Lighting device

Abstract

This lighting device provides a groundbreaking projection method that allows for the projection of innovative images. [Solution] The lighting device 1 comprises a plurality of light sources 4A, 4B, and 4C, a plurality of design films 6 corresponding to each of the plurality of light sources 4A, 4B, and 4C, and a projection lens 7 that projects image light that has passed through each design film 6, and is a lighting device capable of superimposing and projecting multiple image lights onto a projection target, wherein each design applied to the plurality of design parts 6 has design information related to that design that is related to each other, and the lighting device 1 comprises a control unit 8 that controls the illuminance of each of the plurality of light sources 4A, 4B, and 4C, and the control unit 8 superimposes and projects the image light by continuously or stepwise increasing or decreasing the illuminance of the light sources corresponding to other designs when image light based on at least one design is projected.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a lighting device used for decorative lighting and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, lighting devices are known that use a design section with an arbitrary design applied to it to project an image with that design.

[0003] For example, the lighting device described in Patent Document 1 projects a design such as a logo by transmitting light emitted from a light source through a design element and a projection lens. This lighting device is configured to allow switching between multiple design surfaces relative to the light source. More specifically, the design element is disc-shaped, with multiple design surfaces arranged along the circumferential direction of the design element. The design element and optical elements rotate together, allowing the multiple design surfaces to be switched while suppressing shifts in the focal point. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-46769 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] Incidentally, lighting devices that project designs like those described above are used in a variety of applications in public facilities, commercial facilities, and stores, such as for signage, decoration, and spot lighting. In recent years, they have also been used as accessories for automobiles and are gaining popularity as a means of creating a sense of luxury. As the applications of such lighting devices expand, there is a growing demand for new projection methods.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide an illumination device capable of projecting a groundbreaking image using a new projection method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a lighting device comprising a plurality of light sources, a plurality of design sections corresponding to each of the plurality of light sources, and a projection lens for projecting image light that has passed through each design section, and is capable of superimposing and projecting a plurality of image lights onto a projection target, wherein each design applied to the plurality of design sections has design information relating to each other, and the lighting device comprises a control unit for controlling the illuminance of each of the plurality of light sources, and the control unit is characterized in that, when image light based on at least one design is projected, it continuously or stepwise increases or decreases the illuminance of the light sources corresponding to other designs to superimpose and project the image light.

[0008] In this invention, "design" refers to a general term for characters, figures, symbols, patterns, etc. Furthermore, "design information related to a design" means, for example, that the content, size, and positional relationships of the design are related.

[0009] The above-described lighting device comprises a plurality of cylindrical lighting units, each having a light source, a design unit, and a projection lens, and is characterized in that the plurality of lighting units are arranged such that the optical axes of the image light emitted from each lighting unit are parallel to each other.

[0010] The above-described lighting device comprises three lighting units, which are arranged such that the shape formed by connecting the optical axes on the same plane is a triangle, and the projection circles of the three image rays emitted from each lighting unit have their centers offset from each other, and the projected image is projected in the region where the three image rays overlap.

[0011] The illumination units are arranged in parallel in a straight line, and the projection circles of the multiple image light emitted from each illumination unit have their centers offset from each other. The projected image is projected onto a region where the multiple projection circles extend in a parallel direction.

[0012] The projection lens described above comprises a first lens, an aperture, and a second lens, wherein the first lens is a positive-power lens with at least one aspherical surface, and the second lens is a positive-power lens with at least one aspherical surface.

