JP2020037344A - Vehicular lighting system and vehicular door - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting system that can achieve light emission with even brightness in a longitudinal direction while improving productivity of a light guide body.SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting system 21 comprises a light source 24 and a lengthy light guide body 25 that extends linearly in an entering direction of light from one end arranged adjacent to the light source 24 for irradiation with light from a light emission surface 32 in a linear shape. In the light guide body 25 is formed a convex part 34 arranged in a longitudinal direction on a rear face of the light emission surface 32 and extended in a direction orthogonal to an entering direction of light. Widths W1-W12 of the convex part 34 vary depending on distances from the light source 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention is directed to a vehicle lighting device including a light source and a long light guide that linearly extends in a light entering direction from one end disposed adjacent to the light source and irradiates light from a linear light emitting surface, and The present invention relates to a vehicle door using the same.

  Patent Literature 1 discloses a line lighting device for a vehicle interior in which a light emitting surface is formed in a linear shape. The line illumination device includes a long light guide that introduces light from a light source from one end in a longitudinal direction and irradiates light from a linear light emitting surface. A number of cuts are formed in the light guide on the rear surface of the light emitting surface in the longitudinal direction and extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of light entry. By gradually increasing the depth of the cut according to the distance from the light source, light emission with uniform luminance in the longitudinal direction is realized.

International Publication No. WO 2014/192797

  It is desired to use a molding technique in forming the light guide. If the notch is formed on the back surface of the light emitting surface based on the shape of the mold at the time of molding the light guide, the cutting work of the cut is omitted, the productivity of the light guide is improved, and the production cost is reduced. However, it has been very difficult to accurately cut a projection having a height that changes in a mold in response to a change in the depth of cut.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lighting device capable of realizing light emission of uniform luminance in a longitudinal direction while improving productivity of a light guide. I do.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a light source, a long light guide that linearly extends in a light entering direction from one end disposed adjacent to the light source, and emits light from a linear light emitting surface, In the vehicle lighting device, wherein the light guide is formed with the convex portion or the concave portion that is arranged in a longitudinal direction on a back surface of the light emitting surface and extends in a direction perpendicular to a light entering direction. The length of the convex portion or the concave portion in a direction orthogonal to the approach direction changes according to the distance from the light source.

  According to the second aspect, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the length of the protrusion or the recess increases as the distance from the light source increases.

  According to the third aspect, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the protrusions or recesses are arranged at a constant pitch in the longitudinal direction.

  According to the fourth aspect, in addition to the configuration of the third aspect, the height of the convex portion or the depth of the concave portion is constant.

  According to the fifth aspect, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the convex portion or the concave portion is formed in a triangular cross-section having a ridge line in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which light enters.

  According to the sixth aspect, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fifth aspects, the convex portions or the concave portions are grouped in a longitudinal direction, and the length of the convex portions or the concave portions is constant in each group. Is set to

  According to the seventh aspect, in addition to the configuration of the sixth aspect, the number of the convex portions or the concave portions is set to be constant for each group.

  According to an eighth aspect, a vehicle door having any one of the first to seventh aspects is provided.

  According to the first aspect, since the adjustment of the brightness of the light emitted from the light emitting surface is achieved based on the length of the convex portion or the concave portion, in the mold, the concave portion or the concave portion corresponds to the convex portion or the concave portion of the light guide. What is necessary is just to change the length of the convex part, and the die can be processed more easily than changing the height of the convex part, the depth of the concave part, and the pitch of the convex part and the concave part. Since the convex portions and the concave portions are established at the time of molding with the mold, the productivity of the light guide is improved. As a result, production costs are reduced.

  According to the second aspect, as the length of the convex or concave portion increases in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which light enters, the brightness of light emitted from the light emitting surface in accordance with refraction and diffuse reflection increases. Therefore, it is possible to secure light emission of sufficient luminance on the light emitting surface with respect to light weakening away from the light source.

  According to the third aspect, the brightness of the light emitted from the light emitting surface is affected by the pitch of the projections or the recesses. Therefore, when the pitch of the projections or the recesses is set to be constant, the length of the projections or the recesses is reduced. Changes can be simplified. Mold design can be simplified. The manufacturing cost of the mold can be reduced.

