LED illuminating device

[Field of the Invention]

0001The present invention relates to a LED illuminating device that employs a plurality of LEDs emitting different light colors as a light source and that has a function for changing a light color by dimming each of the LEDs.

[Background Art]

0002<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>Patent document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="JP2001093305A"><text>2001-93305</text></patcit>) discloses a conventional LED illuminating device. This device includes: a plurality of LED light sources; a plurality of light guides into which a light from each of the LED light sources is guided; and a control device for controlling each of the LED light sources, and emits a light of arbitrary color through an individual control of lighting states of the respective LED light sources by the control device.</li><li>[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="JP2001093305A"><text>2001-93305</text></patcit></li></ul>

[Disclosure of the Invention]

[Problems to be solved by the Invention]

0003However, a conventional LED illuminating device has a problem where a same color cannot be obtained because of: unevenness of luminance of LEDs; and unevenness of emission colors of the LEDs themselves even in a case of lighting a plurality of LED illuminating devices in a same lighting state.

0004An object of the present invention is to provide, at a low price, a LED illuminating device that reduces unevenness of the color even when the luminance of LEDs are uneven and the emission colors of the LEDs themselves are uneven.

[Means adapted to solve the Problems]

0005To solve the above-mentioned problems, an LED illuminating device of the present invention includes: a power source device 1; a controller 2; an LED lighting device 3; and an LED unit 4 incorporating LEDs of a plurality of emission colors as shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>; and configured so as to: mix the lights of the LEDs at an arbitrary proportion; and set the lights in an arbitrary color mixture proportion on the basis of a dimming signal from the controller 2, wherein the LED illuminating device is configured so that: a coefficient specific to the LED unit at which an emission color of the LED unit 4 becomes a desired color can be set to a signal value of the controller 2 preliminarily set as a standard; and the LED lighting device 3 can control an emission amount of the LEDs having the respective emission colors by using a value calculated by a calculation expression employing the specific coefficient.

[Effect of the Invention]

0006According to the present invention, the invention is configured so that: a coefficient specified to a LED unit at which an emission color of the LED unit becomes a desired color can be set to a signal value of the controller preliminarily set as a standard; and the LED lighting device can adjust an emission amount of the LEDs of respective emission colors by using a value calculated from the specific coefficient, thus an LED illuminating device having a small color unevenness between the respective devices regardless of unevenness of luminance of the LEDs and emission colors of LEDs themselves can be provided.

[Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

(First embodiment)

0007<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shows a first embodiment of the present invention. A LED illuminating device according to the present embodiment includes a power supply device 1, a controller 2, a LED lighting device 3, and a LED unit 4. The LED unit 4 includes LEDs of emission colors, red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and is able to emit light in various colors by adequately changing an emission intensity of each of LEDs, R, G, and B.

0008The power supply device 1 is a power supply for driving the LED lighting device, the power supply being supplied at, for example, DC 30V. The controller 2 is composed of three sliding volume faders, and labels of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) are added to the respective faders. Outputs of the controller 2 are connected to the LED lighting device 3, and are configured so as to transmit positional scale information of the respective volume faders to the LED lighting device 3. The positional scale information of the respective volume faders are shown as fR, fG, and fB, and a minimum value of their possible values is 0 and a maximum value is 1. The LED lighting device 3 changes a lighting state of the LED unit 4 on the basis of the positional scale information of the volume faders from the controller 2. Luminance of the LEDs controlled by the LED lighting device 3 are shown as ϕR, ϕG, and ϕB, and a minimum value of their possible values is 0 and a maximum value is 1.

0009Now, regarding certain LED unit 4, it is assumed that the luminance ϕR, ϕG, and ϕB at which the white (for example, X = 0.281 and Y = 0.287 in the chromaticity coordinates) and a maximum emission intensity is obtained by adjusting the LED lighting device 3 are ϕR0, ϕG0, and ϕB0, respectively.

