Vehicle exterior parts

Abstract

To provide a small-sized exterior component for a vehicle capable of emitting light from a decorative part of a cover at low cost while suppressing deterioration in permeability of electromagnetic waves.SOLUTION: A light emitting emblem 12 as an exterior part for a vehicle comprises a cover 13 and a housing 14 located forward in a transmission direction of millimeter waves from a radar device 11 mounted on the vehicle. The housing 14 covers a surface of the cover 13 on the radar device 11 side. The light emitting emblem 12 causes a decorative part 15 of the cover 13 to emit light when light from a light emitting unit 24 arranged inside the housing 14 is radiated to the decorative part 15. Inside the hosing 14, a flat board 25 on which the light emitting unit 24 is provided is arranged. The board 25 extends annularly so as to surround a transmission range of the millimeter waves from the radar device 11. Inside the housing 14, a lens 26 is arranged to reflect the light from the light emitting unit 24 so that the light is directed toward the decorative part 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an exterior component for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with a radar device that transmits and receives electromagnetic waves such as millimeter waves for detecting objects outside the vehicle. The radar device transmits the electromagnetic waves toward the outside of the vehicle and receives the electromagnetic waves (reflected waves) reflected by an object outside the vehicle. The radar device detects an object outside the vehicle through the transmission and reception of the electromagnetic waves. In front of the transmission direction of the electromagnetic waves of the radar device in the vehicle, it is conceivable to attach an exterior component for a vehicle, such as an emblem, in order to make the radar device difficult to be seen from outside the vehicle.

[0003] The exterior component for a vehicle includes a cover and a housing located in front of the transmission direction of the electromagnetic waves in the radar device. The cover and the housing are formed of a material capable of transmitting the electromagnetic waves. The housing covers the surface of the cover on the side of the radar device. The cover includes a decorative part for giving the exterior component for a vehicle a design property. As such an exterior component for a vehicle, a light-emitting emblem is known in which light is irradiated onto the decorative part of the cover to make the decorative part glow brightly in order to enhance the design property of the decorative part.

[0004] In Example 1 of Patent Document 1, a plate-shaped light guide is arranged on the rear side of the cover, that is, on the side of the radar device, in an exterior component for a vehicle (light-emitting emblem), and a substrate having a light-emitting part for irradiating light toward the light guide is arranged at the outer edge of the light guide. In this case, the light incident on the light guide from the light-emitting part diffuses in the light guide, so that the entire light guide glows brightly. As a result, the decorative part of the cover receives the light from the light guide and glows uniformly.

[0005] Furthermore, Embodiment 2 of Patent Document 1 describes arranging a substrate having a light-emitting part on the rear side of a cover in a vehicle exterior part (light-emitting emblem), outside the transmission range of electromagnetic waves transmitted from a radar device, and directly irradiating the decorative part of the cover with light from the light-emitting part. The reason for arranging the substrate having the light-emitting part as described above is that such a substrate does not easily transmit electromagnetic waves transmitted from a radar device. In this case, a light guide like the one in Embodiment 1 of Patent Document 1 can be omitted, thus simplifying the configuration of the vehicle exterior part. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-93378 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] As in Example 1 of Patent Document 1, when a light guide is placed behind a vehicle exterior component, electromagnetic waves transmitted from a radar device pass through the light guide. Even if the light guide is made of a material that can allow electromagnetic waves to pass through, the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the radar device are attenuated as they pass through the light guide, which reduces the electromagnetic wave transmittance of the vehicle exterior component.

