Portable lighting device

Abstract

The present invention provides a portable lighting device that is unlikely to cause eye fatigue for an inspection worker during inspection of a to-be-inspected object compared to prior art.　A portable lighting device according to the present invention comprises a handle part extending in a rod shape, and a lighting part extending in a flat shape from a distal end part of the handle part, and is configured such that the lighting part has a thickness thinner than a minimum inclusion circle diameter of the handle part, the lighting part incorporates one or more organic EL panels and includes a light-emitting part at a position facing a light-emitting region when the EL panels are lit, and the width of the light-emitting part is from 1 cm to 4 cm.

Description

Portable lighting device

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable lighting device, and more particularly to a portable lighting device that can be suitably used for visual inspection of the appearance of products.

[0002] Conventionally, in the method of visual inspection of railway vehicle maintenance, automobile parts, home appliances, housing products, etc., a portable lighting device using an LED chip as a light source has been used (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 6779344

[0004] However, a portable lighting device using an LED chip as a light source has a narrow width of the light emitting part, so the irradiation range to the inspection object becomes narrow. Therefore, for example, when inspecting an inspection object with a metallic luster, the reflection on the inspection object becomes strong, making it difficult for the inspection operator to see the light irradiation range, causing glare and eye fatigue. Also, a portable lighting device using an LED chip as a light source has a narrow range of light irradiation and cannot directly visually recognize the irradiated range as a plane, so the inspection operator has to move the portable lighting device while inspecting, resulting in poor workability.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable lighting device that is less likely to cause eye fatigue for an inspection operator when inspecting an inspection object compared to the prior art.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems has a rod-shaped handle part extending, and a lighting part extending flatly from the tip of the handle part. The lighting part is thinner than the minimum circumscribing circle diameter of the handle part. The lighting part incorporates one or more organic EL panels, and has a light emitting part at a position facing the light emitting region when the organic EL panel is lit. The width of the light emitting part is 1 cm or more and 4 cm or less, which is a portable lighting device.

[0007] The "minimum circumscribing circle" referred to here means the smallest circle that includes all parts. The same shall apply hereinafter.

[0008] According to this aspect, since the light-emitting part emits light using the light-emitting area of ​​the organic EL panel as the light source, the illumination range of the light emitted by the light-emitting part can be widened, and the object to be inspected can be illuminated with a soft, less dazzling light characteristic of organic EL panels. Therefore, even if the object to be inspected has a metallic luster, it is less likely to reflect off the surface of the object to be inspected compared to lighting devices using conventional LEDs. As a result, the inspection area of ​​the object to be inspected is easier for the inspection worker to see, reducing strain on the eyes and making it less tiring. According to this aspect, since the thickness of the lighting part is thinner than the minimum inclusion circle diameter of the handle, even if the inspection area of ​​the object to be inspected is in a narrow space, the lighting part can be inserted into that space and the inspection area can be illuminated. According to this aspect, since the width of the light-emitting part is 1 cm or more, the illumination range of the object to be inspected can be directly seen as a surface, and inspection can be performed efficiently without moving the lighting device significantly. According to this aspect, since the width of the light-emitting part is 4 cm or less, the width of the lighting part can be reduced, and it can be inserted into narrow spaces.

[0009] A preferred configuration is one in which the light-emitting portion emits light from the light-emitting region of a single organic EL panel, and the length of the light-emitting portion is longer than the length of the handle portion.

[0010] A preferred configuration is one in which the width of the lighting section is greater than the minimum inclusive circle diameter of the handle section.

[0011] A preferred configuration is one in which the lighting section is continuous with the tip of the handle section at the center in the width direction.

[0012] A desirable configuration is one in which the tip of the handle portion is continuous with the center in the thickness direction.

[0013] A preferred configuration is that, when viewed from above, the lighting unit has a rectangular shape with the width as the shorter side, and the corners at the front end are rounded.

[0014] A preferred configuration is one in which the lighting unit has a rectangular cross-section perpendicular to the length direction, and each vertex is rounded.

[0015] A preferred configuration is one in which the handle portion incorporates a battery and is provided with a charging terminal for the battery portion on its outer surface or base end.

[0016] A preferred configuration is that the handle portion includes an indicator portion on its outer surface or base end that displays the charging status of the battery portion.

[0017] A preferred configuration is that the handle portion includes an operating section for turning the organic EL panel on and off.

[0018] A preferred feature is that the operating unit can adjust the amount of power supplied to the organic EL panel.

[0019] A preferred configuration is one in which the handle portion has a planar base and a magnetic portion that extends in a planar manner.

