Vehicular lighting fixture with detector

Abstract

To prevent snow and water from entering between a detection surface and a back face of a cover.SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting fixture with a detector includes a lighting fixture unit and a detection unit. The lighting fixture unit includes a light source and a lens. The lens is formed with a storage recessed part which is recessed in an opposite detection direction opposite to a detection direction. The detection unit includes a detector, a bracket, and a cover. At least a part of the detector is stored in the storage recessed part. The bracket supports the detector from the opposite detection direction side. The cover is provided with a flange projecting in the opposite detection direction. By engagement of the flange with the bracket at a predetermined engagement place, the cover is mounted on the bracket. The detector has a detection surface for detecting an object, on the end in the detection direction. The flange extends up to the opposite detection direction from the detection surface above the detector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp equipped with a detection device such as a radar. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, efforts to provide sustainable transportation systems that take into consideration vulnerable people among transportation participants have been gaining momentum. To achieve this, the applicant is focusing on further improving the safety and convenience of transportation through research and development of driving assistance technologies. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-91303 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present inventors have considered adopting the following configuration for a vehicle lamp equipped with a detection device such as a radar used in driving assistance technology. The vehicle lamp equipped with a detection device includes a lamp unit and a detection unit. The detection unit detects objects in a predetermined detection direction.

[0005] The lighting unit includes a light source and a lens. The lens covers the light source from the detection direction side. A storage recess is formed in the lens, which is recessed in a counter-detection direction opposite the detection direction. The detection unit includes a detection device, a bracket, and a cover. At least a portion of the detection device is stored in the storage recess. The detection device has a detection surface at an end on the detection direction side for detecting objects. The bracket supports the detection device from the counter-detection direction side.

[0006] The cover covers the detector from the detection direction side. The cover is provided with a flange that protrudes toward the opposite detection direction side. The flange engages with the bracket at a predetermined engagement point, thereby attaching the cover to the bracket.

[0007] The inventors have noticed that the following problem may occur with such a vehicle lamp with a detection device: If snow or water gets inside the storage recess through a gap between the upper end of the cover and the inner circumferential surface of the storage recess, the snow or water may get into the gap between the detection surface and the back surface of the cover, adversely affecting the detection performance of the detection device.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to prevent snow and water from getting in between the detection surface and the back surface of the cover. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The inventors discovered that the above object can be achieved by providing a flange on the cover that protrudes above the detection device and in a direction opposite to the detection surface, and arrived at the present invention. The present invention is a vehicle lamp with a detection device having the following configurations (1) to (5).

[0010] (1) A vehicle lamp with a detection device, comprising a lamp unit mounted on a vehicle and a detection unit that detects an object in a predetermined detection direction, The lamp unit includes a light source and a lens that covers the light source from the detection direction side, and the lens is formed with a storage recess that is recessed in a counter detection direction opposite to the detection direction, the detection unit includes a detection device at least a portion of which is stored in the storage recess, a bracket that supports the detection device from the opposite detection direction side, and a cover that covers the detection device from the detection direction side, The cover is provided with a flange protruding in the opposite direction to the detection direction, The cover is attached to the bracket by engaging the flange with the bracket at a predetermined engagement point, the detection device has a detection surface for performing the detection at an end in the detection direction, The flange protrudes above the detection device and beyond the detection surface in the opposite detection direction. Vehicle lighting fixture with detection device.

[0011] According to this configuration, the flange protrudes above the detection device and in the opposite detection direction from the detection surface, so that even if snow or water enters the inside of the storage recess through a gap between the upper end of the cover and the inner circumferential surface of the storage recess, the flange can prevent the snow or water from entering between the detection surface and the back surface of the cover.

[0012] (2) The flange protrudes upward from the end face of the detection device on the opposite detection direction side to the opposite detection direction side, A vehicle lamp with a detection device as described in (1) above.

[0013] With this configuration, even if snow or water falls downward from the end of the flange on the opposite side to the detection direction, the snow or water falls on the opposite side to the detection device, which more firmly prevents snow or water from entering between the detection surface and the back surface of the cover.

[0014] (3) The engagement portion is located on the opposite side to the detection direction from the detection surface. A vehicle lamp with a detection device according to (1) or (2).

[0015] According to this configuration, since the engagement point is located on the opposite side of the detection surface in the irradiation direction, even if snow or water falls from the engagement point downward, the snow or water falls on the opposite side of the detection surface in the detection direction, which more firmly prevents snow or water from entering between the detection surface and the back surface of the cover.

