Lid device for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a lid device for vehicle which has a simple structure and can brightly illuminate a peripheral edge clearance as a whole with a light source.SOLUTION: A lid device for vehicle 1 comprises: a lid member 2 which is changed in a position between a closed position for closing an opening which is formed on a vehicle-side member and an open position for releasing the opening; a light source 6 arranged at a depth side rather than the opening and emitting a visible ray; and a path forming element for forming a path of the visible ray toward the opening. The path forming element has a lens 4 for making the visible ray which is incident from the depth side of the opening permeate it and for emitting the visible ray toward the outside of the opening through a clearance 95 between an opening peripheral edge part of the vehicle-side member and the lid member 2 located in the closed position. The clearance 95 has a first clearance region 95f, and a second clearance region 95s which is different from the first clearance region 95f. The lens 4 has a first lens region 4f for emitting the visible ray toward the first clearance region 95f, and a second lens region 4s for emitting the visible ray toward the second clearance region 95s.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Various types of vehicle lid devices are known that are mounted on a vehicle and open and close an opening provided in a vehicle-side member using a lid member.

[0003] As one type of such vehicle lid device, for example, a device that uses a lid to cover or open from the outside an energy supply port provided on a vehicle body, such as a fuel filler port or power filler port for supplying energy to the vehicle, is known. Also, as one type of such vehicle lid device, for example, a device that blocks a door handle (also called a latch release handle) that releases the latch of a vehicle door from the outside of the vehicle door when not in use and makes it accessible from the outside of the vehicle door when in use is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] In the vehicle lid device described above, the energy supply port and the door handle are disposed at the back side of an opening provided in a vehicle-side member such as a vehicle door, body, hood, etc. The lid member opens and closes the opening by changing its position between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening.

[0005] BACKGROUND ART In recent years, it has been proposed to mount light sources on vehicles for the purpose of brightly illuminating the vehicle body, vehicle exterior parts, road surfaces, etc., or displaying various designs thereon (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0006] More specifically, the vehicle lid device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a light source mounted inside the vehicle door, which is a vehicle-side component, i.e., on the far side of the opening. Patent Document 1 describes that the inside of the opening is illuminated by light emitted from the light source. Patent Document 1 also describes that when the lid member is in the closed position, the light emitted from the light source leaks outward from the vehicle lid device through a gap between the opening periphery of the vehicle-side component and the lid member in the closed position (paragraphs

[0060] to

[0063] ). Hereinafter, where necessary, the "gap between the opening periphery of the vehicle-side component and the lid member in the closed position" may be simply referred to as the "periphery gap."

[0007] In the vehicle lid device introduced in Patent Document 2, an illumination unit is provided inside the door handle of a vehicle door. The illumination unit has a light source and a light guide member, and illuminates the inside of the vehicle door (door handle storage section) by irradiating light emitted from the light source to the outside of the door handle through the light guide member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2019-512623 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-93732 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Incidentally, in order to allow the light emitted from the light source to leak outward from the gap between the peripheral edge of the opening and the lid member when the lid member is in the closed position, as in the vehicle lid device of Patent Document 1, the aforementioned peripheral gap is essential.

[0010] However, if the peripheral gap is too large, there is a risk of problems such as large amounts of rainwater, dust, and the like entering the back side of the opening (for example, the inside of a vehicle door) through the peripheral gap. If the peripheral gap is designed to be minimal, there is a risk that the peripheral gap will become too small if there is variation in the dimensions of the lid member or the peripheral portion of the opening. If the peripheral gap is too small, it will be difficult to see the light emitted by the light source from outside the vehicle, which will make it difficult to provide the vehicle lid device with excellent functionality and design.

[0011] It is considered that if a light source is mounted on the back side of the opening as in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, and further a light source is mounted on the lid member itself, the light emitted from the light source can be projected toward the outside of the vehicle lid device without providing the above-mentioned peripheral gap. Specifically, it is considered that the light source can be exposed on the surface of the lid member, or a lens that is capable of transmitting visible light can be provided on the lid member and the light source can be disposed behind the lens.

[0012] However, when a light source is mounted on the lid member itself as described above, two different lighting mechanisms each containing a different light source are required, which complicates the vehicle lid device, resulting in a problem of increased costs for the vehicle lid device.

[0013] Furthermore, since the lid member changes position between the open and closed positions as described above, when a light source is mounted on the lid member, a wire harness connecting the light source and a power source must be used that deforms in response to changes in the position of the lid member. In this case, depending on the positional relationship between the lid member and the power source, the trajectory of the lid member's positional change, etc., there is a risk that the wire harness will interfere with the change in position of the lid member. The vehicle lid device introduced in Patent Document 2 also has a similar problem because an illumination unit is provided inside the door handle, which is a lid member.

[0014] Furthermore, in the vehicle lid device of Patent Document 2, the light transmitted through the light guide member is directed only toward a portion of the peripheral gap, and the light does not reach most of the peripheral gap. Therefore, most of the peripheral gap receives only reflected and diffused light, and the majority of the peripheral gap glows dimly (see FIG. 4(b), paragraph

[0035] ). As a result, the vehicle lid device of Patent Document 2 has the problem of being unable to brightly illuminate the entire peripheral gap.

