Vehicle lighting fixtures

The vehicle lamp design addresses the challenge of space and cost in leak testing by using convex portions to reduce the space between ventilation holes and simplify the testing process with fewer jigs.

JP7661837B2Active Publication Date: 2025-04-15ICHIKOH IND LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021141424
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-08-31
Publication Date
2025-04-15
Estimated Expiration
2041-08-31

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing vehicle lamps require significant space between adjacent ventilation holes for leak testing, which increases the cost and complexity of the testing process.

Method used

The vehicle lamp design incorporates a first convex portion surrounding the outer periphery of adjacent ventilation holes and a second convex portion disposed between them, allowing for reduced space between ventilation holes and using a single leak test jig to seal multiple holes.

Benefits of technology

This design reduces the space between adjacent ventilation holes and decreases the number of leak test jigs required, thereby lowering the cost and simplifying the leak testing process.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a vehicle lighting fixture capable of saving a space between adjacent vent holes and reducing cost of a leak test jig.SOLUTION: Outer peripheries of adjacent two vent holes H1 and H2 are entirely enclosed by a first projection B1. As a result, the adjacent two vent holes H1 and H2 can be respectively sealed by installing one leak test jig G in the first projection B1. Therefore, a space S1 between the adjacent two vent holes H1 and H2 can be reduced. Further, one leak test jig G is enough for sealing the adjacent two vent holes H1 and H2 via the first projection B1 in the case of a leak test.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a vehicle lamp that suppresses the occurrence of condensation inside a lamp chamber is shown in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 will be described below.

[0003] The vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 has a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a translucent cover, and the translucent cover has an air vent that connects the space inside and outside the lamp chamber, and a waterproof, moisture-diffusing filter is attached so as to cover the air vent.

[0004] The vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 is able to suppress the occurrence of condensation inside the lamp chamber by connecting the space inside and outside the lamp chamber via an air vent, and furthermore, is able to prevent water from entering the lamp chamber by using a waterproof filter.

[0005] In addition, the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 has a bead portion formed around the vent hole on the outer surface of the translucent cover so as to surround the vent hole. The bead portion functions as a positioning guide when attaching the filter to the translucent cover.

[0006] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 has a beam portion formed in the center of the air vent. The beam portion prevents a part of the filter from entering the air vent and deforming it when the filter is attached to the light-transmitting cover.

[0007] The filter used in the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 is a ready-made product, and its shape and size are specified. Therefore, the shape and size of the ventilation hole and bead part of the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 are formed according to the shape and size of the ready-made filter.

[0008] In addition, the area of ​​the ventilation holes in the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 is adjusted according to the capacity of the lamp chamber. Therefore, the number and size of the ventilation holes in the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 vary depending on the capacity of the lamp chamber. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-45879 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] In such vehicle lamps, a leak test is carried out to determine whether or not a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body (lamp housing) and a light-transmitting cover (lamp lens) is sealed.

[0011] The leak test is performed by sealing the vent hole with a leak test tool and supplying air into the lamp chamber through a leak test through hole provided in at least one of the lamp body (lamp housing) or the light-transmitting cover (lamp lens). The leak test checks whether the lamp chamber is sealed. After the leak test, the leak test through hole is sealed with a sealing plug or a sealing structure.

[0012] In such a vehicle lamp, as described above, depending on the capacity of the lamp chamber, at least two vent holes H1, H2 may be provided adjacent to each other (see Figs. 4 and 5). In this case, the leak test of the vehicle lamp 1A requires that two leak test jigs G1, G2 are placed on the protrusions B surrounding the two adjacent vent holes H1, H2, respectively, to seal the two adjacent vent holes H1, H2, as shown in Fig. 5(B).

[0013] For this reason, in the vehicle lamp 1A in the above case, in order to secure a space for installing the two leak test jigs G1, G2, it is necessary to enlarge the space S2 between the two adjacent air vents H1, H2, and moreover, two leak test jigs G1, G2 are required. Note that, although the vehicle lamp 1A in the above case is described as having two air vents H1, H2 and two leak test jigs G1, G2, there may be three or more air vents and leak test jigs.

