Vehicle exterior component

Abstract

To provide a vehicle exterior component that can be made to shine uniformly when viewed from the front side without requiring a transparent member that is optically designed to uniformly diffuse visible light.SOLUTION: An illumination radar cover 1 has radio wave permeability and includes a diffusion reflector 4 that is arranged within the radio wave permeability range and is formed from a foam material that is radio wave permeable, an LED unit 5 that is arranged outside the radio wave permeability range and emits visible light, and a light guide portion 6 that guides the visible light from the LED unit 5 toward the diffusion reflector 4 and irradiates the guided visible light onto the diffusion reflector 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, many vehicles have been equipped with radar units that use radio waves such as millimeter waves to detect obstacles and the like around the vehicle. Such radar units are generally placed in a state where they are covered by an exterior vehicle part, such as a radar cover that is radio wave transparent as shown in Patent Document 1, so as to be invisible to people outside the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-49522 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Vehicle exterior parts are visible from the outside and therefore significantly affect the vehicle's appearance. Therefore, vehicle exterior parts must enhance their design while ensuring electromagnetic wave transparency. For example, to enhance design, vehicle exterior parts have been proposed that can be illuminated using light source units with light-emitting diode (LED) elements. However, because the light source units include components that are not radio wave transparent, such as electronic circuit boards, they cannot be positioned in the center of the vehicle exterior part, which is within the radio wave transmission range. For this reason, attempts have been made to uniformly illuminate the vehicle exterior part when viewed from the front side by using transparent members with special optical designs that are radio wave transparent and diffuse visible light, and to position the light source units at the edges of the vehicle exterior part. However, in such cases, the shape of the transparent member is limited, which can make its design difficult. Alternatively, if a transparent member with special optical designs is not used, multiple light source units must be provided at the edges of the vehicle exterior part.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an exterior part for a vehicle that can emit light uniformly when viewed from the front side without requiring a transparent member that is optically designed to uniformly diffuse visible light. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention employs the following configuration as a means for solving the above problems.

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a radio wave-transmitting exterior part for a vehicle, comprising: a reflective member that is arranged within a radio wave transmission range and is formed from a radio wave-transmitting foam material; a light source unit that is arranged outside the radio wave transmission range and emits visible light; and a light guiding unit that guides the visible light from the light source unit toward the reflective member and irradiates the guided visible light onto the reflective member.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is the same as the first aspect, except that the reflecting member is formed in a plate shape having a front surface facing forward and a back surface facing backward, and the light guiding unit has an irradiation unit that diffuses and irradiates the visible light toward the front surface of the reflecting member, and a rod unit that guides the visible light emitted from the light source unit to the irradiation unit.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention employs a configuration in which, in the first or second aspect, a plurality of the light source sections are provided, and the light guide section is provided for each of the light source sections.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a configuration in which, in any one of the first to third aspects, a support member is provided that supports the reflecting member, the light source unit, and the light guiding unit, and the support member has a frame-shaped portion into which the reflecting member is fitted, and a storage portion that protrudes rearward from the frame-shaped portion and stores the light source unit and the light guiding unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, a reflective member made of a foam material uniformly diffuses visible light, making it appear as if the light is emitting uniformly when viewed from the front. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle exterior part that can emit uniform light when viewed from the front, without requiring a transparent member that is optically designed to uniformly diffuse visible light. Furthermore, with a small number of light sources, it is possible to make the entire part appear as if it is emitting uniform light. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an illumination radar cover according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an illumination radar cover according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 4]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an illumination radar cover according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a vehicle exterior part according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an illumination radar cover 1 (exterior part for a vehicle) according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the illumination radar cover 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1. The illumination radar cover 1 according to this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle and is disposed so as to face the radar unit R as shown in Fig. 3.

[0015] The radar unit R includes, for example, a transmitter that transmits millimeter waves, a receiver that receives reflected waves, and a processor that performs arithmetic processing. The radar unit R transmits and receives radio waves that pass through the illumination radar cover 1, and detects the situation around the vehicle based on the received radio waves. For example, the radar unit R calculates and outputs the distance to an obstacle, the relative speed of the obstacle, etc.

[0016] The illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment is disposed on the outer side of the vehicle relative to the radar unit R. The illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment includes, for example, an outer member 2, a holder 3 (support member), a diffusion reflector 4 (reflective member), an LED unit 5 (light source unit), and a light guide unit 6, as shown in FIG.

