WO2025134925A1 - Light source module and light irradiation device - Google Patents

Abstract

This light-source module includes: a light-emitting unit including a plurality of light-emitting elements; a heat dissipating member; a cover member having a first opening; a light-transmitting member that closes the first opening; a first cable that is electrically connected to the light emitting unit; and a sealing material composed of a resin. The sealing material closes a first gap between the heat dissipating member and the cover member along the peripheral edge of the first gap. The heat dissipating member includes: a base section having a first surface and a second surface; and a plurality of protrusions each protruding from the second surface. The light-emitting unit is positioned between the first surface and the light-transmitting member. The cover member includes a third surface and a fourth surface, and has a recess on the third surface side. The first opening is open at the recess. The first cable is inserted into the second opening between the recess and the base section. The first cable penetrates the sealing material. The sealing material closes the second opening.

Description

Light source module and light irradiation device CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2023-213874 (filed December 19, 2023), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

This disclosure relates to a light source module and a light irradiation device.

There is a light irradiation device that includes a light source having multiple light-emitting elements, a heat dissipation member thermally connected to the light source, an air blower capable of blowing air to the heat dissipation member, a drive unit that drives the light source, and a housing that houses the light source, the heat dissipation member, the air blower, and the drive unit and has multiple air vents (see, for example, the description in Patent Document 1).

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for light source modules and light irradiation devices to reduce the adhesion of foreign matter to the light-emitting section, for example.

International Publication No. 2019/181937

A light source module and a light irradiation device are disclosed.

One aspect of the light source module includes a light emitting unit, a heat dissipation member, a cover member, a translucent member, a first cable, and a sealing material. The light emitting unit has a plurality of light emitting elements. The cover member has a first opening that passes light from the light emitting unit and is attached to the heat dissipation member. The translucent member covers the first opening and transmits light from the light emitting unit. The first cable is a cable that is electrically connected to the light emitting unit and is for supplying power to cause the plurality of light emitting elements to emit light. The sealing material covers the first gap between the heat dissipation member and the cover member along the periphery of the first gap and is made of resin. The heat dissipation member includes a plate-shaped base portion and a plurality of protrusions. The base portion has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface is located on the cover member side of the base portion. Each of the plurality of protrusions protrudes from the second surface. The light emitting unit is located between the first surface and the translucent member. The cover member has a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, and has a recess on the third surface side. The third surface is located on the heat dissipation member side of the cover member. At least a portion of the base portion is located in the internal space of the recess. The first opening opens in the recess. Between the recess and the base portion, there is a second opening that is connected to a first region located between the cover member and the first surface. The first cable is inserted into the second opening. The first cable penetrates the sealing material. The sealing material blocks the second opening.

One aspect of the light irradiation device includes the light source module of the above aspect, a housing, and a drive unit. The housing, together with the cover member, surrounds the light-emitting unit and the heat dissipation member. The drive unit includes a drive circuit that drives the light-emitting unit. The housing has a first ventilation hole and a second ventilation hole that respectively connect a first space inside the housing and a second space outside the housing. The first ventilation hole is located close to the multiple second gaps between the multiple protrusions in a direction along the first surface. The second ventilation hole is located on the opposite side of the cover member with respect to the heat dissipation member. The first cable electrically connects the light-emitting unit and the drive unit.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of an example of a light source module according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an external appearance of an example of the light source module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a bottom view illustrating the appearance of an example of the light source module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view that shows a schematic example of a virtual cross-section of the light source module when the light source module is viewed toward the +X direction at position IV-IV in FIGS. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates an example of a virtual cross-section of the light source module when the light source module is viewed toward the +X direction at position VV in FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of an example of a cover member. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of an example of a cover member. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an example of a heat dissipation member. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an example of a heat dissipation member. FIG. 10 is a front view showing the appearance of an example of a heat dissipation member. FIG. 11 is a side view showing the appearance of an example of a heat dissipation member. FIG. 12 is a side view showing the appearance of an example of a first unit having a configuration in which a light emitting portion, a first cable, and a second cable are attached to a heat dissipation member. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an example of a first module having a configuration in which a heat dissipation member to which a light emitting unit, a first cable, and a second cable are respectively attached is disposed on a cover member. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the external appearance of an example of a first module having a configuration in which a heat dissipation member to which a light emitting unit, a first cable, and a second cable are respectively attached is disposed on a cover member. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates an example of a virtual cross-section of the first module when the first module is viewed toward the +X direction at position XV-XV in FIG. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates an example of a virtual cross section of the first module when the first module is viewed toward the +X direction at position XVI-XVI in FIG. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a state in which the heat dissipation member and the cover member are fastened by a screw member in the first module of FIG. 16 . FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating an external appearance of an example of the light irradiation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 19 is a bottom view illustrating the appearance of an example of the light irradiation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a schematic configuration of the light irradiation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the schematic configuration of the light irradiation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an example of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of an example of a light source module according to the second embodiment. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cross section of the light source module according to the second embodiment. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cross section of a light source module according to the third embodiment. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cross section of a light source module according to the fourth embodiment.

There is a light irradiation device that includes a light source having multiple light-emitting elements, a heat dissipation member thermally connected to the light source, an air blower capable of blowing air to the heat dissipation member, a drive unit that drives the light source, and a housing that houses the light source, the heat dissipation member, the air blower, and the drive unit and has multiple air vents.

This light irradiation device can be applied, for example, to a printing device that prints by applying ink containing a photosensitive material to a printing medium such as paper.

In a printing device, for example, when droplets of ink containing a photosensitive material are ejected from a printing unit such as an inkjet head toward a print medium such as paper, mist-like ink (also called ink mist) may be generated. In addition, in a printing device, for example, when a print medium such as paper is transported, dust such as powder-like dirt (also called paper dust) on the paper surface may fly up. For this reason, for example, in a configuration in which a light irradiation device is applied to a printing device, foreign matter such as ink mist, dust, and dirt may adhere to the light-emitting unit, causing electrical and optical malfunctions. Here, an example of an electrical malfunction is a short circuit caused by foreign matter attached to the light-emitting unit being burned to the light-emitting unit by the heat generated by the light-emitting unit. An example of an optical malfunction is a decrease in the amount of light emitted caused by foreign matter attached to the light-emitting unit blocking the light emitted from the light-emitting unit.

Electrical and optical defects caused by the adhesion of foreign matter to the light-emitting section are not limited to light irradiation devices used in printing devices, but can occur in general light irradiation devices used for other purposes, such as drying and hardening various objects by irradiating them with light.

For this reason, there is room for improvement in light source modules having a light-emitting section and light irradiation devices having a light source module in terms of reducing the adhesion of foreign matter to the light-emitting section while allowing electrical connection from outside the light source module to the light-emitting section. In other words, there is room for improvement in light source modules and light irradiation devices in terms of reducing the adhesion of foreign matter to the light-emitting section while allowing electrical connection from outside the light source module to the light-emitting section.

The inventors of this disclosure have therefore developed a technology for a light source module and a light irradiation device that allows electrical connection from outside the light source module to the light-emitting section while reducing the adhesion of foreign matter to the light-emitting section.

The technology will be described below in various embodiments and examples with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, parts having the same or similar configurations and functions are given the same reference numerals. In the following description, duplicated explanations are omitted. The drawings are shown diagrammatically.

Each of Figs. 1 to 26 is illustrated with a right-handed XYZ coordinate system. In this XYZ coordinate system, the direction along the direction in which the light source module 1 emits light (also referred to as the emission direction) is the -Z direction, the direction perpendicular to the -Z direction is the +X direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the -Z direction and the +X direction is the +Y direction. Note that terms expressing directions such as "up," "down," "left," and "right" used in the explanation of this disclosure are used simply for the purpose of clarifying the explanation, and are not used for the purpose of limiting the configuration and operating principle of the light source module 1 and the light irradiation device 10.

1. First embodiment
<1-1. Light source module>
The light source module 1 is a module that emits light. The light source module 1 is employed, for example, as a module that emits light in an apparatus (also called a light irradiation apparatus) that irradiates a target object (also called an irradiated object).

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an example of a light source module 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the appearance of an example of a light source module 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing the appearance of an example of a light source module 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a virtual cross section of the light source module 1 when the light source module 1 is viewed toward the +X direction at position IV-IV in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a virtual cross section of the light source module 1 when the light source module 1 is viewed toward the +X direction at position V-V in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an example of a cover member 4. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an example of a cover member 4. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an example of a heat dissipation member 3. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an example of a heat dissipation member 3. FIG. 10 is a front view showing the appearance of an example of a heat dissipation member 3. FIG. 11 is a side view showing the appearance of an example of a heat dissipation member 3. Fig. 12 is a side view showing the external appearance of an example of a unit (also referred to as a first unit) 1a having a configuration in which a light emitting unit 2, a first cable 6, and a second cable 8 are attached to a heat dissipation member 3. This first unit 1a has a heat dissipation member 3, and the light emitting unit 2, the first cable 6, and the second cable 8 attached to the heat dissipation member 3. Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of an example of a module (also referred to as a first module) 1b in which the heat dissipation member 3 to which the light emitting unit 2, the first cable 6, and the second cable 8 are attached is disposed on a cover member 4. This first module 1b has a cover member 4, a heat dissipation member 3 disposed on the cover member 4, and the light emitting unit 2, the first cable 6, and the second cable 8 attached to the heat dissipation member 3. Fig. 14 is a plan view showing the external appearance of an example of the first module 1b. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a virtual cross section of the first module 1b when the first module 1b is viewed toward the +X direction at position XV-XV in FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a virtual cross section of the first module 1b when the first module 1b is viewed toward the +X direction at position XVI-XVI in FIG. 14. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4 are fastened by a screw member in the first module 1b in FIG. 16.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the light source module 1 includes a light-emitting unit 2, a heat dissipation member (also called a heat sink) 3, a cover member 4, a light-transmitting member 5, a first cable 6, and a sealing material 7. In one example of the first embodiment, the light source module 1 includes a second cable 8, a sensor 8s, and a screw member 9.

<1-1-1. Heat dissipation material>
The heat dissipation member 3 is a member that dissipates heat generated in the light emitting unit 2 due to light emission. In other words, the heat dissipation member 3 can dissipate heat generated in the light emitting unit 2. The heat dissipation member 3 is, for example, thermally connected to the light emitting unit 2. Here, the state in which the first part is thermally connected to the second part means that heat can be transmitted between the first part and the second part. More specifically, the state in which the first part is thermally connected to the second part may mean that heat can be directly transmitted between the first part and the second part, or that heat can be transmitted through one or more objects located between the first part and the second part. Each of the one or more objects may be an object having excellent thermal conductivity. For example, a metal having excellent thermal conductivity such as aluminum or copper is applied as the material of the heat dissipation member 3. The form in which the heat dissipation member 3 is thermally connected to the light emitting unit 2 may include not only a form in which the heat dissipation member 3 is directly connected to the light emitting unit 2, but also a form in which the heat dissipation member 3 is indirectly connected to the light emitting unit 2 via one or more members having excellent thermal conductivity. In other words, the form in which the heat dissipation member 3 is thermally connected to the light emitting unit 2 may be a form in which the heat dissipation member 3 is directly connected to the light emitting unit 2, or a form in which the heat dissipation member 3 is indirectly connected to the light emitting unit 2 via one or more members having excellent thermal conductivity. In other words, the form in which the heat dissipation member 3 is thermally connected to the light emitting unit 2 may be a form in which the heat dissipation member 3 is in contact with the light emitting unit 2 so that heat can be transmitted between the heat dissipation member 3 and the light emitting unit 2, or a form in which heat can be transmitted between the heat dissipation member 3 and the light emitting unit 2 via one or more objects. Each of the one or more objects may be an object having excellent thermal conductivity.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, and 8 to 11, the heat dissipation member 3 includes a base portion 31 and a plurality of protrusions 32.

The base portion 31 has, for example, a plate-like or rectangular parallelepiped shape. The base portion 31 has a first surface 31b and a second surface 31u. The second surface 31u is the surface opposite to the first surface 31b. For example, when the base portion 31 is plate-like, the base portion 31 has an end surface connecting the first surface 31b and the second surface 31u. When the base portion 31 is plate-like, the thickness of the base portion 31 may be the length of the base portion 31 in the direction in which the light source module 1 emits light (emission direction). The emission direction may be, for example, along the -Z direction.

The first surface 31b is located on the cover member 4 side of the base portion 31. In other words, the first surface 31b faces the cover member 4 side. From another perspective, the first surface 31b is located on the light emitting unit 2 side of the base portion 31. The first surface 31b may be, for example, a substantially flat surface. More specifically, the first surface 31b may be, for example, a surface along a virtual plane parallel to the XY plane. The first surface 31b may have unevenness or may have a step. The unevenness and the step may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the cover member 4, for example. In an example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 4, 5, 9 and 11, the first surface 31b has a substantially flat reference portion (also referred to as a first reference portion) 31b1 of the first surface 31b and a step portion S2 located along the +X direction at the end in the +Y direction. This step portion S2 is located closer to the second surface 31u than the first reference portion 31b1. Here, the first surface 31b has a step formed by the first reference portion 31b1 and the step portion S1. The base portion 31 may have, for example, irregularities on the first surface 31b side for attaching each portion, such as the light-emitting portion 2 and the cover member 4, to the heat dissipation member 3. These irregularities may include screw holes, etc. The screw holes may open on the first surface 31b. The screw holes may be cylindrical holes with female threads on the inner surface.

