Patent Application
20090168419
The present invention relates to a light emission device and a light emitter using the light emission device. More particularly, the invention is directed to an improvement of a light emission device which comprises a transparent element and a means for introducing a light into and through the transparent element, as well as to an improvement of light emitter using that light emission device, in order to materialize a high luminance and uniformity of a light emitted therefrom.
Lighting equipment or luminaire, such as a fluorescent lamp, used in individual homes, offices, hospitals and other facilities, has a reflector member disposed behind or laterally of a light source. With such arrangement, a light emitted from the light source (e.g. fluorescent lamp or incandescent lamp) is directed to the reflector member and reflected thereby in a desired direction to a side or object to be illuminated. Due to such light reflection effect, a luminance of the lighting equipment used becomes higher, and further, the light emitted therefrom are scattered by a wide reflective surface of the reflector member, hence providing a soft and gentle light on the whole. Hitherto, such reflector member uses a coating material applied thereto, which contains a white pigment including titan oxide or the like. But, this sort of coating material has been with the problem that it absorbs a relatively high rate of energy (approx. 14 to 17%) of visible light regions in a light applied thereto, and therefore, an illumination efficiency becomes lower by that absorbed rate of visible light energy. Moreover, the lighting equipment of this kind, by the reason of its having the reflector member, is rather complicated in structure and uneasy to be assembled with other elements. Recently, a LED (light-emitting diode) has received a great attention in terms of its low power consumption and high illumination efficiency, and a great number of various lighting equipments, each incorporating the LED as a light source, have been proposed and produced. For example, disclosed from the under-listed patent literature 1 is a lighting equipment which uses a small number of LEDs therein and is capable of causing lights emitted from the LEDs to illuminate a surface of object in a relatively uniform manner.
The Patent Literature 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-77312
However, in general, many of lighting equipments using LEDs are faced with the problem that the light quantity thereof is low and insufficient relative to that of the incandescent lamp or the like, and therefore, a sufficient luminance may not be attained for required purpose, depending on a circumstance where the lighting equipment is installed or used. In particular, in the case of a linear (rectilinear) form of lighting equipment using one single LED, it is generally conceived that the lighting region thereof becomes higher in luminance as it proceeds closer to a light source, while becoming lower in luminance as it proceeds away from the light source, and therefore, it is of a high likelihood that an uneven luminance of light may be applied from the lighting equipment on the whole to an object which will thus be illuminated unevenly therewith. To tide over such problem, the above-cited patent literature 1 teaches disposition of a plurality of LEDs in one single direction as well as provision of reflector means (reflector parts) therealong.
Each of the LEDs used in the foregoing reference is, however, of an ordinary shape having a substantially bullet-like contour. Thus, in order to create and emit a band of light from a longitudinal body of the luminaire of such prior art, it is required to dispose the LEDs such that they are in contact with one another, without any space thereamong, and also to keep the LEDs away a predetermined distance (e.g. approx. 300 mm) from an object to be illuminated thereby. This arrangement is inevitably required in view of the fact that each of the LEDs themselves emit a light in the form of “a point of light” only. Consequently, if it is desired to create a uniform band of light of a more satisfied luminance with such prior art, additional many numbers of LEDs are required to be arranged in the foregoing manner, which nonetheless results in being a bar to reduction of power consumption and in undesired increase in size of the lighting equipment as well as in costs for assembly of that lighting equipment. The same goes for another alternative arrangements of the LEDs, such as a ring arrangement of LEDs. What is worse, if such many arrays of LEDs remain in “on” state for continued emission of the band of light, a temperature surrounding them is inevitably increased to a certain high degree, although such increased degree of temperature is lower than an increased degree of temperature caused by many fluorescent lamps or incandescent lamps used in the same situation.
With the above-stated drawbacks in view, it is a purpose of the present invention to provide a light emission device and a light emitter using the same, which is capable of: emitting a uniform light from an entire body thereof, with a high luminance, to provide a satisfied bright illumination that can serve any required purposes; preventing increase of temperature; attaining a low power consumption; and further permitting for easy alteration of shape and sizes of the entire body thereof.
In order to achieve the foregoing purpose, a light emission device of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a transparent element having a curved surface region of substantially arcuate or circular shape in section, the transparent element having a property that allows substantive light to pass therethrough; at least one light source for emitting and applying light to the curved surface region, the at least one light source being disposed adjacent to and out of contact with a surface of the transparent element, or disposed a predetermined distance from the surface of the transparent element, so as to allow the light to pass through the transparent element and radiate outwardly therefrom; and a cover means provided on an outer surface of the transparent element, the cover means having the afore-said at least one light source accommodated therein.
Another mode of light emission device in accordance with the present invention is characterized by comprising: a transparent element of substantially spherical shape having a property that allows substantive light to pass therethrough; at least one light source for emitting light exteriorly of the transparent element and applying the light to that particular transparent element, wherein such at least one light source is disposed adjacent to and out of contact with an outer circumferential surface of the transparent element, or disposed a predetermined distance from the outer circumferential surface of the transparent element; and a tubular portion in which the afore-said at least one light source is accommodated, the tubular portion being defined on the outer circumferential surface of the transparent element.
Still another mode of light emission device in accordance with the present invention is characterized by comprising: a transparent element of substantially semispherical shape having a property that allows substantive light to pass therethrough; at least one light source for emitting light exteriorly of the transparent element and applying the light to that particular transparent element, wherein such at least one light source is disposed adjacent to and out of contact with a flat surface region of said transparent element, or disposed a predetermined distance from that flat surface region of said transparent element; and a tubular portion in which the afore-said at least one light source is accommodated, the tubular portion being defined on and along a peripheral end of the flat surface region of the transparent element.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a light emitter which is characterized by using the light emission device described in any one of claims 1 to 23. It is noted that other purposes, features and advantages of the present invention as well as the above-described purposes, features and advantages will become apparent more specifically by reading of the detailed description, hereinafter, with reference to the annexed drawings.
In accordance with the present invention, the transparent element has the curved surface region of substantially arcuate or circular shape in section and also has a property that allows substantive light to pass therethrough, and a light is applied from the light source to such curved surface region of transparent element. In this respect, the present invention utilizes a lens effect to the light, which is caused by that curved surface region. Accordingly, a whole of the transparent element can be illuminated uniformly with a high luminance to provide a satisfied bright illumination that fulfills desired purposes, and also, it is possible to easily alter the shape and size of the transparent element, according to requirements. Further, in the present invention, an LED(s) is/are employed as the light source, which makes it possible to reduce power consumption, and a heat radiation may be provided, as required, to suppress increase of temperature.
The present invention may be embodied in many various ways within the scopes of the appended claims, but, hereinafter, several exemplary modes of the invention which are deemed appropriate will now be described in details.