[0015] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and has as its object to provide a vehicle lid device that has a simple structure and can brightly illuminate the entire peripheral gap with a light source. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] The vehicle lid device of the present invention, which solves the above problems, is a lid member that changes position between a closed position that closes an opening provided in a vehicle-side member and an open position that opens the opening; a light source that is disposed on the back side of the opening and emits visible light; a path forming element that forms a path of the visible light toward the opening; the path forming element has a lens that transmits the visible light incident from the back side of the opening and emits the visible light toward the outside of the opening through a gap between the opening peripheral edge portion of the vehicle-side member and the lid member in the closed position, the gap has a first gap region and a second gap region different from the first gap region, The lens is a vehicle lid device having a first lens area that emits the visible light toward the first gap area and a second lens area that emits the visible light toward the second gap area.

[0017] The vehicle lid device of the present invention has a simple structure and is capable of brightly illuminating the entire peripheral gap with the light source. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a vehicle lid device according to a first embodiment attached to a vehicle-side member, as viewed from the front side of the vehicle-side member; [Figure 2] 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the appearance of a vehicle lid device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the appearance of a vehicle lid device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a cross section of a vehicle lid device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the path of visible light in the vehicle lid device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the path of visible light in a vehicle lid device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the path of visible light in a vehicle lid device according to a third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the path of visible light in a vehicle lid device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The vehicle lid device of the present invention includes a light source that is disposed behind the opening and emits visible light, and a path forming element that forms a path of the visible light toward the opening. Therefore, according to the vehicle lid device of the present invention, the visible light emitted from the light source located behind the opening travels toward the opening along the path formed by the path forming element.

[0020] The path forming element has a lens. The lens transmits visible light and forms a path for visible light from the back side of the opening through the peripheral gap to the outside of the opening. In this way, the vehicle lid device of the present invention can arrange a light source on the back side of the opening, i.e., in a part of the vehicle lid device other than the lid member, to illuminate the peripheral gap with visible light that has passed through the lens and emerged. In other words, the vehicle lid device of the present invention has a simpler structure than, for example, the vehicle lid device of Patent Document 2, which has a light source mounted on the lid member.

[0021] The lens has a first lens region and a second lens region. The first lens region emits visible light toward a first gap region that is a part of the peripheral gap. The second lens region emits visible light toward a second gap region that is a part of the peripheral gap that is different from the first gap region.

[0022] Thus, according to the vehicle lid device of the present invention, the peripheral gap is divided into a first gap region and a second gap region, and each of these regions is illuminated through a different region of the lens, i.e., the first lens region and the second lens region. In other words, according to the vehicle lid device of the present invention, the shape of the rear side surface of the first lens region can be made suitable for the first gap region, and the shape of the rear side surface of the second lens region can be made suitable for the second gap region. As a result, according to the vehicle lid device of the present invention, a sufficient amount of visible light can be supplied to both the first gap region and the second gap region, thereby making it possible to brightly illuminate both the first gap region and the second gap region, and ultimately making it possible to brightly illuminate the peripheral gap as a whole.

[0023] Therefore, the vehicle lid device of the present invention can be said to be a vehicle lid device that has a simple structure and is capable of brightly illuminating the entire peripheral gap with a light source.

[0024] Hereinafter, the vehicle lid device of the present invention will be described with respect to each of its components. Unless otherwise specified, the numerical ranges "x to y" described in this specification include the lower limit x and the upper limit y. These upper and lower limit values, as well as the numerical values ​​listed in the examples, can be arbitrarily combined to form new numerical ranges. Furthermore, any numerical value selected from any of the above numerical ranges can be used as the upper and lower limit values ​​of a new numerical range.

[0025] The vehicle lid device of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it opens and closes an opening provided in a vehicle-side member using a lid member. For example, the vehicle lid device of the present invention may be configured to open and close an opening in a housing that houses the aforementioned energy supply port using the lid member. Alternatively, the vehicle lid device of the present invention may be configured to open and close an opening in which a door handle is located at the rear using the lid member. The vehicle lid device of the present invention may or may not include an energy supply port or a door handle.

[0026] The vehicle lid device of the present invention includes a lid member, a path forming element, and a light source.

[0027] Of these, the light source may be any light source that emits visible light, and there are no particular limitations on the type, number, light color, etc. Examples of the light source include an LED lamp, a halogen lamp, and an incandescent lamp.

[0028] The number of light sources in the vehicle lid device of the present invention is not particularly limited. The light sources may be disposed on the rear side of the opening. Therefore, the positions and number of light sources are not particularly limited. The light sources may be disposed in an appropriate number and in an appropriate position depending on the shape of the vehicle-side component in which the opening is provided, the positional relationship between the vehicle-side component and the opening, and the shapes and positional relationships of the first gap region, the second gap region, the first lens region, and the second lens region described below.

[0029] In the vehicle lid device of the present invention, the light source is preferably located on the front side of the opening, i.e., in a position that is difficult to see from outside the vehicle lid device of the present invention, even when the lid member is in the open position, because if the light source is directly visible, the design of the vehicle lid device may be impaired. Therefore, it can be said that it is preferable to arrange the light source further radially outward from the opening.

[0030] The lid member can open and close an opening provided in a vehicle-side member, and changes its position between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening. In the present invention, the manner in which the lid member changes its position and the mechanism that drives the lid member are not particularly limited. For example, the lid member may be a so-called dive type that moves into the back of the opening when changing from the closed position to the open position, or a so-called pop-up type that pops out toward the front of the opening.

[0031] As described above, in the vehicle lid device of the present invention, visible light travels from the back side of the opening to the outside of the opening through the peripheral gap. Therefore, the lid member that closes the opening in the closed position can be said to be a part that blocks the travel of visible light.

