Illumination structure

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an illumination structure capable of achieving uniform ring-shaped illumination on a distal end side of a columnar body in a case where an arrangeable space is limited around the columnar body.SOLUTION: An illumination structure according to the present disclosure includes a columnar body, a light source, a cylindrical member, a first light guide member, and a second light guide member. The columnar body extends along a first direction. The light source is disposed on the base side of the columnar body. The cylindrical member covers the peripheral surface on the tip side of the columnar body. The cylindrical member extends cylindrically in a first direction. The first light guide member has translucency. The first light guide member is disposed between the light source and the tip of the columnar body and on the first side of the columnar body. The second light guide member includes a first member and a second member. The first member has translucency and light diffusibility. The first member is disposed inside the cylindrical member and at least on the second side of the columnar body. The second member is reflective. The second member is disposed inside the cylindrical member and outside the first member. The second member is interposed between the first light guide member and the cylindrical member on the first side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to lighting structures. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a knob illumination structure in which a rotary switch is rotatably passed through a substantially cylindrical prism, and an operation knob attached to the tip of the rotary switch is made of a light-transmitting material. As a result, Patent Document 1 states that light emitted from a light source can be guided to a light-transmitting plate at the tip via the prism and the operation knob, thereby achieving uniform illumination. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-9664 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] On the other hand, in a lighting structure that illuminates the tip side of a columnar body, the space available around the columnar body may be limited if the columnar body is covered with a cover panel or cover glass, etc. In this case, it is difficult to arrange a substantially cylindrical light-guiding member around the columnar body, and it may be difficult to achieve uniform illumination at the tip side of the columnar body.

[0005] The present disclosure provides an illumination structure that can achieve uniform ring-shaped illumination on the tip side of a pillar when the space available for placement around the pillar is limited. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The lighting structure according to the present disclosure includes a pillar-shaped body, a light source, a cylindrical member, a first light-guiding member, and a second light-guiding member. The pillar-shaped body extends along a first direction. The light source is disposed on the base side of the pillar. The cylindrical member covers the peripheral surface of the tip side of the pillar. The cylindrical member extends cylindrically in the first direction. The first light-guiding member is translucent. The first light-guiding member is disposed between the light source and the tip of the pillar and on a first side of the pillar. The second light-guiding member includes a first member and a second member. The first member is translucent and light-diffusing. The first member is disposed inside the cylindrical member and on at least a second side of the pillar. The second member is reflective. The second member is disposed inside the cylindrical member and outside the first member. The second member is interposed between the first light-guiding member and the cylindrical member on the first side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the lighting structure of the present disclosure, even ring-shaped lighting can be achieved on the tip side of the columnar body when the space available for placement around the columnar body is limited. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of an illumination structure according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an illumination structure according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a configuration in which a cylindrical member and a disk-shaped member are removed from the illumination structure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between a columnar body, a cover glass, and a light guide member (first light guide member) in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the lighting structure according to the first embodiment with a peripheral cover removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a light guide member (first light guide member) in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a light guide member (second light guide member) in the first embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a part of the light guide member (second light guide member) in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of another part of the light guide member (second light guide member) in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an illumination structure according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a part of a light guide member (second light guide member) according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of another part of the light guide member (second light guide member) in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a lighting structure according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (First embodiment) The lighting structure of the first embodiment is a structure that illuminates the tip side of a pillar, but is devised to achieve uniform lighting at the tip side of the pillar when the space available for placement around the pillar is limited.

[0011] The lighting structure 1 may be used in a vehicle. A columnar object such as an operating knob operated by a vehicle occupant is arranged in the vehicle interior. For example, when the interior of the vehicle is dark, such as at night, the lighting structure 1 may illuminate the tip side of the columnar object. This allows the position of the columnar object in the vehicle interior to be easily ascertained when the interior of the vehicle is dark.

[0012] The lighting structure 1 may be configured as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of the lighting structure 1.

[0013] The lighting structure 1 has a pillar-shaped body 2, a cylindrical member 4, and a light-guiding member (third light-guiding member) 7. The pillar-shaped body 2, the cylindrical member 4, and the light-guiding member 7 are covered with cover panels CP1 and CP2. In the following, the direction perpendicular to the surface of the cover panel CP1 is defined as the Z direction, and two directions perpendicular to each other in a plane perpendicular to the Z direction are defined as the X direction and the Y direction.

