JP7585176B2 - Light-emitting device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a light-emitting device that emits light in three-dimensional space.

Conventional lighting devices, which are included in light-emitting devices, mainly use a lighting method in which a light source unit consisting of a point or surface emits light to illuminate a space.

On the other hand, an example of a lighting fixture that employs a lighting method that allows for free three-dimensional light distribution control is the lighting fixture disclosed in Patent Document 1.

JP 2019-204803 A

However, the lighting fixture disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses a combination structure of multiple light-emitting elements arranged in a three-dimensional shape as a light source unit. In order to make the combination structure of multiple light-emitting elements function as a light source unit, auxiliary members such as a mounting board for mounting the multiple light-emitting elements and a wiring pattern for causing the multiple light-emitting elements to emit light are required.

As a result, conventional lighting fixtures have limitations on the structure of the light source section that defines the light-emitting space, making it difficult to realize a three-dimensional light-emitting space with a high degree of freedom.

This disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to obtain a light-emitting device that has an illumination function that emits light in a three-dimensional light-emitting space with a relatively high degree of freedom.

The light emitting device of the present disclosure includes an ultrasonic atomizer that performs ultrasonic vibration processing on a raw material solution in which a phosphor is dispersed to obtain a phosphor mist, and an electromagnetic wave irradiation device that irradiates electromagnetic waves toward a light emitting space that contains the phosphor mist.

The light-emitting device disclosed herein can realize a lighting function using the three-dimensional light-emitting space as a light source by irradiating the phosphor mist in the light-emitting space with electromagnetic waves from the electromagnetic wave irradiation device, thereby making the phosphor mist in the light-emitting space luminous.

Since the light-emitting space contains nothing but phosphor mist, the light-emitting device disclosed herein can realize a highly flexible three-dimensional light-emitting space without being restricted by the components.

1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a light emitting device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example of the first embodiment. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a light emitting device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a raw material flow rate control unit and its peripheral control system in a light emitting device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a light emitting device according to a third embodiment. FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a raw material solution supply unit according to a third embodiment. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a raw material flow rate control unit and its peripheral control system in a light emitting device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a light emitting device that is a modified example of the third embodiment. FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a gas flow rate control unit and its peripheral control system in a light emitting device according to a modified example of the third embodiment.

<Basic Technology of the Present Disclosure>
By applying ultrasonic vibrations in the frequency range of 100 kHz to 5 kmhz to a liquid raw material solution in which phosphor is dispersed, it is possible to obtain a mist-like fluorescent mist composed of droplets with a particle size of 10 μm or less that reflects the composition of the raw material solution.

The raw solution here is a solution in which phosphors containing transition metal and rare earth ions as luminescent ions are uniformly dispersed without dissolving in liquids such as water. As described above, ultrasonic vibrations are applied to the raw solution to obtain a misty fluorescent mist composed of droplets containing dispersed phosphors. Phosphors are compounds that have the physical property of emitting light in various colors when irradiated with electromagnetic waves such as ultraviolet rays. For this reason, when electromagnetic waves are irradiated onto phosphor mist in the same way as with phosphors, the misty fluorescent mist itself can be made to emit light. By utilizing this principle, a lighting function can be realized in which the three-dimensional space in which the generated misty fluorescent mist exists emits light.

By utilizing the basic technology described above, it is possible to realize the light-emitting devices of the following embodiments 1 to 3, which have a lighting function that emits light in three-dimensional space.

<First embodiment>
1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a light-emitting device 81 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the light-emitting device 81 includes an ultrasonic atomization device 101, a raw material solution supply unit 20, and an electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5 as main components.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic atomization device 101 includes an atomization container 1, a water tank 10, and an ultrasonic vibrator 2 as its main components.

The raw material solution 15 is contained in the atomization container 1. The atomization container 1 contains the raw material solution 15 with a light-emitting space 1s secured above it. As mentioned above, the raw material solution 15 is a solution in which phosphors containing transition metal and rare earth ions as luminescent ions are dispersed.

Four ultrasonic vibrators 2 (only two are shown in FIG. 1) are disposed on the bottom surface of the water tank 10. Note that the number of ultrasonic vibrators 2 that are mist generators is not limited to four, and may be one or two or more. Hereinafter, when the number is not limited, it will be described simply as "ultrasonic vibrator 2".

The water tank 10 is filled with ultrasonic transmission water 9, which is an ultrasonic transmission medium. The ultrasonic transmission water 9 has the function of transmitting ultrasonic vibrations generated by the ultrasonic vibrator 2 arranged on the bottom surface of the water tank 10 to the raw material solution 15 in the atomization container 1.

In other words, the ultrasonic transmission water 9 is contained in the water tank 10 so that the ultrasonic vibration energy applied from the ultrasonic vibrator 2 can be transmitted into the atomization container 1.

The mist container 1 and the water tank 10 are positioned so that the entire bottom surface of the mist container 1 is immersed in the ultrasonic transmission water 9. In other words, the bottom surface of the mist container 1 is positioned above the bottom surface of the water tank 10 without touching the bottom surface of the water tank 10, and the ultrasonic transmission water 9 exists between the bottom surface of the mist container 1 and the bottom surface of the water tank 10.

In the ultrasonic atomization device 101 configured in this way, when the ultrasonic vibrator 2 performs ultrasonic vibration processing by applying ultrasonic vibrations, the ultrasonic vibration energy is transmitted to the raw material solution 15 in the atomization container 1 via the ultrasonic transmission water 9 and the bottom surface of the atomization container 1.

The raw material solution 15 then turns into a mist with a particle size of 10 μm or less, producing a phosphor mist 3 in the misting container 1. Because the light emission space 1s in the misting container 1 is a closed space, the phosphor mist 3 generated in the misting container 1 remains in the light emission space 1s and becomes the subject of light emission.

The raw solution supply unit 20 includes as its main components a container 21, a pump 22, a flowmeter 23, and raw solution supply side piping 24. The container 21 contains the raw solution 15.

In the raw solution supply unit 20 configured as above, when the pump 22 is on, the raw solution 15 is supplied from the container 21 to the atomization container 1 via the raw solution supply side piping 24. The flow rate of the raw solution 15 flowing through the raw solution supply side piping 24 is measured by the flow meter 23.

On the other hand, when the pump 22 in the raw solution supply unit 20 is off, the raw solution 15 is not supplied from the container 21 to the atomization container 1.

The electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5 is composed of, for example, a UV (Ultra Violet) lamp, and irradiates electromagnetic waves 6 such as ultraviolet rays toward the light-emitting space 1s of the atomization container 1.

The atomization container 1 is made of a material that transmits electromagnetic waves. For example, if the electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5 is a UV lamp, the atomization container 1 may be made of a material such as quartz glass that transmits ultraviolet rays.

In the light emitting device 81 of the first embodiment configured as described above, the fluorescent mist 3 is generated in the atomization container 1 by performing ultrasonic vibration processing using the ultrasonic vibrator 2. Since the light emission space 1s in the atomization container 1 is a closed space, the generated fluorescent mist 3 remains in the light emission space 1s.

