Vehicle lighting device

Abstract

A vehicle lighting device (20) to be mounted on an interior component (10) having an upper plate member (12) and a lower plate member (15), comprising a light-transmitting member (40) arranged between the upper plate member (12) and the lower plate member (15), LEDs (23) that emit light toward the light-transmitting member (40), and a control device (50). The light-transmitting member (40) has lens portions (45) randomly arranged on a plate surface. The LEDs (23) are defined in LED sets (24), each comprising at least two LEDs (23) arranged in the vehicle's front-rear direction, and the LED sets (24) are arranged in the vehicle's front-rear direction.The control device (50) is configured to switch each of the LEDs (23) on and off separately, and is configured to switch on the at least two LEDs (23) included in one of the LED sets (24) at different times. Accordingly, the design of the vehicle interior is improved.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present technology described herein relates to a vehicle lighting device. State of the art

[0002] There is a lighting device and a lighting structure mounted on a vehicle interior component. In one example of such a lighting structure, a plurality of LEDs are arranged on a rear side of the door panel of a vehicle, and light from the LEDs passes through light outlet slots in the door panel. Thus, linear light is supplied to a vehicle interior. Such a structure is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-218249.

[0003] In another example, a light guide plate configured as a light emitter is mounted on a vehicle exterior side of the trim body, which has light-transmitting properties. Light emerging from the light guide plate is guided to the trim body from a rear surface side, so that a design pattern appears on a front surface of the trim body. Such a structure is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-101841. Summary

[0004] Recently, there has been a strong demand for improvement in vehicle interior design and a wide variety of lighting patterns are in demand.

[0005] An object of the present technology described herein is to provide a vehicle lighting device that improves vehicle interior design.

[0006] The technology described herein relates to a vehicle lighting device to be mounted on an interior component, including an upper plate member extending in a vehicle front-rear direction and having an interior design surface, and a lower plate member disposed below the upper plate member and on a vehicle exterior with respect to the upper plate member. The vehicle lighting device includes LEDs disposed on a vehicle exterior with respect to the upper plate member, a light-transmitting member disposed between a lower edge of the upper plate member and an upper edge of the lower plate member and having a plate shape having a plate surface extending in a vehicle interior-exterior direction, and a control device.The LEDs are defined in LED sets, each comprising at least two LEDs arranged in the vehicle's front-to-back direction at a first interval, and the LED sets are arranged in the vehicle's front-to-back direction at a second interval that is greater than the first interval. The LEDs emit and supply light to a vehicle interior. The light-transmitting member has recessed portions on the plate surface facing the LEDs, and light from the LEDs passes through the light-transmitting member toward the vehicle interior. The controller is configured to turn each of the LEDs on and off separately and is configured to turn on the at least two LEDs included in one of the LED sets at different times.

[0007] According to such a configuration, an image is projected onto the vehicle interior using light emitted by the LED sets and passing through the translucent element with recessed sections. This image is a flickering light pattern, such as a flickering flame or sparkle.

[0008] The control device may be configured to control the LEDs to gradually increase a light intensity after turning on the LEDs and subsequently gradually decrease and turn off the light intensity, and the control device may be configured to turn on the at least two LEDs included in the one of the LED sets to have highest light intensities at different times.

[0009] According to such a configuration, a natural and continuous flickering light pattern can be obtained compared to the configuration in which the LEDs are only turned on and off.

[0010] Irradiation areas of the at least two LEDs included in one of the LED sets may overlap.

[0011] The at least two LEDs included in one of the LED sets may be arranged opposite one of the recessed portions. According to such a configuration, an image pattern formed with the one recessed portion may be a clear, flickering image compared to a configuration having LEDs of the LED set arranged opposite the recessed portions.

[0012] Optical axes of the at least two LEDs may extend through one of the recessed portions. According to such a configuration, an image pattern formed with the one recessed portion may be a clear, flickering image.

[0013] The light-transmitting element may be arranged below the LEDs, and the light-emitting surfaces of the LEDs may face the light-transmitting element. According to such a configuration, a flickering image pattern formed with the recessed portions can be obtained with a simple configuration.

