The present invention relates to a light-emitting device including a light-emitting element and an illumination apparatus using the same.
Light-emitting elements such as a light-emitting diode (hereinafter, referred to as a “LED”) are used in various types of light-emitting devices. The LED not only has a smaller size and higher efficiency compared with existing light sources that use discharge and radiation but also recently has been advanced to provide increased luminous flux and thus may replace the existing light sources.
Moreover, when combined with an optical system having a reflection function and a lens function, the LED is capable of controlling the radiation pattern of emitted light. For example, JP 2005-32661 A proposes a light-emitting device that allows light emitted from a light-emitting element to be extracted as parallel light using a light-collecting reflector constituted by a partial shape of a paraboloid of revolution.
However, in the above-described light-emitting device 100, part of light emitted from an end portion 102a of a light-emitting portion of the light-emitting element 102, which is positioned on the opening side of the light-collecting reflector 103, is not reflected off the paraboloid-of-revolution surface 103a, so that part of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 102 does not become parallel light and thus may hinder light distribution control.
In order to solve the above-described problem with the conventional technique, the present invention provides a light-emitting device in which light distribution control can be facilitated.
Alight-emitting device according to the present invention includes: a base; a light source portion that includes a light-emitting portion disposed on one principal surface of the base; and a light distribution control reflector that is disposed so as to surround the light source portion. In the light-emitting device, the light distribution control reflector is at least part of a substantial paraboloid of revolution, and a substantial paraboloid-of-revolution surface that constitutes an inner surface of the light distribution control reflector is a light-reflecting surface for collecting light emitted from the light source portion. Further, a light outgoing portion of the light source portion is disposed at a position of a substantial focal point of the substantial paraboloid-of-revolution surface, and an optical axis of the light source portion is inclined toward a vertex of the substantial paraboloid of revolution with respect to a direction orthogonal to an axis of the substantial paraboloid of revolution.
Furthermore, an illumination apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by using the above-described light-emitting device according to the present invention.
According to the light-emitting device of the present invention, with respect to light emitted from the light-emitting portion, a ratio of part of the light that is not reflected off the inner surface of the light distribution control reflector (substantial paraboloid-of-revolution surface) can be decreased, thereby increasing a ratio of light that is extracted as substantially parallel light. Thus, light distribution control can be facilitated.
The light-emitting device according to the present invention includes: a base; a light source portion that includes a light-emitting portion disposed on one principal surface of the base; and a light distribution control reflector that is disposed so as to surround the light source portion. Further, the light-emitting portion includes a light-emitting element. The light-emitting element is mounted on the one principal surface by, for example, die bonding, wire bonding, flip-chip bonding, face-up chip bonding, eutectic bonding such as of Au—Sn, adhesion bonding such as of Au—Au, pressure bonding using an ACF (anisotropic conductive film) or the like, or bonding with an adhesive such as an Ag paste. The base may be formed so as to be divided into a plurality of units or so as to be stepped.
The material for the base is not particularly limited, and examples thereof that can be used include the following: single crystals such as sapphire, Si, GaN, AlN, ZnO, SiC, BN, and ZnS; ceramics such as Al2O3, AlN, BN, MgO, ZnO, and SiC or a mixture thereof, metals such as Al, Cu, Fe, Au, W, and an alloy including any of these metals; resin such as an epoxy resin, silicone resin, acrylic resin, urea resin, amide resin, imide resin, polycarbonate resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, liquid crystal polymer, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS resin), methacrylic resin (PMMA resin), cyclic olefin copolymer, or a mixture thereof, a laminated material obtained by bonding a metal plate to any of these types of resin; glass; glass epoxy; and muscovite. From the viewpoint of preventing absorption of light, it is desirable that the material for the base be a reflective material that is, for example, a metal such as Al or a laminated material obtained by bonding a metal plate to resin.
The light distribution control reflector is at least part of the substantial paraboloid of revolution, and the substantial paraboloid-of-revolution surface that constitutes the inner surface of the light distribution control reflector is a light-reflecting surface for collecting light emitted from the light source portion. In this specification, the “substantial paraboloid of revolution” and the “substantial paraboloid-of-revolution surface” respectively refer to a paraboloid of revolution and a paraboloid-of-revolution surface not only in their complete forms but also in their modified forms that respectively have the same functions as their complete forms and respectively include even an elliptic paraboloid and an elliptic paraboloid surface.
