Method for producing a luminous element and luminous element

Abstract

Method for producing a luminous element (10) comprising: a half mirror (1) having a luminous surface (5) on a light exit side of the half mirror (1); a light source (13); a light guide body (14) configured to guide light (L) from the light source (13) to cause the luminous surface (5) to emit light (L); and a reflector (15) arranged opposite the half mirror (1) and configured to reflect the light (L) to the luminous surface (5) side, wherein the half mirror (1) comprises a transparent plate (2) with a reflection region (A1) at which the light (L) is reflected and a transmission region (A2) through which the light (L) is transmitted at a surface of the transparent plate (2), wherein the transmission region (A2) is formed by a plurality of vertical lines and a plurality of horizontal lines in a grid pattern, and the reflection region (A1) is provided in a portion surrounded by the plurality of vertical lines and horizontal lines, where the half mirror (1) is formed by: a masking step for coating a position of the transparent plate (2) corresponding to the transmission area (A2) with a masking material (7); a coating step for coating the entire surface including the transmission region (A2) coated with the masking material (7) and the reflection region (A1) with the coating (8), wherein the coating (8) is thicker than the masking material (7), a coating removal step for removing the coating (8) to a depth at which the masking material (7) is exposed after the coating step; and a masking material removing step for removing the masking material (7) after the coating removing step, wherein the reflector (15) is arranged at a distance from the half mirror (1) and a surface of the reflector (15) facing the half mirror (1) side is convex towards the half mirror (1) side.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a luminous element and to a luminous element. Description of related technology

[0002] In the related art, for reflection elements configured to reflect light from light sources, various techniques have been proposed to form a reflection surface by applying a coating to surfaces of the elements.

[0003] For example, JP 2010-122 354 A describes a structure of a reflection element including a plastic base material in which fine palladium particles are dispersed, a nickel-phosphorus film grown using the fine palladium particles as catalyst nuclei, a nickel-containing film formed on the nickel-phosphorus film, and a silver-containing film formed on the nickel-containing film.

[0004] According to the technique disclosed in JP 2010-122354 A, since fine palladium particles are dispersed in a plastic material, which is normally difficult to adhere to a metal film, and a nickel-phosphorus film is grown using the fine palladium particles as catalyst nuclei, it is possible to form a silver-containing film on the plastic base material. Thus, it becomes possible to obtain a reflective element using the plastic base material and maintaining high specular reflectivity for a long period of time.

[0005] US 2019 / 0 107 727 A1 shows a method for manufacturing a half mirror, which comprises: forming a reflection region at which light is reflected and a transmission region (uncovered surface 126) through which light is transmitted to a surface of a transparent plate, and coating only the reflection region with a coating, wherein the transmission region is formed in a lattice shape and a width of the transmission region and a pitch of the reflection region are set to predetermined values ​​so that the transmittance of the half mirror has a predetermined value.

[0006] JP 2018-045 907 A shows a luminous body comprising: a half mirror, a light source, a light guide body configured to guide light from the light source to cause a luminous surface to light up, and a reflector arranged opposite the half mirror and configured to reflect light toward the luminous surface side. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Incidentally, in some cases, a half mirror can be formed by, for example, depositing a coating on a transparent plate such as a glass plate. In a conventional mirror, the transmittance of the half mirror is determined by controlling the film thickness of a deposited coating. However, in the related art, in which the transmittance is determined by controlling the film thickness of the coating, there are concerns about difficulty in controlling the film thickness and poor manufacturability.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a half mirror for a luminous body in which the transmittance can be easily determined and the manufacturability can be improved, and a luminous body containing a half mirror produced by this method.

[0009] To solve the problem, a method according to claims 1 and 2 is specified.

[0010] According to claim 1, it is possible to manufacture a half mirror for a lighting device by applying the coating only to a portion of a surface of the transparent plate corresponding to a reflection region. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required for controlling the film thickness, compared with the related art in which a half mirror is manufactured by controlling a film thickness of a coating formed on the entire surface of the transparent plate. For example, it is easily possible to set the transmittance of a half mirror by changing an area ratio between transmission regions and reflection regions. Therefore, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing a half mirror for a lighting device in which the transmittance can be easily set and manufacturability can be improved.

