Illumination device

Abstract

This illumination device comprises: a light source (110); a dimming member (130) that is disposed in an irradiation direction of the light source (110) and has a plurality of second regions obtained by dividing a first region (130A) into which light from the light source (110) is incident; and a diffusion member (140) that diffuses the light emitted from the dimming member (130) and emits the light to an illumination region (1000). Each of the plurality of second regions is configured to be capable of switching between a transmission state in which light from the light source (110) is transmitted toward the illumination region and a light-blocking state in which light from the light source (110) is blocked. When all of the plurality of second regions are in the transmission state, the dimming member (130) irradiates the entire illumination region (1000) with light from the light source (110); and when some second regions among the plurality of second regions are in the transmission state and the remaining second regions are in the light-blocking state, the dimming member irradiates a portion of the illumination region (1000) with light from the light source (110).

Description

lighting equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an illumination device that forms a plurality of individual light patterns using a liquid crystal cell having a periodic structure that generates a periodic phase pattern.

[0003] Special Publication No. 2013-505472

[0004] Since conventional lighting devices can only illuminate a fixed area, there is a demand for light that can be moved over a wide range. However, conventional lighting devices have a problem in that the device configuration becomes larger when the illumination range is expanded. Furthermore, reading lights installed in train and airplane seats require a device or structure that allows the user to set the illumination direction, and therefore simplification of the device is desired.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device that can move the location to which light is irradiated over a wide range without complicating the device configuration.

[0006] An illumination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a light source; a dimming element arranged in the illumination direction of the light source and having a plurality of second regions formed by dividing a first region into which light from the light source is incident; and a diffusion element that diffuses the light emitted from the dimming element and emits it toward an illumination region, wherein each of the second regions is configured to be switchable between a transmissive state in which light from the light source is transmitted toward the illumination region and a shading state in which light from the light source is blocked, and when all of the second regions are in the transmissive state, the dimming element irradiates the entire illumination region with light from the light source, and when some of the second regions are in the transmissive state and the remaining second regions are in the shading state, the dimming element irradiates the light from the light source toward a portion of the illumination region.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a lighting device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a portion of a cross section of the light control member shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an illumination example of the lighting device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a lighting device according to a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an illumination example of the lighting device according to a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing another illumination example of the lighting device according to a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a lighting device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an enlargement of a portion PT1 shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an illumination example of the lighting device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an illumination example of the lighting device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an illumination example of the lighting device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the positional relationship between the light control member and the diffusing member of a first modified example of the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an illumination example of the lighting device according to the first modified example of the second embodiment. Fig. 14 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the positional relationship between the dimming member and the diffusing member of Modification 2 of Embodiment 2. Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an illumination example of an illumination device according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 2. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an illumination device according to Embodiment 3. Fig. 17 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of a portion PT2 shown in Fig. 16. Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating an illumination example of an illumination device according to Embodiment 3.

[0008] Modes for carrying out the invention (embodiments) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments. Furthermore, the components described below include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art and those that are substantially identical. Furthermore, the components described below can be combined as appropriate. The disclosure is merely an example, and appropriate modifications that a person skilled in the art can easily conceive while maintaining the gist of the invention are naturally included within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, for clarity of explanation, the drawings may show the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part schematically compared to the actual embodiment. However, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the interpretation of the present invention. Furthermore, in this specification and each figure, elements similar to those described above with reference to the previous figures may be designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions may be omitted as appropriate.

[0009] In the drawings, the XYZ coordinate system has the Z direction as the up-down direction, the X direction as the left-right direction, and the Y direction as the front-back direction. The X direction intersects (is perpendicular to) the Y and Z directions, the Y direction intersects (is perpendicular to) the X and Z directions, and the Z direction intersects (is perpendicular to) the X and Y directions. Note that a plan view refers to a state viewed from the Z direction.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an illumination device according to embodiment 1. The illumination device 100 shown in Fig. 1 is provided above, to the side, or the like of a location to be illuminated so that the location (spot) to be illuminated by light can be moved. In this embodiment, the illumination device 100 is used, for example, as a reading light or an interior light in an airplane, train, vehicle, or the like, and is configured to illuminate an illumination area 1000 from above. The illumination area 1000 is an area to be illuminated by the illumination device 100, and is an area in which the spotlight can be moved.

[0011] The lighting device 100 includes a light source 110, a condensing member 120, a dimming member 130, a diffusing member 140, and a control circuit 150. The lighting device 100 accommodates the light source 110, the condensing member 120, the dimming member 130, the diffusing member 140, and the control circuit 150 inside a housing 101, and is provided in a location where light L can be emitted in the direction of an illumination area 1000.

[0012] The light source 110 emits light L toward the illumination area 1000. The light source 110 is configured, for example, by a light-emitting diode (LED). The light source 110 is electrically connected to a control circuit 150, and the light source 110 is controlled to be turned on and off. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the illumination device 100 is described as including one light source 110, but may also include multiple light sources 110. In this embodiment, the light source 110 has a directional characteristic with a half luminous intensity distribution angle of ±60°, and is capable of distributing light to a first area 130A, which is the incident surface of the dimming member 130, and beyond.

[0013] The light collecting member 120 is provided between the light source 110 and the dimming member 130 and collects the light L emitted by the light source 110 onto the dimming member 130. In this embodiment, the light collecting member 120 uses a collimating lens and converts the light L emitted by the light source 110 into parallel light (collimated light) and makes it incident on the dimming member 130. As a result, by disposing the light collecting member 120 in front of the light source 110 in the irradiation direction 100X of the lighting device 100, the illumination range of the light source 110 is narrowed, and the light L emitted by the light source 110 can be efficiently collected onto the dimming member 130.

[0014] The light adjusting member 130 is a plate-like member disposed in front of the light source 110 and the condensing member 120 in the irradiation direction 100X and capable of adjusting the light L from the light source 110. The light adjusting member 130 has a first region 130A onto which the light L from the light source 110 is incident, and adjusts the position and light amount of the light L illuminating the illumination area 1000 by adjusting the transmission and blocking of the light L from the light source 110. In this embodiment, the light adjusting member 130 is a liquid crystal display (LCD). In the following description, a monochrome liquid crystal display that does not require a color filter is used as the light adjusting member 130, but a color liquid crystal display may also be used. The light adjusting member 130 uses a normally black mode when the proportion of black display is high. In this case, the light adjusting member 130 has a black color in the portions where no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal molecules, blocking the light L, and a white color in the portions where voltage is applied, transmitting the light L. The first region 130A may be the entire incident surface of the light adjusting member 130, or a predetermined region of the incident surface.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the cross section of the light adjusting member 130 shown in Fig. 1. The light adjusting member 130 shown in Fig. 2 controls the twisted state of liquid crystal molecules by turning on and off a voltage applied to an electrode, thereby transmitting or blocking light L through a polarizer on the side where light is emitted from the liquid crystal layer. In a plan view of the first region 130A seen from the Z direction, the light adjusting member 130 is divided into a plurality of segment regions 130B arranged in a matrix. Note that Fig. 2 shows the light adjusting member 130 divided into three segment regions 130B in the X direction. The segment regions 130B are an example of a second region.