As for the material for the light-reflecting surface, examples thereof that can be used include the following: metals such as Al, Ag, Au, Ni, Rh, Pd, and an alloy including any of these metals; metallic oxides such as an aluminum oxide, ceric oxide, hafnium oxide, magnesium oxide, niobium oxide, tantalum oxide, zirconium oxide, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, yttrium oxide, silicon oxide, indium oxide, tin oxide, tungsten oxide, and vanadium oxide; and inorganic materials such as silicon nitride, gallium nitride, silicon carbide, calcium fluoride, calcium carbonate, copper sulfide, tin sulfide, zinc sulfide, and barium sulfate or a mixture thereof. When a particulate metallic oxide or inorganic material is used, the average particle size thereof is preferably 0.3 to 3 μm from the viewpoint of the reflection effect due to diffusion and scattering. Further, a distribution Bragg reflecting mirror (thickness: 0.1 to 1 μm) including a multilayer film in which two or more types of these metallic oxides or inorganic materials are stacked alternately also is used effectively for the light reflecting surface. The light distribution control reflector may be formed of any of the above-described examples of the material for the light-reflecting surface or may be formed by forming a substantial paraboloid of revolution using, for example, a resin material or a ceramic material and applying any of the above-described examples of the material for the light-reflecting surface to an inner surface thereof.
The above-described light-reflecting surface may be formed of a prism having a total reflection property. Further, the surface of the light-reflecting surface may be covered with a protective film formed of a translucent material or the like.
The light outgoing portion of the light source portion is disposed at a position of a substantial focal point of the above-described substantial paraboloid-of-revolution surface. In this specification, the “position of a substantial focal point” refers not only to the exact position of a focal point but also to a position in the vicinity of the focal point. According to this configuration, light emitted from the light source portion can be reflected off the above-described substantial paraboloid-of-revolution surface to be extracted as substantial parallel light from the opening of the light distribution control reflector. Further, in this specification, the “substantial parallel light” indicates that emitted light from the opening of the light distribution control reflector has a light distribution angle of 20 degrees or less and preferably 10 degrees or less. The light distribution angle of emitted light can be measured using a light distribution measurement device.
The number of the light source portions is not particularly limited as long as each light source portion can be disposed at a position of a substantial focal point of the above-described paraboloid-of-revolution surface, and could be set appropriately depending on a required light amount.
Examples of a light-emitting element that can be used in the present invention include a red LED for emitting red light at a wavelength of 600 to 660 nm, a yellow LED for emitting yellow light at a wavelength of 550 to 600 nm, a green LED for emitting green light at a wavelength of 500 to 550 nm, a blue LED for emitting blue light at a wavelength of 420 to 500 nm, and a blue-violet LED for emitting blue-violet light at a wavelength of 380 to 420 nm. Further, the light-emitting element may be a LED combined with a phosphor such as a white LED including the blue LED and a yellow phosphor for emitting white light or a white LED including the blue-violet or violet LED and, for example, blue, green and red phosphors for emitting white light. A LED for emitting near infrared light (660 to 780 nm) or infrared light (780 nm to 2 μm) also may be used. As the above-described red and yellow LEDs, for example, LEDs using an AlInGaP material can be used. Further, as the above-described green, blue, blue-violet, and violet LEDs, for example, LEDs using an InGaAlN material can be used. As the LED for emitting red to infrared light, for example, a LED using an AlGaAs or InGaAsP material can be used.
In the light-emitting device according to the present invention, an optical axis of the above-described light source portion is inclined toward a vertex of the above-described substantial paraboloid of revolution with respect to a direction orthogonal to an axis of the above-described substantial paraboloid of revolution. According to this configuration, with respect to light emitted from the light source portion, a ratio of part of the light that is not reflected off the inner surface of the light distribution control reflector (substantial paraboloid-of-revolution surface) can be decreased, thereby increasing a ratio of light that is extracted as substantially parallel light. Thus, according to the light-emitting device of the present invention, light distribution control can be facilitated. In the present invention, in order to increase further the ratio of light that is extracted as substantially parallel light, an angle (acute angle) formed by the above-described optical axis and the above-described substantial paraboloid of revolution is preferably 0 to 60 degrees and more preferably 0 to 45 degrees.
