Vehicle lighting fixtures and methods for manufacturing vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

This vehicle lighting fixture features a configuration in which multiple light guide columns are arranged in parallel, resulting in high light utilization efficiency and precise positioning. [Solution] The present invention provides a vehicle lighting device comprising: a substrate arranged in the lamp chamber and equipped with multiple light sources; a light guide column unit in which multiple light guide columns are arranged in parallel and integrally connected by a bridge provided near the one end face, allowing light from the light sources to enter from one end face and exit from the circumferential surface; and a first support member, wherein the first support member has multiple grooves into which the multiple light guide columns are inserted and supported, and the multiple grooves have first fixing parts formed in them for fixing the inserted light guide columns; and the first support member has a second fixing part formed in it for fixing the bridge of the light guide column unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp in which a plurality of light guide columns are arranged in parallel, and a method for manufacturing the vehicle lamp.

Background Art

[0002] There is a vehicle lamp configured to make the emitted light from a light source enter from an end face of a light guide column and exit from one direction of the circumferential surface (for example, Patent Document 1). In a vehicle lamp in which a plurality of light guide columns are arranged in parallel, in order to accurately control the emitted light of each light guide column, it is preferable that the light source be accurately positioned on the end face, which is the incident surface of each light guide column.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, since both ends of a plurality of light guide columns are connected and directly fixed at both ends, it is difficult to arrange a reflector, and the light utilization efficiency is poor. When a reflector is introduced to efficiently use the light of the light source, accurate positioning becomes difficult.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of this, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle lamp having a configuration in which a plurality of light guide columns are arranged in parallel, having good light utilization efficiency and enabling accurate positioning.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, in one first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle light fixture is provided in which a light chamber is formed by a lamp body and a translucent front cover assembled to the front side of the lamp body, the light fixture comprises a substrate mounted on a plurality of light sources and arranged in the light chamber, a plurality of light guide columns arranged in parallel and integrally connected by a bridge provided near the one end face, which cause light from the light sources to enter from one end face and exit from the circumferential surface, and a first support member, wherein the first support member has a plurality of grooves into which the plurality of light guide columns are inserted and supported, a first fixing portion is formed in the plurality of grooves for fixing the inserted light guide columns, and a second fixing portion is formed in the first support member for fixing the bridge of the light guide column unit.

[0007] Furthermore, in a second embodiment, in the first embodiment, a first positioning portion is formed on the back side of the second fixing portion, and the first positioning portion is configured to abut against the second positioning portion formed on the substrate.

[0008] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, as in the first or second embodiment, a third fixing portion is formed on the back side of the second fixing portion for fixing to a second support member that supports the substrate, and the first support member is configured to clamp the substrate and be fixed to the second support member by the third fixing portion.

[0009] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, in any of the first to third embodiments, the first support member is provided with a fourth fixing portion that is fixed to the second support member.

[0010] Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, in any of the first to fourth embodiments, a plurality of second fixing parts are provided, and at least one of the second fixing parts has an insert engagement structure.

[0011] Furthermore, as a first embodiment of the manufacturing method of the present disclosure, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a vehicle lamp comprising: a substrate arranged in a lamp chamber and equipped with a plurality of light sources; a plurality of light guide columns arranged in parallel and integrally connected by a bridge provided near the one end face, wherein the light guide columns are incident on the substrate from one end face and emitted from the circumferential surface; a first support member; and a second support member that supports the substrate, wherein the first support member has a plurality of grooves into which the plurality of light guide columns are inserted and supported, and the plurality of grooves have a first fixing portion formed therein for clamping and fixing the inserted light guide columns, the light guide columns of the light guide column unit are inserted into the grooves and fixed to the first fixing portion, and the bridge of the light guide column unit is fixed to a second fixing portion provided on the first support member.