[0008] Furthermore, as shown in Example 2 of Patent Document 1, omitting the light guide can suppress the reduction in electromagnetic wave transmittance in the vehicle exterior parts. In this case, the light-emitting part must be placed outside the transmission range of the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the radar device, and the light-emitting part must be directed so that the light from the light-emitting part is directed toward the decorative part of the cover. When light is irradiated from the light-emitting part toward the decorative part of the cover, a bias occurs in the direction of the light irradiation from the light-emitting part toward the decorative part, making it difficult to make the decorative part of the cover shine uniformly. In addition, in order to direct the light-emitting part so that the light from the light-emitting part is directed toward the decorative part of the cover, it is conceivable to make the substrate having the light-emitting part flexible and bend the substrate in order to direct the light from the light-emitting part as described above. However, flexible substrates are expensive, so the manufacturing cost of vehicle exterior parts increases. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] Next, we will describe various embodiments of vehicle exterior parts that solve the above problems. (Aspect 1) Vehicle exterior component comprising a cover and housing located in front of the direction of transmission of electromagnetic waves in a radar device mounted on a vehicle, wherein the housing covers the surface of the cover facing the radar device, and the decorative part of the cover is illuminated by light from a light-emitting part located inside the housing, wherein a flat substrate on which the light-emitting part is provided is arranged inside the housing, the substrate is located outside the transmission range of the electromagnetic waves, and a lens that reflects the light from the light-emitting part toward the decorative part is arranged inside the housing.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the flat substrate on which the light-emitting part is provided is positioned inside the housing outside the electromagnetic wave transmission range. Even if the light-emitting part is not directed toward the decorative part of the cover, the light from the light-emitting part is reflected by the lens and directed toward the decorative part of the cover. This causes the decorative part of the cover to emit light. Therefore, in order to illuminate the decorative part with light from the light-emitting part, it is not necessary to use an expensive flexible substrate in order to direct the light-emitting part toward the decorative part. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the vehicle exterior parts can be kept low. In other words, the decorative part of the cover of the vehicle exterior parts can be made to emit light at a low cost. Furthermore, even without placing a light guide between the decorative part of the cover and the radar device, the decorative part of the cover can be illuminated by irradiating it with light from the light-emitting part. In this case, since the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the radar device do not pass through the light guide, the decrease in electromagnetic wave transmittance in the vehicle exterior parts that occurs when the light guide passes through can be suppressed. Moreover, since the light guide does not need to be placed, the size of the vehicle exterior parts can be reduced.

[0011] (Aspect 2) The housing comprises a flange projecting toward the cover at a position corresponding to the outer edge of the cover, and a projection that is bent to project toward the cover at a position closer to the center of the cover than the flange, the substrate and the lens being disposed between the projection and the flange, the lens having a reflective surface that reflects light from the light-emitting part toward the decorative part of the cover, and a refractive surface that refracts the light so as to avoid the corner of the projection near the flange when the light reflected by the reflective surface passes through (Extension 1).

[0012] According to the above configuration, the substrate on which the light-emitting part is provided is positioned between the flange and the protrusion in the housing. Light from the light-emitting part is reflected by the reflective surface of the lens positioned between the flange and the protrusion in the housing so as to be directed toward the decorative part of the cover. The obstruction of this reflected light by the corner of the protrusion in the housing is suppressed by the light passing through the refractive surface of the lens and refracting to avoid the corner of the protrusion. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the reduction in the amount of light from the light-emitting part that reaches the decorative part of the cover.

[0013] (Aspect 3) The exterior part for a vehicle according to (Aspect 1) or (Aspect 2), wherein the decorative portion of the cover has a light-diffusing layer formed thereon that transmits and diffuses incident light.

[0014] According to the above configuration, when light from the light-emitting part is shone onto the decorative part of the cover, the light is incident on the light-diffusing layer in the decorative part. The light-diffusing layer transmits and diffuses the incident light, causing it to appear to glow. As a result, the aesthetic appeal of the decorative part can be further improved. In addition, the light incident on the light-diffusing layer is reflected to some extent by the light-diffusing layer and directed towards the housing. Then, the light is reflected multiple times between the light-diffusing layer and the housing, allowing the decorative part of the cover to emit light uniformly.

[0015] (Aspect 4) The housing comprises a flange projecting toward the cover at a position corresponding to the outer edge of the cover, and a projection that is bent to project toward the cover at a position closer to the center of the cover than the flange, the substrate and the lens being disposed between the projection and the flange, and a white layer is formed on the projection of the housing that faces the cover, which reflects and diffuses the incident light when light reflected by the decorative part of the cover is incident on it (Extension 1).

[0016] According to the above configuration, when light from the light-emitting part shines on the decorative part of the cover, the light is reflected to some extent by the decorative part and reaches the white layer on the protruding part of the housing located near the decorative part. When the light is incident on the white layer, it reflects and diffuses the light. When the light is reflected to some extent by the white layer and heads towards the decorative part of the cover, the light is reflected multiple times between the decorative part and the white layer. This makes it possible to make the decorative part of the cover emit light uniformly.

