Vehicle lighting

Abstract

To provide vehicle lighting fixtures that improve appearance while also being suitable for large structures. [Solution] The vehicle light fixture 10 comprises a light-emitting mechanism 12 and a panel member 11 that supports at least a part of the light-emitting mechanism 12. The panel member 11 has a frame-shaped main body portion 13 and a film portion 14 integrally attached to the front surface 13a of the main body portion 13. The main body portion 13 has a through-hole 15 that penetrates in the thickness direction perpendicular to the front surface 13a. The film portion 14 covers the front surface 13a including the through-hole 15.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicle lamps.

Background Art

[0002] There has been considered a vehicle lamp that is lightened by providing a plurality of openings in a bracket member that supports a bowl-shaped reflector (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This vehicle lamp fixes the reflector in a state of being fitted into a bracket member provided with a plurality of openings, and lights a light source provided at each vertex. Thereby, the vehicle lamp can illuminate while being lightened.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the prior art vehicle lamp provides a light source by providing an arrangement opening at the vertex of the reflector and the bracket member, and positions the light source near the focal position of the reflector. Therefore, in this vehicle lamp, the arrangement opening at the vertex can be seen from the front, and there is room for improvement in terms of appearance. In addition, since the vehicle lamp has a configuration in which a separate reflector is attached to the bracket member, it is difficult to adopt it for a large structure.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle lamp that can improve the appearance and can be adopted for a large structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vehicle light fixture of the present disclosure comprises a light-emitting mechanism and a panel member supporting at least a part of the light-emitting mechanism, wherein the panel member has a frame-shaped main body and a film portion integrally attached to the front surface of the main body, the main body has a through-port that penetrates in a thickness direction perpendicular to the front surface, and the film portion covers the front surface including the through-port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The vehicle lighting fixtures described herein can be used in large structures while improving appearance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram showing how the vehicle lighting device of Embodiment 1 according to this disclosure is installed. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing a disassembled vehicle light fixture. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing the main body of a panel component for a vehicle lighting fixture. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram showing the film portion of the panel component. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing the light source section and each light guide member of the light emission mechanism. [Figure 6] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-section obtained along line II. [Figure 7] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-section obtained along the line II-II. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-section obtained along the line III-III shown in Figure 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of the vehicle lighting device according to this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In Figure 2, the components are shown disassembled, and the three cutting lines indicating the positions of the cross-sections in Figures 6 to 8 are drawn in line with the panel member 11. In Figure 2, the main body 13 and the film 14 are shown separately to facilitate understanding of the structure of the panel member 11, but in reality they are a single unit. [Embodiment 1]

[0010] A vehicle light fixture 10 of Embodiment 1, which is one embodiment of the vehicle light fixture according to this disclosure, will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. This vehicle light fixture 10 is used as a signal lighting device that recognizes signals that light up in various ways in a vehicle such as an automobile. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle light fixture 10 of Embodiment 1 is installed at the position of the grille on the front of the vehicle 1. This vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle (EV), and there is no opening in the grille for taking in air, and instead the vehicle light fixture 10 is installed. Note that the vehicle light fixture 10 may be installed at other positions on the vehicle 1, or on vehicles other than electric vehicles, as long as it recognizes signals that light up in various ways, and is not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1. In the following description, in the vehicle light fixture 10, the direction in which the vehicle moves is defined as the front-rear direction (Z in the drawings), the vertical direction when the front-rear direction is aligned with the horizontal plane is defined as the up-down direction (Y in the drawings), and the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction (horizontal direction) is defined as the width direction (X in the drawings). In each of these directions, we will use the front and rear in the longitudinal direction, the upper and lower in the vertical direction, and the left and right in the width direction, as seen from the perspective of the occupants inside the vehicle.

[0011] The vehicle light fixture 10 forms a wall surface that serves as the grille of the vehicle 1, while also providing decorative illumination. In Embodiment 1, two vehicle light fixtures 10 are arranged side by side in the width direction to constitute the grille of the vehicle 1. Here, since the two vehicle light fixtures 10 arranged side by side have basically the same configuration, differing only in their structure in the width direction, the following explanation will use the one provided on the left side of the vehicle 1.