[0011] According to claim 2, it is possible to manufacture a half mirror for a lighting device by applying a coating only to a portion of a surface of the transparent plate corresponding to a reflection region. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce the time and effort required for controlling the film thickness, compared with the related art in which a half mirror is manufactured by controlling a film thickness of the coating formed on the entire surface of the transparent plate. The transmission region is formed in a lattice shape. Moreover, it is possible to set the transmittance of a half mirror to a predetermined value by setting a width of the transmission region and a pitch of adjacent reflection regions to predetermined values. Therefore, it is easily possible to set the transmittance by a simple method.

[0012] Therefore, it becomes possible to provide a method for manufacturing a half mirror for a luminous body in which the transmittance can be easily determined and the manufacturability can be improved.

[0013] According to claims 1 and 2, a half mirror for a luminous device is manufactured by subjecting it to a masking step, a coating step, a coating removal step, and a masking material removal step. Since, in the coating removal step, a coating is removed to a depth at which a masking material is exposed, it is not necessary to maintain high machining accuracy during the removal of the coating. Therefore, it becomes possible to simplify a manufacturing apparatus and easily perform a process, compared with the related art in which high-precision film thickness control is required. By changing an area of ​​a region coated with a masking material (i.e., the nearest transmittance region), it is possible to manufacture a half mirror with a predetermined transmittance.Therefore, it becomes possible to provide a method for manufacturing a half mirror in which the transmittance can be easily determined and the manufacturability can be improved.

[0014] According to claim 3, the luminous body includes a half-mirror manufactured by the above-described method for manufacturing a half-mirror, a light source, a light guide body, and a reflector. Since the half-mirror and the reflector are arranged opposite each other, light incident from a light source onto the reflector via the light guide body is reflected multiple times between the reflector and the half-mirror. At this time, a portion of the light that has reached the half-mirror is transmitted through a transmission region, causing a luminous surface to illuminate. The remaining portion of the light that has reached the half-mirror is reflected by a reflection region and reflected again by the reflector. In this way, light is transmitted through the half-mirror with a predetermined transmittance, and the light is reflected multiple times between the reflector and the half-mirror.Therefore, it is possible to perceive a sense of depth for the light displayed on the luminous surface. Therefore, it becomes possible to provide a luminous body including a half-mirror manufactured by a half-mirror manufacturing method, in which the transmittance can be easily controlled and the manufacturability can be improved, and in which a sense of depth can be effectively perceived. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a luminaire according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a luminous body along line II-II of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an external perspective view of a half mirror according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of section IV of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining a masking step in a method of manufacturing a half mirror according to the embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining a metallization step in the method for manufacturing a half mirror according to the embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining a metallization removing step in a method for manufacturing a half mirror according to the embodiment. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining a masking material removing step in the method for manufacturing a half mirror according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (Design)(Light body)

[0016] Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a luminaire 10 according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the luminous body 10 along the line II-II of Fig. 1.

[0017] The lamp 10 is installed, for example, in a vehicle (not shown). The lamp 10 is applied to a tail lamp or a brake lamp provided at a rear end portion of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 1, the lamp 10 is formed into a ring shape, with the axis C, as the center of the lamp 10, extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In the following description, in some cases, a direction along the axis C of the lamp 10 may be simply referred to as the "axial direction," a direction orthogonal to the axis C may be simply referred to as the "radial direction," and a direction around the axis C may be simply referred to as the "circumferential direction." A direction of irradiation of light in the axial direction may be referred to as the "rearward direction in the axial direction," and the opposite direction may be referred to as the "forward direction in the axial direction."

[0018] As in Fig. 2, the luminous body 10 includes a housing 11, a base 12, a half mirror 1, light sources 13, a light guide body 14 and a reflector 15.

[0019] The housing 11 is formed in a ring shape, in which the housing 10 has the axis C as its center. The housing 11 forms an outer peripheral portion of the luminous body 10.

[0020] The base 12 is arranged further inward in the radial direction than the housing 11. The base 12 includes a main base 20, an outer sub-base 21 and an inner sub-base 22.

