Illuminated board

Abstract

To provide a plate with an illumination function capable of evenly performing surface light emission on a light emission surface.SOLUTION: A plate 1 with an illumination function comprises: a plate part 2 configured by laminating a first light guide layer 11, a light diffusion sheet 12, a second light guide layer 13, and a light shielding part 14 in this order; and a light source unit 3 that irradiates an end surface of the plate part 2 toward light. An end surface 11a of the first light guide layer 11 facing the light source unit 3 is a light shielding surface. The light emitted from each LED 5 of the light source unit 3 does not enter the end surface 11a of the first light guide layer 11, but enters only an end surface 13a of the second light guide layer 13. The light having entered the second light guide layer 13 propagates while repeating internal reflection, and is reflected by a dot pattern 15 toward the light diffusion sheet 12 side. The reflected light is diffused when passing through the light diffusion sheet 12, passes through the first light guide layer 11, and is emitted. In this way, A surface 21 of the plate part 2 on the first light guide layer 11 side emits light evenly.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plate with an illumination function. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Various products using boards with lighting functions are known, such as tables with luminous tops and display racks with luminous shelves.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a luggage shelf that includes a shelf made of a translucent material and a light source unit for illuminating the shelf. The light source unit includes a casing attached to the edge of the shelf, a long and narrow board housed in the casing, and a plurality of LEDs mounted on the board and arranged along the edge of the shelf. The upper surface of the shelf functions as a loading surface, and the lower surface illuminates the area directly below the shelf. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-175429 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the various articles using the above-mentioned illumination-equipped plate material, it is difficult to make the light-emitting surface emit light uniformly, and there is room for improvement.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a plate member with an illumination function that can uniformly emit light from its light-emitting surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a light emitting device comprising: a plate portion configured by laminating a first light guide layer, a light diffusion layer, a second light guide layer, and a light blocking portion in this order; and a light source unit that irradiates light toward an end face of the plate portion, wherein the surface of the plate portion facing the first light guide layer is a surface-emitting surface. The light source unit includes a case attached to an end of the plate portion, a substrate accommodated in the case, and a light emitting element mounted on the substrate and facing an end face of the second light guide layer, and the end face of the first light guide layer facing the light source unit is a light blocking surface. The plate material is characterized by having an illumination function. The present invention provides a plate material with an illumination function, comprising a plate portion constructed by laminating a first light guide layer, a light diffusion layer, a second light guide layer, and a light blocking portion in this order, and a light source unit that irradiates light toward the end face of the plate portion, wherein the surface of the plate portion facing the first light guide layer is surface-emitting, and a light blocking sheet that causes the plate portion to emit a gradational light or a light-emitting pattern is interposed between the second light guide layer and the light diffusion layer. The present invention provides a plate material with an illumination function, comprising: a plate portion constructed by laminating a first light guide layer, a light diffusion layer, a second light guide layer, and a light-shielding portion in this order; and a light source unit that irradiates light toward an end face of the plate portion, wherein the surface of the plate portion facing the first light guide layer is surface-emitting; a dot pattern that reflects light in the second light guide layer toward the light diffusion layer is formed on the surface of the second light guide layer facing the light-shielding portion; a through portion is formed in the plate portion in the thickness direction; and the density of the dot pattern in the part of the through portion opposite the light source unit is formed higher than the density of the dot pattern in the part of the through portion facing the light source unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the plate portion is configured by stacking a first light guide layer, a light diffusion layer, a second light guide layer, and a light-shielding portion in this order, so that the surface of the plate portion facing the first light guide layer can emit light uniformly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a top view of an illumination-equipped plate according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the illuminated plate member of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an illumination-function-equipped plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an illumination-equipped plate according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An "illumination-equipped plate" according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] The lighting-equipped board material 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a long, rectangular board portion 2 on which objects can be placed, and a light source unit 3 for illuminating the board portion 2, and can be used as, for example, a shelf or tabletop.

