JPH10258021A - Lighting apparatus and manufacture of light guide therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting apparatus which achieves easier handing and adjustment with a low cost production by providing a light guide with a light source installing part, a light condensing part, a projection part and a light guiding part to integrate. SOLUTION: This apparatus is provided with a light source 9 and a light guide to guide illumination light emitted from the light source 9. The light guide is provided with a light source installing part 10 for installing a light source, a light condensing part for condensing the illumination light provided on the perimeter of the light source installing part 10, a projection part 13 to scatter the illumination light outside the apparatus and a light guide part 12 which is located between the light condensing part and the projecting part 13 to guide the illumination light to the projection part 13 from the light condensing part. These parts are integrally formed using a transparent light guide material and the light condensing part is provided with a zigzag-shaped reflection mirror 11b. This dispense with using a number of costly optical parts by assembling them adjusting. This further prevents the leakage of the illumination light thereby effectively utilizing the illumination light.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light guide for an illuminating device such as a video scope having a built-in image pickup device such as a CCD, and more particularly to a dental scope used for dental and oral surgery. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a videoscope using a CCD has been used for medical treatment of an affected part in the oral cavity in dentistry and oral surgery. Such an apparatus is disclosed in JP-A-4-17643.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-285655 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-285525, illumination light is guided by a light fiber to illuminate an affected part from an irradiation end face.

A videoscope for performing local imaging such as observation of an affected part is required to be easy to handle so that it can be held and operated with one hand, to have good image quality, and to be inexpensive and easily spread.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional videoscope, the light fiber used for the light guide path for illumination is easily broken due to a sharp bend.
For this reason, it is possible to arrange lenses, prisms, and mirrors for condensing light to the incident part and projecting light to the light projecting window, or to arrange them in a complicated shape to fit inside the scope and mount it to the tip of the scope. It was difficult and it was difficult to reduce the number of parts.

In addition, since the external light source box and the video scope are connected by a light fiber cable, the operability is poor and the handling is difficult. An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and to provide an inexpensive videoscope which is easy to handle and which is inexpensive by simplifying a light guide path for illumination.

[0006]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an illumination device including a light source and a light guide for guiding illumination light emitted from the light source. A light guide is provided around the light source installation section for installing the light source, a light collection section that is provided around the light source installation section, and collects illumination light, and a light projection section that diverges the illumination light outside the device.
A light guide that is provided between the light collector and the light projector to guide illumination light from the light collector to the light projector, and that these are integrally formed of a transparent light guide material. Features.

According to the above-mentioned lighting device, since each part of the light guide is integrally formed, there is no need to assemble and use a large number of expensive optical components while adjusting them.
In the lighting device, it is preferable that the transparent light guide material is an acrylic resin.

[0008] It is preferable that the light condensing portion includes a light converging mirror that reflects illumination light emitted in a direction opposite to the light guide portion and condenses the light toward the light guide portion. In a preferred illumination device including the condensing mirror, a converging mirror provided with two reflecting surfaces and two light guides are provided, and the illumination light reflected by the respective reflecting surfaces is guided by the respective guiding surfaces. It is preferable that the light is condensed on the light part.

[0009] In a preferred illumination device having the two reflecting surfaces, it is preferable that the two reflecting surfaces include elliptical curved surfaces. According to the illumination device as described above, the illumination light can be efficiently collected on the light guide.

[0010] In the illumination device, the condensing portion reflects the illumination light of the illumination light that leaks out of the light guide and does not directly reach the light guide portion toward the light source. It is preferable that a reflecting mirror provided with a plurality of reflecting surfaces is provided, and the plurality of reflecting surfaces form a zigzag shape.

In a preferred illumination device having the zigzag reflecting mirror, it is preferable that the plurality of reflecting surfaces include a circular curved surface or a spherical curved surface centering on a light source installation portion.

It is preferable that the plurality of reflection surfaces include a plane whose normal direction is the light source direction. By forming the zigzag shape as described above, the illumination light can be prevented from leaking out of the light guide, and the illumination light can be used effectively.

[0013] In the illumination device, it is preferable that a reflection sheet is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the light-collecting portion. Further, it is preferable that an outer peripheral portion of the condensing portion is coated with aluminum.

