JP5617330B2 - Lighting device and electronic device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device and an electronic apparatus that include a plurality of light emitting units.

  As an illuminating device provided with a plurality of light emitting units, a plurality of organic light emitting diode (Organic LED) elements are provided in addition to those provided with a plurality of LED (Light Emitting Diode) elements as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. Things are known. In these illumination devices, all the light emitting units are arranged on one substrate (light emitting substrate), and light from the light emitting substrate reaches the irradiated surface through a condensing optical system.

JP 2007-87792 A JP 2007-171319 A

  In this technical field, from the viewpoint of effective use of illumination light, there is a demand for an illumination device that can illuminate a wider range. Therefore, it is beneficial if a wide range can be illuminated by a lighting device including a plurality of light emitting units. However, in the illumination devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the irradiation range by one light-emitting substrate is narrowly limited by the condensing optical system. In other words, it is not a technique that can be applied in the sense of illuminating a wider range. Therefore, the first object of the present invention is to widen the irradiation range by a single light emitting substrate.

  On the other hand, as a method of expanding the irradiation range in an illumination device including a plurality of light emitting units, a method of expanding the area of the light emitting substrate can be given. However, there is a limit to increasing the area of the light emitting substrate. As another method, a method of configuring a lighting device by arranging a plurality of light emitting substrates can be considered. However, in this case, the illuminance of the region corresponding to the joint of the light emitting substrate on the irradiated surface is significantly lower than the illuminance of other regions. Therefore, a second object of the present invention is to illuminate a region corresponding to the joint of the light emitting substrate.

  That is, an object of the present invention is to provide an illumination device that can achieve at least one of the first and second objects described above, and an electronic device using the same.

Lighting device according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the light emitting substrate, and opposed to each of the plurality of light emitting portions, passes through the light emitted from the light emitting portion opposed to having a plurality of light emitting sections arranged A plurality of light emitting units provided at a position closer to the end of the light emitting substrate than the first light emitting unit. Each of the plurality of lenses includes a first lens that faces the first light emitting portion and a second lens that faces the second light emitting portion. Are non-eccentric lenses of the same type whose optical center and geometric center coincide with each other , and the first light emitting part and the first lens facing each other are the light emitting center of the first light emitting part and the light of the one lens. The second light-emitting portion and the second light-emitting portion that have the same axis and face each other Lens, the optical axis of the second lens, the light emitting center of the second light emitting portion, wherein are arranged to be shifted towards the edge of the light emitting substrate, and wherein the.

According to this configuration, the second light emitting unit and the second lens that face each other are arranged so that the light emission center of the second light emitting unit and the optical axis of the second lens are shifted from each other. The incident light can be refracted in the direction from the center to the end in the arrangement of the plurality of light emitting units including the second light emitting unit. That is, according to the illumination device according to the present invention , the light from the light emitting substrate can be spread outward, that is, a wider range can be illuminated. Therefore, when the light emitting substrates are arranged two-dimensionally, it is possible to illuminate a region corresponding to the joint between the light emitting substrates in the irradiated surface. That is, according to the illuminating device according to the present invention, it is possible to avoid a situation where the illuminance of the region corresponding to the joints of the plurality of light emitting substrates is significantly lower than the illuminance of other regions on the irradiated surface. Furthermore, since the lenses arranged in the lens array can be of a single type (lens whose optical center and geometric center coincide), the lens array can be easily manufactured.

Further, in the above-described lighting device, the plurality of light emitting units include a plurality of the second light emitting units, and the plurality of second light emitting units are arranged along all end sides of the light emitting substrate, The lens may include a plurality of the second lenses, and each of the plurality of second lenses may be opposed to the plurality of second light emitting units. In this case, since the second lenses are arranged along all the edges of the light emitting substrate, the light from the light emitting substrate spreads out to the outside. Therefore, when this light emitting substrate is arranged two-dimensionally, it is possible to illuminate the entire region corresponding to the joint of the light emitting substrate. In addition, in this case, the arrangement pattern of the second lenses is common between the light emitting substrates. Therefore, it is possible to illuminate the entire region corresponding to the joint of the light emitting substrate while facilitating the manufacture of the lens array.

  Further, in the illumination device according to each of the above aspects, the light emitting substrate includes a plurality of the light emitting substrates, the plurality of light emitting substrates are arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and the plurality of lenses includes the plurality of light emitting elements of the plurality of light emitting substrates. Each of the plurality of light emitting substrates includes a plurality of the second light emitting units, and each of the plurality of light emitting substrates includes: You may make it arrange | position along the edge side by the side of the said next light emitting substrate among all the edge sides of the said light emitting substrate. In this case, since the emitted light from each light emitting substrate is spread at least to the adjacent light emitting substrate side by the plurality of second lenses facing the plurality of second light emitting portions of the light emitting substrate, The entire region corresponding to the joint of the light emitting substrate can be illuminated.

