JP2005158679A - Light emitting unit and flashlight - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light emitting unit using a number of LEDs which can be exchanged with a bulb of the flashlight regardless of the size of a metal cap. <P>SOLUTION: A typical construction of the flashlight is composed of a general-purpose metal cap part 11 which can be fitted to a conventional electric equipment, a light emitting part 20 composed of one or a plurality of light emitting diodes 24, and a cylinder-shaped power supplying adapter 12 having a cross section having an outer diameter capable of fitting into the metal cap part 11, connecting the light emitting part 20 to the metal cap part 11 with a prescribed distance. The metal cap part 11 and the light emitting part 20 are electrically connected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a light emitting unit that can be replaced with a light bulb in a commercially available flashlight, and a flashlight including the light emitting unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the advance of technology, light emitting diodes (hereinafter simply referred to as “LEDs: Light Emitting Diodes”) have become increasingly bright. An LED emits light by passing a current through a semiconductor, not a method of heating a filament to a high temperature like a conventional incandescent bulb. And since there is little power consumption, even if it uses the same battery, the battery life of 10-20 times of an incandescent lamp can be obtained in the present condition. Furthermore, the durability against dropping and impact is stronger than incandescent bulbs, and the lifetime of incandescent bulbs is several hundred hours, whereas LEDs are as long as 10,000 hours or more.

  For this reason, it is meaningful to use the LED as a light emitter of a flashlight. This is especially true in situations where a flashlight is used for a long period of time, such as work at night, in the sea, or in the ground, and wear and failure can be dangerous. Even now, many flashlights using LEDs as light emitters are on the market.

  However, it is problematic in terms of cost to purchase a flashlight using LED and replace it with a flashlight using an existing light bulb. This is particularly noticeable in contractors who have many flashlights as equipment for business use. Therefore, conventionally, a socket-type LED that can be replaced with a flashlight bulb has been proposed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Patent Publication 2000-269558 Registered utility model publication 30808568 Patent Publication 2003-030785 JP 09-265807 A

  However, although the brightness of LEDs is increasing, at least at present, it is not possible to obtain a light quantity exceeding that of an incandescent bulb with a single element. In order to obtain a sufficient amount of light, a plurality of LEDs are used (see Patent Document 3), and a configuration in which a large number of LEDs are provided on a base that is compatible with an incandescent bulb of a signal device has also been proposed ( (See Patent Document 4). However, there is a dimensional difficulty in using a large number of LEDs in a flashlight that uses a miniature bulb or a pilken bulb. For example, LED elements having a size of φ3, φ5, and φ10 are generally commercially available, but bean balls and pyriken balls have a diameter of about 11 mm. Accordingly, it is difficult to obtain a light quantity beyond that because the maximum amount of three φ3 LEDs arranged in these caps is maximum.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting unit that can be replaced with a light bulb of a flashlight using a large number of LEDs without being limited to the size of the base.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a typical configuration of the present invention includes a general-purpose base part that can be attached to an existing electric device, a light-emitting part that includes one or more light-emitting diodes, and an outer diameter of the general-purpose base part. A columnar body having a cross-sectional shape that fits into the general-purpose base part, the power supply adapter for supporting the light-emitting part with respect to the general-purpose base part, and the general-purpose base part and the light-emitting part are electrically connected And

  According to the present invention, a light-emitting unit that can be replaced with a light bulb in an existing flashlight that is commercially available, has a sufficient amount of light using a large number of LEDs, has a long battery life, a long service life, and a high durability. Can be provided.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment of a light emitting unit and a flashlight according to the present invention will be described. Note that the material, shape, various numerical values, component layout, etc. of the members used in the following description are examples for facilitating understanding and do not define the scope of rights.

  First, the overall configuration of the flashlight will be described with reference to FIG. The flashlight 1 is a flashlight that is commercially available as a whole as a whole, and includes a housing 3 that can store a power battery 2 and a power switch 4. Further, on the front side of the flashlight 1, a light bulb socket 5 assuming a light bulb (in this embodiment, a pilike ball) and a reflector 6 having a substantially conical shape are provided. A light emitting unit 10 described below is attached as a light emitter.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the light-emitting unit 10 includes a base 11 as a general-purpose base, a light-emitting unit including a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and a power supply adapter 12 that connects the base 11 and the light-emitting unit. Yes. The base 11 has the same shape as that of a conventional tricken ball base (cylindrical base with flange). The power supply adapter 12 is fixed to the base 11 with a metal screw 14 via an insulator 13. The screw 14 is a plus electrode, and the base 11 is a minus electrode, and is electrically connected to the connector 22 on the substrate 21 of the light emitting portion by a conducting wire 15, respectively.

