Lighting device

Abstract

To provide a lighting device which achieves large flexibility of the layout and design of the entire device and enables downsizing and weight reduction and which may receive a resin optical component without fail even if the optical component is melted to eliminate a possibility that the melted optical component drops to the outside and thereby improve safety.SOLUTION: A lighting device includes: a case 11; a light source 20 which emits light from the inside of the case 11 to the outside; and a lens 30 which is fixed to the light emission side of the light source 20 and allows the light to pass therethrough. An attachment part 14 to which the light source 20 is attached is provided inside the case 11. A space defined by the attachment part 14 in the case 11 serves as a melting receiving part 17 which may receive the melted lens 30 when the lens 30 is melted and drops.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a versatile lighting device, for example, it is installed on the ceiling in the passenger compartment of a railway vehicle and used for indirect lighting.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as interior lights used in the passenger compartments of railway vehicles, airplanes, automobiles, etc., for example, various lighting devices attached to the ceiling in the passenger compartment are known. Recently, an increasing number of lighting devices adopt LEDs instead of fluorescent lamps as light sources, and those that illuminate the passenger compartment with indirect light rather than direct light are becoming mainstream.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, a light guide rod using an LED as a light source is housed in a housing, and the light irradiated from the light guide rod is transmitted through the side wall portion of the housing and directly irradiated into the vehicle compartment. In addition, the light directed obliquely upward of the side wall portion is reflected by the ceiling and irradiated into the vehicle compartment as indirect light. A lighting device is disclosed.

[0004] In such a lighting device, optical components such as the light guide rod that transmits light and the side wall portion of the housing are formed of a synthetic resin with high transparency. However, when synthetic resin is used for the components of the lighting device attached to the ceiling in the passenger compartment, there is a risk of melting and dripping in the event of a fire. Therefore, in the case of railway vehicles, the use of synthetic resin components in situations where melting and dripping occur is restricted by regulations.

[0005] Therefore, the material of the optical components in the lighting device of railway vehicles is to adopt incombustible and translucent glass. However, generally, glass has problems such as being easily broken. To solve such problems, there is a further problem of increased weight due to increased wall thickness. In addition, glass is difficult to process compared to synthetic resin, and not only is the material cost high, but there are also problems in terms of safety regarding breakage.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the applicant of the present application has already proposed, for example, in Patent Documents 2 to 4, a lighting device that includes an LED as a light source and its protective cover inside a casing. Even if the protective cover is molded from a synthetic resin and a melt receiving portion is provided in the case, there is no risk of leakage downward even if the protective cover melts. In these lighting devices, the light transmitted through the protective cover is controlled for light distribution by a reflecting surface formed inside the casing itself.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] In the conventional lighting devices described in Patent Documents 2 to 4 mentioned above, improvements for solving the following new problems have been desired. That is, in order to control the light distribution by using the inside of the case itself as a reflector, the case is designed based on the shape of the reflector. Therefore, there has been a problem that the degree of freedom in the design and the design of the entire case is significantly restricted, the overall external dimensions of the device become large, and the weight increases.

[0009] Further, in the conventional lighting devices, by providing a configuration for receiving the melt, the optical components can be molded from a synthetic resin instead of glass, which is excellent in weight reduction and safety measures for that extent. However, depending on the size of the optical components, there is a risk that the capacity of the space for receiving the melt is not sufficient, and further ingenuity in the arrangement for surely receiving the melt has also been desired.

[0010] The present invention has been made paying attention to the problems of the conventional technology as described above, and aims to provide a lighting device that has a high degree of freedom in the design and layout of the entire device, enables miniaturization and weight reduction, can surely accept a resin optical component even if it melts, has no risk of dripping outside, and can enhance safety.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is In a lighting device having a case, a light source that emits light from the inside of the case to the outside, and an optical component that is fixed on the light-emitting side of the light source and transmits light, a mounting portion for mounting the light source is provided inside the case, and a space partitioned into the mounting portion inside the case becomes a melting receiving portion that can receive the optical component when it melts and drips.

Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the lighting device of the present invention, the degree of freedom in the design and layout of the entire device is large, miniaturization and weight reduction are also possible, a resin optical component can surely be received even if it melts, there is no risk of dripping outside, and safety can be enhanced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

[0014] Hereinafter, various embodiments representing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 8 show the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting device 10 includes a case 11, a light source 20 that emits light from the inside of the case 11 to the outside, and an optical component 30 that is fixed on the light-emitting side of the light source 20 and allows light to pass through. Note that the components, shapes, etc. shown in the embodiments described below are all examples of the present invention and do not limit the present invention.

[0015] [Outline of Lighting Device 10] The lighting device 10 according to the present embodiment is a general-purpose lighting unit, and the case of applying it to an interior light in a railway vehicle will be described as an example below. That is, the lighting device 10 is installed on the ceiling 1 (see FIG. 8) in the passenger compartment of a railway vehicle, and for example, a pair is installed in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Here, the lighting device 10 provides indirect lighting that softly illuminates the passenger compartment from the ceiling 1.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 8, the lighting device 10 is arranged in a substantially horizontal state facing the ceiling 1 at a predetermined distance, and irradiates light toward the ceiling 1. The lighting device 10 performs light distribution control by an optical component 30 described later instead of a reflector, and uses the ceiling 1 as a reflector as it is. Note that the lighting devices 10 are combined and arranged so as to be aligned in a row in the longitudinal direction according to the required length.