First of all, referring to
A flexible substrate 18, substantially identical in shape to the bottom wall 16 of the light cover 12, is provided, and, formed on that flexible substrate 18 are a pair of electrode patterns 20A and 20B which extend in parallel with each other. A plurality of the afore-said LEDs 22 are disposed on the flexible substrate 18 in such a manner as to extend transversely of the latter and bridge over the two electrode patters 20A and 20B. Two different leads 24 and 26 are electrically connected with the respective two terminals of those two electrode patterns 20A and 20B. Each of such electrode patterns 20A and 20B may be formed from copper for example and has been printed on the substrate 18. A desired number of the LEDs 22 may be provided on the electrode patterns 20A, 20B. In the illustrated embodiment, ten pieces of LEDs 22 are disposed equidistantly on the substrate for electrical connection between the two electrode patterns 20A and 20B. The aforementioned transparent element 30 is substantially equal in length to or slightly shorter than the light cover 12, and has a diameter substantially equal to a width of the bottom wall 16 of the light cover 12. For instance, the transparent element 30 may be formed from acrylic material into the illustrated shape of columnar rod which is transparent and has a property that allows substantive light to pass therethrough. The diameter of that columnar transparent element 30 is approx. 5 mm-20 mm, for example.
More specifically, the LEDs 22 are arranged on the substrate 18 so as to bridge over the two electrode patterns 20A and 20B extending on and along the substrate 18 in parallel with each other, with a pair of terminals (not shown) of each of the LEDs 22 electrically connected with the respective two electrode patterns 20A and 20B. The two leads 24 and 26 are electrically connected with the respective two terminals of the two electrode patterns 20A, 20B by a suitable means. Then, the thus-formed substrate 18 with the LEDs 22 mounted thereon is firmly attached on the bottom wall 16 of the light cover 12. Thereafter, the transparent element 30 is brought to a point above so assembled light cover 12 and forcibly inserted in the two vertical walls of the light cover 12, to the extent that the transparent element 30 per se is retained in the opening area 14, with a predetermined space I given between an outer surface of each LED 22 and that particular transparent element 30. Such space I may be approx. 1.5 mm-2.0 mm, for instance. Under that state, the two vertical walls of light casing are resiliently bent outwardly by the transparent element 30 to widen the corresponding region of the opening area 14, since the diameter of the transparent element 30 is slightly larger than the width of that corresponding region of opening area 14 as understandable from the description above. Consequently, the two vertical walls of the light cover 12 effort to bend inwardly of the light cover 12 due to the resilient recovery force thereof, thereby securely retaining the transparent element 30 in place within the light cover 12.
As stated above, one lead 24 and another lead 26 are electrically connected with the LEDs 22. As seen from
Instead of the foregoing single circuitry where each of the LEDs 22 is merely incorporated for parallel connection over the electrode patterns, it may be arranged, as seen in
Next, a specific description will be made of operation of the above-described embodiments. As shown in
Accordingly, the present Embodiment 1 has the following effects and advantages:
(1) The light cover 12 is attached to and along the outer surface of the long transparent element 30, such that a plurality of the LEDs 22, a light source, are disposed inside of and lengthwise of the light cover 12, with the predetermined space I given between the outer surface of transparent element 30 and that particular light cover 12, and that lights are to be applied from the LEDs 22 to the transparent element 30. By virtue of such arrangement, an air zone is defined between the transparent element 30 and the LEDs 22, and the transparent element 30 serves as a lens, to thereby cause the lights from the LEDs to diffuse as stated above, whereby a whole longitudinal body of the transparent element 30 is illuminated uniformly, with a high luminance sufficient to meet requirements for practical uses and serve any required purposes.
(2) The LEDs 22 are employed as a light source, which realizes a reduced power consumption, while maintaining a high lighting efficiency, thus allowing for reduction of running costs involved. Further, it is possible to keep a temperature at a lower degree in comparison with incandescent lamp or fluorescent lamp.
(3) The switch(s) 34 is/are provided. Thus, when lighting is not required, the switch(s) 34 is/are turned off to cease emission of light from the LEDs 22, hence eliminating unnecessary waste of illumination by the light emission device.
Reference being made to
Further, according to this particular embodiment, a heat-conducting sheet 62 having a heat conductive property is interposed between the bottom wall 52 of the light cover 50 and the substrate 56 on which the LEDs 60 are disposed. The heat-conducting sheet 62 may be a sheet of graphite material, but, any other known sheet having a proper heat conductive property be used. In addition thereto, a plurality of heat irradiation fins 64 are provided to an outer surface of the bottom wall 52 of the light cover 50.
Basically, the present mode of light emission device emits light in the same way as the previously described Embodiment 1, but, the advantage thereof is that a heat generated from the operative LEDs 60 is imparted through the substrate 56 to the heat-conducting sheet 62 which in turn conducts and transmits the heat to the light cover 50 that has a heat radiation property, and that the thus-transmitted heat is radiated outwardly from the light cover 50, while at the same time, such radiation of the heat is further promoted by the heat radiation fins 64. Thus, according to the present second embodiment, it is possible to properly suppress increase of temperature in the light emission device, in addition to the previously described effects and advantages of the Embodiment 1.
Now, a description will be made of two variants of the present second embodiment. At first, reference is made to
Reference being now made to
A light emission device 70 in this third embodiment is provided as a ring (or annular) shape of lighting equipment that can be installed at a given location, and comprises: a transparent element 78 having a property that allows substantive light to pass therethrough; a securing plate 72 provided behind the transparent element 78; a plurality of light covers (or a plurality of retainer elements) 74 for embracingly retaining the transparent element 78 in such a manner as to sandwich two opposite outer surface areas of the latter 78, wherein those light covers 74 are fixedly attached on the securing plate 72; and a pair of LEDs 80A and 80B provided inside of each of the light covers 74, the pair of LEDs 80A and 80B being a light source for emitting and applying light to the transparent element 78. As shown in
Each light cover 74 is of a substantially channel shape in section. The above-described pair of LEDs 80A and 80B are securely attached on a bottom wall 76 of that light cover 74. Further, defined among the bottom wall 76 and two vertical walls of the light cover 74 is a storage space 77 in which the transparent element 78 is supportively received and retained by being securely sandwiched partway between the two vertical walls of the light cover 74. Namely, the light cover 74 acts to securely retain therebetween the two opposite local outer surfaces of the transparent element 78. The light cover 74 per se may be formed from a stainless or aluminum material, for example. As far as the illustrative present embodiment is concerned, eight equidistant light covers 74 are fixedly arranged on the peripheral end portion of the securing plate 72. But, this is not imitative, and the number of the light covers 74 may be increased or decreased appropriately, as required, to the extent of sufficiently retaining the transparent element 78. It is noted that a suitable connecting means may be provided to a reverse surface of the securing plate 72 and the present light emission device 70 be securely attached by that connecting means to a desired location, thereby allowing its use as an appropriate lighting equipment.
