JP2018185988A - Vehicular lighting fixture and heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology that can properly melt snow adhering to an outer cover.SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting fixture 100 includes: a lamp body 10; an outer cover 12 disposed on a lighting fixture forward side of the lamp body 10; and a heating member 20 provided so as to come into contact with a surface on the lighting fixture forward side of the outer cover 12 and generating heat by being fed. The heating member 20 has stretching property.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp.

  Snow that adheres to the outer cover of the vehicular lamp hinders appropriate light irradiation. For this reason, a vehicular lamp has been proposed in which a heat generating member is attached to the outer cover and the snow is melted by heat generated by the heat generating member (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-188687 A

  In recent years, outer covers of vehicle lamps generally have a three-dimensional curved surface. In the conventional technology, the heat generating member cannot be properly attached to the outer cover having the three-dimensional curved surface shape, and a gap may be generated between the outer cover and the heat generating member. If there is a gap, heat is not efficiently transferred to the outer cover, and snow cannot be melted appropriately.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a condition, The objective is to provide the technique which can melt the snow adhering to an outer cover appropriately.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a vehicle lamp according to an aspect of the present invention is in contact with a lamp body, an outer cover disposed on the lamp front side of the lamp body, and a surface of the outer cover on the lamp front side. And a heat generating member that generates heat by power feeding. The heat generating member has extensibility.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a heater. This heater includes a heat generating member that is provided so as to come into contact with the front surface of the lamp of the outer cover of the vehicular lamp, which generates heat when power is supplied. The heat generating member has extensibility.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, and those in which constituent elements and expressions of the present invention are mutually replaced between methods, apparatuses, systems, and the like are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the technique which can melt snow appropriately attached to the outer cover can be provided.

It is a perspective view showing the vehicular lamp concerning an embodiment. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views showing a snow melting heater. It is a block diagram which shows the control system regarding a snow melting heater. FIGS. 5A and 5B are views showing a heat generating member according to a modification. 6A and 6B are views showing a heat generating member according to another modification. It is a figure which shows the heat generating member which concerns on another modification.

  The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted as appropriate. The embodiments do not limit the invention but are exemplifications, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention.

  Moreover, the outline | summary of the vehicle lamp which concerns on embodiment is demonstrated. The vehicular lamp according to the embodiment includes a snow melting heater including a heat generating member that generates heat by power feeding. The snow melting heater is provided such that the heat generating member comes into contact with the surface of the outer cover on the front side of the lamp (hereinafter referred to as “outer surface”). Since the heat generating member has extensibility, the heat generating member is arranged along the outer surface of the outer cover 12 having a three-dimensional curved surface shape, that is, the clearance between the heat generating member and the outer surface of the outer cover 12 is reduced. And the outer cover can be brought into contact with each other.

  The “contact” between the heat generating member and the outer cover includes not only the case where they are in direct contact but also the case where a member (for example, an adhesive) for bonding the heat generating member and the outer cover is sandwiched therebetween.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of a vehicular lamp 100 according to an embodiment. The vehicular lamp 100 is a headlamp, and is disposed on each of the left and right sides of the front portion of the vehicle. One of them is shown in FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

  The vehicular lamp 100 includes a lamp body 10, an outer cover 12, a lamp unit 14, and a snow melting heater 16. The lamp body 10 is formed in a box shape having an opening. The outer cover 12 is a light-transmitting cover, is disposed on the front side of the lamp body 10, and is attached to the lamp body 10 so as to cover the opening of the lamp body 10. The outer surface 12a of the outer cover 12 on the front side of the lamp has a three-dimensional curved surface shape. A lamp unit 14 is accommodated in a lamp chamber 18 formed by the lamp body 10 and the outer cover 12. The lamp unit 14 emits light toward the front of the vehicular lamp 100. The lamp unit 14 is, for example, a projector-type optical unit.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views showing the snow melting heater 16. In FIG. 3B, the display of the first layer 22a of the first holding member 22 and the first layer 24a of the second holding member 24 is omitted. In addition to FIGS. 1 and 2, reference is made to FIGS.

  The snow melting heater 16 is a heater for heating the outer cover 12, and includes a heat generating member 20, a first holding member 22, a second holding member 24, a first terminal 26, a second terminal 28, and a bushing 30. Have.

