Mirror device and illumination device

Abstract

A mirror device (40) comprises a deformable reflection part (50) and a deformation part (60) for deforming the reflection part. The reflection part has a plurality of mirror elements (51) connected to each other. The mirror elements each comprise: a mirror part (511) having a reflection surface (514); a shaft part (512) extending in the normal direction of the reflection surface (Z-axis direction) from the side opposite to the reflection surface of the mirror part; and a connection part (513) that protrudes to the outside of the shaft part when viewed from the normal direction so as to be inclined at a prescribed angle (α) with respect to the shaft part when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the normal direction, and that is connected to a connection part of another one of the mirror elements.

Description

Mirror device and lighting device

[0001] The present invention relates to a mirror device and an illumination device.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a mirror device has been known in which a plurality of mirrors are connected in a plane and the direction of light can be controlled by moving each mirror element (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-91866

[0004] In the mirror device described in Patent Document 1, the mirror elements are connected by linking members, but gaps are created along the length of the linking members. These gaps cannot reflect light, which may reduce the reflection efficiency.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a mirror device or the like that can suppress a decrease in reflection efficiency.

[0006] A mirror device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a deformable reflecting portion and a deforming portion that deforms the reflecting portion, the reflecting portion having a plurality of mirror elements connected to each other, the mirror elements comprising a mirror portion having a reflecting surface, an axis portion extending in a normal direction to the reflecting surface from the opposite side of the reflecting surface of the mirror portion, and a connecting portion that protrudes outward from the axis portion when viewed from the normal direction so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the axis portion when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the normal direction, the connecting portion being connected to a connecting portion of another mirror element.

[0007] An illumination device according to another aspect of the present invention includes the mirror device described above and a light-emitting section that emits light toward the plurality of mirror elements of the mirror device.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mirror device or the like that can suppress a decrease in reflection efficiency.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an illumination device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a mirror device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a reflecting portion according to an embodiment, viewed from the positive direction of the Z axis. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a reflecting portion according to an embodiment, viewed from the negative direction of the Z axis. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mirror element according to an embodiment, viewed from the positive direction of the Z axis. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mirror element according to an embodiment, viewed from the negative direction of the Z axis. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a mirror element according to an embodiment, viewed from the positive direction of the Z axis. FIG. 8 is a side view of a mirror element according to an embodiment, viewed from the negative direction of the Y axis. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a connected state of mirror elements according to an embodiment, viewed from the positive direction of the Z axis. FIG. 10 is a side view of a connected state of mirror elements according to an embodiment, viewed from the negative direction of the Y axis. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a deformed mirror device according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a reflecting portion and a deforming portion according to Modification 1. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a reflecting portion according to Modification 1. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a reflecting portion and a deforming portion according to Modification 2. Fig. 15 is a side view showing a deforming portion according to Modification 3. Fig. 16 is a side view showing a deforming portion according to Modification 3. Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a reflecting portion according to Modification 4. Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembly according to Modification 5.

[0010] The following describes an illumination device and a mirror device according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Each of the embodiments described below represents a preferred specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component arrangements, and connection configurations shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not recited in the independent claims that represent the highest concept of the present invention are described as optional components. Furthermore, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily an exact illustration. Furthermore, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals in each drawing.

[0011] [Embodiments] The following describes embodiments. Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a general configuration of an illumination device 10 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the illumination device 10 includes a housing 20, a light-emitting unit 30, a mirror device 40, a deformation unit 60, and a diffusion unit 70. The housing 20 is an elongated box-shaped body, and houses the light-emitting unit 30, the mirror device 40, and the diffusion unit 70. An opening 21 through which illumination light is emitted is formed in a portion of the housing 20 facing the mirror device 40. The opening 21 may be a simple opening, or may be covered with a light-transmitting member.

[0012] The light-emitting unit 30 includes a heat sink 31, a light source 32, a first lens 33, a mirror pipe 34, a wavelength conversion element 35, and a second lens 36. The heat sink 31, the light source 32, the first lens 33, the mirror pipe 34, the wavelength conversion element 35, and the second lens 36 are arranged in this order from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the housing 20.