Each of the foregoing LEDs 80A and 80B, provided on the bottom wall 76 of the light cover, is of an oblong shape. It is seen that a pair of such LEDs 80A and 80B are securely disposed abreast upon that bottom wall 76. Those two LEDs 80A and 80B are respectively provided with light emission regions 82A and 82B in the respective upper surfaces thereof. It is noted here that each of those LEDs is not of a molded-resin type and therefore any resin layer does not cover each of the light emission regions 82A and 82B. Further, the two LEDs 80A and 80B are provided with the respective polar markings 84A and 84B each being indicative of a certain pole associated with an electrode corresponding to one of the two LEDs 80A and 80B. In this respect, let us now assume, for example, that a terminal provided on the reverse side of each of the two LEDs is an “anode”, which corresponds to each of the two polar markings 84A and 84B. Also, let us assume that such arrangement of anode markings 84A and 84B is applied to all another pairs of LEDs 84A and 80B provided in the respective another light covers 74, and further, all those anode markings 84A and 84B are disposed inwardly of the circularly arranged light covers 74 so as to face toward a center of the securing plate 72. In that case, it may be so arranged that all the anode terminals of the LEDs 84A and 80B are electrically connected with one lead 88, while on the other hand, all cathode terminals, disposed opposite to such anode terminals in those particular LEDs, are electrically connected with another lead 86. While not shown, those leads 86 and 88 may be connected to a power source, and also, a switch be provided, such that turning on and off the switch causes supply and disconnection of current to the leads.
In the present embodiment, as similar to the previously described Embodiment 2, a heat-conducting sheet 89, as indicated by dotted line in
The transparent element 78 is installed in the foregoing heat radiation structure of light cover 74, with a predetermined space I given between the light cover 74 and the transparent element 78, so as to avoid contact of the outer surface of the transparent element 78 with the light emission regions 82A and 82B respectively of the LEDs 80A and 80B. As an example of such installation of transparent element 78, the light cover 74 may be formed such that an inwardly biasing force is provided to the two vertical walls thereof, so that the transparent element 78 can be securely retained by and in the light cover 74, due to such biasing force, to thereby give the space for avoiding contact between the transparent element 78 and the LEDs 80A and 80B. Or, alternatively, the light cover 74 be provided with inwardly projected pieces inside thereof, so that the transparent element 78 can be retained by such projected pieces to give the space for avoiding contact between the transparent element 78 and the LEDs 80A and 80B. Preferably, the space I may be 1.5 mm-2.0 mm, for instance. But, the space I may be varied appropriately in consideration of a dimensions of the light emission device 70, a diameter of the transparent element 78, and so forth.
A description will now be made of operation of the present third embodiment. At first, though not shown, upon a switch being turned on, a current is supplied from a power source to the light emission device, thereby causing the LEDs 80A and 80B to light on. Then, lights emitted from the LEDs 80A and 80B are applied to the transparent element 78. At this moment, since an air zone lies between the transparent element 78 and the light emission regions 82A and 82B, the lights are dispersed in the air zone, before advancing into the inside of the transparent element 78. Further, because of no coating on the light emission regions 82A and 82B, original lights emitted therefrom expand freely in the afore-said air zone and are therefore applied to the transparent element 78 from many angles, as opposed to lights emitted from resin-coated light emission regions of molded-resin type of LEDs. Hence, the lights entering the transparent element 78 are reflected within that particular transparent element 78 and then emitted outwardly from the outer surface of the transparent element 78. At this moment, however, it is to be seen that, due to the substantially circular section of transparent element 78 serving as a lens in the curved surface thereof, the lights are naturally refracted and dispersed thereat, prior to outward emission thereof, and therefore, such refracted and dispersed lights are emitted from the transparent element 78 to the outside.
Accordingly, in the present Embodiment 3, it is appreciated that the above-discussed lens effect due to the sectional shape of transparent element 78 is indeed achieved by this particular ring configuration of transparent element 78 to attain an increased luminance. Moreover, the present embodiment emits light outwardly from much wider angles than the previously described Embodiments 1 and 2, which is quite suited for wide light emission purposes. In addition thereto, the surface of the securing plate 72 may be treated with a material of high reflective property, in which case, some portions of the lights, applied from the transparent element 78 to that securing plate 72, will be reflected towards a side or object to be illuminated by the present light emission device, thereby permitting use of a full or substantive amount of lights emitted from the LEDs 80A and 80B and directing a whole of such lights towards the side or object to be illuminated.
Reference is now made to
The afore-said LEDs 102A and 102B have, defined in the respective upper surfaces thereof, a pair of light emission region 104A and marking 106A and a pair of light emission region 104B and marking 106B. Likewise as in the foregoing Embodiment 3, the markings 106A and 106B indicate certain poles associated with electrodes respectively of the LEDs 102A and 102B. For example, those two markings 106A, 106B may each be affixed on a side of the corresponding LED 102A or 102B wherein an anode is provided. While not shown, each of the LEDs 102A and 102B has, provided therein, two terminals which are respectively associated with anode and cathode, and those two terminals are in turn electrically connected with two different leads 110 and 112, respectively. As shown, both of such two leads 110 and 112 extend through the cap element 98 to the outside. With this arrangement, in brief, the markings 106A and 106B may be affixed on the respective two LEDs 102A and 102B to indicate anodes or cathodes for the corresponding two terminals respectively of those particular two LEDs, and a current may be appropriately applied through the two leads 110 and 112 to the LEDs 102A and 102B. As similar to the previously described embodiments, in order to avoid its contact with the LEDs 102A, 102B, the transparent element 96 may be secured in the light cover, with a predetermined space being given between the one set of LEDs 102A, 102B and the transparent element 96 itself. Also, the light cover 92 be formed from a material having heat radiation property, and a heat-conducting sheet (not shown) be provided between the light cover 92 and the said one set of LEDs 102A, 102B, with a view to radiating a heat generated from those particular LEDs. It is to be appreciated that, while being basically similar to the Embodiment 1 in terms of operation and effects, the present fourth embodiment is suited for use as a relatively small size of lighting equipment, such as an interior lamp for use in an automobile.