[0016] (4) The bracket is provided with an engagement protrusion that protrudes in the detection direction, and the flange is engaged with the engagement protrusion at the engagement point, The bracket is provided with a receiving portion that protrudes in a range including directly below at least a portion of the engagement projection, Both ends of the receiving portion in the width direction are located outwardly of both ends of the engaging projection in the width direction, The upper surface of the receiving portion is inclined downward as it proceeds in the opposite detection direction. A vehicle lamp with a detection device according to (1) or (2).

[0017] With this configuration, even if snow or water falls downward from the widthwise end of the protrusion, the receiving part can receive the snow or water and guide it in the opposite direction to the detection direction, thereby more firmly preventing snow or water from entering between the detection surface and the back surface of the cover.

[0018] (5) The bracket is provided with a surrounding portion, The surrounding portion has an inner protrusion and an outer protrusion that are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the detection direction and protrude in the detection direction, The flange is disposed between the inner protrusion and the outer protrusion. A vehicle lamp with a detection device according to (1) or (2).

[0019] According to this configuration, since there is the surrounding portion in addition to the engagement portion, the cover can be attached to the bracket more stably. Effect of the Invention

[0020] As described above, the configuration of (1) can prevent snow and water from getting between the detection surface and the back surface of the cover. Furthermore, the configurations of (2) to (5) that refer to (1) can provide additional effects. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp with a detection device according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line iii-iii of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a vehicle lamp with a detection device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an edge portion of the detection unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a bracket and a detection device. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an engagement protrusion and its surroundings on the bracket. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line viii-viii in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion ix in FIG. [Figure 10] 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the engagement is released from the state shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the engagement is released from the state shown in FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line xii-xii in FIG. 2. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line xiv-xiv in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0023] [First embodiment] The detection device-equipped vehicular lamp 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a left headlight of a vehicle and is mounted on the vehicle. The detection device-equipped vehicular lamp 100 includes a lamp unit 102 and a detection unit 106. The lamp unit 102 includes a housing 10, a light source 20, and a lens 30. The detection unit 106 includes a detection device 60, a bracket 50, and a cover 70. In this embodiment, the detection device 60 is a radar device that detects an object by emitting radio waves and detecting the reflected waves.

[0024] Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 3, the direction in which the detection device 60 irradiates radio waves, that is, the direction in which the object is detected, is referred to as the "Y- direction", and the opposite direction is referred to as the "Y+ direction". The "Y- direction" may be read as the "detection direction", and the "Y+ direction" may be read as the "opposite detection direction". Hereinafter, the "Y- direction" and the "Y+ direction" are collectively referred to as the "Y direction". The Y direction is a direction that is oblique to the vehicle length direction CL in the horizontal plane. Hereinafter, the direction perpendicular to the Y direction in the horizontal plane is referred to as the "X direction". Also, the direction toward the inside of the vehicle width direction CW in the X direction is referred to as the "X- direction", and the opposite direction is referred to as the "X+ direction".

[0025] The housing 10 shown in Fig. 1 is box-shaped and opens in the Y- direction. The light source 20 is installed inside the housing 10 and emits light in the Y- direction. The lens 30 is attached to the housing 10 and covers the light source 20 from the Y- direction side. As shown in Fig. 4, the lens 30 is formed with a storage recess 36 that is recessed toward the Y+ direction. The storage recess 36 opens in the Y- direction and downward.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the bracket 50 is installed inside the storage recess 36. As shown in FIG. 6, the bracket 50 includes a bracket main body 52 and an attachment portion 51. The bracket main body 52 is plate-shaped extending in the up-down direction and the X direction. The attachment portion 51 protrudes downward from the lower end of the bracket main body 52. ​​As shown in FIG. 1, the lower end of the attachment portion 51 is fixed to the vehicle body or the housing 10 below the lens 30. In this way, the bracket main body 52 is installed inside the storage recess 36.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 6, the detection device 60 is attached to the surface of the bracket main body 52 on the Y- direction side by screws or the like as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the bracket 50 supports the detection device 60 from the Y+ direction side. As a result, the detection device 60 is stored in the storage recess 36 as shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the entire detection device 60 is stored in the storage recess 36. However, instead of this, only a part of the detection device 60 may be stored in the storage recess 36. Specifically, for example, the end of the detection device 60 on the Y- direction side may protrude in the Y- direction from the opening of the storage recess 36, and the center part of the cover 70 may protrude in the Y- direction from the opening of the storage recess 36.

