JP2007238049A - Lighting fixture for vehicle interior component and overhead console with lighting fixture - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small lighting fixture for a vehicle interior component that has a simple structure and is capable of individually lighting prescribed interior components. <P>SOLUTION: A part of the side face of a light-guide plate 54 is made as an incidence face part 58 of incident light from an LED 52, while one of the side-face parts located at both sides in a direction of intersecting with an incidence direction of the incident light is made as an adjacent face part 56 located adjacently to the interior components 14, 16, 18, and 29. The other of the side-face parts is made as a reflecting face part 60 for reflecting the incident light that includes an inclined face part gradually approaching the adjacent face part 56 as going forward in the incidence direction of the incident light. Reflected light reflected by the reflecting face part 60 is emitted from the adjacent face part 56 so that the interior components 14, 16, 18, and 29 are irradiated with it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device for vehicle interior parts and an overhead console with a lighting device, and in particular, a lighting device attached exclusively for each vehicle interior component, and an overhead with a lighting device equipped with such a lighting device. Concerning the console.

  Generally, various interior parts are provided in the interior of a vehicle such as an automobile. Some of the vehicle interior parts are operated or used by passengers. For example, various switches such as a switch for a power window, a switch for lighting an indoor lamp such as a map lamp and a dome lamp, or various storage boxes and ashtrays for storing small articles are examples.

  By the way, such interior parts are usually used or operated with the interior lamp turned on in a dark interior such as a tunnel or at night. Among these interior parts, for example, The switch for lighting the indoor lamp is forced to operate in the dark, and the storage box is not fully illuminated even when the indoor lamp is lit, so when taking out the articles stored inside, There was inconvenience that we had to search for it by hand. Moreover, it is inevitable that driving the interior lamps while driving in tunnels or at night will brighten the interior of the vehicle, which will impede the driver's field of view, which will cause problems in driving. .

  Under such circumstances, the following Patent Document 1 discloses an overhead lamp having a console main body installed on the ceiling of a vehicle, and provided with a switch for lighting an indoor lamp and a storage box on the console main body. There has been proposed a structure in which the light can enter the storage box. According to such a prior art, since the interior of the storage box is sufficiently brightened with the lighting of the indoor lamp, it is easy to take out the articles stored in the storage box even at night.

  However, such a conventional technique has not solved the problem that the switch for lighting the indoor lamp is forced to operate in the dark, and the indoor lamp is used as a light source for illuminating the inside of the storage box. Therefore, it was impossible to illuminate only the inside of the storage box, and therefore it was impossible to increase the usability of the storage box at night without interfering with the driving of the running vehicle. .

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems caused in the prior art at once, an illuminating device using a lamp other than the indoor lamp is installed near each interior part. It can be easily considered that each interior part can be individually illuminated with a lighting device dedicated to each interior part. However, in such an interior part lighting device, when adopting a structure in which a lamp is simply installed in the vicinity of the interior part, for example, if the interior part to be illuminated is relatively large, In order to illuminate the whole, it is necessary to use a plurality of lamps, or to install one lamp with a sufficient distance from the interior parts. Inconveniences such as will become complicated.

JP-A-8-230561

  Here, the present invention has been made in the background as described above, and the problem to be solved is that the entire predetermined interior part can be illuminated regardless of its size. An object of the present invention is to provide an illumination device for a vehicle interior part having a small and simple structure. In the present invention, the overhead console having the indoor lamp lighting switch and the storage box further includes a lighting device capable of illuminating both the lighting switch and the storage box with a small and simple structure. Providing a new structure is also a problem to be solved.

  In the present invention, in order to solve such a problem, the gist of the present invention is to emit light for irradiating the interior part in an illumination device that illuminates the interior part provided in the vehicle interior. The light guide plate includes an LED and a light transmissive plate that transmits light emitted from the LED, and a part of the side surface of the light guide plate receives light emitted from the LED. One of the side surface portions that are positioned on both sides in the direction intersecting the incident direction of the incident light from the LED and that extend in the incident direction of the incident light. In addition, it is an adjacent surface portion that is positioned adjacent to the interior part, and further, any one of the side surface portions is inclined so as to approach the adjacent surface portion as it goes forward in the incident direction of the incident light. A reflection surface portion that reflects the incident light toward the adjacent surface portion, and the reflected light reflected by the reflection surface portion is emitted from the adjacent surface portion, thereby reflecting the interior component. It is in the illuminating device of the interior component for vehicles characterized by being comprised so that it can irradiate with light.

  That is, in the lighting device for an interior part for a vehicle according to the present invention, the reflecting surface portion of the light guide plate that reflects the incident light from the LED moves toward the adjacent surface portion of the light guide plate as it goes forward in the incident direction of the incident light. An ascending inclined surface portion is included. Therefore, for example, by appropriately setting the length and the inclination angle of the inclined surface portion in such a reflective surface portion, incident light from a highly directional LED is more efficient toward the adjacent surface portion in the reflective surface portion. Will be reflected. As a result, it is possible to reliably illuminate a predetermined interior component positioned adjacent to the adjacent surface portion with the reflected light emitted from the adjacent surface portion.

