阅读说明：本技术 车辆照明装置和车门 (Vehicle lighting device and vehicle door ) 是由 糟谷健太 大野创 高桥知也 三平学 于 2019-08-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种车辆照明装置。车辆照明装置(21)具有光源(24)和长形的导光体(25),所述长形的导光体(25)从与光源(24)相邻配置的一端沿光的进入方向呈线形延伸,从线形的发光面(32)照射光,在导光体(25)上形成有凸部(34),该凸部(34)在发光面(32)的背面上沿长度方向排列,且沿与光的进入方向正交的方向延伸。凸部(34)的宽度(W1～W12)按距光源(24)的距离而变化。据此,能一边提高导光体的生产能力一边实现在长度方向上均匀亮度的发光。(The invention provides a vehicle lighting device. The vehicle lighting device (21) is provided with a light source (24) and an elongated light guide body (25), wherein the elongated light guide body (25) extends linearly from one end which is arranged adjacent to the light source (24) along the entering direction of light and irradiates light from a linear light-emitting surface (32), a convex part (34) is formed on the light guide body (25), and the convex part (34) is arranged on the back surface of the light-emitting surface (32) along the length direction and extends along the direction which is orthogonal to the entering direction of the light. The widths (W1-W12) of the projections (34) vary according to the distance from the light source (24). Accordingly, light emission with uniform brightness in the longitudinal direction can be realized while improving the productivity of the light guide.)

1. A vehicle lighting device (21) having a light source (24) and an elongated light guide body (25), the elongated light guide body (25) extending linearly in a light entering direction from one end disposed adjacent to the light source (24), irradiating light from a linear light emitting surface (32), a convex portion (34) or a concave portion (48) being formed on the light guide body (25), the convex portion (34) or the concave portion (48) being arranged in a longitudinal direction on a back surface of the light emitting surface (32) and extending in a direction orthogonal to the light entering direction,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the length of the convex portion (34) or the concave portion (48) varies in a direction orthogonal to the light entering direction according to the distance from the light source.

2. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1,

the length (W1-W12) of the convex portion (34) or the concave portion (48) increases with distance from the light source (24).

3. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1 or 2,

the projections (34) or the recesses (48) are arranged at a constant pitch (P) in the longitudinal direction.

4. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 3,

the height (Ht) of the convex portion (34) or the depth of the concave portion (48) is fixed.

5. The vehicular illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the convex portion (34) or the concave portion (48) is formed to have a triangular cross section having a ridge line (34a) in a direction orthogonal to the light entrance direction.

6. The vehicular illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the projections (34) or the recesses (48) are grouped in the longitudinal direction, and the lengths (W1-W12) of the projections (34) or the recesses (48) are set to be constant for each of the groups (G1-G12).

7. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 6,

the number of the convex portions (34) or the concave portions (48) is set to be constant for each group (G1-G12).

8. A vehicle door, characterized in that,

a vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vehicle lighting device including a light source and an elongated light guide extending linearly in a light entering direction from one end disposed adjacent to the light source and emitting light from a linear light emitting surface, and a vehicle door using the vehicle lighting device.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses a linear lighting device for a vehicle interior, in which a light-emitting surface is formed in a linear shape. The linear lighting device includes an elongated light guide body that guides light from a light source from one end in the longitudinal direction and irradiates the light from a linear light-emitting surface. The light guide body is formed with a plurality of notches arranged in a longitudinal direction on a back surface of the light emitting surface and extending in a direction orthogonal to an entering direction of light. The depth of the notch is gradually increased according to the distance from the light source, thereby realizing the light emission with uniform brightness along the length direction.

Patent document 2 discloses a linear lighting device for a vehicle interior, in which a light-emitting surface is formed in a linear shape. The linear lighting device includes an elongated light guide body that irradiates light from a linear light-emitting surface. Light from the light source is introduced into the light guide body from one end in the longitudinal direction. The light guide body is attached to an elongated lens extending in the longitudinal direction along the light-emitting surface. The lens is formed with a groove extending in the longitudinal direction and receiving the light guide.

Patent document 3 discloses a door trim (vehicle interior trim part) in which light of a light guide leaks into a compartment (component) from a gap between an opening/closing panel and an armrest. A housing groove for housing the light guide is formed in the armrest. The armrest has: a guide surface for guiding the light guide body to move to the accommodating groove; and a rib which faces the guide surface in the housing groove and elastically presses the light guide body against the guide surface. Thus, the light guide can be fixed without shaking.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: international publication No. 2014/192797

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2010-70126

Patent document 3: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2016-117398

Disclosure of Invention

[ problem to be solved by the invention ]

It is desirable to form the light guide using a forming technique. If a notch is formed on the back surface of the light emitting surface according to the shape of the die when the light guide body is formed, the cutting operation of the notch is omitted, the productivity of the light guide body is improved, and the production cost is reduced. However, it is very difficult to precisely cut and machine the protrusions having varying heights in the die in accordance with the variation in the depth of the notch.

In patent document 2, since the light guide is fitted into and held by the groove of the lens, when relative movement occurs in the surface direction between the light guide and the lens in response to vibration of the vehicle body or the like, frictional noise such as "squeaking" or squeaking "may occur due to frictional vibration of the light guide or the lens. Such a frictional sound sometimes makes the occupant in the vehicle cabin feel harsh.

As disclosed in patent document 3, a groove extending linearly in the light entrance direction is formed in a rod-shaped light guide. The claw facing the guide surface in the storage groove is engaged with the recessed groove. The claws allow the light guide body, which enters the housing groove between the claws and the guide surface, to move, but prevent the light guide body from coming off the housing groove by engaging with the recessed grooves. Thus, the light guide is held in the accommodation groove of the armrest. Since it is required to form the groove on the light guide, the shape of the light guide is limited.

The invention aims to provide a vehicle lighting device capable of realizing light emission with uniform brightness in the length direction while improving the production capacity of a light guide body.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lighting device capable of suppressing a frictional sound between a light guide and a lens.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle interior component that can fix a light guide body in a good manner while increasing the degree of freedom in the shape of the light guide body.

[ solution for solving problems ]

According to the 1 st aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle lighting device comprising a light source and an elongated light guide body, wherein the elongated light guide body extends linearly in a light entrance direction from one end disposed adjacent to the light source and irradiates light from a linear light emitting surface, and wherein a convex portion or a concave portion is formed on the light guide body, the convex portion or the concave portion is arranged on a back surface of the light emitting surface in a longitudinal direction and extends in a direction orthogonal to the light entrance direction, and a length of the convex portion or the concave portion changes in a direction orthogonal to the light entrance direction by a distance from the light source.

According to claim 2, in the configuration of claim 1, the length of the convex portion or the concave portion becomes larger as being farther from the light source.

According to claim 3, in the structure according to claim 1 or 2, the convex portions or the concave portions are arranged at a constant pitch in a longitudinal direction.

According to claim 4, in the structure according to claim 3, a height of the convex portion or a depth of the concave portion is fixed.

According to claim 5, in the structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the convex portion or the concave portion has a triangular cross section having a ridge line in a direction orthogonal to an entering direction of light.

According to claim 6, in the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the convex portions or the concave portions are grouped in a longitudinal direction, and the length of the convex portions or the concave portions is set to be constant for each group.

According to claim 7, in the configuration according to claim 6, the number of the convex portions or the concave portions is set to be constant for each group.

According to claim 8, there is provided a vehicle door having the structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

According to a 9 th aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle lighting device including a light source, an elongated light guide body and an elongated lens, wherein the elongated light guide body extends linearly in a light entering direction from one end disposed adjacent to the light source, and irradiates light from a linear light emitting surface; the elongated lens is disposed in front of the light-emitting surface and transmits light irradiated from the light-emitting surface, and a contact body is disposed on a surface of at least one of the light guide body and the lens, the contact body forming a surface property state of: when at least one of the light guide and the lens moves relatively while contacting the other one, vibration of at least one of the light guide and the lens is suppressed.

According to claim 10, in the configuration of claim 9, the contact body is an uneven surface formed by surface-treating at least one of the light guide and the lens.

