JP 2004-281352 A 2004.10.7
`
`(12) Patent Application Publication (A)
`(19) Japan Patent Office (JP)
`(11) Patent Application Publication No.
`Tokkai 2004-281352
`(P2004-281352A)
`(43) Publication Date: 7 October 2004
`Theme codes (Ref)
`3 K013
`3K014
`5F041
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7
`F21S
`8/04
`F21S
`2/00
`F21V
`5/04
`F21V
`19/00
`F21V
`29/00
`
`(21) Application no.
`
`(22) Application date
`
`FI
`G
`1/02
` F21S
`Z
`5/04
` F21V
`P
`19/00
` F21V
`A
`29/00
` F21V
`A
`3/00
` G02B
`Examination requested: No No. of claims 22 OL (Total 32 pages) Cont'd on last page
`Tokugan 2003-95142
`(71) Applicant
`390010054
`(P2003-95142)
`Koito Industries, Ltd.
`100 banchi, Maeda-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi,
`Kanagawa Pref.
`100084261
`SASAI, Koki Pat. Atty
`
`31 March 2003
`
`(74) Agent
`
`(31) Priority claim no.
`
`Tokugan 2003-13693
`(P2003-13693)
`
`(72) Inventor
`
`(32) Priority date
`
`22 January 2003
`
`(72) Inventor
`
`(33) Priority country
`
`Japan (JP)
`
`(72) Inventor
`
`SEKI, Toshihiko
`Koito Industries, Ltd.
`100 banchi, Maeda-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi,
`Kanagawa Pref.
`MACHIDA, Hiroyuki
`Koito Industries, Ltd.
`100 banchi, Maeda-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi,
`Kanagawa Pref.
`KATO, Hiroshi
`Koito Industries, Ltd.
`100 banchi, Maeda-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi,
`Kanagawa Pref.
`
`Cont'd on last page
`
`(54) [Title of Invention] Shadowless Lamp
`
`(57) [Abstract]
`[Problem] To provide a shadowless lamp capable
`of reducing cost and capable of facilitating the
`concentration of light from a light source on an
`illumination zone.
`[Solution] A plurality of LEDs 40 are disposed in
`an expanding manner along the outer surface 21
`of a substrate 20, converging lenses 32 are
`disposed so as to concentrate the light from
`individual LEDs 40 onto an entire illumination
`zone S1 so that an ample amount of light is
`obtained by even a few LEDs 40 in a configuration
`with little LED light loss.
`[Preferred Drawing] Figure 1
`
`10: Main body
`20: Substrate
`21: Outer surface
`30: Optical system
`31: Front surface cover
`32: Converging lens
`40: LED
`
`Illumination zone (lengthwise direction)
`
`Page 1 of 83
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`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1009
`
`

`

`
`
`[Claims]
`
`[Claim 1]
`
`(2)
`
`JP 2004-281352 A 2004.10.7
`
`A shadowless lamp, equipped with a substrate and an optical system, devised to concentrate light from
`
`a light source onto an illumination zone, characterized in that:
`
`said light source comprises a plurality of LEDs;
`
`said substrate is disposed so that the outer surface of the substrate opposes said illumination zone;
`
`said plurality of LEDs are disposed so as to expand along the outer surface of said substrate; and
`
`said optical system is disposed so that the light from each LED is individually concentrated onto said
`
`entire illumination zone.
`
`[Claim 2]
`
`A shadowless lamp, characterized:
`
`by being equipped with a front surface cover for covering said plurality of LEDs from the front surface;
`
`in that said optical system comprises a plurality of converging lenses;
`
`in that said plurality of converging lenses are respectively disposed in a manner corresponding to
`
`individual LEDs; and
`
`in that said plurality of converging lenses are formed integrally with said front surface cover.
`
`[Claim 3]
`
`The shadowless lamp of claim 2, characterized in that said converging lenses are disposed so that light
`
`from said LEDs is concentrated on a point in front of said illumination zone.
`
`[Claim 4]
`
`The shadowless lamp of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:
`
`said optical system comprises a plurality of reflective mirrors;
`
`said plurality of reflective mirrors are respectively disposed so as to correspond to individual LEDs; and
`
`said plurality of reflective mirrors are formed so as to individually reflect and concentrate light from said
`
`individual LEDs onto said entire illumination zone.
`
`[Claim 5]
`
`The shadowless lamp of claim 4, characterized in that said reflective mirrors are formed so as to reflect
`
`and concentrate light from said LEDs at a point in front of said illumination zone.
`
`[Claim 6]
`
`The shadowless lamp of Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:
`
`the outer surface of said substrate is imparted with a curved surface that is concave in the opposite
`
`direction from said illumination zone; and
`
`Page 2 of 83
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`

