Light-emitting device

Abstract

To provide a light-emitting device which can radiate bright light on a radiation surface even when the number of divisions is increased.SOLUTION: The light-emitting device includes: a light source part having a single light-emitting element and a light-emitting surface; and a liquid crystal shutter having a plurality of liquid crystal parts arranged above the light source part, each of the light crystal parts being capable of controlling the orientation of a liquid crystal and the outer edges of the liquid crystal parts being arranged in the inside of the light-emitting surface of the light source unit in a top view. A division radiation is possible in a radiation surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a light emitting device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, light emitting devices having a light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a light emitting device having a single light emitting element and a liquid crystal shutter that can be controlled in multiple divisions, and that is capable of multi-division irradiation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-106959 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A light emitting device is required to emit bright light onto an irradiation surface.

[0005] An object of an embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a light emitting device that can emit bright light even when the number of divisions increases on an illumination surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A light emitting device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a light source unit having a light emitting surface and including one light emitting element, and a liquid crystal shutter arranged above the light source unit and having a plurality of liquid crystal units each capable of controlling the orientation of liquid crystals, with the outer edges of the plurality of liquid crystal units arranged inside the light emitting surface of the light source unit when viewed from above, thereby enabling divided irradiation on the irradiation surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a light emitting device that can emit bright light even when the number of divisions increases on the irradiation surface. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a light emitting device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating the relationship between the outer edges of a plurality of liquid crystal portions and the light-emitting surface. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the liquid crystal shutter in the light emitting device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view showing a liquid crystal shutter according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a light emitting device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a light emitting device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a light emitting device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a phosphor layer in the light emitting device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view showing a liquid crystal shutter according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a light emitting device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a first example of the configuration of a light-emitting element according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a second example of the configuration of the light-emitting element according to the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Light-emitting devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments shown below are merely illustrative of light-emitting devices that embody the technical concepts of the present disclosure and are not limited thereto. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in the embodiments are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Note that the size, positional relationship, etc. of components shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity. Furthermore, in the following description, the same names and symbols indicate the same or similar components, and detailed description will be omitted as appropriate. An end view showing only the cut surface may be used as a cross-sectional view.

[0010] In each drawing, directions are expressed using a Cartesian coordinate system having an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are perpendicular to one another. The Z direction along the Z-axis indicates the normal direction of the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting device according to the embodiment. The X direction is the horizontal direction, and the Y direction is the vertical direction.

[0011] The direction in which the arrow points in the X direction is written as the +X direction or +X side, and the direction opposite to the +X direction is written as the -X direction or -X side. The direction in which the arrow points in the Y direction is written as the +Y direction or +Y side, and the direction opposite to the +Y direction is written as the -Y direction or -Y side. The direction in which the arrow points in the Z direction is written as up, the +Z direction or +Z side, and the direction opposite to the +Z direction is written as the -Z direction or -Z side.

[0012] In the embodiments, the term "top view" refers to viewing an object from the +Z direction. Furthermore, in the embodiments, the surface of an object viewed in the +Z direction or from the +Z side is referred to as the "top surface." However, these do not limit the orientation of the light-emitting device when in use, and the orientation of the light-emitting device is arbitrary. In the embodiments described below, "along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis" includes an object tilted within a range of ±10° relative to these axes. In the embodiments, "orthogonal" may include an error of ±10° relative to 90°.

[0013] Furthermore, in this specification or claims, when there are multiple elements of a certain type and they need to be distinguished from one another, the elements may be prefixed with "first," "second," etc. to distinguish them. Furthermore, the objects distinguished between this specification and the claims may differ. Therefore, even if the claims describe elements with the same prefixes as those in this specification, the objects identified by these elements may not coincide between this specification and the claims.

[0014] For example, if there are elements in this specification that are distinguished by the notation "first," "second," and "third," and the elements marked with "first" and "third" are recited in the claims, or if the elements marked with "first" and the elements not marked with a specific ordinal number are recited in the claims, the elements may be distinguished by the notation "first" and "second" in the claims for clarity. In this case, the elements marked with "first" and "second" in the claims refer to the elements marked with "first" and "third" in this specification, or the elements not marked with a specific ordinal number, respectively. Note that this rule is not limited to elements, and can be applied reasonably and flexibly to other objects as well.

[0015] [First embodiment] <Example of overall configuration of light-emitting device> The configuration of the light emitting device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a light emitting device 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram explaining an example of the relationship between the outer edges 23 of multiple liquid crystal sections 21 provided in a liquid crystal shutter 2 and the light emitting surface 11. Figs. 1 and 2 show a schematic cross section of the light emitting device 100 along the XZ plane. Fig. 3 is a schematic top view showing an example of the liquid crystal shutter 2 in the light emitting device 100.

[0016] As an example, the light emitting device 100 is mounted on a smartphone and serves as a flash light emitting device in an imaging device provided in the smartphone. The imaging device includes a camera that captures still images and a video camera that captures moving images.

[0017] 1 to 3, in this embodiment, the light emitting device 100 includes a light source unit 1 and a liquid crystal shutter 2. The light emitting device 100 may also include a housing 3, a mounting substrate 4, and a lens 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the light emitting device 100 is a light emitting device capable of divided irradiation on an irradiation surface 200.

[0018] The light source unit 1 is disposed on the upper surface (the surface on the +Z side) of the mounting substrate 4. The light source unit 1 includes one light emitting element 12 and has a light emitting surface 11. The light source unit 1 emits light L from the light emitting surface 11 in the direction of the liquid crystal shutter 2. The light L passes through the lens 5 and then enters the liquid crystal shutter 2.

[0019] 2, the liquid crystal shutter 2 is disposed above (on the +Z side of) the light source unit 1, and has a plurality of liquid crystal units 21, each capable of controlling the orientation of liquid crystals, with outer edges 23 of the plurality of liquid crystal units 21 being disposed inside the light-emitting surface 11 of the light source unit 1 when viewed from above. The liquid crystal shutter 2 also has an upper surface 24 (the surface on the +Z side) and a lower surface 25 (the surface on the -Z side).

[0020] As shown in Fig. 3, the liquid crystal shutter 2 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. The liquid crystal shutter 2 has a frame portion 27 including partition walls 26 that separate a plurality of liquid crystal sections 21. The plurality of liquid crystal sections 21 separated by the partition walls 26 are filled with liquid crystal and sealed to prevent the liquid crystal from leaking out. The width W in Fig. 3 is the width of the partition walls 26.

[0021] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21 include six liquid crystal sections 21 aligned in the X direction and seven liquid crystal sections 21 aligned in the Y direction, and are arranged in a 6×7 matrix. When viewed from above, each of the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21 has the same substantially square shape and has approximately the same area. When viewed from above, the corners of each of the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21 may have curved portions. When viewed from above, the separation distance between two opposing sides of the liquid crystal section 21 is, for example, not less than 50 μm and not more than 1500 μm, and preferably not less than 200 μm and not more than 700 μm.

[0022] In the example shown in this specification, outer edge 23 is defined by the -X side of liquid crystal section 21-1 located furthest on the -X side and the +X side of liquid crystal section 21-6 located furthest on the +X side among the six liquid crystal sections 21 aligned in the X direction. However, outer edge 23 may also be defined by the -Y side of liquid crystal section 21-1 located furthest on the -Y side and the +Y side of liquid crystal section 21-37 located furthest on the +Y side among the six liquid crystal sections 21 aligned in the Y direction.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the liquid crystal shutter 2 has a driver 22. The driver 22 may be an integrated circuit (IC). The driver 22 applies a voltage to each of the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21 in response to a control signal supplied from, for example, a smartphone in which the light emitting device 100 is mounted, thereby driving the liquid crystal of each of the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21. However, the driver 22 may also drive the liquid crystal in response to a control signal from a control section provided in the light emitting device 100. This control section may be configured using a microcomputer, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), or the like, or a combination of these.

