Vehicle lamp, radar module, and vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture capable of concealing a radar from the outside of a vehicle while securing reliability of radar data, and to provide a vehicle.SOLUTION: A right side vehicular lighting fixture (2R) includes: a lamp housing (14); a lamp cover (12) for covering an opening part of the lamp housing (14); a low beam illumination unit (3) arranged in a lamp chamber (S) formed by the lamp housing (14) and the lamp cover (12); a radar (5) constituted so as to acquire radar data by emitting electric waves toward the outside of a vehicle; and a concealing part (6) arranged opposing to the radar (5) so as to conceal the radar (5) from the outside of the vehicle, and constituted so as to allow the electric waves emitted from the radar (5) to pass. The concealing part (6) is integrally formed at the lamp cover (12). A boundary part (B) of the concealing part (6) and the lamp cover (12) is arranged outside of a visual field (Fv) of the radar (5).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle lamp, a radar module, and a vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle lamp equipped with a radar such as a millimeter-wave radar or a microwave radar, a radar module, and a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a technique of mounting a radar such as a millimeter-wave radar configured to acquire data indicating the surrounding environment outside the vehicle on a vehicle lamp (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to Patent Document 1, a resin light guide plate is disposed in front of a millimeter-wave radar disposed in a lamp chamber of a vehicle lamp to conceal the millimeter-wave radar from the outside of the vehicle. Further, by making light from a light source incident on the light guide plate, the light emission of the light guide plate can be visually recognized from the outside. In this way, the millimeter-wave radar can be concealed from the outside of the vehicle by the light emission of the light guide plate, and radio waves from the millimeter-wave radar can be emitted to the outside of the vehicle through the light guide plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the vehicle lamp disclosed in Patent Document 1, since a light guide plate for concealing the millimeter-wave radar needs to be separately prepared, the number of parts of the vehicle lamp increases, and the number of steps in the assembly work of the vehicle lamp also increases. In this regard, there is room for improvement in a vehicle lamp equipped with a radar such as a millimeter-wave radar and a concealment portion for concealing the radar.

[0005] A first object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle lamp and a vehicle capable of concealing a radar from the outside of the vehicle while ensuring the reliability of radar data acquired by the radar.

[0006] A second object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle lamp and a vehicle capable of concealing a radar from the outside of the vehicle while ensuring the reliability of the radar against radiant heat from the outside.

[0007] A third object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle lamp, a radar module, and a vehicle capable of relatively easily and surely performing radar positioning with respect to the vehicle and concealing the radar from the outside of the vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A vehicle lamp according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a lamp housing, a lamp cover that covers an opening of the lamp housing, a lighting unit disposed in a lamp chamber formed by the lamp housing and the lamp cover, a radar configured to acquire radar data indicating a surrounding environment of the vehicle by emitting radio waves toward the outside of the vehicle, and a concealment portion disposed to face the radar so as to conceal the radar from the outside of the vehicle and configured to allow the radio waves emitted from the radar to pass therethrough. The concealment portion is integrally formed with the lamp cover, and a boundary portion between the concealment portion and the lamp cover is disposed outside a visual field of the radar.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the boundary between the concealment part and the lamp cover is arranged outside the radar's field of view. Therefore, as a result of radio waves existing within the radar's field of view being reflected by the boundary, it is possible to avoid a situation where the reflected radio waves enter the radar's receiving antenna and thereby affect the radar data adversely. In this way, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp that can conceal the radar from outside the vehicle while ensuring the reliability of the radar data acquired by the radar mounted on the vehicle lamp.

[0010] A vehicle lamp according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a lamp housing, a lamp cover that covers the opening of the lamp housing, an illumination unit disposed in a lamp chamber formed by the lamp housing and the lamp cover, a radar configured to acquire radar data indicating the surrounding environment of the vehicle by emitting radio waves toward the outside of the vehicle, a concealment part disposed to face the radar so as to conceal the radar from outside the vehicle and configured to allow the radio waves emitted from the radar to pass through, and a support member configured to support the radar. The radar has a front surface and a rear surface located on the side opposite to the front surface. A heat insulation layer having a lower thermal conductivity than the support member is provided between the support member and the rear surface of the radar. According to the above configuration, since the heat insulation layer is provided between the support member and the rear surface of the radar, heat radiated from an external heat source such as an engine is less likely to be transmitted to the rear surface of the radar via the support member. Therefore, it is possible to preferably prevent the operating performance of the radar (particularly, the communication circuit part) from deteriorating due to the radiant heat from the external heat source. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp that can conceal the radar from outside the vehicle while ensuring the reliability of the radar against radiant heat from the outside.

[0011]

[0012] ​A vehicle lamp according to an aspect of the present disclosure a lamp housing, a lamp cover that covers an opening of the lamp housing, a lighting unit disposed in a lamp chamber formed by the lamp housing and the lamp cover, a radar configured to obtain radar data indicating a surrounding environment of the vehicle by emitting radio waves toward the outside of the vehicle, a shielding portion disposed to face the radar so as to shield the radar from the outside of the vehicle and configured to allow radio waves emitted from the radar to pass therethrough, and a radio wave absorbing cover provided so as to surround an antenna portion of the radar and configured to absorb radio waves emitted from the radar.

[0013] According to the above configuration, a radio wave absorbing cover that absorbs radio waves emitted from the radar is provided so as to surround the antenna portion of the radar. For this reason, it is possible to avoid a situation in which radio waves existing within the radar's field of view are reflected by the shielding portion or other optical members and the reflected radio waves are received by the radar, thereby adversely affecting the radar data. In this way, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp capable of concealing the radar from the outside of the vehicle while ensuring the reliability of the radar data acquired by the radar mounted on the vehicle lamp.

[0014] A vehicle lamp according to an aspect of the present disclosure a lamp housing, a lamp cover that covers an opening of the lamp housing, a lighting unit disposed in a lamp chamber formed by the lamp housing and the lamp cover, a radar configured to obtain radar data indicating a surrounding environment of the vehicle by emitting radio waves toward the outside of the vehicle, a shielding portion disposed to face the radar so as to shield the radar from the outside of the vehicle and configured to allow radio waves emitted from the radar to pass therethrough, A positioning portion configured to contact the radar and determine the position of the radar with respect to the shielding portion. The shielding portion is integrally formed with the lamp cover. The positioning portion is integrally formed with the shielding portion and is disposed between the shielding portion and the radar.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the position of the radar with respect to the shielding portion is determined by the positioning portion integrally formed with the shielding portion. Further, the shielding portion is integrally formed with the lamp cover. In this way, when the positioning of the vehicle lamp with respect to the vehicle is completed, the positioning of the radar with respect to the vehicle is also completed at the same time. Therefore, it is possible to relatively easily and surely perform the positioning of the radar with respect to the vehicle, and it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp capable of shielding the radar from the outside of the vehicle.

[0016] A vehicle lamp according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a lamp housing, a lamp cover that covers an opening of the lamp housing, a lighting unit disposed in a lamp chamber formed by the lamp housing and the lamp cover, a radar configured to obtain radar data indicating a surrounding environment of the vehicle by emitting radio waves toward the outside of the vehicle, a shielding portion disposed to face the radar so as to shield the radar from the outside of the vehicle and configured to allow radio waves emitted from the radar to pass through, a support member configured to support and fix the radar, a positioning portion configured to contact the support member and determine the position of the support member with respect to the shielding portion. The shielding portion is integrally formed with the lamp cover. The positioning portion is integrally formed with the shielding portion and is disposed between the shielding portion and the support member.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the position of the support member with respect to the concealment part is determined by the positioning part integrally formed with the concealment part. Further, the concealment part is integrally formed with the lamp cover, and the radar is fixed and supported by the support member. In this way, when the positioning of the vehicle lamp with respect to the vehicle is completed, the positioning of the radar with respect to the vehicle is also completed at the same time. Therefore, it is possible to relatively easily and surely perform the positioning of the radar with respect to the vehicle, and it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp capable of concealing the radar from the outside of the vehicle.

[0018] A radar module according to an aspect of the present disclosure is attached to a vehicle lamp, a radar configured to obtain radar data indicating the surrounding environment of the vehicle by emitting radio waves toward the outside of the vehicle, a concealment part arranged to face the radar so as to conceal the radar from the outside of the vehicle and configured to allow the radio waves emitted from the radar to pass therethrough, a support member configured to support and fix the radar, and includes. At least one of the concealment part and the support member has a positioning part configured to determine the position of the radar module with respect to the vehicle lamp.

