Vehicle outer mirror

Abstract

To provide a vehicle outer mirror capable of improving designability and preventing its appearance from impairing.SOLUTION: A vehicle outer mirror 10 comprises: an outer lens 14 having a protrusion part 15 that protrudes outward in a vehicle width direction on a vehicle rear side with respect to a cover 16 covering the outside of a light source 18 in the vehicle width direction; and a light guide lens 20 that has a body part 22 whose rear part is arranged along an inner surface of the outer lens 14 on the vehicle rear side with respect to the protrusion part 15 and whose intermediate part is arranged spaced apart inward in the vehicle width direction from the inner surface of the protrusion part 15, and an outside extension part 24 branching off integrally from the rear part of the body part 22 and arranged along the inner surface of the protrusion part 15, and that guides light from the light source 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an outer mirror for a vehicle with a side turn lamp. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Door mirrors as vehicle outer mirrors incorporating side turn lamps have been known for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-114173 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to improve the design of door mirrors, a portion of the outer lens of a side turn lamp may be made to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction beyond a cover that hides the light source of the side turn lamp. However, if a portion of the outer lens protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the cover, a gap is created between the portion of the outer lens and the light guide lens that guides light from the light source. When the door mirror is viewed from the outside when the lamp is not lit, the area behind the portion of the outer lens appears dark, which detracts from the appearance of the door mirror.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an outer mirror for a vehicle that can improve design while suppressing damage to the appearance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first aspect of the vehicle outer mirror according to the present invention comprises an outer lens having a protrusion that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction rearward of a cover that covers the outside of a light source in the vehicle width direction, a main body whose rear portion is arranged along the inner surface of the outer lens rearward of the protrusion and whose middle portion is arranged spaced apart inward in the vehicle width direction from the inner surface of the protrusion, and an outer extension portion that branches off integrally from the rear portion of the main body and is arranged along the inner surface of the protrusion, and which guides light from the light source.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the invention, the outer lens has a protrusion that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction rearward of the cover that covers the outside of the light source in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the design of the vehicle outer mirror is improved. The light guide lens that guides light from the light source has a main body whose rear portion is arranged along the inner surface of the outer lens rearward of the protrusion and whose middle portion is arranged spaced apart inward in the vehicle width direction from the inner surface of the protrusion, and an outer extension portion that branches off integrally from the rear portion of the main body and is arranged along the inner surface of the protrusion. Therefore, when the vehicle outer mirror is viewed from the outside when the light is off, the back side of the protrusion of the outer lens does not appear dark, and the appearance of the vehicle outer mirror is prevented from being impaired.

[0008] A vehicle outer mirror according to a second aspect of the present invention is the vehicle outer mirror according to the first aspect, wherein a pattern is formed on the outer surface of the outer extension portion.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the invention, a pattern is formed on the outer surface of the outer extension portion of the light guide lens, which improves the appearance of the vehicle outer mirror when viewed from outside through the outer lens when the light is off.

[0010] In addition, a third aspect of the vehicle outer mirror according to the present invention is a vehicle outer mirror of the first or second aspect, and has a connecting portion that integrally connects the front end portion of the outer extension portion and the main body portion.

[0011] According to the third aspect of the invention, the front end of the outer extending portion and the main body portion are integrally connected by the connecting portion, which improves the rigidity of the light guide lens compared to when the front end of the outer extending portion and the main body portion are not integrally connected by the connecting portion.

[0012] In addition, a fourth aspect of the vehicle outer mirror according to the present invention comprises an outer lens having a protrusion that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction rearward of a cover that covers the outside of the light source in the vehicle width direction, and a light-guiding lens made of resin that is arranged along the inner surface of the outer lens and guides light from the light source, and the light-guiding lens has a hollow portion that is approximately in the shape of a right-angled triangle in a plan cross-sectional view on the inside of the protrusion in the vehicle width direction.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the outer lens has a protruding portion that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle rear side of the cover that covers the outside of the light source in the vehicle width direction. This improves the design of the vehicle outer mirror. The resin light guide lens that guides light from the light source is arranged along the inner surface of the outer lens. This prevents the back side of the protruding portion of the outer lens from appearing dark when the vehicle outer mirror is viewed from the outside when it is not lit, preventing the appearance of the vehicle outer mirror from being impaired. The light guide lens also has a hollow portion that is approximately a right-angled triangle in a plan cross-sectional view on the inside of the protruding portion in the vehicle width direction. This reduces the amount of resin material used to mold the light guide lens and shortens the cooling time (manufacturing time) during molding, compared to light guide lenses that do not have such a hollow portion.

