Patent Publication Number: US-2017349088-A1

Title: Vehicle illumination device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a vehicle illumination device that emits light. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In a door mirror described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2010-173540, a camera is fixed to a door mirror body through a bracket. 
     In such door mirrors, it is desirable to enable easy installation of a camera to a door mirror body. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle illumination device enabling easy installation of an illumination mechanism to an installation member. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A vehicle illumination device of a first aspect of the present invention includes an installation member that is provided at a vehicle and that includes an insertion hole, an elastic body that is inserted into the insertion hole, and an illumination mechanism that emits light toward an outer side of the vehicle and that is installed at the installation member by elastically compressing the elastic body between the illumination mechanism and a peripheral face of the insertion hole such that the illumination mechanism is retained by the elastic body alone. 
     A vehicle illumination device of a second aspect of the present invention is the vehicle illumination device of the first aspect of the present invention, further including a groove that is provided at at least one of the elastic body or the illumination mechanism, and a suppressing portion that is housed in the groove, and that is elastically compressed between the elastic body and the illumination mechanism, so as to suppress incursion of water into the illumination mechanism from between the elastic body and the illumination mechanism. 
     A vehicle illumination device of a third aspect of the present invention is the vehicle illumination device of either the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention, further including a suppressing portion that is disposed in the insertion hole, and that is elastically compressed between the elastic body and the illumination mechanism, so as to suppress incursion of water into the illumination mechanism from between the elastic body and the illumination mechanism. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     In the vehicle illumination device of the first aspect of the present invention, the illumination mechanism is installed at the installation member provided at the vehicle, and the illumination mechanism emits light toward the outer side of the vehicle. 
     Note that the elastic body is inserted into the insertion hole provided at the installation member, and the illumination mechanism is installed at the installation member by elastically compressing the elastic body between the illumination mechanism and the peripheral face of the insertion hole such that the illumination mechanism is retained by the elastic body alone. This thereby enables easy installation of the illumination mechanism to the installation member. 
     In the vehicle illumination device of the second aspect of the present invention, the suppressing portion is elastically compressed between the elastic body and the illumination mechanism, so as to suppress incursion of water into the illumination mechanism from between the elastic body and the illumination mechanism. 
     Note that the groove is provided at at least one of the elastic body or the illumination mechanism, and the suppressing portion is housed in the groove. Accordingly, an incursion route of water into the illumination mechanism from between the elastic body and the illumination mechanism can be lengthened, thereby enabling the incursion of water into the illumination mechanism to be effectively suppressed. 
     In the vehicle illumination device of the third aspect of the present invention, the suppressing portion is elastically compressed between the elastic body and the illumination mechanism, so as to suppress incursion of water into the illumination mechanism from between the elastic body and the illumination mechanism. 
     Note that the suppressing portion is disposed in the insertion hole. Accordingly, the suppressing portion can be elastically compressed by a portion of the elastic body that is elastically compressed between the illumination mechanism and the peripheral face of the insertion hole, thereby enabling the incursion of water into the illumination mechanism to be effectively suppressed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a face-on view illustrating a vehicle door mirror device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle rear. 
         FIG. 2  is a face-on view illustrating relevant portions of the vehicle door mirror device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a lower face view illustrating relevant portions of the vehicle door mirror device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from below. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view illustrating relevant portions of the vehicle door mirror device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from an upper side. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section (cross-section taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3 ) illustrating relevant portions of the vehicle door mirror device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is perspective view illustrating a cap of the vehicle door mirror device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the upper side. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a face-on view illustrating a vehicle door mirror device  10  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle rear. Note that in the drawings, the arrow OUT indicates the vehicle width direction outside (vehicle right), and the arrow UP indicates upwards. 
     The vehicle door mirror device  10  according to the present exemplary embodiment is provided at a vehicle outside of an up-down direction intermediate portion and vehicle front side end of a side door (specifically, a front side door), serving as a vehicle door. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the vehicle door mirror device  10  includes a stay  14 , serving as a fixing member. A vehicle width direction inside end of the stay  14  is fixed to the side door (vehicle body side), thereby fixing the vehicle door mirror device  10  to the side door. 