[0019] According to the above configuration, at least one of the concealment part and the support member has a positioning part configured to determine the position of the radar module with respect to the vehicle lamp. In this way, the position of the radar module with respect to the vehicle lamp can be determined by the positioning part. Further, when the positioning of the vehicle lamp with respect to the vehicle has already been completed, when the positioning of the radar module with respect to the vehicle lamp is completed, the positioning of the radar with respect to the vehicle is completed. In this way, it is possible to relatively easily and surely perform the positioning of the radar with respect to the vehicle, and it is possible to provide a radar module capable of concealing the radar from the outside of the vehicle.

Effects of the Invention

[0020] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp for a vehicle and a vehicle that can conceal a radar from the outside of the vehicle while ensuring the reliability of radar data acquired by the radar.

[0021] Also, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp for a vehicle and a vehicle that can conceal a radar from the outside of the vehicle while ensuring the reliability of the radar against radiant heat from the outside.

[0022] Also, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp for a vehicle, a radar module, and a vehicle that can perform radar positioning for the vehicle relatively easily and surely and can conceal the radar from the outside of the vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter simply referred to as "this embodiment") will be described with reference to the drawings. The dimensions of each member shown in these drawings may be different from the actual dimensions of each member for convenience of explanation.

[0025] In the description of this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the "left - right direction", "up - down direction", and "front - rear direction" may be referred to as appropriate. These directions are relative directions set for the vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1. Here, the "left - right direction" is a direction including the "left direction" and the "right direction". The "up - down direction" is a direction including the "up direction" and the "down direction". The "front - rear direction" is a direction including the "front direction" and the "rear direction". Although the "front - rear direction" is not shown in FIG. 1, the "front - rear direction" is a direction perpendicular to the left - right direction and the up - down direction.

[0026] Also, in this embodiment, the "horizontal direction" of the vehicle 1 is mentioned. The "horizontal direction" is a direction perpendicular to the up - down direction (vertical direction) and includes the left - right direction and the front - rear direction. Further, in this embodiment, the directions (left - right direction, up - down direction, front - rear direction) set for the right - side vehicle lamp 2R and the left - side vehicle lamp 2L are assumed to be the same as the directions (left - right direction, up - down direction, front - rear direction) set for the vehicle 1.

[0027] First, the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a front view of the vehicle 1 equipped with the left - side vehicle lamp 2L and the right - side vehicle lamp 2R. As shown in FIG. 1, the left - side vehicle lamp 2L is arranged on the left - front side of the vehicle 1, and the right - side vehicle lamp 2R is arranged on the right - front side of the vehicle 1. Each of the left - side vehicle lamp 2L and the right - side vehicle lamp 2R includes a low - beam lighting unit 3, a high - beam lighting unit 4, a radar 5, and a concealment part 6 that conceals the radar 5.

[0028] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the left - side vehicle lamp 2L and the right - side vehicle lamp 2R have the same configuration. Therefore, in the following description, the specific configuration of the right - side vehicle lamp 2R will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Also, for convenience of explanation, the left - side vehicle lamp 2L and the right - side vehicle lamp 2R may be collectively referred to simply as the "vehicle lamp 2".

[0029] The low-beam lighting unit 3 is configured to emit a low-beam light distribution pattern toward the front of the vehicle 1. The high-beam lighting unit 4 is configured to emit a high-beam light distribution pattern toward the front of the vehicle 1.

[0030] The radar 5 is configured to obtain radar data indicating the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1 by emitting radio waves (for example, millimeter waves or microwaves) toward the outside of the vehicle 1. The radar 5 is, for example, a millimeter-wave radar or a microwave radar. A vehicle control unit (in-vehicle computer), not shown, is configured to identify the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1 (particularly, information regarding an object existing outside the vehicle 1) based on the radar data output from the radar 5.

[0031] The radar 5 includes an antenna unit 53 and a communication circuit unit 54 (see FIG. 5). The antenna unit 53 includes one or more transmission antennas configured to radiate radio waves (for example, millimeter waves having a wavelength of 1 mm to 10 mm) into the air, and one or more reception antennas configured to receive reflected radio waves reflected by an object. The antenna unit 53 may be configured as a patch antenna (a metal pattern formed on a substrate). The radiated radio waves radiated from the transmission antenna are reflected by an object such as another vehicle, and then the reflected radio waves from the object are received by the reception antenna.

[0032] The communication circuit unit 54 includes a transmission-side RF (radio frequency) circuit, a reception-side RF circuit, and a signal processing circuit. The communication circuit unit is configured as a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC). The transmission-side RF circuit is electrically connected to the transmission antenna. The reception-side RF circuit is electrically connected to the reception antenna. The signal processing circuit is configured to generate radar data by processing the digital signal output from the reception-side RF circuit.

[0033] The antenna unit 53 and the communication circuit unit 54 may be housed in a case. Further, the antenna unit 53 may be covered by a radome.

[0034] The shielding part 6 is arranged to face the radar 5 so as to shield the radar 5 from the outside of the vehicle 1. Further, the shielding part 6 is configured to transmit the radio wave emitted from the radar 5. The shielding part 6 may be constituted by, for example, an opaque resin member. In particular, the shielding part 6 may be constituted by a resin member colored in a predetermined color such as black. Further, the shielding part 6 may be constituted by a reflex reflector having a large number of fine prisms. In this case, since the light from the outside is totally reflected by the prisms of the reflex reflector, it is possible to shield the radar 5 from the outside by the reflex reflector. In this way, the radar 5 can be shielded from the outside of the vehicle 1 by the shielding part 6, and it is possible to improve the design property of the appearance of the right vehicle lamp 2R.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the right vehicle lamp 2R in the vertical direction (up and down direction). As shown in FIG. 2, the right vehicle lamp 2R further includes a lamp housing 14, a lamp cover 12 that covers the opening of the lamp housing 14, and a support member 8. The lamp housing 14 may be formed of, for example, a metal member. The lamp cover 12 may be formed of, for example, a transparent resin member. The low beam illumination unit 3 and the high beam illumination unit 4 are arranged in a lamp chamber S formed by the lamp housing 14 and the lamp cover 12.

[0036] In addition, in the present embodiment, instead of the high beam illumination unit 4, an ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) illumination unit that emits a light distribution pattern having an irradiation region and a non-irradiation region may be arranged in the lamp chamber S. Further, a LiDAR unit or a camera may be arranged in the lamp chamber S.

[0037] The support member 8 is a metal bracket configured to support and fix the radar 5. The support member 8 is fixed to the lamp housing 14 via screws 22 (see FIG. 4). The support member 8 extends downward from the lamp housing 14. Further, since the radar 5 and the support member 8 are disposed outside the lamp chamber S, it is preferably prevented that the operation of the radar 5 is adversely affected by the heat generated from the low beam lighting unit 3 or the high beam lighting unit 4.

[0038] The concealment portion 6 is integrally formed with the lamp cover 12 and extends downward from the lamp cover 12. Since the concealment portion 6 is integrally formed with the lamp cover 12, the work process for attaching the concealment portion 6 to the right vehicle lamp 2R is omitted, and the number of process steps for assembling the right vehicle lamp 2R can be reduced. The concealment portion 6 and the lamp cover 12 may be integrally formed by two-color molding using a mold. When the concealment portion 6 and the lamp cover 12 are integrally formed by two-color molding, protrusions C1 and C2 are formed on the concealment portion 6 and the lamp cover 12 at or near the boundary portion B between the concealment portion 6 and the lamp cover 12. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the relative positional relationship between the concealment portion 6 and the radar 5 is adjusted so that the boundary portion B between the concealment portion 6 and the lamp cover 12 is disposed outside the vertical field of view Fv of the radar 5.

[0039] As described above, since the boundary portion B between the concealment portion 6 and the lamp cover 12 is disposed outside the field of view Fv of the radar 5, as a result of radio waves existing within the field of view Fv of the radar 5 being reflected by the protrusions C1 and C2, a situation in which the reflected radio waves are incident on the receiving antenna of the radar 5 and adversely affect the radar data can be avoided. Therefore, while ensuring the reliability of the radar data acquired by the radar 5 mounted on the right vehicle lamp 2R, the radar 5 can be concealed from the outside of the vehicle 1.

