Vehicle exterior parts

Abstract

To provide a vehicular exterior component made visually recognizable in a metallic style with external light being intensive, meanwhile, illuminatable with the external light being weak, with a rate of wavelength component of an irradiation light at illumination made adjustable.SOLUTION: A vehicular exterior component 100 includes: a clear transparent member 101 which includes an external surface 101a directed outward of a vehicle and an internal surface 101b directed inward of the vehicle; a luminosity thin film 102 made of a metal which is provided on the internal surface 101b of the transparent member 101 and simultaneously reflects at least one part of the light entering from the external surface 101a to the transparent member 101 and at the same time penetrates through a remainder; and an interference film 103 which is disposed on the internal surface 101b side of the transparent member 101, interposing the luminosity thin film 102 made of the metal between the transparent member 101 and itself and simultaneously reflects or absorbs a part pf wavelength component which is included in an irradiation light L2 irradiated from the internal surface 101b side of the transparent member 101.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Various exterior parts (vehicle exterior parts) are attached to vehicles. These vehicle exterior parts are visible from the outside of the vehicle and have a significant impact on the appearance of the vehicle. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle equipped with a radiator grille as a vehicle exterior part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-199837 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, in order to improve the external appearance of a vehicle, a vehicle exterior part may be conceived that appears metallic in bright places and illuminates in dark places. For example, in such a vehicle exterior part, a metallic bright thin film having a thickness that allows a portion of incident light to pass through is provided on the back surface of a transparent member. The metallic bright thin film transmits a portion of the incident light but reflects a portion of the light. Therefore, when external light such as sunlight is incident on the vehicle exterior part from the outside of the vehicle, a portion of the external light is reflected by the metallic bright thin film. As a result, the vehicle exterior part appears metallic. On the other hand, when the external light is weak, if light is irradiated onto the metallic bright thin film from inside the vehicle, a portion of the irradiated light passes through the metallic bright thin film and is visible to outsiders. As a result, the vehicle exterior part is illuminated.

[0005] However, metallic bright thin films change the proportion of wavelength components in irradiated light before and after transmission. In other words, the proportion of wavelength components in irradiated light changes as it passes through the metallic bright thin film. This change in the proportion of wavelength components varies depending on the type of metal forming the metallic bright thin film. For example, if the metallic bright thin film is made of indium (In), when white irradiated light passes through the metallic bright thin film, the proportion of yellow wavelength components in the irradiated light increases. As a result, the color of the illuminated vehicle exterior part becomes yellowish. The change in the proportion of wavelength components in the irradiated light can cause a decrease in the clarity of the illuminated vehicle exterior part. Currently, no proposals have been made to adjust the change in the proportion of wavelength components in irradiated light before and after transmission through the metallic bright thin film.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to make vehicle exterior parts visible as a metallic tone when external light is strong, to be able to be illuminated when external light is weak, and to make it possible to adjust the proportion of wavelength components of the irradiated light when illuminated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention employs the following configuration as a means for solving the above problems.

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention is an exterior part for a vehicle, comprising: a transparent layer having an outer surface facing the outside of the vehicle and an inner surface facing the inside of the vehicle; a metallic bright thin film provided on the inner surface of the transparent layer, which reflects at least a portion of light incident on the transparent layer from the outer surface and transmits the remainder; and a filter layer disposed on the inner surface side of the transparent layer with the metallic bright thin film sandwiched between the transparent layer and the filter layer, which reflects or absorbs a portion of the wavelength components contained in the light irradiated from the inner surface side of the transparent layer.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention is the first aspect, wherein the filter layer is an interference film that reflects the partial wavelength component.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect, wherein the filter layer reflects or absorbs wavelength components whose proportion in the irradiated light increases before and after passing through the metallic bright thin film.

[0011] A fourth aspect of the present invention is any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the filter layer is in close contact with the metallic bright thin film.

[0012] A fifth aspect of the present invention employs a configuration in which, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a diffusion layer is provided that is arranged on the opposite side of the filter layer from the transparent layer and that diffuses the irradiated light directed toward the filter layer.