  Moreover, in the lighting device for interior parts for vehicles according to the present invention, it is a small and simple structure including an LED smaller than an incandescent bulb (bulb) and a light guide plate that transmits the light of the LED. Yes. Moreover, even if the interior parts are large, the light guide plate can be used, for example, simply according to the size of the large interior parts without separating the LEDs from the interior parts or increasing the number of LEDs. By simply increasing the length of incident light in the incident direction at each of the adjacent surface portion and the reflective surface portion, the entire large interior component can be irradiated with the reflected light. Therefore, as the interior parts to be illuminated become larger, it is possible to advantageously avoid an increase in the size of the entire device or a complicated structure.

  Therefore, according to the lighting device for a vehicle interior component according to the present invention, the entire predetermined interior component can be illuminated with a small and simple structure regardless of its size. As a result, it is possible to easily and appropriately use or operate the interior parts in the tunnel or at night while the interior lamp is turned off, and thus without disturbing the driving of the vehicle. In addition, this can be easily realized without impairing the design of the passenger compartment.

  In addition, since the LED of the present invention uses an LED as a light source, for example, the LED has less excessive heat generation, low power, and excellent durability as compared with the case where an incandescent light bulb is used as a light source. Advantages based on characteristics can be enjoyed advantageously.

Aspects of the Invention

  By the way, the present invention can be suitably implemented at least in various aspects as listed below.

(1) In an illumination device for irradiating an interior part provided in a vehicle interior, an LED that emits light for irradiating the interior part, and a light guide plate that has light transmittance and transmits light emitted from the LED. And a part of the side surface of the light guide plate is used as an incident surface portion on which light emitted from the LED is incident, while intersecting the incident direction of incident light from the LED. Any one of both side surface portions that are respectively positioned on both sides of the incident direction and extend in the incident direction of the incident light is an adjacent surface portion that is positioned adjacent to the interior part, and further, the both side surface portions. The incident light is reflected toward the adjacent surface portion and includes an inclined surface portion that is inclined so as to approach the adjacent surface portion as it goes forward in the incident direction of the incident light. Reflection The interior part for a vehicle is characterized in that the interior part can be irradiated with the reflected light by emitting the reflected light reflected by the reflective surface part as the part from the adjacent surface part. apparatus.

(2) In said aspect (1), the said light guide plate is provided with the diffusion means to diffuse the said incident light and / or the said reflected light. According to this aspect, the reflected light is emitted substantially uniformly from the adjacent surface portion of the light guide plate, so that the entire interior part adjacent to the adjacent surface portion is reflected light with substantially uniform brightness. Can be irradiated.

(3) In the above aspect (2), the reflection surface portion of the light guide plate is provided with a first uneven portion that diffuses the incident light by diffusely reflecting the incident light, and the diffusing unit is configured to dispose the first uneven portion. Consists of including. According to this aspect, incident light can be reliably diffused without impairing the light transmittance of the light guide plate.

(4) In the aspect (2) or aspect (3) described above, the adjacent surface portion of the light guide plate is provided with a second uneven portion that diffuses and emits the reflected light, and the diffusion means includes It is configured to include the second uneven part. Even in this embodiment, incident light can be reliably diffused without impairing the light transmittance of the light guide plate.

(5) In any one of the above aspects (2) to (4), the incident light and the light incident on the light guide plate are made of a material having a refractive index different from that of the light guide plate. The light diffusing fine particles for diffusing the reflected light are dispersed, and the diffusing means includes the light diffusing fine particles. According to this aspect, both the incident light and the reflected light can be diffused not only on the surface of the light guide plate but also on the entire light guide plate, so that the incident light and the reflected light are more sufficiently diffused. Can be. As a result, the reflected light is emitted more uniformly from the adjacent surface portion of the light guide plate, and the entire interior part adjacent to the adjacent surface portion can be irradiated with even brightness.

(6) In any one of the modes (1) to (5) described above, a portion of the surface of the light guide plate excluding the incident surface portion and the adjacent surface portion is a light-impermeable cover. It is covered with a member. According to this aspect, leakage of light from other than the adjacent surface portion can be advantageously prevented without preventing the light emitted from the LED from entering the light guide plate. Thereby, only the interior components located adjacent to the adjacent surface portion can be more reliably irradiated with the light emitted from the LED.

(7) In any one of the above aspects (1) to (6), the LED is turned on in conjunction with the ON operation of the switch for lighting the headlight of the vehicle. Being. In this aspect, for example, in a vehicle such as an automobile, usually, by turning on a headlight lighting switch provided near the steering wheel so that the driver can easily operate without inconvenience even in the dark, The LED will be lit. Therefore, unlike an indoor lamp or the like, an operation of turning on an LED in the dark is advantageously eliminated, and thus more excellent usability can be exhibited.

(8) In any one of the modes (1) to (7) described above, the interior part has a console body installed on the ceiling of the vehicle, and an indoor lamp is provided for the console body. It is an overhead console configured with a switch for lighting and a storage box. According to this aspect, the lighting switch for the indoor lamp and the storage box can be irradiated with the light emitted from the LED. As a result, the position of the indoor lamp lighting switch installed in the overhead console and the interior of the storage box can be easily visually observed without turning on the indoor lamp in a tunnel or at night. Thus, the operability or usability in the dark of these lighting switches and storage boxes can be effectively enhanced.