According to claim 11, in the configuration according to claim 9 or 10, a groove for housing the light guide body is formed in the lens so as to extend in the longitudinal direction, and the contact body is disposed on an inner surface of the groove.

According to claim 12, in addition to the configuration according to any one of claims 9 to 11, the contact body is disposed over the entire contact region between the light guide body and the lens.

According to claim 13, in the configuration according to any one of claims 9 to 11, the contact body is disposed in a partial region in a contact region between the light guide body and the lens.

According to claim 14, in the configuration according to any one of claims 9 to 13, the contact body is positioned in a region of the lens that guides light from the light emitting surface of the light guide body to the outside and is disposed in a region other than an incident surface facing the light guide body.

According to claim 15, in the structure according to claim 14, the incident surface is a plane.

According to claim 16, there is provided the vehicle door having the structure according to any one of claims 9 to 15.

According to a 17 th aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle interior part comprising: a rod-shaped light guide extending linearly in a light entrance direction from one end that receives light, and having a reflection surface that refracts light propagating in the light entrance direction and reflects the light toward a linear light emission surface extending in the light entrance direction; a support body having a surface that guides movement of the light guide body in a specific direction orthogonal to a central axis of the light guide body; a first regulating piece formed on the support body and regulating the movement of the light guide body guided in the specific direction; a 2 nd regulating piece elastically deformed with respect to the support body from a 1 st position to a 2 nd position, the 1 st position being a position where the light guide is pressed against the support body and the 1 st regulating piece, and the 2 nd position being a position where an interval allowing the light guide moving in the specific direction along the surface of the support body to pass is formed between the support body and the 2 nd position; and a fixing member having a higher rigidity than the 2 nd regulating piece, for regulating the 2 nd regulating piece to the 1 st position when relatively fixed to the support body.

According to claim 18, in addition to the structure of claim 17, a protruding piece that contacts with the other is formed on one of the fixing member and the 2 nd regulating piece.

According to claim 19, in addition to the structure of claim 18, a projecting piece that contacts the fixing member is formed on the 2 nd regulating piece.

According to claim 20, in addition to the configuration of any one of claims 17 to 19, the 1 st regulating sheet and the 2 nd regulating sheet are arranged to be shifted in the line direction of the light guide body.

According to claim 21, in the configuration of any one of claims 17 to 20, the fixing member is a wall member that covers the light guide body, the 1 st regulating piece, and the 2 nd regulating piece while forming a gap between the wall member and the support body to allow light of the light guide body to leak, and that is in contact with the 2 nd regulating piece on an inner surface.

According to claim 22, in the configuration of any one of claims 17 to 21, the light guide body has a semi-cylindrical body that is obtained by dividing the light guide body by an imaginary plane defined in parallel with the reflection surface between the light emission surface and the reflection surface and that is in contact with the support body and the 2 nd restriction sheet.

According to claim 23, in the structure according to any one of claims 17 to 22, the fixing member and the 2 nd regulating piece contact each other with a cushion material interposed therebetween.

According to claim 24, there is provided a vehicle door having the structure according to any one of claims 17 to 23.

According to a 25 th aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle lighting device comprising a rod-shaped light guide body and a fixing member, wherein the rod-shaped light guide body extends linearly in a light entrance direction from one end that receives light, and has a reflection surface that refracts light propagating in the light entrance direction and reflects the light toward a linear light emission surface extending in the light entrance direction; the fixing member has a main body facing the reflection surface and extending linearly in parallel with the light guide body, and fixes the light guide body to a vehicle interior member, and the light guide body has: a semi-cylinder which is obtained by dividing the light guide body by an imaginary plane which is a plane defined between the light emitting surface and the reflecting surface and parallel to the reflecting surface; a 1 st curved surface which is continuous from one end of the curved surface of the semi-cylinder to the reflection surface in 21 st cross sections which are orthogonal to the central axis of the semi-cylinder and are separated in the axial direction; and a 2 nd curved surface which is arranged between the 21 st curved surfaces and is continuous from the other end of the curved surface of the semi-cylinder to the reflection surface in a 2 nd curved surface orthogonal to the central axis, wherein the fixing member has a 1 st support body and a 2 nd support body, the 1 st support body extends from the main body while facing the 1 st curved surface in the 1 st section, protrudes a 1 st protrusion of a partial spherical surface which is in contact with the curved surface of the semi-cylinder, and has elasticity which separates the 1 st protrusion from the curved surface of the semi-cylinder in response to movement of the 1 st curved surface orthogonal to the virtual plane; the 2 nd support body extends from the main body while facing the 2 nd curved surface in the 2 nd cross section, and has elasticity for protruding the 2 nd projection of the partial spherical surface that is in contact with the curved surface of the semi-cylindrical body, and for moving the 2 nd projection away from the curved surface of the semi-cylindrical body in response to movement of the 2 nd curved surface orthogonal to the imaginary plane.

According to claim 26, in addition to the structure of claim 25, the fixing member includes: a 3 rd projection of a partial spherical surface which projects from an inner surface of the 1 st support body and is in contact with the 1 st curved surface; and a 4 th projection of a partial spherical surface, which is projected from an inner surface of the 2 nd support body, and is in contact with the 2 nd curved surface.

According to claim 27, in the configuration according to claim 25 or 26, a convex portion that protrudes outward from the reflection surface and extends in a direction orthogonal to the light entrance direction is formed on the reflection surface, and a rotation stopper portion that comes into contact with an end portion of the convex portion in a circumferential direction around the center axis is formed on at least one of the 1 st support body and the 2 nd support body.

According to claim 28, in the configuration of any one of claims 25 to 27, the 2 nd support body is arranged at a position shifted from the 1 st support body in the axial direction of the light guide body.

According to claim 29, the door includes the vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 25 to 28.

Effects of the invention

According to claim 1, since the brightness of the light emitted from the light-emitting surface is adjusted based on the length of the convex portion or the concave portion, the length of the concave portion or the convex portion may be changed in the mold in accordance with the convex portion or the concave portion of the light guide body, and the mold processing can be made easier than changing the height of the convex portion, the depth of the concave portion, and the pitch of the convex portion or the concave portion by the mold. Since the convex portion and the concave portion are formed at the time of molding by the mold, the productivity of the light guide body is improved. As a result, the production cost is reduced.

According to claim 2, when the length of the convex portion or the concave portion is increased in the direction orthogonal to the entering direction of the light, the luminance of the light irradiated from the light emitting surface by refraction and diffuse reflection is improved. Therefore, light emission with sufficient brightness can be ensured on the light emitting surface for light that becomes weaker as the light source is separated.

According to claim 3, since the luminance of the light irradiated from the light-emitting surface is affected by the pitch of the convex portions or the concave portions, when the pitch of the convex portions or the concave portions is set to be fixed, the change in the length of the convex portions or the concave portions can be simplified. The design of the mold can be simplified. The manufacturing cost of the mold can be reduced.

According to claim 4, in the mold, the concave portion having a fixed depth may be formed corresponding to the convex portion of the light guide, and the convex portion having a fixed height may be formed corresponding to the concave portion, so that the design of the mold can be simplified. The manufacturing cost of the mold can be reduced.

According to claim 5, light can be diffused well.

According to claim 6, the granular sensation of light irradiated from the light-emitting surface can be suppressed.

According to claim 7, the granular sensation of light irradiated from the light-emitting surface can be suppressed.

According to the 8 th technical means, the production cost of the vehicle door can be reduced.

According to the 9 th aspect, even if the vehicle body vibrates and the relative movement occurs between the light guide and the lens in the surface direction, the frictional vibration of the light guide and the lens is suppressed based on the surface property state of at least one of the light guide and the lens, and therefore, the frictional sound of the light guide and the lens can be suppressed (or eliminated).

According to claim 10, since the surface of the light guide and the surface of the lens are formed with the irregularities for suppressing the frictional sound, it is not necessary to attach a specific member for suppressing the frictional vibration.

According to claim 11, the light guide can be fitted into the lens and held by the lens. The light guide can be supported by the elastic force of the lens. Thus, even if the light guide continues to be in contact with the lens, the friction sound of the light guide and the lens is suppressed (or eliminated).

