JP2021163718A - Seal material for lighting fixture for vehicle, and lighting fixture for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a seal material for a lighting fixture for a vehicle, which can adapt to different physical properties of respective base materials and a required sealing function when the base materials of the lighting fixture for the vehicle are bonded together, and the lighting fixture for the vehicle using the seal material.SOLUTION: A seal material 6 for bonding an outer lens 3 to a lamp body 2 of a lighting fixture 1 for a vehicle comprises an inner layer 62 (first layer) and an outer layer 61 (second layer), different in material from each other. The seal material 6 is injected into a seal groove 21 of the lamp body 2. When a seal leg 31 of the outer lens 3 is fitted into the seal groove 21, the seal leg 31 breaks through the outer layer 62 so as to come into contact with the inner layer 61. Thus, hot-melt gel 72 constituting the outer layer 62 is brought into intimate contact with the seal groove 21, and hot-melt gel 71 constituting the inner layer 61 is brought into intimate contact with the seal leg 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a sealing material for attaching an outer lens to a lamp body of a vehicle lamp and a vehicle lamp using the sealing material.

Generally, as shown in FIG. 7, when the outer lens is attached to the lamp body of the vehicle lamp, a seal groove 201 is formed on the peripheral edge of the lamp body 200 of the vehicle head lamp 100 and a seal is formed on the peripheral edge of the outer lens 300. By forming the leg 301, injecting the sealing material 600 into the sealing groove 201, and fitting the sealing leg 301 of the outer lens 300 into the sealing groove 201, the lamp body 200 is sealed by the outer lens 300 and water or water is introduced into the lamp. I try to keep dust out.

As the sealing material 600 used at this time, a thermoplastic adhesive such as hot melt or hot melt gel, or a urethane-based, silicone-based, or epoxy-based adhesive is used. In the conventional sealing method, as shown in the example shown in FIG. 8, the material of the sealing material 600, which is a thermoplastic adhesive, is heated in the applicator 110, and the material of the heated sealing material 600 is sent to the gun G by the pump P. , The sealing material 600 is discharged from the nozzle N of the gun G and injected into the sealing groove 201. Next, the seal leg 301 of the outer lens 300 is fitted into the seal groove 201, and the position is fixed by a lance 302 or the like. Finally, the sealing material 600 is cooled and cured to complete the sealing. Further, in order to secure the repulsive force of the sealing material 600, after the sealing material 600 is cured, the outer lens 300 may be fitted and the lance 302 may be locked in the lock hole 202 to fix the position.

The material of the sealing material is appropriately selected according to various requirements such as adhesion, heat resistance, waterproofness, compatibility with the base material, cost of the material, and ease of removal after mounting. Patent Document 1 describes an invention of a seal structure for a vehicle lamp, which is excellent in waterproofness, easy to assemble and separate a front lens, and can automate the work of loading a seal material. Specifically, the sealing material of Patent Document 1 is composed of a foam gasket formed by foaming and curing a liquid foam gasket material supplied to the seal groove. Such a sealing material foams and swells, is firmly adhered to the sealing groove, and is cured to become a solid foam having a high elasticity. Further, since the sealing material made of the foam gasket is a liquid, it can be automatically supplied to the sealing groove by using a nozzle.

Further, Patent Document 2 describes an invention of a lamp for a vehicle, which comprises a gel-like low-adhesive hot melt in which a sealing material is interfacially peeled off when the front lens is peeled off from the lamp body. By adopting the sealing material of Patent Document 2, the front lens can be easily removed from the lamp body. Further, since the cooling time required for gelation of the low-adhesive hot melt is very short as compared with the curing time of the foam gasket, the assembling workability of the lamp is improved.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-64329 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-90724

By the way, while many lamp bodies are made of polypropylene (hereinafter referred to as "PP material"), outer lenses that require transparency are made of polycarbonate (hereinafter referred to as "PC material"). It is composed of. Since PP material has the property of being difficult to adhere to adhesives, it is necessary to select an adhesive suitable for the PP material or to apply plasma pretreatment to the PP material, but the selected adhesive is compatible with the PC material. If it is bad, it cannot be used as a sealing material.

