Vehicle lighting

JP2026144078APending Publication Date: 2026-09-09ICHIKOH IND LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025031166
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-02-28
Publication Date
2026-09-09

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

【0007】 本開示によれば、アウターレンズに設けた遮光層に開口部を形成した構造であっても、開口部から露出したアウターレンズの表面が消灯時に視認し難くなる車両用灯具を提供することができる。

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Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle lighting device in which, even with a structure in which an opening is formed in the light-shielding layer provided on the outer lens, the surface of the outer lens exposed through the opening becomes difficult to see when the light is turned off. [Solution] The vehicle light fixture 1 is provided in the front grille of the vehicle and houses a light source 4. It comprises a box-shaped housing 3 having an open surface 7 that is open to the outside of the vehicle, an outer lens 5 provided to close the open surface 7 and to emit light irradiated from the light source 4 to the outside of the housing 3, and a semi-transparent layer 10 provided on a first surface 15a of the outer lens 5 facing the inside of the housing 3, which transmits a portion of the incident light. The semi-transparent layer 10 comprises a light-shielding layer 11 that blocks light and a plurality of openings 13 which are point-shaped openings formed in a predetermined pattern in the light-shielding layer 11, exposing the surface 9a of the outer lens 5. The light-shielding layer 11 has a brightness L* of 30 or more and 70 or less.
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Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Conventionally, as a vehicular lamp, there has been known a structure in which a light-shielding layer that blocks light is formed on the surface of an outer lens, and an opening, which is a dot-shaped transmission portion provided in the light-shielding layer and exposing the surface of the outer lens, is formed (for example, Patent Document 1). With this configuration, when the vehicular lamp is turned on, light is emitted through the exposed surface of the outer lens to function as a lamp; when the vehicular lamp is turned off, the light-shielding layer blocks light, making the vehicular lamp difficult to be visually recognized from the outside and providing an appearance that blends into the exterior of the vehicle. [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-140010 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] However, in the structure of Patent Document 1, when the opening is formed by peeling the light-shielding layer in a predetermined dot pattern using a laser, the surface of the outer lens exposed by peeling becomes rough due to laser irradiation. Therefore, the structure of Patent Document 1 has a problem that the surface roughened by laser irradiation becomes conspicuous when the lamp is off, and it may be difficult to achieve an appearance that blends into the exterior of the vehicle.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such conventional problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicular lamp in which, even in a structure where an opening is formed in a light-shielding layer provided on an outer lens, the surface of the outer lens exposed from the opening is difficult to be visually recognized when the lamp is off. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0006] The vehicle light fixture according to this disclosure comprises a box-shaped housing provided on the exterior of a vehicle and housing a light source, having an open surface that is open to the outside of the vehicle; an outer lens provided to close the open surface and to emit light irradiated from the light source to the outside of the housing; and a semi-transparent layer provided on the surface of the outer lens facing the inside of the housing and transmitting a portion of the incident light, wherein the semi-transparent layer comprises a light-shielding layer that blocks light and a plurality of openings that are point-shaped openings formed in a predetermined pattern in the light-shielding layer, exposing the surface of the outer lens, and the light-shielding layer has a brightness L* of 30 or more and 70 or less. Furthermore, the vehicle light fixture according to this disclosure comprises a box-shaped housing provided on the exterior of a vehicle, housing a light source, and having an open surface that is open to the outside of the vehicle; an outer lens provided to close the open surface and to emit light irradiated from the light source to the outside of the housing; and a semi-transparent layer provided on the surface of the outer lens facing the inside of the housing, which transmits a portion of the incident light, wherein the semi-transparent layer comprises a light-shielding layer that blocks light and a plurality of openings that are point-shaped openings formed in a predetermined pattern in the light-shielding layer, exposing the surface of the outer lens, and the light transmittance of the semi-transparent layer is greater than 0% and 16.5% or less. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, even in a structure in which an opening is formed in the light-shielding layer provided on the outer lens, it is possible to provide a vehicle lighting device in which the surface of the outer lens exposed through the opening is difficult to see when the light is turned off. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle light fixture according to the first and second embodiments. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows magnified views of the outer lens, where (a) is the overall view, (b) is a magnified view of region R1 in (a), and (c) is a magnified view of region R2 in (a). [Figure 3]This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the vehicle lighting fixture in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This graph plots the data obtained in the examples, with the horizontal axis representing the light transmittance of the semi-transparent layer and the vertical axis representing the brightness of the light-shielding layer. [Figure 5] Based on Tables 1 and 2, this diagram shows the curve along the line where the opening can be seen from a position of 5.0m ("Point 0 (visible at 5.0m)"). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The vehicle lighting equipment according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described below, but this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. In addition, in the embodiments, some parts of the illustration and explanation of some components are omitted, but it goes without saying that the details of the omitted technologies are appropriately applied to the extent that they do not contradict the content described below.