[0014] Thus, in the vehicle lamp 1A in the above case, the space S2 between the two adjacent air vents H1, H2 is large, and furthermore, two leak test fixtures G1, G2 are required in the same number as the two adjacent air vents H1, H2, which increases the cost of the leak test fixtures G1, G2.

[0015] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp that can reduce the space between adjacent air vents and the cost of a leak test jig. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] The vehicle lamp of the present invention comprises a lamp housing and a lamp lens which form a lamp chamber, and a ventilation member attached to at least one of the lamp housing or the lamp lens, at least one of the lamp housing or the lamp lens has at least two adjacent ventilation holes which communicate with the interior of the lamp chamber, the ventilation member covers each of the adjacent ventilation holes, at least one of the lamp housing or the lamp lens has a first convex portion which surrounds the outer periphery of the adjacent ventilation holes and a second convex portion which is arranged between the adjacent ventilation holes, and the amount by which the first convex portion protrudes from at least one of the lamp housing or the lamp lens is greater than the amount by which the second convex portion protrudes from at least one of the lamp housing or the lamp lens.

[0017] In the vehicle lamp of the present invention, it is preferable that the ventilation member is made of a waterproof and breathable material, and the shapes and sizes of the ventilation hole, the first convex portion and the second convex portion are formed according to the shape and size of the ventilation member.

[0018] In the vehicle lamp of the present invention, it is preferable that, when a leak test of the vehicle lamp is performed, the first convex portion seals adjacent air holes together with the leak test jig when a leak test tool is placed thereon, and that the second convex portion, together with the first convex portion, determines the position of the ventilation member when the ventilation member is attached to at least one of the lamp housing or the lamp lens. Effect of the Invention

[0019] The vehicle lamp of the present invention makes it possible to reduce the space between adjacent air vents and to reduce the cost of the leak test fixture. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a vehicle lamp according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the inside of the lamp chamber (a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1). [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a partial rear view (view taken along the line III in FIG. 2) showing the main part. [Figure 4] Fig. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part (an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3). Fig. 4(A) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp to which the present invention is applied. Fig. 4(B) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp to which the present invention is not applied (vehicle lamp 1A in the above-mentioned case). [Diagram 5] Fig. 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view (corresponding to Fig. 4) showing the implementation of a leak test. Fig. 5(A) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the implementation of a leak test of a vehicle lamp to which the present invention is applied. Fig. 5(B) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the implementation of a leak test of a vehicle lamp to which the present invention is not applied (vehicle lamp 1A in the above-mentioned case). [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view (corresponding to FIG. 2) showing the implementation of a leak test. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, one embodiment (example) of a vehicle lamp according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0022] In this specification, the terms front, rear, top, bottom, left and right refer to the front, rear, top, bottom, left and right when the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is mounted on a vehicle.

[0023] In addition, since the drawings are schematic diagrams showing the vehicle lamp according to the present invention, the detailed parts of the vehicle lamp according to the present invention are omitted in the drawings, and some of the hatching is omitted.

[0024] (Description of the configuration of the embodiment) The configuration of a vehicle lamp according to this embodiment will be described below. In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a vehicle lamp according to this embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as a "vehicle lamp").

[0025] (Description of vehicle lighting fixture 1) In this example, the vehicle lamp 1 is a rear combination lamp and is provided on each of the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 6, the vehicle lamp 1 includes a lamp housing (or a lamp body) 11, a lamp lens (or a light-transmitting cover) 12, a first ventilation member 21 and a second ventilation member 22, and a light source unit 3.

[0027] The lamp housing 10 is made of, for example, a light-impermeable material (such as a resin material). A mounting portion 100 is integrally provided on the entire periphery of the lamp housing 10.

[0028] The lamp lens 11 is, for example, a plain outer cover, an outer lens, etc. In this example, the lamp lens 11 is made of a light-transmitting resin material such as PC, PMMA, etc. An attachment portion 110 is integrally provided on the entire periphery of the lamp lens 11.

[0029] The mounting portion 100 of the lamp housing 10 and the mounting portion 110 of the lamp lens 11 are attached to each other. As a result, the lamp housing 10 and the lamp lens 11 form a lamp chamber 12. The lamp housing 10 and the lamp lens 11 can be attached to each other by adhesion such as laser welding, ultrasonic welding, heat welding, or hot melt, or mechanical attachment such as screws.

