Vehicle lighting

Abstract

To improve the rigidity of a lamp body of a vehicular lighting fixture, comprising the lamp body and a front cover, by devising the shape of the lamp body.SOLUTION: There is provided a vehicular lighting fixture that comprises a container-shaped lamp body the front of which is made open, and a front cover which is assembled to a front opening part of the lamp body and defines a lamp room inside, and a cross section of the lamp body viewed along one direction has continuous unevenness. The unevenness is preferably in a petaloid shape which has the opening part in the center and has a projection part or recessed part formed as a petal surrounding it. A complicated curved surface is formed of the unevenness in one region of the lamp body, and the cross-sectional secondary moment of the lamp body is improved to enhance the rigidity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp including a lamp body and a front cover.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, from the perspective of carbon neutrality, there has been a movement towards reducing the weight of the lamp body. To reduce the weight, simply thinning the wall thickness of the lamp body may lead to a decrease in the rigidity of the body, and maintaining the rigidity of the lamp body is an issue. For example, in Patent Document 1, reinforcing ribs are provided on the lamp body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, providing reinforcing ribs to improve the rigidity of the lamp body will cause an increase in the weight of the lamp body due to the reinforcing ribs.

[0005] The present invention has been proposed to solve the above - described problems, and an object thereof is to improve the rigidity of the lamp body by devising the shape of the lamp body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, in one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a vehicle lamp including a container - shaped lamp body having an opening at the front, and a front cover assembled to the front opening of the lamp body and defining a lamp chamber inside. When the lamp body is viewed in a cross - section along a certain direction, the cross - section is formed such that the concavities and convexities are continuous.

[0007] In one embodiment, a portion of the lamp body is configured such that the irregularities form a substantially petaloid shape.

[0008] In one embodiment, an opening is located at the center of the substantially petaloid shape.

[0009] In one embodiment, the substantially petaloid shape is configured to include a first petal which forms the first of the aforementioned irregularities when viewed radially from the center of the substantially petaloid shape, and a second petal which forms the second of the aforementioned irregularities when viewed radially from the center of the substantially petaloid shape. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] As is clear from the above explanation, by modifying the shape of the lamp body, it is possible to provide a vehicle lighting fixture with improved rigidity of the lamp body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic front view of a vehicle light fixture 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic front view of the lamp body 2 of the vehicle lighting fixture 1. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is an end view of the ramp body 2. Figure 3(A) is an end view along line AA in Figure 2. Figure 3(B) is an end view along line BB in Figure 2. Figure 3(C) is an end view along line CC in Figure 2. Figure 3(D) is an end view along line DD in Figure 2. Figure 3(E) is an end view along line EE in Figure 2. Figure 3(F) is an end view along line FF in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the truss structure formed in the lamp body shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a rear view of section H of the lamp body 2. [Figure 6] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of section H of the lamp body 2. [Figure 7] Figure 2 is a plan view of section H of the lamp body 2. [Figure 8] Figure 5 is an end view along the JJ line. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments are illustrative and not limiting to the invention, and not all features or combinations thereof described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. Furthermore, in the following descriptions of embodiments and modifications, the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0013] (Vehicle lighting fixtures) Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a vehicle lamp 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle lamp 1 is a headlight mounted on the left and right corners of the front of a vehicle. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle lamp 1 comprises a container-shaped lamp body 2 having a front opening 2' and a front cover 4 assembled to the front opening 2' of the lamp body 2. The front cover 4 is made of a light-transmitting resin such as polycarbonate or glass, and when the front cover 4 is attached to the front opening 2' of the lamp body 2, a lamp chamber S is defined on the inside.

[0014] The defined lamp chamber S houses a lamp unit Hi for high beams and a lamp unit Lo for low beams. The lamp unit Hi and the lamp unit Lo are optical units configured to project light emitted from a light source forward onto the vehicle to form high beam and low beam light distributions. Each lamp unit (Hi, Lo) may use conventionally known configurations, such as reflective or projector type lamp units, and the type is not limited.

