Vehicle interior lighting device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle indoor lighting device in which attenuation of brightness is small, and which is inexpensive.SOLUTION: A vehicle indoor lighting device comprises: a light source 610; and a translucent cover 300. The cover 300 is provided with: a light incident part 310 through which illumination light from the light source 610 is radiated; and a reflection part 320 which is formed on a surface on an opposite side of a vehicle indoor side in order to reflect the illumination light having entered into the cover 300 toward the vehicle indoor side. The light incident part 310 includes: a translucent part 311 for making a part of the illumination light from the light source 610 pass to the vehicle indoor side; and an incident part 312 for making a part of the illumination light from the light source 610 enter an internal part of the cover 300.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Generally, lighting devices for illuminating the interior of a vehicle include those that provide direct lighting for illuminating predetermined locations within the interior and indirect lighting for improving the atmosphere within the interior. One such lighting device disclosed is one that includes an LED as a light source, a light diffusion member that diffuses the light from the LED, an optical sheet that has been subjected to hologram processing or the like and that reflects the diffused light from the light diffusion member into the interior of the vehicle, a translucent transparent cover that has a first light-transmitting section (direct lighting section) that directly emits the diffused light traveling toward the interior of the vehicle, and a second light-transmitting section (indirect lighting section) that emits the light reflected by the optical sheet into the interior of the vehicle, and is configured so that the transparent cover covers the LED, light diffusion member, and optical sheet from the inside of the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-214677 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires, in addition to a light diffusing member that diffuses light from a light source, an optical sheet that diffuses the diffused light for indirect lighting, and a transparent cover. In addition, there was a problem that the light from the light source passes through the diffusing light member and then further passes through the transparent cover, which could attenuate the luminous intensity of the illumination light irradiated into the vehicle cabin.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a vehicle interior lighting device that can be constructed inexpensively and has little attenuation of luminous intensity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Form 1: One or more embodiments of the present invention are a light source and a front and a light-transmitting cover that covers the light source, and the cover is illuminated with illumination light from the light source. The light incident portion is formed on the surface opposite to the vehicle interior side, and the illumination light incident into the cover is a reflecting portion that reflects the light toward the inside of the vehicle interior; is established, The light entrance portion includes a light transmitting portion that transmits a portion of the illumination light from the light source into the vehicle interior, and an entrance portion that causes a portion of the illumination light from the light source to enter the interior of the cover. the light entrance portion has a recess having a bottom surface as the light-transmitting portion and a side wall as the incident portion, the incident portion is inclined from the center of the optical axis from the light source toward the outside in the radial direction of the optical axis in a direction approaching a circuit board, a light-guiding cylindrical portion is provided between the cover and the light source as a light-guiding path from the light source to the light entrance portion, and the light-transmitting portion and the incident portion of the recess are arranged opposite to an internal space of the light-guiding cylindrical portion in the optical axis direction. We propose a vehicle interior lighting device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle interior lighting device that can be constructed inexpensively and has little attenuation of luminous intensity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a vehicle interior lighting device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2A and 2B are diagrams showing the cover shown in FIG. 1, in which (a) is a perspective view seen from above in front view, and (b) is a perspective view seen from above in rear view. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1) illustrating the vehicle interior lighting device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the IL1 portion shown in FIG. 3 (a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1). [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a vehicle interior lighting device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6]6 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5) illustrating the vehicle interior lighting device according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion IL2 shown in FIG. 6 (a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5). [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a vehicle interior lighting device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 8) illustrating the vehicle interior lighting device according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion IL3 shown in FIG. 8 (a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 8). [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are front views showing display examples of a vehicle interior lighting device according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] First Embodiment A vehicle interior lighting device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The vehicle interior lighting device 10 of this embodiment is a lighting device that is disposed on the ceiling or the like inside the vehicle cabin. Note that an arrow FR shown as appropriate in the drawings indicates the front (front view direction) of the vehicle interior lighting device 10 shown in Figure 1, an arrow UP indicates upward, and an arrow RH indicates rightward. In the following description, when up-down, front-rear, and left-right directions are used, they refer to the up-down, front-rear, and left-right directions of the vehicle interior lighting device 10 unless otherwise specified.

