Vehicle interior illumination lamp

A vehicle interior illumination lamp for mounting at an opening portion formed in a roof panel (interior member) of a vehicle includes a function part including a bulb (light source), and a switch unit for supplying and interrupting electric power relative to the bulb, and a design part including a housing for mounting at the opening portion in the roof panel, a retaining mechanism securely engaging the function part with the housing, and a switch knob engaged with the switch unit. The retaining mechanism includes a retaining member which cooperates with the switch knob to hold the switch unite therebetween.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a vehicle interior illumination lamp for mounting within a room of a vehicle.

2. Related Art

Generally, a vehicle has an interior illumination lamp mounted on a ceiling thereof.

As shown inFIG. 7, one such known interior illumination lamp comprises a function part A which is attached to a roof panel (interior member)101(covering a vehicle body panel (note shown)) from that side facing a vehicle body panel, and is partially exposed to the inside of a vehicle room through an opening portion102in the roof panel101, and a design part B which is attached to the roof panel101from the inside of the vehicle room to cover the opening portion102, and is combined with the function part A (see, for example, JP-A-2002-79879 (Pages 15 to 17, FIG. 19)).

The function part A includes a bulb103serving as a light source, and a switch unit104for supplying and interrupting electric power relative to the bulb103. A cable115, such as an FFC (flexible flat cable), is connected to a cable connection portion (not shown) of a switch circuit of the switch unit104. A switch lever105for supplying and interrupting electric power relative to the bulb103is provided at the switch unit104.

A pair of elastic retaining piece portions111, formed respectively on opposite side portions of the function part A, are brought into engagement with a peripheral edge portion of the opening portion102from the inside of the vehicle room, and at the same time a plurality of support projecting piece portions112, formed at front and rear ends of the function part A, are brought into abutting engagement with the peripheral edge portion of the opening portion102from that side facing the vehicle body panel, thereby mounting the function part A on the roof panel101.

The design part B includes a housing108which is formed into a light-transmitting lens-like configuration, and has retaining projections114, and this housing108is attached to the root panel101to cover the opening portion102from the inside of the vehicle room, with the retaining projections114engaged respectively in engagement holes113formed in the peripheral edge portion of the opening portion102.

A switch knob106is mounted in a suspended manner on the housing108through a pair of retaining claws engaged with that surface of a peripheral edge portion of a slide groove109facing the vehicle body panel, so that the switch knob106can slidingly move along the slide groove109. A pair of limitation projections110are formed on and project from the housing108, and are disposed adjacent to the slide groove109in the housing108, and these limitation projections110hold the switch unit104therebetween in the direction of sliding movement of the slide knob106so as to prevent the switch unit104(the function part A) from being displaced relative to the housing108in the direction of sliding movement of the slide knob106

The function part A and the design part B are combined together through the roof panel101, and in this condition the switch knob106of the design part B is engaged at its engagement portion107with the switch lever105of the switch unit104. When the switch knob106is pressed or operated in its sliding direction, the switch lever105is moved in unison with the switch knob106so as to supply and interrupt electric power relative to the bulb103.

In the vehicle interior illumination lamp disclosed in the above Patent Literature 1, the switch unit104(which directly receives a pressing force when the switch knob106is pressed or operated) is prevented merely by the pair of limitation projections110on the housing108from displacement in the direction of sliding movement of the switch knob106. Namely, that side or surface of the switch unit104, facing the vehicle body panel, is not directly held by either of the roof panel101and the housing108of the design part B. Therefore, in case an urging force, urging the switch knob106toward the switch unit104, is applied when the switch knob106is operated, there has been a possibility that the switch unit104, directly receiving this pressing force, is displaced toward the vehicle body panel, that is, in a direction away from the housing108, so that the whole of the function part A is disengaged from the design part B (that is, the function potion A is brought out of engagement with the roof panel101).

When the function part A is thus disengaged from the design part B, the engagement of the switch lever105with the switch knob106is canceled, and therefore the switch lever105can not be operated through the switch knob106, thus inviting a so-called malfunction, that is, a failure to supply and interrupt electric power relative to the bulb103.

