Indicator Lights

Abstract

To provide an indicator light that minimizes the accumulation of dirt due to airflow while also offering excellent visibility from oblique angles and aesthetic appeal. [Solution] The indicator light 1 according to the present invention comprises a main body 7 that houses a substrate 5 equipped with multiple light sources 3, and an indicator light cover 9 that covers the main body 7, wherein the indicator light cover 9 has a flat light-emitting display section 11 that transmits light from the light sources 3, and multiple concentric circular grooves 13 are formed on the entire outer or inner surface of the light-emitting display section 11, the substrate 5 is arranged opposite the main body 7 at an angle to the left and right sides, and the substrate 5 is characterized in that multiple light sources 3 are arranged on the substrate 5 such that upward-convex arcs form multiple rows vertically.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an indicator light for indicating the position of disaster prevention equipment.

Background Art

[0002] As an indicator light installed in a tunnel, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an "indicator light for disaster prevention equipment". In the indicator light for disaster prevention equipment, in order to reduce the protrusion amount toward the inside of the tunnel to improve the appearance, reduce the influence of the airflow in the tunnel, and further ensure the visibility from the oblique side, the front surface of the globe is a single rounded surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, although the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a smaller protrusion amount than the conventionally well-known one protruding in a mountain shape, the protrusion from the installation surface has not been eliminated. When this is attached to a tunnel fire hydrant, it will protrude onto the inspection road, which will hinder passage. In addition, since it is a rounded surface, it is not free from the influence of the airflow, and the adhesion of dirt cannot be avoided. On the other hand, when the display part is made completely flat, there is a problem that the visibility and design from the oblique side cannot be ensured.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an indicator light that can suppress the adhesion of dirt caused by airflow as much as possible and is excellent in visibility and design from the oblique side.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The indicator light according to the present invention comprises a main body that houses a substrate equipped with multiple light sources, and an indicator light cover that covers the main body, The indicator light cover has a flat light-emitting display section that transmits light from the light source, and a plurality of grooves or ridges are formed concentrically on the entire outer or inner surface of the light-emitting display section. The substrate is arranged opposite the main body at an angle to the left and right sides, and the substrate is characterized in that multiple light sources are arranged on it such that multiple upward-convex arcs form vertical rows.

[0007] (2) Furthermore, in the present invention described in (1) above, the plurality of grooves formed concentrically in the light-emitting display portion are characterized in that the grooves located on the outer circumference have wider spacing between adjacent grooves. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The indicator light cover according to the present invention has a flat light-emitting display section that transmits light from a light source, and multiple grooves or ridges are formed concentrically on the entire outer or inner surface of the light-emitting display section, and the substrate is arranged opposite the main body at an angle to the left and right sides, and multiple light sources are arranged on the substrate so that multiple upward-convex arcs are arranged vertically, thereby suppressing the adhesion of dirt due to airflow as much as possible, and providing excellent visibility from oblique angles and design aesthetics. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a front view of an indicator light according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the indicator light shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow AA in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of the internal structure of the indicator light. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of the indicator light cover for the indicator light shown. [Figure 6] This figure shows the inner surface of the indicator light cover shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of the circuit board used in the indicator light shown. [Figure 8] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the indicator light mounted on the mounting surface. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates the relationship between the concentric grooves on the indicator light cover and the arrangement of the LED light source, in relation to the viewing angle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The indicator light 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In this specification and in the claims, terms indicating direction such as "right" and "left" are based on the installation state of the indicator light 1.

[0011] The indicator light 1 according to this embodiment comprises a main body 7 that houses a substrate 5 (see Figures 4 and 7) equipped with a plurality of LEDs 3 (light sources), and an indicator light cover 9 that covers the main body 7. The following describes in detail each component that makes up indicator light 1.

[0012] <Main body> As can be seen from Figure 3, the main body 7 is a bottomed frame, that is, a box without a lid, and houses a substrate 5 equipped with multiple light sources inside. As shown in Figure 4, the circuit board 5 is positioned opposite the main body 7, tilted to the left and right sides. Also, as shown in Figure 7, the circuit board 5 is roughly rectangular in shape, and when installed, its upper edge protrudes upward.

