Exterior component for vehicle

Abstract

To improve designability when a light source is turned on / off.SOLUTION: An exterior component for a vehicle includes a light source 81, and a decorative body part arranged on a vehicle outside (front side) of the light source 81. The decorative body part includes decorative layers 60 between an inner base material and an outer base material composed of transparent materials. The decorative layer 60 includes a first colored layer 61 which is formed of a color pigment and has light permeability, and a second colored layer 62 which is stacked on a vehicle inside of the first colored layer 61, has a filler 65 dispersed in a coating material, and has light permeability. The filler 65 includes a filler body 66, and a film 68 coating the filler body 66. The film 68 is formed of a color pigment having a color difference ΔE between the color pigment of the first colored layer 61 and the color pigment of 30 or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an exterior product for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an exterior part for a vehicle that includes a substrate made of a transparent or translucent material and a colored layer of blue or the like laminated on the vehicle exterior surface or vehicle interior surface of the substrate. The colored layer has a large number of fine pores with diameters of about several tens to several hundreds of μm formed therein, penetrating the colored layer.

[0003] According to this vehicle exterior accessory, when the surroundings of the vehicle are bright and the light source is turned off, the colored layer appears blue from outside the vehicle. In contrast, when the surroundings of the vehicle are dark and the light source is turned on, the light emitted from the light source passes through the hole. From outside the vehicle, the light that has passed through the hole is visible. Therefore, it is possible to express the vehicle exterior accessory in different colors when the light source is turned off during the day, etc. and when the light source is turned on at night, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-88652 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned conventional vehicle exterior accessories, even though the diameter of the hole is small, the hole is easily visible from outside the vehicle when the light source is turned off. This problem can be addressed by making the hole diameter smaller. However, as the hole diameter becomes smaller, it becomes more difficult for the light emitted from the light source to pass through the hole. Since less light passes through the vehicle exterior accessory, the pattern or the like expressed by the light becomes dark.

[0006] Therefore, there is room for improvement in the above-mentioned conventional vehicle exterior accessories in terms of improving the design whether the light source is turned on or off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Various aspects of vehicle exterior parts for solving the above problems will be described below. [Aspect 1] An exterior accessory for a vehicle comprising a housing disposed on a vehicle, a decorative main body portion disposed on the exterior side of the housing, and a light source disposed within the housing, wherein light irradiated from the light source is incident on the interior side of the decorative main body portion, the decorative main body portion comprising a base material made of a transparent or translucent material, and a decorative layer laminated on the exterior side or the interior side of the base material, the decorative layer comprising a first colored layer formed of a colored paint and having optical transparency, and a second colored layer laminated on the interior side of the first colored layer, the second colored layer comprising a paint having a filler dispersed therein and having optical transparency, the filler comprising a filler body and a coating covering the filler body, the coating being formed of a colored paint having a color difference ΔE between the colored paint of the first colored layer and that is 30 or less.

[0008] According to the above configuration, when light is incident on the decorative layer from outside the vehicle during daytime or other times when the surroundings of the vehicle are bright and the light source is turned off, a part of the light is reflected by the surface of the first colored layer facing the vehicle exterior.

[0009] Another part of the light incident on the decorative layer from outside the vehicle passes through the first colored layer and then enters the filler in the second colored layer. A part of the light incident on the filler is reflected on the surface of the coating as a first light component. Another part of the light incident on the filler is not reflected on the surface of the coating but passes through the coating, and is reflected on the surface of the filler body as a second light component. The first light component and the second light component overlap and reinforce each other. The light reflected on the surface of the first colored layer facing the vehicle exterior and the reinforced light as described above are mixed together. Therefore, when the vehicle exterior product is viewed from outside the vehicle, the decorative layer appears to have the mixed color as described above. This effect is obtained when the coating is formed of a colored paint having a color difference ΔE of 30 or less with respect to the colored paint of the first colored layer.

[0010] In contrast, when it is dark around the vehicle, such as at night, and the light source is turned on, light emitted from the light source is incident on the interior surface of the decorative main body. This light passes through the second colored layer and the first colored layer in order in the decorative layer. At this time, the light passes between the fillers in the second colored layer. The light is then emitted from the first colored layer to the exterior of the vehicle. From the exterior of the vehicle, the first colored layer appears to be shining.

[0011] In this way, the decorative layer appears in different colors when the light source is turned off and when it is turned on, improving the design both when the light source is turned off and when it is turned on.

[0012] In addition, in the vehicle exterior product having the above configuration, since no fine holes are formed in the decorative layer, when the light source is turned off, the holes are not visible from outside the vehicle, and the design is not deteriorated. Also, the light irradiated from the light source does not pass through the holes. Therefore, the phenomenon in which the light passing through the decorative main body is reduced due to the holes does not occur. The phenomenon in which the pattern expressed by the decorative main body becomes dark and the design is deteriorated is suppressed.

[0013] Therefore, in these respects as well, the effect of improving the design can be obtained. [Aspect 2] The vehicle exterior part according to [Aspect 1], wherein the first colored layer is formed from a colored clear paint obtained by adding at least one of a pigment and a dye to a clear paint.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the phenomenon in which light emitted from the light source changes color due to the influence of the pigment and dye when passing through the first colored layer is suppressed. [Aspect 3] The vehicle exterior part according to [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2], wherein the decorative layer further includes a third colored layer formed of a smoke clear paint, and the third colored layer is formed on the vehicle interior side relative to the second colored layer.