[0014] Furthermore, a fifth aspect of the vehicle outer mirror according to the present invention is the vehicle outer mirror of the fourth aspect, in which a pattern is formed on the outer surface of the light guide lens that faces the inner surface of the outer lens.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect of the invention, a pattern is formed on the outer surface of the light guide lens that faces the inner surface of the outer lens, thereby improving the appearance of the vehicle outer mirror when viewed from outside through the outer lens when the light is off. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, the vehicle outer mirror according to the present invention can improve the design and prevent the appearance from being impaired. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a door mirror according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line YY in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 according to a modified example of the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional plan view showing a headlamp according to a reference example. [Figure 6] 2 according to a first comparative example, (B) a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 according to a second comparative example, and (C) a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 according to a third comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the arrow UP shown in each drawing indicates the upward direction of the vehicle, the arrow FR indicates the forward direction of the vehicle, and the arrow RH indicates the rightward direction of the vehicle. Therefore, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, when the up / down, front / rear, and left / right directions are mentioned, they refer to the up / down, front / rear, left / right directions of the vehicle. Furthermore, the left / right direction is synonymous with the vehicle width direction.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, a side door (not shown) of a vehicle is provided with a door mirror 10, which is an example of a vehicle outer mirror. This door mirror 10 is a door mirror with a side turn lamp provided on the right side door, and a light source 18 (see Fig. 2) of the side turn lamp and the like are incorporated outside a housing 12 that holds a mirror body (not shown).

[0020] 2 and 3, the door mirror 10 has a resin housing 12, the mirror body of which is housed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The housing 12 is formed in a generally arc shape (generally curved shape) that is convex outward in the vehicle width direction from a rear portion 12B to an intermediate portion 12C in a planar cross section, and is bent inward in the vehicle width direction from a front end portion 12D of the intermediate portion 12C, and then bent forward to form a front portion 12F.

[0021] A light source 18 that emits light rearward is disposed in the front portion 12F. The light source 18 is formed, for example, by an LED (Light Emitting Diode) board, and is configured so that the LED emits light when power is supplied from a battery (not shown). A light guide lens 20 made of resin that guides the light emitted from the light source 18 is disposed behind the light source 18. In other words, the light source 18 is disposed at the front end of the light guide lens 20. The light guide lens 20 will be described in detail later.

[0022] An outer lens 14 made of resin is provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the light guide lens 20. A rear end portion 14A of the outer lens 14 is bent in a substantially "L" shape in a plan cross section and extends inward in the vehicle width direction, and its tip (inner end portion in the vehicle width direction) is joined and attached to the tip (rear end portion) of the rear portion 12B of the housing 12.

[0023] The outer lens 14 is formed in a generally arcuate shape (generally curved shape) that is convex outward in the vehicle width direction in a planar cross-sectional view from a rear portion 14B (excluding a rear end portion 14A) to a middle portion 14C. The outer lens 14 is formed with a stepped portion 14T that faces generally in the front-to-rear direction by bending inward in the vehicle width direction from a front end portion 14D of the middle portion 14C, and the stepped portion 14T is bent forward from its inner end in the vehicle width direction to form a front portion 14F. The light source 18 is disposed between the front portion 14F of the outer lens 14 and the front portion 12F of the housing 12.

[0024] Additionally, a resin cover 16 is attached to the outside of the front portion 14F of the outer lens 14, covering the outside of the light source 18 in the vehicle width direction, thereby hiding the light source 18 from the outside. A cover 17 is integrally provided on the rear side of this cover 16, covering the stepped portion 14T from the front side. Note that this stepped portion 14T and the intermediate portion 14C form a protruding portion 15 that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction of the outer lens 14. In other words, the outer lens 14 is formed with a protruding portion 15 that protrudes a predetermined amount outward in the vehicle width direction from the cover 16, rearward of the light source 18.