By providing a reflection sheet on the outer periphery of the light-collecting portion or coating with aluminum as described above, the reflectance of the light-collecting portion can be improved. Can be propagated to

Further, it is preferable that the light projecting portion has a prism shape. Further, it is preferable that minute uneven portions are formed on the surface of the light projecting portion. As described above, by forming the light projecting portion into a prism structure or a minute uneven portion, a good intensity distribution of emitted light can be obtained without newly adding an optical component such as a lens.

It is preferable that a longitudinal direction of the filament provided in the light source is perpendicular to a thickness direction of the light guide. As described above, if the longitudinal direction of the filament is perpendicular to the plate thickness direction of the light guide, an elongated beam along the shape of the light guide can be easily obtained,
Since more illumination light can propagate in the light guide portion, the utilization efficiency of the illumination light can be improved.

Preferably, the longitudinal direction of the installation portion is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the light guide. Thus, the filament can be installed so that the longitudinal direction of the filament is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the light guide portion of the light guide.

Next, a method of manufacturing a light guide for a lighting device according to the present invention comprises: a light source installation section for installing a light source; a light collection section provided around the light source installation section for collecting illumination light; A lighting device comprising: a light projecting unit that diverges light outside the device; and a light guide unit that is provided between the light collecting unit and the light projecting unit and guides illumination light from the light collecting unit to the light projecting unit. It is characterized in that the light guide is integrally molded with a transparent light guide material and manufactured.

In the method for manufacturing a light guide for a lighting device, the transparent light guide material is preferably an acrylic resin.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a lighting device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG.
1 is an external view of a video scope according to the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the video scope shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the video scope shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 1 denotes an entry portion for entering the oral cavity. 2
Is a grip, usually used by doctors to hold with one hand. On the side of the longitudinal side near the tip of the entrance 1 where the aspect ratio is different,
A photographing window 3 and two projecting windows 4 are provided, and a prism mirror 5 for side view, an objective lens 6 and a CC
An imaging system including the D unit 7 is provided. Although an iris diaphragm is provided between the objective lens 6 and the prism mirror 5, it is omitted in this drawing.

A substrate 8 is provided between the entrance 1 and the grip 2. The portion on the grip portion 2 side of the substrate 8 is the camera circuit portion 8a, and the portion on the approach portion 1 side is the imaging signal circuit portion 7a. A CCD unit 7 is fixed to a tip of the substrate 8 on the side of the entrance 1.

Hereinafter, an outline of a process until the illumination light from the light source 9 is emitted from the light projecting section 13 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The light source 9 for illumination is a light source installation unit 10 in the light guide 14.
Illumination light emitted rearward from the light source 9 is provided in a hole which is a focusing mirror 11a provided in the light guide 14.
Is directed toward the entrance 1 side.

Further, if the entrance 1 side is forward, the light source 9
The illumination light emitted obliquely from the front is reflected toward the light source 9 by the reflection mirror 11b having a zigzag shape. The reflected light reaches the vicinity of the light source 9 again, is reflected again by the condenser mirror 11a, and is directed to the entrance 1 side.

This illumination light is transmitted to different light guides 12 as two condensed beams. For this reason, two light guide sections 12 are provided. In addition, the illumination light is the light emission window 4
The light is emitted from the light projecting unit 13 located at the position, and is irradiated on the affected part.

In this embodiment, the number of light guides is two, but the number may be one. Next, light guide 1
4 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. The light guide 14 is formed integrally with the light source installation unit 10, the condenser mirror 11a, the reflection mirror 11b, the light guide unit 12, and the light projection unit 13.

The material of the light guide 14 is preferably, for example, a transparent acrylic resin. As a manufacturing method, for example, a molding method is preferable. As described above, since each part of the light guide 14 is formed integrally, there is no need to assemble and use a large number of expensive optical components while adjusting them as in the related art.

In the above embodiment, the light guide 14
Although the example of integrally forming by the molding method was described,
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a part thereof may have an adhesive structure.

Next, a description will be given of how to increase the reflectance of the light guide 14. The light guide 14 is required to propagate the illuminating light emitted from the light source 9 to the emitting section with as little loss as possible. Therefore, it is preferable to perform a high-reflectance process around the light-collecting unit to reflect as much light emitted backward to the light-guiding unit as possible. For the high reflectivity treatment, aluminum coating by a vacuum evaporation method or bonding or bonding of a high reflectivity reflective sheet is preferable. In particular, the method of bonding or bonding a reflection sheet having a high reflectance has a merit that the manufacturing cost is low and the aluminum coating by the vacuum deposition method is low.