In addition, the lighting device according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a light emitting substrate having a plurality of light emitting units arranged, and each of the light emitting units facing each other, and light emitted from the facing light emitting units passes therethrough. A lens array having a plurality of lenses, wherein each of the plurality of lenses is a non-eccentric lens of the same type in which an optical center and a geometric center coincide with each other, and faces each of the plurality of light emitting units. The lens shifts in the direction of the end of the optical axis of the lens with respect to the light emission center of the facing light emitting portion as the position of the facing light emitting portion becomes the end from the reference position in the arrangement of the plurality of light emitting portions. It arrange | positions so that may become large, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to this configuration, the light from the light emitting substrate spreads outward. Therefore, there exists an effect similar to the illuminating device which concerns on a 1st aspect. In addition, the angle at which the light emitted from the light emitting unit facing each of the plurality of lenses is refracted increases as the position of the light emitting unit becomes the end from the reference position in the arrangement of the plurality of light emitting units. Contributes to uniform illumination. In addition, as a reference position, the center in the arrangement | sequence of a some light emission part can be illustrated. When the reference position is at the center in the arrangement of the plurality of light emitting units, the light from the light emitting substrate spreads out to the outside. Therefore, when the light emitting substrates are arranged two-dimensionally, it is possible to illuminate the entire region corresponding to the joints of the light emitting substrates in the irradiated surface.

  Moreover, the illuminating device which concerns on each said aspect is utilized for various electronic devices. A typical example of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention is a liquid crystal device including the illumination device according to each of the above aspects as a backlight or a front light. In addition to the illumination device according to each aspect described above, the liquid crystal device includes a plurality of liquid crystal elements arranged on the irradiated surface of the illumination device. Of course, the use of the illumination device according to the present invention is not limited to the backlight or the front light of the liquid crystal device.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the illuminating devices 1-3 which concern on each embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the illuminating devices 1-3. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a partial structure of the lighting device 1. It is sectional drawing which shows the relationship between the light emitting element E34 and the micro lens M34. It is sectional drawing which shows the relationship between the light emitting element E45 and the micro lens M45. 3 is a perspective view showing a partial structure of the illumination device 2. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the relationship between the light emitting element E45 and micro lens MA45. 3 is a perspective view showing a partial structure of the illumination device 3. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the relationship between the light emitting element E34 and micro lens MB34. It is sectional drawing which shows the relationship between the light emitting element E45 and micro lens MB45. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the electronic device which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows another example of the electronic device which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows another example of the electronic device which concerns on this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the ratio of dimensions of each part is appropriately different from the actual one.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lighting devices 1 to 3 according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the lighting devices 1 to 3. As will be described in detail later, the illumination device 1 according to the first embodiment solves the problem by adopting a so-called eccentric lens, and the illumination device 2 according to the second embodiment includes the light emission center of the light emitting unit and the lens. The lighting apparatus 3 according to the third embodiment solves the problem by refracting light at an angle corresponding to the position of the lens. .

<A. First Embodiment>
First, the first embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the illumination device 1 includes a light emitting panel 10 extending in the X direction (row direction) and a Y direction (column direction), and a lens array 20 overlapping the light emitting panel 10 in the Z direction (vertical direction). And a power supply circuit (not shown) for supplying a current to each light emitting element E to be described later. The light emitting panel 10 includes four rectangular light emitting element chips (light emitting substrates) 12. These light emitting element chips 12 are arranged in two rows and two columns along the X and Y directions, as shown in FIG. The distance D1 between the light emitting element chips 12 is preferably as narrow as possible. The size of the light-emitting element chip 12 is arbitrary, and various materials such as glass, silicon, metal, plastic, and ceramics can be used as the base material of the light-emitting element chip 12. The light emitting element chip 12 may be a flexible substrate.

  The light emitting element chip 12 is formed with 24 light emitting elements (light emitting portions) E having a circular light emitting surface. Each light emitting element E is, for example, an organic light emitting diode element, and emits light when current is supplied. Although not shown, each light emitting element E has a light emitting layer formed of an organic EL (Electro Luminescent) material, and one electrode and the other electrode sandwiching the light emitting layer. Each light emitting element E is covered with a sealing layer (not shown), and light from each light emitting element E is transmitted through the sealing layer and emitted. For this reason, the sealing layer and the electrode on the sealing layer side are formed of a material having high light transmittance.

  Further, a frame region 13 having a width D3 exists at the end of each light emitting element chip 12 in order to ensure a tolerance margin when the light emitting element chip 12 is cut out from the original substrate. The light emitting element E cannot be arranged in the frame region 13. For this reason, the 24 light emitting elements E are arranged in 4 rows and 6 columns along the X and Y directions in the light emitting region 14 surrounded by the frame region 13. The light emitting element E and the light emitting element chip 12 are arranged so that a total of 96 light emitting surfaces constitute the same plane.

