Light source assembly and vehicle panel

Abstract

The utility model provides a light source assembly and a vehicle panel. The light source assembly includes: a circuit board; a light emitting unit fixed to the circuit board; the light guide plate is arranged to be used for guiding light emitted by the light emitting unit, and the light guide plate is fixed to the circuit board; the gasket is connected to the circuit board and / or the light guide plate through clamping, and at least one part of the gasket is arranged between the light guide plate and the circuit board. The vehicle panel comprises the light source assembly. According to the light source assembly and the vehicle panel, the gasket is arranged between the light guide plate and the circuit board, the light guide plate and the circuit board are allowed to be partially or completely separated, and therefore the abnormal sound risk caused by direct contact between the light guide plate and the circuit board is avoided. In addition, the gasket can be conveniently connected to the circuit board and / or the light guide plate through clamping, and additional fasteners or adhesives are not needed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model generally relates to the field of vehicle technology, and more specifically to a light source assembly for a vehicle and a vehicle panel including the light source assembly. Background Technology

[0002] The lighting design of vehicle dashboards is a crucial component of automotive interior design, aiming to enhance visual appeal, functionality, and the overall user experience. In some lighting designs, the circuit board and light guide plate of the light source need to be directly connected to provide specific visual effects. However, because the materials of circuit boards and light guide plates are typically rigid, relative displacement may occur between them during vehicle movement or user operation of the dashboard, leading to rattling or creaking at the contact area. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems existing in the prior art and to propose an improved light source assembly and a vehicle panel including the light source assembly.

[0004] To this end, a first aspect of the present invention provides a light source assembly, the light source assembly comprising: a circuit board; a light-emitting unit fixed to the circuit board; a light guide plate configured to guide light emitted by the light-emitting unit and fixed to the circuit board; and a spacer, at least a portion of the spacer being disposed between the light guide plate and the circuit board, wherein the spacer includes a first snap-fit ​​portion, and the circuit board and / or the light guide plate includes a second snap-fit ​​portion, wherein the first snap-fit ​​portion and the second snap-fit ​​portion snap-fit ​​together to connect the spacer to the circuit board and / or the light guide plate.

[0005] Based on the above-described technical concept, the first aspect of this utility model may further include any one or more of the following optional forms.

[0006] In some alternative forms, one of the first snap-fit ​​portion and the second snap-fit ​​portion is in the form of a barb, and the other is in the form of a through hole, wherein the barb extends through the through hole.

[0007] In some alternative forms, the free end of the barb has a tapered shape to guide the barb through the through hole.

[0008] In some alternative forms, the gasket includes a first limiting portion, and the circuit board or the light guide plate includes a second limiting portion, wherein the first limiting portion cooperates with the second limiting portion to restrict the movement of the gasket relative to the circuit board or the light guide plate.

[0009] In some alternative forms, one of the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion is in the form of a convex portion and the other is in the form of an opening, wherein the convex portion extends through the opening.

[0010] In some alternative forms, the light guide plate is fixed to the circuit board by welding, wherein the circuit board includes an aperture, and the light guide plate includes a welding post extending through the aperture, wherein the welding post is formed as the second limiting portion.

[0011] In some alternative forms, the light guide plate includes a plate body and a support tab extending from the plate body for supporting the circuit board, wherein the pad includes a first pad portion and the first pad portion is disposed between the circuit board and the support tab.

[0012] In some alternative forms, the gasket includes a second gasket portion extending from the first gasket portion, the second gasket portion being located on the surface of the plate body.

[0013] In some alternative forms, the circuit board extends along the edge of the board body and perpendicular to the board body.

[0014] In some alternative forms, the circuit board extends along the edge of the board body, wherein the light-emitting unit includes a plurality of light-emitting elements spaced apart in the extension direction of the circuit board, the light guide plate includes a plurality of support tabs spaced apart on the edge of the board body, and the light source assembly includes a plurality of spacers spaced apart in the extension direction, wherein each of the plurality of spacers is disposed at a corresponding support tab and located between two adjacent light-emitting elements.

