

More specifically, the lighting device 100 can emit illumination light in a plurality of emission patterns including the three emission patterns shown in FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C. The plurality of emission patterns are the three emission patterns shown in FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C, an emission pattern that is a combination of these emission patterns, and an emission pattern in which the emission intensity (brightness) and/or emission color of each emission pattern is changed. That is, in this embodiment, the control unit 80 can perform dimming control (including on and off) and color adjustment control of the first light source unit 21, the second light source unit 22, and the third light source unit 23. Furthermore, the lighting device 100 has a first light guide plate 160 that forms a ring-shaped and planar light-emitting surface, a second light guide plate 170 that forms a circular and planar light-emitting surface, and a lens unit 180 that emits ring-shaped illumination light with a relatively small light distribution angle between the first light guide plate 160 and the second light guide plate 170. In this way, the lighting device 100 according to this embodiment is capable of producing a variety of light effects by combining three light-transmitting members (first light guide plate 160, second light guide plate 170, and lens section 180) with different optical structures and the intensities and/or colors of the light supplied to these three light-transmitting members.

The lighting device 100 according to the present embodiment configured as described above can be described, for example, as follows.

(1) The lighting device 100 according to this embodiment includes a first light-emitting element 21a, a second light-emitting element 22a, and a third light-emitting element 23a disposed between the first light-emitting element 21a and the second light-emitting element 22a, each of which emits light forward, a first light-guiding plate 160, a second light-guiding plate 170, and a lens unit 180. The first light-guiding plate 160 has a first entrance portion 161 to which light is incident from the first light-emitting element 21a, and emits the light incident from the first entrance portion 161 forward. The second light-guiding plate 170 has a second entrance portion 171 to which light is incident from the second light-emitting element 22a, and emits the light incident from the second entrance portion 171 forward. The lens unit 180 is disposed in front of the third light-emitting element 23a.

In this way, the lighting fixture 100 according to this embodiment has three types of translucent members, the first light guide plate 160, the second light guide plate 170, and the lens section 180, and light-emitting elements are arranged individually corresponding to each of the translucent members. Therefore, the variety of light effects produced by the lighting fixture 100 can be increased.

(2) The lighting device 100 described in (1) above is more preferably configured as follows. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when the lighting device 100 is viewed from the front, a plurality of first light-emitting elements 21a are arranged in a ring shape to form a ring-shaped first light source section 21. A plurality of second light-emitting elements 22a are arranged in a ring shape to form a ring-shaped second light source section 22. A plurality of third light-emitting elements 23a are arranged in a ring shape to form a ring-shaped third light source section 23. The second light source section 22 is located inside the third light source section 23, and the third light source section 23 is located inside the first light source section 21. As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the first entrance section 161 of the first light guide plate 160 is formed in a ring shape along the first light source section 21. The second entrance section 171 of the second light guide plate 170 is formed in a ring shape along the second light source section 22. The lens section 180 is formed in a ring shape along the third light source section 23.

According to this configuration, in the lighting device 100, the first light-emitting element 21a, the second light-emitting element 22a, and the third light-emitting element 23a are each arranged in a ring shape. This forms three light source sections (the first light source section 21, the second light source section 22, and the third light source section 23) arranged in a multiple ring shape, for example, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Therefore, for example, a lighting device 100 that is circular when viewed from the front and can increase the variety of light effects is realized.

(3) In the lighting device 100 described in (2) above, more preferably, the lens unit 180 has a plurality of lenses 181 that correspond one-to-one to the plurality of third light-emitting elements 23a.

With this configuration, the light distribution angle of the light emitted from each of the multiple third light-emitting elements 23a can be controlled by an individual lens 181. Therefore, for example, more precisely designed light effects can be achieved.

(4) The lighting device 100 according to any one of (1) to (3) above is more preferably configured as follows. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the first light-emitting element 21a, the second light-emitting element 22a, and the third light-emitting element 23a are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 6) perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The first light-emitting element 21a is arranged on one side of the third light-emitting element 23a in the horizontal direction. The second light-emitting element 22a is arranged on the other side of the third light-emitting element 23a in the horizontal direction. The first light-guiding plate 160 is provided extending from the first entrance portion 161 to one side in the horizontal direction. The second light-guiding plate 170 is provided extending from the second entrance portion 171 to the other side in the horizontal direction. In FIG. 6, the one side in the horizontal direction is the negative X-axis direction, and the other side in the horizontal direction is the positive X-axis direction.