[0014] The pillars 2 are disposed on a substrate SB (see FIG. 2) and extend in the Z direction from the substrate SB. When the lighting structure 1 is for vehicle use, the pillars 2 may be operation knobs for devices in the vehicle (audio devices, navigation devices, etc.). The pillars 2 may also be rotary switches such as encoders that are rotatable around the Z axis.

[0015] The cylindrical member 4 covers the tip side (+Z side) of the columnar body 2 from the outside in the XY direction. The cylindrical member 4 has reflectivity and light blocking properties. The cylindrical member 4 may be made of opaque plastic or the like. The cylindrical member 4 may be black.

[0016] The light-guiding member 7 covers one end (the +Z side end) of the cylindrical member 4. The light-guiding member 7 has a light-guiding portion 7a and a light-blocking portion 7b. The light-guiding portion 7a has light-transmitting and light-diffusing properties. The light-guiding portion 7a may be made of translucent plastic (e.g., PC resin) or the like. The light-guiding portion 7a may have a translucent milky white color.

[0017] The light-shielding portion 7b covers an inner region of the +Z-side surface of the light-guiding portion 7a. The light-shielding portion 7b has reflectivity and light-shielding properties. The portion of the light-guiding portion 7a that is not covered by the light-shielding portion 7b may be annular in the XY plane view. The light-shielding portion 7b may be formed of a resin or the like. The light-shielding portion 7b may be black. The light-shielding portion 7b may be formed by applying black paint to the inner region of the +Z-side surface of the light-guiding portion 7a.

[0018] With this configuration, in the lighting structure 1, the tip side of the columnar body 2 can be illuminated in a ring shape, as shown by the diagonal hatching in Fig. 1, in accordance with the light guided from the base side of the columnar body 2 to the light-guiding member 7. In ring-shaped illumination, uniform illumination is desired in the circumferential direction of the ring.

[0019] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the lighting structure 1 further includes a light source 3, a light-guiding member (first light-guiding member) 5, a light-guiding member (second light-guiding member) 6, an elastic member 9, and a mounting member 10. Figure 2 is an XZ cross-sectional view showing the lighting structure 1, taken along line AA in Figure 1. Figure 3 is an XY front view showing a configuration in which the cylindrical member 4 and the disk-shaped member 8 have been removed from the lighting structure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the columnar body 2, the cover glass CG, and the light-guiding member 5.

[0020] 2 to 4, in the lighting structure 1, due to design constraints, the XY periphery of the middle part of the pillar 2 is covered with cover panels CP1 and CP2 and a cover glass CG. Therefore, in the lighting structure 1, the space available for arrangement around the XY periphery of the middle part of the pillar 2 is limited.

[0021] The pillar 2 shown in FIG. 2 has a cylindrical shape with its axis roughly in the Z direction. The pillar 2 has a base portion 21, a middle portion 22, a small diameter portion 23, and a tip portion 24, which are arranged in this order in the Z direction. The base portion 21 is the -Z side portion of the pillar 2, and is disposed on the surface SBa of the substrate SB on the -Z side, and is connected to the middle portion 22 on the +Z side. The base portion 21 has a larger X width and a larger Y width than the middle portion 22. The base portion 21 may be approximately rectangular parallelepiped-shaped. The middle portion 22 is the portion of the pillar 2 between the base portion 21 and the small diameter portion 23, and is connected to the base portion 21 on the -Z side and to the small diameter portion 23 on the +Z side. The middle portion 22 may be approximately cylindrical-shaped. The diameter of the middle portion 22 may gradually decrease from the -Z side to the +Z side. Small diameter portion 23 is the portion between middle portion 22 and tip portion 24 of columnar body 2, and may be approximately cylindrical. Small diameter portion 23 has a smaller diameter than middle portion 22. Tip portion 24 is the portion on the +Z side of columnar body 2, and is connected to small diameter portion 23 on the -Z side. Small diameter portion 23 has a smaller diameter than tip portion 24. Tip portion 24 may have a shape in which part of the approximately cylindrical column is cut by a flat surface 24a along the axis.

[0022] 2 to 4, the cover panels CP1, CP2 and the cover glass CG cover the +X side portion of the middle portion 22 of the pillar 2 near the connection portion with the small diameter portion 23. This limits the space available for arrangement around the XY direction of the middle portion 22 of the pillar 2 to the -X side. Therefore, the light source 3 and the light guide member 5 are arranged in the -X side region around the XY direction of the pillar 2.