[0012] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, this vehicle light fixture 10 comprises a panel member 11 and a light-emitting mechanism 12. The panel member 11 supports at least a part of the light-emitting mechanism 12 in the grille and has a main body portion 13 and a film portion 14. The main body portion 13 is frame-shaped, forming the framework of the overall shape of the panel member 11. The main body portion 13 is a plate-shaped member of a predetermined thickness and is stepped, with the stepping downwards in the vertical direction and towards the front in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the main body portion 13 has only one lower step on the right side in the width direction (left side when viewing Figure 3 from the front). Note that the shape of the main body portion 13 can be appropriately set depending on where it is used, and is not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1, including the number of steps, differences in shape between the left and right sides, and the presence or absence of steps.

[0013] The four through-holes 15 are formed by penetrating the main body 13 in the front-to-back direction and are rectangular in shape when viewed from the front. Two of the four through-holes 15 are located in the main body 13 at a single-step position, and the remaining two are located in the main body 13 at a triple-step position. The dimensions of each through-hole 15 are approximately equal in the width direction. Therefore, in the main body 13, the areas other than each through-hole 15 become frame areas 16.

[0014] This frame section 16 is a section that ensures the strength (rigidity) of the main body section 13, and its size ratio and position relative to each penetration section 15 are set according to the strength required for the location where it is placed. The frame section 16 has five vertical frame sections 16a located at both ends in the width direction and between each penetration section 15, an upper horizontal frame section 16b that spans the upper side of each penetration section 15 in the width direction, and a lower horizontal frame section 16c that spans the lower side of each penetration section 15 in the width direction.

[0015] Each vertical frame portion 16a has two on the right side in the width direction (left side when viewing FIG. 4 from the front) with a size dimension corresponding to one lower step, and the remaining three have a size dimension corresponding to three steps. In each vertical frame portion 16a, on the front surface 13a of the main body portion 13 located on the front side in the front-rear direction, there are provided arrangement grooves 16d extending in the width direction at each step. Each arrangement groove 16d is capable of receiving a light guide member 22 (to be described later) of the light emitting mechanism 12 (see FIGS. 6 to 8). Each arrangement groove 16d is set at an equal height position in the vertical direction for each step and can be arranged through a single light guide member 22 extending in the width direction (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In other words, each arrangement groove 16d has a configuration in which what is extended in the width direction is divided at each through portion 15. In each of these arrangement grooves 16d, as shown in FIG. 7, there are provided support portions 17 for supporting the light guide member 22.

[0016] Each of these support portions 17 can fix the corresponding light guide member 22 in a state where it is arranged within the arrangement groove 16d. Each support portion 17 is provided for each vertical frame portion 16a and enables the support of a single light guide member 22 extending in the width direction at the position of each vertical frame portion 16a. Each support portion 17 in Embodiment 1 has the width of each arrangement groove 16d on each vertical frame portion 16a partially narrowed, and can support the inserted light guide member 22. Note that each support portion 17 may have other configurations as long as it can support the light guide member 22 arranged within the arrangement groove 16d, and is not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1.

[0017] In the main body portion 13 of Embodiment 1, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there are provided three screw-through holes 18. Each screw-through hole 18 is capable of passing a fastening member 19 (see FIG. 6). Each of these fastening members 19 can be screwed into a screw hole provided at the position of the grill on the front of the vehicle 1, enabling the attachment of the vehicle lamp 10. Each of these screw-through holes 18 is provided at a location that does not expose to the outside when mounted on the vehicle 1 (see FIG. 1).

