Exterior parts for vehicles with lighting functions

Abstract

To provide technology that can imbue exterior parts for vehicles with lighting functions with surprising and unexpected designs. [Solution] It comprises a light source 2 and a design element 3 located on the front side of the light source 2, The aforementioned design body 3 is, General design section 45, The light design portion 40 is located on the side of the direction of propagation of the light emitted from the light source 2 and has at least one through-hole-shaped light-transmitting window 35, and is provided integrally with the general design portion 45. The surface of the design body 3 that is exposed to the front side has an uneven surface 5 in which a plurality of protrusions 50 are irregularly dispersed. The aforementioned uneven surface 5 is continuous across the luminous design portion 40 and the general design portion 45, and is an exterior part 1 for a vehicle with a lighting function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an exterior part for a vehicle having a lighting function.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various parts for vehicles have been provided with lighting functions. The same applies to exterior parts for vehicles, and various exterior parts for vehicles with lighting functions have been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 introduces a rear spoiler, which is a type of exterior part for a vehicle, with a lighting function. Specifically, the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function is one in which a vehicle lamp including a light source unit is mounted on a rear spoiler.

[0004] Patent Document 1 introduces that by changing the direction of the light emitted by the light source of the light source unit using the reflecting surface of the lens, it is possible to emit light in a desired direction while reducing the thickness of the light source unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, an exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function displays a design due to the light emitted by the light source in the lighting state where the light source emits light. In order to give a surprising and unexpected design to the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function, it is considered effective to increase the difference between the design displayed by the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function in the lighting state and the design displayed by the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function in the non-lighting state.

[0007] However, in conventional vehicle exterior parts with lighting functions, such as those described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to see from the front side, or design side, of the vehicle exterior part with lighting functions that the light source unit is a different component from the main body of the rear spoiler, whether the lights are on or off. Therefore, a user who views the vehicle exterior part with lighting functions from its design side can easily infer that the light source unit has some kind of function.

[0008] Therefore, in the case of this type of vehicle exterior part with lighting function, it is difficult to say that there is a significant difference between the design displayed by the vehicle exterior part with lighting function when it is lit and the design displayed when it is turned off, and it is difficult to say that the vehicle exterior part with lighting function has a design that is surprising or unexpected.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to solve the problem of providing a technology that can give a surprising and unexpected design to exterior parts for vehicles with lighting functions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention, which solves the above problems, provides a vehicle exterior part with a lighting function, It comprises a light source and a design element located on the front side of the light source, The aforementioned design element is General Design Division, The light design portion is located on the side of the direction of propagation of the light emitted from the light source and has at least one through-hole-shaped light-transmitting window, and is provided integrally with the general design portion, The surface of the aforementioned design body that is exposed to the front side has an uneven surface in which a plurality of protrusions are irregularly dispersed, The aforementioned uneven surface is continuous across the luminous design portion and the general design portion, and is an exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The vehicle exterior parts with lighting functions of the present invention are given a design that is surprising and unexpected. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the exterior of a vehicle equipped with a lighting function according to an embodiment, and the appearance of a vehicle equipped with it. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the appearance of the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function, as described in the embodiment, when cut in the front-to-back direction. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the view from the front of the light-transmitting window and uneven surface of the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function, as described in the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an image of the design element of the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function, as captured from the front side. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows an image of the design element of the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function, as captured from the front side. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The vehicle exterior part with lighting function of the present invention comprises a light source and a design element located on the front side of the light source. The design element has a general design part and a light design part, and the light design part is located on the side ahead of the direction of travel of the light emitted from the light source, has at least one through-hole-shaped light-transmitting window, and is provided integrally with the general design part.

[0014] Therefore, in the illuminated vehicle exterior part of the present invention, when the light source is illuminated, the light emitted by the light source passes through the light-transmitting windows of the light-transmitting design portion of the design body and is emitted to the surface side of the design body that is exposed to the front, in other words, to the design surface side of the illuminated vehicle exterior part. For this reason, in the illuminated vehicle exterior part of the present invention, when the light source is illuminated, the design is displayed by the light emitted by the light source and transmitted through the light-transmitting portion, corresponding to the shape of each light-transmitting window and the arrangement of said light-transmitting windows. Hereinafter, the light emitted by the light source and transmitted through the light-transmitting portion may be referred to as transmitted light as necessary.