[0017] (Aspect 5) The decorative portion of the cover has a light-diffusing layer formed thereon that transmits and diffuses incident light (vehicle exterior part according to embodiment 4).

[0018] According to the above configuration, when light from the light-emitting part is shone onto the decorative part of the cover, the light is incident on the light-diffusing layer in the decorative part. The light-diffusing layer transmits and diffuses the incident light, causing it to appear to glow. As a result, the aesthetic appeal of the decorative part can be further improved. In addition, the light incident on the light-diffusing layer is reflected to some extent by the light-diffusing layer and heads towards the protruding part of the housing, reaching the white layer in the protruding part. When the light is incident on the white layer, it reflects and diffuses the light. When the light is reflected to some extent by the white layer and heads towards the light-diffusing layer in the decorative part of the cover, the light is reflected multiple times between the light-diffusing layer and the white layer. This makes it possible to make the decorative part of the cover emit light uniformly.

[0019] (Aspect 6) The cover and housing are a cover and housing that form an emblem, as described in any one of (Aspect 1) to (Aspect 5) of the vehicle exterior parts.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the emblem, which is an exterior part for vehicles, can be made into a small, luminous emblem that can illuminate the decorative part of the cover at low cost while suppressing a decrease in electromagnetic wave transmittance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a front view showing a light-emitting emblem as an exterior part for a vehicle. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the light-emitting emblem and the radar device as viewed from the direction of arrow 2-2 in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the decorative part and its periphery in the cover of the light-emitting emblem in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the portion facing the cover at the protruding part of the housing of the light-emitting emblem in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a graph showing the relationship between the attenuation amount when the millimeter wave transmitted and received by the radar device passes through the protruding part of the housing and the inclination angle of the portion facing the cover at the protruding part. [Figure 6] It is a graph showing the relationship between the attenuation amount when the millimeter wave transmitted and received by the radar device passes through the protruding part of the housing and the cover and the distance between the center of the cover and the center of the protruding part of the housing. [Figure 7] It is a graph showing the relationship between the attenuation amount after the millimeter wave transmitted and received by the radar device passes through the protruding part of the housing and the cover and the angle of the flange in the housing. [Figure 8] It is a graph showing the relationship between the attenuation amount when the millimeter wave transmitted and received by the radar device passes through the protruding part of the housing and the cover and the distance between the transmission range of the millimeter wave in the radar device and the substrate. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the lens and its periphery in the light-emitting emblem in FIG. 2. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view showing a comparative example of the lens provided in the light-emitting emblem. [Figure 11] It is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the white layer of the decorative part in the cover of the light-emitting emblem. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the exterior part for a vehicle.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Below, one embodiment of a vehicle exterior component will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. Figure 1 shows a luminous emblem 12 as an exterior part for a vehicle, and Figure 2 shows the luminous emblem 12 of Figure 1 viewed from the direction of arrow 2-2. The luminous emblem 12 is conceivable to be fitted into an opening formed in the exterior panel of a vehicle such as an automobile. Examples of such exterior panels include panels without ventilation openings such as bumpers, panels with ventilation openings such as grilles, and decorative panels such as garnishes.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle is equipped with a radar device 11. The radar device 11 transmits millimeter waves as electromagnetic waves outwards from the vehicle and receives the millimeter waves reflected off objects outside the vehicle, i.e., reflected waves. The radar device 11 detects objects outside the vehicle through the transmission and reception of such millimeter waves. The transmission range of millimeter waves in the radar device 11 is, for example, the range shown by the dashed line L1 in Figure 2. The luminous emblem 12 is positioned in front of the radar device 11 in the direction of millimeter wave transmission, i.e., to the left in Figure 2. As a result, the radar device 11 is made less visible from outside the vehicle by the luminous emblem 12.

[0024] <Outline of Luminous Emblem 12> The luminescent emblem 12 comprises a cover 13 and a housing 14 located in front of the direction of millimeter wave transmission in the radar device 11. The cover 13 and housing 14 are made of a material that can transmit electromagnetic waves such as millimeter waves. The housing 14 covers the radar device 11 side of the cover 13, i.e., the right side in Figure 2.

