Vehicle lighting devices

Abstract

To obtain a vehicle light-emitting device that can suppress light from a light source from entering the camera lens. [Solution] The emblem 10 includes light sources 24A and 24B, an outer lens 18 that emits light when light from the light sources 24A and 24B passes through it, and a camera 22 with lens 22B directed toward the outer lens 18 to photograph the area around the vehicle. The outer lens 18 has an exposure hole 18C formed therein to expose lens 22B toward the area around the vehicle. Between lens 22B and the inner surface of the exposure hole 18C, there is a first light-shielding portion 20A that blocks light from the light source coming from inside the outer lens 18 toward lens 22B.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lighting device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an emblem provided on a vehicle. The emblem described in this document includes a light source, and when this light source is lit, a defined range in the emblem lights up. Further, the emblem described in this document includes a camera, and it is possible to photograph the surroundings of the vehicle with this camera.

[0003] By the way, in a vehicle lighting device such as an emblem that includes a light source and a camera, when light from the light source enters the lens of the camera, it is conceivable that phenomena such as halation occur in the video captured by the camera.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle lighting device capable of suppressing light from a light source from entering the lens of a camera.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The first embodiment of the vehicle light-emitting device comprises a light source, an outer lens that emits light when light irradiated from the light source is transmitted through it, and a camera whose lens is directed toward the outer lens and which photographs the area around the vehicle. The outer lens has an exposure hole formed therein to expose the lens toward the area around the vehicle, and a light-shielding portion is provided between the lens and the inner surface of the exposure hole to block light from the light source that is directed from inside the outer lens toward the lens.

[0007] The second embodiment of the vehicle light-emitting device is the vehicle light-emitting device of the first embodiment, wherein the light-shielding portion is formed integrally with the outer lens.

[0008] The third embodiment of the vehicle light-emitting device is the vehicle light-emitting device of the second embodiment, wherein the light-shielding portion is formed in the form of a film along the surface of the outer lens.

[0009] The fourth embodiment of the vehicle light-emitting device is the vehicle light-emitting device of the second or third embodiment, wherein a second light-shielding portion is formed in a defined area on the surface of the outer lens for blocking light from the light source, and the light-shielding portion is formed integrally with the second light-shielding portion.

[0010] The fifth embodiment of the vehicle light-emitting device is a vehicle light-emitting device according to any one embodiment of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the outer lens includes a light-diffusing material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] In the first embodiment of the vehicle light-emitting device, the outer lens emits light when light emitted from a light source passes through it. The camera lens is exposed to the surrounding area of ​​the vehicle through an exposure hole formed in the outer lens. A light-shielding portion is provided between the camera lens and the inner surface of the exposure hole formed in the outer lens to block light from the light source coming from inside the outer lens towards the lens. This prevents light from the light source from entering the camera lens.

[0012] In the second embodiment of the vehicle light-emitting device, compared to a configuration in which the light-shielding part is separate from the outer lens, it is possible to avoid the light-shielding part shifting relative to the outer lens.

[0013] In the third embodiment of the vehicle light-emitting device, compared to a configuration in which the light-shielding portion is not formed as a film along the surface of the outer lens, it is possible to suppress an increase in the total thickness, which is the sum of the thickness of the outer lens and the thickness of the light-shielding portion.

[0014] In the fourth embodiment of the vehicle light-emitting device, the light-shielding portion can be formed together with the second light-shielding portion.

