LIGHTING DEVICE

Abstract

Provided is a lighting device using semiconductor laser elements that can be safely used even in a cold region etc. The present invention includes: a plurality of semiconductor laser elements; a temperature sensor that measures an ambient temperature of the plurality of semiconductor laser elements; and a current controller that controls current supply to the semiconductor laser elements, wherein, when a measured value from the temperature sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold temperature, the current controller does not supply a current equal to or greater than a threshold current, which is required to emit laser light, to the semiconductor laser elements until the measured value exceeds the first threshold temperature, and when the measured value exceeds the first threshold temperature, the current controller supplies a current equal to or greater than the threshold current to the semiconductor laser elements.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising: a plurality of semiconductor laser elements; a temperature sensor that measures an ambient temperature of the plurality of semiconductor laser elements; and a current control unit that controls current supply to the semiconductor laser elements, wherein, when a measured value from the temperature sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold temperature, the current control unit does not supply a current equal to or greater than a threshold current, which is required to emit laser light, to the semiconductor laser elements until the measured value exceeds the first threshold temperature, and when the measured value exceeds the first threshold temperature, the current control unit supplies a current equal to or greater than the threshold current to the semiconductor laser elements.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the first threshold temperature is equal to or greater than 0° C.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1, comprising a heater, wherein, when the measured value from the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined second threshold temperature, the heater heats the semiconductor laser elements.

4. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein, when the measured value from the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined second threshold temperature, the current control unit supplies a current equal to or less than the threshold current to the semiconductor laser elements.

5. The lighting device according to claim 4, wherein, when the measured value from the temperature sensor is lower than the second threshold temperature, the current control unit supplies a current to the semiconductor laser elements so that the current gradually increases within a range equal to or less than the threshold current.

6. The lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the second threshold temperature is equal to or lower than 0° C.

7. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a value of total power supplied to the semiconductor laser elements is 300 W or more.

8. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor laser elements are nitride semiconductor light emitting elements.

9. The lighting device according to claim 2, comprising a heater, wherein, when the measured value from the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined second threshold temperature, the heater heats the semiconductor laser elements.

10. The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein, when the measured value from the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined second threshold temperature, the current control unit supplies a current equal to or less than the threshold current to the semiconductor laser elements.

11. The lighting device according to claim 3, wherein, when the measured value from the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined second threshold temperature, the current control unit supplies a current equal to or less than the threshold current to the semiconductor laser elements.

12. The lighting device according to claim 9, wherein, when the measured value from the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined second threshold temperature, the current control unit supplies a current equal to or less than the threshold current to the semiconductor laser elements.

13. The lighting device according to claim 10, wherein, when the measured value from the temperature sensor is lower than the second threshold temperature, the current control unit supplies a current to the semiconductor laser elements so that the current gradually increases within a range equal to or less than the threshold current.

14. The lighting device according to claim 11, wherein, when the measured value from the temperature sensor is lower than the second threshold temperature, the current control unit supplies a current to the semiconductor laser elements so that the current gradually increases within a range equal to or less than the threshold current.

15. The lighting device according to claim 12, wherein, when the measured value from the temperature sensor is lower than the second threshold temperature, the current control unit supplies a current to the semiconductor laser elements so that the current gradually increases within a range equal to or less than the threshold current.

16. The lighting device according to claim 4, wherein the second threshold temperature is equal to or lower than 0° C.

17. The lighting device according to claim 5, wherein the second threshold temperature is equal to or lower than 0° C.

18. The lighting device according to claim 9, wherein the second threshold temperature is equal to or lower than 0° C.

19. The lighting device according to claim 10, wherein the second threshold temperature is equal to or lower than 0° C.

20. The lighting device according to claim 11, wherein the second threshold temperature is equal to or lower than 0° C.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0048] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a use mode of a lighting device.

[0049] FIG. 2 is a schematic overall perspective view of a lighting device according to one embodiment.

[0050] FIG. 3 is a schematic overall perspective view of the lighting device illustrated in FIG. 2 as viewed from another direction.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device illustrated in FIG. 2 as viewed from a Z direction toward an emission window.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device illustrated in FIG. 2 as viewed in an X direction.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a lighting device according to one embodiment as viewed in the X direction.