[0010] First, the schematic configuration of the vehicle lighting device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a front view of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle lighting device according to the first and second embodiments. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the outer lens of Figure 1, where (a) is an overall view, (b) is a partially enlarged view of area R1 of (a), and (c) is a partially enlarged view of area R2 of (a). Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the vehicle lighting device of Figure 1.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle light fixture 1 according to the first embodiment is provided, for example, on the front grille G (exterior) between the headlights at the front of the vehicle V. In the first embodiment, the vehicle light fixture 1 has a bracket shape when viewed from the front, as shown in Figures 1 and 2(a), and is arranged in pairs (symmetrically) of four on each side, as shown in Figure 1.

[0012] More specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the vehicle light fixture 1 comprises a housing 3, an outer lens 5, and a semi-transparent layer 10. The housing 3 is a box-shaped container that holds each component of the vehicle light fixture 1 and is installed in the front grille G of the vehicle V, housing a light source 4 such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The housing 3 has an open surface 7 that is open to the outside of the vehicle V, in this case to the front of the vehicle V. The outer lens 5 is a lens that emits light from the light source 4 to the outside of the housing 3 and is installed so as to close the open surface 7.

[0013] The semi-transparent layer 10 is a layer that transmits a portion of the incident light and is provided on the first surface 15a of the outer lens 5, which is the surface facing the inside of the housing 3. The semi-transparent layer 10 comprises a light-shielding layer 11 and a plurality of openings 13.

[0014] The light-shielding layer 11 is a light-blocking layer that blocks light entering from outside the housing 3 when the vehicle light fixture 1 is turned off, making the vehicle light fixture 1 difficult to see from the outside and giving it an appearance that blends in with the exterior of the vehicle V. The light-shielding layer 11 comprises a vehicle-painted portion 11a and a light-shielding painted portion 11b. The vehicle-painted portion 11a is a layer that gives the light-shielding layer 11 an appearance that blends in with the exterior of the vehicle V, and is provided on the first surface 15a. It is a color corresponding to the front grille G, which is the exterior of the vehicle V, for example, a layer of the same color. The vehicle-painted portion 11a can be formed, for example, by applying vehicle paint to the first surface 15a. The light-shielding painted portion 11b is a light-shielding layer that blocks light entering the light-shielding layer 11 from outside the housing 3, and is provided on the surface of the vehicle-painted portion 11a. It is a black layer, for example. The light-blocking painted portion 11b can be formed, for example, by applying black paint for vehicles onto the vehicle painted portion 11a.

[0015] Multiple openings 13 are formed in the light-shielding layer 11 in a predetermined pattern, and are point-shaped openings where the surface 9a of the first surface 15a of the outer lens 5 is exposed to the light-shielding layer 11 side, and are the parts that allow light to pass through. The specific shape of the openings 13 is, for example, circular in plan view, as shown in Figure 2(b). Multiple openings 13 are provided, and the diameter ES of the openings 13 and the spacing D between adjacent openings 13 are also predetermined. The openings 13 can be formed, for example, by irradiating the light-shielding layer 11 with a laser and peeling it off in a point-like pattern.