[0020] A preferred configuration is that, when the organic EL panel is lit, it emits white light with a color temperature of 3000K to 4500K from the light-emitting area.

[0021] The aspects described above can be dependent on each other, refer to some of their components, or substitute for some of their components, as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0022] According to the present invention, when inspecting an object, the inspector's eyes become less fatigued compared to conventional methods.

[0023] This is a perspective view showing an inspection worker inspecting an object using the portable lighting device of the first embodiment of the present invention. This is an explanatory diagram of the portable lighting device of Figure 1, where (a) is a perspective view of the portable lighting device seen from the light-emitting part side, and (b) is a perspective view of the portable lighting device seen from a different direction than (a). This is an explanatory diagram of the portable lighting device of Figure 1, where (a) is a front view of the portable lighting device, and (b) is a side view of the portable lighting device. This is an exploded perspective view of the portable lighting device of Figure 2(a), showing the charging cover in an open state. This is a perspective view showing an inspection worker inspecting an object using the portable lighting device of Figure 1 mounted on a wall.

[0024] The portable lighting device 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention is suitably used for visual inspection by inspection workers of railway vehicles, automobile parts, home appliances, housing equipment products, and other large parts. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the portable lighting device 1 comprises a handle 2 and a lighting unit 3 as its main components. The inspection worker holds the handle 2 and illuminates the inspection target area 101 of the object to be inspected 100 from the light-emitting part 50 of the lighting unit 3, thereby visually confirming and inspecting the inspection target area 101.

[0025] <Handle portion 2> The handle portion 2 is a gripping portion that can be grasped by an inspection worker, as shown in Figure 1, and is a rod-shaped portion that extends in a rod shape in the longitudinal direction X. The minimum inclusion circle diameter of the handle portion 2 is preferably 2 cm or more and 5 cm or less, and from the viewpoint of ease of holding, it is preferably 3 cm or more and 4 cm or less. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the handle portion 2 comprises a handle-side main body portion 20, a grip portion 21, a flange portion 22, and a battery portion 23.

[0026] (Handle-side main body 20) As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the handle-side main body 20 is equipped with an indicator section 30, a charging terminal section 31, a charging cover section 32, and a switch section 33 (operating section) on its outer circumferential surface.

[0027] The indicator unit 30 is a display unit that displays the charging status of the battery unit 23. In this embodiment, the indicator unit 30 is a lamp, as shown in Figure 2(a), and can notify the charging status of the battery unit 23 by the color and / or pattern of the light. For example, the indicator unit 30 can notify the charging status of the battery unit 23 by flashing red when the remaining battery level of the battery unit 23 falls below a predetermined value, displaying green when the battery unit 23 is being charged by connecting the charger terminals to the charging terminal unit 31, and displaying red when charging of the battery unit 23 by connecting the charger terminals to the charging terminal unit 31 is complete. In addition to the charging status of the battery unit 23, the indicator unit 30 can also display information corresponding to the amount of power supplied from the battery unit 23 to the organic EL panel 52 (see Figure 4), which will be described later. For example, the indicator unit 30 can notify the output status of the organic EL panel 52 by displaying blue when the amount of power supplied from the battery unit 23 to the organic EL panel 52 is greater than in the normal mode.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the charging terminal section 31 is an interface to which the terminals of the charger can be connected, and specifically, it is a female USB terminal. The charging terminal section 31 is electrically connected to the battery section 23, and when the terminals of the charger (male USB terminals) are connected, it is possible to supply current supplied from the terminals of the charger to the battery section 23.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the charging cover portion 32 is a protective cover that protects the charging terminal portion 31. By covering the charging terminal portion 31, it is possible to prevent external connections to the charging terminal portion 31 and the ingress of water, etc.

[0030] The switch unit 33 is an on / off switch that turns the power supply to the organic EL panel 52 on and off, and is an operation unit that controls the lighting and extinguishing of the organic EL panel 52. In this embodiment, the switch unit 33 is a mode switching unit that switches between a normal mode and a high-power mode in which the amount of power supplied to the organic EL panel 52 is greater than in the normal mode when the panel is lit, and is also an adjustment unit that adjusts the amount of power supplied to the organic EL panel 52.

[0031] (Grip portion 21) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the grip portion 21 is the part that the inspector holds in their hand, and is made of rubber so that it can be elastically deformed by the inspector's grip strength.

