Lighting device for vehicle

Abstract

A lighting device for a vehicle includes a light source and a lens. The lens includes a light guide portion provided at a position facing the light source and extending toward the vehicle compartment side, and a main body portion connected to an end portion of the light guide portion on the vehicle compartment side and extending in a direction intersecting the light guide portion. The lens is provided such that the light of the light source is reflected by the side surface of the light guide section and is directed toward the vehicle compartment side, and a portion of the light is reflected by the reflecting surface of the main body section and is guided in the direction in which the main body section extends, so that at least a portion of the main body section functions as a decorative lighting section. In the light guide portion, a corner portion between a side surface serving as a light reflecting surface and another side surface adjacent to the side surface has a rounded shape.

Description

[0001] CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-127313 filed on August 3, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, including specification, claims, drawings, and abstract. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a lighting device for a vehicle, and more particularly to a lighting device to be arranged in a vehicle interior. Background Art

[0004] It is known that the interior lamp of a vehicle realizes the function of spot lighting (spot illuminator) that illuminates the hand and the function of decorative lighting such as ambient light by the same light source. For example, by illuminating the lens cutout designed on the back of the lens with light, the user can visually confirm the decorative lighting.

[0005] This lighting device is arranged on the ceiling and includes a light source and a lens. The lens includes a light guide portion that is arranged at a position opposite to the light source and extends toward the vehicle compartment, and a main body portion that is connected to the end of the light guide portion on the vehicle compartment side and extends in a direction intersecting the light guide portion. The main body portion includes, for example, a lens cutout for decorative lighting.

[0006] The light from the light source is reflected by the side of the light guide portion and directed toward the vehicle interior, and a portion of the light is reflected by the reflection surface of the main body portion and guided in the direction in which the main body portion extends, so that at least a portion of the main body portion functions as a decorative lighting portion. In addition, the light guide portion allows a portion of the light to be emitted toward the vehicle interior from an emission portion on the opposite side of the incident portion where the light from the light source is incident, thereby functioning as a spotlight lighting portion.

[0007] Patent document 1 discloses a vehicle lamp in which a plurality of light guides emit light through a single light source. Patent document 2 discloses a light source device including a light guide in an internal space. Patent document 3 discloses an LED lighting device in which a light reflecting portion is provided on a light guide lens that receives light from an LED light source.

[0008] Prior art literature

[0009] Patent Literature

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-17359

[0011] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-190623

[0012] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-199035 Summary of the invention

[0013] In the lighting device including the above-mentioned light guide part and the main body part, it is necessary to effectively receive the light from the light source and guide the light to the decorative lighting part. In order to guide a large amount of light to the reflective surface of the main body part to be scattered to the decorative lighting part, it is necessary to ensure the area of ​​the reflective surface of the light guide part that guides the light to the reflective surface (hereinafter referred to as the reflective side surface). In order to make the area of ​​the reflective side surface as large as possible, in the light guide part, the R (radius) of the corner between the reflective side surface and the adjacent side surface is reduced. When the R of the corner of the light guide part becomes smaller, the light gathers at the corner, and when the user sees the corner, glare will be felt.

[0014] An object of the present disclosure is to suppress glare at a corner of a light guide portion in a vehicle lighting device.

[0015] The vehicle lighting device disclosed in the present invention is characterized in that it includes a light source and a lens. The lens includes: a light guide portion, which is arranged at a position opposite to the light source and extends toward the vehicle cabin; and a main body portion, which is connected to the end of the light guide portion on the vehicle cabin side and extends in a direction intersecting with the light guide portion. The lens is arranged so that the light of the light source is reflected by the side surface of the light guide portion and directed toward the vehicle cabin side, and a part of the light is reflected by the reflection surface of the main body portion and guided in the direction in which the main body portion extends, so that at least a part of the main body portion functions as a decorative lighting portion. In the light guide portion, the corner between the side surface serving as the light reflecting surface and another side surface adjacent to the side surface has a rounded shape.

[0016] Furthermore, in the vehicle lighting device of the present disclosure, in the light guide portion, the side surface as the light reflecting surface may have a shape having a width wider than that of a side surface opposing thereto.