Reference being made to
In the illustrative exemplary embodiment, the light cover 152 has: a pair of lower vertical lateral walls 153; and a pair of upper vertical walls 154, each being elastic so as to serve as two leaf springs. Thus, the afore-said one transparent element 160 is securely retained between the two lower vertical walls 153, whereas the afore-said another transparent element 162 is securely retained between the two elastic upper vertical walls 154. Both of those two transparent elements 160 and 162 commonly assume a substantially circular shape in section. According to the shown embodiment, it is seen that a diameter of the transparent element 160 disposed near to the LEDs 22 is smaller than a diameter of the transparent element 162 disposed at an opening area 158 of the light cover 152. In this regard, by way of one example, suppose that the transparent element 160 is 5 mm in diameter, a proper relative diameter of the outwardly disposed transparent element 162 may be approx. 7 mm to 10 mm.
As discussed in the previously described Embodiment 1, one long configuration of transparent element is used to effectively enable formation of a band of light from lights emitted thereto. In the present embodiment, it is to be seen that two transparent elements of such long configuration are used, thereby expanding lights more widely and uniformly along the longitudinal direction thereof to create a neatly uniform band of light. For example, experiments show that, in the case of only one transparent element 160 being used, a light emission range attained thereby is indicated by the region 164 in
The aforementioned width W of band of light may be adjustably changed by altering the diameter of the transparent element 162. Reference is now made to
Accordingly, while being basically similar to the Embodiment 1 in terms of light emission, the present embodiment provides two transparent elements 160 and 162 in the light cover 152, such that the transparent element 162 disposed on the side where lights are to be emitted outwardly therefrom is set to be large in diameter relative to the other transparent element 160 disposed on the side adjacent to the LEDs 22, thereby making it possible to cause the lights emitted therefrom to form a uniform band of light having a given width W, which extends along the entire longitudinal direction thereof. Thus, the present mode of light emission device is suited for use with various kinds of testing devices and the like. Of course, likewise as in the previously described Embodiment 2, a heat-conducting sheet may be provided between the substrate 18 and the bottom wall 156 of light casing 152, and a heat radiation fin(s) be provided to the outer surface of the light cover 152, so as to efficiently radiate a heat outwardly of the light cover 152.
Reference being made to
Generically stated, the afore-said transparent element 202 is of a lengthy configuration having a substantially sector shape in section, which is so designed to cause lights to emit outwardly through the substantially arcuate region thereof. For example, the transparent element 202 may be formed from a transparent acrylic resin material into the illustrated configuration by a suitable foaming process, such as a drawing process. On the other hand, genetically stated, the light cover 208 is so configured as to only cover a given surface portion of the transparent element 202, excluding the arcuate surface portion of the same 202 from which lights are to be emitted outwardly. More specifically, the light cover 208 is so formed to have: a valley region which defines a pair of sloped surfaces 210A and 210B; and a groove 212 adapted for receiving the afore-said lighting board 214 therein, said groove 212 being defined in the bottom of such valley region so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the light cover. This light cover 208 may be formed from a resin or glass material, for example, by a suitable forming process, into the illustrated configuration. Further, in processing the surfaces of the thus-formed light cover 208, the afore-stated frosted surface treatment may employ a sheet of light scattering property or the like, and such particular sheet be fixed on the surfaces of the light cover 208. As shown, the transparent element 202 is securely received in the valley region of the light cover 208, such that a pair of sloped surfaces 204A and 204B thereof are in close contact upon the respective pair of sloped surfaces 210A and 210B of the light cover 208. It is noted here that the groove 212 is preformed to have a predetermined depth so as to give a space between the lighting board 214 and the bottom surface 206 of the transparent element 202, thereby preventing any contact between those two elements 214 and 202. It is also noted that a length of the transparent element 202 is substantially equal to that of the light cover 208.
Now, the lighting board 214 will be described. Essentially, the lighting board 214 is a lighting device secured in the afore-said groove 212 so as to extend on and along the bottom surface of that particular groove 212, and adapted for introducing lights into the inside of the afore-said transparent element 202. The lighting board 214 itself comprises: a substrate 216 so configured as to be fitted in and along the recession 212; a pair of electrode patterns 128A and 128B formed on that substrate 216 in parallel with each other; and a plurality of LEDs 220 which are arranged on and along the substrate 216, such that each of the LEDs 220 bridges over the two electrode patterns 128A and 128B for electrical connection therebetween. The electrode patterns 128A and 128B may be formed from copper for instance and has been printed on the substrate 216 in advance. As shown, two terminals respectively of the two electrode patterns 128A and 128B are electrically connected with the respective two different leads 222 and 224. As far as the illustrated present embodiment is concerned, three LEDs 220 are arranged equidistantly from one another upon the substrate 216. Of course, a desired number of the LEDs 220 may be arranged appropriately on the substrate. Now, assembly of the present embodiment will be described, using the abovementioned parts and elements. At first, a predetermined number of the LEDs 220 are arranged on the substrate 216 having the two electrode patterns 128A and 128B formed thereon in parallel with each other, in such a manner that each of the LEDs 220 bridges over the two electrode patterns 128A and 128B, and then, two terminals (not shown) of each LED 220 are electrically connected with the two electrode patterns 128A and 128B, respectively. Thereafter, the two different leads 222 and 224 are electrically connected with such two terminals of each LED 220, respectively, by a suitable connecting means. Next, the thus-formed unit of substrate 216 with the LEDs 220 arranged thereon is firmly attached on the bottom surface of the groove 212 formed in the light cover 208, so that both substrate 216 and LEDs 220 are mounted in a bottom of the valley region of the light cover 208. Subsequent thereto, the transparent element 202 is lowered from the above down into the light cover 208, so that the convergent lower region of the transparent element 202 is fitted in and firmly attached to the corresponding valley region of the latter 208 by a suitable bonding means, such as adhesive agent
One of the afore-said two leads (the lead 224, for example), electrically connected with corresponding terminal of each LED 220, may be electrically connected to one terminal of a power source 228, whereas another of the two leads (the lead 222, for example), electrically connected with another corresponding terminal of the LED 220, be electrically connected to another terminal of the power source 228 via a switch 226. This arrangement is understandable from a circuit diagram in
Now, operation of the above-described present embodiment will be described. First of all, the light emission device 200 is installed at a desired location so that the curved surface region of the transparent element 202 (i.e. the region of substantially sector shape in section as stated earlier) is oriented towards a side or object to be illuminated by the light emission device. Thereafter, upon turning on the switch 226, a current is applied from the power source 228 to the LEDs 220 disposed in the groove 212. Then, the LEDs 220 start to light on, and emit and apply the respective lights thereof to the transparent element 202. The lights so applied to the transparent element 202 are refracted and dispersed in the substantially sector sectional region of that particular transparent element 202 which has a lens effect, whereupon some portions of the lights are emitted outwardly, while the other portions of the lights are applied to the light cover 208 from many angles. Among those dispersed lights, the afore-said the other portions of lights, which are applied to the light cover 208, are scattered on and by the surfaces of the light cover 208. Thus, when such illuminating state of light emission device 200 is viewed from the outside, it is observed that a whole of the transparent element 202 is illuminated uniformly with a high luminance. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, it is appreciated that the curved surface region of the transparent element 202 as well as the surface-treated frosted light cover 206 are effective in realizing uniform illumination with high luminance from a whole of the transparent element. Further, in the present Embodiment 6, as similar to the previously described Embodiment 1, there may be provided an alternative mode of light emission device, designated by 200A, as shown in
