Lighting unit

Abstract

To provide a lighting unit which can be easily used for various vehicles.SOLUTION: A lighting unit 1 includes: a substrate 5 to which a first light emitting element 51 is attached; a bus bar 4 which contacts with the substrate 5 while sandwiching the substrate 5 and is connected to a connector 91; a housing 2 which holds the substrate 5 and the bus bar 4 and may be fitted in the connector 91; and a case 3 which is attached to the housing 2 so as to cover the substrate 5 and enables light of the first light emitting element 51 to be emitted to the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting unit.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as for a lighting unit, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a lighting device provided in a vehicle and irradiating light to an energy supply unit such as a power supply unit is known. This lighting device installs a panel having concavo-convex portions formed on the surface adjacent to the energy supply unit, irradiates light to this panel by a lighting unit, and aims to brightly illuminate the energy supply unit with a simple configuration.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described lighting device, it is desirable to be able to install it on various vehicles. In this case, depending on the specifications of the vehicle, it is necessary to vary the color, brightness, etc. of the light, but it is desired to cope without changing the main structural parts.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a lighting unit that can be easily adapted and used for various vehicles.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In other words, the lighting unit according to the present invention comprises a substrate to which a light-emitting element is attached, a busbar that sandwiches the substrate and contacts the substrate and is connected to a vehicle-side connector, a housing that holds the substrate and the busbar and is mateable with the vehicle-side connector, and a case that is attached to the housing so as to cover the substrate and allows light from the light-emitting element to be emitted to the outside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The lighting unit according to the present invention can be easily adapted and used for various vehicles. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lighting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lighting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lighting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the housing and busbar of the lighting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the housing and busbar of the lighting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the housing and busbar at VI-VI in Figure 4. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the circuit board of the lighting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of the mounting of the housing and case in the lighting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of the mounting of the housing and case in the lighting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the installation of the lighting unit according to the first embodiment on a vehicle. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the installation of the lighting unit according to the first embodiment on a vehicle. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the manufacturing method of the lighting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the installation method of the lighting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a modification example of the lighting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a modification example of the lighting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the lighting unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the lighting unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of the installation of the lighting unit according to the second embodiment on a vehicle. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of the installation of the lighting unit according to the second embodiment on a vehicle.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. Also, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be replaced by those skilled in the art and are easy to replace, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] [First Embodiment] This embodiment relates to a lighting unit. In the following description, among the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction that intersect each other, the first direction is referred to as the "connection direction X", the second direction is referred to as the "width direction Y", and the third direction is referred to as the "height direction Z". Here, the connection direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z are orthogonal to each other. The connection direction X corresponds to the connection direction between the housing and the case and the insertion direction of the lighting unit into the vehicle body part. The width direction Y corresponds to the width direction of the lighting unit. The height direction Z corresponds to the height direction of the lighting unit. Also, each direction used in the following description represents the direction in the state where each part is mounted on the vehicle unless otherwise specified. Here, the orthogonality referred to here includes substantially orthogonal.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lighting unit 1 according to the first embodiment is mounted on a vehicle and is used as a unit that irradiates light onto a vehicle part such as a charging port or a number plate (automobile registration number label, vehicle number label). The lighting unit 1 includes a housing 2, a case 3, a bus bar 4, and a substrate 5.

[0012] The housing 2 is a member that holds the bus bar 4 and the substrate 5. For example, it is formed in a block shape, is formed larger in the width direction Y than in the height direction Z, and is formed longer in the connection direction X than in the width direction Y and the height direction Z. The case 3 is attached to one end 2A of the housing 2 in the connection direction X, and the connector 91 is attached to the other end 2B of the housing 2 in the connection direction X. The connector 91 is a vehicle-side connector that supplies power to the lighting unit 1 and inputs a lighting control signal. The connector 91 is fitted and attached to the end 2B of the housing 2 and is electrically connected to the lighting unit 1.

[0013] The housing 2 has a front hood portion 21 on the end 2A side and a rear hood portion 22 on the end 2B side. The front hood portion 21 is a cylindrical or partially cut-out semi-cylindrical portion that extends toward the end 2A side along the connection direction X, and for example, the cross section intersecting the connection direction X is formed to be rectangular or substantially rectangular. The rear hood portion 22 is a cylindrical portion that extends toward the end 2B side along the connection direction X, and for example, the cross section intersecting the connection direction X is formed to be rectangular, substantially rectangular or oval. The front hood portion 21 is the portion that fits with the case 3 when the case 3 is installed. The rear hood portion 22 is the portion that fits with the connector 91 when the connector 91 is connected.