[0012] 3 and 4, the plate 2 is configured by laminating a first light guide layer 11, a light diffusion sheet (corresponding to a light diffusion layer) 12, a second light guide layer 13, and a light-shielding portion 14 in this order, with a surface 21 on the first light guide layer 11 side emitting light. When the illumination-equipped plate 1 is used as a shelf or tabletop, the plate 2 is arranged horizontally with the surface 21 on the first light guide layer 11 side, which is the light-emitting surface, facing upward and the surface 22 on the light-shielding portion 14 side facing downward.

[0013] The first light guide layer 11 is made of translucent resin or glass.

[0014] The second light guide layer 13 is made of acrylic resin. A dot pattern 15 is formed on the surface of the second light guide layer 13 on the side of the light-shielding portion 14, for reflecting light in the second light guide layer 13 toward the light diffusion sheet 12. In this example, the dot pattern 15 is formed by printing, but a film on which the dot pattern 15 is formed may also be attached.

[0015] A through-hole 29 is formed on one longitudinal end 2c side of the plate portion 2, penetrating through the plate portion 2 in the thickness direction. For example, an electric cord is passed through this through-hole 29, or an article is attached to this through-hole 29. In this example, the through-hole 29 is a notch, but the through-hole 29 may also be a hole.

[0016] In this example, a pair of light source units 3 are provided, and are attached to one end 2c and the other end 2d in the longitudinal direction of the plate portion 2. Since the pair of light source units 3 have the same configuration, only the configuration of the light source unit 3 attached to one end 2c of the plate portion 2 will be described. This light source unit 3 includes a case 33 attached to one end 2c of the plate portion 2, a board 4 housed in the case 33, and an LED (corresponding to a light-emitting element) 5 mounted on the board 4.

[0017] The case 33 is made up of a first member 31 and a second member 32 that sandwich one end 2c of the plate portion 2 between them and form a space for accommodating the substrate 4 between them.

[0018] 2, the substrate 4 is elongated and extends in the width direction of the plate portion 2. The substrate 4 is attached to the case 33 so as to face the end face 11a of the first light guide layer 11 and the end face 13a of the second light guide layer 13. A plurality of LEDs 5 are provided and arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 4. Each LED 5 is arranged so as to face the end face 13a of the second light guide layer 13.

[0019] An end surface 11a of the first light guide layer 11 facing the light source unit 3 is a light-shielding surface. Therefore, the light emitted from each LED 5 does not enter the end surface 11a of the first light guide layer 11, but enters only the end surface 13a of the second light guide layer 13.

[0020] In the illumination-equipped plate 1 having the above configuration, as shown in Fig. 3, light emitted from each LED 5 enters the second light guide layer 13 from the end surface 13a. The light that enters the second light guide layer 13 propagates while repeatedly undergoing internal reflection, and is reflected by the dot pattern 15 toward the light diffusion sheet 12. The reflected light is diffused as it passes through the light diffusion sheet 12, passes through the first light guide layer 11, and is emitted. In this way, the surface 21 of the plate 2 facing the first light guide layer 11 emits light uniformly.

[0021] Furthermore, in the illumination-equipped plate material 1 of this example, the density (dot size, pitch) of the dot pattern 15 is adjusted depending on the distance from the light source unit 3 and the presence or absence of an obstruction, thereby allowing the surface 21 to emit light more uniformly. In this example, the obstruction is a through-hole 29. In Fig. 1, the density of the dot pattern 15 on the left side of the through-hole 29 is higher than the density of the dot pattern 15 on the right side of the through-hole 29.

[0022] Furthermore, in the illumination-equipped plate material 1 of this example, the light source units 3 are attached to one end 2c and the other end 2d in the longitudinal direction of the plate portion 2. Therefore, even though the plate portion 2 is long, the surface 21 on the first light guide layer 11 side can emit light uniformly.