In order to increase the reflectivity, the shape of the condenser mirror 11a may be changed to a special shape, or the reflection mirror 11b
Is also effective. For example, the condenser mirror 11a
It is effective if the shape of is made into a reflecting surface shape including two elliptical shapes symmetrical about the light source, and the illumination light reflected from each reflecting surface is condensed on the two light guides 12.

The shape of the reflecting surface is not limited to an elliptical shape, but may be any shape as long as it can efficiently converge on the light guide 12. The reason for adding the reflection mirror 11b is to effectively use, of the light emitted forward from the light source, light that leaks out of the light guide 14 without satisfying the condition for total reflection of light. Specifically, part of the illumination light emitted forward from the light source 9 is propagated to the light guide unit 12 and emitted from the light projection unit 13. However, light propagating in the light guide at an angle equal to or greater than the critical angle leaks out of the light guide 14. In this case, the utilization efficiency of the illumination light is reduced. Therefore, if the illumination light in the specific angle region where a large amount of leaked light is reflected by the reflecting mirror 11b and returned to the vicinity of the light source and is reflected again by the condensing mirror 11a, the illumination light is directed toward the light guide section 12, so that the illumination light Usage efficiency can be improved.

When the light source is a halogen lamp, the luminous efficiency can be improved by contributing to the temperature rise of the filament. The reflection mirror 11b shown in FIG. 4 has a plurality of reflection surfaces such that light from the light source returns to the vicinity of the light source again. These reflecting surfaces form a zigzag shape. The shape of the reflecting surface preferably includes a circular curved surface or a spherical curved surface centered on the light source. In addition, a good result can be obtained even if the surface does not include a circular curved surface or a spherical curved surface but includes a plane whose normal direction is the light source direction. In this case, the shape is simpler than that of a circular or spherical reflecting surface, which is advantageous in manufacturing.

As described above, by forming the reflecting mirror in a zigzag shape, the reflecting function can be made compact, so that a light guide with high utilization efficiency of illumination light can be easily realized.

In the above embodiment, the light guide 14
Although the case where the reflection mirror 11b is used only on the side surface of the above has been described, it may be formed on the upper surface. Although not shown, the outer peripheral surface of the reflecting mirror 11b and the reflecting surface for reflecting the light from the light guide unit 12 to the light projecting unit 13 are coated with aluminum or the like to increase the reflectance. Preferably, a reflective film is bonded.

Next, the optimization of the light emission direction and the light diffusion direction will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. Optimizing the direction of light emission and the direction of diffusion is important in order to make illumination light impinging on the affected area more uniform or mild.

FIG. 5 shows a prism part 5 cut at an end face of the light projecting part obliquely to the emission direction of the illumination light.
1 is provided. 6 is provided with a fine prism array section 61. FIG. By forming the end surface of the light projecting portion into a prism shape as described above, the emission direction (arrows 52 and 62) of the illumination light can be changed, and the intensity distribution of the light applied to the affected part can be optimized. .

Although not shown, good results can be obtained by forming fine irregularities on the surface instead of using the prism structure. This is because illumination intensity can be made uniform by the scattering effect of the fine unevenness. The average roughness of the unevenness is preferably in the range of 10 to 100 μm.

As described above, since the end surface of the light projecting portion has a prism structure or a fine uneven shape, a good intensity distribution of emitted light can be obtained without newly adding an optical component such as a lens. It is practically useful.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the longitudinal direction of the light source 9 is parallel to the substrate 8 has been described. However, if the longitudinal direction of the light source installing portion 10 is formed perpendicular to the substrate 8 and the light source 9 is installed. , There is a merit in the construction method.

That is, the light guide 14 is mounted after the light source 9 is mounted on the camera circuit board 8 while standing,
If the light source 9 is inserted into the light source installation portion 10 after the light guide 14 is mounted and assembled, the assembly can be performed by a very simple construction method.

Such a merit in the construction method is not limited to the integrated light guide of the present invention, but is useful if a digital scope having a built-in light source is used. Further, the longitudinal direction of a filament (not shown) inside the light source 9 is defined by the light guide 1.
2 and the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the light source 9
This is effective in concentrating the illumination light emitted from the light guide section 12 more efficiently. That is, an elongated beam along the shape of the light guide can be easily obtained, and more illumination light can be propagated in the light guide 12, so that the utilization efficiency of the illumination light can be improved.

