Vehicle lamp

Abstract

To suppress a temperature rise in a measurement unit in a housing.SOLUTION: A rear lamp 6 includes a housing 20, a partition part 50 that is provided within the housing 20 and divides the housing 20 into a first region R1 and a second region R2, a plurality of lamp units 31-33 provided in the first region R1, and a measurement unit 40 provided in the second region R2. The housing 20 includes an opening part 60 provided with an opening 61 through which the second region R2 communicates with the outside of the housing 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a vehicle lamp in which a measurement unit (specifically, a millimeter-wave radar unit) is provided inside a housing that accommodates a lamp unit. The housing is sealed to ensure that the lamp unit is waterproof. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-15721 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order for the measurement unit to perform at its full potential, it is necessary to keep the temperature of the measurement unit below a certain level. However, because the housing is sealed, the temperature of the measurement unit inside the housing rises when the outside temperature is high, which can result in a decrease in the measurement performance of the measurement unit.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and has as its object to suppress a rise in temperature of the measurement unit inside the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle lamp is provided, comprising: a housing; a partition section provided within the housing that divides the housing into a first area and a second area; a lamp unit provided in the first area; and a measurement unit provided in the second area, wherein the housing has an opening with an opening that connects the second area to the outside of the housing.

[0007] The housing may have a support portion that supports the lamp unit and the measurement unit, and the opening may be provided in the support portion.

[0008] The opening of the opening portion may be located in a portion of the support portion facing the rear surface of the measurement unit.

[0009] The opening of the opening may be larger than the entire rear surface of the measurement unit and may be positioned to face the measurement unit.

[0010] The housing may also have a cover member that covers the lighting unit and the measurement unit, and the first area may be an area sealed by the support portion, the cover member, and the partition portion.

[0011] The cover member may also have a first cover portion covering the lighting unit and a second cover portion covering the measurement unit and having an electromagnetic wave transmittance different from that of the first cover portion.

[0012] The housing may be detachably attached to the rear of the vehicle, and the lighting unit may include at least one of a brake lamp, a turn signal lamp, and a tail lamp.

[0013] The measurement unit may be a radar unit that receives the emitted electromagnetic waves. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a rise in temperature of the measurement unit inside the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of a rear lamp 6. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic diagram of the rear lamp 6 shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a rear lamp 106 according to a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] <Vehicle Overview> 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle 1 according to one embodiment. The vehicle 1 is, for example, a pickup truck. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 has a cabin 2, a bed 3, a front lamp 5, and a rear lamp 6.

[0017] The cabin 2 is a passenger compartment where passengers of the vehicle 1 sit. The cabin 2 is provided on a pair of side frames extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1. The loading platform 3 is provided behind the cabin 2 and is a portion on which luggage is placed. The loading platform 3 is also provided on the side frames.

[0018] The front lamps 5 are lamps provided at the front of the vehicle 1. The front lamps 5 are provided on both sides of the front of the vehicle 1. The front lamps 5 include, for example, headlights. The headlights are provided inside the housings of the front lamps 5.

[0019] The rear lamps 6 are lamps provided at the rear of the vehicle 1. The rear lamps 6 are provided on both sides of the rear of the vehicle 1. Here, the rear lamps 6 are combination lamps. For example, the rear lamps 6 have a lamp unit including at least one of a brake lamp, a turn signal lamp, and a tail lamp. The lamp unit is provided in a housing of the rear lamp 6.

[0020] A measurement unit such as a radar is also provided inside the housing of the rear lamp 6. The rear lamp 6 is configured to be able to suppress a temperature rise in the measurement unit inside the housing, as will be described in detail later.

[0021] <Detailed configuration of rear lamp 6> The detailed configuration of the rear lamp 6, which is a vehicle lamp, will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. The rear lamps 6 are provided on both sides of the rear of the vehicle 1, and the two rear lamps 6 have the same configuration.

[0022] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the rear lamp 6. The rear lamp 6 has a housing 20, lamp units 31, 32, and 33, a measurement unit 40, a partition 50, and an opening 60. Note that the shapes of the lamp units 31, 32, and 33 and the measurement unit 40 in Fig. 2 are merely shown schematically, and it goes without saying that they can take the form of various lamps and sensors.