  According to the fourth aspect, in the mold, a concave portion having a constant depth may be formed corresponding to the convex portion of the light guide, and a convex portion having a constant height is formed corresponding to the concave portion. The mold design can be simplified. The manufacturing cost of the mold can be reduced.

  According to the fifth aspect, light can be satisfactorily diffused.

  According to the sixth aspect, the graininess of light emitted from the light emitting surface can be suppressed.

  According to the seventh aspect, the graininess of the light emitted from the light emitting surface can be suppressed.

  According to the eighth aspect, the production cost of the vehicle door can be reduced.

It is a key map of the vehicle door concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is an expansion perspective view of a lighting device. FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded view of the lighting device. It is an expansion perspective view of a light guide. It is an expanded sectional view of a convex part on a light guide. It is an enlarged plan view of a convex part. It is an expanded sectional view of the metallic mold used for molding of a light guide. It is an enlarged partial plan view of a lower die. It is an expansion perspective view of the light guide concerning other embodiments.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a vehicle door mounted on an automobile. The vehicle door 11 includes a door body 12 hinged to the skeleton of the vehicle so as to be openable and closable, and a door trim 13 attached to the inside of the door body 12. The door trim 13 is formed with a door armrest 14 for supporting an occupant's arm and a door pocket 15 below the door armrest 14 that is used to store small items. Above the door armrest 14, the door trim 13 incorporates a door inside handle 16 that is operated to open and close the vehicle door 11. A switch 18 that is operated to open and close the window glass 17 and a lighting system 19 that illuminates the door inside handle 16 and the switch 18 in a dark environment and exerts a decorative effect on the vehicle door 11 are embedded in the door armrest 14.

  The lighting system 19 includes lighting devices 21 that are embedded in the left and right door armrests 14 and illuminate the edges of the door armrests 14 when turned on. The lighting device 21 is connected to a control unit (ECU) 22 of the vehicle via LIN communication. The control unit 22 controls turning on and off of the lighting device 21. According to the LIN communication, the lighting device 21 can be connected to the control unit 22 in series or in parallel by one wire harness 23.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lighting device 21 includes a light source 24, a long light guide 25 linearly extending in a light entering direction from one end disposed adjacent to the light source 24, and a light guide 25. A long lens 26 that covers and covers the light emitted from the light guide 25. The light source 24 emits light from the light emitter in the line direction of the light guide 25 in response to the supply of power. The light source 24 is connected to one end of the light guide 25. The light guide 25 guides the light emitted from the light source 24 linearly in a linear direction (longitudinal direction). Light leaks from the outer peripheral surface of the light guide 25. The light guide 25 is molded from a transparent resin material such as methacrylic resin.

  The lens 26 extends in the longitudinal direction to form a groove 27 that accommodates the light guide 25, and the lens 26 protrudes outward from the main body 28 in a trapezoidal shape corresponding to the deepest portion of the groove 27, and is parallel to the light guide 25. And a long protruding piece 31 having an irradiation surface 29 formed of a flat surface extending in the direction. The projecting piece 31 is inserted between the door trims 13 so that the irradiation surface 29 faces the passenger compartment. The lens 26 guides the light leaking from the outer peripheral surface of the light guide 25 to the irradiation surface 29 and emits the light from the irradiation surface 29 toward the vehicle interior. The lens 26 is molded from a transparent resin material such as methacrylic resin.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the light guide 25 emits light from a linear light emitting surface 32 formed by a cylindrical surface having a linear central axis. The lens 26 is arranged in front of the light emitting surface 32. Light emitted from the light emitting surface 32 passes through the lens 26 and is emitted from the irradiation surface 29.