(9) The illumination device according to the aspect (8) is configured to be provided in the console body so that the adjacent surface portion of the light guide plate is positioned adjacent to the lighting switch and the storage box. Overhead console with lighting device. According to this aspect, the size of the entire overhead console and the complexity of the structure due to the provision of the lighting device are suppressed as much as possible, and the illumination switch for the indoor lamp and the irradiation of the storage box provided in the overhead console are suppressed. Is possible. As a result, the operability or usability in the dark of the switch for lighting the interior lamps and the storage box can be effectively enhanced, and it does not impair the design of the vehicle interior. It can be easily realized. Moreover, it is easy to take out articles in the storage box without turning on the indoor lamp in the tunnel or at night, so that the vehicle can be operated when the storage box is used in the tunnel or at night. Such an obstacle can also be advantageously avoided.

(10) In the aspect (9) described above, the lighting switch and the storage box are aligned in the incident direction of the incident light from the LED to the light guide plate, and are adjacent to the adjacent surface portion of the light guide plate. It is provided in the console body in a state where According to this aspect, both the lighting switch and the storage box can be more reliably irradiated with the reflected light emitted from the adjacent surface portion of the light guide plate.

(11) In the above aspect (10), at least one lighting device is provided on each of the side portions of the console body sandwiching the lighting switch and the storage box. . According to this aspect, both the lighting switch and the storage box can be illuminated more brightly.

(12) In any one of the modes (9) to (11) described above, the console body is further provided with a lid for opening and closing the storage box, and the lid is light-transmissive. It is comprised by the translucent member which has this, The said reflected light radiate | emitted from the said adjacent surface part of the said light-guide plate can permeate | transmit this cover body. According to this aspect, the lid of the storage box is illuminated by the light of the LED that illuminates the storage box, so that the position of the storage box can be maintained without turning on the indoor lamp in a tunnel or at night. It can be more easily and reliably visually observed. In addition, for example, by using LEDs of red, yellow, green, etc., it becomes possible to make the lid shine with those colors, and thus the design property of the storage box can be improved. It is done.

(13) In any one of the modes (9) to (12) described above, a frame member surrounding the lighting switch is further provided to the console body, and the frame member It is constituted by a translucent member having light transmissivity, and the reflected light emitted from the adjacent surface portion of the light guide plate is transmitted through the frame member. According to this aspect, the periphery of the lighting switch is illuminated by the light of the LED that illuminates the lighting switch, so that the position of the lighting switch can be achieved without lighting the indoor lamp in a tunnel or at night. Can be more easily and reliably observed. For example, by using LEDs of red, yellow, green, etc., it becomes possible to shine around the lighting switch with those colors, thereby improving the design around the lighting switch. The advantage that it can be obtained is also obtained.

  Hereinafter, in order to clarify the present invention more specifically, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, in FIGS. 1 to 5, as an embodiment of an overhead console with a lighting device according to the present invention, an overhead console installed in a ceiling part of a vehicle interior of an automobile has four different front surfaces and different cut surfaces. In longitudinal section form, each is schematically shown. As is clear from these figures, the overhead console of this embodiment has a console body 10 and is configured.

  More specifically, the console body 10 is formed using a light-impermeable resin material such as polypropylene, polycarbonate, or a blend material of polycarbonate and ABS resin. And the switch part 12 is provided in the center part of the length direction (up-down direction in FIG. 1) with a wide flat plate form. The switch unit 12 includes two push button switches 14 and 16 as indoor lamp lighting switches, which will be described later, and various other switches in the width direction (left and right direction in FIG. 1). It is provided so that it may be located side by side.

  Further, a transparent cover 18 that covers the surface of the switch unit 12 is disposed. The transparent cover 18 is formed using a light-transmitting resin material such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate resin. Moreover, in such a transparent cover 18, the frame body shape which has the large window part 19 in the center part is exhibited, and the width direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 1) both side edge part of the surface which covers the switch part 12, Two engaging clips 20 and 20 each having a claw at the tip are integrally formed.

  Such a transparent cover 18 allows the two push button switches 14 and 16 provided in the switch unit 12 and various other switches to be inserted into the window unit 19, respectively. In this state, the two engaging clips 20 and 20 are inserted into the two mounting holes 22 and 22 provided in the switch part 12 one by one, The claw portion at the tip is fixed to the switch portion 12 by engaging with the opening peripheral portion of each mounting hole 22 on the back surface of the switch portion 12. In other words, the transparent cover 18 surrounds all of the various switches including the two push button switches 14 and 16 and excludes the formation portions of the push button switches 14 and 16 and the like with respect to the switch unit 12. It covers the entire surface and is fixed. As is clear from this, here, the transparent cover 18 constitutes a frame member.