[0028] 6, the detection device 60 has a detection surface 60s for detection at the end on the Y-direction side. Specifically, the detection device 60 performs detection on the Y-direction side by irradiating radio waves from the detection surface 60s toward the Y-direction side and detecting the reflected waves with the detection surface 60s.

[0029] The bracket body 52 is provided with a plurality of surrounding portions 57, a plurality of engaging projections 53, and a plurality of receiving portions .

[0030] 6, the surrounding portions 57 are provided on the upper edge, lower edge, and edge on the X+ direction side of the bracket main body 52. ​​Each surrounding portion 57 protrudes in the Y- direction. Hereinafter, the surrounding portion 57 on the upper edge of the bracket main body 52 will be referred to as the "upper surrounding portion 57," the surrounding portion 57 on the lower edge will be referred to as the "lower surrounding portion 57," and the surrounding portion 57 on the edge on the X+ direction side will be referred to as the "X+ side surrounding portion 57."

[0031] Each surrounding portion 57 has an inner protrusion 57a ​​and an outer protrusion 57b. The inner protrusions 57a and the outer protrusions 57b of the upper and lower surrounding portions 57 are aligned in the vertical direction and protrude in the Y- direction. The inner protrusions 57a and the outer protrusions 57b of the surrounding portion 57 on the X+ side are aligned in the X direction and protrude in the Y- direction. That is, the inner protrusions 57a and the outer protrusions 57b are aligned in the direction perpendicular to the Y direction and each protrude in the Y- direction. As shown in FIG. 13, the tip of the outer protrusion 57b of the upper surrounding portion 57 protrudes upward and engages with the inner periphery of the storage recess 36.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 6, the engagement protrusions 53 are provided on the upper edge, the lower edge, the edge on the X- direction side, and the edge on the X+ direction side of the bracket main body 52. ​​Each engagement protrusion 53 protrudes in the Y- direction. Hereinafter, the engagement protrusion 53 on the upper edge of the bracket main body 52 will be referred to as the "upper engagement protrusion 53," and the engagement protrusion 53 on the lower edge will be referred to as the "lower engagement protrusion 53." In addition, the engagement protrusion 53 on the edge on the X- direction side of the bracket main body 52 will be referred to as the "X-side engagement protrusion 53," and the engagement protrusion 53 on the edge on the X+ direction side will be referred to as the "X+ side engagement protrusion 53." The width direction of the upper and lower engagement protrusions 53 is the X direction, and the width direction of the engagement protrusions 53 on the X- side and X+ side is the up-down direction.

[0033] A hook 53f is provided at the end of each engagement protrusion 53 on the Y- direction side. Some of the engagement protrusions 53 have the hook 53f protruding inward, i.e., toward the detection device 60, and others have the hook 53f protruding outward, i.e., on the opposite side to the detection device 60. Specifically, in this embodiment, the hook 53f of the upper engagement protrusion 53 protrudes outward, i.e., upward. The hook 53f of the lower engagement protrusion 53 protrudes inward, i.e., upward. The hook 53f of the X- side engagement protrusion 53 protrudes inward, i.e., in the X+ direction. The hook 53f of the X+ side engagement protrusion 53 protrudes outward, i.e., in the X+ direction.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6, the receiving portion 54 is present for each upper engaging protrusion 53. As shown in FIG. 7, the receiving portion 54 is U-shaped when viewed in the Y direction. The receiving portion 54 protrudes from the bracket main body 52 in a range including a portion directly below at least a portion of the engaging protrusion 53 near the base. The width of the receiving portion 54 in the X direction is greater than the width of the engaging protrusion 53 in the X direction. Therefore, both ends of the receiving portion 54 in the X direction are positioned more outward in the X direction than both ends of the engaging protrusion 53 in the X direction. More specifically, the inner side surfaces 54i and 54j on both sides of the X direction of the receiving portion 54 are positioned more outward in the X direction than both ends of the engaging protrusion 53 in the X direction. The upper surface 54s of the bottom of the receiving portion 54 is gently inclined downward as it proceeds in the Y+ direction. A drainage hole 52h is provided in a portion of the bracket main body 52 located inside the base of the receiving portion 54.