When electromagnetic waves 6 are irradiated from the electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5 into the light-emitting space 1s, the phosphor mist 3 itself in the light-emitting space 1s emits light. At this time, the emission color of the phosphor mist 3 is determined by the emission color specific to the phosphor dispersed in the raw material solution 15. Furthermore, the type of electromagnetic waves 6 does not affect the emission color of the phosphor mist 3.

The light emitting device 81 of the first embodiment can make the phosphor mist 3 in the light emitting space 1s emit light by irradiating electromagnetic waves 6 from the electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5 toward the light emitting space 1s while the phosphor mist 3 remains in the light emitting space 1s in the atomization container 1.

Since there is nothing in the light-emitting space 1s other than the phosphor mist 3, the light-emitting device 81 of embodiment 1 can realize a three-dimensional light-emitting space 1s with a high degree of freedom without being restricted by the components.

In addition, the light-emitting device 81 of the first embodiment can simplify the device configuration by combining the ultrasonic atomization device 101 and the electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5 as essential components. As described later, in the light-emitting device 81 of the first embodiment, the raw material solution supply unit 20 is not an essential component.

As described above, the light emission space 1s in the atomization container 1 is a closed space. Therefore, the phosphor mist 3 in the light emission space 1s settles and returns to the raw solution 15 contained in the atomization container 1. Since the raw solution 15 is always misted by the ultrasonic vibration process of the ultrasonic vibrator 2, the settled phosphor mist 3 can be reused as the raw solution 15. Therefore, the ultrasonic atomization device 101 can achieve high utilization efficiency of the raw solution 15.

For this reason, the raw solution supply unit 20 is not an essential component of the light-emitting device 81, since it can be used as a backup to replenish the raw solution 15 in the atomization container 1 when it runs short.

Furthermore, the light-emitting device 81 of embodiment 1 can realize the lighting function with a simple configuration by securing the light-emitting space 1s within the ultrasonic atomization device 101, eliminating the need to provide an extra light-emitting space 1s.

(Modification)
As a modification of the first embodiment, it is possible to adopt a raw material solution variable configuration in which the raw material solution 15 is accommodated in the atomization container 1 in a replaceable manner.

Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic diagram of a modified example of the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the atomization container 1 (1X, 1Y) of the ultrasonic atomization device 101 and the container 21 (21X, 21Y) of the raw solution supply unit 20 are each replaceable, thereby realizing a variable raw solution configuration.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a first configuration consisting of a combination of a mist container 1X and a container 21X, each of which contains a raw solution 15X, can be replaced with a second configuration consisting of a combination of a mist container 1Y and a container 21Y, each of which contains a raw solution 15Y.

That is, the atomization container of the modified example in embodiment 1 includes atomization containers 1X and 1Y, and the containers used in raw solution supply unit 20 include containers 21X and 21Y, so that the atomization container and the container of the modified example can each store raw solution 15 interchangeably.

As a result, raw material solution 15Y in which a phosphor different from the phosphor used in raw material solution 15X is dispersed can be used as a new raw material solution 15.

In a modification of the first embodiment, the raw solution 15 is stored in the mist container 1 in a replaceable manner, so that the raw solution 15 in which the desired phosphor is dispersed can be stored in the mist container 1, and the emitted color of the phosphor mist 3 can be changed as needed.

The raw material solution variable configuration is not limited to the modified configuration shown in FIG. 2. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the raw material solution 15 is stored interchangeably in the atomization container 1 and the container 21, respectively, without replacing the atomization container 1 and the container 21.

<Embodiment 2>
3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a light-emitting device 82 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the light-emitting device 82 includes an ultrasonic atomizer 102, a raw material solution supply unit 20, an electromagnetic wave irradiator 5, a mist supply pipe 7, a light-emitting container 30 , and a sensor 31 as main components.

In the following, the same components as in embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals and explanations will be omitted where appropriate, and the description will focus on the distinctive features of embodiment 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic atomization device 102 includes as its main components an atomization container 11, a water tank 10, a gas supply pipe 4, an ultrasonic transducer 2, and a liquid level detection sensor 35.

As with the atomization container 1 of embodiment 1, the raw material solution 15 is contained within the atomization container 11.

As in the first embodiment, four ultrasonic transducers 2 (only two are shown in FIG. 3) are disposed on the bottom surface of the water tank 10.

The atomization container 11 has a liquid level position detection sensor 35 inside. The liquid level position detection sensor 35 is a sensor that can detect the liquid level height position of the raw solution 15. A part of the liquid level position detection sensor 35 is immersed in the raw solution 15. The liquid level position detection sensor 35 detects the position of the liquid level 15a of the raw solution 15, and obtains sensor information S35 indicating the position of the detected liquid level 15a.

The efficiency of the mist generation of phosphor mist 13 in ultrasonic atomization device 102 depends on the position of liquid surface 15a of raw solution 15. Normally, liquid surface 15a of raw solution 15 is maintained at a height position that provides the best mist generation efficiency. Here, the position of liquid surface 15a that provides the best mist generation efficiency is known in advance through experiments, etc., and is set in advance as the reference liquid surface height in ultrasonic atomization device 102.

The concentration of the phosphor mist 3 in the light-emitting space 30s changes depending on the mist-forming efficiency of the phosphor mist 13, so the light-emitting intensity of the phosphor mist 3 also changes with the change in the height of the liquid surface 15a.

Therefore, by keeping the height of the liquid surface 15a of the raw material solution 15 constant while keeping the voltage applied to the ultrasonic vibrator 2 constant, the amount of phosphor mist 13 generated per unit time from the ultrasonic atomizer 102 can be kept constant. As a result, the luminous intensity of the phosphor mist 3 that emits light when irradiated with the electromagnetic waves 6 can also be kept constant.

In the ultrasonic atomization device 102 configured in this way, when the ultrasonic vibrator 2 performs ultrasonic vibration processing by applying ultrasonic vibrations, the ultrasonic vibration energy is transmitted to the raw material solution 15 in the atomization container 11 via the ultrasonic transmission water 9 and the bottom surface of the atomization container 11.

Then, the raw material solution 15 turns into a mist with a particle size of 10 μm or less, and a phosphor mist 13 is obtained in the atomization container 11.

At this time, by keeping the height of the liquid surface 15a of the raw material solution 15 and the voltage applied to the ultrasonic transducer 2 constant, the amount of phosphor mist 13 generated per unit time from the ultrasonic atomizer 102 becomes constant.

On the other hand, the gas supply pipe 4 and the mist supply pipe 7 are arranged independently of each other on the upper surface of the atomization container 11. The mist supply pipe 7 is connected to the inside of the atomization container 11 through a mist passage port (not shown) on the upper surface of the atomization container 11.

Carrier gas G4 is supplied from the gas supply pipe 4 into the atomization container 11. The carrier gas G4 is supplied into the atomization container 11 at a predetermined flow rate to transport the phosphor mist 13 (see FIG. 3) that has been converted into a mist by the ultrasonic vibrator 2 to the light emission container 30 via the mist supply pipe 7. For example, a high-concentration inert gas can be used as the carrier gas G4.