[0030] (Explanation of the first ventilation hole H1 and the second ventilation hole H2) Two ventilation holes H1, H2 are provided adjacent to each other in the upper part of the central portion on the left and right sides of the lamp housing 10. The two ventilation holes H1, H2 communicate the inside of the lamp chamber 12 with the outside of the lamp chamber 12.

[0031] 1 and 3, the first ventilation hole H1 has a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction. A beam portion 13 is provided in the middle between the left and right of the first ventilation hole H1. The second ventilation hole H2 has a circular shape.

[0032] (Explanation of the first convex portion B1 and the second convex portion B2) The lamp housing 10 is provided with two protrusions B1, B2 that protrude integrally from the outer surface of the lamp housing 10 above the central portion on the left and right sides.

[0033] 1 and 3 to 5, the first convex portion B1 surrounds the outer periphery of the adjacent first ventilation hole H1 and second ventilation hole H2. The first convex portion B1 surrounding the outer periphery of the first ventilation hole H1 has a rectangular shape. The first convex portion B1 surrounding the outer periphery of the second ventilation hole H2 has a circular shape.

[0034] 1 and 3 to 5, the second protrusion B2 is disposed between the adjacent first and second vent holes H1 and H2. The second protrusion B2 on the first vent hole H1 side has a straight line shape. The second protrusion B2 on the second vent hole H2 side has an arc shape.

[0035] The amount (height) of protrusion of the first protrusion B1 from the lamp housing 10 is greater (higher) than the amount (height) of protrusion of the second protrusion B2 from the lamp housing 10. In this example, the height of the first protrusion B1 is approximately 1.0 mm, which is twice the height of the second protrusion B2, approximately 0.5 mm.

[0036] When a leak test for a vehicle lamp is performed, a leak test jig G is placed on the first protrusion B1, which seals the adjacent first ventilation hole H1 and second ventilation hole H2 together with the leak test jig G. The second protrusion B2, together with the first protrusion B1, determines the positions of the first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22 when the first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22 are attached to the lamp housing 10. In other words, the first protrusion B1 and the second protrusion B2 function as positioning guides.

[0037] (Explanation of the first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22) 2 to 4, the first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22 are attached to the outer surface of the lamp housing 10. The first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22 respectively cover the adjacent first ventilation hole H1 and second ventilation hole H2.

[0038] The first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22 are made of ready-made products having waterproofness and breathability. The first ventilation member 21 has a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction. The second ventilation member 22 has a circular shape. The first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22 are so-called ventilation membranes or ventilation seals.

[0039] The shapes and sizes of the first ventilation hole H1, the second ventilation hole H2, the first convex portion B1 and the second convex portion B2 are formed according to the shapes and sizes of the ready-made first ventilation member 21 and second ventilation member 22.

[0040] That is, the first ventilation hole H1 has a shape and size that is slightly smaller than the first ventilation member 21. The second ventilation hole H2 has a shape and size that is slightly smaller than the second ventilation member 22. The first protrusion B1 has a shape and size that is slightly larger than the first ventilation member 21. The second protrusion B2 has a shape and size that is slightly larger than the second ventilation member 22.

[0041] (Explanation of light source unit 3) 1 to 3, the light source unit 3 has a mounting portion 30 to which a substrate is attached, a socket portion 31, and an O-ring-shaped packing 32. The light source unit 3 is detachably attached to the center portion of the lamp housing 10 by a bayonet mount type.

[0042] The mounting portion 30 is inserted into the lamp chamber 12 from outside the lamp chamber 12 into the circular mounting hole 14 provided in the lamp housing 10. The socket portion 31 is disposed outside the lamp chamber 12. The packing 32 is disposed outside the lamp chamber 12, between the outer surface of the lamp housing 10 and the socket portion 31, and seals the mounting hole 14 watertightly and airtightly.

[0043] Light emitting elements, circuit elements, etc. are mounted on the mounting surface of the board of the attachment portion 30. The light emitting elements are self-luminous semiconductor light emitting elements (semiconductor light emitting elements) such as LED, OEL, or OLED (organic EL). The light emitting elements radiate light toward the lamp lens 11.

