Lighting device

Abstract

To provide a lighting device capable of properly holding a light guide. [Solution] The lighting device 1 comprises a light-emitting element 14, a rod-shaped light guide 30 that transmits the light emitted by the light-emitting element 14, and a housing 2 that houses the light-emitting element 14 and holds the light guide 30 at a predetermined light-receiving position. The housing 2 comprises a first housing 50 that clamps the light guide 30 in an intersecting direction that intersects the axial direction of the light guide 30 and has a clamping portion 51 that is displaceable in the intersecting direction, second housings 40, 60 that surround the clamping portion 51 and exert force on the clamping portion 51 in a direction that causes the clamping portion 51 to press against the light guide 30, and third housings 11, 15 that house the light-emitting element 14 and to which the first housing 50 is assembled. The clamping portion 51 of the first housing 50 has a protruding portion 55 that projects toward the light guide 30 and presses against the light guide 30.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , ,

[0005] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device including a light emitter, a rod-shaped light guide, and a housing that houses the light emitter and holds the light guide at a predetermined light-receiving position.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a lighting device has been proposed in which light emitted from a light emitter such as an LED is irradiated to the surroundings through a rod-shaped light guide. This type of lighting device is used, for example, as a lamp mounted inside or outside a vehicle such as an automobile (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described conventional lighting device, the rod-shaped light guide is press-fitted into an annular support member, and this support member is locked to the housing, thereby fixing the light guide to the housing. However, depending on the magnitude of the dimensional tolerances (so-called manufacturing variations) of the light guide, the support member, and the housing, for example, the holding force of the light guide by the above-described press-fitting and locking may be insufficient, and the light guide may be displaced by an external force such as vibration. From the viewpoint of properly exhibiting the function of the lighting device, it is desirable to suppress such displacement of the light guide.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device capable of properly holding a light guide.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above-described object, the lighting device according to the present invention is characterized as follows.

[0007] A lighting device comprising a light-emitting element, a rod-shaped light guide that transmits light emitted by the light-emitting element, and a housing that houses the light-emitting element and holds the light guide at a predetermined light-receiving position, The aforementioned housing is A first housing having a clamping portion that sandwiches the light guide in an intersecting direction that intersects the axial direction of the light guide and is displaceable in the intersecting direction, A second housing surrounds the clamping portion and applies force to the clamping portion in a direction that causes the clamping portion to press against the light guide body, A third housing that houses the light-emitting element and to which the first housing is assembled, It must be a lighting device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the lighting device of the present invention, a rod-shaped light guide is positioned at a predetermined light-receiving position, with the clamping portion of the first housing sandwiched between the clamping portion and the clamping portion pressed against the light guide by the second housing. As a result, regardless of the magnitude of manufacturing variations in the light guide and housing (for example, even if there is a gap between the light guide and the clamping portion due to manufacturing variations), the second housing presses the clamping portion against the light guide, allowing the light guide to be properly held by the clamping portion. In other words, the light guide is held in a doubly manner by the first and second housings. Furthermore, the first housing that sandwiches the light guide with the clamping portion is assembled to a third housing that houses a light-emitting element. This allows the light guide to be properly positioned at the light-receiving position. Therefore, the lighting device of the present invention can properly hold the light guide.

[0009] The present invention has been briefly described above. Further details of the present invention will be clarified by referring to the accompanying drawings and reading through the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1]Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lighting device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a bottom view of the spacer shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a side view of the lighting device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of CC in Figure 5. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 7 using the DD method. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an enlarged view of section E in Figure 8. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a modified lighting device. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the lighting device shown in Figure 10 with the cable ties separated. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the FF in Figure 10. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 12, showing a modified example of the clamping portion of the adapter shown in Figure 11. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, an embodiment of the lighting device 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The lighting device 1 shown in Figure 1 is a device used as a light fixture mounted inside or outside a vehicle such as an automobile, and is configured to irradiate the surroundings with light emitted from an LED 14 (see Figures 2 and 8) via a rod-shaped light guide 30 (see Figures 1, 2 and 8, etc.). For example, by emitting the light irradiated from the light guide 30 to the surroundings through a narrow slit-shaped opening (not shown) provided in a panel member of the vehicle, etc., a linear ambient lighting with excellent decorative properties can be realized.

