Automotive interior components and automobiles

By combining light sources, translucent trim pieces, and light guide elements, the problem of insufficient multi-color light emission effect of light-emitting surfaces in small areas in existing technologies has been solved, realizing the improvement of multi-color light emission and dynamic light effects in automotive interior components, enhancing the visual experience and functionality.

CN115257532BActive Publication Date: 2026-03-27YANFENG INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-08-03
Publication Date
2026-03-27

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In existing technologies, it is difficult to achieve colorful light emission effects on the light-emitting surfaces of automotive interior components within a small area, especially in the width direction where clear dynamic light effects cannot be achieved. Furthermore, traditional direct-lit backlighting and light guide solutions suffer from light overlap and blurred boundaries.

Method used

It adopts a combined design including light source, light-transmitting decorative element and light guide element. The light source transmits light to the light-transmitting decorative element through the light guide element. Combined with the light uniformity film, the light uniformity is adjusted. The light source is separated by the separator to achieve a colorful light emission effect. The light color, intensity and dynamic effect of the light emission unit can be adjusted independently.

Benefits of technology

Achieving colorful lighting effects within a small luminous surface area enhances the dynamic performance of the lights, provides more functionality and visual experience, and elevates the technological and luxurious feel of the car's interior.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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  • Figure CN115257532B_ABST
    Figure CN115257532B_ABST
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Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of automobile interior parts, it is arranged in automobile interior space, it is characterized in that, the automobile interior parts include: light source, the light source includes at least two side-by-side arrangement in second direction light emitting unit row, each light emitting unit row has multiple successive arrangement in first direction light emitting unit, the second direction is transverse to the first direction orientation;Light-transmitting trim, the light-transmitting trim is arranged towards automobile interior space, and allow the light emitted by the light source to be transmitted;With light guide element, the light guide element includes at least two side-by-side arrangement in the second direction light guide, each light guide is respectively matched with one corresponding light emitting unit row, wherein, each light guide is respectively arranged between matched light emitting unit row and light-transmitting trim, to transmit the light emitted by matched light emitting unit row respectively to light-transmitting trim.The present application also relates to a kind of automobile.
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Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an automotive interior component and an automobile. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of intelligentization and automation of automotive interiors, the requirements for atmosphere / functional light of intelligent surfaces in vehicles have also been greatly improved. Through cool and amazing light effects, the luxury and technology of the cabin can be further improved to achieve a better driving experience.

[0003] In the traditional intelligent surface lighting scheme, limited by the principle that the light effect movement direction of the light emitting area is consistent with the direction of the backlight arrangement, the color of the light effect can only change with the light effect change of the single-row lamp beads.

[0004] In the existing direct backlight scheme, referring to Figure 14a Due to the requirement of a set distance H between the lamp beads 101 and the light emitting surface 102, when the adjacent lamp beads 101 irradiate different colors of light onto the light emitting surface 102, there will be an inevitable and obvious light overlapping part 103. The large range of light overlapping part 103 forms a blurred and uncontrollable boundary on the light emitting surface 102, so that it cannot achieve clear dynamic light effects in the width direction (i.e. in the direction perpendicular to the light overlapping part 102), especially in the case of small width. In the existing light guide scheme, referring to Figure 14b , limited by the fact that a single light guide body 104 can only transmit the light emitted by a single lamp bead 101 to the light emitting surface 102, it is impossible to achieve the mixed gradient effect of multiple light colors in the width direction. Therefore, it is currently difficult to achieve multi-color lighting effects, especially in small light emitting surface areas. SUMMARY

[0005] Therefore, the present application aims to provide an automotive interior component and an automobile, by means of which at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the prior art can be solved.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present application, the present application provides an automotive interior component arranged in an automotive interior space, characterized in that the automotive interior component comprises:

[0007] a light source comprising at least two light emitting unit rows arranged side by side in a second direction, each of the light emitting unit rows having a plurality of light emitting units arranged successively in a first direction, the second direction being oriented transversely to the first direction;

[0008] a light-transmitting trim piece arranged towards the automotive interior space and allowing light emitted by the light source to transmit therethrough; and

[0009] The light guide element comprises at least two light guides arranged side by side along the second direction, each of the light guides being respectively assigned to one of the rows of light emitting units, wherein each of the light guides is arranged between the assigned row of light emitting units and the light-transmissive trim part to respectively transmit light emitted by the assigned row of light emitting units towards the light-transmissive trim part.

[0010] Technical effects achievable by the automotive interior component include, but are not limited to, for example: by means of the partitioned light guide concept, a multi-colored light emission can be achieved in a small light emitting surface area.

[0011] Advantageously, the automotive interior component comprises a light homogenizing film for homogenizing light emitted by the light source, the light homogenizing film being arranged between the light-transmissive trim part and the light guide element.

[0012] Advantageously, the distance of the light homogenizing film from the light guide element is adjustable.

