Vehicle exterior parts

Abstract

To improve designability when a light source is turned on / off.SOLUTION: An exterior component for a vehicle includes a light source 81, and a decorative body part arranged on a vehicle outside (front side) of the light source 81. The decorative body part includes decorative layers 60 between an inner base material and an outer base material composed of transparent materials. The decorative layer 60 includes a first colored layer 61 which is formed of a color pigment and has light permeability, and a second colored layer 62 which is stacked on a vehicle inside of the first colored layer 61, has a filler 65 dispersed in a coating material, and has light permeability. The filler 65 includes a filler body 66, and a film 68 coating the filler body 66. The film 68 is formed of a color pigment having a color difference ΔE between the color pigment of the first colored layer 61 and the color pigment of 30 or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an exterior part for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle exterior part including a substrate made of a transparent or translucent material and a colored layer of blue or the like laminated on the vehicle exterior surface or vehicle interior surface of the substrate. The colored layer has a large number of fine pores with diameters of about several tens to several hundreds of μm formed therein and penetrating the colored layer.

[0003] According to this vehicle exterior accessory, when the surroundings of the vehicle are bright and the light source is off, the colored layer appears blue from outside the vehicle. In contrast, when the surroundings of the vehicle are dark and the light source is on, light emitted from the light source passes through the holes. The light that passes through the holes is visible from outside the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to present the vehicle exterior accessory in different colors when the light source is off during the day, etc., and when the light source is on at night, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-88652 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned conventional vehicle exterior accessories, even though the diameter of the holes is small, the holes are easily visible from outside the vehicle when the light source is turned off. This problem can be addressed by reducing the diameter of the holes. However, as the diameter of the holes becomes smaller, it becomes more difficult for light emitted from the light source to pass through the holes. As less light passes through the vehicle exterior accessory, patterns and the like expressed by the light become darker.

[0006] Therefore, there is room for improvement in the above-described conventional vehicle exterior accessories in terms of improving the design whether the light source is turned on or off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Various aspects of vehicle exterior accessories for solving the above problems will be described below. [Embodiment 1] A vehicle exterior accessory comprising: a housing disposed on a vehicle; a decorative main body portion disposed on the exterior side of the housing; and a light source disposed within the housing; wherein light emitted from the light source is incident on the interior surface of the decorative main body portion; the decorative main body portion comprising: a base material made of a transparent or translucent material; and a decorative layer laminated on the exterior or interior side of the base material; the decorative layer comprising: a first colored layer formed of colored paint and having optical transparency; and a second colored layer laminated on the interior side of the first colored layer and having a filler dispersed in paint and having optical transparency; the filler comprising a filler body and a coating coating the filler body; and the coating formed of colored paint having a color difference ΔE of 30 or less with respect to the colored paint of the first colored layer.

[0008] According to the above configuration, when light is incident on the decorative layer from outside the vehicle during the daytime or other times when the surroundings of the vehicle are bright and the light source is turned off, part of the light is reflected by the surface of the first colored layer facing the outside of the vehicle.

[0009] Another portion of the light incident on the decorative layer from outside the vehicle passes through the first colored layer and then enters the filler in the second colored layer. A portion of the light incident on the filler is reflected by the surface of the coating as a first light component. Another portion of the light incident on the filler is not reflected by the surface of the coating but passes through the coating and is reflected by the surface of the filler body as a second light component. The first light component and the second light component overlap and constructively interact with each other. The light reflected by the exterior surface of the first colored layer and the constructively interacted light described above mix together. Therefore, when the vehicle exterior part is viewed from outside the vehicle, the decorative layer appears to have the mixed color described above. This effect is achieved when the coating is formed using a colored paint whose color difference ΔE with the colored paint of the first colored layer is 30 or less.

[0010] In contrast, when the vehicle is dark, such as at night, and the light source is turned on, light emitted from the light source is incident on the interior surface of the decorative main body. This light passes through the second colored layer and the first colored layer in order in the decorative layer. At this time, the light passes between the fillers in the second colored layer. The light then exits from the first colored layer to the exterior of the vehicle. From the exterior of the vehicle, the first colored layer appears to be shining.

[0011] In this way, the decorative layer appears in different colors when the light source is turned off and when it is turned on, thereby improving the design whether the light source is turned on or off.

[0012] Furthermore, in the vehicle exterior accessory having the above configuration, since no minute holes are formed in the decorative layer, the holes are not visible from outside the vehicle when the light source is turned off, which would reduce the design. Furthermore, light emitted from the light source does not pass through the holes. Therefore, the holes do not cause a decrease in the amount of light passing through the decorative main body. This prevents the pattern or the like expressed by the decorative main body from becoming dark, which reduces the design.

[0013] Therefore, in these respects as well, the effect of improving the design can be obtained. [Aspect 2] The vehicle exterior part according to [Aspect 1], wherein the first colored layer is formed from a colored clear paint obtained by adding at least one of a pigment and a dye to the clear paint.

[0014] According to the above configuration, when light emitted from the light source passes through the first colored layer, the phenomenon of color change due to the influence of the pigment and dye is suppressed. [Aspect 3] The decorative layer further includes a third colored layer formed of a smoke clear paint, and the third colored layer is formed closer to the interior of the vehicle than the second colored layer. This is an exterior part for a vehicle as described in [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2].

[0015] If the decorative layer were composed only of the first colored layer and the second colored layer, when the light source was turned off, there was a risk that parts, portions, etc. inside the vehicle could be seen through the decorative main body from outside the vehicle.