The light emission container 30 has a light emission space 30s inside, and a mist supply pipe 7 is provided between the light emission container 30 and the atomization container 11. The mist supply pipe 7 is provided so that a mist-containing gas G3 can propagate between the atomization container 11 and the light emission container 30. The mist-containing gas G3 refers to a gas in which the phosphor mist 13 is transported by the carrier gas G4.

The electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5 is composed of, for example, a UV lamp, and irradiates electromagnetic waves 6 such as ultraviolet rays toward the light-emitting space 30s of the light-emitting container 30.

The light emission container 30 is made of a material that transmits electromagnetic waves. For example, when the electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5 is a UV lamp, the light emission container 30 may be made of a material such as quartz glass that transmits ultraviolet rays.

As in the first embodiment, the raw solution supply unit 20 includes a container 21, a pump 22, a flowmeter 23, and a raw solution supply side pipe 24 as main components. The container 21 contains the raw solution 15. The flowmeter 23 measures the flow rate through the raw solution supply side pipe 24, and obtains measured flow rate information S23 indicating the measured flow rate.

In the second embodiment, mist-containing gas G3 containing phosphor mist 13 is output outside the ultrasonic atomization device 102, so the phosphor mist 13 cannot be reused as in the ultrasonic atomization device 101 of the first embodiment. For this reason, it is necessary to constantly supply raw solution 15 from the raw solution supply unit 20 to the atomization container 11. That is, in the second embodiment, the raw solution supply unit 20 is an essential component.

In the light emitting device 82 of the second embodiment configured as described above, a phosphor mist 13 is generated in the atomization container 11 by performing an ultrasonic vibration process using the ultrasonic vibrator 2. The generated phosphor mist 13 becomes a mist-containing gas G3 that propagates through the mist supply pipe 7 by the carrier gas G4 supplied from the gas supply pipe 4. The mist-containing gas G3 is finally transported through the mist supply pipe 7 into the light emitting space 30s of the light emitting container 30.

Since the light emission space 30s in the light emission container 30 is a closed space, the mist-containing gas G3 transported to the light emission container 30 remains in the light emission space 30s as the phosphor mist 3 to be emitted.

In this state, when electromagnetic waves 6 are irradiated from the electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5 toward the light emission space 30s, the phosphor mist 3 itself, which is the target of light emission in the light emission space 30s, emits light. At this time, the emission color of the phosphor mist 3 is determined by the emission color specific to the phosphor dispersed in the raw material solution 15.

The carrier gas G4 does not affect the color of the light emitted by the phosphor mist 3. This is because the carrier gas G4, such as nitrogen gas, hardly absorbs the electromagnetic waves 6, and the presence of the carrier gas G4 does not hinder the irradiation of the electromagnetic waves 6 to the phosphor mist 3.

The sensor 31 detects the light emission state of the phosphor mist 3 in the light emission space 30s and obtains sensor information S32 indicating the detected light emission state. The light emission state may be, for example, the light emission intensity or the light emission color.

Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic diagram of the raw material flow rate control unit 17 and its surrounding control system in the light-emitting device 82 of embodiment 2.

The raw material flow rate control unit 17 receives measured flow rate information S23 from the flowmeter 23, sensor information S31 from the sensor 31, and sensor information S35 from the liquid level position detection sensor 35.

The raw material flow rate control unit 17 is constantly aware of the flow rate through the raw material solution supply side pipe 24 based on the measured flow rate indicated by the measured flow rate information S23.

The raw material flow rate control unit 17 executes a raw material supply control process that outputs a pump drive signal S17 that indicates the drive amount of the pump 22 so as to satisfy the flow rate control conditions described below based on the measured flow rate information S23, the sensor information S32, and the sensor information S35. That is, the raw material flow rate control unit 17 executes a raw material supply control process that controls the supply state of the raw material solution 15 supplied from the raw material solution supply unit 20 to the atomization container 11.

The flow rate control condition described above corresponds to at least one of the following conditions (1) and (2), for example.
Condition (1): The light emission state indicated by the sensor information S31 is within an allowable range from a predetermined light emission state.
Condition (2): The position of the liquid level 15a of the raw material solution 15 indicated by the sensor information S35 is within an allowable range from a predetermined liquid level height.

The flow rate control content for condition (1) will be specifically described. For example, when the emission intensity at which the light is emitted falls below the predetermined intensity by more than an allowable range, the raw material flow rate control unit 17 provides the pump 22 with a pump drive signal S17 that increases the drive capacity of the pump 22, thereby increasing the flow rate through the raw material solution supply side pipe 24. Conversely, when the emission intensity exceeds the predetermined intensity by more than an allowable range, the drive capacity of the pump 22 is reduced, thereby decreasing the flow rate through the raw material solution supply side pipe 24.

In this way, when condition (1) is set as the flow rate limiting condition, the sensor information S31 indicating the light emission state of the phosphor mist 3 becomes light emission-related information, and the sensor 31 functions as a light emission-related detector.

The flow rate control content for condition (2) will be specifically described. For example, if the position of the liquid level 15a falls below the predetermined liquid level by more than the allowable range, the raw material flow rate control unit 17 gives the pump 22 a pump drive signal S17 that increases the driving capacity of the pump 22, and increases the flow rate through the raw material solution supply side pipe 24 to raise the liquid level 15a of the raw material solution 15. Conversely, if the position of the liquid level 15a rises above the predetermined liquid level by more than the allowable range, the driving capacity of the pump 22 is lowered, and the flow rate through the raw material solution supply side pipe 24 is reduced to lower the liquid level 15a of the raw material solution 15.

In this way, when condition (2) is set as the flow rate limiting condition, the sensor information S35 indicating the height of the liquid surface 15a of the raw solution 15 becomes light emission-related information, and the liquid surface position detection sensor 35 functions as a light emission-related detector.

The above-mentioned condition (2) is a condition for making the liquid level 15a of the raw material solution 15 reach a predetermined liquid level height, and for making the luminescence intensity of the phosphor mist 3 reach a predetermined intensity.

Therefore, the flow control conditions including condition (1) and condition (2) are conditions under which the light emission state of the phosphor mist 3 satisfies a predetermined state. In other words, when the light emission related information satisfies the flow control conditions (condition (1) or condition (2)), the light emission state of the phosphor mist 3 becomes a predetermined light emission state.

In this way, the raw material flow rate control unit 17, which serves as the raw material supply control unit, executes a raw material supply control process that applies a pump drive signal S17 to the pump 22 so that the light emission state of the phosphor mist 3 becomes a predetermined light emission state based on the light emission related information, which is the sensor information S31 or the sensor information S35.

When condition (1) is the flow control condition, the liquid level position detection sensor 35 is not required, and when condition (2) is the flow control condition, the sensor 31 is not required.

The light-emitting device 82 of the second embodiment can make the phosphor mist 3 in the light-emitting space 30s emit light by irradiating electromagnetic waves 6 from the electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5 toward the light-emitting space 30s while the phosphor mist 3 remains in the light-emitting space 30s.

As a result, the light-emitting device 82 of the second embodiment, like the first embodiment, can realize a three-dimensional light-emitting space 30s with a high degree of freedom.

The light emitting device 82 of the second embodiment can use the light emitting space 30s in the light emitting container 30, which is different from the ultrasonic atomization device 102, as a light source by securing the light emitting space 30s in the light emitting container 30 dedicated to the light emitting device 82.