And besides, there has been a fear that the function part A and the design part B are improperly assembled together in a process of mounting of the interior illumination lamp on the vehicle, since the function part A is liable to be disengaged from the design part B when the switch knob106is pressed toward the vehicle body panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the invention is to provide a vehicle interior illumination lamp which prevents a malfunction and an improperly-assembled condition, thereby enhancing its quality.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provide a vehicle interior illumination lamp in a compartment of a vehicle, comprising:

a function part including a light source and a switch unit for supplying and interrupting electric power relative to the light source;

a design part including a housing to be mounted on an opening portion of a panel, a retaining mechanism securely engaging the function part with the housing and a switch operating portion engaged with the switch unit; and

wherein the retaining device includes a retaining member which cooperates with the switch operating portion to hold the switch unit therebetween.

In the above vehicle interior illumination lamp, the switch unit may include a switch body projecting from a side of the switch unit in which a switch lever is accommodated slidingly along a sliding direction, and

the retaining device may have a pair of retaining hooks extending from a base board of the housing and a retaining member provided between distal ends of the retaining hooks so as to extend in the sliding direction.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle interior illumination lamp attached on a panel of a compartment in a vehicle, comprising:

a function part having a light source, a wire supplying electrical power, and a switch body connected to the wire; and

a design part having a switch operating portion to face to the function part and an engagement projection;

the function part and the design part are fitted to each other from opposite sides with respect to the panel so that the switch body and the switch operating portion are securely engaged to each other.

In the above vehicle interior illumination lamp as described above, the switch operation portion may have an engagement portion for receiving a convex portion of a switch lever provided in the switch body of the function part, and

the engagement portion may be formed between opposed distal end portions of a pair of elastic retaining lances which extend in a sliding direction of the switch operating portion,

so that the distal end portions of the pair of elastic retaining lances can hold a distal end portion of the convex portion. therebetween in the sliding direction, thereby retaining the switch lever.

The retaining member is spaced a predetermined distance from the switch operating portion in opposed relation thereto, and the switch unit is fitted into this space, so that the switch unit is engaged with the switch operating portion, and also is supported by the retaining member at the rear side of its engagement portion engaged with the switch operating portion.

Therefore, even when the switch operating portion is pressed toward the switch unit, the switch unit, supported by the retaining member, will not be displaced in a direction away from the housing. Therefore, the function part and the design part can be positively assembled together, and a malfunction and an improperly-assembled condition of the vehicle interior illumination lamp are avoided, so that the quality can be enhanced.

In the present invention, the quality of the vehicle interior illumination lamp can be enhanced by preventing a malfunction and an improperly-assembled condition.

The present invention has been briefly described above. Details of the invention will become more manifest upon reading the following Section “Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention” with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.FIG. 1is an exploded, perspective view of one preferred embodiment of a vehicle interior illumination lamp of the invention,FIG. 2is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a switch unit and a switch knob (switch operating portion) shown inFIG. 1,FIGS. 3A and 3Bare schematic views explanatory of a method of engaging the switch unit and the switch knob ofFIG. 2with each other,FIG. 4is a perspective view which is explanatory of a procedure of assembling the vehicle interior illumination lamp ofFIG. 1, and shows its appearance,FIG. 5is a perspective view of the vehicle interior illumination lamp ofFIG. 1in its completely-assembled condition, showing its appearance, andFIG. 6is a perspective view of the vehicle interior illumination lamp ofFIG. 1as seen from a different angle, showing its appearance.

As shown inFIG. 1, the vehicle interior illumination lamp10, embodying the invention, comprises a design part11including a housing12, a lens13and the switch knob14, and a function part15including a bulb16serving as a light source. This lamp10is mounted at an opening portion41formed through a roof panel (interior member)40covering a vehicle body panel (not shown).

