Lighting assembly for a vehicle

Abstract

A lighting assembly (1) for a vehicle includes a light source (10) housed in a housing component (5) and configured to emit light. The lighting assembly (1) includes an outer lens (20) coupled to the housing component (5), wherein at least a portion of the outer lens (20) is positioned to receive light emitted from the light source (10) and transmit the received light to an exterior; a black mask component (40) encircles the portion of the outer lens (20); the portion of the outer lens (20) includes an inner surface (24), wherein at least a portion of the inner surface (24) includes an integrally formed surface texture (26) to diffusely transmit light received from the light source (10).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting assembly for a vehicle, in particular a rear lighting assembly or a head lighting assembly. Further aspects of the invention relate to a vehicle comprising a lighting assembly. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a lighting assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] Typical lighting assemblies for vehicles comprise a light source which is accommodated in a housing which is covered by an outer lens or cover to protect the light source and to transmit emitted light from the light source to the outside of the vehicle. This transmitted light provides illumination and indicates information, warnings, driving maneuvers to observers, other drivers or traffic participants.

[0003] DE 10 2012 012 330 A1 discloses a lighting assembly for a vehicle comprising a cover and a housing with an inner main light source, wherein an auxiliary light source is provided which illuminates a coupling edge at which the cover is coupled to the housing.

[0004] Various new lighting designs for exterior lighting assemblies of vehicles have been developed recently. However, there is often a problem because the lighting function of many newly developed lighting assemblies is not sufficiently clear and precise. In addition, in many cases the output light is not uniform enough over the entire light emitting surface of the lighting assembly.

[0005] On the other hand, the thickness of the outer lens and the material costs should also be reduced as far as possible and additional layers for the purpose of homogenization would not meet these requirements.

[0006] In an additional related aspect, a specific class of lighting assemblies refers to lighting assemblies which provide a light signature or light function which extends over a slit or gap, for example from the left corner to the center of the front or rear of the vehicle. The emitted light of such lighting assemblies is intended to form a common lighting signature.

[0007] However, an interruption of this extended light signature is generated due to the gap or slit. However, this interruption leads to a visual distance of the light signature which is optically recognized by an observer, i.e. by another driver or another traffic participant. Such a visual distance can lead to an optical irritation due to the breaking of the light signal. Moreover, the visual distance leads to a reduced design and a reduced aesthetic appearance.

[0008] For reasons as discussed above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting assembly with a distinct and homogenized lighting function, which has a reduced thickness and can be manufactured with a lower material cost. Further relevant aspects are to improve the continuity of the lighting feature across the slit, especially with a reduced thickness and material cost when viewed at a small angle. SUMMARY

[0009] In one aspect of the invention, a lighting assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The lighting assembly comprises a light source housed in a housing member and configured to emit light. The lighting assembly further comprises an outer lens coupled to the housing member, wherein at least a portion of the outer lens is positioned to receive light emitted from the light source and transmit the received light to the exterior. Moreover, a black mask member at least partially encloses the portion of the outer lens. The portion of the outer lens comprises an inner surface, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface comprises an integrally formed surface texture to diffusely transmit light received from the light source.

[0010] In other words, the outer lens can be an outer cover, an outer cover or an outer lens. The outer lens can cover the light source relative to the exterior. The lighting assembly can be a lighting device. The outer lens can be coupled to a respective housing to form an enclosure for the light source. The light source can be any source capable of illuminating, reflecting or transmitting light. For example, the light source can be an LED array or any other direct or indirect light emitter like, for example, a light reflector, a light collimator, a light pipe, a lamp or a light surface, etc. The outer lens can be made of plastic (e.g. PMMA), but the invention is not limited thereto. The outer lens can have at least partially transparent means corresponding to the emitted light. For example, the outer lens can be clear (or in other words "white") or have a red color, for example, but the invention is not limited thereto. The black mask member can be a member that absorbs light generated by the light source. The black mask member can have the function of preventing any light from passing or exiting to the exterior via the black mask member. That is, the black mask member can help to provide a clear and distinct light feature that is output exclusively via the dedicated emission portion of the outer lens. The surface texture can be a microstructured portion. The texture is integral with the outer lens forming the inner surface. In other words, the texture can be a grainy or granulated surface.

