Vehicle lamp with detection device

Abstract

To prevent snow and water from entering between a detection surface and a back face of a cover.SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting fixture with a detector includes a lighting fixture unit and a detection unit. The lighting fixture unit includes a light source and a lens. The lens is formed with a storage recessed part which is recessed in an opposite detection direction opposite to a detection direction. The detection unit includes a detector, a bracket, and a cover. At least a part of the detector is stored in the storage recessed part. The bracket supports the detector from the opposite detection direction side. The cover is provided with a flange projecting in the opposite detection direction. By engagement of the flange with the bracket at a predetermined engagement place, the cover is mounted on the bracket. The detector has a detection surface for detecting an object, on the end in the detection direction. The flange extends up to the opposite detection direction from the detection surface above the detector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp equipped with a detection device such as a radar.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, efforts have been actively made to provide a sustainable transportation system that takes into account people in vulnerable positions among traffic participants. To achieve this, the applicant has been focusing on further improving traffic safety and convenience through research and development on driving support technologies.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The inventors of the present invention considered adopting the following configuration in a vehicle lamp with a detection device equipped with a detection device such as a radar used in driving support technology. The vehicle lamp with a detection device includes a lamp unit and a detection unit. The detection unit detects an object on the side of a predetermined detection direction.

[0005] The lamp unit includes a light source and a lens. The lens covers the light source from the detection direction side. A storage recess that is recessed in the anti-detection direction opposite to the detection direction is formed in the lens. The detection unit includes a detection device, a bracket, and a cover. At least a part of the detection device is stored in the storage recess. The detection device has a detection surface for detecting an object at an end on the detection direction side. The bracket supports the detection device from the anti-detection direction side.

[0006] The cover covers the detection device from the detection direction side. The cover is provided with a flange that protrudes toward the anti-detection direction side. The cover is attached to the bracket by engaging the flange with a predetermined engagement portion of the bracket.

[0007] The inventors of the present invention focused on the following possible problems with a vehicle lamp with such a detection device. When snow or water enters the inside of the storage recess from the gap between the upper end portion of the cover and the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess, there is a risk that the snow or water will enter between the detection surface and the back surface of the cover, which may adversely affect the detection performance of the detection device.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to suppress snow or water from entering between the detection surface and the back surface of the cover.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The inventors of the present invention have found that the above object can be achieved by providing a flange on the cover that protrudes to the anti-detection direction side beyond the detection surface above the detection device, and thus have arrived at the present invention. The present invention is a vehicle lamp with a detection device having the following configurations (1) to (5).

[0010] (1) A vehicle lamp with a detection device including a lamp unit mounted on a vehicle and a detection unit that detects an object on a predetermined detection direction side, The lamp unit includes a light source and a lens that covers the light source from the detection direction side. A storage recess that is recessed in the anti-detection direction opposite to the detection direction is formed in the lens. The detection unit includes a detection device at least a part of which is stored in the storage recess, a bracket that supports the detection device from the anti-detection direction side, and a cover that covers the detection device from the detection direction side. The cover is provided with a flange that protrudes in the anti-detection direction. The cover is attached to the bracket by engaging the flange with the bracket at a predetermined engagement location. The detection device has a detection surface for performing the detection at an end in the detection direction. The flange protrudes above the detection device and to the side opposite the detection direction beyond the detection surface. Vehicle lamp with a detection device.

[0011] According to this configuration, the flange protrudes above the detection device and to the side opposite the detection direction beyond the detection surface. Therefore, even when snow or water enters the inside of the storage recess from the gap between the upper end of the cover and the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess, the flange can suppress the snow or water from entering between the detection surface and the back surface of the cover.

[0012] (2) The flange protrudes above the detection device and to the side opposite the detection direction beyond the end face on the side opposite the detection direction of the detection device. The vehicle lamp with a detection device according to (1) above.

[0013] According to this configuration, even when snow or water falls downward from the end on the side opposite the detection direction of the flange, the snow or water falls to the side opposite the detection direction of the detection device. Therefore, the entry of snow or water between the detection surface and the back surface of the cover can be more strongly suppressed.

[0014] (3) The engagement location is located on the side opposite the detection direction of the detection surface. The vehicle lamp with a detection device according to (1) or (2) above.

[0015] According to this configuration, since the engagement location is located on the side opposite the irradiation direction of the detection surface, even when snow or water falls from the engagement location and downward, the snow or water falls to the side opposite the detection direction of the detection surface. Thereby, the entry of snow or water between the detection surface and the back surface of the cover can be more strongly suppressed.