[0017] <Regarding Case 11> As shown in Figs. 3 to 6, the case 11 is a container forming the outer shell of the lighting device 10, and related components such as the light source 20 are housed inside thereof. The case 11 is, for example, in a long shape extending in the longitudinal direction, and is formed in a bottomed uniform groove-shaped cross section with an open upper surface side. Such a case 11 is extruded from a metal such as aluminum. If the case 11 is made of a metal with a high thermal conductivity such as aluminum, it serves as a heat sink for dissipating the heat generated by the light source 20.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, more specifically, the case 11 includes a bottom wall 12 extending in a narrow plate shape, and both side walls 13, 13 rising from both end edges of the bottom wall 12 at a predetermined height and facing each other. An attachment portion 14 extending in the longitudinal direction thereof is integrally provided on the inner surface of the bottom wall 12. The case 11 does not have a function as a reflecting surface for reflecting the light from the light source 20 described later. As will be described later, the case 11 is arranged with its upper surface opening facing upward, and is attached in a state of being suspended from the ceiling 1 via an end cap 40.

[0019] The height direction of the case 11 is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the case 11 and parallel to the direction from the center of the upper surface opening in the case 11 toward the center of the bottom wall 12. Also, the both side directions of the case 11 are orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the case 11 and parallel to the direction from the center of one side wall 13 in the case 11 toward the center of the other side wall 13. Engagement portions 18 for fixing the optical component 30 are provided on the inner surfaces of both side walls 13, 13, which will be described in detail later.

[0020] <<Attachment Portion 14 of Case 11>> The mounting portion 14 is a part for mounting the light source 20 inside the case 11. As shown in FIG. 1, on the bottom wall 12, a long groove 14a that is recessed inward from the outside along the center in its longitudinal direction is formed, and a ridge that protrudes inside the case 11 on the back side of the long groove 14a serves as the mounting portion 14. The upper end of the mounting portion 14 is formed as a flat mounting surface 15 for mounting a substrate 21 of the light source 20, which will be described later, along its longitudinal direction. This mounting surface 15 serves as the reference surface of the mounting portion 14, and upward flanges 16 are formed along both side ends of the mounting surface 15.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the width of the mounting surface 15, that is, the dimension between both flanges 16, 16, is set to be slightly larger than the width of the substrate 21 of the light source 20, which will be described later. Also, the upper end of the mounting portion 14, specifically, not only the mounting surface 15 but also the upper ends of both flanges 16, 16, are set to be slightly lower than the upper ends of both side walls 13, 13 that form the upper surface opening end of the case 11. Further, both ends of the mounting portion 14, that is, both ends of both flanges 16, 16, are positioned closer to the center of the case 11 than the inner surfaces of both side walls 13, 13 of the case 11, and the gap between them serves as the inlet of the molten receiving portion 17 described below. Both flanges 16, 16 correspond to the first positioning means for positioning the substrate 21 placed on the mounting surface 15 in both side directions (one direction of the present invention).

[0022] <<The molten receiving portion 17 of the case 11>> The space partitioned by the mounting portion 14 inside the case 11 serves as the molten receiving portion 17 that can receive the optical component 30, which will be described later, when it melts and drips. That is, the space below the upper surface opening end of the case 11 is partitioned by the mounting portion 14 that protrudes from the inner surface of the bottom wall 12, and this space is set to receive the melt when the optical component 30 melts and drips by chance. Therefore, it is preferable that the molten receiving portion 17 has a capacity corresponding to the total volume when the optical component 30 liquefies.

[0023] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, since the mounting portion 14 protrudes along the longitudinal center of the bottom wall 12, the mounting portion 14 partitions the molten receiving portions 17 that are divided into two parts left and right inside the case 11. These two molten receiving portions 17 have the same cross-sectional shape and capacity, and each can receive the melt of the optical component 30. Here, the molten receiving portion 17 is located below the light source 20 mounted on the mounting portion 14. Note that the upper end (entrance) of the molten receiving portion 17 opens as a gap between both ends of the mounting portion 14 and the inner surfaces of both side walls 13, 13 of the case 11 as described above.

[0024] <Regarding the light source 20> As shown in FIG. 3, the light source 20 emits light in a predetermined direction, and an LED is suitable as the light-emitting element. The light source 20 is formed by arranging surface-mounted LED chips 22 at predetermined intervals (for example, 10 mm) in a row on a substrate 21 extending in a narrow width shape. Since the configuration of the LED chip 22 itself is common, a detailed description thereof is omitted, but a type that emits light within a range of a predetermined angle around the optical axis L (see FIG. 8) orthogonal to the substrate 21 is used. Here, the optical axis L of the LED chip 22 coincides with the vertical direction.

[0025] A wiring pattern to which the LED chip 22 is electrically connected is formed on the mounting surface of the substrate 21. The emission color of the LED chip 22 can be arbitrarily selected, and is not limited to a single color, and a plurality of types of emission colors may be appropriately combined. Further, the LED chip 22 may employ a full-color LED capable of emitting an arbitrary color by mixing the three primary colors. Note that the light-emitting element of the light source 20 is not limited to the surface-mounted LED chip 22, and may be an LED lamp in which the chip is embedded in a dome-shaped mold.

[0026] In addition, connectors 23 for connecting wiring from a power supply device 50 (see FIG. 7) or an adjacent light source 20 are provided at both ends of the mounting surface of the substrate 21. Here, the connector 23 protrudes above the mounting surface and is set to fit into the second positioning means in the optical component 30 described below. That is, the light source 20 is set to be positioned in the longitudinal direction (the other direction of the present invention) with respect to the optical component 30 when the optical component 30 is superposed.