  The lens array 20 shown in FIG. 1 includes four lens array units 22. As shown in FIG. 2, each lens array unit 22 has a flat substrate that is disposed to face the light emitting element chip 12 and is formed of a light transmitting material (for example, glass) as indicated by a broken line. Further, 24 circular lens portions are respectively formed on the surface on the light emitting element chip 12 side and the surface on the opposite side of the base, and between the two lens portions facing each other with the base interposed therebetween. A single microlens (lens) M is configured with the base body existing in FIG. That is, the lens array unit 22 includes 24 biconvex lenses.

  In the lens array unit 22, 24 microlenses M are provided at positions facing the 24 light emitting elements E included in the facing light emitting element chips 12. That is, these microlenses M are arranged in 4 rows and 6 columns along the X and Y directions, and the emitted light from each light emitting element E passes (transmits) through the opposing microlenses M.

  Although not shown, a spacer for keeping the distance between the light emitting element chip 12 and the lens array unit 22 constant is disposed between the light emitting element chip 12 and the lens array unit 22. In this spacer, 24 through holes for allowing the light emitted from each light emitting element E to enter the facing microlens M are formed. In addition, the spacer is formed of a light-shielding member, and suppresses light from the light emitting element E from entering the microlens M that does not face the light emitting element E.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a partial structure of the lighting device 1. As shown in this figure, the 24 light-emitting elements E included in the light-emitting element chip 12 include a light-emitting element E11 in the first row and first column, a light-emitting element E12 in the first row and second column,. 6 rows of light emitting elements E46 are included. Similarly, the 24 microlenses M included in the lens array unit 22 include a first row, first column microlens M11, a first row, second column microlens M12,..., And a fourth row, sixth column. Microlenses M46. When i is a natural number of 4 or less and j is a natural number of 6 or less, the light-emitting element Eij in the i-th row and j-th column and the microlens Mij in the i-th row and j-th column face each other.

  The light emitting elements E22 to E25 and E32 to E35 are eight first light emitting units arranged in the center of the light emitting region 14, and the light emitting elements E11 to E16, E21, E26, E31, E36, and E41 to E46 are The sixteen second light emitting units are arranged at the end of the light emitting region 14 along the four end sides of the light emitting element chip 12. In other words, each of the eight light emitting units provided at positions far from the end of the light emitting element chip 12 is a first light emitting unit, and each of the sixteen light emitting units provided at positions close to the end. Is the second light emitting unit.

  The micro lenses M22 to M25 and M32 to M35 are eight first lenses facing the first light emitting unit. Each first lens is a lens (non-decentered lens) whose optical center and geometric center coincide with each other, and is arranged with the central axis directed in the Z direction. The microlenses M11 to M16, M21, M26, M31, M36, and M41 to M46 are 16 second lenses facing the second light emitting unit. Each second lens is a lens (eccentric lens) having a different geometric center from the optical center.

  The virtual surface 7 is a virtual rectangular surface for clearly showing the traveling direction of light, and extends in the X and Y directions. The four corners of the virtual plane 7 overlap with the light emission centers of the light emitting elements E11, E16, E41, and E46, respectively. The straight line L is a straight line that defines the cross section of the lighting device 1, and as shown in FIG. 3, the center of the light emitting region 14 (the center of the arrangement of the light emitting elements E11 to E46) α, the light emission center of the light emitting element E34, It passes through the light emission center of the light emitting element E45.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the light emitting element E34 and the microlens M34, in which the illumination device 1 is divided along a plane including the straight line L parallel to the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the light emitting element E34 and the microlens M34 are disposed to face each other so that the light emission center of the light emitting element E34 and the optical axis of the microlens M34 coincide. The optical axis of the microlens M34 is a straight line connecting the centers of the two lens portions constituting the microlens M34. The microlens M34 emits the light emitted from the light emitting element E34 and incident on the lower lens portion in the drawing from the upper lens portion in the drawing. Since the microlens M34 is a non-eccentric lens, the emitted light from the light emitting element E34 passes through the virtual lens 7 through the microlens M34 without changing the traveling direction. As an example, the first lens typified by the microlens M34 is a gradient index lens having a cylindrical shape, and the refractive index at the central axis (optical axis) is low in the transverse section thereof. A refractive index may be so high that it leaves | separates from a central axis.