[0017] Furthermore, in the vehicle lighting device of the present disclosure, a cross section of a connection portion between the light guide portion and the main body portion may have an L-shape.

[0018] In addition, in the vehicle lighting device disclosed in the present invention, the light guiding portion may include an incident portion where light from the light source is incident, and a light emitting portion located on the opposite side of the incident portion; regarding the roundness of the corners of the light guiding portion, the diameter size of the corners close to the emitting portion may be larger than the diameter size of the corners close to the incident portion.

[0019] Furthermore, in the vehicle lighting device of the present disclosure, the light guide portion emits a portion of the light into the vehicle interior from an emission portion on the opposite side to the incident portion where the light of the light source is incident, thereby functioning as a condenser lighting portion.

[0020] Furthermore, in the vehicle lighting device of the present disclosure, the corner portion of the light guide portion may be located at a position visually recognized by an occupant in the vehicle cabin.

[0021] According to the present disclosure, since the corners of the light guide portion have a rounded shape, the convergence of light on the corners can be reduced, so that the user can be suppressed from feeling glare when viewing the corners. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1A is a perspective view showing the overhead console 10;

[0023] Figure 1B is a diagram showing the design surface of the lens 16;

[0024] Figure 1C is a stereogram of lens 16;

[0025] Figure 2A is a perspective view showing a portion of the holding member 20 and the lens 16;

[0026] Figure 2B is a diagram schematically showing the appearance of a corner portion of the light guide portion 30;

[0027] Figure 3A is a diagram schematically showing how light travels within the lens 16;

[0028] Figure 3B is a diagram showing a reflection surface 61 of the main body 32 of the lens 16;

[0029] Figure 4A is a diagram of the light guide unit 30 as viewed from the light source side;

[0030] Figure 4B is a perspective view of the light guide portion 30 as viewed from the side;

[0031] Figure 5A is a three-dimensional view of the light guide portion 30 observed from one direction;

[0032] Figure 5B is a three-dimensional view of the light guide portion 30 viewed from another direction;

[0033] Figure 5C is a three-dimensional view of the light guide portion 30 observed from yet another direction;

[0034] Fig. 6A is an explanatory diagram regarding the concentration of light within the lens 100;

[0035] Figure 6B is an explanatory diagram regarding the concentration of light within the lens 101;

[0036] Figure 7 is a diagram of a light guide unit 130 of a comparative technology viewed from the light source side;

[0037] Fig. 8A is a diagram of a conventional light guide unit 230 viewed from the light source side;

[0038] Figure 8B It is a perspective view of a conventional light guide unit 230 as viewed from the side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following is an explanation of the embodiments of the present disclosure based on the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described here. In all the drawings, the same elements are given the same symbols and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0040] Figure 1A 1 is a perspective view showing an overhead console 10. The overhead console 10 is arranged on the ceiling in the vehicle interior and between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat in the interior. The figure schematically shows the exterior design surface 22 of the overhead console 10 that can be seen from the user in the vehicle interior. It should be noted that the structure 24 located on the back side of the exterior design surface 22 is a part arranged on the inner side of the ceiling and is not visible to the user.

[0041] A vehicle lighting device 12 is integrated in the overhead console 10. The vehicle lighting device 12 (hereinafter simply referred to as the lighting device 12) is held by a holding member 20. The lighting device 12 includes two light sources and a lens 16. The two light sources are LEDs. Figure 1B This is a diagram showing the design surface of the lens 16 . Figure 1C is a perspective view of the lens 16 .

[0042] Lens 16 Figure 1C As shown, the lens 16 has a bilaterally symmetrical shape. The lens 16 is a solid component. The lens 16 includes a U-shaped main body 32 and two light guides 30 connected to both ends of the main body 32.

[0043] The front ends of the two light guides 30 respectively serve as the incident portions 40 (light receiving portions) into which the light of the light source is incident. In addition, the two light guides 30 respectively emit a portion of the light into the vehicle interior from the emission portions on the side opposite to the incident portions 40 into which the light of the light source is incident, thereby playing the role of a spotlighting lighting portion. The main body 32 has a dot-shaped lens cutout portion. A portion of the light of the two light sources is guided from the two light guides 30 to the main body 32, and the light is irradiated to the dot-shaped lens cutout portion, thereby playing the role of a decorative lighting portion (ambient light, mood light, etc.).