  Further, a storage box 26 is provided on one side (lower side in FIG. 1) in the length direction of the console main body 10 from the portion where the switch portion 12 is formed. The storage box 26 is formed integrally with the lid portion 28. The console main body 10 is pivotally supported around a rotation shaft 27 provided so as to extend in the width direction of the console main body 10 with respect to one end portion in the length direction of the console main body 10. It can be opened and closed with the integral rotation. The integrated product of the storage box 26 and the lid portion 28 is formed by using a light-transmitting resin material such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate resin similar to the material for forming the transparent cover 18. The lid portion 28 has a substantially flat plate shape having substantially the same thickness and width as the transparent cover 18 and a length larger than the length of the opening of the storage box 26 by a predetermined dimension. Further, a decorative cover 29 made of a resin material having the same light transmittance as that of the lid 28 is overlapped and attached on the surface of the lid 28.

  On the other hand, in the length direction of the console main body 10, a lamp support portion 30 is provided on the side opposite to the storage box 26 side with the switch portion 12 interposed therebetween. The lamp support portion 30 is provided with a plurality of indoor lamps 32 made of LED lenses so that a plurality (four in this case) of the indoor lamps 32 are gathered on both sides of the console body 10 in the width direction. In these indoor lamps 32, some of the lamps that are gathered and positioned on one side in the width direction of the console main body 10 (right side in FIG. 1) are respectively in the vehicle interior of the console main body 10 as will be described later. A driver's seat side lamp 32a that irradiates the driver's seat side under the installation state on the ceiling of the vehicle, while each of several things gathered and positioned on the other side (left side in FIG. 1) is a console. Under the installation state of the main body 10 on the ceiling, the passenger seat side lamp 32b for irradiating the passenger seat side is used. The driver's seat side lamp 32a and the passenger's seat side lamp 32b can be turned on / off based on the pressing operation of each of the two push button switches 14 and 16 provided in the switch unit 12. ing. In FIG. 1, 33 and 33 are lamps that are turned on / off in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door, and irradiate the driver seat and the passenger seat when the door is opened.

  Further, in the console main body 10, mounting plate portions 34 are respectively provided on both side ends in the width direction, that is, on both side portions sandwiching the storage box 26, the switch portion 12, and the lamp support portion 30. Are integrally formed so as to continuously extend over the entire length. Each of the mounting plate portions 34 has a longitudinal rectangular flat plate shape having substantially the same thickness as the switch portion 12.

  And in such a mounting plate part 34, in the part on the storage box 26 side in the length direction, the step part made one step lower than the other part in the part on the storage box 26 or switch part 12 side in the width direction. A recess 36 having a form is provided. The recess 36 is also opened toward the storage box 26 and the switch unit 12 side. Further, in the recess 36, the side surfaces of the storage box 26 facing the respective end surfaces in the width direction of the cover portion 28 and the transparent cover 18 of the switch portion 12 are directed from the switch portion 12 side to the storage box 26 side in the length direction. Thus, the inclined surface 38 is formed of a flat surface extending obliquely while approaching the switch unit 12 and the storage box 26.

  Further, side covers 40 that cover the entire surface of the mounting plate 34 are fixed to the mounting plate 34. Each of the side covers 40 has a top plate portion 42 and a leg portion 44 formed by using a light-impermeable resin material such as polypropylene or polycarbonate, or a blend material of polycarbonate and ABS resin, which is the same as the material for forming the console body 10. Are integrated. Engagement clips 46 and 46 each having a claw portion on the front end are integrally formed on both end portions in the length direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) on one surface of the top plate portion 42, respectively. It is installed. On the other hand, the leg portion 44 has three side plates that extend in the thickness direction of the top plate portion 42 from three side portions excluding one side portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the formation surface of the engagement clip 46 in the top plate portion 42. It has a U-shaped frame shape. That is, the side cover 40 as a whole has a casing shape in which one of the side plates extending in the longitudinal direction is missing, and the missing part is a side opening that opens to the side. Have and be configured.

  And each such side cover 40 makes the front end surface of the leg part 44 contact | abut to three edge parts except the edge part of the width direction center part side of the console main body 10 in each attachment board part 34. FIG. A side opening formed by missing one of the side plates is opened toward the storage box 26, the switch unit 12, and the lamp support unit 30, and the inner side surface of the top plate unit 42 is connected to each mounting plate 34. It is arranged so as to be superimposed on the surface. In addition, under such a state in which each side cover 40 is arranged on each mounting plate portion 34, the two engaging clips 46, 46 have claw portions provided on each mounting plate portion 34. Each side cover 40 is inserted into each of the holes 48 and 48 and the claw portion at the tip is engaged with the engagement hole 49 of the engagement projection 47 provided on the back surface of each mounting plate portion 34. Are fixed to the mounting plate portions 34, respectively.

  A console main body 10 that is not explicitly shown in the figure and has such a structure is disposed in a portion between the driver seat and the passenger seat on the inner surface of the automobile ceiling with the front side facing down. In this state, the overhead console of this embodiment is attached to the ceiling of the automobile by being fixed to the ceiling with a fixing clip 51 integrally formed on the back surface of the console body 10.