[0016] The light adjusting member 130 includes a first substrate 131, a second substrate 132, and a liquid crystal layer 133. Specifically, the second substrate 132 is disposed at a distance from the first substrate 131 in the Z direction, and the liquid crystal layer 133 is provided between the second substrate 132 and the first substrate 131. The liquid crystal layer 133 of the first embodiment is driven in a twisted nematic (TN) mode.

[0017] The first substrate 131 includes a first deflector 131 a, a first transparent substrate 131 b, an insulating layer 131 c, a first electrode 131 d, and a first alignment film 131 e. Specifically, the first substrate 131 is formed by stacking the first deflector 131 a, the first transparent substrate 131 b, the insulating layer 131 c, the first electrode 131 d, and the first alignment film 131 e in this order along the Z direction (the irradiation direction 100X).

[0018] The second substrate 132 includes a second deflector 132 a, a second transparent substrate 132 b, a second electrode 132 c, and a second alignment film 132 d. Specifically, the second substrate 132 is formed by stacking the second alignment film 132 d, the second electrode 132 c, the second transparent substrate 132 b, and the second deflector 132 a in this order along the Z direction.

[0019] The first polarizing plate 131a and the second polarizing plate 132a are polarizing plates that transmit light L components that vibrate in a predetermined direction among the incident light L and block light L components that vibrate in other directions. In this embodiment, the light adjusting member 130 is in a normally black mode, so the polarization directions of the first polarizing plate 131a and the second polarizing plate 132a are parallel (0 degrees). The light adjusting member 130 may be in a normally white mode. In the normally white mode, the polarization directions of the first polarizing plate 131a and the second polarizing plate 132a are orthogonal (90 degrees). In the normally white mode, the light adjusting member 130 has liquid crystal molecules in a portion where no voltage is applied, which is white and transmits light L, and has liquid crystal molecules in a portion where a voltage is applied, which is black and blocks light L.

[0020] The first transparent substrate 131b and the second transparent substrate 132b are, for example, glass substrates. The first electrode 131d and the second electrode 132c are each a light-transmitting electrode made of, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO). The first alignment film 131e and the second alignment film 132d are made of, for example, polyimide (PI). The alignment film is provided to control the alignment of liquid crystal molecules when it is necessary for the liquid crystal molecules to be aligned in one direction over a relatively wide area.

[0021] The liquid crystal layer 133 has a plurality of liquid crystal molecules 133a arranged in each of the plurality of divided regions 130B, and modulates the light L passing through the liquid crystal layer 133 according to the state of the liquid crystal molecules 133a. In the black display portion, the liquid crystal layer 133 blocks the light L because the light L is twisted by 90 degrees. In the white display portion, the liquid crystal layer 133 applies a voltage so that the liquid crystal molecules 133a are aligned vertically, allowing the light L to pass through as is, and the light L is transmitted.

[0022] Furthermore, the light adjusting member 130 has a first electrode 131d and a second electrode 132c arranged in each of the plurality of divided regions 130B. Each of the plurality of first electrodes 131d in the light adjusting member 130 is electrically connected to the control circuit 150 via a switch (not shown), and the flow of current can be controlled by switching the switch ON / OFF. Each of the plurality of divided regions 130B is configured as one pixel of the liquid crystal panel so that it can be switched between white and black under the control of the control circuit 150.

[0023] In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the light control member 130, which is a liquid crystal panel, is switched between a light-blocking state and a light-transmitting state for each of the multiple divided regions 130B under the control of the control circuit 150 depending on the state of the electric field between the first electrode 131d and the second electrode 132c. In the light control member 130, a voltage is applied to the first electrode 131d of the divided region 130B-2, and no voltage is applied to the first electrode 131d of the divided regions 130B-1 and 130B-3. In this case, the light control member 130 is in a transmissive state in which the divided region 130B-2 is white and can transmit light L from the light source 110, and in a light-blocking state in which the divided regions 130B-1 and 130B-3 are black and block light L from the light source 110. Each of the multiple divided regions 130B of the light control member 130 can be switched between a transmissive state and a light-blocking state by the control circuit 150. The transmissive state is a state in which the liquid crystal molecules 133a stand vertically as in the divided region 130B-2, while the light-shielding state is a state in which the liquid crystal molecules 133a are twisted as in the divided regions 130B-1 and 130B-3.

[0024] 1 is a convex lens that is translucent and is provided to cover the light exit surface 130C of the dimming member 130 in the irradiation direction 100X, and has a convex, light-transmitting surface on the side from which the light L exits. The diffusion member 140 diffuses the light L from the dimming member 130 and outputs it to the illumination area 1000. In this embodiment, the diffusion member 140 uses a lens that widens and outputs the light L over an irradiation range from the dimming member 130 of ±15° to 30°. As a result, in the lighting device 100, even if the light collecting member 120 outputs the light L from the light source 110 toward the dimming member 130 as parallel light with a narrow light distribution range, the diffusion member 140 can diffuse the light L to widen the illumination area 1000.

[0025] The control circuit 150 controls each part of the lighting device 100. The control circuit 150 is, for example, an integrated circuit (IC) such as a microcontroller. The control circuit 150 may be, for example, a programmable logic device (PLD) such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA). In this embodiment, the control circuit 150 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, a power supply circuit, and the like. The memory is a storage unit that stores various types of data and stores various types of information used by the control circuit 150.

[0026] The control circuit 150 controls the supply of power to the light source 110 to turn on and off the light source 110. The control circuit 150 is electrically connected to each of the first electrodes 131d of the multiple divided regions 130B of the light adjusting member 130, and applies a voltage to the first electrode 131d to switch the state of the electric field between the first electrode 131d and the second electrode 132c, thereby switching between a light-blocking state and a light-transmitting state.

[0027] In this embodiment, when all of the multiple divided regions 130B are to be in the transmissive state, the control circuit 150 applies a voltage to the first electrodes 131d of all of the divided regions 130B so that light L from the light source 110 irradiates the entire illumination region 1000, thereby causing all of the divided regions 130B to be in the transmissive state. For example, when spot-illuminating a portion of the illumination region 1000, the control circuit 150 identifies the divided regions 130B corresponding to the spot illumination from among the multiple divided regions 130B based on position information for the spot illumination. The control circuit 150 applies a voltage to the first electrodes 131d of some of the multiple divided regions 130B to cause them to be in the transmissive state, and does not apply a voltage to the remaining divided regions 130B to cause them to be in the light-blocking state. For example, when moving the spot illumination in the illumination region 1000, the control circuit 150 switches the first electrodes 131d to which voltage is applied among the multiple divided regions 130B so that the transmissive divided regions 130B move.

[0028] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of illumination by the illumination device 100 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 shows illumination examples in which all of the divided regions 130B of the light adjusting member 130 are in a transmissive state and in which only a portion of the divided regions 130B are in a transmissive state. For the sake of simplicity, Fig. 3 shows only a portion of the configuration of the illumination device 100.