[0015] In some alternative forms, the gasket is injection molded from an elastomer, and / or the gasket has a Shore hardness in the range of 40A to 80A.

[0016] A second aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle panel that includes a light source assembly according to a first aspect of the present invention.

[0017] The light source assembly and vehicle panel according to this utility model allow for partial or complete separation of the light guide plate and the circuit board by placing a spacer between the light guide plate and the circuit board, thereby avoiding the risk of abnormal noise caused by direct contact between the light guide plate and the circuit board. Furthermore, since the aforementioned spacer itself has a snap-fit ​​structure, the spacer can be easily connected to the light guide plate and / or the circuit board without the need for additional fasteners or adhesives. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Other features and advantages of this utility model will be better understood through the following detailed description of optional embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals identify the same or similar parts, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a partial schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a light source assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3A This is another schematic diagram of a light source assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A A magnified view of a portion of the image;

[0023] Figure 4A This is a partial cross-sectional view of a light source assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the light guide plate of the light source assembly has not yet been soldered to the circuit board;

[0024] Figure 4B This is another partial cross-sectional view of a light source assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the light guide plate of the light source assembly has been soldered to a circuit board;

[0025] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of a light source assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a gasket for a light source assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The implementation and use of the embodiments are discussed in detail below. However, it should be understood that the specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways of implementing and using this utility model, and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. In the description, the structural positions of the various components, such as upper, lower, top, bottom, etc., are not absolute, but relative. These orientations are appropriate when the various components are arranged as shown in the figures, but these orientations change accordingly when the positions of the various components in the figures change.

[0028] The terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. In this utility model, unless otherwise expressly specified, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0029] Figures 1 to 6 The vehicle panel 10 and the light source assembly 100, and their constituent parts, are shown according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The interior of vehicle V may include multiple vehicle panels 10. Each vehicle panel 10 may include a light source assembly 100 to provide functions such as lighting, decoration, or display interaction. Vehicle panels 10 may be, for example, instrument panels, door panels, or center console panels.

[0031] Reference Figures 2 to 4B The light source assembly 100 includes a circuit board 102, a light-emitting unit 104, a light guide plate 106, and a spacer 108. The light-emitting unit 104 is fixed to the circuit board 102. The light guide plate 106 is configured to guide the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 104, and the light guide plate 106 is fixed to the circuit board 102. The spacer 108 is connected to the circuit board 102 and / or the light guide plate 106, and at least a portion of the spacer 108 is disposed between the light guide plate 106 and the circuit board 102.

[0032] By providing a spacer 108 between the light guide plate 106 and the circuit board 102, the light guide plate 106 and the circuit board 102 can be partially or completely separated, thereby avoiding the risk of abnormal noise caused by direct contact between the light guide plate 106 and the circuit board 102.

[0033] Reference Figures 2 to 5 The circuit board 102 can be elongated and strip-shaped. In addition to the light-emitting unit 104, the circuit board 102 can also integrate electronic devices such as current-limiting resistors, filter capacitors, and control chips. The circuit board 102 can be a printed circuit board and can include a phenolic paper substrate, an epoxy glass cloth substrate, a polyimide substrate, an aluminum substrate, or other suitable substrates.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the light-emitting unit 104 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements 109 disposed on the lower surface of the circuit board 102. The plurality of light-emitting elements 109 are arranged at intervals in the extending direction (i.e., the length direction) of the circuit board 102; in other words, the plurality of light-emitting elements 109 are arranged in a row on the circuit board 102. The light-emitting elements 109 may be LED elements, OLED elements, or other suitable light-emitting elements.