[0015] (Overall shape of the lamp body) The shape of the lamp body 2 will be described in detail. Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the lamp body 2.

[0016] The lamp body 2 is formed by injection molding using a hard synthetic resin material. A seal groove 3 for engaging with the seal legs provided on the periphery of the front cover 4 is provided around the periphery of the front opening 2' of the lamp body 2. On the outer surface of the peripheral portion of the front opening 2' of the lamp body 2, a vehicle body mounting portion 5 for mounting the vehicle lamp 1 to the vehicle body is provided to project in correspondence with the shape of the mounting portion on the vehicle body side. The vehicle body mounting portions 5 are provided at a total of five locations on the outer surface of the lamp body 2, three locations upward and two locations leftward.

[0017] The lamp body 2 has, as constituent surfaces, a rear wall 6, a ceiling surface 7, a bottom surface 8, and left and right side surfaces 9, 9. The rear wall 6 bulges rearward and is continuously connected to the adjacent ceiling surface 7, bottom surface 8, and side surfaces 9, 9 via curved lines. Further, the ceiling surface 7, bottom surface 8, and side surfaces 9, 9 are basically in a convex curved shape that gently bulges toward the outside of the lamp body 2, and are gently curved at their respective edges and continuously connected without bends or steps. For this reason, the lamp body 2 is formed in a rounded container shape as a whole.

[0018] The bottom surface 8 is formed to extend forward from the lower edge of the rear wall 6 and is connected to the seal groove 3 provided at the edge of the front opening 2' of the lamp body 2. The side surfaces 9, 9 are formed to extend from the left and right edges of the rear wall 6 toward the respective sides and slightly forward and are connected to the seal groove 3. The ceiling surface 7 has a small extension amount and extends while gently curving rearward and downward from the edge of the seal groove 3 to connect to the rear wall 6 and is formed substantially integrally with the rear wall 6.

[0019] For this reason, the rear wall 6, ceiling surface 7, bottom surface 8, and side surfaces 9, 9 are mainly composed of curved surfaces with a large radius of curvature rather than flat surfaces, and the lamp body 2 is formed in a container shape with the rear wall 6 as the bottom as a whole. Each of the rear wall 6, ceiling surface 7, bottom surface 8, and side surfaces 9, 9 forms a container surface in which the curved surfaces are smoothly continuous with each other.

[0020] The lamp body 2 has a first unit mounting hole 31, a second unit mounting hole 32, and a third unit mounting hole 33. The first unit mounting hole 31 is for mounting the low beam lamp unit Lo and is located in the upper left of the rear wall 6. The second unit mounting hole 32 is for mounting a back cover (not shown) and is located in the upper right of the rear wall 6. The third unit mounting hole 33 is for mounting a light driver module (not shown) that controls the illumination of the lamp units (Hi, Lo) and is located approximately in the lower center of the rear wall 6.

[0021] Furthermore, the lamp body 2 has mounting holes 41 for the first aiming member, 42 for the second aiming member, and 43 for the third aiming member, formed around the mounting hole 33 for the third unit. A conventionally known aiming member (not shown) is attached to each of the aiming member mounting holes 41, 42, and 43.

[0022] The first aiming member mounting hole 41 is provided on the lower edge of the rear wall 6 so as to be positioned between the first unit mounting hole 31 and the third unit mounting hole 33. The second aiming member mounting hole 42 is provided on the lower right edge of the rear wall 6 so as to be offset in the opposite direction to the first aiming member mounting hole 41 by a distance approximately equal to the distance from the third unit mounting hole 33 to the first aiming member mounting hole 41. The third aiming member mounting hole 43 is provided on the upper right end of the rear wall 6 so as to be positioned approximately vertically above the second aiming member mounting hole 42.