[0032] (Flange portion 22) As shown in Figure 3, the flange portion 22 is provided at the base end of the handle-side main body portion 20 in the longitudinal direction X, and is an overhang that extends radially from the base end of the handle-side main body portion 20. As shown in Figure 4, the flange portion 22 has a base end constituent surface 40 that constitutes the base end surface of the handle portion 2, and a magnetic portion 41 that spreads out in a planar manner parallel to the base end constituent surface 40 is provided. In this embodiment, the base end constituent surface 40 of the flange portion 22 is composed of the magnetic portion 41.

[0033] (Battery section 23) The battery section 23 is a rechargeable battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, and is the part that supplies power to the organic EL panel 52.

[0034] <Illumination Unit 3> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the illumination unit 3 has a light-emitting unit 50, and the light-emitting unit 50 is positioned in close proximity to the object to be inspected 100, illuminating the inspection area 101 of the object to be inspected 100 with light emitted from the light-emitting unit 50. As shown in Figure 2, the illumination unit 3 is flat and extends in the longitudinal direction X from the tip of the handle unit 2. When viewed from above, the illumination unit 3 is rectangular in shape with the width direction Y as the shorter side and the length direction X as the longer side, and all the corners on the tip side are rounded. In this embodiment, the illumination unit 3 also has rounded corners on the base side, making it a rounded rectangle. Furthermore, the illumination unit 3 has a square cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and each vertex is rounded.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3(a), the lighting unit 3 is continuous with the tip of the handle 2 at the center in the width direction Y, and as shown in Figure 3(b), it is also continuous with the tip of the handle 2 at the center in the thickness direction Z.

[0036] The lighting section 3, as shown in Figure 3(a), preferably has a width wider than the minimum inclusion diameter of the handle section 2, and is preferably 1.1 to 4 times the minimum inclusion diameter of the handle section 2. The lighting section 3, preferably has a width greater than the width of the light-emitting section 50, and is preferably 2 cm to 5 cm, and more preferably 3 cm to 4.5 cm. The lighting section 3, as shown in Figure 3(b), preferably has a thickness thinner than the minimum inclusion diameter of the handle section 2, and is preferably 1 / 2 or less the minimum inclusion diameter of the handle section 2. The lighting section 3, preferably has a thickness less than its width, and is preferably 0.5 cm to 2 cm.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the lighting unit 3 includes an organic EL panel 52 inside the lighting-side main body 51.

[0038] (Lighting-side main body 51) The lighting-side main body 51 is a housing that incorporates an organic EL panel 52 and is provided with a window 60 at a position corresponding to the light-emitting area 55 of the organic EL panel 52. The window 60 is a protective part that protects the light-emitting area 55 of the organic EL panel 52 and is a light-transmitting part that can transmit light irradiated from the light-emitting area 55 of the organic EL panel 52. In other words, the window 60 constitutes the light-emitting part 50 of the lighting unit 3. The width of the window 60, i.e., the width of the light-emitting part 50, is preferably 1 cm or more and 4 cm or less. The length of the window 60, i.e., the length of the light-emitting part 50, is preferably 3 times or more and 10 times or less the width of the light-emitting part 50, and more preferably 4 times or more and 8 times or less.

[0039] (Organic EL Panel 52) As shown in Figure 4, the organic EL panel 52 has a light-emitting region 55 that extends in a planar manner, and when lit, it is possible to irradiate diffused light that extends in a planar manner from the light-emitting region 55. The organic EL panel 52 is rectangular in shape with a longer side in the length direction X and a shorter side in the width direction Y, and extends in the length direction X. It is preferable that the organic EL panel 52 is capable of irradiating white light with a color temperature of 3000K or more and 4500K or less.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the portable lighting device 1 of this embodiment has a handle portion 2 that extends in a rod shape and a lighting portion 3 that extends in a flat shape from the tip of the handle portion 2. The lighting portion 3 is thinner than the minimum inclusion diameter of the handle portion 2, and the minimum inclusion diameter of the handle portion 2 is greater than the thickness of the lighting portion 3. The lighting portion 3 incorporates an organic EL panel 52 and has a light-emitting portion 50 at a position opposite to the light-emitting area 55 of the organic EL panel 52 when it is lit, and the width of the light-emitting portion 50 is 1 cm or more and 4 cm or less. According to the portable lighting device 1 of this embodiment, the light-emitting portion 50 emits light using the light-emitting area 55 of the organic EL panel 52 as a light source, so the illumination range of the light emitted by the light-emitting portion 50 can be widened, and the object to be inspected 100 can be illuminated from the light-emitting portion 50 with a soft light that is less dazzling than that of the organic EL panel 52. Therefore, even if the object to be inspected 100 has a metallic luster such as silver, it can be made less likely to reflect light from the surface of the object to be inspected 100 compared to conventional lighting devices using LEDs. As a result, it is easier for the inspector to see, reduces strain on the eyes, and reduces eye fatigue. In this embodiment of the portable lighting device 1, the lighting unit 3 is thinner than the minimum inclusion circle diameter of the handle 2, so as shown in Figure 1, even if the inspection target area 101 of the object to be inspected 100 is in a narrow space, the lighting unit 3 can be inserted into the space and the inspection target area 101 can be illuminated. In this embodiment of the portable lighting device 1, since the width of the light-emitting unit 50 is 1 cm or more, the illumination range on the object to be inspected 100 can be directly viewed as a surface, allowing for simultaneous inspection of a wide area and efficient inspection. As a result, inspection time can be shortened. In this embodiment of the portable lighting device 1, since the width of the light-emitting unit 50 is 4 cm or less, the width of the lighting unit 3 can be reduced, and it can be inserted into narrow spaces.

