JP6513803B2 - Light emitting device and control system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a light emitting device including a wavelength conversion member that receives laser light and emits wavelength converted light, and a control system that controls the light emitting device.

  In recent years, a laser element such as a semiconductor laser (LD; Laser Diode) as an excitation light source is used, and fluorescence light generated by irradiating a wavelength conversion member such as a phosphor light emitting portion with laser light emitted from the laser element is illuminated light A light emitting device used as a light emitting device has been proposed. A light emitting device using an LD can be separated into a phosphor light emitting portion and an LD portion as compared with a light emitting device using an LED (Light Emitting Diode). There is a merit.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a light emitting device using an LD as described above. This light emitting device is a so-called reflection type light emitting device in which the incident direction of the LD and the light emitting direction from the phosphor light emitting portion are the same, and as shown in FIG. 9, the LD and blue light emitted from the LD And a phosphor that emits white light by color mixing, and is disposed to cover the phosphor from the back to the top of the phosphor, and a reflecting surface that reflects light emitted from the phosphor to the front of the device And a projection lens for projecting the light reflected by the reflector to the outside.

Japanese Patent Publication "Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-164585 (August 30, 2012 published)"

  However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems. For example, in the light emitting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a limit to the miniaturization of the device due to the structure in which the distance between the light extraction side where the projection lens is present and the light emission side where the phosphor is present is large. There is a problem.

  In addition, when the distance between the light extraction side and the light emission side is large as described above, there is also a problem that the loss of light quantity extracted from the light extraction side to the outside of the apparatus becomes large.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a light emitting device and the like capable of miniaturizing the device and reducing the loss of light quantity taken out of the device. It is to do.

In order to solve the above problems, a light emitting device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a wavelength conversion member that receives laser light emitted from at least one laser element and emits wavelength-converted light; At least one light inlet through which light is introduced, a light outlet for extracting light emitted from the wavelength conversion member to the outside, and a position facing the light inlet, and introduced from the light inlet And at least one light path changing member for changing the light path of the laser beam toward the wavelength conversion member, and a straight line passing through the light inlet and the light path changing member is the wavelength conversion member and the light extraction located between the mouth, absent optics in the optical path leading to the light outlet from the wavelength conversion member, the laser device, the light inlet and the light path changing member, a plurality respectively Bei It is characterized in that.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to miniaturize the apparatus and to reduce the loss of light quantity extracted to the outside of the apparatus.

(A) is a side view which shows the structure of the light-emitting device based on Embodiment 1 of this invention, (b) is a side view which shows the structure of the modification of the said light-emitting device. (A) is a top view which shows the structure when the said light-emitting device is seen from the side of a light extraction opening, (b) is a top view of the light-emitting device of the comparative example A. FIG. (A) is a side view which shows the structure of the light-emitting device based on the said Embodiment 1, (b) is a side view which shows the structure of the light-emitting device of the comparative example B, (c) is the comparative example C. It is a side view which shows the structure of the light-emitting device. (A) is a side view which shows the structure of the light-emitting device based on Embodiment 2 of this invention, (b) is a side view which shows the structure of the modification of the said light-emitting device. It is a top view which shows the structure of the light-emitting device based on Embodiment 3 of this invention. (A) is a top view which shows the structure of the light-emitting device based on Embodiment 4 of this invention, (b) is sectional drawing of the AA 'cross section of the light-emitting device shown to (a). ) Is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB 'of the light emitting device shown in (a). It is a side view which shows the structure of the control system which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a side view which shows the structure of the control system which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is a side view which shows the structure of the conventional reflection type light-emitting device.

  It will be as follows if embodiment of this invention is described based on FIGS. 1-8. Descriptions of configurations other than the configurations described in the following specific embodiments may be omitted as needed. However, in the case of being described in other embodiments, the configuration is the same as the configuration. Moreover, about the member which has the function same as the member shown to each embodiment for convenience of explanation, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

Embodiment 1
First, with reference to FIG. 1A, a light emitting device 100a according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1A is a side view showing the structure of the light emitting device 100a. As shown in the figure, the light emitting device 100a includes an LD portion including the laser element 1, the optical fiber 2, the heat sink 11, and the radiation fin 12, and the light emitting portion 10 other than that. Further, the light emitting unit 10 mainly includes a base plate 9 on which the wavelength conversion member 7 is installed and a cover member 8. More specifically, the light emitting unit 10 includes a condenser lens 3 a, a lens support member 4, a mirror (optical path changing member) 5, a mirror support member 6, a wavelength conversion member 7, a cover member 8, and a base plate 9.

(Laser element 1)
The laser element 1 is an element that functions as an excitation light source that emits laser light (excitation light). In the present embodiment, a laser diode (LD) will be described as an example of the laser element 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any element that emits laser light may be used. The laser device 1 may have one light emitting point in one chip, or may have a plurality of light emitting points in one chip. The laser element 1 may be an LD module composed of a plurality of LDs. The laser element 1 includes an electrode terminal (not shown), and a wire (not shown) is connected to the electrode terminal. Power is supplied to the laser element 1 through the wiring and the electrode terminal.

