Light-emitting vehicle logo

Abstract

The light-emitting vehicle logo can reduce the number of light sources. A light-emitting vehicle logo (10) is provided with: a light source (14); a light guide (16) that guides light emitted from the light source (14); and an outer lens (18) that emits light by transmitting the light emitted from the light guide (16). The light guide (16) is provided with: a first reflection surface (S1) that reflects light from the light source (14) that passes through the inner peripheral part of the light guide (16) and passes through the inner peripheral part (18B) of the outer lens (18); and a second reflection surface (S2) that is provided at a different position from the first reflection surface (S1) and reflects light from the light source that passes through the outer peripheral part of the light guide (16) and passes through the outer peripheral part (18A) of the outer lens (18). In addition, the first reflecting surface S1 and the second reflecting surface S2 are provided on the tapered surface (16E).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a light-emitting vehicle logo. Background Art

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a badge provided at the front part of a vehicle. The badge described in this document is configured to include: a visible part having a logo, a plurality of first LED light sources configured to emit light toward the visible part, an optical waveguide extending between the visible part and the first LED light sources, and a plurality of second LED light sources configured to emit light toward the visible part. Here, the first LED light sources irradiate a first area of the visible part, and the second LED light sources irradiate a second area of the visible part. In addition, the first LED light sources are configured to be arranged under the logo and, when irradiated, emit light by means of the logo. In this way, through the illumination generated by using a plurality of light sources, a unique and attractive audio-visual experience can be provided.

[0003] However, from the viewpoints of thinning of the vehicle logo and effective use of the space inside the vehicle logo, etc., it is desired to reduce the number of light sources such as LEDs, but the structure described in the following Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in this regard.

[0004] Patent Document 1: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0043709 Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to obtain a light-emitting vehicle logo capable of reducing the number of light sources.

[0006] The light-emitting vehicle logo according to the first aspect includes: a light source; an optical waveguide that guides the light emitted from the light source; and an outer lens that emits light by allowing the light irradiated from the optical waveguide to pass therethrough. A first reflection surface for reflecting the light from the light source that passes through the inner peripheral portion of the optical waveguide and passes through the inner peripheral portion of the outer lens is provided on the optical waveguide, and a second reflection surface that is provided at a position different from the first reflection surface and reflects the light from the light source that passes through the outer peripheral portion of the optical waveguide and passes through the outer peripheral portion of the outer lens is provided. A tapered surface that narrows as it approaches the light source side is provided on the optical waveguide, a part of the tapered surface forms the first reflection surface, and another part of the tapered surface forms the second reflection surface.

[0007] For the light-emitting vehicle logo according to the second aspect, on the basis of the light-emitting vehicle logo of the first aspect, a mask is provided between the outer lens and the optical waveguide. The mask prevents the light at a second range different from the first range from passing through the outer lens, and a concavo-convex shaped portion for reflecting the light reflected by the first reflection surface toward the outer lens side is provided at a portion of the optical waveguide facing the first range.

[0008] For the light-emitting vehicle logo related to the third mode, based on the light-emitting vehicle logo of the first mode or the second mode, the above light guide guides the light from the single above light source.

[0009] For the light-emitting vehicle logo related to the fourth mode, based on the light-emitting vehicle logo of the third mode, when viewed from the side of the above outer lens, the above light source is arranged at a position corresponding to the centroid of the above outer lens.

[0010] For the light-emitting vehicle logo related to the fifth mode, based on the light-emitting vehicle logo of the fourth mode, a mask is provided between the above outer lens and the above light guide, and the mask prevents the light in a second range different from the first range from the above outer lens from passing through. When viewed from the side of the above outer lens, the above light source is arranged at a position corresponding to the above second range.

