Lighting device for the interior space of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting device for the interior of a motor vehicle, comprising a faceted body (4) which is light-transmissive on the inside and comprises a surface with a plurality of planar facets (7). The faceted body (4) is arranged at an opening (5), which is formed in a cover (6) which delimits an interior region (9) of the lighting device (3) to the outside. The surface of the faceted body (4) comprises a first surface section (401) which is exposed to the outside through the opening (5) and is light-transmissive, and a second surface section (402) which is located in the interior region (9) of the lighting device (3) and has a reflective layer in addition to one or more light-transmissive surface regions (11). Furthermore, a certain number of light sources (10) are arranged in an inner region (9) of the lighting device (3) such that, during operation, the light sources irradiate light into the facet (4) through the one or more light-transmitting surface regions (11) of the second surface segment (402), wherein at least a portion of the incident light is guided out of the facet (4) by reflection on the reflective layer of the second surface segment (402) and refraction on the facets (7) of the first surface segment (401), thereby generating a light distribution on the surface in the interior space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a lighting device for the interior space of a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Various types of lighting devices for motor vehicle interiors are known from the prior art. For example, there are interior ambient lights, which emit light into the passenger compartment via a light guide and whose color and brightness can be varied as needed. There are also direct-light interior lights, which are used, for example, as reading lights and often contain one or more LEDs as light sources.

[0003] Publication DE102018202127A1 describes a lighting device for generating ambient light in a motor vehicle interior, comprising a planar light-scattering element illuminated by light-emitting diodes, wherein the light-entry surface or the light-exit surface of the light-scattering element is a surface having a crystalline structure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device for the interior of a motor vehicle which generates a novel light distribution over a surface area of the interior in a simple manner.

[0005] This object is achieved by a lighting device for the interior of a motor vehicle, comprising a faceted body, the interior of which is light-transmissive and comprises a surface with a plurality of planar facets.

[0006] wherein the facet is arranged at an opening having a circumferential opening edge, the opening being formed in a cover which delimits an interior area of the lighting device to the outside, wherein the surface of the facet comprises a first surface section and a second surface section, the first surface section being exposed to the outside through the opening and being light-transmissive, and the second surface section being located in the interior area of the lighting device and having, in addition to one or more light-transmissive surface areas, a reflective layer which reflects toward the interior of the facet,

[0007] wherein a number of light sources are arranged in an interior region of the lighting device such that, during operation, they radiate light into the facet through the one or more light-transmitting surface regions of the second surface segment, wherein at least a portion of the incident light is guided out of the facet by reflection on the reflective layer of the second surface segment and refraction on the facets of the first surface segment, thereby generating a light distribution on a surface in the interior space;

[0008] The second surface segment comprises a partial area extending around the facet, which is connected to the first surface segment and in which the facets extend at an inclination angle of between 60° and 120° relative to the opening plane, wherein the partial area comprises the one or more light-transmitting surface areas, wherein the opening plane is a plane defined by the opening edge of the opening and the inclination angle extends from the corresponding facet only in the inner area towards the opening.

[0009] The lighting device according to the present invention is intended for use in the interior of a motor vehicle, particularly a passenger car, but also a truck. When interaction between the lighting device and a motor vehicle or motor vehicle components is described below, this should always be understood to mean an interaction that occurs when the lighting device is positioned or installed in the motor vehicle. Therefore, components of the lighting device that interact with the motor vehicle or motor vehicle component are designed so that an interaction occurs when the lighting device is positioned or installed in the motor vehicle.

[0010] The lighting device according to the present invention comprises a faceted body whose interior is light-transmissive. Here and hereinafter, "light" is to be understood as electromagnetic radiation in the visible wavelength spectrum. "Interior of the faceted body" is to be understood as the entire faceted body, excluding any layers on the faceted body's surface. Furthermore, the term "light-transmissive" is to be understood as meaning that the corresponding material, i.e., the material of the faceted body, or the material of the first surface segment described below, or the material of the surface region of the second surface segment described below, is transmissive for at least a portion of the light impinging thereon. Such a material preferably has a transmittance greater than 50%, and in particular greater than 90%.

