Lighting arrangement for a vehicle

Abstract

Lighting arrangement for a vehicle, which is arranged in a recess (30) of a surface (22) of the vehicle, comprising at least one lighting device (20) with at least one housing (26), at least one light source (28) arranged at least partially in the housing (26) and with at least one lens (24) by means of which the housing (26) is sealed against the environment, wherein in a section (32) of the recess (30), which is located between the lighting device (20) and the surface (22) of the vehicle, at least one additional structural element (34) is detachably attached to the lighting device (20), by which the surface (22) of the vehicle is completed, characterized in that the additional structural element (34) is designed at least partially as an extension (38) of a radiator grille (18).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lighting arrangement for a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 5 with the lighting arrangement.

[0002] Modern vehicles, such as cars, exhibit a wide variety of variants. Different versions of a vehicle can have different design features to create variant-specific designs and functions. This leads to a correspondingly large number of different variants, particularly in the area of ​​lighting systems. For example, headlights, daytime running lights, turn signals, and the like can be individually designed, configured, and positioned in different vehicle variants. Manufacturing and managing these variants requires specific tooling and complex logistics processes. This increases the overall cost of the vehicle.

[0003] DE 10 2007 040 202 A1 discloses a mounting arrangement for a fog light unit. This is attached to a bumper of a motor vehicle via an additional mounting element.

[0004] Furthermore, EP 2 559 593 A1 describes a bracket for attaching a front flasher to the radiator grille of a motor vehicle.

[0005] DE 10 2005 007 864 A1 discloses a lighting arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a basic decorative cover and equipped with additional decorative cover elements. These are arranged within the lighting arrangement.

[0006] DE 90 07 203 U1 discloses a lighting device for a vehicle to which an additional lighting device is detachably attached. This additional lighting device covers a section of the recess between the lighting device and a surface of the vehicle.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of creating a lighting arrangement for a vehicle that reduces the effort required to implement different variants of a vehicle.

[0008] The present problem is solved by the subject matter of claims 1 and 5.

[0009] Further preferred embodiments of the invention result from the other features mentioned in the dependent claims.

[0010] The present invention relates to a lighting arrangement for a vehicle, which is arranged in a recess of a surface of the vehicle, comprising at least one lighting device with at least one housing, at least one light source arranged at least partially in the housing, and at least one lens by means of which the housing is sealed against the environment. According to the invention, at least one additional structural element is detachably attached to the lighting device in a section of the recess located between the lighting device and the surface of the vehicle, thereby completing the surface of the vehicle.

[0011] According to the invention, the additional structural element is designed as an extension of a radiator grille.

[0012] This has the advantage of giving the vehicle a wider appearance. This results in a sporty look.

[0013] In the context of the present invention, the term "surface" refers to all structural elements of the vehicle that are directly visible from the outside and that separate the vehicle from an environmental system.

[0014] The lighting arrangement according to the invention offers the advantage that the creation of variants of the lighting arrangement, and thus of the vehicle, is now possible solely through the use of different variants of the additional structural element. This significantly reduces the number of required variants of individual parts. In contrast to conventional design concepts, the need to maintain and stock different variants of the entire lighting device is eliminated. The lighting device can thus be installed as a standardized lighting device in a multitude of vehicle variants, and then the variant of the lighting arrangement, and therefore of the vehicle as a whole, can be realized by selecting a specific variant of the additional structural element. This significantly reduces the effort required to manage the variety of variants of the lighting arrangement and the vehicle, thereby substantially reducing costs.

[0015] This offers the advantage of greatly simplifying assembly and disassembly, for example when replacing parts. In line with the fundamental concept of the invention, which is to create vehicle variants solely by selecting the appropriate additional structural element, the detachable connection even allows for a subsequent change from one variant to another.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the additional structural element can be attached to the lighting device when the lighting device is already arranged in the recess of the surface.

[0017] This offers the advantage of further simplifying assembly and disassembly. It also greatly simplifies changing between variants. Furthermore, it provides advantages in production logistics, as the vehicle can, for example, be fully pre-assembled and the additional structural element can then be attached later at a different assembly location.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the lighting device for receiving the additional structural element comprises at least one interface which includes at least one mechanical and / or one electrical and / or one information technology element.

[0019] A mechanical element can be, for example, a structure for creating a snap-fit ​​connection, clip connection, or screw connection. Other connections based on known connection principles such as form fit, material fit, and force fit are also possible. An electrical element can be, for example, a power line for supplying energy. Electrical elements that are assigned other electrical or electronic functions are also eligible. An information technology element can be, for example, a signal line for transmitting measurement and control signals. It can also be, for example, a circuit board with corresponding electronic circuits. Other elements that serve information transmission or information processing are also eligible.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the additional structural element is designed section by section as an extension of a radiator grille and section by section as a daytime running light module and / or ambient light module and / or indicator module.