As a result, the light-emitting device 82 of the second embodiment can provide the light-emitting space 30s outside the ultrasonic atomization device 102, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the placement of the light-emitting space 30s that serves as the light source.

In other words, the light-emitting device 82 of embodiment 2 can emit light from the phosphor mist 3 in a three-dimensional space at any position.

The raw material flow rate control unit 17, which is a raw material supply control unit, executes a raw material supply control process based on the light emission related information (sensor information S31 or sensor information S35) so that the phosphor mist 3 emits light in a predetermined light emission state.

As a result, the light-emitting device 82 of embodiment 2 can stabilize the light-emitting state of the phosphor mist 3 in the light-emitting space 30s over a long period of time, thereby providing a highly stable lighting function.

(Modification)
As a modification of the second embodiment, similar to the modification of the first embodiment, it is possible to configure the raw material solution 15 to be stored in the atomization container 11 in a replaceable manner.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a first configuration consisting of a combination of a mist container 11X and a container 21X, each of which contains a raw solution 15X, can be replaced with a second configuration consisting of a combination of a mist container 11Y and a container 21Y, each of which contains a raw solution 15Y.

That is, in the second embodiment, the modified atomization container includes atomization containers 1X and 1Y, and the container for the raw material solution supply unit 20 includes containers 21X and 21Y, so that the modified atomization container and the container can each interchangeably store raw material solution 15.

As a result, raw material solution 15Y in which a phosphor different from the phosphor used in raw material solution 15X is dispersed can be used as a new raw material solution 15.

In a modified example of the second embodiment, the raw solution 15 is stored in the atomization container 11 in a replaceable manner, so that the raw solution 15 in which the desired phosphor is dispersed can be stored in the atomization container 11, and the emitted color of the phosphor mist 3 can be changed as needed.

The raw material solution variable configuration is not limited to the modified configuration shown in FIG. 2. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the raw material solution 15 is stored interchangeably in the atomization container 11 and the container 21, respectively, without replacing the atomization container 11 and the container 21.

<Third embodiment>
Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a light-emitting device 83 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of raw material solution supply units 20R, 20G, and 20B.

As shown in these figures, the light emitting device 83 includes ultrasonic atomizers 102R, 102G, and 102B, raw material solution supply units 20R, 20G, and 20B, electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5, light emitting container 40, mixing container 50, mist supply pipes 7R, 7G, and 7B, and mixed mist supply pipe 8 as main components.

In the following, the same components as in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted as appropriate, and the characteristics of the third embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first ultrasonic atomization device, ultrasonic atomization device 102R, includes as its main components an atomization container 11R, a water tank 10, a gas supply pipe 4, an ultrasonic vibrator 2, and a liquid level detection sensor 35R. The second ultrasonic atomization device, ultrasonic atomization device 102G, includes as its main components an atomization container 11G, a water tank 10, a gas supply pipe 4, an ultrasonic vibrator 2, and a liquid level detection sensor 35G. The third ultrasonic atomization device, ultrasonic atomization device 102B, includes as its main components a atomization container 11B, a water tank 10, a gas supply pipe 4, an ultrasonic vibrator 2, and a liquid level detection sensor 35B.

The first atomization container 11R contains the first raw solution 15R, the second atomization container 11G contains the second raw solution 15G, and the third atomization container 11B contains the third raw solution 15B. Raw solutions 15R, 15G, and 15B are each solutions in which phosphors containing transition metal or rare earth ions as luminescent ions are dispersed.

Raw material solution 15R is a solution in which a first phosphor is dispersed, raw material solution 15G is a solution in which a second phosphor is dispersed, and raw material solution 15B is a solution in which a third phosphor is dispersed. The color component of the first phosphor is red, the color component of the second phosphor is green, and the color component of the third phosphor is blue.

Specific examples of the first phosphor having a red color component include phosphors having a composition formula of {Y ₂ O ₃ :Eu}, {YVO ₄ :Eu}, {Y ₂ O ₂ S:Eu}, and the like.

Specific examples of the second phosphor having a green color component include phosphors having a composition formula of {ZnS:Cu,Al}, {LaPO ₄ :Ce,Tb}, and the like.

Specific examples of the third phosphor having a blue color component include phosphors having a composition formula of {ZnS:Ag}, {BaMgAl ₁₀ O ₁₇ :Eu}, and the like.

As in the first embodiment, four ultrasonic transducers 2 (only two are shown in FIG. 5) are disposed on the bottom surface of the water tank 10 of each of the ultrasonic atomization devices 102R, 102G, and 102B.

The atomization container 11R has a liquid level detection sensor 35R inside. The liquid level detection sensor 35R is a sensor that can detect the liquid level height position of the raw solution 15R, similar to the raw solution 15 in embodiment 2. The liquid level detection sensor 35R detects the position of the liquid level 15a of the raw solution 15R, and obtains sensor information S35R indicating the position of the detected liquid level 15a.

Similarly, the atomization container 11G has a liquid level position detection sensor 35G, and sensor information S35G indicating the position of the liquid level 15a of the raw material solution 15G is obtained from the liquid level position detection sensor 35G.

Similarly, the atomization container 11B has a liquid level position detection sensor 35B, and sensor information S35B indicating the position of the liquid level 15a of the raw material solution 15B is obtained from the liquid level position detection sensor 35B.

The mist-forming efficiency of the phosphor mists 13R, 13G, and 13B in the ultrasonic atomizers 102R, 102G, and 102B depends on the position of the liquid level 15a of the raw solution 15R, 15G, and 15B. Usually, the liquid level 15a of the raw solution 15R, 15G, and 15B is maintained at a height position that provides the best mist-forming efficiency. Here, the position of the liquid level 15a of the raw solution 15R, 15G, and 15B that provides the best mist-forming efficiency is known in advance through experiments, etc., and is set in advance as the reference liquid level height in each of the ultrasonic atomizers 102R, 102G, and 102B.

In the ultrasonic atomization device 102R configured as described above, when the ultrasonic vibrator 2 performs ultrasonic vibration processing by applying ultrasonic vibrations, the ultrasonic vibration energy is transmitted to the raw solution 15R in the atomization container 11R via the ultrasonic transmission water and the bottom surface of the atomization container 11R. Similarly, in the ultrasonic atomization device 102G, the ultrasonic vibration energy is transmitted to the raw solution 15G in the atomization container 11G, and in the ultrasonic atomization device 102B, the ultrasonic vibration energy is transmitted to the raw solution 15B in the atomization container 11B.

The raw material solution 15R then transitions into a mist with a particle size of 10 μm or less, resulting in phosphor mist 13R being obtained in the misting container 11R. Similarly, phosphor mist 13G is obtained in the misting container 11G, and phosphor mist 13B is obtained in the misting container 11B.

The gas supply pipe 4 and the mist supply pipe 7R are arranged independently on the top surface of the atomization container 11R. The mist supply pipe 7R, which is a single mist supply pipe, is connected to the inside of the atomization container 11R via a mist passage port (not shown) on the top surface of the atomization container 11R.