The second surface 31u may be, for example, a substantially flat surface. More specifically, the second surface 31u may be, for example, a surface along a virtual plane parallel to the XY plane. The second surface 31u is not limited to being a substantially flat surface, and may have irregularities or steps.

Each of the first surface 31b and the second surface 31u may have, for example, a rectangular outer edge when viewed in a plane. In this case, the surface having a rectangular outer edge may have, for example, a rectangular outer edge with a side length of about 50 millimeters (mm) to 90 mm. Each of the outer edges of the first surface 31b and the second surface 31u may have, for example, a set of two sides that are located along the +X direction and facing each other, and another set of two sides that are located along the +Y direction and facing each other. When the first surface 31b is viewed in a plane, the first surface 31b may be viewed in a direction along the normal to the first surface 31b. The normal to the first surface 31b may be, for example, a virtual line along the +Z direction. When the second surface 31u is viewed in a plane, the second surface 31u may be viewed in a direction along the normal to the second surface 31u. The normal to the second surface 31u may be, for example, a virtual line along the -Z direction.

Each of the multiple protrusions 32 protrudes from the base portion 31 in a direction away from the cover member 4. From another perspective, each of the multiple protrusions 32 protrudes from the second surface 31u. The direction away from the cover member 4 may be, for example, a direction perpendicular to the second surface 31u. The direction perpendicular to the second surface 31u may be, for example, a direction along the +Z direction. There are multiple gaps (also referred to as second gaps) 32g between the multiple protrusions 32. Each of the multiple protrusions 32 may have, for example, a thin plate-like shape. Two adjacent protrusions 32 among the multiple protrusions 32 are located with the second gap 32g between them. According to the heat dissipation member 3, air flows through the multiple second gaps 32g between the multiple protrusions 32, so that the heat transferred from the light emitting unit 2 to the heat dissipation member 3 is dissipated into the air, and the light emitting unit 2 can be cooled. The multiple protrusions 32 are applied with a first predetermined number of protrusions 32 that is two or more. The first predetermined number is a natural number that is two or more. The multiple protrusions 32 may be arranged at a predetermined pitch in a first direction along the second surface 31u, for example. The first direction may be a direction along the +X direction, for example. Each of the multiple protrusions 32 may be, for example, a thin plate-like portion (also called a fin) along a virtual plane perpendicular to the second surface 31u. The virtual plane perpendicular to the second surface 31u may be a plane along a virtual plane parallel to the YZ plane.

The heat dissipation member 3 can be produced, for example, by forming a large number of grooves by cutting a rectangular block made of a metal such as aluminum or copper. The heat dissipation member 3 can also be produced, for example, by attaching a large number of thin plates, each made of a metal such as aluminum or copper, to a flat plate made of a metal such as aluminum or copper.

<1-1-2. Light-emitting part>
The light-emitting unit 2 has a plurality of light-emitting elements 21. As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the light-emitting unit 2 is located between the first surface 31b of the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3 and the light-transmitting member 5. From another perspective, the light-emitting unit 2 is located on the cover member 4 side of the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3. More specifically, the light-emitting unit 2 is located on the side of the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3 facing a first opening (also referred to as an irradiation port) 4o of the cover member 4.

The light-emitting unit 2 has, for example, a substrate 22 and a plurality of light-emitting elements 21. In this case, the plurality of light-emitting elements 21 are arranged on the substrate 22.

The substrate 22 is a substrate on which a plurality of light-emitting elements 21 are arranged (also referred to as a substrate for arranging light-emitting elements). For example, a ceramic plate-shaped substrate (also referred to as a ceramic wiring substrate) is used for the substrate 22. On the surface and inside of the substrate 22, there are wiring conductors (also referred to as wiring conductors) that electrically connect the inside and outside of the substrate 22. For example, conductive materials such as tungsten, molybdenum, manganese, or copper are used as the material for the wiring conductor. If the substrate 22 is a ceramic wiring substrate, the base material of the ceramic wiring substrate is ceramics having insulating properties. For this reason, the ceramic wiring substrate has heat resistance against heat generated by the light-emitting section 2 on which a plurality of light-emitting elements 21 are integrated.

The substrate 22 may be located on the irradiation port 4o side of the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3. The substrate 22 has, for example, a plate-like shape along the first surface 31b of the base portion 31. The substrate 22 may be fixed to the base portion 31, for example. More specifically, the substrate 22 may be fixed on the first surface 31b of the base portion 31. The substrate 22 may be fixed to the base portion 31 by, for example, screwing. The base portion 31 and the substrate 22 may be closely attached to each other by interposing thermal grease between them. This can improve the thermal connection between the light-emitting portion 2 and the heat dissipation member 3. As a result, the efficiency of heat dissipation from the light-emitting portion 2 through the heat dissipation member 3 can be improved. Here, the substrate 22 may be fixed to the base portion 31 via, for example, a metal member having excellent thermal conductivity.

Each of the multiple light-emitting elements 21 may be, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED) element. The type of light-emitting element 21 may be appropriately selected according to the wavelength of light emitted from the light-emitting element 21. For example, the LED element may be a gallium nitride (GaN)-based LED that emits ultraviolet light, or a gallium arsenide (GaAs)-based LED that emits infrared light. For example, the multiple light-emitting elements 21 may be arranged in a single row on the substrate 22, or may be arranged in a matrix having multiple rows.

The light-emitting unit 2 may have two or more substrates 22 arranged along the first surface 31b of the base portion 31. When the light-emitting unit 2 has two or more substrates 22, two or more light-emitting elements 21 may be arranged on each substrate 22.

<1-1-3. First cable>
The first cable 6 is electrically connected to the light emitting unit 2. The first cable 6 is a cable for supplying power to cause the plurality of light emitting elements 21 to emit light.

The first cable 6 may be, for example, a linear body (also referred to as a first linear body) having a structure in which a plurality of electric wires (also referred to as insulated electric wires), each having a configuration in which a linear conductor is covered with a protective coating of an insulator, are covered with one or more layers of an insulating coating material. The first cable 6 is not limited to the first linear body. The first cable 6 may be, for example, a linear body (also referred to as a second linear body) having a structure in which a linear conductor is covered with one or more layers of an insulating coating material. The first cable 6 may also have a form in which a plurality of second linear bodies exist independently. In other words, the first cable 6 may have a form including a plurality of second linear bodies.

For example, the first cable 6 has a pair of first and second ends in the longitudinal direction. In other words, for example, one end of the first cable 6 in the longitudinal direction is the first end, and the end of the first cable 6 opposite to the first end in the longitudinal direction is the second end. For example, a connector (also referred to as a first connector) 6t may be attached to the first end of the first cable 6. The first connector 6t may be a male connector or a female connector. In one example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first cable 6 has a configuration in which the first end including each end of the two linear bodies is attached to one first connector 6t. This one first connector 6t is a male connector.

The first cable 6 may be electrically connected to the substrate 22, for example. More specifically, the second end of the first cable 6 may be electrically connected to the wiring conductor of the substrate 22. The electrical connection of the second end to the wiring conductor may be realized, for example, by a connection via a member such as a crimp terminal or by a joint such as soldering.

The light source module 1 may include one first cable 6, or may include two or more first cables 6. For example, the number of first cables 6 may be a number according to the number and structure of the boards 22 in the light-emitting unit 2. For example, when the light-emitting unit 2 has a second predetermined number of boards 22, the light source module 1 may include a second predetermined number of first cables 6. The second predetermined number is a natural number equal to or greater than 1. The second predetermined number may be, for example, 2 or 3. In an example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the light source module 1 includes three first cables 6. The three first cables 6 include a first A cable 6a, a first B cable 6b, and a first C cable 6c.

<1-1-4. Cover member>
The cover member 4 is a member for covering the light emitting unit 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the cover member 4 and the heat dissipation member 3 are viewed in a plan view, the outer edge of the cover member 4 may be located outside the outer edge of the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3. In other words, the cover member 4 may be located in a form that covers the first surface 31b of the base portion 31. When the cover member 4 and the heat dissipation member 3 are viewed in a plan view, for example, the cover member 4 and the heat dissipation member 3 may be viewed along the normal line of the second surface 31u. The normal line of the second surface 31u may be, for example, a virtual line along the -Z direction. The material of the cover member 4 may be, for example, a metal such as aluminum, or another material such as plastic.

As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4 to 7, the cover member 4 has an irradiation port 4o. This cover member 4 is attached to the heat dissipation member 3. In other words, the cover member 4 may be fixed to the heat dissipation member 3. The cover member 4 may be attached to the heat dissipation member 3 by, for example, a sealing material 7 and a screw member 9.

The cover member 4 may have, for example, a plate-like shape. The cover member 4 has a third surface 4u and a fourth surface 4b. The fourth surface 4b is the surface opposite to the third surface 4u. If the cover member 4 has a plate-like shape, for example, the multiple light-emitting elements 21 can be brought closer to the object to be irradiated. When the cover member 4 is plate-like, the thickness of the cover member 4 may be the length of the cover member 4 in the direction in which the light source module 1 emits light (emission direction).

The third surface 4u is located on the heat dissipation member 3 side of the cover member 4. In other words, the third surface 4u faces the heat dissipation member 3 side. The cover member 4 has a recess 4c1 on the third surface 4u side. In other words, the third surface 4u is a surface that has unevenness due to the presence of the recess 4c1. The recess 4c1 may be a portion of the cover member 4 that is recessed in a direction from the heat dissipation member 3 toward the light emitting unit 2 (also called the recess direction) on the third surface 4u side. The recess direction may be, for example, the direction in which the light source module 1 emits light (emission direction). The emission direction may be, for example, a direction along the -Z direction. In other words, the recess direction may be, for example, a direction along the -Z direction.

The recess 4c1 may include, for example, unevenness within the recess 4c1. For example, the recess 4c1 may have one or more step portions (which may also be referred to as step portions) S1 located at least in a portion of the outer periphery of the recess 4c1. The outer periphery of the recess 4c1 may be a portion of the recess 4c1 along the periphery of the recess 4c1 when the recess 4c1 is viewed in a plan view toward the recess direction. The periphery of the recess 4c1 may be, for example, the outer edge (also referred to as the outer edge) of the recess 4c1 or an edge along the outer periphery of the recess 4c1. Here, the recess depth is the depth to which the recess 4c1 is recessed in the recess direction based on the portion of the third surface 4u that is not the recess 4c1 (also referred to as the second reference portion) 4u1. The second reference portion 4u1 may be, for example, a substantially flat surface. More specifically, the second reference portion 4u1 may be, for example, a surface along a virtual plane parallel to the XY plane. The step portion S1 may be, for example, a portion where the recess depth is intermediate among the portions where the recess depth increases stepwise in the direction from the periphery of the recess 4c1 toward the inside of the recess 4c1. The direction from the periphery of the recess 4c1 toward the inside of the recess 4c1 may be, for example, a direction from the periphery of the recess 4c1 toward the center of the recess 4c1 when the recess 4c1 is viewed in a planar perspective in the recess direction. The center of the recess 4c1 may be, for example, the center of the recess 4c1 when the recess 4c1 is viewed in a planar perspective in the recess direction. This center may be, for example, the center of gravity. In other words, the step portion S1 may be, for example, a portion where the recess depth is intermediate among the portions where the recess depth increases stepwise from the second reference portion 4u1 toward the center of the recess 4c1 on the third surface 4u.

In one example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, the recess 4c1 has a portion on the third surface 4u where the recess depth increases in two stages from the second reference portion 4u1 toward the center of the recess 4c1. More specifically, the recess 4c1 has a portion at the end of the recess 4c1 in the -Y direction where the recess depth increases in two stages from the second reference portion 4u1 toward the +Y direction. This portion has a first step portion S1 (also referred to as the first step portion S11 or the first step portion) and a first bottom surface portion B11 that has a greater recess depth than the first step portion S11. The recess 4c1 has two first step portions S11. Also, the recess 4c1 has a portion at the end of the recess 4c1 in the +Y direction where the recess depth increases in two stages from the second reference portion 4u1 toward the -Y direction. This portion has a second step portion S1 (also referred to as a second step portion S12 or a second step portion) and a second bottom surface portion B12 having a greater recess depth than the second step portion S12. The recess 4c1 has one second step portion S12. Here, the recess 4c1 is not limited to having two first step portions S11. For example, the recess 4c1 may have one first step portion S11, or may have three or more first step portions S11. In other words, for example, the recess 4c1 may have one or more first step portions S11 each located at at least a part of the outer circumferential portion of the recess 4c1. In addition, the recess 4c1 is not limited to having one second step portion S12. For example, the recess 4c1 may have two second step portions S12, or may have three or more second step portions S12. In other words, for example, the recess 4c1 may have one or more second step portions S12 each located on at least a portion of the outer periphery of the recess 4c1.

At least a part of the region A3 (also referred to as the outer peripheral region) along the outer edge E2 of the first surface 31b of the base portion 31 may be in contact with the third surface 4u. For example, at least a part of the outer peripheral region A3 may be in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the recess 4c1 of the third surface 4u. For example, at least a part of the outer peripheral region A3 may be in contact with at least a part of the step portions S1 of one or more step portions S1. More specifically, at least a part of the outer peripheral region A3 of the first surface 31b of the base portion 31 may be in contact with each of one or more first step portions S11. In one example of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a part of the outer peripheral region A3 of the first surface 31b of the base portion 31 is in contact with each of one or more first step portions S11. More specifically, a part of the outer peripheral region A3 located at the end in the -Y direction is in contact with two first step portions S11. Additionally, the step portion S2 located at the end of the outer peripheral region A3 in the +Y direction is in contact with the second reference portion 4u1 of the third surface 4u.