[0044] The light source unit 3 is used as a light source for a tail lamp, a stop lamp, a tail / stop lamp, a turn signal lamp, a backup lamp, or the like.

[0045] (Leak test explanation) The leak test will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0046] The leak test is performed in a process after mounting the lamp housing 10 and the lamp lens 11. First, a leak test jig G is placed on the first protrusion B1 to seal the two adjacent vent holes H1 and H2.

[0047] Next, air A is supplied into the lamp chamber 12 through the leak test through hole 15 provided in the lamp housing 10. This allows the leak test to be performed. The leak test checks whether the lamp chamber 12 is sealed or not. Here, since the air A is at high pressure, the leak test jig G is held by a cylinder or the like so as to be able to withstand the high pressure of the air A, and together with the first protrusion B1, seals the first vent hole H1 and the second vent hole H2, which are adjacent to each other. Note that in the leak test, a similar leak test jig is also installed in the mounting hole 14.

[0048] In a process after the leak test, the first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22 are attached to the lamp housing 10, and the first ventilation hole H1 and the second ventilation hole H2 adjacent to each other are blocked by the first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22. When the first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22 are attached to the lamp housing 10, the first convex portion B1 and the second convex portion B2 function as positioning guides that determine the positions of the first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22. In addition, the leak test through hole 15 is sealed by a sealing plug or a sealing structure after the leak test.

[0049] (Description of the Function of the Embodiment) The vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be described below.

[0050] The light-emitting elements of the light source unit 3 are turned on by supplying power (current) to the light-emitting elements. Then, light is emitted from the light-emitting elements of the light source unit 3 toward the lamp lens 11, passes through the lamp lens 11, and is irradiated to the outside in a predetermined lamp light distribution pattern.

[0051] In addition, since the inside of the lamp chamber 12 is communicated with the outside of the lamp chamber 12 via the adjacent first ventilation hole H1, second ventilation hole H2, first ventilation member 21, and second ventilation member 22, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of condensation inside the lamp chamber 12. Moreover, the first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22 can prevent water and moisture from entering the lamp chamber 12.

[0052] (Explanation of Effects of the Embodiment) The vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment has the above-mentioned configuration and function, and its effects will be described below. Note that Fig. 4(B) and Fig. 5(B) show a vehicle lamp that does not implement this invention, that is, the vehicle lamp 1A in the above-mentioned case. In Fig. 4(B) and Fig. 5(B), the same reference numerals as Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, Fig. 4(A), Fig. 5(A) and Fig. 6 indicate the same parts.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4(A), the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment has a first protruding portion B1 that completely surrounds the outer periphery of two adjacent first vent holes H1 and second vent holes H2. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5(A), when performing a leak test on the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment, a leak test jig G is placed on the first protruding portion B1 that completely surrounds the outer periphery of two adjacent first vent holes H1 and second vent holes H2, thereby sealing each of the two adjacent first vent holes H1 and second vent holes H2.

[0054] Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment, the space S1 between the two adjacent first vent holes H1 and second vent holes H2 can be made smaller than the space S2 between the two adjacent vent holes H1, H2 in the vehicle lamp 1A in the above-mentioned case shown in Fig. 4(B) and Fig. 5(B). Moreover, in the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment, only one leak test jig G is required to seal the two adjacent first vent holes H1 and second vent holes H2 via the first protrusion B1 during a leak test of the vehicle lamp.

[0055] As a result, the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment makes it possible to save the space between the two adjacent first vent holes H1 and second vent holes H2 and to reduce the cost of the leak test fixture G.

[0056] In addition, the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment has the second protrusion B2 disposed between the two adjacent first ventilation holes H1 and second ventilation holes H2. As a result, in the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment, when the first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22 are attached to the lamp housing 10 in a process after the leak test, the first protrusion B1 and the second protrusion B2 function as positioning guides that determine the attachment positions of the first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22. As a result, the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment can reliably block the two adjacent first ventilation holes H1 and second ventilation holes H2 with the first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22 attached to the lamp housing 10, as shown in FIG. 4(A). When the first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22 are attached to the lamp housing 10, the first convex portion B1 and the second convex portion B2 function as positioning guides that determine the positions of the first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22.