[0025] A light guide lens 20 is provided on the outer side of the housing 12 in the vehicle width direction and on the inner side of the outer lens 14 in the vehicle width direction (between the housing 12 and the outer lens 14) to guide the light emitted from the light source 18 and make the entire outer lens 14 uniformly illuminated. The light guide lens 20 has a main body 22 having a rear portion 22B arranged along the inner surface of the outer lens 14 rearward of the protruding portion 15 and an intermediate portion 22C arranged far apart inward in the vehicle width direction from the inner surface of the protruding portion 15, and an outer extension portion 24 branching off (branching off) integrally from the rear portion 22B of the main body 22 and arranged along the inner surface of the protruding portion 15.

[0026] That is, the light guide lens 20 faces (is close to) the inner surface of the outer lens 14 with a small gap in the approximate vehicle width direction from the outer surface of the rear part 22B of the main body part 22 to the outer surface of the outer extension part 24, and the intermediate part 22C of the main body part 22 extends so as to gradually become more distant from the protrusion part 15 as it moves forward from the rear part 22B of the main body part 22. The thickness of the outer extension part 24 is formed thinner than the thickness of the main body part 22.

[0027] Furthermore, the front portion 22F, which is integrally continuous with the intermediate portion 22C of the main body portion 22, extends to between the front portion 12F of the housing 12 and the front portion 14F of the outer lens 14, and has the light source 18 attached to its front surface. The front end portion 24D of the outer extending portion 24 and the intermediate portion 22C of the main body portion 22 are integrally connected by a connecting portion 26.

[0028] The connecting portion 26 faces (is close to) the step portion 14T of the outer lens 14 with a small gap therebetween. That is, the outer extending portion 24 and the connecting portion 26 are arranged along the inner surface of the protruding portion 15 of the outer lens 14 (along the inner surfaces of the intermediate portion 14C and the step portion 14T). The thickness of the connecting portion 26 is also formed to be thinner than the thickness of the main body portion 22, and the illustrated connecting portion 26 has approximately the same thickness as the outer extending portion 24.

[0029] Furthermore, the light guide lens 20 is configured such that the main body 22, the outer extending portion 24, and the connecting portion 26 form a hollow portion S having a lightening effect. In other words, the light guide lens 20 is configured such that the hollow portion S having a substantially right-angled triangular shape in plan view, with the right-angled portion positioned outside in the vehicle width direction, is formed on the inner side of the protruding portion 15 of the outer lens 14 in the vehicle width direction.

[0030] Furthermore, lens steps 28 are formed as a pattern from the outer surface of the rear portion 22B of the main body portion 22 to the outer surface of the outer extension portion 24. Lens steps 28 are also formed as a pattern on the outer surface of the intermediate portion 22C facing the hollow portion S of the main body portion 22. The lens steps 28 can be any pattern, such as polka dots that give a high-quality texture (a three-dimensional appearance).

[0031] Next, the operation of the door mirror 10 (vehicle outer mirror) according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the outer lens 14 of the door mirror 10 according to this embodiment has a protrusion 15 that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction behind a cover 16 that covers the outside of the light source 18 in the vehicle width direction. This improves the design of the door mirror 10. Furthermore, the light guide lens 20 of the door mirror 10 according to this embodiment can prevent the appearance of the door mirror 10 from being impaired, particularly when the light is not turned on. This will be explained below.

[0033] First, a door mirror 100 according to a comparative example will be described. As shown in Fig. 6(A), this light guide lens 102 does not have an outer extension 24. In this case, a gap G is created between the protrusion 15 of the outer lens 14 and the light guide lens 102, so when the door mirror 100 is viewed from the outside with the lights off, the area behind the protrusion 15 of the outer lens 14 appears dark, which impairs the appearance of the door mirror 100.

[0034] Furthermore, if a lens step (not shown) is formed as a pattern on the inner surface of the outer lens 14 to make it difficult to see inside, the appearance will lack a sense of depth and the lens step will be emphasized, which will impair the appearance of the light-guiding lens 102, which should be visible.