[0032] The path forming element forms a path for visible light toward the opening, and the path forming element includes a lens, and may also include a reflector, which will be described later.

[0033] The lens transmits visible light from the inner side of the opening toward the outer side of the opening and emits the visible light toward the peripheral gap. The lens need only be located in a position that allows visible light emitted by the light source to enter and that allows visible light to exit into the peripheral gap; for example, it may be integrated into the back side of the lid member, or in some cases, it may be integrated into the peripheral portion of the opening in the vehicle side member.

[0034] When the lens is integrated into the rear side of the lid member, it is preferable that the diameter of the lens be slightly larger than that of the lid member. In this case, it is preferable that the outer peripheral edge of the lens slightly protrudes radially outward beyond the outer edge of the lid member. The outer edge of the lid member here refers to the portion of the lid member that covers the opening, in other words, the outer edge of the portion of the lid member that is visible from the outside when in the closed position.

[0035] When the lens is integrated into the peripheral edge of the opening in the vehicle-side member, it is preferable that the lens be ring-shaped with an outer diameter larger than the opening and an inner diameter smaller than the opening, and in this case, it is preferable that the outer peripheral edge of the lens slightly protrudes radially outward from the opening, and the inner peripheral edge of the lens slightly protrudes radially inward from the opening.

[0036] The lens may transmit at least some visible light with a wavelength of 380 to 800 nm, but considering the need to provide the vehicle lid device of the present invention with excellent functionality and design, it is preferable that the lens have a relatively high visible light transmittance. Specifically, the visible light transmittance of the lens in the vehicle lid device of the present invention is preferably 30% or more, 50% or more, or 70% or more.

[0037] Specifically, the lens is preferably made of a transparent resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic. The front surface of the lens may be subjected to a process such as blasting to diffuse visible light.

[0038] When the lens is integrated with the rear side of the lid member, a general method may be used to manufacture the integrated lens and lid member.

[0039] For example, examples of manufacturing methods for the above-mentioned integrated product include two-color molding using a transparent resin and a colored resin as materials, and insert molding. In these methods, the transparent resin is the material for the lens, and the colored resin is the material for the lid member. Alternatively, the lid member and lens, which are molded separately, may be integrated using claw fitting, adhesive tape, adhesive, etc.

[0040] Alternatively, the lid member and the lens may be integrated into one piece made of a transparent resin. In this case, the surface of the integrated piece may be plated or painted with a paint having a low visible light transmittance, thereby forming a portion of the integrated piece that functions as the lid member.

[0041] The lens has a first lens region and a second lens region. The first lens region can be said to be a portion of the lens that corresponds to a first gap region of the peripheral gap. The second lens region can be said to be a portion of the lens that corresponds to a second gap region of the peripheral gap. In this specification, the first lens region and the second lens region may be collectively referred to simply as lens regions, and the first gap region and the second gap region may be collectively referred to simply as gap regions, as necessary.

[0042] Here, the positions and sizes of the first gap region and the second gap region in the peripheral gap can be set appropriately depending on the position of the light source relative to the opening, and the position of the reflector (described below) if necessary, etc. The positions, sizes, shapes, etc. of the first lens region and the second lens region in the lens can also be set appropriately depending on the position of the light source relative to the opening, the position of the reflector, etc.

[0043] The peripheral gap may have gap regions other than the first gap region and the second gap region (third gap region, fourth gap region, etc.). In this case, the lens may have lens regions (third lens region, fourth lens region, etc.) corresponding to the other gap regions.

[0044] As described above, the path forming element in the vehicle lid device of the present invention may have a reflector that is disposed further back than the lens and reflects visible light emitted from the light source toward the first lens area and / or the second lens area.

[0045] Because the path forming element has a reflector, the vehicle lid device of the present invention can efficiently supply visible light emitted from the light source to the first lens area and the second lens area, and further can efficiently supply the visible light to the first gap area and the second gap area. As a result, even under conditions where it is relatively difficult to brightly illuminate the entire peripheral gap, such as when the amount of light is small, it is possible to illuminate the first gap area and the second gap area with sufficient brightness.

[0046] The reflector may be of any shape or material as long as it can reflect visible light, but is preferably one that totally reflects visible light. For example, the reflector may be a metal plate with a smooth reflective surface, or may be a substrate made of resin or the like with a reflective layer formed on the reflective surface of the substrate by plating or painting.

[0047] Furthermore, it is particularly preferable that the reflector is a light collector that not only reflects visible light but also collects the visible light toward the lens area. It is particularly preferable that the reflector as a light collector has a concave mirror structure, such as a collecting lens or a collecting mirror. In this case, there is an advantage that light loss can be suppressed and the peripheral gap can be illuminated with a small amount of light.

[0048] The reflector may or may not be visible from the front side of the opening. If the reflector is visible from the front side of the opening, the reflector shining with reflected light can be seen from the opening when the lid member is in the open position. The reflective surface of the reflector may be a simple smooth surface, or may be an uneven surface that displays predetermined characters, figures, etc. The reflective surface of the reflector may be a single color, or may display predetermined characters or figures by painting, printing, etc. In these cases, the vehicle lid device of the present invention makes it possible to display a variety of designs.

[0049] Incidentally, the shape of the rear side surface of the first lens region or the second lens region is particularly important. For example, by making the rear side surface of the first lens region or the second lens region concave or convex, it is possible to collect or scatter visible light incident on the corresponding lens region, thereby adjusting the path of the visible light that has reached the lens region and allowing the visible light to pass through and exit toward the first gap region or the second gap region corresponding to the lens region.