  The heat generating member 20 includes a conductive member 32 and two films 34. The conductive member 32 is sandwiched between two films 34. In particular, the conductive member 32 extends relatively sparsely between the two films 34. The conductive member 32 is conductive ink in the present embodiment, and has extensibility in addition to flexibility. In particular, the conductive member 32 has extensibility in an arbitrary direction in the surface direction of the film 34. Flexibility refers to the property of being elastically deformable along the outer surface of the outer cover 12. The term “extendability” refers to a property that extends without breaking or breaking when a tensile force is applied, and particularly refers to stretching 1.1 times or more of the original length. It does not matter whether the original state is restored when the tensile force is removed. Since the conductive member 32 is sandwiched between the films 34, when the film 34 is stretched, the conductive member 32 is stretched along with it.

  The film 34 is a sheet-like member, and is formed of, for example, a resin material such as polyurethane, polyethylene, or silicone. In the present embodiment, the film 34 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape.

  The film 34 has light transmittance. The film 34 preferably has a transmittance of 50% or more with respect to light having a wavelength of 380 to 780 nm. Thereby, the light that has passed through the outer cover 12 and entered the heat generating member 20 passes through the portion of the film 34 where the conductive member 32 does not exist and is irradiated forward of the lamp.

  The film 34 has extensibility in addition to flexibility. In particular, the film 34 has extensibility in any direction in the surface direction. In addition, the film 34 has a lower extensibility than the conductive member 32 in particular. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the conductive member 32 from being disconnected due to excessive extension of the heat generating member 20. In addition, low extensibility means that the degree of elongation when the same tensile stress is applied is low.

  The film 34 has heat shrinkability. The film 34 contracts when heat of a predetermined temperature or higher is applied.

  The film 34 is formed to a thickness that can achieve desired strength, desired flexibility, and extensibility. For example, the film 34 is formed to a thickness of 50 μm to 2 mm. Note that the thickness of the film 34 may be determined by experiments or the like.

  The two films 34 are bonded together by thermocompression bonding, adhesive bonding, or the like with the conductive member 32 sandwiched therebetween.

  The first holding member 22 and the second holding member 24 are plate-like members that hold the heat generating member 20. The first holding member 22 and the second holding member 24 are formed of, for example, a resin material and have flexibility.

  The first holding member 22 has a first layer 22a and a second layer 22b. The first holding member 22 holds the heat generating member 20 by being sandwiched between the first layer 22a and the second layer 22b. A first terminal 26 and a second terminal 28 are accommodated in the first holding member 22 as will be described later. For this reason, the first layer 22a and the second layer 22b are bonded together by welding and adhesion so that water does not enter.

  Similar to the first holding member 22, the second holding member 24 includes a first layer 24a and a second layer 24b. The second holding member 24 holds the heat generating member 20 by being sandwiched between the first layer 24a and the second layer 24b.

  The first terminal 26 and the second terminal 28 are accommodated in the first holding member 22, that is, in a space between the first layer 22 a and the second layer 22 b (hereinafter referred to as “accommodating space”).

  The first terminal 26 is accommodated between the first layer 22 a and the second layer 22 b of the first holding member 22. The two first terminals 26 are made of phosphor bronze, for example. The two first terminals 26 are respectively connected to one end and the other end of the conductive member 32. The first terminal 26 has a plate-like portion 26a and a protruding portion 26b. The plate-like portion 26 a is sandwiched between the films 34 while being in contact with the conductive member 32, i.e., being electrically connected to the conductive member 32. The protruding portion 26 b protrudes from the plate-like portion 26 a to the outside of the film 34.

  The second terminal 28 is a terminal for electrically connecting the protruding portion 26 b of the first terminal 26 protruding from the film 34 and the cord 36. The cord 36 is connected to the external connector 50, and supplies power from a power source from a battery (not shown) to the conductive member 32 of the heat generating member 20 through the second terminal 28 and the first terminal 26.

  The bushing 30 is a member formed of an elastic material, and is engaged with an insertion hole 22c that communicates with the accommodation space. The cord 36 is drawn out of the first holding member 22 from the accommodation space through a through hole formed in the bushing 30. The bushing 30 prevents water from entering the housing space.

  The first holding member 22 has two first attachment portions 22d. The first attachment portion 22 d is a plate-like protrusion that protrudes from the main body of the first holding member 22. An insertion hole 22e is formed in the first attachment portion 22d.

  Similarly, the second holding member 24 has two second attachment portions 24c (only one is shown in FIG. 2). The second attachment portion 24 c is a plate-like protrusion that protrudes from the main body of the second holding member 24. An insertion hole 24d is formed in the second attachment portion 24c.

