JP2003031009A - Waterproof structure around valve of vehicle lighting tool - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable improvement of operation efficiency through easy mounting of an elastic cover, and to enable obtain full tracking ability at tilting of a reflector. SOLUTION: The waterproof structure consists of a valve mounting part 4 of a reflector 3, fitted to a lamp housing 2 freely tilting and freely light axis adjustably, an opening 5 of the lamp housing opened for guiding the valve mounting part 4 toward the outside, and an elastic cover 6 mounted between the valve mounting part 4 and the opening 5 for sealing the gap between them. Ribs 12 formed along the inner periphery of an opening end of the opening 5 for an engaging piece 10 to be engaged with at mounting of the elastic cover 6 are intermittently, fitted at 4 places of the inner periphery of the opening end of the opening 5 which are to be top, bottom, left, and right positions in an installed state of the tool onto the vehicle body.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a waterproof structure around a bulb of a vehicle lamp such as a headlamp.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C show a conventional waterproof structure 100 of this type. This waterproof structure 100
Is a bulb mounting portion 4 of a reflector 3 which is tiltably attached to a lamp housing 2 so that an optical axis of a bulb (not shown) can be adjusted, and a lamp housing 2 which is opened to lead the bulb mounting portion 4 outward. And an elastic cover 6 which is mounted between the valve mounting portion 4 and the opening 5 and seals a gap therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 6 (c), the elastic cover 6 has a cylindrical inner cylindrical portion 7 into which the valve mounting portion 4 is inserted,
An outer cylinder portion 8 forming an outer peripheral wall, and an annular engagement piece 1 formed inside the outer cylinder portion 8 and forming a groove portion 9 together with the outer cylinder portion 8.
0, and a bellows portion 11 that connects the inner cylinder portion 7 and the groove portion 9 to each other.

Further, the opening 5 of the lamp housing 2 is
As shown in FIG. 7, the rib 1 extends along the entire inner circumference of the opening end.
2 is formed.

In the waterproof structure 100, the inner cylinder portion 7 is inserted outside the bulb mounting portion 4, and the groove portion 9 is pushed into the peripheral wall of the opening portion 5 of the lamp housing 2 so that the engaging piece 10 is inserted. It is configured by engaging with the rib 12 and mounting the elastic cover 6 between the bulb mounting portion 4 of the reflector 3 and the opening 5 of the lamp housing 2.

[0006]

However, in the waterproof structure 100, since the ribs 12 are formed along the entire inner circumference of the opening end of the opening 5 of the lamp housing 2,
The elastic cover 6 needs to be mounted by engaging the engaging piece 10 over the entire circumference of the rib 12, and is performed by pressing the entire outer circumference of the upper surface of the elastic cover 6. For this reason, the waterproof structure 100 has a problem that the elastic cover 6 is troublesome to mount, and eventually the work efficiency is reduced.

Furthermore, since the waterproof structure 100 is constructed by engaging the engaging pieces 10 over the entire circumference of the rib 12,
The portion along the rib 12 has high rigidity, and there is no portion that bends and absorbs the tensile force or the compressive force when the reflector 3 tilts. Therefore, in the waterproof structure 100, the tensile force or the compressive force when the reflector 3 is tilted is absorbed only by the bending of the bellows portion 11, so that sufficient followability can be obtained depending on the bending direction (or the bending amount). It also has the problem that it cannot be done.

Further, in the waterproof structure 100, since the elastic cover 6 is mounted by engaging the engaging piece 10 with the rib 12, as shown in FIG. 6C, the bottom wall and the opening of the groove 9 are opened. A clearance d is required between the end surface of the portion 5 and the fitting depth of the opening 5 into the groove portion 9 is different in each position in the circumferential direction of the rib 12 within the clearance d. As shown in FIG. 8, the elastic cover 6 cannot be mounted with the upper surface flat.
In FIG. 8, the rib 12 is shallow on the right side and deep on the left side. Therefore, the waterproof structure 100 has a problem that it is difficult to visually distinguish whether the elastic cover 6 is mounted or not, and that the elastic cover 6 that is not properly mounted may be missed.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the elastic cover can be easily attached to improve the working efficiency without impairing the waterproof property, and sufficient followability when the reflector is tilted is obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide a waterproof structure around a bulb of a vehicle lighting device that allows easy visual observation of whether the elastic cover is attached or not and can also improve quality control.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a bulb mounting portion of a reflector which is tiltably mounted on a lamp housing so that the optical axis of the bulb can be adjusted, and the bulb mounting portion. Around the bulb of the vehicle lamp, which comprises an opening of the lamp housing that is opened to guide the outside to the outside, and an elastic cover that is mounted between the bulb mounting portion and the opening to seal the gap therebetween. A rib having a waterproof structure, which is formed along the inner periphery of the opening end of the opening portion and engages with the engaging piece when the elastic cover is mounted, has a positional relationship in a state in which the vehicle lamp is installed on the vehicle body. It is characterized in that it is provided intermittently at four locations on the inner circumference of the opening end, which are the upper, lower and left, right positions.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the engagement piece can complete the engagement for each rib regardless of the other adjacent ribs. Therefore, after the elastic cover is set to the mounting position, By individually pressing the upper surface positions of the elastic covers corresponding to the respective ribs, the respective ribs can be easily engaged.