[0013] Advantageously, the automotive interior component comprises a housing having a bottom wall and a side wall extending transversely to the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the side wall of the housing enclosing an accommodation space, the light source being accommodated in the accommodation space.

[0014] Advantageously, the automotive interior component comprises a partition having at least one partition wall, the partition wall partitioning the accommodation space into a plurality of sub-accommodation spaces at least in the second direction, each of the rows of light emitting units being accommodated in a respective one of the sub-accommodation spaces.

[0015] Advantageously, the partition has a bottom wall extending transversely to the partition wall, the bottom wall of the partition abutting against the bottom wall of the housing in the mounted state.

[0016] Advantageously, at least two hole rows are respectively provided on the bottom wall of the partition and on the bottom wall of the housing, the hole rows being arranged overlapping each other in the mounted state, the hole rows being respectively assigned to the rows of light emitting units in the respective one of the sub-accommodation spaces, wherein the holes of the hole rows are passable by a tool for dismounting the rows of light emitting units from the respective one of the sub-accommodation spaces.

[0017] Advantageously, the light emitting units are individually and / or in groups adjustable in their on state and / or light color and / or light intensity and / or dynamic effects.

[0018] Advantageously, an air gap is provided between adjacent ones of the light guides, or a coating for enhancing internal total reflection of the light guides is applied on the side faces of the light guides facing the adjacent ones of the light guides.

[0019] Advantageously, the at least one row of light-emitting units is formed end-to-end.

[0020] Advantageously, each of the light guides has one end face thereof facing the assigned row of light-emitting units and has another end face thereof facing the light-transmissive trim part so as to form a respective light-emitting zone on the light-transmissive trim part, the respective light-emitting zones being arranged side-by-side and being at least partially illuminable in the first direction and / or in the second direction.

[0021] Advantageously, the respective light-emitting zones together cover substantially the entire light-transmissive trim part.

[0022] Advantageously, the automotive interior component is provided on a center console, a door panel, an instrument panel, a roof lining and / or a seat of an automobile.

[0023] According to yet another aspect of the present application, the present application provides an automobile, the automobile being provided with the automotive interior component of the present application.

[0024] The advantages of the respective embodiments and of various further embodiments will become apparent to the skilled person upon reading the following detailed description of respective embodiments with reference to the drawings listed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] The present application is further explained with reference to the drawings and embodiments listed below, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 schematically showing an automotive interior component according to an embodiment of the present application integrated on a smart device in an interior space of an automobile,

[0027] Figure 2 schematically showing in perspective view Figure 1 a smart device integrated with an automotive interior component,

[0028] Figure 3 schematically showing in exploded view Figure 2 a smart device and components of an automotive interior component,

[0029] Figure 4 schematically showing in perspective view from left to right a light-transmissive trim part, a light homogenizing film, a light guide element, a light source of an automotive interior component integrated in a smart device,

[0030] Figure 5 is Figure 2 a schematic perspective view of a partition of an automotive interior component in

[0031] Figure 6 is Figure 2 a schematic front view of a partition and a housing of an automotive interior component in an installed state in

[0032] Figure 7 is Figure 2 a schematic longitudinal section view of the smart device in the integrated automotive interior component,

[0033] Figure 8a is Figure 2 a schematic perspective view of the automotive interior component in the integrated automotive interior component,

[0034] Figure 8b is Figure 2 a schematic longitudinal section view of the smart device in the integrated automotive interior component,

[0035] Figure 8c is Figure 2 a schematic longitudinal section view of the smart device in the integrated automotive interior component,

[0036] Figure 9a schematically shows the course of a light beam in the automotive interior component in Figure 2

[0037] Figure 9b schematically shows the course of a light beam in a side of the automotive interior component in Figure 2

[0038] Figure 10 schematically shows the course of a light beam in a side of the automotive interior component in Figure 2

[0039] Figures 11a to 11c schematically shows the course of a light beam in a side of the automotive interior component in Figure 2 Figure 11a Figure 11b Figure 11c

[0040] Figure 12a and Figure 12b each show an application example in which a single light emission zone is illuminated circumferentially,

[0041] Figure 13a and Figure 13b each show an application example in which a plurality of light emission zones are illuminated radially,

[0042] Figure 14a is a schematic view of a direct type backlighting scheme according to the prior art, and ​​​​​​​

[0043] Figure 14b is a schematic diagram of a light guide solution according to the prior art. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Various illustrative embodiments of the present application are described below. In the description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various systems, structures, and devices that can be practiced. Such embodiments can be implemented using the computing systems and devices of the type described above. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements can be utilized and structural and functional modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present application. For the sake of brevity, conventional data storage, transmission, and

[0045] The terms and phrases used in this document should be understood as having the ordinary meaning associated with them as used in the relevant art. The use of certain terms and phrases in various places in the specification is not intended to exclude those terms and phrases from the scope of the application, but rather to clarify the description of the application. The terms "comprise", "include", "contain" and "comprising", "including", "containing" and any variations thereof, are intended to be open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. The terms "comprise", "comprising", "include", "including", "contain", "containing" and any variations thereof, are intended to be open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0046] Unless the content requires, throughout the description, the word "comprise" and variations of the word, such as "comprising" or "comprises" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. In other words, the term "comprises" should not be interpreted as a limitation on the term "including" or "includes".