  The lamp body 10 is formed with screw holes 10 a and 10 b as a fixing structure for fixing the first holding member 22 and the second holding member 24.

  When attaching the snow melting heater 16, the first holding member 22 and the second holding member 24 are gripped, and the heating member 20 is brought into contact with the outer surface of the outer cover 12 while applying a force for extending the heating member 20. Instead of the force for extending the heat generating member 20, or in addition to the force for extending the heat generating member 20, heat for heat shrinking may be applied to the film. For example, this heat may be supplied by blowing hot air. For example, it may be supplied by irradiating infrared rays. Further, for example, it may be supplied by bringing a heating body having a shape along the curved shape of the outer cover 12 or deforming into the curved shape of the outer cover 12 into contact.

  An adhesive for adhering them may be applied between the heat generating member 20 and the outer cover 12. In this case, an adhesive may be applied in advance to the surface of the film 34 facing the outer cover 12, the outer surface of the outer cover 12, or both directions thereof.

  Subsequently, the flexible first holding member 22 is bent, and the second layer 22b is brought into contact with the outer cover 12 so that the insertion hole 22e of the first mounting portion 22d and the screw hole 10a of the lamp body 10 are aligned. Let In this state, the first holding member 22 is fixed to the lamp body 10 by inserting a bolt into the insertion hole 22e of the first attachment portion 22d and screwing it into the screw hole 10a of the lamp body 10.

  Similarly, the second holding member 24 is bent, and the second layer 24b is brought into contact with the outer cover 12 so that the insertion hole 24d of the second mounting portion 24c and the screw hole 10b of the lamp body 10 are aligned. In this state, the second holding member 24 is fixed to the lamp body 10 by inserting a bolt into the insertion hole 24d of the second mounting portion 24c and screwing it into the screw hole 10b of the lamp body 10 in this state.

  The snow melting heater 16 is attached as described above.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system related to the snow melting heater 16. The vehicular lamp 100 further includes a semiconductor switch 38, a temperature sensor 40, and a control unit 42. These are accommodated in the accommodating space of the first holding member 22, for example.

  The semiconductor switch 38 is provided on a power supply path from a battery (not shown) to the snow melting heater 16 and is controlled to be turned on and off in accordance with a control signal from an energization control unit 46 (described later). The semiconductor switch 38 is turned on when the snow melting heater 16 is energized.

  The temperature sensor 40 detects the outside air temperature at a predetermined period (for example, one minute period). The temperature sensor 40 outputs the detection value to the control unit 42.

  The control unit 42 includes a determination unit 44 and an energization control unit 46. Each time the determination unit 44 receives a detection value from the temperature sensor 40, the determination unit 44 determines whether or not the heating member 20 needs to be energized based on the detection value output from the temperature sensor 40, that is, the outside air temperature. The determination unit 44 determines that energization of the heat generating member 20 is necessary when the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined energization threshold, and determines that energization of the heat generating member 20 is unnecessary when the outside air temperature is higher than the energization threshold. When it is determined that energization of the heat generating member 20 is necessary, the energization control unit 46 transmits a control signal to the semiconductor switch 38 to turn on the semiconductor switch 38. Thereby, electric power is supplied from the battery to the heat generating member 20, and the heat generating member 20 generates heat. The energization control unit 46 transmits a control signal to turn off the semiconductor switch 38 when it is determined that energization of the heat generating member 20 is unnecessary. Thereby, supply of electric power from the battery to the heat generating member 20 is stopped, and the heat generating member 20 does not generate heat.

  According to the present embodiment described above, the heat generating member 20 has extensibility. For this reason, by attaching the snow melting heater 16 while extending the heat generating member 20, the heat generating member 20 comes into close contact with the outer surface 12a of the outer cover 12 having a three-dimensional curved shape, that is, with the outer surface 12a of the outer cover 12. The snow melting heater 16 can be attached so that no gap is formed between the heat generating member 20 and the heat generating member 20. Thereby, the heat of the heat generating member 20 is efficiently transmitted to the outer cover 12, and snow can be appropriately melted when snow adheres to the outer cover 12.

  In the present embodiment, the heat generating member 20 has heat shrinkability in addition to extensibility. For this reason, by attaching the snow melting heater 16 while extending the heat generating member 20 and applying heat for heat shrinking to the heat generating member 20, the outer surface 12a of the outer cover 12 in which the heat generating member 20 has a three-dimensional curved surface shape. Therefore, the snow melting heater 16 can be attached more appropriately, that is, so as not to cause a gap between the outer cover 12 and the heat generating member 20.

