JP2000030504A - Lighting system using optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the occurrence of an unlit state even upon the deterioration or failure of a light source lamp during use, regarding a lighting system employing optical fiber used for a bedside lamp or the like. SOLUTION: This lighting system is equipped with at least two light source lamps 1a and 1b, and a lighting system body having a plurality of optical fiber bundles 2a and 3b made of an assembly of small-diameter optical fibers with the incident plane of each terminal end faced to the light source lamps 1a and 1b while forming a plurality of lamp parts at a projection part. Furthermore, the lighting system is equipped with an automatic switch 4 for supplying power to and lighting other light source lamps, when the unlit state of a light source lamp currently used is detected, out of at least two light source lamps 1a and 1b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting device, and more particularly to a lighting device using an optical fiber.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an accommodation facility such as a hotel or a hospital, a lighting device such as a bedside light or a night lamp, which has a relatively small light flux diffusion range, is provided near a bed or a desk. As a light source of such a lighting device, an incandescent lamp has been generally used in the past.However, since the amount of heat dissipated is large, when used in close proximity, the face and hands are heated, and the skin is dried. There was a problem. As a countermeasure, a type in which a halogen lamp, an incandescent lamp or the like is used as a remote light source, and this light is conducted to an optical fiber and emitted from the end of the optical fiber is used. This method has the advantage that it has a high degree of freedom in the illuminating direction because it uses an optical fiber, and also serves as a so-called cold light source, in which heat is not dissipated from the lamp portion, so that the lamp portion does not become hot even when brought close to the object.

[0003] When a halogen lamp is used as a light source of a lighting device using such an optical fiber, the volume of the bulb can be reduced to 1/100 or less of that of other bulbs, and there is a merit of high efficiency. Because
There are the advantages that the object looks beautiful and the eyes are less tired. However, although the halogen lamp has a long life, it has a nominal life of about 2,000 hours. In addition, the light source with the halogen lamp is stored under furniture or equipment or inside a wall, and vibrates when cleaning or making a bed. And the actual life tends to be shorter due to susceptibility to shocks.
For this reason, during use as a reading light or the like, there is a problem in that the light is suddenly turned off, reading cannot be performed, and troubles such as complicated and time-consuming replacement are liable to occur.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to turn off a light source lamp even if the light source lamp deteriorates or fails during use. An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device using an optical fiber that does not cause a state. The present invention relates to a reading light and a bedside light, as well as a night light and a foot lamp near a bed in a hospital or the like, a hand light near a kitchen sink, a bathroom light, a lighting light for food or cooked goods, for example, a lighting light for a salad bar or the like. It is applied to lightings, downlights for display items in museums and the like, lightings in display cases and show windows, staging lightings, rooftop signboards, road signs, sign lights, underwater lightings, and the like.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a lighting device comprising at least two light source lamps;
A lighting device body comprising a plurality of optical fiber bundles comprising a plurality of lamp portions in the light emitting portion, each of which is formed of an aggregate of small diameter optical fibers and faces the light source lamps, each of which has a light incident surface of the terminal and a light projecting portion; An automatic switching device is provided which, when the non-lighting of the current light source lamp among the at least two light source lamps is detected, supplies electricity to the other light source lamps to light them.

Preferably, the automatic switching device includes a non-lighting detecting means for detecting a non-lighting of the light source lamp in a state where the light source lamp is lit by receiving the supply of electric power, and the non-lighting detecting means detects the non-lighting of the light source lamp. Switching means for switching the supply of power from the light source lamp to another light source lamp upon detection, and the non-lighting detection means refers to a current value of power supplied to one of the light source lamps. The light source lamp is configured to detect a change from a lighting state to a non-lighting state. As a light source lamp, a halogen lamp is suitable, but an incandescent lamp or the like can also be used.

[0007]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lighting device according to the present invention. 1 and 2 show a two-lamp lighting device (first embodiment) to which the present invention is applied.
1a is a first light source lamp, 1b is a second light source lamp,
The light source lamps in this example consist of halogen bulbs. The halogen bulb is composed of a unit having a reflector and the like. First light source lamp 1a and second light source lamp 1
The first and second light source lamps 1 a and 1 b are respectively held in parallel to the mounting frame 5 by holders 50.
Conductors 10 and 11 extending from the load terminals a and 1b are connected to a power supply via an automatic switch 4.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a lighting device main body, which is a guide 2a in which a first optical fiber bundle (strand) 3a and a second optical fiber bundle (strand) 3b are inserted, and a projection fixed to the tip of the guide 2a. It has a light part 2b. The guide 2a has a flexible portion which is partially or entirely formed of a spiral stainless steel tube or the like, and the proximal end tubular portion 20 is firmly fixed to the mounting frame 5 by a holder 51.