In the light-emitting device according to the present invention, the above-described light-emitting portion further may include a translucent material that covers the above-described light-emitting element. This allows the deterioration of the light-emitting element to be suppressed. As the translucent material, an epoxy resin, silicone resin, acrylic resin or the like can be used. Further, in the case where the light-emitting element in the light-emitting portion is covered with a translucent material, the translucent material may be provided so as to cover the light-emitting element completely without leaving any gap or so as to leave some part of the light-emitting element uncovered to form a hollow structure.
In the light-emitting device according to the present invention, the above-described light-emitting portion further may include a phosphor portion that covers the above-described light-emitting element. This allows light from the light-emitting element and converted light from the phosphor portion to be mixed, so that, for example, white light can be extracted.
The above-described phosphor portion is formed of a translucent material such as, for example, an epoxy resin, silicone resin or acrylic resin and a phosphor dispersed in this translucent material.
As the above-described phosphor, for example, a red phosphor for emitting red light, an orange phosphor for emitting orange light, a yellow phosphor for emitting yellow light, or a green phosphor for emitting green light can be used. As the above-described red phosphor, for example, silicate Ba3MgSi2O8:Eu2+, Mn2+, nitridosilicate Sr2Si5N8:Eu2+, nitridoaluminosilicate CaAlSiN3:Eu2+, oxo-nitridoaluminosilicate Sr2Si4AlON7:Eu2+, and sulfide (Sr,Ca)S:Eu2+ or La2O2S:Eu3+, Sm3+ can be used. As the above-described orange phosphor, for example, silicate (Sr,Ca)2SiO4:Eu2+, garnet Gd5Al5O12:Ce3+, or α-SIALON Ca-α-SiAlON:Eu2+ can be used. As the above-described yellow phosphor, for example, silicate (Sr,Ba)2SiO4:Eu2+ or Sr3SiO5:Eu2+, garnet (Y,Gd)3Al5O12:Ce3+, sulfide CaGa2S4:Eu2+, or α-SIALON Ca-α-SiAlON: Eu2+ can be used As the above-described green phosphor, for example, aluminate BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+, Mn2+ or (Ba,Sr,Ca)Al2O4:Eu2+, silicate (Ba,Sr)2SiO4:Eu2+, α-SIALON Ca-α-SiAlON:Yb2+, β-SIALON β-Si3N4:Eu2+, oxo-nitridosilicate (Ba,Sr,Ca)Si2O2N2:Eu2+, oxo-nitridoaluminosilicate (Ba,Sr,Ca)2Si4AlON7:Ce3+, sulfide SrGa2S4:Eu2+, garnet Y3(Al,Ga)5O12:Ce3+, or oxide CaSc2O4:Ce3+ can be used.
In the case where the blue-violet or ultraviolet LED is used as the light-emitting element, for example, the above-described phosphors could be used with a blue phosphor for emitting blue light or a cyan phosphor for emitting cyan light. As the above-described blue phosphor, for example, aluminate BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+, silicate Ba3MgSi2O8:Eu2+, or halophosphate (Sr,Ba)10(PO4)6Cl2:Eu2+ can be used. As the above-described cyan phosphor, aluminate Sr4Al14O25:Eu2+ or silicate Sr2Si3O8.2SrCl2:Eu2+ can be used.
In the light-emitting device according to the present invention, preferably, the above-described light distribution control reflector is a substantial paraboloid of revolution. In this configuration, the light-emitting portion is surrounded at its periphery (360 degrees in all azimuths) by the light distribution control reflector, and thus a ratio of light that is extracted as substantially parallel light further can be increased.
The light-emitting device according to the present invention further may include an optical path changing portion that changes an optical path of light emitted from the opening of the above-described light distribution control reflector. This further facilitates light distribution control. As the material for the optical path changing portion, a material similar to the material for the above-described light distribution control reflector can be used.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the appended drawings. In the drawings referred to, components having substantially the same function are denoted by the same reference character, and a duplicate explanation thereof may be omitted. Further, for the sake of making the drawings easier to understand, a light-emitting element is drawn on an enlarged scale with respect to a light distribution control reflector. Even in this case, each light outgoing portion of a light source portion is disposed at a position of a substantial focal point of a substantial paraboloid-of-revolution surface that constitutes an inner surface of the light distribution control reflector.