[0021] The main base 12 is formed in a ring shape in which the main base 20 has the axis C as its center. The main base 20 is formed in a U-shape, when viewed from the radial direction, in which the main base 20 protrudes rearward in the axial direction in a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view of Fig. 2). Specifically, the main base 20 includes a bottom wall 23, an outer wall 24, and an inner wall 25. The bottom wall 23 faces the axial direction and is annular. The outer wall 24 is connected to the outer peripheral portion of the bottom wall 23 and extends forward in the axial direction. The inner wall 25 is connected to an inner peripheral portion of the bottom wall 23 and extends forward in the axial direction. The main base 20 thus formed constitutes a front portion of the lamp body 10 in the axial direction.

[0022] The outer sub-base 21 is disposed, in the radial direction, between the outer wall 24 of the main base 20 and the housing 11. The outer sub-base 21 extends in the axial direction. The outer sub-base 21 is formed in a ring shape, in which the outer sub-base 21 has the axis C as its center.

[0023] The inner sub-base 22 is formed in a ring shape, in which the inner sub-base 22 has a smaller outer diameter than the outer sub-base 21. The inner sub-base 22 is arranged further inward in the radial direction than the inner wall 25 of the main base 20. The inner sub-base 22 extends in the axial direction. The inner sub-base 22 is arranged coaxially with the axis C. The inner sub-base 22 forms an inner peripheral portion of the luminous body 10.

[0024] The lamp 10 is formed into a ring-like frame using the housing 11, the main base 20, and the inner sub-base 22, in which the lamp 10 opens rearward. A part of the housing 11, which forms the outer peripheral portion of the lamp 10, extends in the radial direction and is connected to a vehicle body. Thus, the lamp 10 is attached to the vehicle body.

[0025] The half mirror 1 closes an opening formed using the housing 11, the main base 20, and the inner sub-base 22. The half mirror 11 is formed in a ring shape in which the half mirror 1 has the axis C as its center. The half mirror 1 forms an axially rearward portion of the luminous body 10. A surface of the half mirror 1 facing rearward in the axial direction is a luminous surface 5.

[0026] Fig. 3 is an external perspective view of the half mirror 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of section IV of Fig. 3.

[0027] The half mirror 1 has a coating 8 (see Fig. 4) formed by vapor deposition of a metal material on a predetermined area of ​​a surface 2a of the transparent plate 2. The transparent plate 2 is, for example, a glass plate or the like. A material of the coating 8 is, for example, a metal material or the like containing aluminum.

[0028] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the half mirror 1 has reflection regions A1 formed by the coating vapor-deposited on the transparent plate 2, and transmission regions A2 from which the coating 8 is removed. The respective transmission regions A2 are formed in a lattice shape. The reflection region A1 is provided between the transmission regions A2. Each of the reflection regions A1 is formed in a rectangular shape. By setting a pitch p of adjacent reflection regions A1, a width w of the transmission region A2, and a thickness t of the coating 8 to predetermined values, the half mirror 1 acquires a desired transmittance and reflectivity. In this embodiment, the pitch p of the reflection regions A1 is less than 2 mm (p < 2 mm). The width w of the transmission region A2 is less than 0.4 mm (w < 0.4 mm).

[0029] Again in relation to Fig. 2, the half mirror 1 is arranged to face the reflector 15, as will be described in detail later. The half mirror 1 reflects a part of the light L reflected by the reflector 15, and the remaining part of the reflected light L is transmitted through the half mirror 1 to the luminous surface 5 side. That is, the half mirror 1 reflects the light L reflected by the reflector 15 and incident on the reflection area A1 again to the reflector 15 side. The light L reflected by the reflector 15 and incident on the transmission area A2 is transmitted through the half mirror 1, and the half mirror 1 causes the luminous surface 5 to illuminate.

[0030] The light sources 13, the light guide 14 and the reflector 15 are arranged in a space thus surrounded by the half mirror 1, the housing 11, the main base 20 and the inner sub-base 22.

[0031] The light sources 13 are, for example, an LED, a laser, or the like. The light sources 13 are arranged in a space between the outer wall 24 of the main base 20 and the outer sub-base 21, and in a space between the inner wall 25 of the main base 20 and the inner sub-base 22. The light sources 13 are attached to the outer wall 24 and the inner wall 25 of the main base 20. Each of the light sources 13 emits light L backward in the axial direction. The plurality of light sources 13 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The light source 13 attached to the outer wall 24 and the light source 13 attached to the inner wall 25 are arranged at positions where they correspond to each other in the circumferential direction.