[0011] The present solution has the technical advantage that the texture of the inner surface causes the incident light to be diffusely transmitted at the texture. That is, at least a small portion of the parallel light is split into diffusely transmitted light having different directions of propagation. The transmitted light is thus homogenized and softer. For a flat or smooth inner surface, this effect does not occur. In addition, such a solution does not contain additional components, i.e. diffusers or additional coatings, so that the thickness remains low and no additional coupling is required.

[0012] Preferably, the surface texture can have a surface roughness with an arithmetic mean deviation (Ra) between 0.4 pm and 18 pm, preferably between 4 pm and 18 pm. These values can comply with the standard VDI 3400, especially VDI reference values 12 to 45. When the roughness is in this range, the incident light can be diffusely transmitted. The maximum height variation of the texture can preferably vary from 1.5 pm to 48 pm, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0013] Preferably, the entire inner surface can comprise a surface texture. Thus, a complete grain can be obtained. The entire inner surface then serves to homogenize the incident light received from the light source.

[0014] The inner surface of the outer lens can comprise a plurality of protrusions formed in the inner surface, wherein each protrusion comprises a surface texture. Each of the individual protrusions contributes to the effect of homogenization and forms a local light diffusion center. The localized protrusions with surface roughness can be easily manufactured by using injection molding with an etching tool. Thus, due to the distribution of the protrusions with roughness, the emitted light becomes homogenized over the emission area.

[0015] The protrusions can comprise square, rectangular and / or circular cross sections. These geometrical structures can be easily manufactured, i.e. by using injection molding with an etching tool.

[0016] The plurality of protrusions can be arranged to form a regular array of protrusions spaced apart from each other. Such a structural pattern of protrusions can be systematically and in a controlled manner manufactured. In other words, these processes can form or can be arranged into a regular grid. Due to the regular array, the light emission becomes more homogenized, as the light diffusion centers are equally distributed over the inner surface, i.e. the areal density of protrusions is then constant.

[0017] The lighting assembly can comprise a first outer lens corresponding to a first light source and a second outer lens corresponding to a second light source, each outer lens being transparent for emitted light of the respective light source in an outward direction. The outer lenses can be spatially separated from each other by a separating slit; and each outer lens can further comprise an inwardly extending lens portion extending on a respective side of the slit in an inward direction, wherein an inner surface of the inwardly extending lens portion comprises a surface texture. The presence of the surface texture reduces the light clearance, i.e. the visual lighting distance, over the slit, especially the slit becomes optically continuous across the slit at small viewing angles. Due to the use of the overall surface texture of the inner surface, the material costs and thickness at the slit sides are reduced.

[0018] In an additional aspect of the application, a method of manufacturing a lighting assembly according to one of the embodiments above is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of treating at least a portion of an inner surface of at least a portion of the outer lens to obtain a globally formed surface texture to diffuse received light. The method further comprises housing the light source in the housing component to emit light. The method further comprises coupling the outer lens to the housing component, wherein the portion of the outer lens is positioned to receive light emitted from the light source and to transmit the received light to the outside. The method further comprises providing the black mask component to enclose the portion of the inner surface. The advantages mentioned above in the context of the lighting assembly and the embodiments described above also apply to the method.

[0019] The treatment of the outer lens can comprise injection molding using an etching tool to generate the surface texture. With etching of the tool, it is easily possible to generate local and microscopic surface roughness in a size range suitable for diffusing transmission. A negative of the textured portion can be etched into the tooling device. The tool can be a steel tool. The outer lens can be plastic, i.e. PMMA. The surface roughness can be quantified by an arithmetic mean deviation (Ra) between 0.4 pm and 18 pm, preferably between 10 pm and 18 pm, for example.

[0020] Preferably, the etching can comprise laser etching or chemical etching. Laser etching is a process in which a laser is used to remove material. Laser etching involves directing a laser onto a material, which locally melts where the laser hits the inner surface. Chemical etching is a process that uses a chemical etchant to remove material where the etchant contacts the surface. Especially for plastic and in order to achieve the desired surface roughness as indicated above, it is easily possible to generate local roughness by using said etching process.