[0040] The horizontal field of view Fh of the radar 5 (see Fig. 4) may be, for example, within the range of 120° to 180°. In other words, the field of view Fh of the radar 5 may be within the range of ±60° to ±90° with respect to the central axis of the radar 5. The vertical field of view Fv of the radar 5 may be, for example, within the range of 3° to 100°. Note that the field of view of the radar 5 is synonymous with the detection range of the radar 5.

[0041] Also, as shown in Fig. 2, a margin angle region M is defined as an angle region adjacent to both ends of the vertical field of view Fv of the radar 5. The intensity of the radio wave existing in the margin angle region M is sufficiently smaller than the intensity of the radio wave existing in the field of view Fv, while the arrangement of the metal member that reflects the radio wave is prohibited within the margin angle region M. The margin angle region M may be, for example, within the range of 3° to 5°. In the present embodiment, the boundary portion B between the shielding portion 6 and the lamp cover 12 is arranged outside the field of view Fv, but may also be arranged within the margin angle region M.

[0042] Even if the boundary portion B is arranged within the margin angle region M, since the intensity of the radio wave existing in the margin angle region M is weak, the intensity of the reflected radio wave reflected by the boundary portion B is sufficiently weak. Therefore, even if the reflected radio wave enters the receiving antenna of the radar 5, it does not adversely affect the radar data. Thus, for example, when the lighting unit and the radar 5 are arranged close to each other, the area of the shielding portion 6 can be minimized as much as possible.

[0043] Also, in relation to the relative positional relationship between the radar 5 and the shielding portion 6, the distance d between the shielding portion 6 and the radar 5 in the front-rear direction may be set to be 20 mm or more and 100 mm or less. When the distance d between the shielding portion 6 and the radar 5 is 20 mm or more, the reflected radio wave emitted from the radar 5 and reflected by the shielding portion 6 is sufficiently attenuated before reaching the receiving antenna of the radar 5. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where the reflected radio wave received by the radar 5 affects the radar data as a noise component.

[0044] When the distance between the shielding part 6 and the radar 5 is 100 mm or less, it is possible to avoid a situation where a part of the radio wave existing within the field of view of the radar 5 cannot pass through the shielding part 6. That is, as a result of a part of the radio wave that cannot pass through the shielding part 6 being reflected by the boundary part B between the shielding part 6 and the lamp cover 12 or other optical components, it is possible to avoid a situation where the reflected radio wave affects the radar data as a noise component.

[0045] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the thickness t of the shielding part 6 in the front-rear direction will be described below. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the reflected radio waves R1 and R2 reflected by the shielding part 6. The thickness t of the shielding part 6 shown in FIG. 3 is defined by the following formula (1).

Equation

[0046] Thus, when the thickness t of the shielding part 6 is set to the thickness defined by the above formula (1), the reflected radio wave R2 reflected by one surface 62 of the shielding part 6 facing the radar 5 and the reflected radio wave R1 reflected by the other surface 63 of the shielding part 6 located on the side opposite to the one surface 62 cancel each other out. Specifically, since the phase difference Δθ between the reflected radio wave R2 and the reflected radio wave R1 is (2m + 1)π (m is an integer of zero or more), the reflected radio wave R1 and the reflected radio wave R2 cancel each other out. As a result, the reflectivity of the shielding part 6 with respect to the radio wave emitted from the radar 5 can be lowered. Therefore, since the intensity of the reflected radio wave reflected by the shielding part 6 becomes weak, it is possible to avoid a situation where the reflected radio wave is received by the radar 5 and affects the radar data as a noise component. For example, when the wavelength λ of the radio wave of the radar 5 is 3.922 mm, the relative permittivity ε r of the shielding part 6 is 2, and n = 1, the thickness t of the shielding part 6 is 1.386 mm.

[0047] Next, with reference mainly to FIG. 4, the structures of the radar 5, the support member 8, and the concealment portion 6 will be specifically described. FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the radar 5, the support member 8, and the concealment portion 6. As shown in FIG. 4, the support member 8 is fixed to the lamp housing 14 via the screw 22 which is a fixing means. The radar 5 is supported and fixed by the lance 23 provided on the support member 8. The radar 5 has a front surface 51, a rear surface 52 located on the side opposite to the front surface 51, and a side surface 55 located between the front surface 51 and the rear surface 52. The front surface 51, the rear surface 52, and the side surface 55 of the radar 5 may correspond to the front surface, the rear surface, and the side surface of the case of the radar 5 respectively. The radio wave emitted from the antenna portion 53 (transmission antenna) of the radar 5 is radiated into the air by passing through the front surface 51. Further, the reflected radio wave reflected by an object existing outside the vehicle 1 enters the antenna portion 53 (reception antenna) by passing through the front surface 51.

[0048] Spacers 20a and 20b are provided between the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 and the support member 8. The thermal conductivity of the spacers 20a and 20b may be lower than the thermal conductivity of the support member 8. As shown in FIG. 5(a), the spacer 20a (an example of the first spacer) abuts on the rear surface 52 and the side surface 55 of the radar 5 and extends in the vertical direction along the side surface 55 of the radar 5. Similarly, the spacer 20b (an example of the second spacer) abuts on the rear surface 52 and the side surface 55 of the radar 5 and extends in the vertical direction along the side surface 55 of the radar 5. The spacer 20a faces the spacer 20b in the left-right direction (an example of the first direction) via the air layer 30.

[0049] Thus, since the two spacers 20a and 20b spaced apart from each other are provided between the radar 5 and the support member 8, the air layer 30 (an example of the heat insulation layer) can be relatively easily provided between the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 and the support member 8.

[0050] According to the present embodiment, an air layer 30 that functions as a heat insulating layer is provided between the support member 8 and the rear surface 52 of the radar 5. Therefore, heat radiated from the engine (external heat source) existing behind the radar 5 is less likely to be transmitted to the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 via the support member 8. For this reason, it is possible to preferably prevent the operating performance of the radar 5 (particularly, the communication circuit unit 54) from deteriorating due to radiant heat from the engine. Therefore, while ensuring the reliability of the radar 5 against external radiant heat, the radar 5 can be concealed from the outside of the vehicle 1.

[0051] In this regard, when the spacers 20a and 20b are not provided between the radar 5 and the support member 8, the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 comes into direct contact with the support member 8. For this reason, radiant heat from the engine is likely to be transmitted from the support member 8 having a high thermal conductivity to the rear surface 52 of the radar 5. For this reason, there is a risk that the operating performance of the radar 5 will be greatly deteriorated due to radiant heat from the engine.

[0052] Further, when the thermal conductivity of the spacers 20a and 20b is lower than the thermal conductivity of the support member 8, radiant heat from the engine is less likely to be transmitted to the radar 5 via the support member 8. For this reason, the spacers 20a and 20b may be formed of a member having a lower thermal conductivity than the support member 8 made of a metal member.

[0053] In the present embodiment, two spacers 20a and 20b are employed. However, as shown in FIG. 5(b), four spacers 20c to 20f may be provided between the support member 8 and the rear surface 52 of the radar 5. Also in this case, each of the spacers 20c to 20f abuts against the rear surface 52 and the side surface 55 of the radar 5. Further, each of the spacers 20c to 20d may be disposed at a position corresponding to one of the four corners of the radar 5.

[0054] The spacer 20d (an example of the second spacer) is arranged to face the spacer 20c (an example of the first spacer) in the left - right direction (an example of the first direction) via the air layer 30. The spacer 20e (an example of the third spacer) is arranged to face the spacer 20c in the up - down direction (an example of the second direction) via the air layer 30. The spacer 20f (an example of the fourth spacer) is arranged to face the spacer 20d in the up - down direction and the spacer 20e in the left - right direction via the air layer 30.

[0055] In this way, by providing the four spacers 20c - 20d shown in Fig. 5(b) between the support member 8 and the radar 5, the contact area between the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 and the air layer 30 can be further increased. Therefore, compared with the structure shown in Fig. 5(a), the radiant heat from the engine is less likely to be further transmitted by the radar 5.