[0025] The cover 13 comprises a decorative section 15 and a frame section 16. The decorative section 15 is intended to enhance the design of the luminous emblem 12 and is formed from a base material 17, a light diffusion layer 18, and a decorative layer 19. The base material 17 is formed in the shape of a plate from resin. The base material 17 is capable of transmitting millimeter waves and visible light. The frame section 16, made of resin, is welded to the outer edge of the base material 17. The frame section 16 is for attaching the housing 14 and extends in an annular shape along the outer edge of the base material 17.

[0026] Figure 3 shows an enlarged cross-section of the decorative portion 15 and its surrounding area on the cover 13. A light-diffusing layer 18 is formed on the rear surface of the base material 17 of the decorative portion 15, i.e., the right surface in Figure 3. The light-diffusing layer 18 is capable of transmitting millimeter waves. The light-diffusing layer 18 also transmits and diffuses incident light. A decorative layer 19 capable of transmitting millimeter waves is formed on the front surface of the base material 17, i.e., the left surface in Figure 3. The front surface of the base material 17 and the decorative layer 19 are covered with a transparent layer 27 made of a transparent resin or the like. A hard coat layer 28 for protection is formed on the front surface of this transparent layer 27. The transparent layer 27 and the hard coat layer 28 are capable of transmitting millimeter waves and visible light. Therefore, the decorative portion 15 of the cover 13 becomes visible from outside the vehicle through the transparent layer 27 and the hard coat layer 28.

[0027] The housing 14 shown in Figure 2 is made of a material such as resin that can transmit millimeter waves. The housing 14 is equipped with a flange 21 and a projection 22. The flange 21 protrudes toward the frame 16 of the cover 13 at a position corresponding to the outer edge of the cover 13, i.e., the frame 16 of the cover 13. The flange 21 extends in an annular shape along the outer edge of the cover 13, similar to the frame 16 of the cover 13. When the flange 21 is attached to the frame 16, the housing 14 is positioned to cover the surface of the cover 13 that faces the radar device 11. The projection 22 is located on the housing 14 closer to the center of the cover 13 than the flange 21. The projection 22 is formed by bending the aforementioned part of the housing 14 so that it protrudes toward the cover 13. By forming this projection 22 on the housing 14, the distance between the cover 13 and the housing 14 in the light-emitting emblem 12 can be shortened, thus allowing the size of the light-emitting emblem 12 to be kept small.

[0028] Figure 4 shows an enlarged cross-section of the portion of the housing 14's protrusion 22 facing the cover 13. As can be seen from Figure 4, a white layer 23 is formed on the portion of the protrusion 22 facing the cover 13. This white layer 23 reflects and diffuses incident light. It is preferable that the reflection of light incident on the white layer 23 is total internal reflection. Note that the white layer 23 does not necessarily have to appear white when light is incident on it; it may function only as a diffusion layer that diffuses incident light. The protrusion 22 and the white layer 23 are capable of transmitting millimeter waves.

[0029] The light-emitting emblem 12 shown in Figure 2 illuminates the decorative part 15 of the cover 13 by irradiating it with light. A flat substrate 25 on which light-emitting parts 24 are provided is arranged between the flange 21 and the protrusion 22 inside the housing 14. The light-emitting parts 24 are for irradiating the decorative part 15 of the cover 13 with light, and for example, an LED could be used. The decorative part 15 of the cover 13 is illuminated by irradiating it with light from this light-emitting part 24. The substrate 25 on which the light-emitting parts 24 are provided does not easily transmit millimeter waves, so it extends in an annular shape outside the millimeter wave transmission range of the radar device 11, surrounding that transmission range. The light-emitting parts 24 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the annular substrate 25.

[0030] The flat substrate 25 is positioned between the flange 21 and the protrusion 22 inside the cover 13, extending in an annular shape at that position. As a result, the direction in which the substrate 25 is directed, in other words, the direction of illumination of light from the light-emitting part 24, is approximately the same as the direction of millimeter wave transmission in the radar device 11. Consequently, it becomes difficult to illuminate the decorative part 15 of the cover 13 with light from the light-emitting part 24 on the substrate 25 from between the flange 21 and the protrusion 22. To address this, a lens 26 is positioned between the flange 21 and the protrusion 22 inside the housing 14, forward of the direction of millimeter wave transmission in the radar device 11 compared to the light-emitting part 24. The lens 26 is intended to reflect the light from the light-emitting part 24 so that it is directed towards the decorative part 15.

