Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
  • B60Q3/70—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by the purpose
  • B60Q3/74—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by the purpose for overall compartment lighting; for overall compartment lighting in combination with specific lighting, e.g. room lamps with reading lamps

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an illumination module mounted on a roof trim disposed along a ceiling of a vehicle such as an automobile along the ceiling.
• a roof trim of a vehicle such as an automobile is usually provided with a roof trim that covers its structure, that is, a roof panel, and performs a function such as decoration.
• the roof trim is molded along the roof panel and attached to the roof panel.
• various accessories such as sun visors and assist grips, as well as lighting equipment (norame lamps, dome lamps, map lamps, etc.), are integrated (moduleed) into the roof trim. It is a target.
• Such a roof trim is required to have moldability and self-shape retention of a molded shape, and as a constituent material, a resin foam or a fibrous body containing a binder component is often used. .
• US Pat. No. 5,329,429 discloses a general conventional example as a module constituting a lighting fixture.
• the lamp assembly which is a lighting device described in the document, has a lamp socket and a concave groove for receiving the lamp, and is integrally formed with a vehicle panel.
• a plurality of lens receiving slots are formed around the concave grooves, and the lenses are snap-fitted into the slots.
• Modules constituting the above-described conventional lighting fixture have the following problems.
• the conventional lighting has a practical configuration exclusively, and cannot be a lighting having a favorable design property matching the decorative effect of the interior material such as a roof trim.
• the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to attach a vehicle to a ceiling together with a roof trim arranged along the ceiling.
• Illumination module that suppresses power consumption without complicating the structure or increasing weight, emits light without causing large unevenness in long and large areas, and has excellent design. It is to provide lighting equipment.
• An illumination module which is a lighting device of the present invention, for achieving the above object, is mounted in a passenger compartment of an automobile.
• This illumination module has a light source and a luminous body.
• the luminous body is made of a light-scattering light-guiding resin in which fine particles that scatter light from a light source are dispersed in a transparent base material resin.
• the light that has entered the luminous body is scattered within the luminous body, and among the scattered lights, those that travel at a deep angle from the luminous body toward the surface of the luminous body gradually increase. Is emitted outside the luminous body, whereby the entire luminous body emits light. For this reason, even if the light source is not capable of illuminating a very large area, a large-area illumination can be obtained by making the luminous body a relatively large surface. That is, in the present invention, a relatively small area is illuminated. Therefore, even if a relatively small number of point light sources such as a power source, particularly an LED, are used, a relatively large area luminous area can be obtained. By combining the bodies, it is possible to illuminate a large area without causing unevenness. At this time, the brilliant body is lightly illuminated in the form of illumination as a whole, and has excellent design properties.
• the luminous body may be attached to a ceiling of an automobile, and may have a long shape extending in the front-rear direction of the automobile. As a result, the entire passenger compartment of the vehicle, which is relatively long in the front-rear direction, can be illuminated. At this time, a point-like light source with relatively low power consumption can be used as the light source. If a plurality of point-like light sources are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the luminous body, the entire luminous body that is long before and after can be used. Can be illuminated efficiently. [0009]
• the long-sized luminous body can be formed into a shape having a portion having a uniform width and a portion having a width different from this portion. Thereby, the appearance of the glittering body can be changed to enhance the design.
• the light source is disposed on the side of the glittering body opposite to the passenger compartment side, and the surface of the glittering body opposite to the passenger compartment side is covered by a light blocking member.
• the rim has a configuration in which at least a part of the bulge protrudes from the light blocking member on the side opposite to the passenger compartment side. In this configuration, the light from the light source enters the luminous body only from the bulging edge of the luminous body, is scattered in the luminous body, and is emitted from the surface of the luminous body facing the passenger compartment.
• the light from the light source cannot be linearly and directly emitted into the passenger compartment from the light source through the luminous body except for the opening portion described later of the light blocking member.
• the luminous body can be made to shine strongly at the position corresponding to the light source, and the entire luminous body can be illuminated substantially uniformly.
• the bulging edge is a slope facing the center side of the glittering body toward the edge side of the glittering body and facing the opposite side of the occupant compartment, and a brilliant portion located closer to the passenger compartment than the slope. It is preferable to have a shape having a slope facing from the center of the body toward the edge of the glittering body toward the passenger compartment. According to this configuration, the light entering the bulging edge is first reflected from the center of the glitter toward the edge of the glitter, and is reflected at the interface of the slope that faces obliquely toward the opposite side of the passenger compartment.