[0056] Also, as described above, the radar 5 and the shielding part 6 are separated by a distance d (see Fig. 1) in the front - rear direction. The relative positional relationship between the radar 5 and the shielding part 6 is determined by the positioning parts 9a, 9b. In particular, the recess 92a provided in the positioning part 9a engages with the rib 18a provided on the front surface 82 of the support member 8, so that the positioning part 9a is configured to determine the position of the support member 8 relative to the shielding part 6. Similarly, the recess 92b provided in the positioning part 9b engages with the rib 18b provided on the front surface 82 of the support member 8, so that the positioning part 9b is configured to determine the position of the support member 8 relative to the shielding part 6. Also, the positioning parts 9a, 9b are integrally formed with the shielding part 6 and are arranged between the shielding part 6 and the radar 5. The positioning part 9a faces the positioning part 9b in the left - right direction with the radar 5 in between.

[0057] In this way, since the positions of the support member 8 with respect to the concealment part 6 are determined by the two positioning parts 9a and 9b, when the positioning of the vehicle lamp 2 with respect to the vehicle 1 is completed, the positioning of the radar 5 with respect to the vehicle 1 is also completed simultaneously. Therefore, the positioning of the radar 5 with respect to the vehicle 1 can be performed relatively easily and reliably by the positioning parts 9a and 9b.

[0058] (First Modification Example) Next, the support member 8a according to the modification example will be described below with reference to FIG. 6. According to the support member 8a according to this example, it is possible to provide an air layer 30a between the support member 8a and the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 without providing a spacer.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6, the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 is in direct contact with the front surface 82 of the support member 8a. The support member 8a has a convex portion 85 that protrudes from the rear surface 83 located on the side opposite to the front surface 82 of the support member 8a. An air layer 30a (an example of a heat insulation layer) is provided between the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 and the convex portion 85 facing the rear surface 52. Further, the side surface 55 of the radar 5 is in contact with the stepped portions 87a and 87b formed on the support member 8a. By the side surface 55 and the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 coming into contact with the stepped portions 87a and 87b, the position of the radar 5 with respect to the support member 8 can be determined.

[0060] According to this modification example, the air layer 30a can be provided between the support member 8a and the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 relatively easily by the convex portion 85 of the support member 8a. In particular, it is possible to provide the air layer 30a between the rear surface 52 and the support member 8a without newly preparing additional components such as a spacer.

[0061] (Second Modification Example) Next, the right vehicle lamp 200R according to the modification example will be described below with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view in the vertical direction of the right vehicle lamp 200R according to the modification example. The right vehicle lamp 200R according to the modification example mainly differs from the right vehicle lamp 2R according to the present embodiment in that the radar 5 and the support member 80 are arranged in the lamp chamber S.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 7, the right vehicle lamp 200R includes a lamp housing 140, a lamp cover 120 that covers the opening of the lamp housing 140, a low beam lighting unit 3 disposed in a lamp chamber S formed by the lamp housing 140 and the lamp cover 120, and a high beam lighting unit (not shown). The right vehicle lamp 200R further includes a radar 5, a support member 80 fixed to the lamp housing 140 for supporting and fixing the radar 5, and a shielding portion 60 disposed to face the radar 5 so as to conceal the radar 5 from the outside of the vehicle 1.

[0063] The shielding portion 60 is integrally formed with the lamp cover 120 and extends downward from the lamp cover 120. In this regard, the shielding portion 60 and the lamp cover 120 may be integrally formed by two-color molding using a mold. When the shielding portion 60 and the lamp cover 120 are integrally formed by two-color molding, protrusions C3 and C4 are formed on the shielding portion 60 and the lamp cover 120 at or near the boundary portion B2 between the shielding portion 60 and the lamp cover 120. Therefore, in this modification, the relative positional relationship between the shielding portion 60 and the radar 5 is adjusted so that the boundary portion B2 between the shielding portion 60 and the lamp cover 120 is disposed outside the vertical field of view Fv of the radar 5.

[0064] Thus, since the boundary portion B2 between the shielding portion 60 and the lamp cover 120 is disposed outside the field of view Fv of the radar 5, radio waves existing within the field of view Fv of the radar 5 are reflected by the protrusions C3 and C4, and as a result, a situation in which the reflected radio waves are incident on the receiving antenna of the radar 5 and adversely affect the radar data can be avoided. Therefore, while ensuring the reliability of the radar data acquired by the radar 5 mounted on the right vehicle lamp 2R, the radar 5 can be concealed from the outside of the vehicle 1. Further, the boundary portion B2 between the shielding portion 6 and the lamp cover 12 may be disposed within the margin angle region M while being disposed outside the field of view Fv.

[0065] Moreover, according to this modification example, since the radar 5 is arranged inside the lamp chamber, a situation where the overall dimensions of the right-vehicle lamp 2R become large is suitably prevented.

[0066] (Second Embodiment) Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter simply referred to as "this embodiment") will be described with reference to the drawings. The dimensions of each member shown in these drawings may be different from the actual dimensions of each member for convenience of explanation. Hereinafter, detailed descriptions of components having the same reference numerals as those of the components described in the first embodiment will not be repeated.

[0067] First, the vehicle 1A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a front view of the vehicle 1A including the left-vehicle lamp 102L and the right-vehicle lamp 102R. As shown in FIG. 8, the left-vehicle lamp 102L is arranged on the left front side of the vehicle 1A, and the right-vehicle lamp 102R is arranged on the right front side of the vehicle 1A. Each of the left-vehicle lamp 102L and the right-vehicle lamp 102R includes a low-beam lighting unit 3, a high-beam lighting unit 4, a radar 5, and a concealment portion 6 that conceals the radar 5.

[0068] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the left-vehicle lamp 102L and the right-vehicle lamp 102R have the same configuration. Therefore, in the following description, the configuration of the right-vehicle lamp 102R will be described with reference to FIG. 9. Also, for convenience of explanation, the left-vehicle lamp 102L and the right-vehicle lamp 102R may be collectively referred to simply as the "vehicle lamp 102".

[0069] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the right-vehicle lamp 102R in the vertical direction (up and down direction). As shown in FIG. 9, the right-vehicle lamp 102R further includes a lamp housing 14, a lamp cover 12 that covers the opening of the lamp housing 14, a support member 8, and a radio wave absorption cover 7.

[0070] Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, each structure of the radar 5, the support member 8, and the radio wave absorbing cover 7 will be specifically described. FIG. 10 is a front view showing only the radio wave absorbing cover 7 and the radar 5. FIG. 11 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the radar 5, the support member 8, the concealment portion 6, and the radio wave absorbing cover 7.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 11, the support member 8 is fixed to the lamp housing 14 via screws 22 which are fixing means. The radar 5 is supported and fixed by a lance 23 (an example of an elastic engagement member) provided on the support member 8. The radar 5 has a front surface 51, a rear surface 52 located on the side opposite to the front surface 51, and side surfaces 55 located between the front surface 51 and the rear surface 52. The radio waves emitted from the antenna portion 53 of the radar 5 are radiated into the air through the front surface 51.

[0072] Spacers 20a and 20b are provided between the radar 5 and the support member 8. The thermal conductivity of the spacers 20a and 20b may be lower than the thermal conductivity of the support member 8. The spacer 20a faces the spacer 20b in the left-right direction. Each of the spacers 20a and 20b is in contact with the rear surface 52 and the side surfaces 55 of the radar 5. Thus, since the two mutually separated spacers 20a and 20b are provided between the radar 5 and the support member 8, an air layer 30 (an example of a heat insulating layer) is formed between the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 and the support member 8. In this way, the heat radiated from an engine (not shown) disposed behind the support member 8 is less likely to be transmitted to the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 through the support member 8 due to the air layer 30 having a lower thermal conductivity than the support member 8. Therefore, it is possible to preferably prevent the operating performance of the radar 5 (particularly, the communication circuit portion) from deteriorating due to the radiant heat from the engine. Thus, the reliability of the radar 5 against external radiant heat can be ensured by the air layer 30.

[0073] The radio wave absorption cover 7 is configured to absorb radio waves emitted from the antenna unit 53 of the radar 5. The radio wave absorption cover 7 includes a cover body 73 formed as a frustum of a cone, and a radio wave absorption sheet 72 provided on the inner surface of the cover body 73. The cover body 73 may be formed of, for example, a resin material. The radio wave absorption sheet 72 may be formed of an inorganic binder and radio wave absorption particles provided in the inorganic binder. As an example of the radio wave absorption particles, epsilon-type iron oxide particles or titanium oxide particles may be employed. In addition, when the radio wave absorption cover 7 is composed only of the cover body, the cover body may be formed of a resin material mixed with radio wave absorption particles.