[0014] According to the technology described herein, a vehicle lighting device is provided that improves vehicle interior design. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a front view of a door panel of a front side door according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a sectional view along a line II. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of an LED unit. Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the LED unit supplying light to a translucent plate. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the LED unit, the translucent plate, and an armrest board. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a support member and the translucent plate. Fig. Figure 7 shows an example of waveforms indicating a chronological change of light intensities of two LEDs included in an LED set. Fig. Figure 8 shows another example of waveforms indicating a chronological change of light intensities of two LEDs included in an LED set. Fig. Figure 9 shows another example of waveforms indicating a chronological change of light intensities of two LEDs included in an LED set. Fig. Figure 10 shows another example of waveforms indicating a chronological change of light intensities of two LEDs included in an LED set. Fig. Figure 11 shows an example of waveforms indicating a chronological change of light intensities of three LEDs included in an LED set. Detailed description

[0015] A vehicle lighting device according to an embodiment is described with reference to Fig. 1 to 8. A lighting device 20 mounted on a door trim 10 (an example of an interior component) for a vehicle such as an automobile will be described. An X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis may be present in each drawing, and the axes in each drawing correspond to the respective axes in other drawings. The X-axis direction represents a right side or a vehicle outer side, and the Y-axis direction represents an upper side. The directions are not limited to those described in the drawings. One of the same components is represented by a reference numeral, and others may not be represented by the reference numeral. A vehicle interior side surface of the door trim 10 corresponds to a vehicle front side surface.

[0016] Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the door panel 10 of a right-hand front door as viewed from a vehicle interior side. As shown in Fig. As shown in FIG. 1, the door trim 10 includes a trim board 11 having a plate shape as a main portion. The door trim 10 is mounted with brackets on a vehicle interior side to a door inner panel made of metal. Thus, the design and comfort of a vehicle interior are improved. The trim board 11 is made of a synthetic resin material (thermoplastic resin material) such as polypropylene. The trim board 11 may be made of a composite material obtained by blending plant fibers (such as kenaf) and a synthetic resin.

[0017] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the trim board 11 includes a plurality of board elements joined together. The trim board 11 of this embodiment includes an upper board 12 (an example of an upper plate element), an armrest board 15 (an example of a lower plate element), and a lower board 18.

[0018] The upper board 12 is an upper portion of the trim board 11 and has an elongated shape extending in a vehicle front-rear direction. The width of the upper board 12 decreases in a front portion thereof, so that a lower edge of the upper board 12 extends upward as it extends forward. The lower edge of the front portion of the upper board 12 is referred to as a slope portion 13. A rear portion of the upper board 12 has a lower edge extending along the armrest 17, and the lower edge of the rear portion of the upper board 12 is referred to as an opposite portion 14.

[0019] The upper board 12, which has the sloped section 13, has a tapered shape so that the width decreases as it extends forward. As shown in Fig. 1, in a front view, the largest portion of the lower edge of the upper board 12 is located adjacent to the armrest board 15, and a rear end portion of the lower edge of the upper board 12 is adjacent to the lower board 18.

[0020] The armrest board 15 is below and closest to the upper board 12. The armrest board 15 has an elongated shape extending in the vehicle front-rear direction (Y direction) and is shorter than the upper board 12.

[0021] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the armrest board 15 includes a board body 15A and an armrest 17. The board body 15A is a wall portion extending in the up-down and vehicle front-back directions and facing the vehicle interior side. The armrest 17 is a lower portion of the armrest board 15 and extends from a lower end of the board body 15A to the vehicle interior side. The armrest 17 extends to be curved toward the vehicle interior side as it extends downward from the board body 15A. As shown in Fig. 1, the armrest 17 extends along an entire length of the armrest board 15 in the vehicle forward-rearward direction.