[0014] The substrate 5 is a printed circuit board on which electronic components are mounted. For example, a double-sided substrate having wiring patterns on both the front and back surfaces is used. The substrate 5 is a rectangular or substantially rectangular plate and is installed in a direction intersecting the height direction Z. The substrate 5 is held and mounted, for example, on the front hood portion 21 of the housing 2. The substrate 5 has a first light-emitting element 51 mounted on the front surface 5A and a second light-emitting element 52 mounted on the back surface 5B. The first light-emitting element 51 and the second light-emitting element 52 each emit light based on different control signals, and for example, those that emit light of different colors are used. For example, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are used as the first light-emitting element 51 and the second light-emitting element 52. By providing multiple first light-emitting elements 51 and second light-emitting elements 52 on the substrate 5, the lighting unit 1 can emit not only illumination light but also light indicating vehicle information such as the charge level. Note that in each figure of the substrate 5, the illustration of electronic components other than the first light-emitting element 51 and the second light-emitting element 52 is omitted.

[0015] A light-shielding cover 6 is attached to the substrate 5. The light-shielding cover 6 is a component that blocks a portion of the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 51 and regulates or adjusts the direction of light emission. The light-shielding cover 6 is provided, for example, to surround the front and sides of the first light-emitting element 51. As a result, the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 51 is emitted in the height direction Z. In addition, the light-shielding cover 6 is formed to be higher than the first light-emitting element 51 in the height direction Z and covers the direction in which the case 3 is attached to the first light-emitting element 51. For this reason, the light-shielding cover 6 functions as a protective component that protects the first light-emitting element 51 when the case 3 is attached to the housing 2.

[0016] For example, a white light-shielding cover 6 is used. By making the light-shielding cover 6 white, the light reflectivity of the light-shielding cover 6 is increased. Therefore, compared to cases where the light-shielding cover 6 is black or a color other than white, the amount of light emitted from the lighting unit 1 increases, allowing the vehicle to be illuminated more brightly.

[0017] The busbar 4 is a component for connecting the connector 91 and the circuit board 5. It sandwiches the circuit board 5, makes contact with the circuit board 5, and electrically connects to the connector 91. For example, a conductive metal plate can be used for the busbar 4. Four busbars 4 are provided in the lighting unit 1, arranged in the width direction Y and held in the housing 2. Depending on the number of light-emitting elements mounted on the circuit board 5, three or five or more busbars 4 may be provided.

[0018] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the busbar 4 is inserted into the busbar housing chamber 24 of the housing 2 from one end 2A of the housing 2. Figures 4 and 5 show only the housing 2 and busbar 4 of the lighting unit 1, and show one of the four busbars 4 detached from the housing 2. Figure 5 is a view of the housing 2 from the front side of VV in Figure 4. The busbar housing chamber 24 is formed inside the front hood portion 21, penetrates the housing 2 along the connection direction X, and communicates with the space inside the rear hood portion 22. The busbar housing chamber 24 is formed so that the busbar 4 fits in the width direction Y and the height direction Z, and houses and holds the busbar 4 so that it does not move in the width direction Y and the height direction Z. For example, a part of the busbar housing chamber 24 is formed with the same dimensions as the width and height of the busbar 4. Here, "same dimensions" includes approximately the same dimensions. The busbar housing chamber 24 houses the busbars 4 so that the plate-shaped busbars 4 are oriented so as to intersect with the width direction Y.

[0019] In Figure 4, the busbar 4 has a main body 40, a first contact piece 41, a second contact piece 42, a locking piece 43, and a connecting part 44. The main body 40 is a plate-shaped portion extending in the height direction Z, and connects the first contact piece 41, the second contact piece 42, the locking piece 43, and the connecting part 44. The first contact piece 41, the second contact piece 42, and the locking piece 43 extend from the main body 40 toward the tip. That is, when the busbar 4 is held in the housing 2, the first contact piece 41, the second contact piece 42, and the locking piece 43 extend toward one end 2A of the housing 2. Connecting part 44 teeth It extends from the main body portion 40 toward the rear end. That is, the connecting portion 44 extends toward the other end 2B of the housing 2 when the bus bar 4 is held by the housing 2.

