Light source device

The light source device achieves stable optical axis alignment and consistent irradiation by using asymmetric apertures and holes for precise attachment, addressing misalignment issues and facilitating component replacement.

WO2026110483A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-05-28HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/JP2025/034215
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-11-25
Filing Date
2025-09-26
Publication Date
2026-05-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing light source devices face challenges in achieving desired irradiation conditions due to improper attachment, leading to potential deviations in optical axis alignment.

Method used

The light source device incorporates a housing with specific apertures and holes that ensure a predetermined positional relationship by allowing attachment only in a defined orientation, using asymmetric and elongated hole configurations to prevent misalignment and stabilize the optical axis.

Benefits of technology

Ensures stable and proper optical axis alignment, preventing misattachment and ensuring consistent irradiation conditions, while also preventing foreign matter entry and facilitating easy replacement of components.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

This light source device emits light along a prescribed optical axis, and comprises a housing and a light-emitting unit disposed inside the housing. The housing includes a wall part in which a first opening including the optical axis is formed. The wall part is further formed with a first hole and a second hole that open to at least the outer surface of the wall part. When viewed from a first direction along the optical axis, the first hole and the second hole have an asymmetrical positional relationship about the optical axis.
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Description

Light source device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a light source device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a flash light source device including a flash lamp, a wiring board provided with a circuit for causing the flash lamp to emit light, and a housing that houses the flash lamp and the wiring board.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-162704

[0004] In the light source device as described above, unless the light source device is attached to the device so as to have a predetermined positional relationship, there is a possibility that desired irradiation conditions cannot be obtained during use of the light source device.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a light source device that can be attached to a device so as to have a predetermined positional relationship.

[0006] A light source device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is [1] "a light source device that emits light along a predetermined optical axis, including a housing and a light emitting portion disposed in the housing, the housing including a wall portion in which a first opening including the optical axis is formed, and at least a first hole and a second hole that open to the outer surface of the wall portion are further formed in the wall portion, and when viewed from a first direction along the optical axis, the first hole and the second hole have an astigmatic asymmetric positional relationship centered on the optical axis", a light source device.

[0007] In the above light source device, a first aperture including the optical axis of the light source device is formed in the wall of the housing, and a first hole and a second hole opening to at least the outer surface of the wall are formed in the wall of the housing, and when viewed from a first direction along the optical axis, the first hole and the second hole have an asymmetric positional relationship with respect to the optical axis. As a result, when the first projection and the second projection are provided on the equipment such that the first projection corresponds to the first hole and the second projection corresponds to the second hole, the light source device is attached to the equipment in a predetermined positional relationship by inserting the first projection into the first hole and the second projection into the second hole. Furthermore, if the light source device is attached to the equipment in an orientation different from the predetermined orientation, for example, even if it is attached to the equipment such that the second projection is inserted into the first hole and the first projection is inserted into the second hole, the optical axis of the light source device will deviate from the optical axis required by the equipment, thus preventing the light source device from being used in the equipment in its original state. Therefore, the above light source device makes it possible to attach it to the equipment in a predetermined positional relationship.

[0008] One aspect of the light source device of the present disclosure may be [2] "the light source device according to [1] above, wherein, when viewed from the first direction, the angle formed by the line segment connecting the center of the first hole and the optical axis and the line segment connecting the center of the second hole and the optical axis is 45 degrees or more and 315 degrees or less." With this light source device, the distance between the first hole and the second hole is increased, so that, for example, even if there is a gap between the inner surface of the second hole and the outer surface of the second projection, it is possible to suppress the housing from shifting in the rotational direction around the first projection, and to suppress the optical axis of the light source device from shifting from the optical axis of the equipment.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure is a light source device, which may be [3] "the light source device described in [2] above, wherein the angle is 135 degrees or more and 225 degrees or less." With this light source device, it is possible to more reliably suppress the deviation of the optical axis of the light source device from the optical axis of the equipment.

[0010] One aspect of the light source device of this disclosure may be [4] "the light source device according to any one of [1] to [3] above, wherein the shape of the first hole when viewed from the first direction is circular, the shape of the second hole when viewed from the first direction is elongated with a major axis, and when viewed from the first direction, the extension of the major axis passes through the center of the first hole." With this light source device, insertion of the first projection into the first hole and insertion of the second projection into the second hole can be easily performed. Furthermore, for example, even if there is a gap between the inner surface of the second hole that is parallel to the major axis and the outer surface of the second projection, it is possible to suppress the housing from shifting in the rotational direction around the first projection, and to suppress the optical axis of the light source device from shifting from the optical axis of the equipment.