  The light emitting unit 20 includes a large number of LEDs 24 using a substrate 21 facing the front surface of the flashlight 1. By comprising in this way, sufficient light quantity which exceeds the conventional light bulb can be obtained. However, as shown in FIG. 1, the light emitting portion 20 is located inside the reflecting plate 6, and the reflecting plate 6 generally has a substantially conical shape whose inner diameter decreases toward the back side. It is obstructed by the inner wall of the reflector 6 and cannot be brought close to the vicinity of the base 11. Therefore, in the present invention, by adjusting the length of the power supply adapter 12 in advance, the base 11 and the light emitting unit 20 can be connected with a predetermined distance. As a result, the substrate 21 can be arranged on the tip side having a large inner diameter inside the reflector 6, so that a substrate having an arbitrary size (area) can be used as long as the tip of the LED 24 does not protrude from the front surface of the flashlight 1. The number of LEDs 24 that can be used can be increased dramatically.

  As an example of incorporating the light emitting unit 10 having the above configuration into the flashlight 1, as shown in FIG. 3A, the base 11 is attached so that the power supply adapter 12 is inserted into the reflector 6, and then FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 15 is connected to the conductor 15, and the light emitting unit 20 is attached to the power supply adapter 12 as shown in FIG. The light emitting unit 20 is preferably attached to the power supply adapter 12 by an insulating member such as a plastic screw 25, but may be configured to be attached by an elastic locking member such as a snap fit. Here, even if the substrate 21 is in contact with the reflecting plate 6 and is not in contact with the power supply adapter 12, the substrate 21 can be fixed by the stroke of the plastic screw 25. In other words, the distance between the bulb 11 and the light emitting unit 20 can be adjusted by the length of the power supply adapter 12, but can also be adjusted by the length of the plastic screw 25.

  The cross-sectional shape of the power supply adapter 12 needs to be equal to or thinner than the outer diameter of the bulb in order to pass through the hole of the reflector 6. That is, a columnar body having a cross-sectional shape that fits in the outer diameter of the base 11 is desirable. Thereby, the light emitting unit 10 can be easily attached without modifying the flashlight 1 main body. The cross-sectional shape of the power supply adapter 12 is not limited to a circular shape or a polygonal shape, and there may be a change in shape such as a partial change in diameter.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the substrate 21 is provided with a plurality of sockets 23, and is attached so that the lead wires of the LEDs 24 can be inserted and removed. The number and arrangement of the sockets 23 can be appropriately set according to the size of the substrate 21. Thereby, it is possible to easily change the color and type of the LED.

A current limiting resistor 26 is connected in series to the socket 23 to which the LED 24 is connected. The brightness of the LED 24 varies depending on the amount of current flowing as its characteristic, but since its own resistance is small, if it is directly connected to a power supply, an excessive current flows and the element is destroyed. The value of the current limiting resistor can be calculated by the following equation.
Resistance value (Ω) = (resistance voltage drop−LED voltage drop) (V) / current amount (A)
For example, if the power supply voltage is 6V with 4 batteries and the voltage of 3.6V is applied to the LED and the current of 20mA flows, the voltage applied to the resistor is 6-3.6V = 2.4V, so the resistance value is 2.4 / 20E- 3 = 120Ω. However, it may be set as appropriate in consideration of the voltage drop when the battery is consumed, the required brightness, the allowable range of the element to be used, and the like.

  4B and the circuit diagram of FIG. 4C, each socket is electrically connected to the power line from the connector 22 in parallel. That is, each socket is connected from the Vcc (plus) terminal of the connector 22 through the current limiting resistor 26 in series, and is connected to the GND (minus) terminal. Note that the current limiting resistor can be reduced in size by using a resistor array element or the like. Thus, by connecting the connectors 22 in parallel, the socket into which the LED 24 is inserted can be arbitrarily selected, and the number and arrangement of the LEDs 24 can be freely selected.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5A, the number of LEDs can be increased or decreased so as to obtain a desired light amount. Even if some LEDs fall off or are damaged due to their lifetime, other LEDs emit light, so there is no problem in use as the flashlight 1. For this reason, it is extremely effective when used in a situation where a flashlight is used for a long period of time, such as work at night, in the sea, or in the ground, and wear and failure are dangerous.