  Each of the first light emitting parts (light emitting elements E22 to E25, E32, E33 and E35) other than the light emitting element E34, and each of the first lenses (microlenses M22 to M25, M32, M33 and M35) other than the microlens M34 Is the same as that of the light emitting element E34 and the micro lens M34. Therefore, all the light emitted from the eight first light emitting units (light emitting elements E22 to E25 and E32 to E35) passes through the virtual surface 7.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the light emitting element E45 and the microlens M45, in which the lighting device 1 is divided along a plane including the straight line L parallel to the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the microlens M45 is an eccentric lens, and the degree of eccentricity is determined by the direction in which the emitted light from the light emitting element E45 travels from the center α to the end in the light emitting region 14 (the light emission of the light emitting element E45). (Direction passing through the center). Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting element E45 and passing through the micro lens M45 does not pass through the virtual surface 7 but passes through the outside of the virtual surface 7. The center α of the light emitting region 14 is also the center of the arrangement of the 24 light emitting elements E provided in the light emitting region 14, and the end of the light emitting region 14 is the 24 light emitting devices provided in the light emitting region 14. It is also the end of the array of elements E.

  Each of the second light emitting units (light emitting elements E11 to E16, E21, E26, E31, E36, E41 to E44 and E46) other than the light emitting element E45, and the second lens (microlenses M11 to M16, M21) other than the microlens M45. , M26, M31, M36, M41 to M44, and M46) are the same as those of the light emitting element E45 and the microlens M45. Therefore, the light emitted from the 16 second light emitting units (light emitting elements E11 to E16, E21, E26, E31, E36, and E41 to E46) travels from the center α to the end in the light emitting region 14. Since the light is refracted in a direction (a direction passing through the light emission center of the second light emitting unit), each passes through the outside of the virtual surface 7 without passing through the virtual surface 7.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, each lens array unit 22 employs an eccentric lens for each of the 16 second lenses surrounding the 8 first lenses. The light emitted from each of the 16 second light emitting portions respectively facing the second lenses is directed from the center α to the end in the light emitting region 14 of the light emitting element chip 12 facing the lens array unit 22 (the relevant Since the light is refracted in a direction passing through the light emission center of the second light emitting unit, it is possible to spread the light from each light emitting element chip 12 to the outside of the light emitting element chip 12.
Therefore, as an effect corresponding to the first object of the present invention, it is possible to irradiate a wider range with one light emitting element chip 12.
In addition, as an effect corresponding to the second object of the present invention, it is possible to illuminate the entire area corresponding to the joint of the four light emitting element chips 12 on the irradiated surface. As a result, the illuminance of the entire area corresponding to the joints of the light emitting substrate increases on the irradiated surface, and the difference between the illuminance of this area and the illuminance of other areas becomes small. Achieved.

  Note that the closer the distance D1 and the width D3 in FIG. 2 are to zero, the more uniform the illuminance on the irradiated surface can be achieved even if a non-eccentric lens is used as the second lens. However, since the width D3 is essential for securing a tolerance margin when the light emitting element chip 12 is cut out from the original substrate, it is difficult to make the width D3 zero. On the other hand, in 1st Embodiment, even if it is a case where the width | variety D3 is ensured only length sufficient for the cutting-out of the light emitting element chip | tip 12, it can achieve equalization of the illumination intensity in an irradiated surface.

<B. Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, components that are the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a partial structure of the illumination device 2 according to the second embodiment. The illumination device 2 includes a lens array 40 instead of the lens array 20, and the lens array 40 includes a lens array unit 42 instead of the lens array unit 22. The lens array unit 42 includes microlenses MA11 to MA16, MA21, MA26, MA31, MA36, and MA41 to MA46 as 16 second lenses. These 16 microlenses M are all non-eccentric lenses.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the light emitting element E45 and the microlens MA45, in which the illumination device 2 is divided along a plane including the straight line L parallel to the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the microlens MA45 is arranged with the optical axis of the lens shifted from the light emission center of the light emitting element E45. Specifically, the optical axis of the microlens MA45 is shifted from the light emission center of the light emitting element E45 in the direction from the center α to the end in the light emitting region 14 (the direction passing through the light emission center of the light emitting element E45). Therefore, the microlens MA45 can refract the traveling direction of the emitted light from the light emitting element E45 in the above direction. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting element E45 and passing through the microlens MA45 does not pass through the virtual surface 7 but passes through the outside of the virtual surface 7.

  Each of the second light emitting parts (light emitting elements E11 to E16, E21, E26, E31, E36, E41 to E44, and E46) other than the light emitting element E45 and the second lens (microlens MA11 to MA16, MA21) other than the microlens MA45. , MA26, MA31, MA36, MA41 to MA44, and MA46) are the same as those of the light emitting element E45 and the microlens MA45. Therefore, the light emitted from the 16 second light emitting units (light emitting elements E11 to E16, E21, E26, E31, E36, and E41 to E46) travels from the center α to the end in the light emitting region 14. Since the light is refracted in a direction (a direction passing through the light emission center of the second light emitting unit), each passes through the outside of the virtual surface 7 without passing through the virtual surface 7.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, in each lens array unit 42, each of the 16 second lenses surrounding the 8 first lenses is a light emitting element chip facing the lens array unit 42. In the direction from the center α to the end in the 12 light emitting regions 14, the optical axis of the second lens is arranged to be shifted from the light emission center of the second light emitting portion facing the second lens, and thereby 16 pieces of light emitting regions 14 are arranged. Since the emitted light from each of the 16 second light emitting portions respectively facing the second lens is refracted in the above-described direction, the light from each light emitting element chip 12 can be spread to the outside of the light emitting element chip 12 without exception. It becomes possible. Therefore, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained. In the second embodiment, the microlenses M arranged in the lens array 40 are limited to one type (non-eccentric lens in which the optical center and the geometric center coincide). That is, the second embodiment has an advantage that the lens array can be easily manufactured.