[0023] (Back wall and beam) The rear wall 6 has a first beam 61, a second beam 62, a third beam 63, a fourth beam 64, a fifth beam 65, and a sixth beam 66 that extend from the upper end to the lower end of the rear wall 6, forming a part of the rear wall 6. Here, the part of the rear wall 6 other than the components of beams 61-66 is referred to as the rear wall body 69.

[0024] The first beam 61 extends from the first aiming member mounting hole 41 in the lower left of the back wall 6 and the first unit mounting hole 31 above it, connecting the two points. For this reason, the first beam 61 is formed with a tilt to the left when viewed from the front.

[0025] The second beam 62 extends straight from the first aiming member mounting hole 41 in the lower left of the back wall 6, generally upward when viewed from the front, to the upper end of the back wall 6.

[0026] The third beam 63 extends upward and to the right from the first aiming member mounting hole 41 in the lower left of the back wall 6 to the upper end of the back wall 6. Therefore, when viewed from the front, the third beam 63 is formed with a tilt to the right.

[0027] The fourth beam 64 extends upward and to the upper left from the second aiming member mounting hole 42 in the lower right of the back wall 6 to the upper end of the back wall 6. Therefore, when viewed from the front, the fourth beam 64 is formed with a tilt to the left.

[0028] The fifth beam 65 extends from the second aiming member mounting hole 42 in the lower right of the back wall 6 and the third aiming member mounting hole 43 above it, connecting the two. Therefore, when viewed from the front, the fifth beam 65 extends roughly upward and straight to the upper end of the back wall 6.

[0029] The sixth beam 66 extends from the second aiming member mounting hole 42 in the lower right of the back wall 6 and the second unit mounting hole 32 above it, connecting the two points. For this reason, the sixth beam 66 is formed with an inclination to the right when viewed from the front.

[0030] Figure 3 shows end views of beams 61-66 along the cutting lines shown in Figure 2. Figure 3(A) is an end view along line AA in Figure 2, mainly showing the cross-sectional shape of the first beam 61. Figure 3(B) is an end view along line BB in Figure 2, mainly showing the cross-sectional shape of the second beam 62. Figure 3(C) is an end view along line CC in Figure 2, mainly showing the cross-sectional shape of the third beam 63. Figure 3(D) is an end view along line DD in Figure 2, mainly showing the cross-sectional shape of the fourth beam 64. Figure 3(E) is an end view along line EE in Figure 2, mainly showing the cross-sectional shape of the fifth beam 65. Figure 3(F) is an end view along line FF in Figure 2, mainly showing the cross-sectional shape of the sixth beam 66.

[0031] As shown in Figures 3(A) to 3(F), each beam 61 to 66 has a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to its extension direction, and although their radii of curvature, width, and projection differ, they are all configured to be approximately arc-shaped. The projection direction of the curved surface of each beam 61 to 66 may be formed either towards the lamp room S (forward) or outward from the lamp room S (rear). In this embodiment, each beam 61 to 66 is formed as a beam that curves toward the lamp room S (forward). It is smoothly connected to the rear wall body 69 via a ridge, and the corresponding cross-sectional shape of the lamp body 2 is continuously constructed without bends while maintaining a constant thickness.

[0032] Figure 4 is a front view of the ramp body 2, with beams 61-66 shown in light gray. As shown in Figure 4, beams 61-66 extend from the upper end to the lower end of the back wall 6, and one beam extends diagonally from the end of another beam, forming a truss structure based on triangles. Here, the thick seal grooves 3 are incorporated into the truss structure. As a result, the ramp body 2, including the back wall 6, is a structure that is resistant to deformation under load. Furthermore, since beams 61-66 themselves have a roughly arc-shaped curved cross-section that distributes stress, they have a highly rigid structure that is more resistant to deformation.

[0033] Therefore, the lamp body 2 of this embodiment has a more rigid structure compared to lamp bodies that do not have such a truss structure. The improved rigidity of the lamp body 2 makes it possible to make it thinner than conventional lamp bodies.

