Vehicle exterior parts

Abstract

The vehicle exterior component comprises: a main body; a heating wire; a socket integrally formed in the main body; and a connecting pin partially embedded in the socket. The heating wire extends into the socket and engages with the connecting pin. A power plug can be inserted into the socket. The vehicle exterior component is configured so that the heating wire is energized via the power plug and the connecting pin. The socket has a thinned portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle exterior component. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with sensors that transmit and receive electromagnetic waves such as millimeter waves for detecting objects outside the vehicle. This sensor transmits the electromagnetic waves toward the outside of the vehicle, and receives the electromagnetic waves (reflected waves) reflected by contact with objects outside the vehicle. The sensor detects objects outside the vehicle by transmitting and receiving such electromagnetic waves. A resin vehicle exterior part that allows electromagnetic waves to pass is provided in front of the direction in which the electromagnetic waves are transmitted from the sensor of the vehicle. Examples of such vehicle exterior parts include vehicle logos, accessories, and logos. The sensor is difficult to see from outside the vehicle due to the vehicle exterior parts.

[0003] However, if ice and snow adhere to the vehicle exterior parts, the electromagnetic wave transmittance of the vehicle exterior parts will decrease. Therefore, as shown in Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2020-5057, it is considered to configure a heating wire in the main body of the vehicle exterior parts. The heating wire can be connected to a power source via a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). Moreover, the heating wire is energized via the FPC, so that the heating wire generates heat and melts the ice and snow attached to the vehicle exterior parts. In this way, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the electromagnetic wave transmittance of the vehicle exterior parts due to the adhesion of ice and snow.

[0004] In addition, in order to more easily connect the heating wire to the power supply, the use of a connecting pin is also considered. In this case, a socket protruding from the main body is integrally formed on the main body of the vehicle exterior. A portion of the connecting pin is buried in the socket. The heating wire extends to the inside of the socket and is connected to the connecting pin. A power plug can be inserted into the socket. The heating wire is connected to the power supply via the power plug and the connecting pin. In this way, the heating wire can be energized. Summary of the invention

[0005] When the heating wire of the vehicle exterior is connected to the power source by a connecting pin, a socket for arranging the connecting pin must be integrally formed with the main body of the vehicle exterior. This requires forming the socket in the main body, which increases the weight of the vehicle exterior accordingly.

[0006] The vehicle exterior component that solves the above-mentioned problem comprises: a main body; a heating wire disposed in the main body; a socket formed integrally in the main body and protruding from the main body; and a connecting pin, a part of which is buried in the socket. The heating wire extends into the inside of the socket and engages with the connecting pin. A power plug can be inserted into the socket. The vehicle exterior component is configured to conduct electricity to the heating wire via the power plug and the connecting pin. The socket has a thinned portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 It is an oblique view showing the vehicle logo and the sensor.

[0008] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view showing the lower end portion of the main body of the vehicle logo and the socket.

[0009] Figure 3 It means from Figure 2 The front view of the state of the decorative layer and the transparent layer of the main body is observed from the right side.

[0010] Figure 4 It means from Figure 2 The front view of the heating sheet is shown on the right side.

[0011] Figure 5 It means from Figure 2 A cross-sectional view showing the state of the connector pin and its surroundings when viewed in the direction of arrow AA.

[0012] Figure 6 It means from Figure 5 An overhead view showing the state of the socket before the plate portion and the heater wire are joined together as viewed from below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Below, refer to Figure 1 to Figure 6 An embodiment of a vehicle exterior component will be described.

[0014] Figure 1 Indicates a vehicle emblem 1 as an exterior component of a vehicle. Figure 2 Indicates the lower end of the vehicle logo 1. Figure 1 As shown, a sensor 2 is arranged at the front of the vehicle. The sensor 2 transmits electromagnetic waves such as millimeter waves for detecting objects outside the vehicle toward the front of the vehicle, and receives the electromagnetic waves (reflected waves) reflected by the objects outside the vehicle. The sensor 2 detects objects outside the vehicle by transmitting and receiving such electromagnetic waves.