[0035] 5, the cover 70 includes a cover body 77 and a flange 75. The cover body 77 is plate-shaped and extends in the up-down and X-directions. The flange 75 extends in the Y+ direction from a portion of the cover body 77 that is slightly inward from the edge of the cover body 77. Engagement holes 75h are provided at multiple locations on the flange 75. Specifically, the engagement holes 75h are provided at locations corresponding to the hooks 53f.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 13, the flange 75 is inserted between the inner protrusion 57a ​​and the outer protrusion 57b of the surrounding portion 57, and as shown in Fig. 5, the inner peripheral surface of the engagement hole 75h engages with each hook 53f, thereby attaching the cover 70 to the bracket 50. Hereinafter, the location where the inner peripheral surface of the engagement hole 75h engages with the hook 53f is referred to as the "engagement location Ep." As shown in Fig. 3, the cover main body 77 covers the detection device 60 from the Y-direction side. The cover 70 is made of resin or the like and is configured to be able to transmit radio waves.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 14, the flange 75 protrudes further in the Y+ direction than the detection surface 60s. More specifically, the flange 75 protrudes further in the Y+ direction than the end face 60t on the Y+ direction side of the detection device 60. As shown in Fig. 8, the engagement point Ep is located on the Y+ direction side than the detection surface 60s.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, a gap G is formed between the edge of the cover main body 77 and the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess 36. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, an upper gap G is formed between the upper end of the cover main body 77 and the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess 36. Also, as shown in Fig. 9, an X- side gap G is formed between the X- direction end of the cover main body 77 and the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess 36. Also, an X+ side gap (not shown) is formed between the X+ direction end of the cover main body 77 and the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess 36.

[0039] Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 8, a virtual straight line extending from a portion adjacent to the engagement point Ep in the gap G toward the engagement point Ep is referred to as an "insertion virtual line vL." A lens side guide surface 36s extending along the insertion virtual line vL is provided in a portion adjacent to the insertion virtual line vL in the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess 36, that is, a portion facing the gap G. A cover side guide surface 77s extending along the insertion virtual line vL is provided in a portion adjacent to the insertion virtual line vL in the cover main body 77. Specifically, the lens side guide surface 36s and the cover side guide surface 77s are both parallel to the insertion virtual line vL. In addition, the lens side guide surface 36s and the cover side guide surface 77s are parallel to each other.

[0040] Next, a method for removing the cover according to this embodiment will be described. First, the vehicle lamp 100 with a detection device shown in FIG. 1 is prepared. Next, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, a rod-shaped jig J is inserted from the gap G along the lens side guide surface 36s and the cover side guide surface 77s, that is, along the insertion virtual line vL, toward the engagement point Ep. This causes the tip of the jig J to release the engagement of the inner circumferential surface of the engagement hole 75h with the hook 53f at the engagement point Ep.

[0041] 10, for the upper engaging protrusion 53, the hook 53f is pushed in with the tip of the jig J to release the engagement of the hook 53f with the inner circumferential surface of the engaging hole 75h. Similarly, the engagement is released for the X+ side engaging protrusion 53. That is, for the hook 53f protruding outward, the tip of the jig J is used to push in the hook 53f to release the engagement of the hook 53f with the inner circumferential surface of the engaging hole 75h.

[0042] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 11, for the engagement protrusion 53 on the X-side, the tip of the jig J is pressed between the hook 53f and the inner circumferential surface of the engagement hole 75h. This causes the tip of the jig J to push the hook 53f out toward the X-direction, releasing the engagement of the hook 53f with the inner circumferential surface of the engagement hole 75h. Similarly, the engagement is released for the lower engagement protrusion 53. That is, for the hook 53f protruding inward, the tip of the jig J is pressed between the hook 53f and the inner circumferential surface of the engagement hole 75h, releasing the engagement of the hook 53f with the inner circumferential surface of the engagement hole 75h.

[0043] The configuration and effects of this embodiment are summarized below.

[0044] 14, above the detection device 60, the flange 75 protrudes further in the Y+ direction than the detection surface 60s. Therefore, even if snow or water enters the inside of the storage recess 36 from the gap G between the upper end of the cover 70 and the inner circumferential surface of the storage recess 36, the flange 75 can prevent the snow or water from entering between the detection surface 60s and the back surface 70s of the cover.

[0045] More specifically, the flange 75 extends above the detection device 60 and further to the Y+ direction side than the end face 60t of the detection device 60 on the Y+ direction side. Therefore, even if snow or water falls downward from the end of the flange 75 on the Y+ direction side, the snow or water falls on the Y+ direction side of the detection device 60. This makes it possible to more firmly prevent snow or water from entering between the detection surface 60s and the back surface 70s of the cover.

[0046] 8, the engagement point Ep is located on the Y+ side of the detection surface 60s. Therefore, even if snow or water falls downward from the engagement hole 75h of the engagement point Ep, the snow or water falls on the Y+ side of the detection surface 60s. This also makes it possible to more firmly prevent snow or water from entering between the detection surface 60s and the back surface 70s of the cover.