     A substantially rectangular container-shaped visor  16  that is made from resin and serves as an installation member is supported on a vehicle width direction outside portion of the stay  14 . The visor  16  is disposed at the vehicle width direction outside of the stay  14 . A substantially rectangular shaped opening  18  is formed penetrating a vehicle rear side wall of the visor  16 , and the opening  18  is open toward the vehicle rear side at the inside of the visor  16 . 
     A substantially circular shaped through hole  20 , serving as an insertion hole, is formed penetrating a lower wall of the visor  16 . The through hole  20  is open toward the lower side at the inside of the visor  16 . An inside face (upper side face) of the lower wall of the visor  16  is integrally formed with a columnar restriction projection  16 A configuring a restriction means at the periphery of the through hole  20 . The restriction projection  16 A extends in a radial direction of the through hole  20 . 
     A substantially rectangular plate shaped mirror  22 , serving as a visual recognition means, is housed inside the visor  16  in the vicinity of the opening  18 . The mirror  22  substantially closes off the opening  18 . A mirror surface  22 A of the mirror  22  faces toward the vehicle rear side, such that the mirror  22  enables visual recognition rearward of the vehicle by an occupant of the vehicle (in particular, the driver), thus assisting the occupant with visual recognition. 
     A projection device  12 , serving as an illumination mechanism, is housed at an upper side of the through hole  20  inside the visor  16 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5 , the projection device  12  is provided with a case  24 , serving as a housing body, that is made from resin and substantially has the shape of an inverted circular frustum-shaped container. Light cannot pass through the case  24 . A circular exposure hole  26  is coaxially formed penetrating a lower wall (bottom wall) of the case  24 . The outer periphery of the case  24  is closed off, with the exception of a portion corresponding to the exposure hole  26 . 
     A columnar locking projection  24 A configuring a locking means is integrally formed at a lower end portion of an outer peripheral face of the case  24 . The locking projection  24 A extends in the axial direction of the case  24 . A lower portion of the outer peripheral face of the case  24  is formed with a suppressing recess  28 , serving as a groove (first groove), running around the entire periphery of the case  24  at an upper side of the locking projection  24 A. The suppressing recess  28  is open toward the peripheral outside of the case  24 . 
     A projection mechanism  30 , serving as an illumination means (projection means) is provided inside the case  24 . 
     The projection mechanism  30  is provided with a rectangular plate shaped circuit board  32 , serving as a supply body. The circuit board  32  is fixed inside an upper end portion of the case  24 . The circuit board  32  is electrically connected to a power source (not illustrated in the drawings). 
     An LED  34 , serving as a light source, is fixed to a lower face of the circuit board  32 . The LED  34  is electrically connected to the circuit board  32 . The LED  34  is housed inside the upper end portion of the case  24 , and the LED  34  is disposed on an axial center line of the case  24 . 
     Inside the case  24 , a collimator lens  36  that has a substantially H-shaped cross-section profile and that serves as a first lens is fixed at a lower side of the circuit board  32 . The collimator lens  36  is disposed coaxially with the case  24 . 
     Inside the case  24 , a graphic film  38  in the shape of a circular sheet and serving as an image member is fixed at a lower side of the collimator lens  36 . The graphic film  38  is disposed coaxially with the case  24 . A graphic such as a symbol (not illustrated in the drawings) that serves as an image is provided at a central side portion of the graphic film  38 . Light is capable of passing through the graphic film  38 . 
     Inside the case  24 , a first image-forming lens  40  that has a substantially U-shaped cross-section profile and that serves as a second lens is fixed at a lower side of the graphic film  38 . The first image-forming lens  40  is disposed coaxially with the case  24 . 