[0021] This offers the advantage that the additional structural element can carry a variety of different functions.

[0022] This offers the advantage that the indication of the change of direction can be integrated into the vehicle design in a visually appealing way.

[0023] This allows the vehicle's appearance to be adapted in a beneficial and flexible way.

[0024] This offers the advantage that variations are possible both with regard to the vehicle design or vehicle structure, as well as with regard to the available lighting functions.

[0025] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one lighting arrangement according to the invention.

[0026] The vehicle according to the invention offers the advantage that the creation of variants with the lighting arrangement according to the invention is now possible solely through different variants of the additional structural element. This significantly reduces the number of required variants of individual parts. Thus, the lighting device can be installed as a standardized lighting device in a multitude of vehicle variants, and then the variant of the lighting arrangement, and therefore of the vehicle as a whole, can be realized by selecting a specific variant of the additional structural element. This significantly reduces the effort required to manage the variety of vehicle variants. It also greatly reduces costs.

[0027] Unless otherwise stated in individual cases, the various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another.

[0028] The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a lighting arrangement according to the invention for a vehicle in a preferred embodiment; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a lighting arrangement according to the invention for a vehicle in a preferred embodiment in a sectional view; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a lighting arrangement according to the invention for a vehicle in different preferred embodiments; and Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.

[0029] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a lighting arrangement according to the invention for a vehicle in a preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the vehicle is a motor vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 is shown here only in sections. A front left, or driver's side, section of the motor vehicle 10 is visible. The section shown essentially comprises a portion of a hood 12, a fender 14, a bumper 16, a radiator grille 18, and a lighting device 20. The section shown may include further elements not described in detail, which together with the elements described above form a portion of a surface 22 of the motor vehicle 10. In the context of the present invention, the surface 22 refers to all externally visible structural elements of the motor vehicle 10 that delineate the motor vehicle 10 from an environmental system.The lighting device 20 is preferably a main headlight of the motor vehicle 10. This comprises a housing 26, concealed in this view by a lens 24, in which light sources 28 are arranged. The lens 24 seals the housing 26 against the environment. The lighting device 20, or main headlight, comprises further elements that are generally known to those skilled in the art. The lighting device 20 preferably provides all the main lighting functions with respect to the environmental system that are generally required in all known motor vehicles 10. These include, in particular, a low beam and a high beam. The lighting device 20 is arranged in a recess 30 of the surface 22 of the motor vehicle 10. An additional structural element 34 is arranged in a section 32 of the recess 30, which is located between the lighting device 20 and the surface 22 of the motor vehicle 10.The structural element 34 is attached to the lighting device 20. Without this additional structural element 34, the surface 22 in section 32 of the recess 30 would not be fully formed. The additional structural element 34 completes the surface 22 of the motor vehicle 10 with respect to section 32 and the surrounding areas of the surface 22. The additional structural element 34 is preferably designed as a decorative element, as an additional lighting device, or as a combination of these. A further description can also be found in [reference missing]. Fig. 3. The additional structural element 34 serves in particular to adapt the motor vehicle 10 to create variants. The design, structure, and functionality of the motor vehicle 10 can be flexibly adapted via the additional structural element 34. For example, the lighting functions can be expanded by providing additional lighting devices. Thus, a wide variety of variants can be flexibly realized by combining a standardized lighting device 20 with the additional structural element 34.

[0030] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a lighting arrangement according to the invention for a vehicle in a preferred embodiment in a sectional view. The lighting arrangement corresponds to that shown in Fig. 1 lighting arrangement described, so that the reference symbols used there also apply to Fig. 2 apply. The left part of the Fig. Figure 2 shows the course of the cutting line, which runs through the engine hood 12, the lighting device 20, section 32 of the recess 30, the additional structural element 34, and the bumper 16. The right part of the Fig. Figure 2 shows the designated areas in a sectional view. The additional structural element 34 is preferably arranged below the lighting device 20 in section 32 of the recess 30. Depending on the vehicle concept, however, the additional structural element 34 can also be arranged at another location in section 32 between the lighting device 20 and the surface 22 of the motor vehicle 10. Preferably, the additional structural element 34 is detachably attached to the lighting device 20 and is held in position by it. The fastening principle is preferably chosen such that the additional structural element 34 can be attached to the lighting device 20 when the lighting device 20 is already in its final mounting position in the recess 30 of the surface 22 of the motor vehicle 10. For this purpose, the lighting device 20 comprises at least one interface 36.Interface 36 comprises one or more elements that impart mechanical, electrical, and information technology interface properties to interface 36. A mechanical element can, for example, be a structure for creating a snap-fit ​​connection with the additional structural element 34. An electrical element can, for example, be a power line for supplying energy. The additional structural element 34, if it includes, for example, an additional lighting device, can be supplied with energy via this power line. An information technology element can, for example, be a signal line for transmitting measurement and control signals or a circuit board with corresponding electronic circuits for information processing. Various possibilities for the design of the additional structural element 34 are also discussed in [reference to be added]. Fig. 3 discussed in more detail.

