Luminous sign

Abstract

The present invention provides a light-emitting sign which suppresses the power cost, suppresses the concentration of light directly above a light source, and realizes the uniformity of light emission. The present invention provides a light-emitting sign having: an outer lens (10) that constitutes the appearance of the sign; a housing (11); a light-emitting element (13) which is housed in a space (10a) sealed by the housing (11) and the outer lens (10) and which emits light toward the outer lens (10); and a dimming layer (100) provided between the light-emitting element (13) and the outer lens (10), the dimming layer (100) having: a light-transmitting section (101) that transmits light from the light-emitting element (13); and a dimming unit (102) for adjusting the brightness or color of the light.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a luminous sign, and more particularly to a luminous sign installed on vehicles such as automobiles. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, illuminated signs that make the appearance of the sign luminous are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an illuminated sign in which the luminescence is uniformly achieved by controlling the luminescence state of multiple LEDs used as light sources.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-4826

[0004] However, while the thinning of illuminated signs has been a continuous trend in recent years, the limited appearance of these signs sometimes leaves no space to conceal the light source. In such cases, if the illuminated sign is made thinner, the distance from the light source to the outer lens that forms the exterior of the sign becomes very short. As a result, even with an inner lens acting as a light guide between the light source and the outer lens, the light tends to concentrate directly above the light source. Consequently, this results in uneven brightness or spots of different colors depending on the position, which needs to be improved. Furthermore, controlling the light emission state of the LEDs individually, as in Patent Document 1, increases the cost of electricity. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a luminous sign that reduces power costs and prevents light from concentrating directly above the light source, thereby achieving uniform light emission.

[0006] In order to achieve the above objectives, one aspect of the present invention provides the following luminous sign.

[0007] [1] A luminous signboard has: an outer lens constituting the appearance of the signboard; a housing; a light-emitting element housed in a space sealed by the housing and the outer lens, emitting light toward the outer lens; and a dimming layer disposed between the light-emitting element and the outer lens, the dimming layer having: a light-transmitting portion that allows light from the light-emitting element to pass through; and a dimming portion for adjusting the brightness or color of the light. [2] In the luminous signboard described in [1], the dimming layer is composed of a dimming film, which is formed by printing a pattern for adjusting the brightness or color of the light onto a film body that allows light from the light-emitting element to pass through. [3] In the luminous signboard described in [2], the dimming film has: an exposed portion that is not printed and exposes the film body; and a printed portion that is printed, the exposed portion constituting the light-transmitting portion, the printed portion constituting the dimming portion, the printing being performed in such a way that the exposed portion or the printed portion constitutes a predetermined repeating pattern. [4] In the luminous sign described in [3], the repeating pattern is a dot pattern. [5] In the luminous sign described in [3], the dimming film is configured such that the greater the distance from the light-emitting element, the larger the proportion of the exposed portion and the smaller the proportion of the printed portion. [6] In the luminous sign described in [3], the printed portion is configured to block light from the light-emitting element. [7] In the luminous sign described in [2], the film body is configured to diffuse light from the light-emitting element. [8] In the luminous sign described in [1], the outer lens has the space inside, and the housing is configured to seal the space by closing the opening of the outer lens. [9] In the luminous sign described in [1], the luminous sign has an inner lens disposed between the light-emitting element and the outer lens, which guides light from the light-emitting element in a direction intersecting the optical axis of the light-emitting element, and the dimming layer is disposed between the inner lens and the outer lens.

[10] In the luminous sign described in [1], the dimming layer has a decorative layer, which is formed by forming a pattern for adjusting the brightness or color of the light on the inner wall of the outer lens. The portion of the decorative layer without the pattern constitutes the light-transmitting portion, and the portion with the pattern constitutes the dimming portion.

[11] In the luminous sign described in

[10] , the dimming layer has a protective layer, which is provided to cover the decorative layer and protect the decorative layer.

[0008] The effects of the invention

[0009] According to the present invention, a luminous signboard can be provided that suppresses power costs and suppresses light concentration directly above the light source, thereby achieving uniform light emission. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a top view of the luminous signboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 (a) indicates that... Figure 1 The cross-sectional view shows an example of a vertical section of an illuminated sign cut by section line AA. Figure 2 (b) and (c) are top views showing an example of a dimming film.