[0047] Throughout the description, the description using terms such as "an embodiment", "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "an example", "a specific example", or "some examples" and the like means that a particular feature, structure, material or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0048] Furthermore, the terms "first", "second", and the like, are used herein only to describe the different instances of an element and do not imply or suggest relative importance of, or a hierarchy among, the indicated elements. Thus, features defined with "first", "second", etc. can include one or more of such features either explicitly or implicitly. In the description of the application, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more, unless explicitly specified and limited otherwise.

[0049] In the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connecting", "coupling", "connecting", "fixing" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, can be fixed connection, can also be detachable connection, or integral connection; can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, can be the internal communication of two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0050] In the following description of the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to similar or identical elements throughout the several views of the drawings and their description. Furthermore, individual features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. The size of the various features and elements in the drawings can be exaggerated or reduced for the sake of clarity. See the related prior art for additional aspects of the teachings that can be directly discerned from the drawings. It is noted that numerous modifications and variations of the forms and details of the implementations can be made without departing from the overall concept of the present application.

[0051] The automotive interior component 1 of the present application can be arranged as an automotive interior trim piece within an automotive interior space I (see Figure 1 ), and can be controllably illuminated to produce various cool light effects (i.e. optical effects or optical effects).

[0052] The automotive interior component 1 of the present application will be described exemplarily in the following with reference to the embodiments schematically shown in Figures 1 to 13b In the shown embodiment, the automotive interior component 1 can exemplarily be constructed in the form of a generally circular ring-shaped light ring assembly. However, in other embodiments, the automotive interior component 1 can in principle be constructed in the form of any other shape, such as a pentacle, a square, a trapezoid, or a special-shaped form, etc.

[0053] See Figure 1The car interior component 1 can be additionally integrated on the smart device 2 and become a part of it, so as to add functionality to the smart surface 3, i.e. to be able to locally generate cool, static and / or dynamic light effects on the smart surface 3. Of course it is also conceivable that the car interior component 1 of the present invention can be integrated on other components in the car, either alone or additionally, or be arranged at any other location in the car interior space I, for example on the car roof, behind the seats, on the inner side of the doors, etc.

[0054] With reference to Figure 2 , the car interior component 1 can be inserted in the smart device 2 at a substantially central position. The outer surface of the smart device 2 and the outer surface 4 of the car interior component 1 can be substantially on one plane and can jointly constitute a generalized smart surface 3 which can be seen or manipulated by the user.

[0055] With reference to Figure 3 , the smart device 2 can have a housing 5 which can comprise an outer half-shell 6 with the smart surface 3 facing the car interior space I and an inner half-shell 7 which cannot be seen, facing away from the car interior space I. The outer half-shell 6 and the inner half-shell 7 can be connected to each other to form the housing 5 and can house and fix within the housing 5 the original components for implementing the above-mentioned proximity sensing, touch, feedback, etc. functions and the car interior component 1 of the present invention. The smart device 2 can also have a PCB board 8 (printed circuit board) on the back side of the inner half-shell 7 for powering or controlling these components and the car interior component 1. The outer half-shell 6, the inner half-shell 7 and the PCB board 8 can form a sandwich mechanism and can be provided with a circular central through-hole 9 at their substantially central position. In the present embodiment, the central through-hole 9 can be inserted by the car interior component 1 which is configured as a light ring assembly.

[0056] With reference to Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8a and Figure 8b , the car interior component 1 can have a ring-shaped housing 10. The car interior component 1 can be inserted with its housing 10 into the central through-hole 9 of the smart device 2.

[0057] The housing 10 can have a bottom wall 11 extending annularly transversely to the longitudinal axis L, which can be arranged away from the automobile interior space I. A plurality of hole rows, here three hole rows, can be provided on the bottom wall 11, each of which can have a plurality of through holes 12 arranged successively in the circumferential direction, here eight through holes 12 (see Figure 3 and Figure 6 ). Here, the number of hole rows and the number of through holes 12 per hole row are not limited, as long as they can achieve the function of facilitating the disassembly of the light strip 27, which will be described below.