[0010] <Configuration of vehicle interior lighting device 10> The vehicle interior lighting device 10 according to this embodiment is fixedly disposed on a ceiling or the like inside a vehicle as, for example, a room lamp, a reading lamp, etc. The vehicle interior lighting device 10 is supplied with power and the like by being connected to a harness (not shown) from the vehicle.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle interior lighting device 10 according to this embodiment includes a bezel 100, a switch knob 200, a cover 300, a case 400, a light-guiding lens 500, a circuit board 600, a light source 610, a light source 620, and a lid 700.

[0012] (About Bezel 100) The bezel 100 is a frame installed on the interior side of the vehicle. The bezel 100 is formed of a non-transparent resin or the like in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The bezel 100 has an opening in the center, into which the switch knob 200 and the cover 300 are incorporated. The bezel 100 also functions as a light-shielding wall that prevents illumination light from leaking from areas other than the opening.

[0013] (About Switch Knob 200) The switch knob 200 is an input device for performing operations such as turning on and off a light. The switch knob 200 is integrally formed of resin or the like in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front. In this embodiment, the switch knob 200 is provided with, for example, four types of function switches, and when any of the function switches is pressed, each performs an independent functional operation. A substantially cylindrical, rod-like push pin 210 extending rearward is formed at the rear of the switch knob 200, and the tip of the push pin 210 is disposed close to a push switch (not shown) mounted on the circuit board 600. In addition, a plurality of symbol marks (four in this embodiment) indicating operation positions are provided on the front side of the switch knob 200.

[0014] (About Cover 300) Cover 300 is irradiated with illumination light from light source 610, thereby irradiating the interior of the vehicle with direct lighting (spot lighting) and indirect lighting due to the entire cover 300 being illuminated. Cover 300 also protects light sources 610 and 620 by preventing them from contacting the outside.

[0015] By incorporating the cover 300 into the bezel 100, the front surface of the cover 300 is disposed inside the vehicle cabin, and the rear surface is disposed so as to cover the light sources 610 and 620. The cover 300 has a bottomed box shape that is open at the rear, and is formed from a transparent resin or the like. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the front surface of the cover 300 faces the vehicle cabin and is formed as a flat surface without any irregularities. Meanwhile, the rear surface of the cover 300 has a light entrance portion 310 indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 2(b) and a reflecting portion 320 indicated by a broken line, and a recess RF1 is formed in the light entrance portion 310. The front surface of the cover 300 may be curved.

[0016] Light incident portion 310 is irradiated with light emitted from light source 610. Light incident portion 310 is formed facing the front of light source 610 so that the center of light incident portion 310 is positioned on optical axis AL from light source 610. Light incident portion 310 has a concave shape that is recessed forward in the center of the rear surface of cover 300, and forms recess RF1 with light transmitting portion 311 as the bottom surface and incident portion 312 as the surrounding wall surface.

[0017] The light-transmitting portion 311 transmits a portion of the illumination light from the light source 610 into the interior of the vehicle. The illumination light from the light-transmitting portion 311 is emitted as direct illumination (spot illumination). The light-transmitting portion 311 is centered on the optical axis AL from the light source 610 and is formed in front of the light source 610 as a substantially rectangular plane that is parallel to the circuit board 600. An incident portion 312 is formed adjacent to the periphery of the light-transmitting portion 311. The thickness of the light-transmitting portion 311 in the front-rear direction is thinner than the thickness of the portion of the cover 300 in which the reflecting portion 320, which will be described later, is formed.

[0018] The incident portion 312 allows a portion of the illumination light from the light source 610 to enter the inside of the cover 300. The incident portion 312 is a substantially rectangular flat surface provided so as to surround the periphery of the light-transmitting portion 311, and a plurality of incident portions 312 are provided around the periphery of the light-transmitting portion 311. The incident portion 312 is inclined from the center of the optical axis AL of the light source 610 toward the outside in the radial direction of the optical axis AL, in a direction approaching the circuit board 600.

[0019] The reflecting portion 320 is formed on the surface of the cover 300 opposite the vehicle interior side. The reflecting portion 320 reflects illumination light that has entered the cover 300 toward the vehicle interior side, and is formed on the rear surface of the cover 300 as a collection of minute protrusions having an inclined shape, such as a substantially triangular pyramid shape. Specifically, the reflecting portion 320 is formed by collecting protrusions including minute inclined shapes in a substantially rectangular or rectangular frame shape shown in the area surrounded by the thick dashed line in FIG. 2(b). The reflecting portion 320 diffuses the irradiated light toward the front.