[0024] The liquid crystal shutter 2 can change the orientation of the liquid crystal by driving the liquid crystal in each of the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21 using the drive section 22. By changing the orientation of the liquid crystal in each of the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21, the liquid crystal shutter 2 can switch each of the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21 between a state in which the liquid crystal section 21 almost completely transmits light incident from the light source section 1 (ON state) and a state in which the liquid crystal section 21 almost completely blocks light (OFF state). Each liquid crystal section 21 contains liquid crystal molecules. Examples of liquid crystal molecules include nematic liquid crystal, smectic liquid crystal, chiral nematic liquid crystal, cholesteric liquid crystal (lyotropic liquid crystal, thermotropic liquid crystal), ferroelectric liquid crystal, and antiferroelectric liquid crystal.

[0025] For example, in the state shown in FIG. 1 , among the liquid crystal sections 21-1 to 21-6, the liquid crystal shutter 2 transmits almost all of the light L from the light source section 1 through the liquid crystal section 21-6, while the liquid crystal sections 21-1 to 21-5 indicated by dotted hatching block almost all of the light L from the light source section 1. Of the light L incident on the liquid crystal sections 21-1 to 21-6, only the light incident on the liquid crystal section 21-6 is irradiated onto the irradiation surface 200. In this way, the light emitting device 100 individually controls the orientation of the liquid crystal in the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21, and can individually switch between an on state and an off state for each of the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21. As a result, the light emitting device 100 can individually switch between illumination and non-illumination for each of the plurality of regions divided on the irradiation surface 200, thereby irradiating the irradiation surface 200 in a divided manner. Furthermore, the light emitting device 100 can control the brightness of the irradiated light for each divided irradiation area on the irradiation surface 200 by controlling the amount of light L emitted from the light source unit 1 and by switching between the on and off states for each of the multiple liquid crystal units 21 of the liquid crystal shutter 2 in coordination with each other.

[0026] 1, the path of the light L from the light source unit 1 is shown in a schematic and exaggerated manner to make it easier to understand how the light L from the light source unit 1 is transmitted or blocked by each of the plurality of liquid crystal units 21. In addition, in FIGS. 2 and 3, among the plurality of liquid crystal units 21, the liquid crystal unit 21-6 not hatched with dots represents a liquid crystal unit that transmits almost all of the light L from the light source unit 1, as in FIG. 1. On the other hand, among the plurality of liquid crystal units 21, the liquid crystal unit 21 not hatched with dots represents a liquid crystal unit that blocks almost all of the light L from the light source unit 1. These points are the same in the following figures similar to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0027] The liquid crystal shutter 2 may not only switch between the on state and the off state, but may also change the orientation of the liquid crystal to change the transmittance for each of the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21. In other words, if the transmittance in the on state is 100% and the transmittance in the off state is 0%, the liquid crystal shutter 2 may change the transmittance for each of the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21 between 0% and 100%. The light emitting device 100 may not only switch between a state in which light L is irradiated and a state in which it is hardly irradiated on the irradiation surface 200, but also control the brightness of the light irradiated for each region irradiated with light L by changing the transmittance for each of the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21 in the liquid crystal shutter 2. In this case, the brightness of the light irradiated for each region irradiated with light L can be controlled by controlling the transmittance of the liquid crystal sections 21 in the liquid crystal shutter 2, so the amount of light L emitted from the light source unit 1 may be approximately constant.

[0028] The orientation of the liquid crystals in the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21 may be controlled individually, or the orientation of the liquid crystals may be controlled for each group. When the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21 transmit light L of a desired brightness individually or in groups, the contrast on the irradiation surface 200, onto which the light L from the light source section 1 is irradiated, can be improved. Furthermore, when the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21 transmit light L individually or in groups, the light emitting device 100 can perform partial irradiation on the irradiation surface 200. Here, partial irradiation means irradiating a partial region of the irradiation surface 200 with light.

[0029] In partial illumination, in which light is irradiated onto a portion of the illumination surface 200, it is preferable that the outer edge of the illumination light be clear so that the light irradiated onto the desired region stands out. That is, it is preferable that there is a large difference in illuminance between the desired region to be illuminated with light and regions other than the desired region. It is also preferable that there is little stray light around the illumination light in the desired region of the illumination surface 200 to be illuminated with light.

[0030] When the light-emitting device 100 is used as a light source for a flash in an imaging device, for example, it can be switched between a wide-angle mode and a narrow-angle mode. The wide-angle mode is, for example, a mode in which all of the liquid crystal units 21 transmit light L from the light source unit 1. On the other hand, the narrow-angle mode is, for example, a mode in which only the liquid crystal units 21 corresponding to the vicinity of the center of the light-emitting surface 11 transmit light L, and the liquid crystal units 21 located near the outer edge of the light-emitting surface 11 do not transmit light L. The illumination angle of each mode can be changed by, for example, changing the alignment direction of the liquid crystal units 21. For example, the angle θ1 between the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal unit 21 and the Z axis in the wide-angle mode may be larger than the angle θ2 between the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal unit 21 and the Z axis in the narrow-angle mode. This allows the illumination angle of light to be wider in the wide-angle mode than in the narrow-angle mode. In this embodiment, the light emitting device 100 can switch the illumination light between a wide-angle mode and a narrow-angle mode, so that the imaging device can take pictures according to the shooting mode, such as close-up or telephoto.

[0031] Furthermore, for example, when there are multiple subjects at different distances within the field of view of an imaging device, if light of a substantially uniform luminous intensity is irradiated across the entire field of view, the illuminance will be higher for subjects closer to the camera and lower for subjects farther from the camera. When multiple subjects are photographed under these conditions, the captured image may show overexposure for subjects closer to the camera, resulting in blown-out highlights, and underexposure for subjects farther from the camera, resulting in crushed shadows.

[0032] In this embodiment, light emitting device 100 can perform divided illumination on illumination surface 200, so the amount of light irradiated can be reduced for subjects closer to the camera equipped with light emitting device 100, and increased for subjects located farther from the camera. This makes it possible to reduce blown-out highlights and crushed shadows in captured images in this embodiment.

[0033] On the other hand, the greater the number of divisions in the divided irradiation, the higher the spatial resolution of the divided irradiation and the higher the contrast between each region on the irradiation surface. In contrast, for example, in a light-emitting device that uses multiple light-emitting units and performs divided irradiation by individually controlling the lighting of the multiple light-emitting units, the number of divisions in the divided irradiation can be increased by increasing the number of light-emitting units. However, there is a limit to shortening the distance between adjacent light-emitting units in the multiple light-emitting units. In other words, the distance between adjacent light-emitting units cannot be shorter than a predetermined limit. Therefore, in a light-emitting device using multiple light-emitting units, the greater the number of divisions in the divided irradiation, the smaller the area of ​​the light-emitting surface per light-emitting unit becomes to ensure a predetermined distance between adjacent light-emitting units. As a result, in a light-emitting device using multiple light-emitting units, the amount of light emitted from each light-emitting unit decreases depending on the area of ​​the light-emitting surface, and the light emitted from the light-emitting device may become dark.

