WO2018025927A1 - Illumination apparatus, illumination apparatus attaching structure, method for extracting light from illumination apparatus, and optical connection method for illumination apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A frame body (3) has an opening (7) in one part. Inside the frame body (3), light-emitting parts of one or more LED light sources (13) are arranged at positions separated from an opening (7) by a prescribed distance. Inside the frame body (3), a space is formed so as to be shielded from the outside but not at the opening (7). A light guiding part (11) is provided near the opening (7) of the frame body (3). A support (9) is provided to the leading end of the light guiding part (11). The support (9) is a portion that supports an optical guide body (5). The light guiding part (11) has a shape tapered toward the optical guide body (5) near the opening (7) of the frame body (3). Both surfaces of the optical guide body (5) are pinched by the support (9). The leading end portion of the support (9) becomes the opening (7). In other words, the optical guide body (5) is fixed to the opening (7).

Description

LIGHTING DEVICE, LIGHTING DEVICE MOUNTING STRUCTURE, LIGHT EXTRACTION METHOD FROM LIGHTING DEVICE, AND LIGHT CONNECTION METHOD OF LIGHTING DEVICE

The present invention relates to an illuminating device capable of irradiating light substantially linearly, a mounting structure of the illuminating device, and a light extraction method from the illuminating device.

For example, in a car or the like, a linear light source that borders each part may be used. As such a linear light source, for example, a linear light guide such as a side-emitting optical fiber is used.

In order to emit light linearly using such a light guide, there is a method in which a light source is disposed on the end face of the light guide and light incident from the end face is emitted from the side face of the light guide (for example, Patent Document 1).

Also, there is a method in which a light guide plate is used, a light source such as an LED is arranged opposite to one end face, and light is irradiated from the opposite end face or side face (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2013-057924 A JP 2013-182731 A

However, in the method as disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the light source is disposed only at one end, the light emission length from the light source becomes long, and it is difficult to uniformly and efficiently emit light far from the light source. In addition, there is a problem in that man-hours for manufacturing are required because groove processing, prism processing, or the like is performed on the light emitting portion or light scattering particles are introduced into the cladding layer. In addition, there is a problem in that a means for gripping and fixing the side-emitting fiber having a round cross section is required, and the number of parts increases.

In addition, when used in combination with a lighting device, it is necessary to attach a side-emitting fiber to the place where the line-shaped lighting is to be placed, which requires parts and construction for mounting the lighting device, which takes time and cost. There was a problem.

Furthermore, if the diameter of the side-emitting fiber is reduced in an attempt to reduce the width of light emission, the coupling efficiency with the LED light source is deteriorated. For this reason, there exists a problem that a coupling | bond part is heated by the subject that the electric power of a LED light source increases, and the fall of coupling | bonding efficiency with a side emission type fiber. In addition, since light is gradually leaked in the longitudinal direction of the side-emitting fiber, there is a problem that the light cannot be uniformly irradiated as a linear light source and the irradiation distance cannot be increased.

Further, in the method as disclosed in Patent Document 2, since the light guide plate is used, it is easy to grip the illumination device. However, when a highly directional light source such as an LED light source is used, it is more uniform than the emission end face. In order to extract light, it was necessary to arrange many light sources over the length of the light guide plate. Moreover, in order to extract light uniformly from the emission end face, it is necessary to lengthen the length of the light guide plate to some extent, and there is a problem that the width of the light guide plate cannot be shortened.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and has a simple structure, with a small number of light sources, can improve the utilization efficiency of the light sources, and can uniformly extract light in a linear shape, An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device mounting structure, a light extraction method from the lighting device, and a light connection method of the lighting device.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the first invention includes one or a plurality of LED light sources, a frame having an opening, and an inner surface excluding the opening formed of a light reflective member, A light guide fixed to the opening, and the light emitting part of the LED light source is disposed at a position spaced apart from the opening by a predetermined distance inside the frame, A space shielded from the outside except for the opening is formed, and the space is a light guide space for guiding light emitted from the LED light source, and the light guide disposed in the light guide space. At least one of the side surface, the front surface, and the back surface of the body is a light incident portion to the light guide, and light is extracted from at least one of the side surface, the front surface, and the back surface disposed outside the frame of the light guide. It is an illuminating device characterized by that.

By arranging a side surface that is an end portion of the light guide in the light guide space, light can be incident on the light guide from a side surface of the light guide, and the light guide is further introduced into the light guide space. By arranging the light body for a predetermined length, light can be taken into the light guide not only from the side surface of the light guide but also from the front surface and the back surface.

The shape processing or sheet pasting to increase the surface area may be performed on at least one of a side surface, a front surface, and a back surface of the light guide disposed inside the light guide space. As the shape processing, in addition to the sawtooth triangular grooves, linear grooves, minute protrusions, uneven patterns, slits, holes, and the like may be formed to increase the surface area of the light capturing portion of the light guide. By doing in this way, the light taking-in efficiency to a light guide can be improved. In addition to the above, as long as the surface area can be increased, other shapes or a structure in which a prism sheet is attached to the light guide surface may be used.

Here, the LED light source may be arranged directly inside the frame body, or the frame body may be cut out, and only the light emitting part of the LED light source may be arranged inside the frame body from the cutout portion of the frame body. The arrangement of the LED light source in the present invention includes both a case where the LED light source is arranged inside the frame body and a case where a notch hole is provided in the frame body and the light emitting part of the LED light source is arranged toward the inside of the frame body. Shall be.

The light guide may have a sheet shape, and the frame may have substantially the same cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction of the opening.

The opening of the frame is substantially straight, curved, annular, polygonal, L-shaped, V-shaped, U-shaped, C-shaped, S-shaped, straight or curved, or straight and straight. May be formed in either a linear pattern consisting of a single line or a character shape that does not have an intersection formed by combining.

The frame body may be configured by attaching a light reflective member, a film-like light reflective member, or a micro-foamed resin light reflective member to the inner surface of a metal or resin base material.

The frame itself may be formed of a light reflective member made of a micro foam resin.

As the optical characteristics of the micro-foamed resin, when the light reflectance in the visible light region of the aluminum oxide standard plate is 100%, the micro-foamed resin has a total reflectance of 90% or more and a diffuse reflectance of 90%. % Or more is desirable. Furthermore, it is more desirable if the total reflectance is 95% or more and the diffuse reflectance is 95% or more.

The micro-foamed resin is preferably selected from any of PET resin, PC resin, acrylic resin, and flame retardant acrylic resin.

It is desirable to have a light guide portion that tapers toward the light guide in the vicinity of the opening of the frame.

A support part that supports the light guide is provided at the tip of the light guide part, and an inner surface of the support part is configured by a light reflective member, and the light guide is sandwiched between the support parts. It is desirable to be supported. The support portion may be formed of a metal such as micro foamed resin having excellent light reflection characteristics or aluminum having a highly reflective surface facing the light guide.

A support part that supports the light guide is provided at the tip of the light guide part, an inner surface of the support part is configured by a light reflective member, and at least a part of the front and back surfaces of the light guide are You may join with the said support part with an adhesive agent.

The thickness of the light guide is t, and it is the material formed on the front and back surfaces of the light guide at the interface between the support and the light guide, or exists on the front and back surfaces of the light guide. When the critical angle of total reflection corresponding to the refractive index ratio between any one of the substances and the light guide is θc, the length Le of the support portion is equal to or greater than Le = 5 · t · tan (θc). desirable.

An adhesive layer is usually formed between the support and the light guide, but air layers exist on the front and back surfaces of the light guide that do not form the adhesive layer. The adhesive in the present invention includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Therefore, although an adhesive layer will contain an adhesive layer, the following description shall be described as an adhesive or an adhesive layer also including an adhesive and an adhesive layer.

An adhesive layer is provided between the support portion and the opposing surface of the light guide, and a light-reflective member is disposed at the tip of the support portion on the light extraction portion side so as to cover at least the end surface of the adhesive layer. It is desirable to be provided as a light leakage prevention member.

The ratio of the area of the opening of the frame and the total inner surface area including the opening of the frame may be 1:20 or more.

The light guide part and the support part may be formed integrally with the frame as a whole.

The light guide may be a transparent or translucent resin sheet or resin film having shape retention. The shape retainability in the present invention is a characteristic that allows the light guide to retain its shape unless an external force is applied. The resin sheet is preferably a resin sheet having an appropriate rigidity that can be easily deformed when an external force is applied. Here, when the light guide is flat, thin glass can be used instead of the resin sheet.

Here, in the present invention, a resin sheet having no shape retaining property is defined as a resin film. Therefore, in the present invention, the distinction between the resin sheet and the resin film is made based on the shape retention. Here, even if the resin film does not have a shape retaining property, the film is held by a support, fixed inside the lighting device, or given a predetermined value without being bent by applying a tension. If it can be held in the shape, it can be applied to the present invention.

The light incident portion of the light guide disposed in the light guide space is an incident side surface, and the LED light source is located at a position where the light emitting surface of the LED light source is substantially orthogonal to the opening of the light guide. The LED light source is arranged so that the light incident part is not included in the irradiation range of the orientation angle of the LED light source (an irradiation angle range that is ½ of the peak illuminance of the LED light source). It may be arranged at a position away from the incident part by a predetermined distance.

The light incident portion of the light guide disposed in the light guide space is an incident side surface, and a plurality of the LED light sources are disposed at a predetermined interval so as to face the light incident portion, and the orientation of the LED light sources When the half angle is θ and the distance from the LED light source to the light incident portion is L, the arrangement interval of the LED light sources along the length direction of the opening is substantially equal to 2L × tan θ, and the alignment half angle θ May be in the range of 60 ° ± 10 °.

With this arrangement, the illuminance of direct incident light in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the opening can be made uniform. Further, since the frame has substantially the same cross-sectional shape in the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the opening, indirect incident on the light guide in the cross section of the frame in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the frame The intensity of incident light can be made uniform. For this reason, it becomes possible to equalize the light incident on the light guide in both the direction parallel to the frame opening and the direction perpendicular thereto.

In the present invention, even when a directional light source such as an LED light source is used, the light is diffused and reflected in a direction other than the direct light from the LED light source, and the light emitted from the LED light source in the light guide space is reflected. The light is made uniform in the light incident direction of the light guide and enters the light entrance of the light guide. For this reason, the uniformity of the light which injects into the incident side surface of a light guide improves rather than the case where a directional light source is arrange | positioned facing an incident part.

In addition, while the light incident on the light guide is guided inside the light guide, reflection is repeated on both side surfaces and the output side surface of the light guide, thereby further uniforming the luminance emitted from the light emitting portion. . Further, since the inner surface of the light guide space is formed of a layer having a high reflectance and diffuse reflectance, there is little loss of light emitted from the LED light source even if it is repeatedly reflected. Accordingly, the uniformity of the light emitting portion can be improved with little decrease in luminance. Thus, since the light incident on the incident portion can be made uniform by the light guide space, the number of LED light sources can be reduced.

The cross-sectional shape of the emission side surface that is the light extraction portion of the light guide may be a tapered shape.

The light guide may include at least a bent portion, and the light extraction portion of the light guide may have a curved shape corresponding to the bend of the light guide, or the light guide may have a cylindrical shape. . The shape of the light guide can be polygonal, L-shaped, V-shaped, U-shaped, C-shaped, S-shaped in accordance with the shape of the opening, straight line or curved line, Or it can also be set as the linear pattern or character shape which consists of one line which does not have the cross | intersection part formed combining a straight line and a straight line.

A light extraction part is provided on the front surface or the back surface of the light guide, and at least a part of or the entire emission side surface of the light guide is covered with a light-reflecting member, so that at least light extraction on the front or back surface of the light guide Light can be extracted from the part.