[0016] Here, the light-shielding layer 11 has a brightness L* of 30 or more and 70 or less. The brightness L* referred to here is the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 as seen from the outside of the vehicle light fixture 1, that is, the second surface 15b, which is the surface opposite to the first surface 15a on which the light-shielding layer 11 is provided when the light is off (brightness index expressed as L*). More specifically, the brightness L* referred to here is the brightness L* of the vehicle painted part 11a. Brightness L* can be determined, for example, by a known spectrophotometer. When the light-shielding layer 11 is peeled off with a laser to form an opening 13, the brightness L* of the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 becomes about 50. Therefore, by setting the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 to be between 30 and 70, the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 can be brought closer to the brightness L* of the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 exposed from the opening 13. Therefore, in the vehicle light fixture 1, the difference in brightness L* between the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 and the light-shielding layer 11 becomes small, and when the light is turned off, the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 blends in with the light-shielding layer 11 and becomes inconspicuous. In this configuration, the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 is set according to the brightness L* of the surface 9a so that the surface 9a becomes inconspicuous with the light-shielding layer 11. As a result, in a structure in which a light-shielding layer 11 is provided on the inside of the outer lens 5 and an opening 13 is formed in the light-shielding layer 11 in a predetermined pattern, the opening 13 becomes difficult to see when the light is turned off. In particular, when the light-shielding layer 11 is peeled off with a laser to form an opening 13, the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 exposed from the opening 13 is also scraped by the laser. As a result, the surface 9a becomes rougher than before the laser was irradiated, and the surface 9a becomes more noticeable when the vehicle light fixture 1 is turned off. Therefore, by matching the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 to the brightness L* of the surface 9a of the exposed outer lens 5, the effect of making the light-shielding layer 11 difficult to see relative to the outer lens 5 can be greatly enhanced, especially when the light-shielding layer 11 is peeled off with a laser to form the opening 13.

[0017] The closer the lightness L* of the light shielding layer 11 is to the lightness L* of the surface 9a, the smaller the difference between the lightness L* of the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 and the lightness L* of the light shielding layer 11, which makes the exposed opening 13 harder to visually recognize when the lamp is turned off, and is therefore preferable. For example, it is more preferable that the lightness L* of the light shielding layer 11 is 40 or more and 60 or less. In this configuration, the lightness L* of the light shielding layer 11 is closer to 50. Therefore, even when the light shielding layer 11 is formed in a predetermined pattern by laser peeling in the vehicular lamp 1, the surface 9a exposed from the opening 13 is harder to visually recognize when the lamp is turned off. Furthermore, it is most preferable that the lightness L* of the light shielding layer 11 is 45 or more and 55 or less. In this configuration, the lightness L* of the light shielding layer 11 is even closer to 50. Therefore, even when the light shielding layer 11 is exposed in a predetermined pattern by laser peeling in the vehicular lamp 1, the exposed surface 9a is even harder to visually recognize when the lamp is turned off.

[0018] Note that when external light is incident on the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 exposed from the opening 13 while the vehicular lamp 1 is turned off, the external light may also enter the back side of the outer lens 5. Since the lightness L* of the surface 9a in this case depends on the incident angle and incident region of the external light, the lightness L* of the surface 9a exposed from the opening 13, which is the peeled surface, may not be stable. In this case, by configuring the housing 3 from a black material or the like to make the inner surface of the housing 3 have a color that hardly reflects light, reflection of light inside the housing 3 can be suppressed, and the lightness L* of the surface 9a can be stabilized.

[0019] Furthermore, when the opening 13 is formed by peeling the light shielding layer 11 with a laser, the reflected light from the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 exposed from the opening 13 has no angular dependency. Therefore, for the vehicle coating portion 11a of the light shielding layer 11, a coating whose reflected light has no angular dependency, such as solid coating, is more preferable than a coating whose reflected light has angular dependency, such as metallic pearl-tone coating.

