Attachment structure for lighting device

Abstract

An attachment structure for attaching a lighting device to an attachment object The lighting device includes a light source that outputs illuminating light, a casing that accommodates the light source, and a lens disposed on one side of the casing and through which the illuminating light passes. The attachment structure includes a tubular main body into which the lighting device is inserted, and the tubular main body has a side surface facing the lens, and an opening is formed on the side surface to allow the lens to be exposed to an exterior when the lighting device is inserted into the tubular main body.

1 . An attachment structure for attaching a lighting device to an attachment object,
 wherein the lighting device includes a light source that outputs illuminating light, a casing that accommodates the light source, and a lens disposed on one side of the casing and through which the illuminating light passes,   the attachment structure comprises a tubular main body into which the lighting device is inserted, and   the tubular main body has a side surface facing the lens, and an opening is formed on the side surface to allow the lens to be exposed to an exterior when the lighting device is inserted into the tubular main body.   
     
     
         2 . The attachment structure for the lighting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the casing comprises a light source accommodating unit that accommodates the light source and has the lens provided therein, and which is inserted into the tubular main body,
 the opening is formed such that, when the light source accommodating unit is inserted into the tubular main body, one side surface on the light source accommodating unit on which the lens is disposed remains exposed through the opening, and   the tubular main body includes an engaging portion configured to engage with a corner of the light source accommodating unit at a location away from the lens.   
     
     
         3 . The attachment structure for the lighting device according to  claim 2 , wherein on the tubular main body, two side wall sections are provided, which are in surface contact with two facing side surfaces among four side surfaces of the light source accommodating unit, where the lens is not disposed,
 the engaging portion is two claw parts extending along the two side surfaces, from distal ends of the two side wall sections and configured to engage with two corners of the light source accommodating unit,   two thin-walled portions extend substantially in parallel with the two claw parts, along the two side surfaces from the distal ends of the two side wall sections, and   an interval between the two thin-walled portions is wider than an interval between the two side wall sections.   
     
     
         4 . The attachment structure for the lighting device according to  claim 3 , wherein the two thin-walled portions project toward the lighting device more than the two claw parts. 
     
     
         5 . The attachment structure for the lighting device according to  claim 3 , wherein side surface pressing parts, each in a convex shape, are formed on the two claw parts at locations near to the two side wall sections so as to press against the two side surfaces of the light source accommodating unit. 
     
     
         6 . The attachment structure for the lighting device according to  claim 3 , wherein projections are formed on the two side surfaces of the light source accommodating unit,
 on the two side wall sections, fitting grooves that fit with the projections are formed along a direction of insertion of the light source accommodating unit into the tubular main body, and   when the light source accommodating unit is inserted into the tubular main body, in a state in which the projections are fitted in the fitting grooves, the two side surfaces of the light source accommodating unit are placed in surface contact with the two side wall sections.   
     
     
         7 . The attachment structure for the lighting device according to  claim 6 , wherein the projections are formed in tapered shapes, and
 the fitting grooves are formed with tapered shapes in cross section, which correspond with the tapered shapes of the projections.   
     
     
         8 . The attachment structure for the lighting device according to  claim 2 , wherein the casing is constituted from the light source accommodating unit, and a connector fitting section, which is contiguous to the light source accommodating unit away from the tubular main body and is fitted into a connector,
 in the tubular main body, a bottom wall section is provided, which supports another side surface that opposes the one side surface on the casing where the lens is disposed, and   the bottom wall section extends up to the connector fitting section.   
     
     
         9 . The attachment structure for the lighting device according to  claim 1 , where the opening opens continuously along a direction in which the lighting device is inserted into the tubular main body. 
     
     
         10 . The attachment structure for the lighting device according to  claim 1 , wherein distal end pressing parts configured to press on a distal end of the lighting device that has been inserted into the tubular main body, are provided in the tubular shaped main body portion. 
     
     
         11 . The attachment structure for the lighting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment structure is formed integrally with the attachment object. 
     
     
         12 . The attachment structure for the lighting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment structure is attached to a vehicle door lining as the attachment object, and
 the lighting device attached to the attachment structure casts illuminating light on an object to be illuminated that is held in a drink holder disposed in the door lining.