  Note that the substrate 21 of the light emitting unit according to the present invention is not limited to that shown in the above embodiments and drawings. For example, a circular substrate may be used as shown in FIG. You may prepare a small thing according to a magnitude | size.

  In this embodiment, the current is limited by the resistor 26, but a constant current diode (CRD) or a constant current circuit using a transistor may be used. However, considering the loss and the fact that each socket is parallel and the number of LEDs is variable, it is most effective to limit the current using a resistor.

[Second Example]
A second embodiment of the light emitting unit according to the present invention will be described. 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the light-emitting unit according to the present embodiment. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the above embodiment, the bulb 11 and the substrate 21 are electrically connected using the conductor 15 and the connector 22. However, it may be difficult to provide the connector 22 when it is incorporated into a small flashlight.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, instead of the plastic screw 25, a conductive screw 27 made of metal or the like is used, and power is supplied from the screw 14 to the substrate 21 through the screw 27. With respect to GND (minus), an elastic terminal 28 is provided on the substrate and connected to a conductive sleeve 29 provided on the power supply adapter 12. The conductive sleeve 29 is provided with a flange and combined so as to come into contact with the flange of the valve 11.

  In FIG. 7, the power supply adapter 12 is hollow and has a conductive spring 30 inside. Therefore, when the conductive screw 27 is attached, power is supplied from the screw 14 to the substrate 21 through the spring 30, the screw 27, and the washer 31 with a terminal. As for GND, a washer 32 with a terminal is provided coaxially with the screw 27 on the back side of the substrate 21, and a washer 33 with a terminal connected to the valve 11 is also provided on the power supply adapter 12 side. The washer 33 with terminal is disposed on the front end surface of the power supply adapter 12, and when the screw 27 is attached, the washer 32 and 33 with terminal come into contact with each other. Further, the screw 27 is attached to the substrate via an insulating sleeve 34, and prevents the GND side terminal washers 32 and 33 and the screw 27 from contacting each other.

  By configuring as described above, the bulb 11 and the light emitting unit 20 can be electrically connected by simply mounting the substrate 21, reducing the occupied space for the connector on the back of the substrate 21, and mounting. Can be easy.

[Third embodiment]
A third embodiment of the light emitting unit according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the light emitting unit according to the present embodiment, in which the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In each of the above embodiments, the light emitting unit 20 is fixedly supported to the power supply adapter 12 by combining the screw 14, the plastic screw 25, the screw 27, and the like from both sides of the power supply adapter 12. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the light emitting unit 20 is fixedly supported by using one screw that penetrates the power supply adapter 12.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the screw 14 is engaged with the power supply adapter 12 via an insulating sleeve 35 and is fixed to the valve 11. The head of the screw 14 is disposed on the battery side of the valve 11 and abuts on the positive electrode of the battery. The screw 14 has a length penetrating the power supply adapter 12 and the substrate 21 of the light emitting unit 20, and the light emitting unit 20 is fixedly supported by engaging a knurled nut 42 at the tip thereof. The knurled nut 42 has an advantage that the occupied width is smaller than that of the hexagon nut.

  On the front side of the substrate 21, the knurled nut 42 is tightened via a washer 39 with a terminal, a washer 40, and a spring washer 41 connected to the power supply line of the circuit. That is, the power supply from the battery is directly supplied from the screw 14 to the light emitting unit 20 via the knurled nut 42 without using a connector or a spring.

  Regarding GND, a washer 32 with a terminal connected to the GND side of the circuit on the back side of the substrate 21 is provided coaxially with the screw 27, and a washer 33 with a terminal is also provided on the power supply adapter 12 side. The washer 33 with a terminal is disposed on the distal end surface of the power supply adapter 12, and when the screws 27 are attached, the washer 32 and 33 with a terminal come into contact with each other to energize. The washer 33 with terminal is connected to a copper foil tape 43 wound around the outer peripheral surface of the power supply adapter 12, and is electrically connected to the valve 11 through this.