`

`
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`(3)
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`JP 2004-281352 A 2004.10.7
`
`said curved surface is formed so that the direction of the optical axes of LEDs disposed on the curved
`
`surface faces the center portion of said illumination zone.
`
`[Claim 7]
`
`The shadowless lamp of claim 2, characterized in that:
`
`said front surface cover is imparted with a concave surface that is concave in the opposite direction
`
`from the illumination zone; and
`
`said concave surface is formed so that the direction of the optical axes of converging lenses integrally
`
`formed on said illumination cover faces the center portion of said illumination zone.
`
`[Claim 8]
`
`A shadowless lamp, equipped with a substrate and an optical system, devised so as to concentrate light
`
`from a light source onto an illumination zone, characterized in that:
`
`said light source comprises a plurality of LEDs;
`
`said plurality of LEDs are disposed so as to expand along the surface of said substrate;
`
`the outer surface of said substrate is imparted with a curved surface that is concave in the opposite
`
`direction from said illumination zone;
`
`said curved surface is formed so that the direction of the optical axes of LEDs disposed on the curved
`
`surface faces said illumination zone;
`
`said optical system is equipped with a plurality of converging lenses respectively disposed along the
`
`surface of said substrate and lens support members for supporting the plurality of converging lenses in a
`
`manner respectively corresponding to said plurality of LEDs; and
`
`said lens support member is formed so as to cause each of the optical axes of said plurality of
`
`converging lenses to respectively align with the individual optical axes of said plurality of LEDs.
`
`[Claim 9]
`
`The shadowless lamp of claim 8, characterized in that:
`
`said plurality of LEDs are divided into two or more groups;
`
`said illumination zone comprises assigned areas that are areas assigned to said groups; and
`
`said converging lenses are disposed so that the light from the LEDs in said groups is concentrated in said
`
`assigned areas.
`
`[Claim 10]
`
`The shadowless lamp of any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that:
`
`said plurality of LEDs is arranged in matrix form;
`
`Page 3 of 83
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`