[0021] In another aspect of the application, a vehicle comprises a lighting assembly. The lighting assembly can be installed in the vehicle, e.g. as a rear lighting assembly or a head lighting assembly.

[0022] Further preferred embodiments of the application will become more apparent in the context of the application according to the application.

[0023] The various embodiments of the application as disclosed below can advantageously be combined with each other, unless explicitly mentioned otherwise not to be combined with each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] The application is disclosed in the following embodiments according to the corresponding drawings. Therein:

[0025] Figure 1 A vehicle according to an embodiment of the application is shown with a lighting assembly according to an embodiment of the application;

[0026] Figure 2 A lighting assembly according to an embodiment of the application is shown in a cross-sectional view;

[0027] Figure 3A An inner surface of an outer lens according to a first embodiment of the application is shown;

[0028] Figure 3B A profile of the inner surface of the outer lens according to the first embodiment of the application is shown;

[0029] Figure 4A An inner surface of an outer lens according to a second embodiment of the application is shown;

[0030] Figure 4B A profile of the inner surface of the outer lens according to the second embodiment of the application is shown;

[0031] Figure 5 A lighting assembly according to an embodiment of the application is shown in a cross-sectional view; and

[0032] Figure 6 A method of manufacturing a lighting assembly according to an embodiment of the application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Figure 1 A vehicle 100 having a lighting assembly 1 according to the inventive concept of the application is shown from a rear perspective view. The lighting assembly 1 in this particular example refers to a rear lighting assembly as illustrated in Figure 1 , but in other embodiments the lighting assembly 1 can be a front lighting assembly. The various inventive concepts of the lighting assembly 1 will be explained in more detail in the context of Figure 2 to Fig. 7 and the description of Figure 2 to Fig. 7.

[0034] As can be seen especially in the enlarged inset in Figure 1 , the lighting assembly 1 comprises an outer lens 20. The lighting assembly 1 further comprises a light source, which in this perspective view is located behind the outer lens 20 (not shown in this perspective view). The outer lens 20 (also referred to as outer cover or outer cover) is configured to emit light to the outside, or in other words in an outward direction. The outer lens 20 can be at least partially transparent for the emitted light of the respective light source. For example, the outer lens 20 can be clear or colored (e.g. colored in red), but the application is not limited thereto.

[0035] The lighting assembly 1 comprises a surface texture 26 on at least a portion of an inner surface 24 (facing the line of sight in this perspective view) of the outer lens 20, which will be explained in more detail in the context of Figures 2-6 . The surface texture 26 of the inner surface 24 is configured to homogenize the respective emitted light from the light source.

[0036] As can be seen inFigure 1 It is further seen that a slit 21 can be formed in the outer lens 20. The slit 21 can divide the lighting assembly 1 into a first lighting array 2A and a second lighting array 2B separated by the slit 21. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the lighting array can only be present on either side of the slit 21. In this example, the first lighting array 2A can be rigidly connected to the vehicle 100. The second lighting array 2B can be a part of a rear hatch cover of the vehicle 100 that is movably, i.e. rotatably, coupled to the vehicle 100. The lighting assembly 1 can also be a front light (or front-light) assembly, which is not explicitly shown here.

[0037] Figure 2 A lighting assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown as indicated for cross-section A in Figure 1 However, this is merely for illustration, i.e. cross-section A can also be indicated at the position of cross-section B in Figure 1

[0038] The lighting assembly 1 comprises a housing part 5 for accommodating the internal elements. The housing part 5 can be formed of metal, e.g. aluminum or steel, or plastic or a combination thereof.

[0039] The lighting assembly 1 can further comprise a light source 10. The light source 10 is accommodated in the housing part 5. Moreover, the light source 10 is configured to emit light. The light source 10 in this example can comprise one or more LEDs 11 as a direct light source and a light reflector 13 as an indirect light source that reflects the light of the LEDs 11 in a reflection direction. The LEDs can be arranged in an LED array (not shown in this cross-sectional view). The LEDs 11 can be positioned on a printed circuit board 12, which can comprise wiring to connect and control the LEDs. However, the invention is not limited to a specific type of light source 10. For example, the light source can be another direct or indirect light emitter like e.g. a light collimator, a light pipe, a lamp or a light surface.