[0023] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the light source 3 is arranged in a region on the -X side of the base of the columnar body 2 in the periphery in the XY direction. Fig. 5 is a front view showing a configuration in which peripheral covers (cover panels CP1, CP2, and cover glass CG) are removed from the lighting structure 1. Any light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emission Diode) may be used as the light source 3. A plurality of light sources 3_1 to 3_6 may be mounted on a substrate SB. The plurality of light sources 3_1 to 3_6 are arranged on both sides of the base of the columnar body 2 in the Y direction. Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a configuration in which three light sources 3_1 to 3_3 are arranged in the X direction on the +Y side of the columnar body 2, and three light sources 3_4 to 3_6 are arranged in the X direction on the -Y side.

[0024] The light guide member 5 is disposed between the light source 3 and the tip of the columnar body 2 and on the -X side of the columnar body 2. The light guide member 5 can be disposed so as to cover each of the light sources 3_1 to 3_6 from the +Z side and to cover the base portion 21 and middle portion 22 of the columnar body 2 on the -X side from the outer side in the XY directions. The light guide member 5 is disposed on the -Z side of the light guide member 6. The light guide member 5 is disposed inside the light guide member 6 when viewed from the substrate SB, and is also called a light guide inner.

[0025] The light guide member 5 is translucent. The light guide member 5 may be transparent or translucent. The light guide member 5 may be made of glass, quartz, transparent plastic (for example, PMMA resin), or the like.

[0026] 6, the light guide member 5 has root portions 51_1 and 51_2, a bridge portion 52, and a semi-cylindrical portion 53. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the light guide member 5.

[0027] The base portion 51_1 is disposed on the +Y side of the base portion 21 of the columnar body 2 and extends in a plate-like shape in the XY direction. The base portion 51_1 may have a substantially rectangular shape in the XY plane view, with portions on the +X and +Y sides missing. The -Z side surface of the base portion 51_1 faces the light sources 3_1 to 3_3 (see FIG. 5), and the +Z side surface is connected to the +Y side end of the bridge portion 52. As a result, the base portion 51_1 can guide the light emitted from the light sources 3_1 to 3_3 to the +Y side end of the bridge portion 52, as shown by the dashed-dotted arrows in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0028] The base portion 51_2 shown in FIG. 6 is disposed on the -Y side of the base portion 21 of the columnar body 2 and extends in a plate-like shape in the XY direction. The base portion 51_2 may have a substantially rectangular shape in the XY plane view, with portions missing on the +X and -Y sides. The -Z side surface of the base portion 51_2 faces the light sources 3_4 to 3_6 (see FIG. 5), and the +Z side surface is connected to the -Y side end of the bridge portion 52. As a result, the base portion 51_2 can guide the light emitted from the light sources 3_4 to 3_6 to the -Y side end of the bridge portion 52, as shown by the dashed-dotted arrows in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0029] The bridge portion 52 shown in FIG. 6 extends in a bridge shape between the root portion 51_1 and the root portion 51_2 and the semi-cylindrical portion 53. The bridge portion 52 may be substantially U-shaped with an opening on the -Z side in a YZ plane view, or may be substantially rectangular in an XY plane view. The bridge portion 52 has an end on the +Y side connected to the root portion 51_1 on the -Z side, an end on the -Y side connected to the root portion 51_2 on the -Z side, and a central portion in the Y direction connected to the semi-cylindrical portion 53 on the +Z side. As a result, the bridge portion 52 can guide light emitted from the root portion 51_1 to the semi-cylindrical portion 53 and can guide light emitted from the root portion 51_2 to the semi-cylindrical portion 53, as indicated by the dashed-dotted arrows in FIGS. 4 and 5 .

[0030] The semi-cylindrical portion 53 shown in Fig. 6 is disposed in a region on the -X side around the middle portion 22 of the columnar body 2 in the XY direction. The semi-cylindrical portion 53 extends in a semi-cylindrical shape so as to cover the middle portion 22 of the columnar body 2 from the outside in the XY direction. The -Z side end of the semi-cylindrical portion 53 is connected to the bridge portion 52, and the +Z side end faces the -X side portion of the light-guiding member 6 in the Z direction as shown in Fig. 2. This allows the semi-cylindrical portion 53 to guide the light guided from the bridge portion 52 to the -X side portion of the light-guiding member 6 or its inner portion, as shown by the dashed-dotted arrow in Fig. 2.