Similarly, the gas supply pipe 4 and the mist supply pipe 7G are arranged independently of each other on the top surface of the atomization container 11G. The mist supply pipe 7G, which is a single mist supply pipe, is connected to the inside of the atomization container 11G via a mist passage port (not shown) on the top surface of the atomization container 11G.

Similarly, the gas supply pipe 4 and the mist supply pipe 7B are arranged independently of each other on the top surface of the atomization container 11B. The mist supply pipe 7B, which is a single mist supply pipe, is connected to the inside of the atomization container 11B via a mist passage port (not shown) on the top surface of the atomization container 11B.

As in the second embodiment, carrier gas G4 is supplied from the gas supply pipes 4 of the ultrasonic atomization devices 102R, 102G, and 102B into the atomization containers 11R, 11G, and 11B, respectively.

The mixing container 50 has a mixing space 50s inside, and mist supply pipes 7R, 7G, and 7B, which each serve as a single mist supply pipe, are provided between the mixing container 50 and the atomization containers 11R, 11G, and 11B.

The mist supply pipe 7R is provided to allow the mist-containing gas G3R to propagate between the atomization container 11R and the mixing container 50. Similarly, the mist supply pipe 7G is provided to allow the mist-containing gas G3G to propagate between the atomization container 11G and the mixing container 50, and the mist supply pipe 7B is provided to allow the mist-containing gas G3B to propagate between the atomization container 11B and the mixing container 50.

The mist-containing gas G3R refers to a gas in which phosphor mist 13R is transported by carrier gas G4, the mist-containing gas G3G refers to a gas in which phosphor mist 13G is transported by carrier gas G4, and the mist-containing gas G3B refers to a gas in which phosphor mist 13B is transported by carrier gas G4.

The light emitting container 40 has a light emitting space 40s inside, and a mixed mist supply pipe 8 is provided between the light emitting container 40 and the mixing container 50. The mixed mist supply pipe 8 is provided so that the mixed mist-containing gas G33 can propagate between the mixing container 50 and the light emitting container 40. The mixed mist-containing gas G33 refers to a state in which the mixed phosphor mist 33 is transported by a combination of the carrier gas G4 of each of the phosphor mists 13R, 13G, and 13B.

The electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5 is composed of, for example, a UV lamp, and irradiates electromagnetic waves 6 such as ultraviolet rays toward the light-emitting space 40s of the light-emitting container 40.

The light-emitting container 40 is made of a material that transmits electromagnetic waves. For example, if the electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5 is a UV lamp, the light-emitting container 40 may be made of a material such as quartz glass that transmits ultraviolet rays.

As shown in FIG. 6, the raw solution supply unit 20R includes a container 21R, a pump 22R, a flowmeter 23R, and a raw solution supply side pipe 24R as main components, similar to the raw solution supply unit 20 in the first embodiment. The container 21R contains the raw solution 15R. The flowmeter 23R measures the flow rate through the raw solution supply side pipe 24R, and obtains measured flow rate information S23R indicating the measured flow rate. The raw solution supply side pipe 24R is connected to the atomization container 11R.

Similarly, the raw solution supply unit 20G includes a container 21G, a pump 22G, a flowmeter 23G, and a raw solution supply side pipe 24G as main components. The container 21G contains the raw solution 15G. The flowmeter 23G measures the flow rate through the raw solution supply side pipe 24G, and obtains measured flow rate information S23G indicating the measured flow rate. The raw solution supply side pipe 24G is connected to the atomization container 11G.

Similarly, the raw solution supply unit 20B includes a container 21B, a pump 22B, a flowmeter 23B, and a raw solution supply side pipe 24B as main components. The container 21B contains the raw solution 15B. The flowmeter 23B measures the flow rate through the raw solution supply side pipe 24B, and obtains measured flow rate information S23B indicating the measured flow rate. The raw solution supply side pipe 24B is connected to the atomization container 11B.

In the light emitting device 83 of the third embodiment configured as described above, a phosphor mist 13R is generated in the atomization container 11R by performing an ultrasonic vibration process using the ultrasonic vibrator 2 of the ultrasonic atomization device 102R. The generated phosphor mist 13R becomes a mist-containing gas G3R that propagates through the mist supply pipe 7R by the carrier gas G4 supplied from the gas supply pipe 4. The mist-containing gas G3R is transported into the mixing container 50 of the mixing container 50 via the mist supply pipe 7R.

Similarly, the phosphor mist 13G generated in the atomization container 11G is transported as a mist-containing gas G3G through the mist supply pipe 7G into the mixing space 50s of the mixing container 50. Similarly, the phosphor mist 13B generated in the atomization container 11B is transported as a mist-containing gas G3B through the mist supply pipe 7B into the mixing space 50s of the mixing container 50.

The mist-containing gases G3R, G3G, and G3B transported to the mixing container 50 are mixed in the mixing space 50s to become mixed phosphor mist 33. The mixed mist-containing gas G33 containing the mixed phosphor mist 33 then propagates through the mixed mist supply pipe 8 and is supplied to the light emission space 40s of the light emission container 40 via the mixed mist supply pipe 8.

Since the light emission space 40s in the light emission container 40 is a closed space, the mixed mist-containing gas G33 remains as the mixed phosphor mist 3M to be emitted within the light emission space 40s.

When electromagnetic waves 6 are irradiated from the electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5 toward the light-emitting space 40s, the mixed phosphor mist 3M itself, which is the target of light emission in the light-emitting space 40s, emits light. At this time, the emission color of the mixed phosphor mist 3M is determined by the unique emission color resulting from the combination of the first to third phosphors.

Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic diagram of the raw material flow rate control unit 17R and its surrounding control system in the light-emitting device 83 of embodiment 3.

The raw material flow rate control unit 17R receives measured flow rate information S23R from the flowmeter 23R and sensor information S35R from the liquid level position detection sensor 35R.

The raw material flow rate control unit 17R executes a raw material supply control process that outputs a pump drive signal S17R that indicates the drive amount of the pump 22R based on the measured flow rate information S23R and the sensor information S35R so as to satisfy the individual flow rate control conditions.

The individual flow rate control condition in the raw material flow rate control unit 17R is "The position of the liquid level 15a of the raw material solution 15R indicated by the sensor information S35R is within an allowable range from a predetermined liquid level height."

The individual flow rate control condition in the raw material flow rate control unit 17G is "The position of the liquid surface 15a of the raw material solution 15G indicated by the sensor information S35G is within an allowable range from a predetermined liquid level height.", and the individual flow rate control condition in the raw material flow rate control unit 17B is "The position of the liquid surface 15a of the raw material solution 15G indicated by the sensor information S35G is within an allowable range from a predetermined liquid level height."

The flow rate control content under the individual flow rate control conditions described above will be specifically explained below using the raw material flow rate control unit 17R as an example. When the position of the liquid level 15a of the raw material solution 15R falls below the predetermined liquid level height by more than the allowable range, the raw material flow rate control unit 17R gives the pump 22R a pump drive signal S17R that increases the drive capacity of the pump 22R, increasing the flow rate through the raw material solution supply side piping 24R and raising the liquid level 15a of the raw material solution 15R.