According to claim 12, since the contact body is arranged over the entire contact region between the light guide and the lens, the frictional sound between the light guide and the lens is suppressed (or eliminated) over the entire contact region.

According to the aspect 13, since the contact body is arranged in a partial region in the contact region between the light guide and the lens, the frictional resistance can be appropriately adjusted in the contact region between the light guide and the lens.

According to claim 14, the light emitted from the light-emitting surface can pass through the lens and leak to the outside without being obstructed by the contact body.

According to claim 15, since the incident surface of the lens is defined by a plane, light reflected by the irradiation surface that irradiates light from the lens to the outside can be reflected by the incident surface and emitted from the irradiation surface. This can enhance the light emitted from the irradiation surface.

According to the 16 th aspect, the decorative effect of light is achieved on the door, and even if the vehicle body vibrates, it is possible to suppress (or eliminate) the generation of harsh noise that passengers in the vehicle cabin hear.

According to the 17 th aspect, when the 2 nd regulating piece is located at the 2 nd position in response to the elastic deformation, a space is secured between the 2 nd regulating piece and the support body. The light guide body is movable along the surface of the support body and passes between the 2 nd regulating sheet and the support body. The movement of the light guide is regulated by the 1 st regulating sheet. Then, the 2 nd restriction piece returns to the 1 st position by the elastic force. The 2 nd regulating sheet presses the light guide against the support body and the 1 st regulating sheet. After that, when the fixing member is fixed, the fixing member restricts the 2 nd restriction piece to the 1 st position. Therefore, the 2 nd regulating sheet continues to press the light guide against the support body and the 1 st regulating sheet. The light guide body can be prevented from falling off. Thus, the light guide can be favorably fixed to the support body.

According to the 18 th aspect, the pressing force transmitted to the 2 nd regulating piece can be adjusted by adjusting the size (height) of the projecting piece. Thus, the light guide can be favorably fixed to the support body.

According to the 19 th aspect, the pressing force transmitted to the 2 nd regulating piece can be adjusted by adjusting the size (height) of the projecting piece. Thus, the light guide can be favorably fixed to the support body.

According to the 20 th aspect, the 2 nd regulating piece can be displaced by elastic deformation of the light guide and the support body. Therefore, the light guide can easily pass between the 2 nd regulating sheet and the support body.

According to claim 21, the support body and the wall member combine to form the appearance of the vehicle interior component. The gap enables indirect illumination in which light from the light guide leaks. In this way, since the wall member also serves as the fixing member, it is possible to avoid increasing the number of parts for restricting the 2 nd restricting piece.

According to claim 22, since the support body and the 2 nd regulating piece are in contact with the semi-cylindrical body of the light guide body, the light guide body can be prevented from falling out from between the support body and the 2 nd regulating piece. The light guide can be fixed to the support body satisfactorily.

According to claim 23, since the cushion member is interposed between the fixing member and the 2 nd regulating piece, generation of abnormal noise due to friction between the fixing member and the 2 nd regulating piece can be suppressed.

According to the 24 th aspect, in the vehicle door, the light guide can be favorably fixed to the support body.

According to claim 25, the fixing member can support at least the semi-cylinder of the light guide at 3 points by the 2 st projections and the 2 nd projections arranged between the 1 st projections in the axial direction. The light guide can be held on the fixing member in parallel with the main body by the 3-point support. When the light guide moves in a direction orthogonal to the virtual plane and passes through the space sandwiched by the 1 st projection and the 2 nd projection, the 1 st curved surface and the 2 nd curved surface of the light guide spread the 1 st support body and the 2 nd support body apart. At this time, since the side surface of the light guide is in spherical contact with the 1 st projection and the 2 nd projection, the light guide is not in contact with the fixing member over the entire length, and scratches are suppressed from occurring on the outer surface of the light guide. Light propagation can be kept good within the light guide body. Here, the 21 st support bodies may be connected to each other continuously.

According to claim 26, the 1 st projection and the 3 rd projection are in contact with the curved surface and the 1 st curved surface of the semi-cylindrical body, whereby the movement of the light guide body orthogonal to the virtual plane can be restricted. Similarly, the 2 nd projection and the 4 th projection are in contact with the curved surface of the semi-cylinder and the 2 nd curved surface, whereby the movement of the light guide body orthogonal to the virtual plane can be restricted. Thus, the light guide can be prevented from being shaken with respect to the fixing member.

According to claim 27, the rotation stopper restricts the rotation of the light guide around the central axis of the light guide. Therefore, the position of the light emitting surface of the light guide body can be fixed with respect to the fixing member around the central axis of the light guide body. The direction of light can be set with respect to the vehicle interior component.

According to claim 28, when the light guide moves in the direction orthogonal to the virtual plane and passes through the space sandwiched by the 1 st projection and the 2 nd projection, the 1 st curved surface and the 2 nd curved surface of the light guide spread apart the 1 st support body and the 2 nd support body. At this time, the 1 st projection and the 2 nd projection can be displaced by the twisting of the body. The elasticity required for the 1 st support member and the 2 nd support member can be suppressed. The rigidity of the fixing member can be improved.

According to the 29 th aspect, in the vehicle door, the fixing member can support at least the semi-cylinder of the light guide at 3 points by the 2 st projections and the 2 nd projections arranged between the 1 st projections in the axial direction. The light guide can be held by the fixing member in parallel with the main body by the 3-point support. When the light guide moves in the direction orthogonal to the virtual plane and passes through the space sandwiched by the 1 st projection and the 2 nd projection, the 1 st curved surface and the 2 nd curved surface of the light guide can spread the 1 st support body and the 2 nd support body apart. At this time, since the side surface of the light guide is in spherical contact with the 1 st projection and the 2 nd projection, the light guide is not in contact with the fixing member over the entire length, and scratches are suppressed from occurring on the outer surface of the light guide. Light propagation can be kept good within the light guide. Here, the 21 st support bodies may be connected to each other continuously.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a vehicle door according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the lighting device.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged exploded view of the lighting device.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the light guide.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the convex portion on the light guide.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the convex portion.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a mold used in forming the light guide.

Fig. 8 is a partially enlarged plan view of the lower die.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the light guide according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the axial centers of the lens and the light guide.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view schematically showing the inner surface of the lens.

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an inner surface of a lens having a contact body according to a modification.

Fig. 13 is a conceptual diagram of a vehicle door.

Fig. 14 is a perspective enlarged view schematically showing the configuration of the lighting device according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 15 (a) is a sectional view taken along line 15A-15A of fig. 14, (B) of fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15B-15B of fig. 14, and (C) of fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15C-15C of fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional surface of the lighting device when the upper door lining is removed, corresponding to fig. 15 (B).

Fig. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of the light guide.

Fig. 18 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the light guide.

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional surface of the lighting device according to the modification corresponding to fig. 15 (B).

Fig. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of the lighting device according to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Fig. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of the light guide.

Fig. 22 (a) is a sectional view taken along line 22A-22A of fig. 20, (B) of fig. 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22B-22B of fig. 20, and (C) of fig. 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22C-22C of fig. 20.

Fig. 23 (a) is an enlarged front view of the fixing member, and fig. 23 (B) is an enlarged rear view of the fixing member.

Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the light guide inserted into the fixing member, corresponding to fig. 22.

Fig. 25 is an enlarged perspective view of the illumination device having a fixing member whose length in the axial direction is shorter than one-half of the length of the light guide, corresponding to fig. 20.

Fig. 26 is an enlarged perspective view of the lighting device having 2 fixing members for 1 light guide, corresponding to fig. 20.

Fig. 27 is an enlarged perspective view of the lighting device including the fixing member having 2 support members 2 disposed to intersect with the support members 1 in the axial direction, corresponding to fig. 20.

Description of the reference numerals

11: a vehicle door; 21: a vehicle lighting device; 24: a light source; 25: a light guide; 32: a light emitting face; 34: a convex portion; 34 a: (convex) ridge lines; 48: a recess; p: pitch (of the projections or recesses); W1-W12: width (of the convex or concave portion).