[0020] As shown in Figure 6, the first contact piece 41 and the second contact piece 42 are a pair of contact pieces that sandwich the substrate 5 and are electrically connected to the substrate 5. They are rod-shaped and extend along the connection direction X. The first contact piece 41 and the second contact piece 42 are provided adjacent to each other in the height direction Z and are electrically connected to the substrate 5 that is inserted between them. For example, the second contact piece 42 is formed to be thinner in the height direction Z than the first contact piece 41, and when the substrate 5 is inserted between the first contact piece 41 and the second contact piece 42, it bends and elastically deforms in a direction away from the substrate 5. As a result, the second contact piece 42 presses against the substrate 5 and is pressed against the substrate 5 by the restoring force of the elastic deformation.

[0021] The locking piece 43 is the part that locks the busbar 4 to the housing 2, and is rod-shaped, extending along the connection direction X. The locking piece 43 forms a lance portion 431. The lance portion 431 is a claw portion that locks the busbar 4 inserted into the busbar housing chamber 24 and prevents the busbar 4 from coming out. The lance portion 431 is formed, for example, protruding from the surface of the locking piece 43 and is tapered toward the direction in which the busbar 4 is inserted (to the right in Figure 6). The lance portion 431 allows the busbar 4 to enter the busbar housing chamber 24 and restricts its retraction. That is, when the busbar 4 is housed, the lance portion 431 enters into a recess 241 formed in the busbar housing chamber 24, preventing the busbar 4 from coming out of the busbar housing chamber 24. The recess 241 is a depression formed on the inner surface of the busbar housing chamber 24.

[0022] The connecting portion 44 is the part that electrically connects the busbar 4 to the connector 91, and is rod-shaped, extending along the connection direction X. When the busbar 4 is housed in the busbar housing chamber 24, the connecting portion 44 is provided protruding into the internal space of the rear end hood portion 22. Therefore, the connecting portion 44 is electrically connected to the connector 91 when the connector 91 is attached to the end portion 2B of the housing 2.

[0023] The substrate 5 is held in the housing 2, supported, for example, by a guide portion 211 formed on the tip hood portion 21. The guide portion 211 has two support portions 211A, which sandwich and support the substrate 5. For example, the support portions 211A are provided on the inside of the tip hood portion 21 and spaced apart in the height direction Z, flanking the position of the substrate 5. The support portions 211A are provided extending in the connection direction X and guide the substrate 5 along the connection direction X. Two guide portions 211 are provided on the tip hood portion 21, spaced apart in the width direction Y, and support and guide both ends of the substrate 5. When the substrate 5 is inserted into the tip hood portion 21, it is guided by the guide portions 211 and moves along the connection direction X. The substrate 5 then fits between the first contact piece 41 and the second contact piece 42 of the busbar 4 and is electrically connected to the busbar 4.

[0024] As shown in Figure 7, the substrate 5 is provided with a heat dissipation wiring pattern 53 at a position where it contacts the case 3. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the substrate 5 of the lighting unit 1, but for the sake of explanation, it is shown with the front part of the case 3 cut out. The heat dissipation wiring pattern 53 is a copper foil portion of the substrate 5 and is a wiring pattern for dissipating heat emitted from the first light-emitting element 51 or the second light-emitting element 52. The heat dissipation wiring pattern 53 is formed at a position where it contacts the case 3, and is formed, for example, to extend in the connection direction X at both ends of the width direction Y of the substrate 5. In Figure 7, the heat dissipation wiring pattern 53 is formed on the surface 5A of the substrate 5, but it is also formed on the back surface 5B.

[0025] The substrate 5 is supported by a guide portion 34 formed on the case 3. The guide portion 34 has two support portions 341, which sandwich and support the substrate 5 in the height direction Z. The support portions 341 are in contact with the heat dissipation wiring pattern 53 on the substrate 5. As a result, heat from the heat dissipation wiring pattern 53 is easily conducted to the case 3 through the guide portion 34. Fins 35 may be formed on the outer surface of the case 3. The fins 35 are protrusions formed on the outer surface of the case 3, and by increasing the surface area of ​​the case 3, they function as heat dissipation fins and enhance the heat dissipation effect of the case 3.