[0013] The present invention provides a lighting device comprising a plurality of light sources, a plurality of design units corresponding to each of the plurality of light sources, and a projection lens for projecting image light that has passed through each design unit, wherein the design applied to each of the plurality of design units is related to the design information relating to that design, and the lighting device comprises a control unit that controls the illuminance of each of the plurality of light sources, and the control unit is characterized in that, when image light based on at least one design is projected, it instantaneously switches the illuminance of the light sources corresponding to other designs, thereby projecting the image light based on these designs in a moving image. Here, instantaneous switching means completely switching from image light based on one design to image light based on another design within a period of about 0.01 to 1 second. Furthermore, moving image means that the projected design appears to be moving. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The present invention provides a lighting device capable of superimposing multiple image lights onto a projection target. Each design applied to a plurality of design sections has design information related to that design that is interconnected. The lighting device includes a control unit that controls the illuminance of each of the plurality of light sources. When image light based on at least one design is projected, the control unit continuously or gradually increases or decreases the illuminance of the light sources corresponding to other designs, thereby superimposing the image light. As a result, the brightness of the image lights based on each interconnected design on the projection target changes continuously or gradually, allowing the projected image from the lighting device to appear to be moving (like a video). This results in a lighting device capable of projecting a groundbreaking image using a novel projection method.

[0015] The above lighting device includes a plurality of columnar lighting units each having a light source, a design part, and a projection lens. Since the optical axes of the image light emitted from each lighting unit are arranged parallel to each other, it is easy to perform optical design and structural design. Furthermore, the above lighting device includes three lighting units, and the lighting units are arranged such that the shape formed by connecting the optical axes on the same plane is a triangle. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the deviation of the centers of the projection circles of the three image lights irradiated from each lighting unit and maximize the range of the region where the three image lights overlap. In addition, while including three lighting units, it is possible to reduce the size of their storage space and the like.

[0016] In addition, the above lighting units are arranged in parallel in a straight line, and the centers of the projection circles of the plurality of image lights irradiated from each lighting unit are shifted from each other. Since the projection image is projected onto the region where the plurality of projection circles are continuously extended in the parallel direction, it becomes easier to dynamically express a projection image with movement in the parallel direction.

[0017] Moreover, the lighting device of the present invention includes a plurality of light sources, a plurality of design parts corresponding to each of the plurality of light sources, and a projection lens that projects the image light that has passed through each design part. Each design applied to the plurality of design parts has design information related to the design that is related to each other. The lighting device includes a control part that controls the illuminance of each of the plurality of light sources. The control part instantaneously switches the illuminance of the light source corresponding to another design in a state where the image light based on at least one design is projected, so as to project the image lights based on these designs in a moving image manner. Therefore, it becomes a lighting device capable of projecting a revolutionary projection image by a new projection method.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a schematic perspective view of one form of the lighting device of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an overall perspective view of the plurality of lighting units included in the lighting device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a schematic configuration diagram of the lighting device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing the light rays in the lighting unit. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining the projection area (projection circle) of the image light of each lighting unit. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of the image light of each lighting unit. [Figure 7] It is a diagram for explaining the illuminance control of the light source by the control unit. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing another example of the projection pattern. [Figure 9] It is a diagram for explaining the projection area of another example of the lighting device of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] The lighting device of the present invention projects an arbitrary design onto a projection target, specifically, projects it dynamically. This lighting device is, for example, mounted on the side mirror of a vehicle and used as a vehicle lighting device that projects a logo mark or the like onto the ground that is the projection target. In addition, it is used as a lighting device that projects an arbitrary projected image onto a screen, a floor surface, or the like.

[0020] An embodiment of the lighting device of the present invention will be described based on FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the lighting device seen from the irradiation surface side. As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting device 1 incorporates three lighting units 3A, 3B, and 3C inside the housing 2. The housing 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped base 2a and a cylindrical portion 2b. In FIG. 1, three cylindrical spaces are formed inside the cylindrical portion 2b, and the lighting units 3A, 3B, and 3C are respectively housed in each cylindrical space. Three circular openings are formed in the irradiation surface (axial end face) 2c of the cylindrical portion 2b. The image light of each lighting unit 3A, 3B, and 3C is irradiated from these openings.