[0022] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Fig. 5, the front portion of the board body 15A of the armrest board 15 is configured as a flat surface portion 16. The flat surface portion 16 is relatively above the armrest 17 and extends integrally upward from the armrest 17. With the upper board 12 having the inclined portion 13 at the lower edge thereof, the flat surface portion 16 has a triangular plate shape extending in the vehicle front-rear direction (the Y direction) and the up-down direction (the Z direction). According to such a configuration, right and left end portions of an instrument panel, which is installed in a front portion of the vehicle and projects toward the vehicle interior side, are fitted to the flat surface portions 16 when the vehicle door is closed, as if the trim panel 11 and the instrument panel are configured as one component.

[0023] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 2, the upper edge of the armrest board 15 is located on a vehicle outer side relative to the lower edge of the upper board 12 in the vehicle interior-exterior direction (the X direction). Namely, a slit 19 (an example of a clearance) is provided between the lower edge of the upper board 12 and the upper edge of the armrest board 15. The slit 19 has an elongated opening extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The slit 19 extends from a front edge of the trim board 11 to a rear edge of the armrest board 15. The illumination device 20 is disposed above the slit 19, and light emitted by the illumination device 20 is guided downward to the door trim 10 through the slit 19. The light from the illumination device 20 is incident directly toward the slit 19 and guided to a light-transmitting plate 40.The translucent plate 40 is arranged below the LEDs 23 and light emitting surfaces of the LEDs 23 face the translucent plate 40.

[0024] As in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the lighting device 20 comprises LED units including a first LED unit 21A and a second LED unit 21B, a holding member 30 that holds the LED units, the light-transmitting plate 40 (an example of a light-transmitting member), and a control device 50. In this embodiment, the LED units, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5, the first LED unit 21A mounted in a front portion of the trim board 11 and the second LED unit 21B mounted in a rear portion of the trim board 11.

[0025] The first LED unit 21A and the second LED unit 21B have essentially the same configuration. In the following, the second LED unit 21B will be described with respect to Fig. 2 to 4. The second LED unit 21B includes a second LED board 22B having a long ribbon shape extending in the forward-backward direction, and the LEDs 23 arranged in the longitudinal direction on the second LED board 22B. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the second LED unit 21B is arranged on the vehicle exterior side of the lower edge of the upper board 12, being arranged in the holding member 30 (a second holding portion 32). The LEDs 23 are arranged in a row along the lower edge of the upper board 12, which is along the vehicle's forward-backward direction (the Y direction), as indicated by a dashed line in Figure 2. Fig. 1. The first LED unit 21A and the second LED unit 21B may differ in length and number of LEDs 23.

[0026] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the LEDs 23 are surface LEDs, and light emitted from a light-emitting surface spreads three-dimensionally around an optical axis L within a certain angular range. The LEDs 23 of this embodiment have an angular orientation of 120 degrees. The angular orientation of the LEDs 23 is not limited to 120 degrees, but may be other than 120 degrees.

[0027] As in Fig. 3, a plurality of LED sets 24 are arranged in the longitudinal direction on the second LED board 22B. Each LED set 24 includes two LEDs 23. Each LED set 24 may include three or more LEDs 23. The LED sets 24 include a first LED set 24A and a second LED set 24B that are adjacent to each other. The two LEDs 23 included in each of the first LED set 24A and the second LED set 24B are spaced apart by an interval L1. The interval between the first LED set 24A and the second LED set 24B is defined as L2. The LED sets 24 including the first LED set 24A and the second LED set 24B are arranged at intervals L2 in a row on the second LED board 22B.The interval L2 between the first LED set 24A and the second LED set 24B is determined so that the irradiation range of the LEDs 23 included in the first LED set 24A and the irradiation range of the LEDs 23 included in the second LED set 24B do not overlap when the light emitted by the LEDs 23 passes through the light-transmitting plate 40. A distance between one of the two LEDs 23 included in the first LED set 24A and one of the two LEDs 23 included in the second LED set 24B that are closer to each other is defined as L3 (L3 = L2 - L1). The distance L3 is larger than the interval L1 (L3 > L1). Namely, the distance L3 between the first LED set 24A and the second LED set 24B is larger than the interval L1 between the two LEDs 23 included in each of the first LED set 24A and the second LED set 24B.