[0015] If the decorative layer were composed only of the first colored layer and the second colored layer, when the light source is turned off, there is a risk that parts, portions, etc. inside the vehicle may be visible through the decorative main body from outside the vehicle when the light source is turned off.

[0016] In this respect, according to the above-mentioned configuration, the third colored layer, which is located on the vehicle interior side of the second colored layer and is formed of a smoke clear paint, suppresses the transmission of light. In this case, the third colored layer lowers the L value, which represents the brightness (value) in the Lab color system, and makes the color of the visible light darker. Therefore, the above-mentioned phenomenon in which parts, portions, etc. inside the vehicle are visible through the decorative main body from the outside of the vehicle is less likely to occur.

[0017] [Aspect 4] A vehicle exterior part according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 3], wherein the light source used is one that emits white light, the decorative layer further includes a fourth colored layer that is colored in a color that is complementary to the color of the first colored layer, and the fourth colored layer is formed closer to the vehicle interior than the second colored layer.

[0018] Here, the term "complementary color" refers to a color that corresponds to one color when two colors are mixed in a certain ratio to produce a specific color (white in the case of light). According to the above configuration, when the white light emitted from the light source passes through the fourth colored layer, the color of the light is shifted to a color similar to that of the fourth colored layer. That is, of the white light emitted from the light source, light in a wavelength band of a color similar to that of the fourth colored layer is likely to transmit through the fourth colored layer. Of the white light, light in a wavelength band of a color different from that of the fourth colored layer is unlikely to transmit through the fourth colored layer.

[0019] The light that has passed through the fourth colored layer and is shifted to a color similar to that of the fourth colored layer passes through the first colored layer. Here, the fourth colored layer is colored in a color that is complementary to the color of the first colored layer. In other words, the color of the first colored layer is complementary to the color of the fourth colored layer. Therefore, the light that passes through the fourth colored layer changes to white by passing through the first colored layer. White light similar to the light irradiated from the light source is emitted from the surface of the first colored layer facing the vehicle exterior. From outside the vehicle, the light emitted from the first colored layer as described above appears white. In other words, from outside the vehicle, the first colored layer appears to shine white.

[0020] [Aspect 5] A vehicle exterior part according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 4], wherein the vehicle is equipped with a sensor that transmits and receives electromagnetic waves to detect objects outside the vehicle, the housing is positioned on the outer side of the vehicle than the sensor, the housing and the decorative main body are transparent to the electromagnetic waves, and the light source is positioned in a region between the housing and the decorative main body that is outside the area through which the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the sensor pass.

[0021] According to the above configuration, when an electromagnetic wave is transmitted from the sensor toward the outside of the vehicle, the electromagnetic wave passes through the housing and the decorative main body in sequence. After passing through the decorative main body, the electromagnetic wave hits an object outside the vehicle, including other vehicles and pedestrians, and is reflected, and then passes through the decorative main body and the housing in sequence. The electromagnetic wave is received by the sensor. The sensor recognizes the object based on the transmitted and received electromagnetic waves, and detects the distance and relative speed between the vehicle and the object, etc.

[0022] By arranging the light source in a location that satisfies the above conditions in the region between the housing and the decorative main body, the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the sensor pass through the locations in the region where the light source is not arranged. The light source is unlikely to impede the passage of the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the sensor. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the design whether the light source is turned on or off. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a vehicle exterior accessory according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the decorative main body part in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating how a first light component reflected from the surface of a coating of a filler and a second light component reflected from the surface of a filler body overlap and reinforce each other in the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a layer configuration of a decorative layer in the embodiment, together with a light source. [Figure 6] 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating how light emitted from a light source changes color as it passes through each colored layer in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] 4 is a graph showing the results of measuring the reflectance for each wavelength when light of various wavelengths is irradiated onto the decorative layer from the outside of the vehicle. [Figure 8] 4 is a graph showing the results of measuring the transmittance for each wavelength when light of various wavelengths is irradiated onto the decorative layer from the outside of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle exterior part will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle 10 is referred to as the front, and the backward direction is referred to as the rear. The up-down direction refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle 10, and the left-right direction refers to the vehicle width direction and coincides with the left-right direction when the vehicle 10 is moving forward.

[0026] 2, a millimeter wave radar device 12 is mounted as a sensor for detecting objects outside the vehicle at a central portion in the left-right direction of the front part of the vehicle 10, behind the front grill 11. The millimeter wave radar device 12 transmits millimeter waves, which are a form of electromagnetic waves, toward the outside of the vehicle, within a predetermined angle range in front of the vehicle 10. The millimeter wave radar device 12 receives millimeter waves reflected from objects outside the vehicle, including other vehicles (preceding vehicles), pedestrians, etc.

[0027] A window portion 13 is provided in the front grille 11 at a location that is a path of millimeter waves from the millimeter wave radar device 12, specifically, at a location in front of the millimeter wave radar device 12. An upright vehicle exterior accessory 20 is arranged in the window portion 13 so as to face forward.

[0028] In addition, in order to explain the positional relationship of each part of the vehicle exterior part 20, and in order to explain the positional relationship between the vehicle exterior part 20 and the millimeter wave radar device 12, the terms "outside the vehicle" and "inside the vehicle" may be used. For example, in the front-rear direction, the side approaching the center of the vehicle 10 in the front-rear direction is the "inside the vehicle", and the side moving away from the center is the "outside the vehicle". In the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, the "outside the vehicle" and "inside the vehicle" are defined in the same manner as in the front-rear direction.