Conversely, if the liquid level 15a of the raw solution 15R exceeds the predetermined liquid level by more than the allowable range, the driving capacity of the pump 22R is reduced, and the flow rate through the raw solution supply side pipe 24 is decreased, causing the liquid level 15a of the raw solution 15R to lower.

Therefore, the raw material flow rate control unit 17R, which becomes the first raw material supply control unit, executes a first raw material supply control process based on the sensor information S35R, in which a pump drive signal S17R is applied to the pump 22R so that the position of the liquid surface 15a of the raw material solution 15R indicated by the sensor information S35R satisfies the individual flow rate control conditions of the raw material flow rate control unit 17R.

Similarly, the raw material flow rate control unit 17G, which is the second raw material supply control unit, executes a second raw material supply control process based on the sensor information S35G, in which a pump drive signal S17G is applied to the pump 22G so that the position of the liquid surface 15a of the raw material solution 15G indicated by the sensor information S35G satisfies the individual flow rate control conditions of the raw material flow rate control unit 17G.

Similarly, the raw material flow rate control unit 17B, which is the third raw material supply control unit, executes a third raw material supply control process based on the sensor information S35B, in which a pump drive signal S17B is applied to the pump 22B so that the position of the liquid surface 15a of the raw material solution 15B indicated by the sensor information S35B satisfies the flow rate control condition of the raw material flow rate control unit 17B.

In each of the ultrasonic atomization devices 102R, 102G, and 102B configured in this way, when the ultrasonic vibrator 2 performs an ultrasonic vibration process by applying ultrasonic vibrations, the ultrasonic vibration energy is transmitted to the raw material solutions 15R, 15G, and 15B in the atomization containers 11R, 11G, and 11B via the ultrasonic transmission water 9 and the bottom surface of the atomization container 11.

The raw material solutions 15R, 15G, and 15B then turn into mist with particle sizes of 10 μm or less, resulting in phosphor mist 13R, 13G, and 13B in the atomization containers 11R, 11G, and 11B.

At this time, by keeping the height of the liquid surface 15a of each of the raw material solutions 15R, 15G, and 15B constant, and the voltage applied to the ultrasonic vibrator 2 of each of the ultrasonic atomizers 102R, 102G, and 102B constant, the amount of mist generated per unit time of each of the phosphor mist 13R, 13G, and 13B generated from the ultrasonic atomizers 102R, 102G, and 102B is constant.

Carrier gas G4 is supplied to the atomization container 11R from the gas supply pipe 4 of the ultrasonic atomization device 102R. The carrier gas G4 is supplied into the atomization container 11R at a first flow rate so that the mist-containing gas G3R containing the phosphor mist 13R is transported to the mixing container 50 via the mist supply pipe 7R.

Similarly, carrier gas G4 is supplied to the atomization container 11G from the gas supply pipe 4 of the ultrasonic atomization device 102G. The carrier gas G4 is supplied into the atomization container 11G at a second flow rate so that the mist-containing gas G3G containing the phosphor mist 13G is transported to the mixing container 50 via the mist supply pipe 7G.

Similarly, carrier gas G4 is supplied to the atomization container 11B from the gas supply pipe 4 of the ultrasonic atomization device 102B. The carrier gas G4 is supplied into the atomization container 11B at a third flow rate so that the mist-containing gas G3B containing the phosphor mist 13B is transported to the mixing container 50 via the mist supply pipe 7B.

The mist-containing gases G3R, G3G, and G3B transported to the mixing container 50 are mixed in the mixing space 50s to obtain a mixed phosphor mist 33.

Then, due to the transport capacity of the combination of mist-containing gases G3R, G3G, and G3B, the mixed mist-containing gas G33 containing the mixed phosphor mist 33 is transported through the mixed mist supply pipe 8.

Finally, the mixed mist-containing gas G33 is transported into the light emission space 40s of the light emission container 40 via the mixed mist supply pipe 8.

Since the light emission space 40s in the light emission container 40 is a closed space, the mixed mist-containing gas G33 transported to the light emission container 40 remains in the light emission space 40s as the mixed phosphor mist 3M to be emitted.

In this state, when electromagnetic waves 6 are irradiated from the electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5 toward the light-emitting space 40s, the mixed phosphor mist 3M itself, which is the light-emitting target in the light-emitting space 40s, emits light. At this time, the emitted color of the mixed phosphor mist 3M is determined by the combination of color components specific to the first to third phosphors.

The light emitting device 83 of the third embodiment can make the mixed phosphor mist 3M in the light emitting space 40s emit light by irradiating electromagnetic waves 6 from the electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5 toward the light emitting space 40s while the mixed phosphor mist 3M remains in the light emitting space 40s.

As a result, the light-emitting device 83 of embodiment 3 can realize a three-dimensional light-emitting space 40s with a high degree of freedom, similar to embodiments 1 and 2.

The light emitting device 83 of the third embodiment can realize a lighting function of an emitted color consisting of a combination of the first to Nth color components by irradiating the mixed phosphor mist 3M, which is a mixture of the first to Nth phosphor mists (N=3), in the light emitting space 40s with the electromagnetic waves 6 from the electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5, to emit light.

Here, the first phosphor mist is phosphor mist 13R, the second phosphor mist is phosphor mist 13G, and the third phosphor mist is phosphor mist 13G.

The light emitting device 83 of the third embodiment has a dedicated mixing container 50, and by mixing the first to Nth (N=3) phosphor mists in the mixing space 50s of this mixing container 50, a mixed phosphor mist 33 in which the first to Nth phosphor mists are highly mixed can be obtained.

As a result, the light emitting device 83 of the third embodiment can emit the mixed phosphor mist 3M with high precision in the desired emission color (predetermined emission color) in the light emitting space 40s within the light emitting container 40.

In addition, in a configuration in which the phosphor mists 13R, 13G, and 13B are supplied directly to the light-emitting container 40 without providing a mixing container 50, it is highly likely that the phosphor mists 13R, 13G, and 13B will not mix appropriately within the light-emitting space 40s, making it difficult to obtain the desired light emission color.

Furthermore, the light emitting device 83 of the third embodiment can use the light emitting space 40s in the light emitting container 40, which is different from the ultrasonic atomization devices 102R, 102G, and 102B, as a light source by securing the light emitting space 40s in the light emitting container 40 for itself.

As a result, the light-emitting device 83 of the third embodiment can provide the light-emitting space 40s outside the ultrasonic atomization devices 102R, 102G, and 102B, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the placement of the light-emitting space 40s that serves as the light source.

In the third embodiment, the color component of the first phosphor for raw solution 15R is red, the color component of the second phosphor for raw solution 15G is green, and the color component of the third phosphor for raw solution 15B is blue.

The light-emitting device 83 of the third embodiment can realize a lighting function with a desired light emission color by combining the color components of red, green, and blue, which are the three primary colors, by irradiating the mixed phosphor mist 3M, which is a mixture of phosphor mist 13R, 13G, and 13B, in the light-emitting space 40s with electromagnetic waves 6 from the electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5, to emit light.

In other words, the light emitting device 83 is configured using the minimum necessary amount of raw material solutions 15R, 15G, and 15B, where N=3, and the mixing ratio between the phosphor mists 13R, 13G, and 13B can be set to a desired mixing ratio, allowing the mixed phosphor mist 3M to emit light of any desired emission color.