[0026] In Figures 1 to 3, the case 3 is attached to the housing 2 so as to cover the substrate 5, and is configured to allow light from the first light-emitting element 51 and the second light-emitting element 52 to be emitted to the outside of the illumination unit 1. The case 3 is, for example, a cylindrical body with one end closed and the other end open, and is attached to the tip hood portion 21 of the housing 2. That is, the case 3 is attached to the housing 2 so that the open end 3A covers the outside of the tip hood portion 21. At this time, a packing 7 is provided between the tip hood portion 21 and the case 3. The packing 7 is a water-sealing member that seals the space between the housing 2 and the case 3, and is formed of a ring-shaped elastic member. By being attached so as to cover the substrate 5, the case 3 protects the substrate 5, the first light-emitting element 51, and the second light-emitting element 52.

[0027] Case 3 is made of a light-transmitting material and allows light emitted from the first light-emitting element 51 and the second light-emitting element 52 to be emitted to the outside of the lighting unit 1. For example, Case 3 is made of a transparent or translucent resin and allows light emitted from the first light-emitting element 51 and the second light-emitting element 52 to be emitted to the outside of the lighting unit 1. In this case, by attaching a light-shielding cover 6 to the substrate 5, light is emitted from Case 3 in a desired direction. For example, the installation position and shape of the light-shielding cover 6 are set so that the light-shielding cover 6 does not cover the first light-emitting element 51 and the second light-emitting element 52 in the direction in which light is to be emitted. Note that two or more light-shielding covers 6 may be installed. In Figure 1, the light-shielding cover 6 covers the front and sides of the first light-emitting element 51, and the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 51 is emitted upward from Case 3. As a result, even if Case 3 is made of a light-transmitting material, light can be emitted from Case 3 in a desired direction.

[0028] Case 3 is attached to housing 2 and locked to prevent it from coming off housing 2. For example, case 3 has a locking claw 31 which can engage with a locking arm 23 of housing 2. The locking claw 31 is a claw member that protrudes from the surface of case 3 and engages with a locking arm 23 that extends from housing 2 along the connection direction X. The locking claw 31 and locking arm 23 function as a locking mechanism that locks housing 2 and case 3 together. There are two locking claws 31 and two locking arms 23, for example, spaced apart in the height direction Z and positioned on the upper and lower surfaces. The locking arm 23 has two arm portions 231 that extend in the connection direction X at a position outside the tip hood portion 21 and a locking portion 232 that is installed between the tips of the two arm portions 231.

[0029] Figures 8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams for the mounting of housing 2 and case 3. Figure 8 shows the state in which the locking claw 31 and locking arm 23 are engaged and housing 2 and case 3 are not properly fitted together. Figure 9 shows the state in which the locking claw 31 and locking arm 23 are engaged and housing 2 and case 3 are properly fitted together. As shown in Figure 8, the mounting of housing 2 and case 3 involves bringing case 3 and housing 2 close together, and case 3 making contact with housing 2 so as to cover the substrate 5. Then, the open end 3A of case 3 passes outside the tip hood portion 21, and the locking arm 23 of housing 2 bends outward and rides up on the locking claw 31 of case 3. Then, as shown in Figure 9, when case 3 and housing 2 are brought even closer together, the locking arm 23 goes over the locking claw 31 and locks onto the locking claw 31. In this way, housing 2 and case 3 are mounted in a way that prevents them from easily coming apart due to the engagement of the locking arm 23 and locking claw 31.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1-3, the case 3 is provided with locking portions 33. The locking portions 33 are for locking the lighting unit 1 to the vehicle body 92. Two locking portions 33 are provided, for example, spaced apart in the width direction Y, and formed protruding from the side surface 3C. The locking portions 33 have a lance shape and have an inclined surface 331 and a locking surface 332. The inclined surface 331 is formed obliquely to the side surface 3C, and is formed to make the locking portion 33 tapered towards the tip 3B of the case 3. The locking surface 332 is a surface that extends from the inclined surface 331 toward the side surface 3C and is a surface that intersects with the connection direction X.

[0031] As shown in Figure 10, the lighting unit 1 is installed and used on the vehicle body 92. The vehicle body 92 is, for example, the part that forms the vehicle's charging port 922 and is assembled to the vehicle. The vehicle body 92 has a housing chamber 921 that can accommodate the lighting unit 1. The housing chamber 921 is an installation part for installing the lighting unit 1, and is formed on the rear side of the vehicle body 92, and is sized to allow the lighting unit 1 to be inserted. A locking portion 923 is formed on the inner surface 921A of the housing chamber 921. The locking portion 923 is a part that engages with the locking portion 33 of the lighting unit 1, and is formed, for example, as a recessed hole or recess in the inner surface 921A. The locking portion 923 is formed larger than the locking portion 33, and locks the lighting unit 1 in place so that it does not come loose by inserting the locking portion 33. The locking portion 923 may be formed in the shape of a lock arm that can engage with the locking portion 33.

