Lighting device

Abstract

To provide an illuminating device that can solve a problem in cost.SOLUTION: An illuminating device 10 comprises a light source unit 12, a lens 18 for controlling the distribution of light emitted from the light source unit 12, a globe 16 covering the lens 18, and a combination part 21 integrating the lens 18 and the globe 16. The lens 18 and the globe 16 can be detached from the light source 12 while being integrated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device used for lighting and decoration, and particularly to a lighting device using a light-emitting diode (LED).

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, due to the remarkable improvement in the performance of light-emitting diodes, light-emitting diodes have come to be used not only for conventional applications such as small indicators and backlights but also for store lighting, decorative lighting, and even household lighting.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting device including a light-emitting diode as a light source, a lens for controlling the light distribution of the light emitted from the light-emitting diode, and a glove covering the lens.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a lighting device such as that of Patent Document 1, when there is a defect in, for example, the lens or glove, or when it is desired to change the light distribution, it is necessary to replace the entire lighting device including the light source, which poses a problem in terms of cost.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a lighting device that can solve the above problems in terms of cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, a lighting device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a light source, a lens that controls the light distribution of light emitted from the light source, a globe that covers the lens, and a coupling part that integrates the lens and the globe. The lens and globe can be removed from the light source in an integrated state.

[0008] Furthermore, any combination of the above components, as well as conversions of the expression of the present invention between devices, methods, systems, etc., are also valid embodiments of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a lighting device that solves the above-mentioned cost-related problems can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of the main parts of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a disassembled cross-sectional view of the globe unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the lighting device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the lighting device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] The lighting device 10 according to this embodiment comprises a light source unit 12 that emits light and a globe unit 14 that receives the light emitted from the light source unit 12 and irradiates the outside. In the lighting device 10 according to this embodiment, the globe unit 14 is detachable from the light source unit 12. Figure 1 shows the state in which the globe unit 14 has been removed from the light source unit 12.

[0013] The light source unit 12 comprises a housing 26, a light-emitting diode (not shown) located inside the housing 26, a light-emitting surface 28 provided on the top of the housing 26, and a power cable 30. The light-emitting diode emits light when power is supplied from the power cable 30. The light emitted from the light-emitting diode is released to the outside from the light-emitting surface 28. Light is emitted from the light-emitting surface 28 at various radiation angles, but the light intensity is highest in the direction perpendicular to the light-emitting surface 28 (i.e., in the optical axis direction of the light source unit) passing through the center of the light-emitting surface 28. When the lighting device 10 is used outdoors, it is desirable that the light source unit 12 itself be waterproof.

[0014] Figure 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the globe unit 14. The globe unit 14 includes a lens 18 that controls the light distribution of light emitted from the light-emitting surface 28 of the light source unit 12, a globe 16 that covers the lens 18, and a coupling part 21 that integrates the lens 18 and the globe 16.

[0015] The lens 18 is made of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic resin. In the lighting device 10 according to this embodiment, the lens 18 is formed in a shape in which one end in the direction of the major axis (central axis Ax) of a substantially ellipsoid is tapered. Such a shape can also be called teardrop-shaped.

[0016] The teardrop-shaped lens 18 has a tapered tip portion 18a, a base portion 18b formed at the other end in the direction of the major axis of the substantially ellipsoidal body, and a side portion 18c formed between the tip portion 18a and the base portion 18b. The base portion 18b is a circular plane perpendicular to the central axis Ax of the lens 18. The side portion 18c is formed to totally reflect light that enters the lens 18 from the base portion 18b and to form an image near the tip portion 18a.