[0020] Furthermore, the present inventors have found that whether the exposed surface 9a is difficult to visually recognize when the light is off is affected not only by the lightness L* of the light shielding layer 11 but also by the light transmittance T of the semi-transmissive layer 10. Specifically, they have found that when the light transmittance T of the semi-transmissive layer 10 and the lightness L* of the light shielding layer 11 satisfy the following formula (1), the exposed surface 9a becomes more difficult to visually recognize when the light is off. Therefore, it is preferable that the light transmittance T of the semi-transmissive layer 10 and the lightness L* of the light shielding layer 11 satisfy the relationship represented by the following formula (1). T≦16.5+23.0×exp{-(L*-47.7) 2 / (2×8.23 2 )}···(1)

[0021] Here, the light transmittance T refers to a value obtained by expressing the ratio of the intensity of outgoing light to the intensity of incident light entering the semi-transmissive layer 10 as a percentage ((intensity of outgoing light / intensity of incident light)×100), and can be obtained, for example, with a known haze meter. More precisely, the light transmittance T is the ratio of the intensity of outgoing light to the intensity of incident light in a product where the semi-transmissive layer 10 is formed on the outer lens 5. In addition, since the light transmittance T of the semi-transmissive layer 10 is greater than 0% and less than 100%, and the lightness L* of the light shielding layer 11 is 0 or more and 100 or less, more precisely, the light transmittance T of the semi-transmissive layer 10 and the lightness L* of the light shielding layer 11 also satisfy the relationships represented by the following formulas (2) and (3). 0<T<100 ···(2) 0≦L*≦100 ···(3)

[0022] In addition, it is preferable that the semi-transmissive layer 10 has a light transmittance T of more than 0% and 16.5% or less. With this configuration, the intensity of outgoing light when light incident on the semi-transmissive layer 10 exits is less than 16.5% of the intensity of the incident light. Therefore, in a structure in which the light shielding layer 11 is provided inside the outer lens 5 and the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 is exposed in a predetermined pattern from the opening 13 provided in the light shielding layer 11, the exposed surface 9a becomes even more difficult to visually recognize when the light is off.

[0023] The light transmittance T of the semi-transparent layer 10 may vary depending on the location. For example, the semi-transparent layer 10 shown in Figure 2(c) comprises an outer peripheral region S1 and an inner peripheral region S2. The outer peripheral region S1 is an annular region formed along the outer peripheral 5a of the outer lens 5. The inner peripheral region S2 is formed inside the outer peripheral region S1 and is a region where the light transmittance T is higher than that of the outer peripheral region S1. In this configuration, since the light transmittance T of the outer peripheral region S1 is lower than that of the inner peripheral region S2, the semi-transparent layer 10 becomes less transparent to light as it approaches the front grille G of the vehicle V. As a result, the vehicle lamp 1 becomes less visible when the exposed surface 9a is turned off as it approaches the front grille G of the vehicle V, resulting in an appearance that blends more seamlessly with the front grille G of the vehicle V. Specifically, means of controlling the light transmittance T of the semi-transparent layer 10 include, for example, adjusting the diameter ES of the opening 13 shown in Figure 2(b) or the spacing D between adjacent openings 13 among the multiple openings 13. The above is a general description of the configuration of the vehicle lighting device 1.

[0024] As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 of the first embodiment comprises a housing 3, an outer lens 5, and a semi-transparent layer 10. The semi-transparent layer 10 comprises a light-shielding layer 11 and a plurality of openings 13 formed in a predetermined pattern in the light-shielding layer 11, exposing the surface 9a of the outer lens 5. In the vehicle lamp 1 of the first embodiment, the light-shielding layer 11 has a brightness L* of 30 or more and 70 or less. In this configuration, the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 is set so that the surface 9a becomes less conspicuous relative to the light-shielding layer 11, depending on the brightness L* of the surface 9a. Therefore, in a structure in which a light-shielding layer 11 is provided on the inside of the outer lens 5 and openings 13 are formed in the light-shielding layer 11 in a predetermined pattern, the openings 13 become difficult to see when the light is turned off.

[0025] Furthermore, in the vehicle light fixture 1 of the first embodiment, it is preferable that the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 is 40 or more and 60 or less. In this configuration, the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 is closer to the brightness L*50 of the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 when an opening 13 is formed by exposing the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 from the light-shielding layer 11 by laser peeling. Therefore, even in a structure in which an opening 13 is formed in the light-shielding layer 11 provided on the outer lens 5 by laser peeling, the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 exposed from the opening 13 becomes less visible when the light is turned off.