[0016] (4) The bracket is provided with an engaging protrusion protruding in the detection direction, and the flange is engaged with the engaging protrusion at the engaging portion. The bracket is provided with a receiving portion protruding in a range including at least a part directly below the engaging protrusion. Both ends of the receiving portion in the width direction are located outside the width direction, compared with both ends of the engaging protrusion in the width direction. The upper surface of the receiving portion is inclined downward as it advances in the anti-detection direction. The vehicle lamp with a detection device according to (1) or (2) above.

[0017] According to this configuration, even when snow or water falls downward from the ends in the width direction of the protrusion, the snow or water can be received by the receiving portion and guided in the anti-detection direction. Therefore, it is possible to more strongly suppress snow or water from entering between the detection surface and the back surface of the cover.

[0018] (5) The bracket is provided with a surrounding portion. The surrounding portion has an inner protrusion and an outer protrusion that are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the detection direction and protrude in the detection direction. The flange is disposed between the inner protrusion and the outer protrusion. The vehicle lamp with a detection device according to (1) or (2) above.

[0019] According to this configuration, since there is a surrounding portion in addition to the engaging portion, the cover can be attached to the bracket more stably.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] As described above, according to the configuration of (1), it is possible to suppress snow or water from entering between the detection surface and the back surface of the cover. Further, according to the configurations of (2) to (5) that cite (1), respective additional effects can be obtained.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

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Figure 14

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments at all, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0023] [First Embodiment] The vehicle lamp 100 with a detection device shown in Fig. 1 is a headlamp on the left side of the vehicle and is mounted on the vehicle. The vehicle lamp 100 with a detection device includes a lamp unit 102 and a detection unit 106. The lamp unit 102 includes a housing 10, a light source 20, and a lens 30. The detection unit 106 includes a detection device 60, a bracket 50, and a cover 70. In the present embodiment, the detection device 60 is a radar device that detects an object by irradiating radio waves and detecting the reflected waves thereof.

[0024] Hereinafter, as shown in Fig. 3, the direction in which the detection device 60 irradiates radio waves, that is, the direction in which an object is detected, is referred to as the "Y-direction", and the opposite direction is referred to as the "Y+ direction". Note that the "Y-direction" may be read as the "detection direction", and the "Y+ direction" may be read as the "anti-detection direction". Hereinafter, the "Y-direction" and the "Y+ direction" are collectively referred to as the "Y direction". The Y direction is a direction that is inclined with respect to the vehicle length direction CL in the horizontal plane. Hereinafter, in the horizontal plane, the direction orthogonal to the Y direction is referred to as the "X direction". Also, the direction closer to the inside in the vehicle width direction CW in the X direction is referred to as the "X- direction", and the opposite direction is referred to as the "X+ direction".

[0025] The housing 10 shown in Fig. 1 is box-shaped and opens in the Y-direction. The light source 20 is installed inside the housing 10 and irradiates light toward the Y-direction side. The lens 30 is attached to the housing 10 and covers the light source 20 from the Y-direction side. As shown in Fig. 4, a storage recess 36 that is recessed toward the Y+ direction side is formed in the lens 30. The storage recess 36 opens toward the Y-direction and downward.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the bracket 50 is installed inside the storage recess 36. As shown in FIG. 6, the bracket 50 includes a bracket body 52 and a mounting portion 51. The bracket body 52 is in the shape of a plate extending in the vertical direction and the X direction. The mounting portion 51 protrudes downward from the lower end portion of the bracket body 52. As shown in FIG. 1, the lower end portion of the mounting portion 51 is fixed to the vehicle body or the housing 10 below the lens 30. As a result, the bracket body 52 is installed inside the storage recess 36.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 6, a detection device 60 is attached to the surface on the Y - direction side of the bracket body 52 by screws or the like as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the bracket 50 supports the detection device 60 from the Y + direction side. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the detection device 60 is stored in the storage recess 36. In this embodiment, the entire detection device 60 is stored in the storage recess 36. However, instead of this, only a part of the detection device 60 may be stored in the storage recess 36. Specifically, for example, the end portion on the Y - direction side of the detection device 60 may protrude in the Y - direction from the opening of the storage recess 36, and the central portion of the cover 70 may protrude in the Y - direction from the opening of the storage recess 36.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 6, the detection device 60 has a detection surface 60s for performing detection at the end portion on the Y - direction side. Specifically, the detection device 60 irradiates radio waves from the detection surface 60s toward the Y - direction side and detects the reflected waves with the detection surface 60s to perform detection on the Y - direction side.

