JP2004126505A - Linear luminous body - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a linear luminous body with high decorativeness and excellent strength. <P>SOLUTION: The linear luminous body is provided with a linear core 10 made of a metal, an alloy or synthetic fibers, a light guide body 20 covering the side peripheral surface of the linear core, and a light source 31 which introduces light from the end face into the light guide body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a linear light emitter. The linear light-emitting body of the present invention is used, for example, for interior decoration.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Linear decorative bodies are used for indoor decoration, outdoor information display, and the like. For example, as such a decorative body, a decorative body (linear light-emitting body) that emits linear light is provided by a configuration including a tubular cladding and a core having a higher refractive index than the tubular clad and a reflective layer provided therebetween. It has been proposed (JP-A-2000-338330). In such a linear illuminant, high-luminance light passing through the core is reflected as high directivity light by the reflection surface, and high-luminance linear light is obtained. However, such a linear luminous body is composed of only a light guide and a reflecting surface, and therefore has a low strength, and cannot be used for applications requiring a certain strength or more.
On the other hand, decorative bodies using a color-painted wire, a colored resin-coated wire, or the like are known. Since such a decorative body has excellent strength, it is used, for example, as a partition in a showroom or a restaurant, or for decorating a handrail or the like. However, in order to perform effective decoration using such a decorative body, it is necessary to separately illuminate from the outside, that is, it is necessary to provide an external light source. Therefore, its use is naturally restricted. In addition, the decorative effect is only due to the color development by receiving the light from the external light source, and cannot be said to be high.
In addition, as a linear decorative body, a light emitting diode (LED) that is linearly arranged and sealed with a transparent resin such as silicone has been proposed, but in such a configuration, light is observed in a dot-like manner, The design or decoration was poor. In addition, the strength is low, and usable applications are limited.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a linear luminous body having high decorativeness and excellent strength.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following configuration. That is,
A linear core made of metal, alloy, or synthetic fiber,
A light guide covering the side peripheral surface of the linear core;
A light source for introducing light from the end surface into the light guide,
It is a linear light-emitting body provided with.
[0005]
According to such a configuration, since the light guide includes the core made of a metal or the like, sufficient strength can be provided. On the other hand, by providing a light source for introducing light into the light guide, decoration by light emitted from the side peripheral surface of the light guide can be performed. That is, decoration can be performed by light (direct light) emitted from the linear light-emitting body itself, which is a decorative member, and an excellent decorative effect can be obtained.
Hereinafter, each member (each element) of the present invention will be described.
[0006]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(Linear core)
The linear core is formed of a metal, an alloy, or a synthetic fiber (synthetic fiber). As the metal or alloy here, for example, iron, copper, silver, stainless steel, and brass can be used. As the synthetic fiber, for example, nylon, vinylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, aromatic polyamide-based fiber, aramid fiber, and carbon fiber can be used.
As the material of the linear core, it is preferable to employ a material having excellent strength and excellent durability. From this viewpoint, examples of suitable materials include stainless steel and nylon.
[0007]
The material of the linear core can be selected in consideration of design properties. That is, in the linear light-emitting body of the present invention, typically, when no light is emitted, the linear core is observed from the outside through the light guide, and also in the light-emitting state, the surface of the linear core receives light. Is observed in unique designs. Therefore, the design of the linear core constitutes a part of the decorativeness of the linear illuminant of the present invention, in other words, the design of the linear illuminant changes by changing the design of the linear core itself. Specifically, if a metal or an alloy is selected as the material of the linear core, the surface is observed in a metallic tone, and as a result, a linear luminous body in which a part is observed in a metallic tone is configured. The surface of the light guide may be subjected to a half-mirror treatment or the like so that the internal structure (that is, the surface of the linear core) is not observed when the light guide is not in a light emitting state. In such a case, basically, the surface of the linear core does not affect the decorativeness of the linear illuminant.
In order to increase the strength, it is preferable that the linear core has a multi-core structure. That is, it is preferable that the linear core is formed by a rope-like structure in which a plurality of wire-like members are twisted.
[0008]
The surface of the linear core may be colored or plated, or coated with vinyl chloride or the like. When the linear core is in the form of a rope as described above, the surface of the wire-like member constituting the linear core may be colored or the like.