  The laser element 1 is mounted on, for example, a metal package having a diameter of 5.6 mm, and an output of 1 W emits laser light L1 having a wavelength of 445 nm. The oscillation wavelength is not limited to this, and the laser device 1 may oscillate so-called near-blue laser light having a peak wavelength in the wavelength range of 440 nm or more and 490 nm or less. It may be a laser beam in the vicinity of blue-violet, which has a wavelength of 405 nm. The oscillation wavelength may be appropriately selected in accordance with the type of the fluorescent substance included in the wavelength conversion member 7 or the like. Further, the laser element 1 is optically coupled to the light emitting unit 10 by the optical fiber 2, whereby the laser element 1 has a structure separated from the light emitting unit 10. For this reason, there is an advantage that the light emitting unit 10 is miniaturized and the heat generation is low. The laser element 1 can use various forms such as a metal package having a diameter of 9 mm.

(Optical fiber 2)
The optical fiber 2 is a light guide member for guiding the laser beam L1 emitted from the laser element 1 to a light inlet ENT of a cover member 8 described later. The optical fiber 2 has an incident end 2a for receiving the laser beam L1 emitted from the laser element 1 and an emission end 2b for emitting the laser beam L1 incident from the incident end 2a. The incident end 2 a of the optical fiber 2 is connected to the laser light emitting portion (near the above-mentioned light emitting point) of the laser element 1, and the emitting end 2 b of the optical fiber 2 is connected to the light inlet ENT of the cover member 8 It is done. An optical member such as a lens may be provided to facilitate optical coupling between the laser light emitting portion and the optical fiber 2.

  The optical fiber 2 has a two-layer structure in which the core of the core is covered with a cladding having a refractive index lower than that of the core. The core is mainly composed of quartz glass (silicon oxide) having little absorption loss of the laser beam L1. The cladding is mainly composed of quartz glass or a synthetic resin material having a refractive index lower than that of the core. For example, the optical fiber 2 is a so-called rectangular core type optical fiber made of quartz, in which one side of the core is 200 μm, the diameter of the cladding is 800 μm, and the numerical aperture NA is 0.1. The structure, thickness, and material of the optical fiber 2 are not limited to those described above, and the cross section perpendicular to the long axis direction of the optical fiber 2 of the core may be rectangular or circular. Besides the optical fiber 2, various light guiding members such as a lot lens can be used. The laser beam L1 may be made to be directly incident on the condensing lens 3a without using a light guide member such as the optical fiber 2 or the like.

(Condenser lens 3a)
In order to irradiate the mirror 5 with the laser beam L1 efficiently, it is preferable to have the condensing lens 3a as in the present embodiment. The condenser lens 3a adjusts (for example, reduces) the beam diameter of the laser beam L1 incident from the light inlet ENT. The condenser lens 3 a of the present embodiment is disposed on the base plate 9 between the light entrance ENT of the cover member 8 and the mirror 5 (or the wavelength conversion member 7) described later. For example, an aspheric convex lens with a diameter of 2 mm is used as the condenser lens 3a. The condenser lens 3a receives the laser beam L1 emitted from the emission end 2b of the optical fiber 2 on the lens incident surface, and controls the beam diameter and the optical path of the laser beam L1 received on the lens incident surface. Then, the controlled laser beam L1 is emitted as convergent light from the lens emission surface to the mirror 5.

  Further, by installing the condenser lens 3a and the mirror 5 so that the emission end 2b of the optical fiber 2 and the wavelength conversion member 7 are in an optical conjugate relationship, the laser light L1 at the emission end 2b of the optical fiber 2 is obtained. A near-field image having a distribution of H.sub.2 can be formed on the wavelength conversion member 7. That is, the near-field image is formed on the wavelength conversion member 7 by the condenser lens 3 a and the mirror 5.

(Lens support member 4)
The lens support member 4 supports the condenser lens 3a at a position adjusted so that the reflected light L1 ′ reflected by the mirror 5 of the laser light L1 is appropriately irradiated to a desired position of the wavelength conversion member 7 And is disposed on the surface of the base plate 9 in order to define the position of the focusing lens 3a. In addition, the lens support member 4 supports the focusing lens 3a such that at least the optical axis of the output end 2b of the optical fiber 2 and the optical axis of the focusing lens 3a substantially coincide with each other. The desired position is a position defined such that the laser light L1 ′ reflected by the mirror 5 is irradiated to the light receiving surface (or the light emitting surface for emitting fluorescence) of the wavelength conversion member 7. That is, on the surface of the base plate 9, the emission end 2 b of the optical fiber 2, the condensing lens 3 a, and the mirror 5 are irradiated so that the laser light L 1 ′ reflected by the mirror 5 is irradiated to the light receiving surface of the wavelength conversion member 7. And the position of the wavelength conversion member 7 is defined. A mechanism may be provided to move the lens support member 4 to perform optical adjustment. In addition, when the condenser lens 3a is fixed by other means, the lens support member 4 can be omitted.

(Mirror 5)
The mirror 5 is a member for changing the optical path of the laser beam L1 introduced from the light inlet ENT and passing through the condenser lens 3a toward the wavelength conversion member 7, and the laser beam L1 is reflected by the reflection surface of the mirror 5 It becomes reflected light L1 '. The mirror 5 is disposed inside the cover member 8 at a position facing the light entrance ENT such that the optical axis of the condenser lens 3a passes through (the substantial center of the reflecting surface of the mirror 5). In addition, it is preferable that the mirror 5 be disposed so as not to prevent light emission from the wavelength conversion member 7. Further, the direction of the reflection surface of the mirror 5 is adjusted such that the reflected light L1 ′ reflected by the mirror 5 is appropriately irradiated to a desired position of the wavelength conversion member 7.