Referring to
The present embodiment is basically similar to the above-described Embodiment 6 in terms of structure. But, in this particular seventh embodiment, the light emitting device 230 employs a long transparent element 232 of substantially circular shape in section, and, in assembly, a light emission side of that transparent element 232 is naturally defined at a point where the corresponding outer surface region thereof is exposed from (not supported on) the light cover 240 upon which that particular transparent element 232 is mounted. On the other hand, genetically stated, the light cover 240 is so configured as to only cover a given surface portion of the transparent element 232, excluding the afore-said light emission side of the same 232. More specifically, the light cover 240 is so formed to have: a valley region which defines a pair of concavely curved surfaces 242A and 242B; and a groove 244 adapted for receiving the afore-said lighting board 214 therein, the groove 212 being defined in the bottom of such valley region so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the light cover. As shown, the transparent element 232 is fitted in and firmly attached to both two concavely curved surfaces 242A and 242B by a suitable bonding means, such as an adhesive agent. For other several aspects, such as the structure of the lighting board 214 and electrical wiring of leads for the electrode patterns, the present embodiment is identical to those of the foregoing Embodiment 6. Also, in terms of all the light emitting manner and effects as well as advantages attainable therefrom, the present embodiment is indeed similar to the Embodiment 6. Of course, as shown in
Reference is now made to
The transparent element 312 is of a substantially spherical shape on the whole, and has a substantially circular shape in section, as seen from the sectional view of
Further, in the present embodiment, the substrate 320, on which the two LEDs 324 and 326 are mounted, may be securely attached on a free end of the tubular portion 314, by a suitable connecting means. As far as the illustrative embodiment shown in
Based on the foregoing arrangement and since a positive pole is set for another terminal of each of the two LEDS 324 and 326, such particular two positive terminals are then disposed on and electrically connected with the electrode pattern 322A, while on the other hand, the two negative terminals respectively of the two LEDs 324 and 326 are disposed on and electrically connected with the electrode pattern 322B. Further, two different leads 334 and 336 are electrically connected with the respective two ends of the two electrode patterns 322A and 322B. Among such two leads, the lead 336 extends to and is electrically connected with one terminal of the power source 338. In addition thereto, a lead 342, electrically connected with another terminal of the power source 338, is in turn electrically connected with one terminal of the light quantity controller 340. Further, a lead 344, electrically connected with another terminal of that light quantity controller 340, is in an electrical communication with the afore-said lead 334 by way of a switch 339.
Namely, as seen from the circuit diagram in
The above-constructed substrate 320 with the LEDs 324 and 326 arranged thereon are retained in the inside of the tubular portion 314 by being attached fast on the free end of that particular tubular portion 3104 via a suitable connecting means, such that the LEDs 324 and 326 are accommodated in place within the tubular portion 314. Securely attached on and about such tubular portion 314 is the previously stated base 318, by means of a suitable connecting means, wherein it is seen that the base 318 has an opening side defined at the upper end thereof, and such opening side of the base 31818 is securely attached on and about the tubular portion 314. The base 318 also has a hole defined in the bottom wall thereof, through which hole, the afore-said leads 334 and 336 extends outwardly. With regard to the tubular portion 314 and base 318, by way of one example, an outwardly threaded portion may be formed in the outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion 314, whereas an inwardly threaded portion be formed in the inner circumferential surface of the base 318 within a limited range from the upper end of that base. (Note that such outwardly and inwardly threaded portions are not shown in the drawings.) In that instance, by threaded engagement of the outwardly threaded portion with the inwardly threaded portion, the base 318 may be securely engaged about the tubular portion 314. Hence, such threaded engagement arrangement allows a releasable connection of the base 318 with respect to the tubular portion 314. It is noted here that the tubular portion 314 is preset as to its outward projection from the transparent member 312 to such an extent that the LEDs 324 and 326, mounted on the substrate 320 attached on that tubular portion 314, are disposed adjacent to and out of contact with an outer surface of light introduction area 316 of the transparent element 312, wherein the light introduction area 316 is an area through which lights from the LEDs are introduced into the inside of the transparent element.
A description will be made of operation of the present embodiment. At first, the light emitting device 300 is installed, by a suitable means, on a desired location where illumination is required. Then, the switch 339 is turned on, so that a current is applied from the power source 338 to the two LEDs 324 and 326 provided in the tubular portion 314, with the result that both two LEDs 324 and 326 emit lights therefrom, and such lights in turn pass through the light introduction area 316 and are introduced into the transparent element 312. At this moment, the lights entering the transparent element 312 are refracted and dispersed due to a lens effect caused by the substantially circular section of the transparent element 312, as discussed earlier, and then emitted outwardly therefrom. Hence, when the light emission device 300 is viewed from the outside, it is observed that a whole of the transparent element 312 is illuminated uniformly with high luminance. Additionally, according to the present mode of light emission device 300, the afore-said lens effect advantageously achieves a required high luminance of the lights, thus providing a more satisfied bright illumination than incandescent lamp and the like.
As described above, in accordance with the present Embodiment 8, the tubular portion 314 is provided on the outer surface of the substantially spherical transparent element 312 having a property that allows substantive light to pass therethrough, and further, disposed within that tubular portion 314 are the two LEDs 324 and 326 so as to be in proximity to and out of contact with the light introduction area 316. Thus, lights emitted from the LEDs 324 and 326 are reflected due to a lens effect inherently provided at inner surface of the transparent element 312, and thus refracted and diffused in that particular transparent element 312. Since such diffused lights are emitted outwardly therefrom, a whole of the transparent element 312 is illuminated uniformly, and further, a high luminance of light is attainable to provide a satisfied bright illumination.
With reference to
Reference being now made to
As shown in
By a suitable connecting means, the LED 362, a light source, is securely mounted on a substantially central area of the substrate 360 attached to the free end of the tubular portion 354. The LED 362 has a light emission region 364 defined in the upper surface thereof, without any resin layer on such light emission region because the LED 362 is not of any molded-resin type. Though not shown, two terminals are respectively provided to two opposite lateral surfaces of the LED 362, and two different leads 366 and 368 are electrically connected with such two terminals of the LED 362, respectively. In this respect, for example, the lead 366 may be extended to the outside from the base 370 through a given upper region of lateral surface of that particular base 370, and is further electrically connected with one terminal of the switch 374. On the other hand, the lead 368 be electrically connected with one terminal of a storage battery 392 provided within the base 370. Further, electrically connected to another terminal of the storage battery 392 is a lead 394 which in turn extends through a lead port 372 to the outside and is electrically connected with another terminal of the switch 374.