[0027] <Regarding the optical component 30> The optical component 30 is for passing the light emitted from the light source 20 and is fixed to the case 11 in a state facing the light emitting side of the light source 20. The optical component 30 corresponds to, for example, a lens, a protective cover, etc., and all are formed of a light-transmissive material. The optical component 30 according to the present embodiment corresponds to a lens (hereinafter also referred to as "lens 30") formed of a transparent resin material such as acrylic or polycarbonate.

[0028] The lens 30 controls the light distribution of the light emitted from the light source 20, and is formed, for example, in a long shape extending in the longitudinal direction along the upper surface opening of the case 11. Here, the total length of the lens 30 does not necessarily have to match the total length of the case 11. In the present embodiment, two lenses 30 are combined in a row with respect to one case 11. The same applies to the length of the light source 20.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 8, more specifically, the lens 30 includes a flat bottom surface 31 facing the light emitting side of the light source 20, a semi-circular cross-section incident surface 32 that is recessed along the center in the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface 31 and into which the light from the LED chip 22 enters, and an emission surface 33 that forms an outer periphery for emitting light to the outside on the opposite side of the bottom surface 31. In addition, the boundary between the bottom surface 31 and the emission surface 33 of the lens 30 is both side end portions 34, 34 that protrude in the width direction.

[0030] On the end faces of both side ends 34, 34, engaging portions 35 for fixing to the inner surfaces of both side walls 13, 13 of the case 11 are provided, which will be described in detail later. Further, on the bottom surfaces at both ends of the lens 30, when it is superposed on the substrate 21 of the light source 20, notches 36 are provided which cover and match with the connectors 23 at both ends of the substrate 21. Here, the notch 36 corresponds to the second positioning means for positioning the light source 20 in the longitudinal direction (the other direction of the present invention) with respect to the superposed lens 30.

[0031] The light-emitting surface 33 of the lens 30 in the present embodiment has a concave curved surface 33a that is shallowly recessed along the center of its outer periphery, and convex curved surfaces 33b, 33b that form mountains on both sides of the concave curved surface 33a. The center of the lens 30, that is, the center of the concave curved surface 33a, is located on the optical axis of the LED chip 22. Note that the concave curved surface 33a and the convex curved surfaces 33b, 33b on both sides are continuous without being partitioned by a substantial boundary. Specific light distribution control by such a lens 30 will be described later.

[0032] <Regarding the assembly structure of the lens 30 and the light source 20> As shown in FIG. 2, the lens 30 is fixed to the case 11 in a state where the light source 20 is sandwiched between the mounting portion 14 by the engaging portion 18 provided on the case 11 engaging with the engaged portion 35 provided on the lens 30 between the inner surface side of the case 11. Here, as a reverse aspect, it may be configured such that the engaged portion 35 is provided on the case 11 while the engaging portion 18 is provided on the lens 30.

[0033] The engaging portion 18 of the present embodiment is provided on the upper inner surfaces of both side walls 13, 13 of the case 11 as convex strips with a semi-circular cross-section that protrude inward and extend in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the engaged portion 35 of the present embodiment is provided on the end faces of both side ends 34, 34 of the lens 30 as concave grooves with a semi-circular cross-section that are recessed inward and extend in the longitudinal direction, into which the engaging portion 18 fits.

[0034] With the substrate 21 of the light source 20 positioned on the mounting surface 15 of the mounting portion 14, when the lens 30 is pushed in from the upper surface opening of the case 11 in a substantially horizontal posture, the engaging portion 18 engages with the engaged portion 35, and the lens 30 is configured to be fixed to the case 11 together with the light source 20. Here, although the case 11 is made of metal, the side walls 13, 13 on both sides can be elastically deformed to some extent so as to expand away from each other.

[0035] <Regarding the end cap 40> As shown in FIG. 3, the lighting device 10 includes an end cap 40 which is a terminal member attached to the end of the case 11. More specifically, the end cap 40 has a cap body 41 and a fixing piece 42. The inside of the cap body 41 substantially conforms to the cross-sectional shape of the case 11 and is formed in a shape surrounding the bottom wall 12, the side walls 13, 13 on both sides, and the terminal opening at the end of the case 11. Therefore, the end cap 40 can be externally fitted so as to cover the end of the case 11.

[0036] The bottom surface of the cap body 41 can be screwed to the bottom wall 12 of the case 11. That is, there is a screw hole (not shown) on the bottom surface of the cap body 41, and the tip of a screw 43 inserted through this screw hole can be screwed to a nut 44 in a long groove 14a on the bottom wall 12 of the case 11. Here, the long groove 14a is formed in an ant groove-shaped cross section that conforms to the front view shapes of the nut 44 and the tip of the screw 43. Therefore, the nut 44 will not fall out from the middle of the long groove 14a. The nut 44 may be inserted into the long groove 14a from the opening end of the long groove 14a at the terminal of the case 11.

[0037] In addition, the end cap 40 also serves as a bracket for supporting the lighting device 10 on the ceiling 1 which is the installation location. That is, by screwing the fixing piece 42 of the end cap 40 to the ceiling 1, the case 11 can be supported in a state where its upper surface opening faces upward and is suspended with a predetermined interval from the ceiling 1. Note that if the end cap 40 is also made of a material with excellent thermal conductivity such as aluminum like the case 11, it will serve as a heat sink for dissipating the heat generated by the LED chip 22 of the light source 20.