[0015] In addition, in the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function according to the present invention, the surface of the design body has an uneven surface on which a plurality of protrusions are irregularly and dispersedly arranged. Therefore, in the off state, a user who views the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function according to the present invention from the design surface side is hidden by the protrusions of the uneven surface or visually disturbed by the protrusions of the uneven surface, and it is difficult to recognize the outer edge of the light transmission window.

[0016] That is, the light transmission window in the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function according to the present invention displays a design by transmitted light in the on state, but its appearance is difficult to be visually recognized by the user in the off state.

[0017] Furthermore, the uneven surface is continuous across the light design part having the light transmission window and the general design part. Therefore, in the off state, a user who views the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function according to the present invention from the design surface side is difficult to visually distinguish between the light design part and the general design part.

[0018] By the above cooperation, a user who views the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function according to the present invention in the off state from the design surface side is difficult to recognize the light design part, and it is difficult to infer that the light design part is a functional part among the exterior parts for a vehicle with a lighting function. Thus, according to the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function of the present invention, there is a large difference between the design displayed in the on state and the design displayed in the off state. That is, it can be said that the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function of the present invention is provided with a design having surprise and unexpectedness.

[0019] Hereinafter, the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function according to the present invention will be described for each of its components. Unless otherwise specified, the numerical range "x to y" described in this specification includes the lower limit x and the upper limit y within the range. And by arbitrarily combining these upper limit values, lower limit values, and the numerical values listed in the examples, a new numerical range can be constituted. Furthermore, a numerical value arbitrarily selected from within any of the above numerical ranges can be used as the numerical values of the upper limit and lower limit of the new numerical range.

[0020] Hereinafter, the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function according to the present invention will be described for each of its components.

[0021] The vehicle exterior part with lighting function of the present invention is a vehicle exterior part that has a lighting function, and its use is not particularly limited, but it can be suitably embodied as, for example, a front spoiler or a rear spoiler.

[0022] The vehicle exterior part with lighting function of the present invention comprises a light source and a design body, and may further comprise components other than the light source and design body, such as a case body for housing the light source and a control element for controlling the on / off state of the light source.

[0023] The light source can be any light source capable of emitting visible light with a wavelength of 380 to 780 nm. For example, at least one type of lamp selected from known lamps such as LED lamps, halogen lamps, incandescent bulbs, and fluorescent lamps may be used. In this invention, there are no particular limitations on the number, size, color, brightness, etc., of the light sources.

[0024] For example, the number of light sources may be less than or equal to the number of light-transmitting windows, as will be described later. Furthermore, in the vehicle exterior parts with lighting functions of the present invention, since the light-transmitting windows need to be difficult to see when the lights are off, it is preferable that the size of the light-transmitting windows is not excessive, and is preferable that they be smaller than the size of the light source. And if the size of the light-transmitting windows is smaller than the size of the light source, it is preferable to provide multiple light-transmitting windows for one light source, in other words, it is preferable that the number of light sources be less than the number of light-transmitting windows.

[0025] The design element in the vehicle exterior part with lighting function of the present invention is located on the front side of the light source described above. In other words, the design element covers the light source from the outside of the vehicle. In the vehicle exterior part with lighting function of the present invention, the material of the design body is not particularly limited and may be made of resin or metal, for example. The shape of the design body is also not particularly limited and may take various shapes, such as a plate or a box.

[0026] The design element comprises a general design section and a luminous design section.

[0027] The luminous design portion is the part of the design body located on the side of the direction of light propagation from the light source, and has at least one light-transmitting window that forms a through-hole. The luminous design portion is located on the side ahead of the direction of propagation of light emitted from the light source, and the light-transmitting window is in the shape of a through-hole; therefore, the luminous design portion displays the design by light passing through the light-transmitting window.