[0031] The light-guiding member 6 is disposed between the light-guiding member 5 and the light-guiding member 7 and around the columnar body 2 in the XY directions. The light-guiding member 6 is disposed outside the tip portion 24 of the columnar body 2 and inside the cylindrical member 4. The light-guiding member 5 can be disposed so as to cover the small diameter portion 23 and the tip portion 24 of the columnar body 2 from the outside in the XY directions. The light-guiding member 6 is disposed on the +Z side of the light-guiding member 5. The light-guiding member 6 is disposed outside the light-guiding member 5 when viewed from the substrate SB, and is also called an outer light guide.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 7, the light guide member 6 has a cylindrical shape with its axis roughly in the Z direction. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the light guide member 6. The light guide member 6 has an inner member (first member) 61 and an outer member (second member) 62. The light guide member 6 may be configured such that the inner member 61 is disposed inside the outer member 62 in the X and Y directions. The light guide member 6 may be configured such that the inner member 61 is attached inside the outer member 62 in the X and Y directions.

[0033] The inner member 61 has light-transmitting and light-diffusing properties. The inner member 61 is disposed across from the -X side to the +X side of the columnar body 2, with the -X side portion facing the light-guiding member 5 in the Z direction and the +X side portion extending in the Z direction toward the light-guiding member 7. This allows the inner member 61 to internally transmit and guide light from the light-guiding member 7 to the light-guiding member 7.

[0034] The inner member 61 is disposed inside the cylindrical member 4 and around the columnar body 2 in the XY directions. The -X side portion of the inner member 61 faces the semi-cylindrical portion 53 of the light-guiding member 5 on the -Z side. The inner member 61 can be disposed so as to cover the small diameter portion 23 and the tip portion 24 of the columnar body 2 from the outside in the XY directions.

[0035] The light transmittance of the inner member 61 is greater than that of the outer member 62. The light transmittance of the inner member 61 may be approximately the same as that of the light-guiding member 5. The light diffusion rate of the inner member 61 is greater than that of the light-guiding member 5. The inner member 61 may have a translucent milky white color. The inner member 61 may be formed from translucent plastic (e.g., PC resin) or the like.

[0036] 8, the inner member 61 has a hollow disk portion 611 and a semi-cylindrical portion 612. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a part of the light guide member 6 (the inner member 61).

[0037] 2 and 8, the hollow disk portion 611 is disposed on the outer side in the XY direction near the connection between the middle portion 22 and the small diameter portion 23 of the columnar body 2, and extends in a hollow disk shape in the XY direction. As shown in Fig. 2, in an XZ cross-sectional view, the hollow disk portion 611 extends from the -X side portion in the +X direction, bends sequentially toward the +Z side and the +X side near the center in the X direction, and extends in the +X direction to the +X side and -Z side ends. The -X side portion of the hollow disk portion 611 faces the +Z side end of the semi-cylindrical portion 53 of the light-guiding member 5, and the +X side portion is connected to the -Z side end of the semi-cylindrical portion 612.

[0038] 2, hollow disk portion 611 can internally reflect and transmit light that is emitted from the +Z side end of semi-cylindrical portion 53 of light-guiding member 5 and incident on the -X side portion, and guide the light to the -Z side end of semi-cylindrical portion 612. At the same time, hollow disk portion 611 can transmit light that is emitted from the +Z side end of semi-cylindrical portion 53 of light-guiding member 5 and incident inside the -X side portion, through the hollow portion, and guide the light to the -X side portion of light-guiding member 7, as shown by the dashed-dotted arrow in FIG.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 , the semi-cylinder portion 612 is disposed in a region on the +X side around the small diameter portion 23 and the tip portion 24 of the columnar body 2 in the XY direction. The semi-cylinder portion 612 extends in a semi-cylindrical shape so as to cover the small diameter portion 23 and the tip portion 24 of the columnar body 2 from the outside in the XY direction. As shown in FIG. 2 , the semi-cylinder portion 612 extends in the +Z direction from its -Z side end to its +Z side end in the XZ cross section. The -Z side end of the semi-cylinder portion 612 is connected to the +X side portion of the hollow disk portion 611, and the +Z side end faces the +X side portion of the light-guiding member 7 in the Z direction. As a result, as shown by the dashed-dotted arrow in FIG. 2 , the semi-cylinder portion 612 can guide the light guided from the hollow disk portion 611 to the +X side portion of the light-guiding member 7.