[0011] One aspect of the light source device of this disclosure may be [5] "the light source device according to any one of [1] to [4] above, wherein each of the first hole and the second hole is a recess opening to the surface." With this light source device, it is possible to suppress the entry of foreign matter into the housing.

[0012] A light source device in one aspect of the present disclosure may be [6] "the light source device according to any one of [1] to [5] above, wherein the light-emitting unit includes a light-emitting element and a socket holding the light-emitting element, the housing further includes a support portion to which the wall portion is detachably attached, the socket holds the light-emitting element such that the orientation of the light-emitting element relative to the socket is defined in a rotational direction with respect to the optical axis as the centerline, at least a portion of the socket is disposed within a second opening formed in the support portion, and the support portion and the socket are engaged with each other such that the orientation of the socket relative to the support portion is defined in a rotational direction with respect to the optical axis as the centerline." With this light source device, since the socket that holds the light-emitting element in a predetermined orientation can be engaged with the support portion in a predetermined orientation, for example, when replacing the light-emitting element, the light-emitting element can be mounted in the light source device in a predetermined orientation.

[0013] One aspect of the present disclosure may be the light source device described in [6] above, wherein the socket and the wall are engaged with each other such that the orientation of the wall relative to the socket is defined in a rotational direction with the optical axis as the center line. With this light source device, the socket that holds the light-emitting element in a predetermined orientation can be engaged with the wall in a predetermined orientation, so that, for example, when replacing the light-emitting element, the light-emitting element can be mounted in the light source device in a predetermined orientation.

[0014] One aspect of the light source device of this disclosure may be [8] "the light source device according to [6] or [7] above, wherein the support portion and the wall portion are engaged with each other such that the orientation of the wall portion relative to the support portion is defined in the rotational direction with the optical axis as the centerline." With this light source device, for example, when replacing the light-emitting element, the support portion and the wall portion can be separated, and the wall portion can be attached to the support portion in a predetermined orientation.

[0015] One aspect of the present disclosure may be a light source device according to any one of [1] to [8] above, wherein the light-emitting part includes a discharge lamp as a light-emitting element. In that case, one aspect of the present disclosure may be a light source device according to

[10] above, wherein the discharge lamp is a xenon flash lamp. With such a light source device, stable lighting can be achieved.

[0016] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a light source device that can be attached to equipment in a predetermined positional relationship.

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example light source device. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the light source device along the line II-II shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a front view of each part of the light source device shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the light source device shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a front view of the light source device shown in Figure 1. Figure 6 is a front view of the light source device shown in Figure 1. Figure 7 is a front view of a modified light source device.

[0018] An example of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted. [Configuration of the light source device]

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the light source device 1 includes a housing 2. The housing 2 includes a main body 3, a support 4, and a wall 5, all of which are made of conductive material (metal material). The main body 3 is composed of a side wall 31 and a bottom wall 32. The side wall 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape (for example, a rectangular cylinder). The bottom wall 32 is formed in a plate shape (for example, a rectangular plate). The bottom wall 32 closes an opening on one side of the side wall 31. The support 4 is attached to the main body 3 so as to close the opening 31a on the other side of the side wall 31 (i.e., the side opposite to the bottom wall 32). As an example, the support 4 is attached to the main body 3 by bolts (not shown). The wall 5 is detachably attached to the support 4. Hereinafter, the direction perpendicular to the outer surface 5a of the wall 5 will be referred to as "direction D1".

[0020] The light source device 1 further comprises a wiring board unit 6 and a discharge lamp unit (light-emitting part) 7. The wiring board unit 6 is located inside the housing 2. The wiring board unit 6 includes a pair of wiring boards 61 and 62 and a spacer 63. Wiring board 61 is located on the opposite side of the bottom wall 32 from wiring board 62. The pair of wiring boards 61 and 62 are attached to the housing 2 by bolts 64 with the spacer 63 placed between them. Multiple circuit components (not shown) are mounted on each wiring board 61 and 62. These multiple circuit components constitute a circuit for emitting light from the discharge lamp unit 7. The end of a cable (not shown) for inputting an electrical signal to emit light from the discharge lamp unit 7 is electrically and physically connected to the wiring board 62, and this cable extends to the outside through a hole formed in the bottom wall 32.