[0035] 6(B), if the light guide lens 104 is made thicker in the vehicle width direction so as to fill the gap G, the amount of resin material used to mold the light guide lens 104 increases, and the cooling time also increases, resulting in an increase in manufacturing time. This increases manufacturing costs, mass, and carbon dioxide emissions during manufacturing. Furthermore, when the light is turned on, the light guide reflecting surface of the light guide lens 104 changes, impairing the appearance of the door mirror 100.

[0036] 6(C), if the light guide lens 106 is arranged along the inner surface of the outer lens 14 so as not to form the gap G, the light source 18 is attached to the front surface thereof, and therefore the light source 18 is arranged behind the step portion 14T. In this case, the light emitted from the LED that is the light source 18 is viewed directly from the outside, and therefore when lit, the light is a bright spot that is dazzling, damaging the appearance of the door mirror 100 (reducing its marketability).

[0037] In contrast to these configurations, the light-guiding lens 20 of the door mirror 10 in this embodiment has a main body 22 in which a rear portion 22B is arranged along (close to) the inner surface of the outer lens 14 rearward of the protrusion 15 and an intermediate portion 22C is arranged spaced apart from the inner surface of the protrusion 15 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and an outer extension portion 24 that branches off integrally from the rear portion 22B of the main body 22 and is arranged along (close to) the inner surface of the protrusion 15.

[0038] Therefore, when the door mirror 10 is viewed from the outside when the light is off, the outer extension 24 prevents the back side of the protrusion 15 of the outer lens 14 from appearing dark, thereby preventing the appearance of the door mirror 10 from being impaired. In addition, when the light is on, the light-guiding reflecting surface of the light-guiding lens 20 does not change.

[0039] In addition, a lens step 28 is formed on the outer surface of the light guide lens 20 (outer extension portion 24) that faces closely to the inner surface of the outer lens 14. Therefore, when the door mirror 10 is viewed from the outside when the light is off, the appearance through the outer lens 14 can be improved (a high degree of freedom in appearance can be achieved).

[0040] Furthermore, in this light guide lens 20, the front end of the outer extending portion 24 and the main body portion 22 are integrally connected by the connecting portion 26. Therefore, compared to a case in which the front end of the outer extending portion 24 and the main body portion 22 are not integrally connected by the connecting portion 26, the rigidity of the light guide lens 20 can be improved.

[0041] Furthermore, with this light guide lens 20, the cover 16 can be maintained on the outer side of the light source 18 in the vehicle width direction, so the light emitted by the LED is not viewed directly from the outside, and there is no problem of dazzling spot light when it is turned on. In other words, the marketability of the door mirror 10 with side turn lamps is not reduced.

[0042] It can also be said that this light guide lens 20 has a cavity S that is substantially in the shape of a right triangle in a plan cross section formed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the protruding portion 15. Therefore, compared to a case where the cavity S is not formed (see FIG. 6(B)), it is possible to reduce the amount of resin material used to mold the light guide lens 20 and shorten the cooling time (manufacturing time) during molding.

[0043] That is, this light guiding lens 20 can reduce the manufacturing cost, mass, and carbon dioxide emissions during manufacturing. Moreover, the outer extending portion 24 and the connecting portion 26 of this light guiding lens 20 are each formed thinner than the main body portion 22, so less resin material needs to be added to mold the light guiding lens 20. Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to manufacture at low cost a door mirror 10 with side turn lamps that look good both when turned on and when not turned on.

[0044] (Modifications and Reference Examples) 4, the light guide lens 20 may be configured without the connecting portion 26 (variation example) as long as the light guide lens 20 has a size and shape that ensures the rigidity of the outer extending portion 24. Furthermore, the light guide lens 20 configured in this manner can also be applied to, for example, a DRL (Daytime Running Lamp) or a position lamp in a headlamp 30 (reference example).

[0045] 5, a housing 32 is provided on the inner side of the fender 36 in the vehicle width direction, and a rear end 34D of the outer lens 34 is attached to the outer end of the housing 32 in the vehicle width direction. The rear end 34D of the outer lens 34 is located on the inner side of the front end 36F of the fender 36 in the vehicle width direction, and the outer lens 34 extends forward in a substantially arc shape from the front end 36F of the fender 36 in a plan cross-sectional view. In other words, the outer surface of the outer lens 34 is flush with the outer surface of the fender 36, and no protrusions are formed.

