Vehicle lighting structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle lighting structure that enables linear lighting to be easily provided in various vehicles and in arrangement places.SOLUTION: The vehicle lighting structure comprises a plurality of lighting units 30 constituted to include light-guide bodies 32 and holding tools 36 respectively, whose shapes are the same as each other. The light-guide bodies 32 have liner light emitting portions 32a that emit light toward inside of a vehicle interior and light-guide portions 32b extending in a direction crossing an extending direction of the light emitting portions 32a from one ends of the light emitting portions 32a, to which light from light sources 34 is made to incident through tips thereof. The plurality of lighting units 30 are configured so that light emitting portions 32a of the plurality of lighting units 30 extend linearly so that the other ends of the light emitting portions 32b are fixed to predetermined positions in the holding tools 36 to be made adjacent to one ends of the light emitting portions 32b of the lighting units 30 adjacently arranged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lighting structure used for lighting in a vehicle interior.

Background Art

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 describes a lighting device for an automobile. The lighting device described in Patent Document 1 includes a long emission part for emitting light, a light source for supplying light, and light emission control means for performing control to emit light so as to flow linearly or strip-like in the longitudinal direction of the emission part from the emission part upon receiving a start signal from the automobile. The light emission part is composed of a plurality of long light guides arranged such that end faces in the longitudinal direction are close to each other via a light shielding part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For a linear lighting having a long light emission part like the vehicle lighting device described in Patent Document 1 above, for example, when providing linear lighting at a plurality of locations in a vehicle, it is necessary to design according to each location. Further, linear lighting needs to be designed according to the vehicle and vehicle type, and there is a risk that manufacturing costs increase, such as preparing manufacturing equipment and the like accordingly.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, the present invention has been made, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle lighting structure capable of relatively easily providing linear lighting for various vehicles and installation locations without increasing manufacturing equipment and the like.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the vehicle lighting structure disclosed herein is: A vehicle lighting structure used for lighting inside a vehicle, Each unit comprises a plurality of lighting units, each having the same shape, and includes a long, rectangular light guide that guides light from a light source and a holder that holds the light guide. The light guide has a linear light-emitting portion that emits light toward the interior of the vehicle, and a light-guiding portion that extends from one end of the light-emitting portion in a direction intersecting the direction in which the light-emitting portion extends, and from its tip, light from the light source is incident. Each of the multiple lighting units is fixed in a predetermined position by the holder, and the light-emitting parts of the multiple lighting units are arranged in a line such that the other end of the light-emitting part of each lighting unit is adjacent to one end of the light-emitting part of an adjacent lighting unit.

[0007] The vehicle lighting structure disclosed in this application can achieve linear lighting by arranging and fixing multiple lighting units of the same shape. In other words, the vehicle lighting structure disclosed in this application can easily provide linear lighting for various vehicles and locations by changing the number and orientation of the multiple lighting units arranged. More specifically, since only the structure for fixing the multiple lighting units and the structure for arranging the light sources need to be designed for various vehicles and locations, the installation of linear lighting on vehicles can be realized relatively easily. Furthermore, the vehicle lighting structure disclosed in this application can achieve flowing lighting by utilizing multiple light guides and controlling them to light up sequentially.

[0008] In the vehicle lighting structure disclosed herein, the configuration for providing a "light source" may be one in which it is attached to a holder as a component of each lighting unit, or it may be a configuration in which one or fewer substrates on which multiple light sources are mounted are prepared and arranged for the light guides of two or more lighting units.

[0009] Furthermore, in the vehicle lighting structure disclosed herein, the "predetermined position" for fixing the holders of multiple lighting units can be, for example, a mounting portion provided on the interior material for the vehicle that forms the design surface of the vehicle, or a mounting portion provided on the holders to connect the holders to each other.

[0010] In the above configuration, each of the plurality of lighting units may be configured to include a light source that directs light into the light guide, and the holder may also hold the light source.

[0011] In this vehicle lighting configuration, the light source is included in the lighting unit, eliminating the need to design a structure for arranging the light source. In other words, with this vehicle lighting configuration, only the structure for fixing multiple lighting units needs to be designed for various vehicles and placement locations, making it easier to install linear lighting on vehicles.

[0012] In the above configuration, the light guide may have an extended portion that extends from the other end of the light emitting portion, and the extended portion may extend outwards from the vehicle compartment at the end of the light guide portion relative to the light emitting portion of an adjacent light guide.