[0028] As in Fig. As shown in FIG. 4, the interval L1 between the two LEDs 23 included in each of the first LED set 24A and the second LED set 24B is determined so that most of the irradiation areas of the two LEDs 23 included in each of the LED sets 24A and 24B overlap when the light emitted from the two LEDs 23 passes through the light-transmitting plate 40. Most of the irradiation areas of the two LEDs 23 overlap at the light-transmitting plate 40. The distance L3 between one of the LEDs 23 included in the first LED set 24A and one of the LEDs 23 included in the second LED set 24B is determined so that the irradiation area of ​​the LED 23 included in the first LED set 24A and the irradiation area of ​​the LED 23 included in the second LED set 24B do not overlap when the light emitted by the two LEDs 23 passes through the light-transmitting plate 40.The distance L3 is preferably determined so that the light emitted by the LEDs 23 included in the first LED set 24A and the light emitted by the LEDs 23 included in the second LED set 24B cross after passing through the light-transmitting plate 40. Namely, the irradiation areas of the LEDs 23 included in the first LED set 24A and the irradiation areas of the LEDs 23 included in the second LED set 24B preferably overlap near the vehicle interior surface (a lower surface in . Fig. 4) the light-transmitting plate 40. According to such a configuration, the light beams emitted by the LEDs 23 included in the first LED set 24A and the light beams emitted by the LEDs 23 included in the second LED set 24B are less likely to interfere, and a continuous optical configuration extending in the vehicle front-rear direction is provided.

[0029] The first LED board 22A, the second LED board 22B, and the LEDs 23 on each of the first LED board 22A and the second LED board 22B are electrically connected to a controller 50. The controller 50 is configured to control each of the LEDs 23 independently. With an operator selecting a lighting mode through an operating section 52 electrically connected to the controller 50, the controller 50 receives a signal related to the selected lighting mode and is configured to control each of the LEDs 23 to be ON or OFF, or to change a light intensity according to the program stored in the controller 50.

[0030] In this embodiment, the first LED unit 21A extends forward along the sloped portion 13 of the upper board 12, and the second LED unit 21B extends rearward along the opposite portion 14. Namely, the first LED board 22A of the first LED unit 21A slopes upward with respect to the horizontal direction (the Z direction) as it extends forward. The first LED board 22A is arranged so that its lower surface faces substantially forward. The second LED board 22B of the second LED unit 21B is arranged so that its plate surfaces extend horizontally and face upward and downward, respectively.

[0031] The first LED board 22A and the second LED board 22B are held in the predetermined position by the holding member 30. As shown in Fig. 6, the holding member 30 has a long box shape extending in the vehicle's forward-rearward direction and is open downward. As shown in Fig. 2, a vehicle interior side wall portion 33 of the holding member 30 is fixed to the lower edge of the upper board 12 via a fastening member 60.

[0032] In particular, the holding element 30, as shown in Fig. 6, a first holding portion 31 extending along the slope portion 13 of the upper board 12, and the second holding portion 32 extending along the opposite portion 14. The first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32 are integrally formed as the holding member 30 to be curved at an intermediate portion between the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32. As shown in Fig. 2, the first LED board 22A is held on a lower surface of an upper wall portion 34 of the first holding portion 31, and the second LED board 22B is held on a lower surface of the upper wall portion 34 of the second holding portion 32. According to such a configuration, the LEDs 23 emit light downward.

[0033] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, an opening of the holding member 30 is covered by the translucent plate 40 (an example of the translucent member). The translucent plate 40 is made of a synthetic resin with high light transmittance (high transparency), such as acrylic, PET, or polycarbonate. Light emitted by the LEDs 23 passes through the translucent plate 40.

