JP2655208B2 - Waterproof cover for vehicle headlight and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel waterproof cover for a vehicle headlamp and a method for manufacturing the same. Specifically, it can be easily and reliably mounted on the lamp housing,
It is a further object of the present invention to enable the molding of the lamp housing to be performed at low cost.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a headlight for an automobile in which a reflector is tiltably disposed in a lamp housing fixedly provided on a vehicle body and a light bulb is attached to the reflector.

In such a headlamp, it is necessary to provide an opening in a lamp housing for connection between a light bulb and a power source and replacement of the light bulb. And if there is such an opening, there is a risk that water will enter the headlight from there,
It is necessary to waterproof the opening.

[0004] For such waterproofing, it is usual to use a waterproof cover attached between the opening of the lamp housing and the base of the bulb.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a waterproof structure using such a waterproof cover.

Reference numeral a denotes a lamp housing, and a circular opening c is formed in the center of the rear wall b.

An annular wall d protrudes rearward from the opening edge of the opening c, and an engaging edge e projects outward from a rear end of the annular wall d.

Reference numeral f denotes a reflecting mirror which is disposed in the lamp housing a so as to be tiltable. A bulb g is detachably attached to the center of the rear part of the reflecting mirror, and a base h projects from the rear surface of the reflecting mirror f. .

Reference numeral i denotes a waterproof cover, in which a large annular set portion j, a small cylindrical fitting portion k, and an intermediate portion l connecting the set portion j and the fitting portion k are made of a rubber material. The intermediate portion l is formed in a thin bellows shape to give great flexibility.

The base of the inner peripheral surface of the set portion j, that is,
An engagement groove m extending in an annular shape is formed in the connection portion with the intermediate portion l.

The fitting portion k is externally fitted to the base portion h of the bulb g, the set portion j is externally fitted to the annular wall d of the lamp housing a, and the annular groove d is fitted in the engaging groove m. Are engaged with each other.

In this manner, the gap between the opening edge of the opening c of the lamp housing a and the base h of the bulb g is closed by the waterproof cover i, and the waterproofing of this portion is performed.

FIG. 10 shows another example of a waterproof structure using a conventional waterproof cover.

The waterproof cover n of this example has a set portion o different from that of the waterproof cover i, and has a substantially L-shaped cross section.

Reference symbol p denotes a locking cap. The locking cap p is engaged with the annular wall d of the lamp housing a so that the set portion o of the waterproof cover n is engaged with the engaging edge e of the annular wall d and the locking cap. and is attached to the lamp housing a while being sandwiched between the lamp housing a and the lamp housing a.

[0016]

By the way, in the first conventional waterproof structure described above, when the user replaces the bulb g and then sets the waterproof cover i again, the set portion is not required. There is a problem that j may not be properly fitted to the annular wall d of the lamp housing a.

That is, the set portion j of the waterproof cover i must be formed thick in terms of its function, and if the touch portion is merely touched from the outside, the engaging portion m of the lamp housing a is engaged. It is difficult to confirm whether the mating edge e is properly engaged.

For this reason, there is a problem that the set portion j is often fitted to the annular wall d in an insufficient state, and the waterproof function becomes insufficient.

In the second conventional waterproof structure, since the locking cap p is engaged with the annular wall d of the lamp housing a, it is not difficult to confirm that it is possible. It is unlikely that the cover n is insufficiently set.

However, since the locking cap p is required in addition to the waterproof cover n, these two members must be operated in order to replace the bulb g, and the operation is troublesome. .

Further, in both of the first and second embodiments, a slide mold must be used to form the engaging edge e in the mold for molding the lamp housing a, and therefore, the mold is complicated, and However, there is a problem that it becomes expensive.

