JP6274438B2 - Lighting device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device.

  In Patent Document 1, a transparent member, a laser-transmitting colored ink layer formed on the back surface side of the transparent member, and a laser that is provided on the back surface side of the transparent member with a colored ink layer interposed therebetween and transmitted through the transparent member. Discloses a decorative emblem having a colored back member welded to a transparent member at a position adjacent to the colored ink layer.

  In Patent Document 2, a vehicular lamp is mounted in a space portion in the depth direction of a bumper, and a flange portion protruding rearward from the periphery of the front lens is joined into a recess in a peripheral portion of the lamp housing. The lens periphery facing the recess is inclined backward, and this inclination angle exceeds the critical angle with respect to the bumper space wall so that incident light from the bumper space wall surrounding the lens periphery is reflected forward. The technology set in is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 5209985 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-32116

In the technique of Patent Document 1, if the back member is formed in the same color or approximate color as the colored ink layer, even if the back member can be seen through the transparent member, the discontinuity between the welded portion and the non-welded portion is not noticeable, and the transparent member is designed. Even when the surface is constituted, the appearance is not impaired.
However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, when the light source unit that emits light is disposed between the transparent member and the back member, a part of the light emission region of the light source unit is covered by the colored ink layer on the back side of the transparent member. As a result, there is a problem that the light radiation efficiency is lowered because the area of the light radiation region is reduced, and a problem that the colored ink layer and the back surface member are conspicuous.

In the technique of Patent Document 2, since the incident light from the wall surface of the bumper space is totally reflected forward by the lens peripheral portion having an inclination angle exceeding the critical angle, the concave portion at the peripheral portion of the lamp housing located behind is colored by the bumper. It is possible to prevent the internal structure around the lens from being seen through by being hidden by light.
However, when the technique of Patent Document 2 is applied to an emblem attached to a flat panel having no depth, the incident light corresponding to the incident light from the wall surface of the bumper space in Patent Document 2 cannot be obtained. The internal structure of can't be hidden.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a lighting device including a light source unit that emits light, a housing that houses the light source unit, and a translucent cover that covers the opening of the housing with the light source unit disposed on the back side has been widely used. Yes.
In this illuminating device, since the junction part of a housing and a translucent cover will be visible from the exterior through a translucent cover, there exists a problem that the designability of an illuminating device is impaired.
In particular, when a synthetic resin material is used for the housing and the translucent cover and welding is used for joining and fixing the housing and the translucent cover, the appearance of the welded portion, which is a joined portion, is poor, so the design is large. Damaged.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an illumination device that can make the joint portion between the housing and the light-transmitting cover difficult to see from the outside and has excellent design. There is to do.

  As a result of intensive studies in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have arrived at each aspect of the present invention as follows.

<First aspect>
The first aspect is
A light source that emits light;
A housing in which the light source unit is housed;
A light source unit is disposed on the back side, and includes a translucent cover that is bonded and fixed to the housing so as to cover the opening of the housing.
On the outer peripheral edge of the upper surface side of the translucent cover, an inclined portion is formed in which the thickness of the translucent cover gradually changes toward the outer peripheral end surface, and becomes thinner.
The inclined portion covers a joint portion between the housing and the translucent cover and at least an end portion of the light emission region of the light source portion.

Here, if the joint portion between the housing and the translucent cover is visible from the outside through the translucent cover, the design of the lighting device is significantly impaired.
In the first aspect, since the inclined portion of the translucent cover covers the joint portion between the housing and the translucent cover, the translucent cover is attached from the outside of the lighting device by the action of reflection and refraction at the inclined portion. Since it becomes difficult to see the joint portion through the design, the design can be improved.

  Further, in the first aspect, since the inclined portion of the translucent cover covers at least the end portion of the light emitting region of the light source portion, the end portion of the light emitting region of the light source portion is affected by reflection and refraction at the inclined portion. Since the gap between the housing and the opening is difficult to see from the outside of the lighting device through the translucent cover, the design can be improved.

  And in 1st aspect, since the inclination part of a translucent cover coat | covers the junction part of a housing and a translucent cover, and the at least edge part of the light emission area | region of a light source part, the lens effect | action of an inclination part Thus, the joint portion becomes relatively small with respect to the covering area of the inclined portion, and the joint portion becomes difficult to stand out.

<Second aspect>
In the first aspect, the second aspect is a flat surface on the back surface side of the inclined portion in the translucent cover.
In the second aspect, because of the action of reflection on the back surface side of the inclined portion, it becomes difficult to see the joint portion through the translucent cover from the outside of the lighting device. It can be further increased.