`

`
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`(4)
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`JP 2004-281352 A 2004.10.7
`
`said converging lenses comprise a forward convex lens portion, protruding forward from the front
`
`surface of the converging lens, and a rearward convex lens portion, protruding rearward from the back
`
`surface of the converging lens;
`
`pluralities of said forward convex lens portions are formed so as to respectively extend cylindrically
`
`along either the individual rows or individual columns in which said LEDs are arranged, in a mutually
`
`continuous manner; and
`
`pluralities of said rearward convex lenses portions are formed so as to respectively extend cylindrically
`
`along the other of said individual rows or individual columns, in a mutually continuous manner.
`
`[Claim 11]
`
`The shadowless lamp of any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that:
`
`each of said forward convex lens portions and rearward convex lens portions are formed so as to
`
`respectively protrude forward and rearward with mutually different curvatures, such that light from the
`
`LEDs is concentrated onto said illumination zone or said assigned areas.
`
`[Claim 12]
`
`The shadowless lamp of any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that:
`
`said plurality of LEDs comprise individual RGB LEDs emitting the individual colors of red, green, and blue
`
`light, and are equipped with an LED control means respectively lighting up and controlling said individual
`
`RGB LEDs, such that the total quantity of beams from individual RGB LEDs is kept constant and the ratio
`
`of beams from the individual RGB LEDs is varied to adjust the color temperature.
`
`[Claim 13]
`
`The shadowless lamp of any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that:
`
`said plurality of LEDs comprise a plurality of LED modules in which 2 or more white LEDs are collected,
`
`and one, two, or more red LEDs are contained.
`
`[Claim 14]
`
`The shadowless lamp of any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that:
`
`said plurality of LEDs comprise white LEDs of individual systems with color tones of red, green, and blue
`
`systems, and are disposed so that the white LEDs of each of said systems are not clustered in a single
`
`spot within the same system.
`
` [Claim 15]
`
`The shadowless lamp of any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that:
`
`heat-dissipating members are disposed on the rear surface side of said shadowless lamp so as to
`
`discharge heat from said light source to the exterior of the shadowless lamp.
`
`Page 4 of 83
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`

`

`
`
`[Claim 16]
`
`(5)
`
`JP 2004-281352 A 2004.10.7
`
`The shadowless lamp of any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that:
`
`the rear surface of said shadowless lamp is formed as a flat surface of a metal material.
`
`[Claim 17]
`
`The shadowless lamp of any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that:
`
`the rear surface of said shadowless lamp is formed as a mirror surface of a metal material, and
`
`is equipped with an auxiliary illuminating lamp for illuminating the back of said shadowless lamp.
`
`[Claim 18]
`
`The shadowless lamp of any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that:
`
`said LEDs are formed so that the emission distribution of said LEDs is a shape corresponding to either
`
`the shape of said illumination zone or one of said assigned areas.
`
`[Claim 19]
`
`The shadowless lamp of any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that:
`
`said converging lenses are formed to irradiate the light from said LEDs onto an approximately square
`
`area, two or more of said converging lenses are mutually collected to constitute a lens module, and said
`
`lens module is formed in a shape corresponding to either the shape of said illumination zone or one of
`
`said assigned areas.
`
`[Claim 20]
`
`The shadowless lamp of any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that:
`
`said converging lenses are formed so as to concentrate light of high radiant energy from said LEDs onto
`
`peripheral portions of said illumination zone or said assigned areas, and to concentrate light of low
`
`radiant energy onto the center portion of said illumination zone or said assigned areas.
`
`[Claim 21]
`
`The shadowless lamp of any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that:
`
`said lens support member and said converging lenses are integrally formed; and
`
`a light-blocking material is coated on at least either the front surface side or back surface side of said
`
`lens support member.
`
`[Claim 22]
`
`The shadowless lamp of any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that:
`
`heat-dissipating gaps for releasing heat from the LEDs are formed between said lens support member
`
`and said LEDs; and
`
`Page 5 of 83
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`

`

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`(6)
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`JP 2004-281352 A 2004.10.7
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`said converging lenses are disposed so as to protrude from said lens support member toward said LEDs,
`
`approaching the LEDs, causing nearly all of the light from the LEDs to enter said converging lenses.
`
`[Detailed Description of the Invention]
`
`[0001]
`
`[Technical Field of the Invention]
`
`The present invention relates to shadowless lamps devised to concentrate light from a light source onto
`
`an illumination zone.
`
`[0002]
`
`[Prior Art]
`
`Conventional shadowless lamps include a configuration in which a single large light source is formed by
`
`clustering a plurality of LEDs, a reflective mirror is disposed behind the light source, light from the LEDs
`
`is reflected by the reflective mirror, and the light is then collected in an illumination zone in front of the
`
`LEDs (for example, see Patent Reference 1).
`
`Using LEDs as the light source obviates the need to adopt countermeasures for high temperatures
`
`because the light source does not heat up. Further advantages are afforded in the form of a long light
`
`source service lifetime and the ability to reduce the weight and thickness of the shadowless lamp.
`
`[0003]
`
`There are also configurations in which lens members individually controlling the distribution of light
`
`from LEDs are provided one by one for individual LEDS, with the light from individual LEDs being
`
`concentrated in areas at prescribed illumination distances by the lens members. (for example, see
`
`Patent Reference 2).
`
`[0004]
`
`Patent Reference 3 discloses a technique for obtaining a desired illumination color by varying the ratio
`
`of the number of individual red, green, and blue LEDs that are lit and mixing the light from the individual
`
`LEDs.
`
`[0005]
`
`Patent Reference 1
`
`Utility Model Registration Publication No. 3084178
`
`Patent Reference 2
`
`Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-106356
`
`Patent Reference 3
`
`Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-352968
`
`Page 6 of 83
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`

