Lamp housings for vehicle lighting fixtures, vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

Provided are a lamp housing for a vehicle lighting tool and a vehicle lighting tool that enable weight reduction without an increase in material cost and without a reduction in product quality due to the reduction in rigidity (strength).　The present invention is a lamp housing (3) that forms a lighting chamber (10) together with a lamp lens (2). The lamp housing (3) comprises a first member (5) and a second member (6). The rigidity of the first member (5) is higher than the rigidity of the second member (6). The first member (5) is used for a portion of the lamp housing (3) where high rigidity is required. As a result, the present invention enables weight reduction without an increase in material cost and without a reduction in product quality due to a reduction in rigidity (strength).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a lamp housing for a vehicle lamp. Further, this invention relates to a vehicle lamp including the lamp housing.

Background Art

[0002] Examples of vehicle lamps including a lamp housing include those shown in Patent Document 1. Hereinafter, the lamp of Patent Document 1 will be described.

[0003] The lamp of Patent Document 1 includes a lamp housing forming a lamp chamber, a front cover (lamp lens), and a back cover, and a lamp unit disposed in the lamp chamber via an optical axis adjustment mechanism.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [[ID=XX]] [[ID=XX]]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In recent years, due to the concept of carbon-free, weight reduction of lamps (vehicle lamps), particularly lamp housings, has been emphasized. As means for weight reduction of the lamp housing, there are means for replacing members of the lamp housing with members of low specific gravity, means for reducing the thickness of the lamp housing, means for simplifying the structure of the lamp housing, and the like.

[0006] However, since the lamp housing of the luminaire described in Patent Document 1 is made from a single material, the following problems arise when the aforementioned weight reduction measures are implemented. Specifically, if the measure of replacing with a low-density material is implemented, the material cost of the lamp housing increases. Also, if the measure of reducing the thickness is implemented, the rigidity (strength) of the lamp housing decreases, resulting in a decline in product quality. Furthermore, if the measure of simplifying the structure is implemented, the rigidity (strength) of the lamp housing decreases, resulting in a decline in product quality. As a result, it is difficult to reduce the weight of the lamp housing of the luminaire described in Patent Document 1 and the luminaire described in Patent Document 1.

[0007] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a lamp housing and vehicle lighting fixture that can be made lighter without increasing material costs, without reducing product quality due to a decrease in rigidity (strength), and without any increase in weight. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The lamp housing for a vehicle light according to this invention is a lamp housing for a vehicle light, and is composed of a first member and a second member, wherein the rigidity of the first member is higher than that of the second member, and the first member is used in the part of the lamp housing that requires high rigidity.

[0009] In the lamp housing of the vehicle lighting device of this invention, the first member and the second member are integrally joined to each other via a joint, and the joint is an interlocking joint, preferably such that the first member and the second member are integrally joined to each other three-dimensionally by surface contact in the width direction, depth direction and height direction.

[0010] In the lamp housing of the vehicle lighting device of this invention, it is preferable that the thickness of the joint portion of the first member and the thickness of the joint portion of the second member are the same or substantially the same, and that the joint portion is provided over the entire surface of the end face in the thickness direction of the joint portion of the first member and the end face in the thickness direction of the joint portion of the second member.

[0011] In the lamp housing of the vehicle lighting device of this invention, it is preferable that the lamp housing is made from a 3D printed body produced by a 3D printer.

[0012] In the lamp housing of the vehicle lighting device of this invention, it is preferable that the part requiring high rigidity is at least one of the vehicle body mounting part, the screw boss part, the optical axis adjustment mechanism mounting part, other mechanism mounting parts, reinforcing parts, or thickened parts.