<C. Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment will be described. Also in the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components common to the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a partial structure of the illumination device 3 according to the third embodiment. The illumination device 3 includes a lens array 60 instead of the lens array 20, and the lens array 60 includes a lens array unit 62 instead of the lens array unit 22. The lens array unit 62 includes microlenses MB11 to MB46 instead of the microlenses M11 to M46. The microlenses MB11 to MB46 are all non-eccentric lenses.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the light-emitting element E34 and the microlens MB34, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the light-emitting element E45 and the microlens MB45. This is a case where it is divided by a plane parallel to the direction and including the straight line L. As shown in FIG. 9 (FIG. 10), the microlens MB34 (MB45) is arranged with the optical axis of the lens shifted from the light emission center of the light emitting element E34 (E45). Specifically, the optical axis of the microlens MB34 (MB45) passes from the light emission center of the light emitting element E34 (E45) to the center α to the end in the light emitting region 14 (the light emission center of the light emitting element E34 (E45)). Direction). Therefore, the microlens MB34 (MB45) can refract the traveling direction of the emitted light from the light emitting element E34 (E45) in the above direction.

  In addition, each of the microlenses MB11 to MB46 has an angle that refracts the traveling direction of the emitted light of the facing light emitting element E so that the angle of the facing light emitting element E increases from the center α to the end in the light emitting region 14. Is arranged. Specifically, each of the microlenses MB11 to MB46 has a deviation amount between the light emission center of the light emitting element E facing the lens and the optical axis of the lens, and the position of the light emitting element E facing from the center α to the end in the light emitting region 14. It is arranged to become larger as it becomes. For example, the amount of deviation between the optical axis of the microlens MB45 and the emission center of the light emitting element E45 is larger than the amount of deviation between the optical axis of the microlens MB34 and the emission center of the light emitting element E34.

  Therefore, the emitted light from the 24 light emitting units (light emitting elements E) provided in the light emitting region 14 of each light emitting element chip 12 is spread outward by the lens array unit 62 facing the light emitting element chip 12. As shown in FIG. 8, the extent of expansion increases as the distance between the center α of the light emitting region 14 and the light emitting portion increases. In addition, the light emitted from the 16 outermost second light emitting units (light emitting elements E11 to E16, E21, E26, E31, E36, and E41 to E46) does not pass through the virtual surface 7, 7 passes outside.

  In the present embodiment, the light emitted from the light emitting elements E11 to E16, E21, E26, E31, E36, and E41 to E46 does not pass through the virtual plane 7, and the light emitted from the light emitting elements E22 to E25 and E32 to E35. The micro lenses MB11 to MB46 are arranged so as to pass through the virtual plane 7, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, light emitted from the light emitting elements E11 to E16, E21, E22, E25, E26, E31, E32, E35, E36, and E41 to E46 does not pass through the virtual plane 7, and the light emitting elements E23, E24, E33, and E34 The microlenses MB11 to MB46 may be arranged so that the emitted light passes through the virtual plane 7.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, in each lens array unit 62, each of the 24 microlenses M opposes the light emitted from the opposing light emitting element E to the lens array unit 62. Since the angle of refraction in the direction from the center α to the end in the light emitting region 14 of the light emitting element chip 12 increases as the position of the microlens M moves from the center α to the end in the light emitting region 14, each light emitting element chip 12. It is possible to spread the light from the light emitting element chip 12 without any leakage. Therefore, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained. Moreover, since the refraction angle by each micro lens M is determined as described above, the illuminance on the irradiated surface can be made more uniform. Further, as in the second embodiment, the number of microlenses M arranged in the lens array 60 is limited to one type. That is, the third embodiment has an advantage that the lens array can be easily manufactured.

  In addition, you may employ | adopt an eccentric lens as microlenses MB11-MB46. In this case, the degree of eccentricity of each lens increases as the position of the facing light emitting portion becomes the end from the center α in the light emitting region 14. Even in this case, in each lens array unit 62, each of the 24 lenses emits light emitted from the facing light emitting portion from the center α in the light emitting region 14 of the light emitting element chip 12 facing the lens array unit 62. Since the angle of refraction in the direction toward the end increases as the position of the lens moves from the center α to the end in the light emitting region 14, the same effect as when a non-decentered lens is employed is achieved.