The first optical fiber bundle 3a and the second optical fiber bundle 3b are each composed of a large number of small-diameter optical fibers 300.
Of the first optical fiber bundle 3a and the second optical fiber bundle 3b are respectively formed of resin or coatings 31a and 31b.
It is fixed so that it does not disperse. The end surface 301a of the first optical fiber bundle 3a as the incident surface is on the first light source lamp 1a, and the end surface 301b of the second optical fiber bundle 3b as the incident surface is on the second light source lamp 1b.
, So as to face each other.
Supported by the mounting frame 5. The optical fiber may be a multi-component glass fiber, but a plastic optical fiber such as an acrylic resin is preferable in terms of flexibility and flexibility.

The first optical fiber bundle 3a and the second optical fiber bundle 3b are introduced from the end of the guide 2a and extend in the guide axis direction. Outgoing portions) A and B. That is, the second optical fiber bundle 3b and the first optical fiber bundle 3a
Is decomposed at an arbitrary position up to the light projecting unit 2b, and the optical fiber group constituting the bundle is divided into the first optical fiber bundle 3a (or the second optical fiber bundle 3b).
Of the first optical fiber bundle 3a (or the second optical fiber bundle 3a).
A central ramp portion A composed of the optical fiber bundle 3b) and an outer peripheral ramp portion B composed of the second optical fiber bundle 3b (or the first optical fiber bundle 3a) are configured coaxially. The center ramp portion A and the peripheral ramp portion B are fixed with resin or the like so as to maintain this state.

The light projecting section 2b has a focus adjusting mechanism. That is, the light projecting portion 2b has a cylindrical base 21, and a holder (coating) 22 is inserted and fixed to the inner diameter of the base. The required area on the tip end side of the holder 22 is tapered, so that the outer peripheral ramp portion B is given an appropriate inward inclination angle θ with respect to the central ramp portion A. Furthermore, concave lens-shaped surfaces 302 and 220 are formed at the ends (output end surfaces) of the center lamp portion A and the outer peripheral lamp portion B and the end of the holder 22 for focusing.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the two-lamp lighting device. In this embodiment, a cylindrical case 2 slidable around the outer periphery of a cylindrical base 21 that integrally holds the optical fiber bundles of the lamp parts A and B as a focus adjusting mechanism of the light projecting part 2b.
3 and a convex lens 24 for focusing is provided on the cylindrical case 23. In this case, the tips of the optical fiber bundles of the lamp sections A and B do not have concave lens-shaped end faces, but remain parallel. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description employs that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows another example of the configuration of the plurality of lamp portions in the two-lamp lighting device of the present invention. (A) is the first
The optical fiber group of the optical fiber bundle 3a and the optical fiber group of the second optical fiber bundle 3b are arranged so as to form alternate layers to form multilayered lamp portions A and B.
(B), the first optical fiber bundle 3a and the second optical fiber bundle 3b are guided in parallel to the light projecting unit 2b, and the side surfaces of the bundles are brought into close contact to form biaxial lamp units A and B. are doing. (C) divides one optical fiber bundle (for example, the first optical fiber bundle 3b) into a plurality of small fiber bundles, and divides the split fiber bundle into the other fiber bundle (for example, the first optical fiber bundle 3b).
The lamp portions A and B are preferably arranged at substantially equal intervals in the optical fiber bundle 3a).
(D) shows a configuration in which the fiber bundles of the first optical fiber bundle 3a and the second optical fiber bundle 3b are arranged so as to be mixed at random, thereby forming dispersed lamp portions A and B.

FIG. 6 shows a multi-lamp type lighting apparatus having three or more lamps (third embodiment) to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 6 (a) shows first to third light source lamps 1a, 1b, 1c and ,
First to third optical fiber bundles 3a, 3
b, 3c, the first to third optical fiber bundles 3
The incident end faces of the terminals a, 3b, and 3c face the corresponding first to third light source lamps 1a, 1b, and 1c, respectively. Then, the first to third optical fiber bundles 3a,
3b, 3c, the three lamp parts A,
B and C are formed. Although the configurations of the ramp portions A, B, and C are arbitrary, in the illustrated example, the fiber bundle of the second optical fiber bundle 3b is replaced with the first optical fiber bundle 3 as shown in FIG.
a, the third light-guiding strip 3b surrounds the outer circumference of the second light-guiding strip 3b, and the center lamp part A, the intermediate lamp part B and the outer lamp part C are coaxial. Is composed.