[0021] The discharge lamp unit 7 is mounted on the wiring board 61 within the housing 2. The discharge lamp unit 7 is supported by the wiring board 61 while being electrically connected to a circuit provided on the wiring board unit 6. The discharge lamp unit 7 includes a discharge lamp (light-emitting element) 8 and a socket 9. In the light source device 1, the discharge lamp 8 is a xenon flash lamp. The socket 9 holds the discharge lamp 8. The light source device 1 has an optical axis A1 parallel to direction D1, and in the light source device 1, the discharge lamp 8 is also arranged to have an optical axis A1 coaxial with the light source device 1. The discharge lamp 8 emits light from the light-emitting surface 8a, which is the end face of the discharge lamp 8 opposite to the wiring board 61, with the optical axis A1 as the center line. In the light source device 1, the light source device 1 and the discharge lamp 8 are configured to have the same optical axis A1, but the discharge lamp 8 may have a different optical axis from the optical axis A1 of the light source device 1, for example, by bending the optical axis of the discharge lamp 8 with an optical element such as a mirror and emitting it from the light source device 1. Furthermore, since the optical axis A1 is parallel to direction D1, the direction along the optical axis A1 (the first direction) is equal to direction D1. In other words, the directionality defined by direction D1 can also be defined by the direction along the optical axis A1.

[0022] In the housing 2, a first aperture 50 is formed in the wall portion 5 so as to include the optical axis A1 as its centerline, and a second aperture 40 is formed in the support portion 4 so as to include the optical axis A1 as its centerline. At least a portion of the discharge lamp 8 of the discharge lamp unit 7 is arranged within the first aperture 50. At least a portion of the socket 9 of the discharge lamp unit 7 is arranged within the second aperture 40. Note that at least a portion of the discharge lamp 8 is not required to be arranged within the first aperture 50, as long as the first aperture 50 corresponds to the light-emitting surface 8a of the discharge lamp 8. Here, "the first aperture 50 corresponds to the light-emitting surface 8a of the discharge lamp 8" means that when viewed from direction D1, at least a portion of the first aperture 50 and at least a portion of the light-emitting surface 8a overlap, and when viewed from direction D1, the optical axis A1 is located within the first aperture 50. [Configuration of the discharge lamp unit]

[0023] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the discharge lamp 8 includes a sealed container 81, a cathode 82, an anode 83, a trigger electrode (not shown), a sparker electrode (not shown), a plurality of lead pins 84, and a sealing tube 85. Xenon gas is sealed inside the sealed container 81 as the discharge gas. The sealed container 81 is composed of a side tube 81a, a stem 81b, and a light-transmitting member 81c. The side tube 81a is formed in a circular cylindrical shape from, for example, a metal material. The center line of the side tube 81a coincides with the optical axis A1. The stem 81b is formed in a circular plate shape from, for example, a metal material. The stem 81b closes the opening on one side of the side tube 81a. The light-transmitting member 81c is formed in a circular plate shape from, for example, glass. The light-transmitting member 81c closes the opening on the other side of the side tube 81a (i.e., the side opposite to the stem 81b). In the discharge lamp 8, the outer surface of the light-transmitting member 81c corresponds to the light-emitting surface 8a.

[0024] The cathode 82, anode 83, trigger electrode, and sparker electrode are arranged inside a sealed container 81. The tips of the cathode 82 and anode 83 face each other in a direction intersecting direction D1. In the discharge lamp 8, the tips of the cathode 82 and anode 83 face each other in a direction perpendicular to direction D1, and the optical axis A1 passes through an intermediate position between the tips of the cathode 82 and anode 83. The cathode 82 and anode 83 generate an arc discharge inside the sealed container 81. The sparker electrode generates a pre-discharge prior to the arc discharge. The trigger electrode generates a stable arc discharge. The light generated by the arc discharge passes through the light-transmitting member 81c and is emitted to the outside from the light-emitting surface 8a with the optical axis A1 as the center line.