The fourth surface 4b may be, for example, a substantially flat surface. More specifically, the fourth surface 4b may be, for example, a surface along a virtual plane parallel to the XY plane. This allows the cover member 4 and the light-transmitting member 5 to be closer to the object to be irradiated. In other words, the plurality of light-emitting elements 21 may be closer to the object to be irradiated. The fourth surface 4b may be, for example, a surface having a rectangular outer edge when viewed in a planar view. In this case, the surface having a rectangular outer edge may be, for example, a surface having a rectangular outer edge with a side length of about 60 mm to 100 mm. The rectangular outer edge of the fourth surface 4b may have, for example, a set of two sides that are located along the +X direction and facing each other, and another set of two sides that are located along the +Y direction and facing each other. When the fourth surface 4b is viewed in a planar view, the fourth surface 4b may be viewed along the normal line of the fourth surface 4b. The normal to the fourth surface 4b may be, for example, a virtual line along the +Z direction.

The irradiation port 4o is an opening that passes light from the light-emitting unit 2. The irradiation port 4o opens in the recess 4c1. This irradiation port 4o penetrates the cover member 4 from the third surface 4u to the fourth surface 4b. The irradiation port 4o may open, for example, in the center of the fourth surface 4b including the center point of the fourth surface 4b, or may open at a position shifted from the center of the fourth surface 4b. The shape and size of the irradiation port 4o may be set appropriately according to the application of the light source module 1. From another perspective, the irradiation port 4o may have a shape corresponding to the positions of the multiple light-emitting elements 21 in the light-emitting unit 2. In other words, the irradiation port 4o may be located in an area of the cover member 4 that corresponds to the area in which the multiple light-emitting elements 21 are arranged in the light-emitting unit 2.

In one example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figs. 3, 6, and 7, the irradiation port 4o is located in one direction along the fourth surface 4b, from one end (also referred to as the first end) of the fourth surface 4b to another end (also referred to as the second end) on the opposite side to the first end. This one direction may be, for example, a direction along the +X direction as the first direction. The first end may be an end of the fourth surface 4b in the -X direction, and the second end may be an end of the fourth surface 4b in the +X direction. In other words, the fourth surface 4b has a pair of first and second ends in a direction along the +X direction as the first direction. For example, when the fourth surface 4b is viewed in a plane, the irradiation port 4o has a rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction along the +X direction as the first direction and a lateral direction along the +Y direction as the second direction.

The cover member 4 may have, for example, a holding portion F1 located along the irradiation port 4o. The holding portion F1 is a portion that holds the translucent member 5. In one example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 to 7, the holding portion F1 is located in a form that sandwiches the irradiation port 4o in the short direction of the irradiation port 4o. The recess 4c1 may have, for example, a portion (also referred to as a protruding portion) that protrudes toward the heat dissipation member 3 along the irradiation port 4o due to the presence of the holding portion F1.

4 and 5, the recess 4c1 has a space (also referred to as an internal space) Is1 within the recess 4c1. The internal space Is1 is a space surrounded by the recess 4c1. More specifically, for example, the internal space Is1 may be a space surrounded by a virtual plane along the second reference portion 4u1 of the third surface 4u and the recess 4c1. A part (also referred to as an insertion portion) 31p of the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3 is located in the internal space Is1. The insertion portion 31p is a portion of the base portion 31 that is inserted into the internal space Is1 within the recess 4c1. The insertion portion 31p may be a portion of the base portion 31 on the first surface 31b side. In one example of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the insertion portion 31p is a portion of the base portion 31 that is along the first reference portion 31b1 on the first surface 31b. Here, for example, if a part of the insertion portion 31p has a shape that fits into a part of the recess 4c1, it may be easy to align the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4 when manufacturing the light source module 1. In one example of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 14, two convex portions C1 as part of the insertion portion 31p have a shape that fits into two concave portions D1 on the inner circumferential surface of the recess 4c1 of the cover member 4. The two convex portions C1 include one convex portion C1 that protrudes in the +X direction on the +X direction side of the base portion 31, and one convex portion C1 that protrudes in the -X direction on the -X direction side of the base portion 31. The two concave portions D1 include one concave portion D1 that is recessed in the +X direction in a portion located on the +X direction side of the inner circumferential surface of the recess 4c1, and one concave portion D1 that is recessed in the -X direction in a portion located on the -X direction side of the inner circumferential surface of the recess 4c1.

4 and 5, the internal space Is1 includes an area (also referred to as a first area) A1 located between the cover member 4 and the first surface 31b of the base portion 31. In other words, the first area A1 is an area of space located between the cover member 4 and the first surface 31b of the base portion 31. For example, the light-emitting unit 2 may be located in the first area A1. For example, the second end side portion of the first cable 6 may be located in the first area A1. The light-emitting unit 2 does not need to be in contact with the cover member 4. This reduces the occurrence of damage to the light-emitting unit 2 due to a collision between the light-emitting unit 2 and the cover member 4 when manufacturing the light source module 1, for example. In addition, for example, a defect in which the presence of the light-emitting unit 2 hinders the alignment of the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4 is reduced.

As shown in Figs. 13 to 17, the base portion 31 has an outer shape that follows, for example, the periphery of the recess 4c1. A gap (also referred to as a first gap) G1 may exist between the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4. More specifically, a first gap G1 may exist between the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4. For example, if the first gap G1 is of a certain size, the presence of the first gap G1 can reduce stress that occurs between the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4 due to the difference in thermal expansion between the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4.

4 and 13 to 15, between the recess 4c1 and the base portion 31, there is an opening (also referred to as a second opening) O2 through which the first cable 6 is inserted. The second opening O2 is connected to the first area A1. More specifically, the first cable 6 may be located from inside the first area A1 to the outside Os1 of the recess 4c1 through the second opening O2. In other words, the first cable 6 located from inside the first area A1 to the outside Os1 of the recess 4c1 may be inserted into the second opening O2. The outside Os1 is a space that is not surrounded by the recess 4c1. In other words, the outside Os1 is a space that is located outside the internal space Is1. The first end portion of the first cable 6 is located in the outside Os1. The first end portion of the first cable 6 may be exposed to the outside of the light source module 1.

The second opening O2 may be formed, for example, by widening a portion of the first gap G1 between the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4. As shown in Figs. 13 to 15, for example, the recess 4c1 may have a portion (also referred to as a first protruding portion) 4n that protrudes toward the outside of the recess 4c1 at the outer periphery of the recess 4c1, thereby forming the second opening O2 between the recess 4c1 and the base portion 31. The direction toward the outside of the recess 4c1 may be, for example, a direction away from the center of the recess 4c1 when the recess 4c1 is viewed in plan view in the recess direction. The first protruding portion 4n of the recess 4c1 may be regarded, for example, as a notch-shaped portion that the outer periphery of the recess 4c1 has.

The first protruding portion 4n of the recess 4c1 may have a shape in which the recess depth increases stepwise or continuously in the direction from the periphery of the recess 4c1 toward the inside of the recess 4c1. This makes it easier for the first cable 6 to be arranged from the inside of the first area A1 to the outside Os1 of the recess 4c1 through the second opening O2. Also, for example, the sealing material 7 is easier to arrange in a form that blocks the second opening O2. In one example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 13 to 15, the first protruding portion 4n of the recess 4c1 has a shape in which the recess depth increases in two steps from the second reference portion 4u1 toward the center of the recess 4c1 on the third surface 4u. More specifically, the first protruding portion 4n of the recess 4c1 has a shape in which the recess depth increases in two steps from the second reference portion 4u1 toward the +Y direction at the end portion of the recess 4c1 in the -Y direction. Here, the portion of the first protruding portion 4n of the recess 4c1 that has an intermediate recess depth may form a plane flush with the step portion S1 of the recess 4c1. More specifically, the portion of the first protruding portion 4n of the recess 4c1 that has an intermediate recess depth may form a plane flush with the first step portion S11. This makes it possible to easily form the recess 4c1, for example.

The light source module 1 may have one second opening O2, or may have two or more second openings O2. For example, the number of second openings O2 may be a number corresponding to the number of first cables 6. For example, when the light source module 1 has a third predetermined number of first cables 6, the light source module 1 may have a third predetermined number of second openings O2. The third predetermined number is a natural number equal to or greater than 1. The third predetermined number may be, for example, 2 or 3. The recess 4c1 may have one first protruding portion 4n, or may have two or more first protruding portions 4n. For example, the number of first protruding portions 4n may be a number corresponding to the number of second openings O2. For example, when the light source module 1 has a third predetermined number of second openings O2, the recess 4c1 may have a third predetermined number of first protruding portions 4n.

In one example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 13 and 14, the light source module 1 has three first cables 6 and three second openings O2 through which one first cable 6 is inserted. The three second openings O2 include a second A opening O2a, a second B opening O2b and a second C opening O2c. The first A cable 6a is inserted through the second A opening O2a. The first B cable 6b is inserted through the second B opening O2b. The first C cable 6c is inserted through the second C opening O2c. The recess 4c1 also has three first protruding portions 4n. The three first protruding portions 4n include a first A protruding portion 4na, a first B protruding portion 4nb and a first C protruding portion 4nc. The first A protruding portion 4na constitutes the second A opening O2a. The first B protruding portion 4nb constitutes the second B opening O2b. The first C protruding portion 4nc constitutes the second C opening O2c.

The cover member 4 may have, for example, a through hole 4c2 in which the screw member 9 is located. The through hole 4c2 penetrates from the fourth surface 4b to the third surface 4u. The through hole 4c2 may have, for example, a shape in which a cylindrical portion having a first diameter (also called a small diameter portion) located on the third surface 4u side is connected to a cylindrical portion having a second diameter larger than the first diameter (also called a large diameter portion) located on the fourth surface 4b side. A ring-shaped surface (also called a seat surface) may be located at the connecting portion between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion. The shaft portion of the screw member 9 is inserted into the small diameter portion of the through hole 4c2, and the head of the screw member 9 is accommodated in the large diameter portion of the through hole 4c2, and the head may be in contact with the seat surface of the through hole 4c2. With this configuration, the head of the screw member 9 does not protrude from the fourth surface 4b, so the cover member 4 and the light-transmitting member 5 can be brought closer to the object to be irradiated. In other words, the light-emitting elements 21 can be brought closer to the object to be irradiated. The through hole 4c2 may be open, for example, at the step portion S1 on the recess 4c1 side. With this configuration, even if the large diameter portion is located on the back side of the step portion S1 of the cover member 4, the increase in thickness of the cover member 4 can be reduced.

The cover member 4 may have one through hole 4c2, or may have two or more through holes 4c2. For example, the number of through holes 4c2 may be the same as the number of screw members 9. In one example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 3, 6, and 7, the cover member 4 has four through holes 4c2. The four through holes 4c2 include two through holes 4c2 that open in the two first stage portions S11 and two through holes 4c2 that open in the second stage portion S12. One through hole 4c2 opens in each of the two first stage portions S11.

For example, if the material of the cover member 4 is metal, the cover member 4 can be produced by performing various processes on a rectangular parallelepiped block made of a metal such as aluminum. The various processes can include, for example, cutting and punching. For example, if the material of the cover member 4 is plastic, the cover member 4 can be produced by, for example, molding resin.

<1-1-5. Translucent member>
The light-transmitting member 5 is a member that blocks the irradiation port 4o. This light-transmitting member 5 transmits light from the light-emitting unit 2. For example, glass or heat-resistant plastic is applied as the material of the light-transmitting member 5. For example, the light-transmitting member 5 may be held by a holding portion F1 located along the irradiation port 4o. The holding portion F1 may have a claw portion for holding the light-transmitting member 5. The light-transmitting member 5 may be attached to the holding portion F1 with an adhesive or the like. In this case, the holding portion F1 holds the light-transmitting member 5 via the adhesive.

The translucent member 5 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the irradiation port 4o, for example. The translucent member 5 has a plate-like shape, for example. In an example of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, when the fourth surface 4b is viewed in a plan view, the irradiation port 4o has a rectangular shape, and the translucent member 5 has a rectangular shape. More specifically, the translucent member 5 has a rectangular plate-like shape having, for example, a surface facing the light-emitting unit 2 (also referred to as the fifth surface) and a surface facing the opposite side to the fifth surface (also referred to as the sixth surface). The shape of the translucent member 5 is not limited to a plate-like shape. For example, at least one of the fifth surface and the sixth surface may be curved. This allows the spread angle of the light from the light-emitting unit 2 to be adjusted.

The translucent member 5 does not have to be in contact with the light-emitting unit 2. A region of space (also referred to as the second region) A2 may exist between the light-emitting unit 2 and the translucent member 5. This second region A2 may be connected to the first region A1. For example, if the translucent member 5 is not in contact with the light-emitting unit 2, the occurrence of damage to the light-emitting unit 2 due to a collision between the light-emitting unit 2 and the translucent member 5 during the manufacture of the light source module 1 is reduced. Also, for example, a defect in which contact between the light-emitting unit 2 and the translucent member 5 impedes the alignment of the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4 is reduced.