[0011] In the light-emitting vehicle logo related to the first mode, the light irradiated from the light source is guided by the light guide. In addition, a part of the light of the light source after being guided by the light guide is reflected by the first reflecting surface, passes through the inner peripheral part of the light guide and passes through the inner peripheral part of the outer lens. And, another part of the light of the light source after being guided by the light guide is reflected by the second reflecting surface and passes through the outer peripheral part of the light guide and passes through the outer peripheral part of the outer lens. In this structure, it is not necessary to separately provide a light source for obtaining the light for making the inner peripheral part of the outer lens emit light and a light source for obtaining the light for making the outer peripheral part of the outer lens emit light. As a result, the number of light sources can be reduced. In addition, in the light-emitting vehicle logo related to the first mode, the light irradiated from the light source is guided by the light guide. In addition, a part of the light of the light source after being guided by the light guide is reflected by the first reflecting surface of the conical surface of the light guide, passes through the inner peripheral part of the light guide and passes through the inner peripheral part of the outer lens. And, another part of the light of the light source after being guided by the light guide is reflected by the second reflecting surface of the conical surface of the light guide, passes through the outer peripheral part of the light guide and passes through the outer peripheral part of the outer lens. In this structure, it is not necessary to separately provide a light source for obtaining the light for making the inner peripheral part of the outer lens emit light and a light source for obtaining the light for making the outer peripheral part of the outer lens emit light. As a result, the number of light sources can be reduced.

[0012] In the light-emitting vehicle logo related to the second mode, a mask is provided between the outer lens and the light guide, and the mask prevents the light in a second range different from the first range from the outer lens from passing through. Moreover, a concavo-convex shaped part for reflecting the light reflected by the first reflecting surface toward the outer lens side is provided at a part of the light guide facing the first range. In this structure, compared with the structure in which no concavo-convex shaped part is formed at the part of the light guide facing the first range, uneven brightness of the light in the first range passing through the outer lens can be suppressed.

[0013] In the light-emitting vehicle logo related to the third mode, both the inner peripheral part and the outer peripheral part of the outer lens can be made to emit light by a single light source.

[0014] In the light-emitting vehicle logo according to the fourth mode, when viewed from the outer lens side, the light source is disposed at a position corresponding to the centroid of the outer lens. In this structure, compared with the structure in which the light source is disposed at a position different from the above position, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of brightness unevenness of light passing through a position far from the light source in the outer lens.

[0015] In the light-emitting vehicle logo according to the fifth mode, a mask is provided between the outer lens and the light guide, and the mask prevents light in a second range different from the first range from passing through from the outer lens. Further, when viewed from the outer lens side, the light source is disposed at a position corresponding to the second range. In this structure, it is possible to suppress the direct visual recognition of the light from the light source from the outer lens side. That is, it is possible to suppress the portion corresponding to the light source from appearing to emit light strongly when viewed from the outer lens side. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a front view showing the light-emitting vehicle logo of the present embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the light-emitting vehicle logo taken along the line 2-2 shown in Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the light-emitting vehicle logo taken along the line 2-2 shown in FIG.

[0018] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a tapered concave portion formed in the light guide main body.

[0019] REFERENCE MARK DESCRIPTION

[0020] 10... Light-emitting vehicle logo; 14... Light source; 16... Light guide; 16C... Concavo-convex shaped portion; 16E... Conical surface; 18... Outer lens; S1... First reflecting surface; S2... Second reflecting surface; 20... Mask. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Figure 1 The light-emitting vehicle logo 10 of the present embodiment is shown. As shown in this figure, in the light-emitting vehicle logo 10 of the present embodiment, the light passing through the outer peripheral portion 18A of the outer lens 18 described below emits light in an elliptical ring shape, and the light passing through the inner peripheral portion 18B of the outer lens 18 emits light in the shape of the characters "TR". In addition, the arrows FR and UP shown in the figure indicate the front side and the upper side of the light-emitting vehicle logo 10, respectively. Further, the arrows RH and LH shown in the figure indicate the right side and the left side of the light-emitting vehicle logo 10, respectively. Hereinafter, when only the front-back, up-down, and left-right directions are used for description, unless otherwise particularly limited, they indicate the front-back in the front-back direction of the light-emitting vehicle logo 10, the up-down in the up-down direction of the light-emitting vehicle logo 10, and the left-right in the left-right direction of the light-emitting vehicle logo 10.