[0031] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a lighting arrangement according to the invention for a vehicle in different preferred embodiments. The lighting arrangement corresponds to that shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 lighting arrangement described, so that the reference symbols used there also apply to Fig. 3 apply. Fig. Figure 3A shows a front view of the motor vehicle 10, in which section 32 of the recess 30 can be seen. The additional structural element 34 is designed here as an extension 38 of a radiator grille 18. Thus, in this embodiment, the additional structural element 34 is both a functional element with respect to the radiator grille 18 and a decorative element for creating a sporty-looking design for the motor vehicle 10. Fig. 3B and Fig. Section 32 is shown enlarged in Figure 3C. Further preferred options for the design of the additional structural element 34 are described there. For example, it shows... Fig. Figure 3B shows an embodiment in which the additional structural element 34 is configured as a flasher module 40 and / or as a daytime running light module 42 and / or ambient light module 44. By way of example, the additional structural element 34 can also include a number of light-emitting diodes 46. In this embodiment, the additional structural element 34 is thus configured as an additional lighting device. The structural design of the aforementioned modules is generally known to those skilled in the art. The additional structural element 34 is attached to the lighting device 20 via the interface 36 (not shown here). Advantageously, the additional structural element 34 can also be supplied with energy and signals via the lighting device 20 by appropriately designing the interface 36. The lighting device 20 comprises, for example, a standardized main headlight and corresponding light sources 28 in the form of halogen lamps, xenon lamps, or light-emitting diodes.Thus, the lighting device 20 provides the main lighting functions such as dipped beam and main beam, and the additional structural element 34, which is designed as a further lighting device, provides additional lighting functions such as turn signals, daytime running lights, or ambient lighting. The lighting arrangement can also be located at the rear of the motor vehicle 10. In this case, a rear fog light can also be included in the additional structural element 34. Naturally, other lighting functions known to those skilled in the art can also be included in the lighting arrangement by incorporating appropriate light sources. Fig. Figure 3C shows a further embodiment in which the additional structural element 34 is designed section by section as an extension 38 of the radiator grille 18 and section by section as a daytime running light module 42 and / or as an ambient light module 44.

[0032] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle according to the invention with a lighting arrangement according to the invention in a preferred embodiment. The motor vehicle 10 is shown in the upper part of the Fig. 4 in a front view, in the middle part of the Fig. 4 in a rear view and in the lower part of the Fig. Figure 4 shows a side view. The lighting arrangement corresponds to that shown in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 lighting arrangement described, so that the reference symbols used there also apply to Fig. 4. Various preferred embodiments of the lighting arrangement are shown here, which are not to be considered exhaustive. The position of the lighting device 20 and the position of section 32 with the additional structural element 34 are indicated in each case. Reference symbol list 10 motor vehicles 12 Hood 14 fenders 16 bumper 18 Radiator guards 20 Lighting device 22 surface 24 Light disc 26 cases 28 light bulbs 30 recess Section 32 34 additional structural element 36 Interface 38 Extension 40 turn signal module 42 Daytime running light module 44 Ambient light module 46 light-emitting diodes

Claims

Lighting arrangement for a vehicle, which is arranged in a recess (30) of a surface (22) of the vehicle, comprising at least one lighting device (20) with at least one housing (26), at least one light source (28) arranged at least partially in the housing (26) and with at least one lens (24) by means of which the housing (26) is sealed against the environment, wherein in a section (32) of the recess (30), which is located between the lighting device (20) and the surface (22) of the vehicle, at least one additional structural element (34) is detachably attached to the lighting device (20), by which the surface (22) of the vehicle is completed, characterized in that the additional structural element (34) is designed at least partially as an extension (38) of a radiator grille (18). Lighting arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the additional structural element (34) can be attached to the lighting device (20) when the lighting device (20) is already arranged in the recess (30) of the surface (22). Lighting arrangement according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the lighting device (20) for receiving the additional structural element (34) comprises at least one interface (36) which includes at least one mechanical and / or one electrical and / or one information technology element. Lighting arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the additional structural element (34) is designed section by section as an extension (38) of a radiator guard (18) and section by section as a turn signal module (40) and / or daytime running light module (42) and / or ambient light module (44). Motor vehicle (10) comprising at least one lighting arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4 .

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