<1-1-6. Sealing material>
As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, the sealing material 7 closes the first gap G1 between the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4 along the periphery E1 of the first gap G1. The periphery E1 of the first gap G1 may be, for example, the outer edge (also referred to as the outer edge) of the first gap G1, or may be an edge along the outer periphery of the first gap G1. The sealing material 7 includes a portion (also referred to as the first portion) P1 through which the first cable 6 penetrates and which blocks the second opening O2. In other words, the first cable 6 penetrates the sealing material 7, and the sealing material 7 blocks the second opening O2. The sealing material 7 is made of resin. This allows electrical connection from the outside of the light source module 1 to the light emitting unit 2 via the first cable 6. In addition, by closing the first gap G1 and the second opening O2 with the sealing material 7, the intrusion of foreign matter from the outside of the light source module 1 toward the light emitting unit 2 can be reduced. Therefore, electrical connection to the light-emitting unit 2 from outside the light source module 1 is possible, while adhesion of foreign matter to the light-emitting unit 2 can be reduced.

Here, the sealing material 7 may be present in a ring shape along the periphery E1 of the first gap G1. In one example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the sealing material 7 is present in a square ring shape along the periphery E1 of the first gap G1.

The sealing material 7 may be located up to the first surface 31b within the internal space Is1 of the recess 4c1, except for the portion along the second opening O2 among the portions along the periphery E1 of the first gap G1, or may not be located up to the first surface 31b. In other words, for example, the first portion P1 of the sealing material 7 may be located up to the first surface 31b within the internal space Is1 of the recess 4c1. This can make the sealing of the second opening O2 by the sealing material 7 more secure.

The sealing material 7 may have a number of first portions P1 corresponding to the number of second openings O2. For example, if the light source module 1 has a fourth predetermined number of second openings O2, the sealing material 7 may have a fourth predetermined number of first portions P1. The fourth predetermined number is a natural number equal to or greater than 1. The fourth predetermined number may be, for example, 2 or 3.

In one example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the light source module 1 has three second openings O2, and the sealing material 7 has three first parts P1. The three first parts P1 include a 1A part P1a, a 1B part P1b, and a 1C part P1c. The 1A part P1a is penetrated by the 1A cable 6a and blocks the 2A opening O2a. The 1B part P1b is penetrated by the 1B cable 6b and blocks the 2B opening O2b. The 1C part P1c is penetrated by the 1C cable 6c and blocks the 2C opening O2c. In other words, the 1A cable 6a penetrates the sealing material 7, and this sealing material 7 blocks the 2A opening O2a. The first B cable 6b passes through the sealing material 7, which blocks the second B opening O2b. The first C cable 6c passes through the sealing material 7, which blocks the second C opening O2c.

In addition, in one example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the second cable 8 passes through the first B portion P1b and blocks the second B opening O2b. In other words, the second cable 8 passes through the sealing material 7, and this sealing material 7 blocks the second B opening O2b. From another perspective, the first B portion P1b is passed through the first B cable 6b and the second cable 8 and blocks the second B opening O2b. In other words, the first B cable 6b and the second cable 8 pass through the sealing material 7, and this sealing material 7 blocks the second B opening O2b. Here, the second cable 8 is located from the first region A1 to the outside Os1 of the recess 4c1 via the second B opening O2b. In other words, the second cable 8 is inserted through the second B opening O2b, which is located from within the first area A1 to the outside Os1 of the recess 4c1.

Generally, in order to protect the light-emitting element, an LED package is adopted in which the light-emitting element is directly covered with a protective resin. In contrast, if the sealing material 7 is not present in the second region A2 between the light-emitting section 2 and the translucent member 5, and the periphery of the multiple light-emitting elements 21 is not covered with resin, a configuration in which the multiple light-emitting elements 21 are arranged at high density in the light-emitting section 2 can be easily realized. Also, if there is no protective resin between the multiple light-emitting elements 21 and the translucent member 5, the attenuation of the amount of light traveling from the multiple light-emitting elements 21 to the outside of the light source module 1 through the translucent member 5 can be reduced. Therefore, the amount of light emitted from the light source module 1 can be improved. Furthermore, for example, the occurrence of a problem in which the protective resin deteriorates due to heat generated when the multiple light-emitting elements 21 emit light and light from the multiple light-emitting elements 21 is also reduced.

Here, for example, the resin constituting the sealing material 7 has elasticity. This elasticity may be a general property of resin. As an example of an elastic resin, an adhesive having elasticity, such as a silicone adhesive, is used. For example, a silicone adhesive is placed along the periphery E1 of the first gap G1 between the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4, and the silicone adhesive is dried, thereby realizing a resin having rubber elasticity constituting the sealing material 7.

Here, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which the elastic modulus of the resin constituting the sealing material 7 is smaller than the elastic modulus of the material of each of the cover member 4 and the heat dissipation member 3. If this configuration is adopted, for example, when the cover member 4 and the heat dissipation member 3 deform due to expansion or contraction caused by the rise or fall in temperature caused by the light emission of the light-emitting unit 2 and the end of light emission, the sealing material 7 can elastically deform in response to this deformation. As a result, even if the thermal expansion coefficients of the cover member 4, the heat dissipation member 3, and the first cable 6 are different, the stress caused by the expansion or contraction of the cover member 4, the heat dissipation member 3, and the first cable 6 in response to the rise and fall in temperature caused before and after the light emission of the light-emitting unit 2 can be reduced by the elastic deformation of the sealing material 7. As a result, the expansion of the first gap G1 between the cover member 4 and the heat dissipation member 3 and the deterioration of the first cable 6 can be reduced. In addition to the first cable 6, the deterioration of the second cable 8 can also be reduced.

Here, the lower the elastic modulus of the resin that constitutes the sealing material 7, the more the stress caused by deformation due to the expansion or contraction of the cover member 4, the heat dissipation member 3, and the first cable 6 can be reduced by the elastic deformation of the sealing material 7.

Here, for example, the plurality of light-emitting elements 21 may emit ultraviolet light, and the resin constituting the sealing material 7 may be a resin having resistance to ultraviolet light (also referred to as UV resistance). In this case, even if the plurality of light-emitting elements 21 emit ultraviolet light, if the resin constituting the sealing material 7 has resistance to ultraviolet light, the deterioration of the sealing material 7 may be reduced. This may reduce the increase in adhesion of foreign matter to the light-emitting unit 2. Here, the UV resistance may be, for example, a property of not easily losing elasticity when irradiated with ultraviolet light. Also, the UV resistance may be, for example, a property of not easily cracking due to hardening and embrittlement when irradiated with ultraviolet light. Also, the UV resistance may be a property of maintaining the property of the sealing material 7 sealing the light-emitting unit 2 (also referred to as sealing property) during the period until the end of the life of the light source module 1. The life of the light source module 1 may be, for example, a predetermined time during which the amount of light emitted from the light source module 1 maintains a state of being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value based on an initial value. When the initial value is set to 1, the predetermined threshold value may be set to, for example, 0.7, or may be set to another value exceeding 0.7. The predetermined time may be, for example, 15,000 hours, or may be set to another time exceeding 15,000 hours. The property of maintaining the hermeticity may be, for example, a property of not allowing particles and mist generated around the light source module 1 to penetrate to the light-emitting unit 2. As the resin having UV resistance, for example, a UV-resistant adhesive such as a silicone adhesive is used. For example, the silicone adhesive is placed along the periphery E1 of the first gap G1 between the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4, and the silicone adhesive is dried to realize the UV-resistant resin constituting the sealing material 7.

The first cable 6 includes, for example, a coating material 61. The coating material 61 may be a coating material that forms the outer periphery of the first cable 6. For example, polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene is used as the material of the coating material 61. Here, for example, the multiple light-emitting elements 21 may emit ultraviolet light, and the resin that forms the sealing material 7 may have better resistance to ultraviolet light than the material of the coating material 61. In this case, even if the multiple light-emitting elements 21 emit ultraviolet light, as long as the resin that forms the sealing material 7 has better resistance to ultraviolet light than the material of the coating material 61 of the first cable 6, deterioration of the sealing material 7 can be reduced. This can reduce the increase in adhesion of foreign matter to the light-emitting unit 2.

<1-1-7. Second cable>
As shown in Fig. 3, the second cable 8 is electrically connected to, for example, a sensor 8s located in the first area A1. The second cable 8 may be a cable for transmitting an electric signal to the sensor 8s and an electric signal from the sensor 8s. For example, a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the light-emitting unit 2 is applied to the sensor 8s. The temperature of the light-emitting unit 2 may be, for example, the temperature of the plurality of light-emitting elements 21. For example, a thermistor may be applied to the temperature sensor. For example, the temperature sensor may be fixed to the first surface 31b of the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3 thermally connected to the light-emitting unit 2. The temperature sensor may be fixed to the first surface 31b of the base portion 31 by fastening with a screw or the like.

The second cable 8 may be, for example, a linear body (first linear body) having a structure in which a plurality of electric wires (insulated electric wires), each having a configuration in which a linear conductor is covered with a protective insulating film, are covered with one or more layers of insulating covering material. The second cable 8 is not limited to the first linear body. The second cable 8 may be, for example, a linear body (second linear body) having a structure in which a linear conductor is covered with one or more layers of insulating covering material. The second cable 8 may also have a form in which a plurality of second linear bodies exist independently. In other words, the second cable 8 may have a form including a plurality of second linear bodies.

For example, the second cable 8 has a pair of third and fourth ends in the longitudinal direction. In other words, for example, one end of the second cable 8 in the longitudinal direction is the third end, and the end of the second cable 8 opposite to the third end in the longitudinal direction is the fourth end. For example, the second cable 8 may have a connector (also referred to as a second connector) 8t attached to the third end of the second cable 8. The second connector 8t may be a male connector or a female connector. In one example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the second cable 8 has a configuration in which the third end including each end of the two second linear bodies is attached to one second connector 8t. This one second connector 8t is a male connector.

The fourth end of the second cable 8 may be electrically connected to the sensor 8s. The electrical connection of the fourth end to the sensor 8s may be realized, for example, by connection via a member such as a crimp terminal or by connection by joining such as soldering. The fourth end side portion of the second cable 8 and the sensor 8s are located in the first area A1 of the internal space Is1 of the recess 4c1 of the cover member 4. The third end side portion of the second cable 8 may be located outside Os1 of the recess 4c1. And the third end side portion of the second cable 8 may be exposed to the outside of the light source module 1. This allows transmission and reception of electrical signals between the outside of the light source module 1 and the sensor 8s via the second cable 8.

The light source module 1 may include one second cable 8, or may include two or more second cables 8. For example, the number of second cables 8 may be a number corresponding to the number of sensors 8s located in the first area A1. For example, when a fifth predetermined number of sensors 8s are located in the first area A1, the light source module 1 may include a fifth predetermined number of second cables 8. The fifth predetermined number is a natural number equal to or greater than 1. The fifth predetermined number may be, for example, 1, 2, or 3. In one example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the light source module 1 includes one second cable 8.

Here, for example, the multiple light-emitting elements 21 may emit ultraviolet light, and the resin constituting the sealing material 7 may have better resistance to ultraviolet light than the material of the covering material of the second cable 8. The covering material of the second cable 8 may be the covering material constituting the outer periphery of the second cable 8. The material of the covering material of the second cable 8 may be the same or similar resin as the material of the covering material 61.

<1-1-8. Screw member>
The screw member 9 is in a state of fastening the cover member 4 to the heat dissipation member 3. Here, the thermal conductivity of the material of the screw member 9 may be higher than the thermal conductivity of the resin constituting the sealing material 7. In this case, the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4 are thermally connected via the screw member 9. Therefore, the heat dissipation from the heat dissipation member 3 via the screw member 9 and the cover member 4 can be increased. This can reduce the increase in temperature of the multiple light-emitting elements 21. Therefore, the amount of light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 21 can be stabilized. Here, the material of the screw member 9 can be, for example, an iron-based material, stainless steel, brass, aluminum, or copper.

The screw member 9 has, for example, a head and a shaft protruding from the head. The head may have, for example, a disk-like shape, and may have a hexagonal hole, a Phillips hole (also called a cross hole), or a minus hole on the opposite side of the shaft. The shaft may have, for example, a cylindrical shape, and may have a male thread on the outer periphery. The screw member 9 is, for example, inserted into the through hole 4c2 of the cover member 4 from the fourth surface 4b side. Here, the head of the screw member 9 is accommodated in the large diameter part of the through hole 4c2 and is in contact with the seat surface, and the shaft of the screw member 9 may pass through the small diameter part of the through hole 4c2 and be fitted into a screw hole opening in the first surface 31b of the base portion 31. In this case, the cover member 4 is sandwiched between the head of the screw member 9 and the base portion 31, and the screw member 9 may fasten the cover member 4 to the heat dissipation member 3.

The light source module 1 may include one screw member 9, or two or more screw members 9. Here, the presence and number of screw members 9 may allow the cover member 4 to be more stably fixed to the heat dissipation member 3, and may increase heat dissipation from the heat dissipation member 3 via the screw members 9, etc. For example, the number of screw members 9 may be the same as the number of through holes 4c2. In one example of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the light source module 1 includes four screw members 9.

<1-2. An example of manufacturing a light source module>
An example of the light source module 1 according to the first embodiment described above can be manufactured as follows.

First, as shown in FIG. 12, for example, the light-emitting unit 2 is fixed to the first surface 31b of the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3, and the first cable 6 is electrically connected to the light-emitting unit 2. Either the fixing of the light-emitting unit 2 to the base portion 31 or the connection of the first cable 6 to the light-emitting unit 2 may be performed first. For example, the board 22 of the light-emitting unit 2 may be fixed to the first surface 31b of the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3 by screwing or the like. Here, for example, thermal grease may be interposed between the first surface 31b of the base portion 31 and the board 22. Here, for example, the sensor 8s may be fixed to the first surface 31b of the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3 by screwing or the like. Also, for example, the first cable 6 may be electrically connected to the wiring conductor of the board 22 of the light-emitting unit 2 by connection via a member such as a crimp terminal or connection by joining such as soldering. Here, for example, the second cable 8 may be electrically connected to the sensor 8s by connection via a member such as a crimp terminal or by connection by joining such as soldering.