[0038] <Regarding the power supply device 50> As shown in FIG. 7, the space inside the case 11 where the mounting portion 14 is not provided becomes a power supply storage portion capable of storing the power supply device 50 that supplies power to the light source 20. That is, in the portion inside the case 11 where there is no mounting portion 14, a wide power supply storage portion including the melting receiving portions 17 on both sides can be secured.

[0039] The power supply device 50 is configured as a unit in which, for example, an AC / DC converter, a capacitor, a resistor, etc. are mounted on a power supply board, and is connected via a cable to a commercial power cable (not shown) or a connector 23 of the light source 20, etc. Note that in the power supply storage portion, a control device (not shown) for controlling the lighting drive of the light source 20 may be stored separately from the power supply device 50, or the control device may be incorporated into the power supply device 50.

[0040] Hereinafter, the operation of the lighting device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described. <Assembly of the lighting device 10> First, when assembling the lighting device 10, as shown in FIG. 2, with the upper surface opening of the case 11 facing upward, the light source 20 is arranged on the placement surface 15 of the mounting portion 14 inside the case 11. At this time, the substrate 21 of the light source 20 is positioned by the flanges 16 at both side ends of the placement surface 15 so as not to move in both side directions and will not shift to both sides from the placement surface 15. Here, it is sufficient to simply position the light source 20 on the mounting portion 14, and there is no need to fix it by adhesion or the like.

[0041] Subsequently, the lens 30 is fitted so as to overlap above the light source 20 from the upper surface opening of the case 11. Then, both side walls 13, 13 of the case 11 are elastically deformed so as to slightly expand, both side end portions 34, 34 of the lens 30 enter the inside of the case 11, and the engaging portion 18 on the case 11 side engages with the engaged portion 35 on the lens 30 side. Thereby, the lens 30 is fixed to the case 11 in a state of being sandwiched between the light source 20 and the mounting portion 14 in a non-movable manner.

[0042] At this time, the lens 30 is fixed to the case 11 in a state of facing the light emitting side of the light source 20. That is, the bottom surface 31 of the lens 30 abuts on the substrate 21 of the light source 20, and the LED chip 22 is housed in the recess having a semicircular cross section that defines the incident surface 32 of the lens 30. Further, since the connector 23 on the substrate 21 of the light source 20 fits into the notch 36 of the lens 30, the light source 20 is positioned so as not to shift in the longitudinal direction with respect to the lens 30. If the light source 20 and the lens 30 are shorter than the total length of the case 11, it is preferable to combine a plurality of them in a row.

[0043] As described above, by using the engagement relationship between the engaging portion 18 and the engaged portion 35 for fixing the lens 30 to the case 11, screw fastening and adhesive work as in the prior art become unnecessary, and the number of parts and the assembly man-hours are reduced. Moreover, when the lens 30 is fixed to the case 11, the light source 20 can be fixed simultaneously therewith. Therefore, in the lighting device 10, tool-less assembly without using screws becomes possible. In particular, since the lens 30 is attached in a fitting manner from above, a large working space is not required and assembly within the working table range is possible.

[0044] Next, as shown in FIG. 3, end caps 40 are attached to both ends of the case 11. Here, the end cap 40 is externally fitted so as to cover the end of the case 11, and the bottom surface of the cap body 41 is screwed to the bottom wall 12 of the case 11 using the long groove 14a. That is, by screwing the screw 43 inserted through the bottom surface of the cap body 41 into the nut 44 in the long groove 14a on the bottom wall 12 of the case 11, the end cap 40 can be fixed to the end of the case 11 so as not to come off.

[0045] <Mounting of the lighting device 10> As shown in FIG. 4, the completed lighting device 10 is installed, for example, on the ceiling 1 (see FIG. 8) in the passenger compartment of a railway vehicle. To install the lighting device 10 on the ceiling 1, with the bottom wall 12 of the case 11 supported from below by the cap body 41 of the end cap 40, the fixing piece 42 of the end cap 40 is fixed to the ceiling 1 via a fastening tool such as a bolt. Thus, the lighting device 10 is installed so as not to be movable relative to the ceiling 1.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 8, the case 11 is arranged with its upper surface opening facing the ceiling 1 and is supported in a state of being suspended with a predetermined interval from the ceiling 1. Here, the longitudinal direction and both side directions of the case 11 are parallel to the horizontal direction like the ceiling 1, and the height direction is parallel to the vertical direction. Also, since the lighting device 10 does not depend on the shape of the ceiling 1 at the installation location, the case 11 only needs to be of one type with a uniform cross-sectional shape. Such a case 11 can be easily extruded from a metal such as aluminum, so the manufacturing cost can also be reduced.

[0047] In this way, due to its structure, the lighting device 10 does not require post-assembly processing, so the cost of processing jigs can be reduced. Also, when replacing and retrofitting with an existing lighting device installed on the ceiling 1, since the end cap 40 can be used as a mounting bracket as it is, processing for mounting the lighting device 10 to the ceiling 1 is also unnecessary. Note that the lighting device 10 can be appropriately extended to a desired length by sequentially connecting a plurality of units.