[0058] The housing 10 can have an inner peripheral wall 13 extending perpendicularly to the bottom wall 11 towards the automobile interior space I from radially inside the bottom wall 11. The inner peripheral wall 13 can delimit a central through hole of the housing 10. The housing 10 can have an outer peripheral wall 14 extending perpendicularly to the bottom wall 11 towards the automobile interior space I from radially outside the bottom wall 11. The bottom wall 11, the inner peripheral wall 13 and the outer peripheral wall 14 of the housing 10 can together enclose a circular annular accommodation space 15, which can be open towards the automobile interior space I. The height of the outer peripheral wall 14 can be greater than the height of the inner peripheral wall 13 (see Figure 7 ), but this is not necessary, and depending on the specific structural adaptation requirements, the height of the outer peripheral wall 14 can also be less than or equal to the height of the inner peripheral wall 13. The inner peripheral wall 13 and the outer peripheral wall 14 of the housing 10 can constitute side walls of the housing 10.

[0059] The housing 10 can have a connecting flange 16 extending radially outwards transversely to the outer peripheral wall 14 from the top end or free end of the outer peripheral wall 14. The connecting flange 16 can have a plurality of, here three, threaded holes 17 arranged successively in the circumferential direction. The inner half-shell 7 and the PCB board 8 of the smart device 2 can be provided with holes corresponding to the threaded holes 17, so that the housing 10, the inner half-shell 7 and the PCB board 8 can be screwed to each other to fix the automobile interior component 1 to the smart device 2. The housing 10 can have a notch 18 in its connecting flange 16 and outer peripheral wall 14, which can connect the accommodation space 15 of the housing 10 and the external environment of the housing 10.

[0060] Referring to Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8b , the automobile interior component 1 can have a partition 19, which can have an annular structure (see Figure 5 ) and can be accommodated in the accommodation space 15 of the housing 10 (see Figure 6 ).

[0061] The partition 19 can have a bottom wall 20 which can be arranged distal to the interior space I and can abut against the bottom wall 11 of the housing 10. The bottom wall 20 can be provided with a plurality of rows of holes, here three rows of holes, each row of holes can have a plurality of through-holes 21, here eight through-holes 21, arranged successively in the circumferential direction. The through-holes 21 of the radially outermost row of holes can be arranged on the outer circumference of the bottom wall 20 and can be configured as notches which open radially outward, the through-holes 21 of the radially innermost row of holes can be arranged on the inner circumference of the bottom wall 20 and can be configured as notches which open radially inward, and the through-holes 21 of the intermediate row of holes can be configured as through-going circular holes. The rows of holes on the bottom wall 20 of the partition 19 can correspond to each other in terms of position and size with the rows of holes on the bottom wall 11 of the housing 10, such that the rows of holes on the bottom wall 20 of the partition 19 can coincide with the rows of holes on the bottom wall 11 of the housing 10 in the mounted state.

[0062] The partition 19 can have an inner circumferential wall 22 which can extend from the bottom wall 20 perpendicular to the bottom wall 20 towards the interior space I and which can be arranged between the radially innermost row of holes and the intermediate row of holes. The partition 19 can have an outer circumferential wall 23 which can extend from the bottom wall 20 perpendicular to the bottom wall 20 towards the interior space I. The outer circumferential wall 23 can be arranged radially outward of the inner circumferential wall 22 and can be arranged between the radially outermost row of holes and the intermediate row of holes. The height of the inner circumferential wall 22 and the outer circumferential wall 23 of the partition 19 can be smaller than the height of the inner circumferential wall 13 and the outer circumferential wall 14 of the housing 10 (see Figure 7 ).

[0063] Referring to Figure 6 , in the mounted state, the inner circumferential wall 22 and the outer circumferential wall 23 of the partition 19 can be arranged between the inner circumferential wall 13 and the outer circumferential wall 14 of the housing 10 and can divide the accommodation space 15 radially into three sub-accommodation spaces 24, each of which can open towards the interior space I. The inner circumferential wall 22 and the outer circumferential wall 23 of the partition 19 can also be configured as partition walls. The number and configuration of the sub-accommodation spaces 24 in the present embodiment are exemplary only. In some embodiments, the partition 19 can have more or less than two circumferential walls 22, 23 or partition walls, such that the accommodation space 15 of the housing 10 can be divided into more or less than three sub-accommodation spaces 24. In some embodiments, instead of circumferentially continuous annular sub-accommodation spaces 24, circumferentially discontinuous arc-shaped sub-accommodation spaces 24 can also be provided. In some embodiments, instead of radially equally wide sub-accommodation spaces 24, radially differently wide sub-accommodation spaces 24 can also be divided.