[0054] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating a relationship between a current supplied to a semiconductor laser element and an optical output.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0055] The lighting device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings referred to below are all schematic, and dimensional ratios or numbers in the drawings do not necessarily coincide with the actual dimensional ratios or numbers.

First Embodiment

[0056] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a use mode of a lighting device 1. A vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1 is an inspection vehicle that travels on a railway and inspects the railway for any abnormalities in a midnight zone when operation of a train, a bullet train, or the like is finished. The inspection performed using the inspection vehicle is mainly carried out such that an inspection worker in the inspection vehicle conducts visual inspection while traveling the inspection vehicle on the railway.

[0057] Therefore, the lighting device 1 mounted on the inspection vehicle needs to be bright enough to visually confirm an abnormality or the like of the railway ahead at midnight, and therefore, the lighting device 1 is required to have a high output. The lighting device 1 according to the present invention includes many semiconductor laser elements for achieving a high output, and is provided with a large current controller for supplying a large current. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the entire device is very large.

[0058] Note that a value of total power supplied to semiconductor laser elements 10 of the lighting device 1 used for midnight inspection or the like as illustrated in FIG. 1 is preferably at least 300 W or more. In addition, when the lighting device 1 is used for a light source that projects light over a long distance, such as a lighthouse, a value of total power supplied to the semiconductor laser elements 10 is preferably at least 600 W or more.

[0059] FIG. 2 is a schematic overall perspective view of the lighting device 1 according to one embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lighting device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a cylindrical casing 2, an emission window 3 for emitting light L1 from the casing 2, and a support base 4 for fixing the lighting device 1.

[0060] In the following description, a vertical direction is defined as a Y direction, a direction in which the light is emitted is defined as a Z direction, and a direction orthogonal to the Y direction and the Z direction is defined as an X direction. In addition, regarding directions, when positive and negative directions are distinguished from each other, each of the directions is indicated herein with positive or negative sign such as “+Z direction” or “−Z direction”. On the other hand, when the direction is expressed without distinction between positive and negative directions, the direction is simply referred to as “Z direction”.

[0061] The casing 2 includes therein a plurality of semiconductor laser elements (semiconductor laser elements 10 to be described later) as a light source, and emits light L1 from the emission window 3. The shape of casing 2 is not limited a cylindrical shape, and may have an elliptical cylindrical shape or a rectangular cylindrical shape, or a conical shape, a pyramid shape that expands toward the emission window 3, and the emission window 3 may also have an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape.

[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the support base 4 is a base for fixing the lighting device 1 to a vehicle or the like. The support base 4 includes a first rotation part 4a for rotating the casing 2 about the X direction, and a second rotation part 4b for rotating the casing 2 about the Y direction. As a result, the emission window 3 can be directed in any direction, and the light L1 can be emitted in any direction.

[0063] FIG. 3 is a schematic overall perspective view of the lighting device 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 as viewed from another direction. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a cover 5 having a heat release opening 5a for releasing high-temperature air from the inside of the casing 2 is provided on the side opposite to the emission window 3 of the casing 2.

[0064] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 as viewed from the Z direction toward the emission window 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 as viewed in the X direction. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lighting device 1 includes, in the casing 2, a substrate 11 on which a plurality of semiconductor laser elements 10 is placed, a temperature sensor 12, a current controller 13, a phosphor 14, a mirror 15 for guiding laser light L2 emitted from the semiconductor laser elements 10 to the phosphor 14, a dichroic mirror 16, a first condenser lens 17 and a second condenser lens 18 for emitting the light L1 emitted from the phosphor 14 as parallel light from the emission window 3, an aperture 19, and a collimator lens 20.

[0065] In the first embodiment, the semiconductor laser elements 10 are an excitation light source that emits excitation light for generating fluorescence from the phosphor 14. The plurality of semiconductor laser elements 10 is disposed on the substrate 11 in order to obtain the lighting device 1 with high output, that is, in order to obtain high-output light L1 from the phosphor 14. For example, in the lighting device 1 used for midnight inspection as illustrated in FIG. 1, about several tens to several hundreds of semiconductor laser elements 10 are disposed so that the value of total power supplied to the semiconductor laser elements 10 is 300 W or more as described above.