[0022]

Therefore SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The waterproof cover of the present invention a vehicle headlamp, in order to solve the above problems, the frame
And projecting inward at the opening of the lamp housing
Toward the center as it goes to the front end where it engages
And an engagement piece provided with an engagement claw having an inclined surface formed therein.
Frame integrally formed of various materials and frame of the engagement frame
To the rear of the lamp housing opening.
A covering portion to be in contact with, a fitting portion externally fitted to the base portion of the light bulb,
An intermediate part that connects the covering part and the fitting part and has flexibility
Part and a cover main part integrally formed of a soft elastic material
And the engaging piece of the engaging frame is a lamp housing.
Push the engagement frame forward by contacting the
When pressed, the engaging claw engages with the protruding edge and attaches to the vehicle headlight
Is what is done.

In the method of manufacturing a waterproof cover for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention, the engaging frame is formed in advance, and the engaging frame is inserted into a mold for forming the cover main portion to form the cover main portion. The molding is performed.

[0024]

Therefore, according to the waterproof cover of the vehicle headlamp of the present invention, the main part of the cover having a portion that comes into contact with the base of the electric bulb and the rear surface of the periphery of the opening of the lamp housing is formed of a soft elastic material. Therefore, the waterproof function can be sufficiently performed.

Further, since the engaging frame, which is a part for attaching to the lamp housing, such as engaging with the engaging part of the lamp housing, is formed of a hard material, it is engaged with the engaging part of the lamp housing. It is easy to confirm whether or not
Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where the waterproof cover is not sufficiently attached to the lamp housing. And attach the waterproof cover to the vehicle headlight
Presses forward on the engagement frame made of hard material.
Installation work is easy.

Further, since the engaging portion of the lamp housing can be formed without forming an undercut shape, it is not necessary to use a slide die as a molding die of the lamp housing, and the structure of the molding die of the lamp housing is reduced. It can be made simple and cheap.

According to the method for manufacturing a waterproof cover of a vehicle headlight according to the present invention, an excellent waterproof cover as described above can be manufactured extremely easily.

[0028]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a waterproof cover for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention;

FIG. 1 shows an example of an automotive headlamp to which the present invention is applied.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a lamp housing, which is formed of a synthetic resin.

The lamp housing 2 has a box shape that opens forward, and a mounting groove 3 that opens forward is formed outside the opening edge.

[0032] The substantially central portion of the wall 2a after the lamp housing 2 is formed with a large opening 4, opening 4
Is formed with an annular wall 5 protruding rearward, a protruding edge 6 protruding inward from the rear end of the annular wall 5, and the protruding edge 6 is formed on the other side of the lamp housing 2. It is formed thicker than the part.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a lens formed of a transparent material, for example, glass, transparent synthetic resin, or the like. The front portion 7a and the side walls 7 projecting rearward from the periphery of the front portion 7a.
b is integrally formed.

The rear end of the side wall 7b is fitted into the installation groove 3 of the lamp housing 2 and is fixed by bonding or the like.

Thus, a lamp space 8 surrounded by the lamp housing 2 and the lens is formed.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a reflecting mirror, which is provided in the lamp space 8 so as to be tiltable left and right and up and down. This reflecting mirror 9
Can be supported by a known method, and this point is not the gist of the present invention.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a light bulb, which is detachably attached to the rear center of the reflecting mirror 9. The bulb 10 can be attached to the reflector 9 by a known method, and since this is not related to the gist of the present invention, detailed illustration and description thereof are omitted.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a waterproof cover, which is formed by integrating the engagement frame and the cover main part.

Reference numeral 12 denotes an engagement frame which has a frame 13 having a substantially circular band shape as viewed from the front and rear, and which is appropriately spaced in the circumferential direction at a substantially intermediate portion in the width direction of the frame 13. Engaging pieces 14, 1 integrally protruded forward from the position.
4,...

On the outer surface of the front end of the engaging pieces 14, 14,..., There are provided engaging claws 15, 15,. The outer surface front end portion has an inclined surface 15a that is displaced toward the center side toward the front end,
15a,...

Each part of the engagement frame 12 is integrally formed of a hard material, for example, a phenol resin.