(Mirror support member 6)
The mirror support member 6 supports the mirror 5 at a position adjusted so that the reflected light L 1 ′ reflected by the mirror 5 is appropriately irradiated to a desired position of the wavelength conversion member 7. In order to define the position, a light inlet ENT of the cover member 8 described later is disposed on the surface of the inner surface opposite to the inner surface. The desired position is a position defined such that the laser light L1 ′ reflected by the mirror 5 is irradiated to the light receiving surface (or the light emitting surface for emitting fluorescence) of the wavelength conversion member 7. That is, the emission end 2 b of the optical fiber 2, the condensing lens 3 a, and the mirror 5 are provided inside the cover member 8 so that the light receiving surface of the wavelength conversion member 7 is irradiated with the laser light L 1 ′ reflected by the mirror 5. And the position of the wavelength conversion member 7 is defined. A mechanism may be provided to move the mirror support member 6 so that optical adjustment can be performed.

(Wavelength conversion member 7)
The wavelength conversion member 7 receives the laser light L1 (reflected light L1 ′) emitted from the laser element 1 and emits the light whose wavelength is converted, and is a phosphor which is excited by the reflected light L1 ′ and emits the fluorescence L4. (Phosphor particles) are included. For example, the wavelength conversion member 7 is one in which a phosphor is dispersed inside a sealing material, or one in which a phosphor is solidified.

  In the present embodiment, for example, a ceramic YAG phosphor is used as the phosphor of the wavelength conversion member 7, but the present invention is not limited to this. The type of phosphor may be selected together with the wavelength of the laser beam L1. Here, the fluorescent light L4 and the scattered light of the laser light L1 are mixed to form white illumination light.

  The sealing material of the wavelength conversion member 7 is, for example, a resin material such as a glass material (inorganic glass, organic-inorganic hybrid glass), silicone resin, or the like. A low melting point glass may be used as the glass material. The sealing material is preferably one having high transparency, and when the laser beam L1 has a high output, one having high heat resistance is preferable.

(Cover member 8)
The cover member 8 includes a light inlet ENT to which the laser light L1 is introduced, and a light extraction port EXT for extracting the fluorescence L4 emitted from the wavelength conversion member 7 to the outside, and the light of the fluorescence L4 of the wavelength conversion member 7 is It covers at least a part of the emission side and the side surface.

  In addition, the cover member 8 is not limited to what only covers the wavelength conversion member 7 as mentioned above, It may be a part of housing | casing which stores each structure with which the light-emitting device 100a is equipped.

  The cover member 8 has functions such as preventing the laser beam from leaking to the outside and protecting the wavelength conversion member 7. The tip of the output end 2b of the optical fiber 2 is attached near the light entrance ENT. The light inlet ENT is provided on one side surface of the cover member 8, and the light outlet EXT is provided on the upper surface of the cover member 8. A base plate 9 is provided on the bottom side of the cover member 8. The formation position of the light extraction port EXT on the upper surface of the cover member 8 and the size of the light extraction port EXT are set to appropriate positions and appropriate sizes according to the light distribution of the fluorescence L4 emitted from the wavelength conversion member 7 It is done. The light inlet ENT is not necessarily in the form of a hole (having a cavity), but may have a connection (coupling) portion with the optical fiber 2. For example, a form such as an SMA (Sub Miniature Type A) connector can be adopted. Further, the light extraction port EXT is not necessarily hollow as in the case of the light inlet ENT, and a window glass or the like can be provided.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a straight line passing through (the substantial center of the light entrance ENT) and (the substantial center of the reflection surface of the mirror 5) (or a light path from the light entrance ENT to the mirror 5) Is located between the wavelength conversion member 7 and the light extraction port EXT. That is, a virtual straight line connecting (the substantial center of the light inlet ENT) and (the substantial center of the mirror 5) is located between the wavelength conversion member 7 and the light extraction port EXT ( The light entrance ENT, the mirror 5, the wavelength conversion member 7, and the light extraction port EXT are disposed so as to cross the space between them. As a result, the laser beam L1 having passed through the condenser lens 3a intersects with the fluorescence L4 emitted from the wavelength conversion member 7. The cover member 8 does not have to be provided on the base plate 9 as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, and has the functions of preventing the laser beam from leaking to the outside and protecting the wavelength conversion member 7 as described above. For example, various forms can be taken. The light inlet ENT and the light outlet EXT do not have to be provided in the form attached to the cover member 8 as shown in FIG. The position where the laser beam L1 incident on the condenser lens 3a is emitted to the space is functionally the light entrance ENT, and the portion where the fluorescence L4 is emitted to the space outside the light emitting unit 10 is functionally the light extraction port It is EXT.

(Base plate 9)
The base plate 9 is a plate-like support member (substrate) on which the condenser lens 3a (the lens support member 4 supporting the condenser lens 3a) and the wavelength conversion member 7 are disposed. The base plate 9 is, for example, a metal supporting member made of a highly thermally conductive material such as metal (aluminum, stainless steel, copper or iron). The base plate 9 has a surface (mounting surface) on which the wavelength conversion member 7 is mounted, and the wavelength conversion member 7 is mounted in contact with the mounting surface. Therefore, the base plate 9 can efficiently conduct and dissipate the heat of the wavelength conversion member 7. The base plate 9 is not limited to one made of metal, and may be a member containing a substance (such as ceramics) having high thermal conductivity other than metal.