[0041] According to the portable lighting device 1 of this embodiment, diffused light reaches the object 100 to be inspected, suppressing strong glare and preventing defects from being overlooked due to overexposure. Furthermore, because it does not create dark shadows, it reduces the difficulty in viewing due to flickering shadows, improving work efficiency. The portable lighting device 1 of this embodiment can illuminate a wide area uniformly, ensuring a wide field of view. Additionally, because it is less dazzling, inspection time can be shortened.

[0042] In the portable lighting device 1 of the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 50 emits light by the light irradiated from the light emitting region 55 of a single organic EL panel 52, and the length of the light emitting unit 50 is preferably longer than the length of the holding portion 2. By doing so, it is possible to emit light uniformly in a wide range and in a continuously connected range without interruption, and the inspection efficiency can be improved.

[0043] In the portable lighting device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the width of the lighting unit 3 is preferably larger than the minimum circumscribed circle diameter of the holding portion 2. By doing so, it is possible to make it easier for the inspection operator to hold the holding portion 2 while increasing the width of the lighting unit 3.

[0044] In the portable lighting device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the lighting unit 3 is preferably continuous with the tip of the holding portion 2 at the center in the width direction Y. By doing so, the balance of the center of gravity in the width direction Y becomes good, and it is easy to inspect.

[0045] In the portable lighting device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the lighting unit 3 is preferably continuous with the tip of the holding portion at the center in the thickness direction Z. By doing so, the balance of the center of gravity in the thickness direction Z becomes good, and it is easy to inspect.

[0046] In the portable lighting device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when viewed in plan, the lighting unit 3 preferably has a rectangular shape with the width direction Y as the short side, and the corners on the tip side are each rounded. By doing so, it is possible to suppress damaging the inspection object 100 even when contacting the inspection object 100.

[0047] In the portable lighting device 1 of the present embodiment, the cross section (YZ cross section) of the lighting unit 3 orthogonal to the length direction X preferably has a square shape, and each vertex is rounded. By doing so, it is possible to suppress damaging the inspection object 100 even when contacting the inspection object 100.

[0048] In the portable lighting device 1 of the present embodiment, it is preferable that the handle portion 2 incorporates the battery portion 23 and has a charging terminal portion 31 for the battery portion 23 on its outer peripheral surface as shown in FIG. 4. By doing so, the external terminal of an external charger can be connected to the charging terminal portion 31, and the battery portion 23 can be easily charged.

[0049] In the portable lighting device 1 of the present embodiment, it is preferable that the handle portion 2 has an indicator portion 30 for displaying the charging state of the battery portion 23 on its outer peripheral surface. By doing so, the timing of charging the battery portion 23 can be easily understood.

[0050] In the portable lighting device 1 of the present embodiment, it is preferable that the handle portion 2 has a switch portion 33 (operation portion) for operating the lighting and extinguishing of the organic EL panel 52. By doing so, the lighting and extinguishing of the organic EL panel 52 can be easily switched.

[0051] In the portable lighting device 1 of the present embodiment, it is preferable that the switch portion 33 can adjust the power supply amount to the organic EL panel 52. By doing so, the brightness of the organic EL panel 52 can be adjusted only by operating the switch portion 33.

[0052] In the portable lighting device 1 of the present embodiment, it is preferable that the handle portion 2 has a magnet portion 41 whose base end portion is planar and has a planar spread as shown in FIG. 2(b). By doing so, as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to fix it to a magnetic body 102 such as an iron plate. When the magnetic body 102 is used for a ceiling, wall, floor, or structure, by attaching the magnet portion 41, the position of the light emitting portion 50 can be fixed without directly holding the handle portion 2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to inspect the inspection object 100 using both hands.