[0042]

As described above, according to the illumination device of the present invention, the light guide includes the light source installation portion, the light collection portion that collects the illumination light, and the light projection portion that diverges the illumination light outside the device. And a light guide for guiding the illumination light toward the light projecting unit, and since they are integrated, it is not necessary to assemble and use a large number of expensive optical components while adjusting them, so that it can be manufactured at low cost. , Handling and adjustment are easy.

Further, by providing a reflecting mirror for forming a zigzag shape in the condensing portion, it is possible to prevent the illumination light from leaking to the light guide, and the illumination light can be used effectively.

Further, by providing a reflection sheet on the outer periphery of the condensing part or coating aluminum, the reflectance of the condensing part can be improved, so that the illumination light can be transmitted to the emitting part while suppressing loss. Can be done.

Further, by forming the light projecting portion into a prism structure or a minute uneven portion, a good intensity distribution of emitted light can be obtained without newly adding an optical component such as a lens.

Further, by making the longitudinal direction of the filament perpendicular to the plate thickness direction of the light guide section, an elongated beam along the shape of the light guide section can be easily obtained, and more illumination light can be guided. Since the light can propagate in the light part 12, the utilization efficiency of the illumination light can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of a lighting device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in the lateral direction of FIG. 1;

3 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an external view showing an embodiment of a light guide for a lighting device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an external view showing an embodiment of a light emitting unit of the light guide for a lighting device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an external view showing an embodiment of a light projecting portion of the light guide for a lighting device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Entry part 2 Handle part 3 Imaging window 4 Projection window 5 Prism mirror 6 Objective lens 7 CCD unit 7a Imaging signal circuit part 8 Substrate 8a Camera circuit part 9 Light source 10 Light source installation part 11a Condensing mirror 11b Reflection mirror 12 Light guide part Reference Signs List 13 Projection unit 14 Light guide 51 Prism unit 52, 62 Illumination light emission direction 61 Prism array unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hirofumi Yamakita 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (16)

[Claims] An illumination device comprising: a light source; and a light guide that guides illumination light emitted from the light source, wherein the light guide includes a light source installation unit that installs the light source, and a light source installation unit that installs the light source. Provided around, a light-collecting unit that collects illumination light, a light-projecting unit that diverges the illumination light outside the device, and an illumination light that is located between the light-collecting unit and the light-emitting unit from the light-collecting unit. A lighting device, comprising: a light guide section for guiding to the light projecting section; and these are integrally formed of a transparent light guide material. 2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the transparent light guide material is an acrylic resin. 3. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light-collecting unit includes a light-collecting mirror that reflects illumination light emitted in a direction opposite to the light-guiding unit and focuses the light toward the light-guiding unit. 4. The light-condensing mirror provided with two reflecting surfaces and two light-guiding units, and the illumination light reflected by each of the reflecting surfaces is condensed on each of the light-guiding units. 3. The lighting device according to 3. 5. The lighting device according to claim 4, wherein each of the two reflecting surfaces includes an elliptical curved surface. 6. A plurality of reflecting surfaces for reflecting, in the direction of the light source, the illumination light out of the illumination light in a direction leaking out of the light guide and not directly reaching the light guide unit. The lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising a reflection mirror provided, wherein the plurality of reflection surfaces form a zigzag shape. 7. The lighting device according to claim 6, wherein the shapes of the plurality of reflection surfaces forming the zigzag shape include a circular curved surface or a spherical curved surface centering on the light source installation part. 8. The lighting device according to claim 6, wherein the shape of the plurality of reflection surfaces forming the zigzag shape includes a plane having a light source direction as a normal direction. 9. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a reflection sheet is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the light collecting section. 10. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral portion of the light collecting portion is coated with aluminum. 11. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light projecting unit has a prism shape. 12. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein minute projections and depressions are formed on the surface of the light projecting section. 13. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a longitudinal direction of the filament provided in the light source is perpendicular to a thickness direction of the light guide. 14. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a longitudinal direction of the light source installation section is perpendicular to a thickness direction of the light guide section. 15. A light source installation section for installing a light source, a condensing section provided around the light source installation section for condensing illumination light, a light projecting section for diverging illumination light outside the apparatus, and A light guide for a lighting device, which is provided between a light unit and the light projecting unit and has a light guide unit for guiding illumination light from the light collecting unit to the light projecting unit, is integrally molded with a transparent light guide material. A method for manufacturing a light guide for a lighting device, characterized by being manufactured by: 16. The method according to claim 16, wherein the transparent light guide material is an acrylic resin.