• the reflected light is reflected from the center of the glittering body toward the edge of the glittering body, is reflected at the interface of the slope facing the interior of the passenger compartment, and is guided to the center side of the glittering body.
• the light from the light source can be efficiently guided from the light source toward the central portion of the glittering body with the light blocking member interposed therebetween.
• an opening may be partially formed in the light blocking member, and a point light source for irradiating light toward the opening may be provided. This makes it possible to irradiate relatively intense light from a part of the entire luminous body, separately from illuminating the entire luminous body.
• the luminous body may be formed into a lens shape at the portion where the opening is formed in the light blocking member.
• a spot it is possible to illuminate a spot at a predetermined position such as the position at hand of the occupant in the form of a spot.
• the surface of the luminous body opposite to the passenger compartment side is higher than other portions, and the side surface is light-shielded.
• the cutting member may have a portion that is exposed on the side opposite to the passenger compartment side. As described above, in the portion where the surface opposite to the passenger compartment is higher than the other portion, the light from the light source is transmitted from the side of the light blocking member that is exposed on the side opposite to the passenger compartment. enter in. This makes it possible for this part to shine differently than the other parts.
• the glittering body since the glittering body does not simply transmit light from the light source and emits light, the light emitted from the glittering body does not become so weak even if its thickness is relatively large. Therefore, it is possible to increase the thickness of the luminous body, especially the thickness of the luminous body, which is relatively thick, without reducing the light emitted from the luminous body. Can be made easier.
• the illumination module of the present invention may be configured such that the illuminant and the light source are housed in a common housing, and the housing is fitted into an opening of a roof trim arranged along the ceiling of an automobile. it can. According to this configuration, when mounting the illumination module, it is possible to simplify the mounting process without having to mount individual components.
• FIG. 1 is a view of a ceiling portion of an automobile to which an illumination module according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached, as viewed from the passenger compartment side.
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the illumination module in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2.
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 2.
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 2.
• FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 2.
• FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line EE in FIG. 2.
• FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line FF of FIG. 2.
• FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the luminous body of FIG.
• the roof of the automobile is mounted on a roof roof supported by a plurality of pillars 2.
• a roof trim 1 formed by a flannel (not shown) and formed along the roof panel is disposed inside the roof panel.
• the roof trim 1 serves as a decoration in the passenger compartment, and the pillar 2 is also covered with pillar trim for the same purpose.
• the roof trim 1 is formed into a required shape by heat molding.
• the roof trim 1 as a molded body formed thereby is lightweight and has a certain self-shape retention property.
• the roof trim 1 is made of, for example, a resin foam such as rigid urethane foam, or a resin board impregnated with a heat-active binder.
• accessory modules such as a sun visor 4 and an assist handle 3 are attached in combination with the roof trim 1 in addition to the illumination module 5.
• the roof trim 1 has an accessory so that the accessory does not protrude into the room and the ceiling surface including the accessory is almost continuous and flat.
• the required concave portion is formed along the shape of the above.
• the illumination module 5 of the present embodiment has a long shape that is long in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.
• the roof trim 1 has a long opening that conforms to the shape of the illumination module 5.
• the illumination module 5 is fitted into the elongated opening of the roof trim 1, is smoothly connected to the surface of the roof trim 1, and is incorporated so that the whole becomes a substantially continuous flat surface.
• the illumination module 5 has a housing upper part 10, a housing lower part 30, and a luminous body 20 incorporated between both as main components.
• the illumination module 5 additionally includes a harness (not shown) for supplying electric power for lighting, and the like, and is assembled as a sub-module together with the roof trim 1 on the inner surface of the ceiling of the vehicle.
• the housing upper 10 has a long contour along the opening of the roof trim 1.
• the central portion of the resin hopper 10 in the width direction has a trapezoidal shape in which the cross-sectional shape along the width direction becomes narrower in an upward direction, and is a main body portion 11 having a hollow inside.
• a plurality of light sources, in particular, point light sources 15 in this example, are mounted in the hollow portion of the main body 11. In FIG. 2, the point light source 15 is shown in a see-through manner.
• a flat edge 12 extending in the horizontal direction is formed integrally with the main body 11 around the main body 11. It is made.
• a plurality of clip holding seats 13 protruding upward are formed on the edges 12 on both sides.
• the clip holding seat 13 has a structure in which a horizontal top surface is supported on the top of a vertically extending support wall, and a fitting hole 13a is formed in the top surface.