[0029] The bracket body 52 is provided with a plurality of surrounding portions 57, a plurality of engaging protrusions 53, and a plurality of receiving portions 54.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, the surrounding portions 57 are provided at the upper edge, the lower edge, and the edge on the X+ direction side of the bracket main body 52. Each surrounding portion 57 protrudes in the Y− direction. Hereinafter, the surrounding portion 57 at the upper edge of the bracket main body 52 is referred to as the "upper surrounding portion 57", the surrounding portion 57 at the lower edge is referred to as the "lower surrounding portion 57", and the surrounding portion 57 at the edge on the X+ direction side is referred to as the "X+ side surrounding portion 57".

[0031] Each surrounding portion 57 has an inner protrusion 57a and an outer protrusion 57b. The inner protrusions 57a and the outer protrusions 57b in the upper and lower surrounding portions 57 are arranged in the vertical direction and protrude in the Y− direction. The inner protrusions 57a and the outer protrusions 57b in the X+ side surrounding portion 57 are arranged in the X direction and protrude in the Y− direction. That is, the inner protrusion 57a and the outer protrusion 57b are arranged on the side in the direction orthogonal to the Y direction and protrude in the Y− direction respectively. As shown in FIG. 13, the tip of the outer protrusion 57b in the upper surrounding portion 57 protrudes upward and engages with the inner peripheral portion of the storage recess 36.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 6, the engaging protrusions 53 are provided at the upper edge, the lower edge, the edge on the X− direction side, and the edge on the X+ direction side of the bracket main body 52. Each engaging protrusion 53 protrudes in the Y− direction. Hereinafter, the engaging protrusion 53 at the upper edge of the bracket main body 52 is referred to as the "upper engaging protrusion 53", and the engaging protrusion 53 at the lower edge is referred to as the "lower engaging protrusion 53". Also, the engaging protrusion 53 at the edge on the X− direction side of the bracket main body 52 is referred to as the "X− side engaging protrusion 53", and the engaging protrusion 53 at the edge on the X+ direction side is referred to as the "X+ side engaging protrusion 53". The width direction of the upper and lower engaging protrusions 53 is the X direction, and the width direction of the X− side and X+ side engaging protrusions 53 is the vertical direction.

[0033] Hook 53f is provided at the end on the Y-direction side of each engaging projection 53. There are two types of engaging projections 53 with respect to the protruding direction of hook 53f: one type has hook 53f protruding inward, i.e., toward the detection device 60 side, and the other type has hook 53f protruding outward, i.e., toward the side opposite to the detection device 60 side. Specifically, in the present embodiment, for the hook 53f of the upper engaging projection 53, it protrudes outward, i.e., upward. For the hook 53f of the lower engaging projection 53, it protrudes inward, i.e., upward. For the hook 53f of the X-side engaging projection 53, it protrudes inward, i.e., in the X+ direction. For the hook 53f of the X+-side engaging projection 53, it protrudes outward, i.e., in the X+ direction.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6, the receiving portion 54 exists for each upper engaging projection 53. As shown in FIG. 7, the receiving portion 54 has a U-shaped configuration when viewed in the Y direction. The receiving portion 54 protrudes from the bracket body 52 in a range including directly below at least the portion near the base of the engaging projection 53. The width of the receiving portion 54 in the X direction is larger than the width of the engaging projection 53 in the X direction. Therefore, the two ends of the receiving portion 54 in the X direction are located outside the X direction compared to the two ends of the engaging projection 53 in the X direction. More specifically, the inner surfaces 54i, 54j on both sides of the receiving portion 54 in the X direction are located outside the X direction compared to the two ends of the engaging projection 53 in the X direction. The upper surface 54s of the bottom of the receiving portion 54 gently slopes downward as it progresses in the Y+ direction. A drain hole 52h is provided in a portion of the bracket body 52 located inside the base of the receiving portion 54.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, the cover 70 includes a cover body 77 and a flange 75. The cover body 77 is in the form of a plate extending in the vertical direction and the X direction. The flange 75 extends in the Y+ direction from a portion located slightly inside the edge of the cover body 77. Engagement holes 75h are provided at a plurality of locations on the flange 75. Specifically, the engagement holes 75h are provided at locations corresponding to each hook 53f.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 13, a flange 75 is inserted between an inner protrusion 57a and an outer protrusion 57b in the surrounding portion 57. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the inner peripheral surface of the engagement hole 75h engages with each hook 53f, whereby the cover 70 is attached to the bracket 50. Hereinafter, the location where the inner peripheral surface of the engagement hole 75h engages with the hook 53f is referred to as "engagement location Ep". As shown in FIG. 3, the cover body 77 covers the detection device 60 from the Y-direction side. The cover 70 is made of resin or the like and is configured to be able to transmit radio waves.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 14, the flange 75 protrudes to the Y+ direction side beyond the detection surface 60s. More specifically, the flange 75 protrudes to the Y+ direction side beyond the end surface 60t on the Y+ direction side of the detection device 60. As shown in FIG. 8, the engagement location Ep is located on the Y+ direction side of the detection surface 60s.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a gap G is formed between the edge of the cover body 77 and the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess 36. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, an upper gap G is formed between the upper end portion of the cover body 77 and the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess 36. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, an X- side gap G is formed between the end portion in the X- direction of the cover body 77 and the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess 36. Also, an X+ side gap (not shown) is formed between the end portion in the X+ direction of the cover body 77 and the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess 36.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 8 below, a virtual straight line extending from a portion adjacent to the engagement portion Ep in the gap G toward the engagement portion Ep is referred to as an "insertion virtual line vL". On a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess 36 adjacent to the insertion virtual line vL, that is, a portion facing the gap G, a lens-side guide surface 36s extending along the insertion virtual line vL is provided. On a portion of the cover body 77 adjacent to the insertion virtual line vL, a cover-side guide surface 77s extending along the insertion virtual line vL is provided. Specifically, both the lens-side guide surface 36s and the cover-side guide surface 77s are parallel to the insertion virtual line vL. Further, the lens-side guide surface 36s and the cover-side guide surface 77s are parallel to each other.