<D. Modification>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and for example, the following modifications are possible. Also, two or more modifications shown below can be combined as appropriate. However, in the following description, m and n are natural numbers.

(Modification 1) In the first and second embodiments, the microlens M facing the light emitting element E arranged along one, two, or three of the four end sides of the light emitting element chip 12. Alternatively, a microlens M that does not refract the traveling direction of light emitted from the light emitting element E that faces the light emitting element E may be employed. In this case, each of the plurality of light-emitting elements E arranged along one or more and three or less of the four edges of the light-emitting element chip 12 serves as a second light-emitting portion, and the one or more of the three or more light-emitting elements E described above. Each of the plurality of light emitting elements E arranged not along the following edges serves as a first light emitting unit. That is, among the four end sides of the light emitting element chip 12, the light emitting element E arranged along the end sides excluding the one or more and three or less end sides may be handled as the first light emitting unit.
For example, in the first embodiment, nine in the first row and the first column of the upper left lens array unit 22 in FIG. 2, nine in the first row and the sixth column of the upper right lens array unit 22, and the lower left lens. Non-eccentric lenses are adopted as nine micro lenses M in the fourth row and first column of the array unit 22 and nine in the fourth row and sixth column of the lower right lens array unit 22 in total. In this case, the arrangement pattern of the second lens is different between the light emitting element chips 12, but the entire region corresponding to the joint of the light emitting element chips 12 is still illuminated.
That is, according to the present invention, in each of the plurality of light emitting substrates, the plurality of second light emitting units are arranged along at least the edge on the side of the adjacent light emitting substrate among all the edges of the light emitting substrate. Also good. Since the lens facing the second light emitting unit is the second lens, in this case, in each of the plurality of lens array units, the plurality of second lenses are at least of all the edges of the facing light emitting substrate. The light emitting substrate is disposed along the side edge adjacent to the light emitting substrate. According to this configuration, since the emitted light from each light emitting substrate is spread at least toward the light emitting substrate adjacent to the light emitting substrate, the entire area corresponding to the joint of the light emitting element chips 12 in the irradiated surface is covered. Can illuminate. However, in this configuration, the plurality of lens array units opposed to the plurality of light emitting substrates include a lens array unit in which the second lenses are arranged in a first pattern, and a second lens in a second pattern different from the first pattern. The lens array unit is arranged.
On the other hand, in the first and second embodiments described above, in each light emitting element chip 12, 16 light emitting elements E (E11 to E16) arranged along all the edges of the light emitting element chip 12. , E21, E26, E31, E36, and E41 to E46) are the second light emitting portions, and the second lens facing each of the 16 second light emitting portions emits light from the facing second light emitting portions. Since the second lens array pattern is common among the light emitting element chips 12, the entire region corresponding to the joint of the light emitting element chips 12 can be illuminated.
In other words, in the present invention, in each of the plurality of light emitting substrates, the plurality of second light emitting units may be arranged along all the edges of the light emitting substrate. Since the lens facing the second light emitting unit is the second lens, in this case, in each of the plurality of lens array units, the plurality of second lenses are arranged along all the edges of the facing light emitting substrate. Will be. According to this configuration, since the emitted light from each light emitting substrate spreads to the outside of the light emitting substrate, even if the arrangement pattern of the second lens is common among the lens units, the region corresponding to the joint of the light emitting substrate is used. The entire area can be illuminated. That is, it is possible to illuminate the entire region corresponding to the joint of the light emitting substrate while facilitating the manufacture of the lens array. In the third embodiment, the arrangement pattern of the microlenses M is common among the light emitting element chips 12. Therefore, this effect is also the effect of the third embodiment.
Furthermore, the second light emitting unit may be arranged so as not to follow any of the edges of the light emitting substrate. However, the plurality of light emitting units included in the light emitting substrate includes a first light emitting unit provided on the light emitting substrate and a second light emitting unit provided closer to the end of the light emitting substrate than the first light emitting unit. Need to include. Even in this configuration, light from the light emitting substrate can be spread outside the light emitting substrate.

(Modification 2) In the first embodiment, the decentered lens is adopted as the second lens. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the function of advancing the emitted light from the opposing second light emitting unit in a direction different from the original emitting direction. Any lens having can be employed. Similarly, in the second embodiment described above, the second lens (non-decentered lens) and the second light emitting unit that face each other are shifted from the optical axis of the second lens and the light emission center of the second light emitting unit. By arranging, the emitted light from the second light emitting unit is caused to advance in a direction different from the original emitting direction, but the emitted light from the second light emitting unit is changed to the original emitting direction by a different arrangement. You may make it advance in a different direction. In the third embodiment described above, a non-decentered lens or a decentered lens is employed. However, the same applies to these lenses.