0010Here, consider the following coefficients kR, kG, and kB, <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>kR = ϕR0,</li><li>kG = ϕG0, and</li><li>kB = ϕB0.</li></ul>

0011And, the LED lighting device 3 is configured to be controlled in accordance with following expressions, <maths id="math0001"><math display="block"><mi mathvariant="normal">φR</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">=</mo><mi>kR</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">×</mo><mi>fR</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">,</mo></math><img file="EP2139296A2_D0001.tif" /></maths><maths id="math0002"><math display="block"><mi mathvariant="normal">φG</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">=</mo><mi>kG</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">×</mo><mi>fG</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">,</mo></math><img file="EP2139296A2_D0002.tif" /></maths> and <maths id="math0003"><math display="block"><mi mathvariant="normal">φB</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">=</mo><mi>kB</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">×</mo><mi>fB</mi><mn>.</mn></math><img file="EP2139296A2_D0003.tif" /></maths>

0012Due to the lighting control carried out in the above-mentioned manner, the white color can be certainly reproduced when fR, fG, and fB are equal to 1. In the similar manner, another LED unit 4 also can be lighted in the white color by obtaining other kR, kG, and kB (coefficients specific to the LED unit).

0013<tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><table frame="all"><title>[Table 1]</title><tgroup cols="4"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="44mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="24mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="24mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="24mm" /><thead><row><entry morerows="1" valign="top" /><entry align="center" valign="top">Light source 1</entry><entry align="center" valign="top">Light source 2</entry><entry align="center" valign="top">Light source 3</entry></row><row><entry align="center" valign="top">(R)</entry><entry align="center" valign="top">(G)</entry><entry align="center" valign="top">(B)</entry></row></thead><tbody><row valign="middle"><entry>Chromaticity x of light source</entry><entry align="center">0.6850</entry><entry align="center">0.1900</entry><entry align="center">0.1300</entry></row><row valign="middle"><entry>Chromaticity y of light source</entry><entry align="center">0.3050</entry><entry align="center">0.6900</entry><entry align="center">0.0750</entry></row><row valign="middle"><entry>Chromaticity z of light source</entry><entry align="center">20.00</entry><entry align="center">30.00</entry><entry align="center">10.00</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup cols="4" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="44mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="24mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="24mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="24mm" /><tbody><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col4" align="justify">kR = 0.6408, kG = 1.0000, and kB = 0.6467</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0014<tables id="tabl0002" num="0002"><table frame="all"><title>[Table 2]</title><tgroup cols="4"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="44mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="24mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="24mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="24mm" /><thead><row><entry morerows="1" valign="top" /><entry align="center" valign="top">Light source 1</entry><entry align="center" valign="top">Light source 2</entry><entry align="center" valign="top">Light source 3</entry></row><row><entry align="center" valign="top">(R)</entry><entry align="center" valign="top">(G)</entry><entry align="center" valign="top">(B)</entry></row></thead><tbody><row valign="middle"><entry>Chromaticity x of light source</entry><entry align="center">0.6850</entry><entry align="center">0.1900</entry><entry align="center">0.1370</entry></row><row valign="middle"><entry>Chromaticity y of light source</entry><entry align="center">0.3050</entry><entry align="center">0.6900</entry><entry align="center">0.0370</entry></row><row valign="middle"><entry>Chromaticity z of light source</entry><entry align="center">20.00</entry><entry align="center">30.00</entry><entry align="center">10.00</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup cols="4" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="44mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="24mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="24mm" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="24mm" /><tbody><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col4" align="justify">kR = 0.5443, kG = 1.0000, and kB = 0.2688</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0015<figref idref="f0001">Figs 2</figref> and <figref idref="f0002">3</figref> show graphs obtained by calculating a synthetic light flux and a synthetic chromaticity in operating the volume faders in a case where unevenness of the respective LEDs show the values of the table 1. In addition, <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 4</figref> and <figref idref="f0003">5</figref> show graphs obtained by calculating the synthetic light flux and the synthetic chromaticity in operating the volume faders in a case where the unevenness of the respective LEDs show the values of the table 2. In <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003">Figs. 2 to 5</figref>, it is assumed that the values of the volume faders in each case linearly change from fR=1.00, fG=1.00, and fB=1.00 to fR=0.00, fG=0.00, and fB=1.00.

0016Comparing <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3</figref> with <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 5</figref>, it can be found that the chromaticity coordinates of a single color after the fading show different colors because of the unevenness of each LED, however, the chromaticity coordinates at the beginning of the fading are X=0.281 and Y=0.287 to show the same color.

0017According to the present embodiment, since the device is configured to employ values obtained by multiplying indication values fR, fG, and fB of the volume faders of the controller 2 by the preliminarily-set constants kR, kG, and kB specific to the LED unit 4 as the lighting control values ϕR, ϕG, and ϕB of each LED, the low-cost LED illuminating device that reduces the color unevenness between the illumination devices despite unevenness of the LED unit 4 can be provided.