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`
`[0006]
`
`(7)
`
`JP 2004-281352 A 2004.10.7
`
`Problem to Be Solved by the Invention
`
`However, with a technique such as that of Patent Reference 1, since the light from the LEDs is reflected
`
`by a reflective mirror and then concentrated in an illumination zone, with little light loss being produced
`
`and numerous LEDs being required to obtain an ample quantity of light, there are problems in the form
`
`of increased cost and difficulty in concentrating the light in the illumination zone due to the large light
`
`source.
`
`[0007]
`
`Further, with the technique of Patent Reference 2, when the LEDs are spread out over a broad range,
`
`since the light from the individual LEDs disposed over a broad range is respectively concentrated in
`
`prescribed areas by the individual lens members, it is necessary to prepare lens members of various
`
`shapes and secure the lens members at respective prescribed positions. This is problematic in that it
`
`increases the cost of the lens members and the cost of assembly.
`
`With the technique of Patent Reference 3, when the number of individual LEDs that are lit is varied to
`
`change to a prescribed illumination color, there is a risk of ending up changing the illuminance and a
`
`problem in the form of lack of ease of use.
`
`[0008]
`
`The present invention, devised to solve the problems of prior art set forth above, has for its object to
`
`provide a shadowless lamp wherein a plurality of LEDs are disposed so as to expand along the outer
`
`surface of a substrate and an optical system individually concentrates the light from individual LEDs onto
`
`an entire illumination zone so that an ample quantity of light is obtained even with a small number of
`
`LEDs, cost reduction can be achieved, and light from the light source can be readily concentrated onto
`
`the illumination zone even with a small light source. A further object is to provide a shadowless lamp
`
`that is easy to use and permits a reduction in the costs of manufacturing and assembling the converging
`
`lenses.
`
`[0009]
`
`Means of Solving the Problem
`
`The essence of the present invention for achieving the above-stated objects lies in each of the following
`
`inventions.
`
`[1] A shadowless lamp, equipped with a substrate (20) and an optical system (30), devised so as to
`
`concentrate light from a light source onto an illumination zone (S1), characterized in that:
`
`said light source comprises a plurality of LEDs (40);
`
`Page 7 of 83
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`