[0047] Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the bracket 50 is provided with a receiving portion 54 that protrudes in a range including at least a part directly below the engaging protrusion 53. The ends of the receiving portion 54 in the X direction are located more outside in the X direction than the ends of the engaging protrusion 53 in the X direction. The upper surface 54s of the bottom of the receiving portion 54 is inclined downward as it proceeds in the Y+ direction. Therefore, even if snow or water falls from the end of the engaging protrusion 53 in the X direction shown in FIG. 5, the snow or water can be received by the receiving portion 54 shown in FIG. 7 and guided to the Y+ direction side. As a result, the snow or water can be drained from the drain hole 52h to the Y+ direction side of the bracket. Therefore, this also makes it possible to more firmly prevent snow or water from entering between the detection surface 60s and the back surface 70s of the cover.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 6, the bracket 50 is provided with surrounding portions 57. Each surrounding portion 57 has an inner protrusion 57a ​​and an outer protrusion 57b that are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the Y direction and protrude toward the Y-direction. As shown in Fig. 13, a flange 75 is disposed between the inner protrusion 57a ​​and the outer protrusion 57b of each surrounding portion 57. Since the surrounding portions 57 are provided in addition to the engagement points Ep, the cover 70 can be attached to the bracket 50 more stably.

[0049] As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the lens side guide surface 36s and the cover side guide surface 77s both extend along the insertion virtual line vL. Therefore, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the tip of the rod-shaped jig J can be made to reach the engagement point Ep simply by inserting the rod-shaped jig J along the lens side guide surface 36s and the cover side guide surface 77s. The jig J can release the engagement of the cover 70 with the bracket 50. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to make the cover 70 removable from the bracket 50 while minimizing the need to remove parts other than the cover 70 and to introduce special shapes for removing the cover.

[0050] [Other embodiments] The above-described embodiment can be modified, for example, as follows. The detection device-equipped vehicle lamp 100 may be a right-side headlight, which is provided in the left-right reverse of that in Fig. 1. The detection device 60 shown in Fig. 3 may be a sonar device that irradiates sound waves and detects the reflected waves. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 20 light source 30 Lenses 36 Storage recess 50 Bracket 53 Engagement protrusion 54 Receiving part 54s Top surface of receiver 57 Surrounding area 57a Medial protrusion 57b Lateral process 60 Detection Device 60s Detection surface 60t End face of the Y+ direction of the detector 70 Cover 75 Flange 100 Vehicle lighting fixtures with detection devices 102 Lighting unit 106 Detection Unit Ep Engagement point X Width direction of engagement protrusion Y- Detection direction Y+ Opposite detection direction

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp with a detection device, comprising a lamp unit mounted on a vehicle and a detection unit that detects an object in a predetermined detection direction, The lamp unit includes a light source and a lens that covers the light source from the detection direction side, and the lens is formed with a storage recess that is recessed in a counter detection direction opposite to the detection direction, the detection unit includes a detection device at least a portion of which is stored in the storage recess, a bracket that supports the detection device from the opposite detection direction side, and a cover that covers the detection device from the detection direction side, The cover is provided with a flange protruding in the opposite direction to the detection direction, The cover is attached to the bracket by engaging the flange with the bracket at a predetermined engagement point, the detection device has a detection surface for performing the detection at an end in the detection direction, The flange protrudes above the detection device and beyond the detection surface in the opposite detection direction. Vehicle lighting fixture with detection device.

2. The flange protrudes upward from the detection device to the opposite detection direction side beyond an end face of the detection device on the opposite detection direction side.

2. A vehicle lamp with a detection device according to claim 1.

3. The engagement portion is located on the opposite side to the detection direction from the detection surface.

3. A vehicle lamp with a detection device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The bracket is provided with an engagement protrusion protruding in the detection direction, and the flange is engaged with the engagement protrusion at the engagement point. The bracket is provided with a receiving portion that protrudes in a range including a portion directly below the engagement projection, Both ends of the receiving portion in the width direction are located outwardly of both ends of the engaging projection in the width direction, The upper surface of the receiving portion is inclined downward as it proceeds in the opposite detection direction.

3. A vehicle lamp with a detection device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The bracket is provided with a surrounding portion, The surrounding portion has an inner protrusion and an outer protrusion that are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the detection direction and protrude in the detection direction, The flange is disposed between the inner protrusion and the outer protrusion.

3. A vehicle lamp with a detection device according to claim 1 or 2.

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