[0012] Furthermore, the second embodiment of the manufacturing method is a step in which, in the embodiment of the first manufacturing method, the substrate is fixed to the second support member, and the first support member holds the substrate and is fixed to the second support member by a third fixing portion formed on the back side of the second fixing portion for fixing to the second support member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] As is clear from the above explanation, a vehicle lighting fixture can be provided with a configuration in which multiple light guide columns are arranged in parallel, resulting in high light utilization efficiency and precise positioning. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle lighting device according to a preferred embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic top view of a vehicle lighting fixture. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle light fixture. [Figure 4] This is a vertical cross-section along line AA in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of section K. [Figure 6] This is section K in Figure 2. [Figure 7] Shows the manufacturing process of the reflector. [Figure 8] It is a detailed explanatory drawing of the first positioning part. [Figure 9] Shows a manufacturing method of a vehicle lamp. [Figure 10] (A) It is a horizontal sectional view taken along line B - B of FIG. 6. (B) It is a horizontal sectional view taken along line C - C of FIG. 6.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention. Also, in the descriptions of the following embodiments and modification examples, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0016] (Vehicle lamp 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a vehicle lamp 1 according to an embodiment suitable for the configuration of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the vehicle lamp 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle lamp 1. FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along line A - A of FIG. 2.

[0017] The vehicle lamp 1 is a daytime running lamp arranged in a pair on the left and right at the front end of the vehicle. Note that the configuration of the present disclosure is not limited to the daytime running lamp, and it may be used for a clearance lamp, a tail lamp provided at the rear end of the vehicle, etc. In the vehicle lamp 1, an opening of the lamp body is provided, and with the direction of mainly irradiating light being forward, each direction is described based on this.

[0018] The vehicle lamp 1 includes a container-shaped lamp body 2 having an opening formed in the front, and a front cover 4 assembled to the front opening of the lamp body 2. The front cover 4 is made of a resin or glass having translucency such as polycarbonate. When the front cover 4 is attached to the opening of the lamp body 2, a lamp chamber S is defined inside. Inside the defined lamp chamber S, a daytime running lamp unit DRL is arranged and fixed to the lamp body 2.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the front cover 4 is arranged such that the outer end side in the vehicle width direction (right direction in this embodiment) is inclined rearward.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle lamp 1 includes a front cover 4, a frame 5, an extension 6, an inner lens 7, a light guide unit 10, a reflector 30, a substrate 40, a heat sink 50, and a lamp body 2.

[0021] The light guide unit 10 is arranged in three stages up and down so as to extend in a substantially horizontal direction, and has three light guides 11 that curve rearward near the right end, and a bridge 20 that connects these three light guides 11. The light guide unit 10 is a colorless and transparent resin molded product, and the three light guides 11 arranged in parallel and the bridge 20 are integrally connected by integral molding. The bridge 20 is a vertically long rectangular plate-like member arranged with the right side slightly inclined rearward corresponding to the inclination of the front cover 4, and is provided near the right end of the light guide 11. For this reason, the light guide 11 is connected to the front surface of the bridge 20, penetrates the bridge 20, and extends slightly rearward from the rear surface of the bridge 20.

[0022] The right end surface 12 of each light guide 11 is the light incident portion of the light guide 11. Further, on the back surface of the straight portion of the light guide 11 facing the front cover 4, a plurality of notches 13 are formed in a longitudinal stripe shape over substantially the entire length of the straight portion extending long in the left-right direction from the left end.

[0023] Three light sources 8 are mounted on the front of the substrate 40, and the light sources 8 are positioned so that the direction of light emission is directed toward the right end face 12 of the light guide column 11. The light emitted from the light sources 8 enters the light guide column 11 from the right end face 12, is guided through the light guide column 11 through repeated reflections, is reflected forward by the notch 13, is emitted from the front, passes through the inner lens 7 and front cover 4 positioned at the front, and illuminates the front of the lamp. The extension 6 and frame 5 are concealing members that shield the mechanical parts other than the light-emitting part so that they cannot be seen from the outside. The light emitted from the three light guide columns 11 is visible from outside the vehicle lamp 1 as three lines of light aligned vertically.

[0024] (Light guide unit fixing mechanism) The light guide column unit 10 and the substrate 40 on which the light source 8 is mounted are fixed via the reflector 30. This will be explained in detail. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the part shown in Figure 2K. It is an explanatory diagram that mainly illustrates the positioning and fixing structure of the light guide column unit 10, the reflector 30, the substrate 40, the heat sink 50, and the lamp body 2. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the part shown in Figure 2K, showing the fixed state of the heat sink 50 to which the light guide column unit 10 and the substrate 40 are fixed, and the reflector 30. It is a diagram mainly to explain the engagement between the reflector 30 and the light guide column unit 10 and the substrate 40, and the lamp body 2 is omitted in Figure 6. Figure 6(A) is a top view. Figure 6(B) is a right side view.