[0018] The film part 14 is in the form of a thin film (membrane), and forms the appearance of the panel member 11 as seen from the front side in the front-rear direction. As an example, the film part 14 in Embodiment 1 has a thickness dimension of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. This film part 14 is provided in close contact with the front surface 13a of the main body part 13 and is supposed to cover the entire frame part 16. The entire frame part 16 includes all the through parts 15 and is the part that is exposed to the outside in the completed vehicle 1. Therefore, the film part 14 is arranged so as to be visible from the outside in the completed vehicle 1. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, this film part 14 has a shape along the front surface 13a of the main body part 13 including the respective arrangement grooves 16d and the respective support parts 17. For this reason, the film part 14 has arrangement grooves 14a that extend in the width direction while being arranged in three rows in the vertical direction. Each arrangement groove 14a is supposed to extend across the respective arrangement grooves 16d provided in the respective vertical frame parts 16a of the main body part 13 in the width direction beyond the respective through parts 15. Therefore, the respective arrangement grooves 16d and the respective support parts 17 of the main body part 13 are supposed to arrange and support the light guide member 22 described later through the respective arrangement grooves 14a of the film part 14. From these facts, in the panel member 11, the film part 14 has the appearance and optical functions on the surface, and the main body part 13 ensures the strength.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, in the film part 14 of Embodiment 1, the front surface 14b located on the front side in the front-rear direction is a reflecting surface. This reflecting surface may be formed by depositing a reflecting film such as white or silver, or the film part 14 may be formed of a member (reflecting material) such as white or silver. This film part 14 is supposed to have an optical function of reflecting the light emitted from the light guide member 22 arranged in the respective arrangement grooves 16d to the front side in the front-rear direction. In particular, in the film part 14 of Embodiment 1, in the width direction along the direction of the light guide member 22, the gradation (gradation) of the reflecting film is changed so that the reflectivity increases as it moves away from the light source 23 described later.

[0020] In Embodiment 1, the main body 13 and the film portion 14 are formed from the same material. Examples of this material include ABS (acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene) resin, PC (polycarbonate), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), and acrylic materials. The main body 13 and the film portion 14 may be formed from different materials, and the configuration is not limited to Embodiment 1. Even in this case, they can be integrated by insert molding, as will be described later.

[0021] The panel member 11 can be formed as follows. First, resin is poured into a film mold for the film portion 14 to form the film portion 14. Next, with the film portion 14 placed inside a mold for the main body portion 13, insert molding is performed by pouring resin into the main body mold. This allows for the formation of a panel member 11 in which the film portion 14 is tightly attached to the front surface 13a of the main body portion 13, making them a single unit. Alternatively, in the above insert molding, the main body portion 13 may be molded in a main body mold, and then, with the main body portion 13 placed inside the film mold, insert molding is performed by pouring resin into the film mold. Furthermore, the panel member 11 may be formed by molding the main body portion 13 and the film portion 14 separately, and then attaching the film portion 14 to the front surface 13a of the main body portion 13 using adhesive or ultrasonic welding to form a single unit.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the light-emitting mechanism 12 comprises a light source unit 21 and three long light guide members 22 that guide light from it. The light source unit 21 illuminates the lighting points in the vehicle lighting fixture 10 and has a plurality (three in Embodiment 1) of light sources 23 and a substrate 24 on which they are mounted. Each of these light sources 23 is composed of a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The substrate 24 is in the shape of a plate formed from an aluminum substrate. The substrate 24 may also be formed from a glass epoxy substrate or other material. The substrate 24 is provided with wiring patterns and connector terminals for electrically connecting each of the light sources 23. The substrate 24 receives power from the lighting control circuit via the connector terminals as needed to light each of the light sources 23 as needed.

[0023] This substrate 24 is attached to a heat sink made of, for example, a thermally conductive aluminum plate, aluminum die-casting, or resin. This heat sink can be, for example, equipped with multiple heat dissipation fins, so that the heat generated by each light source 23 is mainly dissipated to the outside through each heat dissipation fin. Alternatively, the heat sink may be configured as a mounting member to which the panel member 11 is attached via a support member or the like.

[0024] The three light guide members 22 are provided to correspond individually to the three light sources 23. Each light guide member 22 is a long, rod-shaped member that guides the light emitted from the corresponding light source 23 along the panel member 11 in the width direction. Each of these light guide members 22 is made of a colorless, transparent resin material (transmitting member) that allows light to pass through. Here, a colorless, transparent material means that it transmits the light emitted from the corresponding light source 23 without changing its color. Each light guide member 22 is a long, rod-shaped member with a roughly circular cross-section, with one end being the incident part 25 and the area from its vicinity to the vicinity of the other end being the outgoing part 26.