[0029] Because the vehicle exterior part 20 is disposed facing forward, and because the vehicle exterior part 20 and the millimeter wave radar device 12 are disposed in the front-to-rear direction, in this embodiment, the terms "outside the vehicle" and "inside the vehicle" refer to the "outside the vehicle" and "inside the vehicle" in the front-to-rear direction. In particular, in this embodiment in which the vehicle exterior part 20 and the millimeter wave radar device 12 are disposed in the front of the vehicle 10, and the vehicle exterior part 20 is disposed in front of the millimeter wave radar device 12, the "outside the vehicle" corresponds to the "front side" in the front-to-rear direction. The "inside the vehicle" corresponds to the "rear side" in the front-to-rear direction.

[0030] The vehicle exterior accessory 20 is for decorating the exterior of the vehicle 10. The vehicle exterior accessory 20 of this embodiment corresponds to what is generally called an emblem. The vehicle exterior accessory 20 includes a housing 31, a decorative main body 41, and a light source 81. Next, each part that constitutes the vehicle exterior accessory 20 will be described.

[0031] <Housing 31> The housing 31 is disposed on the vehicle 10 on the outer side of the millimeter wave radar device 12. The housing 31 has millimeter wave transparency, which is the ability to transmit millimeter waves transmitted from the millimeter wave radar device 12.

[0032] The entire housing 31 is formed from a resin material in which a white light diffusing material is dispersed. As the resin material, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) resin is used, but other resin materials, for example, a polymer alloy of PC (polycarbonate) resin and ABS resin, may also be used. As the light diffusing material, for example, a metal oxide such as titanium oxide or zinc oxide is used. The housing 31 diffuses and reflects the irradiated light so that it becomes white light.

[0033] <Decorative body part 41> As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the decorative main body 41 is disposed on the vehicle exterior side of the housing 31. The decorative main body 41 is generally shaped like a horizontally long, approximately elliptical plate. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the decorative main body 41 includes a base material made of a transparent or translucent material, a light-shielding portion, a decorative layer 60, and a hard coat layer 71. The base material is composed of an inner base material 42 and an outer base material 51 disposed on the vehicle exterior side of the inner base material 42. Note that the decorative layer 60 and the hard coat layer 71 are omitted from Fig. 2.

[0034] <Inner base material 42> The inner base material 42 has millimeter wave transmissibility. The inner base material 42 is formed of a transparent resin material serving as a transparent material, such as an AS (acrylonitrile styrene) resin, a PC resin, or a PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) resin. The inner base material 42 may be formed of a translucent resin material serving as a translucent material.

[0035] The inner base material 42 is formed with a general portion 43 and a protrusion 44 that protrudes further toward the vehicle exterior than the general portion 43. The general portion 43 corresponds to the background region 21 of the vehicle exterior part 20 in Fig. 1. The protrusion 44 corresponds to the pattern region 22 of the vehicle exterior part 20. Here, the pattern region 22 is composed of a character portion 23 and an annular portion 24 surrounding the character portion 23.

[0036] <Light shielding part> As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the light shielding portion includes a peripheral light shielding portion 47 and an intermediate light shielding portion 48. The peripheral light shielding portion 47 and the intermediate light shielding portion 48 are formed of, for example, a mixed material of PC resin and carbon black. The peripheral light shielding portion 47 and the intermediate light shielding portion 48 absorb light to block light transmission. The peripheral light shielding portion 47 is provided along the outer peripheral edge portion 45 of the inner base material 42 to form an elliptical ring shape and is in close contact with the outer peripheral edge portion 45. The intermediate light shielding portion 48 is a portion surrounded by the peripheral light shielding portion 47 and is located on the vehicle exterior side of the general portion 43 of the inner base material 42.

[0037] <Outer base material 51> The outer substrate 51 has millimeter wave transmissibility, similar to the inner substrate 42. The outer substrate 51 is formed of a transparent resin material as a transparent material, similar to the inner substrate 42. The outer substrate 51 is formed on the outer side of the vehicle relative to the inner substrate 42 and the light shielding portion (the peripheral light shielding portion 47 and the intermediate light shielding portion 48). The outer substrate 51 may be formed of a translucent resin material as a translucent material.

[0038] The vehicle interior side of the outer substrate 51 is formed in a shape corresponding to the vehicle exterior side of both the inner substrate 42 and the light shielding portion. That is, a recess 52 recessed toward the vehicle exterior is formed in the vehicle interior side of the outer substrate 51, at a location on the vehicle exterior side of the protrusion 44 of the inner substrate 42. Also, an annular recess 54 recessed toward the vehicle exterior is formed on the vehicle interior side surface of the outer peripheral edge portion 53 of the outer substrate 51. The annular recess 54 is in close contact with the peripheral edge light shielding portion 47 from the vehicle exterior side. Also, a recess 55 recessed toward the vehicle exterior is formed in the vehicle interior side of the outer substrate 51, at a location on the vehicle exterior side of the intermediate light shielding portion 48. This recess 55 is in close contact with the intermediate light shielding portion 48 from the vehicle exterior side.

[0039] <Decorative layer 60> As shown in FIG. 3, the decorative layer 60 is a layer for decorating the decorative main body portion 41. The decorative layer 60 is formed between the inner substrate 42 and the intermediate light-shielding portion 48 and the outer substrate 51. More specifically, the decorative layer 60 is formed between the protrusion 44 and the recess 52 on the vehicle exterior side of the protrusion 44. The decorative layer 60 is also formed between the intermediate light-shielding portion 48 and the general portion 43 on the vehicle exterior side of the general portion 43. In other words, the decorative layer 60 is laminated on the vehicle exterior side of the inner substrate 42 and on the vehicle interior side of the outer substrate 51.