The light extraction portion on the front surface or the back surface of the light guide may be drawn in any shape of a character, a character string, a figure, a symbol, a pattern, or a logo mark.

The illuminating device is a first illuminating device, and the second illuminating device has a second frame that also serves as a reflector having a concave recess whose opening is a light extraction portion, and the second illuminating device. A second LED light source provided inside the hollow portion of the frame body, and the light guide body of the first lighting device is sheathed so as to cover the light extraction portion of the second lighting device. Thus, the light guide of the first lighting device forms a composite lighting device that performs light extraction as a light transmitting member that extracts light from the second LED light source of the second lighting device. It may be a device. The second frame body may have two or more recessed portions.

In this case, the light reflected in the hollow portion of the second illumination device is transmitted through the light guide from the front surface to the back surface of the light guide and irradiated to the outside. For this reason, it is possible to irradiate the light transmitted through the light guide using the second frame and the light from the light extraction portion of the light guide independently or simultaneously. For example, the light from the light extraction part of the light guide can be used as decorative illumination, and the production of the space where the composite lighting device is attached can be enhanced.

The illuminating device is a first illuminating device, and the second illuminating device has a second frame that also serves as a reflector having a concave recess whose opening is a light extraction portion, and the second illuminating device. A second LED light source provided inside the hollow portion of the frame and a light transmitting member provided in the opening, the opening of the second lighting device is covered with a light transmitting member; The first illuminating device for extracting light from the light guide is housed inside a recess of the second illuminating device, and the light extracted from the light guide of the first illuminating device is The illuminating device which forms the compound illuminating device taken out from the light transmissive member of 2 illuminating devices may be sufficient. The built-in first lighting device may be fixed to at least a part of the inside of the second lighting device.

Also in this case, similarly, the light reflected in the hollow portion of the second illumination device is transmitted to the outside through the light transmitting member in the opening of the second illumination device. In addition, the light extracted from the surface of the light guide of the first lighting device or the obliquely cut surface is diffused and reflected inside the second lighting device, and transmitted through the second lighting device. The material is transmitted to the outside through the member.

These lighting devices may be used for automobile interiors, interior lighting, or decoration lighting devices.

According to the first invention, since the inner surface of the frame body on which the LED light source is arranged is formed of the light reflecting member except for the opening, the light is reflected and uniformized in the light guide space inside the frame body. can do.
For example, normally, the light emitted from the LED light source has high directivity, but can be guided to the light guide after being uniformed by repeated reflection in the frame.

Further, the light incident on at least one of the side surface, the front surface, and the back surface of the light guide is guided through the light guide body, and the side surface, the front surface, and the back surface disposed outside the frame of the light guide body. Light can be extracted from at least one of the above. At this time, since the light is guided by the substantially total reflection inside the light guide, light leakage from the front surface or the back surface of the light guide can be suppressed.

In this way, the light from the point-like LED light source is made uniform in the light guide space and incident on the incident side surface of the light guide, and the light is extracted from the other side surface. And a planar lighting device can be realized.

By making the shape of the other side surface not a right angle to the front and back surfaces, but a tapered shape, it is possible to give the effect of a lens, and it is possible to adjust the light extraction angle and the light spreading method. is there.

If the frame has substantially the same cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction of the opening, the frame can be easily designed and manufactured. For example, the cross-sectional shape may be any shape such as a circle, an ellipse, an oval, a shape like an eggplant, a polygon, a trapezoid, or a shape in which a part of a rectangular cross-section is cut obliquely. By designing the frame in such a shape, optical conditions such as light reflection in the cross-sectional direction of the frame can be made substantially the same except for the vicinity of both side surfaces other than the uniform cross section of the frame.

Further, if the opening is formed in a substantially linear shape, the design and manufacture of the frame body is easy, so that not only the optical conditions such as light reflection in the cross-sectional direction of the frame body but also the light guide body. The intensity of incident light can be made uniform in the longitudinal direction of the opening. That is, optical conditions such as the distribution of incident light on the light guide in the longitudinal direction can be made substantially the same.

Also, by attaching a light reflective member to the surface of the base material of the frame, a thin light reflective member can be applied while ensuring the rigidity (shape maintaining property) of the frame by the base material. In particular, by increasing the diffuse reflectivity of the light reflective member, it is possible to make the light uniform in the light guide space efficiently. That is, the light guide space can be reduced in size and saved.

Also, by configuring the frame itself with a light reflective member, it is possible to make light uniform inside the frame. Further, it is not necessary to use a reflecting member other than the frame body, the number of parts can be reduced, and the lighting device can be reduced in weight.

Also, if the light reflectance of the micro-foamed resin is 90% or more, particularly 90% or more of the diffuse reflectance of the aluminum oxide standard plate in the visible light region, it can cope with illumination of any color. Even if there is a difference in the optical path length from the LED light source to the light incident part, the light reflectivity of the inner surface of the frame is high, so almost uniform light is incident on the light guide and emitted from the light guide. Light can be extracted from the side. Further, as the light reflectance, it is more desirable that the total reflectance is 95% or more and the diffuse reflectance is 95% or more.

Further, if the micro foam resin is any one of PET resin, polycarbonate resin (PC resin), acrylic resin, and flame retardant acrylic resin, light can be diffused and reflected efficiently.

Also, by providing a light guide portion that tapers toward the light guide in the vicinity of the opening, light can be efficiently condensed on the light incident portion. For example, when there is no light guide part, the efficiency of capturing light into the light incident part is deteriorated, and there is a risk that the light intensity decreases with an increase in the number of light reflections. The light can be efficiently guided to the light incident part. Further, the light guide portion has an effect of guiding light while repeating diffuse reflection toward the light incident portion of the light guide. For this reason, light can be made uniform uniformly.

Here, when the transparent resin sheet is used for the light guide, the reflection loss due to the optical connection when entering the incident surface of the light guide from the light guide space is not so large. Therefore, for example, it is possible to polish the incident side surface of the PET resin sheet, provide an antireflection film, or conversely roughen the incident side surface, but the resin sheet can be used as it is. In addition, when using a resin film instead of a resin sheet, the surface form of the end surface can be considered similarly.

The refractive index of PE resin, PS resin, acrylic resin, PET resin, PC resin, PVC resin, etc., which are general resin materials, is in the range of 1.49 to 1.58. In particular, when the PET resin sheet, which is a typical transparent resin sheet, is perpendicularly incident on the end surface of the PET resin sheet from, for example, a light guide space (in the air), the reflection loss R of incident light is 1.576. Then, R = 0.05, which is about 5%. Incidentally, in the case of an acrylic resin having a refractive index of 1.49, R = 0.04, and the reflection loss is about 4%.

In addition, the light guide can be securely fixed by providing a support part that sandwiches and supports the light guide at the tip of the light guide part. The inner surface of the support portion is made of a light reflective member. The light guide may have at least part of its front and back surfaces joined to the support portion with an adhesive.

Also, the support part has an effect of suppressing light leakage to the front surface or the back surface of the light guide. For example, when light is reflected by the light guide portion, the light whose angle rises with respect to the axis of the light guide increases, but the loss due to this can be covered by the light leakage prevention effect at the support portion.

For example, light that has been repeatedly reflected by the light guide part is guided by being repeatedly totally reflected in the light guide after entering the light guide, and light that leaks to the outside from the front and back surfaces of the light guide. is there. For example, light incident on the end face of the light guide at an angle less than the critical angle is incident on the front or back surface of the light guide at an angle greater than the critical angle if the light guide is arranged in a planar shape. Therefore, total reflection is repeated in the light guide body, and the light exits toward the light exit side.

On the other hand, when the number of reflections at the guide portion increases, the component that increases the incident angle seen from the normal direction of the light guide end surface to the light incident side of the light guide that is the light incident portion tends to increase. At this time, the light incident on the incident side at a large angle is incident on the light guide body and then slightly refracted to reduce the angle, but the light guide body surface does not satisfy the total reflection condition. And light leaks from the back to the outside.

Here, the incident angle and reflection angle at the incident side surface of the light guide are determined by the relationship between the incident angle and the reflection angle of the front and back surfaces of the light guide, and the incident side surface of the light guide and the surface of the light guide. Since the back surface and the back surface are orthogonal to each other, the relationship is a complementary angle. That is, as the incident angle to the incident side surface of the light guide increases, the incident angle with respect to reflection on the front and back surfaces of the light guide, which is the residual angle, tends to decrease. Therefore, as the incident angle to the incident side surface of the light guide increases, the incident angle with respect to the surface of the light guide decreases and the total reflection conditions on the front and back surfaces of the light guide tend not to be satisfied.

Therefore, light incident on the light guide at an angle less than the critical angle of total reflection from the light incident part leaks from the front and back surfaces of the light guide, but by providing a support part, the leaked light is reflected at the support part. It is diffused and reflected back into the light guide. If a light-reflective member that constitutes the support portion is a member having high diffuse reflectivity, a part of the reflected light satisfies the critical angle when reflected. A part of the diffusely reflected light does not satisfy the critical angle of total reflection, and is diffusely reflected again on the other support portion. By repeating the diffuse reflection as described above, light leakage to the front and back surfaces of the light guide can be reduced.

The number of repetitions of diffuse reflection is preferably 5 times or more. By setting in this way, it becomes possible to reduce the amount of light leakage from the light guide cumulatively and to be almost saturated by repeated diffuse reflection. Here, it is desirable to use a diffuse reflection material made of micro-foamed resin for the support portion, as will be described later, because the diffuse reflectance is large and the guide portion and the support portion can be integrally formed.

Specular reflection member can also be used for the support part. In this case, since there are many specular reflection components, there is little effect of expanding the reflection angle like diffuse reflection at the time of reflection. For this reason, the reflected light that has been subjected to regular reflection by the regular reflection member is emitted from the front and back surfaces of the light guide after the light guide has exited the support portion. Furthermore, since it also has a certain degree of diffuse reflectivity, part of the light diffusely reflected by the support member repeats total reflection to guide the light in the light guide. Therefore, the regular reflection member is less effective than a member having high diffuse reflection, but can increase the amount of light totally reflected in the light guide to a certain extent.

In particular, by setting the length of the support portion to a predetermined length or more, the number of diffuse reflections in the support portion can be secured, and the above-described light leakage can be suppressed. The length of the support portion should be set to a length that allows light incident at an angle smaller than the critical angle of total reflection at the light guide to leak to the support portion and repeats diffuse reflection at least five times at the support portion. Is preferred. That is, as the lower limit value of the length of the support portion, if the support portion length is set to 5 times at the critical angle of total reflection, light leaked from the front and back surfaces of the light guide is diffused at least 5 times or more. Can be reflected. In addition, the loss due to light leakage can be reduced and the length of the support portion can be secured to a predetermined length or more, so that the light guide can be stably held.

Here, the length Le of the support part capable of repeating the total reflection of the light leaked from the surface of the light guide body at least five times is defined as follows. The light guide body thickness is t, and the critical angle of the total reflection of the light guide body is θc. , Le = (5 · t) · tan (θc). That is, by setting the length of the support portion to Le or more, it is possible to secure the length of the support portion that can diffuse and reflect the light leaked from the light guide body five times or more. That is, Le is formed on the front and back surfaces of the light guide at the interface between the support portion and the light guide, or each of the substances existing on the front and back surfaces of the light guide and the refractive index of each of the light guides. Can be calculated each time depending on the composition of these materials.

It is desirable that the light reflective member constituting the support portion is a micro foam resin selected from any one of PET resin, PC resin, acrylic resin, and flame retardant acrylic resin.

