Patent Abstract:
A lighting fixture for a vehicle includes: at least one light source; and a housing including a housing main body and an outer lens. The housing includes a partition wall which partitions a housing space, formed by the outer lens and the housing main body into a housing space exposed portion and a housing space shielded portion which houses and shields the at least one light source. The partition wall includes: at least one opening provided ahead of the at least one light source and through which outputted light passes from the housing space shielded portion to the housing space exposed portion; and at least one reflection wall portion including a reflection surface which reflects the outputted light toward a direction on the side of the vehicle such that an irradiating region of the outputted light is widened, and extending to the housing space exposed portion to shield the at least one light source so as to prevent the at least one light source from being visually contacted from a direction front of the vehicle. The irradiating light is formed by reflected light of the outputted light reflected by the reflection surface and outputted through the outer lens.

Full Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    The present application is based on and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-286442, filed on Oct. 20, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a lighting fixture used for vehicle, and, in particular, to a lighting fixture for vehicle preferable for being provided for a door mirror. 
         [0003]    Conventionally, as a lighting fixture for vehicle, there is known a lighting fixture for vehicle in which a lighting fixture housing, where a plurality of LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) arrayed in a row are provided as a light source inside the lighting fixture housing equipped with an outer lens and a housing main body, is provided in the mirror housing of the door mirror of a vehicle. Such a lighting fixture for vehicle is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2002-79885. 
         [0004]    Further, some conventional lighting fixtures for vehicle are set that each LED is arranged such that a plurality of irradiating regions, which are formed on an outer lens by outputted light directly heading from the plurality of LEDs to the outer lens, are adjacent at a predetermined gap or less, and all LEDs are simultaneously turned ON so as to satisfy legal standards for treating the LEDs as a single lighting fixture. The lighting fixture for vehicle is treated as a single lighting fixture, and can be used as a direction indicator by allowing each LED to simultaneously blink at predetermined time gap. 
         [0005]    However, in the conventional lighting fixture for vehicle, although it is treated as a single lighting fixture, irradiating light is formed by the outputted light directly heading from the plurality of LEDs to the outer lens, and the arranging positions of a plurality of LEDs become locally bright and the plurality of LEDs in a turned-ON state is recognizable in the case of looking at the irradiating light via the outer lens. For this reason, the irradiating light has uneven brightness, and causes the reduction of visual quality the lighting fixture for vehicle during light-ON. 
         [0006]    Further, the conventional lighting fixture for vehicle is structured that the outputted light from a plurality of LEDs directly head to the outer lens. For this reason, each LED is visually contacted via the outer lens from the outside of the outer lens during light-OFF, causing the reduction of visual quality of the lighting fixture for vehicle during light-OFF. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    At least one objective of the present invention is to provide a lighting fixture for vehicle that suppresses uneven brightness by which a plurality of light sources in the turned-ON state is recognizable and prevents the light sources from being visually contacted via the outer lens during light-OFF, in the case of looking at the irradiating light via the outer lens. 
         [0008]    To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a lighting fixture for a vehicle provided on a side of the vehicle, the lighting fixture comprises: at least one light source which outputs outputted light; and a housing including a housing main body and an outer lens, the housing main body housing the at least one light source, and the outer lens being provided on the housing main body and through which the outputted light transmits to irradiate a direction on the side of the vehicle as irradiating light, wherein the housing includes a partition wall which partitions a housing space, formed by the outer lens and the housing main body and in which the at least one light source is housed, into a housing space exposed portion located on a side of the outer lens and a housing space shielded portion located on a side of the housing main body and which houses the at least one light source while shielding the at least one light source, wherein the partition wall includes: at least one opening provided ahead of the at least one light source and through which the outputted light passes from the housing space shielded portion to the housing space exposed portion; and at least one reflection wall portion including a reflection surface which reflects the outputted light, outputted from the at least one light source and having passed through the at least one opening, toward the direction on the side of the vehicle through the outer lens in such a manner that an irradiating region of the outputted light is widened, and extending to the housing space exposed portion to shield the at least one light source so as to prevent the at least one light source from being visually contacted from a direction front of the vehicle, and wherein the irradiating light is formed by reflected light of the outputted light reflected by the reflection surface and outputted through the outer lens. 
