JP2000030522A - Lighting system and display device using same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enlarge the apparent area of the luminous area of a lighting system and avoid an increase in the size of the lighting system. SOLUTION: Light L emitted at an angle inclined for the normal line (n) of a luminous area A3 is reflected with a reflection wall 20 and is slantwise transmitted through the end of the display area A0 of a liquid display panel P. As a result, the apparent area of the luminous area A3 of a lighting system B3 becomes large, and an increase in the size of the lighting system B3 can be avoided. Also, displayed information can be recognized at a position not only faced straight to a screen but also from a position more or less displaced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an illumination device for emitting illumination light to illuminate an object to be illuminated, and a display device using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, illumination devices that emit illumination light to illuminate an object to be illuminated have been used in various fields.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a display device incorporating such a lighting device.

A display device D ₁ shown in FIG. ₁ is a lighting device B _1.
Comprises a at a position opposed to the illumination device B ₁ represents,
The liquid crystal panel P as illuminated object illuminated by the lighting device B ₁ is disposed. The illuminating device B ₁ is of a direct type, and includes a fluorescent tube 1 as a linear light source arranged along the liquid crystal panel P, and a fluorescent tube 1 below the fluorescent tube 1. The reflection plate 2 is provided.
Further, a diffusion plate 3 having a white mesh print pattern is arranged between the fluorescent tube 1 and the liquid crystal panel P to make the brightness uniform, and a prism sheet is provided on the liquid crystal panel side. 4 and the diffusion sheet 5 are arranged in a stacked state. Reference numeral 6 shown is a rubber spacer interposed between the liquid crystal panel P and the illumination device B _1. On the other hand, the liquid crystal panel P has a structure in which liquid crystal is sandwiched between two glass substrates, and a polarizing plate (not shown) is provided on an outer surface thereof.
Is affixed.

As a lighting device, there is a light guide type lighting device as shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a display device incorporating a light guide type lighting device.

The illuminating device B ₂ shown in FIG. 1 has a transparent light guide 10 arranged along the liquid crystal panel P, and a fluorescent light as a linear light source is provided on the side of the light guide 10. Tube 1
Is arranged. Further, a reflection plate 11 is arranged so as to surround the fluorescent tube 1. On the other hand, a pattern for luminance uniformity is printed on the lower surface of the light guide 10 (not shown), and a white reflective sheet 12 is disposed below the pattern. Further, a diffusion sheet 13, a prism sheet 14, and a diffusion sheet 15 are provided between the light guide 10 and the liquid crystal panel P.
Is arranged. Reference numeral 16 in the figure denotes a frame for mounting the liquid crystal panel P, and reference numeral 17 denotes a rubber spacer interposed between the frame 16 and the liquid crystal panel P.

By the way, such display devices D ₁ , D ₂
In, the display information is recognized when the light emitted from the lighting devices B ₁ and B ₂ and transmitted through the liquid crystal panel P reaches the eyes, but the position directly facing the screen (see reference numeral E _{0 in the} drawing). Not only that, but a slightly shifted position (reference symbol E in the figure)
It is practically preferable that the display information can be recognized also from _L and E _R ). Therefore, conventionally, the lighting devices B ₁ and B ₂
Light emitting area A ₁ of larger than the display area A ₀ area of A _2, light at the end of the display area A ₀ had to be transmitted diagonally.

[0008]

However, when the areas of the light emitting areas A ₁ and A ₂ are increased as described above, there is a problem that the size of the lighting device itself and the size of the display device become large. In addition, there is a problem that the weight and material cost increase with the increase in size. For example, in the case of the illumination device B ₂ of the light guide system, it is necessary to increase the size of the light guide 10, with it, an increase of growth and material cost of the weight was remarkable.

In order to improve the display quality when the light emitting areas A ₁ and A ₂ are enlarged, it is necessary to lengthen the fluorescent tube 1 or increase the number of the fluorescent tubes 1 to maintain the luminance of the lighting device. There is. However, in such a case, there is a problem that power consumption increases and a transformer of a lighting circuit increases in size.

[0010] Further, in the case where the distance between the liquid crystal panel P and the lighting device is increased, the positions E _L and E _{R are set.}
If it is possible to recognize the display information from above, it is necessary to further increase the area of the light emitting areas A ₁ and A ₂ , and the above problem becomes remarkable.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device that prevents an increase in size.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device that prevents an increase in weight and cost.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device which prevents an increase in power consumption and an increase in the size of a transformer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a display device which achieves the above various objects.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is directed to a lighting apparatus that includes a light source and emits illumination light from a light emitting area to illuminate an object to be illuminated. A first reflecting member disposed on the side on which the illuminated object is arranged and extending toward the illuminated object; and Light emitted at an angle with respect to a line is reflected by the first reflecting member and provided for illumination of the illuminated object.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device comprising: the above-described lighting device; and a display element as an object to be illuminated, which is arranged along the lighting device and illuminated by the lighting device. I do.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Illumination devices B ₃ and B _{4 according} to the present invention are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, a light source 1 is provided, and is configured to emit illumination light from the light emitting areas A ₃ and A ₄ to illuminate the illumination target P.