[0032] The light guide body 14 guides the light L from the light source 13 to illuminate the luminous surface 5, which is located further back in the axial direction than the light source 13. The light guide body 14 includes a first light guide lens 31 and a second light guide lens 32.

[0033] The first light guide lens 31 is arranged at a position further rearward in the axial direction than the light source 13 and is equivalent to that of the light source 13 in the radial direction. More specifically, the first light guide lens 31 includes an outer first light guide lens 33 and an inner first light guide lens 34.

[0034] The outer first light guide lens 33 is formed in a tubular shape, with the axis C as its center. The outer first light guide lens 33 is disposed between the outer wall 34 of the main body 20 and the outer sub-base 21. The outer first light guide lens 33 extends in the axial direction. The outer first light guide lens 33 guides light L from the light source 13, which is mounted on the outer wall 34 of the main base 20, toward a rearward direction.

[0035] The inner first light guide lens 34 is formed in a tubular shape, with the axis C as its center. The inner first light guide lens 34 is disposed between the inner wall 25 of the main base 20 and the inner sub-base 22. The inner first light guide lens 34 extends in the axial direction. The inner first light guide lens 34 guides light L from the light source 13, which is mounted on the inner wall 25 of the main base 20, toward a rearward direction.

[0036] At end portions of the outer first light guide lens 33 and the inner first light guide lens 34, light guide reflection surfaces 33a and 34a are formed opposite the light source 13. The light guide reflection surfaces 33a and 34a are inclined by approximately 45° with respect to the axial direction.

[0037] The first light guide lens 31 formed in this way scatters or converges the light L from the light source 13 to display a lattice-shaped light in the radial direction on the luminous surface 5.

[0038] The second light guide lens 32 is provided at a rear end portion of the first light guide lens 31 in the axial direction. The length of the second light guide lens 32 in the axial direction is shorter than the length of the first light guide lens 31 in the axial direction. The second light guide lens 32 includes an outer second light guide lens 35 and an inner second light guide lens 36.

[0039] The outer second light guide lens 35 is arranged further inward in the radial direction than the outer first light guide lens 33. The outer second light guide lens 35 is arranged in contact with the outer first light guide lens 33. Light L from the light source 13, which passes through the first outer light guide lens 33, is incident on the outer second light guide lens 35. The outer second light guide lens 35 has a light guide emission surface 35b. The light guide emission surface 35b is provided on a surface of the outer second light guide lens 35 facing inward in the radial direction. The light guide emission surface 35b emits the light L, which is incident from the outer first light guide lens 33 onto the second outer light guide lens 35, inward in the radial direction and toward the reflector 15 side.

[0040] The inner second light guide lens 36 is arranged further outward in the radial direction than the first inner light guide lens 34. The inner second light guide lens 36 is arranged in contact with the inner first light guide lens 34. Light L from the light source 13, which transmits through the first inner light guide lens 34, is incident on the inner second light guide lens 36. The inner second light guide lens 36 has a light guide emission surface 36b. The light guide emission surface 36b is provided on a surface of the inner second light guide lens 36 facing outward in the radial direction. The light guide emission surface 36b emits light L, which is incident from the inner first light guide lens 34 onto the inner second light guide lens 36, outward in the radial direction and toward the reflector 15 side.

[0041] The outer second light guide lens 35 and the inner second light guide lens 36 are arranged at a distance from each other in the radial direction.

[0042] The reflector 15 is arranged in the radial direction between the half mirror 1 and the main base 20. The reflector 15 is attached to the bottom wall 23 of the main base 20. The reflector 15 is formed in a ring shape in which the reflector 15 has the axis C as its center. The reflector 15 is arranged opposite the half mirror 1. The reflector 15 is provided at a distance from the half mirror 1. The second light guide lens 32 is arranged between the reflector 15 and the half mirror 1. The reflector 15 is provided above the inner first light guide lens 34 and the outer first light guide lens 33 in the radial direction.

[0043] A surface of the reflector 15 facing rearward in the axial direction is a convex curved surface 41. The convex curved surface 41 is formed to be convex toward the half-mirror 1 side. The convex curved surface 41 is curved to protrude axially rearward the most at an intermediate portion M in the radial direction between the inner first light guide lens 34 and the outer first light guide lens 33. Therefore, the separation length between the reflector 15 and the half-mirror 1 gradually changes in the radial direction. The convex curved surface 41 of the reflector 15 totally reflects the light L emitted from the light guide emission surfaces 35b and 36b of the light guide body 14 toward the luminous surface 5 side. (Optical path)

[0044] An optical path is described below until the light emitted by the light source 13 reaches the luminous surface 5 in the luminous body 10 described above.