[0074] The radio wave absorption cover 7 is disposed outside the field of view F of the radar 5 so as to surround the field of view F (the horizontal field of view Fh and the vertical field of view Fv) of the radar 5. In this regard, the radio wave absorption cover 7 is provided so as to surround the antenna unit 53 of the radar 5, and is fixed to the support member 8 via a screw 24 (fixing means). In particular, the end portion of the cover body 73 of the radio wave absorption cover 7 is fixed to ribs 18a, 18b provided on the support member 8 via the screw 24. Further, the radio wave absorption cover 7 is disposed between the concealment portion 6 and the radar 5 in the front-rear direction so as to be concealed from the outside of the vehicle 1A by the concealment portion 6. In this way, since the radio wave absorption cover 7 and the radar 5 can be concealed from the outside of the vehicle 1A by the concealment portion 6, it is preferably possible to prevent the design property of the appearance of the right-side vehicle lamp 102R from being impaired.

[0075] According to this embodiment, a radio wave absorbing cover 7 that absorbs radio waves emitted from the radar 5 is provided so as to surround the antenna portion 53 of the radar 5. For this reason, when radio waves existing within the field of view F of the radar 5 are reflected by the shielding portion 6 or other optical components, it is possible to suitably prevent a situation where the reflected radio waves enter the antenna portion (particularly, the receiving antenna) of the radar 5 and affect the radar data adversely. In this way, it is possible to provide the right vehicle lamp 102R that can conceal the radar 5 from the outside of the vehicle 1A while ensuring the reliability of the radar data acquired by the radar 5 mounted on the right vehicle lamp 102R. In particular, while the radar 5 can surely receive the reflected radio waves reflected by an object existing outside the vehicle 1A, the presence of the radio wave absorbing cover 7 can surely avoid receiving the reflected radio waves internally reflected by the optical components arranged within the right vehicle lamp 102R.

[0076] Further, since the radio wave absorbing cover 7 is arranged outside the field of view F of the radar 5, it is possible to avoid a situation where the radio waves within the field of view F directly emitted from the radar 5 are absorbed by the radio wave absorbing cover 7. Furthermore, since the radio wave absorbing cover 7 is fixed by the support member 8, it is possible to improve the positioning accuracy of the radio wave absorbing cover 7 with respect to the radar 5 (antenna portion 53).

[0077] (Third Embodiment) Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter, simply referred to as "this embodiment") will be described with reference to the drawings. The dimensions of each member shown in these drawings may be different from the actual dimensions of each member for convenience of explanation. Hereinafter, detailed descriptions of the components having the same reference numerals as the components described in the first and second embodiments will not be repeated.

[0078] First, the vehicle 1B according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a front view of the vehicle 1B equipped with the left vehicle lamp 202L and the right vehicle lamp 202R. As shown in FIG. 12, the left vehicle lamp 202L is disposed on the left front side of the vehicle 1B, and the right vehicle lamp 202R is disposed on the right front side of the vehicle 1B. Each of the left vehicle lamp 202L and the right vehicle lamp 202R includes a low beam illumination unit 3, a high beam illumination unit 4, a radar 5, and a concealment portion 6 that conceals the radar 5.

[0079] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the left vehicle lamp 202L and the right vehicle lamp 202R have the same configuration. Therefore, in the following description, the configuration of the right vehicle lamp 202R will be described with reference to FIG. 13. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the left vehicle lamp 202L and the right vehicle lamp 202R may be collectively referred to simply as the "vehicle lamp 202".

[0080] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the right vehicle lamp 202R in the vertical direction (up and down direction). As shown in FIG. 13, the right vehicle lamp 202R further includes a lamp housing 14, a lamp cover 12 that covers the opening of the lamp housing 14, and a support member 8. The lamp housing 14 may be formed of, for example, a metal member. The lamp cover 12 may be formed of, for example, a transparent resin member. The low beam illumination unit 3 and the high beam illumination unit 4 are disposed in a lamp chamber S formed by the lamp housing 14 and the lamp cover 12.

[0081] Next, with reference mainly to FIG. 14, the structures of the radar 5, the support member 8, and the concealment portion 6 will be specifically described. FIG. 14 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the radar 5, the support member 8, and the concealment portion 6. As shown in FIG. 14, the support member 8 is fixed to the lamp housing 14 via screws 22 which are fixing means. The radar 5 is supported and fixed by a lance 23 provided on the support member 8. The radar 5 has a front surface 51, a rear surface 52 located on the side opposite to the front surface 51, and a side surface 55 located between the front surface 51 and the rear surface 52. The front surface 51, the rear surface 52, and the side surface 55 of the radar 5 may correspond to the front surface, the rear surface, and the side surface of the case of the radar 5, respectively. The radio waves emitted from the antenna portion 53 (transmission antenna) of the radar 5 are radiated into the air by passing through the front surface 51. Further, the reflected radio waves reflected by an object existing outside the vehicle 1B are incident on the antenna portion 53 (reception antenna) by passing through the front surface 51.

[0082] Spacers 120a and 120b are provided between the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 and the support member 8. The thermal conductivity of the spacers 120a and 120b may be lower than the thermal conductivity of the support member 8. The spacer 120a abuts on the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 and extends in the vertical direction along the side surface 55 of the radar 5. Similarly, the spacer 120b abuts on the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 and extends in the vertical direction along the side surface 55 of the radar 5. The spacer 120a faces the spacer 120b in the left-right direction via the air layer 30.

[0083] Thus, since the two spacers 120a and 120b spaced apart from each other are provided between the radar 5 and the support member 8, an air layer 30 (an example of a heat insulation layer) can be relatively easily provided between the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 and the support member 8.

[0084] According to the present embodiment, since the air layer 30 that functions as a heat insulating layer is provided between the support member 8 and the rear surface 52 of the radar 5, the heat radiated from the engine (external heat source) existing behind the radar 5 is less likely to be transmitted to the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 via the support member 8. Therefore, it is possible to suitably prevent the operating performance of the radar 5 (particularly, the communication circuit unit 54) from deteriorating due to the radiant heat from the engine. Accordingly, while ensuring the reliability of the radar 5 against external radiant heat, the radar 5 can be concealed from the outside of the vehicle 1B.

[0085] In this regard, when the spacers 120a and 120b are not provided between the radar 5 and the support member 8, the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 comes into direct contact with the support member 8. Therefore, the radiant heat from the engine is likely to be transmitted from the support member 8 having a high thermal conductivity to the rear surface 52 of the radar 5. For this reason, there is a risk that the operating performance of the radar 5 will be significantly deteriorated due to the radiant heat from the engine.

[0086] Also, when the thermal conductivity of the spacers 120a and 120b is lower than the thermal conductivity of the support member 8, the radiant heat from the engine is less likely to be transmitted to the radar 5 via the support member 8. Therefore, the spacers 120a and 120b may be formed of a member having a lower thermal conductivity than the support member 8 made of a metal member.

[0087] Next, the positioning portions 19a to 19d will be described below with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 15 is a front view showing the positioning portions 19a to 19d, the radar 5, and the concealment portion 6. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, each of the positioning portions 19a to 19d is configured to determine the position of the radar 5 with respect to the concealment portion 6 by abutting against the radar 5. In other words, the relative positional relationship between the radar 5 and the concealment portion 6 is determined by the positioning portions 19a to 19d.

[0088] Each of the positioning portions 19a to 19d has a recess that abuts against the front surface 51 and the side surface 55 of the radar 5. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 14, the positioning portion 19a has a recess 192a that abuts against the front surface 51 and the side surface 55. The positioning portion 19b has a recess 192b that abuts against the front surface 51 and the side surface 55. By the recesses of the respective positioning portions abutting against the front surface 51 and the side surface 55 of the radar 5, the position of the radar 5 with respect to the concealment portion 6 can be surely determined.

[0089] In particular, with each of the positioning portions 19a to 19d in contact with the radar 5, a support member 8 that supports the radar 5 via a screw 22 is fixed to the lamp housing 14. Thus, by using the positioning portions 19a to 19d, it becomes possible to surely determine the position of the radar 5 with respect to the concealment portion 6.