[0013] In each lighting unit, the light emitted from the end of the light guide opposite to the incident end (one end) of the light source tends to be stronger (brighter) than the light emitted from the light emission part. However, with this configuration of vehicle lighting device, the other end of the light guide is recessed behind the adjacent light guide, thus suppressing the light emitted into the vehicle compartment and preventing localized brightness in the light emitted into the vehicle compartment. In other words, it is possible to equalize the brightness of the longitudinal light emitted into the vehicle compartment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle lighting structure that allows for the easy installation of linear lighting on various vehicles and locations without increasing the amount of manufacturing equipment, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Front view of a vehicle door trim provided with a vehicle lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] View showing the vehicle lighting device according to the embodiment from the viewpoint outside the vehicle compartment [Figure 3] Perspective view of the lighting unit shown in FIG. 2 [Figure 4] View showing the vehicle lighting device according to the embodiment from the viewpoint inside the vehicle compartment [Figure 5] View showing the extended state of the light guides of a plurality of lighting units from the viewpoint from below [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the light-emitting portion and the light-transmitting portion of the light guide (cross-section A-A in FIG. 2) [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the light-emitting portion of the light guide and the extended portion of the adjacent light guide (cross-section B-B in FIG. 2)

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] A vehicle lighting device 10 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "lighting device 10") according to an embodiment in which the vehicle lighting structure of the present invention is adopted will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. As shown in FIG. 1, this lighting device 10 is provided on a door trim 12 of a side door of a vehicle, and is a line lighting that emits light in a line shape extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. In a part of the drawings, directions are indicated using the signs Fr, Rr, IN, OUT, U, D, which represent the front side, rear side, inside of the vehicle compartment (passenger compartment) in the vehicle width direction, outside the vehicle compartment, upper side, and lower side of the vehicle, respectively.

[0017] The door trim 12 is attached to the interior side of the metal door panel by clips or the like, and an armrest 13, a door pocket 14, a speaker 15, an inside handle 16, etc. are provided. The door trim 12 is generally mainly composed of a trim board 18 in a plate shape. The trim board 18 is constituted by a plurality of board members being assembled to each other. Specifically, the trim board 18 includes an upper board 20, an armrest board 21, a lower board 22, a pocket board 23, etc.

[0018] The upper board 20 constitutes the upper part of the trim board 18, and its lower end is connected to the lower board 22 at the front part and to the armrest board 21 at the rear part. The armrest board 21 bulges toward the interior of the vehicle, and its upper surface is the armrest 13 extending in a substantially horizontal direction. Incidentally, on the armrest board 21, the outside of the vehicle of the armrest 13 is formed to be recessed downward from the upper surface of the armrest 13, and a door grip or the like is provided.

[0019] And at the lower end of the upper board 20, in other words, at the boundary part of the upper board 20 with the armrest board 21, the lighting device 10 of the present embodiment is arranged. More specifically, an ornament member 26 is attached to the lower end of the upper board 20, and the lighting device 10 of the present embodiment is arranged on the outside of the vehicle of the ornament member 26 and emits light into the vehicle interior from a light-transmitting part 26a formed in the ornament member 26. Incidentally, the light-transmitting part 26a is in a linear shape extending generally in the front-rear direction. As will be described later, the lighting device 10 of the present embodiment can light up the entire light-transmitting part 26a to produce the door trim 12 with linear light, or perform an effect such that light flows along the light-transmitting part 26a.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the lighting device 10 of this embodiment comprises a plurality of lighting units 30. Each lighting unit 30 has a similar configuration, and the lighting device 10 of this embodiment can combine the light from these plurality of lighting units 30 to create a linear light. Note that only a portion is shown in Figure 2, and in reality, the lighting device 10 of this embodiment comprises more lighting units 30 than those shown.

[0021] Each lighting unit 30, as shown in Figure 3, is composed of a light guide 32, a light source 34 that directs light into the light guide 32, and a holder 36 that holds the light guide 32 and the light source 34. The light guide 32 is an optical fiber bundle formed by bundling together a plurality of optical fibers. In other words, the light guide 32 is flexible and its extension direction can be changed relatively freely. The light source 34 consists of an LED element 40, a substrate 42 on which the LED element 40 is mounted, and a housing member 44 that houses the substrate 42 on which the LED element 40 is mounted. The housing member 44 is generally box-shaped and has an LED housing section 46 that houses the substrate 42, and a cylindrical light guide insertion section 48 that holds one end of the light guide 32 in an inserted state. The housing member 44 is designed to hold the light guide 32 with one end face facing the LED element 40, and light is to be incident on the light guide 32 from one end.