[0028] As previously mentioned, it is preferable that the size of the light-transmitting window not be excessive. Therefore, in order to display a complex design using the light-transmitting window, it is preferable that the light-design portion has multiple light-transmitting windows. If the optical design part has multiple light-transmitting windows, the shapes of each light-transmitting window may be the same or different.

[0029] The general design portion is the part of the design body other than the optical design portion. The general design portion and the luminous design portion may be provided as a single unit, for example, they may be integrally molded. Alternatively, the general design portion and the luminous design portion may be molded separately and then joined together to form a single unit. The materials of the general design portion and the luminous design portion may be the same material or different materials.

[0030] When a general design portion and a luminous design portion are joined and integrated, the method of joining the general design portion and the luminous design portion is not particularly limited, and various known methods such as engagement, bonding, and welding can be employed. When joining the general design portion and the luminous design portion by engagement, it is sufficient to provide engaging portions in the general design portion and the luminous design portion that engage with each other.

[0031] Since the vehicle exterior part with lighting function of the present invention is an exterior part of a vehicle, it is preferable that the design is lightweight. And considering the weight reduction of the design, it is preferable that the general design part and the luminous design part be made of resin.

[0032] The design element may be a single-layer structure consisting of a general design element and a luminous design element, or it may be a multi-layer structure having other layers on the back of the luminous design element and / or the general design element.

[0033] The design element may, for example, have a transparent layer on the back side of at least the light-transmitting window in the optical design element. The light-transmitting window is shaped like a through-hole with a light source placed on its back side. By providing a transparent layer on the back side of the light-transmitting window, it is possible to prevent foreign matter such as dust and water droplets from entering the back side of the design through the light-transmitting window. The transparent layer may be provided only on the back side of the light-transmitting window in the luminous design portion, or on the back side of the entire luminous design portion, or on the back side of both the luminous design portion and the general design portion. Alternatively, the transparent layer may be provided inside the light-transmitting window rather than on the back side, for example, by methods such as two-color molding or insert molding.

[0034] The general design portion may have an assembly portion for assembling the design body with a mating member. The mating member referred to here may be, for example, a member other than the design body, which may be a member or device that constitutes part of the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function of the present invention, or it may be a member or device other than the exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function of the present invention.

[0035] Specific examples of components and devices that constitute part of the illuminated vehicle exterior of the present invention include a light source and the case described above. Furthermore, specific examples of components and devices other than the illuminated vehicle exterior of the present invention include the vehicle body and exterior parts other than the illuminated vehicle exterior of the present invention.

[0036] In the illuminated vehicle exterior part of the present invention, the surface of the design body that is exposed to the front has an uneven surface in which a plurality of protrusions are irregularly dispersed. This uneven surface is continuous across the light design portion and the general design portion. Naturally, since the light transmission window is in the form of a through-hole, the uneven surface is formed so as to avoid the inside of the light transmission window.

[0037] In the off state, the light source does not emit light, and naturally, there is no light transmission from the light-transmitting window in the luminous design section. Therefore, in this state, the illuminated vehicle exterior part of the present invention does not display a design by transmitted light, and the luminous design section and the general design section themselves are visible to a user viewing the illuminated vehicle exterior part from the design side.

[0038] As described above, uneven surfaces are formed on the surface of the design body, that is, on the surface of the luminous design part and the general design part. The uneven surfaces are the outermost surfaces of the exterior parts for vehicles with lighting functions of the present invention and can be said to constitute at least a part of the design surface.

[0039] The uneven surface in question has multiple protrusions irregularly distributed across it. When the lights are off, the light-transmitting window in the luminous design section is obscured by the protrusions on the uneven surface, also located in the luminous design section, making it difficult for the user to see.

[0040] To give a specific example, if a protrusion near a light-transmitting window overlaps part or all of the outer edge of the window in the user's field of view, the user will have difficulty recognizing the outer edge of the light-transmitting window. Furthermore, if the shadow of a protrusion near the light-transmitting window is cast on the periphery of the light-transmitting window on the surface of the luminous design portion, the camouflage effect will visually disorient the user, making it difficult to recognize the outer edge of the light-transmitting window.