[0035] Reference Figures 2 to 5 The light guide plate 106 may include a plate body 110 and a support tab 112 extending from the plate body 110, wherein the plate body 110 guides the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 104, and the support tab 112 supports the circuit board 102. The light guide plate 106 may be made of polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate or other suitable materials.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit board 102 may extend along the top edge 113 of the board body 110 and perpendicular to the board body 110. The light guide plate 106 includes a plurality of support tabs 112 spaced apart on the top edge 113 of the board body 110 to provide uniform support for the circuit board 102. Each of the plurality of support tabs 112 may extend perpendicular to the board body 110 from the top edge 113 of the board body 110. Correspondingly, the light source assembly 100 includes a plurality of spacers 108 spaced apart in the extending direction of the circuit board 102, each of the plurality of spacers 108 being disposed at a corresponding support tab 112 to space the circuit board 102 from the light guide plate 106 at the support tab 112.

[0037] Continue to refer to Figures 2 to 5 The light guide plate 106 can be fixed to the circuit board 102 by welding, for example, riveting. In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit board 102 includes a plurality of apertures 114 spaced apart along its extension direction, and the light guide plate 106 includes a plurality of welding posts 116 spaced apart along the top edge 113 of the plate body 110. Each welding post 116 may be positioned adjacent to or on a corresponding support tab 112 and extend through the corresponding aperture 114.

[0038] like Figure 4A As shown, before riveting, each welding post 116 can be smoothly inserted through the corresponding orifice 114; as Figure 4BAs shown, after riveting, the free end of each weld post 116 is flattened by the welding head, making the weld post 116 resemble a rivet to prevent the circuit board 102 from detaching from the light guide plate 106. During the riveting process, the pressure applied by the welding head at each weld post 116 can be borne by the corresponding support tab 112 to prevent deformation or damage to the circuit board 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the light source assembly 100 includes four weld posts 116, four support tabs 112, and four spacers 108. It is conceivable that in other embodiments not shown, the light source assembly may also include other suitable numbers of weld posts, support tabs, and spacers.

[0039] Reference Figure 3A and Figure 3B In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of light-emitting elements 109 are arranged in a row on the lower surface of the circuit board 102, and the body 110 of the light guide plate 106 is located below and perpendicular to the circuit board 102, allowing the light emitted by the plurality of light-emitting elements 109 to be guided by the body 110. This arrangement of the light-emitting elements 109 and the light guide plate 106 allows for the provision of a flowing visual effect by controlling, for example, the emission sequence of the plurality of light-emitting elements 109. It is conceivable that in other embodiments, not shown, the plurality of light-emitting elements may be arranged on the upper surface of the circuit board, and the circuit board may be positioned below the light guide plate.

[0040] Reference Figures 4A to 6 Multiple gaskets 108 can have the same construction. The following description uses one gasket 108 as an example. Gasket 108 can be made of an elastomer. The elastomer can be, for example, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), thermoplastic polyethylene (TPE), silicone, or other suitable elastomers. Gasket 108 can be injection molded to modularize it, thereby facilitating mass production and application to various vehicle panels.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, gasket 108 includes a generally L-shaped gasket body 118. Gasket body 118 includes a first gasket portion 120 and a second gasket portion 122 extending generally perpendicularly from the first gasket portion 120.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the first pad portion 120 is disposed between the circuit board 102 and the support protrusion 112 to space the circuit board 102 and the light guide plate 106 apart in the area where the circuit board 102 and the light guide plate 106 might originally come into contact (i.e., the area of ​​the support protrusion 112), so as to avoid the risk of abnormal noise caused by direct contact between the high-hardness circuit board 102 and the light guide plate 106.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the first gasket portion 120 has a first limiting portion 124, and the light guide plate 106 has a second limiting portion 116. The first limiting portion 124 and the second limiting portion 116 cooperate to restrict the movement of the gasket 108 relative to the light guide plate 106, thereby initially positioning the gasket 108 during installation. In the illustrated embodiment, the first limiting portion 124 may be open, and the second limiting portion 116 may be a protrusion extending through the opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the aforementioned welding post 116 of the light guide plate 106 is formed as a second limiting portion to engage with the first limiting portion 124 of the first gasket portion 120.