  By the way, in the overhead console of the present embodiment, in particular, the push button switch 14 provided in the storage box 26 and the switch portion 12 with respect to the mounting plate portions 34 formed on both sides in the width direction of the console body 10. , 16 are provided for each one illumination device 50.

  As is apparent from FIGS. 1 and 5, each of these illumination devices 50 includes an LED 52 and a light guide plate 54. The LED 52 in the illuminating device 50 has a structure similar to the conventional one, for example, configured to emit green light. Further, in the LED 52, the mounting plate portion is covered with the side cover 40 on the portion of the concave portion 36 provided in the mounting plate portion 34 that is located on the side of the lamp support portion 30. It is being fixed so that light can be emitted toward the storage box 26 side in the length direction of 34.

  On the other hand, the light guide plate 54 is formed, for example, using a light-transmitting resin material such as an acrylic resin or a polycarbonate resin, like the material for forming the transparent cover 18 and the lid portion 28 attached to the console body 10. . In addition, the concave plate 36 of the mounting plate 34 corresponds to the shape of the portion located on the side of the switch portion 12 and the storage box 26 and has a right triangle shape having a slightly smaller size than the portion. It has an overall shape and is configured.

  And in this light guide plate 54, the side surface extended along the long side part of the two side parts located across the right-angled corner part of the right triangle covered the switch part 12 and attached. The adjacent surface portion 56 has a length substantially corresponding to the total dimension of the length of the transparent cover 18 and the length of the transparent decorative cover 29 superimposed on the lid portion 28 of the storage box 26. In addition, a side surface extending along the short side portion of the two side portions is an incident surface portion 58 having a length substantially corresponding to the width of the mounting plate portion 34. Further, the side surface extending along the oblique side of the right triangle is a reflecting surface portion 60 having a length corresponding to the length of the inclined surface 38 of the recess 36 provided in the mounting plate portion 34. As is apparent from FIG. 5, there are also one engagement clip 62 having a claw at the tip on each side of the back surface of the light guide plate 54 in the length direction (extending direction of the adjacent surface portion 56). Each is integrally formed.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, here, the first concavo-convex portion 64 and the second concavo-convex portion 66 with respect to the entire reflecting surface portion 60 and the entire adjacent surface portion 56 in the light guide plate 54, respectively, It is formed by a known graining process or the like. The first and second uneven portions 64 and 66 can be easily formed by forming a recess on the cavity surface of the mold when the light guide plate 54 is molded. Realized. In addition, it should be understood that in FIG. 6, the concave and convex portions of the first and second concavo-convex portions 64 and 66 formed by crimping are exaggerated to be larger than actual.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, such a light guide plate 54 is fitted into the recess 36 of each mounting plate portion 34 of the console body 10, and the transparent cover 18 of the switch portion 12. And the decorative cover 29 of the storage box 26 are arranged adjacent to each other. Further, under such an arrangement state, the incident surface portion 58 is slightly spaced from the light emitting portion of the LED 52 mounted so as to be positioned on the side portion of the lamp support portion 30 in the concave portion 36 of the concave mounting plate portion 34. The adjacent surface portion 56 is brought into contact with the side surfaces in the width direction of the transparent cover 18 and the decorative cover 29, respectively, and the reflecting surface portion 60 is inclined with respect to the inclined surface 38 of the recess 36. Is positioned with a slight gap. Further, the two engaging clips 62 and 62 are respectively inserted into the two mounting holes 63 and 63 provided in the mounting plate portions 34, and the claw portions at the distal ends are respectively mounted on the mounting plate portions 34. Are engaged with the peripheral portions of the openings of the mounting holes 63 on the back surface.

  As a result, the lighting device 50 composed of the light guide plate 54 and the LED 52 has both the width in the console body 10 sandwiching the transparent cover 18 of the switch unit 12 and the decorative cover 29 of the storage box 26 therebetween. Located on each side. In each of these lighting devices 50, the light of the LED 52 is caused to enter the light guide plate 54 from the incident surface portion 58, and the incident direction is the alignment direction of the switch unit 12 and the storage box 26 of the console body 10. The adjacent surface portion 56 and the reflecting surface portion 60 as both side surface portions are respectively positioned on both sides in a direction perpendicular to the incident direction of the incident light. Further, the adjacent surface portion 56 is positioned adjacent to the transparent cover 18 of the switch portion 12 and the decorative cover 29 of the storage box 26, and further, as the entire reflection surface portion 60 heads forward in the incident direction of incident light, It is configured with an inclined surface form that is inclined so as to gradually approach the adjacent surface portion 56. That is, here, the entirety of the reflection surface portion 60 is an inclined surface portion.

  Furthermore, the light guide plates 54 of the respective lighting devices 50 are attached to the respective attachment plate portions 34 of the console main body 10 as described above, and the side covers 40 are attached to the respective attachment plate portions 34. By being attached in this manner, both surfaces in the thickness direction of the light guide plate 54 are covered with the surface of the attachment plate portion 34 and the inner surface of the top plate portion 42 of the side cover 40, and the light guide plate 54 reflecting surface portions 60 are covered with an inclined surface 38 of the mounting plate portion 34.