[0013] The vehicle lighting device of this invention is characterized by comprising a lamp lens forming a lamp chamber and a lamp housing of the vehicle lighting device of this invention, and a light source unit or lamp unit disposed within the lamp chamber. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The lamp housing and vehicle lighting fixture of this invention can be made lighter without increasing material costs or reducing product quality due to a decrease in rigidity (strength). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of the lamp housing and vehicle lighting device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a rear view showing the lamp housing and vehicle lighting fixture of a vehicle lighting fixture. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view (viewpoint of arrow III in Figure 1) showing the lamp housing and vehicle lighting fixture of a vehicle lighting fixture. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a side view (viewed by arrow IV in Figure 1) showing the lamp housing and vehicle lighting fixture of a vehicle lighting fixture. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the first and second members of the lamp housing (an enlarged perspective view of section V in Figure 1). [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the disassembled state of the first and second members of the lamp housing (a partially enlarged perspective view corresponding to FIG. 5). [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged explanatory view showing the joined state of the first and second members of the lamp housing at the joint portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a state where the lamp housing composed of the first and second members is being manufactured (formed) by a 3D printer. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged explanatory view showing the joined state of the first and second members of the lamp housing showing a first modification example of the joint portion (a partially enlarged explanatory view corresponding to FIG. 7). [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a state where the lamp housing composed of the first and second members is being manufactured (formed) by a 3D printer. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged explanatory view showing the joined state of the first and second members of the lamp housing showing a second modification example of the joint portion (a partially enlarged explanatory view corresponding to FIGS. 7 and 9). [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a state where the lamp housing composed of the first and second members is being manufactured (formed) by a 3D printer.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment (example) of a lamp housing for a vehicle lighting device and a vehicle lighting device according to this invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

[0017] In this specification, front, rear, up, down, left, and right refer to the front, rear, up, down, left, and right when the vehicle lighting device according to this invention is installed on a vehicle.

[0018] Since the drawings are schematic views showing the lamp housing of the vehicle lighting device and the vehicle lighting device according to this invention, detailed parts of the lamp housing of the vehicle lighting device and the vehicle lighting device according to this invention are omitted in the drawings.

[0019] (Description of the configuration of the embodiment) The lamp housing and configuration of the vehicle lighting device according to this embodiment will be described below. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes the vehicle lighting device according to this embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as "vehicle lighting device").

[0020] (Description of vehicle lighting fixture 1) In this example, vehicle lighting fixture 1 is a rear combination lamp. Vehicle lighting fixture 1 is installed on both the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the vehicle lighting fixture 1 comprises a lamp lens (or light-transmitting cover) 2, a lamp housing (or lamp body, hereinafter simply referred to as "lamp housing") 3 of the vehicle lighting fixture according to this embodiment, and a light source unit (not shown).

[0022] The lamp lens 2 and the lamp housing 3 are attached to each other. This allows the lamp lens 2 and the lamp housing 3 to form a lamp chamber 10. The lamp lens 2 and the lamp housing 3 can be attached using methods such as laser welding, ultrasonic welding, heat welding, hot melt adhesive, or mechanical attachment using screws.

[0023] (Description of Lamp Lens 2) The lamp lens 2 is a design component of the vehicle lighting fixture 1. The lamp lens 2 is, for example, a transparent outer cover or outer lens. In this example, the lamp lens 2 is made of a light-transmitting resin material such as PC or PMMA.

[0024] The lamp lens 2 has an open rear section and closed front and side sections. The front (and possibly side) of the lamp lens 2 forms part of the design surface at the rear of the vehicle.

[0025] The opening edge of the lamp lens 2 is integrally provided with a convex-shaped sealing portion (seal leg portion, seal foot portion) extending around the entire circumference of the opening edge.

[0026] (Description of Lamp Housing 3) The lamp housing 3 is a non-design component and mounting component of the vehicle lighting fixture 1. The lamp housing 3 is made of, for example, a light-opaque material (such as a resin material).

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the lamp housing 3 has an open front and closed rear and side sections. The lamp housing 3 is integrally provided with four vehicle body mounting sections 32 and a light source unit mounting section (not shown). The light source unit mounting section is provided on the inner surface of the lamp housing 3 (the surface facing the lamp chamber 10).

[0028] A concave sealing portion (seal receiving portion) is integrally provided around the entire circumference of the opening edge of the lamp housing 3. The sealing portion of the lamp lens 2 and the sealing portion of the lamp housing 3 are sealed to each other via a sealing member (not shown). This constitutes the vehicle lighting device 1.

[0029] (Explanation of the vehicle body mounting part 32) Each of the four vehicle body mounting sections 32 is attached to the vehicle body using screws, bolts, nuts, etc. This allows the vehicle light fixture 1 to be attached to the vehicle. Therefore, the four vehicle body mounting sections 32 are the parts of the lamp housing 3 that require high rigidity.