In the present embodiment, the afore-said substrate 360 is formed from a transparent plate material which permits light to pass therethrough, thereby allowing sunlight to pass through that substrate 360 and to be applied to the afore-said solar battery panel 380. It is noted that, responsive to sunlight being applied thereto via the substrate 360, the solar battery panel 380 operates to convert energy of that sunlight into an electrical energy, and for that purpose, the solar battery panel 380 includes, attached thereto, a P-type semiconductor plate and a N-type semiconductor plate, through not shown, and also has a pair of electrode layers 384 and 386 having an electrical connection with such two semiconductor plates, respectively, so that, in operation, an electricity can be gained from both front and reverse sides of each of the P-type and N-type semiconductor plates. The afore-said two electrode layers 384 and 386 are electrically connected with the storage battery 392 by way of the corresponding two leads 388 and 390, whereby an electrical energy gained from the solar battery panel 380 is to be converted in the storage battery 392 into a chemical energy which is in turn to be accumulated in that storage battery 392, while allowing a certain amount of the thus-accumulated chemical energy to be converted into a required amount of electrical energy. Thus, when it is required to supply an electricity to the LED 362, the accumulated chemical energy may be converted in the storage battery 392 into electrical energy, and thus, a required amount of current is supplied therefrom to the LED 362. The storage battery 392 is electrically connected with one terminal of the LED 362 by means of the lead 368, while being electrically connected with the switch 374 by means of the lead 394. With such arrangement, the switch 374 may be turned on to cause the LED 362 to light on, or turned off to cause the same to go out, selectively. Of course, depending on technical requirement, a light quantity controller may be incorporated in the present mode of light emitting device so as to permit for adjustment of light quantity of the LED.
Now, a description will be made of operation of the present embodiment. At first, the light emission device 350 is installed on a desired location by a suitable means. Then, the switch 374 is turned on, responsive to which, a current is supplied from the storage battery 392 to the LED 362 disposed in the storage space 356, so that the LED 362 emits light therefrom toward the transparent element 352. The light then passes through the light introduction area 358 and enters the inside of the transparent element 352. At this moment, the light is reflected by the curved inner surface of the transparent element 352 and diffused therein due to the lens effect of that transparent element 352 of lens-like body configuration. Hence, when such lighting state of the light emission device 350 is viewed from the outside, it is observed that a whole of the transparent element 352 is illuminated uniformly with a high luminance, thereby providing a satisfied bright illumination. All other effects and advantages of the present mode are similar to the previously described effects and advantaged of the Embodiment 8. As shown in
Reference being made to
The transparent element 402 is of a substantially spherical shape on the whole and has a substantially conical recession 404 formed in the light emission region thereof (i.e. an outer region of that transparent element, from which light is to be emitted outwardly), as shown in
Now, operation of the above-described mode of light emission device will be described. First of all, a description will be made for the case where the shade 410 is provided to the light emission device 400. Such light emission device 400 is installed by a suitable means at a desired location where illumination is required. Then, upon the switch 339 being turned on, a current is supplied from the power source 338 to the two LEDs 324 and 326 provided in the tubular portion 408, so that the LEDS 324 and 326 emit the respective lights within the tubular portion 408, and then the lights are applied therefrom to the transparent element 402. After the lights have entered the transparent element 402, some portions of the lights are applied to a sloped surface 406 of the afore-said recession 404 and reflected thereby to the outside; namely, in a direction (as indicated by the directions of arrows F13b) substantially orthogonal with a direction in which the other portions of the lights are emitted straightforward and outwardly from the transparent element 402. The thus-reflected portions of lights advance in that direction and are further reflected by the shade 410, as a result of which, such light portions advance as indicated by the dotted lines in the
Reference is made to
As described above, in accordance with the present embodiment, the lights emitted from the LEDs 324 and 326 are reflected due to the above-discussed lens effect of the transparent element 402 of substantially circular shape in section, and thus refracted and diffused in that transparent element 402, so that the thus-diffused lights are emitted outwardly therefrom. Hence, when such lighting state of the light emission device 400 is viewed from the outside, it is observed that a whole of the transparent element 402 is illuminated uniformly and with a high luminance. In particular, since the afore-said lens effect is enhanced more efficiently in the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve a high luminance of light emitted, thus providing a more sufficient bright illumination than an incandescent lamp or the like. Moreover, in the present embodiment, by providing and removing the shade 410 to and from the light emission device, it is possible to adjustably change the range and direction in which the light is to be emitted outwardly.
Reference being made to
The transparent element 452 per se is of a substantially semispherical shape having a flat surface region 454. and also has a tubular portion 456 securely attached on and along the peripheral end portion of that flat surface region 454, wherein the tubular portion 456 is configured for connection with the afore-said base portion 460 of substantially circular shape. Namely, the base portion 460 is fixedly connected with the tubular portion 456, and therefore, the tubular portion 456 is interposed between the foregoing flat surface region 454 and the base portion 460. In this regard, the tubular portion 456 should have a width to provide a distance between those flat surface region 454 and base portion 460, such that a predetermined space I is essentially given between the flat surface region 454 and the two LEDs 324, 326 mounted on the base portion 460. The transparent element 452 itself may be formed from a proper material that allows substantive light to pass therethrough, such as acrylic resin material or glass. The operation and effects of the present embodiment are basically similar to those of the Embodiment 8. That is, in the present embodiment, an air zone is naturally defined between the transparent element 452 and the LEDs 324, 326, and therefore, lights emitted from such LEDs expand freely in that air zone and are applied to the transparent element 452 from many angles. In addition thereto, the lights entering and passing through the transparent element 452 are refracted and diffused due to a lens effect caused by the substantially arcuate section of the transparent element 452. Accordingly, a high luminance of light is emitted outwardly from the transparent element 452 to provide a satisfied bright illumination. In this context, in the present embodiment, the space I between the flat surface region 454 and the LEDs 324, 326 may be increased and decreased to permit for adjustably changing the manner in which the lights are to be emitted outwardly from the transparent element 452. Namely, with such adjustment of the space I, it is possible to cause the lights to emit as a ray of light from the transparent element 452 in one direction, as shown in
Reference being made to
Referring to
At first, the first light emission section 506 will be described. This light emission section 506 assumes a rectilinearly extending long configuration. Generally stated, in most cases, an actual illumination provided by such rectilinear long body is uneven and unstable, such that, the nearer to a light source the light emission point thereof, the higher becomes a luminance or brightness thereat, whereas by contrast, the remoter away from the light source the light emission point thereof, the lower or dimmer becomes the brightness thereat. The present embodiment is therefore intended to avoid such uneven state of luminance or brightness, and provide a uniform bright illumination from the entire body thereof. Namely, the first light emission section 506 is composed of a cylindrical member 510 and a transparent element 512 accommodated in the cylindrical member 510, wherein the transparent element 512 is of a substantially columnar configuration formed from a proper transparent material that allows substantive light to pass therethrough. The cylindrical member 510 is also formed from a transparent material, such as a transparent resin material or glass, which in no way prevents passage therethrough of a light from the transparent element 512.