[0017] The outer member 2 is a plate-shaped member located at the frontmost part of the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment. The outer member 2 is arranged so that the front side faces the outside of the vehicle and the back side faces the inside of the vehicle (the radar unit R side). In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, for example, the outer edge of the outer member 2 is formed in the shape of a circular disk.

[0018] In the following description, the direction toward the outside of the vehicle as viewed from the outer member 2 is referred to as the front of the illumination radar cover 1. The direction toward the inside of the vehicle as viewed from the outer member 2 is referred to as the rear of the illumination radar cover 1.

[0019] The outer member 2 has, for example, a transparent layer and a light-shielding film. The transparent layer and the light-shielding film are laminated so that the transparent layer is located on the front side and the light-shielding film is located on the back side. The transparent layer is capable of transmitting visible light and is formed of a transparent synthetic resin such as transparent PC (polycarbonate) or PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate resin). The front surface of such a transparent layer is the outer wall surface of the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment. Note that a hard coat layer may be provided on the front surface of the transparent layer, if necessary. This hard coat layer is a transparent coating layer that prevents the surface of the transparent layer from being scratched.

[0020] The light-shielding film is provided so as to be fixed to the rear surface of the transparent layer. In other words, the light-shielding film is provided on the rear side of the transparent layer. The light-shielding film blocks visible light. This light-shielding film is formed, for example, by drying colored ink. The light-shielding film can also be formed from a painted film. The light-shielding film is partially provided with openings that penetrate in the film thickness direction. Visible light can pass through the openings.

[0021] When visible light passes from the back surface of the outer member 2 to the front surface through the openings in the light-shielding film, the openings are brightly visible to people outside the illumination radar cover 1. In other words, figures, letters, etc. formed by the openings are visible to people outside. In the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment, visible light emitted from the LED units 5 is illuminated by passing through the openings from the back surface to the front surface. The shape of the light-shielding film having such openings can be, for example, the shape of the emblem of the vehicle manufacturer.

[0022] Furthermore, the light-shielding film reflects external light incident from outside the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment through the transparent layer. This allows the shape and color of the light-shielding film to be visible to outsiders. In other words, if the light-shielding film is shaped like the emblem of the vehicle manufacturer, the emblem shape can be seen from outside by external light.

[0023] The holder 3 supports the outer member 2. The holder 3 also supports a diffusion reflector 4, an LED unit 5, and a light guide portion 6 in addition to the outer member 2. The holder 3 may also support a radar unit R.

[0024] 2, for example, in this embodiment, the holder 3 has a frame-shaped portion 3a and two accommodation portions 3b. The frame-shaped portion 3a is a portion to which the outer edge of the outer member 2 is connected, and in this embodiment, is formed in a circular ring shape similar to the outer edge shape of the outer member 2. In this embodiment, the surface of the frame-shaped portion 3a facing the outer member 2 is inclined to match the installation posture of the outer member 2. In addition, the frame-shaped portion 3a is formed to a size capable of containing the diffusion reflector 4 so that the outer peripheral surface of the diffusion reflector 4 comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface.

[0025] The accommodation section 3b is a hollow portion that accommodates the LED unit 5 and the light guide section 6. The accommodation section 3b has an open end on the front side and a closed end on the rear side, and can accommodate the LED unit 5 and the light guide section 6 inside. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the accommodation sections 3b are provided at the top and bottom of the frame-shaped section 3a. That is, in this embodiment, the holder 3 has two accommodation sections 3b. The space between these two accommodation sections 3b can be used as a space for accommodating the radar unit R.

[0026] Each of the housing sections 3b is connected to the rear surface of the frame section 3a with its open end facing the frame section 3a. Also, each of the housing sections 3b is connected to the frame section 3a so that the open end of the housing section 3b is located within the area surrounded by the frame section 3a when viewed from the front. The open end of each of these housing sections 3b can be used as a stopper for the diffusion reflector 4, for example.

[0027] The holder 3 is formed in a shape that does not interfere with the radio waves emitted from the radar unit R. In other words, the frame-shaped portion 3a is formed to a size that can surround the entire transmission range of the radio waves. The storage portion 3b is also disposed above or below the transmission range of the radio waves.