[0030] The four vehicle mounting sections 32 are located at the four corners of the outer surface of the lamp housing 3 (the surface opposite to the surface facing the lamp chamber 10). The vehicle mounting section 32 at the upper left corner and the vehicle mounting section 32 at the upper right corner each protrude upward. The vehicle mounting section 32 at the lower left corner protrudes to the left. The vehicle mounting section 32 at the lower right corner protrudes to the right. Each of the four vehicle mounting sections 32 has an open front and closed rear and side surfaces, following the shape of the opening and closing of the lamp housing 3.

[0031] As described above, the four vehicle body mounting portions 32 protrude in three directions (upward, leftward, and rightward) and have a concave shape from the front to the rear. Molding the lamp housing 3 having these four vehicle body mounting portions 32 using an injection molding machine is difficult due to the complex mold structure.

[0032] (Light source unit description) The light source unit is a light source component of the vehicle lighting fixture 1. Although not shown, the light source unit includes a circuit board and light-emitting elements (not shown) and circuit elements (not shown) mounted on the circuit board. Note that the light source component of the vehicle lighting fixture 1 may be something other than the light source unit in this example, such as a light bulb.

[0033] The substrate is attached to the light source unit mounting section of the lamp housing 3. This places the light source unit inside the lamp chamber 10. The light-emitting element is a self-emissive semiconductor light-emitting element (semiconductor light-emitting element) such as an LED, OEL, or OLED (organic EL).

[0034] When power (current) is supplied to the light-emitting element, it lights up and emits light towards the lamp lens 2. The light emitted towards the lamp lens 2 passes through the lamp lens 2 and is irradiated to the outside in a predetermined lamp light distribution pattern.

[0035] (Description of the first member 5 and the second member 6 of the lamp housing 3) As shown in Figures 1 to 8, the lamp housing 3 is composed of a first member 5 and a second member 6. The second member 6 is made of a light and inexpensive material, such as PP or ABS. On the other hand, the first member 5 is made of a material that is stronger than the second member 6 and is resistant to deformation and heat, such as aluminum, PA, or POM.

[0036] The rigidity of the first member 5 is higher than that of the second member 6. The first member 5 is used in the part of the lamp housing 3 that requires high rigidity, in this example, the part (section, location) corresponding to the vehicle body mounting part 32.

[0037] The second component 6 is used in parts (sections, locations) of the lamp housing 3 other than the part corresponding to the vehicle body mounting portion 32. Here, the proportion of the lamp housing 3 occupied by the vehicle body mounting portion 32 using the first component 5 is extremely small compared to the proportion of the lamp housing 3 occupied by parts other than the vehicle body mounting portion 32 using the second component 6. In other words, the parts other than the vehicle body mounting portion 32 using the second component 6 constitute the majority of the lamp housing 3.

[0038] The first member 5 and the second member 6 are integrally joined to each other. That is, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the end face 50 of the joint portion of the first member 5 (the surface with dashed hatching in Figure 6) and the end face 60 of the joint portion of the second member 6 (the surface with solid hatching in Figure 6) are integrally joined to each other via the joint portion 7 described below. The thickness of the joint portion of the first member 5 (the portion including the end face 50) and the thickness of the joint portion of the second member 6 (the portion including the end face 60) are the same or approximately the same.

[0039] (Explanation of joint 7) As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the joint 7 integrally connects the first member 5 and the second member 6 at the end face 50 of the joint portion of the first member 5 and the end face 60 of the joint portion of the second member 6. The joint 7 is a concave-convex joint, and the first member 5 and the second member 6 are integrally connected in three dimensions by surface contact in the width direction W, depth direction D, and height direction H.

[0040] In Figure 7, the width direction W is shown as a straight line in two dimensions, but in reality, it is the longitudinal direction of the end face 50 of the first member 5 (the surface with dashed hatching in Figure 6) and the end face 60 of the second member 6 (the surface with solid hatching in Figure 6), and thus forms a straight line and a curve in three dimensions.

[0041] The depth direction D is perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the end face 50 of the first member 5 and the end face 60 of the second member 6.

[0042] The height direction H is the thickness direction at the end face 50 of the first member 5 and the end face 60 of the second member 6.

[0043] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the connecting portion 7 in this example consists of a truncated square pyramidal arrowhead portion 70 and a rectangular prism-shaped column portion 71. The first member 5 is integrally provided with a convex truncated square pyramidal arrowhead portion 70 and a rectangular prism-shaped column portion 71. On the other hand, the second member 6 is provided with a concave truncated square pyramidal arrowhead portion 70 and a rectangular prism-shaped column portion 71.

