JP2013039868A - Misalignment detection device, light-emitting device, lighting device, projector, vehicle headlight, and misalignment adjustment method - Google Patents

Abstract

A light emitting unit is irradiated with excitation light with a desired irradiation area.
A detection unit that detects a relative positional relationship among a laser element, a condenser lens, and a light emitting unit, a reference relative position that is to be used as a reference in the detection result of the detection unit and the above-described relative positional relationship. The determination unit 22 determines whether the relative positional relationship among the laser element 24, the condenser lens 27, and the light emitting unit 3 at the time of detection by the detection unit 21 is deviated from the reference relative positional relationship. Is a misalignment detection device 20.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a light-emitting device that functions as a high-intensity light source, a lighting device including the light-emitting device, a projector, and a vehicle headlamp, and in particular, a misalignment detection device and misalignment adjustment that are suitable for such a light-emitting device. It is about the method.

  In recent years, semiconductor light emitting devices such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) and semiconductor lasers (LDs) are used as excitation light sources, and excitation light generated from these excitation light sources is emitted to light emitting units including phosphors. Research on light-emitting devices that use fluorescence generated by the above as illumination light has become active.

  As an example of such a conventional light emitting device, there is a light source device disclosed in Patent Document 1. The light source device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a semiconductor laser, a collimator that uses the laser beam from the semiconductor laser as a parallel beam bundle, a capacitor that collects the laser beam of the parallel beam bundle from the collimator, and a condenser. A phosphor that absorbs the emitted laser light and emits incoherent light as spontaneous emission light. This light source device employs a configuration having a laser light reflecting mirror so that coherent laser light does not leak.

  In addition, the light source device disclosed in Patent Document 2 is optically connected to a semiconductor laser, an optical fiber that guides excitation light from the semiconductor laser, and an optical fiber emission end, and is excited from the emission end. A wavelength converting member (that is, a light emitting unit) that receives light and emits light having different wavelengths, and a holding member for holding the wavelength converting member and the light diffusing means disposed on the optical path of the excitation light. doing. Then, in order to increase the use efficiency of the excitation light and reduce the size of the illumination light emitting part, the distance between the optical fiber emitting end part and the light diffusing means such as the lens and the wavelength converting member, and the light diffusing means and the wavelength converting member The effective range is optimized.

JP 2003-295319 A (published on October 15, 2003) JP 2010-81957 A (released on April 15, 2010)

  As described above, there is a light emitting device that uses a laser light source as an excitation light source and emits light from a light emitting unit such as a phosphor to obtain illumination light. In such a light emitting device, the case where the light emitting unit is irradiated with an optical member for condensing laser light as represented by a convex lens is typical. In such a case, the relative positional relationship among the three members of the laser light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit is very important.

  That is, in such a light-emitting device, when any one of these three members shifts to a certain time, in other words, when each position fluctuates from an optimal position, as a result, on the light-emitting unit, In some cases, the condensing state of the laser light by the optical member may change. In this case, the light density of the laser light applied to the light emitting unit becomes higher than a desired state, or conversely, becomes lower.

  In such a case, it goes without saying that it is strongly desired that the relative positional relationship between these three members does not deviate from the optimal positional relationship. This is an essential precondition that it is possible to detect the deviation of the relative positional relationship between them from the optimal positional relationship.

In addition, the relative positional shift as described above causes the following problems.
(1) Increased danger to eyes (2) Degradation of light emitting part (3) Variation in light emission intensity, chromaticity and light distribution characteristics of light emitting part High energy light emitted from a light source having a small light emitting point When the light enters the human eye, the light source image is narrowed down to the size of the small light emitting point on the retina. As a result, the energy density at the imaging location may become extremely high. For example, the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser element may have a light emitting point size smaller than 10 μm square, and the light emitted from such a light source is directly or via an optical member such as a lens or a mirror. However, if it is incident on the eye with a small light emitting point directly or indirectly visible, the imaging location on the retina may be damaged.

  In order to avoid this, the size of the light emitting point must be increased to a certain finite size or more (specifically, for example, 1 mm × 1 mm or more depending on the light density, though it depends on the light density).

The size of the emission point in a typical high-power semiconductor laser is, for example, 1 μm × 10 μm. The area is 10 μm ² = 1.0 × 10 ⁻⁵ mm ² . That is, when compared with a light source having a light emission point of 1 mm ² , the energy density of the region imaged on the retina is increased by 10 ⁵ times even if the light has the same energy.

  By increasing the size of the light emitting point, the image formation size on the retina can be increased. This makes it possible to reduce the energy density on the retina even when light of the same energy is incident on the eye.

  Furthermore, from the viewpoint of the luminance of light, the required luminance must be within a range where the safety for eyes is ensured.

  The light source device disclosed in Patent Document 1 irradiates a phosphor with coherent light from a laser diode and converts it into incoherent light. This conversion ensures safety for human eyes. Furthermore, laser light that is not converted into incoherent light by the phosphor and that passes through the phosphor is projected onto the illumination light irradiation side (in the direction toward the human eye) using a reflecting mirror. It avoids being done.

  However, Patent Document 1 discloses a problem that when a positional deviation occurs between the semiconductor laser and the phosphor, the laser beam is concentrated on the phosphor and irradiated at a high light density as described above. Is not disclosed. In the first place, Patent Document 1 does not assume that the positions of the semiconductor laser and the phosphor are shifted.

  In addition, the light source device disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes an optical fiber exit end, a light diffusing means such as a lens, and a wavelength conversion member in order to increase the use efficiency of excitation light and reduce the size of the illumination light exit. The distance and the range of the effective region of the light diffusing means and the wavelength conversion member are optimized.

  However, it is not intended to solve the above problems (1) to (3), and the positions of the semiconductor laser and the phosphor cannot be adjusted as in Patent Document 1.

  Note that the above problem is not limited to the case where the excitation light source is a semiconductor laser, and an excitation light source that does not have characteristics specific to a semiconductor laser, such as a light emitting diode (LED), can be used as long as the excitation light source can output high power. ) Etc., it becomes a problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to condense the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source through the optical member onto the light emitting unit and cause the light emitting unit to emit light. Provides a displacement detection device, a light emitting device, an illumination device, a projector, a vehicle headlamp, and a displacement adjustment method capable of detecting a displacement of a relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit. There is to do.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the positional deviation detection device according to the present invention is configured such that the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source is condensed on the light emitting unit through an optical member, and the excitation in the light emitting device that emits the light emitting unit. Detection means for detecting a relative positional relationship between the light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit, a detection result of the detection unit, and a reference in the relative positional relationship between the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit. The relative relative position relationship between the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit when the detection means detects is deviated from the reference relative positional relationship. Determination means for determining whether or not.

  According to the above configuration, relative to the light source that emits light by irradiating the light emitting unit with the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source and collected through the optical member, the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit are relatively A positional deviation of the positional relationship from the reference relative positional relationship between them can be detected by the detection device. For example, even when the relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit is shifted due to the movement of a lighting fixture on which the light emitting device is mounted or the vehicle, it is possible to detect the shift.

  The reference relative positional relationship is set in advance based on at least one of the area of the irradiation region on the light emitting unit or the position of the irradiation region on the light emitting unit with respect to the excitation light condensed on the light emitting unit. It is preferable that

  According to the above configuration, the excitation light is emitted from the desired state to be emitted to the light emitting unit, that is, the excitation light is concentrated on the light emitting unit more than the desired state or is diffused more than the desired state. In such a case, the deviation can be detected.

  A laser light source that emits laser light from one surface side of the excitation light source support surface that supports the excitation light source and the light emitting unit support surface that supports the light emitting unit to the other surface side, and the laser light source that emits the laser light And a light receiving unit that receives the return light reflected from the other surface side and returning to the one surface side, and the detection means receives from the light reception unit as its detection result. The focus shape of the return light on the light receiving unit is acquired, and the determination unit sets the relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit to the reference relative positional relationship. When the reference focal shape, which is the focal shape on the light receiving portion, is compared with the focal shape on the light receiving portion acquired by the detecting means, and there is a change between the two focal shapes, Above deviation It is preferred to carry out the determination that.

  According to the above configuration, the shift in the relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit can be detected at high speed and with high accuracy by determining the change in the focal shape on the light receiving unit.

  The laser light source is used as the excitation light source of the light-emitting device, and further includes an optical functional filter that blocks light emitted from the light-emitting unit and transmits the return light. It is preferable that the light receiving unit is disposed on the light receiving surface side that receives light.