Are contacting pieces, which protrude forward from positions between the engaging pieces 14, 14,... Of the frame 13. As shown in FIG. These contact pieces 1
The positions in the width direction of the frame 13 are the same as those of the engagement pieces 14, 14,.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a cover main portion, and the cover portion, the fitting portion, and the intermediate portion are integrally formed of a soft elastic material, for example, EPT.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a covering portion of the cover main portion 17, which covers the frame 13 of the engagement frame 12. The engaging pieces 14, 14,... And the contact pieces 16, 16,.
Is protruded forward from the front surface of the covering portion 17.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a fitting portion of the cover main portion 17, which has a substantially cylindrical shape with a short axial length, and whose outer surface is inclined so as to become thinner toward the front end. Also,
On its inner peripheral surface, a number of folds 20, 20,...

Reference numeral 21 denotes an intermediate portion of the cover main portion 17, which is formed to be thin and has a stepped bellows so as to be displaced forward toward the center.

The outer peripheral edge of the intermediate portion 21 is
8 is integrally connected to the front end of the inner peripheral surface, and the inner peripheral edge is integrally connected to the outer peripheral edge of the rear end surface of the fitting portion 19.

However, such a waterproof cover 11 is
First, the engaging frame 12 is formed by molding, and then the engaging frame 12 is inserted into the forming mold 22 of the cover main part 17 to position the frame 13 in the cavity 23. , 14, ... and the contact pieces 16, 16, ..., are positioned outside the cavity 23. In this state, the cavity 2
3 is filled with the material of the cover main part 17 and molded.

By performing such insert molding, the waterproof cover 11 as described above can be easily formed.

The mounting of the waterproof cover 11 is performed as follows.

The fitting portion 19 is externally fitted to the base 10a of the bulb 10. At this time, many folds 2 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fitting portion 19.
Since 0, 20,... Are formed, the inner peripheral surface of the fitting portion 19 is completely adhered to the base 10a, and waterproofing of this portion is reliably achieved.

The engagement frame 12 has engagement pieces 14, 14,.
, Inclined surfaces 15a, 15 of the engaging claws 15, 15, ...
are applied to the outside of the inner peripheral edge of the protruding edge 6 of the lamp housing 2, and when pressed forward in this state, the engaging piece 1
, 4,... Are bent inward, and the engagement claws 15
.. Move on the inner peripheral surface of the protruding edge 6 toward the front side. Therefore, when the engaging frame 12 is further pushed forward to slightly crush the front surface of the covering portion 18, the engaging claw 1
.. Reach the front side of the protruding edge 6 and engage with the front surface of the protruding edge 6.

In this way, the waterproof cover 11 is mounted on the headlight 1.

Reference numeral 18a denotes the covering portion 18 of the cover main portion 17.
Is a ring-shaped tongue protruding outward from the front end of the outer peripheral surface of the lamp housing 2. When the waterproof cover 11 is attached as described above, the tongue 18a is deformed while the tongue 18a is deformed. Adhere to the rear surface to increase the waterproofness of this part.

Are concentrically formed folds on the front surface of the covering portion 18 of the cover main portion 17 so that the fold between the front surface of the covering portion 18 and the rear surface of the protruding edge 6 can be obtained. Improve the waterproofness of.

As described above, the waterproof cover 11 according to the present invention is provided with the engagement piece 1 of the engagement frame 12 formed of a hard material.
Are attached to the lamp housing 2 by engaging the projections 6, so that the lamp housing 2
It is possible to surely determine whether or not it is attached to the vehicle, and to avoid a situation where the device is not completely attached.

The waterproof cover 1 of the lamp housing 2
There is no undercut in the portion to which the lamp housing 1 is attached. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a slide die for forming the lamp housing 2 and the structure is simplified.