[0015] In the fifth embodiment of the vehicle light-emitting device, the light from the light source reflected by the diffuser inside the outer lens is blocked by the light-shielding portion. This makes it possible to suppress the light from the light source from entering the camera lens. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing the emblem of this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view showing the emblem of this embodiment in disassembled form. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-section of the emblem cut along the line 3-3 shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-section of the emblem cut along the line 4-4 shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 4, which shows other forms of the emblem. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Figure 1 shows the emblem 10 as a vehicle light-emitting device according to this embodiment. As shown in this figure, in the emblem 10 of this embodiment, the light transmitted through the outer peripheral portion 18A of the outer lens 18 (described later) emits light in an elliptical ring shape, while the light transmitted through the inner peripheral portion 18B of the outer lens 18 emits light in the shape of the letters "TR". The arrows FR and UP shown in the figure indicate the front and top sides of the emblem 10, respectively. The arrows RH and LH shown in the figure indicate the right and left sides of the emblem 10, respectively. Hereafter, when simply using the directions front / back, up / down, and left / right, unless otherwise specified, these refer to the front / back direction of the emblem 10, the up / down direction of the emblem 10, and the left / right direction of the emblem 10.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the emblem 10 comprises a housing 12, a substrate 16, a light guide 16, and a diffuser plate 17 provided within the housing 12, an outer lens 18 attached to the housing 12, and a mask 20 formed along the outer lens 18. The emblem 10 also includes a camera 22 supported by the housing 12.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 12 is formed, for example, of a resin material into a box shape with an open front side. This housing 12 includes a bottom wall portion 12A that extends in the vertical and horizontal directions with the front-rear direction as the thickness direction, a side wall portion 12B that extends forward from the outer peripheral end of the bottom wall portion 12A, and a tip portion 12D that extends forward from the end of the side wall portion 12B on the side opposite to the bottom wall portion 12A via a step portion 12C. As shown in FIG. 4, a camera insertion hole 12E that penetrates the bottom wall portion 12A in the front-rear direction is formed in the lower right portion of the bottom wall portion 12A. The shape of the edge of the camera insertion hole 12E as viewed from the front side is square. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the housing 12 includes a rectangular cylindrical light-shielding portion 12F that protrudes forward from the edge of the camera insertion hole 12E in the bottom wall portion 12A. The inner diameter of this light-shielding portion 12F gradually decreases toward the front side. In FIGS. 3 and 4, for ease of viewing the drawing, the cross-sectional hatching is omitted.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the substrate 16 is formed into a rectangular plate shape with the front-rear direction as the thickness direction. A plurality of light sources 24A and 24B are attached to this substrate 16. The light sources 24A and 24B are, for example, LEDs or the like that emit light when energized. These light sources 24A and 24B are supported by the housing 12 when the substrate 16 is fixed to the housing 12. The light source 24A is mainly for emitting light to the outer peripheral portion 18A of the outer lens 18. The light source 24B is mainly for emitting light to the inner peripheral portion 18B of the outer lens 18. Also, a cutout portion 14A is formed in the right side portion of the substrate 16 to avoid the light-shielding portion 12F of the housing 12 and the camera 22 described later, and to arrange the light-shielding portion 12F of the housing 12 and the camera 22 described later inside.

[0021] The light guide 16 as an intermediate member is formed using, for example, a transparent resin material and is disposed on the front side with respect to the substrate 16. The light guide 16 has a function of guiding the light irradiated from the light source 24A toward the outer peripheral portion 18A side of the outer lens 18. The light guide 16 includes a light guide main body portion 16A formed in a plate shape with the front-rear direction as the thickness direction. The outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral portion 16B of the light guide main body portion 16A is an inclined surface 16C that inclines toward the side opposite to the center of the light guide main body portion 16A (the centroid side when viewed from the front side) as it goes toward the front side. Further, a tapered concave portion 16D with an open front side is formed in the inner peripheral portion of the light guide main body portion 16A. The inner peripheral surface of this tapered concave portion 16D is a tapered surface 16E that narrows in a funnel shape from the front side toward the rear side. Further, the light guide 16 includes a central protruding portion 16F that protrudes toward the rear side from the portion where the tapered concave portion 16D is formed in the light guide main body portion 16A. Further, a light source arrangement concave portion 16G that is recessed toward the front side is formed in the central protruding portion 16F. And the light source 24A is arranged to be within the light source arrangement concave portion 16G. Further, in the right side portion of the light guide main body portion 16A, a cutout portion 16H is formed to avoid the light shielding portion 12F of the housing 12 and the camera 22 described later, and the light shielding portion 12F of the housing 12 and the camera 22 described later are arranged inside.

[0022] The diffusion plate 17 as an intermediate member is formed using, for example, a resin material containing a diffusing material for diffusing light and is disposed on the front side with respect to the light guide 16. The diffusion plate 17 is formed in a plate shape with the front-rear direction as the thickness direction and has a function of diffusing the light irradiated from the light sources 24A and 24B. The shape of the outer edge of the diffusion plate 17 when viewed from the front side is an elliptical shape corresponding to the outer edge of the outer lens 18. An avoidance hole 17A is formed in the lower right side portion of the diffusion plate 17 to avoid the light shielding portion 12F of the housing 12 and the camera 22 described later, and the light shielding portion 12F of the housing 12 and the camera 22 described later are arranged inside.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the outer lens 18 is formed using a resin material. Here, the outer lens 18 may be formed using a resin material containing a light-diffusing material. Alternatively, a light-diffusing member may be provided as a separate component from the outer lens 18. The outer lens 18 is designed so that a defined area is illuminated when light irradiated from the aforementioned light guide 16 is transmitted through it. Note that in Figure 2, the letters "TR" are omitted in the outer lens 18 and the mask 20 described later. The outer lens 18 is formed in a plate shape with front-to-back and thickness directions. Furthermore, the shape of the outer edge of the outer lens 18 when viewed from the front is formed in an elliptical shape corresponding to a part of the outer edge of the light guide body 16A and the outer edge of the diffuser plate 17. The end portion of the outer peripheral portion 18A of the outer lens 18 is joined to the front end of the tip portion 12D of the housing 12. As a result, the open end of the housing 12 is closed by the outer lens 18. An exposure hole 18C is formed on the lower right side of the outer lens 18, allowing the lens 22B of the camera 22 (described later) to be exposed to the front when the lens 22B is inserted. The inner edge of this exposure hole 18C, when viewed from the front, is circular in shape.