  As shown in FIG. 4, on the back surface of the light emitting surface 32, a plane 33 arranged parallel to the irradiation surface 29 of the lens 26 is defined. The plane 33 draws a chord in a cross section orthogonal to the central axis. The width (length of the chord) of the plane 33 is kept constant in the line direction. On the flat surface 33, there are formed projections 34 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the light guide 25 and extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of entry of light. The protrusions 34 are arranged at a constant pitch P over the entire area in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the convex portion 34 is formed in a triangular cross section having a ridge line 34a in a direction orthogonal to the light entering direction (the linear direction of the light guide 25). The ridge may be chamfered and curved. The height Ht of the projections 34 is constant at all the projections 34.

  The length of the convex portion 34 in the direction orthogonal to the light entering direction (linear direction) increases as the distance from the light source 24 increases. Here, the convex portions 34 are grouped in the longitudinal direction, and the lengths (widths) W1, W2,... Of the convex portions 34 are set to be constant for each of the groups G1 to G12, as shown in FIG. The number of the convex portions 34 is set to be constant for each of the groups G1 to G12. Each of the convex portions 34 is formed symmetrically with respect to the symmetry plane LR including the central axis of the light guide 25.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. When the light source 24 emits light, the light travels in the light guide 25 in the linear direction (longitudinal direction) of the light guide 25. The light is irregularly reflected by the convex portion 34 on the rear surface of the light emitting surface 32 and refracted in a direction perpendicular to the line direction. The refracted light is emitted forward from the light emitting surface 32. The irradiated light passes through the lens 26 and is emitted from the irradiation surface 29 into the vehicle interior. Thus, the edge of the door armrest 14 is illuminated linearly.

  At this time, the adjustment of the brightness of the light emitted from the light emitting surface 32 is achieved based on the width of the projection 34. That is, when the width of the convex portion 34 increases in the direction orthogonal to the light entering direction, the luminance of the light emitted from the light emitting surface 32 according to refraction and diffuse reflection increases. Therefore, as described later, in the mold, the width of the concave portion may be changed corresponding to the convex portion 34 of the light guide 25, and the height of the convex portion 34 and the pitch P of the convex portion 34 are changed by the mold. The mold can be processed more easily than it is. Since the convex portion 34 is established at the time of molding by the mold, the productivity of the light guide 25 is improved. As a result, the production cost of the lighting device 21 is reduced. The production cost of vehicle doors is reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the width of the projection 34 increases as the distance from the light source 24 increases. Although the brightness of the light decreases according to the distance from the light source 24, the width of the convex portion 34 increases and the amount of refraction of the light increases according to the distance from the light source 24. Light emission of sufficient luminance is secured on the light emitting surface 32 with respect to the light weakening away from the light source 24. A constant brightness is achieved in the line direction. Here, the convex portions 34 are grouped in the longitudinal direction, and the width of the convex portions 34 is set to be constant for each of the groups G1 to G12. As a result, the graininess of the light emitted from the light emitting surface 32 is suppressed. Moreover, since the number of the convex portions 34 is set to be constant for each of the groups G1 to G12, the graininess of the light emitted from the light emitting surface 32 is further suppressed.

  In the lighting device 21 according to the present embodiment, the convex portions 34 are arranged at a constant pitch P in the longitudinal direction. Since the brightness of the light emitted from the light emitting surface 32 is affected by the pitch P of the projections 34, when the pitch P of the projections 34 is set to be constant, the change in the width of the projections 34 is simplified. The design of the mold is simplified. The manufacturing cost of the mold is reduced.

  The height of the protrusion 34 is constant. In the mold, a concave portion having a constant depth may be formed corresponding to the convex portion 34 of the light guide 25, and the design of the mold is simplified. The manufacturing cost of the mold is reduced.

  The convex portion 34 is formed in a triangular cross section having a ridge line 34a in a direction orthogonal to the light entering direction. Light can diffuse well.

  Here, a method for manufacturing the light guide 25 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, a mold 41 is prepared. The mold 41 includes an upper mold 41a and a lower mold 41b which are joined to each other at a plane joining surface 42. When the upper mold 41a is overlaid on the lower mold 41b, a cavity 43 is defined between the upper mold 41a and the lower mold 41b. The cavity 43 corresponds to a space formed by the shape of the light guide 25. The coupling surface 42 is located at the maximum diameter of the cylindrical surface.