[0012] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", and "lower" are defined. The "front-rear direction", "left-right direction", and "upper-lower direction" are orthogonal to each other. The front-rear direction, left-right direction, and upper-lower direction do not necessarily coincide with the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and upper-lower direction of the vehicle on which the lighting device 1 is mounted. The "upper-lower direction" coincides with the "axial direction of the light guide body" of the present invention, and the "left-right direction" coincides with the "intersecting direction intersecting the axial direction" of the present invention.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the lighting device 1 includes an LED unit 10, a rod-shaped light guide body 30 that transmits the light emitted by the LED 14 in the LED unit 10, an adapter 50 that holds the light guide body 30 and connects the light guide body 30 and the LED unit 10, and a spacer 40 that is attached to the adapter 50 so as to store a pair of left and right clamping portions 51 (see FIG. 2 and the like) described later inside the adapter 50. Here, the LED unit 10, the spacer 40, and the adapter 50 constitute the housing 2 of the lighting device 1 (see FIG. 1). The adapter 50 and the spacer 40 respectively correspond to the "first housing" and the "second housing" of the present invention. The housing 11 and the cover 15 correspond to the "third housing" of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configurations of each component constituting the lighting device 1 will be described in order.

[0014] First, the LED unit 10 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the LED unit 10 includes a housing 11, a bus bar 12 housed in the housing 11, a substrate 13 housed in the housing 11, an LED 14 mounted on the substrate 13, and a cover 15 attached to the housing 11.

[0015] The housing 11 is a resin molded body and integrally comprises a substantially rectangular cylindrical connector portion 16 extending in the front-rear direction and a substantially rectangular cylindrical LED housing portion 17 located in front of the connector portion 16 and extending in the front-rear direction. The LED housing portion 17 has an open top. A metal busbar 12 is housed within the housing 11, straddling the connector portion 16 and the LED housing portion 17, and the circuit board 13 is housed in the LED housing portion 17. The LEDs 14 mounted on the circuit board 13 are exposed to the outside through the upper opening of the LED housing portion 17. A vehicle-side connector (not shown) is fitted into the connector portion 16 of the housing 11. When the vehicle-side connector is fitted into the connector portion 16, an electrical signal transmitted from the vehicle-side connector (not shown) is transmitted to the circuit board 13 via the busbar 12, and the LEDs 14 mounted on the circuit board 13 are controlled to emit light based on the electrical signal. A pair of left and right locking protrusions 18 are formed on the left and right side walls of the LED housing portion 17. The pair of left and right locking protrusions 18 will engage with the pair of left and right locking holes 21 of the cover 15, which will be described later.

[0016] The cover 15 is attached to the LED housing 17 of the housing 11 so as to cover the LED housing 17, and serves functions such as protecting the substrate 13 and LEDs 14 housed in the LED housing 17. The cover 15 is a resin molded body and has a substantially rectangular box shape extending in the front-to-back direction, with an open rear end. On the upper wall of the cover 15, a substantially cylindrical opening 19 is formed, corresponding to the LEDs 14 in the housing 11, protruding upward and communicating the inside and outside of the cover 15 in the vertical direction. On the left and right side walls of the cover 15, a pair of left and right locking holes 21 and a pair of left and right locking protrusions 22 are formed so as to be aligned in the front-to-back direction. The pair of left and right locking protrusions 22 will engage with a pair of left and right locking holes 59 of the adapter 50, which will be described later. The cover 15 is attached to the LED housing 17 by sliding it backward from the front of the LED housing 17. When the cover 15 is fully attached to the LED housing 17, the locking hole 21 of the cover 15 and the locking projection 18 of the LED housing 17 are engaged. This prevents the cover 15 from coming off (separating) from the housing 11 (LED housing 17) forward. In the LED unit 10 with the cover 15 attached to the LED housing 17, the LEDs 14 housed in the LED housing 17 are exposed to the outside through the upper opening of the LED housing 17 and the opening 19 of the cover 15 (see Figure 8).