[0050] The shapes of the rear side surfaces of the first lens region and the second lens region can be various shapes and combinations thereof. For example, the rear side surfaces of the first lens region and the second lens region may be convex, concave, or flat. In this specification, as necessary, a first lens region whose rear side surface is convex may be referred to as a convex first lens region, a first lens region whose rear side surface is concave may be referred to as a concave first lens region, and a first lens region whose rear side surface is flat may be referred to as a flat first lens region. Similarly, a second lens region whose rear side surface is convex may be referred to as a convex second lens region, a second lens region whose rear side surface is concave may be referred to as a concave second lens region, and a second lens region whose rear side surface is flat may be referred to as a flat second lens region.

[0051] In a convex or concave first lens region, the entire rear side surface may have the same curvature, or a portion of the rear side surface may have a curvature different from that of the other portion.Similarly, in a convex or concave second lens region, the entire rear side surface may have the same curvature, or a portion of the rear side surface may have a curvature different from that of the other portion.

[0052] In the vehicle lid device of the present invention, for example, one of the two lens areas may be a convex first lens area and the other may be a concave second lens area, so that a sufficient amount of visible light can be supplied from the corresponding first lens area and second lens area to the first gap area and the second gap area that are located at various positions relative to the light source, and both the first gap area and the second gap area can be brightly illuminated.

[0053] In addition, as will be explained in detail in the Examples section, it is preferable that the lens region farthest from the light source be the first lens region having a convex surface, particularly when there is only one light source, which has the advantage of efficiently supplying a sufficient amount of visible light to the first gap region.

[0054] In this case, it is more preferable to use the concave second lens region as the one closer to the light source, which allows a sufficient amount of visible light to be efficiently supplied to the first gap region and the second gap region.

[0055] The vehicle lid device of the present invention may have two light sources located at different positions. In this case, if visible light emitted by one light source (the first light source) passes through the first lens region and visible light emitted by the other light source (the second light source) passes through the second lens region, the degree of freedom in combining light sources and lens regions increases. This allows a sufficient amount of visible light to be efficiently supplied to the first lens region and the second lens region, and ultimately a sufficient amount of visible light to be efficiently supplied to the first gap region and the second gap region. In this specification, the phrase "visible light passes through the lens region" means that visible light enters the lens region, passes through the lens region, and then exits from the lens region.

[0056] Furthermore, the above phrase "visible light emitted by the first light source passes through the first lens region, and visible light emitted by the second light source passes through the second lens region" means that the visible light emitted by the first light source mainly passes through the first lens region, and the visible light emitted by the second light source mainly passes through the second lens region. In other words, a portion of the visible light emitted by the first light source may pass through the second lens region, or a portion of the visible light emitted by the second light source may pass through the first lens region. In other words, in this case, it is sufficient that the amount of visible light emitted by the first light source and passing through the first lens region is greater than the amount of visible light emitted by the first light source and passing through the second lens region. Similarly, it is sufficient that the amount of visible light emitted by the second light source and passing through the second lens region is greater than the amount of visible light emitted by the second light source and passing through the first lens region.

[0057] When the vehicle lid device of the present invention has the above-mentioned first light source and second light source, and visible light emitted by the first light source passes through the first lens region and visible light emitted by the second light source passes through the second lens region, the shape of the rear side surface in the first lens region and the shape of the rear side surface in the second lens region may be the same shape.

[0058] Furthermore, in the vehicle lid device of the present invention, when the lens has a convex first lens region, it is preferable that the first lens region faces the first gap region and extends along the first gap region. When the rear side surfaces of both the first lens region and the second lens region are convex, it is preferable that the convex first lens region faces the first gap region and extends along the first gap region, and the convex second lens region faces the second gap region and extends along the second gap region.

[0059] On the other hand, if the lens is made of resin and has a concave second lens region, it is preferable that the second lens region be located slightly away from the second gap region in order to mold the second lens region into a desired shape taking into account the molding accuracy of the lens. In other words, in this case, it is preferable that the distance between the second lens region and the second gap region be greater than the distance between the first lens region and the first gap region.

[0060] Hereinafter, the vehicle lid device of the present invention will be described with reference to a specific example.

[0061] Example 1 The vehicle lid device of the first embodiment is provided in a body as a vehicle-side member, and serves to open and close an opening having a power supply port disposed at the rear side thereof. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a vehicle lid device of Example 1 attached to a vehicle-side member, as viewed from the front side of the vehicle-side member, i.e., from the outside of the vehicle. FIGS. 2 and 3 are explanatory diagrams schematically showing the appearance of the vehicle lid device of Example 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a cross section of the vehicle lid device of Example 1. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the path of visible light rays in the vehicle lid device of Example 1. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the path of visible light rays in the vehicle lid device of Example 2. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the path of visible light rays in the vehicle lid device of Example 3. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the path of visible light rays in the vehicle lid device of Example 4. Hereinafter, the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "back," and "front" refer to the respective directions shown in the drawings. The front-rear direction corresponds to the traveling direction of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle lid device of the first embodiment. The front side corresponds to the outside of the vehicle, and the back side corresponds to the inside of the vehicle.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lid device 1 of the first embodiment is attached to a body 90 (more specifically, a fender) which is a vehicle side member, and is mounted on the back side of an opening 91 provided in the body 90.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the vehicle lid device 1 of the first embodiment includes a lid member 2, a path forming element 3, a light source 6, a lid member driving mechanism 8, and a case body . The lid member 2, the path forming element 3, the light source 6, and the lid member drive mechanism 8 are housed and held inside a case body 7. The case body 7 is attached to a body 90, which is a vehicle-side member, in a position facing an opening 91 from the rear side. The vehicle lid device 1 of the first embodiment is entirely disposed on the rear side of the body 90.

