Repairable cover for LED strip array

Abstract

A glass panel assembly for use in a roof assembly of a vehicle, a PCB strip having LEDs extending adjacent a light input coupling element such that a light emitting side of each of the LEDs is proximate an input coupling surface of the light input coupling element. A cover shields the light input coupling assembly at an interior side of the vehicle. The cover element is connected to a lower surface of the layered glass panel and is detachable from an interior side of the vehicle. The cover element is equipped with a positioning feature to align the LED to an input coupling surface of the light input coupling element. The PCB strip is positioned relative to the light input coupling element and is connected to the cover element only by a positioning feature formed on an interior portion of the cover element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a glass panel assembly for use in a roof assembly of a vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to such a glass panel assembly, which is provided with at least one light incoupling assembly. Such a glass panel assembly can be used, in particular, to provide patterned lighting for the interior of a passenger compartment of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In existing glass panel assemblies, on top of a basic glass layer, an additional glass layer is required, which is smaller than the basic glass layer when considered in a top plan view, because light in-coupling is achieved from the side of the glass and sufficient space should be provided for positioning of the light in-coupling assembly. Such existing glass panel assemblies may include a laminated glass panel having two or even three separate glass panels positioned on top of each other. Summary of the invention

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved glass panel assembly of this type.

[0004] Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a glass panel assembly intended for use in a roof assembly of a vehicle, the glass panel assembly having a laminated glass panel with an upper surface and a lower surface, the laminated glass panel comprising a first glass panel and a second glass panel having a lower surface, wherein the first glass panel and the second glass panel are laminated to each other by a laminating layer, and wherein a light output coupling device for coupling light output into the interior of the vehicle is placed between the laminating layer and the second glass panel, at least one light input coupling component is arranged on the lower surface of the laminated glass panel in a lateral or transverse edge region, the light input coupling component comprising a longitudinal PCB strip having a plurality of LEDs and at least one of the second glass panels capable of coupling light emitted from the LEDs into the second glass panel. A light input coupling element, wherein a PCB strip with LEDs extends adjacent to the at least one light input coupling element so that the light emitting side of each of the LEDs is in close proximity to the input coupling surface of the light input coupling element, wherein a cover shields the light input coupling assembly on the interior side of the vehicle, wherein the cover element is connected to the lower surface of the laminar glass panel, wherein the cover element is removable from the interior side of the vehicle, wherein the cover element is provided with locating features to align the LEDs to the input coupling surface of the light input coupling element, wherein the PCB strip is positioned relative to the light input coupling element and is connected to the cover element only by locating features formed on the interior part of the cover element, and furthermore, the PCB strip is removably connected to the cover element by the locating features. It is important that the light pattern emitted from the laminar glass panel into the interior of the vehicle has a high level of uniformity so that it provides a high level of quality for passengers in the vehicle. For this reason, it is important that the light source, in this case the LED, is optimally positioned towards the light input coupling element. The light input coupling element is glued to the underside of the second panel of the laminar glass panel. The LEDs are mounted on a longitudinally extending PCB strip, which in turn is fixed to the interior part of the cover element. And the cover element is fixed against the lower surface of the laminar glass panel. Therefore, in order to achieve the desired optimal uniformity of the light pattern emitted into the interior, the cover element with the PCB strip and the LEDs needs to be accurately positioned and connected to the lower surface of the laminar glass panel. However, for reasons of maintainability of the PCB strip and the LEDs, the cover element and the PCB strip need to be maintainable in an easy way. In order to ensure this, the PCB strip with the LEDs is accurately positioned relative to the cover element, and the cover element is accurately positioned relative to the light input coupling element.Thus, in case of repairing the PCB strip, the cover element can be removed from the lower surface of the laminated glass panel, the PCB strip can then be removed from the inner portion of the cover element and replaced with a new PCB strip and LED, and the cover element can then be mounted again to the lower surface of the laminated glass panel. The positioning features not only position the PCB strip in three directions perpendicular to each other, but also fix or connect the PCB strip to the inner portion of the cover element in such an optimal position.

[0005] According to another aspect of the invention, the at least one light input coupling element is attached to the underside and is provided with an input coupling surface, via which light emitted by the LED enters the light input coupling element, and an exhaust surface, through which light emitted by the LED leaves the light input coupling element, and wherein the exhaust surface of the light input coupling element is connected to the underside of the second panel by an optical adhesive, so that the light emitted by the LED is guided into the second glass panel via the light input coupling element, and furthermore, the light input coupling element can be made of glass or at least of an optical adhesive. The light input coupling element couples the light emitted by the LED into the second panel via its body, which essentially acts as a prism. The light input coupling element is fixed to the second panel by an optical adhesive. This way of generating light in glass saves the cost and weight of an additional complete glass layer or plastic layer dedicated to outcoupling light.