  According to the above configuration, the light emitting device can include the excitation light source and the laser light source as the same light source, and can prevent the light receiving unit from receiving the light emitted from the light emitting unit by the optical function filter. . Therefore, it is not necessary to configure a laser light source and its optical system, and the detection device can be reduced in size and simplified. Further, only the excitation light from the excitation light source is received by the light receiving unit, and the excitation light source, the optical member and the light are emitted. The deviation of the relative positional relationship with the part can be detected with high accuracy by the deviation from the reference relative positional relationship.

  A camera disposed on at least one of an excitation light source support member that supports the excitation light source or an optical member support member that supports the optical member; and a marker included in an imaging region of the camera, the marker Is included in the imaging region of the camera disposed on the excitation light source support member, and is included in the imaging region of the camera disposed on the optical member support member or the marker disposed on the optical member support member. And at least one of the markers arranged on the light emitting unit support member that supports the light emitting unit, and the detection means obtains an imaging result obtained by imaging the marker with the camera as its detection result Then, the determination means is configured to determine the position when the relative positional relationship between the camera and the marker is the reference relative positional relationship. An imaging result by La, compare, and an imaging result obtained by said detection means, if there is a change between the two imaging result, it is preferable to perform the determination that deviates above.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to detect a shift in the relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit with high speed and high accuracy by determining a change in the imaging result of the marker by the camera.

  A light emitting device according to the present invention includes an excitation light source that emits excitation light, an optical member that collects the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source, and a light emitting unit that emits light by the excitation light collected by the optical member; A displacement detection device that detects a displacement in a relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit, and a displacement adjustment device that adjusts the displacement detected by the displacement detection device, The positional deviation detection device includes a detection unit that detects a relative positional relationship between the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit, a detection result of the detection unit, and the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emission unit. The relative relative position relationship between the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit is compared with the relative relative position when the detection means detects. Determination means for determining whether or not the positional relationship is deviated from the reference relative positional relationship, and the misregistration adjusting device is configured to detect the misregistration when the misregistration is detected by the misregistration detecting device. The displacement detected by the displacement detector is adjusted by returning the relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit to the reference relative positional relationship.

  According to the said structure, it light-emits by irradiating a light emission part with the excitation light radiate | emitted from the excitation light source and condensed via the optical member.

  When the relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit is deviated, a deviation from the reference relative positional relationship is detected by the detecting unit, and the positional deviation adjusting device returns the reference positional relationship. For example, even when the relative positional relationship between the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit is shifted due to the movement of a lighting fixture or a vehicle on which the light emitting device is mounted, the positional relative adjustment device returns the reference relative positional relationship again. become. For this reason, even when the above-described deviation occurs, it is possible to continuously irradiate the light emitting unit with the excitation light at a desired position and range.

  As a result, the deterioration of the light emitting part caused by the excitation light being concentrated on the light emitting part and irradiating the light emitting part is delayed, the brightness becomes extremely high, and the danger from the viewpoint of eye-safe is prevented. Can do. Here, eye safe refers to safety for human eyes. On the contrary, it is possible to prevent the excitation light from being concentrated from the desired state and irradiating the light emitting portion, thereby lowering the luminance and preventing desired optical characteristics from being obtained.

  The reference relative positional relationship is set in advance based on at least one of the area of the irradiation region on the light emitting unit or the position of the irradiation region on the light emitting unit with respect to the excitation light condensed on the light emitting unit. It is preferable that

  According to the above configuration, the excitation light is emitted from the desired state to be emitted to the light emitting unit, that is, the excitation light is concentrated on the light emitting unit more than the desired state or is diffused more than the desired state. In such a case, the deviation can be detected.

  The positional deviation adjusting device preferably includes a moving mechanism that moves at least one position of the excitation light source, the optical member, or the light emitting unit.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to appropriately return to the reference relative positional relationship by moving at least one position of the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit. Thereby, it can prevent that the irradiation position of excitation light shifts | deviates from a light emission part. In addition, the light emitting unit can be irradiated with excitation light with a desired irradiation area.

  Therefore, it is possible to delay the deterioration of the light emitting part due to the excitation light being concentrated on the light emitting part and irradiate the light emitting part, to extremely increase the brightness, and to prevent danger from the viewpoint of eye-safety. it can. On the contrary, it is possible to prevent the excitation light from being concentrated from the desired state and irradiating the light emitting portion, thereby lowering the luminance and preventing desired optical characteristics from being obtained.

  The moving mechanism preferably fixes the excitation light source and the light emitting unit and moves the optical member.

  According to the said structure, the relative positional relationship of the said excitation light source, the said optical member, and the said light emission part can be maintained at a reference | standard relative positional relationship by moving the position of the said optical member. Thereby, since only the optical member is moved by the positional deviation adjusting device, the positional deviation adjusting device can be reduced in size and simplified.

  A light emitting device according to the present invention includes an excitation light source that emits excitation light, an optical member that collects the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source, and a light emitting unit that emits light by the excitation light collected by the optical member; And an elastic member that maintains a relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit.

  According to the said structure, it light-emits by irradiating a light emission part with the excitation light radiate | emitted from the excitation light source and condensed via the optical member.

  Here, the relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit is held by the elastic force of an elastic member such as a spring, for example. Specifically, even when the relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit is shifted, the reference positional relationship is restored by the elastic force of the elastic member. For this reason, even when the above-described deviation occurs, it is possible to continuously irradiate the light emitting unit with the excitation light at a desired position and range.

  As a result, the deterioration of the light emitting part caused by the excitation light being concentrated on the light emitting part and irradiating the light emitting part is delayed, the brightness becomes extremely high, and the danger from the viewpoint of eye-safe is prevented. Can do. On the contrary, it is possible to prevent the excitation light from being concentrated from the desired state and irradiating the light emitting portion, thereby lowering the luminance and preventing desired optical characteristics from being obtained.

  It is preferable to further include a reflecting mirror that reflects the light emitted from the light emitting unit.

  According to the said structure, the light radiate | emitted from the light emission part can be reflected in a desired direction with a reflective mirror.

  The excitation light source is preferably a laser light source.

  According to the above configuration, the laser beam can be easily collected by the optical system. Therefore, a light-emitting device with high output and high brightness can be obtained, and the deterioration of the light-emitting part due to the excitation light being concentrated on the light-emitting part and irradiating the light-emitting part is delayed, or the brightness is extremely high. And the danger from the viewpoint of eye-safety can be prevented.

  The laser light source is preferably a semiconductor laser light source.

  According to the above configuration, since the semiconductor laser is small, the light emitting device can be miniaturized. Further, when the light emitting device is downsized, the degree of freedom in designing an illumination device using the light emitting device can be significantly improved.

  The positional deviation adjustment method according to the present invention includes the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emission in the light emitting device that collects the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source through the optical member and emits the light emission unit. A positional deviation detection step for detecting a deviation in the relative positional relationship between the units, and a positional deviation adjustment step for adjusting the deviation detected in the positional deviation detection step, wherein the positional deviation detection step includes the excitation light source A detection step for detecting a relative positional relationship between the optical member and the light emitting unit, a detection result in the detection step, and a reference in a relative positional relationship between the excitation light source, the optical member and the light emitting unit. The relative relative position of the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit at the time of detection in the detection step is compared with the reference relative positional relationship to be compared. A determination step for determining whether or not there is a deviation from the relationship, and the positional deviation adjustment step includes the excitation light source, the optical member, and the optical member when the deviation is detected in the positional deviation detection step. The displacement detected in the displacement detection step is adjusted by returning the relative positional relationship between the light emitting units to the reference relative positional relationship.

  According to the said structure, it light-emits by irradiating the light emission part with the excitation light radiate | emitted from the excitation light source and condensed via the optical member.

  When a deviation in the relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit is detected by a deviation from the reference relative positional relationship among them, the positional adjustment method returns the reference relative positional relationship. For example, even if the relative positional relationship between the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit is shifted due to the movement of a lighting fixture on which the light emitting device is mounted or the vehicle, the reference relative positional relationship is restored again by the position adjustment method. Become. For this reason, even when the above-described deviation occurs, it is possible to continuously irradiate the light emitting unit with the excitation light at a desired position and range.

  As a result, the deterioration of the light emitting part caused by the excitation light being concentrated on the light emitting part and irradiating the light emitting part is delayed, the brightness becomes extremely high, and the danger from the viewpoint of eye-safe is prevented. Can do. On the contrary, it is possible to prevent the excitation light from being concentrated from the desired state and irradiating the light emitting portion, thereby lowering the luminance and preventing desired optical characteristics from being obtained.