Detailed Description

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 schematically shows the structure of a vehicle door according to embodiment 1 mounted on a vehicle. The vehicle door 11 has: a door main body 12 hinged to a frame of the vehicle so as to be freely opened and closed; and a door trim (door trim)13 attached to an inner side of the door main body 12. A door handle 14 and a door storage compartment 15 are formed on the door trim 13, wherein the door handle 14 is used for supporting the arm of the passenger; the door storage compartment 15 is located below the door armrest 14 and is used for storing small articles. A door inner handle 16 that is operated when the door 11 is opened and closed is assembled to the door trim 13 above the door armrest 14. A switch 18 and an illumination system 19 are embedded in the door handle 14, wherein the switch 18 is used for operating when opening and closing the window glass 17; the lighting system 19 has an effect of decorating the door 11 in addition to lighting the door inside handle 16 and the switch 18 in a dark environment.

The illumination system 19 has illumination devices 21, and the illumination devices 21 are respectively embedded in the left and right door armrests 14, and illuminate the edges of the door armrests 14 when lit. The lighting device 21 is connected to a control unit (ECU)22 of the automobile through LIN communication. The control unit 22 controls lighting and lighting-out of the lighting device 21. According to LIN communication, the lighting devices 21 can be connected in series or in parallel by 1 wire harness 23 when connected to the control unit 22.

As shown in fig. 2, the lighting device 21 includes: a light source 24; an elongated light guide 25 extending linearly in the light entrance direction from one end disposed adjacent to the light source 24; and an elongated lens 26 that covers the light guide 25 and transmits light emitted from the light guide 25. The light source 24 emits light in a linear direction from the light emitter to the light emitter 25 in response to power supply. The light source 24 is connected to one end of the light guide 25. The light guide 25 guides the light emitted from the light source 24 in a linear direction (longitudinal direction). Light leaks from the outer peripheral surface of the light guide 25. The light guide 25 is formed of a transparent resin material such as methacrylic resin.

The lens 26 includes a body 28 extending in a longitudinal direction and forming a groove 27 for housing the light guide 25; and an elongated projecting piece 31 corresponding to the deepest portion of the groove 27, projecting in a truncated shape outward from the main body 28, and having an irradiation surface 29 formed by a plane extending in parallel with the light guide 25. The protruding piece 31 is inserted in the gap of the door trim 13 so that the irradiation surface 29 faces the vehicle compartment. The lens 26 guides the light leaking from the outer peripheral surface of the light guide 25 to the irradiation surface 29, and emits the light from the irradiation surface 29 into the vehicle compartment. The lens 26 is formed of a transparent resin material such as methacrylic resin.

As shown in fig. 3, the light guide 25 irradiates light from a linear light-emitting surface 32, and the light-emitting surface 32 is formed by a cylindrical surface having a linear central axis. The lens 26 is disposed in front of the light-emitting surface 32. The light irradiated from the light-emitting surface 32 passes through the lens 26 and is emitted from the irradiation surface 29.

As shown in fig. 4, a plane 33 arranged parallel to the irradiation surface 29 of the lens 26 is defined on the rear surface of the light-emitting surface 32. A section of the plane 33 orthogonal to the centre axis describes a chord. The width of the plane 33 (the length of the chord) remains fixed in the line direction. The flat surface 33 is formed with convex portions 34, and the convex portions 34 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the light guide 25 and extend in a direction orthogonal to the light entrance direction. The projections 34 are arranged at a constant pitch P over the entire length. As shown in fig. 5, the convex portion 34 is formed to have a triangular cross section with a ridge line 34a in a direction orthogonal to the light entrance direction (line direction of the light guide 25). The ridge may be chamfered to have a curved surface. The height Ht of all the projections 34 is fixed.

In a direction orthogonal to the entering direction of light (linear direction), the length of the convex portion 34 becomes larger as being farther from the light source 24. Here, the projections 34 are grouped in the longitudinal direction, and as shown in fig. 6, the lengths (widths) W1, W2 … of the projections 34 are set to be constant for each of the groups G1 to G12. The number of projections 34 is set constant for each of the groups G1 to G12. Each of the convex portions 34 is formed in a symmetrical shape with respect to a symmetrical plane LR including the central axis of the light guide 25.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. When the light source 24 emits light, the light travels inside the light guide 25 along the line direction (longitudinal direction) of the light guide 25. The light is diffusely reflected by the convex portions 34 on the rear surface of the light-emitting surface 32 and refracted in a direction orthogonal to the linear direction. The refracted light is irradiated forward from the light emitting surface 32. The irradiated light is transmitted through the lens 26 and enters the vehicle compartment from the irradiation surface 29. Thus, the edge of the door armrest 14 is illuminated in a line.

At this time, the brightness of the light irradiated from the light emitting surface 32 is adjusted based on the width of the convex portion 34. That is, when the width of the convex portion 34 is increased in the direction orthogonal to the entering direction of light, the luminance of light irradiated from the light emitting surface 32 by refraction and diffuse reflection is improved. Therefore, as will be described later, the width of the concave portion may be changed in accordance with the convex portion 34 of the light guide 25 in the mold, and the mold can be more easily processed than when the height of the convex portion 34 and the pitch P of the convex portion 34 are changed in the mold. Since the convex portion 34 is formed when the molding is performed using the mold, the productivity of the light guide 25 is improved. As a result, the production cost of the lighting device 21 is reduced. And the production cost of the vehicle door is reduced.

In the present embodiment, the width of the convex portion 34 increases as it goes away from the light source 24. Although the brightness of light is reduced according to the distance from the light source 24, the width of the convex portion 34 is increased according to the distance from the light source 24, and the refraction amount of light is increased. Light emission with sufficient brightness is ensured in the light emission surface 32 for light that becomes weaker as it moves away from the light source 24. A fixed brightness is achieved along the line direction. Here, the projections 34 are grouped in the longitudinal direction, and the width of the projections 34 is set constant for each of the groups G1 to G12. As a result, the graininess of the light irradiated from the light-emitting surface 32 is suppressed. Since the number of the protrusions 34 is set to be constant for each of the groups G1 to G12, the granular sensation of light irradiated from the light-emitting surface 32 is further suppressed.

In the illumination device 21 according to the present embodiment, the convex portions 34 are arranged at a constant pitch P in the longitudinal direction. Since the luminance of light irradiated from the light-emitting surface 32 is affected by the pitch P of the protrusions 34, when the pitch P of the protrusions 34 is set to be fixed, the change in the width of the protrusions 34 is simple. The design of the die is simplified. The manufacturing cost of the die is reduced.

The height of the projection 34 is fixed. A recess having a constant depth may be formed in the mold corresponding to the projection 34 of the light guide 25, and the design of the mold may be simplified. The manufacturing cost of the die is reduced.

The convex portion 34 is formed to have a triangular cross section having a ridge line 34a in a direction orthogonal to the light entering direction. Light can be diffused well.

Here, a method of manufacturing the light guide 25 will be described. As shown in fig. 7, a mold 41 is prepared. The mold 41 has an upper mold 41a and a lower mold 41b joined to each other by a flat joining surface 42. When the upper die 41a is overlapped on the lower die 41b, the cavity 43 is divided between the upper die 41a and the lower die 41 b. The cavity 43 corresponds to a space that mimics the shape of the light guide 25. The engaging surface 42 is located at the maximum diameter of the cylindrical surface.

In the lower die 41b, a flat surface 44 is formed parallel to the coupling surface 42 at a position farthest from the coupling surface 42, corresponding to the flat surface 33 of the light guide 25. On the flat surface 44, corresponding to the respective convex portions 34, concave portions 45 are arranged in the line direction. Each of the recessed portions 45 extends in a direction orthogonal to the line direction. The recesses 45 are arranged at a constant pitch P over the entire line direction. The recessed portion 45 is formed to have a ridge line extending in a direction orthogonal to the line direction and to have a triangular cross section. The depth of all the recesses 45 is fixed. The recessed portions 45 are grouped in the line direction, and the widths W1 to W12 of the recessed portions 45 are set to be constant by groups G1 to G12. The number of the recessed portions 45 is set to be constant for each of the groups G1 to G12. Each recessed portion 45 is formed in a symmetrical shape with respect to a symmetrical plane LR including the central axis of the cylindrical surface.