     Inside the case  24 , a second image-forming lens  42  that has a substantially T-shaped cross-section profile and that serves as a third lens is fixed at a lower side of the first image-forming lens  40 . The second image-forming lens  42  is disposed coaxially with the case  24 . A protrusion portion  42 A that has a substantially circular columnar shape and that serves as an insertion portion is coaxially formed at a central side portion of the second image-forming lens  42 . The protrusion portion  42 A protrudes out toward the lower side. The protrusion portion  42 A is inserted through and fitted together with the exposure hole  26  in the lower wall of the case  24 , and the protrusion portion  42 A protrudes out to the lower side of the case  24 . An outer peripheral face of the protrusion portion  42 A is formed with a sealing recess  44  serving as a groove (second groove), running around the entire periphery of the protrusion portion  42 A at the lower side of the case  24 . The sealing recess  44  opens toward the peripheral outside of the protrusion portion  42 A. 
     The projection device  12  is installed at the visor  16  using a substantially circular cylinder shaped cap  46 , serving as an elastic body. The cap  46  is, for example, made of rubber, and is elastic and has sealing properties. 
     A lower side portion of the cap  46  configures a substantially circular cylinder shaped holding tube  48 , serving as a holding portion. The holding tube  48  is disposed coaxially with the cap  46 . An insertion recess  50  with a substantially rectangular shaped cross-section is formed running around the entirety of an outer peripheral face of the holding tube  48 , with the exception of at a lower end portion. The insertion recess  50  opens toward the peripheral outside of the holding tube  48 . 
     An upper side portion of the cap  46  is configured by a fitting tube  52  substantially shaped as an inverted circular frustum-shaped tube with a bottom, and serving as a fitting portion. The fitting tube  52  is disposed coaxially with the cap  46 , and the interior of the fitting tube  52  is in communication with the interior of the holding tube  48 . A lower face of the fitting tube  52  is formed with a restriction recess  52 A configuring a restriction means in the vicinity of the holding tube  48 . The restriction recess  52 A is open toward the lower side and extends in a radial direction of the cap  46 . An locking recess  52 B (see  FIG. 6 ) configuring the locking means is formed at a lower end portion of an inner peripheral face of the fitting tube  52 . The locking recess  52 B opens toward the peripheral inside of the fitting tube  52 , and extends along the axial direction of the cap  46 . 
     The holding tube  48  of the cap  46  is coaxially inserted through (inserted into) the through hole  20  in the visor  16 , and a peripheral portion of the through hole  20  in the visor  16  is press-fitted into the insertion recess  50  of the holding tube  48 . Accordingly, the holding tube  48  is elastically stretched in its axial direction by the visor  16 , and the outer peripheral face of the holding tube  48  is elastically compressed toward its radial direction inside by a peripheral face of the through hole  20 . The restriction projection  16 A of the visor  16  fits into the restriction recess  52 A in the fitting tube  52  of the cap  46 , thereby restricting peripheral direction rotation of the cap  46 , and thus positioning the cap  46  in the peripheral direction. 
     The projection device  12  is coaxially inserted inside the cap  46 . 
     The protrusion portion  42 A of the second image-forming lens  42  of the projection device  12  is press-fitted into the holding tube  48  of the cap  46 , such that the inner peripheral face of the holding tube  48  is elastically stretched toward the radial direction outside by the peripheral face of the protrusion portion  42 A. Moreover, the sealing recess  44  of the protrusion portion  42 A is disposed at an axial direction central portion of the through hole  20  in the visor  16 . 
     A lower portion of the case  24  of the projection device  12  is press-fitted inside the fitting tube  52  of the cap  46 , such that the fitting tube  52  is elastically stretched toward the radial direction outside by the outer peripheral face of the case  24 . The locking projection  24 A of the case  24  is fitted into the locking recess  52 B of the fitting tube  52  of the cap  46 , thereby locking peripheral direction rotation of the projection device  12 , and thus positioning the projection device  12  in the peripheral direction. 
     A circular ring shaped suppressing ring  54 , serving as a suppressing portion (first suppressing portion), is housed in the suppressing recess  28  of the case  24 . The suppressing ring  54  is, for example, made from rubber, and is elastic and has sealing properties. The suppressing ring  54  has lower rigidity than the fitting tube  52  of the cap  46 , and the suppressing ring  54  is held and elastically compressed between the case  24  and the fitting tube  52  so as to form a seal between the case  24  and the fitting tube  52 . 