[0040] The outer member 62 has reflectivity. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 , the outer member 62 is interposed between the light-guiding member 5 and the light-guiding member 7. This allows part of the light traveling from the light-guiding member 5 to the light-guiding member 7 to be blocked and incident on the inner member 61, and allows the other part of the light to pass and be guided to the light-guiding member 7. The outer member 62 is also disposed outside the inner member 61 in the X and Y directions, spanning from the −X side to the +X side of the columnar body 2. This allows the outer member 62 to prevent light from leaking outside the inner member 61 in the X and Y directions when the inner member 61 internally transmits and guides the light from the light-guiding member 7 to the light-guiding member 7.

[0041] The outer member 62 is disposed inside the cylindrical member 4 and around the columnar body 2 in the XY directions. The -X side portion of the outer member 62 is interposed between the semi-cylindrical portion 53 of the light-guiding member 5 and the cylindrical member 4. The outer member 62 can be disposed so as to cover the small diameter portion 23 and the tip portion 24 of the columnar body 2 from the outside in the XY directions.

[0042] The light reflectance of the outer member 62 is greater than that of the inner member 61. The light reflectance of the outer member 62 is greater than that of the light-guiding member 5. The outer member 62 may have a white color. The outer member 62 may be formed of a non-transparent plastic (e.g., ABS resin) or the like.

[0043] In this specification, "having reflectivity" refers to having a reflectance greater than that of a black body.

[0044] 9, the outer member 62 has a semi-cylindrical portion 621, a hollow disk portion 622, a hollow semi-disk portion 623, and a cylindrical portion 624. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of another part of the light-guiding member 6 (the outer member 62).

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9 , the semi-cylinder portion 621 is disposed in a region on the −X side of the XY periphery near the connection between the middle portion 22 and the small diameter portion 23 of the columnar body 2. The semi-cylinder portion 621 extends in a semi-cylindrical shape so as to cover the vicinity of the connection between the middle portion 22 and the small diameter portion 23 of the columnar body 2 from the outside in the XY direction. As shown in FIG. 2 , the semi-cylinder portion 621 extends in the +Z direction from its −Z side end to its +Z side end in the XZ cross section. The −Z side end of the semi-cylinder portion 621 faces the +Z side end of the semi-cylinder portion 53 of the light-guiding member 5. The +Z side end of the semi-cylinder portion 621 is connected to the −X side portion of the hollow disk portion 622. The inner surface of the semi-cylinder portion 621 in the XY direction may abut against the hollow disk portion 611 of the inner member 61. As a result, the semi-cylindrical portion 621 can position the inner member 61 when the inner member 61 is attached to the inside of the outer member 62.

[0046] 2 and 9, the hollow disk portion 622 is disposed on the outer side in the XY directions near the connection between the middle portion 22 and the small diameter portion 23 of the columnar body 2, and is disposed on the outer side in the XY directions of the cylindrical portion 624, and extends in an annular shape in the XY directions. The -X side portion of the hollow disk portion 622 is fixed to the cover panel CP2 via an elastic member 9, and the +X side portion is fixed to the cover panel CP1 via an elastic member 9. The elastic member 9 may have light-blocking properties. The hollow disk portion 622 is connected to the -Z side end of the cylindrical portion 624 on the +Z side.

[0047] This allows the hollow disk portion 622 to fix the outer member 62 to the cover panels CP1 and CP2. At the same time, the hollow disk portion 622 can prevent light transmitted within the inner member 61 from leaking outward in the X and Y directions.