[0013] A sixth aspect of the present invention employs a configuration in which, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, a light source unit that emits the irradiation light is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, the metallic bright thin film can make a vehicle exterior part appear metallic when exposed to strong external light. Furthermore, because the metallic bright thin film can transmit a portion of light, illumination can be achieved by irradiating the metallic bright thin film with light from inside the vehicle. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the filter layer reflects or absorbs a portion of the wavelength components contained in the illumination light. Therefore, the filter layer can adjust the proportion of wavelength components of the illumination light incident on the metallic bright thin film, and further, the proportion of wavelength components of the illumination light transmitted through the metallic bright thin film. Therefore, according to the present invention, a vehicle exterior part can appear metallic when exposed to strong external light, can be illuminated when exposed to weak external light, and can be illuminated, and the proportion of wavelength components of the illumination light during illumination can be adjusted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle exterior part according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle exterior part according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of a vehicle equipped with an illumination grille according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an illumination grille according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10 is a cross-sectional view of an illumination grille according to a third embodiment of the present invention, taken along a vertical plane extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a vehicle exterior part according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] (First embodiment) 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle exterior part 100 of this embodiment. The vehicle exterior part 100 of this embodiment is a part that is installed on a vehicle as an exterior part. The vehicle exterior part 100 is not particularly limited in its use as long as it is an exterior part that is installed on a vehicle, but it can be used, for example, as an illumination grille or a back door finisher for an electric vehicle.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle exterior part 100 of this embodiment has a transparent member 101 (transparent layer), a metallic bright thin film 102, an interference film 103 (filter layer), a hard coat layer 104, and a top coat layer 105.

[0019] The transparent member 101 is a transparent plate-like member that can transmit light. The transparent member 101 functions as a substrate that supports the metallic bright thin film 102, the interference film 103, the hard coat layer 104, and the top coat layer 105. The transparent member 101 is attached to the vehicle so that one surface faces the outside (exterior) of the vehicle and the other surface faces the inside (interior) of the vehicle. The surface facing the outside of the vehicle is referred to as the outer surface 101a, and the surface facing the inside of the vehicle is referred to as the inner surface 101b. In other words, the transparent member 101 is a plate-like member having the outer surface 101a and the inner surface 101b. Such a transparent member 101 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin such as transparent PC (polycarbonate) or PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate resin). The thickness of the transparent member 101 is, for example, approximately 1.5 mm to 10 mm.

[0020] The metallic bright thin film 102 is provided on the inner surface 101b of the transparent member 101. The metallic bright thin film 102 is a thin film made of metal and is formed to a thickness that allows light to pass through. For example, the metallic bright thin film 102 is formed to a thickness of approximately several tens of nanometers. This metallic bright thin film 102 transmits a portion of the incident light and reflects the remainder. In other words, the metallic bright thin film 102 reflects at least a portion of the external light L1 incident from the transparent member 101 side toward the outside of the vehicle. The metallic bright thin film 102 also transmits at least a portion of the light (irradiation light L2) incident from the opposite side of the transparent member 101. This metallic bright thin film 102 is provided on the inner surface 101b of the transparent member 101 and reflects at least a portion of the light that enters the transparent member 101 from the outer surface 101a and transmits the remainder.

[0021] The metal forming the metallic bright thin film 102 is not particularly limited. For example, the metallic bright thin film 102 may be formed of indium (In) or aluminum (Al). Such a metallic bright thin film 102 is formed on the inner surface 101b of the transparent member 101 by, for example, sputtering. In this embodiment, the metallic bright thin film 102 is in close contact with the inner surface 101b of the transparent member 101. By having the metallic bright thin film 102 in close contact with the inner surface 101b of the transparent member 101 in this manner, it is possible to prevent the surface of the metallic bright thin film 102 facing the transparent member 101 from coming into contact with air or moisture.

[0022] However, another layer that can transmit at least a portion of light may be interposed between the metallic bright thin film 102 and the transparent member 101. Also, a plurality of metallic bright thin films 102 made of different types of metal may be provided.