[0040] The decorative layer 60 includes a first colored layer 61, a second colored layer 62, a third colored layer 63, and a fourth colored layer 64, each of which has millimeter wave transparency. The first colored layer 61, the second colored layer 62, the third colored layer 63, and the fourth colored layer 64 are laminated in this order from the vehicle exterior side to the vehicle interior side.

[0041] The decorative layer 60 is configured so that, when the decorative main body portion 41 is viewed from outside the vehicle, the pattern area 22 (the letter portion 23 and the annular portion 24) satisfies the following conditions in terms of color. Condition: When it is dark, such as at night, and the light source 81 is turned on, the pattern area 22 appears to glow in a color similar to the color of the light emitted from the light source 81.

[0042] Unlike Patent Document 1, the decorative layer 60 does not have many fine holes penetrating the decorative layer 60. [First colored layer 61] The first colored layer 61 is formed of a colored paint and has light transmittance. In this embodiment, the first colored layer 61 is formed of a blue colored paint. However, if the blue color of the first colored layer 61 is too dark, the white light emitted from the light source 81 may take on a bluish tinge when passing through the first colored layer 61. For this reason, the first colored layer 61 is made to appear a light (pale) blue color by itself.

[0043] More specifically, the first colored layer 61 is formed by using a colored clear paint as the colored paint. The colored clear paint is a paint that is colored a specific color, in this case, blue, by adding at least one of a pigment and a dye, i.e., only a pigment, only a dye, or both a pigment and a dye, to a clear paint. As the clear paint, for example, a normal clear paint such as an acrylic resin-based, urethane resin-based, polyester resin-based, or epoxy resin-based paint can be used.

[0044] [Second colored layer 62] As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the second colored layer 62 is provided to make the pattern area 22 appear as a specific color from the outside of the vehicle while suppressing the effect on the color (white) of the light irradiated from the light source 81. The "specific color" includes a color different from that of the first colored layer 61, as well as a color darker than that of the first colored layer 61. The second colored layer 62 is laminated on the inside of the vehicle of the first colored layer 61. The second colored layer 62 is formed by dispersing a filler 65 as a glittering material in a blue paint that is transparent to the light irradiated from the light source 81.

[0045] The filler 65 includes a filler body 66 made of mica or the like, and a coating 68 that covers the filler body 66. Note that a metal filler such as an aluminum filler may be used as the filler body 66. The coating 68 is formed of a colored paint having a color difference ΔE of 30 or less from the colored paint of the first colored layer 61. The color difference ΔE between both colored paints is preferably 25 or less, and more preferably 10 or less. In this embodiment, the coating 68 is formed of a colored paint made of a purple pigment. The color difference ΔE between the purple colored paint of the coating 68 and the blue colored paint of the first colored layer 61 was measured and found to be 25.

[0046] [Third colored layer 63] The third colored layer 63 shown in Fig. 3 is formed of a smoke clear paint made of a transparent resin and a dark coloring agent. The third colored layer 63 is laminated on the vehicle inner side of the second colored layer 62. As the transparent resin, for example, a resin material having excellent light resistance such as an acrylic resin is preferable, but is not limited thereto. In addition, as the coloring agent, for example, a black pigment is used.

[0047] [4th colored layer 64] The fourth colored layer 64 shown in FIG. 3 is formed using a colored paint of a color complementary to the color of the first colored layer 61. Here, the complementary color refers to a color that corresponds to one color when two colors are mixed in a certain ratio to produce a specific color (white in the case of light). Since the color of the first colored layer 61 is blue, the complementary color is yellow. In this embodiment, the fourth colored layer 64 is formed from a colored clear paint that is colored yellow by adding a yellow colorant to a clear paint.

[0048] <Hard coat layer 71> The hard coat layer 71 is formed to be transparent and has millimeter wave transmissibility. The hard coat layer 71 is formed by applying a known hard coat agent to the surface of the outer substrate 51 facing the vehicle exterior. Examples of the hard coat agent include organic hard coat agents such as acrylate-based, oxetane-based, and silicone-based hard coat agents, inorganic hard coat agents, and organic-inorganic hybrid hard coat agents. The surface of the hard coat layer 71 facing the vehicle exterior constitutes the design surface of the vehicle exterior part 20.

[0049] The hard coat layer 71 has a function of preventing scratches on the outer base material 51. In addition, the hard coat layer 71 also has a function of preventing the vehicle exterior part 20 from changing or deteriorating due to sunlight, wind and rain, temperature changes, and the like.

[0050] <Light source 81> 2, the outer peripheral edge 32 of the housing 31 and the peripheral light shielding portion 47 constituting the outer peripheral edge of the decorative main body 41 are joined together. The area between the housing 31 and the decorative main body 41 and surrounded by the joined parts (the outer peripheral edge 32, the peripheral light shielding portion 47) as described above constitutes a storage section 73. A part of the area of ​​the storage section 73 that is separated inward from the joined parts serves as a passage area 74 for millimeter waves transmitted from the millimeter wave radar device 12 (see FIG. 1).

[0051] The light source 81 is configured by a light emitting diode (LED) chip. In this embodiment, a plurality of light sources 81 are used. Each light source 81 is configured by mounting an LED element 83 on a substrate .