Further, a light reflecting layer (light reflecting layer) may be formed on the side peripheral surface of the linear core. In such a configuration, the light reflecting layer is interposed between the linear core and the light guide, so that light can be efficiently reflected on the surface of the linear core. As a result, the content of a light scattering material or the like to be contained in the light guide covering the linear core can be reduced or omitted in some cases. On the other hand, if the light reflecting layer is formed so as to reflect the linear core shape (for example, a twisted spiral shape or a bundle shape in which fibers are bundled in parallel), the resulting reflected light becomes a linear core shape. Thus, light emission with excellent design properties can be obtained. Furthermore, since a good light guiding effect is obtained by efficient light reflection by the light reflecting layer, it is possible to reach the light of the light source farther, and light is emitted from the side peripheral surface of the light guide. The brightness of light is made more uniform. The light-reflective layer can be formed by, for example, white painting, vapor deposition of a metal having high reflectivity such as aluminum or silver, or the like.
[0009]
The diameter of the linear core is not particularly limited, but is, for example, about 0.1 mm to about 30 mm, preferably about 0.5 mm to about 20 mm, and particularly preferably about 1 mm to about 10 mm. If the diameter of the linear core is too small, sufficient strength may not be obtained. Conversely, if the diameter is too large, decorativeness may be impaired depending on the intended use. In setting the diameter of the linear core, the material to be used, the required strength, and / or the use of the present invention can be considered.
[0010]
The arrangement of the linear cores in the linear light-emitting body of the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, the linear cores can be arranged so as to constitute the central axis of the linear light-emitting body. According to such an arrangement, an axially symmetric linear illuminant having the linear core as the axis of symmetry can be formed, which is particularly suitable for the purpose of general-purpose use.
A configuration including a plurality of linear cores may be employed. With such a configuration, the strength can be further increased. Further, as described above, since the linear core can contribute to the decorative property of the linear light-emitting body of the present invention, such a configuration can be adopted to realize different decorative properties.
[0011]
(Light guide)
The light guide is provided so as to cover the side peripheral surface of the linear core. The light guide is preferably in close contact with the side peripheral surface of the linear core, but a gap may be provided partially or entirely between the two. Further, there may be a region on the side peripheral surface of the linear core that is not covered by the light guide.
The material of the light guide is not particularly limited as long as it is transparent to light from the light source. Preferably, the light guide is made of a transparent (including colorless and colored transparent) material. It is preferable that the light guide is made of a material that is easy to process and has excellent durability. For example, a light-transmitting resin such as a silicone resin, a urethane resin, a polycarbonate resin, and an acrylic resin, glass, or the like can be used as a material of the light guide. The light guide can also be formed by combining two or more different materials.
A concave portion or a convex portion may be formed on the surface of the light guide to change the light emission mode from the surface. For example, a part of the surface of the light guide can be formed into a convex lens shape, and light can be collected by the lens effect.
[0012]
It is preferable to include a light scattering agent in the light guide. This is because the diffusion of light in the light guide is promoted, and light emission with more uniform luminance is obtained from the surface of the light guide. As the light scattering agent, for example, glass having a predetermined particle size, a metal such as aluminum, a resin having a different refractive index of light from the light guide, silica, or the like can be used. The content of the light diffusing agent can be determined in consideration of the size (length) of the light guide, the intended light emission mode, and the like. For example, about 0.01% to about 0.5% based on the light guide. % (W / W), preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.1% (W / W).
A colorant such as a pigment may be contained in the light guide. In this way, a decorative effect can be obtained by the colored and observed light guide, and the decorativeness particularly in a state where light from the light source is not introduced is improved.
[0013]
The light guide may contain a light emitting body, or a layer containing the light emitting body may be formed on the surface of the light guide. The luminous body here includes a substance that emits phosphorescence or fluorescence (phosphor), a phosphorescent material, a reflective material (for example, a metal such as Al, Ag, stainless steel, or the like having high reflection efficiency, a metal-like film, and the like). . For example, the color of light from a light source introduced into a light guide can be converted by using a phosphor. The type of phosphor that can be used is not particularly limited. Moreover, it can be adopted regardless of an organic type or an inorganic type. There is no particular limitation on the fluorescent color. For example, a fluorescent material that emits light of three primary colors, red, green, or blue, and a fluorescent material that emits an intermediate color thereof can be used. A plurality of phosphors can be used in combination. For example, a red phosphor, a green phosphor, and a blue phosphor can be mixed and used.