[0023] 4, an end portion of the second light guide layer 13 not facing the light source unit 3 (an end portion located at one end portion 2a in the width direction of the plate portion 2) has a tapered surface 13b that intersects with the end face of the second light guide layer 13 and the surface on the light-shielding portion 14 side. This tapered surface 13b reflects light in the second light guide layer 13 toward the light diffusion sheet 12. This allows the surface 21 on the first light guide layer 11 side to emit light more brightly.

[0024] An "illumination-equipped plate" according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0025] The plate member 101 with an illumination function shown in FIG.

[0026] As in the first embodiment, the plate portion 102 is configured by laminating a first light guide layer 11, a light diffusion sheet 12, a second light guide layer 13, and a light-shielding portion 14 in this order. A light incident surface 23 through which light emitted from the light source unit 103 enters is provided at one widthwise end portion 2a of the plate portion 102. In this example, the light incident surface 23 of the plate portion 102 is provided only at one widthwise end portion 2a of the plate portion 102, and is provided over the entire length of the plate portion 102.

[0027] At one widthwise end 2a of the plate portion 102, the end face of the second light guide layer 13 serves as a light incident surface 23, and a protruding portion 24 is provided that protrudes outward (opposite the other end 2b) from the end face of the first light guide layer 11 beyond the light incident surface 23. A surface 25 of the protruding portion 24 that intersects with the light incident surface 23 is made into a light blocking surface by being coated with a light blocking paint or by having a light blocking material attached thereto.

[0028] The light source unit 103 includes a substrate 4 attached to the surface 22 of the plate portion 102, an LED 5 mounted on the substrate 4 and emitting light in the opposite direction to the surface 21 of the plate portion 102 (downward in Figure 5), and a reflector 6 that guides the light of the LED 5 to the light incident surface 23 of the plate portion 102.

[0029] The substrate 4 is elongated and extends in the longitudinal direction of the plate portion 102. The substrate 4 is attached to the surface 22 of the plate portion 102 so that its thickness direction is the same as the thickness direction of the plate portion 102 (so that the plate portion 102 and the substrate 4 are parallel). By attaching the substrate 4 in this orientation, the light source unit 103 can be made thinner. The substrate 4 is also attached to one end 2a side of the plate portion 102 in the width direction. A plurality of LEDs 5 are provided and are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 4.

[0030] The reflector 6 is formed in the shape of a gutter that extends elongatedly in the longitudinal direction of the plate portion 102. The reflector 6 covers the entire substrate 4 and the portion of the plate portion 102 from the substrate 4 to the light incident surface 23. In this example, the reflector 6 is made up of a plurality of reflective surfaces 61, 62, 63, and 64. Openings at both ends of the reflector 6 in the longitudinal direction are closed by covers or the like (not shown).

[0031] In the illumination-equipped plate 101 configured as described above, light emitted from each LED 5 is repeatedly reflected by the multiple reflecting surfaces 61, 62, 63, and 64 of the reflector 6 and then enters the second light guide layer 13 from the light-entering surface 23. The light that enters the second light guide layer 13 propagates while repeatedly undergoing internal reflections and is reflected by the dot pattern 15 toward the light diffusion sheet 12. The reflected light is diffused as it passes through the light diffusion sheet 12, passes through the first light guide layer 11, and is then emitted. In this manner, the surface 21 of the plate 102 facing the first light guide layer 11 emits light uniformly. Furthermore, because the light from the LEDs 5 is repeatedly reflected by the reflector 6 and then enters the second light guide layer 13, the graininess of the LEDs 5 is not apparent on the surface 21 of the plate 102. When the reflector 6 of this example is used, light emitted from the LED 5 in a direction perpendicular to the substrate 4 is reflected three times by the reflector 6 and enters the light incident surface .

[0032] Furthermore, in the plate material 101 with illumination function, the light source unit 103 is attached to the surface 22 of the plate part 102 on the light-shielding part 14 side, and therefore when viewed from the surface 21 side, most of the light source unit 103 is hidden behind the light-shielding part 14 and is therefore not noticeable. Also, although a part of the reflector 6 is disposed outward from the light-entering surface 23, this part is hidden behind the protruding part 24 when viewed from the surface 21 side, and the surface 25 of the protruding part 24 that intersects with the light-entering surface 23 is made a light-shielding surface, so it is not noticeable.