[0022] The holder 36 has a light guide holder 50 for holding the light guide 32 and a light source holder 52 for holding the light source 34. Both the light guide holder 50 and the light source holder 52 are shaped to open in one direction, allowing the light guide 32 and light source 34 to be inserted from that direction. The light guide holder 50 is curved in two places, and by inserting the light guide 32, it can hold the light guide 32 in a curved state that conforms to its shape. The light guide holder 50 is broadly composed of a base end 50a, which is the part from the end on the light source holder 52 side to the curved part, an intermediate part 50b, which is between the two curved parts, and a tip end 50c, which holds the tip of the light guide 32, and each of these parts has a different shape. Furthermore, the base portion 50a and a portion of the tip portion 50c are shaped like a U in cross-section, allowing the light guide 32 to be securely fitted and held firmly in place.

[0023] Furthermore, the holder 36 includes a plate-shaped bracket 54 formed to protrude from the light guide holder 50, more specifically from the base end 50a and the intermediate end 50b. This bracket 54 is a mounting part for attaching the lighting unit 30 to the ornament member 26. Specifically, the ornament member 26 is provided with the same number of mounting parts 56 as the number of lighting units 30. As shown in Figure 2, each mounting part 56 consists of a pair of fitting claws 56a and 56b and a positioning projection 56c. On the other hand, the bracket 54 has a pair of fitting holes 54a and 54b for engaging and fitting the pair of fitting claws 56a and 56b, and a through hole 54c for inserting the positioning projection 56c.

[0024] In other words, each lighting unit 30 is attached to the mounting portion 56 of the ornament member 26, thereby determining its position and angle relative to the ornament member 26. Furthermore, the positional relationship and angle relative to adjacent lighting units 30 are also determined. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the lighting device 10 of this embodiment can be installed sequentially starting from the lighting units 30 on the rear side of the vehicle, and the lighting units 30 are assembled in a state where they partially overlap each other.

[0025] Next, the arrangement of the multiple lighting units 30 will be described in detail below. As can be seen from Figure 4, which shows the view from inside the vehicle interior, and Figure 6, which shows the view from below, the portion 32a of the light guide 32 of each lighting unit 30 located at the intermediate portion 50b of the light guide holding portion 50 of the holder 36 is generally arranged in a straight line. Furthermore, when each lighting unit 30 is attached to the mounting portion 56, the intermediate portion 32a of the light guide 32 is located on the outside of the vehicle interior of the light-transmitting portion 26a of the ornament member 26. The intermediate portion 50b of the light guide holding portion 50 is generally L-shaped and angled to widen towards the light-transmitting portion 26a, so that the light emitted from the intermediate portion 32a of the light guide 32 is directed towards the light-transmitting portion 26a. In other words, the intermediate portion 32a of the light guide 32 becomes a linear light-emitting portion (hereinafter referred to as the "light-emitting portion 32a") that emits light toward the interior of the vehicle. With this configuration, each of the multiple lighting units 30 is attached to the ornament member 26 such that the light-emitting portion 32a of the light guide 32 is parallel to the light-transmitting portion 26a.

[0026] Furthermore, the portion 32b of the light guide 32 located at the base end 50a of the light guide holder 50, which is one end (front end) of the light emitting portion 32a, functions as a light guide (hereinafter referred to as "light guide portion 32b") that guides the light from the light source 34 incident from one end of the light guide 32. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, this light guide portion 32b extends in a direction intersecting the light emitting portion 32a (outside the vehicle interior and upward) so as not to interfere with the installation of adjacent lighting units 30.

[0027] On the other hand, of the light guide 32, the portion on the other end (rear end) side of the light emitting portion 32a, which is located at the tip 50c of the light guide holder 50, that is, the extended portion 32c that extends from the other end (rear end) of the light emitting portion 32a, extends outward from the vehicle interior and overlaps in the vehicle width direction with respect to the light guide 32 of the adjacent lighting unit 30 to the rear, or more specifically, with respect to the light emitting portion 32a of the light guide 32. In other words, the extended portion 32c is located on the outside of the vehicle interior of the holder 36 of the adjacent lighting unit 30. Also, as shown in Figure 5, the extended portion 32c extends in a direction that gradually moves away from the light-transmitting portion 26a, and the tip of the extended portion 32c (the tip of the light guide 32) is facing outward from the vehicle interior.