[0025] The cathode 82, anode 83, trigger electrode, and sparker electrode are each attached to the ends of lead pins 84 located inside the sealed container 81. Each lead pin 84 penetrates the stem 81b via an insulating member (not shown) and extends outside the sealed container 81. The sealing tube 85 penetrates the stem 81b and extends outside the sealed container 81. The sealing tube 85 is used to fill the sealed container 81 with xenon gas and is sealed after filling with xenon gas.

[0026] The socket 9 is composed of a main body portion 91 and a plurality of protruding portions 92. The main body portion 91 is formed in a circular cylindrical shape from, for example, an electrically insulating material. A notch 91a is formed in the main body portion 91. The notch 91a has a groove-like shape that opens onto the outer surface 91b of the main body portion 91 and extends along the optical axis A1. For example, when viewed from direction D1, the notch 91a has a semicircular shape. The main body portion 91 holds the discharge lamp 8 such that the orientation of the discharge lamp 8 relative to the notch 91a is defined in the rotational direction D2 with the optical axis A1 as the center line, and in particular the orientation of the sealed container 81 and the plurality of lead pins 84.

[0027] Each lead pin 84 extends from the main body portion 91 in the direction D1 toward the side opposite to the light-emitting surface 8a. The end of each lead pin 84 outside the sealed container 81 is inserted through a corresponding through electrode 61a among a plurality of through electrodes 61a provided on the wiring board 61, and is electrically and physically connected to the said through electrode 61a. The sealing tube 85 extends from the main body portion 91 in the direction D1 toward the side opposite to the light-emitting surface 8a. The end of the sealing tube 85 outside the sealed container 81 is positioned within an opening 61b formed in the wiring board 61. In the discharge lamp 8, each lead pin 84 is bent in a crank shape outside the sealed container 81 such that the end outside the sealed container 81 is located outward (away from the optical axis A1) relative to the end inside the sealed container 81.

[0028] Multiple protruding portions 92 are arranged around the side tube 81a of the sealed container 81, and each protruding portion 92 extends from the main body portion 91 toward the light-emitting surface 8a along direction D1. As a result, multiple slits 92a are formed in the socket 9. Each slit 92a corresponds to the gap between adjacent protruding portions 92. When viewed from direction D1, the multiple slits 92a are not arranged at equal angular intervals around the optical axis A1. [Configuration related to engagement]

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the support portion 4 is composed of a main body portion 41 and a protruding portion 42. The main body portion 41 has a recess 43 and the second opening 40 described above. The recess 43 opens to the surface 4a of the support portion 4 opposite to the bottom wall 32. In the light source device 1, when viewed from direction D1, the recess 43 has a rectangular shape with four chamfered corners. However, the shape of one corner 43a is different from the shapes of the other three corners 43b. For example, corner 43a has a larger chamfered shape than each of the other corners 43b. For example, corner 43a has a C-chamfered shape, and each of the corners 43b has an R-chamfered shape. The second opening 40 opens to the bottom surface 43c of the recess 43 and to the surface 4b of the support portion 4 on the bottom wall 32 side. In the light source device 1, when viewed from direction D1, the second aperture 40 has a circular shape centered on the optical axis A1. The protruding portion 42 protrudes from the inner surface 40a of the second aperture 40 toward the optical axis A1. As an example, when viewed from direction D1, the protruding portion 42 has a semicircular shape.

[0030] The wall portion 5 is composed of a main body portion 51, a cylindrical portion 52, and a plurality of protruding portions 53. The main body portion 51 is located within the recess 43 of the support portion 4. In the light source device 1, when viewed from direction D1, the main body portion 51 has a rectangular shape with four chamfered corners. However, the shape of one corner portion 51a is different from the shapes of the other three corner portions 51b. For example, corner portion 51a has a larger chamfered shape than each of the other corner portions 51b. For example, corner portion 51a has a C-chamfered shape, and each of the corner portions 51b has an R-chamfered shape. The main body portion 51 has the first opening 50 described above. The first opening 50 penetrates the main body portion 51 along the optical axis A1. In the light source device 1, when viewed from direction D1, the first opening 50 has a circular shape centered on the optical axis A1. The cylindrical portion 52 is positioned on the bottom wall 32 side relative to the main body portion 51. When viewed from direction D1, the cylindrical portion 52 surrounds the first opening 50. When viewed from direction D1, the multiple protruding portions 53 are arranged around the first opening 50. Each protruding portion 53 projects from the inner surface 52a of the cylindrical portion 52 toward the optical axis A1. When viewed from direction D1, the multiple protruding portions 53 are not arranged at equal angular intervals with respect to the optical axis A1.