[0044] The connecting portion 7 is provided over the entire surface of the end face 50 of the connecting portion of the first member 5 and the end face 60 of the connecting portion of the second member 6. In other words, the connecting portion 7 is provided continuously in the width direction W along the end face 50 of the first member 5 and the end face 60 of the second member 6.

[0045] (Explanation of how to create lamp housing 3 using a 3D printer) As shown in Figure 8, the lamp housing 3 is made from a 3D printed body produced by a 3D printer.

[0046] The 3D printer scans the first nozzle 81 and the second nozzle 82 as shown by the solid arrows in Figure 8, extruding the first fused resin 83 from the first nozzle 81 and the second fused resin 84 from the second nozzle 82, respectively, to create one layer. Once one layer is completed, a new layer is created on top of it. By stacking multiple layers, the lamp housing 3, which is made up of 3D printed material, is fabricated. In this example, the thickness of one layer is approximately 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm.

[0047] The following describes in more detail the fabrication (shaping) of the lamp housing 3. Specifically, in the layer where there is no joint 7, the first molten resin 83 is extruded from the first nozzle 81 to the end face 50 of the first member 5. Meanwhile, the second molten resin 84 is extruded from the second nozzle 82 to the end face 60 of the second member 6.

[0048] In the layer where only the arrowhead portion 70 of the joint 7 exists, the first molten resin 83 is first extruded from the first nozzle 81 to the end face 50 of the first member 5, then the extrusion is stopped between the end face 50 of the first member 5 and the arrowhead portion 70 to form a void, and then extrusion is resumed at the arrowhead portion 70. Meanwhile, the second molten resin 84 is extruded from the second nozzle 82 to the arrowhead portion 70, then the extrusion is stopped at the arrowhead portion 70 formed by the first molten resin 83, and then extrusion is resumed from the arrowhead portion 70 in the void of the first molten resin 83 to the end face 60 of the second member 6 (i.e., the end face 50 of the first member 5).

[0049] In the layer where only the arrowhead portion 70 of the joint portion 7 exists, the second molten resin 84 is extruded from the second nozzle 82 to the arrowhead portion 70, then the extrusion is stopped at the arrowhead portion 70 to form a void, and then it is extruded again from the arrowhead portion 70 to the end face 60 of the second member 6. On the other hand, the first molten resin 83 is extruded from the first nozzle 81 first to the end face 50 of the first member 5 (i.e., the end face 60 of the second member 6), then the extrusion is stopped between the end face 60 of the second member 6, which is formed by the second molten resin 84, and the arrowhead portion 70, and then it is extruded again at the arrowhead portion 70.

[0050] In the layer where the arrowhead portion 70 and column portion 71 of the joint portion 7 are present, the first heat-melting resin 83 is extruded from the first nozzle 81 beyond the end face 50 of the first member 5 to the column portion 71 and arrowhead portion 70. Meanwhile, the second heat-melting resin 84 is extruded from the second nozzle 82 to the arrowhead portion 70.

[0051] Furthermore, the 3D printer used to manufacture the lamp housing 3 may be one that manufactures the lamp housing 3 using a method other than the one described above.

[0052] (Description of the effects of the embodiment) The lamp housing 3 and vehicle lighting device 1 according to this embodiment have the configuration and operation described above, and their effects will be explained below.

[0053] The lamp housing 3 of the vehicle lighting fixture according to this embodiment is composed of a first member 5 and a second member 6, with the rigidity of the first member 5 being higher than that of the second member 6, and the first member 5 being used in the part of the lamp housing 3 that requires high rigidity, in this example, the vehicle body mounting part 32.

[0054] As a result, the lamp housing 3 of the vehicle lighting fixture according to this embodiment does not need to be replaced entirely with expensive materials. Moreover, the lamp housing 3 of the vehicle lighting fixture according to this embodiment can have a reduced thickness in most or all aspects, and its structure in most or all aspects can be simplified.

[0055] As a result, the lamp housing 3 of the vehicle lighting fixture according to this embodiment can be made lighter and carbon-free without increasing material costs or reducing product quality due to a decrease in rigidity (strength).

[0056] Furthermore, in the lamp housing 3 of the vehicle lighting device according to this embodiment, the proportion of the vehicle body mounting portion 32 using the first member 5 to the lamp housing 3 is small compared to the proportion of the portion other than the vehicle body mounting portion 32 using the second member 6 to the lamp housing 3. In other words, the portion other than the vehicle body mounting portion 32 using the second member 6 occupies the majority of the lamp housing 3. As a result, the lamp housing 3 of the vehicle lighting device according to this embodiment can further improve the aforementioned effects.