  In the present embodiment, the film 34 has lower extensibility than the conductive member 32. Thereby, for example, when the snow melting heater 16 is attached, it is possible to prevent the conductive member 32 from being disconnected due to excessive extension of the heat generating member 20.

  In the present embodiment, the lamp body 10 has screw holes 10a and 10b as a fixing structure, and the snow melting heater 16 can be fixed to the lamp body 10 by screwing. Thereby, it can fix reliably so that the snow melting heater 16 may not remove | deviate.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, electricity supply to the snow melting heater 16 is controlled according to outside temperature. This eliminates the need for the user to determine whether or not the snow melting heater 16 is energized, thereby reducing the burden on the user.

  The configuration and operation of the vehicular lamp according to the embodiment have been described above. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

(First modification)
In the embodiment, the case where the vehicular lamp 100 is a headlamp has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the technical idea of the present embodiment is a stop lamp, a clearance lamp, a day lamp, a turn lamp, and other lamps. It can also be applied to.

(Second modification)
Although the case where the conductive member 32 of the heat generating member 20 is a conductive ink has been described in the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. The conductive member 32 only needs to generate heat by power feeding and have extensibility.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B are views each showing a heat generating member 20 according to a modification. 5A and 5B correspond to FIG. 3A, respectively. In this modification, the conductive member 32 is a metal wire. In the modification of FIG. 5A, the conductive member 32 is a metal wire wound in a spiral shape. In the modification of FIG. 5B, the conductive member 32 is a metal wire curved or bent into a wave shape. 5 (a) and 5 (b), when a force that stretches the film 34 is applied to the heat generating member 20, the conductive member 32 is deformed, that is, stretched so as to approach a linear shape. According to these modified examples, the same effects as in the embodiment can be obtained.

  FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing a heat generating member 20 according to another modification. FIGS. 6A and 6B correspond to FIGS. 3A and 3B. In the present modification, the heat generating member 20 does not have the film 34. Therefore, the first holding member 22 and the second holding member 24 hold the conductive member 32 directly. The conductive member 32 is a metal wire covered with an insulating cover. The conductive member 32 is a metal wire spirally wound or a metal wire curved or bent into a wave shape, as in the modification of FIG. According to this modification, the same effects as in the embodiment can be obtained. In addition, according to this modification, since the film 34 is not necessary, the cost can be reduced accordingly.

  For example, the conductive member 32 may be an organic transparent conductive film. In this case, since the conductive member 32 can also transmit light, the conductive member 32 can be provided in a relatively wide range, for example, almost the entire range of the film 34.

(Third Modification)
In the embodiment, the case where the snow melting heater 16 has two holding members has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the snow melting heater 16 may have three or more holding members. Further, for example, the snow melting heater 16 may have only one holding member. In this case, the holding member may be formed to hold the outer periphery of the film 34 of the heat generating member 20 over the entire circumference, that is, may be formed in a circumferential shape.

(Fourth modification)
In the embodiment, the case where the screw hole as the fixing structure is formed in the lamp body 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  The fixing structure may be any structure that can fix the holding member and thus the snow melting heater 16 to the lamp body 10. For example, the holding member may have an engaging claw, and the fixing structure may be a groove in which the engaging claw is engaged.

  The fixing structure may be provided on the outer cover 12.

  A configuration in which the lamp body 10 and the outer cover 12 do not have a fixing structure is also conceivable. For example, the holding member may be fixed to the outer cover 12 or the lamp body 10 with an adhesive or an adhesive sheet (double-sided tape). In the case of fixing with an adhesive sheet, it is preferable that the adhesive sheet has elasticity and has a predetermined thickness (for example, 5 mm or more). In this case, since the adhesive sheet is deformed along the outer surface shape of the outer cover 12 or the lamp body 10 and bonded to the outer cover 12 or the lamp body 10, the holding member is securely fixed to the outer cover 12 or the lamp body 10. it can.

(5th modification)
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a snow melting heater 16 according to still another modification. FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. In the present modification, the first holding member 22 has a connector portion 20f. The connector part 20f is engaged with an external connector (not shown) for power supply for supplying power from the battery. The connector portion 20 f has a first terminal 26 that is electrically connected to the conductive member 32 of the heat generating member 20. When the connector part 20f is engaged with the external connector part, the first terminal 26 and the terminal of the external connector part are electrically connected. According to this modification, since the heat generating member 20 can be electrically connected to the battery relatively easily, the burden of the work of attaching the snow melting heater 16 is reduced.