[0031] In the configuration described above, the socket 9, support portion 4, and wall portion 5 are engaged with each other as follows. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the support portion 4 and the socket 9 are engaged with each other such that the orientation of the socket 9 relative to the support portion 4 is determined in the rotational direction D2. In other words, the socket 9 is movable along direction D1 and can be positioned in the second opening 40 of the support portion 4 only when the orientation of the socket 9 relative to the support portion 4 in the rotational direction D2 coincides with a predetermined orientation. In the light source device 1, the socket 9 is movable along direction D1 and can be positioned in the second opening 40 of the support portion 4 only when the protruding portion 42 of the support portion 4 is positioned in the notch 91a of the socket 9. In that case, the end of each lead pin 84 outside the sealed container 81 is inserted into the corresponding through electrode 61a among the plurality of through electrodes 61a provided on the wiring board 61.

[0032] The socket 9 and the wall portion 5 are engaged with each other such that the orientation of the wall portion 5 relative to the socket 9 is defined in the rotational direction D2. In other words, the wall portion 5 is movable along direction D1 and the socket 9 can be positioned in the first opening 50 of the wall portion 5 only when the orientation of the wall portion 5 relative to the socket 9 in the rotational direction D2 coincides with a predetermined orientation. In the light source device 1, the wall portion 5 is movable along direction D1 and the socket 9 can be positioned in the first opening 50 of the wall portion 5 only when each protruding portion 53 of the wall portion 5 is positioned in each slit 92a of the socket 9.

[0033] The support portion 4 and the wall portion 5 are engaged with each other such that the orientation of the wall portion 5 relative to the support portion 4 is determined in the rotational direction D2. In other words, the wall portion 5 can move along direction D1 and be positioned in the recess 43 of the support portion 4 only when the orientation of the wall portion 5 relative to the support portion 4 in the rotational direction D2 coincides with a predetermined orientation. In the light source device 1, the wall portion 5 can move along direction D1 and be positioned in the recess 43 of the support portion 4 only when the corner portion 51a of the wall portion 5 corresponds to the corner portion 43a of the recess 43 and the corner portion 51b of the wall portion 5 corresponds to the corner portion 43b of the recess 43. In this case, a pair of counterbore holes 54 formed in the wall portion 5 correspond to a pair of screw holes 44 formed in the support portion 4 so as to open to the bottom surface 43c of the recess 43, and the wall portion 5 is attached to the support portion 4 by a pair of bolts 11 that engage with these holes. In the light source device 1, as shown in Figure 2, the surface 4a of the support portion 4, the surface 5a of the wall portion 5, and the light-emitting surface 8a of the discharge lamp 8 are located on the same plane. The surface 5a of the wall portion 5 and the light-emitting surface 8a of the discharge lamp 8 may each be located on a plane that is on the bottom wall 32 side relative to the surface 4a of the support portion 4. [Configuration related to mounting to the equipment]

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, a first hole 55 and a second hole 56 are formed in the wall portion 5. The first hole 55 and the second hole 56 are recesses that open into the surface 5a. When viewed from direction D1, the first hole 55 and the second hole 56 have an asymmetric positional relationship with respect to the optical axis A1. Here, "when viewed from direction D1, the first hole 55 and the second hole 56 have an asymmetric positional relationship with respect to the optical axis A1" means that when viewed from direction D1, the center C1 of the first hole 55 and the center C2 of the second hole 56 are not point-symmetric with respect to the optical axis A1 as the center of symmetry. When viewed from direction D1, the line segment S1 connecting the center C1 of the first hole 55 and the optical axis A1 and the line segment S2 connecting the center C2 of the second hole 56 and the optical axis A1 form an angle of 45 degrees or more and 315 degrees or less. The angle is more preferably 135 degrees or more and 225 degrees or less, and even more preferably 170 degrees or more and 190 degrees or less. In the light source device 1, the first hole 55 and the second hole 56 are formed in the main body portion 51 so as to be located inside the respective pair of corner portions 51a and 51b that are opposite each other on either side of the first opening 50, and the pair of counterbore holes 54 are formed in the main body portion 51 so as to be located inside the respective pair of other corner portions 51b that are opposite each other on either side of the first opening 50.