According to this configuration, the light emitted by the first light-emitting element 21a and the second light-emitting element 22a at both ends of the three light-emitting elements arranged horizontally is guided outward by the first light guide plate 160 and the second light guide plate 170 and emitted forward. Furthermore, the light emitted by the third light-emitting element 23a at the center of the three light-emitting elements is emitted forward while obtaining the optical effect of the lens portion 180. Therefore, according to the lighting device 100, it is possible to emit a produced illumination light in front of the lighting device 100 and over a relatively wide range.

(5) The lighting device 100 described in (4) above is more preferably configured as follows. The lighting device 100 further includes a light-transmitting cover member 190 disposed in front of the lens portion 180. The first light guide plate 160 has a first front portion 164 extending along the horizontal direction and a first curved portion 165 provided between the first entrance portion 161 and the first front portion 164. The second light guide plate 170 has a second front portion 174 extending along the horizontal direction and a second curved portion 175 provided between the second entrance portion 171 and the second front portion 174. The cover member 190 has a first cover end 196 located in front of the first curved portion 165 and a second cover end 197 located in front of the second curved portion 175.

According to this configuration, when viewed from the front, the first curved portion 165 and the second curved portion 175 are covered by the cover member 190. This reduces the possibility that the gaps between the cover member 190 and the first light guide plate 160 and the second light guide plate 170 become noticeable as lines of light, as described above. As a result, for example, a visual effect can be created that makes the first light guide plate 160, the cover member 190, and the second light guide plate 170 appear continuous in appearance.

It is preferable that an air layer exists between the first cover end 196 and the first curved portion 165 of the cover member 190, and between the second cover end 197 and the second curved portion 175 of the cover member 190. In other words, it is preferable that the cover member 190 is fixed to the optical member 150 in a state in which the cover member 190 is separated from the first curved portion 165 and the second curved portion 175 in the Z-axis direction. As a result, in each of the first curved portion 165 of the first light guide plate 160 and the second curved portion 175 of the second light guide plate 170, light incident on the interface with the outside is less likely to enter the cover member 190. In other words, in each of the first curved portion 165 and the second curved portion 175, the amount of light totally reflected at the interface with the outside is less likely to decrease. As a result, the decrease in the amount of light emitted forward from the first front portion 164 and the second front portion 174 due to the placement of the cover member 190 is suppressed.

(6) The lighting device 100 described in any one of (1) to (5) above is more preferably configured as follows: In the lighting device 100, the first light guide plate 160, the second light guide plate 170, and the lens portion 180 are integrally provided.

According to this configuration, three light-transmitting members (first light guide plate 160, second light guide plate 170, and lens section 180) differing from one another in terms of position and shape are integrally provided in a single component (optical member 150 in this embodiment). This provides the effect of reducing the number of components in lighting device 100, which allows for an increase in the variety of light effects, or improving the manufacturing efficiency of lighting device 100. For example, when assembling lighting device 100, the positions of these three light-transmitting members are determined collectively by determining the position of any one of first light guide plate 160, second light guide plate 170, and lens section 180 relative to device body 110.

(7) The lighting device 100 described in any one of (1) to (6) above more preferably includes a control unit 80 that controls each of the first light-emitting element 21a, the second light-emitting element 22a, and the third light-emitting element 23a independently of one another.

According to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the lighting device 100 can incorporate a control unit 80 that changes the light emission state of each of the first light-emitting element 21a, the second light-emitting element 22a, and the third light-emitting element 23a. This makes it easier to install the lighting device 100, which can increase the variety of light effects, on a ceiling, etc.

More preferably, the control unit 80 is capable of dimming control and color adjustment control for each of the first light source unit 21, the second light source unit 22, and the third light source unit 23. This allows for even more variation in the lighting effects.

Although the lighting fixture 100 according to this embodiment has been described above, the configuration of the lighting fixture 100 is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment. Therefore, modified examples of the configuration of the lighting fixture 100 will be described, focusing on the differences from the above embodiment.