[0028] 2, the diffuse reflector 4 is formed in a disk shape with the top and bottom cut out. Each of the top and bottom of the diffuse reflector 4 is cut out to a shape that is slightly smaller than the shape of the opening end of the housing section 3b. By cutting out the top and bottom of the diffuse reflector 4 in this way, the inside of the housing section 3b is exposed when viewed from the space A between the diffuse reflector 4 and the outer member 2. In other words, the LED unit 5 and the light guide section 6 housed in the housing section 3b are exposed when viewed from the space A.

[0029] The diffuse reflector 4 has a plate-shaped base 4a. The front surface of this base 4a faces forward and the back surface faces backward. The base 4a has arc-shaped outer edges on both sides. A protruding piece 4b that protrudes forward is provided on each outer edge of the base 4a. When viewed from the front, each of these protruding pieces 4b is curved along the outer edge of the base 4a. The outer peripheral surface of each of the curved protruding pieces 4b abuts against the inner wall surface of the frame-shaped portion 3a of the holder 3.

[0030] The diffuse reflector 4 is disposed on the rear side of the outer member 2. In this embodiment, the diffuse reflector 4 is supported by a holder 3. As shown in FIG. 3 , the diffuse reflector 4 is disposed opposite the rear side of the outer member 2 with a space A (gap) interposed therebetween. The front surface of the base 4a of the diffuse reflector 4 is a reflective surface for visible light. The diffuse reflector 4 diffusely reflects visible light. In this embodiment, the front surface of the base 4a of the diffuse reflector 4 diffusely reflects the visible light emitted from the LED unit 5 and guided by the light-guiding section 6, and reflects it toward the outer member 2.

[0031] The diffuse reflector 4 is made of a foam material that is radio wave transparent. The foam material referred to here refers to a material that has been hardened with air bubbles dispersed therein. In other words, the foam material referred to here includes materials using synthetic resins and materials using ceramics. However, it is more preferable to use a synthetic resin foam material that is easy to process and manufacture. For example, examples of foam materials that can be used include polyethylene foam material, polystyrene foam material, polypropylene foam material, polyurethane foam material, and polycarbonate foam material.

[0032] The gas contained in the foam material may be air. However, the foam material may contain gases other than air. Since such foam material contains many air bubbles inside, it has a dielectric constant closer to that of air compared to ordinary resin materials. Therefore, like air, it has little effect on the radio waves that pass through it.

[0033] In this embodiment, the diffuse reflector 4 can be formed by shaping a sheet made of a foam material. The surface of the diffuse reflector 4 formed in this manner becomes, for example, a white scattering surface. Therefore, the surface of the diffuse reflector 4 can be used as a diffuse reflection surface for visible light.

[0034] The LED units 5 are units that emit visible light. When viewed from the front, the LED units 5 are arranged in positions that do not overlap with the radio wave transmitting area. In this embodiment, the LED units 5 are arranged above and below the radio wave transmitting area and are housed in the housing sections 3b of the holder 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the LED units 5 are located closer to the closed end of the housing section 3b than the light guiding section 6. The LED units 5 are housed in each of the housing sections 3b. That is, in this embodiment, two LED units 5 are provided.

[0035] The LED unit 5 includes a light-emitting element that emits light, a substrate on which the light-emitting element is mounted, and the like. For example, a plurality of light-emitting elements are provided. Such light-emitting elements are arranged to face the end surface of a rod portion 6b (described later) of the light-guiding portion 6. The LED unit 5 is connected to an external power supply device and a control device by wiring (not shown).

[0036] The light guiding unit 6 is a member that guides the visible light emitted from the LED unit 5 toward the diffusion reflector 4. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, for example, the light guiding unit 6 has an irradiation unit 6a and a rod unit 6b. The irradiation unit 6a is arranged facing the front of the base 4a of the diffusion reflector 4. Like the LED unit 5, two light guiding units 6 are provided. The irradiation unit 6a of the upper light guiding unit 6 is arranged facing the upper part of the base 4a, and the irradiation unit 6a of the lower light guiding unit 6 is arranged facing the lower part of the base 4a. These irradiation units 6a are arranged to avoid the transmission range of radio waves.

[0037] Each irradiation unit 6a is connected to a rod unit 6b and is formed so as to expand in the left-right direction (a horizontal direction intersecting the front-rear direction) as it moves away from the connection point with the rod unit 6b. Each irradiation unit 6a diffuses visible light in the left-right direction inside before emitting it. In other words, each irradiation unit 6a diffuses and irradiates visible light toward the front of the base unit 4a of the diffusion reflector 4. Such an irradiation unit 6a emits visible light from a surface wider than the cross-sectional area of ​​the rod unit 6b.