[0046] The light source 38 is attached to the front surface of the housing 32, and a light guide lens 40 equivalent to the above-described light guide lens 20 is disposed in front of the light source 38 and inside the outer lens 34. That is, this light guide lens 40 also has a main body 42 having a front portion 42F disposed along the inner surface of the outer lens 34 and an intermediate portion 42C disposed far apart inward in the vehicle width direction from the inner surface of the outer lens 34, and an outer extension portion 44 branched off (branched off) integrally from the front portion 42F of the main body 42 and disposed along the inner surface of the outer lens 34.

[0047] In other words, this light-guiding lens 40 also faces (closely faces) the inner surface of the outer lens 34 with a small gap in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface of the front part 42F of the main body part 42 to the outer surface of the outer extension part 44, and the intermediate part 42C of the main body part 42 extends so as to gradually move away from the outer lens 34 as it moves from the front part 42F of the main body part 42 toward the rear side.

[0048] The rear portion 42B, which extends rearward integrally and continuously from the intermediate portion 42C of the main body 42, is disposed inside the rear end 34D of the outer lens 34 (the outer end of the housing 32 in the vehicle width direction) in the vehicle width direction, and the light source 38 is disposed on the rear surface of the rear portion 42B. The rear end 44D of the outer extending portion 44 and the intermediate portion 42C of the main body 42 are integrally connected by a connecting portion 46.

[0049] As a result, the light guide lens 40 is configured to have a hollow portion S that is approximately in the shape of a right triangle, with the right-angled portion positioned outward in the vehicle width direction in a planar cross section. Also, a lens step 48 is formed as a pattern from the outer surface of the front portion 42F of the main body 42 to the outer surface of the outer extending portion 44. Therefore, the DRL and position lamp in the headlamp 30 that has the light guide lens 40 configured in this way can also achieve the same effects as those described above.

[0050] The door mirror 10 (vehicle outer mirror) according to this embodiment has been described above based on the drawings, but the door mirror 10 (vehicle outer mirror) according to this embodiment is not limited to the one shown in the drawings, and can be modified in design as appropriate within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0051] For example, the shape of the hollow portion S is not limited to the substantially right-angled triangle shape shown in the figure. That is, the shapes (length, angle, etc.) of the main body portion 22, outer extension portion 24, and connecting portion 26 of the light guide lens 20 in a plan cross-sectional view can be appropriately changed in design depending on the design of the door mirror 10. Furthermore, the lens step 28 may not be formed on the outer surface of the intermediate portion 22C facing the hollow portion S of the main body portion 22. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10 Door mirrors (vehicle outer mirrors) 14 outer lens 15 Protrusion 16 Cover 18 light source 20 Light guide lens 22 Main body 24 Outer extension 26 Connecting part 28 Lens step (pattern) S cavity

Claims

1. an outer lens having a protruding portion that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle rear side relative to a cover that covers the outer side of the light source in the vehicle width direction; a light guide lens that guides light from the light source, the light guide lens having: a main body portion whose rear portion is arranged along an inner surface of the outer lens rearward of the vehicle from the protruding portion and whose middle portion is arranged spaced apart inward in the vehicle width direction from the inner surface of the protruding portion; and an outer extending portion that branches off integrally from the rear portion of the main body portion and is arranged along the inner surface of the protruding portion; Equipped with The outer mirror for a vehicle is configured so that the thickness of the outer extension portion is thinner than the thickness of the main body portion.

2. 2. The vehicle outer mirror according to claim 1, wherein a pattern is formed on an outer surface of the outer extension portion.

3. 3. The vehicle outer mirror according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting portion that integrally connects a front end of the outer extension portion and the main body portion.

4. An outer mirror for a vehicle as described in Claim 3, wherein the main body portion, the outer extension portion, and the connecting portion form a hollow portion that is approximately in the shape of a right-angled triangle when viewed in cross section.

5. The vehicle outer mirror according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the connecting portion is thinner than the thickness of the main body portion.

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