[0034] In this embodiment, the distance between adjacent liquid crystal sections 21 used for divided irradiation is less restricted than the distance between adjacent light-emitting sections in a plurality of light-emitting sections. Therefore, in the light-emitting device 100, the distance between adjacent liquid crystal sections 21 in the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21 can be shortened, for example, by narrowing the width W of the partition wall 26 in FIG. 3 . The width W of the partition wall 26 is, for example, 1 μm or more and 150 μm or less, and preferably 10 μm or more and 70 μm or less. This allows the light-emitting device 100 to increase the area of ​​each liquid crystal section 21 compared to the area of ​​each light-emitting section in the plurality of light-emitting sections, while increasing the number of liquid crystal sections 21 and thereby increasing the number of divisions for divided irradiation. Furthermore, in the light-emitting device 100, the light source section 1 is not divided, so the area of ​​the light-emitting surface is not reduced, and the amount of light emitted from the light source section 1 is not reduced. As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to provide the light emitting device 100 that can emit bright light even when the number of divisions on the irradiation surface 200 increases.

[0035] 3 may have a black body color on the upper surface 24 and a black body color on the lower surface 25. This reduces the amount of light L from the light source unit 1 reflected by the lower surface 25 of the liquid crystal shutter 2, thereby reducing stray light resulting from light reflected by the lower surface 25 of the liquid crystal shutter 2. Furthermore, since the upper surface 24 of the liquid crystal shutter 2 visible from outside the light emitting device 100 can be unified in black, the aesthetic appearance of the light emitting device 100 can be improved.

[0036] Furthermore, the frame 27 may have a white body color on the upper surface 24 and a black body color on the lower surface 25. This reduces reflection of light L from the light source 1 on the lower surface 25 of the liquid crystal shutter 2, thereby reducing stray light resulting from light reflected on the lower surface 25 of the liquid crystal shutter 2. Furthermore, the upper surface 24 of the liquid crystal shutter 2, which is visible from outside the light emitting device 100, can be unified in white, improving the aesthetic appearance of the light emitting device 100. Furthermore, instead of making the upper surface 24 of the frame 27 white, a light-transmitting filter that is white in body color may be disposed between the liquid crystal shutter 2 and the translucent member 32.

[0037] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1 to 3, each component of the light emitting device 100 will be described in detail below.

[0038] (Light source part 1) As shown in FIG. 1, the light source unit 1 emits light L from a light-emitting surface 11 toward a liquid crystal shutter 2 arranged on the +Z side of the light source unit 1. The light-emitting surface 11 refers to the main light extraction surface of the light-emitting unit 10. The light source unit 1 includes an LED. The light L emitted by the light source unit 1 is preferably white light. However, the light L emitted by the light source unit 1 may also be light having a specific wavelength, such as blue. The wavelength and chromaticity of the light emitted by the light source unit 1 may be selected depending on the intended use of the light-emitting device 100. The light source unit 1 may also include an LD (Laser Diode).

[0039] The light source unit 1 is disposed on the +Z side surface of the mounting substrate 4, with the +Z side surface serving as the light-emitting surface 11 and the surface opposite to the light-emitting surface 11 serving as the mounting surface. The light source unit 1 includes a light-emitting element 12, a wavelength conversion member 13 provided on the +Z side surface of the light-emitting element 12, and a light-shielding member 14 that covers the side surfaces of the light-emitting element 12 and the wavelength conversion member 13 except for the +Z side surface of the wavelength conversion member 13. In other words, the side surfaces of the light-emitting element 12 and the wavelength conversion member 13 are each covered by the light-shielding member 14. This configuration reduces light leaking from the side surfaces of the light-emitting element 12 and the wavelength conversion member 13, allowing the light from the light source unit 1 to be irradiated onto a desired area.

[0040] It is preferable that at least a pair of positive and negative electrodes 15 (e.g., a p-side electrode and an n-side electrode) be provided on the surface of the light-emitting element 12 opposite to the light-emitting surface 11. In this embodiment, the shape of the light-emitting surface 11 when viewed from above is approximately rectangular. However, the shape of the light-emitting surface 11 when viewed from above may also be approximately circular or elliptical, or may be a polygon such as approximately triangular or hexagonal.

[0041] The light emitting element 12 is preferably made of various semiconductors such as III-V group compound semiconductors and II-VI group compound semiconductors. X Al Y Ga 1-X-Y It is preferable to use a nitride-based semiconductor such as InN (0≦X, 0≦Y, X+Y≦1), and InN, AlN, GaN, InGaN, AlGaN, InGaAlN, etc. can also be used. The light-emitting element 12 is, for example, an LED or an LD. From the viewpoints of luminous efficiency and excitation of the wavelength conversion substance, the emission peak wavelength of the light-emitting element 12 is preferably 400 nm or more and 530 nm or less, more preferably 420 nm or more and 490 nm or less, and even more preferably 450 nm or more and 475 nm or less.

[0042] The wavelength conversion member 13 is a member having, for example, a substantially rectangular outer shape when viewed from above. The wavelength conversion member 13 is provided so as to cover the upper surface of the light-emitting element 12. The wavelength conversion member 13 includes a light-transmitting resin material or an inorganic material such as ceramics or glass. Examples of resin materials that can be used include thermosetting resins such as silicone resin, silicone-modified resin, epoxy resin, epoxy-modified resin, and phenolic resin. Silicone resin or its modified resin, which has excellent light resistance and heat resistance, is particularly suitable. Here, light transmissivity preferably means that 60% or more of the light from the light-emitting element 12 is transmitted through the material. The wavelength conversion member 13 can be a thermoplastic resin such as polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, methylpentene resin, or polynorbornene resin. The wavelength conversion member 13 can further include a wavelength conversion substance that converts the wavelength of at least a portion of the light from the light-emitting element 12 in the resin. The wavelength conversion member 13 may also include a light-diffusing substance. For example, the wavelength conversion member 13 may be a resin material, ceramic, glass, or the like containing a wavelength conversion substance, a sintered body of a wavelength conversion substance, etc. Alternatively, the wavelength conversion member 13 may be a multilayer member in which a resin layer containing a wavelength conversion substance or a light diffusing substance is disposed on the ±Z side surfaces of a molded body of resin, ceramic, glass, or the like.

[0043] The wavelength converting material contained in the wavelength converting member 13 is, for example, an yttrium-aluminum-garnet phosphor (e.g., (Y,Gd)3(Al,Ga)5O 12 :Ce), lutetium aluminum garnet phosphors (e.g., Lu3(Al,Ga)5O 12 :Ce), terbium aluminum garnet phosphors (e.g., Tb3(Al,Ga)5O 12 :Ce), CCA-based phosphors (e.g., Ca 10 (PO4)6Cl2:Eu), SAE-based phosphors (e.g., Sr4Al 14 O 25 :Eu), chlorosilicate phosphors (e.g., Ca8MgSiO 16(Cl2:Eu), silicate phosphors (e.g., (Ba,Sr,Ca,Mg)2SiO4:Eu), β-sialon phosphors (e.g., (Si,Al)3(O,N)4:Eu) or α-sialon phosphors (e.g., Ca(Si,Al) 12 (O,N) 16 :Eu) and other oxynitride phosphors, LSN phosphors (e.g., (La,Y)3Si6N 11 :Ce), BSESN phosphors (e.g., (Ba,Sr)2Si5N8:Eu), SLA phosphors (e.g., SrLiAl3N4:Eu), CASN phosphors (e.g., CaAlSiN3:Eu) or SCASN phosphors (e.g., (Sr,Ca)AlSiN3:Eu) and other nitride phosphors, KSF phosphors (e.g., K2SiF6:Mn), KSAF phosphors (e.g., K2(Si 1-x Al x )F 6-x :Mn where 0 < x < 1. ) or MGF phosphors (e.g., 3.5MgO·0.5MgF2·GeO2:Mn) and other fluoride phosphors, quantum dots having a perovskite structure (e.g., (Cs,FA,MA)(Pb,Sn)(F,Cl,Br,I)3 where FA and MA represent formamidinium and methylammonium, respectively.), II-VI group quantum dots (e.g., CdSe), III-V group quantum dots (e.g., InP), or quantum dots having a chalcopyrite structure (e.g., (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)(S,Se)2) can be used. The wavelength conversion material described above is in the form of particles. Also, one of these wavelength conversion materials can be used alone, or two or more of these wavelength conversion materials can be used in combination.