<Third aspect>
According to a third aspect, in the first aspect or the second aspect, the width of the outer peripheral end surface of the translucent cover is 0.5 mm or more.
In the third aspect, since the thickness of the entire inclined portion is increased, the optical path length in the inclined portion is also increased, and the action of refraction at the inclined portion is reliably obtained. It can be further increased.

<Fourth aspect>
According to a fourth aspect, in the first to third aspects, the inclination angle of the inclined portion with respect to the joint portion is 20 to 60 °.
In the fourth aspect, the operation and effect of the first aspect can be obtained with certainty.

<5th aspect>
According to a fifth aspect, in the first to fourth aspects, the maximum thickness of the inclined portion is larger than the width of the joining portion and smaller than 5 mm.
In the fifth aspect, since the maximum thickness of the inclined portion is larger than the width of the joining portion, the action of reflection and refraction at the inclined portion can be reliably obtained. Can be increased.
Further, in the fifth aspect, since the maximum thickness of the inclined portion is smaller than 5 mm, it is easy to weld the joint portion when the housing and the translucent cover are formed by welding with a synthetic resin material.

<Sixth aspect>
In a sixth aspect, in the first to fifth aspects, the width of the joint portion is 1.5 to 3 mm.
In the sixth aspect, since the joint portion becomes inconspicuous after sufficiently increasing the joint strength of the joint portion, it is possible to reliably obtain the operation and effect of the first aspect.

<Seventh aspect>
In a first to sixth aspects, a seventh aspect includes a decorative layer formed on the front surface or the back surface of the inclined portion in the translucent cover.
In the seventh aspect, since the joint portion is hidden by the decorative layer and becomes inconspicuous, the functions and effects of the first aspect can be reliably obtained.

<Eighth aspect>
In an eighth aspect, in the first to seventh aspects, the housing and the translucent cover are formed of a synthetic resin material, and the joint portion is welded.
In the eighth aspect, the housing and the translucent cover can be easily joined and fixed.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a lighting device 10 according to a first embodiment that embodies the present invention. FIG. 2A is a longitudinal sectional view of a lighting device 50 according to a second embodiment that embodies the present invention. FIG. 2B is a longitudinal sectional view of a lighting device 60 according to a third embodiment that embodies the present invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the illuminating device 70 of 4th Embodiment which actualized this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the illuminating device 80 of 5th Embodiment which actualized this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, the same constituent members and constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description of the same contents is omitted.
Moreover, in each drawing, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, the dimensional shape and arrangement location of the constituent members of each embodiment are schematically illustrated in an exaggerated manner, and the dimensional shape and arrangement location of each constituent member are the real thing. May not always match.

<First Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 1, the illuminating device 10 of 1st Embodiment is the housing 11 (opening part 11a, the outer periphery part 11b), the translucent cover 12 (the outer peripheral end surface 12a, the inclination part 12b, the back surface 12c), and a light source part. 13 (light emitting region 13a, LED 14, light guide 15), joint portion CJ, and the like, and used as a garnish with illumination or an ornament with illumination.
By the way, garnish refers to all decorative items such as emblems attached to automobiles and automobile manufacturer logos.
Ornament refers to an automobile decoration that represents a car name, a specification name, a symbol mark, or the like.

The housing 11 has a box shape with an upper surface opened, is formed of a synthetic resin material having translucency or reflectivity, and an outer peripheral edge (outer peripheral edge face) 11b of the opening 11a of the housing 11 is formed flat. ing.
The translucent cover 12 has a substantially flat plate shape and is integrally formed of a highly transparent synthetic resin material (for example, PMMA (PolyMethyl Methacrylate), PC (PolyCarbonate), etc.).
On the outer peripheral edge on the upper surface side of the translucent cover 12, an inclined portion 12b is formed in which the thickness of the translucent cover 12 gradually decreases toward the outer peripheral end surface 12a.
In the translucent cover 12, the back surface 12c of the inclined portion 12b is formed as a flat surface.