As shown in each of
The light distribution control reflector 14 is at least part of a substantial paraboloid of revolution, and a substantial paraboloid-of-revolution surface 14a that constitutes an inner surface of the light distribution control reflector 14 is a light-reflecting surface for collecting light emitted from the light-emitting element 12. The light-emitting element 12 is disposed at a position of a substantial focal point of the substantial paraboloid-of-revolution surface 14a. A normal N to the one principal surface 11a of the base 11 that corresponds to an optical axis of the light-emitting element 12 is inclined toward a vertex P of the above-described substantial paraboloid of revolution with respect to a direction orthogonal to an axis X of the above-described substantial paraboloid of revolution. According to this configuration, with respect to light emitted from the light-emitting element 12, a ratio of part of the light that is not reflected off the inner surface 14a of the light distribution control reflector 14 (substantial paraboloid-of-revolution surface) can be decreased, thereby increasing a ratio of light that is extracted as substantially parallel light from an opening Q of the light distribution control reflector 14. Thus, according to the light-emitting device 1, light distribution control can be facilitated.
In this embodiment, a light-emitting portion is composed of the light-emitting element 12 and the sealing resin portion 13, and moreover, a light source portion is composed only of the light-emitting portion. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the optical axis of the light-emitting element 12 corresponds to an optical axis of the light source portion. Further, in this embodiment, a light outgoing portion of the light-emitting element 12 corresponds to a light outgoing portion of the light source portion.
Although the above description has been directed to the light-emitting device 1 according to the first embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, as shown in a perspective view in
As the optical path changing portion, as well as the above-described optical path changing reflector, for example, a reflection plate, a lens, a diffractive lens, a fiber bundle, a half mirror, or a dichroic mirror can be used.
As shown in each of
In the light distribution control reflector 21, a substantial paraboloid-of-revolution surface 21a that constitutes an inner surface of the light distribution control reflector 21 is a light-reflecting surface for collecting light emitted from the light-emitting elements 12. The light-emitting elements 12 are disposed at positions of substantial focal points of the substantial paraboloid-of-revolution surface 21a, respectively. A normal N to the one principal surface 11a of each of the bases 11 is inclined toward a vertex P of the light distribution control reflector 21 (substantial paraboloid of revolution) with respect to a direction orthogonal to the axis X of the light distribution control reflector 21 (substantial paraboloid of revolution). According to this configuration, with respect to light emitted from the light-emitting elements 12, a ratio of part of the light that is not reflected off an inner surface 21a (substantial paraboloid-of-revolution surface) of the light distribution control reflector 21 can be decreased, thereby increasing a ratio of light that is extracted as substantially parallel light. Thus, according to the light-emitting device 2, light distribution control can be facilitated. Further, in the light-emitting device 2, the light-emitting elements 12 are surrounded at their peripheries (360 degrees in all azimuths) by the light distribution control reflector 21, and thus the ratio of light that is extracted as substantially parallel light can be increased more than in the light-emitting device 1 of the first embodiment.
In this embodiment, a light-emitting portion is composed of the light-emitting elements 12 and the sealing resin portion 13, and moreover, a light source portion is composed only of the light-emitting portion. Accordingly, in this embodiment, an optical axis of each of the light-emitting elements 12 corresponds to an optical axis of the light source portion. Further, in this embodiment, a light outgoing portion of each of the light-emitting elements 12 corresponds to a light outgoing portion of the light source portion.
As shown in
In this embodiment, the light-emitting portion is composed of the light-emitting element 12 and a sealing resin portion 13, and moreover, a light source portion is composed only of the light-emitting portion. Accordingly, in this embodiment, then the optical axis of the light-emitting element 12 corresponds to the optical axis of the light source portion. Further, in this embodiment, a light outgoing portion of the light-emitting element 12 corresponds to a light outgoing portion of the light source portion.
As shown in
Furthermore, as shown in each of
In
In this embodiment, the light-emitting portion is composed of the light-emitting element 12 and the sealing resin portion 13, and moreover, a light source portion is composed only of the light-emitting portion. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the optical axis of the light-emitting element 12 corresponds to an optical axis of the light source portion. Further, in this embodiment, a light outgoing portion of the light-emitting portion 12 corresponds to a light outgoing portion of the light source portion.
