JP6655143B2 - Component units for interior lighting of cars - Google Patents

Description

  The invention relates to a component unit for interior lighting of a motor vehicle, which has the features of the preamble of claim 1.

  Such a component unit is known from DE 102014105633. Specifically, in the specification, the protrusion of the roof frame functions as a holder for a light guide, and the protrusion is arranged below the glass plate on the roof side. The protrusion and the light guide embedded in the protrusion are furthermore arranged such that the light guide is not directly visible to a passenger in the vehicle cabin. Rather, the light emerging from the light guide is emitted upwards in the direction of the roof-side glass sheet and is reflected back into the vehicle cabin on the reflecting surface of the glass sheet. Therefore, the passenger views only the light reflected from the glass plate as a conservative interior lighting and cannot directly see the light source.

  When long linear ambient lighting is formed in the interior of a motor vehicle, it is desirable that the light emission to the passenger be seen with uniform brightness. Furthermore, it is desirable for the component units to be as compact as possible.

  It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a component for interior lighting, which is capable of forming a long linear illumination with a homogeneous appearance.

  This object is achieved by a component unit having the features of claim 1. Preferred or alternative configurations of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

  The invention starts with a component for lighting the interior of a motor vehicle, which has a light guide and a holder made of a light-impermeable material. The light guide is at least largely contained in the holder, and the holder forms a light exit opening.

  According to the present invention, the light guide is formed as a long rod-shaped constituent member, the holder is formed as a long constituent member, and light of at least one first light source passes through the first light incident point. To be able to enter the light guide and be guided through the light guide in the light guide direction. The incident light can be emitted from the light guide through an emission structure extending in the longitudinal direction of the light guide, and exits from the holder through a light exit opening extending along the longitudinal surface of the holder. I can go.

  At least one optical coupling region is present at a distance from the first light incident point when viewed in the light guide direction of the light guide. In this region, light from at least one further light source, which is incident via another light entry point, can additionally enter the light guide. In this case, at least one locally-restricted reducing means is provided in the optical coupling region, and by this reducing means, the ratio of the light exiting from the light exit opening of the holder in the optical coupling region can be reduced. .

  Such a component unit for interior lighting of a motor vehicle makes it possible to form an ambient light with a very long linear light, and for the viewer to be very uniform and homogeneous, so-called "hot spots" (dot-like). Light irradiation) can be obtained. The component unit with the elongated holder and the light guide embedded in the holder can be integrated in an extremely space-saving manner into an interior panel, for example into an instrument panel or a door panel.

  According to a first alternative configuration of the present invention, it is proposed that the reduction means is formed as a translucent component that covers the light exit opening of the holder in the light coupling region. The translucent component is thus formed as a volume scattering material. The translucent component may be made of, for example, opalescent glass. Due to the volume scattering characteristic, the light going out of the light exit aperture is diffusely reflected by the translucent component. Thereby, in the optical coupling region, light flowing out from the light exit opening of the holder can be effectively reduced.

  In a further preferred embodiment of the idea according to the invention, the translucent component is connected to the carrier via at least one integral hinge. The connection between the translucent component and the holder is therefore integral, ie material-connected.

  In this way, it is possible to limit the variety of the constituent members and reduce the assembly cost.

  In this connection, it is conceivable to manufacture the translucent component and the holder by a two-component injection molding method.

  Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the translucent component to be arranged as a separate component, covering the light exit opening of the holder in a cap-like manner. As a result, the translucent component can be easily placed over the light exit opening and, for example, can be clip-fixed to the holder.

  The reducing means may be a component of one wall of the holder in the optical coupling area, so as to be very elegant and reduce the required components. In this case, the use of the translucent component described above can be completely omitted. In this case, the reduction means can very advantageously be formed by a wall of the light guide which is opposite the light supply branch and is located directly opposite the face of the light guide.

  In this case, it is conceivable that at least one reduction means is formed as a bend in the wall. In this case, the edge bent portion projects so as to cover only a small portion of the light guide. Furthermore, this wall is located opposite the face of the light guide, opposite the light supply branch of the light guide.

  In this way, the reducing means can be realized particularly simply and inexpensively.

  In another embodiment of the invention, the at least one reducing means can be formed by a wall of the light guide facing away from the light supply branch and facing the face of the light guide. This wall has an inner wall extending obliquely in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the light guide. Thereby, the wall enlarges the accommodation space for the light guide in the direction opposite to the light exit opening of the holder. Eventually, this wall will transition to the light exit opposite the light exit aperture.

  By such means, the "excess" light generated in the light-coupling region is directed upwards, ie away from the light exit aperture, into the interior panel in which this component is embedded.