[0033] An "illumination-equipped plate" according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0034] The plate member 201 with an illumination function shown in FIG.

[0035] As in the first embodiment, the plate portion 202 is configured by laminating, in this order, a first light guide layer 11, a light diffusion sheet 12, a second light guide layer 13, and a light blocking portion 14. One widthwise end portion 2a of the plate portion 202 is provided with a light incident surface 27 through which light irradiated from the light source unit 203 enters.

[0036] In this example, the light incident surface 27 of the plate portion 202 is provided only at one widthwise end 2a of the plate portion 202, and is provided over the entire length of the plate portion 202. The light incident surface 27 is composed of two surfaces: a first light incident surface 27a that intersects perpendicularly with the surface 22, and a second light incident surface 27b that intersects perpendicularly with the first light incident surface 27a and extends outward (toward the opposite side from the other end 2b) than the first light incident surface 27a. The first light incident surface 27a and second light incident surface 27b are provided on the second light guide layer 13.

[0037] The light source unit 203 includes a case 8 attached to the surface 22 of the plate portion 202 and on one end 2a side in the width direction of the plate portion 202, a substrate 4 housed in the case 8, an LED 5 mounted on the substrate 4, and a second light guide 7 housed in the case 8 and guiding light from the LED 5 to the light incident surface 27 of the plate portion 202. Openings at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the case 8 are closed by covers or the like (not shown).

[0038] The substrate 4 is elongated and extends in the longitudinal direction of the plate portion 202. The substrate 4 is attached to the case 8 so as to be oriented perpendicular to the plate portion 202. A plurality of LEDs 5 are provided and are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 4. Each LED 5 emits light in a direction from the other end 2b side toward one end 2a side in the width direction of the plate portion 202.

[0039] The second light guide 7 is made of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic resin and extends in the shape of a long, narrow plate in the longitudinal direction of the plate portion 202. One end face of the second light guide 7 in the width direction serves as a light source-side light incident surface 71, which faces the LED 5 inside the case 8. The other end face of the second light guide 7 in the width direction is provided with a reflective surface 72 by being subjected to a reflective treatment (such as white printing or painting). The second light guide 7 has a surface facing the light incident surface 27 of the plate portion 202 and intersecting the reflective surface 72 at an acute angle as a light exit surface 73. The light exit surface 73 faces the corner 26 between the first light incident surface 27a and the second light incident surface 27b.

[0040] The second light guide 7 has a light source-side light incident surface 71 arranged on the surface 22 side of the plate portion 202 (below surface 22 in FIG. 6), and a reflecting portion 72 and a light exit surface 73 arranged on the surface 21 side of surface 22 of the plate portion 202 (above surface 22 in FIG. 6), and is curved from the light source-side light incident surface 71 to the light exit surface 73. In other words, the second light guide 7 is formed in a shape that follows the surface 22 of the plate portion 202.

[0041] Such a light source unit 203 can be formed to have a thickness equal to or less than that of the plate portion 202, and is therefore very thin.

[0042] In the illumination-equipped plate 201 configured as described above, light emitted from each LED 5 enters the second light guide 7 through the light-source-side light-input surface 71, undergoes repeated total reflection within the second light guide 7, and propagates toward the reflector 72. This light is then reflected by the reflector 72, exits through the light-output surface 73, and enters the second light guide layer 13 through the light-input surface 27. The light that enters the second light guide layer 13 propagates while repeatedly undergoing internal reflection, and is reflected toward the light diffusion sheet 12 by the dot pattern 15. The reflected light is diffused as it passes through the light diffusion sheet 12, passes through the first light guide layer 11, and is then emitted. In this manner, the surface 21 of the plate 202 facing the first light guide layer 11 emits light uniformly. Furthermore, since the light from the LEDs 5 enters the second light guide layer 13 through the second light guide body 7, the graininess of the LEDs 5 does not appear on the surface 21 of the plate portion 202.