         [0009]    Advantageously, the at least one light source includes a plurality of light sources housed in the housing, the at least one reflection wall portion includes a plurality of reflection wall portious each provided for corresponding one of the light sources, the at least one opening includes a plurality of openings each provided for corresponding one of the light sources, and the irradiating region formed on the outer lens by the reflected light of the outputted light of each of the light sources is arranged to be adjacent to each other at a predetermined gap. 
         [0010]    Advantageously, the reflection surface of one of the reflection wall portions that is arranged farthest away from the vehicle reflects the outputted light of corresponding one of the light sources in a direction on a rearward side of the vehicle such that at least a part of the irradiating light is visually contacted from the direction on the rearward side of the vehicle. 
         [0011]    Advantageously, the housing is provided for a mirror housing of a door mirror provided on the vehicle. 
         [0012]    Advantageously, the at least one light source includes an attachment board to be fixed to the housing main body. 
         [0013]    Advantageously, the reflection surface faces the at least one light source and faces in a rear direction of the vehicle. 
         [0014]    In addition, the invention provides another lighting fixture for a vehicle provided on a side of the vehicle, the lighting fixture comprises: at least one light source which outputs outputted light; and a housing including a housing main body and an outer lens, the housing main body housing the at least one light source, and the outer lens being provided on the housing main body and through which the outputted light transmits to irradiate a direction on the side of the vehicle as irradiating light, wherein the housing includes a partition wall which partitions a housing space, formed by the outer lens and the housing main body and in which the at least one light source is housed, into a housing space exposed portion located on a side of the outer lens and a housing space shielded portion located on a side of the housing main body and which houses the at least one light source while shielding the at least one light source, wherein the partition wall includes: at least one opening provided ahead of the at least one light source and through which the outputted light passes from the housing space shielded portion to the housing space exposed portion; and at least one reflection wall portion including a reflection surface which reflects the outputted light, outputted from the at least one light source and having passed through the at least one opening, toward the direction on the side of the vehicle through the outer lens in such a manner that an irradiating region of the outputted light is widened, and extending to the housing space exposed portion to shield the at least one opening so as to prevent the at least one opening from being visually contacted from a direction front of the vehicle, and wherein the irradiating light is formed by reflected light of the outputted light reflected by the reflection surface and outputted through the outer lens. 
         [0015]    Advantageously, the at least one light source includes a plurality of light sources housed in the housing, the at least one reflection wall portion includes a plurality of reflection wall portions each provided for corresponding one of the light sources, the at least one opening includes a plurality of openings each provided for corresponding one of the light sources, and wherein the irradiating region formed on the outer lens by the reflected light of the outputted light of each of the light sources is arranged to be adjacent to each other at a predetermined gap. 
         [0016]    Advantageously, the reflection surface of one of the reflection wall portions that is arranged farthest away from the vehicle reflects the outputted light of corresponding one of the light sources in a direction on a rearward side of the vehicle such that at least a part of the irradiating light is visually contacted from the direction on the rearward side of the vehicle. 
         [0017]    Advantageously, the housing is provided for a mirror housing of a door mirror provided on the vehicle. 
         [0018]    Advantageously, the at least one light source includes an attachment board to be fixed to the partition wall. 
         [0019]    Advantageously, the reflection surface faces the at least one light source and faces in a rear direction of the vehicle. 
         [0020]    Advantageously, the at least one opening partially opens an approximately central portion in a vertical direction of the partition wall, the at least one reflection wall portion has a height compatible with the at least one opening, an upper end and a lower end of the at least one reflection wall portion are respectively connected to rib walls protruded from an upper end rim and a lower end rim of the at least one opening. 