[0013] The heat sink 31 is attached to one longitudinal end of the housing 20, and has a base 311 and a plurality of fins 312 protruding from the base 311. The base 311 is disposed inside the housing 20 and supports the light source 32. The plurality of fins 312 protrude outward from the housing 20. This allows heat transferred from the light source 32 to the base 311 to be dissipated to the outside of the housing 20 via the plurality of fins 312.

[0014] The light source 32 is a laser element that generates laser light whose emission peak wavelength is included in the blue wavelength band. In the present embodiment, the case where two light sources 32 are provided is exemplified, but the number of light sources 32 provided may be one or three or more. The light source 32 is fixed to the base portion 311 of the heat sink 31 in an orientation such that the laser light is irradiated toward the other end of the housing 20 in the longitudinal direction. The light source 32 may be an LED.

[0015] The first lens 33 is a condenser lens that condenses the laser light emitted from the light source 32. The first lens 33 is disposed at a position facing the light source 32.

[0016] The mirror pipe 34 is an optical member that guides the laser light focused by the first lens 33 to the wavelength conversion element 35. Specifically, the mirror pipe 34 is a cylinder with both ends open, and the laser light is reflected by its inner surface. The mirror pipe 34 is disposed in a position where its axial direction is along the longitudinal direction of the housing 20. The laser light received at one end of the mirror pipe 34 is reflected by the inner surface of the mirror pipe 34 and travels toward the other end of the mirror pipe 34.

[0017] The wavelength conversion element 35 is an element that converts at least a portion of the laser light emitted from the other end of the mirror pipe 34 into light of a different wavelength band. Specifically, the wavelength conversion element 35 is arranged so as to cover the other end of the mirror pipe 34. The wavelength conversion element 35 includes a substrate 351 and a fluorescent part 352. The substrate 351 is a plate that holds the fluorescent part 352. The substrate 351 is made of a light-transmitting material such as glass or sapphire. The fluorescent part 352 is layered on this substrate 351.

[0018] The fluorescent unit 352 includes a plurality of dispersed phosphor particles that are excited by laser light emitted from the other end of the mirror pipe 34 and transmitted through the substrate 351 to emit fluorescence. The phosphor emits fluorescence upon irradiation with the laser light. Specifically, the fluorescent unit 352 may be a transparent resin or glass substrate with dispersed phosphor particles, or a solidified phosphor particle substrate. In this embodiment, the fluorescent unit 352 emits white light. That is, the fluorescent unit 352 converts laser light into light with a longer wavelength band. While the type and characteristics of the phosphor are not particularly limited, a phosphor with high heat resistance and no brightness saturation is desirable because the excitation light is a relatively high-power laser light. For example, an yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) phosphor is used. While the type of substrate holding the dispersed phosphor is not particularly limited, a highly transparent substrate is preferable because it also increases the yellow light emission efficiency. Furthermore, a substrate with high heat resistance is desirable because a relatively high-power laser light is incident on the substrate.

[0019] The second lens 36 is a collimator lens that converts the light wavelength-converted by the wavelength conversion element 35 into parallel light. The second lens 36 is disposed at a position facing the wavelength conversion element 35.

[0020] The mirror device 40 is a part that reflects the light emitted by the light emitting unit 30, i.e., the light whose wavelength has been converted by the wavelength conversion element 35, toward the opening 21 of the housing 20. Specifically, the mirror device 40 is disposed at the other end of the housing 20 in the longitudinal direction.

[0021] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a mirror device 40 according to an embodiment. Here, the Z-axis direction is the movement direction of a deformation unit 60 provided in the mirror device 40, and the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are directions perpendicular to each other in a plane perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the mirror device 40 includes a deformable reflecting unit 50 and a deforming unit 60 that deforms the reflecting unit 50.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the reflecting unit 50 according to the embodiment as seen from the positive direction of the Z axis. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the reflecting unit 50 according to the embodiment as seen from the negative direction of the Z axis. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the reflecting unit 50 has a plurality of mirror elements 51 and a support unit 52 that supports the plurality of mirror elements 51.

