Vehicle logo

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle logo that suppresses the occurrence of uneven illumination at the outer periphery of an outer lens in a light-emitting state. A light-emitting vehicle logo (10) is provided with: a light source (14A); a light guide (16) that guides light emitted from the light source (14A); 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 plurality of reflecting surfaces (16C) that reflect the guided light from the light source (14A) toward each portion of the outer peripheral portion (18A) of the outer lens (18).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to vehicle logos. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a car emblem comprising: a lower cover fixed to the vehicle body, an upper cover stacked on the upper surface of the lower cover, a car emblem body stacked on the upper surface of the upper cover, and a light source disposed between the lower cover and the upper cover. In the car emblem described in this document, the light source illuminates both the inner and outer periphery of the car emblem.

[0003] However, it can be argued that if the outer periphery of the car logo is illuminated by a limited number of light sources, uneven illumination will occur at the outer periphery of the car logo (outer lens) in the illuminated state. In the structure described in Patent Document 1 below, there is room for improvement in this regard.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-126339 Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned situation, the present invention aims to obtain a car logo that can suppress uneven illumination at the outer periphery of the outer lens when it is emitting light.

[0006] The first type of car logo includes: a light source; a light guide that guides light emitted from the light source; and an outer lens that emits light by allowing light emitted from the light guide to pass through. The light guide has a plurality of reflective surfaces that reflect the guided light from the light source toward a portion of the outer periphery of the outer lens.

[0007] For the second type of car logo, based on the first type of car logo, a step with a height difference is formed between two adjacent reflective surfaces in the light guide in the direction of the light from the light source.

[0008] For the third type of car logo, based on the first or second type of car logo, when the external lens is viewed from the front, the maximum size of the external lens in the left-right direction and the maximum size in the up-down direction are set to be different sizes.

[0009] For the fourth type of car logo, based on the car logo of any of the first to third types, when the light guide is viewed from the front, the light source is set at a position different from the centroid of the light guide.

[0010] For the fifth type of car logo, based on the car logo of any of the first to fourth types, when the light guide is viewed from the front, each of the above-mentioned reflective surfaces is orthogonal to the direction in which the light from the above-mentioned light source is directed.

[0011] In the first type of car emblem, light emitted from a light source is guided by a light guide. Furthermore, the light from the light source, guided by the light guide, is reflected by multiple reflective surfaces of the light guide towards different portions of the outer periphery of the outer lens. Moreover, the light reflected by the multiple reflective surfaces of the light guide passes through different portions of the outer periphery of the outer lens, thereby causing the outer periphery of the outer lens to emit light. In this way, by reflecting the light from the light source, guided by the light guide, towards different portions of the outer periphery of the outer lens by the multiple reflective surfaces of the light guide, uneven illumination at the outer periphery of the outer lens during illumination can be suppressed.

[0012] In the second type of car logo, light reflection at the step area can be avoided.

[0013] In the third type of car logo, even if the maximum size of the outer lens in the left-right direction and the maximum size in the up-down direction are set to be different, it is possible to suppress uneven illumination at the outer periphery of the outer lens when it is illuminated.

[0014] In the fourth type of car logo, even if the light source is located at a position different from the centroid of the light guide, it is possible to suppress uneven illumination at the outer periphery of the outer lens when it is emitting light.

[0015] In the fifth type of car emblem, the light reflected by each reflective surface travels parallel to the outer lens side. This further suppresses uneven illumination at the outer periphery of the outer lens when it is emitting light. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a front view showing the luminous car logo of this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 It means along Figure 1 The sectional view of the illuminated car logo obtained by cutting along line 2-2 is shown.

[0018] Figure 3 This is the front view of the light guide as seen from the front.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a stereoscopic view of the light guide as seen from the rear.

[0020] Figure 5 It is an enlarged 3D view showing the outer periphery of the light guide.