  In a further preferred refinement of the invention, it is proposed that the at least one reducing means is formed by a wall of the light guide facing away from the light supply branch and facing the face of the light guide.

  In cross section, this wall has a serrated or notched surface facing the light guide. As a result, the “excess” light generated in the optical coupling region is diffused and scattered on the notched surface, so to say, “dead reflection”.

  According to the invention, a motor vehicle having at least one component unit according to the invention is also preferably subject to patent protection.

  Preferred configurations of the present invention are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. This further clarifies further advantages of the present invention. The same reference numerals indicate the same, comparable, or functionally identical components in different drawings. In this case, corresponding or comparable properties and advantages are obtained without repeated explanations or mentions. Drawings are not always to scale. In some drawings, shapes may be exaggerated to highlight features of the embodiments.

It is a top view of a structural unit. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one detailed area of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along a cross section extension III of FIG. 2 in the first configuration. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a cross section taken along a cross section extension III of FIG. 2 in a second configuration. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along a cross section extension III of FIG. 2 in a third configuration. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cross-sectional extension III of FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a cross-sectional extension III of FIG. 2 viewed from a reverse direction in still another configuration. 1 shows a motor vehicle with a component unit according to the invention.

  First, FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 1 shows a component unit 1 according to the invention. This component unit consists of a longitudinal holder 2. Similarly, a long rod-shaped light guide 3 is accommodated in the holder 2.

  This figure shows a view from above of the structural unit 1 at an assumed mounting position on an interior panel (for example, an instrument panel, not shown) of an automobile.

  In this figure, only the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the light guide 3 is shown by broken lines to make the drawing easier to see.

  The light guide 3 is accommodated almost completely in the holder 2, preferably via a one-sided opening extending over the entire length of the lower surface of the holder 2. The light guide 3 is pushed into the opening and is fixed and held by fixing means (not shown in detail).

  As can be further understood, the light L1 of the first light source 4 is incident on the light guide 3 through the light incident point 5 on the end face side. The incident light L1 is guided through the light guide 3 in a light guide direction LLR corresponding to the longitudinal extension of the light guide 3.

  When viewed in the light guide direction LLR, the light L2 having the second light source 6 is supplied to the light supply branch 3a of the light guide 3 through the second light incident point 7 at a distance from the light incident point 5. It enters inside. The incident light L2 is guided in the optical coupling region 8 together with the incident light L1. The light sources 4 and 6 are preferably formed by LEDs (light emitting diodes).

  A holding tongue piece 2a is integrally formed on one side in the longitudinal direction of the holding body 2 for easy assembly of the component unit 1 in an automobile. These retaining tongues may be glued to the interior panel, for example, or may be embedded by injection molding.

  The holder 2 is made of a light-impermeable material. Preferably, black or white colored plastic is used.

  FIG. 2 then shows one detail of the component unit 1, namely the optical coupling area 8. As shown, the light coupling region 8 is in the region of the component unit 1 where the light supply branch 3a of the light guide 3 connects with the light guide 3 in a Y-shape. That is, in the optical coupling region 8, the respective incident lights L1 and L2 of the light emitting means 4 and 6 are collected into one.

  At this point, several alternative means are conceivable, so that a uniform and homogeneous light is emitted over the entire length of the component unit 1 despite the increased light quantity thereby combined. These means are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the constituent unit 1 in the area of the optical coupling region 8.

  First, it can be seen that the holding body 2 is composed of the upper wall 2b, the left wall 2c, and the right wall 2d at the assumed assembly position shown in the figure. The walls 2c and 2d each extend substantially vertically downward from the upper wall 2b. The holding tongue piece 2a described above extends upward.

  The housing space A for the light guide 3 is formed by the walls 2b, 2c, 2d. The light guide 3 is inserted from below into the receiving space A via the light exit opening LA, and is preferably held in the receiving space by fixing means (not shown in detail). In particular, the light exit opening LA extends over the entire length of the holder 2. That is, the light exit opening LA having a narrow or slit shape is formed.

  The light supply branch 3a of the light guide 3 is only schematically indicated by broken lines.

  In the optical coupling region 8, a translucent component member 9 is fitted to the holder 2 from below in a capping manner in the mounting direction MR as a reducing means in order to reduce the light that is emitted from the light exit opening LA of the holder 2. . Also in this case, fixed attachment can be performed by fixing means (not shown in detail). Adhesion is also conceivable.

  Since the translucent component 9 has, in particular, a volume scattering property, the occurrence of light reflection or light scattering diffused in the translucent component 9 is enhanced. Therefore, the reduced light beam L flows out of the component unit 1 in the optical coupling region 8.

