Lighting equipment

Abstract

The lighting device (101) includes a light source (1), a flexible modulation section (2) whose external shape is flexible when subjected to an external force and which modulates the emission direction of at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source in accordance with the external shape, and a holding section (3) which holds a portion of the flexible modulation section relative to the light source.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lighting device. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2012-146559 (Patent Document 1) discloses an illumination device that ripples the surface of a light-transmitting liquid in a hollow panel disposed in front of a light source in the light emission direction, and irradiates light that passes through the liquid surface as fluctuating light. This illumination device is configured so that the liquid surface ripples by circulating the liquid between the hollow panel and a liquid circulation means that is provided separately from the hollow panel outside the hollow panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-146559 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the lighting device described in Patent Document 1 requires a liquid circulation means, and the structure is complicated.

[0005] A main object of the present disclosure is to provide an illumination device that has a relatively simple structure and is capable of emitting flickering light. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The lighting device according to the present disclosure includes a light source, a flexible modulation unit that has a flexible external shape when subjected to an external force and modulates the emission direction of at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source in accordance with the external shape, and a holding unit that holds a portion of the flexible modulation unit relative to the light source. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an illumination device that has a relatively simple structure and is capable of emitting flickering light. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the illumination device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining the phenomenon in which the emission direction of reflected light fluctuates when an external force is applied to a flexible modulation section in the lighting device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a modification of the illumination device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a lighting device according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a lighting device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the illumination device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a lighting device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a first modified example of the illumination device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a second modified example of the illumination device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a lighting device according to embodiment 5. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a lighting device according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a modification of the illumination device according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a lighting device according to embodiment 7. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a modification of the illumination device according to the seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated. In addition, in each drawing, the structure is shown diagrammatically, and is not intended to show the actual dimensions.

[0010] Embodiment 1 Illumination device 101 according to the first embodiment is a device for irradiating fluctuating light onto irradiation surface 200. In this specification, fluctuating light means an illumination pattern that is made of light having a non-uniform intensity distribution formed on irradiation surface 200 and changes over time. Note that irradiation surface 200 may be any surface located outside illumination device 101 in the direction in which light is emitted, and may be, for example, a floor surface, a wall surface, a desk surface, or the like when illumination device 101 is attached to a ceiling or wall in a room.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the illumination device 101 according to the first embodiment mainly includes a light source 1, a flexible modulation unit 2, and a holding unit 3.

[0012] The light source 1 may be any light source that emits visible light. The light source 1 may be a light source that emits light in a specific wavelength range in the visible light wavelength range, or may be a light source that can generate white light. The light source 1 includes a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light-Emitting Diode) or a laser. The light source 1 may include a light-emitting element and a phosphor having an emission wavelength peak in a wavelength range that is complementary to the emission wavelength range of the light-emitting element. The light source 1 may include an LED or laser that emits light in a blue wavelength range, and a phosphor that is excited by a portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting element and has an emission peak in a yellow wavelength range that is complementary to blue. The light source 1 may be capable of changing the color (wavelength range) of the light it emits.

[0013] The flexible modulation unit 2 has a flexible outer shape when subjected to an external force, and is provided so as to modulate the emission direction of at least a part of the light 11 emitted from the light source 1 according to the outer shape. The flexible modulation unit 2 may be provided so as to modulate the emission direction of all of the light 11 emitted from the light source 1. The flexible modulation unit 2 may be provided so as to modulate the emission direction of only a part of the light 11 emitted from the light source 1.

[0014] The flexible modulation section 2 has, for example, a first end 21 and a second end 22, and a reflecting surface 23 extending between the first end 21 and the second end 22 and reflecting the light emitted from the light source 1.

[0015] The first end 21 is held by the holding portion 3. The second end 22 is located on the opposite side to the first end 21. The second end 22 is not held, for example. Note that the second end 22 may also be held by the holding portion.

