Abstract: The disclosed is an LED lamp comprising: a light transmitting globe/envelope having a plurality of fluorescent protrusions, fibers and/or grooves containing a phosphor; a light unit having a circuit board and one or more light emitting diode (LED/LEDs) mounted on the circuit board for emitting a short wavelength primary light for directing to the fluorescent protrusions, fibers and/or grooves to convert the primary light into visible secondary light. A light bulb type LED lamp is composed of the above LED lamp, a lighting circuit to drive the LED/LEDs and a light bulb type power supply connector (Edison screw base), thereby the LED lamp being compatible with an incandescent light bulb. This LED lamp irradiates illumination light having a high brightness and luminance, a wide light distribution angle and non-glare fluorescent illumination.

Abstract: The disclosed is an LED lamp comprising: a light transmitting globe/envelope having a plurality of fluorescent protrusions, fibers and/or grooves containing a phosphor; a light unit having a circuit board and one or more light emitting diode (LED/LEDs) mounted on the circuit board for emitting a short wavelength primary light for directing to the fluorescent protrusions, fibers and/or grooves to convert the primary light into visible secondary light. A light bulb type LED lamp is composed of the above LED lamp, a lighting circuit to drive the LED/LEDs and a light bulb type power supply connector (Edison screw base), thereby the LED lamp being compatible with an incandescent light bulb. This LED lamp irradiates illumination light having a high brightness and luminance, a wide light distribution angle and non-glare fluorescent illumination.

Abstract: The disclosed is a light guide unit and a surface illuminator illuminating a liquid crystal display (LCD). The light guide unit (100) is composed of a surface lighting light guide (30) having a light emitting major surface (30a) and a light receiving side surface (30c); a channel light guide (20) having optical cores (21) to form a fiber optic channel array having light entrance core surfaces (21a) and light exit core surfaces (21b); and a distribution light guide (10) having a light distribution guide surface (10d) and a light receiving portion (10b) receiving light from the LED (200). The light guides (10, 20 and 30) are positioned respectively in that order to form a light guide unit (100). Each width (w1) and/or a pitch (p) of the optical cores (21) may change in accordance with a distance from the light receiving portion (10b). The channel light guide (20)/the distribution light guide (10) may have a linear shape or a nonlinear shape with “L”, “U” or “O” shape.

Abstract: A refrigerator having photocatalyst comprises: a photocatalytic light guide member, composed of a light guide member and a photocatalyst; the light guide member having a light entrance portion and a light leaking portion; the photocatalyst being composed of visible light responsive photocatalytic material, disposed on or adjacent to the light leaking portion; at least one visible light emitting type light emitting element, for emitting visible light which is directed or incident to the light entrance portion; and wherein the visible light responsive photocatalytic material is excited by visible light which is leaked from the light leaking portion. Thereby, the photocatalyst indicates a photocatalytic decomposition activity and at least a shelf and a store room can be kept clean.

Abstract: A method for making a discharge fluorescent apparatus including fluorescent fibers comprising an air-tight envelope having a discharge space to fill a dischargeable gas therein, the discharge fluorescent apparatus is selected from tubular and flat fluorescent lamps and a plasma display panel. The method comprises the steps of: preparing a glass envelope having at least one inner surface and a plurality of fluorescent fibers containing a phosphor therein/thereon; and flocking (or implanting) the fluorescent fibers on the at least one inner surface. The flocking is preferably carried out by an electrostatic process. The fluorescent fibers may be flocked on a glass film with/without a phosphor on the inner surface. The fluorescent fibers may be flocked on protrusions with/without a phosphor on the inner surface or the glass film.

Abstract: The disclosed is a light guide unit and a surface illuminator illuminating a liquid crystal display (LCD). The light guide unit (100) is composed of a surface lighting light guide (30) having a light emitting major surface (30a) and a light receiving side surface (30c); a channel light guide (20) having optical cores (21) to form a fiber optic channel array having light entrance core surfaces (21a) and light exit core surfaces (21b); and a distribution light guide (10) having a light distribution guide surface (10d) and a light receiving portion (10b) receiving light from the LED (200). The light guides (10, 20 and 30) are positioned respectively in that order to form a light guide unit (100). Each width (w1) and/or a pitch (p) of the optical cores (21) may change in accordance with a distance from the light receiving portion (10b). The channel light guide (20)/the distribution light guide (10) may have a linear shape or a nonlinear shape with “L”, “U” or “O” shape.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus is a surface illuminator i.e. surface light source typically used in lighting for liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The surface illuminator using point light source may comprise a first light guide member for a surface lighting having a first light exiting surface and a first light entering surface; a second light guide member for a light distribution having a second light exiting surface and a second light entering surface; at least one point light source (LED) optically communicated with the second light entering surface; a channel light guide member having a fiber optic channel array having a plurality of light guiding portions optically isolated one another; and wherein the channel light guide member is disposed between the first light guide member and the second light guide member. The second light guide member may be an elongated light guide member having a linear or nonlinear elongated member.