[0023] The multiple mirror elements 51 are connected to each other with adjacent mirror elements 51, forming a deformable assembly 54. The assembly 54 is formed in a hexagonal shape in a plan view, and one end of an elastic member 53 is connected to the mirror element 51 forming each corner. Each elastic member 53 is a coil spring, and the other end is connected to the support portion 52. The elastic member 53 connects at least one mirror element 51 of the multiple mirror elements 51 to the support portion 52. Note that the elastic member 53 is not limited to a coil spring, and may be another type of spring, rubber, or the like.

[0024] Next, the mirror element 51 will be described in detail. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the mirror element 51 according to the embodiment as seen from the positive direction of the Z axis. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the mirror element 51 according to the embodiment as seen from the negative direction of the Z axis. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the mirror element 51 according to the embodiment as seen from the positive direction of the Z axis. Fig. 8 is a side view of the mirror element 51 according to the embodiment as seen from the negative direction of the Y axis.

[0025] 5 and 6, the mirror element 51 has a mirror portion 511, a shaft portion 512, and a plurality of connecting portions 513. The mirror portion 511 is formed in a substantially hexagonal truncated pyramid shape, and the surface facing the negative Z-axis direction is a reflective surface 514. The reflective surface 514 reflects light emitted by the light-emitting unit 30. The reflective surface 514 is formed in a hexagonal shape in a planar view. Note that the reflective surface 514 does not have to be flat, and is not limited to a hexagonal shape in a planar view.

[0026] The shaft portion 512 is disposed in the center of the mirror portion 511 when viewed in the positive Z-axis direction. The shaft portion 512 extends in the positive Z-axis direction from the end of the mirror portion 511 in the positive Z-axis direction. In other words, the shaft portion 512 extends in the normal direction of the reflecting surface 514 (Z-axis direction) from the side opposite the reflecting surface 514 of the mirror portion 511. The shaft portion 512 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an open end in the positive Z-axis direction.

[0027] The multiple connecting portions 513 are arranged at equal intervals around the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 512. Each connecting portion 513 is a curved rod-shaped portion that protrudes outward from the shaft portion 512 when viewed in the Z-axis direction. The axial cross-sectional shape of each connecting portion 513 is approximately circular. Each connecting portion 513 also protrudes from the mirror portion 511. One connecting portion 513 is provided for one side of the reflecting surface 514. As described above, in this embodiment, the shape of the reflecting surface 514 in a planar view is hexagonal, so six connecting portions 513 are provided. Each connecting portion 513 protrudes from only one side of the reflecting surface 514 and does not interfere with the other sides.

[0028] One end of each connecting portion 513 is connected to the end of the shaft portion 512 in the positive Z-axis direction, and the other end is connected to the side surface of the mirror portion 511. Focusing on one connecting portion 513, when viewed in the Z-axis direction, one end of the connecting portion 513 is positioned clockwise relative to the other end (see FIG. 7 ). Focusing on two connecting portions 513 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, when viewed in the Z-axis direction, the other end of one connecting portion 513 positioned clockwise is positioned approximately in the same position as the one end of the other connecting portion 513 positioned counterclockwise (see FIG. 7 ). Therefore, each connecting portion 513 is inclined at a predetermined angle α with respect to the shaft portion 512 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the normal direction (Z-axis direction) of the reflecting surface 514 (see FIG. 8 ). Strictly speaking, the direction perpendicular to the normal direction of the reflecting surface 514 is the direction in which the projected area of ​​the corresponding connecting portion 513 is smallest. Here, the predetermined angle α is preferably in the range of greater than 0 degrees and equal to or less than 45 degrees, and more preferably in the range of greater than 10 degrees and equal to or less than 35 degrees.

[0029] Fig. 9 is a plan view of the connected state of mirror elements 51 according to the embodiment as viewed from the positive direction of the Z axis. Fig. 10 is a side view of the connected state of mirror elements 51 according to the embodiment as viewed from the negative direction of the Y axis. The other mirror elements 51 forming the assembly 54 are connected in the same manner.