[0017] Next, the spacer 40 will be described. The spacer 40 is a resin molded body and has a roughly rectangular box-shaped main body 41 that extends in the vertical direction, as shown in Figure 2, etc. The lower end of the main body 41 is open. The left and right clamping parts 51 of the adapter 50 will be housed inside the main body 41 (see Figures 6 to 8, etc.). In the center of the upper wall that closes the upper end of the main body 41, an insertion hole 42 is formed that penetrates in the thickness direction (vertical direction). The light guide 30 will be inserted through the insertion hole 42 (see Figure 8, etc.).

[0018] On the left and right side walls of the main body 41, a partially cylindrical curved portion 43 is formed at the center in the front-to-back direction, projecting outward in the left-to-right direction (away from the opposing side wall) and extending in the vertical direction. The formation of the curved portion 43 on each of the left and right side walls of the main body 41 prevents the left and right side walls of the main body 41 from interfering with the curved portion 53 (see Figure 2, etc.) provided on the clamping portion 51, which will be described later, when the pair of left and right clamping portions 51 of the adapter 50 are stored inside the main body 41.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, at each of the front-to-back ends of the inner wall surfaces (planes extending in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions) of the left and right side walls of the main body 41, a pair of left and right protrusions 44 are positioned opposite each other with a gap in the left-to-right direction, projecting inward in the left-to-right direction and extending in the up-to-down direction. As shown in Figure 4, the protruding edge 44a of each protrusion 44 is slightly inclined with respect to the up-to-down direction, moving inward in the left-to-right direction from the bottom to the top. Therefore, the gap between the protruding edge 44a of the left and right pairs of protrusions 44 that are positioned opposite each other in the left-to-right direction gradually decreases from the bottom to the top. As shown in Figure 2, a pair of left and right locking protrusions 45 are formed on the outer wall surfaces of the left and right side walls of the main body 41, projecting outward in the left-to-right direction. The locking protrusions 45 will engage with the locking holes 57 (see Figure 2, etc.) of the adapter 50, which will be described later.

[0020] Next, the adapter 50 will be described. It is a resin molded body and, as shown in Figure 2, comprises a pair of roughly rectangular flat clamping portions 51 that are vertically elongated and positioned opposite each other with a gap between them in the left-right direction, and a roughly cylindrical main body portion 52 that connects the lower ends of the pair of clamping portions 51. Each of the pair of clamping portions 51 is an elastic piece that extends upward from the main body portion 52 in a cantilevered manner and is displaceable by elastic deformation in the left-right direction (the direction in which the distance between the pair of clamping portions 51 increases or decreases). The distance between the left-right outer surfaces of the pair of clamping portions 51 is approximately equal to the distance between the protruding edges 44a of the pair of left and right protrusions 44 of the spacer 40 (see Figure 6).

[0021] Each of the pair of left and right clamping portions 51 has a partially cylindrical curved portion 53 formed at its center in the front-rear direction, which curves in an arc so as to protrude outward in the left-right direction (away from the opposing clamping portion 51) and extends over its entire vertical range. The pair of left and right curved portions 53 extend further downward from the lower end edge of the main body portion 52 (see Figure 8). The inner surfaces of the pair of left and right curved portions 53 (the inner circumferential surfaces of the cylinders extending in the vertical direction) are positioned opposite each other, defining a substantially cylindrical space with a substantially circular cross-section that extends in the vertical direction and opens on both sides in the vertical direction. A rod-shaped light guide 30 with a circular cross-section is housed in this substantially cylindrical space (see Figures 7 and 8). At the lower end edge of each of the pair of left and right curved portions 53, an arc-shaped flange portion 53a is formed that extends radially inward along the circumferential direction of the arc-shaped curved portion 53 (see Figures 8 and 9).

[0022] As shown in Figure 7, protruding portions 55, which are vertically extending ridges, are formed at multiple locations (two locations in this example) in the circumferential direction on the inner surface of each of the pair of left and right curved portions 53. Each protruding portion 55 will press against and contact the light guide body 30 located in the "approximately cylindrical space" described above. An annular groove 54, recessed upwards, is formed on the lower end surface of the approximately cylindrical main body portion 52, surrounding the pair of left and right curved portions 53 (see Figure 8). The cylindrical opening 19 of the cover 15 of the LED unit 10 will be housed in this groove 54 (see Figure 8).