[0032] As shown in Figure 11, the housing chamber 921 has a first emission window 924 and a second emission window 925. The first emission window 924 and the second emission window 925 are holes that penetrate the vehicle body 92, connecting the inside of the housing chamber 921 with the outside of the vehicle body 92. The first emission window 924 is a part for emitting light L1 emitted by the first light-emitting element 51, and the second emission window 925 is a part for emitting light L2 emitted by the second light-emitting element 52. For example, light L1 is used as illumination light to light up the charging port 922, and light L2 is used as an indicator to show charging information such as the charging state and charge amount.

[0033] Next, a description of the manufacturing method of the lighting unit 1 according to this embodiment will be given.

[0034] In Figure 1, the manufacturing method of the lighting unit 1 involves assembling the busbars 4 to the housing 2. The busbars 4 are assembled by inserting them into the busbar housing chambers 24. For example, as shown in Figure 4, multiple busbars 4 are sequentially inserted into the busbar housing chambers 24.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, when the busbar 4 is inserted into the busbar housing chamber 24, the main body portion 40 comes into contact with the back wall 242 of the busbar housing chamber 24. At this time, the lance portion 431 of the locking piece 43 enters the recess 241, locking the busbar 4 in place so that it does not come out of the busbar housing chamber 24. The connecting portion 44 penetrates the busbar housing chamber 24 and protrudes into the internal space of the rear end hood portion 22. Since a part of the busbar housing chamber 24 is formed to the same dimensions as the busbar 4 in the height direction Z and width direction Y, the busbar 4 can be firmly held so that it does not easily move.

[0036] Then, in Figure 6, the circuit board 5 is assembled into the housing 2. At this time, the circuit board 5 is assembled into the housing 2 with the electronic components, including the first light-emitting element 51 and the second light-emitting element 52, attached. Also, the circuit board 5 is assembled into the housing 2 with, for example, the light-shielding cover 6 attached. At this time, the circuit board 5 and the light-shielding cover 6 are used that match the lighting performance of the vehicle in which the lighting unit 1 is installed. The circuit board 5 is inserted between the support portion 211A of the guide portion 211 of the tip hood portion 21 and inserted into the back of the housing 2. Then, the circuit board 5 is inserted between the first contact piece 41 and the second contact piece 42 of the bus bar 4 and electrically connected to the bus bar 4. The bus bar 4 and the circuit board 5 are securely held in the housing 2 and are stably connected. For this reason, the lighting unit 1 can properly connect the bus bar 4 to the circuit board 5 without soldering. In other words, the lighting unit 1 can electrically connect the circuit board 5 to the bus bar 4 held in the housing 2 by inserting it, and the assembly of the bus bar 4 and the circuit board 5 can be easily performed. Furthermore, this lighting unit 1 can be easily adapted to various vehicles by replacing the circuit board 5 to match the lighting performance required by the vehicle.

[0037] Then, in Figure 3, with the busbar 4 and substrate 5 held in place by the housing 2, the packing 7 is attached to the tip hood portion 21. The packing 7 is fitted onto the outer circumference of the tip hood portion 21. Then, the case 3 is attached to the housing 2. The case 3 is attached to the end portion 2A of the housing 2 so as to cover the substrate 5. At this time, the first light-emitting element 51 on the substrate 5 is covered by the light-shielding cover 6. CoveredTherefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which case 3 accidentally comes into contact with and damages the first light-emitting element 51. For example, if the light-shielding cover 6 is not provided, there is a risk that case 3 may come into contact with the first light-emitting element 51 when case 3 is installed. In contrast, in the lighting unit 1, since the light-shielding cover 6 covers the first light-emitting element 51, even if case 3 is installed in a misaligned position as shown in Figure 12, the light-shielding cover 6 will come into contact with case 3, protecting the first light-emitting element 51. Thus, the lighting unit 1 can be manufactured properly.