[0040] The light assembly 1 comprises an outer lens 20, or in other words an outer cover. The outer lens 20 can protect the light assembly 1 from the outside, e.g. from impacts or moisture, towards the internal elements. Moreover, the outer lens 20 is at least partially transparent for the emitted light of the light source 10. At least a part of the outer lens 20 is positioned to receive the light emitted from the light source 10 and to transmit the received light to the outside. For example, the light emitted by the LEDs 11 can be directly or indirectly transmitted through the outer lens 20 to the outside via the light reflector 13.

[0041] ​The outer lens 20 can be coupled to the respective housing part 5 to form a common housing for the light source 10. Preferably, the outer lens 20 can be coupled to the housing part 5 by a soldered connection 22. In the current case, the outer lens 20 is indirectly coupled to the housing part 5 by being connected to the black mask part 40, which is connected by a connection 22. Also, the outer lens 20 can be formed in various contour geometries to generate a desired optical appearance of the light function.

[0042] The lighting assembly 1 further comprises a black mask part 40. The black mask part 40 can be a light absorber for absorbing light emitted by the light source 10. The black mask part 40 encloses the part of the outer lens 20 through which light is emitted to the outside. The black mask part 40 thus has the effect of providing a sharp and clear definition of the light function. In a cross-sectional view, the black mask part 40 can comprise an upper part and a lower part. As Figure 2 indicated in Fig. 6, both the upper part and the lower part can be in direct contact with the inner surface 24 (e.g. injection molded skin) of the outer lens 20. In other embodiments, the black mask part 40 can also form an extension of the outer lens 20, e.g. by direct injection as the outer lens. Both the upper part and the lower part are in direct contact with the outer lens 20 to enclose the part of the outer lens 20 from which light is emitted to the outside, thereby providing a clear and distinct visual boundary for the output light function.

[0043] The part of the outer lens 20 from which light is emitted to the outside also comprises an inner surface 24. A part of this inner surface 24 comprises an integrally formed surface texture 26. The surface texture 26 is indicated in Fig. 7 as individual dots in order to illustrate that the dots are part of the outer lens 20, i.e. integral with the outer lens 20. The surface texture 26 serves to diffusely transmit light received from the light source 10. Various preferred embodiments of the surface texture 26 are shown in the context of Figs. 3 to Figure 2 Figure 6 In other words, the surface texture 26 can be a surface grain.

[0044] As a result of the diffuse transmission at the micro-roughness of the treated surface texture 26, the surface texture 26 homogenizes the emitted light from the light source 10. Since the treated texture 26 is a direct part, i.e. integral part, of the outer lens 20, the external visual and optical appearance of the lighting function can be enhanced when viewed from above, see the current Figure 2 Thus the light is tangibly visible, because when viewed from the outside, the outer lens 20 becomes an effective homogenous light source. The integrally formed texture 26 of the outer lens 20 does not involve additional layers on the outer lens 20 and thus the thickness remains low and manufacturing costs can be reduced since no additional layers have to be provided.​

[0045] The lighting assembly 1 further comprises at least one inner element 50, in this case a bezel part. In other embodiments, the inner element 50 can be a support part of the housing part 5 or a printed circuit board, but the invention is not limited thereto. In this case, the inner element 50 is coupled to the printed circuit board 12.

[0046] The inner element 50 and the black mask part 40 are formed facing each other. This requires a positioning or extension of these elements. In particular, the inner element 50 and the black mask part 40 are facing each other in such a way that a gap 70 is formed between the inner element 50 and the black mask part 40. Moreover, the inner element 50 and the black mask part 40 are formed such that the gap 70 comprises at least one bent portion 72.

[0047] The assembly process will require a step of welding, preferably vibration welding, the outer lens 20 to the housing part 5, see e.g. Figure 2 the welding connection 22 indicated in Fig. 4. The vibration, i.e. small oscillating displacements, require a gap between the inner element 50 and the outer lens 20 in order to prevent damage or breakage during the welding process. In order to prevent light leakage through the gap, the black mask part 40 is used to generate the required gap 70 in between the inner element 50.