[0023] The interference film 103 is formed so as to cover the metallic bright thin film 102 from the side opposite the transparent member 101. In other words, the interference film 103 is disposed on the inner surface 101b side of the transparent member 101, with the metallic bright thin film 102 sandwiched between the interference film 103 and the transparent member 101. The interference film 103 reflects or absorbs some wavelength components contained in the light (irradiation light L2) incident from the opposite side of the transparent member 101. The interference film 103 reflects only specific wavelength components through the interference of light and transmits light of wavelength components different from the specific wavelength components. The interference film 103 is formed, for example, from silicon oxide (SiO2), and is formed to a thickness dimension that reflects the specific wavelength components.

[0024] In other words, interference film 103 changes the proportion of wavelength components of irradiated light L2 that passes through metallic bright thin film 102 from the side opposite transparent member 101, thereby adjusting the proportion of wavelength components of irradiated light L2 that reaches people outside the vehicle. In this embodiment, interference film 103 reflects or absorbs wavelength components whose proportion in irradiated light L2 increases before and after passing through metallic bright thin film 102.

[0025] For example, when white irradiation light L2 passes through the metallic bright thin film 102 made of indium, the proportion of yellow wavelength components among the wavelength components contained in the irradiation light L2 increases. Therefore, if the interference film 103 were not provided, when the irradiation light L2 is irradiated, a person viewing the vehicle exterior part 100 from outside the vehicle would perceive the entire vehicle exterior part 100 as having a yellowish tint. In contrast, the interference film 103 of this embodiment reflects or absorbs the yellow component, which is a wavelength component whose proportion increases in the irradiation light L2 before and after transmission through the metallic bright thin film 102. As a result, it is possible to prevent the entire vehicle exterior part 100 from appearing yellowish to a person viewing the vehicle exterior part 100 from outside the vehicle.

[0026] The interference film 103 is formed on the metallic bright thin film 102 by, for example, sputtering. In this embodiment, the interference film 103 is in close contact with the metallic bright thin film 102. By having the interference film 103 in close contact with the metallic bright thin film 102 in this manner, it is possible to prevent the surface of the metallic bright thin film 102 opposite the transparent member 101 from coming into contact with air or moisture. That is, in this embodiment, the surface of the metallic bright thin film 102 is in close contact with the transparent member 101 or the interference film 103. This makes it possible to prevent deterioration of the metallic bright thin film 102 due to contact with air or moisture. However, another layer that can transmit at least a portion of light may be interposed between the metallic bright thin film 102 and the interference film 103. Furthermore, multiple interference films 103 of different types may be provided.

[0027] The hard coat layer 104 is a protective layer provided on the outer surface 101a of the transparent member 101. The hard coat layer 104 is a transparent layer that prevents the outer surface 101a of the transparent member 101 from being scratched. The top coat layer 105 is a protective layer provided on the surface of the interference film 103 opposite the transparent member 101. The top coat layer 105 is a transparent layer that prevents the interference film 103 from deteriorating. It is also possible to have a configuration in which either or both of the hard coat layer 104 and the top coat layer 105 are not provided.

[0028] The vehicle exterior part 100 of this embodiment configured as described above is disposed in front of the light source unit that emits the irradiated light L2 (at a position outside the vehicle as viewed from the light source unit). For example, during the daytime when sunlight is irradiated from outside, the light source unit is turned off. During such daytime hours, strong external light L1, such as sunlight, enters the transparent member 101 from the outside, passes through the transparent member 101, and enters the metallic bright thin film 102. A portion of the external light L1 that enters the metallic bright thin film 102 is reflected by the metallic bright thin film 102. The external light L1 reflected by the metallic bright thin film 102 is visible to people outside the vehicle, and the vehicle exterior part 100 appears metallic.