[0052] Each light source 81 is disposed in the housing 31, i.e., in the storage section 73, at a location outside the passage area 74. In this embodiment, some of the light sources 81 are disposed at a location above the passage area 74, and the remaining light sources 81 are disposed at a location below the passage area 74.

[0053] The light sources 81 are arranged in such a manner that the emitted light is diffusely reflected by the housing 31 and directed toward the inner base material 42. In the above-mentioned embodiment, each light source 81 is arranged with the LED element 83 positioned closer to the vehicle interior than the substrate 82. Moreover, the LED element 83 of each light source 81 emits light of a specific color, white light in this embodiment, from a position away from the housing 31 toward the vehicle interior.

[0054] Each light source 81 is turned off when it is bright around the vehicle 10, such as during the day. Each light source 81 is turned on when it is dark around the vehicle 10, such as at night. The light sources 81 may be turned on and off automatically by control, or may be turned on and off by a passenger operating a switch. In the former case, for example, the brightness around the vehicle 10 is detected by a sensor, and the control device controls the turning on and off of the light sources 81 based on the detection result.

[0055] The vehicle exterior part 20 is arranged in the window portion 13 of the front grille 11 in an upright state, and is attached to the front grille 11. There are no particular limitations on the structure for attaching the vehicle exterior part 20 to the front grille 11. The vehicle exterior part 20 is attached to the front grille 11 by, for example, clips, screws, claw engagement, or the like. The vehicle exterior part 20 may be attached to a vehicle body (not shown) instead of the front grille 11.

[0056] Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as above will be described. <Regarding external environment recognition by millimeter wave radar device 12> When millimeter waves are transmitted from the millimeter wave radar device 12 shown in FIG. 2 toward the outside of the vehicle, the millimeter waves pass through the housing 31 and the decorative main body portion 41 in the passing area 74 in this order.

[0057] Here, the LED element 83 for each light source 81 is located in a portion of the housing section 73 that is above or below the passing area 74. Therefore, the millimeter waves transmitted from the millimeter wave radar device 12 pass through a portion of the housing section 73 where the light sources 81 are not arranged. Each light source 81 is unlikely to interfere with the millimeter waves transmitted from the millimeter wave radar device 12.

[0058] The millimeter waves that have passed through the decorative main body 41 are reflected by objects outside the vehicle, including other vehicles (vehicles ahead), pedestrians, etc., and then pass through the decorative main body 41 and the housing 31 in that order. The millimeter waves are received by the millimeter wave radar device 12.

[0059] The millimeter wave radar device 12 recognizes the object based on the transmitted and received millimeter waves, and detects the distance between the vehicle 10 and the object, the relative speed, and the like. <When light source 81 is turned off> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, during the daytime, when the surroundings of the vehicle 10 are bright and the light source 81 is turned off, a portion of the light incident on the decorative main body portion 41 from outside the vehicle passes through the hard coat layer 71 and the outer base material 51 in sequence.

[0060] A portion of the light that passes through the outer substrate 51 is absorbed by the peripheral light-shielding portion 47 and the intermediate light-shielding portion 48. Therefore, from the outside of the vehicle, the peripheral light-shielding portion 47 and the intermediate light-shielding portion 48 appear to be located on the inside of the vehicle (rear side) through the hard coat layer 71 and the outer substrate 51. Moreover, the peripheral light-shielding portion 47 and the intermediate light-shielding portion 48 appear to be blackish. Members on the inside of the vehicle (rear side) of the peripheral light-shielding portion 47 and the intermediate light-shielding portion 48 are not visible or are difficult to see.

[0061] 5, the light that passes through the outer substrate 51 and then enters the first colored layer 61 is referred to as light 88. The light that is reflected by the surface of the first colored layer 61 facing the vehicle exterior is referred to as light 89. The light 89 passes through the outer substrate 51 and the hard coat layer 71 in this order, and then exits from the surface of the hard coat layer 71 facing the vehicle exterior.

[0062] Another part of the light that is incident on the decorative main body 41 from the outside of the vehicle and passes through the hard coat layer 71 and the outer base material 51 in this order passes through the first colored layer 61 and then is incident on the filler 65 in the second colored layer 62. This light is referred to as light 90 in order to distinguish it from other light.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 4, a part of the light 90 incident on the filler 65 is reflected by the surface 69 of the coating 68 as a first light component 90A. Another part of the light 90 incident on the filler 65 is not reflected by the surface 69 of the coating 68 but passes through the coating 68, and is reflected by the surface 67 of the filler body 66 as a second light component 90B. The first light component 90A and the second light component 90B overlap each other and reinforce each other. The reinforced light 90C is emitted from the first colored layer 61 to the outside of the vehicle. This light 90C and the light 89 reflected by the surface of the first colored layer 61 on the outside of the vehicle mix together to generate navy light. This navy light passes through the outer substrate 51 and the hard coat layer 71 in order, and is then emitted from the surface of the hard coat layer 71 on the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, when the vehicle exterior part 20 is viewed from the outside of the vehicle, the pattern region 22 (the letter portion 23, the annular portion 24) of the decorative layer 60 appears navy blue. This effect is obtained when the coating 68 is formed of a colored paint having a color difference ΔE of 30 or less with respect to the colored paint of the first colored layer 61.