[0012] Figure 3 (a) to (c) are top views showing a modified example of a dimming film.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view showing a vertical section of a luminous signboard according to a variation of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing a vertical section of a luminous signboard according to other embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 6 (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views showing the vertical cross-section of a luminous signboard according to other embodiments of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of a luminous signboard according to other embodiments of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0017] [Structure of Illuminated Signage]

[0018] Figure 1 This is a top view of the luminous sign 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 (a) indicates that... Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of an example of a vertical section of a luminous sign 1 cut by section line AA is shown.

[0019] The illuminated sign 1 is configured to include: an outer lens 10 that forms the appearance of the sign; a housing 11; a light-emitting element 13 that serves as a light source; an inner lens 12; and a dimming film 14. In the illuminated sign 1, the appearance of the sign is illuminated by extracting light emitted from the light-emitting element 13 from the surface of the outer lens 10.

[0020] The outer lens 10 is made of resins such as PMMA (methyl methacrylate) and PC, which allow light emitted from the light-emitting element 13 to pass through. To improve the uniformity of light extracted from its surface, the outer lens 10 may contain diffusing materials such as TiO2 particles. The outer lens 10 can be transparent or milky white. In the illustrated example, a sign is shown whose appearance is a combination of an oval frame and the letter "I". However, the appearance of the sign is not limited to the illustrated appearance and can be appropriately modified.

[0021] The outer lens 10 has a concave space 10a inside, which is configured to house the light-emitting element 13, the inner lens 12, and the dimming film 14. The space 10a is formed on the side of the surface on which the luminous sign 1 is mounted ( Figure 2 (a) is the lower side opening.

[0022] The housing 11 is formed in the shape of a plate and is configured to seal the space 10a by closing the opening of the space 10a of the outer lens 10. The housing 11 is made of, for example, ASA (acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymer), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) + PC (polycarbonate) or AES (acrylonitrile-ethylene-propylene-diene-styrene copolymer).

[0023] The light-emitting element 13 is housed in a space 10a sealed by the housing 11 and the outer lens 10. An LED is typically used as the light-emitting element 13. The light-emitting element 13 is mounted on a printing substrate 15, which is fixed to the surface of the housing 11 (the surface in contact with the space 10a) with the side of the light-emitting element 13 facing the outer lens 10. The optical axis of the light-emitting element 13 is aligned with the normal direction of the surface of the housing 11 (or the ground plane of the illuminated sign 1), and the light-emitting element 13 emits light towards the outer lens 10.

[0024] An inner lens 12 is disposed between the light-emitting element 13 and the outer lens 10, guiding the light from the light-emitting element 13 in a direction intersecting the optical axis of the light-emitting element 13 (primarily, a direction perpendicular to the optical axis). The inner lens 12 is made of resin such as PMMA or PC, which allows light emitted from the light-emitting element 13 to pass through. By having the inner lens 12, the light from the light-emitting element 13 can be guided towards the outer lens 10, which is located separately from the light-emitting element 13, thus homogenizing the light emission of the illuminated sign 1. However, not all the light from the light-emitting element 13 is guided by the inner lens 12; a portion of the light from the light-emitting element 13 is transmitted through the inner lens 12 and enters the outer lens 10 directly above the light-emitting element 13. In particular, in illuminated signs 1 where the distance between the light-emitting element 13 and the outer lens 10 is short due to thinness, the brightness directly above the light-emitting element 13 may be too strong, potentially producing so-called spotlights or spots of luminous color.

[0025] Therefore, in this embodiment, a dimming layer 100 for adjusting brightness and emission color is provided between the inner lens 12 and the outer lens 10. The dimming layer 100 is configured to cover at least the top of the light-emitting element 13 (located at a position intersecting the optical axis of the light-emitting element 13). In this embodiment, the dimming layer 100 is composed of a dimming film 14 adhered to the back surface of the outer lens 10 (the inner peripheral surface of space 10a). For example, adhesive or double-sided tape can be used to adhere the dimming film 14. Furthermore, the inner lens 12 is not essential and can be omitted. In this case, it can be configured to use a component different from the inner lens 12 for light guiding.