[0041] Through these collaborations, the light-transmitting window of the present invention, when the lights are off, is difficult for the user to see, according to the vehicle exterior part with lighting function. In the vehicle exterior part with lighting function of the present invention, the uneven surface in the luminous design part can be said to play a role in making the light-transmitting window difficult for the user to see.

[0042] The protrusions on the uneven surface that can perform the above-mentioned role only need to be multiple and distributed irregularly amongst themselves.

[0043] The number of protrusions on the uneven surface can be appropriately set according to the size of the vehicle exterior part with lighting function of the present invention, the size of the design body, the size of the luminous design part, etc. However, in order for the protrusions to reliably perform the above-mentioned role, it is better if the area occupied by the protrusions on the uneven surface is relatively large. For example, when a design is projected in the front-to-back direction, if the projected area of ​​the entire uneven surface is taken as 100%, it is preferable that the projected area of ​​the protrusions on the uneven surface is 30% or more, 50% or more, or 70% or more. The percentage of the projected area may be the percentage of the entire uneven surface, or it may be the percentage of any 20 mm square area on the uneven surface.

[0044] Furthermore, the height of the protrusions on the uneven surface is preferably within the range of 0.01 to 0.5 mm, and the diameter of the protrusions is preferably within the range of 0.01 to 1 mm.

[0045] In this specification, "irregularly dispersed on an uneven surface" means that the protrusions on the uneven surface are not aligned in two or more directions. In other words, in the vehicle exterior parts with lighting functions of the present invention, parts where all of the protrusions on the uneven surface are aligned are excluded, but parts where some of the protrusions are aligned are permitted. Furthermore, in the exterior vehicle part with lighting function of the present invention, it is particularly preferable that the protrusions are not aligned on the uneven surface.

[0046] Even when the protrusions are aligned, it is preferable that the length of the aligned protrusions, in other words, the length of the adjacent protrusions lying on the same straight line, be short. Specifically, in any 20mm square area on an uneven surface, it is preferable that the number of protrusions that are continuously aligned on the same straight line is 5 or less, 4 or less, or 3 or less. Alternatively, in any 20mm square area on an uneven surface, it is preferable that the length of the protrusions that are continuously aligned on the same straight line is 10mm or less, 7mm or less, or 5mm or less.

[0047] The shape of each protrusion may be the same or different. In other words, the protrusions may be uniform in shape or irregular in shape. In this specification, "the projections are of the same shape" means that the projections are congruent in shape, or in other words, that the projections are the same in shape and size.

[0048] For the protrusions to reliably perform the above-mentioned roles, it is preferable that their shapes be irregular.

[0049] Specifically, in any 20mm square area on an uneven surface, when the total number of protrusions is considered to be 100%, it is preferable that the number of protrusions of the same shape is 70% or less, 50% or less, or 30% or less, and it is particularly preferable that the number of protrusions of the same shape is 10% or less.

[0050] Furthermore, the fact that the shape of each individual protrusion is irregular is also desirable for the protrusion to reliably perform the above-mentioned role. In this specification, a projection being described as having an irregular shape means that the projection does not have a uniform shape along its circumferential direction. Specific examples of projections that are not irregularly shaped include cylindrical, regular polygonal prism, conical, and regular polygonal pyramidal projections. Any other projection may be described as having an irregular shape.

[0051] It is preferable that the proportion of irregularly shaped protrusions among the total protrusions on the uneven surface be large. Specifically, in any 20mm square area on an uneven surface, when the total number of protrusions is taken as 100%, it is preferable that the proportion of irregularly shaped protrusions is 10% or more, 30% or more, or 50% or more, and particularly preferable that it is 70% or more.

[0052] While there are no specific limitations on the relationship between the size of the light-transmitting window and the size of the protrusion, if the size of the protrusion is too small relative to the size of the light-transmitting window, there is a concern that the protrusion may not adequately conceal the outer edge of the light-transmitting window. Therefore, there is a suitable range for the relationship between the size of the light-transmitting window and the size of the protrusion.