[0021] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the lighting device from Figure 1 with the lighting section removed. As shown in Figure 2, the lighting sections 3A, 3B, and 3C are each cylindrical in shape. The lighting sections 3A, 3B, and 3C are made of the same material except for the built-in design section 6 (see Figure 3), and have the same outer diameter shape. The outer periphery of the lighting sections 3A, 3B, and 3C is divided into three units (lens sections) in the axial direction, and each unit is joined together so that the center of each lens aligns at an arbitrary position, forming a cylindrical shape. For example, each unit is joined together by a fitting structure between the units.

[0022] In Figure 2, the illumination units 3A, 3B, and 3C are located along the optical axis O of the image light emitted from each illumination unit. a , O b , O c They are arranged in parallel so that they are parallel to each other. In addition, the lighting units 3A, 3B, and 3C are each on the optical axis O a , O b , O c The elements are arranged so that the shape formed by connecting them on the same plane perpendicular to the optical axis is a triangle. This allows for miniaturization of the cylindrical portion 2b of the housing 2 (see Figure 1). The triangle can be, for example, an isosceles triangle or an equilateral triangle.

[0023] The lighting device will be explained in more detail using Figure 3. The lighting device 1 has three lighting units 3A, 3B, and 3C, and a control unit 8. Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of lighting unit 3A, but lighting units 3B and 3C have the same basic configuration.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the illumination unit 3A includes a light source 4A, an optical lens 5, a design film 6 as a design unit, and a projection lens 7. The projection lens 7 is positioned downstream of the optical path of the design film 6 and, in Figure 3, constitutes a lens unit into which the image light generated by the design film 6 is incident. Specifically, the projection lens 7 has a first lens L1, an aperture S, and a second lens L2, arranged in order from the light source side.

[0025] In the illumination section 3A, the central axis of each optical component, such as a lens, is aligned with the optical axis O a They are arranged to match. The optical lens 5 and the first lens L1 and second lens L2 of the projection lens 7 are formed from transparent materials such as polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, polyester resin, or glass.

[0026] Light source 4A can be an LED, LD, or light bulb. For example, an LED is mounted on a circuit board. As an LED, for example, monochromatic LEDs such as white, blue, red, and green, or RGB type LEDs equipped with blue, red, and green LEDs can be used.

[0027] Light emitted from the light source 4A enters the optical lens 5. The optical lens 5 is an optical lens that receives the light emitted from the light source 4A, converts it into approximately parallel light, and then emits it. The optical lens 5 has an incident surface f1 and an exit surface f2 as its main optical functional surfaces involved in optical path control, and these optical functional surfaces are integrally provided on the optical lens 5.

[0028] The incident surface f1 is positioned opposite the exit surface of the light source 4A and is a curved surface that is convex toward the light source 4A. The exit surface f2 emits light incident from the light source 4A toward the design film 6 and is a curved surface that is convex toward the design film 6. In Figure 3, the optical lens 5 is a positive power lens, and both the incident surface f1 and the exit surface f2 are convex and aspherical. Note that one or both of the incident surface f1 and the exit surface f2 may be spherical or planar.

[0029] Optical lens 5 is located on the optical axis O aIt has a rotationally symmetric shape. Also, in the optical lens 5, the effective lens diameter of the exit surface f2 is larger than the effective lens diameter of the entrance surface f1. In this case, the effective lens diameter refers to the range through which light rays pass among the diameters up to the boundary with the peripheral wall portion provided on the outer peripheral side of the lens main body (the same applies to the first lens L1 and the second lens L2 described later). In FIG. 3, the cylindrical peripheral wall portion is provided integrally with the optical lens 5 (in this case, the peripheral wall portion is also formed of a transparent material), but it is not limited to this, and it may be provided as a separate member. The outer peripheral surface of this peripheral wall portion is formed of a tapered surface that tapers in diameter toward the irradiation side or expands in diameter.

[0030] Note that in FIG. 3, the optical lens 5 is composed of a single lens, but it may also be composed of a plurality of lens groups. Also, the shape of the optical lens 5 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3.