`

`
`
`(8)
`
`JP 2004-281352 A 2004.10.7
`
`said substrate (20) is disposed so that the outer surface (21) of the substrate (20) opposes said
`
`illumination zone (S1);
`
`said plurality of LEDs (40) are disposed so as to expand along the outer surface (21) of said substrate
`
`(20); and
`
`said optical system (30) is disposed so that the light from individual LEDs (40) is individually
`
`concentrated onto said entire illumination zone (S1).
`
`[0010]
`
`[2] A shadowless lamp, characterized:
`
`by being equipped with a front surface cover (31) for covering said plurality of LEDs (40) from the front
`
`surface;
`
`in that said optical system (30) comprises a plurality of converging lenses (32);
`
`in that said plurality of converging lenses (32) are respectively disposed in a manner corresponding to
`
`individual LEDs (40); and
`
`in that said plurality of converging lenses (32) are formed integrally with said front surface cover (31).
`
`[0011]
`
`[3] The shadowless lamp of [2], characterized in that said converging lenses (32) are disposed so that
`
`light from said LEDs (40) is concentrated on a point in front of said illumination zone (S1).
`
`[0012]
`
`[4] The shadowless lamp of [1] or [2], characterized in that:
`
`said optical system (30) comprises a plurality of reflective mirrors (35);
`
`said plurality of reflective mirrors (35) are respectively disposed so as to correspond to individual LEDs
`
`(40); and
`
`said plurality of reflective mirrors (35) are formed so as to individually reflect and concentrate light from
`
`said individual LEDs (40) onto said entire illumination zone (S1).
`
`[0013]
`
`[5] The shadowless lamp of [4], characterized in that said reflective mirrors (35) are formed so as to
`
`reflect and concentrate light from said LEDs (40) at a point in front of said illumination zone (S1).
`
`[0014]
`
`[6] The shadowless lamp of [1] or [2], characterized in that:
`
`the outer surface (21) of said substrate (20) is imparted with a curved surface (22) that is concave in the
`
`opposite direction from said illumination zone (S1); and
`
`Page 8 of 83
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`

`

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`(9)
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`JP 2004-281352 A 2004.10.7
`
`said curved surface (22) is formed so that the direction of the optical axes of LEDs (40) disposed on
`
`curved surface (22) faces the center portion of said illumination zone (S1).
`
`[0015]
`
`[7] The shadowless lamp of [2], characterized in that:
`
`said front surface cover (31) is imparted with a concave surface (31a) that is concave in the opposite
`
`direction from the illumination zone (S1); and
`
`said concave surface (31a) is formed so that the direction of the optical axes of converging lenses (32)
`
`integrally formed on said illumination cover faces the center portion of said illumination zone (S1).
`
`[0016]
`
`[8] A shadowless lamp, equipped with a substrate (20) and an optical system (30), devised so as to
`
`concentrate light from a light source onto an illumination zone (S1), characterized in that:
`
`said light source comprises a plurality of LEDs (40);
`
`said plurality of LEDs (40) are disposed so as to expand along the outer surface (21) of said substrate
`
`(20);
`
`the outer surface (21) of said substrate (20) is imparted with a curved surface (22) that is concave in the
`
`opposite direction from said illumination zone (S1);
`
`said curved surface (22) is formed so that the direction of the optical axis (L2) of LEDs (40) disposed on
`
`the curved surface (22) faces said illumination zone (S1);
`
`said optical system (30) is equipped with a plurality of converging lenses (32) respectively disposed along
`
`the outer surface (21) of said substrate (20) and a lens support member (33) for supporting the plurality
`
`of converging lenses (32) in a manner respectively corresponding to said plurality of LEDs (40); and
`
`said lens support member (33) is formed so as to cause each of the optical axes (L2) of said plurality of
`
`converging lenses (32) to respectively align with the individual optical axes (L2) of said plurality of LEDs
`
`(40).
`
`[0017]
`
`[9] The shadowless lamp of [8], characterized in that:
`
`said plurality of LEDs (40) are divided into two or more groups (G11, G12);
`
`said illumination zone (S1) comprises assigned areas (S11, S12) that are areas assigned to said groups
`
`(G11, G12); and
`
`said converging lenses (32) are disposed so that the light from the LEDs (40) in said groups (G11, G12) is
`
`concentrated in said assigned areas (S11, S12).
`
`[0018]
`
`Page 9 of 83
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`

