Interior lighting

Abstract

To prevent increase in the number of components, to prevent increase in cost caused by the increase in assembly man-hour and the like, and to prevent deterioration in intensity of light which illuminates in a cabin.SOLUTION: An in-cabin lighting device 1 includes: a housing 3; a light source 5 fixed to the inside of the housing 3; an illumination lens 7 disposed on a surface on the cabin side of the housing 3; an inner cover 9 fixed to the housing 3; a bus bar 11 which has an electrode part 15 and a connection part 17, in which in the periphery part of a portion 19 where the light emitted by the light source 5 of the illumination lens 7 transmits, the electrode part 15 is installed at the inner cover 9, and a contact part 21 of the connection part 17 is connected to an electrode 25 of a substrate 23; and a control part 13 for turning on / off the power source supplied to the light source 5 according to the change in capacitance between the bus bar 11 and a human body 27 caused by the human body 27 coming into contact with a surface of the illumination lens 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an interior vehicle lighting device in which a transparent electrode disposed on the light source side of an illumination lens and a substrate are connected by an elastic conductor (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] A conventional vehicle interior lighting device includes a housing, a light source fixed inside the housing, and an illumination lens disposed on the vehicle interior side of the housing. The light emitted by the light source passes through the illumination lens to illuminate the vehicle interior.

[0004] In addition, a control unit, a substrate, and an elastic conductor such as conductive rubber are provided inside the housing of the conventional vehicle interior lighting device. The conductor provides electrical continuity between a transparent electrode provided on the lighting lens and an electrode on the substrate.

[0005] The control unit turns the power supplied to the light source on and off in response to a change in the electrostatic capacitance between the transparent electrode and the human body caused by a part of the human body coming into contact with the surface of the illumination lens. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-230450 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Incidentally, in conventional vehicle interior lighting devices, conductive rubber is required to connect the transparent electrode provided on the lighting lens and the electrode on the substrate, which increases the number of parts and the cost due to an increase in the number of assembly steps, etc. Even if a spring or a connector is used instead of conductive rubber, the cost also increases due to an increase in the number of assembly steps, etc.

[0008] In addition, in conventional vehicle interior lighting devices, the transparent electrodes are formed into thin films by applying conductive materials such as ITO (indium tin oxide) or silver nanoparticles, etc. Therefore, compared to a lighting lens without a transparent electrode, the light transmittance is lower, and the intensity of the light illuminating the vehicle interior is reduced.

[0009] The present invention aims to provide an interior lighting device that can prevent an increase in the number of parts, prevent an increase in costs due to an increase in assembly labor, etc., and prevent a decrease in the intensity of light illuminating the interior of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] An interior lighting device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a housing fixed to the vehicle cabin, a light source fixed inside the housing, a lighting lens arranged on the surface of the housing facing the vehicle cabin, an inner cover fixed to the housing, an electrode portion and a connection portion integrated with the electrode portion, the electrode portion being installed on the inner cover at the periphery of a portion of the lighting lens through which light emitted by the light source passes, a bus bar having a contact portion of the connection portion connected to an electrode of a substrate, and a control unit which turns on and off the power supplied to the light source in response to a change in capacitance between the bus bar and the human body caused by the human body coming into contact with the surface of the lighting lens.

[0011] In addition, the vehicle interior lighting device according to this aspect of the present invention is provided with a transparent electrode portion in contact with the lighting lens, and the transparent electrode portion is formed in the form of a thin film in a portion of the lighting lens through which light emitted by the light source passes. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an interior lighting device that can prevent an increase in the number of parts, prevent an increase in costs due to an increase in assembly labor, etc., and prevent a decrease in the intensity of the light illuminating the interior of the vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle interior lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a lighting lens and an inner cover of a vehicle interior lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view of a bus bar, a prism, and a substrate of an interior lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a housing of a vehicle interior lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a plan view of a vehicle interior lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a diagram showing details of a bus bar of the vehicle interior lighting device according to the embodiment of the present invention and a human body. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an illumination lens of a vehicle interior lighting device according to a first modified example, showing the illumination lens as viewed from the back side. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an arrangement of transparent electrodes in a vehicle interior lighting device according to a first modified example. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the connection portion of the bus bar, the substrate, and the ribs of the inner cover in a vehicle interior lighting device according to a second modified example. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bus bar in a vehicle interior lighting device according to a third modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an installation state of a bus bar in a vehicle interior lighting device according to a fourth modified example, in which the illumination lens and the bus bar are viewed from the back side. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an installation mode of a bus bar in a vehicle interior lighting device according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle interior lighting device according to a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] A vehicle interior lighting device (vehicle interior lighting device) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed, for example, in the interior of a vehicle to illuminate the interior of the vehicle. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the vehicle interior lighting device 1 is configured to include a housing (casing) 3, a light source 5, a lighting lens 7, an inner cover 9, a bus bar 11, and a control unit (lighting power supply control unit) 13.