The transparent element 512 is formed with a frosted light-scattering region 514 on the substantially entire outer surfaces thereof, excepting a rectilinear transparent window 516 which is formed on a local surface area of the transparent element 512 and extends along the longitudinal direction of the latter. As similar to the previously described embodiments, the transparent element 512 may be formed from a proper material, such as an acrylic resin material or glass, and the light scattering region 514 be a film formed on the outer surfaces of the transparent element 512 by evaporating or applying a coating material thereto, for example, wherein the coating material contains a white pigment therein. One end of this transparent element 512 (corresponding to a side where the grip 502 is provided, as far as the illustrated embodiment is concerned) has a LED 518 embedded securely therein. The LED 518 is mounted on a substrate 520 form which two different leads 522 and 524 extend outwardly. In this respect, while not shown, those two leads 522 and 524 are electrically connected with respective two terminals (not shown) of the LED 518. LED 518 used in the present embodiment is adapted for emitting a red light therefrom, so that the first light emission section 506 is to be illuminated with red light. The afore-said one end of the transparent element 512 as well as the adjoining one end of the cylindrical member 510 are supportively secured in the grip 502 by a suitable connecting means, so that the LED 518 is accommodated in that particular grip 502.
The grip 502 has a hollow defined therein, and a power source or battery 527 is provided in that hollow of grip 502. Further, the grip 502 is provided with a switch 526 on the outer surface thereof, the switch 526 being adapted for selectively causing a light to light on or go out for each of the first and second light emission sections 506 and 530. A lead 550, electrically connected with one of two terminals (not shown) of the battery 528, is in an electrical communication with one of the afore-said two terminals (not shown) of the LED 518 by way of the aforementioned switch 526 and lead 522. Also, another of the afore-said two terminals of battery 528 and another of the afore-said two terminals of LED 518 are electrically connected together by means of a lead 524. The three leads 522, 524 and 550 are all accommodated in the hollow of the grip 502.
A description will be made of the second illumination section 530. Structure of such second light emission section 530 is basically similar to that of the previously described Embodiment 8. Specifically stated, the second light emission section 530 is comprised of: a transparent element 532 of substantially spherical shape which can be illuminated by light; a tubular portion 534 provided on the transparent element 532; a LED 542 that are a light source for emitting and applying light to the transparent element 532; and an attachment 540 having a surface on which the LED 524 is mounted. The transparent element 542 is securely attached by the attachment 540 to the previously mentioned cylindrical member 510. In the present embodiment, the LED 542 is adapted for emitting a white light therefrom, so that the second light emission section 530 is to be illuminated with a white light. A power source for that LED 542 is the afore-said battery 528 that is provided in the grip 502. Likewise as in the foregoing embodiments, both of the transparent element 532 and tubular portion 534 may be formed from a proper material that allows substantive light to pass therethrough, such as acrylic resin material or glass.
The transparent element 532 is formed to have, defined integrally therein, a main body portion of substantially spherical shape and a tubular portion 534 of substantially cylindrical shape, such that the tubular portion 534 extends continuously and outwardly from the main body portion. The afore-said attachment 540, on which the LED 542 is mounted, is securely connected with and along the peripheral end of the tubular portion 534, by a suitable connecting means, the tubular portion 534 having a storage space 536 defined therein. Hence, it is seen that the LED 542 is accommodated in that storage space 536. With regard to the transparent element 532 per se, the main body portion thereof and the tubular portion 534 thereof may be provided independently of each other and fixedly coupled together in assembly. Or, alternatively, a raw material may be formed by cutting out given local areas thereof into one unitary configuration wherein both main body portion and tubular portion 534 are integral with each other.
The LED 542, a light source, is securely mounted on a substantially central point of the afore-said attachment 540 by a suitable connecting means, wherein the attachment 540 is secured to and along the peripheral end of the tubular portion 534 as stated above. This LED 542 is provided with a light emission region 544 in the upper surface thereof. It is noted here that the light emission region 544 is not covered with any resin layer, since the LED 542 is not of a molded-resin type. Further, the LED 542 has two terminals provided in the respective two opposite lateral surfaces, though not shown, and two different leads 546 and 548 are electrically connected with such two terminals of the LED 542, respectively. For example, as illustrated, those two leads 546 and 548 extend through the attachment 540 into the second light emission section, and the lead 546 is electrically connected with the afore-said one of two terminals of the switch 526, while the lead 548 is electrically connected with the afore-said one of two terminals of the battery 528. In this context, it is to be seen that the afore-said one terminal of the LED 518 as well as one of the two terminals of the LED 542 are in electrical communication with the afore-said one terminal of the battery 528 by way of the respective two leads 524 and 548. Also, it is to be seen that the afore-said another terminal of the LED 518 and another of the two terminals of the LED 542 are in electrical communication with the afore-said one terminal of the switch 526 by way of the respective two leads 522 and 546. Further, the afore-said another terminal of the switch 526 and the afore-said another terminal of the battery 528 are electrically connected together by means of the lead 550. Accordingly, with such arrangement, operation of the switch 526 causes the LED 518 to selectively either light up or go out, while causing the LED 542 to selectively either light up or go out. In this regard, it may be arranged such that both two LEDs 518 and 542 will light up at the same time upon operation of the switch 526, or alternatively, one of the two LEDs 518 and 542 will glow, while another of them will stay out, by operation of the switch 526.
Next, operation of the present embodiment will be described. It should be understood that all actions of the two LEDs 518 and 542, which will be hereinafter simply represented by the verbs, “light up”, “lit up”, “go out”, and “gone out”, are executed by operation of the switch 526. Now, at the first step, upon the LED 518 having been lit up, a light emitted form that LED 518 enters the inside of the transparent element 512. With regard to the light that has entered the transparent element 512, a certain portion of the light advances to the transparent widow 516 and is reflected by that particular transparent window 516, whereas the other portion of the light advances to the frosted light scattering region 514 and is diffusely reflected (or scattered) by that particular light scattering region 514. Precisely stated, most of the light that has entered the inside of the transparent element 512 is mainly guided by and along the transparent window 516, such that the light runs upwardly in a direction from a lower end to an upper end of the transparent window 516. At the same time, the light being so guided and reflected by that window 516 is also diffusely reflected by the light scattering region 514. Consequently, when the first light emission section 506 is viewed from the outside, it is observed that a whole body thereof provides red illumination.