  Further, although not shown, the base plate 9 may be provided with a radiation fin. The radiation fin functions as a cooling unit that cools the base plate 9. The heat dissipating fins have a plurality of heat dissipating plates, and enhance the heat dissipating efficiency by increasing the contact area with the atmosphere. The cooling unit for cooling the base plate 9 may be one having a cooling (heat radiation) function, and for example, a cooling mechanism such as a Peltier element may be attached instead of the radiation fins.

(Heat sink 11, radiation fin 12)
Next, the laser element 1 is connected to the heat sink 11. The heat sink 11 dissipates the heat generated by the laser element 1 through the radiation fin 12 and the like. Therefore, for the heat sink 11, it is preferable to use a metal material such as aluminum having a high thermal conductivity.

  The heat dissipating fins 12 are provided on the heat sink 11 and function as a heat dissipating mechanism for dissipating the heat of the heat sink 11 into the air. The heat dissipating fins 12 have a plurality of heat dissipating plates, and enhance the heat dissipating efficiency by increasing the contact area with the atmosphere. In addition, it is preferable to use the material with high heat conductivity for the radiation fin 12 similarly to the heat sink 11. FIG.

(Effect of light emitting device 100a)
According to the light emitting device 100a described above, the space between the light extraction port EXT and the wavelength conversion member 7 is a space where there is no optical component or the like, so that the distance between the wavelength conversion member 7 and the light extraction port EXT As a result, the light emitting device 100a can be miniaturized. Further, as described above, the space between the light extraction port EXT and the wavelength conversion member 7 is a space where no optical component or the like exists, and the distance between the wavelength conversion member 7 and the light extraction port EXT is reduced. Since this can be done, it is possible to reduce the loss of light quantity extracted to the outside from the light extraction port EXT. Thereby, the loss of the light quantity extracted to the outside of the light emitting device 100a can be reduced.

  As described above, the light-emitting device 100a can be miniaturized, and the loss of light quantity extracted to the outside of the light-emitting device 100a can be reduced.

[Modification]
Next, based on (b) of FIG. 1, the structure of the light emitting device 100b of the modification will be described. A light emitting device 100b of this modification is different from the light emitting device 100a described above in that the condensing lens 3b is provided together with the emitting end 2b of the optical fiber 2 in the vicinity of the light inlet ENT. According to the light emitting device 100b, a space where no other optical component or the like is present is formed between the light inlet ENT and the mirror 5 (or the wavelength conversion member 7). Can be made smaller.

[Comparison with Comparative Example A]
Next, a more preferable embodiment of the light emitting device 100a described above will be described based on FIG. 2, and then, a result of comparing the embodiment and the comparative example A will be described. FIG. 2A is a top view showing a structure when the light emitting device 100a is viewed from the side of the light extraction port EXT (a top view with a ceiling portion of the cover member 8 removed to show an internal structure).

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the straight line passing through the light entrance ENT (the substantial center of the light entrance) and the mirror 5 (the substantial center of the reflection surface thereof) is the light output of the wavelength conversion member 7 It is preferable to intersect with a perpendicular line erected at any position on the side surface (or light receiving surface) [pass directly above (upper space) of the light emitting surface (or light receiving surface)]. Thereby, the width W of the cover member 8 with respect to the direction perpendicular to the straight line when viewed from the light extraction port EXT side can be reduced.

  Next, (b) of FIG. 2 is a top view of the light emitting device of Comparative Example A. For example, as in Comparative Example A shown in (b) of FIG. 2, in the case of a structure in which the straight line is not directly above the surface (or light receiving surface) of the light output side of the wavelength conversion member 7 The width Wref of the cover member 8 with respect to the direction perpendicular to the straight line is larger than the width W described above.

Comparison with Comparative Examples B and C
Next, a more preferable form of the light emitting device 100a described above will be described based on FIG. 3, and then, a result of comparing the form and the comparative examples B and C will be described. FIG. 3A is a side view showing the structure of the light emitting device 100a. As shown in the figure, a straight line passing through (the substantial central portion of the light entrance ENT) and (the substantial central portion of the reflection surface of the mirror 5) is the surface on the light emission side of the wavelength conversion member 7. It is preferable that they are substantially parallel to each other. In other words, it is preferable that the light emitting side surface of the wavelength conversion member 7, the straight line, and the light extraction port EXT be substantially parallel to each other. Thereby, the distance h between the wavelength conversion member 7 and the light extraction port EXT can be made smaller than in the case where the straight line is not substantially parallel to the surface on the light emission side of the wavelength conversion member 7.

  Next, (b) of FIG. 3 is a side view showing the structure of the light emitting device of Comparative Example B, and (c) of FIG. 3 is a side view showing the structure of the light emitting device of Comparative Example C. The comparative examples B and C are different from the light emitting device 100 a in that they do not have a mirror.