[0029] In scene SC11 of FIG. 3 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the dimming member 130 so that all of the divided regions 130B display white. The lighting device 100 condenses light L emitted by the light source 110 using the condensing member 120 and directs the condensed light to the entire first region 130A of the dimming member 130. In this case, because all of the divided regions 130B of the dimming member 130 are in a transmissive state, the lighting device 100 causes light L from the light source 110 to pass through all of the dimming members 130 and diffuses the light L using the diffusing member 140. Specifically, in the lighting device 100, light parallel to the axis of the diffusing member 140, which is a convex lens, is refracted by the diffusing member 140 and passes through the focal point of the convex lens, while light L passing through the center of the diffusing member 140 travels straight and passes through. As a result, the lighting device 100 illuminates the entire illumination area 1000 with light L diffused by the diffusing member 140.

[0030] In scene SC12 of FIG. 3 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the light control member 130 so that a portion of the multiple divided regions 130B corresponding to a region (position) P1 of the illumination region 1000 displays white, and the remaining divided regions 130B display black. Note that the portion corresponding to region (position) P1 may be a single divided region 130B corresponding to the size of region P1, or a combination of multiple divided regions 130B. The lighting device 100 uses the light collecting member 120 to collect light L emitted by the light source 110 and cause it to enter the entire first region 130A of the light control member 130. In this case, because the divided region 130B-2 of the light control member 130 is in a transmissive state and the remaining divided regions 130B are in a light-blocking state, the lighting device 100 blocks most of the light L from the light source 110 with the light control member 130, transmits some of the light L through the light control member 130, and diffuses the transmitted light L with the diffusion member 140. Specifically, in illumination device 100, light L that has passed through divided region 130B-2 parallel to the axis of diffusion member 140, which is a convex lens, is refracted by diffusion member 140 and passes through the focal point of the convex lens. As a result, illumination device 100 illuminates spot region 1100, which is a partial region P1 of illumination region 1000, with light L diffused by diffusion member 140, and does not illuminate the remaining region of illumination region 1000.

[0031] As described above, the lighting device 100 includes the light source 110, the dimming member 130 that can switch the multiple divided regions 130B between a light-blocking state and a light-transmitting state, and the diffusing member 140 that is a convex lens that diffuses the light L emitted from the dimming member 130 and emits it to the illumination region 1000. When all of the multiple divided regions 130B (second regions) are in the light-transmitting state, the dimming member 130 of the lighting device 100 diffuses the light L from the light source 110 using the diffusing member 140 to irradiate the entire illumination region 1000, and when some of the multiple divided regions 130B are in the light-transmitting state and the remaining divided regions 130B are in the light-blocking state, the light L from the light source 110 can be diffused using the diffusing member 140 to irradiate part of the illumination region 1000. As a result, lighting device 100 can illuminate a wide area with light L from the light source, and by combining the light-blocking and light-transmitting states of multiple divided regions 130B, can illuminate a portion of that wide area in a spot. Furthermore, lighting device 100 is provided with convex lens diffusing member 140, which can realize illumination area 1000 that is wider than first region 130A of light control member 130, and can spot illuminate a portion of illumination area 1000. As a result, lighting device 100 can provide a lighting device that can move the illumination area over a wide area without complicating the device configuration.

[0032] In the lighting device 100, the light adjusting member 130 can switch the divided regions 130B in the first region 130A corresponding to the positions to be spot-illuminated in the lighting region 1000 to a light-transmitting state, and the remaining divided regions 130B to a light-blocking state. This allows the lighting device 100 to move the location to which light is irradiated over a wide range simply by switching the divided regions 130B of the light adjusting member 130 between the light-transmitting state and the light-blocking state.

[0033] The lighting device 100 is provided with a light-collecting member 120 between the light source 110 and the dimming member 130, and can collect the light L emitted by the light source 110 onto the dimming member 130. This allows the lighting device 100 to efficiently collect the light L emitted by the light source 110 onto the dimming member 130, even when the lighting device 100 uses a light source 110 with a wide irradiation range.

[0034] The above has described an example of the configuration of the lighting device 100 according to embodiment 1. Note that the above configuration described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 is merely an example, and the configuration of the lighting device 100 according to embodiment 1 is not limited to this example. The configuration of the lighting device 100 according to embodiment 1 can be flexibly modified depending on the specifications and operation.

[0035] (Modification of Embodiment 1) Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an illumination device according to a modification of Embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 4, illumination device 100 includes light source 110, condensing member 120, dimming member 130, diffusing member 140A, and control circuit 150. That is, illumination device 100 according to the modification of Embodiment 1 changes diffusing member 140 to diffusing member 140A. Illumination device 100 accommodates light source 110, condensing member 120, dimming member 130, diffusing member 140A, and control circuit 150 inside housing 101, and is provided in a location where light can be emitted in the direction of illumination area 1000.

[0036] The diffusing member 140A shown in FIG. 4 is a concave lens that is translucent and is provided to cover the light exit surface 130C of the dimming member 130 in the irradiation direction 100X, and has a concave, light-transmitting side on the exit side of the light L. The diffusing member 140A diffuses the light L from the dimming member 130 and outputs it to the illumination area 1000. In this embodiment, the diffusing member 140A uses a lens that, like the diffusing member 140, widens and outputs the light L over an irradiation range from the dimming member 130 of ±15° to 30°. As a result, in the lighting device 100, even if the light collecting member 120 outputs the light L from the light source 110 toward the dimming member 130 as parallel light with a narrow light distribution range, the diffusing member 140A can diffuse the light L to widen the illumination area 1000.

[0037] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of illumination by the illumination device 100 according to a modified example of the first embodiment. Fig. 5 shows illumination examples in which all of the divided regions 130B of the light adjusting member 130 are in a transmissive state and in which only some of the divided regions 130B are in a transmissive state. For the sake of simplicity, Fig. 5 shows only a portion of the configuration of the illumination device 100.

[0038] 5 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the dimming component 130 so that all of the divided regions 130B display white. In the lighting device 100, the light L emitted by the light source 110 is condensed by the condensing component 120 and incident on the entire first region 130A of the dimming component 130. In this case, because all of the divided regions 130B of the dimming component 130 are in a transmissive state, the lighting device 100 causes the light L from the light source 110 to pass through all of the dimming components 130 and diffuses the light L by the diffusing component 140A. Specifically, in the lighting device 100, the light L parallel to the axis of the diffusing component 140A, which is a concave lens, is refracted by the diffusing component 140A and transmitted as if traveling straight from a focal point behind the concave lens (on the dimming component 130 side), while the light L passing through the center of the diffusing component 140A travels straight and is transmitted. As a result, the lighting device 100 illuminates the entire lighting area 1000 with the light L diffused by the diffusing member 140A.