The mixing ratio between the phosphor mists 13R, 13G, and 13B can be set mainly by the flow rate ratio of the first to third supply flow rates of the carrier gas G4 supplied to the ultrasonic atomizers 102R, 102G, and 102B. In this case, an environment is assumed in which the mist generation efficiency of each of the phosphor mists 13R, 13G, and 13B is set to be the same.

(Emitted color of mixed phosphor mist 3M)
Since the amount of light emitted varies depending on the type of phosphor, the following preparation process is performed: First, the mist generation efficiency of each of the ultrasonic atomizers 102R, 102G, and 102B is set to a predetermined efficiency, and then the relationship between the first to third supply amounts of the mist-containing gases G3R, G3G, and G3B supplied to the mixing container 50 and the light emission color of the mixed phosphor mist 3M is measured in advance to obtain preliminary mist information.

Then, by referring to the advance mist information, the mixing ratio of the phosphor mist 13R, 13G, and 13B to obtain the desired emission color (predetermined emission color) is determined as the ideal mixing ratio. After that, the flow rate ratio between the first to third flow rates of the carrier gas G4 of the ultrasonic atomizers 102R, 102G, and 102B is determined so as to satisfy the ideal mixing ratio.

After carrying out the above-mentioned preparation process, the first to third flow rates of the carrier gas G4 are set to satisfy the above-mentioned ideal mixture ratio, and the ultrasonic atomization devices 102R, 102G, and 102B are operated.

On the other hand, the raw material flow rate control units 17R, 17G, and 17B, which are the first to third raw material supply control units, determine the execution contents of the first to third raw material supply control processes based on the sensor information S35R, S35G, and S35B of the liquid level position detection sensors 35R, 35G, and 35B so as to satisfy the individual flow rate control conditions described above.

Therefore, the mist generation efficiency can be kept constant in each of the ultrasonic atomizers 102R, 102G, and 102B. At this time, the voltage applied to the ultrasonic vibrator 2 of each of the ultrasonic atomizers 102R, 102G, and 102B is also kept constant.

In this way, after performing the preparation process, the light-emitting device 83 including the ultrasonic atomization devices 102R, 102G, and 102B is operated, so that the light-emitting device 83 of embodiment 3 can stabilize the emission color of the mixed phosphor mist 3M at the desired emission color (predetermined emission color).

(Modification)
Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a configuration of a light-emitting device 83C that is a modification of the third embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a gas flow rate control unit 18 and its peripheral control system in the modified light-emitting device 83C.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the light emitting device 83C includes ultrasonic atomizers 102R, 102G, and 102B, raw material solution supply units 20R, 20G, and 20B, electromagnetic wave irradiation device 5, light emitting container 40, mixing container 50, mist supply pipe 7, mixed mist supply pipe 8, color sensor 32, gas flow control unit 18, and flow rate adjustment units 44R, 44G, and 44B as main components.

As shown in FIG. 9, the light-emitting device 83C is characterized by having a control system including a color sensor 32, a gas flow control unit 18, and gas flow adjustment units 44R, 44G, and 44B. The color sensor 32 serves as an emission color detector for the mixed phosphor mist 3M, and the gas flow control unit 18 serves as a mist supply control unit for the phosphor mist 13R, 13G, and 13B.

In the following, the same components as those of the light-emitting device 83, which is the basic configuration of the third embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 7, are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted as appropriate. The following description will focus on the characteristic features of the light-emitting device 83C, which is a modified version of the third embodiment.

In the basic configuration of the light-emitting device 83, the gas flow control unit 18 outputs valve drive signals S18R, S18G, and S18B to set the first to third flow rates to satisfy the ideal mixture ratio that is preset. Therefore, the instructions of the valve drive signals S18R, S18G, and S18B are constant, and the first to third flow rates of the carrier gas G4 are also constant.

The modified light-emitting device 83C has an emission color correction function that corrects the emission color of the mixed phosphor mist 3M to the desired emission color (predetermined emission color) even if the emission color changes from the desired emission color (predetermined emission color) during execution.

The color sensor 32 detects the color of light emitted by the mixed phosphor mist 3M in the light-emitting space 40s and obtains sensor information S32 indicating the detected color of light. In this way, the color sensor 32, which is a light-emitting color detector, obtains sensor information S32, which is light-emitting color information.

The gas flow control unit 18, which is the mist supply control unit, receives the sensor information S32, which is the emitted light color information, compares the emitted light color indicated by the sensor information S32 with a preset desired emitted light color, and outputs the valve drive signals S18R, S18G, and S18B with instructions based on the comparison results.

The gas flow rate adjustment unit 44R is composed of a valve or the like, and is provided for setting the first flow rate of the carrier gas G4 of the ultrasonic atomization device 102R. The gas flow rate adjustment unit 44R receives the valve drive signal S18R, and adjusts the first flow rate of the carrier gas G4 for the ultrasonic atomization device 102R based on the instructions of the valve drive signal S18R.

Similarly, the gas flow rate adjustment unit 44G receives the valve drive signal S18G and adjusts the second flow rate of the carrier gas G4 for the ultrasonic atomization device 102G based on the instructions of the valve drive signal S18G.

Similarly, the gas flow rate adjustment unit 44B receives the valve drive signal S18B and adjusts the third flow rate of the carrier gas B4 for the ultrasonic atomization device 102B based on the instructions of the valve drive signal S18B.

In this way, the gas flow control unit 18 changes the instructions of the valve drive signals S18R, S18G, and S18B based on the sensor information S32 so that the mixed phosphor mist 3M emits the desired emission color, and executes a gas flow control process to control the first to third flow rates of the carrier gas G4.

That is, the gas flow control unit 18, which is a mist supply control unit, executes a mist supply control process that controls the mist supply state of each of the phosphor mist 13R, 13G, and 13B from the atomization containers 11R, 11G, and 11B to the mixing container 50.

For example, assume that the mixed phosphor mist 3M is determined to have a low red mixing ratio in its emission color. In this case, the gas flow control unit 18 outputs a valve drive signal S18R to the gas flow adjustment unit 44B with instructions to increase the first flow rate of the carrier gas G4 for the ultrasonic atomization device 102R. The gas flow control unit 18 may also output valve drive signals S18G and S19B to the gas flow adjustment units 44G and 44B with instructions to decrease the second and third flow rates of the carrier gas G4 for the ultrasonic atomization devices 102G and 102B, respectively.

In this way, the gas flow control unit 18, which is the mist supply control unit in the modified light-emitting device 83C, performs mist supply control processing based on the sensor information S32, which is light emission color information, so that the light emission color of the mixed phosphor mist 3M in the light-emitting space 40s becomes the desired light emission color (predetermined light emission color).

Therefore, even if the emission color of the mixed phosphor mist 3M differs from the desired emission color when operation starts, the modified light-emitting device 83C can automatically correct the emission color of the mixed phosphor mist 3M to the desired emission color, thereby providing a highly stable lighting function with the desired emission color.

In other words, with the light-emitting device 83C of variant 3, the mixed phosphor mist 3M can be made to emit the desired light color during operation even if the preparation process performed with the light-emitting device 83 of the basic configuration is omitted.