[0011] A faceted body installed in a lighting device includes a surface having a plurality of planar facets. Preferably, the entire surface of the faceted body is formed by these planar facets. The material of the faceted body can be selected in various ways. In a preferred embodiment, the faceted body is made of glass, in particular crystal glass. In this case, the planar facets are preferably polished facets. However, the faceted body can also be made at least partially of other materials and, if necessary, completely of a material other than glass, such as plastic.

[0012] In the lighting device according to the present invention, a faceted body is disposed at an opening having a circumferential opening edge, the opening being formed in a covering that delimits an interior region (i.e., the interior) of the lighting device to the exterior, i.e., with respect to the vehicle interior. The surface of the faceted body comprises a first surface segment and a second surface segment. Preferably, the surface of the faceted body is formed solely by the first and second surface segments. The first surface segment is exposed to the exterior, i.e., toward the vehicle interior, through the opening provided in the covering and is light-transmissive. In contrast, the second surface segment is located within the interior region of the lighting device and, in addition to one or more light-transmissive surface segments, comprises a reflective layer that reflects light toward the interior of the transparent body. A "reflective layer" is understood herein to mean a light-impermeable layer that reflects at least a portion of the light that falls upon it. The reflectivity of this layer is preferably 50% or higher, and in particular 90% or higher.

[0013] A number of light sources (i.e., one or more light sources) are arranged in the interior area of the lighting device such that, during operation, the light sources radiate light into the facet through the one or more light-transmitting surface areas of the second surface segment, wherein at least a portion of the incident light is guided out of the facet by reflection at the reflective layer of the second surface segment and refraction at the facets of the first surface segment. Thus, when the lighting device is installed in a motor vehicle, a light distribution is generated on a surface within the motor vehicle interior. Preferably, a separate light source is provided for each light-transmitting surface area, which radiates light into that surface area.

[0014] The lighting device according to the present invention has the advantage that it can generate an attractive light distribution in a simple manner by means of suitable facets through light reflection and light refraction on the corresponding facets.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the plurality of light sources is positioned adjacent to an opening edge of a corresponding opening in the cover. Preferably, each existing light source is positioned adjacent to the opening edge. This achieves a compact design for the lighting device. Here and below, the term "at least a portion of the plurality of light sources" refers to a single light source if the lighting device contains only one light source, or to at least one light source if multiple light sources are installed in the lighting device.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the number of light sources, and in particular each existing light source, radiates in a main radiation direction that extends parallel to or away from the opening plane. "Opening plane" is understood here to mean the plane defined by the opening edge of the opening. This means that the opening edge is designed so as to define a planar surface. The main radiation direction is the direction of light emission with the highest intensity. With this aspect of the present invention, the light from the existing light sources is used particularly efficiently to generate the light distribution.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment, the second surface segment comprises a partial region extending around the facet, which is connected to the first surface segment and in which the facets extend at an angle of inclination between 60° and 120° relative to the opening plane, preferably at least partially substantially perpendicular to the opening plane. According to the above definition, the opening plane is still the plane bounded by the opening edge. The inclination angle is defined such that, starting from the corresponding facet, it extends only in the interior region of the lighting device toward the opening. The surrounding partial region is further characterized by comprising the one or more light-transmitting surface regions of the second surface segment.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment, a further partial region of the second surface section adjoins the partial region extending around the facet body, said further partial region having facets extending at an angle of inclination of less than 90°, preferably 45° or less, relative to the opening plane and / or parallel to the opening plane. The angle of inclination is again to be understood as the angle extending from the respective facet only in the inner region toward the opening. This embodiment allows for a compact design of the facet body.

[0019] In another embodiment, at least some of the light sources, and in particular each existing light source, are assigned an optical device that concentrates the light from the corresponding light source at least partially in a direction parallel to or extending away from the opening plane, which is again the plane defined by the opening edge of the opening. This approach allows light to be efficiently injected into the faceted body with minimal light losses. The optical device can be designed in various ways and preferably includes one or more light-concentrating lenses.

[0020] In another preferred embodiment, the first surface section of the faceted body extends from the opening of the covering toward the exterior, that is, toward the vehicle interior. The first surface section is preferably dome-shaped. This allows for the resulting light distribution to create a particularly visually appealing lighting effect.