[0038] Then, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, when the case 3 is brought into the correct position relative to the housing 2, the locking arm 23 of the housing 2 engages with the locking claw 31 of the case 3, and the case 3 and housing 2 are fitted together and attached. In this way, the attachment of the case 3 to the housing 2 is done by screwing and bolt No fastening or other procedures are required, and the process can be carried out quickly. Once the case 3 is attached to the housing 2, the manufacturing of the lighting unit 1 is complete.

[0039] Next, the installation method and usage method of the lighting unit 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0040] In Figure 10, the lighting unit 1 is installed and used in the vehicle body 92. For example, the lighting unit 1 is inserted into a housing chamber 921 provided in the vehicle body 92. That is, the lighting unit 1 is inserted into the housing chamber 921 with the case 3 leading. Then, the locking portion 33 formed on the case 3 locks into the locking portion 923 of the housing chamber 921. As a result, the lighting unit 1 cannot be removed from the housing chamber 921.

[0041] In contrast, if the case 3 and housing 2 of the lighting unit 1 are only partially fitted together, the lighting unit 1 cannot be inserted into the housing chamber 921. As shown in Figure 13, when the case 3 and housing 2 are only partially fitted together, the locking arm 23 of the housing 2 rides up onto the locking claw 31 of the case 3, causing it to protrude in the height direction Z. As a result, the locking arm 23 gets caught at the entrance of the housing chamber 921, preventing the lighting unit 1 from being inserted into the housing chamber 921. In other words, the lighting unit 1 can be installed in the housing chamber 921 if the locking claw 31 and locking arm 23 are properly engaged, but it cannot be installed in the housing chamber 921 if the locking claw 31 and locking arm 23 are not properly engaged. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the lighting unit 1 being installed in the vehicle body 92 in an improper state when the case 3 and housing 2 are only partially fitted together. In this case, the lighting unit 1 is pulled out of the storage chamber 921, the case 3 and housing 2 are properly fitted together, and then the lighting unit 1 is inserted into the storage chamber 921 and stored.

[0042] Then, as shown in Figure 11, the connector 91 is connected to the lighting unit 1, completing the installation of the lighting unit 1. Note that the connector 91 may be connected before inserting the lighting unit 1 into the housing chamber 921.

[0043] The lighting unit 1 appropriately illuminates the first light-emitting element 51 and the second light-emitting element 52 in response to power supply and control signal input from the connector 91. As a result, the lighting unit 1 can illuminate parts of the vehicle such as the charging port 922 with light L1 and display light L2 which represents charging information.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the lighting unit 1 may also illuminate the vehicle body using light guides 56 and 57. For example, as shown in Figure 14, the light guide 56 is positioned adjacent to the case 3 of the lighting unit 1. The light guide 56 is a rod-shaped member that reflects light incident from its end on its inner surface and emits a band of light L1 to the outside, and is, for example, a straight rod. In this case, for example, a light-shielding cover 6 can be formed and installed so that light emitted from the first light-emitting element 51 provided on the substrate 5 enters the light guide 56. The light emitted from the first light-emitting element 51 exits the case 3 and enters the light guide 56. As a result, a band of light L1 is emitted from the light guide 56 and used as illumination light.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 15, for example, two light guides 57 are arranged adjacent to the case 3 of the lighting unit 1. The light guides 57 are curved rod-shaped members that reflect light incident from their ends on their inner surface and emit arc-shaped light L1 to the outside. In this case, for example, a first light-emitting element 51 is provided on the surface 5A of the substrate 5, and a second light-emitting element 52 is provided on the back surface 5B of the substrate 5, and the substrate 5 and light-shielding cover 6 are provided so that light can be incident on the light guides 57 adjacent to the left and right sides of the case 3. As a result, the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 51 and the second light-emitting element 52 is emitted from the case 3 and incident on the light guides 57. As a result, a curved band-shaped light L1 is emitted from the light guides 57 and used as illumination light.

[0046] As described above, the lighting unit 1 according to this embodiment can be used by replacing the circuit board 5 to match the lighting performance required by the vehicle, and can be easily adapted to various vehicles. Furthermore, since the lighting unit 1 according to this embodiment can be connected to the busbar 4 by sandwiching the circuit board 5 with the busbar 4, it can be easily manufactured.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lighting unit 1 can be installed by inserting the busbar 4 into the busbar housing chamber 24 of the housing 2, and the circuit board 5 can be electrically connected by sandwiching it between the busbar 4. Therefore, the lighting unit 1 in this embodiment can be easily assembled with the busbar 4 and the circuit board 5.