[0044] Below Figure 1C The right side portion of the lens 16 (the right side light guide portion 30 and the main body portion 32 connected thereto) is described, but the left side portion of the lens also has the same structure as its right side portion.

[0045] Figure 2A The upper part of the figure shows the holding member 20, and the lower part of the figure shows a portion of the lens 16 ( Figure 1C The right part of the middle lens 16). Figure 2A As shown, the holding member 20 includes a guide portion 26 on which the lens 16 is disposed. The portion of the holding member 20 where the light guide portion 30 of the lens 16 is disposed is a recess 27. The light guide portion 30 is disposed in the recess 27. On the deep side of the recess 27, a light source is disposed.

[0046] like Figure 2A As shown, the light guide portion 30 includes a side surface 50 facing the outside of the lens, and a side surface 55 opposite to the side surface 50. Figure 3A As shown, the side surface 50 plays the role of reflecting the light of the light source 14 to the reflecting surface 61 of the main body 32. A part of the light of the light source 14 is guided to the reflecting surface 61 of the main body 32, and then reflected, and the light is irradiated onto the lens cutout portion 92 of the main body 32. The side surface 50 of the light guide portion 30 is referred to as the reflecting side surface 50. It should be noted that the other side surface of the light guide portion 30 also has the function of reflecting the light of the light source 14.

[0047] Here, if Figure 2A As shown, the side surface 55 (b portion) of the light guide 30 is arranged on the right deep side of the recess 27 of the holding member 20. In addition, the reflective side surface 50 (a portion) of the light guide 30 is arranged on the left front side of the recess 27 of the holding member 20.

[0048] When the R (radius) of the corner between the adjacent side surfaces of the light guide portion 30 is small, light will be concentrated at the corner, and when the user looks at the corner, the user will feel glare. Figure 2A As shown in the lower part of FIG. 2 , since the R of the corner between the side surface 55 of the light guide portion 30 and the side surface adjacent thereto is small, light is concentrated at the corner. However, the side surface 55 (b portion) of the light guide portion 30 is a portion disposed on the right deep side of the recess 27, as shown in FIG. Figure 2B As shown in the schematic diagram of , part b is located at a position that is invisible to the user, so the user does not feel glare due to part b.

[0049] On the other hand, the corner (portion a) between the reflective side surface 50 of the light guide portion 30 and the side surface adjacent thereto is a portion disposed on the left-hand front side of the recess 27, as shown in FIG. Figure 2B As shown in the schematic diagram, part a is located at a position that can be visually confirmed by the user. It should be noted that the corner can be visually confirmed because the lens 16 is transparent. In this embodiment, the corners 70 and 71 between the reflective side 50 and the adjacent side (see Figure 4A ) is a rounded shape, thereby reducing the concentration of light on the corners 70 and 71, thereby suppressing the user's sense of glare.

[0050] Fig. 8A , Figure 8B 2 is a diagram showing a light guide unit 230 of the prior art. It should be noted that Figure 8BFIG. 2 shows a portion of the lens that passes through the light guide portion 230. Fig. 8A As shown in FIG. 2 , in the light guide portion 230 , the R (radius) of the corners 270 and 271 between the reflective side surface 250 and the adjacent side surfaces 251 and 252 is small, so that light is concentrated on these corners 270 and 271. The corners 270 and 271 of the light guide portion 230 are arranged at Figure 2A The left-hand front side of the recess 27 of the holding member 20 ( Figure 2B Therefore, these corners 270 and 271 can be visually recognized by the user. As a result, there is a problem that the user feels glare when looking at the corners 270 and 271. In this embodiment, in order to suppress this problem, the corners 70 and 71 (see Figure 4A ) adopts a rounded shape to suppress light concentration at corners 70 and 71, thereby suppressing glare felt by the user.