  Further, an insulating washer 37, a plastic nut 38, and an insulating sleeve 36 are provided on the distal end side of the power supply adapter 12 and inside the washer 33 with a terminal. The distance between the power supply adapter 12 and the light emitting unit 20 can be adjusted by fixing the washer 33 with terminal to the copper foil tape 43 after adjusting the position of the plastic nut 38. Further, the insulating sleeve 36 enters the gap between the washer 33 with terminal, the washer 32 with terminal and the screw 14 to prevent a short circuit therebetween.

  With the above-described configuration, the bulb 11 and the light emitting unit 20 can be electrically connected by simply attaching the substrate 21, so that the occupied space for the connector on the back side of the substrate 21 can be reduced. Further, since the knurled nut 42 having no screw head and having a small diameter can be used on the front side of the substrate 21, the dead space in the central portion can be reduced, and the LEDs 24 can be arranged with high density. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to connect a conducting wire or incorporate a spring inside the power supply adapter 12, it can be easily manufactured even when the power supply adapter 12 is short. That is, the present invention can be applied to a smaller flashlight, and the amount of light can be improved.

  Further, when the power supply adapter 12 and the light emitting unit 20 are assembled, there is no need to connect the connector, and there is no possibility that the spring will be scattered and lost. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a light-emitting unit that is easy for the user and easy to handle.

  In the above embodiment, the bulb 11 is described as the GND (minus) terminal, and the screw 14 passing through the center thereof is described as the positive electrode (plus) terminal. Even if this polarity is reversed, the present invention can be applied in exactly the same manner. However, since the LED has a polarity, it is necessary to make a circuit suitable for the power source.

  In addition to the knurled nut 42, a sleeve nut (with a female screw inside the cylinder and a slot for a minus screwdriver on the end face and two flat faces facing the outer peripheral face of the end as a nut smaller in diameter than the hexagon nut. And the like having a portion formed thereon can also be suitably used.

  The light emitting unit according to the present invention has a low power consumption and a high durability using a large number of LEDs, and can be used by replacing an existing flashlight bulb that has been commercially available.

It is a figure explaining the whole structure of a flashlight. It is a figure explaining a light emission unit. It is a figure explaining the procedure which incorporates a light emission unit in a flashlight. It is a figure explaining component arrangement | positioning on a board | substrate. It is a figure explaining the other structural example of the light emission unit. It is a figure explaining the structural example of the light emission unit which concerns on a 2nd Example. It is a figure explaining the structural example of the light emission unit which concerns on a 2nd Example. It is a figure explaining the structural example of the light emission unit which concerns on a 3rd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Flashlight 2 ... Power supply battery 3 ... Housing 4 ... Power switch 5 ... Light bulb socket 6 ... Reflector
10… Light emitting unit
11… Valve
12… Power supply adapter
13… Insulator
14 ... Screw
15 ... Lead wire
20… light emitting part
21… Board
22… Connector
23… Socket
24 ... LED
25… Plastic screw
26… Resistance
27… Screw
28… Elastic terminal
29… Conductive sleeve
30… Spring
31… Washer with terminal
32… Washer with terminal
33… Washer with terminal
34… Insulation sleeve
35… Insulation sleeve
36… Insulation sleeve
37… Insulating washers
38… Plastic nut
39… Washer with terminal
40 Washer
41… Spring washer
42… Knurled nut
43… Copper foil tape

Claims (5)

A general purpose base that can be mounted on existing electrical equipment;
A light emitting unit comprising one or more light emitting diodes;
A columnar body having a cross-sectional shape that fits in the outer diameter of the general purpose base part, comprising a power supply adapter for supporting the light emitting part with respect to the general purpose base part,
A light-emitting unit, wherein the general-purpose base part and the light-emitting part are electrically connected. The light emitting unit according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit includes one set or a plurality of sets of sockets into which lead wires of the light emitting diodes can be inserted and extracted. 3. The light emitting unit according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of sets of the sockets are connected in parallel to a power supply line. A screw that mates with the power supply adapter,
The head of the screw is arranged on the battery side of the general purpose base part,
The screw penetrates the power supply adapter and the light emitting unit,
The light emitting unit according to claim 1, wherein a nut is engaged with a tip of the screw to fix and support the light emitting unit. The light emitting unit according to claim 1, and
A housing that can hold a power battery;
A flashlight characterized by comprising a power switch.

Images