[0048] In particular, in this lighting device 10, by omitting the conventional reflector from the case 11, the overall structure can be made compact, and combined with weight reduction, the installation work on the ceiling 1 can be easily performed. For example, in a conventional lighting device, the installation work was carried out by at least two people, but with the miniaturization and weight reduction of this lighting device 10, it is possible for one person to easily lift and install it on the ceiling 1. Also, by miniaturizing the lighting device 10, an optical illusion effect of making the ceiling space look wider can be obtained.

[0049] Furthermore, since the appearance of the lighting device 10 in this embodiment, that is, the appearance of the case 11 when viewed from below, is extremely simple, aiming for the integration of the lighting device 10 and the ceiling 1, it is possible to achieve an open passenger cabin space without a sense of oppression for passengers and an improvement in design. Thereby, not only can the lighting effect in the passenger cabin of the vehicle be enhanced, but it can also be utilized as a design for a general-purpose lighting device.

[0050] <Light distribution of lighting device 10> In the lighting device 10 supported by the ceiling 1, the light emitted from the light source 20 is irradiated toward the ceiling 1 through the lens 30. Therefore, the ceiling 1 is illuminated, and the passenger cabin is indirectly illuminated by the light reflected from the ceiling 1. Here, the LED chips 22 of the light source 20 are arranged in a row on the substrate 21, and the optical axes L (see FIG. 8) of the respective LED chips 22 coincide in the vertical direction. The emitted light from each LED chip 22 is subjected to light distribution control in the process of entering the incident surface 32 of the lens 30 located vertically above and reaching the exit surface 33.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 8, the lens 30 according to the present embodiment irradiates light in the direction of a wide span as indicated by the broken line in FIG. 8 due to the shape of a concave curved surface 33a that is shallowly recessed in the center of the emission surface 33 and convex curved surfaces 33b, 33b that form ridges on both sides of the concave curved surface 33a. By controlling the light distribution of such a lens 30, it is possible to widen the light distribution in both side directions (sleeper directions) of the vehicle in the passenger compartment. In this way, various light distribution controls can be realized for the light from the light source 20 through the lens 30. Note that the illumination effect of the lighting can also be enhanced by making the emission colors of the respective LED chips 22 different or by performing emission control to change the emission color of the LED chip 22.

[0052] <Measures against melting and dripping of the lighting device 10> In this lighting device 10, assuming the case of installation in the passenger compartment of a railway vehicle, in order to make a synthetic resin applicable to the material of the lens 30, measures against melting and dripping of the synthetic resin are taken. That is, a space partitioned in the mounting portion 14 of the light source 20 inside the case 11 is made into a melting receiving portion 17 that can receive the lens 30 when it melts and drips. Therefore, even if the lens 30 is formed of a synthetic resin and melts accidentally, the melt will fall into the melting receiving portion 17 partitioned in the mounting portion 14 and can be retained in the melting receiving portion 17, and there is no risk of the melt dripping below the passenger compartment.

[0053] As a result, as a material that can melt and drip, the lens 30 can adopt a synthetic resin that is easy to process, strong, and inexpensive. Further, even if the lens 30 actually melts accidentally, it can be received by the melting receiving portion 17 and there is no risk of dripping, and it can also be used as a material for railway vehicles as in the present embodiment. Therefore, weight reduction can be achieved compared to the case where glass is used for the material of the lens 30, and the lens 30 does not crack like glass, and the safety can be enhanced.

[0054] In particular, in this lighting device 10, as shown in FIG. 1, among the spaces surrounded by the bottom wall 12 and the side walls 13, 13 inside the case 11, the regions partitioned on both sides of the mounting portion 14 of the light source 20 are respectively Melting receiving partLet it be 17. As a result, two independent wide areas are formed inside the case 11 Melting receiving part to be 17, and when the lens 30 melts accidentally, it can surely receive and retain the melt so as not to leak it. Of course, Melting receiving part 17 can receive not only the melt of the lens 30 but also fragments when related components such as the light source 20 are damaged.

[0055] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the melt receiving part 17 in the present embodiment is located below the light source 20 attached on the mounting part 14 inside the case 11. According to such a positional relationship, the melt of the lens 30 does not accumulate near the light source 20 on the mounting part 14 but stays below the light source 20. Thereby, it is also possible to prevent a situation where the melt is further heated by the heat emitted from the light source 20, for example.

[0056] [Second Embodiment] FIGS. 9 to 11 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The lighting device 100 according to the present embodiment has a basic configuration common to the lighting device 10 according to the first embodiment described above, but the case 111 and its inside Melting receiving part 117, and the specific shape of the lens 300 are different. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the parts of the same type as those in the first embodiment, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0057] [Configuration of Lighting Device 100] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the inside of the case 111 is formed with a large capacity. That is, both side walls 113, 113 rising from both end edges of the bottom wall 112 of the case 111 extend to a position considerably higher than the mounting part 114 provided on the bottom wall 112 inside the case 111. Such a case 111 can also be easily extruded and formed of a metal such as aluminum like the case 11.

[0058] On the upper half sides of both side walls 113, 113 of case 111, the thickness increases towards the inner sides facing each other, and at each upper end, a taper 113a is provided to facilitate receiving the lens 300 from the upper surface opening of case 111. At the lower ends of the thickened portions of the inner surfaces of both side walls 113, 113, engaging portions 18 for fixing the lens 300 described later are provided respectively. Here, the engaging portion 18 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and is provided as a convex strip with a semi-circular cross-section extending in the longitudinal direction protruding from the inner surface of the side wall 113.