[0015] The vehicle logo 1 has a plurality of claws 1a. The vehicle logo 1 is mounted on the front of the vehicle through the plurality of claws 1a. The vehicle logo 1 is located in front of the direction in which the electromagnetic wave is transmitted from the sensor 2, and can transmit the electromagnetic wave. The vehicle logo 1 is arranged in front of the sensor 2, so that the sensor 2 can be difficult to be seen from outside the vehicle through the vehicle logo 1.

[0016] like Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle emblem 1 includes a main body 3, a socket 4, a connecting pin 5, and a heating sheet 6. The main body 3, the socket 4, the connecting pin 5, and the heating sheet 6 will be described below in outline.

[0017] [Main body 3]

[0018] The main body 3 includes a substrate 7, a decorative layer 8, a transparent layer 9, and a frame 16. The substrate 7 is formed of a resin in a plate shape and can transmit millimeter waves. The substrate 7 is mounted on a vehicle and is integrally formed with the above-mentioned claw 1a ( Figure 1 ). On the front surface of the substrate 7 ( Figure 2 The decorative layer 8 and the transparent layer 9 are along the direction in which the millimeter wave is transmitted from the sensor 2 ( Figure 2 ) are configured in order.

[0019] Figure 3 Indicates from Figure 2 The state of the decorative layer 8 and the transparent layer 9 is observed on the right side. The transparent layer 9 is formed of a colorless transparent or colored transparent resin, which can transmit millimeter waves. The decorative layer 8 has a pattern area 8a and a background area 8b, which can transmit millimeter waves. The pattern area 8a and the background area 8b are respectively located relative to the vehicle logo 1, for example Figure 3 The pattern area 8a and the background area 8b are used to make the vehicle logo 1 aesthetically pleasing.

[0020] Frame 16( Figure 2 ) is formed of resin. The frame portion 16 extends in a ring shape along the outer edge of the base material 7. The frame portion 16 is welded to the base material 7 and the transparent layer 9. Thus, the base material 7 and the transparent layer 9 are connected through the frame portion 16.

[0021] [Heating sheet 6]

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown, the heating sheet 6 is arranged on the front surface of the transparent layer 9 ( Figure 2 The heating sheet 6 has a sheet body 10 and heating wires 11 and 12. The sheet body 10 is formed of a transparent resin and can transmit electromagnetic waves. The heating wires 11 and 12 are arranged on the rear surface ( Figure 2 The heating wires 11 and 12 are formed of a metal material that generates heat when electricity is passed through it.

[0023] Figure 4 Indicates from Figure 2 The state of the heating sheet 6 is observed on the right side. Figure 4 As shown, the heating wires 11 and 12 are wired in different wiring patterns. The ends of the heating wires 11 and 12 are gathered at the lower end of the vehicle logo 1. When the heating wires 11 and 12 are energized to generate heat, the ice and snow attached to the vehicle logo 1 melt. Thus, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the electromagnetic wave transmittance of the vehicle logo 1 due to the attachment of ice and snow.

[0024] [Socket 4]

[0025] like Figure 2As shown, the socket 4 is located at the lower end of the base material 7 of the main body 3 and is formed integrally with the base material 7 (main body 3). The socket 4 extends from the lower end of the outer edge of the base material 7 toward the inside of the vehicle, that is, toward the Figure 2 A recess 13 is formed at the front end 4a of the socket 4 in the protruding direction. A power plug 14 can be inserted into the recess 13. The power plug 14 is connected to a power source 15.

[0026] A frame portion 16 is embedded in the base end portion 4b of the socket 4, that is, in a portion of the socket 4 closer to the base material 7 than the recessed portion 13. The sheet body 10 and the heating wires 11 and 12 of the heating sheet 6 extend to the base end portion 4b of the socket 4 and are embedded in the base end portion 4b along the frame portion 16. A thinned portion 17 is formed in the base end portion 4b of the socket 4. The thinned portion 17 extends from the bottom of the recessed portion 13 toward the frame portion 16.