Further, on the side of the light emitting areas A ₃ and A ₄ on which the illuminated object P is arranged (in other words, between the illuminated object P and the light source 1), Are arranged in a state of being extended toward the object to be illuminated P, and the light L emitted at an angle inclined with respect to the normal line n of the light emitting areas A ₃ and A _4. Is reflected by the first reflection members 20 and 30 and is used for illuminating the illumination target P.

By the way, the first reflecting member is formed in a frame shape as shown at 20 in FIG. 5, the light emitting area A ₃
May be arranged so as to surround all of them, or only some of them may be arranged.

The first reflecting members 20 and 30 may be made of only a single material having a high reflectivity (for example, a metal such as stainless steel). (For example, lamination of white resin with high reflectivity on the base material, or metal plating of the resin as the base material, especially aluminum plating and mirror-finished surface) Finished, or a silver film having a high reflectance attached to a base material, or a white film attached to a base material).

Further, the first reflecting members 20, 30
May be provided integrally with another member (for example, a frame) constituting the lighting device, or may be provided separately as a dedicated component.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Are arranged along the object to be illuminated P, and on the side of the light source 1 opposite to the side where the object to be illuminated P is arranged (ie, below the light source 1), along the light source 1. A second reflection member 2 may be provided, and the light from the light source 1 may be reflected by the second reflection member 2 toward the illumination target P. In such a case, sheets such as the prism sheet 4 and the diffusion sheet 5 may be disposed between the light source 1 and the illuminated object P, but the combination and the stacking order are determined by the required luminance and viewing angle characteristics of the lighting device. May be determined in consideration of the above.

Also, as shown in FIG.
Along with the transparent light guide 10, and the light source 1 is placed at right angles to the side of the light guide 10 (that is, the light guide 10 is orthogonal to the direction in which the illuminated object P is arranged). Direction), and the light from the light source 1 may be transmitted through the light guide 10 and then emitted to the illumination target P. In such a case, sheets such as the diffusion sheet 13, the prism sheet 14, and the diffusion sheet 15 may be arranged between the light guide 10 and the illuminated object P. May be determined in consideration of the required luminance and viewing angle characteristics.

The light source 1 may be a linear light source such as a fluorescent tube.

[0026] The display device according to the present invention includes an illumination device B _3, B ₄ of the above-described configuration, the lighting device B _3, B
_And a display element P as an object to be illuminated, which is illuminated by the illuminating devices B ₃ and B ₄ . In this case, the illumination device B _3, B ₄ of the light emitting area A _3,
It is preferable that A ₄ has substantially the same shape as the display area A ₀ of the display element P. Further, if the display element P is a transmissive element, the light L emitted at an angle inclined with respect to the normal line n of the light emitting areas A ₃ and A ₄ is transmitted to the first reflecting members 20 and 30. And is transmitted through the display element P.
Further, as the display element P, a transmission type liquid crystal panel can be used. Here, the liquid crystal panel has a structure in which liquid crystal is sandwiched between two light-transmitting substrates, and a polarizing plate may be attached to both surfaces of the liquid crystal panel.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

According to the present embodiment, most of the light emitted from the light source 1 is emitted in the direction of the normal line n to the light emitting areas A ₃ and A ₄ , and is used to illuminate the object P.

Further, even if a part of the illumination light (refer to the symbol L) is emitted at an angle inclined with respect to the normal line n of the light emitting areas A ₃ and A ₄ , the light L is emitted from the first light. Reflective member 20,
The light is reflected at 30 and provided for illumination of the illumination target P.

When the object to be illuminated P is a transmissive display element, the light L reflected by the first reflection members 20 and 30 passes through the display element.

Next, effects of the present embodiment will be described.

According to the present embodiment, the light L reflected by the first reflecting members 20, 30 is applied to the light emitting areas A ₃ , A ₃
It becomes inclined with respect to the normal line n of A _4. As a result, the apparent area of the light emitting area of the lighting device is denoted by A ₃ ′, A
₄ '. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the size of the lighting device in the area direction of the light emitting area, and it is possible to prevent the display device from increasing in size, and to avoid an increase in weight and material cost.

Further, since there is no need to increase the size of the lighting device, it is not necessary to lengthen the fluorescent tube 1 or increase the number of fluorescent tubes 1 from the viewpoint of securing illumination luminance. Enlargement can be avoided.