[0038] Furthermore, each of the irradiation units 6a is disposed facing the front of the base 4a with a gap therebetween, so that the distance between the irradiation unit 6a and the base 4a is longer than when the irradiation unit 6a is in contact with the base 4a, and the visible light emitted from the irradiation unit 6a can be irradiated over a wider area of ​​the base 4a.

[0039] Each rod portion 6b is a portion that guides visible light emitted from the LED unit 5 to the irradiation portion 6a. One end face of each rod portion 6b is disposed so as to face the light emitting element of the LED unit 5, and the other end face is connected to the irradiation portion 6a. Each rod portion 6b is curved midway as shown in FIG. 3, for example, so that it can be connected to the LED unit 5 located behind the diffusion reflector 4 and the irradiation portion 6a located in front of the diffusion reflector 4. Furthermore, it is preferable that the rod portion 6b is designed so that visible light is totally reflected at the boundary surface between the rod portion 6b and the outside.

[0040] In the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment, when visible light is emitted from the LED unit 5, the emitted visible light is guided by the light guiding section 6. Specifically, the visible light enters the light guiding section 6 from the end face of the rod section 6b, is guided inside the rod section 6b, and is irradiated from the irradiation section 6a toward the base section 4a of the diffusion reflector 4.

[0041] The visible light irradiated onto the base 4a of the diffuse reflector 4 is uniformly diffused by the diffuse reflector 4 and directed forward. In this embodiment, the visible light enters from the back surface of the outer member 2 and exits from the front surface of the outer member 2 through the opening in the shielding film. As a result, the illumination radar cover 1 is illuminated.

[0042] Furthermore, in the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment, radio waves emitted from the radar unit R pass through the diffuse reflector 4, space A, and outer member 2 in that order, and are emitted from the front of the outer member 2 to the outside of the illumination radar cover 1. Furthermore, radio waves heading toward the radar unit R pass through the outer member 2, space A, and diffuse reflector 4 in that order, and are emitted toward the radar unit R from the rear surface of the diffuse reflector 4.

[0043] The illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment as described above is an exterior vehicle component that is radio wave transparent. The illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment includes a diffusion reflector 4, an LED unit 5, and a light guide 6. The diffusion reflector 4 is disposed within the radio wave transmission range and is formed of a foam material that is radio wave transparent. The LED unit 5 is disposed outside the radio wave transmission range and emits visible light. The light guide 6 guides the visible light from the LED unit 5 toward the diffusion reflector 4. The light guide 6 also irradiates the guided visible light onto the diffusion reflector 4.

[0044] In the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment, the diffusion reflector 4 made of foam material uniformly diffuses visible light, making it appear as if the cover is emitting uniform light when viewed from the front. Therefore, the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment can emit uniform light when viewed from the front without requiring a transparent member optically designed to uniformly diffuse visible light. Furthermore, with a small number of LED units 5 (light-emitting elements), the cover can appear as if the entire cover is emitting uniform light.

[0045] In the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment, the diffusion reflector 4 is formed in a plate shape with a front surface facing forward and a back surface facing backward. The light guide unit 6 includes an irradiation unit 6a and a rod unit 6b. The irradiation unit 6a diffuses and irradiates visible light toward the front surface of the diffusion reflector 4. The rod unit 6b guides the visible light emitted from the LED unit 5 to the irradiation unit 6a.

[0046] The illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment can guide visible light through the rod portion 6b and can emit visible light from the wide surface of the irradiation portion 6a, allowing the visible light to be irradiated onto the wide surface of the diffusion reflector 4.

[0047] Furthermore, in the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment, the irradiating unit 6a is disposed with a gap in front of the diffuse reflector 4. With the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment, the distance between the irradiating unit 6a and the base 4a is longer than when the irradiating unit 6a is in contact with the base 4a, allowing the visible light emitted from the irradiating unit 6a to be irradiated over a wider area of ​​the base 4a. This prevents a portion of the base 4a of the diffuse reflector 4 from being locally bright.