[0023] At both ends of the main body 52 in the left-right direction, a pair of substantially flat locking pieces 56 are formed so as to extend upward from a position offset outward in the left-right direction from a pair of left-right clamping parts 51, and so as to face each other in the left-right direction with the pair of left-right clamping parts 51 in between. Each locking piece 56 has a locking hole 57 that penetrates in the plate thickness direction (left-right direction when closed). Furthermore, at both ends of the main body 52 in the left-right direction, a pair of substantially flat locking pieces 58 are formed so as to extend downward and so as to face each other with a gap between them in the left-right direction. Each locking piece 58 has a locking hole 59 that penetrates in the plate thickness direction (left-right direction). The configuration of each component constituting the lighting device 1 has been described above.

[0024] Next, the assembly procedure for the lighting device 1 will be described. To assemble the lighting device 1, first, the rod-shaped light guide 30 is held in the spacer 40. For this purpose, the light guide 30 is inserted into the interior of the main body 41 of the spacer 40 from above, passing through the insertion hole 42 of the spacer 40. Next, the light guide 30, which extends downward from the lower end opening of the main body 41 of the spacer 40, is inserted from above into the "approximately cylindrical space" defined by the pair of left and right curved portions 53 of the adapter 50. This insertion continues until the tip 30a of the light guide 30 (see Figure 2) abuts against the pair of left and right flange portions 53a located at the lower ends of the pair of left and right curved portions 53 (see Figures 8 and 9). When the light guide 30 is secured to the adapter 50, as shown in Figure 8, the tip 30a of the light guide 30 abuts against the pair of left and right flange portions 53a, and the light guide 30 located in the "approximately cylindrical space" is held between the pair of left and right curved portions 53 (more specifically, multiple protruding portions 55). By abutting the tip 30a of the light guide 30 against the pair of left and right flange portions 53a in this way, the light guide 30 can be positioned at the desired light-receiving position when the lighting device 1 is assembled (see Figure 8).

[0025] Next, the spacer 40 through which the light guide 30 is inserted is attached to the adapter 50. To do this, the main body 41 of the spacer 40 through which the light guide 30 is inserted is moved downward relative to the light guide 30, and is attached from above to the pair of left and right clamping parts 51 of the adapter 50 so that they are housed inside. This attachment operation proceeds so that the protruding edges 44a of the pair of left and right protrusions 44 on the front and rear sides of the spacer 40 (adapter 50) grip the pair of left and right clamping parts 51 (see Figure 6). During this process, due to the inclination of the protruding edges 44a of each protrusion 44 as described above, as the spacer 40 approaches the position where it is fully attached to the adapter 50, the pair of left and right clamping parts 51 receive inward pressure from the pair of left and right protrusions 44, causing the pair of left and right clamping parts 51 (i.e., the pair of left and right curved parts 53) to gradually displace (elastically deform) inward in the left and right direction (i.e., in a direction in which they move closer to each other). As a result, the light guide 30, located in the "approximately cylindrical space" defined by the pair of left and right curved portions 53, is pressed against the surface by the multiple protrusions 55 provided on the inner surface of the curved portions 53. In other words, the light guide 30 is held in place by the spacer 40 and the adapter 50.