[0022] AsFigure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in Figure 2 , the light-emitting vehicle logo 10 is configured to include a housing 12, a single light source 14 and a light guide 16 disposed within the housing 12, an outer lens 18 mounted on the housing 12, and a mask 20 formed on the outer lens 18.

[0023] As an example, the housing 12 is formed of a resin material into a box shape that is open at the front side. The housing 12 includes: a bottom wall portion 12A having a front-rear direction as a thickness direction and extending in the vertical direction and the left-right direction; and side wall portions 12B extending forward from the outer peripheral ends of the bottom wall portion 12A.

[0024] As an example, the light source 14 is an LED or the like that emits light when energized, and is mounted on a substrate 22. The light source 14 is supported by the housing 12 by fixing the substrate 22 to the housing 12.

[0025] As an example, the light guide 16 is formed of a transparent resin material and guides the light emitted from the light source 14. The light guide 16 includes a light guide main body portion 16A formed in a plate shape having a front-rear direction as a thickness direction. The shape of the outer edge obtained by observing the light guide main body portion 16A from the front side is formed into an elliptical shape. In addition, the outer peripheral surface of the light guide main body portion 16A becomes an inclined surface 16B that inclines toward the side opposite to the center (centroid when observed from the front side) of the light guide main body portion 16A as it approaches the front side. In addition, a concavo-convex shape portion 16C that functions as a reflection step for reflecting the light from the light source 14 forward is formed in a specified range on the rear-side surface of the light guide main body portion 16A. The concavo-convex shape portion 16C is formed by slits, recesses, protrusions, concave portions, etc. arranged at intervals in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. Here, in the present embodiment, when observing the light guide 16 from the front side, the concavo-convex shape portion 16C is formed to depict the characters "TR". In addition, a conical concave portion 16D that is open at the front side is formed at the center (centroid when observed from the front side and on the extension of the light source 14) of the light guide main body portion 16A. The inner peripheral surface of the conical concave portion 16D becomes a conical surface 16E that narrows in a funnel shape as it goes from the front side to the rear side. Here, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the rear-side portion of the conical surface 16E becomes a first reflection surface S1. The angle formed by the first reflection surface S1 with the front-rear direction is θ1°. In addition, the front-side portion of the conical surface 16E becomes a second reflection surface S2. The angle formed by the second reflection surface S2 with the front-rear direction becomes θ2° which is larger than θ1°. In addition, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the rear-side portion of the conical surface 16E becomes a first reflection surface S1. The angle formed by the first reflection surface S1 with the front-rear direction is θ1°. In addition, the front-side portion of the conical surface 16E becomes a second reflection surface S2. The angle formed by the second reflection surface S2 with the front-rear direction becomes θ2° which is larger than θ1°. Also, Figure 3In this case, the difference between the angle θ1° formed by the first reflecting surface S1 and the front-rear direction and the angle θ2° formed by the second reflecting surface S2 and the front-rear direction is exaggeratedly depicted. In addition, the area of the first reflecting surface S1 and the area of the second reflecting surface S2 are different areas. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the area of the first reflecting surface S1 is larger than the area of the second reflecting surface S2.

[0026] As Figure 2 shown, the light guide 16 includes a central protrusion 16F that protrudes rearward from the center (the centroid when viewed from the front side) of the light guide main body 16A. In addition, a light source arrangement recess 16G that is recessed forward is formed on the end side in the protruding direction of the central protrusion 16F. Moreover, the light source 14 is arranged in the light source arrangement recess 16G.

[0027] The light guide 16 described above is supported by the housing 12 at a position closer to the front side than the light source 14.

[0028] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, as an example, the outer lens 18 is formed of a transparent resin material and emits light in a specified range by transmitting the light irradiated from the light guide 16. The outer lens 18 is formed in a plate shape with the front-rear direction as the thickness direction, and is formed in a shape that gently curves forward as it approaches the center (the centroid when viewed from the front side) of the outer lens 18. In addition, the shape of the outer edge obtained by viewing the outer lens 18 from the front side is formed in an elliptical shape corresponding to the light guide main body 16A. The outer peripheral end portion of the outer lens 18 is fixed to the front-end portion of the side wall portion 12B of the housing 12. Thereby, the open end side of the housing 12 is closed by the outer lens 18. Here, when the outer lens 18 is viewed from the front side, the light source 14 is arranged at a position corresponding to the centroid of the outer lens 18.