Further, the hot melt gel that can be used as a sealing material differs in softness and hardness depending on the type, but if a soft material is selected to improve the adhesion to the base material, the repulsive force at the time of curing becomes low. On the contrary, if a hard material is selected to increase the repulsive force, the adhesion to the base material is lowered. As a measure for improving this, Patent Document 2 uses an additive in a gel-like low-adhesive hot melt as a sealing material to adjust the elastic rebound force at the time of curing. However, even when an additive is used, the realization of the functions required for the sealing material is limited, and it is difficult to satisfy various demands with one sealing material.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in order to adopt a more appropriate sealing material according to the physical characteristics of each member having a different material and the required sealing function, a plurality of sealing materials are used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sealing material for a vehicle lamp and a vehicle lamp that can simultaneously secure a function.

The sealing material for vehicle lamps of the present invention is
(1) A sealing material for adhering an outer lens of a vehicle lamp to a lamp body, which comprises a first layer and a second layer laminated on the outside of the first layer, and includes the first layer and the first layer. The two layers are characterized by being made of different materials. By forming the outer layer (second layer) and the inner layer (first layer) from two different types of materials to form a two-layer structure, a plurality of different functions can be imparted to the sealing material.

Further, the vehicle lighting equipment of the present invention is
(2) When a seal groove is recessed on the peripheral edge of the lamp body, a seal leg is convexly provided on the peripheral edge of the outer lens, the seal material of (1) above is provided in the seal groove, and the seal leg is assembled in the seal groove. In addition, the second layer is pierced by the sealing leg and comes into contact with the first layer.

In addition, the vehicle lighting equipment of the present invention is
(3) When a seal groove is recessed on the peripheral edge of the lamp body, a seal leg is convexly provided on the peripheral edge of the outer lens, the seal material of (1) above is provided in the seal groove, and the seal leg is assembled in the seal groove. In addition, the second layer is bent by the sealing leg.

According to the sealing material for vehicle lighting equipment and the vehicle lighting equipment of the present invention, since the sealing material is composed of a plurality of layers and each layer is formed of a different material, when the base materials having different characteristics are adhered to each other, each base material is used. It has an excellent effect that the material suitable for the above can be selected.

FIG. 1 is a side vertical cross-sectional view of (a) a vehicle headlamp using a sealing material showing an embodiment of the present invention, and (b) a partially enlarged view thereof. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration for injecting a sealing material into a sealing groove and a process thereof. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a gun used when injecting a sealing material. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a sealing material in a state of being injected into the sealing groove by a gun. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing how the sealing legs penetrate the outer layer of the sealing material and come into contact with the inner layer. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing how the outer layer and the inner layer of the sealing material are flexed by the sealing legs. FIG. 7 is a side vertical cross-sectional view of (a) a vehicle headlamp using a conventional sealing material, and (b) a partially enlarged view thereof. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a conventional system configuration for injecting a sealing material into a sealing groove, and (b) a state in which a sealing leg is in contact with the sealing material.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a vehicle headlamp will be described with reference to the drawings. In the headlamp 1 shown in FIG. 1A, a lamp chamber 4 is formed inside the lamp body 2 and the outer lens 3, and the lamp chamber 4 is equipped with a light source unit 5. The outer lens 3 is attached to the lamp body 2 so as to cover the light source unit 5 from the front. The light source unit 5 includes a light source 51 using LEDs, a substrate 53 on which the light source 51 is mounted, a reflector 52 that reflects light from the light source 51 in a predetermined direction, and a projection lens 54 that projects light that has passed through the reflector 52 toward the front of the vehicle. Be prepared.

A seal groove 21 is recessed on the peripheral edge of the opening of the lamp body 2, and a seal leg 31 that can be inserted into the seal groove 21 is convex on the peripheral edge of the outer lens 3. Further, the sealing material 6 is injected into the sealing groove 21. As shown in FIG. 1B, when the seal leg 31 is fitted into the seal groove 21 to a predetermined position, the lance 32 of the seal leg 31 is locked in the lock hole 22 of the seal groove 21 and is defined by the lance 32. The seal leg 31 and the seal material 6 are in close contact with each other at such a position, and the outer lens 3 is fixed to the lamp body 2.

FIGS. 2 to 4 show a system configuration and a process for injecting the sealing material 6 into the sealing groove 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the system for injecting the sealing material separates the hot melt gels 71 and 72 as the materials of a plurality of different sealing materials and the heated liquid hot melt gels 71 and 72, respectively. It is composed of an applicator 81, 82 for accommodating the applicator 81, 82 and a pump P for sending the hot melt gel 71, 72 inside the applicator 81, 82 to the gun G in a liquid state. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, two flow paths 91 and 92 for flowing the hot melt gels 71 and 72 in an isolated state are formed inside the gun G, and the flow paths 91 and 92 are formed in the flow paths 91 and 92. They are connected to the applicators 81 and 82, respectively. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, when the hot melt gels 71 and 72 passing through the flow paths 91 and 92 are simultaneously discharged from the nozzle N of the gun G, the inner layer 61 (first layer) made of the hot melt gel 71 is formed. The outer layer 62 (second layer) made of hot melt gel 72 is laminated on the outer side of the inner layer 61 to form a double-structured sealing material 6, which is injected into the sealing groove 21.

