JP4507982B2 - Lighting device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination device using a surface-emitting light source typified by an EL (electroluminescence) light source.

  The organic EL light source generally has a structure in which an anode layer, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, an electron injection layer, and a cathode layer made of a transparent electrode are laminated in this order on one surface of a transparent substrate. By applying a voltage between the anode layer and the cathode layer, the electrons injected from the cathode layer side and the holes injected from the anode layer side recombine in the light emitting layer, whereby the light emitted from the light emitting layer is emitted. It is taken out through the transparent electrode and the transparent substrate.

  As the transparent substrate, glass is generally used in terms of airtightness, surface smoothness, heat resistance, and the like. In addition, each layer such as an electrode layer and a light emitting layer formed thereon is formed by a technique such as vapor deposition because it needs to be a uniform thin film.

  The electrode formed by vapor deposition is an extremely thin film having a thickness of about 1000 mm, and this thin film is generally weak against physical impact such as scratching. For this reason, it is common to form a conductive film as a protective film on the thin film by metallizing the electrode thin film, etc., or to attach and detach wires at the anode and cathode respectively and attach and detach them at different locations. It is.

By the way, the lifetime of the organic EL light source (generally, the lifetime is shorter as the luminance is higher) is, for example, about several thousand hours in the case of a white organic EL having a luminance of 1000 cd / m ² . Therefore, when used as a light source for a lighting device, the organic EL light source must be structured to be detachable from the lighting fixture for replacement. If the structure is detachable, it can be used for purposes other than replacement of the organic EL light source such as cleaning, and in this case, the electrode needs to be able to withstand friction and impact that occur during the detachment.

According to a conventional example (see Patent Document 1), a connection electrode is provided in a surface emitting light source, a contact portion that contacts the connection electrode is provided in a transparent case that houses the surface emitting light source, and the surface emitting light source is used as a transparent case. The connection electrode and the contact portion can be brought into contact with or separated from each other by shifting the position of the surface emitting light source in the transparent case.
JP-A-6-223972

  In general, indium-tin oxide (ITO), indium-zinc oxide (IZO), or the like is used as the electrode, which is formed as an ultrathin film (thickness of about 1000 mm) on a glass substrate. Therefore, the electrode thin film is relatively fragile even if the current carrying performance is sufficient as an electrode. In addition, the metallized film is also vulnerable to scratches to some extent.

  On the other hand, when the electrode thin film is used as an electrical contact at the time of attachment / detachment, the contact on the appliance side needs to be in contact with the thin film with sufficient pressure to make an electrical reliable connection. Moreover, when attaching and detaching, the organic EL light source moves in a direction parallel to the electrode surface with respect to the instrument, so that the electrode can be damaged. Therefore, if the attachment / detachment is repeated many times, the thin film may not function as an electrical contact. Therefore, in order to function as an electrical contact, it is necessary to take measures such as attaching another conductive member to be a contact on the thin film.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an illumination device that can prevent an electrode thin film from being damaged by attaching and detaching a surface emitting light source.

Lighting device according to the present invention, an organic EL light source having a connection electrode to the edge, and a frame for covering the edge of the organic EL light source has a contact portion in contact with the connecting electrode, the organic EL An instrument body having a storage circuit for storing the frame covering the light source and having a lighting circuit. The frame body is formed by connecting two U-shaped divided pieces by a connecting means, and a groove for fitting both sides of the organic EL light source is formed inside the divided piece. The contact portion includes an inner connection portion that is provided on the inner surface of the frame body and contacts the connection electrode, and an outer connection portion that is provided on the outer surface of the frame body and connected to the inner connection portion. The appliance body has a contact point that contacts the outer connection portion of the contact portion when the organic EL light source with the frame body is stored in the storage portion, and the contact point is connected to the lighting circuit.

Another illumination device according to the present invention includes an organic EL light source having a connection electrode at an edge, a frame that has a contact portion that contacts the connection electrode and covers the edge of the organic EL light source, And an appliance main body having a lighting circuit and a storage portion for storing the frame covering the organic EL light source. The frame includes a pair of plastic covers that cover the edges of both ends of the organic EL light source. The contact portion is substantially U-shaped disposed in the pair of covers, and is formed by a metal conductive plate whose both ends are folded inward, and is sandwiched between the folded end portions of the organic EL light source. In addition, the both ends are set as inner connection portions in contact with the connection electrodes, and the substantially U-shaped outer surface is set as an outer connection portion. The pair of covers form exposure holes that expose the outer connection portions. The appliance main body has a contact point that contacts the outer connection portion of the contact portion when the organic EL light source with the frame body is stored in the storage portion, and the contact point is connected to the lighting circuit.