[0058]

As apparent from the above description,
The waterproof cover of the vehicle headlight according to the present invention is a lamp housing.
On the rear wall of the bulb and lamp housing
A waterproof cover for waterproofing between the formed opening
And the frame,The above opening of the lamp housingAt
As you approach the front end, which engages with the protruding edge protruding toward the center
Equipped with an engaging claw having an inclined surface displaced toEngagementPiece
When,An engagement frame integrally formed of a hard material,
the aboveOpening of the lamp housing attached to the frame of the engagement frame
With a coating that elastically contacts the rear surface of the periphery,the aboveOutside the bulb base
With the fitting part to be fitted,While connecting the covering part and the fitting part
A flexible intermediate part;,Is integrally formed of soft elastic material
Cover main part andThe engagement piece of the engagement frame
Apply to the outside of the inner peripheral edge of the protruding edge of the lamp housing
When the engaging frame is pressed forward, the engaging claw engages with the protruding edge.
Is mounted on a vehicle headlampIt is characterized by that.

Therefore, according to the waterproof cover of the vehicle headlamp of the present invention, the main part of the cover having a portion that comes into contact with the base of the electric bulb and the rear surface of the peripheral edge of the opening of the lamp housing is formed of a soft elastic material. Therefore, the waterproof function can be sufficiently performed.

Further, since the engaging frame, which is a part for attaching to the lamp housing, such as engaging with the engaging part of the lamp housing, is formed of a hard material, it is engaged with the engaging part of the lamp housing. It is easy to confirm whether or not
Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where the waterproof cover is not sufficiently attached to the lamp housing. And attach the waterproof cover to the vehicle headlight
Presses forward on the engagement frame made of hard material.
Installation work is easy.

Furthermore, since the engaging portion of the lamp housing can be formed without forming an undercut shape, it is not necessary to use a slide die as a molding die of the lamp housing, and the structure of the molding die of the lamp housing is reduced. It can be made simple and cheap.

Further, in the method of manufacturing a waterproof cover for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention, the engaging frame is formed in advance, and the engaging frame is inserted into a mold for forming the cover main portion to form the cover main portion. According to the method of manufacturing a waterproof cover of a vehicle headlight according to the present invention, the excellent waterproof cover as described above can be manufactured very easily.

It should be noted that the specific shapes and structures shown in the above embodiments are only examples of the embodiment of the present invention, and these limit the technical scope of the present invention. Not to be interpreted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view showing an embodiment of a waterproof cover of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the waterproof cover cut at an angle different from that of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a portion A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a portion B in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state in which a waterproof cover is attached to a headlight.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of a waterproof cover.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged rear view of the waterproof cover.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing a state in which the engagement frame is inserted into a cover main part forming die.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an example of a waterproof cover of a conventional vehicle headlamp.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing another example of a waterproof cover of a conventional vehicle headlamp.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Headlight for vehicles 2 Lamp housing 2a Rear wall 4 Opening 6 Projection 10 Light bulb 10a Base 11 Waterproof cover 12 Engagement frame 13 Frame 14 Engagement piece 15 Engagement claw 15a Inclined surface 17 Cover main part 18 Coating Part 19 Fitting part 21 Intermediate part 22 Mold for forming cover main part

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A waterproof cover for waterproofing between a light bulb disposed in a lamp housing and an opening formed in a rear wall of the lamp housing, wherein the waterproof cover is provided inside a frame body and the opening in the lamp housing. To
Change toward the center as you approach the front end, where it engages with the protruding ridge.
Engaging piece having a engaging claws inclined surface ordinating is formed, and the engagement frame formed integrally with the hard material, opening of the lamp housing is applied to the frame body of the engagement frames an intermediate portion having a covering portion elastically contacting the rear surface of the peripheral edge, and a fitting portion which is fitted to the base part of the bulb, a flexible as well as connecting the covering portion and the fitting portion, but integral with soft elastic material to the formed cover main portion, Ri consists, among the engaging pieces of engagement frames of the projecting edge of the lamp housing
Pressing the engagement frame forward by hitting the outer periphery,
Engaging claw is vehicle headlamp of the waterproof cover, characterized in Rukoto mounted vehicle headlamp engage the flange. 2. The waterproof cover according to claim 1, wherein the engaging frame is formed in advance, and the engaging frame is inserted into a mold for forming the cover main portion to form the cover main portion. How to make.