  In addition, a lighting device, a projector, and a vehicle headlamp including the light emitting device are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, in the light emitting device that condenses the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source through the optical member to the light emitting unit and causes the light emitting unit to emit light, between the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit. There is an effect that it is possible to detect a shift in the relative positional relationship.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the light-emitting device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the position shift adjustment method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the light-emitting device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the light-emitting device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the light-emitting device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the specific example of a marker. It is a figure which shows the structure of the light-emitting device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the light-emitting device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the semiconductor laser apparatus used for the light-emitting device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention, (a) is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a semiconductor laser apparatus and a light emission part, (b) is FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external appearance of a semiconductor laser device. It is sectional drawing of a semiconductor laser apparatus.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Embodiment 1
<Configuration of Light Emitting Device 101>
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a light emitting device 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the light emitting device 101 includes a laser element (excitation light source, semiconductor laser) 2, a light emitting unit 3, a condenser lens (optical member) 4, and a laser element support member (excitation light source support member) 5. A metal base (light emitting part support member) 6, a heat sink 7, a condenser lens support member (optical member support member) 8, a reflecting mirror 9, a position shift detection device 20, and a position shift adjustment device 40. It is equipped with.

(Laser element 2)
The laser element 2 is a light emitting element that functions as an excitation light source that emits excitation light. A plurality of laser elements 2 may be provided. In that case, laser light as excitation light is oscillated from each of the plurality of laser elements 2.

  The laser element 2 may have one light emitting point on one chip, or may have a plurality of light emitting points on one chip. The wavelength of the laser beam of the laser element 2 is, for example, 405 nm (blue purple) or 450 nm (blue), but is not limited thereto, and may be appropriately selected according to the type of phosphor included in the light emitting unit 3. .

  Moreover, it is also possible to use a light emitting diode (LED) instead of the laser element 2 as an excitation light source (light emitting element).

  In the present embodiment, the one in which 20 semiconductor laser chips having a wavelength of 405 nm and an output of 500 mW are arranged in one package is used.

  The laser element 2 is supported by a laser element support member 5. Specifically, the laser element 2 is disposed on a laser element support surface (excitation light source support surface) 5 a which is a main surface facing the light emitting part 3 of the laser element support member 5. A laser beam is emitted.

  The laser element support member 5 includes, for example, a drive circuit (not shown) for driving the laser element 2, and this drive circuit supplies a drive current to the laser element 2 to drive the laser element 2.

(Light Emitting Unit 3)
The light emitting unit 3 emits fluorescence by receiving the laser light emitted from the laser element 2 and collected by the condenser lens 4. The light emitting unit 3 includes a phosphor (fluorescent material) that emits light upon receiving laser light. Specifically, the light-emitting unit 3 includes a phosphor dispersed in a sealing material, a phosphor that has been pressed and solidified, a product that has been pressed and heat-treated, or a phosphor. It is deposited and subjected to appropriate post-treatment such as heat treatment. The light emitting unit 3 can be said to be a wavelength conversion element because it converts laser light into fluorescence.

  The light emitting unit 3 is disposed on the heat radiating plate 7 and substantially at the focal position of the reflecting mirror 9. For this reason, the fluorescence emitted from the light emitting unit 3 is reflected on the reflection curved surface of the reflecting mirror 9 to control the optical path. An antireflection structure for preventing reflection of laser light may be formed on the upper surface and side surfaces of the light emitting unit 3.

  Note that the illumination light irradiation range may be intentionally expanded by arranging the light emitting unit 3 at a position shifted from the focal position.

  As the phosphor of the light emitting unit 3, for example, an oxynitride phosphor (for example, sialon phosphor: SiAlON), a nitride phosphor (for example, cousin phosphor: CASN), or a group III-V compound semiconductor nanoparticle phosphor (For example, indium phosphorus: InP) can be used. These phosphors have high heat resistance against high-power (and / or light density) laser light emitted from the laser element 2, and are optimal for laser illumination light sources. However, the phosphor of the light emitting unit 3 is not limited to the above-described phosphor, and may be other phosphors such as an oxide phosphor and a sulfide phosphor.

  When this light-emitting device is used as a headlamp, the law stipulates that the illumination light of the headlamp must be white having a predetermined range of chromaticity. For this reason, the light emitting unit 3 includes a phosphor selected so that the illumination light is white.

  For example, when blue, green, and red phosphors are included in the light emitting unit 3 and irradiated with laser light of 405 nm, white light is generated. Alternatively, a yellow phosphor (or green and red phosphor) is included in the light emitting section 3, and a so-called blue laser having a peak wavelength in a wavelength range of 450 nm (blue) to 450 nm (blue) or 440 nm to 490 nm. White light can also be obtained by irradiating light.

  The sealing material of the light emitting unit 3 is, for example, a resin material such as a glass material (inorganic glass or organic-inorganic hybrid glass) or silicone resin. Low melting glass may be used as the glass material. The sealing material is preferably highly transparent in the wavelength region near 405 nm, which is the wavelength of the excitation light, and in the wavelength region of the emission spectrum region of the phosphor, and has high heat resistance when the laser beam has a high output. Those are preferred.

  In the present embodiment, CASN: Eu, which is a nitride phosphor, and Ca-αSiAlON: Ce, which is an oxynitride phosphor, are used as the phosphor, and low-melting glass is used as the sealing material. A mixture of these in a weight ratio of (CASN: Eu) :( Ca-αSiAlON: Ce) = 1: 3 is deposited on the heat sink 7 by electrophoresis, and is 10 mm square and 0.5 mm thick. A rectangular parallelepiped phosphor deposit was obtained. Furthermore, the phosphor deposit is covered with a low melting point glass powder so that the surface of the phosphor deposit is covered, and the phosphor deposit is sealed by performing a heat treatment at a temperature equal to or higher than the glass softening point of the low melting point glass. Obtained.

  The light emitting unit 3 is supported by the metal base 6 via the heat sink 7. Specifically, the light emitting unit 3 is disposed on the light emitting unit support surface 6 a facing the laser element 2 of the metal base 6. The light emitting unit 3 receives the laser light emitted from the laser element 2 and emits light by the laser light.

  A hole for embedding the heat sink 7 is provided in the light emitting unit support surface 6a. The light emitting unit 3 is arranged so as to be in direct contact with the heat radiating plate 7. The heat radiating plate 7 plays a role of radiating heat generated from the light emitting unit 3 due to irradiation of the laser light emitted from the laser element 2.

  Copper was used as the heat sink 7. The size of the copper used was a rectangular parallelepiped of 20 mm square and 2 mm thickness. Then, an aluminum block having a hole for embedding the heat radiating plate 7 was used as the metal base 6. The size is a rectangular parallelepiped of 40 mm square and 5 mm thickness. A heat conductive elastomer is filled between the heat sink 7 and the hole of the metal base 6, and heat generated in the light emitting unit 3 irradiated by the laser light is conducted to the heat sink 7 and conducted to the heat sink 7. Heat was made easy to be transmitted to the metal base 6. Furthermore, the surface on the side having the holes was a mirror surface.

  Since it is necessary to irradiate and reflect the laser beam on the side having the hole of the metal base 6 as will be described later, the material is resistant to heat and reflects the laser beam with a high reflectance and a reflectance of at least 50% or more. It is better to use Further, since only the irradiation position needs to have a mirror surface, other materials may be used as long as such a condition is satisfied.

(Condenser lens 4)
The condensing lens 4 is a lens for condensing the laser light so that the laser light emitted from the laser element 2 is irradiated to the light emitting unit 3 as a circular or elliptical spot.

  Examples of the condenser lens 4 include a biconvex lens having a convex surface with respect to the light emitting unit 3, a plano-convex lens, and a convex meniscus lens.

  In addition to the above-described example, an independent lens having a concave surface and a convex surface having an arbitrary axis according to the shape of the light emitting unit 3 or the number of laser elements 2 and the light distribution characteristics of the laser light emitted from the laser element 2 Or a combination of a convex surface having an arbitrary axis and an independent lens having a convex surface.

  Thereby, the luminous efficiency of the light emitting unit 3 is increased by adopting an appropriate lens combination according to the shape of the light emitting unit 3 or the number of the laser elements 2 and the light distribution characteristics of the laser light emitted from the laser element 2. be able to.

  A compound lens in which a concave lens having an arbitrary axis and a lens having a convex surface are integrated according to the shape of the light emitting unit 3 or the number of the laser elements 2 and the light distribution characteristics of the laser light emitted from the laser element 2, Alternatively, a convex lens having the above-mentioned axis and a compound lens obtained by integrating a lens obtained by integrating a compound lens having a convex surface may be employed.