         [0021]    Advantageously, aluminum is deposited on inside and outside of the at least one reflection wall portion, inside and outside of the rib walls, inside and outside of the rib wall, and an outer surface of the at least one partition wall. 
         [0022]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0023]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle to which the lighting fixture for vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the lighting fixture for vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention obtained along a I-I line illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a view where the lighting fixture for vehicle illustrated in  FIG. 2  is seen from an arrow A 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a view where the lighting fixture for vehicle illustrated in  FIG. 2  is seen from an arrow A 2 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a view illustrating outputted light from each LED and irradiating light formed by the outputted light from each LED in the sectional view of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the lighting fixture for vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is obtained along a I-I line illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a view where the lighting fixture for vehicle illustrated in  FIG. 6  is seen from an arrow A 3 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a view where the lighting fixture for vehicle illustrated in  FIG. 6  is seen from an arrow A 4 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a view illustrating outputted light from each LED and irradiating light formed by the outputted light from each LED in the sectional view of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0033]    Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. The scope of the present invention, however, is not limited to these embodiments. Within the scope of the present invention, any structure and material described below can be appropriately modified. 
         [0034]    In addition, note that an outer lens  13  (described later) is omitted in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  to make the drawings easily understood. Further, m the following description, as illustrated by an arrow in  FIG. 1 , the upper direction, the lower direction, the left direction, the right direction, the front direction and the rear direction of an occupant of a vehicle C seated facing ahead the vehicle C are respectively represented in U, D, L, R, F and B, and embodiments will be described according to each direction. 
         [0035]    A lighting fixture for vehicle  10  according to an embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , is provided for a mirror housing MH of a door mirror DM of the vehicle C along the longitudinal direction of the mirror housing MH. The door mirror DM is configured that the mirror housing MH and a mirror M (with reference to  FIG. 2 ) arc arranged along the approximate vehicle width direction of the vehicle C when it is used during the driving or the like of the vehicle C. Note that the lighting fixtures for vehicle  10  that are provided for the door mirror DM and the door mirror DM are provided on the both sides of the vehicle C but have basically equal structures except that they are symmetrical, so that description will be made for the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  provided for the door mirror DM on the left side of the vehicle C in the following description, the description for the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  provided for the door mirror DM on the right side of the vehicle C will be omitted. 
         [0036]    The lighting fixture for vehicle  10  has a housing  11  forming a long shape over the entire body as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and the housing  11  is provided along the outer surface of the front side of the mirror housing MH of the door mirror DM as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The housing  11  has a housing main body  12  and the outer lens  13 . The housing main body  12  forms a long container shape which is attachable in an embedded manner to the mirror housing MH and to which the outer lens  13  is installed. 
         [0037]    The outer lens  13  forms a long lid shape and formed by a member which transmits light, and is curved so as to go along the outer surface of the mirror housing MH. Although a structure is employed in the present embodiment in which the outer lens  13  has a transparent structure where the irradiating direction and the light quantity of irradiating light are not adjusted, a structure provided with a prism or the like for adjusting the irradiating direction and the light quantity of irradiating light may be employed. By installing the outer lens  13  to the housing main body  12 , a housing space  14  surrounded by the outer lens  13  and the housing main body  12  is configured and established inside the housing  11 . The outer lens  13  is formed by a resin material in the present embodiment. Further, in the present embodiment, the housing  11  is attached to the mirror housing MF 1  such that the outer lens  13  is exposed from the outer surface of the mirror housing MH as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0038]    A partition wall  15 , four LEDs  16  being the light sources, four attachment boards  17  to which the LEDs  16  are attached, and a control board  18  arc provided in the housing space  14  of the housing  11 . 