[0030] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, two adjacent mirror elements 51 are arranged so that one side of the reflective surface 514 is adjacent to each other. The connecting portions 513 corresponding to these one sides are connected to each other. Specifically, one connecting portion 513 is disposed within the space formed by the other connecting portion 513 and penetrates through it. This state can also be said to be such that one connecting portion 513 is disposed within the space formed by the other connecting portion 513 and penetrates through it. Because the connecting portions 513 that are inclined with respect to the shaft portion 512 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction are connected to each other, it is possible to smoothly deform the assembly 54 while suppressing gaps (non-reflective regions) between the reflective surfaces 514.

[0031] Here, the mirror elements 51 are manufactured using a 3D printer. In other words, by manufacturing all of the mirror elements 51 constituting the assembly 54 in a single batch using a 3D printer, it is possible to combine the respective connecting portions 513. The mirror elements 51 may be made of resin or metal. To reduce friction between the connecting portions 513, the entire assembly may be polished or coated with a fluororesin. These treatments may be performed only on the connecting portions 513. While it is possible to use the surface of the mirror portion 511 facing the negative Z-axis as the reflective surface 514 in the state after manufacturing using a 3D printer, the reflective performance of the reflective surface 514 may be improved by performing a mirror finish on the surface or laminating a reflective layer thereon.

[0032] 2 to 4, the support portion 52 is a circular plate-shaped frame, and an assembly 54 of multiple mirror elements 51 is disposed inside the support portion 52. The support portion 52 supports the assembly 54 via multiple elastic members 53. When the assembly is not subjected to an external force from the deformation portion 60, the elastic members 53 pull on the assembly 54, so that the surface of the assembly 54 in the negative Z-axis direction (each reflecting surface 514) is flat overall (see FIG. 2).

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2 , the deformation portion 60 has a shaft body 61 , a guide portion 62 that slidably holds the shaft body 61 , and a plurality of wires 63 that connect the guide portion 62 to the support portion 52 .

[0034] The shaft body 61 is a cylindrical rod extending in the Z-axis direction and is movable in the Z-axis direction. Here, the shaft body 61 may be driven manually or by power from a drive source. When driven by power from a drive source, the amount of movement of the shaft body 61 may be adjusted based on the control of a control unit. Examples of the drive source include a motor and a solenoid. Examples of the control unit include a microcomputer.

[0035] The guide portion 62 is a cylindrical body extending in the Z-axis direction. The shaft body 61 passes through the guide portion 62 in the Z-axis direction. This allows the guide portion 62 to guide the sliding movement of the shaft body 61 in the Z-axis direction. In other words, the shaft body 61 and the guide portion 62 are an example of a slide mechanism. The guide portion 62 is fixed to a predetermined position by a fixture (not shown). The multiple wire rods 63 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction when viewed in the Z-axis direction. One end of each wire rod 63 is connected to the guide portion 62, and the other end is connected to the support portion 52.

[0036] Because the deformation section 60 is configured in this manner, when the shaft 61 slides in the negative Z-axis direction, the tip of the shaft 61 pushes the mirror element 51 at the center of the assembly 54 in the negative Z-axis direction. This causes the assembly 54 to deform. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the mirror device 40 after deformation according to the embodiment. In this embodiment, the assembly 54 after deformation has each reflective surface 514 that is spherical as a whole.

[0037] Even in the deformed assembly 54, the connecting portions 513 of two adjacent mirror elements 51 are connected to each other, so that the gap (non-reflecting area) between the reflecting surfaces 514 can be made as small as possible.

[0038] 1, the diffusion unit 70 is a diffusion plate that diffuses light reflected by the mirror device 40. The diffusion unit 70 is disposed between the opening 21 of the housing 20 and the mirror device 40. The light reflected by each mirror element 51 is diffused by the diffusion unit 70, thereby suppressing graininess.

[0039] Next, we will explain switching of the light distribution pattern due to deformation of the mirror device 40. When the reflecting surfaces 514 of the mirror elements 51 forming the assembly 54 are generally planar, the first light distribution pattern of the light reflected by the mirror device 40 becomes circular.

[0040] When the assembly 54 is deformed by the deformation section 60 so that each reflecting surface 514 becomes spherical as a whole, the second light distribution pattern of the light reflected by the mirror device 40 becomes a larger circle than the first light distribution pattern.