  For example, as compared with the light emitting device of Comparative Example B shown in (b) of FIG. 3, the light emitting device 100a shown in (a) of FIG. 3 has a light extraction port from the light emitting side of the wavelength conversion member 7 which is a light emitting surface. The distance h to EXT can be reduced. If the distance h can be made small, the light emitted from the wavelength conversion member 7 can be effectively taken out to the outside without increasing the width d of the light extraction port EXT. In the comparative example B, since the distance href is larger than the distance h, when the width d is the same as the light emitting device 100a to make the device size the same, the amount of light that can be taken out to the outside decreases. In addition, since the size of the cover member 8 can be reduced in the light emitting device 100a, the size, weight and cost of the device can be reduced.

  Next, in the light emitting device of Comparative Example C shown in (c) of FIG. 3, the distance h ref can be made smaller than the distance h, but when the light distribution shape is not symmetrical, when used as a lighting device There is a possibility that it is safe.

Second Embodiment
Next, with reference to (a) of FIG. 4, a light emitting device 200 a according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4A is a side view showing the structure of the light emitting device 200a. The light emitting device 200a of the present embodiment is different from the light emitting device 100a described above in that the light emitting device 200a is provided with a projection lens 13a installed in the vicinity (upper part) of the light extraction port EXT. The projection lens 13 a projects the light emitted from the wavelength conversion member 7 to the outside. Thereby, it becomes possible to control the light distribution of the light extracted from the light extraction port EXT by the projection lens 13a.

  As described in the first embodiment, according to the light emitting device 200a, light emission from the wavelength conversion member 7 can be efficiently obtained with a small width W [see (a) of FIG. 2]. Therefore, light can be effectively used even when the projection lens 13a for light distribution control is provided as in the present embodiment. In addition, as in the comparative example C described above, it is possible to miniaturize without having an asymmetric light distribution shape. Further, as described in the first embodiment, the width d of the light extraction port EXT can be reduced, so that the size of the projection lens 13a can be reduced, and therefore, the size, weight, and cost of the device can be reduced. . When the inside of the cover member 8 is sealed, there is also an advantage that the small projection lens 13a can be reliably sealed. Further, according to the light emitting device 200a, the bottom surface of the projection lens 13a is kept substantially parallel to the surface on the light emission side of the wavelength conversion member 7, and then the light extraction port EXT and the surface on the light emission side of the wavelength conversion member 7 The distance between can be reduced.

(Effect of light emitting device 200a)
According to the light emitting device 200a described above, the space between the light extraction port EXT and the wavelength conversion member 7 is a space in which no optical component or the like exists, so that the distance between the wavelength conversion member 7 and the light extraction port EXT As a result, the light emitting device 200a can be miniaturized. Further, as described above, the space between the light extraction port EXT and the wavelength conversion member 7 is a space where no optical component or the like exists, and the distance between the wavelength conversion member 7 and the light extraction port EXT is reduced. Since this can be done, by reducing the loss of the amount of light extracted from the light extraction port EXT to the outside, light is efficiently taken into the projection lens 13a without loss. Thereby, the loss of the light quantity extracted to the outside of the light emitting device 200a can be reduced. As described above, the light-emitting device 200a can be miniaturized, and the loss of light quantity extracted to the outside of the light-emitting device 200a can be reduced.

[Modification]
Next, based on (b) of FIG. 4, the structure of the light emitting device 200 b of the modified example will be described. The light emitting device 200b of this modification is different from the above-described light emitting device 200a in that the projection lens 13b is fitted into and held by the light extraction port EXT. According to the light emitting device 200b, the distance from the top of the projection lens 13b to the surface on the light emission side of the wavelength conversion member 7 can be reduced by the amount by which the projection lens 13b is fitted into the light extraction port EXT.

Third Embodiment
Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a light emitting device 300 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the structure of the light emitting device 300. As shown in FIG. The light emitting device 300 of the present embodiment is different from the light emitting device 100 a described above in that the light emitting device 300 includes two laser elements 1, two light inlets ENT 1, ENT 2 and two mirrors 5. The light inlets ENT1 and ENT2 are provided on two different side surfaces of the cover member 8 by 90 °. The positional relationship between each light inlet, the mirror 5, the wavelength conversion member 7, and the light outlet EXT is the same as that of the light emitting device 100a of the first embodiment.

  According to the light emitting device 300, since two sets of the laser elements 1 can be used, the power for exciting the wavelength conversion member 7 can be increased, and light of high luminance and high luminous flux can be obtained. In addition, the degree of freedom of the irradiation pattern on the wavelength conversion member 7 can be enhanced as compared with the case where the power is increased by using one set of laser light L1. The irradiation bias to the phosphor particles in the wavelength conversion member 7 is reduced by irradiation from a plurality of directions, and the efficiency and reliability of the phosphor can be enhanced. It is also possible to control a light distribution pattern by controlling an overlapping pattern of two light beams by two laser beams L1. Furthermore, when the power is increased using one set of laser light L1, the resistance of the mirror 5 may not be sufficient and may be damaged. Such a problem can be prevented by using a plurality of sets of laser beams L1 as in the present embodiment.

(Effect of light emitting device 300)
According to the light emitting device 300 described above, the space between the light extraction port EXT and the wavelength conversion member 7 is a space in which no optical component or the like exists, so that the distance between the wavelength conversion member 7 and the light extraction port EXT Can be made small, so that the light emitting device 300 can be miniaturized. Further, as described above, the space between the light extraction port EXT and the wavelength conversion member 7 is a space where no optical component or the like exists, and the distance between the wavelength conversion member 7 and the light extraction port EXT is reduced. Since this can be done, it is possible to reduce the loss of light quantity extracted to the outside from the light extraction port EXT. Thereby, the loss of the light quantity extracted to the outside of the light emitting device 300 can be reduced. As described above, the size of the light emitting device 300 can be reduced, and the loss of light quantity extracted to the outside of the light emitting device 300 can be reduced.

