Light Guide

Abstract

To enable easy assembling to an assembling object.SOLUTION: A first light guide 40 includes: a light guide body 44 formed of a transparent resin; a light diffusion body 41 which is molded integrally with the light guide body 44, is formed of a resin containing a light diffusion material and has a light-emission part 42 for emitting light incident on the light guide body 44; and a through hole 48 which is provided between the light guide body 44 and the light diffusion body 41. The light guide body 44 and the light diffusion body 41 are assembled on an operation knob 30 as an assembling object at a time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a light guide.

Background Art

[0002] In interior parts such as vehicles, a light guide that guides light irradiated from a light source provided inside and emits light from a light emitting part is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus for displaying a symbol that includes a light transmissive synthetic resin layer having a non-light transmissive coating formed thereon to form a symbol surface, a non-light transmissive intermediate component that surrounds the symbol surface in a ring shape, and a diffusion element disposed inside the intermediate component, and the symbol surface is irradiated with light through the diffusion element so that the symbol can be visually recognized.

[0004] By the way, a light guide including a light guide body and a light diffuser is preferably easily assembled to an assembly target.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a light guide that can be easily assembled to an assembly target.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A light guide according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a light guide body made of a transparent resin, a light diffuser integrally molded with the light guide body and made of a resin containing a light diffusing material, having a light-emitting portion from which light incident on the light guide body is emitted, and a through hole provided between the light guide body and the light diffuser.

[0008] In a light guide according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the light guide according to the first aspect of the present invention, the through hole is for the light emitted from the light-emitting part Outlet side It is positioned to cover the light-emitting part when viewed from that perspective.

[0009] In a third aspect of the present invention, the light guide is formed from the same base material as in the first or second aspect of the present invention.

[0010] In the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the light guide of any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the light-emitting part is fitted into the fitting hole of the object to be assembled.

[0011] In the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the light guide of any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the circumferential surface forming the through hole is subjected to light diffusion processing.

[0012] In the sixth aspect of the present invention, a light guide is provided in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, which includes a light reflecting member that closes the through hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] In the light guide according to the first aspect of the present invention, the number of parts is reduced because the light guide body and the light diffuser are molded as a single unit. Furthermore, the light guide body and the light diffuser can be assembled to the object at once. Therefore, the light guide body and the light diffuser can be easily assembled to the object.

[0014] In a light guide according to a second aspect of the present invention, the through hole is for light emitted from the light-emitting part. Outlet side From this perspective, the arrangement of the light guide body and light diffuser, which covers the light-emitting part, suppresses the formation of an interface between the light guide body and the light diffuser in the path of light emitted from the light-emitting part through the light guide body and light diffuser. Therefore, diffuse reflection of light incident on the light guide at unstablely formed interfaces is further suppressed. As a result, unevenness in the light emitted from the light-emitting part can be suppressed.

[0015] In the light guide according to the third aspect of the present invention, even if the light guide body and the light diffuser are formed from the same base material, the scattering of light incident on the light guide body at an unstable interface is suppressed.

[0016] In the fourth aspect of the present invention, when inserting the light-emitting part into the insertion hole of the object to be assembled, the light-emitting part can be easily inserted into the insertion hole of the object to be assembled because the light-emitting part and the light diffuser are integrally molded.

[0017] In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the circumferential surface forming the through-hole is treated to diffuse light, thereby diffusing the light passing through the through-hole. As a result, unevenness in the brightness of the light emitted from the light-emitting part can be suppressed.

[0018] In the sixth aspect of the present invention, a light guide is provided that blocks the through-hole, so that light emitted from the through-hole and traveling in the direction of leaking to the outside is reflected by the light reflecting member. As a result, leakage of light emitted from the through-hole to the outside is suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the shift device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing the shift device according to this embodiment, and shows the AA section of Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the light guide according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a plan view schematically showing a light guide according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a sectional view showing the light guide according to this embodiment, showing the cross section B - B of FIG. 3. [Embodiment for Carrying out the Invention]

[0020] Hereinafter, a shift device 20 to which a light guide 40 according to this embodiment is attached will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an example of a shift - by - wire type shift device that switches the shift position by tilting an operation knob will be described.