[0059] The mounting portion 114 has substantially the same shape as the mounting portion 14, but a flange 16 is formed only at one side end of its mounting surface 115. Therefore, when mounting the substrate 21 of the light source 20 on the mounting portion 114, the substrate 21 is applied to one flange 16 and is positioned only in one of the two side directions. Note that the light source 20 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0060] Also in this embodiment, the space partitioned by the mounting portion 114 inside the case 111 becomes the melting receiving portion 117, but the space above the mounting portion 114 can also be made into a melting receiving portion. That is, even at a position higher than the mounting portion 114 inside the case 111, it is surrounded by both side walls 113, 113, and the space higher than the mounting portion and below the upper ends of both side walls 113, 113 can receive more molten material of the lens 300 as a space where the melting receiving portion 117 is extended.

[0061] The lens 300, which is an optical component, is formed from a transparent resin material similar to the lens 30, but unlike the lens 30, it does not actively perform special light distribution control. As shown in FIG. 9, more specifically, the lens 300 is formed in a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape and includes a flat bottom surface 331 facing the light source 20, both side surfaces 332, 332, and an emission surface 333 at the upper end. Note that a flat recess for accommodating the light source 20 is provided on the bottom surface 331 of the lens 300.

[0062] On substantially the center of both side surfaces 332, 332 of the lens 300, engaging portions 35 for fixing to the inner surfaces of both side walls 113, 113 of the case 11 are respectively provided. Here, the engaging portion 35 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and is provided as a concave groove having a semicircular cross section that is recessed inward from the side surface 332 and extends in the longitudinal direction, into which the engaging portion 18 fits. Note that, also in this embodiment, as a reverse aspect, the engaging portion 35 may be provided on the case 111 while the engaging portion 18 is provided on the lens 300.

[0063] Also, in this embodiment, in addition to the end cap 40 that also serves as a bracket supported by the ceiling 1 and is attached to the end of the case 111, a support bracket 60 that is movably attached in the middle of the case 111 and is supported by the ceiling 1 is also provided. As shown in FIG. 9, the support bracket 60 includes a fixing portion 61 that is fixed to the ceiling 1, which is the installation location, a hanging portion 62 that extends downward from the fixing portion 61, and a connecting portion 63 that is connected substantially at a right angle from the lower end of the hanging portion 62.

[0064] The support bracket 60 is fixed to the nut 44 housed in the long groove 114a with a screw 43, with the connecting portion 63 at the lower end of the support bracket 60 overlapping the bottom wall 112 of the case 111 from below. Here, the long groove 114a serves as a rail in which the tip of the screw 43 for fixing the support bracket 60 and the nut 44 are relatively movably fitted. Therefore, the support bracket 60 is configured to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the case 111 and can be fixed at an arbitrary position.

[0065] <Operation of the lighting device 100> According to such a lighting device 100, when assembling, as shown in FIG. 9, the light source 20 is arranged on the mounting portion 114 inside the case 111, and the lens 300 is fitted from the upper surface opening of the case 111. At this time, since there are tapered portions 113a on both side walls 113, 113 of the case 111, the bottom surface 331 of the lens 300 can be guided by the tapered portions 113a and easily fitted to the back of the case 111. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, a total of four lenses 300 (and light sources 20) are combined in a row inside one case 111, but the number of combinations here is a design matter that can be determined as appropriate.

[0066] Also, in this lighting device 100, when attaching to the ceiling 1, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in addition to fixing the end caps 40 attached to both ends of the case 111 to the ceiling 1 by screwing or the like, the support bracket 60 attached in the middle of the case 111 is fixed to the ceiling 1 by screwing or the like. Here, the tip of the screw 43 for fixing the support bracket 60 and the nut 44 are fitted into the long groove 114a on the bottom wall 112 of the case 111 so as to be relatively movable. In this way, since the long groove 114a of the case 111 has a curtain rail structure, the support bracket 60 can be fixed at an arbitrary position.

[0067] Furthermore, in this lighting device 100, the inner capacity of the case 111 is formed to be large. Not only the space partitioned by the mounting portion 114 inside the case 111 becomes the melting receiving portion 117, but also the space above the mounting portion 114 can be made into a melting receiving portion. That is, inside the case 111, the space higher than the mounting portion 114 and below the upper ends of both side walls 113, 113 also becomes a space where the melting receiving portion 117 is extended, so that it is possible to receive more molten matter of the lens 300.

[0068] [Configuration and Operational Effects of the Present Invention] As described above, various embodiments have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the various embodiments described above. The present invention derived from the various embodiments described above will be described below.

[0069] First, the present invention is an illumination device 10, 100 having a case 11, 111, a light source 20 that emits light from the inside of the case 11, 111 to the outside, and optical components 30, 300 that are fixed to the light-emitting side of the light source 20 and transmit light. An attachment portion 14, 114 for attaching the light source 20 is provided inside the case 11, 111. A space partitioned into the attachment portion 14, 114 inside the case 11, 111 becomes a melting receiving portion 17, 117 that can receive the optical components 30, 300 when they melt and drip. This is a characteristic feature.

[0070] In a conventional illumination device, light distribution control was performed by a reflector integrated with the case, so the outer dimensions of the case were increased by the reflector and the weight was also increased. On the other hand, in this illumination device 10, 100, first, by omitting the reflector from the essential components, it becomes possible to reduce the outer dimensions of the entire device and also reduce the weight. Further, in this illumination device 10, 100, there is no need to design the case 11, 111 based on the shape of the reflector, and the degree of freedom in the design and styling of the entire device is increased. Also, it becomes possible to reduce the material cost of the case 11, 111.