Further, in the display devices D ₃ and D ₄ ,
Positions directly facing the light emitting areas A ₃ and A ₄ (reference numeral E _{0 in} FIG. 1)
See), as well as code E _L of the other positions (drawing, it can recognize the display information from the E see _R). Specifically, if the distance C between the inner surface and the display area A ₀ of the first reflecting member 20, 30, and substantially equal to the thickness of the substrate of the liquid crystal panel P, the first reflecting member 20, Light L reflected at 30
Of the light emitting areas A ₃ and A ₄ with respect to the normal line n is about 45 °, and even if the illustrated angle α (that is, the angle between the line of sight and the screen) is 45 °, the display information (that is, the display the ability to recognize the display information) of the end portion of the area a _0. When the distance C is set to about 1.73 of the thickness of the substrate of the liquid crystal panel P, the first reflecting members 20 and 30
Normal n of the light-emitting areas A ₃ and A ₄ of the light L reflected at
Tilt angle of about 60 ° becomes for, can recognize the angle shown alpha (i.e., angle formed between a line-of-sight and the screen) display even the 30 ° information (i.e., display information of the end of the display area A ₀₎ Becomes

[0035]

In EXAMPLES (Example 1) In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, an illumination device B ₃ for direct type liquid crystal panel P
If, creating the display device D ₃ consisting of.

A fluorescent tube, which is a linear light source, is used as the light source 1, and a diffusion pattern having a white mesh print pattern applied between the fluorescent tube 1 and the liquid crystal panel P for uniform brightness. Plate 3 was placed. Further, a prism sheet 4 and a diffusion sheet 5 are arranged between the fluorescent tube 1 and the diffusion plate 3.

In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes a reflecting wall as a first reflecting member, and reference numeral 21 denotes a reflecting wall (second reflecting member) 2 which is connected to the reflecting plate (second reflecting member) 2 to hold the liquid crystal panel P over the entire circumference. It is a frame. Reference numeral 22 denotes a rubber spacer for mounting the liquid crystal panel P.

The diffusion plate 3 is made of an acrylic resin mixed with a diffusion material.

[0039] In Example 2 In this example, as shown in FIG. 4, the illumination device B ₄ of the light guide system, created with the liquid crystal panel P, and the display device D ₄ made of.

Then, a fluorescent tube, which is a linear light source, was used as the light source 1, and a reflecting plate 11 was arranged so as to surround the fluorescent tube 1.
On the lower surface of the light guide 10, a pattern for luminance uniformity was printed (not shown), and a white reflective sheet 12 was disposed below the pattern. Further, a diffusion sheet 13, a prism sheet 14, and a diffusion sheet 15 are arranged between the light guide 10 and the liquid crystal panel P. Acrylic was used for the light guide 10.

In the drawing, reference numeral 30 denotes a reflecting wall as a first reflecting member, and reference numeral 31 denotes a frame for holding the liquid crystal panel P over the entire circumference. Reference numeral 32 denotes a rubber spacer for mounting the liquid crystal panel P.

The other configuration was the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The light reflected by the first reflecting member is inclined with respect to the normal line of the light emitting area. As a result, the apparent area of the light emitting area of the lighting device increases. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the size of the lighting device in the area direction of the light emitting area, and it is possible to prevent the display device from increasing in size, and to avoid an increase in weight and material cost.

Further, since there is no need to increase the size of the lighting device, it is not necessary to lengthen the fluorescent tube or increase the number of fluorescent tubes in terms of securing the illumination luminance. As a result, the power consumption increases and the transformer becomes larger. Can be avoided.

Further, in the display device, display information can be recognized not only from the position directly facing the light emitting area but also from other positions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a structure of a display device in which a lighting device is incorporated.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a display device in which a light guide type lighting device is incorporated.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a lighting device and a display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a lighting device and a display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining the shape of a reflection wall.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 fluorescent tube (light source) 2 reflector (second reflecting member) 10 light guide 20 and 30 reflecting wall (first reflecting member) A ₀ display area A _3, A ₄ light emitting areas B _3, B ₄ lighting device P Liquid crystal panel (illuminated object, display element)

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An illumination device that includes a light source and emits illumination light from a light emitting area to illuminate an object to be illuminated, wherein: a peripheral portion of the light emitting area, on a side where the object to be illuminated is disposed; A first reflection member disposed so as to extend toward the object to be illuminated, and light emitted at an angle inclined with respect to a normal to the light emitting area is provided by the first reflection member. A lighting device, which is reflected by a member to be used for lighting the object to be illuminated. 2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the first reflection member is disposed so as to surround the entire light emitting area. 3. The light source is arranged along the object to be illuminated, and a second reflection member is arranged along the light source on a side of the light source opposite to the side on which the object to be illuminated is arranged. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the second reflecting member reflects light from the light source toward the object to be illuminated. 4. A transparent light guide is arranged along the object to be illuminated, the light source is arranged on a side of the light guide, and light from the light source is transmitted through the light guide. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light is transmitted to the object after being transmitted. 5. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a linear light source. 6. The lighting device according to claim 5, wherein the light source is a fluorescent tube. 7. A lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a display element disposed along the lighting device and illuminated by the lighting device as an object to be illuminated. Display device. 8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein a light emitting area of the lighting device has substantially the same shape as a display area of the display element. 9. The display device is a transmissive device, and light emitted at an angle inclined with respect to a normal line of the light emitting area is reflected by the first reflecting member to display the display. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the display device transmits light. 10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein the display element is a transmissive liquid crystal panel.