[0021] In each figure, an arrow UP indicates above the vehicle, an arrow RH indicates the right side of the vehicle, and an arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle. Also, an arrow D indicates the vertical direction D of the shift device. When simply using the upper side and the lower side for explanation, unless otherwise specified, it is with respect to the vertical direction D of the shift device 20. Further, the light emission direction E from the light emitting part 42 is set to be above the vehicle.

[0022] [Configuration of Shift Device] As shown in FIG. 1, the shift device 20 according to this embodiment is arranged between the driver's seat and the passenger seat and is disposed on a center console 10 as an interior part extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the shift device 20 includes a housing 22, an operation knob 30 as an assembly target, a first light guide 40 as a light guide, a second light guide 50 as a light guide, a holding member 60, and a substrate 70. The housing 22 is formed in a box shape by a cover member 24, a case member 26, and a bottom case 28.

[0024] (Case Member 26) The case member 26 is made of, for example, resin and is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape with openings at the top and bottom. A plate-shaped support portion 26A is formed on the case member 26, spanning in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The central part of the support portion 26A in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle protrudes upward.

[0025] (Cover member 24) The cover member 24 is made of, for example, resin and is formed in the shape of a rectangular box with an opening facing downwards. The cover member 24 is positioned to close the upper opening of the case member 26. The upper surface of the cover member 24 constitutes the design surface 24A. The cover member 24 has a through hole 24B that penetrates in the vertical direction D. The operating knob 30 is inserted into the through hole 24B.

[0026] (Bottom case 28) The bottom case 28 is made of, for example, resin and is positioned to close the opening at the bottom of the case member 26. A circuit board 70 is installed on the top of the bottom case 28.

[0027] (Operation knob 30) The operating knob 30 is made of resin, for example, and comprises a base 34, an operating part 32, and a vane part 36.

[0028] The base portion 34 is formed in a roughly C-shape with a downward opening, so that its outer shape widens as it goes downwards.

[0029] The operating section 32 extends upward from the base 34. The operating section 32 is formed in a roughly U-shape with a downward opening. The space between the operating section 32 and the base 34 constitutes a housing space S for housing the light guide 40. An insertion hole 32A is formed on the upper surface of the operating section 32, which penetrates in the vertical direction D and into which the light-emitting section 42, described later, is fitted.

[0030] The operating section 32 is provided so as to protrude upward from a through hole 24B provided in the cover member 24. The wing section 36 is formed so as to extend diagonally downward from the outer peripheral edge of the lower end of the base section 34.

[0031] (Holding member 60) The retaining member 60 is made of, for example, resin and is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction D. The second light guide 50 is housed inside the retaining member 60. The retaining member 60 is integrally connected to the operating knob 30.

[0032] A support pin 90 extending in the vehicle width direction is provided on the support portion 26A of the case member 26. The retaining member 60 is rotatably supported with respect to the support pin 90. The operating portion 32 is configured to tilt in the vehicle front-rear direction when it rotates around the support pin 90 as its axis of rotation.

[0033] (Circuit board 70) Multiple light sources 72 are provided on the substrate 70. For example, LEDs can be used as light sources 72. The light sources 72 emit light upwards.

[0034] [Light Guide Structure] As shown in Figure 3, the first light guide 40, which serves as a light guide, is formed in a plate shape that extends in the vertical direction and comprises a light guide body 44 and a light diffuser 41.

[0035] (Light Guide Body 44) The light guide body 44 is made of transparent resin (for example, polycarbonate) and has a base portion 46 and an intermediate portion 45.

[0036] The base portion 46 is formed as a roughly rectangular parallelepiped with the vehicle width direction as its longitudinal direction. The lower surface 46A of the base portion 46 constitutes the incident surface to which light from the light source 72 enters.

