JP7198409B2 - Vehicle lighting device and vehicle door - Google Patents

Description

The present invention provides a vehicular lighting device comprising a light source and an elongated light guide that linearly extends from one end disposed adjacent to the light source in the light entering direction and emits light from a linear light emitting surface, and It relates to a vehicle door using it.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a line lighting device for a vehicle interior that forms a linear light-emitting surface. A line illumination device includes a long light guide that introduces light from a light source from one end in the longitudinal direction and emits light from a linear light emitting surface. The light guide is formed with a large number of notches arranged in the longitudinal direction on the back surface of the light emitting surface and extending in a direction perpendicular to the incident direction of light. By gradually increasing the depth of the cut according to the distance from the light source, light emission with uniform brightness in the longitudinal direction is realized.

International Publication No. 2014/192797

It is desired to use a molding technique in forming the light guide. If a notch is formed on the back surface of the light emitting surface based on the shape of the mold when molding the light guide, the work of cutting the notch can be omitted, the productivity of the light guide is improved, and the production cost is reduced. However, it has been very difficult to accurately cut projections of varying heights on a mold in response to changes in the depth of cut.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicular lighting apparatus capable of realizing light emission with uniform luminance in the longitudinal direction while improving the productivity of a light guide. do.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a light source, and an elongated light guide extending linearly in a light entering direction from one end arranged adjacent to the light source and emitting light from a linear light emitting surface. wherein the light guide body is provided with the projections or recesses arranged in the longitudinal direction on the back surface of the light emitting surface and extending in a direction perpendicular to the light entering direction. In a direction perpendicular to the approach direction , the length of the protrusions or recesses is set constant for each group, and the length of the protrusions or recesses increases for each group moving away from the light source .

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

According to the third aspect, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect, the height of the protrusion or the depth of the recess is constant.

According to the fourth aspect, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to third aspects, the protrusion or recess is formed in a cross-sectional triangular shape having a ridgeline in a direction orthogonal to the incident direction of light.

According to the fifth aspect, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the number of protrusions or recesses is set constant for each group.

According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a vehicle door having the configuration of any one of the first to fifth aspects.

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 protrusions or recesses, the mold has recesses or recesses corresponding to the protrusions or recesses of the light guide. It is only necessary to change the length of the protrusions, and the mold can be processed more easily than changing the height of the protrusions, the depth of the recesses, and the pitch of the protrusions and recesses. Since the protrusions and recesses are established when the mold is used for molding, the productivity of the light guide is improved. As a result, production costs are reduced.

Further , when the length of the protrusions or recesses is increased in the direction perpendicular to the incident direction of the light, the brightness of the light emitted from the light emitting surface is improved according to refraction and irregular reflection. Therefore, it is possible to ensure light emission with sufficient luminance on the light emitting surface for light that weakens away from the light source. Moreover, graininess of the light emitted from the light emitting surface can be suppressed.

According to the second aspect, the brightness of the light emitted from the light emitting surface is affected by the pitch of the protrusions or recesses. can be simplified. Mold design can be simplified. Mold manufacturing costs can be reduced.

According to the third aspect, it is sufficient for the mold to form concave portions having a constant depth corresponding to the convex portions of the light guide, and convex portions having a constant height are formed corresponding to the concave portions. and the mold design can be simplified. Mold manufacturing costs can be reduced.

According to the fourth aspect, light can be well diffused.

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

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

1 is a conceptual diagram of a vehicle door according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is an expansion perspective view of an illuminating device. 1 is an enlarged exploded view of a lighting device; FIG. It is an expansion perspective view of a light guide. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a convex portion on the light guide; FIG. It is an enlarged plan view of a convex part. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a mold used for molding the light guide; FIG. It is an enlarged partial plan view of a lower mold. It is an expansion perspective view of the light guide which concerns on other embodiment.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a vehicle door mounted on an automobile. A vehicle door 11 includes a door body 12 hinged to a frame of a vehicle so as to be freely opened and closed, 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 the arms of the occupant and a door pocket 15 below the door armrest 14 for storing small items. A door inside handle 16 that is operated when opening and closing the vehicle door 11 is incorporated in the door trim 13 above the door armrest 14 . The door armrest 14 is embedded with a switch 18 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 also exhibits a decorative effect on the vehicle door 11. - 特許庁

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

As shown in FIG. 2, the illumination device 21 includes a light source 24, an elongated light guide 25 linearly extending in the light entering direction from one end arranged adjacent to the light source 24, and An elongated lens 26 that covers and transmits the light emitted from the light guide 25 is provided. The light source 24 emits light in the linear direction of the light guide 25 from the light emitter in accordance with the supply of power. A light source 24 is connected to one end of the light guide 25 . The light guide 25 linearly guides the light emitted from the light source 24 in a linear direction (longitudinal direction). Light leaks out 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 has a main body 28 extending longitudinally to form a groove 27 that accommodates the light guide 25 , and a trapezoidal shape protruding outward from the main body 28 corresponding to the deepest part of the groove 27 and parallel to the light guide 25 . and a long protruding piece 31 having an irradiation surface 29 formed by a flat surface extending inward. The protruding piece 31 is inserted between the door trims 13 so that the irradiation surface 29 faces the vehicle 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 into 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 , a plane 33 arranged parallel to the irradiation surface 29 of the lens 26 is defined on the rear surface of the light emitting surface 32 . Plane 33 describes a chord in cross-section perpendicular to the central axis. The width (chord length) of plane 33 is kept constant in the line direction. Protrusions 34 are formed on the plane 33 so as to be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the light guide 25 and extend in a direction perpendicular to the incident direction of light. The protrusions 34 are arranged at a constant pitch P over the entire length. As shown in FIG. 5, the convex portion 34 is formed in a triangular cross-section having a ridge line 34a in a direction perpendicular to the incident direction of light (line direction of the light guide 25). The ridge may be chamfered and curved. The height Ht of the projections 34 is constant for all the projections 34 .