As shown in each of
As shown in each of
As shown in each of
In this embodiment, as shown in
In this embodiment, the light-emitting portion is composed of the light-emitting element 12 and the sealing resin portion 13, and moreover, a light source portion is composed only of the light-emitting portion. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the optical axis of the light-emitting element 12 corresponds to an optical axis of the light source portion. Further, in this embodiment, a light outgoing portion of the light-emitting element 12 corresponds to a light outgoing portion of the light source portion.
The fins 40 may be formed of, for example, a metal itself such as Al. Alternatively, the fins 40 may be formed of resin or an inorganic material with a surface on which Al, Ag or the like is vapor-deposited or a dielectric film is formed.
In this embodiment, as shown in
In this embodiment, the light-emitting portion is composed of the light-emitting element 12, a sealing resin portion 13 and the reflection plate 50, and moreover, a light source portion is composed only of the light-emitting portion. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the optical axis of the light-emitting element 12 corresponds to an optical axis of the light source portion. Further, in this embodiment, a light outgoing portion of the light-emitting element 12 corresponds to a light outgoing portion of the light source portion.
As the above-described optical path changing portion, as well as a reflection plate, for example, a lens, a grating or the like can be used.
In this embodiment, as shown in
In this embodiment, the light-emitting portion is composed of the light-emitting element 12 and the sealing resin portion 13, and moreover, a light source portion is composed only of the light-emitting portion. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the optical axis of the light-emitting element 12 corresponds to an optical axis of the light source portion. Further, in this embodiment, a light outgoing portion of the light-emitting element 12 corresponds to a light outgoing portion of the light source portion.
The reflective film 13a can be formed of a vapor-deposited film or a dielectric film on which Al, Ag or the like is vapor-deposited.
In this embodiment, as shown in
In this embodiment, the light-emitting portion is composed of the light-emitting element 12 and a sealing resin portion 13, and moreover, a light source portion is composed of the light-emitting portion and the reflection plate 60. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the optical axis of the light-emitting element 12 corresponds to an optical axis of the light source portion. Further, in this embodiment, a light outgoing portion of the light-emitting element 12 corresponds to a light outgoing portion of the light source portion.
As the above-described optical path changing portion, as well as a reflection plate, for example, a lens, a grating or the like can be used.
In this embodiment, as shown in
In this embodiment, a light-emitting portion is composed of the light-emitting element 12 and a sealing resin portion 13, and moreover, the light source portion is composed of the light-emitting portion, the cylindrical guide 70 and the reflection plate 71.
The cylindrical guide 70 and the reflection plate 71 could be formed of a material similar to the material for the above-described light distribution control reflector 14.
In this embodiment, as shown in
In this embodiment, a light-emitting portion is composed of the light-emitting elements 12 and sealing resin portions 13, and moreover, the light source portion is composed of the light-emitting portion, the light-collecting reflector 80 and the reflection plate 81.
The light-collecting reflector 80 and the reflection plate 81 may be formed of a material similar to the material for the above-described light distribution control reflector 14.
As shown in
In order to form an illumination apparatus such as the above-described automotive headlight or the like using the light-emitting device of this embodiment, as shown in
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described by way of examples. The present invention, however, is not limited to these examples.
As examples of the present invention, samples of the light-emitting device shown in each of
In order to evaluate a light distribution property of each of the manufactured samples of the light-emitting device, a radiation angle of emitted light was measured. The following describes a method of the measurement with reference to
As shown in
The present invention can be carried out in embodiments other than the above-described embodiments within a scope not departing from the spirit of the present invention. The embodiments disclosed in the present application are described merely for an illustrative purpose, and the present invention is not limited thereto. The scope of the present invention is to be interpreted by placing priority on the attached claims, rather than the above description in the specification, and all the changes within the scope equivalent to that of the claims are included in the claims.
The light-emitting device of the present invention is useful in, for example, an illumination apparatus used for general illumination, illumination for performance (spotlight, a sign lamp or the like), illumination for automobiles (in particular, a headlight) or the like, and a display apparatus used in a display, a projector or the like. Furthermore, the light-emitting device of the present invention also is useful as a light source for a sensor requiring miniaturization and a thickness reduction.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2007-004979 | Jan 2007 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/JP2008/050656 | 1/11/2008 | WO | 00 | 6/10/2009 |