[0037] The intermediate section 45 extends upward from the upper surface of the base section 46. The length of the lower end of the intermediate section 45 in the vehicle width direction is shorter than the length of the upper end of the base section 46 in the vehicle width direction. The intermediate section 45 is formed in the shape of a rectangular prism with a roughly trapezoidal side surface. The intermediate section 45 is formed with inclined sides 45B in the vehicle width direction such that the cross-sectional area of ​​the vertical surface decreases as it goes upward in the vertical direction D. A rectangular notch 45A that opens upward is formed at the upper end of the intermediate section 45.

[0038] (Light diffuser 41) The light diffuser 41 is made of a transparent resin (for example, polycarbonate) containing a light diffusing material. The light guide body 44 and the light diffuser 41 are made of the same base material. The light diffuser 41 is integrally formed with the light guide body 44. The light diffuser 41 has a base portion 43 and a light-emitting portion 42.

[0039] The base portion 43 extends upward from the upper surface of the intermediate portion 45 of the light guide body 44. The base portion 43 is formed as a roughly rectangular parallelepiped with the vehicle width direction as its longitudinal direction. The base portion 43 has a beveled surface 43B at the upper corner in the vehicle width direction. A rectangular notch 43A that opens downward is formed at the lower end of the base portion 43. The outer shape of the lower end of the base portion 43 is formed to match the outer shape of the upper end of the intermediate portion 45 of the light guide body 44.

[0040] The notch 45A in the light guide body 44 and the notch 43A in the light diffuser 41 constitute a through hole 48 provided between the light guide body 44 and the light diffuser 41.

[0041] The light-emitting section 42 extends upward from the upper surface of the base section 43. The light-emitting section 42 is oriented longitudinally in the vehicle width direction and is formed as a columnar shape with rounded corners extending upward from a rounded rectangle. The length of the lower end of the light-emitting section 42 in the vehicle width direction is shorter than the length of the upper end of the base section 43 in the vehicle width direction. The light-emitting section 42 is fitted into the fitting hole 32A of the operating knob 30, which is the object to be assembled.

[0042] (Through hole 48) As shown in Figure 3, the through-hole 48 is formed to penetrate the light guide 40 in a substantially rectangular shape in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction D. In other words, the through-hole 48 is formed to penetrate the light guide 40 in a substantially rectangular shape in the direction of its plate thickness.

[0043] As shown in Figure 4, the through-hole 48 is positioned to cover the light-emitting part 42 when viewed from the direction of light emission E from the light-emitting part 42. The width W1 of the light-emitting part 42 in the vehicle width direction is formed to be narrower than the width W2 of the through-hole 48 in the vehicle width direction. The length L1 of the light-emitting part 42 in the vehicle front-rear direction is formed to be shorter than the length L2 of the through-hole 48 in the vehicle front-rear direction. The height D of the through-hole 48 in the vertical direction can be set to a height that maintains the strength of the mold.

[0044] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, a light-reflecting member 80 that covers the through-hole 48 may be attached to the first light guide 40. The light-reflecting member 80 can be anything that reflects light, such as a mirror seal or aluminum foil.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5, the bottom surface 45C of the notch 45A of the light guide body 44 and the bottom surface 43C of the notch 43A of the light diffuser 41 may be subjected to light diffusion processing. Examples of light diffusion processing include textured processing and serration processing.

[0046] [Method for molding light guides] The first light guide 40 is formed by two-color molding. After the light guide body 44 is first molded, the light diffuser 41 is secondarily molded to form the first light guide 40. Alternatively, the light diffuser 41 may be first molded, and then the light guide body 44 may be secondarily molded to form the first light guide 40.

[0047] [Shift device operation] When the driver, seated in the driver's seat, pushes the operating knob 30 forward with their fingers, the operating knob 30 rotates around the support pin 90 as its axis of rotation and tilts forward. When the operating knob 30 is pushed backward, it rotates around the support pin 90 as its axis of rotation and tilts backward. The shift position is changed by operating the operating knob 30 in this manner.