[0039] 5 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the light control member 130 so that a portion of the multiple divided regions 130B corresponding to a region (position) P2 of the illumination region 1000 displays white, and the remaining regions display black. In the lighting device 100, the light L emitted by the light source 110 is collected by the light collecting member 120 and incident on the entire first region 130A of the light control member 130. In this case, since the divided region 130B-2 of the light control member 130 is in a transmitting state and the remaining divided regions 130B are in a light-blocking state, the lighting device 100 blocks most of the light L from the light source 110 by the light control member 130, transmits some of the light L through the light control member 130, and diffuses the transmitted light L by the diffusing member 140A. Specifically, in illumination device 100, light L that has passed through divided region 130B-2 parallel to the axis of diffusion member 140A, which is a concave lens, is refracted by diffusion member 140A and passes through as if traveling in a straight line from a focal point behind the concave lens (on the dimming member 130 side). As a result, illumination device 100 illuminates spot region 1100, which is a portion P2 of illumination region 1000, with light L diffused by diffusion member 140A, and does not illuminate the remaining region of illumination region 1000.

[0040] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing another illumination example of the lighting device 100 according to a modified example of the first embodiment. Fig. 6 shows illumination examples in which all of the divided regions 130B of the dimming member 130 are in a transmissive state and in which only some of them are in a transmissive state. For simplicity of explanation, Fig. 6 shows only a partial configuration of the lighting device 100. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the lighting device 100 has a thicker concave lens of the diffusing member 140A, thereby reducing the radius of curvature, in order to increase the refraction angle of the light L transmitted through the dimming member 130.

[0041] In scene SC15 of Fig. 6 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the dimming member 130 so that all of the divided regions 130B display white. In the lighting device 100, the light L emitted by the light source 110 is condensed by the condensing member 120 and incident on the entire first region 130A of the dimming member 130. In this case, because all of the divided regions 130B of the dimming member 130 are in a transmissive state, the lighting device 100 transmits the light L from the light source 110 through all of the dimming members 130 and diffuses the light L by the diffusing member 140. As a result, the lighting device 100 illuminates the entire illumination region 1000 with the light L diffused by the diffusing member 140A, but the center of the illumination region 1000 is bright and the periphery is dark.

[0042] 6 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the light control member 130 so that some of the divided regions 130B, corresponding to regions (positions) P2 and P4 of the illumination region 1000, display white, and the remaining regions display black. In the lighting device 100, the light L emitted by the light source 110 is collected by the light collecting member 120 and incident on the entire first region 130A of the light control member 130. In this case, the divided regions 130B-2 and 130B-4 of the light control member 130 are in a transmissive state, and the remaining divided regions 130B are in a light-blocking state. Therefore, in the lighting device 100, most of the light L from the light source 110 is blocked by the light control member 130, some of the light L passes through the light control member 130, and the transmitted light L is diffused by the diffusing member 140A. Specifically, in the illumination device 100, light L transmitted through divided regions 130B-2 and 130B-4 parallel to the axis of the diffusing member 140A, which is a concave lens, is refracted by the diffusing member 140A and transmitted as if traveling straight from a focal point behind the concave lens (on the dimming member 130 side). As a result, the illumination device 100 illuminates spot regions 1100, which are regions P2 and P4, which are parts of the illumination region 1000, with the light L diffused by the diffusing member 140A, but does not illuminate the remaining regions of the illumination region 1000. In the illumination device 100, the illuminance of region P4 in the center of the illumination region 1000 is brighter than that of region P2 at the edge of the illumination region 1000.

[0043] As described above, the lighting device 100 includes the light source 110, the dimming member 130 that can switch the divided regions 130B between a light-blocking state and a light-transmitting state, and the concave lens diffusing member 140A that diffuses the light L emitted from the dimming member 130 and emits it toward the illumination region 1000. When all of the divided regions 130B are in a transmissive state, the dimming member 130 of the lighting device 100 diffuses the light L from the light source 110 with the diffusing member 140A to irradiate the entire illumination region 1000. When some of the divided regions 130B are in a transmissive state and the remaining divided regions 130B are in a light-blocking state, the light L from the light source 110 can be diffused with the diffusing member 140A to irradiate only part of the illumination region 1000. This allows the lighting device 100 to irradiate a wide area with the light L from the light source, and by combining the light-blocking and light-transmitting states of the divided regions 130B, it is possible to provide spot illumination of part of that wide area. Furthermore, by including dimming member 130 that is a concave lens, lighting device 100 can achieve lighting area 1000 that is wider than first area 130A of dimming member 130, and can spotlight a portion of lighting area 1000. As a result, lighting device 100 can provide a lighting device that can move the location to which light is irradiated over a wide range without complicating the device configuration.

[0044] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, the lighting device 100 is described as including a convex lens diffusing member 140 or a concave lens diffusing member 140A to widen the light distribution angle of the light irradiated onto the illumination area 1000. For example, the diffusing member 140A shown in FIG. 6 requires a thick lens to widen the light distribution angle, i.e., to widen the diffusion range, resulting in a large component. Furthermore, the diffusing member 140A is not suitable for uniform illumination of the illumination area 1000 because it generates a difference in illuminance between a region P2 and a region P4 of the illumination area 1000. In the second embodiment, a configuration is described that can suppress unevenness of light across the entire illumination area 1000 and widen the light distribution angle of the light irradiated onto the illumination area 1000.

[0045] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an illumination device according to embodiment 2. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an enlargement of a portion PT1 shown in Fig. 7 .

[0046] 7 , the lighting device 100 includes a light source 110, a condensing member 120, a dimming member 130, a diffusing member 140B, and a control circuit 150. That is, the lighting device 100 according to the second embodiment has the above-described diffusing member 140 and diffusing member 140A replaced with a diffusing member 140B. The lighting device 100 accommodates the light source 110, the condensing member 120, the dimming member 130, the diffusing member 140B, and the control circuit 150 inside a housing 101, and is provided in a location where light can be emitted in the direction of the illumination area 1000.

[0047] 7 is a lens array in which a plurality of translucent lenses 141 are arranged, each having a convex surface on the side from which light L is emitted, and is provided to cover the light emission surface 130C of the light adjusting member 130 in the irradiation direction 100X. The diffuser 140B diffuses the light L from the light adjusting member 130 using the plurality of lenses 141 and emits the light L to the illumination area 1000.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 8 , the diffusing member 140B has lenses 141, which are multiple microlenses, arranged along the X direction. Each of the multiple lenses 141 is arranged to face two divided regions 130B of the dimming member 130 in the X direction. That is, the lighting device 100 is configured to control the refraction direction of light L by facing two divided regions 130B to one lens 141 in the X direction. Each of the multiple lenses 141 is a convex lens and is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the Y direction in a plan view. The diffusing member 140B is arranged so that the multiple lenses 141 cover the exit surface 130C of the dimming member 130. As a result, even if the light collecting member 120 emits light L from the light source 110 toward the dimming member 130 as parallel light with a narrow light distribution range, the diffusing member 140B can diffuse the light L with the multiple lenses 141 and control the range of the illumination area 1000. In addition, when the diffusing member 140B uses lenses 141 extending along the Y direction, the lighting device 100 may control the light blocking state and the light transmitting state for each of the lenses 141 by regarding the plurality of dimming members 130 in the Y direction as one second region. In this embodiment, the diffusing member 140B will be described as having the plurality of lenses 141 as convex lenses, but the plurality of lenses 141 may also be concave lenses.