  Accordingly, the number of parts of the entire optical system is reduced, and the size of the entire optical system is reduced, while the light emitting unit 3 or the number of the laser elements 2 and the light distribution characteristics of the laser light emitted from the laser elements 2 are reduced. By adopting an appropriate composite lens, the light emission efficiency of the light emitting unit 3 can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, a convex lens having a diameter of 20 mm is used.

  The condenser lens 4 is supported by a condenser lens support member 8. The condensing lens support member 8 is provided with an opening 8a. Laser light emitted from the laser element 2 travels from the laser element 2 side to the light emitting part 3 side of the condenser lens support member 8 through the opening 8a. The condenser lens 4 is disposed on one main surface of the condenser lens support member 8 while covering the opening 8 a of the condenser lens support member 8. In the light emitting device 101, the condensing lens 4 is disposed on the main surface of the condensing lens support member 8 that faces the light emitting portion 3, but of course, the main surface of the condensing lens support member 8 that faces the laser element 2. It may be arranged on the surface.

  The condensing lens 4 condenses the laser light emitted from the laser element 2 that passes through the opening 8 a and irradiates the light emitting unit 3.

(Reflector 9)
The reflecting mirror 9 reflects the fluorescence generated by the light emitting unit 3 and forms a light bundle (illumination light) that travels within a predetermined solid angle.

  The reflecting mirror 9 also reflects the light reflected or scattered by the light emitting unit 3 among the excitation light irradiated to the light emitting unit 3, and forms a light beam (illumination light) that travels within a predetermined solid angle. Here, the illumination light refers to light that is finally emitted from the light emitting device 101. (1) When the light is composed only of fluorescence generated from the light emitting unit 3, and (2) generated from the light emitting unit 3. There is a case where it is constituted by a mixed color of the fluorescence to be emitted and the excitation light reflected or scattered by the light emitting unit 3 without being used for exciting the phosphor contained in the light emitting unit 3. For example, the reflecting mirror 9 may be a member having a metal thin film formed on the surface thereof, or may be a metal member.

  The reflecting mirror 9 only needs to include at least a part of a curved surface formed by rotating a figure (an ellipse, a circle, a parabola) about the rotation axis on the reflecting surface.

  In the present embodiment, a partial curved surface obtained by cutting a curved surface (parabolic curved surface) formed by rotating the parabola with the axis of symmetry of the parabola as a rotational axis along a plane including the rotational axis is the reflecting surface. Is included.

  A part of the reflecting mirror 9 having such a shape is disposed above the upper surface of the light emitting unit 3 having a larger area than the side surface. That is, the reflecting mirror 9 is arranged at a position covering the upper surface of the light emitting unit 3. If it demonstrates from another viewpoint, a part of side surface of the light emission part 3 has faced the direction of the opening part of the reflective mirror 9. FIG.

  By making the positional relationship between the light emitting unit 3 and the reflecting mirror 9 as described above, it is possible to efficiently project the fluorescence generated from the light emitting unit 3 within a narrow solid angle. Can be increased.

  In addition, the reflecting mirror 9 is formed with a window portion 9a and a window 9b through which the laser beams of the laser element 2 and the laser element 24 are transmitted or passed. The window 9a and the window 9b may be openings or may include a transparent member that can transmit laser light. For example, a transparent plate provided with a filter that transmits laser light and reflects white light (fluorescence of the light emitting unit 3) may be provided as the window portion 9a and the window 9b. With this configuration, the fluorescence of the light emitting unit 3 can be prevented from leaking from the window 9a and the window 9b.

(Position detection device 20)
The positional deviation detection device 20 includes a detection unit (detection unit) 21, a determination unit (determination unit) 22, a storage unit 23, a laser element 24, a collimator lens 25, a beam splitter (half mirror) 26, a collecting unit. An optical lens 27, a fluorescence cut filter (optical functional filter) 28, a lens 29, and a light receiving element (light receiving unit) 30 are provided.

(Detector 21)
The detection unit 21 detects a relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4, and the light emitting unit 3 in the light emitting device 101. The detection unit 21 is connected to the light receiving element 30 and receives the light reception result from the light receiving element 30. The detection unit 21 detects the relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4, and the light emitting unit 3 based on the light reception result. Specifically, the detection unit 21 has a relative relationship between the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4, and the light emitting unit 3 so that the laser light emitted from the laser element 2 is irradiated onto the light emitting unit 3 with a desired irradiation area. Detect positional relationship.

  Here, the “relative positional relationship” means, for example, when the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4, and the light emitting unit 3 are arranged in this order as in the light emitting device 101, the laser element 2 and the condenser lens 4. Are the relative distance between the condensing lens 4 and the light emitting unit 3, and the relative distance between the laser element 2 and the light emitting unit 3.

  In such “relative positional relationship”, “reference relative positional relationship” to be used as a reference is set. The laser light emitted from the laser element 2 and condensed via the condenser lens 4 is irradiated to the light emitting unit 3, and this “reference relative positional relationship” is an irradiation area irradiated to the light emitting unit 3. It becomes a standard for adjusting. When the “relative positional relationship” among the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4, and the light emitting unit 3 is the “reference relative positional relationship”, the laser light emitted from the laser element 2 is applied to the light emitting unit 3 according to a desired irradiation area. Irradiated. The laser element 2, the condensing lens 4 and the light emitting unit 3 are arranged so as to be aligned on the same optical axis. The “reference relative positional relationship” is a “relative positional relationship” when the laser light from the laser element 2 is irradiated with a desired position and illumination area of the light emitting unit 3.

(Determination unit 22)
The determination unit 22 compares the detection result of the detection unit 21 with the reference relative positional relationship between the laser element 2, the condensing lens 4, and the light emitting unit 3. It is determined whether or not the relative positional relationship between them deviates from the reference relative positional relationship.

  When the determination unit 22 receives the relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4, and the light emitting unit 3 as the detection result from the detection unit 21, the laser unit 2 stored in advance in the storage unit 23. The reference relative positional relationship information indicating the reference relative positional relationship between the condenser lens 4 and the light emitting unit 3 is acquired. The determination unit 22 compares the reference relative positional relationship indicated by the reference relative positional relationship information acquired from the storage unit 23 with the detection result of the detection unit 21, and performs the above determination.

  In this way, the determination unit 22 performs the above determination, and outputs the determination result to the misalignment adjusting device 40.

  In addition, about the determination result of the determination part 22, it is preferable to include how much the relative positional relationship detected by the detection part 21 has shifted | deviated from the reference | standard relative positional relationship, and the specific deviation | shift amount. In this case, the positional deviation adjusting device 40 to be described later can use this specific deviation amount to determine an adjustment amount necessary to bring the relative positional relationship detected by the detection unit 21 back to the reference relative positional relationship. It becomes possible.

(Storage unit 23)
As described above, the storage unit 23 stores reference relative positional relationship information indicating the reference relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4, and the light emitting unit 3. As the storage unit 23, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory or a hard disk can be used.

(Laser element 24)
Similarly to the laser element 2, the laser element (laser light source) 24 is supported by the laser element support member 5. Specifically, the laser element 24 is disposed on the laser element support surface 5 a of the laser element support member 5, and emits laser light toward the metal base 6 that supports the light emitting unit 3.

  A drive circuit (not shown) for driving the laser element 24 is mounted on, for example, the laser element support member 5 and supplies a drive current to the laser element 24. The laser element 24 emits laser light by this drive current.

  Both the laser element 2 and the laser element 24 are supported by the laser element support member 5, so that the laser element 2 and the laser element 24 do not move independently of each other.

(Collimator lens 25)
The collimator lens 25 converts the laser light emitted from the laser element 24 into parallel light. When the laser light emitted from the laser element 24 enters the collimator lens 25, it is converted into parallel light and enters the beam splitter 26.

(Beam splitter 26)
When the parallel light emitted from the collimator lens 25 is incident, the beam splitter 26 transmits the beam as it is and emits it toward the condenser lens 27.

  Further, as described later, when the reflected light reflected from the metal base 6 is incident, the beam splitter 26 reflects toward the light receiving element 30 without being transmitted as it is.

(Condenser lens 27)
Similar to the condenser lens 4, the condenser lens 27 is supported by the condenser lens support member 8. The condensing lens support member 8 is further provided with an opening 8b. Laser light emitted from the laser element 24 travels from the laser element 24 side to the metal base 6 side of the condenser lens support member 8 through the opening 8b. The condenser lens 27 is disposed on one main surface of the condenser lens support member 8 while covering the opening 8 b of the condenser lens support member 8. In the light emitting device 101, the condenser lens 27 is disposed on the main surface of the condenser lens support member 8 that faces the metal base 6. Of course, the condenser lens 27 of the condenser lens support member 8 faces the laser element 24. It may be arranged on the surface.