[0066] Note that the semiconductor laser elements 10 in the first embodiment are nitride semiconductor light emitting elements, and are light emitting elements that emit the laser light L2 in a visible light region. In this configuration, a fluorescent agent may be applied to the emission surfaces of the semiconductor laser elements 10.

[0067] The laser light L2 emitted from the semiconductor laser elements 10 is reflected by the mirror 15 and the dichroic mirror 16, and enters the first condenser lens 17. The laser light L2 entering the first condenser lens 17 is condensed toward the phosphor 14 disposed at the focal position of the first condenser lens 17. When the condensed laser light L2 enters the phosphor 14, the phosphor 14 emits light L1 that is fluorescence.

[0068] The light L1 emitted from the phosphor 14 is collimated by the first condenser lens 17 and enters the second condenser lens 18. The light L1 entering the second condenser lens 18 is converted so as to be condensed toward a small opening 19a of the aperture 19 disposed at the focal position of the second condenser lens 18.

[0069] The light L1 that has passed through the opening 19a of the aperture 19 travels like light emitted from a point light source. Therefore, the light L1 that has passed through the opening 19a of the aperture 19 enters the collimator lens 20 and is emitted as parallel light from the emission window 3 toward the outside of the casing 2. In this way, the lighting device capable of projecting light over a long distance with high output is achieved. Note that the lighting device 1 may not include the phosphor 14, and may collimate the laser light L2 emitted from the semiconductor laser elements 10 and directly emit the collimated laser light from the emission window 3.

[0070] The temperature sensor 12 in the first embodiment is disposed on a side opposite to the surface of the substrate 11 where the semiconductor laser elements 10 are disposed so as not to block the travel of the laser light L2 emitted from the semiconductor laser elements 10, and measures the ambient temperature of the semiconductor laser elements 10. The temperature sensor 12 outputs a voltage, a current, or a signal corresponding to the measured temperature value to the current controller 13.

[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the temperature sensor 12 in the first embodiment is disposed at a position away from the casing 2 and the substrate 11, but may be disposed so as to be in contact with the casing 2 and the substrate 11, or may be disposed on a side portion of the substrate 11 or the like.

[0072] When receiving a signal based on the value of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 12, the current controller 13 controls current supply to the semiconductor laser elements 10 according to the measured value. More specifically, in a case where the measured value from the temperature sensor 12 exceeds a first threshold temperature T1, the current controller 13 performs control to supply a current equal to or greater than a threshold current necessary for emitting the laser light L2 to the semiconductor laser elements 10. Here, the first threshold temperature T1 is preferably set to a value of 0° C. or higher.

[0073] As described above, in many of the semiconductor laser elements 10 using a GaN-based material, the guaranteed operating temperature range is set to 0° C. to 65° C. That is, when a current equal to or greater than the threshold current is supplied under an environment at a temperature lower than 0° C., the semiconductor laser elements 10 may be destroyed.

[0074] On the other hand, the current controller 13 included in the lighting device 1 performs control to supply a current equal to or greater than the threshold current only when the measured value from the temperature sensor 12 is equal to or greater than the first threshold temperature T1, preferably equal to or greater than 0° C., that is, to keep the guaranteed operating temperature range of the semiconductor laser elements 10. Thus, the destruction of the semiconductor laser elements 10 can be suppressed.

[0075] In the first embodiment, in a case where the measured value from the temperature sensor 12 is below a second threshold temperature T2, the current controller 13 performs control to supply a current equal to or less than the threshold current to the semiconductor laser elements 10. Even if the current less than the threshold current, the current that is sufficient not cause laser oscillation flows to the semiconductor laser elements 10. Therefore, the semiconductor laser elements 10 self-heat by the current flowing therethrough.