[3-1. Modification 1]
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a portion of lighting device 100a according to the first modified embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, lighting device 100a includes first light-emitting element 21a, second light-emitting element 22a, third light-emitting element 23a, first light guide plate 160, second light guide plate 170, and lens portion 180. These components are common to lighting device 100 according to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6.

The lighting device 100a according to this modification includes a cover member 290 whose end is formed thinner, and in this respect differs from the lighting device 100 according to the embodiment. Specifically, in this modification, the cover member 290 has a first cover end 296 located in front of the first curved portion 165 and a second cover end 297 located in front of the second curved portion 175. The surface of the first cover end 296 facing the first curved portion 165 is curved to follow the first curved portion 165. The surface of the second cover end 297 facing the second curved portion 175 is curved to follow the second curved portion 175.

According to this configuration, the step at the end of the lateral direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 8) of the cover member 290 can be reduced. That is, the step formed between the first cover end 296 and the first light guide plate 160 can be reduced. Furthermore, the step formed between the second cover end 297 and the second light guide plate 170 can be reduced. As a result, for example, the boundary between the cover member 290 and the first light guide plate 160 and the second light guide plate 170 becomes less noticeable. In addition, while producing such a visual effect, the thickness of the part of the cover member 290 facing the lens unit 180 can be made to be the same as or thicker than the cover member 190 according to the embodiment. Therefore, when forming a recess in the cover member 290 to obtain some optical effect, a relatively deep recess can be formed.

[3-2. Modification 2]
Fig. 9 is a plan view of a lighting device 100b according to a second modified embodiment of the embodiment. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a portion of the lighting device 100b according to the second modified embodiment of the embodiment. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the lighting device 100b includes a first light-emitting element 21a, a second light-emitting element 22a, a third light-emitting element 23a, a first light guide plate 160a, a second light guide plate 170a, and a lens portion 180a.

Although not shown in Figures 9 and 10, each of the first light-emitting element 21a, the second light-emitting element 22a, and the third light-emitting element 23a is arranged in a row on the substrate 11 of the light-emitting module 10a. The first light source section 21 is formed by the multiple first light-emitting elements 21a, the second light source section 22 is formed by the multiple second light-emitting elements 22a, and the third light source section 23 is formed by the multiple third light-emitting elements 23a. The light-emitting states (light-emitting intensity and/or color temperature, etc.) of these light source sections are controlled independently of each other by the control unit 80 (not shown in Figures 9 and 10).

In this modified example, the first light guide plate 160a, the second light guide plate 170a, and the lens portion 180a are integrally provided. Specifically, the optical member 150a integrally includes the first light guide plate 160a, the second light guide plate 170a, and the lens portion 180a. The lens portion 180a has a plurality of lenses 181 (only one is shown in FIG. 10) that correspond one-to-one with the plurality of third light-emitting elements 23a. In the lighting device 100b, the first light-emitting element 21a, the second light-emitting element 22a, and the third light-emitting element 23a are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 10), and the first light guide plate 160a is provided extending from the first entrance portion 161 to one side in the horizontal direction, and the second light guide plate 170a is provided extending from the second entrance portion 171 to the other side in the horizontal direction. In FIG. 10, one side in the horizontal direction is the negative X-axis direction, and the other side in the horizontal direction is the positive X-axis direction. The lighting device 100b further includes a light-transmitting cover member 190a disposed in front of the lens portion 180a.

The above configuration is common between the lighting device 100b according to this modification and the lighting device 100 according to the embodiment. In this modification, the lighting device 100b is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and in this respect, it differs from the lighting device 100. More specifically, the optical member 150a includes a first light guide plate 160a, a second light guide plate 170a, and a lens portion 180a arranged between the first light guide plate 160a and the second light guide plate 170a, and these three light-transmitting members are all rectangular. In addition, each of the multiple first light-emitting elements 21a, the multiple second light-emitting elements 22a, and the multiple third light-emitting elements 23a is linearly arranged along the Y-axis direction. Therefore, each of the first light source unit 21, the second light source unit 22, and the third light source unit 23 is also formed in a linear shape along the Y-axis direction. In the lens portion 180a, multiple lenses 181 are linearly arranged along the Y-axis direction.