[0027] The socket 4 has a window 18. The window 18 is located at the base end 4b of the socket 4. The window 18 faces the outside of the socket 4, that is, Figure 2 The lower part of the socket 4 is open and connected to the thinned part 17. The heating wires 11 and 12 of the heating sheet 6 pass through the inside of the base end 4b of the socket 4 and extend to the window 18. The window 18 is filled with a water stop 19 formed of a resin softer than the socket 4. That is, the vehicle logo 1 has a water stop 19 that fills the window 18 of the socket 4.

[0028] [Connection pin 5]

[0029] The connecting pin 5 is arranged at the socket 4. The connecting pin 5 has a plate portion 5a and a terminal 5b. The plate portion 5a, which is a part of the connecting pin 5, is buried in the base end portion 4b of the socket 4, separating the thinning portion 17 from the window portion 18. A hole 20 for connecting the thinning portion 17 and the window portion 18 is formed in the plate portion 5a. The ends of the heating wires 11 and 12 are connected to the plate portion 5a by the connecting portion 21. The connecting portion 21 is located at a position corresponding to the window portion 18.

[0030] Figure 5 Indicates from Figure 2 Observe the connection pin 5 of the socket 4 and its surroundings in the direction of arrow AA. Figure 5 As shown, the joint 21 is formed by soldering the ends of the heating wires 11 and 12 to the plate portion 5a before the window portion 18 is buried by the water stop portion 19 and in a state where the ends of the heating wires 11 and 12 and the plate portion 5a are exposed through the window portion 18. In addition, the plate portion 5a of the connecting pin 5 and the heating wires 11 and 12 can be joined by, for example, bonding with a conductive adhesive or welding, in addition to the above-mentioned soldering.

[0031] Figure 6 Indicates from Figure 5The state of the socket 4 before the plate portion 5a and the heating wires 11 and 12 are joined by the joint portion 21 is observed from below. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the window 18 is open at this time, so the plate 5a and the heating wires 11 and 12 can be joined through the window 18. Figure 5 As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 , the window 18 is filled with the water stopper 19 . At this time, the joint 21 is in a state covered by the water stopper 19 .

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the terminal 5b of the connecting pin 5 protrudes from the plate portion 5a into the recess 13 of the socket 4. When the power plug 14 is inserted into the recess 13 of the socket 4, the terminal 5b of the connecting pin 5 is connected to the power plug 14. Thus, the heating wires 11 and 12 of the heating sheet 6 are connected to the power source 15 via the connecting pin 5 and the power plug 14, and the heating wires 11 and 12 can be energized.

[0033] Next, the thinned portion 17 of the socket 4 will be described in detail.

[0034] The thinning portion 17 extends from the bottom of the recess 13 of the socket 4 toward the frame 16. The thinning portion 17 is connected to the window 18 via the hole 20 of the connecting pin 5. In other words, when the power plug 14 is not inserted into the recess 13, the thinning portion 17 extends in a manner that connects the outside of the socket 4 to the inside of the window 18, more specifically, in a manner that connects the two via the recess 13 of the socket 4 and the hole 20 of the connecting pin 5. Therefore, the thinning portion 17 can be used for the airtightness test of the window 18 and the water stop portion 19.

[0035] In the above-mentioned airtightness test, a high-pressure inspection fluid is made to flow inside the thinned portion 17, thereby checking whether the airtightness between the window portion 18 and the water stop portion 19 is ensured. When the airtightness between the window portion 18 and the water stop portion 19 is ensured, the inspection fluid does not leak from between the window portion 18 and the water stop portion 19. On the other hand, when the airtightness between the window portion 18 and the water stop portion 19 is not ensured, the inspection fluid leaks from between the window portion 18 and the water stop portion 19. By making the high-pressure inspection fluid flow in the thinned portion 17 in this way, an airtightness test can be performed. The thinned portion 17 can be used as a hole for such an airtightness test.