[0020] (About Case 400) As shown in FIG. 3 , the case 400 is disposed between the cover 300 and the circuit board 600 and serves as a light guide path that guides light emitted from the light sources 610 and 620 mounted on the circuit board 600 to the cover 300. The case 400 has a bottomed box shape that is open at the rear, and is formed from a non-transparent resin or the like. A light guide path is formed to surround the light source 610 and the light source 620. The light guide path is disposed close to the circuit board 600. The case 400 has a light guide tube portion 410 that serves as a light guide path and is provided in front of the light source 610, and light guide tube portions 420 that serve as light guide paths for the light source 620 and are provided on both left and right sides of the light guide tube portion 410.

[0021] The light guiding tube portion 410 guides illumination light from the light source 610 to the light incident portion 310. The light guiding tube portion 410 has a substantially rectangular opening in a front view, and is formed as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped penetrating space extending in the front-to-rear direction. The light guiding tube portion 420 guides illumination light from the light source 620 to the inside of the vehicle cabin. The light guiding tube portion 420 has a substantially circular opening in a front view, and is formed as a substantially conical penetrating space extending in the front-to-rear direction so that the diameter of the circle increases toward the front.

[0022] (Regarding the light guide lens 500) Light guide lens 500 is disposed in light guide tube portion 410 of case 400, and guides illumination light emitted from light source 610 to light entrance portion 310. An end of light guide lens 500 extends into recess RF1 provided in cover 300.

[0023] The light guide lens 500 is a rod-shaped rectangular parallelepiped extending in the front-rear direction and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The light guide lens 500 is made of a light-transmitting resin or the like. A rectangular plane parallel to the circuit board 600 is formed at the rear end of the light guide lens 500, and faces the light source 610. Meanwhile, a plane facing the recess RF1 of the cover 300 is formed at the front end of the light guide lens 500. Specifically, a transmitting surface 510, which is a plane parallel to the light-transmitting portion 311, is formed at the tip end, facing the light-transmitting portion 311. Furthermore, a reflecting surface 520, which is a plane inclined toward the circuit board from the edge of the plane of the tip end toward the outer periphery, is formed at the side of the tip end, facing the incident portion 312. The transmitting surface 510 and the reflecting surface 520, which are the ends of the light guide lens 500, are disposed in a state where they extend into the recess RF1 of the cover 300.

[0024] (Regarding the circuit board 600) The circuit board 600 has light sources 610 and 620 mounted thereon. The circuit board 600 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape when viewed from the front, and is disposed so that its long sides extend in the left-right direction. The circuit board 600 is disposed so as to be parallel to the cover 300. The light source 610 is mounted in the approximate center of the circuit board 600, and the light sources 620 are mounted on the left-right direction of the circuit board 600. A harness (not shown) is connected to the circuit board 600 to receive power and other supplies from the vehicle. A push switch (not shown) that is operated by the switch knob 200 is mounted on the circuit board 600. The push switch is mounted opposite and adjacent to the end of the push pin 210 extending from the switch knob 200.

[0025] (About Lid 700) The lid 700 is located at the rearmost position of the vehicle interior lighting device 10, and is sandwiched and fitted between the lid 700 and the bezel 100 to cover the switch knob 200, the cover 300, the case 400, the light guiding lens 500, and the circuit board 600, thereby forming the outer shape. The lid 700 also fixes the circuit board 600 with a set screw or the like.

[0026] <Actions and Effects> When the lighting switch knob 200 is pressed, the vehicle interior lighting device 10 configured as described above uses power supplied from a harness connected to the vehicle to light the light source 610 and the light source 620 mounted on the circuit board 600.

[0027] 3, illumination light emitted from light sources 620 provided on the left and right sides of circuit board 600 passes through cover 300 via light guide tube 420 provided in case 400 and is emitted as direct illumination into the vehicle cabin. At this time, strong illumination light is emitted to a predetermined range without being reflected or diffused until it is emitted into the vehicle cabin.