When the support portion and the light guide are bonded with an adhesive, it is preferable to use an adhesive whose refractive index is lower than that of the light guide. The smaller the refractive index of the adhesive is than the refractive index of the light guide, the smaller the critical angle, the more light is trapped in the light guide, the thinner the light guide and the smaller the light entrance. Also, light can be efficiently incident on the light guide.

In addition, it is also possible to provide an adhesive thinly at both ends of the support portion and to form an air layer therebetween.
For example, when an adhesive layer having a thickness of 100 μm is provided at both ends of the support portion and the support portion and the light guide are fixed, the portions other than the both ends fixed by the adhesive are substantially between the support portion and the light guide. An air layer having the same thickness can be secured. Further, when the air layer is provided in this way, the refractive index of the air layer is smaller than the refractive index of the adhesive, so that the length of the support portion can be further shortened. Note that the wavelength of visible light is 380 nm to 780 nm, and the thickness of the air layer is sufficiently thicker than the wavelength of light, so that a sufficient thickness can be secured for the air layer to act as a cladding layer.

When an adhesive layer is provided over the entire length of the opposing surface of the support portion and the light guide, light is applied so that at least the end of the adhesive layer is covered only at the tip of the support portion on the light extraction portion side. It is desirable to provide a reflective member as a light leakage prevention member. By adopting such a structure, for example, even when an adhesive layer is provided at the interface between the light guide and the support portion, light leakage from the adhesive layer can be efficiently prevented.

Further, if the area of the opening (light incident portion) is sufficiently small with respect to the inner surface of the frame, light can be made uniform by sufficiently performing diffuse reflection inside the frame. For example, if the inner surface area excluding the opening of the frame is less than 95% of the total inner surface area including the opening of the frame, unevenness due to the extraction position of light extracted from the side surface or the front and back surfaces of the light guide can be made. It becomes easy.

It is desirable that the light guide part and the support part are integrally formed with a micro foam resin having excellent light reflection characteristics together with the frame. These members may be integrally molded, or may be integrated after being molded separately. By doing in this way, while improving the productivity of an illuminating device, the illuminating device which is excellent in light extraction efficiency is realizable.

Further, if the light guide is a transparent resin sheet having shape retention, light can be transmitted in a direction orthogonal to the light guide direction of the light guide. For this reason, it can be used in combination with other lighting devices.

Further, when the emission direction of the LED light source and the light incident surface are substantially orthogonal, the light source is separated from the light incident portion so that the light incident portion is not included in the range of the orientation angle of the LED light source. Before entering the incident portion, light with high luminance emitted from the LED light source can be irradiated to the reflective layer of the light guide space, and multiple reflections can be made in the light guide space. For this reason, light can be made uniform uniformly and the uniformized light can be taken into the light guide.

Further, when a plurality of LED light sources are arranged in the light guide space so as to face the light incident portion, the light source is evenly incident on the light guide by setting the arrangement interval of the LED light sources to 2L × tan θ. be able to. Here, when the distance from the LED light source to the light incident portion is L and the alignment half angle θ, it is desirable that the arrangement interval along the length direction of the opening is substantially equal to 2L × tan θ. Part of the light emitted from the LED light source does not reflect in the light guide space, but directly enters the light incident part. At this time, the direct light from the LED light source is aligned by satisfying the above formula. By using the intensity distribution and direct light from a plurality of LED light sources overlap each other, it is possible to adjust the intensity variation at the opening position of the direct light. For this reason, the nonuniformity of the light which injects into a light-incidence part can be suppressed.

In addition, by using a resin sheet as the light guide, having at least a bent portion, and making the light extraction portion in a curved shape, for example, different positions and directions separated from the incident side of illumination light to the light guide by a predetermined distance An exit side surface can be disposed on the surface. Therefore, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in design and obtain an illumination device with high formability and design. Or the freedom degree of installation space can be expanded.

Also, a lighting device can be installed on a member having a curved shape so as to cover the member, and an illumination function can be added to the end surface of the member other than the planar shape. At this time, since the light guide is transparent, an illumination function can be provided without changing the appearance of the member to be attached.

Also, by providing a light extraction portion on the front or back surface of the light guide, light can be extracted in the direction of the front or back surface in addition to the side surface of the light guide. For this reason, it is possible to obtain a lighting device having a high design as well as lighting design according to the purpose of use.

Further, by covering the side surfaces other than the light extraction portion of the light guide with the light reflecting member, light leakage from unnecessary portions can be suppressed, and brighter light can be extracted from the light extraction portion. By covering all the side surfaces of the light guide and providing the light extraction portion on the front or back surface of the light guide, light can be extracted only from the light extraction portion provided on the front or back surface of the light guide.

By covering the surface of the second frame of the second lighting device having the LED light source inside the frame with a light guide, that is, by covering the light guide as a light transmitting member in the second lighting device. It can be set as the illuminating device which can irradiate light independently in two directions. By using such a composite lighting device, it is possible to obtain a lighting device that extracts light in different directions and different states, such as taking out light emitted from the lighting device in a planar shape or a linear shape. Further, the planar illumination can be used as decorative illumination by changing the color of the planar illumination to white or daylight and the linear illumination different from the planar illumination such as blue or green.

In addition, the first lighting device is disposed inside the hollow portion of the frame of the second lighting device, and the opening of the second frame of the second lighting device is covered with the light transmitting member, so that the second. The first lighting device can be installed inside the light guide space of the lighting device. In this case, it is desirable that the first illuminating device that extracts light from the light guide is fixed in a light guide space that is formed inside the hollow portion of the frame of the second illuminating device. In this case, the first lighting device arranged in the light guide space of the second lighting device is fixed at a position that does not interfere with the light guide of the second LED light source of the second lighting device. Is desirable. Here, the light extraction portion of the first lighting device may be any surface of the light guide, but it is desirable that the light extraction portion be the front surface or the back surface rather than the side surface of the light guide.

In this case, the light extracted from the side surface, the front surface, or the back surface of the light guide of the first lighting device is guided to the light guide space of the second lighting device, and passes through the light transmitting member of the second lighting device. Permeated and taken out to the outside. For example, the light extracted from the light guide is diffusely reflected inside the second lighting device by increasing the area of the opening and extracting light from the surface of the light guide and the surface obtained by obliquely cutting the light guide. And can be equalized. Here, the light extracted from the illuminating device using the light guide is colored light, and the light extracted from the second illuminating device is white or daylight color. Obtainable.

This lighting device is particularly suitable for automobile interiors, interior lighting, and decorative lighting devices.

A second invention is a mounting structure of the lighting device and the structural member according to the first invention, wherein the opening of the frame has substantially the same cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction, and the lighting device The light guide is mounted and fixed inside the structural member, the light extraction portion of the light guide is an emission side surface, and at least a part of the emission side surface is disposed in the opening of the structural member. Is attached to the structural member, and the light extraction is performed from the opening of the structural member.

It is desirable to have a light guide function for extracting light along the opening of the structural member.

According to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain a structure for attaching a lighting device to a structural member such as an automobile interior.

Further, light extraction can be performed in a shape along the opening of the structural member.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided one or a plurality of LED light sources, a frame having an opening, an inner surface excluding the opening formed of a light reflecting member, and a light guide fixed to the opening. A light emitting portion of the LED light source is disposed at a position spaced apart from the opening inside the frame by a predetermined distance, and the frame is shielded from the outside except for the opening. A light guide space is formed, the light emitted from the LED light source in the light guide space is reflected or diffusely reflected and uniformed, and the light from the LED light source is further reflected in the light guide space. The light incident on at least one of a side surface, a front surface, and a back surface of the light guide disposed on the light guide, and the light incident on the light guide is repeatedly reflected in the light guide, thereby allowing a predetermined distance from the light incident portion. An exit side surface arranged outside the frame at a distant position; The light is guided to a surface or a back surface, and light is extracted from at least one of an emission side surface disposed outside the frame body of the light guide, or a light extraction portion formed on the front surface or the back surface. This is a method for extracting light from an illumination device.

The light may be extracted from either the light extraction portion formed on the front surface or the back surface of the light guide body by covering all side surfaces of the light guide body other than the incident side surface with a light reflecting member.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the linear illumination device, the light is guided for a predetermined distance, the linear light is directed to the side surface of the light guide, and the planar light is formed on the surface on which the light extraction portion is formed. It can be taken out uniformly from the back side.

Furthermore, by covering all the side surfaces other than the incident side surface of the light guide with the light reflecting member, light can be extracted from either the light extraction portion formed on the front surface or the back surface of the light guide.

As described above, according to the third invention, linear light is extracted from the side surface and the planar light of the light guide from the front surface or the back surface where the light extraction portion is formed, or the surface of the light guide or It can be extracted from any of the light extraction portions formed on the back surface.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided one or a plurality of LED light sources, a frame having an opening, the inner surface excluding the opening being formed of a light reflecting member, and a light guide fixed to the opening. A light emitting portion of the LED light source is disposed at a position spaced apart from the opening inside the frame by a predetermined distance, and the frame is shielded from the outside except for the opening. A light guide space is formed, the light emitted from the LED light source in the light guide space is reflected or diffusely reflected and uniformed, and the light from the LED light source is further reflected in the light guide space. It is made to inject into at least any one of the side surface of the said light guide arrange | positioned in the surface, the surface, and a back surface.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, the light emitted from the light source is made uniform by the light guide space and applied to the incident portion of the light guide. Therefore, compared with the case where the LED light source is directly incident on the light guide, Uniform light can be extracted, and there is no need to increase the output of the LED light source.

In addition, when the light source is directly incident on the light guide having a large width and optically coupled, the LED light source is a directional surface light source, and thus an equal optical coupling state cannot be obtained. Since the light uniformized in the body enters the light guide, uniform illumination can be obtained with a small number of LED light sources. Moreover, the use efficiency of light can be increased by using a reflective material with high reflectivity, and the brightness of the light incident on the light guide is reduced even after many diffuse reflections within the frame. Less is.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an illuminating device and a light extraction method from the illuminating device that can extract light uniformly and linearly with a simple structure.

The perspective view which shows the illuminating device 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device 1. The A section enlarged view of FIG. The B section enlarged view of FIG. The figure which shows other embodiment of the support part. The figure which shows other embodiment of the support part. FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view of the lighting device 1. Sectional drawing of the illuminating device 1a. Sectional drawing of the illuminating device 1b. Sectional drawing of the illuminating device 1c. The enlarged view of the frame 3. FIG. The perspective view which shows the illuminating device 1d. The perspective view which shows the illuminating device 1e. The bottom view of the illuminating device 1f which armored the illuminating device which takes out light from a light guide. FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH in FIG. 11A. Sectional drawing which shows the illuminating device 1g equipped with the illuminating device which takes out light from a light guide. The J section enlarged view of Drawing 12a. The perspective view which shows the illuminating device 1h. Sectional drawing of the illuminating device 1h. The I section enlarged view of FIG. 14a. The top view of the illuminating device 1i. Sectional drawing of the illuminating device 1j. The perspective view which shows the illuminating device 1k. The perspective view which shows the illuminating device 1l. The figure which shows other embodiment of the frame 3. FIG. The figure which shows other embodiment of the frame 3. FIG. The figure which shows other embodiment of the front-end | tip of the light guide. The figure which shows other embodiment of the front-end | tip of the light guide. The figure which shows other embodiment of the front-end | tip of the light guide. Sectional drawing which shows the attachment structure 10 of an illuminating device.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the lighting device 1, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device 1. 3a is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3b is an enlarged view of a portion B in FIG.

The lighting device 1 mainly includes a frame 3, a light guide 5, an LED light source 13, and the like. In the following drawings, illustration of wirings and substrates is omitted.