Between the recesses 45, the push rod 46 faces the cavity 43. A gate 47 is formed in the cavity 43 at a central position in the longitudinal direction. Molten resin is supplied from the gate 47 to the cavity 43. When the resin filled in the cavity 43 is hardened, a molded body is formed. The molded body is separated from the lower die 41b by the push rod 46. The resin body of the gate 47 is cut out from the molded body.

Fig. 9 schematically shows a light guide 25 according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the light guide 25, a concave portion 48 is formed on the flat surface 33 instead of the convex portion 34 described above. The concave portion 48 extends in a direction orthogonal to the light entrance direction, similarly to the convex portion 34. The recesses 48 are arranged at a constant pitch P over the entire length. The concave portion 48 has a ridge line in a direction orthogonal to the light entrance direction (line direction of the light guide 25) and is formed in a triangular shape in cross section. The ridge may be chamfered to have a curved surface. The depth of all the recesses 48 is fixed.

The width of the recess 48 becomes larger as it goes away from the light source 24. Here, the recesses 48 are grouped in the longitudinal direction, and the widths W1, W2 … of the recesses 48 are set to be constant for each of the groups G1 to G12. The number of the concave portions 48 is set to be constant for each of the groups G1 to G12. Each recess 48 is formed in a symmetrical shape with respect to a symmetrical plane LR including the central axis of the light guide 25.

Fig. 10 schematically shows a lens 26 according to embodiment 3 of the present invention. A contact body 51 is arranged on the surface of the lens 26, and the contact body 51 forms the following surface property state: a surface-property state in which vibration of at least one of the light guide 25 and the lens 26 is suppressed when the lens 26 moves relative to the light guide 25 while contacting the light guide 25. The contact body 51 is an uneven surface formed by surface-treating the lens 26. When the unevenness is formed, embossing is performed on the lens 26, for example.

The contact 51 is disposed on the inner surface of the groove 27. The contact body 51 is positioned in a region of the lens 26 that guides light outward from the light-emitting surface 32 of the light guide 25 and is disposed in a region other than the incident surface 52 facing the light guide 25. The contact body 51 is disposed outside the space sandwiched between the plane 33 of the light guide 25 and the irradiation surface 29. The entrance face 52 of the lens 26 is planar. As shown in fig. 11, the contact body 51 is arranged over the entire contact area between the light guide 25 and the lens 26. Here, the contact body 51 may be continuous at least along the longitudinal direction of the light guide 25 over the entire length of the contact region.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. When the light source 24 emits light, the light travels inside the light guide 25 along the line direction (longitudinal direction) of the light guide 25. The light is diffusely reflected by the convex portions 34 on the rear surface of the light-emitting surface 32 and refracted in a direction orthogonal to the linear direction. The refracted light is irradiated forward from the light emitting surface 32. The irradiated light is transmitted through the lens 26 and enters the vehicle compartment from the irradiation surface 29. Thus, the edge of the door armrest 14 is illuminated in a line.

The width of the convex portion 34 increases with distance from the light source. Although the brightness of light is reduced according to the distance from the light source 24, the width of the convex portion 34 is increased according to the distance from the light source 24, and the refraction amount of light is increased. Light emission with sufficient brightness is ensured in the light emission surface 32 for light that becomes weaker as it moves away from the light source 24. A fixed brightness is achieved along the line direction.

In the present embodiment, a contact body 51 that forms the following surface property states is arranged on a surface of at least one of the light guide 25 and the lens 26 (here, a surface of the lens 26): and a surface-property state for suppressing vibration of at least one of the light guide 25 and the lens 26 when the light guide is moved relative to the other while contacting the other. Even if the vehicle body vibrates and moves relatively in the surface direction between the light guide 25 and the lens 26, the frictional vibration of the light guide 25 and the lens 26 is suppressed based on the surface property state of at least one of the light guide 25 and the lens 26, and therefore, the frictional sound of the light guide 25 and the lens 26 is suppressed (or eliminated). A light decorative effect is achieved at the door 11, and generation of a harsh noise that passengers in the vehicle compartment hear is suppressed (or eliminated) even if the vehicle body vibrates.

The contact body 51 is an uneven surface formed by surface-treating at least one of the light guide 25 and the lens 26 (here, the lens 26). Therefore, the unevenness is formed only on the surfaces of the light guide 25 and the lens 26 when suppressing the frictional sound, and thus, it is not necessary to inherently mount other components in order to suppress the frictional vibration. When the unevenness is formed by embossing at the time of molding the lens 26, an increase in the number of working steps can be avoided at the time of assembling the illumination device 21. An increase in production cost can be avoided.

The contact body 51 is disposed on the inner surface of the groove 27 formed in the lens 26 for housing the light guide 25. The light guide 25 is fitted into the lens 26 and held by the lens 26. The light guide 25 is supported by the elastic force of the lens 26. Thus, even if the light guide 25 and the lens 26 continue to contact, the friction sound of the light guide 25 and the lens 26 is suppressed (or eliminated).

The contact body 51 is disposed over the entire contact region between the light guide 25 and the lens 26. Since the contact body 51 is disposed over the entire contact region between the light guide 25 and the lens 26, the frictional sound between the light guide 25 and the lens 26 is suppressed (or eliminated) over the entire contact region.

The contact body 51 is positioned in a region of the lens 26 that guides light outward from the light-emitting surface 32 of the light guide 25 and is disposed in a region other than the incident surface 52 facing the light guide 25. The light emitted from the light-emitting surface 32 is not obstructed by the contact body 51, and passes through the lens 26 and leaks to the outside.

In the present embodiment, the incident surface 52 of the lens 26 is a plane. Since the incident surface 52 of the lens 26 is defined by a plane, light reflected by the irradiation surface 29 that irradiates light from the lens 26 to the outside is reflected by the incident surface 52 and emitted from the irradiation surface 29. Thus, the light emitted from the irradiation surface 29 is intensified.

As shown in fig. 12, the contact body 51 may be disposed in a partial region in the contact region between the light guide 25 and the lens 26. The contact body 51 may be intermittently arranged along the longitudinal direction of the light guide 25 over the entire length of the contact region.

Fig. 13 schematically shows the structure of a door mounted on an automobile. The vehicle door 111 has: a door main body 112 hinged to a vehicle frame so as to be freely opened and closed; and a door trim (trim member) 113 attached to the inside of the door main body 112. A door handle 114 and a door storage compartment 115 are formed on the door trim 113, wherein the door handle 114 supports an arm of an occupant; the door storage compartment 115 is located below the door armrest 114 and is used for storing small articles. A switch 117 that is operated when opening and closing the window glass 116 is fitted to the door handle 114.

The door trim 113 includes: a door lining 118 bonded to the inside of the door body 112, and defining an opening 118a above the door armrest 114; and a trim cover 119 that is disposed in the opening 118a of the door trim 118 and is fixedly attached to the door main body 112. A door inner handle 121 that operates when the door 111 is opened and closed is assembled to the trim cover 119.

An illumination system 122 is embedded in the door trim 113, and the illumination system 122 has an effect of decorating the door 111 in addition to illuminating the door inside handle 121 and the switch 117 in a dark environment. The lighting system 122 has a lighting device 123, and the lighting device 123 illuminates the trim cover 119 in a line along the lower edge of the upper door panel 118 b. The lighting device 123 forms light that leaks from a gap defined between the lower edge of the upper door trim 118b and the trim cover 119. The lighting device 123 is connected to an Electronic Control Unit (ECU)124 of the automobile through LIN communication. The electronic control unit 124 controls lighting and lighting-off of the lighting device 123. According to LIN communication, the lighting devices 123 can be connected in series or in parallel by 1 wire harness 125 when connected to the electronic control unit 124.

As shown in fig. 14, the illumination device 123 according to embodiment 3 includes a rod-shaped light guide 126 and a light source 127 connected to one end of the light guide 126. The light guide 126 extends linearly in a light entrance direction 128 from one end connected to the light source 127. The light source 127 emits light in the line direction of the light guide body 126 from the light emitter in response to the supply of electric power. The light guide 126 irradiates light from a linear light-emitting surface 129 formed by a cylindrical surface having a linear central axis.