         [0039]    The partition wall  15  is provided inside the housing main body  12  so as to bridge an unillustrated ceiling portion  12   t  (a ceiling portion) and a bottom portion  12   b  (a floor portion, with reference to  FIG. 3 ) inside the housing main body  12 , and partitions the housing space  14  of the housing  11  into a housing space exposed portion  14   b  on the outer lens  13  side and a housing space shielded portion  14   a  on the housing main body  12  side. 
         [0040]    Four openings  19  and four reflection wall portions  20  are provided for the partition wall  15 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the four openings  19  are provided at a predetermined gap with each other. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , each opening  19  opens from the upper end to the lower end of the partition wall  15 . The four reflection wall portions  20  are provided corresponding to the four openings  19 . 
         [0041]    The four reflection wall portions  20  are formed so as to be continuous on opening rim portion  19   a  on the left side of each opening  19  of the partition wall  15  and bridge the ceiling portion  12   t  and the bottom portion  12   b  inside the housing main body  12  when the partition wall  15  is seen from the outer lens  13  side. A reflection surface  21  to each opening  19  is equipped on each opening  19  side of each reflection wall portion  20 . The size, installing position, installing angle or the like of the each reflection wall portion  20  is set based on the positional relation between the opening  19  and the LED  16  corresponding to each reflection wall portion  20 , and it will be described later. In the partition wall  15 , aluminum for example is deposited on an outer surface  15   a  facing the outer lens  13  and the reflection surface  21 . Further, aluminum for example is deposited on surface on the outer lens  13  side out of the housing main body  12  (e.g. the ceiling portion  12   t  or the bottom portion  12   b  of the housing main body  12  structuring the housing space exposed portion  14   b ). 
         [0042]    The LED  16  is arranged in each of the four openings  19 . The four LEDs  16  are arranged in the housing space shielded portion  14   a,  and their positions are set such that the outputted light is headed to the reflection surface  21 . Specifically, the openings  19  are openings that permit the outputted light from each LED  16  housed in the housing space shielded portion  14   a  to travel to the housing space exposed portion  14   b,  and the outputted light having passed through the openings  19  reaches the reflection surface  21 . Herein, in the present embodiment, the angle of outputted light where light emission intensity becomes half a peak value is used as an output angle (a so-called viewing angle of LED), and light whose output angle is this output angle or less is treated as the outputted light The output angle of light may be appropriately set, and is not limited to the present embodiment. Each LED  16  is severally attached electrically and physically to each attachment board  17  individually. 
         [0043]    Each attachment board  17  is fixed to an attachment pedestal  12   a  provided for the housing main body  12 . Further, each attachment board  17  is electrically connected to the control board  18  provided in the housing space shielded portion  14   a  (connection is omitted in the drawing). The control board  18  transmits a control signal to each attachment board  17  in response to the operation of an unillustrated operation section of a direction indicator lever or the like provided in the cabin of the vehicle C in order to perform turn-ON control of the LEDs  16 . In the present embodiment, the control board  18  is set to allow each LED  16  to blink at equal timing in response to the operation of the operation section. Thus, the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  functions as a direction indicator. 
         [0044]    In the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  of the present embodiment, each reflection wall portion  20 , each opening  19  and each LED  16  are provided so as to satisfy the requirements of (a) to (d) below. 
         [0045]    (a) The positional relation between each LED  16  and each reflection surface  21  of each reflection wall portion  20  is set such that the irradiating region of the outputted light of the LEDs  16  reflected on the reflection surface  21  becomes a region from the left lateral direction to the left rear lateral direction of the vehicle C as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Further, the positional relation with each other is set such that the outputted light of the LEDs  16  reflected on the reflection surface  21  reflects the irradiating region in a magnifying manner. Herein, to magnify the irradiating region means that, in the case of comparing an irradiating region by the outputted light directly traveled from the LEDs  16  with an irradiating region of the outputted light of the LEDs  16  reflected on the reflection surface  21  at equal distance points in an optical axis direction of the light sources, the latter is larger than the former. 