[0031] <Angles and dimensions of various parts of the luminous emblem 12> The graph in Figure 5 shows the attenuation of millimeter waves transmitted and received by the radar device 11 as they pass through the protrusion 22 of the housing 14. The horizontal axis of this graph represents the angle of the part of the protrusion 22 facing the cover 13, specifically the inclination angle with respect to the plane perpendicular to the dashed line in Figure 2, which is the transmission direction of millimeter waves from the radar device 11. The millimeter wave attenuation shown on the vertical axis of the above graph decreases as the inclination angle increases, as shown by the solid line in Figure 5. The inclination angle of the light-emitting emblem 12 can be set to, for example, 1° or more, and preferably to 3° or more. The upper limit of the inclination angle is determined by design factors such as the size of the light-emitting emblem 12. The inclination angle is set to be smaller than the upper limit.

[0032] The graph in Figure 6 shows the attenuation of millimeter waves transmitted and received by the radar device 11 as they pass through the protrusion 22 of the housing 14 and the cover 13. The horizontal axis of this graph is the distance between the center of the cover 13 and the center of the protrusion 22 of the housing 14. The millimeter wave attenuation shown on the vertical axis of the graph changes with respect to the change in distance, as shown by the solid line in Figure 6. As can be seen from Figure 6, there is a value for the distance that minimizes the millimeter wave attenuation, and the attenuation increases as the distance decreases from this value, and also increases as the distance increases from this value. The distance at which the millimeter wave attenuation is minimized is an integer multiple of half a wavelength in millimeter waves. The distance in the light-emitting emblem 12 is set to a value within a predetermined range that includes the value that minimizes the millimeter wave attenuation.

[0033] The graph in Figure 7 shows the amount of attenuation of millimeter waves transmitted and received by the radar device 11 after they have passed through the protrusion 22 and cover 13 of the housing 14. This attenuation of millimeter waves occurs because the millimeter waves transmitted from the radar device 11 are reflected to some extent when they hit the flange 21. That is, the millimeter waves reflected after hitting the flange 21 approach each other, causing interference between the millimeter waves in front of the direction of transmission of the millimeter waves from the radar device 11 in the light-emitting emblem 12. Due to this interference between millimeter waves, attenuation occurs in the millimeter waves after they have passed through the protrusion 22 and cover 13 of the housing 14.

[0034] The horizontal axis of the graph in Figure 7 represents the angle of the flange 21 in the housing 14, specifically the angle of inclination relative to the dashed line shown in Figure 2. The millimeter wave attenuation shown on the vertical axis of the above graph decreases as the angle of the flange 21 increases, as shown by the solid line in Figure 7. This is because when the angle of the flange 21 is small, the millimeter waves reflected by the flange 21 tend to travel closer to each other, making interference between millimeter waves more likely. On the other hand, when the angle of the flange 21 is large, the tendency of the millimeter waves reflected by the flange 21 to travel closer to each other is suppressed, making interference between millimeter waves less likely.

[0035] The angle of the flange 21 in the luminous emblem 12 can be, for example, 1° or more, and preferably 3° or more. The upper limit of the flange 21 angle is determined by design factors such as the size of the luminous emblem 12. The angle of the flange 21 is made smaller than the above upper limit. Note that in Figure 7, the millimeter wave attenuation does not change when the angle of the flange 21 is 0 to 5° because the attenuation includes the influence of the tilt angle shown in Figure 5 and the distance shown in Figure 6, as well as the distance shown in Figure 8, which will be described later, in the luminous emblem 12. Under conditions where these influences are eliminated, when the angle of the flange 21 is 0 to 5°, the attenuation gradually decreases as the angle increases.

[0036] The graph in Figure 8 also shows the amount of attenuation when millimeter waves transmitted and received by the radar device 11 pass through the protrusion 22 and cover 13 of the housing 14. The horizontal axis of this graph represents the distance between the millimeter wave transmission range of the radar device 11, i.e., the range shown by the dashed line L1 in Figure 2, and the substrate 25 which is arranged to surround that range. The millimeter wave attenuation shown on the vertical axis of the above graph decreases as the distance decreases, as shown by the solid line in Figure 8. The distance to the light-emitting emblem 12 is set to be greater than the value at which the millimeter wave attenuation shown by the solid line in Figure 8 reaches a predetermined level.