  The condensing lens 27 condenses the laser light emitted from the laser element 24 that passes through the opening 8 b and irradiates the metal base 6. The laser light applied to the metal base 6 is reflected by the light emitting portion support surface 6a of the metal base 6 (location indicated by A in FIG. 1) and travels toward the condenser lens 27. The laser light reflected from the light emitting unit support surface 6 a passes through the condenser lens 27 and the opening 8 b in this order and enters the beam splitter 26. When the laser beam emitted from the condenser lens 27 is incident, the beam splitter 26 emits the light toward the light receiving element 30.

  Both the condensing lens 4 and the condensing lens 27 are supported by the condensing lens support member 8, and the condensing lens 4 and the condensing lens 27 do not move independently of each other. That is, when any one of the condensing lens 4, the condensing lens 27, and the condensing lens support member 8 moves, the other two also move in conjunction with one of them. For this reason, each does not move independently.

(Fluorescent cut filter 28)
The fluorescence cut filter 28 is a filter that blocks the fluorescence emitted from the light emitting unit 3 and transmits the laser light reflected from the metal base 6. As shown in FIG. 1, the fluorescence cut filter 28 is disposed on the light receiving surface side where the light receiving element 30 receives laser light. In other words, the fluorescence cut filter 28 is disposed on the optical axis of the laser light that travels from the beam splitter 26 toward the light receiving element 30. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the fluorescence leaking from the window 9a and the window 9b of the reflecting mirror 9 described later from entering the light receiving element 30, and thus it is possible to prevent malfunction of the light receiving element 30.

(Lens 29)
The lens 29 is for condensing the laser light that has passed through the fluorescence cut filter 28 onto the light receiving element 30.

(Light receiving element 30)
The light receiving element 30 is irradiated with laser light emitted from the lens 29. The laser beam forms a light spot on the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 30. The light receiving element 30 uses, for example, four photodetectors, and receives the laser light applied to each light receiving surface.

  The light receiving element 30 outputs the intensity distribution of the laser light received in this way to the detection unit 21. The detection unit 21 detects the relative positional relationship among the laser element 24, the condenser lens 27, and the metal base 6 (location indicated by A in FIG. 1) using the intensity distribution output from the light receiving element 30.

  Here, the relative positional relationship among the laser element 24, the condensing lens 27, and the metal base 6 and the relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condensing lens 4, and the light emitting unit 3 of the positional deviation detection device 20 are described. , Will be the same. This is because both the laser element 2 and the laser element 24 are supported by the same laser element support member 5, and the condenser lens 4 and the condenser lens 27 are both supported by the same condenser lens support member 8. This is because the light emitting unit 3 is supported by the metal base 6. That is, if the laser element 2 moves, the laser element 24 of the misalignment detection apparatus 20 also moves in the same direction by the same amount. If the condensing lens 4 moves, the condensing lens 27 of the misalignment detection device 20 also moves in the same direction. The movement of the light emitting unit 3 means that the metal base 6 moves.

  In this way, the detection unit 21 indirectly detects the relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4, and the light emitting unit 3 using the intensity of the laser light output from the light receiving element 30. Can do.

(Reference relative position relationship)
The reference relative positional relationship is, for example, the relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condensing lens 4 and the light emitting unit 3 when the diameter of the light spot on the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 30 is a certain size. Good. The detector 21 detects the size of the diameter of the light spot as a relative positional relationship. The determination unit 22 may determine that there is a deviation from the reference relative positional relationship when the diameter of the light spot changes from the size of the light spot diameter in the case of the reference relative positional relationship.

  Further, the reference relative positional relationship is a relative position between three or more objects. For this reason, the reference position in these three reference relative positional relationships is not limited to one, and there may be a plurality. In other words, in order for the laser light from the laser element 2 to irradiate the light emitting unit 3 with a certain irradiation area, the relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4 and the light emitting unit 3 is as follows. Not limited to.

  From this reference relative positional relationship, if any part of the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4 and the light emitting unit 3 moves due to some impact, and the relative positional relationship between the two deviates from the reference relative positional relationship, it will be described later. As described above, the relative positional relationship is pulled back to the reference relative positional relationship by the positional deviation adjusting device 40.

(Position adjustment device 40)
The position deviation adjusting device 40 includes an actuator drive circuit 41, an actuator 42, and a connecting member 43.

(Actuator drive circuit 41)
The actuator drive circuit 41 acquires a determination result from the determination unit 22 of the positional deviation detection device 20. The actuator drive circuit 41 recognizes that the relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4, and the light emitting unit 3 has deviated from the reference relative positional relationship by acquiring this determination result.

  The actuator drive circuit 41 extracts a deviation amount included in the determination result of the determination unit 22. From this deviation amount, the actuator drive circuit 41 generates a drive signal for driving the movement by the moving mechanism 44 constituted by the actuator 42 and the connecting member 43. This drive signal is for instructing the amount of movement by the moving mechanism 44. The moving mechanism 44 determines the amount of movement based on this drive signal. The moving amount is an amount by which the condensing lens support member 8 is moved by the moving mechanism 44, and may be either a movement in the horizontal direction or a movement in the vertical direction.

(Actuator 42 and connecting member 43)
The actuator 42 has a drive mechanism whose position is displaced by electromagnetic force, and is connected to the condenser lens support member 8 via the connection member 43. The actuator 42 can move the condenser lens support member 8 using the connecting member 43. That is, as described above, the actuator 42 and the connecting member 43 constitute a moving mechanism 44 for moving the condenser lens support member 8.

  The actuator 42 determines the movement amount of the condensing lens support member 8 based on the drive signal from the actuator drive circuit 41, and moves the condensing lens support member 8 according to the movement amount.

  The condenser lens 4 is also moved by the movement of the condenser lens support member 8. That is, the focal position of the condenser lens 4 is also displaced. By changing the focal position of the condenser lens 4, the irradiation area of the laser light irradiated on the light emitting unit 3 can be changed.

  The condenser lens 27 moves so as to be focused on the metal base 6, but the condenser lens 4 must be prevented from being focused on the light emitting unit 3. In other words, the position of the condensing lens 27 must be set so that the metal base 6 is in focus at the position of the condensing lens 4 when the light emitting unit 3 is out of focus and has a desired irradiation area.

  Here, electromagnetic force is used as means for moving the actuator 42, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the misalignment detection device 20 detects misalignment, the condensing lens support member 8 that supports the condensing lens 4 is moved so that the laser light irradiated on the light emitting unit 3 can have a desired irradiation area. Any means that moves at high speed is acceptable. For example, a motor is mentioned as another means.

(Operation Principle of Light Emitting Device 101)
The laser light emitted from the laser element 2 passes through the opening 8 a provided in the condenser lens support member 8 and enters the condenser lens 4. By passing through the condensing lens 4, the light emitting unit 3 forms a desired beam shape. After passing through the condenser lens 4, the laser light irradiates the light emitting unit 3 through a window 9 a provided in the reflecting mirror 9 for transmitting or passing the laser light. The light emitting unit 3 is disposed on the heat sink 7, and the heat sink 7 is installed on the metal base 6.

  When the laser beam is irradiated, fluorescence is emitted from the light emitting unit 3. However, a part of the laser light is reflected and scattered by the light emitting unit 3. Further, of the laser light irradiated to the light emitting unit 3, a part of the laser light that has not been converted into fluorescence is converted into heat, and a part of the generated heat is conducted in the order of the heat radiating plate 7 and the metal base 6. . Thereby, heat dissipation of the light emission part 3 is performed.

  The laser light applied to the light emitting unit 3 is converted into fluorescence by the light emitting unit 3, or reflected and scattered by the light emitting unit 3. However, the desired illumination light is finally obtained by mixing these lights. Can be obtained.

(Position adjustment method)
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a positional deviation adjustment method by the positional deviation detection device 20 and the positional deviation adjustment device 40.

  As shown in FIG. 2, first, the detection unit 21 of the positional deviation detection device 20 detects a relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4, and the light emitting unit 3 (step S <b> 101).

  Next, when receiving the detection result from the detection unit 21, the determination unit 22 of the positional deviation detection device 20 acquires reference relative positional relationship information indicating the reference relative positional relationship from the storage unit 23 (step S102).

  Next, the determination unit 22 indicates the relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4, and the light emitting unit 3, and the reference relative positional relationship information acquired from the storage unit 23, which are detection results of the detection unit 21. The reference relative positional relationship is compared (step S103). And the determination part 22 determines whether the relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condensing lens 4, and the light emission part 3 has shifted | deviated from the reference | standard relative positional relationship from the comparison result (step S104).