[0029] On the other hand, at night when there is no strong external light L1, such as sunlight, the light source unit is turned on. Irradiation light L2 emitted from the light source unit is incident on interference film 103. The proportions of wavelength components of irradiation light L2 incident on interference film 103 are adjusted so that the proportion of wavelength components that increases when passing through metallic bright thin film 102 is reduced. Irradiation light L2, whose proportions of wavelength components have been adjusted by interference film 103 in this way, passes through metallic bright thin film 102. Irradiation light L2 that has passed through metallic bright thin film 102 passes through transparent member 101 and is emitted toward the outside of the vehicle. Since such irradiation light L2 is visible to people outside the vehicle, vehicle exterior part 100 is illuminated and visible.

[0030] The vehicle exterior part 100 of this embodiment includes a transparent member 101. The transparent member 101 has an outer surface 101a facing the outside of the vehicle and an inner surface 101b facing the inside of the vehicle. The vehicle exterior part 100 also includes a metallic bright thin film 102. The metallic bright thin film 102 is provided on the inner surface 101b of the transparent member 101, and reflects at least a portion of the light that enters the transparent member 101 from the outer surface 101a while transmitting the remainder. The vehicle exterior part 100 of this embodiment also includes an interference film 103. The interference film 103 is disposed on the inner surface 101b side of the transparent member 101 with the metallic bright thin film 102 sandwiched between the transparent member 101 and the interference film 103, and reflects or absorbs some wavelength components included in the irradiation light L2 that is irradiated from the inner surface 101b side of the transparent member 101.

[0031] According to the vehicle exterior part 100 of this embodiment, the metallic bright thin film 102 allows the vehicle exterior part 100 to be visually perceived as metallic when external light L1 is strong. Furthermore, because the metallic bright thin film 102 is capable of transmitting a portion of light, illumination light L2 can be applied to the metallic bright thin film 102 from inside the vehicle for decorative lighting. Furthermore, according to the vehicle exterior part 100 of this embodiment, the interference film 103 reflects or absorbs a portion of the wavelength components contained in the illumination light L2. Therefore, the interference film 103 can adjust the proportion of wavelength components of the illumination light L2 incident on the metallic bright thin film 102, and further adjust the proportion of wavelength components of the illumination light transmitted through the metallic bright thin film 102. Therefore, according to the vehicle exterior part 100 of this embodiment, the vehicle exterior part 100 can be visually perceived as metallic when external light L1 is strong, can be illuminated when external light L1 is weak, and can be illuminated, making it possible to adjust the proportion of wavelength components of the illumination light L2 during decorative lighting.

[0032] Furthermore, in the vehicle exterior part 100 of this embodiment, an interference film 103 is used as a filter layer that is provided on the inner surface 101b of the transparent member 101 and that reflects at least a portion of light that enters the transparent member 101 from the outer surface 101a and transmits the remainder. Such an interference film 103 can be formed thinly by, for example, sputtering. This allows the vehicle exterior part 100 to be small and lightweight. Furthermore, because interference is utilized, it is less likely to deteriorate over time than when a colored filter layer is used.

[0033] Furthermore, in the vehicle exterior part 100 of this embodiment, the interference film 103 reflects or absorbs wavelength components whose proportions in the irradiated light L2 increase before and after passing through the metallic bright thin film 102. Therefore, the change in color tone caused by the irradiated light L2 passing through the metallic bright thin film 102 can be canceled out by the interference film 103.

[0034] Furthermore, in the vehicle exterior part 100 of this embodiment, the interference film 103 is in close contact with the metallic bright thin film 102. Therefore, the metallic bright thin film 102 can be protected by the interference film 103, and it is also possible to employ a configuration in which the top coat layer 105 is not provided.

[0035] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0036] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle exterior part 200 of this embodiment. The vehicle exterior part 200 of this embodiment has a light source unit 106 and a diffusion cover 107 (diffusion layer) in addition to the transparent member 101, metallic bright thin film 102, interference film 103, hard coat layer 104, and top coat layer 105 that are included in the vehicle exterior part 100 of the first embodiment.