[0016] In this regard, according to the above-mentioned configuration, the third colored layer, which is located closer to the interior of the vehicle than the second colored layer and is formed of a smoke clear paint, suppresses light transmission. In this case, the third colored layer reduces the L value, which represents brightness (value) in the Lab color system, and makes the color of the visible light darker. Therefore, the above-mentioned phenomenon of parts and portions inside the vehicle being visible through the decorative main body from outside the vehicle is less likely to occur.

[0017] [Aspect 4] A vehicle exterior part according to any one of [Aspects 1] to [Aspect 3], wherein the light source emits white light, the decorative layer further includes a fourth colored layer colored in a color complementary to the color of the first colored layer, and the fourth colored layer is formed closer to the interior of the vehicle than the second colored layer.

[0018] Here, a complementary color refers to a color that corresponds to one color when two colors are mixed in a certain ratio to form a specific color (white in the case of light). According to the above configuration, when white light emitted from the light source passes through the fourth colored layer, the color of the light is shifted to a color similar to that of the fourth colored layer. That is, of the white light emitted from the light source, light in a wavelength band of a color similar to that of the fourth colored layer is easily transmitted through the fourth colored layer. Of the white light, light in a wavelength band of a color different from that of the fourth colored layer is less likely to be transmitted through the fourth colored layer.

[0019] The light that has passed through the fourth colored layer and has been shifted to a color similar to that of the fourth colored layer passes through the first colored layer. Here, the fourth colored layer is colored in a color that is complementary to the color of the first colored layer. In other words, the color of the first colored layer is complementary to the color of the fourth colored layer. Therefore, light that passes through the fourth colored layer changes to white upon passing through the first colored layer. White light similar to light emitted from the light source is emitted from the surface of the first colored layer facing the vehicle exterior. From outside the vehicle, the light emitted from the first colored layer as described above appears white. In other words, from outside the vehicle, the first colored layer appears to glow white.

[0020] [Aspect 5] A vehicle exterior accessory according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 4], wherein the vehicle is equipped with a sensor that transmits and receives electromagnetic waves to detect objects outside the vehicle, the housing is positioned outside the vehicle relative to the sensor, the housing and the decorative main body are transparent to the electromagnetic waves, and the light source is positioned in a region between the housing and the decorative main body that is outside the area through which the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the sensor pass.

[0021] According to the above configuration, when electromagnetic waves are transmitted from the sensor toward the outside of the vehicle, the electromagnetic waves pass through the housing and the decorative main body in sequence. After passing through the decorative main body, the electromagnetic waves are reflected by an object outside the vehicle, such as another vehicle or a pedestrian, and then pass through the decorative main body and the housing in sequence. The electromagnetic waves are received by the sensor. The sensor recognizes the object based on the transmitted and received electromagnetic waves, and detects the distance and relative speed between the vehicle and the object.

[0022] By arranging the light source in a location that satisfies the above conditions in the area between the housing and the decorative main body, the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the sensor pass through the area where the light source is not located, and the light source is less likely to obstruct the passage of the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the design whether the light source is turned on or off. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a vehicle exterior accessory according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the ornament main body in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating how a first light component reflected by the surface of the filler coating and a second light component reflected by the surface of the filler body overlap and reinforce each other in the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a layer configuration of a decorative layer in the embodiment, together with a light source. [Figure 6] 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating how light emitted from a light source changes color when passing through each colored layer in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a graph showing the results of measuring the reflectance for each wavelength when light of various wavelengths is irradiated onto the decorative layer from the outside of the vehicle. [Figure 8] 10 is a graph showing the results of measuring the transmittance for each wavelength when light of various wavelengths is irradiated onto the decorative layer from the outside of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle exterior part will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle 10 is referred to as the front, and the backward direction is referred to as the rear. Furthermore, the up-down direction refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle 10, and the left-right direction refers to the width direction of the vehicle and coincides with the left-right direction when the vehicle 10 is moving forward.

[0026] 2, a millimeter-wave radar device 12 is mounted as a sensor for detecting objects outside the vehicle at a central portion in the left-right direction of the front of the vehicle 10, behind the front grille 11. The millimeter-wave radar device 12 transmits millimeter waves, which are a type of electromagnetic wave, toward the outside of the vehicle within a predetermined angular range in front of the vehicle 10. The millimeter-wave radar device 12 receives millimeter waves that have been reflected by objects outside the vehicle, including other vehicles (leading vehicles), pedestrians, etc.

[0027] A window portion 13 is provided in the front grille 11 at a location on the path of millimeter waves from the millimeter-wave radar device 12, specifically, at a location in front of the millimeter-wave radar device 12. An upright vehicle exterior accessory 20 is arranged in the window portion 13, facing forward.

[0028] In addition, the terms "outside of the vehicle" and "inside of the vehicle" may be used to explain the positional relationship of each part of the vehicle exterior accessory 20, and to explain the positional relationship between the vehicle exterior accessory 20 and the millimeter-wave radar device 12. For example, in the front-to-rear direction, the side approaching the center of the vehicle 10 in that direction is the "inside of the vehicle," and the side moving away from that center is the "outside of the vehicle." In the same manner as in the front-to-rear direction, the terms "outside of the vehicle" and "inside of the vehicle" are also defined for the up-down direction and the left-to-right direction.

