Pilot lamp

Abstract

To provide a pilot lamp which is visible from the distant front side even when used in inclination to any direction other than the vertical direction.SOLUTION: A pilot lamp 1 includes a grip part 2, and a floodlight body 3 provided at the front end of the grip part 2, the floodlight body 3 having an LED base plate having a plurality of LEDs arrayed in a longitudinal direction D1, a reflection member, and a side wall 41, the side wall 41 being provided with a plurality of lens parts 44 arrayed along the longitudinal direction D1 so that light emitted from the plurality of LEDs is reflected to the side wall 41 by the reflection member, refracted by the plurality of lens parts 44, and projected to the outside. The refraction directions of the light from the plurality of lens parts 44 are different in the respective lens parts 44.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to display lights such as warning lights and signal lights.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a handheld guiding light has been used to guide vehicles and people at a construction site, an event venue, etc. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the guiding light includes a gripping portion and a long cylindrical light-emitting portion that houses a plurality of LEDs. The light emitted from the LEDs is diffused in all circumferential directions by a light-diffusing means having a conical mirror surface and projected outward.

[0003] Also, at a work site on a road or railway, etc., a handheld display light is used to give various warnings and signals to drivers and pedestrians. For example, in the display light disclosed in Patent Document 2, the light from the LED is projected forward from the light-projecting portion, and the spread of the light is configured such that the spread in the vertical direction is larger than the spread in the width direction.

[0004] And in track construction, etc., in order to ensure safety, it is necessary to notify train drivers, etc. that work is in progress, so a display light that can be visually recognized even from a distance of about 800 m is strongly desired. In this regard, in the above-described guiding light, the light from the LED is diffused in all circumferential directions of the light-emitting portion, making it difficult to visually recognize from a distance. On the other hand, in the above-described display light, since the light is projected forward, it can be visually recognized even from a distance of about 800 m away.

[0005] Also, in the display light disclosed in Patent Document 2, since the light from the light-projecting portion spreads greatly in the vertical direction, even if the user tilts the display light up and down, the light from the display light can be visually recognized from the front.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

[0007] As described above, the indicator lamp disclosed in Patent Document 2 is configured such that the light from the light projecting portion can be visually recognized from a distance even when the indicator lamp is tilted up and down. However, the indicator lamp not only tilts up and down, but also often tilts left and right or tilts in a direction rotating around the longitudinal direction of the indicator lamp. When the indicator lamp is tilted and used in a direction other than the vertical direction in this way, the light from the light projecting portion cannot be well visually recognized from far ahead. In particular, when using the indicator lamp, it is common for the user to hold the indicator lamp and lift it above the head and swing it widely left and right. When using the indicator lamp in such a swinging manner, the direction of the indicator lamp is likely to tilt greatly in a direction other than the vertical direction, and there is a risk that a stable signal cannot be sent to the target person far ahead.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an indicator lamp that can be visually recognized from far ahead even when it is tilted and used in a direction other than the vertical direction. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0009] The indicator lamp according to the present invention includes a grip portion and a light projecting body provided at the tip of the grip portion. The light projecting body has an LED substrate having a plurality of LEDs arranged in a first direction, a reflecting member, and a light projecting portion. The light projecting portion is provided with a plurality of lens portions arranged along the first direction. The light emitted from the plurality of LEDs is reflected by the reflecting member toward the light projecting portion, refracted by the plurality of lens portions, and projected outside. The refraction direction of the light in each of the plurality of lens portions is different for each of the plurality of lens portions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the indicator light of the present invention, the light emitted from a plurality of LEDs is reflected by a reflecting member toward the light projecting portion, refracted by a plurality of lens portions, and projected to the outside. Since the refraction direction of the light in each of the plurality of lens portions is different for each lens portion, the light projected from the entire light projecting portion goes forward while spreading radially as a whole in a front view. Therefore, even when the indicator light is used while being tilted, it can be visually recognized from far ahead.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an indicator light according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the indicator light 1 according to the present embodiment has a rod-shaped appearance extending in a predetermined direction (longitudinal direction D1 / first direction) as a whole, and includes a grip portion 2 and a light projecting main body 3 provided at the tip of the grip portion 2. A power battery (not shown) is housed and held in the grip portion 2.

[0013] The light projection body 3 includes a hollow cylindrical housing 4 that extends in the longitudinal direction D1 and has translucency, a light source unit 5 housed in the housing 4, a control board 6, and a lid 7. The housing 4 has a pair of first side walls 41, 41 that face each other in the front-rear direction (third direction) D3 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D1, and a second side wall 42 that connects the pair of first side walls 41, 41. A power switch S is provided on the second side wall 42. Also, one side surface of the housing 4 that faces the second side wall 42 in the width direction (second direction) D2 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D1 and the front-rear direction D3 is open, forming an opening 43. The opening 43 is sealed by the lid 7, and an annular water-stop rubber P is interposed between the opening 43 and the lid 7.