[0090] Also, each of the positioning portions 19a to 19d is integrally formed with the concealment portion 6 and is disposed between the concealment portion 6 and the radar 5 in the front-rear direction. The positioning portions 19a to 19d may be formed of the same material as the concealment portion 6 (for example, an opaque resin material). For example, the concealment portion 6 and the positioning portions 19a to 19d may be integrally formed by injection molding using a mold.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 15, the positioning portion 19a (an example of the first positioning portion) faces the positioning portion 19b (an example of the second positioning portion) in the left-right direction. The radar 5 is disposed between the positioning portion 19a and the positioning portion 19b in the left-right direction. The positioning portion 19c faces the positioning portion 19a in the up-down direction. The positioning portion 19d faces the positioning portion 19b in the up-down direction and faces the positioning portion 19c in the left-right direction.

[0092] In the present embodiment, the positions of the radar 5 with respect to the concealment portion 6 are determined by the four positioning portions 19a to 19d. However, the number of the positioning portions is not limited to four. For example, the number of the positioning portions may be two. In this case, in the left-right direction, it is preferable that one of the two positioning portions faces the other positioning portion via the radar 5. Further, the two positioning portions may extend along the side surface 55 of the radar 5. By providing two or more positioning portions, it becomes possible to surely determine the position of the radar 5 with respect to the concealment portion 6.

[0093] According to the present embodiment, the positions of the radar 5 with respect to the concealment portion 6 are determined by the positioning portions 19a to 19d formed integrally with the concealment portion 6, and the concealment portion 6 is formed integrally with the lamp cover 12. Thus, when the positioning of the right vehicle lamp 202R with respect to the vehicle 1B is completed, the positioning of the radar 5 with respect to the vehicle 1B is also completed at the same time. Therefore, the positioning of the radar 5 with respect to the vehicle 1B can be performed relatively easily and surely, and the radar 5 can be concealed from the outside of the vehicle 1B.

[0094] (Modification example) Next, the positioning portions 29a to 29d according to the modification example will be described below with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. FIG. 16 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the radar 5, the support member 8, and the concealment portion 6. FIG. 17 is a front view showing the positioning portions 29a to 29d according to the modification example, the radar 5, and the concealment portion 6.

[0095] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, each of the positioning portions 29a to 29d is configured to determine the position of the support member 8 with respect to the concealment portion 6 by abutting against the support member 8 that supports and fixes the radar 5. In this modification example, since the radar 5 is positioned by the support member 8, the relative positional relationship between the radar 5 and the concealment portion 6 is determined as the relative positional relationship between the support member 8 and the concealment portion 6 is determined.

[0096] Each of the positioning portions 29a to 29d has a recess that abuts against ribs 18a and 18b protruding from the front surface 82 of the support member 8. In this regard, the positioning portion 29a has a recess 94a that abuts against the front surface 180a and the side surface 182a of the rib 18a. The positioning portion 29b has a recess 94b that abuts against the front surface 180b and the side surface 182b of the rib 18b. By the recesses of the respective positioning portions abutting against the ribs formed on the support member 8, the position of the support member 8 with respect to the concealment portion 6 can be surely determined.

[0097] In particular, with each of the positioning portions 29a to 29d abutting against the support member 8, the support member 8 is fixed to the lamp housing 14 via the screw 22. Thus, by using the positioning portions 29a to 29d, it becomes possible to surely determine the position of the support member 8 with respect to the concealment portion 6.

[0098] Also, each of the positioning portions 29a to 29d is integrally formed with the concealment portion 6 and is disposed between the concealment portion 6 and the radar 5 in the front-rear direction. The positioning portions 29a to 29d may be formed of the same material as the concealment portion 6 (for example, an opaque resin material). For example, the concealment portion 6 and the positioning portions 29a to 29d may be integrally formed by injection molding using a mold.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 17, the positioning portion 29a (an example of the first positioning portion) faces the positioning portion 29b (an example of the second positioning portion) in the left-right direction. The radar 5 is disposed between the positioning portion 29a and the positioning portion 29b in the left-right direction. The positioning portion 29c faces the positioning portion 29a in the up-down direction. The positioning portion 29d faces the positioning portion 29b in the up-down direction and also faces the positioning portion 29c in the left-right direction.

[0100] Likewise, in this modified example, the number of positioning portions is not limited to four. For example, the number of positioning portions may be two. In this case, in the left - right direction, it is preferable that one of the two positioning portions faces the other positioning portion via the radar 5. Further, one of the two positioning portions may extend along the side surface 182a of the rib 18a of the support member 8, while the other of the two positioning portions may extend along the side surface 182b of the rib 18b of the support member 8.

[0101] According to the present embodiment, the positions of the support member 8 with respect to the concealment portion 6 are determined by the positioning portions 29a - 29d integrally formed with the concealment portion 6. Further, the concealment portion 6 is integrally formed with the lamp cover 12, and the radar 5 is fixed by the support member 8. In this way, when the positioning of the right - hand vehicle lamp 202R with respect to the vehicle 1B is completed, the positioning of the radar 5 with respect to the vehicle 1B is also completed simultaneously. Therefore, the positioning of the radar 5 with respect to the vehicle 1B can be performed relatively easily and reliably, and the radar 5 can be concealed from the outside of the vehicle 1B.

[0102] (Fourth Embodiment) Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter simply referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described with reference to the drawings. The dimensions of each member shown in the drawings may be different from the actual dimensions of each member for convenience of explanation. Hereinafter, detailed descriptions of components having the same reference numerals as those of the components described in the first to third embodiments will not be repeated.

[0103] First, the vehicle 1C according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a front view of a vehicle 1C including a left - hand vehicle lamp 302L and a right - hand vehicle lamp 302R. As shown in FIG. 18, the left - hand vehicle lamp 302L is disposed on the left front side of the vehicle 1C, and the right - hand vehicle lamp 302R is disposed on the right front side of the vehicle 1C. Each of the left - hand vehicle lamp 302L and the right - hand vehicle lamp 302R includes a low - beam lighting unit 3 and a high - beam lighting unit 4.

[0104] Further, the left radar module 17L is disposed below the left vehicle lamp 302L. The right radar module 17R is disposed below the right vehicle lamp 302R. Each of the left radar module 17L and the right radar module 17R includes a radar 5 and a concealment portion 6a that conceals the radar 5.

[0105] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the left vehicle lamp 302L and the right vehicle lamp 302R have the same configuration. Therefore, in the following description, only the specific configuration of the right vehicle lamp 302R will be described with reference to FIG. 19. For convenience of explanation, the left vehicle lamp 302L and the right vehicle lamp 302R may be collectively referred to simply as the "vehicle lamp 302".

[0106] Similarly, it is assumed that the left radar module 17L has the same configuration as the right radar module 17R. Therefore, in the following description, only the specific configuration of the right radar module 17R will be described with reference to FIG. 19. For convenience of explanation, the left radar module 17L and the right radar module 17R may be collectively referred to simply as the "radar module 17".

[0107] The concealment portion 6a is disposed to face the radar 5 so as to conceal the radar 5 from the outside of the vehicle 1C. Further, the concealment portion 6a is configured to transmit the radio wave emitted from the radar 5. The concealment portion 6a may be formed of, for example, an opaque resin member. In particular, the concealment portion 6a may be formed of a resin member colored with a predetermined color such as black. Further, the concealment portion 6a may be formed of a reflex reflector having a number of fine prisms. In this case, since the light from the outside is totally reflected by the prisms of the reflex reflector, it is possible to conceal the radar 5 from the outside by the reflex reflector. Thus, the radar 5 can be concealed from the outside of the vehicle 1C by the concealment portion 6a, and the design property of the appearance of the right vehicle lamp 302R can be improved.

[0108] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the right vehicle lamp 302R and the right radar module 17R in the vertical direction (up and down direction). As shown in FIG. 19, the right vehicle lamp 302R further includes a lamp housing 14a and a lamp cover 12a that covers the opening of the lamp housing 14a. The lamp housing 14a may be formed of, for example, a metal member. The lamp cover 12a may be formed of, for example, a transparent resin member. The low beam lighting unit 3 and the high beam lighting unit 4 are disposed in a lamp chamber S formed by the lamp housing 14a and the lamp cover 12a.