FIG. 6C shows an embodiment in which the present invention is a six-lamp type illuminating device. The first to sixth optical fiber bundles 3a to 3f provide a light projecting unit 2b with six lamp units A.
Or F is formed. Although not shown, the terminals of the first to sixth optical fiber bundles 3a to 3f are corresponding to the first terminals.
The first to sixth light source lamps are connected to a power source via an automatic switch 4 so as to face the sixth to sixth light source lamps. Note that this 3
The lamp unit illustrated in FIG. 5 can also be employed in a multi-lamp lighting device having more than a lamp. Further, the focus adjusting mechanism of the light projecting unit 2b may be any of the types shown in FIGS.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the light source lamp. Here, as the light source lamps 1a and 1b, incandescent lamps represented by krypton lamps are used instead of halogen lamps. In the figure, a holder 31 to which the terminal of the optical fiber bundle 3a (3b) is fixed is fitted to one end of a cylindrical case 6 having an inner surface mirror-finished, and a reflective skirt 70 is attached to the other end of the cylindrical case 6. A light source lamp 1a (1b) is attached to the socket 7 having a heat radiation hole 6 on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical case behind the light source lamp 1a (1b).
0 is arranged. Lead wire 1 derived from the socket
0 (11) is connected to the automatic switch 4. Note that the light projecting unit 2b may be any of FIG. 2 to FIG. FIG. 7 shows the case of a two-lamp type, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a case of three or more lamps.

When one of the light source lamps (for example, the first light source lamp 1a) is turned off and the light beam is no longer emitted from the optical fiber bundle forming the pair, the automatic switching device 4 instantaneously operates the other light source lamp. (For example, the second light source lamp 1b) is supplied with electric power to turn on the light source, and emits a light beam by an optical fiber bundle forming a pair with the light source lamp. Non-lighting detection means for detecting lighting, and switching means for switching power supply from the light source lamp to the other light source lamp when the non-lighting detection means detects non-lighting of the light source lamp.

The non-lighting detecting means may be of a type that simply detects the change from the lighting state of the light source lamp to the non-lighting state with reference to the current value of the power supplied to one of the light source lamps. Adopted. And the non-lighting detecting means is
When detecting the non-lighting of the one light source lamp, a threshold value for the detected value may be provided, and a change in the detected value exceeding the threshold value may be detected as the non-lighting of the light source lamp. The switching means may not only switch the power supply, but also switch on an alarm means for notifying a non-lighting or a lighting abnormality.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show the circuit of the automatic switching unit 4, and include at least AC power input terminals 400 and 401, working load terminals 402 and 403, standby load terminals 404 and
405, and a lead wire 1 of one light source lamp (the first light source lamp 1a in this example) is connected to the working load terminals 402 and 403.
0 is connected, and the lead wire 1 of the other light source lamp (the second light source lamp 1b in this example) is connected to the preload terminals 404 and 405.
1 is connected. Also, AC power input terminals 400 and 40
The AC power is supplied to the automatic switching device 4 via the power switch 1.

This circuit has an alarm output terminal, and an arbitrary alarm device is connected to the alarm output terminal. As the alarm device, besides a buzzer or the like, an indicator panel having a set of two lamps for displaying a lighting state is used. However, according to the present invention, the lamp units A and B are supplied with electric power.
By observing the state (1), since the lamp portion forming a pair with the unlit light source lamp is a dark portion, it can be immediately determined that the lamp is not lit. Therefore, the alarm output terminal and the alarm device are not necessarily required.

Next, the internal configuration of the automatic switch 4 will be described. The line 406 connected to one terminal 400 of the AC power input terminal is directly connected to one terminal 4 of the working load terminal.
02, and one of the pre-load terminals 404, and the line 407 connected to the other of the AC power input terminals 401 is connected to the other terminal of the current load terminal via the stop detection transformer 41 and the fuse 42. The terminal 403 is connected to another terminal 405 of the preload terminal via a relay switch portion 48b and the fuse 44 described later. The stop detection transformer 41 has a core and a current coil as a primary side and a voltage coil as a secondary side. In addition, a resistor 46 and a relay driving unit 47a are connected in series to the DC conversion circuit 45 including the stop detection transformer 41, the detector D1, the detector D2, and the capacitor C.