[0026] When the spacer 40 is attached to the adapter 50, the pair of left and right locking holes 57 on the adapter 50 and the pair of left and right locking protrusions 45 on the spacer 40 are engaged (see Figure 8, etc.). This prevents the spacer 40 from coming off (separating) upward from the adapter 50. The tip 30a of the light guide 30, which is double-held by the spacer 40 and the adapter 50, is exposed to the outside through the lower end opening of the "approximately cylindrical space" (see Figure 8). By performing the operation of attaching the spacer 40 to the adapter 50 in this way, the pair of left and right clamping portions 51 (more specifically, the multiple protruding portions 55 provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of left and right curved portions 53) can be naturally pressed into contact with the light guide 30. Furthermore, because the protruding portions 55 are pressed into contact with the light guide 30 in this way, it becomes easier to control the direction of the force exerted by the curved portion 53 on the light guide 30 (i.e., the direction of protrusion of the protruding portions 55) compared to when the inner surface of the curved portion 53 is simply in surface contact with the light guide 30. This prevents, for example, the light guide 30 from being held in a tilted position relative to the target orientation. As a result, the light guide 30 can properly transmit the light emitted by the LED 14. Furthermore, the gap between the pair of left and right clamping parts 51 is covered by the main body 41 of the spacer 40. By attaching the spacer 40 to the adapter 50, it is naturally prevented that the light emitted by the light guide 30 to the surroundings leaks out through the gap between the pair of left and right clamping parts 51, and that foreign objects or other things unintentionally enter the gap between the pair of left and right clamping parts 51.

[0027] Next, the adapter 50 with the spacer 40 attached is assembled to the LED unit 10, on which the cover 15 is mounted in the LED housing 17. To do this, the adapter 50 is assembled to the cover 15 such that the lower ends of the pair of left and right curved portions 53 are inserted into the opening 19 of the cover 15 of the LED unit 10 from above, the opening 19 of the cover 15 is accommodated in the annular groove 54 of the adapter 50, and the pair of left and right locking pieces 58 of the adapter 50 cover both the left and right side walls of the cover 15. Once the assembly of the adapter 50 to the cover 15 (LED unit 10) is complete, the assembly of the lighting device 1 is complete, and the lighting device 1 shown in Figure 1 is obtained.

[0028] In the assembled state of the lighting device 1, as shown in Figures 5 and 8, the locking hole 59 of the adapter 50 and the locking projection 22 of the cover 15 are engaged. This prevents the adapter 50 from coming loose (separating) upward from the cover 15 (i.e., the LED unit 10). The tip 30a of the light guide 30, which is double-held by the spacer 40 and the adapter 50, is positioned at a desired light-receiving position relative to the LED 14, so as to be directly above and adjacent to the LED 14 in the LED unit 10.

[0029] <Effects and Actions> As described above, according to the lighting device 1 of this embodiment, the rod-shaped light guide 30 is held between the clamping portion 51 of the first housing (adapter 50), and the clamping portion 51 is pressed against the light guide 30 by the second housing (spacer 40), and is positioned at a predetermined light-receiving position. As a result, regardless of the magnitude of manufacturing variations in the light guide 30 and the housing 2 (for example, even if there is a gap between the light guide 30 and the clamping portion 51 due to manufacturing variations), the second housing 40 presses the clamping portion 51 against the light guide 30, allowing the light guide 30 to be properly held by the clamping portion 51. In other words, the light guide 30 is doubly held by the first housing 50 and the second housing 40. Therefore, the lighting device 1 of this embodiment can properly hold the light guide 30. Furthermore, as another effect, in the lighting device 1 of this embodiment, the gap between the clamping portions 51 is covered by the second housing 40. As a result, by assembling the first housing 50 and the second housing 40, it is naturally suppressed that the light emitted by the light guide 30 to the surroundings leaks out through the gap between the pair of clamping parts 51, and that foreign objects or other things unintentionally enter the gap between the clamping parts 51.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the lighting device 1 of this embodiment, the clamping portion 51 of the first housing 50 has a protruding portion 55 that projects toward the light guide 30 and presses against and contacts the light guide 30. Because this protruding portion 55 presses against the light guide 30, it becomes easier to control the direction of the force exerted by the clamping portion 51 on the light guide 30 (i.e., the direction in which the protruding portion 55 protrudes) compared to the case where the clamping portion 51 simply makes surface contact with the light guide 30. As a result, for example, it is possible to suppress the light guide 30 from being held in a tilted position relative to the target position.

[0031] Furthermore, according to the lighting device 1 of this embodiment, the protruding portion 55 of the clamping portion 51 of the first housing 50 has a shape that extends along the axial direction of the light guide 30. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress, for example, the light guide 30 from being held in a tilted position relative to the target position. As a result, the light guide 30 can properly transmit the light emitted by the light emitter 14.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the lighting device 1 of this embodiment, by storing the clamping portion 51 of the first housing 50 inside the second housing 40, the clamping portion 51 can be naturally pressed into contact with the light guide 30. This improves the work efficiency of the production of the lighting device 1.