[0015] The housing 3 is fixed to the vehicle inside the vehicle cabin, for example, by being installed on an inner wall of the vehicle cabin. The light source 5 is fixed inside the housing 3. The illumination lens 7 is disposed on the surface of the housing 3 facing the vehicle cabin (inside the vehicle cabin). The inner cover 9 is fixed to the housing 3.

[0016] Bus bar 11 has an electrode portion 15 and a connection portion 17 that is integrated with electrode portion 15. Electrode portion 15 is installed on inner cover 9 in the periphery of a predetermined portion 19 of illumination lens 7. Predetermined portion 19 is a portion through which light emitted by light source 5 passes (light-transmitting portion of illumination lens 7). Contact portion 21 formed at the tip of connection portion 17 of bus bar 11 contacts electrode 25 provided on substrate 23.

[0017] The control unit 13 is configured to turn the power supplied to the light source 5 on and off in response to a change in capacitance between the busbar 11 and the human body 27 caused by a part of the human body 27 (e.g., a fingertip) coming into contact with the surface (outer surface) of the illumination lens 7.

[0018] For ease of explanation, a predetermined direction in the vehicle interior lighting device is defined as the height direction. The housing 3 is integrally molded from an insulating synthetic resin or the like that does not transmit light. An opening 29 is provided on a first side, which is one side in the height direction of the housing 3. The opening 29 is located on the vehicle interior side.

[0019] The light source 5 is composed of an LED arranged inside the housing 3, and is adapted to emit light for illumination (visible light).

[0020] The illumination lens 7 is integrally molded from an insulating, light-transmitting synthetic resin or the like. The illumination lens 7 is provided in the housing 3 so as to cover the opening 29 of the housing 3, and the light emitted by the LED 5 passes through the illumination lens 7.

[0021] The bus bar 11 is made of a conductive material such as metal, and is disposed in a space 31 surrounded by the housing 3 and the lighting lens 7, and is fixed to the housing 3. The space 31 may also be called an internal space of the vehicle interior lighting device 1.

[0022] Moreover, bus bar 11 is formed, for example, by forming a thin, flat material into a predetermined shape by punching, and then bending the boundary between connection portion 17 and electrode portion 15 by approximately 90°.

[0023] The substrate 23 is provided inside the housing 3 at the bottom of the housing 3. The bottom of the housing 3 is located at one end side (first end side) in the height direction. The LEDs 5 and the control unit 13 are provided on the substrate 23. The thickness direction of the substrate 23 corresponds to the height direction.

[0024] The inner cover 9 is integrally molded from an insulating synthetic resin that does not transmit light. The vehicle interior lighting device 1 is also provided with a prism 33. The prism 33 is integrally molded from an insulating synthetic resin that transmits light, for example.

[0025] The inner cover 9 is disposed in a space 31 surrounded by the housing 3 and the illumination lens 7. The inner cover 9 is provided with a spot opening (inner cover light guiding section) 35. Light emitted by the LED 5 and transmitted through the prism 33 is guided to the illumination lens 7 through the spot opening 35.

[0026] The inner cover light guiding section 35 is formed, for example, in a space having a truncated quadrangular pyramid shape, with the apex of the quadrangular pyramid positioned at a first end side in the height direction and the base of the quadrangular pyramid positioned at a second end side in the height direction. The inner cover light guiding section 35 is formed by an inner cover light guiding section forming wall 36.