The relay drive section (RL1) 47a is composed of, for example, a DC electromagnetic relay, and drives the relay switch sections 47b and 47c as movable contacts to turn on and off the circuit. Similarly, the relay drive section (RL2) 48a is composed of, for example, an electromagnetic relay for AC, and drives a relay switch section 48b as a movable contact to turn on and off the circuit. A relay drive unit (R) as a disconnection relay is provided between one line 406 of the AC power input terminal and the other line 407.
L2) 48a is connected to the relay switch unit 47b.
A relay switch 47c is connected to the alarm output terminal. In addition, the normal state, that is, one light source lamp 1a
Is turned on, the relay switch 47b is closed, and the relay switch 47c and the relay switch 48b are closed.
Has been opened. When the light source lamp 1a is not lit, the relay switch 47b is opened, and the relay switch 47c and the relay switch 48b are closed.

Next, FIG. 10 shows an example of an automatic switching device 4 applied to a multi-lamp type lighting device, in which a first light source lamp 1 is provided.
a, there are a plurality of working loads (main light source lamps) such as a second light source lamp 1b, and when one of the loads indicates an abnormality and becomes unlit, at least one spare light source lamp, for example, a third light source lamp 1b. The light source lamp 1c is energized, and the third light source lamp 1c is turned on. The number of backup light sources at this time is appropriately selected, and may be the same as the number of working loads. 10, the same parts as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the embodiment, the non-lighting is detected by the current value. However, for example, a change in light amount caused by aging of the light source lamp (for example, an extreme decrease or increase in light amount).
Or fluctuation (so-called flickering) may be detected, or may be used in combination with current value detection. The change or fluctuation of the light amount can be detected by providing an optical sensor such as a photodiode or a phototransistor at a position where light from the light source lamp can be incident. Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which two sets of relay circuits are used has been described. Furthermore, the names of the main light source lamp and the spare light source lamp are provisional, and after switching to the spare light source lamp due to the non-lighting of the main light source lamp, the spare light source lamp is used as the main light source, A light source lamp may be used as a backup light source.

In the present invention, a fluorescent lamp, a metal halide lamp, a high-pressure sodium lamp, a mercury lamp, a cold cathode tube or the like can be used as a light source lamp. In this case, the current load terminal 40 of the automatic switch 4
2, 403 and the auxiliary load terminals 404, 405 are connected to lighting auxiliary circuits such as inburners, respectively, and are connected to the light source lamps via these. Further, a dark current correction diode is used instead of the resistor 46. The dark current correction diode is composed of, for example, a Zener diode, and corrects a dark current generated in the lighting auxiliary device or the like.

[0026]

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to the first embodiment. When the power is turned on, the current load terminal 40
Electric power is supplied to one of the light source lamps 1, in this example, the first light source lamp 1 a via the light source lamp 2, and the light source lamp 1 a is turned on. When the first light source lamp 1a is turned on, the first light source lamp 1a
Line current is detected by the stop detection transformer 41 and boosted,
The DC voltage is converted into a DC voltage by the detectors D1 and D2 of the DC conversion circuit 45, and the detection voltage is adjusted by the resistor 46 to operate the relay driving unit (RL1) 47a. Relay drive (RL
1) Since 47a can operate with a small power of about 0.15 W generated by the voltage coil, it does not affect the amount of power supplied to the load. As described above, the relay drive unit (RL
1) By the operation of 47a, the relay switch unit 47b is closed, whereby the relay drive unit (RL2) 48
a is operated using the input power supply, and the relay switch section 4 is operated.
7c and the relay switch section 48b are kept open.
Therefore, the other light source lamp 1b is not energized and is in a non-lighting state.

When the first light source lamp 1a is turned on, a light beam is incident on the end face 301a of the first optical fiber bundle 3a facing the first light source lamp 1a, and the light beam passes through the first optical fiber bundle 3a and is projected onto the light projecting portion 2b. And the light is emitted from the lamp portion A, which is the tip of the first optical fiber bundle 3a. The present invention is not a direct illumination by a light source lamp, but an illumination system in which light is conducted through an optical fiber and emitted from the tip. Therefore, the present invention is a so-called cold light source, and is projected onto a human body, other living body, or an object or object that dislikes heat. Even if the light portion 2a is brought closer, no influence is caused by heat. In addition, there is flexibility to use optical fiber bundle,
The light projecting part 2b can be directed in a free direction.
Since contact with water or the like is also possible, it is possible to freely cope with underwater or an environment where water is splashed.

From this state, the first light source lamp 1
a, the relay drive unit (RL1) 47a becomes inactive and the relay switch unit 4 is turned off, as shown in FIG.
7b is opened, whereby the relay driving unit (RL2) 4
8a is deactivated, the relay switch section 48b is closed, and the second light source lamp 1b is instantaneously energized and turned on. At the same time, the relay switch 47c is also closed, and outputs the operation of the standby circuit to a monitoring system (not shown) or the like.