When viewed from the front, the lighting device 100b configured in this manner has a light-emitting unit (central light-emitting unit) that emits illumination light with a narrow light distribution angle arranged in the center in the X-axis direction, and rectangular planar light-emitting units are arranged on both sides of the central light-emitting unit in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the third light source unit 23, which is the light source of the central light-emitting unit, and the first light source unit 21 and the second light source unit 22, which are the light sources of the two planar light-emitting units, are each controlled independently by the control unit 80 (not shown in Figures 9 and 10). Therefore, the lighting device 100b according to this modified example enables various light effects by combining three translucent members (first light guide plate 160a, second light guide plate 170a, and lens unit 180a) with different optical structures and the intensities and/or colors of light supplied to these three translucent members.

The cover member 190a according to this modification may have a light diffusion function, similar to the cover member 190 according to the embodiment. The cover member 190a according to this modification may have a surface facing the first curved portion 165a formed in a curved shape that follows the first curved portion 165a, similar to the cover member 290 according to modification 1. The cover member 190a may have a surface facing the second curved portion 175a formed in a curved shape that follows the second curved portion 175a.

[4. Other Modifications]
Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiment and its modifications, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and its modifications.

In this embodiment, the control unit 80 functions as a power supply unit that supplies power for light emission to the light-emitting module 10. However, it is not essential that the control unit 80 functions as a power supply unit. For example, the lighting device 100 may include a power supply unit that converts AC power from a commercial power source or the like into DC power at a predetermined level by rectifying, smoothing, stepping down, etc., and a control unit 80 that controls the power supply unit and is separate from the power supply unit.

The control unit 80 does not have to be housed in the fixture body 110 of the lighting fixture 100. For example, the control unit 80 may be housed in a case installed outside the fixture body 110. Even in this case, as long as the control unit 80 and the light-emitting module 10 are electrically connected by a cable 90 or the like, it is possible to control the light emission pattern of the light-emitting module 10.

It is not essential that the control unit 80 is capable of dimming control and color adjustment control for each of the first light source unit 21, the second light source unit 22, and the third light source unit 23. The control unit 80 may only control the on (lighting) and off (lighting out) of each of the first light source unit 21, the second light source unit 22, and the third light source unit 23. In this case, the lighting device 100 can emit illumination light in seven light emission patterns (excluding all lights out) consisting of combinations of the on and off of these three light source units. In other words, the lighting device 100 is capable of at least seven types of light effects.

The lens unit 180 has a lens 181 at each position facing the multiple third light-emitting elements 23a. However, the lens unit 180 may have a lens extending along the arrangement direction of the multiple third light-emitting elements 23a. In other words, one lens may be arranged at a position facing the multiple third light-emitting elements 23a. The lens 181 of the lens unit 180 does not have to be a focusing lens. The lens 181 may be a diffusing lens that increases the light distribution angle. The type, size, shape, etc. of the lens 181 may be determined appropriately depending on the performance or function required of the lighting device 100.

The lighting fixture 100 does not have to include the cover member 190. In other words, the light emitted from the lens portion 180 may be used as illumination light as is. The lighting fixture 100 is capable of various light effects regardless of whether or not it includes the cover member 190.

The characteristic configuration of the lighting device 100 may be applied not only to the rectangular lighting device 100b shown in the second modified example, but also to lighting devices of various shapes. For example, when viewed from the front, various lighting devices such as polygonal shapes other than rectangular, elliptical, or oval shapes may have the characteristic configuration of the lighting device 100 (three translucent members (160, 170, 180) corresponding to the three light-emitting elements (21a, 22a, 23a), etc.). There is no particular limit to the number of light-emitting elements in each of the first light source unit 21, the second light source unit 22, and the third light source unit 23. The first light source unit 21 may have at least one first light-emitting element 21a. The second light source unit 22 may have at least one second light-emitting element 22a. The third light source unit 23 may have at least one third light-emitting element 23a. The number of light-emitting elements in these light source units may be determined appropriately depending on the size and shape of the three translucent members (160, 170, 180) or the maximum amount of light required for the lighting device 100.