When a phosphor is used, for example, a layer containing the phosphor can be provided on the peripheral surface of the light guide. Such a layer containing a phosphor can be formed by printing or applying a phosphor-containing ink or paint, or by attaching a sheet containing a phosphor. Further, the phosphor can be contained in the light guide. In such a configuration, fluorescence is generated in the light guide, and the fluorescence is emitted from the side peripheral surface of the light guide. When a phosphor is contained in the light guide, it is particularly preferable to use an organic phosphor.
This is because if an organic phosphor is used, the transparency of the light guide can be maintained, and a clear lighting effect can be obtained.
When a reflective material is contained in the light guide, a variety of light emission modes can be obtained in which a part of the light guide shines with high luminance and is observed.
[0014]
The light guide may contain an ultraviolet absorber (or an ultraviolet scattering agent) to enhance weather resistance. As the ultraviolet absorber (or ultraviolet scattering agent), an organic type such as benzophenone type, salicylic acid type and benzotriazole type and an inorganic type such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide can be appropriately selected and used. In addition, in the case where the phosphor is contained in the light guide as described above, if the ultraviolet absorber is used in combination, the excitation amount of the phosphor is reduced, and in this case, the ultraviolet absorber is not used or the ultraviolet absorber is not used. It is preferable to adjust the amount used so as not to hinder the excitation of the phosphor.
[0015]
Although the surface shape of the light guide is not particularly limited, it is typically shaped such that the outer shape of a cross section perpendicular to the central axis is circular. In addition, for example, the shape of the cross section may be an ellipse, a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a diamond, a trapezoid, a star, another polygon, or the like. Note that the cross-sectional shape and size of the light guide need not be constant throughout the length of the light guide.
[0016]
The light guide may have a multilayer structure. For example, the light guide may have a two-layer structure made of two materials having different refractive indexes of light. In this case, a layer having a relatively high light refractive index is defined as the inside (that is, the linear core side), and a layer having a relatively small light refractive index is defined as the outside. With such a configuration, good light guiding action in the inner layer is obtained by reflection at the interface between the inner layer and the outer layer, and light diffusion in the inner layer is also promoted. As a result, the light can reach a region farther from the light source, and the brightness of the light emitted from the light guide surface can be made uniform.
[0017]
A layer made of a material having a lower refractive index than the material forming the light guide can be provided between the linear core and the light guide. According to such a configuration, the layer functions as a barrier for confining light in the light guide, and a good light guiding action in the light guide is obtained. At the same time, by reducing the amount of light applied to the surface of the linear core, the generation of reflected light by the surface is reduced, thereby improving the design of the linear illuminant.
[0018]
The linear member that includes the linear core and the light guide and that constitutes the linear light-emitting body of the present invention is manufactured by, for example, the following method. First, a linear core is manufactured in the manner of manufacturing a wire or a wire rope, and then the extruder used in manufacturing a resin tube or the like is used to adjust the core so that the linear core is included in the center. After extruding the molten light guide material, the light guide material is cured by a process such as cooling. In addition to such a method, the light guide can be formed by molding.
[0019]
(light source)
The type of light source used is not particularly limited. For example, an LED, a light bulb (bulb), a fluorescent lamp, a cold cathode tube, or the like can be used. Among them, it is preferable to use an LED. This is because the LED is small in size, so that a space for the light source is small, and the light emitting body can be configured in a small size. In addition, since the power consumption of the LED is small, it meets the demand for energy saving. Further, the LED also has the advantage that the calorific value is small and the influence on the surrounding members is small. In addition, since the LED has a long life, it is advantageous in terms of maintenance and the like. Furthermore, since the LED is resistant to vibration and impact, there is an advantage that a highly reliable light emitting body can be formed.
On the other hand, LEDs also have the advantage of a fast response speed, and can easily and instantly switch between lighting and non-lighting, adjust brightness, and change emission colors (in the case of using LEDs capable of emitting two or more colors). By utilizing such characteristics of the LED, various light-emitting modes such as a variety of light-emitting modes and a surprising light-emitting mode can be created. The type of the LED is not particularly limited, and various types such as a bullet type and a chip type can be adopted.