[0025] The reflector 30 is an injection-molded product of a non-transparent resin, is configured in a substantially flat shape, and is formed to curve towards the rear near the right end in accordance with the curvature of the light guide column unit 10. The reflector 30 is a support member that supports the light guide column unit 10 and corresponds to the first support member of the present claim. The reflector 30 has three horizontally extending grooves 31 formed therein for holding the three elongated light guide columns 11.

[0026] As shown in the enlarged view of Figure 4, the vertical cross-sectional shape of each groove 31 is a horizontal U-shape with an open front, and the light guide column 11 is inserted into and supported inside the groove 31. First fixing parts 32 are provided near the left ends and approximately in the center of each groove 31 in the longitudinal direction. The first fixing parts 32 are a pair of protrusions provided vertically opposite the opening of the groove 31. Because the first fixing parts 32 are formed to protrude into the inside of the groove 31, the opening of the groove 31 is narrower in the areas where the first fixing parts 32 are formed than in other areas by the amount of the protrusion. In the areas where the first fixing parts 32 are present, the length of the opening of the groove 31 is shorter than the diameter of the light guide column 11, so when inserting the light guide column 11 into the groove 31, the groove 31 is pushed open once to allow the light guide column 11 to be inserted. Once the light guide column 11 is inserted into and supported in the groove 31, the first fixing part 32 engages with the light guide column 11, and the first fixing part 32 clamps and fixes the light guide column 11 from above and below. The light guide column 11 is stably fixed in the groove 31 by the first fixing part 32.

[0027] Figure 7 shows the mold for the reflector 30 at the location where the first fixing portion 32 is provided. Figure 7 corresponds to an enlarged view of Figure 4. As shown in Figure 7(A), when the fixed-side mold 91 and the movable-side mold 92 are arranged opposite each other and clamped together, a cavity C corresponding to the shape of the reflector 30 is formed inside. The first fixing portion 32 is an undercut portion that protrudes into the cavity C. When the reflector 30 is injection molded, molten resin is filled into the cavity C (see Figure 7(B)), and at the location 91a corresponding to the first fixing portion 32, the mold that molds the inside of the groove 31 after molding is forcibly removed from the molded product, thereby forming the reflector 30 with the first fixing portion 32 (see Figure 7(C)). A groove 31 corresponding to the shape of the light guide column 11 is provided, and further, the first fixing portion 32 that fixes the light guide column 11 is provided at both ends and the center of the groove 31, so that the light guide column 11 is stably held in the groove 31.

[0028] The reflector 30 is an injection-molded product made of a white resin material with high light reflectivity. The groove 31 opens towards the front, and light incident on the light guide column 11 travels through the inside of the light guide column 11, undergoing repeated diffuse reflection. As a result, the light reflected by the notch 13 may be reflected not only horizontally but also upwards and downwards at an angle. Light emitted upwards or downwards at an angle greater than a predetermined angle from the horizontal reaches the inner surface of the groove 31, is reflected by the inner surface of the groove 31, and is irradiated forward as reflected light. In this way, the efficiency of light utilization is increased by using the reflector 30.

[0029] (Connection part) As shown in Figure 5, the right end of the reflector 30 is provided with a connecting portion 60 formed by bending the end 90 degrees outward. The connecting portion 60 is fixed to the lamp body 2 by having its front side (surface side) fixed to the light guide column unit 10 and its rear side (back side) sandwich the substrate 40 and the heat sink 50.

[0030] First, let's explain how the connecting part 60 and the light guide column unit 10 are fixed together. Three light guide columns 11 protrude from the rear surface of the bridge 20 of the light guide column unit 10. The connecting part 60 has three notches 61 formed therein for inserting the three light guide columns 11 that protrude rearward from the bridge 20. When the three light guide columns 11 are fixed in the grooves 31, each light guide column 11 is inserted into each notch 61, and the rear surface of the bridge 20 comes into contact with the front surface of the connecting part 60.