[0037] <Lens 26> As shown in Figure 9, the lens 26 is positioned in front of the light-emitting unit 24 in the direction of millimeter wave transmission in the radar device 11, i.e., to the left in Figure 9. Light from the light-emitting unit 24 is directed forward in the direction of millimeter wave transmission in the radar device 11, i.e., toward the cover 13. The lens 26 has a reflective surface 29 and a refractive surface 30. The reflective surface 29 is for reflecting the light from the light-emitting unit 24 toward the decorative part 15 of the cover 13. The refractive surface 30 is for refracting the light reflected by the reflective surface 29 so that it avoids the corner of the protruding part 22 near the flange 21. The dashed arrows in Figure 9 indicate the path of the light from the light-emitting unit 24.

[0038] Figure 10 shows the path of light from the light-emitting part 24 with dashed arrows when the lens 26 does not have a refractive surface 30 as shown in Figure 9. If a protrusion 22 is formed on the housing 14 to reduce the size of the light-emitting emblem 12, the light from the light-emitting part 24 is reflected by the reflective surface 29 of the lens 26 and then blocked by the corner of the protrusion 22 near the flange 21. As a result, less light reaches the decorative part 15 of the cover 13. However, if a refractive surface 30 as shown in Figure 9 is formed on the lens 26, the light reflected by the reflective surface 29 passes through the refractive surface 30 and is refracted, so it is not blocked by the aforementioned corner of the protrusion 22.

[0039] Next, the effects and benefits of the luminescent emblem 12 in this embodiment will be described. (1) The flat substrate 25 on which the light-emitting part 24 is provided extends in an annular shape inside the housing 14, outside the transmission range of the millimeter waves by the radar device 11, and surrounding the transmission range. Even if the light-emitting part 24 is not directed toward the decorative part 15 of the cover 13, the light from the light-emitting part 24 is reflected by the reflective surface 29 of the lens 26 and illuminates the decorative part 15 of the cover 13. As a result, the decorative part 15 of the cover 13 emits light. Therefore, in order to illuminate the decorative part 15 with the light from the light-emitting part 24, it is not necessary to use an expensive flexible substrate 25 in order to direct the light-emitting part 24 toward the decorative part 15. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the luminous emblem 12 can be kept low. In other words, the decorative part 15 of the cover 13 in the luminous emblem 12 can be made to emit light at low cost.

[0040] (2) Even without arranging a conventional light guide between the decorative part 15 of the cover 13 and the radar device 11, the decorative part 15 can be made to emit light by irradiating the decorative part 15 of the cover 13 with light from the light-emitting part 24. In this case, since the millimeter waves transmitted from the radar device 11 do not pass through the light guide, the decrease in the transmittance of millimeter waves in the light-emitting emblem 12 that occurs when the light guide passes through can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the light guide does not need to be placed, the size of the light-emitting emblem 12 can be reduced.

[0041] (3) The substrate 25 on which the light-emitting part 24 is provided is positioned between the flange 21 and the protrusion 22 inside the housing 14. Light from the light-emitting part 24 is reflected by the reflective surface 29 of the lens 26 positioned between the flange 21 and the protrusion 22 inside the housing 14 so as to be directed toward the decorative part 15 of the cover 13. The obstruction of the reflected light by the corner of the protrusion 22 in the housing 14 is suppressed by the light passing through the refractive surface 30 of the lens 26 and being refracted so as to avoid the corner of the protrusion 22. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the reduction in the amount of light from the light-emitting part 24 that reaches the decorative part 15 of the cover 13.

[0042] (4) When light from the light-emitting part 24 is shone onto the decorative part 15 of the cover 13, the light is incident on the light-diffusing layer 18 of the decorative part 15. The light-diffusing layer 18 becomes visible by passing and diffusing the incident light. As a result, the aesthetic appeal of the decorative part 15 can be further improved.

