JP7526559B2 - Lighting and bathroom - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a lighting device.

Conventionally, lighting devices equipped with a light source unit that is long in one direction are known. For example, the following Patent Document 1 describes a lighting device of this type that is installed in a bathroom. In the light source unit of this lighting device, multiple light sources are arranged at equal intervals in the length direction. The light source unit is equipped with a light source fixing member that is fixed to the wall panel of the bathroom. Multiple light source fixing members are arranged at intervals in the length direction of the light source unit. Each light source fixing member is made of stainless steel plate and is fixed to one side of the light source unit. Each light source fixing member has a wall surface fixing portion that extends from the light source unit in the width direction (direction intersecting the length direction). The wall surface fixing portion of each light source fixing member is fixed to the wall panel of the bathroom with a screw. The light source unit and the light source fixing member are covered by a cover member.

JP 2013-101859 A

The light source unit deforms due to thermal expansion and contraction. A light source unit that is long in one direction will expand and contract significantly in the longitudinal direction and will warp significantly due to heat. The light source unit in a lighting device configured as described above is restrained from deforming due to heat by the light source fixing member. For this reason, there is a risk that a relatively large thermal stress will occur in the light source unit.

This disclosure was completed based on the above circumstances, and aims to provide a lighting device that can reduce thermal stress generated in the light source unit.

The lighting device disclosed herein includes a light source unit extending in an axial direction, a case that houses the light source unit, and a holding member that is attached to the case and holds the light source unit at a predetermined position in the case while allowing movement within a predetermined range in the axial direction and in a direction intersecting the axial direction.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a bathroom unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the bathroom unit, showing a state in which a lighting device is attached; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a locking structure of a lighting device and a lighting fixing frame; FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the upper end portion of the bathroom unit, showing the state before the lighting device is installed; FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the upper end portion of the bathroom unit, showing the state in which the lighting device is attached; FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the lower end of the bathroom unit, showing the state in which the lighting device is attached; FIG. FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the lighting device, illustrating a state in which a holding member holds a light source unit; FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lighting device, showing a state in which a holding member holds a light source unit; FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a holding member according to a second embodiment; FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the lighting device, illustrating a state in which a holding member holds a light source unit; FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lighting device, showing a state in which a holding member holds a light source unit;

<Embodiment 1>
As shown in Fig. 1, the lighting device L extends in the axial direction. The lighting device L is attached to the bathroom unit 10. The bathroom unit 10 is a shower unit having a shower device M. The bathroom unit 10 has a vertically long interior space that is long in the up-down direction.

The bathroom unit 10 comprises a floor member 11, a wall panel 12, and a ceiling panel 13. The floor member 11 forms the floor surface of the bathroom unit 10. The wall panel 12 stands above the floor member 11 and forms the side surface of the bathroom unit 10. The ceiling panel 13 covers the top of the bathroom unit 10 and forms the top surface of the bathroom unit 10. A bathroom door D is provided on one of the four sides of the bathroom unit 10 (referred to as side 17). Below, each component will be described with the upper side in Figure 1 as the upper side, the lower side as the lower side, the interior side of the bathroom unit 10 as the front side, and the side opposite the interior of the bathroom unit 10 as the back side.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bathroom unit 10 comprises a pillar member 14, a lighting fixing frame 20, and a lighting device L. The pillar member 14 stands at a corner of the bathroom unit 10. The lighting fixing frame 20 stands between the pillar member 14 and the wall panel 12 at the corner of the bathroom unit 10. The lighting device L is fixed to the lighting fixing frame 20.

The lighting fixing frame 20 is formed by bending a metal plate (such as a hot-dip galvanized steel plate). The lighting fixing frame 20 extends from the floor to the ceiling. The lower end of the lighting fixing frame 20 is fixed to the floor member 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lighting fixing frame 20 has a frame back part 21 that is arranged on the back side of the lighting device L, and a pair of frame side parts 22 that stand on the left and right sides from the frame back part 21 to the front side. The lighting device L is attached between the pair of frame side parts 22.