The translucent cover 12 covers the opening 11 a of the housing 11, and the rear surface of the outer peripheral edge of the translucent cover 12 and the outer peripheral edge 11 b of the housing 11 are bonded and fixed (bonded and fixed). A translucent cover 12 is attached to and fixed to 11.
The housing 11 and the translucent cover 12 may be joined and fixed by any method as long as a good fixed state can be obtained. For example, various welding methods (laser welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.). Vibration welding, induction welding, high-frequency welding, thermal welding using a heater, etc.), adhesion using an adhesive, fixing using a double-sided adhesive tape, screwing, etc. may be used.
Among these joining and fixing methods, laser welding is most suitable because the joining portion CJ has a good appearance and can follow a three-dimensional shape. For laser welding, it is preferable to use a galvano scanner type laser welding apparatus with excellent operability.

The light source unit 13 is a planar light source including an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 14 and a light guide 15. The light source unit 13 is accommodated in the housing 11, is attached and fixed, and is disposed on the back side of the translucent cover 12.
The light guide 15 has a substantially flat plate shape, and includes an incident surface 15 a, a reflective surface 15 b, and an output surface 15 c, and the flat output surface 15 c is disposed to face the back surface of the translucent cover 12.
The emitted light of the LED 14 is incident on the incident surface 15 a of the light guide 15 and is reflected by the reflecting surface 15 b of the light guide 15 while being guided through the light guide 15, and from the output surface 15 c of the light guide 15. The light is emitted, passes through the translucent cover 12, and is emitted to the outside of the illumination device 10.
Therefore, the emission surface 15 c of the light guide 15 becomes the light emission region 13 a of the light source unit 13.
The shape of the light guide 15 is not limited to the example illustrated in FIG. 1 and may be any shape.

[Operations and effects of the first embodiment]
According to the illumination device 10 of the first embodiment, the following actions and effects can be obtained.

[1] If the joint portion CJ between the housing 11 and the translucent cover 12 is visible from the outside through the translucent cover 12, the design of the lighting device 10 is significantly impaired.
In particular, when welding is used for joining and fixing the housing 11 and the translucent cover 12, the appearance of the welded portion that is the joined portion CJ is poor, and the design is greatly impaired.
Therefore, in the illuminating device 10, since the inclined portion 12b of the translucent cover 12 covers the joint portion CJ between the housing 11 and the translucent cover 12, the illuminating device 10 is affected by reflection and refraction at the inclined portion 12b. Since it becomes difficult to see the joint portion CJ through the translucent cover 12 from the outside, the design can be improved.

  Moreover, in the illuminating device 10, since the inclined part 12b of the translucent cover 12 coat | covers at least the edge part of the light emission area | region of the light source part 13, the light emission area | region of the light source part 13 by the effect | action of reflection and refraction | bending at the inclination part 12b. Since the gap portion S between the end of the housing 11 and the opening 11a of the housing 11 is difficult to see through the translucent cover 12 from the outside of the lighting device 10, the design can be improved.

  And in the illuminating device 10, in order for the inclination part 12b of the translucent cover 12 to coat | cover the junction part CJ of the housing 11 and the translucent cover 12, and the at least edge part of the light emission area | region 13a of the light source part 13. Because of the lens action of the inclined portion 12b, the joint portion CJ becomes relatively small with respect to the covering area of the inclined portion 12b, and the joint portion CJ becomes less conspicuous.

  [2] Since the back surface 12c of the inclined portion 12b in the translucent cover 12 is a flat surface, the translucent cover 12 is transmitted from the outside of the illumination device 10 by the action of reflection on the back surface 12c of the inclined portion 12b. Since it becomes difficult to see the joint portion CJ, the function and effect of [1] can be further enhanced.

[3] The range of the width p of the outer peripheral end face 12a of the translucent cover 12 is preferably as thick as possible, and is preferably 0.5 mm or more, desirably 1 to 2 mm, and particularly desirably 3 mm or more.
If the width p of the outer peripheral end face 12a is within this range, the entire thickness of the inclined portion 12b is increased, so that the optical path length in the inclined portion 12b is also increased, and the action of refraction at the inclined portion 12b is reliably obtained. The function / effect of [1] can be further enhanced.

[4] The range of the inclination angle θ of the inclined portion 12b with respect to the joint portion CJ is suitably 20 to 60 °, preferably 30 to 60 °, particularly preferably 45 to 60 °.
If the inclination angle θ of the inclined portion 12b is set within this range, the operation and effect of [1] can be obtained with certainty.

  [5] If the maximum thickness t of the inclined portion 12b is larger than the width d of the joint portion CJ, the action of reflection and refraction at the inclined portion 12b can be obtained with certainty. Can be further increased.

The range of the maximum thickness t of the inclined portion 12b is suitably smaller than 5 mm.
If the maximum thickness t of the inclined portion 12b is within this range, welding is facilitated when the joining portion CJ is formed using welding.