     A circular ring shaped sealing ring  56  serving as a suppressing portion (second suppressing portion) is housed in the sealing recess  44  of the protrusion portion  42 A. The sealing ring  56  is, for example, made from rubber, and is elastic and has sealing properties. The sealing ring  56  has lower rigidity than the holding tube  48  of the cap  46 , and the sealing ring  56  is held and elastically compressed between the protrusion portion  42 A and the holding tube  48  so as to form a seal between the protrusion portion  42 A and the holding tube  48 . 
     Next, explanation follows regarding operation of the present exemplary embodiment. 
     In the projection device  12  of the vehicle door mirror device  10  configured as described above, electric power from the power source is supplied to the LED  34  through the circuit board  32 , and the LED  34  radiates light toward the lower side such that the light passes through (travels through) the collimator lens  36 , the graphic film  38 , the first image-forming lens  40 , and the second image-forming lens  42  (the exposure hole  26  in the case  24 , the inside of the holding tube  48  of the cap  46 , and the through hole  20  in the visor  16 ). The graphic of the graphic film  38  is projected (beamed) onto the ground at the outer side of the vehicle (the light is shone onto the ground at the outer side of the vehicle). 
     Note that the projection device  12  is inserted into the cap  46  in a state in which the holding tube  48  of the cap  46  is inserted into the through hole  20  in the visor  16 . Accordingly, the holding tube  48  is elastically compressed between the peripheral face of the through hole  20  and the protrusion portion  42 A of the second image-forming lens  42  of the projection device  12 , and the fitting tube  52  of the cap  46  is elastically stretched by the case  24  of the projection device  12 . The holding tube  48  is thus held between the peripheral face of the through hole  20  and the protrusion portion  42 A, thereby installing the cap  46  so as to be retained by the visor  16 . Moreover, the protrusion portion  42 A is retained in the holding tube  48 , and the case  24  is retained in the fitting tube  52 , such that the projection device  12  is installed at the visor  16  in a manner retained by the cap  46  alone. 
     Accordingly, after the cap  46  (holding tube  48 ) has been inserted through the through hole  20  in the visor  16 , the projection device  12  can be installed at the visor  16  by merely inserting the projection device  12  (the protrusion portion  42 A and the case  24 ) into the cap  46 , thus enabling easy installation of the projection device  12  to the visor  16 . 
     Moreover, the projection device  12  can be installed at the visor  16  using the cap  46  alone. This thereby enables a simple installation structure of the projection device  12  to the visor  16 , enabling space to be saved, and enabling a reduction in the number of components. 
     Moreover, the suppressing ring  54  is elastically compressed between the case  24  of the projection device  12  and the fitting tube  52  of the cap  46 , such that the suppressing ring  54  forms a seal between the case  24  and the fitting tube  52 , thereby suppressing the incursion of water into the case  24  between the case  24  and the fitting tube  52  and through the exposure hole  26  in the case  24 . 
     Moreover, the sealing ring  56  is elastically compressed between the protrusion portion  42 A of the projection device  12  and the holding tube  48  of the cap  46 , such that the sealing ring  56  forms a seal between the protrusion portion  42 A and the holding tube  48 , thereby suppressing the incursion of water into the case  24  between the protrusion portion  42 A and the holding tube  48  and through the exposure hole  26  in the case  24 . 
     Note that the suppressing ring  54  is housed in the suppressing recess  28  of the projection device  12  (case  24 ), and the sealing ring  56  is housed in the sealing recess  44  of the projection device  12  (protrusion portion  42 A). Accordingly, an incursion route of water into the case  24  between the case  24  and the fitting tube  52  and through the exposure hole  26  can be lengthened, and an incursion route of water into the case  24  between the protrusion portion  42 A and the holding tube  48  and through the exposure hole  26  can be lengthened, thereby enabling the incursion of water into the case  24  to be effectively suppressed. 