The frame back surface 21 is formed with a wiring passage 25 through which the wiring (not shown) of the lighting device L passes (see FIG. 3). The frame back surface 21 is provided with a frame side locking portion 26 that locks onto the lighting device L. The frame side locking portion 26 is the upper edge of a locking claw 27 formed by cutting and raising a part of the frame back surface 21 to the surface. A spacer S that closes the gap between the ceiling panel 13 and the lighting device L is attached to the upper end of the lighting fixing frame 20 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

The lighting device L includes a light source unit 30, a case 40, and caps 61 and 62. The light source unit 30 extends in the axial direction. The light source unit 30 is housed inside the case 40. The case 40 has a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction. The caps 61 and 62 close the openings formed at both ends of the case 40 in the axial direction.

When the lighting device L is attached to the bathroom unit 10, the axial direction of the lighting device L coincides with the vertical direction. The lighting device L is placed on the surface of the lighting fixing frame 20 (see Figure 2). The length dimension of the lighting device L is shorter than the length dimension of the lighting fixing frame 20 by the vertical dimension of the spacer S.

The width dimension (left-right dimension) of the lighting device L is such that it can fit between a pair of frame side portions 22 of the lighting fixing frame 20. The thickness dimension (front-back dimension) of the lighting device L is equal to the thickness dimension of the wall panel 12. The lighting device L has a horizontally elongated rectangular cross section with the width dimension being greater than the thickness dimension.

The light source unit 30 has a substrate 31, a frame 32, and a resin material 33. A large number of light sources (LEDs, etc.) are mounted on the substrate 31. The frame 32 houses the substrate 31 inside. The resin material 33 seals the substrate 31 housed in the frame 32.

The light source unit 30 has a long and narrow rectangular column shape. As shown in FIG. 2, the light source unit 30 has a rectangular cross section with a larger dimension in the left-right direction than in the front-back direction. The surface of the light source unit 30 has a light-emitting surface 34 and a surface 32A of the frame body 32. The surface 32A of the frame body 32 is located on both the left and right sides of the light-emitting surface 34. The light source unit 30 irradiates light in the front direction over its entire length. A connector part C to which the wiring of the lighting device L is connected is provided at the upper end of the light source unit 30.

The case 40 has a housing 41 with an open surface and a light-transmitting cover 42 that covers the open side of the housing 41. When the light-transmitting cover 42 is attached to the housing 41, the case 40 is cylindrical, with both ends in the length direction being open.

The housing 41 is formed of a metal material such as aluminum. As shown in FIG. 9, the housing 41 has a case back portion 43 that is disposed on the back surface of the light source unit 30, and a pair of left and right case side portions 44 that stand on the front side from the case back portion 43. The pair of case side portions 44 are approximately parallel. The pair of case side portions 44 are approximately perpendicular to the case back portion 43.

The pair of case side portions 44 has a pair of first case side portions 44F and a pair of second case side portions 44S. The pair of second case side portions 44S has a larger left-right distance between them than the pair of first case side portions 44F. The second case side portions 44S are located closer to the front side than the first case side portions 44F. The front edge of the first case side portion 44F and the back edge of the second case side portion 44S are connected by a case step portion 45.

Between the pair of first case side portions 44F is a light source unit mounting portion 46 to which the light source unit 30 is attached. The light source unit mounting portion 46 is open on the front side.

As shown in FIG. 8, a locking rib 47 protrudes from the inner surface of the first case side portion 44F. The locking ribs 47 are provided on the left and right first case side portions 44F. A retaining member 54, which will be described later, locks to the locking ribs 47. The locking ribs 47 are located at the end of the front side of the first case side portion 44F. The locking ribs 47 protrude in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. The locking ribs 47 extend the entire length of the housing 41.