0018Meanwhile, the output voltage of the power supply device 1 is DC 30V in the configuration, however, other DC voltages and AC voltages may be employed. Means adapted to transmit information from the controller 2 to the LED lighting device 3 may be a digital signal (the DMX signal, the PNM signal, and the like) and may be an analog signal (the DC voltage, the PWM signal, and the like). The lighting control means of the LED lighting device 3 may control the lighting by: changing a current passing through a LED load; and changing the duty of a pulsed load current. In addition, a technical idea of the present invention can be arbitrarily applied if applied to light sources of different colors, and can provide the same effect also to unevenness of light sources such as an organic EL, laser light, and an incandescent light through filter. It is the same with following each embodiment.

(Second embodiment)

0019A configuration according to a second embodiment of the present invention is the configuration of <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> same as that of first embodiment. However, the lighting control of the LED lighting device 3 is controlled on the basis of following expressions. <maths id="math0004"><math display="block"><mi mathvariant="normal">φR</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">=</mo><mi>fR</mi><mo>×</mo><mfenced><mi>kR</mi><mo>+</mo><mfenced><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><mi>max</mi><mfenced><mi>fG</mi><mo>⁢</mo><mi>fB</mi></mfenced></mfenced><mo>×</mo><mfenced><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><mi>kR</mi></mfenced></mfenced></math><img file="EP2139296A2_D0004.tif" /></maths><maths id="math0005"><math display="block"><mi mathvariant="normal">φG</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">=</mo><mi>fG</mi><mo>×</mo><mfenced><mi>kG</mi><mo>+</mo><mfenced><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><mi>max</mi><mfenced><mi>fB</mi><mo>⁢</mo><mi>fR</mi></mfenced></mfenced><mo>×</mo><mfenced><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><mi>kG</mi></mfenced></mfenced></math><img file="EP2139296A2_D0005.tif" /></maths><maths id="math0006"><math display="block"><mi mathvariant="normal">φB</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">=</mo><mi>fB</mi><mo>×</mo><mfenced><mi>kB</mi><mo>+</mo><mfenced><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><mi>max</mi><mfenced><mi>fR</mi><mo>⁢</mo><mi>fG</mi></mfenced></mfenced><mo>×</mo><mfenced><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><mi>kB</mi></mfenced></mfenced></math><img file="EP2139296A2_D0006.tif" /></maths>

0020Here, the max (a, b) is a function for showing the larger value, a or b.

0021<figref idref="f0003">Figs. 6</figref> and <figref idref="f0004">7</figref> show graphs obtained, in a case of employing the control method, by calculating a synthetic light flux and a synthetic chromaticity in operating the volume faders in a case where unevenness of the respective LEDs show the values of the table 1. In <figref idref="f0003">Figs. 6</figref> and <figref idref="f0004">7</figref>, it is assumed that the values of the volume faders linearly change from fR=1.00, fG=1.00, and fB=1.00 to fR=0.00, fG=0.00, and fB=1.00.

0022Comparing <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 6</figref> with <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2</figref>, it can be found that there is a difference between the light fluxes when a fading time reaches a rate of 100%. The light flux of <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 6</figref> according to the present embodiment is higher than the other one, and accordingly it is found that a performance of the LED can be sufficiently given. Additionally, according to comparison of <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3</figref> with <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 7</figref>, it can be confirmed that there is no difference in a chromaticity range that can be reproduced.

0023<figref idref="f0004">Figs. 8</figref> and <figref idref="f0005">9</figref> show graphs obtained by calculating a synthetic light flux and a synthetic chromaticity in a pattern of different operation of the volume faders in a case where unevenness of the respective LEDs show the values of the table 1. In <figref idref="f0004">Figs. 8</figref> and <figref idref="f0005">9</figref>, it is assumed that the values of the volume faders linearly change from fR=1.00, fG=0.50, and fB=1.00 to fR=0.00, fG=0.50, and fB=1.00.

0024According to the present embodiment, since the device is configured to: calculate an amount of the light flux to be outputted according to the above-mentioned calculation expressions by using values obtained by multiplying indication values of the volume faders of the controller by the preliminarily-set constants specific to the LED unit; and employ the amount as a lighting control value of the LED, the low-cost LED illuminating device that reduces the color unevenness between the illumination devices despite unevenness of the LED unit 4 can be provided. Additionally, in the present embodiment, the coefficient multiplied by the indication value of the volume fader is 1 in a case of setting the volume fader to be a single color, and thus the device is configured not to lower the light flux of the single color even when the LED is uneven.