[0006] According to another aspect of the invention, the cover element is positioned relative to the light input coupling element at least by means of an edge of the cover element, the edge being mounted in a positioning cavity in an encapsulation edge of the laminar glass panel, the cavity extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the PCB strip. In order to position the LED / PCB strip towards the light input coupling element, the cover element needs to be accurately positioned relative to the lower surface of the laminar glass panel. In the case where the laminar glass panel has lateral and / or transverse edge areas with encapsulation material, it is conceivable to use a cavity in the encapsulation material to position the cover element in a direction perpendicular to the lateral and / or transverse edge areas of the laminar glass panel.

[0007] In another embodiment, the cover element is positioned relative to the light input coupling element by means of a positioning feature, which cooperates with a matching positioning feature of the light input coupling element. In order to be able to position the cover element in this embodiment, wherein the layered glass panel is not provided with sufficient encapsulation material at the lateral and / or transverse edges for a cavity that can be used as a positioning feature, a positioning feature is formed at an inner part of the cover element, which positioning feature directly cooperates with the light input coupling element. The positioning feature on the inner part of the cover element can be a pillar-type feature, which fits into a matching hole in the light input coupling element so that the precise positioning of the LED towards the light input coupling feature is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the PCB strip and in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinally extending PCB strip.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the cover element is connected to the underside of the second panel by an adhesive seal at the edge opposite to the lateral or transverse edge region of the laminated glass panel. The seal may be used to adhere the cover element to the underside of the second glass panel. The seal may only partially extend around the cover element, but it is also conceivable that the seal completely surrounds the cover element.

[0009] According to a further aspect of the invention, the locating features formed on the inner part of the cover element are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the underside of the second panel. In this case, the cover element can be removed in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the underside. Importantly, the cover element can be removed in a direction away from the inner face of the second panel. This means that the locating features must be able to allow such movement. This is achieved by forming locating features on the inner part of the cover element in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to the underside of the second panel.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the PCB bar and the LED are covered by a protective member at the interior of the cover element. The protective member can be a solid plastic component suitable for preventing maintenance personnel from directly contacting the PCB bar. Or the protective member can be a coating that covers at least the PCB bar to prevent maintenance personnel from directly contacting the PCB bar. In the event of a failure of the lighting device (in this case, the LED on the PCB bar), the PCB bar needs to be replaced with a new PCB bar. The personnel who repair the cover element need to be able to work safely and replace the PCB bar without injury. When disassembling the cover element, the protective member can protect the PCB bar from direct contact. Obviously, when disassembling the cover element, the protective member needs to be carefully removed so that the PCB bar can be replaced. It is conceivable that the protective member is a solid plastic component or coating on the PCB bar itself.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for replacing a PCB strip of a glass panel assembly according to the above description may include the following steps:

[0012] - removing the cover element in a direction substantially perpendicular to the underside of the second panel,

[0013] ● removing the PCB strip from the inner part of the cover element,

[0014] • Mounting a new PCB strip on the inner part of the cover element using the locating features,

[0015] • Mounting the cover element to the underside of the laminated glass panel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the underside of the second panel using the locating features of the cover element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings which show an embodiment of a roof panel assembly according to the invention.

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle roof including a glass panel assembly according to the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 is a plan view of a vehicle roof including a glass panel assembly according to the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a perspective schematic diagram of a portion of the lower side of a glass panel, which includes a rectangular prism and a PCB strip with LEDs and a cover element.

[0020] Figure 4 According to the first embodiment, Figure 2 Line IV-IV in passes through the cross section of the layered glass panel, the rectangular prism, the PCB strip with the LEDs and the cover element.

[0021] Figure 5 According to the second embodiment, Figure 2 The section along line IV-IV in FIG.

[0022] Figure 6 According to the third embodiment, Figure 2 The section along line IV-IV in FIG.

[0023] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Partial plan view of the PCB strip and optical input coupling elements.

[0024] Figure 8 According to the fourth embodiment, Figure 2The section along line IV-IV in FIG.

[0025] Fig. 9 for Figure 8 Partial plan view of the PCB strip and optical input coupling elements.