[0016] The reflecting surface 23 is flexible when the flexible modulation unit 2 is subjected to an external force. When the flexible modulation unit 2 is subjected to an external force, a convex surface 24 and a concave surface 25 can be formed on the reflecting surface 23. When the flexible modulation unit 2 is subjected to an external force that changes over time, the positions at which the convex surface 24 and the concave surface 25 are formed on the reflecting surface 23 can change over time relative to the light source 1 in accordance with the change in the external force.

[0017] The source of the external force applied to the flexible modulation unit 2 is not particularly limited as long as it can apply a time-varying external force to the flexible modulation unit 2. The source is, for example, an air flow or liquid flow that occurs naturally or artificially in the environment in which the lighting device 101 is installed. For example, when an air flow hits the flexible modulation unit 2, the pressure distribution around the flexible modulation unit 2 changes over time. If the change in this pressure distribution is large enough to deform the flexible modulation unit 2, the shape of the reflecting surface 23 of the flexible modulation unit 2 also changes over time.

[0018] The holding unit 3 holds a part of the flexible modulation unit 2 relative to the light source 1. The holding unit 3 holds the remaining part of the flexible modulation unit 2 so that it can deform when an external force is applied to the remaining part of the flexible modulation unit 2. The holding unit 3 holds, for example, a first end 21 of the flexible modulation unit 2. The holding unit 3 is housed inside a case (not shown) together with, for example, the light source 1 and the flexible modulation unit 2. In this case, the light source 1 and the holding unit 3 are fixed to the case.

[0019] As described above, when the source of the external force applied to the flexible modulation unit 2 is an air flow or liquid flow that occurs naturally or artificially in the environment in which the lighting device 101 is installed, an opening is formed in the case for the flow of gas or liquid in and out so that the air flow or liquid flow can reach the inside of the case.

[0020] When the flexible modulation unit 2 is deformed over time due to an external force, the emission direction of the light reflected by the reflecting surface 23 of the flexible modulation unit 2 changes over time. The phenomenon in which the emission direction of the reflected light changes when an external force is applied to the flexible modulation unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0021] In Fig. 2, the reflective surface 23i before being deformed by an external force is shown by a dashed line, and the reflective surface 23f after being deformed by an external force is shown by a solid line. In Fig. 2, the reflective surface 23i is parallel to the irradiation surface 200. Fig. 2 also shows a reference point P1 whose position relative to the light source 1 does not change before and after the deformation of the reflective surface 23, and a reference point P2 where the perpendicular line drawn from the reference point P1 to the irradiation surface 200 intersects with the irradiation surface 200.

[0022] Before the flexible modulation unit 2 is deformed by receiving an external force, the incident angle θi from the light source 1 to the reflecting surface 23i is equal to the reflection angle θo at the reflecting surface 23i. The light 12i reflected at the reference point P1 of the reflecting surface 23i reaches a point P3 on the irradiation surface 200. The distance D1 between the point P3 and the reference point P2 is the product L*(tan(Θo) of the distance L between the reference point P1 and the reference point P2 and the tangent (tan(Θo) of the reflection angle θo.

[0023] On the other hand, when the flexible modulation unit 2 is deformed by receiving an external force and the amount of change in the angle of the reflecting surface 23f relative to the reflecting surface 23i at the reference point P1 is θf, the reflection angle becomes θo+2Θf. The light 12f reflected at the reference point P1 of the reflecting surface 23o reaches a point P4 on the irradiation surface 200. The distance D2 between the point P4 and the reference point P2 is the product L*(tan(θo+2Θf) of the distance L between the reference point P1 and the reference point P2 and the tangent (tan(θo+2Θf) of the reflection angle θo+2Θf).