[0053] Specifically, in any 20 mm square area on an uneven surface, when the projected area of ​​each light-transmitting window is taken as 100%, it is preferable that the average value of the projected area of ​​the protrusions adjacent to the light-transmitting window is 10% or more, 15% or more, or 20% or more.

[0054] There is no upper limit to the projected area of ​​the protrusions in this case, but in order to suppress interference of the protrusions with transmitted light when the light is on, it is particularly preferable that the average value of the projected area of ​​the protrusions adjacent to the light transmission window in any 20 mm square area on the uneven surface be 150% or less, 120% or less, or 100% or less.

[0055] Furthermore, it is preferable that the distance between the outer edge of the light-transmitting window and the adjacent protrusion is not excessive. Specifically, in any 20 mm square area on an uneven surface, the preferred range for the shortest distance between the outer edge of the light-transmitting window and the adjacent protrusion is 10 mm or less, 5 mm or less, or 2 mm or less.

[0056] Such uneven surfaces may occupy the entire surface of the design body that is exposed to the outside, or they may occupy only a part of that surface. In other words, a part of the surface of the design body that is exposed to the outside may be an uneven surface without the aforementioned protrusions, or it may be a smooth surface.

[0057] In this case as well, at least the surface of the luminous design portion in the illuminated vehicle exterior part of the present invention, or in other words, the surface of the region of the design body in which the light-transmitting window is provided, is the uneven surface described above. Furthermore, the surface of the portion of the general design portion that is continuous with the luminous design portion is also the uneven surface described above.

[0058] The method for forming the uneven surface is not particularly limited, and any method may be used. For example, the uneven surface can be formed by painting or by molding. Alternatively, the uneven surface can be formed by etching, polishing, or other methods. Considering the manufacturing costs required for the exterior parts of vehicles with lighting functions of the present invention, it is particularly preferable to paint and form the uneven surface.

[0059] Incidentally, in the vehicle exterior parts with lighting functions of the present invention, it is essential that the light-transmitting window is difficult for the user to see when the lights are off. In order to make the light-transmitting window difficult for the user to see when the lights are off, it is preferable that the inside of the light-transmitting window appears dark at this time. In other words, it is preferable that the back side of the design appears dark when the lights are off.

[0060] To make the back of a design object appear dark when the lights are off, it is preferable to use a design object with low light transmittance. Specifically, it is particularly preferable that the visible light transmittance of the parts of the design object other than the light-transmitting window be 50% or less, 70% or less, or 90% or less.

[0061] If the visible light transmittance of the parts of the design other than the light-transmitting window is within the above range, the amount of visible light that passes through the design and reaches the back of the design will be reduced, making the back of the design appear dark when the lights are off, and the inside of the light-transmitting window provided in the design appear dark. As a result, the light-transmitting window becomes even less visible to the user when the lights are off.

[0062] Alternatively, to make the back of the design appear dark when the lights are off, it is preferable to cover the back of the design with a case, using a case with low light transmittance. Specifically, it is particularly preferable to use a case with a visible light transmittance of 50% or less, 70% or less, or 90% or less. The case may also house a light source.

[0063] When the vehicle exterior part with lighting function of the present invention is equipped with such a case, the amount of visible light that passes through the case and reaches the back of the design element is reduced, making the back of the design element appear dark when the lights are off, and the inside of the light-transmitting window provided in the design element also appear dark. In this case as well, the light-transmitting window becomes even more difficult for the user to see when the lights are off.

[0064] The following describes the vehicle exterior parts with lighting functions of the present invention with specific examples.

[0065] (Examples) The vehicle exterior part with lighting function in this embodiment is a front spoiler for the vehicle. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the appearance of the illuminated vehicle exterior part of the embodiment and the vehicle equipped with it. Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the front-to-back cross-section of the illuminated vehicle exterior part of the embodiment. Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the view from the front of the light-transmitting window and uneven surface of the illuminated vehicle exterior part of the embodiment. Figures 4 and 5 show images of the design elements of the illuminated vehicle exterior part of the embodiment, taken from the front. Figure 4 is an image of the illuminated vehicle exterior part of the embodiment when it is turned off, and Figure 5 is an image of the illuminated vehicle exterior part of the embodiment when it is turned on.