[0034] (Petaloid structure) The configuration is not limited to the above, and bending rigidity can be increased by making at least some of the constituent surfaces of the lamp body 2 curved. In addition, by increasing the rigidity of the lamp body 2, it becomes unnecessary to provide reinforcing ribs, and weight reduction can be achieved. As an example, the structure around the third unit mounting hole 33, which is an opening in the lamp body 2, will be described.

[0035] Figures 5 to 7 show section H of the lamp body 2 shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a rear view of section H. Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of section H. Figure 7 is a top view of section H.

[0036] The mounting hole 33 for the third unit is located approximately in the lower center of the rear wall 6 of the lamp body 2 and is formed in a rectangular shape consisting of an upper side 71, a lower side 72, a left side 73, and a right side 74. Each side 71 to 74 is a curved shape that bulges outward in the central part, and the connection parts (corners) between each side 71 to 74 are also formed in an arc shape, so the mounting hole 33 for the third unit has a rounded shape overall.

[0037] A cylindrical fitting portion 80 is provided on the periphery of the third unit mounting hole 33 to fit and stably support a lamp driver module (not shown), extending from the third unit mounting hole 33. The fitting portion 80 is provided projecting rearward from the outer surface of the back wall 6, and the shape of its inner hole is the same as the shape of the third unit mounting hole 33. The lamp driver module is mounted to the third unit mounting hole 33 by inserting the mating portion (not shown) of the lamp driver module into the fitting portion 80.

[0038] As mentioned above, the lamp body 2 is composed primarily of curved surfaces, and even in the area (section H) centered around the third unit mounting hole 33 in the lower central part of the back wall 6 where the third unit mounting hole 33 is provided, it is basically composed of a curved surface with a large radius of curvature that bulges outward. Furthermore, the formation of recesses or protrusions in this area further improves the rigidity of the lamp body 2 in this area.

[0039] In the rear wall 6, a plurality of recesses or protrusions are formed in the area surrounding the mounting hole 33 for the third unit, so as to surround the mounting hole 33 for the third unit.

[0040] Specifically, a knob-shaped first protrusion 91 is formed above the upper edge 71, projecting backward. A second protrusion 92 is formed near the left side of the left edge 73, projecting backward. Similarly, a third protrusion 93 is formed near the right side of the right edge 74, projecting backward. The back wall 6 is formed with a generally uniform thickness, and each of the protrusions 91 to 93 is a hollow, roughly convex hemispherical shape that projects backward.

[0041] The protrusions 91-93 are formed in an annular shape, surrounding the mounting hole 33 for the third unit, with the mounting hole 33 as the center. The area of ​​the lamp body 2 around the mounting hole 33 for the third unit has a roughly petaloid shape, with the protrusions 91-93 acting as petals.

[0042] Figure 8 is a horizontal end view along the JJ line shown in Figure 5. The JJ line passes through the third protrusion 93, the third unit mounting hole 33, and the second protrusion 92.

[0043] As shown in Figure 8, the protrusions 91-93 are composed of curved surfaces, and their boundaries are smoothly connected via ridges, forming a continuous surface with the back wall 6 without any bends.

[0044] The third protrusion 93, the third unit mounting hole 33, and the second protrusion 92 form a wave-like horizontal cross-sectional shape with continuous irregularities in the back wall 6 passing through the third unit mounting hole 33. By providing a section of the lamp body 2 with a cross-sectional shape that has continuous irregularities in at least a portion of it, the second moment of area is improved, resulting in a structure that is resistant to bending stress. This improves the rigidity of the lamp body 2. With this configuration, the area around the third unit mounting hole 33 of the lamp body 2 can have the same level of rigidity as conventional structures even when thinned down, without the need for reinforcing ribs.