• FIG. 3 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A--A in FIG. 2, the housing upper 10 is provided with a clip 17 in a fitting hole 13a of a clip holding seat 13 and an engaging hole of a roof panel (not shown). It is fixed to the roof panel by passing and engaging.
• the edge 12 is also provided with an engaging portion 14 in which an engaging hole 14a for attaching the housing lower 30 is formed.
• the housing lower 30 has an outer shape that can be fitted with the housing upper 10.
• the housing lower 30 has a substantially rectangular elongated opening 33 that exposes the luminous body 20 and has a frame-shaped portion 31 formed at the center. Have.
• An engagement protrusion 32 is formed on the frame portion 31 and protrudes upward.
• the engaging projection 32 is a flexible claw, and can be engaged with the engaging portion 14 of the housing upper 10 by utilizing its elastic deformation. Further, a flexible claw may be provided on the housing guapper 10 side, and the engagement protrusion 32 may be engaged.
• a housing portion 34 protruding upward and having a hollow inside is formed integrally with the frame portion 31.
• a lid that can be opened and closed is attached to the lower surface of the storage part 34, that is, a part facing the passenger compartment side when attached, and the small part such as sunglasses is opened and closed by the passenger. You can do it.
• the housing upper 10 and the housing lower 30 are most preferably formed by injection molding of a heat-resistant thermoplastic resin, but may be formed by pressing a metal plate.
• the luminous body 20 is formed by molding a light-scattering light-guiding resin in which fine particles that scatter light of a specific wavelength are dispersed in a transparent base resin into a predetermined shape. As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the luminous body 20 is attached with the edge portion sandwiched between the housing upper 10 and the housing lower 30.
• the light-scattering light-guiding resin suitable for the present invention uses polymethyl methacrylate resin as a matrix resin, and fine particles of 0.1 to 100 zm in a weight ratio of 0.1 to 100 zm. 01-1. It is possible to use those which are uniformly dispersed about 0%.
• a light scattering phenomenon occurs for incident light having a wavelength of 400 to 800 nm.
• the housing upper 1 As a light source to be attached to 0, a point light source is preferable.
• a light emitting diode LED that can efficiently output a light component having a wavelength at which a scattering phenomenon occurs.
• the glittering body 20 has a circular non-long part 22 and a rectangular long part 21 extending before and after it.
• the long part 21 and the non-long part 22 are both made of light scattering and light guiding resin, and both may be made of the same material, but may be made of similar but different materials.
• the opening on the lower surface of the main body 11 of the housing upper 10 and the opening 33 of the frame 31 of the housing lower 30 are shaped to match the luminous body 20 having such a shape. Then, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, in the assembled state, the lower surface of the housing lower 30 and the lower surface of the luminous body 20 exposed from the opening 33 are smoothly connected to form a substantially continuous flat surface. .
• the edge of the opening of the roof trim 1 for attaching the illumination module 5 is sandwiched between the housing upper 10 and the housing lower 30 so as not to be exposed to the passenger compartment.
• the edge of the roof trim 1 is slightly curved upward, so that the roof trim 1 and the lower surface of the housing lower 30 are smoothly connected to each other to form a substantially continuous flat surface. Therefore, when viewed from the passenger compartment side, the roof trim 1, the housing lower 30 and the luminous body 20 form a substantially continuous flat surface over their entire surfaces.
• the long section 21 has a rectangular cross section along the width direction that is substantially constant in the length direction.
• the side edges of the elongated portion 21 have a triangular cross-sectional shape having vertices directed vertically and outward along the edge, and extend from the rectangular portion toward the edge and upward.
• a bulging edge 25 protruding toward is formed.
• a light blocking member 26a is disposed on the upper surface of the elongated portion 21.
• the light blocking member 26a covers the entire upper surface of the long portion 21 except for a lens portion 23a and a switch 24a, which will be described later, and only a part of the bulging edge 25 projects above the light blocking member 26a. ing.
• the point light source 15 an LED that emits light only within a predetermined angle range from the direction of the light source, that is, an LED having a constant directivity is used. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, these point light sources 15 are directed above the light blocking member 26a and forward on the front elongated portion 21. In the upright position, on the rear elongated portion 21, it is supported by the support bracket 16 a and attached to the housing upper 10 in a state facing rearward.
• a plurality of lens portions 23a are provided near the front end of the front long portion 21 and near the rear end of the rear long portion 21.
