JP2003257216A - Outer package lamp for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an outer package lamp for vehicle in which hazing of the lamp is prevented without damaging appearance. <P>SOLUTION: In the outer package lamp for a vehicle having a reflector 103, a cross-sectionally nearly semicircular rib 105 is provided at a position facing the periphery 115 of the reflector 103 on the inner face of the outer lens 104. Thereby, hazing of the reflector part is prevented without fusing the reflector 103 and the rib 105. Hence an outer package lamp which is superior not only in visibility aspect, but also in working time aspect in manufacturing process such as a fusion process, and further, in design aspect by utilizing optical action on the shape of the rib 105, is provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle exterior lamp which prevents fogging inside the lamp.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Exterior lamps installed in a vehicle have the functions of improving the visibility of the driver by brightening the surroundings of the vehicle and sending signals to other vehicles. For this reason, various regulations are applied to the exterior lamp by laws and regulations so as not to impair the lamp function. One of the problems that impairs the lamp function is the problem that fog occurs inside the lamp due to the influence of moisture and the like.
In order to suppress the occurrence of fog, various ideas have been proposed for the exterior lamp.

FIG. 2 is a schematic external view of the rear portion of the vehicle when the vehicle is viewed obliquely from the rear. As shown in the figure, rear combination lamps 200, which are a type of exterior lamp, are attached to the rear portion of the vehicle 212 in a left-right pair. In addition,
The rear combination lamp is an exterior lamp that has improved designability and maintainability by unitizing the turn signal lamp, stop lamp, and reflector.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of the rear combination lamp 200 shown in FIG. In the figure, the rear combination lamps 20 installed on the left and right of the rear part of the vehicle are shown.
Of the 0, the left rear combination lamp 200 is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 3A, the rear combination lamp 200 has a turn signal lamp 201, a stop lamp 202, and a reflector 203 housed in one lamp unit, and is covered with an outer lens 204. On the inner surface of the outer lens 204, the reflector 2
A rib 205 is provided along the circumference of 03.

The turn signal lamp 201, which is also referred to as a turn signal, is a lamp that indicates the traveling direction of the vehicle when turning left or right. This is a lamp that notifies you of deceleration. The reflector 203 is a reflection plate, and is made to be bright by receiving light from the outside by cutting a lens of resin or the like. That is, the reflector 203 does not emit light by itself, but has a function of reflecting outside light even when the vehicle is parked to notify the presence of the vehicle. A component called a reflector is also attached to the above-mentioned lamp such as the stop lamp 202, but this reflector has a role of concentrating the light emitted from the lamp in one direction and the like, and is a reflector that reflects external light here. Different from 203. The outer lens 204 has a function as a lamp cover that protects the lamp unit from external factors such as water, and has a lens cut on the inner surface, and has a function as a lens that distributes the light of the lamp to a necessary range. .

[0006] In a vehicle having such a rear combination lamp, clouding may occur inside the lamp unit depending on the usage environment. As described above, the lamp unit is covered with the outer lens, so that even if water is splashed from the outside such as when washing a car, the water does not enter. However, as will be described below, the lamp housing forming the vehicle side of the lamp unit is provided with a breathing hole, and external moisture penetrates into the lamp unit through this breathing hole. If conditions such as a temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the lamp unit are remarkably different depending on usage conditions, the humidity in the lamp unit causes dew condensation to cause water droplets or fog. Especially, when the outer lens is fogged, various functions required for the rear combination lamp are impaired.

On the other hand, exterior lamps such as rear combination lamps are components that influence the design of the vehicle. Therefore, not only the shape of the entire lamp, but also the lamps and reflectors installed in the lamp unit are designed in consideration of design.

That is, exterior lamps such as rear combination lamps are required to have a function of preventing fogging in the lamp and that the appearance is not impaired as a result of adding the function of preventing fogging. It

With respect to the function of preventing fogging, even if fogging occurs on one surface of the outer lens, the fogging of these lamp parts can be eliminated by the heat emitted from the turn signal lamp and the stop lamp. However, since the reflector that does not emit light by itself does not have the function of preventing fogging due to such heat generation, there is a conventional technique shown in FIG.

FIG. 3B is a sectional view of the reflector 203 of FIG. 3A taken along the line AA. As shown in the figure, the cross section 206 of the reflector portion includes a lamp housing 207, a reflector lens 209, and an outer lens 204. A rib 205 is provided on the inner side of the outer lens 204, and the reflector lens 209 is provided.
And the rib 205 are welded together. Since the reflector lens 209 and the rib 205 are circular when viewed from the direction of FIG. 3A, the circular reflector lens 209 and the circular rib 205 are welded over the entire circumference. Further, the lamp housing 207 is provided with a breathing hole 210 for passing air. The lamp housing 207 and the outer lens 204 form a pair to form the outer frame of the lamp unit. When installing the lamp unit in the vehicle, the outer lens 20
Reference numeral 4 is installed so as to face the outside of the vehicle, and lamp housing 207 is installed so as to face the inside of the vehicle.