Abstract: The disclosed light emitting device (10) is a stress luminescent device which emits light, without fuel and chemical light emitting material. The stress luminescent device (10) may be composed of a container (20) e.g. capsule having a space (40) therein, at least one member (30) e.g. a particle movably accommodated in the space (40) and a stress luminescent material contained in/on the member (30) or in/on the container (20). The stress luminescent material emits light when a mechanical force is added thereto or to the stress luminescent device (10) by a manual power or a vibrator. If the mechanical force is given to the stress luminescent device (10) by a manual handling such as shaking, rotating, swinging and/or striking, any other energies including an electric power is not required.

Abstract: A discharge fluorescent apparatus is composed of an air-tight envelope having a discharge-space containing a dischargeable gas therein and plural fluorescent fibers having a phosphor, preferably fluorescent optical fibers, positioned in/on the envelope. Further, at least one protrusion or barrier wall preferably having the phosphor may be positioned in/on the envelope. The fluorescent fibers are positioned on the envelope and/or on the protrusion or barrier wall. The fluorescent fibers emit visible light when excited by ultraviolet rays generated from the gas. The fluorescent optical fibers each may be composed of a light-conductive core or the core and a clad, in which the core and/or the clad contain the phosphor or plural phosphor particles therein. The fluorescent fibers may be positioned on the envelope and/or on the protrusion or barrier wall by an electrostatic process. The discharge fluorescent apparatus may apply to a tubular fluorescent lamp, a flat fluorescent lamp and a plasma display panel.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus is a surface illuminator i.e. surface light source typically used in lighting for liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The surface illuminator using point light source may comprise a first light guide member for a surface lighting having a first light exiting surface and a first light entering surface; a second light guide member for a light distribution having a second light exiting surface and a second light entering surface; at least one point light source (LED) optically communicated with the second light entering surface; a channel light guide member having a fiber optic channel array having a plurality of light guiding portions optically isolated one another; and wherein the channel light guide member is disposed between the first light guide member and the second light guide member. The second light guide member may be an elongated light guide member having a linear or nonlinear elongated member.

Abstract: A photocatalyst apparatus includes a plurality of photocatalytic optical fibers, each having a photocatalytic clad on a solid or hollow core and a solid or hollow substrate having a surface for attaching the fibers thereto/thereon, preferably by an adhesive, wherein the fibers project from the surface, preferably in perpendicular direction and/or substantially parallel to one another. The substrate may have light-redirecting means preferably with a gradation pattern or may have opening/openings to pass therethrough. The photocatalytic optical fibers may receive light at fixed ends and/or at free ends thereof. The fibers may have light collectors on free ends thereof. A manufacture of the photocatalyst apparatus may be preferably accomplished by an electrostatic process. A photocatalyst reactor may include a light source to communicate with the photocatalytic optical fibers and/or may include a housing to enclose the photocatalyst apparatus/apparatuses.

Abstract: A photocatalyst apparatus includes a substrate; a plurality of photocatalytic fibers, each of the photocatalytic fibers having a core or a sheath covering the core and a plurality of photocatalytic particles dispersed therein; and wherein the photocatalytic fibers are disposed on/in the substrate. Another photocatalyst apparatus includes a substrate having a substantially transparent member and a plurality of light diffusing particles dispersed therein; and a plurality of photocatalytic fibers disposed on/in the substrate, each of the photocatalytic fibers containing a photocatalyst disposed therein/thereon. The photocatalyst apparatus may be applicable to a dental cleaner or toothbrush. A cleaner for cleaning floors, carpets and/or walls, the cleaner includes: a cleaning head including a plurality of brushes containing a photocatalyst disposed hereon/therein; and at least one light source in communication with the photocatalyst. The cleaner may be applicable to a vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A photocatalyst apparatus includes a plurality of photocatalytic optical fibers, each having a photocatalytic clad on a solid or core and a solid or hollow substrate having a surface for attaching the fibers thereto/thereon, preferably by an adhesive, wherein the fibers project from the surface, preferably in perpendicular direction and/or substantially parallel to one another. The substrate may have light-redirecting means preferably with a gradation pattern or may have opening/openings to pass therethrough. The photocatalytic optical fibers may receive light at fixed ends and/or at free ends thereof. The fibers may have light collectors on free ends thereof. A manufacture of the photocatalyst apparatus may be preferably accomplished by an electrostatic process. A photocatalyst reactor may include a light source to communicate with the photocatalytic optical fibers and/or may include an housing to enclose the photocatalyst apparatus/apparatuses.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel photocatalytic optical fiber and a novel method for activating the photocatalytic optical fiber. The photocatalytic optical fiber comprises at least an optical fiber having a core and a light input end, a photocatalytic layer including photocatalyst disposed partially or entirely on the core, wherein light is introduced from the light input end into the core and the light reflects repeatedly inside of the core, wherein said light leaks gradually from the core to the photocatalytic layer, and wherein the photocatalytic layer is activated by irradiation of the light.