`

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`(10)
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`JP 2004-281352 A 2004.10.7
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`[10] The shadowless lamp of any one of [1] to [9], characterized in that:
`
`said plurality of LEDs (40) is arranged in matrix form;
`
`said converging lenses (32) comprise a forward convex lens portion (32b), protruding forward from the
`
`front surface of the converging lens (32), and a rearward convex lens portion (32c), protruding rearward
`
`from the back surface of the converging lens (32);
`
`pluralities of said forward convex lens portions (32b) are formed so as to respectively extend
`
`cylindrically along either the individual rows or individual columns in which said LEDs (40) are arranged,
`
`in a mutually continuous manner; and
`
`pluralities of said rearward convex lenses portions (32c) are formed so as to respectively extend
`
`cylindrically along the other of said individual rows or individual columns, in a mutually continuous
`
`manner.
`
`[0019]
`
`[11] The shadowless lamp of any one of [1] to [10], characterized in that:
`
`each of said forward convex lens portions (32b) and rearward convex lens portions (32c) are formed so
`
`as to respectively protrude forward and rearward with mutually different curvatures, such that light
`
`from the LEDs (40) is concentrated onto said illumination zone (S1) or said assigned areas (S11, S12).
`
`[0020]
`
`[12] The shadowless lamp of any one of [1] to [11], characterized in that:
`
`said plurality of LEDs (40) comprise individual RGB LEDs (40) emitting the individual colors of red, green,
`
`and blue light, and are equipped with an LED (40) control means respectively lighting up and controlling
`
`said individual RGB LEDs (40), such that the total quantity of beams from individual RGB LEDs (40) is kept
`
`constant and the ratio of beams from the individual RGB LEDs (40) is varied to adjust the color
`
`temperature.
`
`[0021]
`
`[13] The shadowless lamp of any one of [1] to [11], characterized in that:
`
`said plurality of LEDs (40) comprise a plurality of LED modules (40M) in which two or more white LEDs
`
`(40w) are collected, and one, two, or more red LEDs (40r) are contained.
`
`[0022]
`
`[14] The shadowless lamp of any one of [1] to [11], characterized in that:
`
`said plurality of LEDs (40) comprise white LEDs (40w) of individual systems with color tones of red,
`
`green, and blue systems, and are disposed so that the white LEDs (40w) of each of said systems are not
`
`clustered in a single spot within the same system.
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`Page 10 of 83
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`