[0048] [How light travels] The light source 72 is configured to emit light in accordance with the tilt position of the operating knob 30. When the light source 72 emits light, as shown in Figure 2, light from the light source 72 enters the second light guide 40 from the lower surface 50A of the second light guide 50. The light that enters the second light guide 50 exits from the upper surface 50B of the second light guide 50.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5, the light emitted from the second light guide 50 enters the first light guide 40 from the lower surface 46A of the base 46. The light that enters the first light guide 40 exits the through hole 48 from the bottom surface 45C of the notch 45A in the intermediate section 45. At this time, any light that would otherwise leak out of the first light guide 40 from the through hole 48 is reflected by the light reflecting member 80.

[0050] Light emitted from the through-hole 48 enters the light diffuser 41 through the bottom surface 43C of the notch 43A in the base portion 43 of the light diffuser 41. The light that enters the light diffuser 41 emits light upward from the light-emitting portion 42.

[0051] [Operation of this embodiment] The first light guide 40 of this embodiment comprises a light guide body 44 made of transparent resin, a light diffuser 41 integrally molded with the light guide body 44 and made of resin containing a light diffusing material, having a light-emitting part 42 from which light incident on the light guide body 44 is emitted, and a through hole 48 provided between the light guide body 44 and the light diffuser 41 (see Figure 3).

[0052] In the first light guide 40 of this embodiment, the number of parts is reduced because the light guide body 44 and the light diffuser 41 are molded as a single unit. Moreover, the light guide body 44 and the light diffuser 41 are assembled to the operating knob 30 at the same time. As a result, the light guide body 44 and the light diffuser 41 can be easily assembled to the operating knob 30.

[0053] Incidentally, when the light guide body 44 and the light diffuser 41 are formed by two-color molding, the secondary molding resin comes into contact with the primary molded product during secondary molding, causing the primary molded product to melt. As a result, the interface between the primary molded product and the secondary molded product is formed in an unstable manner. Consequently, light incident on the first light guide 40 is diffusely reflected at the unstable interface, which may cause unevenness in the light emitted from the light-emitting part 42.

[0054] In this embodiment, a through-hole 48 is provided between the light guide body 44 and the light diffuser 41. As a result, light incident on the light guide body 44 is emitted from the light-emitting section 42 through the through-hole 48. Therefore, diffuse reflection of light incident on the first light guide 40 at an unstable interface is suppressed. Consequently, unevenness in the light emitted from the light-emitting section 42 can be suppressed.

[0055] In the first light guide 40 of this embodiment, the through hole 48 is positioned to cover the light-emitting part 42 when viewed from the direction of light emission E from the light-emitting part 42 (see Figure 4).

[0056] The through-hole 48 is positioned to cover the light-emitting part 42 when viewed from the direction of light emission E from the light-emitting part 42. This suppresses the formation of an interface between the light guide body 44 and the light diffuser 41 in the path of light emitted from the light-emitting part 42 through the light guide body 44 and the light diffuser 41. As a result, diffuse reflection of light incident on the first light guide 40 at unstablely formed interfaces is further suppressed. Consequently, unevenness in the light emitted from the light-emitting part 42 can be further suppressed.

[0057] In the first light guide 40 of this embodiment, the light guide body 44 and the light diffuser 41 are formed from the same base material.

[0058] Since the light guide body 44 and the light diffuser 41 are formed from the same base material, their melting temperatures are approximately the same. When the light guide body 44 and the light diffuser 41 are formed by two-color molding, the secondary molding resin comes into contact with the primary molded product during secondary molding, causing the primary molded product to melt further. However, because there is a through hole 48 between the light guide body 44 and the light diffuser 41, the scattering of light incident on the first light guide 40 at the unstablely formed interface is suppressed.

[0059] In the first light guide 40 of this embodiment, the light-emitting part 42 is fitted into the insertion hole 32A of the operating knob 30, which is the object to be assembled (see Figure 2).