[0035] When viewed from direction D1, the shape of the first hole 55 is circular. When viewed from direction D1, the shape of the second hole 56 is elongated, having a major axis L. Here, an elongated shape is a shape having a pair of circular arcs (outwardly convex semicircular arcs) facing each other with the center C2 in a predetermined direction, and a pair of sides facing each other with the center C2 in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction, and the major axis L is a line that is parallel to the predetermined direction and passes through the center C2. When viewed from direction D1, the extension line E of the major axis L passes through the center C1 of the first hole 55.

[0036] A pair of screw holes 45 are formed in the support portion 4. Each of the pair of screw holes 45 opens into the surface 4a of the support portion 4. In the light source device 1, as shown in Figure 3, each of the pair of screw holes 45 is formed in the main body portion 41 so as to be located on the outside of each of the pair of corner portions 43a and 43b that are opposite each other, straddling the second opening 40, and each of the pair of screw holes 44 is formed in the main body portion 41 so as to be located on the inside of each of the other pair of corner portions 43b that are opposite each other, straddling the second opening 40. [Operation and Effects]

[0037] In the light source device 1, a first aperture 50 including the optical axis A1 of the light source device 1 is formed in the wall portion 5 of the housing 2, and a first hole 55 and a second hole 56 opening in the surface 5a of the wall portion 5 are formed in the wall portion 5 of the housing 2. When viewed from a direction D1 along the optical axis A1, the first hole 55 and the second hole 56 have an asymmetric positional relationship with respect to the optical axis A1. As a result, as shown in Figure 6(a), when the first pin 101 and the second pin 102 are provided in the equipment such that the first pin (first projection) 101 corresponds to the first hole 55 and the second pin (second projection) 102 corresponds to the second hole 56, the light source device 1 can be attached to the equipment in a predetermined orientation (predetermined positional relationship) by inserting the first pin 101 into the first hole 55 and the second pin 102 into the second hole 56. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6(b), if the light source device 1 is mounted on the equipment in a orientation different from the predetermined orientation, for example, even if it is mounted on the equipment such that the second pin 102 is inserted into the first hole 55 and the first pin 101 is inserted into the second hole 56, the optical axis A1 of the light source device 1 will deviate from the optical axis A2 required by the equipment. Therefore, at least the use of the light source device 1 in the equipment in its original state is suppressed. Thus, the light source device 1 makes it possible to mount it on the equipment in a predetermined orientation.

[0038] For example, when the light source device 1 is mounted on equipment so that the optical axis A1 extends horizontally, a configuration of the light source device 1 that allows use when mounted on equipment in a predetermined orientation is particularly effective. When the light source device 1 is mounted on equipment so that the optical axis A1 extends horizontally, as shown in Figure 6(a), it is preferable from the viewpoint of the stability of the discharge lamp 8's operation for the light source device 1 to be mounted on equipment in an orientation where the anode 83 is positioned above the cathode 82 in the vertical direction. The configuration of the light source device 1 allows use when mounted on equipment in such an orientation, and the desired irradiation conditions in equipment can be met. However, as shown in Figure 6(b), if the light source device 1 is mounted on equipment so that the cathode 82 is positioned above the anode 83 in the vertical direction, the operation of the discharge lamp 8 may become unstable due to the cathode 82 being affected by the thermal convection that occurs inside the sealed container 81.

[0039] In the light source device 1, when viewed from direction D1, the line segment S1 connecting the center C1 of the first hole 55 and the optical axis A1, and the line segment S2 connecting the center C2 of the second hole 56 and the optical axis A1, form an angle of 45 degrees to 315 degrees, more preferably 135 degrees to 225 degrees. As a result, the distance between the first hole 55 and the second hole 56 is increased, so that even if there is a gap between the inner surface of the second hole 56 and the outer surface of the second pin 102, for example, the housing 2 can be prevented from shifting in the rotational direction around the first pin 101, and the optical axis A1 can be prevented from shifting from the optical axis A2 of the device.

[0040] In the light source device 1, the shape of the first hole 55 when viewed from direction D1 is circular, and the shape of the second hole 56 when viewed from direction D1 is elongated with a major axis L. This makes it easy to insert the first pin 101 into the first hole 55 and the second pin 102 into the second hole 56. Also, when viewed from direction D1, the extension line E of the major axis L passes through the center C1 of the first hole 55. This makes it possible to suppress the displacement of the housing 2 in the rotational direction around the first pin 101, even if there is a gap between the inner surface of the second hole 56 that is parallel to the major axis L and the outer surface of the second pin 102, and to suppress the optical axis A1 from shifting from the optical axis A2 of the device.