  Next, when the actuator drive circuit 41 of the positional deviation adjusting device 40 receives the determination result from the determination unit 22, the actuator drive circuit 41 extracts a specific amount of deviation included in the determination result. Then, the actuator drive circuit 41 uses the deviation amount to calculate an adjustment amount (retraction amount) necessary for returning the relative positional relationship detected by the detecting unit 21 to the reference relative positional relationship (step S105). In step S105, the actuator drive circuit 41 outputs a drive signal indicating the adjustment amount to the actuator 42.

  Next, the actuator 42 of the misalignment adjusting device 40 moves the connecting member 43 by a drive signal from the actuator drive circuit 41. By the movement, the condensing lens support member 8 is moved, and by doing so, the relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condensing lens 4 and the light emitting unit 3 is returned to the reference relative positional relationship, and the relative positional relationship is adjusted. Is executed (step S106).

  In this way, the positional deviation adjustment method by the positional deviation detection device 20 and the positional deviation adjustment device 40 ends.

(Effect of the light emitting device 101)
Since the area irradiated with the laser beam to the light emitting unit 3 can be made constant and the intensity of the fluorescence from the light emitting unit 3 does not change with time, flickering of illumination light can be prevented. Accordingly, it is possible to make the human eyes less tired.

[Embodiment 2]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the light-emitting device 102 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In addition, about the member similar to Embodiment 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the light emitting device 102 includes a light emitting unit 3, a heat radiating plate 7, a laser element support member 10, a metal base 11, a condenser lens support member 12, a reflecting mirror 13, and a displacement detection. The apparatus 20a and the misalignment adjusting apparatus 40 are provided.

  The light emitting device 102 is different from the light emitting device 101 in that the laser element 2 and the laser element 24 of the light emitting device 101 are combined with one laser element 24a. The laser element support member 10 is different from the laser element support member 5 in that only one laser element 24a is supported. The metal base 11 is different from the metal base 6 in that the light emitting unit support surface 11a of the metal base 11 is not irradiated with laser light. The condensing lens support member 12 is different from the condensing lens support member 8 in that only one condensing lens 27 is supported. The difference between the reflecting mirror 13 and the reflecting mirror 9 is that it has only one window 13a that transmits or passes laser light from one laser element 24a.

  The light emitting device 102 combines a laser element that emits a laser beam that contributes to the light emission of the light emitting unit 3 and a laser element that emits a laser beam used by the misalignment detection device 20a. This is a mechanism in which the misalignment detection device 20a uses laser light reflected from the light emitting unit 3 without contributing to light emission of the unit 3.

  The laser light emitted from the laser element 24 a is shaped to have a desired shape by the collimator lens 25, passes through the beam splitter 26, and passes through the opening 12 a provided in the condenser lens support member 12. , And enters the condenser lens 27.

  The laser light of the lens element 24 a that has entered the condenser lens 27 is applied to the light emitting unit 3. The laser light that does not contribute to the light emission of the light emitting unit 3 and is reflected from the light emitting unit 3 is incident on the condenser lens 27, is reflected by the beam splitter 26, and enters the fluorescence cut filter 28.

  The laser light that has passed through the fluorescence cut filter 28 enters the lens 29, is given astigmatism by the lens 29, and forms a light spot on the light receiving element 30. The light receiving element 30 receives the light spots irradiated on the four light receiving surfaces.

  Here, since the purpose of the light emitting device 102 is to keep the irradiation area of the light emitting unit 3 at a desired irradiation area without focusing, the light spots irradiated on each of the four light receiving surfaces of the light receiving element 30. In the intensity distribution, the intensity distribution indicating the position out of focus must be set as the reference position. By setting such a reference position in advance, control to return to the reference position can be performed.

(Effect of the light emitting device 102)
In the present embodiment, it is not necessary to prepare two laser elements, and the manufacturing process and cost, and further the size of the entire apparatus can be suppressed.

[Embodiment 3]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the light-emitting device 103 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The light emitting device 103 is different from the light emitting device 101 and the light emitting device 102 in that the displacement detection device 20 and the displacement displacement adjustment device 40 and the displacement displacement detection device 20a and the displacement displacement adjustment device 40 of the second embodiment are replaced by a spring. The elastic member 52 and the elastic member 53 are used.

  In the light emitting device 103, an elastic member 52 is connected between the laser element support member 10 and the condenser lens support member 12, and an elastic member 53 is connected between the condenser lens support member 12 and the metal base 51. ing.

  The elastic member 52 keeps the relative positional relationship between the laser element support member 10 and the condenser lens support member 12 constant. Similarly, the elastic member 53 holds the relative positional relationship between the condensing lens support member 12 and the metal base 51 constant.

  For this reason, the laser light irradiation area to the light emission part 3 can be made constant with a simpler structure than Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2.

[Embodiment 4]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the light-emitting device 104 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In addition, about the member similar to Embodiment 1-3, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the light emitting device 104 includes a laser element 2, a light emitting unit 3, a condenser lens 4, a laser element support member 15, a metal base 6, a heat sink 7, and a condenser lens support member. 16, a reflecting mirror 14, a position shift detection device 20 b, and a position shift adjustment device 40 b.

  The positional deviation detection device 20b includes a detection unit 21b, a determination unit 22b, a storage unit 23b, a camera 31, a camera 32, a marker 33, and a marker 34.

  The camera 31 is supported by the condenser lens support member 16. Specifically, the camera 31 is fitted in the condenser lens support member 16 and images the marker 33 disposed on the marker fixing portion 14b of the reflecting mirror 14.

  As the camera 31, for example, a CCD camera can be used. The CCD camera may have a passive autofocus function that is used for focus adjustment of a digital camera or the like.

  As described above, the marker 33 is disposed on the marker fixing portion 14b of the reflecting mirror 14. The marker 33 is further included in the imaging area of the camera 31. Here, the reflecting mirror 14 and the metal base 6 are fixed in advance so that their positions are not displaced from each other. For example, the reflecting mirror 14 and the metal base 6 may be integrated, or both may be fixed to other identical members. Thereby, the relative positional relationship between the marker 33 and the light emitting unit 3 is fixed.

  The camera 31 images the marker 33 and outputs the imaging result to the detection unit 21b. The detection unit 21 b detects the relative positional relationship between the camera 31 and the marker 33 using the imaging result output from the camera 31.

  As described above, the relative positional relationship between the marker 33 and the light emitting unit 3 is fixed. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between the camera 31 and the light emitting unit 3 can be derived from the relative positional relationship between the camera 31 and the marker 33. On the other hand, the camera 31 is fixed to the condenser lens support member 16, and the relative positional relationship between the camera 31 and the condenser lens 4 is also fixed. From the relative positional relationship between the camera 31 and the marker 33, the relative positional relationship between the condenser lens 4 and the marker 33 can be derived.

  That is, from these, the detection unit 21b can derive the relative positional relationship between the condenser lens 4 and the light emitting unit 3 using the imaging result of the camera 31.

  The camera 32 is supported by the laser element support member 15. Specifically, the camera 32 is fitted in the laser element support member 15 and images the marker 34 disposed on the condenser lens support member 16.

  As the camera 32, for example, a CCD camera can be used similarly to the camera 31. The CCD camera may have a passive autofocus function that is used for focus adjustment of a digital camera or the like.

  The marker 34 is disposed on the condenser lens support member 16 as described above. The marker 34 is further included in the imaging area of the camera 32. Here, the condenser lens 4 is fitted into the condenser lens support member 16. Thereby, the relative positional relationship between the marker 34 and the condenser lens support member 16 is fixed.

  The camera 32 images the marker 34 and outputs the imaging result to the detection unit 21b. The detection unit 21 b detects the relative positional relationship between the camera 32 and the marker 34 using the imaging result output from the camera 32.

  The relative positional relationship between the marker 34 and the condenser lens 4 is fixed. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between the camera 32 and the condenser lens 4 can be derived from the relative positional relationship between the camera 32 and the marker 34. On the other hand, the camera 32 is fixed to the laser element support member 15, and the relative positional relationship between the camera 32 and the laser element 2 is also fixed. From the relative positional relationship between the camera 32 and the marker 34, the relative positional relationship between the laser element 2 and the marker 34 can be derived.

  In other words, the detection unit 21b can detect the relative positional relationship between the laser element 2 and the condensing lens 4 using the imaging result of the camera 32 based on these things.

  6A and 6B show an example of the marker 33 and the marker 34. FIG. For example, the camera 31 and the camera 32 take an image of a white portion and a black portion drawn on the marker 33 and the marker 34, and output a contrast intensity distribution between them to the detection unit 21b.