(Third embodiment)

0025A configuration according to a third embodiment of the present invention is the configuration of <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> same as that of first embodiment. However, the lighting control of the LED lighting device 3 is controlled on the basis of the following expressions. <maths id="math0007"><math display="block"><mi mathvariant="normal">φR</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">=</mo><mi>fR</mi><mo>×</mo><mfenced><mi>kR</mi><mo>+</mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><mrow><mi>fG</mi><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>×</mo><mfenced><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><mi>fB</mi></mfenced><mo>×</mo><mfenced><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><mi>kR</mi></mfenced></mfenced></math><img file="EP2139296A2_D0007.tif" /></maths><maths id="math0008"><math display="block"><mi mathvariant="normal">φG</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">=</mo><mi>fG</mi><mo>×</mo><mfenced><mi>kG</mi><mo>+</mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><mrow><mi>fB</mi><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>×</mo><mfenced><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><mi>fR</mi></mfenced><mo>×</mo><mfenced><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><mi>kG</mi></mfenced></mfenced></math><img file="EP2139296A2_D0008.tif" /></maths><maths id="math0009"><math display="block"><mi mathvariant="normal">φB</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">=</mo><mi>fB</mi><mo>×</mo><mfenced><mi>kB</mi><mo>+</mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><mrow><mi>fR</mi><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>×</mo><mfenced><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><mi>fG</mi></mfenced><mo>×</mo><mfenced><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><mi>kB</mi></mfenced></mfenced></math><img file="EP2139296A2_D0009.tif" /></maths>

0026<figref idref="f0005">Figs. 10</figref> and <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 11</figref> show graphs obtained, in the case of employing the control method, by calculating a synthetic light flux and a synthetic chromaticity in operating the volume faders in a case where unevenness of the respective LEDs show the values of the table 1. In <figref idref="f0005">Figs. 10</figref> and <figref idref="f0006">11</figref>, it is assumed that the values of the volume faders linearly change from fR = 1.00, fG = 1.00, and fB = 1.00 to fR = 0.00, fG = 0.00, and fB = 1.00.

0027Comparing <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 10</figref> with <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2</figref>, it can be found that there is a difference between the light fluxes when the fading time reaches a rate of 100%. The light flux of <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 10</figref> according to the present embodiment is higher than the other one, and accordingly it is found that a performance of the LED can be sufficiently given. Additionally, according to comparison of <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3</figref> with <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 11</figref>, it can be confirmed that there is no difference in a chromaticity range that can be reproduced.

0028<figref idref="f0006">Figs. 12</figref> and <figref idref="f0007">13</figref> show graphs obtained by calculating a synthetic light flux and a synthetic chromaticity in a pattern of different operation of the volume faders in a case where unevenness of the respective LEDs show the values of the table 1. In <figref idref="f0006">Figs. 12</figref> and <figref idref="f0007">13</figref>, it is assumed that the values of the volume faders linearly change from fR=1.00, fG=0.50, and fB=1.00 to fR=0.00, fG=0.50, and fB=1.00.

0029Comparing <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 8</figref> with <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 12</figref> and comparing <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 9</figref> with <figref idref="f0007">Fig. 13</figref>, a bending point is generated in the fading period in <figref idref="f0004">Figs. 8</figref> and <figref idref="f0005">9</figref>, however, the bending point is not generated in <figref idref="f0006">Figs. 12</figref> and <figref idref="f0007">13</figref>. Accordingly, as compared to the second embodiment, the present embodiment has advantages that allow an intuitive operation for adjustment of the volume fader to facilitate a color matching.

0030According to the present embodiment, since the device is configured to: calculate an amount of the light flux to be outputted according to the above-mentioned calculation expressions by using values obtained by multiplying indication values of the volume faders of the controller by the preliminarily-set constants specific to the LED load; and employ the amount as the lighting control value of the LED, the low-cost LED illuminating device that reduces the color unevenness between the illumination devices despite unevenness of the LED load can be provided. In the present embodiment, the coefficient multiplied by the indication value of the volume fader is 1 in a case of setting the volume fader to be a single color, and thus the device is configured not to lower the light flux of the single color even when the LED is uneven. In addition, since the characteristic has no changing point in operation of the volume fader and linearly changes, an intuitive operation is realized.