  As is clear from this, in the present embodiment, the side cover 40 and the mounting plate portion 34 constitute a cover member that covers a portion excluding the incident surface portion 58 and the adjacent surface portion 56 of the light guide plate 54. ing. Although not clearly shown in the figure, here, the switch for lighting the LED 52 is also used as a headlight lighting switch provided in the vicinity of the handle in the vehicle interior to which the overhead console is attached. Thus, the headlight lighting switch can be turned on / off in conjunction with the on / off operation of the headlight lighting switch.

  Thus, in the overhead console of this embodiment having such a structure, when the headlight lighting switch (not shown) is turned on, it is emitted from the LED 52 as shown by the arrow in FIG. The incident light enters the light guide plate 54 from the incident surface portion 58. And since the whole reflective surface part 60 is made into the inclined surface which becomes asymptotic to the adjacent surface part 56 as it goes to the incident direction front of incident light, the light which went to the reflective surface part 60 among the incident light from LED52 is The reflection surface portion 60 reflects the light toward the adjacent surface portion 56. At this time, since the first uneven portion 64 is provided on the reflection surface portion 60, the incident light is diffusely reflected and diffused. Further, since the reflection surface portion 60 is covered with the inclined surface 38 of the non-transparent mounting plate portion 34, incident light does not pass through the reflection surface portion 60 and leak outside. Thus, the reflected light irregularly reflected by the reflecting surface portion 60 is emitted from the adjacent surface portion 56. Further, since the second uneven portion 66 is also provided on the adjacent surface portion 56, the reflected light is diffused when passing through the adjacent surface portion 56.

  On the other hand, of the incident light from the LED 52, a part of the light directed toward the adjacent surface portion 56 is transmitted through the adjacent surface portion 56 and emitted from the adjacent surface portion 56. Further, the incident light that could not be transmitted through the adjacent surface portion 56 is reflected by the adjacent surface portion 56 toward the reflecting surface portion 60, and further reflected by the reflecting surface portion 60 toward the adjacent surface portion 56, and reflected. Light passes through the adjacent surface portion 56 and is emitted from the adjacent surface portion 56. Even in such a case, since the first and second concave and convex portions 64 and 66 are provided on the reflective surface portion 60 and the adjacent surface portion 56, incident light is diffusely reflected by the adjacent surface portion 56 and the reflective surface portion 60. In addition, the light that is diffused and transmitted through the adjacent surface portion 56 is also diffused. As is clear from these facts, here, the first uneven portion 64 and the second uneven portion 66 provided on the reflective surface portion 60 and the adjacent surface portion 56 constitute a diffusing means.

  Then, the light emitted from the adjacent surface portion 56 in this manner is placed inside the transparent cover 18 that covers the switch portion 12 and the transparent decorative cover 29 that covers the lid portion 28 of the storage box 26. And is incident from the side surface of the decorative cover 29 on the mounting plate portion 34 side. Thereby, the transparent cover 18 and the decorative cover 29 are illuminated by the green light emitted from the LED 52 of the lighting device 50 and are inserted into the window portions 19 of the transparent cover 18, respectively. And the other switches are illuminated. In addition, the decorative cover 29 is made to emit light when the storage box 26 is covered with the transparent cover 28, while the interior of the storage box 26 is opened when the storage box 26 is opened by rotation about the rotation shaft 27. Will be illuminated.

  Therefore, if the overhead console of this embodiment as described above is used, for example, in a tunnel or at night, the interior of the vehicle is dark, it is installed at the driver's hand, and it is easy and convenient in the dark. By simply turning on an operable headlight lighting switch, the push button switches 14 and 16 that light the driver side lamp 32a and the passenger side lamp 32b and the lid portion 28 (decorative cover 29) of the storage box 26 are turned on. ) Can be visually observed.

  Therefore, when operating the driver side and passenger side lamps 32a and 32b, or opening the storage box 26, the positions of the push button switches 14 and 16 and the lid portion 28 of the storage box 26 are searched in the dark. The inconvenience that must be found out can be effectively eliminated. Further, when a predetermined article is taken out from the storage box 26 in the open state, the target article can be taken out while visually observing the inside of the storage box 26.

  In addition, the light from the LED 52 of the lighting device 50 only illuminates the push button switches 14 and 16 and the inside of the lid 28 or the storage box 26, and does not illuminate the entire interior of the vehicle. Therefore, even when traveling in a tunnel or at night, the driver's field of view is not hindered by the light from the lighting device 50.

  Moreover, in the overhead console of this embodiment, each lighting device 50 is composed of only one LED 52 and one light guide plate 54 on which light from the LED 52 is incident, and is extremely simple with a small number of parts. It is structured. Furthermore, the incident direction of the light from the LED 52 to the light guide plate 54 is a direction that coincides with the arrangement direction of the switch unit 12 having the push button switches 14 and 16 to be illuminated and the lid unit 28 of the storage box 26. Therefore, for example, as compared with a case where only a light source composed of an incandescent light bulb or the like is employed, which is arranged by being sufficiently separated from a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the switch unit 12 and the lid unit 28 are arranged, The entire device can be advantageously reduced in size and size. In addition, such a compact design does not cause a decrease in design of the vehicle interior due to unnecessary enlargement.