[0026] Figure 2 (b) is a top view showing an example of a dimming film 14 constituting the dimming layer 100. The dimming layer 100 has: a light-transmitting portion 101 that allows light from the light-emitting element 13 to pass through; and a dimming portion 102 for adjusting the brightness or color of the light. In this embodiment, the dimming film 14 used as the dimming layer 100 is configured such that a pattern (hereinafter referred to as a printed pattern) for adjusting the brightness or color of the light is printed on a film body that allows light from the light-emitting element 13 to pass through. Hereinafter, the portion of the film body that is not printed and is exposed is referred to as the exposed portion 14a, and the portion that is printed is referred to as the printed portion 14b. When the dimming film 14 is used as the dimming layer 100, the exposed portion 14a constitutes the light-transmitting portion 101, and the printed portion 14b constitutes the dimming portion 102.

[0027] By appropriately adjusting the printed pattern of the dimming film 14 positioned directly above the light-emitting element 13, the brightness and color rendering of the light transmitted from the dimming film 14 can be appropriately adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the concentration of light directly above the light-emitting element 13, which serves as the light source, and to achieve uniformity of light emission and color emission.

[0028] Here, the exposed portion 14a (i.e., the thin film body) is made transparent to light (i.e., visible light) from the light-emitting element 13. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the exposed portion 14a (i.e., the thin film body) may be configured to be milky white containing a diffusion material so that light from the light-emitting element 13 diffuses.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the printing section 14b is set to black to block light from the light-emitting element 13. By blocking a portion of the light from the light-emitting element 13, the printing section 14b suppresses the brightness of the concentrated light area, thereby homogenizing the light emission of the luminous sign 1. However, it is not limited to this; the printing section 14b can allow a portion of the light from the light-emitting element 13 to pass through, or it can be colored with a predetermined color to adjust the light emission color. As a result, spots in the light emission color can be suppressed, further homogenizing the light emission of the luminous sign 1. In addition, for brightness adjustment (i.e., light emission homogenization), the transmittance of light from the light-emitting element 13 in the printing section 14b can be lower than that in the exposed section 14a.

[0030] In the dimming film 14, either the exposed portion 14a or the printed portion 14b can be printed in a manner that constitutes a predetermined repeating pattern. In this embodiment, as... Figure 2 As shown in (b), the dimming film 14 is formed into a repeating pattern of dots formed by the printed portions 14b. In the illustrated example, the circular printed portions 14b forming the dot pattern are shown as a staggered printed pattern, but the circular printed portions 14b can also be formed as a printed pattern arranged at equal intervals in both directions, rather than a staggered pattern. By adjusting the ratio of the area of ​​the exposed portion 14a and the area of ​​the printed portion 14b of the dimming film 14, the brightness and the emitted color can be appropriately adjusted. It can be said that in order to suppress brightness and color spots, it is preferable to minimize the size of the printed portion 14b (the size of the dots). Regarding the distance between the printed portions 14b (i.e., the distance between the dots), the brightness and emitted color can be appropriately adjusted by taking into account the size of the printed portion 14b, the brightness of the light incident from the light-emitting element 13, etc.

[0031] Here, the light from the light-emitting element 13 is strongest directly above the light-emitting element 13, and becomes weaker with increasing distance from the light-emitting element 13. Therefore, to uniformly emit light from the illuminated sign 1, the dimming film 14 can be configured such that the greater the distance from the light-emitting element 13, the larger the proportion of the exposed portion 14a, and the smaller the proportion of the printed portion 14b. Figure 2 In example (b), by keeping the arrangement of the dots that constitute the printed portion 14b constant, the size of the printed portion 14b is varied, thereby changing the ratio between the exposed portion 14a and the printed portion 14b. However, this is not a limitation. For example, by keeping the size of the printed portion 14b constant, the number (i.e., density) of the printed portions 14b can be varied, thereby changing the ratio between the exposed portion 14a and the printed portion 14b. The change in the ratio between the exposed portion 14a and the printed portion 14b can be gradual or stepwise depending on the distance from the light-emitting element 13.

[0032] exist Figure 2In (b), it is explained that the dimming film 14 is constructed with a dotted pattern in the printing section 14b. However, as... Figure 2 As shown in (c), the dimming film 14 can also be constructed in such a way that the exposed portion 14a and the printed portion 14b are opposite, and the exposed portion 14a becomes a dot pattern.