[0033] Furthermore, according to the lighting device 1 of this embodiment, the light guide 30 can be positioned at the light-receiving position by abutting it against the positioning wall portion (flange portion 53a) of the first housing 50. For example, the light guide 30 can be positioned so that the end face of the tip 30a of the light guide 30 is adjacent to the light-emitting element (LED 14). This makes it easier to position the light guide 30, thereby improving the work efficiency of the production of the lighting device 1.

[0034] <Other embodiments> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. Furthermore, the material, shape, dimensions, number, placement, etc. of each component in the embodiments described above are arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0035] For example, in the above embodiment, the protruding edges 44a of the pair of left and right protrusions 44 provided on the main body portion 41 of the spacer 40 are slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction in a direction that moves inward in the left-right direction as you move from the bottom to the top (see Figure 4). In contrast, the protruding edges 44a of the pair of left and right protrusions 44 may not be inclined in this way, and the left and right outer surfaces of the pair of left and right clamping portions 51 of the adapter 50 that engage with the pair of left and right protrusions 44 may be slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction in a direction that moves inward in the left-right direction as you move from the bottom to the top. Even if the left and right outer surfaces of the pair of left and right clamping portions 51 are inclined, the pair of left and right clamping portions 51 (more specifically, the multiple protruding portions 55) can be naturally pressed into contact with the light guide body 30 by performing the operation of housing the pair of left and right clamping portions 51 of the adapter 50 inside the spacer 40.

[0036] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a spacer 40 is used as a "second housing" that applies a force to the pair of left and right clamping portions 51 of the adapter 50 in a direction that causes them to press against the light guide 30. In contrast, as shown in the modified examples in Figures 10 to 12, a cable tie 60 may be used as the "second housing" instead of the spacer 40.

[0037] In the modified versions shown in Figures 10 to 12, the adapter 50 differs from the above embodiment in that, corresponding to the omission of the spacer 40, the pair of left and right locking pieces 56 are omitted, and in the adapter 50, instead of the pair of left and right substantially rectangular flat clamping parts 51 (see Figure 2, etc.) that hold the light guide 30, multiple elongated plate-shaped clamping parts 51 (four in this example) are used, arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the light guide 30 (see Figure 11). Each of the multiple clamping parts 51 is an elastic piece that extends upward in a cantilevered manner from the cylindrical main body part 52. One of the multiple clamping parts 51 is provided with a frame-shaped part 51a that holds the cable tie 60 (see Figure 11).

[0038] As shown in Figure 11, the resin cable tie 60 comprises a strip-shaped band portion 61 and a frame-shaped fixing portion 62 provided at the base end of the band portion 61. The fixing portion 62 is configured to allow fixing at any point in the extending direction of the band portion 61 when the band portion 61 is inserted into the fixing portion 62 from its tip side to form an annular band portion 61.

[0039] In the modified configuration shown in Figures 10 to 12, in order to apply a force that causes the light guide 30 to press against the "clamping portion", instead of attaching a spacer 40 to the adapter 50, the multiple clamping portions 51 arranged around the light guide 30 are tightened using a cable tie 60. Specifically, as shown in Figure 12, the band portion 61 of the cable tie 60 is inserted through the frame portion 51a of the adapter 50, and the band portion 61 is wrapped around the multiple clamping portions 51 arranged around the light guide 30 so as to cover the outer circumference of the multiple clamping portions 51 arranged around the light guide 30. The band portion 61 inserted through the fixing portion 62 is then fixed to the fixing portion 62 so as to maintain the state in which the band portion 61 tightens the multiple clamping portions 51 with the desired tightening force (see Figure 12). As a result, in the modified configuration shown in Figures 10 to 12, the light guide 30 is pressed against by the multiple clamping portions 51 arranged around the light guide 30, similar to the above embodiment. In other words, the light guide 30 is held in place by the cable tie 60 and the adapter 50.