The function part15includes a function part body30receiving the bulb16such as a miniature bulb (eggplant-shaped bulb) and an LED, and the switch unit31which is disposed adjacent to the function part body30, and supplies and interrupts electric power relative to the bulb16. A wire harness50(such as an FFC (flexible flat cable)), connected to a power source, is connected to a cable connection portion (not shown) of a switch circuit of the switch unit31, and by switching a contact (not shown) of the switch circuit, the supply of electric power to the bulb16can be effected and interrupted. The wire harness50is installed on that side of the roof panel40facing the vehicle body panel.

A switch base (switch body)26generally in the form of a pillar of a square cross-section is formed on and projects from that end surface of the switch unit31which is spaced from the function part body30in a direction of juxtaposition of the function part body30and the switch unit31. A switch lever32of a generally convex shape is held on the switch base26so as to slidingly move along the above end surface of the switch unit31. In accordance with the sliding movement of the switch lever32, the contact of the switch circuit of the switch unit31is switched, thereby effecting and interrupting the supply of electric power to the bulb16.

The housing12is the member for mounting the interior illumination lamp10on the roof panel40, and an optical path opening18is formed through a central portion of a generally rectangular base board17of the housing12. After the function part15is attached to the design part11, light, emitted from the bulb16of the function part15, passes through the optical path opening18.

A mounting frame19of a generally U-shaped cross-section is formed on the base board17in surrounding relation to three sides of the optical path opening18. When the function part15is to be attached to the design part11, the mounting frame19is fitted on the function part body30(receiving the bulb16) to position the function part15in such a manner that the function part body30is disposed just above the optical path opening18. Retaining grooves (first retaining mechanism)20are formed respectively in inner surfaces of a pair of opposed side walls of the mounting frame19, and are engaged respectively with a pair of retaining claws21and21(formed respectively on corresponding portions of the function part body30), thereby retaining the function part15relative to the housing12of the design part11.

A slide groove24is formed through that portion of the base board17which corresponds to the switch base26of the switch unit31of the function part15when the function part body30of the function part15is fitted into the mounting frame19. The slide groove24is formed such that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the direction of sliding movement of the switch lever32held on the switch base26. The switch knob14is held in the slide groove24so as to slidingly move therealong.

Referring toFIG. 2, the switch knob14has an engagement portion28which is engageable with the switch lever32. The engagement portion28is formed between opposed distal end portions of a pair of elastic retaining lances28aand28awhich extend in the direction of sliding movement of the switch knob14. The distal end portions of the pair of elastic retaining lances28aand28ahold a distal end portion32aof the switch lever32of a generally convex shape therebetween in the direction of sliding movement of the switch knob14, thereby retaining the switch lever32.

In case the switch lever32and the engagement portion28of the switch knob14are disposed out of registry with each other when the function part15is attached to the design part11as shown inFIG. 3A, the switch knob14is slidingly moved in such a direction (that is, a direction indicated by arrow C in this Figure) that the engagement portion28moves toward the switch lever32. By doing so, the distal end portion32aof the switch lever32is brought into abutting engagement with the elastic retaining lance28ato elastically deform the same, and then is brought into engagement with the engagement portion28.

Referring again toFIG. 1, a pair of first fixing means22and22and a pair of second fixing means23and23are formed on an outer peripheral portion of the base board17. The first fixing means22and22are engaged respectively in corresponding engagement holes42formed in the root panel40, thereby fixing the housing12to the roof panel40. The second fixing means23and23pass respectively through corresponding through holes43formed through the roof panel40, and are engaged with the vehicle body panel (not shown). Harness fixing portions35are formed between the first fixing means22and the second fixing means23, and these harness fixing portions35grasp the wire harness50which extends through the through hole43, and is installed on that side of the roof panel40facing the vehicle body panel.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, second retaining mechanism for retaining the function part15relative to the housing12of the design part11is formed on that portion of the base board17opposite to the mounting frame19, and is disposed adjacent to the slide groove24. This second retaining mechanism comprises a pair of generally L-shaped retaining hooks25and25which are formed in an upstanding manner on the base board17, and are spaced a predetermined distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the slide groove24, and a bar-like retaining member27extending between distal ends of the pair of retaining hooks25and25. The retaining member27is spaced a predetermined distance from the switch knob14(held in the slide groove24) in opposed relation thereto. When the function part15is attached to the design part11, the retaining member27is engaged with an upper edge (facing the vehicle body panel) of the switch base26of the switch unit31, and cooperates with the switch knob14to hold the switch base26therebetween.