[0048] Furthermore, the lighting unit 1 according to this embodiment has a case 3 made of a light-transmitting material and is provided with a light-shielding cover 6 that covers the first light-emitting element 51, so that light can be emitted from the case 3 in a desired direction. For this reason, the lighting unit 1 according to this embodiment can be installed in various vehicles to accommodate the lighting functions required by different vehicles without changing the design of the case 3.

[0049] Furthermore, the lighting unit 1 according to this embodiment is housed in a housing chamber 921 formed in the vehicle body 92, and is installed by locking the locking part 33 to the locking part 923 of the housing chamber 921. For this reason, the lighting unit 1 according to this embodiment can be easily assembled to various vehicles and can be easily used as a lighting device.

[0050] Furthermore, the lighting unit 1 according to this embodiment is provided with an engageable locking claw 31 and a locking arm 23, which prevents the housing 2 and case 3 from being housed in the storage chamber 921 when they are not properly fitted together.

[0051] [Second Embodiment] Next, a lighting unit according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0052] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the lighting unit 1A according to the second embodiment has more light-emitting elements than the lighting unit 1 according to the first embodiment described above. The lighting unit 1A has almost the same structure as the lighting unit 1, and the same housing 2 and busbar 4 as those used in the lighting unit 1 according to the first embodiment can be used.

[0053] The case 3 of the lighting unit 1A is longer in the connection direction X compared to that of the lighting unit 1, and a large number of light-emitting elements 54 are arranged along the connection direction X on the substrate 5 of the lighting unit 1A. Specifically, the substrate 5 has multiple light-emitting elements 54 for indicators on the front mounting surface and light-emitting elements 55 for illumination on the back mounting surface. The light-emitting elements 55 for illumination are positioned near the center of the arrangement range of the multiple light-emitting elements 54 for indicators in the connection direction X.

[0054] A light-shielding cover 61 is attached to the substrate 5. The light-shielding cover 61 is a component that shields a portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting elements 54 and restricts or adjusts the direction of light emission. The light-shielding cover 61 also functions as a protective component that protects the light-emitting elements 54 when the case 3 is attached to the housing 2. The light-shielding cover 61 is formed to surround each light-emitting element 54. For example, the light-shielding cover 61 is a block body that extends in the connection direction X and forms a housing section 611 that individually accommodates each light-emitting element 54. The housing section 611 penetrates the light-shielding cover 61 in the height direction Z, housing the light-emitting elements 54 while allowing the light emitted from the light-emitting elements 54 to be emitted in the height direction Z. The light-shielding cover 61 is formed to be higher than the light-emitting elements 54 in the height direction Z, protecting the case 3 from contacting the light-emitting elements 54 when the case 3 is attached to the housing 2.

[0055] The light-blocking cover 61 is, for example, made of white material. 61 By making the material white, the light reflectivity of the light-shielding cover 61 is increased. As a result, the amount of light emitted from the lighting unit 1A can be increased compared to cases where the light-shielding cover 61 is black or any other color.

[0056] The case 3 of the lighting unit 1A is provided with a light-shielding section 36. The majority of the case 3 is made of light-transmitting material, but only a portion of it is made of light-shielding material. It will be doneA light-shielding portion 36 is provided. The light-shielding portion 36 is formed of a colored resin, such as black. The light-shielding portion 36 forms a plurality of partition portions 361 that extend in the width direction Y at positions between the light-emitting elements 54. The partition portions 361 are parts that suppress light leakage from adjacent light-emitting elements 54, partitioning them so that light emitted from one light-emitting element 54 does not leak out to the light emission position of the adjacent light-emitting element 54. The light-shielding portion 36 is formed, for example, by resin molding the case 3 using two-color molding with a light-transmitting resin and a light-shielding resin.

[0057] As shown in Figure 18, the lighting unit 1A is installed and used on the vehicle body 92. The vehicle body 92 is, for example, the part that forms the vehicle's charging port 922 and is assembled to the vehicle. The vehicle body 92 is provided with an installation section 927 on which the lighting unit 1A can be installed. The installation section 927 is, for example, provided on the rear side of the vehicle body 92 and has two holding sections 927A that sandwich and hold the lighting unit 1A. A locking section 923 is formed on the holding section 927A. The locking section 923 is the part that engages with the locking section 33 of the lighting unit 1A and is formed, for example, as a hole or recess with a recessed inner surface 921A. The lighting unit 1A is inserted between the holding sections 927A and installed on the vehicle body 92. A connector 91 is connected to the housing 2 of the lighting unit 1A (see Figure 11).