[0064] Referring to Figure 3 , Figure 4 ,Figure 7 and Figure 8b The automotive interior component 1 can have a light source 25 which can comprise a plurality of light emitting units 26. The individual light emitting units 26 can be controlled to emit light. These light emitting units 26 can form a plurality, here three, of light emitting unit rows arranged side by side in a width direction, here in a radial direction, each of which can comprise a plurality of light emitting units 26 arranged successively in a predetermined first direction, here in a circumferential direction. Here, the "first direction" can be understood as a course of the light emitting units 26 of each light emitting unit row, which can be a straight course or a broken line course, for example, or a circular (in the present embodiment) or parabolic course, or also a meandering or serpentine course, or a combination thereof, etc. In principle, the first direction can be an arbitrary course, as long as the light emitting units 26 are arranged successively along this course. Furthermore, the first direction is not limited to only one direction, that is to say, the arrangement direction of the light emitting units 26 of the individual light emitting unit rows can differ from one another, for example, not be parallel to one another. A second direction, in the present embodiment a radial direction, along which the light emitting unit rows are arranged side by side, can be transverse to a first direction, in the present embodiment a circumferential direction, along which the light emitting units 26 of the individual light emitting unit rows are arranged successively, or else can be at an angle thereto.

[0065] The individual light emitting units 26 in each light emitting unit row can be connected to one another in series by means of a power supply line and a signal line (not shown) to form a light strip 27. Thus, each light emitting unit row can be embedded in a respective sub-accommodation space 24 in the form of a light strip 27. In the present embodiment, the light emitting units 26 on each light strip 27 can together enclose a ring, so that a butted end effect can be achieved. The distance between each two adjacent light emitting units 26 on the same light strip 27 can be the same as one another and also as the other light strips 27. The different light strips 27 can be connected to one another in series by means of the same power supply line and signal line. In the present embodiment, the three light strips 27 can be connected to one another in series by means of two common power supply lines and one common signal line. The power supply line and the signal line can be led out onto the PCB 8 via the cutout 18 of the housing 10. The height of the light strips 27 can substantially correspond to the height of the inner peripheral wall 22 and the outer peripheral wall 23 of the partition 19 (see Figure 7 ), so that adjacent light strips 27 can be radially separated by the inner peripheral wall 22 or the outer peripheral wall 23 of the partition 19 over substantially their entire height, thereby preventing the light emitted by the adjacent light strips 27 from mixing with one another.

[0066] The light emitting units 26 can comprise LEDs and controllers, for example flexible circuit boards (FPC), which are assigned to the LEDs. Thus, the light emitting units 26 can be adjusted controllably in their on state and / or light color and / or light intensity and / or dynamic effects. The individual light emitting units 26 can be adjusted independently of one another or a plurality of light emitting units 26 can be adjusted together in groups.

[0067] At least some of the light emitting units 26 can be configured in an RGB chip configuration and each light emitting unit 26 can be individually manipulated in their light intensity and / or their on state and / or their light color by one general control device, for example the PCB board 8. Thereby, the light emitting units 26 on the light strip 27 can be illuminated differently in their light intensity and / or their light color and / or their on state point by point or section by section.

[0068] Thus, for example, it is possible to move light segments or light points in the length or circumferential direction of each light strip 27 by correspondingly manipulating the respective light emitting units 26 on the same light strip 27 in their light intensity and / or their on state and / or their light color, so as to constitute a one-dimensional dynamic light effect in the length. It is also possible to move light segments or light points in the width or radial direction of at least two light strips 27 by correspondingly manipulating the respective light emitting units 26 on different light strips 27 in their light intensity and / or their on state and / or their light color, so as to constitute a one-dimensional dynamic light effect in the width. It is of course also conceivable to move light segments or light points not only in the length or circumferential direction of a single light strip 27 but also in the width or radial direction of different light strips 27, so as to constitute a two-dimensional dynamic light effect in the length and width. These dynamic light effects increase the wow effect on the one hand and the comfort and safety of the passengers on the other hand.

[0069] The through holes 12, 21 of the above-mentioned hole rows of the housing 10 and the partition 19 can be located at the bottom of the sub-accommodation spaces 24, respectively. Thus, when it is necessary to dismount the light strips 27 from the sub-accommodation spaces 24 for maintenance or replacement of the light strips 27, since the light strips 27 are tightly clamped in the sub-accommodation spaces 24, tools, for example screwdrivers, can be inserted one by one from the back side of the housing 10 into the above-mentioned coinciding through holes 12, 21 of the housing 10 and the partition 19 and press the light strips 27 outward, so as to be able to take out the light strips 27 undamaged from the respective sub-accommodation spaces 24. Thus, the through holes 12, 21 can function to facilitate the dismounting of the light strips 27.

[0070] Referring to Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 7 , Figure 8a and Figure 8bThe automotive interior component 1 can have a light-transmissive trim piece 28 which can be made of a light-transmissive material and which can allow light emitted by the light source 25 to shine into the automotive interior space I after having passed therethrough. In this embodiment, see Figure 3 The light-transmissive trim piece 28 can be configured in the shape of a circular ring. See Figure 7 The light-transmissive trim piece 28 can be provided with a snap-in recess at its circumferential outer portion, and the outer half-shell 6 of the smart device 2 can be provided with a snap-in protrusion at its circumferential inner portion, or vice versa. The light-transmissive trim piece 28 and the outer half-shell 6 of the smart device 2 can snap into each other by means of the snap-in recess and the snap-in protrusion. Of course, other connection means of the two are conceivable, such as gluing or screwing.