The materials of the inner layer 61 and the outer layer 62 are selected from different types of adhesives, which form layers without mixing with each other. Then, by appropriately combining the materials of the inner layer 61 and the outer layer 62, a plurality of functions can be imparted to the sealing material 6. Hereinafter, combinations of materials suitable for the inner layer 61 and the outer layer 62 will be illustrated. Variations of these combinations are provided for each required function such as a sealing function, compatibility between the sealing material 6 and the base material (seal groove 21, seal leg 31, etc.), or how to assemble.

Hereinafter, the aims and effects of each variation will be described for each combination shown by A to G based on Table 1. Here, the "adhesive" in Table 1 particularly refers to an adhesive that adheres by chemically reacting with itself due to heat, moisture, or the like to change (harden) its physical properties and chemically bond with a base material. The "adhesive" includes a urethane-based adhesive, a silicone-based adhesive, an epoxy-based adhesive, and the like. On the other hand, the “hot melt gel” in Table 1 particularly refers to a thermoplastic adhesive that is melted and adhered by heating. The physical characteristics of the "hot melt gel" are basically the same before and after application to the substrate. Further, when the gel is adhered by "hot melt gel", it is only in close contact with the base material and can be peeled off later. The "hot melt gel" includes rubber-based (styrene-based elastomer) and the like. The "hot melt gel" is also called "hot melt".

In the combinations shown in A to C, the seal legs 31 penetrate the outer layer 62 and are fitted and assembled in contact with the inner layer 61.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the seal leg 31 is fitted into the seal groove 21, the seal material 6 has just been injected into the seal groove 21, and the outer layer 62 is still in a liquid state. In this state, the seal leg 31 is fitted, penetrates the outer layer 62, comes into contact with the inner layer 61, and then cures. The tip of the seal leg 31 may be sharpened so as to easily break through the hardened outer layer 62.

In the combination shown in A, an adhesive for PC material suitable for adhesion to the seal leg 31 is used for the inner layer 61, and an adhesive for PP material suitable for adhesion with the seal groove 21 is used for the outer layer 62. At this time, the seal leg 31 made of the PC material comes into contact with the inner layer 61, and the seal groove 21 made of the PP material comes into contact with the outer layer 62. In this way, the material of the sealing material 6 is arranged in the inner layer 61 in which only the sealing leg 31 is in contact with the material suitable for adhesion of the sealing leg 31, and the material suitable for the sealing groove 21 is in contact with the sealing groove 21 in a wider range. The sealing performance of the sealing material 6 can be improved by forming the material so as to be arranged on the outer layer 62 and using a material suitable for each base material.

The combination shown in B uses an adhesive containing water in the inner layer 61 and an adhesive that is cured by moisture in the outer layer 62. The seal leg 31 penetrates the outer layer 62 and is fixed in contact with the adhesive of the inner layer 61. On the other hand, the adhesive of the material of the outer layer 62 usually absorbs the moisture of the outside air and hardens, but by adopting the adhesive containing a large amount of moisture in the inner layer 61, the moisture of the inner layer 61 is also absorbed from the inside. , The curing time of the sealing material 6 can be shortened.

In the combination shown in C, an adhesive is used for the inner layer 61 and a primer for PP material is used for the outer layer 62. Since PP material is difficult to adhere to an adhesive, it is preferable to use the adhesive after plasma pretreatment in advance, but the same effect can be obtained by applying a primer instead of this plasma pretreatment. can. In this combination, the step of applying the primer for the PP material and the step of applying the adhesive to the seal groove 21 which is the PP material can be performed at the same time, and the seal material 6 can be applied efficiently.

In the combinations shown in D to G, the outer layer 62 and the inner layer 61 of the sealing material 6 are bent by the sealing legs 31, and the outer layer 61 and the sealing legs 31 are assembled in contact with each other.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the seal leg 31 is fitted into the seal groove 21, the seal material 6 is hardened to some extent, and the outer layer 62 is bent and contacted by the seal leg 31 without being pierced. It can be assembled. Both the seal groove 21 and the seal leg 31, which are the base materials, come into contact with only the outer layer 62, and the inner layer 61 does not come into contact with any of the base materials and functions as a core material without being exposed to the outside.