[0058] As shown in Figure 19, when the lighting unit 1A is activated, light L1 emitted from the light-emitting element 55 is emitted as illumination light from the first emission window 924, and light L2 emitted from the light-emitting element 54 is emitted as indicator light from the second emission window 925. Light L2 is used as an indicator to show charging information such as the charging status and charge amount in the vehicle. Since the lighting unit 1A is equipped with multiple light-emitting elements 54, the number of light-emitting elements L2 can be increased according to the charging status. Therefore, the lighting unit 1A can make it easier to recognize the charging status.

[0059] As described above, the lighting unit 1A according to this embodiment can be used by replacing the circuit board 5 to match the lighting performance required by the vehicle, and can be easily adapted to various vehicles. 1A Since the busbar 4 can sandwich the circuit board 5 and connect the busbar 4 and the circuit board 5, manufacturing can be easily carried out.

[0060] As described above, each embodiment has been explained, but the lighting unit according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The lighting unit according to this embodiment may be constructed by appropriately combining the components of each embodiment and modification described above.

[0061] For example, in the lighting unit 1 and lighting unit 1A according to the embodiments described above, a locking arm 23 is provided on the housing 2 and a locking claw 31 is provided on the case 3. However, the locking claw may be provided on the housing 2 and the locking arm may be provided on the case 3. Even with such a lighting unit, similar to the lighting units 1 and 1A described above, the circuit board 5 can be replaced to match the lighting performance required by the vehicle, and it can be easily adapted to various vehicles. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 1, 1A: Lighting Unit 2: Housing 2A: End 2B: End 3: Case 4: Bus bar 5: Circuit board 6: Light-blocking cover 23: Locking arm 24: Bus bar detention room 31: Locking claw 33: Locking part 41:First contact piece (contact piece) 42:Second contact piece (contact piece) 43: Locking piece 44: Connection part 51: First light-emitting element (light-emitting element) 52: Second light-emitting element (light-emitting element) 61: Light-blocking cover 91: Connector (vehicle-side connector) 92: Body 241: Recess 921: Containment chamber (installation section) 923:Locked part

Claims

1. A substrate on which a light-emitting element is attached, A busbar that sandwiches the aforementioned substrate, makes contact with the substrate, and is connected to the vehicle-side connector, A housing that holds the substrate and the busbar and is mates with the vehicle-side connector, The housing is fitted over the substrate and includes a case that allows light from the light-emitting element to be emitted to the outside, It is housed and used in an installation section provided on the vehicle body. A locking portion formed on the outer surface of the case and capable of locking to a locking portion formed on the installation portion, The case further comprises a light guide unit positioned adjacent to the case, The light guide portion is rod-shaped, reflects the light incident from its end on its inner surface to emit a band of light to the outside, and is curved along the outer edge of the charging port formed in the vehicle body. Lighting unit.

2. The aforementioned busbar is It is inserted into the busbar housing chamber of the housing from one end of the housing and installed therein. A pair of contact pieces extending to one end of the housing, sandwiching the substrate and electrically connecting to the substrate, When the busbar is installed in the busbar housing chamber, a locking piece engages with a recess formed on the inner surface of the busbar housing chamber to lock the busbar, With the busbar installed in the busbar housing chamber, the busbar has a connecting portion that passes through the busbar housing chamber and extends to the other end of the housing, and connects to the vehicle-side connector. The lighting unit according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned case is formed from a light-transmitting material, The substrate is fitted with a light-shielding cover that covers the light-emitting element. The light-shielding cover is provided such as not covering the light-emitting element in the direction in which light is emitted from the case, and covering the light-emitting element in the direction in which light is not emitted from the case, and is formed to cause the light emitted from the light-emitting element to enter the light-guiding portion. The lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A locking claw is provided on either the housing or the case and protrudes from the outer surface, A locking arm is provided on the housing or the other of the case, and engages with the locking claw when the case is attached to the housing, When the locking claw and the locking arm are properly engaged, the unit can be installed on the installation part. If the locking claw and the locking arm are not properly engaged, the installation to the installation part becomes impossible. The lighting unit according to claim 1.

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