[0066] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle exterior part 1 with lighting function in this embodiment is a front spoiler for the vehicle 90, with its design surface facing forward.

[0067] As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle exterior part 1 with lighting function of the embodiment comprises a light source unit 8 and a design body 3. The light source unit 8 comprises multiple light sources 2, a control circuit (not shown) for controlling the on / off state of the light sources 2, and lead wires (not shown) for supplying electricity to the light sources 2. Each light source 2 consists of an LED lamp.

[0068] Design element 3 is located on the front side of the light source unit 8.

[0069] Design element 3 has a two-layer structure consisting of a design base 30 and an uneven layer 31 on the front side of the design base 30. The design base 30 is made of resin material, specifically polypropylene as its main component.

[0070] The textured layer 31 is a layer painted onto the surface of the design base 30, and is made of black paint containing filler. The thickness of the design base 30 is approximately 2.5 mm, and the thickness of the textured layer 31 is approximately 0.5 mm. The thickness of the design body 3, which is composed of the design base 30 and the textured layer 31, is approximately 3 mm. The design base 30 is provided with multiple openings 30o, and the uneven layer 31 is formed over the entire portion of the design base 30 other than the openings 30o. The openings 30o are light-transmitting windows 35 in the design 3. The diameter of the light-transmitting windows 35 is approximately 3 mm.

[0071] The design base 30 is semi-transparent, and the uneven layer 31 on the front side of the design base 30 is black. Therefore, when viewed from the front, the design 3 appears black. The visible light transmittance of the parts of the design 3 other than the light-transmitting window 35, which will be described later, is approximately 0%.

[0072] The design element 3 consists of a luminous design element 40 and a general design element 45 that surrounds the peripheral edge of the luminous design element 40 and is integrally molded with the luminous design element 40. The general design portion 45 of the design body 3 is provided with a mounting portion (not shown) for attaching the illuminated vehicle exterior part 1 of the embodiment to the bumper 91 of the vehicle 90.

[0073] As shown in Figure 1, the optical design portion 40 of the design body 3 has five window clusters 39. Each window cluster 39 consists of 18 light-transmitting windows 35 arranged in a row. The optical design portion 40 is the part of the design body 3 located near the window clusters 39, in other words, near the light-transmitting windows 35. As shown in Figure 2, each light-transmitting window 35 is a through-hole that penetrates the design body 3 in the front-to-back direction.

[0074] On the back side of the design element 3, the light source unit 8 described above is positioned facing the luminous design element 40. Therefore, it can be said that the luminous design element 40 is located ahead of the direction of travel of the light emitted by the light source 2 in the light source unit 8.

[0075] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the surface of the design body 3 has an uneven surface 5 formed by an uneven layer 31. The uneven surface 5 has a plurality of protrusions 50. Each protrusion 50 has an irregular shape and is irregularly distributed.

[0076] In the example of the illuminated vehicle exterior part 1, when the design body 3 is projected in the front-to-back direction, if the projected area of ​​the entire uneven surface 5 is taken as 100% for any 20 mm square region on the uneven surface 5, the projected area of ​​the protrusion 50 in that region is approximately 70%.

[0077] Furthermore, in the example of the illuminated vehicle exterior part 1, the number of protrusions 50 that are continuously aligned on the same straight line in any 20 mm square area on the uneven surface 5 is 0, and the length over which the protrusions 50 are continuously aligned on the same straight line is also 0 mm.

[0078] In the example of the vehicle exterior part 1 with lighting function, if the total number of protrusions 50 in any 20 mm square area on the uneven surface 5 is set to 100%, then the number of protrusions 50 of the same shape is 0%.

[0079] In the example of the illuminated vehicle exterior part 1, when the total number of protrusions 50 is taken as 100% in any 20 mm square area on the uneven surface 5, the proportion of irregularly shaped protrusions 50 is approximately 70%.