[0064] FIG. 7 shows the results of measuring the reflectance for each wavelength when light of various wavelengths is irradiated onto the decorative layer 60 from the outside of the vehicle. In FIG. 7, the two-dot chain characteristic line L1 shows the measurement results of a comparative example in which the decorative layer 60 is composed of only the first colored layer 61. The one-dot chain characteristic line L2 shows the measurement results when the decorative layer 60 is composed of the first colored layer 61 and the second colored layer 62. The dashed characteristic line L3 shows the measurement results when the decorative layer 60 is composed of the first colored layer 61, the second colored layer 62, and the third colored layer 63. The solid characteristic line L4 shows the measurement results of this embodiment in which the decorative layer 60 is composed of the first colored layer 61, the second colored layer 62, the third colored layer 63, and the fourth colored layer 64.

[0065] FIG. 8 shows the results of measuring the transmittance for each wavelength when light of various wavelengths is irradiated onto the decorative layer 60 from the outside of the vehicle. In FIG. 8, the two-dot chain characteristic line L5 shows the measurement results of the above-mentioned comparative example. The one-dot chain characteristic line L6 shows the measurement results when the decorative layer 60 is composed of a first colored layer 61 and a second colored layer 62. The dashed characteristic line L7 shows the measurement results when the decorative layer 60 is composed of a first colored layer 61, a second colored layer 62, and a third colored layer 63. The solid characteristic line L8 shows the measurement results of this embodiment.

[0066] The first colored layer 61, the third colored layer 63, and the fourth colored layer 64 used in the measurements of FIGS. 7 and 8 all had a thickness of 8 μm, and the second colored layer 62 had a thickness of 7 μm. The wavelength range of 460 nm to 480 nm is a wavelength range in which light appears blue. In this wavelength range, as shown by characteristic line L1, in the comparative example in which the decorative layer 60 is made only of the first colored layer 61, the reflectance is low at about 3%. In addition, as shown by characteristic lines L2 to L4, in the case of the decorative layer 60 in which at least one of the other colored layers 62 to 64 is added to the first colored layer 61, the reflectance is high at 5% to 8%.

[0067] In the above wavelength region, as shown by characteristic line L5, the comparative example in which the decorative layer 60 is made of only the first colored layer 61 has a high transmittance of 40% to 60%. As shown by characteristic lines L6 to L8, the decorative layer 60 in which at least one of the other colored layers 62 to 64 is added to the first colored layer 61 has a low transmittance of 5% to 15%.

[0068] 7 and 8, in the above wavelength region where light appears blue, the light 89 reflected by the first colored layer 61 is small and the light transmitted is large. However, it can be seen that of the light transmitted through the first colored layer 61, the light reflected by the second colored layer 62 is large and the light transmitted is small.

[0069] 4 and 5, in the second colored layer 62, the first light component 90A and the second light component 90B overlap and reinforce each other. The reinforced light 90C is mixed with the light 89 reflected by the surface of the first colored layer 61 facing the vehicle exterior. From outside the vehicle, the pattern region 22 of the decorative layer 60 appears navy, which is the color of the mixed light as described above.

[0070] Here, if the decorative layer 60 were composed only of the first colored layer 61 and the second colored layer 62, when the light source 81 is turned off, there is a risk that parts, portions, etc. inside the vehicle than the decorative main body portion 41 could be seen through the decorative main body portion 41 from outside the vehicle.

[0071] In this embodiment, the third colored layer 63, which is located closer to the vehicle interior than the second colored layer 62 and is made of a smoke clear paint, suppresses light transmission. This is also shown in characteristic lines L7 and L8 in Fig. 8. Compared to when the decorative layer 60 is composed of the first colored layer 61 and the second colored layer 62 (characteristic line L6), when the third colored layer 63 is further added (characteristic lines L7 and L8), the transmittance is smaller.

[0072] In this case, the third colored layer 63 lowers the L value, which represents the brightness (lightness) in the Lab color system, and makes the color of the light (navy blue) darker. Therefore, the above-mentioned phenomenon in which parts and portions inside the vehicle are visible through the decorative main body 41 from the outside of the vehicle is less likely to occur.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 3, in the pattern region 22, the decorative layer 60 is formed between the recesses 52 and the protrusions 44, so that the decorative layer 60 appears three-dimensional as if it is protruding forward. <When light source 81 is turned on> As shown in FIG. 2, when the surroundings of the vehicle 10 are dark, such as at night, and each light source 81 is turned on, the light emitted from the LED element 83 of each light source 81 is irradiated to the housing 31 and diffusely reflected. The diffusely reflected light is irradiated to the interior surface of the decorative body 41. After passing through the inner base material 42, the light is incident on the decorative layer 60. Here, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the light incident on the decorative layer 60 from the interior side of the vehicle is referred to as light 85. In the decorative layer 60, the light 85 passes through the fourth colored layer 64, the third colored layer 63, the second colored layer 62, and the first colored layer 61 in this order. During this passage, the color of the light 85 changes.

[0074] 6, the adjacent colored layers 64-61 are shown in a separated state in order to explain the state in which the color of the light 85 changes. Also, in order to distinguish the light 85 passing through each of the colored layers 64-61, different alphabets are added after the light 85.

[0075] White light 85 is incident on the fourth colored layer 64. Light 85A passing through the fourth colored layer 64 is shifted to yellow, which is the same color as the fourth colored layer 64, during the process of passing through. That is, of the white light 85, light in a wavelength band of a color similar to that of the fourth colored layer 64, yellow light in this case, is easily transmitted through the fourth colored layer 64. In contrast, light in a wavelength band of a color different from the color (yellow) of the fourth colored layer 64 is less likely to transmit through the fourth colored layer 64.

[0076] Therefore, the yellow light 85B shifted as described above is emitted from the fourth colored layer 64 and enters the third colored layer 63. In the process in which the light 85B passes through the third colored layer 63, the color of the light 85B hardly changes.