[0049] 9 to 11 are schematic diagrams showing an example of illumination by the illumination device 100 according to embodiment 2. For the sake of simplicity, only a portion of the configuration of the illumination device 100 is shown in Fig. 9 to 11. Fig. 9 to 11 show a display example of the light adjusting member 130, an example of light rays from the diffusing member 140B, and the relationship between the illumination image of the illumination area 1000.

[0050] 9 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the dimming member 130 so that all of the divided regions 130B display white. In the lighting device 100, the light L emitted by the light source 110 is condensed by the condensing member 120 and incident on the entire surface of the first region 130A of the dimming member 130. In this case, because all of the divided regions 130B of the dimming member 130 are in a transmissive state, the lighting device 100 causes the light L from the light source 110 to pass through all of the dimming members 130 and diffuses the light L using the multiple lenses 141 of the diffusing member 140B. In detail, in the lighting device 100, the light L parallel to the axis of the multiple lenses 141, which are convex lenses, is refracted by each of the multiple lenses 141 and transmits through the focal point of the convex lens, while the light L passing through the center of the multiple lenses 141 travels straight and transmits. As a result, the illumination device 100 illuminates the illumination area 1000 with the projection image G1 using the light L diffused by the diffusion member 140B.

[0051] 9 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the light control member 130 so that the left half of the first region 130A of the light control member 130 displays black and white stripes instead of white, and the right half of the first region 130A displays black. Specifically, the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the light control member 130 with respect to the multiple lenses 141 of the diffusion member 140B in the left half of the first region 130A so that, of the two divided regions 130B, the left divided region 130B displays black and the right divided region 130B displays white. The lighting device 100 collects light L emitted by the light source 110 with the light collecting member 120 and causes the light L to be incident on the entire surface of the first region 130A of the light control member 130. In this case, of the two divided regions 130B of the dimming member 130 corresponding to the multiple lenses 141 of the diffusion member 140B that constitutes half of the first region 130A, only the right divided region 130B is in a transmissive state. Therefore, in the lighting device 100, most of the light L from the light source 110 is blocked by the dimming member 130, and some of the light L is transmitted through the dimming member 130, and the transmitted light L is diffused by the diffusion member 140B. Specifically, in the lighting device 100, the light L that passes through the divided region 130B that is parallel to the axis of the lenses 141 of the diffusion member 140B, which is a convex lens, is refracted by the multiple lenses 141 and passes through the focus of the convex lens. As a result, the lighting device 100 illuminates an illumination image G2 that is smaller (narrower) than the illumination image G1 as a spot region 1100 using the light L diffused by the diffusion member 140B, and does not illuminate the remaining region of the illumination region 1000.

[0052] 10 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the light control member 130 so that the right half of the first region 130A of the light control member 130 in the drawing displays black and white stripes instead of white, and the left half of the first region 130A displays black. Specifically, the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the light control member 130 with respect to the multiple lenses 141 of the diffusion member 140B in the right half of the first region 130A so that, of the two divided regions 130B, the right divided region 130B displays black and the left divided region 130B displays white. The lighting device 100 collects light L emitted by the light source 110 using the light collecting member 120 and causes the light L to be incident on the entire surface of the first region 130A of the light control member 130. In this case, of the two divided regions 130B of the dimming member 130 corresponding to the multiple lenses 141 of the diffusion member 140B in the right half of the first region 130A, only the left divided region 130B is in a transmissive state. Therefore, in the lighting device 100, most of the light L from the light source 110 is blocked by the dimming member 130, and a portion of the light L is transmitted through the dimming member 130, and the transmitted light L is diffused by the diffusion member 140B. Specifically, in the lighting device 100, the light L transmitted through the divided region 130B parallel to the axis of the lenses 141 of the diffusion member 140B, which is a convex lens, is refracted by the multiple lenses 141 and transmitted so as to pass through the focus of the convex lens. As a result, the lighting device 100 illuminates an illumination image G3, which is smaller than the illumination image G1, as a spot region 1100 using the light L diffused by the diffusion member 140B, and does not illuminate the remaining region of the illumination region 1000.

[0053] 10 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the light control member 130 so that a part of the right half of the first region 130A of the light control member 130 in the drawing is displayed in white. Specifically, the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the light control member 130 so that, of the two divided regions 130B corresponding to each of the three lenses 141 of the diffusion member 140B in a part of the right half of the first region 130A, the right divided region 130B is displayed in black and the left divided region 130B is displayed in white in the range from the edge to the center of the light control member 130. The lighting device 100 collects light L emitted by the light source 110 using the light collecting member 120 and causes the light L to be incident on the entire surface of the first region 130A of the light control member 130. In this case, of the two divided regions 130B of the dimming member 130 corresponding to the three lenses 141 of the diffusion member 140B in a portion of the right half of the first region 130A, only the left divided region 130B is in a transmissive state. Therefore, in the lighting device 100, most of the light L from the light source 110 is blocked by the dimming member 130, some of the light L is transmitted through the dimming member 130, and the transmitted light L is diffused by the diffusion member 140B. Specifically, in the lighting device 100, the light L transmitted through the divided region 130B parallel to the axis of the lenses 141 of the diffusion member 140B, which is a convex lens, is refracted by some of the three lenses 141 and transmitted through the focal point of the convex lens. As a result, the lighting device 100 illuminates the illumination image G4, which is smaller than the illumination image G1 and the illumination image G3, as the spot region 1100 using the light L diffused by the diffusion member 140B, and does not illuminate the remaining region of the illumination region 1000.

[0054] 11 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the light control member 130 so that part of the left half of the first region 130A of the light control member 130 in the figure is displayed in white. Specifically, the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the light control member 130 so that, of the two divided regions 130B for each of the three lenses 141 of the diffusion member 140B in part of the left half of the first region 130A, the left divided region 130B is displayed in black and the right divided region 130B is displayed in white in the range from the edge to the center of the light control member 130. The lighting device 100 collects light L emitted by the light source 110 using the light collecting member 120 and causes the light L to be incident on the entire surface of the first region 130A of the light control member 130. In this case, of the two divided regions 130B of the dimming member 130 corresponding to the three lenses 141 of the diffusion member 140B in a portion of the left half of the first region 130A, only the right divided region 130B is in a transmissive state. Therefore, in the lighting device 100, most of the light L from the light source 110 is blocked by the dimming member 130, some of the light L is transmitted through the dimming member 130, and the transmitted light L is diffused by the diffusion member 140B. Specifically, in the lighting device 100, the light L transmitted through the divided region 130B parallel to the axis of the lenses 141 of the diffusion member 140B, which is a convex lens, is refracted by some of the three lenses 141 and transmitted through the focal point of the convex lens. As a result, the lighting device 100 illuminates the illumination image G1 and the illumination image G5, which is smaller than the illumination image G2, as the spot region 1100 using the light L diffused by the diffusion member 140B, and does not illuminate the remaining region of the illumination region 1000.