[0041] In the light source device 1, the first hole 55 and the second hole 56 are each recesses that open into the surface 5a. This makes it possible to suppress foreign matter from entering the housing 2 through the first hole 55 and the second hole 56, compared to the case where the first hole 55 and the second hole 56 are each through holes.

[0042] In the light source device 1, the support portion 4 and the socket 9 are engaged with each other such that the orientation of the socket 9 relative to the support portion 4 is defined in the rotational direction D2. This allows the socket 9, which holds the discharge lamp 8 in a predetermined orientation, to be engaged with the support portion 4 in that predetermined orientation. For example, when replacing the discharge lamp 8, the discharge lamp 8 can be mounted in the light source device 1 in the predetermined orientation.

[0043] In the light source device 1, the socket 9 and the wall portion 5 are engaged with each other such that the orientation of the wall portion 5 relative to the socket 9 is defined in the rotational direction D2. This allows the socket 9, which holds the discharge lamp 8 in a predetermined orientation, to be engaged with the wall portion 5 in that predetermined orientation. For example, when replacing the discharge lamp 8, the discharge lamp 8 can be mounted in the light source device 1 in the predetermined orientation.

[0044] In the light source device 1, the support portion 4 and the wall portion 5 are engaged with each other such that the orientation of the wall portion 5 with respect to the support portion 4 in the rotational direction D2 is defined. Thereby, for example, when replacing the discharge lamp 8, even if the support portion 4 and the wall portion 5 are separated, the wall portion 5 can be attached to the support portion 4 in a predetermined orientation. Further, in the light source device 1, since the discharge lamp 8, the socket 9, the support portion 4 and the socket 9, and the socket 9 and the wall portion 5 are engaged with each other so as to be defined in a predetermined orientation, the support portion 4, the wall portion 5, the discharge lamp 8, and the socket 9 can be combined only when they are in a predetermined orientation. That is, the discharge lamp 8 can be incorporated into the light source device 1 only when it has a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the light source device 1. For example, even when replacing the discharge lamp 8, it is possible to prevent the lamp from being incorporated in a wrong orientation.

[0045] In the light source device 1, the discharge lamp 8 is a xenon flash lamp. In this case, since the light source device 1 can be attached to the equipment in a positional relationship such that the arrangement of the cathode and the anode becomes the preferable state as described above, stable lighting can be realized. [Modification example]

[0046] The present disclosure is not limited to the above example. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when viewed from the direction D1, if the first hole 55 and the second hole 56 have an astigmatic positional relationship centered on the optical axis A1 of the discharge lamp 8, the first hole 55 and the second hole 56 may be arranged in a state of being close to each other (that is, in a state of not sandwiching the first opening 50). Further, each of the first hole 55 and the second hole 56 may be a hole that opens at least on the surface 5a of the wall portion 5, or may be an opening that penetrates the wall portion 5.

[0047] The housing 2 only needs to include at least the wall portion 5. Further, the wiring board unit 6 only needs to include at least the wiring board 61 (that is, the wiring board on which the discharge lamp unit 7 is mounted). Further, the discharge lamp unit 7 only needs to include at least the discharge lamp 8. The discharge lamp 8 may be a discharge lamp other than a xenon flash lamp (that is, a discharge lamp in which a discharge gas other than xenon is enclosed in the sealed container 81), or a light-emitting element other than a discharge lamp, for example, a semiconductor element such as an LED may be used.

[0048] As a configuration that can be used in a state of being attached to a device in a predetermined orientation, the light source device may adopt the following configuration. For example, the light source device may have a structure in which an input connector board on which an input connector is mounted and a lamp board on which a discharge lamp is mounted are connected by a connector or the like so that the boards can only be connected in a predetermined orientation. In such a light source device, instead of a connector for connecting the boards to each other, a gear that rotatably connects the boards to each other in a rotational direction centered on the optical axis of the discharge lamp may be used. Alternatively, the boards may be connected to each other by a cable having a sufficient length that allows the boards to rotate in a rotational direction centered on the optical axis of the discharge lamp. According to such a light source device, by rotating the discharge lamp in a rotational direction centered on the optical axis of the discharge lamp, the orientation of the discharge lamp can be adjusted to an orientation in which lighting is stable (optimized). Further, the connection portion between the discharge lamp and the lamp board and the connection portion between the input connector and the input connector board are rotatably connected in a rotational direction centered on the optical axis of the discharge lamp by a gear or a cable having a sufficient length, whereby the same operational effects can be obtained.