0031Meanwhile, to simplify the description, a relationship between the operation of the volume fader and a fading time is described as a proportional relationship in the graph of the present embodiment, and a non-linear specific function (the Munsell curve, a 2.3th power curve, and the like) of time is generally used to smooth an appearance of light, however, when any relationship is employed as the relationship between the volume fader and the time, a same effect can be obtained regardless of a way of thinking of the present invention, and when there is no relationship between an actual operation amount of the volume fader and a value of the volume fader, a same effect can be obtained.

0032In addition, a LED mounting LEDs of three colors, RGB, in a singly package called 3-in-1 exists, and, in the LED, a current value able to flow when the LED is lighted in a single color is different from a current value able to flow when the three colors of RGB are lighted at the same time. In that case, when the current value of the LED is adjusted according to the following expressions by using the luminance values ϕR, ϕG, and ϕB of the LEDs obtained by the calculation expressions of the above-mentioned embodiments, the light is naturally-dimmed in both of the light flux and the chromaticity.

0033<maths id="math0010"><math display="block"><mi>IR</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">=</mo><mi>IR</mi><mo>⁢</mo><mn mathvariant="normal">0</mn><mo mathvariant="normal">×</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">A</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">×</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">φR</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">/</mo><mfenced><mi mathvariant="normal">φR</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">+</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">φG</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">+</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">φB</mi></mfenced></math><img file="EP2139296A2_D0010.tif" /></maths><maths id="math0011"><math display="block"><mi>IG</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">=</mo><mi>IG</mi><mo>⁢</mo><mn mathvariant="normal">0</mn><mo mathvariant="normal">×</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">A</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">×</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">φG</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">/</mo><mfenced><mi mathvariant="normal">φR</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">+</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">φG</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">+</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">φB</mi></mfenced></math><img file="EP2139296A2_D0011.tif" /></maths><maths id="math0012"><math display="block"><mi>IB</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">=</mo><mi>IB</mi><mo>⁢</mo><mn mathvariant="normal">0</mn><mo mathvariant="normal">×</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">A</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">×</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">φB</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">/</mo><mfenced><mi mathvariant="normal">φR</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">+</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">φG</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">+</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">φB</mi></mfenced></math><img file="EP2139296A2_D0012.tif" /></maths><maths id="math0013"><math display="block"><mi mathvariant="normal">A</mi><mo mathvariant="normal">=</mo><mn mathvariant="normal">1</mn><mo mathvariant="normal">-</mo><mfenced><mn mathvariant="normal">1</mn><mo mathvariant="normal">-</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">φR</mi></mfenced><mo mathvariant="normal">×</mo><mfenced><mn mathvariant="normal">1</mn><mo mathvariant="normal">-</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">φG</mi></mfenced><mo mathvariant="normal">×</mo><mfenced><mn mathvariant="normal">1</mn><mo mathvariant="normal">-</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">φB</mi></mfenced></math><img file="EP2139296A2_D0013.tif" /></maths>

0034In the above-mentioned expressions, IRO, IG0, and IBO represent electric currents passing through each of the LEDs of R, G, and B to output ϕR, ϕG, and ϕB, respectively, and IR, IG, and IB represent current values adjusted for the 3-in-1 LED.

0035It is obvious that the present invention can be applied to an LED illumination device including an LED unit having four types of light colors, which can be knew by analogy from the above-mentioned first to third embodiments.

(Fourth embodiment)

0036<figref idref="f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010">Figs. 14 to 18</figref> show schematic configurations of LED illuminating devices according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, in the case where a plurality of the LED illuminating devices are controlled, a subtle color matching can be carried out by a mechanistic operation to realize a control for reducing unevenness of colors between the LED illuminating devices.

0037In the first to third embodiments, the light colors are adjusted by changing current values of the respective LEDs of R, G, and B, and in the case where the LEDs are fixed to have the identical position relationship, the mixing state of colors is sometimes uneven when a mixed light color, for example, an even white is represented, however, the mixing state of colors can be variously adjusted and an even mixed color can be represented by changing the configuration as shown in <figref idref="f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010">Figs. 14 to 18</figref>.

0038The configurations shown in <figref idref="f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010">Figs. 14 to 18</figref> are examples, and the present invention is not limited to these configurations. Though it is preferred to automatically adjust the color correction, means by manual adjustment may be employed.