         [0046]    (b) The positional relation between each LED  16  and each reflection surface  21  of each reflection wall portion  20  is set such that the each irradiating region that the outputted light reflected on each reflection surface  21  forms on the inner surface of the outer lens  13  becomes adjacent at a predetermined gap or less as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . This requirement is due to the fact that only a single lighting fixture is permitted to install to the door mirror DM in European legal standards, and a lighting fixture using a plurality of LEDs are considered as a single lighting fixture by setting adjacent irradiating regions at a predetermined gap or less. 
         [0047]    (c) The positional relation between an LED  16  at the most distant position from the vehicle C ( 16  out illustrated  FIG. 5 ) and the reflection surface  21  of the reflection wall portion  20  corresponding to the LED is set such that an angle formed by the vehicle C side end portion LT of the irradiating region and the central axis directiou CT of the vehicle C becomes a predetermined angle or less as shown in  FIG. 5 . This requirement is due to the fact that, in the case of using the lighting fixture laterally provided for the vehicle as a direction indicator, the angle formed by the vehicle C side end portion LT of the irradiating region and the central axis direction CT of the vehicle C is required to be a predetermined angle or less (5 degrees or less in Europe, 30 degrees or less in the U.S.) in European and North American legal standards. 
         [0048]    (d) Each reflection wall portion  20  is arranged so as to shield the opening  19  and the LED  16  to each reflection wall portion  20  in the case of looking at the lighting fixture Tor vehicle  10  from the front direction of the vehicle C as illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 . 
         [0049]    In the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  according to the present embodiment, the irradiating region of each LED  16  outside the outer lens  13  is magnified by the reflection wall portion  20 , and is larger than the direct irradiating region of each LED  16 . For this reason, uneven brightness where each LED  16  in the turned-ON state is recognizable is suppressed, the visual quality of the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  is improved and illumination performance is unproved comparing to the conventional lighting fixture for vehicle. 
         [0050]    Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  according to the present embodiment, since the irradiating light is formed by the reflected light from the reflection wall portion  20 , the orientation or the irradiating region of the irradiating light is easily adjustable only by changing the angle and the shape of the reflection surface  21  of the reflection wall portion  20 . For this reason, by appropriately adjusting the angle and the shape of the reflection surface  21 , it is possible to form continuous irradiating light without uneven brightness over the entire region, easily. 
         [0051]    Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  according to the present embodiment, the reflection wall portions  20  prevent each LED  16  from being seen from the front direction of vehicle. For this reason, visual quality is improved comparing to the conventional lighting fixture for vehicle. 
         [0052]    Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  according to the present embodiment, the reflection wall portions  20  prevent each opening  19  from being visually contacted from the front direction of vehicle. For this reason, visual quality is improved comparing to the conventional lighting fixture for vehicle. 
         [0053]    Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  according to the present embodiment, when looking from the front direction during light-OFF, only the outer surface  15   a  of the partition wall  15 , and the ceiling portion  12   t  and the bottom portion  12   b  of the housing main body  12  on which aluminum for example is deposited are visually contacted, so that excellent visual quality is ensured. Specifically, the partition wall  15  functions as a decorative plate that blindfolds the homing space shielded portion  14   a  inside the housing  11 . 
         [0054]    Further, since the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  according to the present embodiment satisfies the above-described requirement of (b), it is possible to install the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  to the door mirror DM as a single lighting fixture. 
         [0055]    Further, since the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  according to the present embodiment satisfies the above-described requirements of (b) and (c), it is possible to use the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  as a direction indicator. 