[0049] Furthermore, the light source device may have a configuration in which an inertial sensor, such as a gyro sensor, is provided inside the housing. The inertial sensor conducts its internal circuit only when the light source device is mounted on the equipment in a predetermined orientation that allows the discharge lamp to light up stably, thereby enabling the light source device to operate. With such a light source device, if the light source device is mounted on the equipment in an orientation other than the predetermined orientation, the internal circuit will not conduct, and the light source device will not operate, thus preventing the light source device from being used while mounted on the equipment in an orientation other than the predetermined orientation.

[0050] Furthermore, the light source device may have markings, such as "Mount the device with this side facing upwards," on an outer surface of the housing other than the mounting surface to the device. This prevents the light source device from being used while mounted on the device in a orientation other than the predetermined orientation. The markings on the housing are not limited to printing, and may also be marks or other symbols that can identify whether the mounting orientation of the light source device is the predetermined orientation. These configurations may be used in combination with the configurations using the first and second apertures in this disclosure.

[0051] Furthermore, there may be a clear difference in the diameters of the first hole 55 and the second hole 56. A clear difference means a difference such that a pin corresponding to the larger diameter hole cannot be inserted into the smaller diameter hole. In this case, since the appropriate pin diameters for each hole are clearly different, the pins can only be attached to the corresponding holes, thus preventing the light source device 1 from being attached to the equipment in a direction other than the predetermined orientation.

[0052] 1...light source device, 2...housing, 4...support part, 5...wall part, 5a...surface, 7...discharge lamp unit (light-emitting part), 8...discharge lamp (light-emitting element), 8a...light-emitting surface, 9...socket, 40...second aperture, 50...first aperture, 55...first hole, 56...second hole, A1...optical axis, C1, C2...center, D1...direction (first direction), D2...direction of rotation, E...extension line, L...major axis, S1, S2...line segment.

Claims

1. A light source device that emits light along a predetermined optical axis, comprising: a housing; and a light-emitting unit disposed within the housing, wherein the housing includes a wall portion in which a first opening including the optical axis is formed, and the wall portion further has a first hole and a second hole that open to at least the outer surface of the wall portion, and when viewed from a first direction along the optical axis, the first hole and the second hole have an asymmetric positional relationship with respect to the optical axis.

2. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed from the first direction, the angle formed by the line segment connecting the center of the first hole and the optical axis and the line segment connecting the center of the second hole and the optical axis is 45 degrees or more and 315 degrees or less.

3. The light source device according to claim 2, wherein the angle is 135 degrees or more and 225 degrees or less.

4. The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shape of the first hole when viewed from the first direction is circular, the shape of the second hole when viewed from the first direction is elongated with a major axis, and the extension of the major axis passes through the center of the first hole when viewed from the first direction.

5. The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the first hole and the second hole is a recess opening in the surface.

6. The light-emitting unit includes a light-emitting element and a socket holding the light-emitting element; the housing further includes a support portion to which the wall portion is detachably attached; the socket holds the light-emitting element such that the orientation of the light-emitting element relative to the socket is defined in a rotational direction with respect to the optical axis as the centerline; at least a portion of the socket is disposed within a second opening formed in the support portion; and the support portion and the socket are engaged with each other such that the orientation of the socket relative to the support portion is defined in a rotational direction with respect to the optical axis as the centerline.

7. The light source device according to claim 6, wherein the socket and the wall are engaged with each other such that the orientation of the wall relative to the socket is defined in the rotational direction with the optical axis as the center line.

8. The light source device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the support portion and the wall portion are engaged with each other such that the orientation of the wall portion relative to the support portion is defined in the rotational direction with the optical axis as the center line.

9. The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the light-emitting part includes a discharge lamp as a light-emitting element.

10. The light source device according to claim 9, wherein the discharge lamp is a xenon flash lamp.

Citation Information

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