[0055] As described above, the lighting device 100 includes the light source 110, the dimming member 130 that can switch the divided regions 130B between a light-blocking state and a light-transmitting state, and the lens array diffusing member 140B that diffuses the light L emitted from the dimming member 130 and emits it to the illumination region 1000. When all of the divided regions 130B are in a transmissive state, the dimming member 130 of the lighting device 100 diffuses the light L from the light source 110 using the diffusing member 140 to irradiate the entire illumination region 1000. When some of the divided regions 130B are in a transmissive state and the remaining divided regions 130B are in a light-blocking state, the light L from the light source 110 can be diffused using the diffusing member 140B to irradiate part of the illumination region 1000. This allows the lighting device 100 to irradiate a wide area with the light L from the light source, and by combining the light-blocking and light-transmitting states of the divided regions 130B, it is possible to spotlight part of that wide area. Furthermore, by including the lens array dimming member 130, the lighting device 100 can realize an illumination area 1000 that is wider than the first area 130A of the dimming member 130, and can spot illuminate a portion of the illumination area 1000. As a result, the lighting device 100 can provide a lighting device that can move the location to which light is irradiated over a wide range without complicating the device configuration.

[0056] In the lighting device 100, the diffusion member 140B is a lens array in which a plurality of single lenses are arranged along the X direction, and the dimming member 130 is arranged in the X direction such that at least two adjacent divided regions 130B face the single lenses 141. As a result, even if all of the divided regions 130B of the dimming member 130 are in a transmissive state, the lighting device 100 diffuses the light L emitted from the plurality of lenses 141, thereby suppressing unevenness in the light L in the lighting area 1000.

[0057] The above has described an example of the configuration of the lighting device 100 according to embodiment 2. Note that the configuration described above using Fig. 7 to Fig. 11 is merely an example, and the configuration of the lighting device 100 according to embodiment 2 is not limited to this example. The configuration of the lighting device 100 according to embodiment 2 can be flexibly modified depending on the specifications and operation.

[0058] (Variation 1 of Embodiment 2) FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the dimming component 130 and the diffusing component 140B of Variation 1 of Embodiment 2. As shown in FIG. 12 , the diffusing component 140B has lenses 141, which are multiple microlenses, arranged along the X direction. Each of the multiple lenses 141 is arranged to face three divided regions 130B of the dimming component 130 in the X direction. That is, the lighting device 100 is configured to be able to control the refraction direction of light L by facing one lens 141 to three divided regions 130B in the X direction. Each of the multiple lenses 141 is a convex lens and is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the Y direction in a plan view. Note that each of the multiple lenses 141 may be a concave lens. The diffusing component 140B is arranged so that the multiple lenses 141 cover the exit surface 130C of the dimming component 130. As a result, even if the light L from the light source 110 is emitted toward the dimming member 130 as parallel light with a narrower light distribution range by the focusing member 120, the diffusing member 140B can diffuse the light L using multiple lenses 141, thereby controlling the range (light distribution range) that can be irradiated onto the illumination area 1000.

[0059] Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of illumination by the illumination device 100 according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 2. For the sake of simplicity, Fig. 13 shows only a partial configuration of the illumination device 100. Fig. 13 shows the relationship between example light rays from a part of the divided region 130B of the dimming member 130 and the diffusing member 140B and the illumination image of the illumination region 1000.

[0060] In scene SC25 of FIG. 13 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the dimming component 130 so that a portion of the first region 130A of the dimming component 130 is displayed in white. Specifically, the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the dimming component 130 for each of the lenses 141 of the diffusion component 140B corresponding to all of the first region 130A so that, of the three divided regions 130B, the left and right divided regions 130B are black and the central divided region 130B is white. The lighting device 100 collects light L emitted by the light source 110 using the light collecting component 120 and causes the light to be incident on the entire first region 130A of the dimming component 130. In this case, in all of the first region 130A, of the three divided regions 130B of the dimming component 130 corresponding to the lenses 141 of the diffusion component 140B, only the central divided region 130B is in a transmissive state. Therefore, in the lighting device 100, most of the light L from the light source 110 is blocked by the dimming member 130, a portion of the light L is transmitted through the dimming member 130, and the transmitted light L is diffused by the diffusing member 140B. Specifically, in the lighting device 100, the light L that has transmitted only through the divided regions 130B corresponding to the centers of the lenses 141 of the diffusing member 140B is transmitted as if traveling straight through the multiple lenses 141. As a result, the lighting device 100 illuminates the irradiation image G6 as a spot region 1100 with the light L diffused by the diffusing member 140B, and does not illuminate the remaining regions of the illumination region 1000.

[0061] 13 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the dimming component 130 so that all of the divided regions 130B display white. In the lighting device 100, the light L emitted by the light source 110 is condensed by the condensing component 120 and incident on the entire surface of the first region 130A of the dimming component 130. In this case, because all of the divided regions 130B of the dimming component 130 are in a transmissive state, the lighting device 100 causes the light L from the light source 110 to pass through all of the dimming components 130 and diffuses the light L using the lenses 141 of the diffusing component 140B. Specifically, in the lighting device 100, the light L from the three divided regions 130B parallel to the axes of the lenses 141 is refracted by each of the lenses 141 and transmitted as if traveling straight from a focal point behind the convex lens (on the dimming component 130 side), while the light L passing through the center of the lenses 141 travels straight and is transmitted. As a result, the illumination device 100 illuminates the illumination area 1000 with the light L diffused by the diffusing member 140B to form an illumination image G7 that is larger (wider) than the illumination image G6.

[0062] (Variation 2 of Embodiment 2) FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the dimming component 130 and the diffusing component 140B of Variation 2 of Embodiment 2. As shown in FIG. 14 , the diffusing component 140B has a plurality of lenses 141, which are microlenses, arranged along the X direction. Each of the lenses 141 is arranged to face five divided regions 130B of the dimming component 130 in the X direction. That is, the lighting device 100 is configured to be able to control the refraction direction of light L by arranging five divided regions 130B facing one lens 141 in the X direction. Each of the lenses 141 is a convex lens and is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the Y direction in a plan view. Each of the lenses 141 may have a concave cross section. The diffusing component 140B is arranged so that the lenses 141 cover the exit surface 130C of the dimming component 130. As a result, even if the light L from the light source 110 is emitted toward the dimming member 130 as parallel light with a narrower light distribution range by the focusing member 120, the diffusing member 140B can diffuse the light L using multiple lenses 141, thereby controlling the range (light distribution range) that can be irradiated onto the illumination area 1000.

[0063] Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of illumination by the illumination device 100 according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 2. For the sake of simplicity, Fig. 15 shows only a partial configuration of the illumination device 100. Fig. 15 shows the relationship between example light rays from a part of the divided region 130B of the dimming member 130 and the diffusing member 140B and the illumination image of the illumination region 1000.