The frame 3 has an opening 7 in part. The opening 7 is formed in a substantially linear shape. Inside the frame body 3, light emitting portions of one or a plurality of LED light sources 13 are arranged. At this time, the light emitting part of the LED light source 13 is arranged at a position spaced apart from the opening 7 inside the frame 3 by a predetermined distance. A space shielded from the outside except for the opening 7 is formed inside the frame 3. This space constitutes a light guide space 15 that guides the light emitted from the LED light source 13. The frame 3 may have substantially the same cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction of the opening 7, but the shape may be changed.

In the vicinity of the opening 7 of the frame 3, a light guide portion 11 is provided. The light guide portion 11 is a portion that condenses light to a light guide 5 (thickness of 1 mm or less in this embodiment) described later. A support portion 9 is provided at the tip of the light guide portion 11. The support part 9 is a part that supports the light guide 5. The inner surfaces of the light guide portion 11 and the support portion 9 are both made of a light reflective member. That is, the light guide portion 11 and the support portion 9 are formed integrally with the frame body 3 as a whole.

The light guide portion 11 is tapered toward the light guide 5 in the vicinity of the opening 7 of the frame 3. Further, both surfaces of the light guide 5 are sandwiched and supported by the support portion 9. Note that the tip of the support portion 9 becomes the opening 7. That is, the light guide 5 is fixed to the opening 7. The light guide 5 has a sheet shape, for example. Details of fixing the light guide 5 will be described later.

Note that the shape of the frame 3 is not limited to the illustrated example. For example, if the light can be efficiently guided to the light guide 5, the light guide portion 11 is not necessarily required. Moreover, the support part 9 does not need to be able to fix the light guide 5 reliably.

As shown in FIG. 3a, the frame 3 for the lighting device 1 includes a base 3a and a light reflective member 3b attached to the inner surface of the base 3a. The base material 3a is made of metal or resin, for example. The light reflective member 3b is, for example, a white light reflective member, a film-like light reflective member, or a light reflective member made of a micro foam resin.

Here, in the present invention, it is desirable to use the light reflective member 3b having high diffuse reflectivity. For example, as the light reflecting member 3b, a light reflecting metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, or silver can be used as a light reflecting member that is plated on the base material 3a or has the metal film attached thereto. A member having a diffuse reflection function is preferably used. In particular, it is desirable to apply a light-reflecting member made of microfoamed resin having a high diffuse reflectance.

As the micro-foamed resin, for example, the average cell diameter is preferably in the range of 0.2 μm to 40 μm. If the average bubble diameter is too small than 0.2 μm, the light transmittance increases and the reflectance decreases. In addition, if the average bubble diameter is too large, the diffuse reflectance decreases, so the average bubble diameter needs to be 0.2 μm to 40 μm. Further, the average bubble diameter is preferably 0.5 μm to 20 μm. More preferably, the average cell diameter is 1.0 to 10 μm.

In addition, the light-reflective member made of micro-foamed resin is configured by the light-reflective member 3b made of micro-foamed resin that can maintain its shape by the frame 3 itself and can be easily deformed when an external force is applied. Also good. Such a micro-foamed resin sheet has not only excellent shape retention but also excellent moldability because it can be easily deformed. In this case, for example, the thickness of the micro-foamed resin sheet is not particularly limited as long as it can be bent, but is usually 0.4 mm to 5.0 mm, but may be 0.4 mm to 2.0 mm. desirable. That is, it is only necessary that the inner surface of the frame 3 excluding the opening 7 is formed by the light reflecting member 3b over substantially the entire surface. By configuring the frame 3 itself with the light-reflective member 3b made of micro-foamed resin, it is possible to simultaneously achieve light uniformity and weight reduction inside the frame 3.

The micro-foamed resin constituting the frame body 3 is preferably selected from PET resin, PC resin, acrylic resin, and flame-retardant acrylic resin that are excellent in shape maintainability and moldability in addition to light reflectivity.

Here, as an optical characteristic of the micro foam resin, an aluminum oxide standard plate is used, and when the light reflectance in the visible light region of this standard plate is 100%, the micro foam resin has a total reflectance of 90%. % Or more and a diffuse reflectance of 90% or more are desirable. More preferably, the total reflectance is 95% or more and the diffuse reflectance is 95% or more.

Here, if the wavelength dependence of the light reflectance of the micro-foamed resin satisfies within ± 10% in the light wavelength range, the color of the LED light source 13 is changed to various colors such as red, yellow, green, and blue. It can also be used effectively as a frame 3 of a lighting device for decorative lighting. The wavelength dependency of the light reflectance of the micro-foamed resin can be within ± 2% in the light wavelength range.

When the frame body 3 is molded from a micro-foamed resin, the frame body 3 may be divided into upper and lower parts and bonded to each other. You may shape like this. That is, if the frame 3 has a shape in which no undercut portion is formed, the frame can be easily formed. Further, the frame body 3 may be assembled by bending the microfoamed resin sheet. Thus, by comprising the frame 3 by micro foaming resin, the base material 3a becomes unnecessary, the number of parts can be reduced and the lightweight frame 3 can be implement | achieved.

The light guide 5 is, for example, a sheet made of transparent resin (including translucent resin). For the light guide 5, for example, an injection molded product of a thin transparent resin can be used. As the material of the light guide 5, PET resin, PC resin, acrylic resin, flame retardant acrylic resin, and the like are used, but other resins may be used. In addition, the light guide 5 has shape retainability and can maintain the shape by itself, and the thickness of the light guide 5 is, for example, about 0.5 mm. Of course, as the light guide 5, in addition to the resin sheet that can maintain the shape by the light guide 5 itself, a resin film that can maintain a predetermined shape can be used if an external force is applied. In addition, a glass plate can also be used when the light guide 5 is not bent.

As described above, the light guide 5 is fixed to the opening 7 (support 9) of the frame 3. For example, the light guide 5 and the frame 3 can be bonded together by adhesion or fusion. When joining both using an adhesive, there is a risk of light leakage from the thickness of the adhesive, so make the adhesive layer as thin as possible, form an extremely thin adhesive layer, or adhere with an adhesive that does not easily transmit light be able to. It is also possible to mechanically fix the light guide 5 and the frame 3 in close contact.

In FIG. 4a, an adhesive layer 81 is formed over the entire length of the opposing surfaces of the light guide 5 and the support 9 using an adhesive (adhesive) to fix the light guide 5 and the frame 3 together. Show the case. Thus, the light guide 5 and the support part 9 can be bonded in a state different from that in FIG. Further, it is possible to decrease the thickness of the adhesive layer 81 in an inclined manner from the light incident side surface 5 a of the light guide body 5 toward the side surface direction on the emission side of the light guide body 5. By doing so, light leakage from the adhesive layer 81 can be reduced or prevented.

As shown in FIG. 4a, a light reflective member is provided as a light leakage preventing member 6 at the tip of the support portion 9 on the light extraction portion side so as to cover at least the end face of the adhesive layer 81. For example, the light reflecting member made of micro foamed resin is used as the light leakage preventing member 6 so as to face the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5 substantially perpendicularly to the support portion 9 so as to cover the end surface of the adhesive layer 81. By bonding, light leakage from the end portion of the support portion 9 can be prevented.

Further, a transparent adhesive is used for the inner surface of the support portion 9, and a white light-reflecting adhesive or a black light-absorbing adhesive is used instead of the light leakage preventing member 6 on the end surface of the support portion 9. May be. Even in this case, it is also possible to prevent light leaking from the adhesive layer 81 by reflecting or absorbing light passing through the transparent adhesive at the end of the support portion 9.

In the case of using an adhesive, it is desirable to use an adhesive having a refractive index smaller than that of the light guide 5 and having a large refractive index difference from the light guide 5. Further, in order to prevent the light-transmitting adhesive layer 81 from being formed, the support portion 9 and the light guide 5 can be heat-sealed or mechanically fixed without using an adhesive.

Also, as shown in FIG. 4b, only the both ends of the support portion 9 and the light guide 5 in the light guide direction can be fixed with an adhesive. That is, the adhesive layer 81 is not provided over the entire opposing surface of the support portion 9 and the light guide 5, but the adhesive layer 81 is provided at both ends of the opposing surface of the support portion 9 and the light guide 5. You may form the air layer 84 in parts other than both ends.

Also in this case, the light leakage preventing member 6 can be provided in order to prevent light leakage from the adhesive layer 81. In FIG. 4b, the adhesive layer 81 is provided at both ends of the opposing surfaces of the support portion 9 and the light guide 5, but an adhesive may be applied and fixed to the outside of both ends of the opposing surface. Thus, at least a part of the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5 may be joined to the support portion 9 with an adhesive. In the following description, illustration of the adhesive layer 81 and the air layer 84 is omitted.

Next, functions (light extraction method, optical connection method) of the lighting device 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the LED light source 13 is disposed on the inner surface of the frame 3 so as to face the opening 7. Of the light emitted from the LED light source 13, a part of the light directly incident on the incident side surface 5 a of the light guide 5 is transmitted into the light guide 5, and the remaining light is reflected in the light guide space 15. Light that is not incident on the incident side surface 5 a of the light guide 5 is incident on the inner surface of the frame 3. The light reflected from the incident side surface 5 a of the light guide 5 and the light incident on the inner surface of the frame 3 are repeatedly reflected on the inner surface of the frame 3.

Normally, the light emitted from the LED light source 13 has high directivity, but by repeating reflection in the frame 3, the irradiation range of the emitted light is expanded and the light in the light guide space 15 is made uniform. Therefore, even with a small number of LED light sources 13, light can be uniformly incident on the incident side surface 5 a of the light guide 5. Here, the reflection on the frame 3 may not be diffuse reflection depending on circumstances, but it is desirable that the reflection is diffuse reflection from the viewpoint of uniform light in the light guide space 15 in the frame 3.

As shown in FIG. 3 a, a part of the light uniformized in the light guide space 15 is reflected by the inner surface of the light guide portion 11. As described above, the light guide portion 11 has a tapered shape toward the opening 7 (boundary portion with the support portion 9). For this reason, the light reflected by the light guide part 11 is collected in the center (arrow C in the figure). A support portion 9 is formed at the front end of the light guide portion 11 at a substantially center in the height direction of the light guide portion 11. As described above, the light guide 5 is fixed to the support portion 9.

The incident side surface 5 a of the light guide 5 is located at the boundary between the support portion 9 and the light guide portion 11 and is exposed to the light guide space 15. The incident side surface 5 a of the light guide 5 serves as a light incident portion to the light guide 5. The light uniformized in the light guide space 15 enters the light guide 5 from the incident side surface 5a.

As shown in FIG. 3b, light that has entered the light guide 5 and incident at an incident angle equal to or greater than the critical angle of total reflection repeats total reflection with almost no loss. The light is emitted from the other emission side surface 5b (or the emission side surface 5c as shown in FIG. 1) (arrow E in the figure). In other words, the incident side surface 5a of the light guide 5 disposed in the light guide space 15 serves as a light incident portion to the light guide 5, and is a predetermined distance away from the light incident portion, and other exit side surfaces excluding the light incident portion. Light can be extracted from 5b and 5c (arrow F in FIG. 2). Therefore, it is desirable to form the light guide portion 11 at an angle or less that satisfies the total reflection condition of the light guide 5. By forming in such a shape, light leakage from the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5 can be prevented or reduced.

On the other hand, light incident on the light guide 5 at an angle equal to or less than the critical angle of total reflection leaks from the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5. In particular, when the number of reflections at the light guide portion 11 increases, the component that increases the incident angle of light to the light incident portion tends to increase.