[0037] The light source unit 106 is provided on the inner surface 101b side of the transparent member 101 and is disposed with a certain gap between it and the top coat layer 105. In this embodiment, the light source unit 106 includes a substrate 106a and a plurality of LED elements 106b mounted in an array on the substrate 106a. The light source unit 106 is connected to a control unit (not shown) and turns on and off the LED elements 106b under the control of the control unit. The LED elements 106b emit irradiation light L2. In other words, when the LED elements 106b are turned on, irradiation light L2 is emitted from the LED elements 106b, i.e., the light source unit 106.

[0038] The diffusion cover 107 is disposed between the light source unit 106 and the top coat layer 105. In other words, the diffusion cover 107 is disposed on the opposite side of the interference film 103 from the transparent member 101. The diffusion cover 107 diffuses the irradiation light L2 traveling from the light source unit 106 toward the interference film 103.

[0039] The vehicle exterior part 200 of this embodiment is provided with the light source unit 106, and therefore is capable of providing illumination using the emitted light L2. Furthermore, the vehicle exterior part 200 of this embodiment is provided with the diffusion cover 107, and therefore is capable of preventing the emitted light L2 emitted from the LED element 106b from being recognized as a point light source by an outsider.

[0040] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same parts as those in the first or second embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0041] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the vehicle exterior part 200 in the second embodiment is applied to an illumination grille 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of a vehicle 20 (mobile body) equipped with the illumination grille 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the vehicle 20 is equipped with an openable hood H arranged below a windshield G, headlamps L arranged spaced apart on the left and right below the hood H, a front bumper B arranged below the headlamps L, and the like.

[0042] The surfaces of vehicle parts such as the hood H, headlamps L, and front bumper B have complex three-dimensional shapes that correspond to the type of vehicle 20 on which they are mounted. For example, in this embodiment, the upper surface of the hood H is curved so as to slope downward toward the front of the vehicle. The front surfaces of the headlamps L and the front bumper B are curved so as to slope rearward toward the ends of the vehicle 20 in the vehicle width direction.

[0043] In this embodiment, the vehicle parts mounted on the vehicle 20 are just an example, and other vehicle parts can be mounted on the vehicle 20. The surface shapes of the vehicle parts in this embodiment are also just an example, and the surface shapes of the vehicle parts can be changed to three-dimensional shapes that are not flat. However, it is not necessarily necessary for the surface shapes of all vehicle parts to be three-dimensional. Of the multiple vehicle parts, at least one surface shape is three-dimensional.

[0044] The illumination grille 1 of this embodiment is an exterior component that appears metallic when external light is strong, such as during the day, and is illuminated when external light is weak, such as at night. As shown in Fig. 3, the illumination grille 1 of this embodiment is disposed at the front of the vehicle 20 so as to be surrounded by vehicle parts having three-dimensional surfaces. In this embodiment, the illumination grille 1 is disposed below the hood H, above the front bumper B, and between the left and right headlamps L.

[0045] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the illumination grille 1 of this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination grille 1 of this embodiment cut along a vertical plane along the vehicle longitudinal direction, taken along line AA in Fig. 3. For example, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the illumination grille 1 of this embodiment includes an inner member 2, a light source unit 3, a bezel 4, an outer cover 5, and a diffusion plate 6.

[0046] In the following description, the direction to which the irradiated light L2 is emitted from the light source unit 3 is referred to as the front, and the opposite side to the front is referred to as the rear. In this embodiment, the inner member 2, the light source unit 3, the bezel 4, and the outer cover 5 are arranged in the front-to-rear direction, with the inner member 2 being arranged at the rearmost side and the outer cover 5 being arranged at the frontmost side.

[0047] The inner member 2 is a member that directly or indirectly supports the light source unit 3, bezel 4, and outer cover 5, and is disposed behind the light source unit 3, bezel 4, and outer cover 5. The inner member 2 is made of, for example, black ABS. The inner member 2 has a plate-shaped portion 2a and inner edge portions 2b that are provided so as to surround the plate-shaped portion 2a from above, below, left, and right.

[0048] The plate-like portion 2a is disposed with a certain gap in the front-rear direction from a support substrate 3a (described later) of the light source unit 3, and is a plate-like portion that covers the light source unit 3 from the rear. The plate-like portion 2a of the inner member 2 is disposed with a certain gap from a support substrate 3a (described later) of the light source unit 3.