When the second light source lamp 1b is turned on, a light beam is incident on the end face 301b of the second optical fiber bundle 3b facing the second light source lamp 1b, and the light beam passes through the second optical fiber bundle 3b and is projected onto the light projecting portion 2b. And the light is emitted from the lamp portion B, which is the tip of the second optical fiber bundle 3b. Therefore, a non-lighting state does not occur, and illumination for reading or the like is suitably maintained. When the lighting of the lamp unit is switched, in the case of FIG.
The focus (light emission end face) is automatically adjusted because of the concave lens end faces 302 and 220. FIG. 4
In this case, the focus can be adjusted by appropriately sliding the cylindrical case 23.

As described above, a backup light source lamp is provided in addition to the main light source lamp, and a plurality of lamp portions are formed by combining optical fiber bundles with each other.
When the main light source lamp in use becomes unlit due to an abnormality, the backup light source lamp is turned on instantaneously and emitted through the optical fiber bundle, halving the maintenance period and promoting labor saving. be able to. Replacing the lamp may be difficult due to business activities, such as hotels, hospitals, and restaurants, but replacing the light source lamp with a new light source lamp at a convenient time such as when making a bed or closing the business Since it is good, such troubles can be eliminated and the cost can be greatly reduced.

[0031]

According to the present invention described above, not only can the cold light source be illuminated by utilizing the characteristics of the optical fiber, but also the non-lighting occurs due to the deterioration or failure of the main light source lamp. However, since the spare light source lamp is switched on and turned on instantaneously, the lighting can be smoothly maintained by the lamp portion of the optical fiber bundle forming a pair with the spare light source lamp. Even when hated, this can be avoided well and the troublesome replacement of the light source lamp can be omitted, and the excellent effect of reducing the maintenance period by half and promoting the labor saving can be obtained.

According to the second and third aspects, there is obtained an excellent effect that the configuration can be reduced in cost due to the simple configuration. According to the fourth aspect, there is obtained an excellent effect that the degree of deflection of the light beam can be reduced when the light source lamp and the optical fiber bundle forming the light source lamp are switched. According to the fifth aspect, there is obtained an excellent effect that the focus can be easily adjusted when the light source lamp and the optical fiber bundle forming the light source lamp are switched. According to the sixth aspect, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that the light source mechanism can be reduced in size, the efficiency is high, and the object can be clearly seen due to natural light.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a lighting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of the light emitting unit in FIG.

3A is a sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. 2; FIG.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the lighting device of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a vertical side view of a light emitting unit.

FIGS. 5A to 5D are cross-sectional views showing another example of a lamp section according to the present invention.

6A is a perspective view schematically showing a third embodiment of the lighting device of the present invention, FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a lamp section,
(C) is a sectional view showing another example of the lamp section.

7A is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the light source lamp of the lighting device of the present invention, and FIG. 7B is a longitudinal side view of the light source lamp section.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the automatic switching device according to the present invention in a state of normal lighting.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a state when the automatic switch shown in FIG. 8 is not lit.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automatic switching device in the case of a multi-light mode according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a First light source lamp 1b Second light source lamp 2 Guide 3a First optical fiber bundle 3b Second optical fiber bundle 4 Automatic switch

Claims (6)

[Claims] A plurality of light source lamps, each of which is composed of an aggregate of at least two light source lamps and a small diameter optical fiber, each of which faces a light source lamp having a pair of incident surfaces of terminals and a plurality of lamp portions in a light projecting portion. A lighting device main body provided with an optical fiber bundle, and an automatic switcher for energizing another light source lamp and lighting it when the non-lighting of the current light source lamp among the at least two light source lamps is detected. An illuminating device using an optical fiber. 2. An automatic switching device comprising: a non-lighting detecting means for detecting a non-lighting of a light source lamp which is in a state capable of being lit by receiving a supply of electric power, and when the non-lighting detecting means detects a non-lighting of the light source lamp. 2. A lighting device using an optical fiber according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit for switching power supply from said light source lamp to another light source lamp. 3. The non-lighting detecting means detects a change from a lighting state of the light source lamp to a non-lighting state with reference to a current value of power supplied to one of the light source lamps. A lighting device using the optical fiber according to 1. 4. The lighting device using an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber bundle of the lamp portion is coaxial. 5. The lighting device using an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the light projecting unit has a focus adjusting mechanism. 6. A lighting device using an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the light source lamp is a halogen lamp.