[0024] The mask 20 is a layer of resin formed integrally with the outer lens 18 along the outer lens 18. The mask 20 may be a film-like coating or film, or a layer formed with the outer lens 18 by two-color molding. The mask 20 functions as a light-shielding layer to prevent light from passing through to the mask 20. The mask 20 is not limited to being 100% light-blocking. The mask 20 may be light-transmitting to the extent that the design of the emblem 10 when illuminated can be realized. More specifically, the mask 20 includes a first light-shielding portion 20A formed along the inner surface of the exposure hole 18C formed in the outer lens 18. The mask 20 also includes a second light-shielding portion 20B formed integrally with the first light-shielding portion 20A along the rear surface of the outer lens 18. The second light-shielding portion 20B is located in a different area from the portion of the outer lens 18 that emits light (the portion of the outer lens 18 that emits light in the shape of the letters "TR" on the outer peripheral portion 18A and the inner peripheral portion 18B of the outer lens 18). It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the second light-shielding portion 20B is formed along the front surface of the outer lens 18, as shown in Figure 5 for other forms of emblem 26. In other forms of emblem 26, the members and parts corresponding to the emblem 10 of this embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those corresponding to the emblem 10 of this embodiment.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the camera 22 comprises a rectangular block-shaped camera body 22A and a lens 22B that protrudes forward from the camera body 22A. The camera 22 is inserted into the light-shielding portion 12F of the housing 12 through a camera insertion hole 12E formed in the housing 12. When the camera body 22A inserted into the light-shielding portion 12F of the housing 12 is pushed forward, the lens 22B of the camera 22 is inserted into an exposure hole 18C formed in the outer lens 18. As a result, the lens 22B of the camera 22 is exposed through the exposure hole 18C formed in the outer lens 18. With the lens 22B of the camera 22 exposed through the exposure hole 18C formed in the outer lens 18, the camera 22 is supported by the housing 12. Furthermore, when the camera 22 is supported by the housing 12, when viewed from the front, the camera 22 is positioned in an area that overlaps with the second light-shielding portion 20B of the mask 20.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the emblem 10 of this embodiment described above, the light emitted from the light source 24B passes through the light guide body 16A and diffuser plate 17 of the light guide 16 and reaches the inner circumference 18B of the outer lens 18. The light from the light source 24B that reaches the inner circumference 18B of the outer lens 18 is diffused by the diffuser material within the inner circumference 18B of the outer lens 18 and passes through the areas on the inner circumference 18B of the outer lens 18 where the second light-shielding portion 20B of the mask 20 is not formed. As a result, the inner circumference 18B of the outer lens 18 emits light in the shape of the letters "TR".