Next, the procedure of attaching the function part15to the design part11will be described with reference toFIGS. 4 to 6. InFIGS. 4 to 6, for the sake of simplicity, the showing of the roof panel40is omitted.

First, the design part11is attached to the roof panel40from the inside of the vehicle room in such a manner that the first fixing means22are engaged respectively in the engagement holes42in the roof panel40while the second fixing means23and the harness fixing portions35pass through the through holes43in the roof panel40.

Then, the function part15, while kept inclined, is inserted into a mounting position (where it is attached to the design part11) from that side of the roof panel40facing the vehicle body panel, and the upper edge portion of the switch base26of the function part15is engaged with the retaining member27on the housing12as shown inFIG. 4.

Then, the function part body30of the function part15is pressed toward the housing12, with the switch base26of the function part15kept engaged with the retaining member27, and as a result the function part15is turned or angularly moved about the retaining member27(which serves as a fulcrum at this time), and is inserted into the mounting frame19, so that the pair of retaining claws21and21on the function part body30are engaged respectively in the pair of retaining grooves20and20in the mounting frame19as shown inFIG. 5. In this condition, the retaining member27is engaged with the upper edge portion of the switch base26, and cooperates with the switch knob14to hold the switch base26therebetween. In case the switch lever32and the engagement portion28of the switch knob14are disposed out of registry with each other, the switch knob14is slidingly moved in such a direction as to move the engagement portion28toward the switch lever32, thereby bringing the engagement portion28of the switch lever14into engagement with the switch lever32.

Then, the wire harness50, connected to the switch unit31, is grasped by the harness fixing portions35on the housing12. Thus, the operation for assembling the function part15and the design part11together is completed.

In the vehicle interior illumination lamp10in which the function part15is attached to the design part11, an operating portion29of the switch knob14(of the design part11) which is engaged with the switch lever32of the function part15projects into the inside of the vehicle room through a knob hole34formed in the housing12in continuous relation to the slide groove24, as sown inFIG. 6. When the operating knob29is operated or pressed to be moved from an OFF position to an ON position, the switch knob14is slidingly moved, and in accordance with this movement of the switch knob14, the switch lever32is operated, thereby supplying electric power to the bulb16to light the bulb16. Similarly, when the operating portion29is pressed to be moved from the ON position to the OFF position, the switch lever32is operated, thereby interrupting the supply of electric power to the bulb16to turn off the bulb16. Light, emitted from the bulb16, is irradiated to the inside of the vehicle room through the optical path opening18(formed in the housing12of the design part11) and the lens13provided at the housing12to cover the optical path opening18.

In the above embodiment of the vehicle interior illumination lamp of the invention, the switch base26, holding the switch lever32of the function part15which directly receives a pressing force when the switch knob14is operated or pressed, is held between the switch knob14of the design part11and the retaining member27. In other words, the retaining member27is spaced the predetermined distance from the switch knob14in opposed relation thereto, and the switch base26of the switch unit31is fitted into this space, so that the switch base26is supported by the retaining member27at the rear side of the switch lever32serving as an engagement portion engaged with the switch knob.

Therefore, even when the switch knob14is pressed toward the switch base26, the switch base26, supported by the retaining member27, will not be displaced in the direction away from the housing12of the design part11. Therefore, the function part15and the design part11can be positively assembled together, and a malfunction and an improperly-assembled condition of the vehicle interior illumination lamp10are avoided, so that the quality can be enhanced.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and suitable modifications, improvement and so on can be made. The shape, dimensions, numerical values, form, number, disposition, etc., of each of the constituent elements of the above embodiment are arbitrary, and are not limited in so far as the invention can be achieved.