Moisture may infiltrate through the breathing hole 210, and in this case, the humidity may be absorbed by the lamp housing 20.
7 and the outer lens 204. At this time,
If the outer lens 204 is not provided with the rib 205 and this moisture penetrates into the space between the reflector lens 209 and the outer lens 204, the lens 211 of the reflector portion is fogged. However, in the conventional technique shown in FIG. 3B, the rib 205 provided on the outer lens 204 and the reflector lens 209 are welded and sealed to each other, so that the infiltration of moisture between the reflector lens 209 and the outer lens 204. To prevent the occurrence of fog.

[0012]

However, as shown in FIG.
In the anti-fog structure shown in (b), the outer lens 2
The wall surface of the rib 205 that protrudes inwardly from 04 is visible from the outside of the rear combination lamp 200, impairing the appearance, and is not preferable in terms of design. Further, the resin protruding at the time of welding and the welded portion seen through the rib 205 also have a poor appearance. That is, although the current anti-fog structure has a function of preventing fog in the lamp, a problem of impairing the appearance is newly generated due to the addition of the anti-fog function.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an exterior lamp which is superior in terms of design while preventing fog inside the lamp.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 1, an exterior lamp of a vehicle having a reflector in an outer frame composed of a lamp housing and an outer lens is provided. Ribs to prevent moisture from entering the outer lens,
By providing the inner surface of the outer lens, it is possible to prevent fogging of the reflector portion due to moisture without welding the reflector and the rib. As a result, not only can the exterior lamp be excellent in visibility from other vehicles, but also the appearance can be improved.

The reflector is a reflector that reflects light from the outside of the vehicle, and is attached around the lamp.
It is different from the reflector that reflects the light emitted from the lamp light source.
The ribs are provided on the inner surface of the outer lens and have a projection shape for preventing fogging of the reflector portion due to moisture. As long as they have this effect, the shape, size, and installation position on the outer lens are not particularly limited.

In the invention according to claim 2, the rib is provided on the inner surface of the outer lens at a position facing the peripheral portion of the reflector, and in the invention according to claim 3, the peripheral edge of the reflector is provided. Since the reflector and the rib do not need to be welded to each other in the case of being provided at a position surrounding the portion, the appearance can be improved. In addition, since it is possible to efficiently prevent fogging of the reflector portion, it is possible to provide an exterior lamp with better visibility.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, since the rib is a rib having an overall shape such that the cross section thereof has a substantially semicircular shape, the shape of the rib is a concave mirror with respect to light from the outside. Since the ribs play a role, the ribs can be seen as shining, and the exterior lamp can have an excellent design.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be exemplarily described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a reflector portion in an exterior lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 3B illustrating a cross section taken along the line AA of FIG. 3A. A cross section is shown.
As shown in the figure, the cross section 106 of the reflector portion has a reflector 103 including a lamp housing 107, a pedestal 108 provided in the lamp housing 107, and a reflector lens 109 installed in the pedestal 108.
And an outer lens 104. Outer lens 1
A rib 105 is provided inside 04. In addition, the lamp housing 107 is provided with a breathing hole 110 for passing air. The lamp housing 10
The outer lens 104 and the outer lens 104 form a pair to form the outer frame of the lamp unit. When the lamp unit is installed in the vehicle, the outer lens 104 is installed outside the vehicle and the lamp housing 107 is installed inside the vehicle.

Here, the rib 105 provided on the outer lens 104 is characterized by its shape and installation position. FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the B portion in FIG. 1A, and shows a cross section of the reflector in a perspective view. Figure 1
Explaining the characteristics with (b), the rib 105 has an overall shape that is a substantially semicircular shape when the cross section of the rib 105 is seen, and is provided at a position facing the peripheral portion 115 of the reflector 103. There is.

The peripheral portion 115 of the reflector 103 is an edge portion of the reflector 103 which is composed of a pedestal 108 and a reflector lens 109. That is, in the present embodiment, since the reflector lens 109 has a structure that covers the pedestal 108, the edge of the reflector lens 109 coincides with the peripheral portion 115,
In the case of the structure in which the reflector lens 109 is installed inside the pedestal 108, the peripheral edge portion 116 of the pedestal becomes the peripheral edge portion 115.