[0029] Because the vehicle exterior accessory 20 is disposed in a forward-facing position and because the vehicle exterior accessory 20 and the millimeter-wave radar device 12 are disposed in the front-to-rear direction, the terms "vehicle exterior" and "vehicle interior" in this embodiment refer to the "vehicle exterior" and "vehicle interior" in the front-to-rear direction. In particular, in this embodiment in which the vehicle exterior accessory 20 and the millimeter-wave radar device 12 are disposed in the front of the vehicle 10 and the vehicle exterior accessory 20 is disposed in front of the millimeter-wave radar device 12, the "vehicle exterior" corresponds to the "front side" in the front-to-rear direction. The "vehicle interior" corresponds to the "rear side" in the front-to-rear direction.

[0030] The vehicle exterior accessory 20 is intended to decorate the exterior of the vehicle 10. The vehicle exterior accessory 20 of this embodiment corresponds to what is generally called an emblem. The vehicle exterior accessory 20 includes a housing 31, a decorative main body 41, and a light source 81. Next, each part that constitutes the vehicle exterior accessory 20 will be described.

[0031] <Housing 31> The housing 31 is disposed on the vehicle 10 on the exterior side of the millimeter-wave radar device 12. The housing 31 has millimeter-wave transparency, which is the ability to transmit millimeter waves transmitted from the millimeter-wave radar device 12.

[0032] The entire housing 31 is formed from a resin material in which a white light diffusing material is dispersed. ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) resin is used as the resin material, but other resin materials, such as a polymer alloy of PC (polycarbonate) resin and ABS resin, may also be used. Furthermore, metal oxides such as titanium oxide and zinc oxide are used as the light diffusing material. The housing 31 diffuses and reflects the irradiated light so that it becomes white light.

[0033] <Decorative main body 41> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the decorative main body 41 is disposed on the vehicle exterior side of the housing 31. The decorative main body 41 has an overall horizontally elongated, approximately elliptical plate shape. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the decorative main body 41 includes a substrate made of a transparent or translucent material, a light-shielding portion, a decorative layer 60, and a hard coat layer 71. The substrate is composed of an inner substrate 42 and an outer substrate 51 disposed on the vehicle exterior side of the inner substrate 42. Note that the decorative layer 60 and the hard coat layer 71 are not shown in Figure 2.

[0034] <Inner base material 42> The inner base material 42 is millimeter-wave transmissive. The inner base material 42 is formed as a transparent material from a transparent resin material, such as AS (acrylonitrile styrene) resin, PC resin, PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) resin, etc. The inner base material 42 may also be formed as a translucent material from a translucent resin material.

[0035] The inner base material 42 is formed with a general portion 43 and protruding portions 44 that protrude further toward the vehicle exterior than the general portion 43. The general portion 43 corresponds to the background region 21 of the vehicle exterior accessory 20 in FIG. 1. The protruding portions 44 correspond to the pattern region 22 of the vehicle exterior accessory 20. Here, the pattern region 22 is composed of a character portion 23 and a ring-shaped portion 24 surrounding the character portion 23.

[0036] <Light-shielding part> As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the light-shielding portion includes a peripheral light-shielding portion 47 and an intermediate light-shielding portion 48. The peripheral light-shielding portion 47 and the intermediate light-shielding portion 48 are formed, for example, from a mixed material of PC resin and carbon black. The peripheral light-shielding portion 47 and the intermediate light-shielding portion 48 absorb light and thereby block light transmission. The peripheral light-shielding portion 47 is provided along the outer peripheral edge portion 45 of the inner base material 42, thereby forming an elliptical ring shape, and is in close contact with the outer peripheral edge portion 45. The intermediate light-shielding portion 48 is an area surrounded by the peripheral light-shielding portion 47 and is located on the vehicle exterior side of the general portion 43 of the inner base material 42.

[0037] <Outer base material 51> The outer substrate 51 has millimeter wave transparency, similar to the inner substrate 42. The outer substrate 51 is formed as a transparent material from a transparent resin material, similar to the inner substrate 42. The outer substrate 51 is formed on the outer side of the vehicle relative to the inner substrate 42 and the light-shielding portion (the peripheral light-shielding portion 47 and the intermediate light-shielding portion 48). The outer substrate 51 may also be formed as a translucent material from a translucent resin material.

[0038] The interior-facing portion of the outer substrate 51 is formed in a shape corresponding to the shapes of the exterior-facing portions of both the inner substrate 42 and the shading portion. That is, a recess 52 recessed toward the exterior of the vehicle is formed in the interior-facing portion of the outer substrate 51 at a location that faces the exterior of the protrusion 44 of the inner substrate 42. Furthermore, an annular recess 54 recessed toward the exterior of the vehicle is formed on the interior-facing surface of the outer peripheral edge 53 of the outer substrate 51. The annular recess 54 is in close contact with the peripheral edge shading portion 47 from the exterior side of the vehicle. Furthermore, a recess 55 recessed toward the exterior of the vehicle is formed in the interior-facing portion of the outer substrate 51 at a location that faces the exterior of the intermediate shading portion 48. This recess 55 is in close contact with the intermediate shading portion 48 from the exterior side of the vehicle.

[0039] <Decorative layer 60> As shown in FIG. 3 , the decorative layer 60 is a layer for decorating the decorative main body portion 41. The decorative layer 60 is formed between the inner base material 42 and the intermediate shading portion 48 and the outer base material 51. More specifically, the decorative layer 60 is formed between the protrusion 44 and the recess 52 on the vehicle exterior side of the protrusion 44. Furthermore, the decorative layer 60 is formed between the intermediate shading portion 48 and the general portion 43 on the vehicle exterior side of the general portion 43. In other words, the decorative layer 60 is laminated on the vehicle exterior side of the inner base material 42, and on the vehicle interior side of the outer base material 51.