  The light that has entered the light guide 3 is emitted downward in the direction of the light exit opening LA, particularly, via the emission structure 3b on the upper surface. In this case, the emission structure 3b preferably extends over the entire length of the light guide 3.

  In the figures, the reference symbol I designates each possible interior of a motor vehicle (not shown) into which the light beam L can flow out of the component unit 1. The component panel 1 can be embedded in the position shown, or the interior panel in which the component unit 1 is embedded, such as an instrument panel or a door panel, is also not shown.

  FIG. 4 shows an optional component unit 100. In this structural unit 100, the light exit opening LA in the light coupling region 8 is likewise covered by a translucent structural member 9 '.

  However, unlike the previous embodiment, there is provided a holder 200 on which a translucent component 9 'is pivotally mounted by means of an integrally formed hinge 10. That is, the left wall 2c and the component member 9 'are joined to each other in a material-connected manner via the integrally formed hinge 10.

  Therefore, during assembly, the light guide 3 can first be fixedly mounted in the receiving space A, and then the component 9 ′ located on the wall 2 c is moved by the flap movement KL onto the light exit opening LA. Can flap. Thus, the number of components can be reduced, and the assembly cost can be reduced.

  In this connection, it is proposed to manufacture the translucent component 9 'and the holder 200 by a two-component injection molding method. Therefore, the holder 200 made of the light-impermeable material component and the component member 9 'made of the translucent material component can be manufactured very easily in one operation step.

  However, instead of using a translucent component for the optical coupling region 8, it is also conceivable to reduce the intensity of the light flowing out of the component unit in the optical coupling region 8 by reducing means. This reducing means is a component of the wall of the holder in the optical coupling area 8.

  Therefore, in the structural unit 101 shown in another embodiment in FIG. 5, the reducing means is formed as the edge bent portion 2 e of the wall 2 c of the holding body 201. In this case, the edge bent portion 2e projects so as to cover only a small portion of the light guide 3.

  The surface of the light guide 3 on the opposite side of the light supply branch 3a of the light guide 3 is indicated by the reference numeral 3c. Reference numeral 3d denotes the surface of the light guide 3 facing the light supply branch 3a of the light guide 3.

  Thus, as shown, the edge bend 2e is a component of the wall 2c located directly opposite the face 3c of the light guide 3, opposite the light supply branch 3a of the light guide 3. .

  Or, in other words, the edge bend 2e is oriented in the direction of the surface 3d of the light guide 3 facing the light supply branch 3a.

  Experiments have shown, surprisingly, that the cause of the increased light quantity occurring in the light coupling region 8 is not the light guide 3 but the light reflection that occurs between the wall 2c and the face 3c of the light guide 3. .

  The edge bending portion 2e can sufficiently attenuate the generated light rays, and can further improve the uniform appearance.

  In a configuration unit 102 shown in FIG. 6 as another alternative configuration, a reduction unit for reducing the light beams flowing out of the light emission area LA is formed by the inclined inner wall 2 f of the holder 202.

  The inner wall 2f is a component of the wall 2c, which is located directly opposite the face 3c of the light guide 3 on the opposite side of the light supply branch 3a of the light guide 3.

  The inner wall 2f transitions upward to the light outlet 2g, and in this case extends so as to enlarge the accommodation space A for the light guide 3 upward.

  That is, there is a somewhat different configuration of the holding body 202 that reflects the light beam L flowing out of the light guide 3 in the direction of the wall 2c upward in the direction of the light outlet 2g. From here, the light rays reach the "deep" of the interior panel surrounding the component unit 102 and no longer cause an undesirable non-uniform visible light emission.

  Finally, FIG. 7 shows a further optional alternative component unit 103. In the component unit 103, a further modified holder 203 is provided on the wall 2c, that is to say on the surface located directly opposite the surface 3c of the light guide 3, a structure 2h with a notch is provided.

  Thereby, the light beam L flowing out of the light guide 3 in the direction of the wall 2c is diffused and scattered by the notched structure 2h, so that a so-called "dead reflection" occurs.

  FIG. 8 shows a motor vehicle K in which the component unit 1 according to the invention is integrated in an instrument panel 11. It can be seen that the component unit 1 extends over substantially the entire width of the vehicle K or over the entire length of the instrument panel 11.

  Instead of the configuration unit 1, the configuration units 100, 101, 102, and 103 can be incorporated.