[0048] Due to the at least one bent portion 72, a light labyrinth is provided. Thus, light emitted by the light source 10 can e.g. move in a direction of entry into the gap 70 and can then be absorbed due to the bent portion 72 formed between the inner element 50 and the black mask part 40. This absorption is achieved due to the bent geometry itself, but also due to the black mask part 40 as a supportive involvement of a light absorbing surface inside the gap 70 for absorbing light that has entered the gap 70. The assembly process is thus improved, as damage is avoided, and also light leakage is reduced to achieve a clearer light function.

[0049] As can be seen in Figure 2 Fig. 4, the bent portion 72 of the gap 70 can be bent more than 90° with respect to the open direction of the gap 70. In particular, the bent angle can preferably be more than 135°. In this regard, light leakage can be reduced to a greater extent, as the amount of light intensity that is absorbed can be increased by the bent angle, i.e. the light labyrinth can increase the light absorption and decrease the light transmission through the gap 70. The black mask part 40 can comprise a protruding portion 46. The protruding portion 46 can extend or protrude into a channel formed by the inner element 50. Then, the gap 70 is formed between the protruding portion 46 and the inner element 50. In further embodiments of the invention, the inner part can comprise a protruding portion and the black mask part 40 can comprise the opposite structure.

[0050] The channel can comprise side portions 52, 54 opposite to each other and a base portion 53 connecting the side portions 52, 54. The side portions 52, 54 can be formed to extend parallel to the corresponding surface of the protrusion portion 46. Thus, a rotation of more than 135° or nearly 180° with respect to the open direction of the gap 70 can be achieved. Thus, the width of the gap 70 can be constant along the protrusion portion 46. The protrusion portion 46 can have a conical shape, which narrows towards the base portion 53, which can provide more stability.

[0051] The spatial distance between the protrusion portion 46 and the base portion 53 and / or the spatial distance between the side portions 52, 54 and the protrusion portion 46 can be between 2 mm and 3 mm. At a distance below 2 mm, vibrations due to the soldering can damage the internal element 50 at the base portion 53. At a distance D above 3 mm, the light leakage can be too high. Moreover, the spatial distance D between the side portions 52, 54 and the protrusion portion 46 can be between 2 mm and 3 mm.

[0052] The gap 70 can further comprise, as indicated by the upper protrusion 45 of the black mask component 40 at the upper end of the gap 70, for example, a plurality of bent portions 72 having opposite rotation directions. Thus, the light leakage can be reduced even more, since the light absorption of the light maze is enhanced.

[0053] In this preferred embodiment, the lighting assembly 1 comprises a light blocking component 80. The light blocking component 80 can be configured to block light entering the gap 70. The light blocking component 80 can be positioned inside the gap 70. Due to this positioning, the entering light can be absorbed by this component, so that the light leakage is further reduced.

[0054] Preferably, the light blocking component 80 can have a soft material. Soft material means that the light blocking component 80 can be deformable. It will be clear to the skilled person that other components, for example, the housing, the cover or the internal element, have a rigidity. Especially, the soft material can be able to absorb vibrations resulting from a subsequent soldering process, i.e. a vibration soldering process. Thus, the soft material can be a vibration absorbing material. Especially, the elasticity of the light blocking component 80 can be higher, i.e. substantially higher, compared to the black mask component 40 and the internal element 50. For example, the light blocking component 80 can be a foam or a glue having such soft material properties.

[0055] The light blocking component 80 can continuously fill the spatial distance between the protrusion portion 46 and the base portion 53. Due to the soft properties, a potential contact between the tip of the protrusion portion 46 and the base portion 53 can be protected. Moreover, this can prevent light from leaking through the gap 70.

[0056] The light blocking component 80 can continuously fill at least the bent portion 72. Thus, due to the soft nature, the side portions 52, 54 are also protected and the light leakage is increased due to the longer blocking length. The light blocking element 80 can comprise an opaque material in order to prevent light from the light source 10 to pass through the gap 70.