As shown in FIG. 8, a notch 48 is formed in the engagement rib 47 at the attachment portion of the retaining member 54. The notch 48 is provided on the left and right engagement ribs 47. The left and right notch portions 48 are aligned in the vertical direction. The inside of each notch portion 48 is open in the horizontal direction. Each notch portion 48 has an upper end surface 48A and a lower end surface 48B that are approximately parallel. The upper end surface 48A and the lower end surface 48B of each notch portion 48 are horizontal surfaces when attached to the lighting device L.

As shown in FIG. 3, the case back surface portion 43 has flange portions 49 that protrude to the left and right from the case side surface portion 44. The flange portions 49 are provided over the entire length of the housing.

The case back surface 43 is provided with a case side locking portion 51 that locks onto the lighting fixing frame 20. The case side locking portion 51 is the upper edge of a notch 52 formed in the flange portion 49. The notch 52 has a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction and open on either the left or right side.

As shown in FIG. 9, a pair of ribs 59 protrude from the surface of the case back portion 43. The light source unit 30 is disposed between the pair of ribs 59. The pair of ribs 59 stand along both the left and right side surfaces of the light source unit 30. This determines the left-right position of the light source unit 30 relative to the case 40 (housing 41).

A locking wall 55 that locks with the locking piece 57 of the translucent cover 42 is provided on the surface of the case step 45. The locking wall 55 protrudes from the case step 45 to the front side. The locking wall 55 is approximately parallel to the second case side portion 44S. The space between the locking wall 55 and the second case side portion 44S is open to the front side. The locking piece 57 of the translucent cover 42 is inserted between the locking wall 55 and the second case side portion 44S and locks with the tip of the locking wall 55.

As shown in FIG. 9, the translucent cover 42 is attached to the open side of the housing 41. The translucent cover 42 includes a cover body 56 and a pair of left and right locking pieces 57. The cover body 56 is flat. The cover body 56 has a width dimension that spans between the edges of the front side of the second case side portion 44S of the housing 41. When attached to the housing 41, the cover body 56 is approximately parallel to the case back portion 43 of the housing 41.

The locking pieces 57 protrude from the left and right edges of the cover body 56 to the rear side. The locking pieces 57 are inserted between the locking wall 55 and the second case side portion 44S. The tip of the locking piece 57 locks into the locking wall 55. A water-stopping member 58 that stops water from entering between the housing 41 and the translucent cover 42 is attached between the locking piece 57 and the second case side portion 44S.

As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the caps 61, 62 are an upper cap 61 attached to one end of the length of the case 40 (the upper end when fixed to the bathroom unit 10), and a lower cap 62 attached to the other end of the case 40 (the lower end when fixed to the bathroom unit 10). As shown in Figure 6, the lower cap 62 is columnar and long in the vertical direction. The lower cap 62 fills the gap between the lower end of the case 40 and the floor surface. The lower end of the light source unit 30 rests on the upper surface of the lower cap 62.

The holding member 54 is attached to and detached from the front side of the housing 41 (see FIG. 8). The holding member 54 elastically deforms when attached to and detached from the housing 41. The holding member 54 holds the light source unit 30 in a predetermined position in the case 40 while allowing a predetermined range of movement in a plane including the axial direction and the front-back direction of the light source unit 30.

The holding members 54 are attached to multiple locations in the axial direction of the housing 41. At each location, the holding members 54 are attached to both the left and right sides of the light source unit 30 (see FIG. 8). All of the holding members 54 have the same shape.

The holding member 54 is formed from a metal plate. As shown in FIG. 9, the holding member 54 has a main body plate portion 71 that fits along the inner surface of the housing 41. The main body plate portion 71 has a first plate portion 72 that fits along the inner surface of the first case side portion 44F, and a second plate portion 73 that fits along the case back surface portion 43. The second plate portion 73 is positioned outside in the left-right direction of the rib 59 provided on the case back surface portion 43. The first plate portion 72 and the second plate portion 73 form a right angle.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first plate portion 72 has a through portion 74 that passes through the notch portion 48 of the locking rib 47 to the front side, and a non-through portion 75 that fits on the back side of the locking rib 47. The non-through portions 75 are provided on both the top and bottom sides of the through portion 74. A second plate portion 73 is provided at the back end of the non-through portion 75. The through portion 74 that passes through the notch portion 48 has its vertical position determined by the upper end surface 48A and lower end surface 48B of the notch portion 48. The non-through portion 75 that is arranged on the back side of the locking rib 47 has its front-back position determined by the back surface of the locking rib 47 and the surface of the case back surface portion 43.