Abstract: A light diffusing apparatus using light guide comprises at least first light guide portion for light leakage, second light guide portion solely for light transmission; and third light guide portion for an optical communication with first and second light guide portion. The first light guide portion has first end (or side surface) and second light guide portion has second end which is optically opposed to the first end. The third light guide portion forms substantially non-linear (or curved) cross-section and the first, second and third light guide portions form substantially a single-piece construction. At least a single transparent panel-like member (or, sheet-like, plate-like or film-like member) may be used for the first, second and third light guide portions. At least a ribbon-like optical fiber cable (i.e. tape-like or film-like optical fiber cable) may be used for the first, second and third light guide portions, having a plurality of optical fibers which are aligned in parallel each other.

Abstract: A photocatalytic panel or pane and a method for activating the same are disclosed. The photocatalytic panel includes a transparent substrate having major surfaces parallel with and opposed to each other and an edge surface; a photocatalytic film formed on at least one of the major surfaces and a light source for exciting the photocatalytic film. Light from the light source enters the substrate from a vicinity of the edge surface (or a peripheral portion of the substrate) and then is reflected totally within a laminate of the substrate and the photocatalytic film. The method includes the steps: preparing the photocatalytic panel, entering light from the light source into the substrate from a vicinity of the edge surface (or the peripheral portion and reflecting the light within the laminate in accordance with total internal reflection, thereby the photocatalytic film is excited.

Abstract: A photocatalyst device includes light guide member composed of a substantially transparent member having a first surface and/or a second surface, a plurality of diffusing areas and a plurality of non-diffusing areas disposed alternately on the first surface and/or the second surface, and photocatalyst member including photocatalyst material, being disposed adjacent to the transparent member, or being disposed on the transparent member. Further, a photocatalyst reactor includes the photocatalyst device as described in the above and one or more light sources generating light directed toward the transparent member. The transparent member may be composed of a transparent panel having a substantially uniform thickness or a substantially variable thickness. A density of the diffusing areas and/or the non-diffusing areas may be variably distributed on the first surface and/or the second surface. The diffusing areas may be rough surface areas and/or the non-diffusing areas may be smooth surface areas.

Abstract: Cleaning apparatus using ultraviolet rays comprises a cleaning head having a transparent body, a light source and a light guide member. capable of transmitting said ultraviolet rays from said light source to said transparent body. The transparent body is capable of transmitting ultraviolet rays. The light source is capable of emitting the ultraviolet rays. The light guide member is capable of transmitting the ultraviolet rays from the light source to the transparent body. The cleaning head may have preferably the transparent body and a group of brushes in which the group of brushes are supported by the transparent body. The cleaning apparatus may be applied for a vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel photocatalyst optical fiber and a novel method for activating the photocatalyst optical fiber. The photocatalyst optical fiber comprises at least an optical fiber having a core and a light input end, a photocatalyst layer including photocatalyst disposed partially or entirely on the core, wherein light is introduced from the light input end into the core and the light reflects repeatedly inside of the core, wherein said light leaks gradually from the core to the photocatalyst layer, and wherein the photocatalyst layer is activated by irradiation of the light. The method for activating the photocatalyst optical fiber comprises (a) providing at least an optical fiber, each having a photocatalyst layer i.e.

Abstract: Cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning head, a light source and a light guide. The cleaning head has a flexible contact member including photo-activating catalyst (photocatalyst). The light source emits short wave light rays to activate the photocatalyst. The light guide transmits the light rays from the light source to the contact member(brushes). The cleaning head may have a transparent brush supporter to support a group of brushes with many photocatalyst particles. The light guide may preferably include a transparent rod and/or an optical fiber. The cleaning apparatus may be applied for a vacuum cleaner. Therefore, such dirty component can be cleaned as bacteria, molds etc. by use of the cleaning apparatus of the invention.