[0057] Figure 3A A schematic illustration of the inner surface 24 of the outer lens 20 is shown when viewed in an elevation view, i.e. when the outer lens 20 is viewed from the line of sight perspective in Figure 2 Although a flat projection is shown, the outer lens 20 can have various shapes, i.e. be curved or bent as shown for example in Figure 2 The outer lens 20 comprises an inner surface 24 (of the inner surface 24). Figure 2

[0058] In this embodiment, the inner surface 24 comprises a surface texture 26 having a roughness across the entire inner surface 24 of the outer lens 20. Thus, the entire inner surface 24 serves to homogenize the incident light received from the light source 10.

[0059] Figure 3B A schematic embodiment of the inner surface 24 is shown as a cross-sectional view according to a cross-section C as indicated in Figure 3A The surface texture 26 shows a spatial roughness, in particular a microscopic roughness. The surface roughness can be in the range of an arithmetic mean deviation Ra between 0.4 pm and 18 pm, preferably between 4 pm and 18 pm. Thus, the incident light is diffusely transmitted under the surface roughness of the inner surface 24, resulting in homogenization.

[0060] Figure 4A A schematic illustration of the inner surface 24 of the outer lens 20 is shown according to another embodiment when viewed in an elevation view, i.e. when the outer lens 20 is viewed from the line of sight perspective in Figure 2

[0061] The inner surface 24 comprises a plurality of protrusions 28 formed in the inner surface 24. Each of the protrusions 28 comprises a surface texture 26. For example, the surface texture 26 can have the same arithmetic mean deviation Ra as disclosed above. Each of the protrusions 28 thus forms a local structure at which diffusive transmission occurs as a response when light from the light source 10 is received. Thus, the protrusions 28, i.e. each of the protrusions, form a localized diffusion center having the effect of homogenizing / diffusing the light to cause a softer and more uniform optical appearance. The number and areal density of the protrusions 32 are merely illustrative and can be higher than schematically shown in the drawing to increase the effect of homogenization of the output light.

[0062] ​​In the current configuration, multiple protrusions 28 are arranged in space to form a regular array 32, or regular grid, of protrusions 28. The protrusions 28 are spaced apart from each other. This structural pattern or grid pattern of the protrusions 28 in the inner surface 24 can be manufactured systematically and in a controlled manner. In particular, a constant areal density of the protrusions on the inner surface 24 is maintained to achieve more uniform light output. The intermediate region of the inner surface 24 between the protrusions 28 can be an untreated surface 30, which is substantially flat / smooth between the protrusions 28. At the untreated surface 30, light is transmitted substantially without scattering.

[0063] The formed protrusion 28 can have various shapes. Preferably, these shapes include one of the group consisting of square, rectangular, and / or circular cross-sections. In the present case of FIG3, the protrusion 28 is square, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0064] Figure 4B As a basis Figure 4A The cross-sectional view of section C indicated in the figure discloses a schematic embodiment of the protrusion 28. In this embodiment, the protrusion 28 includes sidewalls. The entire surface of the protrusion 28 (i.e., the sidewalls 33 and the top surface) may include a surface texture 26. The surface texture 26 may have, for example, Figure 3B The same dimensions are shown in the figure. Therefore, the area used for homogenization is increased because light at the sidewall 33 is also diffusely transmitted. This effect can be enhanced by increasing the height of the protrusion 28. Such a protrusion 28 can be easily manufactured during etching using a mask component. For example, incident light is diffused by the surface roughness of the localized protrusion 28, thus resulting in a diffuse effect that homogenizes and softens the transmitted light.

[0065] Figure 5 Another embodiment of the lighting assembly 1 according to aspects of the present invention is disclosed. This figure illustrates an embodiment according to... Figure 1 The top perspective view of section B indicated in the figure.