[0024] The difference (D2-D1) between the distance D2 after the flexible modulation unit 2 is deformed and the distance D1 before the flexible modulation unit 2 is deformed indicates the distance by which the light emitted from the flexible modulation unit 2 to the irradiation surface 200 fluctuates due to the deformation of the flexible modulation unit 2. This difference (D2-D1) is synonymous with the magnitude of the fluctuation amount of the light emitted from the lighting device 101. When the amount of fluctuation of the light is small, the observer is less likely to feel the fluctuation. On the other hand, when the amount of fluctuation of the light is large, the observer is likely to feel the fluctuation as unnatural. Therefore, it is preferable to set the material of the flexible modulation unit 2, the holding structure by the holding unit 3, the relative positional relationship between the light source 1 and the flexible modulation unit 2, etc. so that the difference (D2-D1) is an appropriate size. The difference (D2-D1) is, for example, 1 mm or more and 1000 mm or less.

[0025] <Effects> The lighting device 101 includes a light source 1, a flexible modulation section 2 that has a flexible outer shape when subjected to an external force and modulates the emission direction of at least a part of the light emitted from the light source 1 according to the outer shape, and a holding section 3 that holds a part of the flexible modulation section 2 relative to the light source 1. In the lighting device 101, for example, when the pressure distribution around the flexible modulation section 2 changes over time and the change in the pressure distribution is large enough to deform the flexible modulation section 2, the shape of the reflecting surface 23 of the flexible modulation section 2 also changes over time. As a result, as described above, the emission direction of the light reflected at an arbitrary point on the reflecting surface 23 changes over time, and the arrival position of the light on the irradiation surface 200 also changes over time. As a result, the lighting device 101 can generate flickering light on the irradiation surface 200 while having a simpler structure than conventional lighting devices equipped with liquid circulation means.

[0026] <Modification> 3, in the lighting device 101, the flexible modulation unit 2 may be provided to transmit and refract the light emitted from the light source 1. The flexible modulation unit 2 may be provided to reflect a part of the light emitted from the light source 1 and transmit and refract another part of the light emitted from the light source 1.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the lighting device 101 may further include an application unit 20 that applies an external force to the flexible modulation unit 2 to change the external shape of the flexible modulation unit 2. The application unit 20 appropriately controls at least one of the magnitude and direction of the external force. Preferably, the application unit 20 is provided so as to give 1 / f fluctuation characteristics to the amount of variation in the surface angle of the reflection surface 23 of the flexible modulation unit 2. The application unit 20 may have any configuration as long as it has the above configuration, and may be, for example, a fan, or an electromagnet that applies an electromagnetic force to a magnetic body when the flexible modulation unit 2 has a magnetic body. The application unit 20 may be provided so as to apply a plurality of types of external forces to the flexible modulation unit 2. The application unit 20 may include, for example, a fan and an electromagnet.

[0028] The application section 20 is disposed on the opposite side of the flexible modulation section 2 from the light source 1, and may be provided so as to apply an external force to the surface opposite to the reflection surface .

[0029] Embodiment 2 Unless otherwise specified, the illumination device 102 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration and effects as the illumination device 101 according to the first embodiment.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, the lighting device 102 further includes a light guide plate 4 that guides at least a portion of the light 11 emitted from the light source 1 to the flexible modulation section 2.

[0031] The light guide plate 4 has an incident surface 41, an exit surface 42, a first main surface 43, and a second main surface 44. The incident surface 41 is disposed so as to face the light source 1. The exit surface 42 is located on the opposite side of the incident surface 41, and disposed so as to face the reflecting surface of the flexible modulation section 2. The first main surface 43 and the second main surface 44 extend between the incident surface 41 and the exit surface 42. The first main surface 43 faces the irradiation surface 200 side. The second main surface 44 faces the opposite side of the first main surface 43.