[0048] Furthermore, in the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment, the LED unit 5 is located behind the diffusion reflector 4. With the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment, it is not necessary to place the LED unit 5 in front of the diffusion reflector 4, and it is possible to prevent wiring (not shown) connected to the LED unit 5 from interfering with radio waves.

[0049] The illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment also includes a plurality of LED units 5. Each LED unit 5 is provided with a light guide section 6. With the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment, visible light can be irradiated onto the diffusion reflector 4 from a plurality of locations. Therefore, the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment makes it possible to achieve a more uniform brightness for the base 4a of the diffusion reflector 4.

[0050] Furthermore, in the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment, the LED unit 5 and the light guiding section 6 are disposed above or below the diffuse reflector 4. Radio waves are emitted from the radar unit R over a wider range in the vehicle width direction than in the vertical direction. Therefore, even when the LED unit 5 and the light guiding section 6 are disposed to avoid the radio wave transmission range, by disposing the LED unit 5 and the light guiding section 6 above and below the diffuse reflector 4, the LED unit 5 and the light guiding section 6 can be disposed closer to the center position of the illumination radar cover 1 as viewed from the front. Therefore, with the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the radial size of the illumination radar cover 1 as viewed from the front.

[0051] The illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment also includes a holder 3 that supports a diffusion reflector 4, an LED unit 5, and a light guide 6. The holder 3 also includes a frame-shaped portion 3a and a housing portion 3b. The diffusion reflector 4 is fitted into the frame-shaped portion 3a. The housing portion 3b protrudes rearward from the frame-shaped portion 3a and houses the LED unit 5 and the light guide 6.

[0052] According to the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment, the holder 3 can be used to integrate the diffusion reflector 4, the LED unit 5, and the light guiding section 6. In this embodiment, the outer member 2 is also fixed to the holder 3. This makes it possible to integrate the outer member 2, the diffusion reflector 4, the LED unit 5, and the light guiding section 6. Furthermore, by fixing the radar unit R to the holder 3, it is also possible to integrate the outer member 2, the diffusion reflector 4, the LED unit 5, the light guiding section 6, and the radar unit R.

[0053] 3, in the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment, the radar unit R is located outside the holder 3. Therefore, when performing maintenance or replacing the radar unit R, there is no need to remove the diffusion reflector 4, the LED unit 5, and the light guide section 6 from the holder 3 in order to attach or detach the radar unit R.

[0054] The illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment also includes an outer member 2. The outer member 2 is disposed opposite the diffusion reflector 4 across a space A. The outer member 2 also allows at least a portion of the visible light reflected by the diffusion reflector 4 to pass through.

[0055] According to the illumination radar cover 1 of this embodiment, visible light can be reflected multiple times between the outer member 2 and the diffusion reflector 4. This makes it possible to make the illuminance of visible light passing through the outer member 2 more uniform.

[0056] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0057] 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the illumination radar cover 1A of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, the illumination radar cover 1A of this embodiment has two light guiding units 6 housed in one housing unit. In other words, the illumination radar cover 1A of this embodiment has a total of four light guiding units 6.

[0058] The illumination radar cover 1A of this embodiment also has a prism 7 that connects the two light guiding units 6 housed in the same housing unit 3b. That is, a total of two prisms 7 are provided: one prism 7 that connects the two light guiding units 6 housed in the upper housing unit 3b, and another prism 7 that connects the two light guiding units 6 housed in the lower housing unit 3b.

[0059] In this embodiment, the rod portions 6b of the two light guide portions 6 are arranged opposite one LED unit 5. Therefore, the LED unit 5 has light emitting elements arranged opposite each of the rod portions 6b so that visible light can be incident on the two rod portions 6b.

[0060] The prism 7 is an optical element that guides visible light between different light-guiding sections 6 and emits a portion of the light forward. Since such a prism 7 emits visible light forward, it is visible from the outside as being bright. Therefore, by providing the prism 7, the position where the prism 7 is provided can be visible from the outside as being bright.

[0061] In this embodiment, when viewed from the front, the prism 7 is arranged so as to overlap the cut-out positions (upper and lower parts) of the diffusion reflector 4. Therefore, according to the illumination radar cover 1A of this embodiment, it is possible to make the areas where the diffusion reflector 4 is not arranged brightly visible from the outside.