  Thereby, it is possible to provide ambient illumination in which the light beam L is emitted extremely uniformly and uniformly downward.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 constituent unit 2 holder 2a holding tongue 2b wall 2c wall 2d wall 2e edge bent portion 2f inner wall extending obliquely 2g light outlet 2h structure with notch 3 light conductor 3a light supply branch 3b emission structure 3c light guide Surface 3d Surface of light guide 4 Light source 5 Light incident point 6 Light source 7 Light incident point 8 Light coupling area 9, 9 ′ Translucent component 10 Integrated hinge 11 Instrument panel 100 to 103 Structural unit 200 to 203 Holder A Housing Space I Inner room K Car KL Flap motion L Light L1, L2 Incident light LA Light exit aperture LLR Light guide direction LR Light reflection MR Assembling direction

Claims (6)

An optical waveguide (3); and a holder (2, 200 to 203) made of a light-impermeable material for at least most of the optical waveguide (3). To (203), a light-entry opening (LA) is formed, and is a constituent unit (1,100 to 103) for interior lighting of a vehicle (K),
The light guide (3) is formed as a long rod-shaped component, the holder (2, 200-203) is formed as a long component, and at least one first light source (4). ) Light (L1) can enter the light guide (3) via a first light incident point (5) and can be guided through the light guide in the light guide direction (LLR). The incident light (L1, L2) can be emitted from the light guide (3) via an emission structure (3b) extending in the longitudinal direction of the light guide (3), and the holder (2) , 200-203), can exit the holder (2, 200-203) via the light exit aperture (LA) extending along the longitudinal plane of the light guide (3). When viewed in the light guide direction (LLR), a distance is provided from the first light incident point (5). At least one light coupling region (8), in which the light (L2) of at least one other light source (6), which is incident via another light incident point (7). ) Can additionally enter the light guide (3), and the light coupling area (8) is provided with at least one locally reduced means, whereby at least one One of the percentage reduction possible der in advance to light (L) from the light entering opening (LA) of the holding member in the optical coupling region (8) (2,200～203) is,
The reduction means is formed as a translucent component (9, 9 ′) that covers the light exit opening (LA) of the holder (2, 200) with the at least one light coupling area (8). Yes,
The translucent component (9 ') is characterized that you have been coupled to the holder (200) via at least one living hinge (10),
Component units (1,100-103). An optical waveguide (3); and a holder (2, 200 to 203) made of a light-impermeable material for at least most of the optical waveguide (3). To (203), a light-entry opening (LA) is formed, and is a constituent unit (1,100 to 103) for interior lighting of a vehicle (K),
The light guide (3) is formed as a long rod-shaped component, the holder (2, 200-203) is formed as a long component, and at least one first light source (4). ) Light (L1) can enter the light guide (3) via a first light incident point (5) and can be guided through the light guide in the light guide direction (LLR). The incident light (L1, L2) can be emitted from the light guide (3) via an emission structure (3b) extending in the longitudinal direction of the light guide (3), and the holder (2) , 200-203), can exit the holder (2, 200-203) via the light exit aperture (LA) extending along the longitudinal plane of the light guide (3). When viewed in the light guide direction (LLR), a distance is provided from the first light incident point (5). At least one light coupling region (8), in which the light (L2) of at least one other light source (6), which is incident via another light incident point (7). ) Can additionally enter the light guide (3), and the light coupling area (8) is provided with at least one locally reduced means, whereby at least one The ratio of the light (L) that exits from the light exit opening (LA) of the holder (2, 200 to 203) can be reduced in the two optical coupling regions (8),
The at least one reducing means is a component of the wall (2c) of the holder (201-203) in the at least one optical coupling region (8) ;
Constituent units (101-103). The at least one reducing means is formed as an edge bend (2e) of the wall (2c), the edge bend (2e) projecting so as to partially cover the light guide (3). , said wall (2c), the light supply branch of the light conductor (3) (3a) on the opposite side is located opposite the surface (3c) of the light conductor (3), according to claim 2, wherein (101). The at least one reducing means is formed by a wall (2c) of the light guide (3) which is opposite the light supply branch (3a) and which faces the face (3c) of the light guide (3). The wall (2c) has an inner wall (2f) extending obliquely when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the light guide (3), The accommodation space (A) for 3) is enlarged in a direction opposite to the light exit opening (LA) of the holder (202), and the wall (2c) is provided with the light exit opening (LA). 3. ) The component unit (102) according to claim 2 , wherein the component unit (2) transitions to a light outlet (2g) opposite to the light outlet (2g). The at least one reducing means is formed by a wall (2c) of the light guide (3) which is opposite the light supply branch (3a) and which faces the face (3c) of the light guide (3). Arrangement according to claim 2 , wherein the wall (2c) has, in cross-section, a surface (2h) with a toothed or notched surface facing the light guide (3). Unit (103). Of any one of claims 1 to 5, an automobile, wherein the at least one constructional unit (1,100~103) (K).

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