[0043] When the plate material 201 with lighting function is viewed from the surface 21 side, the light source unit 203 is hidden behind the plate portion 202. Furthermore, since the surface 22 of the plate portion 202 is made into the light-shielding portion 14, most of the light source unit 203 is hidden behind the light-shielding portion 14 and is not easily noticeable.

[0044] In the above-described embodiments, the plate portion 2, 102, 202 is composed of four layers: the first light guide layer 11, the light diffusion sheet 12, the second light guide layer 13, and the light-shielding portion 14. However, in the present invention, a light-shielding sheet that causes the plate portion 2, 102, 202 to emit a gradation light or to produce a light-emitting pattern may be interposed between the second light guide layer 13 and the light diffusion sheet 12.

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, the light diffusion sheet 12 is used as the light diffusion layer, but the light diffusion layer of the present invention may be a paint or plate material having a light diffusion effect other than the light diffusion sheet 12.

[0046] The above-described embodiment merely shows a typical form of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various modifications without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1,101,201 Illuminated board 2,102,202 Plate part 3,103,203 Light source unit 4 boards 5 LED (light emitting element) 11 First light guide layer 12 Light diffusion sheet (light diffusion layer) 13 Second light guide layer 14 Light blocking section

Claims

1. a plate portion configured by laminating a first light guide layer, a light diffusion layer, a second light guide layer, and a light blocking portion in this order; a light source unit that irradiates light toward the end surface of the plate portion, a surface of the plate portion facing the first light guide layer that emits light; the light source unit includes a case attached to an end of the plate portion, a substrate accommodated in the case, and a light emitting element mounted on the substrate and facing an end face of the second light guide layer, The end surface of the first light guide layer facing the light source unit is a light blocking surface. A plate material with an illumination function.

2. A dot pattern that reflects light in the second light guide layer toward the light diffusion layer is formed on a surface of the second light guide layer on the side of the light blocking portion.

2. The plate member with an illumination function according to claim 1.

3. A plate portion formed by laminating a first light guide layer, a light diffusion layer, a second light guide layer, and a light blocking portion in this order; a light source unit that irradiates light toward the end surface of the plate portion, a surface of the plate portion facing the first light guide layer that emits light; A light-shielding sheet that causes the plate portion to emit gradation light or produces a light-emitting pattern is interposed between the second light-guiding layer and the light-diffusing layer. A plate material with an illumination function.

4. A dot pattern that reflects light in the second light guide layer toward the light diffusion layer is formed on the surface of the second light guide layer facing the light blocking portion.

4. The plate member with an illumination function according to claim 3.

5. A plate portion formed by laminating a first light guide layer, a light diffusion layer, a second light guide layer, and a light blocking portion in this order; a light source unit that irradiates light toward the end surface of the plate portion, a surface of the plate portion facing the first light guide layer that emits light; a dot pattern that reflects light in the second light guide layer toward the light diffusion layer is formed on a surface of the second light guide layer on the light shielding portion side, A through-hole is formed in the plate portion in the plate thickness direction, The density of the dot pattern in the portion of the through-hole opposite to the light source unit is higher than the density of the dot pattern in the portion of the through-hole on the light source unit side. A plate material with an illumination function.

6. The light source unit includes a case attached to an end of the plate portion, a substrate housed in the case, and a light-emitting element mounted on the substrate and facing an end face of the second light-guiding layer.

6. The plate material with an illumination function according to claim 4 or 5.

7. An end surface of the first light guide layer facing the light source unit is a light-shielding surface.

7. The plate member with an illumination function according to claim 6.

8. The second light guide layer has an end portion that does not face the light source unit, and a tapered surface that intersects with the end surface of the second light guide layer and the surface on the light blocking portion side.

8. The plate material with an illumination function according to claim 1, wherein the plate material has a thickness of 100 nm or less.

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