[0077] From the third colored layer 63, light of substantially the same color as when it was incident, in this case yellow light 85C, is emitted and incident on the second colored layer 62. In the second colored layer 62, the yellow light 85C passes between the fillers 65 in the second colored layer 62. In the process of this passage, the color of the light 85C hardly changes.

[0078] From the second colored layer 62, light of substantially the same color as when it was incident, in this case yellow light 85D, is emitted and incident on the first colored layer 61. Here, as described above, the first colored layer 61 is formed of a colored clear paint and is colored and transparent with a bluish hue. The first colored layer 61 is a light (pale) blue color when it is alone. Therefore, the light 85D is prevented from becoming bluish when it passes through the first colored layer 61.

[0079] As described above, the fourth colored layer 64 is colored yellow, which is a complementary color to the blue of the first colored layer 61. In other words, the color of the first colored layer 61 is complementary to the color of the fourth colored layer 64. Therefore, the yellow light 85D changes to white light while passing through the first colored layer 61. White light 85E is emitted from the first colored layer 61, similar to the light emitted from the light source 81.

[0080] 3, the white light 85E is emitted from the vehicle exterior surface of the hard coat layer 71. Therefore, from outside the vehicle, the light 85E emitted from the hard coat layer 71 as described above appears to shine in white. The pattern region 22 (the letter portion 23 and the annular portion 24) appears to shine in white.

[0081] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in this embodiment, the decorative layer 60 includes a first colored layer 61 and a second colored layer 62 laminated on the vehicle interior side of the first colored layer 61. The first colored layer 61 is formed of a colored paint and has optical transparency. The second colored layer 62 is formed of a paint in which a filler 65 is dispersed and has optical transparency. The filler 65 includes a filler body 66 and a coating 68 that covers the filler body 66. The coating 68 is formed of a colored paint having a color difference ΔE of 30 or less with respect to the colored paint of the first colored layer 61.

[0082] Therefore, when the light source 81 is turned off, such as during the day, the pattern area 22 appears navy blue. Also, when the light source 81 is turned on, such as at night, the light passes through the decorative main body 41, causing the pattern area 22 to appear shiny.

[0083] In this way, the pattern area 22 can be made to appear in different colors when the light source 81 is turned on and when it is turned off, thereby improving the design when the light source 81 is turned on and when it is turned off.

[0084] (2) In relation to (1) above, in this embodiment, unlike Patent Document 1, fine holes are not formed in the decorative layer 60, so that the holes are not visible from the outside of the vehicle. In addition, the light irradiated from the light source 81 does not pass through the holes. Therefore, the phenomenon in which less light passes through the decorative main body 41 due to the holes does not occur. It is possible to prevent the character portion 23 and the annular portion 24 in the pattern area 22 from appearing dark and shiny.

[0085] Therefore, in this respect as well, the above-mentioned effect (1) of improving the design can be obtained whether the light source 81 is turned on or off. (3) Depending on the magnitude of the color difference ΔE, the color tone (hue) of the pattern region 22 of the decorative layer 60 when the vehicle exterior part 20 is viewed from the outside of the vehicle can be made to differ. For example, the color of the colored paint in the first colored layer 61 and the color of the colored paint in the coating 68 are selected so that the color difference ΔE is a relatively large value, provided that the color difference ΔE is 30 or less. In this way, the pattern region 22 can be made to look a different color from the first colored layer 61. In addition, the colors of both colored paints are selected so that the color difference ΔE is a relatively small value. In this way, it is also possible to make the pattern region 22 look darker than the first colored layer 61.

[0086] (4) In this embodiment, the first colored layer 61 is formed of a colored clear paint that is colored by adding at least one of a pigment and a dye to a clear paint. Therefore, when white light irradiated from the light source 81 passes through the first colored layer 61, the phenomenon in which the color changes due to the influence of the pigment and dye (in this embodiment, the phenomenon in which the color becomes bluish) can be suppressed.

[0087] (5) In this embodiment, the decorative layer 60 is provided with a third colored layer 63 formed of a smoke clear paint. Therefore, when the light source 81 is turned off, the third colored layer 63 can prevent parts, portions, etc. inside the vehicle from being seen through the decorative main body 41 from the outside of the vehicle. In this respect, the design can be improved.

[0088] (6) In this embodiment, the light source 81 emits white light. The decorative layer 60 includes a fourth colored layer 64 that is colored in a color complementary to the color of the first colored layer 61 and is disposed closer to the vehicle interior than the second colored layer 62. Therefore, when the light source 81 is turned on, the pattern area 22 can be made to appear to glow with white light similar to the light emitted from the light source 81.

[0089] (7) As shown in Fig. 2, in this embodiment, the housing 31 and the decorative main body 41 of the vehicle exterior accessory 20, which are disposed on the vehicle outer side relative to the millimeter wave radar device 12, are made of materials that are transparent to millimeter waves. This makes it possible to prevent the housing 31 and the decorative main body 41 from interfering with the detection of the millimeter wave radar device 12.

[0090] In this embodiment, the light sources 81 in the housing 31 are disposed in a region between the housing 31 and the decorative main body 41, outside the millimeter wave passing region 74. This makes it possible to prevent the light sources 81 from interfering with the millimeter waves transmitted from the millimeter wave radar device 12.

[0091] The above embodiment can also be implemented as modified examples as follows: The above embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a range that does not cause technical contradiction.