[0044] In the embodiment, the light emitting device 100 uses a blue light emitting element as the light emitting element 12, and the wavelength converting member 13 contains a wavelength converting material that converts the wavelength of the light emitted from the light emitting element 12 to yellow, thereby emitting white light. Examples of the light diffusing material contained in the wavelength converting member 13 include titanium oxide, barium titanate, aluminum oxide, and silicon oxide. The light diffusing material is a material that scatters light that enters the wavelength converting member 13 or light that is wavelength converted by the wavelength converting material and emitted.

[0045] The light-shielding member 14 is a member that covers the side surfaces of the light-emitting element 12 and the wavelength conversion member 13. The light-shielding member 14 directly or indirectly covers the side surfaces of the light-emitting element 12 and the wavelength conversion member 13. The upper surface of the wavelength conversion member 13 is exposed from the light-shielding member 14 and is the light-emitting surface 11 of the light source unit 1. The light-shielding member 14 is preferably made of a member with high light reflectivity to improve light extraction efficiency. For example, a resin material containing a light-reflecting substance such as a white pigment can be used for the light-shielding member 14. When the light-shielding member 14 contains a light-reflecting substance, it becomes easier to efficiently reflect light that reaches the light-shielding member 14.

[0046] Examples of light-reflecting materials include titanium oxide, zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, barium titanate, barium sulfate, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, and silicon oxide. It is preferable to use one of these materials alone or two or more of these materials in combination. Furthermore, it is preferable to use a resin material containing a thermosetting resin, such as epoxy resin, epoxy-modified resin, silicone resin, silicone-modified resin, or phenolic resin, as the base material. The light-blocking member 14 may also contain a light-absorbing material, such as carbon black.

[0047] The light source unit 1 is electrically connected to wiring 41 provided on the mounting substrate 4. The mounting substrate 4 preferably has wiring 41 arranged on its surface. The mounting substrate 4 may also have wiring 41 inside. The light source unit 1 and the mounting substrate 4 are electrically connected by connecting the wiring 41 of the mounting substrate 4 to at least a pair of positive and negative electrodes 15 of the light source unit 1 via a conductive adhesive member 42. The configuration, size, etc. of the wiring 41 of the mounting substrate 4 are set according to the configuration and size of the electrodes 15 of the light source unit 1.

[0048] The wiring 41 can be made of at least one of copper, iron, nickel, tungsten, chromium, aluminum, silver, gold, titanium, palladium, rhodium, alloys thereof, etc. Furthermore, a layer of silver, platinum, aluminum, rhodium, gold, alloys thereof, etc. may be provided on the surface of the wiring 41 from the viewpoint of wettability and / or light reflectivity of the conductive adhesive member 42.

[0049] (Case 3) The housing 3 houses the light source unit 1, the liquid crystal shutter 2, the mounting substrate 4, and the lens 5. The housing 3 may be made of a material having light-blocking properties. For example, when the light emitting device 100 is mounted on a smartphone together with a camera for use as a flash, the housing 3 is preferably made of a resin material containing a light-reflective substance or a light-absorbing material, for example, so as to reduce the influence of light emitted from the light emitting device 100 on optical elements such as the camera arranged around the light emitting device 100.

[0050] An opening 31 is provided in the housing 3. The opening 31 is disposed above the light-emitting surface 11 of the light source unit 1 housed in the housing 3. In a top view, a light-transmitting member 32 is disposed inside the opening 31. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the light-transmitting member 32 is a plate-shaped member. The light-transmitting member 32 is disposed inside the opening 31 and fixed to the housing 3 with an adhesive member or the like. The light-transmitting member 32 is optically transparent to the light emitted by the light source unit 1, and is made of at least one of a resin material such as polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, silicone resin, or epoxy resin, or a glass material. The light transmittance of the light-transmitting member 32 refers to the property of being able to transmit 80% or more of the light L from the light source unit 1.

[0051] The light-transmitting member 32 overlaps with the light source unit 1, the lens 5, and the liquid crystal shutter 2 in a top view. Light L emitted from the light source unit 1 and transmitted through the lens 5 and the liquid crystal shutter 2 passes through the light-transmitting member 32 and is irradiated onto the irradiation surface 200. The light-transmitting member 32 functions as an exit window through which the light L is emitted from the light-emitting device 100, and also reduces the intrusion of foreign matter such as dust and water into the housing 3 from the outside.

[0052] In this embodiment, the liquid crystal shutter 2 may have the same area as the opening of the housing 3 that houses the light emitting device 100, as viewed from above. This increases the light utilization efficiency compared to when the area of ​​the liquid crystal shutter 2 is larger than the opening area of ​​the housing 3, as viewed from above. Furthermore, it reduces the amount of leaked light that is emitted from the light source unit 1 and passes through the outside of the liquid crystal shutter 2, as compared to when the area of ​​the liquid crystal shutter 2 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the housing 3.

[0053] (Mounting board 4) The mounting substrate 4 is a substrate having wiring on which the light source unit 1 and various electric elements can be arranged. The mounting substrate 4 preferably uses an insulating material as a base material, and preferably uses a material that is difficult to transmit the light L emitted from the light source unit 1 and external light, and preferably uses a material having a certain strength. Specifically, the mounting substrate 4 can be formed using ceramics such as alumina, aluminum nitride, mullite, silicon nitride, or a resin such as phenol resin, epoxy resin, polyimide resin, BT resin (bismaleimide triazine resin), polyphthalamide, or polyester resin as a base material.

[0054] (Lens 5) The lens 5 is disposed between the liquid crystal shutter 2 and the light source unit 1. The lens 5 transmits light L from the light source unit 1. The lens 5 may have other forms, such as a plano-convex single lens, a biconvex single lens, a biconcave single lens, a plano-concave single lens, a Fresnel lens, a lens assembly consisting of multiple lenses, an array lens, a meniscus single lens, an aspherical lens, or a cylindrical lens.

[0055] The lens 5 is optically transparent to the light emitted by the light source unit 1, and is made of at least one of a resin material such as polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, silicone resin, or epoxy resin, or a glass material. The optical transparency of the lens 5 refers to the ability to transmit 60% or more of the light from the light source unit 1.

[0056] In this embodiment, the lens 5 is disposed so as to cover the light source unit 1. Of the light L emitted from the light source unit 1, the light that cannot reach the lens 5 and is lost can be reduced, thereby increasing the light utilization efficiency of the light emitting device 100.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lens 5 may be a liquid crystal lens. A liquid crystal lens is a lens whose focal length can be changed by changing the refractive index of the liquid crystal sealed in an encapsulating member that is translucent to the light L from the light source unit 1, depending on the voltage applied to the liquid crystal. Examples of liquid crystal materials that can be used for the liquid crystal lens include nematic liquid crystal, smectic liquid crystal, chiral nematic liquid crystal, cholesteric liquid crystal (lyotropic liquid crystal, thermotropic liquid crystal), ferroelectric liquid crystal, and antiferroelectric liquid crystal. By using a liquid crystal lens as the lens 5, the traveling direction of the light L incident on the liquid crystal shutter 2 can be controlled, thereby increasing the diversity of light distribution of the light emitting device.