[0071] The radial width (or cross-sectional width) of the light-transmissive trim piece 28 can be substantially equal to (in this embodiment), greater than or smaller than the radial width (or cross-sectional width) of the light source 25 or of all the light strips 27. The inner diameter of the light-transmissive trim piece 28 can be smaller than (in this embodiment), equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the light source 25 or of the radially innermost light strip 27, and the outer diameter of the light-transmissive trim piece 28 can be smaller than (in this embodiment), equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the light strip 27 or of the radially outermost light strip 27. These size ratios are not mandatory, but can be adapted to the actual requirements.

[0072] See Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8b The automotive interior component 1 can have a light guide element which can be arranged between the light-transmissive trim piece 28 and the light source 25 and which can serve to transfer light emitted by the light source 25 towards the light-transmissive trim piece 28. The light guide element can have a plurality of light guides 29, here three annular light guides 29. Corresponding to the arrangement of the light strips 27, the light guides 29 can be arranged radially side by side. Each light guide 29 can be assigned to one light strip 27, respectively, and can be arranged between the light-transmissive trim piece 28 and the respectively assigned light strip 27. Each light guide 29 can have its lower end face aligned with the upper end face of the respectively assigned light strip 27. The light guides 29 can together have their upper end faces aligned with the lower surface of the light-transmissive trim piece 28 and can cover the light-transmissive trim piece 28 substantially over its entire width, so that light of the light source 25 can be emitted through the light guides 29 into substantially the entire light-transmissive trim piece 28.

[0073] See Figure 9a and 9b Each light guide 29 can use the principle of internal total reflection to directively guide and transfer light emitted by the respectively assigned light strip 27 towards the light-transmissive trim piece 28, which light can then exit via the light-transmissive trim piece 28 into the automotive interior space I and can be observed by an occupant.

[0074] Referring to Figure 8c and Figure 9b The light guides 29 can be spaced apart from each other by a distance to form air gaps 30 between adjacent light guides 29. Based on the presence of the air gaps 30, light guided in one light guide 29 will not enter an adjacent light guide 29 to cause light mixing. In addition to providing the air gaps 30, a total internal reflection coating can also be applied on the side of the light guides 29, for example, towards the side of the adjacent light guide 29, to minimize light emission laterally from the light guides 29. Referring to Figure 9a and Figure 9b The light beams LI, L2 and L3 emitted by the three light strips 27 can be respectively emitted independently from each other from the respective positions of the light-transmissive trim 28 after being guided and transmitted via the respective light guides 29.

[0075] In the present embodiment, since the diameter (inner and outer diameters) of the light-transmissive trim 28 is smaller than the diameter (inner and outer diameters) of the light source 25, the light guides 29 can be correspondingly arranged to be inclined with their upper portions radially inwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the automotive interior component 1 to guide the light emitted by the light strips 27 to the respective positions on the light-transmissive trim 28. Similarly, if the diameter of the light-transmissive trim 28 is equal to or larger than the diameter of the light source 25, the light guides 29 can be arranged to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis L or to be inclined with their upper portions radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis L. In general, the light guides 29 themselves can form any respective angle with the longitudinal axis L depending on the situation, and the important thing is that the two ends of each light guide 29 can be respectively directed towards the respective light strip 27 and the respective position of the light-transmissive trim 28 so as to transmit the light emitted by the light strip 27 to the respective position of the light-transmissive trim 28. Furthermore, the light guides 29 can extend linearly between the light strips 27 and the light-transmissive trim 28 in the present embodiment, but the light guides 29 can also extend curvedly between the light strips 27 and the light-transmissive trim 28 in other embodiments, which can further increase the design and installation freedom of these components.

[0076] Generally, the diameter of the light strips 27 can be fixedly designed, for example, based on cost reasons, while a light-transmissive trim 28 with a larger or smaller diameter can be provided when a larger or smaller range needs to be illuminated by the light-transmissive trim 28, and the light guides 29 can be correspondingly changed in inclination or curvature state with the size change of the light-transmissive trim 28. That is, the inclination or curvature state of the light guides 29 can be adjusted according to the size and positional relationship between the light-transmissive trim 28 and the light strips 27 so that the light emitted by the light strips 27 is transmitted to the respective position of the light-transmissive trim 28.

[0077] Referring to Figure 10By the three light strips and the respectively assigned light guides 29 three relatively narrow, side-by-side arranged light emission zones A, B and C can be formed on the light-transmissive trim 28 from radially inside to radially outside, which can be independent of one another and have well-defined boundaries. Each light emission zone A, B, C can be at least partially illuminated (in Figure 10 the exemplary embodiment shown completely illuminated). "Illuminated" is to be understood here in a broad sense as a change in light intensity and / or on state and / or light color. Each light emission zone A, B, C is in Figure 10 denoted by the same hatch, while different light emission zones A, B, C are in Figure 10 denoted by different hatches in order to distinguish them from one another. It is thereby possible for the light emitted by the three radially side-by-side arranged light strips 27 to be emitted side by side on the light-transmissive trim 28 on the basis of the likewise side-by-side arranged light guides 29 respectively assigned thereto and to be visible to the occupant.