[0080] In the example of the illuminated vehicle exterior part 1, when the projected area of ​​each light-transmitting window 35 is taken as 100% in any 20 mm square area on the uneven surface 5, the average projected area of ​​the protrusions 50 adjacent to the light-transmitting window 35 is approximately 30%.

[0081] In the example of the illuminated vehicle exterior part 1, the shortest distance between the outer edge of each light-transmitting window 35 and the adjacent projection 50 is 2 mm or less.

[0082] As shown in Figure 2, in the example of the illuminated vehicle exterior part 1, the uneven surface 5 is continuous across the luminous design part 40 and the general design part 45.

[0083] When the lights are off, the light source 2 does not emit light. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, no light is transmitted through the light-transmitting window 35 in the light design section 40 at this time. Therefore, in this case, the illuminated vehicle exterior part 1 of the embodiment does not display the design by transmitted light, and the inside of the light-transmitting window 35 appears dark. At this time, a user viewing the illuminated vehicle exterior part 1 from the design side can see the illuminated design part 40 and the general design part 45 illuminated by external light.

[0084] When the illuminated vehicle exterior part 1 of the embodiment is viewed from the design side and at an oblique angle while the lights are off, a portion of the outer edge of the light-transmitting window 35 is hidden by the protrusion 50. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to perceive the light-transmitting window 35 at this time. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the shadow of the protrusion 50 near the light-transmitting window 35 is cast on the peripheral edge of the light-transmitting window 35 on the surface of the luminous design portion 40. This camouflage effect of the shadow visually disorients the user, making it even more difficult to recognize the outer edge of the light-transmitting window 35.

[0085] Through these collaborations, according to the example of the illuminated vehicle exterior part 1, the light-transmitting window 35 is difficult for the user to see when the lights are off.

[0086] Furthermore, the uneven surface 5 is continuous across the luminous design portion 40 and the general design portion 45. For this reason, when the lights are off, a user viewing the illuminated vehicle exterior part 1 of the embodiment from its design side will find it difficult to visually distinguish between the luminous design portion 40 and the general design portion 45.

[0087] When the lights are on, the light source 2 emits light. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, light is transmitted through the light-transmitting window 35 in the light design section 40, and the illuminated vehicle exterior part 1 displays the design using the transmitted light.

[0088] Thus, a user viewing the illuminated vehicle exterior part 1 of the embodiment cannot recognize the design displayed when the lights are on when the lights are off. Therefore, with the illuminated vehicle exterior part 1 of the embodiment, there is a large difference between the design displayed when the lights are on and the design displayed when the lights are off. As a result, it can be said that the illuminated vehicle exterior part 1 of the embodiment is endowed with a design that is surprising and unexpected.

[0089] Although the present invention has been described above, it is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it is possible to implement the invention by appropriately extracting and combining the elements described in the embodiments, and to make various modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the specification of this invention discloses not only the reference relationships of each claim as originally filed, but also a technical concept that appropriately combines the matters described in each claim. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 1: Exterior parts for vehicles with lighting functions 2:Light source 3: Design 35: Light-transmitting window 40: Light Design Department 45: General Design Division 5: Uneven surface 50: Protrusion

Claims

1. It comprises a light source and a design element located on the front side of the light source, The aforementioned design element is General Design Division, The light design portion is located on the side of the direction of propagation of the light emitted from the light source and has at least one through-hole-shaped light-transmitting window, and is provided integrally with the general design portion. The surface of the aforementioned design body that is exposed to the front side has an uneven surface in which a plurality of protrusions are irregularly dispersed, The aforementioned uneven surface is continuous across the luminous design portion and the general design portion, and is an exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function.

2. The aforementioned plurality of protrusions are of an irregular shape, as described in claim 1, for a vehicle exterior part with a lighting function.

3. The exterior part for a vehicle with a lighting function according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the luminous design part and the general design part are integrally molded.

4. The aforementioned uneven surface is painted, as described in claim 1 or claim 2, for a vehicle exterior part with lighting function.

Images