The holding member 54 has an elastic piece 76 that is elastically displaced in a direction approaching the main body plate portion 71. The elastic piece 76 extends in a cantilever shape from the rear end of the through portion 74 diagonally to the front side. A contact portion 77 that contacts the light source unit 30 is provided at the tip of the elastic piece 76. The contact portion 77 contacts the surface 32A of the frame body 32 of the light source unit 30 when it is housed in the light source unit attachment portion 46. This restricts the light source unit 30 from moving away from the case rear portion 43 to the front side.

An example of the work procedure for assembling the lighting device L is explained below.

Attach the light source unit 30 to the housing 41. More specifically, set the light source unit 30 between a pair of ribs 59 on the housing 41 with the light-emitting surface 34 facing outward. This determines the left-right position of the light source unit 30 relative to the housing 41.

The holding member 54 is attached to the housing 41. More specifically, the through portion 74 of the holding member 54 is aligned with the notch portion 48 of the locking rib 47 of the housing 41, and the holding member 54 is pushed between the first case side portion 44F and the light source unit 30. The non-through portion 75 of the holding member 54 abuts against the locking rib 47, and the elastic piece 76 abuts against the side of the light source unit 30. This brings the main body plate portion 71 and the elastic piece 76 closer together. When the non-through portion 75 reaches the back side of the locking rib 47, the main body plate portion 71 and the elastic piece 76 separate due to the elastic force. The second plate portion 73 follows the surface of the case back portion 43. The contact portion 77 abuts against both the left and right sides of the surface of the light source unit 30. This restricts the light source unit 30 from being removed from the housing 41.

The translucent cover 42 is attached to the housing 41, and the upper cap 61 and the lower cap 62 are attached to both the top and bottom ends of the case 40. This completes the work of assembling the lighting device L. The light source unit 30 is permitted to move up and down between the upper cap 61 and the lower cap 62. The light source unit 30 is permitted to move in the front and back directions within the range in which the holding member 54 is elastically deformed.

When the lighting device L is attached to the bathroom unit 10, the lower end surface of the light source unit 30 abuts against the tip surface of the lower cap 62. The light source unit 30 is supported by the lower cap 62.

The action and effect of the lighting device L configured as described above will now be explained.

The lighting device L includes a light source unit 30, a case 40, and a holding member 54. The light source unit 30 extends in the axial direction. The case 40 houses the light source unit 30. The holding member 54 is attached to the case 40. The holding member 54 holds the light source unit 30 in a predetermined position in the case 40 while allowing the light source unit 30 to move within a predetermined range in the up-down direction and the front-back direction. With this configuration, the light source unit 30 is allowed to expand and contract in the up-down direction and warp in the front-back direction within a predetermined range, so that thermal stress generated in the light source unit 30 can be reduced.

The holding member 54 of the lighting device L contacts both the left and right ends of the surface of the light source unit 30 and holds the light source unit 30. If the holding member 54 crosses the light-emitting surface 34 of the light source unit 30 in the width direction, there is a risk that a shadow will be cast by the holding member 54. However, according to the lighting device L, the holding member 54 does not cross the light-emitting surface 34 of the light source unit 30, so no shadow will be cast by the holding member 54.

The holding member 54 of the lighting device L is attached to and detached from the open side of the housing 41. The holding member 54 elastically deforms when attached and detached. With this configuration, the holding member 54 can be attached and detached more easily than if it were, for example, a screw, making it easier to perform maintenance on the light source unit 30.