The light guide 126 is supported by the trim cover 119. The decorative cover 119 has: an inner panel 119a that surrounds the door inner handle 121 and is exposed to the compartment, and has an upper end extending in the horizontal direction along the lower edge of the upper door liner 118 b; and a support 119b extending linearly in parallel with the light guide 126, continuously from the upper end of the inner panel 119 a. Support 119b has: a horizontal wall 131 extending from an upper end of the inner panel 119a to the door main body 112 in a curved manner; and a vertical wall 132 standing upward from an inner end of the horizontal wall 131 facing the door main body 112. The surface of the horizontal wall 131 guides the light guide body 126 to move from the upper end of the inner panel 119a toward the vertical wall 132 and in a specific direction orthogonal to the central axis of the light guide body 126.

The vertical wall 132 has a 1 st regulating piece 133 and a 2 nd regulating piece 134 alternately arranged in the line direction of the light guide body 126. The 1 st regulating sheet 133 and the 2 nd regulating sheet 134 are arranged to be shifted in the line direction of the light guide body 126. Here, the 2 nd regulating piece 134 is located at a position between the 1 st regulating pieces 133. However, the 1 st regulating piece 133 may be disposed at a position between the 2 nd regulating pieces 134. As shown in fig. 15 (a), the 1 st regulating piece 133 has a rib 135, and the rib 135 protrudes from the inner surface of the vertical wall 132 to regulate the movement of the light guide 126 guided to the vertical wall 132 along the surface of the horizontal wall 131.

As shown in fig. 15 (B), the 2 nd restriction piece 134 includes: a plate piece 134a continuous from the upper end of the vertical wall 132 and facing the horizontal wall 131; and a retaining piece 134b continuous from the open end of the plate piece 134a and extending toward the horizontal wall 131. The locking piece 134b is displaced relative to the support body 119b by elastic deformation of the plate piece 134 a.

The 2 nd restriction piece 134 is formed with a projection piece 136 that contacts the inner surface of the upper door panel 118 b. The upper door panel 118b has a wall member having a rigidity higher than that of the 2 nd restriction piece 134 and contacting the 2 nd restriction piece 134 at an inner surface. The upper door panel 118b restricts the engaging piece 134b of the 2 nd restricting piece 134 to the 1 st position, where the 1 st position is a position where the light guide body 126 is pressed against the horizontal wall 131 of the support body 119b and the 1 st restricting piece 133.

The 2 nd regulating piece 134 is formed with a support portion 137, and the support portion 137 extends continuously and upward from the vertical wall 132. The support portion 137 overlaps the inner surface of the door main body 112, and is fastened to the door main body 112 by a screw 138.

As shown in fig. 15 (a), (B), and (C), the upper door trim 118B covers the light guide body 126, the 1 st regulating sheet 133, and the 2 nd regulating sheet 134 while forming a gap 139 for leaking light of the light guide body 126 between the upper door trim and the support body 119B. As shown in fig. 15 (C), although the light guide body 126 is received by the horizontal wall 131 at positions offset from the 1 st and 2 nd regulating pieces 133, 134 in the line direction of the light guide body 126, a gap SP1 is ensured between the light guide body 126 and the vertical wall 132, and a gap is ensured between the light guide body 126 and the upper door trim 118 b.

As shown in fig. 16, when the restriction of the 2 nd restricting piece 134 by the upper door trim 118b is released, the 2 nd restricting piece 134 can be displaced to the 2 nd position which is farther from the support body 119b than the 1 st position. Between the locking piece 134b and the support body 119b at the 2 nd position, a space is formed to allow passage of the light guide 126 moving along the surface of the horizontal wall 131 toward the vertical wall 132. The light guide 126 is movable back and forth along the surface of the support body 119b in response to elastic deformation of the 2 nd restriction sheet 134.

As shown in fig. 17, the light guide body 126 has a reflection surface 141, and the reflection surface 141 refracts and reflects light toward a linear light-emitting surface 129 extending in the light entering direction 128. A plane 142 is defined on the reflecting surface 141. A cross-section of the plane 142 orthogonal to the central axis describes a chord. The width of the plane 142 (the length of the chord) remains fixed in the line direction. The light guide 126 is molded from a transparent resin material such as methacrylic resin.

On the plane 142, a projection 143 is formed, and the projection 143 is aligned in the line direction of the light guide 126 and extends in a direction orthogonal to the light entrance direction. The projections 143 are arranged at a constant pitch P over the entire line direction. The convex portion 143 has a ridge line 143a in a direction orthogonal to the light entrance direction (line direction of the light guide 126) and is formed to have a triangular cross section. The ridge 143a may be chamfered to have a curved surface.

In the 1 st range RN1 with the light source 127 as a reference, the length of the convex portion 143 increases as it goes away from the light source 127. The length of the projection 143 corresponds to the width of the projection 143 measured in a direction orthogonal to the light entrance direction (line direction). Here, the projections 143 are grouped in the line direction of the light guide 27, and the lengths (widths) W1, W2 … of the projections 143 are set to be constant for each of the groups G1 to G9. The number of the protrusions 143 is set to be constant for each of the groups G1 to G9. Each projection 143 is formed in a symmetrical shape with respect to a symmetrical plane LR including the central axis of the light guide 126. In the 1 st range RN1, the heights of all the protrusions 143 are fixed.

In a 2 nd range RN2 exceeding the 1 st range RN1 with reference to the light source 127, the length Wc of the projection 143 is fixed. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 18, the height Hs of the projection 143 increases as it goes away from the light source 127. Here, the protrusions 143 are grouped in the line direction of the light guide 126, and the height Hs of the protrusions 143 is set constant for each of the groups G10 to G12. The number of the protrusions 143 is set to be constant for each of the groups G10 to G12. Each projection 143 is formed in a symmetrical shape with respect to a symmetrical plane LR including the central axis of the light guide 126. In the symmetry plane LR, the sectional shape of the projection 143 appears in a similar shape.

As shown in fig. 15 (B), the light guide body 126 has a half-cylinder 145, and the half-cylinder 145 is obtained by dividing the light guide body 126 by an imaginary plane VP defined in parallel with the plane 142 of the reflection surface 141 between the light-emitting surface 129 and the reflection surface 141, and is in contact with the horizontal wall 131 of the support body 119B and the locking piece 134B of the 2 nd regulating piece 134. That is, the distance SC between locking piece 134b at position 2 and horizontal wall 131 is set smaller than the diameter of half cylinder 145. The light guide 126 is formed with a curved surface 146, and the curved surface 146 extends from one end of the curved surface of the semi-cylindrical body 145 toward the reflection surface 141, and contacts the locking piece 134b of the 2 nd regulating piece 134 when displaced along the surface of the horizontal wall 131. Curved surface 146 is curved with the same curvature as the curved surface of semi-cylindrical body 145. When the light guide 126 is pressed between the locking piece 134b and the horizontal wall 131 along the surface of the horizontal wall 131, the curved surface 146 generates a driving force to separate the locking piece 134b from the horizontal wall 131.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. When the light source 127 emits light, the light travels inside the light guide body 126 along the line direction (longitudinal direction) of the light guide body 126. The light is diffusely reflected by the convex portion 143 on the rear surface of the light-emitting surface 129, and is refracted in a direction orthogonal to the linear direction. The refracted light is emitted outward from the light-emitting surface 129. The emitted light leaks out through the gap 139 between the upper door liner 118b and the trim cover. In this way, the door trim 113 can be decorated by linear light emission.

Next, a method for manufacturing the door 111 will be described. A trim cover 119 is attached to the door main body 112. The trim cover 119 is fixed to the door main body 112 with screws 138. A lighting device 123 is mounted on the trim cover 119. The light guide 126 may be attached to the trim cover 119 before the trim cover 119 is attached.