[0064] The vehicle on which the vehicle lid device 1 of the first embodiment is mounted is an electric vehicle, and is equipped with a drive battery (not shown). As shown in Fig. 4, a power supply port 93 for charging the drive battery is disposed at the rear side of an opening 91 provided in a body 90. The power supply port 93 is located at the rear side of a case body 7, and is exposed to the inside of a case opening 71 provided in the case body 7.

[0065] 4, the path forming element 3 in the vehicle lid device 1 of the first embodiment has a lens 4 and a reflector 5. Of these, the reflector 5 is integrated with a case body 7, and the lens 4 is integrated with the lid member 2.

[0066] The lid member 2 has a lid 20, a lid inner 25, and a seal member . The lid 20 is made of a colored resin and has a generally plate-like shape, and its outer shape is slightly smaller than the opening 91 . The lens 4 of the path forming element 3 is integrated into the rear side surface of the lid 20. The lens 4 is made of transparent resin and is generally plate-shaped, with an outer shape that is slightly larger than the lid 20 and the opening 91. The peripheral edge 40 of the lens 4 extends radially outward beyond the outer edge of the lid 20 around the entire circumferential circumference of the lid 20. It can also be said that the peripheral edge 40 of the lens 4 borders the outer edge of the lid 20 in a band-like shape around the entire circumferential circumference.

[0067] 2 and 3, the lid inner 25 has a substantially annular shape. The lid inner 25 is attached to the peripheral edge 40 of the lens 4 from the rear side, and covers the peripheral edge 40 of the lens 4 from the rear side. 4, the outer diameter of the lid inner 25 is larger than the outer diameter of the lens 4. Therefore, the peripheral edge of the lid inner 25 protrudes further outward in the radial direction than the outer edge of the lens 4.

[0068] 3, a guide pin 27 is provided on the lid inner 25. The guide pin 27 is held by a guide rail (not shown) that is part of the lid member drive mechanism 8. This allows the position of the lid member 2 to change along the guide rail. The guide pin 27 can be said to be part of the lid member drive mechanism 8.

[0069] Furthermore, the lid member drive mechanism 8 has a rack-and-pinion structure (not shown). In this rack-and-pinion structure, the rack is integrated with the lid inner 25, and the pinion is journaled on the case body 7. An electric motor (not shown) is attached to the pinion. When the pinion is driven to rotate by the electric motor, the rack meshing with the pinion slides relative to the pinion.

[0070] The lid member drive mechanism 8 described above changes the position of the lid member 2 relative to the case body 7, and thus changes its position relative to the opening 91 of the body 90 to which the case body 7 is attached, between a closed position that closes the opening 91 and an open position that opens the opening 91.

[0071] When the lid member 2 changes position from the closed position shown in Fig. 4 to the open position not shown, it slides in the direction A in Fig. 4. When the lid member 2 changes position from the open position to the closed position, it also slides in the direction B in Fig. 4. In the open position, the lid member 2 enters the upper and rear side of the opening 91. This exposes the opening 91, and also exposes the power supply port 93 located further back.

[0072] The seal member 26 is also substantially annular and is integrated with the peripheral edge of the lid inner 25. When the lid member 2 is in the closed position, the seal member 26 seals between the lid member 2 and the peripheral edge of the opening of the body 90. The seal member 26 protrudes further outward from the surface of the lid inner 25.

[0073] The case body 7 is generally box-shaped and opens to the front side, and has a case opening 71 provided in its bottom wall 73. The case opening 71 penetrates the bottom wall 73 of the case body 7 in the direction from the back side to the front side. A reflector 5 of the path forming element 3 is integrated with the bottom wall 73 on the radial outside of the case opening 71. The reflector 5 is made of a light-reflective resin material.

[0074] As described above, the lid 20 has a diameter slightly smaller than that of the opening 91. As shown in Fig. 1, the lid 20 of the lid member 2 fits into the interior of the opening 91 in the closed position. Therefore, at this time, a peripheral gap 95 is formed between the opening peripheral portion 94 and the lid 20.

[0075] In the vehicle lid device 1 of the first embodiment, the upper region of the peripheral gap 95 is a first gap region 95f, and the lower region is a second gap region 95s.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 1, the first lens region 4f in the vehicle lid device 1 of the first embodiment is a region of the lens 4 that faces the first gap region 95f on the rear side of the first gap region 95f and extends along the first gap region 95f, and is the region surrounded by a dashed line in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the rear side surface of the first lens region 4f is convex.

[0077] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 1, the second lens region 4s in the vehicle lid device 1 of Example 1 is a circular region surrounded by a dashed line and located below the first lens region 4f in the lens 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the rear side surface of the second lens region 4s is concave. As shown in FIG. 1, the distance between the second gap region 95s and the second lens region 4s is greater than the distance between the first gap region 95f and the first lens region 4f.

[0078] 4, the light source 6 is an LED lamp and is connected to a power source (not shown). As shown in Fig. 4, the light source 6 in the vehicle lid device 1 of the first embodiment is disposed radially outward and below the opening 91 at a substantially midpoint between the vehicle side member, i.e., the body 90, and the bottom wall 73 of the case body 7 in the rear-front direction.