[0021] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram representing light traveling within a light guide.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0023] 10... Illuminated car emblem (car logo); 14A... Light source; 16... Light guide; 16C... Reflective surface; 16H... Step; 18... Outer lens; 18A... Outer periphery of the outer lens. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Figure 1 The luminous emblem 10, which is the emblem of this embodiment, is shown. As shown in the figure, in the luminous emblem 10 of this embodiment, light transmitted through the outer periphery 18A of the outer lens 18 (described below) illuminates in a manner that depicts an elliptical ring shape, and light transmitted through the inner periphery 18B of the outer lens 18 illuminates in a manner that depicts the letter "TR". Furthermore, arrows FR and UP in the figure represent the front and upper sides of the luminous emblem 10, respectively. Additionally, arrows RH and LH in the figure represent the right and left sides of the luminous emblem 10, respectively. Hereinafter, only the front-back, up-down, and left-right directions will be used in the description; unless otherwise specified, the front-back direction of the luminous emblem 10, the up-down direction of the luminous emblem 10, and the left-right direction of the luminous emblem 10 will be indicated as front-back, up-down, and left-right.

[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the luminous car logo 10 is configured to include a housing 12, a plurality of light sources 14A, 14B, and 14C disposed within the housing 12, 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.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, as an example, the housing 12 is formed of resin material into a box shape with the front open. The housing 12 includes: a bottom wall portion 12A extending in the front-rear direction as the thickness direction and in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a side wall portion 12B extending from the outer peripheral end of the bottom wall portion 12A toward the front.

[0027] As an example, light sources 14A, 14B, and 14C are LEDs or similar devices that emit light when energized, and are mounted on substrate 24. These light sources 14A, 14B, and 14C are supported by housing 12 because substrate 24 is fixed to housing 12. Furthermore, when viewed from the outer lens 18 side, each light source 14A, 14B, and 14C is positioned on the inner periphery 18B side of the outer lens 18. Light source 14A is primarily used to emit light from the outer periphery 18A of the outer lens 18. Similarly, light sources 14B and 14C are primarily used to emit light from the inner periphery 18B of the outer lens 18.

[0028] As an example, the light guide 16 is formed of a transparent resin material and guides light emitted from the light source 14A. This light guide 16 has a plate-shaped main body 16A formed with its thickness along the rear-rear direction. The outer edge of the main body 16A, as seen from the front, is elliptical with its long side along the left-right direction. Thus, as... Figure 3 As shown, when viewed from the front, the maximum dimension D1 of the light guide 16 in the left-right direction is larger than the maximum dimension D2 of the light guide 16 in the up-down direction. Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral portion 16B of the light guide body 16A has a structure having multiple reflective surfaces 16C, as described below. Additionally, as... Figure 2 As shown, a tapered recess 16D with an open front side is formed on the inner periphery of the light guide body 16A. The inner peripheral surface of this tapered recess 16D becomes a funnel-shaped tapered surface 16E that narrows from the front side to the rear side. Furthermore, the light guide 16 has a central protrusion 16F that protrudes rearward from the portion in the light guide body 16A where the tapered recess 16D is formed. Additionally, a light source placement recess 16G that is recessed towards the front side is formed at the central protrusion 16F. Moreover, the light source 14A is disposed within the light source placement recess 16G. Here, as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in the light guide 16 of this embodiment, when viewed from the front, the tapered recess 16D and the central protrusion 16F are positioned at a location different from the centroid of the light guide 16. More specifically, in the light guide 16 of this embodiment, when viewed from the front, the tapered recess 16D and the central protrusion 16F are positioned offset to the right relative to the centroid of the light guide 16. Therefore, when viewed from the front, the light source 14A is positioned offset to the right relative to the centroid of the light guide 16.

[0029] The light guide 16 described above is supported on the housing 12 at a position forward of the light sources 14A, 14B, and 14C.