In addition, since the engaging pieces between the ribs are in a free state without engaging with the ribs, they are easily bent.

The invention according to claim 2 is the waterproof structure around the bulb of the vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein ribs provided at two locations of the four locations facing the pivot fulcrum of the reflector are The ribs are formed so as to be longer in the circumferential direction than the ribs provided at the other two places.

Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the ribs are provided to the two ribs facing the pivot fulcrum so that the amount of movement of the reflector when tilted is maximized. Since the length is increased, the engaging force of the engaging piece that engages with each rib increases, and the engagement piece can be prevented from being disengaged.

The invention according to claim 3 is the waterproof structure around the bulb of the vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:
A groove into which the peripheral wall of the opening of the lamp housing fits when the elastic cover is mounted is formed inside the elastic cover with the engaging piece as an inner peripheral wall, and faces the end surface of the peripheral wall of the fitted opening. A lip portion that elastically contacts the end surface is formed on the groove wall of the groove portion.

Therefore, in the third aspect of the invention, the fitting depth of the peripheral wall of the opening into the groove is always kept constant by the lip portion, so that the elastic cover is mounted so that the upper surface thereof is always a horizontal surface. can do.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the waterproof structure around a bulb of a vehicle lamp according to the third aspect, wherein the lip portion has a central axis along the protruding direction of the lip portion fitted in a peripheral wall of the opening portion. It is characterized in that it is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the direction.

Therefore, in the invention of claim 4, the lip portion can be easily bent by hitting the end face of the peripheral wall of the opening portion, whereby the engagement piece engages with the rib when the elastic cover is attached. Can also be done easily.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions as those shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 are designated by the same reference numerals and described.

FIG. 1 shows a lamp housing 2 applied to a waterproof structure 1 around a bulb of a vehicle lamp as an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is an elastic cover also applied to the waterproof structure 1. 6 is shown.

As shown in FIG. 3, the waterproof structure 1 includes a bulb mounting portion 4 of a reflector 3 which is tiltably mounted on a lamp housing 2 so that the optical axis of the bulb 13 can be adjusted, and the bulb mounting portion 4 outward. The lamp housing 2 is generally composed of an opening 5 for opening the lamp housing 2 and an elastic cover 6 mounted between the bulb mounting portion 4 and the opening 5 to seal a gap therebetween.

In the waterproof structure 1, the rib 12 formed along the inner circumference of the opening end of the opening 5 and engaged with the engaging piece 10 when the elastic cover 6 is mounted is provided on the vehicle body of the vehicle lamp. The positional relationship in the installed state is up, down and left,
It is provided intermittently at four locations on the inner circumference of the open end, which is the right position.

That is, FIG. 1 is a front view of the lamp housing 2 corresponding to the installation state of the left vehicle lamp on the vehicle body. The rib 12 is formed at the upper position of the inner periphery of the opening end of the opening 5. Upper rib 12a, a lower rib 12b formed at a lower position thereof, a right rib 12c formed at a right portion thereof, and a left rib 12d formed at a left portion thereof. Ribs 12a, 12b, 1
Between each of 2c and 12d, ribs are cut out to form only the peripheral wall of the opening 5.

Further, the lamp housing 2 is provided with a tilting means for the reflector 3. This tilting means includes a vertical aiming screw (not shown) mounted on the vertical aiming fulcrum 14, a left and right aiming screw (not shown) mounted on the left and right aiming fulcrums 15, and a pivot part mounted on the pivot fulcrum 16. (Not shown), the reflector 3 tilts around the one-dot chain line a connecting the left and right aiming fulcrums 15 and the pivot fulcrums 16 by driving the upper and lower aiming screws during vertical aiming, and the left and right aiming screws during left and right aiming. The reflector 3 is tilted around a chain line b connecting the vertical aiming fulcrum 14 and the pivot fulcrum 16 by driving.