[0021] The light sources installed in the lighting device according to the present invention can be designed in different ways. In a preferred embodiment, the certain number of light sources include one or more LEDs and / or one or more laser diodes, thereby achieving a compact structure of the lighting device.

[0022] In another embodiment of the lighting device according to the present invention, at least some of the plurality of light sources, and in particular each existing light source, are designed so that their brightness and / or light color can be varied. This can be achieved, for example, by using RGB LEDs or RGBW LEDs comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes of different colors, and by correspondingly controlling the individual light-emitting diodes, the brightness and color mix of the generated light can be varied.

[0023] In a preferred variant of the just-described embodiment, the lighting device is designed so that it can be operated in one or more dynamic operating modes, in which the brightness and / or light color of at least one, and optionally multiple, of the predetermined number of light sources changes. This allows for the creation of light effects in the form of a time-varying light distribution. Alternatively or in addition to the one or more dynamic operating modes, the lighting device can optionally also be operated in one or more static operating modes, in which the brightness and light color of the predetermined number of light sources do not change.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment, the lighting device according to the present invention is designed such that the one or more dynamic and / or one or more stationary operating modes are each triggered by an operating event of the vehicle and / or are associated with an operating state of the vehicle. For example, a corresponding operating mode can be triggered by unlocking the vehicle or opening a passenger door of the vehicle. In this way, an attractive welcome scene can be created in the passenger compartment that is also visible from outside the vehicle.

[0025] In another specific embodiment, a dynamic operating mode can be associated with, for example, an operating state in which music is played via an audio system in the vehicle interior, wherein the brightness or color of the light preferably changes to the beat of the music. A dynamic operating mode can also be associated with charging the vehicle. In this case, charging can be indicated, for example, by pulsating light patterns.

[0026] The lighting device according to the present invention can be installed at any location within the interior of a motor vehicle. In one embodiment, the lighting device is designed to be installed in a center console within the interior of a motor vehicle. In this case, the lighting device preferably generates a light distribution on the vehicle roof. However, the lighting device can also be installed at other locations within the motor vehicle, such as in locations other than the center console in the vehicle cockpit, in a door interior panel, in the backrest of a passenger seat, or, if necessary, in the vehicle roof.

[0027] In addition to the above-described lighting device, the present invention also relates to a motor vehicle having one or more lighting devices according to the present invention or one or more preferred embodiments of the lighting device according to the present invention in its interior. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 A perspective view shows a detail of a center console in a motor vehicle, which has an embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention integrated therein;

[0030] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A perspective detail of the lighting fixture in FIG; and

[0031] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 Schematic perspective view of the lighting device in FIG, from which the interior of the lighting device can be seen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] An embodiment of the invention is described below using a lighting device for a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, which lighting device is integrated into the center console of the motor vehicle. Figure 1 Here, a detail of a center console 100 is shown in a perspective view, which is arranged between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat.

[0033] The center console 100 includes a gearshift or selector lever 1, which the driver uses to select the corresponding drive gear. To the right of the selector lever is a rotary knob 2, also commonly referred to as the iDrive® controller. This rotary knob is a cylindrical knob that can be tilted and rotated around its circumference to input the corresponding operating actions for controlling the vehicle. Furthermore, the top of the knob is touch-sensitive, allowing the input of corresponding operating commands. Such rotary knobs are known per se and will not be explained in detail. Other operating elements in the form of buttons and joysticks are located in the illustrated portion of the center console 100; these are not relevant to the present invention and will not be explained further.

[0034] A variant of the lighting device according to the invention is mounted in the lower right part of the illustrated section of the center console 100, which is designated overall by reference numeral 3. The lighting device 3 comprises a cover 6 on the upper side, whereby the interior of the housing section is covered. The housing section can be opened from the top. Figure 2 8 and is designated there by the reference numeral 8. The cover 6 comprises an opening 5 with a circumferential opening edge. A dome-shaped, transparent surface section 401 of the facet body 4 protrudes from the opening 5.