<Embodiment 2>
As shown in Fig. 10, the lighting device 90 of the second embodiment includes a holding member 91 having a different configuration from that of the first embodiment. The same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. The lighting device 90 includes a light source unit 30 and a case 40, similar to the first embodiment. The light source unit 30 includes a substrate 31, a frame body 32, and a resin material 33, similar to the first embodiment. The case 40 includes a housing 41 and a light-transmitting cover 42, similar to the first embodiment.

As in the first embodiment, the holding member 91 is attached to and detached from the front side of the housing 41 (see FIG. 11). As in the first embodiment, the holding member 91 elastically deforms when attached to and detached from the housing 41. As in the first embodiment, the holding member 91 holds the light source unit 30 in a predetermined position in the case 40 while allowing the light source unit 30 to move within a predetermined range in the axial direction and the front-to-back direction.

The holding members 91 are attached to the housing 41 at multiple locations in the axial direction, as in the first embodiment. At each location, the holding members 91 are attached to both the left and right sides of the light source unit 30, as in the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, all of the holding members 91 have the same shape.

The retaining member 91 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 10, the retaining member 91 has a main body portion 92, an elastic portion 93, and a contact portion 94. As shown in FIG. 11, the main body portion 92 and the elastic portion 93 penetrate the notch portion 48 of the locking rib 47 to the front side.

12, the main body 92 is disposed between the left and right side surfaces 30S of the light source unit 30 and the first case side surface 44F of the housing 41. The main body 92 has a first plate surface 95 along the inner surface of the first case side surface 44F, a second plate surface 96 along the case back surface 43, and a third plate surface 97 along the side surface 30S of the light source unit 30. The second plate surface 96 is disposed outside the rib 59 provided on the case back surface 43 in the left-right direction. The left-right dimension of the second plate surface 96 is smaller than the left-right distance between the first case side surface 44F and the rib 59. When the first plate surface 95 is in contact with the first case side surface 44F, a gap is formed between the third plate surface 97 and the side surface 30S of the light source unit 30. The holding member 91 can move left-right by the amount of this gap. The first plate surface 95 and the second plate surface 96 form a right angle. The first plate surface 95 and the third plate surface 97 are parallel to each other.

As shown in FIG. 10, the elastic portion 93 is provided on the upper and lower sides of the main body portion 92. The elastic portion 93 extends in a cantilever shape from the rear end of the main body portion 92 toward the front side. The elastic portion 93 elastically deforms in the up-down direction. The upper elastic portion 93 elastically deforms in the direction approaching the upper surface of the main body portion 92. The lower elastic piece elastically deforms in the direction approaching the lower surface of the main body portion 92.

As shown in FIG. 11, the upper surface of the upper elastic portion 93 abuts against the upper end surface 48A of the cutout portion 48. The lower surface of the lower elastic portion 93 abuts against the lower end surface 48B of the cutout portion 48. This determines the vertical position of the holding member 91.

The upper surface of the upper elastic portion 93 and the lower surface of the lower elastic portion 93 have locking surfaces 98 that lock onto the rear surface of the locking rib 47. The locking surfaces 98 come into contact with the rear surface of the locking rib 47, thereby determining the position of the holding member 91 in the front-rear direction. When the second plate surface 96 comes into contact with the case rear surface portion 43, a gap is formed between the locking surface 98 and the rear surface of the locking rib 47. The holding member 91 can move in the front-rear direction by the amount of this gap.

As shown in FIG. 12, the contact portion 94 is provided at the end of the front side of the main body portion 92. The contact portion 94 protrudes from the main body portion 92 towards the light source unit 30. The contact portion 94 faces the front surface 32A of the frame body 32 of the light source unit 30 when it is housed in the light source unit attachment portion 46. This restricts the light source unit 30 from moving away from the case back surface portion 43 to the front side. The position of the contact portion 94 in the front-back direction changes as the holding member 91 moves in the front-back direction.