[0057] In the lamp housing 3 of the vehicle lighting fixture according to this embodiment, the first member 5 and the second member 6 are integrally connected to each other via a connecting portion 7, the connecting portion 7 being a concave-concave connection, and the first member 5 and the second member 6 are integrally connected to each other three-dimensionally by surface contact in the width direction W, depth direction D, and height direction H.

[0058] As a result, the lamp housing 3 of the vehicle lighting fixture according to this embodiment can securely connect the first member 5 and the second member 6 by the connecting part 7, thereby suppressing the occurrence of displacement or separation between the first member 5 and the second member 6, and a lamp housing 3 similar to that of a lamp housing composed of a single member can be obtained.

[0059] In this embodiment, the lamp housing 3 of the vehicle lighting fixture is integrally connected to the end face 50 of the connecting portion of the first member 5 and the end face 60 of the connecting portion of the second member 6 over their entire surfaces by the connecting portion 7.

[0060] As a result, the lamp housing 3 of the vehicle lighting fixture according to this embodiment can securely connect the first member 5 and the second member 6 over their entire surfaces by the connecting portion 7, thereby suppressing the occurrence of displacement or separation between the first member 5 and the second member 6, and obtaining a lamp housing 3 similar to that of a lamp housing composed of a single member.

[0061] The lamp housing 3 of the vehicle lighting fixture according to this embodiment is made from a 3D printed body produced by a 3D printer. As a result, the lamp housing 3 of the vehicle lighting fixture according to this embodiment can be manufactured (formed) from a first member 5 and a second member 6, which are integrally joined by a joint 7 that cannot be manufactured (formed) by injection molding.

[0062] Moreover, the lamp housing 3 of the vehicle lighting fixture according to this embodiment can be manufactured at a lower cost compared to insert molding.

[0063] In the lamp housing 3 of the vehicle lighting fixture according to this embodiment, the vehicle body mounting portion 32 is made of a first member 5 whose rigidity is higher than that of the second member 6, and therefore has sufficient durability against mounting forces such as screws and bolts and nuts. As a result, the lamp housing 3 of the vehicle lighting fixture according to this embodiment can achieve the above-mentioned effects.

[0064] Since the vehicle lighting device 1 according to this embodiment includes the lamp housing 3 according to this embodiment, it can achieve the same effects as the lamp housing 3 according to this embodiment.

[0065] (Explanation of joint 7A in modified example 1) Figures 9 and 10 show Modification 1 of the joint 7A. The joint 7 of the above embodiment is composed of a truncated square pyramidal arrowhead 70 and a rectangular prism-shaped column 71. The joint 7A of this Modification 1 is composed of a truncated square pyramidal arrowhead 70A and a rectangular prism-shaped column 71A, similar to the joint 7 of the above embodiment. The arrowhead 70 of the joint 7 of the above embodiment has a flared tip, while the arrowhead 70A of the joint 7A of this Modification 1 has a narrowed tip. The joint 7A of this Modification 1 can achieve the same effects as the joint 7 of the above embodiment.

[0066] (Explanation of joint 7B in modified example 2) Figures 11 and 12 show a modified example 2 of the joint 7B. The joint 7 of the above embodiment and the joint 7A of the modified example 1 are composed of a truncated square pyramidal arrowhead portion 70, 70A and a square prism-shaped column portion 71, 71A. The joint 7B of this modified example 2 is composed of a D-shaped arc portion 70B. The joint 7B of this modified example 2 can achieve the same effects as the joint 7 of the above embodiment and the joint 7A of the modified example 1.

[0067] (Explanation of examples other than the embodiment) In the above embodiment, the vehicle lighting device 1 is described as a rear combination lamp. However, in this invention, the vehicle lighting device 1 can also be other than a rear combination lamp, such as a front combination lamp or other lamps.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first member 5 is a part of the lamp housing 3 that requires high rigidity and is used in the vehicle body mounting portion 32. However, in this invention, the first member 5 may be used in any part other than the vehicle body mounting portion 32, for example, the boss portion of the screw, the mounting portion of the optical axis adjustment mechanism (aiming portion), the mounting portion of other mechanisms (camera, lamp unit, etc.), the reinforcing portion (a part that requires more strength than other parts), or the thickened portion (a part that is thicker than the thickness of other parts), or any other part that requires high rigidity.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a light source unit is placed inside the lantern 10. However, in this invention, a lamp unit may be placed inside the lantern 10 instead of a light source unit. The lamp unit is composed of, for example, a lantern member, a light source unit, a heat sink, and a holding member such as a bracket that holds these together.