[0031] The front surface of the connecting portion 60 is provided with a lance 62 as a second fixing portion and a cylindrical boss 63 which is a screw fastening portion. The lance 62 is formed to protrude forward between the lower notch 61 and the central notch 61. The boss 63 is provided to protrude forward between the central notch 61 and the lower notch 61. To fix the bridge 20, at least one of the lance 62 and the boss 63 may be provided. Furthermore, the mechanism for fixing the connecting portion 60 and the bridge 20 is not limited to this, and one may be a protruding pin and the other a through hole into which the pin is inserted. Fixing the second fixing portion is easier and preferable if it is an insert engagement structure, such as a lance engagement or a concave / concave engagement.

[0032] The bridge 20 is provided with a lance engagement portion 21 between the upper light guide column 11 and the middle light guide column 11, corresponding to the lance 62. The lance engagement portion 21 is a rectangular opening. When the lance 62 is inserted through the lance engagement portion 21 and the rear surface of the bridge 20 comes into contact with the front surface of the connecting portion 60, the claws provided on the lance engage with the opening to prevent it from coming loose, and the lance 62 engages with the lance engagement portion 21.

[0033] Corresponding to the boss 63, which is the second fixing part, the bridge 20 has a second fixing receiving part 22. The second fixing receiving part 22 bulges forward, and the center of the bulge is flat, with a through hole formed in the center. When the front surface of the connecting part 60 abuts against the rear surface of the bridge 20 and the cylindrical boss 63 fits into the second fixing receiving part 22, which is a recess that is recessed forward, the inner hole of the boss 63 and the through hole of the second fixing receiving part 22 communicate with each other. By fastening the first fixing member B1, such as a tapping screw, to the boss 63 from the front through the communicating hole, the boss 63 and the second fixing receiving part 22 are fixed together.

[0034] Several small protrusions are formed around the lance 62 and boss 63 provided on the front surface of the connecting portion 60, serving as contact points. The rear surface of the bridge 20 abuts against these protrusions, causing the light guide column unit 10 to stably contact and be fixed to the reflector 30. The lance 62, like the boss 63, is one of the fixing parts provided on the connecting portion 60 that secures the light guide column unit 10.

[0035] (Securing the circuit board to the lamp body) Next, we will describe the structure of fixing the reflector 30 to the substrate 40 on which the light source 8 is mounted, the heat sink 50, and the lamp body 2.

[0036] First, the circuit board 40 is fixed to the lamp body 2 together with the heat sink 50. The area on the rear wall of the lamp body 2 where the reflector 30, circuit board 40, and heat sink 50 are fixed is called the fixing area 70.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, the fixed area 70 has two positioning protrusions 71 that protrude forward in an elongated manner within the lamp chamber, one at the top and one at the bottom. A cylindrical boss 72 is formed near each of the positioning protrusions 71.

[0038] The substrate 40 and the heat sink 50 have holes formed in them that correspond to the positioning projections 71 and the inner holes of the boss 72. When the positioning projections 71 engage with the holes in the substrate 40 and the heat sink 50, the inner hole of the boss 72 communicates with the holes in the substrate 40 and the heat sink 50, and the second fixing member B2 is inserted through this connection, fastening the substrate 40 and the heat sink 50 together to the boss 72. In this way, the substrate 40 and the heat sink 50 are fixed to the lamp body 2 with the substrate 40 stacked on the front surface of the heat sink 50. The lamp body 2 that supports the substrate 40 corresponds to the second support member of the present claim.

[0039] Next, the rear surface of the connecting portion 60 is fixed to the lamp body 2, to which the circuit board 40 and heat sink 50 are fixed, thereby fixing the reflector 30 to the lamp body 2 by sandwiching the circuit board 40.

[0040] The structure of the rear surface of the connecting portion 60 will now be described. As shown in Figure 4, a third fixing portion 65 is formed on the back side (rear surface) of the lance 62 provided on the front surface of the connecting portion 60. The third fixing portion 65 is a boss that protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the connecting portion 60.

[0041] Similarly, a first positioning portion 67 is formed on the back side of the boss 63, which is a second fixing portion provided on the front surface of the connecting portion 60. The first positioning portion 67 is a projection that protrudes toward the rear. The detailed shape of the first positioning portion 67 will be described later.