Another illumination device according to the present invention includes an organic EL light source having a connection electrode at an edge, a frame that has a contact portion that contacts the connection electrode and covers the edge of the organic EL light source, And an appliance main body having a lighting circuit and a storage portion for storing the frame covering the organic EL light source. The frame is made of plastic and has a recess for housing the organic EL light source, and the peripheral wall is used as a frame. The contact portion is provided through the side edge of the frame corresponding to the connection electrode of the organic EL light source, and the inner connection portion is the organic EL with the outer surface as an outer connection portion and the inner surface as an inner connection portion. It is in contact with the connection electrode of the light source. The appliance main body has a contact point that contacts the outer connection portion of the contact portion when the organic EL light source with the frame body is stored in the storage portion, and the contact point is connected to the lighting circuit.

According to the illuminating device of the present invention, a frame is provided on an organic EL light source that is a surface light source , and the frame is integrally attached to and detached from the support body such as an instrument body for replacement of the surface light source. And electrical continuity with the support is performed at the contact point provided on the frame. Therefore, when the surface emitting light source is attached to or detached from the instrument body, etc., the contact part of the frame contacts and separates from the contact part on the instrument body side, so that the electrode thin film of the surface emitting light source may be damaged even if the number of attachments / detachments increases. Absent. In addition, since the frame functions as a reinforcement and cushioning material for the substrate that constitutes the surface emitting light source, the organic EL light source can be prevented from cracking, and in the case of a glass substrate, the edge is covered to prevent injury due to the edge. Can do.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. That is, this illumination device has a surface emitting light source 1 and a frame 2. Reference numeral 10 denotes an instrument body.

  The surface-emitting light source 1 is, for example, an organic EL light source, and electrode films are stacked on both surfaces of an organic EL light-emitting layer having a structure in which a hole transport layer, a light-emitting layer, and an electron injection layer are sequentially stacked, and one electrode film is transparent. It is supported by a transparent substrate and hermetically sealed with a metal cover or the like. The transparent electrode film side is the light emitting surface, and connection electrodes 7 and 8 using, for example, pins are provided on both ends of the substrate, the connection electrode 7 is connected to one electrode film, and the connection electrode 8 is connected to the other electrode. It is connected to the electrode film.

  The frame 2 covers the entire peripheral edge of the surface emitting light source 1, and is composed of, for example, plastic divided pieces 2a and 2b divided into two. Each of the divided pieces 2a and 2b is U-shaped, has a contact portion 3 at the center of the divided pieces 2a and 2b, and has a groove 4 that fits both sides of the surface emitting light source 1 inside both sides. . The contact part 3 has an inner connection part 3a inside the central part of the divided pieces 2a, 2b, and has an outer connection part 3b on the outer side, and the inner connection part 3a and the outer connection part 3b are electrically connected. The inner connection portion 3a has a hole for fitting the connection electrodes 7 and 8 therein. Further, both ends of the divided pieces 2a and 2b are provided with notches 5 and 6 which can be phase-separated and connected by a connecting means (not shown).

  The surface emitting light source 1 and the frame 2 are assembled by disposing the surface emitting light source 1 between the divided pieces 2a and 2b and fitting the grooves 4 of the divided pieces 2a and 2b on both sides of the surface emitting light source 1. 2a and 2b are brought close to each other, the connecting electrodes 7 and 8 are fitted and connected to the inner connecting portion 3a, and both ends of the divided pieces 2a and 2b are phase-separated.

  The instrument main body 10 includes a plurality of storage portions 10a to 10c for storing the surface emitting light source 1 with the frame 2 and includes a lighting circuit. The outer connection portion 3b is provided on the inner surface of each of the storage portions 10a to 10c. Correspondingly, a contact 11 is provided, and the surface emitting light source 1 with the frame 2 is housed to bring the outer connection portion 3 b into contact with the contact 11. Thus, when power is supplied to the contact 11 of the instrument main body 10, a voltage is applied to the electrode film of the surface-emitting light source 1 through the contact portion 3 and the connection electrodes 7 and 8, and light can be emitted. The surface emitting light source 1 is attached to and detached from the instrument body 10 integrally with the frame 2.

  A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. That is, the surface emitting light source 1 has the same structure as that of the first embodiment, but the connection electrodes 7 and 8 are separately arranged at both ends of the surface emitting light source 1. In the first embodiment, the frame 2 covers the entire periphery of the surface light source 1, but a part of the surface light source 1, for example, a pair of plastic covers 12 and 13 covering only both ends, An exposure hole 14 is formed to face the connection electrodes 7 and 8. The contact portion 3 is, for example, a conductive metal fitting in which a metal conductive plate is bent into a substantially U shape, and both ends thereof are further turned inward. . The contact portion 3 is sandwiched so as to be in contact with the connection electrodes 7 and 8 at both ends of the surface emitting light source 1, the inner connection portion 3 a is in contact with the connection electrodes 7 and 8, and the outer connection portion 3 b is the frame 2. It is exposed from the exposure hole 14. Therefore, the surface-emitting light source can emit light by bringing the contact point of the instrument main body (not shown) into contact with the outer connection portion 3b through the exposure hole 14 or connecting an electric wire.

