JPH0855506A - Line lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily enhance the illuminance of line lighting without changing the directivity of incident light by converging light generated from each point light source to integrate it with an optical fiber and making it to be incident upon a transparent rod from the end surface thereof. CONSTITUTION:Light generated from a plurality of point light sources is converged by a concave mirror 3, integrated with an optical fiber 10 and made to be incident upon a transparent rod 1 formed of a transparent optical material having refraction factor larger than that of air from the end surface of one end side. Further, the incident light 5 is exposed to a total reflection lattice 6 inside the rod 1 for total reflection and emitted as line lighting from the side surface of the opposite side of the lattice 6 to produce lighting 8 on an object material 7. The lattice 6 is formed with plane accuracy so that the exposed light is not diffused and cut off at a total reflection angle. The directivity of the incident light onto the rod 1 is kept and at the same time the illuminance of the lighting 8 by the number of the light sources 2 is obtained. Since the end surface of the other end side of the rod 1 is made into a mirror surface 11, the incident light 5 is made so as not to run away from the end surface.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a line illuminator used for illuminating an object to be photographed when an image is taken with an image pickup device, and more particularly to changing the directivity of incident light on a transparent rod. The present invention relates to a line lighting device that can easily increase the illuminance of line lighting without depending on the output limit of a point light source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a line illuminating device for illuminating an object to be photographed has been widely used, for example, when taking an image with an image sensor. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional line illumination device of this type.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, in a line lighting device, a transparent rod 1 made of a transparent optical material having a refractive index higher than that of air is used, and the end faces on both end sides are
The light generated from the point light source 2 is converged on the lens 4 by the concave mirror 3, and the incident light 5 is applied to the total reflection grating 6 arranged on one side surface side in the transparent rod 1 to be totally reflected. The light is reflected and emitted from the side surface opposite to the total reflection grating 6 as line illumination to generate line illumination 8 on the object 7 to be photographed.

By the way, in such a line illuminator, in order to increase the illuminance of the line illuminator, it is conceivable to increase the number of point light sources 2. However, since it is impossible to arrange a plurality of point light sources in the same incident direction with respect to the transparent rod 1, it is necessary to arrange them in different incident directions with respect to the transparent rod 1.
As a result, the directivity of incident light cannot be maintained.

Further, in order to increase the illuminance with one point light source 2, it is possible to increase the output of the point light source 2.
However, since the output of one point light source 2 itself is limited, the maximum illuminance is forced to depend on the maximum output of the point light source 2.

[0006]

As described above, in the conventional line illuminator, not only the directivity of the incident light with respect to the transparent rod cannot be maintained, but the maximum illuminance depends on the maximum output of the point light source. There was a problem that I had to do it.

It is an object of the present invention to easily increase the illuminance of line illumination without changing the directivity of light incident on the transparent rod and without depending on the output limit of the point light source. To provide.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, light generated from a point light source is condensed by a concave mirror on a transparent rod formed of a transparent optical material having a refractive index larger than that of air. Light is incident, and the incident light is applied to the total reflection means arranged on one side surface side in the transparent rod to be totally reflected, and emitted from the side surface opposite to the total reflection means as line illumination, and onto the object. In a line illumination device configured to generate line illumination, in the invention according to claim 1, first, a mirror surface arranged on one end side of the transparent rod and a point light source arranged on the other end side of the transparent rod. And a plurality of point light sources, and an optical fiber for converging the lights respectively generated from the respective point light sources into a single light and making the light incident on the transparent rod from its end face.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2, a first point light source group composed of a plurality of point light sources arranged as a point light source is provided on one end side of the transparent rod, and a point light source is provided on the other end side of the transparent rod. A second point light source group composed of a plurality of point light sources arranged as a light source, and light emitted from each of the point light sources of the first point light source group are condensed and unified, and a transparent rod has an end surface thereof. A first optical fiber which is made incident from the second point light source, and a second optical fiber which is made to condense and unify the lights respectively emitted from the respective point light sources of the second point light source group and make the light incident on the transparent rod from its end face. Become.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, in the line illuminating device of the invention according to claim 2, between the first optical fiber and the transparent rod, and between the second optical fiber and the transparent rod, At least one lens is arranged inside the transparent rod to collect and enter light with a certain directivity.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, in the line lighting device of the invention according to claim 3,
And a selfoc fiber instead of each second optical fiber.