[0066] The lighting assembly 1 includes a first light source 10A and a second light source 10B configured to emit light. The light sources 10A and 10B may be LED arrays, lamps, light collimators, light tubes, or light reflectors, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0067] Each of the light sources 10A, 10B is at least partially housed in the respective housing part 10A, 10B. In this figure, only key parts of the housing parts 5A, 5B are shown for compactness, and the skilled person knows to continue the housing parts 5A, 5B to form an enclosure for at least part of the light sources 10A, 10B. The housing parts 5A, 5B can be made of plastic, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, aluminum or a combination thereof can also be used. The light sources 10A, 10B are provided separately from each other. However, the light sources 10A, 10B can be controlled to emit light simultaneously, such that a common light feature or a common light function can be generated by both light sources 10A, 10B.

[0068] The light assembly 1 can comprise a first outer lens 20A corresponding to the first light source 10A and a second outer lens 20B corresponding to the second light source 5B. The outer lenses 20A, 20B can cover the light sources 10A, 10B towards an exterior direction. Each of the outer lenses 20A, 20B is at least partially transparent for the emitted light of the respective light source 10A, 10B. The outer lenses 20A, 20B can be coupled (not shown in this cross-sectional view) to the respective housing parts to form a common enclosure for the light sources 10A, 10B.

[0069] The outer lenses 20A, 20B are spatially separated from each other by a separation slit 21. The slit 21 can also be referred to as a separation distance. The slit 21 can be present due to the presence of an illuminated rear cover, front cover or front grille. As such, the slit 21 can be required to move or dismount different parts apart from each other.

[0070] The inner surface 24 of the inwardly extending lens portion 23A, 23B comprises a surface texture 26A, 26B. The surface texture 26A, 26B can be configured according to one of the embodiments as disclosed above. The surface texture 26A, 26B homogenizes light that reaches the inwardly extending lens portion 23A, 23B from the respective light source 10A, 10B. The inner side of the slit 21 thus emits homogenized light. When an observer looks at the light feature across the slit 21, the homogenized light is emitted from the inwardly extending lens portion 23A, 23B and thus along the slit 21 from the outermost edge and the inner surface, which light can reach the eyes of the observer or driver.

[0071] The surface texturing 26A, 26B can cause a "light gap" reduction, the "light gap" being the visual lighting distance on the slit 21. When applying the surface texturing 26A, 26B, this light gap can advantageously be reduced to 3 mm, which is quasi-continuous compared to the reference case of 16 mm. Thus, the lighting feature across the slit 21 is made more continuous by the surface texturing 26A, 26B. Moreover, it can be sufficient when the observer or driver looks at the slit 21 at a certain angle (e.g. small angle a) as this usually happens in traffic situations, a significant amount of light from at least one of the inwardly extending lens portions 23A, 23B can reach the observer's eye. Thus, the homogenized light emitted from the inwardly extending lens portions 23A, 23B visually reduces the light gap. The inwardly extending lens portions 23A, 23B can be coupled to the connecting portions of the housing parts 5A, 5B. The housing parts 5A, 5B can comprise a plastic material.

[0072] Figure 6 A method of manufacturing the lighting assembly 1 according to one of the previously described embodiments is shown.

[0073] The method comprises a step of treating S110 the inner surface 24 of at least a portion of the outer lens 20 to obtain a surface texturing 26 integrally formed to diffusely transmit received light.

[0074] The method further comprises a step of housing S120 the light source 10 in the housing part 5, the light source being configured to emit light. The method further comprises a step of coupling S130 the outer lens 20 to the housing part 5 such that the portion of the outer lens 20 is positioned to receive light emitted from the light source 10 and to transmit the received light to the outside. A further step comprises at least partially surrounding S140 the portion of the inner surface 24 with a black masking part 40. The treatment can especially comprise injection molding in which an etching tool is used to generate the surface texturing 26. Especially, the etching comprises a laser etching or a chemical etching. With these methods, a local roughness can be generated to obtain an effective diffuse transmittance.

[0075] The lighting assembly 1 as disclosed in various embodiments according to the present application provides a contrast clear light feature with a light homogenization effect that is realized at reduced material and manufacturing costs in the absence of additional layers. In addition, such a solution does not involve additional parts (i.e. a diffuser part or additional coating) so that the thickness remains low and no additional material is required.