[0070] However, this invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0071] The present invention relates to a housing (3) for a vehicle light fixture (1) of a vehicle, wherein a first part (first member 5) of the housing (3) is formed from a first material (first thermal molten resin 83) by 3D printing, and a second part (second member 6) of the housing (3) is formed from a second material (second thermal molten resin 84) by 3D printing, the rigidity of the first material is higher than that of the second material, and the first part provides a housing that can be installed in a location where high rigidity is required.

[0072] The first part of the housing is the part for attaching the housing to the vehicle body (vehicle body mounting part 32), and the second part may be the part of the housing other than the first part. The first part may be the part for assembling the first unit into the housing. The first unit may include an optical axis adjustment unit for adjusting the optical axis of a vehicle light fixture. The first part may be the boss portion of the screw located inside the housing. The first part may be a reinforcement formed within the housing.

[0073] (a) The first part comprises a first end surface (end face 50) and a projection protruding from the first end surface. The part has (b) a first part and a protruding part which are integrally formed from a first material, (c) a second part which has a second end surface (end face 60) and a recessed part which is molded to accommodate the protruding part, and (d) the recessed part which may be provided on the second end surface.

[0074] The protruding portion may include an arrowhead shape (arrowhead portion 70), and the recessed portion may be molded to accommodate the arrowhead shape. The protruding portion may include a truncated pyramidal shape (a truncated pyramidal arrowhead portion 70A), and the recessed portion may be molded to accommodate the truncated pyramidal shape.

[0075] The first and second parts may be molded such that the first end surface and the second end surface face each other, and the protruding and recessed portions constitute a locking structure (joint) for the first and second parts.

[0076] 3D printing is performed by a 3D printer, where a first part may be formed from a first material supplied from a first nozzle of the 3D printer, and a second part may be formed from a second material supplied from a second nozzle of the 3D printer.

[0077] The first material may be aluminum, PA (polyamide), or POM (polyoxymethylene), and the second material may be PP (polypropylene) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 1. Vehicle lighting fixtures 10 Light room 2 Lamp lenses 3. Lamp housing (lamp housing for vehicle lighting fixtures) 32 Body mounting section 5. First Member 50 End face 6. Second Member 60 End face 7 Joint 70 Arrowhead 71 Column section 7A joint part 70A Arrowhead 71A Column section 7B Joint part 70B Arc section D Depth direction H thickness direction W (width direction)

Claims

1. A lamp housing for a vehicle light fixture, It is composed of a first member and a second member, The rigidity of the first member is higher than that of the second member. The first member is used in the part of the lamp housing that requires high rigidity. The first member and the second member are integrally joined to each other via a connecting portion. The aforementioned joint is a concave-convex joint in which a convex portion and a concave portion are joined, and the first member and the second member are integrally joined three-dimensionally by surface contact in the width direction, depth direction and height direction. The first member has a first end surface and a protruding portion that functions as a convex portion and protrudes from the first end surface. The aforementioned protruding portion has a constricted portion in the height direction. A lamp housing for a vehicle lighting fixture characterized by the following features.

2. The end face of the joint portion of the first member and the end face of the joint portion of the second member are integrally joined to each other via the joint portion. The connecting portion is provided over the entire surface of the end face of the connecting portion of the first member and the end face of the connecting portion of the second member. A lamp housing for a vehicle lighting device as described in feature 1.

3. The lamp housing is made from a 3D printed body produced by a 3D printer. A lamp housing for a vehicle lighting device as described in feature 1.

4. The part requiring high rigidity is at least one of the following: the vehicle body mounting part, the screw boss part, the optical axis adjustment mechanism mounting part, other mechanism mounting parts, reinforcing parts, or thickened parts. A lamp housing for a vehicle lighting device as described in feature 1.

5. A lamp lens forming a lamp chamber and a lamp housing for a vehicle lamp as described in claim 1, A light source unit or lamp unit located inside the aforementioned lamp chamber, Equipped with, A vehicle lighting device characterized by the following features.

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