In the present embodiment, the support portion 9 covers the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5. Since the support portion 9 is composed of the light reflecting member 3b having a high diffuse reflection property, the light leaked from the light guide 5 in the support portion 9 is diffusely reflected by the support portion 9 and is thus reflected in the light guide 5 Returned to For this reason, the critical angle of total reflection can be satisfied with respect to a part of the reflected light at the time of reflection. Therefore, by repeating the diffuse reflection on the inner surface of the support portion 9, the light having a critical angle or less increases in the light guide 5, and the light leaking can be reduced.

In order to obtain such an effect, as the length of the support portion 9 (D in FIG. 3a), light incident at an angle smaller than the critical angle is diffused and reflected five times on the front surface 5d or the back surface 5e of the light guide 5. It is desirable that the length be repeatable as described above. This is because the amount of light leaking is almost saturated by repeating the diffuse reflection at least five times.

Here, the thickness of the light guide 5 is t. Further, at the interface between the support portion 9 and the light guide 5, light is guided to either the material formed on the front surface 5 d or the back surface 5 e of the light guide or the substance existing on the front surface 5 d or the back surface 5 e of the light guide 5. The critical angle of total reflection corresponding to the refractive index ratio with the body 5 is defined as θc. In this case, the length Le of the support portion 9 necessary for repeating the diffuse reflection five times can be described as Le = 5 · t · tan (θc). Therefore, it is desirable that the length D of the support portion 9 is equal to or greater than Le.

As described above, in the case where the support 9 and the light guide 5 are fixed only by using an adhesive on a part of the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5 facing the support 9, the support 9 and the light guide 5 are guided. An air layer 84 exists in a wide range between the light bodies 5. Specifically, this is a case where the support 9 and the light guide 5 are fixed by applying an adhesive only to both end faces of the support. Here, the refractive index of the air layer 84 is 1. In this case, the support portion length D required for light incident at an angle smaller than the critical angle to be diffusely reflected by the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5 five times or more is the case where the light guide 5 is made of PET resin. In this case, the thickness of the light guide 5 may be about 4.1 times or more.

In the case of fixing the light guide 5 and the support 9 by applying an adhesive over the entire length of the opposing surface of the light guide 5 facing the support 9, for example, an adhesive having a refractive index of 1.49 is used. If used, the length of the support portion 9 in this case needs to be 14.5 times the thickness of the light guide. In order to shorten the length of the support part 9 and prevent light leakage, instead of applying an adhesive to the entire length of the bonding surface, for example, the support part 9 is bonded only to both ends, leaving an air layer 84 of a predetermined length. It is desirable to apply an agent.

Therefore, the minimum value of the length of the support portion 9 for preventing light leakage corresponds to the material of the light guide 5 and the material covered on the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5 such as an adhesive, You only have to decide each time. That is, in order to shorten the length of the support portion 9 necessary for repeating the diffuse reflection on the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5 five times or more, a material that contacts the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5 It is desirable to set the refractive index of the light guide 5 as low as possible. It is also desirable to increase the difference in refractive index between the material in contact with the light guide 5 and the light guide 5 itself.

That is, when an adhesive is applied to the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5 to fix the light guide 5, an adhesive having a refractive index smaller than that of the light guide 5 is used. It is desirable to increase the difference in refractive index between the light guide 5 and the light guide 5. However, when the refractive index of the adhesive and the light guide 5 is the same, the light that has passed through the light guide 5 passes through the adhesive layer 81 as it is, so that it adheres to the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5. It can be handled in the same manner as when the agent layer 81 is not provided.

Note that the higher the refractive index of the light guide 5 to be used, the smaller the loss due to light leakage during the light guide, so the higher the refractive index of the light guide 5 is desirable.

Further, in order to suppress reflection loss of incident light from the light guide space 15 in the light incident portion of the light guide 5, the incident side surface 5a may be flattened or an antireflection film may be formed on the incident side surface 5a. In addition, when other resin sheets are used for the light guide 5 in addition to the PET resin sheet, the light guide 5 is used without being cut because the reflection loss that is repeatedly reflected in the light guide space 15 is small. 5a may be a cut surface.

In order to improve the uniformity of the light incident on the incident side surface 5a of the light guide 5, the reflectance on the incident side surface 5a may be increased by roughening the incident side surface 5a, or by forming an uneven cross-sectional shape. . In this case, the number of reflections in the light guide space 15 increases, but the use of a light reflective member having a high reflectance can reduce a decrease in luminance from the exit side surfaces 5b and 5c.

In order to ensure uniform light in the light guide space 15, the ratio of the total inner surface area including the opening 7 and the opening 7 of the frame 3 is 1:10 or more. It is desirable that it is 20 or more. That is, the inner surface area excluding the opening 7 of the frame 3 is desirably 95% or more of the total inner surface area including the opening 7 of the frame 3.

If the inner surface area excluding the opening 7 of the frame 3 is less than 95% of the total inner surface area including the opening 7 of the frame 3, the light is not sufficiently equalized in the light guide space 15. There is a risk of uneven brightness at the take-out portion. The upper limit of the ratio is not particularly required, but when taking out light from the light guide 5, the area of the light incident portion becomes too small so that the illuminance necessary for the lighting device cannot be obtained. What is necessary is just to adjust the dimension and shape of the opening part 7 (light incident part) suitably. Moreover, what is necessary is just to determine suitably according to the request | requirement of size reduction and thickness reduction of an illuminating device.

In addition, when the light guide 5 does not need to be transparent, the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5 exposed from the frame 3 may be covered with a light reflective member. By doing so, light leakage from the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5 can be prevented, and light can be extracted more efficiently only from the emission side surfaces 5b and 5c of the light guide 5. Moreover, it can apply to the use of a signboard or an advertisement by using what printed the character and the pattern on the surface of the light reflection member which covers the surface 5d and the back surface 5e.

Next, the arrangement of the LED light source 13 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view of the lighting device 1. As illustrated, in the present embodiment, the LED light source 13 is disposed at a position facing the incident side surface 5a that is a light incident portion. Here, in the case where a plurality of LED light sources 13 are arranged at a predetermined interval, the length of the opening 7 is given by assuming that the orientation half angle of the LED light source 13 is θ and the distance from the LED light source 13 to the light incident part is L. It is desirable that the arrangement interval P of the LED light sources 13 along the direction substantially coincides with 2L × tan θ.

The orientation half angle θ with respect to the front direction of the LED light source 13 is, for example, in the range of 60 ° ± 10 °. In this case, in order for direct irradiation light from adjacent LED light sources 13 to continuously enter the light incident portion, the installation interval P between the LED light sources 13 is 2L × tan (60 ° ± 10 °). It is desirable that

Thus, by arranging the LED light source 13, the luminance of the light extraction surface of the illumination device 1 can be made uniform. Here, when the orientation half angle θ = 60 °, the direct light from the adjacent LED light source 13 is superposed with light having an intensity of ½ or more of the peak intensity. For this reason, the illuminance of the light incident on the incident side surface 5 a is substantially equal to the illuminance at the normal position at the center of the LED light source 13.

Thus, in this embodiment, it is desirable to arrange the LED light source 13 so as to satisfy the above conditions. In FIG. 5, two LED light sources are arranged, but the number of LED light sources 13 may be three or more.

As mentioned above, according to 1st Embodiment, the light radiate | emitted from the LED light source 13 inside the light guide space 15 of the frame 3 can be equalize | homogenized by repeating reflection or diffuse reflection. That is, by spreading the light from the LED light source 13 in the irradiation space, the spatial distribution of the light in the irradiation space can be made uniform. For this reason, the incident light incident on the incident side surface 5a of the light guide 5 can be made uniform by a small number of LED light sources 13, and as a result, the light irradiated from the emission side surfaces 5b and 5c of the light guide 5 can be made uniform.

Further, by using the light reflective member 3b made of micro foamed resin, it is lightweight, can diffuse and reflect light efficiently, and can increase the light emitted from the lighting device 1. In other words, bright lighting can be achieved with the same power.

Further, since the light is guided in the light guide 5 by total reflection, uniform light can be extracted in a linear form from the other exit side surfaces 5b and 5c different from the light incident part.

Further, by providing the light guide portion 11, the light in the light guide space 15 can be efficiently incident on the light guide 5.

Also, the light guide 5 can be reliably fixed by forming the support portion 9 at the tip of the light guide portion 11. Further, since the support portion 9 is configured by the light reflective member 3b, the support portion 9 can also perform diffuse reflection. For this reason, a part of the light leaking from the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5 is diffused and reflected, for example, at a reflection angle equal to or less than the critical angle of total reflection. The light leakage from the light guide 5 can be suppressed.

Here, when a regular reflection member is used for the support portion 9, the light leaked from the light guide 5 at an angle equal to or less than the critical angle of total reflection and incident on the support portion 9 is totally reflected by the support portion 9. repeat. However, when the light guided through the light guide 5 passes through the support portion 9, the light is emitted from the front surface 5 d and the back surface 5 e of the light guide 5 to the outside of the light guide 5. For this reason, although it is not preferable to use a regular reflection member, it can be used as an auxiliary member because a part thereof includes a diffuse reflection component when reflected on the surface of the support portion 9.

Further, by making the arrangement pitch of the LED light sources 13 appropriate, unevenness in the amount of direct light incident on the light guide 5 can be suppressed.

Note that the lighting device 1 of the present embodiment is particularly suitable for automobile interiors, interior lighting, or decorative lighting devices. For example, it can be used for interiors of automobiles and ordinary displays (decorative lighting). At this time, the LED light source 13 and the light extraction unit can be arranged apart from each other, and the LED light source and the light extraction surface can be arranged at different angles. Freedom of placement space when mounted.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device 1a according to the second embodiment. In the following description, components having the same functions as those of the lighting device 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. For example, a perspective view showing the illumination device 1a is the same as FIG.

In the illuminating device 1, the side surface that is the end of the light guide 5 is disposed at the end of the opening 7 of the frame, whereas in the illuminating device 1 a, the light guide 5 is located inside the light guide space 15. It is different to be arranged in. The illuminating device 1 and the illuminating device 1a are the same in other structures of the light guide part 11, the support part 9, and the opening part 7. FIG. Therefore, the side surface and the front and back surfaces of the light guide 5 are arranged in the light guide space 15 by a predetermined length. Therefore, the light diffusely reflected inside the light guide space 15 can be taken into the light guide 5 from the side surface and the front and back surfaces of the light guide 5. That is, with respect to the light from the LED light source 13, at least one of the incident side surface 5a, the front surface 5d, and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5 disposed in the light guide space 15 is a light incident portion to the light guide 5. It becomes.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Moreover, in the illuminating device 1a, since the light quantity taken in into the light guide 5 can be increased, the light quantity extracted from the light guide 5 can be increased and the brightness of the illuminating device can be increased.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device 1b according to the third embodiment. In the illumination device 1b, the light guide 5 is disposed in the light guide space 15 in substantially the same manner as the illumination device 1a, and the incident side surface 5a and the surface 5d of the light guide 5 are within the light guide space 15 by a predetermined length. Placed in. Here, in the lighting device 1 b, a sawtooth triangular groove 16 a is formed on the incident side surface 5 a of the light guide 5 disposed inside the light guide space 15, and a sawtooth triangular is formed on the surface 5 d of the light guide 5. A groove 16b is formed.

According to the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, saw-tooth triangular grooves 16a and 16b are formed on the incident side surface 5a and the surface 5d of the light guide 5 to increase the surface area of the light capturing portion of the light guide 5 so that the light to the light guide 5 can be increased. Uptake efficiency can be improved. By doing in this way, since the light quantity taken in to the light guide 5 can be increased, the light quantity of the light taken out from the light guide 5 can be increased, and the brightness of the lighting device 1b can be further increased. In the lighting device 1b, the saw blade pattern is not formed on the back surface of the light guide, but it goes without saying that the saw blade pattern can be formed on the back surface of the light guide.