[0048] 2 and 9, the hollow semidisc portion 623 is disposed in a region on the -X side around the XY direction near the connection between the middle portion 22 and the small diameter portion 23 of the columnar body 2. The hollow semidisc portion 623 extends in a semi-hollow semidisc shape so as to cover the vicinity of the connection between the middle portion 22 and the small diameter portion 23 of the columnar body 2 from the outside in the XY direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the hollow semidisc portion 623 protrudes in the +Z direction from the -Z side end of the cylindrical portion 624 in the XZ cross section. The Z height of the hollow semidisc portion 623 from the -Z side end of the cylindrical portion 624 is slightly lower than the Z height of the semicylindrical portion 53 of the light guiding member 5 (see FIG. 6) from the -Z side end of the cylindrical portion 624. As a result, as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 2, the hollow semi-disk portion 623 can block some of the light emitted from the semi-cylindrical portion 53 of the light-guiding member 5, and allow some of the other light emitted from the semi-cylindrical portion 53 of the light-guiding member 5 to pass through on its +Z side.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9 , the cylindrical portion 624 is disposed around the small diameter portion 23 and the tip portion 24 of the columnar body 2 in the XY directions. The cylindrical portion 624 extends cylindrically so as to cover the small diameter portion 23 and the tip portion 24 of the columnar body 2 from the outside in the XY directions. As shown in FIG. 2 , the cylindrical portion 624 extends in the +Z direction from the -Z side end to the +Z side end in the XZ cross section. The -Z side end of the cylindrical portion 624 is connected to the +Z side end of the semi-cylinder portion 621, the inner end of the hollow disk portion 622 in the XY directions, and the outer end of the hollow semi-disk portion 623 in the XY directions, and the +Z side end faces the light-guiding member 7 in the Z direction. The cylindrical portion 624 covers the semi-cylinder portion 612 of the inner member 61 from the outside in the XY directions on the +X side.

[0050] As a result, as shown by the dashed-dotted arrow in FIG. 2, the +X side portion of cylindrical portion 624 can prevent light transmitted within semi-cylindrical portion 612 of inner member 61 from leaking outward in the XY directions, and the -X side portion can prevent light passing inside in the XY directions from leaking outward in the XY directions.

[0051] As described above, in the first embodiment, the illumination structure 1 partially blocks light traveling from the light-guiding member 5 to the light-guiding member 7 using the outer member 62 of the light-guiding member 6, guides the blocked light from the -X side to the +X side within the inner member 61, and guides it to the +X side portion of the light-guiding member 7. The illumination structure 1 passes the unblocked light inside the outer member 62 and guides it to the -X side portion of the light-guiding member 7. Therefore, when the placement location of the light-guiding member 5 is limited to the -X side region of the columnar body 2, the light from the light-guiding member 5 can be guided by the light-guiding member 6 to the -X side portion and the +X side portion of the light-guiding member 7, and uniform ring-shaped illumination can be achieved in the circumferential direction at the tip side of the columnar body 2.

[0052] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, in the lighting structure 1, the outer member 62 of the light-guiding member 6 has reflectivity and is interposed between the light-guiding member 5 and the light-guiding member 7. This blocks part of the light traveling from the light-guiding member 5 to the light-guiding member 7 and causes it to enter the inner member 61, while transmitting the other part of the light and guiding it to the -X side portion of the light-guiding member 7. Furthermore, the inner member 61 of the light-guiding member 6 has translucency and light diffusivity and is disposed from the -X side to the +X side of the columnar body 2, with the -X side portion facing the light-guiding member 5 in the Z direction and the +X side portion extending in the Z direction toward the light-guiding member 7. The outer member 62 is disposed outside the inner member 61 in the XY directions and extends from the -X side to the +X side of the columnar body 2. This prevents the light from leaking outside the XY direction of the inner member 61, allowing the inner member 61 to internally transmit the light from the light-guiding member 7 and guide it to the +X side portion of the light-guiding member 7.

[0053] The outer member 62 of the light-guiding member 6 may have a translucent milky white color and be painted opaque white on the outer side. The semi-cylinder portion 621, the hollow disk portion 622, the hollow semi-disk portion 623, and the cylindrical portion 624 may each have a translucent milky white color. The outer surfaces of the semi-cylinder portion 621 in the XY directions, the exposed surfaces of the hollow disk portion 622, the exposed surfaces of the hollow semi-disk portion 623, and the outer surfaces of the cylindrical portion 624 in the XY directions may each be painted opaque white. The outer surfaces of the outer member 62 may further be painted black on the outer side in the XY directions. The outer surfaces of the semi-cylinder portion 621 in the XY directions, the exposed surfaces of the hollow disk portion 622, the exposed surfaces of the hollow semi-disk portion 623, and the outer surfaces of the cylindrical portion 624 in the XY directions may each be further painted black. This configuration also allows the outer member 62 to have reflectivity.