[0026] Fig.10 According to the fifth embodiment, Figure 2 The section along line IV-IV.

[0027] Fig.11 According to the sixth embodiment, Figure 2 The section along line IV-IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] exist Figure 1 In the figure, the top part of a vehicle 1 is shown, which has a fixed roof part 2, a frame part 3 (only in Figure 1 The frame portion 3 is mounted to the fixed roof portion 2, and the inner side of the frame portion 3 surrounds (or defines) a roof opening 4. A portion of the roof opening 4 (e.g., the front portion) is covered by a movable panel 5, while the remaining portion of the roof opening 4 (e.g., the rear portion) is covered by a fixed panel 6.

[0029] exist Figure 2 , the movable panel 5 and the fixed panel 6 are schematically shown in their respective positions relative to the fixed roof part 2. Of course, the movable panel 5 can be moved to another position (for example partially rearward above the fixed panel 6) for at least partially releasing the corresponding part of the roof opening 4. The mechanism for achieving such movement of the movable panel 5 is well known in the art and is therefore not further described here. As an exemplary embodiment, the movable panel 5 and the fixed panel 6 both define a laminated glass panel 25, which is part of the glass panel assembly 7, 8 according to the present invention and will be described in detail. However, it should be noted that in other embodiments, in addition, only one of the movable panel and the fixed panel may define such a laminated glass panel 25. In Figure 2 In the figure, light input coupling components 7a-d and 8a-d are schematically indicated by dashed lines, hereinafter referred to as 7, 8. Such light input coupling components 7, 8 can be arranged in any desired pattern (e.g., as shown, at all lateral and transverse edge regions 29, 30 of the panels 5, 6, or for example only at some edges, such as only at the lateral edge regions 29 of the panel, thus only at 7a, b and 8a, b, and in a similar manner for both panels or in a different manner for both panels). Although, as shown in the figure Figure 2, the location of the light input coupling components 7, 8 near the edge regions 29, 30 of the panels 5, 6 is preferred, but other locations are also conceivable. Each of the light input coupling components 7, 8 can be covered by a cover element 22, which hides the light input coupling elements 17, 17' and the PCB strip 31 with the light source 16 (i.e., LED) so that it is not visible from the interior of the vehicle 1.

[0030] exist Figure 3 , a laminated glass panel 25 is shown with its underside 14 being viewed. In this embodiment, a lateral edge region 29 is shown with a row of light input coupling elements 17, in this embodiment a row of five rectangular prisms. In another embodiment, the light input coupling elements 17' may comprise triangular or wedge-shaped elements 17' made of at least one optical adhesive 18. Adjacent to the light input coupling elements 17, 17' is placed a longitudinally extending PCB strip 31, wherein the light emitting side of the LED 16 is directed towards the input coupling surface 27 ( Figure 3 In this embodiment, the incoupling surface 27 of the prism 17, 17' receives light from the LEDs 16 arranged adjacently.

[0031] exist Figure 4 and Figure 5 1 shows a cross-sectional view showing a laminated glass panel 25 having first and second glass panels 9, 12 laminated together by a lamination layer 15. A light outcoupling device 26 is placed between the second glass panel 12 and the lamination layer 15. Light emitted from the LED 16 via the light incoupling elements 17, 17' into the second glass panel 12 is reflected at the light outcoupling device 26 towards the interior of the vehicle 1.