[0032] The light guide plate 4 is composed of, for example, a glass substrate or a light-transmitting resin substrate. A display panel unit (not shown) may be disposed on the second main surface 44. The outer shape of the light guide plate 4 corresponds to, for example, the display panel unit, and is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0033] 4, the lighting device 102 may further include a reflecting unit 5 that reflects a portion of the light 11 emitted from the light source 1. The reflecting unit 5 has a reflecting surface 51 facing the second main surface 44. In this case, the light guide plate 4 is provided so as to guide another portion of the light 11 emitted from the light source 1 to the flexible modulation unit 2, and to transmit the light 13 reflected by the reflecting surface 51 of the reflecting unit 5. The light guide plate 4 and the reflecting unit 5 are positioned with respect to the light source 1.

[0034] The lighting device 102 may further include a case 6. The case 6 accommodates therein the light source 1, the flexible modulation unit 2, the holding unit 3, the light guide plate 4, and the reflecting unit 5. The case 6 has a window 61 through which the light emitted from the flexible modulation unit 2 and the light reflected by the reflecting unit 5 and transmitted through the light guide plate 4 pass.

[0035] The lighting device 102 can emit fluctuating light 12 from the flexible modulation section 2 whose external shape changes over time, and light 13 reflected from the reflection section 5 whose external shape does not change over time. Therefore, the lighting device 102 can form a wider variety of lighting patterns than the lighting device 101.

[0036] <Modification> The light guide plate 4 may have light scattering particles therein. In such a light guide plate 4, a part of the light guided from the incident surface 41 to the exit surface 42 may be scattered by the light scattering particles and emitted to the outside from the first main surface 43. The particle diameter of the light scattering particles may be smaller than the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source 1. In other words, the light scattering particles may be fine particles that cause Rayleigh scattering of light.

[0037] Embodiment 3 Unless otherwise specified, the illumination device 103 according to the third embodiment has the same configuration and effects as the illumination device 101 according to the first embodiment.

[0038] 5, in the lighting device 103, the flexible modulation unit 2 is provided so as to modulate the emission direction of a part of the light 11 emitted from the light source 1. The lighting device 103 further includes a light guide plate 4. The light guide plate 4 is provided so as to guide another part of the light 11 emitted from the light source 1 to a part other than the flexible modulation unit 2, and to transmit the light emitted from the flexible modulation unit 2.

[0039] The light guide plate 4 has an incident surface 41, an exit surface 42, a first main surface 43, and a second main surface 44. The incident surface 41 is disposed so as to face the light source 1. The exit surface 42 is located on the opposite side of the incident surface 41, and disposed so as to face the reflecting surface of the flexible modulation section 2. The first main surface 43 and the second main surface 44 extend between the incident surface 41 and the exit surface 42. The first main surface 43 faces the irradiation surface 200 side. The second main surface 44 faces the opposite side of the first main surface 43.

[0040] The second main surface 44 of the light guide plate 4 is disposed so as to face the reflecting surface 23 of the flexible modulation unit 2. The exit surface 42 is disposed so as to face the portions of the lighting device 103 other than the flexible modulation unit 2.

[0041] The lighting device 103 may further include a case 6. The case 6 accommodates the light source 1, the flexible modulation unit 2, the holding unit 3, and the light guide plate 4 inside. The case 6 has, for example, a window portion 61 through which the light emitted from the flexible modulation unit 2 and transmitted through the light guide plate 4 passes, and a window portion 62 through which the light emitted from the exit surface 42 of the light guide plate 4 passes. The window portion 62 is disposed so as to face the exit surface 42.

[0042] The light source 1 is provided so as to emit light that is incident on the incident surface 41 of the light guide plate 4 and light that is incident on the reflecting surface 23 of the flexible modulation section 2 without passing through the light guide plate 4.

[0043] In the lighting device 103, a portion of the light emitted from the light source 1 is reflected by the flexible modulation section 2. A portion of the light 12 reflected by the flexible modulation section 2 passes through the light guide plate 4 and is irradiated onto the irradiation surface. Another portion of the light 12 reflected by the flexible modulation section 2 is reflected by the second main surface 44 of the light guide plate 4, and is again reflected by the flexible modulation section 2, after which it passes through the light guide plate 4 and is irradiated onto the irradiation surface.