The shapes formed on the incident side surface 5a, the front surface 5d, and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5 are any of sawtooth triangular grooves 16a and 16b, linear grooves, minute protrusions, uneven patterns, slits, holes, and the like. But it ’s okay. If the surface area of the light guide 5 arranged in the light guide space 15 can be increased, not only the above shape but also any shape processing can be performed. In addition to the above, a structure in which a prism sheet is attached to the surface of the light guide 5 may be used. As described above, the shape processing or the sheet pasting for increasing the surface area is performed on at least one of the incident side surface 5a, the front surface 5d, and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5 arranged in the light guide space 15. Uptake efficiency can be improved.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 a is a cross-sectional view showing a lighting device 1 c according to the fourth embodiment.

The lighting device 1c has substantially the same configuration as the lighting device 1, but the arrangement of the LED light sources 13 is different. In the present embodiment, the LED light source 13 is disposed at a position where the light emitting surface of the LED light source 13 is substantially orthogonal to the opening 7 (light incident portion).

FIG. 8b is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the frame 3 of the lighting device 1c. In the illumination device 1c, the light incident part of the light guide 5 is the incident side surface, and the LED light source is arranged so that the entire light incident part is not included in the alignment half angle θ (orientation angle 2θ) of the light from the LED light source 13. 13 is disposed at a position away from the light incident part by a predetermined distance.

In the illustrated example, the distance between the LED light source 13 and the incident side surface 5a of the light guide 5 is increased, but the relative angle may be changed. Even in this case, the direct light from the LED light source 13 with high luminance can be in a positional relationship that does not enter the incident side surface 5a. The positional relationship between the LED light source 13 and the incident side surface 5a may be determined in consideration of the installation location of the illumination device 1c and ease of installation.

By doing in this way, the direct light from the LED light source 13 is not incident on the light guide 5, but the light that is uniformed by multiple reflection in the light guide space 15 can be incident on the light guide 5. it can. Therefore, the spatial distribution of light in the light guide space 15 can be made uniform efficiently. For this reason, the light incident on the incident side surface 5a of the light guide 5 can be made uniform.

According to the fourth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, the LED light source 13 is arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the light incident part, and the light incident part is not included in the irradiation range of the orientation angle of the LED light source 13. The influence of direct light can be reduced, and the light incident on the incident side surface 5a of the light guide 5 can be made more uniform.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an illumination device 1d according to the fifth embodiment. The illuminating device 1 d has substantially the same configuration as the illuminating device 1, but differs in that a bent portion 17 is formed on at least a part of the light guide 5.

The bent portion 17 is formed by bending the light guide 5 in an arbitrary direction. If the curvature of the bent portion 17 is not more than a predetermined value, the light guided through the light guide 5 hardly leaks to the outside and is guided along the shape of the bent portion 17. Therefore, the light in the light guide 5 can be guided to the emission side surfaces 5b and 5c which are light extraction portions. Further, by forming the bent portion 17 in the light guide 5, the exit side surfaces 5 b and 5 c that are the light extraction portions have a curved shape corresponding to the bent portion 17 of the light guide 5, or the light guide 5 is It can be a cylindrical shape.

According to the fifth embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, by providing the light guide 5 with a bent portion 17 and using the light guide 5 by bending it, the illumination device 1d can be changed by changing the emission position of the light guide 5 or by making the shape of the light emission surface oblique. The decorativeness of can be increased. Further, the irradiation shape and the irradiation direction can be arbitrarily designed according to the installation position of the illumination device 1d. For example, it is also effective when the position of the LED light source 13 and the light extraction unit is separated, or when there is an angle difference between the light incident direction and the light emitting direction. For example, even if there is an angle difference between the light incident direction and the light emitting direction of the light guide 5, the light guide 5 can be bent 90 ° from the light incident direction to the light emitting direction.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a lighting device 1e according to the fourth embodiment. The illuminating device 1e has substantially the same configuration as the illuminating device 1, but differs in that a notch 19 is formed in a part of the light guide 5. That is, the distance from the frame 3 to the emission side surface 5b, which is a light extraction portion, varies depending on the part.

According to the sixth embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Moreover, since the light extraction part of the light guide 5 can be made into arbitrary shapes instead of a straight line, the position of the light extraction part can be designed arbitrarily according to the installation site | part of the illuminating device 1e.

Furthermore, the shape of the light extraction part can be arbitrarily designed three-dimensionally by combining with the bending part 17 in the illumination device 1d. As described above, since linear light having a three-dimensional shape can be extracted from the exit side surfaces 5b and 5c of the light guide 5, for example, a space in which a light extraction portion such as a gap in an interior material inside a car door is narrow. It can also be applied to. It can also be used to enhance the design of display devices such as interior lighting with improved interior and display boards for advertisements and exhibitions.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, a seventh embodiment will be described. FIG. 11a is a bottom view showing the lighting device 1f according to the seventh embodiment, and FIG. 11b is a cross-sectional view taken along the line HH of FIG. 11a. The lighting device 1f includes substantially the same configuration as the lighting device 1. Here, let the structure of the illuminating device 1 be a 1st illuminating device. The lighting device 1f is configured by integrating a first lighting device and a lighting device 2 as a second lighting device. The lighting device 2 is externally mounted on the first lighting device. In other words, the lighting device 1 f is a combination of the lighting device 1 and the lighting device 2. Instead of the illumination device 1, the other illumination devices 1a to 1e described above may be applied.

The lighting device 2 includes a frame 21 that is a second frame, an LED light source 23, and the like. The frame body 21 also serves as a reflecting plate and has a concave shape that opens to one side. The opening part of the hollow part 22 is a light extraction part. An LED light source 23 is provided inside the recess 22.

The frame 21 of the lighting device 2 is disposed on one surface of the light guide 5 (for example, on the back surface 5e). The opening (light extraction portion) of the frame body 21 (recessed portion) is covered with the light guide 5 of the lighting device 1. That is, the opening of the frame 21 of the lighting device 2 is covered with one surface of the sheet-like light guide 5. For example, the outer shape of the frame 21 (the shape of the opening) and the outer shape of the light guide 5 are substantially the same. In the present embodiment, the entire side surface of the light guide 5 exposed from the frame 3 is defined as the emission side surface 5b.

The frame body 21 is made of a light reflective member made of, for example, a micro foam resin. A space surrounded by the frame body 21 (a space surrounded by the frame body 21 and the light guide 5) is a light guide space 25 of the lighting device 2.

Here, the light guide 5 is a transparent member. Therefore, the light incident on the back surface 5e of the light guide 5 from the inside of the frame 21 is transmitted to the other surface 5d. Therefore, the light from the LED light source 23 arranged in the light guide space 25 is diffused and reflected a plurality of times on the inner surface of the frame body 21, transmitted from the back surface 5 e of the light guide body 5 to the front surface 5 d, and planarly upward. Irradiation (arrow G in the figure).

Thus, for the light from the LED light source 23 of the illuminating device 1f, the light guide 5 does not exhibit a light guide function but functions as a light transmission member. That is, the light guide 5 covers the light extraction portion of the hollow portion, and the light guide 5 is used as a light transmission member for light from the LED light source 23.

As described above, the light in the frame 3 is guided into the light guide 5 and is emitted from the emission side surface 5b (arrow F in the figure). Therefore, the illuminating device 1f can perform planar light emission and linear light emission in two different directions, respectively.

In addition, if the surface of the light guide 5 of the illuminating device 1 is roughened and the side surface of the light guide 5 is covered with a light reflecting member, the light from the illuminating device 1 and the illuminating device 2 is directed toward the surface of the light guide 5. Can also be taken out. In addition, instead of roughening the surface of the light guide 5, sawtooth triangular grooves, linear grooves, minute protrusions, uneven patterns, or a prism sheet may be attached to the surface of the light guide 5. The light from the lighting device 1 and the lighting device 2 can be extracted in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the light guide 5.

Here, the frame body 21 may have a recessed portion 22 having a concave shape. Although illustration is omitted, for example, two hollow portions 22 may be provided in the frame body 21 and the LED light source 23 may be disposed in each hollow portion. In this case, the entire opening of the frame body 21 is covered with one surface of the light guide 5. With such a configuration, it is possible to obtain an illuminating device that combines two illuminations that emit light in a planar direction and illumination that emits light in a different direction. Moreover, a partition part may be formed in the frame 21, and the hollow part 22 may be partitioned into two pieces by the partition part. You may arrange | position the LED light source 23 in each area | region divided by the partition part of the hollow part 22. FIG. In addition, in order to provide the two hollow parts 22, you may form two shaping | molding of a 2nd illuminating device by integral molding.

Thus, it is possible to obtain an illuminating device 1f that is covered with the light guide 5 so as to cover the opening of the frame 21 of the illuminating device 2 and uses the light guide 5 as a light transmission member in another illuminating device 2. it can. In this illuminating device 1f, the illuminating device 1 using the light guide 5 and the illuminating device 2 using the frame 21 can be integrated by a light transmission member.

When using the light guide 5 as the light transmitting member of the lighting device 1f, it is preferable to provide a mechanism capable of holding the shape. Preferably, a highly rigid light guide resin sheet or light guide glass plate is used as the light guide 5.

Further, in the illumination device 1, the portion where the light guide 5 is present and the frame 3 containing the LED light source 13 can be separated and disposed with the support portion 9 interposed therebetween. Here, when the illuminating device 1 and the illuminating device 2 are used in an integrated manner, the place where the LED light source 23 in the frame 21 of the illuminating device 2 is installed can be brought close to the light source unit of the illuminating device 1. For example, if the substrates of two illumination devices are shared, the illumination device 1f can be made compact. Furthermore, it is also possible to configure the light source unit of the planar illumination and the linear illumination with a circuit board integrated with a flexible flat cable. The degree of freedom of the configuration and shape of the combined lighting device when combined with other lighting devices can be greatly improved. Furthermore, the number of parts can be reduced.

Note that the LED light source 13 and the LED light source 23 can be illuminated in different colors. Therefore, for example, light that passes through the light guide 5 from the light guide space 25 can be used as interior or interior lighting, and light from the exit side surface 5b of the light guide 5 can be used as decoration lighting. By adopting such a structure, as a lighting device for planar illumination and linear illumination, a simpler structure can be used for interior lighting and decorative illumination without using a double-structured frame with open sides. Both functions can be imparted. By setting it as such a structure, the light of the LED light source 13 and the LED light source 23 can also be taken out to the surface direction of the light guide 5. FIG.

According to the seventh embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, the light guide 5 of the first lighting device is covered so as to cover the light extraction portion of the second lighting device, so that the light guide 5 of the first lighting device is the second lighting device. Light extraction can be performed as a light transmission member that extracts light from the LED light source 23. For this reason, the illuminating device which can form the compound illuminating device which combined the 1st illuminating device and the 2nd illuminating device can be obtained. In this way, by combining other lighting devices so as to transmit the light guide 5, it is possible to obtain a lighting device that combines practicality and decoration.

(Eighth embodiment)
Next, an eighth embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 a is an illumination device 1 g according to the eighth embodiment. In the same way as the illuminating device 1f, the illuminating device 1g is a first illuminating device that extracts light from the light guide 5 and has a second frame 21 that also serves as a reflector having a concave hollow portion that is open on one side. A second lighting device having an LED light source 23 disposed therein is used in combination.

The illuminating device 1f is obtained by packaging the light guide 5 of the first illuminating device as a light transmitting member in the opening of the second illuminating device. The difference is that a first lighting device for extracting light from the light guide 5 is provided.