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`
`
`[0023]
`
`(11)
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`JP 2004-281352 A 2004.10.7
`
`[15] The shadowless lamp of any one of [1] to [14], characterized in that:
`
`heat-dissipating members (50) are disposed on the rear surface (15) side of said shadowless lamp so as
`
`to discharge heat from said light source to the exterior of the shadowless lamp.
`
`[0024]
`
`[16] The shadowless lamp of any one of [1] to [14], characterized in that:
`
`the rear surface (15) of said shadowless lamp is formed as a flat surface of a metal material.
`
`[0025]
`
`[17] The shadowless lamp of any one of [1] to [14], characterized in that:
`
`the rear surface (15) of said shadowless lamp is formed as a mirror surface of a metal material, and
`
`is equipped with an auxiliary illuminating lamp (60) for illuminating the back of said shadowless lamp.
`
`[0026]
`
`[18] The shadowless lamp of any one of [1] to [17], characterized in that:
`
`said LEDs (40) are formed so that the emission distribution of said LEDs (40) is a shape corresponding to
`
`either the shape of said illumination zone (S1) or one of said assigned areas (S11, S12).
`
`[0027]
`
`[19] The shadowless lamp of any one of [1] to [18], characterized in that:
`
`said converging lenses (32) are formed to irradiate the light from said LEDs (40) onto an approximately
`
`square area, two or more of said converging lenses (32) are mutually collected to constitute a lens
`
`module (32M), and said lens module (32M) is formed in a shape corresponding to either the shape of
`
`said illumination zone (S1) or one of said assigned areas (S11, S12).
`
`[0028]
`
`[20] The shadowless lamp of any one of [1] to [19], characterized in that:
`
`said converging lenses (32) are formed so as to concentrate light of high radiant energy from said LEDs
`
`(40) onto peripheral portions (S14) of said illumination zone (S1) or said assigned areas (S11, S12), and
`
`to concentrate light of low radiant energy onto the center portion (S13) of said illumination zone (S1) or
`
`said assigned areas (S11, S12).
`
`[0029]
`
`[21] The shadowless lamp of any one of [1] to [20], characterized in that:
`
`said lens support member (33) and said converging lenses (32) are integrally formed; and
`
`a light-blocking material (36) is coated on at least either the front surface side or back surface side of
`
`said lens support member (33).
`
`Page 11 of 83
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`
`
`[0030]
`
`(12)
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`JP 2004-281352 A 2004.10.7
`
`[22] The shadowless lamp of any one of [1] to [21], characterized in that:
`
`heat-dissipating gaps (SL1) for releasing heat from the LEDs are formed between said lens support
`
`member (33) and said LEDs (40); and
`
`said converging lenses (32) are disposed so as to protrude from said lens support member (33) toward
`
`said LEDs (40), approaching the LEDs (40), causing nearly all of the light from the LEDs (40) to enter said
`
`converging lenses (32).
`
`[0031]
`
`The operation of the present invention will be described next.
`
`Since said plurality of LEDs (40) are disposed so as to expand along outer surface (21) of substrate (20),
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`they can be arranged so that said plurality of LEDs (40) are approximately uniformly dispersed on outer
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`surface (21) of substrate (20), or said plurality of LEDs (40) can be arrayed in prescribed horizontal and
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`vertical numbers in matrices on the outer surface (21) of substrate (20). Arranging or arraying said
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`plurality of LEDs (40) prevents said plurality of LEDs (40) from being bulky, and it is possible to reduce
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`the size of substrate (20) of LEDs (40) and the size of the shadowless lamp. Generally, said plurality of
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`LEDs (40) are disposed to correspond to the shape of illumination zone (S1). For example, if illumination
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`zone (S1) is rectangular or circular in shape, said plurality of LEDs (40) will be disposed in a rectangular
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`or circular shape.
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`[0032]
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`Optical system (30) concentrates the light from individual LEDs (40) onto entire illumination zone (S1).
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`Concentrating the light from individual LEDs (40) onto illumination zone (S1) makes it possible to obtain
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`an ample quantity of light. Since each of LEDs (40) is a small light source, the light from LEDs (40) is
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`readily concentrated onto illumination zone (S1) by optical system (30). Optical system (30) comprises
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`converging lenses (32) and reflective mirrors (35).
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`[0033]
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`In a shadowless lamp in which a front surface cover (31) is provided to cover a plurality of LEDs (40)
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`from the front, an optical system (30) comprises a plurality of converging lenses (32), and a plurality of
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`converging lenses (32) are respectively disposed to correspond to individual LEDs (40) and are formed
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`integrally with front surface cover (31), said plurality of converging lenses (32) and front surface over
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`(31) are integrally formed, specifically in a mold using a transparent resin material.
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`For example, to cause the optical axes of converging lenses (32) to pass through the center portion
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`of illumination zone (S1), regardless of the position on front cover (31) at which converging lenses (32)
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`are formed, it is necessary to vary the orientation of converging lenses (32) based on the positions at
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`which converging lenses (32) are formed. Thus, when front surface cover (31) is flat, the various shapes
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`of said plurality of converging lenses (32) disposed along the flat surface will vary.
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`[0034]
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`In a shadowless lamp in which converging lenses (32) are disposed to concentrate the light from LEDs
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`(40) at single a point in front of illumination zone (S1), using converging lenses (32) with short focal
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`lengths and small outer diameters causes the light from LEDs (40) to expand in the direction of entire