[0079] The lid member drive mechanism 8 has a control unit (not shown) for controlling the drive of the electric motor and for controlling the on / off of the light source 6, in addition to the rack and pinion structure, electric motor, guide rail (all not shown), and guide pin 27 described above. In the vehicle lid device 1 of the first embodiment, the vehicle's ECU is used as the control unit, but a control unit dedicated to the vehicle lid device 1 may also be provided. Furthermore, in the vehicle lid device 1 of the embodiment, the vehicle's drive battery is used as the power source for the electric motor and the light source 6, but a separate power source dedicated to the vehicle lid device 1 may also be provided.

[0080] The operation of the vehicle lid device 1 of the embodiment will be described below.

[0081] In the vehicle lid device 1 of the embodiment, first, when a user having a smart key approaches the vicinity of the power supply port 93, a sensor mounted on the vehicle detects this, and the control unit starts supplying power to the light source 6.

[0082] 1 to 4, the lid member 2 is disposed in the closed position, closing the opening 91. In other words, the lid 20 of the lid member 2 and the lens 4 are exposed inside the opening 91, and the peripheral gap 95 is covered by the lens 4 from the rear side over its entire circumferential direction, as shown in FIG.

[0083] As shown in Fig. 5, the powered light source 6 emits light toward the reflector 5. A portion of the visible light emitted by the light source 6 is reflected by the first reflective region 5f of the reflector 5 and travels toward the first lens region 4f. Another portion of the visible light emitted by the light source 6 is reflected by the second reflective region 5s of the reflector 5 and travels toward the second lens region 4s.

[0084] 5, even if the first gap region 95f is slightly off the path of the visible light reflected by the first reflective region 5f, the visible light is incident on the convex first lens region 4f and refracted. As a result, the visible light that passes through the first lens region 4f and exits from the first lens region 4f travels toward and illuminates the first gap region 95f.

[0085] Even if the second gap region 95s is significantly off the path of the visible light reflected by the second reflecting surface, the visible light is incident on the concave second lens region 4s and is significantly refracted, so that the visible light that passes through the second lens region 4s and emerges from the second lens region 4s travels toward and illuminates the second gap region 95s.

[0086] Therefore, the peripheral gap 95 is brightly illuminated all around its circumference.

[0087] When the user touches the lid 20 or operates a switch (not shown), the control unit starts supplying power to the electric motor, and the rack-and-pinion structure causes the lid member 2 to change position from the closed position to the open position. At this time, the lid member 2 is pulled toward the back, making the reflector 5 at the back of the opening 91 visible. The reflector 5 is illuminated by the light source 6 and shines brightly. The light reflected from the reflector 5 travels toward the opening 91. Therefore, the inside of the opening 91 is uniformly illuminated brightly by the reflected light. This allows the user to easily see the power port 93.

[0088] As described above, according to the vehicle lid device 1 of the first embodiment, the peripheral gap 95 is illuminated by visible light emitted by the light source 6 arranged on the back side of the opening 91, transmitted through the lens 4, and then emitted by the lens 4. Therefore, in the vehicle lid device 1 of the first embodiment, it is not necessary to mount the light source 6 on the lid member 2, and the structure of the lid member 2 can be simplified. Therefore, the vehicle lid device 1 of the first embodiment can be said to have a simple structure, despite having the light source 6 that illuminates the peripheral gap 95.

[0089] Furthermore, according to the vehicle lid device 1 of Example 1, two different regions (first gap region 95f, second gap region 95s) in the peripheral gap 95 are illuminated by two different regions (first lens region 4f, second lens region 4s) in the lens 4. Therefore, in the vehicle lid device 1 of Example 1, the first lens region 4f can be optimized in shape and arrangement corresponding to the first peripheral gap 95, and the second lens region 4s can be optimized in shape and arrangement corresponding to the second peripheral gap 95. As a result, the vehicle lid device 1 of Example 1 can brightly illuminate both the first peripheral gap 95 and the second peripheral gap 95. In other words, according to the vehicle lid device 1 of Example 1, the entire peripheral gap 95 can be brightly illuminated by the light source 6.

[0090] Furthermore, the first lens region 4f faces the first gap region 95f on the rear side of the first gap region 95f and extends along the first gap region 95f. Therefore, the first lens region 4f can efficiently supply visible light to the first gap region 95f, and can illuminate the first gap region 95f with sufficient brightness even when, for example, the amount of visible light emitted by the light source 6 is relatively small.

[0091] In the vehicle lid device 1 of Example 1, the rear side surface of the first lens region 4f is convex and the rear side surface of the second lens region 4s is concave, but the shapes of the first lens region 4f and the second lens region 4s are not limited to this. The shape and curvature of the rear side surface of the first lens region 4f may be appropriately designed depending on, for example, the angle of incidence of visible light rays on the first lens region 4f and the positional relationship between the path of the visible light rays and the first gap region 95f. Similarly, the shape and curvature of the rear side surface of the second lens region 4s may be appropriately designed depending on, for example, the angle of incidence of visible light rays on the second lens region 4s and the positional relationship between the path of the visible light rays and the second gap region 95s.

[0092] In addition, when there is one light source 6 as in the vehicle lid device 1 of Example 1, it is preferable that the rear side surface of the first lens region 4f, which is the lens region farther from the light source 6, be convex. In this case, it is also preferable that the rear side surface of the second lens region 4s, which is the lens region closer to the light source 6, be concave. In this case, there is an advantage in that the degree of freedom in the position of the light source 6 is increased by employing the convex first lens region 4f and the concave second lens region 4s.