When the lighting device 123 is mounted, the light guide 126 is guided along the surface of the support body 119 b. The light guide 126 is pressed against the vertical wall 132 along the surface of the horizontal wall 131. The light guide 126 contacts the locking piece 134b of the 2 nd regulating piece 134 via a curved surface 146 continuing from the curved surface of the half cylinder 145 to the reflecting surface 141. Therefore, the pressing force of the light guide 126 is converted into a driving force to separate the locking piece 134b from the horizontal wall 131.

The locking piece 134b of the 2 nd regulating piece 134 is displaced to the 2 nd position by the elastic deformation of the plate piece 134 a. A space is secured between the 2 nd restriction piece 134 and the support body 119 b. The light guide 126 moves along the surface of the support body 119b in a direction orthogonal to the central axis. The light guide 126 passes between the upper door liner 118b and the support body 119 b.

The light guide 126 is in contact with the rib 135 of the 1 st regulating sheet 133. Therefore, the movement of the light guide 126 is restricted. The locking piece 134b returns to the 1 st position by the elasticity of the plate piece 134 a. The locking piece 134b of the 2 nd regulating piece 134 presses the light guide body 126 against the support body 119b and the 1 st regulating piece 133. Thus, the light guide 126 is attached to the trim cover 119.

Next, a door trim 118 is fixed to the door main body 112. The upper door liner 118b contacts the projecting piece 136 of the 2 nd restricting piece 134. As a result, the locking piece 134b of the 2 nd regulating piece 134 is regulated to the 1 st position. Since the door trim 118 has high rigidity, the light guide body 126 can be held well between the 2 nd regulating piece 134 and the horizontal wall 131 and the 1 st regulating piece 133. The light guide 126 is prevented from falling off. Thus, the light guide member 126 can be favorably fixed to the trim cover 119.

In the present embodiment, the 2 nd regulating piece 134 is formed with a projecting piece 136 that contacts the upper door panel 118 b. Therefore, the pressing force transmitted to the 2 nd regulating piece 134 is adjusted by adjusting the size (height) of the projecting piece 136. Thus, the light guide 126 is well fixed to the support body 119b of the trim cover 119.

In the door trim 113 according to the present embodiment, the 1 st regulating piece 133 and the 2 nd regulating piece 134 are arranged to be shifted in the line direction of the light guide 126. The second regulating piece 134 can be displaced by elastic deformation of the light guide 126 and the support body 119 b. Therefore, the light guide 126 can easily pass between the 2 nd regulating sheet 134 and the support body 119 b.

The upper door trim 118b according to the present embodiment includes a wall member that covers the light guide body 126, the 1 st regulating piece 133, and the 2 nd regulating piece 134 while forming a gap 139 for leaking light of the light guide body 126 between the wall member and the support body 119b, and that contacts the 2 nd regulating piece 134 on the inner surface. The trim cover 119 and the upper door trim 118b combine to form the appearance of the door trim 113. The gap 139 realizes indirect illumination that leaks light from the light guide 126. In this way, the upper door liner 118b also serves as a fixing member of the lighting device 123, and therefore, the number of parts is prevented from being increased to limit the 2 nd limiting piece 134.

The light guide 126 according to the present embodiment has a semi-cylindrical shape that is obtained by dividing the light guide 126 by an imaginary plane defined between the light emitting surface 129 and the reflection surface 141 in parallel with the reflection surface 141, and that is in contact with the support body 119b and the 2 nd regulating piece 134. The support 119b and the 2 nd regulating piece 134 contact the semicylinder of the light guide body 126, and therefore, the light guide body 126 is prevented from falling out from between the support 119b and the 2 nd regulating piece 134. The light guide 126 can be fixed to the support body 119b satisfactorily.

As shown in fig. 19, a cushion 147 may be interposed between the upper door lining 118b and the projecting piece 136 of the 2 nd restricting piece 134. The upper door lining 118b and the projecting piece 136 contact each other via the cushion 147. When the shock absorber 147 is thus sandwiched, generation of abnormal noise due to friction between the upper door lining 118b and the 2 nd restricting piece 134 can be suppressed.

As shown in fig. 20, the illumination device 151 according to embodiment 4 includes: a rod-shaped light guide 152; a light source 153 connected to one end of the light guide 152; and a fixing member 154 having a main body 154a linearly extending in parallel with the light guide 152, and fixing the light guide 152 to the door trim 113. The light source 153 emits light from the light emitter in a line direction of the light emitter 152 in response to the power supply. The main body 154a of the fixing member 154 is formed of an elongated plate material along the line direction of the light guide 152.

The light guide 152 extends linearly from one end connected to the light source 153 in the light entrance direction 155. The light guide body 152 has a reflection surface 157, and the reflection surface 157 refracts and reflects light toward a linear light-emitting surface 156 extending in the light entrance direction 155. The main body 154a of the fixing member 154 faces the reflection surface 157 of the light guide 152. The light guide 152 is molded from a transparent resin material such as methacrylic resin.

As shown in fig. 21, one end surface 152a of the light guide 152 receives light from the light source 153. The light guide 152 extends linearly in a light entrance direction 155 orthogonal to the end face 152 a. The light travels in the entrance direction 155 within the light guide 152 toward the other end.

In the light guide 152, a semi-cylinder 159 is defined by an imaginary plane 158 defined parallel to the reflection surface 157 between the light-emitting surface 156 and the reflection surface 157. The curved surface of the semi-cylindrical body 159 is connected to one edge line of the reflecting surface 157 at a 1 st curved surface 161, which is a curved surface continuing from one intersecting line 159a with the imaginary plane 158, and is connected to the other edge line of the reflecting surface 157 at a 2 nd curved surface 162, which is a curved surface continuing from the other intersecting line 159b with the imaginary plane 158. The 1 st curved surface 161 and the 2 nd curved surface 162 have the same curvature as the curved surface of the semi-cylinder 159.

A plurality of convex portions 163 are formed on the reflecting surface 157, and the plurality of convex portions 163 protrude outward from the plane of the reflecting surface 157 and extend in a direction orthogonal to the light entering direction 155. The projections 163 are arranged in the axial direction (line direction) of the light guide 152. The projections 163 may be arranged at a constant pitch P over the entire axial direction. A cross section of the plane of the reflecting surface 157 orthogonal to the central axis of the light guide 152 describes a chord. The width of the plane (the length of the chord) remains fixed in the linear direction.

The convex portion 163 may have a ridge line 163a in a direction orthogonal to the light entrance direction 155 (the axial direction of the light guide 152) and be formed in a triangular shape in cross section. The ridge 163a may be chamfered to have a curved surface. In the case where the heights of all the convex portions 163 are set to be fixed, the length of the convex portions 163 in the direction orthogonal to the light entering direction 155 may become larger as being distant from the light source 153. The projection 163 may be formed in the same manner as the projection 143.

As shown in fig. 20, the fixing member 154 has: 21 st supporting bodies 154b extending from the main body 154a while being spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the light guide 152 and facing the 1 st curved surface 161; and 12 nd support body 154c extending from the main body 154a so as to face the 2 nd curved surface 162 at a position facing the space formed between the 1 st support bodies 154 b. Here, the 2 nd support body 154c is arranged at a position shifted from the 1 st support body 154b in the axial direction of the light guide body 152. The main body 154a, the 1 st support body 154b, and the 2 nd support body 154c may be integrally molded from a resin material, for example.

As shown in fig. 22 (a) and 22 (C), the fixing member 154 has 21 st projections 164, and 2 of the 1 st projections 164 are in contact with the curved surface of the semi-cylinder 159 in 21 st cross sections SF orthogonal to the central axis of the light guide 152 and separated in the axial direction. In the 1 st cross section SF, the 1 st curved surface 161 is continuous from the 1 st end (one end) (intersection 159a) of the curved surface of the semi-cylinder 159 to the reflection surface 157. Here, as shown in fig. 23 (a), the 1 st projection 164 projects from the inner surface of each 1 st support body 154 b. The 1 st projection 164 contacts the curved surface of the semi-cylinder 159 at a part spherical surface (e.g., spherical cap). As shown in fig. 22 (a) and 22 (C), the rotation stopper 165 is formed on the 1 st support body 154b, and the rotation stopper 165 contacts an end of the projection 163 in a circumferential direction around the center axis of the semi-cylinder 159.