[0058] (Modification of Liquid Crystal Shutter 2) The liquid crystal shutter 2 according to this embodiment can be modified in various ways. Fig. 4 is a schematic top view showing an example of a liquid crystal shutter 2a according to a modified example. Note that the same names and symbols as those in the embodiments and modified examples already described indicate the same or similar members or components, and detailed explanations will be omitted as appropriate. This also applies to the other embodiments and modified examples described below.

[0059] In this modified example, the main differences from the liquid crystal shutter 2 described above are the number of liquid crystal portions 21a in the liquid crystal shutter 2a and the shape and area of ​​the liquid crystal portions 21a in a top view.

[0060] 4, the number of the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21a is nine. The plurality of liquid crystal sections 21a includes liquid crystal sections 21a-1 to 21a-9. Each of the liquid crystal sections 21a-1 to 21a-9 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. The corners of each of the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21 when viewed from above may have curved portions.

[0061] The multiple liquid crystal sections 21a have different shapes. Specifically, in a top view, liquid crystal section 21a-5 located at the center of liquid crystal shutter 2a and liquid crystal sections 21a-1, 21a-3, 21a-7, and 21a-9 located at the four corners each have a substantially square shape. Meanwhile, liquid crystal section 21a-2 located at the center on the -Y side in the X direction (horizontal direction) and liquid crystal section 21a-8 located at the center on the +Y side in the X direction each have a substantially rectangular shape with the X direction as its longitudinal axis. Furthermore, liquid crystal section 21a-4 located at the center on the -X side in the Y direction (vertical direction) and liquid crystal section 21a-6 located at the center on the +X side in the Y direction each have a substantially rectangular shape with the Y direction as its longitudinal axis.

[0062] The areas of the multiple liquid crystal portions 21a are different. The areas of liquid crystal portions 21a-2, 21a-4, 21a-6, and 21a-8 are approximately equal. The areas of liquid crystal portions 21a-1, 21a-3, 21a-7, and 21a-9 are approximately equal. The areas of liquid crystal portions 21a-2, 21a-4, 21a-6, and 21a-8 are larger than the areas of liquid crystal portions 21a-1, 21a-3, 21a-7, and 21a-9, respectively. The area of ​​liquid crystal portion 21a-5 is larger than the areas of liquid crystal portions 21a-2, 21a-4, 21a-6, and 21a-8, respectively.

[0063] As described above, in this modification, the shapes and areas of the plurality of liquid crystal sections 21a may be different. The liquid crystal section 21a-5 located at the center of the liquid crystal shutter 2a may be made larger in area than the surrounding liquid crystal sections. For example, in telephoto mode, it may be necessary to irradiate light using only the liquid crystal section 21-a. In such cases, it may be difficult to ensure the amount of exposure required for shooting in telephoto mode. Therefore, in this modification, by making the area of ​​the liquid crystal section 21a-5 larger in area than the area of ​​the surrounding liquid crystal sections, for example, when irradiating light using only the liquid crystal section 21-a in telephoto mode, it is possible to brighten the irradiated light and ensure the amount of exposure required for shooting.

[0064] In the embodiment, the areas and shapes of the multiple liquid crystal sections may all be the same as shown in Figure 3, or some of the multiple liquid crystal sections may be the same and others may be different as shown in Figure 4, or all of the multiple liquid crystal sections may be different from each other.

[0065] [Second embodiment] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a light-emitting device 100a according to a second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the light-emitting device 100a taken along the XZ plane. The light-emitting device according to this embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in that it includes at least one electronic component located around the light source unit 1. In this embodiment, the electronic component is a light-receiving element 6. In a top view, the liquid crystal shutter 2 may be disposed so as to overlap with the light source unit 1, while the light-receiving element 6 may be disposed so as not to overlap with the light source unit 1. In this embodiment, a light-transmitting member 32a is disposed above the liquid crystal shutter 2, and the light-transmitting member 32a may include, on the surface facing the liquid crystal shutter 2, a light-guiding section 33 capable of guiding light from outside the light-emitting device 100a (hereinafter referred to as external light M) to the light-receiving element 6.

[0066] 5, the light receiving element 6 is an example of an electronic component. The light receiving element 6 detects the amount of external light M from the light emitting device 100a. The light receiving element 6 is, for example, a photodiode.

[0067] The light-transmitting member 32a is disposed above the liquid crystal shutter 2. The light-transmitting member 32a has, on its surface (the surface on the -Z side) facing the liquid crystal shutter 2, a light-guiding section 33 that can guide external light M from the light-emitting device 100a to the light-receiving element 6. The light-guiding section 33 is, for example, a Fresnel lens surface. In other words, the light-transmitting member 32a may have a Fresnel lens surface on its surface facing the liquid crystal shutter 2. The light-receiving element 6 can detect the amount of external light M guided by the light-guiding section 33, and provide feedback to a control section or the like that controls the lighting of the light source section 1.

[0068] The light emitting device 100a can control the amount of light emitted from the light emitting device 100a according to the amount of external light M detected by the light receiving element 6. By controlling the amount of light emitted according to the amount of external light M, the light emitting device 100a can emit an appropriate amount of light according to the ambient brightness when photographing with an imaging device in which the light emitting device 100a is used as a flash, and photographing can be performed with appropriate brightness.

[0069] The light receiving element 6 is arranged so as not to overlap with the light source unit 1, and therefore, the external light M of the light emitting device 100a can be incident on the light receiving element 6 without being blocked by the liquid crystal shutter 2, and the amount of external light M can be detected with high accuracy using the light receiving element 6. Furthermore, the light emitting device 100a includes the light guiding section 33 in the light-transmitting member 32a, which increases the efficiency with which the external light M enters the light receiving element 6, and therefore increases the accuracy with which the amount of external light M can be detected using the light receiving element 6.

[0070] The electronic component according to this embodiment is not limited to the light receiving element 6, and may be, for example, an ESD (Electro Static Discharge) protection diode. The ESD protection diode is, for example, a Zener diode. Furthermore, there may be two or more electronic components according to this embodiment.

[0071] The light-transmitting member 32a may have a Fresnel lens surface for light distribution control in addition to the light guide section 33 on the surface facing the liquid crystal shutter 2. The Fresnel lens surface for light distribution control is provided on the surface of the light-transmitting member 32a facing the liquid crystal shutter 2 so as to overlap with the light-emitting surface 11 in a top view. The Fresnel lens surface for light distribution control in the light-emitting device 100a can increase the versatility of light distribution in the light-emitting device 100a. Furthermore, since the light from the light source section 1 can be concentrated by the Fresnel lens surface for light distribution control, the light utilization efficiency of the light-emitting device 100a can be improved.

[0072] Other effects of this embodiment than those described above are almost the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0073] [Third embodiment] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a light-emitting device 100b according to a third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the light-emitting device 100b along the XZ plane. The light-emitting device 100b according to this embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in that it further includes a light guide 7 that is disposed between the lens 5 and the light source unit 1 and that is in surface contact with both the lower surface of the lens 5 and the light-emitting surface 11 of the light source unit 1. The light-emitting device 100b may also include at least one variable color filter 8 between the liquid crystal shutter 2 and the translucent member 32 disposed above the liquid crystal shutter 2.