[0035] The facet body 4 is an important component of the lighting device according to the present invention. It is a main body made of a light-transmitting material such as glass or transparent plastic and its entire surface is composed of a plurality of plane facets. Figure 2 7. In the case of a glass body, the facets are preferably ground facets, ie they are formed by surface grinding in the glass body. In this case, the glass body is preferably made of crystal glass.

[0036] Figure 2 Again shown in perspective detail Figure 1 As mentioned above, the lighting device 3 in Figure 2 The housing segment 8 is shown, which is embedded in the center console 100 of a motor vehicle and comprises a surrounding housing wall and a bottom. A covering 6 is located on the upper side of the housing segment, which comprises an opening 5 with a corresponding opening edge. A dome-shaped surface segment 401, also referred to below as a first surface segment, protrudes from this opening.

[0037] from Figure 3 The interior of the lighting device 3 can be seen in the perspective view of FIG. There, the cover 6 is schematically shown as surfaces, which are transparently displayed so that the housing section 8 or the interior of the lighting device 3 can be seen. In reality, the cover 6 is made of a light-proof material. The interior or the inner area of the lighting device is Figure 3 9. It can be seen that the first surface section 401 is connected to a second surface section 402, which extends downward from the opening edge of the opening 5 and is located completely in the interior area 9. Surface section 402 is also referred to below as the second surface section. In addition to the transparent window 11, this second surface section is provided with a reflective coating that prevents light from entering the interior of the facet 4 and also reflects light radiation from within the facet 4.

[0038] A total of six light sources 10 in the form of RGBW LEDs are arranged around the surface section 402. These light sources radiate towards the facet and their brightness and color mixing can be individually varied by corresponding control. The individual RGBW LEDs are only schematically shown as cuboids. Each LED rests on a transparent window or a transparent opening area 11 in the surface section 402. Figure 3 Only two of these transparent windows can be seen in the figure, and they are highlighted by a dotted border. Six transparent windows are also formed in a surrounding partial section of the surface section 402, which is adjacent to the opening edge of the opening 5. A further partial section of the surface section 402 adjoins this partial section downwards, in which the facets extend at a relatively flat angle or parallel to the surface of the cover 6 and thus close the facet body downwards.

[0039] The LEDs 10 arranged there can emit light into the facet body 4 through each individual window 11. This light is partially reflected at the reflective coating of the second surface section 402 and partially emitted from the facet body 4 by light refraction at the transparent facets 7 of the first surface section 401. This creates a light distribution on the roof of the passenger compartment of the corresponding motor vehicle. This light distribution is visually very attractive due to the numerous reflections and refractions.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the lighting device 3 can operate in a dynamic operating mode, in which the color and brightness of the individual LEDs change over a certain period of time. This allows for the creation of a time-varying light distribution on the roof of a motor vehicle. The generation of this dynamic light distribution can be linked to various operational events, depending on the design. For example, a dynamic light distribution can be created as a welcome scene when the vehicle is unlocked or a passenger door is opened. The generation of a dynamic light distribution can also depend on the vehicle's operating state. For example, when music is playing through the vehicle's audio system, the dynamic light distribution can change its brightness and color to the beat of the music. Furthermore, the light distribution can generate a pulsating image on the roof, which is displayed while the vehicle is charging and thus indicates the ongoing charging process.

[0041] The embodiments of the present invention described above offer a number of advantages. In particular, they can easily generate an attractive light distribution in the vehicle interior using faceted surfaces into which light from one or more light sources is incident. Dynamic lighting effects can be achieved by varying the brightness and color mixing of the light sources, if necessary. The lighting device is structurally simple and can be easily installed anywhere in the vehicle interior, such as in the center console or elsewhere in the vehicle cockpit. In particular, the lighting device can also be integrated into the door trim, the passenger seat backrest, or, if necessary, the roof.