         [0056]    In the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  according to the present embodiment, since aluminum for example is deposited on the ceiling portion  12   t  and the bottom portion  12   b  of the housing main body  12 , the outer surface  15   a  of the partition wall  15 , and the reflection surface  21 , the housing space exposed portion  14   b  inside the housing  11 , which is visually contacted from outside via the outer leus  13  is configured by the deposition surface of aluminum. For this reason, light entered from outside scatters inside the housing space exposed portion  14   b  and reflects to the outside of the outer lens  13 . Hence, the brilliance of the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  increases, and the visual quality of the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  is improved. Moreover, since the light being scattered inside the housing space exposed portion  14   b  during light-ON of the LEDs  16  reflects to the outside of the outer lens  13 , the brilliance of the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  increases, and hence, it is possible to improve the visual quality of the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  and illumination performance thereof. 
         [0057]    As described in the foregoing, according to the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  of the present embodiment of the invention, it is possible to suppress the uneven brightness where each LED  16  in the turned-ON state is recognizable when looking at the irradiating light via the outer lens  13 , and is possible to prevent each LED  16  from being visually contacted via the outer lens  13  during light-OFF. 
         [0058]    Hereinafter, a lighting fixture for vehicle  210  according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 9 . In the present embodiment, the structure of a partition wall  215  and the attaching method of each LED  16  are different as compared with the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  described in the above embodiment For this reason, the lighting fixture for vehicle  210  according to another embodiment has basically the equal configuration and operation as the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  of the above embodiment, and therefore, description will be mode only for configurations and operations different thereto. 
         [0059]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , in the lighting fixture for vehicle  210  according to another embodiment of the invention, a partition wall  215  is provided inside a housing main body  212  so as to bridge an unillustrated ceiling portion  212   t  (a ceiling portion) and a bottom portion  212   b  inside the housing main body  212  (a floor portion with reference to  FIG. 7 ), and partitions the housing space  14  of a housing  211  into the housing space exposed portion  14   b  on the outer lens  13  side and the housing space shielded portion  14   a  on the housing main body  212  side. The partition wall  215  is provided with four openings  219 . The structure of the openings  219  is different from the structure of the openings  19  described in the above embodiment. 
         [0060]    Each opening  219  partially opens the approximately central portion in vertical direction of the partition wall  215  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Accordingly, reflection wall portions  220  have a height compatible with the openings  219 . The upper end and the lower end of the reflection wall portions  220  are respectively connected to rib walls ( 220   au  and  220   ad ) protruded from the upper end rim and the lower end rim of the opening  219 . Aluminum for example is deposited on the inside (reflection surface  221  with reference  FIG. 6 ) and the outside of the reflection wall portions  220 , the inside and the outside of the rib walls  220   au , the inside and the outside of the rib wall  220   ad , and the outer surface  215   a  of the partition wall  215 . 
         [0061]    Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle  210 , the attachment boards  17  where each LED  16  is attached is fixed on the partition wall  215  on the rear surface side of the partition wall  215 . Accordingly, in the lighting fixture for vehicle  210 , the attachment pedestal  12   a  (with reference to  FIG. 2 ) is not provided for the housing main body  212 . 
         [0062]    In the lighting fixture for vehicle  210  according to present another embodiment, similar to the lighting fixture for vehicle  10 , irradiating light outputted outward the outer lens  13  is formed by the reflected light of the reflection wall portions  220  (with reference to  FIG. 9 ). Therefore, when looking at the irradiating light via the outer lens  13 , uneven brightness where each LED  16  in the turned-ON state is recognizable is suppressed. 
         [0063]    Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle  210 , similar to the lighting fixture for vehicle  10 , the orientation or the irradiating region of the irradiating light is adjustable only by changing the angle and the shape of the reflection surface  221  on which the reflection wall portion  220  is formed. 
         [0064]    Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle  210 , similar to the lighting fixture for vehicle  10 , the reflection wall portions  220  prevent each LED  16  from being seen from the front direction of vehicle during light-OFF (with reference to  FIG. 8 ). For this reason, visual quality is improved comparing to the conventional lighting fixture for vehicle. 