[0045] First, the light L is emitted from the light source 13 in the axial direction toward the rear. The light L emitted from the light source 13 is guided in the axial direction and the circumferential direction by the first light guide lens 31. The light L guided in the axial direction or the circumferential direction is reflected by the light guide reflection surfaces 33a and 34a of the first light guide lens 31. Here, the light guide reflection surfaces 33a and 34a change a direction in which the light L guided in the axial direction from the light source 13 propagates in a direction intersecting the axial direction. The direction intersecting the axial direction is a direction in which the light is incident on the reflector 15 from diagonally behind in an angular range between a direction toward the bottom wall 23 of the main base 20 in the radial direction and a direction toward the front side in the axial direction.

[0046] The light L emitted from the first light guide lens 31 is incident on the second light guide lens 32 arranged in contact with the first light guide lens 31. Thereafter, the light L is emitted obliquely forward from the light guide emission surfaces 35b and 36b of the second light guide lens 32 and reaches the reflector 15.

[0047] Subsequently, the light L is totally reflected by the reflector 15 toward the half-mirror 1 side. A portion of the light L that has been totally reflected by the reflector 15 and reached the half-mirror 1 is transmitted through the transmission region A2 of the half-mirror 1, reaches the luminous surface 5, and causes the luminous surface 5 to illuminate. The remaining portion of the light L that has been totally reflected by the reflector 15 and reached the half-mirror 1 is reflected by the reflection region A1 of the half-mirror 1 and is totally reflected again by the reflector 15.

[0048] Also, the light is repeatedly reflected between the reflector 15 and the half mirror 1, causing the luminous surface 5 to illuminate. Thus, it becomes possible to create multiple optical paths and perceive three-dimensional light with a visually recognizable sense of depth. More specifically, all the light is emitted in a backward convex shape, reflected in the separation length between the convex curved surface 41 of the reflector 15 and the half mirror 1, so that the brightness gradually decreases from both end portions of the luminous body 10 in the radial direction (positions corresponding to a pair of light sources 13) to the intermediate portion M of the convex curved surface 41 in the radial direction. (Method for manufacturing the half mirror)

[0049] A method for manufacturing the above-mentioned half mirror 1 will be described below.

[0050] In the method for manufacturing the half mirror 1, the transmission region A2 through which light is transmitted and the reflection region A1 at which light is reflected are formed on the surface 2a of the transparent plate 2. Further, the half mirror 1 is manufactured by forming the overcoat 8 by vapor-depositing a metal material only in the reflection region A1. The method for manufacturing the half mirror 1 includes a masking step, a coating step, a coating removal step, and a masking material removal step.

[0051] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining the marking step in the method of manufacturing the half mirror 1 according to the embodiment.

[0052] First, in the masking step, the surface 2a of the transparent plate 2 is coated with a masking material 7. Here, a position on the transparent plate 2 corresponding to the transmission region A2 is coated with the masking material 7. The masking material 7 is, for example, an adhesive tape or the like that can be attached to and detached from the transparent plate 2. The masking material 7 is attached to the transparent plate 2 in a grid shape. Furthermore, the width w of the transmission region A2 and the pitch p of the adjacent reflection regions A1 (see Fig. 1 with respect to both) are set to predetermined values ​​so that the transmittance of the half mirror 1 has a predetermined value.

[0053] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the coating step in the method for manufacturing the half mirror 1 according to the embodiment.

[0054] In the plating step, after the masking step, the overcoat 8 is formed by vapor-depositing a metal material on the entire surface 2a of the transparent plate 2, including the transmission regions A2 coated with the masking material 7 and the reflection region A1. In the plating step, the metal material is vapor-deposited such that a thickness of a plating layer is thicker than a thickness of the masking material 7. A method for forming the overcoat 8 can be, for example, electroless plating or the like.

[0055] Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the coating removal step in the method of manufacturing the half mirror 1 according to the embodiment.