[0045] The number of protrusions constituting the petaloid petals is not specified, and the number may be increased from this configuration. Also, although the petal shape of the petaloid was convex in this embodiment, it may also be concave, or a mixture of convex and concave shapes. Since the petaloid structure is provided on the back wall 6, when viewed from the back, the protrusions become concave and the concaves become convex. Therefore, regardless of whether the petal shape is concave or convex, it becomes a curved surface provided on the back wall 6, improving the second moment of area of ​​the back wall 6.

[0046] Since the third unit mounting hole 33 is an opening, i.e., a through hole, it becomes a notch in the lamp body 2 and is less rigid than other parts. The third unit mounting hole 33 is a mounting hole into which a luminaire component is inserted, so higher rigidity is required. For this reason, by forming a petaloid shape with the third unit mounting hole 33 as the center, the rigidity of the area around the opening, which is less rigid in the back wall 6, is increased. In this way, it is preferable to have an opening, and furthermore, a mounting hole for a luminaire component, at the center of the petaloid shape, as this improves the rigidity of the lamp body 2 around the less rigid hole. In this embodiment, the third unit mounting hole is a mounting hole for the lamp driver module, and the third unit mounting hole is a connector hole for the lamp driver module, but it is not limited to this, and mounting holes and fitting holes for parts such as socket bulbs, back covers, and actuators, insertion holes for cables and grounds, working holes for attaching and detaching parts, and windows through which air and moisture pass are also included in the opening.

[0047] The shape of the opening at the center of the petaloid shape is not limited to a roughly rectangular shape; it may also be circular or polygonal.

[0048] The center of the petaloid shape is not limited to the opening; it may be a convex or concave part, or even an area where nothing is formed. The formation of the petal-like protrusions of the petaloid shape increases the second moment of area of ​​the region where the petaloid shape is provided, thereby improving the rigidity of the lamp body 2. Furthermore, the region where the petaloid shape is formed is not limited to the back wall 6; it may also be provided on the bottom surface 8, the top surface 7, or the left and right sides 9,9.

[0049] The convex or concave portions constituting the petaloid shape are preferably evenly distributed in the circumferential direction with respect to the central hole or concave portion of the petaloid shape, and it is even more preferable that they are arranged opposite each other in pairs to provide a good balance for distributing the load.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, a first recess 99 is formed below the lower edge 72 of the third unit mounting hole 33. Part of the first recess 99 is provided with respect to the bottom surface 8, and the recess toward the lower edge 72 extends in the front-to-back direction, also recessing the bottom surface 8, thus forming a groove-like recess that is recessed in the vertical direction and extends in the front-to-back direction. The first recess 99 constitutes one of the petal-shaped petals centered on the third unit mounting hole 33.

[0051] The first recess 99 creates a complex, three-dimensional uneven surface in the area surrounding the mounting hole 33 for the third unit in the back wall 6. Each of the protrusions 91-93 and recess 99 is smoothly continuous, connected without bends and with a roughly constant thickness, and has a wavy cross-sectional shape.

[0052] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 to 8, the back wall 6 in the area surrounding the third unit mounting hole 33 is recessed toward the third unit mounting hole 33, with the third unit mounting hole 33 as the bottom and an annular recess 85 formed around the third unit mounting hole 33 and the fitting portion 80. In other words, the back wall 6 in the area surrounding the third unit mounting hole 33 gently protrudes forward, with the third unit mounting hole 33 formed in the center of the protrusion.

[0053] Relatively on the radially outer side of the annular recess 85, an annular projection 86 is formed that bulges out in a donut shape, surrounding the annular recess 85, and protrudes annularly backward from the third unit mounting hole 33.

[0054] The annular protrusion 86 has the aforementioned first protrusion 91, second protrusion 92, third protrusion 93, and first recess 99 formed on it, which are a protrusion one level higher and a recess one level lower than the annular protrusion 86. Recesses are formed relatively between the spaced-apart protrusions 91 to 93, and an annular uneven surface is formed around the third unit mounting hole 33, with the third unit mounting hole 33 as the center and repeating protrusions and recesses. In this embodiment, the third unit mounting hole 33 is provided at the lower part of the back wall 6, and the first recess 99 is provided in relation to the bottom surface 8, so a part of the annular uneven surface is provided extending to the bottom surface 8.