[0028] Furthermore, illumination light emitted from light source 610 provided in the center of circuit board 600 passes through the inside of light guide lens 500 housed in light guide tube 410 and reaches transmission surface 510 and reflection surface 520 provided on the side of the tip of the light guide lens, as indicated by dashed arrow AA in Fig. 4. The illumination light that reaches transmission surface 510 passes through light-transmitting portion 311 of cover 300 and is emitted as direct illumination into the vehicle cabin. At this time, strong illumination light is emitted over a narrow range without being reflected or diffused before being emitted into the vehicle cabin.

[0029] On the other hand, the illumination light that reaches reflecting surface 520 is reflected by the inclination of reflecting surface 520 and guided toward the interior of cover 300, as indicated by dashed-dotted arrow BB in Fig. 4. The illumination light reflected by reflecting surface 520 passes through another reflecting surface 520 provided on the opposite side to the reflecting surface 520 that reflected the illumination light, and reaches the interior of cover 300 through incident portion 312 provided in the light entrance portion of cover 300. At this time, since reflecting surface 520 has an inclined plane that faces incident portion 312, the illumination light reaches the interior of cover 300 without being attenuated.

[0030] The irradiated light that reaches the inside of the cover 300 reaches a reflecting portion 320 formed on the surface of the cover 300 opposite the vehicle interior side. The reflecting portion 320 is formed as a collection of minute protrusions having an inclined shape, such as a substantially triangular pyramid shape. The irradiated light that reaches the reflecting portion 320 is diffused forward by the minute flat surfaces formed on the reflecting portion 320. Furthermore, since the reflecting portion 320 is formed over a wide area of ​​the cover 300, the irradiated light is emitted from the entire flat surface of the cover 300 facing the vehicle interior. The irradiated light is then emitted as indirect lighting from the entire surface of the cover 300 facing the vehicle interior.

[0031] As described above, the vehicle interior lighting device 10 of this embodiment includes a light source 610 and a light source 620 provided on a circuit board, and a translucent cover 300 arranged on the interior side of the vehicle cabin and covering the light source 610 and the light source 620. The cover 300 is provided with a light entrance section 310 through which illumination light from the light source 610 is irradiated, and a reflecting section 320 formed on the surface opposite the interior side of the vehicle cabin and reflecting the illumination light that has entered the cover 300 toward the interior side of the vehicle cabin. The light entrance section 310 has a translucent section 311 that allows a portion of the illumination light from the light source 610 to pass through toward the interior of the vehicle cabin, and an incident section 312 that allows a portion of the illumination light from the light source 610 to enter toward the inside of the cover 300. Therefore, cover 300 protects light source 610 and light source 620 by covering them to prevent them from coming into contact with the outside, while splitting the light emitted from light source 610 between light-transmitting portion 311 and incident portion 312, allowing direct lighting and indirect lighting to be emitted from a single light source 610. Furthermore, light incident portion 310 includes a recess RF1 having a bottom surface as light-transmitting portion 311 and a side wall as incident portion 312, and incident portion 312 is inclined from the center of the optical axis from light source 610 toward the outside in the radial direction of the optical axis, in a direction approaching circuit board 600. Therefore, by providing incident portion 312 with an incline in light incident portion 310 onto which light is emitted from light source 610, the light used for indirect lighting can be split with little attenuation using a simple configuration. Furthermore, a light guide tube 410 is provided between the cover 300 and the circuit board 600 as a light guide path from the light source 610 to the light entrance portion 310, and the light transmitting portion 311 and the incident portion 312 of the recess RF1 are arranged to face the internal space of the light guide tube 410 and the optical axis of the light source 610. A light guide lens 500 that guides light from the light source 620 to the light entrance portion 310 is also provided in the light guide tube 410 as a light guide path, and an end of the light guide lens 500 extends into the recess RF1. Therefore, the illumination light emitted from the light source 610 is guided to the light entrance portion 310 while being surrounded by the light guide tube 410, and the transmitting surface 510 and the reflecting surface 520 provided at the end of the light guide lens 500 extend to the recess RF1 where the light entrance portion 310 is provided, allowing the illumination light to reach the light entrance portion 310 with little attenuation.Furthermore, since the illumination light incident from the incident portion 312 is guided to the reflecting portion 320 through the inside of the cover 300, the cover 300 alone can function as a light guide, reflector, and protective cover, and can also be made thinner. Therefore, a simple configuration with a small number of parts is possible, and an inexpensive vehicle interior lighting device with little attenuation of luminous intensity can be provided.