[0044] It is conceivable that in other embodiments not shown, the first and second limiting portions may also have other suitable configurations. For example, the first limiting portion may be in the form of a protrusion, and the second limiting portion may be in the form of an opening. In this case, the welding post of the light guide plate may not be used for limiting the gasket.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, a second gasket portion 122 is disposed on the surface of the plate body 110. A first snap-fit ​​portion 126 is provided on the second gasket portion 122, and the plate body 110 has a second snap-fit ​​portion 128, wherein the first snap-fit ​​portion 126 and the second snap-fit ​​portion 128 snap together to connect the gasket 108 to the plate body 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the first snap-fit ​​portion 126 is in the form of a barb, and the second snap-fit ​​portion 128 is in the form of a through hole, with the barb extending through the through hole. The first snap-fit ​​portion 126 includes a head 130 and a rod portion 132 connected to each other, the rod portion 132 being connected to the plate body 110. The head 130 (i.e., the free end of the barb) of the first snap-fit ​​portion 126 has a tapered shape to guide the first snap-fit ​​portion 126 through the second snap-fit ​​portion 128 during assembly, and the rod portion 132 has a cylindrical shape. The maximum outer diameter of the head 130 of the first locking part 126 is greater than the inner diameter of the second locking part 128. The inner diameter of the second locking part 128 may be equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the rod part 132 of the first locking part 126.

[0046] When the first latching portion 126 passes through the second latching portion 128, the head 130 of the first latching portion 126 can undergo a certain elastic deformation to allow the head 130 to pass through the second latching portion 128, and recover its deformation after passing through the second latching portion 128. The head 130 of the first latching portion 126 and the second latching portion 128 cooperate to connect the gasket 108 to the light guide plate 106. Optionally, the Shore hardness of the gasket 108 is in the range of 40A to 80A, so that the head 130 of the first latching portion 126 can undergo a certain deformation to allow the head 130 to pass through the second latching portion 128, and at the same time, after the head 130 recovers its deformation, it can cooperate with the second latching portion 128 to securely connect the gasket 108 to the light guide plate 106.

[0047] The second snap-fit ​​portion 128, which is in the form of a through hole, is provided at a suitable position on the main body 110 of the light guide plate 106 to avoid the second snap-fit ​​portion 128 affecting the diffusion light path of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 104 after entering the main body 110, thereby avoiding the formation of dark spots on the surface of the vehicle panel.

[0048] It is conceivable that, in some embodiments not shown, the second snap-fit ​​portion may also be disposed on the circuit board, thereby connecting the gasket to the circuit board by snapping the first snap-fit ​​portion and the second snap-fit ​​portion; in some embodiments not shown, the first snap-fit ​​portion and the second snap-fit ​​portion may also have other suitable structures, for example, the first snap-fit ​​portion may be in the form of a through hole, and the second snap-fit ​​portion may be in the form of a barb; in some embodiments not shown, the first gasket portion and the second gasket portion of the gasket may also be connected to the circuit board and the light guide plate respectively.

[0049] Reference Figures 3A to 4B In the illustrated embodiment, a first spacer portion 120 and a second spacer portion 122 of each spacer 108 are disposed between two adjacent light-emitting elements 109. The second spacer portion 122 is configured to taper downwards from the first spacer portion 120 away from the first spacer portion 120. By disposing the spacer 108 between two adjacent light-emitting elements 109 and giving the second spacer portion 122 a taper shape, the spacer 108 can be better prevented from blocking the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 104.

[0050] It is conceivable that, although in the illustrated embodiment the second gasket portion is connected to the light guide plate by snap-fit, in other embodiments not shown, the second gasket portion may also be connected to the light guide plate by adhesive, bolt connection, or other means. Furthermore, it is conceivable that in other embodiments not shown, the gasket body may include the first gasket portion but not the second gasket portion; correspondingly, suitable limiting and / or snap-fit ​​structures may be provided on the first gasket portion.