Embodiment 4
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a light emitting device 400 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6A is a side view showing the structure of the light emitting device 400. FIG. 6 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA 'of the light emitting device 400 shown in FIG. 6 (a), and FIG. 6 (c) is a light emitting device shown in FIG. 6 (a). It is sectional drawing of the BB 'cross section of 400. In the light emitting device 400 of the present embodiment, the two light inlets ENT1 and ENT2 are both provided on the same side surface (the same surface) of the cover member 8. It is different from

  Further, in the present embodiment, the laser beam L2 introduced from the light inlet ENT2 passes through the condenser lens 3a, and then is reflected by the reflection surface of the mirror 115 (second light path changing member) to be a first reflected light The first reflected light L3 which is L3 and passes through the upper space of the surface on the light emission side of the wavelength conversion member 7 is further reflected by the reflection surface of the mirror 5 (first light path changing member) to form a second reflected light L3 '. Thus, the light is incident on a desired position on the light emitting side of the wavelength conversion member 7. Further, a straight line connecting (the substantial central portion of) the mirror 115 and (the substantial central portion of the mirror 5) is a position between the light emitting side surface of the wavelength conversion member 7 and the light extraction port EXT. In the point which it does, it has the same relationship as the optical path of laser beam L1 of the embodiment 1. The mirror support member 116 supports the mirror 115 at a position adjusted so that the second reflected light L3 ′ traveling through the mirror 115 and the mirror 5 is appropriately irradiated to a desired position of the wavelength conversion member 7 In order to define the position of the mirror 115, the mirror 5 is disposed on the surface of the inner surface opposite to the existing inner surface.

  According to the light emitting device 400, by causing the laser beams from the plurality of laser elements 1 to be incident on the cover member 8 from the same direction, the downsizing and handling of the entire device can be facilitated. According to the light emitting device 400, since two sets of the laser elements 1 can be used, the power for exciting the wavelength conversion member 7 can be increased, and light of high luminance and high luminous flux can be obtained.

  In addition, the degree of freedom of the irradiation pattern on the wavelength conversion member 7 can be enhanced as compared with the case where the power is increased by using one set of laser light L1. The irradiation bias to the phosphor particles in the wavelength conversion member 7 is reduced by irradiation from a plurality of directions, and the efficiency and reliability of the phosphor can be enhanced. It is also possible to control a light distribution pattern by controlling an overlapping pattern of two light beams by two laser beams L1. Furthermore, when the power is increased using one set of laser light L1, the resistance of the mirror 5 may not be sufficient and may be damaged. Such a problem can be prevented by using a plurality of sets of laser beams L1 as in the present embodiment. The number of laser elements 1 may be more than two sets as needed, or laser elements with different wavelengths may be combined. The wavelength conversion member 7 may be used in plurals or plural types correspondingly.

(Effect of light emitting device 400)
According to the light emitting device 400 described above, the space between the light extraction port EXT and the wavelength conversion member 7 is a space in which no optical component or the like exists, so that the distance between the wavelength conversion member 7 and the light extraction port EXT Can be made smaller, so that the light emitting device 400 can be miniaturized. Further, as described above, the space between the light extraction port EXT and the wavelength conversion member 7 is a space where no optical component or the like exists, and the distance between the wavelength conversion member 7 and the light extraction port EXT is reduced. Since this can be done, it is possible to reduce the loss of light quantity extracted to the outside from the light extraction port EXT. Thereby, the loss of the light quantity extracted to the outside of the light emitting device 400 can be reduced. As described above, the light-emitting device 400 can be miniaturized, and the loss of light quantity extracted to the outside of the light-emitting device 400 can be reduced.

Fifth Embodiment
Next, a control system 500 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a side view showing the structure of control system 500. As shown in FIG. The light emitting unit 10 of the control system 500 of the present embodiment is disposed inside the cover member 8 on the opposite side to the side where the light entrance ENT of the mirror 5 exists, and detects the laser light L1 transmitted through the mirror 5 It differs from the light emitting unit 10 of the light emitting device 200 a according to the second embodiment in that the unit 15 is provided. At this time, the mirror 5 can transmit a part of the laser beam L1. As the detection unit 15, a photodiode or the like can be used. The detection unit support member 16 is a member that supports the detection unit 15 such that a part of the laser light L1 transmitted through the mirror 5 is incident on the detection unit 15.

  Control system 500 further includes control unit 17 and storage unit 18. The control unit 17 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Process Unit), and includes a detection unit control unit 171 and a light source control unit 172. The detection unit control unit 171 controls the operation of the detection unit 15, identifies the light amount of the laser beam L1 transmitted through the mirror 5 detected by the detection unit 15, and notifies the light source control unit 172 of the identification result. . The light source control unit 172 controls the operation of the laser element 1 and adjusts the light amount of the laser beam emitted from the laser element 1 according to the light amount of the light detected by the detection unit 15 (the above specific result). It is supposed to be. Information necessary for the operations of the detection unit control unit 171 and the light source control unit 172 is recorded in advance in the storage unit 18, and the information generated by the detection unit control unit 171 is stored afterward. There is. For example, the storage unit 18 stores in advance information in which the correspondence between the light amount of the laser light L1 transmitted through the mirror 5 detected by the detection unit 15 and the light amount of the laser light emitted from the laser element 1 is defined. The information related to the light amount of the laser beam L1 transmitted through the mirror 5 detected by the detection unit 15 specified by the detection unit control unit 171 is stored afterward. The control system 500 may include any of the light emitting devices of the first to fourth embodiments described above.