As shown in fig. 22 (B), the fixing member 154 has the 2 nd projection 166, and the 2 nd projection 166 is in contact with the curved surface of the semi-cylinder 159 in the 2 nd cross section SS which is arranged between the 21 st cross sections SF and is orthogonal to the central axis of the light guide 152. In the 2 nd cross section SS, the 2 nd curved surface 162 continues from the 2 nd end (the other end opposite to the one end) of the curved surface of the semi-cylindrical body 159 (the intersecting line 159b) toward the reflecting surface 157. Here, as shown in fig. 23 (B), the 2 nd protrusion 166 protrudes from the inner surface of the 2 nd support body 154 c. The 2 nd protrusion 166 contacts the curved surface of the semi-cylinder 159 at a part spherical surface (e.g., spherical cap). As shown in fig. 22 (B), a rotation stopper 167 is formed on the 2 nd support body 154c, and the rotation stopper 167 contacts an end of the projection 163 in a circumferential direction around the center axis of the semi-cylinder 159.

As shown in fig. 22, the fixing member 154 has: a 3 rd protrusion 168 corresponding to each 1 st protrusion 164, which is in contact with the 1 st curved surface 161 in the 1 st section SF; and a 4 th protrusion 169 corresponding to the 2 nd protrusion 166, contacting the 2 nd curved surface 162 in the 2 nd section SS. As shown in fig. 23 (a), the 3 rd protrusion 168 protrudes from the inner surface of the 1 st support body 154 b. The 3 rd protrusion 168 contacts the 1 st curved surface 161 at a portion of a spherical surface (e.g., a spherical cap). The centers of the 1 st projection 164 and the 3 rd projection 168 are positioned on an imaginary plane PLf orthogonal to the central axis of the light guide body 152. As shown in fig. 23 (B), the 4 th projection 169 projects from the inner surface of the 2 nd support body 154 c. The 4 th protrusion 169 contacts the 2 nd curved surface 162 at a partial spherical surface (e.g., a spherical cap). The centers of the 2 nd protrusion 166 and the 4 th protrusion 169 are positioned on an imaginary plane PLs orthogonal to the central axis of the light guide 152.

As shown in fig. 22, the light-emitting surface 156 of the light guide 152 faces the irradiation body 171 of the decorative cover 119. The upper door liner 118b covers the illumination device 151 above the irradiation body 171. A gap 173 that opens into a compartment of the vehicle is defined between the upper door trim 118b and the irradiation body 171. The surface of the irradiator 171 can be observed from the gap 173 by the occupants of the driver seat and the passenger seat.

As shown in fig. 20, the mounting piece 174 is integrally formed on the main body 154a at a position corresponding to 2 of the 1 st support bodies 154b in the axial direction. An overlapping surface 174a is formed on the mounting piece 174. The attachment piece 174 is overlapped with the attachment surface 175 on the trim cover 119 side by the overlapping surface 174 a. The attachment piece 174 is formed with an attachment hole 176 having an axial center orthogonal to the overlapping surface 174 a. For example, a mounting boss 175a protruding from the mounting surface 175 of the trim cover 119 can be inserted into the mounting hole 176. The fixing member 154 is fixed to the trim cover 119 by screws 177 screwed into the mounting bosses 175 a.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. When the light source 153 emits light, the light travels inside the light guide 152 along the line direction (longitudinal direction) of the light guide 152. The light is diffusely reflected by the convex portion 163 on the rear surface of the light-emitting surface 156 and refracted in a direction orthogonal to the linear direction. The refracted light is emitted outward from the light emitting surface 156. As shown in fig. 22, the emitted light is irradiated on the irradiation body 171. In this way, the door trim 113 can be decorated by linear light emission.

In the present embodiment, the fixing member 154 supports at least the half cylinder 159 of the light guide 152 at 3 points by 2 of the 1 st projections 164 and the 2 nd projections 166 arranged between the 1 st projections 164 in the axial direction. The light guide 152 is held by the fixing member 154 in parallel with the main body 154a by the 3-point support. Further, the 1 st projection 164 and the 3 rd projection 168 contact the curved surface of the semi-cylinder 159 and the 1 st curved surface 161, and thereby the movement of the light guide 152 orthogonal to the virtual plane 158 can be restricted. Similarly, the 2 nd projection 166 and the 4 th projection 169 are in contact with the curved surface of the semi-cylinder 159 and the 2 nd curved surface 162, thereby restricting the movement of the light guide 152 perpendicular to the virtual plane 158. In this way, the light guide 152 can be prevented from wobbling relative to the fixing member 154.

The rotation stopper 165 of the 1 st support body 154b restricts the rotation operation of the light guide body 152 in the 1 st direction around the center axis Xc of the semi-cylindrical body 159. The rotation stopper 167 of the 2 nd support body 154c restricts the rotation operation of the light guide 152 in the 2 nd direction opposite to the 1 st direction around the center axis Xc of the semi-cylindrical body 159. Therefore, the position of the light emitting surface 156 of the light guide body 152 is fixed with respect to the fixing member 154 around the center axis Xc of the semi-cylinder 159. The direction of light can be set well with respect to the irradiation body 171 of the decorative cover 119.

When the lighting device 151 is assembled, the light guide 152 is attached to the fixing member 154. As shown in fig. 24, the 1 st curved surface 161 and the 2 nd curved surface 162 of the light guide body 152 are in contact with the 1 st projection 164 on the 1 st support body 154b and the 2 nd projection 166 on the 2 nd support body 154c, respectively. The light guide 152 is pressed against the main body 154a in a direction orthogonal to the virtual plane 158. When the light guide 152 passes through the space sandwiched by the 1 st projection 164 and the 2 nd projection 166, the 1 st curved surface 161 and the 2 nd curved surface 162 of the light guide 152 spread the 1 st support body 154b and the 2 nd support body 154 c.

At this time, since the side surface of the light guide 152 is in contact with the partial spherical surface of the 1 st projection 35 and the 2 nd projection 36, the light guide 152 is prevented from being scratched on the outer surface of the light guide 152 without contacting the fixing member 154 over the entire length. The light propagation can be favorably maintained in the light guide 152. Since the 1 st support body 154b and the 2 nd support body 154c are positioned to be shifted from each other in the axial direction, when the 1 st support body 154b and the 2 nd support body 154c are spread, the 1 st projection 164 and the 2 nd projection 166 are displaced by the torsion of the main body 154a of the fixing member 154. As a result, the elasticity required for the 1 st support body 154b and the 2 nd support body 154c can be suppressed. The rigidity of the fixing member 154 can be improved.

When the light guide 152 passes through the space sandwiched by the 1 st projection 164 and the 2 nd projection 166, the 1 st projection 164 and the 2 nd projection 166 are in contact with the curved surface of the semi-cylinder 159 of the light guide 152. The light guide 152 is pressed against the main body 154a by the restoring forces of the 1 st support body 154b and the 2 nd support body 154 c. The 3 rd protrusion 168 and the 4 th protrusion 169 are in contact with the 1 st curved surface 161 and the 2 nd curved surface 162 of the light guide 152, respectively. The rotation stoppers 165 and 67 engage with one end of the projection 163.

The fixing member 154 may have a main body 154a whose length in the axial direction of the light guide 152 corresponds to the entire length of the light guide 152 as shown in fig. 20, or may have a main body 154a whose length in the axial direction is shorter than one-half of the length of the light guide 152 as shown in fig. 25. As shown in fig. 26, 2 or more fixing members 154 may be arranged in the axial direction with respect to 1 light guide 152. As shown in fig. 27, the fixing member 154 may have 2 or more second support bodies 154c arranged alternately with the first support bodies 154 b. The 1 st support body 154b and the 2 nd support body 154c may be configured similarly to the 1 st support body 154b and the 2 nd support body 154c described above. In addition, in each of the fixing members 154, 21 st supporting bodies 154b may be connected to each other to be continuous. The 1 st support body 154b and the 2 nd support body 154c may face each other with the light guide body 152 interposed therebetween.