JP2000112413A - Light generator - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a light generation device capable of emitting surface light with a texture different from that of a conventional lighting device by uniformly emitting light on the surface of a housing. In a light generation device, at least a part of a transparent or translucent housing, a light source unit arranged in the housing and emitting invisible light, and at least one surface of the housing, Alternatively, a conversion means for converting the invisible light into visible light, which is mixed with a material forming the housing, is included. According to the present invention, for example, by using an ultraviolet lamp as the light source means and using a fluorescent substance as the conversion means, it is possible to obtain a device in which the light source inside is not visible and the housing surface emits light uniformly. .

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light generating device,
In particular, the present invention relates to a light generating device capable of emitting surface light with a texture different from that of a conventional lighting device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when light is emitted from a device having a light emitting source in a main body, the light emitting source includes a light bulb, a fluorescent lamp,
Using an element such as an LED that emits light containing wavelengths in the visible light range, the visible light is radiated out of the housing by being diffused / dispersed or refracted directly through the housing or within the housing, and is visible from outside the housing. Was composed. As related related examples, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-95400, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-100185,
3, JP-A-3-180888, JP-A-5-86738, Japanese Utility Model 6-53619,
JP-A-8-137419 is known.

[0003]

In the above-described conventional light generating device, the light emitting source itself can be seen from the outside, and it is difficult to make it appear that the housing itself is emitting light. There was a point. Another problem is that it is difficult to uniformly emit light on the surface of the housing. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and to provide a light generating device capable of emitting surface light with a texture different from that of a conventional lighting device by uniformly emitting light on the surface of a housing. It is in.

[0004]

According to the present invention, there is provided a light generating device, wherein at least a part of the housing is transparent or translucent, light source means arranged in the housing and emitting invisible light, A conversion means for converting the invisible light into visible light, the conversion means being applied to at least one surface or mixed with a material constituting the housing.
According to the present invention, for example, by using an ultraviolet lamp as the light source means and using a fluorescent substance as the conversion means, it is possible to obtain a device in which the light source inside is not visible and the housing surface emits light uniformly. .

[0005]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a first embodiment of a light generating device to which the present invention is applied. As the near-ultraviolet light emitting device 11, for example, an ultraviolet lamp (discharge tube) or an ultraviolet LED can be used, and those having a straight tube shape or a bulb shape are commercially available. The near-ultraviolet light emitting device 11
It is preferable to use a material that does not contain far ultraviolet rays harmful to the human body as much as possible.

The invisible light 12 such as near ultraviolet light output from the near ultraviolet light emitting device 11 reaches the housing 10. Case 10
Is formed of a transparent or translucent material, for example, plastic or glass such as vinyl chloride or acryl, and a fluorescent material which is a conversion means for converting ultraviolet light into visible light is mixed into this material. As the fluorescent substance, various fluorescent paints and fluorescent pigments available on the market can be used as long as the fluorescent material can be mixed with the material of the housing and molded, and the luminescent color can be arbitrarily selected.

[0007] The invisible light 12 such as near-ultraviolet light output from the near-ultraviolet light emitting device 11 reaches the fluorescent substance in the housing 10 and is absorbed, and the fluorescent substance emits visible light.
Therefore, the user does not see the invisible light source inside, but looks as if the surface of the housing is emitting surface light.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of a second embodiment of the light generating apparatus to which the present invention is applied. With the first embodiment,
The structure of the housing 20 is different. In the first embodiment, an example in which the material of the casing 10 is mixed with a fluorescent substance as a means for converting to visible light and molded is disclosed, but in the second embodiment, the casing 20 is made transparent or translucent. It is formed of a material, for example, plastic or glass such as vinyl chloride or acrylic, and is formed by applying a fluorescent substance or a paint 21 containing a fluorescent substance on only the front surface, only the rear surface, or both surfaces of the molded housing 20.

With this configuration, for example, it is possible to use a fluorescent material which is difficult to be mixed and molded with the material of the housing, and it is also possible to cause only a part of the housing 20 to emit light. . Further, as a material of the housing 20,
It is also possible to use a material that blocks ultraviolet rays and allows only visible light to pass therethrough. By using such a material, the amount of ultraviolet rays having a wavelength harmful to the human body can be reduced.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a third embodiment of the light generating apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the third embodiment, an ultraviolet light emitting LED 32 is used as a light source means, and a light emitting portion 31 formed of a material containing a fluorescent substance similar to that of the first embodiment is provided in a part of a housing 30 to emit ultraviolet light. L
The ultraviolet light emitted from the ED reaches only the light emitting unit 31.

Since the ultraviolet light emitting LED is small, consumes little power, and has a fast response speed, if a battery is used as a power source, the present embodiment can be applied to a small housing such as a remote controller or headphones. In addition, by providing a plurality of combinations of the light source and the light-emitting portion, only a part of the housing can selectively emit surface light. Therefore, various display means such as conventional lamps and indicators using LEDs can be replaced by the present embodiment.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed above, the present invention may have the following modifications. In the first and second embodiments, a configuration in which the entire surface of the housing emits light is disclosed. However, a structure in which only a part of the housing emits light may be used. In order to emit light more uniformly, means for scattering or irregularly reflecting ultraviolet light or means for partially attenuating the intensity of ultraviolet light may be provided between the light source and the housing.

[0013]

As described above, in the present invention,
Since the light is emitted on the surface of the housing without using a light source having a wavelength in a normal visible light range, the housing can be made to emit light without showing the light source itself from the outside. This has the effect that the housing can be made to emit light more evenly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a first embodiment of the light generating device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the light generating device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a third embodiment of the light generation device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 20, 30 ... housing, 11 ... near ultraviolet light emitting device, 1
2: ultraviolet light, 13: visible light, 21: fluorescent substance, 31: light emitting part, 32: ultraviolet light emitting LED

Claims (4)

[Claims] A transparent or translucent casing, at least a part of which is disposed within the casing, and a light source unit that emits invisible light; and at least one surface of the at least one part of the casing. Conversion means for converting the applied non-visible light into visible light. 2. The light generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the invisible light is ultraviolet light, and the conversion unit is a fluorescent substance responsive to the ultraviolet light. 3. A housing which is at least partially transparent or translucent; light source means disposed in the housing and emitting invisible light; Conversion means for converting the invisible light into visible light. 4. The light generating device according to claim 3, wherein the invisible light is ultraviolet light, and the conversion unit is a fluorescent substance responsive to the ultraviolet light.