• the lens portion 23a is a portion in which the light-scattering and light-guiding resin is formed into a light-condensing lens body.
• the light blocking member 26a has an opening for exposing each lens portion 23a, and the point light source 15 corresponding to each lens portion 23a is supported by the support bracket 16b in a state facing the lens portion 23a. ing. These form a spot lighting unit.
• a push-type switch 24a is mounted near the spot lighting section.
• the switch 24a is supported by the support bracket 16c and attached to the housing upper 10, as shown in FIG. 5, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG.
• an opening is formed in the light blocking member 26a and the glitter 20, and the lower end of the push portion of the switch 24a is exposed to the lower surface through the opening.
• a switch for turning on / off the entire illumination module 5 and / or a switch for turning on / off only the nearby spot lighting unit can be provided.
• FIG. 6 which is a cross-sectional view along the line DD in FIG. 2, the upper surface of the luminous body 30 is covered with the light blocking member 26b even in the non-long part 22.
• a non-elongated portion 22 is provided with a switch 24b attached to the housing upper 10 via a support bracket 16d. In this portion, openings are formed in the light blocking member 26b and the glitter 20 to expose the push portion of the switch 24b.
• a plurality of lens portions 23b are also formed on the non-elongated portion 22, and as shown in FIG. 7, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. An opening is formed in a portion corresponding to the portion 23b, and the point light source 15 is supported by the support bracket 16d in a state facing the lens portion 23b, thus forming a spot illumination portion.
• the shape of the lens portion 23b of the non-long portion 22 is different from that of the lens portion 23a of the long portion 21.
• the direction in which the point light source 15 is directed is oblique toward both edges in the long part 21, whereas it is directed substantially vertically downward in the non-long part 22.
• the configuration of the spot illuminator can be various configurations other than the configuration example shown in the figure, depending on the type of automobile to be mounted, the application of the spot illuminator, and the like.
• FIG. 8 which is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF of FIG. 2, the upper surface of the non-long part 22 is higher and the lower surface thereof is lower than the long part 21. , Respectively.
• the upper surface side of the non-elongated portion 22 protrudes above the light blocking member 26a that covers the upper surface of the elongate portion 21.
• An edge of the lower surface of the non-long portion 22 is provided with an edge member 35 such as a metal ring along the step and the side edge.
• a plurality of point-like light sources provided on the elongated portion 21 of the luminous body 20 and oriented in the longitudinal direction and arranged along the longitudinal direction are provided. 15 is caused to emit light.
• the light emitted from the point light source 15 does not directly enter the elongated portion 21 of the luminous body 20 for the light blocking member 26a, and the inner surface of the main body 11 of the housing upper 10 and the upper surface of the light blocking member 26a.
• the diffusely reflected light eventually enters the luminous body 20 from the portion of the bulging edge 25 projecting upward from the light blocking member 26a, as shown in FIG.
• the light filled in the entire elongated portion 21 gradually leaks into the passenger compartment from components incident at a deep angle at an interface on the lower surface of the elongated portion 21 facing the passenger compartment.
• the whole of the elongated portion 21 of the luminous body 20 is seen as illumination-like unique illumination that shines almost uniformly and faintly.
• the point light source 15 which is an LED light source having directivity in the longitudinal direction, light emitted from the point light source 15 does not directly enter a part of the bulging edge 25.
• the light can be evenly incident on the bulging edge 25.
• the emission of the long portion 21 of the luminous body 20 becomes uneven. Can be suppressed.
• the non-elongated portion 22 of the glitter 20 the light scattered in the elongated portion 21 is introduced from the portion connected to the elongated portion 21, and the light scattered in the space above the glitter 20.
• the light irregularly reflected by the light is introduced from the upper side of the upper portion of the long portion 21 as shown by the arrow in FIG.
• the introduced light is scattered by the fine particles in the light scattering and light-guiding resin constituting the luminous body 20, fills the whole non-long part 22, and gradually leaks into the passenger compartment.
• the non-long part 22 also looks as a unique illumination in the form of an illumination which shines almost uniformly and pale as a whole when viewed from the passenger compartment side.
• the non-long portion 22 can provide illumination that is different from the long portion 21.
• the illumination module 5 is provided with the non-elongated portion 22 having a changed shape, and by further changing the light, the design can be improved.
• the edging member 35 at the edge of the non-elongated part 22, the contrast between the elongate part 21 and the non-elongated part 22 can be made more conspicuous, and the design can be made more preferable.