Next, as shown in, for example, Figures 13 to 16, the irradiation port 4o of the cover member 4 is blocked by the light-transmitting member 5, and the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4 are aligned. Either the blocking of the irradiation port 4o by the light-transmitting member 5 or the alignment of the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4 may be performed first. For example, the light-transmitting member 5 may be slid along the irradiation port 4o of the cover member 4 in the +X direction or the -X direction, so that the light-transmitting member 5 is held by the holding portion F1. For example, the two convex portions C1 of the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3 are inserted into the two concave portions D1 in the concave portion 4c1 of the cover member 4, and the heat dissipation member 3 is placed on the cover member 4, so that the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4 are aligned. In this case, a first gap G1 exists between the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4, and a second opening O2 through which the first cable 6 is inserted exists between the recess 4c1 of the cover member 4 and the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3. For example, the second cable 8 may be inserted through the second opening O2.

Next, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, the cover member 4 is attached to the heat dissipation member 3. In other words, for example, the cover member 4 is fixed to the heat dissipation member 3. For example, the cover member 4 may be fixed to the heat dissipation member 3 by a screw member 9.

Next, for example, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, the first gap G1 between the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4 is sealed with a sealing material 7 along the periphery E1 of this first gap G1, and the second opening O2 through which the first cable 6 passes is sealed with the sealing material 7. Here, the second opening O2 through which the first cable 6 and the second cable 8 pass may be sealed with the sealing material 7.

This allows an example of the light source module 1 according to the first embodiment to be manufactured.

<1-3. Light irradiation device>
FIG. 18 is a side view showing the appearance of an example of the light irradiation device 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 19 is a bottom view showing the appearance of an example of the light irradiation device 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the schematic configuration of the light irradiation device 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the schematic configuration of the light irradiation device 10 according to the first embodiment. In FIGS. 18 to 21, the first cable 6 and the second cable 8 are shown by a single thick line. Here, the "+Z direction" in FIGS. 18 to 21 is also conveniently referred to as the "upper direction". The "-Z direction" in FIGS. 18 to 21 is also conveniently referred to as the "lower direction". The "+Y direction" in FIGS. 18 to 21 is also conveniently referred to as the "right direction". The "-Y direction" in FIGS. 18 to 21 is also conveniently referred to as the "left direction". The "-X direction" in FIGS. 18 to 21 is also conveniently referred to as the "depth direction". The "+X direction" in Figs. 18 to 21 is also referred to as the "front direction" for convenience.

The light irradiation device 10 is a device that irradiates light onto an object to be irradiated.

As shown in Figs. 18 to 21, the light irradiation device 10 includes a light source module 1, a housing 11, and a drive unit 12. In an example of the first embodiment, the light irradiation device 10 includes a blower unit 13 and a connector (also referred to as a third connector) 14.

The housing 11, together with the cover member 4, surrounds the light emitting unit 2 and the heat dissipation member 3. The housing 11 and the cover member 4 may, for example, form the outer shape of the light irradiation device 10. The housing 11 may, for example, be directly fixed to the cover member 4, or may be indirectly fixed to the cover member 4 by being fixed to the heat dissipation member 3. The housing 11 has an internal space (also referred to as a first space) Sp1 surrounded by the housing 11. In other words, the first space Sp1 may be a hollow space surrounded by the housing 11 and the cover member 4. In an example of the first embodiment, the light irradiation device 10 includes the light emitting unit 2, the heat dissipation member 3, the first cable 6, the second cable 8, the drive unit 12, and the blower unit 13 in the first space Sp1 of the housing 11. The material of the housing 11 may, for example, be a metal such as aluminum, like the material of the cover member 4, or may be another material such as plastic.

In one example of the first embodiment, the external shape of the light irradiation device 10 formed by the housing 11 and the cover member 4 may be a generally rectangular parallelepiped. The light irradiation device 10 has, for example, a lower surface 11a, a side surface 11b, an inclined surface 11c, and an upper surface 11d.

The lower surface 11a may be a surface through which light from the light-emitting unit 2 is emitted to the outside of the light irradiation device 10 via the translucent member 5 covering the irradiation port 4o. The lower surface 11a may be configured, for example, by the fourth surface 4b of the cover member 4 and the surface of the translucent member 5 on the opposite side to the light-emitting unit 2. The lower surface 11a may be positioned, for example, facing downward. Light from the light-emitting unit 2 may be emitted downward from the lower surface 11a.

The side surface 11b may be, for example, a surface that surrounds the first space Sp1 in a direction along the bottom surface 11a. In other words, the side surface 11b may be, for example, a surface that surrounds the first space Sp1 from the side. More specifically, the side surface 11b may be, for example, a surface that extends along the up-down direction.

The inclined surface 11c and the upper surface 11d may be located on the opposite side of the light irradiation device 10 from the lower surface 11a. The inclined surface 11c and the upper surface 11d may be located on the opposite side of the lower surface 11a across the first space Sp1. The inclined surface 11c and the upper surface 11d may be located, for example, at the upper part of the light irradiation device 10. In other words, the inclined surface 11c and the upper surface 11d may, for example, constitute the upper outer surface of the housing 11. The upper surface 11d may, for example, face in the opposite direction to the lower surface 11a. In other words, the upper surface 11d may, for example, be located in a form facing upward. The upper surface 11d may be parallel to the lower surface 11a, may be slightly inclined with respect to the lower surface 11a, may be slightly curved, or may have some unevenness. The inclined surface 11c may be, for example, a surface that connects the upper surface 11d and the side surface 11b, and is inclined with respect to the lower surface 11a, the side surface 11b, and the upper surface 11d. Here, for example, in the direction from the lower surface 11a to the upper surface 11d, the lower surface 11a, the side surface 11b, the inclined surface 11c, and the upper surface 11d may be connected in this order. The inclined surface 11c may be located, for example, in a form that faces diagonally upward. In an example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 18, 20, and 21, the inclined surface 11c is located on the right side (+Y direction) of the upper part of the housing 11, and the upper surface 11d is located on the left side (-Y direction) of the upper part of the housing 11.

The external shape of the light irradiation device 10 is roughly a rectangular parallelepiped, and has, for example, a height of about 150 mm in the vertical direction, a width of about 100 mm in the horizontal direction, and a depth of about 80 mm in the depth direction. The external shape of the light irradiation device 10 formed by the housing 11 and the cover member 4 may be various shapes according to the use of the light irradiation device 10. The external shape of the light irradiation device 10 formed by the housing 11 and the cover member 4 may be, for example, any of a cube, a triangular prism, a cylinder, and a semi-cylinder. The external size of the light irradiation device 10 is not limited to the height, width, and depth described above. The external size of the light irradiation device 10 may have various shapes according to the use of the light irradiation device 10.

Here, for example, a printing device is assumed to have the form of a line printer in which the width of an inkjet (IJ) head as a printing unit is approximately the same as the width of the print medium, such as paper. When the light irradiation device 10 is applied to this printing device, for example, by arranging multiple light irradiation devices 10 in the +X direction, which is the width direction of the print medium, the width of the print medium and the total width of the multiple light irradiation devices 10 may be set to be approximately the same. Alternatively, the depth length of the light irradiation device 10 and the width of the print medium may be set to be approximately the same.

The housing 11 has two or more ventilation holes 11h. The two or more ventilation holes 11h each connect between a first space Sp1 inside the housing 11 and a space (also referred to as a second space) Sp2 outside the housing 11. The two or more ventilation holes 11h include a first ventilation hole 11h1 and a second ventilation hole 11h2. The first ventilation hole 11h1 may be open on the side surface 11b, for example. Specifically, the first ventilation hole 11h1 may be located close to the multiple second gaps 32g between the multiple protrusions 32 in a direction along the first surface 31b of the base portion 31. More specifically, the first ventilation hole 11h1 may be located close to each of the multiple second gaps 32g in a direction along the first surface 31b of the base portion 31. The direction along the first surface 31b may be, for example, a direction along the +Y direction. The second ventilation opening 11h2 may be located, for example, on the opposite side of the cover member 4 with respect to the heat dissipation member 3. In other words, for example, the heat dissipation member 3 may be located between the second ventilation opening 11h2 and the cover member 4. As shown in FIG. 18, FIG. 20, and FIG. 21, the second ventilation opening 11h2 may be opened, for example, on the inclined surface 11c. This allows, for example, the size of the housing 11 to be reduced while the size of the second ventilation opening 11h2 (also referred to as the opening area) to be increased. Therefore, the inflow or outflow of air through the second ventilation opening 11h2 between the first space Sp1 inside the housing 11 and the second space Sp2 outside the housing 11 can be increased. As a result, the cooling of the light emitting unit 2 through the heat dissipation member 3 can be performed more efficiently.

Each of the first ventilation opening 11h1 and the second ventilation opening 11h2 may be located, for example, in a region shifted in a predetermined direction perpendicular to a virtual central axis (also referred to as a first virtual central axis) Ax1 that passes through the center of the lower surface 11a and is perpendicular to the lower surface 11a. The first virtual central axis Ax1 may be, for example, a virtual central axis along the up-down direction of the housing 11. Here, the center of the irradiation port 4o may be, for example, shifted in a predetermined direction from the center point of the lower surface 11a. The heat dissipation member 3 may be located in a region shifted in a predetermined direction from the region centered on the first virtual central axis Ax1. If this configuration is adopted, for example, the amount of air flowing between the first ventilation opening 11h1 and the second ventilation opening 11h2 in the first space Sp1 that flows through the multiple second gaps 32g of the heat dissipation member 3 may be increased. This allows the light-emitting unit 2 to be efficiently cooled, for example, depending on the arrangement of the light-emitting unit 2 and the heat dissipation member 3. The predetermined direction may be, for example, the +Y direction as the right direction.

In one example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 18 to 21, the first ventilation hole 11h1 opens in a portion of the side surface 11b located on the right side (+Y direction). The second ventilation hole 11h2 opens in an inclined surface 11c located on the right side (+Y direction) of the upper part of the housing 11. In the first space Sp1 inside the housing 11, the light-emitting unit 2 and the heat dissipation member 3 are located in an area shifted to the right (+Y direction) from the area centered on the first imaginary central axis Ax1.

The drive unit 12 includes a circuit (also referred to as a drive circuit) that drives the light-emitting unit 2. The drive unit 12 is electrically connected to the light-emitting unit 2. The drive unit 12 is electrically connected to the light-emitting unit 2 via the first cable 6. In other words, the first cable 6 electrically connects the light-emitting unit 2 and the drive unit 12. The drive unit 12 supplies power that causes the multiple light-emitting elements 21 in the light-emitting unit 2 to emit light. This allows the light irradiation device 10 to supply power to the light-emitting unit 2 from the outside of the light source module 1 while reducing the adhesion of foreign matter to the light-emitting unit 2. Here, if it is assumed that an electrical connection is made to the drive unit 12 from the outside of the light irradiation device 10, it can be said that an electrical connection to the light-emitting unit 2 from the outside of the light source module 1 is possible. Therefore, in the light irradiation device 10, the light irradiation device 10 allows an electrical connection to the light-emitting unit 2 from the outside of the light source module 1 while reducing the adhesion of foreign matter to the light-emitting unit 2. The drive unit 12 may be connected to the sensor 8s via the second cable 8, for example. Although not shown in Figures 20 and 21, for example, a male first connector 6t of the first cable 6 may be connected to a female connector of the drive unit 12, and a male second connector 8t of the second cable 8 may be connected to a female connector of the drive unit 12.

The drive unit 12 may include, for example, a wiring board and a drive circuit. For example, a printed circuit board or the like is applied to the wiring board. For example, the wiring board is fixed to the inner surface side of the housing 11. For example, the wiring board may be fixed to the inner surface side of the housing 11 by screwing or the like via a base, support, spacer, or the like arranged on the inner surface of the housing 11. Also, for example, the wiring board may be fixed to the inner surface side of the housing 11 by fitting the wiring board into unevenness arranged on the inner surface of the housing 11. For example, the wiring board may be positioned along a virtual plane parallel to the XZ plane.

The drive circuit includes, for example, one or more electronic components. The one or more electronic components are attached, for example, to a wiring board. The drive circuit may, for example, be capable of supplying power to the light-emitting unit 2 and controlling the light emission in the light-emitting unit 2. The drive circuit may, for example, be capable of supplying power to the air blower 13 and controlling the operation of the air blower 13. For example, the drive circuit may control the rotation speed of the air blower 13 depending on the heat generation state of the light-emitting unit 2. The drive circuit may, for example, be capable of recognizing the heat generation state of the light-emitting unit 2 by an electrical signal transmitted from the sensor 8s via the second cable 8.

The driving unit 12 having a driving circuit generates heat when driving the light-emitting unit 2. If the one or more electronic components include multiple electronic components, the temperature rise in the driving circuit can be reduced if the multiple electronic components are not densely arranged. Here, for example, if the one or more electronic components include electronic components such as power transistors that tend to generate a large amount of heat, a heat sink may be attached to the driving unit 12 in order to increase the amount of heat dissipated from the electronic components. One or more structures such as grooves, fins, and air guide plates may be located on the inner surface of the housing 11 around the driving unit 12 in order to effectively direct air flow to parts of the driving unit 12 that tend to become hot.