[0051] It is understood that although the light source assembly is described in this article using the example of a light source assembly used in a vehicle panel, the application of the light source assembly according to this utility model is not limited to this, but can be applied in any scenario that requires a light source.

[0052] It should be understood that the various components and features described herein may be made of a variety of materials, including but not limited to polymers, rubber, metals, and other suitable materials or combinations thereof known to those skilled in the art. Figures 1 to 6 The embodiments shown only illustrate the shape, quantity, size, and arrangement of various optional components of the light source assembly and vehicle panel according to the present invention. However, they are only illustrative and not limiting. Other shapes, sizes, and arrangements may be adopted without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0053] The technical content and features of this utility model have been disclosed above. However, it is understood that, under the inventive concept of this utility model, those skilled in the art can easily make modifications, variations, and equivalents of these embodiments based on the disclosed content. For example, features shown or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to produce yet another embodiment. This disclosure is intended to cover these modifications, variations, and equivalents. The description of the above embodiments is exemplary and not restrictive, and the scope of protection of this utility model is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A light source assembly, characterized in that, The light source assembly (100) includes: Circuit board (102); A light-emitting unit (104) is fixed to the circuit board (102); A light guide plate (106) is configured to guide the light emitted by the light-emitting unit (104), and the light guide plate (106) is fixed to the circuit board (102); and A gasket (108), at least a portion of which is disposed between the light guide plate (106) and the circuit board (102); The gasket (108) includes a first snap-fit ​​portion (126), and the circuit board (102) and / or the light guide plate (106) includes a second snap-fit ​​portion (128). The first snap-fit ​​portion (126) and the second snap-fit ​​portion (128) snap together to connect the gasket (108) to the circuit board (102) and / or the light guide plate (106).

2. The light source assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, One of the first snap-fit ​​portion (126) and the second snap-fit ​​portion (128) is in the form of a barb, and the other is in the form of a through hole, wherein the barb extends through the through hole.

3. The light source assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The free end of the barb has a tapered shape to guide the barb through the through hole.

4. The light source assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pad (108) includes a first limiting portion (124), and the circuit board (102) or the light guide plate (106) includes a second limiting portion (116), wherein the first limiting portion (124) and the second limiting portion (116) cooperate to restrict the movement of the pad (108) relative to the circuit board (102) or the light guide plate (106).

5. The light source assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, One of the first limiting portion (124) and the second limiting portion (116) is in the form of a convex portion, and the other is in the form of an opening, wherein the convex portion extends through the opening.

6. The light source assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The light guide plate (106) is fixed to the circuit board (102) by welding, wherein the circuit board (102) includes an aperture (114), and the light guide plate (106) includes a welding post extending through the aperture (114), wherein the welding post is formed as the second limiting portion (116).

7. The light source assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The light guide plate (106) includes a plate body (110) and a support tab (112) extending from the plate body (110) and used to support the circuit board (102), wherein the pad (108) includes a first pad portion (120) and the first pad portion (120) is disposed between the circuit board (102) and the support tab (112).

8. The light source assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The gasket (108) includes a second gasket portion (122) extending from the first gasket portion (120) and the second gasket portion (122) is located on the surface of the plate body (110).

9. The light source assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The circuit board (102) extends along the edge of the board body (110) and perpendicular to the board body (110).

10. The light source assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The circuit board (102) extends along the edge of the board body (110), wherein the light-emitting unit (104) includes a plurality of light-emitting elements (109) spaced apart in the extension direction of the circuit board (102), the light guide plate (106) includes a plurality of support tabs (112) spaced apart on the edge of the board body (110), and the light source assembly (100) includes a plurality of spacers (108) spaced apart in the extension direction, wherein each of the plurality of spacers (108) is disposed at a corresponding support tab (112) and located between two adjacent light-emitting elements (109).

11. The light source assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The gasket (108) is injection molded from an elastomer, and / or the Shore hardness of the gasket (108) is in the range of 40A to 80A.

12. A vehicle panel, characterized in that, The vehicle panel (10) includes a light source assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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