The combination shown in D uses a hard hot melt gel for the inner layer 61 and a soft hot melt gel for the outer layer 62. When a soft material is used for the sealing material 6, the adhesiveness is improved because the sealing material 6 is easily adapted to the shape of the base material, but the repulsive force is low. On the other hand, when a hard material is used for the sealing material 6, the repulsive force is high, but it is difficult to be familiar with the shape of the base material and the adhesion is not improved. Therefore, by using a soft material for the outer layer 62 in contact with the base material and a hard material for the inner layer 61, it is possible to impart favorable adhesion and repulsive force to the sealing material 6.

In the combination shown in E, a hot melt gel having a low melting temperature is used for the inner layer 61, and a hot melt gel having a melting temperature higher than that of the inner layer is used for the outer layer 62. Since the sealing material 6 is cooled from the outside to the inside and cured, the sealing material 6 may be dented from the outer surface toward the inside to cause sink marks, and the height of the cured sealing material 6 may vary. Therefore, by arranging the material having a low melting temperature in the inner layer 61, the hardening of the inner layer is accelerated, sink marks are suppressed, and the variation in the height of the sealing material 6 can be reduced.

In the combination shown in F, an inexpensive hot melt gel is used for the inner layer 61, and a hot melt gel having higher performance, which is more expensive than the inner layer, is used for the outer layer 62. By using a high-performance hot melt gel for the outer layer 62 in contact with the base material and using a cheap general-purpose hot melt gel for the inner layer 61, the cost of the sealing material 6 as a whole can be reduced.

In the combination shown in G, a foaming type hot melt gel is used for the inner layer 61, and a hot melt gel having higher performance, which is more expensive than the inner layer, is used for the outer layer 62. By using a high-performance hot melt gel for the outer layer 62 in contact with the base material and using a foam type hot melt gel for the inner layer 61, the amount of material used can be reduced and the cost of the sealing material 6 as a whole can be reduced. ..

According to the sealing material 6 and the headlamp 1 using the sealing material 6 having the above configuration, since the sealing material 6 is provided in a two-layer structure composed of an inner layer 61 and an outer layer 62, it is suitable for each base material to be adhered. It has the effect of being able to select the material. In addition, it is possible to improve the quality and design of vehicle lamps while suppressing costs.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and for example, the configuration of each part can be appropriately changed and implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention as described below.
(1) By further multi-layering the gun G and adding the material of the sealing material 6, the sealing material 6 having three or more layers is adopted.
(2) By changing the shape of the gun G, the thickness of each of the inner layer 61 and the outer layer 62 is changed.
(3) By changing the shape of the gun G, upper and lower layers are formed in the seal groove 21.
(4) By using a soft hot melt gel for the inner layer 61 and a hard hot melt gel for the outer layer 62, the repulsive force at the center of the sealing material 6 is suppressed, and the sealing leg 31 is easily fitted. ..

1 Head lamp 2 Lamp body 3 Outer lens 4 Light chamber 5 Light source unit 6 Seal material 21 Seal groove 22 Lock hole 31 Seal leg 32 Lance 51 Light source 52 Reflector 53 Shade 54 Projection lens 61 Seal material inner layer 62 Seal material outer layer 71,72 Hot Melt gel 81,82 Applicator 91,92 Gun flow path P pump G gun N nozzle

Claims (3)

It is a sealing material for adhering the outer lens of vehicle lamps to the lamp body.
A first layer and a second layer laminated on the outside of the first layer are provided.
The first layer and the second layer are sealing materials for vehicle lamps, which are made of different materials. A seal groove is recessed on the periphery of the lamp body.
Seal legs are convexly provided on the periphery of the outer lens.
The sealing material according to claim 1 is provided in the sealing groove, and the sealing material is provided.
A vehicle lamp that, when the seal leg is assembled to the seal groove, the second layer is pierced by the seal leg and comes into contact with the first layer. A seal groove is recessed on the periphery of the lamp body.
Seal legs are convexly provided on the periphery of the outer lens.
The sealing material according to claim 1 is provided in the sealing groove, and the sealing material is provided.
A vehicle lamp whose second layer is bent by the seal leg when the seal leg is assembled to the seal groove.

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