[0064] In scene SC27 of FIG. 15 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the dimming component 130 so that a portion of the first region 130A of the dimming component 130 is displayed in white. Specifically, the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the dimming component 130 for each of the lenses 141 of the diffusing component 140B corresponding to all of the first region 130A so that, of the five divided regions 130B, the central divided region 130B is displayed in white and the other divided regions 130B are displayed in black. The lighting device 100 collects light L emitted by the light source 110 using the condensing component 120 and causes the light to be incident on the entire first region 130A of the dimming component 130. In this case, in all of the first region 130A, of the five divided regions 130B of the dimming component 130 corresponding to the lenses 141 of the diffusing component 140B, only the central divided region 130B is in a transmissive state. Therefore, in the lighting device 100, most of the light L from the light source 110 is blocked by the light control member 130, a portion of the light L is transmitted through the light control member 130, and the transmitted light L is diffused by the diffusing member 140B. Specifically, in the lighting device 100, the light L that has transmitted only through the divided regions 130B corresponding to the centers of the lenses 141 of the diffusing member 140B is transmitted as if traveling straight through the multiple lenses 141. As a result, the lighting device 100 illuminates the irradiation image G8 as a spot region 1100 with the light L diffused by the diffusing member 140B, and does not illuminate the remaining region of the illumination region 1000.

[0065] In scene SC28 of FIG. 15 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the light control member 130 so that a part of the first region 130A of the light control member 130 is displayed in white. Specifically, the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the light control member 130 so that, for each of the multiple lenses 141 of the diffusion member 140B corresponding to all of the first region 130A, the center and three divided regions 130B on either side of ... Therefore, in the lighting device 100, a portion of the light L from the light source 110 is blocked by the light control member 130, the remainder of the light L is transmitted through the light control member 130, and the transmitted light L is diffused by the diffusion member 140B. As a result, the lighting device 100 illuminates the irradiation image G9 as a spot region 1100 with the light L diffused by the diffusion member 140B, and does not illuminate the remaining region of the illumination region 1000. The irradiation image G9 has a wider luminous intensity distribution angle (illumination range) than the irradiation image G8.

[0066] 15 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the dimming member 130 so that all of the divided regions 130B display white. In the lighting device 100, the light L emitted by the light source 110 is condensed by the condensing member 120 and incident on the entire surface of the first region 130A of the dimming member 130. In this case, because all of the divided regions 130B of the dimming member 130 are in a transmissive state, the lighting device 100 causes the light L from the light source 110 to pass through all of the dimming members 130 and diffuses the light L using the multiple lenses 141 of the diffusing member 140B. In detail, in the lighting device 100, the light L from the five divided regions 130B parallel to the axes of the multiple lenses 141 is refracted by each of the multiple lenses 141 and passes through the focal points of the convex lenses, while the light L passing through the centers of the multiple lenses 141 travels straight and passes through. As a result, the illumination device 100 illuminates the illumination area 1000 with the light L diffused by the diffusing member 140B, forming an illumination image G10 that is larger (wider) than the illumination images G8 and G9.

[0067] As described above, the lighting device 100 adjusts the direction of the light L emitted from the lens 141 by combining the light blocking state and the light transmitting state of the plurality of divided regions 130B of the light adjusting member 130 that correspond to one single lens 141. This enables the lighting device 100 to control the irradiation range (light distribution angle) of the light L diffused by the plurality of lenses 141.

[0068] Third Embodiment In the first embodiment, the lighting device 100 is described as including the diffusing member 140 of a convex lens or the diffusing member 140A of a concave lens, thereby widening the light distribution angle of the light irradiated onto the illumination area 1000. In the third embodiment, similar to the second embodiment, a configuration is described that can suppress unevenness in light across the entire illumination area 1000.

[0069] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an illumination device according to embodiment 3. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an enlargement of a portion PT2 shown in Fig. 16 .

[0070] 16 , the lighting device 100 includes a light source 110, a condensing member 120, a dimming member 130, a diffusing member 140C, and a control circuit 150. That is, the lighting device 100 according to the third embodiment has the above-described diffusing members 140, 140A, and 140B replaced with a diffusing member 140C. The lighting device 100 accommodates the light source 110, the condensing member 120, the dimming member 130, the diffusing member 140C, and the control circuit 150 inside a housing 101, and is provided in a location where light can be emitted in the direction of the illumination area 1000.

[0071] 17 is an array member in which a plurality of prisms 142 having translucent convex portions are arranged, the prisms 142 being disposed to cover the light L exit surface 130C of the light control member 130 in the irradiation direction 100X, and the light L exit surface 130C is arranged to cover the light L exit surface 130C of the light control member 130 in the irradiation direction 100X. The diffusing member 140C diffuses the light L from the light control member 130 with the plurality of prisms 142 and emits the light L to the illumination area 1000.

[0072] The diffusion member 140C has prisms 142 arranged along the X direction. Each of the multiple prisms 142 is arranged to face two divided regions 130B of the dimming member 130 in the X direction. In other words, the lighting device 100 is configured to be able to control the refraction direction of light L by having two divided regions 130B face one prism 142 in the X direction. Each of the multiple prisms 142 has a triangular cross section and is formed into a rectangular shape extending in the Y direction in a plan view. The multiple prisms 142 may be prisms with a polygonal cross section. The diffusion member 140C is arranged so that the bottom surfaces of the multiple prisms 142 cover the exit surface 130C of the dimming member 130. As a result, even if the light L from the light source 110 is emitted toward the dimming member 130 as parallel light with a narrow light distribution range by the focusing member 120, the diffusing member 140C can refract the light L in a direction that widens the area using multiple prisms 142, so that the range of the illumination area 1000 can be controlled.

[0073] Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram showing an example of illumination by the illumination device 100 according to embodiment 3. For the sake of simplicity, Fig. 18 shows only a portion of the configuration of the illumination device 100. Fig. 18 shows a display example of the light adjusting member 130, an example of light rays from the diffusing member 140B, and the relationship between the illumination image in the illumination area 1000.

[0074] In scene SC30 of Fig. 18 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the dimming member 130 so that all of the multiple divided regions 130B display white. In the lighting device 100, the light L emitted by the light source 110 is condensed by the condensing member 120 and incident on the entire surface of the first region 130A of the dimming member 130. In this case, because all of the divided regions 130B of the dimming member 130 are in a transmissive state, the lighting device 100 causes the light L from the light source 110 to pass through all of the dimming members 130 and diffuses the light L using the multiple prisms 142 of the diffusing member 140C. In detail, in the lighting device 100, the light L parallel to the axes of the multiple prisms 142 is refracted and transmitted through each of the multiple prisms 142, and the light L passing through the centers of the multiple prisms 142 travels straight and transmits. As a result, the illumination device 100 illuminates the illumination area 1000 with the projection image G11 using the light L diffused by the diffusion member 140B.