[0093] Example 2 The vehicle lid device of Example 2 is generally the same as the vehicle lid device of Example 1, except for the shape of the second lens region. The vehicle lid device of Example 2 will be described below, focusing on the differences from Example 1. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the path of visible light in the vehicle lid device of Example 2.

[0094] 6, the lens 4 in the vehicle lid device 1 of Example 2 has a first lens region 4f having a convex surface and a second lens region 4s having a concave surface. Of these, the first lens region 4f faces the first gap region 95f on the rear side of the first gap region 95f and extends along the first gap region 95f, similar to the first lens region 4f in the vehicle lid device 1 of Example 1.

[0095] The second lens region 4s in the vehicle lid device 1 of Example 2 differs from the second lens region 4s in the vehicle lid device 1 of Example 1 in that it faces the second gap region 95s at the rear side of the second gap region 95s and extends along the second gap region 95s.

[0096] In the vehicle lid device 1 of the second embodiment, a portion of the visible light emitted by the light source 6 is reflected by the first reflecting region 5f of the reflector 5 and travels toward the first lens region 4f. The visible light then passes through the convex first lens region 4f, and its path is adjusted, so that the visible light travels toward the first gap region 95f and illuminates the first gap region 95f.

[0097] Meanwhile, another portion of the visible light emitted by the light source 6 is reflected by the second reflecting region 5s of the reflector 5 and travels toward the second lens region 4s. The visible light then passes through the concave second lens region 4s, and its path is adjusted, so that the visible light travels toward the second gap region 95s and illuminates the second gap region 95s.

[0098] In the vehicle lid device 1 of Example 2, the second lens region 4s faces the second gap region 95s at the rear side of the second gap region 95s and extends along the second gap region 95s. Therefore, the distance between the second lens region 4s and the second gap region 95s is short, and the path of visible light from the second lens region 4s to the second gap region 95s is also short. Therefore, the vehicle lid device 1 of Example 2 has the advantage that visible light incident on the first lens region 4f can be efficiently supplied to the second gap region 95s.

[0099] The vehicle lid device 1 of this embodiment 2 also has a simple structure similar to the vehicle lid device 1 of embodiment 1, and the vehicle lid device 1 of embodiment 2 can also brightly illuminate the entire peripheral gap 95 with the light source 6.

[0100] Example 3 The vehicle lid device of Example 3 is generally the same as the vehicle lid device of Example 1, except for the shape of the second lens region and the position of the light source. The vehicle lid device of Example 3 will be described below, focusing on the differences from Example 1. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the path of visible light in the vehicle lid device of Example 3.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 7, the lens 4 in the vehicle lid device 1 of the third embodiment has a first lens region 4f having a convex surface and a second lens region 4s having a convex surface.

[0102] Similar to the first lens region 4f in the vehicle lid device 1 of the first embodiment, the first lens region 4f faces the first gap region 95f on the rear side of the first gap region 95f and extends along the first gap region 95f.

[0103] The rear side surface of the second lens region 4s is convex and extends along the second gap region 95s while facing the second gap region 95s on the rear side of the second gap region 95s. The curvature of the rear side surface of the second lens region 4s is slightly larger than the curvature of the rear side surface of the first lens region 4f.

[0104] The light source 6 is disposed on the rear side of the midpoint between the opening 91 and the bottom wall 73 of the case body 7 in the rear-to-front direction, and is disposed at approximately the same position as the bottom wall 73 of the case body 7. The light source 6 is also located radially outward and below the opening 91.

[0105] In the vehicle lid device 1 of the third embodiment, a portion of the visible light emitted by the light source 6 travels directly toward the first lens region 4f. Then, the visible light passes through the convex first lens region 4f, and its path is adjusted so that the visible light travels toward the first gap region 95f, illuminating the first gap region 95f.

[0106] Another portion of the visible light emitted by the light source 6 is reflected by the second reflecting region 5s of the reflector 5 and travels toward the convex second lens region 4s. Yet another portion of the visible light emitted by the light source 6 travels directly toward the convex second lens region 4s. These visible light rays then have their paths adjusted by passing through the second lens region 4s, and travel toward and illuminate the second gap region 95s.

[0107] In the vehicle lid device 1 of the third embodiment, the light source 6 is disposed at a position far from the vehicle side member, i.e., the body 90, and close to the bottom wall 73 of the case body 7 (or close to the reflector 5). This allows direct light from the light source 6 to be incident on the first lens area 4f and the second lens area 4s, and also allows the second lens area 4s to have a convex surface.

[0108] The vehicle lid device 1 of this embodiment 3 also has a simple structure similar to the vehicle lid device 1 of embodiment 1, and the vehicle lid device 1 of embodiment 3 also makes it possible to brightly illuminate the entire peripheral gap 95 with the light source 6.

[0109] Example 4 The vehicle lid device of Example 4 is generally the same as the vehicle lid device of Example 1, except for the shape of the second lens region and the number and positions of the light sources. The vehicle lid device of Example 4 will be described below, focusing on the differences from Example 1. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the path of visible light in the vehicle lid device of Example 4.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 8, the lens 4 in the vehicle lid device 1 of the fourth embodiment has a first lens region 4f having a convex surface and a second lens region 4s having a convex surface.