[0041] By adjusting the installation locations and number of shaft bodies 61 in the deformation unit 60, it is possible to deform each reflecting surface 514 into a wider variety of shapes, and accordingly, a wider variety of light distribution patterns can be obtained. Other shapes include, for example, a cylindrical surface, a conical surface, and a free-form surface. In addition, the curvature can be adjusted by adjusting the movement amount of the shaft body 61.

[0042] [Effects, etc.] The mirror device 40 according to this embodiment includes a deformable reflecting section 50 and a deforming section 60 that deforms the reflecting section 50. The reflecting section 50 has a plurality of mirror elements 51 connected to each other. The mirror element 51 includes a mirror section 511 having a reflecting surface 514, an axis section 512 that extends from the side opposite the reflecting surface 514 of the mirror section 511 in the normal direction (Z-axis direction) of the reflecting surface 514, and a connecting section 513 that protrudes outward from the axis section 512 when viewed from the normal direction so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle α with respect to the axis section 512 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the normal direction, and the connecting section 513 is connected to the connecting section 513 of another mirror element 51.

[0043] Moreover, the lighting device 10 according to this embodiment includes the mirror device 40 and a light emitting section 30 that emits light toward the plurality of mirror elements 51 of the mirror device 40 .

[0044] According to these, in two adjacent mirror elements 51, the connecting portions 513 that are inclined with respect to the shaft portions 512 when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the normal direction of the reflecting surfaces 514 are connected to each other, so it is possible to smoothly deform the assembly 54 while suppressing gaps (non-reflecting regions) between the reflecting surfaces 514. Since the non-reflecting regions can be suppressed in this way, it is possible to suppress a decrease in reflection efficiency.

[0045] The reflecting section 50 is deformed by sliding the sliding mechanism (the shaft 61 and the guide section 62) of the deforming section 60, so that the deforming section 60 can be deformed with a relatively simple structure. Furthermore, by adjusting the installation location, number of installations, amount of movement, etc. of the shaft 61, the overall shape of each reflecting surface 514 can be deformed in a variety of ways.

[0046] Since the elastic member 53 connects the support portion 52 and at least one mirror element 51 of the assembly 54, the elastic force of the elastic member can improve the reproducibility of the shape of the assembly 54.

[0047] [Modifications] Modifications of the mirror device according to the present disclosure will be described below. In the following description, parts equivalent to those in the above embodiment and other modifications will be given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the deformation portion 60 includes a slide mechanism. However, the deformation portion may have any configuration as long as it can deform the reflecting portion. Fig. 12 is a plan view showing the reflecting portion 50a and the deformation portion 60a according to Modification 1. Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the reflecting portion 50a according to Modification 1.

[0049] 12 and 13, in the reflecting section 50a, connecting portions 55a are attached to the mirror elements 51a forming each corner of the assembly 54a. Specifically, the connecting portions 55a are disposed on the shaft portions 512a of the respective mirror elements 51a and are hooks that protrude from the shaft portions 512a in the positive direction of the Z axis.

[0050] The deformation portion 60 has one wire 65a. This wire 65a is inserted through each of the connection portions 55a. The wire 65a is hexagonal, with both ends drawn outward from one of the connection portions 55a. By further drawing out both ends of the wire 65a, the assembly 54a is closed in a purse-like shape, and each of the reflection surfaces 514 becomes spherical.

[0051] In this way, since the wire 65a is connected between at least two mirror elements 51a, it is possible to smoothly deform the assembly 54a by moving the wire 65a.

[0052] The mirror element 51a is provided with a connection portion 55a to which the wire 65a is connected, so that the wire 65a can be smoothly attached to the mirror element 51a via the connection portion 55a.

[0053] Fig. 14 is a plan view showing a reflecting portion 50a and a deforming portion 60b according to Modification 2. As shown in Fig. 14, the deforming portion 60b has a plurality of wires 65b. Each wire 65b is bridged between connecting portions 55a located at a pair of diagonal corners of the assembly 54a. By drawing the centers of the wires 65b together, the assembly 54a is closed in a purse-like shape, and each reflecting surface 514 becomes spherical.