[0040] In the modified examples shown in Figures 10 to 12, as shown in Figure 12, in the multiple clamping portions 51 arranged around the light guide 30, the gap S between adjacent clamping portions 51 in the circumferential direction of the light guide 30 extends straight along the radial direction of the light guide 30. In contrast, as shown in Figure 13, by having a concave-convex-concave interlocking structure in which one of adjacent clamping portions 51 has a convex portion that protrudes toward the other and the other has a concave portion that recesses toward the other, the gap S between adjacent clamping portions 51 in the circumferential direction of the light guide 30 may have a structure (a so-called labyrinth structure) that extends radially of the light guide 30 while bending in a crank shape. This can suppress leakage of light emitted by the LED 14 (see Figure 8) to the outside through the gap S.

[0041] Herein, the features of the embodiments of the lighting device 1 according to the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [8].

[0042] [1] A lighting device (1) comprising a light-emitting element (14), a rod-shaped light guide (30) that transmits the light emitted by the light-emitting element (14), and a housing (2) that houses the light-emitting element (14) and holds the light guide (30) at a predetermined light-receiving position, The housing (2) is A first housing (50) has a clamping portion (51) that sandwiches the light guide (30) in an intersecting direction that intersects the axial direction of the light guide (30) and is displaceable in the intersecting direction, A second housing (40, 60) surrounds the clamping portion (51) and applies force to the clamping portion (51) in a direction that causes the clamping portion (51) to press against the light guide (30), The system includes a third housing (11, 15) that houses the light-emitting element (14) and to which the first housing (50) is assembled, Lighting device (1).

[0043] In the lighting device with the configuration described in [1] above, a rod-shaped light guide is positioned at a predetermined light-receiving position, with the clamping portion of the first housing sandwiched between the clamping portion and the clamping portion pressed against the light guide by the second housing. This ensures that the light guide is properly held by the clamping portion regardless of the magnitude of manufacturing variations in the light guide or housing (for example, even if there is a gap between the light guide and the clamping portion due to manufacturing variations), as the second housing presses the clamping portion against the light guide. In other words, the light guide is held in a double position by the first and second housings. Furthermore, the first housing that holds the light guide with the clamping portion is assembled to a third housing that houses the light emitter. This ensures that the light guide is properly positioned at the light-receiving position. Therefore, the lighting device with this configuration can properly hold the light guide.

[0044] [2] In the lighting device (1) described in [1] above, The clamping portion (51) of the first housing (50) is The light guide (30) has a protruding portion (55) that extends toward the light guide (30) and presses against and makes contact with the light guide (30), Lighting device (1).

[0045] According to the lighting device with the configuration described in [2] above, the clamping portion of the first housing has a projection that protrudes toward the light guide. When this projection presses against the light guide, it becomes easier to control the direction of the force exerted by the clamping portion on the light guide (i.e., the direction of the projection) compared to when the clamping portion simply makes surface contact with the light guide. This makes it possible to suppress, for example, the light guide from being held in a tilted position relative to the target position. Therefore, the light guide can properly transmit the light emitted by the light emitter.

[0046] [3] In the lighting device (1) described in [2] above, The aforementioned protruding portion (55) is Having a shape that extends along the axial direction, Lighting device (1).

[0047] According to the lighting device with the configuration described in [3] above, the protruding portion of the clamping portion of the first housing has a shape that extends along the axial direction of the light guide. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress, for example, the light guide from being held in an inclined position relative to the target orientation. As a result, the light guide can properly transmit the light emitted by the light emitter.

[0048] [4] In the lighting device (1) described in [1] above, The first housing (50) and the second housing (40) are, When the clamping portion (51) is stored in the second housing (40), the clamping portion (51) is configured to be displaced in the aforementioned direction as it approaches the completed storage position inside the second housing (40). Lighting device (1).

[0049] According to the lighting device with the configuration described in [4] above, the clamping portion of the first housing can be naturally brought into contact with the light guide by the operation of retracting the clamping portion of the first housing into the second housing. This improves the work efficiency of the production of the lighting device.