[0028] With the configuration described above, the lighting device 10 of this embodiment realizes linear lighting using multiple lighting units 30. In conventional lighting devices, for example, the tip of the light guide may be positioned close to the end of an adjacent light-emitting part via a light-shielding part. However, with such a configuration, the shadow cast by the light-shielding part may be visible, or bright spots may be created by light reflected from the light-shielding part, potentially degrading the appearance of the linear lighting. Furthermore, light emitted from the end face of the light guide 32 opposite to the light source 34 tends to be stronger (brighter) than light emitted from the side of the light-emitting part 32a. In contrast, in the lighting device 10 of this embodiment, since the tip of the light guide 32 is recessed into the back side (outside the vehicle interior) of the adjacent light guide 32, it is possible to suppress situations where the light emitted into the vehicle interior becomes locally brighter or darker, or in other words, to equalize the brightness of the longitudinal light emitted into the vehicle interior.

[0029] Furthermore, the lighting device 10 of this embodiment is controlled by a control unit 70 (see Figure 2) mounted on the vehicle. The control unit 70 is capable of independently controlling the light sources 34 of the multiple lighting units 30. As a result, the control unit 70 has a constant lighting control unit 72 that keeps all the light sources 34 of the multiple lighting units 30 lit, enabling linear line lighting. The control unit 70 also has a sequential lighting control unit 74 that sequentially lights up the light sources 34 of the multiple lighting units 30, enabling lighting that, for example, flows from the front to the rear of the vehicle. This control by the sequential lighting control unit 74 can be used, for example, while driving or in conjunction with the turn signals when the vehicle turns left or right. The control unit 70 can also be configured to flash at least some of the multiple lighting units 30 when the driver is feeling drowsy.

[0030] Furthermore, the lighting device 10 of this embodiment uses multiple lighting units 30, each consisting of a light guide 32, a light source 34, and a holder 36. By simply attaching each lighting unit 30 to an ornament member 26, which is an interior material for a vehicle, linear lighting can be realized. In other words, with the lighting device 10 of this embodiment, the direction in which the lighting extends can be changed simply by changing the position of the mounting portion 56. More specifically, for example, even when linear lighting is to be provided in other parts of the door trim 12, or when linear lighting is to be provided in other interior materials for a vehicle, the above-mentioned lighting unit 30 can be used as is, and linear lighting can be provided simply by designing the position of the mounting portion 56, making the installation of linear lighting relatively easy.

[0031] <Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. For example, the following embodiments are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0032] (1) In the above embodiment, the lighting device 10 was configured such that the light-emitting sections 32a were generally arranged in a straight line, resulting in linear illumination, but it is not limited to this. It can also be a curved line or a linear illumination composed of both curved and straight sections.

[0033] (2) In the lighting device 10 of the above embodiment, each of the lighting units 30 was configured to be attached to an ornament member 26 which is an interior material for a vehicle. However, for example, a structure that connects the lighting units 30 to each other, specifically, a structure in which the holder constituting the lighting unit has a connecting part and a connected part so that it can be connected to each other. That's fine.

[0034] (3) In the above embodiment, the light guide was a bundle of optical fibers formed by bundling optical fibers together, but it is not limited to that. For example, it may be molded from a light-transmitting resin material.

[0035] (4) The lighting device 10 in the above embodiment was used in the door trim 12 of a vehicle, but is not limited thereto. It can also be used in other vehicle interior materials, such as ceiling materials, center consoles, instrument panels, and various trims that form the sides of the interior of the vehicle. Furthermore, although the lighting device 10 in the above embodiment was intended to be provided in a vehicle (automobile), it is not limited thereto, and the lighting device of the present invention can be applied to various vehicles. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 10...Vehicle lighting device [Lighting device for vehicles], 30...Lighting unit, 32...Light guide, 32a...Light emitter, 32b...Light guide, 32c...Extended part, 34...Light source, 36...Holder, 70...Control unit

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting structure used for lighting inside a vehicle, Each unit comprises a plurality of lighting units, each having the same shape, and includes a long, rectangular light guide that guides light from a light source and a holder that holds the light guide. The light guide has a linear light-emitting portion that emits light toward the interior of the vehicle, and a light-guiding portion that extends from one end of the light-emitting portion in a direction intersecting the direction in which the light-emitting portion extends, and from its tip, light from the light source is incident. A vehicle lighting structure in which each of the multiple lighting units is fixed in a predetermined position by the holder, such that the light-emitting parts of the multiple lighting units are arranged in a line such that the other end of the light-emitting part of each lighting unit is adjacent to one end of the light-emitting part of an adjacent lighting unit.

2. Each of the plurality of lighting units is configured to include a light source that directs light into the light guide, The vehicle lighting structure according to claim 1, wherein the holder also holds the light source.

3. The light guide has an extension portion that extends from the other end of the light emitting portion, The vehicle lighting structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the extended portion extends outward from the end on the light guide side of the adjacent light guide body toward the outside of the vehicle compartment.

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