[0031] The design film 6 is composed of, for example, a light-shielding portion and a non-light-shielding portion, and the difference in the amount of light rays of the light transmitted through the film appears as a design. In FIG. 3, the film surface of the design film 6 is arranged substantially orthogonally to the optical axis O a Note that the design portion may modulate the light emitted from the light source to generate an image. For example, it may be a transmissive or reflective liquid crystal display element that forms an image by controlling the polarization component of light, or a reflective digital micromirror device (DMD) element that forms an image by controlling the traveling direction of light.

[0032] The design film 6 is installed closer to the exit surface f2 of the optical lens 5 in the range between the exit surface f2 of the optical lens 5 and the entrance surface f3 of the first lens L1 of the projection lens 7. Closer to the exit surface f2 of the optical lens 5 means the side closer to the exit surface f2 than the intermediate position in the optical axis direction within the range between the exit surface f2 and the entrance surface f3.

[0033] The design applied to the design film 6 of the illumination unit 3A is related to the design information regarding the design of the design film incorporated in the illumination unit 3B and the design film incorporated in the illumination unit 3C.

[0034] The first lens L1 of the projection lens 7 is a positive power lens, with the incident surface f3 facing the light source and the exit surface f4 facing the illumination side. The first lens L1 is aligned with the optical axis O a It has a shape that is rotationally symmetric with respect to the axial direction. In Figure 3, both the incident surface f3 and the exit surface f4 are aspherical, but at least one of these surfaces may be spherical. In Figure 3, the effective lens diameter of the incident surface f3 is larger than the effective lens diameter of the exit surface f4. In Figure 3, the cylindrical peripheral wall is integrally provided with the first lens L1 (in this case, the peripheral wall is also made of a transparent material), but it is not limited to this and may be provided as a separate component. The outer surface of this peripheral wall is formed as a tapered surface that narrows or widens toward the irradiation side.

[0035] For the aperture S, for example, a light-shielding plate material can be used. The aperture opening forms a transparent portion, and the other parts of the plate material form a light-shielding portion. The aperture S is positioned in the optical path between the first lens L1 and the second lens L2. In this case, it is easier to improve the airtightness (waterproofing, etc.) of the inside of the lighting device (light source side) compared to a configuration in which the aperture S is positioned downstream of the second lens L2 in the optical path. In Figure 3, it is positioned closer to the second lens L2 than to the first lens L1. However, in places where airtightness (waterproofing, etc.) is not required, for example, the aperture may be positioned downstream of the second lens L2 in the optical path.

[0036] The second lens L2 is a positive power lens. The incident surface f5 is formed with a concave surface facing the light source and is aspherical. The outer edge of the incident surface f5 is aligned with the optical axis O a It is formed by a plane that intersects with the optical axis O. In this case, the end face of the second lens L2 on the light source side is formed by an incident surface f5 which is a concave curved surface and an annular plane. The exit surface f6 is formed with a convex surface facing the irradiation side and is aspherical. The second lens L2 is on the optical axis O aIt has a shape that is rotationally symmetric with respect to the axial direction. In Figure 3, both the incident surface f5 and the exit surface f6 are aspherical, but at least one or both of these surfaces may be spherical or planar. In Figure 3, the effective lens diameter of the exit surface f6 is larger than the effective lens diameter of the incident surface f5. In Figure 3, the cylindrical peripheral wall is integrally provided with the second lens L2 (in this case, the peripheral wall is also made of a transparent material), but it is not limited to this and may be provided as a separate component.

[0037] In Figure 3, the first lens L1 and the second lens L2 are each composed of a single lens, but they may also be composed of multiple lens groups. Furthermore, the shape of each lens is not limited to that shown in Figure 3.