  A flat surface 44 is formed on the lower die 41b in parallel with the coupling surface 42 at a position farthest from the coupling surface 42, corresponding to the plane 33 of the light guide 25. In the plane 44, depressions 45 are arranged in a linear direction corresponding to the individual protrusions 34. Each depression 45 extends in a direction perpendicular to the line direction. The depressions 45 are arranged at a constant pitch P over the entire area in the linear direction. The depression 45 is formed in a triangular cross section having a ridge line extending in a direction perpendicular to the line direction. The depth of the depression 45 is constant in all the depressions 45. The depressions 45 are grouped in the line direction, and the widths W1 to W12 of the depressions 45 are set to be constant for each of the groups G1 to G12. The number of the depressions 45 is set to be constant for each of the groups G1 to G12. Each depression 45 is formed symmetrically with respect to a symmetry plane LR including the central axis of the cylindrical surface.

  An eject pin 46 faces the cavity 43 between the depressions 45. A gate 47 is formed in the cavity 43 at a central position in the longitudinal direction. The molten resin is supplied from the gate 47 to the cavity 43. When the resin filled in the cavity 43 is solidified, a molded body is formed. The molded body is released from the lower mold 41b by the action of the eject pin 46. The resin body of the gate 47 is scraped from the molded body.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the light guide 25, a concave portion 48 may be formed in the plane 33 instead of the above-described convex portion 34. The concave portion 48 extends in a direction perpendicular to the light entering direction, similarly to the convex portion 34. The recesses 48 are arranged at a constant pitch P over the entire area in the longitudinal direction. The concave portion 48 is formed in a triangular cross section having a ridge line in a direction orthogonal to the light entering direction (the linear direction of the light guide 25). The ridge may be chamfered and curved. The depth of the recess 48 is constant in all the recesses 48.

  The width of the concave portion 48 increases as the distance from the light source 24 increases. Here, the concave portions 48 are grouped in the longitudinal direction, and the widths W1, W2,... Of the concave portions 48 are set to be constant for each of the groups G1 to G12. The number of the concave portions 48 is set to be constant for each of the groups G1 to G12. Each concave portion 48 is formed in a symmetrical shape with respect to a symmetry plane LR including the central axis of the light guide 25.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Vehicle door, 21 ... Vehicle illumination device, 24 ... Light source, 25 ... Light guide, 32 ... Light emitting surface, 34 ... Convex part, 34a ... (of convex part) ridge line, 48 ... Concave part, P ... (Convex) Pitch of parts or recesses, W1 to W12... Width (of protrusions or recesses).

Claims (8)

A light source (24), and a long light guide (25) extending linearly in the light entering direction from one end disposed adjacent to the light source (24) and emitting light from a linear light emitting surface (32). ), And the light guide (25) is provided with a convex portion (34) or a concave portion (48) that is arranged in the longitudinal direction on the back surface of the light emitting surface (32) and extends in a direction perpendicular to the light entering direction. ) Is formed in the vehicle lighting device (21),
The length of the convex portion (34) or the concave portion (48) in a direction perpendicular to the light entering direction changes according to the distance from the light source.   The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the length (W1 to W12) of the protrusion (34) or the recess (48) increases as the distance from the light source (24) increases. Lighting equipment.   3. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the projections (34) or the recesses (48) are arranged at a constant pitch (P) in a longitudinal direction.   4. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 3, wherein a height (Ht) of the convex portion (34) or a depth of the concave portion (48) is constant. 5.   The vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the convex portion (34) or the concave portion (48) has a triangular cross section having a ridge line (34a) in a direction orthogonal to a light entering direction. A lighting device for a vehicle, wherein the lighting device is formed on a vehicle.   The vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the convex portion (34) or the concave portion (48) is grouped in a longitudinal direction, and the convex portion (G1 to G12) is grouped. 34) The vehicle lighting device, wherein the length (W1 to W12) of the concave portion (48) is set to be constant.   7. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 6, wherein the number of the protrusions (34) or the recesses (48) is set to be constant for each group (G1 to G12). .   A vehicle door comprising the vehicle lighting device according to claim 1.

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