0039Additionally, in the present embodiment, light outputs of R, G, and B are changed independently by the mechanistic operation, however, by simultaneously changing the respective current values of LEDs also as in the first to third embodiments, an optimum light color may be set by the current value and the changing means for configuration. Concrete examples of the mechanistic color correction means mounted on each LED illuminating device will be explained below.

(Fourth embodiment -1)

0040The example of <figref idref="f0007">Fig. 14</figref> is characterized by including means adapted to adjust the synthetic color of outputted light by individually changing a height of each LED when the LEDs of R, G, and B are housed in one structure.

0041As shown in <figref idref="f0007">Fig. 14</figref>, a mechanism in which LEDs 4a, 4b, and 4c of R, G, and B are mounted on individual substrates 5a, 5b, and 5c, respectively, the substrates 5a, 5b, and 5c are incorporated into the rectangular LED unit 4, and the substrates independently move up and down as shown by arrowed lines, respectively is included. Since relative distances from the LEDs 4a, 4b, and 4c to a lens 6 become variable in this manner, transmittance of the lights can be variable. In the case where a predetermined current value passes through each of the LEDs 4a, 4b, and 4c and the respective synthetic light colors are different from predetermined light colors due to the color unevenness of the LEDs of R, G, and B, the synthetic light color of the light output (for example, white) from the LED unit 4 is detected and the individual heights of the LEDs 4a, 4b, and 4c of R, G, and B are automatically or manually adjusted so that a predetermined light color is emitted.

(Fourth embodiment -2)

0042The example of <figref idref="f0008">Fig. 15</figref> is characterized by including means adapted to adjust the synthetic color of outputted light by individually changing a height of each lens part provided to the LEDs of R, G, and B, respectively.

0043The LEDs 4a, 4b, and 4c of R, G, and B are mounted on one piece of a rectangular LED substrate 5 as shown in <figref idref="f0008">Fig. 15</figref>, which is configured so that a predetermined current value can pass through the LEDs 4a, 4b, and 4c of R, G, and B, respectively. A mechanism in which independent lens parts (panel parts) 7a, 7b, and 7c are provided on upper portions of the LEDs 4a, 4b, and 4c of R, G, and B, respectively, and their heights are independently varied up and down as shown by arrowed lines, respectively is included. When the respective synthetic light colors are different from predetermined light colors due to the color unevenness of the LEDs of R, G, and B, the color unevenness of the LEDs 4a, 4b, and 4c of R, G, and B is adjusted to emit a predetermined light color by changing their transmittance through: detection and comparison of the light color with a predetermined light output (for example, white); and adjustment of the individual heights of the LEDs parts (panel parts) 7a, 7b, and 7c.

(Fourth embodiment -3)

0044The example of <figref idref="f0009">Fig. 16</figref> is <b>characterized in that</b>: a lens part having an uneven thickness is provided to an upper portion of a round-shaped LED unit mounting the LEDs of R, G, and B; and transmittance of lights from the respective LEDs are changed by rotating the lens part.

0045As shown in <figref idref="f0009">Fig. 16(a)</figref>, the LEDs of R, G, and B are mounted on a round-shaped substrate 8, which is configured so that a predetermined current value can pass through the LEDs of R, G, and B, respectively, and a lens part 9 is provided to their upper portions. A thickness of the lens part 9 is not even, a lens thicknesses at the upper portions of the LEDs of R, G, and B are designed to be different from each other, and the lens part 9 is configured to be able to rotate. In the drawing, the symbol R represents a red LED, the symbol G represents a green LED, the symbol B represents a blue LED, and a number 10 represents a lens frame part.

0046In the case where the synthetic light color is different from a predetermined light color due to the color unevenness of the LEDs of R, G, and B, the synthetic light is adjusted to be the predetermined light color by rotating the lens part 9 to change transmittance of the respective lights of the LEDs of R, G, and B.

0047<figref idref="f0009">Figs. 16 (b) and (c)</figref> illustrate as images that each of the lens thicknesses at the upper portions of the LEDs of R, G, and B changes when the lens part 9 rotates 180 degrees.

(Fourth embodiment -4)

0048The example of <figref idref="f0010">Fig. 17</figref> is <b>characterized in that</b>: each of the LEDs of R, G, and B is stored in a room with partitions; and means adapted to change apertures of aperture windows 11a, 11b, and 11c provided to their upper portions is included. In the drawing, the symbol R represents the red LED, the symbol G represents the green LED, and the symbol B represents the blue LED.