[0014] The light source unit 5 includes an LED board 8 and a reflecting member 9 attached to the LED board 8. The LED board 8 has a board 81 that extends in the longitudinal direction D1 and a plurality of LEDs 82 provided on the surface 81a of the board 81. These plurality of LEDs 82 form a pair of LED columns corresponding to the pair of first side walls 41, 41. That is, each LED column has a plurality of (four in this embodiment) LEDs 82 arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction D1, and corresponds one-to-one with the first side wall 41. Also, the LED board 8 is attached to the inner surface of the second side wall 42, and the surface 81a of the board 81 extends perpendicular to the first side walls 41, 41.

[0015] The reflecting member 9 has a base 91 attached to the surface 81a of the board 81 and a pair of reflecting portions 92, 92 that stand up from the base 91 and are symmetric to each other. These reflecting portions 92, 92 correspond one-to-one with the pair of LED columns. Each reflecting portion 92 is provided with four concave reflecting surfaces 93A, 93B, 93C, 93D corresponding to each of the four LEDs 82 included in the corresponding LED column. Hereinafter, when explaining without distinguishing the reflecting surfaces 93A to 93D, they will simply be referred to as reflecting surfaces 93.

[0016] Each reflecting surface 93 is in the shape of a semi-parabolic surface, and each LED 82 is located within a space surrounded by the reflecting surface 93 and one of the first side walls 41. Also, each LED 82 is positioned at the focal position of the corresponding reflecting surface 93.

[0017] Each first side wall 41 of the housing 4 functions as a light projecting part, and on the outer surface of the first side wall (light projecting part) 41, four sets of lens parts 45A, 45B, 45C, 45D are provided which correspond one-to-one to the reflecting surface 93 of the reflecting member 9. More specifically, eight lens parts 44A, 44B, 44C, 44D, 44E, 44F, 44G, 44H are provided along the longitudinal direction D1 on the outer surface of each first side wall 41, and the first set of lens parts 45A is constituted by the lens parts 44A, 44B, the second set of lens parts 45B is constituted by the lens parts 44C, 44D, the third set of lens parts 45C is constituted by the lens parts 44E, 44F, and the fourth set of lens parts 45D is constituted by the lens parts 44G, 44H, respectively.

[0018] The lens part 44A has a plurality of cylindrical lenses 46a extending parallel to each other. Similarly, the lens parts 44B to 44H each have a plurality of cylindrical lenses 46b to 46h extending parallel to each other.

[0019] Hereinafter, when explaining without distinguishing the sets of lens parts 45A to 45D, it is simply referred to as the set of lens parts 45, and when explaining without distinguishing the lens parts 44A to 44H, it is simply referred to as the lens part 44. Similarly, when explaining without distinguishing the cylindrical lenses 46a to 46h, it is simply referred to as the cylindrical lens 46.

[0020] The lens direction (longitudinal direction of the cylindrical lens 46) of the cylindrical lens 46 is different for each lens part 44. Also, in the longitudinal direction D1, each LED 86 is positioned at the center of the corresponding set of lens parts 45.

[0021] In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, a part of the light emitted from each LED 82 is reflected by the reflecting surface 93 of the reflecting member 9 toward the corresponding first side wall 41 to become parallel light, and is refracted by a pair of lens portions 44 constituting the corresponding lens portion set 45 and projected outside. Since the lens direction is different for each lens portion 44, the refraction direction of the light is different for each lens portion 44, and the light projected from the entire first side wall 41 will be planar and directed forward (and backward) while spreading radially as a whole in a front view (and a rear view).

[0022] Here, the angular difference (first angular difference) of the lens directions different for each lens portion 44 is preferably 10° or more, and more preferably 15° or more. Also, the angular difference (second angular difference) of the lens directions in each lens portion set 45 is preferably 45° or more, and more preferably 60° or more. That is, the angular difference (second angular difference) of the lens directions between the cylindrical lens 46a and the cylindrical lens 46b in the lens portion set 45A is preferably 45° or more, and the angular difference (second angular difference) of the lens directions between the cylindrical lens 46c and the cylindrical lens 46d in the lens portion set 45B is similarly preferably 45° or more.

[0023] Furthermore, among the four pairs of lens portion sets 45, in one pair of lens portion sets 45 (the first lens portion set 45A in the example shown in FIG. 1), it is preferable that the lens direction is a combination of 0° and 90° with respect to the longitudinal direction D1, and in each of the remaining lens portion sets 45 (the second to fourth lens portion sets 45B to 45D in the example shown in FIG. 1), it is preferable that the lens direction is a combination that is symmetric with respect to the width direction D2.

[0024] By setting the combination of the lens directions in this way, the bias of the light projected radially by the lens portion 44 can be reduced, and the light can be diffused more uniformly.

[0025] And the display lamp 1 according to this embodiment is used as follows, for example. First, the user holds the grip portion 2 and raises the display lamp 1 above the head, with one of the first side walls 41 (front surface) facing forward. By swinging the display lamp 1 widely from side to side in this state, a signal is sent to the target person (for example, the driver of a train) located in front.