[0032] <Second embodiment> Next, a vehicle interior lighting device 10A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. In Figures 5 to 7, components configured similarly to those in the vehicle interior lighting device 10 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0033] <Configuration of vehicle interior lighting device 10A> As shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle interior lighting device 10A according to this embodiment includes a bezel 100, a switch knob 200, a cover 300A, a case 400A, a circuit board 600, a light source 610, a light source 620, and a lid 700.

[0034] (About Cover 300A) The cover 300A has a box shape with a bottom that is open at the rear, and is made of a transparent resin, etc. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the cover 300A has a light entrance portion 310A and a reflecting portion 320 on its rear surface, and a recess RF2 that is recessed forward is formed in the light entrance portion 310A.

[0035] Light from the light source 610 is irradiated onto the light entrance portion 310A. The light entrance portion 310A is formed facing the front of the light source 610 so that the center of the light entrance portion 310A is positioned on the optical axis AL from the light source 610. The light entrance portion 310A has a concave shape recessed forward in the center of the rear surface of the cover 300, with the light-transmitting portion 311A ​​as its bottom surface and the incident portion 312A as its surrounding wall surface, forming a recess RF2 radially outward from the optical axis AL. The recess RF2 has a convex portion formed in the center of the bottom surface of the recess RF2, with a substantially rectangular flat surface protruding toward the circuit board 600 and having a substantially trapezoidal cross section. The recess RF2 is formed with the light-transmitting portion 311A, the incident portion 312A, and a reflective surface 313.

[0036] The light-transmitting portion 311A ​​is a substantially rectangular flat surface formed on the top surface of the convex portion in the recess RF2. The flat surface formed on the top surface of the convex portion is formed in front of the light source 610 so that the optical axis AL from the light source 610 is positioned at the center of the top surface of the convex portion and is parallel to the circuit board 600.

[0037] The incident portions 312A are substantially rectangular flat surfaces formed by the wall surface portions of the recess RF2 on the radially outer side of the optical axis AL, and a plurality of the incident portions 312A are provided so as to surround the periphery of the recess RF2. The incident portions 312A are formed substantially parallel to the optical axis AL.

[0038] The reflective surface 313 is formed by a wall surface of a convex portion in the center of the recess RF2 and a substantially rectangular flat surface formed on the bottom surface of the recess RF2. A plurality of wall surfaces of the convex portion in the center of the recess RF2 are formed so as to surround the periphery of the convex portion. The wall surface of the convex portion in the center of the recess RF2 of the reflective surface 313 is inclined from the center of the optical axis AL of the light source 610 toward the outside in the radial direction of the optical axis AL, in a direction approaching the interior of the vehicle cabin. In addition, the substantially rectangular flat surface formed on the bottom surface of the recess RF2 is formed so as to surround the periphery of the convex portion, and is formed as a flat surface parallel to the circuit board 600 in front of the light source 610. The reflective surface 313 is formed in a mirror shape by a deposition process or the like.

[0039] (About case 400A) Case 400A is disposed between cover 300A and circuit board 600, and serves as a light guide path that guides light emitted from light sources 610 and 620 mounted on circuit board 600 to cover 300A.

[0040] 7, the light guide tube 410A formed in the case 400A guides illumination light from the light source 610 to the light entrance portion 310A. The light guide tube 410A has a substantially rectangular opening in a front view and is formed as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped penetrating space extending in the front-to-rear direction. The end of the light guide tube 410A facing the interior of the vehicle is inclined and widens outward in the radial direction of the optical axis AL so that illumination light from the light source 610 is irradiated onto the outer light-transmitting portion 311A.

[0041] <Actions and Effects> When the lighting switch knob 200 is pressed, the vehicle interior lighting device 10A configured as described above uses power supplied from a harness connected to the vehicle to light the light source 610 and the light source 620 mounted on the circuit board 600.

[0042] Illumination light emitted from light source 610 provided in the center of circuit board 600 passes through the inside of light guide tube 410A, passes through light-transmitting portion 311A ​​of cover 300A, and is emitted as direct illumination into the vehicle cabin, as shown by dashed arrow AA in Fig. 7. At this time, strong illumination light is emitted over a narrow range without being reflected or diffused before being emitted into the vehicle cabin.