[0034] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the light-transmitting plate 40 has an elongated band shape and includes a first portion 41 covering the opening of the first holding portion 31 and a second portion 42 covering the opening of the second holding portion 32. The first portion 41 and the second portion 42 are configured as the light-transmitting plate 40 and are integrally formed therewith to be curved at an intermediate portion between the first portion 41 and the second portion 42. Thus, the light-transmitting plate 40 as a whole has a substantially L-shape. As shown in Fig. As shown in Fig. 5, the second portion 42 has a plate surface extending horizontally and parallel to the second LED board 22B. The first portion 41 is inclined upward (the Z direction) from a front end of the second portion 42 as it extends forward, and extends parallel to the first LED board 22A.

[0035] As in Fig. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the light-transmitting plate 40 includes recessed portions 45 (an example of a lens portion) having curved surfaces. The recessed portions 45 are recessed toward the vehicle interior side and have an arcuate cross-sectional shape that varies in size and height. The recessed portions 45 are randomly formed one after the other and have a wave-shaped surface. Projecting portions 46, which project upward and have a tip, are formed at intermediate portions of the adjacent recessed portions 45.

[0036] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 4, the recessed portions 45 are formed such that the optical axes L of the LEDs 23 held in the holding member 30, with the light-transmitting plate 40 covering the opening of the holding member 30, extend through the recessed portions 45. One of the recessed portions 45 is formed to be in a position and have a size to face the two LEDs 23 included in each of the first LED set 24A or the second LED set 24B. Namely, the recessed portion 45 is formed to be in a position and have a size such that the optical axes L of the two LEDs 23 included in each of the first LED set 24A or the second LED set 24B pass through the recessed portion 45.

[0037] With such a configuration, the light rays emitted by the two LEDs 23 included in each of the first LED set 24A and the second LED set 24B are collected by the recessed portion 45 upon passing through the light-transmitting plate 40 and projected from the light-transmitting plate 40 toward the vehicle interior, being dispersed. Accordingly, a pattern corresponding to the recessed portions 45 and the protrusion portions 46 (the intermediate portions between the adjacent recessed portions 45) appears on the armrest board 15, and a bright and attractive design can be provided.

[0038] Next, an operation of the lighting device 20 of this embodiment will be described. The controller 50 is configured to control the LEDs 23 to gradually increase the light intensity after turning on the LEDs 23, and thereafter to gradually decrease the light intensity and turn off the LEDs 23. The controller 50 is configured to control the two LEDs 23 included in each of the first LED set 24A and the second LED set 24B to turn on at different times and have the highest luminous intensities at different times.

[0039] Fig. Figure 7 shows a graph indicating, for example, a chronological change in the light intensity of the two LEDs 20 of the first LED set 24A. According to the graph, the two LEDs 23 have the highest light intensity at different times. Fig. 7, a bold line indicates the chronological change in the light intensity of one of the two LEDs 23, and a thin line indicates the chronological change in the light intensity of the other of the two LEDs 23. For example, when a first lighting mode is selected by an operator via the operating section 52 and the control device 50 receives a signal concerning the first lighting mode, the control device 50 controls one of the two LEDs 23 of the first LED set 24A to be ON, and after a time t1 elapses, the control device 50 controls the other of the two LEDs 23 of the first LED set 24A to be ON. According to such an operation, the light intensity of the LEDs 23 decreases as shown in Fig. 7, the light intensity gradually increases after the LEDs 23 are turned on, and after increasing to the highest level, the light intensity gradually decreases until the LEDs 23 are turned off. The light intensity waveforms of the two LEDs 23 are offset from each other by time t1. That is, the two LEDs 23 are turned on at different times. The two LEDs 23 are turned on with a time difference t1. The controller 50 intermittently and repeatedly turns on the two LEDs 23 included in each LED set 24 at different times. According to such a configuration, a flickering light image pattern, such as a flickering flame and sparkle, is projected onto the vehicle interior according to the recessed portions 45 of the light-transmitting plate 40.