[0060] Since the light guide body 44 and the light diffuser 41 are integrally molded, the light-emitting part 42 can be easily inserted into the insertion hole 32A of the operating knob 30 when inserting the light-emitting part 42 into the insertion hole 32A of the operating knob 30.

[0061] In the first light guide 40 of this embodiment, the bottom surface 45C of the notch 45A that forms the through hole 48 and the bottom surface 43C of the notch 43A of the light diffuser 41 are treated with a light diffusion process (see Figure 5).

[0062] The bottom surface 45C of the notch 45A that forms the through-hole 48 and the bottom surface 43C of the notch 43A of the light diffuser 41 are treated with a light diffusion process, which diffuses the light passing through the through-hole 48. As a result, unevenness in the brightness of the light emitted from the light-emitting part 42 can be suppressed.

[0063] The first light guide 40 of this embodiment includes a light-reflecting member 80 that closes the through hole 48 (see Figure 5).

[0064] By providing a light-reflecting member 80 that blocks the through-hole 48, light emitted from the through-hole 48 and traveling in the direction of leaking to the outside is reflected by the light-reflecting member 80. Therefore, leakage of light emitted from the through-hole 48 to the outside is suppressed. Moreover, the light reflected by the light-reflecting member 80 is incident on the light diffuser 41, which suppresses a decrease in the brightness of the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 42.

[0065] The light guide of the present invention has been described above based on this embodiment. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and changes to the design are permitted as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention as described in each claim of the patent claims.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the first light guide 40 was shown to have one through hole 48. However, the first light guide may have multiple through holes.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the first light guide 40 was shown to have one light-emitting section 42. However, the first light guide may have multiple light-emitting sections.

[0068] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the width W1 of the light-emitting part 42 in the vehicle width direction is narrower than the width W2 of the through hole 48 in the vehicle width direction. However, the width of the light-emitting part in the vehicle width direction may be wider than the width of the through hole in the vehicle width direction, or it may be the same as the width of the through hole in the vehicle width direction.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the through-hole 48 was shown to be formed by a notch 45A formed in the light guide body 44 and a notch 43A formed in the light diffuser 41. However, the through-hole may also be formed by providing a notch in at least one of the light guide body and the light diffuser.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the through-hole 48 was shown to be formed in a substantially rectangular shape. However, the through-hole may have other shapes.

[0071] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which light diffusion processing is applied to the bottom surface 45C of the notch 45A of the light guide body 44 and the bottom surface 43C of the notch 43A of the light diffuser 41. However, the light diffusion processing may be applied to at least a portion of the circumferential surface that forms the through hole.

[0072] In this embodiment, the light guide is shown as being provided on the shift device 20. However, the light guide can also be provided on other interior components of the vehicle. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 30...Operating knob (example of assembly target), 32...Insertion hole, 40...First light guide (example of light guide), 41...Light diffuser, 42...Light-emitting part, 44...Light guide body, 46...Through hole, 80...Light-reflecting member, E...Direction of light emission

Claims

1. The light guide body is made of transparent resin and has a first notch formed therein, A light diffuser is integrally molded with the light guide body, is made of a resin containing a light diffusing material, has a second notch formed therein, and has a light-emitting portion from which light incident on the light guide body is emitted, The outer side of the first notch of the light guide body and the outer side of the second notch of the light diffuser are integrated, and a through hole is provided between the light guide body and the light diffuser. A light guide equipped with this feature.

2. The through-hole is positioned to cover the light-emitting part when viewed from the light-emitting side of the light-emitting part. The light guide according to claim 1.

3. The light guide body and the light diffuser are formed from the same base material. The light guide according to claim 1.

4. The light-emitting part is fitted into the fitting hole of the object to be assembled. The light guide according to claim 1.

5. The circumferential surface forming the through-hole is subjected to a light-diffusing process. The light guide according to claim 1.

6. The facility includes a light-reflecting member that closes the through-hole. The light guide according to claim 1.

Images