(Effect of control system 500)
According to the control system 500, the detection unit 15 detects the light transmitted through the mirror 5, and can adjust the light amount of the laser light emitted from the laser element 1 as necessary. As a result, the light quantity from the light emitting device can be adjusted. Further, according to the control system 500, since the detection unit 15 is disposed on the opposite side to the side where the light entrance ENT of the mirror 5 exists inside the cover member 8, based on the detected light quantity. The alignment operation can also be performed by finely adjusting the arrangement of the condenser lens 3a and the like. It is also possible to detect when the laser element 1 breaks down.

Sixth Embodiment
Next, a control system 600 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the structure of control system 600. As shown in FIG. The light emitting unit 10 of the control system 600 of the present embodiment drives the mirror 5 so as to change the incident position of the laser light L1 ′ whose light path is changed by the mirror 5 with respect to the light emitting surface of the wavelength conversion member 7. The light emitting unit 10 is different from the light emitting unit 10 of the light emitting device 200 a according to the second embodiment in that the mirror driving unit (driving unit) 6 a is provided. The mirror 5 is attached to the mirror support member 6 via a mirror drive unit 6a. The mirror driver 6 a is a member capable of changing the direction of the mirror 5 so as to change the position of the laser light L 1 ′ reflected by the mirror 5 on the light receiving surface of the wavelength conversion member 7. .

  Control system 500 further includes control unit 19 and storage unit 18. The control unit 19 includes, for example, a CPU, and includes a drive control unit 191. The drive control unit 191 controls the operation of the mirror drive unit 6a. Under the control of the drive control unit 191, it is possible to change the position of the laser beam L1 'reflected by the mirror 5 to be irradiated on the light receiving surface of the wavelength conversion member 7. Thereby, the position irradiated to the light-receiving surface of laser beam L1 'reflected by the mirror 5 can be changed. For example, by rotating at a frequency of 60 Hz, a linear light distribution can be artificially realized without flickering. It is also possible to adopt a method of rotating the mirror 5 as a polygon mirror.

  Information necessary for the operation of the drive control unit 191 is pre-recorded in the storage unit 18. For example, in the storage unit 18, the correspondence relationship between the direction of the mirror 5 driven by the mirror drive unit 6a and the position of the laser light L1 ′ reflected by the mirror 5 irradiated on the light receiving surface of the wavelength conversion member 7 is Prescribed information and the like are stored in advance. The control system 600 may include any of the light emitting devices of the first to fourth embodiments described above. The control system 600 may further include the detection unit 15, the detection unit support member 16, the detection unit control unit 171, and the light source control unit 172 of the control system 500 described above.

(Effect of control system 600)
According to the control system 600, when the mirror 5 is driven, the position at which the wavelength conversion member 7 is irradiated with the reflected light L1 ′ is changed, and the light emission position of the wavelength conversion member 7 is changed. Therefore, it is possible to realize a lighting device in which the irradiation pattern changes dynamically. When such a lighting device is used for a headlight for a vehicle, an adaptive front-lighting system (AFS) that changes the illumination pattern according to the ambient information becomes possible.

[Summary]
In a light emitting device according to aspect 1 of the present invention, a wavelength conversion member (7) for receiving a laser beam emitted from at least one laser element (1) and emitting wavelength-converted light, and the laser beam is introduced At least one light inlet (ENT), a light outlet (EXT) for taking light emitted from the wavelength conversion member to the outside, and a position facing the light inlet, At least one optical path changing member (mirror 5) for changing the optical path of the laser beam introduced from the mouth toward the wavelength conversion member, and a straight line passing through the light inlet and the optical path changing member It is a structure located between the wavelength conversion member and the said light extraction port.

  According to the above configuration, the distance between the wavelength conversion member and the light extraction port can be reduced by making the space between the light extraction port and the wavelength conversion member a space in which no optical component or the like exists. Can be miniaturized. In addition, as described above, the space between the light extraction port and the wavelength conversion member can be a space in which no optical component or the like exists, and the distance between the wavelength conversion member and the light extraction port can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the loss of the amount of light extracted from the mouth to the outside. This makes it possible to reduce the loss of the amount of light taken out of the apparatus. As described above, the apparatus can be miniaturized, and the loss of light quantity extracted to the outside of the apparatus can be reduced.

  In the light emitting device according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1, it is preferable that the straight line intersects with a vertical line erected at any position on the light emitting surface of the wavelength conversion member. According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the width of the cover member in the direction perpendicular to the straight line when viewed from the light extraction port side.

  In the light emitting device according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1 or 2, preferably, the straight line is substantially parallel to the light emitting side surface of the wavelength conversion member. According to the above configuration, the distance between the wavelength conversion member and the light extraction port can be further reduced as compared with the case where the straight line is not substantially parallel to the surface on the light emission side of the wavelength conversion member.