[0038] In Figure 3, the control unit 8 is, for example, program-controlled, and specifically, is mainly composed of a microcomputer or microcontroller consisting of a well-known CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The control unit 8 controls the illuminance (brightness) of each of the multiple light sources 4A, 4B, and 4C provided in the lighting device 1. Specifically, it controls each illuminance by adjusting the voltage applied to each of the light sources 4A, 4B, and 4C, or by adjusting the current under a constant voltage.

[0039] Next, Figure 4 shows the light rays in the illumination unit 3A. As shown in Figure 4, the light emitted from the light source 4A enters the optical lens 5, travels within the optical lens 5 so as to be focused, and is emitted. The light emitted from the optical lens 5 passes through the design film 6 to form image light. The image light emitted from the design film 6 is focused by the first lens L1, which has positive power, passes through the aperture S, and is then emitted by the second lens L2. As a result, the image light from the illumination unit 3A is projected onto the projection target T.

[0040] Figure 5 shows the relationship between the projection circles of the three image beams emitted from each illumination unit. In Figure 5, the projection circle (projection area) from illumination unit 3A is represented by ia, the projection area from illumination unit 3B is represented by ib, and the projection area from illumination unit 3C is represented by ic. The projection circles ia, ib, and ic of the three image beams emitted from illumination units 3A, 3B, and 3C have their centers offset from each other. In this case, the projection target T contains the following regions: a region with only projection circle ia, a region with only projection circle ib, a region with only projection circle ic, a region where projection circles ia and ib overlap, a region where projection circles ia and ic overlap, a region where projection circles ib and ic overlap, and a region where projection circles ia, ib, and ic overlap (overlapping region id).

[0041] In Figure 5, the projection image is set to be projected onto the region where projection circles ia, ib, and ic overlap, that is, the region where the three image rays overlap. In this case, a portion of each projection circle ia, ib, and ic is not used for the projection image, but by compactly arranging the illumination units 3A, 3B, and 3C so that their respective optical axes form a triangle, as shown in Figure 2, for example, the offset of the center of the projection circles ia, ib, and ic can be minimized, and the overlapping region id can be maximized. Furthermore, this configuration is set by adjusting the position where each design is applied in the design section of illumination units 3A, 3B, and 3C (for example, by shifting the position of the design from the center of each optical axis). In this case as well, by arranging the illumination units 3A, 3B, and 3C as shown in Figure 2, the effective logo area within the design film can be made larger, that is, the light rays of the optical lens 5 can be made more effective.

[0042] Furthermore, in the illumination device, not only the region where the three image beams overlap (overlap region id) but also other regions may be used for the projection image (see, for example, Figure 9). In addition, the illumination units 3A, 3B, and 3C may be tilted so that their respective optical axes point towards the center of the projection image, so that the projection circles ia, ib, and ic completely overlap.

[0043] One embodiment of the present invention is a lighting device capable of superimposing and projecting multiple image lights onto a projection target T, wherein the illuminance of each light source is controlled by a control unit 8 (see Figure 3). In this embodiment, when image light based on at least one design is projected, the control unit 8 continuously or stepwise increases or decreases the illuminance of light sources corresponding to other designs, thereby superimposing and projecting the image light. An example of this illuminance control will be explained using Figures 6 and 7.

[0044] First, Figure 6(a) shows an example of each image light from the three illumination units. Each image light is based on the design of the design unit, and these designs are related to each other through design information. Note that the circles for each image light in Figure 6(a) (and similarly in Figures 6(b) and 8) indicate the overlapping region of the three projection circles.

[0045] Image 9A is an image in which the word "LOGO" is projected in white letters onto the upper part of the overlapping area on a black background. Image 9B is an image in which the word "MARK" is projected in white letters onto the lower part of the overlapping area on a black background. Image 9C is an image in which the words "LOGO MARK" are projected in black letters in two lines on a white background. The size and position of the "LOGO" letters in the overlapping area are generally the same for both Image 9A and Image 9C. Similarly, the size and position of the "MARK" letters in the overlapping area are generally the same for both Image 9B and Image 9C.