[0029] The mask 20 is a light-shielding layer that is disposed between the outer lens 18 and the light guide 16 to prevent light from a range different from a specified range in the outer lens 18 from passing through. In the present embodiment, the mask 20 is formed along the rear surface of the outer lens 18. Further, in the present embodiment, the mask 20 is provided in a range different from the light-emitting portion in the outer lens 18 (the portion that emits light in the form of the characters "TR" in the outer peripheral portion 18A and the inner peripheral portion 18B of the outer lens 18). In addition, the characters "TR" formed by the mask 20 overlap with the characters "TR" formed by the concavo-convex portion 16C in the front-rear direction. Further, the area of the characters "TR" formed by the concavo-convex portion 16C when viewed from the front side is larger than the area of the characters "TR" formed by the mask 20 when viewed from the front side. That is, the size of the characters "TR" formed by the concavo-convex portion 16C is larger than the size of the characters "TR" formed by the mask 20. Further, when the outer lens 18 is viewed from the front side, the light source 14 is disposed at a position shielded by the mask 20.

[0030] (Functions and effects of the present embodiment)

[0031] Next, the functions and effects of the present embodiment will be described.

[0032] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, in the light-emitting vehicle logo 10 of the present embodiment described above, the light emitted from the light source 14 is guided by the central protrusion 16F of the light guide 16 to the light guide main body 16A.

[0033] A part of the light of the light source 14 guided to the light guide main body 16A is reflected by the first reflection surface S1 of the conical surface 16E of the conical concave portion 16D and reaches the concavo-convex portion 16C provided on the inner peripheral portion of the light guide main body 16A. Further, most of the light reaching the concavo-convex portion 16C is reflected forward and passes through the portion of the inner peripheral portion 18B of the outer lens 18 where the mask 20 is not formed. Thus, the inner peripheral portion 18B of the outer lens 18 emits light in the form of the characters "TR".

[0034] In addition, another part of the light of the light source 14 guided to the light guide main body 16A is reflected by the second reflection surface S2 of the conical surface 16E of the conical concave portion 16D and reaches the inclined surface 16B of the outer peripheral portion of the light guide main body 16A. Further, most of the light reaching the inclined surface 16B is reflected forward and passes through the portion of the outer peripheral portion 18A of the outer lens 18 where the mask 20 is not formed. Thus, the outer peripheral portion 18A of the outer lens 18 emits light in the form of an elliptical annular shape.

[0035] Thus, in the illuminated vehicle logo 10 of the present embodiment, it is not necessary to separately provide a light source 14 for obtaining light emitted from the inner peripheral portion 18B of the outer lens 18 and a light source for obtaining light emitted from the outer peripheral portion 18A of the outer lens 18. As a result, the number of light sources 14 can be reduced. In particular, in the present embodiment, the inner peripheral portion 18B and the outer peripheral portion 18A of the outer lens 18 can be caused to emit light by a single light source 14. In addition, there is a correlation between the areas of the first reflecting surface S1 and the second reflecting surface S2 and the areas of the portions that emit light at the inner peripheral portion 18B and the outer peripheral portion 18A of the outer lens 18.

[0036] In addition, in the present embodiment, by adopting the light guide 16 having the above structure, light from the light source 14 can reach a predetermined range of the outer lens 18. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a member such as a diffusing lens for diffusing the light from the light source 14 between the outer lens 18 and the light guide 16. As a result, the thickness in the front-rear direction of the illuminated vehicle logo 10 can be reduced.

[0037] In addition, in the present embodiment, a concavo-convex shaped portion 16C that reflects the light reflected by the first reflecting surface S1 toward the outer lens 18 side is formed on the light guide main body portion 16A. In this structure, compared with a structure in which the concavo-convex shaped portion 16C is not formed on the light guide main body portion 16A, it is possible to suppress uneven brightness in the portion that emits light in the form of the characters "TR" on the outer lens 18.