[0036] Next, the effects of the vehicle exterior component (vehicle emblem 1 ) of the present embodiment will be described.

[0037] (1) The power plug 14 is inserted into the socket 4, thereby connecting the heating wires 11 and 12 to the power source 15 via the power plug 14 and the connecting pin 5, and energizing the heating wires 11 and 12. Therefore, the connection between the heating wires 11 and 12 and the power source 15 becomes simple. In addition, the socket 4 is lightened by the thinning portion 17. Therefore, the connection between the heating wires 11 and 12 and the power source 15 can be achieved by using the connecting pin 5, and the weight increase of the socket 4 can be suppressed.

[0038] (2) The socket 4 is thinned by the thinned portion 17. Therefore, when the base 7 having the socket 4 is formed by injection molding or the like, shrinkage (so-called shrinkage cavity) after molding is less likely to occur around the thinned portion 17 of the socket 4.

[0039] (3) If the temperature of the connecting pin 5 is repeatedly increased due to the heat generated by the power supply and decreased due to the subsequent power supply stop, the plate portion 5a and the heater wires 11 and 12 may be released due to the deformation of the connecting pin 5 due to the temperature change. However, the thinning portion 17 formed in the socket 4 is adjacent to the connecting pin 5, so the connecting pin 5 is exposed relative to the thinning portion 17. Therefore, when the connecting pin 5 generates heat, it is easy to dissipate heat from the connecting pin 5 to the thinning portion 17. Therefore, it is not easy to generate a temperature increase when the connecting pin 5 is energized, and the temperature change of the connecting pin 5 caused by repeated power supply and power supply stop is also reduced. As a result, the deformation of the connecting pin 5 due to such temperature change can be suppressed to a small extent, and the release of the connection between the plate portion 5a and the heater wires 11 and 12 due to its deformation can be suppressed.

[0040] (4) By allowing a high-pressure inspection fluid to flow through the thinned portion 17, an airtightness test for confirming the airtightness between the window portion 18 and the water stop portion 19 can be performed. In other words, the thinned portion 17 can be used as a hole for the above-mentioned airtightness test. Therefore, there is no need to prepare such a hole separately.

[0041] In addition, for example, the above-mentioned embodiment may be modified in the following manners. The above-mentioned embodiment and the following modification examples may be combined and implemented within the scope of no technical contradiction.

[0042] The socket 4 is not necessarily arranged at the lower end of the main body 3 , more specifically, at the lower end of the base 7 .

[0043] The thinned portion 17 may not function as a hole through which the inspection fluid used in the airtightness test flows. In this case, the thinned portion 17 does not need to be connected to the window portion 18 , and the position of the thinned portion 17 may be changed to another location of the socket 4 .

[0044] The number of the heating wires disposed on the heating sheet 6 may be one or three or more.

[0045] The transmission direction of the millimeter wave of the sensor 2 is not necessarily the front of the vehicle, and may be other directions such as the side of the vehicle or the rear of the vehicle.

[0046] The sensor 2 can transmit and receive electromagnetic waves other than millimeter waves, such as infrared rays and lasers.

[0047] Although the vehicle emblem 1 is described as an example of a vehicle exterior part, the invention may be applied to other vehicle exterior parts such as accessories and logos.

Claims

1. A vehicle exterior component, comprising: a main body; a heating wire disposed in the main body; a socket formed integrally with the main body and protruding from the main body; and a connecting pin, a portion of which is buried in the socket, wherein: The heating wire extends to the inside of the socket and engages with the connecting pin. A power plug can be inserted into the socket. The vehicle exterior component is configured to supply electricity to the heater wire via the power plug and the connection pin. The socket has a thinned portion.

2. The vehicle exterior component according to claim 1, wherein: The connecting pin is joined to the heating wire via a joining portion, The socket has a window portion for exposing the engaging portion outside the socket, The vehicle exterior component further includes a water stop portion for filling the window portion and the joint portion. The thinned portion extends so as to connect the outside of the socket and the inside of the window portion.

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