[0017] The lens 18 is positioned such that its bottom surface 18b is located on the light-emitting surface 28 of the light source unit 12 when the globe unit 14 is attached to the light source unit 12. Preferably, the lens 18 is positioned such that its central axis Ax intersects perpendicularly with the center of the light-emitting surface 28 of the light source unit 12, that is, so that its central axis Ax coincides with the optical axis of the light source unit 12. Considering the efficiency of light utilization, it is preferable that the light-emitting surface 28 of the light source unit 12 and the bottom surface 18b of the lens 18 are in contact, but considering the tolerances of the parts, the light-emitting surface 28 of the light source unit 12 and the bottom surface 18b of the lens 18 may be slightly separated.

[0018] Light emitted from the light-emitting surface 28 of the light source unit 12 enters the lens 18 from the bottom surface 18b. The light that enters the lens 18 undergoes total internal reflection at the side surface 18c and then forms a linear image near the front surface 18a. The light that has formed the linear image exits the lens 18 from the side surface near the front surface 18a. Therefore, when the lens 18 is viewed from the outside, the area near the front surface 18a appears to be emitting light in a linear pattern, thus providing an illumination effect that makes it appear as if it is shining like the filament of an incandescent light bulb. In addition, the light that enters the side surface 18c from the bottom surface 18b undergoes total internal reflection at least once at the side surface 18c. Therefore, when the side surface 18c is viewed from the outside of the lens 18, the light-emitting surface 28 of the light source unit 12 is not visible. Such a teardrop-shaped lens is described in detail in Japanese Patent No. 5547697 filed by the present applicant.

[0019] The globe 16 is a hollow member having an opening. The globe 16 covers almost the entire lens 18. In other words, the globe 16 houses the lens 18. That is, almost the entire lens 18 is located inside the globe 16.

[0020] The glove 16 is a translucent cover having translucency. Therefore, the light incident on the inner surface of the glove 16 passes through the glove 16 and is taken out to the outside of the glove 16. In the present embodiment, since the glove 16 covers the lens 18, the light emitted from the lens 18 passes through the glove 16 and irradiates the periphery of the lighting device 10.

[0021] As the material of the glove 16, a translucent resin material such as acrylic (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC) that is transparent to visible light can be used. Alternatively, a glass material such as silica glass can also be used.

[0022] In the present embodiment, the glove 16 is configured to be transparent. By making the glove 16 transparent, the lens 18 disposed inside the glove can be visually recognized from the outside. Thereby, an illumination effect as if glowing like a filament of an incandescent bulb can be effectively provided.

[0023] In another embodiment, the glove 16 may not be transparent and may have a light-transmissive white color. Alternatively, the glove 16 may have a color with a filter element that converts the color of the light emitted from the light-emitting diode into another color. Alternatively, the glove 16 may have a plurality of colors. Alternatively, the glove 16 may be partially mirror-coated.

[0024] The glove 16 has an opening 16a that forms a substantially circular opening surface. In the lighting device 10 according to the present embodiment, the overall shape of the glove 16 is substantially spherical, but the overall shape of the glove 16 is not limited to a substantially spherical shape.

[0025] The coupling portion 21 integrates the lens 18 and the glove 16. That is, the coupling portion 21 enables the lens 18 and the glove 16 to be treated as one component. In the present embodiment, the coupling portion 21 is configured to seal the inside of the glove 16. The degree of sealing is set according to the waterproofness required for the lighting device 10.

[0026] In this embodiment, the coupling portion 21 includes a glove cover 20 that supports the lens 18 and closes the opening 16a of the glove 16, a packing 24 for sealing the inside of the glove 16, and a holder 22 for fixing the glove cover 20 to the glove 16.

[0027] The globe cover 20 is a cover having a size and shape that allows it to close the opening 16a of the globe 16. The globe cover 20 has a circular hole 20a in its center. This hole 20a is sized to allow the bottom surface 18b of the lens 18 to be inserted and secured. The lens 18 is supported by the globe cover 20 by inserting its bottom surface 18b into the hole 20a. The hole 20a is completely closed by the bottom surface 18b of the lens 18.