(Modification 3) In the third embodiment, in each lens array unit 62, each of the 24 microlenses M emits light emitted from the light emitting element E facing the light emitting area 14 provided with the light emitting element E. The angle at which the light is refracted in the direction from the center α to the end of the light emitting element E increases as the position of the opposing light emitting element E moves from the center α to the end in the light emitting region 14. Each angle refracts the emitted light from the facing light emitting element E in the direction from the reference position to the end in the light emitting area 14 where the light emitting element E is provided, and the position of the facing light emitting element E is the light emitting area. In FIG. 14, it may be made larger as it goes from the reference position to the end.
That is, a non-eccentric lens may be adopted as the microlens M, and the microlens M may be arranged so that the refraction angle increases as the position of the facing light emitting element E becomes the end from the reference position in the light emitting region 14, An eccentric lens may be adopted as the microlens M, and the degree of eccentricity of the microlens M may be increased as the position of the facing light emitting element E becomes the end from the reference position in the light emitting region 14.
The reference position is an arbitrary position within the light emitting region 14 and may not be common among the light emitting element chips 12. For example, in FIG. 2, the upper left corner of the light emitting area 14 facing the upper left lens array unit 22, the upper right corner of the light emitting area 14 facing the upper right lens array unit 22, and the light emission facing the lower left lens array unit 22. The lower left corner of the area 14 and the lower right corner of the light emitting area 14 facing the lower right lens array unit 22 may be set as the reference positions.

(Modification 4) In the first embodiment, the first lens and the second lens may have the same or different curvature radii. If the radius of curvature of the lens portion of the second lens is increased, the emitted light from the opposing second light emitting portion can be refracted more greatly. The same applies to the second embodiment.
In the third embodiment, the radius of curvature of the lens portion may be the same between the microlenses M or may be different. The larger the radius of curvature of the lens portion, the larger the light emitted from the opposing light emitting portion can be refracted. Therefore, in each lens array unit 62, the radius of curvature of the lens portion of each microlens M is set to the opposing light emitting element E. The position of the light emitting region 14 is preferably increased from the center α to the end of the light emitting region 14.

(Modification 5) In the second lens according to the second embodiment, the radius of curvature may be different between the lens part on the incident side and the lens part on the outgoing side. For example, the radius of curvature of the lens part on the exit side can be made smaller than the radius of curvature of the lens part on the incident side. The same applies to the case where a non-decentered lens is used in the third embodiment.

(Modification 6) In the first embodiment, the lens array 20 may not have a separate base for each lens array unit 22. That is, the lens array 20 has one base provided at a position facing the four light emitting element chips 12, and 24 in each region facing each of the four light emitting element chips 12 of the base. The microlens M may be provided. The lens array 20 may have a configuration in which a gap other than the portion where the microlenses M are arranged is filled with a light-shielding resin or the like. The above contents are the same for the second embodiment and the third embodiment.

(Modification 7) In each embodiment, the number of light emitting elements E provided in one light emitting element chip 12 may be an arbitrary number other than 24. This also means that the arrangement of the light emitting elements E in each light emitting element chip 12 is not limited to 4 rows and 6 columns. When one light-emitting element chip 12 includes m × n light-emitting elements E with m rows and n columns, the lens array unit 22 facing the light-emitting element chips 12 has m × n microarrays with m rows and n columns. A lens M is provided. Here, n> 1 when m = 1, and m> 1 when n = 1. That is, the number of light emitting elements E provided in one light emitting element chip 12 is plural.

(Modification 8) In each embodiment, the number of light emitting element chips 12 provided in the light emitting panel 10 may be an arbitrary number other than four. This also means that the arrangement of the light emitting element chips 12 in the light emitting panel 10 is not limited to 2 rows and 2 columns. For example, the number of the light emitting element chips 12 included in the light emitting panel 10 may be one, and even in this case, the light from the light emitting element chips 12 can be spread out to the outside of the light emitting element chips 12. When the light emitting panel 10 includes m × n light emitting element chips 12 arranged in m rows and n columns, the lens array 20 includes m × n lens array units 22 arranged in m rows and n columns. To prepare.

(Modification 9) In each embodiment, the light emitting element E is not limited to an organic light emitting diode element, but may be an LED element, an inorganic EL element, a plasma light emitting element, or the like. The light-emitting element E may be a voltage-driven element that is driven by application of a voltage. Note that when the light emitting surface of the light emitting element E has a shape other than a circle, the center of gravity may be the light emitting center of the light emitting element E. Further, the interval D1 between the light emitting element chips 12 and the arrangement interval of the light emitting elements E are not necessarily constant (equal intervals). Further, the light emitting panel 10 may be a bottom emission type instead of a top emission type.