The blower 13 is located between the heat dissipation member 3 and the second ventilation opening 11h2. For example, the blower 13 may blow air to the heat dissipation member 3 as shown in FIG. 20, or may blow air to the second ventilation opening 11h2 as shown in FIG. 21. In other words, the blower 13 may blow air to the heat dissipation member 3 or to the second ventilation opening 11h2. This allows the blower 13 to set an air flow that can efficiently cool the heat dissipation member 3 between the second ventilation opening 11h2 on the inclined surface 11c and the first ventilation opening 11h1 located to the side of the heat dissipation member 3. Therefore, the efficiency of cooling the heat dissipation member 3 can be improved by the air blown by the blower 13. As a result, the light emitting unit 2 can be efficiently cooled via the heat dissipation member 3.

20, an example of air flow introduced from the second space Sp2 outside the housing 11 to the first space Sp1 inside the housing 11 through the second ventilation opening 11h2 on the inclined surface 11c is shown typically by arrows drawn with thin dashed two-dot lines. An example of air flow from the blower 13 to the heat dissipation member 3 is shown typically by arrows drawn with thin dashed two-dot lines. An example of air flow from the area along the heat dissipation member 3 toward the second space Sp2 outside the housing 11 through the first ventilation opening 11h1 on the side surface 11b is shown typically by arrows drawn with thin dashed two-dot lines. An example of air flow from the blower 13 toward the drive unit 12 is shown typically by arrows drawn with thin dashed two-dot lines. As shown in FIG. 20, for example, when the blower 13 blows air toward the heat dissipation member 3, an air flow can be set in which the air introduced from the second space Sp2 outside the housing 11 to the first space Sp1 inside the housing 11 through the second ventilation opening 11h2 on the inclined surface 11c passes through the area along the heat dissipation member 3 and is discharged to the second space Sp2 outside the housing 11 through the first ventilation opening 11h1 on the side surface 11b.

21, an example of air flow introduced from the second space Sp2 outside the housing 11 to the first space Sp1 inside the housing 11 through the first ventilation opening 11h1 on the side surface 11b is shown typically by an arrow drawn with a thin two-dot chain line. An example of air flow from the area along the heat dissipation member 3 toward the blower 13 is shown typically by an arrow drawn with a thin two-dot chain line. An example of air flow from the blower 13 toward the second space Sp2 outside the housing 11 through the second ventilation opening 11h2 on the inclined surface 11c is shown typically by an arrow drawn with a thin two-dot chain line. An example of air flow from the area along the drive unit 12 toward the blower 13 is shown typically by an arrow drawn with a thin two-dot chain line. As shown in FIG. 21, for example, if the blower 13 blows air to the second ventilation opening 11h2, an air flow can be set in which the air introduced from the second space Sp2 outside the housing 11 to the first space Sp1 inside the housing 11 through the first ventilation opening 11h1 on the side surface 11b passes through the area along the heat dissipation member 3 and is discharged to the second space Sp2 outside the housing 11 through the second ventilation opening 11h2 on the inclined surface 11c.

Here, for example, if the direction in which the blower 13 blows air is close to perpendicular to the second ventilation opening 11h2, the blower 13 can efficiently blow air to the portion of the heat dissipation member 3 that is far from the second ventilation opening 11h2, and the pressure loss at the second ventilation opening 11h2 relative to the air flow can be reduced. The direction in which the blower 13 blows air may be perpendicular to the second ventilation opening 11h2, or it does not have to be perpendicular to the second ventilation opening 11h2. The blower 13 may be away from both the second ventilation opening 11h2 and the heat dissipation member 3, or may be close to or in contact with either the second ventilation opening 11h2 or the heat dissipation member 3.

Here, for example, if an axial fan is applied to the blower 13, the blower 13 can generate a larger airflow while being small in size. For example, other types of fans other than an axial fan may be applied to the blower 13. The blower 13 is fixed, for example, to the inner surface side of the housing 11. For example, the blower 13 may be fixed to the inner surface side of the housing 11 by screwing or the like via a base, support, spacer, or the like arranged on the inner surface of the housing 11.

Here, for example, if the heat dissipation member 3 and the air blowing unit 13 are located between the inclined surface 11c and the lower surface 11a, and the driving unit 12 is located between the upper surface 11d and the lower surface 11a, the driving unit 12 can be stored in the housing 11 while miniaturizing the housing 11, even if the dimensions of the driving unit 12 are large. Also, as shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, for example, if the driving unit 12 is located along the side wall of the housing 11, when the driving unit 12 generates heat, the heat can be efficiently dissipated from the driving unit 12 through the side wall of the housing 11 to the second space Sp2 outside the housing 11. As a result, the driving unit 12 can be efficiently cooled through the housing 11. Here, for example, if the driving unit 12 is located closer to the second ventilation port 11h2 than the heat dissipation member 3, the amount of air flowing can be increased in the area in contact with the driving unit 12 in the first space Sp1 in the housing 11. This allows the driving unit 12 to be efficiently cooled.

Here, for example, if the first ventilation opening 11h1 is located on the side 11b that connects the bottom surface 11a to the portion of the inclined surface 11c that is close to the bottom surface 11a, the air flow can be increased on the side of the side 11b having the first ventilation opening 11h1 in the first space Sp1 in the housing 11. In this configuration, the side 11b located on the opposite side of the side 11b having the first ventilation opening 11h1 in the housing 11 can be larger. This can facilitate attachment and positioning to various structures on the side 11b of the housing 11 opposite the side 11b having the first ventilation opening 11h1, for example, when the light irradiation device 10 is mounted in various devices such as a printing device.

The third connector 14 is a part that connects a plurality of wires connected to the driving unit 12 and a plurality of wires located outside the housing 11. The third connector 14 may be located, for example, along the outer surface of the housing 11, or may be located in a form that penetrates the housing 11. The light irradiation device 10 may have one third connector 14, or may have two or more third connectors 14. In an example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 18, 20, and 21, the third connector 14 is located on the upper surface 11d side of the housing 11. The plurality of wires may include, for example, a wire (also called a power line) that supplies power from the outside to the driving unit 12, and a wire (also called a signal line) that receives a signal from the outside to the driving unit 12 and transmits a signal from the driving unit 12 to the outside. Through this third connector 14, the supply of power to the driving unit 12 from the outside of the light irradiation device 10 and the exchange of control signals can be realized.

Here, for example, as shown in Figures 18, 20, and 21, the light irradiation device 10 may have a filter 15 attached to the first ventilation opening 11h1 or the second ventilation opening 11h2. In Figures 18 and 20, the outer edge of the filter 15 attached to the second ventilation opening 11h2 is drawn with a thin two-dot chain line. In Figure 21, the outer edge of the filter 15 attached to the first ventilation opening 11h1 is drawn with a thin two-dot chain line. The light irradiation device 10 may have a filter 15 attached to each of the first ventilation opening 11h1 and the second ventilation opening 11h2, for example. When, for example, a sponge or nonwoven fabric is used as the filter 15, the intrusion of foreign matter such as dust and dirt from the second space Sp2 outside the housing 11 to the first space Sp1 inside the housing 11 can be reduced. This, for example, reduces the accumulation of dust and dirt on the heat dissipation member 3 and the drive unit 12, and thus reduces the decrease in the efficiency of heat dissipation from the light emitting unit 2 and the drive unit 12. As a result, for example, the reliability of the light irradiation device 10 can be improved. Furthermore, the presence of the filter 15 can slow down the air flow around the ventilation hole 11h to which the filter 15 is attached. Furthermore, for example, the filter 15 can absorb the operating sound of the air blower 13 housed in the housing 11, thereby reducing the noise of the air blower 13 generated by the light irradiation device 10.

In Figures 18 and 19, a plus sign (+) surrounded by a circle (O) indicates a screw member. The number and positions of the screw members may be set appropriately depending on the design of the light source module 1 and the housing 11.

<1-4. Printing device>
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an example of a printing device 100 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 22, the printing device 100 includes the above-mentioned light irradiation device 10, a transport unit 120, a printing unit 130, and a control unit (also called a controller) 140.

The transport unit 120 can transport the print medium 110 in a predetermined direction (also referred to as the transport direction). The print medium 110 is an object that is to be printed by the printing device 100. The print medium 110 may be, for example, a sheet made of paper or resin, or a thin plate-like material made of resin, semiconductor, metal, wood, or the like. In the example of FIG. 22, the transport unit 120 can transport the print medium 110 located along a virtual plane parallel to the horizontal plane in the +Y direction as the transport direction. The width direction of the print medium 110 is the +X direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the print medium 110. The thickness direction of the print medium 110 is the +Z direction. In FIG. 22, the transport direction is indicated by a thin solid arrow.

In the example of FIG. 22, the printing unit 130 and the light irradiation device 10 are arranged in the order shown above the print medium 110 being transported by the transport unit 120 in the +Y direction, which is the transport direction.

As shown in FIG. 22, the conveying unit 120 may have, for example, a pair of conveying rollers (also referred to as first conveying rollers) 121 located upstream of the printing device 100 and a pair of conveying rollers (also referred to as second conveying rollers) 122 located downstream of the printing device 100. Each of the pair of first conveying rollers 121 and the pair of second conveying rollers 122 holds the print medium 110 by sandwiching the print medium 110 from above and below. The print medium 110 can be conveyed in the conveying direction by the rotation of the pair of second conveying rollers 122 on the downstream side and the rotation of the pair of first conveying rollers 121 on the upstream side. The rotation of each of the pair of first conveying rollers 121 may be achieved by driving an electric motor or the like. The rotation of each of the pair of second conveying rollers 122 may be achieved by driving an electric motor or the like. The transport unit 120 may have a support portion that supports the print medium 110 from below, for example, between a pair of first transport rollers 121 on the upstream side and a pair of second transport rollers 122 on the downstream side. This support portion may be, for example, a plurality of cylindrical or columnar rollers (also called support rollers). Each of the plurality of support rollers may have an axial direction perpendicular to the transport direction and may be aligned in the transport direction.

The printing unit 130 can print on the print medium 110. The printing unit 130 is located on the side opposite to the transport direction of the light irradiation device 10 (also referred to as the upstream side). In other words, the printing unit 130 is located upstream of the light irradiation device 10 with respect to the transport direction of the print medium 110. For example, an inkjet (IJ) head that ejects ink 131 is applied to the printing unit 130. The IJ head may be, for example, a line-type IJ head having multiple nozzles arranged in a straight line. The direction in which the multiple nozzles are arranged may be approximately perpendicular to the transport direction. Each of the multiple nozzles has an ejection hole that ejects the ink 131. A photocurable ink (also referred to as a photocurable ink) is applied to the ink 131 as a photosensitive material. The photocurable ink is an ink that hardens (also referred to as a photocurable ink) in response to irradiation with light in a specific wavelength range. The photocurable ink may be, for example, an ultraviolet curable ink (also called UV ink) that cures (photocures) in response to irradiation with ultraviolet light in a specific wavelength range. The printing unit 130 may, for example, eject ink 131 onto the upper surface of the print medium 110 being transported by the transport unit 120, thereby adhering the ink 131 to the upper surface of the print medium 110. Here, the IJ head as the printing unit 130 may, for example, eject droplets of ink 131 onto the upper surface of the print medium 110 being transported by the transport unit 120, thereby adhering droplets of ink 131 to the upper surface of the print medium 110. The printing unit 130 may, for example, adhering the ink 131 in a desired pattern onto the upper surface of the print medium 110. The printing unit 130 may, for example, adhering the ink 131 over substantially the entire upper surface of the print medium 110, or may adhering the ink 131 to a portion of the upper surface of the print medium 110.

The light irradiation device 10 can irradiate light from the irradiation port 4o to the print medium 110 being transported in the transport direction by the transport unit 120. The light irradiation device 10 is located downstream of the printing unit 130 in the transport direction in which the print medium 110 is transported by the transport unit 120. The lower surface 11a of the light irradiation device 10 faces downward. Therefore, the light irradiation device 10 can irradiate light from the irradiation port 4o to the ink 131 attached to the upper surface of the print medium 110. In FIG. 22, the outer edge of the path of light irradiated from the irradiation port 4o to the print medium 110 is shown diagrammatically by a thin two-dot chain line.

Here, if the ink 131 is a photocurable ink, and the light irradiated onto the upper surface of the print medium 110 by the light irradiation device 10 is light in a specific wavelength range for hardening (photocuring) the photocurable ink, the ink 131 attached to the upper surface of the print medium 110 can be hardened by the light from the light irradiation device 10. For example, if the ink 131 is an ultraviolet-curable ink (UV ink), and the light irradiated onto the upper surface of the print medium 110 by the light irradiation device 10 is ultraviolet light in a specific wavelength range, the UV ink as the ink 131 attached to the upper surface of the print medium 110 can be hardened.

Here, for example, if the irradiation port 4o of the light irradiation device 10 is positioned closer to the side of the light irradiation device 10 that is farther from the printing unit 130 in the transport direction of the print medium 110, the effect of the light from the irradiation port 4o of the light irradiation device 10 on the printing unit 130 can be reduced. For example, the amount of light that travels from the irradiation port 4o of the light irradiation device 10 toward the printing unit 130 can be reduced. This can reduce the occurrence of nozzle clogging in the IJ head of the printing unit 130, for example, when UV ink is used as the ink 131.

Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 22, the inclined surface 11c of the light irradiation device 10 may face the downstream side in the transport direction. From another perspective, for example, the first ventilation opening 11h1 and the second ventilation opening 11h2 of the light irradiation device 10 may face the downstream side in the transport direction. In other words, the first ventilation opening 11h1 and the second ventilation opening 11h2 of the light irradiation device 10 may face the opposite side to the area where the printing unit 130 is located. With this configuration, the influence of the turbulence of the airflow caused by the supply and exhaust at the first ventilation opening 11h1 and the second ventilation opening 11h2 of the light irradiation device 10 on the printing unit 130 can be reduced. More specifically, for example, the problem that the trajectory of the droplets of the ink 131 ejected from the printing unit 130 toward the print medium 110 is changed by the turbulence of the airflow caused by the supply and exhaust is reduced. As a result, the decrease in accuracy of the position where the ink 131 is applied on the upper surface of the print medium 110 can be reduced.

Here, for example, the inclined surface 11c of the light irradiation device 10 may face the upstream side in the transport direction. From another perspective, for example, the first ventilation port 11h1 and the second ventilation port 11h2 of the light irradiation device 10 may face the upstream side in the transport direction. In other words, the first ventilation port 11h1 and the second ventilation port 11h2 of the light irradiation device 10 may face the area side where the printing unit 130 is located. With this configuration, the irradiation port 4o can be brought closer to the printing unit 130 in the transport direction of the print medium 110. This can shorten the time from when the ink 131 is attached to the upper surface of the print medium 110 to when the light from the irradiation port 4o is irradiated to the ink 131 attached to the upper surface of the print medium 110. Therefore, the time from when the ink 131 is attached to the upper surface of the print medium 110 to when it is cured can be shortened. As a result, the bleeding of the ink 131 on the upper surface of the print medium 110 can be reduced.

Here, for example, in the transport direction of the print medium 110, the irradiation port 4o of the light irradiation device 10 may be located closer to the printing unit 130 of the light irradiation device 10. With this configuration, even if the distance from the printing unit 130 to the light irradiation device 10 becomes large, the irradiation port 4o can be brought closer to the printing unit 130 in the transport direction of the print medium 110. This can shorten the time from when the ink 131 adheres to the upper surface of the print medium 110 to when the ink 131 adhered to the upper surface of the print medium 110 is irradiated with light from the irradiation port 4o. As a result, the fluctuation of the leveling state of the ink 131 on the upper surface of the print medium 110 can be reduced. Therefore, the deterioration of the quality of printing by the printing device 100 can be reduced.

Here, for example, it is assumed that the printing device 100 has the form of a line printer in which the width of the IJ head as the printing unit 130 is approximately the same as the width of the print medium 110. In this case, for example, by arranging multiple light irradiation devices 10 in the +X direction as the width direction of the print medium 110, the width of the print medium 110 and the total width of the multiple light irradiation devices 10 may be set to be approximately the same. Also, the depth length of the light irradiation device 10 and the width of the print medium 110 may be set to be approximately the same. In this case, for example, the shape of the light irradiation device 10 may be a shape in which the depth direction is the longitudinal direction. Here, for example, when an axial fan is used for the blower 13, the light irradiation device 10 may have multiple blowers 13 located above one heat dissipation member 3 in the first space Sp1 and arranged in a row in the depth direction.

The control unit 140 can control the operation of each part of the printing device 100. The control unit 140 has various electrical circuits, such as a processor and memory. The control unit 140 is electrically connected to each part of the printing device 100 using a cable or the like. For example, the control unit 140 may be electrically connected to the third connector 14 of the light irradiation device 10 via a cable or the like. The control unit 140 can control, for example, the transportation of the print medium 110 by the transport unit 120. The control unit 140 can control, for example, the ejection of ink 131 by the IJ head as the printing unit 130. The control unit 140 can control, for example, the light emission of the light irradiation device 10.

For example, if the ink 131 is a photocurable ink, the memory of the control unit 140 may store information indicating the characteristics of light that can relatively effectively photocure the ink 131 ejected from the IJ head as the printing unit 130. Specific examples of this information include numerical values indicating the characteristics of the wavelength distribution of light suitable for photocuring the droplets of the ink 131 ejected from the IJ head and the intensity of the light (emission intensity of each wavelength range). In the printing device 100, for example, the control unit 140 may adjust the magnitude of the drive current input to the multiple light-emitting elements 21 in the light-emitting unit 2 of the light irradiation device 10 based on the information in the memory. This allows the light irradiation device 10 to emit light with an appropriate amount of light according to the characteristics of the ink used, and the ink 131 to be cured with light of relatively low energy.

<1-5. Summary of the first embodiment>
In the light source module 1 according to the first embodiment, the light emitting unit 2 is located between the first surface 31b of the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3 and the light-transmitting member 5 that blocks the irradiation port 4o that opens in the recess 4c1 of the cover member 4. In the internal space Is1 of the recess 4c1 of the cover member 4, an insertion portion 31p that is a part of the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3 is located. Between the recess 4c1 of the cover member 4 and the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3, there is a second opening O2 that is connected to the first area A1 that is located between the cover member 4 and the first surface 31b of the base portion 31. A first cable 6 that is electrically connected to the light emitting unit 2 is inserted into the second opening O2. The sealing material 7 blocks the first gap G1 between the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4 along the periphery E1 of the first gap G1. The first cable 6 penetrates the sealing material 7, and the sealing material 7 blocks the second opening O2. The sealing material 7 is made of resin. With this configuration, electrical connection from the outside of the light source module 1 to the light-emitting unit 2 is possible via the first cable 6. In addition, the sealing material 7 closes the first gap G1 along the periphery E1 and closes the second opening O2, thereby reducing the intrusion of foreign matter from the outside of the light source module 1 toward the light-emitting unit 2. Thus, electrical connection from the outside of the light source module 1 to the light-emitting unit 2 is possible, while the adhesion of foreign matter to the light-emitting unit 2 can be reduced.

2. Other embodiments
The present disclosure is not limited to the first embodiment described above, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

<2-1. Second embodiment>
In the first embodiment, for example, the screw members 9 do not have to be in a state in which the cover member 4 is fastened to the heat dissipation member 3. In this case, the light source module 1 does not have to include the screw members 9.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an example of a light source module 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of a cross-section of a light source module 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 24 shows a schematic example of a virtual cross-section of a light source module 1 according to the second embodiment at a position corresponding to the virtual cross-section of FIG. 5.

23 and 24, the cover member 4 may be attached to the heat dissipation member 3 by, for example, a sealing material 7, not by a screw member 9. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 23, the sealing material 7 may be located from the first gap G1 to the second surface 31u of the heat dissipation member 3. For example, the sealing material 7 may cover the portion of the heat dissipation member 3 where the base portion 31 and the protrusion portion 32 are connected. If this configuration is adopted, the strength with which the cover member 4 is fixed to the heat dissipation member 3 by the sealing material 7 can be improved. This can reduce peeling between the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4. In one example of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, the portions where the two protrusion portions 32 located at both ends of the multiple protrusion portions 32 are connected to the base portion 31 are covered by the sealing material 7. Here, for example, if the sealing material 7 is not present in the multiple second gaps 32g that exist between the multiple protrusion portions 32, the reduction in heat dissipation from the heat dissipation member 3 can be reduced.

Here, if the cover member 4 is attached to the heat dissipation member 3 by the sealing material 7 without using the screw member 9, the process of manufacturing the light source module 1 can be simplified. Furthermore, when the cover member 4 and the heat dissipation member 3 deform due to expansion or contraction caused by an increase or decrease in temperature due to the light emission and cessation of light emission of the light-emitting unit 2, the sealing material 7 undergoes elastic deformation in response to this deformation, thereby reducing the stress generated between the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4.

It is also assumed that the cover member 4, the heat dissipation member 3, and the screw member 9 may expand or contract due to a rise or fall in temperature caused by the light emission and the end of light emission of the light-emitting unit 2. In this case, for example, if the cover member 4 is attached to the heat dissipation member 3 by the sealing material 7 without using the screw member 9, the occurrence of a defect in which the relatively weaker member among the cover member 4, the heat dissipation member 3, and the screw member 9 undergoes plastic deformation and the screw member 9 becomes loose can be reduced. This can reduce, for example, the occurrence of intermittent vibrations (also called chatter) between the cover member 4 and the heat dissipation member 3, and can improve the stability of the attachment of the cover member 4 to the heat dissipation member 3. As a result, practical strength and durability of the light source module 1 can be achieved.

Here, in comparison with an example of the first embodiment, in an example of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, the step portion S1 may be made smaller, or a part of the step portion S1 may be deleted. More specifically, for example, the first step portion S11 may be made smaller, or the second step portion S12 may be deleted.

<2-2. Third embodiment>
In the second embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 25, the recess 4c1 may include one or more convex portions 4p. Each of the one or more convex portions 4p may be separated from one or more first step portions S11 and protrude toward the first surface 31b of the base portion 31. Each of the one or more convex portions 4p may be in contact with the first surface 31b of the base portion 31. If this configuration is adopted, the heat dissipation from the heat dissipation member 3 may be improved by increasing the area of contact between the cover member 4 and the heat dissipation member 3. This can reduce the temperature rise of the multiple light-emitting elements 21. As a result, the decrease in the amount of light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 21 can be reduced.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of a light source module 1 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 25 shows an example of a virtual cross section of a light source module 1 according to the third embodiment at a position corresponding to the virtual cross section of FIG. 5.

Here, the number of the one or more convex portions 4p may be, for example, one, two, three, or any number of four or more. For convenience, two convex portions 4p are illustrated in FIG. 25. Each of the one or more convex portions 4p may be in contact with, for example, a region of the first surface 31b of the base portion 31 that is away from the outer peripheral region A3. Each of the one or more convex portions 4p may be, for example, a columnar portion such as a cylindrical or rectangular columnar portion. For example, if the portion of the first surface 31b to which each of the one or more convex portions 4p is in contact is flat, and the portion of the one or more convex portions 4p to which the first surface 31b is in contact is flat, the area of contact between the cover member 4 and the heat dissipation member 3 can be increased. In other words, for example, if each of the one or more convex portions 4p is in surface contact with the first surface 31b, the area of contact between the cover member 4 and the heat dissipation member 3 can be increased.

Here, the effects of the configuration according to the second embodiment described above and the effects of the configuration according to the third embodiment described above can be achieved simultaneously.

Here, for example, the first surface 31b of the base portion 31 may have a convex portion that protrudes in a direction away from the second surface 31u and is in contact with the convex portion 4p. This convex portion may be, for example, a columnar portion, such as a cylindrical or rectangular columnar portion.

<2-3. Fourth embodiment>
In the first embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 26, the recess 4c1 may include one or more convex portions 4p. Each of the one or more convex portions 4p may be separated from one or more first step portions S11 and protrude toward the first surface 31b of the base portion 31. Each of the one or more convex portions 4p may be in contact with the first surface 31b of the base portion 31. If this configuration is adopted, the heat dissipation from the heat dissipation member 3 may be improved by increasing the area of contact between the cover member 4 and the heat dissipation member 3. This can reduce the temperature rise of the multiple light-emitting elements 21. As a result, the decrease in the amount of light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 21 can be reduced.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of a cross section of a light source module 1 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 26 shows a schematic example of a virtual cross section of a light source module 1 according to the fourth embodiment at a position corresponding to the virtual cross section of FIG. 4.

Here, the number of the one or more convex portions 4p may be, for example, one, two, three, or any number of four or more. For convenience, one convex portion 4p is illustrated in FIG. 26. Each of the one or more convex portions 4p may be in contact with, for example, a region of the first surface 31b of the base portion 31 that is away from the outer peripheral region A3. Each of the one or more convex portions 4p may be, for example, a columnar portion such as a cylindrical or rectangular columnar portion. For example, if the portion of the first surface 31b to which each of the one or more convex portions 4p is in contact is flat, and the portion of the one or more convex portions 4p to which the first surface 31b is in contact is flat, the area of contact between the cover member 4 and the heat dissipation member 3 can be increased. In other words, for example, if each of the one or more convex portions 4p is in surface contact with the first surface 31b, the area of contact between the cover member 4 and the heat dissipation member 3 can be increased.

Here, for example, the first surface 31b of the base portion 31 may have a convex portion that protrudes in a direction away from the second surface 31u and is in contact with the convex portion 4p. This convex portion may be, for example, a columnar portion, such as a cylindrical or rectangular columnar portion.