[0033] (Variation example)

[0034] In this embodiment, the case where the printed pattern of the dimming film 14 is a dot pattern has been described, but it is not limited to this. For example, as Figure 3 As shown in (a), the shape of the printing section 14b can be set to a rectangle. Alternatively, although not shown, the shape of the printing section 14b can also be a triangle, ellipse, rhombus, polygon, etc. Furthermore, for example, as... Figure 3 As shown in (b), the printing section 14b can be set in a grid pattern. Furthermore, in Figure 3 In (a) and (b), the exposed part 14a and the printed part 14b can also be reversed.

[0035] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown in (c), the pattern of the dimming film 14 can be formed such that the ratio of the exposed portion 14a to the printed portion 14b gradually increases in a concentric circle as it moves away from the light-emitting element 13 (i.e., the ratio of the light-transmitting portion 101 to the dimming portion 102 gradually increases). Figure 3 In (c), the pattern is formed in such a way that the area is divided into concentric circles with the position opposite to the light-emitting element 13 as the center, and the larger the dots constituting the exposed part 14a are, the further away the area is from the light-emitting element 13.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the side of the luminous sign 1 is formed by an external lens 10, so the case where the light from the luminous element 13 is concentrated on the side is also considered. In this case, as... Figure 4 As shown, by providing a dimming film 14 on the inner wall of the side surface of the outer lens 10, the light emission can be further homogenized, and spot light caused by the side emission of the light-emitting element 13 can be suppressed. In this case, the dimming film 14 can be pre-shaped to match the shape of the inner surface of the outer lens 10, and the shaped dimming film 14 can be mounted on the inner surface of the outer lens 10.

[0037] (Effects of the implementation method)

[0038] According to the luminous sign 1 of the embodiments of the present invention described above, even when the distance between the outer lens 10 and the light-emitting element 13 is relatively close due to the thinning, it is possible to suppress the concentration of light directly above the light-emitting element 13 and thus achieve uniform light emission. Furthermore, in the luminous sign 1, it is not necessary to control the light-emitting element 13 separately, thereby reducing power costs.

[0039] (Other implementation methods)

[0040] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing a vertical section of the luminous sign 1a according to other embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5 The structure of the illuminated sign 1a shown is similar to Figure 2 (a) The luminous sign 1 shown is basically the same as the one shown, except that the structure of the dimming layer 100 is different.

[0041] In the luminous sign 1a, the dimming layer 100 has a decorative layer 21, which is formed by creating a pattern on the inner wall of the outer lens 10 to adjust the brightness or color of the light. The unpatterned portion of the decorative layer 21 constitutes the light-transmitting portion 101, and the patterned portion constitutes the dimming portion 102.

[0042] Decorative layer 21 is a layer corresponding to the printed portion 14b of the dimming film 14. Decorative layer 21 is formed, for example, by coating or sputtering a film onto the inner wall of the outer lens 10, and then removing a portion of the film using a laser to form a pattern. However, the method of forming decorative layer 21 is not limited to this; for example, it can be formed by inkjet printing. Here, a black pattern is used to form decorative layer 21 to block light from the light-emitting element 13, but decorative layer 21 can also allow a portion of the light from the light-emitting element 13 to pass through, and can also be colored with a predetermined color to adjust the emission color. Regarding the pattern of decorative layer 21, it can be formed with the same pattern as the printed portion 14b of the dimming film 14.

[0043] In addition, the dimming layer 100 also has a protective layer 22 that protects the decorative layer 21 by covering it. The protective layer 22 is a layer corresponding to the exposed portion 14a of the dimming film 14. The protective layer 22 is made transparent to light (i.e., visible light) from the light-emitting element 13, but it can be, for example, made milky white or colored with a specified color to adjust the light emission color. The protective layer 22 extends into the portion of the decorative layer 21 where the film is removed, and also serves to fill in the unevenness of the decorative layer 21. In other words, the decorative layer 21 is embedded in the protective layer 22.

[0044] By comprising a decorative layer 21 and a protective layer 22, defects such as misalignment of the dimming layer 100 relative to the outer lens 10 are less likely to occur. Furthermore, in Figure 5The diagram shows a case where the dimming layer 100 is formed only on the inner wall of the upper side of the outer lens 10, but the dimming layer 100 can also be formed on the inner wall of the side side of the outer lens 10.