[0042] Furthermore, a fourth fixing portion 69 is formed at the lowest rear surface of the connecting portion 60. The fourth fixing portion 69 is a cylindrical boss and is provided at the tip of a projection that protrudes rearward from the lowest end of the connecting portion 60. The first positioning portion 67 is positioned by contacting the substrate 40 fixed to the lamp body 2, and the third fixing portion 65 and the fourth fixing portion 69 are fixed to the lamp body 2.

[0043] The structure provided on the lamp body 2, corresponding to the rear surface of the connecting portion 60, will now be described. As shown in Figure 4, three light sources 8 are mounted vertically in a row on the front surface of the substrate 40. Notches 41 are formed between the upper light source 8 and the central light source 8, and between the central light source 8 and the lower light source 8. Openings 51 are formed in the heat sink 50, corresponding to the notches 41.

[0044] A third fixing support portion 73 is formed in the fixing area 70 of the lamp body 2 at a position corresponding to the upper opening 51. A fourth fixing support portion 74 is formed in the fixing area 70 at a location below the lower ends of the heat sink 50 and the substrate 40. Both the third fixing support portion 73 and the fourth fixing support portion 74 are flat surfaces on the back wall of the lamp body 2, and a through hole is formed in the center of each. Guide protrusions are provided around the through hole at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, designed to guide the lamp body to the central through hole.

[0045] The shape of the first positioning portion 67 will be explained in detail with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the connecting portion 60. Figure 8(A) shows the state before the connecting portion 60 comes into contact with the substrate 40. Figure 8(B) shows the state after the connecting portion comes into contact with the substrate 40.

[0046] The first positioning portion 67 has a tip portion 64 provided at the tip of a bulge formed on the connecting portion 60 so as to bulge outwards to the rear. The upper and lower surfaces of the tip portion 64 are configured symmetrically and have the same angle of inclination with respect to the central horizontal plane.

[0047] Multiple ribs 66 are provided to reinforce the bulging portion and tip portion 64 that protrude to the rear. Multiple ribs 66 are provided radially in the circumferential direction of the tip portion 64, and the end faces of the ribs 66 abut against the substrate 40 to position the substrate 40 in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0048] As shown in Figure 8, the rear end face that forms the tip of the rib 66 formed vertically on the first positioning portion 67 becomes the first contact portion 66a. The rib 66 provided to the left of the first positioning portion 67 is formed in a stepped shape, with the rear end face of the lower step of the stepped shape becoming the first contact portion 66a, and the side end face of the upper step of the rib becoming the second contact portion 66b.

[0049] The tip 64 of the first positioning portion 67 is inserted horizontally into the notch 41 of the substrate 40 and the lower opening 51 of the heat sink 50 that communicates with it. The opening 51 and the notch 41 are rectangular in shape, with the upper and lower edges being horizontal and parallel. The upper and lower surfaces of the first positioning portion 67 contact the upper and lower edges of the substrate 40, thereby determining the vertical position of the reflector 30 relative to the heat sink 50 and the lamp body 2 integrated therewith and the substrate 40. The notch 41 of the substrate 40 corresponds to the second positioning portion of the claims of this application.

[0050] The first contact portion 66a contacts the front surface of the substrate 40, determining the front-to-back positioning of the reflector 30 relative to the substrate 40. The second contact portion 66b contacts the inner end surface 41a of the notch 41 of the substrate 40, determining the left-to-right positioning of the reflector 30 relative to the substrate 40.

[0051] The third fixing portion 65 also has ribs 66 similar to those of the first positioning portion 67, and is provided with a first contact portion 66a and a second contact portion 66b. The multiple contact portions ensure that the connecting portion 60 contacts the substrate 40 and is reliably positioned.