[0056] In the coating removal step, after the coating step, the coating 8 is removed to a depth at which the masking material 7 is exposed. Specifically, in the coating removal step, the coating 8 is removed, for example, by turning, milling, or the like using a grinder, a polishing machine, or the like. In the coating removal step, the coating 8 can also be removed, for example, by an etching process or the like using a solvent.

[0057] Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the masking material removing step in the method for manufacturing the half mirror 1 according to the embodiment.

[0058] In the masking material removal step, after the overcoat removal step, the masking material 7 is removed. A region from which the masking material 7 has been removed is the transmission region A2, where the transparent plate 2 has been exposed. Thus, the overcoat 8 is evaporated only at a position on the transparent plate 2 corresponding to the reflection region A1.

[0059] In this way, the half mirror 1 undergoes the masking step, the coating step, the coating removal step, and the masking material removal step, thus completing its manufacturing. (Effects and Actions)

[0060] The method for manufacturing the above-described half mirror 1 and actions and effects of the luminous body 10 are described.

[0061] According to the method for manufacturing the half mirror 1 in this embodiment, it is possible to manufacture the half mirror 1 by forming the overcoat 8 only on a portion of the surface 2a of the transparent plate 2 corresponding to the reflection region A1. Thus, it becomes possible to reduce the time and effort required for controlling the film thickness, compared with the related art in which the half mirror 1 is manufactured by controlling a film thickness of the overcoat 8 formed on the entire surface of the transparent plate 2. It becomes possible to set the transmittance of the half mirror 1 to a predetermined value by forming the transmission region A2 in a lattice shape and setting the width w of the transmission region A2 and the pitch p of the adjacent reflection region A1 to have predetermined values. Thus, it becomes possible to easily set the transmittance by a simple method.Furthermore, it is easily possible to change the transmittance of the half mirror 1 by changing the area ratio between the transmission areas A2 and the reflection areas A1.

[0062] Therefore, it becomes possible to provide a method for manufacturing the half mirror in which the transmittance can be easily determined and the manufacturability can be improved.

[0063] In the method for manufacturing the half mirror 1, the half mirror 1 is manufactured by subjecting it to the masking step, the coating step, the coating removal step, and the masking material removal step. Since the coating removal step can remove the coating to a depth where the masking material 7 is exposed, it is not necessary to maintain high machining accuracy during the removal of the coating 8. Thus, it is possible to simplify a manufacturing apparatus and easily perform a process, compared with the related art in which high-precision film thickness control is required. It is possible to manufacture the half mirror 1 with a predetermined transmittance by changing an area of ​​a region coated with the masking material 7 (i.e., the nearest transmission region A2).Thus, it becomes possible to provide a method for manufacturing the half mirror 1 in which the transmittance can be easily determined and the manufacturability can be improved.

[0064] According to the luminous body 10 in this embodiment, the luminous body 10 includes the half mirror 1 manufactured by the above-described half-mirror manufacturing method, the light source 13, the light guide body 14, and the reflector 15. Since the half mirror 1 and the reflector 15 are arranged opposite to each other, light incident from the light source 13 onto the reflector 15 via the light guide body 14 is reflected several times between the reflector 15 and the half mirror 1. At this time, a part of the light that has reached the half mirror 1 is transmitted through the transmission region A2 and causes the luminous surface 5 to illuminate. A part of the remaining light that has reached the half mirror 1 is reflected by the reflection region A1 and is reflected again by the reflector 15.In this way, light is transmitted through the half mirror 1 with a predetermined transmittance, and the light is reflected multiple times between the reflector 15 and the half mirror 1. Thus, it becomes possible to perceive a sense of depth for the light displayed on the luminous surface 5. Therefore, it becomes possible to provide the luminous body 10 including the half mirror 1 manufactured by the method for manufacturing the half mirror 1, in which the transmittance can be easily set, the manufacturability can be improved, and a sense of depth can be effectively perceived.

[0065] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the aim of the present invention.

[0066] For example, although a structure in which the transparent plate 2 is a glass plate has been described in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the transparent plate 2 may also be formed of plastic materials such as acrylic materials and polycarbonate materials.

[0067] The luminous element 10 can also be used differently from the rear light of the vehicle than the luminous element 10.

[0068] A material of the masking material 7 and a material of the overcoat 8 are not limited to those of the above-described embodiment. A coating method can be appropriately changed according to the materials of the transparent plate 2 and the overcoat 8.