[0020]
The light emission color of the light source is not particularly limited, and a color such as red, green, blue, and intermediate colors thereof, or white can be adopted. A light source capable of emitting two or more colors can be employed. By doing so, a light emitting body capable of emitting more colors and realizing more various light emitting modes is configured. Specifically, a light source employing a multi-color or full-color LED can be cited as an example. Examples of the multi-color LED include a light emitting element that incorporates two light emitting elements having different emission colors from each other (for example, a red light emitting element and a blue light emitting element), and a full color LED includes a red light emitting element, a green light emitting element, and the like. One having a built-in blue light emitting element can be exemplified.
[0021]
The light source may be configured using a plurality of LEDs, bulbs, fluorescent lamps, cold cathode tubes, and the like. In this case, different types (for example, an LED and a bulb) or different types of emission colors (for example, a red LED and a blue LED) may be combined.
When the light source is composed of a plurality of LEDs, the LEDs may be arranged so that the distance between each LED and the central axis of the linear core is equal to each other, and the distance between two adjacent LEDs is equal to each other. preferable. This is because the light distribution in the light guide is made uniform, and light with less emission unevenness can be emitted from the light guide surface.
[0022]
The light source is arranged so that light can be introduced into the light guide through the end face of the light guide. In order to efficiently introduce light, it is preferable to arrange the light source at a position as close as possible to the end face of the light guide. In addition, for example, when the linear light-emitting body of the present invention is configured as a linear one so that the introduced light guides the light guide well, the central axis is parallel to the optical axis of the light source. It is preferable to arrange the light sources such that
Here, when the light amount of the light source is not sufficient, or when a sufficient light guiding effect cannot be obtained, there is a concern that unevenness of the light distribution in the light guide may occur. For example, the amount of light decreases in a region away from the light source, and as a result, illuminance unevenness may occur in light emitted from the side peripheral surface of the light guide. In such a case, it is preferable to use two or more light sources so that light is introduced from both end surfaces of the light guide.
[0023]
The luminous body of the present invention is characterized by being linear, but the linear shape here includes a linear shape, a partially or entirely bent, bent or curved shape, and the like. Examples of the linear shape in the present invention include a spiral shape and a shape that is regularly bent at regular intervals.
The luminous body of the present invention can be widely used for decoration indoors or outdoors. In particular, since sufficient strength can be imparted by the linear core, it can be suitably used in applications requiring a certain strength. For example, if the linear illuminant of the present invention is used as a partition or a handrail for partitioning a space, the space can be produced by light. Further, the present invention is not limited to the use for decoration purposes. For example, if the linear light-emitting body of the present invention is used instead of a rope at a construction site or the like, the surroundings can be effectively urged by light. The light emitters of the present invention can also be used in a wide variety of applications, such as clothes hangers, pool course ropes, car antennas and corner poles.
Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in more detail using examples.
[0024]
【Example】
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a linear light-emitting body 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the linear light-emitting body 1. The linear light emitter 1 is used for, for example, a partition.
[0025]
The linear light-emitting body 1 is schematically composed of a wire rope 10, a light guide 20, and a light source unit 30. The wire rope 10 is formed by knitting a plurality of stainless steel wires into a rope shape, and has a diameter of about 2 mm and a total length of about 2 m. At the upper end and the lower end of the wire rope 10, hooks 11 used for installing the linear light-emitting body 1 are formed.
The wire rope 10 is covered by the light guide 20 except for the upper end and the lower end thereof so as to pass through the center of the light guide 20. The light guide 20 is a columnar member made of a silicone resin containing silica as a light diffusing agent. Light source units 30 are installed at both ends of the light guide 20. Each light source unit 30 includes four LEDs 31 therein. In this embodiment, as the LED 31, a full-color LED including one red light emitting element, one green light emitting element, and one blue light emitting element is used. As shown in FIG. 3, the four LEDs 31 in the light source unit 30 are arranged such that the distances from the center of the light source unit 30 are equal to each other, and the lines connecting the LEDs 31 form a virtual square. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the light source unit 30 observed from the side from which light is emitted (that is, the light guide side).
Power is supplied to each LED 31 via a wiring pattern formed on the surface of the substrate 32 and a power supply line 35. The light source unit 30 is connected to a controller (not shown) by a control line (not shown), and its lighting state is controlled. An element (not shown) such as a protection resistor is provided on the substrate 32.