[0027] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the light emitted from the light source 24A is guided from the central protrusion 16F of the light guide 16 to the light guide body 16A. The light from the light source 24A guided to the light guide body 16A is reflected by the tapered surface 16E of the tapered recess 16D and reaches the inclined surface 16C of the outer periphery 16B of the light guide body 16A. Most of the light that reaches the inclined surface 16C is reflected forward and then diffused by the diffuser plate 17 to reach the outer periphery 18A of the outer lens 18. The light from the light source 24A that reaches the outer periphery 18A of the outer lens 18 is diffused by the diffuser material inside the outer periphery 18A of the outer lens 18 and passes through the outer periphery 18A of the outer lens 18. As a result, the outer periphery 18A of the outer lens 18 emits light in an elliptical ring shape.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the emblem 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a camera 22. The lens 22B of this camera 22 is exposed to the periphery of the vehicle through an exposure hole 18C formed in the outer lens 18. This makes it possible for the camera 22 to photograph the area around the vehicle on which the emblem 10 is installed. Here, a first light-shielding portion 20A of the mask 20 is provided between the lens 22B of the camera 22 and the inner surface of the exposure hole 18C formed in the outer lens 18. This allows the light from light sources 24A, 24B (light diffused by the diffuser) coming from inside the outer lens 18 toward the lens 22B to be blocked by the first light-shielding portion 20A. As a result, it is possible to suppress the entry of light from light sources 24A, 24B into the lens 22B of the camera 22.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mask 20 is formed integrally with the outer lens 18. This configuration avoids the mask 20 shifting relative to the outer lens compared to a configuration where the mask 20 is separate from the outer lens 18. Also, in this embodiment, the first light-shielding portion 20A, which constitutes a part of the mask 20, can be formed together with the second light-shielding portion 20B, which constitutes another part of the mask 20.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mask 20 is formed as a film along the surface of the outer lens 18. In this configuration, compared to a configuration in which the mask 20 is not formed as a film along the surface of the outer lens 18, it is possible to suppress an increase in the total thickness, which is the sum of the thickness of the outer lens 18 and the thickness of the mask 20.

[0031] Furthermore, the light guide 16 and diffuser plate 17 have cutouts 16H and avoidance holes 17A formed in them, respectively, that avoid the light shielding portion 12F of the housing 12 and the camera 22, while also allowing the light shielding portion 12F of the housing 12 and the camera 22 to be positioned inside. In this configuration, it is possible to suppress the restriction of the space in which the camera 22 is positioned by the light guide 16 and diffuser plate 17. As a result, it is possible to obtain an emblem 10 that can ensure space for housing the camera 22 while allowing the outer lens 18 to emit light in the desired state.

[0032] Furthermore, the substrate 16 has a cutout 14A that avoids the light-shielding portion 12F of the housing 12 and the camera 22, while also allowing the light-shielding portion 12F of the housing 12 and the camera 22 to be positioned inside. This configuration prevents the space for the camera 22 from being restricted by the substrate 16. This also makes it possible to obtain an emblem 10 that can ensure space for housing the camera 22 while allowing the outer lens 18 to emit light in the desired state.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the light from light sources 24A and 24B that travels from inside the light guide 16 and diffuser plate 17 toward the camera 22 can be blocked by the light shielding portion 12F of the housing 12. This makes it possible to suppress the light from light sources 24A and 24B from entering the lens 22B of the camera 22.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a light-shielding portion 12F that blocks light from light sources 24A and 24B moving from inside the light guide 16 and diffuser plate 17 toward the camera 22 is integrally formed with the housing 12. This configuration suppresses an increase in the number of parts constituting the emblem 10 compared to a configuration in which the light-shielding portion 12F and the housing 12 are separate parts.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the camera 22 is supported by the housing 12, when viewed from the front, the camera 22 is positioned in an area that overlaps with the second light-shielding portion 20B of the mask 20. This makes it possible to suppress the visibility of the camera body 22A of the camera 22 from the outer lens 18 side.

[0036] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above, and it is of course possible to implement it in various other ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the configurations that provide the effects described above can be combined with each other or some can be omitted. Moreover, the configuration of the present invention described above can be applied not only to the emblem 10 but also to other vehicle light-emitting devices such as vehicle lamps. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 10. Emblem (Vehicle-mounted light-emitting device) 18 Outer Lenses 18C exposure hole 20A First light-shielding section (light-shielding section) 20B 2nd light shielding part 22 cameras 22B lens 24A light source 24B light source

Claims

1. Light source and An outer lens that emits light when light irradiated from the aforementioned light source is transmitted through it, The lens is pointed towards the outer lens side, and the camera is used to photograph the area around the vehicle. Equipped with, The outer lens has an exposure hole formed therein to expose the lens to the side of the vehicle. A vehicle light-emitting device is provided with a light-shielding portion between the lens and the inner surface of the exposure hole, which blocks light from the light source moving from inside the outer lens toward the lens.

2. The vehicle light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the light-shielding portion is formed integrally with the outer lens.

3. The vehicle light-emitting device according to claim 2, wherein the light-shielding portion is formed in the form of a film along the surface of the outer lens.

4. A vehicle light-emitting device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a second light-shielding portion is formed in a defined area on the surface of the outer lens to block light from the light source, and the light-shielding portion is formed integrally with the second light-shielding portion.

5. The vehicle light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the outer lens includes a diffusing material that diffuses light.

Images