[0046] In Figure 6(a), the design based on image light 9A and the design based on image light 9B are related in terms of design content. In this case, each design constitutes part of a single keyword, "LOGO MARK," and the design content is related. Furthermore, the design based on image light 9A and the design based on image light 9C, and the design based on image light 9B and the design based on image light 9C are also related in terms of design content.

[0047] Figure 7 shows a timing chart with time on the horizontal axis and voltage on the vertical axis, as an example of illuminance control (e.g., voltage control) of the light source by the control unit. For example, this operation program by the control unit is stored in the memory of the control unit and executed by the CPU. In Figure 7, for example, one projection pattern is constructed in 50 seconds. The minimum illumination line represents the voltage corresponding to the minimum brightness at which the image light is visible to the user, and the maximum illumination line represents the voltage corresponding to the specified illuminance of the lighting device. When the voltage of light sources 4A to 4C is located between the minimum illumination line and the maximum illumination line, the image light from that light source is projected onto the projection target.

[0048] As the projection pattern begins, a voltage is applied to light source 4A, and its illuminance increases. At time t1, when the voltage of light source 4A reaches the minimum illumination line, image light 9A is projected onto the projection target. As time progresses, the illuminance of image light 9A increases, making the projected image brighter. At time t2, the voltage of light source 4A is set to a constant level. This state at time t2 is the state where image light 9A based on design 1 is projected (left diagram in Figure 6(b)). With image light 9A projected, a voltage is applied to light source 4B, and its illuminance increases. At time t3, when the voltage of light source 4B reaches the minimum illumination line, image light 9B is projected over image light 9A. As time progresses, the illuminance of image light 9B increases, making the portion of the projected image corresponding to image light 9B brighter. At time t4, the voltage of light source 4B is set to a constant level (middle diagram in Figure 6(b)).

[0049] In Figure 7, during the period from time t3 to t4, while the image light 9A is projected, the voltage of the light source 4B corresponding to the other design is continuously increased, and the image light 9B is projected on top of it. As a result, the projected image projected onto the projection target gradually changes from "image light 9A" to "image light 9A + 9B," causing the projected image to appear as a moving image.

[0050] Subsequently, from time t5 to time t7, the voltages of light sources 4A and 4B are continuously decreased. Meanwhile, from time t6 to time t8, the voltage of light source 4C is continuously increased. As a result, "image light 9A+9B" gradually becomes darker (fades out), while "image 9C" gradually becomes brighter (fades in). This causes the projected image on the projection target to gradually change from "image light 9A+9B" to "image light 9C," resulting in a motion-like projection. In this case, the projection is reversed from white text on a black background to black text on a white background.

[0051] Then, after keeping the voltage of light source 4C constant between time t8 and time t9 (right diagram in Figure 6(b)), the voltage of light source 4C is continuously decreased from time t9 to time t10. As a result, the "image light 9C" gradually becomes dimmer (fades out) and eventually becomes invisible. This creates a series of projection patterns controlled by the illuminance control of the light source by the control unit.

[0052] In Figure 7, the height (voltage) and time interval for increasing or decreasing the illuminance are equal for light sources 4A to 4C. For example, the time interval for increasing or decreasing the illuminance for each light source is set to between 5 and 10 seconds. By changing the illuminance over a certain time interval, the change in the projected image is made gradual, making it easier to achieve a motion-like effect. Note that the height and time interval may be different for light sources 4A to 4C depending on the design.

[0053] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the control unit only needs to project image light based on at least one design while continuously or stepwise increasing or decreasing the illuminance of light sources corresponding to other designs, thereby superimposing the image light. For example, in Figure 7, the voltage of any light source may be increased or decreased stepwise. Also, in Figure 7, the period during which light source 4C is projected does not have to overlap with the period during which light sources 4A and 4B are projected. In addition, the illuminance of the light source may be increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the current under a constant voltage.