[0040] The decorative layer 60 includes a first colored layer 61, a second colored layer 62, a third colored layer 63, and a fourth colored layer 64, each of which has millimeter wave transparency. The first colored layer 61, the second colored layer 62, the third colored layer 63, and the fourth colored layer 64 are laminated in this order from the vehicle exterior side to the vehicle interior side.

[0041] The decorative layer 60 is configured so that, when the decorative main body 41 is viewed from outside the vehicle, the pattern area 22 (the letter portion 23 and the annular portion 24) satisfies the following conditions regarding color. Condition: When it is dark, such as at night, and the light source 81 is turned on, the pattern area 22 appears to glow in a color similar to the color of the light emitted from the light source 81.

[0042] Unlike Patent Document 1, the decorative layer 60 does not have many fine holes penetrating the decorative layer 60. [First colored layer 61] The first colored layer 61 is formed of a colored paint and has light transmittance. In this embodiment, the first colored layer 61 is formed of a blue colored paint. However, if the blue of the first colored layer 61 is too dark, the white light emitted from the light source 81 may take on a bluish tinge when passing through the first colored layer 61. For this reason, the first colored layer 61 is made to appear a light (pale) blue by itself.

[0043] More specifically, the first colored layer 61 is formed using a colored clear paint as the colored paint. The colored clear paint is a paint that is colored a specific color, in this case, blue, by adding at least one of a pigment and a dye, i.e., only a pigment, only a dye, or both a pigment and a dye, to a clear paint. As the clear paint, for example, a normal clear paint based on an acrylic resin, a urethane resin, a polyester resin, an epoxy resin, or the like can be used.

[0044] [Second colored layer 62] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second colored layer 62 is provided to make the pattern area 22 appear to be a specific color from the outside of the vehicle while suppressing the effect on the color (white) of the light emitted from the light source 81. The "specific color" includes colors different from those of the first colored layer 61, as well as colors darker than those of the first colored layer 61. The second colored layer 62 is laminated on the inside of the vehicle of the first colored layer 61. The second colored layer 62 is formed by dispersing a filler 65 as a lustrous material in blue paint that is transparent to light emitted from the light source 81.

[0045] The filler 65 includes a filler body 66 made of mica or the like, and a coating 68 that covers the filler body 66. Note that a metal filler such as an aluminum filler may be used as the filler body 66. The coating 68 is formed of a colored paint having a color difference ΔE of 30 or less from the colored paint of the first colored layer 61. The color difference ΔE between the two colored paints is preferably 25 or less, and more preferably 10 or less. In this embodiment, the coating 68 is formed of a colored paint made of a purple pigment. The color difference ΔE between the purple colored paint of the coating 68 and the blue colored paint of the first colored layer 61 was measured and found to be 25.

[0046] [Third colored layer 63] The third colored layer 63 shown in Fig. 3 is formed of a smoke clear paint made of a transparent resin and a dark coloring agent. The third colored layer 63 is laminated on the vehicle interior side of the second colored layer 62. The transparent resin is preferably, but not limited to, a resin material with excellent light resistance, such as an acrylic resin. The coloring agent may be, for example, a black pigment.

[0047] [4th colored layer 64] The fourth colored layer 64 shown in FIG. 3 is formed using a colored paint of a color complementary to the color of the first colored layer 61. Here, a complementary color refers to a color that corresponds to one color when two colors are mixed in a certain ratio to form a specific color (white in the case of light). Since the color of the first colored layer 61 is blue, the complementary color is yellow. In this embodiment, the fourth colored layer 64 is formed using a colored clear paint that is colored yellow by adding a yellow colorant to a clear paint.

[0048] <Hard Coat Layer 71> The hard coat layer 71 is formed to be transparent and has millimeter wave transmissivity. The hard coat layer 71 is formed by applying a known hard coat agent to the vehicle exterior surface of the outer substrate 51. Examples of hard coat agents include organic hard coat agents such as acrylate-based, oxetane-based, and silicone-based hard coat agents, inorganic hard coat agents, and organic-inorganic hybrid hard coat agents. The vehicle exterior surface of the hard coat layer 71 constitutes the design surface of the vehicle exterior part 20.

[0049] The hard coat layer 71 has a function of preventing scratches on the outer substrate 51. The hard coat layer 71 also has a function of preventing the vehicle exterior part 20 from changing in quality or deteriorating due to sunlight, wind and rain, temperature changes, and the like.

[0050] <Light source 81> 2, the outer peripheral edge 32 of the housing 31 and the peripheral light-shielding portion 47 constituting the outer peripheral edge of the decorative main body 41 are joined together. The area between the housing 31 and the decorative main body 41 and surrounded by the joined portions (outer peripheral edge 32, peripheral light-shielding portion 47) as described above constitutes a storage section 73. A part of the area of the storage section 73 that is spaced inward from the joined portion constitutes a passage area 74 for millimeter waves transmitted from the millimeter-wave radar device 12 (see FIG. 1).

[0051] The light source 81 is configured by a light emitting diode (LED) chip. In this embodiment, a plurality of light sources 81 are used. Each light source 81 is configured by mounting an LED element 83 on a substrate 82.