         [0065]    Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle  210 , similar to the lighting fixture for vehicle  10 , the reflection wall portions  220  prevent each opening  219  from being seen from the front direction of vehicle (with reference to  FIG. 8 ). For this reason, visual quality is improved comparing to the conventional lighting fixture for vehicle. 
         [0066]    Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle  210 , similar to the fighting fixture for vehicle  10 , since only the outer surface  215   a  of the partition wall  215 , the outside of the reflection wall portions  220 , the outside of rib walls  220   au , the outside of rib walls  220   ad , the ceiling portion  212   t  and the bottom portion  212   b  of the housing main body  212 , where aluminum for example is deposited, are visually contacted when looking from the front direction during light-OFF, excellent visual quality is ensured (with reference to  FIG. 8 ). 
         [0067]    Further, since the lighting fixture for vehicle  210  also satisfies the requirement of the above-described (b), it is possible to install the fighting fixture for vehicle  210  to the door mirror DM as a single lighting fixture similar to the lighting fixture for vehicle  10 . 
         [0068]    Further, since the lighting fixture for vehicle  210  also satisfies the requirements of the above-described (b) and (c), it is possible to use the lighting fixture  210  as a direction indicator similar to the lighting fixture for vehicle  10 . 
         [0069]    Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle  210 , similar to the lighting fixture for vehicle  10 , the housing space exposed portion  14   b  inside the housing  211 , which is visually contacted from outside via the outer lens  13 , is structured by the deposition surface of aluminum for example. For this reason, since light entered from outside scatters inside the housing space exposed portion  14   b  and reflects to the outside of the outer lens  13 , the brilliance of the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  increases. Hence, the visual quality of the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  is improved. Moreover, since light being scattered inside the housing space exposed portion  14   b  during light-ON of the LEDs  16  reflects to the outside of the outer lens  13 , the brilliance of the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  increases. Therefore, it is possible to improve the visual quality of the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  and illmination performance. 
         [0070]    Moreover, in the lighting fixture for vehicle  210 , the attachment boards  17  where each LED  16  is attached are fixed on the partition wall  215  provided with the reflection wall portions  220 . Hence, it is possible to set appropriate arranging relationship between each reflection surface  221  corresponding to the rear surface of each reflection wall portion  220  and each LED  16 , easily. 
         [0071]    As described in the foregoing, according to the lighting fixture for vehicle  210  of another embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the uneven brightness where each LED  16  in the turned-ON state is recognizable when the irradiating light is viewed via the outer lens  13 , and to prevent each LED  16  from being visually contacted via the outer lens  13  during light-OFF. 
         [0072]    In the above-described each embodiment, positional relation between the four LEDs  16  and the reflection surface ( 21 ,  221 ) of the reflection wall portions ( 20 ,  220 ) is set such that irradiating regions that the reflected outputted light forms on the inner surface of the outer lens  13  become adjacent to each other at a predetermined gap or less (requirement of the above-described (b)). If legal standards for treating light sources having a plurality of LEDs as a single lighting fixture are different, the positional relation may be appropriately changed. Further, when there is no need to clear such legal standards, the lighting fixture for vehicle ( 10 ,  210 ) does not need to satisfy the requirement of (b). Therefore, the invention is not limited to the above-described each embodiment. 
         [0073]    Further, in the above-described each embodiment, the positional relation between the LED  16  at the most distant position from the vehicle C and the reflection surface  21  of the reflection wall portion  20  corresponding to the LED is set such that the angle formed by the vehicle C side end portion LT of the irradiating region of irradiating light and the central axis direction CT of the vehicle C became a predetermined angle or less (requirement of the above-described (c)). In the case where the lighting fixture for vehicle ( 10 ,  210 ) is not used as a direction indicator or in the case where legal standards for using it as a direction indicator are not provided, the lighting fixture for vehicle ( 10 ,  210 ) does not need to satisfy the requirement of (c). Therefore, the invention is not limited to the above-described each embodiment 
         [0074]    Further, although the lighting fixture for vehicle ( 10 ,  210 ) is provided for the mirror housing MH of the door mirror DM in the above-described each embodiment, the lighting fixture for vehicle ( 10 ,  210 ) may irradiate the lateral direction of the vehicle C by irradiating light. Therefore, the attachment positions of (lie lighting fixture for vehicle ( 10 ,  210 ) are not limited to the attachment position in the above-described each embodiment. 