[0026]
The linear light-emitting body 1 is manufactured as follows. First, a wire rope 10 made of stainless steel is prepared by a conventional method, and then, using a silicone resin containing a light diffusing agent as a material, an extruder is used to enclose the wire rope 10 in the center thereof so as to enclose the wire rope 10 in the center. To form Then, two separately prepared light source units 30 are installed and fixed so as to cover the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the light guide 20, respectively. Finally, the hook 11 is formed by fastening the upper end and the lower end of the wire rope 10 with the holding metal 15.
[0027]
Next, the light-emitting mode of the linear light-emitting body 1 will be described. First, the light emitted from each light source unit 30 is introduced into the light guide 20 via the end face of the light guide 20 facing each other. The introduced light guides the light guide 20, and is finally radiated outside from the side peripheral surface of the light guide 20. Thereby, the side peripheral surface of the light guide 20 emits light, and linear light is observed. Here, light of various colors can be obtained by controlling the color of light emitted from the light source unit 30. Also, the color of light can be changed continuously or stepwise. On the other hand, by controlling the lighting state of each LED 31, it is possible to create various light emission modes such as intermittent light emission and light emission in which luminance gradually increases or decreases. As described above, the linear luminous body 1 can perform various effects by light, and a high decorative effect can be obtained. In addition, since the tough wire rope is provided inside the light guide, the wire has excellent strength and can be used for various applications.
[0028]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the linear light-emitting body 2 of this embodiment. The same members as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
In the linear light-emitting body 2, a light-reflective layer (light-reflecting film) 16 is formed on the surface of the wire rope 10. The light reflecting film 16 is formed with a substantially uniform thickness throughout. Therefore, the surface shape reflects the surface shape of the wire rope 10.
On the other hand, the light guide 25 is a columnar member made of silicone resin. It should be noted that no light diffusing material is added to the light guide 25.
The linear light-emitting body 2 is manufactured as follows. First, a stainless steel wire rope 10 is manufactured by a conventional method. Next, the surface of the wire rope 10 is coated with white ink. Subsequently, the light guide 25 is formed using a silicone resin as a material by using an extruder so as to enclose the wire rope 10 thus processed in the center. Then, the hook 11 is formed by fastening the upper end and the lower end of the wire rope 10 with the holding metal 15. Lastly, two separately prepared light source units 30 are installed and fixed so as to cover the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the light guide 25, respectively. Note that the linear light guide 2 and the light source unit 30 before the light source unit 30 is mounted may be prepared, and the light source unit may be mounted at the installation site.
[0029]
In the linear light guide 2 configured as described above, the light of each light source unit 30 is reflected by the light reflecting film 16 on the surface of the wire rope 10 in the process of guiding the light inside the light guide. Thereby, diffusion of light in the light guide 25 is promoted, and a good light guide action is obtained. As a result, the side peripheral surface of the light guide 25 emits light with substantially uniform luminance, and linear light is observed.
[0030]
The present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiment of the present invention at all. Various modifications are included in the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims and within the scope of those skilled in the art.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a linear light-emitting body 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the linear light-emitting body 1.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a structure of a light source unit 30 used for the linear light-emitting body 1. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a linear light-emitting body 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 2 linear illuminant 10 wire rope 11 hook 15 clasp 16 light reflecting film 20 25 light guide 30 light source unit 31 LED
32 substrates

Claims (10)

A linear core made of metal, alloy, or synthetic fiber,
A light guide covering the side peripheral surface of the linear core;
A light source for introducing light from the end surface into the light guide,
A linear luminous body comprising: The linear light-emitting body according to claim 1, wherein the linear core has a multi-core structure. The linear illuminator according to claim 1, wherein the linear core is arranged so as to constitute a central axis of the linear illuminant. The linear light-emitting body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light source comprises an LED. The light source includes a plurality of LEDs, and the plurality of LEDs are arranged such that a distance between each LED and a central axis of the linear core is equal to each other, and a distance between two adjacent LEDs is equal to each other. The linear light-emitting body according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The linear light-emitting body according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of light sources are provided so that light is introduced from each end face of the light guide. The linear light-emitting body according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a light-reflective layer is formed on a side peripheral surface of the linear core. The linear light-emitting body according to claim 7, wherein the light-reflective layer is formed by white painting. The linear light-emitting body according to claim 7, wherein the light-reflective layer is made of a metal thin film. A linear core made of metal, alloy, or synthetic fiber,
A light guide that covers the side peripheral surface of the core and whose end surface is a light introduction surface;
A linear decorative body comprising:

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