[0052] Each light source 81 is disposed within the housing 31, i.e., the storage section 73, at a location outside the passage area 74. In this embodiment, some of the light sources 81 are disposed at a location above the passage area 74, and the remaining light sources 81 are disposed at a location below the passage area 74.

[0053] The light sources 81 are arranged in such a manner that the emitted light is diffusely reflected by the housing 31 and directed toward the inner base material 42. In the above-described arrangement, each light source 81 is arranged with the LED element 83 positioned closer to the interior of the vehicle than the substrate 82. The LED element 83 of each light source 81 emits light of a specific color, white light in this embodiment, from a position away from the housing 31 on the exterior side of the vehicle toward the interior of the vehicle.

[0054] Each light source 81 is turned off when it is bright around the vehicle 10, such as during the day. Each light source 81 is turned on when it is dark around the vehicle 10, such as at night. The light sources 81 may be turned on and off automatically by control, or may be turned on and off by a passenger operating a switch. In the former case, for example, the brightness around the vehicle 10 is detected by a sensor, and the control device controls the turning on and off of the light sources 81 based on the detection result.

[0055] The vehicle exterior accessory 20 is arranged in an upright state in the window portion 13 of the front grille 11 and attached to the front grille 11. There are no particular limitations on the structure for attaching the vehicle exterior accessory 20 to the front grille 11. The vehicle exterior accessory 20 is attached to the front grille 11 by, for example, clips, screws, claw engagement, or the like. The vehicle exterior accessory 20 may also be attached to the vehicle body (not shown) instead of the front grille 11.

[0056] Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as above will be described. <Regarding external environment recognition by millimeter wave radar device 12> When millimeter waves are transmitted from the millimeter wave radar device 12 shown in FIG. 2 toward the outside of the vehicle, the millimeter waves pass through the housing 31 and the decoration main body part 41 in the passing area 74 in this order.

[0057] Here, the LED element 83 for each light source 81 is located in a location in the housing section 73 that is above or below the passing area 74. Therefore, the millimeter waves transmitted from the millimeter wave radar device 12 pass through a location in the housing section 73 where no light source 81 is located. Each light source 81 is unlikely to interfere with the millimeter waves transmitted from the millimeter wave radar device 12.

[0058] The millimeter waves that have passed through the decorative main body 41 are reflected by objects outside the vehicle, including other vehicles (vehicles ahead) and pedestrians, and then pass through the decorative main body 41 and the housing 31 in that order. The millimeter waves are received by the millimeter-wave radar device 12.

[0059] The millimeter wave radar device 12 recognizes the object based on the transmitted and received millimeter waves, and detects the distance between the vehicle 10 and the object, the relative speed, and the like. <When light source 81 is turned off> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, during the daytime, when the area around the vehicle 10 is bright and the light source 81 is turned off, a portion of the light incident on the decorative main body 41 from outside the vehicle passes through the hard coat layer 71 and the outer substrate 51 in sequence.

[0060] A portion of the light that passes through the outer substrate 51 is absorbed by the peripheral light-shielding portion 47 and the intermediate light-shielding portion 48. Therefore, from the outside of the vehicle, through the hard coat layer 71 and the outer substrate 51, the peripheral light-shielding portion 47 and the intermediate light-shielding portion 48 appear to be located on the inside of the vehicle (rear side) of them. Moreover, the peripheral light-shielding portion 47 and the intermediate light-shielding portion 48 appear to be blackish. Components on the inside of the vehicle (rear side) of the peripheral light-shielding portion 47 and the intermediate light-shielding portion 48 are not visible or are difficult to see.

[0061] 5 , light that passes through the outer substrate 51 and then enters the first colored layer 61 is referred to as light 88. Furthermore, light that is reflected by the surface of the first colored layer 61 facing the vehicle exterior is referred to as light 89. The light 89 passes through the outer substrate 51 and the hard coat layer 71 in this order, and then exits from the surface of the hard coat layer 71 facing the vehicle exterior.

[0062] Another portion of the light that is incident on the decorative main body 41 from the vehicle exterior and passes through the hard coat layer 71 and the outer substrate 51 in this order passes through the first colored layer 61 and then enters the filler 65 in the second colored layer 62. This light will be referred to as light 90 to distinguish it from other light.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 4 , a portion of the light 90 incident on the filler 65 is reflected by the surface 69 of the coating 68 as a first light component 90A. Another portion of the light 90 incident on the filler 65 is not reflected by the surface 69 of the coating 68 but passes through the coating 68 and is reflected by the surface 67 of the filler body 66 as a second light component 90B. The first light component 90A and the second light component 90B overlap and constructively interact with each other. The constructively interacting light 90C is emitted from the first colored layer 61 toward the exterior of the vehicle. This light 90C and the light 89 reflected by the exterior surface of the first colored layer 61 mix to produce navy blue light. This navy blue light passes through the outer substrate 51 and the hard coat layer 71 in this order, and then exits from the exterior surface of the hard coat layer 71. Therefore, when the vehicle exterior accessory 20 is viewed from outside the vehicle, the pattern region 22 (character portion 23, annular portion 24) of the decorative layer 60 appears navy blue. This effect is obtained when the coating 68 is formed from a colored paint having a color difference ΔE of 30 or less with respect to the colored paint of the first colored layer 61.