[0045] Figure 6 The structures of the illuminated signs 1b and 1c shown in (a) and (b) are similar to those in the diagram. Figure 2 The illuminated sign 1 shown in (a) is basically the same as that shown in (b), except that the structure of the inner lens 12 is different. In the illuminated sign 1b, the inner lens 12 is configured to cover the side of the light-emitting element 13. As a result, the light emitted from the side of the light-emitting element 13 can be guided by the inner lens 12, and spot light caused by side emission can be suppressed. In the illuminated sign 1c, the inner lens 12 is configured to cover the top and side of the light-emitting element 13. As a result, spot light from both the side and the top can be suppressed. Furthermore, the inner lens 12 in the part directly above the light-emitting element 13 can be configured as a TIR (Total Internal Reflection) lens 12a that reflects upward light to the side and obliquely. As a result, the TIR lens 12a can be used to converge the light emitted from the light-emitting element 13 directly upward and to diffuse the light to the side and obliquely, which can further suppress spot light.

[0046] In addition, such as Figure 7 As shown in the illuminated sign 1d, the inner lens 12 is preferably composed of a single component. This allows for easy assembly of the illuminated sign 1d.

[0047] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the structural elements of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily without departing from the spirit of the invention. Additionally, the above embodiments do not limit the invention as described in the claims. Furthermore, it should be noted that not all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are essential means to solve the problems of the invention.

[0048] Explanation of the label

[0049] 1 Illuminated signage

[0050] 10 External Lens

[0051] 10a space

[0052] 11. Shell

[0053] 12 Internal Lenses

[0054] 13 Light-emitting elements

[0055] 14. Dimming film

[0056] 14a Exposed area

[0057] 14b Printing Department

[0058] 100 dimming layers

[0059] 101 Light-transmitting section

[0060] 102 Dimming Department

Claims

1. A luminous signboard, comprising: The outer lens constitutes the appearance of the sign; case; A light-emitting element, housed within a space sealed by the housing and the outer lens, emits light toward the outer lens; and A dimming layer is disposed between the light-emitting element and the outer lens. The dimming layer has: a light-transmitting portion that allows light from the light-emitting element to pass through; and a dimming portion for adjusting the brightness or color of the light.

2. The luminous sign according to claim 1, wherein, The dimming layer is composed of a dimming film, which is formed by printing a pattern for adjusting the brightness or color of the light onto a film body that allows light from the light-emitting element to pass through.

3. The luminous sign according to claim 2, wherein, The dimming film has: an exposed portion, in which the film body is exposed without the printing; and a printed portion, in which the printing has been performed. The exposed portion constitutes the light-transmitting portion, and the printed portion constitutes the light-adjusting portion. The printing is performed in such a way that the exposed portion or the printed portion forms a predetermined repeating pattern.

4. The luminous sign according to claim 3, wherein, The repeating pattern is a dot pattern.

5. The luminous sign according to claim 3, wherein, The dimming film is configured such that the greater the distance between it and the light-emitting element, the larger the proportion of the exposed portion and the smaller the proportion of the printed portion.

6. The luminous sign according to claim 3, wherein, The printed portion is configured to block light from the light-emitting element.

7. The luminous sign according to claim 2, wherein, The thin film body is configured to diffuse light from the light-emitting element.

8. The luminous sign according to claim 1, wherein, The outer lens has the space inside. The housing is configured to seal the space by closing the opening of the outer lens.

9. The luminous sign according to claim 1, wherein, The illuminated sign has an inner lens disposed between the light-emitting element and the outer lens, which guides the light from the light-emitting element in a direction intersecting the optical axis of the light-emitting element. The dimming layer is disposed between the inner lens and the outer lens.

10. The luminous sign according to claim 1, wherein, The dimming layer has a decorative layer, which is formed by creating a pattern on the inner wall of the outer lens for adjusting the brightness or color of the light. The portion of the decorative layer without the pattern constitutes the light-transmitting portion, and the portion with the pattern constitutes the dimming portion.

11. The luminous sign according to claim 10, wherein, The dimming layer has a protective layer that is disposed in a manner that covers the decorative layer to protect it.

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