  Any combination of the above-described embodiments and modifications is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. The new embodiment generated by the combination has the effects of the combined embodiment and the modified examples. In addition, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be fulfilled by the constituent elements described in the claims are realized by the individual constituent elements shown in the embodiments and the modified examples or by their linkage. .

(Sixth Modification)
Although the determination part 44 demonstrated the case where the determination part 44 determined the necessity of electricity supply to the heat generating member 20 based on external temperature, it is not restricted to this. The determination unit 44 may determine whether it is necessary to energize the heat generating member 20 based on the operation of vehicle components other than the vehicle lamp 100.

  For example, the determination unit 44 may determine whether energization of the heat generating member 20 is necessary based on the operation of the fog lamp. Specifically, it is determined that the heating member 20 needs to be energized when the fog lamp switch is on, and the heating member 20 is not required to be energized when the fog lamp switch is off. Further, for example, the determination unit 44 may determine whether or not the heating member 20 needs to be energized based on both the outside air temperature and the operation of the fog lamp. Specifically, when the fog lamp switch is on and the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined energization threshold, it is determined that the heating member 20 needs to be energized. In other cases, that is, the fog lamp switch is on. In addition, when the outside air temperature is higher than the energization threshold value and when the fog lamp switch is off, it is determined that energization of the heat generating member 20 is unnecessary.

  Further, for example, the determination unit 44 may determine whether energization of the heat generating member 20 is necessary based on the operation of the wiper. Specifically, it is determined that the heating member 20 needs to be energized when the wiper switch is on, and the heating member 20 is not required to be energized when the wiper switch is off. Further, the determination unit 44 may determine whether or not the heating member 20 needs to be energized based on both the outside air temperature and the wiper operation. Specifically, when the wiper switch is on and the outside air temperature is below a predetermined energization threshold, it is determined that the heating member 20 needs to be energized. In other cases, that is, the wiper switch is on. In addition, when the outside air temperature is higher than the energization threshold and when the wiper switch is off, it is determined that energization of the heat generating member 20 is unnecessary.

(Seventh Modification)
In the embodiment, the case where the vehicular lamp 100 includes the lamp unit 14 in the lamp chamber 18 and the snow melting heater 16 warms the outer cover 12 of the vehicular lamp 100 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the vehicle lamp 100 includes, in addition to the lamp unit 14, a camera, a sensor, and a radar for detecting other vehicles, pedestrians, obstacles, detecting conditions around the vehicle such as weather conditions, and the like. At least one of the above may be provided in the lamp chamber 18.

  Further, for example, the vehicular lamp 100 may include at least one of a camera, a sensor, and a radar in the lamp chamber 18 instead of the lamp unit 14. That is, the vehicular lamp 100 may be an object detection device for detecting other vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles, or an ambient state detection device for detecting a situation around the vehicle. Alternatively, the vehicle lamp 100 may be an electromagnetic wave irradiation device for irradiating electromagnetic waves such as sensor light and radar. The snow melting heater 16 may be a heater for warming the outer cover 12 of the object detection device, the outer cover 12 of the surrounding state detection device, or the outer cover 12 of the electromagnetic wave irradiation device.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Lamp body, 12 Outer cover, 20 Heat generating member, 100 Vehicle lamp.

Claims (7)

A lamp body,
An outer cover disposed on the front side of the lamp body of the lamp body;
A heating member provided so as to be in contact with the surface of the outer cover on the front side of the lamp, and generating heat by power feeding;
The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the heat generating member is extensible. The heating member is
A conductive member having extensibility;
The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, comprising a film having extensibility and permeability and sandwiching the conductive member.   The vehicular lamp according to claim 2, wherein the stretchability of the film is lower than the stretchability of the conductive member. A holding member for holding the heat generating member;
The said holding member is comprised so that the said heat generating member may contact with the said outer cover by fixing the said holding member to the said lamp body or the said outer cover. The vehicle lamp as described in 2. The holding member includes a connector portion engaged with an external connector for power supply,
The connector portion has a terminal electrically connected to the heat generating member,
The vehicular lamp according to claim 4, wherein when the connector portion is engaged with the external connector, the terminal and the terminal of the external connector are electrically connected.   The vehicular lamp according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the lamp body or the outer cover has a fixing structure for fixing the holding member. A heating member that generates heat by power feeding and should be provided so as to come into contact with the front surface of the lamp outer cover of the vehicular lamp,
The heater, wherein the heat generating member is extensible.

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