[0026] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 1 of the first embodiment, it is most preferable that the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 is 45 or more and 55 or less. In this configuration, the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 is even closer to the brightness L*50 of the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 when an opening 13 is formed by exposing the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 from the light-shielding layer 11 by laser peeling. Therefore, even in a structure in which an opening 13 is formed in the light-shielding layer 11 provided on the outer lens 5 by laser peeling, the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 exposed from the opening 13 becomes even more difficult to see when the light is turned off.

[0027] On the other hand, in the vehicle lamp 1 of the first embodiment, it is preferable that the light transmittance T of the semi-transparent layer 10 and the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 satisfy the relationship shown in equation (1). In this configuration, the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 is closer to the brightness L*50 of the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 when an opening 13 is formed by exposing the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 from the light-shielding layer 11 by laser peeling. Therefore, even in a structure in which an opening 13 is formed in the light-shielding layer 11 provided on the outer lens 5 by laser peeling, the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 exposed from the opening 13 becomes the least visible when the light is off.

[0028] Furthermore, in the vehicle light fixture 1 of the first embodiment, the semi-transparent layer 10 may have a light transmittance T greater than 0% and 16.5% or less. In this configuration, the intensity of the emitted light when light incident on the semi-transparent layer 10 is emitted becomes less than 16.5% of the intensity of the incident light. Therefore, in a structure in which a light-shielding layer 11 is provided on the inside of the outer lens 5 and the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 is exposed from the light-shielding layer 11 in a predetermined pattern, the exposed surface 9a becomes even more difficult to see when the light is turned off.

[0029] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 1 of the first embodiment, the semi-transparent layer 10 has an annular outer peripheral region S1 formed along the outer peripheral 5a of the outer lens 5, and an inner peripheral region S2 formed inside the outer peripheral region S1, where the light transmittance T is higher than that of the outer peripheral region S1. In this configuration, the semi-transparent layer 10 becomes less transparent to light as it approaches the front grille G of the vehicle V. As a result, the exposed surface 9a of the vehicle lamp 1 becomes less visible when the light is off as it approaches the front grille G of the vehicle V, resulting in an appearance that blends more seamlessly with the front grille G of the vehicle V.

[0030] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In the second embodiment, the light transmittance T of the semi-transparent layer 10 is limited without limiting the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11, as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, elements that perform the same function as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same symbols, and the parts that differ mainly from the first embodiment will be described.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the vehicle lamp 1a according to the second embodiment, like the vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment, comprises a housing 3, an outer lens 5, and a semi-transparent layer 10, as shown in Figure 3. The semi-transparent layer 10 of the vehicle lamp 1a comprises a light-shielding layer 11 and a plurality of openings 13 formed in a predetermined pattern in the light-shielding layer 11, exposing the surface 9a of the outer lens 5. On the other hand, the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 of the vehicle lamp 1a is not limited. However, the light transmittance T of the semi-transparent layer 10 of the vehicle lamp 1a is greater than 0% and 16.5% or less. In this configuration, the intensity of the emitted light when light incident on the semi-transparent layer 10 is emitted is less than 16.5% of the intensity of the incident light. Therefore, in a structure in which a light-shielding layer 11 is provided on the inside of the outer lens 5 and the surface 9a of the outer lens 5 is exposed from the light-shielding layer 11 in a predetermined pattern, the exposed surface 9a becomes difficult to see when the light is turned off.

[0032] In the vehicle lamp 1a, the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 is not limited, but similar to the vehicle lamp 1, the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 may be 30 or more and 70 or less, 40 or more and 60 or less, or 45 or more and 55 or less. Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 1a may be configured such that the light transmittance T of the semi-transparent layer 10 and the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 satisfy the relationship shown in equations (1), (2), and (3). In addition, the semi-transparent layer 10 of the vehicle lamp 1a may have an annular outer peripheral region S1 formed along the outer circumference 5a of the outer lens 5, and an inner peripheral region S2 formed inside the outer peripheral region S1, in which the light transmittance T is higher than that of the outer peripheral region S1 (see Figure 2(c)).