[0078] Referring to Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8b , the automobile interior component 1 can have a light homogenizing film 31 for homogenizing the light, which can be arranged between the light guide element and the light-transmissive trim 28. The light emitted from the individual light guides 29 can enter into the light-transmissive trim 28 after being homogenized via the light homogenizing film 31. The light homogenizing film 31 can be arranged, for example, in the form of a coating on the surface of the light-transmissive trim 28 facing the light guides 29.

[0079] Figures 11a to 11c The influence of different arrangements of the light homogenizing film 31 on the light effect is shown. In the case shown in Figure 11a , the automobile interior component 1 is not provided with a light homogenizing film 31. On the basis of the presence of the air gap 30 between the light guides 29, there is also a corresponding dark zone 32, i.e. a region in which light cannot be emitted, between the individual light emission zones A, B, C shown on the light-transmissive trim 28. In the case shown in Figure 11b , the automobile interior component 1 is provided with a light homogenizing film 31, which has a small distance from the light guide element or is essentially resting on the light guide element. In this case, although there is an air gap 30 between the light guides 29, on the basis of the light homogenizing action of the light homogenizing film 31, there is hardly any more a dark zone 32 between the individual light emission zones A, B, C shown on the light-transmissive trim 28, i.e. the individual light emission zones A, B, C can essentially abut on one another. In the case shown in Figure 11cIn the case shown, the automobile interior component 1 is provided with a light homogenizing film 31 and this light homogenizing film 31 has a large distance to the light guide element. In this case, although there is an air gap 30 between the light guides 29, on the basis of the light homogenizing action of the light homogenizing film 31 and the large distance between the light homogenizing film 31 and the light guide element, not only are there no dark zones 32 between the individual light emission zones A, B, C shown on the light-transmissive trim 28, but there can also be light overlap zones or, as the case can be, light mixing zones M1, M2 between the individual light emission zones A, B, C. Each light mixing zone M1, M2 can be formed by the light of two adjacent light emission zones A, B, C mixing with one another. By varying the distance between the light homogenizing film 31 and the light guide element, the width of the light mixing zones M1, M2 between the light emission zones A, B, C can be adjusted in a controlled manner. Furthermore, it is also conceivable for the distance between the light homogenizing film 31 and the light guide element to be set so as to be adjustable, for example stepwise or steplessly, by the occupant during use, in order to be able to be adjusted at any time by the occupant in accordance with his personal preferences. To this end, for example, the light-transmissive trim 28, which can be provided with the light homogenizing film 31, and / or the light guide element can be set to be movable axially. This meets the different preferences of the occupant on the one hand, and the stepwise or stepless adjustment of the light mixing zones M1, M2 itself can also form part of the cool light effect on the other hand.

[0080] In Figure 12a and Figure 12b the application example of the automobile interior component 1 shown, the automobile interior component 1 can be used to illuminate at least locally in a static or dynamic manner in the circumferential direction in a single light emission zone B. In Figure 12a , two arc-shaped light segments 33, 34 having angles a and β, respectively, can be illuminated locally in the light emission zone B. In Figure 12b , a further arc-shaped light segment 35 having an angle γ can be illuminated additionally in the light emission zone B in a dynamic or static manner in a clockwise direction starting from the illuminated arc-shaped light segment 33 having the angle a.

[0081] In Figure 13a and Figure 13b the application example of the automobile interior component 1 shown, the automobile interior component 1 can be used to illuminate in the radial direction in a plurality of light emission zones A, B, C. In Figure 13a , three light segments 36, 37, 38 can be illuminated sequentially in a dynamic manner in the radial direction outwards D1 or in the radial direction inwards D2 locally in the three light emission zones A, B, C. Further illumination sequences are conceivable, for example, the light segment 37 is illuminated first and the light segments 36, 38 are illuminated sequentially or simultaneously, or the light segments 36, 38 are illuminated sequentially or simultaneously first and the light emission zone 37 is illuminated, etc. In Figure 13a , the arc length of the illuminated light segments 38, 37, 36 is shortened gradually in the radial direction inwards.

[0082] InFigure 13b In, with Figure 13a The difference is that the arc lengths of the illuminated light segments 38, 37, and 36 gradually increase radially inward. Locally within the three luminous areas A, B, and C, the three light segments 36, 37, and 38 can be dynamically illuminated sequentially along the radially outward direction D4, or sequentially along the radially inward direction D3. Other illumination sequences are also conceivable, such as illuminating light segment 37 first, then sequentially or simultaneously illuminating light segments 36 and 38, or sequentially or simultaneously illuminating light segments 36 and 38 first, then illuminating luminous area 37, and so on.