[0027] The inner cover 9 is provided with a lens side portion 37 and a rib 39. The lens side portion 37 surrounds the spot opening 35. The lens side portion 37 is located on a second end side opposite to the substrate 23 in the height direction. The inner cover light guide portion forming wall 36 and the rib 39 protrude from the lens side portion 37 to a first end side in the height direction.

[0028] The electrode portion 15 of the busbar 11 is formed in an annular shape. When viewed in the height direction, the electrode portion 15 is disposed outside the spot opening 35 of the inner cover 9, in the peripheral portion of the spot opening 35 so as to surround the spot opening 35. The electrode portion 15 of the busbar 11 is disposed in a lens side portion 37 of the inner cover 9. In the height direction, the electrode portion 15 of the busbar 11 is disposed on the surface opposite the illumination lens 7 (the surface on the first end side in the height direction).

[0029] More specifically, the illumination lens 7 and the lens side portion 37 of the inner cover 9 are formed into a plate shape, and in their thickness direction (height direction), the illumination lens 7, the lens side portion 37 of the inner cover 9, and the electrode portion 15 of the bus bar 11 are arranged in this order. The connection portion 17 of the bus bar 11 is formed into a long, thin rod shape, and protrudes from the electrode portion 15 of the bus bar 11 toward the substrate 23 side (the first end side in the height direction).

[0030] The rib 39 of the inner cover 9 protrudes from the lens side portion 37 towards the substrate 23 (the first end side in the height direction). The rib 39 presses the contact portion 21 of the bus bar 11 towards the substrate 23. As a result, the contact portion 21 is pressed towards the electrode 25 of the substrate 23 and comes into contact with the electrode 25.

[0031] The electrode portion 15 of the bus bar 11 is disposed slightly away from the light transmitting portion 19 of the illumination lens 7 and on the periphery of the light transmitting portion 19, thereby preventing dimming due to the electrode portion 15. The light transmitting portion 19 of the illumination lens 7 corresponds to the spot opening 35 of the inner cover 9. That is, when viewed in the height direction, the position of the light transmitting portion 19 and the position of the spot opening 35 are approximately aligned with each other.

[0032] The prism 33 is disposed in the inner cover light guide 35 in the space 31 surrounded by the housing 3 and the illumination lens 7 and in the vicinity of the LED 5. The prism 33 is provided with a light guide (prism light guide) that bends the light emitted by the LED 5 in an arbitrary direction.

[0033] Furthermore, the illumination lens 7 is provided with a locked portion 41 (see FIG. 8) for fixing the illumination lens 7 to the housing 3. A spherical indent 43 is formed in the connection portion 17 of the bus bar 11. The indent 43 forms the contact portion 21.

[0034] On the substrate 23, an LED 5, a microcomputer 45 for the electrostatic sensor which constitutes the control unit 13, and an electrode 25 which is connected to the connection portion 17 of the bus bar 11 are provided.

[0035] The housing 3 is provided with a lock portion 47 for fixing the illumination lens 7, and a pin 51 for positioning with a base 49 on which the substrate 23 is placed. The inner cover 9 is also provided with a pin (not shown) for positioning with a base (not shown) on which the bus bar 11 is placed.

[0036] The substrate 23, prism 33, bus bar 11, and inner cover 9 are placed inside the housing 3, and then the lighting lens 7 is placed thereon. By placing the lighting lens 7 in the housing 3, the locked portion 41 is locked by the locking portion 47, and the inner cover 9, bus bar 11, prism 33, and substrate 23 are sandwiched between the lighting lens 7 and the housing 3. This completes the assembly of the vehicle interior lighting device 1.

[0037] Next, the operation of the vehicle interior lighting device 1 will be described.

[0038] In the initial state, it is assumed that the LED 5 is turned off and the control unit 13 continues to check the capacitance.

[0039] In the above-mentioned initial state, when a portion of illumination lens 7 near electrode portion 15 of busbar 11 is touched with the fingertip of human body 27 as shown in Fig. 7, the capacitance generated between human body 27 and electrode portion 15 of busbar 11 changes. This change is detected by control unit 13. In response to this detection, LED 5 is turned on. Note that in Fig. 7, only busbar 11 and human body 27 are shown.