[0040] When a second lighting mode is selected by an operator via the operation section 52 and the controller 50 receives a signal related to the second lighting mode, the controller 50 sequentially and repeatedly turns on one of the two LEDs 23 of the first LED set 24A and turns on the other of the two LEDs 23 after a time t1 elapses after the one of the two LEDs 23 is turned on. Each two LEDs 23 are sequentially and repeatedly turned on at different times. The two LEDs 23 are turned on with a time difference t1 and have the highest light intensity with the time difference t1 at different times. In the second lighting mode, a flickering light image pattern different from that in the first lighting mode can be obtained.

[0041] According to such a lighting operation of the lighting device 20, light is emitted from the LEDs 23 included in each LED set 24 at different times. The light intensity of the light emitted by the LEDs 23 of each LED set 24 changes with a time difference t1. Namely, the light emitted by the LEDs 23 of each LED set 24 has a peak light intensity at different times. Such light rays pass through the light-transmitting plate 40 having the recessed portions 45, and the flickering light image is projected onto the vehicle interior like a flickering flame and sparkle. The controller 50 is configured to control the LED sets 24 simultaneously so that the LEDs 23 of each LED set 24 are turned on at different times.

[0042] Next, the configurations, operations, and effects of this embodiment will be described. The lighting device 20 of this embodiment is mounted on the door trim 10 (the trim panel 11), which includes the upper board 12, which has an elongated shape extending in the vehicle's front-rear direction and has an interior design surface, and the armrest board 15, which is located below the upper board 12 and on the vehicle exterior with respect to the upper board 12. The upper edge of the armrest board 15 is located on the vehicle exterior with respect to the lower edge of the upper board 12. The lighting device 20 supplies light to the vehicle interior through the slit 19 between the upper board 12 and the armrest board 15. The lighting device 20 includes the light-transmitting plate 40, the LEDs 23, and the controller 50.The light-transmitting plate 40 has recessed portions 45 recessed on a plate surface facing the LEDs 23 and having an arcuate cross-sectional shape. The recessed portions 45 are randomly formed. The LEDs 23 are arranged on the vehicle outer side with respect to the upper board 12. The LEDs 23 are divided into groups of LED sets 24, each comprising two LEDs 23 arranged adjacent to each other at the interval L1 in the vehicle front-rear direction. The LED sets 24 are arranged at the interval L3 in the vehicle front-rear direction, which is larger than the interval L1. The controller 50 is configured to control each of the LEDs 23 to be turned on and off separately and is configured to turn on the two LEDs 23 of one of the LED sets 24 at different timings.

[0043] According to such a configuration, an image is projected onto the vehicle interior using light emitted by the LED sets 24 and passing through the translucent plate 40 having the recessed portions 45. Such an image is a flickering light image, such as a flickering flame or sparkle.

[0044] The controller 50 is configured to control the LEDs 23 so that the light intensity gradually increases after being turned on and then gradually decreases to be OFF, and to control the two LEDs 23 of one of the LED sets 24 to be turned on at different times to have a highest light intensity at different times.

[0045] According to such a configuration, a natural and continuous flickering light pattern can be obtained compared to the configuration in which the LEDs are only turned on and off.

[0046] The irradiation areas of the LEDs 23 included in one of the LED sets 24 overlap. According to such a configuration, a natural and continuous flickering of the light image pattern can be obtained, compared to the configuration in which the irradiation areas of the LEDs included in one of the LED sets do not overlap.

[0047] The two LEDs 23 included in one of the LED sets 24 are arranged to oppose one of the recessed portions 45. According to such a configuration, an image pattern formed with a recessed portion 45 can be a clear flickering image. [Other embodiments]