[0044] The lighting device 103 can emit fluctuating light 12 from the flexible modulation section 2 whose external shape changes over time, and light emitted from the first main surface 43 of the light guide plate 4 whose external shape does not change over time. Therefore, the lighting device 103 can form a wider variety of lighting patterns than the lighting device 101.

[0045] <Modification> As shown in FIG. 6, the lighting device 103 may include a first light source 1A that emits light to the incident surface 41 of the light guide plate 4, and a second light source 1B that emits light to the reflecting surface 23 of the flexible modulation section 2.

[0046] Embodiment 4 Unless otherwise specified, the illumination device 104 according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration and effects as the illumination device 103 according to the third embodiment.

[0047] 7, the lighting device 104 further includes a reflecting unit 7. The reflecting unit 7 has a reflecting surface 73 capable of reflecting light emitted from the emission surface 42 of the light guide plate 4. The reflecting surface 73 of the reflecting unit 7 is disposed so as to face the emission surface 42 of the light guide plate 4. The reflecting surface 73 is, for example, a flat surface. Note that the reflecting surface 73 may be a curved surface.

[0048] The light guide plate 4 is provided so as to guide a part of the light emitted from the light source 1 to the reflecting section 7 and to transmit the light emitted from the flexible modulation section 2.

[0049] The light guide plate 4 and the reflecting section 7 are held by the light source 1. The case 6 accommodates therein the light source 1, the flexible modulation section 2, the holding section 3, the light guide plate 4, and the reflecting section 7. The case 6 has a window section 61 through which the light emitted from the flexible modulation section 2 and the light reflected by the reflecting section 7 and transmitted through the light guide plate 4 pass.

[0050] The lighting device 104 can irradiate the fluctuating light 12 from the flexible modulation section 2, whose external shape changes over time, and the light emitted from the first main surface 43 of the light guide plate 4, whose external shape does not change over time, and the light emitted from the reflecting surface 73 of the reflecting section 7, on the same side of the lighting device 104.

[0051] The reflecting portion 7 has a third end 71 and a fourth end 72 located on the opposite side to the third end 71. The reflecting surface 73 extends between the third end 71 and the fourth end 72. The third end 71 is held by the holding portion 8.

[0052] Preferably, the reflecting portion 7 protrudes toward the irradiation surface 200 side from the first main surface 43 of the light guide plate 4. The fourth end portion 72 is disposed closer to the irradiation surface 200 side from the first main surface 43 of the light guide plate 4. Such a reflecting portion 7 can be recognized as a window frame by a person observing the lighting device 104 from the outside. Therefore, compared to the lighting device 103, the lighting device 104 can emit light that appears more natural to the observer.

[0053] Preferably, the reflector 7 is held by the holder 8 so as to be able to change the angle of the reflecting surface 73 with respect to the exit surface 42 of the light guide plate 4. According to such an illumination device 104, the illumination pattern can be easily changed by changing the angle of the reflecting surface 73 with respect to the exit surface 42 of the light guide plate 4. The reflector 7 may be held so that the reflecting surface 73 is parallel to the exit surface 42.

[0054] More preferably, the lighting device 104 further includes a first control unit 80 that controls the angle of the reflecting surface 73 of the reflecting unit 7 with respect to the exit surface 42 of the light guide plate 4.