[0052] As the reflector 30 approaches the lamp body 2 and the rear surface of the connecting portion 60 contacts the substrate 40, and is positioned by the first positioning portion 67, the bosses, the third fixing portion 65 and the fourth fixing portion 69, contact the third fixing receiving portion 73 and the fourth fixing receiving portion 74, and the inner holes of the third fixing portion 65 and the fourth fixing portion 69 communicate with the through holes of the third fixing receiving portion 73 and the fourth fixing receiving portion 74. Guide projections provided around the through holes also guide the third fixing portion 65 and the fourth fixing portion 69 into the through holes, and hold them in contact with the third fixing receiving portion 73 and the fourth fixing receiving portion 74. In this state, the third fixing member B3 passes through both communicating holes from the outside of the lamp body 2 and is fastened to the third fixing portion 65 and the fourth fixing portion 69, and the reflector 30 is fixed to the lamp body 2.

[0053] (Manufacturing method) The manufacturing method for the vehicle lighting fixture 1 will now be described. The manufacturing method for the vehicle lighting fixture 1 consists of the assembly procedure of each component. First, the light guide column unit 10 is fixed to the reflector 30. With the light guide column unit 10 fixed to the reflector 30, the circuit board 40 and the heat sink 50 are sandwiched together and positioned and fixed to the lamp body 2 to which the reflector 30 is fixed.

[0054] The above manufacturing method will be explained in detail using Figure 9. Figure 9 shows the flow chart of the manufacturing method for the light guide column unit 10, reflector 30, substrate 40, heat sink 50, and lamp body 2. Figure 9(A) shows the state before each component is fixed. Figure 9(B) shows the state during manufacturing. Figure 9(C) shows the state after manufacturing.

[0055] First, in step S1, the light guide columns 11 are fixed into the groove 31. Three light guide columns 11 are inserted into the groove 31 and fixed by the first fixing part 32. Next, near the right end face 12 of the light guide column unit 10, the rear surface of the bridge 20 comes into contact with the front surface of the connecting part 60 of the reflector 30. The lance 62 engages with the lance engaging part 21, and the second fixing receiving part 22 is fastened to the boss 63 with the first fixing member B1. As a result, the light guide column unit 10 is fixed to the reflector 30. The assembly completed in step S1 becomes the first sub-assembly SA1.

[0056] Next, in step S2, the circuit board 40, heat sink 50, and lamp body 2 are fixed together. The holes in the circuit board 40 and the heat sink 50 are inserted into the positioning protrusions 71 of the lamp body 2, positioning the circuit board 40 and heat sink 50, and the second fixing member B2 fastens the circuit board 40 and heat sink 50 together to the boss 72. This fixes the circuit board 40 and heat sink 50 to the lamp body 2. The assembled part in step S2 becomes the second sub-assembly SA2.

[0057] Next, in step S3, the first sub-assembly SA1 assembled in step S1 and the second sub-assembly SA2 assembled in step S2 are connected. First, the reflector 30, to which the light guide column unit 10 is fixed on the front, is brought closer to the lamp body 2 to which the substrate 40 and heat sink 50 are fixed from the front. The third fixing part 65 and the first positioning part 67, which are provided on the rear surface of the connecting part 60 and protrude to the rear, are inserted into the upper and lower openings 51 of the heat sink 50, respectively. The tip part 64 abuts against the opening 51 to position it in the vertical direction. The first contact part 66a abuts against the front surface of the substrate 40 fixed to the front surface of the heat sink 50 to position it in the front-to-back direction. The second contact part 66b abuts against the inner end surface 41a of the notch 41 to position it in the left-to-right direction. The third fixing portion 65 and the fourth fixing portion 69 of the boss provided on the rear surface of the connecting portion 60 are guided by the guide projection and come into contact with the third fixing receiving portion 73 and the fourth fixing receiving portion 74, and the inner holes of the third fixing portion 65 and the fourth fixing portion 69 communicate with the through holes of the third fixing receiving portion 73 and the fourth fixing receiving portion 74. From the outside of the lamp body 2, the third fixing member B3 passes through both communicating holes and is fastened to the third fixing portion 65 and the fourth fixing portion 69. In this way, the reflector 30 is fixed to the lamp body 2. The final assembled product is assembly A1.

[0058] Steps S1 and S2 may be performed in reverse order or simultaneously. After steps S1 and S2 are performed, step S3 is executed to complete assembly A1.