The elastic cover 6 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), a cylindrical inner cylindrical portion 7 into which the valve mounting portion 4 is inserted, an outer cylindrical portion 8 forming an outer peripheral wall, and an outer cylindrical portion 8 formed inside the outer cylindrical portion 8 It has an annular engagement piece 10 that constitutes the groove portion 9, and a bellows portion 11 that connects the inner cylinder portion 7 and the groove portion 9, and is made of, for example, a rubber material.

In the waterproof structure 1, the inner cylinder portion 7 is inserted into the bulb mounting portion 4 of the reflector 3 and the groove portion 9 is fitted into the opening portion 5 of the lamp housing 2, so that the elastic cover 6 is connected to the lamp housing 2. It is configured by being mounted between the reflector 3 and the reflector 3.

In the waterproof structure 1 thus constructed, the rib 12 is replaced by each rib 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d.
By dividing the ribs 12a, 12b, 12c, regardless of other ribs adjacent to each other,
Since the engagement can be completed every 12d, after setting the elastic cover 6 at the mounting position, the ribs 12a, 12
By pressing the upper surface positions of the elastic covers 6 corresponding to b, 12c, and 12d individually, the corresponding ribs 12a, 12b,
It is possible to easily engage with each of 12c and 12d. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper rib 12a and the lower rib 12
After pressing the upper surface position of the elastic cover 6 corresponding to b with the force P1 at the same time, pressing the upper surface position of the elastic cover 6 corresponding to the right rib 12c and the left rib 12d with the force P2 at the same time The elastic cover 6 can be attached.

As described above, the waterproof structure 1 includes the elastic cover 6
It is easy to attach and the work efficiency can be improved. In addition, in the waterproof structure 1, each rib 12a, 12b, 12
Since the engagement piece 10 between c and 12d is in a free state without engaging with the rib 12, it is easily bent, and thereby the followability when the reflector 3 tilts can be improved. .

Preferably, among the four locations on the inner circumference of the opening 5 of the lamp housing 2, the ribs provided at two locations facing the pivot fulcrum 16 of the reflector 3 are the other two.
It is formed so as to be longer in the circumferential direction than the ribs provided at the points. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the ribs provided at two locations facing the pivot fulcrum 16 are the upper ribs 1
2a and right rib 12c, these ribs 12a, 1
2c is a rib (lower rib 12b) provided at the other two places.
And the left rib 12d) is formed to be longer in the circumferential direction.

According to this structure, the ribs 12a and 12c located at the two locations facing the pivot fulcrum 16 are transmitted so that the amount of movement of the reflector 3 when tilted is maximized. Since the circumferential length of 12c is increased, the engaging piece 1 that engages with the ribs 12a and 12c is formed.
The engagement force of 0 increases and the engagement piece 10 can be prevented from being disengaged, whereby the mounted state of the elastic cover 6 can be maintained without impairing the waterproof property.

Further, preferably, the groove portion 9 of the elastic cover 6 is formed.
A lip portion 17 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the opening 5 of the lamp housing 2 that is fitted when the elastic cover 6 is attached.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the lip portion 17 is formed so as to project in a substantially central portion of the bottom wall of the groove portion 9 facing the end surface of the peripheral wall of the fitted opening portion 5. The groove 9 is
The elastic cover 6 is formed in a ring shape over the entire circumference, and the lip portion 17 is also formed in a ring shape over the entire circumference of the groove portion 9.

According to this structure, the depth of fitting of the peripheral wall of the opening 5 into the groove 9 is always kept constant by the lip 17, so that the upper surface 6a of the elastic cover 6 is always horizontal. Since the elastic cover 6 can be mounted, it is easy to visually observe the quality of the mounted state of the elastic cover 6, and the quality control can be improved. That is,
If the upper surface 6a of the elastic cover 6 is not a horizontal surface (for example, an inclined surface or an uneven surface), it is re-installed again in the installation step, so that the elastic cover 6 is a defective product due to defective installation. Can be prevented.

Further preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, the lip portion 17 is formed so as to be inclined such that the central axis c along the protruding direction thereof is inclined with respect to the fitting direction d of the peripheral wall of the opening 5. To be done.