[0055] <Modification> 8, the lighting device 104 may further include an optical element 74 for changing the traveling direction of at least a part of the light reflected by the reflecting surface 73. The optical element 74 is, for example, a prism. The angle formed by each face of the optical element 74 with respect to the reflecting surface 73 of the reflecting unit 7 may be changeable. In this case, the angle of the reflecting surface 73 of the reflecting unit 7 with respect to the exit surface 42 of the light guide plate 4 may be fixed. For example, the reflecting unit 7 may be fixed in a state in which the reflecting surface 73 is disposed parallel to the exit surface 42 of the light guide plate 4.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 9, the reflecting portion 7 may include a first portion 75 and a second portion 76 that is in contact with the first portion 75 and has a lower reflectance to light than the first portion 75. The first portion 75 is disposed, for example, closer to the exit surface 42 than the second portion 76. The first portion 75 includes a third end 71. The second portion 76 includes a fourth end 72. Preferably, a boundary surface 77 between the first portion 75 and the second portion 76 is inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the exit surface 42 of the light guide plate 4. In this way, a person who observes the lighting device 104 from the outside may recognize that natural light is entering the reflecting portion 7. Therefore, the lighting device 104 can emit light that the observer feels is more natural than the lighting device 103.

[0057] Embodiment 5. Unless otherwise specified, the illumination device 105 according to the fifth embodiment has the same configuration and effects as the illumination device 102 according to the second embodiment or the illumination device 103 according to the third embodiment.

[0058] 10, the lighting device 105 includes a plurality of flexible modulation units 2. The plurality of flexible modulation units 2 include a first flexible modulation unit 2A provided to modulate the emission direction of a portion of the light emitted from the light source 1, and a second flexible modulation unit 2B provided to modulate the emission direction of another portion of the light emitted from the light source 1.

[0059] The first flexible modulation unit 2A may have a similar configuration to the flexible modulation unit 2 of the lighting device 103. The second flexible modulation unit 2B may have a similar configuration to the flexible modulation unit 2 of the lighting device 102. The reflecting surface 23A of the first flexible modulation unit 2A faces the second main surface 44 of the light guide plate 4. The reflecting surface 23B of the second flexible modulation unit 2B faces the exit surface 42 of the light guide plate 4.

[0060] The first flexible modulation section 2A and the second flexible modulation section 2B may be made of the same material and have the same dimensions. When the first flexible modulation section 2A and the second flexible modulation section 2B are subjected to the same external force, the amount of change in their respective external shapes may be equal to each other. The first flexible modulation section 2A and the second flexible modulation section 2B may be made of different material and have different dimensions. When the first flexible modulation section 2A and the second flexible modulation section 2B are subjected to the same external force, the amount of change in their respective external shapes may be different from each other.

[0061] The light guide plate 4 is provided so as to transmit the light emitted from the first flexible modulation unit 2A and guide another part of the light emitted from the light source 1 to the second flexible modulation unit 2B. The lighting device 105 can irradiate fluctuating light from the first flexible modulation unit 2A whose external shape changes over time and fluctuating light from the second flexible modulation unit 2B whose external shape changes over time. Therefore, compared to the lighting device 103, the lighting device 105 can irradiate light that the observer feels is more natural.

[0062] The lighting device 105 may have the same configuration as the lighting device 101, except that the lighting device 105 includes a plurality of flexible modulation units 2.

[0063] Embodiment 6 Unless otherwise specified, the illumination device 106 according to the sixth embodiment has the same configuration and effects as the illumination device 104 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0064] 11, the lighting device 106 further includes a transmissive / refracting section 9. The transmissive / refracting section 9 is provided so as to transmit and refract at least a portion of the light emitted from the reflecting section 7.

[0065] The material constituting the transmissive refracting section 9 may be any material as long as it transmits the light emitted from the light source 1 and has a refractive index different from that of the medium (e.g., air) filling the periphery of the transmissive refracting section 9, and may be, for example, glass or an amorphous resin material. At least a part of the transmissive refracting section 9 is disposed, for example, on the irradiation surface 200 side of the first main surface 43 of the light guide plate 4.

[0066] In the lighting device 106, the transmissive / refracting unit 9 transmits and refracts the light reflected from the reflecting unit 7, so that the transmissive / refracting unit 9 can be recognized as a window frame by a person observing the lighting device 106 from the outside. Therefore, compared to the lighting device 103, the lighting device 104 can irradiate light that the observer perceives as more natural.