[0033] As described above, the vehicle lamp 1a according to the second embodiment comprises a housing 3, an outer lens 5, and a semi-transparent layer 10, the semi-transparent layer 10 comprising a light-shielding layer 11 and a plurality of openings 13 formed in a predetermined pattern in the light-shielding layer 11, exposing the surface 9a of the outer lens 5. Furthermore, the semi-transparent layer 10 of the vehicle lamp 1a has a light transmittance T greater than 0% and 16.5% or less. In this configuration, the intensity of the emitted light when light incident on the semi-transparent layer 10 is emitted becomes less than 16.5% of the intensity of the incident light. Therefore, in a structure in which a light-shielding layer 11 is provided on the inside of the outer lens 5 and openings 13 are formed in a predetermined pattern in the light-shielding layer 11, the openings 13 become difficult to see when the light is turned off.

[0034] (Examples) The present disclosure will be described in more detail below based on examples. Samples were prepared in which semi-transparent layers 10 having various colors and light transmittances T, and different brightness levels L* of the light-shielding layer 11, were formed on the outer lens 5, and it was confirmed whether the aperture 13 could be seen with the naked eye. The specific procedure is as follows.

[0035] First, a known transparent resin plate was prepared as the outer lens 5, and a light-shielding layer 11 was formed by applying a vehicle-painted portion 11a and a light-shielding portion 11b to its surface. The vehicle-painted portion 11a used 18 types of paints with different lightness L* and hues, mainly used for vehicle paints. The light-shielding portion 11b used a known black paint for vehicles. The lightness L* was determined using a spectrophotometer (product name: CM-3600A) manufactured by Konica Minolta.

[0036] Next, a commercially available laser marker was used to peel off the light-shielding layer 11 at predetermined intervals to form circular openings 13. By using different patterns for the diameter ES and spacing D of the openings 13, samples with different light transmittance T of the semi-transparent layer 10 were prepared for each type of paint on the vehicle's painted section 11a. The light transmittance T was determined using a commercially available haze meter, with the sample placed inside the haze meter and shielded from external light.

[0037] Furthermore, to simulate the conditions under lights-out conditions, the prepared sample was fixed to a black plate with the light-shielding layer 11 side facing up to a height of 0.8m. Six observers then observed the sample with the naked eye to confirm whether the opening 13 was visible. The distances between the sample and the observers were set to 1.5m, 3.0m, and 5.0m. Based on the observation results, if the opening 13 was visible from 5.0m, it was recorded as "0 points (visible at 5.0m)". If the opening 13 was not visible at 5.0m but became visible when approaching to 3.0m, it was recorded as "1 point (visible at 3.0m)". Furthermore, if the opening 13 was not visible at 3.0m but became visible when approaching to 1.5m, it was recorded as "2 points (visible at 1.5m)", and if the opening 13 was not visible even when approaching to 1.5m, it was recorded as "3 points (not visible)". Finally, the average score from the six observers was calculated, and the decimal part of the calculated average score was rounded down to obtain the score for each sample. The weather during the observation was sunny, and the illuminance at the observation site was 33900 lx. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2, Figures 4 and 5. Tables 1 and 2 show the data obtained in the example. Figure 4 is a graph plotting the data obtained in the example, with the light transmittance T of the semi-transparent layer 10 on the horizontal axis and the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 on the vertical axis. Figure 5 is a graph showing the curve along the point where the opening 13 could be seen from a position of 5.0 m ("0 point (visible at 5.0 m)") based on Tables 1 and 2.

[0038] [Table 1]

[0039] [Table 2]

[0040] As is clear from Figure 4, the closer the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 approached 50, the less visible the aperture 13 became ("not visible") even with a higher light transmittance T. Therefore, it was found that a brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 closer to 50 is preferable. Specifically, when the brightness L* was between 30 and 70, the aperture 13 was still judged as "not visible" even when the light transmittance T of the semi-transparent layer 10 was increased to about 18%. Also, when the brightness L* was between 40 and 60, the aperture 13 was still judged as "not visible" even when the light transmittance T of the semi-transparent layer 10 was increased to about 25%. Furthermore, when the brightness L* was between 45 and 55, the aperture 13 was still judged as "not visible" even when the light transmittance T of the semi-transparent layer 10 was increased to about 35%. In addition, it was found that when the light transmittance T was 16.5% or less, it was not judged as "0 points (visible at 5.0m)".