[0076] List of reference signs:

[0077] 1 lighting assembly

[0078] 2A first lighting array

[0079] 2B second lighting array

[0080] 5 housing component

[0081] 10, 10A, 10B light source

[0082] 11 LED

[0083] 12 printed circuit board

[0084] 13 light reflector

[0085] 20, 20A, 20B outer lens

[0086] 21 gap (partition)

[0087] 22 welded connection

[0088] 23A, 23B inwardly extending lens portion

[0089] 24 inner surface

[0090] 26 surface texture

[0091] 28 protrusion

[0092] 30 untreated inner surface

[0093] 32 array of protrusions

[0094] 33 sidewall

[0095] 40 black mask component

[0096] 46 protruding portion

[0097] 50 bezel component / inner element

[0098] 52 first side portion

[0099] 53 base portion

[0100] 54 second side portion

[0101] 70 gap

[0102] 72 bent portion

[0103] 80 light blocking element

[0104] 100 vehicle

[0105] S110 treating an inner surface to form a surface texture

[0106] S120 housing a light source

[0107] S130 coupling an outer lens

[0108] S140 wrapping the black mask

Claims

1. A lighting assembly (1) for a vehicle, comprising: - A light source (10), which is housed in a housing component (5) and configured to emit light; - An outer lens (20) is connected to the housing component (5), wherein at least a portion of the outer lens (20) is positioned to receive light emitted from the light source (10) and transmit the received light to the outside; - A black mask component (40) that at least partially surrounds that portion of the outer lens (20); This portion of the outer lens (20) includes an inner surface (24), wherein at least a portion of the inner surface (24) includes an integrally formed surface texture (26) to diffusely transmit light received from the light source (10); Its features are, The inner surface (24) includes a plurality of protrusions (28) formed therein, wherein the entire surface of each protrusion (28), including its side surface (33), includes the surface texture (26), and The area between the protrusions (28) is flat and does not include the surface texture (26).

2. The lighting assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The surface texture (26) has a surface roughness with an arithmetic mean deviation Ra between 0.4µm and 18µm.

3. The lighting assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The surface texture (26) has a surface roughness with an arithmetic mean deviation Ra between 4µm and 18µm.

4. The lighting assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The entire inner surface (24) includes the surface texture (26).

5. The lighting assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The protrusion (28) includes a square, rectangular and / or circular cross-section.

6. The lighting assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The plurality of protrusions (28) are arranged in a regular array (32) forming protrusions (28) spaced apart from each other.

7. The lighting assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the lighting assembly comprising a first outer lens (20A) corresponding to a first light source (10A) and a second outer lens (20B) corresponding to a second light source (10B), each outer lens (20A, 20B) being transparent to light emitted outward from the corresponding light source (10A, 10B); in, The first outer lens (20A) and the second outer lens (20B) are spatially separated from each other by a separating gap (4); and Each outer lens (20A, 20B) also includes an inwardly extending lens portion (23A, 23B) extending inwardly on a corresponding side of the gap (4), wherein the inner surface (24) of the inwardly extending lens portion (23A, 23B) includes the surface texture (26A, 26B).

8. A method of manufacturing a lighting assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the following steps: - Process (S110) at least a portion of the inner surface (24) of at least a portion of the outer lens (20) to obtain an integrally formed surface texture (26) to diffusely transmit the received light; - A light source (10) is housed (S120) in a housing component (5), the light source being configured to emit light; - Connect (S130) the outer lens (20) to the housing component (5) such that this portion of the outer lens (20) is positioned to receive light emitted from the light source (10) and transmit the received light to the outside; - The black mask component (40) is configured to at least partially surround (S140) that portion of the outer lens (20). Its features are, The inner surface (24) is shaped to include a plurality of protrusions (28) in the inner surface (24), and the entire surface of each protrusion (28), including the side surface (33), is treated to obtain the surface texture (26) on the entire surface of each protrusion (28), and The area between the protrusions (28) is left unprocessed, so that the area is flat and does not include the surface texture (26).

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, Processing the inner surface (24) of the outer lens (20) includes injection molding using an etching tool to generate the surface texture (26).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, Etching includes laser etching or chemical etching.

11. A vehicle (100) comprising a lighting assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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