[0059] (Effects and Benefits) When the reflector 30 is fixed to the lamp body 2, the three light sources 8 mounted on the substrate 40 are positioned opposite the right end face 12, which is the light incident part of the light guide column 11. The light guide column unit 10 is positioned and fixed on the front side of the connecting portion 60 of the reflector 30, and is positioned by contacting the substrate 40 on the rear side of the connecting portion 60 and fixed to the lamp body 2. Since the light guide column unit 10 and the substrate 40 are positioned via the connecting portion 60 of the reflector 30 and fixed to both sides of the connecting portion 60, the reflector 30 and the substrate 40 are positioned with high precision. By using the reflector 30, which is a support member that supports the light guide column 11, as a connecting member, the light guide column 11 can be stably fixed while increasing the efficiency of light utilization of the light guide column 11, and the light sources 8 can be positioned with even greater precision at the light incident part.

[0060] Since the light guide column unit 10 and the substrate 40 are fixed to the front and back (rear) surfaces of the connecting section 60, the positioning accuracy of both is high, and they are stably fixed together.

[0061] In particular, in this embodiment, the fixing direction on the front side of the connecting portion 60 and the fixing direction on the rear side are aligned, so that the fixing forces on the front and rear sides are opposed to each other, resulting in a strong fixation.

[0062] This will be explained in detail using Figure 10. Figure 10(A) is a cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 6(B). Figure 10(B) is a cross-sectional view along line CC in Figure 6(B). In Figure 5, the lamp body 2 is omitted, but in Figure 9, the lamp body 2 is shown without omission.

[0063] As shown in Figures 6(A) and 10, the vicinity of the right end of the light guide column unit 10 extends in the front-to-back direction, and the right end surface 12, which is the light incident part of the light guide column 11, is positioned so that its perpendicular direction coincides with the front-to-back direction and is not tilted in the left-to-right or up-to-down direction. For this reason, the front surface of the substrate 40 on which the light source 8 is mounted is positioned so that its perpendicular direction coincides with the front-to-back direction.

[0064] In contrast, the bridge 20 and the connecting portion 60 are vertical in the vertical direction, but are formed to be inclined horizontally so that the right side is facing backward. The perpendicular direction of the bridge 20 and the connecting portion 60 is defined as the first direction DR1. The lance 62 is provided on the front side of the connecting portion 60, protruding in the perpendicular direction of the connecting portion 60, and therefore extends in the first direction DR1. The lance 62 is inserted into the lance engagement portion 21 along the first direction DR1 and engages with it. Similarly, the boss 63 is also provided protruding in the first direction DR1. When the first fixing member B1 is fastened in the first direction DR1, the bridge 20 is pressed against the first direction DR1 and fixed in place.

[0065] Similarly, on the back side of the connecting portion 60, the first positioning portion 67, the third fixing portion 65, and the fourth fixing portion 69 are provided protruding in the first direction DR1, which is perpendicular to the connecting portion 60. The third fixing member B3 is fastened in the first direction DR1, thereby pressing and fixing the lamp body 2 in the first direction DR1.

[0066] Since the bridge 20 and the ramp body 2, which are fixed to the connecting portion 60, are pressed against each other in the same first direction DR1, they are firmly and precisely fixed together.

[0067] Here, the substrate 40 and heat sink 50 fixed to the lamp body 2 are fixed along the front-rear direction (referred to as the second direction DR2) rather than along the first direction DR1. The substrate 40 and heat sink 50 are fixed to the lamp body 2 in step S1 during manufacturing. The lamp body 2 and reflector 30 are fixed along the first direction DR1 in step S3. Thus, the fixing direction may differ depending on the manufacturing stage. It is also preferable that the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2 are in the same direction.

[0068] (modified version) This configuration is not limited to the above form. For example, in the vehicle lighting fixture 1, the reflector 30, the circuit board 40, and the heat sink 50 are all fixed to the lamp body 2, but it is also possible to have a configuration in which all components, including the reflector 30, are fixed to the second support member, and the second support member is assembled to the lamp body 2.