[0040] Next, when a portion of illumination lens 7 near electrode portion 15 of busbar 11 is touched with the fingertip of human body 27, a change in the capacitance generated between human body 27 and electrode portion 15 of busbar 11 occurs. This change is detected by control unit 13. In response to this detection, LED 5 is turned off.

[0041] In the vehicle interior lighting device 1, the bus bar 11 has an electrode portion 15 and a connection portion 17 that is integrated with this electrode portion 15, and the electrode portion 15 and an electrode 25 of the substrate 23 are connected to each other by the connection portion 17.

[0042] This reduces the number of components in the vehicle interior lighting device 1, preventing an increase in costs due to an increase in assembly man-hours, etc. In other words, costs can be reduced by simplifying the structure of the electrostatic touch switch of the vehicle interior lighting device 1. Furthermore, because the electrode portion 15 and the connection portion 17 of the busbar 11 are integrated, the area occupied on the substrate 23 can be made smaller than when a spring or the like is used, improving layout flexibility.

[0043] Furthermore, in the vehicle interior lighting device 1, the electrode portion 15 is provided on the surface of the inner cover 9 facing the substrate 23, in the peripheral portion of the portion (light transmitting portion) 19 of the lighting lens 7 through which the light emitted by the light source 5 passes. This prevents a decrease in the light transmittance of the lighting lens 7, and prevents the light emitted by the LED 5 from being blocked by the bus bar 11, preventing a decrease in the intensity of the light illuminating the vehicle interior. Furthermore, the power consumption required for lighting can be reduced.

[0044] 14, in the vehicle interior lighting device 301 according to the comparative example, conductive rubber 311 is required to connect the transparent electrode 305 provided on the illumination lens 303 and the electrode 309 on the substrate 307. This increases the number of parts and the number of assembly steps, etc., resulting in increased costs. Even if a spring or a connector is used instead of the conductive rubber 311, the number of assembly steps, etc., will increase the costs.

[0045] In addition, in the vehicle interior lighting device 301 according to the comparative example, the transparent electrode 305 is formed in a thin film shape by applying a conductive material such as ITO (indium tin oxide) or silver nano. Therefore, compared to a case where the transparent electrode 305 is not provided, the light transmittance is lowered, and the intensity of the light illuminating the vehicle interior is reduced.

[0046] Furthermore, in the vehicle interior lighting device 301 according to the comparative example, the transparent electrode 305 needs to be provided up to the conductive rubber 311, and costs are incurred for the equipment and management for providing the transparent electrode 305 with a uniform film thickness. In contrast, in the vehicle interior lighting device 1, the transparent electrode 305 does not exist, and therefore it is possible to suppress increases in costs.

[0047] In addition, in the vehicle interior lighting device 1, the electrode portion 15 of the bus bar 11 is provided on the lens side portion 37 of the opaque inner cover 9, and furthermore, the electrode portion 15 is provided on the side of the substrate 23 opposite the lighting lens 7. This makes the electrode portion 15 of the bus bar 11 invisible from the outside of the vehicle interior lighting device 1, improving the design.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the vehicle interior lighting device 1, the electrode portion 15 of the busbar 11 is annular, so that the touch of the fingertip of the human body 27 can be reliably detected at the center of the touch portion (the inner part of the electrode portion 15 when viewed in the height direction).

[0049] Furthermore, in the vehicle interior lighting device 1, the electrode portion 15 of the bus bar 11 is provided on the lens side portion 37 of the inner cover 9, so that the electrode portion 15 is in surface contact with the lens side portion 37. This reduces the distance between the bus bar 11 and the input device (human body) 27, improving the detection accuracy when a fingertip or the like of the human body 27 comes into contact with the lighting lens 7.

[0050] In addition, in the vehicle interior lighting device 1, the bus bar 11, the inner cover 9, etc. are installed in the housing 3, and the lighting lens 7 is installed thereon to complete the assembly of the vehicle interior lighting device 1. In other words, the assembly of the vehicle interior lighting device 1 is completed by fixing the lighting lens 7 to the housing 3 once, and the number of assembly steps for the vehicle interior lighting device 1 is reduced.

[0051] Next, a vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to a first modified example will be described.

[0052] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to the first modified example is different from the vehicle interior lighting device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 7 in that a transparent electrode portion 57 is provided. In other respects, the vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to the first modified example is configured in the same manner as the vehicle interior lighting device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 7.