[0062] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The shapes and combinations of the components shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0063] For example, in the above embodiment, the outer member 2, the diffusion reflector 4, and the frame portion 3a of the holder 3 are circular when viewed from the front. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the outer member 2, the diffusion reflector 4, and the frame portion 3a of the holder 3 are rectangular when viewed from the front.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a configuration including the outer member 2 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration that does not include the outer member 2. For example, it is also possible to provide a light-shielding layer on the front surface of the diffusion reflector 4, and make only the area where the light-shielding layer is not provided visible brightly, thereby allowing outsiders to see patterns or figures.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the base 4a of the diffusion reflector 4 is inclined with respect to the outer member 2, as shown in Fig. 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the base 4a of the diffusion reflector 4 may be inclined with respect to the front-rear direction so as to be parallel to the outer member 2.

[0066] Furthermore, the present invention can employ the configurations described in the following supplementary notes.

[0067] (Appendix 1) An exterior part for a vehicle having radio wave transparency, a reflective member disposed within the radio wave transmission range and formed of a radio wave permeable foam material; a light source unit that is disposed outside the radio wave transmission range and emits visible light; a light guide unit that guides the visible light from the light source unit toward the reflecting member and irradiates the guided visible light onto the reflecting member; An exterior part for a vehicle, comprising:

[0068] (Appendix 2) The reflecting member is formed in a plate shape having a front surface facing forward and a back surface facing backward, The light guiding section is an irradiation unit that irradiates the visible light in a diffused manner onto a front surface of the reflecting member; a rod portion that guides the visible light emitted from the light source portion to the irradiation portion; have 2. A vehicle exterior part according to claim 1.

[0069] (Appendix 3) 3. The vehicle exterior part according to claim 2, wherein the irradiating portion is disposed with a gap from the front surface of the reflecting member.

[0070] (Appendix 4) 4. The vehicle exterior part according to claim 2, wherein the light source unit is located rearward of the reflecting member.

[0071] (Appendix 5) a plurality of the light source units; The light guide section is provided for each of the light source sections. 5. A vehicle exterior part according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0072] (Appendix 6) 6. A vehicle exterior part according to claim 5, comprising prisms connected to different light guiding sections.

[0073] (Appendix 7) 7. The vehicle exterior part according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the light source section and the light guide section are disposed above or below the reflecting member.

[0074] (Appendix 8) a support member that supports the reflecting member, the light source unit, and the light guide unit; The support member is a frame-shaped portion into which the reflecting member is fitted; a housing portion that protrudes rearward from the frame portion and houses the light source portion and the light guide portion; have 8. A vehicle exterior part according to any one of appendices 1 to 7.

[0075] (Appendix 9) an outer member disposed opposite the reflecting member with a gap therebetween; The outer member transmits at least a portion of the visible light reflected by the reflecting member. 9. A vehicle exterior part according to any one of appendices 1 to 8, characterized in that: [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1...Illumination radar cover (vehicle exterior part), 1A...Illumination radar cover (vehicle exterior part), 2...Outer member, 3...Holder (support member), 3a...Frame-shaped portion, 3b...Storage portion, 4...Diffusion reflector (reflective member), 4a...Base portion, 4b...Protruding piece, 5...LED unit (light source portion), 6...Light guide portion, 6a...Irradiation portion, 6b...Rod portion, 7...Prism, A...Space (gap), R...Radar unit

Claims

1. An exterior part for a vehicle having radio wave transparency, a reflective member disposed within the radio wave transmission range and formed of a radio wave permeable foam material; a light source unit that is disposed outside the radio wave transmission range and emits visible light; a light guide unit that guides the visible light from the light source unit toward the reflecting member and irradiates the guided visible light onto the reflecting member; An exterior part for a vehicle, comprising:

2. The reflecting member is formed in a plate shape having a front surface facing forward and a back surface facing backward, The light guiding section is an irradiation unit that irradiates the visible light in a diffused manner onto a front surface of the reflecting member; a rod portion that guides the visible light emitted from the light source portion to the irradiation portion; have 2. The vehicle exterior part according to claim 1.

3. a plurality of the light source units; The light guide section is provided for each of the light source sections.

3. The vehicle exterior part according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a support member that supports the reflecting member, the light source unit, and the light guide unit; The support member is a frame-shaped portion into which the reflecting member is fitted; a housing portion that protrudes rearward from the frame portion and houses the light source portion and the light guide portion; have 3. The vehicle exterior part according to claim 1 or 2.

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