The second illuminating device of the illuminating device 1g includes a second frame body 21 that also serves as a reflector having an indented concave portion whose opening is a light extraction portion, and a second illuminating device provided inside the indented portion of the frame body 21. 2 LED light sources 23 and a light transmitting member 26 provided in the opening. The opening of the second lighting device is covered with a light transmission member 26. A first lighting device that extracts light from the light guide 5 is housed inside a hollow portion of the second lighting device. For example, a first lighting device housed inside the second lighting device is fixed inside the frame 21 of the second lighting device. The fixing means at this time is not particularly shown, but fixing nails, adhesives, or other known fixing means can be used.

FIG. 12b is an enlarged view of a portion J in FIG. 12a. In the illuminating device 1g, you may cut | disconnect the emission side 5b of the light guide 5 toward diagonally upward. That is, the illuminating device 1g extracts light from the surface of the light guide 5 of the first illuminating device or emits light from at least one of the emission side surfaces 5b cut obliquely upward of the first illuminating device. Removal can be performed. Therefore, both of the light extracted from the first lighting device and the light extracted from the LED light source of the second LED device are diffusely reflected inside the second lighting device, and from the light extraction unit of the second lighting device. It becomes possible to form a composite lighting device that can be taken out.

According to the eighth embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Moreover, the light extracted from the light guide 5 of the first lighting device can be extracted from the light transmitting member 26 of the second lighting device. Thus, according to the illuminating device 1g, both the light by the 1st illuminating device and the light by the 2nd illuminating device can be taken out from the light transmissive member 26 of the 2nd illuminating device. In this case as well, decorative illumination is possible by changing the colors of the first illumination device and the second illumination device.

(Ninth embodiment)
Next, a ninth embodiment will be described. FIG. 13: is a perspective view which shows the illuminating device 1h concerning 9th Embodiment, FIG. 14a is sectional drawing of the illuminating device 1h, FIG. 14b is the I section enlarged view of FIG. 14a. The illuminating device 1h has substantially the same structure as the illuminating device 1, but differs in that a light extraction portion 27 is provided on a part of the surface 5d of the light guide 5.

The light extraction portion 27 is provided in the vicinity of the emission side surface 5b that is separated from the frame 3 by a predetermined distance. That is, the light extraction part 27 is provided in the vicinity of the linear light extraction part in this embodiment. The light extraction unit 27 is formed in a predetermined range on the surface 5 d of the light guide 5.

The light extraction portion 27 may be formed by performing prism processing on the surface 5d of the light guide 5, may be attached with a prism sheet, or may be roughened. In addition, a material having a reflective function (aluminum, stainless steel sheet, or microfoam) is bonded to a resin sheet, a glass plate, or the like. In this way, light can be extracted from the surface 5d of the light guide 5 after being guided through the light guide 5 for a predetermined distance.

In addition, the light extraction part 27 may be provided not in the surface 5d of the light guide 5, but in the back surface 5e, and may be provided in both. In this way, by providing the light extraction portion 27 at an arbitrary position of the light guide 5, the light incident on the light guide 5 from the place where the light extraction portion 27 on the front surface 5 d and the back surface 5 e of the light guide 5 is provided. Can be taken out. That is, the light incident on the light guide 5 is repeatedly reflected in the light guide 5, so that the emission side surfaces 5 b and 5 c disposed on the outside of the frame 3 at a predetermined distance away from the light incident portion, the surface 5d or back surface 5e is guided. Furthermore, it is possible to extract light from at least one of the light extraction portions 27 formed on the emission side surfaces 5b, 5c, the front surface 5d, and the back surface 5e arranged outside the frame 3 of the light guide 5.

According to the ninth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. A light extraction portion 27 is provided on the front surface 5d or the back surface 5e of the light guide 5 and covers a part or all of the emission side surfaces 5b and 5c of the light guide 5 with a light reflective member, so that at least the light guide 5 is provided. It is possible to extract light from the light extraction portion 27 on the front surface 5d or the back surface 5e. Further, not only light is extracted linearly from the side surface of the light guide 5, but also light can be extracted in a planar shape from the front surface 5 d or the back surface 5 e of the light guide 5.

Further, if the light exiting side surfaces 5b and 5c of the light guide are covered with a light reflective member, light can be extracted in a planar shape only from the front surface 5d or the back surface 5e of the light guide 5. As described above, light is extracted only from the front surface 5d or the back surface 5e and the side surface, or from the front surface 5d or the back surface 5e of the light guide body 5 by covering part or all of the side surface of the light guide body 5 with the light reflecting member. be able to.

(10th Embodiment)
Next, a tenth embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing an illumination device 1i according to the tenth embodiment. Although the illuminating device 1i has substantially the same structure as the illuminating device 1, a character, a character string, a figure, a symbol, a pattern, or a logo mark is formed on a part of the surface 5d of the light guide 5 like the illuminating device 1h. The difference is that a drawn light extraction portion 27 is provided. At this time, the emission side surface 5c and the emission side surface 5b of the light guide 5 arranged outside the frame are covered with the light reflecting member 29.

A character string “TOKYO” is drawn as a logo mark 28 as a light extraction portion 27 in which characters, character strings, figures, symbols, patterns, and logo marks are drawn on a part of the surface 5d of the light guide 5 described above. Yes. In this embodiment, the light extraction unit 27 is subjected to a surface roughening process, but prism processing, prism sheet pasting, surface roughening process, surface unevenness formation, formation of minute protrusions, and a step are provided for light extraction. It is possible to perform known light extraction processing such as lowering the entire portion.

According to the tenth embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, since the character string “TOKYO” is described as the logo mark 28 on the light guide surface, the logo mark 28 drawn on the surface 5d can be raised when the lighting device is turned on. At this time, the design can be improved by using colored light such as blue or green for the LED light source.

(Eleventh embodiment)
Next, an eleventh embodiment will be described. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional plan view showing an illuminating device 1j according to the eleventh embodiment. The illuminating device 1j has substantially the same structure as the illuminating device 1, but differs in that a light reflective member 29 is used.

The illumination device 1j extracts light only from the exit side surface 5b. That is, only the emission side surface 5b serves as a light extraction portion, and no light is extracted from the emission side surface 5c. In the present embodiment, the exit side surface 5 c other than the light extraction portion of the light guide 5 is covered with the light reflective member 29. Therefore, light leakage from the emission side surface 5c can be prevented, and light incident on the light guide 5 is emitted only from the emission side surface 5b. For this reason, the brightness | luminance (illuminance) of the light from the output side 5b can be improved.

In addition, the light reflective member 29 can use the member similar to the light reflective member 3b which comprises the inner surface of the frame 3. FIG. For example, the light reflective member 29 is preferably made of a micro foam resin. Or you may apply | coat the resin film of a light reflection member.

According to the eleventh embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, by covering the emission side surface 5c excluding the light incident portion and the light extraction portion with the light reflecting member 29, light leakage from the emission side surface 5c other than the light extraction surface can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to improve the luminance (illuminance) of light extracted from the emission side surface 5b which is a light extraction surface. In the present embodiment, the light extraction unit 27 may be provided on the front surface 5d or the back surface 5e as in the lighting device 1h.

(Twelfth embodiment)
Next, a twelfth embodiment will be described. FIG. 17A is a perspective view showing a lighting device 1k according to a twelfth embodiment. The illuminating device 1k has substantially the same structure as the illuminating device 1, but differs in that the opening 7 is not straight.

In the lighting device 1k, the frame body 3 is curved, and the opening 7 is curved accordingly. As described above, the opening 7 is not necessarily linear but may be curved. For example, the frame 3 can be annular. That is, the opening 7 can be formed in an annular shape. By doing in this way, since the light guide 5 is formed in a cylindrical shape and the emission side surface 5b is annular, light can be extracted annularly. The shape of the opening 7 is substantially linear, curved, circular such as circle, ellipse, and ellipse, polygon such as triangle, rectangle, and square, L-shaped, V-shaped, U-shaped, C-shaped. In addition to the shape and the S shape, a linear pattern or a curved line, or a linear pattern or a character shape including a single line having no intersection formed by combining a straight line and a straight line may be used.

As the light guide 5 for maintaining the curved shape, it is preferable to use a resin sheet or resin film formed into a curved shape. When using along a complicated shape such as a curved curve, it is preferable to use a resin sheet. When using a resin film, it is necessary to apply an external force and maintain a required shape.

Similarly, like the lighting device 1l shown in FIG. 17b, the end surface of the opening 7 may be formed to project in an arc shape. At this time, as shown in the figure, the length of the support portion 9 may be changed to change the shape of the opening 7 into an arc shape. May be arcuate. Further, the shape of the emission side surface 5 b of the light guide 5 may be formed in parallel with the opening 7. That is, like the lighting device 1e, the notch 19 is partially formed, and the opening 7 and the emission side surface 5b are formed in parallel, thereby making the distance between the opening 7 and the emission side surface 5b constant. You can also.

According to the twelfth embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Thus, the shape of the opening 7 can be appropriately set according to the site to be installed, the shape of the light extraction portion, and the like.

(13th Embodiment)
Next, a thirteenth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the embodiment about the frame of a different cross-sectional shape is shown. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the frame 3 is not limited to an example of a substantially pentagon in which a tapered shape is formed at a substantially rectangular tip. For example, as shown in FIG. 18a, the whole may be formed in an arc shape, and a tapered shape may be formed at the tip of a circle or an ellipse. Further, as shown in FIG. 18b, the whole may be substantially triangular, and the whole frame 3 may be tapered. Thus, as the cross-sectional shape of the frame 3, any shape such as a circle, an ellipse, an oval, a shape like an eggplant, a polyhedron, or a shape in which a part of a rectangular cross-section is cut obliquely can be applied. is there.

According to the thirteenth embodiment, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, an oval shape, an eggplant-like shape, a polyhedron, and a part of a rectangular cross section including a shape shown in FIGS. 18a and 18b are obliquely cut out. Even when a frame having an arbitrary shape such as a shape is used, the diffuse reflection inside the frame is repeated, and uniform light can be extracted from the light guide plate.

(Fourteenth embodiment)
Next, a fourteenth embodiment will be described. The fourteenth embodiment shows an example in which the shape of the output side surface is not a plane that is perpendicular to the front or back surface of the light guide. Further, the shape of the emission side surfaces 5b and 5c may not be a plane perpendicular to the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5. For example, as shown in FIG. 19 a, the emission side surface 5 b may be inclined with respect to the front surface 5 d and the back surface 5 e of the light guide 5. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the exit side surfaces 5b and 5c that are the light extraction portions of the light guide 5 may be tapered. By doing in this way, light can be radiate | emitted to the surface direction of the output side surfaces 5b and 5c.

Also, as shown in FIG. 19b, the shape of the emission side surface 5b may be formed in a V-shape with the shape inclined from the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e of the light guide 5. That is, the emission side surface 5b may be formed obliquely toward both sides of the front surface 5d and the back surface 5e. Even in this case, light can be emitted in the surface directions of the emission side surfaces 5b and 5c.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19c, the shape of the emission side surface 5b may be formed in a semicircular shape. Even in this case, the cross-sectional shape of the exit side surfaces 5b and 5c, which are the light extraction portions of the light guide 5, is a tapered shape with the tip protruding on an arc. Even in this case, the light can be spread and emitted in the surface direction of the emission side surfaces 5b and 5c.

As described above, according to the fourteenth embodiment, the light extraction direction from the emission side surface can be expanded in the surface direction of the emission side surface by making the emission side surface tapered. Therefore, it can be suitably used when it is desired to spread light extracted from the emission side surface on the emission side surface of the light extraction unit.