[0038] In addition, in the present embodiment, when viewed from the outer lens 18 side, the light source 14 is disposed at a position corresponding to the centroid of the outer lens 18. In this structure, compared with a structure in which the light source 14 is provided at a position different from the above position, it is possible to suppress uneven brightness in the light transmitted through a position on the outer lens 18 that is far from the light source 14.

[0039] And, in the present embodiment, when viewed from the outer lens 18 side, the light source 14 is disposed at a position shielded by the mask 20. In this structure, it is possible to suppress direct visual recognition of the light from the light source 14 from the outer lens 18 side. That is, it is possible to suppress the portion corresponding to the light source 14 from appearing to emit light strongly when viewed from the outer lens 18 side.

[0040] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which the light source 14 is disposed at a position shielded by the mask 20 when viewed from the outer lens 18 side has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when it is desired to cause a local portion of the outer lens 18 to emit light strongly, the following structure may be adopted: when viewed from the outer lens 18 side, the light source 14 is disposed at a position not shielded by the mask 20.

[0041] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which the light source 14 is disposed at a position corresponding to the centroid of the outer lens 18 when viewed from the outer lens 18 side has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when it is desired to provide gradation to the light irradiated from the outer lens 18, the following structure may be employed: when viewed from the outer lens 18 side, the light source 14 is disposed at a position different from the position corresponding to the centroid of the outer lens 18.

[0042] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which the concavo-convex shaped portion 16C that reflects the light reflected by the first reflecting surface S1 toward the outer lens 18 side is formed in the light guide main body portion 16A has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Whether or not to form the concavo-convex shaped portion 16C in the light guide main body portion 16A may be appropriately set in consideration of allowable brightness unevenness.

[0043] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which both the inner peripheral portion 18B and the outer peripheral portion 18A of the outer lens 18 are caused to emit light by a single light source 14 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a structure in which a plurality of light sources 14 are concentratedly arranged or the like can also be adopted.

[0044] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which the first reflecting surface S1 and the second reflecting surface S2 having the above-described structure are provided has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The area and angle of the first reflecting surface S1 and the area and angle of the second reflecting surface S2 may be appropriately set in consideration of the appearance design formed by the light irradiated from the outer lens 18 and the like. In addition, depending on the appearance design formed by the light irradiated from the outer lens 18 and the like, a structure having three or more first reflecting surfaces S1 and second reflecting surfaces S2 can also be adopted.

[0045] As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and it is self-evident that various modifications can be made within the scope not departing from the gist thereof.

Claims

1. A luminous vehicle logo, characterized in that, Comprising: A light source; An optical waveguide that guides the light emitted from the light source; and An outer lens that emits light by allowing the light emitted from the optical waveguide to pass therethrough, A first reflecting surface for reflecting the light from the light source that passes through the inner peripheral portion of the optical waveguide and then through the inner peripheral portion of the outer lens, and a second reflecting surface that is provided at a position different from the first reflecting surface and reflects the light from the light source that passes through the outer peripheral portion of the optical waveguide and then through the outer peripheral portion of the outer lens are provided on the optical waveguide, A tapered surface that narrows as it approaches the light source side is provided on the optical waveguide, A part of the tapered surface forms the first reflecting surface, and another part of the tapered surface forms the second reflecting surface.

2. The light-emitting vehicle logo according to claim 1, wherein A mask is provided between the outer lens and the optical waveguide, and the mask prevents the light from the outer lens at a second range different from the first range from passing through, A concavo-convex shaped portion for reflecting the light reflected by the first reflecting surface toward the outer lens side is provided at a portion of the optical waveguide facing the first range.

3. The light-emitting vehicle logo according to claim 1, wherein The optical waveguide guides the light from a single light source.

4. The light-emitting vehicle logo according to claim 3, wherein When viewed from the outer lens side, the light source is disposed at a position corresponding to the centroid of the outer lens.

5. The light-emitting vehicle logo according to claim 4, wherein A mask is provided between the outer lens and the optical waveguide, and the mask prevents the light from the outer lens at a second range different from the first range from passing through, When viewed from the outer lens side, the light source is disposed at a position corresponding to the second range.

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