[0074] 6, the light guide 7 is in contact with both the lower surface 52 of the lens 5 and the light emitting surface 11 of the light source unit 1. The light guide 7 is made of a material such as resin or glass that is translucent to the light from the light source unit 1. The light guide 7 has an incident surface 71, an exit surface 72, and a reflecting surface 73.

[0075] Light L emitted from the light source unit 1 enters the light guide 7 through an incident surface 71 that is in surface contact with the light-emitting surface 11. A portion of the light L that enters the light guide 7 and is guided inside the light guide 7 exits the light guide 7 through an exit surface 72 of the light guide 7 that is in surface contact with the lower surface 52 of the lens 5. Another portion of the light L that enters the light guide 7 and is guided inside the light guide 7 is totally reflected by a reflecting surface 73 that intersects with the incident surface 71 of the light guide 7, is guided again inside the light guide 7, and then exits the light guide 7 through the exit surface 72 of the light guide 7. The light L that exits from the exit surface 72 passes through the lens 5 and enters the liquid crystal shutter 2.

[0076] The light emitting device 100b has the light guide 7, which reduces interfacial reflection of the light L from the light source unit 1 on the lower surface 52 of the lens 5 and can guide the light L from the light source unit 1 to the lens 5. Therefore, the light emitting device 100b can reduce optical loss caused by a portion of the light L from the light source unit 1 not entering the lens 5, thereby increasing the light utilization efficiency of the light emitting device 100b. From the perspective of reducing interfacial reflection on the lower surface 52 of the lens 5, it is preferable that the refractive index of the light guide 7 is close to the refractive index of the lens 5.

[0077] The light-emitting device 100b may include a support member 51 that supports the lens 5. The support member 51 may be a light-blocking member. For example, when the light-emitting device 100 is mounted on a smartphone together with a camera for flash purposes, the support member 51 is preferably made of a resin material containing a light-reflecting substance or a light-absorbing material, for example, to reduce the influence of light emitted from the light-emitting device 100 on optical elements such as the camera arranged around the light-emitting device 100. The lens 5 and the support member 51 may also be integrally formed. For example, the lens 5 and the support member 51 can be integrally formed by injection molding the resins that respectively constitute the lens 5 and the support member 51. Alternatively, the lens 5 and the support member 51 may be integrally formed by bonding separately manufactured lens 5 and support member 51 with an adhesive or the like.

[0078] The variable color filter 8 is disposed between the liquid crystal shutter 2 and the light-transmitting member 32. The variable color filter 8 can be realized by, for example, a color liquid crystal panel. The variable color filter 8 changes the color of the image displayed on the color liquid crystal panel in response to the application of a drive voltage, thereby changing the color of the light that passes through the variable color filter 8. By having the variable color filter 8, the light emitting device 100b can adjust the color of the light emitted from the light emitting device 100b. Note that the light emitting device 100b is not limited to being equipped with one variable color filter 8, and may be equipped with multiple variable color filters 8.

[0079] Other effects of this embodiment than those described above are almost the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0080] [Fourth embodiment] A light emitting device according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 9. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a light emitting device 100c according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the light emitting device 100c along the XZ plane. Fig. 8 is a schematic top view of a phosphor layer in the light emitting device 100c. Fig. 9 is a schematic top view showing a liquid crystal shutter 2c.

[0081] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, in this embodiment, the light source unit is disposed on the light-emitting element 12 and includes a phosphor layer 13c including a first phosphor portion 131 and a second phosphor portion 132. The multiple liquid crystal portions 21c in the liquid crystal shutter 2c are divided into groups each including two or more adjacent liquid crystal portions 21c. Light L passing through two or more liquid crystal portions 21c in each group illuminates the same area on the irradiation surface 200. Light L1 transmitted through the first phosphor portion 131 passes through the first liquid crystal portion 21c-1 of the two or more liquid crystal portions 21c, and light L2 transmitted through the second phosphor portion 132 passes through the second liquid crystal portion 21c-2 of the two or more liquid crystal portions 21c. In the same area, light L1 transmitted through the first liquid crystal portion 21c-1 and light L2 transmitted through the second liquid crystal portion 21c-2 are mixed. These points are different from the first embodiment.

[0082] 8, the phosphor layer 13c, when viewed from above, includes nine first phosphor portions 131 and nine second phosphor portions 132. The first phosphor portions 131 and the second phosphor portions 132 are arranged alternately in the X direction.

[0083] As shown in Figure 9, the liquid crystal shutter 2c includes six liquid crystal sections 21c aligned in the X direction and six liquid crystal sections 21c aligned in the Y direction. Each of the liquid crystal sections 21c has approximately the same area when viewed from above. Each of the liquid crystal sections 21c has approximately the same rectangular shape when viewed from above. The corners of each of the liquid crystal sections 21c when viewed from above may have curved portions.

[0084] The plurality of liquid crystal sections 21c are divided into groups each including two or more adjacent liquid crystal sections 21c. The plurality of liquid crystal sections 21c are divided into nine liquid crystal section groups 20c including a first liquid crystal section group 20c-1, a second liquid crystal section group 20c-2, and a third liquid crystal section group 20c-3. Each of the nine liquid crystal section groups 20c includes four liquid crystal sections 21c. Light L emitted from the light source section 1 and passing through the four liquid crystal sections 21c in one liquid crystal section group is irradiated onto approximately the same region on the irradiation surface 200 in FIG. 7.

[0085] 7 and 9, light L1 (e.g., white light) that has passed through a first phosphor element 131 included in the light source element 1c is incident on two first liquid crystal elements 21c-1 out of four liquid crystal elements 21c included in one liquid crystal element group 20c. Light L2 (e.g., amber light) that has passed through a second phosphor element 132 included in the light source element 1c is incident on two second liquid crystal elements 21c-2 out of four liquid crystal elements 21c included in one liquid crystal element group 20c.

[0086] 9, each of the two first liquid crystal portions 21c-1 transmits light L1. Each of the two second liquid crystal portions 21c-2 transmits light L2. In this embodiment, by adjusting the ratio between the transmittances of the two first liquid crystal portions 21c-1 and the two second liquid crystal portions 21c-2, the color of the light L1 and the color of the light L2 can be mixed to adjust the color of the light emitted from the light emitting device 100c.

[0087] Furthermore, for example, the transmittance of a liquid crystal for white light and amber light may differ. For example, the transmittance for amber light may be lower than the transmittance for white light. In this case, the content of the light-diffusing material contained in the second phosphor section 132 can be made higher than the content of the light-diffusing material contained in the first phosphor section 131. This increases the proportion of light incident on the second phosphor section 132 that is scattered by the light-diffusing material, allowing efficient wavelength-conversion of light to be emitted from the second phosphor section 132. The content of the light-diffusing material contained in the first or second phosphor section refers to the proportion of the light-diffusing material contained in the first or second phosphor section relative to the total weight of the first or second phosphor section. The mixed light, e.g., white light, of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 12 and the light emitted from the first phosphor section 131 may have a color temperature of 1800 K or higher and 7500 K or lower. The mixed light of the light emitted from the light emitting element 12 and the light emitted from the second phosphor element 132, for example, amber light, may be light whose emission spectrum has a peak emission wavelength in the range of 580 nm to 630 nm, and whose emission intensity at the peak emission wavelength in the wavelength range of 580 nm to 630 nm is, for example, 5 times or more, and preferably 10 times or more, of the emission intensity at the emission peak of the light emitting element 12. As a result, in this embodiment, the difference in transmittance of the liquid crystal for white light and amber light can be compensated for, and color adjustment can be performed with high precision.