[0053] That is, the vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to the first modified example is provided with a transparent electrode portion 57 that is conductive and in contact with the lighting lens 7. The transparent electrode portion 57 is formed in a thin film shape at a portion 19 of the lighting lens 7 through which the light emitted by the LED 5 passes.

[0054] The transparent electrode portion 57 is made of a conductive film or a conductive paint, etc., and is formed in a film shape. The illumination lens 7, the transparent electrode portion 57, the lens side portion 37, and the electrode portion 15 of the bus bar 11 are arranged in this order in the thickness direction (height direction) of the illumination lens 7, the lens side portion 37 of the inner cover 9, and the transparent electrode portion 57.

[0055] As described above, the vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to the first modified example includes the transparent electrode portion 57 in contact with the lighting lens 7, and the transparent electrode portion 57 is formed as a thin film in the light transmitting portion 19 of the lighting lens 7. Also, in the vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to the first modified example, an opaque inner cover 9 is provided between the transparent electrode portion 57 and the electrode portion 15 of the bus bar 11, and the electrode portion 15 of the bus bar 11 is not connected to the transparent electrode portion 57.

[0056] As a result, when the vehicle interior lighting device 1 is touched by a human body 27, capacitance is generated between the human body 27 and the transparent electrode portion 57 and between the electrode portion 15 of the bus bar 11 (see FIG. 9). Because the thickness of the illumination lens 7 is constant, the capacitance between the human body 27 and the transparent electrode portion 57 is constant, and uniform touch sensitivity can be obtained.

[0057] In addition, in the vehicle interior lighting device 1 relating to the first modified example, the transparent electrode portion 57 is arranged only in the touch portion (for example, the portion 19 of the lighting lens 7 through which the light emitted by the light source 5 passes) and has a simple structure, so that the costs of electrode arrangement equipment and management can be reduced.

[0058] Next, a vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to a second modified example will be described.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 10, the vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to the second modified example differs from the vehicle interior lighting device 1 shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 9 in that, during assembly, the rib 39 of the inner cover 9 causes the indent 43 of the bus bar 11 to slide slightly against the electrode 25 of the substrate 23. In other respects, the vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to the second modified example is configured in the same way as the vehicle interior lighting device 1 shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 9.

[0060] 10(a), when busbar 11 is installed, indent 43 of busbar 11 is in contact with substrate 23. Note that connection portion 17 of busbar 11 is slightly inclined with respect to the height direction.

[0061] The inner cover 9 is installed in the state shown in Fig. 10(a). The state in the middle of installing the inner cover 9 is as shown in Fig. 10(b). In the state shown in Fig. 10(b), the corners at the tips of the ribs 39 of the inner cover 9 are in contact with the middle part of the connection part 17.

[0062] When the inner cover 9 is moved further downward from the state shown in Fig. 10(b) and the installation of the inner cover 9 is completed, the state shown in Fig. 10(c) is obtained. In the state shown in Fig. 10(c), the inclined connection portion 17 is pushed laterally and moved from the state shown in Fig. 10(b). This movement causes the indent 43 of the bus bar 11 to slide slightly against the electrode 25 of the substrate 23.

[0063] The above sliding removes the oxide film on the indent 43, and also removes the oxide film on the electrode 25 of the substrate 23. As a result, by simply installing the inner cover 9, it is possible to ensure the contact reliability between the indent 43 and the electrode 25, and it is possible to reduce the assembly cost, etc.

[0064] Next, a vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to a third modified example will be described.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 11, the vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to the third modified example differs from the vehicle interior lighting device 1 shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 7 in that the shape of the electrode portion 15 of the bus bar 11 is formed in a non-annular shape. In other respects, the vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to the third modified example is configured in the same manner as the vehicle interior lighting device 1 shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 10.

[0066] That is, the electrode portion 15 of the busbar 11 of the vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to the third modified example is formed in a non-annular shape such as a rod shape or a straight line shape. Note that the electrode portion 15 of the vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to the third modified example may be formed in another shape such as an "L" shape obtained by removing a part of a ring.