     Moreover, the sealing recess  44  of the protrusion portion  42 A is disposed inside the through hole  20  in the visor  16 , and the sealing ring  56  is also disposed inside the through hole  20 . Accordingly, the sealing ring  56  can be elastically compressed by a portion of the holding tube  48  that is elastically compressed between the protrusion portion  42 A and the peripheral face of the through hole  20 , enabling the sealing ring  56  to be effectively elastically compressed, thereby enabling the incursion of water into the case  24  between the protrusion portion  42 A and the holding tube  48  and through the exposure hole  26  to be even more effectively suppressed. 
     Moreover, the restriction projection  16 A of the visor  16  is fitted into the restriction recess  52 A of the fitting tube  52  of the cap  46 , thereby restricting peripheral direction rotation of the cap  46 , and positioning the cap  46  in the peripheral direction. Moreover, the locking projection  24 A of the case  24  of the projection device  12  is fitted into the locking recess  52 B of the fitting tube  52 , thereby locking peripheral direction rotation of the projection device  12 , and positioning the projection device  12  in the peripheral direction. Accordingly, the peripheral direction position of the graphic film  38  in the projection device  12  can be suppressed from slipping, enabling the orientation of the graphic of the graphic film  38  that is projected onto the ground at the outer side of the vehicle to be suppressed from slipping. 
     Note that in the present exemplary embodiment, a single restriction recess  52 A and a single locking recess  52 B are provided at the fitting tube  52  of the cap  46 . However, plural of at least one element out of the restriction recesses  52 A or the locking recesses  52 B may be provided at the fitting tube  52  of the cap  46  in the peripheral direction. So doing would enable selection of the restriction recess  52 A into which the restriction projection  16 A of the visor  16  is inserted, thus enabling adjustment of the peripheral direction position of the cap  46  with respect to the visor  16 , and/or enable selection of the locking recess  52 B into which the locking projection  24 A of the projection device  12  is fitted, thus enabling adjustment of the peripheral direction position of the projection device  12  with respect to the cap  46 . This thereby enables adjustment of the peripheral direction position of the projection device  12  with respect to the visor  16 , and enables adjustment of the orientation of the graphic of the graphic film  38  that is projected onto the ground at the outer side of the vehicle. 
     Moreover, in the present exemplary embodiment, the suppressing recess  28  is provided at the case  24  of the projection device  12 . However, it is sufficient that the suppressing recess  28  be provided at at least one of the case  24  of the projection device  12  or the fitting tube  52  of the cap  46 . 
     Moreover, in the present exemplary embodiment, the sealing recess  44  is provided at the protrusion portion  42 A of the projection device  12 . However, it is sufficient that the sealing recess  44  be provided at at least one of the protrusion portion  42 A of the projection device  12  or the holding tube  48  of the cap  46 . 
     Moreover, in the present exemplary embodiment, the suppressing ring  54  and the sealing ring  56  are configured as separate members to the cap  46 . However, at least one of the suppressing ring  54  or the sealing ring  56  may be integrally provided at the cap  46 . 
     Moreover, in the present exemplary embodiment, the projection device  12  is provided with the graphic film  38 . However, the projection device  12  (illumination mechanism) does not have to be provided with the graphic film  38 . 
     Moreover, in the present exemplary embodiment, the projection device  12  is installed at the visor  16  of the vehicle door mirror device  10 . However, it is sufficient that the projection device  12  be installed at an installation member that can be exposed at the outer side of the vehicle such that light can be emitted toward the outer side of the vehicle. For example, the projection device  12  may be installed at a door (including a door handle) of the vehicle. The projection device  12  may even be installed at a location on the vehicle cabin side of a door, as long as the projection device  12  is capable of emitting light toward the outer side of the vehicle when the door has been opened. 
     The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-8822, filed on Jan. 20, 2015, is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
     EXPLANATION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           10  vehicle door mirror device (vehicle illumination device) 
           12  projection device (illumination mechanism) 
           16  visor (installation member) 
           20  through hole (insertion hole) 
           28  suppressing recess (groove) 
           44  sealing recess (groove) 
           46  cap (elastic body) 
           54  suppressing ring (suppressing portion) 
           56  sealing ring (suppressing portion)
       cm  1 - 7 . (canceled)