(Modification 10) In each embodiment, a plurality of light emitting elements E may be provided at a position facing one microlens M, and one light emitting unit may be configured by the plurality of light emitting elements E. In this case, the center (center of gravity) of the plurality of light emitting elements E constituting one light emitting unit may be used as the light emission center of the light emitting unit.

<E: Application example>
Illustrative uses of the lighting device according to each embodiment and each modification include, in addition to general indoor or outdoor lighting, a backlight or front light of a liquid crystal device, a front light of an electrophoresis device, etc. Can do. Here, an electronic apparatus using the liquid crystal device 5 that employs the illumination device 1, 2 or 3 as a backlight or a front light will be described. The liquid crystal device 5 includes a plurality of liquid crystal elements arranged on the irradiated surface of the illumination device 1, 2 or 3 in addition to the illumination device 1, 2 or 3.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a mobile personal computer that employs the liquid crystal device 5 as a display device. The personal computer 2000 includes a liquid crystal device 5 as a display device and a main body 2010. The main body 2010 is provided with a power switch 2001 and a keyboard 2002.

  FIG. 12 shows a configuration of a mobile phone that employs the liquid crystal device 5 as a display device. The cellular phone 3000 includes a plurality of operation buttons 3001, scroll buttons 3002, and the liquid crystal device 5 as a display device. By operating the scroll button 3002, the screen displayed on the liquid crystal device 5 is scrolled.

  FIG. 13 shows the configuration of a personal digital assistant (PDA) that employs the liquid crystal device 5 as a display device. The information portable terminal 4000 includes a plurality of operation buttons 4001, a power switch 4002, and the liquid crystal device 5 as a display device. When the power switch 4002 is operated, various kinds of information such as an address book and a schedule book are displayed on the liquid crystal device 5.

  Electronic devices to which the liquid crystal device according to the present invention is applied include digital still cameras, televisions, video cameras, car navigation devices, pagers, electronic notebooks, electronic papers, calculators, in addition to those shown in FIGS. , Word processors, workstations, videophones, POS terminals, printers, scanners, copiers, video players, devices equipped with touch panels, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1-3 ... Illuminating device, 10 ... Light emission panel, 12 ... Light emitting element chip | tip, 14 ... Light emission area | region, 20, 40, 60 ... Lens array, E, E11-E46 ... Light emitting element, 20 ... Lens array, 22, 42, 62... Lens array unit, M, M11 to M46, MA11 to MA16, MA21, MA26, MA31, MA36, MA41 to MA46, MB11 to MB46.

Claims (5)

A light emitting substrate having a plurality of light emitting portions arranged;
A lens array having a plurality of lenses facing each of the plurality of light emitting units and through which light emitted from the facing light emitting unit passes,
The plurality of light emitting units include a first light emitting unit provided on the light emitting substrate, and a second light emitting unit provided at a position closer to the end of the light emitting substrate than the first light emitting unit,
The plurality of lenses includes a first lens facing the first light emitting unit, and a second lens facing the second light emitting unit,
Each of the plurality of lenses is a non-eccentric lens of the same type whose optical center and geometric center coincide with each other,
In the first light emitting part and the first lens facing each other, the light emission center of the first light emitting part coincides with the optical axis of the one lens,
The second light emitting portion and the second lens facing each other are arranged such that the optical axis of the second lens is shifted toward the end of the light emitting substrate with respect to the light emission center of the second light emitting portion. Yes,
A lighting device characterized by that. The plurality of light emitting units include a plurality of the second light emitting units,
The plurality of second light emitting units are disposed along all edges of the light emitting substrate,
The plurality of lenses includes a plurality of the second lenses,
Each of the plurality of second lenses faces the plurality of second light emitting units.
The lighting device according to claim 1 . A plurality of the light emitting substrates;
The plurality of light emitting substrates are arranged two-dimensionally,
The plurality of lenses face each of the plurality of light emitting portions of the plurality of light emitting substrates,
The plurality of light emitting units included in each of the plurality of light emitting substrates includes a plurality of the second light emitting units,
In each of the plurality of light emitting substrates, the plurality of second light emitting units are arranged along at least the side edge of the adjacent light emitting substrate among all end sides of the light emitting substrate.
The lighting device according to claim 1 . A light emitting substrate having a plurality of light emitting portions arranged;
A lens array having a plurality of lenses facing each of the plurality of light emitting units and through which light emitted from the facing light emitting unit passes,
Each of the plurality of lenses is a non-eccentric lens of the same type whose optical center and geometric center coincide with each other,
The lens facing each of the plurality of light emitting portions is arranged such that the position of the light emitting portion facing each other becomes an end from a reference position in the arrangement of the plurality of light emitting portions, and the lens is opposed to the light emission center of the facing light emitting portion. Arranged so that the deviation of the optical axis in the direction of the end is large,
A lighting device characterized by that. The electronic device provided with the illuminating device of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4 .

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