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, based on Tables 1 and 2, the curve along the outer circumference on the side with lower transmittance T when the aperture 13 is visible from a position of 5.0m ("0 point (visible at 5.0m)") is represented by the Gaussian function shown in equation (4) below. Equation (4) shows the upper limit of light transmittance T when the aperture 13 is not visible from a position of 5.0m at a certain brightness L* in the embodiment. T = 16.5 + 23.0 × exp{-(L*-47.7)} 2 / (2 × 8.23 2 )}···(4)

[0042] Therefore, it was found that when the light transmittance T of the semi-transparent layer 10 and the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 satisfy the relationship shown in equation (1), it is not judged as "0 points (visible at 5.0m)", and it is preferable that the light transmittance T and the brightness L* of the light-shielding layer 11 satisfy the relationship shown in equation (1).

[0043] Although the present disclosure has been described above based on embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and modifications may be made or publicly known technologies may be combined, as long as they do not depart from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 1, 1a: Vehicle lighting fixtures 3: Housing 4:Light source 5: Outer lens 5a: Outer circumference 7: Open surface 9a: surface 10: Semi-transparent layer 11: Light shielding layer 13: Opening 15a: First face (face) 15b: Second side G: Front grille (exterior) S1: Outer area S2: Inner area T: Transmittance V: Vehicle

Claims

1. A vehicle light fixture comprising: a box-shaped housing provided on the exterior of a vehicle and housing a light source, having an open surface that is open to the outside of the vehicle; an outer lens provided so as to close the open surface and to emit light irradiated from the light source to the outside of the housing; and a semi-transparent layer provided on the surface of the outer lens facing the inside of the housing, which transmits a portion of the incident light, wherein the semi-transparent layer comprises a light-blocking layer that blocks light and a plurality of openings that are point-shaped openings formed in a predetermined pattern in the light-blocking layer, exposing the surface of the outer lens, The light-shielding layer has a lightness L* of 30 or more and 70 or less. Characterized by Vehicle lighting fixtures.

2. The light-shielding layer has a brightness L* of 40 or more and 60 or less. A vehicle light fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a vehicle light fixture according to claim 1.

3. The light-shielding layer has a brightness L* of 45 or more and 55 or less. A vehicle light fixture according to claim 2, characterized in that it is a vehicle light fixture according to claim 2.

4. The light transmittance T of the semi-transparent layer and the lightness L* of the light-shielding layer satisfy the relationship shown in the following equation (1). A vehicle light fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a vehicle light fixture according to claim 1. T≦16.5+23.0×exp{-(L*-47.7) 2 / (2×8.23 2 )}・・・(1)

5. The aforementioned semi-transparent layer has a light transmittance of more than 0% and 16.5% or less. A vehicle light fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a vehicle light fixture according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned semipermeable layer is An annular outer peripheral region formed along the outer circumference of the outer lens, Having an inner circumferential region formed inside the outer circumferential region, the light transmittance of which is higher than that of the outer circumferential region. A vehicle light fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a vehicle light fixture according to claim 1.

7. A vehicle light fixture comprising: a box-shaped housing provided on the exterior of a vehicle and housing a light source, having an open surface that is open to the outside of the vehicle; an outer lens provided so as to close the open surface and to emit light irradiated from the light source to the outside of the housing; and a semi-transparent layer provided on the surface of the outer lens facing the inside of the housing, which transmits a portion of the incident light, wherein the semi-transparent layer comprises a light-blocking layer that blocks light and a plurality of openings that are point-shaped openings formed in a predetermined pattern in the light-blocking layer, exposing the surface of the outer lens, The aforementioned semi-transparent layer has a light transmittance of more than 0% and 16.5% or less. Characterized by Vehicle lighting fixtures.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Lamp for vehicle

    JP2022140010A