  It should be noted that the electrode films on both surfaces of the surface-emitting light source 1 may be transparent to emit light on both sides.

  A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Instead of the frame body 2 using the plastic covers 12 and 13 according to the second embodiment, a structure that covers the periphery and the back surface of the surface emitting light source 1 is adopted. That is, the frame body 2 is made of plastic, has a concave portion 15 for housing the surface emitting light source 1 in the center, has a peripheral wall as the frame portion 16, and the contact portion 3 is connected to the connection electrodes 7 and 8 of the surface emitting light source 1. Correspondingly, it is provided so as to penetrate through the side edge of the frame 2, and the outer surface is the outer connection portion 3 b and the inner surface is the inner connection portion, and is in contact with the connection electrode of the surface light source 1.

  In addition, if the frame 2 is made light-transmitting, the surface emitting light source 1 can also be one that emits light from both sides.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the frame body 2 may be provided with a translucent front panel so as to cover the front surface of the surface emitting light source 1.

  In the second embodiment, it is possible to make the frame 2 conductive and directly contact the connection electrodes 7 and 8 of the surface emitting light source 1 and omit the conductive metal fittings.

  In the present invention, a plurality of surface emitting light sources 1 may be provided with respect to the frame 2, and in this case, the frame 2 has a structure covering not only a part of the plurality of surface emitting light sources but also the entire edge. Can do.

  You may connect the contact part 3 of each surface emitting light source 1 of the frame 2 so that the some surface emitting light source 1 may be connected in series.

  Furthermore, the division | segmentation piece 2a, 2b can be divided | segmented into 3 or more, In that case, the contact part 3 can be provided in each.

(A) is a disassembled perspective view of 1st Embodiment of this invention, (b) is a fragmentary perspective view of an instrument main body. It is a disassembled perspective view of 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view of 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Surface emitting light source 2 Frame 2a, 2b Split piece 3 Contact part 7, 8 Connection electrode 10 Instrument main body 11 Contact 12, 13 Cover 14 Exposed hole

Claims (3)

An organic EL light source having a connection electrode to the edge, and a frame for covering the edge of the organic EL light source has a contact portion in contact with the connection electrodes, the frame covering the organic EL light source And an appliance main body having a lighting circuit, and the frame body is formed by connecting two U-shaped divided pieces by connecting means, and on both sides of the organic EL light source inside the divided pieces. The contact portion is provided on the inner surface of the frame body and contacts the connection electrode, and is provided on the outer surface of the frame body and connected to the inner connection portion. And the instrument body has a contact point that contacts the outer connection part of the contact part when the organic EL light source with the frame body is housed in the housing part. A lighting device connected to a lighting circuit . An organic EL light source having a connection electrode at an edge, a frame having a contact portion that contacts the connection electrode and covering the edge of the organic EL light source, and the frame covering the organic EL light source And an instrument main body having a lighting circuit, the frame body is composed of a pair of plastic covers covering the edges of both ends of the organic EL light source, and the contact portion is the pair of pairs. A substantially U-shape disposed in a cover and formed by a metal conductive plate having both ends folded inward. The folded ends are sandwiched between the edges of the organic EL light source and the both ends are connected The inner contact portion is in contact with the electrode, the outer surface of the substantially U-shape is the outer connection portion, the pair of covers form an exposed hole that exposes the outer connection portion, and the instrument body is attached to the housing portion of the frame body. Organic E attached Lighting apparatus wherein the contact has a contact point that contacts the outer connecting portion of the contact portion when the housing of the light source is connected to the lighting circuit. An organic EL light source having a connection electrode at an edge, a frame having a contact portion that contacts the connection electrode and covering the edge of the organic EL light source, and the frame covering the organic EL light source And a fixture body having a lighting circuit, the frame body is made of plastic and has a recess for housing the organic EL light source, and the peripheral wall is a frame portion, and the contact portion is the Corresponding to the connection electrode of the organic EL light source, it is provided through the side edge of the frame body, the outer surface is the outer connection portion, the inner surface is the inner connection portion, and the inner connection portion is the connection electrode of the organic EL light source. The instrument body has a contact that contacts the outer connection portion of the contact portion when the organic EL light source with the frame body is housed in the housing portion, and the contact is connected to the lighting circuit. lighting apparatus.

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