  The detection unit 21 b detects the relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4, and the light emitting unit 3 in the light emitting device 104. The detection unit 21b is connected to the camera 31 and the camera 32, and receives the imaging result of the camera 31 and the imaging result of the camera 32, respectively, as described above. The detection unit 21 b detects the relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4, and the light emitting unit 3 based on those imaging results. Specifically, the detection unit 21 has a relative relationship between the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4, and the light emitting unit 3 so that the laser light emitted from the laser element 2 is irradiated onto the light emitting unit 3 with a desired irradiation area. Detect positional relationship.

  The determination unit 22b compares the detection result of the detection unit 21b with the reference relative positional relationship between the laser element 2, the condensing lens 4, and the light emitting unit 3, and the laser element 2, the condensing lens 4 and the light emitting unit 3 are compared. It is determined whether or not the relative positional relationship between them deviates from the reference relative positional relationship.

  The position deviation adjusting device 40b includes an actuator drive circuit 41b, an actuator 42b, a connecting member 43b1, and a connecting member 43b2.

  The actuator drive circuit 41b extracts the deviation amount included in the determination result of the determination unit 22b. From this deviation amount, the actuator drive circuit 41b generates a drive signal for driving the movement by the moving mechanism 44b composed of the actuator 42b, the connecting member 43b1, and the connecting member 43b2. Here, the connecting member 43b1 connects the actuator 42b and the laser element support member 15, and the connecting member 43b2 connects the actuator 42b and the condenser lens support member 16. Therefore, this drive signal is a signal indicating the amount of movement by the moving mechanism 44b, that is, the amount of movement of each of the laser element support member 15 and the condenser lens support member 16. The movement direction may be any of movement in the horizontal direction and movement in the vertical direction.

  In the present embodiment, the misalignment detection device 20b detects the misalignment of the relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4 and the light emitting unit 3 from the reference relative positional relationship. The adjustment device 40b uses the detection result of the positional deviation detection device 20b to return the relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4 and the light emitting unit 3 to the reference relative positional relationship.

  Here, the positional deviation adjusting device 40b does not need to restore the relative positional relationship among the laser element 2, the condenser lens 4 and the light emitting unit 3 to the reference relative positional relationship by a single pull-back operation. For example, the reference relative positional relationship may be gradually brought closer to the reference by a plurality of pullback operations. Then, the pull back operation may be performed a plurality of times until the position shift detection device 20b does not detect the position shift. In this case, the misalignment detection device 20b detects misalignment each time the misalignment adjustment device 40b performs a pull back operation.

  Such a form is executed, for example, as a passive autofocus function used for focus adjustment of a digital camera or the like, that is, focusing of a camera that stops the operation at the point of focus when it is actually moved. It is a form.

[Embodiment 5]
Embodiment 5 of the present invention is an embodiment in which Embodiment 1 relating to a reflective light emitting device is applied to a transmissive light emitting device. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the light-emitting device 105 according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In addition, about the member similar to Embodiment 1-4, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the light emitting device 105 includes a laser element 2, a condenser lens 71, an optical fiber 72, a ferrule (optical member) 73, a light emitting unit 3, a laser element support member 17, and a ferrule support member. 18, a light emitting unit support member 19, a misalignment detection device 20 c, and a misalignment adjustment device 40 c.

  The optical fiber 72 is a light guide member that guides the laser light oscillated by the laser element 2 to the light emitting unit 3, and is a bundle of a plurality of optical fibers. For example, laser light is incident on the optical fiber 72 from the laser element 2 through the condenser lens 71. The tip of the optical fiber 72 is held by a ferrule 73 and supported by the ferrule support member 18.

  The light emitting unit 3 is supported by a light emitting unit support member 19 using a transmission member that transmits laser light. The laser light emitted from the tip of the optical fiber 72 is transmitted through the light emitting unit support member 19 and irradiated onto the light emitting unit 3.

  The position shift detection device 20c includes a detection unit 21c, a determination unit 22c, a storage unit 23c, a laser element 24c, a collimator lens 25c, a beam splitter (half mirror) 26c, a light receiving element 30c, and a reflection member 35. ,have. The laser light emitted from the laser element 24c passes through the collimator lens 25c and enters the beam splitter 26c. The laser beam emitted from the beam splitter 26c is directed to the reflecting member 35, reflected by the reflecting member 35, passes through the beam splitter 26c, and is irradiated to the light receiving element 30c.

  The laser element 24 c is fitted into the ferrule support member 18, while the reflection member 35 is fixed to the light emitting unit support member 19. The misalignment detection device 20c detects the relative positional relationship between the laser element 24c and the reflecting member 35, whereby the ferrule 73 supported by the ferrule support member 18, that is, the tip of the optical fiber 72, and the light emitting unit support member 19 are detected. The relative positional relationship with the light emitting unit 3 supported by is detected.

[Embodiment 6]
Embodiment 6 of the present invention is an embodiment in which Embodiment 4 relating to a reflective light emitting device is applied to a transmissive light emitting device. Hereinafter, differences from the fourth embodiment will be described.

  Embodiment 6 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the light-emitting device 106 according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. In addition, about the member similar to Embodiment 1-5, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the light emitting device 106 includes a laser element 2, a condenser lens 71, an optical fiber 72, a ferrule 73, a light emitting unit 3, a laser element support member 17, a ferrule support member 18, and light emission. A part support member 19a, a displacement detection device 20d, and a displacement adjustment device 40d are provided.

  The positional deviation detection device 20d includes a detection unit 21d, a determination unit 22d, a storage unit 23d, a camera 31d, and a marker 33d.

  The camera 31d is fitted into the ferrule support member 18, while the marker 33d is fixed to the light emitting unit support member 19a. The position shift detection device 20d detects the relative positional relationship between the camera 31d and the marker 33d, thereby supporting the ferrule 73 supported by the ferrule support member 18, that is, the tip of the optical fiber 72, and the light emitting unit support member 19a. The relative positional relationship with the emitted light emitting unit 3 is detected.

  In the first to sixth embodiments described above, the light emitting device including the misalignment detecting device and the misalignment adjusting device is described. However, the misalignment detecting device and the misalignment adjusting device may be independent from the light emitting device. In that case, each of the misalignment detection device and the misalignment adjustment device may be configured to be removable from the light emitting device.

[Definition of light collection in the present invention]
In the first to sixth embodiments described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the laser light emitted from the laser element 2 converges toward the light emitting unit 3 by passing through the condenser lens 4 (focusing and focusing). The light emitting unit 3 is irradiated. In other words, the condenser lens 4 converges the light emitted from the laser element 2 toward the light emitting unit 3. Therefore, in the above first to sixth embodiments, “condensing” of the condensing lens 4 can be said to have the meaning of “narrowing light”, in other words, “collecting to one point”.

  However, the meaning of “light collection” in the present invention is not limited to such “narrowing light” or “collecting at one point”. The meaning of “condensing” in the present invention is only to “make light irradiate a desired irradiation region”. As described above, “light narrowing” and “to one point” It includes not only the meaning of “collecting” but also the meaning of “spreading light”, more specifically “spreading from one point” and “not changing the traveling direction of light”. Hereinafter, specific examples of the significance of the latter will be described.

  For example, FIG. 9 shows a semiconductor laser device suitable for the present invention. FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the semiconductor laser device 81 and the light emitting unit 3, and FIG. 9B is an external view of the semiconductor laser device 81. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor laser device 81 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the semiconductor laser device 81 emits laser light toward the light emitting unit 3, and the light emitting unit 3 is irradiated with the laser light. As shown in FIG. 9B, the semiconductor laser device 81 includes a cap glass 84 on the laser beam emission direction side, and emits laser light to the outside of the semiconductor laser device 81 through the cap glass 84.

  As shown in FIGS. 9B and 10, in the semiconductor laser device 81, a semiconductor laser element 87 is enclosed in a package including a stem 82 and a cap 83. The cap glass 84 is fused to the opening of the cap 83, and the cap glass 84 has a function of extracting laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser element 87 to the outside of the cap 83. The semiconductor laser element 87 is hermetically sealed in the package by the cap glass 84 and the cap 83.

  The semiconductor laser element 87 is embedded and loaded in a laser element holding member 86 disposed on the stem 82 together with a heat sink 88 described later. The laser element holding member 86 is fixed on the stem 82 and maintains the distance between the semiconductor laser element 87 and the cap glass 84 constant. Thereby, the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser element 87 is reliably incident on the cap glass 84.

  The semiconductor laser element 87 is surrounded by a heat sink 88 using a heat conductive material such as metal, except for the laser light emitting surface side. The heat generated by the semiconductor laser element 87 through the heat sink 88 is efficiently radiated to the laser element holding member 86 side.