[0067] Preferably, the transmitting and refracting unit 9 is held by the holding unit 10 so as to be able to change the angle with respect to the exit surface 42 of the light guide plate 4. More preferably, the lighting device 106 further includes a second control unit 90 that controls the angle of the transmitting and refracting unit 9 with respect to the exit surface 42 of the light guide plate 4.

[0068] <Modification> Illumination device 106 may have a similar configuration to illumination device 102 according to embodiment 2, illumination device 103 according to embodiment 3, or illumination device 105 according to embodiment 5, except that illumination device 106 includes a transmissive refraction unit 9. As shown in Fig. 12, transmissive refraction unit 9 may be provided to transmit and refract at least a part of the light emitted from the second flexible modulation unit 2B.

[0069] In the lighting device 106, the transmissive refraction unit 9 may have two parts having different transmittances with respect to the light emitted from the light source 1. In the transmissive refraction unit 9, the part with the relatively high transmittance may have a configuration similar to the first part 75 and the second part 76 of the reflector 7 shown in Fig. 9. In the transmissive refraction unit 9, the part with the relatively high transmittance may be disposed closer to the reflector 7 than the part with the relatively low transmittance.

[0070] Embodiment 7 Unless otherwise specified, the illumination device 107 according to the seventh embodiment has the same configuration and effects as the illumination device 101 according to the first embodiment.

[0071] 13, in the lighting device 107, the first main surface 43 of the flexible modulation section 2 is held by the holding section 3. Therefore, even when the flexible modulation section 2 is subjected to an external force, the shape of the first main surface 43 is maintained. The holding section 3 is transparent to the light emitted from the first main surface 43. The holding section 3 is formed of, for example, a glass substrate or a light-transmitting resin substrate.

[0072] When the flexible modulation unit 2 receives an external force, the second main surface 44 is flexible. The flexible modulation unit 2 modulates the emission direction of at least a part of the light emitted from the light source 1 according to the shape of the second main surface 44.

[0073] From a different perspective, the flexible modulation section 2 of the lighting device 107 has a configuration in which the light guide plate 4 and the flexible modulation section 2 of the lighting device 103 are integrated as a single member.

[0074] The material constituting the flexible modulation section 2 includes, for example, silicone resin or polymer gel.

[0075] 13, the lighting device 107 may further include an application unit 20 that applies an external force to the flexible modulation unit 2 to change the external shape of the flexible modulation unit 2, similar to the lighting device 101 and the like. The application unit 20 appropriately controls at least one of the magnitude and direction of the external force. Preferably, the application unit 20 is provided so as to impart 1 / f fluctuation characteristics to the amount of variation in the surface angle of the reflecting surface 23 of the flexible modulation unit 2. The application unit 20 may have any configuration as long as it has the above configuration, and may be, for example, a fan.

[0076] 14, the flexible modulation section 2 may include a plurality of magnetic particles 26. The application section 20 may be provided to apply an electromagnetic force to the plurality of magnetic particles 26.

[0077] Each of the above-described embodiments may be modified or omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments may be modified in various ways in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions may be extracted by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 light source, 1A first light source, 1B second light source, 2 flexible modulation section, 2A first flexible modulation section, 2B second flexible modulation section, 3, 8, 10 holding section, 4 light guide plate, 5, 7 reflecting section, 6 case, 9 transmissive / refractive section, 20 application section, 21 first end, 22 second end, 23, 23A, 23B, 23f, 23i, 23o reflecting surface, 24 convex surface, 25 concave surface, 26 magnetic particle, 41 incident surface, 42 exit surface, 43 first main surface, 44 second main surface, 61, 62 window section, 71 third end, 72 fourth end, 74 optical element, 75 first portion, 76 second portion, 77 boundary surface, 80 first control section, 90 Second control unit, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 lighting device, 200 irradiation surface.