[0111] Similar to the first lens region 4f in the vehicle lid device 1 of the first embodiment, the first lens region 4f faces the first gap region 95f on the rear side of the first gap region 95f and extends along the first gap region 95f.

[0112] The rear side surface of the second lens region 4s is convex and extends along the second gap region 95s while facing the second gap region 95s at the rear side of the second gap region 95s. In the vehicle lid device 1 of Example 4, the curvature of the rear side surface of the second lens region 4s is approximately the same as the curvature of the rear side surface of the first lens region 4f.

[0113] The vehicle lid device 1 of the fourth embodiment has two light sources 6 . The first light source 6f, which is one of the two light sources 6, is disposed further back than the midpoint between the vehicle side member, i.e., the body 90, and the bottom wall 73 of the case body 7 in the front-rear direction, and is disposed at approximately the same position as the bottom wall 73 of the case body 7. The first light source 6f is also located radially outward and below the opening 91. The second light source 6s, which is the other of the two light sources 6, is also disposed further back than the midpoint between the vehicle side member, i.e., the body 90, and the bottom wall 73 of the case body 7 in the back-to-front direction, and is disposed at approximately the same position as the bottom wall 73 of the case body 7. The position of the second light source 6s is also radially outward and above the opening 91.

[0114] In the vehicle lid device 1 of Example 4, a portion of the visible light emitted by the first light source 6f travels directly toward the convex first lens region 4f. Also, a portion of the visible light emitted by the second light source 6s is reflected by the first reflecting region 5f of the reflector 5 and travels toward the first lens region 4f. Then, the visible light has its path adjusted by passing through the first lens region 4f, and travels toward the first gap region 95f, illuminating the first gap region 95f.

[0115] Another portion of the visible light emitted by the second light source 6s travels directly toward the convex second lens region 4s. Another portion of the visible light emitted by the first light source 6f is reflected by the second reflecting region 5s of the reflector 5 and travels toward the second lens region 4s. The visible light then passes through the second lens region 4s, and its path is adjusted, so that it travels toward the second gap region 95s and illuminates the second gap region 95s.

[0116] In the vehicle lid device 1 of the fourth embodiment, by providing two light sources 6 (first light source 6f, second light source 6s), the first lens area 4f and the second lens area 4s can be made convex with approximately the same curvature.

[0117] The vehicle lid device 1 of this embodiment 4 also has a simple structure similar to the vehicle lid device 1 of embodiment 1, and the vehicle lid device 1 of embodiment 4 can also brightly illuminate the entire peripheral gap 95 with the light source 6.

[0118] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, etc., and it is possible to implement the present invention by appropriately extracting and combining elements described in the embodiments, etc., and to make various modifications within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the specification of the present invention discloses not only the citation relationships of the claims at the time of filing but also the technical idea of ​​appropriately combining the matters described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1: Vehicle lid device 2: Lid member 3: Path forming element 4: Lens 4f: First lens area 4s: Second lens area 5:Reflector 6:Light source 6f: 1st light source 6s: 2nd light source 90: Body (vehicle side member) 91: Opening 94: Opening edge 95: Gap (edge ​​gap) 95f: First gap area 95s: Second gap area

Claims

1. a lid member that changes position between a closed position that closes an opening provided in a vehicle-side member and an open position that opens the opening; a light source that is disposed on the back side of the opening and emits visible light; a path forming element that forms a path of the visible light toward the opening; the path forming element has a lens that transmits the visible light incident from the back side of the opening and emits the visible light toward the outside of the opening through a gap between the opening peripheral edge portion of the vehicle-side member and the lid member in the closed position, the gap has a first gap region and a second gap region different from the first gap region, the lens has a first lens region that emits the visible light toward the first gap region and a second lens region that emits the visible light toward the second gap region, The shape of the rear side surface of the lens is different between the first lens region and the second lens region.

2. a lid member that changes position between a closed position that closes an opening provided in a vehicle-side member and an open position that opens the opening; a light source that is disposed on the back side of the opening and emits visible light; a path forming element that forms a path of the visible light toward the opening; the path forming element has a lens that transmits the visible light incident from the back side of the opening and emits the visible light toward the outside of the opening through a gap between the opening peripheral edge portion of the vehicle-side member and the lid member in the closed position, the gap has a first gap region and a second gap region different from the first gap region, the lens has a first lens region that emits the visible light toward the first gap region and a second lens region that emits the visible light toward the second gap region, the visible light emitted from one of the light sources is transmitted through the first lens area and the second lens area; a distance between the first lens region and the light source is greater than a distance between the second lens region and the light source; The rear side surface of the first lens region is convex.

3. The visible light emitted from one of the light sources passes through the first lens area and the second lens area, a distance between the first lens region and the light source is greater than a distance between the second lens region and the light source; The vehicle lid device according to claim 1 , wherein a rear side surface of the first lens region is convex.

4. the first lens region faces the first gap region and extends along the first gap region; the rear side surface of the second lens region is concave; 4. The vehicle lid device according to claim 2, wherein a distance between the second lens region and the second gap region is greater than a distance between the first lens region and the first gap region.

5. The light source includes a first light source and a second light source located at different positions from each other, the visible light emitted by the first light source is transmitted through the first lens area; The vehicle lid device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the visible light emitted by the second light source is transmitted through the second lens area.

6. The pathway forming element is 3. The vehicle lid device according to claim 1, further comprising a reflector disposed further back than the lens and reflecting the visible light emitted by the light source toward the first lens area and / or the second lens area.

Images