[0092] <About Light Source 81> The light source 81 may be disposed in such a manner that the emitted light can be directed directly toward the inner base material 42 without being reflected by the housing 31. In other words, the light source 81 may be disposed in such a manner that the light is emitted toward the inner base material 42.

[0093] A number of light sources 81 different from that in the above embodiment may be used. The minimum value is "1". The light source 81 may be disposed in a location in the accommodation section 73 that is offset in the left-right direction in addition to or instead of being disposed in a location that is vertically separated from the passage area 74 .

[0094] A light source 81 that emits light based on a principle different from that of an LED that emits light by electroluminescence may be used as the light source 81. For example, a light source 81 that emits light by incandescence, fluorescence, discharge, chemical luminescence, laser emission, or the like may be used.

[0095] The light source 81 may be one that emits light of a color other than white. <Position of the decorative layer 60> The inner base material 42 may be omitted, and the base material may be configured only by the outer base material 51. In this case, the decorative layer 60 is laminated on the base material on the vehicle inner side.

[0096] The outer base material 51 may be omitted, and the base material may be formed only by the inner base material 42. In this case, the decorative layer 60 is laminated on the outer side of the base material. <Layer structure of the decorative layer 60> The first colored layer 61 may be formed of a colored paint (colored clear paint) of a color other than blue.

[0097] The first colored layer 61 may be formed of a colored paint that does not use a clear paint. The same applies to the fourth colored layer 64. Provided that the color difference ΔE is 30 or less, the combination of the color of the colored paint in the first colored layer 61 and the color of the colored paint in the coating 68 may be changed to a combination different from that in the above embodiment (colored paint in the first colored layer: blue, colored paint in the coating: purple).

[0098] The third colored layer 63 may be omitted, so that the decorative layer 60 is composed of the first colored layer 61, the second colored layer 62, and the fourth colored layer 64. The fourth colored layer 64 may be omitted, so that the decorative layer 60 is composed of the first colored layer 61, the second colored layer 62, and the third colored layer 63.

[0099] The third colored layer 63 and the fourth colored layer 64 may be omitted, so that the decorative layer 60 is composed of the first colored layer 61 and the second colored layer 62 . <About sensors> The sensor may detect objects outside the vehicle by transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves other than millimeter waves, such as infrared rays.

[0100] The sensor may be mounted at a location other than the front of the vehicle 10, for example, at the rear. In this case, the sensor transmits electromagnetic waves toward the rear of the vehicle 10. The sensor may also be mounted on an obliquely front side, an obliquely rear side, or the like of the vehicle 10. In this case, the sensor transmits electromagnetic waves toward an obliquely front side, an obliquely rear side, or the like of the vehicle 10.

[0101] In either case, the vehicle exterior part 20 is disposed in a position in front of the sensor in the transmission direction of the electromagnetic waves, that is, in a position on the vehicle exterior side of the sensor. <Other> The vehicle exterior accessory 20 can also be applied to a vehicle 10 that is not equipped with a sensor that transmits and receives electromagnetic waves to detect an object outside the vehicle.

[0102] The vehicle exterior part of the present invention can be widely applied as long as it is a vehicle exterior part 20 that is attached to the exterior part of a vehicle 10 to decorate the vehicle 10 and has a light-emitting function. Examples of the vehicle exterior part 20 include emblems, ornaments, marks, front grilles, rear grilles, side bezels, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 10. Vehicle 12...Millimeter wave radar device (sensor) 20...Exterior parts for vehicles 31. Housing 41…Decorative main body 42...Inner base material (base material) 51...Outer base material (base material) 60…Decorative layer 61...First colored layer 62…Second colored layer 63…Third colored layer 64…4th colored layer 65…Filler 66…Filler body 68...Membrane 74…passing area 81...Light source 85,85A,85B,85C,85D,85E,88,89,90,90C…light

Claims

1. A vehicle exterior accessory comprising: a housing arranged in a vehicle; a decorative main body part arranged on an outer side of the housing; and a light source arranged within the housing, wherein light irradiated from the light source is incident on an inner side surface of the decorative main body part, The decorative main body portion includes a base material made of a transparent material or a translucent material, and a decorative layer laminated on the base material on the vehicle exterior side or the vehicle interior side, The decorative layer includes a first colored layer formed of a colored paint and having light transmittance, and a second colored layer laminated on the vehicle interior side of the first colored layer, having a filler dispersed in the paint, and having light transmittance, The filler includes a filler body and a coating that covers the filler body, The coating is formed from a colored paint having a color difference ΔE of 30 or less with respect to the colored paint of the first colored layer.

2. 2. The vehicle exterior part according to claim 1, wherein the first colored layer is formed of a colored clear paint obtained by adding at least one of a pigment and a dye to a clear paint to color it.

3. The decorative layer further includes a third colored layer formed of a smoke clear paint, The vehicle exterior product according to claim 1 , wherein the third colored layer is formed closer to the vehicle interior side than the second colored layer.

4. The light source used is one that emits white light, The decorative layer further includes a fourth colored layer colored in a color complementary to the color of the first colored layer, The vehicle exterior part according to claim 1 , wherein the fourth colored layer is formed closer to the vehicle interior side than the second colored layer.

5. The vehicle is equipped with a sensor that transmits and receives electromagnetic waves to detect objects outside the vehicle, The housing is disposed on an outer side of the vehicle than the sensor, The housing and the decorative main body are transparent to the electromagnetic waves, The vehicle exterior part according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light source is disposed in a region between the housing and the decorative main body, the region being outside a region through which the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the sensor pass.

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