[0042] Reference Signs List

[0043] 100 center console

[0044] 1 gear lever

[0045] 2 Rotate buttons

[0046] 3 lighting fixtures

[0047] 4-hedron

[0048] 401 first surface section of the facet

[0049] 402 second surface section of the facet

[0050] 5 openings

[0051] 6. Covering

[0052] 7-point face

[0053] 8 shell sections

[0054] 9Inner area of lighting fixtures

[0055] 10 light sources

[0056] 11 Transparent surface areas

Claims

1. A lighting device for the interior of a motor vehicle, comprising a faceted body (4) which is light-transmissive on the inside and comprises a surface with a plurality of planar facets (7), in, The facet (4) is arranged at an opening (5) with a surrounding opening edge, the opening (5) being constructed in a cover (6) which delimits an inner region (9) of the lighting device (3) to the outside, wherein the surface of the facet (4) comprises a first surface section (401) and a second surface section (402), the first surface section (401) being exposed to the outside through the opening (5) and being light-transmissive, and the second surface section (402) being located in the inner region (9) of the lighting device (3) and having, in addition to one or more light-transmissive surface regions (11), a reflective layer which reflects towards the inside of the facet (4), A certain number of light sources (10) are arranged in an inner region (9) of the lighting device (3) such that, during operation, the light sources irradiate light into the facet (4) through the one or more light-transmitting surface regions (11) of the second surface segment (402), wherein at least a portion of the incident light is guided out of the facet (4) by reflection on the reflective layer of the second surface segment (402) and refraction on the facets (7) of the first surface segment (401), thereby generating a light distribution on the surface in the inner space. The second surface segment (402) comprises a local area extending around the facet (4), which is connected to the first surface segment (401) and in which the facet (7) extends at an inclination angle of between 60° and 120° relative to the opening plane, wherein the local area comprises the one or more light-transmitting surface areas (11), wherein the opening plane is a plane defined by the opening edge of the opening (5), and the inclination angle extends from the corresponding facet only in the inner area (9) towards the opening (5).

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that At least a portion of the corresponding light sources (10) among the certain number of light sources (10) are arranged adjacent to the edge of the opening.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: At least a portion of the corresponding light sources (10) among the certain number of light sources (10) radiate in a main radiation direction, which is parallel to the opening plane or extends away from the opening plane.

4. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: At least a portion of the partial surface (7) extends substantially perpendicular to the opening plane.

5. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A further partial region of the second surface section (402) is connected to the partial region extending around the facet body (4), wherein the facets of the further partial region extend at an inclination angle of less than 90° relative to the opening plane and / or extend parallel to the opening plane.

6. The lighting device according to claim 5, characterized in that The further partial region has a partial facet that extends at an inclination angle of 45° or less relative to the opening plane.

7. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: At least a portion of the corresponding light sources (10) among the certain number of light sources (10) are assigned an optical device, which concentrates the light of the corresponding light source (10) at least partially in a direction parallel to the opening plane or extending away from the opening plane.

8. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first surface section (401) of the faceted body (4) extends outward from the opening (5).

9. The lighting device according to claim 8, characterized in that The first surface section (401) of the faceted body (4) is designed to be dome-shaped.

10. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The faceted body (4) is made of glass and / or plastic.

11. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The number of light sources (10) includes one or more LEDs and / or one or more laser diodes.

12. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: At least a portion of the corresponding light sources (10) among the certain number of light sources (10) is designed in such a way that its brightness and / or light color can be changed.

13. The lighting device according to claim 12, characterized in that The lighting device (3) can be operated in one or more dynamic operating modes, and in the corresponding dynamic operating mode, the brightness and / or light color of at least one light source (10) of the certain number of light sources (10) is changed.

14. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The lighting device (3) can be operated in one or more rest operating modes, in which the brightness and light color of the certain number of light sources (10) do not change.

15. The lighting device according to claim 13, characterized in that The lighting device (3) is designed in such a way that the one or more dynamic operating modes are triggered by an operating event of the motor vehicle and / or are associated with an operating state of the motor vehicle.

16. The lighting device according to claim 14, characterized in that The lighting device (3) is designed in such a way that the one or more idle operating modes are triggered by an operating event of the motor vehicle and / or are associated with an operating state of the motor vehicle.

17. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The lighting device (3) is configured to be installed in a center console (100) in an interior space of a motor vehicle.

18. A motor vehicle comprising one or more lighting devices according to any one of claims 1 to 17 in its interior.

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