[0023] The housing 20 forms the enclosure of the rear lamp 6. The housing 20 is detachably attached to the rear of the vehicle 1. The housing 20 contains lamp units 31 to 33 and a measurement unit 40. The housing 20 has a support portion 22 and a cover member 24.

[0024] The support portion 22 supports the lighting units 31 to 33 and the measurement unit 40. Here, the support portion 22 has a flat plate shape with a predetermined thickness. The support portion 22 has a support surface 22a that supports the lighting units 31 to 33 and the measurement unit 40. Each of the lighting units 31 to 33 and the measurement unit 40 is supported by the support portion 22 by being fixed to the support portion 22 with a screw member, an adhesive, or the like.

[0025] The support part 22 is fixed to the rear of the vehicle 1. Specifically, an opposite surface 22b of the support part 22 opposite to the support surface 22a is fixed to the rear of the vehicle 1. The lower part of the opposite surface 22b (opening 60 and its surroundings) is not fixed to the rear of the vehicle 1, and a gap is formed between the opposite surface 22b and the rear of the vehicle 1. Therefore, when the vehicle 1 is traveling, wind from the front hits the lower part of the opposite surface 22b. For example, an area of ​​the opposite surface 22b of the support part 22 corresponding to the area of ​​the support surface 22a where the lamp units 31 to 33 are provided is fixed so as to overlap with a portion that constitutes the rear of the vehicle 1. The housing 20 is fixed to the vehicle 1 so that an area of ​​the opposite surface 22b of the support part 22 corresponding to the area of ​​the support surface 22a where the measurement unit 40 is provided is in communication with the rear of the vehicle 1, a space that can take in outside air.

[0026] The cover member 24 is a member that covers the rear side of the housing 20 in the traveling direction of the vehicle 1, and faces the rear of the vehicle 1. The cover member 24 covers the lamp unit 30 and the measurement unit 40 so that they are not exposed to the outside. The space covered by the support part 22 and the cover member 24 forms the internal space of the housing 20. The internal space of the housing 20 has a first region R1 that contains the lamp units 31 to 33 inside and a second region R2 that contains the measurement unit 40 inside. The cover member 24 is made of, for example, resin.

[0027] The cover member 24 includes a first cover portion 26 and a second cover portion 28. The first cover portion 26 is located at the top, and the second cover portion 28 is located at the bottom. The first cover portion 26 and the second cover portion 28 are detachable independently. This makes it possible to replace or adjust the lighting units 31 to 33 or the measurement unit 40 without removing the entire cover member 24.

[0028] The first cover portion 26 is a portion of the cover member 24 corresponding to the first region R1. The first cover portion 26 covers the lamp units 31 to 33 located in the first region R1. One end of the first cover portion 26 is supported by the support portion 22, and the other end of the first cover portion 26 is supported by the partition portion 50.

[0029] The second cover portion 28 is a portion of the cover member 24 that corresponds to the second region R2. The second cover portion 28 covers the measurement unit 40 located in the second region R2. One end of the second cover portion 28 is supported by the support portion 22, and the other end of the second cover portion 28 is supported by the partition portion 50.

[0030] The electromagnetic wave transmittance of second cover part 28 is different from that of first cover part 26. The electromagnetic wave transmittance of second cover part 28 is set to a value that allows electromagnetic waves output by measurement unit 40, for example, to easily pass through. This allows measurement unit 40 to properly receive electromagnetic waves, thereby preventing a decrease in measurement accuracy.

[0031] The lighting units 31 to 33 are brake lamps, blinker lamps, and tail lamps. The lighting units 31 to 33 are provided in a first region R1 within the housing 20. The lighting units 31 to 33 output visible light to notify the rear of the vehicle 1 of the operating status of the vehicle 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the lighting units 31 to 33 are lined up in a row in the vertical direction within the housing 20. Specifically, the lighting unit 31 is located at the top, and the lighting unit 33 is located at the bottom.