[0067] Furthermore, the shape of the electrode unit 15 is such that the capacitance between the electrode unit 15 and the transparent electrode unit 57 is larger than the capacitance between the human body 27 and the transparent electrode unit 57. That is, the contact area between the electrode unit 15 and the lens side portion 37 of the inner cover 9 and the thickness dimension of the lens side portion 37 are appropriately determined so as to satisfy the condition for the larger capacitance described above. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in touch sensitivity even though the electrode unit 15 is formed in a non-annular shape.

[0068] The electrode portions 15 of the busbars 11 are formed in a non-annular shape, which improves the yield of the busbars 11. For example, the amount of waste material can be reduced when the busbars 11 are manufactured from a flat plate-shaped material.

[0069] Next, a vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to a fourth modified example will be described.

[0070] 12 and 13, the vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to the fourth modified example differs from the vehicle interior lighting device 1 shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 11 in that the thickness dimension of the inner cover 9 at the portion where the electrode portion 15 of the bus bar 11 is provided is smaller. In other respects, the vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to the fourth modified example is configured similarly to the vehicle interior lighting device 1 shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 11.

[0071] That is, in the vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to the fourth modified example, a busbar mounting portion 59 into which the electrode portion 15 of the busbar 11 fits is provided in the lens side portion 37 of the inner cover 9. The busbar mounting portion 59 is formed as an annular recess.

[0072] The busbar arrangement portion 59 is provided on the surface of the lens side portion 37 facing the substrate 23. Since the busbar arrangement portion 59 is formed as a recess, the thickness dimension of the lens side portion 37 at the busbar arrangement portion 59 is smaller than the thickness dimension of other portions of the lens side portion 37.

[0073] According to the vehicle interior lighting device 1 of the fourth modified example, the bus bar installation portion 59 is provided, which makes it easier to assemble the bus bar 11, for example by facilitating positioning of the bus bar 11 with respect to the inner cover 9. In addition, the capacitance value between the transparent electrode portion 57 and the bus bar 11 increases when touched with the fingertip of the human body 27, improving the sensitivity as an electrostatic touch switch.

[0074] In the above description, the LED 5 is turned on and off using a capacitance sensor formed of the bus bar 11, etc., but a strain sensor (not shown) may be provided in addition to or instead of the capacitance sensor to turn on and off the LED 5. This improves the detection accuracy of the human body 27 and prevents erroneous detection.

[0075] The strain sensor is configured to detect strain in at least one of the illumination lens 7, the lens side portion 37 of the inner cover 9, and the electrode portion 15 of the bus bar 11, for example.

[0076] Furthermore, if the strain of the electrode portion 15 is detected by measuring the change in electrical resistance of the electrode portion 15 of the bus bar 11, the configuration of the vehicle interior lighting device 1 can be simplified.

[0077] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 Vehicle interior lighting system 3. Housing 5 Light source (LED) 7 Lighting Lens 9 Inner cover 11 Busbar 13 Control section 15 Electrode section 17 Connection 19 Light transmission part 21 Contact part 23 Substrate 25 electrodes 27 Human body 57 Transparent electrode section

Claims

1. A housing fixed to a vehicle interior; a light source secured within the housing; an illumination lens disposed on a surface of the housing facing the vehicle interior; an inner cover having a lens side portion fixed to the housing; a bus bar including an electrode portion and a connection portion integrated with the electrode portion, the electrode portion being disposed on the lens side portion of the inner cover in a peripheral portion of a portion of the illumination lens through which light emitted by the light source passes, and a contact portion formed at a tip of the connection portion being connected to an electrode of a substrate; a control unit that turns on and off power supplied to the light source in response to a change in capacitance between the bus bar and the human body caused by the human body coming into contact with a surface of the illumination lens, the bus bar is bent by approximately 90 degrees at a boundary between the electrode portion and the connection portion, and is bent by approximately 90 degrees at a tip end of the connection portion, the inner cover has a rib protruding from the lens side portion toward the substrate and pressing the contact portion of the bus bar against the electrode. Vehicle interior lighting system.

2. A transparent electrode portion in contact with the illumination lens, The vehicle interior lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the transparent electrode portion is formed in a thin film shape at a portion of the illumination lens through which the light emitted by the light source passes.

Images