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`illumination zone (S1) after having been concentrated at a point in front of illumination zone (S1). Since
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`converging lenses (32) of small outer diameter can be employed, the distance between adjacent
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`converging lenses (32) is reduced, the distance between adjacent LEDs (40) decreases, and the size of
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`the shadowless lamp can be reduced.
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`[0035]
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`In a shadowless lamp in which optical system (30) comprises a plurality of reflective mirrors (35) and
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`said plurality of reflective mirrors (35) are respectively disposed to correspond to individual LEDs (40), it
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`is possible to replace converging lenses (32) with reflective mirrors (35), or to employ both reflective
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`mirrors (35) and converging lenses (32).
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`[0036]
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`When reflective mirrors (35) are employed instead of converging lenses (32), reflective mirrors (35) are
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`formed so as to reflect the light from LEDs (40) that has been emitted toward the exterior of illumination
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`zone (S1) toward the interior of illumination zone (S1). When both reflective mirrors (35) and converging
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`lenses (32) are employed, reflecting mirrors (35) are formed so that the light from LEDs (40) that is
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`emitted toward the exterior of converging lenses (32) is reflected toward converging lenses (32). In this
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`manner, all the light from LEDs (40) is concentrated onto illumination zone (S1), making it possible to
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`obtain an ample quantity of light. For example, when reflective mirrors (35) are similar to concave
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`mirrors, individual reflective mirrors (35) are disposed so that the mirror axes of reflective mirrors (35)
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`pass through the center portion of illumination zone (S1).
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`[0037]
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`In a shadowless lamp in which reflective mirrors (35) are formed to reflect light from LEDs (40) and
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`concentrate it at a point in front of illumination zone (S1), for example, when reflective mirrors (35) are
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`similar to concave mirrors, using reflective mirrors (35) with short focal lengths and small external
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`diameters makes it possible to cause the light from LEDs (40) to concentrate at a point in front of
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`illumination zone (S1) and then expand toward entire illumination zone (S1). Using reflective mirrors
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`(35) with small outer diameters shortens the distance between adjacent reflective mirrors (35), reduces
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`the distance between adjacent LEDs (40), and permits a reduction in the size of the shadowless lamp.
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`[0038]
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`In a shadowless lamp in which outer surface (21) of substrate (20) is imparted with a curved surface (22)
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`that is concave in the opposite direction from illumination zone (S1) and curved surface (22) is formed
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`so that the direction of the optical axes of LEDs (40) disposed on curved surface (22) is oriented toward
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`the center portion of illumination zone (S1), when LEDs (40) are disposed along outer surface (21) of
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`substrate (20), for example, by simply mounting LEDs (40) on outer surface (21) of substrate (20), the
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`direction of the optical axes of LEDs (40) will be oriented toward the center portion of illumination zone
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`(S1). At that time, it suffices to align the optical axes of LEDs (40) with the optical axes of converging
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`lenses (32) or reflective mirrors (35).
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`[0039]
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`In a shadowless lamp in which front surface cover (31) is imparted with a concave surface (31a) that is
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`concave in the opposite direction from illumination zone (S1) and concave surface (31a) is formed so
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`that the direction of the optical axes of converging lenses (32) integrally formed on the illumination
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`cover is oriented toward the center portion of illumination zone (S1), as set forth above, it may be
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`necessary to change the orientation of converging lenses (32) depending on the position at which
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`converging lenses (32) have been formed. However, since front surface cover (31) has a concave surface
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`(31a), by disposing converging lenses (32) along concave surface (31a) of front surface cover (31) even
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`without actively changing the orientation of individual converging lenses (32), the direction of the
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`optical axes of converging lenses (32) will be oriented toward the center portion of illumination zone
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`(S1). It will not be necessary to vary the individual shapes of plurality of converging lenses (32), making it
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`possible to employ a single shape for converging lenses (32) integrally formed with front surface cover
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`(31).
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`[0040]
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`In a shadowless lamp in which an optical system (30) comprises a plurality of converging lenses (32)
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`respectively disposed along the outer surface (21) of a substrate (20) and a lens support member (33)
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`for supporting said plurality of con