  Two leads 85 are attached to the stem 82, and a driving current for driving the semiconductor laser element 87 is supplied from the outside of the semiconductor laser device 81 using the two leads 85. As shown in FIG. 10, the two leads 85 are electrically connected to the two electrodes of the semiconductor laser element 87 loaded in the laser element holding member 86 through the wiring, the laser element holding member 86 and the heat sink 88, respectively. It is connected to the.

  In such a semiconductor laser device 81, the cap glass 84 is an example of the “optical member” of the present invention, and the semiconductor laser element 87 is an example of the “excitation light source” of the present invention. In this case, it can be said that the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser element 87 is collected by the cap glass 84 and irradiated to the light emitting unit 3.

  The laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser element 87 is incident on the cap glass 84 with a certain divergence angle according to the alignment characteristics of the semiconductor laser element 87. The cap glass 84 emits the laser beam incident thereon without substantially spreading.

  More specifically, when the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser element 87 enters the cap glass 84, the cap glass 84 and the surrounding gas (for example, enclosed in the cap 83) at the interface of the cap glass 84. The air is refracted according to the respective refractive indexes of the dry air), and the spread angle changes. Within the cap glass 84, the laser light travels while maintaining its spreading angle.

  When the laser light travels through the cap glass 84 and is emitted from the cap glass 84, the laser light is again refracted at the interface of the cap glass 84 according to the refractive indexes of the cap glass 84 and the surrounding gas. The spread angle changes again.

  In the semiconductor laser device 81, after being emitted from the semiconductor laser element 87, the laser light having undergone such a change in the divergence angle of 2 degrees is irradiated to the light emitting unit 3 as shown in FIG.

  That is, the meaning of “light collection” here is not “narrowing the light” or “collecting it at one point” as in the first to sixth embodiments. As described above, the meanings are “spread light”, “spread from one point”, and “do not change the traveling direction of light”.

  Thus, it can be said that the meaning of “condensing” in the present invention is “so that light is irradiated to a desired irradiation region”.

[Other structural examples of light emitting device]
The light emitting device of the present invention may be applied to a vehicle headlamp or other lighting devices. A downlight can be mentioned as an example of the illuminating device of this invention. A downlight is a lighting device installed on the ceiling of a structure such as a house or a vehicle. In addition, the lighting device of the present invention may be realized as a headlamp of a vehicle and other moving objects (for example, humans, ships, aircrafts, submersibles, rockets, etc.), searchlights, projectors, downlights. It may be realized as a room lighting device other than (such as a stand lamp). In particular, when the projector is used in an environment with vibration (for example, a moving body such as a car), it is very effective to apply the present invention to a light emitting device that is a light source of the projector. .

  The excitation light irradiation area to the light emitting part can be made constant, and the intensity of the fluorescence from the light emitting part does not change with time, so the generation of speckles when illuminating the object with illumination light can be suppressed, and the illumination light Flickering can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to make the human eyes less likely to get tired.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can keep the irradiation area to the light emitting part constant, and is particularly suitable for a lighting device.

2 Laser elements (excitation light source, semiconductor laser)
4 Condensing lens (optical member)
24, 24a, 24c Laser element 20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d Position shift detection device 21, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d Detection unit (detection means)
22, 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d determination unit (determination means)
30, 30c Light receiving element (light receiving part)
40, 40b, 40c Misalignment adjusting device 52, 53 Elastic member 73 Ferrule (optical member)
101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 Light emitting device

Claims (17)

The excitation light emitted from the excitation light source is condensed on the light emitting unit through the optical member, and the relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit is detected in the light emitting device that emits the light emitting unit. Detection means;
The detection result of the detection means is compared with a reference relative positional relationship to be used as a reference in a relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit, and the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit are compared. And a determining means for determining whether or not the relative positional relationship at the time of detection by the detecting means is deviated from the reference relative positional relationship.   The reference relative positional relationship is set in advance based on at least one of the area of the irradiation region on the light emitting unit or the position of the irradiation region on the light emitting unit with respect to the excitation light condensed on the light emitting unit. The position shift detection device according to claim 1, wherein A laser light source that emits laser light from one of the excitation light source support surface that supports the excitation light source and the light emitting unit support surface that supports the light emitting unit toward the other surface side;
A light receiving unit that receives return light that is reflected from the other surface of the laser light emitted from the laser light source and returns to the one surface;
The detection means acquires the focal shape of the return light on the light receiving unit from the light receiving unit as its detection result,
The determination means includes a reference focus shape that is a focus shape on the light receiving portion when the relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting portion is the reference relative positional relationship, and the detection means. 3. The focus shape on the light receiving unit acquired by step (1) is compared, and if there is a change between the two focus shapes, it is determined that the deviation is present. The position shift detection apparatus described in 1. The laser light source is used as the excitation light source of the light emitting device,
An optical functional filter that blocks light emitted from the light emitting unit and transmits the return light;
The positional deviation detection device according to claim 3, wherein the optical function filter is disposed on a light receiving surface side of the light receiving unit that receives light. A camera disposed on at least one of an excitation light source support member for supporting the excitation light source or an optical member support member for supporting the optical member;
A marker included in the imaging region of the camera,
The marker is included in the imaging region of the camera disposed on the excitation light source support member, and the marker disposed on the optical member support member or the imaging region of the camera disposed on the optical member support member. Including at least one of the markers disposed on the light emitting unit support member that is included and supports the light emitting unit,
The detection means acquires an imaging result obtained by imaging the marker by the camera as its detection result,
The determination unit compares the imaging result obtained by the camera with the imaging result acquired by the detection unit when the relative positional relationship between the camera and the marker is the reference relative positional relationship, The positional deviation detection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when there is a change between the two imaging results, it is determined that the deviation is present. An excitation light source that emits excitation light;
An optical member for collecting the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source;
A light emitting unit that emits light by excitation light collected by the optical member;
A displacement detection device for detecting a displacement in a relative positional relationship between the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit;
A misalignment adjusting device that adjusts the misalignment detected by the misalignment detecting device,
The positional deviation detection device is
Detecting means for detecting a relative positional relationship between the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit;
The detection result of the detection means is compared with a reference relative positional relationship to be used as a reference in a relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit, and the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit are compared. Determining means for determining whether or not the relative positional relationship at the time of detection by the detecting means is deviated from the reference relative positional relationship,
The positional deviation adjusting device is configured to return the relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit to the reference relative positional relationship when the positional deviation detection device detects the deviation. A light-emitting device that adjusts the deviation detected by the positional deviation detection device.   The reference relative positional relationship is set in advance based on at least one of the area of the irradiation region on the light emitting unit or the position of the irradiation region on the light emitting unit with respect to the excitation light condensed on the light emitting unit. The light-emitting device according to claim 6.   8. The light emitting device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the positional deviation adjusting device includes a moving mechanism for moving at least one position of the excitation light source, the optical member, or the light emitting unit.   9. The light emitting device according to claim 8, wherein the moving mechanism fixes the excitation light source and the light emitting unit and moves the optical member. An excitation light source that emits excitation light;
An optical member for collecting the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source;
A light emitting unit that emits light by excitation light collected by the optical member;
A light emitting device comprising: an excitation member that holds a relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit.   The light-emitting device according to claim 6, further comprising a reflecting mirror that reflects light emitted from the light-emitting unit.   The light-emitting device according to claim 6, wherein the excitation light source is a laser light source.   The light emitting device according to claim 12, wherein the laser light source is a semiconductor laser light source. A deviation in the relative positional relationship between the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit in a light emitting device that condenses the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source to the light emitting unit through the optical member and causes the light emitting unit to emit light. A displacement detection process to detect;
Including a displacement adjustment step of adjusting the displacement detected in the displacement detection step,
The positional deviation detection step
A detection step of detecting a relative positional relationship between the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit;
The detection result in the detection step is compared with a reference relative positional relationship to be used as a reference in a relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit, and the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emission are compared. A determination step of determining whether or not the relative positional relationship in the detection in the detection step is deviated from the reference relative positional relationship,
The positional deviation adjustment step returns the relative positional relationship among the excitation light source, the optical member, and the light emitting unit to the reference relative positional relationship when the deviation is detected in the positional deviation detection step. The positional deviation adjustment method, wherein the positional deviation detected in the positional deviation detection step is adjusted.   An illumination device comprising the light-emitting device according to claim 6.   A projector comprising the light emitting device according to any one of claims 6 to 13.   A vehicle headlamp comprising the light emitting device according to any one of claims 6 to 13.

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