[0069] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these are merely examples of the invention and are not to be considered limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention should not be construed as limited by the foregoing description and is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

[0070] A method for manufacturing a half mirror in which the transmittance can be easily controlled and the manufacturability can be improved, and a half mirror manufactured by this method are provided.A method for manufacturing a half mirror includes: forming a reflection region (A1) at which light is reflected and a transmission region (A2) through which light is transmitted on a surface (2a) of a transparent plate (2), and coating only the reflection region (A1) with an overcoat (8), comprising: a masking step of coating a position of the transparent plate (2) corresponding to the transmission region (A2) with a masking material; a coating step of coating the entire surface (2a) including the transmission region (A2) coated with the masking material and the reflection region (A1) with the overcoat (8); a coating removing step of removing the overcoat (8) to a depth at which the masking material is exposed after the coating step; and a masking material removing step of removing the masking material after the coating removing step. EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 half mirror 2 Transparent plate 2a Surface 5 luminous surface 7 Masking material 8 Coating 10 light sources 13 Light source 14 light guide bodies 15 Reflector A1 reflection area A2 passband L Light p division w Width (of the passband)

Claims

[1] Method for producing a luminous element (10) comprising: a half mirror (1) having a luminous surface (5) on a light exit side of the half mirror (1); a light source (13); a light guide body (14) configured to guide light (L) from the light source (13) to cause the luminous surface (5) to emit light (L); and a reflector (15) arranged opposite the half mirror (1) and configured to reflect the light (L) to the luminous surface (5) side, wherein the half mirror (1) comprises a transparent plate (2) with a reflection region (A1) at which the light (L) is reflected and a transmission region (A2) through which the light (L) is transmitted at a surface of the transparent plate (2), wherein the transmission region (A2) is formed by a plurality of vertical lines and a plurality of horizontal lines in a grid pattern, and the reflection region (A1) is provided in a portion surrounded by the plurality of vertical lines and horizontal lines, where the half mirror (1) is formed by: a masking step for coating a position of the transparent plate (2) corresponding to the transmission area (A2) with a masking material (7); a coating step for coating the entire surface including the transmission region (A2) coated with the masking material (7) and the reflection region (A1) with the coating (8), wherein the coating (8) is thicker than the masking material (7), a coating removal step for removing the coating (8) to a depth at which the masking material (7) is exposed after the coating step; and a masking material removing step for removing the masking material (7) after the coating removing step, wherein the reflector (15) is arranged at a distance from the half mirror (1) and a surface of the reflector (15) facing the half mirror (1) side is convex towards the half mirror (1) side. [2] Method for producing a luminous element (10), which comprises: a half mirror (1) having a luminous surface (5) on a light exit side of the half mirror (1); a light source (13); a light guide body (14) configured to guide light (L) from the light source (13) to cause the luminous surface (5) to emit light (L); and a reflector (15) arranged opposite the half mirror (1) and configured to reflect the light (L) to the luminous surface (5) side, wherein the half mirror (1) comprises a transparent plate (2) with a reflection region (A1) at which the light (L) is reflected and a transmission region (A2) through which the light (L) is transmitted at a surface of the transparent plate (2), wherein the transmission region (A2) is formed by a plurality of vertical lines and a plurality of horizontal lines in a grid pattern, and the reflection region (A1) is provided in a portion surrounded by the plurality of vertical lines and horizontal lines, wherein the transmission region (A2) is formed in a lattice shape, and a width (w) of the transmission region (A2) and a pitch (p) of adjacent reflection regions (A1) are set to predetermined values ​​so that the transmittance of the half mirror (1) has a predetermined value; where the half mirror (1) is formed by: a masking step for coating a position of the transparent plate (2) corresponding to the transmission area (A2) with a masking material (7); a coating step of coating the entire surface including the transmission region (A2) coated with the masking material (7) and the reflection region (A1) with the coating (8), wherein the coating (8) is thicker than the masking material (7); a coating removal step for removing the coating (8) to a depth at which the masking material (7) is exposed after the coating step; and a masking material removing step for removing the masking material (7) after the coating removing step, wherein the reflector (15) is arranged at a distance from the half mirror (1) and a surface of the reflector (15) facing the half mirror (1) side is convex towards the half mirror (1) side. [3] A luminous element produced by the method of claim 1 or 2.

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