According to this structure, the lip portion 17 can be easily bent by hitting the end surface of the peripheral wall of the opening portion 5, whereby the rib 12 of the engaging piece 10 when the elastic cover 6 is mounted is attached. Engagement can be easily performed with a moderation feeling, and the elastic cover 6 can be reliably attached.

[0036]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the engagement piece can complete the engagement for each rib independently of the other adjacent ribs, so that the waterproofness can be improved. The elastic cover can be easily attached and work efficiency can be improved without hindering any of the above, and the engaging pieces between the ribs are in a free state without engaging with the ribs. Therefore, it is possible to provide a waterproof structure around the bulb of the vehicle lamp, which can obtain sufficient followability when the reflector is tilted.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, since the ribs at two positions facing the pivot fulcrum are formed so as to have a long circumferential length, the effect of the invention of claim 1 is provided.
The engagement force of the engagement piece that engages with each rib is increased, and the engagement piece can be more reliably prevented from being disengaged. As a result, the mounted state of the elastic cover that does not impair the waterproof property is improved. It can be maintained for a long time.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, the fitting depth of the peripheral wall of the opening into the groove is always kept constant by the lip, so that the upper surface of the elastic cover is always horizontal. Since it can be mounted, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1 or 2, it is easy to visually observe the quality of the mounted state of the elastic cover, and quality control can be improved.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, the lip portion can be easily bent by hitting an end surface of the peripheral wall of the opening portion, so that the effect of the invention of any one of claims 1 to 3 In addition, when the elastic cover is attached, the engagement piece can be easily engaged with the rib with a feeling of moderation, and the elastic cover can be surely attached.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view with a part of a lamp housing applied to a waterproof structure around a bulb of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 shows an elastic cover applied to the waterproof structure of FIG. 1, (a) is a plan view thereof, (b) is IIb-I of (a).
It is sectional drawing which follows the Ib line.

3 is an explanatory diagram corresponding to a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of mounting an elastic cover applied to the waterproof structure of FIG.

5 is an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 2 (b).

FIG. 6 shows a main part of a waterproof structure around a bulb of a conventional vehicle lamp, (a) is a side view, (b) is a Z arrow view of (a),
(C) is sectional drawing which follows the VIc-VIc line of (b).

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of an opening of a lamp housing applied to the waterproof structure of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a problem with the waterproof structure of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Waterproof structure (waterproof structure around the bulb of vehicle lighting) 2 lamp housing 3 reflector 4 Valve mounting part 5 openings 6 elastic cover 9 groove 10 engagement pieces 12 ribs 12a Upper rib (rib) 12b Lower rib (rib) 12c Right rib (rib) 12d Left rib (rib) 13 valves 16 pivot fulcrum 17 Lip c central axis d Insertion direction

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A bulb mounting portion of a reflector which is tiltably mounted to a lamp housing so that an optical axis of the bulb can be adjusted, an opening portion of the lamp housing opened to guide the bulb mounting portion outward, and A waterproof structure around a valve of a vehicle lighting device, comprising: an elastic cover that is mounted between a valve mounting portion and the opening to seal a gap therebetween, and is formed along an inner circumference of an opening end of the opening. A rib with which the engaging piece engages when the elastic cover is attached has four positions on the inner circumference of the opening end where the positional relationship when the vehicle lamp is installed on the vehicle body is the upper position, the lower position, and the left and right positions. A waterproof structure around the bulb of a vehicle lamp, which is characterized by being intermittently provided at some places. 2. The waterproof structure around a bulb of a vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein ribs provided at two locations of the four locations facing a pivot fulcrum of the reflector are provided at the other two locations. A waterproof structure around a bulb of a vehicle lamp, wherein the waterproof structure is formed so as to be longer in the circumferential direction than the ribs. 3. The waterproof structure around a bulb of a vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein a groove portion into which a peripheral wall of an opening of the lamp housing is fitted when the elastic cover is mounted is inside the elastic cover. The engaging piece is formed as an inner peripheral wall, and a lip portion elastically contacting the end surface is formed in the groove wall of the groove portion facing the end surface of the peripheral wall of the opening that is fitted. Waterproof structure around the bulb of vehicle lighting. 4. The waterproof structure around a bulb of a vehicle lighting device according to claim 3, wherein a central axis of the lip portion along a protruding direction of the lip portion is oblique with respect to a fitting direction of a peripheral wall of the opening portion. A waterproof structure around a bulb of a vehicle lamp, which is formed so as to be inclined as described above.