[0025] Each light guide member 22 directs the light incident from the incident section 25 in its own direction without emitting it to the outside by utilizing total internal reflection, and guides it to the exit section 26. The light guide member 22 may also reflect light by bonding aluminum, silver, etc., to its outer surface by vapor deposition or painting. The incident section 25 has an incident surface 27 that faces the light source 23 (its exit surface). The incident surface 27 causes the light emitted from the light source 23 to enter the interior of the light guide member 22, and in Embodiment 1 it is a flat surface. The shape of the lens on the incident surface 27 can be set as appropriate, as long as it efficiently causes the light from the light source 23 to enter, and is not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1. The light source section 21 and the incident section 25 are positioned so that they are hidden from view from the outside by the outer panel of the vehicle 1 when mounted on the vehicle 1. For this reason, in the light-emitting mechanism 12 of Embodiment 1, each light guide member 22, excluding each incident section 25, is exposed in front of the panel member 11.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2, 6 to 8, each light guide member 22 is supported by support points 17 provided on the main body 13 of the panel member 11 and positioned within the arrangement grooves 16d of the main body 13. Specifically, one light guide member 22 is positioned in the lowest row's arrangement groove 16d and extends across the entire width of the panel member 11. The remaining two light guide members 22 are positioned in the middle and top row's arrangement grooves 16d and extend in the width direction from the left end (upper right when viewing Figure 2 from the front) to the middle of the width direction.

[0027] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, each light guide member 22 is positioned within each arrangement groove 16d, so that approximately half of the rear side in the front-to-back direction is covered by the film portion 14. More specifically, each light guide member 22 is supported by each support point 17 on each vertical frame portion 16a of the frame portion 16, while approximately half of the rear side is covered by the film portion 14. In addition, each light guide member 22 is covered by the film portion 14 on each through-point 15 of the main body portion 13 with a gap between them, so that approximately half of the rear side is covered by the film portion 14.

[0028] As shown in Figures 5, 6 to 8, the emission portion 26 of each light guide member 22 has an emission surface 28 on the front side in the front-rear direction, i.e., the side not covered by the film portion 14, and a reflection portion 29 on the opposite side. The reflection portion 29 is formed by alternating recesses and protrusions in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the light guide member 22 extends. This reflection portion 29 reflects the light guided to the emission portion 26 towards the emission surface 28 side, while diffusing it using total internal reflection according to the shape of the recesses and protrusions. Note that the reflection portion 29 may reflect light towards the emission surface 28 side by bonding aluminum, silver, etc., by vapor deposition or painting, or it may have other shapes, and is not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1.

[0029] Therefore, the emission section 26 reflects the light incident from the incident section 25 (incident surface 27) and guided by the light guide member 22 at the reflection point 29, causing the light to be emitted from the emission surface 28 toward the front in the front-rear direction. As a result, the light-emitting mechanism 12 can guide the light from each light source 23 in the width direction by the corresponding light guide member 22 on the front side of the panel member 11 in the front-rear direction, causing it to light up in a linear shape extending in the width direction. In the light source section 21, one light source 23 is provided for each light guide member 22, but one or two light sources in common may be provided, or multiple light sources may be provided for each, and is not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1. Furthermore, in the light-emitting mechanism 12, three light guide members 22 extending in the width direction are provided, but the number, direction of extension, and shape of the light guide members 22 can be set as appropriate, and is not limited to the example of Embodiment 1.

[0030] In this vehicle light fixture 10, when the panel member 11 and the light-emitting mechanism 12 are assembled as described above, the front side in the front-to-rear direction is covered by an outer lens (not shown in the figure). This outer lens is a panel member that forms the outer surface of the vehicle light fixture 10, and in Embodiment 1, it forms the outer surface at the location of the grille of the vehicle 1. This outer lens is a plate-shaped member made of a transparent material that allows light emitted from each light source 23 and guided by each light guide member 22 to pass through, and can be made of, for example, a resin material.