[0088] [Fifth embodiment] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a light emitting device 100d according to a fifth embodiment. Fig. 10 shows a schematic cross section of the light emitting device 100d along the XZ plane. The light emitting device 100d according to this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has a liquid crystal lens 9 that is disposed above the liquid crystal shutter 2 and can individually control the direction of travel of light L from the liquid crystal shutter 2 for each of a plurality of regions corresponding to a plurality of liquid crystal sections 21.

[0089] In this embodiment, the light emitting device 100d has a liquid crystal lens 9, which allows the direction of travel of light transmitted through each of the multiple liquid crystal sections 21 to be controlled, thereby improving the diversity of light distribution of the light emitting device 100d.

[0090] [Sixth embodiment] 11 and 12 are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of a light-emitting element 12e used in a light-emitting device according to a sixth embodiment. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a first example. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a second example. Figs. 11 and 12 each show a schematic cross section of a light-emitting device 100d taken along the XZ plane. The light-emitting element 12e of the light source section according to this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has multiple light-emitting layers.

[0091] 11 , the light-emitting element 12e according to the first example includes a sapphire substrate 111, an n-GaN layer 112, a first light-emitting layer 113, a p-GaN layer 114, an n-GaN layer 115, a second light-emitting layer 116, and a p-GaN layer 117. The n-GaN layer 112, the first light-emitting layer 113, the p-GaN layer 114, the n-GaN layer 115, the second light-emitting layer 116, and the p-GaN layer 117 are stacked in this order on the sapphire substrate 111 (on the +Z side). A cathode electrode is disposed on the n-GaN layer 112, and an anode electrode is disposed on the p-GaN layer 117.

[0092] The light-emitting device 12e according to the first example is a semiconductor stack in which a first stack 110a including an n-GaN layer 112, a first light-emitting layer 113, and a p-GaN layer 114 and a second stack 110b including an n-GaN layer 115, a second light-emitting layer 116, and a p-GaN layer 117 are stacked via a tunnel junction layer 118. The first light-emitting layer 113 and the second light-emitting layer 116 correspond to a plurality of light-emitting layers. The tunnel junction layer 118 is in contact with the p-type semiconductor layer of the first stack 110a and the n-type semiconductor layer of the second stack 110b. The tunnel junction layer 118 includes at least one of a p-type semiconductor layer having an acceptor concentration higher than that of the p-type semiconductor layer and an n-type semiconductor layer having a donor concentration higher than that of the n-type semiconductor layer.

[0093] 12, a light-emitting element 12e according to the second example includes a sapphire substrate 121, an n-GaN layer 122, a p-GaN layer 123, a first light-emitting layer 124, an n-GaN layer 125, a second light-emitting layer 126, and a p-GaN layer 127. The n-GaN layer 122, the p-GaN layer 123, the first light-emitting layer 124, the n-GaN layer 125, the second light-emitting layer 126, and the p-GaN layer 127 are stacked in this order on the sapphire substrate 111 (on the +Z side).

[0094] The p-GaN layer 123, the first light-emitting layer 124, and the n-GaN layer 125 constitute a third stacked body 120a. The n-GaN layer 125, the second light-emitting layer 126, and the p-GaN layer 127 constitute a fourth stacked body 120b. The light-emitting element 12e according to the second example is a semiconductor in which the n-GaN layer 125 of the third stacked body 120a and the fourth stacked body 120b is common to both, and the first light-emitting layer 124, the n-GaN layer 125, and the second light-emitting layer 126 are sandwiched between the p-GaN layer 123 and the p-GaN layer 127. Anode electrodes are disposed on the p-GaN layer 127 and the n-GaN layer 122, respectively, and a cathode electrode is disposed on the n-GaN layer 125. The third stacked body 120a and the fourth stacked body 120b are connected in series.

[0095] The light-emitting device 12e according to the second example further includes an n-GaN layer 122 below the p-GaN layer 123 on the sapphire substrate 121 side. The n-GaN layer 122 and the p-GaN layer 123 are stacked via a tunnel junction layer 128. The first light-emitting layer 124 and the second light-emitting layer 126 correspond to multiple light-emitting layers. In the configuration of the light-emitting device 12e according to the second example, the p-GaN layer 123 is thin, so the n-GaN layer 122 can spread the current.

[0096] In this embodiment, the light emitted from the light emitting device according to the embodiment can be brightened by using light from each of the plurality of light emitting layers included in the light emitting element 12e. Note that the number of the plurality of light emitting layers included in the light emitting element 12e is not limited to two, and may be three or more.

[0097] Although the preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0098] All ordinal numbers, quantitative numbers, and other figures used in the description of the embodiments are provided as examples to specifically explain the technology of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated figures. Furthermore, the connection relationships between components are provided as examples to specifically explain the technology of the present disclosure, and do not limit the connection relationships that realize the functions of the present disclosure.

[0099] The light-emitting module of the present disclosure can reduce stray light on the irradiated surface and is therefore suitable for use in lighting, camera flashes, vehicle headlights, etc. However, the light-emitting module of the present disclosure is not limited to these applications.