[0083] Another possibility is that... Figure 12a , 12b and Figure 13a , 13b The application examples can be arbitrarily combined to create a two-dimensional dynamic effect in two mutually transverse directions, namely, in the circumferential and radial directions. The aforementioned local illumination of the light-transmitting ornament 28 can be achieved by manipulating the light-emitting units 26 corresponding to the area to be illuminated on the light-transmitting ornament 28. "Manipulation" can be understood as controlling the corresponding light-emitting units 26 in terms of their on / off state and / or light color and / or light intensity and / or dynamic effect.

[0084] The advantages of the automotive interior component 1 of the present invention include, for example, that the present invention utilizes a segmented light guide scheme to achieve a multi-colored light emission effect within a small luminous surface area. In addition to traditional dynamic lighting effects along the length or perimeter, dynamic lighting effects can be additionally or independently demonstrated along the width or radial direction without any problems, thereby expanding functionality and adding more and newer possibilities to the presentation of lighting effects. The automotive interior component 1 can be compact in both the axial and radial directions due to the use of light guide elements. The luminous area can be changed by adjusting the arrangement of the light guide elements. The uniform light film can be set or adjusted differently to enhance the visual appeal of the lighting effect.

[0085] This invention may include any feature or combination of features or generalization thereof implied or expressly disclosed herein, and is not limited to any of the defined scopes listed above. Any elements, features and / or structural arrangements described herein may be combined in any suitable manner.

[0086] The specific embodiments disclosed above are merely exemplary, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, upon which the teachings herein will be adapted and implemented in different but equivalent ways. Therefore, it is evident that changes and modifications can be made to the specific embodiments disclosed above, and all such variations are considered to fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An automotive interior component, disposed within the interior space of the vehicle, characterized in that, The vehicle interior components include: The light source includes at least two rows of light-emitting units arranged side by side along a second direction, each row of light-emitting units having a plurality of light-emitting units arranged sequentially along a first direction, the second direction being oriented laterally to the first direction; A light-transmitting trim element, the trim element being disposed towards the interior space of the vehicle and allowing light emitted by the light source to pass through; and A light guide element comprising at least two light guides arranged side by side along the second direction, each light guide being configured with a corresponding row of light-emitting units, wherein each light guide is disposed between the configured row of light-emitting units and the light-transmitting decorative element, so as to transmit the light emitted by the configured row of light-emitting units to the light-transmitting decorative element.

2. The automotive interior component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The automotive interior component includes a light-diffusing film for uniformly distributing the light emitted by the light source between the light-transmitting trim and the light guide element.

3. The automotive interior component according to claim 2, characterized in that, The distance between the light-diffusing film and the light guide element is set to be adjustable.

4. The automotive interior component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle interior component includes a housing having a bottom wall and side walls extending transversely to the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the side walls of the housing enclosing a receiving space, within which the light source is housed.

5. The automotive interior component according to claim 4, characterized in that, The vehicle interior component includes a partition having at least one partition wall that divides the accommodating space into a plurality of sub-accommodating spaces at least in the second direction, with each of the light-emitting unit rows respectively accommodated in the corresponding sub-accommodating space.

6. The automotive interior component according to claim 5, characterized in that, The separator has a bottom wall extending transversely to the partition wall, and the bottom wall of the separator abuts against the bottom wall of the housing in the installed state.

7. The automotive interior component according to claim 6, characterized in that, At least two rows of holes are provided on the bottom wall of the partition and the bottom wall of the housing, respectively, which are arranged overlapping each other in the installed state. The rows of holes are respectively provided for the rows of light-emitting units in each of the sub-accommodating spaces. The holes of the rows of holes can be passed through by tools to remove the rows of light-emitting units from the sub-accommodating spaces.

8. The automotive interior component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-emitting units can be individually and / or in groups adjusted in terms of their on-state and / or light color and / or light intensity and / or dynamic effects.

9. The automotive interior component according to claim 1, characterized in that, An air gap is provided between adjacent light guides, or a coating is applied to the side of the light guide facing the adjacent light guide to enhance the internal total internal reflection of the light guide.

10. The automotive interior component according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the light-emitting units is grounded at both ends.

11. The automotive interior component according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the light guides has one end face facing the array of light-emitting units and the other end face facing the light-transmitting decorative element so as to form a corresponding light-emitting area on the light-transmitting decorative element. The light-emitting areas are arranged side by side and each light-emitting area can be at least partially illuminated along the first direction and / or the second direction.

12. The automotive interior component according to claim 11, characterized in that, The various light-emitting areas together cover essentially the entire light-transmitting decorative element.

13. The automotive interior component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle interior components are located on the vehicle's center console, door panels, dashboard, roof, and / or seats.

14. An automobile, the automobile having interior components according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Citation Information

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