Here, as the above-mentioned total reflection means, in particular, a total reflection grating which is formed with a plane accuracy so as not to diffuse the impinging light and is cut at a total reflection angle, or a mirror coating from the outside of the total reflection grating. It is arranged such that the one coated with a total reflection grating or the one coated with a perfect diffusion band is arranged instead of the total reflection grating.

[0013]

Therefore, in the line lighting device of the present invention,
The light emitted from each of the multiple point light sources is collected by an optical fiber and collected into one, which is then incident on the transparent rod, so that the directivity of the incident light on the transparent rod is maintained and the number of point light sources is increased. By doing so, the illuminance of the line illumination can be easily increased.

Further, in the line illuminator according to the second aspect of the present invention, the illuminance of the line illuminator can be more easily increased by causing light to enter the transparent rod from both ends thereof.

Further, in the line illuminator according to the third aspect of the present invention, the light collected by the optical fiber and collected into a single light is condensed and incident by the lens with the directivity inside the transparent rod. By doing so, the illuminance of the line illumination can be raised even more easily.

[0016]

EXAMPLE In the present invention, light generated from a point light source is condensed by a concave mirror and is incident on a transparent rod formed of a transparent optical material having a refractive index larger than that of air. Line illumination, which is applied to the total reflection means arranged on one side of the transparent rod to be totally reflected and emitted as line illumination from the side opposite to the total reflection means to generate line illumination on the object. In the apparatus, the lights respectively generated from the plurality of point light sources are condensed by the optical fiber and are collected into one and made incident on the transparent rod.

Embodiments of the present invention based on the above concept will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a line illumination device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and the same elements as those in FIG. 7 are designated by the same reference numerals.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, in the line illuminator of this embodiment, a plurality of transparent rods 1 are formed from a transparent optical material having a refractive index larger than that of air, from one end face of the transparent rod 1. The light generated from the (three in this example) point light sources 2 is condensed by the concave mirror 3 provided corresponding to each point light source 2, and the light is integrated into the optical fiber 10 and is incident. The incident light 5 is applied to a total reflection grating 6 which is a total reflection means arranged on one side surface side in the transparent rod 1 to be totally reflected, and emitted from the side surface opposite to the total reflection grating 6 as line illumination. The line illumination 8 is generated on the object 7 to be photographed.

The end surface of the transparent rod 1 on the other end side is a mirror surface 11 for preventing incident light 5 from escaping from this end surface.
I am trying. The total reflection grating 6 is formed with a plane accuracy so as not to diffuse the impinging light, and is cut at a total reflection angle.

Next, in the line illuminator of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration, the light generated from each of the three point light sources 2, including the light collected by each concave mirror 3, The optical fibers 10 are combined into one and incident on the transparent rod 1 from one end side thereof.

The incident light 5 impinges on the total reflection grating 6 in the transparent rod 1 and is totally reflected, and is generated as line illumination 8 on the object 7 to be photographed from the opposite side surface. As a result, the illuminance of the line illumination 8 corresponding to the number of the point light sources 2 can be obtained while maintaining the directivity of the incident light 5 on the transparent rod 1.

In this case, since the end surface on the other end side of the transparent rod 1 is the mirror surface 11, the incident light 5 can be prevented from escaping from the end surface and the illumination efficiency can be improved.

As described above, in this embodiment, the light generated from the point light source 2 is condensed by the concave mirror 3 onto the transparent rod 1 formed of a transparent optical material having a refractive index larger than that of air. The incident light 5 is applied to the total reflection grating 6 arranged on one side surface side of the transparent rod 1 to be totally reflected, and emitted from the side surface opposite to the total reflection grating 6 as a line illumination, for photographing. In a line illuminator configured to generate a line illuminator 8 on an object 7, a mirror surface 11 disposed on one end face of the transparent rod 1 and another end face of the transparent rod 1 disposed as point light sources. And three point light sources 2,
The point light sources 3 are each provided with an optical fiber 10 which collects and unifies the lights respectively and makes them incident on the transparent rod 1 from its end face.