[0043] On the other hand, the illumination light that reaches reflecting surface 313 is reflected by the inclination of reflecting surface 313 and reaches the inside of cover 300A through incident portion 312A, as shown by dashed-dotted arrow BB in Fig. 7. At this time, since reflecting surface 313 has an inclined plane that faces incident portion 312A where the illumination light is incident, the irradiated light reaches the inside of cover 300A without being attenuated.

[0044] The irradiated light that reaches the inside of cover 300A reaches reflecting portion 320 formed on the surface of cover 300A opposite the vehicle interior side, and is diffusely reflected forward. Then, the irradiated light is emitted as indirect lighting from the entire surface of cover 300A facing the vehicle interior.

[0045] As described above, in vehicle interior lighting device 10A according to the present embodiment, light entrance portion 310A of cover 300A includes recessed portion RF2 having a side wall as incident portion 312A, light-transmitting portion 311A ​​that protrudes from the bottom surface of recessed portion RF2 toward circuit board 600 and has a top surface facing light source 610, and reflective surface 313 formed such that the outer peripheral surface of light-transmitting portion 311A ​​is inclined in the radial direction and that reflects light from light source 610 toward incident portion 312A. That is, light entrance portion 310A onto which light is irradiated from light source 610 is provided with light-transmitting portion 311A, incident portion 312A, and reflective surface 313. By irradiating light from one light source 610 onto one light entrance portion 310A, the irradiated light can be divided into irradiated light that has passed through light-transmitting portion 311A ​​and is used for direct lighting, and irradiated light that has passed through incident portion 312A and is used for indirect lighting. Furthermore, since the illumination light incident from incident portion 312A is guided to reflecting portion 320 through cover 300A, cover 300A alone can function as a light splitter, light guide, reflector, and protective cover, and can also be made thinner. This allows for a simple configuration with a small number of parts, and makes it possible to provide an inexpensive vehicle interior lighting device with little attenuation of luminous intensity.

[0046] <Third embodiment> Next, a vehicle interior lighting device 10B according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. In Figures 8 to 10, components configured similarly to those in the vehicle interior lighting device 10 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0047] <Configuration of vehicle interior lighting device 10B> As shown in FIG. 8, the vehicle interior lighting device 10B according to this embodiment includes a bezel 100B, a cover 300B, a case 400B, a circuit board 600, a light source 610, a light source 620, a lid 700, and an operation detection unit 800.

[0048] (About Bezel 100B) The bezel 100B has openings, for example, on the left and right sides, and the cover 300B is fitted into the openings. The bezel 100B has a generally rectangular opening in the center that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction and through which the direct illumination light is emitted. The bezel 100B is also configured as a light-shielding wall that prevents the illumination light from leaking from areas other than the opening. The opening of the bezel 100B may have a shape in which the left and right openings are connected to each other.

[0049] (About Cover 300B) The cover 300B has a box shape with a bottom that is open at the rear, and is made of a transparent resin, etc. As shown in Fig. 9, the cover 300B has a light entrance portion 310B on the rear surface, and a recess RF3 that is recessed forward is formed in the light entrance portion 310B.

[0050] Light from the light source 610 is irradiated onto the light entrance portion 310B. The light entrance portion 310B is formed facing the front of the light source 610 so that the center of the light entrance portion 310B is positioned on the optical axis AL from the light source 610. The light entrance portion 310B has a recess RF3 formed in the center of the rear surface of the cover 300, with a light-transmitting portion 311B formed in a substantially rectangular plane in a front view as its bottom surface, and an incident portion 312B as a surrounding wall surface on the radially outer side of the optical axis AL. The recess RF3 also has a light-transmitting portion 311B and an incident portion 312B formed therein.

[0051] Light-transmitting portion 311B is formed as a substantially rectangular plane formed on the bottom surface of recess RF3. The plane of light-transmitting portion 311B is positioned with the optical axis AL from light source 610 at its center, and is formed as a plane parallel to circuit board 600 in front of light source 610.

[0052] The incident portions 312B are substantially rectangular flat surfaces formed on the wall surface of the recess RF3 on the radially outer side of the optical axis AL, and a plurality of the incident portions 312B are provided to surround the periphery of the recess RF3. The incident portions 312B are inclined from the center of the optical axis AL of the light source 610 toward the radially outer side of the optical axis AL, in a direction approaching the circuit board 600.