[0049] The plate-like portion 2a is provided with a plurality of holes 2a1 for fixing the light source unit 3 with screws 7 (see FIG. 5). The screws 7 inserted into these holes 2a1 are threaded into threaded portions 3b provided on a support substrate 3a (described later) of the light source unit 3, thereby fixing the light source unit 3 to the inner member 2. The inner edge portion 2b of the inner member 2 is provided with a plurality of mounting portions 2c for attaching the inner member 2 to the vehicle body. The mounting portions 2c are fixed to the vehicle body with screws or the like (not shown), thereby fixing the illumination grille 1 of this embodiment to the vehicle body.

[0050] Additionally, an engagement protrusion is provided on the inner edge portion 2b of the inner member 2 for engaging the outer cover 5. The outer cover 5 is connected to the inner member 2 by the engagement protrusion. The inner member 2 is connected to the outer cover 5 from the rear, and forms a closed space between the inner member 2 and the outer cover 5 in which the LED element 3d is housed.

[0051] The light source unit 3 is a device that emits irradiation light L2 under the control of a control device (not shown), and corresponds to the light source unit 106 in the second embodiment. The light source unit 3 includes a support substrate 3a, a screw portion 3b, a circuit board 3c, and an LED element 3d.

[0052] The support substrate 3a is a plate-like portion to which a circuit board 3c is attached on the front surface. The support substrate 3a is disposed with a certain gap between it and the outer cover 5. The threaded portions 3b are cylindrical portions protruding rearward from the back surface of the support substrate 3a, and a plurality of threaded portions 3b are provided corresponding to the holes 2a1 provided in the plate-like portion 2a of the inner member 2. As shown in FIG. 5, screws 7 are threaded into these threaded portions 3b.

[0053] The circuit board 3c has LED elements 3d mounted on its front surface and is fixed to the support board 3a on its back surface. This circuit board 3c corresponds to the board 106a in the above embodiment. The LED elements 3d are fixed to the front surface of the support board 3a via the circuit board 3c, and a plurality of LED elements 3d are arranged in the front-rear and left-right directions. These LED elements 3d are arranged together in the center of the support board 3a when viewed from the front (see FIG. 4). Each LED element 3d is connected to a control device via the circuit board 3c. When these LED elements 3d emit light, irradiation light L2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is emitted toward the outer cover 5. These LED elements 3d correspond to the LED elements 106b in the above embodiment.

[0054] As shown in Figure 4, a ring-shaped area where no LED elements 3d are arranged is provided around the periphery of the support substrate 3a, and a screw portion 3b is provided on the back surface of this area where no LED elements 3d are arranged.

[0055] In addition, a buffer space K is provided between the LED element 3d and the outer cover 5. This buffer space K is a space that prevents the LED element 3d from coming into contact with the outer cover 5 even when the LED element 3d and the outer cover 5 move relative to each other due to vibrations caused by the running of the vehicle 20. Furthermore, by providing the buffer space K, it becomes possible to make the LED element 3d less visible from in front of the outer cover 5 when the LED element 3d is turned off.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 4, the bezel 4 is an annular plate member with an opening 4a in the center, and has a frame shape when viewed from the outer cover 5 side. The bezel 4 is an insert member interposed between the light source unit 3 and the outer cover 5, and is made of, for example, black ABS. The bezel 4 is positioned slightly forward of the LED element 3d, with a small gap between it and the LED element 3d.

[0057] Furthermore, such a bezel 4 functions as a stopper that prevents the light source unit 3 from approaching the outer cover 5 due to, for example, the running of the vehicle 20. Therefore, even in the event of an emergency stop of the vehicle 20, the bezel 4 is prevented from approaching the outer cover 5 of the light source unit 3, and it is possible to prevent the LED element 3d from contacting the outer cover 5 and the distance between the LED element 3d and the outer cover 5 from changing.