Claims

1. A light source; a flexible modulation unit whose outer shape is flexible when subjected to an external force and which modulates an emission direction of at least a part of the light emitted from the light source in accordance with the outer shape; a holding unit that holds a part of the flexible modulation unit relative to the light source, The lighting device further includes an application unit that applies the external force to the flexible modulation unit to change the outer shape of the flexible modulation unit.

2. The flexible modulation section includes a plurality of magnetic particles, The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the applying section applies a magnetic force to the plurality of magnetic particles.

3. The lighting device as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible modulation section has a reflective surface that reflects at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source.

4. A light source; a flexible modulation unit whose outer shape is flexible when subjected to an external force and which modulates an emission direction of at least a part of the light emitted from the light source in accordance with the outer shape; a holding unit that holds a part of the flexible modulation unit relative to the light source, The lighting device further includes a light guide plate that guides at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source to the flexible modulation section.

5. A light source; a flexible modulation unit whose outer shape is flexible when subjected to an external force and which modulates an emission direction of at least a part of the light emitted from the light source in accordance with the outer shape; a holding unit that holds a part of the flexible modulation unit relative to the light source, The flexible modulation unit is configured to modulate an emission direction of a portion of the light emitted from the light source, The lighting device further includes a light guide plate that guides another portion of the light emitted from the light source to a portion other than the flexible modulation section.

6. A reflector having a reflecting surface capable of reflecting the light is further provided. The lighting device according to claim 5 , wherein the light guide plate is arranged to guide another part of the light emitted from the light source to the reflecting portion and to transmit the light emitted from the flexible modulation portion.

7. The reflecting portion includes a first portion and a second portion having different reflectivities for the light, each of the first portion and the second portion is exposed on the reflecting surface; The lighting device according to claim 6 , wherein a boundary surface between the first portion and the second portion is inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the reflecting surface.

8. The lighting device according to claim 6 , further comprising a first control unit that controls an angle of the reflecting surface of the reflecting unit with respect to the light guide plate.

9. The lighting device according to claim 6 , further comprising a transmissive refractive section that transmits and refracts at least a portion of the light emitted from the reflecting section.

10. A light source; a flexible modulation unit whose outer shape is flexible when subjected to an external force and which modulates an emission direction of at least a part of the light emitted from the light source in accordance with the outer shape; a holding unit that holds a part of the flexible modulation unit relative to the light source, The flexible modulation unit includes a first flexible modulation unit configured to modulate an emission direction of a portion of the light emitted from the light source, and a second flexible modulation unit configured to modulate an emission direction of another portion of the light emitted from the light source, The lighting device further includes a light guide plate that transmits the light emitted from the first flexible modulation section and guides another portion of the light emitted from the light source to the second flexible modulation section.

11. The lighting device according to claim 10 , further comprising a transmissive refractive section that transmits and refracts at least a portion of the light emitted from the second flexible modulation section.

12. The illumination device according to claim 9 or 11, wherein the transmissive / refractive portion diffuses at least a portion of the light transmitted through the transmissive / refractive portion.

13. The illumination device according to claim 9 , further comprising a second control unit that controls a traveling direction of at least a portion of the light emitted from the transmissive / refractive unit.

14. A light source; a flexible modulation unit whose outer shape is flexible when subjected to an external force and which modulates an emission direction of at least a part of the light emitted from the light source in accordance with the outer shape; a holding unit that holds a part of the flexible modulation unit relative to the light source, the flexible modulation section has a first surface held by the holding section and a second surface located on an opposite side to the first surface, the holding portion is transparent to the light emitted from the first surface, the second surface is flexible when subjected to the external force; The flexible modulation section modulates an emission direction of at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source in accordance with a shape of the second surface.

15. An illumination device as described in claim 7 or 8, further comprising a transparent refractive section that transmits and refracts at least a portion of the light emitted from the reflecting section.

16. 15. The lighting device of claim 1, 4, 5, 10, or 14, wherein the light source is capable of emitting white light.

17. 15. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is capable of changing a wavelength range of the light emitted.

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