＜Other＞
In the third embodiment, the first to third fluorescent mists are shown as the first to Nth phosphor mists, where N = 3. The correspondence relationships between the first to third fluorescent mists in the third embodiment are shown below.

First, second and third ultrasonic atomization devices: ultrasonic atomization device 102R, ultrasonic atomization device 102G and ultrasonic atomization device 102B
First, second and third phosphors...red phosphor as color component, green phosphor as color component and blue phosphor as color component First, second and third color components...red, green and blue First, second and third raw solution...raw solution 15R, raw solution 15G and raw solution 15B
First, second and third phosphor mist: phosphor mist 13R, phosphor mist 13G and phosphor mist 13B
First, second, and third atomization containers...atomization container 11R, atomization container 11G, and atomization container 11B
First, second and third independent mist supply pipes: mist supply pipe 7R, mist supply pipe 7G and mist supply pipe 7B

In the third embodiment (variation), the case where N=3 is shown, but by modifying or expanding the third embodiment, N can be set to any number equal to or greater than 2. In this case, the first to Nth phosphors need to have first to Nth color components that are different from one another.

The ultrasonic atomization device 101 (102, 102R, 102G, 102B) in the above-mentioned first to third embodiments employs an indirect transmission method in which the vibration energy of the ultrasonic transducer 2 is transmitted to the raw material solution 15 (15R, 15G, 15B) in the atomization container 1 (11, 11R, 11G, 11B) via the ultrasonic transmission water 9.

Instead of this indirect transmission method, a direct transmission method may be adopted in which the vibration energy of the ultrasonic vibrator 2 is directly transmitted to the raw material solution 15 in the atomization container 1.

In addition, within the scope of this disclosure, it is possible to freely combine the various embodiments, modify or omit each embodiment as appropriate.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1, 1X, 1Y, 11, 11R, 11G, 11B, 11X, 11Y Atomization container 2 Ultrasonic vibrator 3, 13, 13R, 13G, 13B Fluorescent material mist 3M, 33 Mixed fluorescent material mist 5 Electromagnetic wave irradiation device 7, 7R, 7G, 7B Mist supply pipe 8 Mixed mist supply pipe 15, 15R, 15B, 15G, 15X, 15Y Raw material solution 17, 17R, 17B, 17G Raw material flow rate control unit 18 Gas flow rate control unit 20, 20R, 20B, 20G Raw material solution supply unit 21, 21R, 21B, 21G, 21X, 21Y Container 22, 22R, 22B, 22G Pump 23, 23R, 23B, 23G Flow meter 30, 40 Light emitting container 30s, 40s Light emitting space 31 Sensor 32 Color sensor 35, 35R, 35B, 35G Liquid level position detection sensor 44R, 44G, 44B Gas flow rate adjustment unit 50 Mixing container 81, 82, 83, 83C Light emitting device 101, 102, 102R, 102G, 102B Ultrasonic atomization device

Claims (7)

an ultrasonic atomizer that performs ultrasonic vibration processing on a raw solution in which a phosphor is dispersed to obtain a phosphor mist;
A light-emitting device comprising an electromagnetic wave irradiation device that irradiates electromagnetic waves toward a light-emitting space containing the phosphor mist,
The ultrasonic atomization device is
A container for atomization that contains the raw material solution;
an ultrasonic vibrator provided outside the atomization container and performing the ultrasonic vibration treatment on the raw material solution in the atomization container;
The light emitting device comprises:
a light emitting container having the light emitting space therein;
A mist supply pipe is provided between the atomizing container and the light emitting container,
The light emitting container is provided independently of the ultrasonic atomization device and the electromagnetic wave irradiation device,
The ultrasonic vibration process is performed by the ultrasonic vibrator, whereby the phosphor mist is generated in the atomization container, and the generated phosphor mist is supplied to the light emission space in the light emission container through the mist supply pipe.
Light emitting device. 2. The light emitting device according to claim 1,
a raw material solution supply unit for supplying the raw material solution to the atomization container;
a light emission-related detector that detects at least one of the liquid level of the raw material solution and the light emission state of the phosphor mist as light emission-related information;
a raw material supply control unit that executes a raw material supply control process to control a supply state of the raw material solution supplied from the raw material solution supply unit to the atomization container,
The raw material supply control unit executes the raw material supply control process based on the light emission related information so that the light emission state of the phosphor mist becomes a predetermined light emission state.
Light emitting device. 3. The light emitting device according to claim 1,
The atomization container accommodates the raw material solution in a replaceable manner.
Light emitting device. an ultrasonic atomizer that performs ultrasonic vibration processing on a raw solution in which a phosphor is dispersed to obtain a phosphor mist;
and an electromagnetic wave irradiation device that irradiates electromagnetic waves toward the light-emitting space containing the phosphor mist,
The ultrasonic atomizer includes first to Nth (N≧2) ultrasonic atomizers, the phosphor includes first to Nth phosphors, the raw solution includes first to Nth raw solutions, and the phosphor mist includes first to Nth phosphor mists,
The i-th (i=1 to N) ultrasonic atomizer performs ultrasonic vibration processing on the i-th raw solution in which the i-th phosphor is dispersed to obtain the i-th phosphor mist;
the first to Nth phosphors have first to Nth color components different from one another;
The light-emitting space includes a mixed phosphor mist in which the first to Nth phosphor mists are mixed,
Light emitting device. 5. The light emitting device according to claim 4,
The first to Nth ultrasonic atomization devices include first to Nth atomization containers,
The i-th ultrasonic atomization device,
an i-th atomization container containing the i-th raw material solution;
an ultrasonic vibrator provided outside the i-th atomization container and performing the ultrasonic vibration treatment on the i-th raw material solution in the i-th atomization container;
The light emitting device comprises:
a light emitting container having the light emitting space therein;
A mixing container having a mixing space therein;
First to Nth independent mist supply pipes provided between the first to Nth atomization containers and the mixing container;
A mixed mist supply pipe is provided between the mixing container and the light emitting container,
By executing the ultrasonic vibration process by the ultrasonic vibrator in the i-th ultrasonic atomization device, the i-th phosphor mist is generated in the i-th atomization container, and the generated i-th phosphor mist is supplied to the mixing space in the mixing container through the i-th independent mist supply pipe;
The first to Nth phosphor mists are mixed in the mixing space to obtain the mixed phosphor mist, and the mixed phosphor mist in the mixing space is supplied to the light emission space in the light emission container through the mixed mist supply pipe.
Light emitting device. 6. The light emitting device according to claim 5,
a luminescence color detector that detects the luminescence color of the mixed phosphor mist in the luminescence space to obtain luminescence color information;
a mist supply control unit that executes a mist supply control process to control a mist supply state of each of the first to Nth phosphor mists from the first to Nth atomization containers to the mixing container,
The mist supply control unit executes the mist supply control process based on the emission color information so that the emission color of the mixed phosphor mist in the light emission space is a predetermined emission color.
Light emitting device. The light emitting device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
N=3,
the first to Nth phosphors include first to third phosphors,
the color component of the first phosphor is red;
the color component of the second phosphor is green;
The color component of the third phosphor is blue.
Light emitting device.

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