  Furthermore, in such an overhead console, the light from the LED 52 is sufficiently diffused by the first and second uneven portions 64 and 66 provided on the reflection surface portion 60 and the adjacent surface portion 56 of the light guide plate 54. Therefore, the light from the LED 52 is emitted as uniformly as possible from the adjacent surface portion 56 toward the transparent cover 18 and the decorative cover 29, whereby the entire transparent cover 18 and the decorative cover 29 The whole can be illuminated with sufficiently uniform brightness with such outgoing light.

  In addition, as described above, since the light from the LED 52 is diffused only by the reflection surface portion 60 and the adjacent surface portion 56 which are side portions of the light guide plate 54, the light transmission inside the light guide plate 54 is stable. And sufficiently secured.

  Further, the lighting device 50 having the LEDs 52 is provided on the mounting plate portions 34 and 34 respectively located on both sides in the width direction of the console main body 10, thereby illuminating the switch portion 12 and the lid portion 28. Are sufficiently secured so that they can be illuminated more brightly.

  Furthermore, in the overhead console of the present embodiment, the thickness direction both surfaces of the light guide plate 54 and the reflection surface portion 60 in each lighting device 50 are the surface of each mounting plate portion 34 of the console body 10 and the ceiling in each side cover 40. From the place covered by the inner surface of the plate portion 42 and the inclined surface 38 provided in the recess 36 of each mounting plate portion 34, each illumination device 50 has the LED 52 from the LED 52 through the incident surface portion 58 of the light guide plate 54. Leakage of light from other than the adjacent surface portion 56 can be effectively prevented without impeding the incidence of light. Further, the leakage of light to the back of the LED 52 can be advantageously prevented even when the side surface of the recess 36 of the light-impermeable mounting plate 34 is positioned behind the LED 52.

  In addition, in such an overhead console, the LED 52 of each lighting device 50 can be turned on / off in conjunction with the on / off operation of a headlight lighting switch that is turned on in a tunnel or at night. Therefore, when traveling in a tunnel or at night, it is not necessary to perform an operation to turn on each lighting device 50, thereby ensuring good usability.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the decorative cover overlapped with the transparent cover 18 positioned so as to surround the push button switches 14, 16 and other switches and the lid portion 28 that covers the entire opening of the storage box 26. Since the entirety of each of 29 is illuminated by the light of the LED 52 of each lighting device 50, for example, the switches such as the push button switches 14 and 16 and the decorative cover 29 are simply moved to the side. Compared with the case of irradiation from the direction, the switches such as the push button switches 14 and 16 and the entire decoration cover 29 can be illuminated more clearly, and are illuminated with the colored light of the LED 52, so that the design property Has the advantage that it can be advantageously increased.

  Further, in such an overhead console, the switches such as the push button switches 14 and 16 to be illuminated by each lighting device 50, the decorative cover 29 (lid portion 28), and the storage box 26 are light guide plates for light from the LEDs 52. 54, adjacent to the adjacent surface portion 56, for example, they are adjacent to the adjacent surface portion 56 in a state where they are aligned in a direction intersecting the incident direction of the incident light. Compared with the case where it is made to squeeze, these switches, such as the pushbutton switch 14, the decoration cover 29, and the storage box 26 can each be more fully illuminated.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the LED 52 is used as the light source of each lighting device 50, for example, compared with the case where an incandescent light bulb is used as such a light source, there is less extra heat generation, low power, and Advantages based on the characteristics of the LED 52, such as excellent durability, can be enjoyed advantageously.

  The specific configuration of the present invention has been described in detail above. However, this is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited by the above description.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the two illumination devices 50 are provided for the console main body 10. However, the number of the illumination devices 50 arranged is a switch such as the push button switches 14 and 16 to be illuminated. The decoration cover 29 (lid portion 28) and the storage box 26, the brightness of the LEDs 52 of the lighting device 50, and the like can be changed as appropriate.

  In the above embodiment, the entire reflection surface portion 60 of the light guide plate 54 is configured as an inclined surface that is inclined so as to approach the adjacent surface portion 56 in accordance with the advancing direction of incident light. Can also be configured with such an inclined surface. Furthermore, the inclined surface constituting at least a part of the reflecting surface portion 60 may be a curved inclined surface.

  Furthermore, it is needless to say that the shape of the adjacent surface portion 56 in the light guide plate 54 can be variously changed according to the shape of the interior part to be illuminated.

  Furthermore, a concavo-convex portion as a diffusing unit may be provided only on one of the reflective surface portion 60 and the adjacent surface portion 56 of the light guide plate 54. Moreover, you may abbreviate | omit this uneven | corrugated | grooved part. That is, the diffusing means is not essential in the present invention.

  Of course, even in the case where such a diffusing means is provided, the diffusing means can be formed by exemplification processing as long as it can diffuse the light emitted from the LED 52 and transmitted through the light guide plate 54. It is not limited to anything.