[0031] The vehicle light fixture 10 operates as follows: The vehicle light fixture 10 supplies power from the lighting control circuit to each light source 23 via the circuit board 24, illuminating each light source 23. Then, the vehicle light fixture 10 directs the light from each light source 23 inward from the corresponding incident section 25 (its incident surface 27) into the light guide member 22, guides the light in the width direction within the light guide member 22, and the light that reaches the reflection point 29 is reflected forward in the front-to-back direction. As a result, the vehicle light fixture 10 causes the light from each light source 23 to be emitted forward in the front-to-back direction from the emission section 26 (its emission surface 28) over almost the entire width direction of the corresponding light guide member 22, and can be perceived as three beams of light extending in the width direction.

[0032] Furthermore, although light may leak from locations other than the incident surface 27, including the reflection points 29, etc., in each light guide member 22, this light is reflected forward in the front-to-back direction by the film portion 14, which serves as the reflective surface of the panel member 11. As a result, the vehicle light fixture 10 can efficiently utilize the light from each light source 23, and can illuminate areas other than each incident surface 27 (each light guide member 22). This vehicle light fixture 10 can form the wall surface at the location of the grille of the vehicle 1, and illuminate the grille in a desired manner (see Figure 1).

[0033] In particular, the film portion 14 of Embodiment 1 changes the gradation of the reflective film in the width direction, which is along the light guide member 22, so that the reflectivity increases as it moves away from the light source 23 (described later). As a result, the vehicle lamp 10 can compensate for the light that weakens with distance from the light source 23 by the amount of reflection from the film portion 14, and each light guide member 22 can be illuminated with approximately equal brightness in the width direction regardless of the distance from the light source 23, thereby improving the appearance.

[0034] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the panel member 11 has the main body 13 and the film portion 14 made of the same material. Therefore, the panel member 11 can be disposed of without separating the integrated main body 13 and film portion 14, thereby improving recyclability.

[0035] In the prior art vehicle lighting fixtures, in order to position the light source near the focal point of the reflector, it is necessary to provide an opening at the top of the reflector and bracket member. As a result, the opening is visible from the front of this vehicle lighting fixture, and there is room for improvement in terms of appearance. Furthermore, because the vehicle lighting fixture has a separate reflector and bracket member fixed together, it is susceptible to external influences and is difficult to adopt in large structures.

[0036] In contrast, the vehicle light fixture 10 of this disclosure uses film portions 14 that cover each penetration point 15 to form the surface of the panel member 11, i.e., the appearance from the front in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the vehicle light fixture 10 achieves weight reduction by providing each penetration point 15 in the main body portion 13 of the panel member 11, while ensuring strength by providing frame portions 16. Moreover, the vehicle light fixture 10 forms the panel member 11 by closely adhering the film portion 14 to the front surface 13a of the main body portion 13 as an integral part.

[0037] Based on these considerations, the vehicle light fixture 10 ensures the strength of the film portion 14 through the frame portion 16 of the main body portion 13, while reducing the weight of the main body portion 13 through the various penetration points 15. Furthermore, the vehicle light fixture 10 can form its appearance with the thin, film-like film portion 14, preventing the various penetration points 15 from being visible from the front. Moreover, since the vehicle light fixture 10 integrates the main body portion 13 and the film portion 14, even if it forms the outer surface of the grille of the vehicle 1, it prevents the film portion 14 from vibrating relative to the main body portion 13. For this reason, the vehicle light fixture 10 can withstand external influences even in large structures that are susceptible to external impacts, and can therefore be used in large structures.

[0038] In addition, the vehicle light fixture 10 forms a panel member 11 by insert molding, in which one of the main body portion 13 and the film portion 14 is formed, and resin is poured into a mold for forming the other portion of the main body portion 13 and the film portion 14. As a result, the vehicle light fixture 10 can form a panel member 11 with a structure in which each penetration portion 15 is covered with the film portion 14 and a frame portion 16 is provided. Here, a panel member like that of Embodiment 1 could be formed, for example, using a mold in which protrusions are provided at positions corresponding to each penetration portion, and resin is poured into the tip of each protrusion to a thickness corresponding to the film portion. However, in such a mold, the space between the multiple protrusions corresponding to each penetration portion becomes the space corresponding to the frame portion, but since the thickness of that space and the space corresponding to the film portion differ greatly, it becomes difficult to pour the resin evenly into the space corresponding to the film portion. For this reason, it is difficult to form a panel member like that of Embodiment 1 even if a mold is used. Therefore, the vehicle light fixture 10 can be easily and appropriately formed into a panel member 11 in which the main body portion 13 and the film portion 14 are integrated.