[0064] FIG. 7 shows the results of measuring the reflectance for each wavelength when light of various wavelengths is irradiated onto the decorative layer 60 from the outside of the vehicle. In FIG. 7, the two-dot chain characteristic line L1 shows the measurement results for a comparative example in which the decorative layer 60 is composed of only the first colored layer 61. The dot chain characteristic line L2 shows the measurement results for a case in which the decorative layer 60 is composed of the first colored layer 61 and the second colored layer 62. The dashed characteristic line L3 shows the measurement results for a case in which the decorative layer 60 is composed of the first colored layer 61, the second colored layer 62, and the third colored layer 63. The solid characteristic line L4 shows the measurement results for this embodiment in which the decorative layer 60 is composed of the first colored layer 61, the second colored layer 62, the third colored layer 63, and the fourth colored layer 64.

[0065] FIG. 8 shows the results of measuring the transmittance for each wavelength when light of various wavelengths is irradiated onto the decorative layer 60 from outside the vehicle. In FIG. 8, the dashed-dotted characteristic line L5 shows the measurement results for the comparative example. The dashed-dotted characteristic line L6 shows the measurement results for the decorative layer 60 composed of a first colored layer 61 and a second colored layer 62. The dashed-dotted characteristic line L7 shows the measurement results for the decorative layer 60 composed of a first colored layer 61, a second colored layer 62, and a third colored layer 63. The solid-line characteristic line L8 shows the measurement results for this embodiment.

[0066] The first colored layer 61, the third colored layer 63, and the fourth colored layer 64 used in the measurements of FIGS. 7 and 8 all had a thickness of 8 μm, and the second colored layer 62 had a thickness of 7 μm. The wavelength range of 460 nm to 480 nm is a wavelength range in which light appears blue. In this wavelength range, as shown by characteristic line L1, in the comparative example in which the decorative layer 60 is made up of only the first colored layer 61, the reflectance is low at about 3%. Furthermore, as shown by characteristic lines L2 to L4, in the case of the decorative layer 60 in which at least one of the other colored layers 62 to 64 is added to the first colored layer 61, the reflectance is high at 5% to 8%.

[0067] In the above wavelength range, as shown by characteristic line L5, the comparative example in which the decorative layer 60 is made only of the first colored layer 61 has a high transmittance of 40% to 60%. As shown by characteristic lines L6 to L8, the decorative layer 60 in which at least one of the other colored layers 62 to 64 is added to the first colored layer 61 has a low transmittance of 5% to 15%.

[0068] 7 and 8, in the wavelength range where light appears blue, little light 89 is reflected by the first colored layer 61 and much light is transmitted. However, it can be seen that of the light that is transmitted through the first colored layer 61, much light is reflected by the second colored layer 62 and little light is transmitted.

[0069] 4 and 5, in the second colored layer 62, the first light component 90A and the second light component 90B overlap and reinforce each other. The reinforced light 90C mixes with light 89 reflected by the vehicle exterior surface of the first colored layer 61. From outside the vehicle, the pattern region 22 of the decorative layer 60 appears navy blue, which is the color of the mixed light.

[0070] Here, if the decorative layer 60 were composed only of the first colored layer 61 and the second colored layer 62, when the light source 81 was turned off, there was a risk that parts, portions, etc. inside the vehicle would be visible through the decorative main body portion 41 from outside the vehicle.

[0071] In this embodiment, the third colored layer 63, which is located closer to the interior of the vehicle than the second colored layer 62 and is made of a smoke clear paint, suppresses light transmission. This is also reflected in characteristic lines L7 and L8 in Figure 8. Compared to when the decorative layer 60 is composed of the first colored layer 61 and the second colored layer 62 (characteristic line L6), when the third colored layer 63 is further added (characteristic lines L7 and L8), the transmittance is smaller.

[0072] In this case, the third colored layer 63 lowers the L value, which represents brightness (lightness) in the Lab color system, and deepens the color of the light (navy blue). This reduces the occurrence of the phenomenon whereby parts and portions inside the vehicle are visible through the decorative main body 41 from outside the vehicle.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 3, in the pattern region 22, the decorative layer 60 is formed between the recessed portion 52 and the protrusion 44, so that the decorative layer 60 appears three-dimensionally as if it is protruding forward. <When light source 81 is turned on> As shown in FIG. 2, when the vehicle 10 is dark, such as at night, and each light source 81 is turned on, light emitted from the LED element 83 of each light source 81 is irradiated onto the housing 31 and diffusely reflected. The diffusely reflected light is irradiated onto the interior surface of the decorative main body 41. After passing through the inner base material 42, the light is incident on the decorative layer 60. Here, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, light incident on the decorative layer 60 from the interior side of the vehicle is referred to as light 85. In the decorative layer 60, this light 85 passes through the fourth colored layer 64, the third colored layer 63, the second colored layer 62, and the first colored layer 61 in this order. During this passage, the color of the light 85 changes.

[0074] 6, the adjacent colored layers 64 to 61 are shown separated from each other to explain how the color of the light 85 changes. Also, to distinguish the light 85 passing through each colored layer 64 to 61, different letters are added after the light 85.

[0075] White light 85 is incident on the fourth colored layer 64. Light 85A passing through the fourth colored layer 64 is shifted to yellow, which is the same color as the fourth colored layer 64, during the process of passing through. That is, of the white light 85, light in a wavelength band of a color similar to that of the fourth colored layer 64, in this case yellow light, is easily transmitted through the fourth colored layer 64. In contrast, light in a wavelength band of a color different from the color (yellow) of the fourth colored layer 64 is less likely to be transmitted through the fourth colored layer 64.

[0076] Therefore, the yellow light 85B shifted as described above is emitted from the fourth colored layer 64 and enters the third colored layer 63. While the light 85B passes through the third colored layer 63, the color of the light 85B hardly changes.