The length of the convex portion 34 in the direction perpendicular to the incident direction (linear direction) of light increases as the distance from the light source 24 increases. Here, the convex portions 34 are grouped in the longitudinal direction, and as shown in FIG. 6, the lengths (widths) W1, W2, . The number of protrusions 34 is set constant for each of the groups G1 to G12. Each convex portion 34 is formed symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry LR including the central axis of the light guide 25 .

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the light source 24 emits light, the light travels through the light guide 25 in the linear direction (longitudinal direction) of the light guide 25 . The light is diffusely reflected by the projections 34 on the back 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. The edge of the door armrest 14 is thus linearly illuminated.

At this time, adjustment of the brightness of the light emitted from the light emitting surface 32 is achieved based on the width of the convex portion 34 . That is, when the width of the convex portion 34 increases in the direction perpendicular to the incident direction of the light, the brightness of the light emitted from the light emitting surface 32 increases according to refraction and irregular reflection. Therefore, as will be described later, it is only necessary to change the width of the recesses in the mold corresponding to the protrusions 34 of the light guide 25, and the height of the protrusions 34 and the pitch P of the protrusions 34 can be changed in the mold. The mold can be machined more easily than if it were made. The productivity of the light guide 25 is improved because the projections 34 are established when the mold is used for molding. As a result, the production cost of the lighting device 21 is reduced. This in turn reduces the production costs of vehicle doors

In this embodiment, the width of the convex portion 34 increases with increasing distance from the light source 24 . Although the brightness of the light decreases according to the distance from the light source 24, the width of the convex portion 34 increases according to the distance from the light source 24, and the amount of light refraction increases. Light emission with sufficient luminance is ensured on the light emitting surface 32 for light that weakens away from the light source 24 . A constant brightness in the line direction is achieved. Here, the protrusions 34 are grouped in the longitudinal direction, and the width of the protrusions 34 is set 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 projections 34 is set 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 illumination device 21 according to this 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, if the pitch P of the projections 34 is set constant, the change in the width of the projections 34 is simplified. Mold design is simplified. Mold manufacturing costs are reduced.

The height of the convex portion 34 is constant. In the mold, it is sufficient to form concave portions having a constant depth corresponding to the convex portions 34 of the light guide 25, and the design of the mold is simplified. Mold manufacturing costs are reduced.

The convex portion 34 is formed in a triangular cross section having a ridge line 34a in a direction perpendicular to the incident direction of light. Light can be well diffused.

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 comprises an upper mold 41a and a lower mold 41b which are joined together by a planar joining surface 42. As shown in FIG. When the upper mold 41a is overlaid on the lower mold 41b, the cavity 43 is defined between the upper mold 41a and the lower mold 41b. The cavity 43 corresponds to a space shaped like 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 mold 41 b 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 . Indentations 45 are arranged in the line direction on the plane 44 corresponding to the individual projections 34 . Each recess 45 extends in a direction perpendicular to the line direction. The depressions 45 are arranged at a constant pitch P over the entire linear direction. The depression 45 is formed in a triangular cross-section having a ridgeline extending in a direction orthogonal to the linear direction. The depth of the depressions 45 is constant for all the depressions 45 . The recesses 45 are grouped in the linear direction, and the widths W1 to W12 of the recesses 45 are set constant for each group G1 to G12. The number of depressions 45 is set constant for each of the groups G1 to G12. Each recess 45 is formed symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry 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. 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 compact is released from the lower mold 41b by the action of the eject pin 46. As shown in FIG. The resin body of the gate 47 is scraped off from the molding.

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

The width of the recess 48 increases with increasing distance from the light source 24 . Here, the recesses 48 are grouped in the longitudinal direction, and the widths W1, W2, . The number of recesses 48 is set constant for each group G1 to G12. Each recess 48 is formed symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry LR including the central axis of the light guide 25 .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Vehicle door, 21... Vehicle lighting apparatus, 24... Light source, 25... Light guide, 32... Light emitting surface, 34... Convex part, 34a... Ridgeline (of convex part), 48... Concave part, P... (Convex part) Pitch, W1 to W12, width (of protrusions or recesses).

Claims (6)

A light source (24) and an elongated light guide (25) linearly extending in the direction of incidence of light 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) has convex portions (34) or concave portions (48) arranged in the longitudinal direction on the back surface of the light emitting surface (32) and extending in a direction perpendicular to the incident direction of light. ) is formed in the vehicle lighting device (21),
The protrusions (34) or recesses (48) are grouped in the longitudinal direction, and the length (W1-W12) of the protrusions or recesses (W1-W12 ) per group (G1-G12) , and the lengths (W1 to W12) of the protrusions (34) or recesses (48) increase for each group (G1 to G12) as the distance from the light source (24) increases . vehicle lighting device. 2. A vehicle lighting system according to claim 1 , characterized in that said protrusions (34) or recesses (48) are arranged at a constant pitch (P) in the longitudinal direction. 3. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 2 , wherein the height (Ht) of the projection (34) or the depth of the recess (48) is constant. 4. The vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein said convex portion (34) or concave portion (48) has a cross-sectional triangular shape having a ridgeline (34a) in a direction perpendicular to the light entering direction. A lighting device for a vehicle characterized by being formed in a. In the vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the number of projections (34) or recesses (48) is set constant for each group (G1 to G12). A vehicle lighting device characterized by: A vehicle door comprising the vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .

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