[0053] Reflecting portions 320B are arranged in a group near operation detecting portion 800 (described later) so as to form a shape that indicates the operation position of operation detecting portion 800. Alternatively, reflecting portions 320B are arranged in a group so as to form a figure, number, or letter shape. Reflecting portion 320B displays a symbol mark, logo, or the like that indicates the operation position with illumination light by forming each reflecting portion in a different shape, such as by varying the angle, height, or shape.

[0054] (About case 400B) Case 400B is disposed between cover 300B and circuit board 600, and serves as a light guide path that guides the light emitted from light sources 610 and 620 mounted on circuit board 600 to light entrance section 310B.

[0055] 9, light guiding tube portion 410B formed in case 400B guides illumination light from light source 610 to light incident portion 310B. Light guiding tube portion 410B has a substantially rectangular opening when viewed from the front, and is formed as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped through space extending in the front-to-rear direction.

[0056] (Regarding the operation detection unit 800) The operation detection unit 800 is, for example, a capacitance sensor that detects a user operation. The operation detection unit 800 is formed on a transparent sheet that transmits light irradiated from behind. The operation detection unit 800 is disposed between the cover 300B and the case 400B at a position corresponding to the opening of the bezel 100B, and is connected to the circuit board 600 by a flexible board or the like (not shown). The operation of the operation detection unit 800 is detected by a control circuit (not shown) of the circuit board 600, and the control circuit executes operations such as turning on the lights. Note that the operation detection unit 800 may be formed on the circuit board 600 instead of on a transparent sheet.

[0057] <Actions and Effects> In the vehicle interior lighting device 10B configured as described above, when the lighting operation detection unit 800 detects a user operation, the light source 610 and the light source 620 mounted on the circuit board 600 are turned on using power supplied from a harness connected to the vehicle.

[0058] 10, the illumination light emitted from light source 610 provided in the center of circuit board 600 passes through the inside of light guide tube 410B, passes through light-transmitting portion 311B of cover 300B, and is emitted as direct illumination into the vehicle cabin from an opening opened in the center of bezel 100B. At this time, strong illumination light is emitted over a narrow range without reflection or diffusion until it is emitted into the vehicle cabin.

[0059] On the other hand, the illumination light that has reached incident portion 312B reaches the inside of cover 300A through incident portion 312B without attenuation, as indicated by the dashed-dotted arrow BB in FIG.

[0060] The irradiated light that reaches the inside of the cover 300B reaches the reflecting portion 320B formed on the surface of the cover 300B opposite the vehicle interior side, and is diffusely reflected forward. As shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), the reflecting portion 320B is formed near the operation detection unit 800, and the individual reflecting portions are formed to have different angles, heights, shapes, etc., so that the irradiated light is irradiated to the intended position. Therefore, the emitted irradiated light can be shaped to indicate the operation position. Alternatively, the emitted irradiated light can be shaped like a figure, number, or letter.

[0061] As described above, the vehicle interior lighting device 10B according to this embodiment includes an operation detection unit 800 that detects an operation. The reflectors 320B are arranged near the operation detection unit 800 in a group that forms a shape that indicates the operation position of the operation detection unit 800. Alternatively, the vehicle interior lighting device 10B according to this embodiment also arranges the reflectors 320B in a group that forms a shape of a figure, number, or letter. Therefore, by guiding illumination light irradiated from a single light source 610 to a single light entrance unit 310A to the individual reflectors 320B, each of which has a different angle, height, shape, etc., it is possible to display a symbol mark or other design, such as a logo, indicating the operation position. Furthermore, because the illumination light incident from the entrance unit 312B is guided through the cover 300A to the reflector 320, the cover 300B alone can function as a light splitter, light guider, reflector, and protective cover, and can be made thinner. Therefore, it is possible to provide a simple configuration with a small number of parts, which increases added value and makes it possible to provide an inexpensive vehicle interior lighting device with little attenuation of luminous intensity.

[0062] In the first to third embodiments, the reflecting portion 320 and the reflecting portion 320B are formed inward (forward) from the rear surfaces of the covers 300 to 300B, but they may also be shaped to protrude outward (rearward) from the rear surfaces of the covers 300 to 300B.