[0071] Moreover, this illumination device 10, 100 not only omits the reflector, but also by taking measures against melting and dripping as described below, a synthetic resin can be used instead of glass for the material of the optical components 30, 300, so weight reduction is also possible in this respect. Also, in this illumination device 10, 100, the risk of cracking in the glass material is avoided, so the safety can be further enhanced.

[0072] And in this illumination device 10, 100, assuming the case of installation in the passenger compartment of a railway vehicle, in order to make a synthetic resin applicable to the material of the optical components 30, 300, measures against melting and dripping are taken. That is, a space partitioned into the attachment portion 14, 114 of the light source 20 inside the case 11, 111 becomes a melting receiving portion 17, 117 that can receive the optical components 30, 300 when they melt and drip.

[0073] As a result, even if the optical components 30, 300 are formed of synthetic resin and melt accidentally, the melt will fall onto the melt receiving portions 17, 117 partitioned in the mounting portions 14, 114. Therefore, the melt can be guided to and retained in the melt receiving portions 17, 117 without leaking to the outside of the case 11, 111. Here, the specific arrangement and capacity of the melt receiving portions 17, 117 are not limited to the reflector like the case in the conventional lighting device, and may be appropriately determined according to the size of the optical components 30, 300, for example.

[0074] In addition, in the present invention, the melt receiving portions 17, 117 are characterized in that they are located below the light source 20 mounted on the mounting portions 14, 114.

[0075] As a result, the melt of the optical components 30, 300 will not accumulate near the light source 20 on the mounting portions 14, 114 but will be retained below the light source 20. Therefore, it is also possible to prevent a situation where the melt is further heated by the heat emitted by the light source 20, for example.

[0076] In addition, in the present invention, the optical components 30, 300 are fixed to the case 11, 111 in a state where the light source 20 is sandwiched between the optical components 30, 300 and the mounting portions 14, 114 by engaging an engaging portion 18 provided on either one side with a engaged portion 35 provided on the other side between the optical components 30, 300 and the inner surface side of the case 11, 111.

[0077] In this way, by using the engagement relationship between the engaging portion 18 and the engaged portion 35 for fixing the optical components 30, 300 to the case 11, 111, screw fastening and adhesive work as in the prior art are not required, and the number of parts and the assembly man-hours are reduced. Moreover, when the optical components 30, 300 are fixed to the case 11, 111, the light source 20 can be fixed at the same time accordingly. Therefore, in the lighting devices 10, 100, the assembly work can be easily performed and the cost can be significantly reduced.

[0078] Further, in the present invention, the mounting portions 14, 114 are provided with first positioning means 16 for positioning the light source 20 placed on the mounting portions 14, 114 in at least one direction. The optical components 30, 300 are characterized by being provided with second positioning means 36 for positioning the light source 20 in at least one direction different from the one direction when the optical components 30, 300 are superposed on the light source 20.

[0079] Thereby, when assembling and fixing the light source 20 and the optical components 30, 300 to the cases 11, 111, it is possible to prevent the light source 20 placed on the mounting portions 14, 114 of the cases 11, 111 from being displaced in one direction, such as the lateral direction. Further, it is also possible to prevent the light source 20 with the optical components 30, 300 superposed thereon from being displaced in other directions, such as the front - rear direction.

[0080] Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that a space inside the case 11, 111 where the mounting portions 14, 114 are not provided serves as a power supply housing portion capable of housing a power supply device 50 for supplying power to the light source 20.

[0081] Thereby, the power supply device 50 can also be integrated into the lighting devices 10, 100 to form a unit. Therefore, it is possible to save the labor of installing the power supply device 50 separately at the installation location (ceiling 1) from the lighting devices 10, 100.

[0082] Moreover, the present invention includes a terminal member 40 attached to an end of the case 11, 111. The terminal member 40 is characterized by also serving as a bracket for supporting at the installation location.

[0083] Normally, the terminal member 40 is attached to and covers the end of the case 11, 111. By also using this terminal member 40 as a bracket for supporting the lighting devices 10, 100 at the installation location (ceiling 1), the lighting devices 10, 100 can be easily installed without increasing the number of parts. Here, no special processing for attaching the lighting devices 10, 100 to the installation location (ceiling 1) is required.

[0084] In the present invention, the cases 11, 111 are formed with a groove-shaped cross-section that is uniform in the longitudinal direction, and include a bottom wall 12, 112 that extends in the longitudinal direction and both side walls 13, 113 that rise from both end edges of the bottom wall 12, 112 and face each other. On the bottom wall 12, 112 of the case 11, 111, long grooves 14a, 114a that are recessed inward from the outside along the longitudinal direction are formed. On the back side of the long grooves 14a, 114a, ridges that protrude inside the case 11, 111 become the mounting portions 14, 114. At the upper end of the mounting portions 14, 114, flat mounting surfaces 15, 115 for placing the substrate 21 of the light source 20 along the longitudinal direction are provided. Among the spaces inside the case 11, 111 surrounded by the bottom wall 12, 112 and the both side walls 13, 113, the regions partitioned on both sides of the mounting portion 14, 114 are the Melting receiving part 17, 117, which is characterized in that.