[6] The width d of the joint portion CJ is suitably 1.5 to 3 mm.
When the width d of the joint portion CJ is within this range, the joint portion CJ is not easily noticeable after sufficiently increasing the joint strength of the joint portion CJ, and thus the operation and effect of [1] can be obtained with certainty.

  [7] Since the housing 11 is made of a synthetic resin material having translucency or reflectivity, the outer peripheral edge portion 11b of the housing 11 constituting the joint portion CJ is not conspicuous. The effect can be obtained with certainty.

Second Embodiment
As shown to FIG. 2 (A), the illuminating device 50 of 2nd Embodiment has the housing 11 (opening part 11a, the outer periphery part 11b), the translucent cover 12 (the outer peripheral end surface 12a, the inclination part 12b, the back surface 12c, The decorative layer 12d), the light source unit 13 (the light emission region 13a, the LED 14, the light guide 15), the joint portion CJ, and the like are provided.

The illumination device 50 according to the second embodiment is different from the illumination device 10 according to the first embodiment in that a decoration layer 12 d formed on the surface of the inclined portion 12 b in the translucent cover 12 is provided.
In the illuminating device 50, since the joining portion CJ is hidden by the decorative layer 12d and becomes inconspicuous, the function and effect of [1] can be obtained with certainty.

<Third Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 2B, the illumination device 60 of the third embodiment includes a housing 11 (opening 11a, outer peripheral edge 11b), a translucent cover 12 (outer peripheral end face 12a, inclined part 12b, rear face 12c, The decorative layer 12e), the light source unit 13 (the light emission region 13a, the LED 14, the light guide 15), the joint portion CJ, and the like are provided.

The illumination device 60 of the third embodiment is different from the illumination device 10 of the first embodiment in that a decoration layer 12e formed on the entire back surface of the translucent cover 12 is provided.
In the illuminating device 60, since the joining part CJ is hidden by the decorative layer 12e and becomes inconspicuous, the operation and effect of [1] can be obtained with certainty.
Here, the decorative layer 12e is not limited to being formed on the entire back surface of the translucent cover 12, and may be formed only on the back surface 12c of the inclined portion 12b.

The decorative layers 12d and 12e may be formed of any layer as long as the decorative layers 12d and 12e have a decorative property and can conceal the joint portion CJ. A reflective layer such as a silver plating layer by silver mirror reaction) or a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) layer, a half mirror layer, a film layer, a coating layer, etc. may be used.
Moreover, since the decoration layers 12d and 12e are made light transmissive, the light emitted from the light source unit 13 can be transmitted, so that the light emission efficiency can be prevented from decreasing.

<Fourth embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 3, the illuminating device 70 of 4th Embodiment is the housing 11 (opening part 11a, the outer periphery part 11b), the translucent cover 12 (the outer peripheral end surface 12a, the inclination part 12b, the back surface 12c), and a light source part. 71 (light emission region 71a, reflector 72, LED 14), a joint portion CJ, and the like.

The illumination device 70 of the fourth embodiment is different from the illumination device 10 of the first embodiment in that the light source unit 13 is replaced with a light source unit 71.
The light source unit 71 includes an LED 14 and a reflector 72, is housed in the housing 11, is fixedly mounted, and is disposed on the back side of the translucent cover 12.
The reflector 72 is a concave mirror and is disposed to face the back surface of the translucent cover 12, and the LED 14 is disposed at the center of the reflector 72.

The emitted light of the LED 14 is reflected by the reflector 72, passes through the translucent cover 12, and is emitted to the outside of the lighting device 10.
For this reason, the region in plan view of the reflector 72 becomes the light emission region 71 a of the light source unit 71.
The shape of the reflector 72 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3 and may be any shape.
Therefore, also in the illuminating device 70 of 4th Embodiment, the effect | action and effect similar to the illuminating device 10 of 1st Embodiment are acquired.

  In addition, in 4th Embodiment, since the inclination part 12b of the translucent cover 12 coat | covers the edge part of the reflector 72, the edge part of the reflector 72 and the effect | action of the reflection in the inclination part 12b, and the effect | action of the housing 11 are carried out. Since the gap portion U with the opening 11a is difficult to see through the translucent cover 12 from the outside of the illumination device 70, the design can be improved.