[0032] The measurement unit 40 detects a measurement object behind the vehicle 1 and measures the distance from the vehicle 1 to the measurement object. The measurement unit 40 is a radar unit that receives a reflected wave of an emitted electromagnetic wave reflected by the measurement object. The measurement object may be, for example, a vehicle behind or an obstacle. As shown in FIG. 2 , the measurement unit 40 is provided in the second region R2 within the housing 20. That is, the measurement unit 40 and the lamp units 31 to 33 are provided in different regions within the housing 20.

[0033] The partition 50 is a member provided inside the housing 20. The partition 50 is provided between the lighting units 31 to 33 and the measurement unit 40. The partition 50 is provided to divide the internal space of the housing 20 into two regions. The upper internal space of the housing 20 enclosed by the support 22, the first cover 26, and the partition 50 is the first region R1. The lower internal space of the housing 20 enclosed by the support 22, the second cover 28, and the partition 50 is the second region R2. In other words, the partition 50 can be said to be a partition plate that divides the internal space of the housing 20 into the first region R1 and the second region R2. The partition 50 can also be said to be a wall member that divides the inside of the housing 20 so that the first region R1 and the second region R2 do not communicate with each other.

[0034] The partition part 50 is fixed to the support part 22. Specifically, one end of the partition part 50 is fixed to the support surface 22a of the support part 22. The other end of the partition part 50 engages with the cover member 24. For example, an engaging part is formed at the other end of the partition part 50, with which the first cover part 26 and the second cover part 28 can engage.

[0035] The opening 60 is a portion of the support portion 22 in which an opening (vent) 61 that connects the inside of the housing 20 to the outside is formed. The opening 60 is formed in a portion of the support portion 22 that constitutes the second region R2 of the housing 20. Specifically, the opening 60 is provided in a portion of the support portion 22 below the support portion 22 where the measurement unit 40 is provided, where a gap is formed between the support portion 22 and the rear of the vehicle 1. This allows outside air to easily enter the second region R2 where the measurement unit 40 is located through the opening 60, thereby suppressing a temperature rise in the measurement unit 40. As a result, the temperature of the measurement unit 40 is more likely to be maintained below a temperature at which the measurement unit 40 can perform its intended function, thereby suppressing a decrease in the measurement performance of the measurement unit 40. Although there is a risk that water may enter the second region R2 through the opening 60, the measurement accuracy of the measurement unit 40 will not be reduced by water because the measurement unit 40 itself is waterproof.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the opening 60 penetrates the lower part of the support part 22. That is, the opening 60 penetrates between the support surface 22a and the opposite surface 22b. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the rear lamp 6 shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the rear side. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, a rectangular opening 61 is formed in the opening 60, but this is not limited thereto, and the opening 61 may be circular, for example. The opening 60 is formed in a part of the support part 22 facing the rear surface of the measurement unit 40. This makes it easier for outside air that has passed through the opening 60 to come into contact with the rear surface of the measurement unit 40, thereby cooling the measurement unit 40.

[0037] The opening 61 may be formed so that the entire back surface of the measurement unit 40 is exposed. That is, the size of the opening 61 may be larger than the entire back surface of the measurement unit 40, and the measurement unit 40 may be positioned so that it faces the opening 61. For example, by configuring the side of the measurement unit 40 to be supported by the support portion 22, the entire back surface of the measurement unit 40 can be formed so that it is exposed. This allows a wide portion of the measurement unit 40 to come into contact with outside air, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the measurement unit 40. In particular, when the vehicle 1 is traveling, the traveling wind is more likely to hit the measurement unit 40, thereby further improving the cooling efficiency of the measurement unit 40. Furthermore, a mesh-like filter member or the like may be provided in the opening 61 of the opening 60 to prevent foreign matter from entering the internal space of the housing 20.

[0038] No opening is formed in the portion of the support part 22 that corresponds to the first region R1. That is, the first region R1 is an area sealed by the support part 22, the cover member 24, and the partition part 50. Sealing the first region R1 in this manner prevents water, dust, and the like from entering the first region R1.