[0054] In the light-guiding member 6, the length in the Z direction of the inner member 61 may be shorter than the length in the Z direction of the outer member 62. In this case, the light emitted from the inner member 61 can be guided to the light-guiding member 7 while being reflected on the inner surface of the outer member 62, as indicated by the two-dot chain arrow in Fig. 2. Even with this configuration, the light emitted from the inner member 61 can be guided to the +X side portion of the light-guiding member 7.

[0055] (Second embodiment) As shown in Figs. 10 to 12, the illumination structure 1i may be configured to guide light from the -X side to the +X side by reflecting light blocked by partial light blocking by the outer member 62i on a reflecting surface 623iaa of the outer member 62i. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the illumination structure 1i according to the second embodiment, showing an XZ cross section corresponding to cutting Fig. 1 along line AA. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a portion of the configuration (inner member 61i) of the light-guiding member 6i in the second embodiment. Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing another portion of the configuration (outer member 62i) of the light-guiding member 6i in the second embodiment.

[0056] The inner member 61i of the light-guiding member 6i has light-transmitting and light-diffusing properties. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the inner member 61i is disposed on the +X side of the columnar body 2 at a position where it can receive light reflected by the reflecting surface 623iaa of the outer member 62i. The +X side portion of the inner member 61i extends in the Z direction toward the light-guiding member 7. This allows the inner member 61i to internally transmit and guide the reflected light from the outer member 62i to the light-guiding member 7.

[0057] The inner member 61i has a hollow semi-disk portion 611i shown in FIG. 11 instead of the hollow disk portion 611 (see FIG. 8). The hollow semi-disk portion 611i is arranged in a region on the +X side of the XY periphery near the connection between the middle portion 22 and the small diameter portion 23 of the columnar body 2, and extends in a hollow semi-disk shape in the XY direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the hollow semi-disk portion 611i extends in the +X direction from a portion on the -X side to a portion on the +X side in the XZ cross section. The +X side portion of the hollow semi-disk portion 611i is connected to the -Z side end of the semi-cylindrical portion 612. The hollow semi-disk portion 611i is arranged at a position on the +X side of the columnar body 2 where it can receive light reflected by the reflecting surface 623iaa of the outer member 62i.

[0058] As a result, the hollow semi-disk portion 611i can internally reflect and transmit light that is reflected by the reflecting surface 623iaa of the outer member 62i and incident on the -X side portion, as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 10, and guide it to the -Z side end of the semi-cylindrical portion 612.

[0059] The outer member 62i of the light-guiding member 6i is reflective. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12 , the outer member 62i has a reflective surface 623ia that can reflect light from the light-guiding member 5. The outer member 62i is interposed between the light-guiding member 5 and the light-guiding member 7. This allows a portion of the light traveling from the light-guiding member 5 toward the light-guiding member 7 to be reflected by the reflective surface 623ia and enter the inner member 61i, while the other portion of the light passes through and is guided to the light-guiding member 7. The outer member 62i is disposed on the +X side of the columnar body 2 and outside the inner member 61i in the X and Y directions. This allows the outer member 62i to prevent light from leaking outside the inner member 61i in the X and Y directions when the inner member 61i internally transmits and guides the light from the light-guiding member 7 to the light-guiding member 7.

[0060] The outer member 62i has a hollow semi-disk portion 623i shown in FIG. 12 instead of the hollow semi-disk portion 623 (see FIG. 9).

[0061] 10 and 12, the hollow semidisc portion 623i is disposed in a region on the -X side of the XY periphery of the connection between the middle portion 22 and the small diameter portion 23 of the columnar body 2. The hollow semidisc portion 623i extends in a semi-hollow semidisc shape so as to cover the vicinity of the connection between the middle portion 22 and the small diameter portion 23 of the columnar body 2 from the outside in the XY direction. As shown in FIG. 10, in the XZ cross-sectional view, the hollow semidisc portion 623i protrudes in the +Z direction from the -Z side end of the cylindrical portion 624 and has a reflecting surface 623ia that is inclined so that the Z height from the -Z side end of the cylindrical portion 624 increases with increasing distance from the light-guiding member 5 on the -Z side. As a result, the hollow semidisc portion 623i can bend the optical axis from the light-guiding member 5 side to the inner member 61i side, as indicated by the two-dot chain arrow in FIG. That is, the hollow semi-disk portion 623i allows the light from the light-guiding member 5 to be reflected by the reflecting surface 623ia and to be incident on the hollow semi-disk portion 611i of the inner member 61i.