[0077] Light 85C of approximately the same color as when it entered the third colored layer 63, in this case yellow light, is emitted and enters the second colored layer 62. In the second colored layer 62, the yellow light 85C passes between the fillers 65 in the second colored layer 62. During this passage, the color of the light 85C changes very little.

[0078] The second colored layer 62 emits light of substantially the same color as when it was incident, in this case yellow light 85D, and the light is incident on the first colored layer 61. Here, as described above, the first colored layer 61 is formed using a colored clear paint and is colored transparent with a bluish tint. The first colored layer 61 alone has a light (pale) blue tint. Therefore, the light 85D is prevented from taking on a bluish tint when passing through the first colored layer 61.

[0079] As described above, the fourth colored layer 64 is colored yellow, which is a complementary color to the blue of the first colored layer 61. In other words, the color of the first colored layer 61 is complementary to the color of the fourth colored layer 64. Therefore, the yellow light 85D changes to white light while passing through the first colored layer 61. White light 85E, similar to the light emitted from the light source 81, is emitted from the first colored layer 61.

[0080] 3, the white light 85E passes through the outer substrate 51 and the hard coat layer 71, and then is emitted from the vehicle exterior surface of the hard coat layer 71. Therefore, from outside the vehicle, the light 85E emitted from the hard coat layer 71 as described above appears to glow white. The pattern area 22 (the letter portion 23 and the annular portion 24) appears to glow white.

[0081] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , in this embodiment, the decorative layer 60 includes a first colored layer 61 and a second colored layer 62 laminated on the vehicle interior side of the first colored layer 61. The first colored layer 61 is formed of a colored paint and is light-transmitting. The second colored layer 62 is formed of a paint in which a filler 65 is dispersed and is light-transmitting. The filler 65 includes a filler body 66 and a coating 68 that covers the filler body 66. The coating 68 is formed of a colored paint having a color difference ΔE of 30 or less from the colored paint of the first colored layer 61.

[0082] Therefore, when the light source 81 is turned off, such as during the day, the pattern area 22 appears navy blue. Also, when the light source 81 is turned on, such as at night, the light passes through the decorative main body 41, causing the pattern area 22 to appear to glow.

[0083] In this way, the pattern area 22 can be made to appear in different colors when the light source 81 is turned on and when it is turned off, thereby improving the design whether the light source 81 is turned on or off.

[0084] (2) Related to (1) above, in this embodiment, unlike Patent Document 1, minute holes are not formed in the decorative layer 60, so the holes are not visible from the outside of the vehicle. In addition, light emitted from the light source 81 does not pass through the holes. Therefore, the phenomenon of less light passing through the decorative main body 41 due to the holes does not occur. This prevents the character portion 23 and the annular portion 24 in the pattern area 22 from appearing dark and shiny.

[0085] Therefore, in this respect as well, the effect of (1) above of improving the design can be obtained whether the light source 81 is turned on or off. (3) Depending on the magnitude of the color difference ΔE, the color tone (hue) of the pattern region 22 of the decorative layer 60 when the vehicle exterior accessory 20 is viewed from outside the vehicle can be made to differ. For example, the color of the colored paint in the first colored layer 61 and the color of the colored paint in the coating 68 are selected so that the color difference ΔE is a relatively large value, provided that the color difference ΔE is 30 or less. In this way, the pattern region 22 can be made to appear a different color from the first colored layer 61. Furthermore, the colors of the colored paints are selected so that the color difference ΔE is a relatively small value. In this way, it is also possible to make the pattern region 22 appear darker than the first colored layer 61.

[0086] (4) In this embodiment, the first colored layer 61 is formed of a colored clear paint that is colored by adding at least one of a pigment and a dye to the clear paint. Therefore, when white light emitted from the light source 81 passes through the first colored layer 61, the color change caused by the influence of the pigment and dye (in this embodiment, the phenomenon of the color becoming bluish) can be suppressed.

[0087] (5) In this embodiment, the decorative layer 60 includes a third colored layer 63 formed of a smoke clear paint. Therefore, when the light source 81 is turned off, the third colored layer 63 can prevent components, parts, etc. inside the vehicle from being visible through the decorative main body 41 from the outside of the vehicle. This also contributes to improving the design.

[0088] (6) In this embodiment, the light source 81 emits white light. The decorative layer 60 includes a fourth colored layer 64 colored in a color complementary to the color of the first colored layer 61, and the fourth colored layer 64 is located closer to the interior of the vehicle than the second colored layer 62. Therefore, when the light source 81 is turned on, the pattern area 22 appears to glow with white light similar to the light emitted from the light source 81.

[0089] (7) As shown in Fig. 2, in this embodiment, the housing 31 and the decorative main body 41 of the vehicle exterior accessory 20, which are disposed on the vehicle exterior side of the millimeter-wave radar device 12, are made of materials that are transparent to millimeter waves. Therefore, the housing 31 and the decorative main body 41 can be prevented from interfering with the detection of the millimeter-wave radar device 12.

[0090] In this embodiment, the light sources 81 in the housing 31 are disposed in a region between the housing 31 and the decorative main body 41, outside the millimeter wave passage region 74. This prevents the light sources 81 from interfering with the millimeter waves transmitted from the millimeter wave radar device 12.

[0091] The above embodiment can also be implemented as a modified example in which it is modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modified example can be implemented in combination with each other within a range where no technical contradiction occurs.