[0051] Next, the lens 16 of this embodiment will be described. Figure 3A It is a diagram schematically showing how light travels in the lens 16 . Figure 3B 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the lens 16. Figure 3B In FIG. 6 , the reflective surface 61 of the main body 32 has hatching. Figure 3A As shown in FIG. 1 , the LED as the light source 14 is arranged on the substrate 28. The light guide 30 is arranged at a position opposite to the light source 14 and faces the vehicle interior side ( Figure 3A The main body 32 is connected to the end of the light guide 30 on the vehicle compartment side and extends in a direction intersecting the light guide 30. A plurality of lens cutouts 92 are provided on the back side of the main body 32.

[0052] The light from the light source 14 is reflected by the reflective side surface 50 of the light guide portion 30 and directed toward the vehicle interior, and a portion of the light is reflected by the reflective surface 61 of the main body portion 32 and guided in the direction in which the main body portion 32 extends. Then, the light irradiates the plurality of lens cutout portions 92. Thus, the main body portion 32 functions as a decorative lighting portion. The light guide portion 30 emits a portion of the light into the vehicle interior from the emission portion 42 on the side opposite to the incident portion 40 into which the light from the light source 14 is incident, thereby functioning as a spotlight lighting portion.

[0053] Figure 4A This is a diagram of the light guide unit 30 as viewed from the light source side. In this diagram, the reflective side surface 50 (reflective surface 60 ) is hatched. Figure 4B 30 is a perspective view of the light guide unit 30 viewed from the side. The light guide unit 30 has an extension portion 43 on the side of the reflective side 50. Figure 4A As shown, the reflective side 50 has a shape that is wider than the side 55 opposite thereto. Figure 4BAs shown, the cross section S of the connection portion between the light guide portion 30 and the main body portion 32 (a cross section along a direction intersecting with the direction in which the light guide portion 30 extends) has an L shape. It should be noted that, Figure 4B A portion of the lens 16 that passes through the light guide portion 30 is shown.

[0054] Thus, by widening the width of the reflective side surface 50, the corners 70, 71 between the reflective side surface 50 and the adjacent side surfaces 51, 52 are formed into a rounded shape, while the area of ​​the reflective side surface 50 is sufficiently ensured. Figure 3A ) is guided to the reflecting surface 61 of the main body 32, so that the main body 32 can function as a decorative lighting unit. That is, a large amount of light can be guided to the lens cutout portion 92.

[0055] Figure 7 1 is a diagram showing a light guide 130 of a comparative technique. In the light guide 130, since the R (radius) of the corners 170 and 171 between the reflective side surface 150 and the adjacent side surfaces 151 and 152 is increased, it is possible to suppress the concentration of light on these corners 170 and 171, thereby suppressing the user from feeling glare. However, the light guide 130 does not have Figure 4A In such an extension portion 43, the width of the reflecting side surface 150 does not increase. In this case, the R (radius) of the corners 170 and 171 is large, so the light reflecting surface 160 ( Figure 7 Therefore, the reflective surface 160 has a reflective surface 61 ( Figure 3A ) problem. On the other hand, in this embodiment (refer to Figure 4A ) in which the width of the reflecting side surface 50 is widened, thereby suppressing problems associated with the comparative technique.

[0056] It should be noted that even in Figure 7 In that case, if the width of the reflective side surface 150 is not widened, the R (radius) of the corners 170 and 171 can be slightly reduced to ensure the area of ​​the reflective surface 160, there will be no problem. Figure 7 Such comparison techniques are not excluded from the present disclosure.

[0057] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, it is also conceivable to set the entire light guide portion 30 to a wide shape (thickening the light guide portion 30), that is, to make the side surface 55 (see Figure 4A ) is also made wide. However, in this case, the size of the light guide 30 becomes larger, and there is a possibility that a dent will be formed on the lower surface (design surface) of the main body 32 on the lower side of the light guide 30. Figure 4A , Figure 4BAs shown, only one side of the reflective side surface 50 may be made wide.