Therefore, since the lights respectively generated from the individual point light sources 2 are condensed by the optical fiber 10 and are collectively incident on the transparent rod 1, the directivity of the incident light 5 on the transparent rod 1 is obtained. Can be maintained.

Since the number of point light sources 2 can be increased, the illuminance of the line illumination 8 can be easily increased without depending on the output limit of the point light sources 2. (Second Embodiment) FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a line lighting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, in the line illuminator of this embodiment, a transparent rod 1 made of a transparent optical material having a refractive index larger than that of an air is provided on an end surface on one end side (left side in the drawing) of the transparent rod 1. Accordingly, the light generated from the first point light source group including a plurality of (three in this example) light sources 2 is condensed by the concave mirror 3 provided corresponding to each point light source 2, In addition to unifying and entering with the optical fiber 10 of
On the transparent rod 1, light emitted from a second point light source group including a plurality of (three in this example) light sources 2 from the other end side (the right side in the drawing) is associated with each point light source 2. The light collected by the concave mirror 3 provided is used as the second optical fiber 10
The light 5 is incident on the transparent rod 1 and is applied to a total reflection grating 6 which is a total reflection means arranged on one side surface side in the transparent rod 1 to be totally reflected.
A line illumination is emitted from a side surface opposite to the total reflection grating 6 to generate a line illumination 8 on an object 7 to be photographed.

The total reflection grating 6 is formed with a plane accuracy so as not to diffuse the impinging light, and is cut at a total reflection angle. Next, in the line illumination device of the present embodiment configured as described above, the light generated from the first point light source group including the three point light sources 2 is the light condensed by each concave mirror 3. Including the above, they are combined into one by the first optical fiber 10 and are incident on the transparent rod 1 from one end side thereof.

A second light source 2 which is also composed of three point light sources 2
The light generated from the point light source group is collected by the second optical fiber 10 including the light collected by each concave mirror 3 and is incident on the transparent rod 1 from the other end side.

These lights 5 incident from one end side and the other end side of the transparent rod 1 impinge on the total reflection grating 6 in the transparent rod 1 and are totally reflected, and then on the object 7 to be photographed from the opposite side surface. It is generated as the line illumination 8.

As a result, the illuminance of the line illumination 8 corresponding to the number of the point light sources 2 can be obtained while maintaining the directivity of the incident light 5 on the transparent rod 1. In this case, the illuminance of the line illumination 8 can be more easily increased by making light incident on the transparent rod 1 from both ends thereof (an illuminance almost double that in the case of the first embodiment is obtained. Be).

As described above, in this embodiment, the light generated from the point light source 2 is condensed by the concave mirror 3 onto the transparent rod 1 formed of a transparent optical material having a refractive index larger than that of air. The incident light 5 is applied to the total reflection grating 6 arranged on one side surface side of the transparent rod 1 to be totally reflected, and emitted from the side surface opposite to the total reflection grating 6 as a line illumination, for photographing. In the line illumination device configured to generate the line illumination 8 on the object 7, a first point light source group including three point light sources 2 arranged as the point light source 2 on one end side of the transparent rod 1, On the other end side of the transparent rod 1, a second point light source group consisting of three point light sources 2 arranged as a point light source and light generated from each point light source 2 of the first point light source group are collected. The light is made into a single light and is incident on the transparent rod 1 from its end face. Optical fiber 10 and a second optical fiber 10 that collects and unifies the light emitted from each of the point light sources 2 of the second point light source group and makes the light incident on the transparent rod 1 from its end face. It was done.

Therefore, since the lights respectively generated from the individual point light sources 2 are condensed by the optical fiber 10 and are collectively incident on the transparent rod 1, the directivity of the incident light 5 on the transparent rod 1 is obtained. Can be maintained.