[0050] [5] In the lighting device described in [1] above, The aforementioned second housing (40) is Covering the gap between the pair of clamping portions (51), Lighting device (1).

[0051] In the lighting device with the configuration described in [5] above, the gap between the pair of clamping parts is covered by the second housing. As a result, by assembling the first housing and the second housing, it is naturally suppressed that the light emitted by the light guide to the surroundings leaks out through the gap between the pair of clamping parts, and that foreign objects, etc., unintentionally enter the gap between the pair of clamping parts.

[0052] [6] In the lighting device described in [1] above, The second housing (60) is Having a band-like shape that is wrapped around the clamping portion (51) so as to surround the clamping portion (51), Lighting device.

[0053] According to the lighting device with the configuration described in [6] above, the strip-shaped second housing is wrapped around the clamping portion and the second housing is tightened, thereby allowing the light guide to be properly held in the clamping portion regardless of the degree of manufacturing variation of the light guide and housing.

[0054] [7] In the lighting device described in [6] above, One of the clamping portions (51) and another clamping portion (51) adjacent to the first clamping portion (51) are, It has a recessed-recessed interlocking structure in which one part has a protrusion that projects toward the other part and the other part has a recess that is recessed toward the other part. Lighting device.

[0055] According to the lighting device with the configuration described in [7] above, by tightening the strip-shaped second housing and fitting the convex and concave portions of an adjacent pair of clamping parts together, it is possible to suppress light emitted by the light guide from leaking out through the gap between the pair of clamping parts.

[0056] [8] In the lighting device (1) described in [1] above, The first housing (50) is The system has a positioning wall portion (53a) which positions the light guide (30) at the light receiving position by abutting the light guide (30) against it in the axial direction. Lighting device (1).

[0057] According to the lighting device with the configuration described in [8] above, the light guide can be positioned at the light-receiving position by abutting the light guide against the positioning wall of the first housing. For example, by positioning the light guide so that the end face of the rod-shaped light guide is adjacent to the light emitter, the light emitted by the light emitter can be efficiently guided to the light guide. This makes it easier to position the light guide, thereby improving the work efficiency of the lighting device production process. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 1. Lighting device 2 Housing 11 Housing (3rd Housing) 14 LEDs (light-emitting devices) 15. Cover (Third Housing) 30 Light guide 40 Spacer (2nd housing) 50 Adapter (First Housing) 51 Clamping part 53a Flange section (positioning wall section) 55 Protruding part

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising a light-emitting element, a rod-shaped light guide that transmits light emitted by the light-emitting element, and a housing that houses the light-emitting element and holds the light guide at a predetermined light-receiving position, The aforementioned housing is A first housing having a clamping portion that sandwiches the light guide in an intersecting direction that intersects the axial direction of the light guide and is displaceable in the intersecting direction, A second housing surrounds the clamping portion and applies force to the clamping portion in a direction that causes the clamping portion to press against the light guide body, A third housing that houses the light-emitting element and to which the first housing is assembled, Lighting device.

2. In the lighting device according to claim 1, The clamping portion of the first housing is It has a protruding portion that extends toward the light guide and presses against the light guide, Lighting device.

3. In the lighting device according to claim 2, The aforementioned protruding portion is Having a shape that extends along the axial direction, Lighting device.

4. In the lighting device according to claim 1, The first housing and the second housing are When the clamping portion is stored in the second housing, the clamping portion is configured to be displaced in the direction described above as it approaches the completed storage position inside the second housing. Lighting device.

5. In the lighting device according to claim 1, The preceding 2 housing is, Covering the gap between the pair of clamping parts, Lighting device.

6. In the lighting device according to claim 1, The preceding 2 housing is, Having a band-like shape that is wrapped around the clamping portion so as to surround it, Lighting device.

7. In the lighting device according to claim 6, One of the clamping portions and another clamping portion adjacent to the first clamping portion are It has a recessed-recessed interlocking structure in which one part has a protrusion that projects toward the other part and the other part has a recess that is recessed toward the other part. Lighting device.

8. In the lighting device according to claim 1, The first housing is, The system has a positioning wall portion which positions the light guide at the light receiving position by abutting the light guide in the axial direction. Lighting device.

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