         [0075]    Further, in the above-described each embodiment, when looking at the lighting fixture for vehicle ( 10 ,  210 ) provided for the mirror housing MH of the door mirror DM from the front direction of the vehicle C, the reflection wall portions ( 20 ,  220 ) are provided for the positions of shielding the openings ( 19 ,  219 ), but the reflection wall portions ( 20 ,  220 ) may not shield the openings ( 19 ,  219 ) themselves as long as they shield the LEDs  16  provided for the openings ( 19 ,  219 ). Therefore, the attachment positions of the reflection wall portions ( 20 ,  220 ) are not limited to the attachment positions in the above-described each embodiment. 
         [0076]    Further, although the partition wall ( 15 ,  215 ) is provided in the above-described each embodiment, the partition wall ( 15 ,  215 ) may be at a position where the LEDs  16  and the reflection wall portions ( 20 ,  220 ) are provided on a positional relation satisfying the requirements of (a) and (d). Therefore, the shape and the position of the partition wall ( 15 ,  215 ) are not limited to the shape and the position in the above-described each embodiment. 
         [0077]    Further, the attachment boards  17  are fixed to the housing main body  12  in the above-described fighting fixture for vehicle  10  according to the embodiment, but they may be fixed to the partition wall  15  as in the lighting fixture for vehicle  210  according to another embodiment. Therefore, the attachment position of the attachment board  17  is not limited to the attachment position according to the embodiment 
         [0078]    Moreover, the attachment boards  17  are fixed to the partition wall  215  in the lighting fixture for vehicle  210  of the above-described another embodiment, but they may be fixed to the housing main body  212  as in the lighting fixture for vehicle  10  according to the embodiment. Therefore, the attachment positions of the attachment boards  17  are not limited to the attachment positions according to another embodiment. 
         [0079]    As described in the foregoing, in the lighting fixture for vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention, since the irradiating light is formed by the reflected light whose irradiating region is widened by the reflection surface, it is possible to suppress the uneven brightness where each light source in the turned-ON state is recognizable in the case of looking at the irradiating light. 
         [0080]    Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention, since the reflection wall portions prevent the light source from being seen contacted from the front direction of vehicle, it is possible to improve the visual quality of the lighting fixture for vehicle. 
         [0081]    Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention, since the reflection wall portions prevent the openings and the light sources from being seen from the front direction of vehicle, it is possible to improve the visual quality of the lighting fixture for vehicle. 
         [0082]    Further, in the lighting fixture for vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention, the irradiating regions that the reflected light of outputted light from a plurality of light sources form on the outer lens are adjacent to each other at a predetermined gap, to satisfy the legal standards for treating them as a single lighting fixture by using the plurality of light sources. Therefore, it is possible to treat the lighting fixture for vehicle as a single fighting fixture. 
         [0083]    Further, since the lighting fixture for vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention satisfies the legal standards for treating it as a single lighting fixture, it is possible to attach the lighting fixture for vehicle to the door mirror DM as a single lighting fixture. 
         [0084]    Moreover, in the lighting fixture for vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention, the irradiating region is provided such that an angle formed by the vehicle side end portion of the irradiating region of irradiating light and the central axis direction of vehicle becomes a predetermined angle or less. Therefore, the lighting fixture for vehicle according to the embodiments satisfies the legal standards for treating it as a direction indicator, so that it is possible to use the lighting fixture for vehicle as a direction indicator. 
         [0085]    Although the present invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. It should be appreciated that variations may be made in the embodiments described by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5