[0054] 15 and 16 are side views showing a deformable portion 60c according to Modification 3. As shown in Fig. 15 and 16, the deformable portion 60c has a fixing portion 66c and a guide portion 67c in addition to the wire 65a.

[0055] The fixing portion 66c is a portion that fixes the position of a portion of the reflecting portion 50a. Specifically, the fixing portion 66c is disposed in the positive direction of the Z axis from the center of the assembly 54a in order to fix the position of the center of the assembly 54a as viewed in the Z axis direction. The fixing portion 66c is a support that extends in the Z axis direction, one end of which is in contact with the center of the assembly 54a, and the other end of which is fixed to the guide portion 67c.

[0056] The guide unit 67c has a base 671c to which the other end of the fixed unit 66c is fixed, and multiple guide shafts 672c protruding from the base 671c. The base 671c is a flat plate parallel to the XY plane, and each guide shaft 672c protrudes from its end in the negative Z-axis direction. Each guide shaft 672c is a shaft extending in the Z-axis direction and slidably passes through the support unit 52a of the reflector 50a.

[0057] When the reflecting portion 50a is moved in the positive direction of the Z axis while both ends of the wire 65a are pulled out, the support portion 52a moves in the positive direction of the Z axis while the fixing portion 66c holds down the center of the assembly 54a. This movement of the support portion 52a is guided by the guide shafts 672c of the guide portion 67c, allowing for stable movement. When the support portion 52a moves, the peripheral portion of the assembly 54a also moves in the positive direction of the Z axis, resulting in smooth deformation of the assembly 54a. At this time, the support portion 52a and the assembly 54a are connected by the elastic member 53, so the posture of the assembly 54a is also stable.

[0058] In this way, the guide portion 67c guides the movement of the support portion 52a while the fixing portion 66c holds down the center portion of the assembly 54a, so that the assembly 54a can be deformed stably.

[0059] Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a reflecting unit 50d according to Modification 4. As shown in Fig. 17, the reflecting unit 50d is provided with a frame member 59d that supports the assembly 54. Specifically, the frame member 59d is attached to the assembly 54 by being placed on the surface of the assembly 54 in the positive direction of the Z axis, that is, from the side opposite to the mirror portions 511. The frame member 59d is a leaf spring and has multiple beam portions 591d extending from the center of the assembly 54 so as to connect the corners of the assembly 54.

[0060] Since the frame material 59d overlaps the assembly 54 in this manner, the assembly 54 can be uniformly deformed via the frame material 59d.

[0061] Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembly 54e according to Modification 5. As shown in Fig. 18, in the assembly 54e, two adjacent mirror elements 51 overlap each other when viewed in the Z-axis direction.

[0062] In this way, two adjacent mirror elements 51 overlap each other when viewed in the Z-axis direction, so that a gap (non-reflecting region) between the reflecting surfaces 514 of the two mirror elements 51 can be reduced.

[0063] [Others] Although the lighting device according to the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0064] For example, in the above embodiment, the reflective surface 514 of each mirror element 51 has a hexagonal shape in plan view. However, the reflective surface may have another polygonal shape in plan view, or may have a circular shape, an elliptical shape, an oval shape, or the like. This also applies to the assembly.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the diffusing unit 70 is a diffusing plate disposed in a position facing the mirror device 40. However, the diffusing unit may be disposed in any location as long as it can diffuse the light reflected by the reflecting unit. For example, the diffusing unit may be laminated on the reflecting surface of each mirror element.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the light source 32 is a laser element or an LED. However, other light sources may be used. Examples of other light sources include an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, and a fluorescent lamp.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the case where the reflecting surfaces 514 of the assembly 54 are deformed from a flat surface to a convex curved surface as a whole is exemplified. However, it is also possible to deform the reflecting surfaces of the assembly 54 as a whole to a concave curved surface.

[0068] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by making various modifications to the embodiments that a person skilled in the art would think of, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions in each embodiment within the scope of the present invention.