[0109] In addition, in the present embodiment, instead of the high beam lighting unit 4, an ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) lighting unit that emits a light distribution pattern having an irradiation region and a non-irradiation region may be disposed in the lamp chamber S. Further, a LiDAR unit or a camera may be disposed in the lamp chamber S.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 19, the right radar module 17R further includes a support member 8a. The support member 8a is a metal bracket and is configured to support and fix the radar 5. The support member 8a is fixed to the lamp housing 14a via a screw 22 (see FIG. 22). Further, since the right radar module 17R is disposed outside the lamp chamber S of the right vehicle lamp 302R, the operation of the radar 5 is preferably prevented from being adversely affected by the heat generated from the low beam lighting unit 3 or the high beam lighting unit 4.

[0111] Further, the support member 8a has a positioning portion 80a (an example of the second positioning portion) that engages with a groove portion 142 formed in the lamp housing 14a at its upper end portion, and extends downward from the lamp housing 14a. The positioning portion 80a may be formed, for example, as an engaging protrusion extending in the left-right direction. Also, the groove portion 142 may be formed to extend in the left-right direction. The positioning portion 80a is configured to determine the position of the right radar module 17R with respect to the right vehicle lamp 302R by engaging with the groove portion 142. In other words, the position of the right radar module 17R with respect to the right vehicle lamp 302R can be determined by the outer surface of the positioning portion 80a abutting against the inner wall surface of the groove portion 142.

[0112] The concealment portion 6a has a positioning portion 65 (an example of the first positioning portion) that engages with a groove portion 122 formed in the lamp cover 12a at its upper end portion, and extends downward from the lamp cover 12a. The positioning portion 65 may be formed, for example, as an engaging protrusion extending in the left-right direction. Also, the groove portion 122 may be formed to extend in the left-right direction. The positioning portion 65 is configured to determine the position of the right radar module 17R with respect to the right vehicle lamp 302R by engaging with the groove portion 122. In other words, the position of the right radar module 17R with respect to the right vehicle lamp 302R can be determined by the outer surface of the positioning portion 65 abutting against the inner wall surface of the groove portion 122.

[0113] The positioning portion 65 of the concealment portion 6a is formed as an engaging protrusion portion, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the concealment portion 6A according to the modification example may have a positioning portion 65A formed as an engaging groove portion extending in the left - right direction. Further, the lamp cover 12aA according to the modification example may have an engaging protrusion portion 122A extending in the left - right direction. The positioning portion 65A is configured to determine the position of the right - side radar module 17R with respect to the right - side vehicle lamp 302R by engaging with the engaging protrusion portion 122A. In other words, the position of the right - side radar module 17R with respect to the right - side vehicle lamp 302R may be determined by the outer surface of the engaging protrusion portion 122A abutting against the inner wall surface of the positioning portion 65A.

[0114] Further, the relative positional relationship between the concealment portion 6a and the radar 5 may be adjusted so that the boundary between the concealment portion 6a and the lamp cover 12a (that is, the periphery of the positioning portion 65) is disposed outside the vertical field of view Fv of the radar 5.

[0115] Since the boundary between the concealment portion 6a and the lamp cover 12a is disposed outside the field of view Fv of the radar 5, radio waves existing within the field of view Fv of the radar 5 are reflected by the boundary, and as a result, the situation where the reflected radio waves enter the receiving antenna of the radar 5 and affect the radar data can be avoided. For this reason, the reliability of the radar data acquired by the radar 5 mounted on the right - side vehicle lamp 302R can be ensured.

[0116] The horizontal field of view Fh of the radar 5 (see FIG. 22) may be, for example, within the range of 120° to 180°. In other words, the field of view Fh of the radar 5 may be within the range of ±60° to ±90° with respect to the central axis of the radar 5. The vertical field of view Fv of the radar 5 may be, for example, within the range of 3° to 100°. Note that the field of view of the radar 5 is synonymous with the detection range of the radar 5.

[0117] Regarding the relative positional relationship between the radar 5 and the shielding part 6a, the distance d between the shielding part 6a and the radar 5 in the front-rear direction may be set to be 20 mm or more and 100 mm or less. When the distance d between the shielding part 6a and the radar 5 is 20 mm or more, the reflected radio wave emitted from the radar 5 and reflected by the shielding part 6a is sufficiently attenuated before reaching the receiving antenna of the radar 5. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where the reflected radio wave received by the radar 5 affects the radar data as a noise component.

[0118] On the other hand, when the distance between the shielding part 6a and the radar 5 is 100 mm or less, it is possible to avoid a situation where a part of the radio waves existing within the field of view of the radar 5 cannot pass through the shielding part 6a. That is, as a result of a part of the radio waves that cannot pass through the shielding part 6a being reflected by the boundary between the shielding part 6a and the lamp cover 12a or other optical components, it is possible to avoid a situation where the reflected radio wave affects the radar data as a noise component.

[0119] Next, with reference to FIG. 21, the thickness t1 of the shielding part 6a in the front-rear direction will be described below. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the reflected radio waves R1 and R2 reflected by the shielding part 6a. The thickness t1 of the shielding part 6a shown in FIG. 21 is defined by the following formula (2).

Equation

[0120] Thus, when the thickness t1 of the shielding portion 6a is set to the thickness defined by the above formula (2), the reflected radio wave R2 reflected from one surface 62a of the shielding portion 6a facing the radar 5 and the reflected radio wave R1 reflected from the other surface 63a of the shielding portion 6a located on the side opposite to the one surface 62a weaken each other. Specifically, since the phase difference Δθ between the reflected radio wave R2 and the reflected radio wave R1 is (2m + 1)π (m is an integer of zero or more), the reflected radio wave R1 and the reflected radio wave R2 weaken each other. As a result, the reflectivity of the shielding portion 6a with respect to the radio wave emitted from the radar 5 can be lowered. Therefore, since the intensity of the reflected radio wave reflected by the shielding portion 6a becomes weak, it is possible to avoid a situation where the reflected radio wave affects the radar data as a noise component when received by the radar 5. For example, when the wavelength λ of the radio wave of the radar 5 is 3.922 mm, the relative dielectric constant εr of the shielding portion 6a is 2, and n = 1, the thickness t1 of the shielding portion 6a is 1.386 mm.

[0121] Next, with reference mainly to FIG. 22, the specific structure of the right radar module 17R will be described below. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view in the horizontal direction of the right radar module 17R. As shown in FIG. 22, the support member 8a is fixed to the lamp housing 14a via a screw 22 which is a fixing means. That is, the support member 8a is fixed to the right vehicle lamp 302R via the screw 22. The radar 5 is supported and fixed by a lance 23 provided on the support member 8a. The radar 5 has a front surface 51, a rear surface 52 located on the side opposite to the front surface 51, and a side surface 55 located between the front surface 51 and the rear surface 52. The radio wave emitted from the antenna portion 53 (transmitting antenna) of the radar 5 is radiated into the air by passing through the front surface 51. Further, the reflected radio wave reflected by an object existing outside the vehicle 1C enters the antenna portion 53 (receiving antenna) by passing through the front surface 51.

[0122] Spacers 20a and 20b are provided between the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 and the support member 8a. The thermal conductivity of the spacers 20a and 20b may be lower than that of the support member 8a. The spacer 20a abuts against the rear surface 52 and the side surface 55 of the radar 5 and extends in the vertical direction along the side surface 55 of the radar 5. Similarly, the spacer 20b abuts against the rear surface 52 and the side surface 55 of the radar 5 and extends in the vertical direction along the side surface 55 of the radar 5. The spacer 20a faces the spacer 20b in the left-right direction via the air layer 30.

[0123] In this way, since the two spacers 20a and 20b spaced apart from each other are provided between the radar 5 and the support member 8a, the air layer 30 (an example of a heat insulating layer) can be relatively easily provided between the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 and the support member 8a.

[0124] According to the present embodiment, since the air layer 30 functioning as a heat insulating layer is provided between the support member 8a and the rear surface 52 of the radar 5, the heat radiated from the engine (external heat source) existing behind the radar 5 is less likely to be transmitted to the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 through the support member 8a. Therefore, it is possible to preferably prevent the operating performance of the radar 5 (particularly, the communication circuit unit 54) from deteriorating due to the radiant heat from the engine. Accordingly, while ensuring the reliability of the radar 5 against external radiant heat, the radar 5 can be concealed from the outside of the vehicle 1C.