FIG. 1B shows a peripheral edge portion 11 in the drawing.
The rib 105 is provided on the inner surface of the outer lens 104 so that the center 119 of the rib cross section is located immediately below the rib 5. Here, the position facing the peripheral edge portion 115 of the reflector 103 is not limited to the position of the rib 105 illustrated. That is, when the rib cross-section center 119 is displaced to the right in the drawing, the position facing the peripheral edge 115 means that the peripheral edge 11
5, the rib outer periphery 117 is located substantially below 5, and the rib cross-section center 11
When 9 is shifted to the left in the drawing, it indicates a range in which the rib inner circumference 118 is located substantially below the peripheral edge portion 115.

The reflector 103 and the rib 105 are shown in FIG.
Since it is circular when viewed from the direction of (a), the rib 105
Are provided over the entire circumference along the peripheral edge 115 of the circular reflector 103.

As described above, moisture may enter through the breathing hole 110, and in this case, the moisture fills between the lamp housing 107 and the outer lens 104. However, in this embodiment, since the rib 105 is provided over the entire circumference along the peripheral edge 115 of the reflector 103, infiltration of moisture between the reflector lens 109 and the outer lens 104 is blocked, and the reflector portion of the reflector portion is blocked. It is possible to prevent fogging of the lens 111.

The ribs 105 are preferably provided as close to the peripheral edge 115 as possible so that the ingress of moisture can be effectively blocked. However, due to the processing accuracy, the above effect can be obtained even when the rib 105 cannot be processed so as to be in close contact with the peripheral portion 115.

Further, it is possible to prevent the lens 111 of the reflector portion from being fogged without welding the rib 105 and the reflector lens 109 to each other.
It is possible to prevent the welded part from being seen from outside the lamp. Further, it is possible to eliminate the problem that the protruding resin in the welding process impairs the appearance.

Since the rib 105 is shaped so as to have a substantially semi-circular cross section, it reflects external light and shines. More specifically, the semi-circular shape of the cross section of the rib 105 acts as a concave mirror for the light that enters the rib 105 from the outside of the lamp substantially perpendicularly, so that the reflected light is condensed and looks bright. . That is, when the combination lamp is viewed from the outside, the rib 105 looks like a ring in addition to the reflector 103, so that the combination lamp is superior in terms of design.

The vehicle exterior lamp according to this embodiment is preferably applied as a vehicle combination lamp, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to this.

The rib provided on the outer lens has the effect of blocking the infiltration of moisture between the reflector and the outer lens. Therefore, as long as such an effect can be exhibited, the shape of the rib and the installation position in the outer lens are not particularly limited. For example, a rib protruding from the outer lens may be provided so as to surround the peripheral edge portion or the outer peripheral surface of the reflector.

[0029]

According to the invention of claim 1, in the exterior lamp having a reflector, a rib for preventing moisture from entering between the reflector and the outer lens is provided on the inner surface of the outer lens. Since it is possible to prevent fogging of the reflector part due to moisture without welding the ribs and the ribs, it is possible to make the exterior lamp excellent not only in terms of visibility as an exterior lamp, but also in terms of appearance. .

In the invention according to claim 2, the rib is provided on the inner surface of the outer lens at a position facing the peripheral edge portion of the reflector. In the invention according to claim 3, the peripheral edge of the reflector is provided. Since the reflector and the rib do not need to be welded to each other by being provided at a position surrounding the portion, the exterior lamp can be made to have an excellent appearance. In addition, since it is possible to efficiently prevent fogging of the reflector portion, it is possible to provide an exterior lamp with more excellent visibility.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, since the rib is a rib having an overall shape such that the cross section thereof is substantially semicircular, the shape of the rib with respect to the light from the outside. It plays the role of a concave mirror, and the ribs appear to shine when the exterior lamp is viewed from the outside, so that the exterior lamp can have an excellent design.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a reflector portion of an exterior lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
A cross-sectional view corresponding to a cross section taken along line A-A in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a B portion in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic external view of a rear portion of the vehicle when the vehicle is viewed obliquely from the rear.

FIG. 3 is a rear combination lamp which is an example of a conventional exterior lamp, and FIG. 3A is a schematic external view and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols] 103 reflector 104 outer lens 105 ribs 107 lamp housing 108 pedestal 110 breathing holes 115 Reflector periphery

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An exterior lamp for a vehicle having a reflector in an outer frame composed of a lamp housing and an outer lens, wherein a rib for preventing moisture from entering between the reflector and the outer lens is provided. An exterior lamp for a vehicle, which is provided on the inner surface of an outer lens. 2. The exterior lamp of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rib is provided on an inner surface of the outer lens and at a position facing a peripheral portion of the reflector. 3. The exterior lamp of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rib is provided on an inner surface of the outer lens so as to surround a peripheral edge portion of the reflector. 4. The exterior lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rib is a rib having a substantially semicircular cross section.