[0063] In the first to third embodiments, the light sources 610 and 620 are configured to be turned on simultaneously, but they may be configured to be turned on separately. Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments, the light source 610 is configured to be turned on in response to the operation of the switch knob 200, but it may be configured to be turned on and off in conjunction with the vehicle's headlights.

[0064] The above describes an embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10. Operation input device 100; bezel 100B; bezel 200;switch knob 300;cover 300A; Cover 300B; Cover 311; Translucent part 311A; Translucent part 311B; Translucent part 312;Incidence part 312A;Incidence section 312B;Incidence section 313;Reflective surface 320;Reflector 400;case 400A; case 400B; case 410;Light guiding cylinder part 500; Light guide lens 600; Circuit board 610; light source 700;Lid 800; Operation detection unit AL; optical axis RF1; recess RF2; recess RF3; Recess

Claims

1. A light source and a light-transmitting cover disposed inside the vehicle cabin and covering the light source; Equipped with The cover is provided with a light incident portion onto which illumination light from the light source is irradiated, and a reflecting portion formed on a surface opposite to the vehicle interior side and reflecting the illumination light that has entered the cover toward the vehicle interior side, the light entrance portion includes a light transmitting portion that transmits a portion of the illumination light from the light source into the interior of the vehicle, and an entrance portion that causes a portion of the illumination light from the light source to enter the interior of the cover, the light entrance portion includes a recess having a bottom surface as the light transmission portion and a side wall as the light entrance portion, the incident portion is provided with an inclination from the center of the optical axis from the light source toward an outer side in the radial direction of the optical axis in a direction approaching a circuit board, a light-guiding tube portion serving as a light-guiding passage from the light source to the light-entering portion is provided between the cover and the light source, and the light-transmitting portion and the light-entering portion of the recess are arranged opposite the internal space of the light-guiding tube portion in the optical axis direction.

2. 2. The vehicle interior lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a light guide lens is disposed in the light guide path to guide the light from the light source to the light entrance portion, and an end of the light guide lens extends into the recess.

3. The light entrance portion includes a recess having a sidewall as the incident portion; the light-transmitting portion protruding from the bottom surface of the recess toward the circuit board and having a top surface facing the light source; an outer peripheral surface of the light transmitting portion being inclined in a radial direction, the outer peripheral surface being a reflecting surface that reflects the light from the light source toward the incident portion; 2. The vehicle interior lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. A light source; a light-transmitting cover disposed inside the vehicle cabin and covering the light source; Equipped with The cover is provided with a light incident portion onto which illumination light from the light source is irradiated, and a reflecting portion formed on a surface opposite to the vehicle interior side and reflecting the illumination light that has entered the cover toward the vehicle interior side, the light entrance portion includes a light transmitting portion that transmits a portion of the illumination light from the light source into the interior of the vehicle, and an entrance portion that causes a portion of the illumination light from the light source to enter the interior of the cover, The light entrance portion includes a recess having a sidewall as the incident portion; the light-transmitting portion protruding from the bottom surface of the recess toward the circuit board and having a top surface facing the light source; an outer peripheral surface of the light transmitting portion being inclined in a radial direction, the outer peripheral surface being a reflecting surface that reflects the light from the light source toward the incident portion; A vehicle interior lighting device comprising:

5. an operation detection unit that detects an operation; 2. The vehicle interior lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting portions are arranged in a group near the operation detecting portion so as to have a shape that indicates the operation position of the operation detecting portion.

6. A light source; a light-transmitting cover disposed inside the vehicle cabin and covering the light source; Equipped with The cover is provided with a light incident portion onto which illumination light from the light source is irradiated, and a reflecting portion formed on a surface opposite to the vehicle interior side and reflecting the illumination light that has entered the cover toward the vehicle interior side, the light entrance portion includes a light transmitting portion that transmits a portion of the illumination light from the light source into the interior of the vehicle, and an entrance portion that causes a portion of the illumination light from the light source to enter the interior of the cover, an operation detection unit that detects an operation; The vehicle interior lighting device is characterized in that the reflecting portions are arranged in a group near the operation detecting portion so as to have a shape that indicates the operation position of the operation detecting portion.

7. 7. The vehicle interior lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting portions are arranged in a group so as to form a shape of a figure, a number, or a letter.

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