[0092] <About Light Source 81> The light source 81 may be arranged in such a manner that the emitted light can be directed directly toward the inner base material 42 without being reflected by the housing 31. In other words, the light source 81 may be arranged in such a manner that the light is emitted toward the inner base material 42.

[0093] A different number of light sources 81 from that in the above embodiment may be used. The minimum number is "1". The light source 81 may be disposed in a position in the accommodation section 73 that is offset in the left-right direction in addition to or instead of being disposed in a position that is offset in the up-down direction from the passage area 74 .

[0094] A light source 81 that emits light based on a principle different from that of an LED that emits light by electroluminescence may be used as the light source 81. For example, a light source 81 that emits light by incandescence, fluorescence, discharge, chemical luminescence, laser emission, or the like may be used.

[0095] The light source 81 may be one that emits light of a color other than white. <Position of decorative layer 60> The inner base material 42 may be omitted, and the base material may be configured only by the outer base material 51. In this case, the decorative layer 60 is laminated on the base material on the vehicle interior side.

[0096] The outer base material 51 may be omitted, and the base material may be configured only by the inner base material 42. In this case, the decorative layer 60 is laminated on the outer side of the base material. <Layer structure of decorative layer 60> The first colored layer 61 may be formed of a colored paint (colored clear paint) of a color other than blue.

[0097] The first colored layer 61 may be formed of a colored paint that does not use a clear paint. The same applies to the fourth colored layer 64. Provided that the color difference ΔE is 30 or less, the combination of the color of the colored paint in the first colored layer 61 and the color of the colored paint in the coating 68 may be changed to a combination different from that in the above embodiment (colored paint in the first colored layer: blue, colored paint in the coating: purple).

[0098] The third colored layer 63 may be omitted, so that the decorative layer 60 is composed of the first colored layer 61, the second colored layer 62, and the fourth colored layer 64. The fourth colored layer 64 may be omitted, so that the decorative layer 60 is composed of the first colored layer 61, the second colored layer 62, and the third colored layer 63.

[0099] The third colored layer 63 and the fourth colored layer 64 may be omitted, so that the decorative layer 60 is composed of the first colored layer 61 and the second colored layer 62 . <About the sensor> The sensor may detect an object outside the vehicle by transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves other than millimeter waves, such as infrared rays.

[0100] The sensor may be mounted at a location other than the front of the vehicle 10, for example, at the rear. In this case, the sensor transmits electromagnetic waves toward the rear of the vehicle 10. The sensor may also be mounted on the diagonally front side, diagonally rear side, etc. of the vehicle 10. In this case, the sensor transmits electromagnetic waves toward the diagonally front side, diagonally rear side, etc. of the vehicle 10.

[0101] In either case, the vehicle exterior accessory 20 is disposed in front of the sensor in the transmission direction of the electromagnetic waves, that is, in a location further outside the vehicle than the sensor. <Other> The vehicle exterior accessory 20 can also be applied to a vehicle 10 that is not equipped with a sensor that transmits and receives electromagnetic waves to detect an object outside the vehicle.

[0102] The vehicle exterior part of the present invention can be widely applied as long as it is a vehicle exterior part 20 that is attached to the exterior of a vehicle 10 to decorate the vehicle 10 and has a light-emitting function. Examples of such vehicle exterior parts 20 include emblems, ornaments, marks, front grilles, rear grilles, and side bezels. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 10...Vehicle 12...Millimeter wave radar device (sensor) 20...Exterior parts for vehicles 31…Housing 41...Decorative main body 42...Inner base material (base material) 51...Outer base material (base material) 60...Decorative layer 61...First colored layer 62…Second colored layer 63…Third colored layer 64…4th colored layer 65...Filler 66...Filler body 68...membrane 74…passing area 81...Light source 85,85A,85B,85C,85D,85E,88,89,90,90C…light

Claims

1. A vehicle exterior accessory includes a housing disposed in a vehicle, a decorative main body portion disposed on the vehicle exterior side of the housing, and a light source disposed within the housing, wherein light emitted from the light source is incident on an interior surface of the decorative main body portion, The decorative main body portion includes a base material made of a transparent or translucent material, and a decorative layer laminated on the base material on the vehicle exterior side or the vehicle interior side, the decorative layer comprises a first colored layer formed of a colored paint and having light transmittance, and a second colored layer laminated on the vehicle interior side of the first colored layer, having a filler dispersed in paint, and having light transmittance; The filler includes a filler body and a coating that covers the filler body, the coating is formed of a colored coating material having a color difference ΔE of 30 or less from the colored coating material of the first colored layer, The light source emits white light, the decorative layer further includes a fourth colored layer colored in a color complementary to the color of the first colored layer, The fourth colored layer is formed closer to the interior of the vehicle than the second colored layer.

2. 2. The vehicle exterior part according to claim 1, wherein the first colored layer is formed of a colored clear paint obtained by adding at least one of a pigment and a dye to a clear paint.

3. The decorative layer further includes a third colored layer formed of a smoke clear paint, The vehicle exterior part according to claim 1 , wherein the third colored layer is formed closer to the vehicle interior side than the second colored layer.

4. the vehicle is equipped with a sensor that transmits and receives electromagnetic waves to detect objects outside the vehicle; the housing is disposed on an outer side of the vehicle than the sensor, the housing and the decorative main body are transparent to the electromagnetic waves, The vehicle exterior part according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light source is arranged in a region between the housing and the decorative main body, the region being outside the region through which the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the sensor pass.

Images