[0043] (5) Light from the light-emitting part 24 that enters the light-diffusing layer 18 of the decorative part 15 of the cover 13 is reflected to some extent by the light-diffusing layer 18 and heads toward the protruding part 22 of the housing 14, thereby reaching the white layer 23 of the protruding part 22 of the housing 14. Light that enters the white layer 23 is reflected to some extent by the white layer 23 and heads toward the light-diffusing layer 18 of the decorative part 15 of the cover 13. Then, the light is reflected multiple times between the light-diffusing layer 18 and the white layer 23, so that the decorative part 15 of the cover 13 can be made to emit light uniformly.

[0044] The above embodiment can also be modified as follows, for example. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically. As shown in Figure 11, the light-diffusing layer 18 may be formed on the front surface of the substrate 17, i.e., the left surface in Figure 11. In this case, a decorative layer 19 is formed on the front surface of the light-diffusing layer 18, and both the front surface of the light-diffusing layer 18 and the decorative layer 19 are covered by the transparent layer 27.

[0045] The reflection of light incident on the white layer 23 by the white layer 23 does not necessarily have to be total internal reflection. The light-diffusing layer 18 and the white layer 23 may be omitted, or both may be omitted.

[0046] Depending on the shape of the protrusion 22 in the housing 14, the refractive surface 30 of the lens 26 may be omitted. The radar device 11 may transmit and receive electromagnetic waves other than millimeter waves, such as infrared rays or lasers.

[0047] As an example of an exterior part for a vehicle, a light-emitting emblem 12 fitted into an opening in an exterior panel was given. However, as shown in Figure 12, for example, the cover 13 of the light-emitting emblem 12 may be integrated with the exterior panel 31, thereby making the exterior panel 31 an exterior part for a vehicle. Examples of exterior panels 31 in this case, i.e., exterior parts for a vehicle, include panels without ventilation openings such as bumpers, panels with ventilation openings such as grilles, and panels intended for decoration such as garnishes.

[0048] The mounting position for the vehicle's exterior parts may be any of the following locations on the vehicle: the front, the side, or the rear. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 11... Radar equipment 12…Illuminated Emblem 13…cover 14… Housing 15…Decorative parts 16...frame section 17...Base material 18…Light Diffusion Layer 19… Decorative layer 21… Flange 22...Protruding part 23...white layer 24…Light-emitting part 25… Circuit board 26... Lens 27…Transparent layer 28…Hard court layer 29…Reflective surface 30…Refracting surface 31…Exterior panels

Claims

1. A vehicle exterior component comprising a cover and housing located in front of the direction of electromagnetic wave transmission in a radar device mounted on a vehicle, wherein the housing covers the surface of the cover facing the radar device, and light from a light-emitting unit located inside the housing irradiates a decorative part of the cover, causing the decorative part to light up, A flat substrate on which the light-emitting part is provided is arranged inside the housing. The substrate is located outside the transmission range of the electromagnetic waves. The substrate extends in a ring shape so as to surround the electromagnetic wave transmission range, The housing comprises a flange that protrudes toward the cover at a position corresponding to the outer edge of the cover, and a projection that is bent to protrude toward the cover at a position closer to the center of the cover than the flange, Inside the housing, a lens is arranged to reflect the light from the light-emitting part so that the light is directed toward the decorative part. The substrate and the lens are arranged between the protrusion and the flange. The lens is positioned in front of the substrate in the direction of electromagnetic wave transmission. The lens is an exterior part for a vehicle, having a reflective surface that reflects light from the light-emitting part toward the decorative part of the cover, and a refractive surface that refracts the light as it passes through the reflective surface, avoiding the corner of the protruding part near the flange.

2. The exterior part for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the decorative portion of the cover has a light-diffusing layer formed thereon that transmits and diffuses incident light.

3. The housing comprises a flange that protrudes toward the cover at a position corresponding to the outer edge of the cover, and a projection that is bent to protrude toward the cover at a position closer to the center of the cover than the flange, The substrate and the lens are arranged between the protrusion and the flange. The exterior part for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a white layer is formed on the protruding portion of the housing that faces the cover, and when light reflected by the decorative portion of the cover is incident on it, the white layer reflects and diffuses the incident light.

4. The exterior part for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the decorative portion of the cover has a light-diffusing layer formed thereon that transmits and diffuses incident light.

5. The exterior vehicle part according to claim 1, wherein the cover and housing are a cover and housing that form an emblem.

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