• the upper surfaces of the light blocking members 26a and 26b are covered with a mirror film or the like so as to reflect the light, the light emitted from the point light source 15 is not attenuated. It is preferable because light can be diffusely reflected in a space surrounded by the inner surface of the main body 11 and the upper surface of the light shielding portion seat 26a, and light can be efficiently introduced into the luminous body 20.
• the lower surfaces of the light blocking members 26a and 26b are preferably covered with a light-reflective material. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, there is a slight gap between the luminous body 20 and the light blocking member 26a, whereby the light blocking member 26a is reflected on the surface.
• a feeling of distance and a feeling of depth are generated, and the texture can be improved, which is preferable. It is also preferable that the upper surface or the lower surface of the glittering body 20 be slightly curved, since a feeling of thickness and a sense of depth can be generated by the lens effect.
• the switches 24a and 24b are made of the same material as that of the glitter 20, the switches 24a and 24b can emit light similar to that of the glitter 20.
• the aspect of the design is preferred.
• the push portions of the switches 24a and 24b that also expose the opening force of the glitter 20 are shaped along the opening of the glitter 20 and the openings are laid by the push portions. For example, it is preferable that a design-like uncomfortable feeling is not generated between the switches 24a and 24b and the glitter 20.
• the point light source 15 arranged so as to face the lens units 23a and 23b emits light. It is preferable that the lighting of the spot illuminating unit can be individually and selectively performed by operating the switches 24a and 24b.
• the light emitted from the point light source 15 directly enters the lens portions 23a and 23b of the luminous body 20. Therefore, unlike the lighting of the entire illumination module 5, a stronger light emission can be obtained.
• the light condensed by the lens portions 23a and 23b partially illuminates a predetermined position such as a spot near the occupant's hand or a console box provided near the center of the occupant's room in a spot shape. This spot lighting can be mainly used for practical applications such as checking maps in the passenger compartment and checking small items in the console box.
• the present embodiment described above it is possible to configure lighting that emits light over a large area in the passenger compartment of an automobile, and it is possible to illuminate a wide area in the interior of the automobile.
• This illumination emits light and illumination in a light-emitting area over the light-emitting area, and also serves to enhance the design of the vehicle, not merely to make it brighter.
• Light emission over a large area can be obtained using a relatively small number of point light sources such as LEDs.
• the illumination module 5 of the present embodiment can emit light over a large area by using a relatively small number of relatively low power LED light sources, and in spite of that, the power consumption is small.
• a substantially rectangular long portion 21 extending in the front-rear direction of the automobile is provided with a non-long portion 22 having a different shape and light emitting manner.
• a more preferable design property can be obtained.
• lens parts 23a and 23b on a part of the luminous body 20 and providing a light source that irradiates light directly through this part, a predetermined position such as the occupant's hand is partially brightly lit and the map is confirmed.
• spot-like illumination that can be used for more practical purposes such as lighting can be obtained at the same time.
• the thickness of the luminous body 20 can be thicker, particularly, 3 Omm or more, and more preferably, 5 Omm or more. By increasing the thickness of the luminous body 20 in this manner, its strength can be increased, and the luminous body 20 can be installed in a large-area area to obtain sufficient strength and durability, requiring less reinforcement and the like. .
• components such as a point light source 15 and a luminous body 20 are housed in a housing constituted by a housing upper 10 and a housing lower 30, and this is mounted on a roof trim of an automobile. Since it is configured to be assembled in the opening of 1, the number of assembling man-hours that does not require mounting each part individually at the time of assembling is reduced.
• an LED light source as the light source, but it is not limited to this.
• the number and arrangement of the light sources are not limited to those shown in the figure, but can be set appropriately according to the type of the vehicle to be installed, the shape of the glitter, and the like. Further, a light source of a specific emission color can be used to obtain illumination of that color.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Arrangements Of Lighting Devices For Vehicle Interiors, Mounting And Supporting Thereof, Circuits Therefore (AREA)
• Vehicle Interior And Exterior Ornaments, Soundproofing, And Insulation (AREA)

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Citations (8)

• 2003
  • 2003-12-26 JP JP2003434115A patent/JP4085053B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2004
  • 2004-12-16 CN CNB2004800386001A patent/CN100469619C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-12-16 WO PCT/JP2004/018811 patent/WO2005063527A1/ja active Application Filing

Patent Citations (8)

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