Since the number of point light sources 2 can be increased, the illuminance of the line illumination 8 can be easily increased without depending on the output limit of the point light sources 2. Furthermore, since the light is made incident on the transparent rod 1 from both ends thereof, the illuminance of the line illumination 8 can be more easily increased (an illuminance almost double that in the first embodiment is obtained. It will be possible).

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a line illuminator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same elements as those in FIG. Description is omitted, and only different parts will be described here.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the line illuminator of this embodiment has the first optical fiber 1 shown in FIG.
0 between the transparent rod 1 and the second optical fiber 1
0 and the transparent rod 1, two lenses 12, which have a certain directivity in the transparent rod 1 to collect and enter the light,
13 are arranged respectively.

Next, in the line illumination device of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, the first point light source 2 including the three point light sources 2 is used.
The light emitted from the point light source group is collected by the first optical fiber 10 including the light collected by each concave mirror 3. Then, this unified light is reflected by the lens 1
The light is converged through 2 and collimated through a lens 13 and is incident on the transparent rod 1 from one end thereof with a certain directivity so that the light is efficiently totally reflected by the total reflection grating 6.

A second light source 2 also includes three point light sources 2.
The light emitted from the point light source group is collected by the second optical fiber 10 including the light collected by each concave mirror 3. Then, this unified light is reflected by the lens 1
The light is converged through 2 and collimated through a lens 13 to be collimated, and the light is incident on the transparent rod 1 from the other end side with a certain directivity so that the light is efficiently totally reflected by the total reflection grating 6.

These lights 5 incident from one end side and the other end side of the transparent rod 1 impinge on the total reflection grating 6 in the transparent rod 1 and are totally reflected, and on the object 7 to be photographed from the opposite side surface. It is generated as the line illumination 8.

As a result, the illuminance of the line illumination 8 corresponding to the number of the point light sources 2 can be obtained while maintaining the directivity of the incident light 5 on the transparent rod 1. In this case, the lights unified by the respective optical fibers 10 are condensed through the lens 12 and are collimated through the lens 13 to have a certain directivity such that they are efficiently totally reflected by the total reflection grating 6. By allowing the transparent rod 1 to enter the transparent rod 1 from both ends thereof, the illuminance of the line illumination 8 can be increased more easily than in the case of the second embodiment.

As described above, also in the line illuminator of this embodiment, the line illuminator 8 does not change the directivity of the incident light 5 on the transparent rod 1 and does not depend on the output limit of the point light source 2. It is possible to easily increase the illuminance.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the main configuration of a line lighting device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same elements as those in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals. The description thereof will be omitted and only different parts will be described here.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the line illuminator according to this embodiment has the lens 12 and the lens 1 in FIG.
3 is omitted, and the SELFOC fiber 14 is used instead of the first and second optical fibers 10.

Next, the line illuminator of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration is similar to the case of FIG.
By using the Selfoc fiber 14 instead of the optical fiber 10, the lens 12 and the lens 13 in FIG. 3 can be omitted, so that the line illuminator can be made more compact than that of the third embodiment. .

As described above, also in the line illuminator of this embodiment, the line illuminator 8 does not change the directivity of the incident light 5 on the transparent rod 1 and does not depend on the output limit of the point light source 2. It is possible to easily increase the illuminance.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be implemented in the same manner as described below. (A) In each of the first to fourth embodiments described above, as the total reflection means, the total reflection grating 6 is formed with a plane accuracy so as not to diffuse the incident light and cut into a total reflection angle. Although described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and as total reflection means, for example, as shown in FIG.
5 is arranged, or as shown in FIG.
Even if the one coated with 6 is arranged, it is possible to carry out in the same manner as in the above case and obtain the same effect as the above.