[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, as an example, the outer lens 18 is formed of a transparent resin material, allowing light from the aforementioned light guide 16 to pass through, thus emitting light within a defined range. The outer lens 18 is formed as a plate with its thickness along the rear-to-rear direction. Furthermore, the outer edge of the outer lens 18, as seen from the front, is elliptical, corresponding to the shape of the light guide body 16A. Therefore, when viewed from the front, the maximum dimension D3 of the outer lens 18 (arrow A) in the left-right direction is larger than the maximum dimension D4 in the up-down direction. The end portion of the outer peripheral portion 18A of the outer lens 18 is joined to the front end of the side wall portion 12B of the housing 12. Thus, the open end of the housing 12 is closed by the outer lens 18.

[0031] The mask 20 is a light-blocking layer used to prevent light from passing through a portion of the outer lens 18 that differs from a predetermined range, by being disposed along the front surface of the outer lens 18. Alternatively, as an example, the mask 20 may be a coating formed along the rear surface of the outer lens 18. Furthermore, the mask 20 may also be disposed along the front surface of the outer lens 18. Moreover, in this embodiment, the mask 20 is disposed in a range within the outer lens 18 that differs from the light-emitting portion (the portion emitting light in a manner depicting the letter "TR" at the outer peripheral portion 18A and the inner peripheral portion 18B of the outer lens 18).

[0032] Next, the structure of the plurality of reflective surfaces 16C provided at the outer periphery 16B of the light guide body 16A of the light guide 16 will be described.

[0033] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, a plurality of reflective surfaces 16C are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral portion 16B of the light guide body 16A, which are inclined towards the front and to the opposite side from the center (centroid when viewed from the front) of the light guide body 16A. These plurality of reflective surfaces 16C are arranged along the outer edge of the light guide body 16A. Furthermore, these plurality of reflective surfaces 16C have the function of reflecting light toward each part of the outer peripheral portion 18A of the outer lens 18.

[0034] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, a step 16H with a height difference is formed between two adjacent reflecting surfaces 16C in the light guide 16, pointing towards the direction (indicated by arrow A) of the light reflected from the conical surface 16E of the conical recess 16D from the light source 14A. Since the plane S1 formed by this step 16H is parallel to the direction of the light reflected from the conical surface 16E of the conical recess 16D from the light source 14A, the light from the light source 14A will not be reflected at this plane S1. Furthermore, as... Figure 6 As shown, when the light guide 16 is viewed from the front, each reflective surface 16C is orthogonal to the direction in which the light from the light source 14A is directed (the direction indicated by arrow A).

[0035] (The function and effects of this implementation method)

[0036] Next, the function and effects of this implementation method will be explained.

[0037] like Figures 1-6As shown, in the luminous emblem 10 of this embodiment described above, the light emitted from the light sources 14B and 14C passes through the light guide body 16A of the light guide 16 and reaches the inner peripheral portion 18B of the outer lens 18. The light from the light sources 14B and 14C reaching the inner peripheral portion 18B of the outer lens 18 passes through a portion of the inner peripheral portion 18B where the mask 20 is not formed. Therefore, the inner peripheral portion 18B of the outer lens 18 emits light in a manner that depicts the letter "TR".