<3. Other>
In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, each of the one or more first step portions S11 is located at the end portion of the outer circumferential portion of the recess 4c1 in the -Y direction, but this is not limited to this. For example, each of the one or more first step portions S11 may be located at the end portion of the outer circumferential portion of the recess 4c1 in the +Y direction, or may be located along the entire circumference of the outer circumferential portion of the recess 4c1. In other words, the recess 4c1 may have one or more first step portions S11 each located on at least a part of the outer circumferential portion of the recess 4c1.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, the second cable 8 and the sensor 8s may not be present.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, an epoxy-based adhesive may be used as the resin that constitutes the sealing material 7. In this case, for example, an epoxy-based adhesive may be placed along the periphery E1 of the first gap G1 between the heat dissipation member 3 and the cover member 4, and the resin that constitutes the sealing material 7 may be realized by drying this epoxy-based adhesive.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, the cover member 4 has one irradiation port 4o, but this is not limited to this. For example, the cover member 4 may have two or more irradiation ports 4o aligned in a direction along the fourth surface 4b.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, the recess 4c1 has the first protruding portion 4n, thereby forming the second opening O2 between the recess 4c1 and the base portion 31, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the base portion 31 may have a cutout portion, thereby forming the second opening O2 between the recess 4c1 and the base portion 31, or the second opening O2 may be formed by the first protruding portion 4n of the recess 4c1 and the cutout portion of the base portion 31.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, the entire base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3 may be located in the internal space Is1 in the recess 4c1. In other words, at least a portion (insertion portion) 31p of the base portion 31 of the heat dissipation member 3 may be located in the internal space Is1 in the recess 4c1.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, the shape of each of the multiple protrusions 32 in the heat dissipation member 3 is not limited to a thin plate shape, but may be another shape such as a rod shape.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, the sensor 8s may be another temperature sensor such as a thermocouple, or another sensor such as an optical sensor.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, the light irradiation device 10 may not include the air blower 13 or the filter 15.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, in the light irradiation device 10, a mesh member may be arranged in one or more of the two or more ventilation holes 11h. This can reduce the intrusion of foreign matter from the second space Sp2 outside the housing 11 to the first space Sp1 inside the housing 11. Foreign matter can include, for example, dust, dirt, metal parts and tools.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, in the light irradiation device 10, the housing 11 may have a plate-shaped partition between the blower 13 and the drive unit 12, and the multiple ventilation holes 11h may have a ventilation hole (also called a third ventilation hole) that opens on the upper surface 11d. According to this configuration, due to the presence of the partition, the air flow between the second ventilation hole 11h2 and the third ventilation hole may increase the air flow rate in the part of the area on the light source module 1 side of the first space Sp1 in the housing 11 away from the first ventilation hole 11h1 due to the air flow that goes around the outside of the partition. Also, the air flow rate may increase in the area along the drive unit 12. This allows, for example, the heat dissipation member 3 and the drive unit 12 to be efficiently cooled. As a result, the light emitting unit 2 and the drive unit 12 can be efficiently cooled.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, in the light irradiation device 10, the first space Sp1 inside the housing 11 and the second space Sp2 outside the housing 11 may be filled with a gas such as an inert gas including nitrogen gas instead of air.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, the IJ head applied to the printing unit 130 may eject water-based or oil-based ink as the ink 131 instead of photocurable ink. In this case, for example, the light irradiated onto the upper surface of the print medium 110 by the light irradiation device 10 may be light in a specific wavelength range including infrared rays for drying and fixing the ink 131 attached to the upper surface of the print medium 110.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, a line type IJ head is applied to the printing unit 130, but this is not limited to this. For example, a serial type IJ head may be applied to the printing unit 130.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, the printing unit 130 is not limited to a configuration having an IJ head, and may have other configurations different from an IJ head. For example, an electrostatic head may be applied to the printing unit 130. The electrostatic head may be a head that charges the print medium 110 and adheres the developer (toner) to the print medium 110 by electrostatic force due to the static electricity of the print medium 110. The printing unit 130 may be applied with a configuration that transports the developer (toner) using a brush, roller or the like. Here, the developer may be, for example, an ultraviolet-curable toner that cures in response to irradiation with ultraviolet light, or a heat-curable toner that cures in response to irradiation with infrared light.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, the ink 131 may be changed to a photosensitive material such as a photosensitive resist or a photocurable resin.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, the light irradiation device 10 is applied to, for example, a printing device 100 equipped with a printing unit 130, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the light irradiation device 10 may be applied to an apparatus for curing a photosensitive resin after applying a paste containing a photosensitive resin such as a resist to the surface of an object such as a substrate by spin coating or screen printing. Also, for example, the light irradiation device 10 may be applied as a light source for exposure in an exposure apparatus that exposes a photosensitive resin such as a resist.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, in the light irradiation device 10, the upper outer surface of the housing 11 may have a step surface or other inclined surface in addition to the inclined surface 11c and the top surface 11d. The size of the inclined surface 11c and the top surface 11d on the upper outer surface of the housing 11 may be set appropriately according to the specifications of the light irradiation device 10. Here, if the size of the inclined surface 11c including the second ventilation hole 11h2 is larger than the size of the top surface 11d, the housing 11 can be made smaller, and the expansion of the second ventilation hole 11h2 can efficiently cool each part in the first space Sp1 in the housing 11.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, in the light irradiation device 10, the center of the irradiation port 4o is shifted in a predetermined direction from the center point of the lower surface 11a, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the center of the irradiation port 4o may coincide with the center point of the lower surface 11a or may be located near the center point of the lower surface 11a. For example, in the printing device 100, the irradiation port 4o may be located in the center of the lower surface 11a in the transport direction of the print medium 110.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, in the light irradiation device 10, the first ventilation opening 11h1 and the second ventilation opening 11h2 are located in a region shifted in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the first virtual central axis Ax1 from a region centered on the first virtual central axis Ax1, but this is not limited to this. For example, the first ventilation opening 11h1 and the second ventilation opening 11h2 may be located on opposite sides with respect to the first virtual central axis Ax1. As a result, for example, in the supply and exhaust of air through the first ventilation opening 11h1 and the second ventilation opening 11h2 in the light irradiation device 10, the gas discharged from the first space Sp1 in the housing 11 to the second space Sp2 outside the housing 11 is introduced into the first space Sp1 in the housing 11, and the circulation of the gas can be reduced. As a result, the cooling of the light emitting unit 2 through the heat dissipation member 3 can be improved.

In each of the above first, second, third and fourth embodiments, for example, the light irradiation device 10 may be applied to a field other than the printing field, such as the printing device 100. For example, the light irradiation device 10 may be applied to the field of assembly manufacturing, including applications such as curing adhesives or resins in the mounting of electronic components. The curing of the adhesive or resin may be a certain degree of curing (temporary curing) of the adhesive or resin. Here, for example, if the adhesive is an ultraviolet curing adhesive, the adhesive may be cured by ultraviolet rays emitted from the light irradiation device 10. For example, if the adhesive is a thermosetting adhesive, the adhesive may be cured by infrared rays emitted from the light irradiation device 10. For example, if the adhesive is an adhesive that cures by drying, the adhesive may be dried and cured by infrared rays emitted from the light irradiation device 10. For example, if the resin is an ultraviolet curing resin that cures in response to irradiation with ultraviolet rays, the ultraviolet curing resin may be cured by ultraviolet rays emitted from the light irradiation device 10. For example, the light irradiation device 10 may be applied to the field of drying processing, such as for efficiently drying an irradiated object by irradiating it with infrared light. For example, the light irradiation device 10 may be applied to the medical field, such as for sterilization by irradiating it with ultraviolet light or purple light.

As described above, the light source module 1 and the light irradiation device 10 have been described in detail, but the above description is illustrative in all respects, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the various examples described above may be combined as long as they are not mutually contradictory. Furthermore, countless examples not illustrated may be envisioned without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

This disclosure includes the following:

In one embodiment, (1) a light source module includes a light-emitting section having a plurality of light-emitting elements, a heat dissipation member thermally connected to the light-emitting section, a cover member having a first opening through which light from the light-emitting section passes and attached to the heat dissipation member, a translucent member that closes the first opening and transmits light from the light-emitting section, a first cable that is electrically connected to the light-emitting section and supplies power to cause the plurality of light-emitting elements to emit light, and a sealing material made of resin that closes a first gap between the heat dissipation member and the cover member along the periphery of the first gap, and the heat dissipation member includes a plate-shaped base portion and a plurality of protrusions, the base portion having a first surface located on the cover member side and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and each of the plurality of protrusions is provided on the cover member. The light emitting portion protrudes from the base portion in a direction away from the light emitting portion, the light emitting portion is located between the first surface and the light-transmitting member, the cover member has a third surface located on the heat dissipation member side and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, and has a recess on the third surface side, the recess has an internal space in which at least a part of the base portion is located, the internal space includes a first region located between the cover member and the first surface, the first opening opens in the recess, a second opening connected to the first region is present between the recess and the base portion, the first cable is inserted through the second opening from within the first region to the outside of the recess, and the sealing material includes a first portion through which the first cable passes and which blocks the second opening.

(2) In the light source module of (1) above, the elastic modulus of the resin may be smaller than the elastic modulus of each of the materials of the cover member and the heat dissipation member.

(3) In the light source module of (1) or (2) above, the plurality of light-emitting elements may emit ultraviolet light, and the resin may include a resin that is resistant to ultraviolet light.

(4) In the light source module of (1) or (2) above, the first cable may include a coating material, the light-emitting elements may emit ultraviolet light, and the resin may have better resistance to ultraviolet light than the material of the coating material.

(5) Any one of the light source modules (1) to (4) above may include a screw member that fastens the cover member to the heat dissipation member, and the thermal conductivity of the material of the screw member may be higher than the thermal conductivity of the resin.

(6) In any one of the light source modules (1) to (5) above, the recess includes one or more first step portions located in at least a portion of the outer periphery of the recess, and one or more convex portions spaced from the one or more first step portions and protruding toward the first surface, each of the one or more first step portions being in contact with at least a portion of the outer periphery along the outer edge of the first surface, and each of the one or more convex portions being in contact with the first surface.

(7) In any one of the light source modules (1) to (6) above, the sealing material may be located from the first gap to the second surface.

In one embodiment, (8) the light irradiation device includes any one of the light source modules (1) to (7) above, a housing that surrounds the light-emitting unit and the heat dissipation member together with the cover member, and a drive unit including a drive circuit that drives the light-emitting unit, the housing has a first ventilation hole and a second ventilation hole that respectively connect a first space inside the housing to a second space outside the housing, the first ventilation hole is located in close proximity to the second gaps between the protrusions in a direction along the first surface, the second ventilation hole is located on the opposite side of the cover member with respect to the heat dissipation member, and the first cable electrically connects the light-emitting unit and the drive unit.

(9) The light irradiation device of (8) above includes an air blowing section located between the heat dissipation member and the second air vent, and the air blowing section may blow air toward the heat dissipation member or toward the second air vent.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 light source module 10 light irradiation device 11 housing 11h ventilation hole 11h1 first ventilation hole 11h2 second ventilation hole 12 drive section 13 air blowing section 2 light emitting section 21 light emitting element 3 heat dissipation member 31 base section 31b first surface 31p insertion section 31u second surface 32 protrusion 32g second gap 4 cover member 4b fourth surface 4c1 recess 4o irradiation port 4p convex portion 4u third surface 5 light-transmitting member 6 first cable 61 covering material 7 sealing material 9 screw member A1 first region A3 outer peripheral region E1 periphery E2 outer edge G1 first gap Is1 internal space O2 second opening Os1 outside P1 first portion S11 first stage portion Sp1 1st space Sp2 2nd space

Claims (9)

The light emitting device includes a light emitting unit, a heat dissipation member, a cover member, a light-transmitting member, a first cable, and a sealing material,
The light emitting unit has a plurality of light emitting elements,
the cover member has a first opening through which light from the light emitting portion passes and is attached to the heat dissipation member;
the light-transmitting member covers the first opening and transmits light from the light-emitting portion;
the first cable is electrically connected to the light emitting unit and is a cable for supplying power to cause the plurality of light emitting elements to emit light;
the sealing material is made of resin and fills a first gap between the heat dissipation member and the cover member along a periphery of the first gap,
The heat dissipation member includes a plate-shaped base portion and a plurality of protrusions,
The base portion has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface,
The first surface is located on the cover member side of the base portion,
Each of the plurality of protrusions protrudes from the second surface,
the light emitting portion is located between the first surface and the light-transmitting member,
the cover member has a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, and has a recess on the third surface side;
the third surface is located on the heat dissipation member side of the cover member,
At least a portion of the base portion is located in an internal space of the recess,
The first opening is open in the recess,
a second opening is provided between the recess and the base portion and communicates with a first region located between the cover member and the first surface;
The first cable is inserted through the second opening,
the first cable passes through the sealing material;
The sealing material covers the second opening. 2. The light source module according to claim 1,
A light source module, wherein the elastic modulus of the resin is smaller than the elastic modulus of each of the materials of the cover member and the heat dissipation member. 3. The light source module according to claim 1,
The plurality of light-emitting elements emit ultraviolet light,
The resin includes a resin that is resistant to ultraviolet light. 3. The light source module according to claim 1,
the first cable includes a coating material;
The plurality of light-emitting elements emit ultraviolet light,
The resin has a higher resistance to ultraviolet light than the material of the covering material. A light source module according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
a screw member;
The screw member fastens the cover member to the heat dissipation member,
The material of the screw member has a thermal conductivity higher than that of the resin. A light source module according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
the recessed portion includes one or more first step portions and one or more convex portions;
Each of the one or more first step portions is located on at least a portion of an outer periphery of the recess,
Each of the one or more first step portions is in contact with at least a portion of an outer periphery of the first surface along an outer edge thereof,
each of the one or more convex portions is spaced from the one or more first step portions and protrudes toward the first surface;
A light source module, wherein each of the one or more convex portions is in contact with the first surface. A light source module according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The sealing material is located from the first gap to above the second surface. A light source module according to any one of claims 1 to 7;
A housing and
A drive unit,
the housing, together with the cover member, surrounds the light emitting unit and the heat dissipation member;
the housing has a first ventilation hole and a second ventilation hole;
The first ventilation hole connects a first space inside the housing and a second space outside the housing,
the first ventilation opening is located adjacent to a plurality of second gaps between the plurality of protrusions in a direction along the first surface,
The second ventilation hole connects the first space and the second space,
the second ventilation port is located on the opposite side of the cover member with respect to the heat dissipation member,
the drive unit includes a drive circuit that drives the light-emitting unit,
The first cable electrically connects the light-emitting unit and the driving unit. The light irradiation device according to claim 8,
A blower unit,
The air blower is located between the heat dissipation member and the second air vent,
The air blowing section blows air to the heat dissipation member or the second air vent.

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