[0085] By configuring the case 11, 111 that forms the outer shell of the lighting device 10, 100 to have such a simple groove-shaped cross-section, it can be utilized as a general-purpose design. In addition, it is possible to miniaturize the lighting device 10, 100, which not only facilitates the installation work on the installation location (ceiling 1), but also can obtain an optical illusion effect that makes the surrounding space of the lighting device 10, 100 at the installation location (ceiling 1) appear wider. Furthermore, aiming at the integration of the lighting device 10, 100 and the installation location (ceiling 1), it is also possible to improve the open lighting space and the design property.

[0086] Here, among the spaces inside the case 11, 111 surrounded by the bottom wall 12, 112 and the both side walls 13, 113, the regions partitioned on both sides of the mounting portion 14, 114 for the light source 20 are respectively Melting receiving part 17, 117. Thereby, two independent and wide regions are formed inside the case 11, 111 as Melting receiving part 17, 117. When the optical components 30, 300 melt accidentally, the melt can be surely received and retained so as not to leak.

[0087] Furthermore, in the present invention, the case 111 is supported at the installation location (ceiling 1) via the support bracket 60, a part of the support bracket 60 overlaps the bottom wall 112 of the case 111 from below, and this part is screwed to the nut 44 housed in the long groove 114a, and is characterized in that it is movable along the long groove 114a.

[0088] Such a support bracket 60 forms a curtain rail structure with the long groove 114a in the bottom wall 112 of the case 111. Therefore, the support bracket 60 is movable along the longitudinal direction of the case 111 and can be fixed at an arbitrary position.

[0089] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments described above, and even if there are changes and additions within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention, they are included in the present invention. For example, although the example of installing the lighting devices 10, 100 on the ceiling 1 in the passenger compartment of a railway vehicle has been described, it may be applied to indirect lighting in the passenger compartments of other vehicles such as airplanes and automobiles, or to lighting for indoor facilities and general households.

[0090] Also, the specific shape of the casings 11, 111 is not limited to the illustrated example. Also, the Melting receiving part 17, 117 which form the basis of the present invention are also not limited to the illustrated shapes. Further, the optical components 30, 300 may be a protective cover that does not particularly intend to perform light distribution control instead of a lens that performs predetermined light distribution control. In this case, a synthetic resin is suitable as the material as well as for the lens.

[0091] Furthermore, although the engaging portion 18 is provided on the case 11, 111 and the engaged portion 35 is provided on the lens 30, 300, as a reverse aspect, the engaged portion 35 may be provided on the case 11, 111 and the engaging portion 18 may be provided on the lens 30, 300. Here, the engaging portion 18 is not limited to a convex strip, and the engaged portion 35 is also not limited to a concave groove into which the convex strip fits.

Industrial Applicability

[0092] The lighting device according to the present invention can be widely used for general lighting in various installation locations, not limited to indirect lighting in the passenger compartments of railway vehicles, aircraft, automobiles, etc.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0093] 1... Ceiling 10... Lighting device 11... Case 12... Bottom wall 13... Side wall 14... Mounting portion 15... Placing surface 16... Flange (first positioning means) 17... Melting receiving portion 18... Engaging portion 20... Light source 21... Substrate 22... LED chip 30... Lens (optical component) 31... Bottom surface 32... Incident surface 33... Exit surface 35... Engaged portion 36... Notch (second positioning means) 40... End cap (terminal member) 50... Power supply device 60... Support bracket 100... Lighting device 111... Case 112... Bottom wall 113... Side wall 114... Mounting portion 115... Placing surface 117... Melting receiving portion 300... Lens (optical component) 331... Bottom surface 332... Side surface 333... Exit surface

Claims

1. In an illumination device having a case, a light source that emits light from the inside of the case to the outside, and an optical component that is fixed on the light-emitting side of the light source and transmits light, a mounting portion for mounting the light source is provided inside the case, a space partitioned into the mounting portion inside the case serves as a melting receiving portion capable of receiving the optical component when it melts and drips, the case is formed with a groove-shaped cross-section that is uniform in the longitudinal direction, and includes a bottom wall extending in the longitudinal direction and both side walls rising from both edge portions of the bottom wall and facing each other, a long groove that is recessed from the outside to the inside along the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall of the case is formed, and a rib protruding to the inside of the case on the back side of the long groove serves as the mounting portion, and a flat mounting surface for placing the substrate of the light source along the longitudinal direction is provided at the upper end of the mounting portion, An illumination device, wherein regions partitioned on both sides of the mounting portion among the spaces inside the case surrounded by the bottom wall and the both side walls serve as the melting receiving portions.

2. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the melting receiving portion is located below the light source mounted on the mounting portion.

3. The illumination device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the optical component is fixed to the case in a state of sandwiching the light source between the mounting portion by engaging an engaging portion provided on either one with an engaged portion provided on the other between the optical component and the inner surface side of the case.

4. The mounting portion includes first positioning means for positioning the light source placed on the mounting portion in at least one direction, The illumination device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the optical component includes second positioning means for positioning the light source in at least another direction different from the one direction when the optical component is superposed on the light source.

5. The illumination device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein a space inside the case where the mounting portion is not provided serves as a power supply housing portion capable of housing a power supply device that supplies power to the light source.

6. An end member to be attached to an end of the case is provided, The illumination device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the end member also serves as a bracket for supporting the installation location.

7. The case is supported at the installation location via a support bracket, The support bracket is characterized in that a part of the support bracket overlaps the bottom wall of the case from below, the part is screwed to a nut housed in the long groove, and is movable along the long groove, according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 of the lighting device.

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