[0013] The LED3s are installed on the circuit board 5 in three rows, with six LEDs in the top row, seven in the middle row, and three in the bottom row. In Figure 7, the dashed line connecting LED3 is an auxiliary line to explain the arrangement of LED3. LED3 is arranged along an upward-curving line, specifically along an arc in Figure 7, and this arrangement is in three rows.

[0014] Note that the number of stages of the arrangement of the LEDs 3 is not limited to three stages, and may be two stages or more. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the inclination angle of the substrate 5 is approximately 65°, but the inclination angle is not limited to this. When the inclination angle increases, the substrate 5 becomes closer to being upright. In this case, however, since the projected area of the substrate 5 when viewed from the front becomes smaller, the inclination angle of the substrate is preferably set to an angle such that as much direct light as possible from the LEDs 3 can be emitted to the outside of the device without being reflected (attenuated), depending on the size of the indicator lamp cover 9 and the size of the substrate 5.

[0015] <Indicator lamp cover> The indicator lamp cover 9 has a flat light-emitting display portion 11 that transmits the light of the LEDs 3 which are light-emitting sources, and has a plurality of grooves (hereinafter referred to as "concentric grooves 13") formed concentrically on the entire inner surface of the light-emitting display portion 11 (see FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 6, and 8). Here, "flat" means that the overall shape of the light-emitting display portion 11 when viewed macroscopically is not curved or protruding. Note that the plurality of concentrically formed grooves formed on the inner surface of the light-emitting display portion 11 may be a plurality of ridges.

[0016] Since the light-emitting display portion 11 is flat, in the state of being attached to the attachment surface 15, as shown in FIG. 8, it does not protrude from the attachment surface 15. Therefore, for example, when installed in a tunnel, the light-emitting display portion 11 is less affected by the airflow. In other words, the airflow smoothly flows over the light-emitting display portion 11, and dust in the tunnel is less likely to adhere to the light-emitting display portion 11.

[0017] In the concentric grooves 13 of the present embodiment, the intervals between adjacent grooves are set wider for those arranged on the outer peripheral side. In other words, the concentric grooves 13 are set to have narrower intervals between adjacent grooves on the inner peripheral side. The reason for this is as follows. The photometric measurement result is higher for the flat portion (the portion between the grooves) than for the groove portion because there is less unnecessary reflection / refraction. Although the present invention emphasizes a side view, as can be seen from FIG. 9, the distance between the flat portions on the outer peripheral side of the light-emitting display portion 11 becomes narrower as the viewing angle becomes more oblique. On the other hand, the change in the distance between the flat portions on the inner peripheral side is smaller compared to that. Therefore, by making the flat portions on the outer peripheral side of the light-emitting display portion 11 wider, when the light-emitting display portion 11 is viewed more obliquely, that is, when viewed more from the side, the entire display lamp appears to glow.

[0018] <Relationship between LED arrangement and concentric grooves> As described above, the LEDs 3 are arranged in a plurality of arc shapes on the substrate 5 inclined to the left and right sides of the main body portion 7. On the other hand, on the light-emitting display portion 11, concentric grooves 13 with a narrower distance between adjacent ones toward the inner peripheral side are formed over the entire surface. The reason for arranging them in this way will be described based on FIG. 9. FIG. 9 shows the state where the display lamp is viewed from the front as 0° (FIG. 9(a)) and the states where the viewing angle is shifted obliquely by 15° each (FIGS. 9(b) to (g)). That is, FIG. 9(b) shows the state rotated by 15° such that the left side in the figure is the back side of the paper and the right side is the front side of the paper (FIG. 9(b)), the state rotated by 30° is (FIG. 9(c)), the state rotated by 45° is (FIG. 9(d)), the state rotated by 60° is (FIG. 9(e)), the state rotated by 75° is (FIG. 9(f)), and the state rotated by 90° is (FIG. 9(g)). Note that, in order to avoid complicating the drawing, reference numerals indicating the main parts are attached only to FIG. 9(a). Also, the main body portion 7 is attached only to FIG. 9(g). In each figure, a part of the light-emitting display portion 11 is shown in a perspective view so that the arrangement relationship between the LEDs 3 and the concentric grooves 13 can be understood.