[0054] Next, Figure 8 shows different projection patterns. First, Figure 8(a) shows the image light from each of the three illumination units. Image light 9A projects a right-pointing arrow pattern onto the left side of the overlapping region. Image light 9B projects a right-pointing arrow pattern onto the center of the overlapping region. Image light 9C projects a right-pointing arrow pattern onto the right side of the overlapping region. The size of each right-pointing arrow is approximately the same, and they are positioned so as not to overlap on the same straight line.

[0055] In Figure 8(a), the designs based on image light 9A, image light 9B, and image light 9C are all interconnected, as indicated by the arrows that point to them.

[0056] Figure 8(b) shows a schematic diagram of the timing chart for illuminance control of the light source by the control unit, and Figure 8(c) shows the projected image at a predetermined timing. Note that in Figure 8(b), the area below the minimum illumination line is omitted.

[0057] When the projection pattern is initiated, a voltage is applied to the light source 4A, and the image light 9A is projected onto the projection target. As time progresses, the illuminance of the image light 9A increases, making the projected image brighter. Then, the voltage of the light source 4A is kept constant. At time t11, the image light 9A based on design 1 is projected.

[0058] With image light 9A projected, by continuously decreasing the voltage of light source 4A and continuously increasing the voltage of light source 4B, the arrow of image light 9A gradually becomes fainter, and the arrow of image light 9B gradually becomes darker, eventually being replaced by the projected image of image light 9B. As a result, the projected image projected onto the projection object gradually changes from "image light 9A" to "image light 9B," causing the projected image to appear as a moving image. In this case, the right arrow is projected to move to the right. Note that at time t12, the illuminance of each image light is about halfway between its maximum values, and the darkness of each arrow is fainter compared to times t11 and t13.

[0059] With image light 9B projected, by continuously decreasing the voltage of light source 4B and continuously increasing the voltage of light source 4C, the arrow of image light 9B gradually fades, and the arrow of image light 9C gradually becomes darker, eventually being replaced by the projected image of image light 9C. As a result, the projected image projected onto the projection object gradually changes from "image light 9B" to "image light 9C," causing the projected image to appear as a moving image.

[0060] Then, the voltage of light source 4C is continuously decreased until it becomes invisible. In the example in Figure 8, the projection is animated, with a rightward-pointing arrow moving to the right as time progresses.

[0061] Furthermore, the design content applied to the design section is not limited to the patterns described above. For example, one design could be used for the main display content, while other designs could be used for background patterns, etc. In this case as well, the design information is related. Additionally, by using patterns such as water surfaces as multiple designs and projecting them using the projection patterns described above, it is possible to project a wavering, motion-like effect, similar to a shimmering water surface.

[0062] Figure 9 shows another example with a modified arrangement of multiple illumination units. Illumination device 1' in Figure 9 has three illumination units 3A, 3B, and 3C within its housing. Illumination units 3A, 3B, and 3C are arranged in parallel in a straight line. The projection circles ia, ib, and ic of the three image light emitted from illumination units 3A, 3B, and 3C have their centers offset from each other, and the three projection circles are positioned so as to be aligned in the parallel direction (X-axis direction). That is, the projection circles ia, ib, and ic overlap each other while being slightly offset in the parallel direction.

[0063] In Figure 9, the projection image is set to be projected onto the entire region ie, where projection circles ia, ib, and ic extend in parallel directions. This region ie is the combined region of projection circles ia, ib, and ic. In this case, since the projection image is projected onto the region ie where multiple projection circles extend in parallel directions, it becomes easier to dynamically represent projection images that move in the parallel direction. Furthermore, such an arrangement is convenient when the lighting device is to be equipped with other functions, such as additional lighting for other purposes.

[0064] In Figure 9, the illumination units 3A, 3B, and 3C are arranged in parallel so that the optical axes of the image light emitted from each illumination unit are parallel to each other. However, the illumination units may also be tilted and arranged so that the projection circles ia, ib, and ic completely overlap.