[0075] 18 , the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the light control member 130 so that the left half of the first region 130A of the light control member 130 displays black and white stripes instead of white, and the right half of the first region 130A displays black. Specifically, the lighting device 100 controls the driving of the light control member 130 with respect to the multiple prisms 142 of the diffusion member 140B in the left half of the first region 130A so that of the two divided regions 130B, the right divided region 130B displays black and the left divided region 130B displays white. The lighting device 100 collects light L emitted by the light source 110 with the light collecting member 120 and causes the light L to be incident on the entire surface of the first region 130A of the light control member 130. In this case, of the two divided regions 130B of the dimming member 130 corresponding to the multiple prisms 142 of the diffusion member 140C that constitute half of the first region 130A, only the left divided region 130B is in a transmissive state. Therefore, in the lighting device 100, most of the light L from the light source 110 is blocked by the dimming member 130, some of the light L is transmitted through the dimming member 130, and the transmitted light L is refracted by the diffusion member 140C. Specifically, in the lighting device 100, the light L is refracted by the side surfaces of the prisms 142 of the diffusion member 140C in a direction away from the axis and transmitted, and the light L travels straight and is transmitted from the apex of the prism 142. As a result, the lighting device 100 illuminates an illumination image G12 that is smaller (narrower) than the illumination image G11 as a spot region 1100 using the light L diffused by the diffusion member 140B, and does not illuminate the remaining region of the illumination region 1000.

[0076] In this way, even if the diffusing member 140B of embodiment 2 is replaced with the diffusing member 140C, the lighting device 100 can obtain the same effect as in embodiment 2 by changing the display of the multiple divided areas 130B of the dimming member 130 between black (light-blocking state) and white (transmitting state) and turning on the light source 110.

[0077] As described above, the lighting device 100 includes the light source 110, the dimming member 130 that can switch the divided regions 130B between a light-blocking state and a light-transmitting state, and the diffusing member 140C made up of a plurality of prisms that diffuses the light L emitted from the dimming member 130 and emits it toward the illumination region 1000. When all of the divided regions 130B are in a transmissive state, the dimming member 130 of the lighting device 100 diffuses the light L from the light source 110 using the diffusing member 140 to irradiate the entire illumination region 1000. When some of the divided regions 130B are in a transmissive state and the remaining divided regions 130B are in a light-blocking state, the light L from the light source 110 can be diffused using the diffusing member 140C to irradiate only part of the illumination region 1000. This allows the lighting device 100 to irradiate a wide area with the light L from the light source, and by combining the light-blocking and light-transmitting states of the divided regions 130B, it is possible to provide spot illumination of part of that wide area. Furthermore, by including the light control member 130 having a plurality of prisms, the lighting device 100 can realize an illumination area 1000 that is wider than the first area 130A of the light control member 130, and can spot illuminate a portion of the illumination area 1000. As a result, the lighting device 100 can provide a lighting device that can move the location to which light is irradiated over a wide range without complicating the device configuration.

[0078] In the lighting device 100, the diffusion member 140C arranges a plurality of prisms 142 along the X direction, and the dimming member 130 is arranged in the X direction such that at least two adjacent divided regions 130B face the prisms 142. As a result, even if all of the divided regions 130B of the dimming member 130 are in a transmissive state, the lighting device 100 diffuses the light L emitted from the plurality of prisms 142, thereby suppressing unevenness in the light L in the lighting area 1000.

[0079] The above has described an example of the configuration of the lighting device 100 according to embodiment 3. Note that the configuration described above using Fig. 16 to Fig. 18 is merely an example, and the configuration of the lighting device 100 according to embodiment 3 is not limited to this example. The configuration of the lighting device 100 according to embodiment 3 can be flexibly modified depending on the specifications and operation.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the lighting device 100 has been described as including the control circuit 150, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the lighting device 100 may be configured not to include the control circuit 150, but to be controlled by an external control device.

[0081] The lighting device 100 described above may be modified from the first to third embodiments or may be combined with the first to third embodiments depending on the product specifications, installation environment, and the like.

[0082] Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. The contents disclosed in the embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, if the lighting device of the present disclosure is capable of adjusting not only the light distribution shape but also the brightness and color of the light, a configuration for coarsely or finely adjusting the brightness and color of the light using the configuration of the present disclosure is also possible. Appropriate modifications made within the scope of the present disclosure also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0083] For example, although the liquid crystal layer 133 has been described as being in TN mode, it may be other liquid crystals in a vertical electric field mode such as VA (Vertical Alignment), or may be liquid crystals in a horizontal electric field mode such as IPS (In-Plane Switching) including FFS (Fringe Field Switching).

[0084] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Illumination device 101 Housing 110 Light source 120 Light-collecting member 130 Light control member 130A First region 130B Divided region 130C Emission surface 131 First substrate 131d First electrode 132 Second substrate 132c Second electrode 133 Liquid crystal layer 133a Liquid crystal molecules 140, 140A, 140B, 140C Diffusion member 141 Lens 142 Prism 150 Control circuit 1000 Illumination region 1100 Spot region L Light

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising: a light source; a dimming component arranged in the irradiation direction of the light source and having a plurality of second regions formed by dividing a first region into which light from the light source is incident; and a diffusion component that diffuses the light emitted from the dimming component and emits it to an illumination region, wherein each of the plurality of second regions is configured to be switchable between a transmissive state in which it transmits light from the light source toward the illumination region and a shading state in which it blocks the light from the light source, and wherein when all of the plurality of second regions are in the transmissive state, the dimming component irradiates the entire illumination region with light from the light source, and when some of the plurality of second regions are in the transmissive state and the remaining second regions are in the shading state, the light from the light source irradiates part of the illumination region.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the second region of the first region, which corresponds to a position to be spot-illuminated in the lighting region, is switched to the transmissive state, and the remaining second region is switched to the light-blocking state.

3. The lighting device according to claim 2, further comprising a focusing member provided between the light source and the dimming member, for focusing the light emitted by the light source onto the dimming member.

4. The lighting device described in claim 3, wherein the diffusion member is a lens array in which a plurality of single lenses are arranged in a first direction, and the dimming member is arranged so that at least two adjacent second regions face the single lenses in the first direction.

5. The lighting device described in claim 4, wherein the dimming component adjusts the direction of the light emitted from the single lens by combining the light-blocking state and the light-transmitting state of multiple second regions corresponding to one of the single lenses.

6. The lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the diffusion member has a plurality of prisms arranged along a first direction so as to diffuse the light from the dimming member, and the dimming member is arranged so that at least two adjacent second regions face one of the prisms in the first direction.

7. The lighting device described in claim 6, wherein the dimming component adjusts the direction of the light emitted from the prism by combining the light-blocking state and the light-transmitting state of multiple second regions corresponding to one of the prisms.

8. The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the light control member is a liquid crystal panel.

9. The lighting device according to claim 8, wherein the liquid crystal panel includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a liquid crystal layer, and the light control member switches between the light-blocking state and the light-transmitting state depending on the state of the electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode.

10. The lighting device according to claim 9, wherein the dimming member changes the amount of light emitted from the diffusing member by changing the size of the second region in the first region.

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