[0032] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the light input coupling element 17 ′ is an element comprising a triangular optical adhesive 18 and a plastic border strip. In this embodiment, the plastic border strip made of, for example, PMMA forms the input coupling surface 27 of the light input coupling element 17 ′. The light input coupling element 17 ′ is connected to the lower side 14 of the second glass panel 12 by the optical adhesive 18. Figure 5 In FIG. 1 , the light input coupling element 17 is a rectangular prism made of glass, for example. Figure 4 and Figure 5The further description of the other components shown in the FIGURES is the same for both embodiments. An elongated PCB strip 31 is positioned adjacent to the light input coupling element 17' so that the LED 16 connected to the edge of the PCB strip 31 can emit light directly into the input coupling surface 27. The PCB strip 31 is precisely positioned and fixed to the inner part 42 of the cover element 22 by means of positioning features 34, 34'. The positioning features 34 position the PCB strip 31 and thus the LED 16 in a direction towards the light input coupling element 17, 17' and in a direction perpendicular to this direction, and the positioning features 34' at the short end of the PCB strip 31 position the PCB strip 31 in the longitudinal direction or the transverse direction (as the case may be). Furthermore, the PCB strip 31 is positioned relative to the light input coupling element 17, 17' in the vertical direction by means of the positioning features 34, 34'. The positioning features 34, 34' are provided with precisely placed pillars for the positioning function, and further, the pillars are provided with clip fingers that ensure that the PCB strip 31 is removably attached to the inner part 42 of the cover element 22. from Figure 4 and Figure 5 As can be clearly seen, the locating features 34 , 34 ′ are all directed substantially vertically toward the underside 14 of the second panel 12 . Figure 4 and Figure 5 1 , the cover element 22 in the vehicle 1 is shown to be shielded from any detail of these light input coupling elements 17, 17' by passengers in the interior of the vehicle 1. The cover element 22 carries on its inner portion 42 a PCB strip 31 with LEDs 16 which need to cooperate with the light input coupling features 17, 17' and the light input coupling features 17, 17' are attached to the underside 14 of the second panel 12. It is therefore inevitable that the cover element 22 needs to be positioned accurately relative to the laminar glass panel 25. This is arranged by the cover element 22 having an edge 24 which fits accurately into a cavity 23 in an encapsulation material 21 which is arranged on the lateral or transverse edges 29, 30 of the laminar glass panel 25. Therefore, the cover element 22 is positioned accurately in the direction towards the input coupling surface 27 of the light input coupling elements 17, 17'. The cover element 22 is fixed on the opposite end towards the underside 14 of the second panel 12 by means of adhesive seals 19. The positioning features 34, 34' may extend in the vertical direction towards the underside 14 of the second panel 12 so as to ensure accurate positioning of the cover element 22 in the vertical direction.

[0033] exist Figure 6, another embodiment is shown in which there is no encapsulation material 21 in the lateral or transverse edge regions 29, 30 of the laminated glass panel to provide a cavity 23 therein and to position the cover element 22 in the direction towards the light input coupling elements 17, 17'. Instead, a locating feature 35 is formed in an inner portion 42 of the cover element 22 and cooperates with a locating feature 35' in the light input coupling elements 17, 17' when assembled. Figure 6 and Figure 7 The light input coupling element 17' shown in the figure is a triangular prism made of an optical adhesive 18 and a PMMA strip 43. The PMMA strip 43 forms the input coupling surface 27 of the input coupling element 17'. The PMMA strip 43 has at least one cavity or hole, which is a positioning feature 35', in which the positioning feature 35 (which is a pillar or pin) will fit exactly. Preferably, the shape of the cross section of the positioning features 35, 35' is square or rectangular, but other shapes are also conceivable. Preferably, one of the square or rectangular walls is parallel to the input coupling surface 27 of the input coupling feature 17'. In this way, the PCB strip 31, which is positioned and connected to the inner part 42 of the cover element 22, is accurately positioned to the light input coupling surface 27 of the light input coupling element 17, 17' via the positioning features 35, 35'.

[0034] exist Figure 8 and Fig. 9 In FIG. 1 , another embodiment is shown. Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the embodiment of Figure 8 , 9 In the embodiment of the present invention, no encapsulation material 21 is used and the cover element 22 holding the positioned PCB strip 31 is positioned relative to the input coupling surface 27 of the light input coupling element 17 by means of at least two positioning elements 35, each of which is positioned precisely relative to each other against two opposite elongated edges of the light input coupling element 17. In this embodiment, the positioning features 35 may have a square or rectangular cross-section, wherein at least one wall of the positioning element is parallel to an edge of the light input coupling element 17.

[0035] Fig.10 Another embodiment is shown in which the PCB strip 31 is covered with a protective member 40, in which embodiment the protective member 40 is an isolating coating 41, which ensures that no dangerous situations will occur to people when they are working to replace a failed PCB strip 31, such as accidental discharges that may occur.

[0036] Fig.11Another embodiment is shown in which a protective member 40 is shown. In this embodiment, the protective member 40 is a solid plastic component that covers the PCB strip 31 on the inner portion 42 of the cover element 22 so that the staff will not accidentally contact the PCB strip 31 when replacing the PCB strip 31.

[0037] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, which can vary widely within the scope of the invention as defined by the appending claims.