[0125] In this regard, if the spacers 20a and 20b are not provided between the radar 5 and the support member 8a, the rear surface 52 of the radar 5 comes into direct contact with the support member 8a. Therefore, the radiant heat from the engine is likely to be transmitted from the support member 8a having a high thermal conductivity to the rear surface 52 of the radar 5. For this reason, there is a risk that the operating performance of the radar 5 will be greatly deteriorated due to the radiant heat from the engine.

[0126] Also, when the thermal conductivity of the spacers 20a and 20b is lower than that of the support member 8a, radiant heat from the engine is less likely to be transmitted to the radar 5 through the support member 8a. For this reason, the spacers 20a and 20b may be made of a member having a lower thermal conductivity than the support member 8a made of a metal member.

[0127] Next, with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23, the positioning portions 39a to 39d (an example of the third positioning portion) will be described below. FIG. 23 is a front view showing the positioning portions 39a to 39d, the radar 5, and the shielding portion 6a. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, each of the positioning portions 39a to 39d is integrally formed with the shielding portion 6a. Each of the positioning portions 39a to 39d is configured to determine the position of the support member 8a with respect to the shielding portion 6a by being fixed to the support member 8a via the screw 125. In other words, the relative positional relationship between the radar 5 and the shielding portion 6a is determined by the positioning portions 39a to 39d.

[0128] Also, each of the positioning portions 39a to 39d is disposed between the shielding portion 6a and the support member 8a in the front-rear direction. The positioning portions 39a to 39d may be formed of the same material as the shielding portion 6a (for example, an opaque resin material). For example, the shielding portion 6a and the positioning portions 39a to 39d may be integrally formed by injection molding using a mold.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 23, the positioning portion 39a faces the positioning portion 39b in the left-right direction. The radar 5 is disposed between the positioning portion 39a and the positioning portion 39b in the left-right direction. The positioning portion 39c faces the positioning portion 39a in the up-down direction. The positioning portion 39d faces the positioning portion 39b in the up-down direction and faces the positioning portion 39c in the left-right direction.

[0130] Still, in the present embodiment, the positions of the support member 8a with respect to the concealment portion 6a are determined by the four positioning portions 39a to 39d, but the number of the positioning portions is not limited to four. For example, the number of the positioning portions may be two. In this case, in the left-right direction, it is preferable that one of the two positioning portions faces the other positioning portion via the radar 5. Further, the two positioning portions may extend in the up-down direction. By providing two or more positioning portions, it becomes possible to surely determine the position of the support member 8a with respect to the concealment portion 6a.

[0131] According to the present embodiment, the positions of the support member 8a with respect to the concealment portion 6a are determined by each of the positioning portions 39a to 39d. Further, the radar 5 is supported and fixed to the support member 8a. Thus, since the radar 5 is positioned by the support member 8a, the relative positional relationship between the radar 5 and the concealment portion 6a is determined as the relative positional relationship between the support member 8a and the concealment portion 6a is determined.

[0132] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, the positions of the right radar module 17R with respect to the right vehicle lamp 302R are surely determined by both the positioning portion 65 provided on the concealment portion 6a and the positioning portion 80a provided on the support member 8a. Thus, the positions of the right radar module 17R with respect to the right vehicle lamp 302R can be determined by the two positioning portions 65 and 80a. Further, when the positioning of the right vehicle lamp 302R with respect to the vehicle 1C has already been completed, the positioning of the radar 5 with respect to the vehicle 1C is completed when the positioning of the right radar module 17R with respect to the right vehicle lamp 302R is completed. That is, the radar 5 is mounted on the vehicle 1C according to the following steps. 1) Assembly step of the right radar module 17R (the position of the radar 5 with respect to the right radar module 17R is determined.) 2) Step of attaching the right radar module 17R to the right vehicle lamp 302R (the position of the radar 5 with respect to the right vehicle lamp 302R is determined.) 3) Step of attaching the right vehicle lamp 302R to the vehicle 1C (The position of the radar 5 with respect to the vehicle 1C is determined.)

[0133] Therefore, it is possible to relatively easily and surely position the radar 5 with respect to the vehicle 1C, and it is possible to provide the right radar module 17R that can conceal the radar 5 from the outside of the vehicle 1C.

[0134] Further, the support member 8a is fixed to the lamp housing 14a in a state where the position of the right radar module 17R with respect to the right vehicle lamp 302R is determined by the positioning portions 65, 80a. For this reason, the right radar module 17R is fixed to the right vehicle lamp 302R in a state where the position of the right radar module 17R with respect to the right vehicle lamp 302R is surely determined.

[0135] In the description of the present embodiment, the position of the right radar module 17R with respect to the right vehicle lamp 302R is determined by the two positioning portions 65, 80a. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the positioning portion may be provided only in either one of the concealment portion 6a or the support member 8a. In this case, the position of the right radar module 17R with respect to the right vehicle lamp 302R can be determined by only either one of the two positioning portions 65, 80a. For example, the positioning portion 80a and the groove portion 142 may be formed in a cross shape in a top view. In this case, by engaging the positioning portion 80a with the groove portion 142, it becomes possible to surely determine the position of the right radar module 17R with respect to the right vehicle lamp 302R.

[0136] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. Needless to say, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner by the description of the present embodiment. The present embodiment is merely an example, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications of the embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

[0137] This application incorporates by reference the contents disclosed in Japanese Patent Application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-132826) filed on July 18, 2019, the contents disclosed in Japanese Patent Application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-135290) filed on July 23, 2019, the contents disclosed in Japanese Patent Application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-138204) filed on July 26, 2019, the contents disclosed in Japanese Patent Application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-138205) filed on July 26, 2019, and the contents disclosed in Japanese Patent Application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-138206) filed on July 26, 2019, as appropriate.

Claims

1. A lamp housing; a lamp cover for covering an opening of the lamp housing; a lighting unit disposed within a lamp chamber formed by the lamp housing and the lamp cover; a radar configured to acquire radar data indicative of a surrounding environment of the vehicle by emitting radio waves to an outside of the vehicle; a concealment unit disposed opposite the radar so as to conceal the radar from the outside of the vehicle and configured to pass radio waves emitted from the radar; a positioning unit configured to abut against the radar and determine a position of the radar relative to the concealment unit; The concealing portion is integrally formed with the lamp cover, the positioning portion is integrally formed with the concealing portion and is disposed between the concealing portion and the radar, The positioning portion is A first positioning portion; A second positioning portion disposed to face the first positioning portion; having The radar is disposed between the first positioning unit and the second positioning unit. Vehicle lighting fixtures.

2. The radar includes: The front and A rear surface located opposite to the front surface; A side surface located between the front surface and the rear surface; having The positioning portion has a recess that abuts against the front and side surfaces of the radar.

2. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

3. A lamp housing; a lamp cover for covering an opening of the lamp housing; a lighting unit disposed within a lamp chamber formed by the lamp housing and the lamp cover; a radar configured to acquire radar data indicative of a surrounding environment of the vehicle by emitting radio waves to an outside of the vehicle; a concealment unit disposed opposite the radar so as to conceal the radar from the outside of the vehicle and configured to pass radio waves emitted from the radar; a support member configured to support and secure the radar; a positioning portion configured to abut against the support member and determine a position of the support member relative to the concealing portion; The concealing portion is integrally formed with the lamp cover, The positioning portion is integrally formed with the concealing portion and is disposed between the concealing portion and the support member, The positioning portion is A first positioning portion; A second positioning portion disposed to face the first positioning portion; having The radar is disposed between the first positioning unit and the second positioning unit. Vehicle lighting fixtures.

4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein the radar is disposed outside the lamp chamber.

5. 5. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein a thickness t of the concealing portion is defined by the following formula: t=λ / 2e ｒ １／２ ×n Here, λ is the wavelength of the radio wave emitted from the radar, ε ｒ is the relative dielectric constant of the concealing portion, and n is an integer of 1 or more.

6. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein a distance between the concealing portion and the radar is equal to or greater than 20 mm and equal to or less than 100 mm.

7. A vehicle comprising the vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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