[0048] The technology described herein is not limited to the embodiments described above with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments may be included within the technical scope. The technology described herein may be modified within the technical scope. (1) In the above embodiment, the two LEDs 23 of one of the LED sets 24 are turned on at different times with the change in light intensity of the same waveform and the same time difference t1 from the different times, and such an operation is repeated intermittently or sequentially. However, the time difference of the times when the two LEDs 23 included in each LED set 24 are turned on can be varied, and a waveform of the change in light intensity of the two LEDs 23 can be varied for each LED 23. For example, the time difference between the times when the LEDs are turned on can be varied as shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. In particular, the time difference in Fig. 9 and Fig.10 from t1 to t3 to (t1 < t2 < t3). The LEDs can have different light intensities (different waveform heights). The lighting device can have any configuration, as long as the two LEDs included in one of the LEDs have different light intensities or different turn-on times. (2) In the above embodiment, each LED set 24 includes two LEDs 23; however, the LED set may include three LEDs. In such a configuration, the three LEDs of the LED set may be turned on at different times and have peak light intensity at different times. Thus, a flickering image pattern is obtained. (3) In the above embodiment, the controller 50 is configured to control the LEDs 23 so that the light intensity gradually increases after being turned on and then gradually decreases to be OFF. However, the control or change of the light intensity of the LEDs may be varied as appropriate. (4) The above embodiment includes the first LED board 22A and the second LED board 22B facing in different directions. The LEDs 23 on the first LED board 22A and the LEDs 23 on the second LED board 22B emit light in different directions. However, the LEDs on the LED boards can emit in the same direction. (5) In the above embodiment, the translucent plate 40 includes the recessed portions 45 having an arcuate cross-sectional area on the vehicle outer side surface. However, the translucent plate may include protrusion portions having a semicircular cross-sectional shape on the vehicle inner side surface. Furthermore, the translucent plate may include recessed portions and protrusion portions on one surface, or a pattern on one surface. (6) The two or three LEDs contained in an LED set may be arranged opposite one another by a plurality of lens sections. (7) In the above embodiment, the distance L2 between the first LED set 24A and the second LED set 24B, which are adjacent to each other, is determined so that the irradiation areas of the LEDs 23 included in the first LED set 24A and the LED 23 included in the second LED set 24B do not overlap when the light emitted from the LEDs 23 passes through the light-transmitting plate 40. A distance between two adjacent LED sets may be determined so that the irradiation areas of the LEDs included in the two adjacent LEDs overlap when the light emitted from the LEDs passes through the light-transmitting plate. (8) In the above embodiment, the lighting device 20 is mounted on the door trim 10 for a vehicle as a vehicle lighting device. However, the present technology can be applied to other vehicle interior components, such as a pillar trim, a ceiling member, a console box, a dashboard, various types of instrument panels, and a deck trim, and can be applied to interior components for trains, aircraft, and ships, and can also be applied to a lighting structure mounted on elements other than vehicle interior components.

Claims

[1] A vehicle lighting device to be mounted on an interior component comprising an upper plate member extending in a vehicle front-rear direction and having an interior design surface, and a lower plate member disposed below the upper plate member and on a vehicle exterior side with respect to the upper plate member, the vehicle lighting device comprising: LEDs arranged on the vehicle exterior with respect to the upper plate member, the LEDs being defined in LED sets each having at least two LEDs arranged in the vehicle forward-backward direction at a first interval, and the LED sets being arranged in the vehicle forward-backward direction at a second interval that is greater than the first interval, the LEDs emitting light and supplying it to a vehicle interior; a light-transmitting member disposed between a lower edge of the upper plate member and an upper edge of the lower plate member and having a plate shape having a plate surface extending in a vehicle interior-exterior direction and through which light from the LEDs passes toward the vehicle interior, the light-transmitting member having recessed portions on the plate surface facing the LEDs; and a control device configured to turn each of the LEDs on and off separately, and configured to turn on the at least two LEDs included in one of the LED sets at different times. [2] A vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to control the LEDs to gradually increase a light intensity after switching on the LEDs and subsequently gradually reduce the light intensity and switch them off, and the control device is configured to switch on the at least two LEDs included in one of the LED sets in order to have a highest light intensity at different times. [3] A vehicle lighting device according to any one of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein irradiation areas of the at least two LEDs included in said one of the LED sets overlap. [4] A vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least two LEDs included in the one of the LED sets are arranged opposite to one of the recessed portions. [5] A vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein optical axes of the at least two LEDs extend through one of the recessed portions. [6] A vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the light-transmitting member is arranged below the LEDs and light-emitting surfaces of the LEDs face the light-transmitting member.

Images