(Fifteenth embodiment)
Next, a fifteenth embodiment is described. The fifteenth embodiment is a structure for attaching the lighting device of the present invention to a structural member. In the present embodiment, the light guide 5 is used in which the opening of the frame 3 has substantially the same cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting structure 10 of the lighting device. The lighting device mounting structure 10 is a mounting structure of the lighting device 1 m to the structural member 90. The illuminating device 1m has a structure substantially similar to that of the illuminating device 1j. The light extraction portion from the light guide 5 is the emission side surface 5 b, and the light guide 5 is the structural member 90 so that at least a part of the emission side surface 5 b of the lighting device 1 m is disposed in the opening 91 of the structural member 90. It is fixed to.

At this time, the entire lighting device 1m is stored in the storage space 92 of the structural member 90. Further, in the illumination device 1m, the emission side surface 5c other than the emission side surface 5b is covered with the light reflecting member 29, and light can be extracted only from the emission side surface 5b. The lighting device 1m has the same structure as the lighting device 1j. Therefore, light is not extracted from a portion other than the emission side surface 5b disposed in the opening of the structural member 90.

Here, the exit side 5b of the light guide 5 may be fixed to the opening 91 by sandwiching the front and back surfaces of the light guide 5 near the exit side 5b between the openings 91, or the light guide 5 may be guided. The front surface and the back surface of the body 5 in the vicinity of the emission side surface 5b may be bonded and fixed to the opening 91. The structural member 90 may be an independent structural member, or may be a part of a continuous structural body or a structural member as a large structural body.

Therefore, if this lighting device mounting structure 10 is used, it is possible to obtain the lighting device mounting structure 10 having a light guide function capable of extracting light along the shape of the opening 91 of the structural member.

Here, the storage space 92 created by the structural member 90 for storing the light guide 5 used in the mounting structure 10 of the lighting device is not a box shape but a storage space 92 having a curved portion as shown in FIG. Also good. In this case, the light guide 5 may be curved inside the storage space 92. At this time, as shown in FIG. 19, the shape of the exit side surface 5b, which is a light extraction portion, may be formed perpendicular to the surface of the light guide 5 according to the purpose. It may be formed in a tapered shape in the tip direction such as an arc shape.

Further, the lighting device can be fixed to the structural member 90 using a known fixing method. In the example shown in the figure, the upper portion of the frame of the lighting device is fixed by the locking claw 85. Other contact portions between the frame body 3 and the inner surface of the structural member 90 are fixed by an adhesive (not shown).

According to the fifteenth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, for example, if a resin structure such as an instrument panel, garnish or door panel of an automobile is used as a structural member, the lighting device 1m can be fixed inside these structural members by a known fixing method. By extracting light from the openings of these structural members, a structure having a light guide function for automobile decoration can be obtained.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the embodiments can be combined with each other, and the technical scope of the present invention is not affected by the above-described embodiments. . It is obvious for those skilled in the art that various modifications or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood that it belongs.

1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i, 1j, 1k, 1l, 1m, 2 ......... Lighting device 3 ......... Frame body 3a ......... Base material 3b ......... Light reflecting member 5... Light guide 5 a... Entrance side surface 5 b, 5 c... Output side surface 5 d. ...... Supporting part 10 ...... Lighting device mounting structure 11 ...... Light guide part 13 ...... LED light source 15 ...... Light guiding spaces 16 a, 16 b ...... Sawtooth triangular groove 17 ...... Curved part 19 ......... Notched portion 21 ......... Frame body 22 ......... Depressed portion 23 ......... LED light source 25 ......... Light guide space 26 ......... Light transmitting member 27 ......... Light extraction portion 28 ......... Logo mark 29... Light reflective member 81... Adhesive layer 84 ... Air layer 85 ... Locking claw 90 ... Structural member 91 ... Open Mouth 92 ... Storage space

Claims (30)

One or more LED light sources;
A frame having an opening, the inner surface excluding the opening being formed of a light-reflective member;
A light guide fixed to the opening;
Comprising
The light emitting part of the LED light source is disposed at a position separated from the opening by a predetermined distance inside the frame,
A space shielded from the outside except the opening is formed inside the frame,
The space is a light guide space that guides light emitted from the LED light source, and at least one of a side surface, a front surface, and a back surface of the light guide disposed in the light guide space is the light guide. An illumination device, wherein the illumination device is a light incident portion on a body, and can extract light from at least one of a side surface, a front surface, and a back surface arranged outside the frame of the light guide. The light capturing efficiency is improved by performing shape processing for increasing a surface area or pasting a sheet on at least one of a side surface, a front surface, and a back surface of the light guide disposed inside the light guide space. The lighting device according to claim 1. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light guide has a sheet shape, and the frame has substantially the same cross-sectional shape in a longitudinal direction of the opening. The opening of the frame is substantially straight, curved, annular, polygonal, L-shaped, V-shaped, U-shaped, C-shaped, S-shaped, straight or curved, or straight The illumination according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the illumination is formed in one of a linear pattern or a character shape including one line formed by combining straight lines. apparatus. The frame body is configured by attaching a light reflecting member, a film-like light reflecting member, or a micro-foamed resin light reflecting member to an inner surface of a metal or resin base material. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the frame itself is formed of a light-reflecting member made of a micro foam resin. As the optical characteristics of the micro-foamed resin, when the light reflectance in the visible light region of the aluminum oxide standard plate is 100%, the micro-foamed resin has a total reflectance of 90% or more and a diffuse reflectance of 90%. The lighting device according to claim 6, wherein the lighting device is at least%. The lighting device according to claim 7, wherein the micro foamed resin is selected from a PET resin, a PC resin, an acrylic resin, and a flame-retardant acrylic resin. The lighting device according to claim 8, further comprising: a light guide portion that tapers toward the light guide in the vicinity of the opening of the frame. A support part for supporting the light guide is provided at the tip of the light guide part,
The inner surface of the support portion is composed of a light reflective member,
The lighting device according to claim 9, wherein the light guide is sandwiched and supported by the support portion. A support part for supporting the light guide is provided at the tip of the light guide part,
The inner surface of the support portion is composed of a light reflective member,
The lighting device according to claim 9, wherein at least a part of a front surface and a back surface of the light guide is joined to the support portion with an adhesive. The thickness of the light guide is t, and it is the material formed on the front and back surfaces of the light guide at the interface between the support and the light guide, or exists on the front and back surfaces of the light guide. When the critical angle of total reflection corresponding to the refractive index ratio between any one of the substances and the light guide is θc, the length Le of the support portion is Le = 5 · t · tan (θc) or more. The lighting device according to claim 10. An adhesive layer is provided on the opposing surface of the support portion and the light guide, and a light-reflecting member leaks light so as to cover at least the end surface of the adhesive layer at the tip of the support portion on the light extraction portion side. The lighting device according to claim 11, wherein the lighting device is provided as a prevention member. 14. The ratio of the area of the opening of the frame and the total inner surface area including the opening of the frame is 1:20 or more. Lighting equipment. The lighting device according to claim 10, wherein the light guide portion and the support portion are formed integrally with the frame as a whole. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the light guide is a transparent or translucent resin having a shape retaining property. The light incident portion of the light guide disposed in the light guide space is an incident side surface, and the LED light source is located at a position where the light emitting surface of the LED light source is substantially orthogonal to the opening of the light guide. The LED light source is disposed at a position away from the light incident part by a predetermined distance so that the entire light incident part is not included in the irradiation range of the orientation angle of the LED light source. The illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 16. A light incident portion of the light guide disposed in the light guide space is an incident side surface, and a plurality of the LED light sources are disposed at a predetermined interval so as to face the light incident portion,
Assuming that the orientation half angle of the LED light source is θ and the distance from the LED light source to the light incident portion is L, the arrangement interval of the LED light sources along the length direction of the opening portion is substantially equal to 2L × tan θ. The illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the orientation half angle θ is in a range of 60 ° ± 10 °. The illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein a cross-sectional shape of an emission side surface that is a light extraction portion of the light guide is a tapered shape. The light guide has at least a bent portion, and the light extraction portion of the light guide has a curved shape corresponding to the bend of the light guide, or the light guide has a cylindrical shape. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 19. A light extraction portion is provided on the front or back surface of the light guide,
The light can be extracted from at least the light extraction portion on the front surface or the back surface of the light guide body by covering a part or all of the light emission side surface of the light guide body with a light reflecting member. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 20. The said light extraction part of the surface or the back surface of the said light guide is drawn in the shape in any one of a character, a character string, a figure, a symbol, a pattern, or a logo mark. Lighting device. The lighting device is a first lighting device,
The second lighting device includes a second frame that also serves as a reflector having a concave recess whose opening is a light extraction portion, and a second frame that is provided inside the recess of the second frame. An LED light source,
The light guide of the first lighting device is packaged so as to cover the light extraction portion of the second lighting device, so that the light guide of the first lighting device is the second light. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein a composite illumination device that performs light extraction is formed as a light transmitting member that extracts light from the second LED light source of the illumination device. The lighting device is a first lighting device,
The second lighting device includes a second frame that also serves as a reflector having a concave recess whose opening is a light extraction portion, and a second frame that is provided inside the recess of the second frame. An LED light source and a light transmissive member provided in the opening,
The opening of the second lighting device is covered with a light transmission member,
The first illuminating device for extracting light from the light guide is housed inside the hollow portion of the second illuminating device,
2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a composite lighting device is formed in which light extracted from the light guide of the first lighting device is extracted from a light transmission member of the second lighting device. The illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the illuminating device is used for an automobile interior, interior illumination or decoration illumination device. A mounting structure between the lighting device according to claim 1 and a structural member,
The opening of the frame has substantially the same cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction,
The lighting device is mounted and fixed inside the structural member, the light extraction portion of the light guide is an emission side surface, and at least a part of the emission side surface is disposed in the opening of the structural member. The light guide is fixed to the structural member, and light is extracted from the opening of the structural member. The lighting device mounting structure according to claim 26, further comprising a light guide function for extracting light along the opening of the structural member. One or more LED light sources;
A frame having an opening, the inner surface excluding the opening being formed of a light-reflective member;
A light guide fixed to the opening;
In a lighting device comprising:
The light emitting part of the LED light source is disposed at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the opening inside the frame,
The frame body, except for the opening, forms a light guide space shielded from the outside,
The light emitted from the LED light source inside the light guide space is reflected or diffusely reflected and uniformed, and the light from the LED light source is further reflected by the light guide disposed in the light guide space. By making light incident on at least one of the side surface, the front surface, and the back surface and repeatedly reflecting the light incident on the light guide within the light guide, the light is incident on the outside of the frame at a predetermined distance from the light incident portion. Light is guided to the arranged exit side surface, front surface or back surface, and light is extracted from at least one of the light extraction portions formed on the exit side surface, front surface, and back surface disposed outside the frame body of the light guide. A method for extracting light from a lighting device. The light is extracted from either of the light extraction portions formed on the front surface or the back surface of the light guide by covering all side surfaces other than the incident side surface of the light guide with a light reflecting member. 28. A method for extracting light from the illumination device according to 28. One or more LED light sources;
A frame having an opening, the inner surface excluding the opening being formed of a light-reflective member;
A light guide fixed to the opening;
In a lighting device comprising:
The light emitting part of the LED light source is disposed at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the opening inside the frame,
The frame body, except for the opening, forms a light guide space shielded from the outside,
The light emitted from the LED light source inside the light guide space is reflected or diffusely reflected and uniformed, and the light from the LED light source is further reflected by the light guide disposed in the light guide space. An optical connection method for an illumination device, wherein the light is incident on at least one of a side surface, a front surface, and a back surface.

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