[0028] The packing 24 is a sealing member for sealing the inside of the globe 16. The shape and material of the packing 24 can be appropriately selected depending on the degree of sealing required. The material of the packing 24 may be, for example, rubber or resin. In this embodiment, the shape of the packing 24 is an annular shape formed to cover the peripheral edge of the upper surface of the globe lid 20.

[0029] The holder 22 is a member having a substantially cylindrical shape. The holder 22 holds the globe cover 20 and locks the globe cover 20 to the opening edge 16b of the globe 16. At this time, the packing 24 is sandwiched between the peripheral edge of the globe cover 20 and the opening edge 16b of the globe 16. As a result, the lens 18 is housed inside the globe and the inside of the globe 16 is sealed. The lens 18 extends from the opening 16a of the globe 16 to near the center of the globe 16.

[0030] The structure for attaching the globe unit 14 to the light source unit 12 is as follows. Two locking protrusions 22a are formed on the lower part of the holder 22. Two locking grooves 26a are formed on the housing 26 of the light source unit 12. By aligning the locking protrusions 22a of the holder 22 with the locking grooves 26a of the housing 26 and rotating the holder 22 by a small angle in a predetermined direction around the central axis Ax, the locking protrusions 22a are locked into the locking grooves 26a, and the holder 22 is fixed to the housing 26. In other words, the globe unit 14 is attached to the light source unit 12. To remove the globe unit 14 from the light source unit 12, simply rotate it in the reverse direction. Note that the structure for attaching the globe unit 14 to the light source unit 12 is not limited to the one described here; for example, a mounting structure using a fitting structure or a mounting structure using fastening members may be employed.

[0031] As described above, in the lighting device 10 according to this embodiment, the lens 18 and the globe 16 are integrated as a globe unit 14, and this globe unit 14 can be removed from the light source unit 12. This is advantageous in terms of cost because, if the lens 18 or globe 16 is damaged, or if it is desired to change the light distribution or color, only the globe unit 14 needs to be replaced, rather than the entire lighting device including the light source unit 12.

[0032] Furthermore, in the lighting device 10 according to this embodiment, the internal space of the globe 16 in which the lens 18 is housed is sealed, thereby ensuring waterproofness of the globe unit 14 alone. This effectively prevents condensation from forming inside the globe 16, insects from entering the globe 16, and algae from growing inside the globe 16, making it possible to maintain a clean light emission state for a long time. In addition, maintenance work such as cleaning inside the globe 16 is reduced, which is advantageous in terms of maintenance costs.

[0033] Furthermore, according to the lighting device 10 of this embodiment, since the waterproofness of the globe unit 14 is ensured, it is possible to prevent accidents in which the lighting device 10 falls due to water entering and filling the globe 16, increasing its weight.

[0034] The present invention has been described above based on embodiments. These embodiments are illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of these components, and that such modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0035] 10 Lighting device, 12 Light source unit, 14 Globe unit, 16 Globe, 18 Lens, 20 Globe cover, 21 Connector, 22 Holder, 24 Gasket, 26 Housing, 28 Light-emitting surface, 30 Power cable.

Claims

1. Light source and A control lens for the distribution of light emitted from the aforementioned light source, A glove covering the aforementioned lens, A connecting part that integrates the lens and the globe, Equipped with, The lens and the globe are removable from the light source as a single unit. The aforementioned joint is A globe cover that supports the lens and closes the opening of the globe, A gasket for sealing the inside of the aforementioned glove, A holder for securing the glove cover to the glove, Equipped with, A lighting device characterized in that the lens is housed inside the globe and the inside of the globe is sealed by fixing the globe cover to the globe using the holder while the packing is sandwiched between the peripheral edge of the globe cover and the opening edge of the globe.

2. The lens has a bottom surface portion into which light from the light source enters the lens, The glove cover has a hole formed so that the bottom portion can be inserted, The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lens is supported by the globe cover by inserting the bottom portion into the hole, and the hole is closed by the bottom portion.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light source is a light-emitting diode.

Images