On the other hand, upon lighting up the LED 542, a light is emitted therefrom and passes through a light introduction area 538 towards the transparent element 532. The light entering that transparent element 532 is refracted and diffused due to the lens effect caused by the substantially circular section of the transparent element 532, and emitted outwardly therefrom. Thus, when such lighting state of the baton 500 is viewed from the outside, it is observed that a whole of the second light emission section is illuminated uniformly with a high luminance.
As described above, in accordance with the present 12th embodiment, the first light emission section 506 is of such arrangement that a substantive outer surface portion of the transparent element 512 is formed with the frosted light scattering region 514, excepting the transparent window 516 formed along the longitudinal direction of the transparent element 512. Thus, the transparent window 516 serves to guide the light therealong to an upper region of the transparent element 512, whereupon a whole of the transparent element 512 is uniformly illuminated up to the upper distal end thereof. On the other hand, with regard to the second light emission section 530, upon the LED 542 having been lit up, a light emitted therefrom enters the transparent element 512 and is reflected by the arcuate inner surface of the transparent element 512 which provides a lens effect. Thus, the light is refracted and diffused in the transparent element 512, and then emitted outwardly therefrom. Consequently, the second light emission section 530 is illuminated uniformly, thereby providing a satisfied bright illumination. Of course, in the present embodiment, likewise as in the previously described embodiments, the outer surface of the transparent element 532 in the second light emission section 530 may be formed with a frosted light scattering region or layer, as by evaporating and depositing a proper coating material thereon.
It is to be noted that many various embodiments of the present invention may be created without departing from the scopes of the appended claims, and, based on such understanding, a great number of further variants be provided by modifying each of the above-disclosed embodiments. For example, the following modes and conditions are encompassed by the scopes of the present invention.
(1) The shapes and sizes of constituent elements stated in the previously described embodiments are suggested by way of one example and thus may be altered appropriately insofar as they achieve the same effects as in the previous embodiments. In particular, in the case of the afore-said rectilinear columnar transparent element being used, the longitudinal sizes and dimensions thereof may be increased or decreased to a desired degree. Also, in the case of the afore-said substantially spherical or semispherical transparent element being used, the diameter thereof be increased or decreased to a desired degree.
(2) The transparent element may preferably be formed from a transparent and colorless material, but may be formed from a material having a certain color. For example, in the foregoing Embodiment 12, the first light emission section 506 uses the LED 518 of red color which is adapted for emitting a red light therefrom whereas the second light emission section 530 uses the LED 542 of while color which is adapted for emitting a white light therefrom. This is however just one example, and any other LEDs of different colors than those red and white colors may be used, as required.
(3) Most of the foregoing embodiments indicates an example of using a transparent element of acrylic resin material or glass. But this is just one example, and the transparent element be formed from any one of various known sorts of materials that allow substantive light to pass therethrough, according to a particular technical requirement. For example, in the case where the light emission device of the present invention is attached to a ceiling as a lighting equipment, a transparent element used may be formed from a flame retardant transparent resin material.
(4) In place of the LED(s), other suitable kinds of light sources may be used. For example, a cold-cathode tube be employed. But, from the viewpoint of low power consumption, the LED is still recommended as an optimum light source.
(5) The LED(s) may be of a monochromatic type adapted for emitting a monochromatic light therefrom, or of a polychromatic type adapted for emitting a polychromatic light therefrom.
(6) The above-specified number of the LEDs in each of the foregoing embodiments is also given as one example, and therefore, a desired number of the LED(s) may be provided, depending on requirements.
(7) The light emission devices described in the foregoing Embodiments 8 to 12 are not limited for mere ordinary light emission purpose inside or outside the house, but may be used for illuminating various kinds of displays or signboards.
(8) In the foregoing Embodiment 9, the solar battery panel 380 is provided in the light emission device 350. But, this is just one example, and the solar battery panel 380 may be provided exteriorly of the light emission device 350. Of course, such solar battery panel 380 may be used in each of other embodiments described above.
(9) Each of the electric circuit arrangements in the previously described embodiments is also provided by way of one example and may be altered into any other proper arrangement, insofar as it achieves the same effects as in the foregoing embodiments. For example, any one of the circuit arrangements in
Moreover, for example, the light quantity controller 340 used in the Embodiment 8 may be incorporated in the circuitry of each of other embodiments describe above, depending on requirements. Still further, with regard to the Embodiment 9, a photodetector be used in place of the switch 374 as a switch means for causing the LED 362 to either light on or go out. In that instance, it may be arranged for example such that the photodetector detects an amount of sunlight and sends the same to a control unit. Namely, if the photodetector detects a great amount of sunlight that exceeds a predetermined level (that is, in the sunny daytime, for example), the control unit will stop supplying any current to the LED 362. By contrast, if the photodetector detects a small amount of sunlight lower than the predetermined level (that is, in a cloudy or wet day, or during the night), the control unit will permit a current to be applied to the LED 362.
(10) In the previously described Embodiment 12, the light emission device thereof is constructed as a baton 500, according to which, only one second light emission section 530 is provided to one end of the long first light emission section 506. Instead thereof, a pair of substantially spherical light emission sections may be provided to the respective two opposite ends of such long first light emission section 506. Further, with regard to the Embodiments 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7, a substantially spherical shape of light emission section may be provided to one end or two opposite ends of the light emission device described in each of those embodiments.
(11) The previously described Embodiment 10 suggests formation of the substantially conical recession 404 in the transparent element. This is however one exemplary mode, and instead thereof, a substantially pyramidal recession be formed in the transparent element.
(12) The light emission device of the present invention may indeed be adaptable for use as: illumination for various kinds of testing operations; illumination inside and outside house; guide light; indicator lamp; emergency light; and the like. Further, the light emission device of the present invention may be incorporated as a constituent element in other various kinds of equipments and devices for versatile uses.
In accordance with the present invention, a light emitted from a light source is applied to a transparent element having a curved surface region of substantially arcuate or circular shape in section, and the light is refracted and diffused therein due to a lens effect of such curved surface region. Hence, the present invention is applicable to various shapes and sizes of light emission devices. In particular, the invention is quite suited for a light emission device that are used in a light emitter required to provide a uniform and sufficient bright illumination
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-049817 | Feb 2005 | JP | national |
| 2005-231420 | Aug 2005 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2006/303484 | 2/24/2006 | WO | 00 | 8/20/2007 |