[0019] LEDs 3 are arranged along an upwardly convex arc on a substrate 5 tilted to the left and right sides of the main body 7 (in Figure 9, the tilt angle of the substrate 5 is 67°), and concentric grooves 13 are formed in the light-emitting display section 11. As shown in Figure 9(a), when the light-emitting display section 11 is viewed from the outside, the LEDs 3 appear to be arranged along the concentric grooves 13. This improves visibility because the light from the LEDs 3 is incident on the concentric grooves 13 and scattered. Specifically, an increase in light distribution in the lateral direction and a diffusion effect (uniform illumination) due to reflection / refraction of the grooves can be expected.

[0020] From the perspective of improving the visibility of indicator lights, it is important that the light-emitting display unit 11 is sufficiently visible even when viewed from an oblique angle. In this regard, as the viewing angle in an oblique direction increases, the spacing between adjacent concentric grooves 13 becomes narrower, making it easier for the positions of the concentric grooves 13 and the LEDs 3 to coincide, thus improving visibility from an oblique angle. For example, comparing Figure 9(a) with a rotation angle of 0° and Figure 9(d) with a rotation angle of 45°, the spacing between the concentric grooves 13 becomes narrower, while the spacing between the rows of LEDs 3 becomes wider, making it easier for the LEDs 3 to coincide with one of the concentric grooves 13.

[0021] Furthermore, it is preferable that the LED3 be positioned so that it aligns with the concentric groove 13 when viewed from a direction offset by 15° to 30° from the front. The reason for this is as follows. Because light is diffused when it enters the concentric grooves 13, where the concentric grooves 13 and the LEDs 3 appear to coincide, the illuminated LEDs do not appear as individual granules but rather spread out. As a result, it becomes easier to get the impression that the entire light-emitting display unit 11 is lit. In order to align the LED3 and the concentric groove 13 to a certain extent across the entire practical viewing angle of 0° to 75°, it is effective to adjust the LED placement at an angle of 15° to 30°.

[0022] As described above, the indicator light 1 of this embodiment has a flat light-emitting display unit 11, so even when installed in a place with a dusty airflow, such as inside a tunnel, dust is less likely to adhere to the light-emitting display unit 11.

[0023] Furthermore, when viewed from the front, the LEDs 3 are positioned along the concentric grooves 13, resulting in a scattering effect from the grooves 13 and improved visibility. In addition, the LEDs 3 illuminating along the concentric grooves 13 provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance and superior design. In other words, without the concentric grooves 13, the illuminated LEDs 3 would appear as individual granules, giving the entire light-emitting display unit 11 a flat appearance. However, the presence of the concentric grooves 13 causes reflection and refraction of the light from the LEDs 3, changing the impression that the entire light-emitting display unit 11 is illuminated, and also increasing the light distribution in the lateral direction. In the example shown in Figure 9, the circuit board angle is set to 67°, and the indicator light 1 appears brightest when viewed at a 67° angle (the same as viewing the rear circuit board 5 directly from the front). The concentric grooves 13 are used to reflect and refract this light so that it also appears bright when viewed at an angle of 70-80°.

[0024] In the above-described indicator light 1, concentric grooves 13 were formed on the inner surface of the light-emitting display unit 11. However, in the present invention, the concentric grooves 13 may be provided on the outer surface of the light-emitting display unit 11. In this case, a smooth translucent plate or translucent film may be provided on the outer surface where the concentric grooves 13 are located. Doing so will make it more difficult for dust to adhere to the surface.

[0025] The indicator light of the present invention is suitable for installation in tunnels, but its installation location is not limited to tunnels. It can be installed in buildings, factories, parking lots, and other locations where fire hydrants, emergency alarm systems, automatic fire alarm systems, etc., are installed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 1 Indicator light 3 LEDs (light source) 5 circuit boards 7 Main body 9. Indicator light cover 11. Light-emitting display section 13 Concentric groove 15 Mounting surface

Claims

1. An indicator light comprising a main body housing a substrate equipped with multiple light sources, and an indicator light cover covering the main body, The indicator light cover has a flat light-emitting display section that transmits light from the light source, and a plurality of grooves or ridges are formed concentrically on the entire outer or inner surface of the light-emitting display section. The indicator light is characterized in that the substrate is positioned opposite the main body at an angle to the left and right sides, and multiple light sources are arranged on the substrate such that multiple upward-convex arcs form vertical rows.

2. The indicator light according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of grooves formed concentrically in the light-emitting display portion have wider spacing between adjacent grooves as they are located on the outer circumference.

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