  The light-emitting device according to aspect 4 of the present invention is the projection lens (13a) disposed in the vicinity of the light extraction port according to any one of the aspects 1 to 3 and projecting light emitted from the wavelength conversion member to the outside. May be provided. According to the above configuration, it is possible to control the distribution of light extracted from the light extraction port by the projection lens.

  The light emitting device according to aspect 5 of the present invention may include a plurality of the laser element, the light entrance and the light path changing member in any of the aspects 1 to 4. According to the above configuration, since a plurality of laser elements can be used, the power of the laser beam irradiated to the wavelength conversion member can be increased, and light of high luminance and high luminous flux can be obtained. In addition, the degree of freedom of the irradiation pattern on the wavelength conversion member can be increased rather than using one laser element to increase the power. Irradiation bias to phosphor particles in the wavelength conversion member is reduced by irradiating laser light from a plurality of directions, and luminous efficiency and reliability of the wavelength conversion member can be enhanced. In addition, it is possible to control the light distribution pattern by controlling the superposition pattern of the two light beams. Furthermore, when one laser element is used to increase its power, the resistance of the optical path changing member may not be sufficient and damage may occur, but such problems can be prevented by using a plurality of laser elements. it can.

  The light emitting device according to aspect 6 of the present invention is provided with a cover member provided with the light inlet and the light outlet and covering the wavelength conversion member according to the aspect 5, wherein the plurality of light inlets are both You may provide in the same surface of the said cover member. According to the above configuration, by causing the laser beams from the plurality of laser elements to be incident on the cover member in the same direction, it is possible to easily miniaturize and handle the entire apparatus.

  A control system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a control system for controlling the light emitting device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the light path changing member is disposed on the opposite side of the light entrance side A detection unit (15) for detecting light transmitted through the optical path changing member; and a light source control unit (11) for adjusting the light quantity of laser light emitted from the laser element according to the light quantity of light detected by the detection unit. 172) and may be provided. According to the above configuration, the detection unit detects the light transmitted through the optical path changing member, and can adjust the light amount of the laser light emitted from the laser element as necessary. As a result, it is possible to control the amount of light that is extracted from the light emitting device to the outside as a result. Further, according to the above configuration, the detection unit is disposed on the opposite side to the side on which the light entrance of the light path changing member is located inside the cover member, and therefore, the detection unit is The alignment operation can also be performed by finely adjusting the arrangement of the light lens and the like. It also becomes possible to detect when the laser element breaks down.

  A control system according to aspect 8 of the present invention is a control system for controlling the light emitting device according to any one of the above aspects 1 to 6, and the light of the wavelength conversion member of the laser light whose light path is changed by the light path changing member. The drive unit (mirror drive unit 6a) for driving the optical path changing member and a drive unit control unit (191) for controlling the operation of the drive unit are provided to change the incident position with respect to the surface on the emission side. It is good. According to the above configuration, when the light path changing member is driven, the position where the laser light is irradiated to the wavelength conversion member is changed, and the light emission position in the wavelength conversion member is changed. Therefore, it is possible to realize a lighting device in which the irradiation pattern changes dynamically.

[Items to be added]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a light emitting device provided with a wavelength conversion member that receives laser light and emits wavelength converted light, a control system for controlling the light emitting device, and the like. Specifically, it can be used for special lighting such as headlights, projectors, and search lights for vehicles.

1 laser element 5 mirror (optical path changing member)
6a Mirror drive (drive)
7 wavelength conversion member 8 cover member 13a projection lens 13b projection lens 15 detection unit 100a light emitting device 115 mirror (optical path change member)
172 light source control unit 191 drive unit control unit 200a, 200b light emitting device 300 light emitting device 500, 600 control system ENT light inlet ENT 1 light inlet ENT 2 light inlet EXT light outlet

Claims (7)

A wavelength conversion member that receives laser light emitted from at least one laser element and emits wavelength-converted light;
At least one light inlet to which the laser light is introduced;
A light extraction port for extracting light emitted from the wavelength conversion member to the outside;
At least one optical path changing member disposed at a position facing the light inlet and changing an optical path of the laser light introduced from the light inlet toward the wavelength conversion member,
A straight line passing through the light inlet and the light path changing member is located between the wavelength conversion member and the light outlet;
There is no optical component in the optical path from the wavelength conversion member to the light extraction port ,
1. A light emitting device comprising a plurality of the laser element, the light entrance and the light path changing member .   The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the straight line intersects with a perpendicular line set at any position on the light emitting side of the wavelength conversion member.   The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the straight line is substantially parallel to a surface on the light emission side of the wavelength conversion member.   The light emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a projection lens disposed in the vicinity of the light extraction port and projecting light emitted from the wavelength conversion member to the outside. A cover member provided with the light inlet and the light outlet and covering the wavelength conversion member;
The light emitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of the light inlets are provided on the same surface of the cover member. A control system for controlling the light emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein
A detection unit disposed on the side opposite to the side on which the light entrance of the light path changing member exists, for detecting light transmitted through the light path changing member;
A control system comprising: a light source control unit configured to adjust the light amount of the laser beam emitted from the laser element in accordance with the light amount of the light detected by the detection unit. A control system for controlling the light emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein
A driving unit for driving the optical path changing member so as to change the incident position of the laser light whose optical path is changed by the optical path changing member with respect to the light emitting surface of the wavelength conversion member;
And a drive control unit that controls the operation of the drive unit.

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