[0058] The present embodiment will be described below. The light guide portion 30 of the present embodiment is as follows. Figure 4A As shown, regarding the roundness of the corners 70 and 71, the diameter of the corners 70 and 71 near the exit portion 42 is larger than the diameter of the corners 70 and 71 near the incident portion 40. That is, the R (radius) of the corners 70 and 71 near the incident portion 40 becomes smaller, and the R (radius) of the corners 70 and 71 near the exit portion 42 becomes larger. As a result, the size and weight of the light guide portion 30 can be reduced while suppressing the concentration of light on the corners 70 and 71.

[0059] Fig. 5(A), Fig. 5(B), and Fig. 5(C) are perspective views of the light guide portion 30 as viewed from multiple directions. From these drawings, the detailed shape of the extension portion 43 of the light guide portion 30 can be understood.

[0060] According to the lighting device 12 of the present embodiment, Figure 4A As shown, since the corners 70 and 71 of the light guide 30 have rounded shapes, it is possible to reduce the concentration of light on the corners 70 and 71. Thus, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling glare when viewing the corners 70 and 71.

[0061] Here, the concentration of light within the lens will be described. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B 1 is a diagram showing a cross section of lenses 100 and 101. It should be noted that these lenses 100 and 101 have no direct relationship with the lens 16 of this embodiment. Fig. 6A As shown in part c of the figure, the corners of the lens composed of surfaces with an internal angle less than 180° have a reflective surface close to them, so the light is concentrated and looks dazzling. Figure 6B As shown in part d, the corner of the lens composed of two surfaces with an internal angle of 180° or more will not have light concentrated, and will not be dazzling.

[0062] By Fig. 6A Change the c part to Figure 6B The rounded shape of the e portion can suppress the concentration of light, thereby reducing glare. Based on this principle, the light guide 30 of this embodiment increases the R (radius) of the corners 70 and 71 to reduce the concentration of light on the corners 70 and 71.

[0063] It should be noted that even when the R (radius) of the corners of the light guide portion 30 is reduced, glare can be reduced by providing a texture at the corners. However, considering the man-hours used to provide the texture and the reduction in the appearance design caused by providing the texture, it can be said that the measure of increasing the R (radius) of the corners 70 and 71 as in the present embodiment is effective. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, providing the texture together is not excluded. In the present embodiment, the R (radius) of the corners 70 and 71 is increased to reduce glare, so even when providing the texture, the density of the texture can be reduced, thereby improving the appearance design.

[0064] It should be noted that in the above embodiment, the light source 14 is an LED. However, the light source 14 may also be an incandescent bulb or the like. In addition, the above lighting device 12 is a combination of spotlighting and decorative lighting. However, the lighting device 12 may also be a combination of lighting such as dome lighting, dressing table lighting, trunk lighting, etc. and decorative lighting.

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting device, comprising: light source; as well as, lens, The lens includes: a light guide portion, which is arranged at a position opposite to the light source and extends toward the vehicle compartment; and a main body portion, which is connected to the end of the light guide portion on the vehicle compartment side and extends in a direction intersecting with the light guide portion. The lens is arranged so that the light from the light source is reflected by the side of the light guide portion and directed toward the vehicle interior, and part of the light is reflected by the reflection surface of the main body portion and guided in the direction in which the main body portion extends, so that at least part of the main body portion functions as a decorative lighting portion. In the light guide portion, a corner between the side surface serving as the light reflecting surface and another side surface adjacent to the side surface has a rounded shape.

2. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein: In the light guide portion, the side surface as the light reflecting surface has a shape having a width wider than that of a side surface opposite thereto.

3. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 2, wherein: A cross section of a connection portion between the light guide portion and the main body portion has an L shape.

4. The vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The light guide portion includes an incident portion into which light from the light source is incident, and a light emitting portion located on a side opposite to the incident portion; Regarding the roundness of the corners of the light guide portion, a diameter dimension of the corners at a location close to the emission portion is larger than a diameter dimension of the corners at a location close to the incidence portion.

5. The vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The light guide portion emits a part of the light from the emission portion on the opposite side to the incident portion where the light of the light source is incident into the vehicle interior, thereby functioning as a condensing lighting portion.

6. The vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The corner portion of the light guide portion is located at a position visually recognized by an occupant in the vehicle cabin.

Images