[0062] The Z height of hollow semi-disk portion 623i from the end on the -Z side of cylindrical portion 624 is slightly lower than the Z height of semi-cylindrical portion 53 (see FIG. 6) of light-guiding member 5 from the end on the -Z side of cylindrical portion 624. As a result, as shown by the dashed-dotted arrow in FIG. 2, hollow semi-disk portion 623i can substantially block part of the light emitted from semi-cylindrical portion 53 of light-guiding member 5, and can allow another part of the light emitted from semi-cylindrical portion 53 of light-guiding member 5 to pass through on the +Z side.

[0063] As described above, in the second embodiment, the illumination structure 1i partially reflects light traveling from the light-guiding member 5 to the light-guiding member 7 by the reflecting surface 623ia of the outer member 62i of the light-guiding member 6i, causes the reflected light to enter the inner member 61i disposed on the +X side, and guides the light through the inner member 61i to the +X side portion of the light-guiding member 7. The illumination structure 1i passes the unreflected light inside the outer member 62i and guides it to the -X side portion of the light-guiding member 7. Therefore, when the arrangement location of the light-guiding member 5 is limited to the -X side region of the columnar body 2, the light from the light-guiding member 5 can be guided by the light-guiding member 6i to the -X side portion and the +X side portion of the light-guiding member 7, thereby achieving uniform ring-shaped illumination in the circumferential direction at the tip side of the columnar body 2.

[0064] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 Lighting structure 2 columnar body 3,3_1~3_6 Light source 4 Cylindrical member 5,6,6i,7 Light guide member 8 Disc-shaped member 9 Elastic member

Claims

1. a columnar body extending along a first direction; a light source disposed on the base side of the columnar body; a cylindrical member that covers a peripheral surface of the tip end side of the columnar body and extends cylindrically in the first direction; a first light guiding member having translucency and disposed between the light source and the tip of the columnar body and on a first side of the columnar body; a second light guide member including a first member having translucency and light diffusion properties and disposed inside the cylindrical member and at least on a second side of the columnar body, and a second member having reflectivity and disposed inside the cylindrical member and outside the first member and interposed between the first light guide member and the cylindrical member on the first side; A lighting structure comprising:

2. the first member has a milky white color; The second member has a white color. The lighting structure of claim 1 .

3. the first member has a milky white color; The second member has a milky white color and is painted white on the outside. The lighting structure of claim 1 .

4. The first member is disposed across the columnar body from the first side to the second side, and a portion of the first side faces the first light guide member in the first direction. The lighting structure of claim 1 .

5. the second member has a reflective surface capable of reflecting light from the first light guide member, The first member is disposed at a position on the second side of the columnar body where it can receive the light reflected by the reflecting surface. The lighting structure of claim 1 .

6. The first member includes: a first portion extending annularly around the post; a second portion extending from the first portion to a tip side of the pillar on the second side of the pillar; Including, The second member includes: a third portion disposed between the first portion and the cylindrical member; a fourth portion that extends in a cylindrical shape from the third portion to a tip end side of the columnar body in the first direction and covers the second portion from the outside; Contains 5. The lighting structure of claim 4.

7. The first member includes: a second portion extending along the post toward a tip end of the post on the second side of the post; Including, The second member includes: a third portion disposed between the first light guiding member and the cylindrical member and bending the optical axis from the first light guiding member side to the second portion side; a fourth portion that extends in a cylindrical shape from the third portion along the columnar body toward the tip side of the columnar body and covers the second portion from the outside; Contains 6. The lighting structure of claim 5.

8. The lighting structure further includes an elastic member disposed between the second portion and a panel on which the lighting structure is installed.

7. The lighting structure of claim 6.

9. The lighting structure further includes an elastic member disposed between the second portion and a panel on which the lighting structure is installed.

8. The lighting structure of claim 7.

10. The length of the first member in the first direction is shorter than the length of the second member in the first direction. The lighting structure of claim 1 .

11. The cylindrical member further includes a third light guide member including a light guide portion having translucency and light diffusion properties and covering one end of the cylindrical member, and a light shielding portion having reflectivity and covering an inner region of the light guide portion. The lighting structure of claim 1 .

12. The plurality of light sources are arranged on a base side of the column and on a first side of the column. The lighting structure of claim 1 .

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