[0100] Aspects of the present disclosure are, for example, as follows. <Item 1> A light emitting device that includes a light source unit having a light emitting surface and including one light emitting element, and a liquid crystal shutter that is arranged above the light source unit and has a plurality of liquid crystal units each capable of controlling the orientation of liquid crystals, and the outer edges of the plurality of liquid crystal units are arranged inside the light emitting surface of the light source unit when viewed from above, and that is capable of divided irradiation on an irradiation surface. <Item 2> The light emitting device according to <Item 1>, wherein the liquid crystal shutter has the same area as an opening of a housing that houses the light emitting device when viewed from above. <Item 3> The light emitting device according to <Item 1> or <Item 2> further comprises at least one lens between the liquid crystal shutter and the light source unit. <Item 4> The light emitting device according to <Item 3>, further comprising a light guide disposed between the lens and the light source unit, in surface contact with the lower surface of the lens and the light emitting surface of the light source unit. <Item 5> The light emitting device according to <Item 3> or <Item 4>, wherein the lens is disposed so as to cover the light source unit. <Item 6> The light emitting device according to any one of <Item 3> to <Item 5>, wherein the lens is a liquid crystal lens. <Item 7> The light emitting device according to any one of <Item 1> to <Item 6>, further comprising a liquid crystal lens disposed above the liquid crystal shutter, which can individually control the direction of light from the liquid crystal shutter for each of a plurality of regions corresponding to the plurality of liquid crystal sections. <Item 8> The light emitting device according to any one of <Item 1> to <Item 7>, which is arranged above the liquid crystal shutter and has a light-transmitting member having a Fresnel lens surface on the surface facing the liquid crystal shutter. <Item 9> The light emitting device according to any one of <Item 1> to <Item 8>, further comprising at least one electronic component in the periphery of the light source unit. <Item 10> The light-emitting device according to <Item 9>, wherein the electronic component is a light-receiving element, and the liquid crystal shutter is arranged so as to overlap the light source unit in a top view, and the light-receiving element is arranged so as not to overlap the light source unit. <Item 11> The light-emitting device according to <Item 9> or <Item 10>, further comprising a light-transmitting member disposed above the liquid crystal shutter, the light-transmitting member having a light-guiding section on the surface facing the liquid crystal shutter that can guide light from outside the light-emitting device to the light-receiving element. <Item 12> The light emitting device according to any one of <Item 1> to <Item 11>, wherein the light emitting element includes a plurality of light emitting layers. <Item 13> The liquid crystal shutter has a frame portion including partition walls that separate the plurality of liquid crystal portions, In the light emitting device according to any one of <Item 1> to <Item 12>, the frame has a black body color on the upper surface and a black body color on the lower surface. <Item 14> The liquid crystal shutter has a frame portion including partition walls that separate the plurality of liquid crystal portions, In the light emitting device according to any one of <Item 1> to <Item 13>, the frame has a white body color on the upper surface and a black body color on the lower surface. <Item 15> The light emitting device according to any one of <Item 1> to <Item 14>, wherein the light source section is covered with a light blocking member. <Item 16> The light emitting device according to any one of <Item 1> to <Item 15>, further comprising at least one variable color filter between the liquid crystal shutter and a translucent member disposed above the liquid crystal shutter. <Item 17> The light emitting device is described in any one of <Item 1> to <Item 16>, wherein the light source section is disposed on the light emitting element and comprises a phosphor layer including a first phosphor section and a second phosphor section, the plurality of liquid crystal sections in the liquid crystal shutter are divided into groups each including two or more adjacent liquid crystal sections, light passing through the two or more liquid crystal sections in each group illuminates the same area on the irradiation surface, light transmitted through the first phosphor section passes through a first liquid crystal section of the two or more liquid crystal sections, and light transmitted through the second phosphor section passes through a second liquid crystal section of the two or more liquid crystal sections, and in the area, the light that passed through the first liquid crystal section and the light that passed through the second liquid crystal section are mixed. <Item 18> The light emitting device according to <Item 17>, wherein the first phosphor portion comprises a first resin portion and at least one first phosphor contained in the first resin portion, the second phosphor portion comprises a second resin portion and at least one second phosphor contained in the second resin portion, the mixed light of the light emitted from the light emitting element and the light emitted from the first phosphor portion is white light having a color temperature of 1800K or more and 7500K or less, the mixed light of the light emitted from the light emitting element and the light emitted from the second phosphor portion is amber light, and a content ratio of a light diffusing material contained in the second phosphor portion is greater than a content ratio of a light diffusing material contained in the first phosphor portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1, 1c light source section 11 Light-emitting surface 12, 12e Light-emitting element 13 Wavelength conversion material 13c Phosphor layer 131 First phosphor section 132 Second phosphor section 14 Light blocking material 15 electrodes 2, 2a, 2c LCD shutter 20c LCD group 20c-1 1st liquid crystal group 20c-2 2nd liquid crystal group 20c-3 3rd liquid crystal group 21, 21-1 to 21-9 LCD part 21a, 21a~21a-9 LCD section 21c-1 1st liquid crystal section 21c-2 2nd liquid crystal section 22 Drive unit 23 Outer Edge 24 Top side 25 Bottom side 26 Bulkhead 27 Frame 3. Housing 31 Aperture 32, 32a Translucent member 33 Light guide section 4 Mounting board 41 Wiring 42 Conductive adhesive material 5 Lenses 51 Support member 52 Underside of lens 6. Photodetector (an example of an electronic component) 7 Light guide 71 Incidence plane 72 Exit surface 73 Reflective surface 8 Variable Color Filters 9 Liquid crystal lens 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d Light-emitting device 110a First laminate 110b Second laminate 111, 121 Sapphire substrate 112 n-GaN layer 113, 124 First light-emitting layer 114 p-GaN layer 115 n-GaN layer 116, 126 Second light-emitting layer 117 p-GaN layer 120a Third laminate 120b 4th layered body 122 n-GaN layer 123 p-GaN layer 125 n-GaN layer 127 p-GaN layer 200 irradiation surface L, L1, L2 light M external light w

Claims

1. a light source unit including one light emitting element and having a light emitting surface; a liquid crystal shutter that is disposed above the light source unit, and has a plurality of liquid crystal units each capable of controlling the orientation of liquid crystal, and an outer edge of the plurality of liquid crystal units is disposed inside the light emitting surface of the light source unit in a top view; A light emitting device capable of splitting irradiation on an irradiation surface.

2. The light emitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid crystal shutter has the same area as an opening of a housing that houses the light emitting device, when viewed from above.

3. The light emitting device according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one lens between the liquid crystal shutter and the light source unit.

4. The light emitting device according to claim 3 , further comprising a light guide disposed between the lens and the light source section, the light guiding body being in surface contact with a lower surface of the lens and the light emitting surface of the light source section.

5. The light emitting device according to claim 3 , wherein the lens is disposed so as to cover the light source portion.

6. The light emitting device according to claim 3 , wherein the lens is a liquid crystal lens.

7. 2. The light emitting device according to claim 1, further comprising a liquid crystal lens disposed above said liquid crystal shutter, said liquid crystal lens being capable of individually controlling a traveling direction of light from said liquid crystal shutter for each of a plurality of regions corresponding to said plurality of liquid crystal portions.

8. 2. The light emitting device according to claim 1, further comprising a light-transmitting member disposed above said liquid crystal shutter, said light-transmitting member having a Fresnel lens surface on a surface facing said liquid crystal shutter.

9. The light emitting device according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one electronic component disposed around the light source portion.

10. the electronic component is a light receiving element, The light emitting device according to claim 9 , wherein the liquid crystal shutter is disposed so as to overlap the light source section, and the light receiving element is disposed so as not to overlap the light source section, when viewed from above.

11. a light-transmitting member disposed above the liquid crystal shutter; The light emitting device according to claim 10 , wherein the light transmissive member has a light guiding portion capable of guiding light from outside the light emitting device to the light receiving element on a surface facing the liquid crystal shutter.

12. The light emitting device of claim 1 , wherein the light emitting element comprises a plurality of light emitting layers.

13. the liquid crystal shutter has a frame portion including a partition wall that divides the plurality of liquid crystal portions, The light emitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the frame has a black body color on an upper surface and a black body color on a lower surface.

14. the liquid crystal shutter has a frame portion including a partition wall that divides the plurality of liquid crystal portions, The light emitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the frame has a white body color on an upper surface and a black body color on a lower surface.

15. The light emitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the light source portion is covered with a light blocking member.

16. 2. The light emitting device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one variable color filter between the liquid crystal shutter and a light-transmitting member disposed above the liquid crystal shutter.

17. the light source unit is disposed on the light emitting element and includes a phosphor layer including a first phosphor portion and a second phosphor portion; the liquid crystal portions in the liquid crystal shutter are divided into groups each including two or more adjacent liquid crystal portions, The light passing through the two or more liquid crystal portions in each group illuminates the same area on the illumination surface, The light transmitted through the first phosphor portion passes through a first liquid crystal portion of the two or more liquid crystal portions, the light transmitted through the second phosphor portion passes through a second liquid crystal portion of the two or more liquid crystal portions; The light emitting device according to claim 1 , wherein in the region, light that has passed through the first liquid crystal portion and light that has passed through the second liquid crystal portion are mixed together.

18. The first phosphor portion includes a first resin portion and at least one first phosphor contained in the first resin portion, the second phosphor portion includes a second resin portion and at least one second phosphor contained in the second resin portion; the mixed light of the light emitted from the light-emitting element and the light emitted from the first phosphor section is white light having a color temperature of 1800 K or more and 7500 K or less; the mixed light of the light emitted from the light-emitting element and the light emitted from the second phosphor section is amber light, The light emitting device according to claim 17 , wherein a content ratio of the light diffusing material contained in the second phosphor portion is greater than a content ratio of the light diffusing material contained in the first phosphor portion.

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