[0039] As an example of the vehicle lighting device 10 relating to this disclosure, the following effects can be obtained.

[0040] The vehicle light fixture 10 comprises a light-emitting mechanism 12 and a panel member 11 that supports at least a part of it. The panel member 11 has a frame-shaped main body 13 and a film portion 14 integrally attached to the front surface 13a of the main body 13. The main body 13 has through-holes 15 that penetrate in the thickness direction perpendicular to the front surface 13a. The film portion 14 covers the front surface 13a, including the through-holes 15. Therefore, the vehicle light fixture 10 can be made lighter by providing each through-hole 15 in the main body 13 while ensuring the strength of the film portion 14 with the frame portion 16. In addition, the vehicle light fixture 10 can be made more aesthetically pleasing by using the film portion 14 to create its appearance, preventing each through-hole 15 from being visible from the front. Furthermore, since the main body 13 and the film portion 14 are integrated into one unit, vibration of the film portion 14 relative to the main body 13 can be prevented, allowing it to be used in larger structures.

[0041] Furthermore, the vehicle light fixture 10 has a light-emitting mechanism 12 which includes a light source 23 and a long light guide member 22 that guides the light from the light source. The light guide member 22 has an emitting surface 28 that extends along its length. The panel member 11 has support points 17 that support the light guide member 22. Therefore, the vehicle light fixture 10 can illuminate the light guide member 22, which is supported at the support points 17 of the panel member 11, with light from the light source 23. As a result, the vehicle light fixture 10 can illuminate in a desired manner by appropriately setting the shape and number of light guide members 22, thereby improving its appearance.

[0042] Furthermore, the vehicle light fixture 10 has support points 17 provided at frame points 16 other than the through-holes 15 in the main body 13, and supports the light guide member 22 with the film portion 14 interposed between them. Therefore, regardless of whether it is a support point 17 or not, the appearance of the surface of the panel member 11 can be formed by the film portion 14, making it possible to more reliably achieve the desired appearance.

[0043] In the vehicle light fixture 10, the film portion 14 is a reflective surface that reflects light from the light source 23, at least on the back side of the light guide member 22. Therefore, even if the light from the light source 23 guided to the light guide member 22 travels in an unintended direction, the film portion 14 can direct it in the intended direction, thereby improving the appearance of the vehicle light fixture 10.

[0044] In the vehicle light fixture 10, the reflectivity of the film portion 14 increases as it moves away from the light source 23 in the direction along the light guide member 22. Therefore, the vehicle light fixture 10 can compensate for the light that weakens with distance from the light source 23 by the amount of reflection from the film portion 14, and each light guide member 22 can be illuminated with approximately equal brightness in the width direction regardless of the distance from the light source 23, thereby improving the appearance.

[0045] The vehicle light fixture 10 is made of resin, with a main body 13 and a film portion 14. Therefore, the panel member 11 of the vehicle light fixture 10 can be disposed of without separating it into the main body 13 and the film portion 14, thereby improving recyclability.

[0046] The vehicle light fixture 10 has a panel member 11 in which the main body portion 13 and the film portion 14 are integrally formed by insert molding, in which one of the molded parts is pre-molded and then molded while the molded part is placed in a mold. As a result, the panel member 11 having the main body portion 13 and the film portion 14 of the vehicle light fixture 10 can be formed more appropriately and simply.

[0047] The vehicle light fixture 10 can also be formed by integrating the panel member 11 with the main body 13 by attaching the film portion 14 to it. Therefore, the panel member 11 having the main body 13 and the film portion 14 can be formed more easily and appropriately.