Claims

1. A glass panel assembly intended for use in a roof assembly of a vehicle (1), the glass panel assembly having a laminated glass panel (25) having an upper surface (38) and a lower surface (39), the laminated glass panel (25) comprising a first glass panel (9) and a second glass panel (12) having a lower surface (14), wherein the first glass panel (9) and the second glass panel (12) are laminated to each other by a laminating layer (15), and wherein a light out-coupling device (26) for coupling light out into the interior of the vehicle (1) is placed between the laminating layer (15) and the second glass panel (12), at least one light in-coupling component (7, 8) being arranged on the lower surface (39) of the laminated glass panel (25) in a lateral edge region or a transverse edge region (29, 30), the light in-coupling component (7, 8) comprising a longitudinal PCB strip (31) having a plurality of LEDs (16), and The invention relates to a vehicle (1) and a second glass panel (12) capable of coupling light emitted from an LED (16) into at least one light input coupling element (17, 17') in the second glass panel (12), wherein a PCB strip (31) with LEDs (16) extends adjacent to at least one light input coupling element (17, 17') so that the light emitting side of each of the LEDs (16) is in close proximity to an input coupling surface (27) of the light input coupling element (17, 17'), wherein a cover (22) shields the light input coupling assembly (7, 8) at an interior side of the vehicle (1), wherein the cover element (22) is connected to the lower surface (39) of the laminated glass panel (25) and can be removed from the interior side of the vehicle (1), and wherein the cover element (22) is provided with locating features (34, 34', 35, 35') to align the LEDs (16) to the input coupling surfaces (27) of the light input coupling elements (17, 17'), It is characterized in that The PCB strip (31) is positioned relative to the optical input coupling element (17, 17') and is connected to the cover element (22) only via locating features (34, 34') formed on an inner portion (42) of the cover element (22).

2. The glass panel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one light input coupling element (17, 17') is attached to the lower side (14) and is provided with the input coupling surface (27) and the exhaust surface (28), the light emitted by the LED (16) entering the light input coupling element (17, 17') via the input coupling surface (27), the light emitted by the LED (16) leaving the light input coupling element (17, 17') through the exhaust surface, and wherein the exhaust surface (28) of the light input coupling element (17, 17') is connected to the lower side (14) of the second panel (12) by an optical adhesive (18) so that the light emitted by the LED (16) is guided into the second glass panel (12) via the light input coupling element (17, 17').

3. The glass panel assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The light input coupling element (17) is made of glass, or the light input coupling element (17') is made of at least an optical adhesive (18).

4. The glass panel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover element (22) is positioned relative to the optical input coupling element (17, 17') at least by an edge (24) of the cover element (22), the edge (24) being mounted in a positioning cavity (23) in an encapsulation edge (21) of the laminar glass panel (25), the positioning cavity (23) extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the PCB strip (31).

5. The glass panel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover element (22) is positioned relative to the light input coupling element (17, 17') by means of a positioning feature (35) which cooperates with a matching positioning feature (35') of the light input coupling element (17, 17').

6. The glass panel assembly according to claim 5 or claim 4, characterized in that: The cover element (22) is connected to the underside (14) of the second panel (12) at the edge opposite to the lateral edge region or transverse edge region (29, 30) of the laminated glass panel (25) by means of an adhesive seal (19).

7. The glass panel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The PCB strip (31) is removably connected to the cover element (22) via the locating features (34, 34').

8. The glass panel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: Locating features (34, 34', 35, 35') formed on an interior portion (42) of the cover member (22) are oriented substantially perpendicular to the underside (14) of the second panel (12).

9. The glass panel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The PCB strip (31) and the LED (16) are covered by a protection member (40) at the interior of the cover element (22).

10. The glass panel assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that: The protective member (40) is a solid plastic component suitable for preventing maintenance personnel from directly contacting the PCB strip (31).

11. The glass panel assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that: The protective component (40) is a coating that at least covers the PCB bar (31) to prevent maintenance personnel from directly contacting the PCB bar (31).

12. The glass panel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover element (22) is removable in a direction substantially vertically away from the lower face (14).

13. A method for replacing a PCB strip (31) of a glass panel assembly according to claim 7, comprising the following steps: ● removing the cover element (22) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the underside (14) of the second panel (12); ● removing the PCB strip (31) from the inner portion (42) of the cover element (22); • mounting a new PCB strip (31) on the inner portion (42) of the cover element (22) using the locating features (34, 34'); • Attaching the cover element (22) to the underside (14) of the second glass panel (12) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the underside (14) of the second panel (12) using the locating features (35) of the cover element (22).

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