[0069] Examples of the lighting device according to the present invention explained based on the above embodiment will be shown below, but the lighting device according to the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0070] For example, a mirror device of Technology 1 includes a deformable reflecting section and a deforming section that deforms the reflecting section, and the reflecting section has a plurality of mirror elements connected to each other, and the mirror element includes a mirror section having a reflecting surface, an axis section that extends in a normal direction to the reflecting surface from the opposite side of the reflecting surface of the mirror section, and a connecting section that protrudes outward from the axis section when viewed from the normal direction so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle to the axis section when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the normal direction, and is connected to a connecting section of another mirror element.

[0071] A second aspect of the present invention relates to the mirror device according to the first aspect, wherein the deformation portion includes a slide mechanism that slides to deform the reflecting portion.

[0072] Technique 3 provides the mirror device according to Technique 1 or Technique 2, wherein the deformation section includes a wire connecting at least two mirror elements among the plurality of mirror elements.

[0073] Technique 4 provides the mirror device according to Technique 3, wherein the mirror element is disposed on the shaft portion and has a connection portion to which the wire is connected.

[0074] Technology 5 is a mirror device according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 4, which includes a support portion that supports the reflecting portion, and an elastic member that connects at least one mirror element among the plurality of mirror elements to the support portion.

[0075] A sixth aspect of the present invention provides the mirror device according to the fifth aspect, further comprising a fixing portion that fixes the position of a part of the reflecting portion relative to the supporting portion, and a guide portion that guides the movement of the supporting portion.

[0076] Technique 7 is a mirror device according to any one of Techniques 1 to 6, wherein the mirror portions of two adjacent mirror elements among the plurality of mirror elements overlap when viewed from the normal direction.

[0077] Technique 8 provides a mirror device according to any one of Techniques 1 to 7, further comprising a frame member that supports the plurality of mirror elements by being stacked on the side opposite to the mirror portion.

[0078] The lighting device of Technology 9 includes the mirror device according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 8, and a light emitting unit that emits light toward the plurality of mirror elements of the mirror device.

[0079] 10 Illumination device 30 Light-emitting section 40 Mirror device 50, 50a, 50d Reflection section 51, 51a Mirror element 52, 52a Support section 53 Elastic member 54, 54a, 54e Aggregate 55a Connection section 59d Frame material 60, 60a, 60b, 60c Deformation section 61 Shaft body 62 Guide section 63 Wire rod 65a, 65b Wire 66c Fixation section 67c Guide section 511 Mirror section 512, 512a Shaft section 513 Connection section 514 Reflection surface 672c Guide axis α Predetermined angle

Claims

1. A mirror device comprising: a freely deformable reflective section; and a deformation section which deforms the reflective section; the reflective section having a plurality of mirror elements connected to each other; the mirror elements comprising: a mirror section having a reflective surface; an axis section extending in a normal direction to the reflective surface from the side of the mirror section opposite the reflective surface; and a connecting section which protrudes outward from the axis section when viewed from the normal direction so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the axis section when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the normal direction, the connecting section being connected to the connecting section of another mirror element.

2. The mirror device according to claim 1, wherein the deformation portion includes a slide mechanism that deforms the reflection portion by sliding.

3. The mirror device according to claim 1, wherein the deformation section includes a wire connected to at least two of the plurality of mirror elements.

4. The mirror device according to claim 3, wherein the mirror element is disposed on the shaft portion and has a connection portion to which the wire is connected.

5. A mirror device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: a support portion that supports the reflecting portion; and an elastic member that connects at least one of the plurality of mirror elements to the support portion.

6. The mirror device according to claim 5, further comprising: a fixing portion that fixes the position of a part of said reflecting portion relative to said supporting portion; and a guide portion that guides the movement of said supporting portion.

7. The mirror device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein among the plurality of mirror elements, the mirror portions of two adjacent mirror elements overlap when viewed from the normal direction.

8. The mirror device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a frame material that supports the plurality of mirror elements by stacking them from the side opposite to the mirror portion.

9. An illumination device comprising: a mirror device according to claim 1 or 2; and a light-emitting unit that emits light toward the plurality of mirror elements of the mirror device.