[0069] On the front of the connecting portion 60, the lance 62 is provided above and the boss 63 below as second fixing portions, but the vertical arrangement may be reversed. Similarly, the first positioning portion 67 and the third fixing portion 65 provided on the rear surface of the connecting portion 60 may also be arranged in reverse vertically. The structure of the front and rear surfaces of the connecting portion 60 may also be reversed. In this case, it is preferable that the first positioning portion 67 is provided on the back surface of the boss 63, which is firmly fixed by the second fixing member B2. It is preferable that the first positioning portion 67 is provided between the third fixing portion 65 and the fourth fixing portion 69, or near the center of the connecting portion 60, as this makes it easier to position the reflector 30 and reduces assembly errors.

[0070] Boss 63 and lance 62 are preferable to have an insert engagement structure, such as a concave-convex engagement rather than a lance engagement, because they can be easily engaged simply by inserting them.

[0071] The first positioning part 67 provided on the connecting part and the second positioning part provided on the base plate 40 may have reversed structures. In the vehicle light fixture 1, the left-right positioning of the first positioning part 67 was the end face of the protruding part or rib, and the second positioning part was the notch 41 in the base plate 40. The configurations of the first positioning part and the second positioning part may be reversed. The first positioning part may be a notch provided on the connecting part 60, and the second positioning part may be the end face of the protruding part or rib. The inclined surface or end face of the protruding part provided on the base plate comes into contact with it for positioning.

[0072] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and it is possible to combine them based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and such forms are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 1: Vehicle lighting fixtures 2: Lamp body (second support member) 4: Front cover 8:Light source 10: Light guide column unit 11: Light guide pillar 12: Right end surface (one end surface) 20: Bridge 30: Reflector (first support member) 31: Groove 32: 1st fixed part 40: Circuit board 41: Notch (second positioning section) 60:Connection part 62: Lance (Second fixing part) 63: Boss (Second Fixed Section) 67: First positioning unit 69: 4th fixed part 72: Boss DR1: 1st direction (direction) S:Light room S1~S3: Step

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting fixture in which a lamp chamber is formed by a lamp body and a translucent front cover assembled to the front side of the lamp body, A circuit board is placed inside the aforementioned lamp chamber and is equipped with multiple light sources, Multiple light guide columns, which allow light from the aforementioned light source to enter from one end face and exit from the circumferential surface, are arranged in parallel and integrally connected by a bridge provided near the one end face, forming a light guide column unit. First support member and Equipped with, The first support member has a plurality of grooves into which the plurality of light guide columns are inserted and which support the light guide columns. The aforementioned plurality of grooves are formed with first fixing portions for fixing the inserted light guide column, The first support member has a second fixing portion formed therein for fixing the bridge of the light guide column unit. A vehicle lighting device characterized by the following features.

2. A first positioning portion is formed on the back side of the second fixing portion. The first positioning portion is in contact with the second positioning portion formed on the substrate. The vehicle lighting device according to feature 1.

3. A third fixing portion is formed on the back side of the second fixing portion for fixing to a second support member that supports the substrate, and the first support member clamps the substrate and is fixed to the second support member by the third fixing portion. A vehicle light fixture according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first support member is provided with a fourth fixing portion which is fixed to the second support member. The vehicle lighting device according to feature 3.

5. Multiple second fixing parts are provided, At least one of the second fixing parts has an insert engagement structure. A vehicle light fixture according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A circuit board is placed inside the lamp chamber and equipped with multiple light sources, Multiple light guide columns, which allow light from the aforementioned light source to enter from one end face and exit from the circumferential surface, are arranged in parallel and integrally connected by a bridge provided near the one end face, forming a light guide column unit. First support member and A second support member that supports the substrate, A method for manufacturing a vehicle light fixture having, The first support member has a plurality of grooves into which the plurality of light guide columns are inserted and supported, and the plurality of grooves have a first fixing portion formed therein that clamps and fixes the inserted light guide columns, and the light guide columns of the light guide column unit are inserted into the grooves and fixed to the first fixing portion. The bridge of the light guide column unit is fixed to the second fixing portion provided on the first support member, A method for manufacturing vehicle lighting fixtures, characterized by the inclusion of a specific feature.

7. The substrate is fixed to the second support member, The first support member clamps the substrate and is fixed to the second support member by a third fixing portion formed on the back side of the second fixing portion, which is intended to be fixed to the second support member. A method for manufacturing a vehicle light fixture according to claim 6, further characterized by providing the following:

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