[0058] The outer cover 5 is a cover member disposed in front of the light source unit 3 (i.e., the LED elements 3d). This outer cover 5 is made of a laminate of the transparent member 101 in the above embodiment, a metallic bright thin film 102, an interference film 103, a hard coat layer 104, and a top coat layer 105. Such an outer cover 5 has a plate-shaped portion 5a and outer edge portions 5b provided so as to surround the plate-shaped portion 5a from above, below, left, and right.

[0059] The plate-shaped portion 5a is disposed in front of the LED elements 3d and is a plate-shaped portion that covers the light source unit 3 from the front. The plate-shaped portion 5a of the outer cover 5 is disposed with a certain gap between it and the LED elements 3d of the light source unit 3. The outer edge portion 5b of the outer cover 5 is provided with locking claws for locking the outer cover 5 to the inner member 2. The outer cover 5 is connected to the inner member 2 by locking the locking claws to the locking protrusions of the inner member 2. The boundary between the outer edge portion 5b and the inner edge portion 2b is sealed as needed. This sealing seals the closed space between the inner member 2 and the outer cover 5, making it possible to protect the LED elements 3d from moisture in the air, etc.

[0060] The diffusion plate 6 is disposed between the light source unit 3 and the outer cover 5. The diffusion plate 6 is fixed to the inner member 2. Such a diffusion plate 6 corresponds to the diffusion cover 107 in the above embodiment.

[0061] In the illumination grille 1 of this embodiment, the metallic bright thin film 102 allows the illumination grille 1 to appear metallic when the external light is strong. Furthermore, because the metallic bright thin film 102 is capable of transmitting a portion of light, the illumination grille 1 can be illuminated by irradiating the metallic bright thin film 102 with irradiated light L2 from the light source unit 3 from inside the vehicle. Furthermore, in the illumination grille 1 of this embodiment, the interference film 103 reflects or absorbs a portion of the wavelength components contained in the irradiated light L2. Therefore, the interference film 103 can adjust the proportion of wavelength components of the irradiated light L2 incident on the metallic bright thin film 102, and further adjust the proportion of wavelength components of the irradiated light transmitted through the metallic bright thin film 102. Therefore, the illumination grille 1 of this embodiment allows the illumination grille 1 to appear metallic when the external light is strong, and can be illuminated when the external light is weak, and it is possible to adjust the proportion of wavelength components of the irradiated light L2 when illuminated.

[0062] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The shapes and combinations of the components shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1...Illumination grill (vehicle exterior part), 2...Inner member, 3...Light source part, 4...Bezel, 5...Outer cover, 6...Diffusion plate (diffusion layer), 100...Vehicle exterior part, 101...Transparent member (transparent layer), 101a...Outer surface, 101b...Inner surface, 102...Metallic bright thin film, 103...Interference film, 104...Hard coat layer, 105...Top coat layer, 106...Light source part, 107...Diffusion cover (diffusion layer), 200...Vehicle exterior part, L1...External light, L2...Irradiated light

Claims

1. An exterior part for a vehicle, a transparent layer having an outer surface facing the exterior of the vehicle and an inner surface facing the interior of the vehicle; a metallic bright thin film provided on the inner surface of the transparent layer, the metallic bright thin film reflecting at least a portion of light incident on the transparent layer from the outer surface and transmitting the remainder; a filter layer that is disposed on the inner surface side of the transparent layer with the metallic bright thin film sandwiched between the transparent layer and the filter layer, and that reflects or absorbs part of the wavelength components contained in the irradiated light irradiated from the inner surface side of the transparent layer; and The filter layer reflects or absorbs wavelength components whose proportions increase in the irradiated light before and after passing through the metallic bright thin film. An exterior part for a vehicle.

2. 2. The exterior part for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the filter layer is an interference film that reflects the partial wavelength component.

3. 3. The exterior part for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the filter layer is in close contact with the metallic bright thin film.

4. The vehicle exterior part according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a diffusion layer that is disposed on the opposite side of the filter layer from the transparent layer and that diffuses the irradiated light toward the filter layer.

5. The vehicle exterior part according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a light source unit that emits the irradiation light.

Images