  That is, for example, on the reflective surface portion 60 and the adjacent surface portion 56 of the light guide plate 54, or on the surface portion other than those, not only by the transfer method of the roughened cavity surface of the illustrated mold, but also by printing or coating method, It is also possible to provide recesses or protrusions extending continuously or discontinuously, such as grooves or protrusions, or recesses or protrusions having a predetermined shape independent of each other, and these can be used as diffusion means.

  In addition, light diffusion fine particles that are made of a material having a refractive index different from that of the material forming the light guide plate 54 and diffuse light transmitted through the light guide plate 54 are dispersed in or on the light guide plate 54, or The diffusing means may be constituted by the light diffusing fine particles. As the light diffusing fine particles, for example, inorganic materials such as barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, quartz, titanium oxide, fine particles made of silicone resin, and other well-known particles are appropriately adopted, and the conventional method is used. Similarly, the light guide plate 54 is dispersed or scattered in the light guide plate 54 or on the surface thereof.

  When such light-dispersed fine particles are dispersed inside the light guide plate 54, the light from the LED 52 can be diffused more fully as well as the entire surface of the light guide plate 54. As a result, the reflected light is emitted more uniformly from the adjacent surface portion 56 of the light guide plate 54 and the interior parts (switches such as the push button switches 14 and 16, the decorative cover 29, the lid) are positioned adjacent to the adjacent surface portion 56. The entire portion 28 and the storage box 26) can be spot-irradiated with a more even brightness.

  In the embodiment, the lighting device 50 is attached to the console main body 10. However, the lighting device 50 may be configured in a separate form independent of the console main body 10. That is, the lighting device 50 can be configured as a lighting device for an overhead console which is a kind of vehicle interior part.

  In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a specific example of the present invention applied to an overhead console with a lighting device installed in a ceiling portion of a vehicle interior of a vehicle and a lighting device for such an automotive overhead console is shown. Of course, the invention can be applied to any of an overhead console with an illumination device installed in a vehicle other than an automobile and an illumination device of an interior part of a vehicle other than an automobile.

  In addition, although not enumerated one by one, the present invention can be carried out in a mode to which various changes, modifications, improvements, etc. are added based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. It goes without saying that all are included in the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It is front explanatory drawing including one part cutaway figure which shows one Embodiment of the overhead console with a illuminating device according to this invention. It is expansion explanatory drawing in the II-II cross section of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1. It is expansion explanatory drawing in the IV-IV cross section of FIG. It is an expansion explanatory view in the VV section of Drawing 1. FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of main parts of FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Console main body 12 Switch part 14,16 Pushbutton switch 18 Transparent cover 26 Storage box 28 Cover body 29 Decoration cover 30 Lamp support part 32 Indoor lamp 34 Mounting plate part 40 Side cover 50 Illumination device 52 LED 54 Light guide plate 56 Adjacent surface part 58 Incident surface portion 60 Reflecting surface portion 64 First uneven portion 66 Second uneven portion

Claims (8)

A lighting device for irradiating interior parts provided in a vehicle interior,
An LED that emits light for irradiating the interior part and a light guide plate that transmits light and transmits light emitted from the LED, and one of the side surfaces of the light guide plate. Are made incident surfaces on which light emitted from the LED is incident, while being positioned on both sides of the direction intersecting the incident direction of the incident light from the LED, in the incident direction of the incident light. Either one of the extending side surface portions is an adjacent surface portion positioned adjacent to the interior part, and further, either one of the both side surface portions is directed forward in the incident direction of the incident light. A reflection surface portion configured to include the inclined surface portion that is inclined so as to approach the adjacent surface portion and reflects the incident light toward the adjacent surface portion, and the reflected light reflected by the reflection surface portion is the adjacent surface portion. Out of By allowed to lighting device for a vehicle interior part, characterized by being configured the interior part so as to irradiate at reflected light.   The illuminating device for interior parts for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the light guide plate is provided with diffusion means for diffusing the incident light and / or the reflected light.   3. The first uneven portion that diffuses the incident light by diffusely reflecting the incident light is provided on the reflecting surface portion of the light guide plate, and the diffusing unit includes the first uneven portion. Lighting equipment for interior parts of vehicles.   The second light-receiving plate is provided with a second uneven portion that diffuses and emits the reflected light, and the diffusing means includes the second uneven portion. Item 4. An illumination device for an interior part of a vehicle according to Item 3.   Light diffusing fine particles for diffusing the incident light and the reflected light, which are made of a material having a refractive index different from that of the light guide plate forming material, are dispersed inside the light guide plate, and the diffusing means includes the light diffusing means. The lighting device for an interior part for a vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 4, comprising fine particles.   The part except the said incident surface part and the said adjacent surface part among the surfaces of the said light-guide plate is covered with the light-impermeable cover member, The any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5 is provided. Lighting equipment for interior parts of vehicles.   2. The overhead console, wherein the interior part has a console main body installed on a ceiling of a vehicle, and is provided with a switch for lighting an indoor lamp and a storage box with respect to the console main body. Item 7. The lighting device for interior parts for vehicles according to any one of Items 6 to 7. The lighting device according to claim 7, wherein the lighting device is provided on the console body so that the adjacent surface portion of the light guide plate is positioned adjacent to the lighting switch and the storage box. Overhead console.

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