[0055] These protrusions and recesses create a complex, three-dimensional uneven surface in the area surrounding the mounting hole 33 for the third unit in the back wall 6. Each of the protrusions 91-93 and recesses 99 is smoothly continuous via ridges, connected without bends and with a substantially constant thickness, resulting in a wavy cross-sectional shape. In the area of ​​the back wall 6 centered on the mounting hole 33 for the third unit, the second moment of area increases in both the front-to-back and up-to-down directions, thereby increasing the rigidity of the lamp body 2 in the area centered on the mounting hole 33 for the third unit.

[0056] Although the annular protrusion 86 and annular recess 85 make the uneven shape complex, it is also acceptable to omit the annular protrusion 86 and annular recess 85 and form only the protrusions 91 to 93 around the mounting hole 33 for the third unit.

[0057] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, a fourth protrusion 94 is formed to the left of the second protrusion 92, which is located to the left of the left side 73. The fourth protrusion 94 is formed spaced apart from the second protrusion 92, and a relative recess is formed between the second protrusion 92 and the fourth protrusion 94.

[0058] Similarly, a fifth protrusion 95 is formed to the right of the third protrusion 93, which is located to the right of the right-hand side 74. The fifth protrusion 95 is formed spaced apart from the third protrusion 93, and a relative recess is formed between the third protrusion 93 and the fifth protrusion 95.

[0059] The fourth protrusion 94 and the fifth protrusion 95 have the same configuration as the protrusions 91 to 93 and are hollow convex hemispherical shapes that are formed in a knob-like manner towards the rear.

[0060] The fifth protrusion 95, the third protrusion 93, the second protrusion 92, and the fourth protrusion 94 are formed continuously in the horizontal direction. Each protrusion is formed without steps or bends, and as shown in Figure 8, these protrusions 91, 92, 94, and 95 further configure the horizontal cross-sectional view around the third unit mounting hole 33 to be formed in a continuous wave shape. Thus, when another protrusion or recess (second petal) is formed radially outward from the center of the petaloid shape on a protrusion or recess (first petal) that constitutes a petal-shaped petal, the number of curved surfaces in the region around the third unit mounting hole 33 increases, which is preferable because it further improves the rigidity of the lamp body 2. It is even more preferable when multiple protrusions or recesses are arranged linearly in a radial direction from the third unit mounting hole 33, such as the fifth protrusion 95 and the third protrusion 93, and the second protrusion 92 and the fourth protrusion 94.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to this, and further protrusions or recesses may be formed, for example, between the first protrusion 91 and the second protrusion 92 in the circumferential direction, further radially away from the third unit mounting hole 33 than the first protrusion 91 and the second protrusion 92.

[0062] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and it is possible to combine them based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and such forms are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 1: Vehicle lighting fixtures 2: Lamp body 2´ :Front opening 3: Seal groove 4: Front cover 6: Back wall 33: Hole (opening) for mounting the third unit 91-95: Convex part (petal) 99: Recess (petal) S:Lamp room

Claims

1. It comprises a container-shaped lamp body with an open front, and a front cover assembled to the front opening of the lamp body, defining a lamp chamber inside, When the lamp body is viewed in a cross-section along a certain direction, the cross-section is formed such that the irregularities are continuous. In a portion of the lamp body, the irregularities form a substantially petaloid shape. A vehicle lighting device characterized by the following features.

2. An opening is located at the center of the aforementioned roughly petaloid shape. The vehicle lighting device according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned petaloid shape comprises a first petal which forms the first of the aforementioned bumps when viewed radially from the center of the petaloid shape, and a second petal which forms the second of the aforementioned bumps when viewed radially from the center of the petaloid shape. A vehicle light fixture according to claim 1 or 2.

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