(B) In each of the third embodiments, two lenses 12, 13 are provided between the first optical fiber 10 and the transparent rod 1 and between the second optical fiber 10 and the transparent rod 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to increase the area of the total reflection grating 6 by omitting one lens 13 and expanding the incident light 5.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention, the light generated from the point light source is condensed by the concave mirror on the transparent rod formed of the transparent optical material having a refractive index larger than that of air. The incident light is applied to the total reflection means arranged on one side surface side in the transparent rod to be totally reflected, and emitted as line illumination from the side surface opposite to the total reflection means.
In a line illuminator designed to generate line illumination on an object, a mirror surface arranged on one end of the transparent rod and a plurality of points arranged as point light sources on the other end of the transparent rod. A light source and an optical fiber that collects and consolidates the light emitted from each point light source and makes it incident on the transparent rod from its end face, or a plurality of light sources arranged as point light sources on one end side of the transparent rod. First point light source group consisting of individual point light sources and the other end side of the transparent rod,
A second point light source group composed of a plurality of point light sources arranged as a point light source and light emitted from each point light source of the first point light source group are condensed and integrated into a transparent rod. A first optical fiber which is made incident from the end face, and a second optical fiber which is made to condense and unify the lights respectively emitted from the respective point light sources of the second point light source group, and is made incident on the transparent rod from the end face thereof. Further, if necessary, at least between the first optical fiber and the transparent rod and between the second optical fiber and the transparent rod, the light is condensed and made incident in the transparent rod with a certain directivity. Since one lens is arranged, it is possible to easily increase the illuminance of the line illumination without changing the directivity of the incident light to the transparent rod and without depending on the output limit of the point light source. Narai Illumination device can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a first embodiment of a line lighting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of the line lighting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a third embodiment of the line lighting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a main part showing a fourth embodiment of the line lighting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a main part showing another embodiment of the line lighting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a main part showing another embodiment of the line lighting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional line lighting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Transparent rod, 2 ... Point light source, 3 ... Concave mirror, 5 ... Incident light, 6 ... Total reflection grating, 7 ... Object of photography, 8 ... Line illumination, 10 ... Optical fiber, 11 ... Mirror surface, 12, 13
… Lens, 14… Selfoc fiber, 15… Mirror coating, 16… Perfect diffusion zone.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A transparent rod made of a transparent optical material having a refractive index higher than that of air is made by converging light generated from a point light source by a concave mirror, and making the incident light the transparent rod. A line lighting device configured to generate total line reflection on a target by applying total reflection to a total reflection means arranged on one side surface of the inside and emitting as line lighting from a side surface on the side opposite to the total reflection means. In the above, a mirror surface is disposed on the end surface of the transparent rod on one end side, a plurality of point light sources is disposed on the other end side of the transparent rod as the point light source, and the light is generated from each of the point light sources. A line illuminating device comprising: an optical fiber that collects light into a single light and makes the light incident on the transparent rod from its end face. 2. A transparent rod made of a transparent optical material having a refractive index higher than that of air is made by converging the light generated from a point light source by a concave mirror, and making the incident light the transparent rod. A line lighting device configured to generate total line reflection on a target by applying total reflection to a total reflection means arranged on one side surface of the inside and emitting as line lighting from a side surface on the side opposite to the total reflection means. A first point light source group including a plurality of point light sources arranged as the point light source on one end side of the transparent rod, and a plurality of point light sources arranged on the other end side of the transparent rod as the point light source. A second point light source group consisting of the above point light sources, and light emitted from each of the point light sources of the first point light source group is condensed and unified, and is made incident on the transparent rod from its end face. The optical fiber, and the second And unification condenses light respectively generated from the point light source groups of each point light source, the line illumination apparatus characterized in that it comprises a second optical fiber to be incident from the end surface to the transparent rod. 3. The line lighting device according to claim 2, wherein light is introduced into the transparent rod between the first optical fiber and the transparent rod and between the second optical fiber and the transparent rod. A line illuminating device comprising at least one lens arranged to collect and enter light having a certain directivity. 4. The line lighting device according to claim 3, wherein a selfoc fiber is provided in place of each of the first and second optical fibers. 5. The total reflection means is a total reflection grating formed with a plane accuracy so as not to diffuse incident light and cut into a total reflection angle, or a mirror coating is applied to the total reflection grating from the outside thereof. 5. The line illuminator according to claim 1, wherein the line illuminating device or a device coated with a perfect diffusion band is arranged instead of the total reflection grating.