[0076] By utilizing this phenomenon, when the measured value from the temperature sensor 12 is lower than the second threshold temperature T2 in an environment with a temperature lower than the first threshold temperature T1, a current equal to or less than the threshold current is passed through the semiconductor laser elements 10 to cause self-heating, whereby the semiconductor laser elements 10 can be heated to a temperature higher than the first threshold temperature T1. That is, due to self-heating of the semiconductor laser elements 10, the temperature of the semiconductor laser elements 10 can be forcibly and quickly raised to the first threshold temperature T1 without using a separate heating device or the like.

[0077] With the above configuration, the lighting device 1 does not supply a current equal to or greater than the threshold current at the first threshold temperature T1 or lower, and there is no possibility of destroying the semiconductor laser elements 10 even in an environment with a low temperature equal to or lower than the first threshold temperature T1. Therefore, the safe lighting device 1 using the semiconductor laser elements 10 as a light source is achieved. In addition, the lighting device 1 includes a means for heating the semiconductor laser elements 10 to the first threshold temperature T1 or higher, and thus, the lighting device 1 can operate so as to keep the guaranteed operating temperature range of the semiconductor laser elements 10 in a cold region.

Second Embodiment

[0078] Regarding a configuration of a lighting device 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, portions different from the first embodiment will be mainly described below.

[0079] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device 1 according to one embodiment as viewed in the X direction. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the lighting device 1 according to the second embodiment includes a heater 21 for heating the semiconductor laser elements 10. The heater 21 is in contact with the surface of the substrate 11.

[0080] The heater 21 heats the semiconductor laser elements 10 via the substrate 11 when the measured value from the temperature sensor 12 is lower than the second threshold temperature T2 during operation of the lighting device 1. As a result, the temperature of the semiconductor laser elements 10 can be forcibly and quickly raised to the first threshold temperature T1.

[0081] Note that, as the heater 21, a ceramic heater, a silicon rubber heater, a space heater, a Peltier element, or the like can be used, for example. Although the heater 21 in the second embodiment is disposed in contact with the substrate 11 as illustrated in FIG. 6, the heater 21 may be disposed at a position away from the substrate 11, or may be disposed in contact with an inner wall surface of the casing 2 etc.

[0082] With the above configuration, the lighting device 1 can also operate in compliance with the guaranteed operating temperature range of the semiconductor laser elements 10 in a cold region.

Another Embodiment

[0083] Hereinafter, another embodiment is described.

[0084] <1> The lighting device 1 may be heated with a stove, an air conditioner, a dryer, or the like so that the temperature of the semiconductor laser elements 10 exceeds the first threshold temperature T1. While the temperature of the semiconductor laser elements 10 exceeds the first threshold temperature T1 and a current equal to or greater than the threshold current is supplied, the temperature equal to or higher than the first threshold temperature T1 can be maintained by self-heating. Therefore, upon startup, the lighting device 1 only needs to be heated until reaching a temperature higher than the first threshold temperature T1, and after that, the lighting device 1 does not need to be heated from outside.

[0085] While a current equal to or greater than the threshold current is supplied to the semiconductor laser elements 10, a high-temperature state may be caused by self-heating. Therefore, the lighting device 1 may include a heat sink for releasing heat generated by the self-heating to the semiconductor laser elements 10. The heat sink is disposed on the surface of the substrate 11, for example.

[0086] <2> The above-described lighting device 1 can be used even in a normal temperature environment, and is not limited to be used in a low temperature environment.

[0087] <3> The configuration of the lighting device 1 is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to each of the illustrated configurations.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0088] 1 Lighting device [0089] 2 Casing [0090] 3 Emission window [0091] 4 Support base [0092] 4a First rotation part [0093] 4b Second rotation part [0094] 5 Cover [0095] 5a Heat release opening [0096] 10 Semiconductor laser element [0097] 11 Substrate [0098] 12 Temperature sensor [0099] 13 Current controller [0100] 14 Phosphor [0101] 15 Mirror [0102] 16 Dichroic mirror [0103] 17 First condenser lens [0104] 18 Second condenser lens [0105] 19 Aperture [0106] 20 Collimator lens [0107] 21 Heater [0108] L1 Light [0109] L2 Laser light [0110] T1 First threshold temperature [0111] T2 Second threshold temperature