[0026] At this time, the orientation of the display lamp 1 may initially be in the vertical direction and may tilt in all directions. However, in the display lamp 1 of this embodiment, the plurality of lens portions 44 refract light in different directions and project it radially. Therefore, even if the orientation of the display lamp 1 is tilted, sufficient light can reach the target person far away. [Embodiment]

[0027] The illuminance of the display lamp 1 according to this embodiment was measured. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the lens directions of the cylindrical lenses 46a to 46h with respect to the longitudinal direction D1 were set to 0°, 90°, 135°, 45°, 60°, 120°, 150°, and 15°, respectively. FIG. 6 is an illuminance distribution diagram 1 m ahead of the display lamp 1. As can be understood from FIG. 6, the light emitted from the display lamp 1 spreads radially around the display lamp 1.

[0028] As described above, the display lamp according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications and corrections can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0029] For example, in the above-described embodiment, each LED row in the light source unit 5 includes 4 LEDs 82. However, each LED row may include at least 2 LEDs 82. Each reflecting portion 92 correspondingly includes at least 2 reflecting surfaces 93, and at least 2 or more sets of lens portion sets 45 may be provided on each first side surface 41. That is, when each LED row includes 2, 3, or 5 or more LEDs 82, the reflecting portion 92 is provided with 2, 3, or 5 or more reflecting surfaces 93 corresponding to the number of LEDs 82, and 2, 3, or 5 or more sets of lens portion sets 45 may be provided on each first side surface 41 of the housing 4.

[0030] Here, when each LED column in the light source unit 5 includes two LEDs 82 and two sets of lens unit sets 45 are provided on the first side surface 41, it is preferable that the lens directions of the cylindrical lenses in one lens unit set 45 are a combination of 0° and 90°, and the lens directions of the cylindrical lenses in the other lens unit set 45 are a combination of 135° and 45°. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.

[0031] The arrangement order of the lens unit sets 45 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1. Also, the arrangement order of the lens unit sets 45 does not need to be the same on the front side and the rear side (the first side wall 41 on the front side and the first side wall 41 on the rear side), and different arrangement orders may be used. The combination and number of the lens unit sets 45 do not need to be the same on the front side and the rear side, and may be different on the front side and the rear side.

[0032] In the indicator lamp 1 of the above embodiment, light is projected toward both sides in the front-rear direction D2 of the light projecting body 3, but it may be configured to project light only forward. In this case, the lens unit 44 is provided only on the first side wall 41 on the front side, the lens unit 44 on the first side wall 41 on the rear side is omitted, and correspondingly, the LED column and the reflecting portion 92 on the rear side may be omitted.

[0033] In the above embodiment, the lens unit 44 is provided on the first side wall 41 to give the first side wall 41 a function as a light projecting portion, but the first side wall 41 and the light projecting portion may be provided separately.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0034] 1 Indicator lamp 2 Gripping portion 3 Light projecting body 4 Housing 8 LED substrate 9 Reflecting member 41 First side wall (light projecting portion) 82 LED 93 (93A to 93B) Reflecting surface 44 (44A to 44H) Lens unit 45 (45A to 45D) Lens unit set 46 (46a to 46h) Cylindrical lens

Claims

1. A gripping portion, and a light projecting body provided at the tip of the gripping portion, The light projecting body includes an LED substrate having a plurality of LEDs arranged in a first direction, a reflecting member, and a light projecting portion, The light projecting portion is provided with a plurality of lens portions arranged along the first direction, The light emitted from the plurality of LEDs is reflected by the reflecting member toward the light projecting portion, refracted by the plurality of lens portions, and projected to the outside, A display lamp in which the refraction direction of light in each of the plurality of lens portions is different for each of the plurality of lens portions.

2. Each of the plurality of lens portions has a plurality of cylindrical lenses extending parallel to each other, The light reflected by the reflecting member toward the light projecting portion is refracted by the plurality of cylindrical lenses and projected to the outside, The display lamp according to claim 1, wherein the lens direction of the cylindrical lens differs by at least 10° or more for each lens portion.

3. The reflecting member has a plurality of reflecting surfaces corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of LEDs, and each of the plurality of reflecting surfaces is in the shape of a semi-parabolic surface, The display lamp according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of LEDs is positioned at the focal position of the corresponding reflecting surface.

4. The plurality of lens portions are composed of a plurality of sets of lens portion sets each consisting of a pair of adjacent lens portions, The display lamp according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of reflecting surfaces correspond one-to-one to the plurality of sets of lens portion sets.

5. The display lamp according to claim 4, wherein the lens direction of the cylindrical lens differs by 45° or more between the paired lens portions.

6. The plurality of sets of lens portion sets have at least a first lens portion set and a second lens portion set, In the second lens unit group, the lens direction of the cylindrical lens is a combination that is symmetric with respect to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The indicating lamp according to claim 4 or 5.

7. In the first lens unit group, the lens direction of the cylindrical lens with respect to the first direction is a combination of 0° and 90°. The indicating lamp according to claim 6.

8. The plurality of lens unit groups include at least a first lens unit group and a second lens unit group. In the first lens unit group, the lens direction of the cylindrical lens with respect to the first direction is a combination of 0° and 90°. In the second lens unit group, the lens direction of the cylindrical lens with respect to the first direction is a combination of 135° and 45°. The indicating lamp according to claim 4 or 5.

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