[0048] Therefore, the vehicle lighting device 10 of Embodiment 1 according to this disclosure can be adopted even in large structures while improving appearance.

[0049] Although the vehicle lighting device of this disclosure has been described above based on Embodiment 1, the specific configuration is not limited to Embodiment 1, and changes or additions to the design are permitted as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention as described in each claim of the patent.

[0050] In the above-described Embodiment 1, the vehicle light fixture 10 formed the outer surface of the grille of the electric vehicle 1, but it may be installed at other locations on the vehicle 1, or on vehicles other than electric vehicles, and is not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1. Also, in Embodiment 1, the vehicle light fixture 10 was able to emit light as decoration at the grille of the vehicle 1, but it may also function as a clearance lamp, daytime running light, turn signal light, or other light source, and is not limited to the example of Embodiment 1.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment 1, the vehicle light fixture 10 has the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2. However, the vehicle light fixture 10 comprises a panel member 11 and a light-emitting mechanism 12, and as long as the panel member 11 has a film portion 14 integrally attached to the front surface 13a of the main body portion 13, the position and number of light sources 23 and light guide members 22, as well as the shape of the light guide members 22, can be set as appropriate, and is not limited to the configuration of embodiment 1. In addition, the vehicle light fixture 10 may also be configured without using light guide members 22, with the light-emitting element directly placed near the film portion 14, and the light irradiated from the light-emitting element onto the film portion 14 directed in the intended direction, and is not limited to the configuration of embodiment 1.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment 1, the film portion 14 is used as a reflective surface. However, the film portion 14 is not limited to the example of embodiment 1, as long as it has the appearance and optical functions required for the surface of the panel member 11, it may be black or the like to have a light-shielding function, it may be various colors required for the exterior wall of a vehicle, it may be a combination of reflection, light shielding and various colors, and the gradation may be set as appropriate. For example, the film portion 14 may form a canopy portion 16e at the upper end of the arrangement groove 14a (arrangement groove 16d) of the top row in Figure 7, as shown by the dashed line. This canopy portion 16e is provided so as to cover the upper side of the light guide member 22 of the top row and has a light-shielding optical function. The canopy portion 16e hides a part of the upper side of the light guide member 22 and can suppress external light from entering the light guide member 22.

[0053] In the above-described embodiment 1, each light guide member 22 of the light-emitting mechanism 12 is supported on the surface of the panel member 11. However, the panel member 11 may support the light source on its surface, as long as it supports at least a part of the light-emitting mechanism 12, and other configurations are also possible; the configuration is not limited to that of embodiment 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 10 Vehicle lighting fixture 11 Panel component 12 Light-emitting mechanism 13 Main body 13a Front 14 Film section 15 Through-hole 16 Frame section 17 Support section 22 Light guide component 23 Light source 28 Emitting surface

Claims

1. The device comprises a light-emitting mechanism and a panel member that supports at least a part of the light-emitting mechanism, The panel member comprises a frame-shaped main body and a film portion integrally attached to the front surface of the main body. The main body portion has a through-hole that penetrates in the thickness direction perpendicular to the front surface, The vehicle light fixture is characterized in that the film portion covers the front surface including the penetration point.

2. The light-emitting mechanism comprises a light source and a long light guide member that guides light from the light source. The light guide member has an emission surface that extends along the longitudinal direction, The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the panel member has a support portion for supporting the light guide member.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, characterized in that the support location is provided at a frame location other than the through-hole in the main body, and the light guide member is supported by the interposing of the film portion.

4. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the film portion is a reflective surface that reflects light from the light source, at least on the back side of the light guide member.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 4, characterized in that the reflectivity of the film portion increases as it moves away from the light source in the direction along the light guide member.

6. The vehicle light fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that the main body and the film are made of resin.

7. The vehicle light fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that the film portion is formed of a reflective material capable of reflecting light.

8. The vehicle light fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the panel member is integrally formed by insert molding, in which one of the main body portion and the film portion is molded in a mold after the molded product has been pre-molded.

9. The vehicle light fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the panel member is integrally formed with the main body by attaching the film portion to it.

Images