[0065] Another embodiment of the lighting device of the present invention includes a control unit that controls the illuminance of each of a plurality of light sources, and the control unit instantaneously switches the illuminance of the light sources corresponding to other designs when image light based on at least one design is projected, thereby projecting image light based on these designs in a moving image. That is, while the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 9 above gradually change the projected image by continuously or stepwise increasing or decreasing the illuminance, this embodiment projects the image in a moving image by switching instantaneously.

[0066] For example, in Figure 8, by instantaneously switching from image light 9A to image light 9B, and then instantaneously switching again from image light 9A to image light 9C, a rightward arrow is projected to move to the right. This can be considered a series of projection patterns.

[0067] The lighting device of the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in Figures 1 to 9 above.

[0068] In the above description, the lighting device is configured to have three lighting units, but the number of lighting units may be two, or four or more, and their arrangement is not particularly limited, such as being arranged in a straight line in parallel. Also, although each lighting unit is configured to have its own lens component, the number of parts may be reduced by sharing some of the lens components among the lighting units. Furthermore, each lighting unit may be configured to have, for example, a light source, optical lens, design unit, first lens, second lens, and optical elements other than the aperture. [Industrial applicability]

[0069] The lighting device of the present invention can project groundbreaking images using a novel projection method, thus meeting new needs as a lighting device that can project any design. Specifically, by projecting images in a video-like manner, it is intuitively easy for users to understand, and it can also project unprecedentedly varied images, further expanding its range of applications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1, 1' Lighting device 2 Housing 2a base 2b Cylindrical part 2c Irradiation surface 3A, 3B, 3C lighting section 4A, 4B, 4C light source 5 Optical Lenses 6 Design Film 7. Projection lens 8 Control Unit 9A, 9B, 9C Image light L1 First Lens L2 Second Lens S aperture f1 plane of incidence f2 exit surface f3 entrance plane f4 exit surface f5 entrance plane f6 exit surface ia, ib, ic projection circles ID overlapping area ie area

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising multiple light sources, multiple design units corresponding to each of the multiple light sources, and a projection lens that projects image light that has passed through each design unit, capable of superimposing and projecting multiple image lights onto a projection target, Each of the designs applied to the aforementioned multiple design sections has design information related to it that is interconnected. The lighting device comprises a control unit that controls the illuminance of each of the plurality of light sources, and the control unit is characterized in that, when image light based on at least one design is projected, it continuously or stepwise increases or decreases the illuminance of light sources corresponding to other designs and projects the image light over them.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of cylindrical lighting units each having a light source, a design unit, and a projection lens, wherein the plurality of lighting units are arranged such that the optical axes of the image light emitted from each lighting unit are parallel to each other.

3. The lighting device comprises three lighting units, the lighting units are arranged such that the shape formed by connecting the optical axes on the same plane is a triangle, the projection circles of the three image rays emitted from each lighting unit have their centers offset from each other, and a projected image is projected in the region where the three image rays overlap, as described in claim 2.

4. The illumination device according to claim 2, characterized in that the illumination units are arranged in parallel in a straight line, the projection circles of multiple image light emitted from each illumination unit have their centers offset from each other, and the projected image is projected onto a region in which the multiple projection circles extend in a parallel direction.

5. The illumination device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the projection lens comprises a first lens, an aperture, and a second lens, the first lens being a positive-power lens with at least one aspherical surface, and the second lens being a positive-power lens with at least one aspherical surface.

6. A lighting device comprising multiple light sources, multiple design units corresponding to each of the multiple light sources, and a projection lens for projecting image light that has passed through each design unit, Each of the designs applied to the aforementioned multiple design sections has design information related to it that is interconnected. The lighting device comprises a control unit that controls the illuminance of each of the plurality of light sources, and the control unit instantaneously switches the illuminance of light sources corresponding to other designs when image light based on at least one design is projected, thereby projecting image light based on these designs in a moving image.

Images