The lighting fixture 100 does not necessarily need to be detachably attached to a ceiling or the like. For example, the lighting fixture 100 may be installed in a predetermined location in a substantially unremovable state, such as by embedding a portion of the fixture body 110 in concrete. Even in this case, the lighting fixture 100 can produce a variety of light effects.

The light-emitting elements such as the first light-emitting element 21a provided in the light-emitting module 10 are SMD-type LED elements, but are not limited to this. For example, each of the multiple light-emitting elements provided in the light-emitting module 10 may be an LED chip. In other words, the light-emitting module 10 may have a COB (chip on board) structure in which the light-emitting element, which is an LED chip, is directly mounted on the substrate 11. In this case, illumination light with a predetermined color temperature can be obtained by sealing the multiple LED chips mounted on the substrate 11 collectively or individually with a sealing member containing a wavelength conversion material.

The light-emitting elements such as the first light-emitting element 21a provided in the light-emitting module 10 may be semiconductor light-emitting elements such as semiconductor lasers, or other types of solid-state light-emitting elements such as EL elements such as organic EL (Electro Luminescence) or inorganic EL.

The above various supplementary points regarding the lighting fixture 100 according to the embodiment may also be applied to the lighting fixtures 100a and 100b according to the modified examples 1 and 2.

In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the above-described embodiments and their modifications that would occur to a person skilled in the art, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment and its modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Description of the Reference Signs 21 First light source section 21a First light-emitting element 22 Second light source section 22a Second light-emitting element 23 Third light source section 23a Third light-emitting element 80 Control section 100, 100a, 100b Lighting device 150, 150a Optical member 160, 160a First light guide plate 161 First incident section 164 First front section 165, 165a First curved section 170, 170a Second light guide plate 171 Second incident section 174 Second front section 175, 175a Second curved section 180, 180a Lens section 181 Lens 190, 190a, 290 Cover member 196, 296 First cover end 197, 297 Second cover end

Claims (7)

a first light emitting element, a second light emitting element, and a third light emitting element disposed between the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element, each of which emits light forward;
a first light guide plate having a first incident portion to which light from the first light emitting element is incident and configured to emit the light incident from the first incident portion toward the front;
a second light guide plate having a second incident portion to which light from the second light emitting element is incident and configured to emit the light incident from the second incident portion toward the front;
a lens portion disposed in front of the third light-emitting element;
A lighting fixture comprising: When the lighting device is viewed from the front, (a) a plurality of the first light-emitting elements are arranged in a ring shape to form a ring-shaped first light source section, (b) a plurality of the second light-emitting elements are arranged in a ring shape to form a ring-shaped second light source section, and (c) a plurality of the third light-emitting elements are arranged in a ring shape to form a ring-shaped third light source section,
the second light source unit is located inside the third light source unit, and the third light source unit is located inside the first light source unit,
the first incident portion of the first light guide plate is formed in an annular shape along the first light source portion,
The second incident portion of the second light guide plate is formed in an annular shape along the second light source portion,
The lens portion is formed in an annular shape along the third light source portion.
2. The lighting device of claim 1. The lens portion has a plurality of lenses that correspond one-to-one to the plurality of third light-emitting elements.
3. A lighting device according to claim 2. The first light emitting element, the second light emitting element, and the third light emitting element are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a front-rear direction,
The first light emitting element is disposed on one side of the third light emitting element in the lateral direction,
the second light emitting element is disposed on the other side of the third light emitting element in the lateral direction,
the first light guide plate is provided to extend from the first incident portion to one side in the lateral direction,
The second light guide plate is provided to extend from the second incident portion to the other side in the lateral direction.
A lighting fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The lens unit further includes a cover member having optical transparency and disposed in front of the lens unit.
the first light guide plate has a first front surface portion extending along the lateral direction and a first curved portion provided between the first entrance portion and the first front surface portion,
the second light guide plate has a second front surface portion extending along the lateral direction and a second curved portion provided between the second entrance portion and the second front surface portion,
The cover member has a first end portion located in front of the first curved portion and a second end portion located in front of the second curved portion.
5. A lighting device according to claim 4. The first light guide plate, the second light guide plate, and the lens portion are integrally provided.
A lighting fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Further, a control unit is provided that controls the first light emitting element, the second light emitting element, and the third light emitting element independently of each other.
A lighting fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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