[0040] Next, a method for removing the cover according to the present embodiment will be described. First, a vehicle lamp 100 with a detection device shown in FIG. 1 shown above is prepared. Next, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a rod-shaped jig J is inserted from the gap G along the lens-side guide surface 36s and the cover-side guide surface 77s, that is, along the insertion virtual line vL, toward the engagement portion Ep. Thereby, the engagement of the inner peripheral surface of the engagement hole 75h with respect to the hook 53f at the engagement portion Ep is released by the tip of the jig J.

[0041] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, for the upper engagement protrusion 53, the engagement of the inner peripheral surface of the engagement hole 75h with respect to the hook 53f is released by pushing the hook 53f with the tip of the jig J. Similarly, for the engagement protrusion 53 on the X+ side, the engagement is also released. That is, for the hook 53f protruding outward, the engagement of the inner peripheral surface of the engagement hole 75h with respect to the hook 53f is released by pushing the hook 53f with the tip of the jig J.

[0042] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, with respect to the engaging projection 53 on the X side, the tip of the jig J is pushed between the hook 53f and the inner peripheral surface of the engaging hole 75h. As a result, the tip of the jig J pushes the hook 53f in the X-direction side, releasing the engagement between the inner peripheral surface of the engaging hole 75h and the hook 53f. Similarly, the engagement of the lower engaging projection 53 is also released. That is, with respect to the hook 53f protruding inward, by pushing the tip of the jig J between the hook 53f and the inner peripheral surface of the engaging hole 75h, the engagement between the inner peripheral surface of the engaging hole 75h and the hook 53f is released.

[0043] The configuration and effects of the present embodiment are summarized below.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 14, above the detection device 60, the flange 75 protrudes to the Y+ direction side beyond the detection surface 60s. Therefore, even when snow or water enters the inside of the storage recess 36 from the gap G between the upper end of the cover 70 and the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess 36, the flange 75 can suppress the snow or water from entering between the detection surface 60s and the back surface 70s of the cover.

[0045] More specifically, the flange 75 extends to the Y+ direction side beyond the end surface 60t on the Y+ direction side of the detection device 60 above the detection device 60. Therefore, even when snow or water falls downward from the end on the Y+ direction side of the flange 75, the snow or water falls to the Y+ direction side beyond the detection device 60. This can more strongly suppress the snow or water from entering between the detection surface 60s and the back surface 70s of the cover.