[0053] In the portable lighting device 1 of the present embodiment, it is preferable that the organic EL panel 52 irradiates white light with a color temperature of 3000 K or more and 4500 K or less from the light emitting region 55 when lit. By doing so, the number of defects missed in the inspection target region 101 can be reduced.

[0054] In the embodiment described above, an indicator portion 30 was provided on the outer circumferential surface of the handle portion 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The indicator portion 30 may be provided on the base end surface 40 located at the base end of the handle portion 2.

[0055] In the embodiment described above, the organic EL panel 52 was switched on and off by pressing the switch unit 33, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The organic EL panel 52 may also be switched on and off by sliding the switch unit 33.

[0056] In the embodiment described above, the amount of power supplied to the organic EL panel 52 was adjusted by pressing the switch unit 33, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The amount of power supplied to the organic EL panel 52 may also be adjusted by sliding the switch unit 33.

[0057] In the embodiment described above, the lighting unit 3 incorporated a single organic EL panel 52, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The lighting unit 3 may incorporate multiple organic EL panels 52.

[0058] In the embodiment described above, the illumination unit 3 had the light-emitting unit 50 provided on only one main surface, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The illumination unit 3 may have the light-emitting unit 50 provided on both sides.

[0059] In the embodiment described above, the charging terminal 31 was a female USB terminal, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The charging terminal 31 may be any type of terminal other than USB, as long as it can be connected to an external charger.

[0060] In the embodiment described above, the indicator unit 30 notified the charging status of the battery unit 23 by a lamp, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The indicator unit 30 may also notify the charging status by video or by sound. Similarly, in notifying the amount of power supplied to the organic EL panel 52 (the currently set mode) by the indicator unit 30, the indicator unit 30 may also notify the amount of power supplied by video or by sound.

[0061] In the embodiment described above, a single indicator unit 30 notifies the charge status of the battery unit 23 and the amount of power supplied to the organic EL panel 52 (the currently set mode), but the present invention is not limited thereto. Separate indicator units 30 may also individually notify the charge status of the battery unit 23 and the amount of power supplied to the organic EL panel 52 (the currently set mode).

[0062] In the embodiment described above, the portable lighting device 1 was used for visual inspection of the object to be inspected 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. The portable lighting device 1 may be used for other purposes.

[0063] In the embodiments described above, the components can be freely substituted or added between each embodiment, as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0064] 1 Portable lighting device 2 Handle 3 Lighting unit 23 Battery unit 30 Indicator unit 31 Charging terminal unit 33 Switch unit (operating unit) 41 Magnet unit 50 Light-emitting unit 52 Organic EL panel 55 Light-emitting area

Claims

1. A portable lighting device having a handle portion extending in a rod shape and a lighting portion extending in a flat shape from the tip of the handle portion, wherein the lighting portion is thinner than the minimum inclusive circle diameter of the handle portion, the lighting portion incorporates one or more organic EL panels and has a light-emitting portion at a position opposite to the light-emitting area when the organic EL panel is lit, and the width of the light-emitting portion is 1 cm or more and 4 cm or less.

2. The portable lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting part emits light from the light-emitting region of a single organic EL panel, and the length of the light-emitting part is longer than the length of the handle.

3. The portable lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the width of the lighting section is greater than the minimum inclusion circle diameter of the handle section.

4. The portable lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the lighting section is continuous with the tip of the handle section at the center in the width direction.

5. The portable lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the lighting section is continuous with the tip of the handle section at the center in the thickness direction.

6. The portable lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting unit, when viewed from above, is rectangular in shape with the width direction as the shorter side, and the corners on the tip side are rounded.

7. The portable lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting unit has a rectangular cross-section perpendicular to the length direction, and each vertex is rounded.

8. The portable lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the handle portion incorporates a battery and is provided with a charging terminal portion for the battery portion on its outer surface or base end.

9. The portable lighting device according to claim 8, wherein the handle portion is provided with an indicator portion on its outer surface or base end for displaying the charging status of the battery portion.

10. The portable lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the handle portion is equipped with an operating unit for turning the organic EL panel on and off.

11. The portable lighting device according to claim 10, wherein the operating unit is capable of adjusting the amount of power supplied to the organic EL panel.

12. The portable lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the handle portion has a planar base end and a magnetic portion that spreads out in a planar manner.

13. The portable lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the organic EL panel emits white light with a color temperature of 3000K or more and 4500K or less from the light-emitting area when lit.

Images