<Fifth Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 4, the illumination device 80 according to the fifth embodiment includes a housing 11 (opening 11a, outer peripheral edge 11b), a translucent cover 12 (outer peripheral end surface 12a, inclined portion 12b, back surface 12c), and a light source unit. 13 (light emission region 13a, LED 14, light guide 15), joint portion CJ, and the like.

The illumination device 80 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the illumination device 10 according to the first embodiment in that the inclined portion 12b of the translucent cover 12 includes a joint portion CJ between the housing 11 and the translucent cover 12, and a light source. In addition to covering at least the end of the light emitting region 13a of the portion 13, the light emitting surface 14a of the LED 14 and the incident surface 15a of the light guide 15 are also covered.
Therefore, also in the illuminating device 80 of 5th Embodiment, the effect | action and effect similar to the illuminating device 10 of 1st Embodiment are acquired.

By the way, in 1st Embodiment, if the light-emitting surface 14a of LED14, the entrance surface 15a of the light guide 15, and the clearance gap W of each surface 14a, 15a will be visible from the exterior through the translucent cover 12, of illumination apparatus 10 will be shown. Designability is significantly impaired.
On the other hand, in the fifth embodiment, since the inclined portion 12b of the translucent cover 12 covers the light emitting surface 14a of the LED 14 and the incident surface 15a of the light guide 15, the action of reflection and refraction at the inclined portion 12b. As a result, the surfaces 14a and 15a and the gap W between the surfaces 14a and 15a and the gap W are difficult to see through the translucent cover 12 from the outside of the lighting device 80, so that the design can be further improved.

<Another embodiment>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be embodied as follows. Even in this case, operations and effects equivalent to or higher than those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

[A] The light source unit 13 of the illumination devices 10, 50, 60 of the first to third embodiments includes the light guide 15, and the light source unit 71 of the illumination device 70 of the fourth embodiment includes the reflector 72. The light body and the reflector may be omitted, and the light source unit may include only the LED 14.
Moreover, although each said embodiment is provided with only one LED14, you may make it provide several LED14.

  [B] The LED 14 may be replaced with any light emitting member (for example, a semiconductor light emitting element such as an EL (Electro Luminescence) element, a light bulb, etc.).

  [C] The lighting device of each of the above embodiments is applied to a garnish with illumination and an ornament with illumination of an automobile. However, the lighting device of the present invention is not limited to a vehicle, and any article (for example, an electric product) In this case, the translucent cover 12 may be replaced with an exterior member of the article.

  [D] The embodiments described above may be implemented in combination as appropriate. In that case, the functions and effects of the combined embodiments can be combined or a synergistic effect can be obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the description of each aspect and each embodiment. Various modifications are also included in the present invention as long as those skilled in the art can easily conceive without departing from the scope of the claims. The contents of publications and the like specified in the present specification are all incorporated by reference.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,50,60,70,80 ... Illuminating device 11 ... Housing 11a ... Opening part 11b ... Outer peripheral edge part 12 ... Translucent cover 12a ... Outer peripheral end surface 12b ... Inclined part 12c ... Back surface 12d, 12e ... Decorating layer 13, 71 ... Light source part 13a, 71a ... Light emission area 14 ... LED
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Light guide 72 ... Reflector CJ ... Joining part p ... Width of outer peripheral end surface 12a of translucent cover 12 θ ... Inclination angle of inclined part 12b t ... Maximum thickness of inclined part 12b d ... Width of joining part CJ

Claims (5)

A light source that emits light;
A housing in which the light source unit is accommodated;
The light source unit is disposed on the back side, and includes a translucent cover that is bonded and fixed to the housing by welding so as to cover the opening of the housing,
On the outer peripheral edge of the upper surface side of the translucent cover, an inclined portion is formed in which the thickness of the translucent cover gradually changes toward the outer peripheral end surface, and becomes thinner.
The inclined portion covers a joint portion between the housing and the translucent cover, and at least an end portion of a light emission region of the light source portion ,
The width of the outer peripheral end face of the translucent cover is 0.5 mm or more,
The inclination angle of the inclined portion with respect to the joint portion is 20 to 60 °,
The maximum thickness of the inclined portion is larger than the width of the joint portion and smaller than 5 mm,
The width | variety of the said junction part is an illuminating device which is 1.5-3 mm . The back side of the inclined portion in the translucent cover is a flat surface.
The lighting device according to claim 1. A decorative layer formed on the front or back surface of the inclined portion in the translucent cover;
The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2 . The housing and the light-transmitting cover is Ru is formed of a synthetic resin material,
The illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the translucent cover is bonded and fixed to the housing by laser welding.

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