[0039] The advantages of providing the partition 50 and the opening 60 in the housing 20 will be described in comparison with a comparative example shown in FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a rear lamp 106 according to a comparative example. In the comparative example, the partition 50 and the opening 60 are not provided in the housing 120, and the lamp units 31 to 33 and the measurement unit 40 are located in a space R3 within the housing 120. The space R3 is sealed by a cover member 124. Therefore, there is no risk of water entering the housing 120. However, because the space R3 is sealed, the temperature of the measurement unit 140 may increase, which may result in a decrease in the measurement performance of the measurement unit 140. In particular, in an environment with high outside air temperature, the temperature of the measurement unit 140, which is sealed within the space R3, is likely to increase.

[0040] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, by providing the partition 50 and the opening 60, the first region R1 where the lamp units 31 to 33 are located is sealed, while allowing outside air to easily enter the second region R2 where the measurement unit 40 is located. This allows the measurement unit 40 to be cooled by the outside air, and a temperature rise in the measurement unit 40 can be suppressed, thereby suppressing a decrease in the measurement performance of the measurement unit 40 due to a temperature rise.

[0041] (Variation) In the above description, the measurement unit is a radar unit, but is not limited to this. For example, the measurement unit may be a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) unit. A LiDAR irradiates a measurement object with laser light and receives the laser light reflected by the measurement object.

[0042] In the above description, the first cover portion 26 and the second cover portion 28 of the cover member 24 are separable, but this is not limiting. For example, the cover member 24 may have the first cover portion 26 and the second cover portion 28 integrated into one piece.

[0043] In addition, although the partition 50 is described above as a separate member from the support part 22 and the cover member 24, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the partition 50 may be integrated with the support part 22, the first cover part 26, or the second cover part 28.

[0044] In the above description, the rear lamp 6 is used as an example of a vehicle lamp, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the vehicle lamp may be a front lamp 5 including a measurement unit. In this case, the front lamp 5 is provided with the partition 50 and opening 60 described above.

[0045] <Effects of this embodiment> The rear lamp 6 (vehicle lamp) of the above-described embodiment has a partition section 50 that divides the housing 20 into a first region R1 in which the lamp units 31 to 33 are located and a second region R2 in which the measurement unit 40 is located, and an opening 60 formed in a portion of the housing 20 that is adjacent to the second region R2. Since outside air can enter the second region R2 where the measurement unit 40 is located through the opening 60, the measurement unit 40 is cooled by the outside air, and thus the temperature rise of the measurement unit 40 can be suppressed.

[0046] The present invention has been described above using embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically distributing or integrating any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combination also have the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 6 Rear lamp 20. Housing 22 Support part 24 Cover member 26 First cover part 28 Second cover part 31, 32, 33 Lighting unit 40 measurement units 50 Partition 60 Opening 61 Aperture R1 1st area R2 2nd area

Claims

1. Housing and a partition provided in the housing and dividing the inside of the housing into a first area and a second area; a lamp unit provided in the first area; a measuring unit provided in the second area; Equipped with the housing has an opening provided with an opening that communicates the second region with the outside of the housing; Vehicle lighting fixtures.

2. the housing has a support portion that supports the lighting unit and the measurement unit, The opening is provided in the support portion.

2. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

3. the opening of the opening portion is located in a portion of the support portion facing the rear surface of the measurement unit; 3. A vehicle lamp according to claim 2.

4. The opening of the opening portion is larger than the entire rear surface of the measurement unit and is positioned to face the measurement unit.

4. A vehicle lamp according to claim 3.

5. the housing has a cover member that covers the lighting unit and the measurement unit, The first area is an area sealed by the support portion, the cover member, and the partition portion.

3. A vehicle lamp according to claim 2.

6. The cover member is a first cover portion covering the lamp unit; a second cover part that covers the measurement unit and has an electromagnetic wave transmittance different from that of the first cover part; 6. A vehicle lamp according to claim 5.

7. The housing is detachably attached to the rear of the vehicle, The lighting unit includes at least one of a brake lamp, a turn signal lamp, and a tail lamp.

7. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

8. The measurement unit is a radar unit that receives the emitted electromagnetic waves.

7. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

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