0049As shown in <figref idref="f0010">Fig. 17</figref>, the LEDs of R, G, and B are mounted on the rectangular substrate 5, a structure able to house the LEDs of R, G, and B in rooms each individually having a window is employed, and a light color is adjusted by change areas of the aperture windows 11a, 11b, and 11c to change light outputs of the LEDs of R, G, and B, respectively. Similar to the above-mentioned embodiments, when the synthetic light color is different from a predetermined light color due to the color unevenness of the LEDs of R, G, and B, the synthetic light is adjusted to be the predetermined light color by changing the aperture areas of the aperture windows 11a, 11b, and 11c to adjust lights of the LEDs of R, G, and B.

(Embodiment 4-5)

0050The example of <figref idref="f0010">Fig. 18</figref> is <b>characterized in that</b>: a lens part provided at an upper portion of the LEDs of R, G, and B as means adapted to adjust an emission amount includes a light guiding plate 12; and a color of the light guiding plate 12 is changed by using a second RGB light source 13 as a light source of the light guiding plate 12.

0051As shown in <figref idref="f0010">Fig. 18</figref>, a configuration where: the LEDs 4a, 4b, and 4c of R, G, and B are mounted on one piece of the substrate 5; the light guiding plate 12 is arranged at their upper portion; and the another second RGB light source 13 is additionally provided to the light guiding plate 12 to change a color of the light guiding plate 12. The second RGB light source 13 is, for example, an RGB bulb. Also in the present example, in the case where the synthetic light color is different from a predetermined light color due to the color unevenness of the LEDs of R, G, and B, the synthetic light is adjusted to be the predetermined light color by: changing a light color of the second RGB light source 13 to change the light color from the light guiding plate 12.

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

0052<ul id="ul0003" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>[<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1] Fig. 1</figref> is a block diagram showing a configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>[<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2] Fig. 2</figref> is an explanation view showing a synthetic light flux according to the first embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>[<figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3] Fig. 3</figref> is an explanation view showing a synthetic chromaticity according to the first embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>[<figref idref="f0002">Fig. 4] Fig. 4</figref> is an explanation view showing the synthetic light flux according to the first embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>[<figref idref="f0003">Fig. 5] Fig. 5</figref> is an explanation view showing the synthetic chromaticity according to the first embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>[<figref idref="f0003">Fig. 6] Fig. 6</figref> is an explanation view showing a synthetic light flux according to a second embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>[<figref idref="f0004">Fig. 7] Fig. 7</figref> is an explanation view showing a synthetic chromaticity according to the second embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>[<figref idref="f0004">Fig. 8] Fig. 8</figref> is an explanation view showing the synthetic light flux according to the second embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>[<figref idref="f0005">Fig. 9] Fig. 9</figref> is an explanation view showing the synthetic chromaticity according to the second embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>[<figref idref="f0005">Fig. 10] Fig. 10</figref> is an explanation view showing a synthetic light flux according to a third embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>[<figref idref="f0006">Fig. 11] Fig. 11</figref> is an explanation view showing a synthetic chromaticity according to the third embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>[<figref idref="f0006">Fig. 12] Fig. 12</figref> is an explanation view showing the synthetic light flux according to the third embodiment of the present invention</li><li>[<figref idref="f0007">Fig. 13] Fig. 13</figref> is an explanation view showing the synthetic chromaticity according to the third embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>[<figref idref="f0007">Fig. 14] Fig. 14</figref> is a cross-section view showing a first configuration example of a LED illuminating device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>[<figref idref="f0008">Fig. 15] Fig. 15</figref> is a cross-section view showing a second configuration example of the LED illuminating device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>[<figref idref="f0009">Fig. 16] Fig. 16</figref> is a view showing a third configuration example of the LED illuminating device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and (a) is a top view and (b) and (c) are cross-section views.</li><li>[<figref idref="f0010">Fig. 17] Fig. 17</figref> is a view showing a fourth configuration example of the LED illuminating device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and (a) is a top view and (b) is a cross-section view.</li><li>[<figref idref="f0010">Fig. 18] Fig. 18</figref> is a cross-section view showing a fifth configuration example of the LED illuminating device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.</li></ul>

[Description of the Reference Numerals]

0053<ul id="ul0004" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>1 Power supply device</li><li>2 Controller</li><li>3 LED lighting device</li><li>4 LED unit</li></ul>