[0057] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment, the protrusion amount (height) of the first protrusion B1 from the lamp housing 10 is greater (higher) than the protrusion amount (height) of the second protrusion B2 from the lamp housing 10. As a result, in the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment, even if the second protrusion B2 is disposed between two adjacent first vent holes H1 and second vent holes H2 surrounded by the first protrusion B1, there is no problem when one leak test jig G is placed on the first protrusion B1 during a leak test of the vehicle lamp.

[0058] In the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment, the first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22 are made of prefabricated products, and the shapes and sizes of the first ventilation hole H1, the second ventilation hole H2, the first convex portion B1 and the second convex portion B2 are formed according to the shapes and sizes of the prefabricated first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22. As a result, the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment can use the prefabricated first ventilation member 21 and the second ventilation member 22 as they are, so that low manufacturing costs can be maintained.

[0059] (Explanation of examples other than the embodiment) In the above embodiment, a rear combination lamp is described, however, the present invention can be applied to other than the rear combination lamp, for example, a front combination lamp.

[0060] In the above embodiment, two vent holes H1, H2 are provided adjacent to each other in the lamp housing 10. However, in the present invention, three or more vent holes may be provided adjacent to each other. In this case, the first protrusion B1 surrounds the entire outer periphery of the three or more vent holes, and the second protrusion B2 is disposed between each of the three or more vent holes.

[0061] Moreover, a plurality of adjacent vent holes may be provided at a plurality of locations in the lamp housing 10. Furthermore, a plurality of adjacent vent holes may be provided in the lamp lens 11, or in the lamp housing 10 and the lamp lens 11. In this case as well, a first convex portion B1 and a second convex portion B2 are provided in addition to the plurality of adjacent vent holes.

[0062] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the two adjacent ventilation holes H1, H2 are disposed in the upper portion of the light source unit 3. However, in the present invention, the adjacent ventilation holes may be disposed in a portion other than the upper portion of the light source unit 3.

[0063] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the light source unit 3 is used as a light source for a tail lamp, a stop lamp, a tail / stop lamp, a turn signal lamp, a backup lamp, etc. However, in the present invention, the light source unit 3 may be used as a light source for lamps other than the above-described lamps.

[0064] Furthermore, the above embodiment uses one light source unit 3. However, in the present invention, a plurality of light source units may be used.

[0065] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 Vehicle lighting fixtures 1A Vehicle lighting device in which this invention is not implemented (vehicle lighting device in the above case) 10 Lamp housing 100 Mounting part 11 Lamp lens 110 Mounting part 12 Light room 13 Beam section 14 Mounting hole 15 Leak test hole 21 First ventilation member 22 Second ventilation member 3 Light source unit 30 Mounting part 31 Socket part 32 Packing A. Air B1 First protrusion B2 Second protrusion G Leak test fixture G1 First leak test fixture G2 Secondary leak test fixture H1 First Vent H2 2nd Vent S1 Space S2 Space

Claims

1. a lamp housing and a lamp lens forming a lamp chamber; a ventilation member attached to at least one of the lamp housing and the lamp lens; Equipped with At least one of the lamp housing and the lamp lens has at least two adjacent vent holes communicating with the interior of the lamp chamber, The ventilation member covers adjacent ventilation holes individually, At least one of the lamp housing and the lamp lens is a first protrusion surrounding an outer periphery of the adjacent air holes; a second protrusion disposed between adjacent air holes; having a protruding amount of the first convex portion from at least one of the lamp housing and the lamp lens is greater than a protruding amount of the second convex portion from at least one of the lamp housing and the lamp lens; A vehicle lamp characterized by the above.

2. The ventilation member is made of a waterproof and breathable material, The shapes and sizes of the ventilation hole, the first convex portion, and the second convex portion are formed according to the shape and size of the ventilation member.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

3. When a leak test of the vehicle lamp is performed, a leak test tool is placed on the first protrusion, and the first protrusion seals the adjacent air holes together with the leak test tool. the second convex portion, together with the first convex portion, determines a position of the ventilation member when the ventilation member is attached to at least one of the lamp housing and the lamp lens.

3. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2.

Citation Information

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