[0038] On the other hand, the light emitted from the light source 14A is guided from the central protrusion 16F of the light guide 16 to the light guide body 16A. The light from the light source 14A guided to the light guide body 16A is reflected by the conical surface 16E of the conical recess 16D, and reaches a plurality of reflecting surfaces 16C provided at the outer periphery 16B of the light guide body 16A. Furthermore, each light reaching the plurality of reflecting surfaces 16C is reflected forward and passes through a portion of the outer periphery 18A of the outer lens 18. Thus, the outer periphery 18A of the outer lens 18 emits light in an elliptical ring shape. In this way, even in the configuration where the light source 14A is positioned on the inner periphery 18B side of the outer lens 18 when viewed from the outer lens 18 side, light from the light source 14A can still be guided to the outer periphery 18A of the outer lens 18. Furthermore, in the luminous logo 10 of this embodiment, the light from the light source 14A that is guided to the light guide 16 is reflected by the multiple reflective surfaces 16C of the light guide 16 toward each part of the outer peripheral portion 18A of the outer lens 18, thereby suppressing uneven illumination at the outer peripheral portion 18A of the outer lens 18 when it is luminous.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a step 16H with a height difference is formed between two adjacent reflective surfaces 16C in the light guide 16, in the direction (indicated by arrow A) of the light reflected from the conical surface 16E of the conical recess 16D from the light source 14A. This prevents light from the light source 14A from being reflected at a portion (plane S1) of this step 16H.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if the shape of the outer lens 18 as seen from the front is such that the maximum dimension D3 in the left-right direction and the maximum dimension D4 in the up-down direction of the outer lens 18 are different, the light from the light source 14A can be properly reflected towards each part of the outer periphery 18A of the outer lens 18 through the multiple reflective surfaces 16C of the light guide 16. Therefore, uneven illumination at the outer periphery 18A of the outer lens 18 in the luminous state can be suppressed.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if the light source 14A is positioned at a different location from the centroid of the light guide 16 when viewed from the front, the light from the light source 14A can still be properly reflected towards various parts of the outer periphery 18A of the outer lens 18 by the multiple reflective surfaces 16C of the light guide 16. This suppresses uneven illumination at the outer periphery 18A of the outer lens 18 when it is emitting light.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the light guide 16 is viewed from the front, each reflecting surface 16C is orthogonal to the direction of light from the light source 14A (the direction indicated by arrow A). In this structure, the light reflected by each reflecting surface 16C travels parallel to the outer lens 18. As a result, uneven illumination at the outer periphery 18A of the outer lens 18 in the luminous state can be further suppressed.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the direction in which each reflective surface 16C is orthogonal to the direction of light from the light source 14A (indicated by arrow A) when the light guide 16 is viewed from the front is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Whether or not to set the direction in which each reflective surface 16C is orthogonal to the direction of light from the light source 14A when the light guide 16 is viewed from the front can be appropriately set by considering the shape of the outer lens 18, the range of light emission, etc.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the light source 14A is positioned at a location different from the centroid of the light guide 16 when viewed from the front, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it is also possible to adopt a structure in which the light source 14A is positioned at a location consistent with the centroid of the light guide 16 when viewed from the front.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example has been described where the shape seen when the outer lens 18 is viewed from the front is such that the maximum dimension D3 in the left-right direction and the maximum dimension D4 in the up-down direction of the outer lens 18 are different from each other, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the shape seen when the outer lens 18 is viewed from the front may be a shape that is symmetrical in both the up-down direction and the left-right direction (e.g., a circular shape).

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which a step 16H with a height difference is formed between two adjacent reflective surfaces 16C in the light guide 16, in the direction that the light reflected from the conical surface 16E of the conical recess 16D from the light source 14A is directed toward. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a structure without the step 16H can also be used.

[0047] The present invention has been described above as an embodiment of the invention, but the invention is not limited to the above description. It is self-evident that various modifications can be made in addition to the above without departing from its spirit.

Claims

1. A car logo, characterized in that, have: light source; A light guide that directs light emitted from the light source; and The outer lens emits light by allowing light emitted from the light guide to pass through. Multiple reflective surfaces are provided on the light guide, which cause the guided light from the light source to be reflected toward different parts of the outer periphery of the outer lens.

2. The vehicle emblem according to claim 1, characterized in that, A step with a height difference is formed between two adjacent reflective surfaces in the light guide, in the direction that the light from the light source is directed.

3. The vehicle emblem according to claim 1, characterized in that, When viewed from the front, the maximum size of the outer lens in the left-right direction and the maximum size in the up-down direction are set to be different.

4. The vehicle emblem according to claim 1, characterized in that, When viewed from the front, the light source is positioned at a location different from the centroid of the light guide.

5. The vehicle emblem according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the light guide is viewed from the front, each of the reflective surfaces is orthogonal to the direction in which the light from the light source is directed.

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