[0046] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, the engagement portion Ep is located on the Y+ direction side of the detection surface 60s. Therefore, even when snow or water falls downward from the engaging hole 75h of the engagement portion Ep, the snow or water falls to the Y+ direction side of the detection surface 60s. This can also more strongly suppress the snow or water from entering between the detection surface 60s and the back surface 70s of the cover.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the bracket 50 is provided with a receiving portion 54 that protrudes within a range including at least a portion directly below the engaging protrusion 53. The ends of the receiving portion 54 in the X direction are located outside the X direction compared to the ends of the engaging protrusion 53 in the X direction. The upper surface 54s of the bottom of the receiving portion 54 is inclined downward as it advances in the Y+ direction. Therefore, even when snow or water falls from the end of the engaging protrusion 53 in the X direction shown in FIG. 5, the snow or water can be received by the receiving portion 54 shown in FIG. 7 and guided to the Y+ direction side. Thereby, the snow or water can be drained from the drain hole 52h to the Y+ direction side of the bracket. Therefore, this also more strongly suppresses the entry of snow or water between the detection surface 60s and the back surface 70s of the cover.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, the bracket 50 is provided with a surrounding portion 57. Each surrounding portion 57 has an inner protrusion 57a and an outer protrusion 57b that are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the Y direction and protrude toward the Y− direction side. As shown in FIG. 13, a flange 75 is disposed between the inner protrusion 57a and the outer protrusion 57b of these surrounding portions 57. Since there is the surrounding portion 57 in addition to the engaging portion Ep in this way, the cover 70 can be attached to the bracket 50 more stably.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, both the lens-side guide surface 36s and the cover-side guide surface 77s extend along the insertion virtual line vL. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, by simply inserting the rod-shaped jig J along these lens-side guide surface 36s and cover-side guide surface 77s, the tip of the jig J can reach the engaging portion Ep. By using the jig J, the engagement of the cover 70 with the bracket 50 can be released. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to remove the cover 70 from the bracket 50 while minimizing the removal of parts other than the cover 70 and the introduction of a special shape for removing the cover.

[0050] [Other Embodiments] The embodiments shown above can be modified as follows, for example. The vehicle lamp 100 with a detection device may be a right headlight provided on the right side, which is the opposite side to that shown in FIG. 1. The detection device 60 shown in FIG. 3 may be a sonar device that irradiates sound waves and detects the reflected waves.

Explanation of Signs

[0051] 20 Light source 30 Lens 36 Storage recess 50 Bracket 53 Engaging projection 54 Receiving part 54s Upper surface of the receiving part 57 Surrounding part 57a Inner projection 57b Outer projection 60 Detection device 60s Detection surface 60t End face on the Y+ direction side of the detection device 70 Cover 75 Flange 100 Vehicle lamp with a detection device 102 Lamp unit 106 Detection unit Ep Engaging location X Width direction of the engaging projection Y- Detection direction Y+ Anti-detection direction

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp with a detection device, comprising a lamp unit mounted on a vehicle and a detection unit for detecting an object on a predetermined detection direction side, wherein the lamp unit includes a light source and a lens that covers the light source from the detection direction side, and a storage recess that is recessed in a counter-detection direction opposite to the detection direction is formed in the lens, the detection unit includes a detection device at least partially stored in the storage recess, a bracket that supports the detection device from the counter-detection direction side, and a cover that covers the detection device from the detection direction side, a flange that protrudes in the counter-detection direction is provided on the cover, the cover is attached to the bracket by engaging the flange at a predetermined engagement location with respect to the bracket, the detection device has a detection surface for performing the detection at an end in the detection direction, the flange protrudes to a position on the counter-detection direction side of the detection surface above the detection device, the bracket is provided with an engagement protrusion that protrudes in the detection direction, and the flange engages with the engagement protrusion at the engagement location, the bracket is provided with a receiving portion that protrudes in a range including at least a part directly below the engagement protrusion, both ends of the receiving portion in the width direction are located outside the width direction compared to both ends of the engagement protrusion in the width direction, the upper surface of the receiving portion is inclined downward as it advances in the counter-detection direction, A vehicle lamp with a detection device.

2. the flange protrudes to a position on the counter-detection direction side of an end surface on the counter-detection direction side of the detection device above the detection device, The vehicle lamp with a detection device according to claim 1.

3. the engagement location is located on the counter-detection direction side of the detection surface, The vehicle lamp with a detection device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the bracket is provided with a surrounding portion, the surrounding portion has an inner protrusion and an outer protrusion that protrude in the detection direction side by side in a direction orthogonal to the detection direction, the flange is disposed between the inner protrusion and the outer protrusion, The vehicle lamp with a detection device according to claim 1 or 2.

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