The holding member 91 is attached to the housing 41, for example, as follows. The main body 92 of the holding member 91 is aligned with the position of the notch 48 of the locking rib 47 of the housing 41. The holding member 91 is pushed between the first case side portion 44F and the side surface 30S of the light source unit 30. The upper elastic portion 93 abuts against the upper end surface 48A of the notch 48, and the lower elastic portion 93 abuts against the lower end surface 48B of the notch 48. As a result, the upper and lower elastic portions 93 are elastically deformed and approach the main body portion 92. When the locking surface 98 of the elastic portion 93 reaches the back side of the locking rib 47, the upper and lower elastic portions 93 are separated from the main body portion 92 by the elastic force. The locking surface 98 is locked to the back surface of the locking rib 47. The second plate surface 96 of the main body portion 92 is aligned along the surface of the case back surface portion 43. The contact portion 9477 fits along both the left and right sides of the surface of the light source unit 30. This prevents the light source unit 30 from being removed from the housing 41.

The elastic portion 93 of the holding member 91 elastically abuts only against the housing 41. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the elastic force of the holding member 91 from acting on the light source unit 30. If the holding member elastically abuts both against the housing and the light source unit, it is difficult to control the dimensions because it is preferable to take into account design errors for both the light source unit and the housing. In this regard, since the holding member 91 elastically abuts only against the housing 41, it is easy to control the dimensions.

<Other embodiments>
The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, and for example, the following embodiments are also included within the technical scope of the present disclosure.
(1) In the above embodiment, the present disclosure is applied to a shower unit. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to a bathroom unit having a bathtub and a washing area.
(2) In the above embodiment, the holding members 54, 91 come into contact with the surface of the light source unit 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the holding members may come into contact with the left side surface or the right side surface of the light source unit.
(3) In the above embodiment, the holding members 54, 91 are provided on both the left and right sides of the light source unit 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a holding member may be provided on only one side.
(4) In the above embodiment, the rib 59 provided on the housing 41 determines the left-right position of the light source unit 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the holding member may determine the left-right position of the light source unit. In this case, the holding member may allow the light source unit to move within a predetermined range in the left-right direction in addition to the movement of the light source unit in the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction.
(5) In the above embodiment, the case 40 is long in the same direction as the light source unit 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case may be long in the width direction of the light source unit. For example, the case may be a case in which a plurality of light source units are arranged in parallel.

L, 90...Illumination device, 30...Light source unit, 34...Light-emitting surface, 40...Case, 41...Housing, 42...Translucent cover, 54, 91...Holding member

Claims (5)

A light source unit extending in an axial direction;
a case for accommodating the light source unit;
a holding member that is accommodated in the case, abuts against a surface of the light source unit, and holds the light source unit at a predetermined position in the case while allowing a predetermined range of movement in the axial direction and a direction intersecting the axial direction;
Equipped with
The case has a housing that is open in the intersecting direction, the housing has left and right case side portions that extend beyond the surface of the light source unit , and the holding member is attached to and detached from the housing from the open side, elastically deforms when attached and detached, and the lighting device is attached to the inner surface of the case side portions beyond the surface of the light source unit . A light source unit extending in an axial direction;
a case for accommodating the light source unit;
a holding member attached to the case and configured to hold the light source unit at a predetermined position in the case while allowing the light source unit to move within a predetermined range in the axial direction and in a direction intersecting the axial direction;
Equipped with
the case has left and right case side surfaces, the holding member is attached to inner surfaces of the case side surfaces,
The case has a housing that is open in the intersecting direction,
the holding member is attached to and detached from the housing from the open side and elastically deforms when attached and detached,
An axially extending locking rib is provided on the inner surface of the case side portion,
The holding member is engaged with a notch formed in the engaging rib . The holding member has an elastic portion that penetrates the notch portion,
The lighting device according to claim 2 , wherein the elastic portion is in contact with both axial ends of the cutout portion . The lighting device according to claim 2 , wherein the holding member has a through portion that passes through the notch and a non-through portion that fits behind the locking rib. A bathroom equipped with the lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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